(Episode 63)
Hello, I'm the one who developed Glasswort Instant Noodles.
My name is Oh Dal Nim.
(Choigo Foods Glasswort Instant Noodles Sample Test)
- What's this? - What?
What's this?
- My goodness. - How can this happen?
("Food and Top Develops Glasswort Instant Noodles")
- Unbelievable. - My gosh.
What?
We have a situation. Food and Top just launched...
the exact same glasswort noodles as ours.
What?
Ms. Cha, what's going on right now?
How can Food and Top...
launch the same product as ours?
Forget about this sample test.
We need to come up with a solution.
How did this happen?
Hurry up and look into it.
Okay.
What's going on?
How can they launch the exact same noodles?
I'll tell you after I look into how this could've happened.
"Food and Top"?
Isn't that the company that Ms. Yoon recently took over?
Yes, it is.
They were supposed to launch Well Being Instant Noodles.
But they ended up launching a product that's the same as ours.
They even used the same method of solidifying the sauce.
How is that possible?
I'll look into the situation.
No, I'm going to go with you.
I want you to investigate this thoroughly.
Okay.
How...
How can this happen?
Why do we have to go against the company that Ms. Yoon took over?
It's not going to be an easy fight.
Chef Jung, we have a situation.
What's wrong?
Some other company just launched...
the exact same noodles that Dal Nim developed.
They stopped the sample test and everyone's really angry.
Then what's going to happen to the advertisement for Dal Nim's mother?
I'll be right back.
I feel so sorry for Dal Nim.
Why are you always so worried about Dal Nim?
Someone might even mistake you as her family.
It's natural for us to worry about her.
You're just too coldhearted.
Exactly.
Hye Ri, you should learn how to care for others.
Whatever.
How can they launch the exact same noodles?
That's what I want to know.
They've been developing Well Being Instant Noodles...
way before our company took over Food and Top.
You already know that.
But there are too many strange factors...
to just think of this as a coincidence.
The recipe, ingredients,
and taste of the noodles are exactly the same. It's really strange.
On top of that, even the sauce was solidified.
We were also developing a solidified sauce.
That's how we were able to hold a sample test today.
I don't know about the specifics.
I wasn't involved in the development process.
And even if the recipe was leaked,
there's no evidence to prove that.
That's why I'm asking you to investigate this thoroughly.
As the biggest shareholder of Choigo Foods,
I'm also upset about what happened.
I lost a lot from this too.
I wouldn't support Food and Top...
even by sacrificing a fall in share prices.
I understand.
But I'm not going to just let go of what happened.
I'm going to investigate thoroughly and I'm going to reveal the truth.
Let's not cause a fuss.
I think we should handle things quietly and let go of what happened.
If the media gets a hold of this,
it won't benefit Choigo Foods at all.
Choigo Foods is a big company,
so I'm sure you'll be able to recover very quickly.
Was this the fun show you were talking about?
It was your work, right?
To be exact, Director Hyun and I worked on this together.
I told you, didn't I?
I said there's going to be a fun show to watch.
It was better than what I had expected.
It caused a big loss to Choigo foods.
So I'm sorry that...
you had to suffer from damages due to the decrease in stock price.
No, it's okay. You did a good job.
I might've lost a bit of money...
because of the decrease in Choigo Foods' stock price.
But the sales of Food and Top have risen sharply.
So that's doing its part to recoup for the loss.
When time passes,
I'm sure Choigo Foods' stock price will rise again.
By the way, did you take care of everything properly?
If you get caught again like before,
you'll get into big trouble.
There's a limit to how much I can help you.
Don't worry.
I won't make any lame mistakes.
I've set up a perfect trap this time.
Does that mean Dal Nim won't be able to...
advertise about her missing mother?
Of course.
How are things going with finding Dal Nim's mother?
It's not very easy.
I've learned something through this incident.
You're even risking your career...
to do this kind of thing for me.
That makes me think that you're definitely on my side.
I'm sorry for doubting you...
regarding the bracelet.
I'd like to apologize.
You already apologized for that.
Dal Nim's going to try to separate us again.
What she wants is...
for us to turn our backs on each other.
I know. I won't fall for her tricks.
Don't worry. I'll never doubt you again.
If this problem doesn't get solved,
does that mean I won't be able to advertise about my missing mom?
