Original subtitles

[♪ theme song playing]

PARK MINJAE'S LIST

START DATING...

BETWEEN STEPS

CHARACTERS, PLACES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND EVENTS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS

THIS DRAMA CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT

[♪ pensive music plays]

[Youjin] What are you thinking about right now?

[♪ music fades]

What are you thinking about?

[hesitating] I wasn't thinking about anything.

Wait, you feel kind of warm.

[Minjae] Hmm?

No, I'm not.

[Youjin] Let me see.

I think you have a bit of a fever.

-That's because I have a bit of a cold. -[Youjin] Yeah.

I just need to take medicine and...

Yeah, I just need to take meds.

Then eat the porridge, take your meds, and get some sleep.

Hold on a second.

[Minjae] Okay.

FINAL EPISODE

[♪ pleasant music playing]

[Youjin] Do you have a bowl for this?

-A bowl? -[Youjin] Yes.

[Minjae] A bowl... Right.

I've got two here.

[Youjin] Just one is enough.

Why? Aren't you going to eat?

[Youjin] No, I'm good.

But... Why not?

Let's eat together.

-Hmm? -[Youjin] Mmm-mmm.

It's still warm. I don't think we need to heat it up.

One moment.

[Minjae] Thank you.

[Youjin] You need the side dishes too, right?

Side dishes? Side dishes...

There's kimchi...

[Youjin] Kimchi would be too spicy for you right now.

Do you have a sauce dish?

[Minjae] A sauce dish? Yeah. Hold on.

A small dish...

This. I have this one.

[Youjin] Yeah, this one will do.

You can sit down.

[Minjae] Okay.

[Youjin] Here.

Eat up.

[Minjae] Okay.

[Youjin] If it's too bland, add some soy sauce.

[Minjae] Okay.

Mmm! Mmm.

[Youjin] Hmm.

But it's probably not bland.

I was bawling my eyes out when I made it.

That porridge has at least two bowls of my tears in it,

so there's no way it's bland. It might even be too salty.

Did you cry because you were so worried and sad when you heard I was sick?

[Minjae snickers]

Why are you laughing?

Is this funny to you?

[Minjae chuckles softly]

[Youjin tuts]

It's not salty.

It's sweet.

I'm telling the truth.

Try it.

It's sweet. It's really delicious.

Here.

Come on, just try a bite. Come on.

-[Youjin sighs] -[Minjae] Come on.

If you thought I forgave it all, you're wrong.

We're not back together.

We're not?

[Youjin] Of course not.

I'm super petty, okay? And I hold grudges forever.

So don't get the wrong idea.

[Minjae] Okay.

[sighs]

[sniffles]

[Youjin] What?

[Minjae sighs]

I don't want to eat anymore.

Well, we can't see each other.

We can't do that.

But we can talk on the phone at night.

On the phone?

[Youjin] Yeah.

If you call me at night, I'll answer.

So calling me is okay.

And thinking about me before going to bed. You can do that too.

And when you wake up in the morning, you can think about me first thing.

That's okay too. You can do that.

And you can think about me all day.

And like me. Like me like crazy.

Well, that one's kind of tricky, actually.

No. Actually, you can do that.

-[Minjae] Okay. -[Youjin] All right.

Will you eat that porridge now?

[Minjae] Huh? Yeah.

But we can't get back together or start dating again.

We can't do that?

[Youjin] No.

Some things you can, some things you can't.

Sometimes this, sometimes that.

Complicated, isn't it?

-[Minjae sighs] -[Youjin chuckles softly]

You're so cute.

[cell phone vibrates]

Hang on a second.

It's Mom. I should head home.

-[Minjae] Okay. -[Youjin] I'm sorry.

[Minjae] No worries. I'll call you a taxi. One second.

[Youjin] Don't. I can just take a bus home. It's okay.

Then let me walk you to the bus stop.

The bus stop is right around the corner.

I can go by myself.

[Minjae] But...

Finish the porridge, take your meds, and get some rest.

I'll call you.

[Minjae] But... No, wait. Wait.

Wait right there.

Give me one second.

-Now... -[door lock beeps]

[♪ pleasant music turns upbeat]

Oh.

Youjin.

[sighs]

[♪ theme song playing]

-[door closes] -[door lock beeps]

Where are you?

Hey, I said I'd walk you to the bus stop.

You don't need to. I said I'm okay.

Yeah.

Ah. I'm almost there already.

Yeah. I'm already at the bus stop.

Yeah.

I'll call you when I get home.

