(Song Joong Ki)
(Lee Sung Min)
(Shin Hyun Been)
(Kim Shin Rok, Yoon Je Moon, Cho Han Chul)
(Kim Nam Hee, Park Ji Hyun)
(Jung Hye Young, Kim Young Jae)
(Kim Jung Nan, Kim Do Hyun, Kim Hyun, Seo Jae Hee)
(Reborn Rich)
(This production is supported by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KOCCA.)
(The characters, institutions, companies, events, geographical names,)
(and specific countries in this drama are fictitious.)
Korea's exports went up...
by over 30 percent in the 1st half of the year,
which was the highest among the nation's major trading partners.
People said Korea...
had never been so prosperous since its very first kingdom was founded.
People believed that the economy would continue to grow...
and that everyone would become richer.
The Miracle on the Han River.
No one doubted the nation's seemingly rosy future.
The government has finally decided to seek financial assistance...
from the International Monetary Fund.
We should all scrimp and save.
We should join forces...
and overcome this crisis together at this difficult time.
Upon admitting that the country is basically bankrupt,
- the IMF... - The country is bankrupt?
Until that day came.
Darn it!
Who knew...
a country could go bankrupt? This is unheard of!
The world no one had ever experienced or imagined before.
In return for the 21 billion-dollar aid package,
the IMF is requesting that Korea implement complete market opening,
promote labor market flexibility,
- and reform the conglomerates... - Those scoundrels!
Do they think we're their colony?
Their economic colony.
They think they can strip us bare...
because they're giving us a few dollars.
So?
What can we do to survive?
No one else in the country predicted this national crisis...
and has been preparing for it...
except for me.
Please sign this.
This agreement states that Mason Oh is the CEO of Miracle Investment.
I wanted to ask you something.
The foreign exchange crisis. You knew about it, didn't you?
You exchanged 24 million dollars to US dollars, which is a lot of money.
You came all the way to New York to meet me...
and made such a risky investment...
to earn US dollars in preparation for this day.
Right?
Even Cheongwadae, financial officers,
and experts didn't see this coming. No one expected this.
But you, a college student in his early 20s,
saw it coming.
Don't you think it's odd?
Your question was wrong, Mr. Oh.
Last year, Korea's foreign exchange reserves...
stood at 30 billion dollars,
whereas its liabilities were measured at 170 billion dollars,
which means that the country's credit rating has been dropping.
The total amount of unpaid wages has surpassed 700 million dollars.
Even a young college student could see that a crisis was imminent.
So how come those at Cheongwadae and the financial officers couldn't?
Don't you think it's odd?
No?
Good point.
Thanks to your foresight,
you're now one of the people who hold the most US dollars in Korea.
Congratulations.
It's all part of Miracle Investment's assets.
(Jin Do Jun)
"HW?"
They're not your initials. What does that mean?
"HW?"
You're easier to read than I thought.
I know what it stands for. Howard Hughes. Right?
HW as in Howard.
He must be your role model.
Right. Because you were born as a millionaire's heir, just like him?
Or because he fashionably used his money and power...
to get his hands on everything he wanted, all his life?
Well, I'd say it's both.
All right, Howard.
What's the first company Miracle Investment will acquire?
They believe it could be resumed in the near future.
Ahjin Motors, Korea's second biggest automaker,
has filed for court receivership.
Unable to repay the loan of 4.5 billion dollars,
the company finally sank...
You want to buy Ahjin Motors?
With all the debts?
Hold on. No, right?
You said you were after something bigger than Soonyang.
Don't tell me it was Ahjin Motors.
Why? Why Ahjin?
It suits our company.
Miracle.
Look.
A miracle?
Ahjin? Ahjin Motors, seriously?
(Ahjin Motors)
- Goodness. - Let's go.
- We did our best. - Let's get going.
- Come on. - Let's go.
- Curse you! - You scumbags!
- Let's go. - What should we do now?
How am I going to earn a living?
- Darn it. - Gosh.
- What do we do now? - Seriously, what am I going to do?
Darn it!
- Gosh. - I can't believe this.
(Reborn Rich)
(Overcoming the national crisis, Opening a New Era)
(February 1998)
This year, prices will continue to rise,
and more people will lose their jobs.
Everyone's earnings will decrease, and more companies will go bankrupt.
All of us will have to shed a lot of sweat and tears...
while going through this difficult time.
He finally became President after three failed attempts. But for what?
He was handed over a key to an empty shed.
Goodness. How unlucky.
He'll want to be remembered...
as the president who filled the shed and taught the rich a lesson.
They're calling this a breakfast meeting.
But clearly, they summoned all of us to discipline us.
At this early hour...
Anyway, do you sleep well these days?
You know, Ahjin Motors' situation.
It could happen to us too, you know.
Even Ahjin, the second biggest auto company, has collapsed.
Will Soonyang Motors be all right?
After listening to you, I am concerned indeed.
(Cheongwadae, The Republic of Korea)
Daeyoung Motors is the number one auto company.
