My company is based in France,
and managers are all French,
Why are they hostile to labor unions?
Because they can in Korea.
They know they won't get prosecuted or criticized,
and it's cheaper to not have a union
This takes more than a sense of righteousness.
Give it more time, think it over.
Am I to sit back and watch them lose their jobs without knowing why?
Don't waste your energy. Go home.
Can you do that?
I can't.
Mr. Koo.
It is more troublesome for the company to follow a legal procedure,
Mr. Lee.
What are you doing?
What the hell are you doing in the store?
I am trying to persuade her to join a union.
AWL
This story begins on a certain day in June, 2003.
Episode 4
There is an umbrella factory and a fan factory.
Each factory has ten employees working at all times.
This town has a dry season and a rainy season
Naturally umbrellas get sold a lot in a rainy season and fans in a dry season.
But, because it is difficult to meet high demand with ten employees
there is a shortage of umbrellas in a rainy season and of fans in a dry season.
On the other hand,
there is a surplus of workers in the umbrella factory in a dry season
and in the fan factory in a rainy season.
Therefore,
two factories agreed to send five of their workers to the one with a shortage of labor
so that each factory can meet high demand in their busy season.
As a result,
the employees had neither too much work nor too little work,
factories made profit and buyers could get the goods they needed
the overall productivity of society increased.
This is called Labor Market Flexibility, right?
Easy to hire when needed, and easy to fire when no longer needed.
In theory, it helps everyone including society.
We will assume that's true for now.
Then,
Who is entitled to profit from the increase in productivity?
The ones that moved back and forth, working their butts off.
the ones that moved back and forth
they are the temporary workers.
It is tiring to move back and forth.
You have to get trained each time, move to new places, and risk a break between jobs.
That's why temporary workers deserve higher wage.
But in reality?
Temporary workers get less.
Sometimes as little as half the wage of permanent workers.
That means,
Thanks to temporary workers,
companies are making more money while spending less on labor.
Then where did that profit go?
To the company, of course. Where else?
The company gets a piece, that's for sure.
But not as much as you might think.
Then who gets it?
The ones holding a flag.
The ones in the middle that move workers back and forth.
Temporary staffing and secondment agencies, outsourcing companies, and their kinds,
the ones talking on the phone all day, sending workers to here and there.
Ten people to Dae Won Electronic by Monday.
It's the same guy who worked as a middleman between peasants and landlords.
Mr. Hwang!
You're slowing down with that hoe-ing.
Do you want me to cut down your pay?
Hey, mister!
Am I right or no?
How much is Sam Jin paying you for this service?
I know that a regular rate for one person is 300 dollars.
But how much do you get?
150 dollars?
Who is taking the other 150 dollars?
The one who gave you a call, right?
That's on top of the introduction fee they get from the company.
He'd better shut up now.
Seventy percent of newly hired in 2002 were temporary workers.
Then,
Will they get offered a permanent position if they work hard?
Conversion rate is less than 9 percent for those who worked for more than 4 years.
In America, the conversion rate for people who worked for a year is almost 57 percent.
What does this imply?
What does it mean?
It means that many of hard working Korean workers
have no hope of ever having a permanent employment in their lives.
It's not a one time thing.
After the economic crisis in 1997,
as we sold our wedding ring to save our country
as we wrote a letter of resignation to save our companies,
even as we went through all the commotion with outsourcing, staff reduction, and such,
we all believed that it would all be better once the economy recovers.
Gone are the days when the head of household could support family
and put kids through college with one income.
Those days are over.
Why would they want to change this convenient system that
allows companies to use and dispose workers at their will?
Give it a few more years.
You won't even remember
that those times existed.
You are hopeless.
Who's going to follow an outcast and join a union?
There always is one guy everybody likes and trusts.
You have to get that person first.
When I was in the army,
I got medals for exemplary leadership.
Who said you will be a leader?
There is no guarantee that you'd be a leader just because you started it.
It's different from the army where soldiers get conscripted and forced to stay.
You have to personally recruit them,
let them go if they want to leave.
That's how unions work.
Find a charismatic person.
That's the fast way.
What is he up to?
