Original subtitles

[♪ theme song playing]

PARK MINJAE'S LIST

START DATING...

BETWEEN STEPS

CHARACTERS, PLACES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND EVENTS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS

THIS DRAMA CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT

EPISODE 4

[door lock chimes]

Oh...

[sniffles]

[door opens]

Hey, Lim Youjin.

Do you know what time it is? Why the hell are you still in bed?

Are you going to get up or not?

Hey, you little brat.

When your mother is making breakfast,

the least you can do is get up on time and be at the table

if you can't help her out, okay?

[loudly] Get up now!

Hey, are you crying?

What's wrong? Are you sick?

[Youjin whimpers]

You do feel a little warm.

Mom! I think she has a fever.

[sighs]

Hey.

[Minjae] Yes?

It's past 9 a.m. now.

What?

It's past 9 a.m., and Lim Youjin still isn't here.

She's late.

Oh...

She's late, right?

Is this lab pretty flexible about what time people come in?

Is it okay to come in at 10 or 11? I'm just curious.

No, we start at 9 a.m.

[Sejin] Ah...

I knew it. And yet she hasn't arrived.

She's not late. It's just turned 9 a.m.

Maybe the traffic's bad.

If the traffic's bad, she should've left earlier, right?

She's keeping us waiting for our meeting.

[clears throat] Then, should I call her?

And see where she is?

Sure, give her a call.

[Sejin] All right, got it.

Actually, no, Hangyeol, could you call her and ask where she is?

[Hangyeol sighs softly]

She'll get here when she gets here.

As if rushing her will make a difference.

See? She came.

[Youjin] I'm sorry I'm late.

[Minjae] Let's try to get to work on time, okay?

Now that Youjin is here, let's start the meeting.

Did you all see the email Sejin sent?

-Yes. -Yes.

[Minjae] Sejin, how did you find the time to put this all together?

It's just... I just did it at home.

It's only a draft, so it's pretty rough.

[Minjae] No, it's not rough.

You have really good instincts.

This is right on point. Great job.

It's nothing.

No, honestly, I was a bit surprised too. You did a great job.

-[Minjae] Yeah. -We've got a really talented rookie.

But raising the TRL within a short timeframe won't be easy.

Either way, we'll need to make a finite element analysis graph.

So let's start thinking about our approach.

Who reviews the proposal, by the way?

-Well, I suppose mostly senior members. -[Minjae] Yeah.

[Taeho] We need a trick here. [inhales sharply]

The reviewers can't possibly get through all 300, 400 pages anyway.

So we need to make graphs that pop, okay?

-[Minjae] Yeah. -[Taeho] With lots of color.

The key is to make it visually engaging.

Right, then, I'll use RecurDyn--

I can do that.

You don't know how to use RecurDyn, Ms. Lim.

Um...

Well, I've used Illustrator before, for fashion design.

-[Taeho] Hmm. -[Sejin] I'd say they're different.

How are they different? They're similar, Mr. Kim.

Youjin, do you think you can do it?

Yes.

All right. If you think you can do it, give it a try.

Feel free to ask us anytime if you have any questions.

Okay.

[Taeho] By the way, there's something that's been bothering me.

-Uh... -[Minjae] Mmm... Sure, what is it?

What are those sneakers?

I haven't seen them before.

[Minjae] These?

Wait, pink? Men's sneakers come in pink too?

-Did you buy them? -[Taeho chuckles]

They were a birthday gift.

Youjin gave them to me.

Unlike you guys, who didn't get your esteemed senior a cookie crumb.

Anyway, our rookies are cute, hardworking, and sweet. I love it.

[Taeho] Ah... It's a birthday gift.

Wow, but that's really nice of her. I'm moved.

-I know, right? -Yeah.

No wonder. Those sneakers are growing on me.

[Taeho] Yeah.

[Hangyeol] Seriously, that was such a good choice.

-[Minjae] Pretty cute, right? -Pink is a man's color.

-Great choice, Youjin. -[Minjae] They're nice.

[Sejin] By the way, Minjae, your prosthetic leg is titanium, right?

[Minjae] Ah... Yeah.

Titanium is lightweight and strong.

Actually, I came across this paper on a new material.

Really? If you come across anything like that, just send it my way.

-[Sejin] Okay. -[Minjae] Yeah.

[inhales] Anyway, Youjin, thanks for these.

Thank you.

[indistinct chatter]

[Minjae] Hey.

Why were you late today?

Um...

I wasn't feeling well.

My head was hurting, and my stomach was hurting too.

[Minjae] Did you go to the doctor?

No, I took some medicine, and I got better.

[Minjae] Hmm.

You do look a little puffy.

-No, I'm not. -[Minjae] Never mind, then.

Well, you weren't feeling well,

so I can't be too hard on you for that.

But we were supposed to meet at 9 a.m. today,

and you shouldn't have kept everyone waiting.

Right?

As a newbie, the least you could do was show up early and be prepared.

Don't be late.

-[Minjae sighs] -I'm sorry.

What?

I have something to tell you.

[Minjae] What is it?

Can we step outside for a second?

You can tell me here.

[Youjin] It's kind of personal.

Do we have anything personal to talk about?

Well, it's not like it's some big secret, is it? [chuckles awkwardly]

Just tell me. I'm curious.

[Youjin sighs softly]

-Do you really want me to say it here? -Yeah, go ahead.

Why not?

[sighs]

What I did that day was wrong.

Wrong? What was wrong?

[♪ pensive music playing]

I was in the wrong from the start.

I shouldn't have shown up unannounced,

and I shouldn't have given you those shoes either.

I just couldn't believe it at the time, so I wanted to see it for myself.

And I just left like that...

because I was so caught off guard I didn't know what to do.

I'm sorry I hurt you like that.

[Minjae] Then you have nothing to apologize for.

I wasn't hurt.

Actually, I'm the one who should apologize.

For not being the person you thought I was.

And that made you sad, caught you off guard, and made you angry.

I'm sorry.

Now that we've both apologized, why don't we call it a day a little early?

-Sejin! -[Sejin] Yes?

[Minjae] Mmm... If you're pretty much done, you can head home now.

[Sejin] Okay. I was about to leave, actually.

[Minjae] Good work, everyone.

Good work today.

See you tomorrow.

[♪ music stops]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[groans]

Hey...

When you left earlier...

When you left the lab earlier...

-[Sejin] Yes. -Was Youjin crying?

I mean, did she look like she was?

She didn't look like she was crying, but...

[Minjae] Yes.

She seemed...

a bit pissed off.

[sighs in frustration]

[grunts softly]

[pills rattling]

By the way...

What was Lim Youjin talking about earlier?

-What? -Did something happen?

Oh...

Well, I didn't mean to listen in or anything... [inhales sharply]

...but I happened to overhear a little.

[sighs loudly]

By the way, what's up with you and Youjin?

[Sejin] Hmm?

Might as well try to get along with your cohort.

[Sejin breathing heavily]

I mean, you'll be working together for at least two years,

and maybe for the rest of your life.

So why not just get along?

She keeps acting selfish and getting on my nerves.

Hey, what do you mean, she's selfish and getting on your nerves? When?

Maybe you don't like certain things about her,

but why don't you try to give a little too, you know?

But she doesn't give an inch either.

So why should I? Because she's a woman?

No, not because she's a woman, but as her colleague and her friend.

Sometimes, you can just give in and let her have her way.

Huh?

Forget it. Bye.

Hey.

If you're having dinner soon, do you want to eat together?

I can order us something.

No, I've got plans.

I'll take you out for something good next time. Go.

-[car door opens] -[♪ mysterious music plays]

[♪ mysterious music turns intriguing]

[♪ music stops]

-[woman] Let me do it for you. -[Minjae] No, I can do it quickly.

[woman] I should've booked a table in the hall, not a private room.

[Minjae] No, the private room's good. It's quiet.

[woman] I didn't know you wore sneakers like those.

[Minjae] Yeah, why not? They're cute.

[woman] Yeah. I guess you're still young enough to pull these off. [chuckles]

Try the seaweed soup with sea urchin.

I ordered it in advance.

[Minjae] Okay.

Mmm...

It's nice.

You didn't even get to have seaweed soup on your birthday, did you?

Actually, I did. I had seaweed soup and cake too.

I did the whole birthday thing.

And? What else did you do?

[Minjae] And I went to the amusement park.

I had a good time with friends.

[woman] Okay, that's good.

I wasn't able to do anything for your birthday.

[Minjae] Come on, you're doing this for me now.

Ah, right, you said Juwon's in second grade now?

Yeah, he's in second grade now.

He'll be a senior next year, but he just won't study. [chuckles]

[chuckles] Just leave him alone. He'll figure it out on his own.

I was dead last in my class at his age, too.

You just didn't study because you were busy training.

You're incredibly smart.

He's not like you.

I think he takes after his dad. He's not that smart. [chuckles]

Ah...

How's your husband doing? Busy as always?

Mmm... Yeah. Well, he wanted to join us today, but he just couldn't make the time.

It's okay, there's always next time. I know he's busy.

Mmm...

And this...

Here. It's for your birthday.

Just the dinner would've been enough. You didn't have to buy anything.

It's a watch. Open it.

A watch?

It's an expensive one.

[woman] Do you like it?

No, Mom, it's too expensive.

Do you want me to put it on you?

It's okay.

Your clothes don't have to be fancy,

but you should always have on a nice watch and nice shoes.

By the way, did your girlfriend buy you those sneakers?

No, I said I bought them.

It's okay, you can tell me. Are you being shy?

No, I'm not being shy. I really bought them myself.

Fine. You don't need to tell me if you don't want to.

I'm being so nosy, aren't I?

[sighs] Everyone says you're nice and mature,

but you're actually narrow-minded and stubborn.

That happened ages ago.

Now, you're a grown man well into your thirties,

and you're still so immature.

I know you're still holding it against me.

What was I supposed to do,

just let you die when surgery could save you?

You still should've asked me.

What difference would it have made if I'd asked you?

There was no other choice.

There were other options,

and I should've been the one to decide.

[sighs] Fine.

I'm sick of having the same conversation.

[huffs]

No matter how old you get,

you'll never understand how a parent feels.

How... [chuckling] How a parent feels?

Sorry, that was just too funny.

Sorry.

[sighs]

So why did you reach out to me then?

Because I was young.

I was told I was dying of cancer,

so I wanted to see my birth mother at least once.

That's why I reached out.

[♪ emotional music playing]

But still, you should've just said hello and left.

Why did you overstep?

Today, I really braced myself before coming here.

But I just can never win with you.

[sighs ruefully]

[door lock beeping]

[door lock chimes]

[♪ music continues playing]

[grunting]

[angrily] For God's sake!

What the hell is wrong with you?

[yelling] Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?

[muttering] What a freaking psycho.

You piece of shit.

[yells] God damn it!

[panting]

[breathing heavily]

[♪ music stops]

[Chansoo] Was she pretty?

Was she?

I only saw her back. Not her face.

Come on, you should've seen her face.

I didn't see her face, but from behind, she had curly hair

and this really polished, expensive-looking vibe.

Definitely not a Hongdae vibe.

More like Gangnam, maybe?

In other words, a pretty vibe?

-[Sejin] Yes. -Nice.

But she had this mature vibe.

She had this mature, older sister vibe. That's the impression I got.

Wait, could they be related then?

Maybe she's his cousin or something.

She's definitely not his cousin.

She was touching his face like this.

Let me call her.

-[Sejin] Her? Who? -Chacha.

[line connects, rings]

[hesitating] Hello, Seohyun. You picked up fast.

Are you busy? Okay, you're busy, but let me ask you something real quick.

Apparently, someone saw Minjae secretly meeting up with some woman. Mmm...

She was squeezing his cheeks like this.

Then they got into a white Mercedes and drove off together.

Yes.

Yeah, right. Yeah.

What?

Yeah.

What does she say? Does she know her?

[Taeho] No, wait.

[whispering] She says it's not like

there's only one white Mercedes in the world.

She's right. Hey, did you see the license plate?

-No, I didn't. -[mumbles] You should've seen that.

[in normal voice] Hello? Seohyun, yes.

No, we don't know the license plate number.

No, Seohyun, I don't think that's necessary. Yeah.

No. Wait, no.

-No, that's... No. What the hell? -[line disconnects]

What is it? Why?

Damn it. She's coming to school again.

Why?

-From now on, don't call Seohyun. -Yeah.

-We can handle things on our own. -Okay.

Seriously, what is wrong with you? [tuts]

[♪ comical music playing]

Handle? Handle what?

[Chansoo] Huh?

What did you guys do this time?

[Taeho] Minjae.

[Minjae] Yeah?

[Taeho] Even Seohyun said she didn't know.

Who was she?

Hey, you even called Seohyun?

Apparently, she was smiling and squishing your face like this.

And you had a big smile on your face.

I had a big smile? Me?

-Well... -[Minjae] When?

That's what I heard. [chuckles]

There's a witness, you know.

Who's that crazy witness? Tell me. Huh?

She's not your cousin, is she?

No, she's not a relative or anyone from his family.

Why would his cousin touch his face?

Even siblings don't do that.

Right. She's not my cousin.

[sighs]

She's someone I used to like.

I still like her.

So are you two dating or something?

No, we're not dating.

She's married.

She has a son too.

Uh...

Wait, you met up with a married woman? Why?

Well, she said she wanted to see me for my birthday, so I met up with her.

She even got me an expensive watch for my birthday.

I'll wear it next time.

Anyone else have any questions?

Minjae, does that mean you've been...

[Youjin] But she's married.

Meeting up because she missed you and exchanging gifts? That's just weird.

We're kind of weird.

"We..." [scoffs] "We"?

Yes, we. She and I.

[Youjin chuckles awkwardly]

If you're still so hung up on each other, why don't you get back together?

She can get divorced.

Come on, realistically, divorce would be a bit much.

[Youjin] No, it's not.

They say love transcends borders and age.

She should get divorced first, okay?

Don't sneak around, deceiving and betraying people.

Wait, what are you talking about?

When did I ever deceive or betray anyone?

You're deceiving her husband.

[Minjae] No.

He knows everything. Her husband and I know each other.

-[Youjin] Her husband knows? -[Minjae] Yes.

[scoffs] You people are so weird.

I told you we're weird.

Anything else you want to know?

-Chansoo, how about you? -Minjae.

[Youjin] So if she asks to see you again...

[Minjae] Uh, yes?

...are you going to?

Yeah, if she wants to see me, I'll see her.

Thank you.

[Chansoo] Are you okay?

[Youjin] Yes.

[Sejin whispering] It's nothing. It's just that time of the month.

You know, girl stuff.

What?

[Youjin] I just don't understand.

I'm talking about Minjae.

What on earth goes on in men's heads...

No, never mind.

[Chansoo] Taeho, is Seohyun... I mean, did you tell her not to come?

She's not coming. [chuckles] Don't worry.

Damn, we almost had that crazy girl show up again. [chuckles]

Hey, you think this is funny?

Right. [sighs]

Shouldn't we do something about it?

I mean, no matter how much he likes her, she's married.

It's just morally and ethically wrong.

Just leave him be.

They like each other. It's none of our business.

Just leave him be. Let him live, die, or stay like garbage.

Let him do whatever he wants.

But still, we can't just sit back and watch.

Yeah. Then the crazy girl will show up again.

[Taeho sighs]

So, do you have any idea what we should do?

[inhales sharply] Let's see.

You said she was really pretty, right?

[inhales sharply] In that case... [sighs]

We can find a prettier woman and set him up with her.

-[Hangyeol and Chansoo] Oh! -[Taeho] Yeah.

Right, Youjin.

Do you have any pretty friends we could set him up with?

No.

He's petty and weird. Whoever we set him up with would hate us.

[Taeho mumbles] True.

We'd have to mention his disability, too.

It wouldn't be easy to set him up with normal people.

[Youjin] Hey, you.

"Hey, you?"

We're the same age, so I'll drop the formalities.

What exactly did you mean by that?

What?

You said there are normal people, and Minjae is disabled.

Are you saying he's abnormal or somehow less of a person?

No.

What do you mean, no? That's exactly what you said.

Why are you talking so disrespectfully about your senior?

You also just called him petty and weird

and said anyone we set him up with would hate us.

[scoffs] What I said is different from what you said.

Different? Different how?

What? A blind date, all of a sudden?

[Youjin] Yeah. You saw him the other day too.

Park Minjae, our lab lead.

He's really cool, good-looking, and kind. [chuckles awkwardly]

And he's smart too.

That senior from your lab who works as a research assistant?

Yeah, of course I remember him.

But a blind date with him?

Yeah.

It's not that.

I'm just too busy right now to think about anything else.

[Youjin] Oh... Yeah, of course.

Well, if you're busy, that's okay.

All right.

Bye.

[sighs] She's too busy.

[Subin] Professor, here's the research I did on the papers you mentioned.

Okay. Thank you.

Was the call you just got about someone setting you up on a blind date?

[Subin chuckling] Uh, yes.

Work is important, but you need to put yourself out there

and date while you're young and pretty.

Look at me. Time flies.

Mmm... You're still young and pretty.

[Miran scoffs] Are you teasing me right now?

Enough already.

That was Youjin on the phone, right?

[Subin] Yes.

Was she trying to set you up with that disabled guy?

Uh...

If he's so great, why doesn't she date him herself?

You don't set a friend up with someone like that.

I don't think that's... He seemed like a nice person, though.

Youjin must think so too. That's why she tried to set me up with...

Did she really not know he was disabled before you mentioned it?

Yeah, it looked like she had no idea.

She seemed really surprised.

You didn't say you heard it from me, did you?

[Subin] I didn't say that.

Well, once something catches my interest, I can't help wanting to know more.

[sighs] My memory is just too good for my own good.

It's exhausting, but what can I do?

I never forget and always return even the smallest favor.

You can go now.

Okay.

I mean, it never made sense from the start.

He's already into someone, and we set him up with another woman?

That's just ridiculous.

[Taeho] Well, Youjin, you're saying that

because you're still young and don't understand men yet.

Men aren't like that.

We believe we can find love anytime,

so we always keep our options open.

Yeah, there's even a song

called "A Love Is Forgotten by Another Love."

[singing] ♪ A love ♪

[Sejin and Taeho in unison] ♪ Is forgotten by another love ♪

-Such a great song. -[Taeho] It sure is.

But Minjae isn't the type of guy who jumps from one woman to another, is he?

Youjin, all men are basically the same.

We're all the same.

But I understand why Youjin is concerned.

No, I'm not. I'm not concerned.

Minjae doesn't do blind dates, so he might say no.

[Youjin] Yeah, exactly. That's what I'm talking about.

[Hangyeol] He might.

Shy people can find blind dates uncomfortable.

The bottom line is, it doesn't have to be a blind date.

But it has to feel like fate.

Yeah. Like getting hit by a bike,

dropping a handkerchief, or accidentally swapping phones.

You know, stuff we see in movies all the time.

We can work out the details later.

The problem is...

we haven't found a woman for him yet.

[all sigh]

Hey, Lim Youjin. Try calling someone else. Don't you have any other friends?

-I don't. -[cellphone vibrates]

Guys, don't worry. Yeah, we got the woman.

[Chansoo] What?

Seohyun has someone from work.

What?

[Taeho] Wow, she's really pretty. [chuckles]

-Guys, have a look. -[Hangyeol] Sorry, Youjin.

[men exclaiming]

[door opens]

[men continues exclaiming]

[♪ slow quirky music playing]

-[Hangyeol] I think she looks nice. -[men exclaiming]

[cellphone vibrates]

LIM YOUJIN

[Youjin] What are you up to?

[Minjae] I'm on my way somewhere.

[Youjin] To the movies?

With Seohyun?

[Minjae] How did you know?

[Youjin] What movie are you going to watch?

[Minjae] Not going to tell you.

[sighs]

[Youjin] Can I join you?

[Minjae] Yeah, no, get lost.

[sighs]

[cellphone vibrating]

Hello?

Hello?

Hel--

[♪ music stops]

[♪ gentle music playing on stereo]

[Youjin] I won't keep you long.

Okay. What is it you wanted to say?

I know you're mad at me.

[sighs wearily]

We're talking about this again?

Look, I apologized. What more do you want me to do?

That's not what happened.

I apologized to you, but you got mad and were being sarcastic.

I know what I did wasn't right.

So you could've just yelled at me,

or told me to keep apologizing until you felt better.

Why get all sarcastic and mean?

Okay, sorry.

I didn't mean to be sarcastic, though.

I don't know. I think that's just how I am. I'm sorry.

Again...

Shall we head out now?

[Youjin] But...

No matter how petty and mean you get,

I just can't seem to hate you.

I get annoyed, I get angry, and I don't understand you,

but I just can't seem to hate you.

Actually, it's more than that.

I just...

keep wanting to see you.

I want to see you,

and I want to be with you.

I don't want to lose you to someone else.

I don't know how to put it, but...

I...

like you.

I like you a lot.

I know I'm the woman here, but I'm going to put my pride aside

and make the first move.

Park Minjae...

I like you.

I want you to be my boyfriend.

[chuckles softly]

Wow.

[chuckles]

You're really...

Did you really not see it, or are you just pretending?

[Youjin] What?

I mean, I'm not trying to be sarcastic or mean here.

You know what?

I'm going to put my pride as a man aside and be honest with you.

Imagine...

how I felt...

after you left like that.

Of course, I know you were caught off guard and scared too.

I...

[Minjae] What about me? How do you think I felt?

How do you think I felt after you just left like that?

Can you imagine how I must've felt?

My heart broke.

I wanted to die.

I'm...

shy, I'm a coward,

and I've been hurt before.

I'm not the right person for you.

I'm officially...

turning you down.

I hope this doesn't make things awkward between us in the lab.

I'm going to head out.

[♪ somber music playing]

[Minjae mumbles] You scared me.

[♪ music continues playing]

[indistinct conversation]

[♪ music stops]

[groans] I've been washing it with soap,

but the grease just won't come out.

