A Virtuous Business Episode 2 Review: Jeong-sook’s Rise from Heartbreak to Hustle Big

In the first episode of A Virtuous Business, we meet Han Jeong-sook, a hardworking woman in 1992 rural Geumje, struggling to support her family amid financial troubles and a neglectful husband. Desperate for income, Jeong-sook stumbles upon an unconventional job selling adult products door-to-door, reconnecting with her bold friend Seo Young-bok, who joins her in the venture. Their sales efforts gain traction when Oh Geum-hui, a dissatisfied housewife, joins them, but their work faces obstacles, including a police raid and Jeong-sook’s husband leaving her after discovering her business. Despite heartbreak and setbacks, Jeong-sook remains determined to push forward.

– Contains Spoilers –

A Virtuous Business Episode 2 Recap

Episode 2 of A Virtuous Business picks up with Jeong-suk walking in on her husband, Seong-su, in bed with another woman—shockingly, her friend. Devastated by the betrayal, Jeong-suk leaves in a state of shock, her emotions spiraling from anger to profound sadness. In an attempt to escape her pain, she drowns her sorrows in alcohol, determined to forget the heartbreak. As fate would have it, she crosses paths with the town’s new detective, Do-hwan, during her drunken stupor. Feeling embarrassed and ashamed the next day, she avoids him when they meet again, rushing away to avoid any further humiliation.

Meanwhile, Young-bok’s marriage presents a stark contrast to Jeong-suk’s troubled relationship. Young-bok’s husband is not only supportive but also encouraging of her new career as a door-to-door lingerie salesperson. He’s motivated by a fortune teller’s prophecy, which foretold that supporting his wife would bring them wealth. However, this adds pressure on Young-bok to succeed, making her feel overwhelmed by the weight of their future resting on her shoulders. At a local bathhouse, she skillfully pitches lingerie to the women, warning them that without these items, their husbands might lose interest and look elsewhere.

Also read: Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 2 Review: Battle for the Spotlight

This strikes a chord with Jeong-suk, whose emotional wounds from Seong-su’s affair are still fresh. Though Young-bok senses something is wrong, Jeong-suk remains silent, bottling up her pain while focusing on work. Jeong-suk is also struggling with financial pressure, especially as the landlord demands overdue rent payments. Instead of handing over her sales money to the company, she uses it to pay rent, a risky move that could backfire later. Feeling the need to push harder, she seeks advice from Ju-ri, a confident salon owner. Ju-ri, who knows a thing or two about making a sale, suggests Jeong-suk test the products herself to be able to sell them with conviction.

With help from their friend Geum-hui, the women gather for a night of “self-study,” using the products and experiencing their effects firsthand. As fireworks explode outside, the trio shares laughter and newfound confidence, feeling more connected and empowered by their bold venture. The lingerie business starts to take off, with Jeong-suk, Young-bok, and Geum-hui working together. However, Geum-hui’s husband grows suspicious of her involvement, especially after he comes home to find her out drinking with friends instead of attending an important dinner to win favor with his boss.

When confronted, Geum-hui asserts herself, telling her husband how much joy she’s found in this new endeavor. She even drops her dressing gown to reveal the sleek slip she’s been modeling, stunning him into silence. Her newfound confidence in herself and their marriage leads to a passionate reconciliation, marking a turning point in her personal life.

In a dramatic show of solidarity, Ju-ri and Young-bok come to Jeong-suk’s defense when Seong Mi-hwa, the woman who had the affair with Seong-su, shows up at the bar where they are drinking. They dump a bucket of dirty water on Mi-hwa, laughing as they run off, leaving Jeong-suk feeling supported by her friends. But the euphoria is short-lived. The next morning, Jeong-suk wakes to find someone has vandalized her house, scrawling the word “sex” on the wall in a crude attempt to shame her.

The episode ends with an intriguing mystery as Detective Do-hwan begins investigating the town further. He’s seen in a dark basement filled with pictures, receiving a cryptic phone call in English that hints at something deeper brewing in the small village. As the detective continues his investigation, the episode leaves viewers wondering what hidden truths are about to be uncovered, adding suspense and intrigue to Jeong-suk’s already tumultuous life.

A Virtuous Business Episode 2 Review

Episode 2 of A Virtuous Business delves deeper into the emotional turmoil of Han Jeong-sook as she grapples with the painful reality of her husband’s infidelity, which shatters her already fragile sense of stability. The raw portrayal of Jeong-sook’s descent into grief and anger, leading her to seek solace in alcohol, adds a compelling layer to her character. The contrast between her struggles and Young-bok’s supportive relationship with her husband provides a nuanced look at the varied experiences of women navigating societal expectations in a conservative setting.

The episode masterfully captures the complexities of friendship and solidarity as Jeong-sook, Young-bok, and Geum-hui bond over their shared struggles, leading to a surprising turn as they embrace a new venture in adult product sales. As the trio embarks on their unconventional business, the episode balances moments of humor and camaraderie with darker undertones of social stigma. Jeong-sook’s determination to succeed despite her challenges reflects her resilience, making her journey both relatable and inspiring.

The cliffhanger ending, marked by the vandalism of Jeong-sook’s wall, leaves viewers with a sense of foreboding, hinting at the societal backlash they may face as they pursue their new venture. Overall, this episode skillfully blends humor, heartbreak, and empowerment, setting the stage for the characters’ growth and the evolving dynamics of their friendships.

Watch A Virtuous Business on Netflix.

Also read: A Virtuous Business Episode 1 Review: Breaking Taboos and Building Bonds