(All characters, places, companies,)
(and incidents in this drama are fictitious.)
Don't tell me you're flustered.
I guess the topic was a little too difficult.
Yes.
They could be stunned to hear that we're cutting it down by 30 percent.
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.
This isn't a market where you can haggle.
You're the one who suggested a cut...
like we're at a market.
Should I tell you the reasons?
We're...
bad 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.
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.
Prepare for the salary negotiations as fiercely as you always did.
- Okay. - We always do.
The cut will be quite large.
How big is it?
30 percent.
We need to settle all the salary contracts with this amount.
There will be a lot of backlashes.
They might say baseball players...
need higher salaries since they have to buy equipment.
Not realizing the cruel reality,
they might still be consumed in the memories of their glory days.
Their pride might get the better of them.
The thing with baseball players is that their salaries are made public.
But the thing is,
there are many reasons for our team to get reduced salaries.
We're so used to being the worst team.
And you accepted?
Mr. Baek. Even players who didn't perform well...
will get offended if we say they'll get a 30 percent cut.
Of course they expect to fight to their deaths...
with salary negotiations.
Since we have different interests,
both sides can get offended,
and spring training can get delayed.
We experienced all kinds of scenarios,
but we can't make deals with such an amount.
The Dreams was the worst team for four years in a row, right?
Are we obliged to accept being losers for four years,
yet they still expect to be paid like everyone else?
I thought we were in professional baseball.
I think it's justifiable.
Do you agree that they deserve to get such a cut?
We just have different values. There's an easier way.
(Kwon Do Yul, Kwon Bum Jun...)
Could this be...
It's the list of players who will be released.
We already let go of a set of players.
This is the easiest way to reduce labor costs.
10? That's too many.
We'll have a meeting about salary negotiations tomorrow.
Let's share ideas about how we'll make it happen.
Isn't this ridiculous?
How can we cut 10 more players?
It was hard enough picking the ones we let go of in November.
When did we ever only do things that made sense?
I know, but has anything ever been as ridiculous as this?
Let's keep it down.
Gosh.
Hey, I need you to redo this.
Okay.
Also, don't look at the clips. Just look at the numbers.
Okay.
I don't know if you'll last that long,
but once the season starts, we often have advance scouts sent...
to watch other teams play, but you can't do it.
I can do it.
No. Just look at the numbers.
(An advance scout collects information on the next opponent...)
(by attending the opponent's game against another team.)
(Name, Height, Weight, The year they joined the team, Birthdate)
But all the names have been covered up.
Just the numbers.
I told you to just look at the numbers.
All you statisticians need is numbers, right?
Yes, sir.
(General Manager's Office)
Thank you.
No problem.
What brought you here?
I'm Baek Young Soo in Analysis Department.
I see.
I know you're busy,
but I brought all of you together to discuss salary negotiations.
The funding from our parent company was cut drastically.
In comparison to last year,
it's 30 percent less.
- 30? - 30 percent?
Yes. We must settle salary contracts with that amount.
It won't be easy to do.
That's why we brought you here to hear your thoughts.
Here is the list of 10 players we'll let go of.
10? 10 players?
We'd like to hear from Head Coach, the managers,
as well as Scouting Assistant Manager.
Well, if we release them like this,
all the journalists will ask. It's going to cause such a mess.
How will we answer them?
I don't understand this list.
Why is that?
Kim Chan Hee and Jung Bae Yong...
are players that were difficult to scout.
They're players who are currently improving.
Why are they included on the list?
I was looking 10 years ahead when picking them.
It's very difficult to get into a professional team.
Although they're not popular yet, anyone in professional teams...
would do well if you give them 10 years.
Who came up with this list?
- Was it you? - No.
If this person knew anything about the Dreams,
they wouldn't have come up with such a list.
Gosh, what is this?
If we cut 10 players, we'll have 40 players left.
Is that still going to work?
I think we'll be able to play through a season at least.
Anyway, this list is not acceptable.
Instead of Lee Kyung Seok, how about Kim Jong Yoon?
No, Kim Jong Yoon is too good to get rid of.
Another team will pick up Lee Chan Joong right away.
We can't let Kang Han Bae go either. He's too handsome.
- Gosh. - Geez.
He's in fourth place for uniform sales,
and he's not even a first-string player.
If he leaves, our ticket sales will drop significantly.
Gosh.
Why are you all looking at me like that?
Do you think we run a club with nothing?
We're a professional baseball club.
The thing is,
we already released a few players in November.
We let go of 11 players that month.
It wasn't a small number compared to previous years.
We had no choice, but if we release 10 more players,
so if we lose all these 10 players as well,
our team will go down to 40 players.
If any more of them suffer an injury,
can we put together a team that can play?
No.
So, Kim Chan Hee, Jung Bae Yong, Lee Kyung Seok,
Lee Chan Joong, Seo Gi Yeol, Yoo Won Jae.
We need them all?
A player we can let go is Song Myung Joon?
Who thinks we need him?
Okay. Then...
What about Seong Min Jae?
They ran all over the place at fielding practices with me,
and they all...
did as I said and bunted and stole bases.
There's nothing...
I can do here that will be of any help.
It's so very uncomfortable. May I be excused?
Yes. You did well. You may leave.
Let's continue.
Who thinks we need Jang Jin Woo?
No one? Can we release him?
But Jang Jin Woo...
once pitched 19 wins.
He's the only player with a title as the pitcher with most wins.
If we were going to release him, we should've told him sooner...
so he could have a retirement ceremony.
Only those who think...
we need Jang Jin Woo for this fall season.
Please raise your hand.
Can we release Jang Jin Woo?
- I'm home. - Ha Yoon, Dad's home.
- Let's have dinner. - Dad.
Ha Yoon.
What were you doing?
You had a long day. Go and take a shower.
- Let's eat. - Sorry.
I have to go to Gi Beom's.
You should've told me sooner.
Look at all this.
He called out of the blue.
Are you going to have meat without us?
I want meat too.
I'll buy you some meat on my way home, okay?
Enjoy your dinner.
- I have to go. - Okay.
When is it?
When is what?
Your salary negotiation.
There's still some time left.
Will you get a little less this year?
I guess so.
You know that no one in our block makes as much as you, right?
- I'll see you later. - Bye.
Can we release Jang Jin Woo?
Me.
I never played baseball, but I caught many players' balls.
I watch the pitchers' throws very carefully.
I still think that Jang Jin Woo has some play left in him.
His pitches have a nasty end.
They're hard to hit accurately.
His numbers show he didn't give many extra-base hits.
Let's negotiate with everyone then.
Baek Seung Soo won't release anyone.
You don't know how heartless he is.
Wait and see.
What?
He'll sign with every player.
I've seen many people like that.
People who want to look like they have principles.
Shall I just tell him to release them all?
What for?
He wants to turn against the good players...
to save some useless ones. That works for us.
That won't happen,
but even if he successfully signs with everyone,
we still save money.
We do, right?
If it doesn't work out...
The moment he walked into the all-manager meeting,
he accepted our absurd offer.
He blew the starting whistle.
If he fails, he falls.
Baek Seung Soo's fake leadership that gave people hope...
and drove them into thinking maybe he could...
accomplish something will be exposed.
Rather than releasing them,
we'll negotiate the salary with every single one of them.
We'll get a larger budget, won't we?
I doubt that.
You're saying you'll sign everyone...
with this new lowered budget?
The players are already saying that...
we don't pay them enough.
Will you go with an equal pay cut...
for all the players?
We have many players who already receive the bare minimum.
I'll change the way...
the salary is calculated.
What's going on? Why wasn't I told of this?
I don't know.
Won't there be opposition?
Ever since I joined the club,
there was opposition to everything I did...
except for moving the potted plants in my office.
You can continue.
I erased how much each player made last year...
and calculated their new salaries.
We'll start at zero-base and calculate...
based on last year's performance alone.
Wow, this is too...
This is bad.
I'll give an example to help you understand.
Park Jung Chan who was with us for three years.
He had the most game-winning hits.
We paid him 80,000 dollars last year.
This year we can offer him 150,000 dollars.
Jang Jin Woo played for us for 16 years.
You all know he didn't do well last year.
He was paid 130,000 dollars, but that'll go down to 50,000.
If a player does well in a certain year,
he can be paid more than a senior of 13 years.
This will be our new salary calculation method.
I think the opposition will be very strong.
This is professional baseball. It's not a neighborhood game.
If you don't like being paid based on performance, you must quit.
Why is there a seniority system in professional baseball?
(Seniority system: Players with longer careers are prioritized.)
Shall I arrange the briefing for the players?
Yes.
Kwak Han Young...
is an all-around infielder.
He has no fixed position...
and is a first-string player in most matches.
His batting average is 0.262, and he hits pretty far too.
He scored 15 home runs.
The head coach is pleased enough to say he has no worries...
if another infielder is injured.
Next up is a possible problem character in the negotiations.
It's Seo Young Ju, our main catcher.
He's always tagged with the word "if".
There's talk that if he were healthy,
our team would've...
placed 9th and not last.
The consensus is that...
if he plays full-time,
as a defensive catcher, he's one of the best in Korea.
His blocking is said to be one of the best in Korea.
His caught stealing average is second in Korea,
and he's now pretty good with game-calling skills.
Hey.
There's talk that our salaries will be low.
You're on the team too.
Who doesn't know that we're paid poorly?
The new general manager's saying...
we should be paid based on performance.
That's none of my business.
I'll demand as much as I deserve, not based on performance.
Due to an injury, he didn't play too much last season.
This year, it is inevitable that we offer him a much lower deal.
I'm just...
not entirely sure he will accept it.
He's always been a tough person to negotiate with.
Okay. Next.
Next up is Jang Jin Woo.
When we placed second, he was our ace with 19 wins.
His ball speed plummeted after his shoulder surgery.
He allowed many home runs...
and extra-base hits.
His performance has been bad since,
so we can't train him as a coach either.
He isn't considering retirement,
but I'm not sure he'll accept our new...
salary calculation method.
He is hardworking and serves as...
a good example to his juniors.
A good example?
Is there a junior pitcher who wants to be like him?
No, not at the moment.
Hardworking or not, he's not a good example.
We already have a successful model, Kang Doo Ki.
He works hard and has good results.
That is what is called a good example.
You can't compare him with Kang Doo Ki.
I'm talking about exact values.
Everyone knows we need Jang Jin Woo on the team.
What?
10 double-plays when a runner was on first base.
Seven double-plays lost due to defensive errors.
Excluding the defensive errors, he's the best in the league.
His inherited runs allowed is...
the best among our middle relief pitchers.
Then we shouldn't offer 50,000 dollars.
He isn't even aware of his value, so why should we?
Mr. Jang.
What?
"What"?
I wasn't a member of the Dreams, and the former senior manager Ko...
Wait.
- The former senior manager? - Then is he a senior manager now?
You've lost your mind.
It's true I wasn't as good as you two when I was an athlete.
But if you keep treating me rudely...
- and swearing at me, - What will you do?
- I'll will have to bear it. - What on earth?
Will they criticize me first for the lack of charisma...
or you for being a scum who doesn't respect his superior?
I know the answer to it.
I'll keep treating you with respect as my senior.
And you need to treat me with respect as your superior.
That way, our Scouting Department can...
Hey.
I started my career...
years earlier than you punk.
You starting your career first...
has nothing to do with what we do right now.
Violence, unnecessary discipline.
Gosh, I hate it.
Let's drop all that now.
Is he insane? That little... Darn it!
That little punk!
Darn it!
He's completely insane.
(Beef Intestines Story)
He said he'd eat instant noodles after the training.
Is that so?
So I brought him with me.
This place is pretty busy with lots of customers.
The business was tough at first, but it's settling down now.
I'm in this amateur baseball team...
to promote my restaurant.
We hold get-togethers here and stuff.
- Is it good? - It's very good.
You seem...
to have gotten a little calm.
- Are you playing for next season? - Yes, of course.
How much did they offer?
I haven't talked with them yet,
but it might be reduced.
Is your salary around 140,000 dollars?
Work hard.
You need to get paid more than him in three years.
I'll be happy enough to have mine raised even for a bit.
- Goodness. - I'm happy just to think about it.
Gosh.
So it's 130,000 dollars, but they might want to cut it down.
- Even so. - It'll be 100,000 without 30,000.
Why don't you just open a beef intestines restaurant like me?
Hey, I still can throw balls.
Hey, I can throw balls too.
Honey.
Even my wife can do that much.
What's the use in throwing balls?
The problem is that we aren't good at it.
Hey, we are talking 100,000 dollars. That is still a lot.
It's enough to keep me going. What are you talking about?
Are you kidding me?
Honey, come here.
I'm busy.
Let's have a drink when all the customers leave.
Tell him something.
Even if his salary is cut down to 100,000 dollars,
he says he would still play.
That's enough to keep me going.
- Have you saved some money? - He hasn't saved that much.
Even so,
I'm happier now that he's running his business.
Back when he was an athlete, the whole family was down...
when he was stuck on the bench without being able to play.
It was even worse...
when he went to the field and messed up.
One day, he played well,
but his team ended up losing. The family was devastated again.
Everyone in our family was always down.
He went to train and play games in other cities.
Gosh, that's when I realized money isn't everything.
Can you give us a bottle of soju, ma'am?
Okay, coming right up.
- Is your knee okay? - Yes, I think I'm all better.
I went for a walk all the way to Chungshan Park today.
Mom. Don't do that when the weather is cold.
Forget it.
Do you remember Seung Mi's mom?
She's a cashier of the supermarket nearby.
She's resigning.
You know, its owner and his wife are nice.
They always let their employees take leftover products and stuff.
- No! - I don't even have a husband,
so I can't be a housewife forever.
I'm way healthier than you.
Al least wait until your knee recovers then.
What's the use in cleaning the house over and over again?
I can be a career woman too.
Mom. Is my salary too small?
Why? Have you started with the salary negotiation?
I guess it's not enough for two people.
It's like that of a rattail, right?
You say that in every salary negotiation season.
Do you even know what a rattail does?
They sense the changes in temperature and environment.
What are you talking about?
Thanks to your rattail, I'm sensitive to price.
I can strengthen my ability to survive.
What are you saying? Stop reading weird books.
Don't worry.
It's not because of your salary that I want to work.
- Then? - I mean,
Seung Mi's mom and the owner's wife...
want me to take over.
No.
Whether I take the job or not,
I'm just happy to hear they need me.
It doesn't require any certificates...
Wait, not. It's more because it doesn't require any certificates.
Hey.
Anyone can do the job.
But they want me to do it,
and to have someone need me...
just makes me...
feel so good.
Hello.
Come in.
- Hello. - Hello.
Read the conditions,
and sign it if you agree.
Okay.
(27,000 dollars)
Mr. Yoo Min Ho.
Let's make good results next season so you can get paid a lot next year.
Okay.
Do I sign here?
Your GP was too little...
that we couldn't find any cause to raise it...
no matter how we evaluated your results.
Cheer up.
It's okay.
(Signature: Yoo Min Ho)
Here.
- Goodbye. - Thank you.
- Hello. - Hello.
Hi, Grandma.
Yes.
Isn't it freezing there?
It's a bit cold here too.
We have a lot of pitchers to negotiate with today.
They're very individualistic.
They don't easily sign contracts.
They even prepare data on their own.
There's Kwak Han Young among the hitters.
Yes, Nice Guy.
Are you two that close?
No, his nickname is Nice Guy.
He understands the club's circumstance...
and sign a contract as soon as possible.
I bet he'll do the same today.
What... Ko...
My gosh.
- My goodness. - What's going on?
Hello, sir.
Have you been well?
I worked hard for a long time, so I was going to take a break.
But many of my juniors have a lot on their minds...
whenever it's time for salary negotiations.
No matter how much I prepare,
I probably won't be able to prepare as much as the club.
First of all, when you sit at the negotiation table,
your head rings and your tongue gets tied.
When you come to your senses,
you've already signed the contract.
All they know how to do is play sports.
How could they beat sneaky people like you, right?
They were looking for someone with connections they can trust,
and an agent who's good at making deals.
That's why I came here feeling responsible.
Since we know each other well,
I hope we can keep our conversation reasonable.
Let's try not to offend each other.
Sure.
Shall we listen to the team's offer first?
As you already know,
our team was in the last place for four years in a row.
Wait.
We're talking about an individual player's salary.
Why are you bringing up the team's performance as a whole?
This happened before, didn't it?
Yes.
We need to fix this.
I know the circumstance the Dreams is in,
but you won't suggest something like 160,000 dollars, will you?
(160,000 dollars)
How did you come up with such an exact amount?
I took into consideration the criteria you have to estimate...
the amount.
Right. You're wrong.
Right? It's wrong.
Kwak Han Young is too nice so he signed every time.
I just feel so sorry for him.
I came today hoping to help him get the amount he deserves.
160,000 dollars doesn't seem right.
How much will make it seem right?
What's for sure is that...
the amount you suggested will be hard to accept.
Because we were the lowest-ranking team for four years in a row,
the budget for salaries was reduced.
To offer reasonable salaries, we came up with this amount...
just based on his last season's performance.
As Kwak Han Young's representative,
I researched his plays, his contracts,
and all the documents.
Mr. Baek, do you happen to know his nickname?
Don't you know it?
Nice Guy.
His nickname breaks my heart.
I can't give him 160,000 dollars.
We won't accept 160,000 dollars.
You see it in every sports news.
Highly efficient players in comparison to their salaries.
He was the 1st place in the team, 3 times in 5 years.
Out of the players who get paid over 100,000 dollars,
he's a nice guy who signs just after two meetings.
You shouldn't mistreat such a nice player like him as so.
Think about how empty he must have felt.
I never imagined the Dreams...
would suggest such a shameless amount.
You should make a new offer.
This is a secret,
but Kwak Han Young is the only player...
I don't take any commission from.
Why not?
"Why not?"
Because I feel bad for him.
It looks like this conversation could get long.
Did you all eat?
We haven't yet.
Chicken.
Hold on.
Jae Hee,
will you go buy us two iced americanos?
What?
What do you think you're doing?
Sorry.
What do you want to drink?
Okay. Listen to me.
I explained to you about how we calculated the new salary,
and I understand where Kwak Han Young stands.
It doesn't look like we can come to an agreement in this meeting.
We can chat another time.
You can go.
I just opened this.
Right.
I should say this in case you are mistaken.
I didn't come here for childish reasons...
like taking revenge for being falsely accused.
I came here with a sense of duty.
I don't think there are any misunderstandings.
Also, you weren't falsely accused.
You wouldn't do this to take revenge.
You're not that pathetic, are you?
Please leave. We have other players waiting for us.
Right.
I had this.
Jung Sun Gu, Yeo Jae Wook, Kang Tae Min, and Kwon Do Yul?
(Dreams' Salary Contract Proposal)
Could it be these players?
(Jung Sun Gu, Yeo Jae Wook, Kang Tae Min, Kwon Do Yul)
I represent these players as well.
Let's discuss them all while I'm here.
Do I have to take it back out again?
Eat it.
Jae Hee, didn't you leave yet?
Go ahead.
I had them cut it in half for me. Do you want to share? It's good.
Okay. Hey, Han Young.
You would've signed already if it wasn't for me, right?
- Yes. - They should be nice...
to the nice guys.
They shouldn't have used you.
Those bastards.
Hey, do you still drive that same car?
- Yes. - You need to get a new car.
I should work harder.
- Just leave it to me. - It works fine.
I said, just leave it to me.
Okay. See you later.
Bye.
Take care.
Please write a nice article for us.
I'll call you right back.
What is it?
In my opinion, the filthiest type of people...
are the ones who surrender themselves...
to those in power rather than words of common sense.
If you repeat the same thing one more time,
I won't treat you as a human being.
What are you talking about?
You know what I'm talking about.
Darn. Pass me some tissue.
Darn it.
Pass me some tissue.
He talked as if...
he knew how we calculated their salaries.
Is that what this was about?
- Yes. - He couldn't deny anything.
- It's obvious... - It's in the past.
Ko Se Hyuk...
Let's not get too obsessed about a mere agent.
We need to get all these contracts signed.
Okay.
Tomorrow we negotiate with the main players of our club.
There are some subtle oddities in the salaries for up to last year.
Players with families to support got...
a little more than their performances allowed.
I don't care why that is. It won't happen this year.
Even if a player has a family,
it won't affect our evaluation on...
their weaknesses and values.
You should brace yourselves.
It would still be hard even if you are prepared to get cursed at.
At the negotiating table this year,
I hope there are no humanists.
We meet with Seo Young Ju tomorrow.
His suggested salary is 300,000 dollars.
We must settle at 200,000 dollars.
You know who he is, right?
Yes. He's our main catcher who's tough to negotiate with.
Yes. The thing is, he can get a little insolent.
That's an attitude, not a result, so it doesn't matter.
He can be insolent.
(Met at The Dreams to Dream Together)
Next up is Seo Young Ju.
Come in.
Hello.
Ever heard this saying before?
"A pitcher's a noble, an outfielder's a merchant,"
"an infielder's a slave,"
"a catcher's a beggar".
Catchers work the hardest, so help me out here.
You missed many matches in the last season.
Like we said last time,
your salary was calculated based on last season's performance.
You'd best be prepared for a lower pay.
Why?
In the previous season...
The upcoming season...
Don't you pay us...
based on how well you think we'll do?
Mr. Seo Young Ju.
Why then do we negotiate based on a season's performance?
