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SOUTH KOREA –
RICHES TO RAGS June 1999 08’03” Wide open spaces,
rolling green fields Greens, laughing,
limbering up, buggy girls etc. Groups of execs
putting Expensive boutiques Restaurant SUPER: Young Sup Kin Former university
graduate (English) Suh and others
ceremoniously lift silver trays from platters along table, diners laugh and
clap SUPER: Kim Jong-Kyu Captain of staff (Korean) Sitting together at
table Outside Sammi Co. –
two shot walking Walking together Back to restaurant SUPER: Suh Sang Rok Former
Vice-Chairman, Sammi Company (English) Being lectured in
employee lineup Thought-track over
instructions Staff bow to
instructor and go to work Back to Suh Cutaway at table His
chauffeur-driven car in the street Streets of Seoul,
car passing fountain, pagoda Inside car, on
mobile phone C/U car pulls up to
lecture, he jumps out, I catch up People signing up
for lecture, he walks in to applause Speech at podium in
Korean Finishes up, walks
out to applause and hand shakes Book store Two shot Putting on TV
makeup for iv Signing books for
guests wheeling in trolley Wheeling in trolley Working in
restaurant |
The Land of the Morning Calm. The Sunday morning calm that is, at the most exclusive country club in South Korea. The preserve of bank chiefs, politicians and company presidents. For those who’ve climbed the corporate ladder – this is the view at the top. A whirlwind existence of quality, service, prestige … and indulgence. (people laughing) These are some of South Korea’s elite… success stories, retelling their old university days at tonight’s reunion dinner at this top Seoul restaurant. What’s excruciatingly embarrassing however, is that another graduate of their honoured alma mater isn’t sitting at the table, but waiting on it. Former graduate Would some graduates
be upset to see a graduate who’s become a waiter..(interrupts)
Yeah, upset. Because some people say still the graduate of the university,
which is a high-ranking university – he’s spoiling the name, you know of the
university. (breaker – shot of Suh serving) At sixty-two years of age, Suh Sang-rok has become the most unlikely of trainee waiters, and he’s become used to raising eyebrows. Co-worker He was always
breaking dishes and his old-fashioned way of speaking was a problem too. And
when other company directors, chairmen and vice-chairman came in as customers
who knew him – well, some didn't mind being waited on by him but others
didn't want him serving them. Some would say on the way out they felt
uncomfortable being served by someone like him. That’s because Suh Sang-rok is more used to dining at this restaurant than waiting on its tables. Jill: What went wrong? Suh: Frankly we went bankrupt (laughs) When the giant steel producer, the Sammi Company drowned in its debts in March ’97, Mr Suh went down with it. Jill: Can you ever imagine yourself coming back here? Suh: No, no, no. Too much headache, I don’t
like it. In the vast family-run conglomerate, he was the top-ranking outsider, vice-chairman of the company, and it made him a very wealthy man. When it crashed, he was unable to pay thousands of loyal and long-serving employees the millions of dollars in retirement funds that they were owed. Suh: I made a decision at that time; a person
like me should not take executive level positions anymore. Jill: So you never want to be a boss again? Suh: No, no more boss. I’m not qualified to
become a boss I think. (being addressed by instructor) Instead he did the ‘unthinkable’ - he turned his back on the elite class, abandoned his old school ties, and this former high-flying executive became a waiter. Suh I don’t think this
is a dirty job. This is the job I like it – I enjoy it. I think that is
honourable job, not dishonourable job. My dream now – I
will be one of the best waiters in the world within three to five years.
That’s my target, I’m working very hard. Sounds to me, he’ll have to work a little harder. Suh: One time I was very nervous. Three guests
walk in. I made some glasses of wine and I pour on lady, but at the same time
I poured all the wine. Jill: On his head?? Suh: Mmm, and broke things, the sound was terrible. Jill: And you still didn't lose your job? Lose his job? – not a chance. When the local media found out who was working at the Lotte Hotel restaurant, Mr Suh became an overnight celebrity. The hotel cashed in on his name and he hit the lecture circuit. (phone rings – he answers) In a bizarre riches to rags tale, Mr Suh has become famous for his humble new beginning. And he’s too much the entrepreneur to pass up the opportunity. Suh: I have a lot of fun giving speech to
different group and I enjoy the response. Jill: Did you ever think you’d find yourself
doing this kind of work at this stage in life? Suh: Oh yeah. Jill: Big surprise to you? Suh: I really surprised. This is why I’m
telling to everybody, “when you have a big problem, you cannot see even an
inch in front of you – but never be disappointed. Even the sky falls down,
you have room to survive”. That’s a Korean old saying. Never give up. Now he’s zipping around Seoul in his chauffeur driven car, telling his tale to whomever will pay to listen. (arrives at lecture) In a country where the only acceptable way is ‘UP’. Mr Suh is making his fortune over again describing life at the bottom. (applause – Mr Suh takes to podium) Suh Look at me… I failed
in management and because of that, no one was ever going to hire me as a
manager again. So I had to start over again and to do that I had to find
something I wanted to be – and that was a waiter. And let me tell you, it
hasn't been easy. (In a bookstore) Celebrity appearances, talk shows and now, of course, the book about his life. It’s already hit the best-seller list – with a title Frank Sinatra would have loved “I Have to Live My Life My Way”. Jill: So we could be talking about an
international bestseller here? (joking) Suh: Hopefully (laughs). Someday in English
too. Jill: So, you’ll be the most famous waiter in
the world, not just Korea? Suh: (laughs) I hope so (back to restaurant violinist starts up) Back at the restaurant it’s another busy night for Mr Suh with celebrity interviews to do, copies of his book to be signed for an adoring public, (back to restaurant/music) and of course, if he has time, there are tables to wait upon. There’s barely a moment to contemplate how his biggest fall from grace may yet become his biggest windfall. (music out) |