01x08 - Episode 8

[bunniefuu]

[passionately arranged
"Danse Macabre" playing]

FOUR HANDS, TWO SONATAS

[bells tolling]

5 YEARS AGO, SLOVAKIA

[in Slovak] Brother Luca.

How are you feeling today?

[in English] I-I'm okay.

Thank you, brother,
for taking interest in my well-being.

[in Slovak] This is for you.

I was in town earlier,

and I heard them say
that an Asian man like you

was going to perform tonight.

It might be good for you to see him.

You never know. It might be what you need.

I think this will help you
regain some of your memory.

[in English] Thank you.

[tense music plays]

-[thunder rumbling]
-[rain pattering]

[breathing sharply]

[Pi-o] Just like you told me, let it flow.

-This is all your fault!
-[g*nsh*t]

[breathing heavily]

[intriguing music plays]

[Jeong-yo] Kang Pi-o.

FOUR HANDS, TWO SONATAS

EPISODE 8

[sighs]

[phone buzzes]

JAE-IN - ARE YOU UP?

PI-O, I'M SORRY.
ARE YOU STILL MAD?

[gentle music plays]

[Pi-o] I'm not.

I'll call you later, okay?

SEND

Listen, I know he's a genius and whatnot,
but I think it's a bit ridiculous

to bring in a 27-year-old
as a conductor for this orchestra.

Maestro Kang
wouldn't just bring in anyone.

Truth be told, I saw him
at the Brno competition, and he was good.

[Seok-hwan] He was good?

What's he good at?

Did he do a good job,
or was it the orchestra?

I mean, I guess we'll find out soon.

Hey, so what's wrong?

Are you bothered that your classmate
will be the conductor?

Are you jealous or something?

I'm not. Come on.

I think we should test him.

At measure eleven,
I'll go a half beat faster.

I'm certain that he won't know,
uh, why the hell the tempo seems off.

Who would notice that?
Only Maestro Kang. [scoffs]

[sighs]

Hello, members of the orchestra.

As we had previously announced,
our new principal guest conductor,

Luca Domenico, will be leading
all your rehearsals as of today.

Now, I would like to introduce you
to your conductor.

Please come up.

Hello, everybody.

I'm Luca Domenico.
And I am honored to be here.

[scattered applause]

We know his name is Choi Jeong-yo,
why introduce himself as Luca Domenico?

It's weird.

[scoffs]

Let's just get this out of the way.

If you have any complaints or suggestions,
please talk to me directly.

If not, don't even bother
saying anything at all.

[scoffs]

The one and only thing
we should be discussing

in this rehearsal room is music.

Are we clear on that?

All right.

Let's begin from the top
of Brahms' first movement.

[Brahms' "Symphony No. 1,


[performance stops]

One of the cellists is late
on the attack at measure 11.

Principal cello?

Oh. Um, that was totally my mistake.

I-I… I'm really sorry about it.

But I know the attack wasn't late.
I was early.

Well, I guess you're not
that precise, are you?

No, you were late.

I wasn't.

I was early.

You are a musician, like the rest of us.

But are you even aware
of what a bad habit you have?

[tense music plays]

Other players
with the same habit you're showing,

tend to drag the opening note of a phrase.

So even if your bow comes first,
the note will still come in a beat behind.

This habit of yours causes the sound
to repeatedly come in late.

The fact you didn't even notice
you were doing it… [scoffs]

…only proves to me
that you are severely out of practice.

And it compromises
the sound of the whole orchestra.

Just playing the cello
doesn't make you a good musician.

Put in the effort.

Practice.

Start again from the first movement.

[Brahms' "Symphony No. 1,


Wow, you're more experienced
than I expected.

[chuckles]

I knew you had a good ear,

but how are you so good
at handling an orchestra too?

Oh. There's someone waiting to see you.

Waiting to see me?

Yes. Follow me.

[chuckles]

Choi Jeong-yo.

Do you remember me?

I used to teach you piano.

I'm Do Hyun-soo.

[sighs]

I'm so sorry, but… I…

It's okay.

[chuckles] Don't you worry about it.

Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?

Yeah.

[chuckling]

[Hyun-soo sighing]

I'm sorry that
I didn't come to see you sooner.

You must be having a hard time
settling in here.

I thought I'd only make things worse,
so I waited to see you.

You know, after you went missing… [sighs]

…Ms. Yoon and I kept searching for you
for the longest time, but…

[sighs]

…we could've never imagined
you'd be at a monastery.

