K-DRAMA RECAP: “My Dearest Nemesis” Episodes 9 and 10

Our leads’ initial minor problem is swiftly resolved, only to be replaced by a far greater one when a key figure finds out about their connection.

Although they both try to protect each other, combining their efforts would be a stronger defense against those trying to separate them.

Bunny S. watches My Dearest Nemesis on Viki

Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 & 04| 05 & 06 | 07 & 08 | 09 & 10 | 

My Dearest Nemesis Episodes 9 and 10 Highlights

“If the same person hurt me and also made me smile, what am I supposed to do?”

In the wake of last week’s reveal, Su-jeong and Ju-yeon are shocked and conflicted about what to do. While Su-jeong chooses avoidance, Ju-yeon wants to talk it out. But their exchange barely gets anywhere as Su-jeong wants to stop seeing each other, getting Ju-yeon heartbroken. (This turn of events got us a bit annoyed since we wanted an honest and mature conversation a la Love Scout but got a cliche breakup.)

At work, Su-jeong’s avoidance continues. So, Ju-yeon acts childishly and corners her into talking to him. Apologizing for lying about his age back then, Ju-yeon asks Su-jeong to forget about the past and only think about the person he is now. He doesn’t want to break up, as he still likes her. But Su-jeong counters that he was the only person she could rely on back then, yet he broke her trust with his lie.

[9-10화 스페셜 선공개]
염룡딸기 과거 + 하진&신원 연애까지💥
충격의(?) 2연속으로 어색해진 분위기..😅

풀버전은 👉🏻 #tvNDRAMA유튜브 #네이버tv

[월화] 저녁 8:50 방송 | tvN#그놈은흑염룡 #MyDearestNemesis pic.twitter.com/hyYkS9E8Rq

— tvN drama (@CJnDrama) March 13, 2025

“Are you relieved to be back to normal?”

As if our leads didn’t have enough on their plates, a rumor circulates, alleging Ju-yeon is getting married to one of his employees. People are quick to conclude it is Su-jeong after a photo of them, along with Su-jeong’s family, gets leaked. Faced with ridicule from her superiors, Su-jeong stands up for herself. But a part of her is disturbed since it is true that she dated Ju-yeon.

Meanwhile, Ju-yeon gets summoned by the chairwoman who scolds him and tells him to wait for the right time and dismiss Su-jeong, ak.a pull the weed from the get-go. When Ju-yeon refuses to follow through, the chairwoman pretends to let it go while secretly plotting to dismiss Su-jeong.

염룡이 울지 마,, 아니 울어,, 아니 울지 마,,
짠내 폭발 수정앓이 중인 주연 (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ ) ‧º

[월화] 저녁 8:50 방송 | tvN#그놈은흑염룡 #MyDearestNemesis pic.twitter.com/x0PwjL8wB8

— tvN drama (@CJnDrama) March 17, 2025

Worried, Su-jeong waits for Ju-yeon but he is rather (understandably) cold to her, burying himself in work and skipping his meals. Sneaking peeks at him, we can see Su-jeong misses Ju-yeon. And there is nothing like a break-up-induced fever to bring stubborn couples together. Hearing Ju-yeon called in sick, Su-jeong gets worried. She tries to ignore it but ends up dropping by his house with all sorts of medicine that can help get him better and nurses him.

While unconscious, Su-jeong apologizes to Ju-yeon. Back then and even now, she couldn’t see past her pain and didn’t realize he was in pain, too. Attempting to leave, Ju-yeon opens his eyes and stops Su-jeong with a wrist grab and don’t-go line. She was the only person who loved him genuinely. So, Ju-yeon doesn’t want Su-jeong to feel bad or hate herself. Confessing that they love each other, our leads are back together and all is well again.

“No matter what, I won’t make her cry or leave her alone.”

Except, the chairwoman learns of their relationship and fires Ju-yeon as punishment for disappointing her. Getting down on his knees, Ju-yeon pleads his case, asserting his dating life won’t affect his work. But it isn’t like the chairwoman has ever listened to anyone but herself, calling Ju-yeon a defect that disgusts her and lashing out at him as usual. Su-jeong suggests they deny their relationship, but Ju-yeon doesn’t want to do that. At least he can date Su-jeong freely and do whatever he wants without worrying about anything.

With a lot of free time on his hands, Su-jeong suggests Ju-yeon head to her house to read his comics stored there. Which turns into Ju-yeon trying to impress Ju-yeon’s father and get his approval. Luckily, it works and Su-jeong’s father takes a liking to Ju-yeon, having him sleep over after eating dinner together as a “family.” More than anything, Ju-yeon is elated to have a family, one that genuinely cares for each other, unlike the toxic environment he grew up in.

우리 애가 일도 잘하고 요리도 잘해요♡
백가네 취업한 아기 주부 염룡이👨‍🍳

[월화] 저녁 8:50 방송 | tvN#그놈은흑염룡 #MyDearestNemesis pic.twitter.com/se4jwBwqZr

— tvN drama (@CJnDrama) March 18, 2025

The next day, the chairwoman transfers Su-jeong to a random team to force her to quit. But Su-jeong surprises everyone by sticking it out. Normally, Su-jeong wouldn’t tolerate such a thing. But she puts up with it for Ju-yeon. Also, all those years of hard work will go to waste if Su-jeong quits now.

Frustrated, the chairwoman summons Su-jeong to her office. And while we are relieved to not get any slapping or splashing water sequences. It felt a bit unrealistic for such a harsh woman to let Su-jeong walk away unscathed after saying her piece and pushing the chairwoman’s buttons.

Hearing about what happened, Ju-yeon gets mad and heads to see Su-jeong. Why did she keep it from him? And how come she isn’t fighting back? Unable to change Sun-jeong’s mind, Ju-yeon decides to take matters into his own hands. The next thing we know: he is attending a formal event and getting introduced as Director. Is this another annoying case of noble idiocy, with Ju-yeon breaking up with Su-jeong to “protect” her? Or does Ju-yeon have leverage against the chairwoman? Either way, we have to wait until next week to learn what happened.

My Dearest Nemesis Episodes 9 and 10 Musings

Honestly speaking, the story started to lose its spark once our leads admitted to their feelings and started dating. Seeing them together made us swoon, but it only lasted briefly. And then we were hit by a mini-breakup that was unnecessary. Getting childish and sulking over their past connection would have been more entertaining than the angst we got this week. Also, just as our leads got back together, the real peril struck them and threatened their recently found happiness.

We want to argue that Su-jeong quitting and getting a job somewhere else might have been better for everyone, but we also respect her point of view. Also, there is the matter of how Ju-yeon’s reinstatement will affect his relationship with Su-jeong. With only one week left, we hope the story can tie its loose ends in a neat bow that is satisfying and doesn’t feel rushed.

Anything is fine, but please don’t give this caricature villain of a chairwoman any redemption arcs or paint her as misguided because she has gone too far. It is as if she only exists to spew hurtful words and break Ju-yeon’s heart. Instead, we want to see Ju-yeon spend more time with Su-jeong’s family and get the love he was deprived of all his life.

Photos and Videos: tvN Drama