Yoon Dan Oh, the youngest daughter of a once well-off family, now runs the Secret Romantic Guesthouse in the capital as the family breadwinner. She is a spirited and resourceful young woman who manages the boarding house where three handsome scholars--Kang San, Kim Shi Yeol, and Jeong Yoo Ha--arrive to prepare for the civil service entrance exam. Early on, Dan Oh and the scholars form a tentative alliance as they begin to uncover clues about a mysterious disappearance that happened over a decade ago involving a girl named Lee Seol.

Kang San, a talented and earnest scholar, quickly becomes involved with Dan Oh, though their relationship starts with some friction. Kim Shi Yeol, who has a sketchy past and secret identity, is drawn to Dan Oh's hidden sister, Hong-joo, who has been living in hiding due to their shared painful past. Jeong Yoo Ha, the third scholar, also has his own secrets and complicated feelings, but his role is less central to the romantic developments.

As the group investigates, they discover that Lee Seol's disappearance is tied to a secret society called Mokinhoe, which Kang San eventually joins, risking his safety to change the corrupt world they live in. The scholars and Dan Oh face numerous dangers, including confrontations with powerful enemies who want to keep the past buried. Officer Jang, a determined law enforcer, becomes suspicious of Shi Yeol and uses him as bait to trap the watchman connected to the mystery.

Throughout their investigation, Dan Oh and Kang San's relationship deepens, moving from reluctant cooperation to genuine affection. San's lingering, meaningful glances and acts of service reveal his gratitude and growing love for Dan Oh, who had saved him years earlier. Meanwhile, Shi Yeol's love for Hong-joo grows slowly but steadily, their bond strengthened by their shared experience of living in hiding and their mutual pain.

The story features several well-choreographed sword fights and tense confrontations as the protagonists face off against the villains protecting the secrets of Mokinhoe. These battles are pivotal moments that test the characters' resolve and loyalty to each other.

In the climax, the truth about Lee Seol's disappearance is fully uncovered, and the corrupt forces behind the secret society are defeated, with all antagonists meeting their demise. The resolution brings peace and justice to the characters, allowing them to move forward.

The series ends with a two-year time skip showing the happy reunions and reconciliations of the main couples. Dan Oh and Kang San are together, their relationship solidified by the trials they endured. Shi Yeol and Hong-joo also reunite, though their reconciliation is portrayed in brief, understated scenes without overt romantic gestures. The guesthouse remains a symbol of their shared past and hopeful future, with all major characters finding closure and happiness.

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse ends with the tyrant king being defeated in a final duel where he impales himself with the sword of Kong San, effectively committing regicide and passing the throne to Kong San. Kong San becomes the new king with the support of the queen dowager and others. Dan-oh and Kong San, now married, prepare to leave Hanyang to travel the world. Shi-yeol, the monk and former watchman, frees the younger watchmen and disappears, leaving behind a bittersweet farewell with Hong-joo. Other characters find their resolutions: Yook-ho passes the state exam and marries Dan-oh's maid, Ban-ya is restored to noble status, and the guesthouse Ihwawon flourishes under new circumstances.

Expanded narrative, scene by scene:

The final confrontation begins with Kong San disarming the tyrant king in front of witnesses. The king, in a dramatic and symbolic act, grabs Kong San's sword and stabs himself, declaring that Kong San has now ascended to the throne by committing regicide just as he did. This act ends the king's reign and the tyranny he imposed.

Meanwhile, Shi-yeol, the monk who had been the king's watchman, fights against his own role and the seal that binds him. After the king's death, Shi-yeol chooses to spare Kong San, telling him to stop living as a watchman. Shi-yeol then frees the younger watchmen, urging them to live their own lives rather than be bound by duty. He visits Ihwawon, the guesthouse, for a silent farewell. Hong-joo runs after him, warning that she will resent him forever, so he must stay alive to bear that resentment. This farewell is poignant and bittersweet, highlighting unresolved emotions between them.