It said on the contract that everything will become invalid...
if the same product gets launched from another company.
We need to solve this.
I'll try hard, so that you can carry on with the advertisement.
Do you have a plan?
There are too many weird things to think of this as a coincidence.
There's a possibility that someone from the inside leaked the recipe.
Who would do such a thing?
I do have someone in mind.
Director Hyun, it's me.
You should start talking to the board of directors now.
We need to start a fire right now...
in order to make things get out of control.
You understand what I mean, right?
(Team Manager, Hong Se Na)
What are you doing?
I asked you what you're doing.
I know why you're doing this.
You're doubting me, aren't you?
You probably think I did something.
I wondered how Food and Top could launch...
the exact same noodles that Dal Nim had developed.
I also wondered if you could've done this...
to stop her from advertising about her missing mother.
It's true that I'm doubting you.
Are you that worried about Dal Nim?
I'm worried about the company, not Dal Nim.
Do you not know...
how this could affect the company if things go wrong?
We invested so much money in this project.
This could even have a bad effect on the chairwoman.
I know that.
The board of directors already seem to be agitated.
We need to take care of this and minimize our loss...
before the board of directors start a protest.
That's why I'm asking you this.
Do you really have nothing to do with this incident?
I did absolutely nothing.
Judging from the circumstances,
I'm definite that someone leaked our recipe to Food and Top.
If not, how could they have made...
the exact same product including the solidified sauce?
Is there a reason...
why you need to stop Dal Nim from finding her mother?
Maybe that's why...
We don't have time to talk about Dal Nim's mother right now.
The board of directors might cause a protest.
Just like you said,
you and the chairwoman are both in trouble right now.
We need to come up with a solution.
Director Choi, the chairwoman wishes to see you urgently.
The board of directors called for an emergency meeting.
There must be something going on among the directors.
I'm sure Director Hyun's people will use this chance to cause a riot.
The plan to launch our new product has come to a halt.
We need to come up with a solution somehow.
We haven't built a manufacturing facility yet,
so don't you think we should stop now...
in order to minimize our loss?
I don't agree with that.
Just because it's the same product,
doesn't mean ours won't be able to compete.
We have no reason to get scared...
just because they occupied the market first.
Although we'll end up launching our product later than them,
we'll be able to catch up...
if we come up with a good differentiation strategy.
We already know that.
The problem is that their product is too similar to ours.
So it'll be hard for us to come up with a differentiation strategy.
I'll do my research on that.
I'm sure we'll be able to come up with something.
Please leave it up to me.
I'll make sure to come up with a differentiation strategy.
She's right. It's too early for us to give up.
We put in so much effort to develop this.
We can't give up so easily.
Please give us some more time.
I'll try to solve this by finding the person who leaked our recipe.
I'm sure that person has something to do with Food and Top.
Once we find out who did this,
we can sue Food and Top,
and file for an injunction to restrain them...
from selling the products.
I have something to report to you.
What is it this time?
Food and Top applied for a patent at the same period of time...
that we did for our product.
But they applied for a preferential examination before us.
They're still being evaluated,
but I think it'll be unfavorable to us.
Does that mean Food and Top might register a patent before we do?
Then we won't be able to file for an injunction to...
restrain them from selling the products.
I'm sorry. We should've passed the screening more quickly.
But an employee in my team took things too slowly.
We put in so much effort to develop Glasswort Instant Noodles.
But it seems like it'll all go to waste.
Please give us some more time.
I'll find the person who leaked the recipe,
and set things straight.
I'm sure that person is somehow involved with Food and Top.
He's right. Please trust us, and give us a bit more time.
They're right. Why don't we just give them a chance?
Then let's postpone the suspension of the new product.
Instead, you better solve this as quickly as possible.
If you take too much time, it'll only put a strain on us.
Okay.
Thank you, Ms. Cha.
If we deal directly with the farmers for the ingredients,
we'll be able to lower the price of the noodles.
If we increase our competitiveness by lowering the price,
we'll be able to dominate the market.
Sun Ho, we need to suspend the development of the new product.
That's the only way to minimize our risk.
Please give it some more thought.
No. I can't give up like this.
You're doing this because...
you're worried that this might cancel the contract, right?
If the contract gets canceled,
you won't be able to keep the promise you made with Dal Nim.
