The Art of Negotiation: Unfolding Drama in Episodes 5 and 6
The gripping narrative of The Art of Negotiation continues to captivate audiences as it chronicles the journey of merger and acquisition expert Yoon Joo-no. After a three-year hiatus from the Sanin Group due to an alleged scandal, Yoon returns at the behest of Director Lee Dong-joon. The company is on the brink of bankruptcy, grappling with a staggering 11 trillion KRW in debt. Tasked with steering the ship back to stability, Yoon assembles a talented team, which includes Oh Soon-young, Kwak Jin-myeong, and Choi Jin-soo.
Episode 5: Crisis Unfolds and Opportunities Arise
In Episode 5, reporter Han Ji-eun exposes the troubling reality surrounding the subsidiary Wind, signaling it as a critical threat to the Sanin Group. Meanwhile, CFO Ha Tae-soo devises a plan to oust Director Lee Dong-joon—and eventually Yoon Joo-no—using Wind’s failed stock market listing as justification for Lee’s dismissal.
Nonetheless, Yoon Joo-no arrives just in time to the board meeting, announcing news of a promising deal with Shimizu, a well-respected Japanese artisan firm. Yoon’s intervention not only boosts Wind’s sales potential but also helps to bolster Lee Dong-joon’s position.
Boardroom Tensions and Strategic Decisions
As the boardroom dynamics intensify in Episode 5, Chairman Song Jae-sik expresses his fury over the scandal surrounding Wind, directing his frustrations at CEO Oh Chi-young, who is perplexed by the whole situation, as he had no role in Wind’s troubles. Acknowledging his own oversight, Lee Dong-joon admits to the missed opportunity for listing Wind at an opportune time.
In his proactive approach, Yoon Joo-no takes charge, proposing strategies to elevate Wind’s sales. He encourages CEO Park Rae-gyeong to explore entry into the local market, which involves procuring a large quantity of products including high-end archery equipment and bicycles.
Negotiations Take Flight in Japan
As part of their efforts, Yoon and his team travel to Japan to negotiate a significant deal. Upon arrival, they meet their counterparts, including project manager Senichi Naito and team leader Osamu Yoshida. Yoon proposes a substantial order of 9,000 gears at a discounted rate, but Yoshida remains noncommittal, suggesting he will consider the proposal without providing a firm response.
Interestingly, Yoon deliberately keeps his team’s deadline concealed from the Japanese side, which ultimately proves problematic. As the negotiations struggle, tensions rise when interpreter Haruka Hirose inadvertently reveals the looming deadline to their Japanese counterparts, prompting a rearrangement of the negotiation schedule.
Negotiation Challenges in Episode 6
In Episode 6, a critical turning point emerges as Choi Jin-soo is tasked with gathering intelligence from Hirose by building rapport. Through this connection, Choi discovers internal challenges at Shimizu, particularly concerning Yoshida’s leadership. Armed with this new information, Yoon Joo-no approaches Yoshida to expedite the deal. However, on the day they are set to sign, Naito hesitates after discovering Park Rae-gyeong’s identity, which complicates matters further.
This setback leads to frustrations despite previously secure negotiations featuring a sought-after 50 percent discount and a 20 percent advance payment for 10,001 gears. Park Rae-gyeong’s past involvement with the Daechi company becomes a focal point, as his decisions revolve around producing premium archery equipment in honor of legacy.
Closure and New Developments
Throughout these episodes, crucial insights emerge about relationships and reputations within the corporate world. Yoon delivers a personal letter from Park Rae-gyeong, aiming to reassure Naito of mutual respect and intentions. This heartfelt communication emphasizes Wind’s commitment to independence and innovation, separate from Daechi’s legacy.
By the conclusion of Episode 6, Yoon and Shimizu finally finalize their deal, solidifying a much-needed victory for Wind. Meanwhile, a smoldering crisis surfaces as Lee Dong-joon uncovers that Chairman Song Jae-sik has taken out a loan using his shares as collateral, which he tries to execute discretely, raising alarms within the team.
As tensions within the Sanin Group escalate, Lee proactively reaches out to Yoon Joo-no to discuss the impending crisis, setting the stage for more intense negotiations and corporate maneuvers ahead.
Catch new episodes of The Art of Negotiation, starring Lee Je-hoon, airing every Saturday and Sunday on JTBC.