Ryu Seung-ryong Hits Rock Bottom in 'A Better Tomorrow' Episode 9, Faces Financial Ruin and Car Accident

Actor Ryu Seung-ryong's character, Kim Nak-su, hit an all-time low in the latest episode of JTBC's weekend drama 'A Better Tomorrow' (Korean title: 'Seoul Jaga-e Daegeop Danineun Kim Bujang Iyagi'). The 9th episode, aired on the 22nd, showcased a brutal string of misfortunes for Kim Nak-su, including a scam involving a commercial property purchase and a subsequent car accident, leaving viewers with a sense of deep regret.

The episode garnered ratings of 5.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 4.6% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea, highlighting the intense struggles faced by the protagonist.

Kim Nak-su was devastated to discover that the commercial property he invested his entire retirement fund in was a fraudulent deal. Facing mounting credit card bills, loan interest, and living expenses, he found himself unable to confess the truth to his wife, Park Ha-jin (played by Myung Se-bin), who was celebrating her first successful contract as a real estate agent. The arrival of his son, Kim Su-gyeom (played by Cha Kang-yoon), with 1,200 hoodies for a business venture with his partner Lee Han-na (played by Lee Jin-yi), further complicated Kim Nak-su's desperate situation.

Driven by financial desperation, Kim Nak-su decided to work for his brother-in-law Han Sang-chul's (played by Lee Kang-wook) company, despite being looked down upon by his sister-in-law Park Ha-young (played by Lee Se-hee) and other employees. He clung to the position, determined to persevere.

An opportunity seemed to arise when Han Sang-chul's new business venture faltered. Kim Nak-su offered to leverage his connections to facilitate a deal with ACT. Han Sang-chul promised him a commission share and a position if the deal went through, pushing Kim Nak-su to dedicate himself to preparing a presentation.

However, on the day of the crucial presentation, Kim Nak-su felt a sense of unease visiting ACT, a place he frequented for 25 years, now as an outsider. The presentation didn't go as planned, and Han Sang-chul swiftly accepted Do Jin-woo's (played by Lee Shin-ki) offer to proceed without any commission, leaving Kim Nak-su in a dire predicament. The arrival of an interest payment notification only deepened his despair.

Upon returning home, Kim Nak-su was further troubled by his son Kim Su-gyeom's aspirations to stray from a stable path. When Kim Nak-su lectured him on the importance of a secure future, his son retorted, "That fence didn't protect you, did it? You couldn't protect yourself, could you?" shaking Kim Nak-su to his core.

Adding to his woes, Kim Nak-su encountered former colleagues at a restaurant he used to frequent during his time at ACT. Flustered, he quickly left with his client. The intoxicated client, on a call with his subordinate, 'Manager Kim', unleashed a torrent of verbal abuse. Hearing the name 'Manager Kim' resonated deeply with Kim Nak-su, amplifying his emotional distress as the client's tirade continued.

Struggling to maintain his composure, Kim Nak-su eventually lost control and caused a car accident. His faint gaze through the shattered windshield, looking at the stars, left viewers with a heavy heart, questioning if any light can break through the dark clouds of his future.

The 10th episode of 'A Better Tomorrow,' featuring Ryu Seung-ryong's continued struggles, is set to air on the 23rd at 10:30 PM.

Netizens expressed strong empathy for Ryu Seung-ryong's character, commenting, "This feels so real, like my own story," "He's so pitiful," and "I'm so curious about the next episode," showing their support for his future.

I'm eager to see how Kim Nak-su will overcome these immense challenges and find his way back.