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My Sweet Mobster (2024)

My Sweet Mobster- Episode 9-10 Recap

Recap for My Sweet Mobster (2024)
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Despite their unspoken mutual feelings, our mobster and his leading lady are determined to cut ties and part ways. Enter the deerlings, who are far from happy with this development and decide to take matters into their own hands. Will their outrageous schemes to parent-trap our OTP into starting a relationship succeed? Or will their plans backfire in the most spectacularly hilarious way? Tune in to find out! 

After hearing Eun-ha tell Ji-hwan that she no longer wanted to see him, I braced myself for the worst: a prolonged separation, anything over fifteen minutes feels like an eternity, where we’d be stuck watching the less-appealing secondary leads try to wedge themselves between our OTP. But I should have trusted our writers and our deerlings, since they turned this little relationship hiccup of our favorite couple’s romance into something not only palatable but downright entertaining. Despite our hearts aching for them to quickly reconcile and be all gosh darn cute again, the journey was worth every moment. 

As unwelcome as Eun-ha and Ji-hwan’s temporary separation was, I begrudgingly admit that it served a purpose. It gave our characters the time and space they needed to figure out their priorities. For Eun-ha, her decision to vacate Ji-hwan’s house and put some physical and emotional distance between them was entirely out of self-preservation and not, as I previously suspected, because Hyun-woo revealed Ji-hwan’s childhood name. Instead, Hyun-woo confessed that while he isn’t the Hyun-woo she’s looking for, he did find her missing friend. And if she wanted to meet him, he would reveal his identity.

Eun-ha, recalling Ji-hwan's caution that some memories are best left undisturbed, declines Hyun-woo's offer. She feels a deep sense of guilt, believing she might have inadvertently led Ji-hwan's father or one of his henchmen to Hyun-woo. She doesn't want to disrupt Hyun-woo's current happiness if her presence might drag him back to a darker, more painful past. This same thought process drives Eun-ha to leave Ji-hwan’s household. If Ji-hwan wants to erect a landlord/tenant barrier between them, she won't try to climb over it. Instead, she decides to retreat and safeguard her heart before falling too deeply for a man who has clearly stated he's not romantically interested in her.

Of course, we all know that’s a big fat lie. Ji-hwan is head over heels in love with Eun-ha, and he pushed her away to protect her. He fears she’ll either be physically caught in the crossfire of his enemies' schemes or be devastated if something ever happens to him. By pushing her away, Ji-hwan thinks he’s protecting her. The problem is, when he told Eun-ha she was “just his tenant,” he never imagined she’d actually take it to heart and move out.

Ji-hwan outwardly accepts Eun-ha’s decision, but inside he’s just as distraught as his deerlings, who hate seeing "Mommy and Daddy" fighting. Can you blame them, though? They’re rooting for our OTP as much as we are, and they’re here to get us through this temporary separation with their hilarious parent-trapping antics. We all know Ji-hwan just needs a little push in the right direction, and that push comes courtesy of our deerlings, who trick him into believing Eun-ha is on a blind date with another man. 

The masquerade successfully ignites Ji-hwan’s jealousy, and if his judgment wasn’t so clouded, he might have questioned the oddity of Eun-ha having a blind date on the ground floor of his company’s building. But, driven by his green-eyed monster, he rushes downstairs to spy on her “date” with one of his most extroverted and flirtatious employees; his complete opposite. Unfortunately, while the deerlings’ plan stirs Ji-hwan’s jealousy, it backfires spectacularly. On the bright side, watching Ji-hwan wrestle with his jealousy and then get caught once again in a seemingly compromising position with Ye-na is pure drama gold.

As entertaining as the deerlings’ phony-matchmaking antics were, they really didn’t need to stir the jealousy pot, that’s Hyun-woo’s job as the second male lead. Despite being firmly on Team Ji-hwan (I mean who isn’t?), I have to admit that Hyun-woo earned some serious brownie points this week. He put aside his biases and took the time to dig into Ji-hwan’s background, showing a depth that makes him stand out.

As Hyun-woo digs deeper into Ji-hwan’s past through Eun-ha’s revelations, he’s increasingly open to the idea that Ji-hwan might not be the ruthless thug he initially thought. When he tracks down another witness from that fateful hotel incident ten years ago, the truth hits hard: Ji-hwan isn’t just a good guy, he’s the one who put his own father behind bars. Ji-hwan's relentless pursuit of justice has unwittingly made him the prime target for danger. With his father now out of prison, Ji-hwan finds himself in the crosshairs of not just one, but two formidable enemies, each with their own deadly agendas. The stakes have never been higher, and the threats against him are sharper than ever.

Though Ji-hwan and Hyun-woo both agree that Eun-ha's safety demands she stay out of Ji-hwan’s orbit, their plans are constantly thwarted by her knack for landing in trouble. After Eun-ha inadvertently angers a group of teenage delinquents and loses her phone, Ji-hwan is on the verge of losing his sanity, frantically searching for her. Yet, despite his overwhelming worry and the frantic twenty calls he made to her phone, he hides his true concern when Eun-ha questions why he was so insistent on reaching her. Instead of admitting how terrified he was, Ji-hwan slips his hands into his pockets and casually declares that he's just a guy who prefers solitude and keeps everyone at a distance. "Just a boy, standing in front of a girl," he says, masking his true feelings behind a facade of nonchalance. Oh, Ji-hwan—classic case of hiding vulnerability with a smirk.

What keeps Eun-ha perpetually on edge, and debating whether to move out or stay, is the relentless clash between Ji-hwan’s words and his actions. Despite his verbal insistence that he’s indifferent, that she’s merely a tenant, and that she’s welcome to find a new place, regardless of whether it’s less secure than the one he’s secretly provided for her, his actions shout a different story. They scream, “I love you, and I’d endure a thousand cactus pricks before letting you face any harm!” Yet, while words are fixed and clear, actions are open to interpretation. Determined to move on, Eun-ha rushes to sign the lease on a new apartment, her heart sinking as she skips the clock's ticking hands. She’s driven by a fleeting, perhaps naive hope that Ji-hwan might appear before the clock strikes eleven, just in time to stop her from sealing the deal with a dramatic, romantic gesture. 

Guess what? Ji-hwan did spring into action, but he was a moment too late…too late to stop Eun-ha from signing her new lease, yet perfectly timed to witness Hyun-woo’s bold confession of love. As Hyun-woo clutches her wrist, Eun-ha’s eyes lock with Ji-hwan’s, and she quickly pulls away, a clear sign of her heart’s true alignment. But Ji-hwan is so preoccupied with scrambling to navigate this excruciatingly awkward situation that he misses the subtle, telling gesture of Eun-ha’s reaction to his arrival.

 In a desperate bid to reclaim Eun-ha from Hyun-woo’s clutches, Ji-hwan opts for a shockingly ineffective strategy: he tells her she’s urgently needed at home for housecleaning chores. Because, clearly, nothing screams “I’m harboring deep, passionate feelings for you” like suggesting she should prioritize housework over a heartfelt confession.

Even though Ji-hwan has finally come to terms with his feelings and is gearing up to make a bold move toward Eun-ha, his lack of experience is painfully evident. Enter: our deerlings. Despite their earlier matchmaking fiasco, they're undeterred and back with a new, cunning plan to set things right. This time, the deerlings decide it's time for a dramatic change of scenery and a dash of mild-mannered kidnapping. Their new plan? Bundle Eun-ha and Ji-hwan into a van for a surprise getaway to the mountains. With the serene woodlands as their backdrop and forced togetherness as their strategy, they’re confident that this idyllic isolation will convince Ji-hwan and Eun-ha that they belong under the same roof as one big, happy family. 

Their plan takes a wild turn when they find themselves forced to abduct Mi-ho along with Eun-ha. The van ride becomes a cauldron of tension as two awkward couples, one of whom has a secret one-night stand, navigate the cramped space in strained silence. Unbeknownst to the rest of the group, the air is thick with unspoken drama, making every glance and awkward shift in the seat a silent testament to the mounting discomfort.

As Eun-ha coldly rejects Ji-hwan’s attempts at peace with his carefully prepared treats, Mi-ho’s frustration is palpable. She’s not just irritated, she’s carrying a pregnancy test that’s weighing heavily on her mind. With her period overdue and nausea triggered by certain food smells, Mi-ho is desperate to confirm her suspicions. But before she can even take the test, she finds herself snatched away by Ji-hwan and his crew, her future hanging in the balance amid their chaotic kidnapping scheme. 

Spoiler alert: the two lines on the pregnancy test reveal a surprising twist — it’s positive. While I’m not thrilled with this development, especially given how complicated Mi-ho and Il-young’s relationship is, I have to admit it gave us one of the best one-liner jokes of the series (You’ll know what I mean when you watch the episode). Accidental pregnancies can be tricky to handle, especially when the future of the parents-to-be is as tangled as theirs, but the humor in this situation is undeniably sharp. 

Sure, Il-young's claim that their one-night stand was a "mistake" was driven by his assumption of Mi-ho's feelings, but I would have preferred for them to untangle their emotions before stumbling into parenthood. As it stands, Il-young accidentally discovers the pregnancy test before Mi-ho does, and I’m bracing myself for him to start pursuing her "for the sake of the baby." I’m hoping the test is a false positive, but if not, here’s hoping the writers can steer this storyline away from the usual trope pitfalls and deliver something fresh and unexpected.

