Original subtitles

(This drama is based on a true story.)

(The plot was adjusted for entertainment purposes only.)

(We have no intention to offend any careers,)

(encourage immoral sexual values,)

(or create a pessimistic disposition of a gender or a group of people.)

(We would like to apologize in advance for any misunderstandings.)

(Presents)

(Theory of Love)

Where are you now, Rose?

I'll be there in two minutes.

Hello, Aoy, Chod.

My name is Karn,

aka Rose.

It's the name I use on dating apps.

I don't want other people to know too much about my true identity.

I've been living like this for months now.

I'd meet up with men on dating apps so that I could sleep with them.

We would part ways afterward.

No more conversation. No further contact.

Most importantly, we will never meet again.

(Darling)

Because doing so

increases the risk of getting close

and could lead to a serious relationship.

(Darling: It's late. Are you still working?)

It is against the rules of dating apps.

Most users are well-aware

it is for hook-ups, not relationships.

Hey, about the payment for the room, can you do it in cash?

There.

Hurry home. Your wife's calling.

Does that mean you're not keen on a serious relationship?

Would you mind if I asked why?

(Two Years Earlier)

Tired? I'll get you some cold water.

Don't you see I'm under a lot of stress?

Stay out of it.

Sorry.

- No! I said no! - What? I said sorry.

What? Stay put, won't you?

I said no! Let go of me!

Stop treating me like this.

I'm your girlfriend,

not your emotional dump!

And if you refuse to stop,

then I won't put up with this anymore.

So?

What are you going to do then?

I'll break up with you.

You'll break up with me?

You dare to break up with me?

Get away from me!

Let go of me!

If you break up with me,

I guarantee

that for the rest of your life you'll never experience happiness.

Just you wait.

I don't know, Aoy.

But if I were to give you an answer now,

then this is probably what I'd say.

"I've learned my lesson". That's it.

Is he in the area?

I won't text him first.

(Cave Flora Flower Shop)

All good. Here you are.

- Thank you very much. - Thank you.

Are you free this afternoon?

I have work. I'm only free in the evening.

It's okay. Let's meet tonight.

I'll send you the location.

(I'm here.)

(I'm here.)

One second.

Order whatever you want. Put it on my tab.

Can I have a Manhattan, please?

No problem.

Sorry for the wait.

It's okay.

Can I ask you something?

Do you usually meet women from the app here?

Why do you ask?

Nothing. I was just wondering.

This is where you work, it's private.

Other people wouldn't have asked to meet at a place like this.

I've never asked anyone to meet here before.

You're the first.

Are you cold?

You have a beautiful tattoo.

Is there a meaning behind it?

This?

Let go of me!

What is this?

What is that?

What the...?

You think that's going to mean something?

Are you kidding me?

Don't!

Nothing in particular. My name is Rose, and I like black.

Actually, there's more to it.

Really?

A black rose

symbolizes a painful beauty.

You seem to know a lot about flowers.

Not really. I just happen to like black roses as well.

It's such a coincidence

we both like the same thing.

Excuse me. I have to use the bathroom.

I've never asked anyone to meet here before.

You're the first.

Are you cold?

You have a beautiful tattoo.

It's such a coincidence

we both like the same thing.

Rose, are you okay?

Here's your jacket.

Let's go.

Come on.

Rose, take it easy.

There's no need to rush.

And what are you waiting for?

Nothing.

But I like to take it slow.

Slow?

Right. So we'll talk on the phone all night and go out on dates?

Should we just sit there and look into each others' eyes too?

I don't mind that either

if you're okay with that.

This is ridiculous. I don't have that much time.

We met on a dating app.

All we have to do is

meet up, do the deed, and part ways.

And that's the reason why

I want it to be perfect.

If it's only going to happen once,

then I want to leave a good impression.

Rose, should we meet again?

I don't want things between us to end tonight.

You really don't understand the rules of the app, do you?

Of course I do.

But you are

more special than other women.

I don't want to just let you go.

I want to get to know you.

Let's not do this.

Maybe fate will

bring us back together again.

I'm sorry, but I don't really believe in those kinds of things.

It might be good to believe in something.

Stop.

You are more special than other women.

I don't want to just let you go.

I want it to be perfect.

If it's only going to happen once,

then I want to leave a good impression.

(Ava)

What?

Idiot, where were you last night?

I couldn't reach you.

Oh, I was with a guy I matched with on the app.

I probably didn't hear.

I was worried sick. I thought something happened to you.

What would happen to me?

How should I know?

You told me you felt like someone's following and taking photos of you.

So I thought a stalker might've gotten you.

Honestly, maybe it was nothing.

I might've been imagining things.

Anyway, is there anything else?

I'm hanging up if not.

Hold on.

I'm hosting an event next week.

I want you to help me sort out the flowers.

But I...

I know you don't like going to events.

But this one's very important to me.

And I don't trust anyone else but you.

Mm.

Wait for me.

We meet again.

Do you believe in fate and destiny now?

It's only a coincidence.

Coincidences don't exist.

Everything that's happened is predetermined.

But you're dressed

so differently today.

It's like a different person.

And which one

is your true self?

You're asking too many questions.

Well, I'm just curious.

But it's okay. I'll find out later even if you won't tell me.

Hey, why are you following me?

Don't walk away if you don't want me to follow you.

Ava.

Oh, Karn?

Ah, Min.

- Hi. - Hi there.

Let's get it done.

How come you arrived together? Do you know each other?

We met in the elevator.

What?

I'll introduce you to each other.

Min, this is Karn. She's a friend of mine.

She owns a flower shop and she's helping me out today.

And this is Min.

