Starring Rowoon as Sim Jung-Woo and Cho Yi-Hyun as Jung Soon-Deok, The Matchmakers finale (episode 16) aired on Monday, December 25, on KBS. Set in the Joseon era, the K-drama follows the story of two young widowed matchmakers who eventually fall in love.
In episode 15 ending, Soon-Deok and Jung-Woo are seen trying to escape before the mayor enters the bride and groom’s room. To provide context, the lead characters fill in for a wedding couple after Ye-Jin runs away on her wedding day.
The Matchmakers episode 16 begins with Ye-Jin entering the room with her lover moments before the mayor barges in. When he confirms that the groom is not Jung-Woo, he leaves in disappointment. But Park So-Hyun, who is Soon-Deok’s mother-in-law, is furious seeing her daughter-in-law with Jung-Woo. In addition, she blames her for her daughter Ye-Jin’s choice of husband.
Despite a messy situation, Jung-Woo and Soon-Deok promise to find their way back to each other, hinting at a happy ending.
The Matchmakers episode 16 spoilers: Did Rowoon & Cho Yi-Hyun die?
Park So-Hyun is angry at Soon-Deok for jeopardizing her family’s reputation. She is a dangerous woman who killed her husband and brother to protect her name. Hence, she plans to destroy Jung-Woo and her daughter-in-law.
So-Hyun sends a fake letter to Jung-Woo as Soon-Deok’s adopted son. Rowoon’s character rushes to Soon-Deok’s house as the letter mentions she is in trouble. When he enters her room, So-Hyun locks the door from outside. She threatens the couple, saying that she has sent a word to the King that Jung-Woo physically assaulted Soon-Deok.
As the two wait in the room, they accept their fate. The two hug each other when the guards barge in to arrest Jung-Woo. In the palace’s prison, the King asks his son-in-law Jung-Woo if So-Hyun has framed him for physically assaulting Soon-Deok. He accepts the accusations and mentions that the King should protect Soon-Deok.
The King gives another chance to Jung-Woo to prove his innocence before drinking poison as punishment. But he doesn’t change his answer and, hence, drinks the poison. Meanwhile, So-Hyun puts a knife in front of Soon-Deok and tells her that she disgraced her family.
So-Hyun pushes Cho Yi-Hyun’s character to end her life by mentioning that Jung-Woo has died. It appears in that particular scene that Soon-Deok stabbed herself to death. A few days later, Jung-Woo wakes up and finds out that the King lowered the poison’s intensity and asked the royal physician to save him. Despite being alive, Jung-Woo gets depressed after learning that Soon-Deok committed suicide.
The Matchmakers ending: Jung-Woo and Soon-Deok get their happy ending
In The Matchmakers finale, the couples matched by Jung-Woo and Soon-Deok live happily together. According to people in Joseon, Jung-Woo and Soon-Deok have died.
Towards the end of episode 16, the King visits Jung-Woo and hands him over a new identity. He asks him to live as a new person and become a matchmaker permanently for old bachelors and maidens. He then tells him he has assigned an experienced female matchmaker to assist Jung-Woo.
Rowoon’s character reaches the address of the female matchmaker. He recalls it was Soon-Deok’s house when she was a child. While reminiscing his time with her, he hears her voice calling him, “His Excellency!” At first, he thinks he dreams but soon learns she is alive.
Soon-Deok explains to Jung-Woo that she decided not to kill herself in real. She made a deal with So-Hyun and faked her death. The King helped Soon-Deok to start a new life.
K-drama The Matchmakers ended with Jung-Woo and Soon-Deok agreeing to experience courtship while helping old bachelors and maidens find partners. Although the series has a happy ending, viewers may feel disappointed with an abrupt finish. Throughout the drama, a lot of suspense is built around So-Hyun’s crimes and a particular poison. But, in the end, the villain didn’t receive any punishment.
All episodes of The Matchmakers are available to stream on Viki.