Original subtitles

We're living in time.

Time shows no favor to the poor or the rich,

the good or the evil,

the old or the young.

It flows equally for everyone.

In the time I was given, I live a day that is no different from yesterday

and will be no different from tomorrow.

And today,

as indifferently as ever,

time passes without a care.

[Seoul]

[Episode 1, Blessed Are Those Who Endure]

[Lotto]

Good morning, Mr. Gong.

Yeah, Ji Hye, good morning.

Why are you just getting here now?

Oh, I'm a bit late.

Well, this company sure has gotten lax.

Good morning! Hello.

Hi, Gong!

Mr. Gong, good morning.

Yeah, Gi Tae, good morning.

Yes.

When did you get in?

Five minutes ago.

Oh, you're here?

Well, how's your stomach?

I'm perfectly fine.

Wow!

- You're here, Mr. Jung. - Yeah.

Good morning, Assistant Manager Yang.

- Hey. - Good morning.

Yeah.

- You're here, Assistant Manager Yang. - Yes, you too.

Oh, Joo Hee, Joo Hee!

Oh, good morning.

What happened to the outlet manager who was causing trouble?

How did you know?

I know everything.

Go ahead and run, Joo Hee. You won't get far.

Alright, let's start the meeting.

- Okay. - Yes.

Well, Assistant Manager Yang, the meeting...

- Want some coffee? - Pardon?

No, I think we should go to the meeting first.

Come on, we've got to have some coffee to get through the day.

- Fine. I'll go. - Okay.

I said I'm going.

Let's get this over with and get to work.

- Okay. - Yes.

What happened with the discrepancy between last week's warehouse shipments

and the department store deliveries?

Apparently, one box from the department store warehouse had been left out.

The quantities all match now.

They won't actually match.

When inventory still doesn't match,

some stores borrow stock from elsewhere as a quick fix.

Make a surprise visit and check.

Yes, understood.

Let's just let it go this time.

Well, it's obvious they borrowed the stock from another store.

Digging it up will only create bad blood.

I think it'd be better to wait

until sales stabilize and check everything at once.

Okay, let's do that.

Then I'll make the changes accordingly.

Can we finish compiling each brand's SS lineup by the end of this week?

- Assistant Manager Yang. - I'll let you know once I have it sorted out.

We need the list by the end of this week, so we can review it internally

and place the orders by next week.

It's not something I have full control over.

Still, please check and let me know.

Okay.

- Ji Hye. - Yes.

Please share the draft designs for the brands undergoing CI changes, collect feedback,

and create an evaluation sheet for reporting.

Can you have it done by the end of today?

Yes, I can.

Let me know if it's too much. I'm offering to help.

No, I can do it.

And I've heard that employees

have been using work hours too freely lately.

Given the nature of our work,

we can't strictly stick to a nine-to-six schedule.

But I'd still like everyone to follow the company's guidelines as much as possible.

Everyone understands, right?

Yes.

- Alright, back to work. - Okay.

Oh, dear.

You've really got your hands full.

I get that juniors need to be trained.

But when an assistant manager acts like that, there's really no hope.

Assistant Manager Yang must have it rough too.

It can't be easy working under a younger junior.

Yeah, neither of you has it easy.

But what is this meeting about?

I have no idea.

I don't know what they're up to.

Darn it.

Oh, where are you going?

Let's work our legs.

What are you talking about?

Let's take the stairs.

[F Floor Meeting Room Reservation Status]

Oh, dear.

Hello.

Hello.

- Yes. - Good morning.

- Mr. Jung. - Yes?

Am I a zombie, or are you a rat?

What do you mean?

Well, why would you take the stairs when there's a perfectly good elevator?

Oh, you saw that.

I just had something to discuss with Mr. Gong.

I wondered if you were giving me attitude because I objected to a few things.

You objected to a few things?

I don't remember that.

Did he?

- You're here. - Hello.

- Everyone's here. - Yes.

- Sit down. - Okay.

Okay.

Has everyone been given the instructions about working hours?

Yes.

Someone's definitely going to get caught. Just don't be the first one.

I can't cover for you on that.

Okay.

Alright, let's start the meeting.

Today's agenda is simple.

[Weekly Meeting Report]

Laknes.

What does everyone think about this?

Shall we go around the table?

Or should we just rock-paper-scissors?

Well, the design is one thing,

but the price is way too high-end.

The brand isn't well known, and the collection is limited.

And it's not like it has a lot of patterns or prints.

It is a difficult brand to work with.

Anything else?

I heard they only recently pulled out of the Korean market.

Maybe things would be different if the designs or prices had changed.

But if they come back exactly the same, won't we get the same result?

The designs were a bit challenging at first.

But times have changed.

It's not like they left because they failed.

I think they were once among the top ten luxury brands.

They ranked ninth in women's luxury, didn't they?

Yes, but only once.

I understand everyone's concerns. But we have to do this.

It's the department head's order.

Don't take it. Hold your ground.

Since Laknes has an avant-garde design,

how about letting Mr. Gong handle it?

I mean, you're the youngest and have the best taste among us.

Don't you think?

As you know, our team doesn't have much capacity right now.

We have the fewest people, but we're handling the most brands.

What do you say, team leaders?

Honestly, every team is short-staffed right now.

If we're matching brand to fit, Mr. Gong's team seems the best choice.

Yeah, that's probably right.

What the team leaders said is fair.

But I do feel like we're always dumping work on him

just because he's the youngest team leader.

Then let Team 4 take it.

Well, that's not what I meant.

- Mr. Gong? - Yes.

How about your team takes Laknes

and moves a few of your current brands to another team?

That should be doable, right?

Yes,

that works.

Okay.

Idiot. I told you not to take it.

What an idiot, seriously.

I told you not to take it. Why did you?

- It's fine. - Huh?

If that's not what you meant when you said that to him earlier,

then what did you mean?

Everyone was pushing it onto you, so I was just trying to defend you...

Mr. Gong, hold on.

Before you decide which brands to hand over, can you run it by me first?

Yes, understood.

Let's grab a drink sometime.

Okay.

Mr. Kim.

What is this?

It's a return. But give it to your wife.

Oh, a scarf?

Would Laknes work?

Do you think it would?

It's the same failed brand coming back with nothing changed.

Isn't it a bit low to take a brand from him

while giving him one that's bound to fail?

The deputy director is handing it to me. What else can I do but say thanks?

Mr. Kim, you sure are ambitious.

So while we're at it, why don't you give me one too?

Pardon?

You want one of mine too?

Even if the deputy director backs me, the department head is still neutral.

That's what worries me.

If Team Leader Son gets something from Team Leader Jung,

we're gonna have a real problem.

Let's play the long game. Okay?

Just give me one decent brand, got it?

I'll put it to good use.

Everyone's on edge.

They have to take Laknes because it's the department head's order,

but you're the only team leader who'll do it without complaining.

They want to promote Mr. Kim to deputy director,

but his sales numbers aren't high enough,

so they're giving him one of your brands to boost his performance.

That's why Mr. Son's freaking out about losing the promotion.

And I'm being treated like someone who doesn't matter,

no matter which brands you hand out.

If you really want one that much, why not just take one?

I just feel bad for both of us. You and me.

Give me what? I'm not taking anything.

Well, I'm fine either way.

Since they're taking them away anyway, I'd be happy if they grow them well.

If you're putting it up for adoption, you want good parents, right?

But don't just let them take them from you.

Push back a little.

Say, "I can't do Laknes. I'll keep my own sales."

But honestly, even I think

I'm the only one who can handle Laknes.

You wouldn't take it, either.

Exactly. I don't want it either, so why are you taking it?

And since we're on the subject, your team is the same.

They always take on the jobs nobody else wants and suffer for them.

Once they've worked hard to build them up, someone else comes along and takes them.

What's the point of that?

Is this supposed to make me feel better?

I'm saying it because I feel bad for you. I really do.

I mean, I'm basically the unwanted child here,

but you're clearly in Deputy Director Jang's line.

Why is Deputy Director Jang acting like this?

He raised you, so he should take responsibility for you.

Why does it always have to be like this?

Even you have to admit... what?

Ugh, that rude punk.

Hey, let's go together.

- Gong, good work. - Bye.

I'm heading out.

Yeah, go ahead.

Wow, I'm hungry.

Let's get some food. What should we have?

Well, then how about that BBQ place we went to last time?

It's way too cheap there. You're paying.

Oh, I'm paying?

Aren't you coming with us, Mr. Gong?

No, I'm good.

Okay, then I'll head home first.

Then I'll head out too.

Then let's go with whatever Ji Hye wants.

- Ji Hye? - Whatever I want?

Ji Hye is a pig, right?

- Ji Hye's a pig? - Yes.

If we eat pork again, we're gonna end up having soju and beer.

Oh, soju and beer!

- Nice. - Oh.

Going hard again tonight?

Sure. I'm down for anything.

[Train approaching Stand by]

[Stop]

What did the hospital say?

About your father?

Oh, he got the tests done,

but the results aren't out yet.

But they said there's no need to worry too much.

Still, keep an eye on him.

Older people aren't like us.

Okay, I will.

Let me know when the results are out.

If it comes to it, I can refer you to another hospital.

Really? Oh, thank you.

Ji Hye, are you busy?

Oh, no.

Then how about you handle the tongs?

Oh, give them to me.

No, I can do this.

Why? Because Ji Hye's a woman?

Or because she's a contract worker?

Oh, no, it's not that.

Whether man or woman, contract worker or permanent employee,

Ji Hye's one of us.

Aren't you the youngest?

Yes, I am. I should've grilled it sooner, sorry.

I don't know what Mr. Gong thinks,

but I'm not letting her go once her contract ends.

- Pardon? - Just wait.

I'm not sucking up to all these team leaders, directors,

and department heads for nothing.

I'm trying to secure a favor.

I'd do anything for it. For your sake.

Yes. Thank you, Assistant Manager Yang.

If you're grateful, grill the meat. It's burning already.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Have a drink, have a drink.

Mr. Gong, you have such good posture, don't you?

After seven years at the company,

isn't it only natural to have tech neck and scoliosis?

Dry eyes and fatty liver should be enough.

Leaving late?

This is early for me.

You look happy.

I'm pretending to be.

Heading home?

I have plans.

Let's grab a drink.

I told you I have plans.

Let's get some puffer fish soup and split the bill.

I have plans.

You don't have plans.

Come on.

[Cheongjin Bok]

Ma'am, one more bottle here!

Thank you.

Why are you always by yourself?

The other team leaders are always taking their teams out.

Your team leader doesn't hang out with you, either.

Isn't it probably for the same reason as your team leader?

Exactly. I'm just a lowly team member.

I'm asking because you're the team leader.

The legal team leader is equivalent to a managing director,

so technically, you're above me.

Ugh, seriously.

One of our peers was so happy to become a team leader

that he even treated the team to beef.

But now you can't even join your team. You just wander around alone.

And what's that thing? Laknes.

And there you are, playing the sucker in a rigged game.

What did you even become a team leader for?

The company has a bigger plan for Laknes.

I'm just one piece of the background.

Fine, let's say that's the company's big picture.

Then why is Assistant Manager Yang drawing the picture for your team?

I hear Assistant Manager Yang is always taking the team around.

Isn't he making you do the dirty work while he plays the team leader?

Even if he's senior to you, isn't that crossing a line?

Assistant Manager Yang...

Darn it, he's annoying.

Right.

But on the other hand,

even if he gets on my nerves playing the team leader,

maybe it's fine

as long as the numbers are good and the work gets done.

We're here to work, after all.

So everything's okay as long as the work gets done?

But you're the one who's suffering.

If I suffer and the work gets done, then I'm...

I'm fine with it.

Wow. Is this a company or a monastery?

You're gonna attain enlightenment working here.

I'm off. Good work.

What do you mean, "good work"? I'm done.

Always "good work."

You've still got a whole day left?

Jeez, Gong Eun Tae.

