Salaryman
(226 Comments)
Title: 샐러리맨 초한지 / Salaryman
Chinese Title: 工薪族楚汉志
Also Known as : History of the Salaryman / Salaryman Chohanji
Genre: melodrama, Comedy
Episodes: 22
Broadcast network: SBS
Broadcast period: 2012-Jan-02 to 2012-March-13
Air time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55
Synopsis
This drama is based of ‘The Romance of the Three Kingdoms‘ in set dark world of Salaryman workers.
This drama depicts the trial and tribulations of the average salaryman, from humble beginnings to success. This drama portray the salaryman’s loneliness and isolation, struggles, sorrows, hopes and successes in a realistic light.
One night Yoo Bang (Lee Bum Soo) enters a dark, mysterious villa with nothing but a flashlight, only to find an executive of the Chunha Medical Group, Ho Hae slouched in a chair, dead and Jin Ho Hae’s niece, Yeo Chi (Jung Ryu Won) hiding behind a curtain. At Ho Hae’s funeral, Yoo Bang and Yeo Chi are suddenly taken into custody for his murder. We’re taken three months into the past to reveal what led to this murder and exactly who was responsible. During this flashback we meet Choi Hang Woo (Jung Gyu Woon), a director from Ho Hae’s rival pharmaceutical company, who is undercover to steal the formula for their new drug and the Chief Researcher from Chunha Group, Cha Woo Hee (Hong Soo Hyun). The lives of these individuals will all be intertwined within these three months to reveal exactly just who murdered Ho Hae, and why. (Source)
Cast
Main cast
Lee Bum Soo as Oh Yoo Bang
Jung Ryu Won as Baek Yeo Chi
Jung Gyu Woon as Choi Hang Woo
Hong Soo Hyun as Cha Woo Hee
Supporting cast
Kim Suh Hyung as Mo Ga Bi
Lee Duk Hwa as Jin Shi Hwang
Kim Il Woo as Jang Ryang
Yoon Yong Hyun as Bun Kwae
Lee Ki Young as Park Beom Jeung
Yoo Hyung Kwan as So Ha
Yang Hyung Wook as Han Shin
Kim Eung Soo as Oh Ji Rak
Park Sang Myun as Jin Ho Hae
Jang Hyun Sung as Choi Hang Ryang
Lee Seung Yun (이승연) as Kim Ban Jang
Cameo
Lee Joon as Yeo Chi’s boyfriend
Lee Joo Shil as Yoo Bang’s mother
Im Hyun Shik as Yoo Bang’s father
Jung Bo Suk as Jo Pil Yun
Kang Kyung Joon
Jun Jae Hyung
Production Credits
Director: Yoo In Sik
Screenwriter: Jang Young Chul, Jung Kyung Soon (정경순)
Episode Ratings
| Date | Episode | Nationwide | Seoul |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-01-02 | 1 | 8.1 | 9.9 (19th) |
| 2012-01-03 | 2 | 10.2 (19th) | 11.9 (12th) |
| 2012-01-09 | 3 | 11.3 (13th) | 12.8 (9th) |
| 2012-01-10 | 4 | 10.2 (17th) | 12.1 (12th) |
| 2012-01-16 | 5 | 13.5 (7th) | 14.9 (3rd) |
| 2012-01-17 | 6 | 11.5 (14th) | 12.2 (10th) |
| 2012-01-23 | 7 | 9.2 (8th) | 9.4 (9th) |
| 2012-01-24 | 8 | 12.6 (3rd) | 14.5 (3rd) |
| 2012-01-30 | 9 | 14.5 (4th) | 16.1 (3rd) |
| 2012-01-31 | 10 | 15.9 (3rd) | 17.3 (3rd) |
| 2012-02-06 | 11 | 17.1 (3rd) | 19.1 (2nd) |
| 2012-02-07 | 12 | 19.4 (3rd) | 21.5 (2nd) |
| 2012-02-13 | 13 | 20.1 (3rd) | 23.8 (1st) |
| 2012-02-14 | 14 | 20.4 (3rd) | 22.9 (1st) |
| 2012-02-20 | 15 | 21.6 (2nd) | 25.2 (1st) |
| 2012-02-21 | 16 | 22.2 (2nd) | 24.3 (1st) |
| 2012-02-27 | 17 | 21.0 (3rd) | 22.8 (1st) |
| 2012-02-28 | 18 | 23.0 (2nd) | 25.2 (1st) |
| 2012-03-05 | 19 | 22.7 (3rd) | 24.7 (1st) |
| 2012-03-06 | 20 | 23.3 (1st) | 24.5 (1st) |
| 2012-03-12 | 21 | 22.1 (2nd) | 23.5 (1st) |
| 2012-03-13 | 22 | 24.2 (1st) | 24.7 (1st) |
Source: TNmS Media Korea
Note
- Because of conflict of fee payment between South Korea’s integrated cable operators and KBS (cable operators want KBS, SBS and MBC to lower the retransmission fee of their programs), the cable TV system operators stopped carrying the signal of KBS2 TV station on 16/January/2012, causing the ratings of KBS drama series Brain dropped significantly, falling from top ranking position to last ranking position. Because most of the audience cannot watch Brain, the ratings of MBC drama Lights and Shadows and SBS drama Salaryman surged on that day. (Source)
- On 21/Feb/2012, this drama decided to add 2 episodes extension to the total of 22 episode which will end on 13/March/2012.
Awards
2012 SBS Drama Awards: Top Excellence Actress Awards (Mini Series), Jung Ryu Won (Salaryman, King of Dramas)
2012 SBS Drama Awards: Special Acting Awards (Mini Series), Lee Duk Hwa (Salaryman)
2012 SBS Drama Awards: Top 10 Stars Awards, Jung Ryu Won (Salaryman, King of Dramas)
Related Photo
Other Photo From Official Site
February 29th, 2012 at 1:10 am
@tc Hi tc. I was actually watching this from TV but because it was so good I decided to catch up over the weekend. Subs from Viki were available late last night already and I stayed up to watch and will be doing the same thing again tonight
Funny, I really enjoyed watching it and for once, I gave my total attention to the dialogue and never missed a scene!
@KDaddict Guess you need some abs and pecs to spur you on when watching a drama huh? Sad to say, you won’t get any in TwDR
February 29th, 2012 at 1:50 am
@Jennie-151,
I said ep 4 of TwDR gave me a headache not put me to sleep! So abs n pecs, or the lack thereof had nothing to do w it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 1st 6 eps of METS w the child actors. No such thing there. And Hyun Bin ssi, in SEGA is so skinny that I doubt he had any muscles then. Will be diff when he comes out of the army tho.
Now, these r some 1st class abs n pecs:
http://belectricground.com/2011/05/16/match-the-actors-to-their-abs/
February 29th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Dawn of a new era, Welcome to the world of Versailles Yoo!!! This drama really drives me nuts! With the eyeliner and ear ring, I thought he was joining the Eye Candy boys
February 29th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Ep 18:
In this series, the least interesting chars r WooH and Park BJ.
WooH as the head researcher was a doer at first; she was also quite friendly w YB, making their interaction fun to watch, but they grew apart after he got busy growing his business n she became HW’s sec. Her scenes then r mostly w HW; they consist of the two of them drinking or working together–she becomes a passive char. She finds out a lot abt MoGB, running into Mo outside Grandpa President’s office, in the elevator, outside HW’s home, overhearing her phone conversation, etc., but does she tell anybody or do anything abt it? All she does is stew in her jealousy over the imagined romance between HW n YChi like a little woman. That’s so unlike the go-getter who gets things done that we see in the beginning eps.
As for Park BJ, all he ever does is suffer humiliations at the hands of MoGB, does her dirty work, play 2nd fiddle to HW, n brood. He is not much of a man.
Unlike our outrageously think fast on his feet YB!
I like the way the romance betwn YB n YC is drawn–indirectly. They naturally grow fond of each other n grow close w/o fanfare or drum rolls. None of the std tactics we’ve seen a hundred times in KDs. That’s rather refreshing!
Love YB’s new image in ep 18!
Only 2 more weeks n it’ll be over! Too soon.
February 29th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Ep 18:
The 2 titans are at war again: HW wants to use Chun Ha’s money to buy up YB’s company’s stocks n goggle it up. YB is fighting it, by creating phantom owners of phantom stocks so that it’ll cost Chun Ha much more $ than they anticipated. YB’s way is illegal of course, but it’s the only recourse he has.
Mo GB has an insatiable greed, n an insatiable ego. She flirts w all the guys. She tries to seduce HW n fails; perhaps she’d have a chance if she was 20 years younger? And she clearly enjoys Jang Ryang flirting w her. Now all we need is to see her have a go at her younger (than her) male secretary!
February 29th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
“gobble” it up.
February 29th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Can’t resist anymore have to comment eps 18 really rocks YB the bling and YC the bleep is such an awesome couple.Congrats Salaryman you’ve made it tsk tsk so proud of you!!
February 29th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
@harimsam Yes, hail to the new king, Versailles Yoo the Bling. Love this episode. Are we going to get a real kiss in the next episode? 18 episodes and still no kiss sigh sigh!
@KDaddict Have seen that a while back before but thanks for the links anyway. Rain should be in there too
Btw Mo GB really turns me off. She’s so skinny and haggard and she thought she could seduce a hunk like HW? In her dreams, maybe.
February 29th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
@Jennie,
Ya, the show depicts MoGB n WH as desirable women. All I can think of is that they r too think to be healthy or normal. Imagine all the meals that they have to skip, n all the exercise they’ve to do to look that way, n it isn’t even attractive if u ask me. “Bag of bones” comes to mind.
JungGW is hunky alright. He looks older than his 30 yrs to me. I’m liking him for the 1st time.
YB looks gt w eyeliner, ear ring n fur coat. But I think the bt red lipstick marks on both his cheeks r really what completes the look! I think few can pull it off like he can!
February 29th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
@Jennie
this is just me but i am okay with YB and YC with no kiss untill now because the nature of their relationship is still growing and giving me so much fun hoping and laughing at the same time bcoz by the time the kiss happened it will change the dynamics between them in entering the new chapter of their relationship.
March 1st, 2012 at 12:51 am
@ jennie
the kiss will definitely come but the fun of seeing their well made growing relationship fills me with lots of hope and laugh makes me able to wait for the right time.
March 1st, 2012 at 1:12 am
Agreed with KDAddict on Wol Hee’s character. As a scientist, Wol Hee should have been able to quickly piece together all the clues about Mo Gabi murdering Grandpa by now. Yet she did nothing and only bother about Hang Wol’s relationship with YChi.
Equally frustrated with Hang Woo who was easily convinced by Mo to continue taking revenge against YBang. Can’t wait for him to be outmaneuvered by YBang.
Episode 18 is so good and managed to bring back the fun and joy in watching this drama especially our couple. They are so at ease with each other and YBang’s new look was so hilarious!
March 1st, 2012 at 2:19 am
Did someone know the real name of HW’s friend who gives flowers to WH? I mean his real name. =p
March 1st, 2012 at 5:57 am
I thought of an alternate title too :
*Chaebols, spies and love* or
*Empire : Until death do us apart*
March 1st, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Mysti,
Either title would be way better than Salaryman.
“Chaebols, spies n love” sums it up nicely, while
“Empire: Till death do us Apart” is cheeky. I like it!
March 1st, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@harimsam You think WH is going to accept HW’s proposal or is she going to turn around and bash his head instead? I love YB/YC pairing but I love the HW and WH pairing more cos they blow hot and cold every other episode and WH is my favorite. She is so unpredictable in the sense that she wears all those button-up prim and proper clothes to work and then she gets into the “come and get-me” mode and becomes such a tease when needed. I love that woman!
March 1st, 2012 at 6:52 pm
@Jennie
i think WH surely feel overwhelmed but she is not going to accept the proposal as yet.4 eps to go she is still standing in the middle between the two man she has to choose which side she wants to be.Clearly she is in love with HW but there are still many things need to be clarified before everything become clear and both of them can finally be married.The main reason i like salaryman they do justice to all main actor and everyone had flaws in their character and shows that nobody is perfect not even the adonis HW he he.Trust me HW being bad means the acting will be diverse and that’s good for JGW resume.
March 1st, 2012 at 7:09 pm
@ Jennie (158), @harimsam(161) But I want a kiss now! 18 episodes have gone by adi and only 4 more to go! Aja aja hwaiting Yoo Bang Da Bling and Love live to Yeo Chi Da Queen of Bleeps!
March 1st, 2012 at 9:13 pm
@Duchess
I think we’ll get it by next week kuk!!
March 6th, 2012 at 3:00 am
some wish has came true in ep 19
March 6th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@harimsam Yesss, it was worth all 19 episodes of waiting
Sweetest moment was when HW watched her from afar jumping with joy in her house! For a moment I thought we were going to get a second one too from YB/YC in the Epilogue but 
oh, go away Satan hahaha Yoo Bang’s the Best! Love all the parts that Mo GB got slapped in the face too!
March 6th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
YB and YC is simply superb yes eps 19 a couple kiss passionately that is WoWo (blush) but YB and YC really beat others with no mercy with the epilogue.Oh yeo chi oh versailles yooo ….
March 6th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Ep 19:
just carries forward what was set in motion in ep 18:
MoGB continues to spend up a storm, w money that isn’t hers; HW takes the bait n buys up stocks of YB’s company that don’t exist.
The new developments r:
1. YChi finding evidence of Mo n Park cooking the books! That’ll come in real handy for putting them behind bars.
2. HW finally manages to give WH the ring.
3. Mo pisses WH off so much that WH vows to expose Mo for what she is.
I find this ep anti-climatic, just as I find WH to be a petty self-centred woman rather than a fair-minded scientist who wants to uphold truth n justice. The show is less loopy now, n less outrageous fun.
March 7th, 2012 at 12:20 am
Ep 19
Still can’t figure out whether HW was putting on a show or he was really on Mo Gabi’s side. If it was the latter, I will be so disappointed with him.
The kiss scene between HW and WH was definitely better than METs. At least WH kissed passionately as compared to HGI who just stood stiffly. As mentioned by Harimsam – 172, the epilogue was the best with Yeo Chi swearing at our Versalles Yoo when he tried to kiss her!
March 7th, 2012 at 7:35 am
EPS 20…
AWESOME !
EPILOGUE ..another proposal he he he?