Writer Korb

40+ Quotes | Numbers (2023)

Updated: June 29, 2023

Here’s a collection of quotes from the Korean drama, Numbers (2023):

“Accounting only look at the numbers.” – Han Seung Jo

  • “You make money by stabbing others in the back and call that success. You’re scum.” – Jang Ho Woo
  • “Your anger? It’s powerless.” – Han Seung Jo
  • “Changes can make you uncomfortable in the beginning, but we should focus on the synergy these changes can bring us.” – VP Han Je Kyun

“An incompetent CEO is the most competent client for an accounting firm.” – VP Han Je Kyun

  • “The fate of everyone with interest in the company depends on the accounting firm’s decision.” – Senior Associate Jin Yeon A
  • “It may be called a disclaimer of opinion, but it’s the same as a death sentence.” – VP Han Je Kyun

“He may be doing his best but it may not be the best for everyone.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

  • “We may call each other Teacher here but it didn’t mean I’d teach you anything.” – Senior Associate Park
  • “This place isn’t a school. You might have a duty to learn but we don’t have a duty to teach you. And even if someone teaches you, it’s for one’s own benefits. It’s not for your sake.” – Han Seung Jo
  • “You are a clear risk that you didn’t go to college. Your capability is unknown. And your teamwork hasn’t been experienced by anyone before. Naturally, the expected earnings become unclear.” – Han Seung Jo
  • “Why were you in such a rush to get here that you even skipped college? What on earth do you want to do here?” – Han Seung Jo

“The liquor tastes sweet today. My life is so bitter.” – Jang Ho Woo

  • “There are only the best of the best at an accounting firm. And I’m just trying to find a space among them. That’s my job every single day.” – Jang Ho Woo
  • “When life is at its worst and you feel so down, who do you think of?”
  • “I wasn’t trapped. I was just sitting still.” – Jang Ho Woo
  • “I’m no longer invisible, at least. Even if I’m a pushover, I’m someone they can see. I’m someone people even look for when I’m not around. Compared to being invisible, it’s a huge progress.” – Jang Ho Woo

“I want to become the nucleus of Taeil Accounting.” – Jang Ho Woo

  • “I can’t tell what you have on the inside from looking at you. You’re just like a joker, too.” – Jang Ho Woo
  • “Figures. There are two jokers in a stack of cards. You should join my team.” – Jang Ho Woo

“If someone resolves my problem, I should resolve his problem. That’s the basic of trading.” – Jang Ho Woo

  • “Have you seen a predator feeling guilty about biting off the neck of its prey?” – VP Han Je Kyun
  • “The strong prey upon the weak. It’s the survival of the fittest. It’s the law of the jungle.” – VP Han Je Kyun
  • “There are so many smart people in this world. How can I develop and get patents before they do?”
  • “He’s assisting us but it felt like he was monitoring us.” – Taeil staff

“I think it’s timing and not people that decides who becomes what. If you’re against my timing, you’re a foe, and if you benefit my timing, you’re a friend.” – Jang Ho Woo

  • “If you’re remorseful, it’s time to be responsible.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun
  • “What should an accountant care for other than their client?” – VP Han Je Kyun
  • “The public. An accountant’s audit report is as good as public property.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun
  • “Following the principles and common sense is playing a hero?” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun
  • “Some people make up their minds big time to buy one like me. Some people buy it like it’s a gum.” – Taeil staff

“The more you work in this field, the more you’ll be disappointed in people. Perhaps in yourself, too.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

“Even if the accounting system becomes nearly perfect, human greed always finds a loophole. Even if there’s a smallest hole, it squeezes itself in and roots. Then soon it becomes a thick tree. Then it drags others to rest under that tree. That’s how the tree forms a forest.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

“Why did you become an accountant when it’s full of negative influence?” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

“I’m jealous of you. Your anger has power. Power to change what is wrong. Power to cut the rotten tree before it forms a forest.” – Jang Ho Woo

“Decisions aren’t made in an instant. They’re made based on the time you’ve lived until now. That’s why decisions show how someone has lived and how they’ll live going forward.” – Jang Ho Woo

“I realized that by compromising on my values, I wasn’t being wise. I was hurting myself.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

“With your intelligence, I’m sure your anger will gain power before long.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

“Nobody is somebody from the start. We all start as nobodies. But in the end, I think he’ll turn into somebody.” – Senior Manager Kang Hyun

Genre: Office, Drama
Synopsis: An intelligent high school graduate becomes an accountant at a big accounting firm, trying to attain justice that he so desires.
No of episodes: TBA
Cast: Kim Myung-soo, Choi Jin-hyuk, Choi Min-soo, Yeonwoo
Writers: Jung An, Oh Hye-seok
Director: Kim Chil-bong
Network: MBC
Streaming platform: Viu
Date: June 23, 2023

Subtitle translation: Viu