Original subtitles

(Jung Ryeo Won)

(Wi Ha Jun)

(Scriptwriter: Park Kyeong Hwa)

(Director: Ahn Pan Seok)

(The Midnight Romance in Hagwon)

- Hey. - Gosh. Give me that.

(Episode 11)

You should've called me before you came.

If I did, you would've told me you didn't have time for me.

I rarely eat at home.

You didn't have to bring any food.

You did a nice job making the house look cosy.

Gosh. What's this?

I see.

Gosh.

- What? You have a closet in here? - Wait.

- Hold on. Mom. - I see.

Mom. Stop. What was I going to say?

That.

- What do I do with that? - What?

Do I just put the food in the fridge? What do I do?

You don't like fresh kimchi.

Keep the young radish kimchi outside for two days and then eat it.

Okay.

I marinated the meat for you...

and packed diced vegetables into small portions.

So keep them in the freezer.

I'll take care of them later.

Gosh. Give me that.

You should've told me to come by to pick them up.

Why did you come all the way here? It's a hassle for you.

This is quite rewarding.

- I'll do it. - I got it. Gosh.

When I bring a bagful of food to your brother,

he never thanks me for my hard work. Not even a word.

I coddled him too much...

for being the eldest child. So he's so spoiled now.

- Mom, here. - Okay.

Wait. Let me do it.

Okay.

Hang in there a little longer. I'm really sorry.

Hang in there.

Gosh.

Goodness. How come you only have beer and water in the fridge?

- Mom, here. - Leave it there. Get me that.

My goodness.

So did you have breakfast?

This is so upsetting.

Other people think about what to have for lunch now.

Do you like waking up this late?

- Let's go out. I'll buy you lunch. - Goodness. Wait.

Gosh, Mom. Let's go out.

It hasn't been ten minutes since I got here.

I just can't wait to buy you a delicious lunch.

- Let's go. - Stop it. Where's the bathroom?

Why?

Why are you acting odd?

Why would one want to go to the bathroom?

Right.

It's over there.

There.

Be careful. Let me turn on the light.

Mom. Take your time. There's no rush.

- It's okay. I'll just go. - Wait.

Look at that. Gosh.

Why were you guarding the door?

I have a big house here. I didn't want you to get lost.

Is that supposed to be a joke?

I don't have anything to drink in the house.

Should I go and buy you some juice?

I don't need that. Take a seat.

I came because I needed to talk to you. Sit down.

Your dad and I did some studying...

about top instructors, something we never thought...

we would need to do.

Just wait a little.

I'll make everyone in Korea know my name.

- When is that going to happen? - Pretty soon.

You know what? I want you to meet someone.

You've heard of Plan A Study, right?

Yes. It's the biggest platform for online lectures in Korea.

When your dad worked at a stock firm,

he had a junior colleague. And his son...

Which means he's a stranger to me.

His son...

works in a team that recruits instructors for the lectures.

So your dad mentioned you.

He told your dad to send him...

your resume and a video of your lecture if you had any.

Wait. If you want to be a top instructor in this field,

you must help students prepare...

for the university entrance exam at a big company.

What's the name of the lecture high school seniors...

and the entrance exam repeaters take?

Yes, you should hold online lectures too.

Go on.

Well, as for big companies like that,

referrals and introductions play a big role.

Apparently, you get jobs at places like that through connections.

So Dad will be my connection to those jobs?

He must have looked into it for you.

No, thank you.

I have a good reputation going at my current academy.

The last day to sign up to my lecture...

during the school break is nearing too.

But it's a small academy.

I heard that top-rated instructors...

have dozens or hundreds of students in their class.

It'll take forever to become...

famous and successful when you work at a small academy.

Listen. Many of these famous top-rated instructors...

started their careers by teaching 5 to 6 students at an academy.

I'll gain popularity here and join a bigger academy.

Gosh. Don't talk back to me.

I got his email address. Send him your resume and the video.

Hold on. Where's my phone? Yes, there.

(Ms. Seo)

My mom will leave soon.

Wait a little longer.

I thought I had given birth...

to a boy who was too handsome for his own good.

But good looks helped, I guess. You know?

Hey, he said you could do well.

Gosh. Can you look for the email address?

This means that your dad is coming around. You know?

Gosh.

You know he's a proud man.

He couldn't say that he would let you have your way.

So instead, he found a good lead for your career.

Your dad is getting old too.

Why aren't you saying anything? Are you touched?

I'm thinking.

Gosh. What's there to think about?

Tell him not to set up any meetings.

I won't prepare for it.

Fine. You have pride, don't you?

I knew you would feel awkward about this.

It's not about that.

Turning it down isn't polite either.

Your dad asked for a favour. You'll make him look like a fool.

What if I were to go to the meeting?

How would that make Dad look? You know?

I'll be 30 soon.

If I were to go to a job interview, set up by my dad,

would that help him save face?

Gosh. Why are you talking like that? You're scaring me.

That wasn't your dad's intention.

I can make them want to impress me by sending me a car and a driver,

so they have a shot at recruiting me.

You told me that you were at the peak price right now.

Today is the youngest you'll ever be...

Mom.

What?

How much money should I put in my monthly savings account?

I'm not sure. How much do you earn every month?

When should I get married then?

When I get married, where should I live?

- Jun Ho. - How many children should I have?

Do you want my child to be a daughter or a son?

Right. I'm thinking about buying a car.

Should I buy a new one or a used one?

Which insurance company should I pick?

Jun Ho.

Is this my fault?

Or are you and Dad going about this all wrong?

For now, I'll say it's my fault.

Maybe, I wasn't a trustworthy son to you.

Gosh. That's not it.

If you and Dad plan anything...

about my life again,

I might say harsher things to you then.

When you have your own children...

I doubt I would be able to do what you and Dad did.

I wouldn't plan my child's life down to every minute and second.

So my point is, you two should stop. You don't have to plan my life now.

I don't understand what's gotten into you these days.

- You're upsetting me. - What...

Seriously? I'm perfectly healthy and have a job.

I neither beat up nor con people.

Why are you upset?

You're upset because I can't satisfy your greed.

Gosh. What a brat.

When has anything ever gone wrong when you took my advice?

Never.

Thanks to you, I met Ms. Seo.

Yes. So you went to a prestigious university...

and got a nice job.

I helped you get everything you would need to have a good life.

Then how could you say harsh things about my effort?

Will you keep this up?

If I start fighting back without showing any mercy on you,

you'll end up in tears.

Mom. Here. Smack me.

And stop worrying about me.

I raised you without ever laying a hand on you.

I'll call Dad.

Don't bring this up to him. He might take it out on you.

Tell him I'll give him a call.

(Reserved)

There is only one thing you can do.

Show support.

Go, Mr. Pyo!

Let's go.

(Lee Jun Ho's Studybook for Lecture during School Break)

(Certainly, 1st Class, Korean Teacher: Lee Jun Ho)

(Special Lecture for University Entrance Exam)

(Lee Jun Ho's Studybook for Lecture during School Break)

(Recycle Bin)

(Do you want to permanently delete them?)

(Lee Jun Ho's Studybook for Lecture during School Break)

I've been thinking all night.

Something doesn't feel right.

What do you mean?

I'm talking about the schoolteacher...

Choisun Academy recruited.

Pyo...

It's Pyo Sang Seob.

It's odd that he personally came to our academy.

I have a bad feeling about this.

I should meet with him once.

Perhaps, he has a selling point we're not aware of.

He had been a schoolteacher for 20 years.

He won't be able to compete against academy instructors.

Ms. Woo. You know what a hand plough is, right?

You know, the tool you use for farming.

- I see. Yes. - The hand plough.

Apparently, that tool sells like hotcakes in the US.

Every house has a garden in the US.

Those Americans had struggled to dig up...

the garden with trowels.

They had a taste of the new world with our hand ploughs.

Thanks to that, the blacksmiths in the countryside...

are thrilled...

that our hand ploughs are in such high demand.

Are you saying...

