Original subtitles

All eyes are on the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Koreans are holding their breath,

hoping to witness the first Grammy win by a Korean singer.

The 60th Grammy Awards are in progress.

Insiders predict that K will win Album of the Year.

K's sophomore album Dream High

has sold 20 million copies.

K is an international sensation.

This is said to be a photo of K as a student.

-Do you recognize it? -Yes.

This was taken when K was in school.

It must've been shot about eight years ago.

It's not a far stretch to say that you made K.

Did you know he'd make it this big when you first met him?

Could you tell that K would eventually become

a global sensation who would sweep the Grammys?

I did.

But I didn't make K.

You are so modest.

In an interview with CNN,

K said you were like the break shot in his life.

I'm sure you know what a break shot is.

The first shot in the game of billiards

that breaks a rack.

Right.

It is the break shot that begins a game.

But the strange thing about break shots is...

"Sam" means "forest,"

and "dong" means "to move."

I'm a man who moves forests,

Song Sam-dong.

I'll do my very best!

Even with the exact same angle and the same amount of force,

you end up with a different ball pattern every single time.

It's impossible to tell how the balls will make contact and where they'll go

after they scatter.

The moment you break the rack,

the game becomes a war of balls

that is already out of your hands.

Oh, my God! Hye-mi's name is on the poster.

It's amazing.

She got into Juilliard's pre-college division.

She deserves it.

She's pretty and talented and even her family is rich.

She really has everything, doesn't she?

Who's that?

She was taking pictures all throughout the show.

Who?

Oh, Hye-mi's Tail?

-Hye-mi's Tail? -Yes.

She's always following Hye-mi around,

so people call her Hye-mi's Tail. It's her nickname.

That's hilarious.

It looks like she copied Hye-mi's style from head to toe.

-What's her name? -Name? Who knows?

Yun Baek-hee.

What?

Her name is Yun Baek-hee, not Hye-mi's Tail.

Hye-mi.

Jong-mi.

You wear this hair tie I gave you all the time.

I gave it to you instead of throwing it away.

I feel bad that you wear it day in and day out.

Let's go, Baek-hee.

Okay.

There's one thing Hye-mi doesn't have.

Manners.

I don't mind being called Hye-mi's Tail.

I actually like the nickname.

I don't like it.

Really? Then I don't like it either.

This one's out of focus.

You can't really see me in this one.

This one I like.

What? 300 won?

What the hell? I thought she was rich.

Cho In-seong, you still haven't broken out of that bad habit of yours?

Jinguk! That hurts. Gosh, you're hurting me.

I didn't steal it.

I found it. I was going to return it to its owner.

-I swear. -Are you sure?

Yes. Gosh, that really hurts. I'm in pain.

Go Hye-mi?

Is she a classical singer?

Give it to me.

STUDENT ID GO HYE-MI

Those dung flies.

They sure feed on crap.

Crap? Dung flies?

Yes, dung flies.

That crap school.

Hey, Kirin Art School is not a crap school.

It's the most competitive of all art schools.

All the hottest singers of the moment are from Kirin...

But then again,

they're not real artists, of course.

They're all posers and dung flies.

I'm off.

Bye!

-I'll return this wallet to its owner. -What?

Have you decided on your follow-up film?

What's the genre?

Action? Melodrama?

Any chemistry with the female lead?

Are you considering working on another film?

What were the challenges in shooting this film?

-Please say a few words! -Could you please look this way?

-What is film's genre? -What was the mood like on set?

What are your plans now?

Any comments?

Nothing is set in stone yet,

but I will go for another film if I come across a good scenario.

-When's your new album coming out? -The new album

is expected to drop around May.

The album...

The Psychic?

Mr. Jung!

-Hey! Isn't that Jung Ha-myung? -What are you doing here?

I heard you were in China.

We were on the same plane. You didn't know, did you?

Really? You should've told me.

Oh, were you waiting to see me?

Kim Hyun-joong a graduate of Kirin Art School,

ran into his teacher and mentor Jung Ha-myung at the airport.

The encounter was heartwarming.

Jung Ha-myung is known for his keen eye for talent...

He's finally here.

RIGHT NOW LOANS

A girl from a family ruined by private loans

passing out flyers for a private loan outfit?

How interesting.

There's something called joint liability. It's a wonderful system.

If your dad, Go Byeong-jik, cannot pay off his debt,

you, as his daughter, must pay or work it off.

Damn it.

Don't be like this.

You should do your daughterly duty.

No.

I'm not coming.

Should we do this the easy way or the hard way?

I said I'm not coming!

Do you want to play with me?

If you want to play, let's play.

What is this now? This is as far as you can run?

How boring!

Hey.

Mister, how about playing with me?

What do you think you're doing now?

What I always do.

Get him!

What?

My picture.

Get out of the way! Get out!

Stop right there!

Damn it!

So we meet again.

Hey, don't you remember me?

The yogurt drink a long time ago...

Give it back.

What?

My picture.

Give me back the picture you stole from my wallet.

Shouldn't you thank me first?

I saved you earlier.

Oh, that? But I saved you just now.

We're even steven.

Now, give me back my picture.

Forget it. Never mind.

Pervert.

What?

I didn't take that picture to pleasure your eyes.

Pleasure my eyes?

Right, I'm sure any guy would want to keep it.

It's a very nice picture if I may say so myself.

I must say, you have a real talent for spewing crap out of your mouth.

Hey, wait! Where...

Where are you going, pervert?

Give me back my picture.

Hey!

42 DEBUTS AND 6 STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC IN 2008

Big news, everyone!

Jung Ha-myung finally returns to Kirin.

Is he really back?

Will we finally get to see the Psychic in person?

Psychic? His nickname is the Psychic?

Yes, that's right.

He is said to have a psychic ability

for picking out future superstars.

Hello.

Hello.

It's been too long, Mr. Jung.

Has it been three years?

Has it already been that long?

How is the work going on the campus in China?

Well, it turned out to be more complicated than I had expected.

We have to get permits for many things.

Goodness me. I guess that means you'll have to head back soon.

Do I have to?

No, that's not what I meant.

We shouldn't keep you standing here. Let's catch up somewhere more comfortable.

We've organized a reception to celebrate your return.

-Let's go. -No, thank you.

I'd like to see the students first.

Last year, over 40 students made debuts through major talent agencies.

Moreover, we've been inundated with calls

from renowned Japanese and American agencies.

I think it's safe to say that Kirin's star-making system

has finally been perfected.

With thorough training, a first-rate faculty,

and corporate sponsors,

Kirin is now the cream of the crop of arts high schools.

They will be making their debut in three weeks.

Could you pull down the elbow guard?

These days,

people want to see highly advanced dance moves.

It's not a serious injury.

It happens from time to time.

Stop the rehearsal.

Mr. Jung, they have their debut in three weeks.

Please get the doctor's opinion in writing and leave it on my desk

by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.

I understand your concern for the students,

but they have a packed schedule with recordings and TV appearances, so...

REGULAR COLLEGE TRACK

This must be a new class.

It's for students who get failing marks on their monthly evaluations.

The class is designed for students who don't have potential as singers.

We can't let them ruin their lives

just because they don't have what it takes to become singers, can we?

But why is the classroom empty?

Students generally drop out instead of attending this class.

There is a limitation as to what we can do for regular college track students.

How are the preparations for the entrance auditions coming along?

Why do you ask?

Are you thinking of auditioning the applicants yourself?

I can't?

Well, of course you can.

-Mr. Jung will be a judge? -For the entrance auditions?

But why is he doing this all of the sudden?

He probably can't trust the arts director, don't you think?

-Bingo. -Bingo.

I'm already getting so excited. I wonder whom he's going to pick.

Hey.

Hey.

Hey!

Jeez, she's driving me up the wall.

Hey, Jinguk.

What?

Look at you. You finally scored, didn't you?

No, it's not what you think.

Give her back the picture and send her along.

"The picture"?

Oh.

-This? -Give it back.

You can't get it back for free.

How was my dance?

Give me your feedback, and you can have this back.

-Give it back already. -Come on, your feedback first.

-Your dance looked really... -Really what?

Cheap.

That's my feedback, so you'd better give me back the picture now.

Hey.

What did you just say?

Did you say "cheap"?

Hey!

Do you want to hear it again?

