Ha Jung-woo's Dramatic Return to TV: 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' Concludes with a Thrilling Finale

Ha Jung-woo's gripping survival drama in 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' has come to a close. This series marked Ha Jung-woo's return to television after 19 years, generating anticipation even before its premiere. The final episode concluded with a nationwide viewership rating of 3.7%.

In the final episode aired on the 19th, Ha Jung-woo's character, Ki Soo-jong, emerged victorious in the redevelopment war, securing wealth but feeling a sense of loneliness with no one left by his side. Consumed by greed, Ki Soo-jong couldn't cleanse himself, leaving a heavy impression that human desires are endless, even when faced with choices again.

The finale heightened tension with Yona's (played by Shim Eun-kyung) ruthless attempts to eliminate Kim Sun (played by Im Soo-jung) and Jeon Yi-kyung (played by Jung Soo-jung), who were obstacles to the redevelopment project. Ki Soo-jong set a trap with the police to protect Kim Sun, planning to have Yona kill Kim Sun and arrest her at the scene. However, Yona targeted Jeon Yi-kyung instead. Ki Soo-jong rushed to save her, leading to an unexpected twist when Yona's shadowy undertaker (played by Lee Shin-ki) turned the gun on Yona, killing her.

The revelation that this was all part of Ki Soo-jong's plan added a twist, as he orchestrated Yona's demise to protect everyone and secure all redevelopment shares for himself.

Later, Ki Soo-jong became the owner of the multi-billion-dollar Nouveau City, far surpassing the old three-story Seyoon Building. Despite his success in real estate investment, he faced a lonely birthday without his wife and daughter, who were studying in the U.S. The reality of being hounded by loan collectors remained unchanged. Kim Sun handed him divorce papers, and Jeon Yi-kyung lived on, raising her child without her mother or husband.

A mysterious text message about auction procedures for Nouveau City and related buildings created an eerie atmosphere for Ki Soo-jong. An employee from Gold Rush Investment, which acquired Real Capital, abducted him, ominously suggesting, "Shall we talk business, Mr. Building Owner?" Ki Soo-jong, having crossed the line once, replied, "Anytime." His expression and demeanor were a stark contrast to his earlier panic when Seyoon Building faced auction. This hinted that Ki Soo-jong's survival drama to protect his buildings was far from over.

'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' crafted a unique genre with its unprecedented character development and storyline. The consequences of 'soul-dragging loans' expanded into a series of events, depicting how ordinary people could transform to survive, rather than portraying typical villains. This led to unpredictable developments in each episode, keeping viewers on edge. The direction, blending thriller and black comedy, and the original script completed the show's distinctive genre appeal.

Notably, the presence of Ha Jung-woo, Im Soo-jung, Kim Jun-han, Jung Soo-jung, and Shim Eun-kyung was exceptional. The actors delivered compelling performances, portraying characters who darkened and transformed with desire as the series progressed. Their performances were described as "a masterclass in acting," captivating audiences. Supporting actors like Kim Geum-soon as Jeon Yang-ja, Hyun Bong-sik as Oh Dong-ki, Lee Shin-ki as the undertaker, and Park Sung-il as Nam Bo-jwa-gwan also enriched the drama with their intense performances.

Ki Soo-jong's desperate struggle to attain the title of 'building owner' for his family's future and to prove his success left a lingering impression, prompting reflection on the consequences of his choices.

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