-[Minjae] Hello. -[digital beeps]

[♪ theme song continues playing]

[Minjae grunts]

-[Youjin] Huh? -[Minjae groans]

Man, it's cold.

When did you get here?

[Minjae chuckles]

It's cold, isn't it?

[Minjae] Yeah.

Do you want to listen to music?

Yeah, I'd love to.

Is this the right side?

Like this. There.

Me?

[Minjae] Go on in.

[Youjin] Okay.

[Minjae] Make sure to eat.

Bye. I'll call you.

[Minjae] Bye.

[Minjae exclaims softly]

-It's cold. Go. -[Minjae] No, it's not cold.

I'll watch you head in.

-Bye. -[Minjae] Go.

-[Youjin mouthing] Go. -[Minjae mouthing] Go.

[♪ theme song ends]

[door lock beeps]

[♪ comical music playing]

[gate closes]

[♪ music fades]

Mom, is Youjin home?

Yeah. She just got home. Why?

[Youseong] What do you mean, why?

[loudly] Hey, Lim Youjin!

It's your day off,

and you can't even stay home for once?

You could at least run some errands for Mom and help her out a little.

She's got a lot on her plate.

Come on.

You ran one errand, and you're making a big deal out of it?

[Youseong] Mom, I'm not saying this because I ran one errand.

I'm telling the truth.

Hey, Youjin.

Come on, am I wrong?

Didn't you bring the porridge container back home?

I mean, the thermos you put the porridge in earlier.

I forgot. [clears throat] I'll make sure to get it back.

[Miyoung] Okay.

Porridge?

Youjin's friend is sick, so she made some porridge and went over to see her.

Man, she didn't even get to rest on her day off.

Her friend?

Hey, who is this friend you even made porridge for?

Who did you make the porridge for? I said, who is it?

Who is this friend?

Jeez, it's Subin.

Subin caught a cold.

What? Subin caught a cold?

[Miyoung] Yeah, apparently.

Youjin made porridge and took it to her.

[Yongseok] Hmm. I see.

Did she see a doctor?

That poor girl is away from home all by herself, and she's sick?

[Youjin] Ah. It's just a cold.

She had the porridge and took her meds. Now, she's all better.

[Minjae sighs]

[chuckles softly]

[cell phone vibrating]

[sighs]

[♪ jazz music playing over speakers]

-[Minjae] Hello. -[Jihoon] Hey.

Can we get another glass, please?

-[staff] Oh. Got it. -[Minjae] I don't need one.

I quit drinking.

[Jihoon] We don't need the glass, actually.

[staff] Got it.

[Jihoon sighs]

[Minjae] You said you had a favor to ask me?

If it's something I can help you with, I will.

If I can't, well, there's not much I can do about that.

But I came out here to at least hear you out.

I wanted to ask you a favor about Youjin.

What about Youjin?

[Jihoon] Uh...

This is Youjin's.

They're matching rings.

I can't keep them forever,

so I'd like you to give them to her.

Well, don't get me wrong.

They're not mine. They're Youjin's.

She didn't give them to me.

Well, she did give them to me,

but she didn't mean it that way.

I'm not explaining this very well.

[Minjae sighs]

If they're Youjin's, why don't you give them to her yourself?

I can't. I can't call her right now.

[Minjae] What do you mean, you can't call her?

She hasn't changed her number or anything. Just call her.

I don't need to explain every little detail to you.

No, I'm not asking you to explain it to me.

Just do it yourself.

They're yours.

Youjin bought them for your birthday.

You're supposed to hear this from her,

but I'm telling you because I think you misunderstand.

What do you mean, misunderstand?

That's... not what it is.

Yeah, there's nothing to misunderstand, really.

You know better than anyone

how Youjin feels and how much she likes you.

So do better, you jerk.

The timing, reality, the circumstances... That's all just excuses and bullshit.

[Minjae] It's not bullshit--

It is, you jerk.

Everything you're saying is about making sure you'll be loved.

If the circumstances are right, if there's time, and if things are easier,

then she'll love you, you'll be loved, and she won't leave.

That's your logic.

[Minjae sighs heavily]

Look, forget all that.

Think about how you can love her instead.

[♪ gentle music playing]

It's not hard. It's easy.

Don't underestimate how she feels, don't dismiss her feelings.

Be sincere with her.

Do the things she wants you to do,

and don't do the things she tells you she doesn't like.

And if you don't know what she likes or doesn't like, just ask her.

Ask her, and then just do that.

Do you get what I'm saying?

