Original subtitles

THE PERFECT LIE

THIS DRAMA IS A WORK OF FICTION

SCENES INVOLVING CHILD ACTORS AND ANIMALS WERE FILMED SAFELY

How about a glass of wine?

Sure, wine sounds nice.

All right.

You okay?

Nothing in this house seems to be cooperating today.

Here, let me.

It's not much, but I'd like to be helpful somehow.

Then I'll leave it to you.

Sure.

I should put on some music.

Is there anything you want to listen to?

Whatever you like.

I haven't listened to this in forever.

I used to listen to it all the time.

It might be a little scratchy.

Found it.

This feels like you, Jisun.

What makes you say that?

There's something lonely about you, but it's kind of alluring.

Thank you.

EPISODE 4 BOOMERANG

The phone is turned off. Please leave a message after...

Her phone's still off.

The principal is in a meeting right now, so...

We're looking into it too.

All right, bye.

Where the heck is she?

I have no idea. Her phone's off.

Why is her phone off?

I'm not sure because it's turned off.

I mean, doesn't this just make it look like she's the one they're talking about?

If it isn't her, she needs to say so.

Otherwise, how are we supposed to figure out what to do?

How can she deny it?

We're the only private school in Sangcheon--

You think I don't know that?

We need to hear it from her directly before we can take further action!

Sir...

Complaints are pouring in on the school website

asking if Kang Jisun is the gold-digger teacher.

IS KANG JISUN THE GOLD-DIGGER TEACHER?

But who's the man?

Oh, hello, sir.

He's in a meeting right now.

I understand.

The head of the board wants you to call.

What the hell does she take this school for?

Mr. Park, keep trying to reach Ms. Kang.

And you arrange for someone to cover her classes.

Sir.

Shouldn't we deal with Ms. Kang's disciplinary action first?

The parents are going to start showing up here soon.

Yes, I think that would be best too.

We need to take disciplinary action first if we want things to settle down.

When does Ms. Kang's contract end?

Hey, Min Hyunsoo.

Ms. Kang reported being sexually assaulted, right?

And your dad was at the police station a few days ago over a sex offense.

You think maybe Ms. Kang and your dad did it?

Shut up.

I never said they did.

I'm just asking.

I said shut up.

Fine, man.

But if they really did it, what about your mom?

Does she know?

I'm just asking, man!

Hey!

Damn it.

Oh, my gosh! What are you two doing?

What do you think you're doing?

Geez. I was just asking about Ms. Kang and his dad.

Damn it.

- Get lost! - My goodness! Hey!

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Baek Hanui's Question Mark.

It's an unusually warm spring day.

But did you know that weather like this can actually put our hearts at risk?

Today, we're joined by cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Min Junho,

who's here to tell us how to keep our hearts healthy.

BAEK HANUI'S QUESTION MARK

Welcome.

Dr. Min,

spring usually puts everyone in high spirits,

but it can actually be dangerous for our hearts?

Yes, that's right.

Spring is a season of major temperature swings.

Yes.

Dr. Min.

You did a great job. I learned a lot thanks to you.

You were great too.

If you're free for dinner, would you like to join me?

What do you think?

Oh...

I wasn't expecting that.

If I take "unexpected" in a good way, it means you were pleasantly surprised.

If I take it in a bad way,

it means you're getting ready to turn me down, right?

There's something I haven't quite sorted out emotionally,

so I don't really have the headspace to spend time with someone right now.

I heard you were single.

Do you have a girlfriend?

There was someone I wanted a serious relationship with,

but it didn't work out.

How could anyone turn you down?

I just wish she'd recognize

how I truly feel, even at this point.

I'm sorry.

That's too bad.

Next time we have you on, make sure you've got it sorted out.

The phone is turned off. Please leave a message...

Jieun.

Did you see the article?

Yeah.

Are you okay?

Jisun's not answering her phone?

No, but she should be at school right now.

I'm worried about her.

She got through it last time too.

