CHOOSE A NUMBERED CARD AND STEP THROUGH THE CURTAIN
"Numbered cards"?
THE RULE BOOK WILL BE IN YOUR ROOM, ACCESSED THROUGH THE DOOR
Fifty-seven, fifty-eight,
fifty-nine,
sixty.
It's 210,000 won every minute.
Twenty-one.
I want to buy a 1,000-won pen.
SPECIAL PRICE
Prices are 100 times higher.
CAMERAS IN THE ROOM
FOURTEEN CAMERAS IN THE ROOM
I assume they were entertained
watching us struggle when the show started.
They probably found it entertaining to see us react to the varying prize money
when we were eagerly climbing stairs
'cause we thought it could earn us more time.
But they kept watching, and--
They got bored.
They're tired of it.
Yes. I don't think they find it amusing anymore.
-"Amusing"? - But it's strange.
What was it that they found so entertaining earlier?
Wasn't it interesting?
One person was foaming at the mouth, while another got a nosebleed.
I found it funny, like a comedy show.
Hold on.
Does that mean that's how we have to earn time now?
What? With my seizure?
I doubt it would be that.
I think we need to come up with something entertaining.
"Something entertaining"?
CLIMBING THE STAIRS EXTENDS TIME
Yeah, I bet they're having a lot of fun.
They must be laughing at us,
watching as we become obsessed with money and run like headless chickens
while they sit in their lofty castles.
Do you really want something fun?
Want me to show you something really fun?
Fine. Just you wait.
Hello, ladies and gentlemen.
Greetings, this is 3rd Floor.
I'm assuming you are now bored watching us climb stairs.
So the first event I've prepared for you today
is mukbang. Here we go.
You can't have mukbang without ASMR.
What? Yeah.
Hey, 7th Floor.
Was time added?
No.
Oh, I see.
So what brings you here?
Well, if you're done eating...
An after-meal smoke?
I like you, 3rd Floor.
Sorry?
There is
something about you that sets you apart from the others.
What do you mean?
You climbed the stairs for 1st Floor earlier.
You don't just think about yourself.
Well, I guess so.
It's the same for the others.
You seem to be more considerate.
You haven't sent down your waste bags. I sent mine.
This might be the first time I've seen you smile.
It did bother me that it was so easy to earn time,
but I thought the stairs was the answer.
Honestly, that's what I wanted to believe.
I thought going up and down the stairs
with sweat on our brows could provide us with a reward for honest labor.
At least something like that.
I guess I was wrong.
This may be for the best.
Climbing the stairs was exhausting.
Don't you think it might be easier to entertain them?
What do you think "entertainment" is?
Anything funny, I guess.
"Anything funny"?
You're right.
But what comes after that?
After that?
They'll get bored with funny things soon enough.
And when they do, they'll stop giving us time.
Right now, the hosts aren't interfering with the show at all.
Yet they're prompting us to entertain them of our own volition.
By using time, which is money.
Just like how people watch what creators and influencers do
and press "like" or donate money.
But once they are bored, they'll stop rewarding us.
Intoxicated by the rewards,
we'll give them what they truly want to satisfy our thirst for money.
What's the thing
they truly want?
Real entertainment.
"Real entertainment"?
Once we all gather again, we'll probably start sharing ideas.
Some of them will suggest doing violent and provocative things.
How about professional wrestling?
Sure, wrestling is good.
Yeah, it's very entertaining and all.
We must control the discussion.
But don't you think it's too dangerous?
It's not like there's an ambulance at the ready.
- Yeah, what if we get hurt? - Yeah.
Please keep the proposal I'm about to make between us for now.
Like you said, we'll focus on "funny" from the entertainment categories.
I was thinking of a variety show.
We create a variety show or something like that.
- I guess something funny? - Yes.
Something funny?
- Like a skit? - I don't do skits.
How about a dating show?
It's a popular kind of show that guarantees solid viewership.
"So which participating couple will stay together till the end?"
Or is that a bit much?
How about a talent show?
Do you really think non-showbiz people like us can entertain them?
No. It's actually not a bad idea.
Skits and dating shows would take a while for us to prepare,
but a talent show is something we could do right away.
How about someone test it out?
We could try it and see if time gets added before deciding.
Does anyone have a talent that they can perform right now?
For God's sake.
Of all...
Since no one is volunteering, I'll start it off.
Can I order a recorder?
Isn't a recorder a bit lame for a talent show?
It's probably better to start off mellow
than to hit them hard from the start.
Ultimately, it will be inevitable,
but we should delay it as much as possible.
Wow, 7th Floor...
I just had an eargasm.
He's a martyr.
He sacrificed himself to avert people's attention to pure fun.
7th Floor, you're godlike.
You are simply...
Hey, look. Didn't we just get 20-something hours?
We learned a hidden rule after much trial and error.
We got a whole day!
7th Floor, you're awesome.
Were you in a circus or something?
It's a humble hobby of mine.
We should all prepare something for the talent show.
We may have something funny.
Since we have more time now,
we can all think of what to do for the talent show by tomorrow.
Actually, we have something more important to discuss right now.
When do you want
to end this show?
Why are you thinking of leaving already?
Can't we talk about this
when everyone's made enough money?
At that rate, we may stay here forever.
He's right.
We're earning money here to spend out there.
It might be good to draw a line that's acceptable to all.
How will you decide what's acceptable? Everyone is making different amounts.
What he said.
People on higher floors may want to leave early
since you make more money.
In my opinion,
1st Floor should be the one to decide.
He earns the least out of all of us.
Even if it's difficult,
it's only right that we stick together until he wants to leave.
Yeah, you decide.
How much will be enough for you?
There's no pressure.
I...
want to make one billion won.
I just need...
a billion won.
"Just"?
So you make 14.4 million won a day.
Assuming that you use 400,000 won a day, it would take...
It would take about 75 days, roughly two and a half months.
Yes.
- You're right. - I'm quick with money, you see.
Suit yourselves.
Calculating the numbers,
if 1st Floor gets a billion, 2nd Floor gets two billion.
I get three billion.
4th Floor gets five billion.
5th Floor gets eight billion.
6th Floor gets 13 billion.
7th Floor gets 21 billion.
And 8th Floor gets 34 billion.
It's lucrative if we spend less.
After setting two months as our goal,
we decided to earn time with our talents instead of the stairs.
We chose to buy supplies for our talent show
with the time 7th Floor's crafty nose earned us.
Why bother lining up?
How come he never discusses anything with us?
Give me ten roof tiles so I can destroy them.
I also want ten roof tiles and four wooden boards.
The talent show sparked an odd competition.
They're all subtly checking each other out so they can outperform everyone.
But as for me, more than ever...
I'm about to lose my mind.
Staying in the back seat. Blending in with the crowd.
That was my life's motto and the secret to a safe life.
I've never needed to be funny or have a talent.
That one wild run in my life brought me here to face this hell.
THE TALENT SHOW
You've waited for me all this time And I want to live my life for you
Yes. A song is a nice, tame start to a talent show.
The day you sat by me And comforted me when I was down...
10 HOURS
REAL-TIME DONATION COUNT
1ST: 7TH FLOOR (24 HRS) 2ND: 5TH FLOOR (10 HRS)
As expected, 6th Floor shows off his strength by breaking roof tiles.
15 HOURS
2ND: 6TH FLOOR (15 HRS)
Being conscious of 6th Floor, 2nd Floor did cool kicks and a punch.
17 HOURS
A better result than expected.
I can't believe how good they are.
This is driving me nuts.
- Are you okay? - I'm okay.
It's just a sprain. It'll be fine.
The swelling looks bad.
Next up is 4th Floor.
Another song?
1 HOUR 50 MINUTES
Good work.
What? That's it?
Damn it.
Come on, don't be like that. Give us more time. Pretty please?
Kisses.
Five minutes.
5TH: 4TH FLOOR (1 HR 50 MINS+5 MINS)
Wow. That really killed the mood.
Okay. Does anyone want to volunteer next?
1st Floor, do you have anything to show?
Well, I...
It's okay.
It's fine.
The losers always go last in a talent show.
Since there are two more after me,
I will be forgotten.
Me!
I'll go next.
My heart is racing like I'm on stage.
My God.
Are you kidding me?
Eighteen?
6TH: 3RD FLOOR (18 MINS)
That was a bit disappointing.
No, not at all.
You did well.
We have two more people to go.
Just say you'll go first.
It's only the two of you. It'll be better to get it over with.
What?
Me. I'll go next.
Sure.
Wow, he's really good.
Okay, up we go.
30 HOURS
Thirty hours? Awesome!
So far, we have earned
seventy-four hours and 13 minutes.
He kept acting like he had nothing.
We've earned around three days.
I can't trust anyone in here.
After the last person finishes, we'll check the total time,
then we can talk again.
All right.
8th Floor.
I don't have to do it out here, do I?
No, not necessarily. Still...
If I don't have to do it here, I want to do it in my room.
Do you wanna sleep with me?
What do you mean?
You heard me. Sex.
8th Floor, this is a talent show.
Talent shows are where we show off what we're good at, no?
I'm amazing at it.
I decline.
Why?
That's right. This is wrong.
- What is she doing? - 1st Floor.
Me?
I really shouldn't.
What's she up to? Everyone's watching.
It's not me.
Winner.
Can they really do that?
Let her be.
She said it's her talent.
69 HOURS
I guess she really is good.
Goodness me.
But why 69 hours of all numbers?
Sorry?
3rd Floor.
Wanna sleep with me?
Sleep with me.
Come on, let's do it.
3rd Floor.
Sleep with me.
Please?
Until the waters of the East Sea run dry
And Mount Baekdu is worn away...
Wanna sleep with me?
Not counting the time consumed,
we've earned around 120 hours.
Well done, everyone.
Don't you think it's a bit unfair?
I mean, some of them flopped.
LAST PLACE IN THE TALENT SHOW
Still, everyone participated, so it was fair.
Excuse me.
Now that we know how to earn time
and don't have to run anymore,
what about the waste bags and the trash...
Oh my. You're right.
You were still keeping them.
Of course. There's no reason for you to keep them anymore.
- Hey. - Yes? What is it?
You're right, 1st Floor. It slipped our minds.
No, it's fine.
I volunteered to do it.
But
my room is very small,
and it's really getting unbearable.
Of course. It's only fair.
So what do we do now?
Isn't it obvious?
We'll keep them in our rooms like before.
I don't like the sound of that.
So what?
We can use your room, then. It's the biggest anyway.
You can't send them to my room.
The delivery chute only goes down, doesn't it?
We can use your bathroom upstairs.
Hey, let's not argue.
Well, how about we just choose a new bathroom?
Wouldn't that be better than keeping the waste in every room?
1st Floor was kind enough to keep it.
Who else would volunteer to do the same?
I'm not asking anyone to volunteer. I was thinking of it as a game.
We can play a game to pick the bathroom or something like that.
We can turn it into a show.
I love it. One person takes the fall.
I love the thrill.
Well, how would we choose the room?
Drawing lots?
Let's vote.
- What? - Let's vote rather than test our luck.
What kind of crap is that?
Being picked the most must mean they deserve to keep the waste.
Cut the crap.
You're calling it a vote,
but it's really choosing one person to pick on.
It's not picking on anybody.
We'd only be voting for the best person for the job.
It's democratic.
And who'd be best at keeping poop?
Who? You?
- Watch it. - What?
Okay, then.
Who wants to vote?
Me.
Okay, that's three of you. And four, including me.
Are the four of you against it?
I'm not really against it, but...
Actually, I guess we have no choice.
Hold on. They say that this is a vote,
but won't they just vote for the worst in the talent show?
That's right. Yes, you.
You and I are in a pickle. You got 1.5 hours. I got 18 minutes.
SECOND TO LAST PLACE IN THE TALENT SHOW
Okay, then.
I came up with the idea of picking a room to use as a bathroom.
- Hold on. - So if everyone wants to vote, I'll do it.
Has she really lost her mind?
3rd Floor, how about...
Well,
I guess if everyone wants to do it, I don't mind.
- Sure. - Okay.
Jesus, what is 4th Floor thinking?
So who are you going to vote for?
- Me? - Yes.
It would be either me or 3rd Floor.
It probably won't be you, so don't worry too much.
How do you know that?
There's a good chance 1st Floor will be chosen.
What about 1st Floor?
He's been keeping our waste until now.
Won't everyone want to keep it that way?
There's a theory called the broken windows theory.
If a place is already filthy,
people won't feel guilty throwing away waste there.
I don't think my conscience will let me vote for him.
Don't you feel the same?
Yes. Of course.
I think this vote is just a process to get 1st Floor to accept reality.
And accepting it will help him endure.
The more I think about it,
the more it feels wrong to toss them all to one person.
The way I feel right now,
it might actually be a relief if I kept it instead.
Really?
I'm just saying that's how I feel.
Excuse me.
Oh, 4th Floor.
What brings you here?
You're here too, 7th Floor.
1st Floor. Is he not here?
Where did he go?
4th Floor.
My gosh.
Let me be blunt.
About the vote,
I want to vote for 8th Floor.
What?
Why are you outside?
It's just that the room stinks.
That's why I'm outside. Don't worry about me.
Oh, this is terrible.
Seeing what you're going through, I just feel so bad.
Which room would suffer the least from becoming a bathroom?
8th Floor's.
Her room's the biggest.
And things won't come down the chute at night 'cause she's at the top.
Plus, she makes the most.
But money doesn't really have much to do with this, does it?
Well, haven't you heard of "oblesse noblige"?
Or something like that?
You know how much more she makes.
So, you know, she should take on more responsibilities.
It's awful to hand over all the waste to 1st Floor like we have been.
1st Floor, how long will you put up with this in such a small room?
So?
Who are you trying to win over?
What?
I'm not trying to win anyone over. We're just having a discussion.
Have you perhaps
thought about who you will vote for?
But aren't you close with 5th Floor?
The thing is, she's too nice, so she's not all that reliable.
4th Floor says she convinced 1st Floor to vote for 8th Floor.
The soft-hearted 1st Floor didn't explicitly voice his opinion,
but she saw his eyes waver in her favor.
And finally, 2nd Floor.
2nd Floor.
- Get lost. - Okay.
Not her.
We still have four votes with the three of us and 1st Floor.
Shouldn't that be enough?
7th Floor. Are you inside?
I can't get caught in here.
I really can't.
Oh, so you are here.
What were you doing?
Just smoking.
Why don't we talk?
Sure.
See you later.
Right. Bye.
That was close!
It'd look weird if you got caught.
Of course!
It won't just be weird.
He'll probably throw a fit if he finds out we're trying to vote for 8th Floor.
Right. Who do you think 6th Floor will vote for?
I mean, isn't it obvious?
Probably one of us or 1st Floor.
Right. Most likely.
Vote for 3rd Floor.
I thought 1st Floor, but 3rd Floor was bad at the talent show.
I asked 8th Floor, and she said she'd vote for whoever I vote for.
Let's keep this simple.
I'm not sure it was a good idea to tell 7th Floor.
I blurted it out since he was here.
You don't think he'll join them, do you?
No. He's not the type to do that.
He didn't even send his waste bags down to 1st Floor.
You never know what people might do.
All right?
Sure, all right.
The two of us need to stick together, no matter what.
Of course.
Promise me you won't betray me.
Of course not!
I'm totally a woman of my word.
Everyone was given a day to think before the anonymous vote.
But I feel antsy for some reason.
Me, 7th Floor...
After the stair climbing and the talent show,
our third event to earn time
is "Vote for Your Bathroom."
VOTE FOR YOUR BATHROOM
Let us begin the vote.
1st Floor, please go first.
We'll now count the votes.
3rd Floor.
- Yeah, one vote is nothing. - Right.
3rd Floor.
8th Floor.
Okay. 8th Floor.
Me?
8th Floor.
3rd Floor.
Why are the votes turning out like...
All right.
3rd Floor and 8th Floor have three votes each,
so it's currently a tie.
It's a blank vote.
What? A blank vote?
Yes, this is the last vote.
What do you want?
Vote for 3rd Floor.
I think you're having the worst luck.
Your floor number is too low compared to your skills.
Two months is a long time.
Let's spend it in comfort.
How?
How could we do that?
I guess I wasn't talking to a wall. There are many ways.
I could hide some food and give it to you later.
Or if you need anything, I could buy it for you.
But why
3rd Floor out of everyone?
There's 4th Floor too.
3rd Floor
sucks so bad.
That dance!
What he did was an insult to dancing.
Can't argue there.
All right.
8th Floor.
Me?
Give it to me.
Is it really me?
8th Floor,
your room has been picked as the bathroom.
Wow, I've never been voted for something like this.
Totally incredible.
Don't people normally applaud when you get elected?
Oh, you're right.
A round of applause.
We earned 24 hours just for voting.
Wow, that's more than I expected.
Yes. It seems they considered this a form of content.
How could they not?
I spent 24 hours going around campaigning, just like in modern society.
I'm relieved that 8th Floor doesn't seem too unhappy about the results.
By the way...
I wonder who voted for me.
Sorry?
Well, I got three votes.
If one is from 6th Floor and another is from 8th Floor,
I was wondering who the last vote was from.
In hindsight, I don't think it was 2nd Floor.
That means it has to be 4th Floor.
I was wondering if she really betrayed me
after all that talk.
I'm also curious, but does it really matter?
I know, but--
Just forget about it.
- Still, we-- - It's over now anyway.
Care for a smoke?
Yeah. Sure.
- All right, then. It's in my room. - Right, sure.
- Come on up. - Okay.
This will come in handy when it's bright out.
Thank you
for listening to me.
How are you going to do all this by yourself?
Who do you want to give it to?
Sorry?
Everyone is coming to me, trying to sway me,
but I don't know what they're talking about.
The whole situation sucks, but to be fair,
we should listen to you since you've suffered the most so far.
I would've voted for her even without your input.
She deserves it.
She needs to learn how to sacrifice for others.
For me,
it was just because
her room is the biggest.
It will be easier
for her to endure the waste.
That's also true.
That'll be a no.
Wait, what did you say?
What's going on?
I asked for her room card to use the bathroom,
but she said no.
- What? - Let me.
Excuse me, 8th Floor.
- We voted earlier. - Yes, we did.
- And your room got the most votes. - That's right.
So from 8:00 a.m. to midnight,
we decided to use it as a bathroom.
I'm not scolding you or anything.
I'm just clearing it up in case you misunderstood anything.
No, there's no misunderstanding.
What?
I know that's what we agreed to do.
If you do, give me your card.
You even asked for applause earlier for winning the vote.
This is ridiculous.
Thanks for your applause.
"Thanks"?
8th Floor.
I understand how you feel,
but we're all in the same boat, so let's be considerate of each other.
Wait.
"In the same boat"?
Sorry?
This is why I shouldn't be kind to people.
- Bye. - Has she gone mad? That little...
But we already agreed on the rules.
She can't back out all of a sudden.
Well, I guess it won't be easy to accept at first.
Let's give her some time.
If only that were the case.
Sorry?
No, never mind.
For fuck's sake. What a bunch of dipshits.
"Dipshit"?
Wait. You're all gonna walk away?
But how will we relieve ourselves today?
She needs some time to process all this.
Just let her be today. Use your room.
Seriously, this is unbelievable.
How can she walk out on us?
- I know. - What's she gonna do about it?
We all agreed on it.
Yeah. What's she gonna do about it?
At least that's what I thought then.
But 8th Floor responded through the delivery chute.
Are you serious?
"I am..."
What the hell is this?
"...different."
Fucking bitch.
We all thought, "What's she gonna do?" But then we realized...
we were all fucked.