Because it's the best statistical proof...
of how well one will do in the next season.
I missed a few matches due to an injury, but look at...
my performance in the latter half.
Doesn't the average show that...
I'm the best defensive catcher?
I wasn't going to say this,
but do you know what our fans say?
"At least we have Seo Young Ju."
That's what everyone says.
Yes, I'm glad you said that. It's just like that.
You missed the first half of the season with an injury.
We suspect it's likely you won't play...
the whole of next season due to an injury.
Mr. Baek. We never met before.
You said you never played.
Why are you saying that?
Just in case he doesn't know.
I'd like to explain.
It's not like I have a chronic issue.
I got hurt in an unfortunate accident.
That's why, in the upcoming year, the same injury...
That injury comes from your play-style.
We evaluate you based on all of that.
You have a habit of blocking the whole home plate...
when you are blocking.
Your habit of vertically tagging a runner...
heading to the home base.
You must change that.
500,000 dollars.
I don't want to be calculative much over this.
The gap between us is too great.
I'm not an unreasonable guy.
I'm the best defensive catcher in Korea.
If I manage my condition and play the whole season,
I don't think that's a huge amount.
If I were to tell you our offer now,
you'd get angry then.
See you.
Mr. Jang Jin Woo.
Come in.
I know you're the most senior player,
but your salary...
was calculated based purely on last season's performance.
Okay.
My salary was always adjusted each year.
Our offer for the next year is 50,000 dollars.
(Baseball Player Contract)
(50,000 dollars)
Do you have a counter offer?
No, just a moment, please.
Let me think.
50,000 dollars?
50,000 dollars means they want you gone.
I found a spot in Joongang-dong for my second restaurant.
Why don't you open it instead?
Get a loan if you are short.
Manage the restaurant...
and coach players part-time.
You can make way more than 50,000 dollars.
Your health will only go downhill.
It's time to quit.
Ha Yoon.
Daddy bought you some fried chicken.
You smell of alcohol.
Honey.
You did well today.
You trained hard for a year.
I bet they put you down based on your performance.
You can sell grilled meat.
Or we can sell dumplings.
You can play baseball too.
Thank you.
What do you want to do the most?
Mom. I want to have some meat.
Let's sell meat.
We'll sell meat.
Ha Yoon, Dad will open a meat restaurant, okay?
You smell of alcohol.
Eat some chicken.
- I bought chicken. - Sit down.
Hey, Doo Ki.
Doo Ki, it's been a while.
Why did you ask to see me?
I heard you're an agent now.
You are pretty quick with the news now.
Doo Ki. Join me on my boat.
How's your current agent?
I don't negotiate my salary.
I get paid what my FA contract says.
Right.
I heard the younger pitchers rely on you right after you joined.
Introduce me to a few of them.
Is there a pitcher on my team that you don't know?
I know every one of them.
But it'll be different if you introduce them to me.
I left the club because I was framed,
and many got the wrong idea about me.
As you know, none of our pitchers...
can afford to hire an agent to negotiate.
Your commission will be a burden to them.
You can tell them...
I'll negotiate well and get them a higher salary.
Are you close to Baek Seung Soo?
I only saw him a few times.
He did a great thing by bringing you over.
But...
Look at the way he's running things.
Mr. Baek can evaluate my performance,
but I don't think I'll be evaluating his.
What's wrong with you? You're like a robot.
You're so close-minded. You're practically stuck.
I believe...
many of our team's players hired you as their agent.
Are you being honest?
Aren't you just trying to mess with Mr. Baek?
What are you saying?
I forgot that...
you were close to Lim Dong Gyu.
Weren't you a regular of the raw rice wine place...
next to the beef rib restaurant in Joongang-dong?
It's my father's store.
When I was in middle school,
you used to treat your juniors with poor results to beef ribs...
and visit my father's store with them.
You hardly drank and talked only about baseball.
Your juniors couldn't even understand,
but you told them how to play and how to defend.
You chatted for hours.
What is your point?
What made you become like this?
- Se Hyuk. - Why you little...
You call this your leadership?
Let go, you punk!
I'll make sure to play in autumn.
Don't shake the Dreams.
Mr. Baek, you've got a call from Mr. Seo Young Ju.
- He wants to see us now. - Where is he?
At a hospital, he said.
But I have players to sign their contracts today.
I'll accompany you.
Mr. Baek.
Do you mind if I have a word with Mr. Jang Jin Woo?
