[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Hyesoo] Kim Dami from 'Itaewon Class' recorded Yoon Bohyun's hit-and-run confession, foreshadowing Park Seojoon's revenge.
On the 28th, JTBC drama 'Itaewon Class' episode 9 recorded nationwide ratings of 14.0% and metropolitan area ratings of 14.9% (based on Nielsen Korea paid households). In this episode, Chairman Jang (played by Yoo Jae-myung) tried to scout Jo Yi-seo (played by Kim Dami) but was rejected, and Jo Yi-seo recorded the confession of Jang Geun-won (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), who approached her again to scout her.
That day, Jo Yi-seo attended Chairman Jang's seminar. Chairman Jang said in the seminar, "Out of five million stores, one million close every year," adding, "Because there is no reason to come to this store." During the Q&A session, when Jo Yi-seo raised her hand, Chairman Jang showed curiosity, saying, "A familiar friend."
Jo Yi-seo asked, "I work under a boss who says business is about people. Does Jangga have such a belief?" Chairman Jang responded, "You're a romantic friend." When Yi-seo asked, "Is it possible for a small pojangmacha to beat Jangga now?" Chairman Jang answered, "That will never happen before I die," and ended the seminar.
Chairman Jang, who liked the bold Jo Yi-seo, immediately called her and offered, "Won't you come to Jangga? I will not disappoint you," but Jo Yi-seo declined, saying, "Thank you for the offer, but I must refuse because of my boss."
Chairman Jang tried to persuade her, saying, "These days, friends say affection is important, but it hasn't even been a year. It's shallow affection." Yi-seo replied, "You shouldn't reject the chairman's offer because of affection," and provocatively said, "Isn't the chairman's offer also because of our boss? I am confident I can grow Danbam bigger. If I show better results than my boss in the process, please offer again then," provoking Chairman Jang.
Park Saeroyi (played by Park Seojoon), after discussing company tax issues with Lee Hojin (played by Lee David), decides to register a corporate business. While considering the corporate name with the Danbam members via KakaoTalk, Choi Seungkwon (played by Ryu Kyungsoo) suggests 'Itaewon Class.' Yi-seo and Ma Hyunyi (played by Lee Jooyoung) react negatively, saying it sounds like "a middle schooler full of pretentiousness," while others are positive.
At the pojangmacha, Saeroyi persuades the members, saying, "When I heard 'Itaewon Class,' what came to mind was freedom." Jo Yi-seo grumbles, "You’re hooked now. You’ll do it no matter what," to which Saeroyi replies, "No, if you don’t want it, we won’t do it," and she quickly softens.
Jo Yi-seo smiles and says, "Well, I like the boss too," but adds, "But using a place name for a business is a bit off." When Ma Hyunyi suggests using the spelling abbreviation, the members take turns pronouncing 'I.C.', and Jo Yi-seo approves, saying, "I like it. The pronunciation is strong."
They decide internally to use 'Itaewon Class' and externally 'I.C.' Afterward, Park Saeroyi confirms to the Danbam members, "We gathered here as founding members of I.C. Itaewon Class Inc."
Meanwhile, Oh Byunghun (played by Yoon Kyungho)'s daughter Hye-won (played by Choi Yuri) visits Danbam pojangmacha. While Oh Byunghun talks briefly with Park Saeroyi, Hye-won disappears, prompting everyone to search for her. During the search, Hye-won, having left her phone behind and in trouble, borrows a phone from Kang Minjung (played by Kim Hye-eun), who was heading to Danbam pojangmacha, to call Oh Byunghun.
When Park Saeroyi and Oh Byunghun come to find Hye-won and greet Director Kang, Oh Byunghun senses something suspicious and struggles with a man taking photos nearby but loses him. The camera taken from the man contains pictures of Director Kang meeting Park Saeroyi.
Director Kang is certain, saying, "No one would do this except Chairman Jang," and Saeroyi worries, "Our relationship might have been exposed." Oh Byunghun thanks Director Kang for helping find his daughter, and when Director Kang praises Hye-won, Oh Byunghun shyly says, "Fortunately, she doesn’t take after me." Director Kang compliments Oh Byunghun, saying, "Children grow up watching their parents’ backs. You’re a great dad and very proud."
Chairman Jang receives a report on Danbam pojangmacha’s current status from Oh Sua (played by Kwon Nara). Seeing Jang Geunsu (played by Kim Donghee) energetically answering and promoting on SNS live with Jo Yi-seo, he feels mixed emotions. At this moment, Manager Kim enters and reports, and Oh Sua learns that Chairman Jang has been tailing Director Kang and is interested in Jo Yi-seo.
After leaving the chairman’s office, Oh Sua asks Manager Kim, "What’s going on? What’s with the tailing and the meeting with Jo Yi-seo?" Manager Kim dismisses, saying, "We’re employees; if the chairman orders, we do it." On his way to the chairman’s office, Jang Geun-won sees Oh Sua and Manager Kim and asks if they are fighting, but Oh Sua avoids the situation.
Jang Geun-won tells Manager Kim, "If something happens to father, please consult me too," to which Manager Kim replies, "The chairman likes Danbam’s Jo Yi-seo," and suggests, "To gain the chairman’s trust, why don’t you personally scout her, Executive Director?"
Park Saeroyi, thinking that moving the store and poor sales are due to the dying alley market, personally starts revitalizing the surrounding businesses by fixing signs and helping nearby stores. Seeing Saeroyi helping the neighboring shops, Jo Yi-seo complains, "What are you trying to do now?" Saeroyi replies, "What are we lacking? We can’t succeed alone in this dying market. We have to revive the street."
Chairman Jang, knowing that Oh Byunghun has an exclusive contract with Danbam pojangmacha, calls him separately and offers a shocking deal: "How about terminating all contracts with other companies and signing an exclusive contract with Jangga?" Oh Byunghun accepts the contract but says, "It’s a very good offer, but I must refuse," looking at Chairman Jang. He emphasizes, "How much will Saeroyi and Danbam grow in ten years? It’s not affection. It’s an investment for profit and the future."
Chairman Jang tells him to think about his child and says goodbye, but Oh Byunghun clenches his fist and quotes Director Kang, "Children grow up watching their parents’ backs." He then reveals, "The hit-and-run case ten years ago was unfortunately my case," surprising Chairman Jang. Oh Byunghun continues, "I conducted a very shameful investigation back then," and firmly rejects the chairman’s offer, saying, "My daughter only needs to see one pathetic back, Chairman."
Following Manager Kim’s suggestion, Jang Geun-won visits Danbam pojangmacha and meets Jo Yi-seo at a cafe to offer a scouting proposal. Jo Yi-seo is intrigued, saying, "That’s a decent offer." Jang Geun-won persuades her, "It’s more than that. You might not know because you’re young, but this is a great opportunity."
Jo Yi-seo nods along with Jang Geun-won’s words and provokes him, "Then why does Park Saeroyi act so boldly toward you?" Jang Geun-won inadvertently confesses the hit-and-run incident. Quietly listening, Jo Yi-seo says, "Stop now," plays the recorded confession, and Jang Geun-won is greatly embarrassed.
Jo Yi-seo declares, "I love the boss madly," but adds, "But the boss’s mind is full of Jangga guys. I’m jealous of that." Then she pours her coffee on Jang Geun-won and proclaims, "That’s why I’m going to destroy everything," declaring war on him.
JTBC's 'Itaewon Class' airs every Friday and Saturday at 10:50 PM.
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