The pilot episode of the latest KBL to arrive in GagaOOLala introduces Jin Woo, an academic achiever who is forced to live with Ki Sub, his longtime crush who also happens to be his complete opposite. He signs a contract in an attempt to drive Ki Sub out of his home, vowing to keep his romantic feelings for him hidden at all costs. Will he make it through or will he fall victim to the trap? Let’s discover in this BLTai summary of episodes 3 and 4 of ‘Boys Be Brave’.
Warning: Spoiler alert. Read at your own risk.
Episode 3: The Contract That Started It All.
Growing up, Jin Woo longs to get his father’s attention, who is always busy at work. He made a list of things he thought would help him get attention but learned over time that none would work. When Jin Woo enters university, he discovers that people only want to make friends with him because of his academic reputation so he becomes guarded. One day, Jin Woo encounters Ki Sub and immediately finds himself drawn to his attractiveness. However, upon meeting him in their classroom, he realizes that Ki Sub is a carefree individual who completely contrasts with him and is not someone he can relate to. He also witnessed firsthand how messy Ki Sub’s love life is because of his inability to say no. But what distinguishes Jin Woo the most is the encounter at the get-together, where Ki Sub became his white night and followed him drunkenly outside to praise him for being cool. Jin Woo ends up helping Ki Sub go home, which somehow turns their classmates’ relationship into something a bit closer, although he stands firm that he will never confess to him. Dating and romance have become the last things on Jin Woo’s list of things he wants to do in his 20s.
The next day, Jin Woo is shocked to find Ki Sub with his curly hair completely straightened to give it a longer look. He also wears a tracksuit similar to a dress, and on his face is a fake mole in an attempt to look like Jin Woo’s ideal girl based on the list. Ki Sub even books a tattoo appointment to make the mole permanent, and he also applies for a name change after seeing that Jin Woo wants someone who has ‘Ji’ on their name. The final item on Ki Sub’s to-do list is to wait for the snowfall, which he believes will be the ideal time for confession. As Jin Woo finds everything absurd, Ki Sub tells him seriously that he doesn’t plan on leaving him alone ever, as the list includes having someone who will always stay with him. To Jin Woo’s surprise, Ki Sub gives him a big plushie and says that it’s a part of him, and it will always stay by the former’s side. He even keeps a small version of it for himself. Meanwhile, Balg Eum is still distracted due to his unexpected encounter with In Ho from the night before. In a flashback, In Ho and Balg Eum used to have a relationship back in high school. They will secretly meet up, hold hands, and even exchange kisses. A message from his phone interrupts his reminiscence, reminding him of the debt that he still has to pay.
On the other hand, Ki Sub excitedly reminds Jin Woo that he is set to get his mole that day and tells him that he is about to tick off everything on the list except for snow to arrive in time for confessions. Due to his excitement, he didn’t notice that he left his phone on the table Jin Woo found it and decided to go after him, as he thought that the face mole was something on the list that he could easily stop Ki Sub from doing. Meanwhile, a group of girls follows Ki Sub once more, eager to get his number. For the first time in his life, he manages to decline. He then realizes that he also forgot his home and remembers that he needs it for directions on going to the tattoo shop. Fortunately, he ran into a young man who was kind enough to let him use his phone and check the directions. As he stares at the young man, Ki Sub finds the face familiar to him and asks if they know each other from playing piano. Unknown to him, the young man is actually In Ho, who then confirms that he knows him and his friendship with Balg Eum. Just then, Balg Eum, who is on an errand, sees the two together and assumes that something is going on behind his back. He approaches them aggressively and ignores Ki Sub’s innocent comment that he is grateful that he found Balg Eum’s friend, who is helping him by letting him use his phone. Balg Eum denies that they are friends and drags Ki Sub away. In Ho calls Balg Eum to at least have a conversation with him, but to his surprise, Balg Eum clasps his hands with Ki Sub and informs him that he doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening. He also orders him to stop following him around like a fool. Jin Woo who finally finds Ki Sub, happens to overhear everything and also believes that something is going on between Ki Sub and Balg Eum. Ki Sub notices Jin Woo and is about to run after him, but Balg Eum drags him to his motorcycle instead. Meanwhile, Ki Sub complains to Balg Eum about suddenly dragging him away after they settle in at the latter’s apartment. He tells him that he still needs to go to his tattoo appointment, but he decides to go see Jin Woo first. He says goodbye to Balg Eum, who is now staring at an old sock in the corner of his room. On the other side, Jin Woo finally arrives home and tells himself that he knows it will not end well with Ki Sub. When he hears Ki Sub searching for him and checking around the house, he hides under his bed. Ki Sub explains continuously as he checks every room that the guy he didn’t know why Balg Eum wants to get rid of In Ho. He continues that there can never be a relationship between him and Balg Eum, as he only sees him as family. Ki Sub pretends that he didn’t notice Jin Woo hiding under the bed and proceeds with his explanation that he is not involved with anyone. Meanwhile, Balg Eum finds In Ho waiting for him again outside his home, and the two get into a heated argument as the former questions the latter’s return from the USA. In Ho admits to still being in love with Balg Eum and confesses that he is the reason why he returned. However, instead of reciprocating his confession, Balg Eum says that he hates him and tells him that he regrets bothering him and all the time they spent together. In Ho hits Balg Eum, and the latter fights back.
Noticing the silence in the room, Jin Woo assumes that Ki Sub has already left and prepares to get up from his hiding place. To his surprise, he finds Ki Sub lying on the floor with him and asks him why he is hiding. Jin Woo is unable to answer and can only think that pushing with all his might seems fruitless. Just then, the lights turn off as scheduled, and Ki Sub goes in for a kiss but stops himself until Jin Woo initiates the kiss himself, which he then returns. Back to the former lovers: In Ho begs Balg Eum to meet him at least three more times, and then he will do whatever he decides after.
