WHAT'S HIS DEAL? IT'S BEEN OVER 30 MINUTES
IS HE SITTING SOMEWHERE ELSE?
THERE'S ONE OTHER COUPLE HERE BESIDES ME
HE MUST BE STUCK IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE RAIN
CAN YOU WAIT A BIT? PLEASE?
Hello.
MISSING THE SUNNY DAYS! YOUR FOREVER PRESIDENT, KIM YEON-WOO
Ms. Ok Taek-seon?
Hi, I'm Nam Su-pil. Your sister set us up.
- Hello. - Hi.
The new student…
had a nosebleed.
Everyone is busy with their theses these days.
Right. I need to check how the enzyme was handled by lunchtime
and send the amino acid for sequencing.
Thanks to MERS and COVID-19, researchers like us are in demand now.
Well…
What's your major?
I can't remember.
It's been over ten years since I graduated.
I studied Korean literature.
I see.
I heard that you attended a graduate school
for simultaneous interpretation in English.
Right. I wanted to write a novel, but I learned it wasn't for me.
So I switched to English.
I wanted to be an interpreter, but that wasn't for me either.
So I'm a translator now.
Looks like translation was meant for you.
Do you like mice?
I wouldn't say I like them. It's more like grief.
Grief?
I once had a mutant mouse from Japan for a diabetes project,
named Masako.
"Masako"?
We usually name the mice that we work with.
And Masako's last words were,
"Remember my death. Make sure it wasn't for nothing."
- The mouse said that? - In my dream.
In your dream?
I see.
She may have been a lab mouse,
but she was quite ill before she died.
Lab mice live and die solely for the sake of humans.
They die when we draw blood from their hearts
and when their body temperature drops.
And sometimes, they just die for no reason.
What's your favorite animal?
Cat.
Excuse me.
Hey, Jeong-hun.
Just turn the machine and take it out.
Just leave it.
I'm sorry, but I need to leave now.
Sure, go ahead. Work is important.
It's an important experiment.
I'm sorry. I wanted to grab some food with you.
I'll call you another time, Ms. Ok Sin-taek.
- It's Taek-seon. - Pardon?
- Never mind. Please go ahead. - Okay.
What if Jennifer dies too?
No, don't feed her.
No! First,
put those things back and…
That's right!
Have you seen a long green umbrella here?
I think the man took it earlier.
He took my umbrella?
Damn it.
All I remember from the date today is the mouse.
The mouse?
He said he heard the mouse's last words.
What?
The mouse's name was Masako.
Masako?
He asked me why she said those words.
He's kind of weird,
but it means he takes his work seriously.
He's always either at home or in the lab.
I bet he hasn't dated many girls either.
That only makes him weirder.
But he's a doctor.
He makes good money, and he's never been married.
- At your age, he's a pretty good-- - Are you on his side?
Of course.
Jeez, snap out of it.
I told you not to take these.
I only take them when I can't fall asleep.
Just give him one more chance.
This could be your only chance to date a doctor.
Apparently, human translators won't be needed anymore because of AI.
When you lose your job, don't expect me to help.
Look. No matter how good AI gets, only humans can handle the details.
And you're still single because you're hung up on the stupid details.
Look at your sister.
She never got good grades,
but she got a nice husband with that smiley face.
He even opened a hair salon for her.
And stop drinking alone at home.
Why drink alone? It's pathetic.
Jeez, could you two leave now?
Seriously, what's with all the cooking and cleaning today?
Today's not my birthday.
And you. Why did you put makeup on my face at this hour?
It only added to my stress. My face isn't your practice dummy.
And you look prettier now. Oh, he's here.
- Hello. - Hello.
Oh, my. You really came.
Was it difficult to find?
No, it was all right.
- Did you plan all this? - Please come in.
Oh, my.
Did you run? You're all sweaty.
- Mom, let's go. - Okay.
You're a doctor, so you know what to do, right?
You're both grown-ups.
Go ahead and have a heart-to-heart, okay?
Are you really going to leave me alone here?
You told us to leave.
Right. Don't talk about mice, okay?
- Let's go. - The stove's on. Watch out for the pot.
Now, come on.
Taek-seon, I'm not a bad person.
That's what all the bad ones say.
Look, Mr. Nam.
Yes.
Please leave now.
I don't think this is going to work.
We barely know each other.
We can't be doing this here at this time of night.
This is where I live by myself, you know.
Right.
I'm sorry.
- I'll leave. - Okay.
Can I ask you one thing, though?
Sure, go ahead.
Could you say your name and mine backward?
Su-pil…
Pil-su?
"Choice required"?
- It's not funny, right? - No.
Right. I'm sorry.
Are you crying?
Mr. Nam.
Mr. Nam?
The world's a tough place, you know.
You're more of a softie than I am.
I thought we were on the same page.
Is this some sort of a power game?
What's a power game?
Never mind. Don't worry about it.
You said you were studying
molecular virology, right?
People usually forget that after hearing it once.
You talked about it for a long time.
Let me tell you a secret.
I'm actually studying something very important.
It's about human happiness.
- Happiness? - Yes.
The person who was in charge went to the US, so I took over.
If this succeeds, it's going to be huge.
What…
CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED CATALOG!
Who is it?
It's a message from my elementary school group chat.
Oh, that's a relief.
I wish today was Christmas.
Why?
Well…
That's my birthday, and I've never had a girlfriend to spend it with.
Do you know the book Around the World in Eighty Days?
That's always been my dream.
Traveling the world with my girlfriend for 80 days.
Taek-seon.
You're so beautiful.
I put on makeup.
Why don't we do it together?
Let's travel the world.
Your pupils are dilated.
Shall we celebrate this day?
It's the day we became a couple.
Hey! What are you doing?
