Summary
Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 explains the complex scenario of Weol-ju’s deal for 100,000 grudges, which is not as simple as the series had the audience believe.
This recap of Netflix K-Drama series Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 contains significant spoilers.
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How does Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 open?
Episode 9 opens up with Death asking Kim Won-Hyung why he is doing what he’s doing when his 500-year sentence is nearly up. Kim Won-Hyung states he has unfinished business with Weol-ju and the Crown Prince after he was beheaded, that put an end to his ambitions — “That wench he returned to, even after his death”. Death tells him that he’s disappointed. Kim Wong-Hyung asks Death why he’s never considered him as his son. Episode 9 evidently shows a father/son conflict here.
No eggshells
When Han Kang Bae gets to work, he learns that Kang Yeo-rin has been asking for him which he finds confusing since she just ended their romance. While at work, he continues to see spirits and he remembers his training by Guibanjang to not give eye contact, which is why he is wearing sunglasses. Kang Yeo-rin asks Han Kang Bae to stop walking on eggshells around her and that it was her first kiss — she doesn’t want him to make a big deal out of it.
The spiritual door is closed shut
Weol-ju sees the man that claims he can speak to spirits again and stops one of his customers from giving him business. The failed shaman asks for her help. Weol-ju offers to help by opening the door of his spiritual vision again in hope of settling another grudge for him. Weol-ju and Guibanjang visit the Door of Spiritual Vision — Weol-ju is surprised to learn that the door won’t open; apparently it’s been shut down.
They learn that the law has changed after an incident — for the first time in a thousand years, the Jade Emperor had decided to send down a powerful monk to the Living Realm in order to save mankind but last year, someone closed the Door of Spiritual Vision. Weol-ju remembers that it was her — she welded the door shut and forgot. Weol-ju wants the chance to open the door. Guibanjang asks a customer service rep if they can open it one more time but it is denied. This means Han Kang Bae will have his undesired abilities forever. Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 presents a sincere problem for Weol-ju and Guibanjang, who promised to fix Han Kang Bae.
The Cinnabar
Weol-ju meets Samsin in hope that she can help. Samsin states a human who can pop in and out of the Dream World and also see spirits, means he has enveloped yin energy. Partnering the human with a human who is full of yang energy will neutralize his yin energy — the harmony of yin and yang. Samsin mentions The Cinnabar and Weol-ju experiences a flashback of this spiritual rock; it has the power to repel spirits and heal. Samsin suggests The Cinnabar has reincarnated as a heartbroken woman. Weol-ju said this would be perfect for Han Kang Bae because he’s also heartbroken but Samsin states it would need to be a true love’s kiss and refuses to give up the identity.
The disappearance of a boy
Han Kang Bae brings a woman named Hyeon-ok who has lost her son to the Mystic Pop-Up Bar. Hyeon-ok suddenly becomes sad as she sees the rolled omelet rolls because her missing son loves that food. She explains that when her son was five, her husband passed away from renal cancer. Hyeon-ok was terrified to raise her son alone but hung in there for Jun-u’s sake. When she returned home from work, her son Jun-u was not there. The food was left cold. Hyeon-ok has not seen her son since. She was suspicious of a man named Sang-cheol but the man had an iron-clad alibi. Hyeon-ok blames herself for the kidnapping but Weol-ju reassures her that it isn’t her fault and claims Jun-u will return. Meanwhile, Yeombujang is acting suspiciously.
A risky mission
Yeombujang visits Sang-cheol who asks if Hyeon-ok sent him. Sang-cheol tells him that he left the boy in an orphanage. Yeombujang states that he just visited to make sure he doesn’t tell anyone and curses him to Hell. When Weol-ju and co arrive, Sang-cheol is unconscious but he does not have long left to live. Guibanjang raises the point that if they visit Sang-cheol’s dream world and he dies, they will be trapped forever but Weol-ju insists that they need to go in so they can find Hyeon-ok’s son. Guibanjang tells Han Kang Bae to stay behind. Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 sees Weol-ju show more kindness than usual and less selfish actions.
