The Intimate Betrayer Episode 9: The Shocking Truth Behind Kim Seong-hee's Murderous Scheme
The Mastermind Revealed: Kim Seong-hee's Web of Deception
Episode 9 of 'The Intimate Betrayer' delivered the shocking revelation that many viewers had begun to suspect: Kim Seong-hee (played by Choi Yoo-hwa) is the true villain behind the series of murders. The episode masterfully unravels her elaborate scheme, showing how she manipulated Park Jun-tae (Yoo Ui-tae) into believing he had killed Song Min-a (Han Su-a) while drunk. In reality, Seong-hee had drugged Jun-tae's drink, arranged the crime scene with his belt around Min-a's neck, and then gaslit him into accepting responsibility. The episode reveals that Seong-hee was also behind the blackmail plot targeting Yoon Ji-soo (Oh Yeon-soo), not Choi Young-min as previously believed. When Min-a discovered this and demanded a share of the money, Seong-hee eliminated her using the same drugs Young-min had been using, creating a perfect setup to frame Jun-tae. The calm, calculated way Seong-hee handled the murder scene—shedding tears but showing no genuine shock—now makes perfect sense as viewers see the full extent of her manipulation.
A History of Murder: Seong-hee's Dark Past
The episode further explores Seong-hee's background, revealing that her husband didn't divorce her as she had claimed—he died under mysterious circumstances. This pattern of using death for financial gain becomes clear as we learn that she inherited her husband's substantial assets, explaining her unusually comfortable financial situation and ownership of the runaway teens' lodging house. The series hints that Seong-hee may have been using poison as her method of choice, with previous episodes showing Young-min keeping venomous spiders—a detail that now takes on new significance. The recurring scenes of Seong-hee cooking meals for the runaway teens were not merely establishing her as a caring figure but subtly foreshadowing her method of murder. Her son Do-yoon's (played by child actor Jo Seong-ha) refusal to eat his mother's food now appears to be a crucial clue—the boy likely witnessed his mother poisoning Lee Soo-hyun and has been traumatized into avoiding her cooking. The episode suggests that Seong-hee's killing spree began with jealousy over Jun-tae's attention to Soo-hyun but escalated when Young-min's money became involved.
The Ripple Effect of Seong-hee's Actions
Episode 9 elegantly connects the dots of how one woman's murderous actions created a cascade of tragic events. After killing Soo-hyun, Young-min attempted to hide her body on Daehwa Mountain. Yoon Ji-soo, who had placed a tracking device on her daughter's phone, discovered Soo-hyun's body while searching for her. Mistakenly believing that her daughter Ha-bin had killed Soo-hyun, Ji-soo buried the body, setting in motion the central mystery of the series. The episode reveals how Seong-hee has been manipulating everyone—from Jun-tae, whom she emotionally manipulated with declarations of love, to her own son, whom she forced to provide a false alibi. Her ability to exploit others' vulnerabilities while maintaining the facade of a kind-hearted caretaker makes her one of the most chilling villains in recent Korean drama. The episode ends with the disturbing revelation that Seong-hee had hidden another bag of money in a motel room, suggesting her crimes were meticulously planned with escape routes already in place.
Ha-bin's Computer Files: A New Layer of Complexity
A significant subplot in Episode 9 involves the discovery of files on Ha-bin's (Chae Won-bin) computer, containing detailed information about the runaway teens, police officers at the station, and even profiles of her father, Jang Tae-soo (Han Seok-kyu). These files include information dating back to the death of Tae-soo's son and outline an elaborate scenario predicting how her father would be forced to trust her in the current situation. The police interpret these documents as evidence that Ha-bin planned the perfect murder by studying and manipulating those around her. The episode also reveals that on the day of Soo-hyun's death, the cell tower data placed Ha-bin, Ji-soo, and Soo-hyun all in the same location, further complicating the question of Ha-bin's involvement. This development creates a terrifying possibility for Tae-soo—that he might unwittingly be helping his daughter carry out her plans. The ambiguity surrounding Ha-bin's true nature and intentions continues to be one of the most compelling aspects of the series.
Viewer Reactions: Praise for the Unpredictable Twists
Episode 9 generated intense reactions across Korean online communities, with viewers praising the show's ability to deliver unexpected twists while maintaining logical coherence. Many expressed shock at the revelation of Seong-hee as the true villain, with comments like "I knew something was off about her, but I didn't expect her to be this calculating!" and "The way she manipulated Jun-tae was terrifying—true gaslighting at its worst." The episode achieved a solid 6.8% nationwide viewership rating (6.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area), with the peak minute reaching 8.1% during the scene where Tae-soo and Du-chul arrive at the police station together—two fathers united in protecting their children despite their differences. Viewers particularly praised Choi Yoo-hwa's performance as Seong-hee, noting how effectively she transitioned from seemingly caring mother figure to cold-blooded killer. Many fans expressed eagerness for the finale, speculating about whether Ha-bin might still be hiding secrets of her own.
Critical Analysis: The Psychology of a Perfect Villain
What makes Episode 9 of 'The Intimate Betrayer' particularly compelling is its exploration of how the most dangerous predators hide in plain sight. Seong-hee's character represents a particularly insidious form of evil—someone who uses care and nurturing as a cover for manipulation and murder. The episode brilliantly contrasts her outward warmth with her calculated cruelty, showing how she fed and cared for the runaway teens while simultaneously plotting to kill them when they became inconvenient. Critics have noted that the series excels in its psychological depth, particularly in its portrayal of how Seong-hee exploits vulnerabilities and emotional needs. Her manipulation of Jun-tae through his feelings for her, her son through maternal authority, and the runaway teens through their need for a mother figure creates a complex portrait of psychological abuse. With only the finale remaining, viewers are left wondering about the final piece of the puzzle—the truth behind Ha-jun's death (Ha-bin's younger brother) and whether Ha-bin is truly innocent or has secrets of her own. The series continues to challenge viewers' expectations, promising a finale that will likely deliver one final twist.