Baker King, Kim Tak Goo
Episode 26
Then, let's begin the Board of Directors' meeting.
I'm sorry.
Are we going to be able to begin this meeting today?
I'm sorry.
As it appears the President Pro Tem is not prepared,
allow me to present first.
The files placed in front of you all
is the business plan for Geosung Foods for the next 10 years.
Different from the past 90 years where bread was eaten to assuage hunger,
consumers are looking for a variety of breads that satisfy their tastes.
It is not about the quantity.
It is now a time where a diversity of tastes is the key.
Therefore,
now,
we need a departure from the image of mass produced breads.
To achieve a quality taste and high-end image,
I believe it's time we change to a small quantity batch production system.
In accordance, there is as operations plan and marketing strategy included in the documents.
Please review them.
Now it's time
for President Pro Tem Kim Tak Gu to address the board.
If you intend
to continue in that position as proxy for the President,
you will need to convince us that you have sufficient skills and capability to do so.
With what do you plan to convince us?
Yes, that ...
Do it your way. The way Kim Tak Gu would do it.
Head high and shoulders back. Hmm?
As you can see,
I'm someone very awkward in a position like this.
Frankly, I don't even quite know how a Board of Director's meeting goes.
So, are you saying you have not made any preparations to convince us?
No. I have prepared.
However,
they are not documents, but bread.
Would you please start off by having a taste?
Look here, President Pro Tem Kim Tak Gu.
Aren't these breads our company's products?
For what reason are you having us taste products we've known for decades?
I'm sorry, but these breads did not come from the Geosung Foods factories.
I made them this morning myself.
As I mentioned, I don't do much else very well.
Frankly I don't know much about Odari Profits, either. (He mistakes Ordinary for Odari, meaning bowlegged)
And I don't know what's Mannequin and what's Marketing.
However, if there is one thing I can do in the President's place,
it's making bread.
And that will be the reason I sit here.
In the President's breads, there is a pride that's been carefully retained for the last 30 years.
The President's self-esteem is in that bread.
For the last 30 years,
the strength that has looked after Geosung Foods,
wasn't it the taste of the bread?
That is the thought that hit me.
Don't you think that by placing someone like me who only knows how to make bread in this position,
the President perhaps was trying to preserve his own vision?
Couldn't that be the case?
After all, the President was a bread guy to his very bones.
Of course he was.
So, how long do you plan to operate just selling the breads that Father made?
Times have changed and tastes have changed,
and yet we'll still sell the same products we've always sold?
Do you think that such a casual attitude can run a business?
Creating our own signature flavor can also be a new beginning.
Before we are a business, don't forget we are people who make bread,
Gu Ma Jun.
Why, of all people, does it have to be Kim Tak Gu, President?
Because that boy has truth in him.
Excuse me?
When you meet him, you'll start to know it too,
how curiously remarkable the strength of his sincerity is.
Did you see the look in they're eyes? It was something.
How did it go?
Was the final decision made at the meeting?
For now Mr. Ma Jun is going to lead the Product Development Team.
Then what about the President Pro Tem?
Well that's a bit vague.
What do you mean vague?
They've decided to hold another Board of Director's meeting again in a month.
Excuse me?
Again?
Yes.
That decision was just made a little while ago.
Then what am I supposed to do here for the next month?
It's not here, but somewhere else.
Somewhere else?
Where's that?
The Cheongsan factory.
The Cheongsan factory?
The condition is that he's to create a new product
that is in line with the company's brand.
Then, if he succeeds?
They'll accept him as head of the company.
The Board came to a collective agreement on the idea.
What? They'll accept him with just that?
One reason you don't have to worry too much
is that the situation with the factory there has not been very good recently.
I have a feeling that it's a move to push him out.
Still, why Cheongsan of all places?
Actually, that place is the most appropriate place for the boy to dig his grave.
Who in the world came up with that idea?
Was it Manager Han or ...
No. I proposed it to Director Yoo.
You did, Attorney Park?