I'm just pointing out that...

the value of the products...

may differ based on who uses them,

where they are used, and for what purpose.

Gosh.

So this guy, Mr. Pyo...

Let's recruit him if our conditions match.

But we can't let him take Ms. Seo's students...

from Chanyoung High. Why would we...

I'll be the one deciding where to place...

Mr. Pyo.

By any chance,

do you also have Ms. Seo's next position in mind?

Like a promotion, perhaps?

I hope you're not disappointed.

That I always stick up for Ms. Seo...

instead of taking your advice.

I am disappointed.

Pardon?

I have a stronger sense of ownership in what I do than anyone else.

I don't let my personal feelings get in the way of my work.

Goodness.

If that's how you interpreted what I said, I'm the disappointed one.

I'll see if I can meet with him.

I'll be the one deciding where to place...

Mr. Pyo.

Oh, yes. Hello.

This is the vice director of Daechi Chase.

My name is Woo Seung Hui.

Yes. Hello.

I hope you don't mind me calling you without any prior introduction.

(Chanyoung High School, Teachers' Office)

What is it, girls?

What is this about?

Well...

- Gosh. You're so frustrating. - I'll do it.

I'll do it, Ye Eun.

Sir.

(Chanyoung High School, 1st Year, Sung Ha Yul)

What's this?

Her reading journal.

During your after-school class,

you told us to try to finish reading a book within the semester.

She thought it was homework, so she did it.

No, that's not true.

I knew it wasn't homework.

- Right. - That's fine.

Take your time and tell me.

The book reading...

I couldn't read a long novel because it was too hard.

But I read a few short stories.

How did you choose the short stories?

There was a list in the back of the textbook...

that you had printed out.

I see.

Do you need me to write something for your student record?

No, it's not like that.

Perhaps, I was just wondering...

if you could check what I wrote in your spare time.

You don't have to...

get it checked.

I'm sorry.

I don't have anyone who can check my work...

I was just feeling anxious.

Leave it.

I'll check it for you.

Do you need me to give you feedback?

That'd be so great, but...

Okay. You can go now.

Sung Ha Yul.

- Yes? - Good work.

I think Sang Seob was moved.

(Chanyoung High School, 1st Year, Sung Ha Yul)

Where are you going, Mr. Pyo?

I have a quick appointment to go to.

It won't take long.

(Chanyoung High School)

Yes?

Are you Vice-Director Woo Seung Hui?

Yes.

Please come in. She's waiting for you.

Welcome, Director Woo.

I'm Choi Hyung Sun.

I'm Woo Seung Hui.

And I'm not a director but a vice-director.

In my memory, you're a director.

At Victory Academy, the former name of Daechi Chase.

Shall we have a seat?

Were you nervous?

I asked to meet...

at your secret tutoring room.

A bit.

Don't be nervous.

I just chose somewhere that others wouldn't see us.

It makes me even more nervous that you want to avoid others' eyes.

Director Kim Hyun Tak...

told me to meet with Mr. Pyo Sang Seob.

To see if there was a selling point that we don't know about.

Then, why didn't you go to see Mr. Pyo?

I needed to check.

Check?

The two of us...

may have different objectives,

but we might have the same goal.

I'm not sure what you mean. We have the same goal?

Seo Hye Jin.

I should send my assistant to go and buy some tea.

I'm sorry.

It must've been so tough.

Sorry.

I'm fine.

You should've taken your mother home. I'm really fine.

It's not fine for me.

I'll give you coffee.

I said I'd do it.

"I'm fine. It doesn't matter to me."

"I'll do it."

I don't know...

how it feels to say that stuff,

but the one hearing it sometimes gets choked up.

Goodness.

Were you disappointed?

It must just be a habit.

You're also going to do something...

about Mr. Pyo Sang Seob without telling me, right?

Well...

Mr. Pyo is going to give a free lecture.

I'm sure he'll prepare something...

totally different from his lessons at school.

I was thinking that the kids should hear that lecture,

and that I should help them...

make a decision.

It makes no sense.

Director Choi Hyung Sun once told me...

that she and I are alike in a way.

