Solace

In-ku works as a pharmacist and runs his own shop while living with his elderly mother and his mentally disabled older brother, In-seob. He spends most of his time caring for them and balancing his personal life around their needs. Years earlier, he ended a relationship because his brother's condition made a stable partnership difficult.

Hye-ran earns a living selling fake designer clothes in Seoul's Dongdaemun market, which brings her into trouble with the police. She also bears a crippling debt inherited from her late father, coloring her choices and anxieties.

During a family karaoke night, Hye-ran's younger sister reveals she is pregnant and wants to marry soon. Afraid of being left to pay the debt, Hye-ran pressures her sister to consider abortion, straining their relationship.

In-ku's ex-girlfriend visits him one last time before she marries someone else. They go to a hotel for sex, but In-ku has second thoughts and walks away, leaving the encounter unresolved.

Back at his shop, In-ku drinks alone until Hye-ran arrives seeking something to help her sleep. They share drinks at a local bar and eventually return to the hotel, spending the night together. In the early morning, Hye-ran slips away while In-ku pretends to be asleep.

In-ku and Hye-ran keep running into each other and gradually build a quiet, supportive friendship. Their bond grows as they open up about their burdens, hinting at something deeper beneath their complicated lives.

The couple plans a date, but when In-ku goes to meet Hye-ran at work, he watches as her stall is raided by the police and she is taken away. The incident underscores the precariousness of her parallel life and their fragile relationship.

In-ku's brother In-seob escalates into hysterics, causing friction at home. After initially clashing, the two brothers manage to reconcile, underscoring the care In-ku provides for his family even as he navigates his own love life.

Recognising In-seob's sexual restlessness, In-ku arranges for him to meet a prostitute, but the plan fails. The night ends with the two men seeking relief and conversation in a sauna, deepening their bond.

After months of near-misses, In-ku and Hye-ran finally go on a proper date. At the end of the night, In-ku surprises her with a kiss, signaling a new step in their relationship.

The couple goes camping by a lakeside, where they talk about a song from Hye-ran's elementary school and share memories of hiking with In-seob. The intimate talk deepens their emotional connection and mutual understanding.

The next day In-ku takes Hye-ran to her old elementary school, but a phone call interrupts the moment, and she rushes off to tend to family matters related to her sister.

Back at In-ku's shop, Hye-ran confesses she can't be happy while weighed down by so many problems, and she chooses to end the relationship for now.

As In-ku prepares for his father's death anniversary, In-seob again goes into hysterics and runs away. His mother, deciding to help, goes out and is struck by a car, dying in the road. The family mourns her loss, a turning point for the household.

After the funeral, In-ku opens up about lingering resentment toward In-seob but accepts that he is the one who must care for him. He and Hye-ran share a candid talk about their future, hinting at possibilities ahead.