In Head Over Heels episode 9, Gyeon-u is starting to see ghosts. But he hasn’t told anyone yet. He remembers what Seong-ah once told him—if you hear them, you believe. If you see them, you become lonely. And if they try to be your friend, don’t let them. Ghosts only want one thing—to take over your body.
As a viewer, it’s getting hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. That blurred line is exactly where Head Over Heels wants us to live. It plays with fear—not just of spirits, but of being misunderstood, forgotten, or blamed. This episode starts with the kind of pain that stays quiet but festers: guilt.
This episode opens with guilt. Gyeon-u meets old schoolmates in the washroom. They accuse him of ruining Hui-na’s life. He once thought the same. That’s why he gave up archery. But then, he remembers something. Before a past competition, Hui-na told him she wished he’d just die. Her sadness had nothing to do with him. She was already drowning. That gave Gyeon-u the strength to do what he loves again. Archery.
Even while confused by the shadows of ghosts, he pushes through. He sees Seong-ah in the crowd. Just her presence gives him focus. He does well in the match. Meanwhile, Yeom-hwa is doing something else. She’s sending out a strange, dark energy—trying to merge herself with a spirit. Seong-ah senses it. She starts chanting to block the evil. But the power hits her hard. Her ears bleed.
Shamanic Struggles and Signs of Spiritual Decay
For those who’ve followed shaman themes in Korean dramas, this scene echoes traditions where spiritual protection comes at a physical price. The bleed isn’t just for horror—it’s a sign that Seong-ah’s soul is being torn. Korean shamanism (Muism) often portrays spiritual battles as bodily harm, and this moment respects that symbolism.
Still, Gyeon-u wins gold. There’s a sweet moment when he gives his medal to Seong-ah for a photo. But there’s something wrong. He notices her spiritual clothes turning black from the bottom. He doesn’t say anything. Not yet.
Later, Seong-ah returns to the shrine. She’s cursed again—by Yeom-hwa. The two argue. Yeom-hwa says they’re both the same. Lonely. Forgotten. Now cursed.
Dark Energy, Broken Trust, and a Vanishing Soul
Gyeon-u goes to his great aunt. He wants help for Seong-ah. The aunt tells him Seong-ah’s energy is damaged. And if it keeps getting worse, divine punishment is coming. She warns him—stay away from evil spirits. Never bleed. Never see blood.
Seong-ah notices something odd. A wooden box was tied to Yeom-hwa’s back. She doesn’t understand what it is. At the same time, she’s overwhelmed. When Gyeon-u tries to read her bingo box—the card where she listed 21 things she wants—she snaps at him. She apologized later. She only wanted him to live without ghosts or shamans.
At school, Bong-su’s evil spirit returns. He’s back in someone’s body again. Everyone is told to write about their dreams. Seong-ah writes about wanting to go to college. She wants to hold flowers, smile, and be normal.
This moment is painfully human. Amidst all the curses and spirits, Seong-ah just wants to be ordinary. Her wish is so simple, it’s heartbreaking—no chants, no danger, just college and a smile. It reminds us that this show isn’t about grand supernatural wars. It’s about young people trying to reclaim their lives.
Mother’s Cosmic Punishment
Bong-su, now inside Gyeon-u, says he wants to rewrite his dream. He says he wants to become an adult. Seong-ah notices something wrong with her classmate Beom. A suicide ghost follows him. She keeps watching him. Meanwhile, Yeom-hwa is thinking deeply. She suddenly understands the wooden box. It’s her baby’s coffin. That realization crushes her. She storms into the godmother’s room and grabs her by the collar. Yeom-Hwa screams—why didn’t you tell me? She cries. Her baby is trapped. She can’t even touch him.
Yeom-hwa’s grief is unbearable, but the show gives it room to breathe. In many East Asian spiritual beliefs, especially Korean, the boundary between the living and the dead is sacred. For a mother to find her child’s spirit trapped—unreachable—isn’t just tragic. It’s cosmic cruelty. That pain explains everything Yeom-hwa has become.
The godmother says something unexpected. The heavens chose the baby for punishment, not Yeom-hwa. But that doesn’t help. Yeom-hwa still breaks down, full of pain.
Back at school, Seong-ah sees Beom go into the men’s washroom. He’s holding a knife. She follows him inside. Just as he’s about to harm himself, Gyeon-u comes in. During the struggle, Gyeon-u gets cut. Blood spills. He remembers the great aunt’s warning. No blood.
The show doesn’t waste warnings. Blood has always symbolized a spiritual contract in folklore. The second it hits the floor, something shifts. This isn’t just an injury—it’s an invitation. The curse is no longer creeping in. It’s here. He passes out.
Seong-ah’s health keeps getting worse. Gyeon-u cares for her. Three days pass. She feels a little better. She wants him to start archery again. So, they sneak into the locker room to practice at night. There, something shifts. She looks at him. Asks him—when are you going to tell me the truth? He’s confused. She suddenly calls him Bong-su. She says it calmly, but she knows. Gyeon-u always made a finger-clicking sound. This one didn’t.
She asks again—where is Gyeon-u? What did you do to him?
Conclusion
This episode is heavy. There are no easy answers. Guilt, grief, and spirits all crash into one another. The visuals are getting darker. And so is the story. “Head Over Heels episode 9 explained” feels less like a recap and more like a turning point.
Gyeon-u disappeared without a word. Bong-su is in control. Seong-ah is cursed. Yeom-hwa is falling apart. Every character is losing something. Or someone. There are no heroes right now. Just people trying to survive ghosts—both real and emotional.
This isn’t just a drama about love or horror. It’s about the cost of carrying pain that no one else can see. One thing is clear—nothing will stay the same from here.
Only two episodes are left for “Head Over Heels” after tomorrow’s release! It’s a gripping ride as we delve deeper into the fantasy world of our favorite characters. You can catch new episodes every Monday and Tuesday on tvN in Korea. For our international viewers, “Head Over Heels” is available for streaming on Prime Video+ in select regions. Make sure to check your Amazon Video local availability!
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Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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