01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

NOTES FROM THE LAST ROW

[up-tempo, percussive jazz playing]

-[boy] They got first.
-[girl] I knew it. But look who's second.

[boy] Weird. I didn't know
he was that good.

-Good morning, sir.
-Hi.

[jazz continues]

YEONSEO UNIVERSITY
PROGRAMMING COMPETITION RESULTS

KIM SE-YUN, LEE KANG

RUNNER-UP

[music fades]

-Not bad, huh?
-[gasps]

-Trying to give me a heart attack?
-I thought you'd be glad to see me.

[sighs]

I was hoping to tell you
how I did myself. I'm proud of it.

[sighs] So…

You could've won it.

-Why'd you settle for second?
-I told you when I thought this up.

I don't wanna take a spot I didn't earn.

And me winning would be really sus.

[chuckles]

I got invited back.

For a dinner tomorrow.

Se-yun's parents are thrilled.

They wanna celebrate.

That's good.

It'll be a good way to resume our lessons.

Saturday. I want a draft by Friday.

Cool.

-See you this weekend.
-Hmm.

Just a second.

[sighs]

You know this has to stay between us.

No one can know about what we did.

Yes, sir.

[jazz piano playing]

[chuckles]

[sighs]

[upbeat jazz playing]

[students chattering indistinctly]

-[girl] Professor Heo.
-Hi. How are you?

An outline structures your thoughts.

It corrals all the great ideas you have
running around in your head.

And not doing one is like
climbing Everest without a guide.

-[students laugh]
-[chuckles]

So make a blueprint, then.

[Kang] If I push
that front door open and enter,

but come face to face
with another smaller door,

am I standing on the inside,

or am I still on the outside?

[exhales pensively]

But why smaller?

Hmm.

[jazz abates]

[music fades out]

[father chuckles] That was a wise move.

My wife's favorite flower's
always been the white rose.

It's Se-yun

who said I should get those.

But I couldn't afford a big bouquet.

-[father laughs]
-[mother chuckles]

These dishes, which one is your favorite?

There's so many of them.
I think they're all delicious.

Thank you again for having me.

Well, I'm glad you like it.
[chuckles] We appreciate all that you did.

We wanted something
worthy of the accomplishment.

It's so good for Se-yun.

[chuckles] We're so proud.
He's never done that well.

You're a good team.
I sure hope you'll stick with it.

[chuckles]

Do you have any siblings
you help in school?

What?

[mother sips]

No, I don't.

I wish, though.

-So you're an only child?
-[father] Hmm.

Is one of your parents an engineer?
Do they live in the city?

[father sipping]

[low, tense music playing]

[Kang] The mother bird's anxious need
to protect her young.

The second door disguised as curiosity.

[father] Don't mind her. She does this.

He's not interviewing for a job.

[chuckles] I'm curious.

I mean, I'm sure your parents are
as proud as we are.

Kang's kinda shy
when it comes to all that.

It wasn't rude.

[mother] I'm sorry.

I just got so excited.
I like to get to know my son's friends.

I'm nosey, always have been. [chuckles]

If you're finished, I'll get dessert.

-You got that cake?
-Mm.

I wanna celebrate.

My mother left us.

I needed a key,

or something to nudge that door open.

I was only eight
when she picked up and walked out.

And then my dad got hurt and couldn't work
and went nuts, basically.

He's got dementia
and had to be moved to assisted living.

So…

who took care of you?

-[father] Stop.
-No, sir.

You're wondering if I have a family?

Exactly. I can't imagine
how hard it would be to be so young

and lose both of your parents like that.

Did you have anyone to take you in?

Quite the opposite.

I took care

of my dad and me.

[exhales]

From second grade until recently,
when… I couldn't do it anymore.

I was more the adult.

That must've been rough.

And yet,

you managed to get into
a very competitive school.

Yeonseo is not easy to get into.

Oh, he didn't have any trouble getting in.

He's on a scholarship.
His grades were that good.

I couldn't be average.

Because I needed an education.

With my dad's handicap,
we really struggled with money.

So I worked a lot of part-time jobs,
and I would study the rest of the time.

[poignant piano music playing]

I honestly didn't have a lot of friends.

I was pretty lonely.

But then fate decided I was due some luck.

Or some pretty cheery times, at least.

When I'm around him, it's like
I'm looking at a blue and cloudless sky.

Bright and light, but with a deep heart.

I was just fascinated by his goodness.

And I wondered,
"How does someone become that?"

But as soon as I was welcomed
into your house…

I knew I'd already solved the mystery.

It's the love you share.

How you're an actual family.

I think this whole project came along
to bring us together.

Because I needed to learn

what a real family is…

and to have a mom who's interested.

[Se-yun] Hmm.

-[mother] Hmm.
-[chuckles] Well, damn.

I think you just created a monster.

Now my wife's gonna be
even nosier than before. [chuckles]

[chuckles] Kang, you're not alone.

Not as long as
you and our son are friends.

Which means we'll look out for you.

And we'd be delighted
to have you over whenever you want.

-[father] Mm.
-Consider our family to be your family.

You have a new home here in our hearts.

[chuckles]

[quirky music playing]

[Kang] As soon as I saw
what was behind that door,

I realized which one
I had really wanted to open.

[music obscures soundscape]

The door to their hearts.

The one that eliminated the boundary
between the inside and the outside.

[inaudible]

P.S.

I owe all of this to you, Professor Heo.

My story would have ended right there

if you hadn't gotten hold
of those questions for me.

Thank you for everything.

[music halts abruptly]

This is my office.

What the hell are you doing in here,
reading my student's work?

Does it really bother you, or is it

because of what he said at the end?

What are you up to?

[splutters] I'm not up to anything.

-What are you talking about?
-You're clearly lying.

You scrunch up your nose
when you don't tell the truth.

I'm busy. Can you leave me alone now?

[sighs, grunts]

-What's this, getting a hold of questions?
-No! [grunts]

-Hey, that hurts! [screams]
-Give it! It's mine!

-[Mun-oh pants]
-[breathes shakily]

-You're being an idiot!
-You're in no position to talk!

You're hiding something,
and it sounds serious!

Just let it go!

Why does it matter to you, huh?

How can you think it wouldn't?

[Mun-oh scoffs]

Hyeon-suk, when you come into my office
and snoop through my work,

it feels like an invasion, okay?

So stop trying…
to know everything about my life.

If you need to know, I'll tell you.

[Hyeon-suk sighs]

And stay out of my damn office!

Why the hell did he write that?

Kid can't keep a secret.

[breathes agitatedly]

[sighs]

Jesus Christ!

[sighs]

You nearly gave me a heart attack.

[objects clatter]

Those plugs really work.

I tried to warn you.

About what? That you were coming in?

[Mun-oh sighs]

What do you want, Mun-oh?

[grunts softly]

You're just gonna
make yourself at home, huh?

[Mun-oh sighs]

I did…

make a questionable decision.

I stole questions

for some programming contest
Lee Kang entered and needed to do well in.

[smacks lips] I got him a copy in advance.

[Hyeon-suk sighs softly]

Don't ask me for details.

I had to do what I had to do.

Are you confessing or gloating?
I can't tell.

Did you just admit
to helping a student cheat?

I don't think I recognize
the man I married right now.

You harp on ethics all the time.

I get that you're confused.

[sighs]

I can't make sense of it either.

But I will say…

it was thrilling.

What?

My heart was racing like a stallion.

I threw my ethics out the window.

I'd never done that before.

[gentle piano music playing]

[muted soundscape]

What a feeling!

It was like I had escaped
a prison of my own making.

[chuckles softly]

[piano music continues]

[chuckles]

[scoffs]

So a stubborn old mule like you
engages in one deviant act

and, all of a sudden, you feel liberated?

I think that's too strong a word.

I'd say it was pure exhilaration.

Whichever.

I don't think it's worn off yet.

You've been acting different.

You came into my bed uninvited.

Oh.

[breathes hesitantly]

You can stay if you want.

You can sleep in here tonight.

It'll be like old times.

[grunts, exhales deeply]

I don't remember…

when we started doing this,
each in our own room.

[Hyeon-suk breathes deeply]

When we quit IVF.

Lemme see.

I guess that would make it 13 years.

That's over a decade.

But sometimes it feels like yesterday.

[Mun-oh exhales deeply]

[metronomic percussive music playing]

[mellow jazz playing]

[Hyeon-suk humming]

[lid clicks]

[bottle clatters]

[music continues]

[dishes clinking in distance]

[chuckles softly]

[dishes clinking]

[knocking at door]

[music fades out]

I think Lee Kang is coming over
for his first lesson, right?

I made you something
in case you get hungry.

Oh, thank you. Hmm.

Don't you need to get to your meeting?

I canceled so I could stay here with you.

I like to watch you teach.

[chuckles]

You're not planning
to sit in on the lesson, are you?

-Should I stand?
-This isn't a joke.

Go do your own stuff.

-You're blushing, I think.
-[scoffs]

It's a good color on you. [chuckles]

You're like a teenage boy.

Avoiding eye contact.

[grumbles] Buzz off.

[laughs]

One of the reasons I fell in love.

Makes you even that much more handsome.

It doesn't. Please go away.
He'll be here any second.

I need to concentrate.

Ah. But first I have a question.

Did you know about the way Kang grew up,

how his mother left?