My gosh.

Gosh, how infuriating.

If I were Director Choi, I wouldn't say...

that Mr. Pyo has a long career as a lecturer. Two years at most?

But that shouldn't be the case.

So?

Should I send a group message to my students and promote his lecture?

Or should I go in front of the school and kneel?

Or should I just ask him to come to our academy?

I'm still thinking about it.

Didn't you hear what I said?

If you cause the academy the least bit of loss...

I know. I do, but...

even if I want to lose to him, it's hard to do that.

That's what I'm worried about.

Chanyoung High has been in my hands even back when you went there.

Customer loyalty is way too high.

You changed Si Woo's mind.

He turned his back on Choisun Academy...

who had Heewon High in their hands for 20 years.

Gosh, we just got lucky on that.

I don't think of it as luck.

Out of all the things I accomplished...

since I first met you,

nothing was just by luck.

Seo Hye Jin is a smart person.

She has a quick mind and has talent too.

I envy you for having a teacher like that.

However,

she can be a bit rude. And she doesn't fear anything.

I've been doing this for 20 years.

Out of all the teachers who teach that many students,

I haven't seen very many who also have good manners.

Then, was the reason why you hired Mr. Pyo Sang Seob...

because you wanted to fix Seo Hye Jin's rude attitude?

Gosh, no.

I'm a saleswoman.

What else would I want than to get more students?

The best Korean lectures so far weren't actually the best!

Gosh.

Had I seen that advertisement beforehand,

it would never have made it onto the streets.

Seo Hye Jin crossed the line way too far.

And she doesn't have...

any respect for a senior in the field nor any business morality.

When you swallowed your pride and offered to hire her,

you must've promised her the best treatment.

But I'm sure, with her attitude,

she would've turned you down with some pretty rude comments.

I know her very well.

If it were me, I wouldn't forgive her.

There's no use in wallowing in the past.

Even you forgive and go on living...

as you work for Kim Hyun Tak, a younger and less experienced boss.

The story of how Kim Hyun Tak trampled on Victory Academy...

and acquired it for a cheap price...

I thought he was a cowardly act.

You must've been devastated, but you endured it well.

But I...

am the type to wallow in the past.

I want to go back to where I belong now.

You've held out long. Has it been about seven years?

It's nine years.

It's been 8 years and 7 months, to be exact.

Goodness, where has the time gone?

Then, you should take at least half of the students with you.

Gosh.

That won't be enough...

if you consider the interest.

Ten years worth of Seo Hye Jin's lecture curricula.

Reference materials, past exam questions,

test papers, question trends per teacher,

original files of her textbooks, and counselling notes. Everything.

Oh, and there are phone numbers of her past assistants too.

And they're the updated versions.

You've brought me...

Seo Hye Jin's head.

But she's not that easy to take down,

sadly enough.

- That is true. - However,

I think it would be possible under current circumstances.

Seo Hye Jin is unlike her past self.

She gave up her spot for an advertisement.

She gave a free lecture.

And she even took a whole weekend off...

saying she wasn't feeling well.

I'm curious about two things.

Yes. Feel free to ask me.

First.

Why are you going after Seo Hye Jin's head?

Isn't Director Kim Hyun Tak your target?

Even if I shake up the academy in a huge way,

it's only a matter of time...

for Kim Hyun Tak to get back on his feet with Seo Hye Jin standing.

Once, Seo Hye Jin was forced to give up...

some of her students to another teacher.

Still, Seo Hye Jin wasn't affected by it at all.

No. In fact,

it was as if someone had woken an angry viper by accident.

She became even more confident.

One should just...

cut her out.

And what is the reason for giving me these materials?

Oh, well...

To be exact,

I'm not giving these to you but to Mr. Pyo.

I thought he'd make the best use of these.

Well, in the long run,

you and I are competitors too.

It'd be detrimental for me if you have these materials.

If Mr. Pyo comes in person,

I will let him access the files.

Tell him to save it in his head.

And what happens if I tell Mr. Kim Hyun Tak...

about this?

That would be a huge loss for you.

