(theme music playing)
(upbeat pop song playing)
Hey. Here, Miss. You dropped this.
EPISODE 1
(grunts)
Make sure that the bow looks nice. Huh?
Okay, let's put up the banner.
90'Sx90'S ROOFTOP MOVIE PARTY WITH LOMOCON
Move the right side up a little bit more.
Yeah, that looks good. Let's try to keep it that way.
(upbeat pop song continues)
YOONJO: Oh, that looks great.
Is that everything we need?
(phone beeps, dial tone trilling)
Hi, this is Yoonjo Park from PR Joa.
We rented 50 chairs, and we didn't seem to receive them all.
-Hey, Yoonjo! -Could you send the rest
as soon as possible?
Just a second. Yeah, what is it?
SILJANG: You gotta see this!
YOONJO: Yes, we're still missing about ten of them.
Are they getting delivered?
(Siljang groans)
Could the people who were just here...
(grunts)
(shouts) Oh, excuse me!
Mr. Worker Guy, wait! Oh, don't leave yet. We need your help!
-(grunts) -Get down!
YOONJO (gasps): The chairs...
They weren't delivered, and no one could bring them over today.
Siljang, I'm far too busy to chat with you right now.
Too busy for what?
90% of the guests aren't coming, you know.
(breathes heavily)
We have more than enough chairs. We don't need any more.
(quirky music playing)
So, now what?
This is gonna be a disaster.
"With folks born in the '90s?"
It works for a retro theme,
but no one we invited was even born in the '90s!
YOONJO: Let's just invite our friends, then.
(sighs) The weather's not gonna make things easy.
Besides, do you really want our friends trashing up the place?
We should at least try and call everyone to see if they're interested.
(Siljang groans)
Hey, wait. Why isn't the new girl here? She should help us out.
-The college kid? -(shutter clicks)
Honestly, I don't understand
why an SNU grad would bother working for us.
Is the job market that bad?
Well, she works for us,
and the least she could do is help us prepare for this party.
(phone beeps, dial tone trilling)
Ms. Jihyo Shin, hey. Where are you right now?
-(party music playing) -(all cheering)
ALL: Jihyo, Jihyo!
Hello? Oh, just a second.
Listen, I told you I needed today off before I started working this job.
JIHYO'S FRIEND: Is everything all right?
(sighs)
But the CEO already told me I could have today off.
What?
What... I don't think "Listen" sounds rude at all.
(sighs)
(whispers) Fuck.
(scoffs)
Right. Yes, Ms. Park. Yep, I understand.
I'll come over to help as soon as I can, okay?
(all clamoring in background)
I can bring how many people?
-(party music stops) -(birds chirping)
(calm guitar music playing)
(torch whooshes)
(grunts)
(campfire crackling)
(birds chirping)
(music turns upbeat)
SILJANG: Welcome, welcome, everybody!
-STAFF: Would you like a brochure? -Nice to meet you. Here you go.
I'll be your guide today.
(indistinct chatter)
This is LOMOCON's selfie area.
YOONJO: Glad to see you made it.
(indistinct chatter)
Here's our food truck.
We have tons of varieties of food and drinks.
Make sure you grab something before you go.
It's so delicious!
(guests clamoring)
Hmm.
-Jo! -Ah!
(breathes heavily)
What took you so long? I called you three hours ago.
(groans) I had to close up my bar for a while just to come here.
You don't usually get any customers until after ten anyways.
Yeah, I do. It's always a packed house.
(chuckles) That's why you're hosting the after-party there, you know?
All right, fine.
Shouldn't you take that down, by the way?
"Born in the '90s"?
-Where? -Uh...
Where? Where are they?
Right here. You and I.
We were born in the '90s.
Just because it's at the beginning doesn't mean it doesn't count.
And also, uh...
-Everyone say, "Cheese!" -Cheese...
-(all laugh) -Oh, my God. Look how good we look!
YOONJO'S YOUNGER SISTER, IN HER TEENS
Let's take some more. We gotta take some more, right?
Wait, let's take a good one together!
YOONJO'S MOM, IN HER FIFTIES
-Yeah! -MEN: Yeah!
YOONJO'S SUPERIOR FROM HER FIRST JOB, IN HIS FIFTIES
Wait. Um, uh...
More people will show up, you know.
Don't worry, sir. I, uh...
CLIENT, IN HIS FORTIES
PR JOA'S CEO, IN HER FORTIES
-Uh, yeah. -Are you sure?
Absolutely.
HEEYOUNG: I mean, um...
(sighs)
We invited so many people, and not one of them is in their 20s.
-Siljang! -(gasps)
Let's do the thing.
The Last Words Challenge? Okay, let me think.
Last Words Challenge?
"LAST WORDS" CHALLENGE WITH LOMOCON!
(upbeat pop music playing)
YOONJO: People born in the '90s
who are now in their early 20s to early 30s
have been participating in a craze
where we take pictures of our mock funerals
and share what we want our last words to be.
I DONATE MY FORTUNE WORTH A HUNDRED BILLION TO SOCIETY
HAEJO'S FRIEND (shouts): Here comes Haejo!
YOONJO: It's nothing sad or depressing.
THE WORLD CAN SCREW ITSELF
It should be light, frivolous, and fun.
-(cheering) -It should always be fun...
FORGET MY FUNERAL! JUST SMILE!
...because the '90s were the epitome of fun.
-Yeah, if you cry, I'll kick your ass! -(shutter clicks)
I've had enough, but I want more!
I'VE HAD ENOUGH BUT I WANT MORE!