What the…
Let's…
get married.
I'm serious.
Get off me.
- What do you take me for? - Taek-seon, don't get me wrong.
Taek-seon.
I'm sorry. I'm not the kind of person you think I am.
I didn't feel anything at first,
but then my heart raced and I couldn't stop thinking of you.
- I-- - Su-pil.
You seem like a good person.
But please leave now.
Or I'll have to call the police.
You don't even know me. I'm not a good person.
You mentioned Around the World in Eighty Days.
I've once stayed home for over 80 days.
Can you imagine what that's like?
When I'm hurt, I hold the resentment for 100 years.
That's the kind of person I am.
So don't do this to me
because of a momentary feeling.
Okay?
What a strange man.
"If you had seen him without knowing that he's in love,
you would've thought he was crazy."
Love? As if.
Did he go crazy because of love or is it the other way around?
Jeez.
What a waste.
Are you having a great day?
Test-drive our new car. First come, first served.
I'll see you at the store.
Your forever president, Kim Yeon-woo.
PHARMACEUTICAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT CENTER
LABORATORY ANIMAL CENTER
- Don't we look good together? - Come on. Let me see.
- She looks upset. - What are you talking about?
She's being shy.
- And that's her place? - Yes.
On the first day you met her?
Yes.
Did you stay the night?
That's enough.
She's wild.
I'm actually worried about you.
I literally only slept there. And I'm going to marry her anyway, so…
You talk about marriage on the day you met her?
I guess that's what it's like when you found the one.
- I miss her so much. - Jeez.
You got a hickey.
You weren't sleeping.
You had a wild night.
Our seniors said people like us should be careful.
Because we only hang out with mice, we don't know people.
- Can I just do it? - As you wish.
- Okay, then… - Yeon-u!
Taek-seon?
First, press the start button.
Your foot.
- The brake. - Right.
- That was stupid of me. - Not at all.
Now, this will make you more comfortable.
Because you have long legs.
Compared to other models,
- this model's interior-- - Yeon-u.
Yes, ma'am?
I mean, yes?
This is awkward.
You're being too polite, almost like a stranger.
Of course. You're my customer.
Speaking of which, you've changed a lot too.
You look much brighter and prettier.
Did you get some work done?
Come on.
Just kidding.
But seriously, you pretty much never showed up to our reunions.
I was wondering how you were doing.
You were wondering about me?
Of course. What car do you drive now?
- You'll have to sell it. I know someone-- - I don't have a car.
- This will be your first car? - Yes.
What did you say you did for a living?
Yeon-u, can I test-drive this car?
Right, test-driving. That's the process, for sure.
Seriously, I recommend that you test-drive it yourself.
The car owner should test-drive it…
You have a driver's license, right?
Step on it.
How about the Olympic Expressway?
Let's go to the beach.
Taek-seon, I get that you're excited,
but you need to stay
within three kilometers of our branch for the test-drive.
What do you think of the color? Do you want the same color?
Do you have a specific color in mind?
You know what I think?
We all live to be a hundred,
but your memories can keep you alive
or kill you.
For us, it's just a few contracts that determine our lives.
Take it easy.
Do you remember
how I cried my eyes out
when we had to dissect frogs in fifth-grade science class?
As the class president, you stood up and said
that we couldn't go on like this,
and that we should take a vote and decide.
For me.
Right.
Then we won the vote,
so we let all the frogs go in the school lake.
You remember a lot of things, don't you?
You were so cool then.
Talking to you makes me feel like I'm a class president again.
One second.
This is Kim Yeon-woo from Iseong Auto.
Right. I'm now at Eurwangni Beach.
The customer wanted to go to the beach.
I know salt isn't good for the car.
I'll make sure to wash the car and seal the deal before I go.
DR. NAM SU-PIL
Don't worry. She's my friend from school.
Okay. Bye.
Ms. Ok.
Please.
Please answer the phone.
Hey, do you remember
that we kissed in the music room?
What?
No.
Come on.
We were practicing for the school song singing contest.
It happened while we were waiting for the teacher to come.
It wasn't you.
Was that in sixth grade?
Kim Yeon-woo.
Why are you still single?
Have you been waiting for me?
You're a fool.
Hey, Jeong-hun.
- What? When? - Last night.
Su-pil sent me a message.
What did he say?
He said that a woman might be infected with the virus.
Did Dr. Nam Su-pil show any symptoms?
Pardon?
Looking unusually happy for reasons, for example.
Or getting excited for no reason.
- You two are on the same team. - I'm not sure.
- How many went missing? - Nine.
- And you were in charge of all of them. - Yes.
So it's the same virus.
The Toxo virus.
I thought it was airborne.
Stay away from people until the blood test results are out.
And keep quiet.
Do you know this person named Ok Taek-seon?
What?
No, I don't.
Mr. Kim went to find her.
Let's get married.
Ms. Ok Taek-seon.
Who are you?
Are you Ms. Ok Taek-seon from Unit 307 of Building B?
Yes. Who are you?
You know Mr. Nam Su-pil, right?
Yes. Why?
Mr. Nam Su-pil passed away early this morning.
- What? - We suspect a virus infection.
We're investigating everyone who's been in contact with him.
We need you to cooperate and get tested too.
Please get out of the car first.
Hey, get the protective suit ready.
Please stay away from the car for a bit.
This way.
Please stay away.
- Disinfection team? - Yes.
- Start. - Yes, sir.
Excuse me? What are you doing?
You can't do that without permission.
VOICEMAIL
You have three new voicemails.
Taek-seon, if anything ever happens to your health,
find Dr. Lee Gyun. Don't follow anyone else.
It's Dr. Lee Gyun.
What's your relationship with Ms. Ok?
We're friends.
I went out for a minute to buy some water.
How many protective suits do we have?
No.
Put your arms in first.
Then your head. Good.
Taek-seon.
Don't trust anyone.
He's the only person who knows this disease well.
Remember. Find Dr. Lee Gyun.
It's not going to damage the car, is it?
We'll take your car. Don't worry and get in the ambulance.
Is there anyone named Lee Gyun here?
What Gyun?
Dr. Lee Gyun.
There's no such person. Get in.
Where did you come from?
- Pardon? - What's your affiliation?
I told you earlier.
We're from Seong Medical Center,
and yesterday, one of our researchers--
What was that?
Are they bad guys?
I don't know. He said we should run if we want to live!
- Who said that? - And find Dr. Lee Gyun!
- Who? - They're running away.
- Stop the car! - Damn it!
- Taek-seon. - Get out of the car!
Get in.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced that,
starting at 1:00 p.m. today, all movement of people and livestock
is banned within five kilometers of Panseo-ri, Osong.
Central Fire Service…
Yes. Nine lab mice.
I promise to resolve this within five days, sir.
We have announced that it was deer.
Deer?
Not many people raise deer, so it won't attract much media attention.
Sure. You know better. Thanks, anyway.
No problem. Please catch them quickly.
Sure.
We found Dr. Nam's girlfriend.
And it turns out
she was seeing another man.
Keep going.
And both of them fled. We're chasing them, so they'll get caught soon, though.
Should we ask the police for support?
Why are these people so reckless? Their lives are on the line.
Looking back on human history,
it's only after hundreds of deaths from a pandemic
that a vaccine is developed.
Bring the two back here alive.
There are a lot of things we can try.
Wouldn't it be better to get tested?
He said we must not follow them.
I thought we were by the beach last night.
I drove us back early this morning.
By the way, who is this man called Su-pil?
How do you know Su-pil?
You were calling his name all night last night.
- I was? - Yes.
Apparently, he's dead now.
- What on earth is going on? - Dead?
I should've kept my phone on.
You don't know the number, right?
No.
Hey, this car is for a test-drive.
I'm sorry.
- Maybe I should drive. - Ms. Ok.
I must've pressed the button.
- What do I do? - Ms. Ok Taek-seon?
I'm Lee Gyun.
Lee Gyun? Are you Dr. Lee Gyun?
Are you infected?
I'm not sure.
Where are you now?
Where are we?
We are…
Go somewhere secluded.
Where could that be?
Does Palgakjeong still exist?
Palgakjeong?
The pavilion on Bugak Skyway Trail.
Ms. Ok.
We need both of you to get tested.
- Pull the car over. - The ambulance is here to get us.
- Pull the car over. - You must not follow them.
I'll meet you at Palgakjeong.
Ms. Ok?
Hey, are you sure you have a driver's license?
Yes, I do.
I've just never driven on the road.
- What? - Hold tight.
Hey, make way!
- Look closely. - Okay.
It's a mouse, sir.
Someone caught it.
How many in total now?
- Four now. - Great. Well done.
- Nice. - What are you doing?
Pardon?
Is it for pigs, cows, or chickens?
You said it's foot-and-mouth disease.
We don't know about that.
Then what are you doing?
We're catching mice.
- Mice? - Yes.
Mice carry foot-and-mouth?
I've never seen anyone catch mice because of foot-and-mouth.
No.
Go away.
Go.
Go away.
Ouch! You bastard.
Jeez.
It hurts.
SENIOR CENTER
It's hot.
Come and have a bite.
Come on. I worked hard on this.
Come and have a bite.
Here.
How about one of us keep it on?
- For safety. - Okay.
Sorry.
Around this time yesterday, you came looking for me at the store.
I can't believe everything I've gone through over the past 24 hours.
I'm sorry I put you through this.
Taek-seon.
Do you do drugs?
No.
Except for the occasional sleeping pills.
Why do you ask?
Yesterday,
you said we let the frogs go in fifth grade.
- You remember? - Yes.
We dissected the frogs.
We lost the vote.
We lost the vote?
No, you lost the vote.
I was on the pro-dissection side.
Also,
you remember coming to my wedding, right?
You're married?
Come on. You even caught the bouquet.
I did?
Taek-seon.
I'm saying this as your friend. I think you should go see a doctor.
You're not the Ok Taek-seon that I know.
You're being weird.
I'm being weird?
Do you know me?
You know nothing! You have no idea!
We barely met once in the past decade
at that boring reunion!
And you only text me when you want to sell a car!
I'm being weird, right?
Even I can't understand myself.
What's wrong with me?
This virus doesn't spread through the air.
- Dr. Lee Gyun? - Yes.
I'm not infected, am I?
We'll have to run some tests.
Did you say it doesn't spread through the air?
Yes.
So I don't need to be tested.
- Can I go now? - What?
Because nothing happened.
Taek-seon, the doctor is here. I should get going now.
I'm in big trouble at work now.
It can be spread through saliva if you get unlucky.
If you have to cough in a closed space,
you have to look away, cover your mouth, and cough like this.
Taek-seon, did you cough a lot while you were asleep last night?
How would I know?
That man is likely infected if he spent the whole night in the same car.
Why did Su-pil tell me to find you?
Please keep your face away when you talk.
Because I know best.
So where should we go now?
We should run a blood test first.
Where?
I know a hospital.
Where's your car, Doctor?
I don't have a car.
I just arrived from the US. I took a taxi here.
Is it easy to get a taxi here?
Yeon-u!
Hold on a second.
Just a second.
- Yeon-u! - Hey…
- Yeon-u! - Try calling him.
I'm near Palgakjeong.
What I see…
I see trees around me.
Trees are all I see.
Yeon-u, please pick up.
One of us is wearing a full protective suit.
It's hot pink, I think.
We're not soldiers. Okay, bye.
I called a taxi, so let's stop walking and sit while we wait.
When was your last intimate contact with Dr. Nam?
Intimate contact?
Any sort of interaction sharing saliva, bodily fluid, or blood.
When was it?
Why should I tell you about my private life?
Imagine I'm a medical doctor. This is important.
So it can be transmitted through the mouth?
Through the mouth?
Where?
I didn't do anything. Not with my mouth, or anything else.
Are your pupils always so wide?
Are they?
If you really are infected with Toxo--
Toxo?
There's a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii.
Its host lives in a cat's stomach.
A mouse that was infected with this virus
wants to be eaten by a cat.
Come on. I don't believe you.
That's what's unique about it.
The Toxo goes to the mouse's frontal lobe,
messes with its dopamine, which makes the mouse depressed.
I'm always depressed.
But I'm not depressed at all now.
Right now, I feel like everything will go my way.
You might be infected with the virus that came from it.
The virus does the opposite.
It elevates the mouse's mood.
How does it work exactly? Can you explain in plain language?
The virus makes you full of courage
and positivity.
If a human's infected with this,
they will grow really fond of someone.
They'll fall in love.
Me?
With you?
Not just with anyone. You have to be interested in the person.
I think timing matters too.
When you meet the person after you're infected also matters.
When Dr. Nam met you was probably
when the virus was spreading the most.
- At its peak-- - You're a funny man.
Just because I don't know anything doesn't mean you can say anything.
Are you saying Su-pil liked me because of the virus?
That's a scam.
A scam?
It's cutting-edge science, which I've been studying for seven years.
Feeling fond of someone? Love?
Very funny.
So you thought Dr. Nam's symptoms from the infection was love
and slept with him.
I said I didn't!
You're the pink suit, right?
Sorry, Yeon-u.
Wait. I'll get tested.
Put the mask on.
I said I'll get tested. Why…
- Do you have any spots on your body? - What kind of spots?
After getting infected, spots usually appear within a day.
Once the spots appear, you won't survive past 24 hours.
So I'm going to die?
That's what happened with the mice. We don't know about humans.
It has never happened before.
I don't think I have any. I don't, right?
I met Su-pil two days ago, and I don't have any marks.
Maybe you aren't infected then.
The fish cake?
I ate the fish cake.
I ate the leftover fish cake.
Saliva transmission is unlikely.
Unless you have a wound in your mouth or stomach.
Or unless you get really unlucky
and bite your tongue so hard it bleeds.
I bit my tongue.
You bit your tongue?
Yes.
- Did you bleed? - Yes.
You'll cure me, right?
Hey, be careful. Cover it.
You said saliva was fine.
I have gastritis. It's stress-induced.
It can be risky.
Are you ill or something?
No.
Am I getting a blood test?
Yes.
I think I can just go in.
You can't just do it like that. It's dangerous.
Someone's coming to help.
A doctor?
When did you get here?
Not long ago.
From the US, I mean.
Right.
Today.
You motherfucker.
Young-hee, let me run one blood test.
Let me use your primer synthesizer.
Who are you?
I'm Ok Taek-seon.
- She's a patient. - What patient?
A virus?
Is she infected now?
We don't know yet.
Take her to Professor Seong.
Those guys are hopeless. Look at what happened to Su-pil.
Also, me and Professor Seong?
Do you even hear yourself?
You ran all the way to the US to end up here? Nice job.
Why do you think I ran?
- I left. - You didn't just leave.
You stabbed me in the back and left me in the dump.
Hey, your mouth's gotten even harsher.
You said it was hot.
I left for your sake.
How's Dr. Kim Cheol-yeon doing?
How would I know?
What?
We got divorced.
Really?
But you just got married--
Did you think we'd live happily ever after?
Why did you have to hit him again? What is it that he did so wrong?
You don't know shit. Stay out of it.
Are you even a doctor?
I'm a resentful doctor because of this jerk.
My life is a huge mess too.
Taek-seon, we're here to ask for help.
- You're here. - How have you been?
Oh, the traitor is here.
What are you talking about?
- Here's the B-Cell Immune Booster. - Thanks, man.
I can't believe I'm seeing this as soon as I came back.
Are you okay, by the way? Su-pil died, you know.
Su-pil told me that you decided to get married.
We can't trust those words. He was probably not in his right mind.
Strictly speaking, she's a victim.
I'm really sorry, but I didn't know Su-pil well.
I saw a picture of them glued together
at her place.
- Her place? - Her place?
What's this?
It's called PCR.
When your blood is spun in a centrifuge,
the red blood cells sink and the yellow serum floats on top.
If we mix that with the primer here,
we'll be able to tell if you're infected.
Are you far-sighted?
Have you and Young-hee dated for long?
We dated in college.
Why did you break up?
Someone loved her more than I did.
Men are such fools.
What?
You pass women on to others who like them more like they're some objects.
You don't know anything.
- Are you upset? - I have to work.
I think I'm extremely lucky.
Because I met you
who knows this disease best. It's perfect timing.
Plus, you flew in from the US for me.
- Right? - What?
Why am I so talkative today? Is this one of the symptoms?
I came to attend my sister's wedding.
Just after I arrived at Incheon Airport,
I got a call from Jeong-hun.
Did you know Su-pil too?
We used to be in the same research team
in Seong Medical Center.
Then Young-hee and I left.
Why don't you get some sleep?
I don't sleep very well.
What's the matter?
- Shouldn't you be catching the mice? - We are.
- And? - We found something strange.
What's strange?
Is this a shamanic ritual? Or is it a party?
They've been doing that since this afternoon.
- Why? - They've been doing that the whole day.
They drank this whole jar where a mouse fell in.
It can't be…
- Is it our mouse? - Yes.
It's white.
You and me, we're one
Babe.
You're handsome.
Have a sip.
Oh, my.
Babe.
This is great!
Taek-seon.
Did we get the results?
The two lines here mean
that you're infected.
It's okay. I have you.
How many days has it been?
Since the fish cake?
Three days?
Hang on.
There are no spots.
We're in trouble.
Twenty people got infected in Osong-myeon.
BRIEFING ON INFECTED LAB ANIMALS
Nine mice escaped from our lab.
We've managed to capture five mice
and a cat that ate one of the mice.
There are currently three infected mice yet to be captured.
We are doing our best to resolve this issue
as quickly as possible.
Are they white mice?
Yes, all the lab mice we have are white.
Could you describe the symptoms of the infection?
Sure.
According to our research,
once this virus infects you,
your body will develop red spots within 24 hours.
And most of the infected people
have shown excessive emotions.
Against your will,
you will feel happy for no particular reasons.
What do you mean, "feel happy?"
Do you mean that they're extremely excited?
What was the infection process like?
Look here. They're totally stuck together.
The amount and the size are much greater than the mice's.
This is why they didn't develop red marks.
What an interesting spectrum.
If it stays like this…
We might discover Complex A, the protein that could lead to a vaccine.
Call Dr. Kim.
Hey.
I haven't talked to him in four years.
Other than Seong Medical Center, they're the only ones with the equipment.
Please.
Hello?
I thought it was just a blood test.
Anybody there?
Hello?
Any red spots?
We haven't discovered any yet.
Should we give him some painkillers?
- It won't help. - Pardon?
I said, it won't help.
These old people danced for seven hours without food. Of course, they're tired.
It's not the virus.
I can't believe he's still doing that.
- Give him some food or IV nutrition. - Yes, Doctor.
Babe.
- It's me. - Is she talking to me?
- Yes. - Is the door locked?
Yes.
They're showing all kinds of symptoms.
LAB MICE ESCAPE FROM OSONG RESEARCH LAB
Super antibody?
I had no idea I was such a special person.
Some people die from flu,
and some are totally fine without any meds.
People have different immune systems.
So far, you're the most resistant to this virus.
Hey, Ju.
Where are you?
Why aren't you coming yet?
Oh, I'm now…
Mom keeps asking where you are.
Something urgent came up, so--
Whatever. Hurry up.
Looks like
we'll have to stop by somewhere.
Where?
Today is the wedding.
My sister's.
Doctor, you look gorgeous.
- How do I look? - What happened to the clothes you had on?
Over there. It's soaked in sweat. I'm going to throw them away.
You can't just throw them away.
You need to burn them.
Right.
I'll be right back. Take some rest.
And avoid crowded places.
Fine. I get it.
Do you want me to get you some ice cream?
Yes.
- Hey, you made it. - Hi.
The groom has arrived at the bride's house.
Oh, boy.
Excuse me.
THE UNION OF TWO IS THE BEGINNING OF ENDLESS BLESSINGS
The bride and groom will raise
the wine cups up to their chests to promise
to love and trust their partners for the rest of their lives,
and drink half the wine.
I'm not back for good. I'm visiting for the wedding.
No.
Why did you come out?
- Bathroom. - Bathroom?
What is it?
- Which one? - The ice cream.
Just one gram of your stuff can infect two million people.
Then what should I do?
- Hold it in? - Can you do that?
No.
Flush as you start,
and keep flushing until you finish.
- Wash your hands ten times. - One second!
Once they're out of your body, they won't survive for long.
How could this happen in human bodies? Such an odd structure.
Maybe we can…
It took three years to develop the B-Cell Immune Booster.
Each bottle cost 200 million won.
Are you infected?
Why do you need this?
We haven't even tested it on animals yet.
Come on. We should trust and help each other.
We should do everything we can
to help those infected patients within the golden hour.
Our lab's future is on the line.
So is your life.
I'm already called a traitor.
Well, keeping your mouth shut like that makes you one.
Where's that patient?!
It's okay.
The person who made this
is with that patient, right?
Are you Ju's friend?
What?
No.
Oh, I see.
- I'm sorry. - That's okay.
Are you the bride's mother?
Yes.
Mother.
I'm here with Dr. Lee Gyun.
You are?
- You didn't introduce your guest to me. - Mom.
- No, she's not my guest-- - We're on the same team.
The virus research team.
Research colleagues get along well.
Please have a seat.
- But… - Can I sit here for a second?
What's your name?
I'm Ok Taek-seon.
Your family name is Ok?
Oh, my. You're more than just okay.
Mom, Taek-seon is kind of sick now.
You should come to my place.
Come lie down and rest.
You must be so tired traveling all the way from the US.
You must be still jetlagged too.
Should we just have your wedding today?
It's all set up. Having another one shouldn't be a big deal.
I'm just kidding.
The bride's older brother flew in from the US
to celebrate his sister's wedding.
We'll hear a few words from him.
Way to go!
I know how busy everyone is, so thank you for being here today.
I sincerely congratulate my sister, Lee Ju, on her wedding.
I study viruses in the US.
One of the things I learned from studying viruses is…
that falling in love is like
catching a virus.
You get infected by your partner, and the fever kicks in.
You feel sick for a while, but eventually, you build immunity.
Just when things start to feel easier, you get infected all over again.
I'm sure my sister knows what I'm talking about.
Every time I saw her, she was going through a heartbreak,
- but she ended up with a nice guy. - Gyun!
Enough.
Thank you for understanding. I guess I'm still jetlagged.
Of course you're tired.
Hey, Jeong-hun. Is the 3D analysis complete?
It's been a while, Dr. Lee Gyun.
Can we finally see the Complex A that we've been looking forward to?
You still have the habit of getting ahead of yourself.
We already talked with the lab in Texas.
- Come join us. - Do it with the Texas lab.
Wait.
We have a lot of infected patients here because of you.
Why is that my fault?
It was your idea to use Toxo virus as an antidepressant.
And you made the B-Cell Immune Booster.
Next time someone gets infected,
your name will be the first to hit the headlines.
The Texas lab did?
It means they haven't reached the clinical stage either.
So Lee Gyun hasn't really done anything in the US.
That's why he came back.
If he had stayed here, he would've been the head of the lab by now.
You're the one who fired him. Do you regret it?
You should know you're lucky.
Now, we've got plenty of subjects for the clinical trial, by luck.
The Texas lab people say, if it goes well, it's Nobel Prize material.
They say its market will be as huge as Korea's yearly GDP.
So we need Dr. Lee Gyun.
No, it's not Lee Gyun that we need.
We need Ok Taek-seon.
That woman will take us to the top.
- You're taking many blood samples. - We have a lot to test.
Each sample looks about the size of a milk carton.
Will I be okay?
The older folks in the other rooms handled it just fine.
Will I get anything to eat?
You need to fast until the results are out.
Can I at least get some IV nutrition?
What's all this?
This is an ultra-high voltage electron microscope.
There are only two of them in Korea.
This whole thing is a microscope?
Yes, viruses are too small
to be seen with a regular microscope.
It looks like a boiler.
This generates ultra-high voltage,
allowing us to see viruses at 10,000 times magnification.
Taek-seon, do you know why people feel depressed?
Because depressing things happen.
The feeling of depression is regulated
by the chemicals in our brain called dopamine and serotonin.
The key is to regulate them,
but current antidepressants come with many side effects.
Because they're chemicals.
You saw my sister at the wedding earlier.
I used to have a younger brother older than her.
His name was Yun.
"Used to"?
He killed himself.
I had no idea how ill he was.
So my dream is
to make biological antidepressants with zero side effects.
When our body fights off a virus, a chemical called Complex A is produced.
I've been working with the mice for the past seven years,
but they all died before I found Complex A.
But you're still alive and kicking, not developing any spots after three days.
The moment I find Complex A in your body,
my dream will come true.
We're meant to be.
Let's go down.
Virology is a lot of fun.
Taek-seon, do you know how life begins on Earth?
No.
You know life came from water, right?
No, I don't.
I'm done for today. I used my brain too much.
Viruses might be the key to the mystery of how life began.
They're half alive and half dead,
so many still debate whether they're truly living organisms.
Do you realize you're talking too much now?
You're even chattier than me.
Have you seen viruses through an electron microscope?
They're beautiful.
The flu virus is shaped like a rose.
And the tobacco virus is nice and straight like bamboo.
I wish I could show you.
Goodness.
I've spent the past three nights with three different men.
- This is a miracle to me. - This is the second night with me.
I haven't held hands with any of the men
in these past three days, though.
Isn't that a curse?
That's the right thing to do as an infected person.
Rest up.
Once the results are out, you'll get busy with the blood tests and all.
Can you hold me until I fall asleep?
You're not in your right mind right now.
I don't care if it's the virus.
I'm feeling so miserable I want to cry.
We first met through our voices, right?
What?
When I first heard your voice over the phone,
it felt like I've known you for a long time--
That's the virus messing with your brain.
Go to sleep.
Close your eyes.
What's with the racing heart?
I told you, the virus excites you.
You mean, my heart?
I can hear the heart thumping.
I should get up--
Remember what you said?
The virus
makes you full of courage.
The infected human will grow really fond of someone
and eventually fall in love.
I think
I should get up.
For your safety--
Taek-seon, no. We shouldn't be doing this.
- Come on. - No.
Stop it.
You're doing this because of the virus.
You're not in your right mind.
Wait, the lights are out.
Gosh, Dr. Lee. What are you doing with your patient?
Ms. Ok Taek-seon?
It's such an honor to meet a special person like you.
Thanks, Dr. Kim Cheol-ung.
No problem.
Did you know we've become partners with this institution?
Who are you?
We used to be in the same team.
So he's a doctor too?
He's a doctor, a professor, a CEO, and a rich man with a lot of stocks.
- Turn the power on. - Then what?
Can I see Complex A?
You need to give it time.
Osong Lab can do it twice as fast.
Don't you two need our lab?
If we can't use the microscope, we can't do anything here.
All the infected patients
are waiting for your antibody.
You must save these people's lives.
Osong Lab is your only option. You know that.
I'll lead this experiment.
Without my permission, you can't conduct anything.
Okay?
Dr. Lee.
Why don't you come back
after completing this project?
You can be the head of the lab.
Complex A. Let's make it a success this time.
Taek-seon, I'll see you in the lab.
Let's go.
Are you sure we can follow them?
It's okay.
You'll be with me.
This is truly a miracle.
Someone with a very unique antibody decided to cooperate with our lab.
This will not only help the infected patients recover gradually,
but also dramatically increase the chances of Korea developing
the world's first biological antidepressant with zero side effects.
Nurse.
It's finished.
When can we leave this place?
I feel so suffocated in here.
Who is this super antibody donor and where are they now?
We can't reveal their identity for security reasons.
But I can tell you that they are at
a research institute under Seong Medical Foundation.
Taek-seon.
What do you want to do when you get out?
I've always wanted to publish a book.
Oh.
I want to write my own story,
not something I've read or heard elsewhere.
I envy people like you.
Everyone has a dream when they're young.
But many of them don't come true.
This wasn't my dream.
- It wasn't? - No.
Then what was it?
Tell me. What was it?
I wanted to be a singer.
A singer-songwriter.
Really?
We'll inject our medical center's product, B-Cell Immune Booster,
into the mouse that carries Ok Taek-seon's antibody.
