Original: 순정복서
Vanished genius boxer Kwon-sook and cold-hearted agent Tae-young risk all to defy match-fixing's clutches.
Tae-young, an emotionless manager at Sports and Passion, is drawn into a tough situation when his brotherly friend, Hee-won, gets involved in illegal gambling. Tae-young steps in to help, but the culprits refuse to mend the harm caused by Hee-won's inability to meet his obligations legally. To save his life and Hee-won’s, Tae Young must find the vanished legendary boxer, Lee Kwon-sook.
Tae-young successfully tracks down Kwon-sook, who is now going by Yu-ri. With a tight deadline of three months, he must manage to settle a staggering sum, with the potential aftermath beyond his grasp. Whether Kwon-sook decides to step back into the ring or not holds Tae-young's fate and his very lifeline. Gradually, he starts appearing during Kwon-sook's morning runs, and the sustained annoyance he displays starts to trigger her interest.
Tae-young presents an offer to Kwon-sook, assuring her that he can fulfill her desires in a mere three months. Taking time to reflect, Kwon-sook eventually consents to partnering with him. Unfortunately, challenges arise right from the start. Meanwhile, love, an emotion that boxing had prevented Kwon-sook from experiencing, may be making its way to her.
In Kwon-sook's world, Jae-min is the exclusive source of her smiles. Conversely, Tae-young perceives Jae-min as a mere disturbance to the plans he and Kwon-sook have carefully crafted. Meanwhile, Soo-yeon assumes the position of Han Ah-reum’s manager. On the day of the match, Kwon-sook sits in the waiting room, trembling as though haunted by an intangible fear.
Tae-yong finds himself in an unforeseen situation when Gweon-suk brings him to her father's restaurant. Tae-young has no intention of revealing his prior encounter with Gweon-suk's father, but circumstances take an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Tae-young's minor scheme leads to the cancellation of Ah-reum's title defense match, causing Ah-reum to storm into Gweon-suk's gym.
Jae-min is concerned that the training might wear Gweon-suk down, while Tae-young is annoyed that his over-caring might soften Gweon-suk. Meanwhile, Gweon-suk feels somewhat disappointed in Tae-young, who leaves for Seoul right after taking Soo-yeon’s call. Oh-bok presses Tae-young, reminding him of the due date for the interest. Cornered, Tae-young resorts to cheating to arrange a boxing match between Ah-reum and Gweon-suk.
The challenge has now become official as Ah-reum has given her agreement, setting the stage for the match between Ah-reum and Gweon-suk. Meanwhile, Jae-min discusses the idea of becoming Gweon-suk's manager. In an unexpected turn, Soo-yeon accidentally spills the beans about Tae-young's plan to take Gweon-suk to the US for boxing, leaving Gweon-suk feeling quite displeased. It's during this moment that he catches wind of the news about Hee-won on TV.
Tae Young remains confined to his room following Hee Won's departure, unwilling to step out. Gweon Suk lends his support to Tae Young during this period of mourning for Hee Won, extending a helping hand to guide him through the tough times. Meanwhile, Reporter Park relentlessly investigates the connection between illicit sports betting and Hee Won, harboring suspicions about Gweon Suk's possible involvement in the matter.
Gweon Suk is kept out of harm's way, allowing Tae Young and Reporter Park to begin their quest for Hyun Ki. In the meantime, Gweon Suk's confusion starts to fade after a talk with Ah Reum, yet she still can't comprehend Tae Young's decision to distance himself from her. On Gweon Suk's birthday, the day they planned to go see a baobab tree, Tae Young receives an unexpected call from Oh Bok.
Disappointment sets in for Gweon Suk as she waits alone at the botanical garden, stood up by Tae Young. Meanwhile, Tae Young rushes to his mother's shop after receiving a call from Oh Bok. Later, Tae Young decides to reveal the truth about everything he’s been going through to Ho Joong, expressing his trust in him to take care of Gweon Suk during this trying time.
During her preparations for the imminent face-off against Ah Reum, Gweon Suk decides to open up to Tae Young, exposing her true feelings. Simultaneously, Tae Young discloses his intention to turn himself in to Young Ae after he resolves the complications. In an unexpected turn of events, Oh Bok, believed to be in custody, approaches Soo Yeon and Gweon Suk.
Gweon Suk and Ah Reum clash as the match begins, but Gweon Suk struggles to spot Tae Young amidst the arena's frenzy. The neck-and-neck battle rages on, and Gweon Suk throws herself into the fight, aiming to confront all regrets before making her exit. Meanwhile, Chul Yong discovers the dangerous situation Tae Young has implicated his daughter in, but the revelation might be too little, too late. The intense match continues to captivate the audience.
