President Kim ushered in the New Year
with the message of advancement for the future of world…
The year of 1995 will mark the first year of our globalization.
Even though it's very early,
there are barely any empty seats at this English class in Seoul.
"Thy" should be pronounced properly.
Thank you. Enjoy!
The day has started.
Let's do this!
Ready, start!
Three, two, two, and two, two, four.
One, one, one, three, two, two, two, two, four, and one, one, one.
Done!
Twelve seconds, new record!
That's very impressive.
What?
You're born to do this.
You're even more full of shit today.
Do you know the history of why women left the kitchen for work?
Why do you always ask things we don't know?
During the Industrial Revolution, there weren't enough workers
and country girls had to work at textile mills.
But in the begining of the 20th Century, most women started working.
Do you know why?
Cheap labor.
They are obedient, and know how to make coffee
to men's exact tastes. They even serve morning coffee every day.
She sure is Generation X.
Can we be one without going to university?
Forget it. Why are you all working so hard?
We'll get fired when we get married and become pregnant.
General Affairs' Ms. Kim didn't get fired. She resigned.
Listen to me. Flowers blossom, but a rainstorm moves in.
Do you know how hard I worked to train you?
I thought you'd finally be useful, and what?
"How could you get pregnant?"
If they pressure you like this, would you be able to stay?
We're not far off.
We'll only do chores for being
commercial high school graduates and fade away.
General Affairs' Ms. Kim is our future.
I won't get married.
I'm going to get promoted.
ABOLISH PREJUDICE! SKILL-BASED WORK!
ENGLISH TOEIC CLASS FOR HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATE EMPLOYEES
Don't be naive.
Hey. How could you surpass 600 in three months?
It's obvious. It's their first step to laying us off.
They are just trying to get rid of cheap laborers like us.
She's got the talent for ruining the mood.
Anyway, what's our severance if we quit now?
That would be three months worth of our salary.
So that's 2,400,646 won.
There would be a 1,000% of bonus, and we never used day-offs.
So in total, it will be 11,063,778 won.
That's quite a lot.
What do you mean? We worked for eight years.
If we were college-grads, we'd get 20 million or 30 million won.
Anyway, let's resign.
Get our severance and leave this country.
We're free to travel abroad,
so travel around the world and date foreign guys.
I always wanted to backpack across Europe.
I heard baguettes in Paris are so good.
Paris is great. Croissants and chocolate.
I'm hungry.
I've never flown before.
The computer training class will start from 1 p.m.
We ask for your interest and participation.
Production Management Team Three, Lee Ja-young speaking.
Yes, I'll connect you.
-Mr. Hong? -Yes?
Line Three, please.
This is Manager Hong.
-Ja-young? -Yes?
How do you copy and paste this text again?
Over here. Press ctrl-C then ctrl-V.
I always forget.
Sir, the secretary wants us to fetch Managing Director Oh's items.
Forget it! We're not maids for the chairman's son.
Why are they handing down their work?
He's right. We're not movers.
SAMJIN ELECTRONICS PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTING
Everyone ready?
All right, your ideas.
"Center of the world, global Samjin."
Weak.
-"World's best, global Samjin." -Too obvious.
Enjoy the world.
Rationale?
Well, I imagined from the perspective of buyers,
not sellers.
"Enjoy the world."
-Enjoy what? -That's too tacky.
I thought about the insight from the consumer's perspective.
It's not bad.
It's good, actually!
Cho Min-jung, today's you have grown more than yesterday's.
Thank you!
Come on, say it out loud.
Once more!
Fucking bitch!
-Having fun? -Holy shit!
I'm sorry.
It's okay,
I was just curious if you were having fun.
It's not fun. I'm just playing it.
Have you seen Amadeus?
When I look at you, I'm reminded of that film.
I'm like Salieri and you're like Mozart.
Is that a good thing?
A bummer, actually.
An Olympiad-winning math prodigy
is used to balance bar receipts.
Bo-ram, I always wanted to tell you something.
Don't think that the boundaries
set by others are everything.
Always do things that you enjoy.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Choi, are you looking for something?
The order forms of the last quarter. I'm sure I saw it here.
Ms. Lee, thank you. You sure are my senior.
Choi Dong-su.
You're messing up the seniority.
If you're an assistant manager, then act like one.
-Is this the army? -No, sir!
-Is this seniority-based? -No, sir!
-Lee Ja-young. -Yes?
-Do it right. -Yes, sir!
Mr. Ahn, sir.
Mr. Oh, you are here.
Can I use this?
There is nothing in my room.
-Hey, Mr. Hong! -Sir?
I told you to fetch his items from the factory!
Mr. Choi, didn't I tell you to go to the factory in the morning?
He transferred to the HQ so long ago already.
SAMJIN ELECTRONICS
Ms. Lee, take a look at this.
I guess the chairman's son thought he'd be the next CEO.
He's like Invidia, the Greek goddess of envy.
Actually, I'm kind of scared of him. He seems like a psycho.
Well…
I think he's just petty and childish.
He's so off-putting.
China,
photo frames and golf clubs.
Yes, we got them all.
We'll head back then.
What about the goldfish?
Wait, there's a goldfish. Should we take it?
Yes, I understand.
-He told us to throw it out. -What? How?
Just flush it down the toilet.
It will die.
No, it will swim out to the ocean.
No way.
That's his fate.
I'm back from school.
Let's go. I'm hungry.
Have a good life.
It means, wake up early, and you'll be productive.
If you step on a worm, it will react to it.
-All right. -Excuse me, Jerry.
We were top in commercial high schools.
We know the basics, so just ramp it up.
Ramping up.
"Today", "mountain", "kill", "bird".
"Yesterday", "river", "save", "fish".
You have to say it faster!
"Yesterday". "River".
"Save". "Fish".
Jesus!
Mr. Choi, I think we should report it.
-Report what? -The factory wastewater.
I didn't see it.
But you saw the dead fish.
Then, Ms. Lee,
can't we just look the other way?
Okju Factory is our jurisdiction.
To be honest, we weren't there on an inspection.
I still think we should report it.
Don't do this to me.
You know what Mr. Hong's like.
He may be prickly, but he does it right.
No, no.
I can't say anything. What would I report?
"I witnessed factory waste being dumped into a river.
We need to investigate if it's a malfunction of the incinerator,
or unauthorized discharge. Check the report for details."
OKJU FACTORY WASTE DUMPING REPORT
That's all we need to do?
-Yes. -What if I get scolded?
Either get scolded now,
or after this blows up. Which is better?
I'll get scolded either way.
Mr. Choi, this is your work.
Well…
Do you have any anti-anxiety pills?
Mr. Hong, I have something to report.
What? Did you do something wrong?
No, sir.
-Sent the wrong fax? -No, that's not it.
-Broke the fax machine? -No.
Then speak! What is it?
Well, that's not the thing.
I mean, it's about our factory. You know we have a factory, right?
I think something is odd with the wastewater,
and I think it should be investigated.
-Details of it are-- -You know what?
I could never understand what you're getting at.
OKJU FACTORY WASTE DUMPING REPORT
If you read that…
You sure about this?
Yes, I think I'm pretty sure.
The way I look at it…
Okay, I'll take care of it.
Nice report.
Right, yes.
-Good job. -Thank you.
-Off you go. -Yes, sir.
How about we find someone
modern and international for the model of Global Samjin?
That's too abstract.
Let's evaluate the candidates first.
Someone gentle but wild,
intelligent but innocent.
Mild but sexy. Someone like that.
No one is like that in Korea. There are only typical Koreans.
What about a foreign model?
-How about Tom Cruise? -Hey, do you even know how much he costs?
You're out of your mind.
What the heck. This is driving me crazy.
Ms. Jung, got any good ideas?
Aren't you looking for someone like our president?
Right, like our president.
He'd be perfect if he wasn't the president.
Wait.
What if he takes this position?
No, never mind.
I think it's fine.
Bill Gates appears in Microsoft commercials.
Right? Let's think this through.
He's a global character.
He's gentle.
Samjin Group is a corporation.
Therefore, we have to be reborn.
What if he really does it?
Too absurd?
Just push for it?
I'm feeling it.
-Should I call his secretary? -No way, this must be done in person!
-Ms. Jung. -Yes?
Today's you have grown more than yesterday's.
Thank you.
And also…
What's going on?
We're conducting an investigation.
Investigation?
-Who is he? -The village foreman.
Does it have a name?
Bo-ram's goldfish, so…
How's Rambo?
Awkward. So awkward.
Can I really keep it?
Sure, you'll need company.
Pardon?
I'm not well.
Take rest of the day off.
It's cancer, last stage.
Bo-ram, it's been really fun working with you.
Thank you for everything, sir.
-Take care. -Goodbye, sir.
OKJU REAL ESTATE
-Good work. -Thank you for coming so far.
-Hello. -Can I help you?
I'm from Samjin Electronics.
It's a chemical used to make circuit boards.
Just a tiny bit leaked.
It means there's no problem.
We'll be okay?
Yes, right there.
Thank you.
Hello!
Good afternoon, we're from Samjin!
Yes.
Hello, I'm from Samjin Electronics.
I came to tell you about Okju Factory.
There was a small phenol leak
due to wastewater spill--
Oh, the village foreman told me.
I apologize for causing concern on my company's behalf.
We're getting paid.
Yes.
KOREA BAR
Incredible.
It still bothers me!
Do you know why the British lie in the park on a sunny day?
Have I told you the history behind it?
Well, probably.
London gets smoggy often, right?
That's why whenever it's sunny, they chill out.
In 1952, the sky went dark when fog and coal met.
The Great Smog of London. Can you imagine?
The air pollution was so bad, over 10,000 people died.
Korea's not far off. We'll probably buy oxygen,
and sell air purifiers, too.
No way!
Get this. There were murder victims disguised as smog victims.
They killed people and said the smog killed them.
It must be nice to know so much.
You're the boss.
If it's safe, why pay them off?
The village foreman said…
I looked into it myself,
and phenol is categorized as a fatal poison.
Even if it's safe, it's true that there was a leak.
My nephew is a TV reporter.
It was a fair settlement.
Phenol? What's that?
It's a chemical used to make circuit boards,
and it's really dangerous if it's not incinerated.
Dorothy, there are plenty of ill people in this world.
Good work. It's all over.
Our company wouldn't lie about it.
But I clearly saw it myself.
Phenol leaked like a waterfall.
Dang it.
Do you have the analysis report?
It's in English. Was this done in the States?
The village foreman said he couldn't trust any Korean labs.
What does it mean?
Just look at the numbers. It says 1,98 here.
Under three means "Safety."
You said it was a waterfall.
Let's see. 1,98mg per 1L is…
only about this much.
What was the diameter? That pipe you saw.
About one meter.
Width of the stream?
About four times that of here to there.
How long did you see the waterfall?
-Over a minute? -About 20 to 30 seconds?
Conservatively, to leak like a waterfall,
it needs to have at least 30mg per 1L.
This bothers me even more.
There is a number here. Let's call them.
I mean…
I want to ask about a water analysis we requested.
We'd like to double-check the phenol test results.
It says the result is 1,98.
What did they say?
This number is to a corn farm in Nebraska.
A corn farm?
This is a copy. Did you see the original?
How could I see that?
You think the original is different?
It's a mystery.
If this is fake, then someone manipulated it.
Who? Why?
-Who was in charge of this? -Mr. Hong.
Should I go ask?
Are you nuts? He's the prime suspect.
Mr. Hong? No, he can't be.
Do killers write what they are on their foreheads?
RUDE
Why did they do it? Why would they go this far?
Ja-young, this is enough. Call it quits here.
We have to dig deeper and see what exactly is going on.
Then what? Are you going to be a whistleblower?
Don't get involved. You'll get hurt.
She's right. They probably didn't bother to conduct an analysis.
-They did! -Holy shit!
The phenol test was conducted.
So-ra, how did you know?
I was the contact point.
-Where? -Where?
The research lab.
-Which research lab? -"S."
"S"?
San Francisco! Seattle! Chicago!
Really?
Seoul National University in Sillim.
Oh, SNU?
But I'm not sure if the record is still there.
Bye.
Damn it!
Morning exercise will begin shortly.
I'll head out first. I'm late.
DAILY EXERCISE FOR OFFICE WORKERS
Where is Ja-young?
She said today is… that day.
That day? I see.
-Phenol? -Yes.
It's bad because it's a toxic substance.
It creates respiratory, digestive and skin problems.
It also leads to cancer that disables central nerves.
-If it's serious, it could lead to death. -Death?
Yes, if it's serious. It's about the quantity.
You're from Samjin Electronics?
Yes. My company requested water analysis, right?
That's right.
-Have you analyzed it? -We did.
Did you send the analysis report?
I did. What's the problem?
My department is in charge, but I didn't receive the report.
Could you make me a copy?
Let me see your business card.
LEE JA-YOUNG, SAMJIN ELECTRONICS
You guys work strangely.
Pardon?
You guys told me to destroy it a few days ago.
Now you want a copy. Make up your mind.
Let me check.
I'm really sorry.
I brought coffee.
AN OVATION TO THE LAST PLACE
THE WORLD IS CHANGING
AND WE ARE STANDING IN THE CENTER OF IT
BUT WE MUST ACT
RATHER THAN ADJUSTING TO AN UNREASONABLE WORLD,
ONE MUST JOIN FORCES WITH OTHERS
TO CHANGE THE WORLD
WE MUST PUT INTO ACTION
Yes?
Could you just tell me the level?
It's not 1,98, is it?
Is it over 10?
Over 100?
Is it 200?
Professor, this could lead to saving someone's life!
SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Looking for something?
Rambo is gone.
The goldfish. Did you move it?
I'm sorry.
What about the task I ordered you?
I'm working on it.
I thought you were fast. What's taking so long?
The numbers are all wrong.
Are you nuts?
Patching up those numbers is your job!
Fix it, okay?
Yes.
There is an idea of making you the ad model of Global Samjin.
We're serious, President.
Ms. Jung from my department mentioned Bill Gates,
and I think it's a great suggestion.
The reason why I thought you'd be a good fit is that
you would become the first CEO in Korea to be featured in an ad.
It could spark interest, and you'd increase credibility,
since you will be the one featured in the ad.
At least that's what I thought.
I'll accept your proposal. Make me look good.
Do you have a boyfriend?
No.
Why? One's not good enough?
Pardon?
Well, commercial high school graduates can only date men of that level.
Is that why you flirt with everyone?
Since the managing director is a no-go, are you after the president?
I heard what you did when you were a secretary.
I heard why you were transferred to our team.
You're not a gold digger, right?
But since everyone's calling you that,
you offend me as a fellow woman.
I'm not the one who should be criticized.
Okay, that will do.
So you let that bitch go?
Why are you crying?
If I had some evidence back then…
That fucking managing director.
Don't cry!
Don't tell Ja-young about it.
Where did my Rambo go?
It's Ja-young.
Did you check it out?
So?
There was a real analysis report.
Over 30? Or 50?
Over 100?
-It's 488? -No way.
What do we do?
We turn a blind eye.
That's not like you.
Quit the company?
Why should you? What did you do wrong?
But I did.
Villagers trusted me and signed the settlement.
I had so many different thoughts.
Should I go to the media? Will they believe me, then?
No, the villagers come first. I must inform them.
But that'd be irresponsible because telling them doesn't solve this.
