For weeks, Dear X has dominated every corner of the K-drama sphere, sparking intense discussion over each episode and topping major streaming charts. The series not only boosted the popularity of its cast but also became the latest cultural phenomenon of 2025. On December 4, the 12-episode thriller wrapped up its run with a finale so disturbing that viewers compared it to a full-on horror film—ushering the story into its darkest phase yet.
Following Episode 11, in which Ah-jin completes her final scene and receives praise from the film crew, Episode 12 immediately escalates the stakes. Jae-oh is brutally killed by Do-hyuk’s men, and Jun-seo secretly records the entire murder through a hidden camera. The video becomes crucial evidence that allows Ah-jin to turn the tables and push Do-hyuk toward inevitable legal trouble. When asked why she took such action, Ah-jin coldly states that Jae-oh “cornered Do-hyuk, and now he will no longer be an obstacle.”
Not long after, Ah-jin earns a nomination for Best Actress at the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards. But just as she basks in the spotlight, anonymous accusations resurface—exposing her past and revealing her hidden personality. Behind this sabotage are In-gang’s brother, Jun-seo, former classmates, and several people who once crossed paths with her. Overwhelmed, Ah-jin flees the award stage mid-speech.
On her way out, she encounters Jun-seo again. He confesses his feelings as he leads her into his car. But instead of reconciliation, the tragedy intensifies—Jun-seo intentionally drives off a cliff, wishing for them to “remain together forever.” News reports soon announce the pair’s deaths.
However, the final twist shatters everything viewers expected: Ah-jin survives. She escapes the car and abandons Jun-seo in his final moments, closing the story with one last shocking betrayal from the infamous “madwoman” herself.
The chilling finale scene—Ah-jin in a white dress, drenched in blood from head to toe, her face expressionless—left viewers stunned. Across just 12 episodes, three male characters die, the villain remains free, and the female lead disappears without a trace. This unresolved chaos fuels speculation that a potential Season 2 may arrive to address lingering mysteries: Mi-ri’s revenge for In-gang’s death, Jun-seo’s mother’s reaction, and the aftermath surrounding Do-hyuk.
The TV adaptation takes a drastically different route from the original webtoon.
In the webtoon:
- Ah-jin becomes pregnant with Jun-seo’s child.
- She marries Do-hyuk.
- Jun-seo later exposes her past to the media, ruining her career.
- Ah-jin lives quietly with her daughter—until she reveals to Jun-seo that the child is actually his.
- She admits she hid everything to take revenge, mirroring the emotional pain Jun-seo inflicted on her.
This original ending is far darker, focusing on cyclical revenge, karmic consequences, and psychological torment. In contrast, the TV adaptation embraces violence, shock tactics, and open-ended chaos—leaving audiences divided yet deeply fascinated.
The final scenes of Dear X leave viewers with a heavy heart and numerous questions. Where did Ah-jin go? Can someone truly disappear from their past? Was Jun-seo’s death a necessary sacrifice, or an escape? The drama ends not with resolution, but with haunting silence—fitting for a series that dared to blur the lines between love and destruction, justice and obsession.
Netizens exploded with reactions following the episode’s release. On social platforms, fans unleashed their frustration with what many described as “a chaotic mess.” Comments flooded in, questioning the logic of the ending:
- What was the point of that cliff scene? The screenwriter looks like they just wrote a ghost story!
- Male lead dies trying to kill the female lead, male second lead dies because of her, and the rich guy walks away clean? What kind of ending is this??
- Korean dramas have made ‘nonsense tragic endings’ their trademark at this point. We’re so tired of it!
- They basically turned this drama into a horror movie.
- All the handsome men died, and the worst guy survived.
- I don’t think I have the courage to finish this.
- I watched this to relax… now I need another drama to recover.
- Evil people always seem to live comfortably.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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