Original subtitles

(All names, places, and organizations are imaginary.)

(Filmed under youth protection guidelines)

(Twenty-eight years ago)

(Episode 1)

Can we slow down a bit?

Si Ra!

Are you getting married,

or are you trying to win a race?

Don't talk, Eon Kyung.

It'll make it worse.

Stop.

This is not how I pictured my graduation!

You call that a friend?

You've been nothing but trouble my whole life!

Come on, Eon Kyung, Sook Hee!

We're late!

We're coming!

Let's move!

You're the one getting married, not me!

Come on! We have to go!

Wait for me!

Hey, my shoe! Get it!

What is she, Cinderella?

Eon Kyung, grab the shoe.

Why do I have to pick it up?

Why me?

That's Si Ra's shoe.

You pick it up!

Mr. Kang Min Bo...

and Ms. Joo Si Ra...

have joined in holy matrimony under God's love.

They were once teacher and student in the same classroom...

Of all the days,

why today?

Apparently, today is a once-in-a-century lucky day.

Even so, she's your only daughter,

and you're letting her have a wedding with no in-laws?

I do.

She's going to have a proper wedding with the in-laws next month.

In New York...

or somewhere in the States.

Still, though.

Who gets married on their graduation day?

Ki Bun.

Zip it, okay?

Congratulations!

All right, everyone. Group photo time!

You all look great.

Perfect. Eyes on the camera, please.

Say cheese! In 1, 2, 3.

- Don't drop it. - Okay.

Let's give them a big hand!

(Semen Collection Room)

Good luck.

Okay.

Here she comes!

(Kang Min Bo)

This is the Semen Collection Room,

and you can hand it in next door.

- Okay. Thank you. - Thank you.

(Korean University Hospital)

(Semen Collection Room)

Thank you.

Lee Poong Ju.

Lee Poong Ju.

Mr. Lee Poong Ju.

(Lee Poong Ju)

Hello. I'm Jin Ki Sik.

(Jin)

Ki Sik, not Ka Sik.

Yes, Mr. Jin Ki Sik.

What are you even going to do with these?

(Jin Ki Sik)

The professor will explain...

Oh, we're running late. You should go now.

Let's go. The professor is waiting.

- Wait, what? - Come on, people.

Come on. She says we have to go!

(Lee Poong Ju, Jin Ki Sik)

It's to check sperm motility and sperm count.

In short, it's for research purposes.

If it's for research,

shouldn't we officially recruit participants?

We did put out a call last month.

But a couple of the samples got contaminated.

You get that, right?

Of course.

I have a question, though.

I heard they sometimes give...

medical students' sperm to infertile couples.

Right.

What's your take on that?

I'm against it if it's illegal.

You are?

What about you, Ki Sik?

Well, if it can give some people hope,

I'm not sure I can say what's right or wrong.

Can hope that's born out of something illegal...

ever be real hope?

For some, it's hope. For others, it's tuition money.

It could be a win-win for everyone.

Here's your scholarship.

Yes, thank you.

(Lee Poong Ju, Jin Ki Sik)

(Jin Ki Sik)

(Lee Poong Ju)

(Jin Ki Sik, Lee Poong Ju)

(Jin Ki Sik, Lee Poong Ju, Kang Min Bo)

Marie!

Come on, honey.

All right. Look, Marie.

Do you like it?

If you like it, give Daddy a kiss.

My sweet little girl.

Let's have a look.

You look so pretty!

- I love you, Daddy. - I love you too, Marie.

He's out with Marie again?

I feel totally invisible these days.

He's smothering her way too much.

He's going to drown her in all that love.

He's so obsessed with her.

He's supposed to be getting ready for the exhibition,

but he just follows her around all day.

Look at that.

Min Bo should really spoil you for life.

You gave him the most perfect little girl.

- Isn't that right? - Of course.

Daddy!

Ready to go?

Daddy, I want to come too.

Daddy.

Daddy.

Let's go.

Daddy!

Daddy!

Listen up, Kang Marie.

From today on, you don't have a father.

(2025)

Yes, delivery here.

Okay.

Marie.

(Safe delivery)

We meet again. We sure run into each other a lot.

What's that?

A side delivery gig.

Extra cash before my part-time job.

But aren't you busy working in the ER?

I saw you here yesterday too, Senior.

I came to return a book.

When are you going to stop saying that?

Just talk to me casually.

I understand.

See? You're doing it again.

Got it.

Satisfied?

"Satisfied" sounds...

Are you leaving?

I'm leaving.

Aren't you going to the ER?

The weather is so nice.

I'll go with you to Eom Hospital.

(Eom Hospital)

What do you expect me to do when you suddenly demand a job?

You run this huge hospital, and you can't handle that?

The bigger the organization...

I'll call the postpartum care center,

so go see Manager Park.

If cleaning work is fine with you.

It's not like I can be picky right now.

And what is it this time?

You think I'm always causing trouble?

I just need some money right now.

Don't tell Marie. I'll avoid her.

Why Marie?

She's working at the postpartum care center right now.

Manager Park, right?

That's impossible.

It doesn't make sense.

You could just do artificial insemination.

Mr. Kang has...

nonobstructive azoospermia, so in vitro fertilization is not...

I don't get all those terms.

But you can do it, right?

I'm a doctor, not a magician.

Whatever.

If you don't listen to me, don't expect me to be quiet.

You know what I mean?

You should've lived better.

Who can stop someone from messing up their own life?

Yes, Director.

Find out what Marie does at the postpartum care center...

and how long she's been there.

There you go.

Is it good?

You're eating well.

Hush.

Are you feeling refreshed?

Refreshed?

Well done.

How cute.

You really love kids.

I hear that a lot.

Once you get married and have a baby, you'll be amazing.

Get married. No, make a baby first.

- That's a bit... - Take care.

Relax your right shoulder.

Open your chest toward the sky to stretch properly.

- Doctor, so no wonder you're different. - Not yet.

But your license comes out in a few days.

Marie, you'd be perfect as an ob-gyn.

You're practicing ahead, right?

Now, we'll do the gym ball exercise in pairs.

Sit on the ball properly.

Arms straight forward.

Then, lean back.

- Oh, no. Are you okay? - Oh, my goodness.

- Are you okay? - Goodness.

- Stop laughing. - Work or study.

The only weakness of the seemingly perfect Kang Marie is...

a clumsy body.

Stop filming.

I'm Silver, a 100,000 YouTuber.

That fall you took earlier...

No, that's a kick.

Your clip got the most views.

- Faceless MZ teacher's social life. - That's enough.

But why are you working here?

You said there was no future in ob-gyn,

and you don't like kids.

Do you have multiple personalities?

How can someone be this kind?

The pay is double. You work for what you get.

Thorough capitalism.

Marie, someone is looking for you in the VIP room.

What now? I'll go.

They specifically said Kang Marie. Go check.

Welcome, Marie.

- Were you looking for me? - I need a favor.

A favor?

Pick up a child from the daycare,

and take them to the address I give you.

My shift is over today.

I'd like to help, but...

Please.

I can read people,

and you're perfect for this.

Where should I go?

My gosh! Mom.

- What are you doing here? - What about you?

You said you were going to the sauna to play Go-Stop.

Did you lose money again?

I'm asking what you're doing here.

Did you mess up again?

Why does everyone act like I'm a menace?

Because you are.

I haven't paid the phone bill for three months.

You've grown up.

Just managing not to ask Marie for money is amazing, my daughter.

Stop twisting things. What about you, Mom?

I need some pocket money too.

Marie is about to become a doctor,

so I will be a dignified grandmother.

My mom is amazing too.

That's Marie.

Why are you hiding?

I don't want her to see me like this.

You know, the older Marie gets, the more I fear her.

Did you realize it now?

Nothing scares a parent more than their child.

Well, it depends on the child.

- What's wrong with me? - I mean, you're good.

Of course. I'm pretty gorgeous.

Is that why you got divorced?

Mom!

You're so embarrassing.

Why would you say that?

- You did get divorced. - No, I didn't.

It's a fact, though.

(Eom Hospital Sperm Bank Research Institute)

Did you know that 20 sperm samples were destroyed?

Yes.

- I received the report. - Then, why are the donors complaining?

Did you not notify them?

- Well. - Is this how you handle your work?

You insisted on managing the sperm bank, so I let you.

What will the others say?

I've been busy with the resident selection this week.

I'll correct it immediately.

You should have been more careful. You're my son-in-law.

You know I hate gossip.

- Right? - Of course.

I'll be more careful.

