Like Flowers in Sand Episode 12, titled “Like Flowers in Sand”, premiered on January 31, 2023, on Netflix. The group finally uncovers who is the culprit behind the two murders that the police had been relentlessly searching for. Moreover, Baek-du is under intense pressure as it his last chance to win the championship.
Like Flowers in Sand (모래에도 꽃이 핀다) is a South Korean drama series directed by Kim Jin-woo and written by Won Yoo-jung. Developed by KT Studio Genie and produced by Astory, the series stars Jang Dong-yoon and Lee Ju-myoung in the lead roles alongside Yoon Jong-seok, Kim Bo-ra, Lee Jae-joon, Lee Joo-seung and others.
The narrative of the show revolves around a group of young individuals striving to flourish in their lives amid the vibrant setting of Geosan’s ssireum city. In June 2023, AStory production company revealed the signing of a licensing agreement with Netflix for the global broadcasting rights of the series. The show now occupies the ENA’s Wednesday and Thursday 21:00 time slot, formerly held by Moon In The Day.
Scheduled for a total of 12 episodes, each has an approximate runtime of 60 minutes. The show is originally shot in Korean, however, it is also available with English subtitles.
-Like Flowers in Sand Episode 12 Recap Contains Spoilers-
The episode begins with the younger version of the group spending time together. All of them are engrossed in writing messages for each other in their notebooks. Back to the present, Du-sik remembers the man who came in to click the picture of their group when they were younger. She also remembers that Chil-seong was also along with him. She along with everyone else rushes to the cafe to save Mi-ran.
Meanwhile, Mi-ran is being attacked by the man who is responsible for killing her father and Chil-seong. He explains that when her father refused to no longer work with them, he abruptly killed him by hitting his head with a stone from the back. However, he says that he did not kill him intentionally but it was a mistake. He also reveals that he killed Chil-seong similarly after they had a disagreement. But Chil-seong had recorded their conversation on the phone which is why he was in desperate search for it.
As soon as the group reached the cafe, they saw that the culprit ran away leaving Mi-ran on the floor with bruises around her neck. They went outside the cafe and searched the area for a long time but he was long gone from there. Mi-ran reveals that the culprit is the owner of the rice cake shop, Lee Gyeong-mun. But the police remained unable to catch him and remained in the wanted list.
After the case is solved, Du-sik moved back to Seoul for her job. Baek-du becomes very lonely and he also loses his interest in the sports. Jin-su notices her behavioural change and wonders if he can join the championships. Moreover, Baek-du kept text messaging Du-sik but she did not reply. However, when he arrived to his house, he saw her having a meal with his family. Baek-du and Du-sik go for a walk where he confesses his feelings again. He invites her to the game and asks her to answer his question on the day itself.
The day of the championship arrives and Baek-du is able to secure his position for the finals. He meets his opponent, Lim Dong-seok in the resting area and tells him that he will win the game. On the other hand, Du-sik is about to attend his match when an emergency comes up. The culprit, Lee Gyeong-mun is hiding in a motel and the police arrive to catch him once and for all.
The match starts and Baek-du easily wins the first round. However, he loses the second round and also the subsequent round. His confidence goes down but he still maintains his determination and manages to win the fourth round. The score remains the same for both players. During the fifth and final round, both the players struggled but ultimately, Baek-du wins the championship.
Du-sik is waiting outside Baek-du’s house which takes him by surprise. She scolds him for taking her name in front of the camera. Baek-du quickly comes to the point and asks her if she also likes him. She finally confesses that she likes him as well. They both share an intimate kiss after showing their love for each other.
In the last moments, the entire group reminisces over the times that they shared during their childhood and how they ended up together again. Everyone goes to the beach to celebrate their achievements and the episode ends on that note.
Like Flowers in Sand Episode 12 Review: Final Thoughts
Like Flowers in Sand final episode answers all questions and wraps up the loose ends, but the lead-up and final plot revelation lack impact. This is partly because the show tried to squeeze a complex story into just 12 episodes, making it feel rushed. Unfortunately, there’s not enough character development for Baek-du, the championship winner, and his motivation seems one-dimensional, centered solely around Du-sik. Additionally, their romantic relationship isn’t well-explored and feels incomplete.
Nevertheless, the show tackles important themes like the dangers of public shaming and gossip, which can seriously harm a person’s life. It also introduces viewers to the South Korean cultural sport of ssireum, showcasing a unique aspect of the country’s heritage. The actors are praised for their performances, adding value to the overall production. Despite some narrative shortcomings, the series manages to address significant societal issues and cultural elements, with the actors’ commendable efforts compensating for some of the storytelling drawbacks.
Like Flowers in Sand is now streaming on Netflix. Did you watch the new episode? Let us know in the comments below!
Also Read: All Like Flowers in Sand Reviews