(All characters, organizations, places, entities, and events...)
(in this drama are fictional.)
Starting last year, a combined curriculum for arts and science...
was established for high school freshmen and up.
Those freshmen, who will become seniors this year,
will have their levels at the school determined by...
the combined arts and science grades.
Are you done? Get moving.
The CSAT will maintain the current format this year.
The combined arts and science CSAT format...
will be implemented starting with the class of 2022.
(Study Room)
As for social science, the student may choose...
up to two subjects regardless of affiliation.
Every grade's college applications are different.
This isn't the first time.
I guess it's time for a new semester.
Could you...
step on this milk carton?
My junior alum is now ordering Mr. Do around.
Ms. Ko.
Please say a few words about spending another year...
all together again.
To be honest,
the two of you don't feel as fresh and novel as last year.
I have a tendency to prefer new people.
I am very disappointed.
So we're old people. You're sick of us.
Okay. I will end the interview now. Thank you.
(Class 3-5)
(Koo Jae Hyun, Kwon Eun Saem, Kim Hae Yun, Ma Dong Hoon)
(Jin Ji Woo, Jin Yoo Ra, Cha Joon Hee)
You'll keep thinking about the kids who graduated for a while.
I didn't say I was thinking about the kids.
You did just now. With your eyes.
Right. The kids from your first homeroom...
stay with you for a while.
But strangely enough,
you don't get as attached from your second homeroom on.
Why are you back here?
Right here is good.
What is all this?
- I'm decorating. - Deco... What?
Principal...
I mean, because our distinguished teacher needs to go teach soon.
Goodness.
I don't teach many classes.
The kids these days are no joke.
Let's see what I can do!
There's a nice karaoke nearby. We should go there.
That new principal will be retiring soon as well.
Would you like some coffee?
Okay.
What brings you here, Vice Principal Moon?
I thought you'd need this.
My gosh.
We should put in a water purifier here.
Right here.
Right?
(Distinguished Teacher's Office)
Now that you're the vice principal,
you grew up.
You're not really close with Mr. Byun.
This is why I became the vice principal.
I already told you that.
Do you know why I want to be the vice principal?
I became the vice principal, so I can stop...
competent teachers like yourself...
from leaving our school and stop teachers...
from playing politics.
The woman who left me
If you need anything, please let me know.
Right. I should look into the water purifier first.
(Black Dog)
- No way. - It's right here.
All right, everyone. Move to the seat you got from the draw.
Come on.
- What is this? - Hey.
- Why do we have to move? - Is that your seat?
I hate this seat.
This is so frustrating.
- You're sitting in the front. - Hey.
- Exactly. - I have to move everything.
I didn't draw one yet.
I see. But you were late, so there's nothing we can do now.
Take the empty seat. What's your name?
I know your name, but you don't know mine?
How would I know your name?
(Hwang Bo Tong)
- Hey. - What is it?
Forget it.
- Hey. - That's it.
That's so true.
- Hey, what are you doing? - You're being too mean.
It felt like I did it.
- Hey. - I told you that.
Let's look at the digestive process.
The food... All right. This is the food. And who is this?
- You. - You.
Right. It's your handsome teacher.
If Hyo Yeon keeps drooling while dozing off like that...
- Hyo Yeon. - Yes?
Right. Your saliva will melt your grades away.
What do you say? Should we spread a blanket for you in the back?
Guys, bring me a blanket.
All right. When the food...
goes into your stomach, the digestive enzyme, pepsin...
(Unified curriculum for liberal arts and sciences)
(Seomun University, Hankuk University)
(Unified curriculum for liberal arts and sciences)
(Focusing on subordinate subjects is key for essays and interviews)
Gosh. So...
starting this year, liberal arts and sciences...
will be combined for school exams and college admissions, correct?
Yes. But...
But the CSAT will be the same.
What is this?
- I can't take this class. - Please let me drop this class.
- I have to drop it. - Ms. Kim.
- What if I bomb it? - I won't get good grades.
- I never get good grades for this. - I can't handle this class.
So what will we do with this year's college admissions?
Well, for that matter...
Ms. Park.
He's talking about college admissions.
Well, I don't know.
This happened out of the blue.
We've been dividing our students...
into liberal arts and sciences classes.
All of a sudden, the Office of Education...
opened up all of the classrooms and told them,
"Now, you guys are free."
"Be students that excel in both liberal arts and sciences."
So now that they are free,
how am I to know what these students...
should do?
I mean,
you're basically saying that you don't know what to do.
Why did you have to make it sound so complicated?
It was an original analogy.
I teach Korean, you know.
Goodness.
So we're in the dark about this year's college admissions.
Given our current situation, I would like...
to say something as the head of School Administration.
Gosh.
Do you remember the advanced club, Icarus?
Why don't we expand the club?
What? They are not accepting 20 students.
They'll accept 25 students each from liberal arts and science?
That's 50 students in total.
Goodness, this is ridiculous.
Hey, what's the point?
We're just fillers.
How will students with level 3 and 4 prepare to go to college?
Exactly. So we're just on our own?
Gosh, they only favor top students.
This is ridiculous.
- Let's go. - Let's go.
- I can't believe this. - Can't you get in?
- Can you get in? - I can't even be a filler.
- What's your level? - Level two.
- That was three years ago. - You know what I mean?
I can't get in, can I?
- Hey, don't do that. - Don't.
Hey, that's not right.
- What are you doing? - Let's go.
Darn it.
That's one of the interpretations.
When she was coming out of the palace,
she was reflecting on her wrongdoing...
Yes, this is Ko Ha Neul from the College Advisory Group.
This is the School Administration.
A student named Hwang Bo Tong is in your homeroom, right?
Yes. He's in my class.
Now?
- Ms. Ko. - Hi.
Look.
He's the only student in the entire school...
who didn't change his elective classes.
He chose Society and Culture and Earth Science.
Right. Since the curriculum will be combined for both groups,
I think he chose a subject from each group.
Right. But...
he needs to decide either arts or science quickly to go to college.
Right?
So ask your student whether he wants to apply as liberal arts...
or science for college.
Ask him to pick two classes from Social Studies or Science.
Tell him to pick two subjects from the same group. Okay?
- Hello. - Hello.
Tell him to pick either liberal arts or science quickly.
Since his grades aren't that good, tell him to choose liberal arts.
- Hey. - I'm sorry.
- Can I borrow it just this once? - Bo Tong.
- Hurry. - Hey.
- Come on. - I'm on a diet.
- I'm on a diet. - You're always on a diet.
Seriously. You're always on a diet.
- I lost 8kg. - Is Bo Tong not here?
Good for you.
I don't think he's here.
- I told you that. - You?
You're out of your mind. I didn't do that.
I'm right here.
When you apply to college, will you go with liberal arts or science?
You have to decide quickly.
(Registration Form for After-School Classes)
(Please send the after-school class registration forms from your class.)
Right now?
Yes.
I heard the classes were combined now.
Right. But the classes are still divided at school...
because when you apply to college, you'll have to choose either one.
Hold on.
Yes, this is Ko Ha Neul of the College Advisory Group.
Yes. I see. Okay.
Hold on.
I won't be able to make a lot of money even if I go to college.
My gosh. Let's continue this conversation some other time.
I need to hand this into School Administration.
Please make your decision quickly and let me know.
I'll think about it.
Okay. Sure.
(Icarus Recruitment)
Hwang Bo Tong...
still didn't submit his elective class form.
It has been days.
Why can't he choose between liberal arts and science?
- Hwang Bo Tong? - Yes.
I recognize the name since it's so unique,
but I can't remember what he looks like.
Mr. Do. Do you remember him?
I don't remember what he looks like either.
Maybe he's really quiet...
if neither of us remembers what he looks like.
What should I do about this?
Should I call his mother?
Don't call his mother. You won't be able to reach her.
What about Ms. Park Sung Soon?
She was my homeroom teacher in freshman year.
I really don't like her.
So,
did something happen between you and him?
Like what?
He said...
she was his homeroom teacher two years ago...
Two years ago?
Goodnight.
Darn it.
(Hwang Bo Tong)
I don't know much,
but Ms. Park was his homeroom teacher two years ago.
The kids in the class...
created a group chat room.
Without the teacher.
The kids can have a chat room just among themselves.
It's not like they have to add their teacher.
True.
It would've been fine if they had kept it to themselves.
- Hello. - Hi.
Hello.
- Hello. - Hello.
I really don't like our homeroom teacher.
She's such a fake.
She acts like she cares so much for the kids.
She isn't interested in us at all.
She acts all nice and friendly. What a joke.
We got so unlucky with our homeroom teacher.
They badmouthed her in their chat room.
All of the kids? Together?
Then did Ms. Park...
That's right. If you don't want to believe it,
it's always true.
Anyway, the kids got into a fight in the chat room...
and ended up going for counseling.
That counselor saw what they said in the chat room.
So naturally, Ms. Park found out.
That must have been traumatizing.
Of course.
She even went to therapy for a while because of it.
Why did the kids do that?
I don't know the details.
Anyway, she had one of your current students.
Who was that? The boy.
- Hwang Bo Tong. - Yes.
Something happened between him and Ms. Park two years ago,
and he misunderstood.
What about Ms. Park Sung Soon?
She was my homeroom teacher in freshman year.
- Really? - I really don't like her.
- She's a total fake. - Based on that,
the kids banded together...
and badmouthed Ms. Park in the chat room.
(Icarus Year 2)
It wasn't me.
It really wasn't.
You're his homeroom teacher,
so you should be the first to know.
(Icarus Year 2 Members)
Goodness. He's on cloud nine.
That traitor.
- What's this? - Icarus students...
sorted according to liberal arts and science.
What...
Why did that freak show have to come to our group?
Who's going to be in charge of the advanced class?
I'm sure Ms. Ko Ha Neul will probably do it.
Probably?
What? You can't be so half-hearted about your work!
What if she won't do it?
Why is this office so dry?
Go and ask her now!
Naturally, she'll do it again.
- Naturally... - Last year,
Icarus had a kid go to Hankuk Medical College.
She did well.
The principal and vice principal all know that.
Excuse me. These kids were chosen to join Icarus.
Hey, what's up?
We have something to say.
Why did you do it?
It wasn't me.
Then...
why were you standing there right at that moment?
We haven't been caught yet, right?
No, I don't think they know we did it.
But why are they hounding him?
I was just passing by.
It really wasn't me.
But...
I think I understand why they did it.
All right, let's go.
Hey. Did you hear about Icarus?
What?
They don't show us any attention but yell at us to work hard.
- Exactly. - I'm level three.
Weren't we practically discarded?
My point exactly.
They don't help us, but they're always demanding.
What is this?
Oh no.
- What do we do? - They're all wet.
They used milk to persecute them in a way.
(Here's the list of kids who got into Icarus.)
(You'll take on the advanced class again, right?)
Here's the list of kids who got into Icarus.
You'll take on the advanced class again, right?
College Advisory. Ko Ha Neul speaking.
Yes, okay.
Ms. Park.
Yes?
I need to stop by the School Administration office.
Okay.
Let's talk tomorrow.
What are they saying?
Do you think he saw us?
Darn it. We wanted to get Icarus, but he got in trouble instead.
- Should we turn ourselves in? - What?
Should we admit we did it?
- Darn it. - What are you doing?
- Hello. - Hello.
Let's go.
A survey?
A survey of what?
Well, the kids who got into Icarus discussed it,
and you know how we must take the scheduled after-school classes.
But there are classes and teachers that we want to take and learn from.
So we thought we could take a survey and see what the kids want.
What?
So,
you want to choose the teachers and classes you want.
Not choose. We just want to provide our opinions.
After-school classes are for us to choose anyway,
to learn what we want.
What's this?
Hey. Let's just go.
Let's go.
A survey for after-school classes?
Yes.
They say they want certain teachers for their after-school classes.
Then let them do it.
Pardon?
Even with the regular after-school classes,
the kids take the classes they want.
Right?
Yes, that's true.
If even the regular after-school classes are like that,
the Icarus kids can say...
which after-school classes they want to take.
Right? Am I wrong?
Just do it.
Like that,
the Icarus kids started to vote on the teachers...
they wanted for their after-school classes.
Gosh.
I'm reminded of our old principal.
What?
Principal Byun never would've permitted this.
At the same time,
the kids who couldn't get into Icarus grew more bitter.
And their bitterness and hurt...
spread elsewhere.
(Download Complete, Icarus After-School Class Survey)
What is this mess?
It's bad enough our after-school classes get compared,
with whose fills up first, and whose is the least popular.
But we have to be compared again.
Mr. Do.
Yes?
You're on top again, right? You're still popular, right?
Yes, well... Yes.
See?
Your after-school classes always fill up in a minute.
See? You're way on top...
and Ms. Park Sung Soon is on top too.
She's famous among the underclassmen for teaching well.
Right. What about you, Ms. Ko?
I'm right in the middle.
(10 Ko Ha Neul, Korean, 5 votes)
I guess the kids aren't interested in me.
I'm sure it's because they never took your class before.
That's right. They don't know you yet, that's why.
Is it?
(Hwang Bo Tong)
People are very fickle.
Only after I don't receive attention either...
do I...
take another look at the kids...
who didn't receive attention.
This poem expresses the writer's innermost feelings.
"Even the wind can't shake it."
The point of this...
Do you want to hear something funny?
Just go on with the class.
What? Okay.
Okay.
What is at the point of this poem?
The point is...
Hope.
That's right. Hope.
It's hope, and...
Good work. See you next time.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Thank you. - Okay.
- Did you see this? - Yes.
Come by if you get bored.
What? What are you doing here?
Gosh. It's hard to teach again after taking such a long break.
May I request a counseling session tonight?
Sure, Go ahead.
You did great.
Gosh. It's so hard.
(Here is the result of Icarus' after-school class survey.)
Hey, Ms. Kim Yi Boon.
Ms. Kim Yi Boon. Did Ms. Ko say she'll take on Icarus?
Probably.
That's what you said earlier.
She hasn't responded yet.
You need to get confirmation!
If she won't do it, we have to find someone else!
The survey results are out for the after-school classes...
that the Icarus kids want to take.
Take a look.
(Icarus After-School Class Survey)
(20 Song Young Tae, Physics, 0 votes)
Why the long face?
Let's talk about our teaching plans...
for the after-school classes with Ms. Ko.
If she still doesn't want to do it, we need to look for another teacher.
Excuse me.
Can I do it?
But you're new.
If no one wants to run the club, that is.
(An opening at Daechi High for Korean)
(There's an opening at Daechi High for Korean.)
(They didn't hire a permanent teacher last year.)
(So they only hired short-term teachers this year?)
So there was an opening at this school.
I know what she's up to.
When you apply to college, will you go with liberal arts or science?
You have to decide quickly.
Deliver this for me. I have backed up orders.
No problem.
(Speedy Fried Chicken)
Yes?
I'm on my way now.
So...
The Icarus study hall was vandalized again?
Yes.
Did you see him vandalize the place?
No, I didn't.
What did he say?
He said it wasn't him.
He said he didn't do it. What else can you do?
But...
I wasn't sure if I should take his word for it...
and let this go.
Did something...
happen between you and that student?
I'm sure you remember when I was a homeroom teacher two years ago.
Right. That incident?
He was one of my students.
Okay. It's okay.
- Hold on. - I have a headache.
Honey, hurry!
- We must go to the hospital. - Okay. Hurry.
Goodness, let's hurry.
(Hwang Bo Tong)
Yes, I'm busy right now.
- Okay. - Honey, take his jacket.
Where?
Hold on. Let me take care of something first.
Okay.
Open the door.
(Traffic Division 2)
(Homeroom Teacher)
Be right there. Wait for me.
Where's Dad?
Something came up at work, so he went out for a moment.
He'll be back soon.
Is there a guardian for Yeo Ha Rang?
Yes. I'll be back.
(Hwang Bo Tong)
She's not answering? Your dad isn't answering either.
What's going on?
There was a minor accident while he was...
making a delivery on his motorcycle.
He's a high school student, but I can't reach his parents.
Gosh.
But that's not your fault.
No one will criticize you...
for taking care of your son first...
over one of your students.
But...
I should have been there for him.
I understand...
why the kids criticized me.
Did you listen to why the kids did such a thing?
No.
I get it.
I doubt that you were in the right mind to ask them why.
- Let's go. - Be quiet.
Let's go. Hurry.
Hey.
Darn it. Hey, are you sure they did this last year too?
Yes, they even threw milk cartons. It was a mess.
Wait and see. You won't be able to study here.
It's open.
- This is amazing. - That felt so nice.
Right. You'd better pay attention to us too.
Exactly. They always think of us as fillers. You know?
What are you doing here?
Good morning.
Hello.
- Ms. Ko. - Why is she here again?
Yes?
It's about Icarus.
Why don't we talk to Mr. Song together?
Right now?
Yes. It won't take long.
Okay.
- Excuse me. - Okay.
(Message from Son Dong Ha)
Ms. Ko, according to the survey,
you can open an after-school class for Icarus.
The grammar and literature classes are filled.
Open a class for classical literature.
My gosh. I got the same message earlier.
There's so much discrimination with the after-school classes.
Pardon?
The thing is, not many Icarus students...
applied for my after-school class.
I was placed right in the middle.
They aren't interested in me,
so I received the same message as you.
But I guess the Icarus students...
were interested in taking the class from the teacher next to me.
According to the survey we took,
you can open an after-school class for Icarus students.
Please set it up however you'd like.
He said to choose the subject as he wishes too.
Talk about discrimination.
I know.
They're not asking me...
whether or not I want to teach a class...
to the Icarus kids.
And if I do, what I want to teach.
They're not asking.
Exactly.
What? Do they look down on us if the kids aren't interested in us?
But you know,
the kids who couldn't get into Icarus...
probably felt the same way, right?
At least you understand how they feel now...
Exactly.
This is very discouraging.
When you apply to college, will you go with liberal arts or science?
You have to decide quickly.
I know I was in a rush,
but I should've asked if he planned to go to college.
Before asking whether he'll go into liberal arts or science,
I should've asked...
if he wants to go to college,
what he wants to do, and whether he was sad...
he didn't get into Icarus.
Liberal arts versus science...
was because School Administration kept hounding you to submit it.
Did you hear?
The kids who wrecked Icarus' study room were caught.
Now?
Yes. Senior Class.
- My gosh. - Come on.
What happened?
What's going on?
- That was them. - Really?
You do know this is a crime, don't you?
What's your problem?
If you told the school, we would've taken care of it.
You discriminate against us.
What?
It isn't right!
We're nobodies, so you don't care about us and give Icarus everything.
You don't even look at us, because we couldn't get in.
He's right. You look down on us.
Darn it. Why am I getting all emotional?
Are you saying what you did was right? Is that it?
We weren't right,
but it's true.
From what the seniors said last year,
only the top-level kids went to good colleges.
We heard the bottom kids all just died.
That's right.
This is reality.
Don't die. Hang in there and survive, you punks.
Discrimination?
Wait until you graduate and enter the real world.
It's a war zone out there, got that?
You need to fight monsters.
Stop. That's enough.
The kids are right.
That's right. They're not saying anything wrong.
After we received the message about the after-school classes,
we were very hurt too. Let's be honest here.
True. To be honest, we were hurt. That is true.
The disciplinary committee should discuss the vandalism,
and we should discuss Icarus another time.
They're coming out.
Where?
Here.
Hey.
Do you know Hwang Bo Tong?
Did he do it with you?
The kid who got caught that day?
Yes.
Well... We were going to tell you.
He wasn't part of it.
We're sorry.
Come with me.
So? I heard the kids who wrecked the study room were caught.
Yes.
Why are you all so out of it?
Hello?
The Icarus after-school class?
I haven't put it together yet.
Regarding the Icarus after-school class...
Can't I not do it?
It's not like I have a particular reason.
I want to keep doing as I have been, rather than something special.
I myself am special.
There's no reason for the class to be special too.
College Advisory. Ko Ha Neul speaking.
This is School Administration.
Please come to my desk later once you're done with your classes.
Okay, I'll do that.
Gosh.
- Hello? - It's me.
How have you been?
Hello?
I said to stop calling.
What?
(Daechi High School)
- Hello. - Yes.
There's that kid in your class. What's this name again?
Hwang Bo Tong?
I heard he still hasn't submitted his elective classes.
Why didn't he submit it?
He hasn't decided whether to go into liberal arts or science yet.
(College Advisory)
(Ko Ha Neul)
Ms. Ko. Just tell him to go into liberal arts.
Push him to choose two social studies subjects.
I hear his grades aren't that great anyway.
He wouldn't do well if he goes into science...
and has to take math and science classes.
Submit it by tomorrow.
Can you give me one more day?
I need time to talk to him.
Seriously. Just tell him to go into liberal arts.
I'll talk to him one more time.
If it doesn't work, then I'll do that.
Seriously. It must be such a headache for you.
It would be nice if you had kids like Yoo Ra and Jae Hyun again.
True. The world isn't made up of only kids like Yoo Ra and Jae Hyun.
Right?
(Class 3-3 Emergency Contact List)
What is this? Did he drop it off?
(Withdrawal Notice, Hwang Bo Tong)
What...
have I...
been missing all this time?
(Hankuk University Search Results by Applicant)
(Congratulations on your acceptance Koo Jae Hyun)
Only the top-level kids went to good colleges.
We heard the bottom kids all just died.
(Class 3-5, 2020 College Admissions Results)
(Koo Jae Hyun Hankuk Medical College Jin Yoo Ra Yeonhui Medical College)
(Lee Min Gyu Yeonhui Mathematics Hwang Ji Hye Yeonhui Pharmacology)
(Ma Dong Hoon Seogyeong City College)
- Let's just start class. - Let's start.
True. The world isn't made up of only kids like Yoo Ra and Jae Hyun.
Right?
(Hwang Bo Tong)
- Hello? Ko Ha Neul speaking. - It's me.
I wanted to finish talking about Icarus.
Can you come here for a minute?
(Gowun Real Estate)
Excuse me.
Are you still open?
Yes. Do you want to look at a place to rent?
Mom has dementia.
They say she has six months at most.
Can't you come home now?
- That's not it. - Yes?
I'd like to sell my restaurant.
You want to sell your restaurant?
Goodness.
Hey. Come.
Ms. Ko. You'll take on Icarus again this year too, right?
It's a bigger group now.
You did awesome last year.
- So... - I...
have something to tell you.
Go ahead.
I think...
someone else...
should take Icarus this year.
Why?
It is...
a bit complicated.
What about Icarus' after-school class?
You'll do that, right?
I won't teach an after-school class...
for Icarus either.
Then will you not teach any after-school classes this semester?
That's not it.
But this year,
I'd like to teach the kids who couldn't...
get into Icarus.
You see,
I owe a debt.
It would be much easier to teach the top kids.
Why does she insist on teaching the idiots?
(Jung Da Hyun)
Ms. Ko!
What is this?
You know, right?
That we still have a permanent Korean teacher spot available.
You know that new hire in our group?
She says she wants Icarus.
You know from experience last year.
You know what I mean, right?
Then it may be good for her to take them.
What? What's gotten into you?
Because...
this isn't...
as important...
to me anymore.
I guess I'm relaxed now that it's my second year.
Is that it?
- Gosh. - Yes.
It's true.
These things...
don't matter enough to me to influence me.
Ms. Park!
Ms. Park Sung Soon!
Ms. Park!
What are you doing?
Do you want to play too?
Yes.
A little more.
That way. Left. More.
Okay.
No.
Step aside. I'll do it.
Do it like this.
And aim it like so and then...
drop it and...
A little more to the right. More.
No. The rabbit.
Back. Go more toward the back.
Okay.
Almost there.
Okay.
Ta-da. Here's another dollar.
Okay.
Goodness.
Okay.
Do you want to teach a senior after-school class with me?
We can split it in half...
and do it together.
What do you say?
An after-school class for Icarus?
That doesn't interest me.
No.
Not for Icarus.
The world...
isn't made up of only kids like Jae Hyun and Yoo Ra.
I taught Jae Hyun and Yoo Ra to my heart's content last year,
so this year,
I want to teach the other kids.
Do you want to play this time?
Okay.
The other kids?
Kids like Hwang Bo Tong?
Yes.
Okay.
Let's do it together.