LET'S LOVE AGAIN IN OUR NEXT LIVES MEN ARE THE BEST
(women cheering)
Just so you know, I'm single, guys.
(shutter clicks)
(indistinct chatter)
YOONJO: "I'm sorry to break it to you this way, but I'm dying."
-Huh? -(somber music playing)
"I'm so glad to have known all of you."
What? What's going on?
I want this to be a nice photo.
I can actually use this portrait for my funeral.
Why is she talking about her funeral?
HWAJA'S DYING FRIEND: Listen, guys.
You all have helped make my life worth living.
I really enjoyed this journey we've been on.
(sobs)
(whimpering)
Thank you.
I've never seen her cry.
(men whispering)
HWAJA'S FRIEND: I can't believe it.
(whimpers) Wait, I...
Jesus! (sobbing)
Sweetie, why didn't you tell us earlier?
(women crying)
(record scratching)
(sighs) Oh, my.
Um, this is getting a little heavy.
(women continue crying)
(distorted bell dinging)
It's not fair!
If we live together, then we die together!
-(men chattering) -(film music playing)
(men laughing and shouting)
MAN 1: This has been one of the best nights of my life!
And I love you guys so much.
MAN 2: Hey, man. What do you think life is?
(applause)
-MAN 1: I think it's... -Ooh, these guys are so drunk.
-If it's empty, fill it all up! -Yeah!
-Please. -If it's empty...
-Hey, shut up! -(men laughing)
So annoying, you're being so noisy.
What did you say?
(shouts) If you wanna drink, go to a fucking bar!
-MAN 1: You shut up! -HAEJO: We're here to watch a movie!
-Whoa, whoa. -(exclaims)
-You don't talk to me like that. -Hey, hey, hey.
We're trying to be nice.
-But you guys keep talking over the movie. -(overlapping shouts)
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. -(men clamoring)
Hey. Stop, okay?
Hey, hey, hey... Settle down, settle down!
-Shit. You're wasting your lives! -(whimpering)
Just enjoy your time while you're alive.
Hey, shut the fuck up.
-You shut the fuck up. -We're watching the movie.
What are you saying?
(crying) Please, everyone...
Just let me grieve! (groans)
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
-I'm sorry. -Knock it off.
-Drink up! -(men grumbling)
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
(overlapping clamoring)
-HAEJO: Now everyone's yelling... -(sighs)
-and I can't hear... -MAN 1: Hey!
(indistinct argument)
(film music playing)
(slurping)
ACTOR: Just like countless other things in my life,
I know that my love for her will become nothing more than a memory in time.
But you, my dear, never became a memory.
I was able to live with love in my heart because of you.
And I'd like to thank you for that.
(light song playing in background)
-(sighs) -(keyboard clacking)
#90S_MOVIE #CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST #FILM CAMERA
#LAST WORDS CHALLENGE
#BORN IN THE 90S...
(keyboard continues clacking)
(Eun sighs)
"Born in the '90s" won't work.
YOONJO: But you, me and Siljang were all born in the '90s.
But no one was in their 20s. That's the problem.
-(ice clattering) -(inhales)
It was touching though.
But it wasn't all that fun, was it?
Not really.
(sighs)
Should I change the name of the challenge?
Instead of "Fun Last Words from People Born in the '90s,"
what about just "Touching Last Words"?
-You can do that? -I can't. It won't work.
(sighs and groans)
The client's focus is solely on people born in the '90s.
(yelling angrily) What? You call this an event?
HEEYOUNG (flustered shout): Sir, I, I...
-I'm sorry. -Get your arm out of my face, Heeyoung!
-Back off! -I wasn't trying to stop you!
-My arm got in the way. -CLIENT: Today was just... Jesus!
You know what? This is how I feel!
-HEEYOUNG: Sir, no! -(grunts)
(frantic music playing)
(Heeyoung's flustered shouts)
CLIENT: Damn it!
(Heeyoung screams in despair)
(whooshing)
(music subdues)
Wow!
-Uh... -She caught that?
No one's ever caught something I've thrown.
-Um, I guess it was a good throw. -CLIENT: Wow.
-She plays baseball? -I'll make sure to ask her, sir.
-I'm taking this popcorn with me. -Uh, yes. We made that this morning.
-CLIENT: It's really good. -HEEYOUNG: Oh, well then...
-maybe we could make some for our next... -(crunches)
(groans)
Ugh.
I think that girl from SNU turned off her phone 'cause she didn't show up.
Who?
Some girl.
-(thuds) -Drink up.
(sighs)
I don't deserve a drink after tonight.
You said that you wanted to have an after-party here. Is that correct?
(glass clanking)
(crate thuds)
Then let's have an after-party.
(chuckles nervously) Yeah, I think I can handle all of that.
All right.
(crate thumps)
(gulping)
EUN: Dang.
(muffled speech)
Mmm.
That's really good.
(chuckles) Yeah.
Hey, why didn't Jaemin come tonight?
-YOONJO: Oh. -You played his favorite movie.
He went camping.
For some reason, he's really into camping these days.
Camping? Alone?
YOONJO: I don't know.
Maybe he has a secret girlfriend or something.
(sighs)
You know, we should all live our lives like Jaemin.
Don't you two work together? Do you ever run into him?
No way. Never.
He's on the PR team for a big company,
and I work at a very tiny agency.
It's all because of that damn class structure.
(clears throat) Jesus.
So many things make me want to drink.
(gulping loudly)
This one's too strong. Get me soju.
-If you insist. -Hmm.
(glass clanking)
Ta-da.
(serene music playing)
(phone vibrating)
(phone continues vibrating)
CHOI HYEYOUNG
(phone continues vibrating)
Look who it is. My favorite reporter.
