tvN ‘How to Become a Building Owner in Korea’

As ‘How to Become a Building Owner in Korea’ heads into its final episode, Shim Eun-kyung's cold-blooded rampage created a tension that left no one feeling safe.

In episode 11 of the tvN weekend drama ‘How to Become a Building Owner in Korea’ (written by Oh Han-gi/directed by Im Pil-seong/planned by Studio Dragon/produced by Mindmark, Studio329/hereafter ‘Landlord’), aired on April 18, Yona (played by Shim Eun-kyung) killed Aide Nam (played by Park Sung-il), who stood in the way of the redevelopment project, and moved to threaten Jeon I-gyeong (played by Jung Soo-jung) and Kim Seon (played by Im Soo-jung), creating chills.

The episode opened with Yona being questioned over the kidnapping and fire that occurred at the Seyun Building. Even after killing someone, Yona acted nonchalant and was released from custody. Jeon I-gyeong admitted to kidnapping Gi Dar-ae (played by Park Seo-kyung) and sought to hold Gi Su-jong (played by Ha Jung-woo) responsible, but Gi Dar-ae denied the kidnapping and chose to protect her parents, Gi Su-jong and Kim Seon, as well as Jeon I-gyeong.

Meanwhile, Gi Su-jong and Kim Seon came under suspicion as murder suspects when the body of real estate agent Jang Hee-ju (played by Ryu Abel) was found. The couple had deliberately exposed themselves on CCTV to build an alibi and, fortunately, slipped through the investigation net. With the question of who killed Jang Hee-ju up in the air, the murderer was revealed to be Aide Nam, delivering a shock. He had fought with Jang Hee-ju over redevelopment shares and committed the murder.

Aide Nam intended to take care of Gi Su-jong, who was coveting redevelopment shares beyond his station, and at the same time pin the murder on him. He ordered Yona to eliminate Gi Su-jong, but Yona instead pointed her gun at Aide Nam, an unexpected twist. After killing him, Yona proposed a partnership with Gi Su-jong to carry on the remaining redevelopment project, and suggested removing Jeon I-gyeong to speed up the purchase of Pyeongbukgwan. Gi Su-jong refused, but Yona ignored him and pushed ahead.

The undertaker (played by Lee Shin-gi), shadowing Yona, broke into the hospital room of Jeon I-gyeong, and Gi Su-jong rushed in and barely saved her. Gi Su-jong moved quickly with Mr. Kim (played by Nam Myeong-ryeol) to evacuate Jeon I-gyeong to another safe location.

Meanwhile, Kim Seon learned that Yona had killed her younger brother Kim Gyun and resolved to take revenge. She handed Detective Go Ju-ran (played by Lee Joo-woo) a USB containing the illicit ledgers and criminal evidence of Real Capital. With an insider within the police making it impossible to feel safe, Kim Seon kept the USB at home without turning it in, and when Yona came looking for it, she was put in danger. Yona approached with the chilling question “I came to pick up my item, where is it?”, and the terrified Kim Seon tried to secretly send an SOS to Gi Su-jong. While evacuating Jeon I-gyeong, Gi Su-jong learned that Kim Seon was in danger, and episode 11 ended amid tension.

The ruthless campaign of Yona to remove those who obstruct redevelopment signaled unpredictable developments through the finale. Attention turns to who will survive this fierce war and what price and ending will result from the ‘yeongkkeul (scraping together loans to the very limit)’ choice of Gi Su-jong, who sought to protect his building and family.

The final episode of the tvN weekend drama ‘How to Become a Building Owner in Korea’ airs on Sunday, April 19, at 9:10 p.m.