Why do all that for me?

[clicks tongue]
You know, you were my student.

I cared about you.

And also because I was the one
who sent you there.

I felt terrible for not trying harder
to talk you out of it

ever since you came to me
saying that you wanted to compete.

You were perfectly happy
doing music on your own,

then I dragged you into it.

I regret doing that. [sighs]

Still, I'm glad to see
the amazing man you've become.

I heard that you mentioned to Ms. Yoon

that you were thinking
of performing a concerto with Pi-o.

[Jeong-yo sighs]

I saw a video
of Mr. Kang Pi-o's performance recently

and thought that we might
work well together.

[chuckles]

You probably don't remember him.

Was it a coincidence,
or did you have a gut feeling about it?

Because back in high school,

Pi-o and you were really quite amazing
playing together.

[clicks tongue]
I really hope you can convince Pi-o

and help him regain the confidence
to return to the stage.

Pi-o's been struggling lately.
He's been in a slump for quite a while.

I'm sure you know that, right?

[solemn music plays]

MESSAGES
NEW MESSAGE

CHOI JEONG-YO

[Jeong-yo] Do you think we can meet up?

Why don't you want to perform
a concerto with me?

Do you have a case of stage fright?

Or is performing with me
what's the issue here?

To be honest with you, it's both.

I'm sure you heard already from Jae-in…

I made a huge mistake on stage recently.

I still haven't recovered from that.

I appreciate the opportunity,

but I think you should find someone else.

[scoffs]

If that's the case,
your decision doesn't make any sense.

What do you mean?

Think about it.

Well, the problem, as I see it,

is that you can't just run away
from a slump.

The only way you can get through it
is to face it head-on.

Do you agree?

But you can't solve a problem
by ignoring it. You know that.

This is something you have to face,
sooner or later.

[tense music plays]

Thank you for the advice,

but I can handle it myself.

You better find someone else.

[sighs]

[patrons, staff chattering]

[patron] Let's cheers to that.

[Jo] Oh, boy, Choi Jeong-yo. [sighs]

You've always had a way
of throwing people for a loop.

Still, you should've told me
about it at least.

I nearly had a heart attack
when I saw the news.

You didn't need to worry,
but I guess you worried anyway.

[chuckles]
How could I not worry about that?

You disappeared, never showed your face,
and now you're here.

How could I know you'd be fine, man?

So how's Dad?

[sighs] Geez. [clicks tongue]

Yeah, man, he's doing good.

Every time he sneaks out
of the hospital for a drink,

I have to chase him down
and bring him back.

Man, I swear, I just don't understand

why you keep wasting your money
on that deadbeat.

[clicks tongue, sighs]

Hey, by the way, you conduct?

But when did you learn how to do that?

[chuckling]

Then again, you're really good
at everything you do.

If you hadn't been kidnapped back then,
you would've crushed that competition too.

But, hey, man, why are you going around
telling people you've got amnesia?

Why not just expose them
and put them in jail?

And if that's not enough,

we can go find them
and beat them ourselves. Right?

Hey, I could maybe
break two of his fingers.

Or I could just make
that b*stard disappear.

I'm good at that now.

Where's the fun in doing that?

Huh?

[ominous music plays]

Well, don't you know that, uh…

the waiting is worse
than the actual beating?

[chuckling]

You planned the whole thing already.

Come on, man, let me in on it.

What are you talking about?

-[knocks on door]
-[door opens]

Pi-o and Jeong-yo performing together?
I am absolutely against it.

[scoffs] Uh, really?

But why not?

I get why Pi-o wouldn't want to,
but why are you so against it?

Look, we haven't said anything to you,

but everyone knows
that Pi-o's in a slump right now.

His invitations are drying up, you know?

He's turned down the few we got.
So, yeah, I'd say it's an issue.

Do you want to see Pi-o
be forgotten by the world?

Taking a break won't end his career.

Plenty of pianists have done just that.

Hey.

[inhales sharply]
You can be honest with me.

Tell me why you hate this idea.

Is it because you don't want him
being compared to Jeong-yo?

Or is there another reason?

Who told you they would
compare him to Jeong-yo?

I'm afraid that if we push him right now,
it'll make things much worse.

Do you just not have
any more faith in Pi-o?

Listen, if we give him some space,
he'll get back on his feet on his own.

Don't even bother bringing up
the concerto to him again.

