(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
(Staff ensured the animals' safety in the filming of this drama.)
(20 years ago)
(General Repair, Sunah Billiard Hall)
Dad?
Sun Ah.
Sun Ah? Where are you, Sun Ah?
Sun Ah. An Sun Ah.
Why are you here?
Sun Ah! Wake up.
- An Sun Ah, wake up. - My baby.
- Wake up! - No.
Wake up.
You must have been tired. Let's go home.
- Sun Ah. - You'll be fine after some sleep.
- My baby. - You can't do that.
- You can't do that, sir. - Wake up, Sun Ah.
- You can't do this, sir. - Escort him out.
- She's just tired. That's it! - You can't do that, sir.
- Wake up, Sun Ah! - Sir.
- You should have been there! - Sir.
Why did you leave her there alone?
Why?
Why is it her, not you?
Kid.
You're Sun Ah's brother, right?
So you were the first one to see Sun Ah.
Did you see anything weird?
(Emergency Room)
When you went out to play, was she alone in the billiard hall?
Hey. You'd better answer my questions!
Come on. He's just a kid.
Gosh. Sorry about this.
Hey, I heard your sister was some famous genius.
Gosh. Then you must be smart too.
You must like playing with yo-yos.
My son always plays with that too.
It's okay. You can play with it.
Do you want me to take you to your parents?
Okay. Let's go.
Mister.
- He's coming out. - There he is.
What are you doing?
Honey!
Why are you taking him?
Honey. That can't be right.
Honey.
Why are you taking him? You got the wrong guy.
Honey.
A while ago, a math whiz became famous after her appearance...
on a quiz show.
But she was found strangled to death in a billiard hall.
People are calling it the Murder of the Math Whiz.
Shockingly, the culprit turned out to be...
- the girl's father. - My goodness. Poor thing.
- Don't even pity that guy. - The police...
- He's less than human. - arrested the father.
- How could he kill his daughter? - The court...
Be quiet.
- Is that what you want? - Yes.
Here.
All right.
Dae Bum. Take this with you.
It's okay.
So he reported his father to the police.
Please watch what you say in front of the kid.
Mom, I'm here.
Mom?
Mom, I'm here.
Mom.
Mom!
(Summer Strike, Episode 5)
"What I did..."
(I don't know where to start...)
(I found out later...)
No.
No. Don't distract me. I need to write this.
Gosh. What's gotten into you?
Okay.
Let's go.
Come here.
Hey, you'd better come to school today.
What? Is that how you talk to your older sister?
Mind your own business. Why does it matter if I go to school or not?
Your teacher always calls me to the office. It's annoying.
Your homeroom teacher wants you to bring our parent.
- You might not graduate because... - Ha Neul.
Ha Neul.
Take this with you.
The fee is due by the end of this week.
It's okay. I don't need to go on the field trip.
No. Go on the field trip.
- Take it. - Give me that.
Gosh. No! Don't take that. It's for Ha Neul.
He said he didn't need it.
Seriously. What a piece of trash.
I'm sorry.
(The restroom is outside.)
(I'm sorry.)
(Checkouts and Returns)
Bom, are you not coming to the library today?
I bought ice cream.
Sorry, Yeo Reum. I'm at school now.
Sorry. I won't disturb you then.
Well,
thank you for the plant.
Oh, that. Sure.
You must have heard about Joon.
Yes.
I'm sorry.
No. I didn't tell you the whole story.
Then I'll grow the plant well.
Okay.
(Angok Public Library)
Wait!
Well,
do you want some ice cream?
You know,
I prefer ice cream in cones to ice pops.
What about you?
Well, ice cream is tasty.
- The apple-flavoured ice cream... - You don't have to answer it.
But this is good.
Okay.
Actually, I decided to live here...
because I really liked the library here.
Right.
You told me.
I did?
Yes.
When?
That day...
you know.
When I...
That day?
What else did I tell you?
You didn't talk much. You actually sang.
I sang?
I did?
I sang?
What did I sing?
You know,
that song...
Why do you show up in front of me?
How come you always show up when I get drunk?
No. Please stop.
Can you just forget about the day completely?
- Well... - Please. I'll do anything.
No. I rarely think about that day.
Come on. You just sang the song.
Because you asked.
Oh, no.
Hey, Bom. What a surprise to see you here.
Hey, don't talk to me at school.
You're going to the library, right?
Get away from me.
- Here? - That's awesome.
- Is she crazy? - Oh, no.
Darn it.
Something stinks in here.
I guess a stinking girl must have come in here.
Hey, why don't we clean this place?
- Should we? - Hey.
Bom, you'd better come out when I ask nicely.
We have unfinished business.
Come on out, you filthy girl.
Ma'am, over here! Something's going on in the restroom. Hurry.
We'll beat you up when we get a hold of you.
Hey! What are you doing here?
Bom, you got into trouble as soon as you came back.
Hey, Bom. Are you okay?
Heo Jae Hoon. I need to talk to you.
You've been skipping school because you've been hanging out with her?
- No. - Yes, you have.
Don't hang out with a troublemaker like her. Okay?
Why won't you answer me?
You're here because you got kicked out of school in the US.
You're already embarrassing your parents...
Aunt.
If you keep this up, I'll call your parents in the US.
Sorry.
Then don't get into trouble. Got it?
They must think they are some literary giants.
They're all playing hard-to-get.
Did they all turn it down?
Yes.
I get it, though.
Coming here just to listen to old people won't be easy.
That's not the problem.
If I can't find anyone, I might have to do it.
I don't even keep a diary.
Gosh. This is due tomorrow. What am I going to do?
Can anyone do it?
Well,
I only proofread their writings.
So proofreading is completely different...
- from creative writing. - No. Since you've done...
a lot of proofreading, you're familiar with writing.
I heard you majored in Korean literature too.
You'll be better at this than us.
Please help us, Yeo Reum.
But...
No. We just need you to fill in for this month.
Please help us just this once.
I really don't feel confident I can do this.
I'm worse. I don't even keep a diary.
Yeo Reum.
Remember? Why do you show up in front of me?
What did you say?
- Who showed up? - Nothing.
("The Last House")
Did I bring any lipstick?
Let's see.
I must have at least one.
What am I doing?
Is it there?
(Angok Public Library)
Am I overdoing it?
Yeo Reum.
Hello.
Shall we get going?
Okay.
Bom. Are you still mad?
I'm sorry. I'll never talk to you at school from now on.
Bom.
Hold on.
I'm sorry. Can you forgive me for this once?
I can be dense at times.
You didn't do anything wrong.
I was just embarrassed. That's it.
Bom!
What?
What's that look on your face?
- Whatever. Come and carry this. - Okay.
Hello.
We're here to do the interview today.
Ma'am.
You can sit here.
Gosh.
You have a beautiful shirt on.
You don't have to be nervous.
Just pretend you're talking to your daughter...
and be yourself.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - It's hot.
What's your name?
Why do you want to know my name? Just skip that part.
There.
Wait. That's...
It's better with this.
Here.
Give this to him.
Eat up.
Then how old are you?
I'm an old granny. Why do you want to know?
Gosh. Why are there so many flies?
The older ones are all grown up.
And the younger ones have just started to walk.
Gosh, they are so adorable.
Whenever I see my grandchildren,
I can give them the world, and I would want to give them more.
I see them come in, calling for me.
Those kids hover around the door.
- Gosh. Those cuties. - Ma'am.
- I... Ma'am. - You know what? They...
- Yes? - Can I use the bathroom?
Okay. The bathroom is that way.
I see. Thank you.
You did drink a lot of water. Goodness.
Why did she leave this? This is the best part.
Gosh. That's so salty!
So you've been eating this salty dish?
Are you a fool? You should have told me.
Goodness. I had no idea.
You should have told me.
I feel awful.
I thought it was sugar.