If you're going to act in the President's stead,
don't you think you need to go head-on at least to that degree?
Only then can the people trust in you and follow you, don't you think?
But what happens if I don't succeed?!
If that's all you amount to,
then I suppose you should relinquish the President Pro Tem position, I suppose.
So, you want to test me, do you?
That position isn't a position one just receives easily for nothing.
Anyhow ... it appears you left a favorable impression at the meeting today and that's a relief.
I wish you successful results at the Cheongsan factory.
Then ...
So, have you decided to go down to the Cheongsan factory?
Well, since the Board members have decided on it,
I'll have to go, don't you think?
We'll, I'll just have to give it a go then.
Don't you think, Yu Kyung?
I've come to this point. Who's to say I can't go any farther?
Besides, it's none other than Cheongsan.
That's our hometown.
Isn't that so?
You'll do well.
No matter where you go or what you do, you'll do it well.
Thanks, for believing in me.
Anyhow, whether I succeed or fail is up to the heavens.
All I have to do is do my best. Don't you think?
It would be nice if you were going to Cheongsan with me.
Ah, there I go, speaking nonsense again. Sorry.
Yes, sir?
Please tell Driver Cha to get the car ready.
I think I'll have to go down to Cheongsan.
Yes, I understand.
I did good, right?
This is where my Tak Gu works?
Yes, Madam.
What's the matter?
I'm not sure if it's okay that I go meet him like this.
Excuse me?
Without me, he's lived his life fine and reached this point.
I don't know if it would be right for me to reappear now. I just don't know, Miss Jang.
Madam.
I don't want to. I said I don't want to so why do you keep pushing it?
Didn't you say you wanted to become someone great?
Forget it! It's okay if I don't become someone great!
I'll just live as your son!
Mother!
Such a young thing ...
and I so cruelly tore him away from me and left.
Tak Gu, that child,
I wanted to bring him up wholly as my legitimate son.
I wanted to erase you from that child,
and make him wholly the eldest son of Geosung.
Oh?
It's dijibong! (kind of a game)
Excuse me?
Oh it's just something.
Ah, yes.
Madam.
Are you okay, Madam?
Why am I so dizzy?
Just a little bit. Let's just wait a little bit.
Are you unwell?
If you don't feel well, shall I call someone?
Or, we have a lounge in our building.
Would you like to rest there?
No, thank you. It's all right.
Still, you think she'll be okay?
Yes, it's all right.
Kim Tak Gu!
Director Yoo.
The bread you brought out at the Board meeting today,
we were really moved by it.
The phrase that before we are a company, we are bread guys,
it was something the President always said since the company was started.
He did? Thank you!
Good luck from here on in.
Please continue firmly in line with the President's vision.
We look forward to seeing what you do.
It's completely like seeing the President in his younger years.
Work hard.
Thank you! Thank you very much!
Your bread had the best taste.
Is that really truly my Tak Gu?
I believe so.
Oh my goodness.
He's become such an adult.
He's really ...
grown up well, my Tak Gu.
He really grew up well and decent.
My Tak Gu.
My baby.
Oh Madam!
Tak Gu.
Madam! Snap out of it, Madam!
What's the matter?
Did you by chance hear someone call my name?
No, I didn't.
Wake up!
President Pro Tem, we should get going.
Ah, yes.
Everything is going as you ordered, President.
All the Board members have agreed to sending Tak Gu down to Cheongsan.
However, do you think it will really be all right?
President.
The Cheongsan factory's situation is very bad, President.
With just one month,
what kind of results could Tak Gu achieve?
[Gu Ma Jun, Team Manager]
Do you like your office?
It's all right. I like it.
Just spend 6 months here.
I'll get you to Executive Director by the beginning of next year.
That doesn't sound bad either.
This is the real beginning.
There are many eyes watching inside the company.
In every matter and detail, make sure no one sees you slip up.
You know what I'm saying, right?
I know.
Don't worry. I'll do well.
All right. That's fine then.
I'll go now.
