Original subtitles

(Production Sponsors)

(Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KOCCA)

(This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, )

(and incidents are products of the author's imagination.)

(All child actors were accompanied by a guardian, )

(and filmed in accordance with labour laws.)

(Hacking King, Working Title)

(Hacking King, Working Title)

Wow, that laptop just folds in half?

Most of them double as tablets these days.

Most of them double as tablets these days.

I haven't seen that model before.

It's not officially out yet.

They were given to students for beta testing.

They were given to students for beta testing.

The deal is we have to report bugs. In our engineering department,

we're not big fans of the tablet hybrids.

Right! You're that quiz show brainiac.

The guy who goes to KAIST and acts?

The guy who goes to KAIST and acts?

I don't know about brainiac, but I'll do my best.

I'm Oh Hyun Jun.

Hyun Jun, you looked just like a real hacker just now.

Hyun Jun, you looked just like a real hacker just now.

You should definitely use this.

Thanks for the pro tip.

(LOVE.exe)

(Episode 2: Orientation)

I recently auditioned for a role as an engineering student.

I recently auditioned for a role as an engineering student.

That was a real wake-up call for me.

Now that our Modelling Major merged with the College of Engineering,

I felt I shouldn't give our department a bad name.

I felt I shouldn't give our department a bad name.

I'm also a student ambassador. So I'm representing Hangang...

as I go up against KAIST. We have many smart people here too.

as I go up against KAIST. We have many smart people here too.

The library elevator, for example.

Knowing how it works is simple for them.

But of course, the students at KAIST are smart too.

I once briefly met this girl at a part-time job.

I once briefly met this girl at a part-time job.

She said she was starting at KAIST, and she was really cool, too.

- Her eyes had a different look. - Did you have a thing with her?

We only crossed paths for one day, but her eyes were... How can I say?

We only crossed paths for one day, but her eyes were... How can I say?

They weren't lively, they were dead. Like she was annoyed with the world,

and yet, the things she said were so sharp and articulate.

and yet, the things she said were so sharp and articulate.

Where is all this nonsense coming from?

That's the engineering student vibe.

We have students like that at Hangang University.

Their eyes are dead in a cool way.

We definitely have students like that.

Any words for the incoming freshmen at Hangang University?

Any words for the incoming freshmen at Hangang University?

Protecting the environment isn't hard.

Just clean up after yourselves.

I was watching a video on Hangang's early graduation.

But what is this?

- Yes. - It's Ahn In Dae.

Okay. We should go to KAIST.

Yeah. Give us a call sometime.

Yeah. Give us a call sometime.

Okay.

Okay, take care.

Okay.

That's not Ahn In Dae.

That's not Ahn In Dae.

Darn it.

Bad news about "Rideshare Romance." They're starting season three.

Already?

You know the cast from season one are complete has-beens now, right?

You know the cast from season one are complete has-beens now, right?

But what about that drama?

Any word from the "Hacking King" audition?

You expect to hit a home run on your first try?

Come on.

You're doing great right now, all right?

Look at today's laptop commercial. Not everyone gets a gig like this.

Just hang in there a little longer. Let's try for 1.5 million followers.

Just hang in there a little longer. Let's try for 1.5 million followers.

It's a whole new pay grade. With your current follower count,

we're barely making enough to cover your spa days.

I spent 20 grand buying you followers.

I spent 20 grand buying you followers.

I do shower at home, though.

It's just a figure of speech.

This car alone costs 1,500 dollars a month to rent.

What?

What?

I can just take the bus or subway.

Honestly, this car...

gives me a crick in my neck.

That's not the point.

That's not the point.

I also think you should stop posting omakase pics on Instagram.

The portions are tiny, and it's so expensive.

Dude, you're a pro model.

Dude, you're a pro model.

That's what models do, they look classy.

That's how you positively influence people.

You help the economy and planet. So we got this car for its eco vibe.

You help the economy and planet. So we got this car for its eco vibe.

By the last week of March. Yes, the submission is in.

But I checked the site yesterday, and a harmful site warning appeared.

Something about women's adult toys.

No, that's not a problem. It's doable.

Add push notifications to the app and fix the device's Bluetooth sync.

Right.

Yes, of course. I'm not a minor.

- Okay, we'll ship it to you. - Okay.

The Mount Mountain hiking club! Come check us out!

The campus at the beginning of the semester...

The campus at the beginning of the semester...

Right. After being cooped up for exams,

all that pent-up youthful energy is bound to explode grotesquely.

Through pointless club activities that are useless in the real world.

Through pointless club activities that are useless in the real world.

But this is excessive.

A man and woman in engineering? Is that a bug in the system?

A man and woman in engineering? Is that a bug in the system?

What?

Right, a girl and a girl should be possible too.

A Greater Korea.

Right. And two guys as well, of course.

But what is this?

There are just way too many couples.

It's only the first week of classes.

It's only the first week of classes.

Should they be swapping spit so soon?

Have they no problem swapping spit with someone of unknown health?

Whatever.

I just need to stay centered.

Just keep my head on straight.

Just keep my head on straight.

Careful not to scratch the floor.

Come on, hurry up. We're losing time.

Excuse me, we're setting up a shoot. Could you please go around?

Excuse me, we're setting up a shoot. Could you please go around?

Sorry for the inconvenience.

The actors' call time is almost up. Let's get everything ready now.

How has this bastion of academia been reduced to a cheap film set?

How has this bastion of academia been reduced to a cheap film set?

- Hello. - Hello.

- See you on set. - Looking forward to it. See you.

And now this fine dust...

And now this fine dust...

You said the post for this face mist is at noon, right?

Just keep it natural and casual.

Also.

Just show the hair dryer briefly. And get this. This part is cool.

Just show the hair dryer briefly. And get this. This part is cool.

It says it even works as a garment steamer.

So I just post about these things naturally and I'm done?

I really want to focus on the commercial shoot today.

Plus, I have to do character study for this engineering student role.

Character study for an engineer? What's that even mean?

To handle the laptop naturally for today's shoot,

To handle the laptop naturally for today's shoot,

I figured I need to work on my fine motor skills.

Right. Fine motor skills.

Hey.

The landlord texted me saying she needs to raise the rent.

I thought our apartment wasn't a monthly rental?

Monthly rent?

That's for the studio, not for here. Why is she texting you anyway?

That's for the studio, not for here. Why is she texting you anyway?

She says she's a fan of mine.

We have a studio?

The one in Nonhyeon-dong.

The one in Nonhyeon-dong.

Gosh, this fine dust.

Isn't that your place?

Hey, what do you mean it's my place?

It's all your makeup and clothes.

Your jawline looks undefined today.

Your jawline looks undefined today.

What happened?

I'm booking you a trainer. Right now.

I'm fine, really. I'm fine.

For today...

Use this.

Use this on your face whenever you can.

Use this on your face whenever you can.

You can even do it in public, since we got it as a sponsorship.

- Is this how it's supposed to work? - Right.

Go on.

Go on.

Hello! Hi there!

I hear they're filming in the lounge.

Jinny and Kang Min Hak?

- They're filming together, right? - Wait, they're filming here?

Jinny came all the way out here?

Jinny came all the way out here?

What's so special about Kang Min Hak?

Kang Min Hak must be a big deal now.

For Jinny to accommodate his schedule.

His fans will say, "We see Jinny thanks to our Kang Min Hak."

- Stuff like that. - The rival fandoms are fighting...

- Stuff like that. - The rival fandoms are fighting...

loud enough for each other to hear.

Why is our school being put through this?

The campus is like a festival now. Think they'll cancel class?

Hey, it's the first class for the professor who came all this way.

Hey, it's the first class for the professor who came all this way.

Whatever. I bet Jinny's going to be stunning.

True. Even my friends who dissed us are jealous that Jinny's coming.

Wait, this isn't the time for that.

The school's trick to placate us with these trivial events.

The school's trick to placate us with these trivial events.

What if inviting Professor Winterbottom was to cover up...

the merger issue, and just a temporary fix?

Hey!

You're taking this class too?

I thought you were done with your major.

Actually, I saw it on Everytime.

His recommendation's a golden ticket.

His recommendation's a golden ticket.

It's not just for the top Korean tech companies.

Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon...

We're talking the big five in the States.

Yes, I heard.

But he doesn't just hand them out to anyone, right?

But he doesn't just hand them out to anyone, right?

True. He only gives out one per semester.

It's in the bag.

(The best decision I've made in my four years at Google?)

(The best decision I've made in my four years at Google?)

(Meeting Professor Winterbottom, of course)

(With his recommendation, I'm at Apple HQ three days a week)

I'm only an intern at Microsoft right now, but...

I'm only an intern at Microsoft right now, but...

if it weren't for Professor Winterbottom...

I'd still be in this Korean rat race,

working 69 hours a week...

Excuse me, I have a brief announcement.

Excuse me, I have a brief announcement.

Regarding Professor Winterbottom,

who was starting to lecture this week...

there has been an unfortunate development.

there has been an unfortunate development.

A Me Too allegation has been made against him in the United States.

Michael, that monster!

Gosh, another Me Too case?

Gosh, another Me Too case?

Isn't it probably just some student who's mad about a bad grade?

Me Too?

He's targeted because he's famous.

Probably just mad about a grade.

He's accused of serially harassing students, primarily Asian males.

Asian male students?

This was a last-minute decision by the university,

so today's class will unfortunately be a pre-recorded lecture.

The professor who'll take over the class from next week...

The professor who'll take over the class from next week...

will be announced at a later date.

- Excuse me, I have a question! - TA, I have a question!

Seriously, why is our school such a dumpster fire?

Okay, time to find a Plan B.

Okay, time to find a Plan B.

"Convergent Talent Competition for the 4th Industrial Revolution."

What a joke. Seriously?

What a joke. Seriously?

They're just trying to silence us. They even put it over our poster.

- Darn it. - Wait!

Twenty thousand dollars?

What?

The first prize is twenty thousand dollars.

The first prize is twenty thousand dollars.

A twenty-thousand-dollar prize.

Twenty thousand dollars.

Okay, so 20,000 times 4.4 and minus our food and coffee...

Okay, so 20,000 times 4.4 and minus our food and coffee...

Yeon San, are you entering this competition too?

So you can leave someone on read in real life too.

So you can leave someone on read in real life too.

The Suspicious Embedded Systems comp prize was only 3,000 dollars.

2,868 to be exact. They took 4.4% for taxes and fees.

2,868 to be exact. They took 4.4% for taxes and fees.

For my friends in The Trio who got second,

1,000 minus 44 is 956 dollars.

And if you split that three ways,

that's about enough for two months of rent and utilities.

that's about enough for two months of rent and utilities.

Why don't we team up for this?

Weren't you trying to transfer to Seoul National University?

I can multitask.

This time, instead of your last idea like that OCR Smart Reading Stand,

This time, instead of your last idea like that OCR Smart Reading Stand,

how about we do something a little more sexy?

For example, a device using location services...

like an automatic golf drive distance tracker?

like an automatic golf drive distance tracker?

I bet the dean and the university president would love it.

Wait. "Teams must include students from at least two colleges..."

Wait. "Teams must include students from at least two colleges..."

"as designated pre-merger." What?

Then we'd be better off teaming up with another major.

Right, a different major...

- What's with him? - A different major?

(Dept. of Converged Physical Tech and Global Content Development)

(Dept. of Converged Physical Tech and Global Content Development)

Be careful not to break any of the school equipment.

Hey, over there!

Hey, watch it!

Dude!

- Yes? - Come on.

Yes, it is. Why?

That's a plastic straw.

That's a plastic straw.

Didn't you bring your silicone one?

My bad, I forgot.

I'll just drink straight from the cup.

Exactly. You have to be consistent even when no one's looking.

Right?

Right?

Why are you putting that in there?

It's for Jinny.

It's that Milkis Zero she likes.

It's that Milkis Zero she likes.

Use this, not plastic bottles if you want to save the planet.

- Jinny must have a lot of tumblers. - The more, the better.

- Jinny must have a lot of tumblers. - The more, the better.

It's like double the environmental protection.

- We'll heal the planet in no time. - Of course.

All right, a little to the right. Just a bit more.

All right, a little to the right. Just a bit more.

Coming through. Okay.

Hey, this couch.

So this is why they went all out on the lounge interior.

Let's decide on an idea for the competition first.

I'm sitting this one out. Just participating in this...

would mean I'm supporting the merger.

What if we protest by competing? If we get first place,

What if we protest by competing? If we get first place,

we can donate the prize money to the anti-merger movement.

What? All 20,000 dollars? Seriously?

Not exactly. We'd split it three ways first,

you donate your share.

you donate your share.

- Split four ways. - What?

- We need someone outside our major. - Darn it.

Gosh, you sound like you already won it.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Actually, I do have an idea that's a sure-fire winner.

Of course, even if we do win first place,

after taxes from the 20,000 dollars, we get 19,120.

after taxes from the 20,000 dollars, we get 19,120.

If we split that four ways, it's not a lot of money, so...

it's not like I'm that motivated.

But if we get the withholding slip...

and file for a tax refund, we can each get back 40 dollars.

and file for a tax refund, we can each get back 40 dollars.

In that case, each person's take-home would be...

Hey! Did you become a sole proprietor or something?

Around 4,740 dollars.

That's a pretty good amount. 4,740 dollars.

That's a pretty good amount. 4,740 dollars.

That's almost a full ride for a semester.

Hey, I'll donate my 40-dollar refund to the protest fund.

Are you really that confident we'll win?

Are you really that confident we'll win?

Okay. I'm in.

- For real? - On one condition.

Can I do a little something in front of the president and the dean?

Can I do a little something in front of the president and the dean?

Yes, as long as they don't revoke our award.

Okay, I'll reveal the project now. Take a look at the sketch.

Always one step ahead, Joo Yeon San.

Always one step ahead, Joo Yeon San.

I rushed this sketch this morning, so it's still a little rough,

but I'd say I've fleshed out the core concept.

Oh gosh, my battery's dead.

I didn't back it up. A charger, I need a charger...

I didn't back it up. A charger, I need a charger...

There's an outlet over there.

Charger.

No, our concept is sort of a '90s retro vibe, you know?

Like TG Sam Bo, that kind of vibe.

Hey! Rookie!

Yes?

- Got the laptop ready? - Yes, it's charging on the side.

- Got the laptop ready? - Yes, it's charging on the side.

All right, okay.

So, what's the deal with Jinny's call time?

Her call time was over ten minutes ago.

So Kang Min Hak is still a nobody, I guess?

So Kang Min Hak is still a nobody, I guess?

Kang Min Hak is actually one of the hottest stars right now.

Come on, Jinny was a world-class idol. You know what I mean.

I was in elementary school back then.

Jinny's here. She's at the front gate.

Jinny's here. She's at the front gate.

Okay, got it. Stand by, everyone. Hey, you! Get the laptop ready.

Got it.

- It's Jinny! - It's Jinny!

- Can you sign this? - Please look over here, Jinny!

You're so pretty!

(Jinny: Center of a 2.85-gen girl group, once a global star)

(Solo artist, regular panellist on...)

(Solo artist, regular panellist on...)

("Match on Wheels," liquor ambassador)

Here she is, Jinny!

A round of applause!

Hi, everyone!

Hello.

- Smooth Min Hak. - Classic Min Hak.

Sir, once Jinny is seated, we'll do a quick pre-shoot.

Sir, once Jinny is seated, we'll do a quick pre-shoot.

You good?

Hey, my bad. It looks better tucked in.

Okay, so this is for our behind-the-scenes video.

Okay, so this is for our behind-the-scenes video.

Jinny, a "Match on Wheels" panellist, and Min Hak, who was a contestant...

- Is this your first time meeting? - Yes.

It's nice to meet you, Min Hak.

It's nice to meet you, Min Hak.

When you were watching his scenes, you said he was cute,

and that blew up online, you know?

And maybe that's what led to you two shooting this commercial together.

And maybe that's what led to you two shooting this commercial together.

So what's it like meeting him in person?

He's even cuter in person.

Okay, thank you.

Let's call it "The Cloud Dream of the Nine." It's catchy.

Let's call it "The Cloud Dream of the Nine." It's catchy.

"The Cloud Dream of the Nine?"

- Yeah. - Kim Man Joong's Joseon-era novel?

I thought it was a Chinese restaurant.

That novel is about life as a dream, this is about "dream starvation"...

That novel is about life as a dream, this is about "dream starvation"...

All right, we're about to roll. Can we have quiet on set, please?

- Please step this way. - No, no, it's fine.

Quickly, over here.

Please move back and keep it down. We're recording sound.

Please move back and keep it down. We're recording sound.

Solving common coding questions every night in your sleep,

or debugging in your sleep to greatly shorten deadlines.

The catch is, even if you complete a mission in your dream,

The catch is, even if you complete a mission in your dream,

it doesn't directly sync with reality.

That would defy the laws of physics.

Where do I even begin with this?

First, I don't want to build an app that makes you code in your dreams.

That's just an example. Just follow the concept.

That's just an example. Just follow the concept.

From what I hear, it's impossible with our skills and technology.

You know it's a campus competition, right?

There are way too many variables. Just off the top of my head...

I know.

I know.

Temperature and humidity during sleep,

your main stressors for the day,

the sounds playing while you're asleep,

the sounds playing while you're asleep,

what you ate before bed, and so on.

- You've thought this through. - You sure have.

But what does all this mean?

It means that these variables will encourage users to participate.

In other words, people will enjoy providing the input.

Wait, so this isn't actually about controlling dreams?

Wait, so this isn't actually about controlling dreams?

You know I'm not the type to talk about such pipe dreams.

What's going on? Can someone fill me in?

She's saying the app has a hidden agenda.

She's saying the app has a hidden agenda.

All the user-provided sleep data will naturally accumulate.

Then we pitch our ability to leverage that data to companies.

So what do the users get out of it?

So what do the users get out of it?

- A sense of self-efficacy. - Self-efficacy?

- Self-efficacy? - Yes. Though it's random,

they get a thrill, as if they chose the perfect option for themselves.

They'll assign meaning to the results...

and keep using it out of curiosity.

That's diabolical. Absolutely diabolical.

Which is exactly why we need a title with a witty double meaning.

Which is exactly why we need a title with a witty double meaning.

This better not go against my principles.

The security on this has to be top-notch.

But this is where it gets really interesting.

See, last night,

because of this person with their head in the clouds,

because of this person with their head in the clouds,

I couldn't get a wink of sleep. I even had a weird, jumbled dream.

And that's when it hit me.

What if even a ridiculous dream like this has its own logic?

What if even a ridiculous dream like this has its own logic?

What if you could guide your dreams? What if you could code your dreams?

This morning in my dev notes I was sketching a simple version.

This morning in my dev notes I was sketching a simple version.

And suddenly, all these prompts started firing like crazy.

Like the floodgates opened?

Yes, and while my brain was firing on all cylinders,

suddenly the internet in the whole area starts to crawl.

suddenly the internet in the whole area starts to crawl.

And I had typed everything out like a madwoman.

And I realised this might be a solution for dreams.

I haven't had a breakthrough like this in four years...

Huh? What's this?

Wow! This is the new model, right?

- Hey, what are you doing? - Awesome. When'd you get it?

- Hey, what are you doing? - Awesome. When'd you get it?

This isn't mine.

Then whose is it?

All right, now bring the laptop to Min Hak,

and since it folds, let's bend it all the way back, 360 degrees.

and since it folds, let's bend it all the way back, 360 degrees.

Hey, put it down! Put it down!

- Hey, can you see? Can you see it? - No.

- You can't see? - No.

Jump, jump! One, two, three.

