CEO Han Suk-kyu Takes a Stand Against Workplace Bullying in 'Shin's Project'

CEO Han Suk-kyu steps in to address the bullying of employees Bae Hyeon-seong and Lee Re.

In the fourth episode of tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Shin's Project,' aired on the 23rd, CEO Shin (played by Han Suk-kyu) was enraged by the actions of Choi Yong-min (played by Byung-hun), who tormented Lee Si-on (played by Lee Re) and even attempted to take the life of Jo Philip (played by Bae Hyeon-seong). This marked the beginning of a spicy revenge plot.

The episode achieved a viewership rating of 7.4% on average in the metropolitan area, peaking at 9.2%, and 7.7% nationwide, peaking at 9.7%, securing the top spot across all channels, including terrestrial networks, during its time slot. It also ranked first among tvN's target demographic of men and women aged 20-49 across cable, IPTV, and satellite platforms, according to Nielsen Korea.

Upon hearing that Lee Si-on was injured, CEO Shin learned from Jang Tong-woo (played by Jo Hyun-sik), the owner of the Chinese restaurant Pluto, about a troublesome customer harassing her. To protect Lee Si-on from further danger, CEO Shin used the pretext of sharing delivery know-how to have Jo Philip accompany her.

When Lee Si-on faced verbal and physical abuse from the troublesome customer again, she managed to escape the situation with Jo Philip's help. She confided in Jo Philip that the customer was Choi Yong-min (played by Byung-hun), who had been cruelly bullying her since high school.

Outraged by Lee Si-on's revelation, Jo Philip went to Choi Yong-min's house to warn him but found himself in unexpected danger. He was ambushed by Choi Yong-min on the stairs, lost consciousness, and awoke trapped in a car trunk, facing a life-threatening moment in a junkyard compactor.

Fortunately, CEO Shin and Lee Si-on sensed something was wrong when they lost contact with Jo Philip and rushed to the scene to rescue him, bringing the incident to a temporary close. Choi Yong-min's heinous actions, targeting not only Lee Si-on but also Jo Philip, shocked both CEO Shin and the viewers.

Unable to overlook Choi Yong-min's harassment of his employees, CEO Shin discovered through administrative welfare center official Kim Soo-dong (played by Jung Eun-pyo) that Choi Yong-min's father, city councilor Choi Woong-sik (played by Park Won-sang), was behind him. CEO Shin also learned that the junkyard where Jo Philip was nearly killed was owned by an acquaintance of Choi Woong-sik and that Choi Woong-sik had previously covered up Choi Yong-min's school violence, fueling his anger.

Confronting the shameless behavior of the father-son duo, CEO Shin visited councilor Choi Woong-sik, expressing the severe impact of power abuse on small business owners. He subtly played a recording of Choi Yong-min harassing Lee Si-on to gauge Choi Woong-sik's reaction.

Initially feigning empathy as a good politician, Choi Woong-sik's demeanor changed when he realized it involved his son, attempting to dismiss the matter lightly. In response, CEO Shin played an additional recording containing evidence of an attempted murder, tightening the pressure on Choi Woong-sik.

With a fourth election looming, Choi Woong-sik couldn't afford any more risks. He questioned CEO Shin, suspecting he already knew everything and was threatening him. CEO Shin, with a calm smile, retorted, "Would you like to negotiate, or experience a real threat?" The situation leaves viewers curious about the revenge CEO Shin will deliver against the villainous father-son duo.

Meanwhile, at that moment, Choi Yong-min committed another act of madness by setting fire to Lee Si-on's motorcycle, her means of livelihood. Choi Yong-min's relentless rampage continues to anger viewers, heightening anticipation for the satisfying justice CEO Shin is expected to deliver.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr