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Love.

It is a mysterious thing that has existed since the beginning of time.

It is the most common feeling, but still the greatest.

Let's talk about this thing called love.

In the beginning, the world was divided into the sky and the sea.

The children who were born by the sea all grew up there happily together.

And when the time came, they were shot by Cupid's arrow and fell in love.

Cupid's arrows never failed to bring together two lovers bound by destiny.

But as the world changed, love also changed.

Now, people don't recognize their destiny

even after they've been struck by Cupid's arrow.

Chul Soo!

These children are still here.

But they will also end up being separated.

Now, shall we take a look at this boy's unfortunate life first?

Get out! Just get out!

I can't take this! I can't live like this!

You have such a mean temper.

Since you're like me, you'll probably be good at this.

Dad.

Dad! Dad!

Dad!

I don't know why he makes my life so miserable!

- I can't take it! - You can't?

You had a child with him, so what are you going to do?

Hey, Chul Soo.

What's wrong?

He always feared that his mother would leave him.

He thought that if he behaved well, she would not leave him.

But the fateful day arrived at last.

Mom!

Mom!

Mom.

Don't cross this line.

Chul Soo.

When you grow up, you'll understand why I'm doing this.

So...

Mommy can't live without love.

I love you, my child.

Buy yourself some books with this.

M-Mom. Mom! Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom, don't go!

And that is how his mother left him.

Mom!

The boy realized he could never cross that line.

The boy continued to read while he waited for his mother.

Mom!

But even after he finished reading the book, his mother did not return.

- How was school? - Good.

But the boy continued to read and read

in hopes of finding out a way to reunite with his mother.

Then the boy started to take root in the ground and turned into grass.

Now then, let's see what happened to the happy little girl by the sea.

Dad!

Hey, my little girl is here.

Mom!

She was very loved.

But she too encountered misfortune in her life.

Mom!

Dad!

Dad!

Mom!

Mom!

Dad!

Mom!

Mom! Dad!

Are you Maria?

I am your mother's mother.

You'll be living here with me from now on.

You must be a good girl, okay?

From that moment on, no one gave love to that child.

At that moment, the girl realized that life became easier

when she earned people's love.

The girl learned how to be loved once again.

And she began to yearn for love more and more.

Easy now, easy.

And finally opportunity came knocking on her door.

I'll allow you to love me.

Promise me one thing though.

Promise me that you'll never leave me.

That you'll always stay by my side.

Cut!

Okay! Very good!

And soon, she became a star in the sky.

The boy who became grass and the girl who became a star

are now living on opposite ends of the world.

Will they be able to recognize each other?

[Kim Chul Soo]

Kim Chul Soo.

That's my name.

As you can see, the name 'Kim Chul Soo' has substance to it.

And that's me.

Who gave you that name?

But in this novel, this woman who asks the main character

to be her ghostwriter has no substance.

This is an example of words losing meaning, as discussed by Derrida.

You're cute.

Your name suits you.

Is your girlfriend's name Young Hee?

Now then, let's talk about ghostwriting.

Ghostwriting is often discussed in the study of literature.

Why did your parents name you Chul Soo?

In 'Cyrano de Bergerac' by Rostand

Cyrano ghostwrites a letter to Roxane.

This is quite romantic, but...

Professor...

- Do you really want to know? - Yes!

The reason I was given such a boring name as Chul Soo...

After having me by accident out of wedlock, my parents

were too busy fighting over whether they should live together just because of a baby

to think of a proper name for me.

So they simply started calling me 'Chul Soo,' the dog that appears in elementary textbooks.

They kept calling me that, and eventually that just became my name.

Let's say that was the case.

Then the name 'Chul Soo' loses its meaningfulness for me.

This is another case of...

words losing meaning, according to Derrida.

Going back to the much-discussed topic of ghostwriting...

Ghostwriter. A ghost.

I believe that all writers should avoid becoming one.

Professor! Professor Kim Chul Soo!

Here.

I'm in your 'Understanding Modern Literature' class.

I thought you looked a little tired, so...

Oh, you should open that later...

It's not good to use contractions too often.

And it's very bad practice to use internet slang.

And...

I like your subject-verb agreement overall.

But this sentence...

The subject is 'I,' but the predicate doesn't go with it.

And if you think you like me, you might be mistaken.

It may be a type of dependence on authority.

Finals are coming up.

If you have time to make something like this...

how about working on your report instead?

Oh, also...

Since you're a freshman, do you know of anyone

looking for a college prep tutor?

Pardon?

[Balance: 153,270 won]

Can you check one more time?

I'm in the PhD program for Korean Literature. Kim Chul Soo.

Yes. It's been paid.

Do you mean that someone paid my tuition?

- Dr. Kim! - You're late!

I'm home.

What's wrong with him?

He's still handsome.

Why are you quitting?

I ran out of fuel.

You always do this when you're losing!

The customers will come soon.

- Get ready. - No! I was on a roll!

There's no place to hang this because of all these books.

Lee Ma Ri.

I know you can't resist me.

You scared me.

What?

Oh, this?

Since I spend a lot of time in your room...

I thought I should have at least one item of my own.

Choi Eun Young.

Eun Young?

You said she left last month to study in Japan.

It was you, right?

Well, you were worried about paying your tuition, so...

Phone number.

Phone number?

Hey, Chul Soo. I can explain!

Chul Soo, the truth is-- Damn it.

Hey, Chul Soo!

Chul Soo--ow!

- Go ahead first. - Okay.

Hello?

It's me.

Did you pay my tuition?

How have you been?

The money that Byung Joon brought before...

and the other times before that...

All those other times... was that all you?

Byung Joon refused, but I forced him to take it.

So don't get mad at him.

Why did you?

Why would you do such a thing?

It's nice to hear you get mad.

Fine.

I'll pay you back soon.

You don't have to--

So just give me some time.

Ow, my foot...

Chul Soo...

It's nothing.

Hey.

Did you borrow money?

Remember that girl who used to come over often?

- That's Eun Young, right? - Yes.

She forced him to take it.

Good going.

Robbing a girl who had a crush on you.

Auntie...

That's why I told you to go to law school or business school!

But you chose literature instead! Are you oblivious to your situation?

You can't afford to just be sitting and writing books.

I'm going inside.

How frustrating!

Why are you aggravating him?

He said he'll become a professor instead of writing books.

- And becoming a professor is easy? - You don't have to yell!

He's already lecturing, so why are you being so harsh?

How much could he make being a part-time instructor?

He's not going to be a part-time instructor anymore.

He fought with one of the professors.

He'll probably be fired next semester.

That bastard...

I'll be going inside too.

He talks too much.

Hey!

Don't think so much!

People meet people based on advantages.

Studying hard and making a lot of money are all about gaining more advantages.

Eun Young, a well-educated, beautiful girl from a well-to-do family

discovered an advantage in a lowly guy like you

and is willing to give you money.

Someone like you should be thankful!

If Eun Young ever did that for me, well, I'd say, 'Thank you!' and just...

Yeah, well, you should do things your own way.

Right?

Should I take it down?

I'll take it down.

I'll take it down.

Since you're like me, you'll probably be good at this.

This is my favorite song.

When I was young, I heard this song in a cartoon

in the scene where the main character dies in the end.

She was a princess.

The last episode was so sad.

So even though I like this song, it makes me sad when I play it.

So I wanted someone I love to play this song for me.

That way, I would no longer remember this as a sad song.

[Novelist Choi Moo Soo and Pianist Jang Shin Mi's Family]

Hello, how may I help you?

Don't cross this line.

You and I...

aren't right for each other.

Take care.

Be well.

That's the real you.

Aren't you going to sleep?

Byung Joon.

Yes?

That part-time job you mentioned last time...

What? What part-time job?

Ghostwriting.

Oh, ghostwriting?

Is that position still available?

Probably. Someone specifically asked for you

after reading your article on our news website.

Do you think I could do it?

If you want.

You mean ghostwriting?

Hey, you said that's defrauding people through writing.

You said that ghostwriting is one thing you'd never do.

Find out for me.

We wanted a ghostwriter for a travel book about

the Asuka region of Japan.

It's a meaningful place that was influenced

by our culture during the Baekje Period.

Can you stay at the client's house in Japan

for one month and write the book?

What do you think?

I love your writing.

I read a travel journal you wrote and was moved.

