Original subtitles

♫ Open to page 64♫

♫ We'll study what came before ♫

♫ Books are fine, but there is so much more ♫

♫ Little schools are just to race but I can tell by your grace ♫

♫ History will one day know your face ♫

♫ 'Cause you got the wit, and you got the drive ♫

♫ You hold the whole world between your eyes ♫

♫ Oh it's so easy to see ♫

♫ Just don't forget about me ♫

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

Are you a college student? A part-timer?

Yes.

Starting today, we'll-

What year are you in?

I'm a junior.

Can I call you "Nuna"?

You mastered Hangul, right?

- Pardon? - You can be honest.

You don't have to be ashamed.

Ridiculous.

Not as much as your parents who saw your report card.

Knowing the letters doesn't mean you can read.

Open the book. You'll practice reading starting today.

And call me "Teacher."

Teacher.

What?

Try calling me that.

What?

Try calling me "Teacher."

I think that'd make me so happy.

No way.

Episode 2

- Hello. - Hello.

Hello.

Text the ones who passed the exam about the demo lecture.

Okay.

Hello.

Team Leader, you came in early.

What's this?

Since you're working so hard.

Thank you.

Can I check an applicant's resume by chance?

Of course. What's the name?

Lee Jun Ho.

Applicants from the first round

Korean

Korean, Lee Jun Ho

Resume

This is him, right? The one from the Hall of Fame.

Yes.

Resume

He's handsome.

Here you go.

Thank you.

- Hello. - Hi.

What's this?

She wanted to check someone's resume.

Seo Hye Jin cares about an applicant?

A special treatment or something?

No. It's Lee Jun Ho, who used to be a student here.

Who?

Lee Jun Ho.

His name is in the lobby here.

The resume. Let me see his resume, too.

What? Why would you?

I'll just see the photo. Just the photo.

- Hurry. - Just the photo?

Gosh.

- I'm not late, am I? - No.

I'm sorry you came early because of me.

I'm always happy to have a one-on-one.

That's mine, right? Thank you.

What's going on that made you want to see me outside?

I imagine all sorts of things on the way. Wondering if you're switching jobs.

Team Leader, do you remember Jun Ho?

Jun Ho? Which Jun Ho?

Lee Jun Ho. When I worked part-time.

Oh, when we were upstairs from the hair salon?

I remember. I taught him English.

What about him?

He came to the academy yesterday.

Really? Doesn't he usually come on Teacher's Days?

To take the exam.

Sorry.

- Take what? - The exam.

The lecturer recruitment exam.

Look at this guy. He's serious.

It looks like he did well on the written exam, too.

I think he'll do the demo lecture, too.

Okay, so?

I want you to reject him.

Why do I have to?

He's being arrogant, saying he can do it and looks down on it.

I thought you wanted everything to be fair.

This sounds like a very unjust soliciting.

Don't you regret quitting your corporate job?

I can't just let my old student act childishly.

But not hiring him won't do anything.

He could easily work for other academies with his resume.

I want to buy time and persuade him.

Help me.

Okay.

I understand your intention.

Even if he seems to have potential—

You're the one who said... even the experienced ones get nervous during the demo.

He doesn't even have any experience. How good could he be?

I passed the written exam.

I'm sure you aren't interested, but it's my habit to report the results to you.

I don't think he'd agree with you.

- Hey. - You came.

What were you looking at? Come in.

You need the large lecture room, right?

You should've called the administrative office.

I just need the smallest lecture room.

It's not official business. It's personal.

What?

Why do you need the lecture room personally?

You don't have to know.

So, you'll practice an academy lecture here?

Yes. How long can I use this room for?

Wow.

Please keep it a secret for now. I'll tell my parents myself.

This can't be the goldmine you were talking about, right?

- Lee Jun Ho. - I don't have time. Get out. Get out.

Hey, it's not even a major academy. You-

I need job experience.

So I can get high pay.

Hey, do you want to film me?

I'll let you attend my lecture, then.

- Are you crazy? - Hurry up and start filming.

Forget it. I know nothing about this.

Seriously.

There are fifteen Korean, ten English, and three social studies applicants for the demo.

They all got perfect scores on the exam.

The exam was just for formality.

Resume We're actually getting started now.

Huh?

What is it?

Was Jun Ho really here?

Pardon?

I suppose you don't know him.

Before our academies merged,

there was Lee Jun Ho at Daechi Chase.

Kim Yoo Jeong, "Spring, Spring"

You'll study Kim Yoo Jeong's "Spring, Spring" today.

You need to know about the characters first.

There's "I," the protagonist and the narrator of the piece.

And there's the father-in-law who's in conflict with "I."

The father-in-law is Jeom Sun's father

and a very cunning supervisor of the neighborhood farm.

And "I" is being exploited by the father-in-law under the condition he can marry Jeom Sun.

He's a very naive and foolish son-in-law who lives with his in-laws.

Between these two characters...

♫ What's it gonna be? If you're gonna forget me ♫

♫ Then you gotta set me free ♫

♫ I think you'll always regret me ♫

♫ Can you catch me? ♫

Lee Jun Ho

♫ Chase me down the hall ♫

♫ Never answer any of my calls and make me feel small ♫

♫ I don't understand what I gotta do ♫

♫ I think I'm crazy over you ♫

♫ When worlds collide ♫

♫ It feels that I don't want to try to ever love again ♫

How about the length?

- We can accentuate it and keep it natural. - Do I need to curl it?

Just the front part?

♫ Can you catch me? ♫

The protagonist's foolishness doesn't let him see the paradoxical situation.

That's the key feature of the novel's humorous quality.

With the non-linear structure in which the past and present get alternated,

we're able to experience the piece from different angles.

Dream. We'll give you the answer. Daechi Chase.

Waiting room for Korean lecturers

Waiting room for English lecturers

Waiting room for social studies lecturers

Daechi Chase

Put everything away.

- Did you post all of them? - Yes, I did.

Assistant Director, would you like to check the scorecard?

Sir, that's for the lecture room downstairs. Go down the stairs.

I'll come with you.

Please be in charge of the event.

Why aren't they here?

You came. Thank you.

Take care.

Daechi Chase Academy New Lecturer Recruitment

One, two, three. One, two, three. Mic test.

Seo Hye Jin

Jeong Soo got this wrong again in the midterm.

Check again during the Q & A session and...

What was I going to do?

You said you'll give me the commentary sheet for today's lecture.

Right.

You're acting kind of strange today.

Sorry. I'll send it right now.

Excuse me for a moment.

Waiting room for Korean lecturers

Who are you looking for?

I'm not looking for anyone.

Thank you for your support.

Geez...

Hello.

Whoa, I knew you'd be here.

I had a feeling I'd see you, too.

What did you prepare?

I prepared classical literature for 10th-graders above Grade 2.

I prepared modern literature for the students below Grade 5.

Below Grade 5?

I suppose.

If you're below Grade 5 here, are you above average in other neighborhoods?

Some of them are not.

You must be experienced.

Well, you could say that.

- Fighting. - Yes.

Daechi Chase Academy New Lecturer Recruitment

The demo lecture will be 10 minutes long.

Mark scores for sociability, penmanship, delivery, and the ability to focus

on the score chart that was given to you.

As you know, the demo is stressful enough for people to quit in the middle sometimes.

So, please help them perform their best in a casual atmosphere.

We'll start the Korean department and move on to English immediately.

Okay. The applicants must be waiting. Let's start now.

Team Leader Ji Eun.

Relax your eyes. You look angry.

Will you make all the applicants cry?

State your name, subject, and start.

Okay.

I'm Nam Cheong Mi, the applicant for the Korean department.

You can start.

Okay.

The lecture I prepared today is...

classical literature for 10th-graders above Grade 2.

It's on "Song of Blue Mountains."

I'll get started now.

Okay.

Classical literature. It's so freaking hard.

This was the most annoying part when I was in high school, too.

It's not even a pop song, but a Goryeo-era song? Why should we study that?

Huh? Don't you agree?

Do you agree or not?

I agree.

Thank you.

I totally understand how you guys feel.

It's too warm. Hold on.

I completely understand how you feel that...

I dressed like this.

But...

what can you do?

The teachers and grading agencies love this piece so much.

We have no choice. Pretend like your friend is talking to you.

"Song of Blue Mountains."

There are basic things you need to memorize.

The genre is Goryeo-era song.

The characteristics are escapist and melancholic.

The rhythmic structure is 3-3-2 with two meters.

What are you up to?

I was looking at the after-school class list.

Looks like it might get canceled.

Probably. They need to go to academies.

We got the Seogang University essay test commentary sheet. Check your email.

Okay.

Especially the affricate and fricative sounds

have very strong and sharp sounds.

Look. Seu. Sseu. Jeu. Jjeu.

What do these have in common?

They're curse words. Curse words.

A lot of curse words start with these sounds in Korean.

You don't need me to explain, right?

Let me emphasize this again.

Humans have a very intricate oral structure.

If you understand a few sound groups,

you'll understand this chart automatically.

Looks like the English department starts late.

Yes, we still have time to kill.

I'm leaving since I just finished.

This is a fate, too. I hope you do well.

Well, thank you.

- Oh, well, then... - Oh, okay.

Mr. Lee Joon Ho.

Daechi Chase Academy New Lecturer Recruitment

I'm Lee Joon Ho, the applicant for the Korean department.

Okay.

Don't get nervous. Do it at your own pace.

I'm not nervous.

Great. Shall we start?

You. Get out.

You won't listen. I'll give you a refund.

Hey, Lee Joon Ho.

You're just sitting here...

and your parents feel assured while you're doing that.

And I get paid for it.

You think that's fine, right?

But I hate to break it to you.

I'm not interested in killing time that way.

Give your spot to someone else and leave if you won't listen.

You're wasting your parents' money, labor, and expectation.

Saving them the trouble would be your filial duty.

You were given 10 minutes.

Mr. Lee Joon Ho.

We're running out of time. Can we see your lecture?

All of you sitting here are in the bottom tier,

to be honest.

You make it sound cool by calling it "no base" or whatever.

But you're just bad at studying.

You might sometimes think this.

"Gosh, what if my life is screwed?"

How do I know?

I was there, too.

Let me tell you in advance.

I was in second place for my first mock test in high school.

Second from the bottom.

But I've never even seen the first one from the bottom.

Because he never even came to school.

That's why I understand your fear so well.

Your peers are probably running ahead at an intimidating pace.

Some bastard is reading Hegel. Hegel.

I deeply understand the hopeless feeling and fear that you encounter in those moments.

But you study for three years for the entrance exam.

It's a way longer race than you think.

It's not too late to start now. You can easily catch up.

You just don't know how to study.

Don't get scared.

I'll run with you.

Okay. Today, you guys will be...

studying Kim Yoo Jeong's...

"Spring, Spring."

By the way,

you'll hit a wall from the first line of the textbook.

"It's a satirical novel that takes place in a farming village in the 1930s.

Focus on the characters' characteristics and the narrative structure

while appreciating the piece."

The first line is already so intimidating.

Okay.

What's "appreciating"?

The dictionary says it means enjoying, understanding, and assessing a piece of art.

By the way, can you enjoy this? Huh?

You can. How?

You need to know how to read it.

You know...

I have a teacher I admire.

The day I met her...

was probably the highlight of my life.

There was only one thing she asked of me.

It's because you don't know how to read.

Let's each read one paragraph and go home.

If you read it over and over again, you'll be able to read.

Each word and line will open up a new world for you.

That's the beauty of Korean literature.

You get to think when you can read, and when you think, you get curious.

When you get curious,

you'll end up studying on your own.

Starting today, you and I will start that training.

I won't let you overlook a sentence or a line.

Literature, reading, and even grammar... are based on that.

He's doing well.

Huh? Seung Gyu, what are you doing here at this hour?

Why is the chief home at this hour, then?

I have no consultations since there's an event today.

I need to go in later. How about you?

- Event? - Yes.

I came back because the professor and students went on a field trip.

I'll take a nap.

I said I'll take a nap.

Have a seat here.

Gosh, I'm tired.

Did you hear anything from Joon Ho?

Huh?

What was I supposed to hear from him?

You know something.

I didn't hear the details.

Gosh, his mom would be in such a shock.

There are better things to be in shock for.

It's risky, but it's worth giving a try.

He gave his parents hard time unlike his older brother.

They spent a fortune on him, too.

Aigoo, what's the point of sending him to a good school?

Everyone at that academy went to a good school.

I can't even do it with my credentials, even if I want to.

Why would you say that?

I know you resent the fact that I was never able to beat Joon Ho.

But don't even think that...

you beat his mom with this.

I don't know why...

but you sound crueler and crueler.

When a boy sins, he goes to a juvie

and when a college student sins, he goes to grad school, they say.

Maybe they teach bad things in grad school.

There's no way...

he'd pass, anyway.

Lee Joon Ho is the last one in the Korean department.

He practiced a lot. He chose a good target, too.

They rarely talk to the judge.

That really was...

I know it was a performance, but he was gutsy.

Sociability, penmanship and delivery.

I thought he was good overall.

He must've been short on time, but he learned quickly.

If you consider the potential regardless of experience,

I think he meets the requirements of this event.

This line of work requires talent, too.

I'm not sure if he'd help the academy's strategy.

We don't have many lower-grade students here.

You don't have to worry about that.

Didn't Team Leader Ji Seok teach him English?

Yes, I did.

Wow, he went from Grade 8 to Grade 1?

He experienced the top, middle, and bottom.

You could call him an all-rounder.

What did you think, Team Leader Seo?

The curriculum changed twice since he graduated.

It seems irrelevant that he went up in grade back in the day.

He used his social skills to mask the lack of lecture content.

Most importantly, I think he won't last long as a lecturer.

What do you mean he won't last long?

To train a new lecturer,

the academy needs to spend a lot of time and effort on them.

The academy will invest in them until they become a proper lecturer.

Of course, it'd be great if they become our asset afterward,

but I'm not sure if he'd become helpful to the Korean department.

You think he'll dine and dash?

He quit his job in less than three years of working.

But it'd be the academy's loss, not yours.

Is it okay if I don't train him?

Will you train him, Team Leader Lee?

No, my team won't have time.

I'm already busy with lectures, consultations, and student management.

There are other talented lecturers.

I don't want to waste energy by hiring an unstable newcomer.

I suppose so.

The future superior's opinion would matter the most.

Thank you.

If so, I'll give Team Leader Hye Jin more time.

No, I-

The director makes the final decision in hiring at other academies, right?

- Yes. - But I listen to your opinions...

and I democratically collect votes.

Let's all give it a thought.

Got it.

The nation is facing a population aging crisis.

As I just said, not just the elderly population, but the aging rate of

people in 30s and 40s need attention, too.

Honey, my back.

What about your back?

I want you to hit it.

I must have indigestion.

Geez, it's because you eat and do nothing.

What do you mean I do nothing?

I made Yong Ho side dishes and delivered them today.

Try doing something productive.

Learn something, perhaps.

What's more productive than what I did?

Did you eat something funny? Why are you yelling?

Gosh, seriously.

Geez...

- I'm home. - Hey, welcome home.

Did you have dinner?

- Yes, I did. - Go take a shower, then.

- Okay. - Would you like some fruit?

No, that's okay.

I have something to say.

What? What is it?

You'll be a bit shocked. Please listen first.

Go ahead.

I submitted a resignation letter.

And it was accepted.

Please respect my decision.

- What? - What?

But for what reason?

You did that without discussing it with us at all?

You would've objected to it, but I would've done it anyway.

I skipped the unnecessary step.

I'm asking you why.

Hurry up and tell us.

Do you want me to die from frustration?

I'm thinking of teaching at an academy.

I took the exam today.

I did well.

I'll keep applying if I don't get the job.

You want to do what?

I can be the best in the country in three years.

- Then my salary would be- - Are you out of your mind?

Yes.

That's a cut below your old job.

It's not. Things changed a long time ago.

Do you think the company is a joke?

I was more diligent and serious than anyone.

- A corporate job is not as valuable to me. - You didn't work that long.

I did this because I didn't know if I'd last long.

Social status?

Yes, I know you're worried about that.

- I can prove with my pay and where I live- - That's enough!

How dare you say something so cheap?

You were born in a better era.

Thanks to that, we've been living in Daechi-dong,

but Hyung, me, and Eun Ho would get pushed out into the countryside

if we just had office jobs.

I really don't want to do that.

I can become successful faster than anyone.

Just think I'm becoming a celebrity or something.

You're too young now.

Work at the company a bit longer

and if you still want to, try later.

My price will go down if I wait longer.

You need to sell a product when the price is high.

Honey...

Mom, are you okay?

Get out.

Get out. Tell Father to come.

Get up.

Get out, I said!

Get up.

Stay there.

Did you wait long?

No, but waiting a little longer would've been fine, too.

Because the view here is amazing.

You're right.

I was surprised to see your text last night.

What's this about?

By chance, is it about the result?

Do you remember this place?

You brought me here every weekend.

I remember the bus number that came here, too. No. 402.

Should we walk a bit?

Sounds good.

You won't be able to join our academy.

Pardon? Why not?

Are you joking?

Didn't I do a pretty good job?

I'm not joking. You can't.

Wow, the wall is taller than I thought.

There's something I want to confirm.

What is it?

I'm very devastated right now.

Did you look at other academies, too?

No, not yet.

But I'm checking the announcement on Teacher Land.

I want you to think of the world...

with a broader, deeper, and far vision.

Among people who are wiser than you.

The apartments that are more expensive than those.

Large space and higher level.

Don't make those things a goal.

That sounds trite.

Sorry.

No, you don't have to apologize.

I lied.

Pardon?

I was lying when I said, "absolutely fantastic."

I bragged about making good money, but I was exaggerating.

There are tons of people like me in Daechi-dong.

But I got interested in teaching while practicing.

I was lying when I said sending you to college was the highlight of my life, too.

I started this to survive when I couldn't afford food, let alone tuition.

Was I happy you went to a good school?

It wasn't because of your success.

It's because I was able to afford tuition since I was given a huge bonus.

You said I'm a teacher you admire.

I was so sick of bringing you to this library all the time.

- I- - Okay.

I understand.

Let's stop there. Stop, Ms. Seo.

I get it.

I understand your true feelings...

but aren't you crossing the line?

What?

So, you sent Lee Joon Ho to a good school and got a bonus thanks to me.

That's all true.

But...

do I have to know how you feel, too?

I never asked you how valuable this job is.

I said I'd improve students' grades and get paid accordingly.

Why are you bringing up other things?

That doesn't affect me even this much.

And I'm... an applicant who took the exam and was assessed based on my ability.

It's kind of weird that you're going this far.

What's so weird? I just want you to-

Is it okay if the academy finds out you're doing this?

Can I tell them you met an applicant personally and pressured him to quit?

I'll get going now.

Where are you going in the middle of a conversation? Your class starts at night.

I have a meeting.

Ms. Seo!

Geez, why...

I'll drive.

- What? - You're in shock. Let me drive.

I'm sorry but go on your own.

Take the bus No. 402.

How embarrassing.

Payment processed.

Let me stress this again.

The exam will be purely based on the textbook.

There's no exam material outside of the textbook,

and the mock test questions will not include pieces that are outside of the textbook.

But there will be more essay questions.

I'll teach you what you should learn for the 10th-grade Korean exam.

Only focus on the things that... I teach you and put stress on.

I'll do what I'm supposed to do as a teacher.

Will the other teachers teach the same lesson, then?

I have no control over what he teaches.

But he won't be able to create questions outside of what you learned.

I don't care if you find your own way to study.

You can keep going to the same academy and you can use EBS, too.

But I'll start an after-school supplementary class

to take an in-depth look at the class material.

Enroll the same way as usual.

Any questions?

Well, then.

What's wrong with "Mr. Pleasant"?

Is he crazy? What's the saying? The finals are coming up.

I don't know. I'll ask my mom.

Yes, Director. I'm in the parking lot—

Pardon?

- Hello. - Hello.

Director Shim.

How is that Ms. Seo's fault?

The school teacher made a brave decision.

Come on in.

Pardon? Gosh.

Codestruction?

Aren't you being too harsh?

What do you mean by beg for forgiveness?

Director, why don't we just meet up this evening?

I'll buy you a drink.

Okay.

Why don't you yell at me in person, instead?

Okay.

Aigoo. His academy won't grow because his feelings fluctuate so much.

He's such a petty man.

What's going on?

The problematic teacher at Chanyeong High made an announcement.

He said the finals will be based on the textbook 100%,

have more essay questions, and he'll have an intensive class after school.

So?

The students are panicking, and the academies are in shock.

So, they want me to go and beg for forgiveness?

Come on. I won't let you even if you want to.

I'll do it if necessary.

I'm good at kneeling.

But still, we'll have to be prepared somehow.

The students won't quit the academy because he changed direction.

They'll have to rely on us more since they aren't used to it.

I suppose.

It'd definitely be less discriminating.

And the average to bottom students will think of it as a chance

and the top students will try their best to secure their grades.

That's true, but... things are already getting shaky to be just optimistic about it.

They're already calling for counselling, too.

There'd be turmoil, but it will be the same with the other academies.

Yes.

I'll try focusing on the average to bottom ones more.

If we have a few kids whose grades go up drastically—

That'd take care of things until next year, huh?

The 9th graders who will attend Chanyeong High won't be able to choose teachers other than me.

I'm just worried it'd be too much for you.

I care about you way more than a few students.

I'm thankful to hear you say that.

- Quality! - The best!

- Let's be... - Safe!

Daechi-dong Restaurant Hagfish

Let me...

There's one there.

Leave it there. I'll do it.

Material prices are skyrocketing all over the world.

Exporting will be an issue if the interest rate in the US keeps going up.

Drink slowly.

It might look boring and stuffy,

but you're supposed to live like that. Like others.

Try studying more if you don't want to. I'll help.

I totally understand what you're thinking.

Father.

Yes?

I'll get my own place.

What?

Don't try to help me, and don't look for a solution.

- Lee Jun Ho. - I...

will come back with a bank book that receives tens of millions every month.

Along with a contract for a newly built Gangnam apartment.

You never got to have that, right?

Working for a corporation could be hard.

You can look for a stable, medium-sized company.

Did you find working for a company hard?

I didn't.

Should I take the grill out?

No.

I'm thinking that right here. It's the same with people's dreams.

Aren't you crossing the line?

How about Director Sim? Did you comfort him?

He was so noisy. I was dying.

I was about to go home, but the lights were on here.

So, I thought it had to be Seo Hye Jin at this hour.

This reminds me of the old days.

Back when we had nothing.

I drank tons of soju in a corner of the academy.

You taught me how to drink, Director.

After I failed miserably with the film I made with my friends' money

and joined the academy...

I couldn't even imagine this day would come.

You were actually kind of cool back then.

A filmmaker who's trying to make a comeback.

- Really? - Yes. I like your films.

I just can't recommend them to other people.

Come on.

There was a theater called Piccadilly in Jongno back then.

Yes, I know.

There was a row of handprints on the sidewalk in the front.

It was my dream to make my handprint with my actors there.

But I'm just commemorating the students' entrance exam accomplishments.

What do you mean by "just"?

It's a very meaningful thing.

Do you really think so?

Of course I do.

So, why are you trying to act like a mentor?

To Jun Ho, I mean.

I can't bring myself to call you "Teacher."

Aren't you crossing the line?

So, why are you trying to act like a mentor?

Daechi Chase

You're doing the right thing.

I'm grateful you changed your mind.

You're willing to invest in a new talent.

I should support you.

- I'm curious about one thing. - Huh?

What would you have done if I kept opposing it?

I don't know. I never thought about it.

- Why not? - I just had a feeling Lee Jun Ho would be mine.

It was a gut feeling.

I have a favor to ask, Director.

Try picturing this image in your head.

An old gentleman came running from a rice field

and held onto your ankle tightly.

What? He's handsome.

Look at how he's using the chalk, not his face.

I think my handwriting is better.

He practiced writing on the chalkboard a lot.

He uses colors cleverly so you get the point clearly.

He can work for a major online academy.

The camera loves him.

That's probably his goal, too.

Team Leader, is Lee Jun Ho not going to make the cut?

That'd be a shame.

No, he will. He'll be joining us.

I thought I was overreacting.

You weren't.

I can see why you were shocked.

Sending him to college should've been enough.

I realized I was acting like a great mentor or something.

You don't have to go that far.

Not to mention the Chanyeong High incident.

I have enough on my plate.

I have no energy to worry about Jun Ho, too.

Yes. He's no longer a kid anymore, either.

I know.

He's no longer a kid.

Would you like a drink afterward?

I'll treat you.

I'm meeting someone later.

Right, right.

- This is for Hui Seon. - Okay.

Don't give it to the receptionist. Give it to the bride's assistant directly.

Don't forget to tell her I'm sorry.

I can tell from the thickness.

Don't be sorry. She'll be your favorite guest.

I used a trick.

I wrote a letter because I felt bad about not making it.

The money gift is just a bonus.

Hye Jin, writing a letter is dangerous.

She cried for two hours on the plane on our way to our honeymoon.

Because of your letter.

You didn't have to write this.

We all understand you work on weekends.

You should've rested your wrist.

My wrist...

Hello, welcome.

Hello. Hello.

So Yeong, I'm sorry. I'll talk to him briefly.

Take your time. Take your time.

Did you tell your parents?

Yes.

You won't give up, right?

No.

I might as well aim for the entrance exam market at a major academy.

It's supposed to be hard without experience or connection,

but my qualifications are good enough.

First of all, I apologize.

What for?

For crossing the line. I'm sorry.

I hurt your feelings.

You're cool, Ms. Seo.

I'll be cool and accept your apology, too.

Thank you.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Listen carefully to what I'm about to say.

Okay.

It won't be so much fun from now on.

There's no solidarity or loyalty between co-workers.

Three hours on the podium and working 12 hours on the weekend are nothing.

The rest of it would be a lot harder.

No one will help you join a major online academy, either.

You need to develop on your own.

A-Are you hiring me?

All the lecturers are your competitors.

And there is a set amount of students.

You'll be sharing a pie with everyone else.

Everyone will either attack you...

or use you.

It'd be one or the other.

- Which means- - You'd be like that, too?

Can't you say something hopeful to cheer me up?

Your happiness will depend on losing or gaining a student.

They quit whether their grades go up or down.

If they go down, it's because they're good.

If they go down, it's the lecturer's fault.

They quit whether the class is easy or hard.

If it's easy, it's because they're good.

If it's hard, it's because the lecturer is incompetent.

You should be grateful if they quit quietly.

They often spread a malicious rumor,

or shut down a class by leaving with their friends.

And no one knows how long it'd take to recover from it.

And your income would hit rock bottom.

In the worst-case scenario, you get fired.

Did something happen?

You can tell your teacher everything.

Mr. Lee Jun Ho.

- Pardon? - Let me tell you one more thing.

Well, M-Ms. Seo-

I worked in Daechi-dong for 14 years.

I've put dozens of students on top of their classes up to now.

As you know, I'm an expert at improving grades.

- What are you doing? - The other lecturer we hired is 32 years old.

She's been lecturing for eight years.

In Dongtan, Mapo, Mok, and Junggye,

she's been teaching without taking a month off.

She has written a textbook,

experiences small, medium, and large lectures.

She's a powerhouse who's been putting students on top of their classes every year.

Even I'm nervous right now.

I'm saying you won't have time to joke around with me going forward.

You may leave, Mr. Lee Jun Ho.

Okay.

Why are you so angry?

You were relentless.

What do you mean? I just warned him.

Who is he?

The first student I taught while I was taking time off school.

Huh? Oh, that dummy?

He's not a dummy.

♫ Open to page 64 ♫

♫ We'll study what came before ♫

♫ Books are fine, but there's so much more ♫

- Hello. - Hello.

You said hello to each other, right?

- Yes, we're all done. - Nice.

Ms. Kim and Ms. Jeong, I'm sure both of you are busy,

but please help the new teachers adjust.

- Okay. - Okay.

The new teachers, choose the schools you want to be in charge of and let me know.

It's almost the finals, and the 9th graders will be flooding in soon, too.

You have to prepare the orientation for the parents yourselves first.

- Okay. - Okay.

Let me tell you about the Korean department's schedule and lecture rooms.

First, we don't have lectures on Mondays.

You're all here today since it's your first day,

but you're not required to come in on Mondays.

And Ms. Kim?

Oh, yes.

I did research since you asked me to...

Let's go to the teachers' office.

Hello.

Good to see you.

I should call you Mr. Lee now, right?

I'm in your care.

Be good. You upset Ms. Seo a lot.

Okay.

Okay, get going. Let's catch up later.

Okay.

♫ Just don't forget about me. ♫

All right. Let's go.

Mr. Lee, focus on writing the curriculum.

- Writing your own curriculum is a basic requirement to succeed as a lecturer. - Okay.

These are your desks. Pick whichever you want.

Should I take this one?

Okay.

Team Leader, Director wants to see Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee, you can go.

Come to the director's office.

So how does it feel

to finally become a teacher?

It's still a bit awkward, but it's fun.

You let your parents know?

Yes.

What did they say? They must've been surprised.

They're still recovering.

They were surprised quite a bit.

You mean it's official now, right?

Well, you can talk to me casually.

No, I can't do that. You're a teacher now.

I find it so moving.

You were once our academy's treasure

and you were our symbol and identity.

But you returned as a teacher.

Thank you.

Since we're on the topic, I'd like to make a suggestion.

- Please go ahead. - I don't give this opportunity to anyone.

I want you to become the face of the academy.

What do you say?

Isn't that Ms. Seo's job?

Yes.

Am I qualified for it?

Your story itself qualifies you.

This will be a great boost for the new lecturer.

Lee Jun Ho's story.

Sounds good.

I like how decisive you are.

The ad won't be everything.

Don't forget that the best ad is your ability and word of mouth.

Yes. I'll do my best.

Thank you.

♫ And I'm chasing all my dreams ♫

♫ The sound of sleep, the light that brings ♫

How about this, by the way?

A double attack.

The miraculous teacher and student.

I think that'd be a more moving story.

♫ Can you catch me? ♫

♫ Chase me down the hall ♫

♫ Never answer any of my call ♫

♫ And make me feel small ♫

♫ I don't understand what I gotta do ♫

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

I keep worrying about you.

I worry about you, too.

Please be my partner.

Seo Hye Jin, are you sleeping?

I can't handle it.

Something unexpected happened.

Choiseon Korean's director will be teaching a class.

- Ms. Seo. - Ms. Seo is exceptional.

Everyone else is just trying to challenge her.

Did Mr. Pyo Sang Seob of Guksa Polytechnic High switch schools?

Will the teacher and student concept be powerful enough?

- I found it. - The lecture skills are a huge trade secret.

Shit.

Is someone in there?

♫ Can you catch me? ♫