Despite modest Nielsen ratings of 6.07 percent, the critical response has been mixed but passionate—with some reviewers giving it perfect 10s while others settle at 6.0. At the heart of the series lies the ideological clash between growth-minded Joo No and CFO Ha Tae Soo against the backdrop of the struggling Sanin Group. This character dynamic creates such compelling drama that by the finale, I was literally left speechless.
Profile
Title: The Art of Negotiation (협상의 기술)
Genre: Corporate Thriller, Workplace Drama
Release Date: March 8, 2025 – April 13, 2025
Number of Episodes: 12
Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Dae-myung, Sung Dong-il, Jang Hyun-sung, Oh Man-seok, Ahn Hyun-ho, Cha Kang-yoon
Writer: Lee Seung-young
Directed by: Ahn Pan-seok
Streaming Platforms: Viu (selected regions), Viki (international)
Country: South Korea
Synosis
At the heart of the art of negotiation lies a gripping corporate rescue mission. The story centers on Yoon Joo No, once a key figure in SANIN GROUP’s M&A team who mysteriously vanished to Hawaii three years ago [6]. His sudden return coincides with the company facing potential bankruptcy under a crushing 11 trillion won debt burden [3].
Called back as the company’s final hope, Joo No’s mission is straightforward yet daunting: save SANIN GROUP from financial ruin [6]. Rather than taking conventional approaches, he forms a specialized negotiation team with Chairman Song Jaesik’s support [6]. This elite squad includes finance wizard Kwak Min-Jung, former prosecutor turned attorney Oh Soon-Young, and candid intern Choi Jin-Soo [9].
The corporate battlefield
The corporate battlefield is immediately established during an electrifying board meeting where CFO Ha Tae-Soo proposes selling off all affiliate companies except Sanin Construction [9]. This strategy creates immediate tension with many executives who oppose what they see as a power grab [9]. Consequently, Joo No offers a bold counterproposal – retain all subsidiaries except Sanin Construction, arguing this prevents underselling the company’s true market value [9].
This ideological clash between Joo No and CFO Ha forms the series’ central conflict. Ha Tae-Soo isn’t merely a colleague; he’s positioned as a fierce rival with clear aspirations for the chairman position [3]. Meanwhile, Chairman Song Jaesik remains an enigmatic figure throughout, leaving viewers constantly questioning whether he’s truly an ally or a hidden adversary [3].
The stakes escalate when the chairman challenges Joo No to secure a double-digit bid – effectively setting an almost impossible target three trillion won above initial estimates [9]. Every negotiation becomes a high-wire act where decisions affect not just corporate survival but thousands of livelihoods.
Behind these corporate maneuvers lies the mystery of Joo No’s original departure, with rumors suggesting a demotion, though nobody knows the truth [6]. His return isn’t merely about business salvation; it evolves into a personal redemption journey against complex relationships challenging him at every turn [3].
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Character Dynamics and Performances
- Yoon Joo-no (Lee Je-hoon): Joo-no is the master negotiator at the heart of the series. Lee Je-hoon delivers a performance marked by calm precision and quiet authority. His sharp intellect and composed demeanor command attention, while subtle emotional depth hints at a complex past. Even in stillness, Je-hoon’s presence drives the drama forward.
- Oh Soon-young (Kim Dae-myung): As Joo-no’s trusted lawyer, Soon-young provides warmth and emotional intelligence. Kim Dae-myung portrays him with empathy and humor, often acting as the team’s moral compass. His sincerity and grounded perspective balance the intensity of the corporate setting.
- Song Jae-sik (Sung Dong-il): The seasoned chairman of Sanin Group, Song is both wise and unpredictable. Sung Dong-il infuses the role with gravitas and dry wit, effortlessly shifting between mentor and strategist. His layered performance gives the series a compelling leadership figure with emotional weight.
- Ha Tae-soo (Jang Hyun-sung): Ha Tae-soo is the calculating CFO and a central antagonist. Jang Hyun-sung plays him with cool detachment, making his composed exterior feel threatening. Every interaction with Joo-no carries an underlying tension, enriching the show’s power dynamics.
