After making a selfless sacrifice to protect his factory coworkers, Kim Nak-su faces the harsh reality of unemployment. His search for a quick financial solution leads him to make a risky investment, with devastating consequences.
From Office Manager to Jobless
Kim Nak-su, a company manager for 25 years, found his life turned upside down. To save the jobs of twenty factory workers, he made the bold decision to take voluntary retirement himself. The employees thanked him for his sacrifice, which bought them another year of job security. However, Nak-su was left without a job and a steady income.
Back at home, his behavior showed a noticeable change. He became quieter and more compassionate toward his family. When his son, Su-gyeom, mentioned he no longer needed financial help after the scammer who swindled him was caught, Nak-su focused on his own difficult path ahead.
The Struggle to Find Work
Nak-su quickly discovered that finding a new job at his age was not easy. He faced repeated rejections from recruiters. The positions that were available offered very low pay that he could not accept. Even a potential opportunity at his brother-in-law’s company had already been filled.
The financial pressure began to mount. With bills piling up and his severance pay not enough to live on long-term, Nak-su grew increasingly desperate for a solution. He met with his landlord friend for drinks and discussed the idea of generating passive income through property investment. Despite his friend’s clear warnings not to touch his severance pay for such ventures, Nak-su became fixated on the idea.
The Temptation of a Perfect Investment
Nak-su remembered a flyer he had received earlier for AP Royal, a property investment promising high returns. He visited their sales office, where a smooth-talking salesman told him only one commercial unit remained available. The salesman described a prime location near a bustling station, promising that the unit could generate around 10 million won per month in rent. The original price was 1.6 billion won, but the salesman offered a significant discount, bringing it down to 1.05 billion won.
Lost in dreams of financial success and respect, Nak-su made a critical mistake. He rushed into the deal without discussing it with his wife, Ha-jin, who had just been hired as a licensed real estate agent. He signed the contract immediately, using his severance pay and taking out a large personal loan to cover the cost.
The Dream Collapses
Soon after completing the purchase, Nak-su received a call about his first potential tenant. Instead of the cafe he was promised, a toast shop wanted to rent the space for 9 million won per month with a 20 million won deposit. Though doubtful about the fit, the salesman persuaded him to accept the deal.
Nak-su’s dream of easy income quickly shattered. When he tried to contact the salesman later, the phone number was disconnected. The toast shop tenant also called to cancel, telling Nak-su to keep the deposit money, which seemed suspicious.
Nak-su drove to the property and discovered the awful truth. The building was part of a large-scale scam. The promised bustling station nearby had not been operational for some time. He found a crowd of other angry investors who had been similarly swindled. The company had flipped cheap apartments for over a billion won each, making a huge profit before disappearing.
The devastating realization hit him hard. Nak-su, who had sacrificed his job to help others, now lost all his money through this real estate fraud. The episode ends with him slumped on the ground, clutching his chest in shock and hyperventilating as the full weight of his financial disaster sinks in.
A Family’s Parallel Struggles
While Nak-su faced his crisis, his son Su-gyeom dealt with his own challenges. He took a job at his school cafeteria to repay his debts, which his friend Han-na found embarrassing. Their disagreement over finances and her role in introducing him to the scammer caused tension between them.
When Han-na posted on social media about possibly going abroad, Su-gyeom rushed to stop her. He asked her not to leave, and she revealed she had not yet booked her ticket. This subplot provided a contrast to Nak-su’s story, showing different generations facing similar pressures of money and relationships.
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The Aftermath of a Bad Decision
Nak-su’s investment disaster highlights the vulnerability of people in desperate situations. Despite his years of experience as a salesman, his desire for a quick financial recovery clouded his judgment. He ignored clear warning signs, including his friend’s advice and his own wife’s expertise in real estate.
The show portrays how quickly a life can unravel. From being a respected manager to an unemployed retiree, and finally a victim of fraud, Nak-su’s journey shows the fragile nature of financial security. His selfless act at the factory was followed by a desperate gamble that cost him everything he had left.
The episode leaves viewers wondering where Nak-su can possibly go from here. With no job, no money, and his family depending on him, he has reached what appears to be his lowest point yet.
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