Namib- Episodes 9-10

Betrayal, Rock Bottom, and a Desperate Fight

Hey Namib fans! Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse for Jin-woo, Namib delivers two of the most gut-wrenching episodes yet. Betrayals, media scandals, and emotional breakdowns push our characters to their limits. Let’s break down all the heartbreak and drama from episodes 9 and 10.

The episode begins with Soo-hyun and Jun-seok sealing the deal to transfer Jin-woo to a new entertainment company. Jin-woo, feeling utterly abandoned, begs Soo-hyun to reconsider, only to learn that she had used him to fund Shim Jin-woo’s factory. Their parting is painful, with trust completely shattered between them.

Meanwhile, Ha-na secures a spot in the Star Rise finale, edging closer to the dream she once shared with her late friend. However, behind the scenes, the Star Rise PD and Pandora’s connections begin to unravel, with a reporter uncovering the manipulation that has shaped the competition’s results.

Elsewhere, Hyun-cheol makes a major breakthrough in his quest for revenge. He discovers that a Pandora investor—who was present during a fatal car accident—may be linked to his sister’s death. In a chilling confrontation, he forces the man to arrange a meeting with the elusive druggie he has been tracking, hinting at a dark reckoning ahead.

At his new agency, Jin-woo is welcomed warmly and even lands a spot in an upcoming debut group. However, he remains emotionally detached, going so far as to block his mother’s number. He soon learns that Yi-jun, a former Star Risecontestant, has also joined the group after deceiving everyone about his withdrawal. Jin-woo warns him to stay out of trouble, sensing more deceit on the horizon.

Then, the bombshell drops—Pandora’s scandal explodes in the media, with accusations of rigging Star Rise results. While Soo-hyun publicly defends Jin-woo, suspicions shift to Ha-na, who seems to have benefited the most. In response, the Star Rise PD secretly plots to eliminate her in the next round, unaware that Hyun-cheol is closing in on his own damning evidence against him.

As tensions rise, Hyun-cheol uncovers CCTV footage of Jin-woo at the club, offering it to a reporter eager for a juicy story. Soon, Jin-woo is accused of clubbing, drug use, and bullying. His denials fall on deaf ears as the media and even his own manager begin doubting him.

The episode reaches a devastating climax when Shim Jin-woo, worried about his friend, finds Jin-woo in his dorm bathroom—his wrists slit. Panicked, he tries to hide what happened, but Soo-hyun overhears the truth during a phone call. Distraught, she rushes to Jin-woo’s side, only to get into a car accident on the way. As Jin-woo’s manager discovers him unconscious, the screen fades to black.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Picking up immediately after the previous cliffhanger, Soo-hyun wakes up in the hospital following her accident. Jin-woo’s manager, fed up with his troubles, drags him to the hospital, blaming him for causing unnecessary chaos. Meanwhile, Jun-seok returns home and makes a shocking discovery—Soo-hyun has been secretly battling severe anxiety, depression, and insomnia. He finds her hidden stash of sleeping pills, realizing the extent of her emotional turmoil.

Determined to protect her, Jun-seok and his son lie to Soo-hyun, telling her that Jin-woo is doing fine. But in reality, he has become an outcast at his new agency, shunned by teammates and management alike. The company quickly loses interest in him, marking him as damaged goods.

Elsewhere, Ha-na collapses from exhaustion after enduring relentless pressure, while Shim Jin-woo uncovers the true source of the rumors framing Jin-woo as a bully—his own school bullies. He informs Soo-hyun, but their conversation turns heated when he accuses her of prioritizing the factory deal over her relationships.

Feeling utterly alone, Jin-woo takes responsibility for his ruined career, agreeing to pay the penalty for his breach of contract. With no money and no career, he starts working as a delivery driver to survive. Meanwhile, Soo-hyun’s guilt deepens, realizing she had sold him out when he needed her most.

Seeing her struggle, Jun-seok sends Soo-hyun on a trip, hoping to clear her mind. However, Hyun-cheol has other plans—he manipulates Jin-woo into becoming a livestream personality, forcing him to entertain viewers for money. His goal? To break Jin-woo as an act of revenge against Soo-hyun.

Then comes a turning point. Jun-seok meets his mother-in-law, who reminisces about Soo-hyun’s younger days. She reminds him that Soo-hyun always wanted to find “the best kid” to mentor as a producer. This revelation jolts Jun-seok into action, leading him to race to the airport before Soo-hyun can leave.

At the airport, he finally asks the question that has lingered unspoken for too long—what would Jin-woo have meant to Soo-hyun if Shim Jin-woo’s accident had never happened? In that moment, Soo-hyun realizes the painful truth: Jin-woo is the “best kid” she had always dreamed of mentoring.

The episode closes on a dramatic and emotional high note. Soo-hyun storms into Jin-woo’s press conference, where he is being forced to accept false accusations. In a shocking turn, she publicly denies the allegations on his behalf, taking him away from the company. As they leave, they are confronted by Hyun-cheol, who ominously tells Jin-woo to come with him, setting the stage for another explosive confrontation.

DramaZen's Opinion

Episodes 9 and 10 of Namib take the show to new emotional depths, delivering gut-wrenching betrayals, hard-hitting industry corruption, and raw moments of self-destruction. Jin-woo’s downward spiral is painful to watch, but it’s also a testament to the intense pressures young idols face.

Soo-hyun’s growth is particularly compelling—her realization that Jin-woo is more than just a business transaction marks a significant shift in her character. Jun-seok’s unwavering support and Shim Jin-woo’s quiet resilience add layers to an already emotionally packed storyline.

With Hyun-cheol still scheming and Jin-woo’s fate uncertain, the stakes have never been higher. Will Soo-hyun finally stand by Jin-woo and fight for him, or will Hyun-cheol’s vendetta consume them both?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Rating: 9.8/10