[theme music playing]
LOVE NEXT DOOR
For our summer vacation this year,
how about we try Alaska?
I've always wanted to go.
Well, I don't know.
[groans softly]
Then…
Want to go hiking at Yosemite National Park?
Not really.
Really? Then…
New York?
We can see shows and go to art museums.
-Doesn't that sound nice? -Not really.
Forget it. Don't go. We won't go anywhere then.
I mean, we're both always so busy.
So I wanted to at least spend a proper summer vacation with you. Okay?
But I was the only one excited and had my hopes up for nothing.
-Open it. -What is it?
You'll know once you open it.
You haven't been to Korea in a while.
Don't you miss your mom?
[pleasant music playing]
[exclaims softly]
[Hyeon-jun] Are you going to cry?
There are two tickets. I'm going too.
Hyeon-jun.
I think there's still something left in the envelope.
[Seok-ryu] What?
[laughs]
-[chuckles] -[Seok-ryu exclaims]
I didn't think I was going to ask you this in my pajamas.
[Seok-ryu laughs]
Ever impatient and quick-tempered, Seok-ryu…
[exclaims]
-[Seok-ryu chuckles] -Will you…
[chuckles softly]
Will you marry me?
Yes.
I wanted to do this somewhere nice on a special day.
This moment right now is perfect.
How could it get any better than this?
[music fades]
[phone vibrating]
[female doctor] I'm afraid it's stomach cancer.
It appears to be early-stage,
but the exact stage can only be determined after surgery.
We'll need to arrange an operation for you as soon as possible…
[voice fades] …and then discuss treatment options post-surgery.
But first, we'll need to run some tests and biopsies.
You need to make an appointment with a clinic…
[melancholy music playing]
[footsteps]
[Seok-ryu] I didn't get enough sleep.
I had irregular meals.
I was overexposed to stress.
I was trying to figure out why I got cancer
when I suddenly looked out the window.
The sky was so clear.
I was 30 years old.
DARKNESS IN LIFE
[line ringing]
Hey, Mo-eum. It's me.
Tell me all the hospitals in the area with an ER.
[phone vibrating]
CHOISSEUNG
[footsteps approaching]
[doctor] Do you feel dizzy or nauseous?
No, I'm fine.
This was Jeongheon University Hospital?
You didn't know?
Things were so frantic earlier.
Is Professor Choi Gyeong-jong here right now by any chance?
He's off today.
Do you know the professor?
No.
I saw him on TV. You know how famous he is.
I'm fine now, so I'll get going.
Wait. You have to hear your test results.
Okay.
[doctor] Well…
[inaudible conversation]
[mysterious music playing]
[car door closes]
[Hyeon-jun] Seok-ryu.
[Seok-ryu] Hyeon-jun.
Why are you still here?
How could I have left you here?
Did you get examined? What did the doctor say?
Did a recurrence…
[tires screech]
Seok-ryu!
Choisseung.
Are you okay? Does your stomach still hurt?
No.
Why did it hurt? What was wrong?
Well, you know…
How did you know I was here? Did someone tell you?
Look, no one told me.
So what did they say?
They said I was fine. Why are you shouting?
I can hear you, okay?
Excuse me? I'm standing here too. You could acknowledge me.
Oh.
You were here?
I wasn't concerned with you.
[Hyeon-jun exhales]
Let's go. I'll take you home.
Come with me.
I don't care who I go with. Let's just go now.
[Hyeon-jun] You really know how to interfere.
But don't cross the line.
This is something between me and her.
What?
Hyeon-jun, I'll go home with Choisseung.
-What? -It's in the same direction.
Thanks for today.
[exhales]
Call me when you get there.
I'll wait.
Don't wait.
I'm putting her to bed early.
To me, Seok-ryu isn't some child.
She's a woman.
[melancholy music playing]
Let's go.
[car accelerating]
It's stomach cancer?
[voice shaking] What do I do now?
I'm so scared.
No, there's no need to be scared.
I'll fix it for you.
I'll do what I can to help cure you.
Medical technology has improved these days.
You'll be fine with early detection.
I have a friend who works at that hospital.
I'll call him right now.
I'll see if we can move up your surgery.
Okay. Starting tomorrow,
-take a sick leave. -[Seok-ryu sniffles]
-I'll apply for a leave of absence too. -You too?
You're on an important case right now. You can't do that.
Nothing's more important than you.
Don't worry.
I'll stay by your side.
Hey, just wait one second.
You want me to get out?
Yeah.
What's going on? Why are you doing this?
I'm just being polite.
If a guy does something like this for you, just accept it.
Don't do it. It's weird.
You'd always treat me like a servant.
Now, this princess treatment is bewildering me.
It looked like Hyeon-jun treated you this way.
Never mind. Go in.
[Hyeon-jun] Don't you think
you should tell your parents back home?
[line ringing]
-[humming] -[phone ringing]
♪ What's love ♪
[gasps]
Hey, you brat!
Why is it so hard to reach you? I thought something happened.
Nothing happened. What are you up to?
What perfect timing.
I'm making kimchi for you.
Forget it. Don't send it.
I can just buy it here if I need to.
It's from another country, so it won't taste the same.
I got cabbages from Gangwon-do. They're so good.
No, I said don't send it.
I told you not to last time, but you sent it anyway.
It leaked out of the box.
Do you know how embarrassed I was?
It's because I was greedy. I tried to fill it to the top.
I'll be more careful this time.
No, I don't want it.
I told you I don't need it.
Why won't you listen to me?
Listen to me when I tell you something!
Then, eat as much as you want when you come here.
When's your flight?
I can't go.
[slow music playing]
I won't be able to call for a while either.
Why? Are you really busy?
Yeah, I started a new project.
It's very important.
Oh.
Okay, I get it.
You're doing important work. I shouldn't bother you.
Even if you have no time,
don't skip meals, drink a lot of water, and get a lot of sleep.
Call me more often too.
Okay. I think…
I think I'm getting a call from work. Bye.
-Okay… -[line disconnects]
[clicks tongue] That brat.
[sighs]
[sobbing]
[sobbing] It's okay, Seok-ryu. It's not a big deal.
[sniffles] I'll get better. I'll tell them after I get better.
It's not a big deal. It's nothing.
[sobbing]
[faint footsteps]
[groans softly]
[exhales]
[sighs]
[pinging]
-[pings] -[grunts]
Hyeon-jun, hold me up.
[Hyeon-jun] You can lean on me.
To me, Seok-ryu isn't some child.
She's a woman.
-[thuds] -[grunts]
[Mo-eum clapping]
Nice batting stance. Your timing's perfect too.
-Hey. -[Mo-eum] "Hey"?
You're having fun hitting balls alone after giving me a scare like that?
You can join if you want. You need some cash?
[Mo-eum] I have money too, you fool.
It's been a while.
Goodness, how about we loosen up a bit?
-[thuds] -[grunts]
[Mo-eum] Oh. Wow.
No matter how I think about it, it's amazing.
You don't look like someone who'd be good at sports.
If you're here to pick a fight, save it.
I'm not in the mood.
I'm sure you aren't.
What's wrong?
Is it Seok-ryu again?
[laughing]
-[sighs wearily] -[Mo-eum laughing]
[exhales]
So she went to the hospital with that punk instead of you?
[pop song playing in the background]
Wow.
I guess I did beam you with a fastball.
-Is this fun for you? -A little.
[clears throat] So?
Did you ask her?
Why did she choose him at that moment?
[sighs]
No.
Jeez, you're so frustrating and dumb.
You still haven't fixed that chronic habit.
Do I need to step up to the plate?
Forget it.
You're right.
Whether you hit a home run or strike out, it's up to you.
Then, say something so I can at least cheer you on.
Tell me your feelings.
How are you feeling right now?
I feel like crap.
I feel jealous too.
I told Seok-ryu
I wouldn't ask about why her engagement was called off.
And I told him
I wasn't curious since things were over between them.
I pretended not to care.
But I want to ask so badly.
I'm so curious it's driving me crazy.
There's a gap between Seok-ryu and me.
And Hyeon-jun
is inside of it with a part of her I don't know.
It's… How can I explain it?
It makes me angry.
Think about all the time you've been together for.
If they're American history,
you two are like the four great ancient civilizations.
You're like Egypt and Mesopotamia.
So don't be scared. Don't shrink back.
[amusing music playing]
I didn't.
No, you've shrunk and wrinkled up a lot lately.
You've aged too.
How? Really?
What's the big deal about having a crush?
Hey.
Does your heart start to beat too?
How can someone live if their heart doesn't beat?
That's not what I meant.
So when a person likes another person,
does your heart beat faster?
Of course.
It races when we're together.
It races when she's with someone else.
Like the fast, rumbling beat of Korean traditional drums?
What? What are you rambling about?
Forget I said anything.
Never mind.
So how's Seok-ryu? Is she okay?
[exhales] I don't know.
[exclaims]
That brat's been picking at her food a lot lately.
Is she getting old too?
She could eat dirt and be fine back then.
[sighs audibly]
[Mo-eum] Seriously.
[Seok-ryu exhales]
HYEON-JUN
Make sure to take your medicine.
[pills rattling]
I'm so sick of this.
[mellow music playing]
[closes drawer]
[exhales]
It's late. Go to bed.
[chuckles softly]
Good night, Seok-ryu.
[Seok-ryu] After I got sick, I'd lie in bed every night and think.
I'd think, "Why is it called cancer?"
Names are important for everything.
"Cancer" sounds so dark and scary.
"Flower." "Moon." "Star."
It would've been better if it had a brighter and more cheerful name.
[birds chirping]
[door opens, closes]
He has some nerve.
[door opens]
-Dad, I-- -I'm off.
-Okay, have a good day. -[Geun-sik] Bye.
[door opens]
-[Mi-suk sighs] -[door closes]
I won't stop you from taking cooking classes.
Nothing bad can come from learning.
It'll be beneficial to you.
-Really? -[Mi-suk] Of course. [exclaims]
It's something we do to survive. It's a great hobby.
Learn and use those skills when you get married.
Also, I thought about it.
You don't have to go to the US if you don't want to.
But instead, get a job here.
You could easily join a major company with your background.
Mom.
You're allowed to wander for a bit.
But you have all that experience. Think of your future.
I'll decide my future.
And that's cooking.
Don't be ridiculous.
Your father and I won't ever allow it.
What parent would stand by and let their child stray?
I'm not straying. I'm on the right path.
I didn't even know what my path was up until now.
I've just been running like crazy, but I finally found direction.
It's a path full of thorns. You'll get stuck in the mud!
Stop wasting time and focus on getting a job.
[door opens]
My advice isn't worth listening to anymore?
I worked so hard to raise you. You think you did it on your own?
[door slams]
What took you so long?
I was starving to death.
What? Did we have a prior engagement that I don't know about?
-Did you fight with your mom again? -Mind your own business.
Let's get something to eat.
Like what?
Is this really all you could pick to eat?
You looked beat up like this porridge. That's why I picked it. What's wrong?
-You little… -[stomach growling]
[chuckles softly]
Just eat. Try it first.
[quirky music playing]
I'm mad I have to spend a precious meal eating soft food.
What is this?
-Why is it good? -Right?
This place is good.
I won't bring you to just any place.
What are you talking about? Hurry up and eat.
Okay.
Mmm.
That was so good.
Remember when you were complaining? I thought you'd eat the bowl too.
Of course. I could eat steel bars too.
This bowl is nothing.
What? Are you feeling sick again?
Since it was a bit bland, I'm craving tteokbokki now.
Do you even have room after eating all that?
I can make room.
I'm going to the restroom.
Ma'am, do you have any toilet paper?
[employee] No, take some from the roll here.
[bird chirping]
Yeah, you have to make room for more.
[sighs] I must be crazy about her.
[chuckles softly]
[exhales]
[solemn music playing]
[groans weakly]
[exhales] Did I eat too quickly?
[breathes weakly]
I'm getting dumping syndrome again.
[inhales]
[exhales]
[dance music playing in the background]
[Dong-jin] Wow, he has a great body.
[gasps]
Look at his back.
Wow, I heard you make hundreds of thousands with just one ad.
I wish I could get just one offer.
[phone chimes]
WE'D LIKE YOU TO HELP PROMOTE OUR NEW PRODUCT
[cash register dings]
It's here! A life-changing opportunity!
[chuckling]
Just you wait, Seok-ryu. I'll succeed. I'll show you.
Thank you.
This is my first promotion. What do I need to do?
[chuckles softly]
How cute.
What's this?
Did we really not take that many photos together?
-[glass breaking] -That scared me!
What was that?
What's going on?
Goodness.
[gasps]
[breathing heavily]
My goodness. How did this happen?
[exclaims]
[pleasant music playing]
Are you okay? Were you hurt?
No, I'm okay.
The washing machine suddenly…
It's dangerous, so go and sit. I'll clean this.
Yeah, okay.
[vacuum humming]
[vacuum stops]
[Gyeong-jong groans]
I'm finished cleaning.
I vacuumed too, but there still could be some shards.
Don't walk around barefoot.
As for the washing machine,
I'll call for a repair tech.
Wait.
You're bleeding!
[groaning]
I said I could do it.
I'll do it.
Still, I'm a professor of ER medicine.
[Hye-suk scoffs]
I guess ER professors bleed after stepping on glass too.
[exclaims]
-[chuckles softly] -That stings.
And he's a crybaby.
[blows air]
I get hurt like other people too.
Pain receptors don't discriminate.
-Pain receptors? -[Gyeong-jong] Did you know?
Pain receptors don't distinguish between physical pain and emotional pain.
Whether it's being cut by glass or emotionally hurt,
they react the same.
Really?
All done.
Well, I'm just saying.
I'll get going.
[Hye-suk] Hey.
Do you want some ramyeon?
[pleasant music playing]
[closes cupboard]
Stop staring at me.
Right!
Does she have eyes in the back of her head?
[device beeping]
[chuckles softly]
[timer winding]
[slurps]
[slurping]
It's good. The noodles are al dente.
-It tastes just right. -Yeah.
Cooking ramyeon is a science.
I just haven't tried,
but as long as I know the recipe, I can make anything.
This reminds me of the past.
We ate this often in my dorm near school.
[chuckles softly]
Do you remember?
Back then,
you threw up your ramyeon after studying anatomy with cadavers.
[chuckling] I never did that.
You did. You looked so pale. You were the one who looked like a corpse.
What are you talking about?
I was a promising young talent from the start. [chuckles]
[Hye-suk chuckles]
Yeah, a promising talent indeed.
I'd never seen anyone study as well as you did.
Why are you out here?
Because we were done eating.
-Here. -Thank you.
-Thanks for the meal. -Take this too.
What is this exciting black bag?
Is it tteokbokki?
[Seung-hyo] Take them as per your needs.
What a bummer.
I don't need this stuff.
I have to get to work now. Tomorrow's chicken porridge.
-Who says I'll eat with you? -Bye.
[phone vibrating]
[Seung-hyo] Hey, I'm on my way now. Okay.
That fool bought so much. It's so heavy.
[door closes]
-[Myeong-u sighs] -Don't move!
What? What's the matter? What's going on?
[Seung-hyo] Oh.
That milk! Did you steal that from my fridge?
-You did. -[Myeong-u chuckles] Yeah.
Right, I guess you could say that. Why?
Just carefully put it down.
-[Myeong-u] What? -No, wait.
Just give it to me.
Seriously? It's just milk. Don't be stingy--
It's not just milk!
My life depends on this milk.
Hey, why do so many things in your office depend on something?
Last time, you said our company's success depended on that tree… My gosh!
What now?
Our company.
-What? -Our company is withering.
[doorbell chiming]
We're not open yet--
Hello.
It's this.
Can you save my tree?
Oh.
This tree?
Yes.
[shop owner] Okay.
[pleasant music playing]
[chuckles softly]
I thought it was an emergency.
You sounded so desperate to save it.
It suddenly started to wither, so I thought it was an emergency.
I guess you don't talk to it often.
Talk to it?
We may not hear them, but plants can speak too.
They say they're tired or hungry.
This one's saying it's too humid.
This will stop it from bearing fruit.
It can bear fruit?
-Can it bloom flowers too? -Of course. [chuckles softly]
Our friend has a lot to do this year.
[Seung-hyo] Then…
What should I do to listen to my tree?
So I was grilling the dried pollock earlier.
I think meat's better than fish. I was craving pork belly so badly.
[all laughing]
Are you done?
You looked so happy earlier.
What?
You were smiling so beautifully.
It was like you returned to your familiar usual self.
What was my usual self like?
You're brighter than California sunshine.
Bright, positive, and full of energy.
Open it.
-What is this? -[envelope rustling]
[Hyeon-jun] Remember the cooking school I mentioned last time?
I got these from a study abroad agency.
If you're going to start this,
I want you to take a proper path so you won't fail.
There's one more thing in there.
[mellow music playing]
-Is this… -[Hyeon-jun] Yeah.
It's the engagement ring
that you left behind.
Just like how you've begun to dream again,
let's start over again too.
I want to continue to support you.
I want to be with you.
Nice reflexes.
That's what we former athletes pride ourselves on.
Is this for me?
SSING-SSING BAR
[clicks tongue, inhales]
You should always split and share this ice cream.
I agree.
[Seok-ryu] There are no stars or moon tonight.
[Mo-eum] Did you ask her?
Why did she choose him at that moment?
-About that night… -He proposed to me.
What?
Hyeon-jun proposed to me.
[exhales audibly]
Wow, he must be a lunatic.
I wanted to at least be respectful,
he's really ticking me off.
What on earth is he doing? It's too late.
What if it isn't late?
What?
When he proposed for the second time, I had this thought.
"Maybe it's not too late."
He keeps taking me back to the good times.
It's like a breeze blowing through my heart.
And the book I once closed is open again.
I remember all of my forgotten memories.
The osam bulgogi we ate when we first met.
It was so good.
Things like that.
Even though I'm here?
Yeah.
Even though…
I told you how I felt?
Yeah.
[exhales]
[slow music playing]
Is that why you went to the hospital with him and not me?
Yeah, it was like instinct.
Usually,
people become the most vulnerable and honest when they're sick.
I guess I subconsciously wanted to lean on him.
You can't lean on me?
To me,
you're still…
a five-year-old kid crying at the top of a jungle gym.
A childhood friend I can split ice cream with.
The successful son of my mom's friend.
[exhales]
You're so cruel.
[clicks tongue]
How could you…
How can you make it so I can't say anything?
I'm letting you know. You're mistaken.
You don't like me. You imprinted on me.
Did you know?
A duckling mistakes
the first thing it sees for its mother and follows them around.
-[sighs] -[Seok-ryu] It's like that.
I'm just like a mother duck to you.
[Seung-hyo] Don't jump to conclusions like that.
It doesn't matter how you feel.
It can't be helped if I'm not the one.
But…
don't tell me how I feel.
No matter how much I like you,
you have no right to do that.
-Seung-hyo… -The milk hasn't expired yet.
And I'm not scared of the jungle gym anymore.
[music ends]
[Jeong-u] Did you see the article?
"They allow us to make it home
to our friends and family with a smile each day."
"To our heroic paramedics who protect our precious daily lives,
I'd like to express my respect once more."
-They even printed our picture. -[Min-ho] Oh.
I'm glad I used that sheet mask.
Send me that link.
I want to show my wife.
[Jeong-u] Yes, sir.
-Ms. Jung, isn't the article awesome? -What?
I don't know. I haven't read it yet.
What? It's about us though.
He put a lot of effort into it. You should read it.
I don't care about stuff like that.
Just get back to work.
[amusing music playing]
[Jeong-u] Your picture came out really well.
PARAMEDICS ARE SO COOL
THEY'RE AMAZING I'M GRATEFUL
MUDFLAT MAN
[phone vibrating]
I told you to just come in. Why make it a hassle and call me out?
Everyone's busy working, so I didn't want to bother them.
Do I not look busy?
[chuckles] That's not what I meant.
Please share this with the others.
We're civil servants. We can't accept this.
I'm giving you this as a fellow colleague, not a reporter,
even if it was just for a day.
Oh.
You're really good at making it hard to refuse things.
Thank you. [chuckles softly]
Thank you for helping me write that article.
I found my motivation again thanks to you.
Me? What did I do?
Don't give anything up.
My dad passed away when I was young.
So I know what it's like.
If my mom ever sacrificed anything for me,
I hated that the most.
Someone got out of his car,
and he directed traffic to clear the road.
He was like a superhero.
[chuckles softly]
-You just did. -[Mo-eum] What?
I'll get going now.
Bye.
I LOVE YOU, MUDFLATS
[heart thumping]
[amusing music playing]
-Dan-ho. -Yes?
From now on, don't wear that T-shirt anymore.
What? Why not?
If I say not to wear it, just don't.
[Mo-eum exclaims]
Is that the only shirt you have?
Is it your favorite?
No, but it's really soft and stretchy.
Yeah, sure. I'll buy you something nicer, so don't wear it anymore.
Oh.
Why would you buy me clothes?
You said we were colleagues.
Colleagues can't buy each other shirts?
No, it's not about that.
[Mo-eum] Bye.
-What? -Go on.
I need to get an ECG soon.
Something's wrong. [sighs]
But…
[drill whirs]
[mechanic] It's all fixed. [grunts]
[Hye-suk] Thank you so much.
But what caused it to break?
Well…
I found this inside the washer.
[Hye-suk] Goodness.
Wait.
Why would this be in…
[mechanic] I think the spoon caused the issue.
It could've been really bad.
Thank you. Have a nice day.
-All right. Have a good day. -[Hye-suk] Thank you very much.
-Thank you for your work. -No problem.
-[Hye-suk] Have a nice day. -[mechanic] You too.
-[Seung-hyo] Did something break? -[Hye-suk] No, it was nothing.
[chuckles nervously] Hey, Seung-hyo.
-[door closes] -Have you had trouble sleeping lately?
No. Why?
You look pale, and your light stays on at night.
Oh.
I've been busy with work.
-[phone vibrating] -I see. Poor thing.
Go ahead. Take it.
Hello?
Hey, Myeong-u.
What?
[tense music playing]
-Myeong-u! -Hey, Mr. Choi.
They told us to stop construction? What's going on?
The district office got a complaint and said to stop now.
[Seung-hyo] Wait.
We got consent from everyone in the area. Why would this happen?
Someone next door complained.
Right to light and obstruction of view or whatever.
That's ridiculous. I checked several times.
[Myeong-u] I know.
I discussed things already
with the official in charge to not violate rules.
You did, but they said the person in charge changed.
[sighs]
That means we have to start everything over again.
Let's meet with the people who filed the complaint first.
Persuading them will be the priority.
[man] Well, look at this!
Are the people trying to build this great building finally here?
[whispering] Speak of the devil. It's him.
[in normal voice] Hello, sir.
I'm the CEO of the architectural firm that designed this building.
May I ask about the kind of inconvenience you had during construction?
There were so many, I can't name them all!
There's no need to discuss it. Get rid of this now.
Sir, you agreed to the construction last time.
I allowed you to build a house on the land,
not to extend it into the sky!
They say you need more sunlight as you age,
but this house will shorten my lifespan!
I only get a tiny bit of sun.
Half the sky's covered now.
You think that's all?
The ground has sloped.
And the flowers have wilted from the noise.
Sure, fine. I can understand all that.
But we made the groundwater suddenly flow?
That's too much, isn't it?
[Na-yun] Still, to show us,
wasn't it funny when he came with a bent wire hanger?
[all laughing]
Hey, it really was.
-It started to move! -Yeah!
You two can both leave.
-Sorry. -I'm sorry.
I think this was his plan from the start.
He asked a lot of questions whenever we came on-site.
He looked at things very closely.
[sighs] What he really wants is a settlement.
He agreed at first, but now, he's having second thoughts.
Then, what do we do now?
But didn't we already obtain the project cooperation agreement?
[gasps]
Yeah, we did to prepare for something like this.
Even if there's a worst-case scenario of a civil lawsuit, it can be dismissed.
Goodness! Why didn't I think of that?
Right? Hey, who obtained it?
-I did. -[Myeong-u] Go and get it.
Let's take this chance to show them the importance of a signed document.
-Stop smiling and go get it! -Oh, me.
-I'll be right back. -[Myeong-u] Okay.
[sighs] That should do it.
THE NOT-SO-SIMPLE CURIOSITY OF KANG DAN-HO HEROES OF OUR TIME
[pleasant music playing]
[telephone ringing]
[chuckles softly]
[music distorts]
Just climb inside your monitor, why don't you?
[Dan-ho exclaims] Why do you keep popping up behind me?
It's going to cause problems.
-I'll report it as workplace harassment. -I'll report you too.
I'll say a journalist is writing with personal bias, not objectivity.
When did I ever do that?
You suddenly wanted to write about your experiences…
because of her?
The paramedic you know?
-Well… -[Yeong-in] I knew it.
I could sense the affection in your words.
And I was right. [claps hands]
It was due to your love for the subject.
It's not like that.
If there's any personal bias in this article,
it's out of respect and reverence.
-Okay? Yeah. -[Yeong-in] Yeah? Okay.
Is that so? I see.
[amusing music playing]
Gosh, but she really is pretty.
Good luck!
Complimenting someone's looks is a form of judgment too.
[whispering] And don't wish me luck!
[man in normal voice] Good luck, Dan-ho.
Hey! Don't eavesdrop.
[man] It's because I can hear you.
-Stop. -[man] What does she look like?
God.
[Mo-eum] "I could sense the true essence
of heroism from the spirit of these paramedics."
"And I thought about it."
"If the Avengers had paramedics,
wouldn't they have defeated Thanos more easily?"
Wow.
Nice article.
[Mo-eum] Hey.
It's not just nice.
This is a masterpiece that will go down in history.
You can feel the authenticity of someone who experienced things firsthand.
[chuckles softly]
Goodness, he worked so hard that day too.
With these little hands that have probably only touched keyboards,
he wanted to do all he could to help out.
Goodness. I think that's how he normally is.
He leads by example, and he's just.
Well, that's probably why he was Mudflat Man.
You've fallen head over heels for Mudflat Man.
You're knee-high in mud. You won't be able to free yourself easily.
What?
Did you know you've been talking about him for 30 minutes now?
Hey, that's because…
[laughing] Hey, you!
That was because it's a good article.
[laughingly] It was praise for his professionalism.
[amusing music playing]
Gosh, that's so funny.
People usually look cool when they excel at their job.
Even Seung-hyo looks all right when he's designing.
What are you talking about?
Seung-hyo? Don't be ridiculous.
Hey.
Has he said anything recently?
I don't know. I haven't seen him in a while.
Really?
Yes, that's right.
Yes.
-Yes, I understand. -[line disconnects]
-What did the official say? -It's as expected.
They have no choice but to stop things when they get a complaint.
They said we should reach a settlement.
Should I meet with him again?
If it's not possible, we'll just settle it at a reasonable price.
No.
More people will try to exploit us if we give in to unreasonable demands.
We can't create a bad precedent.
-[knock on door] -[sighs softly]
Come in.
[Seung-hyo] Hey.
-Did you bring the agreement? -[door closes]
Well… [exhales]
I'm sorry, Mr. Choi.
The agreement…
I lost it.
-What? -[Myeong-u] What?
[stuttering] Where did it go?
I have no idea.
I got it that day and put it somewhere safe.
I checked the bookshelf, my desk, and the trunk of my car.
I spent hours looking for it, but I can't find it.
Are you kidding me? Is this the best you can do?
-I'm sorry. -Sorry is not enough!
You think an apology will fix this?
-Myeong-u, wait. -I mean…
Don't get worked up. Calm down.
-Hyeong-chan. -Yes?
Do you understand the gravity of your mistake?
I've caused significant damage to the company.
You're not wrong.
Delaying construction will push the schedule back
and increase costs.
But do you know what's more important than that?
I don't know, sir.
Go and think about it.
And come back when you find that answer.
Yes, sir.
I'm sorry.
[door closes]
But what's the answer? I don't know what it is either.
[sighs] This is driving me crazy.
[Mi-suk] Did you drop money on the ground?
-Why do you have your head down? -Hi, Aunt Mi-suk.
Have you had dinner?
[exhales]
Why would you feed me? Aren't you mad at me for deceiving you?
I don't understand myself either.
But what can I do? I can tell something's up with you.
How did you know?
I raised you myself.
You're like my child.
Aunt Mi-suk,
I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Seok-ryu.
That wasn't your fault.
I shouldn't have taken it out on you.
But the thing is…
Seok-ryu's really serious about it.
You cut me some slack. Can't you do the same for her?
Eat up.
You're abandoning me because you don't want to hear it?
There's a neighborhood meeting. I'll get fined if I miss it.
A fine?
How much is it?
How much will it cost to sit at a table with you?
You little… How dare you flaunt your money by impersonating Han Suk-kyu?
-Eat as much as you want. -[Seung-hyo] Okay.
[clicks tongue]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[door opens]
[footsteps approaching]
-I didn't know you were home. -I didn't know you were here either.
Where's my mom?
-She went to a neighborhood meeting. -I see.
Eat up.
Why are you avoiding me?
I'm not.
I came to the kitchen to drink something, but I forgot.
DAEHAN MILK
Hey, Choisseung.
What?
Throw out that milk.
What?
I'm answering you in advance.
To me,
you can't be more than a friend.
Is that all you have to say?
Yeah, I'm sorry.
There's no room for reconsideration?
No.
[emotional music playing]
It'll be awkward for a few days, but it'll get better soon.
Our friendship wouldn't break that easily over something like this.
Eat and put the dishes in the sink before you leave.
Friendship?
There's no such thing as that anymore.
[slow pop song playing]
[exhales]
Hyeon-jun,
do you remember when I first got sick?
They removed two-thirds of my stomach
and I lost ten kilograms after starting chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy…
I hear it's hard.
It's okay.
I dealt with surgery pretty easily.
I'm Bae Seok-ryu. I'll overcome this.
Don't worry.
Once I recover,
should we go to Salar de Uyuni?
-Uyuni? -Yeah.
No, wait.
Should we go to Peru to visit Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu.
-Peru. -Where do you want to go?
-We can visit both. -Both?
Sounds good.
-I applied to return to work. -Already?
I'm all better now, so I should go back to work.
Aren't you overdoing it?
I can't stay like this forever.
So what if I was sick?
I can overcome anything with my will.
[chuckles softly]
[Hyeon-jun] Seok-ryu, you're incredible.
It's what I thought as I watched you.
You're so much stronger and more resilient than I thought.
I really respect you.
And I love you.
[song continues playing]
Seok-ryu.
Raymond invited us to his vacation home in Palm Springs.
He said to come with you.
[weakly] I just want to stay at home.
Don't be like that. Let's go.
We haven't gone anywhere for a while.
It's always been the hospital, home, and work.
[weakly] No, I don't want to.
The doctor said plenty of sunlight would help with the depression.
Have you been actively attending your therapy sessions?
Are you taking your meds?
Yeah.
Okay.
That way, you'll get better.
I'll tell Raymond we can't go.
I'll say we're busy with the wedding.
[solemn music playing]
By the way, did you hear?
Well, it's about why she took a break from work three years ago.
That? That was quite big, what happened to her.
[whispering] She has stomach cancer.
[Susan] Really?
-[Chris] Yeah, to think… -[Susan sighs]
…she returned to the office after literally working herself to death,
I don't know whether to call it crazy or…
-Oh, crazy. -[Susan chuckles]
[Peter] Talk about a loyal dog.
[Chris] Exactly.
That girl really doesn't know how to take care of herself, huh?
[exhales]
Poor little girl.
[music continues playing]
[people laughing]
[Seok-ryu breathing heavily]
What do you think you're doing?
[Hyeon-jun] Seok-ryu?
[breathes deeply]
How could you not trust me?
Why didn't you pick up your phone then?
You're the one who ghosted me first.
Still…
Did you really have to show up like that?
What?
Are you embarrassed of me?
-Are you ashamed? -[Hyeon-jun] No, it's not that.
Everyone I work with was there.
As my fiancée, you should've considered my perspective.
Am I really your fiancée though?
-What? -Your fiancée is sick.
She's going through a hard time. But you wanted to go to a party?
You don't care about how I feel.
Did you want to have fun with others at that party?
Yeah.
I did.
Please let me breathe!
When you became sick,
I gave up everything.
I took time off work and cared for you.
I put golf, traveling, my friends, and my life on hold.
I thought things would be fine if I endured a little more.
Because you're strong. Because you're going to beat this!
We…
Because we'll overcome it together.
But suddenly, what?
[sighs wearily] This goddamn depression…
"This goddamn depression"?
Is that what you were thinking?
You said you understood me.
How can I?
How can I understand you?
You finished your treatment, but now, you're not yourself.
You're not the Seok-ryu I know. How can I accept that?
Please snap out of it.
How long are you going to struggle with that depression for?
If you drag me down with you to the bottom,
are you going to stop then?
[music fades]
[sighs]
Seok-ryu.
Look, what I just said…
I'm already at rock bottom.
Hyeon-jun.
I just witnessed our rock bottom.
[slow music playing]
The ring's too big.
-It fit perfectly back then. -It's because you've lost weight.
It's okay. Let's go back to the US and get it resized.
[Seok-ryu] We can fix the ring,
but we can't fix our relationship.
Seok-ryu.
I'm really sorry
for what happened back then.
It was so hard for me.
-I was tired and out of my mind. -You don't have to apologize to me.
You really tried your best.
I know that better than anyone.
It's just too much for me.
You know,
I'm going to worry about a recurrence next year
and the year after that.
Even if I remain in complete remission for five years,
I won't be completely free.
I'll always be near death's door.
I'm going to feel a little anxious and sad.
That's how my life's going to be.
That's why…
I don't need love anymore.
The stomach I have left
can barely handle digesting my dream.
[sighs deeply]
[doctor] The endoscopy showed some inflammation where the surgery was.
It's highly likely to be just inflammation,
but we've conducted a biopsy to be sure.
The results will be out in a few days.
Good job.
It was the right thing to do.
This is right.
[slow music fades]
What is it?
Is my food not good?
It's not that.
I have no appetite.
Still, you should eat.
Balanced growth and development are a child's responsibility.
[Yeon-du scoffs]
Children have too many responsibilities.
I have to eat this carrot.
I have to brush my teeth.
And I have to sleep early.
[chuckles softly]
[phone vibrating]
YEON-DU'S BABYSITTER
Hello?
Oh, are you okay?
Of course, your health is most important.
You should go to the hospital. Let me know when you know the results.
Okay.
-[line disconnects] -What was that about?
Your babysitter fell in the bathroom and hurt her back.
I guess you're hanging out with me today.
You said you had an important interview today.
There's nothing more important to me than you.
No, you should go.
I have a friend I can play with.
Who?
[quirky music playing]
You want to hang out with me?
-Yes. -[Mo-eum gasps]
I'd love that! I'm so happy! But…
What do I do?
I have something important to do today.
I was on my way out.
[Dan-ho] I'm sorry.
It was an unreasonable request, wasn't it?
Yeon-du, let's hang out with Ms. Jung next time.
Wait!
I have a good idea.
[exclaims]
[Jae-suk] Mo-eum called to let me know. Don't worry. Leave her with us.
-Hi, Yeon-du. -Thank you.
Sit between them.
[In-suk] You're so cute.
I couldn't come empty-handed. Please accept this.
[Jae-suk] Goodness. You didn't have to buy this.
But what is it?
It's a health supplement. It helps with managing your blood sugar.
Goodness.
My blood sugar does spike after a meal. This is the perfect gift.
Thank you so much.
Can we all try it?
-[Jae-suk laughing] -Yes, of course.
Thank you.
I know it's shameless of me,
but please take good care of Yeon-du.
[Jae-suk] Don't worry.
Yeon-du, I'll be back later.
Have a good day.
Drive carefully and don't trip again.
-Okay. -[Jae-suk] Goodness.
Have a great day.
-The scissors. -Okay.
Can I drink two?
Just drink one.
-Jae-suk, who was that? -Our neighbor.
-[Hye-suk] Your client? -[Jae-suk] He was.
HODANGWON
-Do you want one? -No, I'm fine.
[In-suk] Why not?
-[Hye-suk] What's your name? -[exclaims]
Kang Yeon-du.
I was born in the spring.
My name means "to live with vitality,"
like the vibrant color of the first leaves that emerge after winter.
What a great name.
You're smart and clever, aren't you?
Her dad's a journalist, so she's smart too.
So that's why you said he was off-limits.
[Jae-suk] Yeah.
Yeon-du.
Let's have a blast today.
We can't be the only ones enjoying something.
Right?
Here.
Auntie got this as a free gift.
You're more like a granny than an auntie.
-What? -[Mi-suk] Goodness.
Granny?
[Mi-suk laughing]
Hey, people still think I'm in my early forties.
I don't know.
They say the eyes of children are the most honest.
I bet she could become a reporter like her dad.
She's brutally honest.
-[all chuckling] -I should increase my collagen intake.
Anyway, you can have this.
-Thank you. -[laughing]
-Can kids eat red ginseng? -[In-suk] Of course.
It has good ingredients.
What was it called again?
[amusing music playing]
Saffron.
You consume so much medicine, and you still don't know that?
What?
It's not saffron. Are you sure it's not saponin?
[In-suk] Yeah, it is.
I thought it was saponin too.
-Saponin… -[Hye-suk] I…
That's what I said too.
-Yeah, right. -[all laughing]
You said it was saffron.
No, my pronunciation was bad.
-[all laughing] -Hey.
-Are you joking?
I can see how you could've misheard me.
No way.
The great Seo Hye-suk falls from her throne.
It's saffron. That sounds like the name of a detergent.
I know it's saponin too.
Saponin!
-Saponin! -[Jae-suk] Right?
[all laughing]
Saffron is a spice. It's very expensive.
[everyone chattering]
-[camera clicks] -[exhales]
[mischievous music playing]
[camera clicks]
[exhales] What should I write to reel people in?
Do you want the muscles of a bodybuilder?
"I selected this product after careful consideration."
"Only this promotion will be held at the lowest price."
[music ends]
Where's the nutritional information?
What the hell?
Where's this from?
Sir, didn't you say you couldn't make it today?
Are you trying to sell this unverified product to people?
What?
Oh.
I got an offer to promote it,
but I haven't posted it yet.
I just took a few pictures.
-Get out. -Okay.
No.
I want you out of my gym.
People like you have no right to be trainers.
Excuse me?
You're all show and no substance. You only care about appearances.
You've never seen anything through.
You only hope for good luck.
Your life is full of nothing but hot air.
[exhales]
Isn't that harsh?
What? Am I wrong?
You should be helping with sincerity
and taking responsibility for someone's health.
But you slack off on your main job and only care about making easy money.
-Mr. Go. -[Seul-gi] What?
It's because of punks like you
that others take our work lightly.
[exhales] Jeez, this sucks.
Fine, I'll quit.
The nerve of lecturing me with a tiny gym…
[Seul-gi] You little brat!
Hey, Dong-jin!
[knock on door]
Come in.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION
[Seung-hyo exhales]
Is this your answer?
No.
I haven't found the answer yet.
This is the only way I can take responsibility.
[lighter clicks]
-What? -[Jeong-min] Mr. Yoon.
Gosh, this is hot.
-[everyone clamoring] -Hey!
-Can't you act normally? -I wanted to try something new and cool.
It wasn't cool at all.
What if you'd set the sprinklers off?
[mouthing]
-We took care of Buryeong-dong. -What?
-How? -We settled with the old man.
We're going to replace his water pipes.
Your uptight boss surprisingly wanted to do it.
No, that's ridiculous.
That wasn't our fault.
You're right.
I'm not one to compromise with reality like this.
But this is my answer.
And you're a valuable member of Atelier In.
For us, you're more important than the company's profits and losses.
Mr. Choi.
[Seung-hyo] So…
make sure you learn and grow from this mistake.
As you make mistakes, face obstacles, and get scolded here,
keep looking for your answer.
Yes, sir. I'll work hard.
[Jeong-min gasps]
-Go sit down. -Yes, sir.
You're the best.
You're so cool today too.
I swear!
He does all the cool things by himself.
Hey, you think Seung-hyo was born a genius?
Not at all.
He used to make so many mistakes.
He's talking from his own experiences right now.
-Why would you make that up? -[Na-yun laughs]
Doesn't it seem convincing?
Jeez.
Did the client give you a hard time?
Don't get me started.
If I think about how he grilled me day and night for three days.
-Jeez! -It wasn't Seung-hyo?
-[Seung-hyo] What? -Me?
[Na-yun] Yes.
I was going to tell you.
You have bags under your eyes.
Your cheeks are flushed and you look feverish.
Hey, get off.
[solemn music playing]
What's going on?
Are you sick?
I'm sick? [chuckles nervously]
I'm completely fine. What are you saying?
I'm not sick.
You're being so strange.
-[Na-yun] Mr. Choi! -Hey!
What's wrong? Are you okay?
What? Yeah.
[exhales wearily]
[exhales softly]
[exhales]
[groans softly]
[young Seung-hyo crying] Mom!
Mom, don't go!
[crying]
[continues crying]
[slow music playing]
[sniffing]
Hey, why are you crying?
Are you still a baby?
I'm not a baby.
Your mom's going to work. You're a baby if you cry like that.
I'm not crying.
These are the ddakjis I won yesterday.
I'll give all of them to you.
When we play Red Light, Green Light tomorrow,
I'll tag you.
I don't do this for just anyone.
-Got it? -It's not good to be tagged.
[clicks tongue]
Then, I'll buy you a Pikachu-shaped pork cutlet.
Do you have money?
[clicks tongue]
Let's just eat tteokbokki.
We can go to my dad.
Let's go.
[weakly] Mom.
[groans softly]
Seok-ryu.
You're really here.
[chuckles softly] I'm so glad.
[exhales weakly]
[exhales]
[music fades]
Welcome back.
-Hello. -[Jae-suk chuckles]
Hi.
I'm sure today was sudden. I'm very sorry.
Was it hard looking after Yeon-du?
Not at all.
After dealing with grown, disgusting kids for so long,
looking after a baby was so pleasant. [chuckles]
-Leave her with us from time to time. -I appreciate the thought.
Of course.
Where is Yeon-du now?
[knock on door]
Ms. Jung?
[shushes, whispering] Be quiet.
She's sleeping.
Okay. I have to wake her and take her home though.
Wake her later.
-Let me watch her for a little more. -Yeah, okay.
[exclaims]
No matter how much I see her, I just want to see her some more.
[chuckles softly]
How is she so pretty?
Her eyes are pretty.
Her nose is pretty.
Every part of her is pretty.
Right? I know she's my daughter, but she amazes me every time I see her.
[Mo-eum chuckles softly]
I wish Yeon-du was my daughter too.
-Yeah… -[Mo-eum chuckles softly]
[amusing music playing]
-What? -That's not what I meant.
I just meant she's so pretty.
Right. I got it. I didn't get the wrong idea.
Okay.
[music fades]
[in normal voice] How cute. You haven't changed at all.
Excuse me?
What?
What did I just say?
You said I was cute.
Well, all animals and people are cute as babies.
-[chuckles nervously] -I see. [chuckles nervously]
That must be Mr. Choi next to you.
This must be your neighborhood friend.
The three of you must be very close.
[Mo-eum] Yes.
Those two were friends first.
I started hanging out with them after I moved here.
You visit each other's houses often too?
Yes, of course.
That reminds me.
Aside from Seung-hyo, you're the first man to be in my room.
Man?
Goodness.
[quirky music playing]
-Why did I say that? -[exhales softly]
Well… Come to think of it, this isn't the first time.
Ah…
A technician came in here to fix the air conditioner when it broke.
He was a man.
All of my nephews are boys too. I must've overlooked them. [chuckles]
-I see. -[Mo-eum] Yeah.
[chuckles nervously]
[Jae-suk] Mo-eum, come and eat!
Dan-ho, stay for dinner!
-Would you like to eat dinner? -Dinner?
My mom's a great cook.
Dinner sounds good. [chuckles nervously]
-Should I wake Yeon-du first? -Sure.
Wake her up.
[Dan-ho] Yeon-du, wake up.
[Yeon-du groans softly]
[Dan-ho] Open your eyes.
-[Yeon-du groans softly] -Please.
[exhales]
[inhales]
[grunts softly]
[soft music playing]
You asked me how I'm always there to see your life's embarrassing moments.
How are you always there when I'm sick?
[exhales]
[grunts softly]
[Seok-ryu] Are you up?
Are you okay?
Why are you here?
-Why would you barge into my room? -I mean…
Mr. Yoon said you were really out of it.
He called to say you nearly passed out before going home.
I came and rang the doorbell.
No one came to the door.
You could've called me if you were sick.
Why would you suffer on your own?
I'm not going to call you anymore.
Even if something happens,
whatever the reason,
it won't happen again.
So just go.
Do whatever you want.
Even if you cut ties with me, eat first.
Do you have any food in the fridge? I'll go and check.
[exhales]
What do the people in this house eat?
[Seung-hyo] Seriously?
What's this?
[papers rustling]
DIAGNOSIS
JUNE 24, 2024 PARTIAL GASTRECTOMY FOR STOMACH CANCER
[emotional music playing]
ADMITTED WITH ABDOMINAL PAIN OUTPATIENT SURGERY
BAE SEOK-RYU
Hey, your fridge was totally empty.
I'll run to my house and get some…
What is this?
Hey. This is a mistake, right?
Why is your name on here?
I should've gone home first.
It was a hassle, so I just came up.
What on earth is this?
Don't you know? It's a diagnosis.
I needed it for something.
I should've taken it that day. I had to make a second trip there.
Was this it?
Is this why you came back?
[sighs] This is why I didn't want to tell you.
[exhales] Hey, I don't care.
I'll never tell you anyway even if I tell everyone else in the world.
Are you sick?
I was sick.
-And now? -I'm okay.
[sighs softly]
You…
[emotional music continues playing]
How could you not tell me about this?
Because of this.
-I was afraid you'd act like this. -Hey…
[voice shaking] This is how little I meant to you?
Even as a friend, I meant this little to you?
You're sick. I didn't mean to make it worse.
You should rest.
[sniffles] I'll ask Mo-eum to buy you some porridge.
Get some rest!
[exhales]
I have to go home.
We need to talk.
Let's talk later.
How can I wait until later?
You…
How could you do this to me?
Seok-ryu.
How much longer were you going to put this off for?
How long were you going to hide this for?
Seung-hyo. [inhales]
[voice shaking] This doesn't make sense!
How could you go through something like that without telling anyone?
Stomach cancer surgery is serious. How could you not tell anyone?
[Mi-suk] Who has cancer?
[door closes]
[emotional music continues playing]
[Seok-ryu's breath trembling]
[Mi-suk] I heard it from outside. Stomach cancer?
Who has cancer?
Is it you?
Is it really you?
[whimpering]
[both crying hysterically]
[Seok-ryu] To be honest, the first person I wanted to call was Seung-hyo.
Just like when I'd fall and scrape my knee,
I wanted my mom to hold me as I cried.
If I had, would it have made the cancer seems like it was no big deal?
Could I have brushed it off and gotten back up?
[emotional music playing]
I mean it when I say
that I really wanted to live.
DARKNESS IN LIFE
LIGHT OF LIFE
[slow pop song playing]
LOVE NEXT DOOR
[Seung-hyo] Back then, I should've run to Seok-ryu.
She sent all those signals in the dark,
and I missed them all.
[Seok-ryu] Mom!
If their child is sick,
a parent would go to the moon or Mars for them.
[Mo-eum] You said it was okay to cry.
I'll keep it secret too.
[Seung-hyo] You hurt the people who love you.
[Seok-ryu] You don't know anything!
You don't know how I feel!
[Seung-hyo] When things are really tough, you lean on the people closest to you.
Subtitle translation by: Sue Mounce