She'll be okay.

I'm so scared she might do something to herself.

Jieun.

Jisun isn't that weak.

She'll be fine.

She's not answering.

- Jisun! - Jisun!

What happened? Are you okay?

Hey, you're... You're going to catch a cold.

- Let's get you inside. - I'm...

I'm hungry.

Okay, let's get you something to eat.

- Man... - Let's go inside.

How did you get so soaked?

When you're surfing...

the place where you start is called the lineup.

But on the way out there, wave after wave keeps coming at you.

Whether you go over them or around them...

...you have to make it through to reach the lineup.

Getting to the starting point...

might be the hardest part of surfing.

Earlier, I really wanted to die.

All kinds of thoughts came to me together with the waves.

"Should I run away?"

"Should I just die?"

"If I make it through those waves,

will I be able to get back to the starting point?"

Even though I knew the waves would probably sweep me away.

What about the school?

Haven't they said anything?

I didn't do anything wrong, you know.

It's my job.

The foundation isn't going to let this slide.

If you're really dead-set on doing this, you need to know what you're getting into.

What you've been through so far will seem like nothing.

The truth will get lost, and only the controversy will remain.

But the truth always comes out eventually.

What if it doesn't?

It'll be better than living like I'm already dead.

Are you going to keep this up?

I don't know whether I should scold you or try to comfort you.

If there's anything you want to tell me, go ahead.

And if there's anything you want to ask, just ask.

There's someone at school I can actually talk to now.

Who, Soyeon?

Ms. Kang Jisun.

Was it Ms. Kang?

What do you mean?

Did you do it with my teacher?

I said bad things about that woman without knowing anything.

- But if it was Ms. Kang-- - It was Ms. Kang.

- Why didn't you tell me? - I had no idea she'd be like that.

I kept quiet because of you, Hyunsoo.

She's your teacher, and I was worried it might hurt you in some way.

Even if people pointed fingers at me, I couldn't let you suffer because of it.

So...

just keep going to school.

No.

I don't want to.

I'm not going to school.

I saw the article.

Do you believe me?

Yes.

Liar.

Some of it, at least.

I'm not a gold digger.

And I'm not some mentally unstable pathological liar.

I...

I didn't lie.

Remember your polygraph?

And...

you're the one who reported that

there were narcotics at Min's house, right?

I don't know anything about that.

That's a lie.

I don't know how you knew,

but you even specified that it was under the bed.

Two vehicles and five police officers were deployed for the search.

Do you know what you could face for making a false report--

Well, I'm glad you were diligent when it came to drugs.

You were painfully slow when investigating my case.

Want one?

No.

I don't think the investigation was entirely conclusive either.

The reason I wanted to meet with you...

was to warn you...

about Min Junho.

Wait, Detective.

If you're free,

would you like to get a drink with me?

You asked us to include a question

about Min Junho's late wife in the polygraph test.

We actually did include it.

Did you love your wife?

DID YOU LOVE YOUR WIFE?

Yes.

What's your happiest memory with your wife?

I'd have to say when our child was born.

Did you ever resent your wife

for taking her own life?

No.

Did you feel guilty?

DID YOU FEEL GUILTY ABOUT YOUR WIFE'S DEATH?

I loved my wife so much that I respected the final choice she made.

She looked free from all the pain she'd been living with.

She looked at peace.

When his wife died of respiratory failure from a drug overdose...

Min Junho was at home.

If he had anything to do with his wife's death...

he's a very dangerous man.

Don't try to confront him.

Just stay as far away from him as you can.

Why are you telling me all this?

It's not as a police officer...

Just woman to woman.

Officially, you're not supposed to be telling me this, are you?

Maybe it's the hormones.

I'm pregnant.

It makes me think about the kind of world...

my child will grow up in.

If anything happens, or if you ever need anything, call me.

Aren't you going to school?

How did you find me here?

I looked for you.

You can never hide from me.

Why aren't you going to school?

Why aren't you?

I put in for an experiential learning day.

Why?

I barely passed the monthly evaluation, so I need to practice.

My singing's fine, but apparently my dancing needs work.

So annoying.

Want to team up with me for the science project presentation?

You and me?

You're the best at science in our class.

I don't want to.

Why not?

Do it with your boyfriend.

Who? Sanghyeon?

That's crazy.

He just let me use his account the most, okay?

That's why I'm just being nice to him.

Besides, I already have a boyfriend.

You.

What?

You don't want to be?

You're kind of a loser at everything except studying.

And I'm only a loser when it comes to studying.

Losers should stick together.

Deal?

And I don't care at all about what happened with your dad.

I don't even care what my own dad is up to.

Hello.

Hi.

- Hey, it's the gold digger. - Don't make eye contact.

She really has no shame.

But is that story true?

- I wonder too. - Hello.

- Isn't that insane? - I know.

Hello.

You think she became a teacher to extort money from people?

Wow, so embarrassing.

Hey, it's the gold-digger teacher.

She gives me the creeps. Why's she here? Wasn't she fired?

What's this going to do to our school's reputation?

Our priority is keeping the students from getting worked up,

especially with midterms coming up...

I'm sorry I'm late.

Ms. Kang Jisun?

Spare me a minute.

Do you think you can show up to school whenever you feel like it?

I'm sorry.

You know how much the parents complain, don't you?

When it comes to their kids, they scrutinize every little thing,

and then gossip about it.

Haven't you ever wondered

whether you really belong at Sangcheon's top private school?

Pardon me?

The school board has agreed that they simply can't overlook a teacher

who has disgraced the school's name.

I've disgraced the school's name?

- I find that hard to accept-- - Everyone's up in arms,

saying you made baseless accusations

and damaged the reputation of a highly successful man!

And it's not just Dr. Min.

Hyunsoo is at one of the most important stages of his life.

What about me?

What about my life?

Get it sorted out before it becomes a bigger issue.

You know what I mean, right?

I'm the victim.

That's why I filed a complaint, but...

the accused was released due to insufficient evidence.

I've requested a reinvestigation,

and I believe his side leaked the story to the press.

The article is clearly false,

and I'm going to demand a correction.

I'm going to see this through until the truth comes out.

That's the only way I can face my students without shame.

Ms. Kang, you...

You've violated your duty to maintain the dignity expected of a teacher.

How is that...

It's a matter of personal privacy.

So it's not my place to get involved.

And whether the article is true isn't really the issue.

If the truth doesn't matter, then what does?

It was written with malicious intent.

It's just something that's going around,

so I don't know how much of it to believe, but...

they say the man...

was Min Hyunsoo's father.

That...

did not violate any professional ethics.

If you don't see anything wrong

with a teacher getting personally involved...

with a student's parent,

that's even more of a problem.

Was it Dr. Min Junho?

Yes.

I think it'd be best to take a leave of absence.

Of course, we could convene a disciplinary committee...

...but putting you through something like that

wouldn't do you any good either.

Your teacher evaluations have been good.

And I appreciate how hard you've worked for the students.

Rather than the school putting you on leave,

I think it'd be better if you requested one.

Ms. Kang Jisun.

A teacher who stands in front of students

can't fall apart so easily,

no matter the reason.

You're finished now.

YOU'RE FINISHED NOW!

Who are you?

Someone who knows you very well.

TO MS. KANG JISUN FROM KIM RIAN

Stop it.

Why did you do that to my dad?

What?

Was it really for money?

Did your dad say that?

Even after everything, he said you were a good person.

I want to be a good person.

I've always tried to live that way.

But your dad really--

My dad, what?

I want to tell you I'm sorry, but I don't know if I should.

You should apologize to my dad.

No. I don't owe your dad an apology.

I can't explain how things got to this,

but I didn't lie.

Hyunsoo.

Are you okay?

Don't pretend you care.

Yes?

