Maybe Happy Ending

In a near-futuristic Seoul, Oliver, a durable but outdated Helperbot-3 model, lives a solitary routine in his small apartment within a facility for retired robots, tending to his cherished potted plant HwaBoon and listening to jazz records by his idol Gil Brentley while awaiting the return of his former owner, James, from Jeju Island. Years pass without word, and when Helperbot Inc. discontinues parts for his model, Oliver clings to hope through small rituals and dreams of reunion. One day, his neighbor Claire, a more advanced but battery-failing Helperbot-5, knocks on his door with a broken charger, sparking an initial exchange of reluctant assistance and banter about the superiority of older versus newer models. Their interactions evolve into a structured routine, marked by a charming ballet of charger handoffs, revealing glimpses of loneliness and routine in their programmed lives.

As Claire's power issues worsen, she discovers Oliver's secret plan to save bottle deposits for a trip to Jeju with HwaBoon, and she proposes joining him to see the world's last fireflies, using her car for the journey. To avoid detection—since retired Helperbots are banned from public outings—they pose as a human couple, fabricating a meet-cute story and vowing not to fall in love, drawing from painful memories of their owners' failed relationships. Their road trip includes awkward stops at a love motel where they bond over mocking robot tropes in Terminator 2, and Claire accesses Oliver's memories, learning James's departure was permanent to spare his feelings. Tensions rise as they near Jeju, with Claire hesitating to reveal the truth, leading to heartfelt reflections on human flaws and the lessons learned from their past owners.

Upon arriving at James's home, they encounter his son Junseo, who reveals James's death years earlier and his own resentment toward Oliver for "replacing" him in his father's affections after a divorce. Devastated but consoled by a parting gift from James—a Gil Brentley record—Oliver and Claire pivot to Claire's dream, venturing into the forest where they witness the magical glow of fireflies, capturing one in a jar as a symbol of fleeting beauty. Back in Seoul, their connection deepens into undeniable love, marked by a tender kiss and attempts to mimic human romance, including a staged argument. Yet, Claire's failing battery imposes a ticking clock, prompting futile efforts to part ways and erase memories using administrative passwords, as they grapple with the pain of inevitable loss.

In a poignant twist, after seemingly wiping their shared history and discarding mementos like the firefly jar, Oliver resumes his routine—until Claire reappears at his door for the charger. Their conversation echoes their first meeting, but subtle admissions hint that Oliver has retained his memories, whispering to HwaBoon not to reveal it. Claire's response leaves their reunion ambiguous: has she truly forgotten, or is she playing along? The story closes on a note of quiet hope, suggesting that even in erasure, the essence of connection endures, challenging notions of love, mortality, and what constitutes a "happy ending" for beings designed to serve.