Side dish: If you like your coffee to be as sweet as this episode, how about turning it into ice cream? Here a recipe for Cappuccino Ice Cream from Food52.
Episode Recap
The next morning, Han Gyul is in a state of post-coital bliss. Eun Chan wakes up in a panic about getting in trouble with her mother and scrambles to find her clothes. Fortunately, Eun Sae covers for her so that their mother never finds out that she was out all night.
Ha Rim instantly recognizes that something has changed between Han Gyul and Eun Chan when they arrive together at the coffee house. He teases them non-stop, but ends up feeling foolish when he spots Byul, the customer he dated, flirting with two men.
Han Gyul and Eun Chan promise to spend every remaining day together. One of their phone conversations continues throughout the night when they both fall asleep while on the line, and Han Gyul wakes Eun Chan up with a song.
Eun Chan’s final day in Korea arrives. Mr. Hong tries to remain indifferent, Min Yeop gifts her with makeup and promises to look after her mother and sister, Sun Ki offers a handshake, and Ha Rim lets a farewell letter speak for him after breaking down. At home, Eun Chan’s mother and sister keep busy helping her pack, but end up crying.
Eun Chan arrives at the airport alone as Han Gyul stays away for fear of stopping her from leaving. She tells her mother and sister not to see her off either. The coffee house staff mope at work. Meanwhile, Han Seong and Yoo Joo are in the hospital after she has a miscarriage.
Fast forward two years, Han Gyul has a cork board full of photos of Eun Chan in Italy, and is busy franchising his coffee house. In fact, he is ready to open a Coffee Princess coffee house where Eun Chan can serve as barista. Han Gyul nearly drives off the road when Eun Chan informs him over the phone that she will be studying for an additional year after winning the World Barista Competition.
Min Yeop is now an aspiring model with Eun Sae as his cheerleader. Ha Rim has been dating Byul for two years. Han Seong and Yoo Joo celebrate their second anniversary and struggle to get pregnant again. Mr. Hong runs into his ex and finds her remarried with a child. Mr. Ku is still chasing Eun Chan’s mother fruitlessly.
Han Gyul is struggling with the idea of another year without Eun Chan, but proceeds with interviews to find a female barista for Coffee Princess. To Han Gyul’s shock, Eun Chan shows up for an interview. He is happy to have her back, but pouts about being fooled.
With the approval of his family, and professional success, a happily ever after is seemingly assured for Han Gyul and Eun Chan.
Comments
Only 만: Aren’t you glad we got our final dose of cute before saying goodbye to “Coffee Prince”?
Junggugeo Kaenada 중국어 캐나다: Sort of. The cuteness was certainly appreciated but this episode was clearly tacked on to the rest of the story; “Coffee Prince” could have easily wrapped up in episode 16 with no great loss.
Only: That’s true, but then we would have missed out on Eun Chan’s totally unnecessary makeover.
Junggugeo Kaenada: I’m not a fan of her makeover either, but the look on Han Gyul’s face when he saw her made both the makeover and Eun Chan’s prank about not coming back worthwhile.
Only: The magic of Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye strikes again.
Junggugeo Kaenada: How do they do it? It was nice watching all the side stories get wrapped up, but I really only engaged with this episode when they were together again.
Only: And, it was nice that they didn’t get the traditional fairy tale ending. Even after their two-year separation, Eun Chan and Han Gyul are likely still not getting married, given that Eun Chan’s barista career is just getting off the ground.
Junggugeo Kaenada: An instant wedding at the end of that time skip would have been ridiculous. Instead, Eun Chan returns to Korea on her own terms, and makes clear that her career is as important to her as her relationships. And, despite his obvious desire to put a ring on it, Han Gyul accepts that Eun Chan is committed to him but not ready to settle down.
Only: Meanwhile, Han Seong and Yoo Joo don’t get a fairy tale ending either.
Junggugeo Kaenada: Yoo Joo’s miscarriage was sad, but I’m glad that the writers didn’t just give them a consolation baby at the end. Instead, the two of them come to the conclusion that being together and doing what they love may be enough for the two of them.
Only: Will you miss “Coffee Prince” now that our second viewing is over?
Junggugeo Kaenada: I’ll let you know when I’m ready for a third viewing. In the meantime, we can always revisit our series review.
Noonas Over Forks 