'The Atypical Family' Episode 5 Ending Explained: Locked storage room triggers Do Da-hae's childhood fire trauma

Fire from the past ignites the buried mystery in Episode 5 of 'The Atypical Family'
UPDATED MAY 19, 2024
Do Da-hae's locked storage room trauma unlocks a shocking childhood fire memory and a potential time-bending connection to Bok Gwi-ju (@Netflix)
Do Da-hae's locked storage room trauma unlocks a shocking childhood fire memory and a potential time-bending connection to Bok Gwi-ju (@Netflix)

Contains spoilers for 'The Atypical Family' 

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Episode 5 of 'The Atypical Family' on Netflix left us with a tangled web of exposed secrets, emotional turmoil, and a cliffhanger that could rewrite everything we thought we knew.

Do Da-hae's (Chun Woo-Hee) elaborate scheme as a faux-supernatural member has imploded, leaving the Boks in chaos. But amidst the fallout, a shocking truth about Da-hae's past emerges, triggering a buried childhood trauma and a connection to Bok Gwi-ju (Jang Ki-Yong) that transcends time itself.

Let's delve deep into the ending of episode 5. From Da-hae's breakdown, the horrifying fire from her youth, and the lingering question: Was it Gwi-ju who saved her in the past, or is there a more tragic twist to the story? 

Do Da-hae's past trauma get triggered in 'The Atypical Family' Episode 5

Da-hae's present fear mirrors a childhood fire trauma locked away (@Netflix)
Do Da-hae's present fear mirrors a childhood fire trauma locked away (@Netflix)

The climax of The Atypical Family's fifth episode leaves viewers with a cliffhanger and a glimpse into Da-hae's troubled past. Bok In-a (Park So-Yi), the supposed 'exchange student,' exposes Da-hae's elaborate scheme to her grandmother.

Threatened with the truth coming out, Da-hae attempts to flee but encounters Gwi-ju. Panicked, she runs away and ends up locked in a storage room. The locked room triggers a painful memory from Da-hae's childhood.

Bullies had locked her in the same storage room on the fifth floor during a fire in school. They promised to free her only if a teacher didn't notice her absence. Sadly, the teacher ignored her pleas, leaving her trapped in the burning building.

Bok Gwi-ju saves Do Da-hae in 'The Atypical Family' Episode 5

Do Da-hae's past trauma repeat, exposing the savior of her past (@Netflix)
Do Da-hae's past trauma repeat, exposing the savior of her past (@Netflix)

The episode masterfully intercuts between Da-hae's present predicament and her traumatic past. In both situations, she feels abandoned and helpless. In the present, Gwi-ju appears and unlocks the storage room, mirroring a potential savior in the past.

The episode concludes with several uncertainties. Did Gwi-ju travel back in time to save Da-hae from the fire all those years ago? Or was it his friend who perished in the blaze instead? The episode emphasizes the lasting impact of Da-hae's past trauma.

Her fear of abandonment manifests in the present situation. Additionally, the betrayal by In-a and the potential betrayal by Gwi-ju highlight Da-hae's struggle to trust anyone. It compels them to question Gwi-ju's true motives and the connection between past and present. 

'The Atypical Family' Episode 5 is available for streaming on Netflix.

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