REVIEW: ‘My Demon’ Episodes 7-8

When you throw the two least-subtle individuals together, the people around them will eventually become suspicious. In My Demon Episodes 7-8, Jung Gu-won’s (Song Kang) real identity becomes the subject of scrutiny by the people hyperfocused on Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung). This ultimately culminates in a shocking moment that will bring the couple closer than ever and shake up what fate has in store for them. We also seem to hone in on the identity of Abraxis, or at least one of the people communicating with the murderer.

My Demon Episode 7 starts off right where we left off, with Gu-won panic kissing Do-hee to keep their cover from being blown by an incredibly suspicious Noh Do-gyeong (Kang Seung-ho). Thankfully, the ruse works, and they learn that Do-gyeong has been using a subway locker for some unknown purpose. As they are about to leave, they run into a familiar homeless woman (Cha Chung-hwa), who shall be forever known as the Arabica woman moving forward. She speaks vaguely of something flickering and going out soon, which, as the episode continues onward, we see may be connected to Gu-won’s dwindling powers.

Gu-won and Do-hee experience the turbulence that comes with newlywed life. Both butt heads over his moving in. Neither of their respected assistants, Park Bok-gyu (Heo Jung-do) and Shin Da-jeong (Seo Jung-yeon), are helpful; both are caught up in their own slow-burn enemies-to-lovers set-up to really be of much assistance to their bosses. Despite the couple’s rollercoaster ride acclimation, the two are growing closer. Unfortunately, their closeness and too many coincidences have several people looking more closely at Gu-won.

One of them is  Ju Seok-hoon (Lee Sang-yi). He finds pictures of Gu-won dating back to the 70s, making him suspect that the man might be a vampire. In My Demon Episode 7, we see Abraxis and the killer Gi Kwang-chul (Kim Seol-jin) team up again to uncover the demon’s secrets. Kwang-chul breaks into the Sunwol Foundation and steals the demon guide Gu-won left out in the open. Planting recording devices throughout his office, Kwang-chul and Abraxis can deduce his demonic identity and his weaknesses.

Before any of this newfound information kicks in, Do-hee has to contend with shady content creators spinning stories about her being the culprit behind Ju Cheon-sook’s (Kim Hae-sook) death. Clearly instigated by Noh Suk-min (Kim Tae-hoon), Do-hee confronts him in an incredibly tense showdown. The scene gives us further insight into the potential danger Suk-min represents, especially without Cheon-sook there to reel him in. It also further solidifies how Do-hee is literally always one step away from certain death. Whether it’s a paid killer or her own adopted family, she’s never really safe.

Do-hee and Gu-won threaten the vlogger who started the whole media circus, but enough damage is done. While Gu-won is attending the opening performance of Star Jin’s sword dance at his foundation, Do-hee is arrested on suspicion of murder. Gu-won is none the wiser until he receives a call from Da-jeong with the news. Rushing without a second thought, this moment of vulnerability seals his fate when Kwang-chul stabs him in front of the Foundation. With Do-hee on his mind, My Demon Episode 7 ends with Gu-won’s life in jeopardy.

In My Demon Episode 8, it looks like Gu-won is about to meet his maker when Bok-gyu pushes Kwang-chul out of the way. In the process, the mask Kwang-chul wears rips, revealing half of his real face to Gu-won before he flees. This reveal will give Gu-won something to work with later in My Demon, but that is the least of his worries. Having lost a lot of blood, he’s rushed to the hospital.

Do-hee is informed of Gu-won’s critical condition. With Seok-hoon’s and police detective Park Kyung-soo’s (Lim Chul-hyung) help, she can sneak out of the police station to visit Gu-won. Desperate and emotional, we see how much the demon has come to mean to her. Seok-hoon eyes the lovebirds with suspicion, particularly when he notices how Do-hee grabs onto Gu-won’s hand. This connection must mean something. Seok-hoon may not have figured it out, but Abraxis and Kwang-chul have. At least enough to try to kill him far from Do-hee’s side.

Do-hee’s intentions to save Gu-won somewhat heal him, but this decision may have consequences. Whether or not her actions are a part of God’s plan is up for debate. The flickering of Gu-won’s powers seems linked to God’s plan based on information revealed in Episode 7. But, as the Arabica woman remarks in My Demon Episode 8, Do-hee’s decision to save Gu-won has now placed a target on her back. From whom? We won’t know until future episodes.

Gu-won wakes up in pain but is at least alive. His care for Do-hee manifests itself in hiding the extent of his mortality from her. We see this in how he hides his painkiller usage from her and shrugs off her concern. Instead, he flirts with her and maintains a sense of levity to ease her worries. However, he’s not out of the woods. He is shown in pain and is now having reoccurring nightmares of burning up in hell. Our demon is definitely not okay, but how long can he keep hiding this from Do-hee?

For Do-hee, her guilt over Gu-won’s condition takes over, with Star Jin pointing out to her how selfish her actions come across. If Do-hee really cared for Gu-won, she’d do everything to keep him safe. Not relentlessly pursuing her ambitious goals to take over Mirae Group. With her guilt taking over and concern directed towards Gu-won affecting her judgment, Do-hee announces to her adopted family that she is removing herself from the candidacy. This action shows how Do-hee has grown, with her love and fear playing a factor in her decision-making rather than the cold ruthlessness she had been known for.

For Do-hee, since she has seen a pattern of her loved ones dying around her, she is motivated to keep Gu-won alive however she can. When confronted by Gu-won, she points out his weakness as the cause. Seok-hoon also lashes out at Gu-won since this decision of Do-hee’s is completely out of left field. Gu-won is rightfully hurt, but Do-hee almost seems to be at peace with the decision. We see her peaceful expression when she returns to Cheon-sook’s greenhouse. Perhaps this decision is a good thing, after all.

For Gu-won, this decision weighs heavily on him. He confronts her in the greenhouse, and she points out how this war will kill him if she doesn’t pull out. But he doesn’t care. His fate is tied with hers. Whatever happens, they cannot be separated. My Demon Episode 8 ends in arguably one of the most gorgeously executed kisses I’ve seen in a while. Seriously, romance fans, we are being fed with the romantic cinematography that My Demon has fashioned for us.

We’re now officially halfway through My Demon. While the storyline is arguably one of the most simple, straightforward ones seen this year, this simplicity allows for a natural build-up of chemistry between our two lovebirds. The mystery surrounding Abraxis, the death of Ju Cheon-sook (Kim Hae-sook), and God’s plan for our two lovers create enough intrigue and tension to keep us invested in the romance. With hints into Gu-won’s human past, the remaining half of My Demon has much going for it.

In My Demon Episodes 7-8, we also glimpse Abraxis’s possible identity, or at least get one step closer to figuring out who he is not. Do-gyeong is seen communicating with Kwang-chul via text. At least, that’s what the editing makes it out to be. The connection between the two psychopaths and the subway locker also cannot be ignored, but this almost seems too easy. We have yet to see Abraxis’s face shown. Do-gyeong could be an accomplice or just a coincidental associate of Kwang-chul. Either way, their actions and concerns seem to coincide for now.

My Demon Episodes 7-8 are full of exciting tension and adorable romantic interactions between Gu-won and Do-hee. With Gu-won’s powers steadily fading, new stakes are introduced with the realization he is increasingly becoming mortal. With Do-hee backing out of her adopted family’s fight to run the Morae Group, it remains to be seen whether or not this will increase her chances of survival or if she will still remain a target. Either way, it’s hard not to be hooked on this romantic Kdrama.

My Demon Episodes 1-8 are now available on Netflix, with new episodes airing on Fridays and Saturdays through January.