If you have not yet seen the end of "Future's Choice,' don't read any further because this article talks about the last episode.
The drama tried to answer the question "What would you do if you could go back in time and stop yourself from making a mistake?" That's the question posed by most time travel dramas. Can you change history? Would your younger self listen to what your older self had to say?
While time travel is still a fantasy, it does have a real life parallel. Parents are always trying to help kids avoid the mistakes they made when they were young and kids rarely listen. And maybe kids should be allowed to make mistakes because really everyone's life is their own. So, in a sense future Na Mi Rae was kind of like present Na Mi Rae's mom.
In the end it turned out that by trying to change the past they has created two parallel timelines. That was probably the most interesting thing that happened for several episodes. The decisions about present Na Mi Rae were not for future Na Mi Rae to make. That was a surprise.
"You can't change the past," said Yoon Eun Hye to her future self as she chooses to go back to her own time or universe. "But you can change the present."
But the most surprising thing for some viewers may be the lack of resolution in the love triangle. Na Mi Rae did not choose announced Kim Shin, played by Lee Dong Gun or or corporate communications heir Jung Yong Hwa. Both Kim Shin and Na Mi Rae made a far more important decision. They decided to stick to their principles and report the news that mattered. And this turned out to be the choice that mattered most.
Lee Dong Gun also got to meet his future or alternate universe self and was warned that not reporting a negative news story would result in his downfall. Kim Shin's future self aid that every day for 35 years he regretted the decision to ignore the story. While not reporting it bought him money and prestige, it alienated him from everyone who mattered and sabotaged his marriage with Na Mi Rae. It was not a matter of money but being true to the journalistic principles he shared with Na Mi Rae.
While these choices effectively precluded the bad future that was predicted for their relationship, Lee Dong Gun and Yoon Eun Hye do not wind up together at the end of the episode. Although the drama does not match up present Na Mi Rae and Kim Shin, the future versions of these characters do long to see each other again. Not did she choose Park Se Joo, although she also leaves the possibility open.
What do you think about Na Mi Rae's choices? Let us know.
Next week the time slot will be filled by "The Prime Minister and I," starring Lee Beom Soo, Yoona and Yoon Si Yoon.