I think this will be a great book.

Everyone knows her.

The whole country knows her.

How could anyone not know Lee Ma Ri?

She's Asia's top actress!

Queen of the box office.

Queen of romantic comedies and melodramas.

Lee Ma Ri is the most popular actress in Korea and all of Asia.

She achieved stardom as a cross-dressing delivery woman

in her debut film 'Magic Hour.'

She surprised the audience with her beauty and

martial arts skills in 'Gangster Lady.'

She stirred up controversy as a nun in 'Forbidden Love'

and captivated the audience as a beautiful vampire in 'Blood.'

Lee Ma Ri has taken on roles that actresses

typically avoid and has been able to cause a sensation

with every movie or drama she's starred in.

She's known as the 'Meg Ryan of Korea'

and the 'Angelina Jolie of Asia.'

But Lee Ma Ri doesn't stop there.

She works hard to return all the love she receives.

You're here to see President Seo Tae Suk, right?

Isn't she pretty?

Huh?

Lee Ma Ri.

You don't like her?

Well...

I don't know her enough to like her.

Follow me.

Is it a sin to love you?

Hey, you're supposed to cry!

Goodness gracious...

I'm trying, but I just can't cry.

- Should we use artificial tears? - No.

Her image is all about tears. Try it again.

How could our love be a sin?

Is it a sin to...

Mr. Seo!

There.

Don't forget that feeling.

President Seo.

The writer is here.

Mr. Kim Chul Soo?

You look young.

Have a seat.

I liked what you wrote.

I especially liked the feminine sensibility.

Especially that part where you quoted Oscar Wilde

in discussing sorrow.

You probably like melodramas, right?

Did you bring your seal?

Well...

I want to know something before we sign the contract.

What is it?

Who am I ghostwriting for?

So what I mean is...

I want to know before I start writing.

Can I meet the person?

If you need to meet the client before writing...

perhaps you're not cut out to be a good ghostwriter.

If you were looking for just anyone to do the job...

you really didn't have to read my writing samples.

You're funny.

There's plenty of information about the person in question.

But I guess meeting her in person would be good, too.

How about tonight?

There happens to be a party tonight.

A party?

But this is the last time you get to see her in person.

Who is this person?

Your size seems to be...

You have to meet certain standards in order to meet her.

Certain standards?

- Eun Shil. - Huh? Yes?

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you all for joining us tonight.

What a great party!

It feels like a college reunion!

- Go ahead and start. - Okay.

Here's tonight's guest of honor.

Please give a warm round of applause!

The greatest actress of our time, Lee Ma Ri!

That's your client.

Try to blend in.

That suit looks pretty good on you.

It's my gift to you.

I'm writing a book on behalf of Lee Ma Ri?

Celebrities are mystical beings, aren't they?

Reporter Choi Seung Wook from Shinhwa Entertainment.

Oh, okay.

Do you have any information on Lee Ma Ri?

I don't work at her agency.

But you and Seo Tae Suk looked pretty close.

He didn't tell you anything? Like about her scandal with Son Ha Young?

You know, the Olympic gold medalist in shooting?

I don't know. Excuse me.

I heard she might adopt a kid like Angelina Jolie did.

Or maybe the rumors about her plastic surgery are true?

Or maybe the rumor about a sex change operation?

I really don't know. Excuse me.

Your business card. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I can't accept this offer.

I'm sorry. I can't be a ghostwriter.

Oh.

I don't drink from something that someone else drank out of.

Ma Ri!

Ma Ri, are you there?

I'm here.

Don't come up. I'll come down.

You want a drink?

Who's your client?

Tell me. Who is it?

You don't trust me?

I don't. How can I trust you?

Hey, just forget it.

I was just trying to find out so that I could give you

some ideas if I know that person.

Excuse me, can we get two more beers?

You're supposed to eat chicken at a chicken joint!

- You'd better pay for your beer! - Oh, come on...

Beer should be free...

Free? When you're eating a hamburger?

What's the relationship between Lee Ma Ri and Son Ha Young?

Lee Ma Ri and Son Ha Young--

- Lee Ma Ri and Son Ha Young? - Yeah.

You're actually talking about celebrities?

Kim Chul Soo is really curious about celebrities?

