Original subtitles

[alarm beeps]

[theme music playing]

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

CHILD ACTORS WERE FILMED SAFELY WITH SUPERVISION

[crowd cheering on TV]

[commentator 1] As we speak, it's a foul ball.

What a nerve-racking situation.

[commentator 2] Right. The pitcher seems to be struggling quite a bit.

His breaking balls keep heading right into the strike zone.

He's in quite the pickle with two outs, bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

We're seeing a pitching change.

Park Gi-yoon is stepping up.

It seems SAEUM is putting their trust into their veteran to get this final out.

[commentator 1] Park Gi-yoon steps onto the mound looking visibly tense.

The current score is 5-2.

SAEUM is now just one out away from winning the Korean Series.

I'm very curious to see if Saeum can overcome this moment of crisis.

[phone buzzes]

The first pitch bounces in the dirt. Ball one.

[commentator 2] He's too nervous. His body's way too tense.

[partner 1] I warned you, you absolutely cannot be late today!

Are you off the bus yet? Where are you?

[partner 2] Ji-yoon. I'm heading off on a trip.

I know you said you had something to tell me today. Sorry.

[commentator 1] It's clear over the left-field wall!

[commentator 2] Oh! It's a grand slam!

-[commentator 1] It's a grand slam! -[sighs] This sucks.

[commentator 1] What an unbelievable turn of events.

And that's how this ball game ends!

[commentator 2] This is the stuff movies are made of.

FINAL SAEUM (LOSS) 5 : 6 KP (WIN)

[sighs]

JI-YOON & GA-EUL

[cheering stops]

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

[Ji-yoon] Even when you get ghosted…

8 MONTHS LATER

-[train brakes hiss] -[commuters gasp]

[Ji-yoon] …you still go to work.

[commuter coughing]

[Ji-yoon] Even when you're unwell…

Even when you lose a family member…

Even when you encounter a total creep…

What is it? You want me to charge it?

…we still go to work.

[alarm blaring]

SAFETY ALERT HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN EFFECT

SAFETY ALERT HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN EFFECT

DONGNIMMUN

HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN EFFECT

-[thunder rumbling] -[electricity crackling]

HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN EFFECT STAY INSIDE, SAFETY FIRST

[commuters grumbling]

[Ji-yoon] Is there a chance that hope will hope ever show itself

on this hellish way to work?

[gasps] Excuse me. Where are we going now?

To work.

[Ji-yoon] Huh?

[sighs]

[sighs, whimpers]

EPISODE 1 EVEN IF THE SKY FALLS, STILL CLOCKING IN!

What was that heavy-rain warning about?

[scoffs]

Why did I come so early?

[sighs]

-[phone buzzes] -Mmm.

[colleague 1] Breaking news! Three-No-Man is coming!

[colleague 2] Three-No-Man? Wasn't he over at the US office?

[colleague 3] Whoa! The morning commute just got interesting, LOL.

[colleague 4 shivers] I sense a bloodbath coming. Brace yourselves.

[Ji-yoon] "Three-No-Man"? Who are you talking about?

-Geez, you're so in the dark. -Hello.

[colleague 4] Good morning.

-Cha Ji-yoon. -You're here.

I knew you'd come. I got two-for-one.

Thanks. You don't know Kang Si-woo?

[sucks teeth] Kang Si-woo?

Oh, the legendary workaholic?

Exactly. Kang Si-woo is Three-No-Man.

[Ji-yoon] Mmm.

[colleague] "Mmm"?

[Kee-tae] No smiles. No people.

No apologies.

This is Kang Si-woo.

The materials I requested by today aren't in my inbox yet.

Tell me, did my request get lost somewhere?

Or are you just that slow?

[Kee-tae] With his cold and unsmiling face,

he rarely socializes with other people.

And whether dealing with associates or subordinates, he never apologizes.

So, we call him "Three-No-Man."

-[elevator bell dings] -[automated voice] Doors closing.

[phone buzzing]

Yes, this is Kang Si-woo.

[Kee-tae] He's responsible for the task-force project's 100% success rate.

An icon of quick promotions,

he scored two in a row and made manager within five years.

But behind Three-No-Man Kang Si-woo's success

lies the blood of countless people.

I'll be back at work tomorrow.

Yes.

Are you into martial arts novels these days?

Why would we see bloodshed at the workplace?

Well, the staff on the task force teams led by Mr. Kang disappear without a trace

-after they disband. -[scoffs] What?

[Kee-tae] Aw, damn it!

I heard someone had to take a leave of absence to get therapy. [snickers]

[Ji-yoon] Morning, No-ah.

The group chat's have been raging all morning about Three-No-Man.

[Ji-yoon] Right?

He must be impressive if people are going crazy before he gets here.

Is he good looking?

You need to start paying attention to office politics.

Keep your eyes open and ears peeled.

[Ji-yoon] There are 100,000 employees in this company.

How are you supposed to work if you're gonna keep track of every little rumor?

[boss in distance] Come on, why are you doing all this? [groans]

[shouting] I mean, why do you keep going on with this nonsense?

What the heck do you expect us to do if you suspend production now?

