A Virtuous Business Recap: Episodes 1-2 Highlight Jeong-suk’s Supportive Journey in the Lingerie Industry During Emotional Struggles

The inaugural episodes of the latest K-drama, A Virtuous Business, debuted on October 12 and 13 on the JBTC network and Netflix. This series has taken over the Saturday and Sunday 22:30 KST timeslot on JBTC, featuring a talented cast including Kim So-yeon, Kim Sun-young, Kim Sung-ryung, Lee Se-hee, and Yeon Woo-jin in prominent roles, alongside a number of supporting characters. The first season will consist of a total of 12 episodes.

The narrative centers around the themes of freedom, personal growth, and friendship among four women who embarked on selling adult products door-to-door in a rural town back in 1992. This is a pioneering story about women embracing their independence in a time when discussing sex was still considered taboo. They brought life into the previously concealed realm of sexual expression and thrived on their own terms.

The initial episodes of A Virtuous Business showcase Jeong-suk as she navigates the business of lingerie and adult items. Eventually, she forges alliances with three other women who resonate with her entrepreneurial spirit. What began as a reluctant move driven by need transformed into a source of empowerment and solidarity.

A Virtuous Business Episode 1 Recap: Jeong-suk’s Financial Struggles Lead to an Unexpected Opportunity

The premiere episode of A Virtuous Business sets the stage by illustrating Han Jeong-suk’s struggles in Guemje. Faced with financial instability, she juggles her son’s needs, household bills, and various financial responsibilities. Meanwhile, her husband, Kwon Seong-su, appears to be a careless individual, unable to maintain steady employment, even misusing family finances and rent money for alcohol after losing his factory job.

This situation leaves Jeong-suk disheartened, yet she perseveres in her job search beyond her role as a cleaner for O Geum-hui. After facing multiple rejections, Jeong-suk discovers an opportunity with Fantasy, a company specializing in lingerie and adult products.

Initially, she feels hesitant due to the conservative nature of her community but ultimately decides to pursue the opportunity to sell products from home. During a sales introduction, she meets Seo Young-bok, and together they resolve to market Fantasy’s offerings to the women of Geumje.

The debut episode also introduces Kim Do-hyeon, a new detective in Guemje’s police force who seems to have ulterior motives for his presence in the town, hinting at a deeper investigation.

Jeong-suk meticulously plans her first sales event and seeks permission from O Geum-hui to host it in her home. With her backing secured, they organized the session discreetly.

They invited several women to showcase various products, including lingerie and vibrators. Initially, Jeong-suk faced disdain from some attendees for her choice of profession, and her attempts to sell were met with challenges, as one individual even reported her, implying they were running a prostitution ring.

Detective Kim Do-hyeon, along with a partner, arrived to follow up on the anonymous tip at Geum-hui’s residence. They were surprised by the presence of lingerie but found no incriminating evidence. Kim Do-hyeon pondered the motivations behind Jeong-suk’s actions.

After the police left, Geum-hui’s husband expressed shock at her involvement in the venture and insisted she quit immediately. However, Geum-hui became increasingly intrigued by Jeong-suk’s new undertaking and declined to abandon it.

Lee Ju-ri, a salon owner and single mother in Guemje, also showed interest in Jeong-suk’s business, becoming one of her initial customers.

As the stigma grew in the town, Kwon Seong-su pressured Jeong-suk to stop working when he overheard people criticizing his wife. Unwilling to accept defeat, she stood her ground, prompting her husband to leave the house in frustration.

In the final moments of the episode, Jeong-suk visited her friend Seong Mi-hwa’s home to share her early earnings with her husband. However, she unexpectedly caught Mi-hwa and Seong-su in a compromising position.

A Virtuous Business Episode 2 Recap: Collaboration and Confrontation as Jeong-suk and Friends Expand Their Business

The second episode picks up right where the first left off, with a shaken Jeong-suk reeling from the sight of her husband with Mi-hwa. Despite her emotional turmoil, she remains steadfast in her work.

Upon meeting Ju-ri, Jeong-suk learns about her practice of testing hair colors before delivering them to clients, prompting Jeong-suk to consider a similar approach with her products. She and Young-bok sample their items with confidence and excitement.

Seeking to host another sales event, Jeong-suk again turns to Geum-hui for permission, which is granted. This time, their sales flourish, and Ju-ri joins in the venture.

Detective Kim Do-hyeon, having settled into a new home in the outskirts of Geumje, continues his storyline in the second episode.

Later, Geum-hui expresses her desire to join Jeong-suk in her line of work despite her husband’s opposition. In a moment of conflict, Mi-hwa reaches out to Jeong-suk, fearing her secrets might be revealed. Ju-ri and Young-bok overhear this exchange, leading to their decision to prank Mi-hwa by splashing her with dirty water while she is in the restroom.

As the episode draws to a close, Jeong-suk prepares her son for school. Once he departs, she discovers an unsettling word written on her wall, leaving her feeling uneasy as the episode concludes.

Upcoming episodes of A Virtuous Business are set to air on October 19 and 20. Viewers can catch episodes on Netflix and Tving.

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