Nevermind. I should never have asked.

I knew this day would come.

You're a guy, after all. I knew you'd be curious about Lee Ma Ri someday.

Listen up, everyone!

Don't worry.

Chul Soo is a man for sure.

He's gone nuts.

No, he's the one who's nuts.

Fine. I get it, Chul Soo.

So you want to hear the expert opinion of

the veteran internet news reporter Jeon Byung Joon, eh?

Do you know some interesting stories?

Son Ha Young is a gold medalist that every Korean knows about.

He was incredibly popular during the Olympics.

Of course, he's also the youngest son of the chairman of M Group.

He's good-looking, comes from an influential family...

Many actresses had their sights set on him, but in the end...

he was snatched up by Lee Ma Ri.

I like Son Ha Young.

Yoo Ri.

On exactly the 63rd day of their dating, Son Ha Young

became one of the top five guys that Lee Ma Ri dated. But...

- The end of the road is near. - Why?

Lee Ma Ri has never dated a guy for more than 100 days!

For example, that top Korean actor...

That guy Yoon Ji Hoon.

- Yoon Ji Hoon? - Really?

You mean my Ji Hoon?

- She loves Ji Hoon. - Scoot over!

Yoon Ji Hoon has never been involved in a scandal

in the 20 years since he debuted.

There were even rumors that he was gay.

No way!

No, really!

But as soon as they finished filming the movie...

Lee Ma Ri dumped him!

Although he did move up her list of men

because the filming was extended. But it lasted only 80 days.

What do you mean 80 days?

80 days since the day they first met.

Kim Joo Shik, the son of a wealthy department store owner.

This is quite a story too.

The day after he met Lee Ma Ri, he took her to his department store and said...

If there's anything you want, you can have it all.

She's so lucky!

- But they lasted only 2 days. - 2 days?

And you know Zhang Lieu, the top movie director in Hong Kong?

He proposed to her with a huge diamond ring, but...

I knew you'd do that.

She didn't like the design of the ring.

Ma Ri! Ma Ri!

55 days. He was dumped after exactly 55 days.

Now...

Do you know what happened to those men after they got dumped by her?

The final judgment!

What? The final judgment?

Is this some kind of celebrity gossip?

Hey now...

Yoon Ji Hoon.

He goes from alcoholism to driving under the influence...

and then he's ostracized.

Kim Joo Shik.

He gets beaten up by his father and flees the country.

I love you, Ma Ri!

Zhang Lieu. He attempts suicide and...

Stop.

Let's stop. I'm sorry.

I should never have asked.

You're so impatient!

Let me just say one more thing.

This is top secret. No one is supposed to know this...

The top-ranking man among Lee Ma Ri's ex-boyfriends...

Hey, Chul Soo, come here for a second.

Why is he going to him instead?

What?

What?

What? Who?

- Who? - Osama bin Laden!

Baloney!

I'm serious!

So the real reason our country was able to avoid

terrorism three years ago was...

Hey, Chul Soo!

- I'm going upstairs. - Yeah, good idea.

Good for you!

Let's go.

Oh, whatever.

Reporter Kim...

must've been mistaken.

You're sulking again?

I'm not sulking.

I mean it.

Bye.

Hey, Kim Chul Soo!

Have a good time in Japan.

Would you like a drink?

She's the first actress in movie history to pull in

an audience of 10 million with a romantic comedy. It's Lee Ma Ri!

Please have a seat.

She's on TV all day.

First question for you is...

I heard there's something you ask every man you're interested in.

Oh, that.

It's a sort of psychological test.

If you had to go into a jungle, what animal would you take?

A monkey, horse, lion, or sheep? Which would you choose?

- Are you asking me? - Yes.

That means you're interested in me.

I'd take a monkey.

A monkey represents money, a horse represents looks...

a lion represents fame, and a sheep represents love.

It shows what you value the most in life.

And of course I prefer a man who chooses love. That is, a sheep.

How childish.

A man who chooses all of them would be good.

What else?

If you were to pick 100 roses...

what would be the ratio of red ones to white ones?

Red roses represent how much I want to be loved.

And white ones represent how much love I want to give.

I'd choose 99 white roses and 1 red one.