Jeez. Did you get it or what?

[tuts] Why are there so many students like you here?

Jeez, it's like talking to a monkey.

[Minjae] What?

Actually, you're tall, so...

You're a chimpanzee.

[Minjae scoffs]

[Jihoon] I'm tired.

[grunts] Let's go.

[groans]

Take that with you.

We're going to pay now.

[Jihoon grunts]

All right. You said you quit drinking,

so next time, let's grab some food instead of drinks.

Sure. Next time, it'll be on me.

[Jihoon] Don't you have gloves?

Gloves?

I lose stuff easily

and they're uncomfortable, so I don't wear them.

Look.

Youjin knitted these herself

and gave them to me for Christmas.

[Minjae] Ah.

[Jihoon] Now go.

[♪ music fades]

I know I'm the woman here, but I'm going to put my pride aside

and make the first move.

[♪ soft music playing]

Park Minjae...

I like you.

I want you to be my boyfriend.

[♪ music fades]

[door opens, closes]

[Youjin] Mom, can you hurry and get mine ready first?

[Miyoung] Yeah, I'm almost done.

[Youjin] Okay. I'm not going to eat much.

-Just a little. -[Miyoung] All right.

-I'm running late. Can you please... -[Miyoung] Fine.

Hey, don't worry. You can take your time.

Your brother is going to drive you to school.

[Youjin] Huh?

[gate opens]

[gate closes]

[Youseong] You sit in the back.

[Youjin] Why?

[Youseong] Because you get out before Subin.

[Youjin] What?

[car starting]

[Youseong] Subin, get in here.

[Youjin] No, get in here.

[Youseong] No, here...

-[Youjin] Come on, here. -[Subin] Okay.

[Youseong] Get in... here.

[Subin] Hello.

Yeah, hello, Subin.

You didn't have to give me a ride, though.

I would've been fine.

[Youjin] Hmm.

I'm already driving Youjin anyway, so you might as well come with us.

It's nice having someone to chat with on the way.

[Youseong] Right. I heard you were sick, Subin.

[Subin] Ah. Yeah.

What about the doctor? Did you go see one?

It wasn't that bad. It was just a cold.

It's been so cold lately, so...

[Youjin] Yeah.

So I caught a cold.

Right.

[Youseong] I know. It's been freezing the past few days.

Too bad you got sick, because it's supposed to stay cold.

How about I keep giving you rides until you're feeling better?

Uh... No, I'm fine.

[Youseong] Well, I can just pick you up too when I give Youjin a ride.

[Youjin] Really? Dude, you're going to give me a ride every morning?

"Dude"? Show your brother some respect.

Uh, I mean, sorry.

So you're going to give me a ride every morning?

Well, it's cold, and taking the bus can be exhausting.

Mmm... Well, I'd love that.

Subin, I can give you a ride too.

Oh. Really?

You'll really give us a ride every morning? You promise?

Yay, I get to sleep an extra 30 minutes.

[both chuckle]

Subin, do you have a boyfriend?

-Sorry? -Why would you ask something like that?

[Youseong] Why not? What's wrong with asking?

I was just checking to find a nice guy among my friends to set her up with.

You don't have any nice guy friends.

And you have no idea how popular Subin is.

There are tons of guys lining up for her.

No way.

Who likes me? There's no one like that.

Kim Sejin. He follows you around because he likes you.

[Youseong] Kim Sejin?

Who's Kim Sejin?

He's a guy from my cohort in the lab.

He's smart, but kind of a jerk.

Hmm. There's a guy like that?

No, he doesn't like me.

And I don't like him either.

No, I didn't say you liked him. I said he likes you.

Yeah, I know.

He doesn't like me, either.

[♪ comical music playing]

Anyway, there's nothing going on between you two, right?

No.

Nothing.

There's absolutely nothing between us.

If you have any nice friends, please set me up with one of them.

Really?

Should I set you up with my friend?

Then how about a blind date?

Apparently, my relative knows this guy who is a MOFE deputy director.

He went to our school, and I hear he's a really great guy.

Hey, Lim Youjin, don't butt in. You stay out of this.

[Youjin] Oh, boy. Drive home safe. Bye.

Hey. Kim Sejin.

[Sejin sighs]

Look, Youjin.

I didn't mean to put you in a tough situation or anything.

So don't get the wrong idea.

[Youjin] The wrong idea?

But you know what they say.

"You make the mess, you clean it up."

Yeah, I do.

You think I wouldn't know that saying?

It's not that.

