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(It's My Life)
Are you challenging me?
You see,
I don't think I can bear to watch you destroy...
the company that grandpa built his entire life.
Regardless of the result, I'll give it a try.
A man must be bold enough to do that, right?
Let's compete fairly.
You fearless fool.
You used to unclog drains and fix stone walls in the countryside.
What do you think you can do at Hyunkang?
You're no match for me.
Did you even dig up on me?
But you don't seem to know something.
I'm the type of person...
that has to see whatever he starts through to the end.
I keep trying until I pull it off.
If I fall down, I get back up and run again.
You see,
a man who has nothing to lose has nothing to fear.
That's why I just keep running.
How dare you challenge me?
I'm not challenging you.
I'm competing against you.
Fine. Let's do this.
I will crush you into pieces.
This is an urgent announcement for the employees.
- Upload it immediately. - Yes, sir.
(Check the announcement.)
(Choi Si Woo: Design Team 1, Ahn Nam Jin: Design Team 2)
(The two teams will hold three fashion contests,)
(and the winning team members will be promoted and get a raise.)
Ahn Nam Jin, what are you doing?
Are you challenging Si Woo?
Please call Director Choi Si Woo and General Manager Jang Hee Cheol...
to my office.
Yes, ma'am.
My goodness.
Did you guys see the announcement?
What is it about?
That man called Ahn Nam Jin or whatever,
the late chairman's grandson...
It looks like he didn't give up on the succession rights.
He will formally compete against Director Choi.
Ahn Nam Jin?
So what does the announcement say?
Director Choi leads Team One,
Mr. Ahn, the former chief secretary leads Team Two.
"The two teams will be made up of applicants..."
"and hold 3 fashion contests in 1 year."
"The result of the contests..."
"and the total sales will determine the final successor."
"Every member of the team..."
"that the final successor leads..."
"will be promoted..."
"and get two years' worth of a pay raise."
Promotion and a pay raise?
So our lives at work will be easier if we can join Director Choi's team.
So many employees will try to join Team One.
I shouldn't have believed him when he said he'd give up.
How dare you trick me like this?
Come on in and have a seat.
What is going on?
I thought Nam Jin decided to go back to his hometown.
What did I tell you?
I said Ahn Nam Jin takes after the late chairman.
He put on a show to make me pay the inheritance tax.
I think...
Lawyer Heo talked him into it.
Lawyer Heo?
He has to compete for the succession rights to put off my plans...
at least for a while.
- He's trying to buy some time? - Yes.
He's probably trying to use Nam Jin...
until he broadens a support base.
That makes sense.
I mean, Lawyer Heo is hard to see through.
What made me upset was his attitude.
He said...
that he couldn't let me destroy Hyunkang that Grandpa built.
- What? - He keeps talking about Grandpa.
He spent only a month with Grandpa,
but he acts like he knows everything about Grandpa.
That was so upsetting.
I'm sure he didn't even know what he was talking about.
He probably needed to use his relationship...
with the late chairman to be more convincing.
I think it's a good thing.
What do you mean by that?
If everyone realizes that Grandpa let his relationship with him...
cloud his judgement,
it will be much easier to push ahead with my plans.
I just have to crush him.
So he won't be able to act up again.
It doesn't have to be a year.
I'll do something...
to drag Lawyer Heo from his position.
Then Nam Jin will have no one to help him.
Did you meet Ms. Choi? What did she say?
I'm sorry, Dad.
Don't be. It's all my fault.
It's okay. So don't get involved in this matter anymore.
I'll take care of it from now on.
What? But still...
Seung Joo, I'm sorry.
It was wrong of me...
to try to marry you off against your will for my business.
Dad.
You were right.
As a couple get married and live together,
they have issues and conflict so many times.
However, without love,
it's hard to get through hard times together.
So make sure you will marry...
a man you love.
Did something happen?
Did you have a fight with her?
Nonsense.
What keeps me going...
even when my company is in trouble...
are you and Yeon Sil.
The two people...
whom I love.
Sir...
Seung Joo, I have to get back to work,
so you should go now.
Yes, Dad.
You're here.
Is that all you have?
Yes. We are all born with empty hands...
and go with empty hands. That's life.
My goodness. You're still all words.
Man Seok is so cheap.
How could he do this to his only brother-in-law?
What did Man Seok do wrong?
You're the one who caused trouble. Why would you blame him?
Even though I caused trouble, how could he make me move out?
The deposit for the studio wasn't even that much.
I'm relieved that he didn't rent the place under your name.
If he did, you would've lost that money too.
Well, that's true, but...
Look how you made me live.
Oh, gosh. Whatever. I'm hungry. Give me something to eat.
We have only cooked rice and kimchi.
Shall I make you bibimbap with radish kimchi?
