DNA Lover episode 7 recap: So-jin's desire for a closer relationship with Yeon-woo backfires on her

On September 7, 2024, at 9:10 pm (KST), the seventh episode of the romantic comedy series DNA Lover premiered on TV Chosun. The series stars Jung In-sun, Choi Si-won, Lee Tae-hwan, and Jung Yoo-jin.

The series follows the journey of a genetic researcher who embarks on a scientific mission to find her DNA Lover or a genetically compatible partner, having experienced a series of unsuccessful relationships due to infidelity.

The character of Han So-jin, a researcher at the Beneficial Gene Center, is portrayed by Jung In-sun. She is dedicated to discovering the ideal 'genetic match' she refers to as DNA Lover. Choi Si-won plays the role of Shim Yeon-woo, a highly skilled obstetrician and gynecologist at Shim Hospital. He is the son of the hospital's president where he works.

In addition, Lee Tae-hwan portrays So-jin's friend Seo Kang-hoon, a firefighter. Jung Yoo-jin also makes an appearance in the drama DNA Lover, where she plays Jang Mi-eun, a polyamorous romance columnist and one of Yeon-woo's former romantic partners.

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DNA Lover episode 7 recap: So-jin wants to develop a kinship with Yeon-woo

The seventh episode of DNA Lover begins with Han So-jin and Shim Yeon-woo going on their first date. They embark on a leisurely stroll within a park and engage with some fun activities happening there. This is followed by them going to a restaurant.

However, due to the unavailability of a table, So-jin suggests Yeon-woo her favorite place and ends up taking him to a convenience store. She confides in him that this place is her sanctuary during moments of emotional distress.

Once he is home, Yeon-woo decides to have a cup of saffron tea to cleanse his body of the impurities from the junk food he consumes at the convenience store.

He intends to introduce So-jin to some delicious and nutritious food, as he believes she has an excessive fondness for junk food. With this in mind, he gives her a call and invites her to join him for a meal at a Belgian restaurant.

So-jin is overjoyed and expresses her excitement by playfully kicking her feet. Noticing this, A-ri inquires if they are already in a romantic relationship. So-jin tells her that they are in a casual fling before committing to a serious relationship, emphasizing her desire to take things slowly.

However, A-ri cautions her, mentioning that many individuals who engage in flings often experience swift breakups. This makes So-jin contemplate her situation. The following morning, in DNA Lover episode 7, Mi-eun visits a roadside food stall and orders a Korean Sundae, requesting extra intestines and liver.

Kang-hoon arrives at the shop and politely asks for tteokbokki and Sundae, excluding liver and intestines. Mi-eun expresses surprise and engages in a friendly discussion about their food preferences. Kang-hoon firmly declines, explaining his dislike for the liver and those who consume it. After a brief exchange, he departs, accusing Mi-eun of engaging in animal cruelty.

So-jin, looking her best, heads to the restaurant to meet Yeon-woo. Mi-eun, accompanied by her date, also arrives at the same place. Mi-eun approaches So-jin and Yeon-woo seeing them there and So-jin politely invites her to join them.

She expresses her desire to discuss a matter concerning So-jin's mother whose picture she has seen in Mi-eun's social media. Surprised to learn that her favorite artist is So-jin's mother, Mi-eun takes that invitation.

So-jin does not seem to enjoy the food that Yeon-woo has ordered, but she notices Mi-eun savoring it with delight. Mi-eun and Yeon-woo engage in a conversation about the wine they are drinking and how it evokes fond memories of their travels to Belgium.

However, Mi-eun's date expresses discomfort with her continued connection to Yeon-woo despite their past breakup. This disagreement leads to the date of their relationship and the man departs from the table. Mi-eun apologizes to Yeon-woo and So-jin for the inconvenience caused and subsequently leaves.

Mi-eun thinks it odd that Yeon-woo is forcing his favorite food on someone and thinks about it while going back home.

Jung In-sun in the seventh episode of DNA Lover (Image via Instagram/@tvchosaninsta)

In the subsequent scene of DNA Lover, So-jin, feeling vexed by the recent events, decides to visit a convenience store to purchase some food. There, she encounters Kang-hoon, and they engage in a brief fight over the same food item.

Following this, So-jin talks to Kang-hoon regarding Yeon-woo's relationship with Mi-eun. Kang-hoon expresses his belief that they are highly compatible, sharing similar interests and sentiments. He shares his beliefs about ensuring the longevity of their relationship.

So-jin refers to Yeon-woo as her destiny. She embarks that there must be a distinction between encountering one's destiny and having that destiny. She returns home, her mind occupied with thoughts of Mi-eun and Yeon-woo.

She delves into Mi-eun's book, discovering that during their three-year relationship, they had two breakups. This revelation puzzles her, raising questions about how someone with a gene for cheating could sustain a long-term commitment.

Additionally, she is concerned about the close bond between Mi-eun and Yeon-woo, sensing an unsettling similarity between them. Seeking counsel, she converses with A-ri. So-jin resolves to share at least one meal a day with Yeon-woo in an effort to cultivate similar tastes.

Kang-hoon contemplates the incident that occurred at Yeon-woo's father's mistress, Ha Ga-hee's apartment. He believes that it was not an accident and discusses with his colleagues regarding this matter. In the subsequent scene of DNA Lover, Ha Ga-hee's funeral is taking place.

Yeon-woo's father is present when his mother arrives. She states that she has come since the matter involves her husband and smiles looking at Ga-hee's funeral picture. She listens as the pastor discusses how death signifies the conclusion of sins and facilitates the process of incarnation.

