The emotional stakes reached a new high in Episode 11 of “Surely Tomorrow.” Seo Ji-woo and Lee Kyeong-do’s hard-won reunion was shattered by a public scandal, forcing Kyeong-do into a devastating sacrifice. Meanwhile, Seo Ji-yeon made her most decisive moves yet, taking firm control of her family’s company and her own life in a dramatic boardroom showdown.
The episode, which aired on January 10, 2026, delivered the painful breakup viewers anticipated, balanced by a long-awaited counterattack from Ji-yeon against her manipulative husband, Kang Min-woo.
A Morning Ruined by a Malicious News Article
The brief period of peace for the central couple was violently interrupted. After spending the night together, Ji-woo and Kyeong-do’s morning is destroyed when a news article explodes online. The piece alleges that Ji-woo’s divorce was caused by an affair with Kyeong-do, framing her as a schemer who planned the entire scandal to be with him.
Photos of the two are leaked alongside the story, creating a vicious wave of public humiliation. Ji-woo is left completely devastated and traumatized by the backlash. At her company, Jarim Apparel, colleagues and executives begin to treat her differently, and the board worries the scandal is causing the company’s stock prices to fall.
Kyeong-do tries to comfort her, assuring her things will get better, but he understands the damage is severe. At his own workplace, Dongwoon Daily, his colleagues discuss the controversy, but he refuses his senior’s suggestion to write a rebuttal, knowing it will not help.
Ji-yeon Presents Divorce Papers and Min-woo Plots a Takeover
While Ji-woo faces public shame, her sister Ji-yeon takes direct action in her personal war. She meets with her husband, Kang Min-woo, and hands him divorce papers. Min-woo reacts with anger, trying to gaslight her by claiming he dedicated his life to helping the Seo family.
Undeterred, Ji-yeon also confronts him about being the source of the leaked article targeting Ji-woo. Min-woo sees the scandal as a perfect opportunity. At an executive meeting for Jarim Apparel, he fans the anger of the board members. He argues that the controversy has damaged the company and suggests that Ji-yeon, Ji-woo, and he should all resign. His real goal is to drag Ji-woo down and use the chaos to push for the appointment of a new CEO friendly to him, Bae Jun-soo.
Kyeong-do’s Threat and a Plan to Reveal the Truth
Kyeong-do decides he cannot stay silent. He visits Min-woo directly, delivering a clear threat.
Kyeong-do told Min-woo, “Now, you don’t have any other options, but I’m just getting started.”
He warns Min-woo that if anything happens to Ji-woo, he will take him down, and mentions Secretary Yoo, a comment that visibly rattles Min-woo. To protect Ji-woo’s reputation, Kyeong-do formulates a plan. He asks his junior writer, Bo-ra, to publish an article that will reframe the narrative.
He reveals the true history between their families: years ago, an accident involving Kyeong-do’s father was connected to Jarim. The late CEO Seo, Ji-woo and Ji-yeon’s father, provided a hefty financial settlement to Kyeong-do’s family, which they used to start their laundromat business. Kyeong-do explains he has always been grateful, buying a Jarim suit every year on the anniversary of CEO Seo’s death to pay his respects. His goal is to change the story from a salacious affair to one about family debt and gratitude.
A Heartbreaking Breakup to Provide Protection
When Kyeong-do’s senior, Manager Han-kyung, learns about the article, she confronts him. She criticizes him for going to an intern and warns that publishing this personal history could end his relationship with Ji-woo for good. Her words weigh heavily on him. After the article is published, Kyeong-do makes a painful decision. He meets Ji-woo at a university playground, a place with significance to their past.
Believing it is the only way to truly protect her from further scandal, he tells her they must break up. A tearful Ji-woo pleads with him not to leave, even threatening to start drinking again, but Kyeong-do insists it is for the best.
Ji-woo was devastated by Kyeong-do’s decision to end their relationship.
The scene ends with Ji-woo returning to her car in tears and Kyeong-do staying behind, alone with his choice.
Ji-yeon’s Boardroom Victory and a Shift in Power
The article Bo-ra publishes successfully shifts public opinion. It highlights CEO Seo’s past kindness, painting Kyeong-do not as a secret lover but as someone honoring a debt to Ji-woo’s family. Ji-yeon seizes this moment to launch her counterattack. She calls an emergency board meeting.
At the meeting, she speaks about her father’s principles and finally exposes the betrayals around her. She reveals that Executive Director Choi Jin-sook conspired against Jarim and fires her on the spot. Then, she turns to Min-woo. With a cold, fearless stare, she fires her own husband from the company, completely dismantling his scheme to take control. For the first time, Min-woo looks genuinely unsettled and defeated.
Later, the sisters reflect on how their father is still protecting them. Ji-yeon notes that Kyeong-do’s article saved the company, and Ji-woo decides to move forward by traveling to Paris for work.
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A Mysterious Call and an Ominous Ending
The episode’s final moments introduce new tension. Kyeong-do receives a phone call from Ahn Da-hye, who is in prison. She tells him she is ready to expose the truth about Didroxin, the drug used to poison Ji-yeon and accelerate her cognitive decline, and asks him to meet her.
In a brief epilogue scene, Kyeong-do is shown rushing into a funeral home. The identity of the deceased is not revealed, leaving viewers with a chilling question about who has died.
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