Episode 9 of "Our Unwritten Seoul" kicks off with an intriguing scene where Mi-ji stands poised, her finger hovering over the scanner that grants access to the data room. With a hesitant press, the machine confirms her identity… as Mi-rae. It transpires that the identical twins have subtly executed their long-planned switch!
Delving deeper, we uncover that Mi-rae has always navigated a tricky terrain, choosing her battles wisely between the contests she could conquer and those she couldn't. In the professional sphere, Mi-rae saw a cause worth fighting for in the Su-yeon saga, but the weight of it all proved too burdensome. She fled, only to stumble upon a beacon of hope in an unlikely quarter – Se-jin.
Back in Seoul, Mi-ji's serene stroll is abruptly interrupted by Tae-i, who demands a conversation on the streets. A revealing twist unfolds: Tae-i is none other than Su-yeon's younger brother, who infiltrated the company with the sole purpose of gathering evidence for his sister. Now, armed with incriminating findings, they face a pivotal decision – whether to dismantle the company or let it be.
Mi-rae emerges as the natural leader for thisendeavor, having witnessed the organization's darkest corners from the onset and having experienced her own share of scandals. Yet, Mi-rae views herself as a defeated warrior, believing she has already fought and lost.
Tempers flair as Mi-ji lambasts her sister, leading to an emotional impasse where both twins agree to revert to their previous lives. As they part ways, haunting flashbacks illuminate Sang-yeong's past and his poignant connection with Mi-rae at work. Haunted by his inability to shield her from workplace bullying, his admiration for her grew, casting a soft glow on their shared history.
The duo maintains a harmonious rapport, with Mi-rae adopting a morning ritual of brewing coffee for him. Sang-yeong admiration gleams for Mi-rae's courage in defending Su-yeon, whereas Mi-rae herself is consumed by regret, wishing she had remained silent amidst the bullying, rather than getting entangled.
Tae-i's narrative unfolds further, illustrating how his sister, burdened with duties beyond her scope, ultimately blew the whistle when compelled to exert undue pressure on a third-party evaluator. Delving into the payment guarantees furnished by KFMC, it transpires that the Planning Strategy Team supervised twenty cases, an astonishing sixty percent of which centered around Sihan Construction—the very enterprise headed by a relative of their newly appointed CEO, the same individual whom his sister purportedly favored "of her own volition."
These revelations cement the suspicion that something sinister lurks beneath the surface, yet remarkably, no one seems inclined to confront this brazen corruption head-on.
Indeed, we have come to understand that the workplace gossips trace their origins back to an incident involving Mi-rae, who kindly agreed to fetch Sang-yeong after he, intoxicated, called her from the company of the Sihan Construction boss. Mi-rae, ever the chivalrous soul, offered to chauffeur him home. However, as he slumbered deeply in the car, she leaned in to secure his seatbelt, only to find him attempting to plant a kiss on her lips. Mi-rae swiftly retreated, firmly rejecting him, to which Sang-yeong responded with heartfelt apologies. Unperturbed, Mi-rae suggested they both brush it under the rug and move on.
Regrettably, Sang-yeong betrayed her trust, maliciously spreading rumors that she was behaving inappropriately at work, twisting the narrative to paint her as the aggressor who had made advances towards him. Mi-rae was unjustly castigated as the perpetrator, with the sexual harassment controversy being distorted into a tale of domestic disruption. The HR department unfairly blamed her for not promptly filing an incident report and questioned her motives behind staying late with him and buying him coffee. She was manipulated into doubting her victimhood, ultimately leading to her decision to flee.
In this situation, Tae-i finds himself in a precarious position; standing up for his sister would likely be dismissed as a vendetta rather than an earnest appeal for justice. The sole individual equipped to address this matter is Mi-rae herself.
But here lies the dilemma: Mi-rae is utterly weary of battles, longing to distance herself from it all. Yet, can she really abandon this fight and tarnish Su-yeon's memory in such a manner?
Meanwhile, Ro-sa extends an offer to Mi-ji, entrusting her with the guardianship of an adult—her own son, who resides in a care facility but requires attention when she is unable to provide it. The irony is palpable, considering Mi-ji has been steadfastly caring for her grandmother all along.
As Se-jin deliberates over the company's offer, Ho-su steps in with a proposition for Mi-ji. He suggests she stay with him temporarily, charming her with flattering remarks despite his evident awkwardness. Their mutual vulnerabilities become apparent as they openly discuss their insecurities.
At work, a post on the anonymous worker's forum goes viral, accusing Sihan Construction of preferential treatment. Although Mi-rae is initially scapegoated, it transpires that Tae-i is the one stirring the pot. The incriminating post is swiftly removed, but Tae-i hands the USB drive over to Mi-rae, placing the decision in her hands. She must act swiftly, as the management team is plotting her exit.
The Sihan Construction scandal exerts pressure on the Director, compelling him to push Chung-gu into taking drastic action—forcing Ro-sa to sell the restaurant. Tragically, this ultimatum stems from blackmail involving her son in the nursing home. Mistakenly believing Mi-ji is behind this due to her possession of construction planning documents, Ro-sa is plunged into despair.
When Mi-ji finally makes her appearance, she unveils the startling revelation that she has been switched places with her sister, clarifying that it has been she, and not her sibling, who has been navigating these tumultuous waters all along. Ro-sa, reaching her breaking point, unleashes her fury by bringing up Chung-gu's deceit, ultimately compelling Mi-ji to leave the premises. Their encounter, unmistakably, takes a turn for the worse, and later that evening, amidst the glow of a successful interview Ho-su has secured with a prestigious law firm, Mi-ji comes clean to him. She confides in Ho-su that Ro-sa's anger has left her with no compelling reason to remain in town. Ho-su, undeterred, stands resolutely by her side, enveloping her in a comforting embrace under the starlit sky.
Mi-ji retreats back to the familiarity of her childhood home, only to find herself confronted by Ok-hui, who swiftly discerns the switch between the sisters. As Mi-ji steps through the door, Ok-hui unleashes a torrent of accusations, lambasting her daughter for making a fool of her. Mi-ji, unyielding, retorts by highlighting the years of favoritism Ok-hui has shown towards Mi-rae, always regarding her as the superior child. Ok-hui, attempting to justify her actions by recounting her own troubled upbringing (as if that could excuse her behavior), is taken aback when she learns that Mi-ji has been sacrificing her own aspirations to care for the family, mirroring Ok-hui's own life choices.
Elsewhere, Tae-i gently coaxes Mi-rae to visit his sister, who has remained confined to her room for nearly six months. However, upon Mi-rae's arrival, Su-yeon, breaking her long silence, offers an apology for abandoning her and leaving her to face the workplace alone.
That fateful night, Sang-yeong lurked in the shadows outside Mi-rae's apartment, anticipating her arrival. Unbeknownst to him, as he issued his command for her to relocate to the Childal Branch, Mi-rae surreptitiously recorded their conversation. Ironically, Mi-ji had also been engaging in her own clandestine recordings, capturing a crucial dialogue where Sang-yeong assured Mi-ji that withdrawing from the competition would incur no adverse consequences. However, Mi-rae's lack of discretion became evident when, as she discreetly turned her phone away, Sang-yeong's sharp eyes detected her action and swiftly erased the evidence. He reminded her, with a hint of malice, that this was a war of reputations, and that she stood alone in this battle, oblivious to the one ally she did possess – Mi-ji.
Enter Mi-ji, who, without hesitation, confronted Sang-yeong with a swift burst of fury. Before long, the trio found themselves in the precinct, where Ho-su arrived like a beacon of hope, casting his protective glow over them. Emboldened by this turn of events, Mi-rae resolved to take a definitive stance, filing charges against Sang-yeong, vowing to bring down his filthy company once and for all.
Meanwhile, Se-jin embarked on a journey to Seoul, driven by the urge to see Mi-rae. On the other side of the coin, Ro-sa remained steadfast, refusing to sell the restaurant, a decision that incensed Chung-gu to the extent of drafting an incendiary email to Reporter Im. The email's subject line read, "The Woman Who Stole Her Friend's Life," promising to stir up a storm of controversy.
