Second Shot at Love Hits Ratings High as Choi Sooyoung Declares Sobriety

tvN’s latest Monday-Tuesday drama Second Shot at Love has captured the hearts of viewers, with its latest episode showcasing a pivotal emotional moment. Airing on May 20, the drama’s 4th episode featured Choi Sooyoung’s character Geum-joo facing the harsh realities of her life, ultimately leading her to declare her intention to quit drinking. This episode marked a significant rise in popularity, recording a nationwide viewership rating of 3.7% and peaking at an impressive 5%, ranking No.1 across cable and general programming during its time slot (Nielsen Korea, paid households).

The episode followed Geum-joo’s emotional turmoil as she attended her ex-boyfriend’s wedding — with a different bride. Emotionally overwhelmed, she left the sobriety camp and ended up drinking. When her mother, played by Kim Sung-ryung, caught her drinking, she ran away and was later found by Gong Myung’s character, Eui-joon. Unable to hold back her emotions, Geum-joo broke down in tears and opened up to Eui-joon before eventually passing out.

After witnessing her blackout firsthand, Eui-joon recommended a self-assessment for alcohol dependency. Geum-joo, who tested as having signs of alcohol addiction, initially denied her issue, saying, “I’m not addicted, I’m just a sensible drinker.” Despite rationalizing her drinking, she began to suspect Eui-joon knew more about her past than he let on, especially after he showed unexpected empathy rather than scolding her.

A subplot involving a canceled wedding bus caused chaos, which Eui-joon covered up to protect Geum-joo. Later, she found herself alone in a park under the rain, reflecting on her situation. When Eui-joon arrived with an umbrella, she recognized his steadfast presence and courageously declared, “I thought no one could be an umbrella in my life… but it turns out, it’s you. I want to quit drinking and start over. Help me, Eui-joon.”

Choi Sooyoung delivered an exceptionally nuanced performance, expressing Geum-joo’s complex emotional transitions with subtle expressions and tone shifts. Her portrayal of Geum-joo’s fragile sincerity touched audiences deeply, especially during scenes with Gong Myung, where their chemistry shone brightly. Their dynamic — oscillating between friends, family, and something more — intensified the heartfelt atmosphere of the story.

As Eui-joon steps in to help Geum-joo embark on her path to sobriety, fans are left wondering whether their tangled history will lead to a new beginning. Second Shot at Love continues to air every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST on tvN.