[Episode 11]
Ryoc.
I'll be done with this once I get you to sign it.
[Let's be stars! Go, Ma-ha!]
What on earth?
Did he come by just to run off like that?
He took off after seeing a photo of Annie.
We only just concluded the meeting.
Always a man of action.
I wonder what they're up to.
On a passionate Friday night?
-Could they be... -Could they be...
Ryoc?
-Why are you back so soon? -But it's a Friday!
It's the same model.
Ryoc, what's going on?
It's about Annie.
Are you in touch with her?
Ma-ha, are you there?
Annie's gone from this world.
[The dead body from the Han River.]
[She was the trainee for OMEGA-3!]
Poor Annie!
[Jang Yu-ri rests here.]
On the day we debuted as OMEGA-3,
we heard of Annie's accident.
Ryoc.
-Yes? [-What's this about though?]
It's weird how you ran out,
and now you're asking about Annie.
I'm sorry about this.
I'll call you after work tomorrow.
We'll talk about this in person.
Ri-a.
-You startled me. -Ma-ha has something to say.
What is it?
What was Annie like?
Why are you suddenly asking about Annie?
I'm just curious that's all.
Out of the blue?
What is it? What's going on?
Ryoc left in such a hurry.
Is something up?
No, it's nothing. Forget I said anything.
NOG Entertainment has been on a roll lately,
but a tip came in regarding an unfortunate incident.
It's been three years,
so who do you think is trying to tell Annie's story?
The tip regarding Eun-jo's return to Korea
and the tip regarding this photo came in almost simultaneously.
I doubt it.
Is that so?
I guess it's up to me to solve the puzzle.
[H Cafe]
The coffee is delicious.
[2017 MML Live Recording: October 28]
[SHAX]
Our comeback performance.
[2017 MML Live Recording: October 28]
The day Eun-jo disappeared.
[Locked]
Eun-jo's birthday.
814
[Locked]
[Wrong Pin Number]
The day SHAX debuted.
404
[Locked]
[Wrong Pin Number]
When Fins was founded.
[Locked]
1214
[Wrong Pin Number]
[3 failed attempts. Please try again later.]
All I know about him is related to SHAX.
What on earth was going on in his life?
-Ryoc. -Hey, Ma-ha.
I'm sorry for calling when you could be busy filming.
It's all right.
It was nice to see "Crow-tit" appear on my screen.
I couldn't sleep last night because of you, you know.
Well...
Ryoc, I'll call you back.
Is this an actual entertainment agency?
Hi.
I mean...
Greetings, La Ri-ma.
We should film while Ryoc's in a good condition.
Right. I'll get it ready.
-Give me a call. -Sure.
-Don't make it so hard to reach you. -Sorry about that.
Aren't you too lost in character, Actor Kwon?
So you two did have an argument.
Hyuk said you came home way too early.
I guess it didn't go as planned.
-Dae-gwon. -Yes?
What's your phone's pin number?
1234. Why?
Why would you have a complicated one when you have no secrets?
Maybe I should've gone with 0000.
Let's grab some coffee. What will it be?
Go by yourself. I'll grab some with Ma-ha.
Didn't you two argue?
Now I'm confused.
I thought about starting an agency of my own,
but I hate putting too much on my plate.
I won't expect them to receive a salary like Tea Party.
This isn't a charity after all.
Just make sure they're always cared for.
My offer only stands if you agree to accept the trainees.
If not, just forget it.
What's your take on my offer?
You must be on the fence because of the large group of trainees.
All right, then.
It's only because I can't make the decision alone.
The shareholders of the agency have been listening in.
Tea Party?
So on the condition that we take in the trainees too--
You won't even take a signing bonus?
And agree to an insane profit distribution ratio?
Yes.
Do I see admiration in those eyes?
But you can take your pick of agencies.
That I know. I'll be accepted anywhere.
But your CEO?
He doesn't seem to be on the wealthy side,
but one with at least noble standards.
I feel like he'll do everything he can as the head of an agency.
It's why I want my juniors to be cared for at JH Entertainment.
What do you say?
I'll for sure bring in the bucks.
Okay?
Let's do this, guys!
Six, seven, eight.
Sorry about that. Let's try it once more.
No more mistakes.
-Got it. -We don't have much time left.
-This is your last chance. -All right.
-Come on. -Jeez.
-Nicely done. -You too.
You're clueless.
That's not how it's done.
That's how it's done!
I loved the music,
the dancing,
and you guys.
Hyeon-o.
Are you really
going to abandon us?
Without you, we won't be Sparkling.
He's right. I admit
that we're like flat soda without you.
As if I'm worth it.
Let's go back to how things were.
It can't be helped now.
You mean you regret it, don't you?
Okay.
We'll do whatever we can. You trust us, right?
Ryoc!
Sorry about today. La Ri-ma just came by unannounced.
La Ri-ma?
She wants to move to our agency
along with the trainees at Queen Entertainment.
That's La Ri-ma for you.
I was surprised and amazed by her strength.
Anyway, tell me why we're here.
Why do you have this?
It's Eun-jo's.
Eun-jo and Annie were dating, you see.
This was the phone they used to stay in touch.
I figured it out when I saw Annie's phone you had.
So...
what you have is Eun-jo's phone
and what I have is Annie's phone.
Eun-jo disappeared three years ago on the day of our comeback
without realizing he dropped this phone.
He disappeared?
But the news article said that he was sick.
Three years ago?
SHAX's comeback performance at MML?
-That's right. -October 28.
That's the day Annie died.
I remember it now.
The flashing lights at the stadium.
Eun-jo disappeared the day Annie died?
What could've happened to them that day?
That's what I'd like to know.
It's why I must unlock this phone.
[Locked]
[Wrong Pin Number]
[3 failed attempts. Please try again later.]
Mine's 1120,
so I wonder what hers was.
All I need now is her vocals.
After joining the agency, she's been constantly on my case.
That's La Ri-ma for you.
Right.
You and I. We were good together on stage,
but we have similar work styles too.
I'm not sure.
Aren't you guys leaving?
I have heaps of work to do myself,
so please let me work.
[Tea Party]
Is this where they practice?
Humble, I guess.
[Tea Party]
-La Ri-ma! -La Ri-ma!
[H Cafe]
-La Ri-ma? -La Ri-ma!
-Is this JH Entertainment? -La Ri-ma!
-Guys, keep it down a notch.
-La Ri-ma! -I get your high hormone levels.
-La Ri-ma! -La Ri-ma!
-Keep your energy in check! -Who knew this was possible?
-La Ri-ma! -Guys, please.
Who on earth is La Ri-ma?
It's been a hassle, hasn't it?
-La Ri-ma! -La Ri-ma!
It's what I get paid to do.
-La Ri-ma! -La Ri-ma!
Hey, guys.
I guess it'll be noisy for the time being.
And where's the lady in question?
In the dance studio.
[Tea Party]
Look at her. She's now taken over the dance studio.
Tell me about it.
La Ri-ma?
La Ri-ma!
Oh, hey. What are you guys doing here?
[Tea Party]
-And my song? -It only needs your voice.
Also, this is where we practice.
It's one that we share now.
Your fans are outside.
They've been out there since this morning. Aren't you the least bit curious?
As if I have the time to be.
MML is right around the corner.
Right. Of course you've been invited to perform.
Wouldn't Tea Party have a chance among rookies this year?
Us?
A member was known as my fake,
you turned heads with your debut performance,
and your song was given newfound fame.
It's been a dynamic year.
It seems like you know everything about us.
Of course I do.
Ma-ha was my copycat,
you wrote my new song,
and you...
I guess we have some bonding to do.
Tea Party has now become a brand,
so keep your hopes up.
[MML]
Once again this year,
the headliners will be SHAX and La Ri-ma.
I'll explain the rest as we go over the list you were handed.
[2021 MML]
The best dance groups this year are Sparkling and Sha Sha Sha
who received the most votes.
Next,
I'd like your input on the rookies this year.
How about Tea Party?
Its debut single "Show Me" made it onto the charts,
and it's been
on many TV and radio shows.
MiniMe's song was higher up on the charts.
It released three new singles this year
and is better known
due to being a regular on a variety show.
Don't you think
that the group's music should only be a determining factor?
Music is my life.
That slogan reminded me of Tea Party's music show performance.
The one when their MR was cut off.
They wrote a dramatic story with what was clearly the worst experience.
No other rookie was that memorable.
If you think about it,
Call Me by OMEGA-3 was also met
with newfound fame.
[2021 MML]
Who else has a suggestion?
Right. Thank you.
All right.
[Music Holic]
Just the guy I was looking for.
Sparkling will perform at MML.
What about the replacement for Hyeon-o?
You should get on it.
I actually had to talk to you about that.
Come in.
What's with you?
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry?
Please let me stay in Sparkling.
I won't go to clubs, and I won't get into fights.
I won't date anyone just for fun.
If you can't keep your word...
Please give him another chance, sir.
Chance?
-We're so sorry! -We're so sorry!
Fine. Get up.
I'll decide after seeing how you prepare for MML.
Got it?
-Thank you! -Thank you!
What are you waiting for? Go practice!
-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!
You still haven't unlocked it?
No.
I can't figure it out.
Since they used the phones only for themselves,
the password must be something that can't be easily figured out.
I know nothing about Eun-jo.
He couldn't share this with anyone until he disappeared.
I only drove him hard.
Just like us, they must've smiled together,
broken up,
and started dating again because they missed each other.
Do you think they did all that?
I couldn't understand Eun-jo then.
He must've been really lonely.
Ma-ha.
What would you have used as your password?
Don't tell anyone this.
My password is...
1120?
It's the first day we met.
[Let's be stars! November 2013.]
[Let's be stars! Go, Ma-ha!]
That's when I first went to see Star Is Born.
You remember that?
Of course.
It's the first day I opened the door to my dream.
It's also the first day I met you.
Hello, my name is Lee Ma-ha.
I want to learn how to dance with the best dance crew, Star Is Born.
It's also become a special day for me.
November 20.
[9:39 p.m., December 17, 2016]
[I'm sorry I couldn't tell you.]
Today was our 3,000th day anniversary.
Maybe
-it's that day. -Which one?
He said it was their 3,000th day anniversary.
[December 17, 2016]
[Date duration calculator]
October 1.
The day Eun-jo met Annie for the first time.
[Locked]
[Voice Message]
[Eun-jo.]
[It's me, Annie.]
[Don't forgive me]
[for what I have done.]
You only need to have a meal with them.
Just sit and smile no matter what they talk about.
It's okay.
We'll train them well
and make our agency a global company.
Let's stop talking about business.
[I thought it'd be okay]
[if I just turn a blind eye to it.]
[I thought it wasn't a big deal.]
-Hurry! -Where are we?
I thought you said I only need to have a meal.
You only need to show your face. Come on.
No, I'm leaving.
Wait!
No?
Do you think I'm doing this for my sake?
If I knew what it was about, I wouldn't have come.
Aren't you going to debut?
Do you know how hard it is to be on the good side
of big agency CEOs?
Just think of them as your money men
who'll make your life comfortable.
I don't need them.
So it doesn't matter if OMEGA-3 disbands?
If you lose this chance, you won't be able to debut.
The same goes for Ri-a and Hyun-ji.
Are you going to squander this chance?
It's just once. Coming!
[I swear I didn't do anything]
[I'd be ashamed to tell you.]
Darn you!
Darn it!
Don't you dare dream of debuting.
It was such a rare chance!
Who are you to squander it?
I clearly told you I don't want to do it.
I know about you and Eun-jo.
I'll let it slide this time,
but you better prepare well for the next dinner in a few days.
Don't try to run from this.
Otherwise, you'll ruin everyone around you.
[But I couldn't]
[get myself out of the woods.]
[I already sunk deep into a swamp.]
The chief executive of this agency got you this far on his connections.
Here we go again. The darn chief executive.
What has he done for us anyway?
-Annie. [-No matter how much I screamed for help,]
-Hey! -Annie?
[it was buried into the swamp.]
[I was so scared.]
[As soon as I saw the photos that were different from my memories,]
[I got really scared.]
[If I ruined you]
-Annie. [-because of what I did,]
-Annie! -Annie!
[I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself.]
[Voice Message]
[♫ I finally realized what those words mean ♫]
[♫ The meaning those stars tried to tell ♫]
♫ That in the end, we're one ♫
♫ They say that with their everlasting sparkle ♫
[I'm sorry I couldn't keep my word.]
[I know it must be hard,]
[but I hope you can cheer up after hearing this.]
Eun-jo...
[I shouldn't be next to you.]
[So you should forget me.]
[Eun-jo,]
[if I could be born again,]
[I want to become a star that sparkles in your heart forever.]
[Voice Message]
[I'm sorry, Eun-jo.]
What was that?
What on earth happened to Annie?
That was a long practice
[Don't you know how crucial these moments are?]
[It's better to break up! It's for the both of you!]
[So wait until I deal with this.]
[Will you just end it like this?]
♫ The most beautiful star of tonight ♫
♫ Is you ♫
Ryoc?
How can you be singing right now?
I don't know what this is about,
but don't do anything that will cause trouble to us.
Whatever that is.
I've never done anything to cause trouble to SHAX.
No, I couldn't.
Both Mr. Ji and you
are only worried about SHAX.
Because we're a team.
Both of us bet our lives on SHAX.
That's how SHAX could come this far.
You know it's the fate we can't avoid since you joined our group.
Fate?
Don't shake SHAX because of your feelings
and because of your girlfriend.
Make your decision if you're going to break up with her.
If any of us gets in trouble
because of you,
I won't stay still even if it's you.
[Voice Message]
[My lovely Eun-jo, I'm sorry.]
[I'm sorry I can't be by your side.]
This was it.
This is why Eun-jo disappeared.
Annie...
I think I get it now.
Annie must've felt the same way as you did.
Just like you wanted to break up with me for my sake,
Annie wanted to protect Eun-jo.
[You should date girls in your league.]
You should've known who has more to lose.
Good night.
Good work today.
My gosh, we made a week's sales in 10 hours.
I'll leave you guys to it.
So this is something I must hear?
I thought you should know about this.
Maybe you know about it already.
[Voice Message]
[Eun-jo.]
[It's me, Annie.]
[Don't forgive me]
[for what I have done.]
[My lovely Eun-jo, I'm sorry.]
[I'm sorry I can't be by your side.]
I only said that for their future.
I thought Eun-jo only gave up on SHAX, but that wasn't it.
I can finally understand
why Eun-jo had to make that choice.
Eun-jo
is in Korea right now.
[Jang Yu-ri rests here.]
Eun-jo.
Ryoc.
So... How have you been?
[I'm grateful that no one recognizes me.]
[It's really comfortable.]
I'm glad to hear you've been well.
I was really worried.
I struggled a lot
until I got Mr. Ji's call.
I'm sorry.
I listened to Annie's voice message without even asking you.
So I thought I should give it back to you.
[Voice Files]
[I'm sorry I couldn't keep my word.]
[I know it must be hard,]
[but I hope you can cheer up after hearing this.]
[Voice Recording]
♫ I finally realized what those words mean ♫
♫ The meaning those stars tried to tell ♫
[Voice Files]
Thank you
for finding them.
Thank you.
We should do something about those jerks who did this to Annie.
No, I don't want people
to talk about her and bring her disgrace.
Eun-jo, still... This is...
What can we do?
There's nothing I can do.
I want Annie to remain in my heart as a happy person.
Please let me do that.
["Fact Check"]
Something big must've happened seeing how you came to see me.
It wasn't Eun-jo who tipped you off anonymously.
Also, what happened to Annie isn't what you and I think.
It's not?
I got to hear Annie's voice message.
There's a voice message?
It's her last message to Eun-jo.
-So you met Eun-jo. -Please stop here.
I don't want you to dig into what happened to Annie.
Eun-jo doesn't want that.
I got a key to Pandora's box, but you don't want me to open it.
Let me listen to the file first.
Please be understanding
for Eun-jo.
You want me to be understanding?
What about Annie, then?
Imagine how lonely
and scared she must have been!
I can't let this slide!
Didn't you make up your mind when you started managing Tea Party?
Didn't you decide to never let anyone go through that again?
You were sincere enough to not go with the flow.
If what happened to Annie doesn't become known,
your determination is nothing but an empty shell!
How did you bear it? It must've been hard.
It was all thanks to Mr. Ji.
Is this why you ran away?
Answer me!
I know you're doing this out of guilt.
But you need to get to your senses now,
and do whatever you want.
That's what Annie must've wanted.
She was only worried about you,
saying nothing bad should happen
to you.
Start living your life,
so she doesn't have to worry about you anymore.
Don't you regret the choice you made back then?
If you're talking about life as Eun-jo of SHAX,
then I don't regret the choice I made
on the lift.
I trusted all of you,
so I knew SHAX will go on without me.
Even if I couldn't stop Annie from leaving,
I would've made the same choice.
Back then,
I was all she had.
You probably wouldn't understand, Ryoc.
I don't know.
I wouldn't have punched somebody for an absurd reason,
I wouldn't have become a workaholic,
and above all, I wouldn't hurt someone who's dear to me.
I couldn't understand you back then,
but I think I do now.
Weren't you curious about me?
Why would I be?
I could see you and hear about you no matter where I was.
-And don't get hurt, okay? -So you were worried.
I didn't want to, but everyone was talking about it.
I should go.
The members.
Don't you want to see them?
No.
How can you give me an answer so quickly?
You're too cold.
SHAX is SHAX without me.
Jae-u, I-hyeon, Do-jin, and Hyuk will be better off
if they don't hear about me.
I don't want them to be shaken.
I'm going back to the U.S. soon.
♫ I finally realized what those words mean ♫
♫ The meaning those stars tried to tell ♫
♫ That in the end, we're one ♫
♫ They say that with their everlasting sparkle ♫
Ryoc.
You didn't even notice me coming.
Did you have a good talk?
You must be troubled.
Ma-ha.
Let's not get sick,
let's not break up, and let's not hurt each other.
Let's stay right next to each other.
I love you,
Crow-tit.
There's much talk about how SHAX is the headliner again this year.
They've done it for three years at MML Festival for a reason.
Those nobodies always get jealous when people do well.
So make sure you show them
why they chose NOG, why they chose SHAX.
[CEO Park Jin-man]
Yes, sir.
-And are there any problems with the boys? -No, sir.
[Hello, I'm reporter Byun Jeong-hui.]
[NOG and the Truth of the Dead Trainee]
[I finished looking into the story you reported.]
[It was a very interesting one.]
[I'd like to publish the article as attached in this email.]
[Let me know if you have any modifications or anything else you'd like.]
[Hello, I'm reporter Byun Jeong-hui.]
[You received a new email.]
[I just read the article you wrote.]
[Please publish it after MML Festival.]
♫ That in the end, we're one ♫
♫ They say that with their everlasting sparkle ♫
Is that a new song?
I like the melody.
Are you already thinking of a new album?
No.
Why do you look so serious?
What has gotten into you? You're actually interested in me.
Hey, sing it again. Are you done with the lyrics?
It'll sound nice after some work.
♫ That in the end, we're one ♫
♫ They say that with their everlasting sparkle ♫
I'm leaving.
And I'm going to the studio.
What were you just humming?
-Nothing. -I like it.
Whose song is it?
So what were you just singing?
I've never heard it before.
It's Eun-jo and Annie's song.
What?
It's the song Eun-jo sent to Annie.
It's the last song Annie heard.
What? What are you doing?
I just wanted to give you two a hug.
♫ I finally realized what those words mean ♫
-How do you know this? -How did you know?
-It's Ryoc's song. -It's Ma-ha's song.
Hey, Ryoc.
This is nice.
Shall we?
Ma-ha.
Do you want to try making
Eun-jo and Annie's song together?
Music has the power to tell feelings and comfort others.
Eun-jo wanted to share those feelings,
and it's too heartbreaking to let them go to waste.
That song seems like Eun-jo and Annie,
so I can't just turn away from it.
I knew you'd be that cool, Ryoc.
Okay. Let's make it together.
Ryoc, you have to come with me.
Ha-seok.
Ha-seok, wake up.
Why are you two here so early?
Ri-a
also knows this song.
Yes, well...
I like it.
[I want Annie to remain in my heart as a happy person.]
Why don't we try making this song?
It sounds too different from all of our other songs.
I have to ask the songwriter for permission.
I wanted to hear your thoughts first.
The songwriter? Isn't this yours?
Whose song is it?
Eun-jo.
-Eun-jo? -Eun-jo?
What do you mean, Eun-jo?
This is Eun-jo's last song.
I want to use this song
to speak to the world.
This song. Whose song is this?
I-hyeon was singing the exact same melody at the studio.
-Really? The same melody? -Yes.
This is
Annie and Eun-jo's song.
-What? -Annie?
Eun-jo?
Eun-jo of SHAX?
Annie and Eun-jo had been
dating for a long time.
What are you talking about?
[Untitled]
Annie...
I knew she wouldn't leave us so irresponsibly.
[Yes.]
Yes, I understand.
Thank you.
Tea Party.
You three are...
You three are the best.
Tea Party was just invited
to perform as a rookie at MML Festival.
What?
-MML Festival? -Called us?
Why? What is it?
What's going on? What?
That song?
It's all ready.
[October 1, EJ YR]
That song is no longer mine.
[Crow-tit]
Hey.
Ryoc.
We're going to perform at MML Festival.
Really?
Yes, at MML Festival.
Congrats.
Tea Party is a big star now.
Gosh, we aren't that big yet.
You'll be busy preparing for the performance.
We'll start practicing today.
I'm so happy to perform
at the same festival as you.
I'm happy too.
I've always dreamed of this,
so I'm a little afraid that it came true so quickly.
It's thanks to your talent.
Be yourself, Ma-ha, and perform as Tea Party always does.
You know that, right?
Yes.
All right, I can do this!
That sounds like Ma-ha.
Can you tell me to keep it up too?
Ryoc, you can
also do this!
Let's do this.
[You'll have to understand this decision.]
[Eun-jo]
[Isn't this too harsh on Eun-jo?]
-What's too harsh? -You held him liable for damages.
I had to, right?
He suddenly left and ruined the performance,
then put his team on hold.
And think about all those TV ads we lost.
How much did I lose because of Eun-jo?
But you could've talked to him in person--
So what if I did?
Will doing that get the money I lost?
My investment, time, and opportunity cost came to 3.4 billion won.
[He had to pay 3 times per contract, so 10.2 billion won.]
[It was a cheap way out.]
[Park Jin-man!]
[Hey, Ji-hak, don't get so angry.]
[It's bad for your health.]
[Excellent Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Award]
[Asia Star: SHAX]
What is this about?
-What is? -That you held Eun-jo liable.
It's only fair, isn't it?
If he caused damage, he must make compensation.
I'll take responsibility.
Who will?
You?
Do you know how much he has to pay?
I'll...
I'll deal with it.
So please don't do anything to members of SHAX, including Eun-jo.
Ryoc, you'll take responsibility
for the damage Eun-jo caused,
so you want me to stay away from him?
Fine, let's do that.
We need to revise our contract.
MML Festival.
All members showed interested in renewing the contract.
[CEO Park Jin-man]
But I don't know how Ryoc feels yet.
Ryoc? Just let him be.
Any other problems?
-No, sir. -It's the last show before the renewal.
Pay some more attention.
-Yes, sir. -Okay. You may go.
[CEO Park Jin-man]
Ryoc.
What brings you here?
I just came by.
-Did Mr. Park want to see you too? -Let's talk later.
Why? Is there another problem...
Hey, Ryoc.
Goodness, look at how worn out you are.
I asked your manager to cut down on your work.
You should look after yourself.
What brings you here?
Come on, you can relax and tell me. This is between us.
We want to create the performance for MML Festival on our own.
Then what can we do to help?
I'd like to turn that down too.
As I just said, we'd like to create this on our own.
Why are you suddenly stepping up to do something you've never done before?
How inconvenient.
Why is this getting on my nerves?
Don't worry, Mr. Park.
I won't let you down.
No, of course, you won't.
But Ryoc,
you haven't forgotten our contract, have you?
[Epilogue]
This phone only has our numbers saved.
But there are a few rules.
We're only going to talk on this phone.
Even if one of us is out of touch for a while, don't be worried.
You can't send any files or texts.
Don't let anyone else find out.
I'm sorry.
I like it.
It's our secret hotline.
Secret hotline.