If we succeed in making the perfect antibody through this experiment,
we'll move on to the clinical trials.
Taek-seon has red spots on her body now.
I know.
Dr. Lee Gyun.
Let's move on to the clinical trials for the booster.
Give it time.
I've been giving it time for five years.
It's time to make a decision now.
The animal testing isn't finished yet.
You need to wait.
The elderly patients started developing the spots on their bodies again.
And it's progressing twice as fast.
We don't have time. Ok's antibody is losing its power too.
Mak-sun, you can't be doing this.
He's a doctor. He works day and night for all of us.
Honey, that's not fair!
You're married.
What are you talking about? I'm married to you, you woman!
We're not a good match.
I can't get along with you.
- We should try. That's love. - Out of the way.
It's learning to meet each other halfway.
- I'll meet him halfway. - Let go of me!
Blood! It's blood!
Are you okay?
- Babe! - Where was it? Where?
Babe, let's meet each other halfway!
Love is meeting each other halfway!
I'm now standing in front of Osong's Seong Medical Center.
As you can see, the gate is shut tight.
As the condition of the elderly patients has worsened
and visits have been restricted,
the atmosphere around the center has grown heavy again.
The director of Seong Medical Center, Professor Seong Gi-hwan,
stated that it's part of the treatment process,
contrary to existing knowledge.
He assured that their team will continue working towards developing
the world's first antidepressant with zero side effects.
CONSENT FORM
The infected patient's family
gave consent for the clinical trial,
but to be honest, I think B-Cell Immune Booster
is too much for elderly people to handle.
Did you make it?
Yes.
But it's not complete yet.
We enhanced it using your antibody.
Will you do it?
Yes.
PATIENT SIGNATURE: OK TAEK-SEON
After the toxoplasmosis diagnosis, we conducted the pigment test,
using an insertion pad.
The one using the indirect method or latex-based method…
Ji-seon.
Tell Mom that I'm okay
and that there's no need to worry.
You…
This is all because you set me up with this random doctor guy.
No.
Ji-seon.
I said a lot of swear words to you
and made fun of your bad grades, but it's not because I hated you.
I haven't done anything for you as your older sister, you know?
I've only shown you my pathetic side,
so I just wanted at least you to do well.
Actually,
I love you very much. You know that, right?
Please tell Mom that I love her.
I figured it wouldn't be long before I couldn't even talk to you on the phone.
Visitors are not allowed here.
I'm getting the treatment, so don't worry. I'll call you again.
Taek-seon, get some sleep.
You didn't bring me here because of the antidepressant, right?
It was to help me.
As I get more and more spots, the negative thoughts come back.
If this gets worse, it can lead to impaired vision
and auditory or visual hallucinations.
Don't worry. I'm good at fighting viruses.
Let's try the Russian method by Dr. Kozlov.
Yes, Doctor.
Less than half of the countries approved the Russian method.
Dr. Kozlov suggests neutralizing the host, Toxo, not the virus.
It's a very risky method with potential unknown side effects.
What about B-Cell Immune Booster?
It keeps failing.
Taek-seon develops at a different speed. I need more time.
If we don't take action now, the antibody will lose its power.
Then there will be no Complex A.
Can you handle all the ramifications?
The patient is still fighting it.
She'll soon lose her eyesight and consciousness.
Then a coma, then brain death. And that's it.
You want to try Dr. Kozlov's method
because of Complex A, not the patient, right?
You want to try all possible methods while her brain's alive
even if it's extremely risky.
You also suggested proceeding without completing the animal testing.
You've been directing this experiment from the start.
Make your choice.
Are you with us or not?
You just drew a bucket of my blood, and you want me to just leave?
That's just mean.
Isn't it such a relief that you get to leave completely healthy?
Do I at least get milk or bread?
You should grab a meal at the cafeteria before you go.
It's good.
Why do I feel so nasty?
Taek-seon, wake up.
Doctor?
I was wrong.
We shouldn't have come here.
Get up.
Let's get out.
Where are we going?
We need to get out of here.
Taek-seon?
LABORATORY ANIMAL CENTER
She developed the red spots.
- We don't have anywhere else to go. - What do you need?
Get the test ready. We'll be there shortly.
How's Taek-seon doing?
She's okay now, but we need to hurry and find a way.
Wait, I know that ambulance.
That's…
Excuse me, sir.
Get out of the car.
I was discharged.
What did I do wrong?
Giving a patient a ride?
This lab has
some serious human rights problem.
Please come back if we call you.
What's the charge?
Attempted abduction of a patient.
Great.
I shouldn't have joined hands with Professor Seong.
I must be obsessed with Complex A too.
What do we do with Taek-seon?
Stop whining and get in the car. I have something to show you.
Immunity booster, 2cc.
All good?
Inject when ready.
And get ready for a cardiac arrest.
2cc more, slowly.
Keep an eye on the EEG.
Yeon-u?
Kim Yeon-woo!
Su-pil! What happened?
This is my wife.
Hello, I'm Masako.
Masako? Wasn't that a mouse?
You're right, my zodiac sign is the mouse.
We're going on our honeymoon. An 80-day trip around the world.
Congratulations.
Are you going to be wearing that on the trip?
There are so many viruses that we don't know of in the world.
You said you like cats, right?
How cute!
His name is Gyun.
Bye!
So your name is Gyun.
Lee Gyun?
Abnormal brain activity. The heart rate is spiking!
Kosev, 2nd stage. She's rejecting it.
Dr. Lee.
I like you.
I really do.
You won't remember this later.
You think I won't remember you?
I don't know about that,
but you'll forget the feelings. Because they're fake.
There are no fake feelings.
Once you're fully recovered,
they'll be gone.
What's this?
Taek-seon's antibody you left the other day.
The antibody healed and started attacking the viruses again.
How did you do that?
I didn't do anything but watch.
That doesn't make sense.
I think Taek-seon has the ability
to regenerate the antibody and heal even after developing spots.
We need an inhibitor to remove the booster.
Inhibitor?
The B-Cell Immune Booster has only been in the way.
The problem was that we artificially increased the number of antibodies.
You have the TGF-beta, right?
Hurry up.
You need to hurry.
The security is tighter since the Russian team's arrival.
Do you think this will work?
It's a perfect plan. I'm not a traitor anymore, right?
What's your purpose here?
We're the backup for the Russian team.
Snacks?
Yes, snacks for after the disinfection.
- What's that? - In Russian…
What happened?
Why did the lights go out?
This is the control room. What happened?
- It's not working. - Call the security.
- And Mr. Kim too. - Yes, sir.
Hello.
Hello. Are you sure you came to right place, no confusion?
Mouse!
Mouse?
Remove that.
Taek-seon.
Doctor?
You don't need these.
Are the mice infected?
No, I trained them, so they'll come back in time.
I've been handling mice for 15 years.
What's all this?
Why are you doing this?
Is this revenge for firing you five years ago?
Or do you want Complex A so much?
Neither the booster nor the Russian method was the answer.
Then explain those spots.
We need an inhibitor.
Inhibitor?
To remove the poison we have put into her body.
Our enemy's defeating us,
and you want to remove our ally?
Do you think I'll buy that?
Professor Seong.
Please, just trust me this once.
Taek-seon's already at Kozlov's stage two, so let's talk once that's done.
Move the patient.
Do you think I'm a mouse?
Says who?
I'll make the choice.
I have the right to be treated by the doctor I choose.
I want Dr. Lee Gyun to treat me.
He left the project. Now, I'm the director.
Now, move her.
Wait.
Taek-seon.
Do you trust me?
Then give your virus to me.
What's he doing?
What are you doing?
Taek-seon's virus and antibody are all in here now.
Take me and let her go.
He's lost his mind.
Take both of them.
Hold him.
What…
- Hey! - What are you doing?
- Let go of me. - You haven't changed at all.
- Stop it! - You only care about money.
- Let go of me. - Jeez!
Is this Osong Lab in Seong Medical Center?
I'm the head of the lab. How can I help you?
We got a report.
What report?
False imprisonment.
- Violation of pharmaceutical law. - I made the report.
Hey, Yong-man.
These people locked up this innocent woman to do some weird experiment.
Go now.
There are old people dancing and mice going around here.
It's crazy.
He's a patient. He's infected.
Are you infected?
No.
Yong-man, I heard there were Russians here too.
They're doctors from Russia.
- They-- - Please be quiet.
Bring them.
Wait.
- Do you have a warrant? - Yes.
I do. Are you going to stop us?
Politely show them the way.
- This way, Detective. - Thanks.
I'm the board director of Seong Medical Center.
The future of this country depends on this project.
You're making a big mistake.
Who's responsible for this illegal clinical trial?
After getting this injection,
will I be going back to normal?
Yes.
Does it mean
I'm going back to being alone?
Right now,
I can feel I'm being loved by you.
If it weren't for this virus, I would've never known this feeling.
Right now, my dream is your full recovery.
What if I can't remember this feeling after being fully recovered?
Taek-seon.
I need to heal you while I'm in my right mind.
I've been infected by you.
Why did you do that?
I wanted to feel
everything that you've felt.
You may not remember this feeling once you're healed,
but our bodies will remember this moment,
whether as immunity
or something else.
I'll remember it.
That you came to treat me,
I fell in love with you,
and…
that I've been ill for a while,
but I was happy.
Taek-seon finally made a full recovery.
And all the infected people
returned to normal thanks to her antibody,
receiving generous compensation from Seong Medical Center.
I admitted to rushing the clinical trial
and revealed all the wrongdoings done by Seong Medical Center.
SEONG MEDICAL CENTER'S OFFICIAL APOLOGY PRESS CONFERENCE
The biggest news is
that we've discovered Complex A from Taek-seon's antibody,
which will finally allow us to develop an antidepressant with zero side effects.
As the owner of Complex A,
she decided to distribute it worldwide for free.
And she wished to return to her normal life quietly,
without exposing this to the media.
STAY HEALTHY YOUR FOREVER PRESIDENT, KIM YEON-WOO
HI, CLASS PRESIDENT. SEE YOU AT THE REUNION THIS SATURDAY!
How have you been, Su-pil?
Su-pil.
You did a wonderful job for the happiness of humanity.
Don't just hang out with mice there. Go on dates, okay?
It's a beautiful day.
NAM SU-PIL
Dr. Lee.
I thought it might be your car, and I was right.
How are you doing?
I'm doing well. I've been teaching at a university.
- Is it fun? - No.
How are you doing?
Well…
- I'm writing these days. - Oh.
Is it like an autobiography, like you said before?
- I said that? - Yes.
I remember everything that happened before I got infected.
I see.
Everything feels vague to me.
I can't remember what happened
or how we even met.
I can't remember.
So I was scared to reach out to you.
It's kind of embarrassing too.
Don't worry. Nothing embarrassing happened.
That's good to hear.
Are you okay now?
Of course.
I mean, is everything okay?
Yes.
Everything's okay.
Now,
I wish you the best of luck.
It was nice seeing you, Professor.
Do you really feel nothing?
Where's your car?
I don't have a car.
Because I'm flying to the US soon.
I can give you a ride.
You should tell me everything on the way. And I mean everything.
I want to know.
Dr. Lee.
Yes?
Were you always wearing glasses?
Sometimes, as protection.
Subtitle translation by: Sunyoung Baek