Original subtitles

Someone once said

love was like a car crash that hits you without warning.

I really had no idea, back then,

that mine would be a fan-crush with a 12-year recovery period.

♪ Reach out, further away ♪

♪ The paradise in my memory ♪

♪ We fly high, chasing the light ♪

♪ In the dream of my childhood ♪

♪ Searching for the me I lost ♪

♪ Leaving, away ♪

♪ Beyond the blue sky ♪

♪ Spread the wings inside me ♪

♪ Embrace the dream that's gone ♪

♪ another way of mine ♪

Seventeen years old.

What pulled me out of loneliness was his music.

Let's see the final results.

[Dec. Week 3... #1: DNX] This week's number one is... DNX!

Fangirling gave a lonely girl like me friends,

and helped me discover talents I never knew I had.

[Gotta go to the DNX concert!]

♪ In the dream of my childhood ♪

More than anything, it made me feel alive.

It made me happy.

♪ Leaving, away ♪

But to him, I was just one light among thousands.

[10 years later]

[Nam Da Reum, APPELLO] So I made a decision.

I would go to him.

My dream was to become the fan whose dream came true.

[Episode 1]

This event will include not only our key VVIP clients,

but major overseas partners and members of the press as well.

With world-class brand partnerships,

we aim to chart the future of Korea's premium fashion market.

The event will be held at the S Convention event hall.

Ms. Nam, do you have something to say?

If there's a big turnout, the waiting area might be a bit tight.

I was wondering how we'd handle that...

That's not something you need to worry about.

The events team will handle it.

Just focus on doing your own job.

Yes.

That's all.

There she goes again.

- Why's she always so extra? - Just leave her be.

- Now we all have to deal with this. - Every time.

[Resignation Letter]

If I told Mom I was quitting,

she'd lose it, right?

[Congrats on joining SE Trading!] The second you skip handing out rice cakes,

you're a dead woman.

I heard she's putting up a banner at the neighborhood entrance.

No, but Chan always said it himself.

"Unframe. Break out of the mold."

If I get in tomorrow...

I will get in, right?

No... even if I fail,

I'll keep trying till I get into APPELLO.

But isn't this a bit too far out of the mold?

You busted your butt to get into a conglomerate.

I just feel like a cog in a machine.

Nothing gets my heart racing.

And APPELLO does?

It's basically a rookie group that just debuted.

Think how much there'll be to do.

The kind of company that could totally transform with just one employee like me?

We both know it's Chan who makes your heart race.

Anyway, look.

Look, look!

Just watch... once I get into APPELLO,

I'll become a legend in fashion marketing and take it straight to the top.

I'm going to become the favorite employee.

Here's to getting in! Fighting!

Fighting!

Fighting!

[You have a new notification]

[Relistening to DNX's debut album. Give it a try!]

[2015: Idol group DNX - Nam Da Reum's first-ever bias]

[2017: DNX disbands]

[Still never left the fandom]

[2018: DNX's Lee Chan makes a fresh start as an actor]

[2019: Lee Chan opens fashion select shop "APPELLO"]

[2022: From Rookie Award to fashion platform CEO]

[The height of Lee Chan's glittering career]

Is he even human?

Just wait. I'll be there soon too.

[APPELLO hiring results: 2 PM]

How old is this CEO, anyway?

I heard he's still in his early thirties.

- Early thirties? - Yes.

He's a baby. An absolute baby.

CEO Kang, this way.

Pleasure to meet you. Kang Ha Gi, APPELLO.

If you provide the documents, we'll consider investing in APPELLO favorably.

What about an NDA?

We're planning to set up a separate entity, so that's difficult for now.

Don't tell me that entity is the same kind of fashion platform as ours.

I'm not sure what you mean.

We're aiming to launch a fashion platform with a personalized shopping experience.

Our core strategy is curation based on real-time reviews.

Sounds like the room next door is deep into launching a fashion platform of their own.

Customized AI styling, real-time review-based curation...

isn't all of that from the documents we handed over?

I believe that's what SE came to review during our last due diligence.

These days, every trend looks the same anyway.

If you start with suspicion like this, there's no point negotiating at all.

You can copy a trend.

But you can't copy a philosophy.

There's no need to talk further.

We won't be taking your investment.

This industry's smaller than you think.

Walk out like this, and you won't be able to handle the fallout.

Looks like your little information grab failed.

Worry about your own contract renewal instead, Director.

There's really no turning back now.

My resignation's already been processed.

And I've packed all my things.

Please, APPELLO, please pick me.

Please, please just pick me.

Oh no, it's already 1:59!

I'm so nervous!

[2025 Second-Half New Employee Recruitment Notice]

[Congratulations on your final acceptance]

[Congratulations, Nam Da Reum!]

Oh my god, I actually got in!

CEO Kang, you were so cool earlier.

"You can't copy a philosophy."

You know this isn't a joking matter, right?

Check our internal documents for security first.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Who is that woman?

CEO Kang.

It came out perfectly in the photo. Right here, look.

Thank you so much! Goodbye!

- Did that seriously just happen? - I got in.

I'm going to APPELLO!

♪ Searching for the self ♪

♪ I lost in childhood dreams ♪

♪ I'm leaving away ♪

♪ Beyond the blue sky, spreading the wings inside me ♪

♪ Holding a vanished dream close ♪

♪ another way of mine ♪

What must it feel like to become the icon of an era?

Here is the man who's done just that.

The legend who shook the K-pop scene...

Chan seems busy these days. He never comes out anymore.

I'm even busier. Hurry up and eat.

You don't have an ounce of feeling in you.

Total T. Ultra power-T.

Go home for once. People need to rest sometimes.

You idiot.

Let's go.

It's fine to do this. Oppa Chan does this too.

Hello, sir!

I'm not going. I can't go.

This must be fate.

I found her. My ideal type.

Coming through.

Here he goes again.

Sir!

There.

I'm giving you extra since you're a regular.

Thank you so much, sir.

Oh, so your friend lives around here.

- So, how did you get here... - Hey, who's this?

I took the bus.

So how about we get something going before you leave?

Sorry?

Miss, sit down.

Quickly, quickly.

Then should I show you a magic trick?

Sure.

Watch this.

If I do this...

Half Chan.

Heart-shaped Chan.

Am I being annoying right now?

The sticking trick.

The coming-apart trick.

Stuck together, apart. Stuck together, apart.

♪ Chan, Chan, Chan ♪

♪ I won't cry anymore ♪

♪ Farewell, goodbye my love ♪

♪ Chan, Chan ♪

Sorry for the trouble.

If only I'd scored his poster, today would've been a perfect day.

Oppa...

The mood wasn't half bad, though.

What do women even see in that Lee Chan guy?

He used to be a total loser everyone picked on.

He used to be a total loser everyone picked on.

A total loser everyone picked on.

Bullied?

Loser?

Here we go again. Hurry up.

That guy's past? You couldn't even imagine.

- Was it you? - What?

You're the one who bullied my oppa, aren't you?

I will never forgive you!

Blood...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

My friend hasn't been able to find a job,

and things have been so hard

she's developed a condition... anger dysregulation.

I'm so, so sorry.

Sorry for what? I'm not sorry at all.

Bullying is the worst thing there is.

Do you even know how that feels?

I'm sorry.

I said, do you know?

My friend says she's willing to get on her knees to apologize properly.

Reflecting hard, isn't she?

Whatever. Just go.

What a generous heart you have.

You'll be blessed for this. Thank you.

Go on home.

You're dead.

Hey, let go!

Anger issues because you can't find a job?

And you work at SE?

You know her?

Never seen her in my life.

Exactly.

Should've gotten her number first.

Open the door! Seriously.

Man, drinking makes you weigh twice as much. Twice!

Seriously.

But wow, our Da Reum really is becoming the fan whose dream came true.

Why doesn't Chan ever do that, though?

DNX broke up ten years ago, and there are still die-hard fans like this?

Right?

Come on, let's go too.

Wait...

Hold on.

[Seongju Station]

[Seongju]

Which department did you join?

I'm on the MD team.

I'm marketing.

Marketing? Me too!

Really?

Let's get along well. I'm Park Young Woo.

And your name is?

I'm Lee Min Ah.

I'm Nam Da Reum.

Nam Da Reum. Lee Min Ah, Nam Da Reum.

Got it. Let's all get along well.

Loving your fellow hires is loving your country, right?

- Let's shake on it. - Sounds good.

Already getting close, are we?

Congratulations on joining the APPELLO family.

I'm Kim Mi Young, marketing lead, running today's orientation.

And these are your employee badges.

- Young Woo. - Thank you.

- Min Ah. - Thank you.

And Da Reum.

Thank you.

That's 82 people at APPELLO now...

85, counting the three of us.

One of 85 badges worldwide.

Basically limited-edition Chan merch.

Custom-made, even.

Shall we get on with the real company tour, then?

- This way. - Yes.

Right this way.

Come on through.

Yes.

This way, Min Ah.

Most of APPELLO's brands are online-only,

so we run a pop-up showroom on the first floor to meet customers.

There's also space for our partner brands...

sewing rooms, pattern rooms, studios.

And as you can see, dress code's flexible.

Starting tomorrow, wear whatever suits your style.

This is the studio where lookbooks and campaign shoots happen.

You could say all of APPELLO's visuals come from here.

The marketing and MD teams are on the 4th floor.

And the CEO's office.

Last but not least, let's go say hello to the CEO.

Now? Right now?

Yes.

Hello, I'm the new hire, Nam Da Reum.

Too smooth.

- Pleased to meet you. Nam Da Reum. - Nam Da Reum.

Sounds like a call center.

Just be normal.

Don't get nervous in front of Oppa Chan.

My secret weapon!

They say Cheongsimhwan calms your nerves.

Don't worry about the details.

I will send you the final proposal by tomorrow morning.

Thank you.

CEO Kang.

These are our new hires.

Nice to meet you.

I'm a new hire! Park Young Woo.

Nice to meet you.

Yes, I'm new hire Lee Min Ah.

Nice to meet you.

Oppa Chan?

What is...

Wait, why is someone else here?

Nam Da Reum.

Welcome to APPELLO. Truly.

My door is always open, so feel free to come by anytime.

No need to be nervous, just treat me like any coworker.

Let's do great work together.

Yes!

Well, shall we wrap up here?

- Thank you. - Goodbye.

It's him.

Ms. Nam.

Ms. Nam, what's wrong?

Are you okay? Breathe.

Excuse me, call 119!

- Something's stuck. - Why can't you breathe?

Breathe, come on, breathe.

Are you okay?

You should be fine now.

Not sure what you ate, though.

- What is this? - What is this?

That scared me.

Big news, big news! Did you guys hear?

The new hire, Nam Da Reum, caused a total scene on her first day?

Fainting on the very first day.

What?

Team Lead Lee Jin Sang.

Oops!

My bad.

Get back to work.

I threw up on Director Lee's pants at my very first dinner.

Anyone can slip up when they're nervous.

Don't let it get to you too much.

Thank you, ma'am.

Wait, isn't Director Lee actually the CEO?

Weren't the two of them co-CEOs originally...

and recently switched to a sole-CEO system?

So...

Director Lee only handles fashion directing for APPELLO's major events.

Oh, I see.

- So? So? Finally got to see him in person? - Did you keep your cool?

Were you crying? So touched.

We need a "fan whose dream came true" party.

What do you want?

Deal! Let's eat whatever you want today.

- Deal! - Deal!

Guys... Oppa Chan's company doesn't have Oppa Chan in it.

What do you mean the padded bra has no padding?

That thing's got a 4cm power-pad!

So full.

Right. Could I get one in every color, then?

Besides...

She back-hugged a CEO she didn't even know, day one.

What?

What kind of straight-to-the-point plot twist is this?

I'm completely ruined!

So you're saying Ms. Nam is the one who planted her face on the CEO's chest?

It's a little unsettling that she's from SE Trading,

especially at a time like this.

If she'd put that on her resume, I wouldn't have hired her either.

There's no real reason for her to come to APPELLO, though.

Sir, could she possibly be an industrial spy sent by Director Kim?

I looked into it...

that man's planted spies and swallowed up more than one company.

Let's keep a close eye on her for now.

Honestly, APPELLO's pretty sharp.

While everyone else is busy poaching famous designers,

they're going after up-and-coming ones instead.

That was Director Lee's idea.

He hated seeing talented brands vanish for lack of distribution.

Were the two of them close before, though?

High school friends.

Wow, real best friends.

No wonder he handed the company over so easily.

Looking forward to working together.

Seems SE Trading's in on the e-commerce plans too.

We'll be launching our own fashion platform soon.

Wait, so that makes you competitors with APPELLO?

Competitors?

You'd need to be in the same weight class for that.

With our capital and distribution,

wouldn't it be strange if we didn't come out on top?

So you tried to steal our information under the guise of investment,

afraid you wouldn't be number one.

I hear plenty of companies have had spies plant and leak their secrets.

A spy?

Then how about APPELLO?

Is there someone on my side there? Or not?

You're CEO Kang Ha Gi, correct?

I'm Do Eun Yeong, with Insight Economic Times.

Nice to meet you.

I hope for favorable coverage going forward.

Could I get some of your time?

I have a lot of questions.

Contact my office and we'll arrange something.

Not APPELLO. To you.

I'm almost there. See you in a bit.

My apologies... something's come up.

Done?

Why'd you doll yourself up like this?

Even put on perfume?

Quit clinging.

What? I'm just glad to see you after so long.

You only ever call when you need something.

Why are you staying at a hotel instead of your perfectly good house?

Someone keeps coming around?

Careful. We don't need "owner risk" headlines.

That's already over.

She was someone from this industry, too.

Keep it that way going forward.

Only get involved with people who have just as much to lose.

Spoken like the CEO Kang Ha Gi we know.

No wonder you haven't dated in ten years...

No, wait. Can't. Not won't.

So heartless.

Get a hobby or something. Or go be obsessed with someone, like a fan.

I have a bias.

You do? Who?

- APPELLO. - No, I know.

You like me. Say it's me. Just say it's me.

Try saying "Chan." Try saying "My bias is Chan."

- APPELLO. - Say "My bias is you." Let's go.

- APPELLO. - Chan.

- APPELLO. - I'll bite you.

Figures.

- What's with her again? - So frustrating.

Hey, Da Reum! Come eat some chicken.

No, I'm not done yet!

Mi Mi. Can I just do a hundred more of these?

If I wear my body out, maybe I'll stop thinking about the CEO's office...

There it is again.

Why worry so much?

These things happen.

No.

How am I supposed to even look him in the eye now?

And what about being known as the weird girl at the office?

It's your first day anyway...

just work hard from here on, and that rumor will die down on its own.

- You think? - Of course.

Besides, you're a new hire...

how often would you even run into the CEO?

Just avoid him.

Right?

There's no reason I'd ever run into him, is there?

- No reason. - None.

Right.

There won't be. Yeah, there won't be.

Work hard, fix my image, and avoid the CEO.

That's the plan.

Yes.

This is TUNZI's first pop-up since joining us, so everyone please prepare carefully.

Yes.

I'll do it.

I'll do it.

I'll carry it.

Work hard. Avoid the CEO.

Hello, everyone! We're the new hires who just joined...

- Nam Da Reum. - Park Young Woo.

Lee Min Ah.

Please take care of us!

Wow, such good energy.

I'll work hard!

Please take care of us.

I'll work hard.

Thank you.

Nice to meet you.

Announcing the arrival of CEO Kang Ha Gi!

Hello, sir!

Hello, sir!

- Hello. - Hello, sir.

Sir, please sit here.

No, why here? Why this side...

Please, sit.

I thought you'd be too busy to make it.

I'll have to leave soon. I've got a video call with an overseas VC.

Sir, care for a drink?

A video call.

Right, of course. Just the one, then.

Go ahead.

What's this? Why's everyone so stiff? Come on!

Drink up. Drink up.

Since CEO Ha Gi's here,

let's soak in the mood, Ha Gi-style! Bottoms up!

Bottoms up!

Please teach us well.

Thank you for having us.

Let's try to wrap this up quickly today.

- Don't make the new hires drink too much. - Yes, sir.

Da Reum has a company dinner today... I'm worried sick.

She doesn't know how to say no... she'll just keep drinking whatever's poured.

She's a natural-born goody-two-shoes.

Honestly, Da Reum tries way too hard.

That's the problem.

Whoa, really!

Oh... me? Me, me, me?

Wait, Da Reum had skills like this?

I learned it from friends.

Wow, lucky to have friends like that.

Hold on, sweetheart...

- You should have a drink with me. - Oh, okay.

Ms. Nam.

Yes?

Here, have a drink from me instead.

Oh, okay!

Use that glass.

Oh, okay!

This dinner is optional.

If it's too much, you're free to head home first.

Yes, understood.

Maybe I'll go recharge a little.

I have a meeting, so I'll head out first.

Yes, go ahead, sir.

Take care, sir.

Why would Director Kim be here...

Damn it.

If I keep working hard, maybe someday

I'll actually get to see it for real?

Wow, this turned out so well.

I have to take a picture. Gotta take a picture.

Not working.

Zero, nine, one, six.

That's his birthday, isn't it?

Zero, nine, one...

Ms. Nam.

Yes?

What are you doing here right now?

Sir?

Why are you here instead of at the dinner?

What?

Me?

I just wanted to recharge a little.

Recharge?

You said I was welcome anytime.

That your office door is always open.

And I just wanted...

to take one photo before leaving.

A photo of what?

This.

Okay, everyone's attention!

Here's a rite of passage every new hire at our company goes through.

- Oh, that. - Yes.

So, our adorable new hire Lee Min Ah...

Team CEO Ha Gi, or Team Director Lee?

Sorry?

Team dependable-but-a-bit-prickly tsundere like CEO Ha Gi?

Or team walked-out-of-a-comic-book like Director Lee?

This is really putting me on the spot...

Well, there's also Team Jin Sang, you know.

- Get in here. - What?

Don't kill the mood. Pick, quick.

Well, I'll go with...

Team CEO Ha Gi.

Good answer.

Told you I was right.

How come everyone's Team Ha Gi?

Did she seriously already head home, or what?

Well, CEO Kang.

I have to say that was a very impressive presentation.

Your platform's growth metrics are outstanding.

And the Unframe philosophy...

what a brilliant differentiator in what is a very crowded market.

Our team will be in touch with you within the week to discuss the next steps.

It's a pleasure speaking with you, CEO Kang.

Thank you. I hope to see you soon.

You bet. Take care.

She didn't hear that, right?

Ms. Nam.

Ms. Nam, you should go home.

Wake up. Ms. Nam.

This is seriously driving me crazy.

What am I supposed to do?

It's crazy.

I must be going crazy.

I must be going crazy!

Oh, come on.

Wait, no way.

What?

You did it with the CEO...

- You slept with him?! - What?

No, no... I mean I fell asleep in his office.

God, I thought I was going to kill you.

Why on earth did you even go there?

I don't know.

Must've gone full zombie-mode again.

There's a photo of Oppa Chan in there.

Not a photoshoot one... a totally candid one.

You're seriously out of your mind.

Please fix that drinking habit of yours.

Da Reum, you have no idea how hard this is on me.

I'm sorry. I swear, I really, really...

What? But you didn't cause any other trouble in his office, right?

Probably...

I think so?

Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?

I don't know.

Don't tell me you blacked out.

Oh, Da Reum! Morning.

Morning.

Nam Da Reum!

Wow, I saw a whole new side of you yesterday.

You did this thing...

boom, spun to face the wall...

then whoosh, flew over, and bam!

