From First Love Fails to Boardroom Battles

The premiere episode of My Dearest Nemesis is here, and what a rollercoaster ride it is! We’re talking childhood trauma, embarrassing first loves, corporate power struggles, and, of course, an unexpected reunion that screams enemies-to-lovers perfection. Buckle up, because Episode 1 delivers drama, humor, and heartbreak in equal measure.

Blast from the Past (2009)

We open in 2009 with our overachiever queen, Baek Su-jeong, a studious, no-nonsense high schooler who doesn’t let bullies walk all over her. But despite her strong front, she secretly wishes for a first love she can lean on. Enter Black Dragon, a mysterious but rude gamer she meets while trying to help her little brother, Su-bin, climb the gaming ranks.

Though initially at odds, Black Dragon and Su-jeong make an unstoppable team. Soon, he invites her to join his elite squad, Team Fatal Attack, where she rebrands herself as Strawberry and sparks fly—both in the game and IRL. The teasing, the banter, the teamwork—it’s all classic slow-burn material.

But then, the real-life meet-up happens, and everything takes a hilariously disastrous turn. Black Dragon, who everyone assumed was a mature, brooding leader, turns out to be... a 15-year-old wannabe rock star with the charisma of a lost puppy. When he belts out a cringeworthy love confession in the middle of the street (with her bullies watching, no less), Su-jeong nopes out of there so fast she leaves skid marks. And just like that, her first love turns into her first biggest embarrassment.

Welcome to the Corporate Warzone (2024)

Flash forward to 2024, and Su-jeong has gone from high schooler to corporate firecracker. Now a force to be reckoned with in Yonsung Department Store, she’s earned the nickname Director Killer after clashing with three previous department heads. Her team, simultaneously terrified and in awe, anxiously waits to see who will dare to take on the position next.

Meanwhile, we meet Ban Ju-yeon, the chaebol heir who prefers exposing corporate corruption over playing the rich kid role. He’s an undercover powerhouse, working to root out shady dealings at Yonsung Group. But here’s the kicker—his latest assignment? Become the new director of Su-jeong’s department and double the sales.

Before their professional lives collide, fate (and bad driving) intervene. Ju-yeon, in a rush, crashes into Su-jeong’s car. She, being her usual fiery self, refuses to let him go without ensuring he’s not a scammer, even jumping into his car. The entire exchange is pure chaotic energy, with Su-jeong thinking he’s flirting, and Ju-yeon being thoroughlyunimpressed. But just as she’s about to brush him off, something about him feels eerily familiar...

Could he be… Black Dragon? Cue Su-jeong shuddering in horror at the possibility.

The Final Twist: A Tattoo and a Revelation

Ju-yeon officially takes his place at HQ, oblivious to Su-jeong’s existence—until she barges into his office to introduce herself and walks in on him changing his shirt. And there it is—a massive dragon tattoo sprawled across his back.

Su-jeong freezes. Hit-and-run driver? Check. Shady new director? Check. Possible embarrassing first love? Triple check.

Before she can even react, Ju-yeon moves fast, covering her mouth to stop her from blurting out whatever is about to come next. And just like that, the episode ends on a deliciously tense note, promising an enemies-to-lovers showdown that we absolutely cannot wait for!

Contract Chaos, Office Wars & A Dramatic "Babe" Moment

If Episode 1 of My Dearest Nemesis set the stage for a fiery enemies-to-lovers showdown, Episode 2 throws gasoline on the flames. We’ve got corporate power plays, secret contracts, embarrassing drunk moments, and—wait for it—a fake dating twist in the making? Let’s break it all down.

The Office Showdown: Strike One for Su-jeong

We pick up right where we left off—Ju-yeon, fresh out of a wardrobe mishap, now realizing that his new department troublemaker is none other than his hit-and-run victim, Baek Su-jeong. Awkward? Absolutely. But instead of dealing with it maturely, our chaebol heir decides to act like it never happened and literally kicks her out of his office.

But he’s rattled—she knows three of his biggest secrets:

1. He’s Black Dragon.
2. He’s the hit-and-run driver.
3. He’s a total sweet tooth. (Yes, this is a secret. His power-player image must not be tarnished.)

Determined to keep up his “cool” reputation, he sneaks out to grab his guilty pleasure—a chocolate latte—but guess who pops up right as he’s about to enjoy it? Su-jeong. Flustered, he flees like a criminal. (Sir, it’s just a latte.)

Things only get worse when he loses a toy battle to a literal child. And Su-jeong sees the whole thing. His patience? Officially gone. His solution? Make her life a living hell until she quits.

Ju-yeon vs. Su-jeong: The Battle Begins

At the next meeting, Ju-yeon mercilessly attacks Su-jeong’s proposals. But this isn’t her first time dealing with arrogant superiors. She fires back, word for word, move for move, proving that she’s not going down without a fight.

But the constant battles start wearing her down, especially when her senior scolds her for working too hard. He literally calls her a dog (rude!) and tells her to stop trying so hard. Tired but undefeated, Su-jeong vows to never bow down to anyone.

Meanwhile, Ju-yeon has Shin-won spying on her by cozying up to her team members, but all he finds out is that she’s just really hard-working. Not exactly the dirt he was hoping for.

A Drunken Truce? Almost.

Ju-yeon, still on a mission to break Su-jeong’s spirit, crashes the team dinner. What starts as casual drinks quickly turns into a full-blown drinking competition between the two. (Because nothing says professional workplace like a soju war.)

After wiping the floor with Ju-yeon, Su-jeong stumbles upon an unexpected revelation—he doesn’t actually hate her work ethic. He admires it. But instead of saying something nice, he tells her she’s a “ticking time bomb.” Sir, just say you’re impressed and move on.

Drunk and vulnerable, he starts mumbling about chocolate milk (of course). Amused, Su-jeong actually buys him one and sends him home. If this isn’t the beginning of something, I don’t know what is.

The Contract That Changes Everything

The next morning, Ju-yeon is mortified that he lost to Su-jeong. To make matters worse, the office is buzzing with gossip about how she defeated him in drinking combat. His fragile ego? Shattered.

Their next argument gets so heated that Su-jeong dares him to just fire her already. He’s this close to doing it when Chief Kwon warns him that he needs to back off before HR gets involved. Meanwhile, a teammate spills the tea to Su-jeong—Ju-yeon might actually be the heir of Yonsung Group.

Cue Su-jeong deciding to get some blackmail material of her own. She follows him after work and lands the jackpot—Ju-yeon, living his best life at a rock club, rocking out like a secret punk star. (Yes, our brooding chaebol heir has a whole hidden identity.) She snaps a pic and sends it to him.

Ju-yeon shows up at her house within minutes, panicked and sweaty. If that’s not guilty behavior, I don’t know what is.

To get her to delete the photo, he offers a contract:
✔ Job security for Su-jeong.
✔ In return, she must be at his beck and call.

She signs it immediately, not even questioning why he flinches at her name. But the real nightmare begins when Ju-yeon starts dragging her everywhere, claiming he needs to keep an eye on her. (Sure, buddy. Sure.)

This includes… shopping. Yes, he forces her to help him pick an outfit, catches her staring a little too long, and then drags her to a high-society party. Because what’s a good enemies-to-lovers trope without an unexpected fake date?

The Party, The Bullies, & The "Babe" Bombshell

At the party, Ju-yeon’s chaebol frenemies immediately start bullying him, mocking his grandmother’s strictness and questioning if he even has a girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Su-jeong is on a mission for food (a relatable queen). Unfortunately, some sleazy chaebol creep mistakes her for a hired escort and tries to grab her.

Before she can deck him, Ju-yeon swoops in.

And what does he do?
🚨 Pushes the guy into the pool.
🚨 Grabs Su-jeong’s hand.
🚨 Casually drops the biggest plot twist of the episode:

“She’s my babe.”

EXCUSE ME, SIR??

And that’s where we end. With Su-jeong, wide-eyed and speechless, hand-in-hand with the man who swore he hated her.

DramaZen's Opinion

A Chaotic, Addictive Ride!

If My Dearest Nemesis was a gaming level, Episodes 1 & 2 would be expert mode in enemies-to-lovers tension. From gaming nostalgia and first love disasters to corporate chaos and accidental fake dating, this drama is serving romance, revenge, and ridiculous chemistry on a silver platter.

Episode 1 had me hooked with Su-jeong’s overachiever sass and Ju-yeon’s mysterious double life. The whole "first love reveal" was peak secondhand embarrassment, but that’s what makes it so good. The fact that Su-jeong’s biggest romantic regret is now her arrogant new boss? Chef’s kiss.

Episode 2 took things to another level—Ju-yeon trying (and failing) to make Su-jeong’s life miserable, the drunken chocolate milk confession, and the chaebol party showdown that ended with a “babe” bombshell. I am LIVING for this enemies-to-lovers energy.

🔥 Verdict? This drama is absolute GOLD.
💯 Rating: 10/10 for banter, tension, and unnecessary amounts of petty revenge.
📌 Favorite Moment: Ju-yeon panic-running to Su-jeong’s house over a single photo. The man is down bad, and he doesn’t even know it yet.

I need Episode 3 NOW. Who else is obsessed?? 👀✨