But I added salt instead.
Well...
How would I know if you didn't tell me these things?
But what is your husband doing?
My husband?
He's already gone.
I bet there's not much to do up there.
He's probably lounging around.
It would be nice if he was looking over our family up there.
But do you know what's odd?
When he was still with me, we weren't exactly happy together.
But I do miss him from time to time.
I hurt my leg, so I even got it treated...
in Seoul.
I had to go back and forth from the hospital.
But I still have some pain left.
That's why I still walk with a limp.
(2022 Level-7 Civil Servant, Written Examination)
(List of Accepted Applicants)
Eight, five, three, seven.
Eight, five, three, seven. Eight, four...
Eight, five, three, seven, five, eight, four...
What?
Gosh.
Time flew by.
You must be hungry. Dig in.
You should eat with us.
Gosh. I'm all right.
- Thank you for the food. - Sure.
It's so good.
- Is that so? - Yes.
So it's not salty?
My name is Kim Bong Soon.
And I'm 75 years old.
But on paper, I'm 72.
You seem very healthy.
Right? I am healthy.
By the way, are you two married?
No. We're not.
We're not married.
I bet you would be happy together if you two got married.
Before coming here, my heart felt heavy.
But I simply listened to her stories.
Now, I'm at ease.
That's good to hear.
You fixed the light earlier, right?
Yes.
You're like Santa Claus.
Yeo Reum.
Could you keep doing this with me?
But the thing is...
If you see what I wrote,
you won't be pleased.
Well, then...
Buy me dinner, and I'll think about it.
You mean, today?
But we just ate.
If we're walking for a while, I'll get hungry soon.
I kept you waiting so long, didn't I? I'm sorry.
No. I was so engrossed in my book that I lost track of time.
Hey, wipe the drool before you talk.
Yeo Reum, my grandma said to make a stew with this overripe kimchi.
Oh, my. I couldn't buy kimchi because it was so expensive.
What? Kimchi is expensive? That's all we have in our kitchen.
Yeo Reum.
Shall we go get some food now?
What? So he's buying us dinner?
I'm in. You?
You're only quick-witted in situations like this.
Thanks, Dae Bum. I was getting hungry.
- Dae Bum. - Yes.
- What do I do? - What's wrong?
I passed the exam.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
They announced the results today, you know.
After you left earlier, I was like, "Should I open this by myself?"
"Should I wait for Dae Bum?"
I just went ahead and opened it.
- And I passed! - Ji Young!
Hey, did you call everyone you know?
Dong Chul called and asked me if you really passed the exam.
No, I didn't call him.
Goodness.
In any case, we're being treated to dinner today!
- You're treating us? - No, you are.
Hey! Big news.
- Be quiet. - I brought you many customers.
- Oh, my. Hello. - Hello.
She passed the exam to become a level-seven civil servant.
- Really? - How should we address her now?
- Congratulations. - My gosh! That's amazing.
Thank you.
- Put the tables together. - Hey, help us.
- Give us a hand. - Okay.
- There, that's good. - Hold on.
We'll clean the tables first. One moment.
- I'll sit here. - Thank you.
(Jeil Restaurant)
- Oh, that looks good. - Right?
- Eat up. - I actually have some lettuce.
Do you mind if we eat it?
Lettuce? Where did you get it? Sure, take it out.
The lady we interviewed earlier today...
gave us some lettuce to share with everyone.
What kind of interview?
A writer didn't show up, so Yeo Reum filled in.
Yeo Reum, what kind of work did you do in Seoul that you could fill in?
She worked at a publishing company.
I see. Then you must've had many boyfriends.
What does working in publishing have to do with having boyfriends?
I've always been attracted to women who read a lot.
So? Do you have a boyfriend?
I did, but we broke up.
Why? How long were you guys together?
Well...
- I wasn't a short relationship... - Hey, Ji Young.
The meat will burn. We should eat quickly.
- Okay. - Here, eat up.
