Salon De Nabi Ends After 10 Episodes: A New Intern Arrives and a Trip Is Offered in the Finale

JTBC's weekend drama "Salon De Nabi," originally made as 16 episodes but aired in a compressed 10, broadcasts its final episode on the 18th at 10:30 p.m. The finale carries the stories of Gwang-su and Jen (Shim Eun-woo) and of Gippeum (Kim Hyang-gi) and Mu-yeol (Park Jung-woo), and introduces a new intern, Yoon Dong-ryul (Kim Do-hoon).

A new youngest member for the salon

Mu-yeol has been the salon's intern, and Yoon Dong-ryul is the one who succeeds him. Dong-ryul is introduced as affable and quick-witted, with exceptional sociability, a personality entirely different from Mu-yeol's. He catches the eye of the salon family, and the finale shows the new youngest member adding liveliness to the salon. How he gets along with the existing staff is something viewers can see in the episode itself.

Gippeum and Mu-yeol: an unexpected conversation and a trip

In episode 9, Gippeum faced a wound she had carried in her heart for a long time and decided to forgive, while Mu-yeol stood by her and offered warm comfort. In the finale, an awkward air settles between them when Mu-yeol brings up something unexpected. What he says is presented as one of the episode's points of interest. He then suggests a trip to Gippeum. How she reacts, and what change the trip brings to the two of them, will be revealed on air. The finale preview released so far does not disclose the content of their conversation or what happens after the trip.

Gwang-su and Jen: conflict just after getting together

According to the finale preview, Jen is unusually sensitive and Gwang-su cannot hide his bewilderment. A small crack opens between them, and a worry Jen had been holding alone then comes out. Gwang-su, learning of it, is overwhelmed by complicated feelings. The preview says attention is on whether the conflict can bring the two closer. The material released before the broadcast does not say how their relationship ends.

The conflict comes right after episode 9, in which the two cleared up the misunderstanding between them and began dating in earnest. In that episode Gwang-su, a hairdresser, also styled the last haircut of a longtime regular customer and conveyed his sincerity as a hairdresser. The episode was presented as showing both how he treats customers in the salon and his attitude toward his work. Across the series, the drama has followed the salon's staff as they face their own worries and wounds and grow.

Six years to reach the schedule, and a cut from 16 to 10

The drama was scheduled six years after production. It was made as a 16-episode series but aired as 10 episodes. An article introducing the series ahead of the finale said it offered quiet emotion and healing and won the affection of a loyal audience. Set in a hair salon, its main thread follows characters with their own circumstances and worries who form relationships and grow past their wounds.

With only 10 episodes, the finale puts the relationships and individual stories of the salon's characters side by side. It continues daily life at the salon with the new intern's arrival, then turns to Mu-yeol's unexpected words to Gippeum and their trip, and to the conflict between Gwang-su and Jen. It is the last chapter in the story of the salon family's growth past their own worries and wounds.

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