So very "Da Reum" of you. High five!

Me? I did what? Why?

What is going on?

Da Reum, you were so cool yesterday.

To Da Reum, and the new job!

Good morning. Good morning.

- Da Reum. - Yes?

Get home okay yesterday?

Looked like you left early, pretty drunk.

Oh, yeah.

He's so handsome.

Ms. Nam. Ms. Nam.

What? What is this memory?

I think the CEO was there?

Team Lead, has the CEO come in yet, by any chance?

The CEO? Sounds like he pulled another all-nighter at the office yesterday too.

What?

What is it?

What happened that he'd be looking right at me?

Think, come on, think. Think, think, think, Da Reum!

Da Reum! There you are.

- Feeling okay? - Yes.

I was pretty drunk yesterday, wasn't I?

I didn't make any mistakes yesterday, did I?

Mistakes? What mistakes?

You left early... what would you even have messed up?

Oh, Da Reum, I really wish you'd stayed the whole time yesterday.

Director Lee showed up at the very end, and his face was seriously hilarious.

What?

Oh, you scared me.

I thought he was just good-looking, but turns out he's funny too.

Look at this. He congratulated us on the new job and took a photo with just us!

Oppa came?

Though shouldn't we call him "Director"

now that we're at the company?

Wait, Da Reum, you must've been a DNX fan, huh?

I almost blurted out "It's Lee Chan!" myself yesterday...

Da Reum, what's wrong?

Was it something I said...

No, it's not that.

It's nothing.

I got drunk,

crawled into the CEO's office to sleep,

and missed Oppa completely.

Why do you even live, Da Reum?

Just die. Just go ahead and die.

That was finally my chance to see Oppa in person!

Mom!

Ms. Nam, why do you call for your mother every time you see me?

About yesterday...

I'm sorry, sir.

I remember stumbling into your office drunk,

but I didn't wake up until morning.

You don't remember?

How convenient. Never remembering anything.

Sorry?

Never mind. Might be for the best, anyway.

I meant to send you home once you sobered up a bit, but you were too out of it to wake.

Then what about you, sir...

I just...

I just went and did some work.

Right. That's a relief.

I was worried you couldn't leave because of me.

Please be more careful going forward.

That kind of behavior could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

Yes, I'm sorry, sir.

I'll make sure it never happens again.

I'm sorry.

Yes, Team Lead.

Da Reum, go help tidy up the first-floor showroom.

Yes.

The team lead asked me to come to the showroom,

so I'll get going.

Ms. Nam.

Why are you following me?

The miracle I'd wished for so badly

didn't come on some special day,

but in the middle of a perfectly ordinary one.

In a moment I never saw coming.

[#Epilogue]

♪ Scrub, scrub, with love... ♪

♪ scrub away the grime in your heart ♪

♪ Every nook and cranny, every stubborn stain ♪

♪ I'll scrub it all away for you ♪

♪ Scrub, scrub, with love ♪

♪ The bruises on your heart ♪

♪ until they're buried deep, with love ♪

♪ I'll scrub them all away ♪

♪ Scrub, scrub ♪

- Oh my, sir! - Good...

Good morning, ma'am.

Sigh, pulled another all-nighter, did you?

Go get some sleep.

I'll be quick and get out of your way.

No, I'm fine.

I've just got papers spread everywhere.

Oh, please, no need to make a fuss.

When have I ever needed you to tidy up first?

If you're here to work, just work.

I'll be quick.

Ma'am.

Ma'am, ma'am, Ms. Chun!

Would you like to grab a coffee with me?

Coffee? A morning coffee sounds nice.

♪ Scrub, scrub, scrub, scrub the grime away ♪

- Nice to meet you, Da Reum. - How do you know my name?

This isn't a dream, right?

Best Employee Overseas Training?

I get the feeling someone's deliberately approaching me.

Sir.

Oh my. You're so amazing, sir.

Could this possibly be a honey trap sent by Director Kim?

- Text me. - See you again!

Are they dating?

Our CEO and Oppa Chan?

No way!