Good work!

What kind of life am I living?

Sir, are you okay?

- Yeah. - Let me help you.

I was born into a family that was neither rich nor poor.

If I worked hard, I could move up,

but I could also fall down just as easily.

[Gong Eun Tae]

So I always worked hard.

I wanted to get into a better university

and land a better job.

Regardless of the outcome, working hard at something made me feel secure.

It made me feel like I was living my life the right way.

Hongsung International was the job I got that way.

It ranks second in its field by revenue.

It ranks third in the number of brands it operates,

with 800 billion won in revenue.

It is a large company with nearly 900 employees.

[Hongsung International] My parents didn't know the company name,

but they were proud that I worked for a major corporation.

And I was grateful to be able to make a living on my own.

[Team Leader Gong Eun Tae] Nothing's changed after becoming an employee.

I still live within set boundaries,

following the prescribed schedule.

And, as always, I give it my all.

After three years of being the first to arrive and the last to leave,

I was promoted to assistant manager.

Three more years of the same, and I became a team leader.

[Hongsung International]

[Elltz Tower]

And in return, I got the deposit back on my studio apartment,

a little fatty liver, and dry eyes.

And a mild case of a slipped disc.

Does everyone live like this?

Would life get a little better if I worked a little harder?

What was I working so hard for?

And since when did I stop living that way?

Yes?

Oh, hello.

Here are the clothes you left with us.

Oh, yes. Thank you.

Oh, and sir.

We seem to have lost one of your shirts.

- Oh, really? - Yeah.

Which shirt was it?

My wife just said the number of clothes didn't match the owner's record,

so I don't know which shirt it was.

Well, then this...

All right, then.

And since when did I stop getting angry?

[Hankyung Bank]

Oh? Assistant Manager Yang!

Oh, Joo Hee, Joo Hee!

Good morning.

Good morning.

Why do you look so exhausted coming to work?

Anyone who's energetic on the way to work is the weird one.

Watch out for those people.

Oh, is this about reorganizing the brands?

Reorganizing the brands? What are you talking about?

Didn't you know?

Good morning.

Yes.

- Good morning. - Yes.

- Good morning, Assistant Manager Yang. - Good morning.

You're here.

- Assistant Manager Yang... - A word please.

Well, what's this about?

What does that mean, handing some brands over to another team?

That's how it worked out.

So why?

We've agreed to take on Laknes.

Since it's being relaunched, it'll need a lot of work.

So... we've decided to hand some of our existing brands

over to other teams.

Isn't this a bit too much?

Has any of the brands we've handled ever been normal?

Ainard?

Fine, maybe we can say we took Ainard because Team 3 couldn't handle the sales.

But what about the rest?

Wasn't every single one of those brands on the verge of being dropped?

We took them all, turned them around,

and then they got taken away from us again.

And now we're taking on a hopeless Laknes?

No matter how powerless the team leader is,

is it okay for the team members to be treated like this?

Assistant Manager Yang.

Do you think I want to just sit back

and let them take the brands I manage?

Mr. Gong,

I have one favor to ask you.

Let us keep the brands we've been managing.

You've gotta at least do this much for us to decide

whether to trust you and follow you, right?

This isn't a difficult thing to ask.

Just let us keep doing our jobs.

Okay?

Oh, boy.

Did Assistant Manager Yang confront you?

Darn, Assistant Manager Yang, seriously...

He's right about all of it.

If a team leader can't earn their team's trust, it's over.

So Assistant Manager Yang is pushing back against you.

What are you going to do?

Don't you think you need to push back too?

Have you ever seen me get angry?

Have I seen you angry?

No, I haven't.

When I'm angry, I don't get angry.

If I lose my temper, I'm the one who has to clean up the mess.

Who worries about that when they're angry?

When you're angry, you just get angry.

So what are you going to do now?

I have to do something.

Like what?

Is he inside?

Yes.

Come in.

What is it?

I have something to say.

- Is it gonna take long? - I don't think it'll be short.

Sit down.

What is it?

I'd appreciate it if you'd reconsider the Laknes assignment.

You think taking Laknes is hurting your team's morale?

What did Yang Jun Ho say?

Tell me.

Of all your subordinates, Yang Jun Ho is the only one who'd dare object, isn't?

No. They all feel the same way.

Hey.

How long are you gonna let your team push you around?

If you really can't handle it, I'll take it.

I can give it to another team.

But that's not the case.

You can handle anything,

yet your own subordinates are rebelling against you.

You were even taking deep breaths before you came in to see me, weren't you?

Did I make you a team leader just to dump unwanted work on you?

No. I've never thought that.

You little punk. Is that what you think?

Keeping something that's already doing well on track isn't hard.

Anyone with a decent head on their shoulders can do that.

But...

bringing something that's dying back to life is hard.

Not everyone can do that.

I give you jobs like that because I believe in you.

It'll be hard for you, yeah.

Your team will have complaints too. But what can you do?

You always get the job done, no matter what I give you.

Just hang in there.

And just get it done.

It all adds up.

Get out.

Oh, jeez.

Gi Tae, let's go have a smoke.

Oh, yes.

Ji Hye, you should get some fresh air too.

Oh, okay.

Darn it.

[Butcher Shop]

[Unavailable in the current mode]

[Unavailable in the current mode]

I'm sorry, but our POS system isn't working right now.

Okay. What should I do, then?

Do you have cash?

Yes.

- Here you go. - I got 10,000 won.

We don't have any change right now.

I'll come back another time.

Would you like a Lotto ticket?

What?

Beer is 5,000 won and a Lotto ticket is 5,000, so that's exactly 10,000 won.

Okay, then I'll take one.

Okay.

Would you like a quick pick?

Alright.

Here you go.

Aren't you giving me a bag?

You didn't pay the 100 won for the bag.

[Mother]

Yes, Mother.

Have you eaten?

Yes, I'm eating now.

Do you have anything to eat at home?

Should I send you some side dishes?

I still have plenty of what you sent last time, so I'm fine.

That was ages ago.

You should eat it already.

Anyway, let me know if you need more side dishes.

Okay, I'll tell you if I need them.

Oh, and one more thing...

Well, it's nothing else...

Can you send 5 million won to your brother?

What happened this time?

Well, your brother was working the night shift,

and some drunk people got into a fight.

He tried to break it up, and one of them fell and injured his back.

Now they're demanding he pay the medical bills, causing a big fuss.

But where's he supposed to get the money?

After paying for the kids' tuition and living expenses, he has nothing left.

I'll call him.

Oh, no, don't.

Eun Seok doesn't know I called you.

He'll find out anyway.

I'll call him.

[Gong Eun Seok]

[My brother]

Oh, yeah, Eun Tae?

Yeah, you need money?

Oh gosh, Mom told you again, didn't she?

I told her not to tell you.

5 million enough?

Yeah, that'll do.

Lend it to me for now, and I'll pay you back soon.

When will you pay me back?

Huh? When?

Well, when? Let's see...

Do you know how much you've borrowed from me so far?

Just ask me for it. Why always "borrow"?

No, I really have to pay you back.

Eun Seok,

you think everyone who works at a company

saves money and lives comfortably, right?

I actually have no money.

Do you know how much it costs just to breathe in Seoul?

We're family.

Even if we can't help each other,

let's not make things harder for each other.

Okay. I'm sorry.

I'll transfer it now.

Yeah, okay.

[Please enter your PIN]

[5 million won transferred to Gong Eun Seok]

[Stomach Health]

The possibilities that we can refer to.

Like "who", "that" or something like that.

But can we have some help.

With the word "a".

When we find an "a" in the sentence...

[Six Lotto winners to take home KRW 1.9 billion each]

[Congratulations! You won 1,977,507,240 won total]

Oh, man. I can't do this anymore.

Are you heading home?

Yeah. I feel like I'll die if I stay any longer.

Me too.

Then why aren't you leaving?

If I go home now, I'll die tomorrow.

Everyone's living day by day.

Wrap things up and go home.

Take care.

[This week's work list]

[Did you get off work?]