Original subtitles

[The locales, characters, agencies, and incidents in this drama have no relevance to real life.]

Oh, no! My corn!

- What do I do? - Mr. Yoon.

- The corn is not the problem right now! - Are you all right?

Your poor delicate body...

Are you hurt anywhere?

- Shit, this guy... - Hey!

What are you looking at?

- What? - You should apologize when you bump someone.

Why are you giving attitude to the innocent bystander? Why?

Can't you see he got wet?

So why was he blocking the pathway?

The old guy couldn't even move aside for a lady!

You don't even know him, and you're calling him "old guy"!

Apologize and go, man!

Who are you to raise your voice at me, bitch?

Why the hell are you getting involved? Who are you?

- I should just... - Hyung!

What's going on?

Is this Yeon Woo?

Hey, man!

I thought you were in America! When did you return?

Sang Sook, introduce yourself to him.

- His father is our building landlord, and— - Hyung.

Before that, apologize first.

What?

You yelled and called her a bitch.

To my girlfriend.

What?

Oh...

I see.

And he's a close hyung to me, too.

His clothes really got wet.

I'm sorry.

Ah, yes.

I'm sorry. Sorry.

Mr. Yoon.

I'll get going then.

Oh, all right.

That's right.

- Have you been well? - Yes, I've been good.

What have you been up to?

Just doing this and that.

Your mom left town the night she gave birth to you.

Even when your cheeks turned red from crying,

she left without even holding you once.

She thought you were a stain on her life.

So, don't be curious or wonder about her from now on.

[My Perfect Stranger] [11. A Woman Who Reads is Dangerous]

It was really strange. [Episode 11]

He just stood there, staring at me.

At first, I wondered what that was about.

Then suddenly, I felt a little sad.

My chest tightened... and started throbbing...

Are you saying you fell for another man?

I'm being serious right now.

I guess he has that effect on people.

I felt a little weird, too, when I first saw him.

I mean, should I say even before I met him?

My dad had told me he wanted to introduce me to someone.

He said his name was Hae Joon.

His name is Hae Joon?

Do you remember? The letter you wrote when I was in America...

When we get married and have a baby...

We would name him Hae Joon.

Oh, is that why?

I feel close to him.

But he's strange.

No wonder. I didn't like her from the beginning.

[Bong Bong Cafe]

Did you eat?

Do you know me?

I could get to know you starting now.

Since it's your first time, I'll give you ssanghwa-tang.

I make the best.

My gosh, are you crazy?

Why are you breaking the egg? Don't you know how to drink that?

What do you care how I drink it...

Wait. I'll make you another one.

No, it's okay. That's okay!

I can't tolerate people not eating it right...

Here. This is how you're supposed to eat it.

- Open your mouth. - No, no, no. I'll eat it myself.

Gosh, it's fine. I'm holding it for you already so eat comfortably.

- I don't feel comfortable. That's why! - Come on, eat... whoa!

Well... there...

I think I'll be coming to this cafe often in the future.

Oh, really?

So...

I hope there won't be any unnecessary talking, touching, or meddling from now on.

I don't need menu recommendations, either.

Be as indifferent as possible. Like a stranger.

Well, we are strangers anyway.

I got it. I'll try my best.

Okay...

[Bong Bong Cafe]

[Bong Bong Cafe]

She does whatever she wants like that.

That's why she left her child, too.

She's a stranger to me anyway. Just a stranger.

After that night, time went by fast.

But surprisingly, everything remained the same in the town.

How the heck are you handling this case?

Two weeks passed, and there were no suspects, let alone the culprit.

Does that even make sense?

Huh?

"The Incompetent and Irresponsible Woojeong Police Chief..." Shit...

"Surprised by his lack of qualification ahead of the review for the promotion of Gyeonggi Province police chief."

Hey, Yong Gi!

Are you determined to shit on my future? Huh?

My apologies!

My future path is your path.

Get a hold of yourselves and bring me results.

Arrest a bastard and bring him to me within a week! No matter what!

Don't do anything stupid, either.

What are you doing? Hurry up and get out!

You need to investigate!

[June 1st]

Where are you coming from?You should've woke me up. We could've gone together.

You had another nightmare?

What kind of nightmare is it that you have it all week?

Are you really not going to tell me?

Where did you go?

Baek Yoo Seop.

He was discharged from the hospital today.

I also wanted to talk to him while I was there.

So Uncle must know everything now, too.

