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| Badly in Love Final Episode (EP 10) Breakdown: Love Triangles, Growth, and Mixed Feelings (Image: Netflix) |
Set inside the closed-off Badly in Love Academy, the experiment throws together former delinquent youths who’ve spent most of their lives guarding themselves. Episode 10 doesn’t just close romantic arcs — it exposes emotional habits, fear of commitment, and the messy reality of learning how to love without armour.
Recap of the Final Episode
Finale (Episode 10/ opens with tension already thick in the air. Before its final decisions, emotions feel rushed, fragile, and sometimes reckless. One of the boldest moments arrives early during the sauna conversation between Nisei and Oto-san.
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What begins as an honest talk quickly turns confrontational, as Oto-san openly discusses marriage and children. It’s raw, uncomfortable, and arguably the most forward conversation of the entire series. Nisei doesn’t shut her down, but he doesn’t fully accept it either — a pattern that’s defined his journey since the middle episodes.
The letter exchange becomes one of the episode’s lighter highlights. The men write impromptu letters without producer prompting, giving the moment an organic, unscripted feel. The women respond with circles or crosses, revealing interest levels in the most stripped-down way possible.
Shockingly, both Nisei and Tsu-chan receive circles from every woman. While Nisei celebrates with a joking “hard work pays off” comment, the audience can clearly see the contrast between him and Tsu-chan — one flirts with emotional ambiguity, the other simply gets along with everyone.
Tackle, receiving no circles at all, quietly becomes one of the episode’s saddest figures, symbolising how kindness alone doesn’t always translate to romantic chemistry.
Things escalate when Nisei wins a glamping lunch date and chooses Baby. This decision sparks visible jealousy from Milk, who’s been the most emotionally consistent presence in Baby’s storyline.
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A brief physical scuffle breaks out — tense but restrained — reinforcing that even these former troublemakers are now trying to manage conflict differently.
Unexpectedly, the glamping trip deepens Nisei and Baby’s bond. He opens up about his time in juvenile training school and the moment he learned how his actions hurt others.
Baby listens, visibly moved, and their bath scene later becomes one of the episode’s most talked-about moments — intimate without feeling exploitative, playful without crossing lines.
Meanwhile, Tekarin’s arc quietly steals the episode. Her emotional phone call with her estranged older brother becomes a turning point, allowing her to finally confront her habit of emotionally running away. The letters from children at Cafe Chocolate remind her who she once wanted to be, grounding her in self-worth rather than romantic validation.
By the time the cast boards the yukata dinner cruise across Tokyo Bay, the episode feels almost shojo-like. Amo’s relentless pursuit of Nisei turns the love triangle into something closer to a love pentagon.
Oto-san hesitates but is encouraged by others to fight for her feelings — a blunt but honest reflection of the show’s emotional philosophy.
Tsu-chan finally confesses directly to Baby, stating she’s been his top choice from the start. At the same time, Tekarin clearly tells Ten-ten she’s staying in the show for him — one of the most straightforward and sincere declarations of the season.
The episode ends without grand final choices, instead freezing everyone mid-emotion, mid-growth, and mid-decision.
Badly in Love Ending Explained
The ending of Badly in Love is intentionally unresolved — and that’s the point.
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Rather than crowning perfect couples, Episode 10 highlights emotional progress over romantic closure. Nisei’s storyline represents emotional immaturity masked as charm. His inability to fully reject or commit isn’t portrayed as villainy, but as a flaw rooted in fear and habit.
Baby’s arc shows growth through choice. By allowing herself to explore multiple connections, she moves beyond survival mode and into emotional agency.
Milk’s jealousy, while understandable, exposes how attachment can turn possessive if left unchecked.
Tekarin’s journey is arguably the show’s emotional thesis. Love, for her, doesn’t start with romance — it starts with reconciliation, self-worth, and honesty. Choosing to stay for Ten-ten isn’t framed as dependency, but as clarity.
Tsu-chan serves as the reminder that emotional availability doesn’t need theatrics. His steady presence contrasts sharply with Nisei’s chaos, making viewers question what “attraction” really means.
Ultimately, the ending suggests that love isn’t about choosing someone — it’s about learning how to choose differently than before.
Badly in Love Season 2 Possibilities
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The production team has hinted that Badly in Love Season 2 could happen — but only if fan response stays strong.
If renewed, Season 2 could explore:
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A new cast of former delinquents with different backgrounds
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A mix of returning and new contestants
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Longer post-show relationship follow-ups
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More structured final decision episodes
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Deeper exploration of life after the academy
There’s also room for a sequel concept focusing on couples navigating real-world dating after the experiment.
FAQ
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Is Badly in Love based on a script?
No. The show leans heavily on unscripted interactions, with minimal producer interference.
Did anyone officially become a couple in the finale?
No clear final couples were confirmed in Episode 10.
Is the ending happy or sad?
It’s emotionally hopeful rather than romantically conclusive.
Will there be a Season 2?
A second season is possible.
Is this show more about dating or personal growth?
Both — but personal growth takes priority by the end.
Your Thoughts?
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Badly in Love doesn’t aim to give viewers neat answers or viral couple moments. Instead, it leaves you with something rarer — emotional honesty that feels unfinished, just like real life.
If you’re tired of overly polished dating shows and want something rough around the edges but deeply human, this series is worth the emotional ride.
What did you think of the ending — were you satisfied, or did it leave you wanting more?