Episode 5 of "Confidence Queen" kicks off with Gu-ho jolting awake in a hospital bed, haunted by a harrowing nightmare that foretold his own demise. Yet, the reality is far less grim; he's merely recovering from a minor surgical procedure. Amidst the sterile surroundings, a precocious young girl named Han Jae-hee keeps a watchful eye over his condition. She's a seasoned visitor of the hospital, her presence a testament to her frequent stays due to a diagnosis of Coarctation of the aorta, for which she's been anxiously awaiting surgery.
As James and Yi-rang make their entrance, Jae-hee wastes no time in showcasing her sharp wit and sassy demeanor. However, Yi-rang's focus quickly shifts when she lays eyes on Jo Seong-woo, a reputed genius surgeon whose name is synonymous with medical excellence, ranking among the top five in Korea. Yi-rang is instantly captivated, her admiration palpable, though it lasts but a fleeting moment.
Her infatuation begins to wane as she observes Seong-woo's less-than-stellar interaction with patients, sparking a sense of unease. It's during this moment that Yi-rang's own condition is brought to light, and later that night, Gu-ho stumbles upon her, her tears streaming silently in the deserted corridor.
But troubles don't end there. When Gu-ho returns a few days later to have his stitches removed, he inadvertently eavesdrops on a clandestine conversation between Seong-woo and another doctor, Gwang-sik, in the hallway. Their hushed tones reveal a disturbing truth about medical malpractice involving Jae-hee.
As the layers peel back, it's revealed that Seong-woo is far from the genius he's portrayed to be. Raised under the stern guidance of his father, he was groomed to don the mantle of a doctor, a title earned more through privilege than merit. That fateful week, Jae-hee's surgery was scheduled amidst a flurry of high-profile patients, yet it was Gwang-sik who toiled tirelessly behind the scenes. Seong-woo, on the other hand, merely played the part of the celebrated surgeon, reaping all the accolades without lifting a finger.
On the fateful day of Jae-hee's surgery, Gwang-sik's mind wandered, his concentration shattered by an overwhelming workload, and he triggered a catastrophic accident. Yet, Gwang-sik had been coerced into this precarious position, compelled to carry out ghost surgeries due to the crushing debt left behind by his father—a victim of deceitful scams, now drowning in a sea of financial obligations. Seizing the opportunity amidst Gwang-sik's vulnerability, Seong-woo, along with his mother, Lee Seon-mi, the hospital's cunning chairwoman, exploited his plight.
Lee, a paragon of moral corruption, prioritized surgeries based on the heft of patients' wallets rather than the urgency of their medical needs, often reaping substantial sums in Won. Consequently, Jae-hee's operation was repeatedly postponed, her impoverished family lacking the clout to expedite her care. When Lee learned of the botched surgery, her response was a chilling blend of apathy and irritation. Indeed, Chairwoman Lee emerged as the true mastermind, prompting the group to focus their efforts on dismantling her empire.
Enter Dr. Rachel, the VVIP concierge physician, who masterfully assumed the guise of a wealthy doctor, catching Chairwoman Lee's discerning eye. The strategy hinged on a honeytrapping scheme orchestrated with James, who portrayed himself as an affluent VIP, donning an antiquated cologne, Atmos Black Noir. This set the stage for the group's intricate plot, punctuated by a side-splitting montage of James gallantly playing the role of Chairwoman Lee's savior.
When Chairwoman Lee was rushed to the hospital after unwittingly consuming a spiked beverage, James swiftly infiltrated the computer system, manipulating records to fabricate a dire need for life-saving surgery. The consultants concurred that only a surgeon of the highest caliber could undertake such a delicate procedure, and that surgeon was none other than Gwang-sik. However, following the Jae-hee incident and the subsequent reprimand from Chairwoman Lee, Gwang-sik found himself in a precarious position, his ability to operate further compromised by a self-inflicted hand injury that rendered him incapable of performing surgeries.
This scenario fits James' plans perfectly. He takes the opportunity to bring up our esteemed Doctor Rachel, touting her as the nation's premier ghost surgeon—a title she's earned through her unparalleled skill and stealth in the operating room. Chairwoman Lee, captivated by her reputation, is eager to have Doctor Rachel perform the surgery. However, such expertise doesn't come at a bargain price. Undeterred and determined to make it happen, Lee steps forward with a bold offer, pledging to pay a staggering two and a half million dollars for this exclusive surgical procedure.
