2023 K-drama Moving – episode 8+9 Recap & 2 highlights Explained

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Episode 8 of “Moving” Plot:  set in the NIS Department in 1994, intelligence analyst Lee Mi-Hyun is instructed by Deputy Minister Min Yong-Jun to deliberately approach the blacklisted figure Kim Doo-Sik.

Episode 9 of “Moving” Plot :Kim Doo-Sik and Lee Mi-Hyun become close as they share secrets with each other. Kim Doo-Sik suggests continuing their mission without Deputy Minister Min Yong-Jun’s knowledge.

“The story of the two episodes of ‘Moving‘ is truly beautiful. Although it revolves around power, it only touches upon the concept without overly emphasizing it. I find this refreshing approach to be quite exquisite. Currently, ‘Moving’ seems to resemble an anthology series, where each episode focuses on a particular character. In this case, the two episodes of ‘Moving’ revolve around the stories of Kim Doo-Sik and Lee Mi-Hyun. Therefore, for me, the narrative structure of ‘Moving’ is rather unique and somewhat disjointed in terms of connecting all the storylines.

The writer seems to have separated the characters in their storytelling, which can result in a fragmented progression of the main storyline. Perhaps this was necessary due to the abundance of characters in ‘Moving.’ The writer of ‘Moving’ is also the author of the comic itself. Personally, I haven’t read the comic before and don’t know how its original story was arranged. However, what ‘Moving’ presents feels like a collage-like narrative technique that may feel slightly uneven.”

K-drama Moving – episode 8 Recap

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Continuing from the plot of Episode 7 of “Moving,” in 1987, over the Indian Ocean, a plane was about to pass through turbulence. Agent Kim Doo-Sik was sent to inform the captain that there was a bomb on board. However, the mission ultimately failed and resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. In 1994, Lee Mi-Hyun’s declining vision during a mission led her to transition into administrative work.

She is now affiliated with the Intelligence Management Bureau. Although she does not belong under Min Yong-Jun’s command, he assigned a task to Lee Mi-Hyun primarily to find out what Kim Doo-Sik usually thinks and whether he can execute missions properly. He wants her to get as close as possible to him and gather information.

Min Yong-Jun approached Lee Mi-Hyun because of her beauty – he wants her to use it to get close to Kim Doo-Sik. Gradually, Kim Doo-Sik noticed Lee Mi-Hyun’s presence, and Jang Ju-Won happened to be by his side. Min Yong-Jun deliberately increased Kim Doo-Sik’s frequency of returning headquarters and even cleverly kept Jang Ju-Won away so that Kim Doo-Sik could be alone with Lee Mi-Hyun.

With her strong intuition, Lee Mi-Hyun sensed that Kim Doo-Sik was gradually falling for her trap. To initiate their first conversation naturally, Kim Doo-Sik pretended that he didn’t have any change for coffee.

Two years ago, while on a mission at a hotel in China (Operation Seagull), Lee Mi-Hyun heard that completing this mission would make her an official black agent. Her role was wearing traditional Korean clothing and singing on stage during a banquet attended by many important figures who were suspected double agents collaborating with North Korea – these individuals were not just ordinary officials but also local intelligence operatives with dual allegiances.

However, in order to completely eliminate all double agents, the mission leader also killed innocent people. Lee Mi-Hyun did not intentionally sabotage the mission but rather deliberately allowed these double agents to escape.

In 1994, Yeo Woon-Kyu found out about Min Yong-Jun’s plan for Lee Mi-Hyun to get close to Kim Doo-Sik. So, he cooperated by making Kim Doo-Sik work overtime at the company. As expected, Kim Doo-Sik happened to be at the headquarters. He even took the initiative to help Lee Mi-Hyun with documents and spend time alone together. During this time alone, they had many conversations.

The next day, surprisingly, Lee Mi-Hyun started caring more about her appearance. Outside the elevator, Jang Ju-Won already sensed that Lee Mi-Hyun was being influenced by Kim Doo-Sik and felt that she didn’t show proper respect due to their difference in rank. However, it turns out that Lee Mi-Hyun is actually Jang Ju-Won’s senior because of her outstanding academic performance which allowed her to skip grades and become the youngest graduate.

During their time alone together, Kim Doo-Sik already knew that Lee Mi-Hyun was sent by Min Yong-Jun. Nevertheless, they both let go of any barriers between them and sincerely got to know each other better. For example, both Kim Doo-Sik and Lee Mi-Hyun don’t like drinking coffee but are people who must eat on schedule.

So they went to Namsan Pearl Pork Cutlet restaurant for a meal where Kim Doo-Sik specifically ordered a “Giant Bomb Pork Cutlet,” which became an important memory for Lee Mi-Hyun (which is why when she escaped with her son later on, she opened a Namsan Pork Cutlet restaurant herself and even offered a “Giant Bomb Set”).

Kim Doo-Sik wanted Lee Mi-Hyun to know that deliberately failing the mission is not considered a failure. So the next day, Lee Mi-Hyun seemed to be very relaxed and even overslept. It turns out she decided to follow Kim Doo-Sik’s advice and forget about the past failed mission. She was also curious why Kim Doo-Sik didn’t avoid her when he knew she had a purpose in contacting him.

Kim Doo-Sik admitted that he was captivated by Lee Mi-Hyun. As for why Min Yong-Jun specifically tested Kim Doo-Sik, it was actually to assess his personal mission performance. In Operation Seagull, Kim Doo-Sik played the role of a vulture, and Min Yong-Jun wasn’t pleased with him just carrying out missions – why bother saving people? (It turns out that initially, Kim Doo-Sik received orders to eliminate those spy agents who caused unexpected situations during the mission, but he didn’t take action.)

K-drama Moving – episode 9 Recap

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In the continuation of Episode 8 of “Moving,” Min Yong-Jun calls Lee Mi-Hyun and she accidentally discovers some secretly collected videotapes by Min Yong-Jun. However, this time Min Yong-Jun doesn’t want to trouble Lee Mi-Hyun, but rather wants her to continue getting close to Kim Doo-Sik (it is indeed Kim Doo-Sik who requested Lee Mi-Hyun not to interrupt the mission so that they can continue meeting).

After learning about this, Min Yong-Jun promises Lee Mi-Hyun a promotion if the mission is successful. Kim Doo-Sik and Lee Mi-Hyun continue going out for meals and talk more about personal topics. Lee Mi-Hyun mentions that she likes purple and gradually feels comfortable in front of Kim Doo-Sik. She also notices that Kim Doo-Sik often uses the word “like” in his conversations.

Kim Doo-Sik admits that he used to be a quiet person who didn’t like to smile, but when he’s with Lee Mi-Hyun, he keeps saying “like” sincerely. However, Min Yong-Jun points out that Lee Mi-Hyun still doesn’t know Kim Doo-Sik’s secret, indicating that they haven’t gotten close enough yet and Kim Doo-Sik hasn’t opened up completely. Finally, Min Yong-Jun reminds Lee-Mi Hyun that this is a formal operation and not to let her guard down.

At night, because Yeo Woon-Kyu asks her to work overtime again, Kim-Doo Sik flies over to headquarters specifically to see Lee-Mi Hyun and brings takeout fried pork cutlet with him. This surprises/scares/terrifies (choose one)Lee-Mi Hyun due to his flying superpower ability which makes her recall what Kim-Doo Sik once said about admiring the view from above on snowy days.

The next day,Kim-Doo Sik appears at headquarters again. Lee-Mi Hyun already knew that Kim-Doo Sik would come because she can hear the sound of gunfire from the basement shooting range.

Lee Mi-Hyun mentioned Kim Doo-Sik’s outgoing behavior, which surprised her because he is completely different from the dark operatives. However, Lee Mi-Hyun knows that Kim Doo-Sik wants to show his good side and work hard, which is why she enjoys being with him. She honestly tells Kim Doo-Sik about her keen senses secret, and Kim Doo-Sik decides to confess his feelings to Lee Mi-Hyun.

At this time, due to the upcoming North-South Korea summit, Lee Mi-Hyun fails her mission because she doesn’t know what secret information Kim Doo-Sik possesses. It turns out that Min Yong-Jun’s main objective was investigating Lee Mi-Hyun and confirming if her cheap humanitarianism in Operation Seagull had compromised their actions. Meanwhile, Kim Doo-Sik allowed Lee Mi-Hyun to be involved in the operation without reporting it to his superiors. This means that both of them are now suspected of having contact before the operation even started.

Min Yong-Jun intentionally brings them together as he realizes that Kim Doo-Sik didn’t eliminate Lee Mi-Hyun who approached him nor did he report it to higher authorities. This indicates that Kim Doo-Sik has fallen in love with Lee Mi-Hyun and now needs her reciprocation. Furthermore, Min Yong-Jun also catches Lee Mi-Hyun lying.

Upon learning this information, Lee-Mi Hyun immediately goes into a corner to confirm the existence of video cameras and audio recorders. She understands that all those tapes in Min Yong-Jun’s office were monitoring her interactions with others; hence Min Yong-Jun knew when she lied.

The next day, Lee-Mi Hyun confronts Min Yong-Jun and learns that he plans on sending Kim-Doo Sik on a personal mission for which she must investigate him further. Min-Yong Jun seizes upon the weakness of needing medical expenses for Li-Mi Hyun’s father, warning her not to act recklessly.

Apart from waiting for Kim Doo-Sik, Lee Mi-Hyun can’t do anything else. However, it has been more than ten days since Kim Doo-Sik disappeared. On July 9th, news spreads that an unidentified Chinese spy has infiltrated the Ministry of Security and North Korean leader has died (reported as a heart attack). With only 15 days left until the difficult South-North Korea summit, Min Yong-Jun is angry why he wasn’t assassinated instead. He also wonders why Kim Doo-Sik hasn’t returned yet.

Min Yong-Jun tells everyone that this is Kim Doo-Sik’s solo operation and they must find him. However, because Min Yong-Jun’s information is too accurate, it raises suspicions about him among others. But in order to save the organization and secure their future work, they have no choice but to cooperate with Min Yong-Jun and treat Kim Doo-Sik as an enemy.

At the same time, Lee Mi-Hyun isn’t faring any better as she is being monitored like an enemy herself due to her association with Kim-Doo Sik within the Ministry of Security. She becomes a hostage in a sense. However, Lee Mi-Hyun wonders if Kim-Doo Sik will really come to rescue her.On a rainy night, Kim-Doo Sik arrives at Lee-Mi Hyun’s house knowing that his death is imminent; he just had to see her one last time.

2023 K-drama Moving – episode 8+9 – 2 highlights Explained

‘Moving’ : We are also human beings. Deliberate failure is not a failure.

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“Moving” finally reaches the point where it unravels the past of Lee Mi-Hyun and Kim Doo-Sik, like opening Pandora’s box. These two episodes continue from the previous seven episodes of “Moving,” where Lee Mi-Hyun is living with Kim Bong-Seok in hiding due to her special abilities.

In addition to revealing their bittersweet and romantic love story, these two episodes also depict the scheming and danger surrounding Min Yong-Jun’s character. Throughout these seven episodes, viewers will discover that Min Yong-Jun is a manipulative figure who controls all those involved.

Although these two episodes mark a turning point in “Moving,” with Kim Doo-Sik being targeted by multiple snipers at the end of episode nine, I believe he will be fine for now because in the first episode, we see Kim Bong-Seok having memories of flying in the sky with her father. So I don’t think anything bad will happen to Kim Doo-Sik just yet.”

In the two episodes of “Moving,” the screenwriter did a good job portraying the emotions of the two main characters. It’s not just a love story between them, but also an individual portrayal of Lee Mi-Hyun and Kim Doo-Sik’s state of mind. Lee Mi-Hyun is assigned by Min Yong-Jun to get close to Kim Doo-Sik for a mission, and their love always conflicts with their work.

The screenwriter excels at presenting conflicts in front of these two characters, and the more conflicts they have, the more we can feel their sincere and serious love. I really like how the screenwriter has given Lee Mi-Hyun and Kim Doo-Sik a sense of humanity in their character development – from dialogue design to interaction details, and even chemistry between actors. Although this love story may not be as intense as thunder striking fire on earth, these two episodes immediately reminded me of another Korean drama called “Call it Love”.

The compatibility between the two characters is built up layer by layer by the screenwriter. The screenwriter is not in a rush to make them fall in love, but instead gradually and meticulously develops their character traits, conflicts, emotions, and affection… From the beginning when Lee Mi-Hyun passes by Kim Doo-Sik multiple times with documents in hand, the screenwriter and director specifically portray that kind of love at first sight where one person notices another.

