The Matchmakers (2023) K Drama Episode 8

Episode 8 of The Matchmakers begins with Lee Shi-yeol and Ye-jin both saying their spouses are picked by their parents and love doesn’t matter. Meanwhile, Soon-deok is shocked to learn that the team went ahead with the plan without her.

It cuts to Jung-woo falling in the river and she saving him. She cries as she scolds him for being reckless. Soon-gu and Bong arrive with the former recognising his sister as her makeup had washed off. Soon-deok begs Soon-gu to keep her secret and then runs off. Bong shakes his head at Jung-woo for risking his life for a woman.

As for the Jos, So-hyun still wants Park to step down as he ruined their sister’s reputation. But Jo refuses stating he will lose his power if someone else becomes Defence Minister.

Outside, Soon-gu warns Soon-deok about lying to the Jos and wonders if she has feelings for Jung-woo. Later, Ye-jin drinks as she tells Soon-deok she doesn’t want to marry. 

At court, the King finds a way to take down Park. Turns out, the Crown Prince told him about the cordoned-off area Ha-na had taken him through. Investigation shows Park’s meddling so he could profit from the pine trees there. And so he is publicly dismissed. Park is furious at Jo as stepping down voluntarily as So-hyun had said would have won him brownie points. Meanwhile, the haggard nobleman finds Yeoju’s house.

At Hwa Rok’s den Soon-deok and Jung-woo’s alone time is interrupted by Bong, and much to their surprise also Soon-gu and Sam-soon who want to continue helping. They decide to drink and Soon-gu worries for Soon-deok. Sam-soon is touched while Jung-woo gets jealous and Bong realises he is going to explode. Which he does as he tells Soon-deok to sit next to him.

Questions arise as everyone asks if Jung-woo likes her or if Soon-deok and Soon-gu like each other. Chaos ensues and suddenly Sam-soon proposes to Soon-gu but he turns her down. She runs out and Soon-deok comforts her. The men eavesdrop while reprimanding Soon-gu for being harsh. He looks troubled as Sam-soon says she will get over him.

Meanwhile, Doo-ri is at the Lees’ for her embroidery services and hits it off with Mrs. Lee. In fact, Lee wistfully thinks that if Doo-ri had been from a better family, she would have been the perfect bride. Later, Shi-yeol stumbles as he asks Doo-ri out to the May Festival where will be wrestling and she teases him. At that moment, So-hyun sends gifts as Mr. Lee has been chosen to replace Park. Doo-ri realises that Shi-yeol is spoken for and berates herself.

At the den, the chosen bachelors get a makeover and Ye-jin spots Bu-kyum as he heads out. It is awkward and she lies to Soon-deok who notices their interaction. Ye-jin then asks their attendant to find out who the bachelors are marrying.

Elsewhere, the Crown Prince writes a letter of thanks to Ha-na and she smiles as he gets the cordoned-off boundaries taken down.

Regarding the murder, they find a symptom on the poisoned court lady’s collarbone just like the late princess. Jung-woo recalls the guard who bought the poison but he is killed by the Jos for failing to kidnap the Crown Prince. However, the King points out that they need proof that the Jos are involved. 

At home, Samwol finds Soon-deok’s erotica books that she sells to the client and tells So-hyun that she reads such novels. But So-hyun simply makes Soon-deok the lady of the house sympathising that she may be getting bored at home. 

As for Operation Maidens, Soon-deok and Jung-woo plan for the May Festival. Ha-na likes playing on a swing so her bachelor should join her. Doo-ri is to watch her bachelor compete in wrestling. Sam-soon will wash her hair so her bachelor can spot her and then paint her nails.

Meanwhile, the nobleman reaches Hanyang and starts asking for Yeoju with a wanted poster. Bong is shocked and runs off. The man then asks the bookseller who lies. Little Bok-hee observes that the man does not look bad but scared.

On the ground, Jung-woo tells Soon-deok to teach him how to paint nails so he can teach the bachelor. Soon-deok complies and says that if the dye lasts till when the first snow falls, his love will come true. Jung-woo is impressed by her knowledge of love and asks about her widow status. She reveals that she was married for only half a year and will never fall in love again. However, she realises that she is in love with Jung-woo.

That night, Bong tells Jung-woo that Yeojudaek is a murderer and tells him about the wanted poster – Yeoju’s real name is Tae-ran and is wanted for murdering Minister Jo’s eldest son. 

To confirm the truth, Jung-woo confronts Soon-deok. She thinks he is talking about her secret of being Jo’s daughter-in-law and looks remorseful. He refuses to hear her explanation and calls her a murderer at the end of The Matchmakers Episode 8.

The Episode Review

Bong is turning out to be pretty hilarious as he is the spokesperson for the audience. He voices what we are thinking as he accurately guesses that Jung-woo is head over heels for Soon-deok.

By the way, So-hyun is pretty crafty. She knows what would have helped Park and brings the opposition party into their fold by having Lee appointed. And she unknowingly curtails Soon-deok freedom by putting her in charge. 

The Matchmakers Episode 8 also lays the groundwork for the chaos that will be the May Festival. Doori may end up falling for Shi-yeol who will also be wrestling. Soon-gu may end up watching Sam-soon. And it seems that the noble bounty hunter is possibly the eldest son and he is looking for his wife with Bok-hee being their kid.

The confrontation with Jung-woo feels off though as why does Soon-deok not get confused when he calls her a murderer? Maybe she feels guilty for not being able to cure her husband and so thinks of herself as a murderer.