- Lee Dong-joon (Oh Man-seok): Dong-joon is Sanin’s charming yet ambiguous CCO. Oh Man-seok captures his dual nature with ease—he’s affable but never fully trustworthy. His unpredictability keeps viewers guessing about where his loyalties lie.
- Kwak Min-jung (Ahn Hyun-ho): As the dependable manager of the M&A team, Kwak is a steadying presence. Ahn Hyun-ho’s understated performance adds quiet strength and organizational backbone to the group.
- Choi Jin-su (Cha Kang-yoon): The bright-eyed intern, Jin-su offers comic relief and fresh enthusiasm. Cha Kang-yoon portrays him with earnestness and charm, making his outsider perspective both relatable and endearing.
Is The Art of Negotiation Worth Watching?
Pros:
Innovative Premise: Few K-dramas focus on corporate deal-making, and this one does it with. By treating mergers-and-acquisitions like high-stakes cat-and-mouse games, the show feels fresh and ambitious.
Strong Performances: Lee Je-hoon anchors the cast with a charismatic, nuanced turn as Joo-no. He’s matched by Kim Dae-myung, Sung Dong-il, and the rest of the ensemble, who bring warmth and credibility to their roles (Soompi even calls Joo-no’s lawyer “the emotional anchor” of the team).
Witty, Intelligent Writing: Lee Seung-young’s scripts are sharp and engaging. Negotiations are laced with clever banter, and the show often reveals that behind each business deal is a human story. The drama finds humor in office politics and tug-at-the-heartstrings moments amidst the finance talk.
Cinematic Direction: Ahn Pan-seok brings a polished look and a sense of realism to every scene. Boardroom discussions feel tense and important, thanks to tight editing and stylish cinematography. The production design makes every office meeting feel like a loaded poker game.
Cons:
Complex Jargon: The dense financial terms and technical M&A detail can overwhelm viewers who aren’t into corporate speak. Some may find the explanations (or lack thereof) slow the story’s momentum.
Slow Burn Pacing: The drama takes its time building the overarching plot. Early episodes focus on setup, which might feel sluggish if you expected constant fireworks. A few scenes drag as the show lays out the complicated backdrop.
Underdeveloped Threads: A few character arcs, especially Joo-no’s personal history, never fully pay off. The finale has been called underwhelming, with some critics noting the conclusion “fails to live up to the anticipation” built in earlier.
Minimal Romance: Unlike many K-dramas, this series has almost no love story. If you tune in expecting a romantic subplot, you’ll likely be disappointed – the focus stays squarely on the business.
The Art of Negotiation Tariler
The Art of Negotiation Cast
Main:
Lee Je-hoon as Yoon Joo-no (legendary M&A team leader)
Kim Dae-myung as Oh Soon-young (empathetic lawyer on the team)
Sung Dong-il as Song Jae-sik (chairman of Sanin Group)
Jang Hyun-sung as Ha Tae-soo (ambitious CFO of Sanin Group)
Oh Man-seok as Lee Dong-joon (chief strategy officer at Sanin Group)
Ahn Hyun-ho as Kwak Min-jung (manager of the M&A task force)
Cha Kang-yoon as Choi Jin-su (intern in the M&A team)
Supporting:
Lee Kyu-sung as Lim Hyeong-seop (Sanin HR deputy manager)
Park Hyung-soo as Kang Sang-bae (investment director at Yoomin)
Yang Jo-ah as Han Ji-eun (Choi Jin-su’s mentor at Sanin)
Kim Jong-tae as Jo Bum-soo (Sanin finance team member)
Special Appearance:
Yoon Je-moon as Lee Hoon-min (EP 1 & 10, CEO of Sanin Construction)
Jang In-sub as Cha Ho-jin (EP 3 & 4, CEO of Cha Cha Games)
Kwon Yu-ri as Song Ji-oh (EP 5 & 6, Song Jae-sik’s daughter and a resort CEO)
Jang So-yeon as Jeong Bon-joo (EP 9 & 10, financing officer)