The company should go global and bring in dollars, if anything.
But they're busy power-tripping in this small country.
Going global will be hard, right?
Should Soonyang show you how it's done?
Chairman Jin, you're surely way more magnanimous than I am.
Your younger son.
He came to me and said he wanted to take over Hando Steel.
Had he been my son,
I would've taught him a lesson and disowned him long ago.
That brat dared to stab his brother in the back.
But you protected him because he's your son.
It certainly...
changed my opinion of you.
- You... - Mr. President is here.
What does Cheongwadae think?
They didn't even bring up the IMF and company succession, right?
Will they reform the conglomerate system?
Do they want us to lose all our subsidiaries?
Oh, right. I heard we might have to give up our private assets too.
That won't happen, right?
Did you already agree to everything?
- Father. - Dong Ki!
You...
Cheongwadae seemed determined.
They plan to restructure the major corporations,
and Soonyang won't be an exception.
What will Cheongwadae do about Ahjin Motors?
If they sit on the issue, the company will rack up more debt.
Then no one would want to acquire the company.
The domestic automotive industry is suffering big-time.
Who'd be willing to acquire Ahjin Motors?
Who'd be crazy enough to do that, unless they were shot in the head?
Me.
Ahjin Motors.
Soonyang will buy the company.
Father, you wish to buy Ahjin with all that's going on?
If a businessman sits in a safe zone and doesn't budge,
his butt will rot.
Father, the interest on their loan is 30 percent.
Ahjin has nothing but debts.
Do you want to volunteer to take care of the bomb?
At the moment, we should focus on maintaining Soonyang Motors...
Cheongwadae wishes to restructure everything.
And as you guys said, the domestic automotive industry is dead.
Why don't you understand what this means?
Ahjin Motors isn't the bomb.
Soonyang Motors is.
The worst performing automaker in the country, Soonyang Motors!
Taking over Ahjin Motors?
It's not a choice.
We must do it to survive.
To survive.
Okay?
Do you understand?
(Ahjin Motors, Changes in Shareholders)
Your grandfather, Chairman Jin.
He'll be determined to acquire Ahjin Motors.
Because it's the only way to protect Soonyang Motors.
Acquiring Ahjin Motors, the number two company in the industry,
means their market dominance will go up.
And if they share the production lines,
they can reduce costs too.
Most importantly, they'd have to grow Soonyang Motors...
to avoid restructuring.
(Soonyang)
That being said...
If I were one of those people at Cheongwadae,
I'd give Ahjin Motors to Chairman Jin.
Not a new investment firm like us...
with no experience in management whatsoever.
Are you confident?
Are you sure we won't lose Ahjin Motors to Soonyang?
I assure you that Soonyang will never acquire Ahjin Motors.
They'll soon realize that they've fallen prey...
to the winner's curse.
The internal reserves?
- All of it? - Yes.
The bidding war over Hando Steel...
was extremely fierce, Father.
With the foreign exchange differences soaring,
we had unexpected expenses, sir.
What can we do?
Try to take out a loan from a bank.
We've maxed out our limits at all the major banks,
so we can't take out an additional loan, sir.
Is that also because of Hando Steel?
Yes, sir.
Our real estate properties.
Let's sell them.
The thing is,
we already used the valuable ones...
- as collateral to take out... - So?
Are you saying we can't afford to acquire Ahjin Motors?
I'm sorry, Father.
We wouldn't have had any problems without the financial crisis.
If only Dong Ki hadn't egged on the chairman of Daeyoung...
to increase the bid for Hando Steel...
Father, I was just...
Enough, both of you!
It's all my fault.
Father.
Hang Jae.
Yes, sir.
You are...
my son.
(Arrivals Exit)
Mr. Jin Seong Jun?
You're waiting for your secretary, right?
They'll be a bit late.
Yes, sorry! Oh, boy.
Sorry. We apologize.
- We're sorry. - My gosh.
You guys.
- You can't block the road! - We're sorry.
- Sorry, we'll hurry. - I'm very busy right now!
They're getting stalled.
Our suitcases got switched at the airport,
so we meet by fate...
and leave a deep impression on each other. That's the story.
Before our families set us up officially.
- "We?" - Jin Seong Jun,
the Soonyang family's eldest grandson,
and Mo Hyeon Min, the only daughter of the Hyunsung Daily family.
Us.
Hearing that you'd be turned off by marriage talks...
between the two families,
my family came up with this idea in a rush...
because they really want to marry me off to your family.
You're showing me all your cards. Then this game will be no fun.
In your third year of college, you took...
"Understanding Classic British and American Literature." C minus.
That was your grade, right?
No wonder you have poor comprehension skills.
I'm trying to tell you that we should turn the tables.
You look as though you're thinking, "Where did this nutjob come from?"
You have good comprehension skills.
Yes, you can see.
Tell the elders in your family.
I love myself too much to bet my future on you just because...
you're from the Soonyang family.
Why can't you take care of it yourself?
My family isn't really in a position to turn it down.
You look better in person. I guess you're not photogenic.
I'm sorry, sir. Did I keep you waiting long?
You may not believe it,
but some stupid newspaper delivery truck...
Of course, I believe you. It was Hyunsung Daily, right?
Oh, how did you know?
Let's go. The elders must be waiting.
Yes, sir.
- Grandma. - Oh, my.
My gosh. You did it, sweetheart.
It must've been so hard.
You lived on hamburgers while studying in that faraway country.
You've lost weight.
No. I gained 5kg, Grandma.
It's water weight.
You're swollen because you haven't been eating well.
Jeong Rae, what are you waiting for? He must be hungry.
- Let's feed him first. - Okay.
Mother, he should go say hello to Father first.
- All right. - He's in his study, right?
Yes, that's right.
- Go on. - I'll be right back.
Grandpa. It's me, Seong Jun.
I'm coming in.
You're back!
Oh, my. Yes, welcome back.
Let me take a look at you.
My gosh, look at you.
You've done well finishing up...
the studies you always dreaded doing.
My eldest grandson.
My true studies begin now.
I'll stand right by your side to learn everything I must know.
Good. Let's wait and see...
how you earn your keep, my eldest grandson.
Good.
Go get some rest. You must be tired from traveling.
Okay.
Seong Jun, you are...
the pillar of our family.
So you can get married with the same attitude.
Do you understand?
You must have found a suitable candidate, Grandfather.
Okay. Go on now.
She doesn't look like the type who would cherish her husband.
And especially not the type who'd be dedicated to her in-laws.
While I was gone, you've mastered the art of discerning characters.
Goodness. Hey.
If your father hadn't fallen out of your grandfather's favor,
I wouldn't let you go into this marriage.
Do I have to end up humoring my daughter-in-law too?
Jeez.
Look at this girl.
Nothing about her says that she's easygoing.
Look at this.
I don't have to look at her photo.
Right? Isn't that right?
Do you want to ask Grandfather for another suitable girl?
- Mother. - Yes?
I need to get changed and get some rest.
Oh my. What am I thinking?
I'm here talking to you while you're still jetlagged.
Hey, it's all because of your impetuous grandfather.
Get a good rest.
Since when did Seoul become so fun...
without my permission?
(Soonyang Group)
(Chairman Jin Yang Cheol)
Sir.
A foreign investment company stepped in...
to take Ahjin Motors over.
A foreign investment company?
They're named Miracle Investment,
established by Oh Se Hyeon, formerly with Power Shares.
Oh Se Hyeon of Power Shares?
Yes, sir.
Oh Se Hyeon wants...
Ahjin Motors?
Pay our overdue wages!
- Pay us! - Pay us!
We demand our job security!
- We demand! - We demand!
Koreans are so weird.
Boss, I seriously don't understand.
The settlement with the IMF is already over, isn't it?
In return for the relief loan,
they'll introduce the layoff system and hire non-regular employees.
What's going to change by them waving flags...
and chanting some words?
Some of them may be waiting for a consolation game.
A consolation game?
Who is?
(200 Million Dollars Exported, 100 Million Dollars Exported...)
My name is Song Hyun Chang.
What an unexpected pleasure.
I did not expect to see you at the factory, Chairman.
As things are quite sensitive with the labor union right now.
Please take a seat.
(Ahjin Motors)
I am not...
sitting here as Song Hyun Chang, the chairman of Ahjin Motors.
I am looking for a partner who'll save our company...
as the representative of our entire staff.
Those are truly the words of an engineer who became the CEO.
Just like Iacocca of an American automobile company.
A major shareholder of Miracle Investment...
asked me to pass this on to you.
He said...
it'll be impossible for Iacocca to turn down this offer.
Hello.
Hello, Mr. Ha.
I'll have the car key.
Goodness, how could I? Allow me to escort you.
Please.
CEO Jin Dong Ki.
I don't want my second uncle to know where I'm going right now.
You knew?
How could I not know?
You are the type...
who stands out for your diligence, Mr. Ha.
What will happen to me from now on?
That's your choice.
I'll comply with your decision.
Until then,
you're on a break.
(Notification of Debt Delegation and Repayment)
(Temporary Closure)
(Three Way Restaurant)
(Notification of Unpaid Balance)
(Phone Bill, Han Gyeong Hui)
(Compulsory Execution Notice)
(Electric Service Termination Notice)
Well, it happened.
After all, everyone is having a tough time in this economy.
(Three Way Restaurant)
(Out of Business, Three Way Restaurant)
Excuse me.
May I...
eat?
Goodness.
You must've come often.
Only our regulars know that I make kimchi soup.
Goodness, you must be cold.
It'll get warm soon. I just lighted the stove.
Do you not eat raw eggs?
You're just like my son.
Honey.
Oh my. You had a customer.
Flowers?
Just because.
We can't afford flowers.
We need every dollar we can find.
Did you look for a new job?
(Ahjin Labor Union)
Honey, what have you been up to?
You still haven't given up?
Try to remember the last time you were paid.