Had you talked about it?

[sighs] It's pretty tragic to go through
all of that at such a young age.

It surprised me too.

But I make it a rule
to keep students at arm's length.

You're a writer. Why would you?

Hmm.

I think you need to change that.

Being in contact with the human experience
is what writing's all about.

-You can't teach him if you're so cut off.
-[huffs]

Can you just go?

-Anywhere.
-[doorbell chimes]

[doorbell chimes]

[footsteps departing]

[intriguing jazz playing]

[sniffs]

[music continues]

[Mun-oh] Why'd you bring flowers?

-I figured your wife was home.
-[music ends]

If this lesson was later,
she'd probably be out.

It would've been disrespectful
to come empty-handed.

I hope she likes 'em.
I couldn't afford a big bouquet.

[Mun-oh scoffs softly]

Nice try, weasel.

That bouquet line is what
you used to explain

why you only bought the three white roses.

Yeah.

That's kinda dumb of me.

But it's not a line.
They're damn expensive.

[exhales hesitantly]

That's true.

Speaking of… [sighs]

…for this to work,
we have to have honest exchanges, so…

so I have to ask.

Is what you wrote about your parents true?

[mug clunks gently]

So you're not asking me
if what the narrator said is true or not,

but if this is autobiographical.

They're both good.

I was just curious.

[Kang inhales pensively]
I'd say it's a combo of the two.

[chuckles softly] My lies and truth
kind of spill into him.

Doesn't the main character
in your novel have at least

a little piece of you in him?

-My novel?
-Yeah.

I just bought it.

[zipper opens]

[rummaging]

Mm.

TWELVE WOMEN

I got lucky and found this
at a secondhand bookstore.

I haven't finished reading it yet,

but the premise seems to follow
the narrator and his 12 different lovers.

We're getting off track, I'm afraid.

[breathes deeply]

And this theme,

you're not ready to understand it.

[inhales deeply] I don't know
if anyone really can.

-[clears throat]
-You don't?

I'm having to think a lot, but I get it.

Mm… [inhales sharply]

It says it's fiction,
but it also feels like

this is your experience.

So I'm curious…

[soft, contemplative music playing]

…is it autobiographical?

[exhales]

[inhales deeply]

[sighs]

Sort of.

It's like you said. [sighs]

[grunts softly]

My lies and truths kind of spill into him.

It's a combo of the two.

The 12 different women,

were figments of my imagination.

[breathes deeply]

In real life, there was only ever the one.

[music fades out]

What?

-I'm sorry. I didn't get that.
-Never mind.

[inhales deeply]

We're done talking
about that novel. [grunts]

We have work to do. Put that away.

-[papers shuffle]
-I didn't hear what you said before.

Put that away.

Oh. Can I just tell you one thing
before we get started?

I'm moving in.

With Se-yun and his parents.

I'm gonna live there.

At their house?

-Look out. Can't stop this.
-[Se-yun] Watch the fake!

[Kang grunting]

[Se-yun grunts]

-[groans]
-[father laughs] Yeah!

[Kang] It came up really casually.

We were having burgers
after sh**ting hoops at the park.

-With you?
-Yeah, at our house.

From what I understand,
you rent a shitty little studio.

I feel bad you have to live like that.

[pop music playing over speakers]

Sorry. But I said it was crap,
not shitty. [chuckles]

[father] That's true. But the point is,
we want you to move in, okay?

Come live with us.

His sister's at school.
You can move in and take over her room.

-[Se-yun] Mm.
-His mom and I agree. We all do.

[Se-yun] Mm-hmm.

Kang… if it helps you decide
whether or not to do this,

you should know
that my wife and I try to pay it forward.

Share the wealth when we can. Hmm?

Just say yes.

-[chuckles]
-Please say yes, dude.

-We can game all the time.
-[father laughs]

It's nice of them.

-That's very generous.
-I couldn't say no.

The money I'm gonna save
not having to pay rent…

And it's gonna be great for my story.

I'll have all these new experiences
to write about.

[Mun-oh] Mm.

I don't know.
Family dynamics can be tricky.

You never know
what's going on behind closed doors.

I'm not too worried.

I already thought
Se-yun's dad was a good guy,

but then I found out
he convinced his wife.

Apparently, they argued about it
and the dad won. [chuckles]

He's his hero. Se-yun respects his dad
and thinks he's the GOAT.

He's got money and he's really successful,
but he's considerate and open-minded.

Mr. Kim is just, like,
the perfect example.

It's the first time I meet an adult…

[sighs contentedly]

…I think I should emulate.

[chuckles softly]

Ah. [chuckles]

That tells me just how far
you have to go to be a good writer.

-[scoffs]
-What?

Writers have to be able
to describe the layers,

see beyond the superficial.

You think your friend's dad is amazing
because he's nice and successful

and can sh**t a decent jumper.

[tuts]

It makes sense. Right now,
you take things at face value. I get it.

You're young.

You're seeing the outline.

You've barely scratched the surface

of this apparently hero-like father
and his family you don't really know.

A middle-to-upper-class family
who wants to do right by you.

But what makes these guys special? Huh?

That's just life in the suburbs.

You've gotta knock them down

because, right now, they're on a pedestal.

You see them for what you
them to be.

[sighs]

When it comes to creating characters,
you're not just making up a person.

You have to create relationships
that affect their behavior.

How they act with the people around them
is what really counts.

[sighs]

I suggest you observe the father first.

[smacks lips, inhales]

This is your homework.

[mischievous music playing]

So you're gonna keep and eye on the father
and watch how he interacts,

see how he treats the family, one-on-one,

and jot down your observations.

I will.

[Mun-oh] Hmm.

[music continues]

Eat up.

[Hyeon-suk] Is it possible
that you're envious of this Mr. Kim?

-[music stops]
-Envious of who?

Of the dad.

Didn't Kang say he thought
Mr. Kim was a great example?

The first person
he's ever wanted to be like?

Emulate's a heady word.

Aren't you envious?

Course not.

If one of my students finds a role model,
I'm glad. Why would I be jealous?

I said envious, not jealous.
But either way, your advice was telling.

Hold on. Were you eavesdropping on us?

Not on purpose. You were loud.

I heard bits and pieces. That's all.

Hyeon-suk, I am mentoring a writer here,

and giving my honest advice is essential.

He needs to improve his observation.

I understand.

You think he's naive for taking
their kind gesture at face value,

for thinking they're good
through and through.

You know, the key to mentoring

is for you to be a reference
their future selves can lean on.

I have to say, I thought Kang would be
rougher around the edges.

You never mentioned he was so sweet.

[Mun-oh scoffs]

[inhales deeply]

You know, I can't quite
put my finger on it.

He looks familiar somehow.

[door beeps]

Hi. I have a writing lesson.

-[chuckles softly]
-[plastic rustles]

Oh my goodness. You brought flowers.

Please come in. He's waiting for you.

[smacks lips] Do you notice…

[gasps]

[sighs]

Did you ask Kang if what he wrote
about his family was true or not?

Did he really go through all that?

No, I didn't. And why do you care?

[sighs] You wanna try to analyze him?

-[groans]
-Don't you care?

I keep wondering if it's true.

Or worse.

It's entirely possible his childhood
was even rougher than he let on.

He evades the question.

If he wants to forget,
let him forget. [exhales deeply]

Do you think it's wise for them
to let him move into their house?

[Mun-oh grunts]

Childhood trauma can leave triggers
that lie dormant.

What do you mean, "triggers"?

We all have traces of things
that have marked us.

What helps us to endure is being supported

and having people in our lives
who love us and who we can trust.

Our sense of ethics can be
heavily influenced by those relationships.

If what Kang wrote is true,
he didn't have that support system.

He didn't have many friends.

[tense, pensive music playing]

He grew up lonely. That leaves traces.

A trigger can set off negative emotions,
or dangerous ones.

[Mun-oh breathes uneasily]

Dangerous ones, huh?

[Hyeon-suk] Mm.

-[Mun-oh] What are you doing?
-[video game beeping]

Oh, hi, sir. I was just playing.

This is a new game I made.
You want me to show you?

-[victim groans]
-[avatar laughs menacingly]

You press here to go forward
and double-click on this to k*ll.

[chuckles]

-[tense music continues]
-[exhales deeply]

[discordant music playing]

[music peaks, abates]

[breathing shakily]

That damn hammer.

-[breathes shakily]
-[music fades out]

[breathing softens]

[doorbell chimes]

[intercom beeps]

Hi. How are you?

-[intercom buzzes]
-It's Lee Kang.

Oh. Sorry, dude.

You hauled that all the way?

-Let me take it.
-[upbeat music playing]

[Kang] People get homesick
when they travel.

[muted soundscape]

♪ I'm looking for someone new ♪

♪ Woo-ooh-ooh ♪

-[Kang] That's because…
-♪ She better be better than you ♪

-…they have a home to go back to.
-♪ Woo-ooh-ooh ♪

♪ She better be just like my mama
No games and no drama ♪

♪ I'm so sick of bad news… ♪

It's got all her stuff in it.

She took what she wanted.

You can do what you want with it.
She said so herself.

So knock yourself out. [chuckles]

It's yours now.

♪ I must admit it, babe ♪

-♪ You weren't half bad… ♪
-[door opens]

-[door closes]
-[music continues]

[Kang sighs]

Are you sure you want this room?
It's so dark and dusty.

