Overview of The Art of Negotiation
Premise:
The Art of Negotiation (허정의 기술, Hyeopsangui Gisul) is a 12-episode office drama centering on Yoon Ju-no (Lee Je-hoon), a legendary mergers and acquisitions (M&A) expert. After three years in Hawaii, he returns to South Korea to save the bankrupt Sanin Group, a conglomerate drowning in $11 billion of debt. With his assembled dream team—including lawyer Oh Soon-young (Kim Dae-myung) and analyst Choi Jin-soo (Cha Kang-yoon)—Ju-no faces high-stakes corporate deals, ethical dilemmas, and internal conflicts.
Airing Details:
- Network: JTBC
- Time Slot: Saturdays & Sundays at 10:30 PM KST
- Streaming: Viu, Viki, Kocowa (subtitles typically released a day after airing)
- Director: Ahn Pan-seok (Something in the Rain)
- Writer: Lee Seung-young
- Production Companies: BA Entertainment, SLL
Episode 2: “The First Deal”
Air Date: March 9, 2025, 10:30 PM KST
Since the episode aired just hours ago, details come from Episode 1’s setup, official stills, promotional material, and early fan reactions on X (formerly Twitter).
Setup from Episode 1:
- Yoon Ju-no returns to Sanin Group amid rumors of demotion, attempting to restore his standing while confronting corporate skepticism.
- He reunites his old team, including lawyer Oh Soon-young and manager Kwak Min-jeong (Ahn Hyun-ho), while recruiting intern Choi Jin-soo, who idolizes him.
- Sanin Group’s crisis pushes Chairman Song Jae-sik (Sung Dong-il) to entrust Ju-no with a massive M&A deal as the company’s last hope.
- Episode 1 ended with Ju-no unveiling the “M Project”, a strategy to sell Sanin Construction—a subsidiary valued at 7 billion USD (or KRW-adjusted for drama stakes)—to secure funds.
Key Moments in Episode 2
1. The Dream Team’s First Negotiation
Ju-no briefs his team on the M Project, explaining how they must sell Sanin Construction for a double-digit figure to secure enough capital. Each member plays a role:
- Soon-young (Kim Dae-myung): Ensures legal viability of the sale.
- Jin-soo (Cha Kang-yoon): Conducts market analysis to gauge potential buyers.
- Min-jeong (Ahn Hyun-ho): Oversees management of the deal.
📌“Lee Je Hoon, Kim Dae Myeung dan Tim Impian Lakukan Negosiasi Perdana” (The Dream Team’s First Negotiation).
2. Ju-no vs. the Rival Firm
Sanin Group faces off with a rival bidder, speculated to be Ha Tae-soo (Jang Hyun-sung), the company’s skeptical CFO, or an external investment firm. Ju-no’s negotiation tactics showcase his unorthodox yet brilliant strategies:
- Calculated risk-taking—he asks for an aggressive bid, unsettling the competition.
- Psychological plays—he maintains an icy calm demeanor while subtly pressuring the other party into a disadvantageous position.
📌 “Lee Je-hoon’s Ju-no is a shark—calculating, unreadable, impossible to beat.”
3. Ethical Tensions Rise
Jin-soo, the idealistic intern, clashes with Ju-no’s ruthless tactics. He questions whether Ju-no is manipulating the deal for personal gain, introducing an internal conflict. This foreshadows Jin-soo’s growing doubts about his mentor.
📌 “Ju-no overrides Jin-soo’s suggestion—right move or crossing the line?”
4. A Suspenseful Cliffhanger
The deal appears successful, but just as Ju-no finalizes terms, a counteroffer or betrayal from within Sanin Group puts everything at risk. The episode ends with a suspenseful moment, leaving fans wondering if Ju-no will salvage the deal in Episode 3.
📌 “Sukses?” (Successful?)
Episode 2 Highlights & Direction
Tone & Cinematography:
- The drama continues its meticulously crafted visuals—director Ahn Pan-seok uses intimate framing, cold lighting, and strategic music choices to heighten the tension.
- A pop song motif plays during the negotiation climax, a signature move in Ahn Pan-seok dramas.
Acting & Chemistry:
- Lee Je-hoon’s portrayal of Ju-no is magnetic, effortlessly switching between charming, ruthless, and enigmatic.
- Kim Dae-myung’s Soon-young grounds the story with dry wit and practical intelligence.
- Cha Kang-yoon’s Jin-soo offers a fresh, idealistic contrast to Ju-no’s cutthroat mindset.
Fan Reactions & Reviews
- Positive: Fans are raving about Lee Je-hoon’s silver-haired charisma, the gripping tension, and the ensemble cast’s synergy.
- Criticism: Some find the corporate jargon dense, making subtitle availability crucial for non-Korean audiences.
- Overall Verdict: Episode 2 successfully ramps up the stakes while deepening character dynamics and ethical dilemmas.
📌 “Thrilling journey ahead—Episode 2 cements this as a must-watch.”
Where to Watch The Art of Negotiation
- Live: JTBC (South Korea), Saturdays & Sundays at 10:30 PM KST.
- Streaming: Viu, Viki, Kocowa (English subtitles available by March 10 morning).
What’s Next? Episode 3 Predictions
- The fate of the M Project deal—was it sabotaged internally?
- More insight into Ju-no’s Hawaii backstory—why did he leave, and what’s at stake now?
- Jin-soo’s growing doubts—will he become Ju-no’s ally or a future adversary?
Final Thoughts
Episode 2 thrusts The Art of Negotiation into full gear, balancing high-stakes business maneuvers with deep character conflicts. As Ju-no fights for Sanin Group’s survival, his moral boundaries blur, setting up a thrilling mid-season ahead.
Are you watching The Art of Negotiation? What did you think of Episode 2? Let’s discuss!
More On The Drama
The Art of Negotiation (2025 K-Drama) Episode 1: Breakdown & Reactions
