Na Young-hee and Choi Jong-hwan are one step closer to finding the truth about their missing daughter.

In episode 18 of KBS2‘s daily drama ‘Cinderella Game’ (directed by Lee Hyun-kyung / written by Oh Sang-hee) aired on the 25th, it was revealed that Choi Myung-ji (played by Ji Soo-won) was involved in the death of Yoon Yoo-jin (played by Min Ha-ram / child actress Lee So-yoon), the daughter of Shin Yeo-jin (played by Na Young-hee) and Yoon Sung-ho (played by Choi Jong-hwan). The viewership ratings for that day were 9.4% (provided by Nielsen Korea, based on nationwide households), renewing its own highest viewership ratings for the second time in a row.

In that day’s broadcast, Sung-ho overheard a conversation between Hwang Jin-goo (Choi Sang) and Sim Bang-ul (Kim Hye-ok) as they passed by the hospital where Yeo-jin was brought, and became convinced that Yeo-jin‘s and his DNA had been damaged by someone.

Meanwhile, Goo Ha-na (Han Groo) struggled to find Lee Eun-chong’s (Kim Gun-woo) grandmother. While waiting for the results of Eun-chong‘s DNA test with a person who was presumed to be Eun-chong’s grandmother, who had already passed away, Hana heard something unexpected from the police. The deceased grandmother had no relatives, so the funeral had to be held immediately. After much thought, Hana even broke her savings and held the funeral. Also, the scene where Eun-gyeong, who heard the news that her grandmother might have died, hugs her doll and whispers, “Are all the people I want to see in heaven?” and sheds tears moved the viewers‘ hearts.

Myung-ji and Se-young couldn’t hide their bewilderment at Yeo-jin‘s words that she couldn’t trust anyone and would re-register her DNA with the National Forensic Service. However, the two soon agreed to her words while maintaining a poker face.

Myung-ji, who became anxious because of Yeo-jin‘s active efforts to find her daughter, secretly met with a mysterious man who seemed to be deeply connected to Yoo-jin’s disappearance. The man tried to calm Myung-ji down by saying that applying to the National Forensic Service wouldn‘t work right away, and then asked for money, saying that there were many ways to get out of it. Then, when Myung-ji asked, “Why don’t you reveal that she died while you‘re at it?” the man replied, “It’s only been 6 years. He added tension by answering, “Fill it up for at least 10 years and then throw it away.”

Later, when Yoon Se-young (played by Park Ri-won) was worried that (DNA) could be contaminated even if it was stored at the National Forensic Service, Myung-ji replied, “Mom is taking care of everything, so don’t worry about it,” revealing that he was the one who prevented Yeo-jin and Yoo-jin from reuniting, causing shock.

At the end of the broadcast, the reunion of Seong-ho and Eun-gong added to the excitement. The ending unfolded with Seong-ho looking at Eun-gong from afar with longing after hearing that she, whom he met at the hospital earlier, was his grandchild, and he was moved to tears. Yeo Jin-do also raised the curiosity about when Eun-gong will find out that she is his grandson, raising anticipation for the next episode.

KBS 2TV daily drama ‘Cinderella Game’ Episode 19 will air on the 26th (today) at 7:50 PM.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com Reporter jhj@donga.com