Okay, listen. The launch is just around the corner.

We should be compromising, working together, but what…

You're doing what?

Wait, what?

[scoffs] Well, okay, what about me?

-What am I supposed to do? -[line disconnects]

Hello?

Hel--

That… [exclaims]

[shrieks]

Is something wrong, sir?

Apparently, there's a standoff going on right now

between researchers and factory staff.

The production line has been suspended!

What? Why?

That's what I'd like to know.

What on earth did you people do all this time

during the test-production phase, for things to blow up like this, huh?

What are you waiting for?

Get down to the Gwangju factory at once!

Ms. Cha, I want you down there now to resolve this and get the line back up.

Me, sir?

Well do you expect me to go?

If I leave now…

Three hours to get there,

one hour for lunch, at least two hours to resolve the situation,

and another three hours to get back. Nope.

…it'll be too late.

They'll disperse once it's lunchtime. It'll all be over by then.

Even if I head out now--

In that case,

take the helicopter!

Isn't that only for executives though?

In an emergency, even regular employees can take the chopper.

[phone beeps]

[boss] Hello, this is Product Planning Team 1 Manager Ko Young-sam.

I'm requesting a helicopter to the Gwangju factory, immediately.

[helicopter blades whirring]

[sighs] Is this really necessary?

Fine!

I get to ride this and leave work on time.

It's a sweet deal. Huh?

Oh. Wow.

Whoa, awesome!

SAEUM GWANGJU FACTORY 1

-[employee 1] This will not do! -[chuckling] We can't do it.

SAEUM has standards.

We can't just put out ice like that and call it sphere ice?

[cackles] We did nothing more than produce it just as it was designed

by the development team.

But it came out fine in the initial tests.

Did a master craftsman come in and hand-carve them or something?

They come out fine at first,

but the more we produce, the more they turn out like that.

-What do you expect us to do? -Exactly.

That's why I'm saying we should swap out the parts and reset the line.

[huffs] We've tried everything we can!

I mean, no other department is saying anything!

So why are you ice department people making things hard for us?

[scoffs] I mean…

Who's that?

[gasps] Isn't that Ms. Cha from Product Planning?

Ms. Ji-yoon!

Hello there. Have you all been well? Hello. How are you?

How did you get here so quickly?

Look at poor Mr. Kim's face. Oh, dear. [gasps]

All that back and forth between Seoul and Gwangju must be tough.

Honestly, it's killing me.

Here you go. This here is arginine.

I heard it works wonders for fatigue.

-[chuckles] -Make sure you take it, okay?

And what about you? Had a few drinks again last night?

-It was a rough night. -You know,

I've tried everything out there,

and this was the best one.

-[sighs] -Let's stick to this one.

The clarity really isn't great.

[sighs] But it's not like we can delay the launch.

Wow! What's this?

What's this, a dragon's pearl?

Huh! This would make an absolute killer highball, don't you think it would?

[chuckles] She says it's killer.

Well, of course. It is better than ice cubes.

But just look. It's not clear enough.

But we can't make it any clearer than this!

So let's try upgrading the equipment then!

[scoffs] I'm telling you, it won't work! Will you just listen?

Hey, hey! Hold on. Hold on, okay?

How about we produce the test samples first

and then we can gradually work on perfecting the ice quality from there?

Huh? I mean, we still have plenty of other things to test anyway.

We still have to do the door tests and, uh, the temperature stability.

I mean, we have to make the launch… [whispering] …no matter what.

-Don't we? -[sighs]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Geez.

[Si-woo] Why do it later and not now?

What's that now?

[rock music playing]

I asked why the improvements should come after production.

Because if we delay our launch,

a competitor could enter the market before we're able to.

And what if that competitor ends up producing higher quality ice than ours?

We still have an advantage by making the first move.

We can't get so caught up in development that we end up losing on both fronts.

Why didn't you think to secure both fronts from the beginning?

I also consider the ability

to foresee risks and come up with a backup plan to be an important part of the job.

CHA JI-YOON, SR. ASSOCIATE

Ms. Cha Ji-yoon.

Yes?

Have you always worked this way?

What do you mean by that though?

A backup plan is a last resort, only after you've given your best.

Preparing for second best from the very start?

It's not a good look.

I'm not sure who you are

but you seem… like quite the idealist.

I'm Kang Si-woo.

[discordant jazz music playing]

[colleague] Three-No-Man.

Bloodbath.

Blood.

I heard you were coming back but didn't expect to see you here.

There's nowhere better than the field to understand the work.

I thought I'd pay you all a quick visit.

[employee] Gosh, I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Kang.

It's just about time for lunch. Wanna join us?

No, thank you. I'll just look around some more before I leave.

[sighs] What do we do now?

What do you think? Suspend production.

[gasps] Ice spikes! How about that?

[employee] Ice spikes?

You mean reverse icicles?

[Ji-yoon] Yes! Icicles are clear, right?

Can't we just make them like that instead?

[employees chuckling]

You're adorable, Ms. Cha. [chuckling]

[employee] Leave her be.

The corporate world is bleak enough.

At least, the Product Planning Team should be a bit idealistic.

We'll wrap things up here.

You just head back and hand in your report.

MANAGER KO YOUNG-SAM

-[line rings] -[sighs] Did he hear about this already?

I don't wanna go back.

I really don't.

Ah, I'm sorry.

Things wrapped up earlier than expected.

The sooner we go, the better. Let's get going.

Thank you.

Oh, hold on a second. We have another passenger coming.

-Another passenger? -[pilot] Yes.

[comical music playing]

[helicopter whirring]

Allow me to formally introduce myself.

I'm Sr. Associate Cha Ji-yoon from Product Planning Team 1.

I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier, Mr. Kang Si-woo.

You've changed a lot.

Pardon?

[helicopter rumbles]

[gasps]

[pilot] Weather radar check, clear.

Captain? Is everything okay?

Yes, everything's fine.

Oh, uh, earlier this morning, there was a emergency alert.

I mean, it was a heavy, heavy rain warning. [chuckles]

[pilot] Don't worry. The rain is still a long way off.

[chuckles]

Oh. Oh, yes.

Well just in case, make sure you know where your life jacket is.

[stutters] Oh, are there parachutes or something here?

Parachutes?

Oh, right. You could end up hyperventilating.

[stuttering] So, here. This…

-[helicopter clanging] -[screaming, whimpering]

-[clanging stops] -[screaming, whimpering stops]

[comical music playing]

Here. I think you might need this.

Thank… [retching]

[Young-sam] I put you on a helicopter to handle and sort this whole thing out.

And instead you shut the whole thing down?

What are you going to do now?

[shouting] Huh?

I'm sorry, sir.

I mean, wh…

Am I the only one working here?

Am I the only one who's getting paid?

[scoffs]

Well, now,

I will need you all to come up with a plan to handle this crisis

and report back to me by tomorrow morning.

-All right? -[employees] Yes, sir.

[groans, scoffs]

[groans]

[sighs]

He always acts like he's the only one working.

[sighs]

Ms. Cha, are you okay?

Of course, I'm okay.

It's nothing new.

Let's just hurry and figure out a solution.

[lively pop music playing]

RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE SPHERE ICE REFRIGERATOR SUSPENSION

SPHERE ICE REFRIGERATOR RESPONSE PLAN FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL

[automatic voice] Time to clock out!

Time to clock out!

Time to clock out!

All right, then. I think I'm gonna call it a day.

Wow.

-The Clock-out Fairy, all right. -[chuckles]

You finished the report?

It's raining a lot outside, so be sure to take your umbrellas.

[sighs]

I mean, where exactly does Ms. Ji-yoon go

after clocking out right on time every day?

Does she go to the gym?

-Hey. -Come on.

-Ooh, does she date? -Come on!

[wind whistles]

[sighing]

[groans] That's good.

[sighs]

Hey, Buddy,

play some music for an exhausted office worker.

[singer, in Korean] ♪ Way back home Way back home ♪

♪ I'm the happiest when I clock out ♪

[in English] ♪ Oh beautiful, so beautiful ♪

TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS

SAEUM 1919

TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS

There. [sighing]

All right.

[sighing]

Have you always worked this way?

A backup plan is a last resort, only after you've given your best.

Preparing for second best from the very start?

It's not a good look.

Well, what can I do?

That was my absolute best.

Geez.

Another day of wanting to resign.

Hmm?

RESIGNATION URGE STICKERS

-[phone buzzes] -Hmm?

[SAEUM CARD] PAYMENT DUE: JULY 15

[gasps]

AMOUNT DUE: 1,829,890 WON

[scoffs]

[sighs]

Resignation canceled.

Geez! [imitates spitting]

Forget it. [sighs]

-[sighs] -[doorbell rings]

It's here.

[grunting]

Does he think I can't give my best?

It never works out, which is why I look for a backup plan.

Well, hey, but still,

throwing up was a bit much. [chuckles]

[chuckles, smacks lips]

Whatever.

Why did he have to get on the same helicopter anyway?

That's why they say that you meet your worst enemy at work.

Just keep a low profile and stay out of his way.

Hey, our company is huge.

What are the chances of me running into a big shot like him again, huh?

[friend] Is that why you ordered chicken and beer?

[Ji-yoon] Hey.

This stuff is the only thing that keeps me going, okay?

Now that you're a mom, I have no one else to vent to.

Geez. [sighs]

I feel like this could work.

[sucks teeth] Why are they saying it won't?

[friend] Huh? What won't?

Never mind.

Wait, you're not still hung up on finding Ga-eul, are you?

Hey, why're you bringing up his name like that?

-Jesus. Fine, no need to snap. -[baby crying]

Now the baby is awake because of you. [sighs] Bye.

[call ends]

[sighs]

STANDING EGG - OLD SONG

I hate love.

YEAR 2013

[Ga-eul, in Korean] ♪ I take another look ♪

♪ Wondering if it's you ♪

♪ I keep turning back ♪

♪ Hoping it's you ♪

♪ Somewhere ♪

♪ Are you listening to the same song? ♪

♪ Could you be standing still too ♪

♪ Thinking of me? ♪

[in English] Hi there.