It's perfect.

[chuckles]

[Se-yun] Guess it'll be a good reason
to get rid of this stuff.

[Kang] Especially if they have
their own room waiting for them.

It's such a beautiful room,
with all that great light.

And I appreciate the offer

but I'd feel bad
taking down Jeong-hu's posters.

-[chuckles] Mm.
-If you're sure.

You're very sweet to leave it free
for when she comes home.

You've never even met Jeong-hu. [chuckles]

I know you only use it for storage,

but the room I chose
is like a palace to me.

On that note, welcome to the kingdom.

Lee Kang, we're very glad
our son brought you here.

-[mother] Welcome to our home.
-[Se-yun] Yeah!

[cell phone vibrating]

Ah. Great timing. Jeong-hu.

-[mother] Hmm?
-[father] Really?

[connect tone]

Hey, don't worry.
Your room's still intact.

Ha! Sorry, loser.
You wish I was calling 'cause of that.

This is where I live now.
I love it, and I don't even miss you.

-Well, we miss you.
-[father] Mm-hmm.

Dad can't stop crying.
You need to check in with us more often.

[father] That's right, or we'll kick you
outta the family. [chuckles]

Hey. I'll introduce you to Kang.

-[Jeong-hu] New roomie?
-Hi, Jeong-hu.

Aw! [chuckles]

Hi, Kang. I've heard so much about you.
Se-yun won't stop blabbing about you.

-[father laughs]
-[all chuckle]

-Nice to meet you.
-[Kang] You too.

-You're taking your vitamins, aren't you?
-Love you.

[Kang] Having people waiting
to welcome you back…

[father] …a little red.

-Crying 'cause you miss me?
-[Jeong-hu] Nope.

[Kang] …is an even bigger luxury
than the trip itself.

Does that mean…

[upbeat music continues]

…that I finally have a home
that I'll have the luxury of missing?

[door opens]

[music abates]

[music fades]

[woman] What are you looking at?
You're so annoying.

And thanks to you, I have extra work.

[door closes]

[Kang] There is one person who'd love
for me to leave and never come back.

[vacuum cleaner whirring]

[powers down]

I heard you used to live
in a total craphole,

where you belong.

[soft, subdued music playing]

-[clank]
-[vacuum cleaner whirring]

[Kang] The housekeeper, Seon Min-hui.
She's in her early thirties.

She comes to the house three times a week.

[keyboard tapping]

-Oh my God! [gasps] Oops!
-I got it.

[Min-hui] I'm so sorry.

[Se-yun] Use these.
You don't want the juice to stick.

Thanks. Good idea.

[patting]

[Kang] Min-hui is the only person
who hates that I moved in.

[mother] How many times have I asked you
not to throw your cigarette butts in here?

[Min-hui] That's not mine.

It's your new boarder.
He threw it in there.

I saw it.

It's not mine.

[scoffs] Do you think I'm an idiot?

There's no way this is Kang's.

Look.

It's got lipstick on it, right there.

Besides the fact our kids don't smoke.

It's so bad for you,
but I can't keep people from smoking.

It's their choice.

But I've made it clear
there's no smoking around here.

It's bad for the flowers!

Do it again and you're fired!

[Min-hui] What?

[scoffs] It's bad for the flowers?

[tuts]

[huffs]

[uneasy music playing]

[lighter clicking]

[breathing nervously]

[music intensifies]

[music ends]

[father] Why are you putting up with her,
then, honey? Just fire her already.

Unless you're too chicken
and need me to do it for you.

[mother] It's not that.

It's more that I'd feel guilty firing her.

She's a single mother
raising a child on her own.

[tuts] She's… [scoffs]

…the worst one we've ever had,

but she was referred to me
by the president of my church group.

Won't look very charitable to fire her.

Doesn't that saying,
"charity begins at home,"

mean you gotta take care
of your own family first?

Come here.

[sighs] Mm…

[father sighs]

She is rude. [sighs]

[grunts softly]

And she's slow as molasses.

[scoffs] But her cooking is fantastic.

When she makes those side dishes
Yun loves, he just devours them.

Oh, that's good.
Ugh, I didn't realize I was so tense.

-Oh, you're k*lling me.
-[chuckles] Really?

-You want me to stop?
-[mother] Don't you dare.

[chuckles] You could have been a masseuse.

-[father chuckles]
-[mother] My own private one.

[exhales]

[dreamy, wistful music playing]

[father] So this

is where you turn your brain off.

Relax and just concentrate
on my hands, okay?

The most important thing to me
is that you feel good in your own home.

That's all that matters.

'Cause if you're not happy, I'm not happy.

I just needed to vent a little.
You're getting all worked up over nothing.

[father] Am I? [chuckles]

[mother sighs]

[dreamy music continues]

[chuckles softly]

[wistful music intensifies]

[ethereal, lilting vocalizing]

[vocals fade]

[suspenseful violin note plays]

[soft, tender music playing]

You know the kids are here?

The room has a door.

[music abates]

[lock clacks]

[music stops]

[gentle piano music playing]

[music fades out]

You stood there?

You stood there eavesdropping?

Not for the whole thing.

I had to help Se-yun again.

You look rather disappointed.

I do?

[Kang sighs]

-[clears throat]
-No.

That's too cheap.

You engaged in voyeurism.

I don't care if it turns you on,
but that's not observation.

You can't do that.

But I took notes.

-You invaded their pri--
-[faint clatter]

[whispers] Wait. Wait. Sh.

-What are you doing?
-Sh!

There's a big difference
between observing and spying.

And more importantly, when you indulge
in this kind of spying, you're a voyeur.

-[sighs]
-It wasn't my intention.

I didn't set out to do it.

-It just happened.
-[sighs] You little pervert.

That's bullshit, and you know it.

You're an observer, not a Peeping Tom.

Mr. Kim, he and his wife are
a perfect match. I can tell.

I've been watching these two,
and the one thing I noticed the most

is how often they share
these innocent, small touches.

So now… you're gonna assume
that because they touch each other,

they're going strong?

It's a sign of affection.

You think it's romance,
or affection, or even love,

'cause you see it
through rose-colored glasses.

You're too young not to see it as romance.

[sighs deeply]

As you get older, you'll realize
it could be an act of desperation.

A feeble attempt…

[grunts, tuts]

…to conquer the indifference,

which has no relation to voyeurism.

You need to know,
and what most married people will confirm,

is that it's complicated.

So you've had that experience?

Which one?

Indifference.

You have been married for a while,
haven't you?

Why are you smirking?

You a comedian? Huh?

I'm your mentor.

So watch your mouth and show some respect.

Now back to the lesson.

I wanna hear your impression
of the housekeeper.

I don't like her.

I'd rather leave her out of it.

Really?

Are you scared of that woman?

Can we talk about love instead? Huh?

Your wife…

do you love her?

[Hyeon-suk] What's your first impression?

-Do we look like we're in love?
-He's here to improve his writing.

I don't know why she's asking,
so don't answer that.

You should apologize. He's just a kid.

-[Kang chuckles]
-He's in university. He's not a child.

And I ask since writers are fond
of observation, aren't they?

The first impression
is the professor's lucky to have you.

You obviously love him.
He's a lot harder to read.

[chuckles]

Yes, he is.

I used to think still waters run deep.

-But maybe the water's turned to ice.
-[Kang chuckles]

[munching]

Enough.

-Lunch is over. You're done.
-[Kang] Um… Uh…

We're not running a boarding school.
Go eat at home. Buy your own meal.

I got the chicken,
so don't tell my guest he can't eat here.

-I ordered extra so there'd be lots.
-[Kang] It's really good.

You should have some.

Take some more.

I have enough.

[inhales hesitantly]

It does look pretty tasty.
Maybe I'll have one.

It can't hurt.

I can't.

I need to lose weight.

You're not too heavy.

At least keep enough to hold on to.

Aren't you sweet?

[chuckles]

A compliment.

I usually only get those on my birthday.

[Mun-oh grumbles]

I'm feeling a little nauseous.
[clears throat]

[tuts, sighs]

[Kang] Honestly, I think the professor
loves you more than you know.

It's just that his love is so deep,
it takes a long time to surface.

[Hyeon-suk] Is that so?
And what makes you think that?

[Kang] I finished reading his novel
the other day.

And when I got to the end,

I realized who the one woman is.

[intriguing music playing]

[Hyeon-suk] The one woman?

[Kang] Yeah, the one
the 12 women represent.

He said something about them being made-up
but there's only ever been the one.

You weren't listening!

-[door closes]
-You were distracted.

I know what I heard.

I asked you to repeat it
because I was surprised.

I think it's so cool.

Because the one you wrote about
is right here.

Lucky.

[music fades out]

[clock ticking]

So lucky.

[sighs]

He's spouting nonsense.

He stares into space half the time
and pretends to listen.

I don't know where he got
that ridiculous idea. Don't be upset.

It doesn't bother me one bit.

You wrote about your first love,
and it sold.

[objects clatter]

My first love?

We all have one.

And I saw her name pretty often
in the notes for your early drafts.

Gotta write what you know.

This is all ancient history.
And also, you knew.

Why is it a big deal all of a sudden?

Who's saying it's a big deal?

What I will say, though,

is I'm a little surprised to know
she's all the women.

