In the 9th episode of KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series 'Beloved Bandit' (directed by Ham Young-gul, written by Lee Sun), aired on the 31st, Hong Eun-jo (played by Nam Ji-hyun) accidentally shoots an arrow at Lee Yeol (played by Moon Sang-min), causing another trial for the couple. The episode garnered a viewership rating of 5.5%, with a peak of 6.5% during the scene where Hong Eun-jo and Lee Yeol receive a talisman from Geum-dol, according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide household ratings.
While trying to save the people of Gujilmak from a crisis, Hong Eun-jo finds herself in danger. Lee Yeol rushes through a barrage of arrows to rescue her, and she expresses her gratitude. Her words, "Next time, just use your specialty and run away," reveal her concern and affection, to which Lee Yeol responds, "You keep giving me courage," subtly confessing his feelings and making Hong Eun-jo's heart flutter.
Reflecting on her time with Lee Yeol, Hong Eun-jo recalls moments when his words and actions made her heart race. Her desire to secretly keep the marriage proposal letter from Lee Yeol reveals her true feelings for him.
However, Lee Yeol had previously decided to leave Hong Eun-jo after her father, Hong Min-jik (played by Kim Seok-hoon), rejected his marriage proposal. Despite always protecting Hong Eun-jo in times of danger, Lee Yeol couldn't refuse Hong Min-jik's request to do nothing for his beloved daughter. Using studying abroad as an excuse, Lee Yeol plans to leave, leaving viewers feeling sympathetic.
On the night before his departure, Lee Yeol seeks out Hong Eun-jo to spend one last moment together. At that time, people in the marketplace are releasing lanterns to make wishes during the Maegigut festival. Hong Eun-jo writes her deepest wish on a lantern, hoping it will come true. As she watches the lantern fly away, Lee Yeol memorizes her face, choosing to say goodbye with a sad smile, knowing that telling her about his departure would only trouble her.
Amidst this, another unexpected tragedy befalls Hong Eun-jo and Lee Yeol. Hong Min-jik, who had gone to Namwon to meet King Lee Gyu (played by Ha Seok-jin), returns lifeless. Seeing her father's tragic state on her brother Hong Dae-il's (played by Song Ji-ho) back, Hong Eun-jo faints from shock.
The sudden death of the family's pillar plunges Hong Eun-jo's family into deep sorrow. Regaining her composure, Hong Eun-jo decides to prepare for her father's final farewell, her empty expression leaving a heavy feeling in viewers' hearts.
However, instead of heading to the marketplace for funeral preparations, Hong Eun-jo goes to a cliff. Standing precariously, she aims an arrow at someone, the same arrow that was lodged in Hong Min-jik's back. Her target is King Lee Gyu, returning from a hunt, and her arrow flies towards him, heightening the tension.
At that moment, as if foreseeing Hong Eun-jo's actions, Lee Yeol appears in front of King Lee Gyu, taking the arrow in his place, shocking viewers. The bloody romance between the two, tainted by King Lee Gyu's sins, leaves audiences wondering what direction their love will take.
The fate of Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min, caught in a series of crises, will be revealed in the 10th episode of KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series 'Beloved Bandit,' airing at 9:20 PM on the 1st.
Reporter: Lim Chae-ryeong, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr