The latest episodes of The Art of Negotiation, featuring talents such as Lee Je-hoon, Kim Dae-myung, and Sung Dong-il, aired on March 28 and 29, 2025, on JTBC. The series centers around Yoon Joo-no, a specialist in mergers and acquisitions who returns to Sanin Group with a daunting mission: to resolve the conglomerate’s massive debt of 11 trillion KRW.
Episode 7 Synopsis: A Controversial Decision
In the dramatic seventh episode, Chairman Song Jae-sik (portrayed by Sung Dong-il) assembles Ha Tae-soo (Jang Hyun-sun), Lee Dong-ju (Oh Man-seok), and Yoon Joo-no (Lee Je-hoon) to devise a strategy for settling a 50 billion KRW loan collateralized by his shares. During the meeting, he reveals a personal investment—his recent acquisition of a resort in Jeju Island, which he bought out of pure fascination.
Yoon Joo-no recommends selling the resort to pay off the loan, but this suggestion infuriates Chairman Song. Subsequently, Yoon and the M&A team travel to Jeju to conduct due diligence and explore potential buyers for the resort.
Upon discovering this plan, Song Jae-sik’s anger surges, compelling him to demand resignation letters from the team. However, The Art of Negotiation episode 8 concludes with Yoon Joo-no’s resignation being rejected, instead offering him an executive position within Sanin Group.
Episode 8 Recap: Insight into Executive Offers
In this gripping follow-up, Ha Tae-soo proposes acquiring a loan through PPF to lessen their financial burden. He urges both Yoon and himself to collaborate; however, they choose separate paths. Yoon Joo-no uncovers that the resort’s name is Dado after encountering a colleague who inadvertently reveals that Chairman Song gifted it to his daughter—a closely guarded secret.
Meanwhile, Ha Tae-soo engages with PPF and manages to negotiate additional funding, but at a steep interest rate of 15 percent. In Jeju, the M&A team encounters a woman named Song Ji-ho, who has been residing at the Dado resort for over a year. Despite her welcoming demeanor, Yoon Joo-no, by the episode’s end, introduces himself as the CEO, shocking his colleagues.
While they discuss the potential sale, Song Ji-ho expresses her lack of interest in selling the resort. The following episode escalates with Ha Tae-soo seeking a loan at 18 percent interest, with hopes of renegotiating down to 15 percent. The M&A team also convenes with Dolphins Hotel, previously interested in acquiring Dado, to engage in negotiations.
Challenges Ahead: Negotiating Dado’s Future
The Dolphins are hesitant to commit due to the resort’s lack of profitability. Yoon Joo-no emphasizes that failing to secure this deal would result in Sanin offering support to Dado, potentially reviving its profitability through favorable customer initiatives. However, the Dolphins counter with a stipulation that Sanin must assume the costs of those initiatives, complicating matters further.
Conflicts arise as Ha Tae-soo confides in Chairman Song but faces reprimand instead. Song Jae-sik instructs him to strive for a 10 percent interest rate, and upon learning about Yoon Joo-no’s presence in Jeju, he is taken aback to the point of fainting. Meanwhile, Song Ji-ho’s personal struggles are highlighted as she confides in Kwak Jin-myeong about her worry regarding Dado’s future amidst her health battles.
As Yoon continues to engage with the M&A team, Song Ji-ho becomes increasingly agitated and demands comprehensive reports. While Yoon warns that her approach could lead to the resort’s closure, she remains resolute, insisting that her father will handle it.
Tragically, the episode reveals that Song Ji-ho has cancer that has returned after surgery, and she chooses not to undergo another procedure. Her peaceful acceptance of the situation adds emotional weight to the narrative, culminating in a poignant farewell.
A New Chapter for Yoon Joo-no
As events unfold, an emotional exchange occurs when Kwak Jin-myeong apologizes to Song Ji-ho, which leads to a heartfelt moment regarding a dress gifted to her. In a pivotal scene, Yoon Joo-no approaches Song Jae-sik with his resignation letter, just as the latter contemplates significant loan plans and stock strategies.
In the episode’s climax, Chairman Song receives a call from Song Ji-ho, prompting her to propose the sale of the Dado resort, but under specific conditions previously laid out by the M&A team. Overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, Song Jae-sik offers Yoon Joo-no the executive position, setting the stage for significant changes ahead.
Catch The Art of Negotiation every Saturday and Sunday on JTBC for thrilling twists and engaging storytelling.