Original subtitles

[This drama is fictional, and any resemblance to real people or events is coincidental.]

[Episode 1]

The town has a population of 15,000

and is a four-hour drive from Seoul,

with no train station.

Everyone knows everyone here,

so the moment an outsider shows up, people notice.

In short, it's a place that's hard to leave once you enter.

[Iseon Kindergarten]

That's why I have to disguise myself

as the world's most harmless,

least suspicious kindergarten teacher.

[Resume]

[Volunteer Experience]

You've done a lot of volunteer work overseas.

Yes, both my parents were active volunteers,

so I was greatly influenced.

Right. Family background matters.

But with credentials like yours, Ms. Bu Se Mi,

you could've easily gotten into Iseon Women's University Affiliated Kindergarten.

What brings you all the way down to Muchang?

That's exactly what I'm about to explain.

[Gaseong Group Bodyguard Interviews]

[3 Months Earlier]

I'm Jang Ha Rin.

Where are you from?

I'm from nearby.

- Nearby? - Yes, my home's close.

- I see. - How about you?

From the countryside far away.

Life's tough there.

Lee Ji Hyun, Jang Ha Rin, Kim Yeong Ran, come in.

Yes.

Please come in.

[Resume] Ms. Lee Ji Hyun.

Yes.

Chairman Ga Sung Ho of Gaseong Group, who grew Minjeong Foods

from a subcontractor into a top ramyeon brand, always said,

'Progress comes to those who dare.'

That really inspired me.

I used to struggle with English,

but after finishing my sophomore year,

I decided to push myself and spent a year

[Attorney Lee Don] in Canada for language study.

Through Canadian language studies,

I not only achieved TOEIC 930,

but also broadened my worldview.

I can now freely converse with foreigners.

Just a year of study abroad, I made incredible progress...

Okay, enough.

[Attorney Lee Don]

Did you all graduate from the same academy?

Why do bodyguards need language training?

Well, the intruder could be a foreign mercenary.

Pardon?

Pardon?

Oh, next.

Ms. Kim Yeong Ran?

I'm Kim Yeong Ran.

[Resume]

Born in '97?

You're too old.

[Class 1 License (an unused driver's license)]

An unused driver's license?

Why even write that down?

I wrote it because I don't own a car.

I wasn't asking out of curiosity.

You really think someone this naive can get a job?

Secretary Jang.

I caught a subway molester and received a Brave Citizen Award.

Should I mention more?

Excuse me, Ms. Kim Yeong Ran.

Look me in the eye.

What do you see?

97-born Kim Yeong Ran.

We want bodyguards with quick perception.

You're completely lacking in that, Ms. Kim Yeong Ran.

Go back to your seat.

I'm not the type to repeat myself.

Wait, what are you doing now?

Bodyguard job is about responding to unexpected situations.

A thug doesn't announce their attack beforehand.

This punch I threw represents an attacker's strike

and the VIP fell backward in shock.

It could have caused a concussion if handled poorly.

Isn't preventing the situation before it happens what guarding is all about?

Yes, I probably would have stopped it before it got that far.

But once a situation occurs,

there's nothing more important than handling it properly.

And usually, attacks don't end with just one strike.

She's hired.

What?

Hired?

Hired?

Are you okay?

But you said 'hired'?

Feels like you let me slip on purpose...

Congratulations, you've been hired as Chairman Ga Sung Ho's personal bodyguard.

From now on, Ms. Kim Yeong Ran, you'll be on call 24/7.

No weekends, no holidays.

I'm ready for it.

Being ready alone won't be enough.

I heard the pay is good.

I consider money as part of the commitment and sacrifice.

Quite honest, huh?

Yes.

I see.

Looking into your eyes, I can tell right away.

You know what I'm about to say, right?

Ms. Kim Yeong Ran.

Do you have a criminal record?

[Gaseong Group]

Ah.

Darn it.

I told you to hang on just until I find a job.

Why don't you ever listen to me?

Mom?

Is that you, Yeong Ran?

You're home early.

What's this? Huh?

Did you steal my rent deposit again? How much could this even be?

Yeong Ran, Yeong Ran.

If I strike it rich with this money, who do you think I'll think of first?

Wouldn't it be my daughter?

How can you repeat the same lines for ten years?

Don't you think people should grow a little over time? Huh?

Who do you think you are, lecturing me?

Even if I try to teach you, you don't listen.

Then why are you living like this? Seriously, wake up...

Stop talking back to me, you brat!

How can you still call yourself a Mom?

Don't call me 'Mom.'

I'm sick of hearing 'Mom.'

I didn't ask to be born either!

I didn't choose to become a mother!

When I was in ninth grade,

she was charged with six months in jail for stealing pads from a convenience store.

She'd passed the age of being considered a juvenile delinquent,

so she actually served time in a juvenile facility.

How much were those pads?

Maybe around ten thousand won?

And she served six months for stealing just that?

It's not entirely impossible.

In South Korea, if you have no money, no connections,

and no one to protect you, anything's possible.

Any other criminal records?

None since then.

Seems like she's turned her life around.

Any issues while working security elsewhere?

No, her experience at a security company was fine.

Oh, I forgot to mention.

She has some debt.

Her mother, who's a defaulter, took out huge loans in her daughter's name.

Chairman. Do you know how much debt drives ordinary people to consider suicide?

Well...

It's 50 million won.

Fifty million?

Death sure is cheap, isn't it?

But Ms. Kim's debt is ten times that.

What happens if she can't pay it back?

She'd probably find herself on the Han River Bridge, contemplating suicide.

Chairman, hiring bodyguards isn't some kind of charity.

And suddenly being so full of goodwill doesn't suit you at all.

People

sometimes can't be summed up in a resume.

I've run this company for 30 years,

and your ability to read people is lacking.

That's why I'm scrutinizing this interview more closely, isn't it?

You know,

I actually like people with lots of

weaknesses the most.

The clothes she's wearing are all cheap,

no makeup, no dyed hair,

even those shabby shoes.

With that kind of desperation,

even if I act a little mischievously, she won't walk away.

But still, no ex-convicts.

Call her.

Who? Kim Yeong Ran?

Yeah, I need to ask her something.

Hurry.

Alright, let's go eat.

Go have your meal!

Let's grab a meal.

Hello?

This is Lee Don, attorney for Gaseong Group's chairman.

Oh, what's this about?

Ms. Kim Yeong Ran.

After the interview, you kicked the wall with your shoe. What did you say?

Ah, was that wall expensive or something?

Was it imported? Italian marble?

We won't charge you. Just tell the truth.

I said I was sorry.

I was venting.

She's hired.

What?

She's poor, but she's honest too.

Full of vulnerabilities.

Ms. Kim Yeong Ran. The cancellation of your security job offer is canceled.

Pardon? What?

Really? So, I can start working?

Yes. Please come by 12.

Understood.

Looks like you got a job.

Wow, that's awesome.

Congrats! Oh my, that's wonderful.

Here, drink this. It's my favorite. Still warm.

It's okay.

I'm accumulating good karma.

If I keep doing good deeds, better days will come.

Oh, that's so great.

Let's grab food.

Today's bulgogi with bean sprouts. It'll sell out fast, hurry.

Okay.

Come quick.

When do you start work?

- Starting tomorrow... - Tomorrow?

[Muchang Strawberries]

Oh, that's the last one.

Okay, I'll be back.

- Yeah, drive safe. - Got it.

[Muchang Strawberries]

[Straight from farm, nationwide delivery]

- Hello. - You came?

So handsome. You could be an idol.

Oh, these apples look good.

Hello.

Have you been well?

Can't you increase the supply?

Word's out that these are the strawberries going to the Gaseong Group Chairman's house,

and everyone's going crazy asking for them.

If we boost quantity here, quality drops. You know that.

Pretty face, but so strict.

See you in two weeks.

No flexibility at all.

If it were me, I'd deliver them even if the quality drops a bit.

See you.

[Muchang Strawberries]

[Straight from farm, nationwide delivery]

Thank you.

Ms. Kim Yeong Ran?

Dong Min, you're here.

Huh? Oh, hello.

Well...

The chairman stays in the main house,

and the rest of us stay in the annex.

Oh, right.

And the kitchen is only in the main house,

so if you don't want to go hungry at night, make sure you eat enough beforehand.

Understood.

[Muchang Strawberries]

See you in two weeks. Enjoy.

[See you in two weeks. Enjoy.]

This bed is the one Baek Hye Ji uses.

Share the room with my assistant.

She's easygoing. You'll get along.

You use this one.

Okay.

Yes.

Yes, I've arrived.

I'll head there right away.

Attorney Lee just called me over.

Oh, go ahead.

Wow.

Ugh.

Jeez.

What's with these clothes?

Ms. Kim Yeong Ran?

Come in.

Daily schedule will be sent to your phone at 9 p.m. the day before.

If there are changes, it might come later,

and you'll need to adjust the security route accordingly.

Okay.

The chairman hates small talk and meddling.

Be ready in front of the house tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Understood.

Attorney.

How many bodyguards were there before me?

Sharper than I thought.

You're the fifth this year.

You get what you pay for.

If the bell rings at 11 p.m, stay indoors till 6 a.m.

Not a single step outside. Okay?

Understood.

That's all for now.

Did you go through my bag?

You look broke.

Why would I go through a bag like that?

I know, but...

people sometimes snoop out of curiosity, not for money.

To see how shabby your clothes are, that kind of shallow curiosity.

You are not offended by what I said?

Not really.

I haven't been walking on a bed of roses to be hurt by words.

Impressive.

I'm Baek Hye Ji.

Want to be friends?

I don't do friends.

Why? I'll take good care of you.

We could watch movies, eat, drink coffee...

Oh, sounds good. Let's do that.

I don't do stuff that costs money.

Friend.

This is my specialty.

Cool, huh?

Want me to teach you?

It could be useful for your job.

I used to do ballet when I was little.

If you place your weight like this on your feet...

Good day, Chairman.

What? He didn't even touch it.

He barely eats, yet never loses weight.

Is he sneaking snacks outside?

Hey.

Eat this. It's premium Hanwoo beef.

Thank you.

Isn't there anything like ramyeon?

What are you looking for?

Ah.

I'm just a bit hungry.

Goodness, you ate that huge steak and still want more?

It was so good, now I'm craving something spicy.

Jeez.

Ugh.

Here.

- Thanks. - Listen.

I turn my phone off after 11 p.m. and sleep, okay?

- Okay. - Don't you dare wake me.

Understood.

I'm heading in.

Goodnight.

She's got some skills.

What's with all these loose fabrics?

If an attacker grabs those dangling sleeves, what'll you do?

I thought you might be better than those all-talk kids...

Lovely weather today, Chairman. Right?

Quiet.

Yes.

We'll leave now.

[Gaseong Group] For our new instant noodle product,

we'll include photo stickers of popular girl groups.

Vice President Ga Seon Woo.

What's the main age group buying our noodles?

[Red Noodles] That's our noodles' motto.

Your first noodle experience since birth.

Gaseong noodles you'll never tire of until death.

Then, what's the age range for idol girl group fans?

Oh, Father.

[Photo Stickers] My apologies, Chairman.

[Red Noodles]

These days, idol fandom doesn't care about age.

Listen.

We're a food company.

We should compete on flavor, not temporary marketing.

Exactly. We need superior taste, Father.

But, times have changed.

Idol fandoms, eating noodles, all these...

Wait, Chairman.

I suggested this idea, Father.

You should have clear reasons...

I...

I said keep personal life and business separate!

Darn it, the old man's temper...

Vice President Ga Seon Woo's project is already the third loss-making one.

You know how quickly a company can wobble

if the wrong manager comes in, right?

Director Park, you worry too much.

Would I let my life's work collapse?

[Potential penalties due to interest payment delays]

[Credit card overdue. Deposit by today]

[Ga Sung Ho]

[Ga Sung Ho's Profile]

[Gaseong Group Chairman Ga Sung Ho, widowed in a car accident a year into marriage]

[Gaseong Group Chairman's daughter died of overdose in NYC]

He has a lot of money, but why does he look unhappy?

It's over.

Professor. The new bodyguard.

Screams 'pathetic' from head to toe.

Another young woman this time?

Men don't like pitiful women, you know.

What does 'pitiful' even mean?

It means a woman should have a nurturing vibe,

but she's got no one to nurture.

Is Father following the diet plan I made?

Don't worry, Professor.

I did major in food nutrition.

Well, this time,

I saw the chairman's latest health check,

and his cholesterol is really high.

When cholesterol is high, the arteries can get clogged easily.

If that happens,

the risk of stroke goes up.

And with cholesterol,

diet control is crucial...

Ugh, this brat.

Oh, but,

why only hire female guards, old man?

Father.

How have you been feeling lately?

Your cholesterol levels were high again in the last health check-up.

I made sure to strictly warn Butler Choi to pay attention to your diet.

Thanks to you, I think I've been getting much better.

[Late Lee Min Jeong]

Father.

Even if you were only married for a year, you should at least know Mom's favorite flower.

It's peonies.

[Late Lee Min Jeong] A pricey and showy flower.

Mom grew up without ever lacking for anything, right?

As the daughter of a wealthy family.

You know those two aren't his biological children, right?

I didn't know.

Chairman married a widow with two children.

She died in a car accident after just a year.

Not a drop of shared blood, but legally they're family.

Ridiculous, isn't it?

What about the deceased daughter?

Oh? You're not completely clueless.

She's the only biological daughter.

Some kid he fathered outside and brought home.

Anyway, he brought her here once she was fully grown and even sent her abroad to study.

Then, she got into drugs and men, ugh.

You can ignore that useless son.

But watch out for the elder daughter.

She's some professor at Se An University.

She monitors every woman approaching the chairman.

Butler Choi reports his every single move.

Well, there's probably nothing to report about you.

What woman?

Imagine a woman getting close to an old man

who could die any day.

They'd just cause headaches over the inheritance.

This is my third time being a chaebol family driver. I know how it works.

Everyone smiles in front of everyone

but secretly waits for the day they die.

All because of that darn inheritance.

Why just wait for death?

Huh?

They could even kill him. In a world where money makes anything possible.

Our Lord's daughter,

on this 28th anniversary of saint Lee Min Jeong's passing,

let us all offer our prayers.

She strived to live by the Lord's word,

our precious child of God Lee Min Jeong who lived with love and faith,

has been by the Lord's side for 28 years now.

- This gathering... - Sister.

Mom was Buddhist.

The warm memories and love left by the departed

still live among us, so let us reflect on this truth.

Go buy some coffee. Something iced.

Pardon? Coffee...

Yes, yes.

Right away...

The wound on your wrist.

How did that happen?

If I answer you,

can I ask a question too?

Answer first.

I was hit.

By whom?

It's my turn to ask.

Chairman, you set up hidden cameras, didn't you?

At first, I thought you were a perv.

But there's none in bathrooms or dressing rooms.

Two buildings but only one kitchen? That's weird too.

Is someone trying to kill you, Chairman?

I didn't ask you to question me.

Keep searching.

Any reward if I find something?

Ever gone on a treasure hunt, like on a school trip?

Never been on a school trip.

Think of this as a picnic at my house

and take your time.

Oh.

The chairman won't be having lunch today.

Ugh, I prepared special dishes.

Forget it.

Ah, by the way, Butler?

Yes, why?

Why are you cooking when you're supposed to be doing butler duties?

I enjoy cooking.

Liking something and being good at it are two different things.

If I did what I liked, I'd be in Hollywood now.

Your face isn't cut out for it!

Ugh, seriously.

Hey, Ms. Yeong Ran?

You should eat this, Ms. Yeong Ran.

Oh, my stomach's upset today.

Need the restroom.

Hye Ji, seriously...

How can they not appreciate this fine dish?

You try some.

- Looks delicious. - Right?

Enjoy your meal.

Huh?

What?

Did they notice something?

Ugh, what good does it do if I cook?

Today's lunch is chicken. Chairman.

Even so, you should eat Butler Choi's food occasionally. Right?

The thing I hate most in this world is tasteless food.

How can I trust food made by someone Seon Yeong planted here for me?

[You're rich enough, why not hire a chef?]

You've been smiling a lot lately.

I was planning to stay home during this holiday.

If you're free, come over for braised ribs and soju.

Or we can have chicken and beer like people do these days.

Chairman. I too have a place I call my hometown.

It's a four-hour drive from Seoul.

No train station either.

A place where everyone knows what the whole village had for dinner tonight.

And what they'll eat tomorrow morning.

That kind of horrible hometown.

Where's your hometown?

Muchang.

The strawberries you eat are delivered every other week from there.

Then, bring some strawberries on your way back.

Okay.

Thank you.

Alright.

This time, particularly,

your bonus is 20% higher than last time.

Meeting adjourned.

- Thank you, Attorney Lee. - Thank you.