It's nice to hear from you.
HYEYOUNG: Where are you?
Well, I'm not in Seoul.
(sighs) Have a good night.
DAEGUK DAILY
Make sure you take a look at the file I sent.
(phone beeps)
CHOI HYEYOUNG
BRIBERY INVOLVED IN BID TO REPLACE SEYONG'S SUPPLIER?
VIEW ALL
BRIBERY INVOLVED IN BID TO REPLACE SEYONG'S SUPPLIER?
COMPANY A REPLACES COMPANY B AS SUPPLIER...
BRIBES SUGGESTED TO BE INVOLVED IN CHANGING SUPPLIER TO COMPANY A...
(phone vibrates)
-Is this article going in the paper? -You're welcome.
You know, Jaerak Ma wrote it.
Think we can kill this story?
Well, that's up to you, isn't it?
If it can't be killed, then I'll just pretend you never called me.
At least, that way I can enjoy my weekend.
Don't count your chickens till they're hatched.
Can we kill this thing or not?
The fact that he leaked this info to me means he knows we're friends.
-Because he wants it killed. -You owe me a drink.
(beeps)
(upbeat music playing)
-(phone rings) -(sighs)
Come on.
Pick up the goddamn phone, dude. (sighs)
It's way too early for him to be shitfaced drunk, right?
-(gulping) -(ringing tone)
Hey, Chuljun. I just sent you a file I'd like you to read.
It's something I think you should let Mr. Song know about too, okay?
CHULJUN: Hey, baby. (sighs)
(slurred speech) I knew you would call me back actually.
-All right. All right. -Why don't you
come back to my place? If you're...
-Just get some sleep! -...looking for a good time!
And don't sleep in the street again, or you'll freeze.
-(Chuljun laughing) -(sighs)
(hanging-up beep)
(upbeat music swells)
SEYONG STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT DIVISION PR TEAM 2, TEAM LEADER SONG SUNTAE
Wait up.
What? You're here alone?
Where's Chuljun?
JAEMIN: He's not feeling well today.
(mutters) That slacker.
(car door shuts)
(Suntae groans)
-Jaerak Ma of Daeguk Daily, right? -(tapping on phone)
Yeah.
-Never heard of him before. -(beeps)
Who told you about this?
My friend, Hyeyoung Choi. She's a reporter.
Oh, hi, hi. Hello, Mr. Jang.
I'm... (chuckles)
...sorry to be bothering you so early, but this is urgent.
I have to know, who's this Jaerak Ma?
He's got me running around on the weekend.
Oh, really?
(laughs) I guess he's a little too enthusiastic.
(sighs) All right, I'm going to check and see if what you tell me is true.
Monday'll be a bit too soon, right?
(chuckles) Right.
I'm not asking you to silence that story here.
We just need to make sure you have your facts straight.
(happily) Oh, yeah, sure. Golf sounds perfect!
Uh, you like the course we played last time?
All right, I'll book it and call you back. All right. Bye.
(beeps)
(sighs) All right.
I want you to meet with Ma this afternoon.
Find out what that bastard wants.
I've called him several times, I've left him messages,
but he never responds.
I don't think he wants to speak with me.
(sighs) He wants the big boys?
I can keep calling him if you want.
"Corruption still prevalent?"
CORRUPTION STILL RAMPANT AMONG CORPORATIONS?
Wow, this is transparent.
They're very deliberately trying to discredit us.
(sighs) God damn it, that bastard.
(tense music playing)
(tires screeching)
SUNTAE: He should already be here.
Ah, he's right there.
He's there.
SEYONG SALES DIVISION SALES TEAM 1 TEAM LEADER CHO JINSEO
(engine stops)
JINSEO: Hey, Suntae!
What the hell is going on?
There's no problem in the factory in Changwon.
Who's the manager there? He gave the interview.
I read the article earlier. He barely said anything at all.
(sighs)
We have to do something. Jaemin, go speak to the factory manager.
In Changwon?
4 HOURS AND 50 MINUTES, 364 KM
SUNTAE: Yeah.
What?
(whimsical music playing)
Um, never mind.
But if I'm in Changwon when Ma calls back--
I thought he didn't want to speak with you.
JAEMIN (in thought): But what if he does?
Do you expect me to just rush back to Seoul?
Huh?
What's your problem, huh? Are you okay?
Uh...
I'm all right, sir. I'll head to Changwon right now.
Oh, and, uh, by the way, tell Chuljun not to come in today.
(sighs) Lazy bastard. All right, let's go.
JINSEO (faintly): Hey, wait. Does this mean
Daeguk Daily wants something from us?
Hm?
(sighs)
(tapping on phone)
MR. MAENG CHULJUN
JAEMIN: The boss says don't come in.
MANAGER: So are you telling me this just to avoid talking to the press?
JAEMIN: That's not what I'm saying at all.
I'm just asking that you call our PR department first
when you're contacted for an interview
instead of agreeing to do it yourself, okay?
But it's not like I gave them a bad impression of the company.
I didn't say anything about an abuse of power
or any other incriminating evidence.
(office phone ringing)
They might've thrown you for a loop with loaded questions.
We just want you to be a bit more careful in the future, alright?
(manager groans)
Oh, God.
You said the article isn't out yet.
Then how can you not stop them from publishing?
I mean, isn't that the job of a PR department?
Yes, that's exactly why I'm here.
I need to get the full scope of the situation first.
(sighs)
I didn't do anything wrong.
