No Gain, No Love- Episodes 9-10
Episode 9 of No Gain No Love opens with a heartwarming scene as Gyu-hyun and Ha-jun play football with the kids at the orphanage. Afterward, Ja-yeon arrives just in time to overhear Gyu-hyun admitting how much he enjoys these playful moments with the children. Despite her burning curiosity about Ha-jun, Ja-yeon surprises herself by blurting out a more personal question: Does Gyu-hyun like her? His answer, a quiet confession that he does, despite feeling undeserving, sets the stage for a charged encounter. Gyu-hyun pleads for a chance, but Ja-yeon, convinced she's incapable of a happy ending, walks away—only to bump into Ha-jun, who shocks her by recognizing her as the famous writer Yeon Bo-ra.
The tension thickens as Gyu-hyun drives Ja-yeon home, where she drops a cryptic hint that she plans to move out soon. Meanwhile, back at Ji-uk’s house, he and Hae-yeong share an intimate moment setting up a new bed. But the mood turns solemn when Ji-uk asks about her estranged father, a topic Hae-yeong avoids. Just as Ja-yeon is dropped off, Gyu-hyun receives a life-altering call from his mother, sending shockwaves through the rest of the episode.
The calm before the storm shatters when Gyu-hyun barges into Ji-uk’s room, demanding answers about his potential identity as the CEO’s illegitimate son. Chaos ensues as Gyu-hyun orders both Ji-uk and Hae-yeong to leave his company, with Ja-yeon witnessing everything unfold. After the confrontation, Hae-yeong, desperate to save their positions, suggests Ji-uk take over Gyu-hyun’s role at Kkulbee, setting the stage for an intense power struggle.
As the family drama escalates, Gyu-hyun returns home to find his parents embroiled in a bitter argument. His father, Gi-ho, reveals that bringing Ji-uk into the company was a strategic move to ignite Gyu-hyun’s competitive spirit—a revelation that only deepens the fractures between them.
Amidst the turmoil, Ji-uk apologizes to Hae-yeong for dragging her into this mess, but she reassures him with a kiss, suggesting they face the future one day at a time. Yet, secrets linger—Ji-uk still harbors a hidden connection to Hae-yeong’s mother, casting a shadow over their growing intimacy.
Hae-yeong’s work situation spirals as she’s abruptly demoted, and Ji-uk is suspended. In a dramatic confrontation, Ji-uk falsely announces their impending divorce in front of Gyu-hyun, though the latter quickly sees through the lie. A flashback reveals Gyu-hyun’s mother, Jeong-a, pushing him to exile Ji-uk from the country, threatening dire consequences if he stays.
Meanwhile, Hui-seong faces her own crisis when she reveals her pregnancy to Tae-hyeong, sparking a difficult conversation about their future. As Hui-seong grapples with her decision, Hae-yeong tries to cheer Ji-uk up on the roof-top, using bubble blowers to lighten the mood, a fleeting moment of peace in the midst of chaos.
Hae-yeong's work trip takes an unexpected turn, as she boards the train to check on a struggling branch store, she finds Ji-uk already in her seat. Determined to make up for lost time, Ji-uk insists on joining her, eager to create new memories since they never had a real date or honeymoon.
After completing her work duties, Hae-yeong meets him by the beach, where their spontaneous adventure begins. Together, they explore the local attractions—a charming bus tour, a mesmerizing visit to the aquarium, a cozy meal shared in a seaside restaurant, and a breathtaking night view from a scenic tower, perfectly timed with dazzling fireworks overhead. What was supposed to be a routine business trip transforms into a magical day, strengthening their bond in ways neither of them expected.
Back home, Ja-yeon’s world is about to unravel. A mysterious man lingers outside her house, and when her phone rings, the caller ID reads something chilling: Murderer.
The episode races to its climax as Hae-yeong receives a tip from a policeman about Ja-yeon’s perilous situation. Rushing to her side, Hae-yeong and Ji-uk arrive just in time to witness a man embracing Ja-yeon. In a panic, they pull him away—only to discover it’s none other than Gyu-hyun. With tensions at an all-time high, Episode 9 leaves viewers on edge, wondering what secrets and dangers lie ahead.
Episode 10 delivers a whirlwind of emotions, starting with Gyu-hyun, who drowns his sorrows in an upscale bar, reflecting on his unrequited love for Ja-yeon. After one too many drinks, he passes out, and Ha-jun arrives to take him home. A funny twist unfolds when Gyu-hyun, in his drunken stupor, tells the bar patrons to get a good look at his "hot secretary," leading to smirks all around. Once Ha-jun puts him in a taxi, he sends him straight to Ja-yeon's house, hoping Gyu-hyun will finally confess his feelings.
But things take a turn when Ja-yeon, thinking the man lurking outside her house is her stalker father, confronts him—only to find it’s Gyu-hyun! Shocked, she checks on him, but just as they’re having a moment, Hae-yeong and Ji-uk arrive. Ji-uk, hearing Ja-yeon’s startled scream, tackles Gyu-hyun to the ground, leading to an awkward and comical reveal. Gyu-hyun confesses that his love for Ja-yeon started after he left hate comments on her novel, but the day he tried to confess was ruined by learning Ji-uk’s real identity. Tensions rise when Hae-yeong, enraged by the revelation, chases after Gyu-hyun with Ja-yeon caught in the middle, leading to a chaotic yet hilarious argument.
Meanwhile, Gyu-hyun finds himself in Ji-uk’s apartment, awkwardly waiting to speak with Ja-yeon as the women argue downstairs. Hae-yeong eventually comforts Ja-yeon, and the two reconcile. Upstairs, Gyu-hyun and Ji-uk fall asleep, leaving Hae-yeong to tend to her injured husband. A sudden flashback about Hae-yeong’s traumatic past resurfaces when she discovers a parole letter for Nam Chang-il, Ja-yeon’s father, intensifying the mystery as Ja-yeon’s father watches from the shadows.