You'd have to get rid of this studio apartment first,

and your academy would take a hit as well.

But, no matter how I think about this,

it's too huge a present.

Do I really...

have to trample on Seo Hye Jin and nothing more?

Of course.

(Heeya Sliced Raw Bottom Round Steak)

Let's go.

Come to think of it, your textbooks are going to print soon.

We don't have time for this.

What's up?

It's nothing. Let's go.

You seem a bit off today.

I thought you wouldn't hang out with me for a while,

so I was just watching you.

Don't worry too much about Mr. Pyo.

I'll deal with it myself.

Okay.

Thank you for the meal.

I came to repay the debt for giving me a ride home.

No need to thank me.

Don't you like cafeteria food?

What? I don't dislike it.

I was grateful for this back when I was a student.

You must've been poor.

How could you ask me that so casually?

It's in the past tense.

That's better than me. I'm poor right now.

I've been curious for a while.

Yes?

Do you regret choosing to study more?

By now, 9 out of 10 people say that they regret it,

but I don't.

Because you have rich parents?

You don't have to worry about making a living?

No, it's not like that.

If I give up on marriage or having kids,

I can take care of myself...

on my own.

Is that why you gave up dating too?

What?

What do you mean?

I want to date.

Forget it, then.

There's someone I like too.

I didn't ask.

I heard she was about three years older than me.

But she said she wasn't interested in younger guys,

so I'm just scoping things out...

by taking her to eat at the cafeteria.

Try dating me.

I won't be able to buy you expensive meals,

but I can make life fun for you.

What if I want to eat expensive meals?

We can have Lee Jun Ho pay for that.

I have a huge weakness of his.

I don't think this would even make it to the director.

I think the vice-director would turn it down first.

Even with just two kids to sign up for a lecture,

some academies open up the class.

The minimum number of students I'm asking for is four.

The regulation enforcement has become more rigid,

so everyone has been splitting up large lectures into smaller ones.

There are no lecture rooms.

There aren't very many left, but it's not like there are none.

We don't do small lectures.

I think you already know why.

The new lecturers...

signed the contract with a monthly pay system for the first year.

No matter how many students you teach.

you're getting quite a large paycheck.

Do you think you'd even cover...

the cost of using a classroom, your expenses, and all that?

And you use so much paper too.

I'm not saying I'd only teach four kids.

I'm saying let me open the class as long as I get four to sign up.

There's something I want to do, and I can make it a huge hit.

What do you want to do?

Teach great lectures.

I want to believe you, but...

I don't mind if there are no windows.

It can be a room in the corner.

This is going to be a headache.

I'll ask about the classroom,

but then...

I won't know if what you're teaching is right or good.

Write something down.

Even as a formality,

bring something on a piece of paper...

if you want to please the people high up.

- Okay. - Make sure you have that.

Sincerity.

I'm this free only a few days a year.

I get to relax just a few days before the vacation starts.

You must know I work until late every day.

Do you know what the strength of people who like to study is?

They do just fine on their own.

- What's that? - An alarm.

You don't have to take medication on time, do you?

I decided to slack off only until right now.

What?

We were discussing something very important.

And you're leaving?

I have to proofread my material once more before it goes to print.

Gosh.

I thought I was pretty good and making others flustered.

Have fun on your own.

You said you did that just fine.

But...

Bye. You don't have to get up.

I can proofread too.

I read over 1,000 pages of our professors' papers...

(Chanyoung High School, 1st Year, Sung Ha Yul)

You're still here?

What?

I should go.

The principal will ask to see you tomorrow.

Okay.

Shall we get a drink?

Next time. I'll treat you then.

I have stuff to do today.

Okay.

(Chanyoung High School, 1st Year, Sung Ha Yul)

(Challenge! Read a book a semester!)

Hello?

There's too much. It's confusing.

I see.

He's the one...

who made this choice.

All I did was make an offer.

An offer...

- Are you here? - Fill it in.

- Come to the fifth floor. - The poet.

Okay.

Yes. It's here at last.

The courier brought Mr. Lee's and my sample textbooks.

See you.

Okay?

The next question.

What are you doing?

I was going through some material.

That material.

Isn't it something one shouldn't share or try to take a peek at?

Vice-director.

Yes?

I feel the need...

for you to view your situation more objectively.

Imagine this.

An older man...

who could've stayed on and retired as...

a middling schoolteacher.

He also happened to have been taught a harsh lesson by an instructor,

and he decided to challenge her.

At an academy.

Your first opponent is Seo Hye Jin.

She teaches 300 Chanyoung High students each year.

Kids who live and study here are picky,

and she has their utmost support.

I'm aware of...

my situation and what I must do.

- Are you really? - Yes.

So I'll prepare as best I can...

You don't seem to know.

Preparing as best you can...

is a given. It's so basic.

What else must I do?

What I need you to do is win.

A 99-percent win rate won't do it for me.

It must be 100 percent.

"The results will reflect the hard work..."

"I put in, so I'll just do my best."

You don't have that naive mindset, do you?

I have more than enough teaching material.

What's this?

The left is from last year's...

second-semester final exam for Chanyoung High's tenth grade.

The right is a question Seo Hye Jin told her students to study in case.

She recommended and got right a passage that wasn't in...

the textbook or any secondary teaching material.

The multiple choice options are different,

but how excited do you think...

the students were when they saw that?

And how many more students do you think flocked to her classes?

That happens almost every semester.

Now...

do you see who exactly you're up against?

Yes.

This is what you will see in the material that was offered.

The school's exam trend, the KSAT pattern,

the personal taste and style of each teacher,

the change in that teacher's taste,

even all the mock exam questions.

It will all be there.

Naturally, you'll be able to learn how Seo Hye Jin...

decides what to expect in each exam.

But you're...

not playing fair.

It's only against the rules if the referee notices.

Who will say it's unfair if no one sees it?

I met up...

with Seo Hye Jin and shook her up.

I told her you would be quite a threat.

At midnight tonight, go to the place on the note.

Vice-director Woo Seung Hui will be waiting.

- Where are you going? - To the library.

To help the new instructors proofread their textbooks.

They must fend for themselves. Why would you help?

She can help if she wants.

Why are you throwing it out?

Because I don't need it.

Wait. This is...

We just have to send it to the printer tomorrow.

Why are you shredding this?

It's useless. I'm going to start over.

Why?

Because you can find...

a hundred thousand books like this in Daechi-dong.

No, wait.

Why are you doing this?

(New-style fiction appears, The first modern novel appears)

(Advance of realist novels)

("Before Hurray" by Yeom Sang Seop)

(Diversification of short stories)

(1930s, Prolonged Japanese colonial rule)

(Refugees increase due to exploitation.)

(Socialist organizations)

(Modernist novels portraying the anguish of intellectuals)

(Lee Sang, Park Tae Won, Lee Tae Jun)

(Novels on family histories appear)

("Peace Under Heaven" by Chae Man Sik)

("Three Generations" by Yeom Sang Seop)

(Satirist novels)

(Chae Man Sik's...)

I rarely get angry,

but yesterday, I got so angry I almost died.

What happened yesterday?

I barged in to see Choisun Academy's director...

and got beaten up.

What?

What? No, don't be so surprised. She beat me up verbally.

I couldn't stand or accept...

what Choi Hyung Sun said to Ms. Seo.

"Okay, fine."

"You ruined our free lecture,"

"scouted a schoolteacher,"

"talked crap, and tried to pull tricks."

"Do whatever you want."

"It's the class that students pick."

"I'll pay you back with my teaching."

So I looked at the material I'd made.

And what?

I wasn't good enough to make her pay.

No, it's good work.

Classes start soon.

Call the printer and ask for another copy.

- If you get it couriered... - I'll make the materials again.

There's no time.

I don't need fancy designs or expensive paper.

I didn't learn with that.

Think of how crappy your first teaching materials were.

Mr. Lee.

Si Woo said that...

unlike other subjects, when he studies Korean,

it feels like he's not well-prepared.

