(All characters, places, companies,)
(and incidents in this drama are fictitious.)
I have high goals for the team. We won't be keeping Andy.
Let's watch clips of some replacements now.
Miles? How much is he?
We expect him to be 500,000 dollars.
I'm your coordinator Robert Kill.
Recruiting and signing a foreign player...
has never been this easy.
It's almost scary.
He's saying that Miles' price jumped up from yesterday.
Double? Just overnight? No way.
No, you're being egocentric.
I'd say we're scouting Miles for a reasonable price.
Mr. Oh, do you want to make a bet?
Let's see who will be smiling on their way home.
You have a good interpreter.
Don't you know Kill Chang Ju?
Robert is Chang Ju.
But I'm an American citizen.
If you wanted to return to Korea...
What team would want to take someone like me?
I'll still be someone who fled from military conscription.
This is wrong!
Do you want people to speak ill of us the whole season?
Can we really find a better mercenary?
Even for a million dollars?
I didn't see anything that'd hold us back.
I'd like to request the ban on the player to be lifted.
Chang Ju.
Do you really have no reason to be desperate?
I can play baseball again.
I said we should make a bet.
I told you we'd smile first.
Hold your head up high. It's nothing.
Let's go.
(2019 Robert Kill's Press Conference on Joining Dreams)
I'm Reporter Kim Jung Kook of Tuesday Nation.
I'll make it short and bold.
Why Kill Chang Ju?
He can pitch a speedy ball in the direction we want.
That's the type of player Chang Ju is.
Have you considered how the general public may feel?
We recruited the best pitcher we could,
not someone who had a perfect past.
I'm Reporter Jung Seung Geun of Jungdong News.
Chang Ju, who unlawfully avoided military enlistment,
is returning to Korea and playing baseball again.
Have you thought about...
how other lawfully-enlisted men would feel?
(2019 Robert Kill's Press Conference on Joining Dreams)
Jungdong News, you say?
I will not deny that Chang Ju could have angered...
some Korean men because they enlisted and he didn't.
I know and so does Chang Ju himself.
He's going to have to...
bear more hate than the son of a CEO of a news press,
who avoided enlistment with supposedly high blood pressure,
or another man who avoided enlistment...
by being the son of a politician.
However,
there was a player who had a bright future.
He was the ace pitcher in Korea's national youth team...
and pitched in four games, including the preliminary ones.
He pitched the winning pitches in the semi-finals...
but was the supporting pitcher in the finals.
The team won,
but the kid injured his elbow ligament.
He went to the US...
to recover from the injury,
which he did, then he soars...
("Major Leaguer Kill Chang Ju Gets 9 Wins This Season")
and finally gets his talent recognized.
But...
it's time for him to enlist in the military service,
although he just became Major League's best rookie pitcher.
Around that time, according to a public survey,
70 percent of people responded...
that they'd understand if he returns.
Are you saying that it justifies his naturalization?
I'm probably giving this very long response...
because I know that this won't justify the naturalization.
What is he talking about?
May I ask one last question?
I'm Kim Young Chae of Baseball Life.
Don't you think there's a way to have your apology accepted?
What do you think about enlisting now?
Due to the time restriction, we'll end the press conference here.
Let's go.
- Please answer the question. - Are you really leaving?
I have another question.
It'll look like we're running away if you end the conference like this.
You're right, we're running away.
You should face them. Didn't we come here determined?
I don't know how to fight back when they're biting at my neck.
I'll fight when I know I can win.
Sir, there's something I want to say.
Do it another time. Let's go.
- Wait, Mr. Kill. - Just one more question.
Hold on.
Are you leaving like this?
("American Kill Chang Ju Returns as a Mercenary")
(Many question if it's right to bring a naturalized Korean-American)
Didn't I approve up to 900,000 dollars?
You did.
(Episode 6)
But they used 500,000 dollars to bring a lousy player?
But he still played in the Major League.
If he was so great, would he come for just 500,000 dollars?
His value is proportionate to his ability.
That's true.
When Mr. Baek comes,
should I compliment him or scold him?