Did Mr. Joo do something wrong?
It's creepy.
Doesn't he look like those guys, what are they called?
Stalker?
Yeah, that's the word.
I bet he was the same with girls too.
Stalker!
That guy's been stalking you.
That's my boyfriend.
Why did you suddenly,
I wanted to make a good impression on you.
Mr. Joo!
good impression on you
good impression on you.
Yes, sir.
I was,
Go ahead.
Would you like to join
the union with me?
I didn't get that.
Could you say it one more time?
The union.
Would you like to join the union?
This is settled, OK?
Come on, Kyung-sik.
You promised last time.
You said you could get me off for five straight days.
At least let me use my half day off.
You want to sabotage my chance of getting married?
Sales are down, it's not a good time.
Kyung-sik! Kyung-sik! Remember last time?
You made me stay with you because you were nervous about Gaston.
Min-jung gave me hell for standing her up that day.
She's going to kill me this time if I don't keep the promise.
Fine.
Can't give consecutive days off, how about separately?
No, I can't!
I am meeting Min-jung's parents for the first time.
I need two days at least! Is that too much to ask?
Nothing is too much to ask between us, right? You got it, OK?
No! I am serious!
Kyung-sik! Kyung-sik!
I really can't!
Thank you!
Mr. Lee.
You are here alone again.
I will try to explain, one more time.
If someone says out of nowhere, let's join a union!
Sounds good. Let's do it!
That's not going to happen.
Most Koreans think that joining a union is like committing a crime.
They will run away even before you finish the sentence.
Haven't you dated a girl before?
It's like dating.
Charming people attract charming people.
That's the law of attraction.
I see so many charming faces here.
Well, you attracted them, Mr. Koo.
I didn't attract them. They came on their own.
That means,
You are poop.
They are flies?
What?
Among the people who followed you,
Mr. Lee is the most charming.
Try not to lose him.
I charmed him.
Am I one of the flies?
How can you do this to me?
You swore you could go this time.
I told everyone you were coming, what am I going to do now?
Keep it down.
Do you think it was easy for me to get those days off?
I had to juggle my schedule and trade shifts with others.
What kind of a company keeps changing a schedule?
Even part time works don't do that.
You say that because you don't know what it's like.
Most companies are like that.
There are only so many people that can handle a task,
What if they all take a vacation at once,
Close the store for a while?
Sales are down these days.
What I want to know is that why it has to be you every time?
He always asks for a favor and never returns one.
Just like the last time, he always asks you because he knows that you can't say no.
That was different.
Gaston was coming in.
Kyung-sik begged me to take care of the store.
If you think about it,
They ask for me because they have faith in my abilities.
Would you rather prefer if they never asked for me?
You said he's been giving you a hard time.
That's only because
that jerk Mr. Chung is putting so much pressure on him.
Kyung-sik does not mean to do that.
Besides, Kyung-sik really takes care of me.
He's making me all those works because he wants me to learn.
Kyung-sik!
You have to thank me a million times!
You have any idea how much Min-jung yelled at me?
Jun-cheol.
Kyung-sik.
Remember that night with Young Kwang Fish Co.?
They found out about it.
I don't know who ratted out,
You are their target.
What are you saying?
I tried to stop it.
You know how it is these days.
Write a resignation letter.
If you do that,
I will try to get you a few more months worth of resignation pay.
If you get a dismissal,
You can't even get unemployment compensation.
Before that happens,
Just resign.
What about you?
You were there with me.
Why are they on me only?
How should I know.
The other parties mentioned your name only.
Are you thinking about
dragging me down with you?
Didn't Kyung-sik ask you to come that night?
How is that your fault? They were entertaining Kyung-sik.
Taxi fare.
Mr. Kim gave me some money for a cab fare.
Jun-cheol!
Is it possible that Mr. Huh is trying to get rid of you?
No, he's not.
He can be a sneak sometimes but he wouldn't do that to me.
Then, what are you going to do?
What do I do?
Let's go in.
We will talk afterwards.
Mr. Huh, have you seen the list of promotional merchandise?
It should be on Mr. Chung's desk.
Report from Seafood Dept. -Huh Kyung-sik.
