(All characters, places, institutions, incidents,)
(and organizations portrayed in this drama are fictitious.)
If n is an integer equal to or bigger than three,
and x to the nth power plus y to the nth power equals...
z to the nth power,
the values of x, y, and z cannot be positive integers.
(If n is an integer equal to or bigger than three...)
It seems simple, right?
It looks solvable right away.
Put this problem wasn't solved for over 350 years.
Until a UK mathematician managed after working on it for seven years.
For seven years?
He worked on one problem for seven years?
Yes. This one problem.
The mathematician who had spent seven years solving this problem...
said this.
"I loved every minute, every second..."
"I spent working on this problem."
Let's hurry.
- Ms. Ji. - Yes?
I finished this book.
("A Mathematician's Apology")
Did you? How was it?
I didn't know there was ugly math and beautiful math.
What do you think is beautiful math?
Math about constellations.
- Constellations? - It's in the book.
That proofs like clear, simple constellations...
are beautiful.
That's right.
You read it very thoroughly.
- Shall I recommend another book? - Yes.
This one.
What is this one about?
It's about a mathematician.
He faced errors and contradictions,
but he didn't give up and kept going.
This is about his proof.
("In Need of Proof")
(By Paik Seung Yoo)
(Final Episode)
(About Mathematikum)
(MOU Between Asung Academy and National Museum of Mathematics)
The lobbying for the National Museum of Mathematics,
the personnel transfers,
and embezzlement of government funds.
Once we analyze what we obtained in the search and seizure,
more charges could be added.
Who was it?
Let's begin with the funding.
Using the MOU as an excuse,
is it true you spent funds for your personal gain?
If you call me taking a small cut...
- for my efforts embezzlement... - It's unfair?
It was just for money?
Then what? Is there another reason?
You put Professor Cha Seong Won on the board.
Was that so you could spend whatever you needed?
I'm warning you.
Don't think of ruining my brother.
- The arrogant punk. - What?
Prosecutor. If you look at how the funds were spent...
Ms. Noh, are you listening?
The committee funds...
were budgeted to promote the National Math Museum.
It can be spent on the students...
who are part of the MOU.
It's true that I recommended Professor Cha,
but I did not put him on the board.
The National Math Museum will become...
a place where math is taught and future talent raised.
All I wanted was to do my best as an educator.
If you think I would give bribes and...
give allies important jobs for personal gain,
I am sorely disappointed, sir.
Minister Shin Seung Jae. Do you accept the charges?
I wasn't interested in the museum from the start.
Noh Jung Ah came up with all the ideas and plans.
You allocated part of the government budget.
You started that important deal with a school principal's idea?
I liked the idea of supporting a core subject like math,
and I fell for her tricks.
Even Assemblyman Sung Min Jun asked for my backing.
I found out later on that they were doing this for their own gain.
If there were any illegal matters regarding the museum,
that would be on Minister Shin who headed the task force team,
and Professor Cha who headed the committee.
Wouldn't those two be most deeply involved?
Didn't you have the bill passed forcibly...
because Minister Shin and Ms. Noh asked you to?
Listen.
I only arranged a meeting for them...
so they could do something for my constituents.
As an assemblyman, I can't be arrested.
Why do you think I agreed to be questioned?
It's because I'm innocent and blameless.
I have nothing to hide.
Did you not make any personal gain...
with the information you got?
I'm a scholar.
I don't know about anything but research.
Recently, your wife Kim Young Sun...
bought 661m² of land that the museum was planned to be built on.
Well...
Unlike myself, my wife knows how to invest.
But I never gave her such information,
and we can't even afford this.
(Prosecutor's Office)
Sung Min Jun, I'm glad we met.
- Come here, punk! - Minister.
Try to save face. What do you think you're doing?
Save face?
Did you deny involvement to save face?
How dare you try to avoid the charges?
You should've kept an eye on your people.
The person who reported you.
It was Ryu Sung Jae.
My gosh. Of all the people to betray you...
So what?
- Are you saying it's my fault? - Let go of me.
- Stop it. - Let go!
- I'll make you pay! - What are you doing?
- Watch out! - Let go!
Assemblyman, don't...
(Prosecutor's Office)
What's this?
You must see this.
Jenny, did you see this?
- What's this? It's the same! - What is this textbook?
How is it just like the exam?
- Is this normal? - Were the problems leaked?
- What is this? - Did you have this?
- What is this textbook? - Some of our students had it.
- No way. - Look.
- Isn't this crazy? - It's identical.
- What is this? - Even the numbers are the same.
This is insane.
- How can this be? - This is wrong.
- This isn't right. - Our school's crazy.
- I don't get it. - Where is it from?
What's this?
How can a textbook have the same questions as our exam?
Didn't you notice in the meeting?
All these questions were from Mr. Ahn.
We're done for.
A privately made textbook...
containing the same math problems from the exam...
of Asung Academy came online and caused quite a stir.
Our kids' textbook is online.
How did this happen?
We returned them to Noh Jung Ah.
What happens now that this got out?
(Jenny's mom)
Hang on. This is what Yoo Chan had.
How did this get leaked?
Oh, no.
We received word that someone will testify these photos are true.
Reporters are outside the Office of Education...
waiting for the witness to appear.
(Ministry of Education)
- Isn't that him? - He's here!
Aren't you Paik Seung Yoo?
Are you here to tell us about Asung Academy?
What will you talk about?
Are the photos online...
of the textbook and exam from you?
Let's not go straight to the Office of Education.
- Then what? - I tried that four years ago.
You know how that worked out.
I want to do it differently this time.
I'm Paik Seung Yoo, a teacher at Asung Academy.
My employment was terminated.
Before I submit the material...
I brought to the Office of Education,
I wish to speak to the public first.
Asung Academy of Mathematics and Arts...
has a Global Talent Class for kids aiming for Ivy League schools.
The members are the so-called high class.
Children of ministers, assemblymen, CEOs...
and university professors are in this class.
(Kyung Soo Young)
This is...
the textbook the school provided to just the Global Talent Class.
How does he have that?
(Mathematician Paik Reports Asung Corruption)
Differently how?
Before you submit the evidence, tell the world about it.
You can tell the math problems here...
and the problems in Asung's recent math exam...
are identical.
That textbook was given only to kids of influential people,
and questions from it were in the exam?
Yes.
That's not all. Asung's Principal Noh Jung Ah...
took money from these students' parents...
in the name of a school development fund...
to line her own pockets.
(Mathematician Paik Reports Asung Corruption)
This flash drive contains evidence of Principal Noh's illegal deals...
and enough to support the bribery charges.
I'll submit this to the authorities.
(Reporter Choi)
(Reporter Seo)
(Proof of Asung Corruption to be Submitted to Authorities)
(Father)
A Ministry of Education hearing?
So?
The board may be dissolved...
if they say there's a problem with the foundation's accounting?
It was you.
You emptied out my safe.
I said not to be too greedy.
You let your dirty deeds hurt Father, me,
and the foundation.
Who are you to disgrace my grandfather's name?
Get out. You're finished.
You have no place in our family, our foundation, or anywhere.
That was how it should've been from the start.
Even in 2017,
I asserted that Asung High School...
was leaking answer sheets to tests.
This case is being closed as a personal exchange...
between one parent and one teacher,
but there is someone here...
who is willing to testify that Principal Noh Jung Ah...
and Assemblyman Sung Min Jun were involved in this as well.
What? Who?
Who else? It must be Ji Yoon Su.
She's so annoying.
Oh my gosh.
(Vice Principal Choi Sung Han)
Where's Vice Principal Choi?
Well...
What's going on?
My gosh.
Dearest Principal Noh.
I've watered all the plants as always.
Now that the secrets of our school...
are public knowledge,
I will also have to pay for my sins.
The sooner you admit your crime,
the lighter the punishment.
I plan to share everything that I have done wrong...
and everything...
that I know.
Regards, Choi Sung Han.
Share what? What are you going to tell them?
What did I do wrong?
What?
This school.
Not only is it surviving,
but it has also become grander and fancier.
I wonder more about how you will end up than me.
Will you be able to protect what you want to?
Stop it!
Stop it! I'm being framed!
Stop your babbling! Stop it!
I'm being framed! Stop it!
Stop!
Ji Na.
I'm glad you're here. Go with me.
We can't let them do this to us.
Don't worry. I can fix it.
That was why I told you to protect...
this school's reputation and dignity.
You always tried to hide it and thought you wouldn't get caught.
Why didn't you try to protect the school?
Did you really think no one would find out?
You...
Sorry.
Those stinky things that you hid so well?
I found them first.
No.
You didn't.
But isn't it a relief...
that I saw them first?
Because you don't have to hide them anymore.
Don't be too upset, Mom.
I'm not trying to imprison you.
I'm trying to free you from here.
No!
No.
Is it the female teacher...
who was embroiled in the scandal with you in 2017?
- Where is the person? - Is it a teacher from Asung?
Are you ready?
The witness...
is someone directly involved in the answer sheet leak incident...
at Asung High.
That's huge.
- Who? - It's Sung Ye Rin!
- It's Sung Ye Rin! - Sung Ye Rin!
Oh my gosh. Ye Rin...
Why is Ye Rin there?
What is she doing there?
(Assemblyman Sung Min Jun's child Sung Ye Rin appears as a witness)
You were right.
But Yoo Chan is better than I was.
He regretted it and was afraid.
Whereas I didn't care what happened.
So?
What do you want to do?
I want to make it stop.
Before we reach a point when it's impossible to stop.
You said we could fix things one by one, right?
You said you'd help me, right?
Tell me how to do it.
Please.
There's only one thing you need to do.
Have courage.
In 2017,
I had three teachers.
One stole the answer sheets,
one remained silent,
and one...
noticed that I had seen the answer sheet and copied it.
I turned that last teacher into my enemy.
However,
every time I came across a wall in life,
I remembered what that teacher had said to me.
That I needed to know...
what I did wrong.
That I needed to be able to say what I did wrong.
I remembered those words.
What made you decide to admit everything today?
I lied,
I received special treatment,
and I framed another person.
However,
I never once admitted it...
or apologized for it.
I apologize sincerely.
I'm sorry, Ms. Ji Yoon Su.
What's going on?
- Ji Yoon Su. - It's Ji Yoon Su.
- It's her. - It's Ji Yoon Su.
Isn't that her?
Let's go.
Okay, let's go.
You're the female teacher from Asung High School, right?
Do you have any comments about this?
It has been proven that you were in fact framed.
How do you feel?
Please give us a statement.
Four years ago,
the student who was framed with me...
I'll prove it.
I promise I'll prove it.
He had promised to uncover the truth.
Finally, it was proven today.
Thus, I'm happy.
- Anything else? - Please say something more.
- Do you feel vindicated? - Is there anything else?
- Just a little more, please. - Sung Ye Rin!
Please look this way!
What proof do you mean?
We'll play the recording now.
(Students in the Project)
We'll have to be discreet.
I'll tell you the method now.
Just do as I say.
First, establish a foundation.
One that helps talented but poor students.
A nonprofit.
Parents will donate to the foundation,
and that money will be sent...
to admissions officers abroad in the form of donations.
It'll be a way for us to launder the money.
One more thing.
What do you want me to do with this?
It was recorded by a third party,
so they won't accept it as evidence.
But if you hand it into the police saying you recorded it,
Noh Jung Ah will get criminally charged.
I want you to acquire some shares using the foundation.
Do you admit that it was you who had this conversation?
Principal Noh gave all the orders.
All I did was cooperate.
She also said this.
"The parents of the kids in the Global Talent Class..."
"are all high-ranking officials."
"So they will prevent anything bad from happening."
She said they promised to protect us and that I shouldn't worry.
Violations against illegal solicitation, acceptance of bribes,
professional negligence, business obstruction,
forgery of documents, and embezzlement.
My goodness.
Do you admit to all these charges?
This isn't fair.
How so?
- Do you have a kid? - Yes, I do.
- What school does your kid go to? - A public school.
Your job comes with honor and power, and people like you...
are willing to go far and beyond for your children.
As parents, it's only natural that we want our children...
to take a path in life that's quicker, easier,
and more comfortable.
Right.
Every single parent I've ever met...
wanted his or her child...
to get ahead of others by starting with an advantage.
- When I showed them the way... - Please forgive her.
Please forgive Ye Rin just this once.
They willingly got on their knees and stooped low.
- Ms. Noh, happy birthday. - Happy birthday.
They treated me like a queen.
They asked for a faster and easier route.
They were willing to do anything.
And now, they're blaming me for ruining their children's lives?
What did I do wrong?
She asked me what it was that she did wrong.
I think that's the problem.
I want to set things straight...
before things get completely out of hand.
She didn't set anything straight.
She just damaged the system. She ruined it all...
when I had worked so hard to build a solid order.
It was ruined by a mere teacher.
Listen to me, Ms. Noh.
("Principal of Asung Academy Found Guilty...")
("for Giving Special Treatment to Kids From Prestigious Families")
How do you think you'll feel when we have a child?
Won't you want to do all you can for its sake?
Doing all I can to love my child...
is different from putting my child first...
at the expense of other children.
Hey, you're here.
- It's been a while. - Yes, have you been well?
Yes. Have a seat.
Did you see this?
I heard about the tip-off you gave. Thank you.
I was actually thinking about what you once said to me.
What?
When I asked you how you'd feel if we ever had a child of our own,
we ended up arguing due to our different opinions.
I remember.
I just ignored it.
I closed my eyes and pretended like it didn't matter.
I thought that was all I had to do to make things okay.
Do you think differently now?
Yes.
After having gone through all this,
things started to change, and I've become braver.
That's what it feels like for me.
I'm glad to hear that.
You really do seem different than how you were in the past.
- I do? - Yes. In a good way.
A good way?
How's he doing?
I can't believe you guys succeeded in receiving an apology.
I didn't think that was possible in this day and age.
But you guys did it.
You and Seung Yoo.
Seung Yoo once told me...
that he wanted you to receive an apology.
It felt a lot more sincere than hearing someone say...
that they want to make someone happy.
How's your teaching job? Is it okay?
It's different from teaching students at school.
But thanks to your recommendation, it's not too bad.
Students seem to enjoy my lectures, and thanks to that,
more and more students have started to enroll in my class.
That's great. Keep up the good work. I'll be keeping an eye on you.
Of course. I'll do my best.
By the way, no one believed me when I told them...
that I used to be your teacher in high school.
While we're on that subject...
- Okay. Let's take a photo. - That's what I'm talking about.
Let me take a photo with Mr. Paik.
Look at the screen.
One, two, three.
Great.
Thank you for coming to see me instead of just forgetting about me.
I should be the one thanking you.
You helped out a lot and played a big role.
That's what helped us come this far.
- Let's drink. - Okay.
Today, let's drink until we get wasted.
There we go.
Excuse me.
- May I help you? - I'm here for Ms. Ji Yoon Su.
She's in the waiting room over there.
Everything's ready. You can bring everyone outside.
Okay.
You're all ready. Look at yourself in the mirror.
Professor Ji, you look stunning.
Ta-da. How do I look?
- Hey, Mr. Paik. - You're here.
He's ready for us. He wants us to come outside.
Look at you.
Sir, I almost didn't recognize you. You look handsome today.
Mr. Paik, how do I look?
Take it off.
- Today's all about me. - Don't be absurd.
We all gathered here to celebrate your discharge from the hospital.
Professor Ji had to travel a long way.
- We're all very busy people. - Okay, fine.
Let's go.
- Dad, let's go. - Let's go, Professor Ji.
Why don't you hold your grandfather's hand?
- Like this? - Yes, that's great.
Sir, can you also lean a little bit toward your granddaughter?
Just a little bit. Okay, great.
Mister, can you stand a little bit closer to the lady?
Place your heads a little closer together.
Just a bit more. A bit more. Okay, great.
Now, give me a smile, everyone. In 1, 2, 3.
Okay. Let's try that again. This time, give me a bigger smile.
Grandpa, smile.
One, two, three.
Are they really going to cancel Ye Rin's admission?
Yes. Her dad apparently resigned.
She no longer has an assemblyman to help her out.
- She's done now. - Justice prevails.
- Ye Rin. - When did you get there?
Just now.
Let's go.
Don't get scared. It's not too late to start over.
I never said I was scared. I'm really going to try my best.
That's the spirit.
- I'll be your math tutor. - You?
You know I was always better than you at math, right?
You're such a show-off.
How much do you charge?
I have to work part-time too.
- You, work? Don't you dare. - Why do you care?
Why can't I care? I don't want you to suffer.
You're going overboard.
What will you do? Can I work with you?
Will you?
Can someone like you who never worked even manage?
That goes for you too.
It's for a student?
How about this one, then?
Si An, take a look.
Do you think you'll sleep well?
Yes, totally.
You'll love it.
It's high-density memory foam,
and it keeps you comfortable all night long.
Does it? Let's get this, then?
Can I?
It looks expensive.
It's a gift from your two teachers to celebrate your recovery.
Don't worry and accept it.
Thank you.
- I'll use it well. - Good.
- I'll go and pay. - I'll come with you.
What are you thinking about?
Cassiopeia.
Even stars that others say have no meaning...
all have a place...
among the celestial bodies.
If you connect and follow those stars,
even on this trip in the unknown,
you can reach a beautiful conclusion.
I'll come to play chess with you this weekend.
Okay.
Get some rest. We'll go now.
Yoon Su.
Thank you.
You never resented me.
You always understood.
I was a man who loved only numbers.
You made me love...
much more than that.
Professor, I love you too. You know that, right?
Yes, I do.
There's nothing he doesn't know.
He knows all the hard work we put in.
Get some rest.
I will.
I'll visit again, Dad.
Okay.
Let's go.
I want to become a mathematician soon too.
Like you and Professor Ji.
You dream so big.
So, what will you prove?
There's a topic I'm thinking about really seriously.
- What is it? - Quantum cryptography.
Quantum cryptography?
(Quantum mechanics based safety code)
That tough topic?
Exactly. Why that field?
Because it's cool.
Princeton's looking for scholarship students.
I'm thinking of applying.
You thought about it in a great deal of detail.
Yes.
Tell me if you need help or a recommendation letter.
I will.
Hello?
Dad.
Professor.
Professor. Wake up.
Professor.
Dad.
Professor.
Dad.
How many?
Seung Yoo.
Come and say goodbye.
Professor.
Thank you...
for being my teacher.
Thank you so much.
(Here rests Ji Hyeon Uk)
(Mathematician Ji Hyeon Uk...)
(who dreamed of infinity in a finite world.)
Thank you.
I didn't think...
Dad would leave behind two pupils like you.
He was a teacher to me,
but also a friend and family.
Me too.
It felt like having a real grandpa.
My dad was happy and pleased...
to have known you, Si An.
Let's remember him for a long time.
Okay. I'll do that.
Sung Yoo Chan, let's hurry. Get down here.
Who says you're taking him?
We haven't decided who gets custody.
That's expensive. Be careful.
- Okay. - Since you resigned,
no one wants to have anything to do with you.
Can you support a kid?
What about you?
You got probation and can't be on TV.
Aren't you just as penniless?
Are you worrying about me?
I just have to lie low for a bit.
I can make a comeback at any time.
You can worry about your poor future. Okay?
- What? My poor future? - Yoo Chan!
Is that all you can say?
- Don't follow me. - You're in the wrong too.
- How dare you say... - Yoo Chan!
I'm talking to you!
Oh, whatever. Yoo Chan...
Where did he go?
What?
I won't live with either of you.
It's your fault I'm not allowed to go to school,
and you're still fighting.
I'm too embarrassed to live with you. Stop it!
He won't live with either of us?
Whose fault is it that he can't go to school?
He's too embarrassed to live with either of us.
Then what will he do?
Did he leave?
(Son)
- The person you have reached... - What...
- Go out and look for him. - Darn it.
Give me that!
Hey! Yoo Chan!
Yoo Chan!
Can you unpack by yourself?
I'll do it slowly.
Actually, Seung Yoo...
Take any of my father's books that you want.
I'll give this to Si An.
- What is it? - Are there more notebooks?
Yes.
This...
I'm checking.
- Right? - I think so.
I thought they were meaningless scribbles.
But they weren't.
Let's look.
Let's find what it was that my father was trying to prove.
Okay.
Here.
So this is how it feels to lose the specialized school designation.
Asung Foundation's reputation collapsed in an instant.
I know.
I heard the entire board was replaced too.
- Clear the way. - Step aside.
Careful.
- What is that? - What is all of that?
My gosh.
- Cantor. - The continuum hypothesis.
(Cantor - advanced the continuum hypothesis)
(about the possible sizes of infinite sets.)
Godel showed that it cannot be proven,
so it was irrelevant whether or not it was true.
But the professor...
(Godel's incompleteness theorems)
He reinvented a world in which the continuum hypothesis is false.
You still solve problems every day.
Father.
I asked why he kept doing something so useless...
and begged him to stop.
Me too.
I never imagined this was what he was doing.
He was fighting desperately...
without anyone even knowing.
Even stars that others say have no meaning...
all have a place among the celestial bodies.
If you connect and follow those stars,
even on this trip in the unknown,
you can reach a beautiful conclusion.
I think we can do something with this.
I want to gather all the ingredients...
that he planted...
and complete something, anything.
However long it takes, whatever the result.
Can you handle it?
This may take much more time and effort than your thesis...
that won you the Lucifer Prize.
It'll be a long battle which you much fight alone.
No one will be able to help you to interfere with you.
That's exciting.
And frightening.
Just a minute.
Calculus. The source of a spring?
Seung Yoo.
Will you promise me one more time?
Get immersed, but not overcome.
Like, but don't obsess?
I promise.
Don't worry, and cheer me on.
I'll always cheer you on.
You can do it.
(3 years later)
So? What happened to that mathematician?
I'm not sure. What do you think?
I hope you like that book.
Thank you.
Hello?
Hello, Ms. Ji.
How's school?
It's tough, isn't it? There's so much to learn.
It's not so bad.
You even wrote me a recommendation. I have to work hard.
Also, I heard from Si An.
She's back in Korea?
Yes, for a short while.
She's doing incredibly well. She even wrote a thesis.
She brags like mad.
Thank you for coming all the way here.
She has been talking about you a lot since a few days ago.
That she wanted to see you...
and to ask you to come.
I'll wait here.
I'll let you two talk.
I heard...
you wanted to see me.
No one comes.
No one comes to see me.
I thought they'd come at least to laugh at me.
My father...
passed away.
So did my father.
I see.
Were you there when he passed?
I was a little late, but yes.
Good.
I...
didn't go.
I'm sure Yeon Woo did.
I'm sure she gave him a big, fancy funeral.
I'm sure he was proud.
There was a time...
when my father was proud of me too.
He trusted me.
He even said he'd entrust all of Asung with me.
I need to do well.
That's the only way...
my father calls me over and looks at me.
I wanted to do well.
That was what I wanted, but...
You don't have to do well.
You don't need to gain anyone's approval anymore.
You're a mom who needs to love Ji Na.
Mom.
Let's go in.
They're serving your favorite abalone porridge for dinner.
Let's go eat.
Thank you, Ms. Ji.
I'll call you again.
Get home safely.
Okay, Ji Na. I'll see you next time.
- Si An. - Ms. Ji.
It's been so long. I missed you.
- Me too. I'm glad you're here. - Have you been well?
Of course. Let's go inside.
- It's cold, isn't it? - I'm okay.
- Are you hungry? - I'm starving.
Let's eat.
That was delicious.
Did you cook everything?
I know I'm not a great cook, but I still tried my best.
What do you mean you're not a great cook?
Every time I come to Korea, you cook me a feast.
Here's something to repay you for that.
Here, Ms. Ji.
Is it a thesis paper?
Yes.
You have no idea how much I've waited for this very moment.
The day I get to show you my thesis.
Congratulations. I'm proud of you.
By the way, have you heard from Mr. Paik?
I think he may have changed his number.
It's been so long since I've talked to him.
He doesn't even read my emails anymore.
I guess he's really concentrating on what he's doing.
I heard he even took a leave from school.
Back when he wrote the thesis that won the Lucifer Prize,
he disappeared for a few years.
That's probably why we can't get reach him.
Still, do you think he'll show up to see me win the award?
He promised to congratulate me.
He'd better come.
When Si An becomes a famous mathematician,
let's congratulate her.
Let's congratulate her together.
Are these the kids in Calculus?
Yes.
Hey.
Hello.
Hello, Hardy.
Welcome, Hardy.
- What is that? - "The Fun X".
"The Fun X"? You're still doing that?
How about I ask them a really hard math problem?
If you do that, it might shock people.
- Is it your turn today? - Yes.
Hardy, what's today's math problem?
(Hardy, what's today's math problem?)
Here's another fun problem.
Get rid of two corners...
from a standard 8 by 8 chessboard.
Let's say you have enough pieces like the one on the right.
Try using the pieces to cover the entire chessboard.
This is fun.
It's fun but hard.
Hardy, your math problems are always amazing.
Answer. Impossible.
- What? - Did someone get it right?
I knew 3cut would get it right.
"3cut"? Is that a nickname?
He's currently trying to solve the Riemann hypothesis.
(An unsolved problem introduced by a German mathematician)
The Riemann hypothesis?
Sure he is.
He's just saying whatever because that chat is anonymous.
If he manages to solve the Riemann hypothesis,
tell him I'll go ahead and try to solve Goldbach's conjecture.
(One of the best-known unsolved problems in number theory)
3cut, once again, you go the right answer.
- He never disappoints. - He's so fast.
Why is it impossible?
Seeing that 3cut isn't replying,
let me explain why.
Hello, 3cut. This is Hardy.
By any chance, have you read this thesis?
"I read the thesis you sent me a couple of days ago."
"It helped me out a lot."
"Thank you."
Really?
I actually found a few more papers regarding the subject.
Would you like me to send them to you too?
"You have been chosen as a young mathematician..."
"by the Korean Mathematics Association."
"Therefore, we acknowledge your academic achievements..."
"and give you this award."
"From Kim Young Eun, the chairperson..."
"of the Korean Mathematics Association."
(2024 Award Ceremony for Young Mathematicians)
A lot of things happened that helped me come this far,
and I also have many people I'd like to thank.
(Korean Mathematics Association, Professor Kim Jung Ik)
I'll take the photo now.
It came out great.
I told you I would put a medal around your neck.
I kept my promise.
Yes, I'm proud of you, Si An. You really did a great job.
It's all thanks to you.
By the way, did Mr. Paik really not come today?
The association published that I'll be winning an award today,
so he surely must've heard of it.
Are you Choi Si An, the winner of the award?
Yes, that's me.
Someone asked me to give you this.
He had to leave because of something urgent.
It's from Mr. Paik.
"Si An, congratulations on the award."
I can't believe he was here.
I miss him.
That was good.
Goodness, Dr. Paik Seung Yoo.
Congratulations.
I just got a call from The Mathematics...
saying you passed the screening.
Everything's been verified now.
Now, all you need to do is officially publish it.
- I'm so impressed. - Thank you.
A lot of mathematicians tried to solve the problem,
but they failed.
The hypothesis remained unsolved for a very long time.
So I'm sure you were stuck every now and then.
How did you manage to solve it?
I received help.
(Hardy)
Hello, 3cut.
This is the thesis I told you about last time.
I hope it helps.
At first, it seemed irrelevant to what I was covering.
And it really was irrelevant.
When Andrew Wiles proved Fermat's Last Theorem,
he got a huge hint from the elliptic equation,
despite its irrelevance.
Just like him, I was able to think of a brilliant idea.
So someone laid the bridge for you to connect the dots...
by helping you with something completely irrelevant?
Who was that person?
Godfrey Harold Hardy.
"Hardy"?
The English mathematician?
(Hello...)
Hello, Hardy.
My thesis paper is going to get published soon.
Thanks to your inspiration,
I was able to finish my proof.
I'd like to thank you by sending you my paper.
I hope to hear from you.
(Hello, Hardy. My thesis paper...)
I miss her.
Director, I'm perfect for that role.
I'm up for it.
I'll even audition if you want.
Okay, the 25th. See you then.
- Yes. - You're hard at work.
I have to, to make a living.
Hee Seung, I don't want this.
Give me an espresso. Double shot.
I knew you'd ask for that.
Here you go. It's on us.
I need a shot of caffeine. It gives me energy.
I have an important audition later.
You're Yu Hye Mi. I'm sure you'll get the role.
Good.
Okay. I'm off. Bye.
- Good luck. - Thanks.
I wonder if Seung Yoo even eats on time.
I haven't heard from him.
I'm sure he manages. He's not a child.
He is still a child.
Aren't you worried about him at all?
Welcome...
Oh, my gosh. Son! Seung Yoo.
My goodness.
Sit down. Oh, my gosh.
- Are you done? - Yes.
Well done.
You did well, son.
Look at you. You look dreadful.
Have you not eaten at all?
Did you bring another thesis?
No.
Good. I won't even try to read it. It's too much of a headache.
Now you're being honest.
You read it for days and you never understood it.
Don't say that.
Hey.
I met Ms. Ji a while ago.
I saw her in the area.
Does she still live here?
Or did she move back here?
You haven't eaten yet, have you? Shall I make some sandwiches?
Wait here. I'll make them in no time.
Honey, make huge ones.
Will you come by to eat tomorrow?
I'll cook for you.
Tell me what you want.
I'll visit on the weekend.
I have something important tomorrow.
It will snow nationwide today.
It's still warm so we won't have to worry about icy roads.
Still, keep an umbrella close.
(Hangok Art Hall)
I'm here.
(I'm here.)
(Hangok Art Hall)
(I'm here.)
Are you Hardy?
Are you 3cut?
I heard you manage to prove it.
Congratulations.
Thanks to you.
Did you bring your paper?
Yes.
Do you like math?
Yes.
I like math.
(Paik Seung Yoo solves millennium dilemma...)
(with the continuum hypothesis)
(Refuses prize money, awards, interviews.)
(Thanks for the interest, but no.)
(Math, JHW)
It's the day 3cut provides a question.
Yes. I'm going to give you a really tough question.
Okay, go ahead.
You have 128 times the square root of e980.
- Now take the top off. - Take the top off?
(I love you)
What?
My gosh.
(Thank you for watching "Melancholia".)
(Melancholia)