Ha Jung-woo's Intense Performance Shakes Up 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea'

Actor Ha Jung-woo has returned to the small screen after 19 years, delivering a high-intensity performance in the tvN weekend drama 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea'. He plays the role of Ki Soo-jong, a landlord driven by shocking events to a darker path, heightening the tension with his dense acting.

In 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea' (written by Oh Han-ki, directed by Im Pil-sung), Ha Jung-woo portrays Ki Soo-jong, a landlord who has invested everything he has, and is set to showcase a dramatic emotional transformation.

Episodes 3 and 4 saw Ki Soo-jong's psyche shaken by a series of events, starting with the death of his brother-in-law Kim Kyun (played by Kim Nam-gil). He becomes embroiled in a fake kidnapping incident involving Jeon Yi-kyung (played by Jung Soo-jung) to pay off building debts, and later, Min Hwal-seong (played by Kim Jun-han), who initially planned the kidnapping, ends up in a vegetative state due to an accident. These unexpected life events begin to overwhelm Soo-jong.

Why Did the Ordinary Family Man Soo-jong Fall into Despair?

When Soo-jong is identified as a suspect in the kidnapping and taken into interrogation, his eyes reveal a hidden desperation and despair, knowing he cannot be discovered. Meanwhile, the pressure on the building continues from Yona (played by Shim Eun-kyung) ahead of redevelopment, and Soo-jong learns that his wife Kim Sun (played by Im Soo-jung), who was the only one who believed in him, had an affair with his friend Hwal-seong. Additionally, Hwal-seong knew in advance that the Se-yoon building would become a redevelopment area, further shaking Soo-jong's fragile mental state.

For Soo-jong, a loving husband and father who secretly took on a delivery job to pay off building debts, these revelations become an emotional whirlwind.

Why Is Ha Jung-woo's Return After 19 Years So Anticipated?

Ha Jung-woo captures the relentless emotional shifts of Soo-jong with his unique expressions and intense acting. As he navigates unprecedented events to protect his family and building, his calm demeanor and speech suddenly give way to desperation, adding a heavy dose of realism to Soo-jong's enlightenment and dire circumstances.

Returning to television after 19 years, Ha Jung-woo highlights the suspenseful endings of each episode as a key viewing point. Viewers are eager to see how the once ordinary family man and landlord Soo-jong will continue to darken, and what new truths will be revealed.

Ha Jung-woo stars in the tvN weekend drama 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea', airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM.

By Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr