The inaugural episode of "The Art of Negotiation" kicks off amidst whispers and speculations surrounding the arrival of Yoon Joo-no, a seasoned M&A specialist, at the beleaguered Sanin Group. The corporation is mired in a financial quagmire, weighed down by a colossal debt of $11 billion and teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. In a desperate bid to salvage the situation, Executive Lee Dong-ju has beckoned Joo-no to orchestrate a turnaround.
However, Joo-no's entrance is met with anything but enthusiasm, particularly from the incumbent CFO, Ha Tae-su, who harbors ambitions of ascending to the CEO throne. For Tae-su, steering the company out of bankruptcy is his golden ticket to securing the coveted position. Yet, Joo-no stands as a formidable roadblock in his path.
During a crucial board meeting, Tae-su unveils his strategy: excising the group's money-losing divisions and selling them off to amass $11 billion. His report underscores that only the construction unit remains profitable, advocating for the disposal of all other entities to stabilize the company's precarious finances.
Meanwhile, Joo-no too, is shrouded in controversy. Through a confidential conversation with an HR team member and Choi Jin-su, an intern and his university senior, it transpires that Joo-no had a previous stint at Sanin Group before being "reassigned" and witnessing his team disbanded.
As Tae-su presents his plan during the meeting, Joo-no finally steps into the spotlight, announcing his intention to assemble his own team. Jin-su eagerly volunteers himself and is promptly summoned for an interview. Joo-no also reconnects with his former allies—Kwak Min-jung, who handles finance, and Oh Soon-young, a corporate lawyer—both of whom were sidelined by the company following Joo-no's enigmatic departure. The reasons behind his exit remain a mystery.
Back at the office, Joo-no interviews Choi Jin-su. Initially unimpressed, he eventually selects him after Jin-su articulates a fervent desire to learn under his mentorship. The team is now complete: Oh Soon-young, the legal eagle; Kwak Min-jung, the finance wizard; and Choi Jin-su, the eager apprentice.
Meanwhile, during a refreshing hike, Tae-su crosses paths with CEO Song Jae-shik, who imparts some wisdom. The CEO, with a glance of mentorship in his eyes, urges Tae-su to hone his skills in managing people. Later, Jae-shik confides in his friend Dong-su, revealing a hint of skepticism towards Joo-no. No matter Joo-no's performance, his position remains precarious – victory would pitch him against Tae-su, while failure would seal his fate with termination.
As the team delves into the company's predicament, they uncover a startling fact: Sanin Group remains tethered to traditional distribution channels, uncharted in the realm of digital sales. The revelation casts a shadow over their prospects. Then, in a pivotal presentation, Joo-no drops a bombshell, advocating for the sale of the construction unit, the company's cash cow. He argues passionately that this could fetch an astonishing $7 billion, surpassing the market value by a whopping $3 billion. Selling the weaker divisions, he contends, would only signal retreat,贬值their worth in the market.
His proposal ignites a firestorm of indignation, particularly from Tae-su, whose fury is palpable at the mere thought. The tension simmers to a boil when Jae-shik, unexpectedly storming into the meeting, demands that Joo-no fetch more than $7 billion for the construction unit, a venture close to his heart and the first he had spearheaded. The episode concludes on this cliffhanger, teeming with drama and anticipation.