He'll get out of his slump
in his own damn time.

Oh, geez.

Wait.

Is she seriously still bothered
by Choi Jeong-yo?

Is it because of the rumor?

NCAPF STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER
KANG JI-HYE

This… is really strange.

Or could it be a coincidence?

INCOMING CALL

Yes, hello?

Hello, Ms. Kang. My name's Choi Jeong-yo.
We met the other day.

[sighs]

-[knocks on door]
-[gasps]

[laughs] Jeong-yo.

So why did you want
to meet with me here today?

Is it something confidential?

Oh, definitely not.

I'm just a bit concerned that
the Korean Symphony Orchestra might be

at a disadvantage because of me.

I will show what I'm capable of.
You'll see.

Would you please reconsider the budget?

Wow, Jeong-yo, you're just so considerate.

All right.

I'll move on this as soon as possible,
and they'll take another look.

-Mmm.
-Thank you.

[intriguing music plays]

Jeong-yo, regarding your memory loss…

I've wanted to ask you. I'm curious
about how much you've forgotten.

Is it just the time around the accident
that you can't recall?

Or do you not remember
your childhood as well?

I don't remember anything
before the accident.

Hmm…

All the things that you went through
with Pi-o in school…

What happened during the competition…

So you don't even remember
your parents, do you?

No.

But you've seen a doctor, haven't you?

Did they tell you anything
about bringing your memory back?

They said it's nearly impossible.

They said that?

Not even with some kind of trigger?

By any chance,

is there anything about my parents
that you could tell me?

If you know anything at all,
I'd love to know.

Anything, really.

Your mom died.

You were ten years old.

She died of a brain hemorrhage
right in the concert hall

where you had competed earlier.

I was the one who called
emergency services for her.

So you can imagine
how much I care about you.

[crying]

I'm sorry, ma'am. I… [sniffles]

Thank you for this.

That means I…

I wasn't abandoned

or despised by my parents after all.

You know, that… [crying]

That was actually
what I had feared the most.

Do you mind if I ask you
one more question?

Are you also against Pi-o and I
performing a concerto together?

[inhales deeply] I mean…

It's not… It's not that I'm against it.

But what if pushing him
back onto the stage now

only ends up making things worse for him?

Tell me,

what's your reason?

This is your big debut.

I'm sure it's incredibly important.
So why choose Pi-o?

That's exactly why I chose him.

It's a really big moment for me.

I watched a video of your son performing.

And I loved it.

A pianist of his caliber on stage with me

would be an absolute dream come true.

It felt like I had discovered a…
a rare talent in him, you know?

From what I know, this slump started
after a mistake at a recital.

It's nearly impossible
to overcome the yips like that

with a solo performance.

But in a concerto, there's someone there
to support him through it.

If possible, would you mind
speaking to your son just one last time?

I am confident I can help Pi-o
overcome this slump.

I'm glad we had the chance to do this.

Let's do this again sometime.

Thank you for your time.

Have a good night.

You too.

Pi-o, it's me.

Can I come in?

[Pi-o] Yeah.

How are you doing, honey?

Is there something you want?

It's just that I…

met with Jeong-yo earlier.

Uh, but what for?

He really wants to perform
a concerto with you.

And asked me to convince you.

He said he was captivated by your playing
after watching a video of you.

He doesn't want the world
ending up without your music.

It's really moving, isn't it?

I'm very aware that you have
conflicting feelings about him.

But I think this might actually be
a good opportunity.

And it's worth a try.

You know, a concerto
is less stressful than a solo recital.

And by the way, you and Jeong-yo
had really great chemistry.

Mom, what are you trying to say exactly?

I'm saying that you don't have to do it,

but why not give it some thought,
will you?

Well, all I can do
is give you my two cents.

At the end of the day, it's your choice.

[solemn music plays]

[sighs]

MARTIN VOGEL

[Pi-o] How long is this gonna take?

[Martin] I think it'll take some time.
You have to be patient.

[phone buzzes]

[Jae-in] Pi-o, you know Hye-jeong's
piano trio concert is coming up, right?

Wanna go see it?

-[attendees chattering]
-[elegant music playing]

[Jae-in giggles]

Oh!

There you are.

Oh, Hye-jeong also invited Jeong-yo
to the performance.

[Beethoven's "Piano Trio Op. 97" playing]

Well, thanks, Pi-o.

Thank you for coming tonight.

Don't mention it.

