Popular K-drama Doctor Slump aired a brand-new episode 8 on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. KST on JTBC. The episode is also available to stream on Netflix. The series follows the story of two high-school rivals, Yeo Jeong-Woo (Park Hyung-Sik) and Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-Hye). The two reunite 14 years later during the worst times of their lives. Gradually, they become friends and fall in love, all while navigating their personal struggles.
Episode 8 of Doctor Slump documents the romance and drama between Yeo Jeong-Woo and Nam Ha-Neul in equal parts. The two officially start dating and spend quality time together on their first date. However, subsequent events only overwhelm Ha-Neul, sending her into a spiral of emotions, both from the past and the present. Eventually, she decides to break up with Jeong-Woo, owing to her chaotic mental state and her disturbed emotions.
Doctor Slump Episode 8: Park Shin-Hye & Park Hyung-Sik encounter issues
The latest Doctor Slump episode 8 begins with Nam Ha-Neul’s brother reflecting on their childhood. He recalls how his sister prioritized her studies over everything else while considering himself to be more into living his life to the fullest. However, now, the current Ha-Neul resembles him. She is in her happy zone but is confused about whether she and Yeo Jeong-Woo have begun dating.
The previous episode ended with Jeong-Woo and Ha-Neul holding hands while confessing their love for each other. Confused about this recent development, Ha-Neul indirectly asks her family members about the situation, all while giving excuses about it. Her brother, Nam Ba-Da, realizes that she is talking about herself and Jeong-Woo. Meanwhile, she visits Ba-Da in hopes of talking it all out.
However, Ba-Da ends up visiting Jeong-Woo. Ha-Neul hides in the washroom as the two speak. Ba-Da reveals that Ha-Neul is going around wondering if she and Jeong-Woo have begun dating. While an embarrassed Ha-Neul curses her brother in the washroom, Jeong-Woo reveals that the two have indeed begun dating. After Ba-Da leaves, the two reconfirm their feelings and officially begin dating.
As they are getting ready to go on their first date as a couple, Dr. Bin Dae-Young visits Jeong-Woo and comforts him for enduring the scandal. He invites Jeong-Woo for a meal. Although the latter is hesitant because of his date, Ha-Neul advises him to spend time with Dae-Young. As Jeong-Woo and Dae-Young bond over a meal, they clear up their misunderstandings. Moreover, Dae-Young wishes to ask Jeong-Woo about something.
Later, Jeong-Woo’s senior, Kyung-Min, calls him to meet. However, Jeong-Woo prioritizes his date with Ha-Neul this time. He is surprised when Ha-Neul’s idea of a date involves the two studying and debating over dissertations. He then takes her to a movie and spends quality time with her, as this is on her wish list.
By the end of the date, Jeong-Woo hopes that she won’t be too considerate of others. He further asks her if there is an incident that led her to quit the hospital and visit a psychiatrist. Ha-Neul refuses, stating that she was only exhausted. As they head home and reach the rooftop, Jeong-Woo reveals that Kyung-Min left the invitation to his wedding. This leaves Ha-Neul in a state of panic as she goes home.
The following day, Jeong-Woo calls up Ha-Neul, but she can’t meet him. It turns out that she is visiting her psychiatrist on the same day when he has an appointment in the same clinic. Jeong-Woo witnesses her break down, walking devastated back home. Later, Jeong-Woo visits Dae-Young, rejecting the latter’s offer to work with him. He expresses his wish to stay by Ha-Neul’s side. Moreover, Jeong-Woo feels that she would feel dejected if he’d begun work and she stayed unemployed.
Meanwhile, Ha-Neul’s family invites Jeong-Woo to have some food. He ends up in Ha-Neul’s room while talking to her brother when he sees a photo of hers with Kyung-Min. His first instinct is to think that the two might have dated previously. On the other hand, Ha-Neul meets her colleague, who informs her that he is quitting his job to marry the daughter of a pharmaceutical company CEO. Moreover, he only became a professor so that he could have it on his resume, and the company could benefit from it.
Apparently, Kyung-Min had removed Ha-Neul’s name from a dissertation she’d written completely. He put himself as the sole author to get promoted as a professor. Moreover, he also blackmails Ha-Neul into keeping it under wraps. While heading back, Ha-Neul instantly thinks of the day her father passed away, the day she was the happiest. From then on, she would always be anxious about any happiness coming her way, thinking it wouldn’t last long.
Ha-Neul recalls that Kyung-Min always appreciated her and made her rely on him. However, eventually he got his way. She then visits Kyung-Min’s farewell party and throws a drink at him, advising him to lead an honest life. Ha-Neul is alone having drinks when she receives a phone call from her friend, Lee Hong-Ran. The latter reveals that Jeong-Woo doesn’t want to work with Dae-Young so he could be there for her.
After hearing Hong-Ran reveal Dae-Young and Jeong-Woo’s conversation, Ha-Neul feels depressed. She meets Jeong-Woo on her way back home and slams him for humiliating her. Moreover, Ha-Neul expresses that she isn’t in control of her own emotions and isn’t in a state to date anyone. When Jeong-Woo asks her to struggle while staying by his side, she refuses. Ha-Neul expresses that she can’t even take care of herself, let alone someone else.
Eventually, Ha-Neul breaks up with Jeong-Woo. The latter hands her his umbrella and leaves a crying Ha-Neul alone.
To watch what happens next, don’t forget to watch Doctor Slump Episodes 9 and 10. It will air on Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. KST on JTBC. It will also be available to stream on Netflix.