(intro theme music playing)
EUNJEONG: Wipe those tears away.
Don't let your emotions guide your conversations.
That's the worst thing to do.
(somber music playing)
(typing)
(snorts)
Why does she have to yell at her?
You should leave.
(somber music continues)
(keyboard clacking)
(somber music continues)
(indistinct background chatter)
(sighs)
FUN KARAOKE
(fast-paced music playing)
(on microphone) ♪ Whoa-oh-whoa, whoa-oh-whoa ♪
♪ Whoa-oh-whoa-oa-oah ♪
♪ Whoa-oh-whoa, whoa-oh-whoa ♪
♪ Whoa-oh-whoa-oa-oah ♪
(both singing in Korean) ♪ The way you look at me ♪
♪ You don't need to say anything ♪
♪ I will begin to prepare ♪
♪ For our last goodbye ♪
(whooping)
(music fades out)
We're wasting time.
(Jaemin snorts)
(in English) Wanna blow off steam? Well, now's your chance, Jo.
(Yoonjo snorts)
What a jerk.
Did she really think it was okay to talk to me like that?
(scoffs)
Hey, is that all you got?
Dig into her.
Bitch. She's a bitch.
Who the hell does she think she is?
Mmm, all right.
(snorts) That's better.
I have eight years of experience.
Yet, I'm treated like a newbie?
Seriously.
I know I was hired because of my experience,
wasn't I?
The special recruitment was super competitive, right?
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
(sighs)
You know what? I'm gonna show her.
I'm gonna put my best foot forward and really stick it to her!
(sighs)
I just… (sighs)
Why do I cry so easily?
I can't hold it in.
I can't stop it, even if I wanted to.
And that just makes me feel worse.
It's healthy to cry when you're upset.
(sentimental music playing)
When you cry, you shouldn't beat yourself up about it, Jo.
We cry when we laugh, we cry when we're sad,
and we cry when we need to.
That's a nice quote, where's it from?
My brain.
Yeah, I'm good.
(inhales deeply)
(sighs)
(karaoke machine selection tapping)
(on microphone) Ah, ah.
(clears throat)
"AN ORDINARY DAY"
(music stops abruptly)
(remote control clatters)
If you dare cut me off again, I will kill you.
(karaoke machine selection tapping)
(heavy music playing)
"LET'S RIDE A HORSE"
JAEMIN (singing in Korean): ♪ That's how life is ♪
-(yells) ♪ Shut up! ♪ -♪ Shut up! ♪
(both singing indistinctly)
♪ My fellow soldiers, for my country ♪
♪ I'd risk my life ♪
(silence)
(uplifting music playing)
(inhales and exhales deeply)
(uplifting music swells)
(in English) Good morning.
Oh, uh, yeah.
Good morning.
Good morning, everyone.
(music fades out)
EUNJEONG: Ms. Yoonjo Park?
Yes, I'm coming.
Here's the schedule for our upcoming events.
And please call HR as soon as possible to get your computer set up.
They'll just take their sweet time if you don't.
Thanks.
SPECIAL RECRUITMENT ACCEPTED CANDIDATES / PR SCHEDULE
(light gasp)
(whimsical music playing)
YOONJO: Nice to meet you all.
I'm Yoonjo Park and I recently joined PR Team Three,
management strategies division. Yeah.
What was your reasoning behind applying for the special recruitment position
at Seyong?
I followed my ambition.
I wanted to work for a major corporation and create my own brand from scratch.
Many have found your past experience unusual for this position.
How do you respond,
and what got you into the PR industry in the first place?
I attended a technical high school,
uh, I worked as a librarian right after graduation…
um, and I worked there for three to four years.
After that, I had a different kind of job.
MALE PHOTOGRAPHER: Ms. Park.
Oh, good afternoon.
It's very nice to meet you.
-Should I sit here? -PHOTOGRAPHER: Yes. Let's get started.
Perfect. Just like that.
(shutter clicking)
Look at me.
(shutter clicking)
More like… more like this?
PHOTOGRAPHER: Perfect. You look great.
Hold this, please.
Smile.
(shutter clicking)
PHOTOGRAPHER: We just have to go through them.
YOONJO: Thank you so much.
(giggles)
Oh, hold on, go back one… go back one.
What do you think about this one?
Oh, yeah, it looks nice.
Yeah, that one's good.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Let's mark that one down and keep going.
Just let me know if you see a picture you like.
Wait, go back to the last one.
-This one? -Yeah.
-Mark it, please. -It looks good.
What do you…
Wh-what do you think?
Huh… Yeah, they look good.
Yep, that's good.
They're all good.
PHOTOGRAPHER: She did a really great job.
(Yoonjo's tired sigh)
Hey.
I've been working my ass off all day, and this is all I get?
Call the labor office, then.
(irritated sigh)
I'll probably get fired before I can.
Nah, they won't fire you this early.
