Dear X episode 1 centers on introducing Baek Ah-jin and what life she had with her parents. It shows how cunning, calculating, and manipulative she is towards the people around her.
HBO Max and TVING released the first four episodes of Dear X on November 6, 2025. Dear X episode 1, titled Her X’s, centers on the past life of Baek Ah-jin back when she was in school. It also shows some snippets of how she lived when she was young. This episode features how Ah-jin subtly manipulates those around her.
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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers about Dear X. Read at your own risk.
Baek Ah-jin’s Life in Dear X Episode 1
Dear X episode 1 begins with the young Ah-jin narrating how her mother always yells at her. She keeps asking her to bring more alcoholic drinks. Most of the time, she gets hit by her mother, saying she’s scared and often runs to the bathroom to hide. It shows how the young Ah-jin treats her own wound caused by her drunk mother.
Young Ah-jin asked her dad if he could stop her when she’s lashing out. But her father just responded that he couldn’t stop her mother when she was drunk and acting crazy. The scene showed how Ah-jin’s father was dragging her drunk mom outside.
As the rain pours, her father carried her mother before pushing her down the stairs. Ah-jin went out when she heard the sound and saw her mother. She asked her father if he pushed her, but he told her that her mother was drunk and fell, and added that he would get her a stepmother who’s super rich..
When her mother tried to ask for her help, Ah-jin walked away—letting her die. Then, the screen shifts to the adult Ah-jin, who’s now an actress. She was described as a sociopath and having Antisocial Personality Disorder. She views others as tools and deliberately approaches men who are useful to her.
Ah-jin never committed physical murder, but she caused the deaths of two people, Baek and Heo.
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Year 2016—Baek Ah-jin’s Schemes
During a celebration for one of their teachers, Ms. Kwak, the husband came in and slapped her. The teacher was seen having an affair with someone. When called to the principal’s office, Ms. Kwak was put under probation until the case was resolved.
Amidst the chaos, Ah-jin appeared helping Ms. Kwak. But it wasn’t the help she expected, because the one who leaked her photos was Ah-jin—as her birthday present. It turns out that Ms. Kwak had always pointed out that Ah-jin is an underprivileged child with no parents or guardians.
Sim Sung-hee, Ah-jin’s X in Dear X Episode 1
Sung-hee is one of the competitive students and classmates of Ah-jin. She found Ah-jin talking to their art teacher, however, Jun-seo interrupts. The next morning, Sung-hee approached her to ask who she was talking to yesterday in the classroom.
Ah-jin replied in the most spine-chilling tone:
You sure have a lot of interest in other people’s business. But you’re also completely oblivious. You know, people like you are the first to die in movies.
In another scene, Jun-seo gave his spot to Ah-jin in the upcoming debate competition, which surprised Sung-hee. Supposedly, the two of them were the representatives. But Ah-jin still accepted the position, as if she knew that Jun-seo would let her take the spot.
Meanwhile, while the group was planning for the debate, Sung-hee was leading them. But Ah-jin said that if they want to score well, all of them need to participate and not just Sung-hee.
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Jun-seo and Ah-jin’s Relationship
Jun-seo went to Ah-jin’s home. But instead of entering, he sat outside and closed his eyes. When he woke up, he was already lying on Ah-jin’s thighs. While Ah-jin was studying, she asked Jun-seo for his literature notes.
As Ah-jin was browsing, she found a letter from Sung-hee confessing her love to Jun-seo. Meanwhile, Jun-seo received a call from Sung-hee asking why he gave his spot to Ah-jin. But Jun-seo didn’t mind and just ignored Sung-hee. While Ah-jin volunteered to be the one to reply to Sung-hee’s letter, Jun-seo just let her.
The Rumors About Ah-jin’s Life
Ah-jin went to school only to hear rumors about her and her life. The school already knew that she was living alone, thanks to Sung-hee. Then after that, Ah-jin received news that she could no longer participate in the debate as per the principal’s order. Ah-jin asked whose parents objected to her participation instead.
Sung-hee approached Ah-jin once again and told her that Ga-yeong and Yu-bin’s mom were against her joining the debate. But Ah-jin just asked her if she likes Jun-seo. In return, Ah-jin gave her a letter saying it was Jun-seo’s reply. It says, “No one likes you. You’re annoying so stop acting up.”
Soon after, the teacher told the remaining debate participants that their school was disqualified from the event. Someone leaked news that one of the parents bribed the judge to make their daughter win.
Frustrated, Sung-hee splashed water on Ah-jin, soaking her all over. Ah-jin still went to the classroom, surprising the class. Jun-seo immediately helped her and covered her.
While walking towards the nurse’s office, they bumped into Jae-oh. Jun-seo stopped him from talking, telling him not to talk to them at school. Ah-jin told him they’re not skipping, followed by telling Jae-oh to hide those AirPods (Jae-oh stole them and Ah-jin saw it, but she kept quiet).
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Jae-oh and Ah-jin’s Connection in Dear X Episode 1
Jae-oh was collecting money for Ah-jin. However, during class, the teacher saw Jae-oh not paying attention and tried to get his collector notebook. When he rushed to run, he left his phone, which Sung-hee found.
Next morning, Ah-jin’s friends told her that Jae-oh was running a loan-sharking scheme with students and the teacher caught him. The next scene showed Ah-jin looking for Jae-oh. Jae-oh said he didn’t tell Ah-jin’s name, then Ah-jin hugged him, telling him that she’s always known Jae-oh was useful.
Amidst their conversation, Sung-hee overheard it and immediately thought that Ah-jin was Jae-oh’s boss. During lunchtime, Sung-hee went to Ah-jin and poured her drink on Ah-jin’s lunch. Then she followed Ah-jin and called her phone, confirming she was Jae-oh’s boss.
Ah-jin told Jae-oh that Sung-hee already knew. Jae-oh asked what she wanted him to do. Jun-seo, on the other hand, used Sung-hee’s feelings toward him to protect Ah-jin.
The Schemes of Ah-jin, Jun-seo, and Jae-oh in Dear X Episode 1
To stop Sung-hee from bothering Ah-jin, Jae-oh and Jun-seo had their own ways. Jun-seo used Sung-hee’s feelings for him and lured her to Jae-oh and Ah-jin’s plan.
When everyone was out, Jae-oh opened Sung-hee’s locker and put their class money in there. When the class returned, the treasurer noticed the money was gone. Since only Sung-hee was there, she was blamed for it. But nothing was found in her bag. Then Jae-oh said they hadn’t checked her locker.
Jae-oh found his phone in her locker as well as the money and the AirPods of the class representative. But Sung-hee said it wasn’t hers, then she saw Ah-jin. She threw a fit saying she got caught in Ah-jin’s trap and revealed that she was Jae-oh’s boss. Jae-oh asked if she had proof. She said she saw the text messages. But when she opened the phone, nothing was there.
Cornered, Sung-hee said that Ah-jin was in a relationship with their art teacher since she saw him holding Ah-jin’s hand and talking about true love. But she got slapped by her homeroom teacher, who turned out to be dating the art teacher.
Ah-jin explained that the art teacher was worried about her and suggested counseling. He introduced her to the True Love Counseling Center.
After all that, Sung-hee still tried to prove her innocence by dragging Jun-seo. She said she was supposed to meet him, but he said he was with the PE captain the whole time. Sung-hee asked why he was doing this. Jun-seo whispered that he already warned her to quit messing with Ah-jin.
Before Dear X episode 1 concludes, it shows Ah-jin and Sung-hee arguing again. Then Ah-jin asked who Sung-hee thinks Ms. Kwak was having an affair with.
In Dear X episode 1, Baek Ah-jin’s first X was Lim Sun-ye, her mother. She then thanked Sung-hee for making her a target and making school less boring.
What do I think of Baek Ah-jin? Her acting has always been exceptional. She switched masks whenever it suited her needs. She’s a devil. A devil wearing human skin.
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What to Expect in Dear X Episode 2
Dear X episode 1 definitely brings an intense beginning for Baek Ah-jin’s life. With her cunning schemes in this episode, she’s undoubtedly getting the curiosity of the viewers.
Now that we’re down to episode 2, we can expect more of Ah-jin’s life. Maybe it will reveal her relationship with Jun-seo and how he ended up protecting her.
Catch the first four episodes of Dear X on TVING and HBO Max. The succeeding episodes will be available every Thursday with two episodes each week. New episodes air at 18:00 (KST) / 17:00 (PHT) on HBO Max and TVING.
So far, what do you think of Baek Ah-jin? Do you find her interesting or does she get your curiosity?
