Episode 9 of "Dear Hyeri" delicately weaves a tapestry of memories and present-day turmoil, kicking off with a poignant flashback to the fateful night of Ju Hye-ri's solitude. As a reclusive soul, she wandered astray during her graduation excursion, her footsteps lured by flickering fireflies into the depths of the forest, where she was lost forevermore.
Shifting to the present, a month has elapsed, painting a bleak picture of Eun-ho's absence. Her void is filled by fresh faces on every project, as if she's vanished into thin air, her mobile phone lying dormant at home, burdened with 72 unanswered calls. Hyun-oh and Joo-yeon struggle in vain to reconnect, their efforts met with silence. Joo-yeon remains steadfast, waiting each day in hope's gentle embrace.
Meanwhile, in a heart-to-heart with Ji-on, Cho-rong's confession of affection for Hyun-oh echoes through the air, unintendedly overheard by him. Their subsequent dialogue uncovers the layers of their past, where Hyun-oh fleetingly pondered marriage with Cho-rong in her dismissive stance, but ultimately concedes that their paths cannot intertwine.
Back at the heart of Media N Seoul's bustling office, Joo-yeon delves into the enigma of an announcer's abrupt disappearance from all projects, Hye-yoon offering a somber explanation: resignation or sabbatical, the latter an unspoken admission of uncertainty.
The climax arrives as Joo-yeon confronts Hyun-oh, unraveling the intricate web of Eun-ho's illness and her hidden love affair as Ju Hye-ri. The ensuing conversation stretches taut with tension, Hyun-oh's surprise stemming not from Eun-ho's illness but her romantic entanglement with another. Joo-yeon's righteous indignation probes the depths of Hyun-oh's emotions, questioning his genuine concern for the excruciating journey Eun-ho endured to reach this crossroads.
Hyun-oh's mind is etched with memories of the psychiatric clinic where he had reluctantly left Eun-ho, prompting him to return and confront the doctor. Intending to inquire about Eun-ho's wellbeing, he encounters a steely refusal from the doctor to divulge any information, shifting the conversation unexpectedly to Hyun-oh himself. With a heart wracked by remorse, Hyun-oh bares his soul, confessing his profound heartbreak and unintentional rupture of their relationship. He agonizes over the thought that he might be the catalyst for Eun-ho's illness, yet the doctor gently dissects the complexity of mental health, assuring him that myriad factors converge in its manifestation.
Later, a chance encounter with Jae-yong unravels a thread leading to Eun-ho's former life as Hye-ri at a parking lot. As Hyun-oh tracks down the other parking attendant, he discovers that Hye-ri had occupied that space for three to four years, a timeframe eerily aligning with their breakup. The revelation sends Hyun-oh reeling back to his room, where he succumbs to tears, his grandmother's tender consolations echoing in the backdrop.
The following dawn brings a glimmer of hope when an announcer, Ji-on, stirs the waters with her belief that she spotted Eun-ho amidst her shoots. Just as Hyun-oh's spirits begin to lift, a police call shatters the tranquility, summoning him to collect Ju Hye-ri—Eun-ho's alter ego, now residing in a secluded mountain cabin resembling a makeshift tent. Her presence, marred by a fresh scar adorning her hand, serves as a stark reminder of Eun-ho's fragmented identity.
Upon bringing her home, Hyun-oh finds himself at a loss, grappling with the question of what to call her now that she's not entirely Eun-ho. The scene unfolds with a poignant mix of confusion, empathy, and a yearning for answers amidst the emotional maelstrom.