So-jin invites Yeon-woo to join her for dinner, suggesting they enjoy miso ramen with a flavorful shiitake broth and miso paste. Meanwhile, the hospital is abuzz with rumors regarding Ha Ga-hee and Yeon-woo's father's alleged affair, which tragically resulted in her untimely passing. Yeon-woo overhears these discussions.

Further in DNA Lover, Yeon-woo's father, President Shim, engages in a conversation with Yeon-woo regarding his mother's happiness during Ga-hee's funeral. He informs Yeon-woo that, according to her psychiatrist, Yeon-woo's mother had discontinued taking her prescribed medication.

President Shim expresses his suspicion that Yeon-woo's mother may have been responsible for Ga-hee's death due to the latter's pregnancy with his child. President Shim proceeds to ask Yeon-woo how he can remain unfazed when his patient and her child have passed away.

He expresses doubts about Yeon-woo's credibility as a gynecologist. In response, Yeon-woo inquires whether President Sim considers himself a deserving father or husband. After his father departs, Yeon-woo receives a call regarding an emergency patient and sends a message to So-jin suggesting they enjoy miso ramen together at a later time.

In the following scene of DNA Lover, So-jin appears to be unhappy about the situation and expresses her displeasure by pouting while having ramen at Kang-hoon's father's restaurant.

In a moment of inspiration, she decides to record a video of herself making spaghetti and sends it to Yeon-woo. She also eats the spaghetti on camera. Upon watching the video, Yeon-woo develops a craving for spaghetti and decides to visit a restaurant to satisfy his desire.

So-jin is curious to know if Yeon-woo has followed her recipe and prepared that dish. Kang-hoon enters his father's restaurant and consumes the entire leftover of So-jin's spaghetti. She informs him that they share a similar taste preference. At that moment, Kang-hoon observes that she is wearing his father's chef hat and attempts to retrieve it.

As he does so, he notices her and calls her pretty. Kang-hoon becomes flustered about what he just said. However, So-jin tells him to say it loudly as it should be said like that. She grabs him and pesters him about that, but he becomes flustered and gets hiccups.

After So-jin departs, Kang-hoon thinks about her and his heartbeat amplifies. Upon feeling this, he becomes flustered once more and promptly decides to embark on a run. The following morning, in the episode of DNA Lover, Yeon-woo politely informs So-jin that he had spaghetti for dinner after watching her video.

So-jin is delighted to hear this news. She becomes determined to continue making food videos in Kang-hoon's father's restaurant, hoping to help Yeon-woo develop her eating habits of convenience store food. However, Yeon-woo continues to frequent proper restaurants to satisfy his cravings for those foods.

Later in this episode of DNA Lover, Yeon-woo informs her about that and about getting food with Mi-eun. Upon hearing that, So-jin realizes that her mission has failed and becomes frustrated. She discusses this with Kang-hoon and expresses her desire to build a close relationship with Yeon-woo, similar to the one he shares with Mi-eun.

At that moment, Yeon-woo, who is walking to the restaurant, overhears their conversation. Yeon-woo asks her to have dinner at his place. So-jin is delighted to hear that. Observing her joyful expression, Kang-hoon, who is in her vicinity, realizes that she is in love.

Choi Si-won and Jung In-sun in DNA Lover (Image via Instagram/@tvchosaninsta)

On the other hand, in the next scene of DNA Lover, Yeon-woo is thoughtfully preparing a dinner that suits So-jin's preferences. While he is engaged in cooking, Mi-eun visits his house with the intention of having a birthday celebration dinner. However, upon learning about Yeon-woo's prior commitment, Mi-eun decides to leave, albeit with a sense of disappointment.

Kang-hoon asks So-jin if she would like to join him for a meal, and in the conversation, he learns that she has already made plans to dine with Yeon-woo. Kang-hoon shares this information with Jung Tam, who is about to have dinner with Kang-hoon and So Mi.

Jung Tam expresses his concern that Yeon-woo's dinner with So-jin may not be just that and goes on to describe Yeon-woo's apartment as a hotel. Upon hearing this, Kang-hoon decides to cancel his dinner plans and runs out.

In the subsequent scene of DNA Lover, So-jin visits Yeon-woo's residence. They consume the meal prepared by Yeon-woo. So-jin expresses her appreciation for the meal. However, due to her lactose intolerance, she experiences stomach discomfort after consuming dairy-rich foods. Despite her discomfort, she remains with Yeon-woo to watch a movie.

Yeon-woo presents her with the hair clip and chopsticks that were in her hair on the day she visited his apartment and assaulted him. She feels a fluttering sensation, but due to her gastrointestinal issues, she swiftly departs from the apartment, leaving her jacket behind.

She goes to a nearby public restroom. However, following her use of the restroom, she is unable to move herself and collapses, crying out in abdominal pain. She contacts Kang-hoon and requests that he come and take her to the hospital.

In the last scene of DNA Lover's episode 7, Yeon-woo follows her downstairs with her jacket, but she is nowhere to be found. He looks around but still can't find So-jin. Concerned, he calls her to inquire about her whereabouts. Kang-hoon answers the call and informs him about So-jin's sudden stomach pain and that he is taking her to the hospital. He requests Yeon-woo to meet them there.

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New episodes of DNA Lover are released on Saturday and Sunday at 09:10 pm (KST) on TV Chosun. DNA Lover is also available for streaming on the platform Viki.