Your dance looked cheap.

It was lousy and third-rate.

Also, you're a pickpocket and a bully!

What the hell?

I guess you don't know what a bully can do.

-This is what a bully does. -Stop it.

And this is...

This is what a real bully does.

You have an exam. Don't do anything to bring bad luck.

The Kirin Art School auditions are coming up soon too.

Kirin Art School?

Were you practicing your poser dance to get into that crap school?

What? "Crap school"?

How dare you...

Shut up and get lost.

What a bitch.

Why the hell did you rescue her from those thugs?

Do you know her?

No.

Put them on.

I can go home on my motorcycle.

They stink and they're ugly as hell.

You're too violent, kiddo.

I'm so hungry.

Sir, that little kid should know what's up now, right?

I told you to go easy on her.

Hey, you can relax your eyes now.

Hye-seong!

Where are you? Hye-seong!

Hye-seong!

Are you okay?

Of course I'm okay.

What did those guys say?

They didn't hurt you, did they?

No. They told me to call them as soon as you got in.

They said they'll give me more bread.

YOUR PARTNER FOR LIFE

PARADISE FOR BORROWERS BUT HELL FOR DELINQUENT DEBTORS, CEO MA DU-SIK

Don't answer it. It's a creditor.

Hello?

Dad?

Yes. We're doing fine, of course.

Where are you, Dad?

Oh, sorry. You told me not to ask you where you are.

You're going abroad?

What country?

Abroad?

Why all of the sudden? And where are you going?

I can't keep running away from the creditors like this.

It's impossible for me to stay in this country.

I figured I should visit my aunt in Canada and ask her for help.

Then what about us?

Once our house is auctioned off, we'll be homeless.

Take this number down.

-What number? -Just stay with him for a month.

Actually, two months at the most.

I'm sure he'll take good care of you girls.

That's what you said about a lot of people,

but where are they now that you're bankrupt?

Do you want us to be let down again?

No, I know that he'll feel obliged to help.

Who is it?

Give me the number.

Do I know this person?

You must remember him.

-His name is Kang Oh-hyeok. -Kang Oh-hyeok.

Kang Oh-hyeok?

Dad, you must really have no friends.

Was he the only person you could think of?

-You want us to ask our enemy for help? -Look, Hye-mi. He's--

No way. We won't go to him.

Hye-mi!

Never!

Hello? Dad?

Hey! How can you just hang up on him? We hadn't heard from him in so long.

Forget it. We can manage on our own.

Who is this Kang Oh-hyeok anyway?

All right, guys. When it comes to abdominal breathing...

No, that's not how you do it.

You guys need to bend down like this

and relax your neck.

Now, breathe with your abdomen.

Oh, is the class over already?

Mr. Kang Oh-hyeok.

We have a meeting at the conference room on the third floor.

Okay. Thank you for letting me know.

This month, two of our fellow teachers will be leaving us.

First, the English teacher, Ms. Jo Seong-hui,

will go on maternity leave next month.

Next...

is someone who has gotten the lowest teacher evaluation ratings

three years running.

Sadly, everyone in his homeroom failed the monthly evaluation

and was assigned to the regular college track class.

This teacher will receive a pink slip

as soon as Mr. Jung approves the decision.

You know who you are, right?

What are you doing, Mr. Kang? Answer your phone.

I'm so sorry.

Hello? I'm in a meeting now, so I can't talk...

Who? Whose daughter?

What? Who?

Hey, how did you get my number?

Goodness.

Hey, are you insane?

What the hell is your problem?

-I'm Go Hye-mi. -What?

I'm Ms. Cha Myeong-ok's daughter.

Oh.

My gosh.

Has it been seven or eight years?

It's been too long that I didn't even recognize you at first.

You should've brought your sister along. Her name is Hye-seong, right?

Hye-seong doesn't know about the atrocity you committed.

"Atrocity"? What did I do?

Don't you remember?

You seduced my innocent mom and persuaded her to divorce my dad.

I do remember now. I remembered everything.

You're right. I'm sorry.

I owe you girls big time.

Let's eat.

Do you want a chance to make up for what you did?

Sure. What would you like me to do?

Just tell me.

Hye-seong and I may become homeless very soon.

What? Homeless? Why?

Our dad's business went belly up, and he's now in hiding abroad.

Gosh, that's terrible. How did that happen?

So...

we thought we'd stay with you until our dad returned.

Are you saying you're planning to mooch off me?

Mooch off you? Of course not.

We're just giving you a chance to make amends.

Right, a chance.

Wait here. I'll be right back with my car.

For God's sake.

I have enough to deal with as it is.

How the hell am I going to take care of those girls?

This is so crazy.

Hey!

Hey!

Hye-mi, are you really going to Juilliard?

Yes.

Then can I sleep over at your place tonight?

We don't have much time left to spend together, you know.

Well...

Oh, right!

No, you can't.

You startled me. Why can't I?

Well,

we're redoing our living room at the moment.

You'll find it too noisy.

Okay. All right, then.

Who's this man?

You kept me waiting so long.

Oh, he must be your new chauffeur.

-Right? -What?

Bingo! Yes, I am!

Please get in, Miss.

Young lady, we have to get going.

Where do you think you're going?

Can't you just drop me off down the street?

No, I can't.

Your friend

doesn't seem to know that your family has gone bankrupt.

How interesting.

It's Pu'er tea.

Have some. It'll help you tame that feisty temper.

I do quite well for myself in this line of business.

Do you know why?

Everyone else uses this, but...

I use this to get my money back.

You won't even get a drop of water out of wringing a dry towel.

It only tires you out.

Your family is like a dry towel right now.

Your mom passed away, and your dad is buried under a mountain of debt.

The only thing of value...

is you, Go Hye-mi.

Turn it on.

DEBT COLLECTION PROJECT FOR GO BYEONG-JIK'S FAMILY

We did some digging and found out that you're quite a talented kid.

But the thing is,

if you were to go this route, it'll take too long

for you to start earning money.

It's too time-consuming, and it's also costly.

However,

if you choose a slightly different route, it becomes a whole different story.

If you become successful, you'll survive, and I'll prosper.

It'll be a win-win situation.

Hence,

I need you to get into this school.

DEBT COLLECTION PROJECT FOR GO BYEONG-JIK'S FAMILY: GO HYE-MI

That's...

I'm sure you know Kirin Art School. It's a school that produces superstars.

My plan is simple.

You graduate Kirin with flying colors.

My company will produce your albums.

Become a star like Lee Hyori,

work your butt off for three years, and pay back the principal and interest.

What do you say?

Why? You don't think you can do it?

I mean, they do say that getting into Kirin is very difficult.

I'm confident...

that I can get into Kirin.

Really? Then we're all set.

We have a plan now.

Sign this.

But...

what if I don't want to?

That would be a shame.

But don't worry.

There's always plan B.

"Plan B"?

DEBT COLLECTION PROJECT 2 FOR GO BYEONG-JIK'S FAMILY: GO HYE-SEONG

This looks yummy.

Hey.

Hey, you.

Are you cooking instant noodles?

Hey.

I smell more than hard work. I think I smell a woman.

Jeez, don't sell my hard day at work so short.

It sounds especially vile coming from you, a future lawyer.

I wish you'd stop working so hard.

Is it ready? Shall I put this on the floor?

Isn't Mr. Hyun so impressive?

I know that he's about to enter politics, but ten billion won is a ton of money.

I'd love even just a 100th of that.

Then I'd buy stocks and lottery tickets with that money

and make myself a fotune.

Nothing in life comes for free.

Look at your hairline. They say those who love freebies go bald.

Really?

Hey, do you think I look older than you?

Hey.

Your shoulders are tight. Can you try to relax a little?

And why is your face so tense?

Follow me, okay?

Bravissima. Much better.

By the way, why is it so dry in here?

I don't think one humidifier is enough.

This young lady here will sing with me at my concert.

-We must protect her voice. -Pardon?

I'll sing with you?

Why? You don't think you can do it?

No, it's not that.

I certainly can.

Are you that happy?

Yes, I'm over the moon.

Kirin Art School? You?

Yes.

So you're not going to Juilliard?

Why not?

A genius can do just as well in Korea

as she can in the States.

Plus, studying abroad breaks up the family

and leads to a lot of overseas spending.

Hye-mi.

Do you have any idea how cool you are?

I do.

I mean, sort of.

Hye-mi, then we should start getting ready for the audition.

"We"?

Yes. I'm going to audition for Kirin too.

You too?

I know I probably don't qualify,

but I've taken vocal lessons with you, you know.

And I can do this too.

I may not be able to get into Juilliard like you did,

but I think Kirin is worth a shot.

Well...

We can do the test piece separately,

but let's do the free piece together as a duet.

You know I'm very good at supporting you with harmonies.

Let's do it together, okay?

Please?

Sure.

Thanks, Hye-mi.

If you want to thank me...

Just settle the tab.

Me?

DIRECTOR JUNG HA-MYUNG

Come in.

Have you gone over the schedule for the auditions?

Yes. I'd like to make a few changes.

Changes? What and how?

First,

we should pass or fail the applicants on the spot.

But what if we go over the quota?

-That would hurt our budget-- -Then we'll fill the quota exactly.

I guess we can do that, but--

And I'd like it to be an open audition.

You're crazy.

Excuse me.

But why an open audition?

Let me ask you.

Why can't it be an open audition?

I don't mean to be presumptuous,

but 42 of our students debuted as singers last year, which is a record.

We went through a lot of trial and error to get to that point.

But what you're proposing

seems to be taking us back to the trial and error phase.

Perhaps.

But the thing is...

We also had 49 dropouts,

and that's another record.

It really pains me.

Microphone check.

KIRIN ART SCHOOL APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Hye-mi, aren't you auditioning for Kirin Art School today?

Am I?

Shouldn't you be at least a tad bit nervous?

I heard that other kids take calming pills before the Kirin audition.

Only those who lack talent get that nervous.

You can definitely do this, Yun Baek-hee.

NEW STUDENT AUDITION

Wait, just a moment.

Come on. We're late.

It won't take long.

Hurry up already.

Amen. Save us, merciful Buddha.

What kind of a prayer is that?

Better safe than sorry.

What did you pray for?

Well, you know. I prayed that we'd both get into this school.

Let's go.

Best of luck.

What's wrong?

Aren't you nervous?

No, not at all.

Are you nervous?

No, I'm not nervous at all.

Please make sure you have your test ID and sheet music.

You cannot, however, bring your sheet music into the audition hall.

Restroom.

The restroom. Where's the restroom?

What's your problem? Gosh, my tummy.

What the hell is he saying?

God, my tummy...

Please, my foot.

Did I pass? Thank you!

So we meet again.

Are you stalking me?

Are you nuts?

Why the hell would I want to see

the douchebag who seduced my mom and broke up my parents?

Okay, just keep it down.

Then are you here...

to audition?

Me?

Why would I?

This place is full of jerks like you.

Do you think I've lost my mind or what?

Number 1287, Yun Baek-hee. Number 1288, Go Hye-mi.

You're on standby.

Didn't she...

just call your name?

No, she didn't.

Number 1287, Yun Baek-hee.

-Number 1288, Go Hye-mi. -What are you doing here, Hye-mi?

It's our turn. Let's go.

You can let go of me.

-Number 1287, Yun Baek-hee. -Yes.

-Number 1288, Go Hye-mi. -Yes.

You may begin.

I had a dream

Although I was torn to pieces

What? Isn't she that rude girl from the other day?

Yes, it is her.

What's that girl doing here?

Didn't she call Kirin "a crap school"?

...deep within my heart

As if it were a treasure

You always say worriedly that

A futile dream is poisonous

And the world is an irreversible reality

Like a book with The ending already written

-Even so -Even so

-I have a dream -I have a dream

-I believe in that dream -I believe in that dream

-Just look at me -Just look at me

I can face the wall

Called destiny

Which stands there coldly

-With Confidence -With Confidence

-Someday -Someday

-I will climb over the wall -I will climb over the wall

-And fly high -And fly high

-Above the sky -Above the sky

Even this heavy world

Can't tie me down

Let's spend the day together

When I will smile with you

-At the end of my life -At the end of my life

Great. Thank you.

But I'm afraid we can't accept both of you.

Pardon?

Please.

We have to pass together.

That won't happen.

Please just fail both of us if we can't pass together.

Really?

But what if you're the one who passed?

It doesn't matter. You can fail me.

We promised to do this together.

No.

I don't think like that.

I don't need to go down with her.

That's just what she thinks.

What's the matter with you, Hye-mi?

We said we'd be in this together through thick and thin.

When did I say such a thing?

I never said that

and I don't want to do that.

But I thought you and I were going to...

I absolutely do not want to fail with her.

I want to stay here.

There seems to be some misunderstanding here.

The person who passed

is not Go Hye-mi.

It's Yun Baek-hee.

Pardon?

Yun Baek-hee, you passed.

Hold on.

You must be mistaken.

I'm the one who failed?

Yes.

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

I'm Go Hye-mi.

I know.

Why do you think that I could be mistaken? You're the one who failed.

Dude!

Who do you think you are?

Are you good enough to discern real talent?

Did you even major in music?

You don't know anything. You don't even have an ear for music.

Aren't you being too haphazard here?

"Dude"?

You're talking to the director of our school.

How rude.

Mr. Kang, please get Little Red Riding Hood out of here.

Okay, sure.

I'll escort her out.

-Let's go. Come on. -Let go of me.

This is actually interesting. Let's hear what she has to say.

Yes, sir.

I just don't get it.

Her tempo was off and both her head voice and chest voice were awful.

Didn't you catch that?

No. I'm sure you didn't.

Had you caught that, you definitely would've failed her.

She just tagged along with me.

She's really nothing!

I'm first-rate, while she's so third-rate.

This is precisely why

I was against having an open audition.

Fine.

Then let me give you another test. It'll be a short-answer question.

What do you mean you'll give her another test?

She doesn't get it, so we have to make her get it.

But what if the results change?

What are we to do then?

The results won't change.

But...

you have to promise us that you'll accept the final results no matter what.

Okay.

You too, sir.

What if Little Red Riding Hood gets the question right? What then?

-Then Mr. Jung will lose face. -Exactly.

Does he even know how to play the piano?

He mashed up two songs.

One of them is Gershwin.

What's the other one?

Stravinsky?

Mahler?

What the hell is that song?

What an interesting mix.

Isn't this too easy?

Yes, I think so.

If I got it, it's safe to assume that just about every Korean would get it.

I'm sure you can tell that I mashed up two songs.

One of them was Gershwin's "Summertime."

What was the other one?

The other one was...

Mr. Jung is in trouble now. He was too reckless.

Wasn't it...

"Aquarium" by Saint-Saëns?

I told you the results wouldn't change.

Yun Baek-hee. You know the answer, don't you?

The other song...

sounded like Sim Soo-bong's "All I Know Is Love."

Correct.

She's such a birdbrain. How could she not know?

It's not that she didn't know. She probably couldn't imagine

Gershwin being mixed with traditional Korean pop.

That was a trick question.

How could you mix Gershwin with traditional Korean pop?

Our school has no place for those who are third-rate.

I think talented students who work hard should be considered first-rate.

Hardworking students who are not so talented are second-rate.

-And as for third-rate-- -Do you think

that I'm neither talented nor hardworking?

I consider students...

who are prejudiced third-rate.

That's why I'm failing you.

Now that I think about it,

you've always been

number one.

How does it feel

to be called third-rate?

The moment you break the rack,

the game begins.

Be careful. Please be gentle with it.

The same goes for important changes in your life.

It comes at you suddenly like a break shot,

and it puts your everyday life in disarray.

In the face of such a sudden change,

most young people get flustered and scared.

If I could go back in time,

this is what I would like to tell them.

The game has begun,

so don't be scared and just enjoy yourselves.

Please.

Help me.

I'll be sure to prove to you that you made the wrong decision.

You're something else.

Hyun Si-hyuk!

If you want to earn some time for your friend, then dance.

You like to dance.

Who are you? Who the hell are you?

The conditionally accepted students will have to be very talented.

Plus, no one will want to be their homeroom teacher, either.

Here. The homeroom teacher for the conditionally accepted students.

Is that why he brought me here?

Two more?

You'd like me to teach English at Kirin Art School?

Director Jung?

What are you doing in Dambong-ri? Come back to Seoul this instant.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to come with me.