[sighs]
[anxious music playing]
[chuckles]
[knock on door]
[music stops]
Would you like to see the menu, sir?
Ah, uh… [chuckles] …yeah, thanks.
-Good work, everyone! -[clamoring]
Great session, thank you. Nice to see you all!
-Have a great week, I'll see you soon! -[student] Wanna grab a coffee?
[sighs]
I wonder how it's going. Funny, my sister's the one on a blind date,
-so why do I have butterflies? -[chuckles]
I hope it goes well, brother-in-law. Don't you?
Sure.
Hey, your sister is strong mentally, right?
Any heart issues?
The Ukraine war, for example,
the Israel-Palestine conflict.
It's frightening that the world is becoming desensitized to these wars.
No one seems to realize that the world order which was once very stable,
is now coming apart.
And that's the reason there have been so many
-World War III predictions. -Sorry, I just…
I was under the impression you're a flight attendant,
but… [scoffs] …you seem really interested in world politics.
Flight attendant?
A stewardess?
[inhales sharply] Oh, wait. Aren't you a detective?
A detective?
No. No, I'm a civil servant.
-I work at City Hall. -Civil…
Aren't you a flight attendant with Asia Airlines?
-You think that I… -[knock on door]
[comedic music playing]
[music stops]
God. [chuckles]
I've got no sympathy for women who show up late to a date.
Seriously!
She calls herself a journalist.
Since when are journalists so frickin' late?
You wanna leave a good first impression on a blind date.
[sighs] Look at the clock. This is insane!
Well, we've found out why the girl's single.
And I didn't get any contact info.
So, what am I supposed to do here?
Seon-u, what the hell? Should I just go?
Ah, shit!
[Jeong-sin] Can you let that guy know I'm running late because of traffic?
-Wait, you haven't met him yet? -This is why I should've gotten his cell.
I ended up in a room with some man who works at City Hall.
Ugh, later!
-Not helping one bit. -[phone beeps]
[sighs] Well, that started off wrong.
What is it? So, they haven't even met yet?
No, she told me she got stuck in traffic and she's gonna be like half an hour late.
-Can you call your brother? -Sure.
You said she might be surprised when she meets him.
What does that mean?
Oh, that.
Uh, yeah, there's this one thing about my brother.
Huh?
[laughs]
Seriously, that's the lamest excuse possible.
Wow, the traffic is just so terrible.
Wow, I gotta give it to her. That's ruthless.
[scoffs] Seriously.
[breathes deeply]
Yeah?
Oh.
[enchanting music playing]
Uh…
[heartbeat thumping]
You? Uh.
[music fades]
Uh, what are you doing here?
Did I just walk into the wrong room again?
I hear he looks a lot like my bro Pil-gu.
Lim Hyeon-jun.
-[echoing] Lim Hyeon-jun. -[chuckles]
Hello?
You don't remember?
[stammers] Remember?
I think your face does look a little, uh…
familiar. Do I know you?
Journalist. Hanguk University.
[echoing] Journalist.
[shouting, gasping]
What the… [grunts]
-[Seon-u] Are you all right? -[chuckles] Okay, so…
so, your brother's Lim Hyeon-jun?
And so the man my sister's on a date with is Kang Pil-gu?
Kang Pil-gu from the show?
See, I wasn't lying about him being a detective.
[chuckles]
[gasps] Oh, no. This is not good.
What? Why?
God, isn't it such a small world?
-Who would've thought, right? -You're right.
[knock on door]
-So, are we ready to order? -Yes.
It's lunchtime anyhow.
-So, I guess we'll take, uh… Yeah. -Iced Americano, please.
Same here, iced Americano please.
[server] Right away, sir.
Given the situation,
I thought you didn't really want to have lunch together.
[scoffs] I appreciate you picking up on that.
[Hong-sin] I've got this buddy in med school.
His brother's a detective. Might be a good match.
-I was told you were a detective. -Kang Pil-gu's a detective.
And he's my alter ego. So…
[sighs]
Are you gonna turn this into an article too?
"Myself and Actor Lim Hyeon-jun on a Blind Date."
I'm not petty enough to write an article like that, all right?
[scoffs] Oh, I don't know.
'Cause I recall you actually being so petty,
that you dug through my social media, because…
you wanted to search my dating history.
I was…
blinded by revenge back then.
[sighs] Well, thank you for admitting that.
Anyway, as I understand it our brothers are friends.
So, is your brother also in med school?
No, my brother's a theater major.
A theater major? Really?
If my bro Pil-gu finds out where we met,
he's definitely gonna lose it.
It's a cruel world, isn't it?
[both sigh]
Brother's in theater. Is that somehow a problem for you?
Not at all.
That doesn't mean I like him hanging out with my little brother.
-It's not his fault. -You don't like your med-student
hanging around a wild child like my brother.
I suppose you must feel insecure
because your brother doesn't do well in school.
-[scoffs] -[chuckles]
Whatever, I'm not sure if it's fate which brought us together here.
-But it's pretty weird. -[scoffs] Did you say fate?
So, I guess it's best if we just go our separate ways?
You got that right.
Wait, I'm going first.
[thunder rumbles]
EPISODE 4
[sighs]
[grunts, groans]
[exhales deeply]
[sighs heavily]
Where's she going? She doesn't even have an umbrella?
I don't care. Whatever, do your thing.
[comedic music playing]
Oh, no. She's getting soaked.
Just look at that new dress, it's completely wet.
There are taxis all around. Why doesn't she get a taxi? Come on.
Huh?
Oh, yeah. Good idea.
Go ahead. Yeah, get an umbrella.
PRICE 19,900 WON
[music continues]
Come on, just get it.
Just buy a frickin' umbrella. They're so cheap here.
No, she shouldn't be running around like that after the surgery!
Her stomach must be hurting.
[sighs]
Okay then, I'll give her a ride.
[music stops]
-Dodged a bullet. -[tender music playing]
[sighs]
-[door slams] -[music fades]
[Hong-sin] Hey, there.
-Whoa, easy! -What did you say?
-I can trust you completely? -Hey, calm down!
Seriously, calm down, sis.
I swear, I had no idea his brother was Pil-gu.
He said if you swap contact info or photos beforehand,
it's easy to find each other's social media.
And it takes away from the excitement.
I didn't know he was trying to hide his brother's identity.
[huffs]
[sighs]
You wanna tell me how the date went?
-How do you think, genius? -[chuckles]
Well, you walked in looking all beautiful and Pil-gu fell for you
-the moment he laid eyes on you. -What?
I mean, you wrote a nice article about him.
Not to mention, the man literally saved you.
-[scoffs] -I thought you two would really hit off,
you know?
Why are you all wet?
You mean to tell me he didn't offer you a ride?
[scoffs] And why the hell would he do that?
Such a shame.
I could've been Pil-gu's brother-in-law.
Okay, stop! [scoffs]
You know what? I'll show you brother-in-law.
-Come here, you little jerk! -Stop it!
Why would you hit me? I'm just trying to help!
[chuckles] I wasn't aware that you already knew my friend's sister.
Oh, no, we're not discussing that.
Let's talk about your buddy Hong-sin instead.
Where'd you meet that kid?
-Uh, why? -Just tell me. Answer the question!
-Why ask, when you already know? -[scoffs]
So it's true. You really wanna be an actor?
Have you gone crazy, huh?
I didn't wanna say this because I feel bad for taking credit.
However, I had to pick up delivery jobs while I worked at the print shop,
just so you, my smart little brother, wouldn't miss out on medical school
because we couldn't afford it.
So I pushed myself to keep you going.
-Did you know that? -I did. Yeah.
I know you paid for those lessons even though we were poor,
and that you bought me nice clothes so I wouldn't feel small around my friends.
I'm grateful for you stepping up like that.
I know it was difficult.
So you knew about that?
Apparently, it didn't stop you from doing this.
What about Mom?
Sorry for lying.
I just… I really wanna be an actor.
[sighs]
You think it's easy, right? Because I do it.
Do you even know the amount of people who wanna be actors
because they have a famous relative, and then fail?
I don't intend to use your name to get ahead.
And our relationship is much better kept hidden.
Being half-brothers is nothing to brag about.
[stammers]
Hey, come back!
Lim Seon-u!
[colleague] See you guys in about an hour.
SPORTS EUNSEONG
-[chattering] -If it's about work, don't text me.
Hey, are you not having lunch?
Uh, no. I'm good.
[Seong-min] All right.
Wait up, guys.
-[enchanting music plays] -[chuckles]
[heartbeat thumps]
[sighs]
[heartbeat thumping]
Hey, man.
Have you heard back from that US agency or what?
[scoffs]
They're so damn slow. They haven't read my e-mail.
[sighs heavily] Those big shots. That's what they do, am I right?
Oh, man. Hey, did you…
did you read the article Ms. Wi wrote?
It completely tossed out the bad publicity about you,
including that whole trip thing and the dating rumors.
-Really? -Listen, the article's outstanding.
That reporter, she's an amazing talent.
She connects to Kang Pil-gu's character in great detail
and the article's so tasteful.
I tell you, man, this woman is on another level.
So maybe buy her dinner one of these days to thank her.
Buy her dinner? Yeah, right. [clicks tongue]
[enchanting music plays]
[scoffs]
It is indeed a small world. Yeah.
-Hmm, why? -Oh, nothing.
Hey, we're really getting swarmed with calls
from all these different companies trying to cast you in their ads!
[sighs] That woman.
She nearly killed me with that article
then brings me back to life and plays the hero. [clicks tongue]
You can buy her dinner sometime if you want.
Sure, sounds good.
One quick thing, there are gonna be tons of reporters at the, uh…
the ramyeon event later.
You're not gonna try to kick her out again,
you wouldn't do that, right?
I'm a rational guy, Ji-sun.
[chuckles]
What are you waiting for? Aren't you getting the massage?
Oh, I'm in poor, poor shape right now.
I'm embarrassed.
Oh. [chuckles]
[chuckles]
Man, what is the deal with my hair today?
[chuckles]
[manager] What about Director Shin Gwang-su?
[groans]
The man's a sociopath, seriously.
I worked with him when I was a rookie.
He verbally abused me. And I said never again. No.
Then what about, uh, Cha Dong-man?
-The one who did The Villain's Equation? -Uh.
I guess you haven't seen his movies. He's an awful director.
[groans] But who are we gonna hire, then?
You know that we need to get ready for the shoot!
Don't get so worked up or you'll get wrinkles. Just relax.
Christ, getting wrinkles is the least of my worries right now!
Come on! The network folks are gonna call me a damn liar soon!
Hey. No need to start a fight, guys.
I believe with that nice article that just came out about you,
now's a great time to run a feature on the upcoming season of our show.
Mm-hmm.
Could we please finish here? [chuckles]
[sighs]
[scoffs]
[chuckles]
It is a well-written article, hmm.
It's really good.
LIM HYEON-JUN SHINES OFFSCREEN FOR GOOD DEED
SPORTS EUNSEONG WI JEONG-SIN
What?
No way, she did political journalism?
SERIA, A CITY IN RUINS, STILL CRIES OUT
Oh, wow.
[gasps]
She's been to a war zone? No way!
-[gunfire] -[gasps]
[enchanting music playing]
[chuckles softly]
-[music stops] -[gasps, shouts]
Come on, get a grip.
[stammering] Just pull yourself together.
She's an escort and she works at a bar! [stammers]
-Hey, Su-ji! -Yes?
Can you insult me to clear my head?
I would rather not hurt anyone's feelings.
Instead of that, let's do some mindfulness.
Play a good meditation video.
-[gong chiming] -[wood tapping]
[sighs]
-[breathing deeply] -[Su-ji] My heart is at ease.
-[serene music playing] -My heart is at ease.
My heart is at ease.
[inhales deeply, sighs]
LIM HYEON-JUN SHINES OFFSCREEN FOR GOOD DEED
Your article didn't make the front page. But still, great job.
Thanks.
I'm gonna do my best to help you return to politics.
-Just keep at it. -Okay, I will.
Any interest in staying here with us?
-Not whatsoever. -Just wanted to put it out there.
When you were covering Lim Hyeon-jun at the hospital,
was there a lady who came to visit him?
No, I didn't see.
Really?
All right, let's start the meeting.
Pass this around.
This variety show did a special
on sexy stars from back in the day, and it was a hit.
So I came up with a feature on actresses who were sex symbols
back in the seventies and the eighties.
[all gasp]
So I picked the three most important sex symbols from back then.
Have a look at this. Everyone knows this film.
The Debauched Woman.
[colleagues chuckle]
Hmm, I still look pretty good.
-Oh. -What?
I think that woman is Lim Hyeon-jun's mother.
-Yeah, she was in his hospital room. -[colleague 1] No way.
[colleague 2] You know, now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance.
Especially in the eyes and the smile.
-Oh, wow. -It's definitely there.
-They really do look alike. -You think he's really her son?
-I can see the resemblance. -Yeah, I can see it.
-Yeah. -I don't know.
So you don't know if she's actually his mother. Am I right?
Hard to tell from just this photo.
I'd need to take a closer look.
[Hwa-yeong] Not much is known about Lim Hyeon-jun's personal life.
But if a former erotic actress turned out to be his biological mother,
then that would be big news indeed.
Take a closer look.
-Huh? -Couch it as a feature,
"Uncovering Secrets of the Entertainment Industry".
Okay, I'm on it.
[Hwa-yeong] Next.
Boss!
What is it? You've got something to say?
I feel like we're bothering Lim Hyeon-jun a lot lately.
Do you have some kind of grudge against him?
And if I do? What's the difference?
Is there something going on?
Wait.
Did you guys date?
You're a journalist, come on. I thought you'd have more imagination.
Uh… I'm going to a promotional event he's doing later.
Don't bother.
Once the story's out, it's gonna be better to avoid him, I think.
Uh, but…
[sighs]
I heard my outdoor clothing brand ad went to someone else.
So who is it?
Byeon Woo-seok.
[sighs]
This is why I say I should be doing luxury brand ads instead,
or formal wear,
not making hand hearts for a ramyeon commercial.
Hey, don't say that.
I mean, your contract was only for six months and they extended it
and they're paying you more now than they were before.
You should be grateful for that.
I believe they should be grateful for me being the face of the brand.
Tons of reporters will be there.
I was worried there'd only be a handful.
Why worry about that?
[mug rattles]
What are you looking at? Go.
[tender music playing]
-[both] Hello, sir. -Ah, hello.
-Hello there, sir. -Hello, sir.
Hello there. Hello.
Hello, sir.
-Hello, sir. -Good to see you.
[comical music playing]
-[gasps] -[moaning on monitor]
-My lady. -What is going on?
Uh, no. Don't get the wrong idea. This isn't…
I won't be able to control myself any longer.
-You feel so soft… -[moaning]
Uh, th-this isn't… It's just… I can explain…
-[chuckles] -So soft, my lady.
I-I can't…
Uh…
[chuckles]
[Jeong-sin] So…
Uh… So what are you doing here?
[chuckles]
That day, you dropped this as you rushed out of the airport.
Oh…
Uh… Thanks a lot.
How'd you know I was here?
Did you stop by just to give me the badge, or…
The truth is,
I work here as well, so…
I joined Sports Eunseong as the new CEO recently.
Lee Jae-hyeong.
Oh…
So I guess, um…
-you're a wealthy heir? -[laughing]
Would it have been more dramatic if I said I was?
My brother is the wealthy heir.
I'm just a CEO on a salary.
Tomorrow I could just as easily get fired.
Ah… Well, I gotta say I'm surprised to meet you again.
So these things do happen, I guess. [chuckles] Kinda neat.
[chuckles] Yeah, it's true.
Uh… By the way,
why were you watching that movie earlier?
Ah…
That was research. I was watching it for a special feature I'm doing.
"Sex Symbols from the Past", or something like that.
-[chuckles] -Ah…
Ah, at the airport, you got hurt. Is everything okay?
Yeah, I'm all healed up now. [chuckles] You helped me out.
-Thank you. -[chuckles]
Well, I suppose I'll see you around here.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
SEONG AE-SUK, THE MYSTERIOUS ACTRESS
AND THE THREE SHADOWS SHE LEFT BEHIND
"THE GODMOTHER," MOTHERLY LOVE OR A BUSINESS TRANSACTION?
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FEMALE CHARACTER
[typing]
THE SCENT OF THE MIRROR
[pensive music playing]
ACTOR LIM HYEON-JUN REVEALED AS SON OF '70S SEX ICON
Okay, Lim Hyeon-jun's new promo event will begin at 7:00,
and press conference is at 8:00.
So I'm going to wait and publish the article at 7:50,
then he can't prepare his responses.
Why do you look so worried all of a sudden?
Hold on a second.
Shouldn't we confirm all the facts before publishing?
-I've already done so. -So it's true?
Yes.
Oh… King's Back Entertainment isn't gonna like this.
You have a connection with Mr. Hwang, don't you? You sure it's all right?
Listen to me.
After his suicide attempt scandal, he repaired his image
by carrying you back to the hospital, and got tons of ads.
So what, his mother used to be in adult films.
Is he a K-pop idol or a rich kid out of Hankuk University?
No, he's not. He's the rough and righteous "detective Kang Pil-gu",
an everyday guy who stepped up as a breadwinner
and turned his family's life around for the better.
The man has a very thick skin.
He might not have anything to lose,
but it's gonna cause some family drama.
You should stop your wasting time worrying about these things and just do your job.
Oh! And change Lim Hyeon-jun's photo, okay? The more dejected, the better.
[sighs]
THE MISHIK ARTISAN RAMYEON
[upbeat music playing]
-Hello, welcome! -Hi, how are you?
Hi there.
Wow, so many people here. [chuckles]
-Is she not here? -Huh? What, who?
-Huh? -Who?
Oh, uh, it's nothing. Nothing.
Oh, where's the green room?
-Over there. -It's right over there.
Yeah.
-[artist] Okay, you're all set. -Oh, yeah, thanks.
I'm very happy, thank you. Great job.
Thanks, well done.
[grunts] All right. How are you feeling? All good?
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
[Hwang] You don't look so good.
-Calming herbs, huh? -[sighs]
-Sure, gimme one. -All right. That's good, yeah.
-Come on, no need to be nervous. -Oh, no, no.
-It's all good. -[knock on door]
-I'm not nervous. -[crew] Mister Lim, please stand by.
Ah, yeah, yeah.
-You're gonna kill it! You've got this. -Yes!
[host] Let's give a big round of applause to actor Lim Hyeon-jun,
the face of Artisan Ramyeon!
[cheering]
Happy to be here.
[chuckles]
[Jae-hyeong] Huh?
I see you're still here.
Oh, yeah.
Is everything okay?
What's the long face about?
What?
-Did you do something wrong? -No!
[chortles]
Would you like to have dinner, if you haven't eaten yet?
[sighs]
Why do you keep checking the time?
-Checking the… -You keep looking at your watch
constantly, followed by a big sigh.
Am I that boring to be around?
Oh, no. [chuckles] Not at all.
An article I wrote is about to be published.
What is it, a big story?
Yeah, probably.
-It's bound to cause quite a stir. -I'm sure it will.
It'll stir up a lot of noise around Lim Hyeon-jun.
-Isn't he a famous actor? -Yeah.
You know, my mother is a pretty famous actress.
There was this vicious reporter who wrote all these scathing articles,
specifically about my mom.
God, I truly hated that man's guts.
But one day, by pure chance, I ended up talking to him in a casual setting.
And honestly, he turned out to be a really nice guy.
That's when I realized,
"Ah… He was doing what he had to do, his job,
just like my mom did what she had to do."
All I'm saying is you were doing what you had to do.
You were doing your job, that's all.