What can I do then? I thought to myself, but then,
I got a page from Mr. Choi, asking where export invoices were.
So I told him.
Mr. Hong asked about the packing list, so I told him.
Then you know what he said?
He said the office doesn't run without me.
You know what?
I don't want to make coffee, clean and file paperwork every damn day!
I want to research
if epoxy is a better PCB adhesive than phenol.
Also, remember what I always tell you?
A machine that dries laundry.
Not a washing machine that dries, but a separate one!
I want to develop that idea, too.
Fuck, me too!
I want to change the accounting system to prevent faking receipts.
I really mean it.
I've always wanted to do some really good work when I get promoted.
But I don't want to bet my life on this company.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself and say what you want to do.
Solve the phenol problem.
How?
The method we failed.
No! If you blow the whistle, you'll be labeled a gold digger!
Got any evidence?
I don't, but I got a suspect.
Who?
Someone who can order the factory to discharge Phenol.
And someone who is in a position to fake the analysis results.
Drop the fucking names!
Someone who was at the factory
and recently moved to the HQ. The Managing Director.
The chairman's son?
That's tough. He's untouchable.
I know.
This is delicious.
Can we walk? I'm out of breath!
-We have to hurry! Almost there! -I can taste blood in my mouth.
Let's walk.
We still have 84 seconds until the last train!
Ja-young, are you coming to work tomorrow?
Come on! Don't give me that face!
Here's what we do.
Let's not decide whether to blow the whistle,
but obtain evidence first.
How?
If Mr. Oh is the perpetrator, he'll react to the real report.
It means his cover-up is exposed.
It's like seeing someone you killed come back alive.
So, we toss in the bait.
Leaking it on purpose.
See you tomorrow.
-What's with you? -What about me?
You're not like you.
What am I like?
Rude, self-centered, and uninterested in others?
Girls!
What?
-What? -I can't hear you!
-What?
-You got no money? -No money?
-What? -I can't hear you!
Thank you!
Look at the first phrase.
It's showing your will.
Not just stopping, but with conviction.
PHENOL RELEASE: 6 MONTHS
OKJU FACTORY EXPENSES YEAR 1995
-Would you like some? -No, no.
Expense this as lunch with Mr. Park from Mirim Electronics.
Yes, sir.
SUPER ELASTIC STOCKINGS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Have you calculated?
To get 488, even 325 tons of Phenol is conservative.
Daily quantity as 1,87, then 173,796791.
It's about six months' worth.
Mr. Oh's term at the factory was six months.
Looking at the expenses for that period,
HQ remitted incineration funds every month,
but incineration was excluded in the daily log.
So they didn't.
-Will he react to it? -Absolutely. He'll make the call.
To whom?
His accomplice.
If Mr. Oh is the one, he'll call his accomplice.
SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
PHENOL: 488mg/L
Production Management Team Three, Lee Ja-young speaking.
Mr. Hong, it's the secretary.
Who? Mr. Oh?
Yes. Line Three, please.
Yes, this is Hong Su-cheol.
Yes.
Ms. Lee, my PC's weird. It's lagging.
Have you defragged the hard drive?
Right, defrag.
I thought that's all wrapped up.
Ms. Lee, I can't tell where this fax is from.
See this number? This is the sender's fax.
-Subtract 1, and call 2418. -Very nice.
I understand.
-Ja-young? -Yes?
Give this to Mr. Oh.
Yes, sir.
OKJU FACTORY WASTE DUMPING REPORT
"Result, 1,98"? What's this?
Where is Mr. Ahn?
He's in the board meeting.
Why is he there?
RE-DIAL
Yeonhee District.
Hello?
It's blowing up. Record it!
Did you do this?
Do what?
If the factory had a problem, why wasn't I notified?
We sent the report. Didn't you see it?
Dude, how did you take care of this?
My employee witnessed a phenol spill from the factory.
Who?
Mr. Oh, is there a problem?
Ahn Ki-chang! Are you trying to fuck me up?
Are you ignoring me?
I get it. I totally get it.
I understand it all now.
I fucking get it!
I get it now!
Oh Tae-young!
What the hell do you know!
You caused so many problems as the head of the factory!
Always missing deadlines, faulty parts, wasting funds!
To get anything approved,
I had to find you at the golf course or the bar!
I thought things calmed down, but now it's a phenol leak!
Mr. Oh,
I can clean up the mess you caused outside.
But this is a workplace.
Know your limits.
But dude, seriously,
Samjin's mine!
I think Mr. Oh misunderstood something.
But that's okay.
You're a Samjin family.
I want you to…
I got goosebumps. I bet you were so scared.
It's Mr. Oh who was scared. He got caught.
Why did he lash out at Mr. Ahn?
Mr. Ahn worked under Mr. Oh, but after Billy arrived--
Mr. Ahn switched?
Actually, Mr. Oh contacted another person.
Who?
Seriously? You actually re-dialed?
You said everyone does it.
But that's in movies and novels.
I thought my heart was about to burst!
Amazing.
Whose number is it? 4058?
-Yeonhee District. -Yeonhee?
Who? Ex-president Cheon's and Roh's?
The chairman.
So the chairman is the accomplice?
Let's follow Mr. Oh first.
