The article discusses how the Korean stock market boomed in the late 1980s, leading to the rise of individual investors known as Ants. The government tried to boost the stock market by encouraging ordinary people to invest through programs like the People’s Stock Share Program. However, stock prices crashed in 1989, causing losses for many small investors. The crash was partly due to the government's aggressive policies and companies prioritizing profits over stability. Despite efforts to make the stock market accessible to the public, the government often favored pro-capital policies, leading to conflicts between capital interests and public welfare.