Who the murdered victims were in this town.

I know you have nothing to do with the murders.

But the one who had the most point of contact with the victims

was you. Not Baek Hee Seop.

Is there anything you can tell me?

The reason Lee Joo Young returned to town was because of Baek Yoo Seop.

They wanted to leave together.

The reason she came to this town in the first place was also because of Baek Yoo Seop.

It seems their relationship was more than just senior and junior.

Then, why didn't they leave?

Because the anniversary of his parents' passing was a few days later.

If they avoid the police and leave, they didn't know when they could return.

So he wanted to spend at least that day with his younger brother Baek Hee Seop.

That's why they decided to hide in this town just for a few days.

But it just so happened that the place they hid was the abandoned house.

- You mean... - That's right.

The same abandoned house Lee Kyeong Ae was found.

I think they were looking for us even on the night the incident took place.

Are you all right?

She must've secretly followed Baek Yoo Seop the day she disappeared.

We've been here...

In any case, the three of them became friends, and

Lee Kyeong Ae kept their secret.

After she heard about our situation, she said she wanted to help us somehow

and asked if we needed anything.

Maybe...

she came by to give us that.

Only if I hadn't gone to Seoul then...

If we didn't miss each other...

I could have protected both of them.

The biggest question for me all this time...

was this sentence.

"A woman who reads is dangerous."

What could this mean?

Why did the culprit write this specific sentence and leave it with all the victims?

Lee Joo Young did have a book with her.

But that was only Lee Joo Young.

Lee Kyeong Ae didn't have one.

That's what I thought, too.

But that night, the reason Lee Kyeong Ae went to the abandoned house was because

she was bringing the one item that Baek Yoo Seop and Lee Joo Young told her they needed.

Guess what it was?

So it was a book.

[Jane Eyre]

In that case, the victims really do have something in common.

They all had a book with them.

This might be a kind of warning.

But where did the book go?

How come it wasn't at the scene?

If the culprit cared enough to write a note like this, he might have taken the book with him.

Although we don't know why.

Hyung! I know we agreed on those conditions...

and I know I'm only supposed to go to the garage.

Why the heck are you breathing like that?

I think I'm going to die. Number two. A big one. Big one.

- Wait. - Oh, no!

Yoon Young, let's move all that.

[Virture and Benevolence]

Where is it?

[Virture and Benevolence]

He's like that sometimes.

I forgot that he has a weak stomach.

We can do it like this.

He's here almost the whole day.

Not letting him use the bathroom would be too harsh on our hero.

But why do you think it was a book?

"A woman who reads is dangerous."

Of all people, I'm the one who reads and publishes those books.

Do you really think this is all a coincidence?

In the end, my mom wanted to be a writer and Go Mi Sook was one, too.

I keep thinking that maybe all this is not merely a coincidence.

What are you going to do for me?

What?

I mean, I'm paying for your tuition.

So what will you do for me?

You stole this from Dad, though.

Well, isn't stolen money still money?

Giving me attitude... Give it back! Dad!

What should I do for you?

My name.

Well, when you become a novelist in the future,

include my name somewhere in your story.

What the heck?

What do you mean? That's a big deal!

At best, people live for a hundred years and die.

But books last thousands and tens of thousands of years!

So, if you write my name there,

"Lee Kyeong Ae once lived in this world!"

That will remain forever!

You like that?

Why wouldn't I?

Hey, even a thousand years later, this whole world will recognize me, Lee Kyeong Ae.

Your older sister will definitely become a famous person one day.

Are you laughing?

Hey! Even your Korean teacher said I have potential!

Even if I don't become Miss Korea, he said there are ways for me to be on TV.

Soon Ae, when I become immensely famous,

I'm going to leave my traces all over the place!

"Everyone! Here in Woojeong Village, the oldest daughter of Lee Hyeong Man and Park Ok Ja,

Lee Kyeong Ae lived a very fun life!"

Like this!

So you have to write my name. Okay?

Why aren't you answering me?

All right! All right!

- Where are you going? - Oh, my gosh!

♫ The scenery will be beautiful ♫

♫ Let's promise forever ♫

♫ We'll be together like a blue summer ♫

♫ Please forget the past hurts ♫

[Let's move forward with self-discipline and creative intelligence.]

Hey, did you stop by the bookstore on the way?

Yeah, I saw it! I was so shocked to find out that Go Mi Sook is a novelist!

Oh, wow. That's incredible.

