Episode 2 of "The Witch" delves into Mi-jeong's solitary world as a home-based translator, uncovering the depths of her social isolation. Flashbacks transport us to her middle school days, where a chilling pattern emerged—every boy who harbored affection for her eventually suffered some form of misfortune.
By high school, the curse seemed to intensify. A senior she admired was hospitalized after a brutal insect sting. Soon after, whispers about Mi-jeong began to swirl, gaining momentum when a classmate, who harbored feelings for her, offered to escort her home and was later struck down by lightning. This incident cemented her peers' belief, and she was branded a witch. Fearful of causing further harm, Mi-jeong retreated into solitude.
As time progressed, more male students who crossed her path faced injuries or accidents, further isolating her from society. Despite her plight, Mi-jeong kept her ordeal concealed from her doting father, who remained unaware of the darkness enveloping his daughter's life. We learn that she lost her mother at birth and was once a shining star among her peers before her world turned upside down.
One day, another male student confessed his feelings for her, persistently pursuing her despite her efforts to maintain distance. Tragically, he met his end in an accident, pushing Mi-jeong to the brink of despair. Unable to endure the isolation and accusations any longer, she abandoned her studies and refused to return, even when her father pleaded for an explanation.
Eventually, her father uncovered the truth during a visit to her school. On his way back, he witnessed Dong-jin erasing the word "witch" scribbled on Mi-jeong's desk. Meanwhile, the rumors spread far beyond the school walls, consuming the entire town in their wake. At graduation, one of her former friends left a bouquet of flowers and a schoolbook outside her house, perhaps as a silent gesture of apology and remorse.
Around this time, Mi-jeong's father, battling severe gum disease, encouraged her to rekindle her passion for learning. He proposed they relocate to Seoul for a fresh start, hoping to escape the town's menacing whispers.
However, fate had other plans. While working in their potato field, Mi-jeong was bitten by a snake and lost consciousness. When she awoke, she found her father collapsed beside her. Desperation clawed at her throat as she frantically called for help, but it was in vain—he breathed his last in her arms. This final, heart-wrenching tragedy cemented the town's belief in her as a witch who had even claimed her own father's life. With no one left to turn to, Mi-jeong quietly slipped away from the town that had once been her home.
