(intro theme music playing)
ALL CHARACTERS, INCIDENTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND SETTINGS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
Who is Yoonjo Park?
MARKETING GENERAL MANAGER JUNIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR SUHWAN JEONG
I'm told she works for PR Team 3
and is the one responsible for this report.
(tense music playing)
EUNJEONG: Mr. Jeong. Please calm down.
Ms. Eunjeong.
What kind of team are you running here, huh?
You think Celltics is underperforming because of bad marketing?
I can assure you marketing isn't the issue here.
You had the gall to send this mess of a report to the board.
I was at that board meeting and the first thing we discussed
was this disgraceful report regarding Celltics!
You know that I've been overseeing this project from the start.
(yells) And I don't appreciate you trying to screw me over!
(tense music builds)
Mr. Jeong.
That report wasn't about Celltics' marketing concept…
And who are you?
I'm Yoonjo Park.
Hmph, so this is you?
-(scoffs) -EUNJEONG: Mr. Jeong.
You really think it's appropriate to release a report this poor?
(yells) You're publicists, not analysts, so stay in your lane!
Mr. Jeong.
The digital PR team understands the consumer base
more so than any other branch,
so I believe we should be analyzing the results…
For God's sake.
(music intensifies)
THE SO-CALLED CELLTICS-SUHWAN JEONG WAR
A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE CELLTICS-SUHWAN JEONG WAR
EPISODE 7
(clicking on mouse)
(knocking on door)
DONGHOON: Yes, come in.
YOONJO: Mr. Seo.
DONGHOON: Oh.
Ms. Park.
Are you busy?
YOONJO: From what I can tell
from the official campaign survey and other sources,
it's not doing well.
The social media presence is fading.
I checked the sales figures since the campaign launch.
They're not looking good.
DONGHOON: Um…
From what I can see, the issue isn't with the campaign itself.
We've been brainstorming ways to increase sales.
We think it'd be best to adjust our marketing strategies.
This is the first for our company… (inhales)
…where we couldn't meet the KPI targets.
Then… (sighs)
…what do you think the problem is?
(pensive music playing)
Is it… the quality of the product?
Truth is, we already noticed
that Celltics had issues with branding and selling products
before we even prepared for the bid.
Like their packaging design or their poor choice in product features.
(inhales and sighs)
So do you think we need to change the BI?
BI: BRAND IDENTITY / UNIFYING BRAND IMAGE
I think it might be too late to change it now.
Even with smaller companies, it's hard to change brands so suddenly.
Think packaging.
(sighs) You're right.
(Eunjeong sighs)
(tense music playing)
Do you understand how much work it'll take to change the campaign's BI?
I do. It'd mean we'd have to start over from scratch.
Marketing, promotion, everything.
And you really think it's worth all that trouble, then?
Ms. Eunjeong.
(Eunjeong sighs)
YOONJO (sighs): We can't leave the campaign as it is.
It's not like things are gonna resolve themselves over time.
All right.
We'll try it.
But, we're going with the idea the cosmetics team came up with.
We have to give them a chance.
CELLTICS REBRANDING PLANS
Your plan is what?
If you wanna keep Celltics as a brand targeted at women in their twenties,
it needs to be completely revamped, including the logo and the…
DAJUNG: No, no, no.
I know what you're trying to say. It's already written here.
But changing the BI is just… (scoffs)
But if we don't, it just won't sell, no matter how hard we try.
And who gave that idea to you?
(yells) Can they predict the future or something?
(sighs)
Ms. Yoonjo Park.
I shouldn't blame you, I'm sure this wasn't your idea.
(calling beep, ringing tone)
Ms. Eunjeong.
We have a situation.
I'm speaking to Ms. Yoonjo Park, and she says
we need to restructure the entire campaign?
Ms. Jeon, did you even read the report?
Because if you had, you'd understand the situation we're in.
Don't give me that attitude.
All you do is go out and drink with reporters and celebrities.
What do you know about marketing?
Yeah, yeah, I do drink with clients because
you're always screwing up and ruining people's jobs
with your awful marketing ideas,
so I have to step in to smooth things over and make it up to them.
DAJUNG: Did you get that out of your system?
Hi, hello.
I'm the assistant manager.
I actually agree with you. We need to start over.
(Eunjeong and Dajung continue arguing in distance)
We also considered changing the branding.
