According to Nielsen Korea, Thursday’s Episode 12 on SBS peaked at 6.2% with a nationwide average of 5.6%, keeping the series No. 1 among weekday dramas across all Korean networks for six straight weeks.
This week saw both Gong Ji-hyeok (Jang Ki-yong) and Go Da-rim (Ahn Eun-jin) going all in on love and work―until an unexpected blow hit just as their future looked bright.
Da-rim’s covert hiring was on the verge of exposure after Gong Ji-hye (Jung Ga-hee) unearthed a family registry document. Ji-hye chose to hold the scandal until it could hurt Ji-hyeok most, but the close call left Da-rim drowning in guilt. Worried she’d stolen someone else’s opportunity, she handed in her resignation.
Ji-hyeok refused to accept it. He reminded her that the Mother TF Team was assembled from the lowest scorers in the initial hiring pool―she hadn’t taken anyone’s spot―and that she was the one person who refused to give up on a team everyone else had written off. Thanks to Da-rim, the scrappy unit had pulled off real wins.
He then secured a high-stakes new product project, with the promise that the entire Mother TF Team would be converted to full-time employees if they delivered. Da-rim resolved to see the launch through for her teammates, then bow out. Mustering her courage, she came clean about her background―and her relationship with Ji-hyeok. The team heard her out and chose to stand by her, in work and in love.
After that, Ji-hyeok wrapped Da-rim in a tight hug, told her not to run anymore―“I’m not letting you go”―and kissed her. The couple spent the night together and quickly settled into honeymoon-phase dates that had viewers grinning.
Then came the gut punch. After days of all-nighters, the team finished its prototype―only to learn a competitor had just released an identical product. In the chaos, Ji-hyeok’s father, Gong Chang-ho (Choi Kwang-il), stormed into the office with Ji-hye. Enraged, he slapped Da-rim across the face. Seeing the father he’s long resented strike the woman he loves, Ji-hyeok’s fury ignited―and the episode cut to his blazing stare. A brutal, slap-to-black cliffhanger.
Episode 12 turbocharged the show’s momentum, bouncing from dopamine-fueled romance to a high-stakes crisis. The crackling chemistry between Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin―and their finely layered performances―kept viewers fully locked in.
The Episode 13 teaser hints at Da-rim considering a breakup to protect Ji-hyeok, while he looks on in tears. It’s a nerve-jangling preview, but with "Dynamic Kiss" firmly a bright, lovable rom-com, fans are betting the couple will weather the storm and get their happy ending.
"Dynamic Kiss" airs its final two episodes on Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 9 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 25 at 9:50 p.m. KST.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)