Dreamworld
In the dreamworld, Sang-cheol grabs Hyeon-ok’s son and states he wants his mother all to himself and then drops him on the slide which injures Jun-u. As they see this incident, Han Kang Bae warns Weol-ju and Guibanjang that Sang-cheol is about to die and they need to leave his dream world but Weol-ju wants to stay a little longer to see which orphanage Jun-u was left at. Weol-ju and Guibanjang manage to leave in time with the information needed.
At work, Han Kang Bae is tormented by a spirit but Yeombujang helps him and states he needs to be fixed quickly. Han Kang Bae explains that he has enjoyed helping others thanks to Weol-ju and Guibanjang — Yeombujang questions if they can be trusted. Yeombuhang is turning into a hindrance, manipulating the group.
I trusted you
The orphanage calls — Jun-u was in the States and is returning to her mother — another number for Weol-ju. Guibanjang is more concerned about Han Kang Bae and the spiritual vision door. If they cannot fix it, they will not be able to fix Han Kang Bae. Meanwhile, Han Kang Bae overhears the conversation and confronts them both about not being able to fix him. Han Kang Bae is upset and states he trusted them both before running off. Yeombujang watches from a distance, smiling.
I’m always abandoned
Han Kang Bae goes fishing for some peace and quiet and Guibanjang puts a chair down next to him and apologizes, claiming responsibility. Han Kang Bae expresses how he’s never being able to be a normal person and people have always abandoned him — flashbacks show his painful moments as a kid, including cruel words from his parents when they touch him. Guibanjang promises that they will find a fix but Han Kang Bae doesn’t want the promises and stands his ground – “I don’t want to see you, again”. Meanwhile, Samsin tells Weol-ju that she will reveal The Cinnabar but only on one condition.
Weol-ju’s sacrifice
Weol-ju goes to the hospital with Hyeon-ok to see her son who has become ill since returning from the states. It’s an emotional reunion. Weol-ju then learns who The Cinnabar is. Meanwhile, Samsin tells Han Kang Bae that Weol-ju is not selfish, but has a warm heart and has a habit of sacrificing herself — “The reason she’s been doing this for 500 years is that she wants to save her child’s soul.” Samsin reveals Weol-ju didn’t even know she was having a child before she hung herself near the Sacred Tree. Weol-ju told Yeomradaewang that the baby did nothing wrong and agreed to the 100,000 grudges settled. The deal was to settle 100,000 grudges on behalf of the Sacred Tree so Weol-ju could save her baby’s soul.
Samsin expands that she’s never seen Weol-ju care about a human so much until Han Kang Bae and that Weol-hu agreed to not be reincarnated again in order to know the identity of The Cinnabar to help Han Kang Bae — she will be sent to the Hell of Extinction in return — Weol-ju wanted to keep her promise to Han Kang Bae. Han Kang Bae does not want Weol-ju to go through with his and he’s very upset. Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 shows the true nature of Weol-ju; a mother and a trusted friend — she’s loyal.
How does Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 end?
Guibanjang tells Yeombujang that he thinks Sang-cheol was killed by an evil spirit but Yeombujang tells him not to worry and focus on Weol-ju. Han Kang Bae speaks to Weol-ju and asks why she agreed to that contract with Samsin to fix his condition — he’s flabbergasted to why he would sign that and asks her to find another way. Weol-ju asks Han Kang Bae to help her settle the rest of the grudges — Han Kang Bae suddenly remembers about her child and sympathetically agrees to help. As the episode ends, a spirit walks up behind Han Kang Bae and Guibanjang and says “I’m so happy to finally meet you, Your Royal Highness”. Mystic Pop-Up Bar episode 9 explains the complex scenario of Weol-ju’s deal for 100,000 grudges, which is not as simple as the series had the audience believe.