Anyway, I... [clearing throat]

[inhales] I believe the one who caused the problem should be the one to fix it.

So you need to...

deal with your problem.

What are you talking about?

You'll know soon enough.

By the way, wasn't it... Subin in the car just now?

Yeah, it was.

[Sejin exclaims softly] I forgot to reach out to her.

Hey, didn't you two have a thing going on?

There's nothing going on.

We're just friends. Just friends.

[Youjin] I see.

Subin said there's nothing between you two, either.

That's what Subin said? That there's nothing between us?

[Youjin] Yeah.

And Subin is going on a blind date.

What?

Well, we know this guy who is a deputy director at the MOFE.

And when I offered to set them up, she said yes.

[sighing] Damn it.

[cell phone vibrates]

[Sejin] Subin, are you going on a blind date?

[♪ light music playing]

YES

SEND

[Subin] Yes.

[cell phone vibrates]

[Sejin] Why?

[mumbles] What does he mean, "Why?"

It's none of your business, isn't it?

[cell phone vibrating]

INCOMING CALL KIM SEJIN

Aren't you going to answer that?

It's a spam call.

POWER OFF

[line ringing]

[automation] The phone is turned off.

You will now be connected to voicemail...

[line disconnects]

[Taeho coughing]

[cell phone vibrates]

[Sejin] I'm going to head out.

[Taeho] Huh?

Are you going somewhere?

[Sejin] Ah. Library. To the library.

[Taeho] Hey, before you head off to the library...

-Hey, could you... -[Hangyeol] Hey, where are you...

No, I need to head out right now.

-[Taeho] Hey! That little... -[Hangyeol] But...

[Taeho] Hey.

[door closes]

[Chansoo] Hey.

Hey!

[Chansoo grunts]

[Hangyeol] Hey...

Youjin.

-[Youjin] Yes? -[Hangyeol] Are you busy?

-You're not? No? -[Youjin] No.

Well, I just have something to ask you.

What?

[Hangyeol] I don't know if I should ask this, though.

It's not really okay to pry into someone's personal life, right?

Mmm... Of course not. Why would you even ask?

Yeah, right? That's what I thought too.

[Chansoo] How is that personal? It's a team matter.

It is personal.

[groans] Enough, Hangyeol. Forget it. [tuts]

Youjin. So...

Whether it's personal or not, I...

Actually, even if it's personal, I need to know this.

Excuse me?

Is it true that you and Minjae used to date?

I need to know the truth so I know how to handle this.

Is it true or not? Just tell me that. Give me a straight answer.

[telephone ringing]

-Right. Answer the phone first. -[Youjin] Uh...

Yes. Hello?

Yes, Professor. This is Youjin.

What?

Right now?

[knock on door]

[Jaehong] Yes.

[door opens]

Have a seat. Mmm.

So I asked to see you because I wanted to ask you something.

I'm not good at beating around the bush, so I'll be straight.

I hear you and Minjae used to date.

Is it true?

Did you two date in secret and break up while Minjae was doing his postdoc abroad?

Well, I'm not trying to pry

into your personal life just to gossip.

I'm asking because it could cause problems in our lab.

We didn't do anything that could be problematic for the lab.

So it's true that you two used to date?

Yes, we used to date, but we didn't do anything that could be problematic.

Dating in the lab...

when you're supposed to be studying is problematic in itself.

[Jaehong sighs heavily]

If you're going to date, do it right and get married.

But no. You broke up, you fought,

you vomited blood, and you ended up in the hospital. I mean...

[sighs]

What is this?

Isn't all that disrupting the academic environment

and bringing down the whole lab?

Of course, I'm not saying this is all your fault.

It takes two to tango, as they say. Minjae was in the wrong, too.

He's older, and as your senior, he should've known better.

That said... [smacks lips]

You see, it'd be easier for you to move

than Minjae.

You've got less weighing you down.

Pardon?

Move?

[smacks lips] You're almost done with your master's,

so you can finish it here.

But after that, consider transferring to another school.

[scoffs] But I didn't do anything bad enough to get kicked out of school.

[Jaehong] No, you're not getting kicked out.

I'll write you the recommendation letters and all.

What... No.

[sighs] Then I'd rather you make this an official matter

and determine who's right and who's wrong.

I'll take responsibility for my wrongs, and accept any punishment from the school.

That would be going too far.

No, I don't think that's necessary.

Yes, I do think it's necessary.

I'll make this official and take the punishment.

[Jaehong] No, I mean... Youjin.

This isn't the US.

It'll be awkward for two exes to be around each other.

