In the JTBC weekend drama 'The Art of Negotiation' (written by Lee Seung-young, directed by Ahn Pan-seok), Lee Je-hoon portrayed the character Yoon Joon-ho, skillfully navigating the character's dynamic storyline and emotional depth with authenticity until the very end. In the final episode aired on the 13th, Joon-ho uncovers the truth behind the stock manipulation scandal at Jumbo Pharmaceuticals, clearing his name and successfully completing his long journey of revenge.
Earlier, Joon-ho faced a disciplinary committee due to an anonymous tip to the audit team. Despite pressure from Ha Jeon-moo (played by Jang Hyun-sung), Joon-ho stood his ground. He admitted to leaking company information to his brother Joo-seok (played by Hong In) but clarified that he had advised against investing in Jumbo Pharmaceuticals after due diligence. As the committee reconvened, Joon-ho explained the stock manipulation scheme, revealing Dr. Go Byung-soo as the mastermind and stating that no punishment was warranted due to the operation's failure. Joon-ho firmly declared that he came to Korea to find Dr. Go, had not engaged in stock manipulation, and had no evidence to hide. He also revealed that he inherited Jumbo Pharmaceuticals' shares and debts after Joo-seok's death, requesting a break to present his case.
Meanwhile, as the committee was in session, Jang Sun-bae (played by Lee Sung-jae) infiltrated the operation's ranks at Joon-ho's request, successfully stealing Dr. Go's laptop. However, the laptop was password-protected, so they sought help from ChaCha Games before returning to the committee. Joon-ho suggested that Joo-seok might have been betrayed by the operation's insiders. When pressed for evidence by Ha Jeon-moo, Joon-ho mentioned that the operation's members had recorded evidence. At this moment, Soon-young (played by Kim Dae-myung) appeared, revealing stock transaction records between Ha Jeon-moo and Joo-seok stored on the laptop, exposing the truth. Consequently, Ha Jeon-moo was dismissed, and Joon-ho's innocence was vindicated, bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.
In the epilogue, it was revealed that Joon-ho himself had submitted the anonymous tip to the audit team, and Ha Jeon-moo appeared as a director of the Samuel Fund, delivering a final twist to the viewers.
In the finale, Lee Je-hoon showcased the full range of Yoon Joon-ho's character, from his steely and sharp demeanor to his past guilt and sorrow, delivering an emotional performance that resonated beyond the screen. As Joon-ho reached the end of his revenge, Lee's nuanced dialogue delivery, restrained yet impactful facial expressions, and unwavering gaze effectively portrayed Joon-ho's inner strength.
In the scene where Joon-ho finally releases his pent-up anger and frustration, Lee Je-hoon's emotional intensity was on full display, reaffirming his acting prowess. Although Joon-ho was initially portrayed as an emotionless, AI-like character, Lee's heartfelt tearful performance in the flashback scenes revealed his deep sorrow for his deceased brother, moving viewers to tears and leaving a lasting impression. In the end, Joon-ho is shown living a normal corporate life, free from the false accusations, prompting viewers to root for the future Lee Je-hoon crafted for 'Yoon Joon-ho.'
Through this project, Lee Je-hoon has once again proven his acting skills, creating another beloved character for viewers and receiving praise for his portrayal of Yoon Joon-ho, achieving a successful conclusion.
Before the show aired, Lee Je-hoon described 'The Art of Negotiation' as an exceptional experience, stating, "If this work has shown you that even a seemingly cold life can be warm with good people around, I am incredibly grateful and satisfied. I hope all viewers remember the world within this story, which feels like it could exist somewhere." He shared these heartfelt sentiments.
[Photo= JTBC 'The Art of Negotiation']
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)