You know that feeling when you're watching a train wreck but the train is actually two incredibly attractive people who shouldn't be within ten feet of each other? That's Nevertheless. Based on the popular Webtoon by Jung Seo, this K-drama didn't just lean into the "toxic relationship" trope—it lived there, paid rent, and renovated the kitchen. If you're looking for a nevertheless the shapes of love episode guide, you're likely trying to navigate the messy, non-linear emotional chaos of Yoo Na-bi and Park Jae-eon. It's a lot. Honestly, the 10-episode run feels shorter because of how fast the tension cranks up, but it’s also exhausting in the way only real-life bad decisions are.
The show aired on JTBC and Netflix, and it immediately sparked a massive debate across social media. Some people saw a beautiful exploration of modern intimacy; others saw a walking red flag named Jae-eon (played by Song Kang) who probably needed therapy more than a girlfriend. But that's the point of the "shapes of love" subtitle. It isn't always a heart shape. Sometimes it’s a jagged edge.
The setup: butterfly tattoos and bad omens
The first episode, "There is No Such Thing as Fate," sets the stage by shattering Na-bi's (Han So-hee) trust. Her previous boyfriend was a literal nightmare—an older artist who used their private moments as "inspiration" for a public art gallery without her consent. It was gross. It was violating. And it left her cynical. Then she meets Jae-eon.
He’s got a butterfly on his neck. She’s named Na-bi (which means butterfly in Korean). It’s almost too on the nose, right?
But the nevertheless the shapes of love episode guide reveals that their chemistry isn't about destiny. It's about magnetism. Episode 1 and 2 are a masterclass in "will they, won't they" that quickly turns into "they definitely should not, but they are going to anyway." Jae-eon is the king of the "push and pull." He likes the flirtation, the chase, and the physical closeness, but the second things get real? He's gone. He’s like smoke. You can see him, but you can’t catch him.
Mapping the chaos: a look at the key episodes
If you're rewatching or diving in for the first time, some episodes carry way more weight than others. You can't just skim this series because the subtle shifts in body language matter more than the actual dialogue.
💡 You might also like: Not the Nine O'Clock News: Why the Satirical Giant Still Matters
Episode 3: It Has Already Begun
This is where the rating famously jumped to 19+ in South Korea. It wasn't just for the sake of being "edgy." The show wanted to depict the physical reality of a "friends with benefits" situation that neither person is actually cool with. Na-bi is trying to be the "cool girl." We’ve all been there. You tell yourself you can handle the casual nature of it, but your heart is doing backflips every time he texts.
Episode 4: I Know It Isn't Love
The title says it all. This episode dives into the routine. They spend nights together, they share meals, but they aren't "dating." Jae-eon is still seeing other people—or at least keeping his options so open they’re practically outdoors. This is the peak of the frustration for the audience. You want to scream at the screen. Why is she staying? But Han So-hee plays Na-bi with such a raw, relatable vulnerability that you kind of get it. Loneliness is a powerful drug.
Episode 6: There is No Love
Enter Yang Do-hyeok (Chae Jong-hyeop). The "Potato Boy." He’s the childhood friend, the sweetheart, the guy who actually brings her soup and looks at her like she’s the only person on earth. In any other drama, he’s the lead. Here, he’s the "Shape of Love" that represents safety. This episode shifts the location to a seaside town, and the change in scenery highlights just how suffocating the city romance with Jae-eon had become.
Why the butterfly metaphor actually works
In any nevertheless the shapes of love episode guide, the butterfly isn't just a tattoo. It’s a biological metaphor. Butterflies are beautiful, but they are fragile and they never stay in one place. Jae-eon raises them. He keeps them in a glass case. He likes the beauty of the thing but struggles with the responsibility of keeping it alive.
Na-bi’s journey throughout the middle episodes (7 through 9) is about realizing she isn't a specimen in a jar. She’s an artist. The show spends a lot of time in the sculpture department of their university. This isn't just filler. The act of carving, welding, and shaping metal mirrors the way they are trying to force their relationship into a shape that doesn't naturally fit.