I think we better watch how the public reacts first.
No.
I want to compliment him for being so ignorantly brave.
(CEO Ko Kang Sun)
Baek Seung Soo...
Anyway,
he's a strange one, isn't he?
Dreams seem to be conscious of the criticism...
against the issue of Kill Chang Ju's evasion of military service...
as they held a press conference as soon as they landed.
General Manager Baek Seung Soo showed strong confidence...
in Kill Chang Ju.
- Are you home? - Yes. Have you been well?
You didn't eat yet, did you?
You must be tired. Sit down. I'll make food.
Thank you.
Rest well while I set the table.
You can take out my gift in the meantime.
I don't want anything too fancy or a gift from your heart.
I want something expensive.
She's now ranked sixth in the world.
The championship prize money is 1.5 million dollars which is...
the biggest to date in the history of women's golf championships.
Kim Seh Eun who received 1.5 million dollars...
climbed up 5 ranks compared to last week.
(Daesung High)
It was a scene we rarely get to see.
- The goalie... - Seung Soo, let's eat.
They didn't miss the chance when he crossed the center line...
- Okay. - and scored.
When the defender passed...
I didn't miss Korean food,
so I thought I had an American taste,
but I was wrong. I had forgotten about this taste.
You're disgusting.
Talk after you finish eating.
Mom, I might be on television tomorrow, so bring me a facial mask.
No one would notice even if you had...
five watermelon seeds on your face.
Do you have to say it like that?
Hey, are you sure you brought someone good?
It's looking noisy.
He's a good man. He's a responsible person too.
- If he's so responsible, why did... - Mom.
The least we can do is have our team on his side.
Also, it's not like that.
He's a responsible man to his family.
He earned money while working as our local coordinator,
and he practiced baseball every night.
He must be good.
- How do you know that? - Your dad was like that.
Your dad earned the most money...
when he found out I was pregnant with you. Here.
He was just an idler before I was born.
I'm sure we can trust him if he has responsibilities.
Don't blame him even if he's not the best player, okay?
Don't empathize with him.
He gets paid much more than I do. By a huge margin.
That's because you don't get paid enough.
Gosh. Don't complain about my salary again.
(Robert Kill)
Mr. Byun.
Gosh.
There are more reporters coming, right?
They tried to fish answers out at the press conference,
but they could tell we won't answer anything sensitive.
The reporters probably don't feel like coming either.
- Just wait. - Wait for what?
We have a hidden card.
Gosh. Hello!
Hello, there.
- Hello. - Are you well?
Yes.
She's our operations manager.
Yes, I know Ms. Lee.
I saw her at the press conference, but I know her from before.
How do you know her?
If I don't know who the first female operations manager...
in Korea is, I should quit my job. Am I wrong?
You were a little...
mean at the press conference.
Me?
I only asked what everyone was curious about.
If you were considerate of Kill Chang Ju,
you shouldn't have asked him such a question...
as soon as he landed.
- Hello, everyone. Hello. - Hello.
Hi. Hello.
Hello, sir.
- Hey. - What?
Can I really not interview him?
Do you think I didn't ask him more than once...
when you asked?
- He said no. - Maybe I should ask myself.
Face-to-face.
What?
Hello, Mr. Baek. I'm Kim Young Chae.
Yes, hello.
See if the Analysis Department has their cameras ready.
Yes, sir.
- A hidden card? - Yes, a hidden card.
I have so many questions.
Contact the Promotion Department.
So you can refuse through the Promotion Department?
Yes.
Your club is striving to make the most changes.
Is there a reason you didn't replace the head coach?
It's probably the same reason your producer hasn't replaced you.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'll call the Promotion Department and get refused officially.
I feel nervous.
It's not like you'll be paid more if you throw well.
Mr. Baek said...
everyone would understand...
why he signed me when the season begins.
But I'd like to make people understand right away.
I don't think anyone should be criticized anymore because of me.
May I throw as hard as I can?
Just because you throw well,
do you think anyone will notice or analyze us?
Throw as you wish.
Mr. Kill Chang Ju, can you tell us how it feels to be back in Korea?
Standing on the pitcher's mound,
being able to stand in front of interested journalists,
and being called Kill Chang Ju and not Robert Kill,
are all things I'm grateful for.
I see. Just now, I saw some very positive pitches.
To be honest, to say "positive" makes me feel so stingy.
I won't hold back.
Your pitches were really, really powerful.
Thank you.
Before I say anything else,
I'd like to apologize first.
I can make no excuse that I disappointed many baseball fans.
I'll accept any criticism due to what I did.
Once again, I sincerely apologize.
Let's end the meeting here. Well done, everyone.
Hey.
I do what the youth do these days...
and look up my name...
and the company's name all the time.
What's the matter?
Well...
We keep being mentioned in the sports news.
What'll you do about that?
I apologize.
It's not making us any money.
Why is a pointless club causing such a fuss?
I apologize.
Did you bring a troublemaker back from the US?
Yes. The general manager is causing some turmoil,
but it was all agreed upon.
In the long run, you'll get your way...
Kwon Kyung Min.
Yes?
We're related which is why you're good at what you do. Okay?
Oh, dear. What if you win the championship?
Father praised you yesterday.
Relax.
What did he say?
That you're better than your dad.
- Hey! - Come on.
It's what my father said.
Sure.
You might bite.
Don't exaggerate.
I'm not exaggerating.
Let's not fight between us.
We're cousins, not brothers. We should get along.
And you and I have different goals.
I didn't say anything.
Let's get something to eat.
So what?
I don't think...
I can work here anymore.
Okay then.
(Analysis Manager Yoo Kyung Taek)
Kim Young Chae's interview with Kill Chang Ju will be...
broadcast in about two weeks.
He pitches pretty well, doesn't he?
Of all the pitches that Kim Young Chae saw on...
her round of the clubs this winter, his were the best.
Did you monitor her interview from the side?
Yes, of course.
Any problematic questions?
I begged her not to go there.
She focused on today's pitches...
and asked about his resolve, things like that?
Other than the interview,
she usually adds some subjective comments in the studio.
Are you a fan as well?
That's why she's so popular.
She focuses on journalism, not her pretty looks.
Not to mention that she's easy on the eyes.
What she says in the studio...
could cause us a problem.
She wouldn't do that.
She wouldn't want to give up her rights to interview us.
Did you warn her?
No.
She'll keep poking us where it hurts and call that journalism.
Shall I call her?
Oh, no, no. I'll make the call.
I'll get the point across.
We soon begin the annual salary negotiations.
As soon as the raw data for the negotiations is compiled,
I'll send it to Operations.
- Okay. - I'll be prepared.
It'll be tough.
The people higher up think we're useless and money-crazed.
The salaries are low even for our poor performance.
Still, we manage to get through it each year.
Lee Jin Beom from my department...
has resigned.
Jin Beom?
He was quite reliable.
His family owns a large orchard and he'll help run that.
An orchard?
What a reason to quit over.
Too bad your department's turnover is so high.
Kids these days won't last if you're too hard on them.
I'll find someone who'll last.
Come on. It's best if Scouting and Analysis...
maintain team members for longer.
Why don't you post a public recruitment notice this time?
- Why? - Jin Beom's job...
was to compile data.
Rather than an ex-player...
This person will work with me.
I know that. Which is why I'm just suggesting.
Since we're on the topic,
I think our club doesn't focus enough on sabermetrics.
If an expert in that field were to apply,
it wouldn't hurt to meet them.
How can I work with someone I don't know?
I never got involved when you hired for your team,
and I never will.
I don't want to work with someone who didn't...
strike out a batter or hit a home run.
Does it matter if the cat's black or white as long as it catches mice?
Oh. I never got to strike out a batter or hit a home run.
The Major League...
are hiring more non-player coaches these days.
And an analyst works closely with the players on the front-line.
I believe the Pelicans hired...
a sabermetrics specialist as an analyst.
They aren't doing too bad.
I believe that one who played notices that much more.
I myself hit balls every single day.
Do you know why?
Well, I don't know.
If I don't know what I'm talking about,
the players won't even listen to me.
No matter how much I analyze their plays...
and tell them what to fix by showing videos,
they think they know better about their skills.
But a non-player explaining stuff...
only after watching a few baseball plays?
Do you think they will listen?
If it were me, I'd rather fix their wrong conception...
instead of changing myself to their standard.
Let's do an open recruitment.
Have your pick apply for the recruitment.
All right, let's end our meeting here.
Good work.
See, Mr. Baek said catching a mouse is all that matters.
I can catch your balls even with my eyes closed now.
What? Hey, you punk.
Don't you know I'm just playing catch with you?
Really? Then throw it hard this time.
Here.
I'm retired, but I'm still a player.
- I'll go. - Come.
Are you okay? Did you get hurt?
Let me see.
I knew it.
Let's stop for today.
You're hurt, so don't pay me for the lesson.
Come on. It was my fault.
I still need to pay you.
The more I get to know you, you punk have a reason.
- You're cool too. - Gosh.
Why are you so enthusiastic?
No, I'm not.
It's true all my students like baseball.
But none of them take lessons often and consistently like you.
You don't even spare yourself.
You see,
I might grow to like it if I do this.
Like what? Baseball?
Well, something similar.
- Oh, softball? - Gosh, I won't pay for the lesson.
Jae Hee, about the data which the Analysis Department...
Why are you laughing?
Do you feel his void?
No.
- He knows how to earn his keep. - Gosh.
You gave him a hard time because he got his job through nepotism.
Do you think he's helpful now?
Nepotism...
(2016 the Dreams Open Recruitment, Interviewee Waiting Room)
(2016 the Dreams Open Recruitment)
- Hello. - Hello.
- Go to that side. - Thank you.
Is he the one whom our CEO mentioned about? Han Jae Hee.
That's right.
(Han Jae Hee)
Mr. Han Jae Hee.
Hello.
- Mr. Han Jae Hee? - Yes.
- Thank you for coming. - My pleasure.
Get out.
What's your resolution in applying for our franchise?
That I want to work hard.
Is there any department you want to join?
What departments do you have?
There are a lot. Operations Department, for example.
Then I'll choose that department.
You're so confident unlike the other applicants.
- That's not true. - I like it.
What's wrong with you, seriously?
- Do you want to die? - Why should I die?
Why do you think the other applicants...
are here?
What are you saying?
They studied much harder than you and are desperate to get accepted,
but they will fail this interview because of some jerk like you.
You're a selfish person.
Apologize to those people before you go home.
And you.
Don't join our company even if you pass.
I'll never let it happen,
but if you pass the interview just in case,
don't join us.
Or I'll kill you.
Darn.
What was that?
Hey, Strings.
Gosh, what?
You're not someone who got hired through a connection,
so why did you answer when I called you Strings?
Are you drunk?
Then go home quietly.
Hey, you little...
You didn't get hired the first time around because of me.
Why are you bringing that up again?
And applied again after a year. Did you feel wronged?
No. I thought that would be better...
than getting nagged for not knowing anything.
It was obvious someone was going to give me a hard time.
Isn't your vacation until today? Why are you here?
We aren't in Europe or anything.
I have a lot of work,
and my direct superior is slow at work.
I just can't go home.
You little...
How much have you done?
- I'm about to do it now. - You're patronizing me.
Oh, Mr. Baek.
You're still here.
Is the Analysis Department done taking resumes?
- Yes, would you like to check them? - Do we have a lot of applicants?
No, it was a rush recruitment, so about 10 people applied.
Let's interview them all tomorrow then.
- All of them? - It's better...
we interview them all because there aren't many applicants.
- Okay. - Good.
I'm home.
Hi.
Why don't you show me your face?
Is it because of the exam tomorrow?
Let's talk later.
Is it fun playing baseball?
It's fun, but...
But what?
It's right that I like baseball,
but I'm confused why I'm doing this...
because I play baseball all the time.
Hey, Young Soo.
Don't be weak, you punk.
Have you ever seen me...
come home early and rest up by watching TV and stuff?
No.
It's more of a war out in the world.
At least, you're doing what you like.
Right.
Good. Any other concerns?
- Nothing. - Deal with your odor first.
Go tell Mom to get you some strawberries.
I bought some on my way home today.
(AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS)
(2019 Season Records)
(Yamanse)
("Heat Changes Everything, Even Baseball")
(As for batters to begin with, they've had more hits this year.)
Gosh.
(Year, AVG, OBP, SLG, ISO, HRP)
You don't seem well today.
You don't have to pass the exam.
I need to.
When you become a post office worker,
let's save money together...
and have our parents move to a closer place.
Why, do you feel burdened?
I want you to feel a little burdened.
I'm leaving.
Don't struggle traveling, and just take a taxi.
Bye. Good luck.
Do you mind if I let the first interviewee in?
Sure.
(Interviewers)
I read on your resume that you're studying sabermetrics.
- That's right. - I'll ask you a question about it.
Tell us anything you know...
about the least sample size...
that can evaluate a batter's ability.
This is about the domestic league, right?
It's different depending on the index.
Right, you know.
It changes according to which analytical technique you use,
but as far as I know,
about 200 at bats for strikeouts,
400 at bats for 4 balls, and 300 at bats for SLG.
(An expected measure of a hitter's batting productivity)
Then in terms of the Major League, the sample should be...
It should be lower than this.
- Why is that? - That's...
I'm not sure.
(Interviewee Waiting Room)
(It's still an experience even if you fail. You've studied hard.)
Consider it a good experience even if you don't make it in.
You worked hard for it.
What's the answer to the question earlier?
That? There's no answer.
I just wanted to see how he would interpret statistics.
Where did you learn that?
I read books. and also referenced Yamanse.
Wait. Why don't you let me try?
Hello.
Yes. Hello.
Shall we start the interview?
(Name: Baek Young Soo)
You can give it to me. I'll pass it to them.
("Heat Changes Everything, Even Baseball")
Are you Yamanse's...
Robinson?
"Heat Changes Everything. Even Baseball" and...
"Pythagoras' Strike Rate Data". You wrote them, didn't you?
Don't you know him, Mr. Yoo?
No, I don't.
You don't? He's really famous.
I've been active on Yamanse under the name Robinson.
My name is Baek Young Soo.
The documents I just handed you are texts I've written...
that are the most relatable to analyzing a team.
He wrote so much.
But do such texts help baseball?
You're the Analysis Manager, right?
Yes.
I'm sure you're already using sabermetrics to a certain degree.
You work on recording the details of each player.
Depending on how you analyze the statistics,
you just make different decisions.
You'd understand if you play baseball.
In baseball, there are many factors that influence those numbers.
If I look into a player who's suddenly performing poorly,
he either broke up with his girlfriend...
or something happened at home.
Can sabermetrics catch all these influences?
Out of all the sports,
I think baseball is the best to analyze with numbers.
Basketball, volleyball, and soccer...
are highly influenced by the movements of the other players.
But in baseball, a pitcher can get three outs...
or a batter can get a hit...
if they're good as a player on their own.
Failing to use sabermetrics in modern baseball...
is like saying you don't want to become healthy.
It's not like you can get an academic degree in sabermetrics.
Unless you study it for your job,
it might seem like it's not worth it...
Seung Soo, what are you doing?
Hey, if I...
quit baseball,
can you teach me how to study?
Young Soo,
you'd never be able to study as well as you play baseball.
You don't have the brains.
Hello? Young Soo? I have to go.
Hey. I have a game today.
Okay. And?
My pelvis has been hurting since yesterday.
The thing with the human body...
is that it's not made to handle such sudden and powerful movements.
That's why many players are in pain.
Young Soo, just look straight ahead and run, okay?
Just run your heart out, okay?
Report to me how many hits you got when the game's done.
Last season, the Sabres were the winners.
