(Episode 7)
The operating margin of our home appliance division...
is currently 1.09 percent.
Company A, a domestic corporation, has a margin of 7.6 percent.
Company S, a domestic corporation, has a margin of 3.2 percent.
And Company W, a foreign company, has a margin of 1.5 percent.
We already hit two percent last year which was our lowest point ever.
How could it get worse than that and fall down to 1.09 percent?
Our rival company has a margin of 7.6 percent.
Don't you think it'd be better to put a halt to the business...
considering how bad we're doing?
- Director Moon. - Yes, sir?
This is the biggest crisis we've ever had...
since our company got established. Am I correct?
Yes, you're correct.
Do you think our home appliance division...
has a future?
Yes, of course.
A lot of investments are being made regarding built-in furniture...
and B2B businesses for our future growth.
We're expecting our profit rate to slowly increase with time.
"Slowly increase with time"?
We'll make sure it increases as quickly as possible.
We might have to discuss whether our home appliance division...
should continue to exist or not.
Oh, and one more thing.
The home appliance division already has a low operating margin.
But I don't get why it also got a low score on the win-win index.
Our rival companies got high grades. Why couldn't we get the same grade?
Our grade decreased due to an unexpected happening.
Things will go back to normal starting the next quarter.
I understand that things aren't working out very well.
But big corporations can only exist...
with the help of small companies.
I want you to be more supportive and cooperative...
when it comes to doing business...
with small companies.
Yes, sir.
In order to increase the operating margin,
the Purchasing Team needs to cut the unit price.
And that will only make our subcontractors complain.
How does he expect us to get a high grade on the win-win index?
Do a better job of managing our subcontractors' complaints.
Yes, sir.
How's Cheongil doing?
People are doing their best to hang in there,
- but I'm sure they'll soon... - We don't need to wait anymore.
We might lose our jobs at this rate.
Give them as many orders as we can and let's just get it over with.
Instead, make sure Cheongil holds full responsibility.
- Don't let it affect us. - Yes, sir.
I'll try to convince the banks.
Meanwhile, I want you to convince our subcontractors.
Okay, sir.
Hey, Mr. Park.
Can we meet?
Yes.
Okay.
You're up.
- Would you like to eat? - Yes.
Okay.
I'm going to eat well and get better...
so that I can cook for you, do your laundry,
and make you happy.
But I'm sure you're already happy that I'm your wife.
Right?
Oh, I almost forgot.
- What's that? - This?
Here.
Ta-da. They're rolled omelets.
Sun Shim brought them for me earlier.
My husband's really hard to work with, isn't he?
Pardon?
I'll be honest. Yes, a little.
He tends to hurt people because he's fussy and strict.
But he's really kind at heart.
He's loyal and affectionate.
Yes, I agree with you.
I once got mistaken...
for embezzling the company's money.
But Mr. Yoo stepped up and helped me clear my name.
And that really touched me.
He can't stand people getting slandered.
Mr. Yoo went through all the statements...
and found the relevant receipts.
When I thanked him for helping me out,
he told me he found them by coincidence and just left.
On top of that, we, later on, found out...
that he quit...
because he didn't want us to get laid off.
But we didn't even know that.
I always feel sorry toward Mr. Yoo...
for not being good enough.
I'm also really grateful.
You just told me that you wanted to transfer to another company.
But you must've gone through a lot.
Can't you share that kind of stuff with me?
It's not even that big of a deal.
You're in no place to worry about others.
Plus, they won't even acknowledge anything.
I don't care.
Sure, you don't care.
But I have to say, Sun Shim seems so bright and caring.
I really like her.
- Eat your food before it gets cold. - Okay.
Try one.
No, I'm good.
Go ahead.
Come on.
It's good, right?
(Safety Regulations Approved, Cheongil Electronics)
Are you saying you truly care for this company?
The salary reduction agreement wasn't for me.
It wasn't for the company either.
Let's be honest here.
You signed it so that you could stay on as employees!
(Cheongil Electronics)
How are things with you? I hear things are great.
Don't get me started.
I've been scrambling to meet the quotas.
That's rich coming from a star branch head of a bank.
What?
That's all in the past now.
You meet one goal but then comes another.
Every day is a hassle on its own.
Now I know why my predecessors...
committed suicide.
We're trying to win back market share from our competitors,
which is why we've been letting subcontractors go.
You don't want a check to bounce on your end,
so take appropriate actions.
It'll not only set us back.
We'll be in a big mess.
So which one is it?
Which subcontractors are you letting go? Tell me.
We'll have the subcontractors...
all ask Cheongil to pay up at once.
Legally, Cheongil wouldn't be able to stay afloat,
and Park Do Joon will sink with them.
Of course.
This isn't just any liquor.
It's a work of art.
- Really? - Yes.
I'll keep this under my name here,
so come by any time you want...
and take a few sips.
You'll allow me to do so?
That's what I'm saying.
Marie, remember to pour him drinks from my bottle.
Sure. You two must be close.
Yes.
Let me pour you a drink.
Sure.
- Hey. - Right, thanks.
Remember to shower now and again, will you?
You've got it wrong.
I take a shower at least twice a day.
It's just that I've been helping out at the factory.
The factory? You've been helping them out?
Please don't get the wrong idea about me.
I'm a born-to-be white-collar employee...
as you can tell,
but I've had to help out in the field at times.
Just consider me competent in every field.
Hello, sir.
(Search location)
(From Miss Lee: It wasn't my intention and I apologize.)
I said this one is right.
- But... - Not this.
I'm sorry to ask,
but could you help us out at the factory again?
Sure thing.
Thank you.
What's gotten into you?
I don't think I know you anymore.
The Manufacturing Team say they need help.
It's all for the company, isn't it?
Gosh.
Don't wait for a chance and make one.
You go make it happen.
You know what they say,
an enemy within is worse.
Just think about it.
It'll be a blood bath.
What do you think will happen?
In Ho, didn't you study engineering? What class were you?
I started university in 2006.
Ha Na, didn't you go to Ewha Womans University?
Yes, I started studying art in 2008.
No wonder you're icy.
Which university you went to is written on your face.
Jae Ran, which university did you graduate?
I never went to one.
Oh, so you only graduated high school.
I see.
Did you go to an all-girls engineering school?
In Ho, do such a school exist?
An all-girls engineering school?
I guess.
Who cares?
How is my education your business?
Fine, I never studied at a university like others...
and have worked in factories since I was 20.
What's so wrong about that?
I never said it was.
There's no need to bite my head off.
You're the one who provoked her first.
In this day and age,
graduating a university doesn't give you a medal.
Anyone can graduate one, so stop showing off.
Besides, we all ended up in the same place anyway.
Anyone?
There isn't a university in Korea that allows anyone to attend.
You have to study hard and get great grades...
to attend a university in Seoul.
We got good grades too, you know.
That's not what kept us from not going.
We had to give it up to earn a living.
Ms. Choi, just so you know, I didn't show off at all.
I'm just laying out the facts that you should just agree upon.
Working at the same place doesn't make us equals.
Not at all.
Then are you saying...
you're above us...
because you had a higher education background?
Do you find us a mockery because...
you give out orders and we do manual labor?
An inferiority complex with no respect for authority.
So much for discipline.
What? Discipline?
Are you serious, you jerk?
My gosh.
Why are you calling my subordinate a jerk?
Ms. Choi, this is a company,
one with hierarchy and rank.
Is that the attitude of someone asking for help?
We're not here because we have free time on our hands.
We have mountains of paperwork upstairs,
but we came downstairs to help.
So we're supposed to just be grateful?
My gosh. We're truly honored!
Those who're not on the Manufacturing Team, come out.
Come on. We're out of here.
Get out. All of you, get out.
Get lost!
Don't even think about coming back down here.
As if we'd be scared.
Are you sure...
She told us to get lost!
Right...
I'm really sorry.
Come on!
Get lost.
Come back down here ever again...
and you'll be done for!
Come on.
Let's take a break, okay? Take a break.
Goodness.
Here.
Drink.
I should've held it in.
Why should you?
What for?
It's okay. It's all good.
Mr. Ha, that punk. We're the same age,
but he looks down on me and acts so arrogant.
Still, this wouldn't have happened if I had held it in.
I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry,
and don't be hurt.
It isn't anyone's or anything's fault.
What was dormant...
blew up, that's all.
We have an inferiority complex that we're discriminated against...
and looked down upon.
They poked at it, which made us angry.
You're right.
Had I known this would happen, I should've gone to college...
even if we couldn't afford it.
They get paid salaries, but we get paid hourly.
They get promoted,
but we don't even have titles until we reach manager status.
What we do is different, so I understand in my head, but...
Anyway, what should we do? We got into such a big fight...
in this situation.
- I'm sorry. - It's okay, punk. Let's go.
I should just quit. I can't stand it anymore.
I should've quit before Mr. Yoo left.
Come on, don't be like that.
Even if you don't see me at my desk starting tomorrow,
let me tell you something.
Be careful of Park Do Joon.
What?
What do you mean, be careful of Park Do Joon?
I only found out recently,
but he was infamous at TM for being a whistleblower.
What?
Actually, I heard that too.
He exposed TM...
for illegally forcing small companies...
to lower their prices.
He was so brave.
- I couldn't do it. - You idiot.
That was all a scam.
- A scam? - That's right.
Then what are the facts?
The facts? Listen.
Two years ago,
Park Do Joon was caught by internal affairs at TM.
He was caught forging a proposal to cut the cost of production.
What? So are you saying...
that he made a fake proposal, saying subcontractors...
- will cut the cost of production? - That's right.
- On their own, voluntarily? - Yes.
That makes no sense.
What crazy subcontractors would propose that...
on their own?
It makes no sense, right?
But he submitted that fake proposal,
and pressured subcontractors like us...
to lower our price and increase his numbers.
He got unlucky and got caught, so he blamed TM,
and said he was ordered to do it from above.
He told everyone...
TM was abusing its power.
How could he?
He did something that disgusting?
All by himself?
Really?
Come on.
Why would I lie to you guys?
He framed his immediate supervisor and ruined his family.
(Reporting corruption. From Park Do Joon)
(Submit)
We're from Internal Affairs.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Park Do Joon, come with us.
Then he got fired,
so he sued the company for wrongful termination.
But he acts all self-righteous.
You didn't know, did you?
Looking at you breaks my heart.
Get your acts together.
That jerk.
It's me.
Yes. I did as you ordered.
They're fighting among themselves at the company.
Yes. Not at all.
I'm about to meet with heads of subcontractors.
Yes, sir.
- Really? - That's right.
You're all here already.
- Come in. - Sit down.
Gosh.
What's this about Oh Man Bok showing up?
That's what you want to talk about as soon as I get here?
Have a drink.
I don't know whether or not I should tell you this.
I'm torn.
Tell us.
You know the position I'm in.
Someone sent me a picture of Mr. Oh recently.
What?
My blood pressure's spiking.
I knew it. That scumbag.
It was bad enough he fled without paying us, but he faked suicide?
What has that scumbag been doing?
Where is that scumbag?
Mr. Yoo met with him, so he'd know.
Did Mr. Yoo find him?
I don't think so. Seeing as they're meeting like this,
it does seem suspicious.
Hold on. Do you think...
they're scheming to sell the company somewhere?
That could be it.
Mr. Yoo left the company after meeting with Mr. Oh.
Hold on. If they sell the company,
what about the money Cheongil owes us?
That money would be gone. How could you collect?
Because TM sent someone to Cheongil...
and increased their orders,
so we all waited.
Mr. Kim. We need to do something...
before Mr. Oh sells the company.
We can't just sit back and do nothing.
He's right.
Did you hear anything else?
There's nothing else.
I'll let you know if I hear anything else.
Mr. Park. Take a cab and meet with the bank manager.
- Sorry? - Tell him it's almost done,
and to lend us a million dollars one last time.
I'll be right there after I meet with Mr. Hwang.
Yes, sir.
- Pull over, will you? - Yes, sir.
I said to pull over!
You couldn't borrow a dime. How dare you talk back to me?
Forget it, you jerk!
Get lost, you jerk.
It's because you're incompetent, that I have to lead all of you.
You people. Seriously.
Are you slacking off again?
Will you meet the deadline at this rate?
Stop slacking off, and speed up the conveyor belt.
Then you won't have to work overtime.
Do you think I worked hard just for my own sake?
It was all for the company and all of you!
So how dare you betray me like this?
You good-for-nothing leeches!
(Market News)
(Index Futures)
My gosh.
- What are the kids doing? - I just put them to sleep.
By the way, why did Sun Shim do that?
She really needs to grow up.
You're no different.
You guys should compete and see who's more immature.
Hey, I'm a manager.
I can't believe I even need to support my sister-in-law.
"Support"? That's not even funny.
We need to make her...
pay rent every month...
and use that money for our living expenses.
How could she think of doing something so reckless?
She really had some guts.
I can't believe she borrowed 150,000 dollars from the bank.
She must've been nuts.
Honey.
Yes?
How did you know that?
Know what?
Come to think of it, it's really weird.
I had absolutely no idea that Sun Shim...
used our parents' gravesite to take out a loan.
But how did you know that?
How did you find out?
What? How did I find out?
Well...
I just had a hunch.
I had a feeling that she might've done that.
So I looked into it...
Hey, wait! What are you doing? Hey!
Why would you turn it off?
You also tried to take out a secured loan, didn't you?
That's how you found out, right?
I didn't take out a secured loan or sell the gravesite.
All I did was just look into it.
You looked into it? Seriously?
You must be crazy. Why would you look into that?
You really are a bad seed. You're practically a criminal.
If Sun Shim hadn't stolen my ID card,
none of this would've happened.
(Daesong Law Firm)
Hello.
- You wanted to see me, sir? - Mr. Jin.
I want you to withdraw the loan...
from Cheongil Electronics and Maseok Technology.
Okay, sir.
(Branch Manager Park Sung Joon)
Hello. This is Cheongil Electronics.
Yes, you can talk to me.
What?
You're going to withdraw the loan.
Shouldn't you go to work?
Aren't you going to go to work?
No.
My gosh, you're crazy.
Hey, get up. Wake up, you brat.
Wake up and go to work.
What? Did you cry?
My gosh, you're crying.
Hey, why are you crying?
- Jin Shim. - Yes?
- I can't do this anymore. - What do you mean?
What did I do?
I'm not talking about you.
I'm talking about our company.
What about your company?
I don't think...
our company will be able to make it.
I wanted to retrieve the money I spent...
on buying our company's stocks.
So I just stayed there thinking things will get better.
That's just how simple and dumb I am.
But I don't think enduring the situation will do anything.
Then what about my installment savings and the loan you took out...
using our parent's gravesite? Aren't you going to pay it back?
I'll do everything I can to pay you back.
I'll be able to pay you back if I get a job and work really hard.
Then why don't you use that energy to save your company?
Jin Shim.
Staying at the company...
won't guarantee that I'll get that money back.
It'll be much better...
to just get a part-time job.
But you're the president of the company.
Exactly.
That's exactly why I can't take it anymore.
I'm responsible for so many things,
but I'm not capable of doing any of them.
I'm just not good enough.
I'm not good enough to do anything.
But you can't just give up right now.
You should try everything you can.
Why?
Why do I need to do that?
No one even acknowledges my hard work.
They all just care about themselves.
It's really exhausting.
I'm really exhausted, Jin Shim.
I'll acknowledge it.
What?
If no one acknowledges your hard work,
I'll be the first one to acknowledge it.
Forget it.
Sun Shim.
Life is a battle.
Things might be hard right now, but if you keep enduring it,
I'm sure it'll work out one day.
Get up and go to work.
(“I Almost Lived a Diligent Life”)
(Business Transactions)
Cheongil is receiving stable orders from TM Electronics.
And the company is slowly getting rid of its deficits.
They're not even overdue in paying their loan interest.
So may I ask why you're suddenly trying to withdraw the loan?
They already have a history of being overdue in their interest payment.
And the bank is in the process of reducing the possible risks.
So we have no choice.
But can you still reconsider?
Please do me a favor.
I have no authority over this. I'm sorry.
Then...
how about we...
pay it in installments or delay the due date?
I'm sorry.
Get back to the office right now.
Thank you.
What do you mean...
the bank is demanding that Cheongil repay the loan early?
It's as I reported by email...
Didn't I tell you to do your job correctly?
We gave them a chance for redemption with the additional orders,
but at this rate, there's no future for Cheongil.
I'm sorry.
I'm pleading with the bank.
The problem will be settled...
if they're allowed to pay when the loan matures.
It'll be settled? Really?
Do you know that we've taken a hit too?
- I know, sir. - You do?
Then clean this mess up so that nothing...
falls back on us.
Sir.
If you could give me more time...
Clean it up.
Look. Assistant Manager Lee became General Manager.
It seemed like he was being forced out of the company,
but he got promoted.
(Personnel Appointment Notice: Lee Jong Beom)
She said it was urgent, so I gave her the deposit back.
(Sun Shim)
(Koo Ji Na)
(I'm in possession of the deposit money.)
(Show yourself or I'll report you for embezzlement.)
(I'll await your call, Ji Na.)
(Letter of Resignation)
(Company President, Lee Sun Shim)
(Letter of Resignation)
- Hello. - How can I help you?
I'm going to make kimchi stew with pork.
- The ham is best for that, right? - Of course.
Then I'll take...
Not boiled meat but grilled meat.
Ham it is then.
You know what? I'll take the pork belly instead.
Actually, I'll take half of the pork belly...
and half of the ham.
Gosh, I apologize.
I'll just take the pork belly.
Sure.
Hi, Ms. Choi.
Didn't the others from upstairs come down to help?
They must not be lending a hand today.
Hello.
When will you be helping out at the factory today?
Is there a problem?
Why?
Gosh, could you be any more tactless?
Mr. Song was so angry that...
he made us all leave at once...
and kicked the machines on his way out.
So of course, Ms. Choi got furious too.
She was like, "Get out of here."
"Don't come back. Get lost. If you do I'll kill you!"
You have no idea how intense it was.
Then it won't be easy to have lunch together today, right?
Of course not. We're currently in a cold war.
Do you know what that means?
Making us each lunch together...
might end up in an all-out brawl.
(Letter of Resignation)
Gosh, what's this smell? What's on today's menu?
Grilled pork belly?
What's the occasion?
Nothing. There's no reason.
So we'll die on full stomachs? Good idea.
Our boss is the best.
Remember how I said that it'll be a mess...
to have lunch with the Manufacturing Team?
Can our team eat first? You're okay with that, right?
I think the Manufacturing Team should eat first.
They started working at 8am, you see.
Then I'll ask if the others would like to eat with them.
Right. Thank you.
(Government Officials)
- What's going on? - What's wrong?
Who's in charge here?
Are you in charge?
What brings you here?
We're with the Sujeong City Court System.
The company was found to be in default of its loans,
so we will begin seizing the factory's assets.
Please cooperate with us.
Wait. Sir.
- The president isn't here now. - Okay.
I got it.
We can't... We have no money.
- Please. We... - Step aside.
Step aside.
- Step aside. - Please.
They're civil servants.
- No, please stop. - Come out.
Ms. Choi. Don't touch them. Don't get into a physical fight.
- Listen. - Goodness.
- Stop. - Move.
- Ms. Choi. - Stop it.
Out of our way.
But...
- I'm sorry. - Stop it.
- No.
Hey!
Mr. Myung!
What's your problem?
Why are you hitting people?
Let go of me!
Oh no!
Ms. Kim!
Are you okay?
Why are you hitting people?
Stop it!
What's your problem?
Enough!
Why you...
What just happened? What did you just do?
Oh no...
(Emergency Medical Services)
(Police)
(Mr. Yoo Jin Wook)
Are you people that selfish?
Have you no shame?
Haven't I done enough for you?
What else do you want from me?
(Mr. Yoo Jin Wook)
(Mr. Park Do Joon)
Park Do Joon speaking.
Mr. Park, can you come right away?
What's wrong?
There are red stickers all over the factory, and people are hurt.
Please come quickly.
Ms. Jung can't hear very well.
- She can't hear... - She can't hear very well.
