Character Relationship Map: Money

Characters

• Jo Il-hyun (played by Ryu Jun-yeol) — protagonist

  Jo Il-hyun is a poorly connected rookie broker at DM Securities who executes stock orders and possesses an exceptional memory for stock codes. He joins a secret program-trading operation, earns large...

• Yu Min-jun (played by Kim Min-jae) — supporting

  Yu Min-jun is Jo Il-hyun’s colleague in the securities business. Jo handles an additional large transaction without informing him, showing that Jo’s increasing involvement in the secret trading operat...

• Park Si-eun (played by Won Jin-ah) — supporting

  Park Si-eun contributes evidence that assists the investigation into the suspicious trading network. Although the available account does not specify her position or full relationship to Jo Il-hyun, he...

• Park Chang-gu (played by Jin Sun-kyu) — supporting

  Park Chang-gu is an experienced fund manager who introduces Jo Il-hyun to a secret program-trading opportunity operated through an unidentified financial figure. He later sends Jo additional business,...

• Baek Jong-pil (played by Han Ju-hwan) — minor

  Baek Jong-pil is connected to a major account and is expected to meet Jo Il-hyun. He is later found dead, an event Jo refuses to treat as unrelated to the trading network. Jo suspects that Baek Jong-p...

• Yu Min-jun's Wife (played by Heo Ji-na) — minor
• Securities Team 1 Rookie (played by Dong Hyun-bae) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Yu Min-jun's Wife → Yu Min-jun (wife)
• Jo Il-hyun → Securities Team 1 Rookie (Professional Colleague) — The rookie belongs to Jo's professional environment, which reflects the dismissive culture surrounding him.

  Jo works at DM Securities in a workplace where colleagues mock his provincial background.

• Jo Il-hyun → Yu Min-jun (Professional Colleague) — They share a professional environment, but Jo's secrecy creates distrust between them.

  Jo works with colleague Yu Min-jun but handles a large transaction without informing him.

• Jo Il-hyun → Park Chang-gu (Professional Mentor And Recruiter) — Park Chang-gu brings Jo into the illicit trading network and expands his access to profitable transactions.

  Park Chang-gu introduces Jo Il-hyun to the secret program-trading opportunity and sends him additional business.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jo Il-hyun → Park Si-eun (Alliance Investigation-Linked Association) — Park Si-eun contributes evidence to the investigation connected to Jo's increasingly dangerous activities.

  Park Si-eun provides evidence that helps the investigation into the trading network involving Jo.

• Jo Il-hyun → Baek Jong-pil (Narrative Potential Informant Connection) — Baek's death deepens Jo's suspicions about the hidden conspiracy surrounding his work.

  Baek Jong-pil is supposed to meet Jo, and after Baek is found dead, Jo believes he may have been trying to expose the trading network.

Story Analysis

A rookie broker enters a secret trading network, gains wealth, and discovers that his success is connected to a dangerous financial conspiracy.

Plot Progression

1. A Broker Seeks Escape — Jo Il-hyun struggles as a poorly connected rookie broker despite his exceptional memory for stock codes. His frustration and desire for wealth prepare him to accept a dangerous opportunity.
2. The Secret Invitation — Park Chang-gu introduces Jo to a secret program-trading operation with enormous commissions. Jo accepts instructions involving another identity, a single phone call, and high-value orders.
3. Profits and Suspicion — Jo's coordinated trades produce substantial profits and lead to additional business. His secrecy toward Yu Min-jun and his changing lifestyle begin to create personal and professional tension.
4. Death Behind the Trades — Baek Jong-pil is found dead after being connected to a major account and a planned meeting with Jo. Jo suspects the death is tied to the trading network rather than being unrelated.
5. The Conspiracy Widens — Investigators examine client lists, old employment records, and suspicious transactions. Evidence connects the operation to a broader naked-shorting scheme, while the central identity and consequences...