The Potato Lab Episode 9 Review: Baek-ho Boils With Rage After a Shocking Revelation

In the previous episode, Mi-kyung’s teddy bear from Baek-ho sets off a hilarious misunderstanding, while Ki-se spirals over his crumbling marriage and unresolved feelings. Ong-ju and Ki-se’s fiery confrontation adds to the tension, but the episode balances the drama with a quirky village-wide search for a runaway cow, leading to a heartfelt reunion.

Meanwhile, Mi-kyung struggles to accept Hwan-kyung and Ong-ju’s relationship, seeking comfort in Baek-ho, whose unexpected kindness leaves her flustered. As workplace tensions rise with the arrival of a new troublemaker at the lab, Ki-se’s failing marriage further fuels the emotional stakes, setting up more conflict ahead.

– Contains Spoilers –

The Potato Lab Episode 9 Recap

Six years ago, Mi-kyung eagerly waited at the airport, all set to welcome Ki-se back from his business trip. She wasn’t alone—Ong-ju and Hwan-kyung had tagged along, bringing party food to celebrate his return. But their excitement was short-lived. Ki-se never showed up. Instead, he called Mi-kyung to inform her, in the most nonchalant way possible, that he was off with colleagues and wouldn’t be coming. The disappointment stung, but she tried to brush it off.

At work, things took an even colder turn. Ki-se, distant as ever, told Mi-kyung to be careful with physical affection, as if their relationship had suddenly become a formality. Then, as if that wasn’t cruel enough, he dropped the bomb—his wedding invitation with Hee-jin. Mi-kyung refused to accept it, but the damage was already done. Her heart shattered into pieces she wasn’t sure she could ever put back together.

Fast forward to the present, and Mi-kyung finally puts all the puzzle pieces together. The woman she’s been interacting with is none other than Hee-jin, the person Ki-se left her for. The realization hits hard, and without waiting for Baek-ho’s explanation, she bolts outside for some air. Of course, Baek-ho follows, handing her a warm cup of coffee. He reassures her that he’s there for her, no matter what, and in a rare moment of vulnerability, she responds with a small, heartfelt kiss on his cheek. It’s sweet, brief, and full of unspoken emotions.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Ki-se finally confronts Hee-jin. He’s done pretending everything is fine. He’s furious that she disappeared without a trace, leaving him searching for her all these years. But Hee-jin is having none of it. She reminds him that he was never truly invested in their marriage. She tried—really tried—to make it work, but eventually, she had to accept the truth: there was nothing left to hold onto. Before walking away, she delivers a final blow, telling him she hopes he stays miserable forever. Ouch.

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In a much-needed lighter moment, Baek-ho takes Mi-kyung out for a casual date, a simple trip to get some ramen. True to his nature, Baek-ho immediately slips into work mode, trying to clean up the restaurant, much to Mi-kyung’s amusement. But just as they settle in, an unwelcome presence appears—Hee-jin, drowning her sorrows nearby. She joins them, unknowingly making everything even more awkward for Mi-kyung.

As Hee-jin reminisces about her whirlwind romance with Ki-se, detailing how they met and fell in love at a training program, Mi-kyung’s heart clenches. The more Hee-jin talks about their intimate moments, the harder it is for Mi-kyung to hold herself together. Eventually, she makes an excuse to leave, telling Baek-ho she’ll see him at the lab the next day.

Back at the lab, the workers have a hilarious way of communicating—sign language and exaggerated gestures, all aimed at one person: Seung-hoon. The guy has practically set up camp in his office, refusing to leave because, as Section Chief, he doesn’t want to be the first one out. His stubbornness eventually breaks when he dramatically cries out for his mother in the parking lot, much to everyone’s amusement.

Mi-kyung’s home life takes a hit when she finds out Ong-ju has run away. The reason? She loves Mi-kyung too much to risk ruining their friendship over her relationship with Hwan-kyung. To make matters worse, Mi-kyung had been completely oblivious to the fact that Ong-ju was actually her brother’s first love—and he has never once wavered in his feelings for her. Shocked by the situation, Mi-kyung sets out to fix things, with Baek-ho joining in. Eventually, they manage to bring Ong-ju back, and the trio patches things up with a few new house rules in place.

