Salaryman
(225 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
March 7th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
2 more episodes to go and I’m still biting my nails. Will YB be able to prevent the attempt on WH’s life? Will HW come to his senses now? Even now, I still wonder if HW is just putting up an act but it doen’t look that way. So, while YB & YC provide the comedy for the drama, does it mean WH and HW provide the opposite? Hope not. I want a happy ending for all four of them. And MGB makes me want to throw up at the interrogation room.
March 7th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Ep 20:
I find it disgusting that MoGB goes to an inquiry dressed like a high class hooker. She looks every inch like a whore, Not a CEO of a big corp in the least. I find it even more disgusting that the men in the interrogation room find it so alluring when she deliberately crosses n uncrosses her legs. I find her abt as sexy as the witch who is abt to devour little Red Riding hood!
March 7th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Ep 20:
Don’t care for MoGB’s fashion sense. Her expensive clothes somehow r not flattering. Bright red lipstick on her also is not flattering.
Don’t care for YChi’s fashion sense either. Nor WH’s.
WH started as a scientist, leader of a research team; Then she becomes HW’s secretary. Most scientists don’t make good sec’s bc those jobs require diff personality traits. She somehow is so suited to the job of a sec as if she was born to it. Also, for a small diamond ring, she stands behind HW, sb whom she knows to be breaking the law, n can only cry when YB asks her abt it. She turns out just to be a little woman. Why do I find it so disappointing?
Well, she’s heading to the police station w new evidence that’ll put Mo GB away only bc she wants to “rescue HW fr MoGB’s fangs” as she puts it.
March 7th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
now it is showing on ONE channel under starhub channel 823, after watching this korean drama, i find that it is funny and nice to watch and same time, i will be learning korean language when i am watching this korean drama.
March 8th, 2012 at 12:46 am
Ep 20:
Ah, the police investigator is the same guy who played Kim Joo Wan’s secretary in SEGA.
And that’s the problem w murder: once you’ve done it once, u usually need to do it again to cover your tracks!
March 8th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Ep 20:
Mo GB now knows that Park has the real will. What will she do next? Cozy up to him again to make him hand it over? He probably isn’t going to believe her this time. It’ll piss him off that she has a surveillance camera installed in his office.
Mo says that her sec had a hand in murdering Grandpa president. How? We never saw anyone take part in the murder but her n the doc who gave her the strong insulin shots. And why would the young man participate in murder? What does he get out of it besides a secretarial job that is on call 24/7?
YB will use his car to save WH’s life. HW will see that Mo’s sec i.e. Mo. is trying to kill WH. Will that wake him up to what he should do?
WH: all she is interested in is to be jealous of MoGB’s attn towards HW, n all she wants is to save HW fr MoGB’s claws. That’s all the person she is. Shame.
March 8th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Oh man this is really the heat of the kitchen!!!!!! 2 more episodes……..!!!!! Best drama to date!
March 8th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Ep 20:
I am now convinced that Hang Wol is really a jerk and can’t wait to see his downfall. If YBang manage to save WH and HW knows that the car was driven by Mo’s sec, he may turn over to help YBang/YChi. However, due to so many bad deeds that he had done, I feel that the only way to redeem himself fully is to confess and serve some years in jail!
@KDaddict-181
Mo intends to kill Park JB since she realizes that he was the culprit that had the will all along and never gave it to her. I think when Mo mentioned that her sec was also an accomplice, she is referring to the whole scheme of cheating YChi out of her inheritance and kicking her out of the company after the Grandpa’s murder. Mo’s sec actually played a big role in creating the phantom company.
I share your disappointment on WH. She was such an intelligent, smart and fearless character in the early episodes but after falling in love with HW, that woman has disappeared, to be replaced by a timid, placid and lovestruck woman. Just can’t accept such a drastic change in her personality.
Anyway, this episode is still good and fun especially YBang’s jealous expression when he sees YChi and the prosecutor together!
March 9th, 2012 at 2:19 am
@tc,
This drama started out so wacky, but why does it have to descend to being just another drama at the end? Why couldn’t they let WooHee be the desperate money-crazed woman that she was at the beginning, n let her continue to do weird and daring things, to counter MoGB AND HWoo’s schemes? She should be brainy and unpredictable!! That’d make the show sooo much better! They completely killed her char! Boo!
March 9th, 2012 at 4:07 am
Oh, and now I wonder if WooH will die! Bc in the original story for which this show is names, Woo H died (by killing herself when things looked dire for her man). But YB is on the scene n is racing his car to intercept the killer’s. So maybe she’ll be hurt but won’t die; Seeing her hurt by MoGB’s sec should be enough to make HW do drastic things, which is what we need to bring the story to a close.
@tc,
Mo’s sec did the dirty work of setting up a phantom co. to cheat YC out of her inheritance. But that is commercial crime, not murder, n not punishable by death. That shouldn’t be enough to set the guy to killing WH, to cover his tracks.