But right now is not the time to worry about Dal Nim.
You might jeopardize your career because of her.
The board of directors have their eyes on you.
I already told you that it's not because of Dal Nim.
I just want to find the person who put our company at risk.
Are you saying we should just...
let go of the person who leaked our company's secret information?
You may be able to do that, but I can never do such a thing.
We have no other choice right now.
I think I know a way.
I have a hunch.
What do you mean?
Dal Nim, I think I found a clue on who leaked the recipe.
"A clue"?
Let's go to the restaurant. I'll tell you on our way there.
Who did you meet that day?
I used to work with him in my previous workplace.
Did you know that he's the team manager of the development team...
at Food and Top?
I found out on that day.
I met him unexpectedly.
Why were you at the head office?
Ms. Hong told me to meet her there.
I had an appointment with Ms. Hong.
Ms. Hong went to a glasswort farm with me that day.
Really?
Ms. Hong told me that she had forgotten about our appointment,
so I had to come back without being able to see her.
It seems like you're doubting me right now,
but you can ask Ms. Hong if you can't believe me.
I really didn't do anything wrong.
What do I have to do to make you believe me?
The employees of the head office and I, the head chef,
are the only ones who have access to the new product's recipe.
But when I got to work that morning,
I noticed that my laptop was turned on.
I thought I had forgotten to turn it off the day before. But...
It wasn't me! How could I steal the recipe...
when I don't even know the password to your laptop?
My gosh, this is driving me crazy.
If that's not the case, did Ms. Hong give you the recipe?
No. I never even got to see the recipe.
You already stole a fake recipe for Ms. Hong once.
Stop denying it. I saw you meet him with my own two eyes.
Yes, I'll acknowledge that I stole a fake recipe once.
And that must be why you're suspicious of me right now.
But I really didn't do anything this time.
I never even got to see the real recipe.
Please believe me.
If you're so confident,
would it be okay for us to check your personal belongings?
Sure, go ahead. You can check whatever you want.
Go ahead and search my bag.
I really did nothing wrong.
What's this?
You know what's inside...
this USB, right?
Why is that in my bag?
That's not mine. I'm serious. Please believe me.
Are you still going to deny it?
Did Ms. Hong order you to do this?
Hurry up and tell us the truth.
Please tell us the truth.
That's the only way you'll be able to get out of this.
We'll help you.
I really didn't do it. I'm being serious.
Ms. Koo, I want you to come to the head office with me.
Okay, sure. Let's go and talk to Ms. Hong.
I'm sure she'll get rid of this misunderstanding.
I had my doubts, but I can't believe it was really Hye Ri.
The lizard's tail got caught, so the body will get caught in no time.
We'll have to see about that.
The body always gets away after cutting its tail off.
I can't believe Hye Ri did such a thing.
But then again, it is strange.
What's strange?
That day,
Hye Ri didn't take long to come back from her appointment with Ms. Hong.
She complained that she got stood up.
What do you mean?
Does that mean she told you that she was going to meet Ms. Hong?
Yes.
Sun Ho and Dal Nim were accusing Hye Ri.
Hye Ri kept insisting that she didn't do it.
Sun Ho took Hye Ri with him to the head office.
He's probably going to make her talk to you.
So you better get ready.
If it turns out that Se Na and my mother...
had worked on this together,
your contract won't get canceled,
and you'll also be able to launch the new product.
Seeing that Hye Ri had told Dong Jae...
about her appointment with Ms. Hong,
I don't think she's lying.
She wouldn't have told him if she had gone there...
to secretly receive the recipe.
I guess Ms. Hong could've just used Hye Ri again.
Dal Nim, what happened to the bracelet?
Were you not able to get the original photo?
Ms. Hong had a similar bracelet.
"A similar bracelet"?
Yes, she showed me a bracelet that looked really similar.
She said that's the bracelet she was wearing in the photo.
Wait.
Now, I get it.
Ms. Ma asked me if I knew any jewelry stores.
I guess she asked me that to get a bracelet.
Ms. Ma?
Yes, she asked me if I knew a big jewelry store.
Thanks. I'll talk to you at home.
I need to go to the data processing team.
I couldn't go because of the sample test.
Yes, you should go.
I'll talk to you later!
Hello.
Does this computer belong to Mr. Ahn of the PR Team?