He'll be DJing at the event.

It's nice to officially get to know you, Karn.

Sure.

So where should I put these? I don't have a lot of time.

Come on. Let's go.

- Well then. I have to go now, Min. - No problem.

This way.

This is quite a nice event. I'm actually enjoying it.

Glad to hear that. Thank you.

No worries.

I have to check on my client.

You go ahead.

- How is the event? - It's so nice.

Yes? Sure.

Fate and destiny?

That's silly.

Are you about to leave?

Hello.

Are you Ben's ex?

No, you've got the wrong person.

Hold on.

I don't think so. I remember you.

Are you really Ben's ex-girlfriend?

He went out with someone like you?

He's really heartbroken over you.

You should go back to him.

A woman like you wouldn't be able to find a guy as good as him.

So?

Wait!

Hey, let's call Ben.

Does he know she's here?

Are you kidding me?

Let go of me!

- Hey, come on! - I'm calling.

Let me go!

What are you doing?

Karn,

are you okay?

Did you drive over?

Can you get me out of here?

Can I have it?

Sure.

Hey, is something bothering you?

I'm all ears.

We're not that close.

Actually, we barely know each other.

For certain things,

it might be good to tell someone you don't know.

At least you can be sure they won't tell other people about it.

I don't want to.

I just want to stay silent.

Have it your way then.

What are you smiling about?

Nothing. I was just wondering

why you're trying to get drunk.

You seem like a tough woman.

You should be able to deal with problems easily.

Not like this.

Or am I...

mistaken about you?

I'm not drunk.

All right. Prove it.

So?

Do you feel better now?

I'm thirsty.

Can you go and buy some water for me?

There's a convenience store over there.

Sure. I'll be right back.

Upon meeting him,

someone who's different from everyone I've met,

I broke the rules of the dating app

by sleeping with him again,

even though I promised myself not to.

That night,

I decided to block him from contacting me on all platforms

and left without saying goodbye

(Block "MIN")

because I thought it was for the best

to prevent things from getting out of hand.

- What? - Where are you?

Home.

Sorry for leaving without telling you.

You were busy, so I didn't want to interrupt.

It's okay.

But you went home alone, didn't you?

You didn't leave with Min?

Why are you asking me that?

Quit the act.

I could tell you guys knew each other.

I just...

Save the excuses.

I don't want to know the details.

I just want to warn you

to stay away from him.

Why?

I heard he's strange.

He disappeared from the circle for a while

for no reason.

And he came back a different person.

He used to be happy-go-lucky,

but now he's quiet.

He only perks up when entertaining guests.

- Really? - Really.

I don't think it's safe to be with someone mysterious like him.

Right.

I just want to warn you

to stay away from him.

I don't think it's safe to be with someone mysterious like him.

I just happen to like black roses as well.

It's such a coincidence

we both like the same thing.

You are more special than other women.

Maybe fate will bring us back together again.

Coincidence doesn't exist.

Everything that's happened

is predetermined.

Do you believe in fate and destiny now?

Is he in the area?

Back then,

I was at my wit's end

about how to deal with this.

And what if it's true?

What does he want?

Min?

Why did you block me?

I'm not leaving if you're not going to answer.

I blocked you

because I felt we were crossing the line.

According to the rules, we should've only slept with each other once

and not continue to hang out.

Karn,

why are you so hung up about the rules?

The dating app is just a tool that brings two people together.

Shouldn't the rest be up to us?

I've decided to cut it short.

So you should respect my decision.

Go home.

And I'm warning you.

You should stop whatever you're doing

before I run out of patience and involve the police.

Karn, we should talk.

Hello.

What kind of flowers are you looking for today?

I'm looking for something to surprise my girlfriend.

Sure. This way, please.

Should we do something in pink?

- Sounds good. - These are lilies.

Have a look. There are those ones too.

Who are you looking for?

Who are you?

Come here.

- What are you doing? - Just come!

- Hold on. - Come with me.

Karn? What's going on?

I'm working.

Is this what you want?

I told you to stop. But you're not going to, are you?

Stop? Stop doing what?

If it's about you wanting me to stop approaching you,

I already did that.

What about you? Why did you come to see me?

I wasn't talking about that.

So what is it then?

This.

Tell me. I want an explanation.

You secretly took photos of me, didn't you?

I'm sorry,

I didn't mean any harm.

I was working in the area that day.

Rose?

I just thought something like that doesn't happen often.

Matching with someone,

and then they're right there in front of you.

So I wanted to remember that moment. That's all.

What about you going to see me at the shop?

Where did you get the address?

You used your shop's account to check mine out.

So I did it back.

It's nothing strange that I noticed your address.

I do want to get to know you, Karn.

Can you give me a chance?

I admit I was very confused then.

It feels like the two sides of my brain are in disagreement.

One side told me

he might be the harasser.

And the other told me it might not be him.

Or even if it was him,

he might persist if I run away

and become more violent.

So I thought

the best thing to do was to confront him.

All right.

I'll give you a chance to get to know me.

But we have to be clear about the status

of our relationship.

We're simply going to be

FWB.

Are you okay with that?

It's all fun and games

until bonds start to form.

What can we do while being FWBs?

Everything.

We can do anything couples do.

Didn't I warn you he was strange?

No one has ever been able to enforce the rules they set.

Both of you are going to realize it one day.

Stop it, Ben. I'm not going back to you.

Why? Did you meet someone new?

How is it going to end?

Wipe it.

She's drooling too.

If I'm drooling, then I'm gone.

No need to wait.

Put it down. Then grab his arm.

Like this?

That way.

Come this way!

- This way. - All right. I'm coming!

There's a restroom over there.