In Episode 5 of A Virtuous Business, Jeong-suk finds herself unsettled as she witnesses Seong-su unexpectedly showering affection on Mi-hwa. Troubled, she follows them home, only to discover that In-tae has allowed Seong-su to stay with them until he finds a job. With both Seong-su and Mi-hwa under the same roof, the situation becomes complicated as Seong-su expresses his desire to rekindle their relationship.
Jeong-suk’s distress leads her to make mistakes at home, like fumbling with breakfast for her son, Min-ho. Afterward, Min-ho requests clay and snacks, which Jeong-suk agrees to get, only to realize she misplaced her purse in Da-hyun’s car. Da-hyun, who overheard Seong-su’s intentions, confronts him, calling him out for littering and questioning his character. Da-hyun later returns the purse to a thankful Jeong-suk.
At work, Jeong-suk reviews survey results with her team. With vibrators among the top-rated products, they brainstorm ways to expand their market, eyeing the Chairman’s wife, Ms. Heo, as a potential influencer. Geum-hui is optimistic, though her husband, Won-bong, doubts their chances. Jeong-suk presses on and, with Seo-yeon’s advice, the team crafts a plan to use “misery and misfortune” to gain Ms. Heo’s sympathy. The plan works flawlessly, and Ms. Heo is quickly won over, agreeing to purchase the products.
Meanwhile, at the police station, Da-hyun is reminded of a scar on his arm from a fire. This brings back memories of a woman from his past who saved him, wearing a rosary ring and heading to Geumje—a clue he hopes will lead him to his birth mother.
Later, the women are stunned to learn that Chairman Eom is having an affair. Though Ms. Heo tries to mask her hurt, Jeong-suk understands her resilience, knowing it stems from a fear of divorce and the social stigma it carries—a sentiment Jeong-suk’s mother had expressed to her as well.
Back at home, Geum-hui models a red slip to celebrate their sales success, nudging her husband to fulfill his earlier playful promise of wearing a dress if they succeeded. Though he struggles with it, they share a lighthearted moment.
Da-hyun’s investigation grows deeper as he searches for connections to a serial arsonist from 30 years ago. That same day, In-tae reveals that Mi-hwa is pregnant. Although Jeong-suk suspects Seong-su may be the father, Mi-hwa insists it’s best to keep things as they are.
When Seong-su returns home to spend time with Min-ho, he confronts Jeong-suk, framing himself as the victim. Upon learning of Mi-hwa’s pregnancy, he reacts poorly, belittling Jeong-suk’s dedication to Min-ho before leaving abruptly. This behavior pushes Jeong-suk to reconsider her priorities.
Later, Jeong-suk encounters a weary Da-hyun, who shares his feelings of disorientation with his investigation. In a moment of shared vulnerability, Jeong-suk acknowledges her own confusion about the future. Ultimately, she realizes she needs to move forward without Seong-su and decides it’s time for a divorce, determined to ensure he fully grasps the consequences of his actions.
In Episode 6 of A Virtuous Business, the story kicks off with a flashback, revealing how Seong-su once stood up for Jeong-suk against bullies, forming a deep connection between them. The bullies mocked Jeong-suk over her mother being abandoned, but Seong-su’s support strengthened their bond, solidifying her desire for a happy family—a dream that now leads them to a divorce.
Outside the divorce office, Seong-su tries to bring up Jeong-suk’s mother, but Jeong-suk stands her ground, declaring she won’t dwell in self-pity or let societal judgment hinder her.
Meanwhile, Jeong-suk’s friends decide to lift her spirits with a getaway, despite Ju-ri’s idea of finding her new love. At a Fantasy Lingerie meeting, this trip aligns with an in-home sales opportunity. Ms. Park, unable to go herself, sends the group on an overnight trip to the island of Gyesim-do.
At the library, Jeong-suk shares a cheerful story with Da-hyun, who’s researching his birth mother. She invites him over, suggesting it’s a chance to talk to her mother and thank him for his help with Min-ho.
Da-hyun gets a glimpse into town history when talking with Jeong-suk’s mom, but she’s called away on an emergency, leaving Da-hyun to look after the kids. His initial tough demeanor softens when he rescues Min-ho from a bully, winning the kids over as he helps Min-ho settle in for bed.
Over on Gyesim-do, the ladies face resistance from the President’s Club, but they join a clam-fishing outing to prove themselves. They soon overhear a family feud: the club president’s son and Mi-yeong, a woman from the group, were once engaged. Since Mi-yeong left for the city to pursue acting, tensions have flared, leaving them bitter enemies. The women take it upon themselves to mend this rift.
However, things escalate when a fight breaks out, and their fantasy lingerie samples are flung into the mud, though they save their cosmetic products to sell. Later, the group bonds by sharing personal fantasies, even acting out movie scenes, encouraging Jeong-suk to open up more, something she was hesitant to do with Seong-su’s past disapproval.
Returning home, Jeong-suk finds Da-hyun playing with the kids in her mother’s absence. Min-ho complains about Da-hyun’s cooking skills, prompting Jeong-suk to take over, preparing fresh clams from the island. The meal creates a subtle connection between her and Da-hyun, leading to an evening walk where they reflect on their pasts. Da-hyun confides in her about searching for his birth parents, with Geumje being his only lead.
Da-hyun heads back to his hideout, reflecting on his next move with a cold case involving a mysterious fire, while Dae-geum, another friend, tries to woo Ju-ri at the salon, only to leave dejected when he realizes her flattery is just a sales tactic.
Later, Jeong-suk is thrilled by an offer to become branch manager with a stable salary. As she leaves, she meets an old schoolmate, Gyeong-sik, who invites her over, claiming his wife, Jeong-rim, wants to meet her. However, Da-hyun overhears and senses something is off, especially since Gyeong-sik doesn’t have a wife.
As Jeong-suk reaches Gyeong-sik’s isolated flower farm, she realizes the situation is dangerous. Gyeong-sik follows her, but Da-hyun arrives just in time, rescuing Jeong-suk, who is left shaken by the encounter.
In Episodes 5 and 6 of A Virtuous Business, the series continues to explore themes of resilience, friendship, and the complexities of relationships.
In Episode 5, we witness Jeong-suk navigating the emotional fallout of her impending divorce from Seong-su. As she confronts past grievances and embraces support from her friends, the episode masterfully balances humor and heartache, showcasing Jeong-suk’s determination to move forward without succumbing to societal judgment. The introduction of new characters and subplots, particularly around the workplace dynamics at Fantasy Lingerie, adds depth and intrigue.
Episode 6 deepens this narrative by highlighting the bond between Jeong-suk and her friends as they embark on a trip to Gyesim-do. The comedic and chaotic moments, especially involving the feud between the club president’s family and the mishap with the lingerie, emphasize the power of camaraderie. Jeong-suk’s interactions with Da-hyun reveal her vulnerability and strength, while the unexpected danger she faces adds a layer of suspense.
Together, these episodes effectively blend drama and humor, showcasing character growth and the importance of community support in overcoming personal challenges. The show continues to resonate with viewers through its relatable themes and engaging storytelling.