With fried egg?
Why bibimbap with radish kimchi? That reminds me of the old days.
That's the only dish I can make. What do you want me to do?
Anyway, you clean the house until you get a job.
I will do everything I can to prepare meals.
Cleaning?
You want me to clean the house?
Man Seok said he will hire you back...
at least into a manufacturing team when the right time comes.
So hang in there until then.
What... What? He'll give me a manufacturing job?
Me, the great Ko Seon Gyu?
I'll make bibimbap for you, so wait here.
Gosh. Seriously.
Can you get the door, Seon Gyu?
Who could that be at this hour?
What? Seon Gyu even touched the company funds?
It's too late to handle the problem within the company.
The police probably arrived at your house.
(Yeon Sil)
What should I do, Man Seok?
Seon Gyu... The police took him.
Man Seok, did you report him to the police...
by any chance?
You didn't, right?
I'll take care of this, so wait a little while, Yeon Sil.
But the police took Seon Gyu.
How can I just sit here and wait?
Please, get him released.
Get him out now, please.
Okay, I heard you. I'll get him out,
so don't cry and give me some time.
No, we didn't fight.
What keeps me going...
even when my company is in trouble...
are you and Yeon Sil.
I really hope everything is okay.
Hey, Nam Jin.
- Have you sobered up? - I'm sorry.
It must have been hard to get me home safely.
It sure was. You're so heavy.
You must have thick bones.
Your arm must weigh over 20kg.
My mom feels so bad that you had to do that.
She wants to invite you over for dinner. Would you come?
My mom is a great cook.
Home-cooked food? Sounds great!
Mr. Ko Seon Gyu, did you touch the company's account or not?
Well, I... I just...
Stop stammering and answer my question.
My gosh...
Man Seok!
What took you so long?
- Man Seok. - Yes.
Are you Mr. Ko's legal guardian?
Yes, I'm his brother-in-law.
What? They'll detain him?
So Seon Gyu will be arrested?
Yes.
For embezzlement, gambling, and violating business ethics.
It's clearly a criminal case.
That can't happen.
I cannot let him end up with a criminal record.
He's not even married yet. He can't get arrested.
Please get him out. We have to do everything we can.
First, we have to pay back the money he embezzled,
but I don't have money now.
What do you mean?
You're the president of a big company.
Don't you have emergency funds?
I haven't even paid for the fabrics that he sold off.
That company is hounding me, saying that they'll sue us...
for selling off their fabrics.
And he even spent the money in the company's account,
so I have nothing now.
You said it's because he stood surety for a friend.
But what? Compulsive gambling?
How could he get the company into this mess?
The company was already struggling.
How could he do this to me?
Do you know what my employees are saying?
They say that I foolishly left a fish store with a cat.
Yeon Sil, why are you being like this?
It's all my fault.
Please forgive him just this once.
Seon Gyu... My poor brother, Seon Gyu.
Please help him.
Man Seok, please?
Jin Ah.
Let's eat something good.
- Jin Ah! - Dae Sik.
Hello, Yeon Ji.
I told you that I don't like it when you wait in front of my place.
I... I just...
I just wanted to give you this.
It was your first day at your new job. Congratulations.
Thanks, but I can't accept this.
Jin Ah, Jin Ah.
- Jin Ah. - Gosh, that rude wench.
Can't she try to be nice to him, knowing he waited here all evening?
Does she not like flowers?
But she used to like getting flowers from Nam Jin.
Who?
Nam Jin, Yang Nam Jin.
Jin Ah's childhood friend.
We used to call him Captain Yang.
Nam Jin?
Gosh, I've been hearing that name so often.
Do you know Nam Jin?
Wait, has he visited her?
How would I know Jin Ah's childhood friend?
Do you have no pride?
Why do you always bend over backwards for her?
Well...
They say the one who loves more is the weak one.
"The one who loves more is the weak one."
That's true.
Give me that. I'll make sure she gets this.
Really? Thank you, Yeon Ji.
- Tomorrow, I'll treat... - You'll treat me to a meal?
Yes. In Yangpyeong, there's a really good...
- back ribs... - Back ribs place in Yangpyeong?
- Yes. - That sounds awesome.
I'll see you tomorrow, then. Nice!
See you.
Two...
What?
Why did you take those flowers from him?
I couldn't let him throw out these expensive flowers.
Jin Ah, that was mean.
These flowers didn't do anything wrong.
All right, I was inconsiderate.
Shall I rinse a vase for them?
If you'd like.
About the grandson who wants to succeed the management rights,
- Ahn Nam Jin. - Yes.
Have you met him by any chance?
No, I've only heard about him.
Up until a month ago, he was just Chairman Ahn's chief secretary,
but they suddenly discovered that he is the chairman's grandson.