ANG'S BREAD
-(dreamy music playing) -(crowd clamoring)
BREAD
(munching)
GIRL 1: I'll take a peanut protein cake and one chocolate, please.
VENDOR: Peanut and chocolate, here you are.
GIRL 2: We'll try your protein bars,
-please. -VENDOR: One of each?
-All of them. -Have a nice day!
Thanks, you too.
VENDOR: Hello.
(gasps) What kind of flavors do you have?
(dreamy music continues)
(Yoonjo munching)
(phone vibrates)
JAEMIN: I'm dying from being overworked.
(whimsical music playing)
YOONJO: Great job.
I think you'd get a kick out of my challenge.
Where are you?
JAEMIN (sighs): A factory in Changwon.
I'm on a mission to kill a hit piece. You?
(bamboo chopsticks snap)
YOONJO: I'm looking for a new client.
I'm at this bakery I've been scouting out for the past few months.
JAEMIN: Really?
You shouldn't have to work on the weekend.
(munching)
YOONJO: Aren't you working right now too?
JAEMIN: Because I have to. You don't.
That's the difference.
(music subdues)
YOONJO: At least you don't have to work today
because of a mistake you made.
(scoffs)
(indistinct chatter)
(music fades out)
RECENT CALLS
CALLING DAEGUK DAILY, REPORTER MA JAERAK
JAEMIN: Don't pick up.
I swear to God if you pick up...
Please go to voicemail.
How many times is it gonna ring?
Don't pick up. Don't pick up. Please, don't pick up...
OPERATOR: The number you have dialed is not available.
Please leave a message...
(shouts) Yes!
(upbeat piano music playing)
(bus doors whizzing)
(indistinct chatter)
SEUNGHEE: This is Seyong PR Department.
We requested that you block access on your recent article...
HOOGIL: I mean, we don't even know if the interview is true yet, do we?
CHULJUN: I'm sorry. We're only in charge of the building.
The agency takes care of everything afterwards,
so it's nearly impossible to plan for such a thing.
MANUAL ON PHARMACEUTICAL ADVERTISEMENT REGULATION
HOOGIL: If that really happened, Mr. Oh, I'd tell you. I promise.
Mr. Oh?
-I'm sorry, but are you... -I told you, that is not the case, sir.
...the one I spoke with earlier?
HOOGIL: That article isn't true.
It still shows up if you search for it.
You told me it would be taken down.
-So how much longer will it take, then? -We're going to release
an official statement very shortly, okay?
(sighs)
Jaemin, when will this statement be ready?
(office phone ringing)
-SEUNGHEE: Seyong PR Department. -Five minutes.
CHULJUN: Five minutes, and it should be ready. Sir, just wait a few...
SEUNGHEE: ...can you just take down the article
-CHULJUN: Hello? -...off of your home page
-so you aren't actively sharing... -CHULJUN: Hello?
...misinformation?
SEYONG PR TEAM 2 PRESS / MEDIA
God damn it.
-Seunghee. -SEUNGHEE: Yeah?
Are the articles being taken down?
(sighs) I guess I can check again.
(Seunghee sighs)
(surprised gasp)
(whispers) Hey, keep working.
(mumbling)
-(door closes) -(whispers) Did he leave?
SEUNGHEE: It's still up. (sighs)
(keyboard clacking)
(sighs)
(phone ringing)
-SEUNGHEE: Seyong PR Department. -Well, not looking good.
Guess they couldn't kill it after all.
How are they so bad at their job?
SEUNGHEE: Oh, hi, Mr. Park.
I heard you turned off your phone and went AWOL yesterday.
It was the weekend.
JAEMIN: Hey, Hoogil.
You know he got a pink slip this morning. Check his pockets.
(Seunghee speaking indistinctly)
(irritated hiss)
I didn't get fired, you idiot.
It's illegal to work weekends.
Anyway,
I thought they settled this with tickets to Daeguk Daily chairman's seminar.
Probably wants something better.
Isn't it four million won a ticket?
Those weasely, greedy reporters.
-(clears throat) -Oh.
(keyboard clacking)
SEUNGHEE: Yes, I'm listening. You were saying?
Um, I believe... around noon.
We'll be sending out a press release, so for further questions...
(clicking on mouse)
You went to Changwon yesterday?
Mm.
The factory manager admitted to the article stuff?
I don't believe so.
What did he say?
The protein ingredient supplier has been replaced.
And it seems like the former supplier gave the reporter some false information.
Oh...
Typical.
(whispers) Uh...
I just slept with my ex-wife. What do I do?
What, are you crazy?
(yells) Can you shut up?
-(comical music playing) -You could hear me?
(whispers) I was being so quiet.
Yeah, I could still hear you.
Oh.
Sorry.
Yeah, she's a no.
-SUNTAE: Hey, Jaemin! -(gasps)
The official statement, is it ready?
Yeah, I'll bring it to you.
Hurry up.
-(music ends) -(sighs)
So, the new girl...
You haven't heard back from her since Saturday.
She never returned your calls. Am I right?
YOONJO: Hmm.
And she still hasn't come in today.
Seems to me...
that she doesn't want to keep working for us.
But I don't wanna just fire her like that, you know?
Yeah, but she's being rude.
SILJANG: I know she wouldn't be able to stick around.
(sighs) I guess we can't expect an SNU grad to work here.
Hey, Siljang.
What are you talking about?
What does her college have to do with us?
And also, what's wrong with this place? What's wrong, huh?
All right, calm down. I'm just letting off some steam here.
Unacceptable.
What makes you believe she'll answer this time around?
OPERATOR: The number you have dialed is not available.
