A Virtuous Business Episode 4 Review: Strength in Adversity

In Episode 3 of A Virtuous Business, Jeong-suk faces harsh judgment from her neighbors and even her own mother, Bok-sun, after graffiti is found on her property. As she tries to balance her business, motherhood, and the emotional strain caused by her disapproving mother, things spiral when her son Min-ho goes missing during a party. Fortunately, with Da-hyun’s help, Min-ho is found safe, having gone to his father’s old workplace in hopes of restoring his dad’s job. Amidst these challenges, Jeong-suk confronts her mother’s deep-seated resentment, stemming from her own past heartbreak, and the two begin to slowly reconnect.

– Contains Spoilers –

A Virtuous Business Episode 4 Recap

The episode opens with Da-hyun returning to the police station late at night. He notices a forensic report left on the desk, and as he goes through it, he quickly connects the dots. The culprit behind the graffiti is finally identified, leading him to make a call to Bit-na, setting the stage for the episode’s main confrontation. Bit-na and Da-on, following the lead, drive out to a local hardware store. There, they confront the owners and uncover that the boot print from the crime scene matches a man named Tae-sik, who works at the store. Tae-sik admits to the crime, explaining that he believed Jeong-sik, the victim, was a bad influence on his wife.

Shocked and angry at Tae-sik’s actions, Jeong-suk, Jeong-sik’s wife, demands an apology before she’s willing to leave the store. Despite the tension, the moment highlights Jeong-suk’s sense of justice and her refusal to tolerate such behavior. Later, Jeong-suk reflects on how close she once was with Tae-sik and his wife, expressing sadness at how things have deteriorated. Da-hyun, ever supportive, reassures her, letting her know that he’s firmly on her side.

Meanwhile, Ju-ri finds herself in a tight spot with Ms. Heo Young-ja, the greedy wife of the Chairman. Ms. Heo insists that Ju-ri needs to start paying more rent, citing the location of Ju-ri’s shop as prime real estate. Frustrated but determined, Ju-ri doesn’t give in to the pressure. Her son, Dong-u, stays positive and suggests that she start a side business to bring in extra income. Ju-ri, inspired by his suggestion, decides to join the other women in selling a Fantasy Lingerie line.

Also read: Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 3 Review: The Mysterious Secret of Jeongnyeon’s Mother Comes Out

Back at the station, Da-hyun presents the resolved civil case to his superior, Seong-jae. He believes that Jeong-suk only settled the case out of fear of consequences, but Da-hyun quickly shuts down that notion, pointing out that Jeong-suk is stronger than anyone gives her credit for. Despite his professionalism, Da-hyun struggles to connect with his colleagues. They go out for dinner without him, leaving him alone to work late into the night at the station.

The next day, Jeong-suk and the other women gather to plan how they’ll tackle their new business venture. Together, they brainstorm ways to increase their sales and decide on a strategy. After a visit from a sales rep, Jeong-suk suggests that they conduct a customer survey to better understand their potential buyers’ needs.

While the women are hard at work with their new business, Da-hyun continues his personal investigation. He crosses Park So-yeong off his list of suspects and moves on to visit Sun-ae, asking her about a fire that occurred 30 years ago. Meanwhile, Jeong-suk struggles to get anyone in town to participate in the customer survey. She eventually manages to convince Da-hyun to take part, but their interaction is awkward, especially when the topic of sexual fantasies comes up, leading Da-hyun to quickly change the subject. Despite the awkwardness, it’s a sweet moment as Jeong-suk offers him candy as a thank you for his help.

Unfortunately, things don’t go much better for the other women. At the butcher’s shop, they overhear a conversation about a potential town meeting aimed at shutting down Jeong-suk’s business. When the trio tries to confront the women bad-mouthing them, they’re quickly outmatched and leave humiliated. That evening, Jeong-suk runs into more of her friends, who try to shield her from hearing the gossip circulating about her. However, she overhears it for herself, with the neighborhood ladies blaming her for her husband Seong-su’s departure. They unfairly label her as a “tough cookie” and accuse her of being cold.

The next day, Da-hyun observes Jeong-suk from afar as she works out her frustrations on a punching bag while collecting water. He admires her strength and comments to himself on how resilient and impressive she is. Despite all the negativity swirling around, Jeong-suk refuses to give up. She remains determined to make her business a success, no matter what. Alongside her friends, she sets up shop outside the salon, offering hot drinks and the customer surveys to passersby. She confronts the women who had been badmouthing her, asserting that she’s never done anything to hurt them and is simply trying to make a living.

Her words strike a chord with some, and a few of the women agree to fill out the survey. Even some of the detectives join in, helping to turn the day into a modest success. Jeong-suk’s fiery spirit earns her the respect of her peers, and her strong stance proves effective. Later that night, Da-hyun speaks to Jeong-suk, delivering a poignant message: “People who persevere even after going through the pain that could destroy them, tend to be successful in the end.” Though they’re discussing a singer on TV, it’s clear that Da-hyun’s words are meant for Jeong-suk, and she realizes this too.

Just as things seem to quiet down, cherry blossom petals begin falling around them, and Da-hyun finds himself unable to take his eyes off her. In the episode’s epilogue, Da-hyun is haunted by a bad dream. He recalls the fire from 30 years ago, with a baby trapped inside. As the flames spread, someone rushes in to rescue the child, setting the stage for deeper revelations to come.

A Virtuous Business Episode 4 Review

In Episode 4 of A Virtuous Business, the story expertly weaves together personal growth, community tensions, and ongoing mysteries. Jeong-suk continues to be a focal point, standing her ground despite mounting opposition from her neighbors and even old friends. Her fiery spirit and unyielding determination to make her business thrive are admirable, as she faces criticism not only for her work but also for her personal life. The episode explores themes of loyalty and resilience, with Jeong-suk refusing to back down from her detractors, while Da-hyun’s quiet admiration for her strength begins to take a more personal turn. The customer survey idea adds a bit of lightheartedness, but it also shows the women’s resourcefulness as they try to adapt their business strategy.

Meanwhile, Da-hyun’s investigation into the mysterious fire from 30 years ago deepens, hinting at long-buried secrets that may soon come to light. His character remains an emotional anchor, balancing his professional duties with his growing concern for Jeong-suk. His poignant words about perseverance and success offer a heartwarming moment between the two, underscoring their developing connection. The episode sets up intriguing future plotlines with the mystery of the fire and the growing tension between Jeong-suk and her community, making it a well-rounded and engaging continuation of the series.

Watch A Virtuous Business on Netflix.

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