Tensions Rise in 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' as Betrayals Unfold

In a dramatic turn of events, actress Im Soo-jung's character, Kim Sun, kneels in apology after being caught in an affair with her husband Ha Jung-woo's friend, Kim Jun-han, in the tvN drama 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' (hereafter 'Building Owner').

The 9th episode, aired on the 11th, showcases a tense scenario where Gi Soo-jong (played by Ha Jung-woo) and Kim Sun (played by Im Soo-jung) plan a fake murder of Min Hwal-seong (played by Kim Jun-han). However, their plan goes awry, leading to a crisis.

As Gi Soo-jong rushes to save his kidnapped daughter, Gi Da-rae (played by Park Seo-kyung), he is anxious about his lies being exposed to Jeon Yi-kyung (played by Jung Soo-jung). Previously, he had conspired with Min Hwal-seong to kidnap Jeon Yi-kyung and falsely accused Kim Sun of the crime. Despite his attempts to deceive Kim Sun, Jeon Yi-kyung already knew the truth. Kim Sun, though shocked, focuses solely on rescuing her daughter and kneels before Jeon Yi-kyung, apologizing, "I truly did wrong."

Jeon Yi-kyung, unable to forgive Gi Soo-jong and Min Hwal-seong, feels a deeper sense of betrayal from Kim Sun, who deceived her despite knowing everything. She demands that Gi Soo-jong and Kim Sun confess their crimes and transfer all their assets, recording a video confession.

Unlike the resigned Kim Sun, Gi Soo-jong pleads with Jeon Yi-kyung for one last chance. He apologizes to Kim Sun, saying, "I thought this was for the family," and asks Jeon Yi-kyung to leave the Seyoon Building for Kim Sun and their daughter. He declares his intention to "kill Min Hwal-seong, the root of all this, and go to prison to settle my karma."

Behind his words lies a hidden plan. Gi Soo-jong recalls Kim Sun's past as a nurse, who once mentioned that with anesthesia and tools, she could make someone appear dead and then revive them. He plans to kidnap Min Hwal-seong, stage a fall, and pretend to ask Dong-cheol (played by Lee Ban-seok), Jeon Yi-kyung's observer, to dispose of the body, only to subdue him with a stun gun. Amidst the chaos, he aims to complete the Pyeongbuk-gwan contract using Min Hwal-seong's fingerprint.

The time limit is four minutes. If they fail to revive Min Hwal-seong within that time, they become actual murderers. However, the plan goes awry. Gi Soo-jong fails to activate the stun gun and is knocked out by Dong-cheol. Left alone, Kim Sun faces Dong-cheol in panic as the four-minute deadline alarm sounds. Jeon Yi-kyung, enraged by the couple's actions, is shocked, believing Min Hwal-seong to be dead. The tension peaks as viewers wonder if Kim Sun can save Min Hwal-seong in time.

The episode also reveals Gi Soo-jong's past. Once part of a major corporation's HR team, he worried about his hearing-impaired daughter Da-rae's future and chose to become a building owner over his precarious job. However, Min Hwal-seong, who initially proposed a joint investment, suddenly withdrew, leaving Gi Soo-jong to use his severance pay and loans to secure the Seyoon Building contract. Unaware that this decision would lead to tragedy, the episode leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr