The episode kicks off with Mi-rae getting ready for a big day ahead. She’s excited yet nervous as she’s set to meet Tae-pyeong, her love interest. Outside her villa, Tae-pyeong awkwardly tries to make small talk, clearly flustered by their growing feelings. Both of them are in the early stages of their romance—full of butterflies and jitters—signaling that they’re still in the honeymoon phase. Their budding puppy-love adds a sweet and innocent charm to their interactions, which viewers can’t help but root for.
However, when Mi-rae returns home, she’s met with an unexpected surprise. Her mother, Ae-yeon, has changed the locks to their apartment. In a frank and heartfelt conversation outside the door, Ae-yeon tells Mi-rae that it’s time for her to start her own life and venture into independence. Ae-yeon, with tough love, expresses that she’s stepping back, letting Mi-rae spread her wings and figure out her future on her own.
When her mother, Ae-yeon, changes the locks and tells Mi-rae it’s time to live on her own, the young woman is understandably upset. Ae-yeon, while holding back her emotions, delivers her heartfelt speech and walks away. However, around the corner, Moo-jin waits for Ae-yeon, offering her a shoulder to cry on. He encourages her to release her pent-up emotions, allowing her to cry as much as she needs. This tender moment between Moo-jin and Ae-yeon highlights the strength of their bond as they navigate this difficult time.
The next morning, Mi-rae’s phone is flooded with messages. One of them is from Tae-pyeong, who has received a surprising offer from Mr. Nam. Tae-pyeong is invited to work as an intern for three months, with the promise that if it doesn’t suit him, he can walk away. Relieved and excited about the opportunity, Tae-pyeong starts to feel more at ease.
Meanwhile, Mi-rae heads to the taekwondo studio, looking to blow off steam by breaking boards. Her need to channel her frustration into something physical reflects the internal struggle she’s going through. As for Ae-yeon, she spends time with Moo-jin, who opens up about his regrets. He admits that he wants to be the father he never was, and his desire to make things right with his family is evident.
However, this newfound stability is threatened. The landlord’s daughter, after digging into the shady dealings surrounding the villa, discovers that Dragon Investment is involved. She believes they coerced the former landlord into selling the property and immediately calls Jae-geol. Frustrated with his avoidance, she warns him to stop screening her calls. This revelation hints at larger secrets that could jeopardize everything.
On his way out of the office, Jae-geol bumps into Jeong-in, and the two go for a meal together. When Jeong-in offers to pay, Jae-geol’s pride flares up, and he slams a note down on the table, insisting he can handle it. This moment emphasizes Jae-geol’s inner conflict between maintaining his pride and accepting help from others.
In a pivotal scene, Mi-rae confronts Moo-jin, questioning his true intentions for the family. Moo-jin, vulnerable and honest, tells Mi-rae that while he may not be able to make her happy all the time, he’s committed to doing his best. He reassures her that the family won’t fall apart without her, a statement that gives Mi-rae the peace of mind she’s been searching for.
Mi-rae is caught off guard when she discovers that significant decisions have been made without her input. Though she’s not particularly happy with being left out, it seems likely that Mi-rae will come around eventually. The focus then shifts to Ae-yeon, who has a heart-to-heart with Tae-pyeong. During their conversation, Tae-pyeong expresses how much he admires Mi-rae and assures Ae-yeon that his intentions are genuine. His sincerity seems to win over Ae-yeon, as she begins to trust him more.
The next morning, Moo-jin sits down with Hyeon-jae for an important conversation. He bluntly tells his son that he needs to return to school and, to Hyeon-jae’s surprise, offers to pay for his tuition. This unexpected gesture leaves Hyeon-jae puzzled, and he begins to question how his father became rich if it wasn’t through any known business ventures. However, Moo-jin avoids providing an answer, leaving both Hyeon-jae and viewers in suspense.
Meanwhile, the landlord’s daughter arrives outside the villa, snooping around suspiciously. She eventually confronts Mi-rae, hinting that she holds secrets about Mi-rae’s family. The mysterious woman cryptically tells Mi-rae that she’ll soon discover exactly who she is. She reveals that Moo-jin made her cry in the past and pointedly asks Mi-rae how it feels to be the daughter of a rich man. This ominous encounter leaves Mi-rae rattled and hints at darker revelations to come.
Ae-yeon embarks on a new chapter by searching for a part-time job. After some searching, she lands a position at a salon. The staff are immediately taken by her elegant appearance and suggest that she could be perfect for a role in front of the camera. At first, Ae-yeon is hesitant to accept the offer, but the high pay piques her interest, leaving her to reconsider the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Tae-pyeong surprises Mi-rae with thoughtful gifts after a long day at work, and the couple shares some adorable moments together, reinforcing the growing romance between them. However, when Mi-rae returns home, she finds her apartment in complete disarray. Determined to tidy up, she sets to work cleaning the mess. However, she quickly realizes how difficult and never-ending the task is, gaining a new appreciation for how much effort it takes to maintain a home.
While cleaning, Mi-rae stumbles upon a letter tucked away beside some boxes. The letter is from Ae-yeon, offering heartfelt advice. In the letter, Ae-yeon explains the challenges of balancing work and household responsibilities and emphasizes that no matter what, they will always have a home together. Ae-yeon reassures Mi-rae that their future will be a peaceful sanctuary, not a battlefield, giving Mi-rae a sense of comfort and hope.
Deeply moved by the letter, Mi-rae heads over to Ae-yeon’s apartment, using the passcode to enter. The two women share a touching moment, as Mi-rae finally understands the weight of Ae-yeon’s role as the head of the household. This moment of mutual understanding and appreciation strengthens their bond, and their heartfelt dialogue stands out as one of the most memorable moments of the episode.
Moo-jin is seen anxiously making a phone call, seeking urgent advice. He expresses his concern that “the woman” might have uncovered crucial information that could jeopardize his plans. However, the person on the other end of the line declines to get involved, advising Moo-jin to handle the situation on his own. This refusal adds to Moo-jin’s growing sense of urgency and unease.
Meanwhile, Tae-pyeong begins his new role as an intern, stepping into the office for his first day. The situation takes a dramatic turn when Mr. Nam introduces Tae-pyeong to the team, revealing that he is his son. To make matters more complicated, Mr. Nam announces that Mi-rae will be Tae-pyeong’s mentor. This unexpected twist puts Mi-rae in a challenging position and raises the stakes for their budding relationship.
In episode 9 of Romance in the House, Mi-rae’s world is shaken when her mother, Ae-yeon, abruptly moves her out, forcing her to start living independently. Though this decision is meant to help Mi-rae “spread her wings,” she is deeply hurt by the suddenness of it. Ae-yeon, too, struggles emotionally with the separation but believes it’s necessary for her daughter’s growth.
Meanwhile, Mi-rae and Tae-pyeong’s relationship continues to develop as they navigate this emotional turbulence. Tae-pyeong offers support by helping her adjust to living alone and even gifting her a bicycle. Ae-yeon, on the other hand, leans on Moo-jin, her estranged husband, for comfort, as both parents reflect on their roles in their children’s lives.
The episode focuses heavily on themes of independence, family dynamics, and emotional growth, with a balance of sweet romantic moments and heartfelt family exchanges