The whole idea was just...

that one of you could be considerate of the other.

Exactly. Why should I be the one to be considerate?

It's not awkward for me.

Well, Minjae vomited blood.

[sighs]

I'm asking for your sympathy. You...

[exhales] Youjin, you...

Don't you feel bad for Minjae?

No, I don't feel bad for him at all.

Oh, really?

All right, then. Let's ask Minjae to leave.

Would that make you feel better? Would you really be okay with that?

[Jaehong sighs]

I'm saying,

you're a nice person,

so you should give a little.

[scoffs] I'm not nice. And actually...

Minjae said he'd quit school anyway.

What?

He said he's quitting school and quitting robotics, too.

He's going to Canada or Toronto or wherever.

He's quitting school and robotics because he got dumped by a woman?

This bastard's lost his mind.

When you date someone, you can get dumped.

Has he ever even been in a relationship?

Did he seriously say that?

That he's going to quit school?

[Youjin] You should ask him yourself.

[Jaehong] What a crazy bastard.

[doctor] You haven't vomited blood since then, have you?

No.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST JEONG YEONGJU

And no black or red stools? No abdominal pain?

[Minjae] No.

And no dizziness or anything?

No.

[doctor] But you have a slight fever.

Yes, I have a bit of a fever.

[doctor] Mmm... And you've been feeling fatigued overall.

Yes.

[doctor] Looks like you've lost some weight, too?

I've only been eating porridge lately, so that's probably why.

[doctor] Mmm...

Uh, do you have a cough or any phlegm?

[Minjae] Mmm... No, I don't think I have a cough.

[doctor] Hmm...

Could you lift your shirt up a little?

All right.

Breathe in.

[Minjae inhales]

Slowly breathe out.

[Minjae exhales]

-[doctor] And breathe in again. -[Minjae inhales]

-[doctor] And breathe out. -[Minjae exhales]

[sniffles]

[doctor] Let's get a chest X-ray.

But I don't have a cough. Why an X-ray?

[doctor] Yeah. Just to take a look and make sure everything's okay.

[machine whirring]

[staff] Breathe in and hold your breath for a moment.

[♪ pensive music playing]

All right, done. You can breathe now.

-You can leave the room now. -[Minjae] Okay.

X-RAY ROOM

[♪ music fades]

SEOHAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

What are you doing here?

Uh, I told you earlier I'd be waiting here.

[Subin] I told you I didn't know when I'd finish.

You said you didn't know when you'd finish, but it'd be late.

So I could either wait or not, or just do whatever I wanted.

-So I've been waiting-- -When I said you could either...

[sighs] That's not what I meant.

[Sejin] Oh.

It seems I misunderstood.

I'm sorry.

So what did you want to say to me?

Go ahead and say it.

You said you wanted to say something.

Why don't we go somewhere inside first...

Have you eaten yet?

[Subin] Yes, I had dinner earlier.

[Sejin] Oh...

What is it you wanted to say to me? Just tell me here.

I'm just curious...

why you're going on a blind date.

What?

[Subin sighs]

What do you mean, why? I'm just doing it.

I mean,

someone like you doesn't need to go on blind dates.

You could be with anyone you want.

What?

What does that even mean?

Are you saying I'd date just anyone?

[sighs] No, that's not what I mean.

Honestly, I've...

never met anyone

as beautiful as you in my life.

You're seriously the most beautiful person

I've ever seen in my life.

Celebrities, singers, idols...

There are plenty of people everyone says are beautiful,

but honestly, none of them even come close.

I mean, if I'm being really generous here,

sure, beauty is subjective,

and everyone has their own type.

But someone who's as smart, kind,

considerate, and compassionate as you are...

Seriously, I swear on my life,

there's no one else like that.

So why would someone like you go on a blind date?

You don't need to do that.

You could just pick anyone you like and date them.

I seriously don't understand why you'd want to go

meet some complete stranger like that.

Do you...

really think so?

[voice breaking] Yes, I really think so.

-[sniffles, sobs] -[Subin sighs]

Then if...

I said I wanted to date you, Sejin, would you date me?

[♪ gentle music playing]

What's wrong? You don't want to?

I just...

I feel like...

my heart's going to burst...

[chuckling] ...and I'm gonna die.

[Subin chuckles softly]

-[Sejin sobs, chuckles] -[Subin chuckles]

[door opens]

You haven't eaten yet? What have you been doing?

I had so much to go over today.

I was too busy to even think about eating.

Even if you're busy, you can't skip meals.