Meanwhile, Ki-se finds himself lost in memories of Hee-jin and their complicated past. Deciding it’s time for some honesty, he approaches Mi-kyung to explain everything. He confesses that Hee-jin had no idea about his relationship with Mi-kyung and had been showing up at the guesthouse simply because he was afraid Mi-kyung would expose their history. He also reveals that Hee-jin completely cut him off, filing for divorce without so much as a goodbye. She refused to answer his calls or messages, making it clear she wanted a clean break. Even those at Wonhan remain in the dark, as Ki-se went to great lengths to keep everything under wraps.

Despite everything, Mi-kyung can’t help but enjoy seeing Ki-se struggle a little. Still, she gives him some words of wisdom, encouraging him to stop wallowing in past mistakes and actually start living.

Over at the lab, things take a chaotic turn when everyone realizes that all the greenhouse doors have been left open. The culprit? Seung-hoon. When confronted, he shrugs it off, making the situation even worse. “They’re just potatoes,” he says dismissively, unknowingly lighting a fire of rage in the workers. Hee-dong, one of the lab members, is particularly furious—so much so that she grabs a metal bat and chases him across the parking lot! Mi-kyung, however, gets the last laugh, threatening Seung-hoon at work, reminding him that she’s leaving soon and has absolutely nothing to lose.

Later, Baek-ho takes Mi-kyung out for some fresh air, and she opens up about the incident six years ago and how it made her stronger. When she first started working at the potato lab, she faced brutal hardships, including a freak snowstorm in May. Many people would have quit, but she endured. It was during this storm that she found a single, resilient potato plant that had survived against all odds. That potato became a symbol for her, a reminder to keep going no matter how tough life got. That resilience is what has driven her ever since, fueling her passion for creating a strong, adaptable potato variety.

Baek-ho, moved by her story, has something to say as well. But instead of words, he simply leans in and kisses her—a moment that’s sweet, intimate, and full of promise. When Mi-kyung gets home, Ong-ju is waiting, eager for every single detail about the kiss.

The episode takes a somber turn when Hee-jin receives heartbreaking news—Ki-se’s father has passed away. Despite everything, she shows up to pay her respects, warmly greeting Ki-se’s mother but keeping her distance from Ki-se himself. Before leaving, she tells him to reach out if he ever needs anything.

It’s here that the true nature of Ki-se and Hee-jin’s marriage is revealed. The fairy tale romance Ki-se spoke of earlier? A complete illusion. Their relationship had been crumbling from the start, marked by forgotten birthdays, mismatched shoe sizes, and endless drunken nights. Ki-se’s resentment and self-loathing had driven Hee-jin away long before she officially left.

Outside, Mi-kyung arrives, and for the first time, Ki-se lets his guard down. With tears streaming down his face, he admits that he regrets everything—leaving Mi-kyung, choosing Hee-jin, and every mistake in between. As he sobs on her shoulder, Baek-ho appears, finally realizing the truth—Mi-kyung is Ki-se’s ex. And with that, the drama is far from over.

The Potato Lab Episode 9 Review

The flashback to six years ago sheds light on Mi-kyung’s painful past with Ki-se, highlighting his cold indifference and her heartbreak. The present-day narrative picks up with Mi-kyung piecing together the truth about Hee-jin, leading to a tense yet heartfelt exchange between the women. Meanwhile, Baek-ho proves once again why he’s the ultimate green flag, standing by Mi-kyung’s side with unwavering support. However, their blossoming romance takes a hit when Baek-ho witnesses a tearful moment between her and Ki-se, triggering a surge of jealousy that adds a new layer of complexity to his feelings.

Beyond the relationship drama, the episode maintains its signature humor with the antics at the Potato Lab. The introduction of Seung-hoon as an insufferable new presence spices things up, especially when his arrogance earns him a hilarious chase with a metal bat-wielding co-worker. Mi-kyung’s resilience continues to shine as she recalls her journey from heartbreak to self-discovery, drawing strength from her “lucky potato” moment. But the most gripping part comes at the end—Ki-se’s raw breakdown in front of Mi-kyung, finally admitting his regrets. Just as she comforts him, Baek-ho arrives, witnessing a moment that may very well change the dynamics of their relationship.

The Potato Lab is streaming on Netflix.

Also read: All The Potato Lab Reviews!