Initially, Kim Doo-Sik pays no attention to Lee Mi-Hyun for a couple of times, then he notices her drinking coffee at the elevator entrance and follows suit. He even goes as far as pretending not to have any change just so he can join her for coffee. Kim Doo-Sik’s growing fondness for Lee Mi-Hyun feels completely natural; the screenwriter and director have perfectly captured this sense of “infiltration” and “stealing away emotions” in their portrayal of love.

Then, in one of Kim Doo-Sik’s personal missions in China, he noticed Lee Mi-Hyun. Kim Doo-Sik said, “Let’s pretend to continue the operation.” The screenwriter designed it so beautifully~ because it cleverly matched with Kim Doo-Sik’s past infatuation with Lee Mi-Hyun. After Kim Doo-Sik made this suggestion, the focus of the drama “Moving” shifted to Lee Mi-Hyun.

She still dreams about two years ago when she was not promoted to a key position during the mission in China. This shows Lee Mi-Hyun’s desire to become a key member and her understanding that she must sacrifice her humanity to become a black agent. However, during the mission approaching Kim Doo-Sik, the screenwriter skillfully portrays the inner struggle within Lee Mi-Hyun. At first, she saw this as another opportunity to become a black agent but Kim Doo-Sik’s humanity and warmth seem to gradually shake her desire for that position.

Kim Doo-Sik’s statement “Deliberately making the mission fail is not a failure” reveals that he knows Lee Mi-Hyun intentionally caused the mission to fail during the Seagull operation two years ago. In episode 8 of “Moving,” Kim Doo-Sik becomes the “redemption” that Lee Mi-Hyun has been searching for all this time.

I believe Lee Mi-Hyun was moved by Kim Doo-Sik’s sincerity and seriousness, as well as their shared humanity, compassion, and kindness. This helps us understand why Kim Bong-Seok himself is gentle and kind-hearted, which seems to be inherited from his parents.

Apart from being attracted to Lee Mi-Hyun’s beauty in the Seagull operation, Kim Doo-Sik was also impressed by her kindness. He rarely interacts with people but seeing someone like Lee Mi-Hyun who is so kind made him feel fortunate to meet such a person among operatives or find someone who shares his inner thoughts.

As for Hui-Soo’s father, he used to be Kim Doo-Sik’s partner in the past. In recent episodes of “Moving,” we often see them entering and leaving headquarters together. However, there seems to be room for further development in their friendship since there should still be a period where they experienced happy times after Kim Bong-Seok was born. Therefore, it is possible that they may decide to leave the organization and live a normal life together(?).

“Moving” portrays power in a very beautiful way.

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Originally, in my own imagination of the drama “Moving,” I had envisioned something similar to “Twilight of the Gods” with a chaotic battle using power. However, in terms of depicting power, “Moving” has been very restrained, cautious, and limited since its premiere. These two episodes of “Moving” have portrayed power excellently and beautifully in a concise manner. It’s like the director has an obsession for cleanliness; at least that’s how it feels.

But I really love this kind of obsession! Just like Lee Mi-Hyun’s keen senses, in the first seven episodes of “Moving,” I didn’t feel much about this aspect. However, in these two episodes alone – whether it’s the scene in front of the coffee machine or Lee Mi-Hyun waiting for Kim Doo-Sik to take the bait – through the director’s concise visuals, it directly conveys Lee Mi-Hyun’s ability to maximize her five senses (such as when she hears Kim Doo-Sik hiding his change and claiming he doesn’t have any change).

The precision with which Lee Mi-Hyun accurately calculates when to insert coins into the coffee machine and turn around is fantastic! It perfectly portrays Lee Mi-Hyun’s power even though it may not be prominent; it allows such a small power to stand out addictively.

And the screenwriter of “Moving” also specially applies power to the love storyline, like Lee Mi-Hyun being able to see Kim Doo-Sik’s figure eating rolled rice on the tower, and Kim Doo-Sik directly delivering fried pork cutlet by flying. Such superpowers are portrayed very sweetly by the screenwriter and director (and not at all fancy, because I was wondering if the screenwriter would come up with a gag where Kim Doo-Sik carries Lee Mi-Hyun and flies in the sky XD)!

This makes power become adorable~ At the same time, power can also become sad, especially in Episode 9 of “Moving” when Kim Doo-Sik flies outside Lee Mi-Hyun’s window and is surrounded by snipers. The screenwriter and director turned this scene into a sorrowful portrayal of power.