-Please leave a message at the tone. -(tone beeps)
(Yoonjo clears throat)
Ms. Jihyo Shin, this is Yoonjo Park from PR Joa.
You're not returning my calls,
so I'm seeing this as your way of telling me you quit.
I find your behavior to be unprofessional.
If you want to quit,
at least have the decency to say it in person.
You're giving SNU a bad name!
That last bit was really good.
(phone vibrates)
SHIN JIHYO
(pensive music playing)
-(whispers) What's up? -(gasps)
(flustered) Oh, oh, oh. Jeez.
It's okay, it's okay. I'm sorry.
It's okay.
(whispers) Just... watch...
-Ms. Jihyo-- -Let me say something first.
I told Ms. Kim I was taking the day off on Saturday.
I thought this was common knowledge, Ms. Park.
Then why didn't you answer your phone?
-I was trying to reach you all day. -(sighs)
It's my right not to answer work-related calls on my day off.
Ms. Jihyo Shin, as I'm sure you're aware,
we aren't a big company, so we're often short-staffed.
You knew better than anyone that we were hosting an event that day.
-And it's part of your job... -(sighs)
...to assist with preparations and manage the guests.
(sighs) I guess I have to repeat myself again.
I already told Ms. Kim that I was taking the day off,
and it should've been on you to know that.
Don't talk to me that way.
I understand you're upset, okay? But I am your boss.
Is that why you're being so unreasonable?
Or is it... because a situation like this is too much for a small company?
(scoffs)
(chuckles nervously)
I mean, shouldn't flexibility be
one of the benefits of working for a smaller company like this?
Taking time off when necessary?
If not for that, then why should I keep working here?
I can't have work-life balance when working here.
-Then maybe you shouldn't. -JIHYO: Fine.
I quit and I'll find a company that respects their employees.
(Heeyoung clears throat)
(Heeyoung coughs)
(clears throat)
Um, Ms. Shin.
Uh, it appears that we neglected to inform Park and Lee
that you were taking a personal day off on Saturday, and we're sorry.
Yeah.
Yeah, right. Well, uh...
(inhales) Well,
you said you'd quit, and we don't wanna stand in your way.
But, um, work-life balance is something you mentioned before.
Are there other issues you have with our company?
Because I'll think of, uh...
some constructive ways to improve our company for future employees
as well as other things.
You really wanna know what I think?
HEEYOUNG: Yeah.
(clears throat)
I believe having happy workers
is much more attainable for smaller companies like yourselves.
For a start, hire people who are actually competent.
That way, you can compete with larger businesses.
And what's the point of working all night?
You don't even have enough people to manage a viral marketing project.
It's completely inefficient.
This is about human resources.
Besides, you're supposed to be the boss,
but everyone else refers to "her" as the boss.
Isn't that confusing?
You know that's actually her title too, right?
You talk about happy workers and how to fix small companies,
yet you don't know your bosses?
(heavy footsteps)
(laughs nervously)
Uh, well, you know, the way I see it,
Managers Park and Lee are very competent and have made our company successful.
(scoffs) You think so?
Well, I suppose everyone has different standards.
All right, Ms. Jihyo Shin. How about you enlighten all of us?
What makes a competent worker?
Well, I can't say I have all the answers,
but it doesn't help when your workers have no work-life balance.
Work-life balance is different for everyone.
You can't use that to measure competence.
I'm simply expressing my opinion because you asked.
I'm not trying to debate or argue with you about this.
Ms. Jihyo Shin!
Am I allowed to take off now?
Mm-hmm.
(Jihyo groans)
(heavy footsteps)
I bet my unborn child that she already has another job somewhere else.
-HEEYOUNG: You're betting your own child? -(door opens hard)
-(Siljang sighs) -(door slams shut)
(melancholic music playing)
(sighs)
LOMOCON ROOFTOP PARTY
(music fades)
(munching)
You have any idea what's wrong with kids these days, huh?
-I don't get them. -What a boomer.
BOOMER
Boomer? Who, me?
You mean, me?
Everything she said was right.
(yawns)
YOONJO: So you think just because she notified the CEO,
she's allowed to turn off her phone and drop off the face of the earth?
And plus,
who the hell takes a day off their first week at a new job?
That's your problem?
Yes. Yes, it is.
You've never even worked at a company,
so you don't understand how bad that looks.
She can take a day off if she needs to. What's the big deal?
Stop, okay?
Okay. Okay, okay.
(sighs) You know what? I'll crush the next project.
(inhales sharply)
That bitch got me all fired up and competitive.
You should've heard the way she talked to me.
-EUN: I'm sure she was fine. -(ice clattering)
Do you want a drink?
It's a one-billion-dollar project for Seyong Cosmetics.
-Seyong! -Drink.
I'll have something light.
I feel like such an idiot. He published the article.
He didn't leak it so we could kill the story.
He wanted to chat with the top dogs.
He knew it would increase the ad price too.
(Hyeyoung sputters)
Man, this sucks ass.
You know what we need at a time like this?
-Alcohol? -Bingo.
Ta-da.
UTOPIA
"U-to..."
That's a pretty cool name.
(distant glass clinking)
Just a second.
(mischievous music playing)
(hushes)
(mischievous music climaxes with drumroll)
-Boo! -Ah!
(music turns frantic)
-(gasps) -(Jaemin inhales in shock)
God, you... you fucking scared me.
(exhales sharply)
Put my head back the way it was.
(stutters) Oh.
(bones cracking)
YOONJO: Ugh.
Five degrees to the left.
All right.
Okay.
(sighs in relief)
Ugh, shit.
(inhales deeply) She really scared us.
Seriously.