- Thank you. - Want to share a ride?

Friend, when I post my photoshoot, hit 'like' right away, okay?

Okay.

When are you going home?

Later this evening.

Both my parents work late, so I go home late.

Wow, you must be bored.

You waited long enough.

Did you think I wouldn't notice if you hid like that?

How did you know?

How many CCTV cameras do you think this house has?

Two in the annex entrance and hallway.

One in the main building entrance.

Three in the living room and first-floor hallway.

One next to each window.

Oh, and there's one at the back door too.

You found quite a lot.

Do you know the best way to cook this ramyeon?

No, I don't.

Just follow the instructions on the back of this packet.

Don't add or reduce anything, cook it exactly as instructed.

That's how it tastes best.

It's really delicious, Dad.

Slow down.

Thank you.

It's so good.

Are you thinking of your late daughter?

You knew already?

Yes.

Back when I had nothing,

I briefly dated a woman.

After we broke up,

she gave birth to a child.

So that child grew up in an orphanage

for 19 years

without even knowing I existed.

Angry at the world for abandoning her,

full of resentment toward me,

she was all bristled up.

Like a hedgehog.

Do you know why

a hedgehog raises its quills?

To protect itself.

Because it has no other way.

Are you okay?

Sir, pull yourself together!

Where? Where?

Butler Choi.

Chairman Ga isn't alone, you say?

Ah, I couldn't confirm it exactly.

The new bodyguard mentioned leaving late.

You should've informed me about this earlier.

Who knows what they might do together?

Professor.

There's something I'm curious about you.

Go ahead, I'll pay for the ramyeon.

How did you serve six months for stealing something worth only ten thousand won?

What do your parents do?

Huh? Chairman, I'll go check.

You stay hidden since no one can see you here.

I have an idea who it might be.

Who is it?

Father, it's me.

Father.

Ramyeon during the holiday? Seriously?

It's raining, why are you here?

Is something wrong?

Open up.

Not opening?

Hey, Yeong Ran, are you there?

Darn.

Hey, Yeong Ran! Kim Yeong Ran!

Ugh!

Seon Yeong.

Yeong Ran.

Kim Yeong Ran.

Yeong Ran.

Where are you?

Yeong Ran.

Where are you?

Are you in there?

All checked, yes? You can go now.

Take good care of yourself and eat well, Father.

I bought this myself at the department store.

Yeah, I'll enjoy it.

She's gone.

You can come out now.

I enjoyed the ramyeon.

[Chairman Ga Sung Ho]

Yes, Chairman.

Come in.

I mostly eat and sleep here.

Chairman.

Is someone really trying to kill you, Chairman?

My daughter, Ye Rim.

I saw the article.

Drugs, men, and all that...

That's not true.

My daughter was murdered.

She was 19 when she first came to this house and said she wanted to study art.

I sent her to New York.

All by herself.

The monster who killed my daughter.

It was late, but I sent someone to New York.

In the article from a local newspaper, there was a photo.

I found the original photo and enlarged it.

Seon Yeong was there.

How's studying abroad? Managing okay?

Yeah.

I missed you so much that I had to come visit.

Ah.

How could family do something like that?

That scar on your wrist. Did your family do that?

Because of the money.

To those punks, I'm just

the one who snatched the inheritance they were supposed

to get from their mother.

But then Ye Rim appeared,

who might inherit the company's management rights.

She must have become an eyesore.

Yeong Ran,

I'm terminally ill.

At most, six more months.

Before I die,

I want to take revenge on those punks.

And in the way they fear the most.

There was a rumor circulating among bodyguards.

Sometimes, when protecting wealthy people,

they get offers for contract killings

along with large sums of money.

Chairman.

What can I do for you?

Yeong Ran,

marry me.

♫ Now is the time ♫

♫ Even hidden scars will shine ♫

♫ I share the light ♫

♫ I'll brighten the days shrouded in darkness ♫

♫ It's not over ♫

♫ The present isn't bound by the past ♫

It's different from what was said earlier, right?

They'd been cleverly hiding it on the chart, but it was morphine.

I'll deposit the fee into your account.

- Let go! - The chairman is watching.

Ga Seon Woo!

I might get 100 million won, you know?

You'll be the bait, setting the trap and waiting.

Now, from this moment,

you're not Kim Yeong Ran, but Bu Se Mi the teacher.