Awkward Encounters, Drunken Confessions, and a Late-Night Movie Date (Sort Of)

The tangled web of Melo Movie just keeps getting messier—in the best way possible! Episode 3 gives us awkward run-ins, biting sarcasm, unexpected friendships, and an almost-romantic movie night that neither Ko-gyeom nor Moo-bi would ever admit to.

Ever since fate (and real estate) made them next-door neighbors, Ko-gyeom and Moo-bi can’t seem to escape each other. But while Moo-bi is thoroughly annoyed by the constant run-ins, Ko-gyeom does his best to keep his distance—until he accidentally sees her meeting up with Woo Jeong-hu, a childhood friend who had relocated to the U.S. years ago. Jealousy? Curiosity? Who knows, but Ko-gyeom definitely notices.

Elsewhere, Si-jun and Ju-a have a not-so-friendly reunion at a movie theater. What starts as an unexpected encounter quickly turns into a verbal sparring match, with both taking stabs at each other. Clearly, old wounds haven’t healed, and these two are nowhere near making peace.

Ko-gyeom, still reeling from his current situation, vents about his Moo-bi problem at his brother’s housewarming party—but, unsurprisingly, finds no real solutions. Meanwhile, Moo-bi finds herself in a drunken heart-to-heart with Ju-a at a bar. Neither recognizes the other, and they bond over their frustrations, sharing personal stories under fake identities. In a dramatic flourish, they exchange contact info, only to delete it immediately because, ugh, why would they ever want to meet again? (Famous last words.)

Later that night, Ko-gyeom, in his usual silent and broody manner, follows Moo-bi home from a distance—only to get mistaken for a stalker and dragged to the police station. Talk about bad luck. Moo-bi, upon realizing what’s happening, begrudgingly clears up the misunderstanding. Back home, she finally asks for an apology for disappearing five years ago. Ko-gyeom apologizes… but offers no explanation.

The next day, Moo-bi and Ju-a cross paths again—this time in a professional setting. Plot twist: Ju-a is the writer behind Melody, the script Moo-bi wants to direct. But there’s a catch—Melody is based on Ju-a’s personal life, and she’s hesitant to move forward with it. The irony isn’t lost on her; years ago, she had judged Si-jun for “selling personal stories” to make it in the industry, and now she’s faced with the same choice. After some persuasion, she finally agrees to tweak the script and move forward.

If bumping into Ko-gyeom around the neighborhood wasn’t bad enough, Moo-bi’s frustration hits a new high when he walks into her office—as the interviewer assigned to interview her.

Their conversation takes a surprisingly deep turn. Moo-bi confesses that she once hated movies and now only sees filmmaking as a job—her way of proving to her late father that cinema isn’t the grand, all-important thing he believed it to be. Ko-gyeom listens, then casually asks if she would watch a movie with him. Moo-bi’s response? A hard no.

But actions speak louder than words. That night, Ko-gyeom sets up a backyard projector and starts watching a film. From her balcony, Moo-bi pretends not to care. Yet, as the film plays, she finds herself watching along.

Neither of them acknowledges the other, but in that quiet moment, it’s clear—something between them is shifting.

Criticism, Controversy, and a Confession

Just when we thought Melo Movie couldn’t get more intense, Episode 4 delivers an emotional gut punch filled with misfortunes, misunderstandings, and one game-changing confession.

Ko-gyeom’s day starts with an unexpected setback—his car breaks down while on his way to visit his parents’ columbarium. Forced to walk, he reflects on how life’s misfortunes sometimes lead to unexpected happiness. And just like that, fate throws another twist his way—he crosses paths with Moo-bi once again. Coincidence? Maybe. Destiny? Definitely.

Ko-gyeom receives a major career boost when he’s offered the position of lead critic at a magazine, complete with a generous pay raise. But with great power comes great responsibility—or in Ko-gyeom’s case, brutal honesty. As his reviews become sharper and more unfiltered, Moo-bi takes notice. Is he just being honest, or is he starting to go too far?

Meanwhile, on the filmmaking side of things, Ju-a finalizes her deal with Moo-bi for Melody. She insists on taking charge of the music selection, but Moo-bi, ever the perfectionist, agrees only if she gets the final say. Let the creative tensions begin!

On another front, we get a deeper look into Si-jun’s strained relationship with his wealthy but emotionally distant family. His mother literally pays him to visit, making it painfully clear that money is the only language they speak.

Later, Ju-a unexpectedly shows up at Si-jun’s place with an even bigger bombshell—she reveals that the story she wrote for Melody is based on him and asks for his help in composing its music. Talk about reopening old wounds.

Ko-gyeom and Moo-bi attend a movie premiere together, but just as the film ends, Ko-gyeom abruptly rushes home, worried about his brother’s health. Though it’s clear he’s balancing a lot, his increasing distance doesn’t go unnoticed by Moo-bi.

Meanwhile, Ko-gyeom’s growing presence in the industry lands him frequent TV appearances and interviews. But when one of his critiques—a particularly harsh takedown of a well-known director’s work—sparks controversy, things take a dark turn.

The next day, the entire industry is thrown into chaos when news breaks that the director has allegedly attempted suicide. The media and public waste no time placing the blame on Ko-gyeom. As the backlash intensifies, he rushes to the hospital, only to be blocked from seeing the director.

In the midst of the turmoil, Ko-gyeom meets Director Mo and Moo-bi, but trouble isn’t far behind. Another director confronts him, tearing into him for being arrogant and reckless with his words.

Moo-bi, seeing Ko-gyeom’s walls beginning to crack, tries to comfort him. But instead of letting her in, he shuts down, pushing her away in one of the most heartbreaking moments of the episode. With nothing left to say, Moo-bi walks away, leaving Ko-gyeom alone with his guilt.

Determined to get answers, Moo-bi visits the hospitalized director and learns a shocking truth—he was once a friend of her father’s. Even more importantly, his hospitalization was purely accidental. The media had twisted the story, turning it into a scandal and unfairly pinning the blame on Ko-gyeom.

Outside the director’s room, she finds Ko-gyeom, sitting quietly. He never left. He had been there all along, weighed down by guilt, waiting for the truth to come to light.

And then, just when we think the episode is about to end in despair, Ko-gyeom turns to Moo-bi and says the words that shake everything up:

"I want to like you again."

It’s not just a confession—it’s a second chance. And with everything they’ve been through, the real question is: Will Moo-bi let him?

DramaZen's Opinion

A Hauntingly Beautiful Start

Tension, Growth, and a Brewing Storm

Melo Movie is proving to be an emotional slow burn in the best way possible. Episodes 3 and 4 are packed with awkward run-ins, lingering tensions, and moments of vulnerability that make you feel every bit of the characters' struggles.

Ko-gyeom’s relentless yet endearing efforts to win Moo-bi back are both hilarious and heartbreaking—especially when we see how much his past mistakes still haunt her. But despite her resistance, you can see the shift. The walls are cracking, even if she won’t admit it yet.

Meanwhile, Si-jun and Ju-a’s unresolved history adds another layer of angst. Their sharp-tongued exchanges are just a mask for the hurt underneath, and it’s clear they’re far from over each other. The most intense moment, however, comes with Ko-gyeom’s brutal wake-up call—his scathing review spirals into a controversy that nearly destroys him. Watching him break down, shutting Moo-bi out just as she’s starting to let him in, is painful in the best dramatic way.

The storytelling in these episodes is so good—layered, raw, and filled with those tiny, unspoken moments that hit hard. With Moo-bi seeing Ko-gyeom’s pain firsthand and finally letting down her guard (just a little), things are heating up. And that final line? “I want to like you again.” Cue the emotional damage.