To my knowledge, they didn't apply...
sabermetrics yet.
Many people believe that because the Sabres don't have...
a full-time employee in their analysis department.
However, as far as I know,
there are two temporary employees in the analysis department.
Both of them declined to become full-time employees.
Recently, they got a huge raise.
Does playing around with some numbers...
make it okay for someone...
who has never hit a home run or struck out anyone...
to start working in baseball?
I've hit home runs before and struck people out too.
I'm not talking about playing baseball with friends.
Exactly.
"Daesung High School"?
Yes. But if someone who has never...
hit a home run and has never struck anyone out...
has a better understanding of sabermetrics than I do,
I think it's okay for them to be hired instead.
- How confident. - The ability to analyze...
won't correlate with the team's ranking 100 percent.
Other elements will influence the team's ranking too.
But at least for a team like Dreams who neglected to analyze statistics,
sabermetrics will have a meaningful synergistic effect.
When we talk about sabermetrics,
people bring up WAR first.
Why do batters have higher WARs than pitchers?
They say baseball is a pitcher's game.
Exactly. This is why people like us in the field...
can't trust something like this.
A pitcher's record consists of their offensive and defensive plays.
That's the first reason.
Starting pitchers who pitch a lot...
don't have a big gap between those numbers.
Relief pitchers have a low number.
Don't good middle relief pitchers have big influences?
That's why I believe it makes more sense...
for relief pitchers to be analyzed with WPA,
which is "win probability added", instead of WAR...
to get precise readings.
Do you have any questions, Mr. Baek?
How high do you think that bump is at the door?
The bump you had to get over before entering.
In the end,
you needed someone's help...
to enter.
I think it's about 6cm high.
This work will be very difficult,
starting with something as small as that bump.
Mr. Baek.
Mr. Baek should have a good understanding of our situation...
so that he's able to accept whatever the outcome may be.
I'm a fan of Jackie Robinson.
That's why my ID is Robinson.
He's the first black person to play in the Major League.
The referees made calls disadvantageous to him...
and was hit by many balls that were thrown at him on purpose.
All because he was black.
It's ridiculous when we think about it now.
If I become a handicapped analyst,
I'll be the first one.
It'd be easy to make it into a touching story...
and to publish stories.
Do you think we'd do that just to publish...
If you don't make it,
please remember this.
It's because someone was more capable than you.
Dreams won't discriminate someone just because they're different.
I'll trust your words.
I'll ask one more question.
How did you get hurt?
How did it happen?
I'm sorry?
Young Soo, just look straight ahead and run, okay?
Just run your heart out, okay?
I got injured playing baseball.
You must watch...
an incredible amount of footage.
Footage of real baseball matches.
Thoughts that you could still play if not for that incident,
or memories of the collision.
Memories that are not entirely beautiful.
Can you handle all that?
Yes.
Do you think your family would want that for you?
My family doesn't know.
I just do it...
because I like to.
Because I'm okay.
Baek Young Soo is my younger brother.
I had no idea he'd applied,
and I don't want him to get the job.
Please judge objectively.
I don't think that...
you judged him objectively.
I'm sure Mr. Baek considered that when he applied.
Even if he's your brother,
you crossed the line.
Even if I was to consider...
how you felt when you said that.
There's no choice.
I'll announce the results as is.
Why? What did he say?
(Daesung High Baek Young Soo)
("Excessive Play Ends Career")
("Playing Despite Injury, Dark Side of School Sports")
Mr. Baek.
Just a moment.
I checked the height of our door thresholds.
Eight spots don't have any...
or are below 2cm.
Wheelchairs can roll over those.
We can install a ramp...
for rooms with a higher threshold.
We can solve the problem...
at a much cheaper price than exchanging the doors.
I still won't hire him.
You must hire people who can help and protect you.
Who can help whom?
Just do what others in your position do.
Who can protect whom?
What are you doing?
You just got in after saying what you wanted to say.
Okay. Say what you want to say.
Your brother was a pretty good player.
That past doesn't exist.
Did you even read his resume properly?
Are we close enough to talk about this?