Hello. How are you?

[tender music playing]

You have a really great singing voice.

Which instrument do you play?

Sorry?

Drums…

That's cool.

Here.

"COSMOS" BAND SIGN-UP FORM

Welcome.

[upbeat music playing]

[Ji-yoon] The way it gives you

this strange boost in courage you've never had before.

[Ga-eul, in Korean] ♪ Just like the song ♪

♪ We used to share a long time ago ♪

♪ That drifted toward me ♪

♪ On the street by chance ♪

[singing continues]

[Ji-yoon, in English] The way a brief smile

can make you dream of a lasting bond.

I'm enlisting next week.

What?

Buy me lunch when I'm out.

[somber music playing]

[Ji-yoon] And the way I never grew tired of waiting for an answer that never came.

To Ga-eul's final military leave!

Cheers.

To his final leave. Cheers.

Will you go to college after?

I'm off to Australia.

I plan on making music surrounded by nature.

[Ji-yoon chuckles]

That's cool.

That'll be 6.88.

YEAR 2021

[Ga-eul] These too, please.

[tender music playing]

-Hi there. -Ga-eul.

So how've you been?

[Ji-yoon] It was love that made me believe that all those moments between us

were meant to be.

I hate love.

Because it makes too much feel possible.

[rain pattering]

-Next. -[computer chimes]

JEON KEE-TAE PRODUCT PLANNING TEAM 2

-Next. -[computer chimes]

PARK MI-YOUNG PRODUCT PLANNING TEAM 2

[computer chimes]

CHA JI-YOON PRODUCT PLANNING TEAM 1

CHA JI-YOON SR. ASSOCIATE

[gentle music playing]

I am Manager Kang Si-woo, the new team lead

for Product Planning Team 2.

[Ji-yoon] Of all teams, why next to ours?

-Then what happened our team lead? -Leave of absence

due to health issues.

Just like that?

But he was fine.

Maybe he had an underlying condition?

Allow me to introduce myself.

I'm Associate Jeon Kee-tae.

That's J-E-O-N.

Right.

Mr. Park, Mr. Kim, Ms. Han, Mr. Kim Seung-ji, Ms. Choi.

Mr. Jeon Kee-tae,

and Mr. Park In-cheol.

I know who everyone is, so we can skip introductions.

Moving forward, we'll communicate via Messenger.

And all reports should be sent to me via email.

So, please go ahead and compile a list of your current tasks

and send them over ASAP.

Should we at least do a team lunch today,

as a welcome party for you, sir?

I will have lunch on my own after I review your emails.

Of course.

[whispering] Good luck.

-[Kee-tae sighs] Seriously? -[chuckles]

[snickers]

That means he wants everyone to finish before lunch, right?

Don't even think about eating before you're done, basically.

-[sighs] You think Mr. Ko is nicer… -[chuckles]

…when compared to Three-No-Man?

Who's the lesser of two evils?

You really wanna pick one?

[both chuckling]

[colleague] Mr. Ko is here.

-[Young-sam] Darn it. -[Ji-yoon sighs]

Coming and going as he pleases.

What is this, an office or a temple?

Let's see everyone's reports now. [sighs]

RESPONSE PLAN

Come on, you've been a Senior Associate for years now, and this is your report?

You wanna be stuck there forever?

Sorry, sir.

The new team lead won't even give you this kind of feedback.

He'll be too busy looking out for himself, regardless of what happens to his team.

Thank you very much.

I wish I could've told myself five years ago,

"Update your CV and get the hell out of here."

[scoffs] And I wish I could tell myself at your age,

"Skip the bosses who do nothing but suck up and dump their work on you.

Instead, find a capable boss who you can actually learn something from."

It's not too late to do that now.

It is too late.

I've already gotten used to a boss who does the bare minimum.

Oh. Is this the infamous seventh-year slump?

[phone buzzing]

[Ji-yoon sighs]

LADY NAM

Hi, Mom.

[parent] Did you eat already?

I'm about to.

I'm by your office. Come eat with me.

I'll send the location.

-Mom. -[call ends]

Wait, Mom!

SLOW POKE

[date] Ms. Cha Ji-yoon?

Oh, yes.

-And you are? -Oh.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Lee Jeong-woo. We're scheduled to meet today.

What?

[gasps] Ah.

Uh, j-just a moment. [chuckles]

[line ringing]

Damn it! Pick up already.

-Would you let me go in? -[exclaims]

[comical music playing]

Uh, s-sure.

Do you usually fix your own fridge or washing machine when they break down?

I call for service. [chuckling]

[Jeong-woo] Oh. What about computers?

Uh, my friends who studied engineering say they always build their own.

There are pretty complete models nowadays. [chuckles]

[Jeong-woo laughs]

It's still so cool that you work at an electronics company.

My mom freaks out like crazy every time the circuit breaker trips. [chuckles]

And recently, my older sister called someone in to change a lightbulb.

[chuckling]

She ended up getting into a massive fight with her husband that day.

[Ji-yoon] Running into someone from work is bad enough.

And of all people, why Three-No-Man?

Uh, Ms. Ji-yoon.

You have some sauce on your face.

No, the other side.

Oh.

[gasps]

[sighs]

I should just tell you now, before this gets even more awkward.

Tell me.

I am currently taking a short break from dating.

-[Jeong-woo] Oh. Right. -[Ji-yoon sighs]

Honestly,

I actually haven't been able to completely end things with my ex-boyfriend.

I'm so sorry.

[sighs] I know you took the time to come here.

As for the meal,

let me

take care of it.

[both chuckle]

-The person you're trying to reach-- -[line disconnects]

Not answering, huh?

I might as well disown her. Geez.

Oh. Ms. Soo-jin.

-Ji-yoon. How've you been? -[Ji-yoon] Good.

I saw you won the Designer of the Year award. Congratulations.

Thank you. [chuckles] Oh…

If you happen to have time, would you like to come for lunch?

-Are you serious? -She's getting married.

Congratulations!

-I'll be sure to attend the wedding. -No pressure, though.

-Okay. -I'll see you later.

Shall we?

-Take care. -Goodbye.

[No-ah] The Design Team is so lucky

to be working with such a cool boss like her.

Tell me about it.

She's talented, straightforward, and has a sense of humor.

She's my ultimate mentor and my role model.

[both chuckling]

[No-ah] Oh, I wish I was getting married.

I hear your boyfriend is very sweet.

-[giggles] I'm so jealous! -What?

[curious music plays]

-Boyfriend? What the… -[scoffs]

Ms. Cha.

-Ms. Cha, I heard you're getting married. -But I'm not.

Come on, don't be shy.

Congrats. [chuckles]

Wait.

Ms. Cha, what's going on?

I don't know. [chuckles]

-Maybe they've got it wrong? -Hmm.

[laughs] Well, I did hear that lunchtime blind dates were all the rage these days,

but man, I didn't know my colleague was so trendy.

So, was it love at first sight or what? Huh?

Ms. Cha, did you just come back from a blind date?

-No-ah, just head on inside. -Wait!

[shushes]

-What, what? Oh, it's not? Uh… -Wait, a blind date…

-No-ah, stay there. -[gasps]

Damn you! Who told you I was on a blind date?

The company forum did.

Look, it's on the forum. It's blowing up all over.

[sighs]

Seems like Sr. Associate C from Planning Team 1 will be getting married soon.

Someone saw her at the poke place on a blind date over lunch.

Apparently, the guy was all over her, caressing her face and everything.

-Wait. -[coworker 2] Really?

I guess the Clock-out Fairy makes good use of her lunch time too.

-Is she the Blind-Date Fairy now? -Did it go well? I'm so curious!

No way.

[mischievous music plays]

[Kee-tae] No way what?

[sighs]

[exhales sharply]

Whoa. Hey, is it fake news?

Is it raining?

Wow, he seriously spread a rumor in such little time?

[sighs] I can't believe it.

Wait, who would Three-No-Man tell anyway?

But he's the only one who saw the guy touch my face.

[scoffs]

[sighs]

Did you enjoy your lunch today?

Yes.

By any chance,

did you also hear the rumor that I was on a blind date over lunch?

Was it a blind date?

It's not like I knew I was there for a date, and I'm not seeing him again.

Now why would someone spread a rumor like that

when they don't even know the whole story?

Do I look like I care?

[Ji-yoon] It wasn't him.

[chuckles] There's a lot of fake news floating around the office.

I just thought I'd let you know.

JULY 26 PARK HYEONG-JIN AND CHOI SOO-JIN

Oh.

Uh, Manager Choi Soo-jin from the Design Team is getting married.

Will you be attending the wedding?

Don't you think you should go to the wedding?

The Design Team collaborates with the Product Planning Team quite a lot.

Why would I go to the wedding?

[scoffs]

What's with this guy anyway?

[scoffs]

[sighs]

[Ji-yoon sighs] How could you arrange a blind date near my office?

Do you know how humiliating that is?

I wouldn't have stepped in if you were doing well.

Wait, what am I not doing well?

What else? Marriage, of course.

[sighs] Mom, who even gets married at my age these days?

Well, if you're not considering marriage,

-why did you even move in with-- -[shushes]

With? What was that?

Nothing, Ji-yoon, I didn't say a word.

[scoffs] Hey.

You better cough up all the money I gave you.

Fine.

I didn't see it for myself and you were never caught,

so nothing happened, right?

How can I pretend that never happened?

That's right. Yeah, I did live with Ga-eul.

I even thought about marrying him, but we broke up. So what?

Exactly, so just meet a decent guy and get married already!

No!

-Seriously, geez. -[call ends]

You.

Did you take money from your sister too?

Well, I just wanted to keep peace within the family…

-[grunts] -[yelps]

Living together, I can ignore, but two-timing? Absolutely not!

I'm home.

Where's my burger?

Here.

You really need to stop eating this stuff.

Pulling another all-nighter?

Oh. Yeah.

Geez, why did you quit your job out of the blue to write a web novel, huh?

If you're going to do that then, at least write a fantasy. Office Rendezvous.

Who wants to read about a workplace romance?

And why is my dear sister nagging me the second she walks in?