There's no need to worry.
(lips smack, deep inhale)
Why are you making a big deal out of these meal boxes? What'd I get?
(gasps)
Whoa.
You got me eel?
How's yours? Hmm?
Hey, you know I don't like eel.
It tastes so weird.
(scoffs)
(excitedly) Mmm…
-(Yoonjo chuckles) -(gentle music playing)
JAEMIN: Eat like this to build up strength.
Every day's gonna be tiring.
I know what my job entails, Jaemin.
(Jaemin inhales)
YOONJO: Mmm.
Let me know if it's too much for you.
(chewing)
What do you mean?
I'll be there if you need someone to talk to.
Why do you think people seek therapy to improve their mental health?
Because they don't know someone who can help them.
(chewing)
NO QUALIFICATIONS BLIND RECRUITMENT NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOMING CEREMONY
WE SUPPORT THE DREAMS AND PASSIONS OF SEYONG'S FUTURE LEADERS
(upbeat pop song playing)
2022 NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOMING CEREMONY
(indistinct chatter)
Hi, welcome.
Nice to meet you.
(song fades)
(knocking on door)
(door shuts)
Welcome.
Ma'am.
(Jihyeon chuckles)
Keeping things professional?
Yes. We are at work.
(approvingly) Hmm.
JIHYEON: Get us some tea.
SECRETARY HONG: Yes, ma'am.
(sighs)
So, how is your hotel?
Fine. It's fine, I suppose.
Mmm. Why not live there? I could use a friend who lives close by.
(laughs)
You know, we weren't exactly…
the best of friends.
Bringing that up…
Yijung,
have you seen Eunseok?
(suspenseful music playing)
It's been quite some time.
I have no reason to.
All right, he is your ex-husband, after all.
And you have a daughter.
How old is she? Do you have plans to see her while you're here?
-Ms. Lim. -Ugh…
I hired you specifically so we could chat from time to time.
I was hired for chit-chat?
(snorts)
That's what he believes, the…
vice president.
She is a consultant with ESG.
ESG: ABBREVIATION OF ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE,
THE NON-FINANCIAL ELEMENTS IN CORPORATIONS
ESG SPECIALIST, YIJUNG GOO
GUYOUNG: ESG?
Well, it's my belief that she was brought in simply as a consultant.
(inhales deeply)
CEO can be a lonely position.
Maybe she brought her in to talk to her.
YEONSOO (chuckles): Yeah.
(chuckles)
(music fades out)
Well, you should get ready, sir.
-Oh, you're right. (chuckles) -Yes.
YOUNGHO: You're the only guy, so you sit in the middle.
All right. There.
Sit down, sit down.
-Can I see the list of reporters? -Sure.
SUNTAE: You contacted them, right?
Yeah, but I haven't heard back from Y News. There.
SUNTAE: Jesus, why aren't they here yet?
(whispers) Hey.
Smile.
(giggles)
(loud footstep)
(audience murmuring)
(solemn music playing)
Oh.
(audience continues murmuring)
This is the head of PR Team 2.
Suntae Song, ma'am.
The head of PR Team 1.
I'm Youngho Choi.
-And PR Team 3. -Nice to meet you, my name is Eunjeong Ji.
Pleasure to meet you, I'm Yijung Goo.
SUNTAE: Oh, it's an honor. Nice to meet you.
(music swells, then fades)
WE SUPPORT THE DREAMS AND PASSIONS OF SEYONG'S FUTURE LEADERS
NO QUALIFICATIONS! BLIND RECRUITMENT
This project, whose idea was it?
Oh, uh…
(whispers) Hey, Jaemin.
This is the man who came up with the recruitment project
and the one we've put in charge of it.
I'm Jaemin Ryu from PR Team 2.
(chuckles)
Are you under the impression that this event would be good for publicity?
It takes time and effort…
(tense music playing)
…but it doesn't seem to be very effective.
This needs to refresh Seyong's image.
-Correct? -Yes.
This is kind of stuffy for an event, don't you think? (chuckles)
Especially for a one-off.
(flustered sigh)
Then we should plan to make it a regular thing.
(tense music builds)
In Korea, there's a contest for best practices for fair employment
held by the Ministry of Employment and Labor every year.
Although most participants are government offices,
it still proves
that our society
wants fair and unbiased employment
based on one's ability.
-Yearly? -Yes.
You want us to do that?
(tense music continues)
-That sounds great, no? -YIJUNG: No.
-That's not what I'm saying. -SECRETARY HONG: Ms. Goo.
The minister is speaking with the vice president right now.
Would you like to join them?
Yes, I would.
SECRETARY HONG: Perfect, right this way.
SUNTAE: Great.
(impressed exhale)
SEUNGHEE: Blahbla?
CHULJUN: Mmm-hmm.
Nothing interesting, though.
It's very quiet.
SEUNGHEE: Honestly, I don't understand why they're having us check that page.
Do we have to manage their posts, too?
(whispering) Well then, work somewhere else.
(laughs)
Mm, I'm going to.
Huh?
I'd much rather be working in sales.
It's hard to get promoted in PR.
Wow, go you.
Please stop seeing my sister.
(comical music playing)
You're not getting back together, right?
I doubt she wants to remarry.
I just go whenever she calls me.
You what? Are you serious?
Yes, she won't stop calling me.
Take it up with her.
She only calls you when she's drunk, you know.
You need to say no to her.
Why should I?
I'm lonely too.
(whispers) Why did I set them up in the first place?
-Ugh. -(music ends)
SUNTAE: Dinner's on me.
What?
SUNTAE: I can't tell if you're happy or not.
Yes, sounds great.
Since we have new employees,
the director wants our teams to do bonding exercises.
But didn't we already have a welcoming ceremony?
(gasps)
Bonding exercises sound fun!
(scoffs)
CHULJUN: Team dinner, got it?
What restaurant, though?
Pretty sure he heard me…
EUNJEONG: Team 3.
Team 3.
Who can attend our team dinner tonight?
(comical music playing)
EUNJEONG: What about you two?
I can't, I have a thing tonight.
My mother is sick, so I made an appointment to go see her
at the hospital.
Mm…
And you, Heo?
(sickly) I could go, I guess.
You know, if you're feeling sick,
-don't go. -(sniffles)
And get a shower! You smell.
'Kay.
With you two busy, we'll just do a lunch tomorrow, instead.
Great.
Oh?
Ah!
It's you. Yes!
(chuckles) I'm Chuljun Maeng.
Manager Chuljun Maeng.
Yeah. (chuckles)
Dinnertime. We're off! (chuckles)
Bye.
Hi.
(clears throat)
Hey, don't you have a team dinner tonight?
We're doing a team lunch tomorrow, instead.
Why?
Well, one made up a story about her mother in a hospital,
and the other, got told to go home and shower.
(sighs) It's a shame, it would've been a lot of fun.
Yeah?
Oh.
How about you join us tonight, then?
(light gasp)
Is that allowed?
No, it's not.
Shit, really?
Well…
I doubt you'd wanna have a drink with Mr. Song, you know?
Ugh…
I didn't think about that.
(clicks tongue and inhales)
It's too bad.
You're the only person I know who might enjoy a team dinner.
(inhales)
Siljang enjoyed them, too.
(comical music playing)
At PR Joa, we used to go--
All right, really good work today, Ms. Park.
Have a good night.
(giggles)
Thanks, you too, Mr. Ryu. Get home safe.
(giggles)
JAEMIN: Let's go.
-Have a good night. -(giggles)
-JAEMIN: Come on. -(yelps)
(heavy footsteps leaving)
Maeng…
MS. KIM HEEYOUNG
YOONJO: Do you have any plans tonight? I'm free.
(sighs)
CHULJUN: All right, what do you want to eat?
-JAEMIN: Get whatever, I don't care. -HUGIL: Whatever you want is fine.
CHULJUN: Then let's get pork belly.
-Pork belly? That place there? -Go!
-CHULJUN: Yeah, that's the one. -All right.
CHULJUN: The food is really cheap.
(upbeat music playing)
(messenger vibrating)
HEEYOUNG: Yeah, I do.
YOONJO: Hey! Can you meet up for dinner?
EUN: If we get spicy noodles.
(all gulping)
(refreshed exhales)
(glasses clanking)
(Seunghee sighs)
(slurred) Why do you still work for Seyong?
Do you think you're gonna get rich or something?
I'm not being acknowledged for my hard work.
I should be promoted to CEO.
(Hugil sighs)
She's ambitious.
Or delusional.
(scoffs) What?
(sighs)
Seriously?
Only one percent of employees become executives.
Do you understand how hard that is? It's nearly impossible.
Largely for women.
Our CEO's a woman.
Gender doesn't matter to the higher-ups.
HUGIL: No, Chuljun, that's not true.
If Ms. Eunjeong was a man, she would already be CEO,
not some team chief.
That's right! That's what's wrong with Seyong!
They force us to exercise.
Even Seyong is changing.
The new CCO is a woman!
She's just someone Ms. Lim knew personally.
There has never been a woman who started from the very bottom
and worked her way up to the top, you know?
And I'm gonna be the first one!
You can't yell at your boss at the dinner table.
(glass thuds)
What's that?
(indistinct electronic speech)
YouTube?
(sighs)
Looks like we've all given up trying.
You're watching a video by yourself right now.
You guys are boring me. You keep repeating the same things.
CHULJUN: Okay.
If this is boring, then let's order another round of drinks.
-That's mine. -(sharp inhale) Nah-ah-ah.
You're all coming?
-I'll invite Eunjeong. -(sniffs) Hm?
-Are you serious? -Mmm-hmm.
(Seunghee groans)
(frantic music playing)
CHULJUN: Yeah.
(whispers) Mr. Jin didn't invite her?
Both Song and Choi are there, right?
(whispers) They're at a hostess club, so why would they invite her?
HUGIL: Also, did Team 3 finish their dinner?
No, they're having lunch tomorrow instead.
Really?
Wow, I guess young people really like their lunches.
No team dinner for them.
Man, that sounds really nice.
Hey. Transfer me to Team 3.
You transfer me first.
Oh, by the way…
(sucks teeth)
I said before I have a nose for sniffing out affairs.
And… I think you got the hots for that new girl.
(Seunghee chokes and coughs)
(Chuljun laughs)
What? Too direct?
Where did that even come from?
Jaemin has bad taste.
And she's above that taste.
She's pretty cute.
There you go, judging her by her appearance.
How would you like it if someone told you you looked like a dick?
(laughs in disbelief)
Do I look like a dick?
No, you're just ugly.
Tell me, Jaemin, what is your ideal type?
Specifically Mr. and Mrs. Smith's Angelina Jolie.
Oh, come on.
All right, I'm heading out.
If you want to go for another round, Mr. Song gave me this.
(loud rhythmic clapping)
(laughs)
Oh, oh, oh, you can go, but look what I got.
-HUGIL: Really? That's disgusting. -CHULJUN: Here.
Come on, my pants are clean.
Right. One more round.
PS BANK, CORPORATE CARD, SEYONG
(grill crackling)
(gulping)
(sliding door opens)
RESTAURANT OWNER: Have a good night.
HEEYOUNG: Oh!
(laughs boisterously)
(Yijung sighs)
HEEYOUNG: So,
can you believe how long it's been since we last saw each other?
Can't you at least pretend like you're happy to see me?
-Come on! -I am, though. I am.
(chuckles)
(soft gasp) I like this place.
It hasn't changed. Even a little.
-It's like time stands still. -(giggles)
We used to come here to get hammered when we were reporters.
You remember?
Hey, wait, you can't start drinking without me. Come on!
I really needed that drink.
HEEYOUNG: Uh-huh.
Hey.
Why did you call me here in the first place,
if you're gonna drink without me, huh?
How have you been?
All right.
(chuckles)
It's been an eventful couple of years for me,
bumming around and doing my thing.
(chuckles)
So what brings you here?
I thought you'd never come back.
Well… (sighs)
I guess I'm just tired.
In the US, despite my achievements,
I'm… still an outsider.
I don't fit in.
(gentle music playing)
HEEYOUNG: So you're here to decompress a bit.
(inhales)
I understand returning to Korea. (sighs)
But why do you want to work at Seyong?
That place is gonna kill you.
Mm… Yeah?
(sighs) Forget that.
It's the perfect place, actually. There, you'll kill some time.
Well, I'm happy to see you, huh?
Dammit. Yijung Goo came to visit me. I can't believe it.
I should be honored, right? Well, here.
YIJUNG: I couldn't get a hold of most of my old friends.
HEEYOUNG: Really? (chuckles)
Then I guess the honor is yours!
-YIJUNG: Hey, bottoms up. -HEEYOUNG: Bottoms up.
-YIJUNG: I'm honored. -HEEYOUNG: Oh. (laughs)
FITNESS TRAINER (on video): Let's start with some warm-up exercises.
Raise your knee to a 90-degree angle
and bring it to your opposite hand as you cross.
Try to be light with your movements.
(both panting rhythmically)
-What's this? -I ate too much. Now I can't breathe.
I'm gonna puke.
(both resume panting)
(electronic music song playing)
And this is helping?
(gagging) Don't make me talk, I will puke.
Yeah, close your mouth.
I think something just came out.
(blows air)
(Yoonjo and Eun continue panting)
JAEMIN: I'm taking this.
Uh-oh.
I think something's bothering him.
(panting)
YOONJO: Hey.
Go have a smoke. Go find out what's going on with him.
-Come on. -Huh? But I don't want to.
Go.
-EUN: Uh… -Go.
-Go… -TRAINER: Put your hands on your hips
and stand with your legs wide apart. Bring your sh--
(lighter clicks)
(clicking continues)
(sighs and clicks tongue)
Hey.
I thought you quit smoking.
(sighs, muffled) I did.
Jae, is something wrong?
(inhales)
(exhales deeply)
I don't know.
What?
Don't wanna talk?
(somber music playing)
Truth is, I want to. (sighs)
I just…
EUN (overdramatic sigh): Really?
You're being weirder than normal tonight.
Um, what's up?
(huffs)
Do you two really need to start smoking again right now?
Are you talking about your old love lives?
"Old love lives"? Who says that?
(affirmative) Mm-hm.
(comical music playing)
What? Really?
Your old love life with who?
-I don't have to tell you anything. -We're playing the truth game.
What? You mean now?
Yeah, it's always more fun when it comes out of nowhere.
-Right? -Oh yeah, totally. It's more fun this way.
-Mm-hmm. -EUN: Yeah.
(whimsical music playing)
Where did I first meet her?
Santiago.
(Eun sucks teeth)
Really? When you were in Santiago?
JAEMIN: You're asking?
EUN: Well, you phrased it kinda weird.
Right out of the military. Next.
But how did you meet her?
Bumped into her, there on the street.
(Eun sucks teeth)
Details.
It was raining.
We stayed at the same hotel.
And I fell in love.
(Eun sucks teeth)
Ugh, so pretentious. That sounds made up.
Yeah, it is. He did make it up.
-Hey, aren't you gonna answer? -(Eun clicks tongue)
You already know everything about us.
Yeah, that's true.
-You've never dated anyone long-term. -Neither have you.
Mine were longer.
(Eun scoffs)
You go out with every guy who likes you and you always dump them.
My feelings for them wouldn't grow. It's the right thing to do.
Did you even like those guys at first, when you dated them?
Oh, well, they were nice, for sure.
But what kept you from connecting with them, though?
(sighs) I wonder the same thing.
I wish I had the answers.
It's because you've only dated idiots.
YOONJO: Hey.
Maybe you don't know
what it really feels like to be in love.
All right. You know what it feels like?
(scoffs) Sure. I've felt true love.
What is it like?
You just feel it
every time you look them in the eyes.
(sentimental music playing)
It's just this feeling you get.
I can't explain it.
You have someone you love?
(sentimental music builds)
And is it me?
(chuckles)
(gulping)
If it is?
Well, then what?
(sentimental music builds)
(laughs)
Wait, Eun, look at his face! Wow. He looks like a frightened child!
I guess… now that I think about it, that's kinda mean.
You know, you should be grateful that someone like me said she liked you, no?
Yeah, I'm really friggin' grateful.
My heart is on fire. It really feels like it's gonna explode.
-Shit. -(chuckles)
In that case…
What do you think?
Wanna go out?
I'm sorry, Jo.
My answer's no. Is that okay?
(sighs)
What don't you like about me? Could you at least tell me why?
Oh, for fuck's sake.
Yoonjo…
No, we're just not compatible, you know?
I'm heading out.
I can go, right?
(chair dragging)
Wait. Jaemin, can I ask you one last thing before you take off?
Ugh, make it quick. I just wanna go home and get to bed.
You haven't dated anyone since then.
Is it
because of her?
(soft dramatic music playing)
-(glass thuds) -(inhales)
(sighs) Good night.
Hey, pull it together.
So, uh, what was his answer?
Was that a yes?
(annoyed sigh)
Forget it.
(glasses clanking)
Can you… (sighs)
Look, you need to either tell him how you feel
or get over him and move on already.
It's been years now!
You just… ugh.
Hey, it's nothing like that!
-(sighs) -It's not that serious.
If I still had feelings for him,
don't you think I would've been devastated when he said we weren't compatible?
I saw the tears in your eyes.
-What are you talking about? -(sighs)
I'm leaving.
-Hey. -What?
You're one to talk.
(door opens)
(door shuts)
(somber ballad song playing)
(male vocals singing)
(song builds)
(song fades out)
YOOJIN, I'M BACK IN KOREA
YOU DIDN'T ANSWER YOUR PHONE, SO I'M LEAVING YOU A MESSAGE
PLEASE CALL ME WHEN YOU CAN
(sighs)
(crowd chatter)
(Yoojin sighs)
EUNSEOK: Long day?
Uh-huh.
-Let's go. -Okay.
I thought you said you were busy tonight.
Mmm, I'm supposed to be.
But I'd much rather spend that time chatting with my daughter, you know?
(Yoojin scoffs)
(messenger vibrating)
YIJUNG: Are you free? Can I call you right now?
(sighs)
(dramatic music playing)
What? What's that face?
Is something wrong?
YOOJIN: No. It's spam.
I keep getting the same messages.
Ah, spam.
How about we make Spam tonight?
(chuckles)
No, I want fish.
Uh…
Some tuna.
(sighs) Yoojin, you always like expensive stuff.
What's wrong with tuna?
It's just a bit expensive. "Salmon" had to say it.
(laughs)
Ugh, not the dad jokes! Ugh.
Hey, are you all right? You tired or something?
(yawning)
Good morning, everyone!
(upbeat music playing)
SEYONG NO QUALIFICATIONS!
(on video) Nice to meet you all. I am Yoonjo Park,
and I recently joined PR Team 3, the management strategies division. Yeah!
I spent several years working for a PR agency
and when I heard that Seyong offered a special recruitment opportunity,
where all I needed was a portfolio of my work,
I understood that this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I applied.
(indistinct chatter)
(upbeat music builds)
(on video) I worked as a librarian right after graduation…
um, and I worked there for three to four years.
After that, I had a different kind of job with a company that printed newsletters.
I was hired as a bookkeeper there, as well,
but they were so short-staffed, I ended up writing their articles.
That's when I began my career in Public Relations.
SPECIAL RECRUITMENT ACCEPTED CANDIDATES / PR SCHEDULE
PR DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT MANAGER YOONJO PARK
CNS HUMANITY DOCUMENTARY COMPANION / GUEST APPEARANCE
(sighs)
(Chuljun's exaggerated sigh)
Does anyone know why Ms. Park has a documentary scheduled?
Mr. Song set it up, and Seunghee asked for it.
Why wasn't I informed?
Dunno. Kinda weird, though.
Seunghee didn't tell you?
(sighs)
Ms. Park pushed against it, but they're still hounding her to do it.
(clicking on mouse)
Who even watches these documentaries?
(straining)
The higher-ups.
(whooshes)
Oh.
Good morning. How are you, Ms. Eunjeong?
Hi.
Ms. Eunjeong, would you like some coffee?
-Ms. Park. -Yeah?
Is it your job to make me coffee?
No, now get to work.
And I don't drink coffee.
Caffeine gives me heart palpitations.
(snickers)
I drink coffee.
I take mine with two creams, two sugars.
Instant coffee mix.
(laughs)
-Oof. -Thank you.
Can't you ask someone on your own team? I work for Ms. Eunjeong.
(comical music playing)
(scoffs)
EUNJEONG: What brings you here, Mr. Song?
Mmm, right.
I heard Ms. Yoonjo
rejected the offer to appear in the documentary.
I was just wondering
if she gave you any reason as to why she declined such a wonderful opportunity.
I thought it was within my rights to say no.
Yeah, yeah, of course. If that's your decision, sure.
Go ahead. (chuckles)
But why though, huh?
Um, I'm not sure if you know,
but a documentary like this isn't offered to everyone.
Besides, it's for a good cause.
They're saying you're the hope of this country, Ms. Yoonjo Park.
(anxious sigh)
(tense music playing)
Why don't you leave the decision to us?
You didn't have to come all the way over here for this.
I came all the way here to shake some sense into you,
Ms. Eunjeong.
(sighs)
Oh, is she just too busy with work?
Are you doing work right now, huh? Is that why you can't be in it?
I'd like to see her schedule.
(document slams)
The point of my appearance in the documentary
is to change the company's image.
To gain a new audience.
Instead of the documentary,
I could do an interview with a popular YouTuber,
so we could extend our reach to people in their twenties.
Most of the people who watch CNS interview documentaries
are in our fifties, which isn't our target group.
If we find a YouTube Channel that specializes in highlighting careers,
I could give an in-depth interview and strengthen our brand.
(tense music intensifies)
Hmm.
That's not gonna work.
When you work for us,
there are certain protocols you have to follow, you understand?
-But-- -EUNJEONG: Mr. Song.
As important as this is, we can discuss it later.
We have a meeting, so let's go.
(heavy footsteps)
(tense music playing)
(chuckles)
EUNJEONG: So she has to do the documentary?
-(scoffs) -Does she have a reason not to?
Huh?
They always reject our offers, even if we promise to cover all expenses,
but they finally agreed this time.
Be honest with me. Who are you doing this for?
The VP?
We all have the same objective here.
(sighs) We're working her too hard.
What's that?
-I'm not forcing her into this. -Fine, then I will.
She's on my team.
Last I checked, I outrank you.
(music fades)
JIHYO: Oh, they're here.
Mr. Seo.
(under breath) Hi.
JIHYO: Ms. Eunjeong will be here soon, she's still in a meeting.
-This way. -DONGHOON: Right.
-Mr. Seo? -Right.
-Hey, Ms. Shin. -Yes?
Who's in charge of the Celltics project?
I am.
(chuckles) I'm just kidding, though I wish I was.
-Ms. Eunjeong is handling it. -Ah.
EARTH COMM EMPLOYEE: Ms. Eunjeong is in charge of that too?
She's amazing.
(giggles)
(sentimental music playing)
DONGHOON: I'd like to take you out for dinner,
whenever you're available.
Wherever you'd like to go.
Millennials and Gen Z tend to strive for accomplishing a lot
in a very short period of time.
-Unfortunately, that often leads to… -YOONJO: Okay. How does beef sound?
…a lack of focus or attention that often affects their work in a negative way…
(sentimental music continues)
(sighs) I'm sorry.
EUNJEONG: Fine. Um…
Well, it affects their everyday lives,
for example, finding it difficult to concentrate on work for…
(music fades out)
JAEMIN: Hello.
(sipping)
MANAGER MAENG CHULJUN
CHULJUN: Where are you?
This one?
(affirmative) Mmm.
JAEMIN: Break Room.
You got any plans after work?
Why?
Do you have movie tickets or something?
Mm-hmm.
They re-released Christmas in August.
(scoffs)
So what?
-JAEMIN: Thank you. -(panting)
On Blahbla,
they exposed the unqualified girl.
(panting continues)
(dire music playing)
Uh…
Oh…
FEMALE BLAHBLA USER 1: The execs are lying
about hiring employees through a blind screening.
I've heard rumors that they hired specific people as a publicity stunt.
FEMALE USER 2: Something about that seemed off.
MALE USER 1: Seyong's changing their image.
They did all this shit to hire that one woman.
Thank you.
(indistinct chatter)
MALE USER 2: Does that woman even have any qualifications?
FEMALE USER 3: This is one of the dumbest, most transparent attempts
to pander to Gen Z that I've ever seen.
MALE USER 2: Can't wait for Seyong to file for bankruptcy
in a few months.
FEMALE USER 4: I've heard she's not even a real employee.
MALE USER 3: Yeah, I think she's just some actor…
FEMALE USER 4: She'll be gone when this PR stunt flops.
FEMALE USER 5: If she has no qualifications,
then she should work in a factory.
FEMALE USER 6: Is there any proof that they voted her in?
-MALE USER 4: Did any of you vote? -MALE USER 5: I didn't.
FEMALE USER 7: Wait, WTF, then how did she get hired?
FEMALE USER 8: Guys, we need to be careful.
Someone might report our posts and get us in trouble.
CHULJUN: The first post about the recruitment was made at 3:10.
Now, it's 3:45.
Jesus, there are so many posts already.
(Seunghee sighs)
CHULJUN: I've never seen so many people this angry.
(Jaemin sighs)
I think we need to go over the facts first, right?
The higher-ups did put the blind screening to a vote
and selected Park…
at least I think they did.
(ominous music playing)
You think?
They had to.
I mean, they had to have, right?
Did they? I don't know.
Where is Mr. Song?
He's out right now with the editor of Daeguk Daily,
drinking with Hugil.
We need to verify everything.
(sighs)
(ringing tone)
No answer? Of course.
He doesn't usually check his phone when he's out,
especially when he's getting hammered.
(sighs)
Where did you say they were?
The octopus place.
(hurried footsteps leaving)
IS THERE ANYONE WHO VOTED?
I ASKED THE OTHERS BUT NOBODY SAID THEY VOTED
THERE ARE A LOT OF COMMENTS, BUT MOST SEEM TO SAY NO
THERE ARE WAY MORE WHO DIDN'T VOTE, WHY WAS SHE EVEN PICKED?
(ominous music builds)
(laughing)
(whispers) My God.
(stifled laugh)
(music fades out)
(sighs)
What?
Read these posts from Blahbla.
IT'S A BIG FAT LIE THAT THE EMPLOYEES HIRED THEM THROUGH BLIND SCREENING
We've had similar posts on the company website popping up, as well.
Well, if we ignore them,
that'd look bad.
Ugh.
Look, we'll need to put out a statement.
Tell them they're wrong, that they chose the new employees themselves,
and call it done. Hmm?
Write up that statement and give it to HR.
Tell them to post it on the company website when we get off.
We have to fix this fast.
Around when we leave?
(affirmative) Mmm.
What?
You've done this before.
We have to cover this up quickly before word gets out.
SUNTAE: Didn't you read her resume?
She's worked in digital PR.
EUNJEONG: You have to take her!
Honestly, I think you pushed for that underqualified kid to get hired
-for diversity. -(yells) Stop!
Listen, this should be her only work.
She's supposed to be the face of the special recruitment.
That's what she's here for. That's why we hired her.
If people keep questioning whether or not she's qualified,
it'll be bad for both her and the company.
We need to put a stop to this, for her sake and ours.
(tense music playing)
Get going.
Hold on.
Are those posts true?
(restaurant door shuts)
(somber music playing)
ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SPECIAL RECRUITMENT
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE RECENT FALSE RUMORS…
EUNJEONG: Well, I guess it's not too bad overall.
Good first effort.
-The only issue I have is-- -JIHYO: Have a good night, Ms. Eunjeong.
EUNJEONG: Bye.
The only issue I have is that the focus is a bit unclear.
What's your priority?
Maybe you should emphasize this part and get rid of this section.
-HYUK: This part? -EUNJEONG: Yes.
-HYUK: Okay, thanks. -EUNJEONG: Sure.
And…
Oh, should I use this space to build off my previous point?
EUNJEONG: Yeah, I think that would be a good idea.
-This part is the priority. -HYUK: Sure.
-I'll see you tomorrow. -Okay.
You could use more images. Audiences respond well to that.
HYUK: Okay.
NOTICE: ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SPECIAL RECRUITMENT
JAEMIN (whispers): Don't you think it's a little short?
You cut out half of it.
YEONSUNG: I was told to make it clear, short and to the point.
(Chuljun sighs)
This is gonna make things worse.
Oh, no. They'll think they're trying to hide it,
sending their statement at the end of the day like this.
(sighs)
(indistinct chatter)
-MAN 1: Sorry. -WOMAN 1: Let me through.
-MAN 2: Excuse me. -WOMAN 2: Get out of the way.
MAN 3: Excuse me. Sorry.
WOMAN 3: Excuse me.
-Whoa, hey! -MAN 4: Come on!
(passengers clamoring)
WOMAN 4: Let me pass.
(door signal warbling)
MAN 5: Get out of the way.
(somber music playing)
FEMALE BLAHBLA USER 9: We didn't vote for that girl,
the higher-ups brought her in.
Crazy, right? My friend told me about it.
Someone posted about the PR team leaders arguing over the recruitment pick.
Apparently, that was true.
None of them wanted her, so she got dumped on the digital team by the VP.
MALE USER 6: Yeah, I figured as much.
MALE USER 7: Guess those online classes paid off.
FEMALE USER 10: The truth always comes out in the end.
Her days are numbered.
(music fades out)
"DOES SEYONG HIRE EMPLOYEES FOR PUBLICITY?"
MALE EMPLOYEE 1: Why did I waste four years of my life on college?
MALE EMPLOYEE 2: Yeah, when you could've just sat on your ass
and took classes online, right?
MALE EMPLOYEE 1: It's crazy, all that money wasted down the drain.
That girl in PR was hired by the VP!
Yeah, I heard that too. It's insane.
FEMALE EMPLOYEE 1: I heard the team leaders fought
to avoid putting her on their team.
Seriously, what is this place coming to?
FEMALE EMPLOYEE 1: Tell me about it.
This place is falling apart.
I mean, we should not have to do the same job
if our hiring credentials were that different.
Ugh, my phone has been ringing all morning.
They're like goddamn parasites, sucking this story dry.
(clicks tongue) Uh, hello?
-Yes, that's right. -Yes.
-Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. -Well, that's…
-SEUNGHEE: Ah, yes, I understand. -Oh, where did you see that?
-(laughs) That's not true. -As far as we know, all of that
was made up by an unknown source.
CHULJUN: It's just a mishap and we're fixing it right now.
-That's not true. -SEUNGHEE: Speaking of which…
Our official statement is on our company website.
-We've already made our statement. -I mean…
-It's in our statement. -What more do you want from us?
Look, I understand that you're trying to report what you know,
but the wording needs to change.
Yes, thank you very much.
-CHULJUN: I'm sorry, hello? Hello? -SEUNGHEE: Bye.
-Hello? Hello? -(hanging-up beep)
(inhales)
God!
Which one of you started all this, huh?
Who's the "friend in PR" who did all this?
And where the hell is Jaemin? Is he the one to blame?
-(phones ringing) -I don't think so.
-HUGIL: Shit. -(groans)
-Hi? Hello? -Seyong PR.
JIHYO: All this mess over hiring one wrong person?
MALE CHATTER 1: I can hear their phones ringing from here.
FEMALE CHATTER 1: It's probably like hell in the office.
MALE CHATTER 1: "Seyong's controversial recruitment
becomes a hot topic online."
Oh, my God. It's on the news now.
Will Seyong finally make the front page?
JIHYO: All of this could've been avoided if they didn't hire that bitch.
You know, I can see that you're writing about me.
(gasps) Don't look at my computer.
Then try to be more discreet.
(Jihyo scoffs)
You're the worst.
Ugh, I can't.
HEAD OF PR
BYUNGMAN: Listen.
Ms. Yeonsoo is very upset about all of this.
This situation's become public.
It's in the paper the vice president reads every day!
People are calling it a "diversity hire."
What are we gonna do?
You hired that unqualified woman,
so how do we fix this, then?
Please, Mr. Byungman, don't call her… unqualified.
I'm just calling her what everyone else is, Eunjeong.
(tense music playing)
-(Eunjeong sighs) -Why aren't you saying anything?
Do you have any ideas?
(awkward inhale)
Just one employee.
This is all because of one employee.
(seething)
And as such…
I think we should fire her.
(tense music continues)
"DOES SEYONG HIRE EMPLOYEES FOR PUBLICITY?"
EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY REACHES "BOILING POINT"
"IS HAVING NO QUALIFICATIONS A QUALIFICATION?"
ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN SEYONG'S RECRUITMENT
I THOUGHT THEY ONLY HIRED HIGHLY-QUALIFIED PEOPLE
IT'S THE HIGHER-UPS WHO HIRED THAT GIRL…
(music fades out)
(flustered muttering)
Hello.
(sighs)
(suspenseful music playing)
(suspenseful music swells)
(music fades out)
(gloomy music playing)
ALL CHARACTERS, INCIDENTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND SETTINGS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS.