THE POTATO LAB
What…
do you regret, exactly?
If your answer is what I think it is…
then you don't mean it.
- Mi-kyung-- - I've been in your shoes, remember?
When my mom passed away…
I could only think about
everything I'd said
and done wrong.
Because regrets are for
those left behind.
I blamed myself and made myself suffer.
That's what you're going through, Ki-se.
Yeah.
I won't get mad at you because I know you didn't mean it.
But you need to pull yourself together
and give your father a good send-off.
Don't rush back. Take your time.
Okay.
- Yeah, hey-- - Why haven't you…
picked up your freaking phone? This is an emergency!
Why bother carrying your phone around
and paying for a plan if you won't pick up?
You might as well be lighting beacons instead.
Sorry, I had it on mute.
Why? What's going on?
Baek-ho?
Hwan-kyung saw him drive out earlier this morning.
He was probably going to the funeral.
You didn't run into him, right?
No, I didn't see him.
POTATO LAB
EPISODE 10 YES
CHIEF'S OFFICE
Chief So.
Oh? Ms. Kim.
You're here.
What's going on?
Didn't both of you take a half-day yesterday?
Today, you had to go to a funeral, and he said he was going to Headquarters.
But I thought you two were secretly going on a date
and got jealous.
Chief So went to Headquarters?
Did he not tell you?
PERSONNEL RECORD CARD PARK KI-SE, KIM MI-KYUNG
ASSISTANT MANAGER KIM MI-KYUNG
What about you?
Is there a reason why you have to stay at that guesthouse?
Baek-ho, I'm…
not a completely open person.
MS. YOON
Do me a favor.
6 YEARS AGO
I don't care how you do it.
Just make sure to deal with it as quietly as possible.
DEPARTMENT: WONHAN RETAIL TITLE: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PARK KI-SE
DEPARTMENT: POTATO LAB TITLE: ASSISTANT MANAGER KIM MI-KYUNG
DATE OF EMPLOYMENT 02/2012 - PRESENT
DATE OF EMPLOYMENT 02/2012 - 05/2018
Excuse me, Mr. So? Did you forget how to knock?
When you asked me to deal with that employee back then,
was it because of Mr. Park?
What on earth are you--
It's important.
Leave us.
Back then, I thought my life was over.
I lost everything, including my pride for my life's work
and my hopes for my future.
I just lived because I was still breathing
and only woke up in the morning because I opened my eyes.
It was getting so bad…
Gosh.
Oh my goodness.
- Good work today. - You too.
And good luck to you, Ms. Kim.
What luck does she need?
I know that it was 100% your fault, MK.
Hurry up, apologize to Chief So and make up already.
I already told you we didn't have a fight.
How is it all my fault?
If anything upsets you, hit me up.
I'll run over whenever--
- Okay, get home safely. - Goodbye!
Drive safe!
Bye-bye!
CHATS SOFTIE SWEETIE
ARE YOU IN SEOUL? IS SOMETHING WRONG?
What on earth is going on right now?
Hey, boyfriend!
Are you trying to get dumped after two days of dating?
Why haven't you called me all day?
I thought you were ghosting me--
Is something wrong?
I missed you.
Jeez, it's only been one day.
Wow!
You know, you should've opened a pasta place instead.
Why do you only make this for me?
The line would go on for hours if you opened a restaurant in Seongsu.
You look really tired today.
Did Headquarters call you in because something was wrong?
No.
I had to confirm something in person.
I see.
How was your day?
I mean,
I had to go somewhere in the morning
and then clocked in to do whatever work I had.
It was pretty good.
Except I was worried about someone.
I'm sorry.
What exactly is going on?
Do you know what you look like right now?
A long time ago, my dog broke a flowerpot in the backyard there
and acted all guilty about it.
He'd whine and lie on his back in front of Hwan-kyung.
That's what your face looks like.
You did something wrong, didn't you?
Look at your face! You look so scared right now.
I'm just kidding.
I know how honest you are.
You'd probably explain everything thoroughly, apologize,
and say, "Reprimand me appropriately" or "Penalize me properly."
Good God.
Just thinking about it drains me.
I'd much rather you lie on your back and act cute.
Then I'll do that.
The verbal agreement has been finalized.
I'll be looking forward to the day you apologize.
Wow.
You live right next door. Are you really going to walk her back?
My goodness.
You two are so sweet you'll attract bees, my honey.
Oh, please! You miss each other so much that you call each other from the bath--
Wait a second. What are you doing?
I'm washing your teddy bear.
It's so dirty I can't stand it.
You didn't even ask me for permission!
Then you should've kept it clean!
Do you see this? The water is grimy
from you rubbing your face on it all the time.