Have u seen Operation Proposal? If not, can u take a look at Ep 1 n let me know what u think? Its whole premise bothers me. I left a comment on that thread.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:31 am
@KDaddict-185
Yes, Mo’s sec only committed commercial crime and did not have a direct role in murdering Grandpa. Hence, in reality, Mo’s sec would not have been so stupid to commit murder by trying to run down WH ( hopefully she won’t die but likely to be hurt) . However, in this drama, Mo needs an accomplice to carry out the act to kill WH and there is no one else to do it for her apart from her sec. I think that’s why the writer had to use such weak excuse for Mo to convince her sec for lack of a stronger rationale.
Operation Proposal? Can’t remember the synopsis of the drama. Is it nice? Ok, will check it out since I am only watching Fermentation Family at the moment until new eps of Salaryman and METs come onscreen next week.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@tc,
There you go! That’s a weak n unconvincing excuse to get Mo’s sec to do her dirty work for her! That’s my pt, n that’s lousy writing! I’d love to see her “go for it” herself! Hee hee.
On the one hand, I love serious stories, like TPM; On the other, I love wacky stories n fantasies. (Hence I love SEGA n am now loving “I need a fairy”. I recommend it BTW). But I can’t stand weak writing, n plot pts that make no sense. They happen all too often in KDs.
I’m not saying Operation Proposal is nice. It rubs me the wrong way fr the get go. I’m curious how u take it. Lv a comment there after u check it out.
On serious dramas that r seriously well done, Have u seen these 3 Jdorama?
Oshin, Oohu, and Atsuhime.
Oshin is a rags to riches story abt the woman who opened Yaohan, a big department store chain, until she retired, her son took over n bankrupted it.
Oohu is abt the women of the shogun.
Atsuhime is the name of the wife of the last effective Shogun of the Togukawa shogunate. Great shows, all of them.
I’m not into Jdorama at all, but I love these 3. They were sooo hot that even I heard abt them n watched.
March 10th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Wow, Can’t believe that they’ve removed this fr the Now Showing list already! It still has 2 eps to go! Makes it that much more inconvenient to comment here.
2 eps ago, I said I’d be voting for this drama as the Best Drama of 2012 WHEN The Time Comes. Afraid I’ve to take that back, bc of developments in the recent 2 eps. With the 2 ep extension, the show has more time to let Woo Hee play the little woman to Hang Woo’s King Kong, including take his socks off, bring him bribe money to a gisaeng house, keeping mum in front of YBang when he asks abt the contract HW signed w Golden Brothers. That takes the show down a notch in my eyes.
When they also make MoGB’s sec try to murder WH for MoGB, it loses its credibility w me.
For 18 eps, it has been a wonderful show. Like so many shows b4 it, n many after I’m sure, an extension just brings down its pace and script quality. There is a tacked on quality abt it. It’s still a great show.
March 10th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
@KDaddict- 187
I left my comments on Operation Proposal in that thread and don’t think I will continue watching the show.
I have not watched all the 3 Jdramas that you have recommended. I only watched Hana Yori Danga ( supposed to be top drama at that time) but was not impressed with it.
There are still 2 episodes of Salaryman and it is unfair to be removed from the Now Showing list. Noticed that earlier dramas are still listed and the removal will not augur well to improve viewership of this drama. The drama is not perfect with some flaws but it is also very entertaining with solid casts and acting. It may not be the best drama of 2012 but definitely the best one for first quarter of 2012 for me!
March 11th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@tc,
Hi, I saw your comment on OP n responded to it. I wasn’t sure if I was being too critical of it, n wanted a 2nd opinion. TQ.
U r perfectly rt that Salaryman may not be the best KD of 2012, but is the best for its 1st Qtr.
Looking fwd to Rooftop Prince, King 2 Hearts, Eqtr man. Hope they live up to their potential! So hard to have a show that is good fr beginning to end.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
@tc,
Been catching up w Tamra the Island n loving it. Up to ep 5 now. The girl is really cute n so bubbly. One of a kind.
March 12th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
@KDaddict-191
Glad to know that you are interested enough to continue watching Tamra after ep 1. Like Return of Iljimae, I actually enjoyed watching the drama and was impressed with the solid plot, fantastic cinematography and best of all, the OTPs with impressive acting and chemistry despite their low profile status.
Will talk to you more on Tamra thread.
March 13th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Ep 21:
Why does such a good script have to deteriorate to this level of nonsense at the penultimate ep?
For 16 eps, it was funny, wacky, smart, n then for the 1st 5 mins of this ep, it is utter nonsense. Sb drives a car at breakneck speed in the parking lot towards WH; YB is suspicious enough to race his car to intercept it in order to save her, then when the 3 of them r standing next to the guy’s car, all one of them (YB) can think of is that he must have stepped on the gas pedal thinking it is the brake? All that HW is good for is to ask if WH is ok? And all that WH does is to say a meek TQ to YB n walk away? At such close distance, no one saw that the driver is wearing a mask? No one thought of taking out their phone to snap a picture of the driver or his license plate? And these r smart CEOs? That segment makes no sense to me!
Thru out the trial, WH just sits there like a dumb-dumb. At the burial site, at the office, at home, whenever she wants to raise her doubts abt MoGB, HW shuts her up and she SHUTS up! How much longer r u going to be a girl w no social science? Those never make good leads!
And then at around 40 mins., when WH is warning HW abt MoGB, she tells him that she is abt to expose Mo for using a forged will to get where she is; it never occurred to her that there might be CCTV where they r, as she already stumbled upon all the other CCTVs installed around the bldg? Or that they might be overheard by Mo’s spies? The two of them can’t meet outside the office, at her home or his to discuss such a sensitive and dangerous proposition?
This show would have been better without this ep. Again, it goes to show that perfectly good shows r ruined, not enhanced, by extensions. I hate this ep!
March 13th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Ep 21 cont:
WH goes to MoGB n threaten to expose her for her murder of Grandpa president, if she doesn’t turn herself in within 7 Ds. WH tells her abt the finger print on the insulin, abt the false will, n even shows Mo the picture of the will in her phone. Yes, that’s such a smart thing to do. She your hand then give your opponent who is backed into a corner 7 days to kill u off. Yes, that’s exactly what sb w a brain, a scientist, a research team leader would do. Bravo!
And then when the brake on her car doesn’t work, she miraculously walks out of the car, thinks that it is an old piece of crap, and walks into the road to flag down an oncoming car for help. Yep! Very good thinking! How did she even get her degree in chemistry or microbiology or biochemistry or what nought?
Well, if anything, this drama tells us that loving the wrong guy can be bad for your health!
YB goes to steal papers fr the Golden Brothers office. They work out w 2 cartons. Even I have no stuff in my study than that. Unless Korean laws r v different fr those in other civilized countries, evidence that is illegally seized shouldn’t be admissible in court. So that’s puzzling!
@tc,
After ep 21, I don’t even know if this is the best show in the 1st qtr of 2012 anymore. At his pt, it’s aggravating.
Ca u tell me where to find the 21 ep version of Tamra Island? Pls See that thread.
March 13th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
#194 typo: They “walk” out w 2 cartons. Even I have “more” stuff in my study than that.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@KDaddict Yes, the engine here is having hiccups. This site says the drama is supposed to be 22 eps, but another site affirms it’s 24.
I’m lost, and i agree: Extensions are always damaging for dramas. Too bad for this one.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:56 am
No matter what others say the ending is an opulant with all the black comedies satire interwined how can an ending makes me feel soo mixed up rolling happily while crying at the same time.OMG missing them already i hate this kind of feeling hopefully new drama can fill up the space in my heart after this day is over.For all the good and bad things that i have said thank you to all crew and actors of Salaryman for the good work !
March 14th, 2012 at 1:30 am
One of the most enjoyable dramas I’ve watched for quite some time. Daebak ending. I’m happiest all round for every one of the characters. Fantastic script and study of characters and I’ve enjoyed every episode and the final epilogue is the best!!Bravo, Salaryman!!
March 14th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Last ep, Finale:
Spoiler:
I loved this show, but find the finale anti-climatic, for these reasons:
It took the guys (HW, Park n her sec Jang) way too long to realize that sth is off w MoGB, that she is not worthy of support. Park esp. hanged onto the real will for too long. It is trite that she goes insane at the end, which absolves her of guilt. She is assigned to a mental hosp instead of a prison after having taken one life n having tried to kill another. How’s that satisfying punishment?
I’m surprised that the show didn’t kill off WH. I thought they spared her bc they needed her alive to prove MoGB guilty. It’s surprising that anyone can be wheeled into a court room all wrapped up, w no ID check n start to give testimony. Even a visit to the doctor’s requires an ID check in some societies.
The last 2 mins of the finale is gt, with the gang walking into the Chun Ha Group lobby.
It has been an exceptional show up till the last 4 eps., and has definitely been an enjoyable one overall. There hasn’t been a single kiss betwn YB n YChi. That’s quite extraordinary. Just thought I’d mention that.
March 14th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
The actress who play MoGB is 36. Most K actress look younger than their age. Somehow this time she looks older than that, much.
Ditto for HW. The actor is 30. Compare that w Hyun Bin’s 28 or Park Shi Woo’s 34. Seems to be he looks a lot more mature than 30.
@Mysti,
They were negotiating a 4 ep extension at first, which would bring it to 24 eps., but settled on 2, so the show ends at 22 eps. I think they couldn’t find ways to stretch the story any further than they have. As it is, ep 21 already suffered obvious signs of hurried deliberate stretched scripting.