Choi Min-ho, Chae Soo-bin, Lee Sang-woon and Park Hee-jung were major BFF goals on the latest Netflix kdrama released on December 23, 2022 and The Fabulous ending (더 패뷸러스) further consolidated their bond. The South Korean drama series concluded its first season run on the same day itself as its 8 episodes were made available for bingeing all together. Created by Kim Jeong-hyeon, Kim Ji-hee and Im Jin-sun, the kdrama became another original addition to the digital streaming platform that attracted many viewers for the rom-com event and is already trending in the top 10 category on the platform at the moment.
High on heartwarming instances of the squad of four being supportive of each other’s dreams, the final episode focussed majorly on Lee Sang-woon’s Joseph and his new fashion collection launch, which had him on the edge and high on jitters. Anxious of what may befall him as he still hadn’t completed the ultimate show-stopping design for the finale, he’s stuck in the mess while all his friends cheer him on to do his best while they prepare for the upcoming launch of the new Korean outlet of Earlaine brand headed by the global fashion figure Thierry Henri.
Netflix’s official log-line for the series reads:
IN THIS ENLIGHTENED DRAMA SERIES, A GROUP OF FOUR BEST FRIENDS NAVIGATE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS AND INTENSE CAREERS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY.
-The Fabulous Ending Explained Does Not Contain Spoilers-
The Fabulous Ending Explained
It all comes down to their ‘Fashion and Passion’ in the last episode, hence the title of the last chapter as well. Joseph is under pressure to prove himself to the world, and even though he’s previously met similar circumstances, he still feels stuck working out the final design, and Esther, his assistant, tries her best to be there for him.
Woo-min, on the other hand, finally realises his actual dream of pursuing street photography instead of continuing his work in the fashion domain. Ji-eun starts a new phase of her life as her boss, Ms. Oh, grants her the opportunity to head the launch party of Earlaine J, with the company’s Korean branch also introducing Joseph as its creative director. He initially declined the offer presented to him by the renowned director of the fashion brand, Thierry, because the opportunity required him to settle down in Paris and leave his own brand ‘Mr Joseph’ and his identity behind.
His mother puts in the extra effort with the help of Ji-seon and negotiates with Thierry on a private call to let her son retain his identity while also letting him step in as the creative director. Thierry grants this request by announcing the launch of the first Korean outlet of Earlaine – to be named as Earlaine J, taking after Joseph’s name, allowing him to stay back in Korea as well as work in collaboration with the multinational fashion brand. (Check out our review of the kdrama series here)
However, due to his nerves, he’s unable to complete the work for his collection under the new launch, and chooses to not attend the press conference organised by Ji-eun’s marketing company Audrey. She comes to her friend’s aid by inviting Thierry himself to the event and when she divulges the reason why her friend couldn’t grace the conference, Thierry is even more impressed by his dedication and commitment to his work, and tells everyone how he shares the same worth ethic.
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More connections are established at the launch as Thierry meets JD, her stylist Ji-seon, Joseph’s mother and Ms. Ahn Nam-hee, the top-class fashion magazine editor. Min-ho also joins the event as the official photographer for the night before finally taking off for his new dream.
Once the event actually kick-starts, Joseph urges Min-ho to initiate the series of runway walks since he’s pre-occupied with styling the models. Min-ho walks out confidently and places the boombox on the podium which then voices out the theme of the night – “Our Story”, i.e. the four best friends’ life saga about their aspirations. It unfolds an old audio recording of the four, serving as a time capsule, wherein they all stated their dreams and what they wanted to achieve in the fashion industry.
The fashion show picks up pace after that and finally Seon-ho walks out donning the finale piece and closes the event in a black dress with a long trail sweeping the floor as well everyone else off their feet as the audience is completely won over by Joseph’s talent. And unlike the first episode, when Joseph’s parade suffered a major strike down as the lights went out abruptly, this time he walks out with pride to stand beside Seon-ho as the real star of the night.
The fashion show is followed by an after party and everyone rejoices at Joseph’s triumph, while Ji-eun is also recognised for her efforts and is presented with the chance to join INFASHION, one of the best marketing agencies in the industry. Hearing of the same, she finds peace in the fact that she’s being noticed by the best of the bests within the industry. However, she chooses to retain her position at Audrey and make the best of what she has without being the star of the show.
As far as Seon-ho’s success is concerned, she was also offered a new break by Ms. Ahn, but it involves the direction of her ex-boyfriend. Despite her turning down the offer initially, she eventually accepts it. With her new boyfriend, who decides to film a documentary of her life, she moves to New York due to the lack of unique gigs in Korea.
Standing up for young models at a photoshoot after they’re humiliated by the photography director, her name reaches new heights as the video footage of the incident, shot by her boyfriend, goes viral, thus helping her to make the headlines and reinstate respect for her in an industry that had chosen to forget her contribution.
Ms. Ahn Nam-hee pens down her article for Earlaine J’s launch and takes the time out to appreciate all the hands that work behind the scenes to make the fashion industry the roaring success it appears on top.
Min-ho and Ji-eun had already patched up their relationship and reunited as a couple earlier and are seen much happier than before in the last episode. All four best friends get together again and announce new dreams after their success. Joseph hopes to take over Earlaine, Seon-ho expresses her desire of revisiting New York, London, Milan and Paris and sweeping collections all over these cities, Min-ho’s camera finally finds a direction at Vogue, while Ji-eun is teased lightheartedly by the other three as she sticks with her roots in Audrey.
Will There Be The Fabulous Season 2?
As of now, the The Fabulous storyline seems to have been completely wrapped up since all characters got the happy ending they deserved in the last episode of the season. Although there’s no need for these characters to return again with the purpose of the show having been actualised, its popularity is also soaring high among the audiences as they couldn’t stop tearing up over the chemistry shared between the four actors leading the cast.
Moreover, since the show is also trending high on the platform at the moment, the creators of the series may choose to reconsider their options for the second season. But, right now, there’s no official confirmation for its return for another season, especially since there seems to be no need for it as far as the plot is concerned. If there are any changes, or if new developments rise on the map for this kdrama, we will keep you updated.
The Fabulous is now streaming on Netflix.
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