- Are you trying to fix it? - Yes.
Will you be able to save the photos in this computer?
Whether it's a file or a photo, we'll have try fixing it first.
But don't get your hopes up.
How long will it take?
There's a lot of data,
so I think it'll finish the day after tomorrow.
Then when you're done,
can you give me a call on my cell phone?
There's an important photo in that computer.
- Okay. - Please do me a favor.
And if you fail to fix it by any chance,
can you give me the computer instead of throwing it away?
I can't give you this because it belongs to the company.
Aren't you going to get rid of it though?
We're still going to use all the usable parts.
Then can I at least borrow the hard drive for a while?
No, I can't do that.
You never know what information might be in this hard drive.
I can't let you take it outside the company.
It's against the company rules.
Okay.
Anyway, please call me when you're done fixing the computer.
Ms. Hong.
Like you said, Ms. Oh Dal Nim just came and visited me.
- Did you do what I told you to? - Yes, of course.
You're going to be the madam of Choigo Foods soon.
I should do as you say.
- My gosh, you surprised me. - Why are you so startled?
It seems as if you got caught while doing something naughty.
I don't think you have enough time to wander around like this.
Are you taking a tour around the head office...
when the new product is going downhill?
Are you here to see what the data processing team looks like?
Then what about you? Why are you here?
Are you here to spy on me?
What are you talking about?
I came here because of work.
What kind of work?
Would you even know if I told you?
And don't forget that we're at work. Stop acting like you know me.
You're the one who started talking to me first.
My gosh.
I thought you came here for work. Why are you just leaving?
I have a question.
You gave this bracelet to Se Na, didn't you?
No.
And lower your voice.
Why? Are you scared that people might find out?
Then you shouldn't have committed a sin in the first place.
Are you trying to show me that you have nothing to fear?
You must be so confident...
because you became in charge of the new product.
Do you have evidence to prove that I gave her this bracelet?
Tell me if you have evidence.
I've already confirmed that you bought two bracelets...
at the jewelry store.
I know you gave her the bracelet.
Hey, cut this nonsense.
I never bought two bracelets.
Stop trying to accuse me when I'm innocent.
You already heard during the trial about...
the number of bracelets that got sold in that period.
How dare you try to accuse me for something I didn't do?
Dal Nim, stop it already.
Why are you doing this to my brother again?
You just wait. The truth will come out once I get my hands...
on the original photo.
Let's see if you'll be able to be...
as confident as you are right now.
Bring it on then.
There you are.
Ms. Hong and Ms. Oh. I need both of you to come to the office.
You got rid of the original photo, right?
Yes. I got rid of it for now.
You need to keep playing innocent like you did just now,
even if Dal Nim continues to ask you the same question.
Don't worry.
Even a lie detector won't be able to catch me...
because I really didn't pay for two bracelets.
I just got one for free.
So there's no reason for me to lie.
What are you doing here, Hye Ri?
Ms. Hong, please explain to them.
You and I had planned to meet in front of the head office that day.
Did you really have an appointment with Hye Ri...
on the day that we went to the glasswort farm?
Yes, we had planned to meet.
But I forgot that I had to go to the glasswort farm.
So I had to cancel on our appointment.
Is there a problem?
Why did you want to meet her?
I wanted to ask her a few tips on the new product.
Hye Ri's hometown is near the sea.
So I wanted to ask her a few things about glasswort.
Is that really all?
What more could there be?
We found a USB...
that had the new product's recipe in Hye Ri's bag.
Are you sure you didn't ask her to steal the recipe again,
just like how you asked her to steal my recipe notebook?
Listen to me, Dal Nim.
Ms. Hong did ask me to steal your recipe notebook,
but that USB really isn't mine.
How many times do I need to tell you?
And Ms. Hong didn't even ask me to do anything this time.
I just told you everything I know.
You heard her, right?
She says I never asked her to do anything.
I can't believe this is happening.
Why do I even need to listen to this nonsense?
Let me make this clear.
I never asked Hye Ri to do anything.
Hye Ri, can you say with a clear conscience...
that you're telling us the truth?
Yes, of course. I really didn't do it. I'm serious.
Please believe me.
I feel so upset.
My gosh, I can't believe this.
Me neither. I can't believe someone was...
daring enough to leak the recipe.
Food and Top's new product must be out of stock already.
