Key Highlights in Episodes 9 & 10 of “My Strange Hero”

Bok Soo begins to crack in episodes 9 and 10 of My Strange Hero. He struggles to stay focused on the reason why he’s back in school.

Glass Booth Aftermath

After Bok Soo shattered the glass booth that symbolized the separation of the Ivy Class from the rest of the students, the parents and teachers are in an uproar as to what to do with Bok Soo. Soo Jeong promises to take responsibility of Bok Soo. She even puts her job on the line and says that if needed, she would give up her position if Bok Soo causes trouble again.

Instead of getting expelled, Soo Jeong gets Bok Soo to do volunteer work around the school. She is also tasked to monitor him closely to make sure he doesn’t get in trouble again.

(Photo from SBS)

Bok Soo Gets Confused

However, Bok Soo is not happy about what she did and wonders why Soo Jeong stood up for him. He finally admits he may still have lingering feelings for her. He realizes that now he and Soo Jeong share the same fate, that if he fails then he drags Soo Jeong down with him.

That’s all you’re capable of. I shouldn’t expect any more from you.

Se Ho’s mom asks for an update about Bok Soo. She reprimands him when his answer fails to satisfy her and says, “That’s all you’re capable of. I shouldn’t expect any more from you.”

Se Ho recalls how she told him the exact same words when he was in high school. Although he looks calm, Se Ho retreats to his room and starts painting a black circle over and over again.

The Mom of Dramas

Through another flashback, we see Se Ho, Soo Jeong and Bok Soo go to the latter’s restaurant to eat. Bok Soo’s mom showers Se Ho with attention, which he doesn’t know exactly how to receive. Soo Jeong and Se Ho see how close Bok Soo’s family is and how they treat each other with affection.

Later on, he muses to Soo Jeong how lucky Bok Soo is to have a mom just like in the TV dramas.

The Problematic Student of the Wildflower Class

Class bully Seung Woo has been absent for several days and Soo Jeong is worried about him. She finds out from Teacher Park that he used to be on the top of his class when he was in middle school. They both wonder what happened to him because he’s now at the bottom of the class.

Soo Jeong forces the truth out of his friends and goes to the bar Seung Woo works in. She bumps into Bok Soo and they both face the bar manager. Seung Woo is demanding to get his correct pay but the manager refuses. Soo Jeung stands up for her student but they get physical, which ends with Soo Jeung falling against Bok Soo. They both end up arguing with the manager and Bok Soo loses his lip-syncing job in the process. He doesn’t seem to mind though as he reminds Seung Woo to go back to school.

The Accidental Backhug

In the midst of the struggle, though, it’s worth mentioning that as Bok Soo catches Soo Jeong, he wraps her in a back hug and holds her hand tightly. He protects her as they are pushed backward. Bok Soo’s brave and tough side emerges as he fights the manager while protecting Soo Jeong.

Later on, Soo Jeong is visibly shaken and disturbed by their skinship. Bok Soo appears unaffected and walks away. Soo Jeong gets drunk and calls Se Ho over. He tries to escort her home but instead she lays on the warm hood of a car and invites Se Ho to lie down beside her. Unknown to them both, Bok Soo watches them from a distance, crestfallen.

The Jealous Bok Soo

All throughout the episodes, Bok Soo deals with the jealousy he started to feel after he discovered a drawing of Soo Jeong on Se Ho’s desk. He realizes what it meant and wonders out loud if that was the reason why.

Bok Soo struggles to deal with his jealousy and still try to focus on his revenge. He ignores Soo Jeong whenever she talks to him. He gets upset when he sees that Se Ho beat him to getting Soo Jeong indigestion medicine.

Then he witnesses them lying side by side on the hood of the car. Even after their bout with Seung Woo’s manager, he walks off and ignores Soo Jeung. The following day, he tells her to stop talking to him because she reeks of alcohol.

The Physical Confrontation

Everything bubbles up to the surface for Bok Soo as he bumps into Se Ho in the gym. Se Ho provokes him further by saying that he would be a better match for Soo Jeung as the rich chairman more than the loser who went back to school. Enraged, a jealous Bok Soo agrees to go into a kendo battle with Se Ho. They engage in a physical argument where the loser grants the winner’s wish. Se Ho immediately assumes he won but Bok Soo turns the tables around and holds his broken stick against Se Ho’s neck, drawing blood.

Soo Jeong walks in to this scenario and rushes to intervene. She assumes Bok Soo caused trouble and reprimands him. She starts to take Se Ho to the infirmary when Bok Soo stops her.

He finally breaks down and starts to cry as he asks her why she never even bothered to ask him what happened in both instances (referring to the rooftop incident nine years ago). Se Ho and Soo Jeong can only watch as Bok Soo begs her to tell him now.

Episodes 9 and 10 Afterthoughts

Emotions ran high in Episodes 9 and 10 of My Strange Hero particularly for Bok Soo. Judging from how jealous he got, it’s obvious that the feelings he has for Soo Jeong run strong and deep. Soo Jeong is also slowly realizing that she still has feelings for him as well. She’s already changing her mind about him because she’s starting to see the Bok Soo she fell in love with years ago.

Despite being the thorn that stands between Soo Jeong and Bok Soo, my heart still bleeds for Se Ho. Obviously in need for a mother’s loving touch, he seeks attention and approval wherever he can find it, whether as a student or now as a chairman. His mother’s high standards are genuinely killing him as he struggles to make his mother happy. Meanwhile he sees how Bok Soo is well-loved by his mom, despite him not getting high grades or without even much of an effort. We recall how he wondered out loud why Bok Soo is so lovable, and now that question is clearer to us. Se Ho has worked so hard to be loved and still falls short, but Bok Soo doesn’t even have to do much but still receives so much love and attention.

Ten episodes into this drama and I can safely say that I’m hooked. I find this love triangle refreshing to watch because I constantly wonder how the story will evolve. In the previous episodes Bok Soo’s dilemma was how to deliver his revenge in a gargantuan magnitude. However, his dynamics changed in these episodes as feelings have started to emerge and complicate the whole process.

You can watch My Strange Hero on SBS and on the KPLUS Channel.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Nicole is currently juggling motherhood, her job, and her immense love for K-dramas and K-pop. On most days, the latter wins.  Sleeping can wait – this is her motto as she eagerly devours episodes of her favorite K-dramas. Her absolute favorite drama would be Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.

She’s currently watching My Strange Hero, Encounter, Clean With Passion for Now, God’s Quiz 5, and Fates and Furies.