[mslee's thoughts] MISAENG - The Anxiety Of Knowing Something Is Not Right

One thing I like about this drama is although it is not flashy, the set is limited to office space, still the development is fast. I have yet to be bored watching an entire episode. The characters are the story themselves in this beautiful drama that talks about life, choices and consequences that can either change ones perspective and attitude or remain the very same person since working at One International.

From my last post, Gue Rae was working on his first business project and had a taste of what real selling is all about. Together with Baek Ki, they found out for themselves how to be a good salesman and how to be successful even for a short time as sellers. With this experience, Geu Rae had a chance to rewrite his proposal that led to being approved on episode 16. But it did not end there. His bubbles easily burst when the company wanted someone else in charge for the project. Once again, Geu Rae's situation at the company being a temp hindered him from being in charge of his own baby project. Even if Mr. Oh had to ask personnel about preceding situations like Geu Rae, there was none. Mr. Oh felt bad for Geu Rae for he had given it a lot of his time and effort drawing all the plans. In the end, Geu Rae must accept the fact that he could not take care of the project and had to let it go. He walked towards Mr. Oh and with dignity, asked him to changed the person in charge.

While all the other newbies are also having a hard time, Geu Rae's situation can be the most frustrating. It was like stepping forward every chance then stepping backwards again for every hindrance or obstruction. Baek Ki has yet to be unselfish and learn how to be sensitive towards his team and their work. His project as well was approved and because it felt surreal for him, his appreciation and happiness were self absorbed he forgets he is within a team that has other works besides his own project. But I think he is learning when he told his Boss that he can't multi task.

Episodes 16 and 17 is about a new project which was shelved. A task that Sales Team 3 was given by Mr. Choi to do or not to do. A challenge that made Mr. Oh think seriously. There will be two outcome. Success for the team or if trouble comes, their team will be the sacrificial lamb.

But there is one thing that this challenge brings. If Mr. Oh successfully launched it despite the loopholes he see, the conditions attached, the use of connections that he clearly detest, he can be a Head Chief Department that will take care of his own team. Geu Rae's situation is on the line and he is considering badly the questionable business project associated with  power plant bussiness in China.

The nagging thoughts that made the team anxious about the project.

1. Poshim company has no manager they can talk to or do business with. They are immediately directed to the CEO. This kind of scenario is a risk because if something comes up in the future there will be  no other who will take responsibility and it would rest on the team.

2. The 5% margin their company usually worked on was decreased to only 3% in consideration. But then upon communicating with  Poshim, they asked for another 2.5% discount which they included in the contract that none of the team knew about. They were left with only a .5% profit to work on which seemed a little bit sneaky. Like is there bribery going on and who is the recipient of those?

3. The connections that Mr. Choi arranged to meet with Mr. Oh that made him feel uneasy.

When Geu Rae found out the reason why Mr. Oh was pushing for this project to take off, he told him not to do it for his own sake. But Mr. Oh was so loyal to the company that he defended Mr. Choi telling him that the contributions Mr. Choi has given the company can not be questioned. Mr. Oh wanted to believe that Mr. Choi would never hurt the very same company that he works for. Besides, there is no clear proof of corruption yet besides the anxiety of knowing some uncommon deals being used in this project opposite the standard ways.

The problem kept the team silent and delay the project to investigate further. They were asked to record any telephone conversations regarding the project.

Gue Rae's anxiety grew each day. But Mr. Oh is facing the challenge bravely. He won't make the same mistakes like he did when he lost Eun Ji, the girl who was with him on their team during those days they worked with Mr. Choi.

Geu Rae got a call asking for Mr. Oh but he was not around so he took it and recorded the call. The questionable conditions on the contract of the solar panel was put to light. Poshim does not really need a lot of help to push through with the project because China is really welcoming it. The 5% margin on profit sales could have stayed the same because it is the first time Poshim did it asking for a much lower margin with a trading company. The project is a sure win and the 5% margin could be the rewards for the agents like them. The anxiety of knowing this grew as conversation continue. 

Mr. Oh arrived and saw Geu Rae talking on the phone and recording it. The power plant business is definitely a shady one. What will Mr. Oh do knowing this circumstances that surrounds the project? Will Geu Rae once again be in the spotlight for uncovering big questionable business dealings? Or are they barking at the wrong tree? Is Mr. Choi really that kind of person? Maybe Mr. Choi baited them a risky project to finally put Mr. Oh in his position. 

Each choices will have it's own consequences. Ah, this is going to be tough for Sales Team 3. All eyes will be on them again. Others see their team as inferior because they thought Mr. Oh is not taking care of his team and selfish as not to consider the hard work of Dong Sik who has been left by his peers for advancing in the company. No one likes to be on their team but what they don't know is that Mr. Oh's team is the only team that treats each other like family. They have the most harmonious atmosphere. Even the newbies like him when they were asked to help in working overnight for Ms. Sun's project who was recuperating at the hospital due to overworking.

Mr. Oh knew how it is to be a rookie. He knew what it takes to stay in the field and fend off bitter superiors like Mr. Choi. But he is loyal. I am awaiting Mr. Oh's next step in the next episode. Is what seemed to be shady and wrong really not right? Or are they being led to something more unimaginable consequences of what their actions will do?

Mr. Choi continue to bug me. He is an enigma that I really like to solve.

-mslee1107-