[C/W: includes spoilers for episode 10]
In episode 10 of 'Head Over Heels,' which aired on July 22, the evil spirit Bong Su (played by Choo Young Woo), who had taken over Bae Gyeon Woo's body, spiraled out of control after learning Park Sung Ah's (played by Cho Yi Hyun) true feelings.
In a shocking twist, Yeom Hwa (played by Choo Ja Hyun) summoned a Grim Reaper using the silver ring that had once housed Bong Su's spirit. However, instead of Bong Su or Yeom Hwa, the Grim Reaper took spirit mother Dongcheon (played by Kim Mi Kyung).
The latest episode has garnered much attention from viewers for the shocking plot twist. According to Nielsen Korea, episode 10 recorded a metropolitan area rating of 4.2% (peaking at 4.8%) and a nationwide average of 4.4% (peaking at 5.1%), maintaining its top spot in its time slot across cable and general programming. Among tvN’s target demographic of viewers aged 20 to 49, it also ranked first across all channels, peaking at 1.9% nationwide.
The episode also revealed how Bong Su came to possess Bae Gyeon Woo's body. Believing Yeom Hwa's claim that entangling with a ghost and shedding blood would allow the possession, Bong Su injured Gyeon Woo. While Bong Su followed Yeom Hwa's plan to inhabit Gyeon Woo's body, his true desire wasn't to become a demonic spirit. He longed to live a human life. Seeing through his true feelings, Dongcheon sensed his loneliness and yearning for love and urged Sung Ah to try to understand Bong Su. She said protecting Bong Su was equivalent to protecting Gyeon Woo.
While Bong Su controlled Gyeon Woo's body, Gyeon Woo wandered through Bong Su's memories. There, he encountered two student soldiers and gradually learned about Bong Su's painful past. Park Sung Ah, hoping to understand why Bong Su became a ghost, asked Gyeon Woo to appear during 'Chuksin' (the ghost hour). As she got closer to the truth, she also grew more sympathetic toward Bong Su.
Meanwhile, Yeom Hwa realized Bong Su had no intention of taking full control over Gyeon Woo's body and decided to manipulate his emotions. Though ong Su was content living as Gyeon Woo, Yeom Hwa's provocation shook him. She revealed that Park Sung Ah was summoning Gyeon Woo during the Chuksin. Confused, Bong Su succumbed to Yeom Hwa's manipulation, wondering about Sung Ah's true feelings. When he awakened in Gyeon Woo's place during Chuksin, he was deeply hurt by Sung Ah's warm embrace and her words about helping Bong Su pass on.
Having learned of Sung Ah's feelings, Bong Su began to lose control. He declared he would give up Gyeon Woo's dream of archery and even asked to be called Gyeon Woo. Eventually, he brought Sung Ah to the student soldier memorial, revealed his tragic backstory, and buried the silver ring that had once housed him.
Unable to stand Bong Su's behavior any longer, Pyo Ji Ho stepped in and confronted Yeom Hwa, demanding to know if she planned to let Bong Su permanently steal Gyeon Woo's body. Seeing this as her last chance, Yeom Hwa used Ji Ho to obtain the silver ring. Once she had it, she smashed it to summon the Grim Reaper. At the same time, Sung Ah and Dongcheon held a ritual to protect Bong Su. Dongcheon hid Bong Su’s location from the Reaper, and Seong Ah led the Reaper in the wrong direction. The plan seemed successful.
However, an unexpected turn occurred. Tormented by unbearable pain, Bong Su recited an incantation to summon the Reaper, insisting that Yeomhwa should die instead of him. But the Reaper didn’t go to Yeomhwa. It went to Dongcheon. It turned out that Dongcheon had acted as a human talisman to protect Yeom Hwa. In the end, she died in Yeomhwa’s place, and this heartbreaking twist left viewers in deep sorrow.
'Head Over Heels' continues to dominate not just in ratings but also in online buzz. According to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex platform, the drama ranked No. 1 in the integrated TV-OTT category for two consecutive weeks in July. In the cast rankings, Cho Yi Hyun and Choo Young Woo placed second and first, respectively, proving their rising popularity.
Episode 11 of 'Head Over Heels' will air on July 28 at 8:50 PM KST.
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