In a dramatic turn of events, Kim Mi-kyung's character sacrifices herself to protect Choo Ja-hyun in the latest episode of tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Gyeonwoo and Seonnyeo' (directed by Kim Yong-wan, written by Yang Ji-hoon, planned by CJ ENM, produced by Studio Dragon, Dexter Pictures, and Eocon Content Group). Episode 10 saw the evil spirit Bong-soo, played by Choo Young-woo, take over Bae Gyeon-woo's body, leading to a shocking twist when the Grim Reaper was summoned, only to take Dongcheon General instead of Bong-soo or Yeomhwa.
The episode achieved impressive viewership ratings, with an average of 4.2% and a peak of 4.8% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and an average of 4.4% and a peak of 5.1% nationwide, securing the top spot in its time slot across cable and general programming channels. The drama also ranked first among tvN's target demographic of men and women aged 20-49, with a nationwide peak rating of 1.9%, according to Nielsen Korea's paid household standards.
The episode revealed the backstory of how Bong-soo came to possess Bae Gyeon-woo's body, orchestrated by Yeomhwa's scheme. Bong-soo, who did not wish to become an evil god, took over Bae Gyeon-woo's body to live as a human, revealing a tragic desire to be loved.
Dongcheon General advised Park Seong-ah not to judge Bong-soo too harshly and to understand his heart, suggesting that protecting Bong-soo was essential to saving Bae Gyeon-woo. While Bong-soo inhabited Bae Gyeon-woo's body, Bae Gyeon-woo wandered through Bong-soo's memories, discovering two student soldiers. Park Seong-ah, who summoned Bae Gyeon-woo during the ghost's time, asked him to uncover why Bong-soo became a ghost.
Meanwhile, Yeomhwa, realizing Bong-soo had no intention of becoming a body god, decided to shake his resolve. Bong-soo, content living as Bae Gyeon-woo, was thrown into confusion by Yeomhwa's provocation, learning that Park Seong-ah was summoning Bae Gyeon-woo during the ghost's time. Yeomhwa further provoked Bong-soo by questioning Park Seong-ah's true feelings, leading Bong-soo to awaken instead of Bae Gyeon-woo during the ghost's time. Bong-soo was hurt by Park Seong-ah's warm embrace and her promise to find a way to send him off.
Realizing Park Seong-ah's feelings, Bong-soo began to act out, deciding to quit Bae Gyeon-woo's dream of archery and insisting on being called Bae Gyeon-woo. He took Park Seong-ah to the student soldiers' memorial, revealing the reason he became a ghost and burying the 'silver ring' he inhabited in front of the monument.
Witnessing this, Pyo Ji-ho (played by Cha Kang-yoon) decided not to stand by as Bong-soo mistreated Park Seong-ah and Bae Gyeon-woo. Pyo Ji-ho approached Yeomhwa, questioning if Bae Gyeon-woo's body was truly lost. Seizing what he saw as a last chance, Yeomhwa used Pyo Ji-ho to retrieve the 'silver ring' that Bong-soo inhabited.
Yeomhwa shattered the silver ring to summon the Grim Reaper. Park Seong-ah and Dongcheon General began a ritual to protect Bong-soo from the Grim Reaper. Dongcheon General hid Bong-soo's location, while Park Seong-ah misled the Grim Reaper. The plan seemed to work until Bong-soo, in unbearable pain, invoked the 'Reaper's Spell,' claiming Yeomhwa should die instead.
However, the Grim Reaper took Dongcheon General, not Yeomhwa. Dongcheon General had become a human talisman to protect Yeomhwa, and his departure left a poignant impact.
The next episode of tvN's 'Gyeonwoo and Seonnyeo' airs on the 28th at 8:50 PM.
Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr