Episode 5 of Namib seamlessly continues from the cliffhanger of the previous installment, as Jin-woo concludes his melodious rendition and discovers his mother among the captivated audience. Their hurried reunion behind the stage unveils a brief yet manipulative encounter, where she subtly reinforces their "familial" ties, unaware that Soo-hyun eavesdrops on their whispered exchange from a shadowy corner.
Later, Jin-woo crafts a competitive strategy for note-taking, aimed at engaging Shim Jin-woo by promising rewards from their cherished band for the most diligent note-taker. This ingenious plan not only addresses the need for a class assistant but also ignites a spark of enthusiasm among his peers. Additionally, Jin-woo implements an emergency monitoring system, assigning classmates the vital role of watching over Shim Jin-woo in his absence. By compensating these vigilant peers, he nurtures a culture of accountability, ensuring their dedication to the task.
Parallel to this, Jin-woo and Ji-yeong plunge into intensive training sessions, gearing up for the looming competition. Chris, mindful of Jin-woo's upcoming challenges, treats him to an exquisite dining experience and issues a cautionary tale about Soo-hyun's trustworthiness. A回忆 montage unveils Chris's harrowing past—abruptly sidelined from the debut lineup by Soo-hyun's cold command. This betrayal etched a scar of abandonment on Chris's heart, making him wary of trust, which he now deems a perilous indulgence.
Elsewhere, Jun-seok's delvings into the latest trends lead to an unexpected encounter with Bong-gyu, the influential investor who once courted Soo-hyun. The encounter kindles a fervent resolve within Jun-seok to reclaim the career trajectory he temporarily abandoned to mentor Jin-woo towards greatness.
Simultaneously, Shim Jin-woo crafts a bespoke hairband for Ji-yeong and orchestrates its manufacturing at the factory Soo-hyun intends to acquire. The subsequent day, Soo-hyun confronts Chris, insisting he steer clear of Jin-woo. Their conversation, laced with tension, is abruptly interrupted by a call informing Soo-hyun of Jin-woo's successful progression to the next round of Star Rise. It also transpires that Chris harbors a deep concern for Jin-woo, stemming from their shared upbringing and Chris's discovery of Jin-woo's distressing tendency towards self-harm.
Later, Soo-hyun and her team make an announcement, heralding the advancement of both trainees to the next stage. However, their jubilant celebration is curtly halted when Soo-hyun receives a phone call, a grim warning that a video depicting her alleged abuse of power—an incident that previously led to her dismissal as CEO—will surface the following day. Together, Soo-hyun and Jun-seok embark on a mission to retrieve the original CCTV footage, aiming to refute the false accusation. Witnessing the injustice heaped upon Soo-hyun, Bong-gyu decides to lend Jun-seok his support in uncovering evidence to restore her reputation.
Elsewhere, Jin-woo makes a final visit to the club to inform Chris of his decision to quit. In this poignant moment, it is unveiled that Chris had deceitfully induced Jin-woo to record the video, asserting it was for a different purpose. As Chris confronts Jin-woo, lambasting Soo-hyun for abandoning him, Jun-seok and Soo-hyun arrive on the scene. They stand firmly in Jin-woo's defense against Chris, escorting Jin-woo away as the episode draws to a close.