Notice of Dismissal.
2003.5. 28. Assistant Manager Hwang Jun-cheol met with
Young Kwang Fish Co. suppliers and received entertainment
Oh, my copies.
It works.
What are you doing at my desk?
I was looking for the list of promotional merchandise.
I don't have it.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Lee.
Isn't this yours?
Yes.
You know, Min-jung and I are getting married soon.
Don't worry about it too much.
How can I not? How can you say that?
Jun-cheol, are you going to resign?
I have no choice.
No choice?
You are going to let them dump this on you?
It's Mr. Lee. Be quite.
Mr. Lee.
Mr. Joo.
You are friends with Hwang Jun-cheol from seafood department, yes?
Yes, I am with him now.
Is everything OK with him?
How did you know?
Did he write the resignation letter?
A resignation letter?
No, he hasn't.
What?
You are coming here?
This is
written by Kyung-sik?
Yes.
It's crazy.
Jun-cheol!
Jun-cheol! Stop it!
Hwang Jun-cheol, cut it out!
You know what?
I was too embarrassed to tell you this,
Last year, on Min-jung's birthday,
I was blowing balloons and lighting candles
helping Kyung-sik propose to his girl.
I was supposed to meet Min-jung's family,
Min-jung was looking forward to it, and I blew it.
For him.
Let's kick his ass.
Let's beat him up.
And we will all quit at the same time.
He'll be screwed if we all leave at once.
Let's do that.
We can't stay there after what he's done to you.
Do you want me to call him now?
Try to calm down a little.
This is none of your business.
How can we calm down in this situation?
Do you know how long Jun-cheol has known Mr. Huh?
Five years.
He can't do this to Jun-cheol.
Suh Min-ho.
Will you stop being rude to Mr. Lee?
I am only telling him how it is.
Jung Cheol-min!
What's going on over there?
What are you guys doing there?
Nothing much.
Doesn't seem like nothing. Make a way.
Go back inside.
How about we quit during the busiest time?
That sounds good.
Are you guys all taking a class on how to be a sucker?
They took out a knife to cut off one head, and all the others stretch their necks.
You guys should be the employees of the month.
They are taking you out one by one because it's hard to get rid of you all at once,
But you will quit together at once?
They will thank you for that, Merci beaucoup!
What do you mean?
Do you think they are doing it because they hate Mr. Hwang here?
Do you think they even bother to hate you guys?
77% of most supermarket chains' employees are temporary workers.
They have less than three consecutive years of employment.
How about Fourmis?
About 30 percent is permanent employees, just like others.
They are trying to follow suit and fire you guys all and fill the positions
with cheap temporary workers and save some money.
Don't you get that?
If you want to strike back, stab where it hurts,
why are you trying to caress them?
You just love your company so much.
What can we do to hurt them?
Show them how tough a man's neck can be.
Let me take a look at your employee handbook first.
What is that?
How can you not know that?
It has company policies and procedures.
similar to school rules.
What do we need that for?
You need to know the rules to play the game.
Excuse me.
Can I see the employee handbook?
Why?
What do you mean why?
Aren't we all allowed to see that?
I think so.
Mr. Park, where is our employee handbook?
What's that?
Employee handbook.
I've seen it somewhere around here,
Found it.
Here you go.
I thought that an employee handbook
should be clearly displayed for employees to see.
Here.
It was displayed inside the cabinet.
I say it has almost everything that's supposed to be there.
It might be better for this to stay inside the cabinet.
How come?
These are all empty words copied from standardized policies.
Because of you, the company will try to adhere to the policies.
unless they are bigger idiots than I think.
Let's take this to a disciplinary hearing and fight there.
Look at this weird thing, what is this?
I think you are supposed to lie on your back.
Am I doing this right?
How does this help you exercise?
Su-in.
Help.
Are you all right?
I think you should go to a hospital.
No, it's not a big deal.
It's called being old.
What's wrong, Mr. Lee?
Are you worried that I might die?
I was thinking about Mr. Hwang.
Hwang Jun-cheol?
I know he followed Mr. Huh, but
it's true that he was there.
We don't know if it happened more than once.
So?
What are you saying?
Are you saying that companies can fire people
if they are not as pure and perfect as you are?
No.
I am not saying that but,
that's not the kind of place for an engaged man to go
You are saying that.
Look here, Mr. Lee.
Remember this.
What you are trying to protect is not Mr. Hwang but a human being,
Not a good, innocent human being but,
a human being that is mean, careless, and petty.
It's not about protecting helpless saints from powerful evil people.
For petty, powerless people,
we fight petty, powerful people.
Why haven't you written a resignation letter?
If you don't write it soon, I can't protect you any longer.
You are going to get dismissed.
That's really bad for you.
You are going to stay in this industry, aren't you?
Don't ever write it.
They are going to keep pressuring you to write.
Don't. There is no going back once you've written it.
A letter of resignation or else,
Don't sign anything the company gives you.
They don't need a signature for something that would benefit us.
It's always the unfavorable ones they want you to sign.
Exactly.
They need your agreement only on things that can hurt you.
See that guy?
He lost his permanent employment over one little signature on a wrong piece of paper.
That's enough teasing.
The union said it was OK to sign that.
How could I have known?
Tell them to fire you.
What if they really do?
You said you were going to quit,
but you don't want to get fired?
I will take your case for free if you get fired.
though there is no guarantee that I will win.
Just tell them to fire me.
What's wrong with you?
Don't underestimate termination pay and unemployment compensation.
Why on earth do you want to give those up?
They will say all kinds of crap.
The company is going to argue that you terminated the employment,
which will disqualify you from getting unemployment compensation.
But if you get fired and prove it a wrongful termination,
You'll get compensated for the time you've been out of work.
Get paid without working and learn a few things,
Isn't that nice?
Now,
You need to think carefully.
Do you know how hard I tried?
It's for you.
I feel bad watching you work so hard for me.
What?
I don't want you to get into trouble for me.
Just tell them to fire me.
I will attend a disciplinary hearing.
Have they ever held a disciplinary hearing?
I don't think so.
Oh yeah?
Then, they are bound to screw up somewhere.
When they do, kick them in the guts.
Hwang Jun-cheol.
A notice for a disciplinary hearing.
Hwang Jun-cheol.
A notice for a disciplinary hearing.
According to the employee handbook,
the company should inform me of the hearing at least three days beforehand,
this one says the hearing will be held tomorrow.
You will have to make a correction and bring it back.
All right.
Did you guys see? Did you?
Joo Kang-min!
You should have seen his face.
He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
All right. You've been talking about it all day.
The HR department is flipping out because of my case.
They are working overnight to prepare the disciplinary hearing.
Mr. Lee! You saw him, right?
I did.
I think I made enemies of HR people.
You've already made an enemy of Gaston, how worse can it be?
Right.
It's all good.
We are the emerging real power,
as long as we have your back, it's all good.
You are the emerging real power?
Emerging to get sacked is more likely.
Would anyone like a drink?
Can I have some coffee?
Green tea, please.
Do you have red tea?
I will have rice punch.
Something to drink for you guys?
Coffee, green tea, red tea, and rice punch for me.
Coffee for everyone, please.
Mr. Lee, who's that?
She's the one who's going to crush your heart
when you finally gather up courage and ask her out.
Do you know who she is now?
You guys don't know a thing about me.
Do you want to see me ask her out?
Because I will.
Go ahead.
Americano for Mr. Lee and Mr.Joo.
Instant coffee for you two geezers.
I am way younger than these two, why do you call me a geezer?
Children can't lie.
But you are not a child,
It's not the first time they get entertained by suppliers,
Why are they blowing this up all of a sudden?
If anything, the managers are the guilty ones.
Should we speak on behalf of Jun-cheol?
Right? I can't just turn a blind eye to it!
You are right! I think this is wrong.
If you talk to them on behalf of Jun-cheol,
do you think the company would say OK and let Jun-cheol off the hook?
You will get burned, if anything.
You said your husband hurt his back and can't move,
so you have to take care of him and work.
You wanted to save some money for Dong-yup's wedding, right?
And you.
Fix your makeup.
Why? Something wrong?
I wanted to get some air.
Right.
I want to apologize, Mr. Lee.
For what?
You are working so hard
for people who aren't even your friends.
I only got into it because of Jun-cheol.
I haven't done anything.
Actually, a little while ago,
I had a meeting with Mr. Chung outside the store.
Who do you think will take his place when Mr. Lee gets kicked out?
It's you, Kang-min.
I am still too young,
A twenty four year old just became a manager at Chang Hwa branch,
You are not that young.
You've been working here for more than a couple of years.
Isn't that right?
Besides, let's be honest.
the people at the produce department,
they listen to you,
not to Mr. Lee.
It is imperative for you
to not get mixed up with people like Mr. Lee.
got it?
Take the initiative,
and get used to managing people.
To tell you the truth, I got excited.
But that's not the reason I said no to the union.
It just seemed
intimidating and difficult.
Don't you feel angry?
For three weeks now,
since they ordered me to fire people,
I've been angry the whole time.
Mr. Lee.
You are a real man.
I will join the union.
You will?
Please, call me Kang-min.
It's an honor to have you as my boss.
Boss.
No, you don't need to call me that.
Let's shake hands on it.
Come on.
Let me shake your hands.
Why not?
Union?
If Kang-min is in, we are in.
People in the union,
they start a riot,
and burn the place down, right?
You got that right.
Then your life is over.
What's wrong with you?
Why are you so hot headed?
That temper of yours will get you into a trouble.
Seriously.
Hurry, guys.
Ok. We got it.
Watch your hands.
Now that you've had your fun, get to work.
What?
What kind of work?
At that disciplinary hearing,
are you just going to yammer about how innocent you are?
When going to a battle, take a cudgel at least.
Sang-min.
What are you doing after work?
Want to go get some beer?
Why?
Since when do we need a reason?
I need to get home early tonight.
I will take a rain check.
Hey, then can we talk for a second?
There's something I want to discuss.
Maybe next time.
I need to send something to the office.
It will only take a minute.
Let's do it next time.
I am in a rush, sorry.
Sang-min!
Kyung-sik did what?
What a snake!
So, how can I help?
Have you ever witnessed Young Kwang Fish Co. entertaining Mr. Huh?
Entertaining?
Do you know what Kyung-sik is called among suppliers?
Lighthouse.
Because he's always turned on.
Like a lighthouse turned on bright and hot all night.
Then, have you witnessed Young Kwang Fish Co. handing him any money?
All the time.
Every month, I believe.
Sang-min, can we talk for a minute?
Jang Sang-min, hold on a second.
Until your bus arrives.
Why?
What is this about?
I am leaving when the bus arrives.
Remember Mr. Huh and Jun-cheol went out with people from your company few months ago?
Few months ago?
How am I supposed to remember all that?
Try. Everybody knows that they are trying to fire Jun-cheol for that.
Can you write a statement that Mr. Huh was there with Jun-cheol?
Hey, just tell him to quit.
Does he really want to stay there after all that mess?
With that skill, he won't have a problem finding a new job.
It's because of that mess, he can't just quit.
Just one statement.
Believe me, I wish I could.
But if I do, Fourmis is going to cut off our company.
You know how it is.
That's my bus.
Hey!
He's not answering?
No.
I think the company got to him already.
Mr. Choi!
What are you doing here, Mr. Hwang?
Why haven't you answered my calls?
Huh?
You called?
Mr. Hwang, I am sorry but,
I am kind of in a rush.
Mr. Choi.
You know me, right?
Yes, Mr. Lee.
You had a talk with Fourmis already, yes?
I know we are putting you on the spot,
but please, help us.
Mr. Lee.
I am sorry.
Don't do this to me.
Mr. Hwang. I am sorry.
I will talk to you later.
You ladies have been so good and sweet to me
that I've been meaning to treat you to dinner someday
and that day happens to be today.
I knew it.
I knew I couldn't fool you.
You guessed it right, it's about Jun-cheol.
I was wondering if you could help Jun-cheol.
My daughter,
I need to get her another tutor.
Her grade is getting low.
Mr. Joo, you already know,
my husband's hospital fee is over 800 dollars a month.
My husband hasn't worked for last twenty years.
He won't start looking for a job even when I get fired.
You know, right?
I guess.
I got it.
We've got too many mouths to feed,
but Ms. Hwang has no one. So, how about she does it for us?
What? Me?
Single people need money to survive too.
Whether you have a mouth to feed or not,
no one can afford to be fired.
Too much tension here.
I won't talk about Jun-cheol.
Please, let's eat now.
Ok, cheers.
Is this all I can do?
I am worried that there isn't enough evidence.
Would it be possible for me to go in there with him?
Nothing is impossible.
Do it if you want.
Getting charged with disrupting business isn't a big deal.
By the way,
What difference would it make?
Even though he loses at the hearing,
we can appeal or file a lawsuit.
What are you getting so anxious for?
You saw how hot tempered and softhearted he is.
People like him act tough but,
when they face people with authority at such a formal setting,
they can't say a word.
I doubt he would be able to stand it,
especially with such weak evidence.
That's the problem with elites.
Right, Ko-shin?
What?
Hey!
I told you to change that cat's name.
How dare you give the cat my name.
What's wrong with that?
Sorry, you were saying.
What are you so worried about?
It's just that,
I got them into this,
but there is so little I can do for them.
You think you got them into this?
No one forced them against their will.
They came here willingly.
Even people without a college degree,
without a suit and tie,
know the value of their life.
Forget about it.
If he needs to do it, he will do it.
If something is broken, fix it.
Losing is not a big deal.
Being left alone after losing is frightening.
Just,
Be there.
That's all that matters.
This is as awkward as
having the spouse you left still living in your house,
the one you can't stand being in the same space.
Too salty.
Didn't you tell her that you have family history of diabetes?
Seeing something unthinkable
in the most unlikely place;
That bizarre existence of the unimaginable
stirs up confusion and fear.
Manager gets the treat, Assist gets the sack.
Fourmis was a family to me.
Once a family, now an animal.
Try cutting my thick neck.
The union is with you.
You came. I thought you weren't coming.
No one should be fired like this.
I am not a disloyal woman.
Stand in front of me.
Did you see Gaston's eyes?
It might be an effective publicity. But wouldn't it be risky?
This will be another reason for dismissal.
Maybe or maybe not. It's up to the judge.
I am worried that we'd all get punished and Mr. Hwang would get fired.
Then, it would scare other employees.
If you won't do anything, why bother with union?
Mr. Lee.
A fight is about
testing the limits.
If you throw a punch, some will punch you back 10 times harder while others step back
You have to cross the boundary to see where it lies.
Your company had no idea of who you really were.
What is their weakness?
How far can I push it?
You figure these out while fighting.
Without a fight,
you can neither see the boundaries nor cross it.
What's important is
that this is the first time for both you and them.
They are as afraid as you are.
You guys got guts, unlike most kids these days.
Why, does this company exploit employees?
Then you must fight.
Excellent.
Excuse me! Let me through.
I can't read the message behind those eyes.
Is it hope?
Or fear?
Or contempt?
Shall we?
The only certain thing is that,
in this quiet, frozen space,
We are the only ones moving.
Everyone is watching us.
Are you crazy?
What am I going to do?
How can you stab me in the back like this?
What did I do?
manager gets the treat, assist gets the sack?
You are referring to me, aren't you?
Everyone saw it.
How could you?
Is this how you repay me after all I've done for you?
I hired you and trained you.
You are driving me crazy.
Is that who you really are?
Why me?
What?
You ratted me out to Mr. Chung.
Who told you that?
That's not important!
Why me?
There is Min-ho, Tae-jin, but you chose me, why?
Why?
I thought you would be
What?
you would
you would probably be
the easiest.
What?
Kyung-sik, what the hell do you mean by that?
Jun-cheol.
They all have to go anyways.
I thought you'd understand me.
You are an assistant manager, you know how it is.
If I don't get rid of you guys, I'd get sacked myself.
Jun-cheol. I am sorry that I couldn't explain the situation earlier,
But this is wrong.
You are going to ruin everything.
I have to stay here, for you guys.
Do you think Mr. Lee cares about you?
He's just using you to get back at Gaston.
