Original subtitles

[theme song playing]

TYPHOON FAMILY

[Seon-taek grunting]

Where's my IOU?

My promissory note.

[Seon-taek whimpers]

I can't find it.

AUGUST 1989

[Seon-taek] It's just as I told Mr. Ha, sir.

Just look, Mr. Pyo.

There was a page with records of loans right here,

so I tore it and destroyed it.

I went through everything daily

since we were at the Ulchiro office, but I couldn't find it.

That small scrap of paper can't have gone anywhere on its own, can it?

I've searched everywhere, but I still couldn't find it!

Are you sure Tae-poong doesn't have it?

Please think about it, Mr. Pyo.

We… I mean, no.

Typhoon Trading had to resort to relocating to this old place.

Let's say Tae-poong has that note.

Do you think that hotheaded kid would stay quiet?

He'd have caused a scene at your office already.

As for the money you gave me, I'll make sure to return it to you.

I wasn't in my right mind when I accepted it.

Uh…

-[Manager Ha] Here. -Goodness.

HANAM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL FUNERAL HOME

I can't accept this.

Please don't put me on the spot like this.

I heard your husband's business is struggling.

I'm saying that I don't know anything about that promissory note you're after.

We won't make the same offer again.

-All right, then-- -Wait!

Could I have some time to think about it?

My financial situation is… Well, it's in terrible shape.

I swear I'll return every penny.

I've done enough, haven't I?

It's about time you gave up, all right?!

What's the matter?

I hear your husband's business went under.

Does it feel like it's all over now? You thought wrong.

You have your kid.

That kid should get to finish school, right?

-What are you-- -Stop squealing and find my note.

-Then we're all good. -What do you…

What are you saying?

Why are you even mentioning my child?

[wailing] Why are you dragging my kid into this?

Why would you mention my baby?!

[sobbing]

Find it.

That's all I need.

[Seon-taek continues sobbing]

-[whimpering] -[door opens and closes]

[sobbing]

[whimpering]

[wailing]

You're so sweet, Mi-ja. [laughs fondly]

[sighs wearily] My goodness.

[groans] Mi-ja, could you teach Beom how to clean up his things?

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER GREEN MOTHERS' CLUB DUTIES NOTICE

Make sure to teach him, okay?

Oh, dear.

-What are you doing? -Hi.

I'm reviewing the ledgers from the old office.

[Jeong-mi] Mmm.

Look at this, Mom.

[gasps] My gosh.

This must have been taken on the day he signed the Ulchiro office's lease.

-They're Ms. Cha and Mr. Koo, right? -Yes.

Tae-poong.

How are you holding up?

I'm amazed you decided to move out of the office.

I'm fine.

I just feel bad for my dad and the employees.

But I badly needed that deposit to try something new.

You know what?

It's nice to have people around.

It felt like it was over for the company in the empty Ulchiro office,

but now that I can hear people breathing and conversing,

I finally feel at ease.

That's why people flock together and form a village.

People watch the television, read the newspapers,

and go to cinemas just to see how other people are doing.

-Mom. -Yes?

What do you think troubled my dad that badly?

[sighs softly]

Well…

Everyone running a business suffered greatly.

That's my point.

My dad wasn't the type

to crack under the pressure of work or losing a client, was he?

[sinister suspenseful music playing]

TYPHOON TRADING RELOCATION NOTICE

[music continues]

Man, this is just the place for Tae-poong to burrow into.

What a dump.

[wheels rattling]

[sighs heavily]

MAILBOX

TO. BAE SONG-JUNG

What's with that lady? Is she a thief or what?

-[music continues] -[Tae-poong clicking pen]

[groans softly]

There he is!

-Your food's here. -You're quick as always.

[mid-tempo synth pop music playing]

Goodness. Who ordered tangsuyuk?

[gasps] Seafood jjajangmyeon too?

-Who on earth placed this order? -Me. I know how much you love shrimp.

[chuckles]

-How much is it? -It's 24,500 won.

[Song-jung] Wait.

-Here we go. -What the… What is wrong with you?

Why would you pour the sauce all over the tangsuyuk?

-To enjoy it juicy and moist. -It'll be soggy!

How could you be so reckless?

This is unacceptable, man.

-Surely, it can't be such a big deal-- -Just look at what you've done!

-You could've asked first. -Shame on you.

[music continues]

[sighs]

MOMO'S PUB

Oh, dear.

Don't just stand there. Get in already.

Jeez.

Goodness.

[main door closes]

[Ma-jin] Have some pickled radish. I know you love them.

I can see through your tricks.

Take any more tangsuyuk, and I'll hurt you.

[coughing]

[Seon-taek] Gosh.

[music ends]

Lead an honest life, okay?

[clears throat, exhales]

Ms. Oh.

You're making me feel uncomfortable.

-What do you mean? -You keep watching me.

You even gave me a tangsuyuk piece.

Because it was the piece you dropped.

Please stop liking me so much.

[others laugh]

Oh, come on. It's not like that.

Tell him he's got it wrong.

Don't date, Ms. Oh.

Focus on your career until I find one for you.

Then, you'll marry a nice man.

[Seon-taek] No, don't get married. Enjoy your single life.

[chuckling] I'll do as you say.

[Seon-taek] That took a weight off my chest.

Why won't you tell them?

[chopsticks clatter loudly]

We're good colleagues, nothing more.

Please don't declare your love for me.

Don't order tangsuyuk until we finish collecting the coupons.

We've almost reached our goal.

[dreamy synth pop music playing]

Thank you.

I know he's not the one you like.

I mean Mr. Bae.

[music continues]

EPISODE 11 TOMORROW COMES LOVE

Give up that ridiculous green juice gig and come to work.

Look at him. Even Mr. Bae comes in daily to work with us.

I'll have you know that logistics requires a specialist.

It requires all sorts of expert knowledge.

Those with that expertise are the top assets.

Come on, now. The company can save a ton with one less employee.

[suspenseful music playing]

What's this?

Ah. I've been reviewing the old ledgers.

But why? That's random.

Isn't this…

Man, it's from almost a decade ago.

1990 ACCOUNT BOOK

If you realize you put down the wrong amount in the ledger,

how do you generally proceed?

Supposing it was either a simple error or that the order got canceled.

The golden rule was to strike it out and get the late Mr. Kang's seal.

Or we reported the discrepancies by the end of the month

and added an extra page listing the corrections later.

[Ma-jin] Why? Did you find anything useful?

Hello?

Mr. Kang?

[Tae-poong] I couldn't find it.

I mean a deal that is stable, dependable, and also lucrative.

-[music stops] -[sucks teeth] I've had no luck yet.

[Ma-jin] So that's what you're after?

Such deals don't exist. Even if they did, they'd never come our way.

If you think about it…

Government projects are still the most reliable despite all this,

but it's not easy to sign them on.

The government agencies?

[Seon-taek] The public sector deals? Forget it.

We could never handle that now. Only the large corporations do it.

Gosh, look at the time.

Oh, dear. I've got to go.

-Hey. -"Public sector deals"?

Ms. Oh, remember that appointment to visit our partner company?

Oh, right.

-[Seon-taek] Let's head out together. -Okay.

MOMO'S PUB

[Seon-taek] Oh, dear.

-[up-tempo pop music playing] -It's called public procurement.

"Public procurement"?

Oh… Oh!

Ahhh! Uh…

Public procurement?

[music continues]

[Tae-poong] So, this is the Public Procurement Service?

SAVE RESOURCES CAMPAIGN

I see tons of notices.

BID FOR DOMESTIC COMMODITIES

BID FOR FOREIGN COMMODITIES BRIEFING ON "PLAINS OF HOPE"

This is tricky.

To my knowledge, the PPS doesn't handle export.

There has to be something for us too.

I don't get why you brought me here.

You've always taken Ms. Oh with you so far.

[music ends]

I asked you to come

because I haven't had time to get to know you and stuff.

You know,

about Ms. Oh…

Ah!

I know you two have a special thing going on.

[scoffs] How can I miss it when you're always together?

[laughs awkwardly]

Oh, no. I wouldn't say

we've reached that level.

You're best friends, right?

So, about Ms. Oh.

Was she heartbroken by my demeanor?

-What the-- -Excuse me?

-Oh, no. She wasn't heartbroken at all. -[sighs]

I believe men and women can be friends.

Please do all you can to console Ms. Oh.

Friends…

That's not how things are between us.

I hope you're not delusional or think that everyone loves you.

-Sorry? -You can hear me, can't you?

-Excuse me. -Yes?

Could you direct me to the team handling export-related projects?

I'm not sure if we have such projects.

Perhaps the Foreign Commodities Division? Their office is over there.

-Okay, thank you. -No problem.

Hello, I'm with KOICA.

[in English] Hello, this is the International Cooperation Agency.

[Song-jung, in French] "Bienvenue en Corée."

-[in Korean] Welcome to Korea. -[amusing music playing]

KOICA?

-[Song-jung] I studied French… -[men speak indistinctly]

…for my elective foreign language course in high school.

My friends told me I have the look of a European, especially a French man.

I was initially reluctant to take up French,

but as time passed, I got the sense that the language suited me rather well.

So…

Mr. Kang?

[indistinct conversations]

Man, look at all these people.

[conversations continue]

-Welcome. -Sorry?

Please go in. We'll begin soon.

-I can wait here-- -You know how she is.

[indistinct conversation]

All right, everyone. We'll begin the presentation shortly.

Please take a seat.

[in French] Please be seated.

[in English] Sit down, please.

[in Korean] Hello.

Jeez.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SERVICE

[in English] Sorry.

[in Korean] I apologize for the delay. It's been a hectic day.

Whoa! What was I thinking?

Mr. Jung. Could you go get my shoes?

I'm afraid we have to start, ma'am.

BRIEFING ON "PLAINS OF HOPE"

THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS IN AFRICA

HOSTED BY: FOREIGN PROCUREMENT DIVISION 2

My heartfelt gratitude to everyone for attending this event in person.

To make the most of your valued time, I'll get straight to the point.

[in French] Hello and welcome. Thanks for coming.

Since time is precious, we will keep this brief.

[in Korean] First, please welcome the representatives from KOICA.

[in French] To my left, the organization for international cooperation.

[in Korean] We also have the African delegation who came all the way to Korea.

[interpreter in French] And to my right, the delegation from Africa.

Welcome.

[in Korean] As you know, KOICA has decided to fund the construction of schools

and hospitals with surgical facilities to post-conflict regions in Africa.

Our agency will be procuring the resources required for the project.

[in French] As you know, we have decided to provide financial aid

for the construction of schools and hospitals

in regions affected by the war.

We will purchase anything necessary to support this effort.

[in Korean] Please check the document on your desk.

You can find the list of items to be procured,

the project timeline, contact information, and key guidelines.

"Gauze pad, X-ray film, ambu bag, thermometer, surgical glove, oxygen tank…"

EQUIPMENT AND PURPOSE

As for the items procured for this project,

our agency will collect them all and ship them together to Africa.

Since that's the case, please make sure to meet the deadline.

The agency is handling shipping?

Do you have any questions?

[in French] Do you have any questions?

[Tae-poong, in Korean] Excuse me.

Can I sign up for everything on the list?

Which company is he with, Mr. Jung?

He seems familiar, but I can't say for sure.

To my knowledge,

we already have a vendor for all the items on the list.

Mr. Jung. Are they any items that haven't been decided?

Yes, there are.

Please make sure that you don't bid on items assigned to another company.

Let's not get greedy, okay?

We're all here for a great cause.

-Let's keep it civil. -Of course.

To be frank, you all work at respectable firms.

Once this project concludes smoothly,

our African counterpart will extend their invitations.

Can you remind me what the top tourist spots are?

[in French] What is famous in your region?

Sahara Desert, safari…

Serengeti, lions.

[in Korean] They have the Sahara Desert, the safari, the Serengeti, and the lions.

-[chiming sound effect] -Lions?

[low growl]

[whining]

-[lion roaring] -[fast-paced tribal music playing]

Global Exploration: The World of Nature.

No, you should keep it on a little longer.

You need to wear it for 15 minutes or more to enhance your concentration.

It wasn't an easy decision for me to buy it.

Beom, getting only 30 points in the dictation test is a serious issue.

[smacks lips]

Keep it on, okay?

[Beom groans]

There's my good boy.

-[tribal music continues] -[Jeong-mi chuckles]

[narrator] The nimblest and quickest predator here in the African savanna

-has its eye on only one thing. -[music fades out]

[slams table] There's no way I would let this go.

Did you see zebras and giraffes too?

Were you the lion chasing after them? What exactly is your goal here?

A government project, the most secure project.

Here you go. Please check this out.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS IN AFRICA

So, KOICA is launching an aid project in Africa,

building schools and hospitals.

[Tae-poong] That's right.

They'll ship all necessary items to Africa.

Just think about it.

This ship won't disappear,

the goods will never get seized, and our client will never go under.

This is the perfect opportunity for us.

Of course, it's perfect.

But larger corporations generally have monopoly on such fantastic deals.

"Monopoly"?

-Haven't you heard of it? -Monopoly.

[Ma-jin] Anyhow, didn't you say

that they already have a vendor for all of the items?

And yet…

one item is left hanging.

Surgical gloves.

-How come? -There's no domestic supplier.

See? All the meaty, juicy parts have been divvied up among them.

We would never get to have a bite. Do you want to know why?

Because we lack the funds. Have you got some?

What about personnel and experience?

FUNDS, PERSONNEL, EXPERIENCE

This requires quite a big sum.

Even if we got items on credit, we still need a bid bond and a deposit.

Also, there's a mountain of paperwork to submit. It's too much.

To my knowledge, we've never done a deal in the public sector.

You might as well think the big companies called dibs on such big projects.

They meet all three criteria.

Don't say that. We have experience, at the very least.

If you're going to voice your opinion, just come work here.

You're not a guest star. Do you think we're 015B?

-[Seon-taek laughs] -Ms. Cha, the green juice is expired.

Think of it as being aged and drink up. [laughing]

Hear me out.

The late Mr. Kang and Mr. Koo used to work for Samjeon Trading.

So, we did work on public sector projects in the early days.

-My father did that? -[Seon-taek] Sure.

[in English] "I'm your father."

[in Korean] Things would be better if Mr. Koo were here, right?

[Seon-taek sighs]

But I must say, you guys have no respect.

How can you talk back to your boss this much?

As the saying goes,

you can only come up with excuses when you're trying to weasel out.

But where there's a will, there's a way.

I'm off.

See you.

-See you. -See you.

Come work with us already. You can find a way for us.

[door opens and closes]

KOO MYUNG-GWAN

[Tae-poong] I might be able

to find a way.

-[Mi-seon] Hello. -Hello, we're with Typhoon Trading.

Please take this.

We just wanted to ask--

[door slams, locks]

-Oh, thank you. -Thank you.

[indistinct conversations]

Freight Elevator 3 will be going down with the VIPs heading to the B3 lounge.

[women laugh]

[woman 1] Does that make us very important cargo?

It must be tiring to repeat that all day. You might as well rest back here.

Gosh.

I hold the doors open for the jerks who are strangers.

It's nothing to hold the doors open for the brats I work with.

[chuckles] We'd love you more if only you were polite.

I already get enough attention for my beauty.

I'd be in big trouble if I get any prettier.

Pretty girl, you've got a run in your tights again.

-Get a new pair, will you? -I have a run on this side too.

[women laugh]

[woman 1] A pair, huh?

It's a sure way to lose your luck.

Only those born with good luck can afford to care about it.

[woman 1] Cover up your belly button when you're out of the uniform.

That's none of your business.

-You're unbelievable. -[women laugh]

[elevator dings]

We've arrived at your lounge, dear VIPs. Please exit here.

Thanks for the VIP treatment, pretty girl.

-She sure doesn't lack confidence. -Doesn't it feel good, though?

[woman 2 speaks indistinctly]

[women conversing indistinctly]

Ma'am.

Excuse me.

-May I rearrange your hair? -Excuse me?

Uh, I saw a bobby pin stick out of your headscarf.

Just a second.

Let me take this…

-[tender music playing] -Here we go.

The team's manager throws a fit over minor details like this.

Nobody likes being nagged when they're doing their best.

I'll be off, then.

Wait, miss.

Thank you.

No problem.

[Mi-seon] "Buhyeong Station, Exit 1." And this is the Exit 1.

Do you think she meant that we could meet him here?

She gave us the note for a reason. Let's wait it out.

Right?

It's the new millennium. Believe in the Prophet.

-New millennium, new sky. -Exactly.

THE DIVINE SKY

Hello.

♪ Millennium, the Prophet of the new age ♪

I see a fortune in your face…

-[Mi-seon] Oh, my. -Mr. Koo.

Tae-poong.

Mi-seon.

-What brings you here? -Of course, we've come to see you.

[Mi-seon] We need your advice on the Public Procurement Service.

Could you spare us a minute? It won't take long.

Uh, I'm afraid I'm rather busy at the moment.

-I'll see you later. -[Mi-seon] Wait, Mr. Koo.

NEW MILLENNIUM SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICE

Rumor has it that you're the CEO now, Tae-poong.

That's true.

-Congratulations, Mr. Kang. -[man] Goodness.

A NEW MILLENIUM FOR THE DIVINE SKY

[laughing heartily]

Hello.

[both] Hello.

Are you friends of Deacon Koo here?

That's right, sir.

We met by chance.

-Off you go, then. -Mr. Kang, correct?

Yes?

I can see fortune in your face.

Pardon?

-Does he mean there's money? -No.

He thinks you look lucky.

Oh, you meant good fortune.

My eyes can see everything, and I mean everything. [laughs]

He is the Prophet.

-Thank you, Mr. Prophet. -[whispers] That's not his name.

I've fallen victim to crooks twice recently.

-So I-- -Are you sure you're not a lucky man?

I'm sure. I've been conned twice. I lost my home and office--

♪ Millennium ♪

-♪ The Prophet of the new age ♪ -♪ The Prophet of the new age ♪

-♪ When the dejected feel like crying ♪ -♪ When the dejected feel like crying ♪

-♪ He soothes their souls ♪ -♪ He soothes their souls ♪

Wait, Mr. Koo.

-♪ The Prophet lives inside us ♪ -♪ The Prophet lives inside us ♪

-♪ Step back ♪ -♪ Step back ♪

-♪ Welcome him into your heart ♪ -♪ Welcome him into your heart ♪

NEW SKY

What's a millennium and a binary system?

[Myung-gwan] ♪ Oh, dear Prophet ♪

♪ All rise to greet the Prophet ♪

Believe in the Prophet.

[Myung-gwan] All hail the Prophet!

Heed him well!

[people singing] ♪ Exalted on high ♪

NEW MILLENIUM SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICE

♪ Is our Prophet ♪

-♪ Millennium! ♪ -[prophet] ♪ Millennium ♪

♪ The Prophet of the new age ♪

[prophet] Prophet!

-♪ Nurse a hope ♪ -♪ Nurse a hope ♪

-♪ That our Prophet ♪ -♪ That our Prophet ♪

-♪ Will save us from hardships ♪ -♪ Will save us from hardships ♪

Deliver my message!

-♪ The Prophet of hope ♪ -♪ The Prophet of hope ♪

[prophet] Step back!

♪ Step back, welcome him into your heart ♪

♪ The new millennium ♪

Who am I?

-♪ Our Prophet ♪ -♪ Our Prophet ♪

Who am I again?

[Tae-poong] ♪ Dear Prophet ♪

♪ Our dear Prophet ♪

Tae-poong.

Is this plagiarized? The tune is familiar.

It does sound familiar.

How did you get here?

They welcomed us in when we showed these.

I can't believe you two.

[music continues]

-[song ends] -[people cheering]

[Tae-poong] Oh. Oh.

[countdown timer beeping]

-[man 1] My gosh. -[man 2] No, wait.

-Look. -[man 3] That startled me.

[explosion]

-[people gasp, exclaim] -[prophet] Once upon a time,

a prophet appeared and counseled people.

"In the year 1999,

the lord of darkness will descend onto your world."

"The lord of darkness shall devour everything in the world."

[people exclaim in despair]

"But do not fear."

"I have dispatched a being with my authority and discerning eyes."

[relieved sighs]

Thank you!

Everyone.

Who or what is the lord of darkness?

Who or what is this lord of darkness that you fear so much?

War!

-Satan. -[man 4] The Gulf War.

-[man 5] The IMF! -[people] Poverty!

No, you're all wrong!

The lord of darkness is none other than Y2K.

-It's Y2K. -[people gasp]

A NEW MILLENIUM FOR THE DIVINE SKY

[prophet, in English] Y2K!

[in Korean] Computers run on a binary system,

which consists of ones and zeros.

0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0.

In other words, computers can't grasp the concept of the new millennium.

When the clock hits 12:00 a.m. on January 1st, 2000,

all computers will start malfunctioning!

All the missiles and nuclear weapons rely on their computer system!

So the world…

[screams]

It will go boom!

-[people gasp, scream] -Please save us!

And yet,

the true path to the heavens will soon appear before us.

OPENING THE PATH TO THE SKY

Just ten million won can make the systems understand number two!

[people cheering]

[Tae-poong and Mi-seon speak indistinctly]

Oh, dear Prophet!

[amusing music playing]

[prophet] This is a sweet deal.

Surely, you don't want to keep it and survive alone while your family perishes!

-Of course not! -You're right!

[prophet] Let us pray.

[praying indistinctly]

-About that deal with the PPS-- -Shh. They're praying.

I'm sorry, everyone.

They're securing goods to construct schools and hospitals,

and most items on the list have been claimed

-except for surgical gloves. -[continues praying indistinctly]

All we need is to strike a deal at a good price and hand the goods over.

But we're having difficulty navigating the waters on our own.

You're the only one who's ever worked with the PPS.

-[Tae-poong] Exactly. -[continues praying indistinctly]

I really want to secure this… No. We must secure that deal.

Please stop, Tae-poong.

How's this, Mr. Koo?

We'll show you the documents. You can make your decision after that.

Then you'll see it's a golden opportunity you can't miss.

-Join us already! -Why, you…

-[yelling] Stop it, okay?! -[people murmuring]

Typhoon Trading doesn't even have enough money to strike that deal!

We have spawns of Satan harassing one of our own!

-Drag them out! -[angry shouting]

[all clamoring]

Hang on.

This is just… Mr. Koo!

Let me go!

Folks, how lame is "Y2K"?

Just turn the computers off and unplug them, okay?

Mr. Koo!

Wait, Mr. Koo!

Do you think he'll come back?

We've got to have faith.

With or without him, I'm going to secure that deal.

Why do you want the PPS deal so badly?

[Tae-poong] Hmm…

I just have a hunch that this may be the final shot for me.

Since I don't have more funds, or anywhere to make a retreat,

I need a dependable client.

Let's go inside.

[mellow music playing]

I told you we could get something more delicious.

[Mi-seon] I happen to love dumplings.

-You do? -Sure.

Thanks.

Is it good?

[splutters, coughs]

What's wrong? Are you okay? Sip some water.

-Should I go get some medicine? -No, I'm good.

Some water will do.

-Are you sure? -I'm quite sure. [coughs]

-Was there something in the dumpling? -Oh, no.

[coughs] I'm fine.

Let me try it.

Mr. Kang.

Mmm…

I'm usually the one looking out for others and not the other way around.

Oh.

I'm the opposite. People tend to look out for me.

[Tae-poong] Mmm-hmm.

Mmm!

So…

it feels new to me to have someone look out for me.

I honestly feel grateful too.

But I must say…

I don't want to be dependent on such emotional comfort.

What I'm saying is…

[breathes deeply]

How about we…

just look out for each other at work only?

Let's separate feelings from work.

-Separate feelings from work? -That's it.

I want to pursue my career more than anything, Mr. Kang.

I feel this is necessary.

-Dig in. The dumplings might get cold. -Okay.

Take them slowly.

So, did you come here to get some tights?

-[upbeat pop song playing] -No, I've come to see you.

Oh, I could've come to you after I was done.

I came because I could manage it.

-Hello. -[man] Hey, you're here.

I have an order from Color Story in Gwangju.

-The order is for 233,000 won. -I have them here.

You can check.

Here's 240,000 won, sir.

-The change is 7,000 won. -Okay.

-Here's your 7,000 won. -Thank you.

-Did you check everything? -Sure.

Thank you.

-Thank you. -[man] Have a good one.

I gave it some thought afterwards.

Wouldn't it be unfair to lose good luck over torn tights?

Mi-seon works so hard every day.

Then again, older ladies turn out to be right most of the time.

Mi-ho, I'll buy you 100 pairs of tights.

Really?

-Let's make it 1,000 pairs. -Lucky me.

[pop song continues]

Open wide, Mi-ho.

Gosh, this is so nice and cold.

By the way, this place is bustling with people, clothes, and money.

[Nam-mo] Right?

All the money in the country seems to flow into this area.

TEXTILE ACCESSORIES MARKET

[Mi-ho] It's nice here.

I love clothes and money.

What would you do if you had a lot of money?

Me?

[song fades out]

Mmm… I know what I'd do.

I want to fund Mi-seon's college tuition.

I've always been an airhead, and she was the model student.

But Mi-seon had the bad luck of being born first,

so I went to college, not her.

I hate it.

It feels like I owe her.

I'll make a lot of money, so she can go to college.

What about you? What's your dream?

Me?

-[slow pop song playing] -My dream is making it as a singer.

Are you serious?

Sing a song for me.

Come on. I can barely remember what happened on Studio I Love You.

♪ Here's my song Now it's over ♪

But that's in the past.

It's not what I want now.

Instead,

I have a new dream.

What's that?

You.

You are

my dream, Mi-ho.

[song continues]

SEOUL REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SERVICE

[indistinct conversations]

Sample containers, plaster cast kits…

Hochang, screens.

LIST OF VENDORS

What's this? Who are they?

"Typhoon Trading"?

Why do we have a small fish here?

Who gave them a call?

-Hey, Mr. Jung. -Yes, ma'am?

[in English] Come on.

[in Korean] Did you bring in Typhoon Trading?

No.

Fax them that they're not eligible.

Understood, ma'am.

TYPHOON TRADING, POWDERED SURGICAL GLOVES

SEOUL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SERVICE

[Mi-seon sighs]

It's an official notice from the PPS.

"Bidding ineligibility notice."

"We inform that your company is ineligible to bid on this project."

"End of note"?

They can't just kick us out.

[groans] Didn't I warn you? I knew it would come to this.

Be rational.

It would be odd if they let any company bid on a project on a national scale.

Our company only has four staff members.

How much do we have left?

We have 43,500,000 won, rounded down.

It's so specific. Now, I feel suffocated.

[slapping table] We must get this deal.

[sighs]

[knock on door]

-[man] Yes? -What now?

-[Tae-poong] Hey! -[Seon-taek] What's going on?

-[Mi-seon] My gosh! -[Ma-jin] Jeez, I can't believe this!

-Come in already. -Mr. Koo!

-Don't dawdle. -Mr. Koo!

[Ma-jin] How have you been? I bet you lounged around.

Couldn't you have come in and helped us move stuff?

I did hear about the relocation.

But the office itself doesn't matter.

As long as we're all together, that's Typhoon Trading.

-[Seon-taek chuckles] -He seems pretty fine.

-[Song-jung] No, the office matters. -[mouthing]

-It affects my mood. -[Myung-gwan] Mr. Bae.

[Ma-jin] I see you've brought us some presents again.

Darn it.

-[Myung-gwan] Accept salvation. -[Song-jung] What's this?

What does Y2K mean? Who made this?

-[Seon-taek] What is it? -[Ma-jin] Have you joined a church?

[Myung-gwan] Here's your salvation, Mi-seon.

This isn't the time to turn to religion, Myung-gwan.

Look at what we're dealing with.

BIDDING INELIGIBILITY NOTICE

File an appeal.

[Tae-poong] Pardon?

Tae-poong.

Civil servants operate according to their own code.

What civil servants love and hate the most is none other than due process.

It's about anti-competitive practices, unfair trade, coercion of confidentiality…

and discrimination.

[senior clerk] What?

They filed an appeal? On what grounds?

Apparently, they're claiming the conditions of eligibility are unclear.

They'll also lodge a complaint

on "anti-competitive practices, unfair trade, discrimination,

coercion of confidentiality," and any other grounds they can think of.

They've got to be joking.

What discrimination? We just don't want any mishap.

-You can't be more right. -Jeez, what a pain…

-Mr. Jung. -Yes?

What was it again? The surgical gloves?

Has any other company submitted a bid for them?

No, ma'am.

Tell them to come in.

It turned out all our orchids had been overwatered.

Overwatered?

Yes.

The orchids kept growing, but there was no room in the pots

while the soil was soaking up water.

Huge chunks of their roots rotted away.

That's why they couldn't bloom.

I see.

They seemed fine on the outside,

while the hidden parts were rotting away.

But still,

they survived thanks to their strong roots.

Look.

I cut away all the rotten roots and moved them to a bigger pot.

They then flowered right away.

Mr. Koo.

It's time you came back to our office.

We have a place for you here.

[telephone ringing]

[Mi-seon] Hello?

Oh, I see. Understood.

Sure, thank you. Goodbye.

-They want us to come in to submit a bid. -That's amazing.

That's splendid.

[Seon-taek] Mr. Koo's valuable advice paid off. [chuckles]

-[mid-tempo pop song playing on speakers] -[Song-jung] Oh?

Does this CD contain instrumental songs?

[Myung-gwan moaning]

Turn it off!

♪ When we're down and lonely Who will come to save us? ♪

♪ Our dear Prophet! ♪

The lord of darkness will strike on January 1st, 2000.

An apocalypse is coming!

Life as we know it will no longer exist after December 31st, 1999!

You have to install this to save yourselves and your families!

Listen, Ma-jin, Seon-taek, and Tae-poong.

-You must install this! -Mr. Koo.

♪ Millennium ♪

♪ The Prophet of the new age ♪

This is for all the dejected who feel like crying.

-Mr. Koo! -Play the CD.

-Our Prophet is-- -[shouts] Mr. Koo!

[song continues]

[turns speaker off]

[melancholy music playing]

Please help us out.

Please help Typhoon Trading.

Mr. Koo…

[door closes]

[sighs]

[melancholy music continues]

[Myung-gwan] Father.

Please shield them so they won't get hurt by a worthless being like me.

Allow them to forget a miserable failure like me forever…

and lead…

a happy life.

[sobbing] Please…

Please let them be happy.

[continues sobbing]

Ms. Cha.

Hi there.

Gosh.

How come you're here all alone?

Uh, I'm waiting to hear from someone.

I volunteered to stay behind and sent the others home.

-Can I get you a cup of tea? -Sure, that sounds lovely.

[Seon-taek chuckles fondly]

-You take after your father. -[pouring tea]

-You're sweet just like him. -Sorry?

My father was sweet?

You bet he was. He was so thoughtful and generous.

[laughs]

Mr. Koo used to be the ruthless one around here.

Here you go.

Thanks.

You know…

By any chance…

did the late Mr. Kang tell you something in secret

or entrust you with a special item?

-A special item? -Did the late Mr. Kang…

Did he really not have any emergency funds?

[suspenseful music playing]

Could he have left you with something you don't recognize the value of?

I was just curious.

Mmm…

[inhales]

The truth is…

There's nothing.

The bankbook I gave you was everything.

Of course, I should've known better.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have given up our old office.

[teacup rattling softly]

Ms. Cha.

If your current job is too rough on you, you can join us anytime.

You spent 20 years working for this company.

Goodness, dear.

Thanks for saying that.

Right, more than 20 years have passed already.

You know what?

Turns out long years of service don't mean you deserve a second chance.

I really liked your father.

-Not romantically, but as a colleague. -Oh, of course.

I loved our company too.

That much is true.

Please remember that, okay?

What time is it?

-I should get going. It's late. -Ms. Cha.

-You forgot your bag. -[chuckles nervously] Oh, right.

Ms. Cha, did you reorganize the files in this office?

What do you mean? Why would I do that?

Oh. I took a look yesterday

and noticed how they were arranged by date from right to left.

I know that's how you arrange files.

I guess someone tried your way, then.

[relieved chuckle]

Looks like it.

-Good night, then. -Okay.

APPLIED BY: TYPHOON TRADING, KANG TAE-POONG

Stamp my seal.

Press down hard.

Great. Now, here.

No errors, right?

Would you look at that?

Trying to expand to Africa, punk?

Ignore him.

Long time no see, Freckles.

[Tae-poong] Just ignore him.

No errors, right? Is the total amount correct?

What on earth?

BIDDING APPLICATION

"Surgical gloves"?

We're filing for exports.

To the Public Procurement Service.

-Mr. Ha. -Yes?

It will go well.

ORANGE JUICE

SURGICAL GLOVES

-Where's my seal? -Here.

-Right here. -[blowing]

APPLIED BY: PYO MERCHANT MARINE, PYO HYUN-JUN

[Manager Ha] Oh!

What do you think, Tae-poong?

SURGICAL GLOVES

What do you mean?

If you're scared, we'll cancel the application,

be it yours or mine.

Are you backing out already? Cancel yours, then.

Know your place. I'm getting tired now.

Let's play rock, paper, scissors next time you feel like fooling around.

Sucks for you, but all I can think of is pummeling you hard.

That way, you'd get to win once out of ten rounds

when I accidentally make a mistake.

-[whispers indistinctly] -[exclaims] Excuse me.

What's this?

Pyo Merchant Marine was supposed to procure orange juice, wasn't it?

That's right. But we just updated the item to rubber gloves…

I mean, surgical gloves.

You can't make last-minute changes like that.

-Then we'll export orange juice-- -Mr. Ha!

I'm going for the gloves.

Gloves it is, then.

[woman] But the gloves are taken.

The nit-picking Taeheung Trading took the gloves.

[both] Typhoon Trading.

-Right, Typhoon Trade. -It's Typhoon Trading.

This isn't your first rodeo.

Don't go back on your word and ruin our meticulously crafted plans.

-Let's carry it out as arranged. -Of course.

Listen, lady.

Why can't I make changes?

Excuse me? Listen very closely, mister.

I don't appreciate your tone.

I'm a Grade 6 civil servant with Salary Grade 23.

He's simply curious, ma'am.

When we have multiple bidders on the same item,

we must have competitive bidding.

-Competitive bidding? -[Jung] That's right.

What's that?

Each company will submit their price, and they'll choose the lowest.

-They'll secure the deal. -[Jung] That's right.

But with this process, both of you will sustain heavy losses.

That's exactly my point!

-All right, then. -[fast-paced rock music playing]

Here's an idea. Why don't you make a compromise?

If one of you changes an item, I'll offer favorable treatment for you.

-Especially on our next project. -Great.

-I can assure you that. -We'll do that.

We submitted our form first. Don't we have the priority?

That's a load of crap. There's no rule like that.

-Why, you little-- -All right, fine!

Let's have competitive bidding.

I might as well do it the right way if there's no way around it.

You seem to know each other, so mark my words.

I have two terms. First, submission closes on the dot.

You're out if you miss any required documents.

Second, the bid will be open 100% with the lowest bidder winning.

You realize what this means, do you?

-Sure. -Of course.

-[Manager Ha] You don't. -Not in here.

Your father would be enraged.

Never mind him. Just get me all the documents.

And check all the companies producing surgical gloves

and secure all their stock for me.

Yes, sir.

PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS

Let's see.

These are ready.

-Do we have enough funds for the bid bond? -Of course.

Once we secure the deal, we'll have to wire the deposit too.

We should take that into account. Have you requested a quotation?

Yes, only three companies produce the powdered surgical gloves

that meet KOICA's requirements.

-I've made the request to all three. -Well done.

Everything hinges on price this time, so quotations matter the most.

Those Pyo Merchant Marine punks are a pain in our neck.

Why are they getting in our way?

-What's that? -The translated manual for the gloves.

I don't understand why they would ask the manual to be translated into French.

All the French phrases I know are Sophie Marceau and La Boum.

Those two are it.

SPECIFICATION OF SURGICAL GLOVES

Mr. Go.

Look at this. How could they…

[exasperated sigh] They wrote the translations by hand.

Who works this way? Are they crazy?

What's the matter with these people?

They should've typed everything and sent us the printed copy.

Hold on. What can we do now?

Shouldn't we type every word ourselves?

Of course. But to do that, we need the right keyboard.

-One that supports French. -Yes, one that supports French.

-Where can we… Would Mr. Bae know? -Hold on.

In that case…

Who should I call? Oh, right here.

[mid-tempo soul song playing]

TYPEWRITERS, COPIERS, FACSIMILE

I see. I got it loud and clear. [in English] Okay.

-[in Korean] Okay. -Are we good?

-They managed to find it! -Gosh, I can't believe they bought one.

-I can't believe they pulled it off. -They're incredible.

[song ends]

[Hyun-jun humming softly]

-How are things moving along? -Great.

Mr. Pyo.

About the update to the goods.

-Shouldn't we inform your father-- -Forget it.

-My dad will only nag some more. -[exclaims in frustration]

[scoffs] It's all going to be fine.

Look at me, Mr. Ha.

Come on.

You may find my dad hard to deal with, but no parent wins against their child.

-Hmm? Don't you worry. -I won't, sir.

This is the golden opportunity to make one of my dad's dreams come true.

[coughs]

-Where's that business card? -Oh, right.

So, this is the surgical gloves company?

[in English] "Blaze Eagles."

[pleasant jazz music playing]

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE

[in French] "L'intervention…"

LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT

[Ma-jin, in Korean] Okay, then…

-Are we all set? -Here. Yes.

-We just need the manual. -How much longer?

-We're almost done. -We're nearly there.

-Are you done? -Yes.

-Great. -[Ma-jin] Are we ready?

-Ms. Oh, here… -Print it.

-I'll hit the print button. -[Mi-seon] Okay, I'll be right here.

PRINTING

-[in English] All right! -Okay.

[Ma-jin, in Korean] You can be quite handy, man.

[Song-jung] I told you I'm a top-level asset.

Mr. Bae.

-Thanks for your trouble. -[in English] You're welcome.

[Tae-poong, in Korean] I'm glad we bought that keyboard.

[Ma-jin] Yes, that really saved us.

[Song-jung] We owe this success to our joint efforts.

[Ma-jin laughs]

[Tae-poong] I can't believe we managed to find this.

[Ma-jin] It must've not been easy finding that.

Mr. Kang, look!

-Letters are broken up. -[Ma-jin] What's the matter?

Look at these letters.

[tense music playing]

-[Ma-jin] What happened? -[Song-jung] Maybe the printer glitched.

-I'll try again. -Was it the wrong button?

The machine may glitch on the first try.

-[Song-jung] There. Check it out. -[Mi-seon] Did you do it?

[printer whirring]

-What's going on here? -Hold on.

-How… -What's going on with these letters?

Is it a computer virus?

Wait, it's the font.

-Font? -The software must not support this font.

What do we do then, Mr. Kang?

It's 2:00 a.m., isn't it?

We've got to find a way quickly.

-[Ma-jin] What options do we have? -[Tae-poong] Reinstall the software?

Hold on. What do we do?

[music grows dramatic and ethereal]

Have you been well?

Quick, give me my work sleeves!

Let's find his work sleeves.

Where are they?

[upbeat rock song playing]

[exhales]

TECHNICAL SHEET

[Song-jung] He's copying the document faster than I can type it.

[exclaims appreciatively]

You're great at drawing too. It's amazing.

[Ma-jin] I feel like I could wear that glove.

SHAPE AND STRUCTURE: DIMENSIONS

I can't believe he's managing it in one go.

No one will doubt that's a glove.

RAW MATERIALS

[muttering indistinctly]

POWDER: CORN

-It means corn. -[Song-jung] I see.

So, corn.

CORN STARCH POWDER

[in English] "Powder."

[in Korean] That must mean "powdered corn."

I guess powdered corn goes into gloves.

[Song-jung] I don't mind corn.

[song continues]

I'm done.

-[in English] Okay! -Yes!

[in Korean] Thank you for your hard work.

-You were amazing. -Way to go, Mr. Koo.

I can't believe my eyes.

[Ma-jin] Incredible.

Thank you so much. Seriously…

-You did it, Myung-gwan. -How cool is this?

[Mi-seon] Thank you. You were brilliant.

-[Tae-poong] Goodness, you sure are. -[Ma-jin] Let's not touch them.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET FOR SURGICAL GLOVES

[Mi-seon] Hey, that's not yet cooked.

[Ma-jin] When it comes to barbecue…

It's not easy, is it?

-Tell me about it. -You're so clumsy.

-Let me take that. -I can barely see.

-Hello. -[waitress] Welcome.

-Over here, Ms. Cha! -Hey, welcome.

-Please take a seat. -Right here, Ms. Cha.

-Goodness. -You didn't have to invite me as well.

-Oh! -[speaks indistinctly]

-Mr. Koo. -[Tae-poong] Come on.

How could we not when Mr. Koo saved the day?

-Let me pour you a glass. -Okay.

Let me pour you one.

Now that you're here, make a toast for us. It's been a while.

You'd like that? Okay. What should I go with?

How about this?

-Let's go with "ILA." -[Ma-jin, in English] Okay.

[in Korean] All together, then. One, two…

[all] I!

It can be terribly exhausting.

[all] L!

Let's still hang in there…

[all] A!

And thrive!

[all cheering]

[all] Cheers!

-Great. -All right.

Wait until the meat turns brown, punk.

Uncooked meat can make you ill. I'm genuinely concerned.

Did you submit the documents?

Listen. When I got there…

What was that shifty little punk's name? Was it Ha?

That guy was walking over, so I glared at him

to let him know I was ready to take him down.

-I scared the hell out of him. -He sure was charismatic.

Are you trying to memorize the menu, Mr. Koo?

[laughter]

I can't decide if I want noodles, the stew,

or the scorched rice soup.

-Shall we order more meat? -Go ahead.

Ma'am, three portions of meat, please.

-Just two portions, please. -Oh, come on.

Order some more. I want to take some home.

[Ma-jin] The decent thing to do is take the leftovers.

Don't claim stuff from the get-go.

[Seon-taek] Come on, my kid is a senior in high school.

[Mi-seon] Wrap these up for now.

-[Song-jung] Take them home. -[Seon-taek] Thanks.

It looks so good.

Mr. Koo.

No, that's okay.

I'd say these are all cooked.

It's not good for your health to overcook the meat.

It can increase the risk of cancer.

[Ma-jin] You're a know-it-all.

-Mr. Koo, have some coffee. -Oh.

Thank you.

I wanted to get some air. That's all.

[tender music playing]

Goodness.

Thank you for what you've done today.

The idea of copying the notes by hand didn't even occur to me.

It was nothing.

Back in the day, we used to complete all forms by hand,

whatever document it was.

[Myung-gwan sighs]

[sucks teeth] Mr. Koo.

What Typhoon Trading needs at the moment is a tree rather than a flower.

Trees can give you shelter from the sun in summer

and a warm layer of leaves in fall.

In winter, they can even give us some firewood.

I'd appreciate a sturdy tree with layers of growth rings.

I can't recall what they called it.

I'm not the sharpest, you see.

Take your time and join us back in.

You have to come back in.

Growth rings, huh?

He must be talking about experience.

I prefer Job's tears tea.

Get up now.

-See you tomorrow. -See you, Mr. Koo.

-Get home safely. -Stop wandering and come to work!

-Good night. -[Song-jung] Hey, driver!

-Our ride is here. -[Seon-taek] Jeez, you dummy.

-[Song-jung] Let me in! -[Seon-taek] He's a handful. Hey, you.

-We're sharing the car! -[Ma-jin] Hey, punk.

[Song-jung] I can't get out now.

I'll give you the taxi fare.

I'll get you a taxi too, Seon-taek.

-No, please. -I'll pay double!

We're paying double, darn it!

-This is our ride. -Sorry.

-You can take the taxi. -Goodness.

-I'm not sure-- -Get in there, Seon-taek.

You don't have to double the rate.

I can't believe you.

-Here we go. -Hey, wait.

-Take this. -What's this? Oh, no.

I insist. Take it.

I'm not taking it back!

-Listen, Seon-taek. -Yes?

I know you've got your husband and kid, but prioritize yourself, okay?

-Mmm-hmm. -You're unbelievable.

Your folks might not be around, but you have us.

You can go now.

Off you go!

-Thank you. -Good night.

-Thanks again! -Get home safely.

-Thank you! -No problem.

Goodbye.

-Taxi! -Mi-seon.

-Mi-seon! -Double the rate!

-I'll quadruple the rate! -Here, Mi-seon.

-What? -[Tae-poong] No, I'll pay eightfold!

Are you getting on? Go ahead, sirs.

I'm taking the subway.

-I see. Get home safely. -Oh, goodbye.

-Don't squabble, okay? -Okay, we won't.

Good night.

It sure felt like the old days to have everyone together.

Do you want to walk together for a bit?

Sure.

[slow pop music playing]

Oh. Thanks.

I've given it some thought.

I can't do that.

I can't pretend like what happened between us never happened.

Do you dislike me, Mi-seon?

[sighs] No, I don't dislike you at all.

I just don't feel comfortable when the air goes mellow around us.

You should just take it easy--

You don't get to decide how I feel.

My feelings for you won't change.

Feel this. My heart is racing.

-It's because I like being with you. -I get it, okay?

I'm going to like you, and my feelings will only grow stronger.

Don't you worry. I won't let my feelings interfere with work.

Yes, I'm the CEO, and you're my senior staff.

Yes.

[exhales deeply]

Jeez.

But know this.

You should know…

that I…

I love you.

[theme song playing]

Although it's one-sided.

It's my first unrequited love.

[song continues]

TOMORROW COMES LOVE

[song continues]

TYPHOON FAMILY

[Tae-poong] Starting today, I'll act on my feelings.

Where do I start? You think I can pull it off?

[Ma-jin] Those surgical gloves

are made in one place in the US.

That's a monopoly.

[Tae-poong] If the starting lines aren't the same,

maybe we take a step ahead.

What's most precious to you, Ms. Oh?

[Mi-seon] And you, Mr. Kang?

What matters most to you?

[Bak-ho] While you were quiet,

you made this mess?

It's not over yet.

Even if I take a few jabs,

one uppercut from me and he's done.

[Tae-poong] Please! Ms. Oh!

Oh Mi-seon!

[song continues]