Unusual Idol Love Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Unusual Idol Love Recap
Zhou Yifei desperately tried to open a door, calling out for Bai Dongchen, but he remained unresponsive. Upon realizing he was gone, she collapsed. Later, she awoke to Ji Nian by her side, still distraught and wanting to see Bai Dongchen, "dead or alive." Ji Nian explained that Yang Zhe mentioned Bai Dongchen wished to remain the living Bai Dongchen in her heart, not wanting her to see him leave.
Zhou Yifei was heartbroken and angry, feeling Bai Dongchen had abandoned her for his mission to save Hu Li, and that she was worthless to him, not even deserving a farewell. Ji Nian tried to comfort her, assuring her that Bai Dongchen also didn't want to leave. Zhou Yifei cried, saying she didn't want Hu Li to die, but wished Bai Dongchen could stay with her forever.
A voiceover reminded Hu Li that his mission was the stage, and Bai Dongchen's mission was to protect him and his stage; therefore, Hu Li must continue performing so Bai Dongchen's sacrifice would not be in vain. Hu Li, feeling indebted to Bai Dongchen, appeared dejected and dispirited. Zhou Yifei confronted him, asking if he was giving up.
She told him that she didn't hate him, as Bai Dongchen had said their meeting was because of Hu Li, and he found the courage to be with her thanks to Hu Li. She expressed contentment at having had Bai Dongchen and urged Hu Li not to let Bai Dongchen's efforts be wasted, but to fulfill his wish.
Hu Li agreed to do his part, and reassured Zhou Yifei that he would not let this event affect his relationship with Ji Nian. Zhou Yifei then informed Hu Li of her plan to go abroad soon. Hu Li asked her to delay her departure for a few days to accompany Ji Nian, as he worried Ji Nian would feel guilty and needed time to accept what happened.
Zhou Yifei, teasing him about prioritizing Ji Nian, said she would consider it, while internally calling Bai Dongchen a fool. Later, Ji Nian visited Hu Li, bringing him food. They discussed Zhou Yifei's visit, and Hu Li suggested they go grocery shopping to fill their fridge and buy cookbooks so Ji Nian could make him various meals. They enjoyed a lighthearted shopping trip, even sharing a playful kiss when Hu Li claimed he needed "charging."
That evening, while watching an idol drama, Ji Nian became emotional, but Hu Li comforted her, saying that belief in being together would always lead to reunion. Hu Li then subtly suggested Ji Nian pursue her dream of studying abroad, noting that Zhou Yifei also planned to go. He thought they could support each other, promising to wait for Ji Nian in China.
Ji Nian, sensing that going abroad with Zhou Yifei would lessen Hu Li's guilt and burden, agreed to his suggestion. Ji Nian and Zhou Yifei later had a heartfelt conversation, reflecting on their newfound sisterhood, regretting their lost childhood memories but looking forward to their future together. Zhou Yifei mentioned their father wished for a family dinner before her departure, and Ji Nian readily agreed.
Ji Nian then suggested she could accompany Zhou Yifei abroad after Hu Li's farewell concert, prompting Zhou Yifei to express surprise and confusion. She revealed that Hu Li had told her to stay longer to accompany Ji Nian, realizing then that Hu Li was subtly pushing them both away. Ji Nian went to Yang Zhe, insisting on knowing the truth about Hu Li, as she knew he wouldn't send her away without reason.
Yang Zhe reluctantly revealed that Hu Li intended to save Bai Dongchen. This process involved using Hu Li to research a method to revive Bai Dongchen, which would require formatting Hu Li's memories, causing him to lose everything he remembered. Ji Nian was devastated but learned Hu Li was aware of this outcome. She immediately called Hu Li, urging him to meet her. Hu Li, having asked Fatty to finish preparing farewell gifts, left to meet Ji Nian.
He found her waiting on the beach, dressed in a wedding gown. Ji Nian expressed her dream of wearing it for her beloved and vowed to wait for him, no matter what choice he made. Hu Li, fearing he would forget her and that she would wait endlessly, voiced his concerns. Ji Nian reassured him that if he forgot, she would make him fall in love with her again.
She told him their love had brought her joy and tears, making her cherish every moment. Ji Nian declared she didn't want him to be a distant star but wanted him to return, promising to wait for him, or go find him if he didn't. Hu Li then made a pact: he asked her to wait five years, and if he hadn't returned by then, she should consider him a star in the sky and move on.
Ji Nian agreed but asked him not to tell her when he left, so she could imagine he was just away on a short trip and would be back in a day or two. Hu Li's farewell concert, titled "Without Regret," was held at Xinhai Stadium, announcing his permanent withdrawal from showbiz as he had publicly revealed his AI identity. Fans passionately pleaded for him not to leave and promised to wait for his return.
After the concert, Hu Li took Ji Nian for a "Man Tou Car" ride, playfully planning future adventures like amusement park visits, camping, and horseback riding. Later, he surprised her with a private piano concert just for her. They shared an emotional moment, wishing time would stand still, with Ji Nian promising to remember this moment and wait for him to return to complete their unfinished song and dreams.
Hu Li then secretly left while Ji Nian was asleep, as per their agreement. Five years later, Ji Nian returned to China as an internationally renowned reporter, fulfilling her promise. In a foreign city, Zhou Yifei, visibly drunk in a bar, spoke to Ji Nian on the phone, expressing her lingering despair that Bai Dongchen would never return, stating this was her last time crying for him. At that moment, Bai Dongchen appeared, playing a guitar.
They shared a tearful and deeply emotional reunion. Back in China, Ji Nian visited "Smile Cafe," now run by the married couple Luo Li and Fatty. They welcomed her warmly, reminiscing about shared times. Fatty inadvertently mentioned Hu Li, causing a moment of quiet reflection. Ji Nian silently noted that it had been five years, three months, and three days, and she still thought of Hu Li daily, holding onto the belief they would reunite.
Later, at her home, Hu Li appeared. He initially pretended to have lost his memory, asking Ji Nian who she was. Ji Nian played along, teasing him by calling herself a "well-known reporter" and him an "ordinary unpopular artist" who had fallen for her at first sight and was now her fiancé. Hu Li eventually broke character, affectionately calling her "Man Tou" and "Shi Tou," revealing he remembered everything. Overwhelmed with emotion, Ji Nian embraced him, crying tears of joy, as they shared a passionate kiss, finally reunited after their long separation.
