The Nice Guy has been a rollercoaster of betrayal, loyalty, heartbreak and redemption, and its final two episodes deliver an emotional conclusion that neatly ties together the characters’ arcs while also leaving a few lingering feelings of loss. Episode 14 in particular showcases the full weight of choices made by Seok-cheol, Tae-hoon, Sang-yeol and Mi-young, and the finale balances tragedy with a flicker of hope. Here is a detailed breakdown of how the ending unfolds, and what it truly means for each of the central figures.
The Nice Guy Ending Explained
Sang-yeol’s Fall from Power
The endgame for Sang-yeol has been brewing since his violent coup within the gang. In Episode 13, he crossed an unforgivable line by coercing the teenager Woo-seok into stabbing Seok-cheol, later arranging the boy’s staged “motorbike accident” to erase loose ends. His ruthlessness set the stage for his downfall, and by Episode 14, his carefully woven authority begins to unravel.
When Seok-cheol confronts him over the phone about Woo-seok’s death, Sang-yeol tries to bluster and deny his involvement, but his nervous rambling betrays him. More importantly, Seok-cheol’s allies manage to steal the USB drive from Sang-yeol’s car, which contains incriminating dashcam evidence. This item becomes the final nail in Sang-yeol’s coffin, proof of his manipulations and murderous schemes.
The rooftop showdown between Seok-cheol and Sang-yeol symbolises their opposing paths. Sang-yeol, desperate and cornered, lashes out with a knife, stabbing Seok-cheol in a last attempt to hold onto control. Yet Seok-cheol, fuelled by determination and anger, persists until he disarms him and beats him down. Although Seok-cheol could have killed him in that moment, the intervention of the police halts him, leaving Sang-yeol alive to face justice rather than mob vengeance. His sentencing to 20 years in prison is a fitting punishment for a man whose ambition consumed not only his rivals but innocent lives as well.
Seok-cheol’s Path to Justice
Seok-cheol has always been the moral core of the series, even while entangled in the gang world. His decision to hand over the USB, despite knowing it would also implicate himself, reflects his acceptance that true justice cannot be selective. He understands that his own violent past cannot be excused, even if his motivations were often rooted in protection and loyalty.
This sense of honour explains his behaviour throughout Episode 14. He takes his family to dinner, writes a heartfelt note to Mi-young at her mother’s resting place, and hugs Mi-young tightly as if saying a silent farewell before his arrest. These gestures show that he was fully aware of the consequences of turning in the evidence. Rather than fleeing or hiding, he embraced accountability, both for himself and for Sang-yeol.
His sentence of two and a half years might initially feel harsh considering the greater crimes of Sang-yeol, but it underscores the show’s message: nobody in this violent cycle is without blame. Seok-cheol adapts well to prison life, visited regularly by his father and Tae-hoon, who both continue to care for him. This acceptance of punishment becomes his way of truly breaking free from the grip of the underworld.
Tae-hoon’s Loyalty Tested
Tae-hoon plays a quieter yet pivotal role in the ending. After initially distancing himself from Seok-cheol’s fight with Sang-yeol, he cannot help but step in during the rooftop confrontation, proving that his loyalty remains intact. Their relationship is one of mutual respect forged through trials, and Tae-hoon embodies the theme of brotherhood that runs throughout the series.
Later, in prison visits, Tae-hoon becomes Seok-cheol’s emotional support, the one friend who continually checks in and reminds him of life beyond confinement. This bond is especially poignant because it contrasts sharply with the betrayal of Sang-yeol, showing how loyalty can be a lifeline rather than a weakness.
Mi-young’s Heartache and Resilience
Mi-young’s arc reaches its most painful stage during the finale. At first, she does not realise the significance of Seok-cheol’s farewell gestures. Only later, when she receives his heartfelt message, does the weight of his sacrifice hit her, leaving her in tears. When she tries to visit him in prison, Seok-cheol refuses to meet her, crying as he hides from the woman he loves most. His refusal stems not from rejection but from a desire to protect her from further pain.
Yet Mi-young does not remain broken. Two years later, she has become a rising star on social media, her career flourishing as she channels her heartbreak into art. The fact that she records a song using lyrics from Seok-cheol’s old letter shows that their love, though interrupted, remains a guiding force in her journey. Her resilience balances the tragedy of their separation, proving that love can survive in memory even when circumstances divide people physically.
The Family’s Moving On
The subplot involving Seok-cheol’s siblings also finds closure. Seok-hee graduates and finds employment, while Ki-hong formally proposes marriage, fulfilling the family’s wish for stability and happiness. Seok-kyung, after finding a job at a car dealership, is hilariously but endearingly proposed to by Byeong-soo in a clumsy manner, showing the show’s lighter side even amid darker storylines. These smaller arcs remind viewers that life continues, and even in the shadow of violence and prison, joy and growth are possible for those left behind.
The Bittersweet Reunion
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the finale arrives after Seok-cheol’s release from prison. He specifically asks his father not to bring the family, wishing to walk free alone, almost as though he does not believe he deserves a celebratory welcome. His humility and lingering guilt reveal how deeply prison has reshaped him.
However, fate intervenes. As he steps outside, adjusting to freedom, he sees Mi-young waiting for him. Tears well in both their eyes as they reunite. The show does not need elaborate dialogue here; the raw emotion of the moment speaks volumes. It is not a perfect ending, as Seok-cheol still carries scars and Mi-young has endured years of waiting, but it is a hopeful one. Their reunion suggests that love, though tested by time and suffering, can still endure.
Final Thoughts
The Nice Guy concludes not with a triumphant victory but with a careful balance of justice, redemption and bittersweet love. Sang-yeol’s downfall illustrates the inevitable consequences of unchecked ambition and cruelty. Seok-cheol’s imprisonment reinforces the idea that redemption requires accountability, not avoidance. Mi-young’s rise as an artist demonstrates resilience, while the reunion hints at healing and new beginnings.
Ultimately, the ending conveys that justice is never clean or easy. Innocent lives are lost, good men face punishment alongside villains, and love must sometimes wait in silence. Yet by facing the consequences, Seok-cheol breaks free from the endless cycle of betrayal and violence. The series leaves viewers with hope that he and Mi-young, though battered by hardship, can finally carve out a life together beyond the shadows of the past.
The Nice Guy is streaming on Viki.
Also read: All Recaps and Reviews of The Nice Guy
beautifully said. thank you. i will miss seokcheol.