In the ninth episode of The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, protagonist Kim Nak-su’s life spirals further out of control. After losing his retirement money to a scam, he faces mounting debt and shame, pushing him to take desperate measures that lead to a dangerous climax. The episode, which aired on November 22, 2025, focuses intensely on his struggle to survive and the heavy toll it takes on his mental state.
Nak-su’s Downward Spiral
The episode begins with Kim Nak-su in the hospital after collapsing from the shock of being scammed. While his physical tests are normal, a doctor suggests his collapse was due to a panic attack and recommends he see a psychiatrist. Nak-su reacts strongly against this idea, feeling judged by those around him. Overwhelmed with shame, he cannot bring himself to tell his wife, Ha-jin, the truth about their financial ruin.
He confides in his landlord friend, who is shocked by the situation but agrees to help. Returning home, Nak-su finds Ha-jin in high spirits after landing her first sales contract. To avoid disappointing her, he hides his despair and celebrates her success. The weight of his secret grows heavier when he receives a call to pay his hospital bill, forcing him to use his dwindling cash to keep the visit off the family’s card statement.
Desperate Measures and New Humiliations
With loan payments looming, Nak-su becomes desperate for work. He turns to his friend Sang-cheol, who gives him a job but assigns him humiliating tasks. Nak-su also visits the commercial property he was scammed into buying. There, he meets Dr. Na Dae-ryong, a psychiatrist with a clinic in the same building. Dr. Na gives him a harsh reality check, telling him the unit is overpriced and unlikely to attract a tenant. He again suggests Nak-su should accept reality and visit his clinic for a talk.
A potential opportunity arises when Sang-cheol struggles to secure a meeting with ACT, Nak-su’s former company. Nak-su uses his connections to arrange a presentation, impressing Sang-cheol with his preparation. Sang-cheol promises a 10% sales commission if the deal is successful. However, during the presentation at ACT, Nak-su is overwhelmed by being back in his old environment and begins to experience panic symptoms. The presentation is further hampered by technical issues.
Despite the shaky meeting, ACT agrees to sign a six-month contract on a no-commission basis. Sang-cheol immediately accepts the deal without consulting Nak-su, making his promised commission meaningless. Nak-su realizes he was merely used for his connections. Feeling angry and betrayed, he calls Sang-cheol a snake and walks away from the job.
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A Final Straw and a Shattering Climax
With his options exhausted, Nak-su starts working as a driver to make money. He accepts a long-distance fare worth 200,000 won, which takes him to a restaurant he used to frequent with his former colleagues from ACT. There, he is seen by his old team, deepening his humiliation.
While driving his passenger, a businessman who is angrily berating a colleague on the phone, Nak-su is flooded with bad memories from his own corporate past. The stressful situation triggers another panic attack, causing him to take his eyes off the road. The episode ends with Nak-su crashing his car, leaving his fate hanging in the balance.
Family on the Sidelines
While Nak-su’s story takes center stage, his family members face their own challenges. His son, Su-gyeom, is determined to pay back the money his father gave him by investing in a T-shirt sales scheme with his friend Han-na. Nak-su, haunted by his own debt, warns his son that being in debt can make a person lose themselves. Su-gyeom responds by pointing out that playing it safe does not always protect you, a clear reference to his father’s own failed investments. Ha-jin remains largely in the dark about the severity of their situation, with Nak-su’s lies creating a growing distance between them.
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