Listen, um…
You're a wonderful person, Mr. Lee.
That day we first met, you seemed
like you were just someone who had decided to be a good person to me
for no reason whatsoever.
Thank you so much.
I'll be on my way, then.
-Thank you for dinner. -Mmm, yeah.
[chuckles]
[line beeps, rings]
Hi, is this the office of King's Back Entertainment?
This is Wi Jeong-sin, from Sports Eunseong.
I have to talk to Lim Hyeon-jun but I'm unable to reach Mr. Hwang.
I need to talk to him immediately.
It's very important. It's regarding a story we're about to publish.
Yeah, I understand.
[line clicks]
[sighs]
PUBLISH REQUEST
APPROVED
[reporter] Yeah, it came out just a second ago.
[reporter 2] That's wild! They would've planned to do that.
Sure, you need to go at him.
[host] May I kindly ask everyone to be silent now?
Then we can begin with the press conference, thank you.
Mister Lim, if you would take a seat at the table, please?
Any questions? Questions? Please raise your hands.
Yes, you over there.
I heard season five of Good Detective Kang Pil-gu got the green light.
Has this been confirmed yet?
[laughs]
Actually, I'm here to introduce Artisan Ramyeon today.
So, I would appreciate it if we could save the Kang Pil-gu questions for next time.
[host] All right. Next please.
Hyeon-jun, do you have any special tips on getting the most out of your ramyeon?
Ramyeon has some instructions written on the back.
-It tastes great when you follow them. -He's funny, huh?
Those instructions are there for good reason.
[host] Yes, you in the front row.
Sunday Sports, Park Seung-won, uh… I'm just curious,
have you seen what was just published?
The article says your mother is erotic film actress Seong Ae-suk.
[reporters murmuring]
Were you gonna reveal that your biological mother worked in erotic films?
Is it true? Is Seong Ae-suk your biological mother?
Are you in touch with Miss Seong Ae-suk?
[distorting] When did you learn that Miss Seong Ae-suk was in erotic films?
[voices fade]
[groans]
-[door opens] -[Ji-sun] Hyeon-jun!
-Hey, what's wrong? -[Gil-su] Hyeon-jun!
What happened? Look at me! Hey, quick! Call an ambulance!
-Got it. -Hyeon-jun! [inhaling, exhaling]
-[Hyeon-jun] Hey, G-- Gil-su. -Yeah, yeah!
Don't call them, please. Don't call them, please don't call them.
-[both sigh] -Shit.
[Ji-sun] Hey, Hyeon-jun. Talk to me, are you all right?
Massage his arms. Massage his arms.
[panting]
Were you gonna reveal that your biological mother worked in erotic films?
Is it true? Is Seong Ae-suk your biological mother?
What do you think of Miss Seong Ae-suk's controversial past?
-…that your mother was an erotic actress? -Are you proud of your mother?
[Ji-sun] What? What is it? What's wrong?
-Mr. Hwang. -Hold on! Whoa!
Oh, God.
[sighs]
-Hey, Mr. Hwang. -Right here, yeah.
Where's that clinic? I need to go there right now.
[nurse] Mister Lim Hyeon-jun?
-Mister Lim Hyeon-jun? -[Hyeon-jun] Yes!
-Please head to the consultation room. -Okay, thanks.
[psychiatrist] Your anxiety score is twice as high as a normal person's,
-and as for depression-- -It's a panic disorder?
One panic attack might just be that. A panic disorder is a whole other thing.
But I imagine your daily life has been difficult?
You mentioned your heart suddenly began to race,
-and you had trouble breathing? -Yeah.
I thought I was gonna die because I couldn't breathe.
And I kept thinking, "Ooh, is this it? This is really the way I die?"
Luckily, there were some friends around, but if no one had been there,
I'm pretty sure I would've died for real.
So tell me,
if this happens again,
don't you think I could really die?
No, sir. We don't die because of panic attacks.
I know it feels like you can't breathe, but that's not true.
Your body will keep on breathing, 'cause it has to.
How much do you sleep on average?
Well,
around, I'd say, three or four hours.
The quality of your sleep will determine if there will be more panic attacks
-in your future. -I need to know, Doctor.
Could this be caused by a…
a traumatic experience I had?
'Cause I went to a restaurant recently…
PLEASE SAVE ME!
A man grabbed a knife and threatened a woman at the restaurant,
and everyone was looking at me.
But I'm not Kang Pil-gu, you know!
I'm Lim Hyeon-jun. How could I possibly face off against a guy wielding a knife--
[psychiatrist] Mister Lim?
-Yes? -Talking about your trauma history
won't really help treat a panic disorder.
And treating mental health is a difficult and lengthy process.
So why don't we talk more about everything when I see you next?
-[typing] -What? Uh…
When you see me next?
That was it? Wait.
We're done?
Yes, sir. That's our time for today.
-[Ji-sun] So, how was it? -[Hyeon-jun grunts]
What kind of doctor are you?
I thought this would go differently.
Why is her field the pathology of the human mind
-if she refuses to even look into it? -Oh, wow.
