Hae Jo, a cynical man adrift in the world, lives with the painful reality that he was born through
artificial insemination to an
unknown father, making him feel like an unwanted speck of dust—a plankton—in the vast ocean of life. His bleak existence is shattered when he receives a terminal diagnosis, giving him only a short time to live. Realizing he has nothing left to lose, Hae Jo decides to find his biological father before he dies, hoping to finally anchor his identity and perhaps demand answers for his hollow upbringing.To complicate matters, his ex-girlfriend, Jo Jae-mi, is about to marry Eo Heung, the heir to a fiercely traditional and conservative family. Jae-mi is desperate to escape her future mother-in-law’s oppressive grip and longs to be a mother herself, a dream that seems impossible given her sudden, early onset of menopause. On the morning of her wedding, a chaotic Hae Jo crashes the ceremony and literally kidnaps Jae-mi, whisking her away on a wild, cross-country road trip.Initially, Jae-mi is furious, trapped against her will while dealing with the emotional wreckage of her aborted wedding. However, as they flee from both the law and Eo Heung—who doggedly pursues them with the help of his formidable mother—the old spark between Hae Jo and Jae-mi reignites. Jae-mi eventually learns the heartbreaking truth about Hae Jo’s terminal illness, shifting her anger into deep compassion. Deciding to embrace the time he has left, she abandons all caution and joins his desperate quest.Along their journey, the fugitive duo confronts eccentric relatives, violent pursuers, and deep-seated emotional traumas. Hae Jo tracks down several potential candidates for his paternity, leading to a series of darkly comedic, deeply moving encounters that force him to reevaluate what family truly means. Meanwhile, Eo Heung’s relentless pursuit slowly transforms from a mission of vengeance and honor into a journey of self-discovery, especially as he starts to understand Jae-mi’s true desires.Ultimately, the road trip becomes a profound meditation on mortality, love, and acceptance. Hae Jo and Jae-mi find solace in each other's brokenness, learning to live authentically rather than hiding behind societal expectations. As Hae Jo’s time rapidly runs out, the series builds to an emotionally resonant climax, proving that even a drifting plankton can leave a lasting ripple in the lives of those it touches.