The Art of Negotiation Season 1 (Episode 1 Added) | Korean Drama

The Art of Negotiation Season 1, launched on JTBC on March 8, 2025, dives into the cutthroat world of mergers and acquisitions with a premiere that’s equal parts sleek and dense. Lee Je-hoon stars as Yoon Joo-no, a gray-haired M&A legend recalled from a mysterious Hawaiian exile to save the bankrupt Sanin Group.

Episode 1 sets the stage with a flurry of boardroom tension, introducing Kim Dae-myung’s sharp lawyer Oh Soon-young and a cagey ensemble (Sung Dong-il, Jang Hyun-sung) amid whispers of betrayal. Directed by Ahn Pan-seok, the 64-minute opener is a slow-burn flex—polished visuals and crisp dialogue unpack Joo-no’s cold charisma and a web of corporate politics, though it leans heavily on elite spectacle over relatability.

Early X posts praise Je-hoon’s commanding presence and the script’s complexity, but some find it overly technical or slow to hook. With 12 episodes airing Saturdays and Sundays, it’s a promising start—intriguing for K-drama fans who love strategy over sentiment, yet its dense setup risks alienating casual viewers. Subtitles hit Kocowa fast; Viki’s lag may test patience.