Im Soo-jung’s Stunning Transformation in ‘How to Become a Property Owner in Korea’: A Must-Watch Review

How to Become a Building Owner in Korea — Im Soo-jung / Photo: tvN screenshot

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong] Actress Im Soo-jung has made a confident return to television, delivering a grounded, detail-rich performance that feels genuinely lived-in.

In the first two episodes of tvN’s new weekend drama How to Become a Building Owner in Korea, which aired on the 14th and 15th, Im plays Kim Seon, the wife of Ki Soo-jong (Ha Jung-woo). She transforms into a savvy, family-first partner whose humanity anchors the series.

She sheds the intense persona she showed in Disney+’s Pine, introducing a subtler screen presence that grabbed viewers’ attention from the opening scenes.

In the episodes, Kim Seon is shown doing everything to protect her household. She carefully preserves her husband Ki Soo-jong’s pride with tactful gestures, buoying him when needed, and suggests tackling building-related problems together in an effort to preserve their marriage. Her calm but resolute presence adds weight to the drama.

Tension rises when Kim Seon senses something off in her husband’s behavior and the family’s peace hits a turning point. Faced with increasingly suspicious actions, she entertains the idea of divorce and begins to watch him secretly. While trailing his movements, she unexpectedly witnesses a staged kidnapping, plunging the story into an unpredictable, high-stakes situation that heightens viewers’ suspense.

Across these scenes, Im Soo-jung meets expectations by fully inhabiting Kim Seon. Her nuanced reading of the character underscores realistic details and deepens audience engagement. She subtly differentiates the character’s emotional textures across changing circumstances, making Kim Seon’s arc feel more three-dimensional.

Especially noteworthy is how she balances belief and doubt toward her husband with a restrained performance that amplifies the role’s realism. Her accumulated craft from a wide range of projects lends the character added depth, and she turns Kim Seon into a memorable presence. In short, Im Soo-jung’s assured work confirms her strong acting chops in this transformation.

Returning to television drama after a five-year hiatus, Im Soo-jung showcased a more layered performance. Viewers are now anticipating the choices Kim Seon will make and the different facets of her character as the series unfolds with bold plot developments.

Meanwhile, How to Become a Building Owner in Korea — which teases Im Soo-jung’s striking transformation — centers on a debt-ridden, working-class landlord who, desperate to protect his family and the building he cherishes, becomes involved in a fake kidnapping scheme. The series airs Saturdays and Sundays at 9:10 p.m.

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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