You need to pull yourself together and start dating again. [sighs]

I mean, why did you have to date a jerk like that?

[sighs]

GOO-WON

[No-ah] Babe, have you had dinner? What should we do this weekend?

I guess he's really busy.

All right. I just sent over an email.

Let's use that attachment as our response plan.

Just like that?

I heard even the test production was suspended because of the clarity issue.

So, Mr. Ko, what happens if this situation persists?

-That's why I've prepared a response plan. -Ah.

-Ms. Cha. -Right.

If the domestic launch hits a snag,

I propose pushing the North American launch first.

[Ji-yoon] This is my report.

[Young-sam] How is it that none of these reports are useful at all?

I'll handle this report myself. Send all of your reports to my email.

NORTH AMERICAN MARKET SURVEY ON SPHERE ICE

[No-ah] Yes, sir.

[Young-sam] Since the demand for sphere ice in North America

is higher than in the domestic market,

our market research has shown us that they prioritize shape and function

over actual clarity.

Based on this, we can target the overseas market first,

then use that success to build momentum for the do--

[stammers] Huh?

[stammers] Right.

So, the domestic lau… Right, so…

-[whispering] Ms. Cha, what are you doing? -Apologies.

There's a system error. I'll restart it now.

Oh, Mr. Ko. Please continue, Mr. Ko.

[Young-sam] Right, right.

Um, so overseas… Uh, I mean, the North American… [stammering] …launch

would come first and then the market will, um…

I think it would be best to have the visuals up while I walk you through it.

Then, I'll ask you a question in the meantime.

Please do.

-What is sphere ice? -[Young-sam scoffs]

Well, you just came from the States.

I mean, Mr. Kang, have you never been to a whiskey bar?

Those round ice balls are called sphere ice.

No.

I don't mean the shape. I was asking about its features.

One of its key features is that it melts slower than regular ice cubes,

allowing you to enjoy the drink's original flavor for longer.

Then one could simply use ice molds available on the market.

Is it really worth buying a sphere ice fridge that's more expensive

than a standard one?

[stammers]

Then, what do you think is the core value of sphere ice, Mr. Kang?

Its aesthetics.

The reason people purchase expensive designer bags

isn't for their functionality, but for their rarity and design.

The sphere ice our refrigerator makes must be the same.

Not a poorly imitated chunk of ice,

but a perfectly clear luxury product

created with innovative technology in mind.

[Young-sam stammers] Like I explained earlier,

that is impossible to do with current technology, so--

Do you think so too, Ms. Cha Ji-yoon?

Sir?

Tell me how else can we improve the sphere's clarity?

[gasps] Ice spikes, how about that?

Icicles are clear, right?

Can't we just make them like that instead?

We can't.

So then,

what is your verdict, Mr. Kang Si-woo?

I suggest we suspend all plans to launch the sphere ice fridge.

[scoffs]

We've been working on it this entire time,

-so to suddenly suspend it would be, uh… -[smacks lips, sighs]

We'd face significant losses if we suspended operations.

Isn't that incredibly irresponsible?

The losses would be minimal compared to it becoming a white elephant.

[Ji-yoon] Now you're actually stealing your own subordinate's report,

you shameless, pathetic excuse for a boss?

[sighs] Sure.

If the pay is the same either way,

might as well be a slacker than a slave.

Let me try doing just that.

-[scoffs] -Is this the model that was shown at CES?

A GLOBAL ELECTRONICS TRADE SHOW FOR UNVEILING NEW PRODUCTS

Yes.

Why didn't you say anything?

-Sir? -Ice spikes.

I see.

You thought that if you did, you'd get shut down like at the factory,

or have your idea stolen like it was today.

Is that why you stayed quiet when you were asked to speak?

[phone buzzing]

JEON KEE-TAE KEE-TAE

Hey.

I'm on my way.

[call ends]

It's not that I didn't want to.

It's just that I couldn't.

I'm just not too sure about it yet.

[gentle music plays]

Hey.

Hi.

This is the team's wedding gift money. Can you drop it off for us?

Why me?

I took the initiative and collected them all,

-but my mother-in-law is coming. -[chuckles] All right.

I'm going anyway, so I might as well come bearing gifts.

Thanks.

-I got one more favor to ask you. -What is it?

I'm sorry to do this to the Clock-out Fairy, but I'm still missing one.

Could you hang around and get my manager's envelope? That'd be great.

Oh, come on. Mr. Kang makes me feel uncomfortable.

Me too, but my mother-in-law is even worse.

What am I saying? Never mind, forget it. Love you!

Hey! Hey!

Geez. [sighs]

JEON KEE-TAE SAEUM

[sighs]

Why would I go to the wedding?

[sighs]

[groans]

He snapped at me just for asking if he was going to the wedding.

How am I supposed to ask for his gift money?

Damn it.

[sighs]

[automated voice] The bus that will be arriving soon is number 266.

Why is he here?

[gasps]

Oh.

Sir, how do you… Where did you… [stammers] How did you…

-I found it in the product showroom. -Oh!

Oh, uh, thank you so much. [chuckles]

Did you come here just to give me this?

