There is something in the character of Park Sae-royi that makes him an ideal role model. For a simple and ordinary person who has gone through so much in life, his mindset is admirable which everyone should possess.
Below are just some of Park Sae-royi's traits that I observed from episodes 1-8. Sorry #spoilers alert!
1. Sympathetic
In episode 1, Sae-Royi helped a beggar in the subway who was pushed aside by Soo- Ah who was passing by and couldn't care less.
2. Resilient
While helping the beggar, he injured himself. But it did not stop him from taking the National Police University Physical Test. No injury is bad enough to keep him from achieving his dream.
3. Principled
He did not stoop down to apologize from someone not deserving of it. His classmate Jang Geun-Woo, who happens to be the son of CEO of Jangga Group, bullied another student Lee Ho-jin in front of their teacher, and the CEO father asked him to kneel down before his son and apologize. But no school expulsion can scare him from doing what he believe is right.
I’m doing what I think is right because that’s what my father taught me. I wish to go on living like that.
4. Not Vengeful
Despite the unfair treatment he experienced from Jang family, revenge was the last thing in his mind. He just want to live his life and be successful.
5. Uncompromising
After being reported that his staff accepted minors in his pub, he went to police station and refused to get help from Jang Geun-woo even if it meant temporary closure of his business. He got furious at the police officer who was willing to turn a blind eye on the incident because of Director Jang who happened to be the step brother of one of the two minors who faked their ID to be able to drink at DanBam, Sae-royi's pub.
6. Self-controlled
He was able to contain himself and refrained from doing anything rash even after Jang Geun-woo provoked him with recollection of how his (Sae-royi's) life was ruined because of him up to a point of admitting he is the one who caused Sae-royi's father's death.
7. Responsible and Understanding
There are several occasions that Sae-royi showed how responsible and understanding of a person he is. One that touched my heart was when Jang Geun-soo, the minor student who caused his business to be suspended wanted to take responsibility for their wrongdoing, and Sae-royi acknowledged Geun-soo being a kid and cannot be held responsible.
Another scene was when Soo-Ah admitted that she reported Sae-royi to the police but he was not appalled with what he heard but rather reasoned out to himself that she must have a reason for doing so.
8. Impartial
Manager Jo Yi-Seo wants to fire Hyun-yi when customers start complaining how bad their food was and also on the grounds that people will not patronize their business if they find out he’s a transgender. Instead of firing him, Sae-royi doubled her salary and challenged her to do better.
“The world avoids me because I’m an ex-convict. And the three of you, Yi-seo, Geun-soo and Seung-kwon, you guys recently made a scene and got me suspended. Hyun-yi. He’s done nothing but work hard without causing us any trouble. Just like you guys, he’s one of my people. That’s what matters. “
9. Consoling
There was a scene where he consoled Jo Yi-seo when the latter had an argument with her mother.
"I made my mom cry, because I refused to live the way she wanted me to live. She wanted me to go to a good university, get a job at a big firm, and marry a guy from a decent family."
And on another scene where he asked Geun-soo why the boy wanted to work at DanBam and the latter replied that he needed to earn money.
"I'm not pitying you, you just reminded me of myself."
10. Objective and Realistic
After learning that CEO Jang Dae-hee bought DanBam building to have Sae-royi leave his business, Geun-soo offered to quit working at DanBam in exchange of moving back to his father’s house and asking him to leave Sae-royi alone. Yi-seo agreed to let him go to avoid more harm that may befall Sae-royi, DanBam and the rest of the crew. He got mad at Yi-seo for her decision and said he does not want any of his family to leave for the business' sake. He told everyone that he will buy a building where they can put up the business again.
8 more episodes to watch! I'm excited to see how the story will progress. I'm anticipating more positivity from Park Sae-royi and the DanBam crew!