Do Ra-ik confesses he likes Maeng Se-na after a day spent together, being just himself whenever he’s with her in IDOL I episode 9.
In IDOL I episode 9, which aired on January 19, Do Ra-ik learns the truth about Woo-seong’s last moments, discovering the pressures and pain he endured alone. As he begins to regain a sense of normalcy, Ra-ik spends time with Se-na through simple, ordinary moments—allowing him to be just himself—and confesses his feelings to her.
Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers for the series. Continue reading at your own discretion.
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IDOL I Episode 9 Recap: The Truth About Woo-seong
CEO Geum finally reveals the truth to Do Ra-ik about Woo-seong. As Ra-ik’s popularity skyrockets, the rest of the Gold Boys are pushed into the background, delaying their full album once again. Because of this imbalance, another company approaches Woo-seong and offers to produce an album—if he convinces the members to sign with them.
While the others grow excited about the promised comeback, Ra-ik grows more worn down by his packed schedule. Under mounting pressure, Woo-seong agrees to the deal and says he will bring the group with him—especially Ra-ik—to sign the contract. Later, Jae-hee confronts Woo-seong and reveals that he knows about Ra-ik’s contract. Woo-seong then faces the company, but they blackmail him instead. They threaten to expose him as a traitor using a secretly recorded conversation.
That same night, Woo-seong drinks with Ra-ik until Ra-ik passes out. Soon after, Woo-seong receives a call from CEO Geum, who reveals that Ra-ik’s mother signed the contract under Ra-ik’s name, backed by his recorded verbal agreement. The situation now puts Ra-ik at a serious disadvantage.
Despite everything, Woo-seong believes Ra-ik would understand his intentions. What he fears most is Ra-ik sacrificing himself yet again to fix the mess he made. Determined to stop that, Woo-seong says he will take full responsibility and escape CEO Geum’s control—“the only way we can live the way we want.” Later that night, Woo-seong is murdered, leaving Ra-ik unaware of what truly happened.
Do Ra-ik Feels Sorry for Woo-seong in IDOL I Episode 9
CEO Geum admits that he recorded his final call with Woo-seong. He believes releasing it would only hurt Ra-ik and could easily be twisted into a motive for the crime. Because of this, he keeps the recording hidden and orders Jae-hee to stay silent.
Later, as Ra-ik heads home, he thinks about how long Woo-seong must have struggled alone. He realizes that Woo-seong’s constant smile hid his pain, and he regrets never looking past it. Woo-seong always put Ra-ik first, yet Ra-ik never noticed the weight he carried. This realization fills him with guilt and sorrow.
Maeng Se-na comforts Ra-ik and reminds him that it wasn’t his fault to realize it too late. She explains that people’s hearts are often hard to see, even when they’re close to you, and that Woo-seong’s smile may have been his way of being sincere. She encourages Ra-ik to let himself feel the sadness and release his emotions little by little.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Byeong-kyun is said to be reassigned to another case to pull him away from the investigation. Even so, he refuses to give up and keeps searching for anything that could still point to Ra-ik as the culprit.
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Do Ra-ik Says He’s Not Sure if He Could Be Just Grateful for Maeng Se-na
As suspicion fades, authorities return Do Ra-ik’s seized properties. Soon after, Hye-joo meets him to say goodbye and urges him to leave with her and start over. She warns that even if the case closes, his life will never return to what it was. Ra-ik understands but refuses to run away. He chooses to stay, saying he wants to live “with the ones who believed in me, stood by me, and told me I could. My life is here. In this moment, in this place.”
Later that night, Maeng Se-na comes home from work with fried chicken for Ra-ik and Chung-jae. After she spills cola on herself and steps away to change, the two are left alone. Ra-ik asks about her, and Chung-jae shares their long history. They’ve known each other since they were twelve and grew up as columbarium neighbors. Whenever Chung-jae got into trouble, Se-na always defended him. She even opened her home to him and helped him change for the better.
Chung-jae then reminds Ra-ik that Se-na being a former fan doesn’t mean she has romantic feelings for him. He tells Ra-ik not to misread her kindness and to simply be grateful. Ra-ik agrees, but he admits he’s not sure he can remain just grateful.
Later, Ra-ik opens up to Se-na and says, “It was fun—eating together, laughing, talking about nothing,” realizing how much he missed moments like that. Ordinary days, he admits, are sometimes the hardest to hold onto.
What Do Ra-ik Wants To Do If He’s An Ordinary Person in IDOL I Episode 9
After Se-na asks what he would do if he were just an ordinary Do Ra-ik, he takes her to his childhood school, saying it was the most peaceful and ordinary time of his life. He also brings her to the tteokbokki place he used to visit every day.
Next, he takes her to Se-na’s favorite childhood place, the aquarium. Although it’s her favorite, Ra-ik enjoys it the most, amazed because it’s his first time. When others start recognizing him, they hide, bringing the two closer. Later, they go to the riverside where Ra-ik first saw Se-na. He shares, “Sitting here makes everything that happened feel unreal. If you hadn’t been by my side, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.”
Ra-ik admits he used to avoid going out to maintain a perfect image, but today he doesn’t feel that way even once. He feels like he is just himself with Se-na, saying, “I just become me. Like actually me.”
As they walk home, Ra-ik remarks that they only have a few minutes before he returns to his life as Do Ra-ik of Gold Boys. Se-na responds, “I like you just being you even more. Seeing you just be yourself.” At that moment, Ra-ik confesses that he likes Se-na.
IDOL I Episode 9 Review
IDOL I episode 9 is one of the most emotionally gripping episodes so far. It lays bare Woo-seong’s burdens as the Gold Boys’ leader and friend, showing how much he carried alone to protect Do Ra-ik and the group.
What I loved most is how the episode balances heavy drama with quiet, tender moments. Ra-ik spending the whole day with Se-na feels natural and sincere. Ending the day with his confession perfectly marks the beginning of their romance and shows how deeply this connection matters to both of them.
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Source: Studio Genie, ASTORY
