7.7% Ratings Record! The Apartment Job Delivers a Perfect Satisfying Finale
JTBC’s hit drama The Apartment Job went out with an absolute bang! The series finale aired on August 16, breaking its own viewership records by scoring a peak nationwide average rating of 7.7% (7.3% in the metropolitan area)—a massive 2.3% jump from Episode 11. The show swept the #1 spot across all channels in its time slot and ranked as the top non-terrestrial program of the night, bringing a satisfying and refreshing end to its 12-episode run.
The Rooftop Confrontation and Exposing the One Club
The finale picked up with high-stakes tension as Lee Choong won (played by Park Byung eun) attempted one last trap to eliminate Park Hae Gang (played by Ji Sung) and Lizard (played by Kim Won hae). Thanks to a timely rescue by Hae Gang’s loyal crew, they escaped unscathed. Meanwhile, police raided Choong won’s company, uncovering 12 buried skeletal remains at the Taegowon site and placing Choong won on the wanted list.
Cornered and desperate, Choong won lured Hae Gang to a rooftop, handing over a bag containing the 178 billion won in embezzled funds while taunting him with the knife used to kill Yong Man (played by Jung Jin young). Urging Hae Gang to murder him, Choong won tried to drive him over the edge. Remembering Yong Man’s final words, Hae Gang threw the weapon aside, telling him, “You just never knew how to live like a human being.” When Choong won lunged at him again, Hae Gang effortlessly took him down with a kick, declaring, “You were never a match for me,” before returning the stolen billions to the apartment management office.
The next day, Hae Gang and his “found family” showed up at Choong won’s public prosecution appearance. From a campaign truck, Hae Gang broadcasted clear audio and video evidence exposing Choong won’s murder confession and his corrupt ties to high-ranking officials. The public exposure triggered the immediate arrests of the Senior Presidential Secretary, Chief Prosecutor, National Police Commissioner, and other members of the corrupt “One Club.”
Three Years Later: A New Law Office and Bright Beginnings
A three-year time jump revealed heartwarming updates for the crew. Kang Ha jung (played by Ryu Hyun kyung) opened a bakery, Jang Je gil (played by Hwang Hee) returned to law school, and Lizard re-joined the group after an early release for good behavior.
Newly licensed attorney Kang Ha ri (played by Ha Yoon kyung) joined forces with Hae Gang to establish their new legal practice, Law Firm Jeongsan, agreeing to a 50/50 profit split. In the final scene, Hae Gang, Ha ri, and their team stepped in to help a residential committee void an illegal 600 million won penalty, embarking on a month-long special audit of the complex. Walking proudly through the estate with their very first case files, the team closed the series on a triumphant, heartwarming note.
Reflecting on the show’s conclusion, lead actor Ji Sung shared, “This project had a slightly different tone from my previous works, so I put in extra effort to show a new side of myself. Every staff member and actor prepared passionately without regrets, and I hope this drama stays in viewers’ hearts as a fond memory for a long time.”