- Thanks. - Careful, it's hot.
Dae Bum, you don't even know how to grill meat properly.
Look, you have to sprinkle some salt first...
Why would you sprinkle salt?
This way, it tastes better!
Gosh, you ruined it all.
Did I overdo it?
- Yes. - I heard the exam was very hard.
- Yes. - It sure is.
She's not that bright, but she makes a lot of effort.
Hey, seriously.
Let's be honest. I got better grades in middle school.
- Gosh. - What? You got better grades?
Yes, that's right. She got lower grades.
That was when she started studying very hard.
Then she got into college.
And she managed to pass the level-nine civil servant exam...
on the fifth try.
No one else in Angok...
works harder than she does.
Go on.
So I gave her a nickname.
Exam Bomber.
- Stop it, seriously! - Okay, all right.
That's my cue to leave.
They say being able to work hard is also a talent.
Talent, my foot.
Those who are truly talented shouldn't have to work this hard.
What about you, Bom?
You always doodle when you're at the library.
Hey, I've been meaning to talk to you. This is perfect.
Here's a lesson I learned.
If you use your environment or whatever as an excuse...
not to do something that you have the ability to do,
you'll regret it big time.
You're in 11th grade.
If you like to draw, use it to get into college.
Don't waste your time doodling away like that.
Who are you to lecture me when you don't even know anything?
Aren't we here to eat?
Bom, I just think it's such a shame.
Hey, life is all about timing.
I bet you don't agree with me now.
- I made a delicious ssam... - You see, Dae Bum...
has no idea because he's not like us.
Average folks like us...
have to work very hard.
Why? Because we must snag the opportunity when it comes along.
If you missed the timing, that's it.
For real.
But you know,
not everyone has a goal in life.
I don't have one either.
Well...
But...
isn't that why you're here to recharge...
and plan for your future?
No, not really. I'm just here...
to do nothing.
Ji Young, why don't we have some fun and celebrate now?
Have some ssam.
Have some meat too.
- Try this. - Hey, Dae Bum.
Why do you keep cutting me off?
Just eat, will you?
I overheard your conversation.
Ms. Cho is absolutely right.
Bom, you must stand on your own two feet for your family's sake.
This is so annoying.
Heed my advice, okay?
Your grandma can't support your family forever.
As I always say,
your dad will always be a drunkard,
- so you should... - Ma'am.
Watch what you say, will you?
Gosh, must you be so bratty?
Must you drive customers away when you run a restaurant?
And just know that I'm holding back because of Yeo Reum.
Make sure you give Yeo Reum back her 450,000 won.
- That little brat... - Hey, wait up!
- Gosh. - Congratulations
Congratulations on passing your exam, Ji Young
Hey, where did the kids go?
Blow them out!
Gosh, my head hurts so much.
What's with this mood?
Hey, blow them out.
I got you seven candles.
Okay. Now that the kids are gone, how about we go sing karaoke...
to lift our spirits?
Well, I should get going.
What?
Ji Young, I should go home too.
All right. Sung Min, you and I will go for another round.
Come on! What's with you guys?
Yeo Reum, come with us. I'll give you a ride.
It's okay. I can just walk.
You're carrying a lot of stuff.
How are you going to carry all this?
- Wait, Ji Young. Are you leaving? - Yes.
We should have some fun on a day like this. When will we celebrate?
I had to practically beg my dad to let me stay out late.
Have fun. Knock yourself out. I never told you not to have fun.
Party away and go home late, okay?
Hey, but...
- Get home safely, Ji Young. Bye. - Bye.
Drive safely.
(Jeil Restaurant)
Gosh.
What should we do now?
Like Sung Min said,
I kind of don't want to just go home.
How about a beer?
Now?
There's a sashimi restaurant I really love.
I only take a special few to that place.
But I'm quite full right now.
Come on, just a taste. Sounds good?
- Hey, Dae Bum. Ji Young... - Yes.
won't move to Seoul right away now that she's passed the exam, right?
There's the interview stage. She may not pass the interview.
I heard she was guaranteed to pass it.
Is that so?
Oh, well. She'll move to Seoul, at last.
- Sung Min. - Yes?
You're sad, aren't you?
Me? Why would I be sad?
Hey, I'm happy she's leaving.
I'd even be willing to bribe the interviewers...
to please hire her.
Don't worry about me. What will you do now?
You only talk to Ji Young.
These days, people die of loneliness, not of hunger.
So you should get a girlfriend.
You're good-looking. What's with you?
Stop chuckling.
Hey, how about I set you up with someone?
You?
What?
Don't underestimate me. I know many girls.
What's your type? Tell me.
Puppy face? Cat face?
No, I don't have a type.
Come on! There must be a celebrity you like.
- Gosh. - What? IU?
- What? - Okay.
If you want to meet IU, follow me.
Hey, I should really go home.
IU! Follow me.
- Congratulations on passing it. - Thank you.
Level seven at that. I heard it was very hard.
I studied very hard.
It wouldn't have been possible without Dae Bum's help.
Mr. An?
When people see him, no one can really guess...
how special he is.
Well...
You see, Dae Bum entered Korea National University...
at age 17.
He was the youngest researcher there.
You must be surprised.
He's too smart to be rotting away...
in this small-town library.
I can't tell you more,
but he's got quite a story.
I get so angry when people treat him rudely,
knowing nothing at all.
Especially those kids who come to the library.
Joon and those rascals. They're so rude to him.
They should really be scolded.
You seem really concerned about him.
It's just that...
Dae Bum and I have known each other for a long time.
But it seems like he feels comfortable around you now.
You think so?
Gosh, I'm so happy I passed the exam.
But will Dae Bum be okay without me? That's what I'm most worried about.
- I'm so annoyed. - Darn it.
Look who's here.
It's Kim Bom.
You little... Where do you think you're going?
You never come to school,
but you're always wearing the school uniform. Darn you.
Do old men pay you more if you're wearing the uniform?
You crazy little...
Accusing me of something you'd do?
Oh, no. I'm so scared.
What will you do?
Dae Ho can't protect you because he's in the slammer.
Hey, you girls can't even do anything when you're alone.
You can gang up on me only because you're together now.
You pathetic losers.
- Darn... - Where are you going?
Off to make money to pay for your dad's booze?
Girls. You know that her dad is a useless drunkard, right?
I heard her mom was a bar girl too.
They got drunk, slept together, and had her.
- Gosh. - That's disgusting.
- What a moron. - She's like a cockroach.
What's everyone's problem today?
- Hey! - Hey!
- Let go. - Hey!
Come with me, Yeo Reum. I'll drop you off.
It's okay. I'll just walk home.
No, it's too far. It's dangerous.
It won't be too long.
By the way, I'm really curious about something.
Doesn't doing nothing make you anxious?
Well...
It does.
Right? You feel anxious, don't you?
What if Bom sees you and does the same thing?
You're an adult, so it could look cool.
But she's still a kid, you know.
It could ruin her future.
Aren't you anxious?
Me? Why would I feel anxious? I work for the government.
You know, the truth is...
I fell into a slump because I always tried...
to live up to others' standards.
I struggled because I felt that I was doing a terrible job...
when everyone else was thriving.
So now,
I'm trying to get to know myself better and not worry about others.
I see.
I'm not following at all. My head hurts so much.
Also,
I haven't known Mr. An for a long time,
but he's such a warm person.
The kids know that. That's probably why they like him.
They're not looking down on him.
Don't worry too much. He'll be fine on his own.
Hello?
I'm in front of Bangrim Sashimi House now.
I had a few drinks. Can you pick me up?
Sorry and thanks. I'll wait here.
I'll get going, then.
No, it won't be long. Just wait a few minutes.
No, I want to sober up.
Get some safely.
All right. Bye, then.
Bye.
What's wrong with me?
I don't even know anything about him.
What happened?
