Dong-ju’s hidden past comes to light in Absolute Value of Romance episode 12. Eui-ju finally reconciles with her friend, Go-ya.
On May 15, Absolute Value of Romance episode 12 aired on Coupang Play and Prime Video. The episode features Dong-ju revealing an unexpected side of himself when he steps in to protect Ji-a from dangerous gangsters. Meanwhile, Eui-ju and Go-ya finally repair their friendship and share their true feelings. As Eui-ju grows more certain about her feelings for Woo-su, she gathers the courage to confess before it is too late.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers about the series. Read at your own risk.
Dong-ju’s Secret in Absolute Value of Romance Episode 12
Absolute Value of Romance episode 12 picks up at the loan shark’s headquarters. Gi-jeon, Dong-ju, and Da-ju arrive to help. However, Dong-ju quickly takes control of the situation.
Without hesitation, he confronts the gangsters on his own. Furthermore, he defeats them with surprising ease. Ji-a and Eui-ju watch in disbelief as their calm Korean Literature teacher takes down a group of thugs.
During the fight, one gangster grabs Dong-ju’s shirt. The struggle exposes a tattoo sleeve on his arm. Eui-ju immediately notices it and begins seeing him in a completely different way. Afterward, Dong-ju issues a clear warning. He tells the gangsters to stay away from Ji-a and never bother her again.
Meanwhile, Go-ya grows increasingly worried after learning that Eui-ju put herself in danger to help Ji-a. She anxiously waits outside Eui-ju’s house for her return. Once Eui-ju arrives home safely, Go-ya rushes over and hugs her. The emotional moment finally breaks the tension between them.
Later, the two friends reconcile. Go-ya admits how much she worried about Eui-ju. In return, Eui-ju reassures her that she does not have feelings for Dong-ju. Instead, she confesses something else. She admits that her crush is actually Woo-su.
Moreover, Go-ya asks for complete honesty between them moving forward. Eui-ju agrees and shares everything that happened at the loan shark’s office. She even speculates about Dong-ju’s past. His fighting skills and tattoo make her wonder if he was once involved with gangsters. However, the story only makes Go-ya admire him even more.
Eui-ju’s Feelings for Woo-su
Back at home, Dong-ju struggles with the aftermath of the fight. He worries that his students will uncover the truth about his past. However, Gi-jeon tries to ease his concerns. During their conversation, Gi-jeon reflects on their college days and remembers how their friendship began. Furthermore, Dong-ju thanks him for helping him leave his life as a street fighter behind.
Meanwhile, Eui-ju cannot stop thinking about what she witnessed. Inspired by Dong-ju’s fighting skills, she writes a new chapter of her novel. In the story, Dong-ju’s character battles a group of thugs and rescues Go-ya’s character. The next morning, Ji-a surprises everyone. She arrives on time, brings her books, and looks ready to focus on school. Moreover, her classmates notice the injuries on Woo-su and bombard him with questions. He ignores them and carries on as usual.
Later, Ji-a approaches Woo-su privately. She apologizes for all the trouble he has faced because of her. The moment highlights how much their relationship has changed. Elsewhere, Eui-ju notices a shift in Go-ya’s behavior. Whenever Dong-ju appears, Go-ya becomes unusually quiet. At first, Eui-ju assumes her friend feels uncomfortable about Dong-ju’s past.
However, Go-ya reveals the opposite. She admits that she likes Dong-ju even more after learning about his history. In addition, she says she wants to study hard and build a successful future so she can protect him one day. Eui-ju feels completely stunned by her friend’s bold declaration. Later, Go-ya turns the conversation toward Eui-ju’s own love life. She encourages her to confess to Woo-su before he potentially leaves for Harvard.
During extra class, Eui-ju spends the entire session battling her nerves. She repeatedly considers confessing but loses confidence every time she gets close to him. After school, she finally gathers her courage. Eui-ju follows Woo-su outside and prepares to tell him how she truly feels. The episode ends just as she makes her long-awaited attempt to confess.
Episode 12 of Absolute Value of Romance balances action, friendship, and romance surprisingly well. Dong-ju steals the spotlight with his unexpected fighting skills, adding an intriguing new layer to his character. The reconciliation between Eui-ju and Go-ya feels heartfelt and helps strengthen the emotional core of the story. Meanwhile, Eui-ju’s growing determination to confess to Woo-su creates an exciting cliffhanger that keeps viewers invested in the next episode.
Catch all the episodes of the series on Coupang Play and Prime Video.
Sources: Coupang Play Youtube Channel, Prime Video PH, Coupang Play (X)
