Decision to Leave

Hae-joon’s love for Seo-rae drives him to forgive her, understanding that she acted out of a complex mix of despair and self-preservation rather than malice. After discovering that Seo-rae hadn’t directly killed her second husband, but instead orchestrated his death by causing her mother’s, Hae-joon realizes that her actions were driven by her desire to protect herself and those she loved, rather than intent to murder. This deeper understanding of her character ultimately intensifies his feelings and his internal conflict.

At the film’s climax, Seo-rae’s willingness to sacrifice herself reflects her love for Hae-joon. She chooses to disappear into the sea, digging her own grave and waiting for the tide to drown her, as an act of ultimate devotion—believing that by doing so, she can protect him from scandal and free him from the burden of her truth. Hae-joon, arriving too late to save her, searches desperately for her in the rising waters but finds only the spot where she has committed her final act. Her death is ambiguous—it’s left to the audience to interpret whether she truly drowned or simply disappeared into the sea, embodying the tragic and poetic nature of their love story.

In the end, the film leaves you contemplating the blurred line between duty and love, the moral complexities of their actions, and how far one is willing to go for love. Hae-joon’s unwavering love and Seo-rae’s ultimate sacrifice highlight a love that is as beautiful as it is tragic, ending with a profound reminder of the costs of devotion, the limits of justice, and the sacrifices made in the name of love.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57