After arriving at a secluded mansion in the woods, Eun-ha takes a solitary walk, eager to put some space between herself and Ji-hwan. But as the minutes tick by and she doesn’t return, Ji-hwan’s anxiety mounts. His earlier sighting of a shadowy figure lurking outside his house now looms large in his mind, fueling his growing concern for Eun-ha's safety.

In a frenzy of panic, Ji-hwan scours the darkening woods, his voice echoing through the trees as he desperately calls out for Eun-ha. When he finally spots her, she’s oblivious to the chaos she’s caused. Startled by Ji-hwan’s sudden approach, she stumbles backward, twisting her ankle and sending both of them hurtling down a steep hill. In a heroic display of selflessness, Ji-hwan wraps his arms around her, shielding her head and taking the full force of the fall himself.

Between ragged breaths, Ji-hwan checks to make sure Eun-ha is okay, his voice tinged with frustration as he scolds her for wandering off with a dead phone and admits his worry. But then, in a moment that catches both of them off guard, he stumbles into a heartfelt confession: he likes her. Eun-ha blinks in disbelief, struggling to process his words, prompting Ji-hwan to awkwardly fumble through his confession once more.

In an electrifying moment of clarity, Eun-ha reflects on their shared experiences, realizing that while Ji-hwan might stumble with words, his every action has spoken volumes. Overwhelmed by his feelings, Ji-hwan is on the brink of fainting as Eun-ha finally confesses her own affection for him. As if to seal the deal, she leans in and plants a swift, tender kiss on him, leaving Ji-hwan dazed and blissfully flustered. His endearing blend of awkwardness and earnestness makes the scene irresistibly charming!

After their electrifying kiss, Ji-hwan's mind goes into overdrive, short-circuiting with every glance at Eun-ha. Each time his eyes land on her lips, a surge of the kiss sends his brain into chaotic meltdown. Completely overwhelmed by these explosive new emotions and sensations, Ji-hwan starts fleeing at the mere hint of intimacy with Eun-ha. His once confident demeanor crumbles into a comical mess of awkward retreats and runaway attempts!

Now that Eun-ha has heard Ji-hwan’s heartfelt confession, she finally understands his clumsy behavior as a sign of his deep affection rather than disinterest. With this new insight, she seizes the opportunity to charm him further by sending him irresistible videos designed to melt his heart. Each video is a calculated move to turn Ji-hwan into a lovesick puddle of goo, his heart and eyes transforming into nothing but pure, adorable mush. 

As Eun-ha eagerly prepares to dive into her new romance with Ji-hwan, she knows it’s time to face a painful truth: she needs to let Hyun-woo down gently. Hyun-woo, perceptive as ever, has already sensed the inevitable but goes along with the ritual of a farewell dinner, ice cream, and a calorie-burning walk. Together, they navigate these final moments with bittersweet grace, all while the looming confrontation casts a shadow over their seemingly ordinary day. Hyun-woo’s disappointment is palpable, yet he manages to mask his hurt with remarkable grace. Unlike his coworker, who has hidden her feelings to stay close to him, Hyun-woo offers Eun-ha a reassuring smile and a heartfelt promise: he’ll move on, and she shouldn’t worry about any lingering awkwardness. His offer of support is genuine, he tells her to reach out if she ever needs him, no strings attached. (Hyun-woo, you're stacking up those brownie points with this classy exit.)

As Hyun-woo walks Eun-ha to her door and extends his hand for a farewell shake, Ji-hwan makes a dramatic entrance. With a protective grip on Eun-ha’s hand, Ji-hwan steps between them, glaring daggers at Hyun-woo. Ignoring the bewildered stares, he shouts, “Let’s go, Baby!” The clumsy use of endearment and the raw intensity of his jealousy are impossible to miss, making his emotions as transparent as they are explosive. With a determined grip, Ji-hwan sweeps Eun-ha up the stairs and into the front yard. There, he locks lips with her in a kiss that speaks volumes, beyond anything his flustered mind could articulate. It's a kiss that roars of his longing and how he's been consumed by thoughts of her all day.

DramaZen's Opinion

Opinion of My Sweet Mobster (2024)

It happened….it really happened!!!

We’ve got a love confession and a kiss that’s as clear as day!

This week might have kicked off a bit sluggish with Eun-ha and Ji-hwan’s short-lived separation, but the climax made it all worth it. This could easily be my all-time favorite K-drama confession scene. Ji-hwan's blend of concern and his heartfelt, impulsive declaration of love was irresistibly charming. And watching him transform, electrified by Eun-ha’s mutual feelings, was pure magic.

I'm on the edge of my seat wondering how Il-young and Mi-ho's uncertain pregnancy will shake up their relationship. Will it bring them closer or tear them apart? And while our main couple finally gets their well-deserved spotlight, I’m bracing for the inevitable drama lurking just around the corner.

Here’s hoping we don’t dive straight into a breakup followed by the agonizing “will they or won’t they reconcile” plot twist!

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