KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series "The Art of Marriage" will broadcast its ninth episode on August 1 at 9:20 PM. In this episode, Namkoong Min and Lee Sang-hee come face-to-face for the first time in a hospital room, maximizing the taut tension characteristic of a crime thriller.

The series stands out for its delicate performances by Namkoong Min, Kim Dae-myung, Lee Seol, and Lee Sang-hee, as well as its fast-paced narrative. It is directed by Kim Jung-hyun and Kim Min-tae, written by Jung Jae-ha, produced by Red Nine Pictures and KBS Media, and supported by the Korea Communications Commission's Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund.

In the previous eighth episode, Kang Tae-joo (Namkoong Min) stopped Ha Jung-soo (Jeon Kwang-jin) from attempting to murder Kim Kyung-ae (Lee Sang-hee) with potassium chloride, ultimately saving her life before Ha Jung-soo was found dead. The episode recorded a per-minute peak rating of 9.2% and a nationwide rating of 7.5% according to Nielsen Korea, breaking the show's own all-time high and ranking first across all channels, including terrestrial networks, in its time slot.

In the ninth episode, Kim Kyung-ae, who regains consciousness after surgery, faces Kang Tae-joo for the first time in a hospital room. Kang begins the conversation with a light greeting but soon presses Kim Kyung-ae with persistent questions, while she meets his gaze with eyes betraying anxiety and unease. A preview also shows Kim Kyung-ae appearing shocked by something Kang Tae-joo says, drawing keen interest to the battle of truth between the two characters.

On set, Namkoong Min was praised for meticulously portraying Kang Tae-joo's resolve and anger, while Lee Sang-hee delivered a nuanced depiction of Kim Kyung-ae's turbulent psychology, resulting in a highly polished acting collaboration.

The production team stated, "This is a crucial scene in which Kim Kyung-ae, who has awakened from surgery, and Kang Tae-joo, who is determined to uncover the truth, come face-to-face for the first time." They added, "Please look forward to the paths these two characters take, now positioned entirely differently from the time of the kidnapping incident." They further noted, "Namkoong Min and Lee Sang-hee prepared flawlessly, discussing not only the dialogue but also their breathing rhythm and eye contact. The clash between the two actors alone will be enough to convey the full tension of a thriller."