Well, I guess you could say that.

You could've given it to me later.

Thank you so much.

Well then, have a good night.

Hello.

[Ji-yoon] What? Why is he getting on this bus?

[whimsical music plays]

[Ji-yoon gasps] Oh, no!

There are plenty of empty seats.

So why sit right next to me?

Don't tell me. Is he following me?

Why?

Lots of interesting things written in your notebook.

Did you happen to read my notebook?

I had to find its owner.

Right.

There were a lot of brilliant ideas in there.

If it were me,

I'd have given you about ten of those stamps.

GREAT JOB!

And one more if that's not enough.

Ah. [stutters] Thank you?

I mean, no, I didn't mean it like I wanted one more. [chuckles]

He went out of his way to return my notebook,

and now he's complimenting my ideas?

[gasps] Could it be?

I'll make sure to deliver it safely.

And what am I supposed to give you?

The wedding gift for Choi Soo-jin.

Ms. Cha Ji-yoon, didn't you study engineering?

Yes. That's right, engineering.

I think you would've thrived in a more creative field.

Ah. Would you prefer a bank transfer?

Shall I tell you my bank details?

Tell me, Ms. Cha, would you send a wedding gift

for your ex-husband's wedding?

Sorry?

[automated voice] This stop is Wonam-dong.

-The next stop is Korea Corporation. -[bell rings]

[automated voice] Please be patient. The bus will stop shortly.

[gasps] Is Mr. Kang…

Ms. Soo-jin's

ex-husband?

[orchestral music plays]

[photographer] All right, smile for the camera.

All right. One, two, three.

-One more. -Okay.

-One, two, three. -[shutter clicks]

-Congratulations. -Stay for the meal later.

[Ji-yoon] It makes no sense.

Why would someone like Ms. Soo-jin that way?

[guest] You look gorgeous!

[Ji-yoon] I mean, why on earth?

JULY 26 PARK HYEONG-JIN AND CHOI SOO-JIN

Don't you think you should go to the wedding?

Why would I go to the wedding?

Tell me, Ms. Cha, would you send a wedding gift

for your ex-husband's wedding?

[sighs]

[Ji-yoon] This is Cha Ji-yoon.

I'm sorry, Mr. Cha.

I believe I made an honest mistake.

I apologize if I offended you.

MANAGER KANG SI-WOO

[sighs]

[sighs]

[mellow music plays]

[Ji-yoon] Some say that marriage is where romance goes to die.

But back then,

I believed otherwise.

That marriage was actually

what completes romance.

I've made up my mind.

Our honeymoon will be in Hawaii!

But don't you need to be married to go on a honeymoon?

Obviously.

[Ga-eul exhales deeply]

Let's just go now.

Hmm?

If we go now, I'm sure the plumerias will be in full bloom.

We'll breathe in their scent

while you swim and I write music.

What do you think? It's exciting to think about, right?

-Mm-hmm. It is. -[chuckles]

And that's why I'm saving it for later.

Oh, come on.

-Let's just go. -No.

-Let's go. -Hey.

-Stop it! [laughing] -Come on! Let's just go!

-I told you to stop! Stop! -Let's go! Let's go!

-Stop already. -Let's go!

Let's go! Let's just go! Come on. Let's go.

[Ga-eul] Heading off to soak in the winter sea.

I'll come back with a killer song. Love you.

-[chuckles] -[gentle music plays]

[Ji-yoon] I really loved your free spirit.

But in the end, it became the very reason we broke up.

[music swells]

WHY AREN'T YOU HERE?

WHERE ARE YOU? WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK?

I'M WORRIED SO CALL ME PICK UP YOUR PHONE!

OKAY, LET'S END IT HERE… IT'S OVER

[phone buzzes]

[Si-woo] If you're really sorry, buy me a drink or something.

[Ji-yoon] The most important variables in life

tend to occur

when you least expect them to.

[phone buzzing]

Yes, Mr. Kang.

-You can see me, right? -Excuse me?

-[traffic light beeping] -[Ji-yoon] Where are you?

I'm across the street.

Oh.

In which direction?

[gentle music plays]

Why would you just stop there like that, huh?

Let's go.

[Ji-yoon] I never in the world

thought that I'd be meeting this guy alone outside work and on a weekend.

Was he always so tall?

[intriguing music plays]

[romantic music plays]

I didn't think you'd go to places like this.

-A friend of mine runs the place, so-- -[friend] Welcome.

What the… When did you get back from the States?

He's generous with the freebies.

[Ji-yoon] So he actually has a friend?

With zero customers like this, shouldn't you just shut down?

[friend] Geez. Nagging me the minute he sees me.

Oh, please take a seat.

Oh, okay.

[Ji-yoon] What's more, he seems normal.

[romantic music plays]

Single malt? Is that okay?

Yes, anything is fine.

[Ji-yoon] What's with this gentle tone all of a sudden?

Here you go.

I'll duck out to the storeroom for a sec.

[Ji-yoon] He seems like a completely different person outside the office.

Were you surprised I contacted you out of the blue?

Yes, a little.

-[clicks tongue] -But why did you…

Did you get back from the wedding okay?