Hey!
You can smell Baek-ho's scent on the back of its head!
Now it's all gone because of you!
Honeybun, I think it's time for you to run.
Mi-kyung.
No.
I'm 30 years old now.
I will no longer be oppressed by this tyrant with anger management issues.
Trying to defy me? That's cute.
So what will you do
with this?
Can you even pull the trigger?
Don't get any closer.
I can shoot.
- I will shoot! - Hey, hey!
Whoa!
- Oh, Mi-kyung! - Whoa!
Are you all right?
Hey!
I'm with the winner, yay!
- Stop! - Oh, yeah! Nice!
- Yay! - Stop!
Mi-kyung, here! Here!
Hey, you!
Take that! You!
So silly.
- Oh, don't you dare. - Whoa!
Oh?
- Wait a second! - I got you!
Wait, stop!
What is this?
My scent.
I see.
No one use the new shampoo! It's mine!
I'll kill you if you use it!
GONGMO FUNERAL HOME
It would've been uncomfortable for everyone if Hee-jin or Ms. Wang had come,
so I came alone.
- Don't be too upset by that. - It's fine.
Thank you for making the time to visit.
I heard that your father was in the hospital for a long time.
He left us too soon.
He was the same age as my mom, right?
Yes.
- When's the burial? - The day after tomorrow.
You should take a few more days off.
You look awful.
No, it's fine. There are important deals to review.
Would you like some?
No, I drove.
Okay.
Well…
God.
I don't know if I should bring this up now.
Do you remember when you asked me recently
about that woman from six years ago?
What about it?
Director So came to see me today.
He wanted to know exactly what had happened.
Why are you two suddenly
bringing that up?
Did something happen?
Go, win, go! Go, win, go!
- Go, win, go! Go, win, go! - Whoa, whoa!
Go, win, go! Go, win, go!
My goodness.
You never change, do you?
I told you to stop lying down like that
wherever you go.
You have to lie down as much as you can on the weekends
to recharge enough to go back to work on Monday.
Don't act like you forgot.
Goodness me. Come on, sit up and eat.
These won't last when the rainy season comes.
Why don't I just lie here with my mouth open,
and you can toss them in one by one?
Don't be ridiculous. Get up.
Oh, gosh.
- Go on, eat. - Okay.
Hey.
- It's sweet. - Yes.
- Monk. - Yes?
I have a fascinating story to tell. Wanna hear?
Is this about Ong-ju and Hwan-kyung dating?
How do you know that?
I heard it on the day of, silly.
Ong-ju called me all excited.
Wow, I can't believe her!
She kept it a secret from me, her best friend,
but immediately reported it to my dad?
Goodness, don't be so petty over things like that.
Hwan-kyung had a crush on Ong-ju for ages.
We should be supportive.
What? How long have you known that?
Am I the odd one out?
Do you three have a secret group chat?
You didn't know?
Oh, good grief!
Then perhaps you've also heard about the other piece of news?
Yeah. Ong-ju said,
"Looks like you'll have a son-in-law soon!"
I can't believe her.
There's just one thing.
Don't forget to use contraception, okay?
- Oh my gosh, Dad! - What?
What kind of monk says that?
We haven't--
Oh my gosh! Why would you say that?
Goodness me.
Am I wrong, though?
When I see my friends' profile pictures,
they go from their kids' wedding photos
to photos of their grandkids after six months or so.
Come on.
Your daughter isn't that open-minded, okay?
Besides, we just started dating.
We…
don't know that much about each other yet.
So, what's he like?
Well, he's a bit…
weird.
He's quirky but cute.
Although he's smart, he can be dumb at times.
He's cold, but warm to me.
His eyes are so sweet.
You certainly seem happy, my dear.
You're right.
I'm about to lose my job, but I can't stop laughing.
I must be happy.
As long as you're happy. Eat up.
Dad! Mi-kyung!
Ong-ju's gotten into a fight with the child monks.
Help me break it up!
- Oh no. - My goodness.
When will I ever have a moment of peace?
Where is she?
Do you like pumpkin leaves?
Yes, I do.
Have you lost your appetite because it's uncomfortable to eat with me?
Oh, no. It's delicious.
I was feeling particularly lonely today,
so I wanted to have someone to talk to.
Are you busy? Am I keeping you?
Oh, no. I'm fine.
You know, people need to have conversations.
Whether it is good or bad.
My husband was like you.
He never really opened up.
So whenever he felt frustrated,
he'd just run around the neighborhood until he ran out of breath,
then come home, have a glass of cold water,
and that was that.
He bottled it all up and started ignoring me.
I wasn't running for that reason.