Bom!
Bom.
My gosh. What happened to you, sweetheart?
I tripped and fell on my way home. It's nothing.
Oh, dear. This is terrible.
Who did this to a petite girl like you?
No. Like I said, I tripped and fell.
Let's go inside. We should put some ointment on it.
- Grandma, I told you it was not... - Come on. Let's go inside.
You brat!
Look at yourself. You're a real mess!
You're a girl, yet you're always busy fighting.
Go inside.
That brat! She's like that because she takes after her mother.
How could you say that to your daughter?
Go inside.
It's all your fault.
What? What did you say? You little...
It's all your fault.
We have to live in this dump, and Mom ran away.
It is all your fault!
You little... What did you say?
Why did you even have me if you were going to treat me like this?
Let's just all die together!
Bom, don't be like this.
Okay! Let's die!
Let's all die together!
How could you call yourself a father?
Get lost!
Leave like your mother did!
You worthless brat!
You're just like your mother. I want you both dead!
Cho Ji Young. Am I your forever minion?
Just think that you're driving me home as a gift for passing the exam.
Goodness. You're so selfish.
I'm getting sleepy.
Hey, actually...
Can you drop me off at Dae Bum's place?
What?
Why do you need to go to his place at this late hour?
I have to talk to him about something.
Talk to him in the afternoon.
He lives alone. You can't go to his place in the middle of the night.
The neighbours will gossip.
That's exactly why I'm doing this.
What? What's with you?
Hey, Ji Young. Have you done this before?
Yes. I'm going to sleep.
- Wake me up when we're there. - What?
- Did you say "Yes?" - Bye.
This is nuts. I mean...
Gosh.
Hey, we're here.
Okay, thanks.
Get home safely.
Hey, Ji Young.
I have to talk to Dae Bum about something too. I'll tag along.
Talk to him about what? Do it another time.
Hey, wait. Ji Young.
You know, that cake. Take the cake.
Just eat it with Joon.
No, I can't eat cake right now.
No, my stomach is upset now. Just take it.
Actually, save me two pieces. No more.
- Bye. - Hey, but...
Ji Young, you'll actually go in? Hey!
My gosh.
You're so mean!
Ji Young.
Hi.
What brings you by at this late hour?
You little...
You're acting like a stranger.
Hey, did you drink a lot?
Yes, I drank quite a bit.
- Goodness. - Sit down.
You were out drinking until now?
Yeo Reum and I had a talk.
She's an interesting person.
Yeo Reum?
You drank with her?
Today is such a happy day for me, you know.
So do me a favour.
What is it?
You need to promise me first.
Well, what is it? Tell me first.
Should I give you a heads-up so you can meet him,
knowing he'll be here?
Or would you prefer not to know?
You're talking about the professor, right?
You're so smart.
He'll come here tomorrow to see you.
Hey, isn't he so nice?
You're so mean to him, but he's coming all the way here to see you.
So don't even think about running away.
I'll be watching you like a hawk.
Okay?
Then let's move to Seoul together.
Let's go together.
Oh, Bom.
Yeo Reum.
Are you all right?
I had nowhere else to go.
(Sunah Billiard Hall)
I'm glad you came here.
Gosh, it must sting.
It stings, doesn't it?
It's okay.
You must be tired. Get some sleep.
Wait.
Yeo Reum.
You're not going to ask me what happened?
Do you want to talk about it?
No.
You can tell me when you want to.
But you know, Bom...
I don't know what happened,
but don't get hurt again.
I'll turn off the lights.
Sleep tight.
You too, Yeo Reum.
Think of this place as your second home.
You can come over anytime.
Thanks to you, I've learned to enjoy the present moment.
She's undergoing surgery at the moment.
About her wound, what happened?
Dad might end up in jail.
Let's tell them I did it. They can take me instead.
Grandma...
It's 10 million won.
I was wondering if I could get my rent back.
Because of Bom's surgery?
Could you look after Gyeoul?
I liked it here.