PRINCIPAL JEONG SANGYEONG

- Hello. - Ah.

Hello.

Oh, yes. You came all the way out here.

SANGCHEON MEDIA OH DAESIK

I'd like to dig a little deeper into what happened at the time.

I was thinking there might be enough for an in-depth piece.

Well, I've read the article and even done a phone interview,

but I can't help wondering if it's right to keep digging into something like this.

It's been keeping me up at night and bothering me.

Fighting injustice is never easy.

But the longer people stay silent, the more victims there will be.

Exactly.

The world has changed so much from the way it used to be.

I heard you went through quite an ordeal back then.

It was a difficult time.

In my 36 years as an educator,

nothing like that had ever happened before.

Anyway, I decided it was all due to my own shortcomings,

so I forgave her and put it behind me.

Hmm...

So Ms. Kang Jisun falsely accused you of demanding sexual favors from her

and even sexually harassing her,

and you forgave her?

She really went too far, accusing me of something like that.

I was so dumbfounded and felt so wronged

that I had security cameras installed afterward.

Look. I had two of them installed.

So none of that ever happened?

Of course not.

I thought of her like a daughter.

No, don't get the wrong idea.

She's actually an old friend's daughter.

Really?

Her father died young,

so I knew she'd had a hard time growing up.

I hired her as a contract teacher for my late friend's sake.

Then, about a year later,

they told us to replace all contract teachers with permanent ones.

Anyway, she heard about it and came to see me.

Ms. Kang.

I think we'll have to let you go at the end of this month.

You're very popular with the students,

and they did well in the last academic competition too.

But I'm sorry it had to come to this.

Exactly, sir.

I got all my students to place in the competition.

How can you just let me go all of a sudden?

The foundation wants us rated as an outstanding educational institution,

so all our teachers have to be full-time.

That's the policy they handed down.

But you could put in a good word for me, sir.

Can't you do that for me?

You know I think of you like a daughter, right?

And you know I think of you like a father, right?

You should take the certification exam and get a job at a public school.

Are you really going to do this to me?

I'm saying this for your own good.

If you want what's best for me, you should pull some strings for me.

There's nothing I can do about the foundation's decision.

What could I possibly do?

Then the next day, I got a call from the police.

She told them

that I tried to do something to her.

Even though you didn't do anything?

How could I ever think of her that way?

I've known her since she was a kid.

I don't even want to think about what happened after that.

It was a living hell.

Everyone got the wrong idea, and nasty rumors went around.

I haven't told anyone before, but I thought about taking my own life.

Then why did you pay her a settlement?

A settlement?

I never paid her anything.

The police said she dropped the charges after receiving a settlement.

Oh, no, that's not what happened.

She has an older sister, Jieun.

Her sister made a scene, asking how she could be doing this

and told her to drop the charges.

I was just about to be cleared, by the way.

Then, Jieun came and got on her knees, begging for forgiveness.

I felt bad for her, so I gave five million won as severance.

As severance pay, not a settlement?

Yes.

She was still my friend's daughter, so I couldn't help but feel for her.

Though later,

I thought maybe I shouldn't have done that either.

Why's that?

Well, I'd rather not dig up things from her past if I don't have to.

Her? Who do you mean? Ms. Kang Jisun?

Well, since we're on the subject...

Take a look at this.

A parent took this photo and shared it with me.

They work at this hotel, and apparently she frequents this place.

You know, the place that was on the news

for young people drinking, dancing, and partying it up.

- What do you call it? - A nightclub.

- A club. - Yes.

Apparently she's a regular.

They ran into her several times.

They said they took the photo to complain to the school

about hiring someone like her as a teacher,

regardless of her private life.

This photo...

Could you send it to me?

You really are the man who protects hearts.

Now, for my final question.

When does the heart pound the most?

Is it when we're in danger?

You see, the heart...

It actually pounds more

when you're lying than when you're in danger.

So for your heart's sake, try not to lie.

