(Episode 8)
Are you really going to resign?
My youngest child will be going to school next year.
My mother-in-law is ill, so she can't babysit.
I might as well quit while they're offering...
to pay me out two years worth of salary.
You tried so hard to stick around...
by sending your 3-month-old to daycare.
Even if I want to stay longer, they're making me uncomfortable.
Life is long.
If I feel frustrated later, I'll look for a new job.
(Out of order)
There was a time when both you and I were in our primes.
- Hello? - Hello.
Is this Mr. Kim Jung Sik of Daehan Bank's Nogyeong Branch?
Yes, that's right.
I'm not sure if you remember me,
but when you used to work at West Yeonhui Branch,
you were in charge of Seomin Distribution.
I'm the CEO, Park Jung Bae.
There he is.
He's right on time. Over here.
You didn't say Mr. Min was coming too.
I mean...
I know you two didn't get along at the Yeonhui branch.
But Mr. Min quit from Daehan Bank.
Mr. Kim, you're on the list of voluntary retirements too.
Who said that?
We all know well.
That all banks are heartless.
With even the executives being laid off,
how long can a manager like you hold on to his job?
- Don't you think? - That's enough.
What did you want to ask me for?
I have a short lunch hour.
We're all betrayed by our own bank, so let's do something big.
What?
Mr. Park here, knows an appraiser.
He's going to be appraising a real estate of Seomin Agency,
for a really high price.
You just have to write a loan application...
with the real estate as mortgage.
(Approving the loan)
Then my guy at the head office will approve the loan after evaluation.
We'll share the 10 million dollars,
and leave the country.
Do you think this is a movie?
You know how tough the Evaluation Department is.
Do you think they're going to easily approve 10 million dollars?
Don't worry.
We have someone higher to take care of the evaluations.
Mr. Min was...
falsely laid off from the bank.
Your retirement is close anyways.
Before you do, just write the document we need,
and send it up to evaluation.
Then we'll give you 500,000 dollars.
But isn't this...
illegal?
Who cares if it's illegal, we still have to live.
We worked so hard for the bank.
And what have they done for us?
The price of our loyalty?
What does that even mean?
Mr. Kim.
It doesn't have to be you.
There are a lot of angry voluntary resignations in the bank.
They're all over.
But I came to ask you first for old times' sake.
A severance pay costing up to two years of your salary,
and 500,000 dollars from us.
It's a good deal, isn't it?
I also heard your son was getting married.
Was anything fishy when the branch was being closed?
I don't know.
Our branch had low sales all the time.
I wanted to know your thoughts on the closing of Yangpyeong branch,
the branch you managed.
I don't have any other thoughts.
I'm sure it was because of our low sales.
Have you ever thought that there could be something else?
Either I'm unfortunate, or I'm just not good enough.
I opened this store with my pension,
and this one's about to close too.
If there were...
clear reasons to be found, have you thought about...
suing the bank for unjust branch shutdown?
No.
I've come to clear my mind after hiking in the mountains.
I don't want to get back at it.
You're a lucky man, Auditor Noh.
You were chosen to be an auditor when your branch shut down too.
You seem depressed.
Yes. I am depressed.
Because I might have survived just out of luck.
Luck is also a capability.
You think so?
I really hope so.
(Emergency meeting for board of directors)
Vice President Lee called an emergency meeting...
about the sale of a building that's not used for business.
Good.
Let's set the date.
This meeting will be the day for President Kang's replacement.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
What's the progress on persuading Senior Director Do's Team?
Junior Managing Director Cha...
seemed happy with the offered position.
Thanks to Assemblyman Jung,
Professor Jang, Director Moon, and Representative Oh...
have all agreed with our plans.
So...
out of 15 members...
(List of Board Members)
We have nine.
We're going to win for sure.
Let's see...
An emergency meeting?
Seems like Vice President Lee is finally taking action.
Seems like it.
Ever since he took office,
I heard Vice President Yook got a little busy.
He's been going to a lot of different meetings.
I'm looking forward to the fight between the two vice presidents.
I can't wait to see who wins.
Checkmate.
Darn it.
You still got it, President Kang.
I only fight...
when I can win the battle.
(Asset Management)
(Manager, Kim Jung Sik)
(Application for voluntary retirement)
You mean...
Seomin Agency's ex-CEO, Mr. Min from Sales Team 1,
and an appraiser got together...
to get a loan of 10 million dollars?
- Is that it? - Yes.
They wanted me to write a loan application...
and promised me 500,000 dollars.
500,000 dollars?
Mr. Min is making a mistake.
Even if he's from the bank,
there's no way head office's Evaluation will approve it.
That's what I think too.
But he told me not to worry about it.
He said that he's got someone up the ladder...
to take care of the head office evaluation.
Someone who can control the head office evaluation?
He said that?
Who's behind Mr. Min and Seomin Agency?
The higher-up the ex-CEO of Seomin Agency was saying must be...
Anyways, he was sure the loan will be given,
if I wrote the application for him.
He made it very clear that there were other people...
who can write up the application for him instead of me.
This is huge.
An illegal loan approved from top management.
I trust you, Auditor Noh.
And I trust the evaluation system of Daehan Bank.
But the system is also built by men.
Mr. Min was better than that.
It's not the people. It's the situations.
I hope the bankers suffer no more from such situations.
Yes. I agree with you.
It was very brave of you to share this.
I'll try my best so the illegal loan does not get through the system.
At least...
I could get rid of a burden,
that was inside of me before my retirement.
Your retirement?
When I heard 500,000 dollars,
I was tempted.
I said I regret nothing from my 27 years in the bank...
in front of you,
but I was tempted a bit. I don't deserve to be in a bank.
And now that I have let it out in front of you,
I really have nothing to regret.
(The appraiser)
There are hundreds of...
voluntary retirements from the branches all over the country.
And no one knows who's going to...
write the loan application for them.
Whoever writes the document,
it will come to the head office's Evaluation in the end.
If we look for the 10-million-dollar loan...
that has Seomin Agency's real estate as mortgage first,
then we can find out who wrote it,
and who authorized it at the Evaluation Department.
Since you brought it up,
can you check with Inspection for any online loan approvals...
submitted to the Evaluation Department?
I'll tell the IT office.
Yes, leave it to me.
I'll find out everything related to Seomin Agency...
no matter what.
(Daehan Bank, Evaluation Department)
What is this?
What's Inspection doing in here? I haven't heard anything about it.
(Im Chang Jae, General Manager of Evaluation)
What are you doing here?
Who allowed you in here?
Please cooperate with us.
I got a tip that someone in Evaluation...
is trying to approve...
an illegal loan...
that's linked to Seomin Agency's ex-CEO.
Stop what you are doing...
and keep your hands off your computers.
Hands off. Hands off!
What do you take my department for?
What shall we do, Mr. Noh?
The tip confirms that it's definitely...
linked to your department.
Continue.
Yes, sir.
Wait, you can't take...
- What's going on? - What a mess.
What's this about?
What illegal loan?
No one in our team did that.
Seomin Agency's previous loan...
was approved by someone in your department too.
That happened before I joined, okay?
Since I took over,
nothing of that sort has happened.
Not even once.
Mr. Min who previously worked at Sales Team 1...
and Seomin Agency set it up...
while someone in your department...
agreed to clear it.
It also involves someone more powerful...
who's using your team behind your back.
Nothing here...
happens without me knowing.
If there is a traitor,
I should be the one to catch him.
Very well.
Then we will watch Seomin Agency.
Could you please...
identify the traitor and who is behind this?
Bad news, sir.
Auditor Noh Dae Ho just barged in.
I think he caught our scent.
Call Mr. Min first.
Don't worry.
Approve the papers...
and bring them to me, not to Mr. Im.
Okay. I'll do that.
What's the matter?
No Dae Ho's still looking into Seomin Agency.
I should sort things out before the emergency shareholder meeting.
What do you mean "sort things out"?
They're prancing around not knowing...
that the times have changed.
I should stomp them down properly.
Why are you out here?
You should go inside.
Oh, right. This is your seat.
(Auditor Noh Dae Ho)
Sit.
Though I'm not sure how long you'll be able to.
What's the matter?
I'm not sure if you heard.
At tomorrow's emergency shareholder meeting,
I plan to oust President Kang and take his place.
Do you believe that's possible?
I believe that it's 100 percent possible.
It was President Kang's mistake...
to make someone like you auditor.
I believe that the board...
and shareholders must approve the president's recommendation.
The board consists of puppets that President Kang put there.
The shareholders are much of the same.
Have you ever seen shareholders of a bank voice their own opinion?
President Kang brought in Lee Hae Gon...
so he can restructure the bank to what he likes.
The previous downsizing and this restructure...
has reduced our bank's power immensely.
That's a fact everyone knows.
Moreover,
the public thinks that I ordered the downsizing,
but President Kang was the one to sign off on it.
Questionable personnel transfers, reducing the bank's power,
and sluggish performance.
That's more than enough reason to be replaced.
So,
why are you telling me all this?
It's a warning to put you in your place.
Don't do anything and lie low as if you're dead.
- Pardon? - You'll get nothing...
by looking into Seomin Agency.
Whoever becomes the new president will cover it up.
Are you saying...
that you're the higher-up person in Daehan Bank...
who's behind Seomin Agency's illegal loan?
This is your limit.
If that's what you see, believe it.
Wait and see.
When I become president,
the next person I'll get rid of after President Kang...
is Noh Dae Ho.
It's going to be you.
Find it and be quick.
Search everything and find out who it is.
An illegal loan?
Our department's reputation is at stake, okay?
- Yes. - Yes.
Until this is solved,
not even a pin leaves this office.
That's final.
Now get to work.
My gosh.
Darn it.
(Audit Office)
Still nothing from Evaluation, right?
Not yet.
I wonder if they changed tactics knowing they got exposed.
I doubt that.
10 million dollars can't be loaned without Evaluation's authorization.
What if,
and this may be a huge if,
but what if before Evaluation finds proof of the illegal loan,
Vice President Yook becomes president?
Won't that put us in danger too?
Mr. Im has a temper, but he's known for his work.
Let's trust him and wait.
It's finally the day, sir.
We'll cheer for you wholeheartedly.
You all did very well so far.
When I leave this room,
a new world awaits.
You seem to be very curious about the outcome...
of today's emergency shareholder meeting.
Since everyone here...
is on the provisional board,
it wouldn't hurt to see how things go in advance.
How about you all come in to watch?
(Daehan Bank board meeting)
Sit.
I see many of you...
attended today's meeting.
I asked you all...
to attend so you could...
see the result for yourselves. Let's begin.
- The atmosphere's odd. - As I announced,
- Postpone, sir. - This meeting...
was called at short notice to discuss the sale...
of a building that's not used for business.
Each of you...
Before that,
I'd like to make a special motion.
We had a common rule that the bank's presidency...
should be limited to 2 consecutive terms of 6 years.
However, President Kang's been around for 3 terms for 9 years.
"Is Kang Sam Do's job..."
"being the president of a bank?" Even this was in the news.
The whole country...
is making fun of us.
What is it you want to say?
Vice President Lee sitting over there announced...
a large-scale restructure,
and today he gathered this meeting...
to vote on the sale of a building not used for business.
Whose fault is that?
Due to President Kang's shortcomings,
our bank's performance is not only sluggish,
it has reached an all-time low.
And what about the people he appointed?
He appointed Noh Dae Ho, the incompetent manager...
of a branch that was closed down as auditor,
and brought back Lee Hae Gon...
whom had been demoted to manage a subsidiary.
How much longer...
must we let this man control everything?
How much longer...
must we take the blame for his mistakes?
I hereby demand...
that President Kang Sam Do resign instead of staying on...
for another term.
If you agree, please stand.
Please get up.
Please get up, executive directors.
Daehan Bank won't change if you remain cowardice.
Professor Yoon. Mr. Park?
Mr. Yook,
I didn't know you had a talent...
in surprising people.
How can Daehan Bank grow when things are looking like this?
We can't agree with you because we worry...
about Daehan Bank's future.
Actually, Mr. Kang already told us a month ago...
that you will offer positions as bait to other people...
to try and replace the president.
He could already read you...
when you didn't know what was coming for you.
We can't follow such a person.
Mr. Yook.
Thank you for all your work until now.
I'm personally feeling sorry that you're leaving...
in such a manner.
Those who are standing up will be dismissed accordingly.
I also made a note of those standing behind Mr. Yook.
You'll be perfect for taking part in this organizational shuffling.
I found Evaluation Department's rat.
He's in front of the meeting room.
Evaluation Department's General Manager Im Chang Jae...
needs to report something to you urgently.
He's just outside of the meeting room.
He says it's related to Mr. Yook's malpractice.
What?
Mr. Yook's malpractice?
What else is going on?
Mr. Min of Sales Team 1 retired on Mr. Yook's order,
and an Evaluation Department employee was going to approve...
an illegal loan of 10 million dollars for him.
General Manager Im found him.
I'm sorry.
How can so many bad things happen all at once?
You contributed a lot to the organization,
so I don't want to charge you,
but it looks like I don't have a choice.
I didn't know it was this severe.
Let's finish it off.
(Vice President Yook Kwan Shik)
In the end, I was the one who couldn't keep my title.
You mentioned that Seomin Agency will be buried...
no matter who becomes the president.
What does Seomin Agency do anyway?
Also, why was Gongju Branch and a few other branches closed down...
when they weren't in the bottom 20 percent of...
poorly performing branches?
I heard that Gongju Branch...
and some other branches weren't even in the final list.
Was it you who decided on the final list?
Did you find all of that out?
You're pretty good.
Please tell me.
What does Seomin Agency do?
Does it have a connection...
with Gongju Branch's Seomin Distribution?
I was fired,
but I did my best to protect Daehan Bank in my own way.
I can't tell you anything regarding on what you asked.
If you really want to protect Daehan Bank,
you shouldn't leave by cutting off the tail...
of the continuous cycle of corruption.
You should tell me the truth.
If you bury the truth,
Daehan Bank will never change.
Didn't you decide...
to replace the president to transform the bank as well?
Please tell me.
What does Seomin Agency do?
Seomin Agency?
(Assemblyman Jung)
Let me take this call.
- Hello? - It's me.
Thank you for all your work.
Although you have to leave,
those who remain should live on.
What are you trying to say?
From my knowledge,
your two sons...
also work at Daehan Bank.
Even if you're not here, I won't bring up...
the future of your two sons anymore.
I'm sure we'll end up meeting naturally.
Bye, now.
He's a chatty guy.
I'm sure he got your message.
I'll pour you a glass.
We're still friends, aren't we?
Of course we are.
It's so nice to see...
two friends getting along.
I have another good news on this great day.
Professor Park,
you'll hear good news soon.
(Park Jin Ho, an economics professor)
Thank you, sir.
Should I pour you a congratulatory drink in advance?
Yes, sir.
Here. Congratulations.
Here. Cheers.
Should we continue our conversation?
Mr. Yook?
(You have a text message.)
Thank you, Father.
I was appointed to transfer to Daehan Bank's New York Branch.
It's all thanks to you. Thank you.
(My Youngest Son)
Father, I was just appointed as the manager...
of the head office's HR Department.
I'll work hard not to tarnish your name.
Thank you so much.
I don't have anything else to say.
What kind of call did you get...
to stop from what you were going to tell me?
I'm sorry.
I have no excuses.
Vice President Yook.
Don't trust President Kang too much.
I think Mr. Kim Jung Sik retired.
He sent us a picture.
Here's the next story.
The corruption at Daehan Bank...
He received so many bouquets. He must've been popular.
- The bank... - Mr. Yook is on the news.
Vice President Yook Kwan Shik...
They're both bankers, but their departures look different.
- Is it true? - Will the victims get their money?
When you first become a banker,
a good banker's mission...
is to be honest and trustworthy. That's what we all learn.
But once your sense of duty goes sour...
and your beliefs falter,
we must make a choice.
Whether that choice was right...
can be proven by an honorable retirement.
That's why, us bankers,
should never seize to question ourselves.
Am I a good banker?
How much illegal loans did you make?
Can you make a comment?
Gosh.
It ended nicely.
There are a lot of good movies right now. Do you want to watch one?
I got a huge bonus,
so I'll treat you to second rounds too.
Bo Geol.
Be good, and stay true to your initial intentions.
Why are you saying that? Did I make another mistake?
Here's the next news.
As the new director of Financial Supervisory Service,
- Please don't send me to Gongju. - Park Jin Ho was appointed.
I may make a mistake once, but I don't do it twice.
- Right, Ms. Jang? - They believe...
his innovative principles make him well-qualified for his position.
Director Park Jin Ho...
plans to announce the direction FSS will take at his inauguration.
Will the government see a financial reform?
Only time will tell.
(Professor Park Jin Ho appointed as the new director of FSS)
(The Banker)
Too many people are gathering...
at Vice President Lee's office.
I'm thinking of you as the new head of HR Department.
I'd like to grant you with some more power.
Come work for me. Be my team.
I've found some irregularities in the recruitment process.
I'm putting all workforce...
into this recruitment process.
I'm asking you, Noh Dae Ho. What in the world are you doing!
Senior Director Do!