The final episode of KBS2’s “Love Song for Illusion” aired on February 27, marking the end of the drama starring Park Ji Hoon and Hong Ye Ji. Nielsen Korea reported that the finale achieved a 2.3% average rating nationwide, a slight increase from the previous episode’s 2.1%.

“Love Song for Illusion” episode 16 recap

[Feb 27] “Love Song for Illusion” Episode 16: Rating & Recap

A shocking betrayal

The 16th episode begins with Ak-Hee, played by Park Ji-Hoon, waking up from their mind space where he killed Sajo Hyeon. Queen Geum Hwa hears the news and is heartbroken, but she keeps her composure for her unborn child. However, things get worse when Ak-Hee decides to give up his throne to Sajo Yung.

Sajo Yung is overjoyed when he sees Ak-Hee holding the royal stamp. They had agreed earlier that Sajo Yung would help Ak-Hee murder Sajo Hyeon, and in exchange, Ak-Hee would hand over his throne to him.

Ak-Hee tells Sajo Yung that he mightn't be able to take Yeon Wol, played by Hong Ye-Ji, with him out of the palace. Sajo Yung has already anticipated this and has a solution ready. 

He met Yeon Wol briefly before he saw Ak-Hee and respected her decision to reject his offer. She told him that she would follow Ak-Hee to kill him. Sajo Yung then summons Yeon Wol to his meeting with Ak-Hee. 

Just as Ak-Hee is about to stamp the document, Geum Hwa’s father tries to arrest Sajo Yung for killing the previous king. But his plan fails, and he and his daughter are thrown into jail.

A stunning twist

After this, the true identity of Park Ji-Hoon’s character is exposed. He is actually Sajo Hyeon, not Ak-Hee. In their mind space battle, the king was stabbed by the alter-personality, but it had no effect on him because he was human and the attack wasn't real. 

"Love Song for Illusion" episode 16 reveals that Sajo Hyeon and Yeon Wol staged a fake scenario to make Sajo Yung admit his crimes. The king’s scheme succeeds in the end, and Sajo Yung is sentenced to death.

The ending: Did Park Ji-hoon & Hong Ye-Ji end up together?

The finale has many surprises and shocks. As Sajo Yung is about to be executed, he claims that Yeon Wol’s mother is still alive. Yeon Wol runs to the scene and wants to know the truth.

At the same time, King Sajo Hyeon figures out that it's a trap set by Sajo Yung, so he hurries to rescue her. Sajo Yung uses his mother’s help to inject Yeon Wol with a poison needle. The king is enraged and stabs Sajo Yung with a sword, killing him instantly. Sajo Hyeon holds Yeon Wol in his arms as she loses consciousness.

Ak-Hee runs away with Yeon Wol and brings her to their mind space. He wants to keep her there with him for eternity. But he fails to do that because Yeon Wol and Sajo Hyeon’s love for each other defeats Ak-Hee, who is born out of greed. As a result, the main characters end up together.

“Love Song for Illusion”  concludes on a happy and satisfying note.

Gyera is very beautiful, isn't she? I knew that there would be nothing to compare her. She is the woman you love incomparably to anything in the world. Be happy with Gyera, Sajo Hyeon. That's all I want. (Ak-Hee's monologue)
- Sajo Hyeon: I love you Yeon-Wol, without a limit, endlessly
- Yeon-Wol: I love you, immeasurably and forever.

(Source: Nielsen Korea)