Heavenly Ever After Episode 7: Somi's Dark Past Emerges as Mother-in-Law Drama Unfolds

## The Emotional Complexity of Heavenly Relationships

Episode 7 of 'Heavenly Ever After' continues to captivate viewers with its unique blend of afterlife romance, family drama, and mysterious subplots that keep audiences guessing. The series, which has been steadily gaining popularity since its premiere on April 19, 2025, reached a new ratings high with this episode, scoring 6.4% nationwide and 7.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area according to Nielsen Korea, maintaining its position as the #1 non-terrestrial drama.

The episode opens with Nak-joon (Son Suk-ku) discovering that Mr. Hwang, a man he had been searching for on Earth, has passed away. This somber news sets the tone for an episode that explores loss, memory, and the complicated bonds that transcend even death. Meanwhile, the arrival of Nak-joon's mother, Park Jong-gui (played by Joo Min-kyung), creates immediate tension as she appears in Heaven unexpectedly, looking much younger than Hae-sook (Kim Hye-ja) remembers her.

## Somi's Haunting Past Begins to Surface

One of the most compelling storylines in this episode centers around Somi (Han Ji-min), whose mysterious past continues to unravel in disturbing ways. After experiencing a triggering moment when she sees a man wearing a shirt with an image that appears in her recurring nightmares, Somi confides in Nak-joon about her inexplicable feelings of rage. The image of a dancing woman on the shirt seems to unlock something dark within her subconscious.

As the episode progresses, Somi experiences another disturbing vision-this time of her own hands choking a man. This shocking revelation suggests that her past may be far more troubled than anyone suspected. The mystery deepens when, in a later scene on Earth, Somi physically attacks a stranger wearing the triggering shirt image, demonstrating an unusual ability for a ghost to interact with the living world. This raises serious questions about who Somi really was in her previous life and what kind of unresolved trauma or crime might be connected to her current state.

## Mother-in-Law Tensions in the Afterlife

The episode brilliantly portrays how family dynamics and tensions can persist even in Heaven. Hae-sook experiences an unexplained anxiety that culminates in the arrival of her former mother-in-law, who has also been reborn in her youngest form in the afterlife. The relationship between the two women remains strained, with the mother-in-law immediately beginning to micromanage Hae-sook's home, reorganizing the kitchen and redoing laundry that she claims wasn't properly done.

This storyline resonates with viewers because it shows how deeply ingrained relationship patterns can be-even death and a heavenly rebirth can't erase the complicated dynamics between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. Hae-sook's avoidance tactics, including spending time at the church to dodge her mother-in-law's invitation, reflect very human responses to uncomfortable situations, making the fantastical setting of Heaven feel surprisingly relatable.

## The Touching Story of Heaven's Dogs

In a heartwarming subplot that provides emotional balance to the episode's darker elements, we follow the journey of Mandu, one of three therapy dogs helping newcomers adjust to the afterlife. The episode reveals that dogs who achieve a certain spiritual maturity can be reincarnated-first as dogs again, and eventually as humans. When Mandu begins to glow, signaling his selection for reincarnation, his canine friends Jjamppong and Jjajang are both happy for him and heartbroken at the impending separation.

Mandu's story takes a poignant turn when he chooses to be reborn as the companion of a homeless man rather than a wealthy owner. After witnessing the profound bond between another dog, Minky, and her grieving owner, Mandu realizes that true value lies in love and companionship rather than material comfort. This touching narrative offers a gentle philosophical perspective on what truly matters in relationships, whether human or animal.

## Young-ae's Unrequited Crush

Adding a touch of comedy to balance the episode's more serious themes, Young-ae (Lee Jung-eun) continues her persistent pursuit of Heaven's director. Her transformation with stylish clothes and full makeup, along with her high-school-level flirting techniques, provides some much-needed levity. Despite the director's obvious irritation, Young-ae remains undeterred in her romantic mission.

This subplot not only offers comic relief but also explores how human desires and emotions continue in the afterlife. Even in Heaven, people still seek connection, validation, and love-sometimes in awkward and endearing ways. Young-ae's character demonstrates that growth and new beginnings are possible at any stage, even after death.

## The Pastor's Mysterious Past

The episode also develops the intriguing storyline of the ailing pastor, who Hae-sook continues to care for at the church. We learn that despite his adult appearance, he died at the age of five, explaining his childlike innocence and fragile health. In a touching scene, the pastor reveals that he passed away while waiting outside the very same church for his mother, though he doesn't remember the exact circumstances of his death.

This character adds another layer to the show's exploration of unresolved earthly connections and how they manifest in the afterlife. The pastor's lingering at the church where he died suggests that physical locations can retain spiritual significance beyond death, and his childlike nature trapped in an adult body creates a poignant visual metaphor for interrupted lives.

## Viewer Reactions and Ratings Success

Episode 7 of 'Heavenly Ever After' has generated significant buzz among viewers, with the series continuing to dominate as the #1 non-terrestrial drama in Korea. The show has even outperformed the highly anticipated 'Someday, Wise Resident Life' (a spin-off of the hit series 'Hospital Playlist'), which had been expected to lead the ratings.

However, viewer reactions to the episode have been mixed. While many praise the emotional depth and the performances of the stellar cast, particularly Kim Hye-ja and Son Suk-ku, others have expressed frustration with the slow pace of the mystery elements. Some viewers feel that the show raises too many questions without providing satisfying answers, creating a sense of narrative stagnation.

Comments on online platforms range from "The story isn't progressing... it just feels like a collection of disconnected episodes" to concerns about potential romantic developments between Somi and Nak-joon, with some viewers worried about an affair subplot developing in what should be a heavenly setting.

## What's Next for 'Heavenly Ever After'?

As the series approaches its midpoint (being a 12-episode drama), Episode 7 sets up several intriguing questions for future episodes. The revelation in Episode 8 that the mysterious 'shirt man' is actually a former detective named Kang Jeong-gu who has some connection to Nak-joon's past suggests that the various storylines may be more interconnected than they initially appeared.

Viewers are particularly curious about Somi's true identity and her connection to both the shirt man and potentially to Nak-joon himself. The mother-in-law's decision to apply for reincarnation also opens up questions about the cyclical nature of life and death in this universe, and how characters might continue to encounter each other across different lifetimes.

'Heavenly Ever After' continues to air on JTBC every Saturday at 10:40 PM and Sunday at 10:30 PM KST, with international viewers able to stream the series on Netflix and TVING. With five episodes remaining, the series has plenty of time to resolve its mysteries while continuing to explore the emotional journeys of its complex characters.