I heard there are many applicants for the new hematology department.

Yes. There is a lot of attention, what with the government's new policy.

The person in charge will be crucial.

You need both skill and reputation.

Don't worry. The position has already been decided.

Already?

You know Poong Ju, right?

Oh, Lee Poong Ju?

Wouldn't people start talking if it were decided in advance?

If you look at it that way, Poong Ju came first.

We created the department because of Poong Ju.

The board has approved it.

You two are classmates, so work with him.

Director, Mother,

I'm sorry for causing trouble with the sample issue.

It's good that sperm donation is legal these days.

It used to be illegal, right?

How dare he mention it's illegal in front of me?

Kang Marie started working for Professor Kim...

the day after she finished her medical licensing exam.

The duration has not been decided yet, but...

- But? - There was no real reason to hire her,

and her pay was unusually high.

Still, since she's competent, there has been no particular complaint.

Professor Kim? Why?

It was at Ki Sik's request.

Come anytime, Poong Ju, you arrogant thing.

Hey, Marie!

Right.

- Hello. - How is it at the postpartum care center?

- I heard it has gotten tougher lately. - I'm good.

You deserve some rest after the licensing exam.

You will, of course, do your internship here, right?

- Of course? - Naturally.

After all, this hospital belongs to your mother's side of the family.

I am your aunt's husband too.

You might not realize yet how fortunate you are...

to have people you can rely on.

Internship, residency. Believe me,

I had to start from nothing, and it was excruciating.

Thank you for your advice.

I'll think about it seriously.

What's there to think about?

Both internship and residency training are demanding.

Since you're family, I only wish to help you if I can.

Thank you for your concern, Doctor.

It's Uncle.

- Uncle. - Good.

Tell me if you need anything.

Take care, then.

Lee Poong Ju.

And this year's winner is...

Lee Poong Ju.

I'm Lee Poong Ju,

head of the Hematologic Cancer Research Team at New York Hospital.

This study is not merely an achievement in data.

It has turned the last remaining hope of terminal lymphoma patients...

into reality.

This project was a race against time.

"A race against time."

Years of relentless effort...

Poong Ju is pretty cool.

I dedicate this honor to all of you.

Coming home soon! See you at home.

Soon?

Wait. When does he mean by soon?

Dad is going to say something.

(Duty Room)

You went out earlier. Why are you still here?

I came back because I had something to do.

What is it? A secret date?

- Something like that. - What?

Who is it? Someone from our hospital?

No, it's my dad.

Oh, the video call was today?

It's your first video call, right?

You must be nervous.

I'll leave you to it. Talk well.

Relax.

Should I bring you some anxiety pills?

You're making me even more nervous.

All right. Good luck.

The court that granted custody to Mr. Jung based its decision...

on the remaining legal ties in the family registry.

What's for dinner?

Let's go to the market tomorrow. The fridge is empty.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances...

- What are you watching? - Goodness.

The world has really gone mad.

They took the child away because the name is not on the registry?

What about all those years of raising?

- What is it? - It's over now.

We should have cleaned up the family record back then.

That's so random. What's for dinner?

Our carefree daughter. Always so relaxed.

Why are you acting like this?

Is this about Marie?

I heard he has become quite famous in America.

What if he uses the family registry as an excuse and claims to be her father?

Who? That man? Unbelievable.

That is what the law says.

What if he...

decides to take Marie away?

Through a lawsuit or something? Let him!

Because before that happens, I'll be dead and gone.

Gosh.

- That hurts! - You say anything in front of your mom.

Who is he to say he wants Marie back?

Do you think I'd watch that happen?

After everything I've been through?

Marie? Over my dead body.

If it comes to that, we both die that day.

You're coming here?

Yes.

So suddenly?

It's not exactly sudden, just a bit earlier than planned.

Still.

I'll arrive at two o'clock next Wednesday.

Once I return, we will discuss your situation properly.

If necessary, I'll meet your mother as well.

Mom too?

(Marie and Her Three Daddies)

This is not your work, Marie.

There are bars everywhere.

Do you want to own a building by 40?

I should escape being the breadwinner.

How am I supposed to start talking about Dad?

Marie is graduating.

I told her to intern at our hospital.

I did well, right?

It's me. Mr. Hong.

Should I just meet him?

(Subtitles are provided by KOCOWA.)