Tears of Sacrifice: A Mother's Love and a Daughter's Growth in 'Unbelievably Fooled' Act 3
The Long-Awaited Third Act: A Journey into the 1990s
The third act of Netflix's hit series 'Unbelievably Fooled' (폭싹 속았수다) has finally arrived, bringing viewers into the 1990s era of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik's life story. After the first two acts captivated audiences with their portrayal of young love in 1960s Jeju Island and the couple's struggles in 1980s Seoul, the third act (episodes 9-12) shifts focus to their life as parents raising their daughter Geum-myeong. The timeline transitions smoothly into the 90s, showing middle-aged Ae-soon and Gwan-sik navigating parenthood while their daughter enters university and begins her own journey of love and heartbreak.
Episodes 9-12 were released on March 21, 2025, at 4 PM on Netflix, and fans have been eagerly dissecting every emotional moment. The production value remains impressive, with meticulous attention to 1990s details from fashion to cultural references, creating an authentic nostalgic atmosphere that resonates with viewers who lived through that era.
Family Conflicts and Meeting the In-Laws
Episode 9 opens with Geum-myeong (played by IU) entering Seoul National University's English Literature department and starting to live independently. She's preparing to introduce her boyfriend Young-beom to her parents, but the meeting goes disastrously wrong. Young-beom's mother looks down on Geum-myeong and her parents for being from Jeju Island, making condescending remarks that create immediate tension.
The confrontation reaches its peak when Ae-soon (Moon So-ri) can no longer tolerate the insults. In one of the most powerful scenes, she firmly tells her daughter: "Geum-myeong, the world is rougher than you think, but I don't want you to experience all of that." With trembling voice and determined eyes, she takes her daughter's hand and leaves the gathering, showing both her maternal instinct to protect and her inner strength built through years of hardship.
Community reactions to this scene have been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers on TheQoo and Instiz praising Moon So-ri's performance. One popular comment noted: "This is exactly how Korean mothers protect their children—quiet dignity until pushed too far, then absolute lioness mode." The cultural context of regional discrimination in Korea adds depth to this conflict, as Jeju islanders historically faced prejudice from mainland Koreans.
Geum-myeong's New Love and Growth
Episode 10 sees Geum-myeong ending her relationship with Young-beom and unexpectedly meeting a new character, Chung-seop (played by Kim Seon-ho in a special appearance). Chung-seop works as an artist painting movie posters at a theater near Geum-myeong's apartment. Their chance encounters lead to meaningful conversations, and Geum-myeong finds herself drawn to his warmth and artistic sensibility.
Meanwhile, Gwan-sik quietly supports his family while observing his daughter's romantic life. In a touching scene shared over drinks with Geum-myeong, he gently says: "Meeting your mother was the best thing I ever did in my life. Having you was the second best." This simple yet profound statement perfectly captures Gwan-sik's character—a man of few words but deep emotions.
The episode skillfully balances Geum-myeong's new romance with flashbacks to young Ae-soon and Gwan-sik (played by IU and Park Bo-gum), creating a beautiful parallel between generations. Viewers on Naver and Daum forums have noted how the daughter's journey mirrors her mother's in many ways, despite Geum-myeong's determination to live differently from her parents.
Heartbreak and Military Separation
Episode 11 deepens the relationship between Geum-myeong and Chung-seop as they share their vulnerabilities and comfort each other. However, their budding romance faces an obstacle when Chung-seop reveals he must soon enlist for mandatory military service. Their inevitable separation brings tears and uncertainty.
In a poignant moment of self-reflection, Geum-myeong whispers to herself: "I said I wouldn't live like mom and dad, but here I am, loving just the same." This realization comes as she stands on her apartment balcony after saying goodbye to Chung-seop, tears streaming down her face as she gazes at the night streets of Seoul.
The episode masterfully portrays the emotional turmoil of young love interrupted by military service—a uniquely Korean experience that resonates with local audiences. Community reactions on DCInside and FM Korea have been emotional, with many viewers sharing their own similar experiences of separation due to military enlistment. The cultural insight here is significant: military service has shaped countless Korean love stories, creating a shared national experience of waiting and uncertainty.
The Emotional Finale and Full Circle Moments
The final episode brings closure to the third act while setting up the next chapter. Before departing for military service, Chung-seop leaves Geum-myeong a portrait he painted as a parting gift. The episode ends with a uniformed Chung-seop spotting Geum-myeong on a bus and running after it, leaving viewers with a hopeful yet uncertain conclusion to their love story.
Meanwhile, Ae-soon and Gwan-sik reflect on their journey as they prepare for their daughter's eventual marriage. Their middle-aged resilience and quiet melancholy are beautifully portrayed, with flashbacks to their younger selves providing emotional context for their long journey together.
In one particularly moving flashback, young Ae-soon (IU) tells Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum): "Let's leave Jeju together. I can't breathe here." This moment on a windy beach shows the beginning of their journey away from home, with Gwan-sik silently smiling at Ae-soon before taking her hand—a perfect bookend to their story.
Fan communities across platforms like Nate Pann and Instiz have been discussing the finale extensively, with many viewers expressing both satisfaction with the emotional depth and anticipation for the final act. The consensus seems to be that the third act successfully balanced nostalgia, family dynamics, and intergenerational storytelling.
Why 'Unbelievably Fooled' Resonates So Deeply
What makes 'Unbelievably Fooled' so emotionally impactful is its authentic portrayal of an ordinary person's entire life journey. Beginning with young Ae-soon calling for her mother and now showing her as a mother and grandmother herself, the series captures the full circle of human experience. As one reviewer aptly put it, this isn't just Ae-soon's story—it's the story of an entire generation of Korean parents who sacrificed everything for their children.
The detailed period settings trigger powerful nostalgia, with each prop and costume element transporting viewers back to specific moments in Korean history. From the economic boom of the 90s to the changing family dynamics, the series captures societal shifts that shaped modern Korea.
Community reactions have been overwhelmingly emotional, with many viewers reporting tears and profound connections to their own family histories. On platforms like TheQoo and Naver, comments frequently mention viewers calling their parents after watching episodes, reflecting on sacrifices they hadn't fully appreciated before.
As we await the final act, 'Unbelievably Fooled' has already cemented itself as a profound meditation on family, sacrifice, and the quiet heroism of ordinary lives—proving that sometimes the most moving stories are the ones that feel most familiar.