I couldn't find any in the supermarket.
The store owner told me that it always goes out of stock.
That's the problem.
They've already dominated the market.
So even if we launch our product,
it'll only be considered as a copied version.
If the original product succeeds in taking over the market,
it's hard for the other copy cats to settle in.
Mom, I think we should just put an end to the development.
It's going to cost us a lot to build the manufacturing facility.
But if the product doesn't sell,
we'll only end up losing a lot of money.
If you stop developing the new product,
that means Dal Nim won't be able to advertise about her missing mother.
We can't stop developing the new product.
We can set things straight...
by suing Food and Top...
after catching the person who leaked the recipe.
All the employees at the restaurant including Dal Nim...
worked so hard to develop the new product.
We can't just let their efforts go to waste.
Everything will be fine if we can find the culprit.
But I'm just worried that...
you might end up wasting your time while trying to catch the culprit.
Our company's loss will...
keep getting bigger as time goes by.
I'm home.
Were you at Dal Nim's place again?
What do you want to say to me?
I heard the development of the new product might come to a halt.
She was so big-headed about succeeding.
But I knew this would happen.
They haven't stopped anything yet.
And are you confident enough to say such a thing?
Why would I not be confident?
Do you really have...
nothing to do with the recipe leak?
Are you sure you didn't use Se Na as a front,
just like how you did in the past?
I guess you believe Dal Nim more than me now.
Our relationship seems to have become irreparable.
I think so too.
I can't seem to find a way to solve things with you.
What?
I know that you're looking for your daughter.
How do you know that?
That doesn't matter.
I sincerely wish that you'll find her.
I'll move out of the house as soon as you find her.
Once you find your daughter,
I'll feel comfortable enough...
to move out of the house.
I only said I want you out of my house out of anger.
But are you seriously thinking about leaving?
Are you trying to use my daughter as an excuse to move out?
Don't get mistaken. I have no other hidden intentions.
I'm only saying this because I'm worried about you.
Your daughter will become my sister.
So I want to find her too.
I'll help you with whatever I can.
Goodnight.
Why did you come all the way here?
You told everyone that I made you steal...
the recipe notebook.
Ms. Hong, please help me.
How could you do such a thing?
Ms. Hong, I didn't do it.
How can you do this to me?
I know you did it.
You gave me the fake recipe.
You could've stolen the real recipe as well.
I heard the person you met...
works in the Developement Team of Food and Top.
I only ran into him by accident.
I went there that day...
because you wanted me to wait for you at the head office.
I only did what you told me to do.
Who's going to believe you?
I'd love to help you out,
but the evidence is way too clear.
I didn't know you'd do something like this.
Although, I did know that you weren't doing so well financially.
I finally get it now.
I fell for your trap, didn't I?
But you thought of me way too lightly.
I'm not going to let you ruin me like this.
I'm going to tell everyone about...
everything you made me do until now.
How dare you try to threaten me?
You should be begging on your knees for forgiveness.
But you dare to threaten me?
Le Cordon Bleu, my foot.
You got your job by forging your academic background.
Do you want to go to prison for forgery?
Try me if you want.
Do you want to get humiliated in front of all the other employees?
I know you pretended to have studied abroad,
and had a condescending attitude towards the others.
How do you think they'll react...
when they find out about this?
They'll probably think you're pathetic.
Especially since all your past work experiences are fake.
All you did was wash the dishes in the kitchen.
But you lied that you were a chef.
How would someone like me, who comes from a poor background,
have gotten a job at Choigo Foods if I hadn't forged my education?
I had my student loans to pay back.
And I couldn't get out of my tiny house,
even if I worked 2 to 3 part time jobs a day.
What does that have anything to do with me?
You're the one who dug your own grave...
just so you could get some money.
Don't even try blaming others.
Why do you think I did what you asked me to do?
I thought you'd at least help me get promoted if I helped you out.
But you're just going to abandon me...
after using me for everything you needed?
Yes, that's the kind of person I am.
I'm able to help you stay alive,
and I'm also able to kill you if I want.
If you get that, you better shut your mouth and bow down.
That's the only way you'll be able to stay alive.
What are you doing here, Hye Ri?
Mind your own business.
Did you come here to meet Ms. Hong?
- Let's talk. - I have nothing to say to you.
