TV
Han Suk-kyu's Character Topples Corrupt Father-Son Duo in 'The Gentleman Project'
In the fifth episode of tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama 'The Gentleman Project,' aired on the 29th, Shin Sa-jang (played by Han Suk-kyu) confronts Choi Woong-sik (played by Park Won-sang) and Choi Yong-min (played by Byung-hun), who threaten employees and try to cover up their wrongdoings with money and influence.
The episode achieved its highest ratings yet, with an average of 8% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a peak of 9.7%. Nationwide, it averaged 8.7% with a peak of 10.6%. It also ranked first across all cable and general programming channels among the 20-49 age demographic, tvN's target audience.
Shin Sa-jang discovered that Choi Woong-sik, a city council member, had been covering up his son Choi Yong-min's heinous crimes. He confronted Choi Woong-sik, demanding he withdraw from his fourth-term election candidacy, highlighting his son's misdeeds against Jo Philip (played by Bae Hyun-sung) and Lee Si-on (played by Lee Re).
Despite claiming he wouldn't cover for his son, Choi Woong-sik publicly apologized to the victims, portraying himself as a father who couldn't control his child's actions, thus evoking sympathy.
Shin Sa-jang devised an unconventional plan to challenge the Choi duo. He announced his candidacy for city council, positioning himself as Choi Woong-sik's rival, surprising everyone.
Their passionate efforts led to significant breakthroughs. Jo Philip secured a video of Choi Woong-sik bribing a victim's family, and Kim Soo-dong (played by Jung Eun-pyo), an administrative welfare center official, uncovered a deal involving a foreign worker obtaining residency with the councilman's help.
Shin Sa-jang also focused on Choi Woong-sik's history of bribing high-polling candidates to consolidate support. He informed other candidates of Choi's corruption, boosting his own support and eventually receiving a unification proposal from Choi.
When Choi Woong-sik approached him, Shin Sa-jang took control of the negotiation, demanding that Choi personally apologize to all victims, including Jo Philip and Lee Si-on. Choi complied with Shin Sa-jang's demands.
However, Shin Sa-jang unexpectedly withdrew from the race, preventing anyone from capitalizing on his support, and instead backed Choi Woong-sik's rival, Kwon Bong-geun (played by Heo Jeong-do), leading to Choi's defeat. He then released the evidence he had gathered, bringing Choi Woong-sik, Choi Yong-min, and their accomplices to justice. Park Won-sang's character was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The episode ended with Shin Sa-jang visiting the murderer of his son. He coldly warned, "Live like this for the rest of your life. If you improve even a little, I'll make sure to kill you," with a menacing glare.
The backstory between Han Suk-kyu's character and his son's murderer will be revealed in the sixth episode of 'The Gentleman Project,' airing on the 30th at 8:50 PM.
By Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr
