The Potato Lab Episode 12 Review: We Bid Farewell to the Cool Potato Couple

In The Potato Lab Episode 11, emotional wreckage is everywhere as Baek-ho finally confesses his painful role in Mi-kyung’s past, leaving her heartbroken and distant. As job offers and drama swirl, Mi-kyung grapples with betrayal, while Baek-ho promises to stay away—though his love keeps finding ways to show up, abalone porridge and all.

With old wounds reopened by Ong-ju and Hee-jin’s confessions, and a disastrous frozen potato crisis threatening the lab, Mi-kyung steps up with a bold solution. Tension turns tender when Baek-ho saves her from falling, and in the soft glow of a patched-up injury, he finally says the words: he’s in love with her. The episode ends with Mi-kyung quietly holding onto their photo—maybe ready to hold onto something more.

– Contains Spoilers –

The Potato Lab Episode 12 Recap

The grand finale of The Potato Lab kicks off right where we left off—inside a giant freezer, naturally, because what’s a K-drama without some symbolic cold storage to thaw emotional baggage? Mi-Kyung, ever the voice of reason even with hypothermia creeping in, tells Baek-Ho to pump the brakes. He’s rushing things again—confessing love, apologizing for past trauma, and expecting forgiveness all in one sitting. She demands time, and asks the million-won question: why did he fire her when he knew she was innocent?

Also read: Karma Ending Explained: What Happens to Everyone in the End? Does Ju-yeon Get Justice?

Baek-Ho, in his classic emotionally constipated fashion, explains that he’s always prided himself on being logical and data-driven. Turns out, he wasn’t practical—just lacking empathy. Oof. He owns up to his coldness (both literal and emotional), says he regrets it all, and offers a heartfelt apology. Mi-Kyung softens, saying she might forgive him with time, and just like that, the cold starts melting—emotionally, at least. Physically? Not so much. The neighborhood ajummas, thinking they’re being cute, lock them in again “for bonding time,” and the poor lovebirds catch a nasty cold. Romance with a side of flu!

Back at home, Hwan-Kyung assumes Baek-Ho has hurt his sister again and attempts to kick him out of Ward B like an overprotective guard dog. Of course, he hasn’t actually asked Mi-Kyung what happened. Once he finally does, he gets chewed out so thoroughly that he runs straight into Baek-Ho’s arms, sobbing. Fast-forward to the next morning: the two men are found passed out from a day-long drinking session, arms around each other. Naturally, Mi-Kyung and Ong-Ju commemorate the moment by turning it into matching T-shirts. Friendship goals?

Meanwhile, our favourite lab couple gets back to business—literally. With the storage disaster freezing 500 tons of potatoes, Mi-Kyung and Baek-Ho split up to hit every potato lab in the region, trying to rebuild their supply. Their styles couldn’t be more different: she begs with sincerity, while he sticks to facts and figures. But their biggest win comes when they run into a smug farm owner who doesn’t care much for Mi-Kyung’s heartfelt plea—until Baek-Ho pulls out the ultimate trump card: military seniority.

Turns out the guy has to salute him, and that humble pie gets served with a side of 98 tons of potatoes and a promise for 20 more. In the heat of the moment, Mi-Kyung almost kisses him. Girl, we saw that lean-in.

Former chief Mr. Hong also chips in, bringing a hefty load of potatoes and a dose of humility. He blames himself for the earlier disaster, but Mi-Kyung sets the record straight—Baek-Ho’s the one who dropped the ball when he walked in thinking he knew better than a field full of seasoned farmers. Lesson learned: trust the spud squad.

Later, Mi-Kyung starts acting chilly again, but it’s not about Baek-Ho—it’s about her looming departure and the lab’s ongoing layoffs. That night, Baek-Ho calls her out, and she hits him with the hard truth: being with him is like riding an emotional rollercoaster. One word from him sends her heart into chaos—crying, laughing, nervous, elated. Love, am I right? When the conversation starts to spiral, she shuts him up with a kiss. And not a freezer kiss this time—it’s the real deal. Sparks fly, moods flip, and let’s just say, they officially go from coworkers to cozy.

Meanwhile, Hee-Jin delivers a classy goodbye to Ki-Se. If you thought she was trying to win him back before, surprise! She was actually giving him a farewell monologue. She visits him, says she’s heading back to New York to finish school, and they part ways like emotionally evolved adults (for once). Karma comes for Ki-Se anyway when his workmates find out he lied about his marital status to the boss’ daughter. Awkward. Still, he handles it, and Mi-Kyung even checks in on him. Growth!

Then Baek-Ho faces a career crisis of his own. When told to help downsize a company of 500 employees, he realizes he’s had enough of cold corporate logic. He turns to the last person you’d expect: Ki-Se. The two actually share a warm moment, proving even exes’ exes can become bros. In the end, Baek-Ho returns to the village and announces to Mi-Kyung that he’s quit. “Please accept your unemployed boyfriend,” he says, and honestly? It’s kind of adorable.

The next day, they learn that Hee-Dong—the village himbo we all underestimated—managed to secure 350 tons of potatoes. Turns out he’s a nepotism baby with follow-through. On top of that, Mi-Kyung gets a call from the Rural Development Administration: they’re impressed with her MK107 potato sample and want to collaborate. Cue tears, hugs, and the official validation of her passion project.

Flash-forward three years, and things are poppin’. Mi-Kyung’s running the lab like a boss, juggling graduate school at night, while Baek-Ho’s got three jobs, including being the CFO of the USB guesthouse (because of course). Ong-Ju’s battling fatty liver (someone, please take her soju away), and Mr. Bu finally becomes chief of the lab. In the final scene, the Wonhan Potato Lab presents their new potato variety, Maroo, with Baek-Ho and Mi-Kyung shining like local celebrities. The show closes on a hopeful note—this might be the end of the drama, but it’s only the beginning of their spud-tacular future.

The Potato Lab Episode 12 Review

The Potato Lab finale wraps up like a warm bowl of abalone porridge—comforting, a little unexpected, and surprisingly emotional. Watching Mi-Kyung and Baek-Ho fumble through freezer reconciliations, awkward almost-kisses, and love confessions disguised as arguments was peak rom-com chaos, and we loved every second of it.

The way everyone—from nosy ajummas to unexpectedly competent coworkers—played a part in their happy ending made it feel like a true team win. Plus, who knew potatoes could cause this much drama and healing? In the end, it wasn’t just about the potatoes—it was about growth, second chances, and finding love in the least expected places.

The Potato Lab is streaming on Netflix.

Also read: All The Potato Lab Reviews!

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