He's left with a bad aftertaste.

That's because he's just a tenth-grader...

You can't eliminate that aftertaste with a common approach.

It's common because it was tried and tested.

I came up with a new full-mark strategy.

It worked on eighth-class me and first-class me.

What is he on about?

I'll teach them how to read.

They need to form muscles so they can tackle any passage.

Forget teaching skills on how to get things right.

We must teach the essence.

I can get them to read...

and instinctively find the correct answer.

They just have to follow me patiently.

Kids with poor grades will improve much more,

and kids with good grades can trust in themselves.

What kind of dreamy nonsense is this?

The smart kids will consider me a mentor.

Because they'll know it'll help them for the rest of their lives.

You won't play with me for a while.

Gosh.

I think your judgment is clouded because of me.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have said that.

You can get bored if you stare at this for days.

Send it to me. I'll proofread it for you.

Stop saying you'll do things for me.

Okay, then. Let's look through it together.

- Send me the file first. - I deleted it.

It's not funny.

- I'm serious. - Lee Jun Ho!

Are they fighting?

Wait. Ms. Seo.

We still have most of the first draft...

and the file on the printing company's cloud.

We can restore everything.

Do you think teaching kids is a joke?

Excuse me.

I'm telling you this because it's not.

You destroyed a textbook you worked on all semester.

How is it not a joke?

We need a new curriculum if we're to teach properly.

- Don't let your emotions take over. - Go back inside.

Be responsible. Forget about lifelong benefits.

Don't belittle me.

What's this about essence and being able to read?

If you want to stress that, go into politics.

You're smart. Take the civil service exam.

Ditch the sarcasm.

It's the same as saying you'll cancel the KSAT!

Will you follow every kid when they take an exam?

What if they come across a question that your skills don't work on?

Will you coax each flustered kid and walk them through the passage?

There's no true first class until the kids are able to read...

and tackle any question on their own.

Saying that means...

there's no correct answer to teaching Korean.

I don't want to persuade or convince people who think so.

At school, the schoolteachers decide what's right or wrong.

There's a whole organization behind the KSAT.

You said they would need to follow you patiently.

- That's a massive topic. - That's the same as failing to...

- achieve short-term results. - Mr. Lee.

- Trust me... - He's cooler when he's defiant.

How many exams are there in a year?

A mock exam, the midterms, a mock exam, the finals.

That happens each semester.

Ms. Seo talks down on him a bit too much.

They're both instructors if you think about it.

That rules their life forever.

We need to show obvious results and fast.

Do you brag that you went to a great university?

I don't.

With that degree, you worked at a huge company and now you're here.

And then what? If this fails, you can try something else.

You know what a degree means.

It's a status that follows you around forever.

Just one question could change their future status...

and you're talking nonsense?

Getting one more question right in a Korean exam?

That's not my goal. My goal is...

to help the kids get better grades in every subject.

Then teach elementary school kids.

Teach Korean, math, social studies, and science.

Teach music and PE too!

You need to think about why you're my forever mentor!

While you taught me,

my grades improved overall.

You know better than anyone how that happened.

We teach the most basic subject.

"Hong Kyung Rae's Revolt?"

Kids read the title and think something revolting's going on.

Giving them a book, telling them what question to memorize,

and telling them to circle words? What's the point in that?

I'll teach the language first.

I'll expand their horizons and get them to imagine.

If we teach tenth-graders to understand vocab,

sentences, passages, then how to read between the lines,

their status that you talked about will change!

If you follow that step each time,

how many passages can you go through per class?

Who cares...

Who cares how many we manage?

It'll be slow at first, but we'll pick up speed.

Do you think parents pay...

hundreds of dollars per subject for you to teach that?

My gosh. I can hear them weep from here.

It's cheap.

The skill will last forever.

This is an academy for teens. It's not a lifelong learning centre.

Excuse me.

You both need to cool down.

I'm glad you said that.

Go outside and get some air.

And see how many academies there are in a 100m radius.

If your method worked, they would have no reason to exist.

Their parents would keep kids home to read.