I came because I haven't seen
a performance in a while.

Oh, yeah?

Would you have otherwise come here

to see a performance
with Yoon Han-rim in it?

Come on, admit it,
you came here for my sake, didn't you?

Mmm. Jeong-yo!

Hey.

How was the performance?

Was it any good?

-It was nice.
-Mmm.

I liked all three of them.

The ensemble was good too.

All three of them are from our alma mater.

They're all music majors
from the same grade.

Ah. [inhales sharply] But who was, uh,
the one playing piano just now?

I thought he was really good.

[scoffs] How could you think he was good?

I thought he was forcing it.

Really?

[Han-rim] Jeong-yo!

Jeong-yo! Hey, Jeong-yo! Whoa!

Hey! Oh, look at you.

Hey, dude, you know how worried sick
all of our classmates were

when you disappeared?

Uh, I forgot that you have
no memories from back then.

Oh. [inhales sharply]
I bet you don't remember

that you and me used to fight
all the time in school.

-I used to fight?
-[laughing] Oh, yeah!

I mean, we were just teenagers
full of adrenaline and hormones back then.

We were just out-of-control guys.

It's okay, man. Kids become friends
by fighting and stuff,

you know that. [laughs]

Oh, dude, I heard you joined the
Hankook Symphony Orchestra as a conductor.

-I start early next month.
-Oh.

Who are you performing the concerto with?

I still haven't decided.

Well, then how about me?

I'd much rather play in a big stage
than a tiny venue like this.

Man, to be honest…

I was really moved when I saw you conduct
the symphony musicians.

Mm-hmm, I bet we could
make great music together.

I mean, if you're okay with that.

Do you think I could do the concerto?

Okay, I'll think about it.

[Han-rim] Great. Thanks, man.

Hey, Jeong-yo, about the soloist…

We should discuss it a bit more--

[Han-rim] Hey, Hong Jae-in.

Trying to interfere
with my sales pitch again?

Huh?

If the pianist and the conductor
are on the same page, then that's that.

Hey, ladies. You coming for drinks?

Okay, but just a few.

[Han-rim] All right, it's at Luce Beers.
Join us there. You better come, okay?

-We will.
-Jeong-yo!

Hey, uh, I booked a table
at Luce Beers for a nightcap.

Don't go home just yet.
Why don't you swing by for a drink or two?

And we can discuss the concerto.

-Okay, sure.
-Great.

See you in a bit, yeah? [chuckles]

-Hey! All you guys should come!
-Yeah, we're going.

-Okay, see you later.
-We're coming!

Are you really considering
performing with him?

Listen, I know
it's not my place to say this,

but he's not your guy.

His music lacks soul,
and honestly, so does he.

Do you really want someone like that
to perform with you for your debut?

I think you should reconsider your choice.

Is that so?

Then why don't you
do the concerto with me,

so I don't have to perform with him?

I would much rather
perform with you, Mr. Pi-o.

I watched a video of your performance.

It was spectacular.

And I'm asking you to do this

because if I perform with you,
it would make me look good.

What do you mean by that?

The Korean Symphony Orchestra
is notorious for being territorial.

Since I was brought in unexpectedly…

[clicks tongue]

…I still have a lot to do
to prove myself to them.

If you do this, it would really
help me out big-time.

I understand what you're saying,
but the thing is,

I still haven't gotten over my slump,
I told you--

It's just something you'll have to face,
sooner or later.

Mr. Pi-o.

I think it'll be really good.

[pensive music plays]

I would much rather
perform with you, Mr. Pi-o.

[Jeong-yo] If you do this,
it would really help me out big-time.

It's just something you'll have to face,
sooner or later.

[groans]

[phone buzzes]

[Pi-o] Let's do it.

I'm in.

In the end,
I guess you got what you wanted.

I still think this will be risky,
but you won't listen.

With all due respect,
I don't think it'll be risky.

I wholeheartedly believe

Mr. Kang Pi-o is the best partner
for my debut.

What about the program, hmm?

You said the second half
would be Brahms 1,

the piece that won you
the conducting competition.

And the first half?

Have the two of you
already agreed on that?

Um, actually, we haven't, uh… [chuckles]

What do you want to play?

Have you thought about it?

Ravel. That's what
I was thinking of playing.

No, that would just muddy the theme.

How about Mozart's
Piano Concerto 20 instead?

From a storytelling standpoint,

it shows you coming out
of the darkness and into the light.

So pairing Mozart 20 and Brahms 1

would actually keep
the overall program more cohesive.

May I ask you…

Pi-o has never played Mozart 20 before,

and as you know,
it is not exactly an easy piece.

What are you saying?

Are professionals only supposed to play
what they already know?

Hmm. Well, if you feel
like we might be pushing it,

I don't mind performing

-something you've already--
-No.

I know I can do it.

I will do it.

Are you sure you can do it?

Because if you think
it might be too much--

Why? Do you think it's too much?

I told you I could do it.

[huffs] What made you think
this would be a good idea?

He was so adamant about it
that I finally gave in.

But if he ends up ruining
his debut because of this--

What do you think is unique about
Choi Jeong-yo's way of doing things?

It's the audacity to do the impossible.
That's his charm.

And the sheer ferocity
with which he manages to pull it off.

And if he doesn't?

-We'll deal with the aftermath of that.
-[crockery clatters]

[chair scrapes]

The orchestra's 80th is coming up.

It's now time that a new conductor
showed up and took over.

So we should use this…

as a chance to see whether
Choi Jeong-yo is capable of doing that.

[Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 20" playing]

[breathing shakily]

[sighs]

Uh, excuse me.

I reserved a… a practice room.

Uh…

You can go to Room Three if you like.

Thanks.

[line ringing]

Hey.

Do you know
who just came to practice here?

Kang Pi-o himself!

["Hanon No. 1" playing]

Oh, my…

This is insane.

Guess what Kang Pi-o is playing right now.

He's playing Hanon 1.

HA HA HA IS KANG PI-O
AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KID?

["Hanon No. 30" playing]

["Hanon No. 40" playing]

["Hanon No. 60" playing]

[breathing heavily]

[Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 20" playing]

[retching]

[Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 20" playing]

[performance stops]

[melancholic music plays]

[Jeong-yo] What brings you
all the way here?

Choi Jeong-yo.

I'm really sorry,

but I need your help.

I've been trying to overcome it,
but I can't.

I don't know how,
but I memorized the piece,

but I'm still completely terrified
of having to perform in front of people.

And I… I don't have the slightest idea

of how to overcome it.

I don't care if I ruin my reputation,

but I won't drag you down with me.

If you decide I won't be able to do it,

find someone else.

Do you have some free time right now?

I want to take you somewhere.

[Bach's "Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3,


I just so happened to hear him playing
one day on the subway.

He's usually out here
around this time on the weekends.

Isn't it something?
To hear a performance like this out here?

Mr. Pi-o, why do you think people
even listen to music?

Because it offers us some comfort
in the chaos of life.

And do you think the people listening
to this music right now

are standing here judging him
by any chance?

They're not.

They're all being comforted by him.

But what I need you to look at closely now

is the expression on his face.

Does he look

like he's afraid of being judged
by the audience?

No. [sighs]

Not at all.

The thing is, he's finding joy
in the very music he's playing.

Because he's the one being comforted
by his own music more than anyone.

Has something happened recently
that's been bothering you?

Maybe something broke inside of you,
and your slump might have started there.

I'm sure you know that
before playing for anyone else,

you have to play for yourself.

Before you can even think
of comforting anyone,

you need to figure out how to soothe
your own wounds and heal your heart.

To start out,

try playing music for yourself
to comfort your heart.

-[window rattling]
-[wind whistling]

[Seung-woon] Tell me the truth.

Just tell me who his father is.

And send him back to that b*stard.

I've told you already.
Why don't you believe me?

He doesn't have a father.

Pi-o is a gift sent to me by God.
He's a miracle.

Oh, my goodness,
I think you've lost your mind, huh?

You're insane.

You have gone completely mad!

[crying]

-[wind whistling]
-[sniffles]

-[Bach's "Cantata No. 106" playing]
-[crying]

[Jeong-yo] Maybe
something broke inside of you,

and your slump might have started there.

Mr. Kang Pi-o, have you ever just
played music to comfort your own heart?

I'm sure you know that
before playing for anyone else,

you have to play for yourself.

Before you can even think
of comforting anyone,

you need to figure out how to soothe
your own wounds and heal your heart.

[Bach's "Cantata No. 106" playing]

-[camera shutters clicking]
-[chattering]

You're all checked in.
Have a good evening.

-[chuckling]
-[photographer] That's great.

KOREA LUCENA GRAND AWARDS

-[attendee 1] Good to see you.
-[attendee 2] Oh, hi!

-It's been forever.
-Yeah, way too long. [chuckles]

Here you go. I'll pin it on you.

[attendee 1] And I'll see you later then.

-I will, won't I?
-[attendee 2 chuckles]

-[attendee 3 chuckles] Ah, yes, hello.
-Oh, hello sir. How have you been?

-How long has it been since the last time?
-[attendee 3] Ah…

-It feels like just the other day. Yes.
-[Seon-ju] I know, right? [chuckling]

-You're doing well, I hope?
-Jeong-yo.

-Nice to see you here.
-[Seon-ju chuckles]

-It's a pleasure to see you.
-Oh. Hello, Ms. Kang.

-[Seon-ju] Hello.
-[chuckles]

Oh, Ms. Yoon.

You should have told me in advance

that you were going to bring
Jeong-yo with you.

[scoffs] Since you
could not provide the subsidy,

I have no choice but to bring
the man of the hour in search of sponsors.

Though it's hardly a musician's job.

Well, if you put it like that,
Jeong-yo might misunderstand you.

I've been working myself to the bone
for the Korean Symphony Orchestra lately.

-[director] Ms. Yoon.
-Oh, my. [chuckles] Hello, Director.

-When did you get here?
-Just a moment ago…

What on earth did you do?

His playing sounds
completely different now.

He's just been playing nonstop as of late.
But something's different now.

I can feel the joy in his music.

What have you done?

That's Pi-o's hard work
finally paying off. [chuckles]

[Ji-hye] Distinguished guests,
honored attendees,

and the award winners
who are the stars of this event.

It is a great honor to deliver
this congratulatory address at this event.

The name Lucena means
"a shining companion of the arts,

even in the darkest of times."

Art is a delicate flower

that always blooms
from the deepest part of the human soul.

-However, for that flower to bloom…
-Excuse me for a second.

-Mm-hmm.
…in society,

it will definitely need
someone's care and attention.

He's just been playing nonstop as of late.
But something's different now.

I can feel the joy in his music.

What have you done?

[pensive music plays]

["Danse Macabre"
piano performance playing faintly]

[child 1] Let's just play again.
What do you think?

[child 2] Okay.

Hey, don't be sore if I beat you, okay?

When we play, let's have fun.

[child 1] Oh, please.
I'm the one who's gonna win.

So you can't get upset. [chuckles]

PERFORMERS' GREEN ROOM THIS WAY

Let's be real, I'm clearly in first place.

-[chuckles]
-You know it.

-What? You wish.
-Hey. I'm gonna win.

[tense music plays]

Jeong-yo.

What are you doing here?

Oh, I…

I went to the restroom
and couldn't find my way back.

Then I happened to spot the piano,

so I just came in to see it.

It's like

it's somewhat familiar.

This place hasn't changed much since then.

Is there

anything you remembered?

No.

Why?

Uh, nothing.

Shall we go?

[pensive music plays]

[breathing shakily]

Hey, Pi-o.

How have you been?

You haven't changed.

Man, Han-rim and I were completely shocked
that you were doing the concerto.

What's that supposed to mean?

You know,

there were these rumors going around

that you were involved with
Choi Jeong-yo's disappearance somehow.

So when we heard you were, uh, here,
we were like, "That's so weird."

-Who the hell is saying that sh*t?
-Whoa.

Oh, no.

If you were not, then great.

Oh, my, what vulgar language
from someone so classy.

At rehearsal today,

don't suck.

Good luck.

[breathing shakily]

-[musicians murmuring]
-[whispering] Shh, shh. He's here.

Wow, look at him.

Unbelievable.

Is he okay? He doesn't look good.

-He doesn't seem confident.
-What's his problem?

-I mean, you've heard about it, right?
-He shouldn't be here.

Can he even play now?

[Seok-hwan]
It's the worst possible thing, really.

[violinist] Gosh, you know what?
I just don't really get it.

I mean, I get that
he's Kang Pi-o and all that,

but why would anyone book a soloist
who's in a slump?

-[musician 1] Exactly.
-[musician 2] I know, right?

Well, his family's rich, you know?

-Hello.
-[musicians] Hello.

[musician clears throat]

[Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 20" playing]

[sorrowful piano solo playing]

[grand orchestral ensemble playing]

[piano performance stops]

[music stops]

Cellos, you're slightly ahead.

Make sure you come in
right on the piano's final note.

Okay.

The piano's all over the place.
What do we do then?

Pianist Kang Pi-o.

At the cutoff, make sure the next downbeat
lands exactly on time.

[sighs] Understood.

Again.

Start from the piano solo.

[solemn music plays]

[cellist chuckles]

[violinist] I mean,
it's not like he's bad,

but doesn't he feel a little shaky?

And he plays it differently
every single time.

[cellist] Maybe he's not completely
out of his slump just yet, you know?

Well, there's always
a period of transition. [chuckles]

Yeah, but why do we have to bear the brunt
of his period of transition?

To be honest, I just don't get it.

Choi Jeong-yo and Kang Pi-o are every bit
as arrogant and insufferable now

as they were when we were back at school.

Why are you still here?

Rehearsal ended quite a while ago.

Hey.

Why did you ask me to perform with you?

It feels like everyone

is waiting for me
to crash and burn whenever I play.

I have a hard enough time
believing in myself already.

So what made you…

believe I'd be able to pull this off?

Hmm…

[clicks tongue] I don't know.

But I think they might be acting that way
because they're reacting to me

more than to you.

It seems to me that we have
no one but each other to count on.

[gentle music plays]

When I was at the monastery…

I had a really bad case of social anxiety.

I could barely be around people,
but I so desperately wanted to play music.

[chuckles]

So I created an orchestra
that only existed in my imagination.

I had conversations with them.
I argued with them.

As it turned out,

that was the greatest weapon
a conductor could have.

And that's because any good conductor

needs to have everything figured out

way before stepping
in front of the orchestra.

Mr. Pi-o, if fear keeps creeping in,

map it all out in your head, in detail.

Then at some point,

this fear you're feeling,
will completely fade away.

I know it's not easy,

but you'll have to trust me implicitly,

because I'm the one guiding the orchestra.

Would you like to hear
the music in my imagination?

Oh, and if you don't mind…

a piano would be helpful for me.

Violin.

Pianissimo.

[Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 20" playing]

Cello, bass.

[heavy melody on cello and bass playing]

Oboe, flute, espressivo.

[faint melody on oboe and flute playing]

Timpani, forte.

[intense melody playing]

Piano.

Con dolore.

[orchestral performance fading out]

[sorrowful and gentle solo playing]

[gentle orchestral performance resumes]

[grand orchestral performance playing]

[urgent and tense performance playing]

[performance transitions
into a bright and cheerful tone]

[music stops]

[cheering]

[cheering continues]

[attendee] That was amazing!

Hello. Good evening.

Oh, thank you for coming out
to the performance today.

I'd appreciate if you could
write an article about it.

Oh, of course! It'd be my pleasure.

Yes, of course. Let's keep in touch.

[sighs]

Hi, I'm back. [chuckles]

Oh, my gosh, it was so emotional.

I literally was holding back tears
at the end.

How do you two manage
to touch my heart every single time?

I want to thank both of you
for helping me all the way through.

Ah, not at all.

I was really scared up there.

But I was absolutely blown away
by how well you performed.

[Jae-in] Oh, wait.

Let's do something with the two of you
for the anniversary festival.

But you've gotta perform together.

I want to take this opportunity
to turn you into a brand.

-What do you say?
-[scoffs] Come on now.

-[phone buzzing]
-[Jae-in] Oh.

[sighs] With all these calls,
we're barely getting to talk today.

Give me a sec.

Hi, it's Jae-in.

Mr. Pi-o.

Mmm?

Now that the performance is over,

there's something that I'd like to say.

So… [sighs]

-By any chance--
-[phone buzzes]

Ah.

[Martin] I found out who was behind
the order to kidnap Choi Jeong-yo.

[tense music plays]

What is it?

Did something happen?

Oh. No, no.

Uh, excuse me a sec.

[dramatic music plays]

[chuckles]

[emotional orchestral music playing]

FOUR HANDS, TWO SONATAS

[Pi-o] Mom, why did you do it?

We have to confess to Jeong-yo
and beg for forgiveness.

[screams] I won't go!

If the truth comes out,

not only will my life be over,
but yours too.

[Jeong-yo] Why that look on your face?

Are you hiding something from me?

[Pi-o] I didn't have the courage
to tell the truth back then.

[Ji-hye] What if he's up to something?

I'm worried out of my mind that you keep
getting mixed up with him at every turn.

-I'm sure he's hiding something.
-[screams]

At the Harmonie Competition
nine years ago…