The latest episode of the hit K-drama Confidence Queen shifts the series into a higher gear, skillfully blending the thrill of a new con with the emotional weight of a buried family tragedy. As the team targets a new mark, their investigation into Gu-ho’s past threatens to change everything for the trio.
The Elaborate Film Scam
In Episode 9, the con team sets its sights on a new target: Ha Jung-ho, a wealthy seafood mogul with a deep passion for cinema. The trio crafts an elaborate scheme, creating a fake movie production to lure him in. They transform Yi-rang’s bar into a convincing film set, with James playing the role of a director and Yi-rang as a budding actress.
The plan is designed to tempt Ha Jung-ho into investing a massive sum of moneyโ4 billion wonโinto their fictional film. However, the con hits a significant snag. Just as they make their financial pitch, the mark hesitates, causing the entire carefully built scam to stall. This moment introduces a tense uncertainty, showing that the team’s charm and cleverness can only go so far when such a large amount of money is on the line.
Uncovering a Family Tragedy
While their current con faces trouble, a journey into the past reveals why this particular scam feels so personal. Yi-rang and James travel to Seonyul-do to dig into Gu-ho’s history. What they uncover is a devastating tragedy from April 2002.
They learn that Gu-ho’s father, Myung Jin-su, was involved in a kidnapping case. After exposing the crime and collecting a 3 billion won reward, he was found dead just a year later. The discovery of his remains confirms the grim outcome for Gu-ho, who has been living with this loss and its mysterious circumstances. The episode strongly suggests that both Gu-ho and his father were caught in a similar dark web of crime and betrayal.
A Plea for Truth and Trust
The heart of this episode lies in the growing tension within the team. James confronts Yi-rang, urging her to stop hiding the details of their investigation from Gu-ho. He argues that Gu-ho is not just a partner in their schemes but a central victim of the very history they are trying to expose. Keeping him in the dark risks breaking the fragile trust that holds their team together.
This push for honesty reframes the team’s dynamic. It is no longer just about pulling off clever scams for profit or vigilante justice. Their actions are now deeply tied to a personal mission for survival and healing from a past that has haunted them for years. The episode questions how long you can lie to someone whose entire life was shaped by a devastating falsehood.
The Path to More Answers
The investigation into the past also provides a crucial new clue for Yi-rang. She identifies a painting that she saw on the wall of the mansion where she was once held. This same painting appears in the records of a mysterious figure known as Mr. Famous, finally giving the team a tangible link to find the people responsible for her abduction. This discovery sets the stage for future confrontations, pushing the team closer to the powerful figures they are ultimately seeking.
As the series moves toward its finale, the stakes are higher than ever. The cons are becoming riskier, and the personal secrets they uncover are forcing the characters to make harder choices. The bonds between Yi-rang, James, and Gu-ho are being tested as the line between their deceptive profession and their search for the truth becomes increasingly blurred.
Also Read: Confidence Queen Changes Timeslot After Low Ratings, Now Competes With Kim Da-miโs Drama