I'd like us to stop talking about this topic.
I'm talking about hiring...
a member of the Analysis Department.
You made me realize that...
closeness doesn't mean you know everything.
(Resume, Baek Young Soo)
He didn't say he had a hard time or that he struggled.
But it shows.
The one line that says he majored in statistics.
That alone deserves a lot of applause.
No one writes their resume without that much thought.
You're working in the field that put your brother in a wheelchair.
You wouldn't have done so...
without any hesitation or resolve.
But...
don't you think your brother...
would've needed much more resolve...
than you to do the same?
Get out.
Your brother...
kept to himself around you, didn't he?
You're doing this because you're worried for him,
but your brother is overcoming...
his hardships unbelievably well.
You must give him some credit for that.
Guess what?
Your brother had overcome everything...
and was waiting for you to come around.
All this time.
(The New Wave Brought On by Baek Seung Soo )
Since when did you write such things?
It's been a while.
You deceived us.
I didn't lie about anything other than love baseball.
I worked hard.
Hey. How many times did I tell you to study so you could have...
- an easy life. - I hated baseball in high school.
But since I became disabled,
it became fun to watch matches.
I meant to tell you then.
That I don't mind watching baseball.
Why didn't you then?
You threw out everything about baseball.
You spit on and cursed baseball.
How could I say I liked it?
Because of that, you...
You say that,
but you think it's because of you.
How many years has it been already?
And is baseball a sport you can avoid while living in Korea?
Why did you take over a baseball club then?
A baseball club's general manager won't let a brother watch baseball?
How hypocritical is that?
Who'll support us then?
What wouldn't I do to make money?
Someone has to earn a living.
Will you stop saying that?
If you throw away your life for us,
don't you think that would be torture?
I'm the one who can't walk.
Why are you struggling with guilt...
and why should I wait for you to heal?
I'm in the clear,
so why are you still watching me from down there?
"I'll sacrifice myself."
"You find a stable job." That's it.
Do you know how suffocating that is from the other end?
Should someone tiptoe around another just to be happy?
Pull yourself out of that dump!
Fine.
You don't have to hire me.
But at least, let's live our lives.
It wasn't your fault.
Would you think...
it wasn't your fault if you were me?
Yes.
Because it really wasn't your fault.
Not if it was simply your injury.
But it wasn't.
I...
We'll need to wait and see how he recovers,
but do you know why he has so many bruises on his body?
- No. - You said he's a baseball player.
It seems he was punished a little.
Irrelevant to his wound,
his ankle was swollen severely too.
It must not have been easy for him to run that fast.
(Messages)
Young Soo, everyone struggles the same.
Just run forward.
You're the pride of our family.
What are you going to do about the passing applicant?
(General Manager's Office)
Come in.
(Baek Seung Soo)
(Dreams come true.)
Why did you suddenly come? I have afternoon classes too.
I wanted to badmouth someone,
but I didn't have anyone else to do it with.
Is that someone the frustrating man I think,
you've come to the right person.
It was bound to happen one day.
But I think...
we put that day off for too much.
I'm okay.
What about you?
Well,
I ended up like this after putting it off too much.
Unlike Seung Soo and me,
you two are brothers, so you can't part ways.
Try to overcome it.
I just...
did it for myself.
Right.
Your brother is enough to live the rest of his life in regrets...
if he doesn't see us happy.
But aside from that,
you just need to enjoy your life.
Smile a lot.
Hello?
Hello, I'm Lee Se Young of the Dreams.
Oh, hello.
Congratulations. You've passed the interview.
Really?
Thank you.
Congratulations sincerely.
When can you start working?
Right away.
I'll see you tomorrow at work then.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
- Did you get the job? - Yes.
- Really? - Yes!
Goodness, congratulations!
- Can you do a good job? - Of course.
I'm so happy for you.
Good luck.
Mom.
Young Soo is all right now.
I'm fine with everything as long as he's fine.
Yes.
(Exceptional, Challenging, and Progressive Baseball)
Kwon Kyung Min.
