Negotiation Skills Episode 10: The Most Explosive Twist Yet? Viewers Shocked by the Truth Behind the 1 Billion Won Scandal!

A Record-Breaking Episode: Ratings Soar to New Heights

Did you know? Episode 10 of 'Negotiation Skills' just smashed its own ratings record, hitting 9.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 8.8% nationwide. This is the highest yet for the series, making it one of JTBC’s hottest weekend dramas. Fans and critics alike are crediting the show’s sharp writing, immersive direction by Ahn Pan-seok, and Lee Je-hoon’s gripping performance for this surge. The drama’s ability to blend psychological tension, corporate intrigue, and human ambition has clearly struck a nerve, especially among working professionals and older viewers who see their own workplace struggles reflected on screen.
Community posts are full of excitement, with comments like “Legendary episode!” and “Lee Je-hoon’s acting is on another level.”

The Plot Thickens: Embezzlement, Betrayal, and a Shocking Turn

Episode 10 centers on the Greenview CC golf course acquisition, but things go off the rails when the M&A team, led by Yoon Juno (Lee Je-hoon), discovers a suspicious 1 billion won withdrawal. The culprit? Chief Financial Officer Jung Bon-ju, who admits to taking 100 million won but points the finger at CEO Son Jong-hak for the rest. The team’s relentless pursuit leads to a tense confession, and the fallout is immediate. But just as the dust seems to settle, a new buyer, Lee Hun-min (Yoon Je-moon), enters the scene with demands for mass layoffs—revealing the true ambitions of Chairman Song Jae-shik (Sung Dong-il).
Viewers are left breathless as Yoon Juno tries to outmaneuver these power plays, leaking information to Ji Yeon-woo, the CEO of Bi-um D&I, in a desperate attempt to protect his team.

The Jumbo Pharmaceutical Bombshell: Past Secrets Resurface

Just when you think things can’t get more intense, an anonymous tip-off accuses Yoon Juno of illegal insider trading involving Jumbo Pharmaceutical. Suddenly, he goes from hero to audit target, and the show hints at a much larger conspiracy stretching back to Juno’s mysterious past. The episode ends on a chilling note, with Juno facing the audit team and uttering, “So you’re saying I ran a scheme?” This sets the stage for the next arc, promising to finally unravel the long-teased secrets behind Jumbo Pharmaceutical.
Fans are already speculating online: Is Juno really guilty, or is he being set up? What’s the real connection between his past and the current crisis?

Why This Drama Resonates: Corporate Realism and Emotional Depth

Unlike typical romance or revenge-driven K-dramas, ‘Negotiation Skills’ dives deep into the psychological warfare of corporate life. It’s not just about deals and numbers; it’s about loyalty, ambition, and the moral gray zones that define modern workplaces. The show’s realistic portrayal of power dynamics and ethical dilemmas has made it a hit with viewers who crave something more than surface-level drama.
Bloggers and reviewers highlight how the series captures the subtle nuances of negotiation, decision-making under pressure, and the personal sacrifices required to survive in a cutthroat environment.

Community Buzz: Netizens React to Episode 10’s Twists

Online communities like TheQoo, DC Inside, and Instiz are on fire after episode 10. The positive-to-negative comment ratio is roughly 8:2, with most users praising the tight script, unpredictable plot, and Lee Je-hoon’s emotional range. Representative comments include: “That last 10 minutes? Goosebumps!” and “I can’t believe how real the office politics feel.” Some viewers, however, are frustrated by the cliffhanger, joking, “How am I supposed to wait a week for answers?”
Negative comments mostly focus on the complexity of the financial jargon, with a few saying, “It’s hard to follow if you don’t know about M&A.” Still, the general consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with many calling episode 10 a “legendary” turning point.

Cultural Insights: Why Foreign Fans Shouldn’t Miss This Drama

For international viewers, ‘Negotiation Skills’ offers a rare look into the high-stakes world of Korean corporate mergers and acquisitions. The drama’s focus on negotiation tactics, workplace hierarchies, and the blurred lines between personal and professional life reflects real issues in Korea’s business culture. Understanding terms like ‘M&A,’ ‘insider trading,’ and ‘audit’ adds depth to the viewing experience, but even without a finance background, the universal themes of trust, betrayal, and ambition are easy to relate to.
Foreign fans are especially drawn to Lee Je-hoon’s nuanced performance and the show’s cinematic style. Many are sharing clips and memes on Twitter and TikTok, spreading the buzz beyond Korea.

What’s Next? Episode 11 Preview and Viewer Expectations

The preview for episode 11 teases the full-scale eruption of the Jumbo Pharmaceutical scandal and a new round of psychological warfare between Yoon Juno and Song Jae-shik. Fans are bracing for more betrayals, big reveals, and possibly the unraveling of Juno’s own secrets. With the stakes higher than ever and the show’s momentum at its peak, expectations are sky-high.
As one blogger put it: “This isn’t just a drama about negotiation. It’s about the price of survival in a world where trust is the rarest currency.”
Stay tuned—episode 11 promises to be another wild ride!