Hey, hey! Did you hear Go Mi Soo became a novelist?

Really? Really?

[Lee Soon Ae]

Dear Y, whenever I become lonely... I only imagine and...

I'm not welcomed anywhere...

My secret small door that's hidden somewhere...

I lost it!

I didn't anticipate this timing.

"Congratulations!

A genius high school novelist is born!

New book release of the year! Newcomer of the year!

Unexpected occurrence in the publishing industry!

A 19-year-old high school female student novelist is born!

A genius girl who appeared like a comet in the literary world! Go Mi Sook!"

Are you saying that Go Mi Sook is our school's Go Mi Sook?

Yes, the Go Mi Sook in my class! Yes, it's true!

The newspapers want interviews later,

asked if it was all right for the journalists and publishers to come to the school.

They can, right? Yes?

Oh, wait. Should I apply some mousse to my hair or what?

In any case, how come she never gave us a heads-up until the book was published?

She did a great job of hiding it!

Imagine my surprise when she brought that in.

[Go Mi Sook, Short Story Collection]

No way.

How?

[Genius girl Go Mi Sook]

[Birth of a 19-year-old high schooler novelist!]

[Small Door]

I wanted to realize my mom's dream.

I heard there was a time she wanted to write a novel.

My mom also.

She was a great literary woman!

Since she's my university junior.

Oh, my gosh! Then that talent came from your mom!

- Seems like it! - No, it's not!

My daughter is much better than me!

It's my first novel, so I have a long way to catch up to my mom.

But still, I hope it will be a special gift for her.

It's my mom's birthday soon.

- Wow, I see! - Oh, really?

- Congratulations! - How are you so close to each other?

Talk about quite a gift!

In Seoul, the response on the first day at the bookstore was so remarkable that

- there's already talk of it being a bestseller! - Oh, really?

Wow! That's great news!

This is also a very happy occasion for Woojeong High School.

This is the first since we started the school.

If I had known earlier, I would have put up huge banners!

Go Mi Sook.

Let's talk.

How could you do something like that?

Tell me. Why would you?

How could you steal it?

What do you mean, steal?

- What are you talking about? - My novel!

Don't even lie so shamelessly in front of me like that!

What do you mean, your novel?

I really have no idea what you're talking about.

Mi Sook, please.

You're having a hard time these days, aren't you?

But still, you can't go around saying things like this.

Just because you helped me with a few writing assignments,

you feel like what I wrote is yours? Something like that?

I didn't know you were this bad of a person.

I'm not going to remain silent.

I'll tell them everything.

I'll tell them everything you made me do for you.

Soon Ae, why are you being so annoying?

Now I have to do something more.

What a hassle.

Do you...

have evidence?

A notebook that disappeared?

Does anyone even know that you wrote it?

You won't make it anyhow.

So just stay still.

Don't create a ruckus and end up like your sister, Soon Ae.

Okay?

I wondered why girls who like books

were all like that.

What?

They always act like they're the main characters.

Pretending to be smart and worldly.

Just because they read a few words on paper.

I can't stand how they think they're so special.

But now that I've tried it,

it's fun.

Soon Ae, it's not too late.

We can definitely turn things around! Okay?

Go Mi Sook was right.

In the end, who would believe me if I say that without any evidence?

The notebook is gone, and the novel has been published already.

The only person who saw me write it was my older sister.

But my sister is...

Why are you giving up without even trying?

Just because Go Mi Sook says it won't work, then it won't?

If Go Mi Sook says it's not true, everyone will say it's not.

If this situation gets any bigger,

my parents will find out, too.

My parents aren't...

the kind of people who will be proud of me for writing a novel.

They will just struggle more.

Only if I give up,

only if I can let it go...

then it will seem like nothing ever happened.

That might be better for everyone.

That's why... you gave up, Mom.

But you can't.

Lee Soon Ae, pay attention.

Are your parents the only family you have?

Oh Bok and Sis, too.

I mean, you only have Oh Bok and Sis?

Is there anyone else?

Let's imagine that there is.

That person loves your novel the most in this world.

And that person wishes that the novel she loves most

will have your real name printed on it.

And with the novel you wrote, you'll become a great novelist.

You'll read as many books as you'd like.

Listen to all the music you want.

Sip on hot coffee.

Just like that... live the life that you want without...

giving up on anything else anymore.

She could be hoping desperately for you... to live a life like that.

All right?

Come in.

- Good luck. - Where are you going?

Soon Ae.

