In a gripping turn of events, Jeong I-chan's character in 'Dr. Shin' performs a second brain swap surgery, exchanging the brain of his mother-in-law, Song Ji-in, with that of Cheon Young-min. The show, which hit a low rating of 0.9% in episode 5, saw a slight increase to 1.2% in episode 6.
The episode aired on the 29th of last month on TV CHOSUN's weekend mini-series 'Dr. Shin' (written by Phoebe, Im Seong-han) and showcased Shin Ju-shin (played by Jeong I-chan) proposing a brain swap surgery to Kim Jin-joo (Cheon Young-min) amidst escalating tensions with Momo (Baek Se-ra), who possesses the brain of his mother-in-law, Hyeon Ran-hee (Song Ji-in).
Shin Ju-shin found himself troubled as Momo (Hyeon Ran-hee's brain) constantly interfered and even provoked him. Despite Shin Ju-shin's complaints, Momo insisted on preparing a birthday meal herself and criticized his formal speech. She further unsettled him by mentioning his close confidant, Ha Yong-jung (Ahn Woo-yeon), saying, “Men have no secrets, will you tell Ha Yong-jung? Betrayal always comes from the closest.”
Meanwhile, Kim Jin-joo was filled with anticipation at the prospect of meeting her biological father, Kim Gwang-cheol (Cha Kwang-soo), introduced by Geum Bara (Joo Se-bin) through a self-support center. Upon meeting, Kim Gwang-cheol confidently claimed, “You are just like your mother in her 20s,” which stirred mixed emotions in Kim Jin-joo, who had long resented being abandoned. However, her excitement turned to shock when she discovered an electronic ankle bracelet on Kim Gwang-cheol, who confessed to a criminal past and shamelessly suggested living with her in her one-room apartment. After parting ways with him, Kim Jin-joo returned home, singing a self-deprecating hymn, overwhelmed with despair.
Kim Gwang-cheol later caused a scene at James's (Jeon No-min) Lim Company, claiming to be Kim Jin-joo's biological father and demanding her address after losing contact for ten days. Despite being told she had resigned, he forcibly entered her home with a male employee, only to find a note on her bed hinting at suicide: “I am too tired, and my last hope is gone.” Geum Bara, upon hearing the news, was in disbelief, especially after police confirmed Kim Jin-joo's phone was last active at Yeongdeung Port, where CCTV captured her final appearance.
At this moment, Shin Ju-shin prepared for surgery as Park Soo (Park Joo-yong) carried an unconscious Momo (Hyeon Ran-hee's brain) to the operating table. With Kim Jin-joo on the left and Momo (Hyeon Ran-hee's brain) on the right, Shin Ju-shin commenced the brain surgery, heightening the tension.
A flashback revealed Shin Ju-shin dining alone with Kim Jin-joo, who expressed her unhappiness. He intriguingly suggested, “Have you thought about lying on the operating table? It could change your life,” and added, “Life plastic surgery? Don’t you want to live like Momo?” His cryptic expression left Kim Jin-joo shocked. He further advised her to keep the secret until death, revealing, “Momo is just Momo on the outside. Her mind is a mess. The proposal came from Momo’s mother, but the surgery was successful. We decided to part ways naturally after the brain swap, but you seem to have other thoughts. Can you handle it, even if she looks like Momo but is your future mother-in-law inside?”
Shin Ju-shin continued, “It’s not coercion, but I hope it’s you,” leaving Kim Jin-joo flustered. He added, “What do you think of me? Don’t you want to experience life as a man, Shin Ju-shin? Since some time ago, I feel like Kim Jin-joo is slowly taking a place in my heart.”
Ultimately, Kim Jin-joo, despite asking, “What happens if it fails?” imagined a hellish life with her biological father, Kim Gwang-cheol. She was swayed by Shin Ju-shin’s persuasion to live as Momo and not worry about Hyeon Ran-hee. After dinner, Kim Jin-joo returned home, taunting a photo of Geum Bara on the wall, “Geum Bara, watch what happens to this Kim Jin-joo. I, Kim Jin-joo, will become Momo,” with a maniacal smile, sweeping items into a trash bag. Later, at the beach, she lamented, “Kim Jin-joo lived a sad life,” took a final selfie, and threw her phone into the sea before leaving in Park Soo’s car.
The episode concluded with Shin Ju-shin, wearing goggles, intensely focused on the brain surgery. The scene alternated between Momo’s face on the operating table and Hyeon Ran-hee, culminating in Kim Jin-joo awakening in the recovery room with Momo’s appearance, her eyes wide with terror in a ‘pupil earthquake ending.’ The success of Shin Ju-shin’s brain swap surgery looms, promising further dramatic developments.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr