I mean... kind of a forced way to drive a plot, no? Anyone else feel that?

nah, his opponent is a psycho ever since. he literally sabotaged the match twice now so its not "forced" cuz that is his character. it's interesting that the guy who stabbed kim dan is the one who knows kim dan from the past, such a small world. but its reasonable how he ended up there having to pay them back his loan nd shit, that guy is a brokeass man nd an asshole who doesn't have a life.