It's too old-fashioned.
But we were ignored.
That's why we haven't said anything.
We haven't been allowed to.
(Eunjeong and Dajung continue arguing in distance)
-(light knocking) -(gasps)
Oh, it's you, Jaemin.
You said you wanted to see me. What's up?
(sharp inhale)
That woman, Chunok Park on PR Team 1.
You're filling in for her because she's on maternity leave, right?
So are you staying there for the time being?
That's what I've been told.
But what's gonna happen to her when she comes back?
Did anyone tell you about that?
No. No, they didn't.
I mean, most women… (annoyed exhale)
…get transferred to CS anyways.
Do they?
Yeah, well.
Of course, you don't care about it because it doesn't affect you.
What?
-SEUNGHEE: Oh. -Whoa. Oh.
(unsteady inhale)
JAEMIN: Wha…
You okay?
Why can't you just come back to our team?
I had to cover all of your major clients after you left,
and I can't take much more of it.
-(offbeat music playing) -Plus, Mr. Song never likes
the press releases that I write.
If you can prove to the execs that you can handle big clients,
then they might promote you. That's your goal, right?
(sniffles)
Uh, are you okay?
Mm-hmm.
(sighs)
(office phone ringing)
This is Jaemin Ryu.
Uh, you're logging a complaint about protein powder?
Right, just one second.
(drawer opens and shuts)
Which website did you say?
GOOD HEALTH GOOD BODY
(attentive music playing)
"Good Health…"
GOOD HEALTH GOOD BODY
LET'S WEIGHT TRAIN TOGETHER!
THIS FORUM IS OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY
JOIN
"Jaemin Ryu."
(indistinct chatter)
(slurred) Listen, um…
Ms. Park.
Yes?
There are a lot of products that fail like this.
You see it happen all the time because, sometimes, things don't work.
Why do you care so much?
Because it's my first brand.
My own brand.
It's something I designed from the ground up.
I know I can make it sell.
(sighing) Well,
that's quite a speech you got there, Ms. Park.
(laughing and clapping)
We don't have anyone like her.
(slurred) No, we don't.
Must be tiring having to keep her in line.
She's quite the independent thinker.
-Report it. -(bright music playing)
You can report it.
We're not going to do that.
You want to do it, then talk to Mr. Jin yourselves.
-(action music playing) -Absolutely not! Who do you think I am?
(yells) Get out of my office!
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
(sighs)
Ms. Park.
Grab your project reports and come with me.
(footsteps leaving)
(music ends)
YIJUNG: Ah…
So the planning team already agreed on this?
EUNJEONG: Yes.
They had shared concerns over this issue and brought it to our attention.
YIJUNG: Then…
Shouldn't they be the ones to report this?
Changing the brand's identity
is not a simple process of dotting a few "I"s and crossing a few "T"s.
We need to rescind every single product that has already been released
and begin development on completely new material, marketing, design and more.
And on top of that, we have to consider the cost.
Yes.
I agree that there is a lot to be concerned about.
It'll be a difficult process, I don't deny that.
But despite all of what you just said,
I think this is a very important solution to consider.
(uplifting music playing)
The planning team said they couldn't report it
due to unexpected circumstances,
We're the only ones who can fix this.
And…
I also believe that we'll need your help, Ms. Goo.
(uplifting music builds)
Let me look through this again, and I'll give it some thought.
Can you email this to me?
(uplifting music intensifies)
(music fades)
(phone buzzing)
(office phone ringing)
-This is Eunjeong Ji. -(office phone ringing)
-JIHYO: This is Jihyo Shin speaking. -(office phone ringing)
-This is Yoonjo Park speaking. -(office phone ringing)
JIHYO: I'm sorry, Ms. Eunjeong is busy.
YOONJO: Ms. Eunjeong?
Ms. Eunjeong, uh…
What?
If I could take down a number, I can have her call you back.
Sure.
(hectic music playing)
(Yoonjo's office phone hangs up)
Ms. Yijung Goo already addressed this issue.
At the board meeting?
The report names you as the person in charge.
(phone buzzes)
Yes?
Yes, that's right. We wanted to…
No, of course we're not trying to destroy Seyong!
We just want our voices heard.
I'd much rather have this conversation in person.
SUHWAN: For God's sake…
(music ends)
The two of you tried to pull the rug on the Celltics campaign
-without Mr. Jin's authorization. -What?
-(tense music playing) -Does anyone follow the rules anymore?
I told you, you need to report to me.
Did you girls come up with this little plan at a tea party?
Mr. Jeong, I'm…
(Suhwan laughs)
If you thought this would work in getting rid of me, you're wrong, okay?
I want you to watch how many people are going to be affected by this report.
Understand?
-(grunts) -(thrashing)
(music intensifies)
(music fades)
(yells) Ugh, that fucking son of a bitch!
We can't let Mr. Jeong get away with this.
Who does he think he is?
EUNJEONG: What can we do?
Wait, isn't there a workplace anti-harassment law or something?
I think so. We have that, right?
I guess so. Probably.
We should report him or quit or…
(grumbles)
Ms. Eunjeong.
-Come on. -YOUNGHO: Oh.
(wistful music playing)
JIHYEON: Well done.
You really did a number on Suhwan Jeong.
He's probably the one that pushed for that old-fashioned brand image,
thinking it's classy.
(chuckles)
Kim doesn't know shit, so I'm sure he left
-everything up to him. -Jihyeon.
I don't need to bother the other departments.
-Jeong can take the fall for everything. -Wait, please.
(sips)
I'm not looking for this project to fail or for someone to blame.
I'm looking to change the brand image of the Celltics campaign.
No chance.
It's settled.
(inhales)
If we don't, it'll fail.
If we don't change it now, there'll be no turning back.
Okay, then let it fail and move on.
Mr. Kim will be held responsible, and that's exactly what I need.
(offbeat music playing)
Who knows if we'll find a better opportunity than this.
Now's our chance to hit him hard.
Yoonjo Park?
I'll have to memorize that.
Have her handle my socials.
-I'll buy her dinner or something. -(snorts)
-(calm music playing) -And you, darling.
(clears throat)
You just need to do your job as CCO.
Got it?
(music fades)
(phone buzzing)
Hi.
(traffic noises)
(loud huff)
Ms. Goo.
The head of the cosmetic department, Mr. Oh, has just resigned.
That's what you wanted to happen, was it not?
Oh, and it's been decided.
We're keeping Celltics' current brand image, you know.
So, don't worry.
Don't let some silly report written by a junior employee
convince you into changing it.
Mr. Kim, if you weren't convinced by that "silly" report,
then why did you accept Mr. Oh's resignation?
Well, that's because, uh…
the sales figures have been dismal.
And there's a very clear reason for why that is.
Tell me.
Why does Mr. Oh have to take the fall for it?
Well, who do you think should take the fall then?
I wasn't the one who implied that someone had to take the fall.
Huh? You're arrogant!
You're arrogant.
What? What did you call me?
(bold music playing)
The same thing you just called me.
Show me some respect.
How dare you…
(scoffs)
I believe you said that, "When a product fails,
someone involved in the planning or sales of said product
must take responsibility and resign."
Who in their right mind would wanna work in such an environment?
Who would want to take charge?
Who would wanna offer up new ideas at the risk of being fired?
YEONSOO (yells): Stop!
You don't know anything about marketing!
Act like the CCO you are!
Do you even know what I do?
(growls) What?
There's no shame in not knowing. And stop yelling!
As I said, I deserve respect.
I'm an executive director just like you.
(scoffs)
Remember that.
(scoffs)
Hey!
YIJUNG: Also,
it's a waste of time to call people here.
And quit smoking, huh?
Shit!
-(grunts) -(thrashing)
(music ends)
(inhales and sighs)
JAEMIN: Here.
Oh, thank you.
(sips)
(groans) Cosmetics…
they're really going through it.
That's not what I wanted the report to do.
It didn't. The report isn't the problem here.
From the start, Suhwan Jeong was the one who made every decision,
but he shifted the blame to avoid any consequences.
They're calling it the Celltics-Suhwan Jeong War.
He got this assignment right before he could be promoted to CSO.
Even one slip-up could cost him that position. You know that.
YOONJO: What do you think will happen now?
Ms. Goo did say things will change at the executive meeting.
(inhales)
Ms. Park.
You think anything's gonna happen unless someone takes the blame?
Like "Oh, this sucks,
but let's work together to try and fix this."
The vice president talks about cost efficiency
more than anyone else at Seyong.
Your report? He won't approve of it.
Did you read those Blahbla posts?
No, are they… about me?
Uh, yes, actually.
(inhales)
They're calling you Seyong's Joan of Arc.
Really? That's so corny. Ugh.
They're saying you're pointing out something everyone knew, Yoonjo,
but they were too afraid to say.
What if nothing changes?
You did something no one else has, Yoonjo.
You got Ms. Eunjeong to not only listen to you,
but back you up in front of the VP, Yoonjo.
(offbeat music playing)
Ms. Eunjeong…
(sighs) She's doomed.
Ms. Goo addressed that at the executive meeting, Yoonjo.
(sighs) She did?
(offbeat music continues)
(worried sigh) Yeah, Yoonjo.
-(comical music playing) -(Chuljun giggling)
(giggling)
Yeah.
It just sounds so weird when you call her "Yoonjo."
(giggling)
(giggling continues)
Well, Ms. Park, I'll be seeing you around the office, then.
-Go. -YOONJO: Uh…
-CHULJUN: See you later. -JAEMIN (strained): Come on.
(Chuljun laughs)
JAEMIN: Come on.
(Chuljun laughs)
JAEMIN: It's not what you think.
Really, really, really, you sure about that?
You said her first name, like, 12 times.
(sighs)
We're friends, okay?
(cackles)
You admitted! Wait a sec, are you dating?
No…
Huh?
I've known Yoonjo since we were in grade school.
We met at Hongguk, okay?
Huh?
We've been friends for far too long to have any interest in dating.
-Understand? -Oh, no, no, no. (inhales)
There's no way, no, no, no, no…
-Plus, I'm interested in someone else. -(shocked inhale)
Come on, stop.
No, no, no, you're lying to me, Jaemin.
No, no, no… (shuddering)
What's your deal? Are you all right?
(shuddering)
(scoffs) You're so weird.
Let's go.
I have a nose for this sort of thing.
I can tell you're lying to me. You're a liar, Jaemin.
(whimpering) No, no, no.
(indistinct chatter)
YOONJO: I heard Mr. Oh just resigned.
(somber music playing)
-Who said that? -Ms. Kim told me earlier today.
She said Ms. Jeon will have to resign as well.
(sighs)
What do we do?
What can we do?
We move on and continue with our job.
It's all that we can do now.
(music turns pensive)
(sighs)
Ms. Park.
I can't think of something I hate more
than people who ignore reporting structures and do whatever they please.
This company is built on hierarchies
and it's been operated that way since its inception.
Maybe today, it could be an exception.
After all,
you came to our department yourself instead of holding a meeting here.
(inhales)
Why are you here?
This is my fault. I wrote that report.
It's not right to blame sales or the planning team for my mistakes.
If someone takes the fall, I think it should be me.
That's the right thing to do.
SUHWAN: Hmm.
Well, Ms. Park.
Yes.
You must think you're pretty special, huh?
Those in positions of real responsibility should be the ones to take it.
But you, Ms. Park… (inhales)
(laughs)
-You're in no such position. -(tense music playing)
You're a nobody,
and there's nothing for a nobody like you to take responsibility for.
(laughs mockingly)
(chuckles)
My dear Ms. Park.
These are the consequences
for when your narcissism leads you to act without supervision.
(music stops abruptly)
You may leave now.
(slow melancholic music playing)
(Yijung sighs)
Going home, Ms. Goo?
Uh, yes.
Yoonjo Park…
(beeping)
She came to see me earlier and tried to take the blame for the Celltics report.
It was pretty funny. (chuckles)
I mean, talk about clueless.
Her lack of experience is getting in our way.
(vehicle approaching)
(loud footsteps)
What will you do regarding Celltics if it doesn't succeed?
-What? -(bold music playing)
YIJUNG: If Celltics' performance fails,
who do you think Mr. Jung or Mr. Kim will hold accountable for that mistake?
(chuckles)
(scoffs)
(indistinct chatter)
-HEEYOUNG: Thanks for the drink. -WORKER 1: Sure.
-Have a good night. -HEEYOUNG: Bye.
ANG'S BREAD
Yoonjo.
I'm so glad I got to see you again.
Last I heard, you started working for a bigger PR firm, is that right?
Uh…
Are they working you a lot?
It must be so exhausting.
No, it's really not that bad.
Good luck, then.
(chuckles)
Thank you so much. (giggles)
(gentle music playing)
(giggles)
(gulping)
(inhales and sighs)
Wh-whoa.
Slow down, okay? You'll upset your stomach.
Don't drink so much.
YOONJO (slurred): I deserve a stomachache.
I deserve a lot worse.
People might get fired because of a stupid decision I made.
You said the planning team gave your idea the green light.
But still…
That sounds like it was their decision to me.
If they didn't agree to it, your plans wouldn't have gone through.
I know.
(gulping)
(exhales)
I said I'd take the fall for it,
but they won't even let me.
Apparently, I'm not in the position to.
That's true. Yeah.
I just feel so bad for them. (sighs)
Ms. Kim.
HEEYOUNG: Yoonjo.
YOONJO: Ms. Kim.
HEEYOUNG: I'm right here, sweetie.
(music fades)
(siren wailing in distance)
JIHYEON: And you, darling…
(pensive music playing)
…you just need to do your job as CCO.
You don't know anything about marketing!
Act like the CCO you are!
(music fades)
R&I project, huh?
We're thinking about renovating our company's corporate culture.
I think, as CCO, this will be a positive change,
and you've expressed interest in employee communication.
You said "corporate culture?"
My aim is to increase employee engagement through this project.
Sounds good to me.
Proceed.
Thanks.
JIHYEON: Darling.
About the Celltics project.
JUNGHEE (in distance): I think it'll look a lot better with a bigger font.
-HYUK: Okay. -JUNGHEE: Fix it and send it out.
-(phone buzzing) -(sighs)
(phone buzzing)
JUNGHEE: Hi.
Yes?
(gasps)
Seriously?
Are you sure?
-(gasps) -(bright music playing)
That's fantastic. Bye.
(hanging-up beep)
Ms. Park.
Celltics is being rebranded.
(gasps)
The VP came to a snap decision.
Ms. Jeon won't have to resign.
She's staying on the team.
JIHYEON: Regarding the Celltics situation,
I just received word that they're remodeling their brand image.
They concluded that it's cost-efficient to rebrand their product.
However…
What now? There's still an issue?
Suhwan Jeong was the one who persuaded the vice president.
He was not supposed to side with him.
Mr. Oh might have gotten fired,
but what I really wanted was to get rid of Jeong.
Regardless, Celltics' is your brand. You created it.
And if it succeeds, then it'll be your achievement.
(disgusted sigh)
Things would be so much better
if my dad was still alive and I was still CSO.
EARTH COMM FEMALE EMPLOYEE: This isn't about the project, Mr. Seo.
I'm just really burnt out.
No matter how hard we work, if the client doesn't like it,
we do weeks or even months of work for nothing.
I… I know that's how it is in this field…
(inhales)
…but it's discouraging.
Well,
why don't you take a little break?
I could do that,
but what happens when I get back?
Why should I bother working here
if the root problem is never going to be addressed?
(melancholic music playing)
You and Ms. Kim are good people.
This has nothing to do with the two of you.
(chuckles)
(female employee sighs)
(music fades)
I mean, I get it. Mr. Jin can be mean when he's angry.
Vicious, yeah.
How bad was it?
BYUNGMAN (loudly): I don't understand how you can do such a lousy job.
-I just don't. -(tense music playing)
You know how much I support Earth Comm.
And you think this is okay?
Um, I… I'm sorry, sir…
If Earth Comm had just done its job properly,
we wouldn't be in this mess.
Sales would've been fine if you had gone with a better campaign.
And that's why we hired you in the first place!
I'm sorry, sir.
(Byungman sighs angrily)
This leads me to believe that everyone at Earth Comm
is terrible at their jobs.
Maybe I should round them up and ask them one by one
how they managed to mess it up this much.
No, sir.
Please don't do that.
Why not?
It's all my fault.
I failed to meet your expectations, and it resulted in disappointing sales.
That's because of me, sir.
I'm so sorry.
(inhales)
There's no need to blame yourself about it. (sighs)
(sips drink)
While I have you, what should we do about An, huh?
She seems exhausted.
Is there anything we can do for her?
Resignation can't be her only choice. It just can't be.
You know, I've been thinking about this for a while.
"What can I do to get my staff to take pride in their everyday work?"
"What can I do to help them feel comfortable here?"
(sighs)
-Heeyoung. -What?
What if we implement flexible work incentives?
(uplifting music playing)
We let them set their own workload,
and have their pay be dictated by the amount of work they accomplish.
Sure. It sounds good,
but it might make things a lot more competitive.
Let's think it over.
We can fix any problems as we go.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR CEO JIHYEON LIM
YOONJO: I made some changes, per your request, and now it includes…
first, the details of each post,
then, upload frequency,
and finally, any possible risks with posting.
MANAGEMENT PLANS
Great.
It looks good.
(uplifting music builds)
-I'll forward it to Ms. Lim right now. -Thanks.
NEW MAIL CEO JIHYEON LIM
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR CEO JIHYEON LIM
Shall we?
Uh, wait, Ms. Goo.
Thank you for saving Celltics.
If it wasn't for you, I don't know…
I did my job. Nothing more, nothing less.
There's no need for you to thank me for doing my job, Ms. Park.
But still…
YIJUNG: You know,
I should be thanking you.
It was your idea, after all.
And Celltics wouldn't have been saved without your idea.
Right?
Yes, ma'am.
Let's get going. We'll be late.
Yes.
-Welcome, Ms. Park! -(offbeat fanfare playing)
Oh, thanks.
(both laugh)
-Sit down. (chuckles) -YOONJO: Okay.
(Jihyeon sighs)
I wonder what food the chef will serve us today.
There's only one thing on the menu.
-Always. -Oh.
Let's discuss your social media management plans.
I read it over.
Seems like it's targeted at me.
Listen to this.
-(comical music playing) -"Don't post so much to avoid comments
about the CEO having too much time on her hands."
"Don't take pictures of personal items
to avoid looking wealthy when the company is underperforming."
"No more than two posts a month about meeting celebrities,
especially if said posts include excessive alcohol consumption."
(inhales)
(sighs)
-I don't know about this. -Then don't green-light it.
If you can't stick with the plan, then we'll change it.
Is that all right with you, dear?
I think…
it would be good to implement this.
I've read several studies that have shown that
a CEO's social activity has a serious influence
over consumers' opinions on a company's products,
as well as corporate image.
That's good.
It's great. Elon Musk is always on it too.
(playful music playing)
All right.
I'll give this plan the green light,
so long as you're not all annoyed about it. Okay?
Yoonjo, okay?
(flustered breath)
Huh? What is this?
Look at me. Okay?
(chuckles)
PR will make three posts a week…
Oh, actually, how about you run the company's social media, okay?
Sure.
And I don't want to discourage you from posting.
People still want to see what the CEO is up to.
Exactly!
Oh, Yoonjo Park, I think I like you.
(chuckles)
Thank you so much.
Well, let's start eating.
Uh, we're ready to eat.
Hey.
(music fades)
(electronic K-pop song playing)
(song played down)
HAEJO: Oh my God, look at the sky!
-CHAEYEON: Ooh. -Oh, wow, look at Yoojin!
-She looks so good. -Yoojin's good,
-but I'm killing it. -I know.
CHAEYEON: Yeah, you definitely won "most improved."
(laughter)
FRIEND WITH HEADBAND: Eh, I don't know about that.
Honestly, we all sucked back then.
CHAEYEON: I think we've all gotten better.
(Haejo clears throat)
-Boyfriend? -Yeah, right.
(sighing) Why?
You have everything else, but no boyfriend.
YOOJIN: Really? "Everything?"
(Haejo scoffs)
Your family's rich.
I've seen your dad drop you off at school sometimes.
He drives a really expensive car.
And, you know… (sighs)
…you're one of the smartest people in our grade,
you're a good dancer,
you're pretty…
You're, like, the perfect girl.
Like, you have it all.
We're like total opposites. I'm dumb and…
(sighs)
Who is this? Who's texting like this? Is she ancient or what…
YOOJIN, I'M BACK IN KOREA
YOU DIDN'T ANSWER YOUR PHONE, SO I'M LEAVING YOU A MESSAGE
CAN YOU TALK NOW?
YOOJIN: Her name is Yijung Goo.
(gentle music playing)
She left me and my father when I was two.
She moved to another country.
She just came back to Korea.
Gotcha.
Are you still mad at her for leaving?
Yeah.
It's driving me crazy.
Why don't you block her?
I mean… (sighs)
…no one wants a mom that keeps causing you problems.
You're better off without her.
(chuckles)
For what it's worth.
(electronic school bell chiming)
Hey, come on.
HAEJO: C'mon, let's go. Break's over.
Let's go, girls!
Mr. Maeng knows about us? That we're friends?
-Yeah, I told him. -Why?
He kept asking if we were a couple.
I was tired of keeping up that facade.
(sips drink)
Oh, I meant to ask you…
When I took you home the other night,
the night you got really drunk,
Donghoon seemed concerned.
But I think he really likes you, you know?
Or not.
I think he does.
I could tell from the way he looked at you.
He doesn't.
JAEMIN: Hey, he might still ask you out, you know.
But still, who takes this long to make their move?
Didn't he spend time in the US?
Americans are casual. They just ask people out.
All right, cut it out.
Okay, what do you think?
If you like him too, maybe you should ask him out.
(sentimental music playing)
Look, Jaemin.
What? You don't?
(Jaemin inhales)
Well, I don't like him either.
(sighing) I don't really know why.
Would you like to date me?
-What? -What?
What?
JAEMIN: Me?
Mm.
(music turns whimsical)
Okay.
(chuckles)
Oh, yeah, we can pretend like we're dating.
It'll help me forget that I'm single.
I like that idea a lot.
(music fades)
(sentimental music playing)
I'm serious.
What?
I want to date you.
-What? -Will you stop saying, "What?"
I, uh…
(shudders)
I never thought…
I never thought I'd be saying this in the break room at work, but…
JAEMIN: Then don't.
(music stops)
Don't say it, Yoonjo.
Not now.
(melancholic music playing)
(Yoonjo sighs)
(sighs)
(indistinct chatter)
(sighs)
Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Eunjeong.
CHULJUN: Jaemin, free tonight?
You okay?
You wanna grab a drink? Hm?
Jaemin.
What are you looking at?
Let's go.
(indistinct chatter)
(Yoonjo sighs)
(indistinct chatter)
(Jaemin groans)
(Yoonjo clears throat)
What's up? You don't usually take the bus home.
You're going to Utopia, right? So am I.
(sighs)
Hey, wait. Jo.
I'm not going to Utopia, so… have fun.
JAEMIN: Yoonjo.
YOONJO: What now?
I think I like someone.
(sentimental music playing)
I have feelings for her again.
"Again"?
The woman I met in Santiago.
I saw her again.
I get goosebumps…
every time I think of her.
(indistinct chatter)
Jaemin…
Are you gonna start seeing her again?
Not yet.
Not right now.
-Why? -I'm afraid she'll reject me again.
Why is that?
(sighs)
I didn't know how it felt to lose her.
But now that I know what that feels like,
I just…
(sighs)
…can't go through that again.
So what? You're not even going to approach her again?
Well, it's not like I love her.
What?
I mean, I guess, she does give me goosebumps,
so I do have feelings for her,
but I'm not sure if those feelings are love, you know?
(sighs)
Well, maybe it's not love,
but it might turn into love if you want it to.
(sighs)
I've had a crush on you since we were kids.
(sentimental music playing)
I told myself that I shouldn't.
That we were only friends.
I convinced myself that it wasn't right, that how I really felt wasn't true.
Why didn't you want to tell me?
Because we seemed too different from one another.
We lived in two different worlds.
You were completely out of my league back then.
Why would you bother with me?
When I was worrying about rent,
you were in Africa doing some volunteer work.
Our lives were in different places.
I think that…
now that we're working together,
I see you every day,
and that gave me some kind of hope, I guess.
We never were that different.
And now we live in the same world again.
So,
I guess it made me realize,
that it's okay for me to like you again.
(sentimental music builds)
(clears throat)
(sniffles)
It feels good to say it out loud…
(chuckles) …even if it's pretty embarrassing.
Need tissues?
Yeah, I do.
I'm sorry.
I don't carry tissues with me.
(chuckles)
It feels good to hear your side.
-Hey… -(blows nose)
Hm.
You're right. It feels so great.
Ugh.
(mutters) All right, I can tell I'm not making things better right now, huh?
I'll leave you be.
Just don't blow your nose again.
(bus PA chime)
-ELECTRONIC VOICE: This stop… -You should get off now.
(electronic indistinct speech)
Huh? Utopia already?
I just got rejected, so I need some time alone.
Get off here.
(electronic indistinct speech)
Fine.
Suit yourself then.
(stop button buzzes)
(mellow song playing)
(bus doors closing)
(sniffles)
All right, so, well, what did you get yourself into this time?
Ugh, so secretive.
Yoonjo asked me out.
She said she liked me.
What?
Earlier,
when we were in the break room.
Wow. (clicks tongue)
(laughs)
Well, that sounds like her. Mm-hmm.
I rejected her.
I have feelings for someone else.
What? Who's that? Another woman?
Seyong's CCO.
What? Are you serious?
Seyong's CCO is that woman I met in Santiago.
Aren't we meant to be together since we met again?
But I can't be honest with my feelings the way Yoonjo was with me.
I mean, you already tried it with her once and she broke up with you.
It just seems like you're being a little obsessive.
I'm…
Things are different now, okay?
I was too young back then and it felt like
we were living in two completely different worlds and…
(inhales)
(sighs)
(mellow music playing)
(laughs)
-EUN: He's lost it. -No.
I said the same thing Yoonjo said to me.
(Jaemin sighs)
(music fades)
(phone buzzing)
JAEMIN RYU
(phone buzzing)
JAEMIN RYU
-Hi? -JAEMIN: I'm so glad you picked up.
What is it?
JAEMIN: I just… are you busy right now?
Hm…
Not particularly.
JAEMIN: Then would you mind if we met up and chatted in person?
Right now?
(slow sentimental music playing)
R&I PROJECT TASK FORCE RECRUITMENT
I need one of you to join the R&I project task force.
Any volunteers?
If I decided to join, would that mean my workload
-would be reduced? -Of course not.
So I'll have to do all my regular work, plus extra?
Yes, that's how that works.
Ah.
(pensive music playing)
EUNJEONG: What about you, Ms. Park?
(music ends)
Can a new hire even do it?
Uh…
I mean, I haven't worked at Seyong for very long,
and I don't fully understand the company's structure yet.
I think you know it better than most, Ms. Park.
(flustered breath)
(awkward chuckle)
(chuckles)
I guess, if I'm allowed to, then I'll join the force.
"An approach to moving on from hierarchical organization
where one person holds all the authority
to one where individuals can use their own best judgment to make decisions
and adapt to quick changes and flexible schedules."
(sucks teeth)
Hmm.
(smacks lips)
Sounds good, right?
-Yes. -Yeah.
(sighs) All right, so…
Who wants it?
(comical music playing)
(inhales) Oh, sorry,
I have to attend a ceremony for college product testers.
Wow, that's over already?
Yeah, of course it's over. They're not in college forever.
Where are you…
(scoffs)
(music builds)
(chuckles)
You're it.
(chuckles)
YEONSUNG: Hello.
(chuckles)
Are you with the R&I?
I guess no one else is here yet.
SEUNGHEE: Yeah.
We picked names out of a hat.
-What? -HR picked names out of a hat,
and I was the unlucky one.
You know, I never get picked for prizes or good stuff…
(sighing) …I always get picked for crap like this.
I wanted to be here. I actually volunteered.
Ah…
(both giggle)
YEONSUNG: Where is everybody?
(Seunghee snorts)
YOONJO: I don't plan on leaving any time soon.
This job is exactly what I need.
It keeps me distracted from the outside world.
But, you know, you still have to see him every day.
No, I don't.
If I don't go out of my way to see him, I can ignore him pretty easily.
What? You don't work together?
Jaemin was moved to a different team,
so we never see each other anymore.
It's better this way, you know.
I need some time away from him to mend the pieces of my broken heart.
(sighs)
You just had to tell him in the break room at work, didn't you?
Ugh, I know, right?
If I was drunk, at least then I could pretend like it didn't happen.
But I don't have any excuse for this.
(gasps) Shit.
(sighs) I'm screwed.
Jaemin's on the task force.
(sighs)
Ah, at least my mentor is looking as radiant as ever.
EUN: What the hell are you talking about?
MAN: Yes, sir, the schedule's ready…
-(gasps) -Oh!
(sentimental music playing)
Oh my gosh, I didn't see you around the corner.
Sorry.
(music ends with glimmer)
Uh… he was gonna bump into you.
Yeah.
Thank you.
(sentimental music playing)
EUN (on phone): Oh, by the way.
Jaemin told me he's interested in the CCO at your company.
Do you know her?
(scoffs) Well,
Jaemin said she's the woman from Santiago.
(pop song playing)