Second Shot at Love Episode 1 begins with Dr. Seo Ui-joon leading a seminar on alcoholism prevention and treatment. He highlights how normalized drinking is in South Korea and how even the most hardworking people can become alcoholics. The scene then introduces Han Geum-ju, a top-tier senior engineer at an auto repair shop who struggles with alcoholism. One night, she embarrasses herself while drunk in public. The next morning, her fiancé Ju-yeop gives her an ultimatum—alcohol or him. Geum-ju picks alcohol and ends the engagement.

Her mother Gwang-ok scolds her, but Geum-ju argues that Ju-yeop only liked her for being fun until they decided to marry. She insists that drinking helps with workplace bonding. Unfortunately, she loses her job and can’t afford rent. Gwang-ok brings her back to their hometown, Bochun, spinning the story that Ju-yeop’s mother was the problem.

On the way, they cross paths with Ui-joon, who’s doing home visits for elderly patients. He’s kind and hands-on, even helping with farm chores. He’s clearly well-loved and we learn he used to work with his grandmother on the farm. Back at the Hans’ home, Geum-ju finds her father Jeong-su and her sister Hyeon-ju drinking in broad daylight. Gwang-ok bans drinking in the house, blaming them for normalizing it and influencing Geum-ju.

Later, Geum-ju plays with Hyeon-ju’s twins at the park and vents to a friend about Ju-yeop. Unfortunately, a local lady eavesdrops and spreads the real story behind her broken engagement. The town gossips pity or judge her. She bumps into an old acquaintance, Seon-wook, who also chides her.

She visits their mechanic friend Young-woong and quickly repairs a tough car issue, only to find out it’s Ui-joon’s car. There’s evident tension between them. In a 2007 flashback, a young Ui-joon transfers to Bochun and meets Geum-ju, who helps fix his broken bike. She proudly dubs herself the town genius while he silently admires her.

In the present, Geum-ju encounters Ui-joon again. He’s polite but she’s harsh, rejecting his help when her groceries fall. He pretends not to mind but looks heartbroken once she turns away.

Meanwhile, Gwang-ok is humiliated when she overhears town ladies gossiping about her daughters’ messy lives. She returns home to find Jeong-su and her daughters secretly drinking. Furious, she calls Geum-ju selfish, not knowing that Geum-ju’s drinking started after discovering Ju-yeop’s affair and pregnancy scandal. To preserve her pride, Geum-ju had broken off the engagement first.

The following morning, Gwang-ok takes her daughter hiking to a temple and offers a 1 million won donation to “fix” her. Geum-ju runs off with her phone in frustration. Ui-joon sees Gwang-ok chasing her and explains that the first step to recovery is acknowledging the problem.

That night, Seon-wook and Young-woong plan a surprise reunion between Ui-joon and Geum-ju. Ui-joon arrives first and they discuss her alcoholism. He sadly admits he hoped she would’ve changed by now. Geum-ju overhears this and leaves quietly, later drinking alone and wishing she could be a better person.

The next day is her grandfather’s memorial. Gwang-ok bans alcohol and blames her husband’s side for Geum-ju’s issues. She remains hopeful that Geum-ju will turn her life around. But Geum-ju arrives drunk and makes a spectacle. A bottle drops near Gwang-ok’s feet, pushing her over the edge as she tries to beat her daughter. The family intervenes.

The next morning, a disoriented Geum-ju wakes up. Ui-joon finds her, shirtless, and begs her to stop drinking.

In Second Shot at Love Episode 1’s epilogue, Geum-ju promises to fix Ui-joon’s bike in 3 minutes. It cuts to nighttime, with Ui-joon teasing her failure. She pouts as he gently wipes grease off her face. They’re both flustered, but she insists on staying to finish the job. After she succeeds, her scooter dies and he ends up giving her a ride home.