Food for thought.

What else do you and I not know
about each other?

[tuts]

Ugh!

That little sh*t.
I need this like a hole in the head.

[huffs]

[thunder rumbling]

[uneasy music playing]

[Kang] It doesn't always take a typhoon
to uproot a tree.

[wind whistles]

Sometimes a passing breeze

is enough to bring it crashing down.

I told you already.
I didn't steal the damn scarf.

I'm sick of you always accusing me.

[mother] Min-hui, I know you're lying.
I found it in your purse!

It's the same thing
like when you lie about cigarettes.

Well, I'm not lying this time!

And why were you in my purse?

This is my personal property.
You can't search it.

I had to. It's an expensive scarf.

I only looked in your purse
as a last resort,

after I searched every inch of this house.

-[door opens]
-Look at all the rain out there.

It's like a monsoon.

[thunder rumbles]

So you think that justifies the search?

'Cause it's designer?

If you keep trying
to pin things on me that I didn't do,

I think I'll have to quit.

It's not right.

[intriguing, uneasy music playing]

[thunder rumbling]

[door opens]

-[door closes]
-What did "pinning things on her" mean?

She's a thief,
but she's always trying to blame…

[whimpers]

Oh my God, Mom! Mom, sit down.

[mother gasping]

Are you okay?
Should I go get your pills for you?

-Oh yes, please, honey. And water.
-I'll be right back.

-[father] It finally happened.
-[door opens]

You let that woman walk all over you
instead of letting her go,

and now look at you.

[mother groans, gasps]

Oh Jesus.

I'll see if she's still there
and tell her what's what.

-[mother whimpers] Wait!
-[door closes]

[music fades]

[scoffs softly] You orchestrated it.

That crosses so many lines, Kang.

You could ruin this woman's life.

A writer

has to observe the situation,
not meddle with it.

[Kang sighs]

But she started it.

She was really rude
from day one, you know.

Spilling juice all over on purpose,
and saying I smoke too.

And you think that justifies your actions?

It's harsh.

Is it possible you want her fired?

It was a… prank to teach her a lesson.

Pranks don't get people
accused of stealing.

You stole

and then framed that woman you don't like.

There's no excuse for that.

[Kang sighs]

What about what she did to me, huh?

Does she just get away with it?

[Mun-oh breathes pensively]

[sighs]

You're such a troublemaker.

Disrupting perfectly peaceful households
with your sopho--

[faint clatter]

I disrupted your peace?

[sighs, clicks tongue]

You need to follow my instructions.

The conflict has to be natural and real.

You cannot orchestrate a situation,
especially such a serious one,

so that you can have
a dramatic plot twist for your story.

Understand? You meddled
in these people's lives.

You can only observe a fight,
not start one.

Is this 'cause something happened?

Did your wife get mad after our lesson?

I get why we're here now.

-You don't want me at your house.
-You don't get a thing. It's convenient.

Not everything is about you, Kang.

[sighs, scoffs]

From now on,

we'll be having our sessions here.

It's easier.

-Right.
-[scoffs wearily]

[clicks tongue]

I am exhausted.

Let's call it a day.
We'll pick up next week.

[breathes deeply]

The voyeurism, you said I shouldn't do it,

but it did let me see
what you meant about judging the surface.

I thought you might be mad if I wrote it.

Can I just please mention it
before we call it a day?

[softly] Make it quick.

I know the dad's having an affair

with Min-hui.

Because

I spied on them a little.

[soft, intriguing music playing]

[rain pattering]

Mr. Kim went outside,

supposedly to give the housekeeper
a talking-to.

[thunder rumbling]

[inaudible]

-[muted soundscape]
-[intriguing music continues]

[Kang] It looked like a couple's fight.

Then he kinda grabbed her by the arm
and they disappeared.

I figured it was towards the garage,
so I decided to go listen.

And I found out they… [pants excitedly]

[intriguing music continues]

[thunder crashes]

[music becomes eerily discordant]

-[giddily] The car was just shaking.
-[music ends]

For a second,
I thought it might roll over.

-It was rocking so hard.
-Quiet!

You're actually proud of this?

I'm really starting to think
you're making all of this up.

All this time, has any of this been true?

-It's coming off as a bunch of lies!
-I saw it! I saw it with my own eyes!

Did you? Would you swear by that?

Didn't you say you were feeling
sick that day? You're 100% sure?

Yeah! A thousand percent!

[exhales]

You say

you saw them in the garage

rocking the car.

You're absolutely positive,

but you couldn't see
the people who were in there!

You are making serious assumptions!

You can't just swing
your wild opinions around,

like that bloody hammer in your game,
and not care who might get hurt!

Writing is an art.

Don't approach it
like a game on your phone.