Your method never worked since entrance exams were created,

and it never will work!

I'll do what the parents can't.

It's the only way one of my students will be the best in the country.

That's what worked for me,

and I'll teach what worked for me.

What worked for you ten years ago?

Are you going to be drunk on that forever?

I'm not drunk on it. That's the essence!

You're the one that's drunk!

Drunk on the Daechi-dong way...

that teaches kids what notes to take!

Mr. Lee.

That was harsh.

Gosh.

Go back to the office. I'll handle it.

Get your file.

I don't want to.

Download the file you sent to the printing company...

and stay up all night if you must and proofread it completely.

I won't teach with that crap.

I even deleted the original file.

Follow me and I'll kill you.

Darn it.

Where are you going?

You're too emotional right now.

Because I'm human.

Hye Jin. Control yourself. People are watching.

Exactly.

Let me be alone.

- I'm no help at all? - Sorry.

(Seo Hye Jin, Korean)

(Soar to SKY with Yoon Ji Seok)

(Whatever subject you choose, choose Min Hui Ju)

You're the one that's drunk!

Drunk on the Daechi-dong way...

that teaches kids what notes to take!

(Special Holiday Lecture, KSAT Korean)

The person you have reached is...

Hello.

She's not picking up, is she?

No.

She said she wanted to be alone.

No one's any help. See you.

Welcome.

Hello.

Sit anywhere you like.

- Hello. - Hello.

Is it your first time here?

Yes.

- Someone mentioned the place. - I see.

A teacher, right?

I'll order when my party comes.

Okay, sure.

(Night Flight)

How will you search the whole of Daechi-dong?

She could've gone to see her lawyer friend Ms. Cha.

Check out Night Flight.

If she's not there, wait at home.

I'd like to help you search,

but I have proofreading to finish.

- Okay? - Thanks.

You should get back to work.

Shoot me a text if you find Ms. Seo.

Gosh, I'm worried.

Sorry. I'm a bit...

I'm in shock.

Ten years' worth of material.

That's crazy.

It was an enticing offer.

I'm human too.

I imagined becoming extremely rich in a short time.

Why are you telling me this...

instead of taking the material?

I wonder as well.

You know Sung Ha Yul, don't you?

I do. I went to see you at school...

because she cried.

(Chanyoung High School, 1st Year, Sung Ha Yul)

(Challenge! Read a book a semester!)

During an after-school class,

I told the kids to read one book...

per semester.

I thought no one had taken it seriously.

But...

she wrote that over the semester.

I felt so embarrassed.

I was ashamed for talking about my beliefs as an educator...

after being humiliated for fixating on an old-school question.

And I felt ashamed that a student had listened to me.

More than anything,

after all that showing off,

I had ignored and turned against my students.

That hit me the most.

I shouldn't do anything that would make me fall even further.

Thank you.

Without looking at your material,

I will teach as best I can.

I'll study really hard.

If anyone will take my class,

I'll pour in all I've got...

and teach them well.

My own way.

That's what worked for me,

and I'll teach what worked for me.

Mr. Pyo.

Yes.

Can I ask you to do me a favour?

Go ahead.

I'd like you to meet Ms. Woo...

and take a look at my material.

Not to use as a reference.

I'd be grateful...

if you didn't do that.

But what?

But while you're at Choisun Academy,

you need to become...

an instructor that no one can touch.

To do that, I think it would be best if you don't...

go against Choi Hyung Sun.

I'll do what I should.

I will take care of...

what I must do.

Isn't that Mr. Lee Jun Ho?

It is.

Did you have plans that I got in the way of?

No, you didn't. Not at all.

(The Midnight Romance in Hagwon)

I must bet all I have and fight.

I think this could ruin you.

- Are you crazy? - No. I'm perfectly sane.

Did Ms. Seo approve it?

We're going to date, aren't we?

Yes.

Don't think of me as a competitor.

Try to use them to better yourself.

Let's not beat around the bush.

I should leave hand-in-hand with the vice-director.

Why must it be you?

(OST "Simple Melody" by The Restless Age released)

My girlfriend.