I gotcha. (laughs)
(sighs)
Oh, oh. Right. Sorry.
Come in.
Oh, welcome.
How's it going?
EUN: Please have a seat right here.
Thanks so much.
(Eun clears throat)
So you all went to middle school together?
-Yeah. -EUN: Uh-huh.
And I'm getting real sick of seeing them after so many years.
-(laughs) -(Jaemin chuckles)
And you've known Jaemin ever since college, isn't that right?
(affirmative humming)
You must've done so well in school.
(giggles) Oh, I don't know.
Well, actually, we were just talking shit about people from your college.
HYEYOUNG: What is that?
Griping about kids.
Ah, I know exactly how you feel.
I see employees at work in their early 20s
and think, "Was I really like that back then?"
(gasps) I know! I know!
And they never answer their phones.
Ugh, you're so right.
-(gasps) -They never answer their phones.
I mean, some of them only text you and refuse to answer calls.
(excited gasp) You hear that?
I had to call someone about something important
-a few days ago. -Yeah?
But she kept texting me and wouldn't return my calls.
-You understand my pain. -HYEYOUNG: Yeah, it's ridiculous.
Hey, scoot over.
-Huh? -And then what happened?
-(Yoonjo grunts) -JAEMIN: I can't...
HYEYOUNG: So I just...
-(breathing heavily) -HYEYOUNG: You know how
-there was a typhoon recently? -Yeah.
HYEYOUNG: I kept calling her to see if she was okay,
-and she never answered. -Oh my God, no way!
HYEYOUNG: I needed to talk to her, but she texted me, instead.
(pop song with male vocals playing)
(indistinct chatter)
(bottle clinking)
WE'RE ACCEPTING SAFETY TEST AGREEMENT FORMS FOR RECONSTRUCTION!
(box thuds)
-(song stops) -(humming a tune)
All right, and there's that.
-(humming continues) -(plastic rustling)
(boxes thud)
(rustling)
Hey, what are you up to?
(Hwaja humming)
Free samples.
They somehow look better when you don't have to pay for them?
That's the beauty of free samples.
They're dangerous.
(both giggling)
I guess.
You guess? You know I'm always right, honey. Right?
-(panting) -Yeah, yeah, yeah.
HWAJA: Let's go inside.
YOONJO: Mom, tell me.
Why didn't I go to an academic high school?
HWAJA: Where the hell did this come from?
If I remember correctly, you didn't want me to go to one, right?
You wanted me to get a job and start making money right out of high school.
(scoffs) But I thought you were the one
who wanted to go to a technical high school
-to get a job. -Wait, me?
HWAJA: Yeah, so don't blame me.
(sighs)
Byunggil had just been diagnosed with cancer at that time.
-You needed more money. -Oh, yeah?
-That sounds like your choice. -(elevator dings)
-(snidely) Hmm. -(elevator door opens)
ELEVATOR VOICE: Going up.
-(elevator rumbles) -(surprised grunts)
What do you wanna bet this elevator starts falling right now?
No one forced you to live in this run-down shack of a building.
It's being redeveloped.
You know we rent this place, right?
How long will it take before it's even liveable?
The fact that it's being redeveloped means the deposit was cheap.
Didn't think about that, did you?
I'm pretty sure I was the one who put down the deposit.
So, back to high school.
Why are we talking about this when you graduated so long ago?
I mean... (sighs)
I was just wondering how different my life would be
if I went to an academic high school.
Are you unhappy?
Mom, I'm very happy,
but I keep falling under attack.
It's getting annoying.
What do you mean?
Honey, I've told you not to speak in riddles.
(inhales)
(sighs)
(tranquil guitar music playing)
Apparently, I'm not a competent worker.
Did your boss say that?
No, no.
It was this new girl who quit.
HWAJA: And what does she know?
Exactly.
Maybe she resents you for taking college courses online.
I'm pretty sure that's only something you think.
Oh, come on.
Is that it?
I guess so.
Speaking of online classes,
I didn't even take out a student loan,
so I worked to have money to pay for classes.
I started as a librarian, and now I work in PR.
Can you imagine how much I've had to work to get there?
I made the decision to change careers when I was in my 20s.
(groans)
There are so many kids in their 20s today who don't know what they want.
Isn't that insane?
You know, I've worked really hard too.
(gulping)
(glass thuds)
Ugh, so why is my life still so shitty, huh?
All I have is a daughter
who brags about paying the deposit with her own money.
It's just 30 million won.
YOONJO: That's because
you're always wasting your money on really stupid shit.
(pouring)
(scoffs) I spend my money on the people that I know
and the man that I love.
How is that a waste, Yoonjo?
I need a drink.
(comical music playing)
A man?
-You mean "men", plural. -(sighs)
It's my life and my men.
-(pouring) -(bottle thuds)
Hey, that's my glass. I just bought that one.
What? Is it really that important to you?
It's just a glass. Jesus.
(scoffs)
JAEMIN: You want me?
Mm-hmm. It'd be a good fit, no?
As the head of agency management?
That's Mr. Maeng's job.
Yeah, typically the manager's supposed to do that,
but he's just so busy these days,
so I'm taking this off his hands.
And maybe his entire job altogether.
CHULJUN: Once he bites something, he never lets go.
If you get on his bad side...
Ugh.
Why does it have to be like this?
Listen, just pull yourself together and take this back to him, okay?
I have enough work to do as it is.
If I don't get promoted this time, I quit.
You know that, right?
That's my point. That's why you need to deliver this.
You need to do something positive that he can evaluate,
instead of getting drunk with reporters.
What do you mean?
That's a tradition in publicist culture, you know.
That's valid work.
You need to learn that times are changing, okay?
But you're not the only one who--
Oh, I don't care, don't care. (razzes)
I don't need to learn anything.
Oh, it's Ji.
Excuse me.
Oh, hey, Eunjeong.
How's it out in cyberspace today?
Shut it.
(giggles)
She's really into me.
(sighs)
We started together,
but she's already been promoted...
to manager for her department.
And I'm out wasting my time with reporters.
Times are changing, Mr. Traditional Publicist.
(inhales deeply)
This is about that bid presentation, right?
They're calling it a "bid"? But the winner's already chosen.
Wanna know who it is?
Is it Earth Comm?
CHULJUN: Yep.
(sighs) All right, so, uh...
Our bold, new approach to cosmetics advertising
is exactly what the customer base is looking for.
Alongside covering key points for the product,
the ad will be witty in a way modern customers can relate to.
We will invite influencers, mainly beauty influencers,
to various promotional events,
which will, once again, attract target demographics to our campaign
as well as...
(chuckles)
JAEMIN: Hi.
You didn't have to come all the way here, you know?
One plain latte for me, and one sweet latte for you.
-A sweet one? -Uh...
-(groans) -(scoffs) So what's up?
(sighs)
Having your presentation?
Uh-huh. For Seyong.
I'm not sure if you're aware, but I work for Seyong.
In the PR department.
And guess who's in charge of presentations.
(gasps) You?
Can you pull some strings so I win the campaign?
(sighs) You overestimate the power of an assistant manager.
(sighs)
Well, I'll take the sweet latte to get some sugar.
(ice rattling)
Thank you.
(sighs) If only I worked this hard back when I was in high school,
I would've gotten into Harvard.
(breathes heavily)
Maybe I should...
CHULJUN: They're calling it a "bid"?
But the winner is already chosen.
-Is it Earth Comm? -Yup.
They're always working to be number one.
(chuckles)
I wonder if they're hiring.
(tense music playing)
The other PR agencies, they don't know about this, do they?
Of course they don't.
Huh?
(groans) That's just Song being an ass again.
My goodness, it's been ten years, and he still won't let it go.
That motherfucker.
(Chuljun sighs)
LIST OF BIDDING AGENCIES
EARTH COMMUNICATION, SEO DONGHOON HELLOHOPE, PARK JEEYOUNG
PR JOA, KIM HEEYOUNG
Let's go.
Where are we going?
To blow off steam.
There's steam rising off your head.
What? Where is it?
Uh, hey! Wait up, wait up!
-JAEMIN: Oh my God, oh my God... -YOONJO: Yeah!
Way up there. Shoot it, shoot it, shoot it!
-(shouts) Die! -(guns rattling)
Hey, watch out for the hostages!
-What did you say? -Watch out for the hostages!
-Go! -Die...
JAEMIN: Die!
Why won't he die?
(both laughing)
(pop song with male vocals playing)
(blows)
Are you ready?
Been a while since I've done this.
Start!
(fast-paced electronic music playing)
(song fades out)
(blowing)
YOONJO: Mmm.
Why do you do it, Yoonjo, huh?
-(munches) -What?
(mouthful) You're always working way too hard.
(slurping)
(mouthful) I guess you're okay with doing a half-assed job, but not me.
I want to do well and earn recognition.
That's what drives me to keep going, you know.
Excuse me, we'd like some blood sausage.
We'll have all your meat except liver.
Oh, and throw in some fritters.
-Could I try this fish cake? -VENDOR: Sure.
(munches, slurps)
Mmm, mmm.
(chewing)
FEMALE CUSTOMER: Hi, can I have two lemonades, please?
YOONJO: I feel great. I couldn't be better, honestly.
All right.
That's enough about me. How have you been, Siljang?
(in strained voice) It's been a complete disaster.
(groans)
-Is it the baby? -SILJANG: No!
I've only dilated 2 cm.
They told me they can't go ahead until I'm 10 cm!
Oh... (screams)
-(screaming over phone) -(yelps)
10 cm?
I can feel my body being torn apart just thinking about it.
(chuckles nervously)
All right, I'm going now. Need to put some sugar in my system.
-I'll call you after the presentation. -(pants) Wait!
Get a choco latte. Get it with whipped cream too. You got it?
I'd kill for something sweet right about now...
(screams)
(light music playing)
Thank you so much.
(slurping)
(indistinct chatter)
(whooshing)
(splatting)
(wheels screeching)
(groans)
(panting)
Oh, geez. I'm so sorry.
Um, are you okay? Are you burned
or do you want me to call, uh, 911?
(inhales) The coffee was cold.
I...I'm okay. You don't have to call.
(sighs) Good.
Aw... Oh, God...
(sighs)
I... I'm really sorry.
I'm really sorry, but I...
I'm in a bit of a hurry.
-(sighs) -Actually, just a second.
Here.
This business card has my phone number. Call me back, and I'll make it up to you.
Why the hell were you riding your bike on a goddamn sidewalk?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
(scoffs) Why don't you get going? Anyways, you seem busy.
I'm very sorry.
YOONJO: Yeah.
(chuckles)
I'm really sorry.
(frantic music playing)
(Yoonjo sighs)
At least he wasn't a jerk.
Earth Comm?
(music climaxes and ends)
(blows)
(sighs)
Earth Comm?
CHULJUN: Um, yeah. That's just how it is, and...
Well, you know.
HEEYOUNG: Yeah, of course I know,
but what I don't know is why you made us come out here.
Well, that's...
I wasn't the one who, who...
Ah...
(chuckles)
This was Song Suntae's idea.
HELLOHOPE EMPLOYEE: Here.
JAEMIN: Thanks.
Hellohope, you're our second presenter. You can use conference room one.
-Over there. -Thank you.
(Jaemin mumbles)
Oh, hey.
So tell me, how are you feeling right now, Yoonjo?
Well, now that I'm here, I'm seriously freaking out.
What are you freaking out over?
Well, I've never given a presentation at such a big company.
You know, I suppose there's a first time for everything.
Yeah?
EARTH COMM EMPLOYEE: Mr. Ryu.
-Hi. -JAEMIN: Hello, welcome.
(comical music playing)
-Uh... -Oh.
Uh, good afternoon.
DONGHOON: Uh, hi.
I'm Yoonjo Park of PR Joa.
DONGHOON: Why are you...
Oh, you're here for the bidding.
I'm really sorry about earlier.
It looks like you were able to take care of it in time.
That's a relief.
Don't worry about it. You know you've already apologized like a million times.
Please call me. I'd love to make it up to you.
(chuckles)
We'll be giving the presentation first, correct?
Oh, yes. Earth Comm is going to conference room two right over there.
Thanks, um...
-I wish you good luck then. -Thanks.
Mm-hmm.
Shall we?
(sighs)
Your presentation's third. Wait in room three down there.
Ah, okay. Thanks. See ya.
(sighs nervously)
Wait.
You didn't say "good luck."
Though I'm sure I won't need any luck to do well.
I just hope you don't stutter and freeze.
Hey!
(chuckles) You'll be just fine. You're Yoonjo Park, you know?
MARKETING TEAM 1 TEAM LEADER KO DONGKYUN
The marketing team's coming? Why do they need to be here?
I mean, they never call us to be there when they have presentations.
(mutters) Man, it's so patronizing.
-The sales department requested them. -But I wanna know why!
This is equal parts an advertisement and PR event.
-They're here to cross-check things. -(beeping)
That's not what I asked, Jaemin.
Am I the only one who hates their pompous attitude?
Am I?
I do. I find them obnoxious.
Right? The thing is,
we're under Management Strategies, and they're under Operations, right?
I know they outnumber us in size,
but we're the heartbeat of this company.
-DONGKYUN: Hey, Maeng. -Oh!
Do you really need me to be here for this? I'm a busy man.
Marketing is the most important part of the company. We're just PR.
How could we do this without your supervision?
So, you know, we need you here, captain!
(Chuljun snickers)
(softly) Here's your seat, sir.
DONGKYUN: You sure like to flatter, don't you?
(upbeat percussive music playing)
Jaemin, my boy.
Are you absolutely sure you don't wanna transfer to my team?
Come on, all you guys do is curry favor with reporters and spend company money.
Your hard work never gets appreciated.
DONGKYUN: Right?
(upbeat music builds)
Jaemin, my friend, you're welcome to join us anytime. Okay?
SUNTAE: Don't you dare think about stealing him, Ko.
(sighs)
DONGKYUN (snidely): Oh, I'm so scared.
(whispers) Hey, call me.
Okay?
SUNTAE: Good afternoon, sir.
Oh, here.
(music ends)
We've devised strategies for your online and offline promotions,
and management.
Um, our target for offline promotion is...
YOONJO (clears throat loudly): Uh...
(breathes deeply)
-Yoonjo. -Hm?
HEEYOUNG: Um...
Sit down for a minute.
Uh...
Is there something wrong?
CELLTICS ON, OFFLINE CAMPAIGN HELLOHOPE
If I can direct your attention to this next slide,
the focus of our promotion is on products popular with people in their 20s and 30s.
Especially women in their 30s.
This is a bacteria called lactobacillus plantarum,
and our research shows that this bacteria is linked to lactic acid.
What do you think of when you hear lactic acid?
You probably think of the most famous Korean dish.
You know, our famous kimchi.
We've been testing products made with the same lactic acid bacteria
used to ferment kimchi,
NB01 has been conducting research about this as well.
That was the last slide.
I guess this is it, unless anyone has any questions.
Thank you very much.
(applause)
(gloomy music playing)
HEEYOUNG: Yoonjo.
This is all just for show.
This whole bidding...
They've already decided to go with Earth Comm.
(gloomy music swells)
Okay, so what do we do then?
What else can we do? Give a good speech.
Give the best presentation you can.
But you said Seyong has already decided on Earth Comm.
This opportunity to present in front of Seyong...
It's big.
This presentation should be more than just a show, hmm?
(exhales deeply)
(music ends)
Sorry, but I have to get going.
-Oh, yeah. -Hmm.
It's already been decided. You don't need me, right?
(chuckles nervously) Of course.
You don't need to worry. I'll handle it.
Good night.
(chairs drawing)
All right, I think it went well.
BYUNGMAN: Wow, Earth Comm sure does live up to its reputation, huh?
All right, Jaemin. Have a good night.
JAEMIN: Sure. Thank you.
BYUNGMAN: Great presentation.
Leave it to Earth Comm to be perfect in everything.
-I'm flattered, sir. -You check off all the boxes, so...
DONGHOON (inhales): Thanks.
-Congrats. -Thank you, sir.
-Thank you so much. -(chuckles)
(melancholic music playing)
Have a good night, sir.
Good night.
You did a good job.
(breathing uneasily)
YOONJO: You didn't say "good luck."
You'll be just fine. You're Yoonjo Park, you know?
He knew the whole time.
Ah.
(music fades out)
(closing theme music playing)
ALL CHARACTERS, INCIDENTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND SETTINGS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS