In Selfish Romance, an unconventional romance webtoon centered around the complex emotions, realistic relationships, and the calculated decisions of two individuals caught in a web of drama and love, the laws of attraction are never straightforward. Previously in Selfish Romance, Hyeondo irritably calls Yumin ‘pathetic’ for befriending her ex out of envy, and immediately apologizes. When he gets hurt learning how to cycle (part of Yumin’s terms to forgive him), she touches his chin, and sparks fly. What happens in Selfish Romance Chapter 35-42?
Selfish Romance Chapter 35: The Writing on the Wall
Selfish Romance Chapter 35 begins as Yumin runs after Hyeondo before he can leave and thanks him for the thoughtful care package. On an impulse, she asks him to come up to her place for a while. Hyeondo hesitates at the sudden request, and one moment is all it takes for their inhibitions to take over, politely declining. Yumin agrees and hurriedly scuttles away in well-concealed embarrassment. She slips into her apartment, slams the door, and sinks to the floor, thinking, ‘Why do I feel so hot…?’
Meanwhile, Hyeondo slams the door of his car and rests his forehead on the steering wheel. He wonders in exasperation why he’d driven all the way to Yumin’s house in the middle of the night. And why did he keep avoiding her?
Hyeondo Realizes His Feelings
The night after their walk in the park, Hyeondo, in a state of mental turmoil, hadn’t been able to sleep. His mind raced miles ahead: if Yumin and her ex were talking again, they’d probably get back together. And then what became of him? Would they stop meeting since their fake dating plan was over? But besides worrying about what came next, mostly, Hyeondo hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the brief contact he and Yumin had made after he fell.
The next day, Yumin stopped by his restaurant. Strangely, the second he saw her, his heart began beating rapidly. Hyeondo had turned away to hide his blushing face. The next few days, he’d stopped replying to her texts out of utter confusion. What was happening to him? Why was he so flustered all the time?
Back in the present, Hyeondo tries to hide the fact that he secretly wanted to stay at Yumin’s apartment and properly care for her. He remembers the words he’d spoken to Yumin, ‘How could you be friends with someone you’re in love with?’ ‘Guess I’m a fool,’ he accepts, concluding Selfish Romance Chapter 35.
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Selfish Romance Chapter 36: Made with Love
Selfish Romance Chapter 36 begins with Sojeong as a guest star on a popular cooking show. While filming, she beams widely and plays along with the handsome head chef’s casual flirtations. But a day later, she throws up because of him (literally).
Having some free time, Sojeong checks her plans to meet Hyeondo in the evening. When her manager expresses her doubts, Sojeong might not like what he has to say- the actress simply says, “Hyeondo might have doubts, but he would never change.”
Sojeong’s manager realized that, whenever it came to her ex-boyfriend, Sojeong acted foolishly. Nevertheless, she keeps her concerns to herself and lets Sojeong carry on with her Hyeondo obsession.
Meanwhile, at Yumin’s office, Yumin pitches a bold idea- along with bags, the company should sell clothes and shoes too- to her team. Her childlike enthusiasm about the concept wins everyone over, and they agree to take the leap. During lunch break, Jihui announces that Hyeondo and Taegeun had unexpectedly decided to sponsor their entire lunch break, with food they didn’t serve at the restaurant, free of cost, plus the added perk of delivery. Everyone teases Jihui, thinking that Taegeun had pulled he stunt to impress her, but Yumin blushes for a different reason.
Taking Baby Steps
At the restaurant, Hyeondo reads Yumin’s texts about loving his ginger tea with a smile. He excuses himself during lunch to call her, and Taegeun theorizes about the existence of a girlfriend. Hyeondo, sitting outside the cafe and unknowingly boosting business by attracting female customers, grins as Yumin tells him to stop delivering food. He reminds her that he still had to cook her a meal, as an apology for the day in the park, and assures her that it wasn’t an inconvenience. In her office, Yumin sits alone, with her face buried in her knees (but really, her red ears say it all).
Later, Taegeun queries why Hyeondo had taken so much trouble to deliver to Jihui’s office. He didn’t even know them well (or so he thought). Hyeondo mumbles something about Taegeun’s acquaintance, and the young waiter starts to tear up, thinking Hyeondo valued him enough to care for his friends.
Changing the subject, Taegeun pleads with Hyeondo to put his own picture up on social media to revive their restaurant’s waning popularity. Hyeondo, although initially hesitant, remembers that Sojeong had always discouraged him from making himself public. That was why he never showed his face. Selfish Romance Chapter 36 concludes as he agrees to post his photo.
Selfish Romance Chapter 37: Pulling Puppet Strings
Selfish Romance Chapter 37 begins as Sojeong meets with Hyeondo at a fancy restaurant, in a private suite away from the prying eyes of the public. Sojeong doesn’t waste time beating around the bush and apologizes to Hyeondo for blatantly confessing to him that day. She apologizes for neglecting him and asks if they could see each other more often.
Hyeondo truthfully admits that he’d made his social media account and entertained her sudden calls for help just to win her back. Sojeong nods along with him, knowing that she had him wrapped around her finger the whole time. “I don’t feel anything now,” he says further, instantly bringing her to a halt. What? To put an end to things, Hyeondo wishes her good luck for the future and starts to walk away.
Sojeong grabs his sleeve and furiously asks him if it was ‘because of Yumin’. Hyeondo immediately tells her to stay away from the innocent woman. She didn’t deserve to suffer because of their petty fight. Sojeong begins to yell at him, explaining that Yumin’s ex-boyfriend was her first love. His sister, her stylist, was warm and affectionate, which probably ran in the family, and was the kind of man she deserved. “There are things people like us can never have,” she says, reflecting on her troubled childhood. She tells Hyeondo that even if Yumin liked him now, she’d eventually move on to a stable man with a happy childhood.
Caught in Her Trap
Hyeondo frees himself from her grasp and leaves anyway, reminding her not to hurt Yumin. Before he leaves, Sojeong tells him she’d be waiting for him and makes him promise not to tell anyone about their relationship.
Walking through the busy city streets, Hyeondo doesn’t get far before Sojeong’s words get to him.
The next evening, Yumin and Jihui set out to visit Hyeondo’s restaurant. On the way, Yumin notices that they’d posted a photo of Hyendo on the social media post and makes a mental note to tease him later. But when Jihui reaches the place, she finds it packed with diners (just one picture of Hyeondo did the job). Taegeun asks about Yumin, and Jihui explains that a “friend” had come to see her. Who is this friend? Iseon, of course! Selfish Romance Chapter 37 concludes as Hyeondo cuts his finger with a knife, hearing the news.
Selfish Romance Chapter 38: Yumin’s Two Dinners
Iseon unexpectedly hands Yumin an autograph of Sojeong while they sit in a cafe together, beginning Selfish Romance Chapter 38.
The day Hyeondo had met Sojeong in the restaurant, Iseon had also been dining in the same place. He’d seen his neighbour and decided to meet him. After shocking his friends, who were planning his wedding, with the news that he’d broken up with Yumin four months prior, he decides to find Hyeondo before leaving. Instead, he’d bumped into Sojeong, crying and muttering to herself. She’d thrown up on him, and he’d gotten her autograph in return.
Yumin smiles to herself. Iseon was still the same kind and considerate man he’d always been. She’d always confused his thoughtfulness for affection. When he offers to buy her dinner, Yumin, feeling like she owed him for the autograph, accepts.
Later, Yumin meets up with Jihui, Taegeun, and Hyeondo- all of whom curiously inquire about her conversation with Iseon. After Yumin concedes and explains the story, Taegeun comments that the ex-boyfriend wanted her back. While Jihui and Taegeun debate about Iseon, Yumin notices that Hyeondo seems highly disinterested. Under the table, she nudges his foot to catch his attention. She whispers- asks him if he is okay, and when he doesn’t reply, continues to tap his foot. Annoyed, Hyeono finally grabs her leg in between his ankles, silently telling her to stop. Selfish Romance Chapter 38 concludes as Hyeondo asks Yumin if she wants Iseon back.
Selfish Romance Chapter 39: Busy Being Down Bad
Selfish Romance Chapter 39 begins as Sojeong worries over the man who’d refused dry cleaning money and had simply asked for an autograph. He was sure to ask again sometime in the future. Her manager seems less sure; the man’s business card with the name’ Iseon Kim’ on it seemed legitimate. Hagyeong notices the company card and wonders why her brother’s card had ended up with the actress. Sojeong notes the coincidence with interest.
When Hyeondo asks Yumin whether she was willing to take Iseon back, Jihui jumps in. She argues against him and, to validate her point, asks Hyeondo if he also thought Yumin should date other men. Hyeondo smiles slyly at Yumin, pulling his legs back, and says, “Yes.” Jihui notes, with shock, that she’d never seen him grin before.
Taegeun takes Jihui outside to cool down, and Yumin instantly reprimands Hyeondo for grabbing her legs. Then, she notices the cut on his finger (that she indirectly caused) and insists on bandaging it. Yumin observes his clumsiness, and Hyeondo stares at his finger, knowing that he wasn’t always incoordinated.
Mr. Smiley Face
He reiterates his question about Yumin’s ex: did she want him back? She reluctantly expresses her confusion surrounding the complicated relationship. “Just to let you know, I ended mine,” he reveals, watching for her reaction. With surprise, Yumin congratulates him, knowing the courage it must’ve taken. She guiltily wonders if their fake dating had sparked the unexpected decision, but Hyeondo tells her not to feel bad. He decides to help her and continue dating, despite having ended his relationship (ha! what an excuse).
When Yurim starts to tease him about his social media photo and talk about him becoming famous, Hyeondo immediately assures her that he would stay away from publicity. Baffled, Yumin encourages him to grow his business using the exposure, leading Hyeondo to wonder if she was being genuine. Selfish Romance Chapter 39 concludes as Jihui notices Hyeondo teasing and smiling at Yumin, finally noticing the way he looked at her with a shock.
Selfish Romance Chapter 40: A Ticket to Drama-land
Selfish Romance Chapter 40 begins as Sojeong, after arranging it through Hagyeong, meets with Iseon in private. She charms him with an apology for the previous night and directly asks about Yumin. Iseon pauses at the sound of her name, wondering how the actress knew her. Sojeong explains that they’d become acquainted through his sister, and further, says that she knew he used to date her. She gives him laundry money and two tickets to a musical (which is, obviously, out of her generosity and goodwill- and not a bribe).
Iseon, knowing better, doesn’t accept her offer and tells her to stop interfering. Sojeong tells him to ‘move fast’ and explains that she’d give Yumin the tickets anyway. Iseon leaves as she cheerfully wishes him luck and says, “I hope you’ll enjoy the show together.”
Later, Yumin returns to her office from a lunch break to find her employees enjoying a dessert “sent by Taegeun”. Jihui knowingly watches as Yumin giggles and begins texting someone on her phone. Just then, Hagyeong calls Yumin to deliver the two musical tickets to her.
That night, Iseon arrives at Hyeondo’s restaurant with his friend, and they all begin chatting over his delicious off-menu desserts. Just before he leaves for the kitchen, Hyeondo hears Iseon mention Yumin’s name. Selfish Romance Chapter 40 concludes as Hyeondo urgently asks Iseon who he was referring to.
Selfish Romance Chapter 41: The Crossroads
Selfish Romance Chapter 41 begins as Yumin debates what she should do with her tickets. Sojeong had written her a note in encouragement to ask her ex-boyfriend out, but Yumin felt uncomfortable. She calls Iseon and panics when he picks up, inviting him for a meal with his sister. But when she mentions a musical, Iseon takes the opportunity to suggest that they should go together. He clarifies that he had no one, although the statement is contradicted by the time she’d heard him mention having a girlfriend. Reluctantly, she agrees.
Yumin sits slumped on the wall, torn between her emotions. On one hand, there was Iseon. And, after all the stunts she’d pulled, she should be thrilled that he wanted her back… but some part of it felt wrong. On the other hand, there was Hyeondo. She lies down, feeling tired and emotionally drained by the internal debate.
Confronting Iseon
Meanwhile, Hyeondo asks Iseon who he was talking about. When he mentions his girlfriend, Yumin, Hyeondo begins to connect the dots. Iseon fit the exact description of the man Yumin had described- tall, handsome, kind, and simply dressed. What if…? But before he can ask further, Iseon’s friend interrupts them, laughing at Hyeondo’s seriousness. He explains that he knew several women with the same name. When Taegeun calls Hyeondo for help from the kitchen, the matter is left there.
The next day, Yumin meets Iseon for the musical. But the date isn’t as exciting as she thought it would be; the old spark has faded. All she could do was analyse, overthink, and question every move she made, every emotion she felt, and, frankly, was too self-conscious to enjoy herself at all. Selfish Romance Chapter 41 concludes as she decides to confront Iseon about his statement of never having been attracted to her.
Selfish Romance Chapter 42: Chivalry Lives On
Selfish Romance Chapter 42 begins as Iseon asks whether Yumin was feeling fine since she’d been spacing out for the last few minutes. Iseon reaches out to caress her cheek, but she slaps it away in a hurry, saying that she was fine. Iseon watches her leave, remembering the days she’d lean into his touch, and clenches his fist.
Before going to bed, Yumin tells Hyeondo that she’d met her ex-boyfriend again. Even though he reads the message, Yumin receives no reply. The next morning, she wakes up, still waiting for his answer. But it never comes. When her phone buzzes suddenly, she immediately thinks of him. Instead, it’s her mother, informing her that she’d injured her leg and was in the hospital. The lack of specific information sends Yumin into a frenzied state of chaos.
While she hurries to find a taxi, Hyeondo calls her. Yumin explains her mother’s situation in a rush, and Hyeondo instantly arrives in his own car (might as well have been a horse to go with that shining knight’s armour). During the drive, Hyeondo mentions that he was compensating for not texting her by giving her a ride. The idea that he’d intentionally left her on read slightly stings Yumin, but she doesn’t say anything.
At the hospital, Yumin finds her mother, Miju, in a cast. She explains that she’d tripped on the subway while bringing her daughter food. Yumin reprimands her for causing so much unnecessary chaos- she could’ve just called- but her mother adamantly explains that Yumin never would’ve come to see her. Selfish Romance Chapter 42 concludes as she notices Hyeondo awkwardly hovering behind them.
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