‘A Business Proposal’ Stars Choi Woo-shik and Jeon So-min’s Fake Marriage Discovered by Ex-Fiancé, Ratings Soar to 10.9%

Tensions ran high in the latest episode of SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama ‘A Business Proposal’ as the fake marriage between Kim Woo-ju (Choi Woo-shik) and Yoo Meri (Jeon So-min) was discovered by Meri’s ex-fiancé, Kim Woo-ju (Seo Beom-jun).

In the 8th episode aired on July 1st, Woo-ju and Meri’s tentative romance began to blossom after they confirmed their feelings for each other. However, the fragile peace was shattered when Meri’s ex-fiancé, also named Kim Woo-ju, appeared, revealing he knew about their sham marriage and escalating the dramatic tension.

The episode marked a new high in viewership, reaching a peak of 10.9% and surpassing the double-digit mark. The Seoul metropolitan area recorded 7.7%, while the national average was 7.4%. The 2049 demographic rating also hit a high of 2.62%, demonstrating the drama's continued upward momentum.

After confirming their mutual feelings, Woo-ju and Meri walked hand-in-hand through a field of reeds, sharing stories of their childhoods. Woo-ju recounted his painful experience of being sent to study in the U.S. after his parents' fatal car accident. Meri revealed that her mother did not resent Woo-ju, clearing up his past misunderstandings. In the reed field, a place filled with memories of her father, Meri told Woo-ju, “My dad seems to become stars whenever I feel lost, shining like a lighthouse.” Woo-ju responded, “I can be your lighthouse. I’ll stand right beside you, Meri,” as he carried her on his back, confessing his unwavering support and affection, much to the viewers' delight.

Woo-ju stayed overnight at Meri’s family home, showcasing the sweet and playful interactions of a couple on their first day of dating. When Meri caught a cicada for him, Woo-ju embraced her, saying, “You make me feel secure, Meri,” and confessed, “You’re exactly my ideal type,” eliciting smiles from viewers.

The next day, Meri’s mother, Oh Young-sook (Yoon Bok-in), confessed that she was the reason for Meri’s paper divorce and asked Woo-ju to take good care of her daughter. Woo-ju assured her with confidence, “Taking care of someone is my specialty.” He later visited Meri’s father’s memorial park with Meri and Young-sook, receiving their blessing for their relationship.

Meri decided to tell Director Baek everything about the situation and give up the company prize, despite the risk of facing legal action. She expressed her desire to be honest with Woo-ju and those around her. Woo-ju reassured her, “Whatever choice you make, I’ll be by your side. Thank you for making such a difficult decision,” embracing her.

Meanwhile, suspicions grew as Woo-ju’s uncle-in-law, Jang Han-gu (Kim Young-min), was implied to be involved in the embezzlement of Myeong-soon Dang’s funds. Meeting with Min-jung (Yoon Ji-min), his accomplice and lover, Han-gu sinisterly remarked, “Even if Go Pil-ryeon notices, it’s already too late. There will be no way to stop it,” adding a chilling layer of suspense.

Woo-ju and Meri’s romance continued with Woo-ju’s bold pursuit. During a meeting, he texted Meri, “Why are you so pretty today?” and “Let’s have lunch together, just the two of us after this,” openly expressing his affection and heightening the romantic tension.

Meri, along with employees from Myeong-soon Dang’s marketing team and her design firm, visited Woo-ju’s family home upon the invitation of Chairman Pil-ryeon. When Chairman Pil-ryeon stated, “I hate people who deceive others the most,” Meri’s expression turned pale, and she became visibly distressed.

Suddenly, a crisis loomed over Woo-ju and Meri’s romance as Meri’s ex-fiancé, Woo-ju, discovered the truth. Arriving at Meri’s house, he confronted her with a cold gaze, saying, “I think I’m the one who should report this. Was living as a fake married couple fun while it lasted?” His words sent a shiver down viewers’ spines. The scene, with Woo-ju approaching unknowingly, Meri in shock, and the ex-fiancé’s icy stare, left viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next episode. The ex-fiancé’s knowledge of Woo-ju being the fourth-generation heir of Myeong-soon Dang adds another layer of complexity, leaving audiences wondering how the couple will navigate this impending crisis.

Following the broadcast, viewers flooded social media with comments such as “Team Leader Kim Woo-ju is a pro at office romance,” “The reed field scenes were all perfect,” “How can I wait until next week? The ending is so good,” “Sweetness and tension colliding at full speed,” “Our couple dating makes it even better, my cheeks hurt from smiling,” “Woo-ju’s expressions of love are so adorable,” “Admiring Choi Woo-shik’s suit fit,” “Jeon So-min and Choi Woo-shik’s chemistry is amazing, their playful scenes come alive,” “I love how Meri feels so loved by Woo-ju, it’s heartwarming,” and “The fast-paced development promises an exciting resolution!”

‘A Business Proposal’ airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.

Netizens expressed anticipation for the next episode, commenting, "How can I wait until next week? The ending is so good." They also praised the chemistry between the leads, stating, "Jeon So-min and Choi Woo-shik's acting synergy is great, making their playful scenes come alive. Their chemistry is so good."