Two years later, the story shows the aftermath of the political upheaval. Ihwawon is thriving with many customers, symbolizing a new beginning. Kong San and Dan-oh, now married, prepare to leave Hanyang to travel the world, signaling a hopeful future beyond the palace intrigues. Before leaving, they visit Yoo-ha, the new king, to say goodbye. Dan-oh repays the silver she used to buy back Ihwawon from Tae-hwa, showing her integrity and closure. Yoo-ha embraces Dan-oh warmly, and Minister Shin bows deeply to Kong San, acknowledging his new status and the changes in the court.

Other characters' fates are also revealed: Yook-ho, who had a side romance with Dan-oh's maid, passes the state exam at the top of his class and is appointed as a messenger to the king's advisory council. Dan-oh's maid marries Yook-ho, completing their romantic subplot. Ban-ya is restored to her noble family and real name, remaining a close friend to Dan-oh, symbolizing restored honor and friendship.

In summary, the ending resolves the main conflicts: the tyrant king is overthrown, Kong San becomes king, Dan-oh and Kong San's relationship is solidified through marriage and shared future plans, Shi-yeol finds a form of freedom though it is tinged with sadness, and the guesthouse Ihwawon continues as a place of warmth and new beginnings. Each main character's fate is clearly shown, with a balance of closure and hopeful continuation.

The TV show The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (2023) does not have a post-credit scene. The series concludes definitively with the final episode (episode 18), which wraps up the main storylines and character arcs without any additional scenes after the credits.

The finale ends with Kang San confronting the tyrant king, leading to the king's death and the restoration of rightful order. Dan-o and Kang San share a romantic moment walking in a flower field, affirming their feelings with a kiss, symbolizing a hopeful future together. Other characters also find resolution, such as Shi-yeol and Hong-joo reconciling and marrying, and the various burdens of protection and duty being lifted from the main characters, allowing them to pursue happiness and freedom. This ending is presented as a complete closure without any extra scenes following the credits.

Each of the three scholars--Kang San, Kim Si Yeol, and Jeong Yoo Ha--harbor deep secrets related to a larger plot involving the disappearance of Lee Seol 13 years ago. Their personal backgrounds and hidden motives gradually unfold as they cooperate with Yoon Dan Oh to uncover the truth behind Lee Seol's disappearance, revealing complex connections and conspiracies tied to political intrigue and identity.

Yoon Dan Oh, as the inn's owner and the family breadwinner, plays a central role in bringing the scholars together. Her fearless and free-spirited nature allows her to navigate the secrets and tensions among the guests. She acts as a catalyst for cooperation and trust, facilitating the sharing of information and emotional bonds that drive the investigation into Lee Seol's disappearance and the unfolding romantic dynamics.

Lee Seol's disappearance 13 years prior is the central mystery that connects all main characters. The scholars and Yoon Dan Oh are united by their shared goal to find Lee Seol, which uncovers hidden pasts, political conspiracies, and personal vendettas. This event serves as the narrative backbone, motivating character actions and revealing their intertwined fates throughout the series.

Kim Si Yeol, portrayed as a charming and likable figure, is pivotal in both the romantic and mystery arcs. His interactions with Yoon Dan Oh add romantic tension and development, while his own secrets and involvement in the larger plot contribute to the suspense and unfolding of the mystery surrounding Lee Seol and the political intrigues at play.

Supporting characters like King Lee Chang and Chief Eunuch Noh Seong Gil add layers of political complexity and power struggles to the story. Their actions and decisions impact the main characters' quests and the unfolding mystery, often creating obstacles or alliances that affect the dynamics within the Ihwawon Inn and the broader narrative involving the scholars and Yoon Dan Oh.

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (2023) is generally family-friendly with no sex, nudity, violence, gore, profanity, or substance use depicted in the series. The content rating indicates mild frightening or intense scenes, but nothing severe or graphic.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers might include:

• Mild suspense or tension related to mystery and political intrigue typical of historical dramas.
• Some scenes may involve emotional intensity or mild conflict but without graphic violence or harsh language.
• The presence of a "cruel tyrant king" character might introduce moments of intimidation or sternness, though not explicitly violent or disturbing.

Overall, the show is suitable for older children and general audiences who can handle light historical drama themes with mild tension but no explicit content.