Choi Sung-chan vented his frustration from the meeting to his secretary before leaving work on time. He told the waiting driver to go home early, then entered the address into the car’s navigation system himself.

The car left downtown Seoul and headed to the outskirts of the city, toward a secluded restaurant. Upon arrival, a staff member approached Choi and led him inside. The place was a spacious, exclusive venue, the kind you might see in a drama.

As they walked down the hallway to the farthest room, the staff member gently knocked on the door and slid it open.