You have to know the truth to write it.
You can't make your own.

For your story to have a moral,

you have to have morals yourself.

Got it?

I think you were right about Kang.

The kid is off.

[tuts, inhales deeply]

I don't know what's going on in his head,
but I don't like it. [sighs]

I don't think I can mentor him.

I thought the whole reason he caught
your attention is that he's different.

I think he's sweet.

Is that so?

Aren't you the one who said
he might be unstable?

I believe I said there are triggers.

-You still don't know if his story's real.
-So?

All I know is he's nice and likes chicken.

Mm, but I don't know how he is with you.

Maybe his potential
makes you uncomfortable.

Maybe you're a little jealous.

Jealous of what?

Do you mind letting me
get this done? It's overdue.

[breathy groan]

[eerie, suspenseful music playing]

[Kang breathes shakily]

sh*t.

[sighs]

[grunts softly]

-[exhales dazedly]
-[doorbell ringing incessantly]

[laughs]

-[Mun-oh grunts]
-[cell phone ringing]

LEE KANG

[grunts]

-[sighs]
-[ringing continues]

[groans]

[breathing dazedly]

[ringing continues]

[ringing stops]

What is it?

[Kang] I'm sorry, professor.

I know it's really late,
but I need your help.

I got into an accident,
and they said… [pants]

…they won't let me leave by myself.

What? Are you hurt?

Not really. I just need someone
to come get me. It's kind of urgent.

Uh, yes, but… [sighs]

-Can't the Kims come get you?
-You were the first person I thought of.

I could have called Se-yun or Mr. Kim,

but I'd rather you come help me.

[sighs]

Oh, all right. Just…

Where am I going?

-[horn honks]
-[tires screech]

-[seat belt clicks]
-[engine stops]

What's going on?

You don't have a scratch on you.

No, I don't.

I didn't get in an accident.

-Why'd I come down here?
-I'm sorry about the lie.

I just needed to show you
what's happening.

Just before I called you,

I saw Mr. Kim and Min-hui go in there,

being all lovey-dovey like teenagers.

[chuckles]

You didn't think I knew what I saw.

But this proves it was true.

Professor!

I'm telling you, I saw them!
Why are you walking away?

Okay, so now you're sure?

But that's for your sake.
It's your business.

So you caught someone cheating
on his wife. Why drag me into it? Huh?

I don't know if you realize, I was worried
something serious had happened to you!

It's over.

I don't have the energy to… engage
in whatever game you're playing at.

I'm sorry… I ever thought
I could mentor you.

-We are done!
-[car honking frantically]

-[tires screech]
-[crash]

[screams and gasps]

[indistinct chatter]

-What?
-[man 1] Is she okay? What happened?

[panicked chatter]

-[man 1] Make sure everything's safe.
-[woman] We need an ambulance!

[tense music playing]

[onlookers chattering anxiously]

-[man 1] Call 911 right now.
-[man 2] Yeah.

[panicked overlapping chatter continues]

[tense music obscures background]

[passing car horn honks]

[horn honks]

So that woman…

is Min-hui.

The one who's hurt?

-[tense music continues]
-[indistinct chatter]

And he's there.

Who is? Where?

[tense music fades]

That's…

That's… Se-yun's dad?

He's the one

you've been writing about?

[Kang] Yes.

[man 1] Is she with anyone?
Does anyone know her?

[blues-rock music playing]

[scoffing in disbelief]

[music obscures background]

That's the same man

in your story?

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ See that D-E-V-I-L? I send him to hell ♪

♪ I see that D-E-V-I-L
I send him to hell ♪

♪ Hell's coming down ♪

-♪ Hell's coming down these bloody rails ♪
-♪ Here it comes! ♪

♪ I ain't looking for trouble
If I have to, I will ♪

♪ Raining this hellfire… ♪

[Su-hun] Hi.

The new friend. I'm Se-yun's dad.
Your name is Lee Kang, right?

♪ When the devil calls, ha, ha, ha ♪

♪ When the devil calls
I'm gonna ride that train ♪

♪ I'ma ride that train ♪

♪ When the devil calls
I'm gonna ride that train ♪

-♪ Gonna lay my b*ll*ts down ♪
-[breathes shakily]

♪ Gonna send him back to his grave ♪

♪ When the devil calls, you better hide… ♪

[softly] Kim Su-hun.

Kim Su-hun is…

♪ Hell's coming down these bloody rails ♪

…the one you moved in with?

[music abates]

[rain pattering]

[music fades out]

[thunder crashes]

[thunder rumbles]

[thunder crashes]

[soundscape fading out]

[Min-hui moans]

[moan echoes]

NOTES FROM THE LAST ROW

[dreamy, wistful music playing]

[music fades]