So just put on the gloves like me.

I mean, I don't even like dumplings.

And Lim Youjin is going to eat all of those anyway.

Honestly, I hope she does.

She's eating like a bird these days.

I bet she's eating plenty of good food when she's out.

Call Youjin and tell her I'm making dumplings,

so she should come home early.

[cellphone vibrating]

Hello?

[Youseong] Hey, Lim Youjin. Where are you now?

I'm at school. Where else would I be? I said I was going to school.

I'd bet my last penny you're out having fun, not at school.

Hey, where are you? I'm making dumplings now.

Yeah.

Okay.

All right. Don't be late.

Okay.

-You can hang up now. -Hey, you--

[line disconnects]

When is she going to be home?

She's going to study before coming home.

But she'll be back for dinner and have the dumplings.

She's not at school right now. She's out somewhere with a man.

Fine. Good luck betting what little money you have on it.

I have proof.

-What proof? -Proof that Lim Youjin is seeing a guy.

Did you read Youjin's diary again?

Come on, I told you to stop doing that.

I only did that until she was in high school.

That brat stopped keeping a diary in college.

[groans softly]

So if it's not her diary, what's the proof?

You want to know? Then give me 100,000 won.

What? 100,000 won isn't much.

You keep that proof to yourself.

Or you and Youjin will be at each other's throats again.

And Mom will kick your ass again.

Fine.

If you don't want to know, forget it. It's no loss to me.

Do you really have proof?

Yes, I have solid evidence.

All right. I'll give you 100,000 won. Bring it here.

Really? Really? You promise? 100,000 won.

You're so dead now.

[Miyoung] Hey, don't go through Youjin's stuff.

[Youseong] Where did it go? It was right here.

[Miyoung] Hey.

[Youseong] Where is it?

Hey, stop going through her stuff.

Don't give him the money, okay?

[chuckling] What? I don't even have 10 won.

[Youseong] Where did it go?

[Miyoung] I told you to stop snooping around in Youjin's room.

But it was definitely there.

Please. There's no proof.

I knew this would happen, so I made sure to gather more evidence.

Just wait.

Look. You still don't believe me?

You still don't?

[Miyoung] Oh my.

Oh my gosh. Matching rings?

I'm sure she's with her boyfriend right now.

[cellphone thuds]

OUT OF OFFICE

[pants, groans]

[♪ tense music playing]

[grunts]

[Jihoon] Are you feeling unwell?

[Youjin weakly] No. I took some medicine, so I should be fine soon.

Thank you. You can go.

[Jihoon] Hold on to me and try to stand up.

-[Youjin exclaims in pain] -[Jihoon] Oh!

-[Youjin moaning in pain] -[Jihoon] I think you should see a doctor.

[♪ music continues playing]

We're almost at the hospital, so hang in there.

[Youjin groans softly] I'm okay.

[groaning in pain] You can just drop me off at the bus stop.

-[mumbles] No, you're not okay. -[Youjin groans]

[weakly] Are you Professor Talking Hat?

[Youjin breathing heavily]

[chuckles softly]

[moans in pain]

Are you delirious from being sick?

[chuckling] Yeah.

I guess I am. [chuckles]

[groaning]

[mumbles] Mom. [breath trembling]

[Jihoon] What? What did you say?

[groans softly] Mom.

Mom.

[♪ music intensifies]

[Youjin groaning in pain]

[Youjin whimpers]

[doctor] When you're ready. One, two, three.

[Youjin groans, cries]

[moaning in pain]

INCORRECT PATTERN

INCORRECT PATTERN

[♪ music stops]

[Jihoon] Hello.

It is appendicitis.

She needs emergency surgery immediately.

Are you her family?

No, I'm not her family. She's a student at my university.

[doctor] You're her teacher.

It's urgent, so please sign here first.

-Sign here? -[doctor] Yes.

[cellphone vibrating]

INCOMING CALL MOM

Hello. This is Lim Youjin's phone.

[♪ soft music playing]

We're looking for Lim Youjin...

[staff] She went into surgery a little while ago.

Right. Okay.

Where's the operating room?

-[staff] Just go one floor up. -[Yongseok] Okay.

[Miyoung] Thank you.

[Minjae sighs softly]

[Youjin] Mmm...

[Miyoung] Youjin.

Youjin, are you okay?

It's Mom.

-[Youjin] Mom. -Yeah. Dad's here too.

Yeah.

[Miyoung] Yeah.

-[weakly] Mom. [sobs] -[Miyoung] Yeah.

Does it hurt?