Can a party girl really be a teacher?

ACCUSED MAN'S LIFE IN RUINS, ACCUSER HITS THE CLUBS

REPORTER OH DAESIK

YOUR LIFE IS OVER NOW. SERVES YOU RIGHT.

YOUR FATHER WOULD BE SO PROUD.

Your life is over now.

Serves you right.

Your father would be so proud.

Well, well.

To what do I owe the pleasure?

Why are you doing this to me?

This has nothing to do with you.

He ended up your victim just like I did.

It's time you fixed that nasty habit of yours,

leading men on, then stabbing them in the back.

I dropped the charges.

Everyone told me not to, but I did.

I gave you a chance,

and that's how you repay me?

I got that job on my own!

You wouldn't have gotten that job without me.

Did you think everything would come that easy?

You give a little, you get a little.

That's only fair!

You people...

You haven't changed at all.

And you never will.

You little...

What the hell?

You gave them that photo, didn't you?

Why, you little...

Show some respect to your father's friend!

If you don't want another fight,

call that reporter.

Tell them what you did and how you covered it up.

For crying out loud.

If you're here to ask for a favor, you should ask nicely.

Or give me a little something in return.

Do you want to keep teaching?

Oh, yes.

Then ask nicely.

Or give me a little something in return.

Look at that. Just walking off without even saying goodbye.

That rude little...

Hey, what are you doing?

Stay out of my life from now on...

...or you'll have to face my father

and beg him for forgiveness on your knees.

DETECTIVE LEE HWAYOUNG

- Yes, Ms. Kang? - Jeong Sangyeong.

He's the reason the polygraph said I was lying.

I was afraid they'd think I did it habitually.

Have you ever reported a sex crime before?

No, I have not.

Damn it.

BAEK HANUI'S QUESTION MARK

VIEWER MESSAGE BOARD

WRITE A POST

Min Junho,

no matter how convincing a mask you wear,

you're still a sex offender.

ORIGINAL POST EXPOSING STAR DOCTOR

I am Kang Jisun, a teacher at Sangcheon Haeon Elementary School.

I was recently accused of being a gold digger.

Hey, have you seen this post?

I'm writing this publicly because I want the truth to come out.

- Did you see this? - Yeah, what's this about?

Min Junho is a sex offender

hiding behind the mask of a brilliant cardiovascular surgeon and a good father.

From now on,

the whole world will come to know who he really is.

There's something I want to say to him.

Hyunsoo.

What are you doing?

Min Junho, now it's your turn to suffer.

EXPOSÉ POSTED ON VIEWER MESSAGE BOARD

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEON

How can you show your face at school?

Son of a criminal.

- It's disgusting. - Shut up.

Your dad did something to our teacher. The whole school knows now.

Damn it, what do you even know?

Are you freaking crazy?

Damn you!

Get lost!

- Damn it. - Hey!

What do you think you're doing?

Hey! Hey!

Here, let me see you.

Yes?

Dr. Min, did you postpone Yunji's surgery?

No. Her surgery is tomorrow.

Yes.

Ma'am, you didn't give Yunji any chocolate today, did you?

Dr. Min.

Is something wrong?

Did you...

postpone the surgery because...

I didn't postpone it.

I asked for a different doctor.

I can't entrust my child to a sex offender.

I clearly asked for a different doctor,

so if he keeps coming in whenever he pleases,

we'll have to change hospitals.

Ma'am, there's been a misunderstanding.

Yunji's life is at stake.

- We need to go ahead with the surgery-- - I decide what's best for my child.

To think she was in your care this whole time.

- Ma'am... - Dr. Min.

I didn't get a chance to tell you.

The well-being of the patient and guardian comes first,

so please step outside for now.

Hello?

Am I speaking with Hyunsoo's father?

Oh, Mr. Min.

What happened?

The CT results are normal. It's just a minor head injury.

We put in six stitches, and we're almost done.

Mr. Min, I sincerely apologize.