Oh. So that's what he wanted to see me for.

-Yes. -How was it?

Just pretty normal…

happy vibes.

What am I saying?

But then the food was kind of meh.

But what did you do today though?

-Well, I just worked out all day. -Right.

On a day like today, you have to move around like crazy

and, well, just drown out your…

Right. Well, I'm gonna need a bit of this.

I'm no longer the team lead for Product Planning Team 2.

Sorry?

I was fired.

Oh.

[exhales sharply]

Tha…

That's exactly why you shouldn't have suggested ending all operations

at that meeting.

[sighs]

[phone buzzing]

PRESIDENT HAN U-JIN

Oh. The President.

-Feel free to keep drinking. -[buzzing continues]

This might actually take a while.

Sure. Don't worry about me. Take all the time you need.

Mr. Kang!

Just, uh, beg like you really mean it. All right?

-You've got this. -[scoffs]

Hmm.

-This is Kang Si-woo. -[Ji-yoon chuckles]

He needs to lighten up a bit.

[sighs]

-Would you like another glass? -Please.

[whispers] Actually, to the brim please.

Oh. To the brim.

Right.

[somber music plays]

OKAY, LET'S END IT HERE… IT'S OVER

[slurred] So that means…

I was…

basically fired by Cho Ga-eul, eh.

[sighs]

[exhales] I can't even change jobs at this rate.

[exclaims]

[scoffs]

OKAY, LET'S END IT HERE… IT'S OVER - DELIVERED

Okay. Then I will make sure that the handover is completed by next week.

All right.

PRESIDENT HAN U-JIN

[exhales sharply] What happened here?

She started hitting it hard the moment you stepped out.

[sighs]

I guess I picked the wrong day then.

Time to get up. I'll take you home now.

Excuse me, ma'am?

What now?

-Ms. Cha Ji-yoon. -Hmm?

You're late for work.

[Ji-yoon] I never get to work late, you know.

I may not look like it now,

but I'm the Clock-in, Clock-out Fairy for a reason, you know.

[chuckles]

A fairy? Is that what you said?

Since when did you become a fairy?

Hmm. Up until my third year at the company,

I pulled all-nighters like it was nothing.

There is just so, so much I wanted to do back then.

It's that period when you're full of passion but not much know-how.

Right.

And by my fifth year…

[clicks tongue] …I ran myself ragged with work

dumped on me from the higher-ups,

and not even ten of me would've been enough back then.

Which is why that's usually the time most people switch jobs.

Then one day, I collapsed from working too much.

Oh, no.

[sighs]

But nothing happened, really.

Even when I took a few days of sick leave,

the company kept running just fine without me.

[scoffs] You know, I thought that if I quit,

the company would just fall apart. Seriously.

But there are always spare parts stacked up

-to replace the broken ones. -Exactly.

That's why

I decided I would just become the Clock-out Fairy. [laughs]

You know, it's like,

if someone you're hopelessly in love with

keeps ignoring your feelings to the very end,

then you, like, you know, you have to put up a wall at some point too.

Even if the sky falls,

I'm clocking out on time, okay?

It's like the last bit of pride I have left against this company. Hmm.

But still, you didn't run away in the end.

But he did.

Ran away.

I was going to propose, you know.

But then…

he ran away. [scoffs]

Who did?

My boyfriend.

No.

My ex-boyfriend.

No, wait.

Did we really break up?

[scoffs] No, no. No. We're broken up.

-Yes, we're finished. -[chuckles] Wait.

At what point did you start talking about your boyfriend?

Geez, it's all the same anyway.

Dating or going to work.

At first, your heart races and you feel giddy,

but after a while, all you can see are all the flaws.

Then you think, "I'm going to quit." And then, you get paid.

And then you think, "I should break up," it's your anniversary.

Then one day, it hits you like a brick.

"What am I doing right now?"

Yes, I know.

Just like you said. I'm a coward.

No matter what happens, I always think of contingencies

and prepare for a Plan B.

But what am I supposed to do if that's the best I can do?

You think you're any different?

You got fired in the end too! [yelps]

[romantic music plays]

Careful now.

A fall at your age can mean broken bones.

[Ji-yoon] Is there a chance that hope…

will ever show itself

on this hellish way to work?

What're you doing tomorrow?

Sorry?

If you're up for it,

we should meet up again. Okay?

Would you like to have

another drink at my place right now?

[romantic music plays]

SPECIAL THANKS TO HAN MYEONG-JAE,

JUNG MIN-CHUL, O.WHEN

[Si-woo] Ms. Cha Ji-yoon, I think

I like you.

Are you crazy? [groans]

I'm going to quit!

There's something between you and Mr. Kang.

-May I join you for lunch? -Please take this seat.

[mouthing] No.

Then while you get your caffeine fix,

-shall we have a chat? -Oh!

[Kee-tae] This was it? Is this why Mr. Kang asked to see you?

Oh! Ow! [chuckles]

[manager] Have you taken an interest in someone?

[Hye-ji] Go see if there's any chemistry there.

[Si-woo] So, Ms. Cha… you should join me.

I feel… giddy.