Do you know the Band Hallasan that sometimes performs at that Moonlight club?

Even though they're known as a copycat of the guys of the Band Baekdusan...

I really respect those guys.

Especially the drummer.

One day, that guy faced a huge crisis.

What kind of crisis?

Urgent poop.

Will he die or relieve himself?

He had to make a decision at that moment.

The guy then looked around the room.

Nothing would really happen even if he stopped the performance in a town club.

But he performed to the end for the sake of his audience.

He let himself go? On the spot?

Yes!

What's the moral of this gross story?

Once you start something, you need to finish it!

Soon Ae, that novel is yours. Right?

Then you have to protect it with your life!

I'm cheering my arms off in front of you.

How can you give up?

How can you forget about me here?

You wench!

- Mom. - Why wouldn't I be proud of you?

- What? - You know when your sister...

wanted to become Miss Korea or a singer,

do you know how much I regret not encouraging her once?

Stay strong and good luck!

[Woojeong Bus Station and Village Office]

Let's go!

What's going on?

How many people have you told?

If you have been wronged, you have to spread it like wildfire.

That's how the bad bitch gets punished.

That road was a pretty familiar one for me.

Because it was the publishing company I'd be working for about 30 years later.

Even though it was the first time going with my mom.

And there... I found the face I'm very familiar with.

The real writer of the novel is here.

Shall we discuss this properly?

It really isn't true. They're scheming together right now.

What are you trying to do? This is no ordinary situation.

The book has been published already, and

bookstores nationwide are selling copies with my name and picture.

If this becomes bigger, are you prepared to take responsibility?

Do you have evidence?

Your parents are already pretty devastated right now.

Are you okay with creating a ruckus like this?

Senior, let's talk when the attorney arrives.

The culprits always ask for evidence.

If the evidence you speak of is the notebook you stole, we don't have it.

But do you think only one notebook is needed to write a novel?

It's a novel I've been writing for two years.

You'll see the sentences I wrote and erased,

my scribbles on which meaning to give certain words,

the chapter I left out...

It has everything.

You'll know when you see it.

You'll know it. Really.

She made that up after reading the notes of my novel.

If you ask me, I can answer everything.

Ask me anything about the novel.

I can answer everything.

But you can't, Go Mi Sook.

Senior, what are you doing?

She said I'll know if I look at it.

Then I should look at it.

And I'll have to ask her.

I'm curious about many things, too.

Mom.

Mom!

Yes, I plan to pull the ones that were distributed off the shelves.

All the interviews with the author have been canceled.

No, we will republish it as soon as possible.

No, the story won't change.

Only the author's name and the book cover will be switched out.

Yes, yes.

We'll schedule another interview, then.

Yes. Thank you.

On the first page of the reprinted novel with my mom's name on it,

she requested for the following sentence to be included.

I dedicate this book to Lee Kyeong Ae, the oldest daughter of

Lee Hyeong Man and Park Ok Ja from Woojeong Village.

♫ The loneliness below countless stars on a chilly night ♫

And I also found out a small secret.

♫ No matter who I say it is, they would not understand this feeling ♫

There's one thing I'm curious about.

In the "Letter to Y," who is "Y"?

♫ Since I can gaze at you ♫

The name...

of the friend I really want to meet one day.

♫ Fill up my embrace with hot and dark nights ♫

She said...

it was the first initial of the name she wanted to give her daughter in the far future.

Like the "Y" in Yoon Young.

♫ If you tell me that ♫

♫ If you do ♫

Thank you, Yoon Young.

I was able to get my novel back all because of you.

Me, too.

All because of you.

♫ Where there's an end ♫

♫ If you would see me at some point ♫

♫ I think I can endure thanks to that ♫

♫ Give me this night ♫

♫ Fill up my embrace with hot and dark nights ♫

Truly.

It was truly a happy day.

I don't think I've ever had such a perfectly happy day in my life.

♫ That you love me, those painful words ♫

♫ If you tell me that ♫

Mom!

Mom!

If you'll do something so ignorant, why even read books?

I should rip them all up!

Mom, I was wrong!

A gift for me?

You'll realize my dream for me?

What a joke!

It's my shame that I kept a stupid daughter like you!

You know that?

Mom!

Mom! Mom!

[Natalie's Dress Shop]

[Sun and Moon Records]

[Small Door]

What are you doing here?

I thought you fell into a deep sleep.

Not again.

Can I sit next to you? I'm scared.