📖 Related: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
- The Metalwork: Cold, hard, requires intense heat to change.
- The Clay: Malleable but easily broken if not fired correctly.
- The Finished Piece: Often looks nothing like the initial sketch.
That’s their relationship in a nutshell.
The polarizing finale: "Nevertheless, I Still..."
Episode 10 caused a bit of a riot online. Without giving away every single frame, it deals with the aftermath of a massive fight and the destruction of Na-bi’s art project. It asks the question: Can a person really change? Or do we just get better at accepting their flaws?
The "shapes of love" here aren't traditional. The ending suggests that love isn't always about finding a "perfect" person. Sometimes it’s about choosing the disaster that makes you feel alive, even if you know it might end in tears again. It’s a cynical view for some, but others found it refreshingly honest. Life isn't a Hallmark movie. Sometimes you go back to the guy with the butterfly tattoo.
Secondary couples you shouldn't ignore
While everyone is obsessed with the leads, the side stories offer different "shapes."
- Bit-na and Kyu-hyun: This is the "best friends to lovers" trope gone wrong, then right. It explores the ego and the fear of losing a friendship.
- Sol and Ji-wan: Honestly, many fans stayed for them. Their slow-burn, lesbian romance was handled with such tenderness. It provided a much-needed contrast to the toxic main pairing. It showed a shape of love built on years of deep, quiet understanding rather than instant, volatile sparks.
Common misconceptions about the series
People often call Nevertheless a romance. It’s actually closer to a psychological drama or a coming-of-age story disguised as a romance.
👉 See also: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Misconception 1: Jae-eon is a villain.
He’s not a villain in the traditional sense. He’s just emotionally stunted. He has a massive fear of commitment that borders on pathological. He’s honest about not wanting a relationship, but he’s dishonest in the way he mimics "boyfriend behavior" to keep Na-bi close. He’s a gray character.
Misconception 2: Na-bi is weak.
Choosing to engage with someone who makes you feel something—even if it’s pain—isn't necessarily weakness. It’s an exploration. She’s exploring her own boundaries. By the final episode, she isn't the same girl who let her ex-boyfriend sculpt her in a compromising position. She has agency.
How to use this guide for your rewatch
If you want to get the most out of the nevertheless the shapes of love episode guide, pay attention to the color palette. Notice how the colors get colder when they are apart and warmer when they are in that "toxic bubble."
- Watch for the lighting: Shadows often bisect Jae-eon’s face, signaling his dual nature.
- Listen to the OST: The soundtrack, featuring artists like Sam Kim and Kimmuseum, is basically a character itself. It tells you what they are feeling when they are too scared to say it out loud.
- Track the art projects: The progress of Na-bi’s sculpture usually reflects her internal state. When she’s confident, the work goes well. When she’s lost, the work stalls.
What we learn about love from Na-bi and Jae-eon
The show doesn't offer a "how-to" for a healthy relationship. It offers a "what-is" for a complicated one. It teaches us that attraction isn't a choice. You can't logic your way out of liking someone.
Ultimately, the "shapes of love" are messy. They are asymmetrical. They have sharp edges that might cut you. The series suggests that "nevertheless"—despite the red flags, despite the warnings from friends, despite the inevitable heartbreak—we choose to love because the alternative is standing still. And in the world of art and life, standing still is the only true failure.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your "red flags": If you're watching this and relating too much to Na-bi, it might be time to look at your own relationship patterns. The show is a great mirror for self-reflection.
- Compare with the Webtoon: The ending of the original Webtoon is significantly different and much darker. Reading it provides a fascinating "what if" scenario for the characters.
- Focus on the cinematography: If you're an aspiring creator, study the framing of the intimate scenes. Director Kim Ga-ram used specific angles to create a sense of voyeurism that makes the viewer feel like they are intruding on private moments, which heightens the emotional impact.