He was the chairman's chief secretary?
Aren't you going to rinse the vase?
I will.
Thank you for inviting me.
How beautiful.
How did you know that I love flowers?
You always know exactly what to do.
She should've gotten balsam flowers.
Balsam flowers?
He's just talking nonsense. Don't mind him.
Mom, will you keep us standing here? I'm hungry.
Gosh, where's my mind at? Come, let's eat.
My, I haven't had home-cooked food in so long.
Everything looks so delicious.
Really? Eat up, Seung Joo.
I will. Thank you for the food.
- Please join us, Ms. Heo. - Yes, please join us.
It's okay. You have a guest today, so I'll eat later.
I'm not a guest.
Also, I'm an only child, so I always envied friends with big families.
So please don't worry about me and eat with us.
- Come on. Please have a seat. - Yes, please join us.
All right, then.
You're a good eater.
I like people who enjoy food like you do.
That girl, Jin Ah, eats like a bird.
She can kick her luck away by eating like that.
What's the matter with you?
You know that Nam Jin has a lot on his mind right now.
Did you have to bring her up?
Nam Jin, I envy you.
You get to eat delicious home-cooked food every day.
That's why his arm was so heavy.
You're realizing that just now?
Thank you for enjoying the food.
Before we move back home,
I really wanted to invite you over for a meal.
I've decided not to move back home.
- What? - What?
I'm going to give it a shot.
I will protect Grandpa's company, Hyunkang.
What? Seriously?
Mr. Choi will end up taking over the company anyway,
but I can at least make sure no one is laid off,
and that's enough for me.
Grandpa wouldn't have let his employees...
get kicked out like that overnight.
You've made the right decision, Nam Jin.
Someone once said...
that the only way you can win against someone,
who wants you to give up,
is not giving up.
Descartes?
No, Han Seung Joo.
Gosh, you fooled me.
That's right.
This is happening because I didn't give up.
I finally get to live in the same space...
as my angel.
Gosh, I'm over the moon.
Goodness, stop being so ridiculous.
That means I can continue to work...
at this house, right?
Sure. Of course, you can.
I said you could stay even if we go back to our hometown.
Chung San told me to prepare to leave this house.
He said that Ms. Choi wants me to leave.
My goodness.
But she agreed to let Ms. Heo continue to work here.
Why did she go back on her word?
That sly fox is so mean and crafty.
My, I'm so full.
I think I ate too much.
Come over to my house whenever you crave home-cooked food.
Can I really do that?
Here. These are side dishes for you.
My mom told me to give you this.
I feel like I'm going to cry.
I'm so grateful and feel warm inside.
Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your father's company...
will continue to work with Hyunkang for a year.
- Is that true? - Yes.
Until the successor is decided a year later,
all the projects that Director Choi is working on will be put off.
I was so afraid...
my dad might have to close his business because of me.
Thank you, Nam Jin.
Hey, if you need my help, just let me know.
I'll even go to the end of the earth if I can help you.
You sound like Joan of Arc.
Call me if you have to drink.
I'll drink for you.
- Okay. Deal. - Okay.
(Team Members Wanted)
(Design Team 1 leader: Choi Si Woo)
(Team Members Wanted)
(Design Team 2 leader: Ahn Nam Jin)
- Hello. - Hello.
Hello.
Mr. Jang, are you joining my team as well?
It's an honour to me.
You know I would come out while sleeping if Ms. Choi needs me.
Since you're the best designer here, you should join the best team.
You shouldn't embark on a ship that will sink.
Is there anyone helpful?
We're sorting out.
Not only head office employees,
but also employees at branches and factories...
are sending their resumes via e-mail.
I think we'll narrow down the list early next week.
Quality over quantity.
It's your job to sort out useless applicants.
Pick out the best applicants. Work all night if you have to.
And give Mr. Jang the resumes of designers.
Yes, sir.
No one applied for my team?
That's right. There's none so far.
Since Director Choi...
has been working in place of Chairman Ahn for a long time,
it seems that everyone thinks...
he will be the successor.
I guess they don't want to join your team in this situation...
because they will get on the wrong side of Director Choi.
Then what should I do?
I have no experience in this field.
The only work related to fashion I did was to sell dead stock.
You better learn about this field before you start working here.
In the late chairman's study,
you'll find a lot of books and theses related to fashion.
Start with marketing first.
Okay.
However, our most urgent priority is to form a team.
How is the team formed?
The team leader plays the role of an MD.
You need 2 or 3 designers,
one person in charge of fabric, subsidiary materials, and pattern,
one person in charge of sewing and dyeing,
and a bookkeeping clerk.
You also need someone in charge of promotion and marketing.
I think Mr. Lee can cover sewing and dyeing.