Go ahead. Let's get ready and head to the hospital then.
(Hospital, Pharmacy)
(Orthopedics, Proctology, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Why would you come in here with a female employee?
Don't call me a female employee. I'm the Operations Manager.
Get out now.
Why did you want me to come in here?
Every pitcher suffers from hemorrhoids.
I wanted you to see this.
Stop staring.
This is enough now.
I told you to stop. Why do you keep looking?
Cover it now.
Table seven has become a negotiating table.
It's hot even without fire.
(Baseball Player Contract)
(50,000 dollars)
It's just our circumstance that's bad.
This doesn't mean we don't need you.
Your condition is too great to retire, to be honest.
Every player is injured.
We just keep it to ourselves...
because they wouldn't want us if we tell them about it.
I learned about baseball and the Dreams a little late,
so I study the history of the Dreams to know more about the team.
When the Dreams won second place.
You were behind that heyday.
It'd be...
too much of a shame...
if you're remembered as a nine days' wonder.
It would've been nice if I had retired soon after then.
Pardon?
It's true I'm not as good.
I think everybody knows it.
I'll retire.
Well...
Why don't we treat your thumb next time?
- Come after a week. - Okay, thank you.
After a season ends, I get treated and start training again...
because I have to put up with our pain next season.
This is why I want 500,000 dollars.
Bring me a new contract.
Mr. Seo Young Ju, let's go talk at a cafe or something.
Sorry. I have a family meeting to attend.
We can have a drink later in the evening.
You're under treatment. You shouldn't drink.
How frustrating.
My heart needs to be treated too.
See you later then.
Why that piece of...
Hi.
Yes.
Okay, Jae Hee. Good work.
Come back safely.
Mr. Jang Jin Woo wants to retire.
Okay, let's go.
(The Dreams)
Let's have all the players sign the contracts today.
I guess you're in a rush.
We can't put it off forever.
Then give me the number. The gap was too big last time.
All right.
Well...
It's not easy to close the gap.
Is that so?
You must be confused, having to negotiate with other players too.
Finalize your negotiations with them first.
Let's talk again then.
Mr. Ko...
Se Hyuk.
If you decline, I'll never offer this amount again.
Don't skip meals.
The players would've agreed to the amount if they had seen it.
I've figured out his intention.
It's clear how to deal with this.
Yes.
Oh, right.
I got a text from Seo Young Ju.
He wants to have a drink with us later.
Come in.
- Have you been well? - Yes, thanks to you.
Have a seat.
You've always been...
like clear water.
Me?
When you were the senior manager of the Scouting Department,
you said you were okay with being a head coach...
or a general manager.
You broke people's hearts and left.
Now you opened an agency?
In that sense,
you're like water...
because you adjust yourself to any position.
And like clean water...
because people can see through your intention.
About the salary negotiation,
Mr. Baek won't be too easy on it, will he?
You just have to insist on not sighing the contract.
I...
injured my finger when I was a player, so I'm bad at signing.
As the negotiations are going under trouble,
people will start gossiping.
What will happen if the negotiations aren't finalized...
until the spring training?
People will lose faith in Mr. Baek,
and he will try to take the responsibility and resign.
Then...
someone will be needed to fill his place.
Someone...
like clean water.
You must be going through a lot in order to cleanse the Dreams.
Cheers.
They're here.
Why don't you join us?
We can't talk in this mood. Let's do it later.
Can't you be considerate of me? I'm a busy man.
- Let's talk here. - She'll feel uncomfortable.
- Wait outside. - No.
I'm the senior manager of the Operations Department.
It's my job to make a contract with him.
Where's the new contract?
500,000 dollars are too much to offer.
And why are you drinking hard liquor when you have hemorrhoids?
Take a seat first.
Stay outside for a second, girls.
I guess you can't pay me 500,000 dollars.
Now do you know how it feels to have fluid in your knee joints?
If you do, you might bring me a revised contract.
What a joke.
Hey, senior manager. You just crossed the line!
You crossed the line first!
(Hot Stove League)
What is your goal in this negotiation?
Ko Se Hyuk wants to harass Mr. Baek regardless of the amount.
More satisfactory for us...
We're not interested in making another offer.
Are negotiations not going well?
Whom on our team do you want?
He'll be more desperate.
Why does Mr. Baek cause such problems?
Maybe Kill Chang Ju...
You do well,
but you are way too insolent.
We don't need people like that.