[Youjin chuckles]

You should have some too.

No, I've already eaten. I'm fine. Eat up.

-Eat with me anyway. -No.

[Youjin] Is it still too soon to eat raw fish?

Maybe you can't eat it yet?

[Minjae] Uh... [chuckles]

[Youjin] You went to the hospital today, right?

Did the doctor say you're okay now?

[Minjae] Yeah.

Come on, eat first. I'll tell you when you're done.

[chuckles softly] I'm done.

I'm really done.

[Minjae sighs heavily]

-So, as for the endoscopy... -[Youjin] Mmm-hmm.

They said the bleeding's stopped and it's healing well.

That's great to hear.

What's up?

Is there something else?

[Minjae] Hmm?

[sighs]

Well, I have a bit of a fever.

And since I've had surgery for lung cancer before,

they wanted to check a few things,

and they wanted to do a chest X-ray.

I see. So did you do it?

Yeah. And...

apparently, there's a nodule in my lung.

They said they won't know

if it's just a lump or cancer until they do a biopsy.

I'll get the results next week.

I'm sure it isn't.

Well, even if it's cancer, you can get it treated.

[Minjae] Yeah.

[Youjin] Yeah.

I'm sorry.

Sorry for what?

You didn't do anything wrong.

I know. I didn't do anything wrong, so why am I so unlucky?

[Minjae sighs heavily]

If I died now,

I'd die without having accomplished anything,

with nothing to leave behind.

[chuckling] God, it'd all feel so pointless.

[Youjin] Yeah.

[Minjae] What you said the other day. Is it true?

What?

That you'd rather die than break up with me?

Yeah, I really meant it.

Seriously, what are you going to do if I die?

[smacks lips] Then,

-I'll die too. -[Minjae chuckles softly]

I'm serious.

I'm really going to die too.

Come on. [chuckles dryly]

Don't be ridiculous.

[Youjin sobs softly]

[♪ emotional music playing]

I'm sorry.

-Hey, I'm sorry. That was wrong. -[Youjin sobs]

Come here. Come. Don't cry.

I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry.

[Youjin whimpers]

But don't hate me, okay? Okay?

-[Youjin sniffles] -[Minjae] Don't hate me.

[Youjin] I don't hate you.

[Youjin sobs]

I love you.

I love you.

[Youjin] What are you thinking about?

[Minjae] Hmm?

Why do you keep looking elsewhere when I'm right here by your side?

Look at me.

[Minjae chuckles softly]

I'm going with you to the hospital on Tuesday.

Aren't you going to work?

No, I can take the afternoon off.

No, you don't need to come. I'll just call you.

No, I'm going to go with you.

I'd worry too much if you went alone.

That's our taxi, right?

[Minjae] Yeah, it is.

Aren't you coming?

[Minjae] Youjin.

I think this is it for us.

I really regretted hurting you back then.

Then I promised myself I'd be really good to you.

But I guess we were meant to be this way.

There's nothing to be done.

Still, I'm glad that we at least

get to say goodbye face-to-face this time. Right?

Come on. Why are you doing this again?

I...

don't deserve to be with you.

I have no right to be.

[Youjin sighs]

Who gets to decide if you have the right to be with me?

It's not God. It's not Buddha. It's me.

I gave you that right.

Just like me. I said you could love me.

I get why you're doing this,

but maybe the results will show it's nothing.

And if it really is cancer, then we'll get it treated.

I'll be with you. Okay?

Yeah, well, that's not as easy as you think, okay?

A devoted woman staying by the side of some poor guy who's dying?

That's the kind of thing you see in novels and movies.

It's easy to say you'll take care of someone who's dying. But it's not.

I decide whether it's easy or not.

What if I die?

What would happen then? What would happen to you?

Will you spend your whole life looking back on all our happy memories?

Crying every day?

I told you, if you die, I'll die too.

[yells] Don't be such a child!

-You're not dying, okay? You... -[Youjin sighs in frustration]

Do you even know what it means to die?

[Youjin sighs heavily]

-God... -Listen.

Even if it's not me, you'll find someone to spend the rest of your life with.

So stop being so stubborn. Stop acting like a child, for God's sake!

And you stop lecturing me.

Are you my mom? My dad? Who are you to lecture me?

You... I'm your senior. So yes, I can lecture you.

In the lab, yes, but we're out in public now!

Hey!

[Youjin sighs] Okay, fine.

[exhales] All right, fine.

Let's wait for the results for now, and then we'll talk, okay?

If it's nothing, we're good.