- Detective. - Go in.
That's why...
But She can't even hear...
She says to go eat.
Shouldn't we call her family?
She has no family to call.
She has no family?
No, none at all.
She's all alone.
Please pull over here.
What are you doing? Eat.
You need to eat in these situations...
to have energy to do something. Sit. Eat.
Miss Lee. What are you doing? You didn't take out the utensils.
Here. Miss Lee.
- Eat this with me. - I'll...
- I'll eat later. - Shut it.
Chew on this. Put this in your mouth. Eat something.
What are you waiting for? Eat.
It's not warm, but dig in.
Eat.
This isn't a funeral.
There are repo stickers all over the factory,
and Ms. Jung was arrested.
How can you eat right now?
You even grilled up pork belly?
Are you saying we should starve all the workers?
They skipped breakfast...
and worked hard all morning long.
I need to feed them.
Fine, go ahead.
But what did you people do while Ms. Jung was getting arrested?
Watch your mouth, punk.
And what did you do?
Why did you come here? Didn't you come to help us?
Let go of me.
But you couldn't stop anything. What are you doing?
Why is it his fault that he couldn't stop anything?
Even if people die while working on the production line,
you don't even help. You have no right to talk.
- What? - What? Am I wrong?
You're the one who kicked out the people who went to help.
Who kicked you out?
You were being arrogant about your college and titles,
and caused a scene and left on your own!
You're the pro at causing a scene Don't blame us!
- What? - That's enough.
This isn't the time for this.
Then what is it the time for?
What have you done that you're yelling at us?
He came to lay people off. That's why Mr. Yoo left.
You were abusive toward us, holding layoffs over our heads.
But you didn't fix anything!
I sincerely apologize if I was abusive toward you.
But before being TM's subcontractor,
isn't this your company?
Do you even have the will and desperation...
to protect and save the company?
Are you dumping the responsibility on us now?
It's our fault the company is in this mess, is that it?
Of course, it's our fault. Who else?
He didn't fix anything?
We couldn't fix anything either. What could he do?
Exactly. He let us restart the factory that was stopped,
and got us more business.
He's trying.
He's trying?
Is that why things are how they are?
Some things can't be done no matter how hard you try.
There are more things that can't be done even if you try hard!
That depends on the person.
It's because he had zero ability to fix anything.
That's why this happened!
That's right. What you say is correct.
Having hope that this company could be saved...
was my biggest mistake.
Enjoy your lunch.
What was that?
Hey, you.
You acted all high and mighty at first,
like you could save the company, but what?
We were hopeless to begin with?
I really didn't want to say this,
but tell me, Mr. Whistleblower.
Is stabbing people in the back your specialty?
Let's go.
Sorry.
My dear son.
- Did you get plenty of sleep? - Yes.
It's been so long since you came,
but all I can do for you is cook.
Eat this too.
Mom.
I don't want to lose.
Do you think I should be obstinate...
and continue to endure this?
I wouldn't call it being obstinate.
But you do know how to push through.
Give it a try.
It's easy to avoid things, but enduring it is hard.
Do Joon.
If you decide to endure it,
the universe will give you the strength you need.
Eat up.
Hello, Attorney Kim. This is Park Do Joon.
Yes, have you been well?
Okay, bye.
I have something to tell you.
I'm really sorry I made you go through all this.
And I know that I'm in no place...
to say this to you right now.
But about Ms. Jung...
I want to do what I can to help her get released.
But there's really not much I can do to help.
I know this is really shameless,
but please help me out one last time.
This is a personal request.
And I'll do everything I can to be of help.
Please help...
Ms. Jung
(Miss Lee)
- Granny. - Granny, are you feeling okay?
The factory isn't going to fall into someone else's hands, right?
In order to free Ms. Jung,
we must settle with the victim within 48 hours.
How are we going to find the hospital?
I'll visit all the big hospitals near our company.
Mr. Oh is gone, and you're not around either.
Things are really getting out of hand.
I told him that Ms. Jung misunderstood the situation...
because she's deaf.
Did he refuse to settle?
You failed to settle with the victim?
- The case got transferred to court. - It went to court?