- Hye Ri. - What's wrong with you?
I said, I don't have anything to say to you.
I know you're not the culprit. So please...
Stop acting like a know-it-all.
You must be glad that I'm going through this.
I know that you're secretly mocking me right now.
That's not true. Why would you say that?
This isn't just about you.
I'd rather get falsely accused for this...
rather than receive any help from you.
Hye Ri.
I hate Ms. Hong,
but I hate you even more.
Why don't you just swear at me?
I hate seeing you act all kind and understanding.
Do you get it?
Hye Ri.
Are you a stalker?
Why are you going after someone who doesn't want to talk to you?
Get out of my way.
What are you doing? I said, get out of my way.
I'm going to get rid of everything that's in my way.
I don't care if that's you or Hye Ri.
What did you say to Hye Ri?
Listen to me carefully.
Because of you,
Sun Ho might have to step down from his position.
Do you want him to lose his job...
just so you can find your mother?
If I give up right now,
that'll only benefit you.
You were able to get out of this by falsely accusing Hye Ri.
But I know that you're the real culprit.
Stop talking nonsense.
If anything happens to Sun Ho because of your greed,
I'm not going to stand still.
Don't you think this is all because of your greed?
Your greed for wanting to get married to...
Director Choi has become so big,
and that's why you're doing things you can't undo.
Listen to me, Dal Nim.
You just wait. On top of that fake bracelet and recipe leak,
I'm going to reveal every wrongdoing you've committed until now.
By doing so, I'm going to find my stolen recipe...
and my missing mom.
Fine, go ahead.
You'll never be able to fight me.
Why are you here?
Ms. Cha, I've found the culprit who leaked the recipe.
Really? Who was it?
It was Ms. Koo Hye Ri, an employee at our company's main restaurant.
Did you find evidence?
Yes. She used to be a contract worker...
at Food and Top's franchise restaurant before working here.
And the head chef she used to work with back then...
recently became the team manger of Food and Top's Development Team.
Director Choi recently saw the two meeting each other.
So he searched Ms. Koo's bag.
And in her bag, he found a USB...
that had the recipe of Glasswort Instant Noodles.
She even forged her education...
when she applied for a job at our company's restaurant.
She must've planned to do something like this...
from the moment she started working here.
On top of that, her work experiences are also fake.
Then shouldn't that USB...
already be at Food and Top right now?
Why does she still have that USB with her?
Well, that's probably because...
she made a lot of copies of the recipe.
She could've thought about selling it to another company.
Sit down.
Then does Food and Top...
know about this?
Yes, but they're insisting that...
it's not true.
They said we can sue them...
or report this to the media if we want.
I guess that means they're confident that they'll win the fight.
We won't be able to do anything without having...
any clear and direct evidence.
I don't think giving Sun Ho more time...
will help him find anything out.
You're right.
I fired Ms. Koo Hye Ri for violating the labor contract.
How do you want me to handle the rest?
You must make a decision.
The stockholders might try to control...
our company's personnel rights at the board meeting.
If that happens,
Director Choi's position could be in danger.
Sun Ho's position is one thing,
but we can't keep doing this when it'll only cost us money.
We'll only keep losing money at this rate.
What's going to happen to our new product?
Are we going to stop the development?
No, that will never happen.
We just need to focus on our work...
until we find the person who leaked the recipe.
Shall we start the meeting then?
Ms. Hong went to see the chairwoman to talk to her about something.
Then let's just start without her.
As you already know,
Food and Top launched the same glasswort noodles as ours.
So we need to come up with a differentiation strategy.
They even made the same solidified sauce, so it's not easy.
Here's an idea I came up with. Why don't you give it a read?
What are you doing right now?
Can't you see? We're having a meeting.
Do you think you'll be able to...
come up with a differentiation strategy?
How are things going with the glasswort farms?
Aren't you supposed to be going to one with Director Choi today?
I won't have to go there.
What do you mean?
It's been decided to stop the development of the new product.
What are you talking about?
That can't be possible.
Ms. Hong, are you serious?
I just heard it from the chairwoman herself.
As of this moment, the new product development will officially end.
(Sweet Enemy)
I'll be your friend.
I came to tell you something, Ms. Yoon.
I need to tell you this when you're with her.
Don't think that this is the end.
I'm going to make sure to reveal everything.