My Dearest Nemesis Episode 9 Review: Black Dragon and Strawberry Fall Madly in Love Once Again

In the previous episode, Su-jeong and Ju-yeon grow closer through secret walks, but she panics at the thought of being caught. Meanwhile, Ha-jin and Sin-won reunite at a gathering, where Ha-jin opens up about her painful past, and Sin-won reassures her of his unwavering feelings. Ju-yeon’s visit to Su-jeong’s house raises suspicions from her father and sharp-eyed younger brother, while workplace jealousy and flirtations keep their relationship under wraps.

As their feelings deepen, Ju-yeon steals a kiss, and Su-jeong struggles to hide their connection. While Ju-yeon is away on a business trip, Su-jeong stumbles upon an old chain and realizes the shocking truth—Ju-yeon is none other than her long-lost first love, “Black Dragon.” When they finally come face to face, everything falls into place, and their past and present collide in a moment of undeniable fate.

– Contains Spoilers –

My Dearest Nemesis Episode 9 Recap

The night is heavy with tension as Su-jeong confronts Ju-yeon about the chain. When he casually dismisses it as something from his past, she takes a deep breath and calls him by the name she once cherished—Black Dragon. The words hang between them like an unsaid truth, and in that moment, Ju-yeon finally realizes who she is. Strawberry. The girl who had once meant everything to him. They stand frozen, unable to process the revelation, but the weight of the past is too much for Su-jeong. Without another word, she retreats into her house, leaving Ju-yeon standing outside, lost in shock.

Inside her room, Su-jeong’s thoughts spiral back to childhood memories she has long tried to forget. She remembers how difficult those years were—being bullied for being poor, constantly trying to stay strong for her younger brother, and carrying the burden of never wanting to worry her father. The internet had once been her escape, a place where she could confide in someone without the fear of judgment. But the moment she discovered that the one person she trusted had lied to her, it shattered her completely. Now, faced with the truth after all these years, she isn’t sure she wants to reopen that door and risk another heartbreak.

The next day, she visits Ha-jin, who immediately senses something is wrong. When Su-jeong reveals that she now knows Ju-yeon is Black Dragon, Ha-jin admits she had been aware all along but chose not to say anything. She never thought the two would actually end up in a relationship, and perhaps, deep down, she knew how much it would complicate things.

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Meanwhile, Sin-won picks up Ju-yeon to take him to Ha-jin’s restaurant, and during the drive, Ju-yeon, too, reveals that he has finally learned who Su-jeong is. At the restaurant, the four attempt to discuss the situation, but Su-jeong remains distant. Eventually, she excuses herself and walks away. Ju-yeon follows, unable to let her go so easily, but her mind is made up. She tells him that it’s best to end things now, before they become another painful chapter in each other’s lives. More than anything, she fears the past repeating itself.

At the office, the air between them grows colder. Su-jeong avoids Ju-yeon entirely, and though he tries to pull her into a conversation, she remains firm. In her office, she tells him that his lie from all those years ago hurt her deeply. If he had been honest with her back then, she wouldn’t have hurt him when they were children. Now, the damage is done, and she refuses to go through it all over again. Heartbroken, Ju-yeon spends the night drinking with Sin-won, trying to make sense of everything while Su-jeong confides in Ha-jin, struggling to suppress the emotions she has buried for so long.

The next morning, a photo of Ju-yeon having dinner with Su-jeong’s family starts circulating, sparking workplace gossip. Teasing remarks fly around, with people speculating that she is set to marry him and take over the company. Su-jeong, unfazed, delivers a sharp and witty response, effortlessly shutting them down. Meanwhile, Ju-yeon is called to meet with the chairwoman, who hints at removing Su-jeong from the company.

With calculated ease, Ju-yeon responds in a way that makes Su-jeong seem invaluable to the organization, ensuring her position remains untouched. The chairwoman, unimpressed, instructs his secretary to keep a close eye on him. Hearing about the meeting from Sin-won, Su-jeong approaches Ju-yeon later to ask if she has caused any trouble. His response is nonchalant, but his words cut deeper than she expects—he tells her they are back to where they started.

The realization stings, and as she walks home in the pouring rain, memories of their time together overwhelm her. For the first time in a long while, she breaks down in front of her father and brother, admitting that she isn’t as strong as she pretends to be. She loved Ju-yeon, and now that he’s gone, the pain is unbearable.

Days pass, and Ju-yeon returns to treating Su-jeong like just another employee. He works relentlessly, pushing himself to exhaustion, ensuring all company projects are completed without delay. Su-jeong watches the change in him, slowly accepting the distance he has created between them. One day, she catches him drifting to sleep at his desk, and for a brief moment, guilt tugs at her heart. She never wanted to be the reason he looked so worn out.

The next morning, Ju-yeon doesn’t show up at work, nor is he active online. Concerned, Su-jeong learns from his secretary that he isn’t well. At first, she hesitates—visiting him would only complicate things—but something in her refuses to ignore him. She buys medication and heads to his home, unaware that his secretary is watching from a distance, ready to inform the chairwoman.

When she steps inside, she finds him collapsed on the floor. Rushing to his side, she helps him into bed and makes sure he takes his medicine. As he sleeps, she sits beside him, quietly releasing all the words she has been holding back. She admits how much she regrets hurting him, how she wanted to be his coolest secret but failed. Tears well up in her eyes as she whispers everything she never had the courage to say before.

Then, his fingers curl around hers. She looks up, startled, only to see his tired eyes staring back at her. With a weak but sincere voice, he apologizes for everything—his mistake in the past, the pain he caused, and for not being the person she needed back then. But there is one thing he refuses to regret—his feelings for her. With a quiet confession, he tells her how much he still likes her.

Overwhelmed, Su-jeong finally lets herself be honest. She loves him. She has always loved him. Hearing her words, Ju-yeon pulls her close, his own feelings pouring out as he confesses that he loves her too. Their lips meet in a gentle, long-awaited kiss, sealing their love with an unspoken promise.

The next morning, the office buzzes with speculation as Ju-yeon’s belongings are removed from his director’s cabin. An official notice announces the arrival of a new director, leaving everyone wondering what comes next. But for Su-jeong and Ju-yeon, nothing else matters. They have found their way back to each other, and this time, they are ready to fight for their love.

My Dearest Nemesis Episode 9 Review

The long-awaited reveal of Ju-yeon and Su-jeong’s childhood connection shakes them both to the core, sending their relationship into freefall. Su-jeong, ever the expert at building emotional walls, immediately retreats, while Ju-yeon is left standing in disbelief, struggling to process that the girl he once adored (and unknowingly hurt) is the same woman he’s fallen for all over again. The fallout is nothing short of heart-wrenching, as Su-jeong distances herself, believing that history will only repeat itself. Meanwhile, Ju-yeon, heartbroken but determined, refuses to let her go without a fight.

But just when the angst reaches its peak, fate—because fate always knows when to intervene—sends Ju-yeon straight into a fever-induced collapse, giving Su-jeong no choice but to rush to his side. And in that quiet, intimate moment, all pretenses melt away. Her whispered confessions, his sleepy but earnest apology, and the shared realization that neither of them ever truly stopped loving each other? Pure magic. Their kiss is a perfect culmination of all the push-and-pull, the years of misunderstandings, and the longing they tried so hard to suppress.

But just as we’re basking in the warmth of their reunion, the episode throws one last curveball—Ju-yeon’s office is being cleared out. What does this mean for him? For them? With stakes higher than ever, the next episode promises drama, power plays, and, hopefully, more stolen kisses. We’re ready!

My Dearest Nemesis is streaming on Viki.

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