Does it hurt a lot?

No, I'm okay.

[mumbles] You did great. You did so well.

[sighs]

Excuse me.

It's past 9 a.m.

It's past 9 a.m., and Lim Youjin is not here again.

She's late again. [sighs]

Should I give her a call?

Should I give her a call?

Just leave her alone. She'll get here eventually.

[cellphone vibrating]

Hey, if you're late, just come. Why are you calling...

Yes, hello, ma'am.

[sighing] Uh... I should've called earlier.

I'm so sorry.

No, not at all. I didn't know it was you, ma'am.

I'm so sorry.

Yes.

No.

Yes.

Youjin?

Oh... She's doing great.

She works hard, she's talented,

and the professors all speak very highly of her.

Is that her mom calling right now?

Yes.

Yes.

Ah... I see.

Yes.

Okay.

Yes, I understand.

Please tell her she doesn't need to worry about the lab

and to just focus on getting better.

[chuckling] Yes, thank you so much for understanding.

Okay, take care. Bye.

-[line disconnects] -[sighs in relief, chuckles softly]

Hey, your senior's so polite, and he has such a nice voice.

No, he doesn't.

[Miyoung chuckles]

[light thud]

[Sejin scoffs]

She had her mom call? Is she in elementary school?

That's not it.

Youjin just had surgery for appendicitis.

Uh... So, she'll need to take a few days off.

Appendicitis? She had her appendix removed?

[Minjae] Yes.

Well, she says she's okay, and the surgery went well.

So don't worry too much.

-I'm glad to hear the surgery went well. -[Minjae] Yeah.

[clears throat] Well...

These days, getting your appendix out is hardly even surgery...

Surgery is surgery. What do you mean, it's hardly even surgery?

Should we visit her?

Apparently, they don't want any visitors.

Well, they said not to come, so...

But still, shouldn't we go check on her?

But we'd just be bothering her while she's recovering.

No, there's no need to go. Don't worry.

[♪ gentle music builds]

[keyboard clacking]

[mouse clicks]

[♪ gentle music playing]

[♪ music stops]

[Youjin] Professor Talking Hat?

Why do you keep calling me "Talking Hat"?

So, things ended with the ring guy?

So all that going back and forth was for nothing.

I still don't get it.

When did things start going wrong?

It was all wrong from the start.

Getting involved with a loser was your first mistake.

Good-looking guys always come with a catch.

Except me.

[clicks tongue] Okay.

There are plenty of guys out there. Just find a new one.

Okay.

[sighs heavily] But is there really no other way?

Professor Talking Hat?

I'm not saying I want to make it work with him.

But we're going to keep seeing each other,

so I want to clear the air.

Still persistent after that rejection?

I'm not being persistent.

I just want to make him feel better and more at ease.

But I don't know how.

[tuts] Will it work itself out with time?

Isn't there anything else I can do?

[Jihoon] You're stuck because you're solving the wrong problem.

Pardon?

Whether he's angry or hurting, he must figure it out himself.

That's Minjae's problem to solve, not yours.

Find your own problem, then find the answer to that problem.

[Youjin] Huh?

But why did you run away?

What?

I don't know.

[Jihoon] You're lying. I know you do.

[Youjin sighs softly]

You like him,

but you didn't want to face his scar.

Was the scar on his leg or in his heart?

Was it in his past, present, or future?

I'm not sure what you mean.

Exactly. I feel like I'm talking to a monkey right now.

[Youjin scoffs]

-What are you looking at? -I'm just looking.

[snickers] Fine. You're sick, so I'll let it slide this time.

Any more questions?

I'm never taking your class.

Take it. I'll give you good grades.

A monkey can't get good grades.

All my students are monkeys anyway.

Please keep today's chat between us.

It's a secret.

You're the one who blurted it all out.

You saved my life, so I trusted you.

I saved your life?

Watch your mouth.

Don't make me kill someone who saved my life.

[♪ quirky music playing]

[Jihoon] I don't think you're allowed to eat in here.

[Youjin] Right. I'm not a student here.

I'm a graduate.

No one can hold my grades over my head

or stop me from graduating, so I can do whatever I want.

Do you really not remember me?

What?

Never mind. Forget it.

[door lock chimes]

[cellphone vibrating]

[Youjin] Minjae.

-Minjae. -What?

What? What happened?

I thought you were in the hospital.

[Youjin] They don't keep you long after an appendectomy.

Well, then you should be resting at home.

What are you doing here?

[Youjin] I have something to tell you, and something to show you.

Really? Then can you wait here? I'll go grab my phone.

