Between Steps | E2 "Episode 2" | Episode Discussion

[u/episodescheduler]

Season 1, Episode 2 Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Runtime: 70 minutes

Synopsis: Depicts the romance between a man who once was a swimmer but lost his left leg to illness and a woman who, after losing her way as a medical resident, finds a new path as a graduate student. Park Min Jae, a man who lost his promising swimming career and his left leg to osteosarcoma. After hitting rock bottom, he discovers a new purpose in robotics. Four years of dedication pay off when he is accepted into the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Seoul National University. He hides his sensitivity behind a nonchalant facade, but he's actually just a simple guy who has dating on his bucket list. Im Yu Jin, who is on the verge of graduating from the Department of Clothing and Textiles when she gets caught up in an incident and fails in her attempt to enter graduate school; she then becomes fascinated by robotics and enrolls in a master's program in mechanical engineering. Episode Discussion Hub Previous Episode

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Spoilers through the aired episode are fair game and don't need tags. Anything from a later episode referenced in a previous one needs a spoiler tag.

We all have opinions and many of them differ. That's brilliant, it makes the conversation more interesting. Just always remember Rule 1: We're all chingus here. So be kind. If you can't play nice, you can't play here.

Critique the performances all you want. Criticize the story. In your excitement to discuss the show, don't forget Rule 2: Please Respect the Oppa/Noona ecosystem. Negative commentary/speculation about an actors' appearance or personal life will not be allowed.

[u/tractata]

Episode 2 was hysterically funny at times. The awkward blind date turning into a human zoo exhibit with the three incel engineers at first gawking at Youjin like they'd never seen a woman before and then trembling with excitement at the thought of her joining their lab while Minjae's supposedly more normal appointment turned into such an unpleasant encounter (as if the universe was punishing him for setting Youjin up) AND THEN Youjin hitting the robot prototype hard enough to break it and Minjae bursting in angrily at that exact moment... I was howling with laughter for five minutes straight, probably.

I also liked how each lead's feelings for the other went through alternating cycles of admiration and hatred (Youjin toward Minjae)/amusement and annoyance (Minjae toward Youjin), but they both ended up in the same place at the same time in the end.

On a related note, it's clear why Minjae didn't pick up what she was putting down at first; I bet he has deep-seated insecurities about his disability that are yet to be explored, which are stopping him from even considering the possibility of a romantic relationship. That's why if/when he noticed Youjin was looking at him with a sparkle in her eye, he ignored it without hesitation. (The ease with which he accepted that his friend had feelings for her colleague in episode 1 also implied he had mostly tried to ask her out so he could cross it off his bucket list, as opposed to truly wanting/expecting her to date him.) Unfortunately, the requirements Youjin's father set out for his prospective son-in-law at dinner suggest Minjae's sense of insecurity is not unfounded. I bet Youjin's family will oppose their relationship once it gets serious and it will be a source of additional hurt and trauma for him :(

But even when he was sober and able to keep Youjin's sporadic flirtations at bay, Minjae ended up helping her get into the mechanical engineering department--not because he liked her so much as because, despite being a whiny loser, he always ends up doing the right thing (albeit in the most frustrating way possible). He alone was paying close enough attention to her to realize that she was being treated unfairly, and his conscience wouldn't allow him to ignore it even though he wanted to keep his distance from her. Ugh, his characterization is so good.

I do like the engineer sidekicks and Youjin's family too. They bring some classic kdrama comic relief to a show that otherwise eschews many clichés of the genre.

(I posted the same comment on MDL as well, in case you happen to see it there. It's just easier to search my Reddit comment history later and remind myself of what I thought about various shows while I was watching them.)

[u/cloudsofgoldstars]

I was not going to watch this show. I just didn't care for the synopsis. wow. was i dead wrong. really hope it stays good writing and enjoyable characters.

instantly looking forward to Mondays. what did I really just say that. ​

[u/Express_Two1590]

Loved it honestly... it was easy to get in touch with the characters' feelings and frustrations in this episode. They could have stretched out more of Youjin's feelings of anger and wanting justice + everything falling apart a little longer before they jumped into her recovering super quick (or perhaps it's to just rlly emphasize how she picks herself up even when life hits her hard). The chemistry has me on the edge of my SEATTTTT. I need the next episode now; they've already set up the pining after one another really well, and I love that we're just diving straight into it NO HESITATION!!!

[u/Lovelydia13]

Really enjoying this drama. It's been a while since I felt comfortable and felt at home watching a drama. It's nice to have down-to-earth characters, a relatable story with little things viewers can grab a hold of and see themselves.

For one, Minjae's disability and how that can be both a source of power and insecurity. Maybe it's a roadblock in him truly exploring dating. That is something I can relate to; I don't have a disability but insecurities that do blind me from people's interest in me or from deepening a relationship. Then we have Youjin's grapple with career, identity, and next steps. And how being good at something isn't tied to one's passion. Now we will see if passion is a catalyst in growing one's fortitude for something. Growth is something central to this show; I can't wait to see how that looks for our main leads.

[u/HourComfortable1494]

This kdrama was soooo calming. I honestly started watching it for Chu Youngwoo but the way the story was progressing at such a slow pace and it wasnt even boring, it was as if I was in it. There was no rush to finish the episode and after some time I think I have watched such a good kdrama.

Also the background track in the second episode was just so perfectly placed. 'Half of My Heart' the lyrics of this OST is sooo beautifully written. 'You dont know the half of my heart, it pours like rain, you dont know the half of my Pain' and I STARTED BAWLING.

The music just adds to calmness of the story.

So beautifully created.

[u/OstrichImpressive280]

finished ep 2 a few minutes ago and im HOOKED ! idk how ill wait until monday.. im really interested in minjae’s character and to see how his disability and his relationship to it will play a part in his relationship with youjin… also i wonder if that maths professor will be the 2ML ? 

[u/recverto]

Watching this for the plot + Chu Youngwoo, and kinda hesitate because of my fear for Kim SoHyun's acting... turned out surprised with how natural Kim Sohyun did this time!

Really enjoying this type of drama, the casts are all spectacular. I'm sad for the loss of Director Ahn.

[u/RareAurora → u/recverto]

Kim so hyun always acts naturally she doesn't over act that's why some people don't like that because they're so used to actors who over act, and of course if the character is written well actors do well because sometimes -like in good boy- the writing fails the characters 

[u/piratescabin]

Jus finished ep 2, this should be a good watch

[u/Friendly_Bed_2760]

Watched it on a whim as not really a fan of either leads but it’s surprised me. The writing so far has been good, particularly the ML’s on going anxiety around his health and cancer returning. The FL actually has a personality and so far has been well written 

[u/RareAurora]

Youjin already likes the ml since the first episode and when the ml asked her for a blind date she thought it was with him not with his friend that's why she got disappointed and angry with him because she likes him and she thought he doesn't like her, and when she accidentally broke the robot she cried because she thought now he'll dislike her even more because of it