SEE ALSO: Park Shin Hye shares behind-the-scenes moments from the 2024 SBS Drama Awards

The episode wrapped up the Ro Sa issue and addressed Dal Po and In Ha's relationship as uncle and niece. As I've stated in my review of episode 18 and 19, Ro Sa's downfall was anticlimactic. For such an intimidating and smart opponent, she seemed to go down too easily as she became reliant on her flimsy legal team to guide her in her battle against the news.

As for the second conflict, I understand that it's necessary the Choi family addresses Dal Po and In Ha's new relationship dynamic. However, I don't think the grandfather needed one whole year to get over the fact that Dal Po wanted to be with In Ha. Couldn't Dal Pyeong have told Grandpa Gong Pil earlier that Dal Po has liked In Ha since forever? Couldn't we have seen Dal Po and In Ha try to reason with grandpa and show him just how much they love each other? It's not like Grandpa Gong Pil is unreasonable; he and Dal Po had that "You're my son no matter what" talk like episodes ago. The way this last minute storyline was delivered felt tedious and unnecessary. It didn't need to take up as much time as it did.

My main disappointment in this episode, though--as well as this series--has to be everything about In Ha. When 'Pinocchio' started, I thought In Ha was an adorable character with a lot of promise. As the character with the illness of the same name as the show's title, In Ha had in interesting quirk that I thought would make her an amazing reporter and the highlight of this series. In the end, In Ha is kind of at the same place as where she began: a really honest girl with the desire to serve justice; someone who has the potential to be a hero, but kind of isn't.

In Ha wanted to be a reporter because she admired the way the news world could reveal the truth to such a widespread audience and make an impact. And yet, In Ha had no shining moments on broadcast. We never get to see her on TV reporting anything important. Instead, she does a lot of behind-the-scenes work and ends up being silenced a lot because of her position at MSC.

In Ha was helpful bts, sure, but she was definitely someone who as a teenager wanted to fight for justice in the frontlines. We saw that she's capable of putting people in their place based on how she handled her mom in episode 10, but that was her only moment of triumph. Who led the reports that dug up Cha Ok's corruption? Dal Po. Who asked the key questions to get Ro Sa to break down? Dal Po. Who actually changed Cha Ok for the better? You could try to say In Ha and Dal Po--but whose words stuck with Cha Ok at the very end? Whose words was she repeating in her 2015 lecture? Cha Ok became a changed person partially because she felt guilty for being a bad mother to In Ha, but mostly because Dal Po was the one who made her see what it meant to be a real reporter.

Again, In Ha was a useful character here and there, but I feel that her character was cheated because she was made out to be Dal Po's sidekick rather than a hero who could stand on her own. MSC originally advertised In Ha as a reporter who can never lie. In Ha uses that skill to brutally criticize the news world internally, but she never uses it to actually report to the public, to be a reporter that the public always trusts. And so, when it's revealed that present day In Ha receives an award for journalism, I was kind of like, "Ehhh, if you received an award, then Dal Po probably received like twenty." The difference between their journalism experiences was that big for me.

Overall, 'Pinocchio' was an admirable series in the subject matter it tackled. It created a very fun, vibrant world filled with interesting and unique characters. I will miss the weird sasaeng Yoo Rae, the weirder Reporter Jang, the nicest chaebol in the world Beom Jo, and the imaginative Papa Dal Pyeong. I will even miss the cold and smart Cha Ok, who redeemed herself in the end. I just wish the end of the series could've been more satisfying after a cute start and intense middle.

Overall drama rating average: 8.4

Highlights:

We begin the episode with Dal Po debating between what he wants to ask as a victim...

... and what he should ask as a reporter. 

Which leads to Ro Sa completely breaking down in public. Super reporter Dal Po has done it again!

Meanwhile, In Ha is still feeling sorry for things that aren't really her fault. 

And Dal Po states the moral of the whole 'Pinocchio' story. 

Yoo Rae don't got her priorities straight. 

Leading the Cap to lecture Yoo Rae with the harshest background music ever. Aww, poor girl. 

Heartbroken Yoo Rae then finally gives in to the weirdness of Reporter Jang. 

*Cue victory music*

This. 

Was too cute. You have come a long way Beom Jo--from being a cute creeper to an amazing friend. 

Unfortunately, Ro Sa has not learned her lesson at all.... Guess not everyone can realize their mistakes Cha Ok style. 

Cha Ok on the other hand reflects honestly on her behavior as a reporter. A touching transformation to see. 

Lol, oh, In Ha. The derps. 

Gaaaaasp! 

Turns out Cap Hwang Gyo Dong was the one who brought Yoo Rae into the news room all along! The ship. It is kind of sailing. 

Fast forward to the future and helloooo, my favorite duo got married! 



Teehee. So cute. 

LOL awww, so sad. 

Whoa, it's a mini-Jae Myeong lookalike! (Or just the same actor, Shin Jae Ha)

Cha Ok still giving lectures even after that MSC fiasco? So her reputation's still intact even after everything? 

Ohaaaay, M.I.B's Kangnam cameo! 

Rainbow's Seung Ah cameos here too! 

Beom Jo starts all over as a reporter intern! Awwww, I'm glad that Beom Jo actually developed a passion for the news world. It wasn't just about pursuing In Ha in the end. 

'

No update on Yoo Rae and Captain, but it looks like she has officially become Reporter Jang's disciple. 

Weirdos at the office FTW. 

Thanks Grandpa. For reiterating what you already told Dal Po a long time ago. Again. 

]

We end with our couple looking forward to their bright future filled with wedding bells.

Caption Contest Winner:

And now for the caption contest winner! Yesterday, we asked for you to come up with a caption for an episode 18 and 19 screencap. Congratulations to viptcwfangirl for coming up with the winning caption!

"When your bias asks if you want to play the Pepero game" 

Your prize is B.A.P's "One Shot" and Block B's autographed 'Blockbuster' poster! 

Congratulations!