The popular K-drama Dear X continues its intense run, with episodes 9 and 10 scheduled to premiere on November 27, 2025. The new episodes arrive in the wake of a devastating tragedy, as the story picks up after the shocking death of Heo In-gang, a pivotal character played by Hwang In-youp.
The series, which airs two episodes every Thursday, is available for international audiences on various streaming platforms, including HBO Max, Viki, Disney+, and Starzplay, depending on the region. In South Korea, new episodes are released on TVING at 6 PM KST.
The Aftermath of In-gang’s Tragic End
Episode 8 of Dear X concluded with profound consequences for its characters. After a harsh breakup with Baek Ah-jin, a devastated In-gang took his own life. This event has sent ripples through the story, fundamentally altering the dynamics between the main characters.
The breakup itself was particularly cruel. Ah-jin coldly revealed that she had stolen his grandmother’s diary and manipulated their entire relationship. While the truth about the grandmother’s death was revealed to be an accident, Ah-jin allowed In-gang to believe the worst, pushing him into despair.
Mi-ri, devastated by In-gang’s death, leaks Ah-jin’s father’s death story to Reporter Lim.
This act marks a significant shift, as Mi-ri, the CEO of Longstar Entertainment, was previously a protector of Ah-jin’s career. Her actions suggest that In-gang’s death has broken their professional alliance, turning her into a potential adversary.
A Shifting Web of Alliances and New Threats
The upcoming episodes are set to explore the fallout from these events. With In-gang gone and Mi-ri no longer a reliable shield, Ah-jin’s carefully constructed world begins to show cracks. Public opinion turns against her, with fans protesting and even throwing eggs at her.
Jun-seo, who has long carried guilt and trauma connected to Ah-jin, finally confronts her after In-gang’s suicide. He storms into her home and accuses her of destroying a family. Having seen the CCTV footage that cleared Ah-jin of the grandmother’s murder, he is now faced with the unambiguous moral consequences of her manipulation.
Jun-seo could finally stop protecting Ah-jin and start confronting her with everything he knows, which may push their bond to its breaking point.
Meanwhile, another key player, Kim Jae-oh, is recovering from a severe attack. While confronting men who were following Ah-jin, he was beaten and left hospitalized. He noticed a key piece of evidence: a cross tattoo on one of the attackers, pointing to a larger, organized group targeting Ah-jin.
The series introduced a new, mysterious character, a powerful man who was seen watching Ah-jin from his car. It was his men who attacked Jae-oh. This new antagonist orders his men to investigate the connection between Ah-jin, Jae-oh, and Jun-seo, suggesting that the story is expanding to reveal a hidden enemy from Ah-jin’s past.
What to Expect in the Next Episodes
Episodes 9 and 10 will likely focus on the unraveling of Baek Ah-jin’s empire. The industry pressure on her is expected to rise as her public image weakens. Whispers about her personal life could begin to affect her casting opportunities, including her role in the film adaptation of Jun-seo’s bestselling book, Winter Sleep.
Other characters are poised to seize the moment. Im Re-na, already ruined by Ah-jin’s schemes, may see an opportunity for revenge. With her career in shambles, she might find revenge more appealing than recovery and could use her knowledge of Jun-seo to edge back into the spotlight.
Ah-jin herself could start to show strain, especially with guilt building around her, and cracks might finally appear in her composure.
Jae-oh’s investigation into the cross tattoo clue could lead him to uncover the larger group behind the attack, shifting the story toward this new, powerful antagonist. At the same time, In-gang’s brother, In-mo, is expected to continue quietly digging into Ah-jin’s past, looking at old files that could expose more of her secrets.
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Where to Watch the K-Drama
Dear X is an ongoing 12-episode series directed by Lee Eung-bok, known for major hits like Goblin and Sweet Home. The series stars Kim Yoo-jung as the complex and manipulative actress Baek Ah-jin, Kim Young-dae as the conflicted novelist Yoon Jun-seo, and Kim Do-hoon as the devoted Kim Jae-oh.
For viewers catching up or tuning in for the new episodes, the show is accessible on a wide range of platforms. In South Korea, it is released on TVING. Internationally, it can be streamed on HBO Max in select regions, as well as on Viki, Disney+ in certain areas, and Starzplay for viewers in the Middle East. The global availability with multiple subtitle options has contributed to the show’s international popularity, with it reportedly topping charts in several countries.
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