-If not, we'll talk again then. Okay? -[taxi honks]

Well... it won't make any difference, okay?

Even if I somehow get through this one,

I'll have to go back in six months and get tested all over again.

[Youjin] Fine. Let's go for now--

Then after those six months?

-I get another six months. -[Youjin sighs]

And I'll still be wondering, "When will it come back? When will I die?"

I'll spend my whole life on a razor's edge.

That's the kind of miserable life I'll have to live.

Nothing's going to change. So...

-[scoffs] -[Minjae] Let's end this.

I really want to stop doing this.

This isn't some sacrifice or act of devotion!

I just need you in my life to be happy. That's why...

That's why I'm trying and fighting for this.

And you're acting like you know what's best.

You have all this courage to break up with me,

but you don't have the courage to fight for me?

God, not again. How can you do this again...

[groans] I can't believe this is happening.

[taxi honks]

[sighing in exasperation]

[♪ somber music playing]

[Youjin sobbing]

[Minjae sobbing]

[nurse] Mr. Park Minjae.

[Minjae] Yes.

[♪ music fades]

[doctor] All right.

If you look here,

you can see two three-centimeter nodules in the lung. Uh...

So we did a biopsy, and...

THORACIC SURGEON SONG GIYEOL

The results confirm that they are cancerous.

The squamous cell carcinoma has recurred.

They're not that large, but...

I do think you'll need surgery.

The concern is that this is the site of the recurrence,

and it seems the cancer has already started to spread.

So we'll need to perform open-chest surgery

and remove the entire lower lobe of your left lung.

Doctor, it's not a difficult surgery, is it?

That's...

The surgery will remove all the cancer, right?

He'll be okay after that, right?

[Giyeol] Uh, well... Uh...

When can he get the surgery?

[Giyeol] Mmm.

Well, let's see what we can schedule.

Yeah. Okay.

[automation] The outer-circle train

bound for Seongsu Station is now arriving.

The doors are opening. Please watch your step.

Please watch your step.

Please watch your step.

[♪ emotional music playing]

[Minjae] Do you want some strawberries?

Which one do you think is better?

Which one do you like better?

-This one? -[Minjae] This one?

ARC LAB RESEARCH ASSISTANT RECRUITMENT

NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PARK MINJAE OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

[Minjae] All right, today, we're going to continue from where we left off last time

and take a closer look at systems of linear equations.

Now, the key to a system of linear equations ultimately comes down

to what constant values B the unknowns X map to.

If all the constants on the right-hand side are zero,

we call it a homogeneous system, right?

In that case, we're always guaranteed to have the trivial solution,

where all the unknowns are zero.

Well, I've met him, and he seemed like a nice guy.

Come on, he's fine.

[♪ music fades]

Try all you want, but parents can't win against their own kids.

What mother misses the pre-wedding family meeting?

Are you really going to meet your son-in-law at the wedding?

Are you really not coming?

Suit yourself.

Go ahead and break your daughter's heart.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Mom's not coming?

[Yongseok] Well, she says she has a terrible headache

and just can't make it.

Her head hurts too much.

Let's just go without her.

Mom can join next time.

Is that okay?

Sure. There will be a next time.

It's okay. Let's go.

[door closes]

[sighs heavily]

Gosh.

[mumbling] Let's go.

I'll just face it. I'll see.

Yeah. We left early in case of traffic.

Yeah, exactly.

But my mom...

Never mind. We'll talk when you're here.

-[camera shutter clicks] -Where are you? Are you almost here?

Ah. I'm almost there.

I should be there in about five to ten minutes.

Okay. Yeah.

Bye.

[line disconnects]

[staff] Here's the bouquet you ordered.

Yes. Thank you.

-Thank you. -No problem.

[Minjae] Bye.

[motorcycle honks]

[Minjae] Oh, no.

[Miyoung] Oh, my.

Are you okay?

[Miyoung] Yeah, I'm okay.

-Thank you. -No, not at all.

-[Miyoung] Thank you so much. -Are you really okay?

[Miyoung] Yes, I'm okay.

[Minjae] Okay.

-[Miyoung gasps] Oh, no. I'm so sorry. -[Minjae] No, don't worry.

Hey, maybe we got here too early.

It's better to be early than late.

It's almost time.

[cell phone vibrates]

[Minjae] Sorry. I think I'll be about 10 minutes late.

-[chuckling] I'm sorry. -No, I'm really fine. Are you okay?

I'll pay for the flowers.

-No. Seriously, no... -No, seriously, let me pay.