That means I want to love him 99% and I want his one whole heart.

Wow...

So has any man given you those answers yet?

Sadly, not yet.

You've all heard.

Then are there certain criteria a man must meet for you to love him?

- Criteria a man must meet... - Yes.

Well... in the movie I'm currently acting in...

there's a scene where I watch an elderly couple.

The couple is sitting on a park bench during sunset

and fixes each other's clothes.

It seems like an ordinary scene, but it made me cry a lot.

I just want a man who will stay by my side.

A man who won't just disappear one day.

Then was there a man in your life who disappeared one day?

That's impossible. I was always the one to disappear.

Mr. Seo Tae Suk's guest? Welcome!

Right this way, sir.

This building was built in the 1850s.

It went through two renovations in 1920 and 1990.

I heard that you've come to write a book for a month.

One month... yes, yes.

That's right. I came here to write a book...

Is that... what you're saying?

This is the dining room.

Master Dererak, who is a big fan of Ms. Lee Ma Ri

leased this building to Ms. Lee two years ago.

So the current owner is Ms. Lee Ma Ri.

This is the guest room.

Now, this is Master Dererak, the owner of this house.

And this is Lee Ma Ri.

Marie Antoinette?

I knew you'd say that.

The theme for this dress is 'princess.'

This is the dress I'll be wearing to the Korea International Film Awards tonight.

Ah, princess style!

Shall we analyze Ms. Lee Ma Ri's style now?

First, we have Ms. Lee Ma Ri's trademark flowing, wavy hair.

And this sleeveless dress accentuates her sexy shoulders.

Look at these ballerina-like arm accessories with these dreamy lace trimmings.

Most of all, this pale pink color screams innocence

and wraps around her entire body.

And this train is like a cascade.

You truly are a trendsetter!

You'll certainly be chosen as best dressed again tonight.

- Is that a promise? - Of course, Mademoiselle!

You've been watching 'Jae Hyung's Fashion Trends.'

We got a sneak peek of the dress that Lee Ma Ri will be wearing on the red carpet.

- Thank you for watching. - Cut! Okay!

Whoever started the tradition of the red carpet ceremony?

Everyone's been so stressed over what they'll be wearing on the red carpet.

Shouldn't you be at your salon? I'm sure there are a lot of actresses

waiting to have their makeup done by you.

You know Ma Ri wants me all to herself on days like this.

Is Ma Ri not getting an award this time either?

It's about time that Ma Ri got an award.

She'll have a few travel books and a collection of essays published soon...

as you advised.

Bravo!

We hired a ghostwriter and sent him to Japan a few days ago.

I saw an article he wrote for a magazine, and it was pretty good.

He's a lecturer in literature at Seoul National University, so his writing should be good.

Have you told Ma Ri?

She'll probably say I'm looking down on her and throw a fit.

When the book becomes a hit, I'll calm her down then.

I'm sure you will.

If you're going to go see Ma Ri now, deliver those to her.

She sure is amazing.

She insists on reading at least the first page of every fan mail she gets.

She says people who choose letters over email are more caring.

That was so cool, Jang Soo!

I can't believe I'm watching this all by myself.

What's Ma Ri doing?

She's totally stressed out about her dress.

She doesn't like this one either?

What can she do when it was provided by a sponsoring designer?

- Is she sleeping? - Yes.

She just went to bed.

Continue what you were doing.

Director?

You're awake?

I had a dream.

What kind of dream?

I was playing at a beach.

With that boy?

I almost saw his face today.

But I woke up right at that moment.

Too bad.

You'll see his face next time.

I brought your fan mail.

Don't sleep too much, or your makeup won't turn out well.

Stop!

Why?

Stop.

You look pretty.

A few more.

Mr. Seo!

I can't find Ma Ri!

Wow, Lee Ma Ri is a big deal.

Excuse me.

Is anyone here?

Lee Ma Ri...

Subtitles by SBS

I don't plan on publishing any books.

Did I hurt your pride?

I don't have any pride.

If I did, I wouldn't have come here to ghostwrite.

- Where are you going? - I need to go somewhere.

I need to see someone before I leave.

Why should I accompany you everywhere?

- You live such a complicated life. - It's okay.

I don't need your sincerity.