We're related which is why you're good at what you do.
Okay?
- CEO Ko. - Yes, sir.
Bring Mr. Baek in.
What is this about?
I'd like to see him in a while.
- Have a seat. - Okay.
What's the total amount of last year's salaries?
It's 5.53 million dollars.
We'll need a sharp cut on that.
We can't afford to spend that much.
Isn't it lame for men to drink wine?
Someone's joining us later, and he likes wine.
We're expecting someone?
It's someone you know.
(Kwak Han Young, Infielder of the Dreams)
What's this?
It's the estimated salaries of our team.
Why do you have this?
I snuck it out from the Operations Department.
Do they know about this?
Can this be leaked?
You're so fastidious.
Why do you think I'm showing this to you?
Look.
I don't want to get involved with something like this.
- I'll go. - Sit back down, you punk.
Oh, gosh. What's with this mood?
Sit back down, Han Young.
Goodness.
You see,
I've started an agency.
I want to sign a contract with you...
and negotiate a salary with you.
I don't earn a lot,
so you might not get a lot of commission.
You just need to treat me to a drink.
I feel bad about your past contracts, that's why.
Right, you punk.
Until when will you agree to what they offer?
Before you,
I've signed contracts with Lee Yang Yul,
Jung Tae Soo, and Yoo Min Won.
The Dreams look down on me,
but I'm quite renowned outside.
All of them have won a Golden Glove.
Did you say you signed four contracts?
Who is the other one?
(Lim Dong Gyu)
Don't tell me you're flustered.
I guess the topic was a little too difficult.
Yes.
Of course,
they could be stunned to hear that we're cutting it down by 30 percent.
But we'll have to make them understand our circumstances.
The total salary budget for players was cut by 30 percent,
and I need to work with that money...
to somehow settle the salary contracts...
of all the players.
Yes.
I suggest you cut it by 10 percent.
I just told you. It's 30 percent.
15 percent.
This isn't a market where you can haggle.
You're the one who suggested a cut like we're at a market.
What are you trying to do?
How could you do this without proper reasons?
Should I tell you the reasons?
We're...
bad at baseball.
Also,
we're terrible at baseball.
Also,
we've been playing terribly for many years.
Also,
we're a baseball team in deficit.
I know.
We played the worst last year and the year before.
That's why we get the lowest salaries.
But cutting down so much like this will cause a backlash.
I wonder why a smart man like you is asking, so let me say this.
What I'm telling you isn't an opinion or advice.
I'm telling you it must be done as the owner.
I'm speaking on behalf of the company.
(Epilogue)
Hey, go home if you're done work.
Why do you want to eat with your boss so badly?
You should be thankful I eat with you.
What is this?
Is that his girlfriend or his wife?
I'm not sure.
I was wondering why he left work on time. He left for this.
I'm going to ask him tomorrow.
Hey, when are you going to grow up?
What is it now?
Go. Just go.
I didn't know Mr. Baek could smile like that.
Me neither.
Let's go.
I was originally going to go on a trip today.
Really?
I canceled it after getting your call yesterday.
Whether I go with a friend, alone,
or with a different man,
I'm going to go on a trip next year.
Let's not meet up next year on this day.
Okay.
It's okay.
If you get fixated on comforting me,
neither of us will ever be able to escape from that memory.
That's what I started to think.
This day will come every year.
You can't keep doing this when we're seniors.
We can meet on other days, just not this day.
Okay. Let's do that.
No one has to comfort anyone.
We're both strong people.
(Hot Stove League)
And you accepted?
Prepare for the salary negotiations as fiercely as you always did.
I've seen many people like that.
People who want to look like they have principles.
This is professional baseball. It's not a neighborhood game.
We had a drastic cut.
If you decline this offer, I won't offer the same amount again.
We'll evaluate the weaknesses of that player.
Baek Seung Soo's fake leadership...
This is the easiest way to reduce labor costs.
Don't you think there will be a backlash?
He's the one who blew the whistle to start.
If he fails, he'll break down.
Could this be...
It's the list of players who will be cut.