SAMJIN HOTEL
We can't all be in here!
Shouldn't one of us follow him?
Holy shit!
What?
-Hair? -What kind?
I think Mr. Oh did a drug test of the president.
Did he do drugs?
No, according to this, he's perfectly clean. Negative!
Even his hair is cool.
Motherfucker, piss off.
Where's Bo-ram?
Rambo.
You were here?
Let's eat.
What the hell?
Hello?
His line is busy.
Why don't you ever answer?
I've been calling you
like all day.
Nothing major, but it's fucked up here, though.
I think someone's fucking with me.
It's about phenol.
Even the smallest thing messes with me.
Bro, this company is all mine, isn't it?
Would I do anything to jeopardize it?
Bro, listen to me.
When I was working at the factory,
I really tried to do well.
But you know those fucking union pricks?
They don't even work well,
and always break shit and ask for money to fix them.
They tried to scam me, so I got pissed off,
and told them to throw it away because it stank as hell.
Everyone does it like that, right?
But you know what?
Someone's messing with me by sending the report.
There are two reports, you know?
Two analysis reports.
Father? No.
The chairman doesn't know anything.
I talked to him but he doesn't know anything.
Do you know anything about this?
If Samjin mascot Bong doesn't know, then who?
I don't know anything about this.
I heard you were retiring,
so I went to see you, but you were already gone.
By the way, do you remember my goldfish?
Why was it at your desk?
I was going to put it in my office when I became the president.
Billy Park. That fucker pisses me off.
Bro, can I really be the president?
Two analysis reports.
Father? No.
Damn, it stopped in the middle.
Let's eat first.
Yes, let's eat.
If Mr. Oh didn't manipulate it,
then who was he talking to?
I don't know.
How are you feeling?
I think I'm all right so far.
How are you doing?
Did you find any fun tasks?
I did,
but it's not fun anymore.
Can I ask you something?
Sure.
What's your relationship with Mr. Oh?
When he started working,
I taught him the ropes.
Why? Does he bother you?
It's about phenol. Okju Factory's phenol.
It's very serious, but someone manipulated the tests.
I don't know who did it, though.
It's me.
I'm the perpetrator.
Pardon?
Hello, I'm calling from Samjin Electronics.
Yes, sorry for calling again.
Right, that business card?
The one who came to ask to destroy the report?
Yes, I'm looking for it. I'll call you back.
Didn't an SNU analysis report come to the Audit Department?
Strategic Planning said it was sent to you.
Management Support took it.
I think Legal took care of it.
I was told to send it to Global Planning, so I did.
What's going on? Why are you so into this?
Your department took care of it, right? Who was in charge?
Production Management Team Three, your department took it.
Ms. Lee, assignment.
I had signs of premature labor, so I went for a checkup,
and phenol was detected in my urine.
Come on, that nonsense again.
Mr. Choi, talk some sense into her!
As I've told you, the analysis came back safe.
See? It's safe!
Samjin must have done it properly, no?
Also, let me be frank with you. This area had nothing until Samjin…
I was someone who followed orders.
That was my last task.
There was a phenol leak, and I was told it was safe,
but I'm sure the leak was massive.
It was an order and I put together a decent settlement package.
Who ordered you?
Don't try to find out. It's better that you don't.
That's what corporations are like.
They always choose options that minimize losses.
Maybe that's how I got cancer.
Who is it?
My dad needs surgery soon,
but we got no money.
There's nothing I can do.
I'm sorry.
No, I'm the one to apologize.
Wait a minute.
-Were you studious in school? -Pardon?
You work at Samjin.
I think…
I studied hard.
I wanted to work in Seoul.
Looks weird, right?
It's because we don't use pesticide, try it.
Our apples are really sweet.
I'll pack some for you. Share it with your colleagues.
-Here. -Thank you.
-I can do that. -It's fine!
Gosh, it's really good.
That business card of the man who asked to destroy the report.
-Yes. Did you find it? -I can't find it.
It's weird.
I'm sorry. I thought I received his card.
No, it's okay, thank you.
But I remember his face. How can I put it?
He looked ordinary.
Totally an office worker type.
Did he wear glasses or not?
I think he did. Maybe not.
Anyway, he wanted his coffee in a peculiar way.
That I remember for sure.
Coffee?
Most people take coffee, whitener and sugar
in 2-2-2, 2-2-3 or 2-3-2 ratio, right?
-Yes. -But he took 1-1-1.
One, one, one.
Ja-young.
How's the English study going?
It would be nice for you to get promoted after passing the test.
I'm sure you'll do really well.
You're tenacious, right?
Are you tired?
It all worked out and we talked to the village foreman, too.
I don't think we need to come back here again.
We'll be back
because nothing's solved.
Everything's solved!
A total of 325 tons of phenol was leaked for six months since March this year.
And HQ covered it up by manipulating the report.
They committed these two crimes,
and tried to make it go away by spending less than 20 million won.
They don't know why the villagers are sick or how much they are sick.
That's why they just ignored it. Right?
Stop the car.
Jesus.
Lee Ja-young.
I guess you forgot your place because I kept respecting you.
I told you to turn a blind eye from the very start!
Whose fault is that I'm having such a tough time?
You're all worked up over nothing.
