Jisung, formed a fake family to target 17.8 billion won... 'Apartment'

The Birth of a 7-Member 'Fake Family' Aiming for 17.8 Billion Won in Long-term Maintenance Funds

Former boss Park Hae-gang (played by Ji Sung) has begun a dangerous gamble, targeting 17.8 billion won in hidden long-term maintenance funds within an apartment complex. Episodes 1 and 2 of the JTBC weekend drama 'Apartment,' which aired on the 11th and 12th, debuted with a nationwide viewership rating of 5.4% (Nielsen Korea).

Park Hae-gang, needing a massive sum of 10 billion won to save Park Yong-man (played by Jung Jin-young) who is currently imprisoned, decided to run for the election of the representative council chairman. The background of Park Hae-gang's choice was deepened by the revelation of Park Yong-man's past, where he had kept a promissory note to protect himself from his father's debts during his childhood.

After learning about the existence of the 17.8 billion won long-term maintenance fund through the wanted former apartment manager Lizard (played by Kim Won-hae), Park Hae-gang sought a legal way to access the management fees. He adjusted his strategy upon realizing that it would be difficult to get elected as a single-person household.

His target was Kang Ha-ri (played by Ha Yoon-kyung), whom he had met previously as a guest at a fake wedding. Appearing before Kang Ha-ri, who was fired after confronting a sexual harasser at a law firm, Park Hae-gang proposed, "I will give you 100 million won if you act as my wife for three months." Kang Ha-ri, desperate for money for her older sister Kang Ha-jung (played by Ryu Hyun-kyung), accepted, completing the first piece of the fake family puzzle.

A total of seven 'intermittent family' members were formed, including Lizard (played by Kim Won-hae), Jeong Sun-won (played by Kim Kyung-nam), Jang Je-gil (played by Hwang Hee), Keun-dung-i (played by Kim Kyu-won), and Jeong Sun-won's 8-year-old son Kim Han-gyeol (played by Kim Kyung-bok). To win the favor of the residents, they prepared to blend into the apartment community by taking wonderful family photos. The drama utilized realistic elements, such as 'parking villains' who cause trouble for residents by parking haphazardly and conflicts between neighbors over the use of flower beds.

Ji Sung's Character Transformation and the Performance of Supporter Hwang Hee

Ji Sung, who consecutively hit success with 'Connection' (ended July 2024) and 'Judge Lee Han-young' (ended February), once again leads the story from the forefront. Compared to his previous works, the character of Park Hae-gang shows both charisma and comic charm by being more relaxed.

Park Hae-gang's right-hand man, Jang Je-gil (played by Hwang Hee), is a supporter with cool-headed judgment. Possessing the intellect to have passed the bar exam but having a story of not being able to graduate, he suggested a direct confrontation to the manager who was pressuring Park Hae-gang to raise 10 billion won, saying, "Don't we also have sufficient data?"

Jang Je-gil struggled with Park Hae-gang's choice to take all the responsibility alone, but he eventually showed loyalty by returning to his side to stay with him until the end. Furthermore, he acted as a practical fixer by pushing for a fake wedding based on the calculation that it would be more profitable for the representative to hold a wedding ceremony. Hwang Hee completed a character different from the one shown in 'Secret Audit.'

Ha Yoon-kyung took on the role of the brave and smart Kang Ha-ri. The teamwork between Kim Won-hae, equipped with natural wit, and Kim Kyu-won, familiar from the 'SNL Korea' series, serves as an element that completes the family chemistry.

Lee Chung-won's Sudden Change and Kang Ha-jung's Secret

The true colors of construction company CEO Lee Chung-won (played by Park Byung-eun) were also revealed. Having gained the trust of residents by suppressing 'parking villains' with immense wealth and a legion of lawyers, he changed completely upon learning that his vehicle had been damaged. He threatened his opponent while tying them up in front of a screen golf facility, saying, "This apartment is mine, and I'll kill anyone who touches my stuff in my territory."

Suspicious movements between management office employee Kang Ha-jung and Seo Kang-won (played by Baek Hyun-jin) were also captured. When Kang Ha-jung said, "I will stop that matter," Seo Kang-won replied, "I think it would be better if your sister doesn't know about that matter." Following this, Kang Ha-jung replied, "I will live keeping my mouth shut for the rest of my life," leaving a secret that the two are hiding.