-It was my mistake. -No, it was me.

How tall are you, by the way?

-My height? About 186 or 187, I think. -[Miyoung gasps]

Ah. [chuckles]

My son is short.

It's not like he didn't eat, but he just didn't grow.

-[Minjae] Oh. -I'm so jealous. [chuckles]

Well, just like the old folks used to say,

-you're as handsome as paint. -[staff chuckles]

-Am I right? [chuckles] -[staff] Yes. [chuckles]

[Minjae chuckles shyly, mumbles] Thank you.

[Miyoung] Mmm.

-Ah... -[Minjae] Yes?

Since you're so tall and handsome,

do you work as a model, or work in show business?

Oh, no, no. Nothing like that.

I'm just teaching students, kids at school.

You're a teacher? [gasps]

My goodness.

[sighs]

[muttering] There are guys like this out there,

and why did she have to...

[chuckles awkwardly]

My daughter is tall.

-[Minjae] Oh... -And pretty.

She's pretty and smart. She goes to Seohan National University.

-[chuckles softly] -[♪ soft music playing]

Seohan National University?

Yes. She's going to grad school there.

She's doing a PhD in mechanical engineering.

She wants to become a professor.

[Minjae] Oh.

Do you have a girlfriend? Are you in a relationship?

-I do. Yes, I have a girlfriend. -[Miyoung] Mmm.

So these flowers must be for her, then.

No, I bought those for her mother...

Her mother?

Yes.

My goodness. [gasps]

[exclaims softly]

She's so lucky to have you buying her things like this.

[Minjae] Hmm...

[staff] Your bouquet is ready.

Okay. How much is it? I...

Yes. That'll be 55,000 won.

-[Miyoung] Let me... -Are you, by any chance...

Youjin's mother?

Oh, my gosh! How do you know my daughter's name?

Hello, I'm Park Minjae.

[Miyoung] What...

Yes, I'm Park Minjae.

[♪ light thrilling music playing]

Hello.

Where are you? How far away are you?

Right outside the restaurant?

There. Yeah, come in.

Hey, I'm here.

[♪ pleasant music playing over speakers]

[Youjin] Yeah, this way.

[Minjae] Hello.

[Youseong] Mom, you said you weren't coming.

How did you two come together?

Hello. We met in front of the restaurant.

I didn't recognize her at first because I'd never met her before.

I was so surprised when I realized it was her. Right, Ms. Seo?

[Miyoung chuckles dryly]

It turns out Youjin got her beauty from her mother.

That's how I recognized her right away.

Ah. My mother will be here in a minute too.

[whispering] He's polite and nice, isn't he?

[whispering] I don't know.

-[knock on door] -[staff] Your guest is here.

[Minjae] Okay.

[Youseong and Yongseok] Oh.

-[Youjin] Oh. -[Minjae] You're here.

-[Youseong] Hello. -[Miyoung grunts]

[Eunjoo] Let's sit.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I tried to get here sooner, but traffic was terrible.

Don't worry about it. We just got here too.

-[Minjae] All right. Let's sit. -[Eunjoo] Okay.

[Yongseok] Oh.

[Youseong sighs]

This is my father.

-[Eunjoo] Okay. -Hello.

I'm Youjin's father.

Yes. Nice to meet you.

-And this is my mother. -Yes, hello.

This is my brother.

-Hello. I'm Youjin's brother. -Nice to meet you.

[inhales]

It's spring, but it's still pretty chilly, isn't it?

Should we order some hot tea first?

Yes.

[bell dings]

[Yongseok inhales sharply]

By the way, have we met before?

I feel like we've met before.

I'm not sure. This is my first time seeing you.

-[Youjin tuts] -[Minjae huffs]

How could she lie like that without even batting an eye?

Well, I wouldn't call it lying.

She was just pretending not to know, given the situation.

I mean, she could've just owned up to it and apologized.

Why'd she have to lie?

Well, I said it's not lying.

And you?

You shouldn't talk about your mother-in-law like that.

Will you keep siding with her instead of me?

[chuckling] No.

Sorry.

You better behave.

Okay. I will.

[♪ pleasant music builds]

[groans] I was so nervous. Now I'm tired.

[Youjin grunts]

-Get some rest. -[Youjin] Okay.

Get some shut-eye.

Let me close my eyes for a bit.

[Minjae] Yeah.

What are you thinking about?

Me?

About kissing you.

[Youjin chuckles]

[♪ lively music playing]

BETWEEN STEPS

AHN PANSUK

THE END