The finale of Dear X brings Ah-jin in her downfall caused by Jun-seo’s way of stopping her manipulation and endless lies—to save her from the pit of hell.
Dear X episode 12, the finale episode, aired on December 4, 2025 via HBO Max and TVING. The finale episode, entitled The Final X, highlights the final shackle of Ah-jin. When she thinks she’s already on top, another hurdle puts her on the edge. This time, it was Jun-seo who became her X. It was Jae-oh’s death that pushed Jun-seo to finally stop Ah-jin.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers about the series. Read at your own risk.
Did Jae-oh die in Dear X Episode 12?
The finale episode of Dear X opens with Jae-oh briefing his boss, Ahn Do-kang, on a risky plan. He asks him to install a hidden camera on the rooftop and adds spyware to his own phone, allowing Do-kang to monitor it remotely.
Tragically, the plan takes a deadly turn. Do-hyuk’s men catch up to Jae-oh, beat him severely, and reveal that Do-hyuk has ordered his death. They throw him off the building, while Jae-oh reflects on his memories with Ah-jin in his final moments.
Unbeknownst to the men, Jae-oh’s phone keeps recording. After his death, the team leader collects the device, unaware it’s still capturing everything. Soon, both Jun-seo and Ah-jin receive a message from Jae-oh containing a link to the footage.
Jun-seo rushes to Jae-oh’s workplace, where a grief-stricken Ahn Do-kang explains that Jae-oh left him the original SD card and the burner phone, giving them full access to the recorded evidence.
Moon Do-hyuk Faces Ah-jin’s Wrath
The next morning, Ah-jin sends all the housekeepers away so she can confront Do-hyuk alone. She shows him the video of his own men admitting that he ordered Jae-oh’s death and actually carrying it out—an event she personally witnessed. Do-hyuk looks cornered, realizing he has no choice but to listen to her.
Jun-seo calls Ah-jin, asking what she’s done. She tells him that Jae-oh gave his life willingly so she could take control of Do-hyuk. When Jun-seo asks if she’ll finally stop, she refuses.
Later, Jun-seo contacts producer Han Ji-gyu to confirm the documentary offer on Ah-jin is still available. Then, he approaches Do-hyuk, revealing that he has more videos captured through Jae-oh’s spyware. He warns Do-hyuk to stay away from Ah-jin, making it clear that he will be the one to stop her, not Do-hyuk.
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Did Jun-seo stop Ah-jin?
Ah-jin’s film Amen to Nothing becomes a massive success, earning spots at international film festivals. The media hails her as the queen of her industry, and she steps onto the red carpet at the Blue Dragon Awards to cheers from the crowd. During the ceremony, she takes home the Best Actress award.
But at the same time, Jun-seo and Han Ji-gyu release their documentary about Ah-jin on a rival channel. The film features Sung-hee, the coffee shop server, In-gang’s brother, and even the police officer from her father’s case, all exposing the darker truths about her.
The documentary runs alongside Ah-jin’s acceptance speech, cutting between her glamorous moment and the revelations. As it goes viral, the audience’s applause feels muted. She steps off the stage and notices the staff watching it unfold—and then sees Jun-seo on screen, describing how he discovered her with the bat on the day her father died.
Is Jun-seo Alive in Dear X?
Jun-seo intercepts Ah-jin on the streets and gets her into his car, heading to a secluded spot. Along the way, he explains that he realised she would never change and that he had to stop her. Ah-jin protests, saying she has nowhere else to go, but Jun-seo insists they end everything together. He confesses his love one last time before driving off a cliff.
The news reports confirm that Jun-seo died on impact, while Ah-jin’s whereabouts remain unknown. Back home, Ji-sun discovers a farewell note from Jun-seo, who still hasn’t forgiven her. He also removes all his photographs from the family albums, leaving a lasting void.
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What was Ah-jin’s ending?
Do-hyuk’s team reports that there’s no sign of Ah-jin being alive. Soon after, he sees a follow-up on Producer Han Ji-gyu’s show, featuring CCTV footage of Ah-jin stumbling out of the car after the crash. Still, no one knows where she went.
The scene then shifts to a columbarium, where an urn is marked for Ah-jin. A woman places a white rose by her photograph and walks away.
A flashback returns to the crash itself. Ah-jin awakens inside the wrecked car, struggling to escape even as a badly injured Jun-seo tries to stop her. She climbs up the rocks and pauses to look back at the car before the episode ends, leaving her fate uncertain.
Dear X Ending Explained and Review
What a thrilling finale! Ah-jin finally reaches the top, achieving everything she’s worked for, only to be challenged by the one person who knows her best. There’s something almost poetic about Jun-seo being the only one capable of stopping her—and yet, even he ultimately fails.
It would have been interesting to see more of how the documentary could’ve truly taken her down. Still, the drama hooks you so deeply into Ah-jin’s world that it’s impossible not to root for her, even after Kim Jae-oh’s heartbreaking death. That moment alone could have used a bit more screen time, but it hits hard all the same.
The editing is flawless, weaving together Ah-jin’s award speech with the documentary footage perfectly. The contrast adds tension, because we know what’s happening, even as Ah-jin remains unaware. The music complements it beautifully, and Kim Yoo-jung delivers a final, unforgettable look back at the car—a gaze that feels like it pierces right through the audience as the credits roll.
Episode 12 works as a strong finale, balancing emotional punches from Jae-oh’s death and Jun-seo’s betrayal with the ultimate reminder of Ah-jin’s cunning and resilience. The one downside? Do-hyuk never really faces consequences. But the final scene leaves the door wide open for a potential second season. If there’s ever been a K-drama worth continuing, Dear X might just be it.
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