My marriage with Yu Kyung,
let's please move that forward as quickly as possible, Mom.
On a good day like today,
let's not upset each other talking about that.
I can't live always just saying things you want to hear, can I?
You brought me into this company like you wanted.
Now, you need to bring in the woman I want next to me.
Isn't that so?
Why do you think I'll permit that wedding?
Because the place I picked up that bracelet is the place where Grandmother died.
Ma Jun, what on earth is the reason you're doing this to me?
What did you see?
What did you hear? What on earth is it that you know?
Don't ask me anything more, Mom.
I'm not going to answer any more questions.
You just need to give your approval for my wedding.
You called for me?
You called for me, Madam?
Kneel there.
I said kneel down there.
Madam.
What,
you can't?
I've knelt.
Doing that, how do you feel?
Right, that there is probably the feeling.
You will be living from now on in this house with that feeling.
Humiliated, low, wretched.
You'll be belittled and scorned,
and I'll make certain you'll live forever with that feeling of kneeling.
Madam.
Don't even dream of a church wedding or a ceremony showered with blessings,
Before you bear a son,
I will never even register the marriage.
Before you bear a son,
you won't be any sort of legal member of this family.
What you're saying now couldn't possibly mean ...
Don't ever think that you've won.
The wedding isn't the end,
but just the beginning of another battle.
I don't know for how long you'll be able to hold onto our Ma Jun's heart.
But know that as soon as a woman becomes his wife,
at least half of a man's feelings for her disappear.
Exactly ... how long you can bear being the wife of my son and a Geosung Foods daughter-in-law,
we'll just wait and see.
Run!
You kids better stop right there!
No! No! You can't!
Why do you have that look?
14 years ago, the place where I first met the President was this very factory.
Back then, I got caught stealing his bread.
Now, why do you have that look?
President Pro Tem.
The factory manager hasn't arrived yet.
President Pro Tem.
President Pro Tem,
we should wait outside until the factory manager arrives.
Oh, it's hot.
How are they managing the factory temperature? Why is it like this?
Excuse me?
The temperature, the humidity, it's all a mess.
Over there! Is someone there?!
Sir.
Who are you?!
Geez, really.
Who's over there?!
Look here!
Who are you?!
How dare you come in here, you punk!
President Pro Tem!
Who are you!
What the hell are you guys doing there?!
Huh?!
I called you earlier from headquarters.
That's President Pro Tem Kim Tak Gu.
Ajussi.
You came?
This is to be my office.
I'm coming back from meeting your mother.
I received permission.
Madam gave her permission.
For our wedding.
Mom told you directly?
That she'd permit it?
Mmm.
She did.
I'm glad.
I'm really glad.
Will you tell me?
The bracelet you gave me.
What's the story on it?
There's no story.
Don't even be curious about it.
From now on, don't think about headaches like that,
and just think about becoming my person.
Just think about becoming my woman.
Let's not think about anything else.
Mom! What's the matter?!
I don't like it! I don't like any of it!
Please, drink.
When you said President Pro Tem, I expected someone older.
I was rather surprised at how young you were.
Yes, well, it turned out that way.
But that man earlier ...
Ah, Shin Shi Ho?
Yes, does he work here?
Yes.
He's been working here about 5 or 6 years now.
He had no family and looked like he had nowhere to go.
We couldn't just ignore him as fellow townsmen,
so we've given him a factory security guard position for now.
I see.
Why?
Do you know him, by chance?
Ah, no, that's not the case.
Ah, in any case, why have you come down from headquarters so suddenly?
At such a late hour?
I heard that the situation at the Cheongsan factory wasn't good.
So, to look into the problem, I wanted to meet you,
and possibly also look for the source of the problem as well.
I know it's not something I should say,
but this factory already has no hope.
Excuse me?
Because of the rumors that it as going to close, half the employees have left.
The orders have gone down a third,
so there's not too much to produce on a daily basis, either.
If you came to try to revive this factory, it's hopeless.
It'll be easier on you if you just return to Seoul.
But, what can we do? I have to come up with a new product here within a month.
Excuse me?
Well, anyhow, since I've come all the way down here,
I should at least look around for starters.
Ajussi!
It's you, right? Yu Kyung's father. Right?
How have you been living all these years?
What about Yu Kyung? Have you heard any news about her?
Shut your mouth, eh?!
Ajussi.
She's the girl that got her old man thrown in jail and left.
Don't ever mention Yu Kyung in front of me, eh?!
The day I hear news about her
is the day that wench dies and I die with her.
Got it?!
Ajussi, you haven't changed at all.
All that time has passed.
How can you still feel that way about your one and only daughter?
Quiet!
It would be good if you just shut your mouth and go on back up to Seoul.
You make one wrong move,
you could die here too.
Got it?
You no good son of a bitch!
Yes, Manager. Cheongsan here.
Yes.
Yu Kyung,
what should I do?
I met your dad.
What should I do?
Yu Kyung, you wench.
It looks like you need to start moving slowly.
Is is Cheongsan?
No.
Not there.
What you need to take care of first
is this person.
It's a 3rd party who holds 3.8 percent of our company shares.
Please escort that person quietly here.
Of course you must do it without anyone knowing.
You understand what I mean, don't you?
I heard you would order me to do something with Tak Gu.
It has something to do with him.
If you go there, you'll see.
Within 2 to 3 months,
they say you'll have to have a corneal transplant.
For now, we'll wait in the country for another month for a donor, and if it doesn't work out,
let's look into getting surgery somewhere abroad.
Before that, she's got to get her strength back.
My goodness, how many days have passed and she still hasn't gotten better.
If you were going to meet your son, you should have met your son.
Why come back like this and lie there blankly like a mute?
I was ashamed.
Such a young child suffered so much hardship,
and yet he grew up to be so decent.
But the woman who calls herself a mother
just lived all those years sharpening blades to get revenge.
I was so ashamed I didn't know how I could lift my head.
Mother Tak Gu.
And, he's only just started on a big task.
As a mother,it's bad enough I can't help him,
but how could I suddenly reappear and get in his way?
Still, don't you think you need to meet with him at least once?
Don't be like that. Let me contact him.
If I ask him to come here to see you,
Don't do that, Doctor Yoo.
But, Mi Sun,
what if your condition worsens?
It's okay.
Still, even if it was briefly and at a distance,
I got to see my Tak Gu's face, didn't I?
I didn't know he'd have such spirit or look so handsome.
So you see, even if I die now, I have no regrets.
Aigoo, aigoo, at this rate, we're going to lose her.
Mother Tak Gu.
I hear you assented to Ma Jun and Shin Yu Kyung's wedding.
Who said that?
I heard it from Ma Jun,
that the intention is to hold the wedding as soon as the President regains consciousness.
This is the orphanage where she once lived.
They say she came in at 12,
but the fractured bones she had when she arrived,
and the fact that her family registry was recreated ...
many things about her are suspicious.
Start by finding Shin Yu Kyung's biological parents.
Are you ...
Right now, I'm going to calm Ma Jun down.
After that, there's no other way than to have Shin Yu Kyung give up on the wedding herself.
I thought it was strange.
I wondered why you were so easily giving in.
Come in.
You called?
Get ready and come out with me.
There's somewhere you need to go with me.
Then, I'll leave it to you, Manager Han.
Yes.
She left early?
Yes, President Pro Tem. Madam called her out.
President Pro Tem, I have the car ready for you.
Ah yes, I'm coming now.
If you get a hold of Shin Yu Kyung, could you ask her to call me?
Tell her I have something important to tell her. I'd appreciate it.
Yes, I understand, sir.
Then ...
What's the important thing you have to tell her?
Tell me
what's the important thing you have to tell Shin Yu Kyung?
It's not something for me to tell you.
Shin Yu Kyung and I are going to be married soon.
Why look so shocked?
You didn't think we'd go as far as to get married?
When?
When are you getting married?
Soon.
As soon as Father wakes.
Soon.
Now, Shin Yu Kyung is my wife to be.
So, don't go around coming up with things that you two need to talk about on your own.
If you look at it genealogically, you and Shin Yu Kyung will become family.
Don't hold onto any useless emotions and make it tough on yourself.
You'll make her happy ...
won't you?
Make sure she's happy.
She's a very tired and worn girl.
Let her lean on you and rest.
It's probably a good idea not to tell her about Ahjussi after all, right?
Excuse me?
Ah, it's nothing.
Shall we go to Cheongsan?
No,
let's go to Incheon.
To Pal Bong Bakery.
Yes.
Tak Gu!
Aigoo.
Mi Sun!
What are you doing here so suddenly?
I told you I'd come after the Board meeting.
Welcome.
Hello, Boss.
Aigoo, my goodness. Tak Gu, how long has it been?
Tak Gu, I heard you've become Geosung's President Pro Tem.
When I first saw you, I knew right off you were no ordinary guy.
Aigoo, I'm proud of you. Aigoo.
What, what, what?
But Tak Gu, have you eaten?
If you haven't, then come in and eat.
I was just about to mix some noodles.
Mixed noodles? Oh, that would be great.
Ah, but I have a favor to ask first.
Aigoo.
What bread is this?
How is it?
Well um, um ... aigoo, geez.
What's wrong with the taste?
This is the bread that is currently being made in the Cheongsan factory.
Really?
Aigoo, I guess it's come time for Il Jung's factory to close too.
How can people eat bread made like this?
That Cheongsan factory is on the verge of being closed.
No wonder, no wonder. They should, they should close.
But, it can't close.
What do you mean?
I have to revive that factory somehow no matter what.
Not just that, I have to create a new product in that factory.
Only then will the Board accept me.
What?
By when?
I have to do it within a month.
Within a month?
Wow.
That company is determined to shake you out.
Help me.
I need people who are definitely on my side.
Please help me this one time.
For starters, the 3 of you should enter the factory as though you have nothing to do with me.
Do you guys even know how to make bread?
Ah, yes.
I usually manage dough.
I know a little bit about shaping.
I can do any odd jobs.
In any case, why do you want to come into a factory that's about to close?
It's just so hard to get a job these days.
All we know how to do is to make bread.
We need to work wherever we can.
Fine. Come with me.
Jae Bok Hyungnim, take the ingredients storeroom.
I can't know the state they're in just based on the the written records.
The quantity and the conditions of the ingredients,
please carefully note the quality and let me know.
Boss, please check the manufacturing process closely.
From the environment and the conditions in which the bread is made to the packaging.
I'd be thankful if you could specify the details of the process.
Gap Soo Ajussi, I'd like you to get a read on the mindset of the workers.
I'd appreciate it if you could read the general mood of the people.
[Inspection Journal, Geosung, Geosung] <>
The storeroom is a total mess.
More than half the flour is over a year old.
And the quantity of materials is far less than recorded in the official documents you gave me.
I see, so that's how it's been.
The factory conditions are also a wreck.
To the point that it's amazing any bread can be made in those conditions.
The fermentation room conditions are beyond words.
The employee morale is also rock bottom.
The workforce has been cut in half so the workload has increased,
but there hasn't been any increase in benefits.
Is that right?
Of course it's not right.
But, all of that has been recorded at headquarters as expenditures made.
Then, that means someone in the middle has been embezzling the money.
It's not just a few Won.
The cumulative total is easily over a billion Won.
A billion Won?
Then, isn't the amount too large to be a simple embezzlement by the factory manager?
That's what I need to find out now.
The problem is that there is absolutely no documentation to prove it.
For now, would the three of you continue to monitor the situation at the factory?
And there's also the new product I have to start formulating next week.
I absolutely need the help of you three.
Aigoo, I don't know what's what, seeing the new head of Geosung regard us like this.
Don't worry too much.
Let's put all our efforts into it and go as far as we can.
Thank you.
When do you think we can have the wedding?
I'd prefer that we didn't delay it too long.
Ma Jun, why are you in such a rush?
Father is lying ill.
In households like ours where offspring are precious,
weddings are pushed forward at times like this.
Isn't it filial piety to at least have him see us married off?
Ma Jun, you're a real jerk. How can you talk like that?
You're not thinking that he'll never get back up, are you?
You know there's always a worst case scenario.
Ma Jun!
Everyone, be quiet.
They said that this week was the crucial point for your father.
If his condition doesn't improve at the end of this week,
let's revisit this conversation then.
And it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the wedding gifts and apparel ready.
Arrange to go and take a look this weekend.
Seriously, why are you all doing this?
Mom and Ma Jun,
neither of you seem like you're in your right mind.
They say that by nature,
weddings aren't something you do in your right mind, little Noona.
I don't think I can sit here with you any longer.
I'll be getting up, Mom.
What's with you?
Shin Yu Kyung!
Do you really have to go that far?
Must you insist on making it so difficult and awkward for me?
What?
Difficult and awkward?
We received your mother's approval.
Then, can't we breathe a little now?!
And, the President is ill.
Why are you badgering like a child about this?!
Why are you acting this way?
Have you already changed your mind?
Now that Mom has waved the white flag and accepted you,
do you feel like you've won and disregarding the wedding?
Gu Ma Jun!
If that's not the case,
then let's just go forward.
If we don't push this forward now,
it's possible this wedding may not materialize.
You know?
You said you'd go this way with me.
You said you won't have regrets.
So, just close your eyes,
and do it my way. Hmm?
Say you will, Shin Yu Kyung.
Ah, Noonim.
How's the President. Has he improved today?
No, he's the same.
Ah, I see.
President, I've come.
I dropped by the Cheongsan factory, so I'm very late today.
You were bored all day, weren't you?
At this rate, something bad is bound to happen.
Is she still not eating anything?
She's just beside herself.
She can't speak.
Her eyes wander in and out.
Doctor Yoon, couldn't something be done?
With Tak Gu, I mean.
I understand. I'll make a visit.
Aigoo, would you?
For now, please don't say a thing to Mi Sun.
Yes.
Manager, I brought Mr. Shin.
It's been a long time.
W-what brings you here?
They say it's a small world.
I guess this is what they mean.
Excuse me?
You have a daughter, don't you?
Named Shin Yu Kyung.
I'll carry that.
It's all right. It's nothing.
Ah ...
I see you're working hard.
What brings you down here?
I had some personal matters to tend to.
Then, continue with your work.
Where are you going now?
Where? To see my daughter, why?
Do I have to report even something like that to you, kid?
You can't, Ajussi. You can't go!
What, you punk?
If you go, what do you plan to do? What are you going to cause?
You've never acted as a proper father to Yu Kyung,
so what gives you the right to step back into her life?
You little punk. Who are you to say that?!
You her husband or something, punk?!
Ajussi!
Get lost, kid.
Ajussi!!
It's okay if it's just once.
For just this once, couldn't you act like a real father to Yu Kyung? Yes?!
Get away from me, kid!
Geez, really.
Ajussi.
-Depart. -Ajussi Ajussi!
Ajussi!
Ajussi!!
What?
What about Doctor Yoon?
All right. Take care of it.
Welcome.
Shin Yu Kyung, do you know where Shin Yu Kyung is right now?
Um, Madam called her out again today.
Where? Can you find out where?
Just a moment, sir.
The bride is stepping out.
It's a wedding shop along Jongno.
Thank you.
Kim Tak Gu?
I've come to escort you.
Who are you?
Oh, Manager Han.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you going to your daughter?
Who are you?
Are you Kim Tak Gu?
Yes, I'm Kim Tak Gu.
By any chance, do you know Kim Mi Sun, who lived in Cheongsan?
W-who?
Kim Mi Sun, who lived in Cheongsan.
I'm talking about your mother.