On the trip, Ji Hoon, with his grandmother’s help, tells Yoon Jae that Ji Eun may not return—but Min Joo’s kiss later heightens the tension between them.
In My Girlfriend is the Man! episode 9, which aired on August 20, Yoon Jae, Ji Hoon, Yu Ri, Min Hyuk, and Min Joo head to the seaside. There, tensions rise when Ji Hoon tells Yoon Jae he might live as Ji Hoon for the rest of his life. Min Joo’s unexpected kiss only fuels the strain between Ji Hoon and Yoon Jae—just as Ji Eun makes her return as a woman.
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Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers regarding the drama. Reader discretion is strongly recommended.
My Girlfriend is the Man! Episode 9 Recap: Ji Hoon attempts to tell the truth to Yoon Jae
Yoon Jae walks in on Ji Hoon and Min Joo sleeping beside each other, sparking a fight between the two until he breaks it up. Though Min Joo explains herself, Yoon Jae sides with Ji Hoon and scolds her for slapping him.
Meanwhile, Ji Eun’s parents visit to reconcile. Realizing she may remain Ji Hoon forever, Ji Eun decides to break up with Yoon Jae. Despite her father urging her to tell him the truth, she fears Yoon Jae will stay out of kindness, pretending he’s fine while suffering inside.
At the same time, Yoon Jae and Min Joo were offered the chance to study at Corning University in the U.S.. Yoon Jae hesitated, saying he needed more time to think it over, but Min Joo urged him to go, reminding him that this was a rare opportunity for someone who loves space more than anyone.
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Later on, Ji Hoon visited Yoon Jae at the university. Wanting to tell him the truth, he tried to start by saying he was getting used to living as a man now, able to do what Ji Eun couldn’t. But just as he was about to continue, he kept getting interrupted, failing to reveal the truth.
Ji Hoon finally told Yoon Jae the truth
Yoon Jae and Ji Hoon came home to find Yu Ri and Min Hyuk eating the braised ribs Ji Hoon’s grandmother had sent, and Min Joo soon joined them. Later, the grandmother invited them over. Although they initially said they had other plans, they still decided to go. They enjoyed the sea at first but eventually ended up working—sorting a big catch of fish by type.
Later, Ji Hoon asked his grandmother how she managed to live as a man all this time. She told him, “It’s up to you to suffer through it or enjoy it,” and said she chose to enjoy it.
Yoon Jae was waiting for them in the distance. Ji Hoon then asked his grandmother for a favor—to reveal to Yoon Jae that the grandfather everyone saw was actually a woman. By doing so, he implied that he might live as Ji Hoon for the rest of his life.
I might never go back to being a woman again
But Yoon Jae didn’t seem to care. Though shocked, he said he wasn’t ready to decide anything at that moment.
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Min Joo kisses Yoon Jae on the cheek
Min Joo was bitten by a fish, and Yoon Jae took her to the clinic. She confessed, but he rejected her, saying he wasn’t interested. Before leaving, she kissed him on the cheek, only for the uncle to catch them. That night at the barbecue, the uncle apologized in front of everyone for interrupting, souring the mood.
Ji Hoon walked away, and Yoon Jae followed to explain. Ji Hoon cut him off, saying he knew Min Joo caught him off guard. Yoon Jae told him to get angry like Ji Eun would, but Ji Hoon said he couldn’t act like her while being himself. When Yoon Jae pushed, Ji Hoon admitted he felt most self-conscious around him and left.
Later, Ji Eun’s grandmother asked Yoon Jae if it was hard dealing with Ji Eun/Ji Hoon. Yoon Jae admitted he felt stressed and didn’t know how to help. She told him not to try fixing things for Ji Eun and just live his own life, warning that sacrifices for her would only make both of them miserable.
She also thanked him for staying by Ji Eun’s side during the most difficult time of her life.
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Ji Hoon found out about Corning University; Ji Eun has returned
By the campfire, Yu Ri tried to keep things light, but Min Joo brought up Corning University, sparking more tension between Yoon Jae and Ji Hoon until everyone drifted off one by one. Later, unable to sleep, Min Joo and Yoon Jae returned.
Min Joo pressed him about why he was so torn over Corning, assuming it was because of his girlfriend, but Yoon Jae admitted the conflict was within himself. At that moment, Ji Eun walked out—back as a woman.
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My Girlfriend Is the Man! Episode 10 Preview and Release Details
My Girlfriend is the Man! episode 10, airing on August 21, teases Min Joo getting upset when Kim Ji Eun returns. And, a drunk Ji Hye spills a secret to Min Joo about Ji Hoon and Ji Eun.
Catch My Girlfriend is the Man! every Wednesday and Thursday on KBS2, with episodes also streaming on Viu and Rakuten Viki in selected countries.
Photos: Viu, KBS Drama
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