7 Reasons Why Baek Hye Mi Was Suspected to Be the Villain in Second Shot at Love

Korean drama Second Shot at Love has captivated viewers with its emotional depth, intriguing plot, and unexpected twists. One of the most mysterious characters in the series is Baek Hye Mi (played by Bae Hae Seon). From her first appearance, fans were suspicious of her seemingly excessive attention toward Dr. Seo Ui Jun (Gong Myung). Many assumed she had an ulterior motive and might be the secret antagonist in the story.

However, as the story unfolds, viewers discover that Baek Hye Mi is not the villain they believed her to be. In fact, she turns out to be Seo Ui Jun’s biological mother, a fact only revealed near the drama’s conclusion. Still, there were several actions and behaviors that led audiences to think otherwise. Here are the 7 major reasons why Baek Hye Mi was wrongly accused of being the villain.

1. She Was “Just a Nurse” Yet Unusually Close to Dr. Seo Ui Jun

Initially, Baek Hye Mi was introduced as a senior nurse and colleague of Seo Ui Jun at a hospital in Seoul. Despite the professional relationship, her closeness with him felt suspicious to viewers. She frequently involved herself in his personal matters, causing many to wonder why a nurse would be so overly invested in a doctor’s life.

2. Her Overprotective Behavior Raised Red Flags

Throughout the early episodes, Baek Hye Mi’s protectiveness over Seo Ui Jun felt extreme, especially given the lack of any explained familial relationship. Fans felt her actions crossed professional boundaries, suspecting hidden motives behind her constant presence in Ui Jun’s life.

3. She Hid Seo Ui Jun’s Father in a Nursing Home

Suspicion intensified when it was revealed that Baek Hye Mi had secretly placed Seo Ui Jun’s estranged father in a nursing home. She actively blocked Ui Jun from finding out the truth, which made her appear as someone with something dark to hide.

4. She Administered Sedatives to His Father

Adding to the distrust, Baek Hye Mi instructed staff at the nursing home to regularly sedate Seo Ui Jun’s father. This alarming detail led many to believe she was slowly trying to incapacitate—or even eliminate—him. Her intentions seemed far from noble at that point.

5. She Claimed She Should Have Killed His Father

One of the most shocking moments in the drama came when Baek Hye Mi coldly declared in front of Seo Ui Jun that she should have killed his father. This chilling statement deeply unsettled viewers, confirming their belief that she might be the drama’s main antagonist.

6. Viewers Suspected Her of Seeking Revenge

Later, when parts of her past were revealed, it was shown that Baek Hye Mi had suffered greatly because of Seo Ui Jun’s father. This led to a new theory: that she had returned to Seo Ui Jun’s life only to exact revenge on the man who hurt her by manipulating his son.

7. She Lied About a Social Club She Was Part Of

Baek Hye Mi also lied about being active in a community club, which turned out to be nonexistent. This further damaged her credibility and added to the growing list of deceptions, reinforcing the audience’s perception of her as manipulative and deceitful.

The Shocking Truth: Baek Hye Mi Is Seo Ui Jun’s Mother

Near the end of the series, the truth finally comes out—Baek Hye Mi is actually Seo Ui Jun’s biological mother. She concealed her identity not out of hatred or revenge, but out of fear and a desire to protect her son. Her decision to hide his father in a nursing home wasn’t an act of cruelty, but a desperate attempt to prevent further trauma and abuse.

Although Baek Hye Mi’s behavior was often suspicious, her intentions were ultimately rooted in love and protection. The drama Second Shot at Love masterfully used misdirection to build tension and drama, only to reveal a touching truth in the end. Baek Hye Mi is not a villain—she’s a wounded mother who made painful choices to shield her son from a toxic past.

Her story is a reminder that people’s actions, no matter how questionable on the surface, can come from a place of deep emotional complexity. In the end, Second Shot at Love delivers a powerful message about forgiveness, healing, and the unconditional love of a parent.