I'll make sure the students who hurt him receive appropriate disciplinary action.

Who did this to you?

Can't we just let it go?

We can't just let violence slide.

Tell me. Are you going to tell me or not?

Have you always done the right thing?

What exactly do you want from me?

The truth.

Please, just stop with those ridiculous lies!

I can't stop because they're not lies.

Do you have any idea what my son and I are going through because of you?

That's not because of me. It's because of you.

If you hadn't done that to me, none of this would've happened.

By now, you would've been planning to make a nice sum off me.

Is this because that didn't work out?

You drugged my wine.

You thought I'd never find out, didn't you?

If you've done something wrong, you have to pay the price!

Sue her for false accusation and defamation right away.

You need to be firm for Hyunsoo to hold his head up high.

I'll never understand some people.

Hey, I know that better than anyone, okay?

You can never forgive a woman like that. What's the law there for?

What the...

Oh, my gosh!

Jieun...

Goodness.

Your phone was off, so...

Gosh, Jieun...

It's because I gave up instead of fighting to the end back then.

So now...

it came back like a boomerang and turned me into a liar.

Because of that...

I've lost everything I've achieved up until now.

Jisun, do you want one too?

I shouldn't have accepted the money from the principal back then.

It's okay.

You were fooled by that sly old bastard too.

You said he lied and said it was money he had borrowed from Dad.

We were too naive.

Neither of you did anything wrong.

Those bastards are the ones to blame.

Let's focus on getting you a job first.

Yeah, you can do anything, Jisun.

I will...

uncover the truth at all costs

and put everything back the way it was.

Jisun.

I get what you're saying.

I totally agree with you.

But...

how are you going to uncover the truth?

I don't know.

I don't know yet either.

Thanks to the article,

the post you wrote is getting tons of views.

I know.

I also know what everyone's saying.

"Serial gold digger after settlement money."

"He's too good for her."

"Pathological liar."

You shouldn't have posted it on social media under your real name.

If there are people supporting you,

there are bound to be people criticizing and attacking you too.

I can't even have him punished, and you're telling me to stay quiet?

They've already branded me promiscuous. What good would keeping quiet do?

I'm just worried about you.

You can't keep starting over.

I'm going to rethink everything from the beginning.

From the very beginning.

Jisun, did you go somewhere?

Jieun.

What happened that day might have been planned from the start.

Maybe I wasn't Min Junho's first victim.

What are you talking about?

This time, I'm not stopping halfway.

I'm going to find out exactly who he really is.

Where are you now?

Defamation and false accusation?

My lawyer friend offered to file the complaint for me,

but I'm still not sure.

And there were a few things I wanted to ask you,

so I came in person.

Go ahead.

I was reported for a drug offense and investigated--

I know.

The police came into my house, didn't search anywhere else,

and went straight for the vials under my bed.

I know that too.

What else do you know?

That's all.

It looks like someone broke into my house.

I checked the security cameras too.

You can't really see her face, but it's definitely a woman.

Are you going to report it?

If I do, can you find her?

File a report first, then we can talk.

And I don't handle defamation or false accusation cases.

Thank you for all your help until now.

Goodbye.

I'll see you again.

In a moment, you'll enter

a 60-kilometer-per-hour speed enforcement zone.

SATURDAY, SUNDAY

Hey, it's me.

I need you to run a plate for me.

It's 182P 1905.

Yeah, I just need the registered owner's name.

Get it to me as soon as you can.

Thanks.

MY HUSBAND

THE PERFECT LIE

You can't believe Min Junho would do something like that, can you?

I hope you can go to the police and tell them the truth,

and let people know what kind of person Min Junho really is.

You're only making things worse for yourself by doing this here.

Did you find out who the car is registered to?

I'll give you a chance to start over.

How about we share a bottle of wine?

Wait! Hey.

With sincere remorse and an apology.

You win.

THE PERFECT LIE

Translated by Liya Hyunjoo Choi