It's a little better now.

I thought you'd be tired and sleep deeply after traveling to Seoul.

And good things happened, too.

That's what I mean.

I was thinking the same thing.

My six years of suffering

under Go Mi Sook's power trip definitely all washed away as if I drank a hundred shots.

But that nightmare won't go away.

What is it actually about?

You'll keep it a secret to the end?

It feels like it happened one day pretty recently.

We returned to the future after fixing the time machine.

Mom and Dad were all there, changed in the way I had imagined.

Everything looked really good.

Everything looked good. So, what's wrong?

But...

It's nothing.

You'll just end the story like that?

Oh, it's just a meaningless dream.

No fun, no meaning. It's all over the place, like a weird movie.

I see...

I saw a real movie recently.

I saw my mom there, too.

It felt strange.

To face someone who abandoned me.

In 1988. One year from now.

The person who will leave as soon as she gives birth to me.

You're talking about... something real and not a dream, right?

Shall we just say it's a dream?

If she really wanted to find me, she easily could have.

The world is not that big.

Even if there wasn't a time machine, she totally could have.

She could have at least found out where and how I was living.

But she didn't.

She didn't look for me. Not even once.

That was her choice.

She wanted us to live this life as strangers to each other.

That's what she wanted from me.

So I've been living fine up until now.

But this car just brought me...

Is that just an excuse?

You know you just wanted to see her once.

I saw her. So it's really the end.

I'll just say maybe I was just dreaming for a short while.

That's what I'm supposed to do here anyway.

Not interfering in the lives of people whom I shouldn't interfere with.

About the dream...

To be honest, in my dream...

Well... can I talk to you for a second...

Hyung?

You want to talk about something?

With me?

What kind of crazy shit are you going to tell me now?

Huh?

Do you remember?

The summer I was 13 years old.

For the first time, you beat me in your room.

Lucky for me, Mom saw it happen.

How sad she must have been that day.

She lived her whole life getting beaten up by her husband.

And now she had to watch her only daughter getting beat up by a punk like you.

What the hell are you talking about, crazy bitch?

But was it because she was so sad?

She just ignored it and walked by.

Right?

There were countless times after that.

Am I the invisible man?

Even though I yelled...

and cried, saying I was in pain and agony,

I was just...

a nobody in that house, Brother.

That's why I wanted to show Mom.

I wanted to show Mom.

Is your hand all healed now?

What?

Since you keep drinking...

it takes this long for it to heal.

Are you crazy?

What took you so long!

Go report it.

It's raining so hard, and you didn't bring anything?

Did you bring it?

Hey, do you think Mom will let you off easy if you do this to me?

Hey! Hurry up and help me up!

Gently, gently...

Really!

I said it hurts!

You'd better be careful!

Got it?

What the hell.

Does that hand... hurt a lot?

How much does it hurt?

My hand...

Why? What is it you want to talk about?

Oh, you see...

sometimes when I look at this car,

I get a strange feeling.

I know this doesn't make any sense. I know, but...

I feel like I'm looking at an object that's not supposed to be here.

No, never mind. Never mind.

Well, that doesn't matter anyway. Right?

What do you mean?

Detective.

I have something to tell you.

Could you please keep everything

I tell you from now on secret?

I might get killed if anything gets out.

No matter what you tell me, you won't get hurt.

I promise.

About the incidents that happened in town...

I saw...

the culprit.

I saw him kill her with my own eyes.

My brother.

I heard... there were murder cases in town.

They say the victims had...

a matchbox from my girlfriend's cafe and a written note.

By any chance, is this one of them?

[Bong Bong Cafe]

I wasn't trying to look on purpose.

When I was going to the bathroom earlier today...

[Virture and Benevolence]

I picked it up when I saw it.

But why...

Why is that here with you, Hyung?

What's going on?

Hyung, is it really yours?

Calm down and listen to me.

W-Who are you? What's going on?

I said listen to me.

Who... Who the heck are you?

♫ One day, by your side ♫

♫ If a long, long night falls on you ♫

♫ Without saying a word, I'll sit close to you ♫

♫ I'll wait for you ♫

[My Perfect Stranger]

- Mr. Yoon. - Yoo Beom Ryong?

Mr. Yoon.

I think something happened to Soon Ae.

Get a hold of yourself! This is wrong!

She's dead already, anyway.

Can we revive her now?

♫ Holding the hand reaching out to me ♫

We won't get caught, Hae Kyeong.