-Was she that bad? -Awful!
I need to see a different psychiatrist.
She must've known who I was.
That reporter,
Wi Jeong-sin, where is she?
I need to speak to her.
Oh, uh…
Actually…
[Jeong-sin] Listen, um… You're a wonderful person, Mr. Lee.
You seemed like someone who had decided to be a good person to me
for no reason whatsoever.
[Hyeon-jun] Good evening.
Please, get in.
[Ji-sun] Uh…
[Hyeon-jun] What are you, an erotic film connoisseur?
You saw my mother and immediately put it together?
I recognized a photo of her for a special feature.
Fine, whatever.
If you had any conscience whatsoever,
then shouldn't you be apologizing at the very least?
The thing is, I…
Shouldn't we confirm all the facts before publishing?
I've already done so.
You don't want an apology, do you?
You wanna yell.
Yeah…
Wow. I knew you were a mean person but now I'm shocked.
Why the hell would you choose to drag my family into this?
You have parents, I'm guessing, right? [scoffs]
You think all reporters just write positive things, like we're your PR staff?
That article would've been written by anyone, at some point.
-[scoffs] -Honestly,
I think it's better to be upfront with these kinds of things.
Now you suddenly act like you care?
I don't think
that's something to hide.
Do you wanna hide your mother that much?
[sighs]
It's 2025, isn't it?
Voluntary single motherhood and same sex marriage are supported now.
And people are more relaxed about it all.
You're so old-fashioned.
What? "Old-fashioned"?
-You're weird. -[scoffs]
Right.
That's how you justify your own double life.
Isn't that convenient?
In this day and age, there's no such thing as an undignified job, so…
so everyone should also be celebrating your trade.
Uh, what do mean by "my trade?"
You don't remember, do you?
I'm not talking about the red carpet.
[jazz music playing]
[screams]
I don't mean the airport.
[fans cheering]
Have I run into you somewhere else?
Yeah, the men's room at the exclusive club.
I'm really sorry. I'm gonna step over you.
Huh? [screams]
My neck, my neck, my neck!
[gasps]
You were…
So, you were the one in the men's room.
[chuckling]
Does it ring a bell now?
That's right. I was the one.
[gasps]
[stammers]
-I have to apologize to you for that. -[scoffs]
I'm really sorry about that, I'm sorry,
-I really didn't… -[sighing]
[Hyeon-jun] Do you really work as a journalist?
-It's a fake card! -Huh?
You know what happens if you impersonate a journalist?
Huh?
No way.
Zero chance this one's a journalist.
But…
Did you believe I was one of the escorts working there?
[scoffs] Okay, come on.
I'm pretty sure you weren't there for some undercover activity
the way you were dressed. [scoffs]
[sighs]
You sure I wasn't doing that?
[door opens]
[sighs]
I'm the one who should be angry. I don't understand why she acts like that.
[pants]
Ah, shit!
I'm exhausted.
[groans]
I don't think that's something to hide.
Do you wanna hide your mother that much?
[groans] That was some day.
Let's see.
[clicks tongue]
[exclaims]
Nice! They already got back to me, huh?
MAYBE NEXT TIME
[sighs]
[smacks lips] Well, all right.
You can't win every time, that's not realistic.
Here we go.
YOU DID NOT GET THE ROLE
[sighs]
[clicks tongue]
[sighs]
-[phone buzzes] -Oh, boy.
Geez.
It's me, Se-na. Are you feeling better?
[sighs]
IT'S ME, SE-NA. ARE YOU FEELING BETTER NOW?
[phone clatters]
[sighs]
[calm music playing]
[sighs]
[Jeong-sin] It's 2025, isn't it?
Voluntary single motherhood and same-sex marriage are supported now,
and people are more relaxed about it all.
Honestly, I think it's better to be up front with these kinds of things.
[sighs]
"RETIRED ACTRESS SEONG AE-SUK
BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT, THANKS TO HER SON"
[Jeong-sin] I don't think that's something to hide.
Do you wanna hide your mother that much?
[sighs]
[exhales deeply]
[keypad beeping]
-[door opens] -[lock beeps]
[door closes]
[Ae-suk] Hey, Jun!
Jun!
[grunts]
[chuckles]
-Jun, hi! -Oh, hi.
[sighs]
It's really early. What's going on?
I'm exhausted.
I feel like a criminal running from the law suddenly.
Uh, so what's all that, hmm?
I'll be in the US until everything's settled down.
Everyone's saying I'm a roadblock to your future, it's gotten outta control.
-What did I ever do? -[sighs]
Ugh, whatever. Don't go.
The whole planet knows now, you might as well stay in Korea.
Geez.
All right.
I'll listen to what you say. If you want me to stay, I will.
[clicks tongue, sighs]
By the way, that reporter who wrote about me,
what does she have against you?
Seon-u said she also did that thing
about your Liberation Day sushi and the romance thing as well…
Ugh, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut. Don't get carried away.
Reporters aren't obligated to only write nice things about me though.
When you were in the hospital she actually wrote a really nice article about you.
[exhales sharply] She should stay out of my way, I can tell you that.
Or she might regret it.
Listen, you can stop hiding now, thanks to that article.
If anything, shouldn't you be grateful for what she did?
Excuse me, are you siding with that nasty reporter now?
Why would I ever side with her?
Wait, isn't that your suitcase?
Oh, that?
-I came here to live with you. -Sorry, what?
-Mm-hmm. -Why?
You took too many of your sleeping pills and ended up in the hospital.
So we need someone to keep an eye on you.
Come on. I'm a grown up.
He's staying.
Just let him stay with you for 30 days or so.
If something like that ever happened again,
I'll be on my way to an early grave.
Hyeon-jun, chill out. I'll just stay outta your way.
Yeah, sure.
Thirty days, that's it.
You can have the room at the end. Now go unpack, okay?
-[Seon-u] Mm-hmm. -[Hyeon-jun grunts]
I have a question for you.
Who's my father?
-Your father's dead, you know that. -Come on.
I don't mean Seon-u's dad. Not my stepdad.
My real biological dad.
Ugh, your real dad died too. I already told you that.
Then what are the rumors of you having a child with some rich business guy
and then retiring, hmm?
[grunts] If you were a rich man's kid,
you think I would've just let him go like that?
You don't think I did everything I could so you boys didn't have to struggle?
[chuckling softly]
[phone buzzing]
[Hyeon-jun] Fine. Whatever.
If you had any conscience whatsoever,
then shouldn't you be apologizing at the very least?
-Ugh. -[buzzing continues]
Wi Jeong-sin speaking.
Yes.
Sorry, who's this?
[Hyeon-jun sighs]
[air blasting]
When are you gonna be done with this?
I've only just started.
-Hey, you're in the way, kid. -Okay.
[sighs]
I won't tell Mom about the whole acting thing.
But you better go back to school.
Let me try it for one year before I go back.
I'm telling you, it's not worth it.
I know better than anyone how hard you've been studying, every day and night.
To give all that up for something that likely has no future?
I really don't like it. [sighs]
Ugh, just go back after the break.
[clicks tongue]
Okay, I'll give it some thought. Gimme a couple of days.
[sighs]
Okay.
Oh hey, by the way.
Do you wanna go out again with that reporter?
She's totally your type.
Smart, intelligent, resourceful.
-[scoffs] -Looks-wise, too.
She's your type, right?
You know my type? What are you talking about?
Yeah, right. You think you know my type?
[exclaims]
Are you okay?
MESSAGES
[inhales deeply]
[typing]
[Seon-u] You need to be more careful, Hyeon-jun.
-Get some rest, okay? -[groans]
[Hyeon-jun] All right.
[groaning]
-Why is nothing going my way? -[door closes]
Should I go see a fortune teller?
THE CARD OF DESTINY
"Online tarot card reading"? Hmm.
So it's possible to do that online?
[chuckles]
OK-JI
Hello, I'm Ok-ji, your personal tarot counselor.
Oh, yeah, uh… [stammers] Hi there. Hello.
Okay, so what do you want to know?
Things have been a little rough recently.
So, um, tell me, when will things get better?
I think you mean in relationships, as well as your work, right?
Uh, yeah.
[Ok-ji] Do you see the tarot cards appearing on the screen?
-Yes. -Good. Pick nine cards.
[Ok-ji] Hmm.
Do you see that one card?
These men are holding clubs and they're fighting each other.
This represents what you're currently going through.
It means war is on.
It's a dog fight, and there's no end in sight,
whether it's external or internal, correct?
Yeah, absolutely spot on.
-That's it. -The second one tells us your future
three months from now.
It tells us you'll experience heartache. As if swords were piercing your heart,
or you were struck by bullets. Bang, bang, bang.
Oh, all right.
So what do you think I need to do?
Well, this one, the third one, is also very important,
and what I see is that you should actually be more selfish
-than considerate right now. -[sighs]
Oh, also, do you have a bad back by any chance?
Oh, yeah. How'd you know that, though?
People who have back problems, um, they tend to pick the Ten of Swords.
[chuckling] Good Lord! You're so good, I'm starting to get a little scared.
Don't be scared.
Anyway, so the cards are telling me that your complicated situation
is unfortunately not quite over yet.
[sighs]
Um, there's just one more question.
The work I'm doing is going really well,
but I really wanna try something else.
I don't think there's room for growth.
Not with what I'm doing now. I just feel like I'm stuck somewhat.
Stuck and unable to lean in and move forward.
Should I…
go for it and start something new?
[Ok-ji] Right now, it would be better to just keep doing what you're doing,
instead of venturing out too far professionally.
-[scoffs] -Don't let greed get the better of you.
The cards tell me that if you succeed in what you're currently doing,
it will lead to better opportunities down the road.
[sobbing] What do you know? You don't know anything.
[phone buzzes]
[Soo-jung] Meet me at Rozan Cafe at 8 p.m.
[whispers] 8 p.m., Rozan.
[sighs]
So, you're really not gonna do that movie?
