4 Times Episode 5 Of "Spring Of Youth" Left Us Gutted

When we tuned into “Spring of Youth” during the premiere week, it seemed like the show would be a fun, lighthearted story of youth, friendship, and love. But episode 5 proved once again that youth is not the same for everyone. While some teenagers live carefree lives, others like Kim Bom (Park Ji Hu), Sa Gye (Ha Yoo Joon), and Tae Yang (Lee Seung Hyub) face challenges that could shatter even an adult. From Sa Gye carrying the weight of a painful truth to Tae Yang’s feelings being rejected, here are four moments in episode 5 of “Spring of Youth” that left us gutted.

Warning: spoilers for episode 5 ahead!

Kim Bom’s pain running deeper

Just when viewers thought they’d grasped the weight of Kim Bom’s past, “Spring of Youth” revealed yet another heartbreaking layer and showed the severity of our female lead’s trauma. Earlier episodes already showed the immense guilt she carries over donating her mother’s organs, wondering if things would have been different had she just waited one more day. But episode 5 adds a far more devastating truth.

Six years ago, Kim Bom was in America, calling her mother to share the news of an award she had just received. Her mother answered while driving in the rain, right before The Crown’s CEO Cho Sang Hun (Jo Han Chul) crashed into her car. Kim Bom didn’t just hear the accident happen, she heard her mother crying for help, trapped and terrified, as it all unfolded in real time over the phone.

It’s a chilling detail that reframes so many of Kim Bom’s reactions. Her anxiety around car accidents, her quiet grief, her separation anxiety, it all traces back to that moment. Even if she wasn’t physically there, hearing everything was more than enough to traumatize a child. This revelation makes it painfully clear: Kim Bom has been carrying the sound of that night with her ever since.

Sa Gye struggling with a truth he can’t share

One of the most emotional moments of the episode centers on Sa Gye and the impossible situation he finds himself in. After experiencing vivid dreams and unsettling flashbacks, he finally realizes they aren’t just fragments of his imagination but memories from Kim Bom’s mother, whose eyes were donated to him after the accident. The truth crashes down on him with unbearable weight.

Desperate to do the right thing, Sa Gye reaches out to the police, only to be met with skepticism due to the lack of evidence. But knowing what he knows, simply moving on isn’t an option. He’s haunted by the memory and the guilt of being connected to a tragedy he didn’t even fully understand until now. This burden becomes too heavy to carry around Kim Bom, so he distances himself, emotionally and physically.

In a painful attempt to protect her, he denies his feelings and tells her he never wanted to sign with her in the first place. His coldness stings, but underneath it all, Sa Gye is just as young and lost as Kim Bom. Faced with an unbearable truth and no clear path forward, he chooses silence, not out of cruelty, but out of confusion and fear.

Kim Bom’s stolen song

Amid all the emotional chaos, Kim Bom is hit with yet another blow: her song has been stolen. What’s even more shocking is who took it—the CEO’s daughter (Han Yu Eun), the very same “unnie” who had always appeared kind and supportive. Up until now, she had never been portrayed as someone with ill intentions, which makes this betrayal feel all the more personal.

For Kim Bom, music has always been more than just a career. It’s one of the few things she still has control over. To have her song taken, stripped of credit, and potentially used by someone with power and influence is more than just professional sabotage. It’s a violation of something deeply personal.

One could argue that the CEO’s daughter acted under pressure, especially with the responsibility of salvaging The Crown’s upcoming comeback. But with the privilege, influence, and financial resources her father’s position has afforded her, she had countless alternatives. She could have hired a professional producer or sought out established talent. Instead, she chose to take from someone still struggling to find her footing in the industry. In doing so, she didn’t just steal a song, she stole Kim Bom’s hard work, hope, and a small piece of her healing.

A bittersweet escape with Tae Yang

Amid the heaviness of episode 5, one scene offers a rare pocket of warmth, with Tae Yang taking Kim Bom out on a spontaneous platonic date. Over a simple meal, he tries to lift her spirits with jokes and quiet gestures of care. It’s a tender moment that reminds us these characters are still young, still trying to hold onto fragments of joy despite the pain around them.

Of course, viewers can’t help but feel a pang of sadness knowing Tae Yang is the second lead. His feelings, no matter how sincere, likely won’t be returned. But for a brief moment, seeing him and Kim Bom share laughter and lightness feels like a reward in itself.

What also stands out in this scene is Kim Bom’s clarity. While Tae Yang opens up emotionally, hoping she might see him differently, she doesn’t falter. Instead, she gently but firmly reminds him that only she gets to decide who she likes, and it’s not something someone else can push her into. It’s one of many moments that show why Kim Bom is such a compelling lead: she’s kind and vulnerable but never afraid to stand her ground.

The best aspect of episode 5 was that it reminded the viewers that no one is one-dimensional. Kim Bom’s guardian aunt, often portrayed as greedy and money-hungry, revealed a more human side when she consoles Kim Bom at the police station. Her genuine concern, however fleeting, adds nuance to a character we’ve mostly seen in a negative light. Moments like these ground the story, showing how even flawed people can care deeply in quiet, unexpected ways.

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Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres and stans the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.

Currently watching: “Spring of Youth,” “Second Shot at Love,” and “Our Unwritten Seoul.”
Looking forward to: “Squid Game Season 3” and “Good Boy”