In the new JTBC drama "A Virtuous Business," Kim So Yeon, Kim Sung Ryeong, Kim Sun Young, and Lee Se Hee tackle the harsh realities of society's prejudices. As they navigate their challenging lives, the support from viewers has been overwhelming.
The show premiered on October 12 and follows the journey of four women—Han Jeong-sook (played by Kim So Yeon), Oh Geum-hee (played by Kim Sung Ryeong), Seo Young-bok (played by Kim Sun Young), and Lee Joo-ri (played by Lee Se Hee)—who come together to sell adult products. Initially, they enter this business to make money and support their families, hoping to escape their mundane lives. But selling such products in a judgmental world means facing prejudice head-on.
Jeong-sook, a beautiful woman from a wealthy background, finds herself unhappy after marrying the wrong man. Her husband, Kwon Seong-soo (played by Choi Jae Rim), struggles financially and constantly creates trouble. Desperate to provide for her son, Jeong-sook turns to selling adult products for a flexible income of 500,000 KRW. But her husband mocks her for it, asking, "Is prostitution a business too?" The neighbors also judge her, saying, "How can any man stand to see his wife selling strange products?"
Geum-hee, who was raised in an elite family, marries a pharmacist, Choi Won-bong (played by Kim Won Hae), through an arranged marriage. After moving to a new place, she feels lost and pressured by her husband to win over the landlord for his pharmacy expansion. He even warns her against getting involved in selling adult products.
Seo Young-bok, supported by her husband Park Jong-seon (played by Lim Cheol Soo), faces her own struggles. Although he calls her "sexier than Madonna," he still struggles to find work and pushes her to take charge of their family's future. Young-bok often reflects on how unmotivating his support feels.
Joo-ri, a single mom running a beauty salon, faces criticism for her trendy clothes. People tell her to dress more modestly, putting pressure on her to fit the typical image of a mother.
As the four women embark on selling adult products, they confront societal prejudices. In 1992, talking about sex openly was shocking in their rural town. However, in the second episode, they make successful sales despite the judgment. Jeong-sook, initially ashamed, educates herself and gains confidence. Geum-hee finally stands up to her husband, realizing how boring her life has been.
By working together, these "sales sisters" change the perception of adult products with their upscale sales strategies. The show has resonated with viewers, reflected in the ratings, with a peak of 5.6% viewership in the second episode (according to Nielsen Korea). As they support each other against the world's biases, it will be exciting to see what other prejudices the "sales sisters" will challenge in future episodes.
Source [1]