That hurts!
Ms. Lee, that hurts!
It hurts?
How could you only notice your own pain?
Did you play volleyball?
Who ordered you to destroy the SNU analysis?
How did you know that? I'm not supposed to tell.
-Mr. Choi! -Yes, Ms. Lee.
DONG-SU'S
I wrote everything down just in case,
because I get blamed for everything.
Here, it was this day.
I was drinking in Jongno when I got a page.
It was around midnight, and I was told to go to the office,
and shred the analysis report Global Planning Department sent.
Then I was told to go to SNU in the morning,
and destroy the original report.
-Who ordered you? -Mr. Ahn.
He gave me the American report.
He said not to tell Mr. Hong, and proceed the settlement with it.
Make it look like we sent it to the USA due to the foreman's objection?
Yes, that's right.
But I knew this was all wrong, so I asked him,
"How will you handle it if this backfires?"
then he said, "No problem, it's all taken care of.
No one upstairs will cause a stink over it."
"Upstairs"? Who?
I don't know.
It feels so good to get it all out.
So no more phenol leaks after what I witnessed. Right?
Probably, since it hasn't rained.
"Rained"?
You didn't know?
They said they leak it whenever it rains.
Oh, right, what day is it today?
Mr. Ahn said something big will blow up.
A really big one.
So he told me to be cool, and act normal.
Reports of stench from tap water are increasing.
According to the authorities,
factory wastewater has leaked into the reservoir,
and the stench came from mixing chlorine and phenol.
The amount of phenol detected is 110 times the safe amount.
In other words, the tap water has become the water of death.
The prosecution is investigating factories near Okju stream,
especially Samjin, which produces printed circuit boards.
Listen carefully to what I say.
If the prosecutors ask, say yes, no, I don't know.
-It means don't blabber on. -Yes, sir!
What about the documents? The phenol leak and aftermath reports.
-Are they clean? -Yes, sir!
You knew about this?
Be quiet!
Everyone stay alert.
The prosecutors are smart. They are no easy foes.
Should I just say, "I don't know?"
"I'm not sure. I can't think of it. I don't remember."
Just mix it up.
Get creative with "I don't know" variations.
Hang in there. It will be a week at most.
Mr. Prosecutor, I have to go support the Finance team.
Our stock's tanking, so it's really crazy here.
Go ahead.
Okay.
Sir.
I visited
the factory last month.
Miss?
Yes?
Could you get me some smokes?
Two packs, please.
-Apologize! Apologize! -Apologize! Apologize!
Denounce illegal dumping of phenol!
-Denounce! Denounce! -Denounce! Denounce!
-Samjin must apologize! -Apologize!
POLLUTER OF TAP WATER! REFUSE SAMJIN PRODUCTS!
Boycott Samjin products!
-Boycott! Boycott! -Boycott! Boycott!
Denounce illegal dumping of phenol!
-Denounce! Denounce! -Denounce! Denounce!
Samjin must apologize!
-Apologize! Apologize! -Apologize! Apologize!
Boycott Samjin products!
-Boycott! Boycott! -Boycott! Boycott!
-It's been a while. -Yes.
What's up?
Do you still have
the number for the reporter we contacted?
Where's Bo-ram?
Let's go upstairs.
This has been reported before.
You worked hard for this, but none of it is usable.
The villagers didn't get compensated at all.
That's because they signed the settlement.
Big corporations are very meticulous.
Then can they get compensated
if they file a class-action lawsuit?
Samjin will drag it out, but the settlement is still a problem.
If only there was proof
that Samjin HQ knew about it, but systematically covered it up.
A smoking gun?
Yes, irrefutable evidence.
I'm thinking of quitting.
Why?
I'm scared to go to work.
Do what you want to do.
I don't know what I want to do.
Then what do you not want to do?
There's a lot of that.
I hate our uniform. It's uncomfortable.
I hate being labeled as a high school graduate.
I hate getting bumped into on the way to work, too.
No one has any manners!
And being treated like a little girl.
I'm almost 30.
And I get forced to smile. I guess I'm easy to pick on,
so I have to smile and gauge everyone's mood.
Like this, I think I'll cry from smiling so much.
Also, I absolutely can't stand cheating with numbers.
I feel bad for the numbers.
You're sure of what you hate. You're doing well.
Pardon?
If you don't know what you like,
just do anything.
Then maybe you'll find something you like.
Can't I stand still?
But that's no fun.
The rain stopped.
Ms. Lee, I can't tell where this fax is from.
See this number? This is the sender's fax.
Subtract 1, and call 2418.
Let's go.
What? It's Seoul.
You know this too, right?
Normally, the fax number is just the phone number minus one.
If the number is 771, it's nearby.
It's Myeong-dong! Myeong-dong!
California, my foot. I got you now!
But the two numbers are often completely different.
I get more excited when you spoil the mood.
I'm so dumb. Why did I figure this out now?
But at least I know now.
Samjin Hotel front desk. How can I help you?
Let's go to the front and ask. They will have the fax record!
You really didn't see anything in Mr. Oh's hotel room?
What is it?
Mr. Ahn gave me the American report,
and said to proceed settlement with it.
"No one upstairs will cause a stink over it."
"Upstairs"? Who?
This really was a murder disguised as a smog death.
We now know the perp. We just need solid evidence.
Let's go to the front and get the fax record.
Then they will deny it. So we need security cam footage!
We need to get inside that room. How do we do that?
The rooftop. Shall we rappel down from the roof?
But the window will be locked.
Then let's break the window. That's what we do.
You're nuts.
Do you know why office workers can't be detectives?
We got neither time nor authority.
Spoiling the mood again.
Girls! I got it!
I heard it from Mr. Bong!
Billy! Our president is the perpetrator!
What? You already knew?
I bet you didn't know this.
What's this?
Mr. Bong gave it to us.
Mr. Ahn asked him to calculate the settlement payouts.
This was in the documents,
and he didn't know what it meant back then.
But she figured it out.
She's a math genius, who won an Olympiad.
So 3,28ft you see there is converted to 1m--
It's the factory's pipe diameter.
So 65 yards refers to the stream's width
and 488 is the amount of phenol leaked--
So what?
So, using constant e, imaginary i with Euler's formula--
In short, the approximate date of the Phenol leak going public--
And the amount of leak were calculated beforehand.
-Who did? -An American?
A math genius from MIT?
But someone else probably masterminded this.
Billy Park, that son of a bitch.
Sir.
You're the only one who can save the company.
It's 771-9535.
Oh, no. Everything's in English.
People work the same way, and documents are formatted the same.
MEDICAL REPORT
What?
"Bear Hug Project"?
-"Bear Hug" means "a big hug". -"Bear Hug"?
Cheers!
Rambo.
TOEIC TEST QUESTIONNAIRE
PROVERBS THAT COME UP FREQUENTLY ON TOEIC
You fucking bitches!
Oh Tae-young, you're under arrest for water quality and ecosystem violation.
The headline is "Full Account of Samjin Co.'s Phenol Case."
Add another, "CEO Billy Park Ordered Cover-up."
Okay, show me the photos.
Doesn't he look despicable here?
Lead story on the front page.
Thank you!
Over here! Say cheese!
Boss, one more! One more!
He's so photogenic!
SAMJIN GROUP DEVELOPS ECO TV
I was told you asked it to be on the front page.
Mr. Yoon, what happened?
Isn't it obvious?
My editor blocked it.
What about the documents?
The smoking gun?
They took everything.
What about the copies? I told you to make some.
They even searched those and took them.
Those corporation pricks sure are meticulous.
This world will never change.
You three sure are shrews, being all nosy.
This can't be the work of high school graduates.
They're getting fired?
That's the least of it. The company's suing them.
Sue them for what?
We all signed a non-disclosure agreement when we were hired.
They will be fined a few hundred thousand.
They didn't do anything wrong.
I'll take full responsibility.
Is the world getting worse?
Back in the day, the sky, the people, and everything else was great.
But people nowadays only care about themselves,
and the society is rotting.
Even so, one must not say,
"Things were better in the old days," so recklessly.
It's irresponsible to say for those who never lived it.
Just as it was an important time for me,
I hope it's just as beautiful to someone.
So they just got a pay cut?
Mr. Bong said he'd take full responsibility for them.
He said he ordered everything.
The company people didn't even show up because he was a whistleblower.
He dedicated his entire life to Samjin, but he ruined it all in the end.
He was bragging that his kid got into a big company.
Why isn't anyone from there here for the funeral?
They can't come all the way from Seoul.
BONG HYUN-CHEOL
Oh, my, he still hasn't left?
The funeral was dead since he didn't have any relatives.
He's Bo-ram's boss.
Studying English is about repeating. Just keep repeating.
Then there is a point where your skill jumps instinctively, got it?
Please don't give up.
Yes.
Ms. Lee? Ms. Lee!
They told me not to be friends with you. It's so childish.
Choi Dong-su!
Don't even chat with her. Who knows what she might do?
If I were you, I'd have resigned already.
You got all your stuff taken away.
We should go, sir.
Ms. Song, do you understand?
Destroy everything here?
No, burn them.
Go to the roof and have a smoke too.
What do you mean, sir?
I don't smoke.
SISA NEWSPAPER
I forgot to tell you this.
A new karaoke opened.
Shall we go sing since we're all in a foul mood?
Lee Ja-young! Shim Bo-ram! Let's go!
Where?
The English class!
Extra class starts today. Are you hungry?
We're all doing this to live. Let's eat first.
Got any croissants?
Eat whatever, we're really late.
You fucking bitches!
You girls are too much!
Study English for a damn promotion?
Jung Yu-nah!
When Mr. Kwak was harassing you, you were crying like a bitch.
Remember what I did?
I kicked his Mercedes!
Smashed his side mirror!
She's right!
Shim Bo-ram!
When you sprained your ankle while hopping fence for losing your keys,
who took you to the ER?
I even paid for the treatment!
-I paid 98,300 won for you! -You paid 98,300 won.
If you unsheathe your sword, you have to cut something!
Forget it, just go!
I'm not giving up!
I'm so lonely!
Why are you crying?
Don't cry.
Hey, Dorothy.
That's why we should go to the extra class.
We haven't unsheathed our swords yet.
Life at work is a series of betrayals.
I don't know about this.
Finances?
So many difficult words.
Pulling an all-nighter isn't enough.
Don't spoil the mood.
They must've worked all night.
They're going all out.
Will you look the other way?
Don't try to be the hero. This concerns us too.
KOREA BAR
Let's begin.
This phrase came up in the exam two years ago.
It's not a literal bear hug,
but a business lingo.
This is an acquisition strategy,
in which a company is forced out of a situation.
Who exactly is Billy Park?
A famous Wall Street consultant, scouted by the chairman,
but he has ties to Global Capital.
A corporate mole.
Meaning, "Global Capital is planning to resell a Japanese electronics company."
So what kind of company is Global Capital?
They buy up shares of their target companies,
and use that as leverage for short-term gains.
In other words, raiders, corporate raiders.
A company called S is the target,
in other words, Global Capital is acquiring S,
only to resell it to a Japanese company.
In short, "Eat and Run."
Take off without paying.
Billy had only one goal, to drop the stock price.
So that Global Capital can hoard our shares on the cheap.
Ja-young witnessed the phenol leak,
and the president exploited this.
He knew when it got out, the shares would plummet,
so he didn't stop the leak. He accelerated it.
Mystery solved.
Fabricated the analysis, got settlements, covered up the truth.
The main course starts here.
Global Capital will openly propose a merger between two companies.
Look at this. A flight is already booked.
Billy will fly out to America on this day.
To summarize, the board will sell off the company, Billy runs away,
then the villagers will never get compensated,
and we'll get fired.
Fuck!
I poured my youth into this company!
Not on my watch!
We have to stop this, no matter what!
Legal, do you know any lawyers? We got solid evidence right here!
These are stolen documents. They can't stand in the court.
What we need now is dynamite.
Here they come.
We're late, Ms. Lee.
You said you knew the way. We just went round and round.
Mrs. Kim!
I missed you!
I brought twisted breadsticks!
-You're the bomb! -So cool!
-It will work, you don't think so? -I think it will.
-Not sure. -Maybe not.
-I don't think it will work out. -Wait.
What about contacting the chairman first?
The most likely method is
going after the most risky option first.
I think that's the highest probability of winning.
-Mr. Chairman. -You ungrateful bastard!
Is this the global standard you promised me?
I got it all wrong.
A corporation is best when it's small.
As it grows, it's hard to maintain control.
I can't downsize
because people's livelihood is depended on this company.
Hey! You spineless pricks!
What were you all doing while Samjin went down the gutter?
So you guys are from Global Capital!
I won't sell my company to you.
Mr. Chairman, calm down.
Like hell I will!
You're fired, asshole!
Mr. Chairman, if you are done, please leave.
What?
Samjin Group is a corporation.
Hey!
Billy!
That document tells a different story!
How dare you?
The English teacher was right. "instinctively."
I can understand English now.
I get the gist of it too.
Ms. Lee!
You wrote the very first phenol leak report, right?
He already knew, even though he's prickly.
What's your plan?
Don't you work for an insurance company?
I told you, I work for a stockbroker.
The president always says, "Samjin is a corporation."
We have to use it to our advantage.
Convince the shareholders?
Is merger good for the shareholders?
Management dispute increases stock for a bit,
but not for long.
In the long term, the shares will be a third of its value.
Could I get your signature?
Let's see.
Why are you doing so much for this damn company?
I thought my company
was making things that enriches people's lives.
But if my work is ultimately hurting those people,
what am I working for?
To make money? To simply survive?
I spend most of my waking hours here,
and I want that to be meaningful.
And I want my work to help people.
The stake of people here is 38,9 percent.
The shareholder agreements add up to 39,1 percent,
taking account of plus and minus 0,001 percent.
The agreement content is simple.
Enjoy World Global Samjin's merger will be determined
at the shareholders' meeting.
Stop them!
Choi Dong-su, are you nuts?
How dare you come in here!
-Open the door! -Open up!
The prosecution arrested six employees and Managing Director Oh Tae-young,
as well as President Billy Park for violating Water Quality Conservation Act.
Shareholders showed up en masse,
and 68,3 percent of them voted to reject the merger.
A new CEO will be appointed at their next board meeting.
Samjin's Chairman Oh Soon-cheol made an official apology.
Samjin will also compensate the victims with 130 million won each,
and vowed to complete its recycling program in Okju.
Like you said, we're back here again.
I'll go visit the foreman and the village elders.
THE 47TH TOEIC ENGLISH EXAMINATION
I can do it, you can do it, we can do it! TOEIC!
ASSISTANT MANAGER PROMOTION LIST LEE JA-YOUNG, JUNG YU-NAH, SHIM BO-RAM
SAMJIN ACCOUNTING PROGRAM
Jin-yi, don't think that your world exists within the boundary set by others.
Always do things you enjoy, okay?
Ms. Shim, I can take care of myself.
As you see,
the consumer paradigm is changing.
So the copy I thought of is,
Production Management Team Three, Lee Ja-young speaking.
Yes, that was my idea.
A dryer separate from the washing machine.
Yes.
-Yu-nah, do you have a boyfriend? -What?
Now that the president rejected you, you're after the chairman?
Isn't he too old for you?
Hey.
Mind your own business.
Focus on your own damn life.
Subtitle translation by: Tae Jo