“A Game-Changing Kiss Ending”—This K-Drama Just Raised the Bar!

tvN’s Monday-Tuesday drama 'My Dearest Nemesis' just turned up the heat with Mun Ga-young and Choi Hyun-wook’s first kiss scene, leaving viewers swooning.

The March 3rd episode (Ep. 5) recorded its highest viewership ratings yet, reaching a nationwide average of 4.9% and a peak of 6.2%, with Seoul metropolitan area ratings peaking at 6.4% (Nielsen Korea, paid platforms). The drama also ranked No.1 in its time slot across cable and general programming channels, and among tvN’s key demographic (ages 20-49), it topped all channels, including public broadcasters, with a 2.3% rating.

From Workplace Banter to Romantic Tension: A Turning Point

This episode marked the official shift in dynamics between Baek Su-jeong (Mun Ga-young) and Ban Ju-yeon (Choi Hyun-wook).

Su-jeong rushed out after receiving a frantic call from Seo Ha-jin (Im Se-mi) warning, "There’s a Dark Flame Dragon at the shop!"—a reference to Ju-yeon. The two ended up in a tight squeeze on a narrow alleyway, and Ju-yeon sweetly stayed by Su-jeong’s side while she waited for the bus, heightening the romantic tension.

In a heartfelt moment, Su-jeong gifted Ju-yeon a “Pirate Bunny” plushie, a nostalgic token from his arcade days. Instead of brushing it off, Ju-yeon carefully placed it in his secret hideout, revealing his growing affection.

Meanwhile, Ha-jin discovered a shocking truth—the mysterious "Director Ban Ju-yeon" was actually the "Dark Flame Dragon."

Misunderstandings, Jealousy, and… a Kiss?

Fearing that Su-jeong and Ju-yeon were getting too close, Ha-jin and Kim Shin-won (Kwak Si-yang) hatched a plan to keep them apart. However, their scheme hilariously backfired, deepening Ju-yeon’s misunderstanding and inadvertently bringing him and Su-jeong even closer.

A new rumor started swirling when Su-jeong was spotted having a private meeting with Shin-won after work. This ignited Ju-yeon’s jealousy, leading him to confront Su-jeong at her house late at night.

With a mix of frustration and pettiness, he handed her a comic book titled "A Guy Who Kisses for 6,000 Won", snarkily commenting, “Read this—it explains exactly why you shouldn’t fall for a player.” His jealousy was impossible to hide.

However, their misunderstanding was soon cleared up. Su-jeong then confessed, "Rather than someone who smiles at everyone, I prefer someone who is clumsy and awkward—just for me." Ju-yeon didn’t hold back either, admitting, "If you’re interested in Shin-won, I’ll stop you. I just don’t like it."

A Business Trip Leads to a Heated Moment

On a trip to persuade a vendor to join their department store renewal project, Su-jeong introduced Ju-yeon as her younger brother to break the ice. This irked Ju-yeon, who protested, "Why a brother? What if your boyfriend was younger?" Despite his grumbling, he joined Su-jeong in persuading the vendor.

Unexpectedly, the two ended up spending the night at a ranch. As they sipped drinks on an outdoor deck, they bonded over first love stories, drawing them even closer. However, Ju-yeon’s mood took a turn when he overheard Su-jeong downplaying his presence on the phone, telling Ha-jin, "He doesn’t feel like a man to me—he’s the same age as my little brother."

Hurt by her words, Ju-yeon’s frustration boiled over. When Su-jeong tried to wake him up, he abruptly asked, "Why do you keep ignoring me like I don’t matter?"—and suddenly kissed her. With his signature boldness, he pulled her closer and demanded, "Do I still not seem like a man to you?" This explosive ending left viewers gasping for breath, eagerly anticipating the next twist. As Ju-yeon continues his straightforward, no-holds-barred approach to love, fans are dying to see what happens when both finally realize each other’s true identities—Su-jeong as Ju-yeon’s long-lost "Strawberry" and Ju-yeon as the "Dark Flame Dragon."

The episode sparked a flood of reactions from fans, with many expressing their excitement, saying it was too much for their hearts to handle, praising Su-jeong and Ju-yeon’s undeniable chemistry, and being completely caught off guard by the surprise kiss. Some urged them to just start dating already, while others shared how the show keeps getting better with every episode. There were even playful threats to petition the writer if the two don’t end up together.

With tensions rising and emotions running high, My Dearest Nemesis continues to deliver an exhilarating mix of romance, humor, and heart-pounding moments.