No, I'm not gonna do it!
-Just because Se-na's in it? -Cut it out!
You gotta do Kang Pil-gu, then.
Do what? First they've gotta get a director.
Glad you brought it up,
'cause I think we should have a meeting with the director first.
And which director?
Can't we just meet them?
I know you'll wanna pull out of it if I tell you who it is.
Let's just have the meeting and we'll talk after, okay?
God, I'm so stressed out being caught in the cross fire.
You do this every time.
You always call me here when you have something to whine about.
[Ji-sun sighs]
Don't let greed get the better of you.
The cards tell me that if you succeed in what you're currently doing,
it will lead to better opportunities down the road.
I really wanted to quit this time, no matter what.
But for your sake I'll do it.
All right, I get it, it's your choice.
Wait, what?
[stammers] You said you're gonna do it?
Yes, I will.
Huh? You're sure, yeah?
I've gotta make a recording of this. Hang on a second.
I'm recording, yeah?
-Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah! -Yeah? Yeah? Yeah? You said so.
I'll hit the record button, now say it.
You will agree to season five?
I, Lim Hyeon-jun, will agree to do Kang Pil-gu season five.
No matter what.
Nice! Okay. [laughing]
You're way too excited.
[sighs]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Jeong-sin] Hey.
[sighs]
[Jeong-sin] Are you Bahn Soo-jung?
How do you know who I am?
Thank you for doing this.
But why did you decide to get in touch with me?
You seemed like the kind of person I could trust.
[Jeong-sin] I know about your 12-year-old sibling,
who's been bedridden due to a rare illness.
You should contact this place.
There's gotta be a way to take care of them without working here.
Thanks to you, my sibling is receiving treatment now.
-So you've left that job, yeah? -Yeah.
Anyway,
why am I here?
Uh…
I know something, which I'm…
I'm too afraid to keep to myself.
Remember that video I sent you?
[manager] Seriously, the script for the new season is just incredible!
Mister Bak is such an amazing writer, isn't he?
-[chuckles] -I know. What a twist.
That the good detective Kang Pil-gu falls from grace
and turns into a corrupt cop.
-So creative, so compelling. -It truly is.
Hyeon-jun, I want you to know
how deeply grateful all of us are for you making this decisive call.
Seriously, Hyeon-jun, you did, you saved us all!
At his age, who's casting him in a rom-com or a drama?
Kang Pil-gu's all he's got. What else can he do?
[chuckling]
[sighs] That's very sweet of you.
[chuckles]
But I'm more grateful.
Oh, no. No! [chuckles]
So, um, where's the director?
And also where's Mr. Bak?
Oh, um… [clears throat] They're arriving together.
-Yeah. -[Ji-sun] Aren't they?
-Together? -Mm-hmm.
Stop! I'm so curious now. Guys, come on.
Just say it. Tell me who it is already.
-Mr. Hwang? -[Byeong-gi] Hello, hello.
Uh, oh… [chuckles]
-Come in. Have a seat. -Evening.
What about the director?
Weren't you coming together?
So I guess you haven't told him?
Tell me what exactly?
-[sighs] -[chuckles]
What is happening? Why are you all acting weird suddenly?
Hmm…
No, you didn't…
I don't believe it, hmm?
This isn't what I think is it?
Mr. Bak is gonna do it, yes.
He's doing it? [chuckles]
Doing what?
Direct the show.
[manager] He'll be writing and directing the new season of Kang Pil-gu.
It's already decided. It's done.
[groans]
You've…
[wheezes]
You're directing it?
[Hyeon-jun groans]
I will do my best, Hyeon-Jun!
Yeah, take it. Take your pill now.
[Byeong-gi, echoing] Cut. Cut. Let's try that again.
Cut!
Ready. Action!
Cut. Ready. Action!
[thuds]
Cut! Don't stop. If I don't call cut, just let it keep going.
Just let it play out.
It seems like you haven't had enough time to fully analyze your character.
Let's reshoot the scenes another time. Don't flatter yourself.
You've never worked with Bong Joon-ho or Park Chan-wook.
Action!
Honestly, sir, I wouldn't have begged if I had known you were such a terrible actor.
One more thing…
You little bastard! I never wanna see your freaking face again!
[Soo-jung] Remember that video I sent you?
There is somebody who doesn't appear in the video.
[tense music playing]
It's someone very famous.
Gwon Se-na.
[no audible dialogue]
[music continues]
[theme music playing]
SPECIAL THANKS TO OH YEON-SEO FOR HER APPEARANCE
It's your first time at a stadium, right?
Let's watch the game together after the interview.
Sure.
How am I supposed to write a proper article
if you're only giving me one word answers?
I'm meeting Ms. Wi. Are you coming?
The shoot's gonna finish before six, right?
-[Gil-su] It's 6 o'clock. -It's 6 o'clock?
-[shouts] -How much further is it?
When are we gonna be there?
Can you hurry up a little?
It's been a while.
I know another place. It's good.
It's dark and secluded.
[Hyeon-jun, echoing] Where, where…