As allies formed between Ho-woo and Seung-jo, a variable arises when a woman close to both of them shakes up the game of business in which Taeil accounting firm is invested on.
An interesting picture of revenge and the outsmarting game is featured in the 3rd week of Numbers.
Numbers Episodes 5 and 6 Highlights
Representing HK Private Equity is Jang Ji-soo, Seung-jo’s ex-lover and the daughter of Ho-woo’s benefactor. Tasked to help out Soma Tech, the chances are getting bleak with HK Private Equity declining to invest.
Despite Ho-woo’s appeal to Ji-soo and even threatening of selling Soma Tech’s technology, she remains unfazed by the initial decision she already disclosed.
Sealing the deal with Jisan Bank, Ji-soo is bothered by her recent knowledge of how VP Han ordered the alteration of documents which caused her father’s company’s downfall.
After getting an idea from Yeon-a of pawning a technology, Ho-woo rushes to the Intellectual Property Office. But Seung-jo already beat him to it and also crashes the supposed Soma Tech closure meeting.
By selling Soma Tech’s technology patent, it provided new hope for the company to recuperate and an opportunity to get back the patent if they can raise enough funds in the future.
“We’re a family that earns together. Why does it matter who earns more?”
Reclaiming her turf, the famed leader of the Audit team An Seung Yeon announced her presence specifically to her rival, VP Han. Audit Leader An also summons Ho-woo learning of his involvement in Auditor Kang’s resignation. She also implores Ho-woo to leave Taeil Accounting firm.
The news of Seung-jo being promoted to a director role of course does not sit well with Director Sim. A new case about Cakebean, a pastry franchise puts Seung-jo and Ho-woo in another encounter with Ji-soo. She is in charge of selling Cakebean and asks VP Han to do it.
Seung-jo takes the lead for this case as he and Ho-woo are also keen to protect her from the risky involvement she’s been venturing into by representing HK Private Equity.
Because of that, Ho-woo is bent on knowing the limited partners (LPs) of HK Private Equity. Unknown to him, Yeon-ah is actually the daughter of Jisan Bank’s CEO and was able to secure information that Lee Chan-ju is one of the LPs he’s looking into.
From that premise, Ho-woo surmises the path to the identity of another LP nicknamed AN for his goal to protect Ji-soo.
“Make up for it. Prove your current value is greater than your liquidation value.”
Ji-soo makes a move to have Director Sim prove his worth with a resounding warning that he cannot refuse it.
Meanwhile, at Sang-ah Group, Chairman Lee Chan-ju is putting the stress of the company’s problems on the officials who also can’t do anything about the concerns. Adding to that, Jisan Bank is also refusing to lend financial help to them.
At the same moment that Audit Leader An meet with Lee Chan-ju; VP Han also listens to Ho-woo’s suggestions on how to sell Cakebean’s brand by making the buyer think of what he can gain from the deal.
When VP Han and Director Sim meet Chairman Lee, the former already sensed that he was approached by Auditor An which explains his reluctance to accept the suggestion of buying Cakebean’s franchise.
While in field work, Ho-woo and Yeon-ah learn about an irregularity in the operations and sales of Cakebean but Ho-woo did not bring it up voluntarily to Seung-jo. The latter accidentally learned it and was curious why his junior did not bring it up yet.
“Dangers you are aware of do not pose a threat. It’s just a factor that gets reflected in the price. The real danger is uncertainty. A situation in which you can’t assess whether something is good or bad.”
Confronted by Yeon-ah about withholding crucial information which let the sale of Cakebean push through with Sang-ah Group, it is revealed that Ho-woo has an ulterior motive. An intention to do one last thing that will make Audit Leader An’s dream come true which is to uphold an upright attitude of accountants – to be responsible for the process as well as the results.
Seung-jo also confronts Ji-soo about the dangerous path she’s threading. He realizes that the funds of HK Private Equity are coming from Korea. Still, Ji-soo responds coldly to his worry and assures she knows what she’s doing.
Proceeding as planned, Ho-woo heads to Chairman Lee’s mansion but learned from Yeon-a that his schedule was changed. They rush to the airport just as Seung-jo plans the same.
Quickly realizing to get an emergency passport, Ho-woo got past the immigration and convinced Chairman Lee not to proceed with buying Cakebean.
Numbers Episodes 5 and 6 Musings
Stumbling on Ji-soo’s lobbying of patents for HK Private Equity, Ho-woo and Seung-jo figure the patent dues are effective ways to launder money. It will be a shield for politicians Ji-soo has been creating partnerships to be invincible in accepting bribes because it can be channeled thru the payment of patent dues.
Presented in this week’s story is Ji-soo’s premeditated plan of collecting people for her yet-to-be-revealed payback goal.
It looks like a storm is brewing between the Lee brothers of Sang-ah Group. Just as the check and balance between advisers and auditors of Taeil Accounting Firm also settle for an impasse.
On his mission to know more about the LPs of HK Private Equity, Ho-woo will be preoccupied as he completes his promise to Audit Leader An.
While Numbers relays a narrative that typical K-Drama viewers won’t appreciate, the clever integration of business principles from the perspective of accounting firm workers is worth noting.
The series generously bares real and surprising details about the industry which are fairly explained for a wide range of audiences to comprehend.
Intertwining the symbiotic relationship existing in banks and businesses; and how accounting firms work magic to save or cease a business is so far underscored in this series.
Follow Jang Ho-woo’s journey to be the best accountant at Taeil in Numbers on MBC every Friday and Saturday!
Photos: MBC Drama