- Did you see it? - They switched the laptops!

Darn it.

This is no good. We need to go around!

San, that way, let's go!

- Go back? - Yes, go back. Let's go.

Hey, this way, this way!

Hey, this way, this way!

- Move it, move it. - Out of the way!

Why is my laptop all the way out here?

Ugh, I threw this together so fast. It's totally useless.

- If I just do this... - Coming through, excuse us!

- If I just do this... - Coming through, excuse us!

- Hey! - Just a second! Hold on!

- Hey, over there. - Okay, okay.

Let's have Min Hak try holding the laptop.

Just hold it open like this for me.

Right, thank you.

So this model is out now?

The setup is you two are monitoring "Match on Wheels" on this laptop.

The setup is you two are monitoring "Match on Wheels" on this laptop.

"Match on Wheels?" Isn't that old? I see. So it's a 90s vibe.

- Right. - Min Hak, make sure the logo shows.

- Right. - Min Hak, make sure the logo shows.

Got it.

Was someone using this? It looks used.

So I just pretend to look at it? Just pretend I'm looking at it?

Yes, we'll CG the screen in later.

Yes, we'll CG the screen in later.

And then, Min Hak...

Fold the laptop 360 degrees.

You get the vibe? And then you hand it to Jinny.

- All right, keep rolling. - And... shoot!

- All right, keep rolling. - And... shoot!

Shoot!

Okay, camera.

Okay, ready!

Action!

They're watching "Match on Wheels." They look great together.

They're watching "Match on Wheels." They look great together.

- Min Hak, now the 360-degree fold. - Right.

One, two, three!

Min Hak?

Min Hak?

Min Hak? You just have to do it like this.

Right.

One, two, like this?

- Hey, Woo Young, go help him out. - Yes. The thing is...

- Hey, Woo Young, go help him out. - Yes. The thing is...

No, I can do this. I've got it.

Let me try again. Yes, just a second.

One, two, three!

Here, someone help him with this.

(Majors Only)

We're in.

Stop!

- That's mine! It's mine! - Hey! That's ours! It's ours.

- No! - We want some too!

- No! - We want some too!

- Mine! Mine! - Stop, that's mine!

- Kang Min Hak, you're mine! - Mine!

Thank you, my adoring fans.

Please keep it down, okay?

Please keep it down, okay?

Seriously, get out of the way!

Please be quiet! Everyone, please be quiet!

My laptop! That one's mine!

Quiet!

Quiet!

We're rolling sound! Quiet!

We're trying to record live audio here!

So please, a little cooperation!

So please, a little cooperation!

Wow, you're really popular.

This is what happens when you shoot on a college campus.

Okay, let's channel this energy, refocus, and go again.

Okay, let's channel this energy, refocus, and go again.

Okay, ready.

Action!

Like this! Like this!

Hey! Cut.

- Wait a minute. Cut. - Cut. We're cutting! Cut!

Wait, hold on.

It's fine. If the disk and motherboard are intact,

It's fine. If the disk and motherboard are intact,

we can recover the data.

- Right. - Sir, this product is defective.

It's not supposed to bend like this...

What?

Are you okay?

Are you okay?

I'm sorry.

No, it's just...

It didn't come all the way out, so I think we can save it. Right?

It didn't come all the way out, so I think we can save it. Right?

What a relief.

Alright, time for my daily good deed for the environment...

Oh my, this...

With something like Milkis,

With something like Milkis,

you don't want it to get all sticky.

So if you give it a light spray and wipe it down...

So if you give it a light spray and wipe it down...

It's very eco-friendly, yeah. It's totally fine, really.

It's very eco-friendly, yeah. It's totally fine, really.

Get it nice and even. There.

Yes, let me just borrow this.

Okay, just like this.

Is that level of intelligence even possible within...

an institution of higher learning?

Like this...

It's drying up.

What a complete fool.

What a complete fool.

Is he smiling?

The model is watering the computer.

This pretty much sums up this semester.

I probably shouldn't say this,

I probably shouldn't say this,

but it's kind of picturesque.