Don't look at me like that.
Yea, I am a louse. I won't deny that.
But I am not as bad as you think.
Am I the only one responsible for this?
You did this!
If you just went away quietly, I would have found you another job.
I was going to make everything right.
But you had to ruin everything!
Jun-cheol.
It's not too late.
At the disciplinary hearing, just beg for forgiveness.
If you do that, I will do my best to save you.
Teaming up with Mr. Lee will only harm you.
You know that I care about you like my real brother,
Jun-cheol.
Listen to me.
The first condition of escaping an island is
knowing the existence of other islands.
Honey.
You know I love you.
You are the nicest guy I know.
But,
If you ever mention him again in front of me,
We are done.
Hwang Jun-cheol.
Did you understand?
Huh Kyung-sik.
Did you get beat up at home?
Who does this to his real brother?
If possible, a better island.
This is the place they came.
What about this security camera?
It's not real.
By the way,
What right do you have to check my security cameras?
It's to help this young man who is in trouble. Have a heart.
I am in trouble too.
Hey, go change and get in there! Hurry!
Ms. Song.
Isn't this against the law?
There was a case that decided that engaging in
union activities in free time is legal as long as
it does not impinge on other employees' rights.
The company might report to police for disruption of business,
but it is not absolute.
Aren't you an expert now?
I knew you'd pull something like this one day.
Sorry?
Don't you remember when we first met?
Do you think that's realistic?
If we keep the store open right until the closing, when do we go home?
Sorry?
It sounds nice and all but who doesn't know that?
There is no one to work.
Do you even know how many people we have for closing?
Two people. Two!
Imagine two people cleaning and putting everything away.
Come take a look at the store for once.
Instead of sitting at your desk all day and talking theories.
You are just making our lives more difficult!
You guys are being disrespectful, don't you think?
Mr. Lee, is any of what we said is not true?
Even though it's true, there is no need to be rude.
I am sorry.
They are a tough bunch.
No, it's OK.
I hear the same criticism all the time.
I know my lecture is too idealistic.
But
I feel like it is not just about the lecture.
You are right.
They don't do that to men.
And that's why I got mad.
Since then, I thought you were little different.
I remember.
You must be having a hard time lately.
Yes. It's not easy breezy.
Since you are on it, please keep going.
What?
Gaston's been pushing for further staff reduction, and it's driving me crazy.
You are already screwed. So keep going.
I didn't quit the company then and there because of you.
I am hoping to take advantage of this fight of yours.
Is that too selfish?
There comes Gaston. I don't want to get caught talking to the outcast. Good luck!
Yes.
Managers do not have fixed working hours.
The rule that used to justify working overtime and late nights
has become my weapon now.
Who are these men?
They are not in the disciplinary committee.
They are human resources staff from the headquarter.
Then, I am going to attend the hearing as well.
Is there a policy that allows a union member to attend someone else's hearing?
I don't think there was.
Then, is there one that allows company people?
They can't go in if I can't.
Come in if you can.
Mr. Lee.
I will be fine.
We did all we could.
Hwang Jun-cheol.
Who told you to sit down?
You little punk.
Is that a right attitude for someone who is about to get punished?
Stand up.
You can't talk to me like that.
Why not?
Is there a policy in the handbook about how I should talk at a disciplinary hearing?
You guys love that handbook, no?
Why do I feel so anxious.
Be prepared.
Hwang Jun-cheol has demanded excessive entertainment and monetary gift
and threatened to return the product of Young Kwang Fish Co.
Young Kwang Fish Co.CEO. Kim Bok-sang.
Confirmed by Choi Min-sik, the general manager.
They are talking about Mr. Huh.
Then, all these people are lying?
You know,
that I hate you?
If you'd just let them be, they would have gone down peacefully like a sand castle.
Why did you have to bring them together and let them get crushed like that?
Everyone leaves with scars.
What's the point of waiting for a bus that might never come?
Mr. Koo. Did you also
want to be a good guy?
It's all over. Jun-cheol. That's enough.
What's enough?
You were there too!
You told me it was OK to do that!
Bring your proof then! Proof that I was there!
I have a witness.