Actually, I'd rather talk at your place.

-[Minjae] What? -[Youjin] I have something to show you.

You can show me right here. Let me see.

I can't.

Not in public.

[Minjae] Why?

I just can't.

Uh, I don't know what it is, but I can't let you in right now.

Just show me at school later. Bye.

If you won't let me in, I'll just keep standing here.

[Minjae] Okay, stand there forever then.

-But... -[Minjae] Wait.

How did you know where I live?

I asked Kim Sejin.

Kim Sejin?

[Youjin] Why?

[door lock beeps]

[door lock chimes]

Okay. Come in.

Yeah.

You can go and sit on the couch over there.

[Youjin] Okay.

[Minjae groaning] Just give me a second.

[grunts]

[door lock chimes]

[grunts]

Uh...

By the way, I think water is all I've got.

Do you want some? Is that okay?

[Youjin] Yes.

-[Minjae] Here. -Thank you.

[Minjae groans softly]

You said you had something to show me. So show me, then go.

What are you doing?

I need to take this off first.

[Minjae] Take it off? Why?

What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?

Come on, look.

Hey, Lim Youjin.

This isn't going to work on me. I'm not giving in.

Not a chance.

Don't take your clothes off. Put them back on.

[Youjin sighs, mumbles] Just look.

No, I'm not looking.

If you keep this up, I'm calling the cops, okay?

Don't get the wrong idea. Just look.

No.

Look at where I had surgery.

[Minjae] Hey, why are you taking that off? What if it gets infected? Put it back on.

-[Youjin] Look at it. -[Minjae sighs wearily]

I guess I can't wear a bikini anymore with this scar, right?

[mumbling] What?

You were going to wear a bikini?

Guys all love bikinis, don't they?

Hey, the bikini's not the problem.

[groans] This... It must've hurt so much.

[Youjin] The surgery didn't hurt.

I was put under.

It still hurts, even if they put you under. [groans]

[Youjin] Now stop looking. I'm getting embarrassed.

-[Minjae] Sorry. -[Youjin] Okay.

Now that you've seen mine, show me yours too.

What?

Show me where they operated on your leg.

You can't just look at mine.

Show me yours too, so we're even.

[Minjae sighs softly]

Show me yours too.

I'm not going home until you show me.

Look at you.

[scoffing] Jeez. Fine, look.

I'll show you. Go on and look.

[Minjae grunts]

[Minjae sighs softly]

Look.

Can I touch it?

What?

You can touch it.

[Minjae gasps]

[Youjin] Did that hurt?

No, I'm just surprised.

It doesn't hurt anymore.

But it must've hurt a lot when you had the surgery.

It didn't hurt. I was put under.

That's a lie.

You think I'm an idiot?

Even a tiny paper cut hurts so much.

[♪ emotional music builds]

[softly] It must've hurt so much.

It must've hurt so much. [voice breaking] It must have...

[♪ emotional music playing]

[sobbing] It must've hurt so much.

[whimpering]

Hey, are you crying?

Hey, don't be like this.

Stand up.

[Youjin sobs] Why did you have to go and get sick like that?

Everyone else is doing just fine.

What makes you so special, huh?

Everyone else... Everyone else is perfectly healthy,

so why did you have to get a disease like that? Why?

[sobbing]

It must've hurt so much.

God, this is annoying.

This is annoying. [cries]

[sniffles] This is annoying...

[wails]

[softly] Don't cry. Don't be like this.

-Don't cry. Seriously. -[Youjin sobbing]

It hurt at the time.

But it's all healed now, and I'm fine. It doesn't hurt anymore.

[Youjin sobbing]

Stop and get up. Come on, get up.

[Youjin continues sobbing]

[loudly] Stop crying, for goodness' sake. You're driving me crazy! Okay?

Look at me. Open your eyes.

Look at me!

[softly] You need to look at me so I can talk, you know.

Look at me.

I'm okay now.

I'm not sick anymore.

I'm fine.

[Youjin sniffles]

[♪ music continues playing]

[♪ music fades]

BETWEEN STEPS

[Youjin] I love coming to school.

I always look forward to seeing you guys.

[Sejin] What was Lim Youjin doing at your place?

Things can get really messy in a lab when romance is involved.

I'll nip this in the bud before it causes any trouble.

Have you seen this?

Lim Youjin, why are you coming out so late?

It's not like you're never coming back.

I might never come back.

I won't come back.

[Youjin] You're such a coward.

Stay that way for the rest of your life.

[♪ theme song playing]