That's a good idea.
I found out that he ran...
quite a big sewing factory in Cheongdo.
That's right.
But where should I find the other team members?
Could I get the list of the employees to be laid off?
Why do you need that?
I'm thinking of sorting out the employees...
to be laid off first...
who have good performances but were ranked low at evaluation.
Since they're on the edge of a cliff,
wouldn't they want to take any chance they have?
Are you saying that if Si Woo...
become the successor a year later,
downsizing will be carried out,
so it's sink or swim?
Yes. That's exactly what I thought.
I understand. I'll make a list...
and send you via e-mail.
Okay.
Hello, Ms. Choi.
I heard you decided to compete for the succession rights.
That's right.
I didn't think of you like that. I'm speechless.
Pardon?
What do you mean?
Did you put on a show to make me pay the inheritance tax?
Or did you and Lawyer Heo...
conspire to buy some time...
to get a big score?
It's not like that.
It doesn't matter.
Si Woo will be the successor anyway.
But I just don't understand why you must...
waste your time and money...
and manpower...
to compete against him.
With all due respect,
for the employees who might be fired overnight,
one year from now...
will be the most precious time in their lives.
I have...
gone through all sorts of hardship.
I know how to deal with people like you...
whom I can see right through.
Do you think I don't know that you pulled a trick...
to make Si Woo get the wrong side of Chairman Ahn?
I never did that.
Hyunkang Group belongs to Si Woo.
It's not something a loser like you can have.
Hyunkang Group doesn't belong to an individual.
It belongs to all the employees.
What?
Do you think you're somebody just because you are the grandson...
of the late chairman?
But you see,
you are nobody.
You should've gone back to your hometown...
with the money you inherited.
You will regret this...
over and over again.
Mr. Lee, I want you to help me out.
What do you need me for?
You're an expert in sewing and dyeing.
I'm thinking of working with you for a year.
Are you asking me to join Hyunkang Group?
No. I can't do that.
My sewing factory went bankrupt,
and I stop working in that field a long time ago.
It wasn't your fault that the factory was closed.
It was because of a clash of interests of two countries.
That's true.
But what if I join your team and made a mistake?
I'm sure the other team has such competent people.
What if I ruin everything on your team?
My goodness. He's always been all words.
But it turns out he's a coward.
I mean, you told Nam Jin to give it a try...
even if he lost. How can you avoid working with him?
A coward? Don't call me a coward.
I'm just worried I might make a mistake...
and cause Nam Jin harm. That's all.
Mr. Lee, will you really turn me down like this?
Do you want me to walk into the battlefield all by myself?
I don't know anything about fashion.
What do you mean I'm not loyal?
I'm known for being an incredibly loyal person.
Don't be like this. Please help me out, Mr. Lee.
I'm not expecting to win this fight, okay?
The employees might lose their jobs overnight,
and I just want to buy some time for them even if it's just a year.
Why aren't you answering?
We've been looking after you, so you have to repay us.
Gosh, fine. I'll do it, okay?
My goodness.
Okay, fine. What should we do first, then?
First, we have to gather our team members.
Team members? How?
- Hello. - Hello.
Could you tell me where I can find Ms. Kim Yun Hee?
Ms. Kim Yun Hee?
She should be over there.
Ms. Kim Yun Hee has been recognized for her competency and skills.
But she was recently investigated by the internal inspection team...
due to an unfavourable incident,
and even though there was no firm evidence,
they included her...
- in the layoff list because of it. - Ms. Kim.
- Someone is here to see you. - Her salary is quite high...
because she's been with the company for over 10 years.
That's probably why they want to lay her off.
- Here you go. - Thank you.
The fabric supplier in China, whom we worked with for 10 years,
started sending more defective fabrics.
So I visited the factory and did an inspection.
They were repackaging and reselling unsold fabrics.
Pardon me?
Continuing to work with a company...
that is repackaging and reselling their old, unsold inventory...
is simply unacceptable, you know.
Of course.
They broke your trust, which is the foundation of everything.
But I did all of that for nothing.
Because of it, I was investigated by the internal inspection team...
for accepting bribes from one of our new suppliers.
I've been suffering from insomnia since the investigation.
I'll get laid off anyway,
so I'd love to just quit on my own accord and walk out,
but I'm still single, so if I become jobless...
Gosh, what a mess.
Well, if you'll be laid off in a year from now anyway,
how about you invest that time in me?
Pardon me?
(It's My Life)
I'd like to replace the Interim Managing Director.
Please transfer the company shares you own...
to Si Woo.
I heard so many people applied for Team One.
- I'd like to pick this applicant. - Ms. Jung Jin Ah applied too?
She'll join if your sincerity got through to her.
You designed this dress?