[Xiumin]
[Side dish refills are self-serve!]
[Chu So Jung]
[Lee Sae On]
[Lee Soo Min]
[Kim Hee Jung] [Woo Hyun] [Oh Ji Ho]
[Heo's Diner]
[The characters, organizations, and events in this drama]
[are purely fictional and unrelated to historical facts]
[Animals were filmed under expert supervision in accordance with welfare guidelines]
Who is Chef Lee Hyuk?
Recognized for his exceptional culinary talent from an early age
he set his sights high and trained
at the renowned CAA in Switzerland and Le Cordon Bleu in France.
Afterward, he became a professor at a prestigious culinary university in Japan.
However, driven by a sense of duty to promote Korean cuisine, he returned.
And, within just three years, he became the youngest Korean Master Chef!
He then went on to sweep awards at numerous international culinary competitions.
Most recently, in his ambition to introduce a wider variety of dishes to more people
he opened Dorae, a fine dining Korean restaurant in Seongbuk-dong.
And has been thriving ever since.
Do you get it now?
Chef Lee Hyuk is an incredible person.
Not someone a random homeless man like you would know.
Are you truly not Gwansong?
But you look exactly like him!
Do you not recognize me?
I'm Gyosan.
I don't.
I don't believe we've ever met before.
No...
You've yet to come to your senses.
You should head inside, Chef Lee I'll handle this.
You should come inside with me
I'll have the staff take care of him.
No, I'm an expert at dealing with these types of people.
But still...
Going inside is the best way to help, so go inside if you want to help.
Quick.
Wait, Gwansong!
Please step aside.
- Gwansong! It's me! - Hey!
I'm Gyosan, a friend who passed the state exams with you!
Why don't you recognize me?
I have no idea who you're mistaking him for
but do you think faces like his are common?
Do you know how rare it is to be that good-looking?
And clearly, he looks way too young for you two to have taken the exam together.
Perhaps I was mistaken after all…
Good.
Now that you understand, please leave.
Then let me at least apologize in person!
Oh, come on!
What did you eat to be this strong?
Mister, did you bring the money?
The money for your meal.
I figured as much.
From the moment you left this as a "collateral"...
I knew you were a runner.
But I just didn't expect you to come back.
A runner? What's that?
Someone who eats and runs. Like you.
How rude! Runs?!
What an undignified accusation!
I'm no shameless freeloader.
I may not have money right now.
Is there a stream nearby?
I'll catch some fish and repay my debt!
Mr. Homeless.
Forget the money Just stay away from here.
Understood?
Why did you put that there?
Domundaejak is not a book to be tossed aside like rubbish!
If you show up here again
I'll report you for dining and dashing, okay?
What brings you here at this hour?
I was working out of the office.
- I'm serious. - Ma'am, can we get more kimchi?
Perfect, help me out.
Take this to that table over there.
Didn't you say you'd handle the diner yourself?
Apologies, but I'm taking this back.
Excuse me, young lady.
This book I gave you is not something to be treated so carelessly.
This transcendent genius, Heo Gyun, wrote about food for the first...
Wait, what is this scent!?
You're back.
The aroma of cheonggukjang is more fragrant than flowers.
You must be hungry.
But I'm afraid you'll have to wait.
There are many customers ahead of you.
This guy is unbelievable.
Didn't I tell you not to show up here again?
Do I sound like a joke to you?
That's enough!
If you're not helping, go upstairs and don't add to the chaos.
Mister, come back another time, okay?
Come back?
Try showing up here again
and I swear I'll report you! Okay?
Oh, for heaven's sake, that's enough already.
It's all saved.
Excuse me, where's our food?
Coming right up!
Stop pestering her.
Can't you see she's busy?
I thought only Joseon people were impatient
but Yuldoguk is no different.
Why don't you lend a hand?
I'll even pay you for it.
Mom!
Mom, go inside.
I am of noble birth. Such labor is beneath me.
Excuse me?
So you're saying people like my mom are lowborns?
No, I simply meant that nobles and commoners have different roles in society
and since I've never done such work, I'd only be a burden.
Please do not take offense.
Wow, I never thought I'd be bossed around by a homeless guy.
Keep talking like that and you'll be "poof".
Gone before you know it.
- Poof? - Poof!
Are you saying that in Yuldoguk, even nobles can do this kind of work?
No, they can't.
See?
Because there are no nobles.
There are no class distinctions. Everyone earns their living by working.
No wonder you're still wandering around.
So, it's not forbidding discrimination… The very concept doesn't exist here?
I always thought of myself as open-minded, but…
That never even crossed my mind.
Yuldoguk truly surpasses my wildest imagination.
Stop right there.
From this moment, anyone who isn't working or eating
needs to leave this diner.
One.
Two
I'll do my best.
This belonged to Eun Sil's late father, and it fits you perfectly.
Now, put on this apron.
Make use of your hands
and take them yourselves.
I'm sorry.
That's my credit card...
But you gave it to me.
I'm sorry.
Hurry and hand it over.
What's this?
Why is there cold air inside?
Mister, come over here.
Wait, what are you doing?
- Last dish. - Yes, Chef!
No more customers after this.
I have an important meeting.
Had a course meal at Dorae for lunch.
The flavors and presentation are as flawless as Chef Lee Hyuk himself.
Beautiful, but ridiculously expensive! My wallet is in shambles.
Have you tried the diner across? Super cost-efficient.
The set meals there are amazing.
It's 60 times cheaper than Dorae? Unreal.
No wonder there's always a line. I'm going next week.
I struck him down without a doubt...
but he vanished without a trace.
Vanished?
And you expect me to believe that?
Even I could hardly believe it myself.
It was as if I were bewitched…
As if you were bewitched?
So, you drove this blade straight into Gyosan's neck?
I am certain of it.
Unless I see it with my own eyes...
I cannot trust such words.
But if I kill you now, I'll never find Gyosan.
So bring him to me.
His body, his remains... Find something.
If you fail…
You'll prove with your own neck
how a dead man vanished without a trace.
Yes, My Lord.
Indeed, a goblin he is...
To take a blade to the neck and simply disappear.
What's wrong? Something stuck in your throat?
It's so delicious.
I don't want to share it even with my own throat.
You sure have a way with words.
Maybe it's because I worked today, but the food tastes even more divine.
As expected, this Transcendent Genius, Heo Gyun, is truly a master of all trades!
What is that hideous smell before such precious food?
Hideous?
This is Channel No.5.
I splurged on this, okay?
Mom, I'm heading out.
Eat before you go.
Since when have I ever eaten cheonggukjang?
You never eat anything good for you.
Here's your pay for today.
Your share for today's work.
Hang on, let me do a quick audit.
Weren't you leaving?
I knew it.
Why is the hourly rate so high?
Let's see.
A total newbie worked six hours.
So minimum wage times six...
Then subtract three servings of gukbap from yesterday
two servings of cheonggukjang today...
and the dish you broke...
That leaves this much.
Is this Yuldoguk's currency?
Hey, are you the owner here? Give it back.
You're not helping by spoiling him like this.
He already has trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality.
You might be reinforcing his delusions.
You always think you're right.
Wait.
Is this person wearing gonryongpo?
Why does Yuldoguk's currency bear a Joseon royal portrait?
Of course, it does.
That's Sejong the Great!
I failed to recognize His Highness
I humbly implore your gracious understanding!
That's just too much to handle.
Give it back to him before you go.
Hey, hey, hey, hey! Give it!
I'm going.
I humbly implore your gracious understanding!
This belongs to you, right?
Yes.
I'm usually not this careless, you know
but I was so distracted earlier
I can't believe I left these behind.
By the way, are you okay?
You must've been surprised.
But thanks to you, I'm fine.
Can I call you by your name, Eun Sil?
I didn't expect you to know my name.
Call me all you want.
Well, you seem to know all about my career.
Well...
I was pleased.
And thank you for helping me
when I was in difficult situation.
Oh, it was nothing.
That's just what neighbors do.
Speaking of neighbors
I'd rather not have dangerous people roaming around here.
My thoughts exactly.
How do you and I think so much alike?
To make that happen
I believe this neighborhood needs a touch of refinement.
Refinement.
That's right.
Eun Sil.
Have you ever heard of the Broken Window Theory?
If a broken window is left unattended
the whole area eventually turns into a slum.
Right?
I don't think we should...
let that broken window fester here.
I completely agree.
Has your mother mentioned anything?
My mom?
About what?
It's nothing.
I'll give you about a week to think it over.
There's nothing to think about.
The price I'm offering is far above market value.
With this money, you could open a much bigger restaurant somewhere else.
A bigger restaurant just means more work.
And why would I leave my own place to go somewhere else?
I'll double the price I've just offered you.
You really are persistent.
I told you, it's not about the money.
What exactly do you plan to do with this rundown little diner?
I intend to open a Korean dessert café.
My goal is to turn this entire area into
a high-end Korean cuisine-themed village.
Every other store has already been secured.
This diner is the only one left.
And what about the people who eat here?
Some of my regulars rely on this place
because they have nowhere else to go.
Does it have to be this exact spot?
You could serve the same meals elsewhere…
But doesn't that apply to you, too?
Why do you insist on having it here?
Look, I get it.
I feel bad about getting in the way of a young person
trying to make something of themselves.
So, I'll think about it.
But don't get your hopes up.
I have my own reasons for wanting to hold on to this place.
So she hasn't even told her daughter…
Does this mean it's a no?
But why does Yuldoguk's currency bear the portrait of Sejong the Great?
Because he's a respected figure.
His achievements have spread even to Yuldoguk?
What kind of king does this land have to hold such noble admiration?
There are no kings anymore.
No kings, no nobles, no commoners… yet everything functions so seamlessly.
I think I'm growing even fonder of Yuldoguk.
Good.
Then why not settle down here?
That won't do.
There's a saying that one must never forget their roots.
Even animals turn toward home in their final moments.
No matter how much I admire Yuldoguk
I must return to Joseon, where my family and friends await.
Wouldn't you agree?
I'll go back and tell the world how remarkable this place is.
If Joseon could advance like Yuldoguk
our people would suffer far less.
Speaking of which, how much does one of those Seobinggo cost?
The refrigerator?
Well, the latest models go for at least 3 million won.
Three million?
That means I'd need 300 portraits of His Highness to afford one?!
You'll earn that in no time if you work hard.
If you've got nowhere to go, why don't you work here?
- Mom! - Oh, geez!
When did you get here?
Are you out of your mind?
You're letting a man with no background and questionable sanity work here?!
I bit my tongue once today, but I can't hold back anymore.
Choose. Is it me or that homeless man?
Wait, what's that?
Did you... You quit your job again, didn't you?
- That's not it. - Get out.
- Get out, get out. - Mom!
Go live however you want!
Young lady.
Madam wants you to return the money you stashed away earlier.
Tell her I wish her all the best after chasing her only daughter out.
Got it.
- Young lady! - What?
Tell her it's too late to stop me.
She says 5,000 won is missing.
Happy now?
Now it's settled. Take care.
Lastly, the site for the Korean dessert café
will replace an old diner
with a newly constructed four-story glass-walled building.
This will serve as an observatory overlooking the entire themed village.
Mr. Lee.
Mr. Lee?
Yes?
I asked about the café contract status.
It will be finalized soon.
Didn't you say it would be done by today?
I apologize. I'll wrap it up as quickly as possible.
That diner, the one at the café site, seems to be quite a hidden gem.
It doesn't even have a sign, but there's always a line of customers.
I doubt they'd want to sell.
You should give us immediate updates if it seems unlikely.
We're relying on you, but we're just wasting time at this point.
I said it would be done.
So please, leave the contract negotiations to me
and let's move on to reviewing other agenda items.
Have we finalized the promotional model for advertising?
Okay, nice.
Let's take a two-shot with our new model.
Excuse me, the other cast is coming through.
Other cast?
Yes, sir.
We'll make sure to adjust our schedule accordingly.
- No problem. - Hey!
Why didn't you tell me?
Why didn't you tell me this was my last commercial?
If you had known, you wouldn't have done it.
This is unbelievable.
They're dropping me for some no-name old hag?
Don't you know who she is?
She just won the Best Actress at Cannes.
Seriously?
Mi Sol, you are the no-name here.
Kids these days don't know who you are
since they never saw you back in your prime.
You need to start taking adult roles.
How long are you going to rely on your childhood fame to shoot commercials?
It's not like I haven't tried!
Every time I do, I become a meme for my awful acting.
[Even tearing paper feels dull.] Why am I the only one having a hard time?
[This is hard for me, too.] Why!
[Great volume, terrible acting.] Why!
[Ugh, so loud.]
[Is she gargling?]
[A pterosaur has entered the scene.]
[Definitely not crying.]
[Even her grabbing looks awkward.] Young Master, don't abandon me.
[Just abandon her.]
[What a diction, BOO. HOO. HOO.]
[Where is she suddenly looking?]
[Even Mi Sol would cry watching this.]
My father.
Bring him back!
[Bring this drama back to life.]
[Why is she always looking off into the distance?]
[Whoa, why did she suddenly start smiling?]
[What on earth am I watching?]
Other than your crying scenes, you're not that bad.
Let's work on it.
Forget it.
Just get me another cosmetics commercial.
A higher-end brand than this one.
You're not in a position to be picky anymore.
Nonsense! I'm Jung Mi Sol, the CF fairy!
Ever since I was five years old!
If you want to keep doing commercials, take a look at this.
What's this?
What? A restaurant commercial?
Not just any restaurant, a fine dining establishment.
Same thing.
I don't do food ads.
Why not?
Because I'll gain weight!
I'll have to be in shape!
Do you think it's easy to maintain how I look?
So you don't want dramas because you'll get roasted for bad acting
and you don't want ads because you might gain weight…
Then what exactly do you want to do?
Maybe I should just get married.
Got any decent guys around?
Hey, Jung Mi Sol!
I'm warning you Pick one.
A drama or an ad.
Ah, you startled me!
Who are you?
How did you get in here?
The door was opened.
Oh, don't be alarmed.
I came to apologize for earlier today.
You resemble someone I know so closely
that I mistook you for him and acted discourteously.
Of course, Gwansong wouldn't be here.
I must have been confused, being in a foreign place.
Get out.
I said get out now.
That's no way to treat someone
offering an apology.
I don't need your apology.
Just don't ever come back.
I was already planning to return to where I came from.
So you won't have to worry about seeing me again.
Regardless, I regret the misunderstanding.
Wait, this is...
This is Mae Chang!
Does that mean Mae Chang is here as well?
Then, as expected...
You are Gwansong!
It is you, Gwansong!
Why are you pretending not to know me?
What nonsense is this?
Gwansong!
The offer is much appreciated, but I have a home to return to.
I'll stay in Yuldoguk for a few days to write my travelogue, then return to Joseon.
So don't take it personally.
Return to where? Joseon?
That's right.
You won't be able to go back, so why not just stay here?
If there's a way here, there must be a way back.
Thank you for everything.
Even after I return, I won't forget your kindness.
If you ever visit Joseon, come find me.
I will repay this debt properly then.
- Such a fine young man, yet out of his mind. - Let go of me! What are you doing?
Let me go!
- How painful it must be for his parents… - Madam!
Madam!
- Madam! Madam! - Get him in, quickly.
- Madam! Madam! - Oh! Hurry inside!
Madam! Madam!
Madam!
Where on earth is Eun Sil? Why isn't she home yet?
She should know better!
Just wait till she gets here!
I'm getting wasted today
so make sure to take care of the aftermath.
Why? What happened?
What happened?
I have a whole series of disasters.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Come on, spill it!
Which season do you want me to start from?
What's the matter?
Defying a noble's will…
Come here!
Is there anyone inside?
Sir, can you turn the TV off? I'm about to have a trauma flashback!
Stop.
Where are you taking me?
Mister, we're just taking you home.
So stop going to that restaurant, okay?
Stop!
I said stop immediately!
Stop! I said...
Don't stop.
This is my first time riding a Yuldoguk palanquin!
How does it move without horses or people?
What pulls it to make it so fast?
Just tell me where you live.
My home is in Joseon.
If I ride this palanquin
I think I could reach Joseon in a few days.
Do you happen to know the way?
Do you think this is a joke?
Jewelry store robbery at Seojong 3-ga, K Gold Shop.
Nearby units, proceed for urgent inspection.
Who is it?
Where is this voice coming from?
Mister, just get out of the car!
Hurry and get out!
Hey!
Where am I supposed to go?!
Excuse me!
What place could that be?
The night is no different from the day. Have the stars descended?
The songs of sleepless souls mock the moon itself.
A single drink shared between strangers, and time fades away, what does it matter?
What a beautiful world this is!
He's hilarious.
Hold up!
Oh, man…
Hey, check this guy out!
Bro, can I interview you?
- Interview? What is that? - A friendly chat.
- Oh, ah… A friendly chat! - Say hello Hi.
Hi.
Got fired from work…
Kicked out of my house…
It's like getting kicked when I'm already down.
Don't you agree?
- Hey, check this out! - What?
- Huh? What is it? - Right?
Now even you guys are kicking me while I'm down?
No, it's not that.
Look at this.
Isn't this the homeless guy you were talking about earlier? It's him, right?
[LIVE Flirting with Drunk Strangers on the Street!]
Gasp.
Yeah, it's him.
He must be nearby!
Yuldoguk is truly a marvelous place!
Everywhere I turn, marvels of progress surround me!
The air is filled with the scent of food and the sound of music, never fading!
So, I can't help but smile.
And the drinks are absolutely exquisite!
Here, people of all ages and backgrounds mingle freely without class or rank.
If only the people of Joseon could see this wonder!
But soon, I will return to Joseon!
And when I do, I will spread the tale of Yuldoguk's wonders!
Hey, Mr. Homeless!
That insolent voice…
Stay right there!
Don't move!
I said don't move!
How did such a rude daughter come from such a refined mother?
Eun Sil, try this.
Eun Sil.
Eun Sil, wake up! Eun Sil.
Oh, my! Breaking news!
Thunder Boys are at a bar across the street!
[Thunder Boys spotted at a bar in Samoh-dong!] What? For real?
- We have to go! Now! - How? She's totally wasted.
Eun Sil, Eun Sil.
Eun Sil, wake up Eun Sil!
She's completely out!
Excuse me...
What is "wasted"?
Mister…
What's with that peculiar look?
Can you watch Eun Sil for a moment?
Just for a moment!
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Excuse me!
Ow! Why'd you hit me?
Ugh, you again?
No!
It's a misunderstanding!
It wasn't me, it was.
Clean up everything before you go!
Mister.
You still smell like cheonggukjang.
That smell is coming from your mouth.
Can you go slowly? I feel nauseous.
Fine.
By the way, why do you keep calling me "Mr. Homeless"?
Am I not allowed to call a homeless guy Mr. Homeless?
I have a name, and I don't like being called homeless.
You call this place Yuldoguk without a second thought.
So let's just call things how we like.
Well, I suppose today will be the last time you call me that.
So, do as you please.
The last time?
I'm returning to Joseon.
So stop arguing with your mother over me and be a good daughter.
Why are you laughing?
And just how are you planning to get back?
What, do you have a hidden time machine or something?
What's a machine?
Is that something people in Yuldoguk use?
Wait!
That looks familiar...
Don't tell me you don't know Changdeokgung.
There's a Changdeokgung in Yuldoguk too?
It looks exactly the same as the one in Joseon.
Of course it does, because it's the same one.
What do you mean?
That is the actual Changdeokgung from Joseon.
But this isn't Joseon.
Of course not! Joseon fell a long time ago.
Fell?
You insolent wench! How dare you speak such nonsense!
What? Wench?
Are you truly out of your mind?
If Joseon fell, then what is this place?
If that's acting, he deserves an Oscar.
Or maybe he's actually crazy.
I'm asking you, what is this place?!
Why are you yelling at me?
Joseon fell over a hundred years ago.
The Yi dynasty is gone.
This is the 21st-century Republic of Korea.
So pull yourself together
and start adjusting to reality.
Here, over here.
So this is the nation that followed Joseon?
I didn't just end up in another country.
I've been sent to the future.
How could such a thing be possible?
Mister, are you going to stay there?
Well, I guess that makes sense. You're used to sleeping under the open sky.
If you want a ride, come now before I change my mind.
I'm leaving for real.
Let's go.
You look like the world just ended.
If I hadn't thrown up, I would've just ignored you completely.
Here.
Consider your debt paid.
He won't just sit there all night… will he?
Not in this rain…
What do I care?
Mr. Homeless, get out of my head!
Jeez!
Why are you just sitting there?
How could a mother sleep when her daughter isn't home?
Didn't you kick me out?
Don't pretend you care.
Other people always come first with you.
You reek of alcohol.
If you're drunk, just go to bed.
Tell me I'm wrong.
Have I ever been your priority?
You never once took me on a trip
not even a school event.
The kids always teased me about smelling like food.
So I wore my gym clothes instead of my uniform at school.
You never even noticed, did you?
Why bring up old stories now?
Just like yesterday.
You never even asked what happened at work.
You just blamed me like always.
Did something happen?
Forget it.
It's not like you really care.
You told me to leave and live my own life.
Starting tomorrow, I'm looking for my own place
I'm not living with you anymore.
No matter how far into the future this may be...
If there was a way here, there must be a way back.
I must retrace my steps.
From the moment I first arrived in this place...
How could a Transcendent Genius like me fail to find a way?
Ah, it's freezing…
Ugh! Absolutely freezing!
I woke up somewhere around here...
but the rain has washed away any trace.
Perhaps the madam would know.
Madam!
Excuse me...
I was just a moment too late.
She couldn't have gone far.
Why is it pouring so hard?
It's time for you to go.
What a vivid dream.
Am I still half-asleep, hearing things?
I thought I heard something…
Madam!
Madam! Wake up!
Madam!
Help!
Is no one around?!
She's dying!
Please, someone help!