The Korean national team lost the semifinal to the German national team by an agonizing 1:0.

At a bitter defeat suffered with the final within arm's reach, the squad wept.

But there was not one person who blamed them.

For the joy they had given the country over the past month, people consoled the exhausted squad with warm applause and encouragement.

President Dae-sang Kim, too, issued a statement expressing gratitude for the team's efforts and saying that a result this good had come thanks to the support of the people.

And he added that he hoped the third-place match would be an occasion of festival rather than a contest.

Immediately after the presidential statement, the government designated the day of the third-place match a temporary public holiday.

On the grounds that it was to be a day when everyone celebrated, they also conveyed the message that government officials and citizens alike should leave their cars behind, come out into the streets, and enjoy it together.

The public answered the announcement with cheers.

They said the government's decision was a fine one — on the day of the third-place match, let the tension go and simply enjoy it.

The government moved in active step with this public reaction.

"Vice-Chairman."

Vice-Chairman Hyeon-u Bang picked up the vase sitting on his desk and hurled it straight at the table.

Crash!

The glass of the display cabinet shattered and the ornaments inside came spilling out.

Myeong-cheol Park, Director of Mirae Construction, could only shift his feet with an expression of helplessness.

"Those sons of bitches. What? An occasion of festival? If they want a festival, let them hold one among themselves. Why overturn another man's table and then carry on about whether to hold a festival!"

"Vice-Chairman. Please calm yourself. They say the government will compensate us with something else instead."

"Compensate with something else? This administration is finished in six months. What compensation are men like that going to give?"

"Even so…"

"Have you been eating out of their hand too?"

Hyeon-u Bang jabbed a finger at Myeong-cheol Park.

Myeong-cheol Park waved his…