In a heartfelt moment elsewhere, Hui-seong confides in Tae-hyeong, who proposes marriage, only for her to decline, afraid of repeating past mistakes. This touching scene adds another layer of emotional depth as Hui-seong grapples with her future.
Back at Hae-yeong’s place, Ji-uk and Gyu-hyun join the group for breakfast, leading to a comical encounter when Gyu-hyun accidentally reveals secrets about Ji-uk and Ja-yeon, much to everyone’s shock. As tensions simmer, Ji-uk takes an emotional detour, visiting an equestrian ring where a deep conversation about his future with Mr. Jang leaves him questioning his choices.
Later, Hae-yeong, seemingly accepting Ji-uk’s departure, breaks down when he confronts her about her indifference. Her confession about being abandoned by foster siblings hits him hard, and he leaves—but not for long. Ji-uk returns, and in a heated, passionate exchange, the two finally confess their love for each other, leading to an emotional and intimate night.
Meanwhile, Gyu-hyun meets Ja-yeon, thinking they’re on a date, but she insists it’s for "research." As she walks around and takes pictures he stares at her happily. Their interactions are cute and fluffy as she tours his office and he answers her questions. When they arrive at his office he asks her to wait while he goes inside his office, when he suddenly calls her inside. This leads to him reenacting a scene with her of her novel. This was too funny to watch! However, he decides to switch the story line and kisses her instead. OMO!!!! My heart!
When the two of them are leaving the company they end up hiding while accidentally overhearing Hae-yeong's ex and his wife arguing over his past relationship with Ms. Son. He ends up explaining that back in college Ms. Son's father was murdered and he felt sorry for her when her mother was at the wedding. Then his wife spilled the details about Ji-uk and the chairman and why Ms. Son was demoted.
After they leave, Gyu-hyun tries to explain, but Ja-yeon says it is her choice not to see him again. This was the first and final date. A sad Gyu-hyun can only stand and listen to her determined goodbye as she thanks him for liking her and says, "This is our happy ending".
The next morning begins with a tender moment between Hae-yeong and Ji-uk as they wake up together, basking in the afterglow of the night before. But their peace is shattered when Ja-yeon bursts through the door, furious to find everything in the fridge has melted. She storms off in a huff, leaving Ji-uk scrambling to rush out and grab breakfast, hoping to ease the tension.
While he’s gone, Hae-yeong wanders up to the rooftop, only to accidentally knock over a book. As it falls open, she’s stunned to discover a photo hidden inside—a picture of her mother with Ji-uk. Shocked and hurt, the pieces start falling into place.
When Ji-uk returns, he immediately realizes that Hae-yeong has uncovered the secret he’s been hiding. Her fury is palpable as he desperately tries to explain, but before he can say a word, she cuts him off, telling him to get out. With emotions running high, she turns her back on him, and we're left on a heart-pounding cliffhanger, wondering if their relationship can survive this new betrayal.
DramaZen's Opinion
Episode 9 takes on a more serious tone than previous installments, signaling that we’re entering the final, high-stakes stretch of the season. With secrets unraveling and tensions rising, the shift in mood feels perfectly timed. One of the standout moments is Hae-yeong’s surprisingly warm reaction to Ji-uk’s parentage, which adds a nice contrast to the show’s more comedic moments. Her relationship with Ji-uk continues to be the emotional heart of the series, and their dynamic only deepens the intrigue. I’m on the edge of my seat, especially now that Ji-uk is facing such a daunting ultimatum. How he navigates this will undoubtedly set the tone for the rest of the season.
Gyu-hyun, on the other hand, is proving to be a more complex character to pin down. As both the antagonist and a potential love interest, his role becomes increasingly murky, especially after his menacing threat to Ji-uk. The show seems to be wrestling with blending these two sides of him, and after this episode, it feels harder than ever to reconcile them.
Ja-yeon's father's release on parole is no surprise at this point, but the real intrigue lies in the dark hints connecting him to the death of Hae-yeong's father. The mystery deepens when we see Ja-yeon has him saved as "Murderer" in her phone—an ominous detail that raises more questions than answers. But the biggest puzzle is how he managed to get her current phone number, especially considering she’s been in hiding from him. Is someone helping him track her down, or is there an even more sinister layer to his reach? This revelation sets the stage for an explosive confrontation, leaving us wondering just how deep the secrets between these characters really go.
The Ha-jun situation wrapped up rather quickly, but Hui-seong’s storyline continues to be a fascinating wild card. Her character development has been refreshingly unique, and I’m eager to see how her arc unfolds as we head toward the finale!
Episode 10 was an emotional whirlwind, delivering intense moments that left us reeling. Ja-yeon and Gyu-hyun’s love line teeters on the edge—can they even begin a relationship with so many obstacles in their path? Hui-seong faces a life-altering decision with her pregnancy, leaving us questioning what choice she’ll ultimately make. And then there are our leads, who finally tasted love, only to have it shattered once again.
But beneath all this turmoil, Ja-yeon’s looming drama with her father feels like the catalyst that could bring them all together. It seems inevitable that this shared struggle will forge deeper bonds, making them realize that perhaps they need each other more than they thought. The tension is mounting, and it’s clear that working together might be their only path forward.
Episode 11 Spoilers:
News of Hae-yeong's father being murdered is being circulated around the company.
Ji-uk is trying to repair their relationship as Hae-yeong battles why her mother and Ji-uk kept such a huge secret from her.
It also looks like Ja-yeon's father is back and has finally cornered his daughter after breaking into her home.