I go jogging three times a--
When I was young,
I thought my husband was thoughtful.
But that poor, quiet man didn't live past 60.
Now I can see that he was a fool.
He just kept swallowing down every sad thing that happened.
Imagine how torn up he was inside.
He lived with that pain his whole life.
You must miss him a lot.
Every year, when the potato harvest came around,
he'd pick out the biggest, prettiest ones and bring them home.
When I became ill one winter,
he sold off a calf to buy me a cotton comforter.
Longing for someone who's gone…
it's selfish, I know.
I just hold onto the hope
that we'll see each other again soon.
How did you bear it?
I…
I grew up with nothing and no one
and always received things,
but never lost anything.
I don't remember caring for something either.
So…
I have absolutely no idea
how to overcome
the feeling of loss
or how to let go when I actually lose…
something precious to me.
There's no one wise enough
in this world to know that.
Even at this age,
I still miss my parents and my husband
something fierce.
I have not overcome that sorrow
even for a single day,
not even for a single moment.
You just live with this…
constant ache every day.
But you're still alive.
It may hurt, scab over, and become scarred, but you won't die.
People can handle that much.
That much pain,
you can bear it and live your life.
Oh, goodness gracious.
Oh gosh…
I said too much, didn't I?
No.
I'm just ashamed of myself…
for being a coward.
Oh, honey.
Don't keep it all bottled up.
Goodness.
- Ms. Hong! - Ms. Hong!
We pressed sesame oil today--
Oh my. Why are you here,
Seoul Guy?
Wait, hold on.
Are you crying?
Why are you crying?
Oh, no, I'm not.
It's just the wind.
You're really crying.
What are you doing? Go bring the makgeolli.
Oh, right! I'll go get some.
- Makgeolli. - Makgeolli.
What happened?
I'm so freaking annoyed.
If you hadn't stopped me,
I would've taught that rude kid a lesson.
What lesson?
Do you want to be on the news for fighting a kid at a temple?
It ended with both of you crying,
so just consider it a draw.
Nope.
He cried first. I won.
Good Lord.
What?
Do you smell that? It smells delicious.
Hey!
You know what this is?
This is sesame oil pressed from Mr. Byun's mill.
Wow. He told us to write our names down on a waiting list
but he just gave some away to the guest?
If you'd like a bottle--
Then I won't refuse. This thing is worth its weight in gold.
We still have some nokdu-muk left, right? Let's go.
I'll cook the eggs. You parboil the muk.
Let's go.
Looks like you're a bona fide Youngeul-ri resident now.
This is Mr. Byun's love language, you see.
This means that your attendance at Youth Association President Park's
60th birthday next month is mandatory.
Hey! Why are you making that "I messed up" face again?
Want to go for a walk?
I thought this was a date,
but I guess it's a walk of silence.
What is it?
Out with it. I'm all ears, as long as you aren't proposing.
Goodness gracious, who's breaking the mood?
It's Ms. Ju.
Just a second.
Hey, boss.
Oh, sure. Then I'll bring it with me tomorrow.
No worries. Okay, bye.
Do you have to go to the lab?
It wasn't a work call.
The Research Team is having a picnic tomorrow.
Since it'll get hectic next week when the harvest season starts,
we're taking a day to just drink and have fun before the work begins.
I see.
So,
what's got my Softie Sweetie all hesitant?
Look, why don't we…
go somewhere for--
What?
Fireflies!
Wow!
I haven't seen a firefly in years.
It's your first time seeing them, right?
Yes, it is.
Wow.
To be honest,
I ran away from Seoul to here on a whim,
but every time I see things like this, I'm so glad I decided to live here.
They're so pretty, like tiny stars.
The picnic.
- Can I go too? - What?
We didn't invite you on purpose.
We're going to get super drunk and rowdy.
And I know you don't like that at all.
My preferences aside,
as the chief, I have the duty to encourage
the Research Team before their grueling work…
And I want to be with you longer.
Oh gosh.
The weather is amazing!
Good morning.
We were getting ready
to go swimming later on.
Yes, we were!
Just know that I will head straight home the moment I see
more than one centimeter of bare flesh below the collarbone.
- Oh. - I mean, I'm in shape.
Yes, ma'am.
- Hey, potatoes! - What?
- Oh, hello! - Hello!
- Welcome!
- Wow! Su-jin! - Hi!
Long time no see, Su-jin. Did you tag along to play with your dad?
- Yes, she did! - No.
- What? - In the morning, my mom said to Dad,
"Do you expect me
to be stuck at home watching the kid while you go and play?"
So I had to come along.
Oh, sweetie, your sunscreen is all messed up here.
- Let go of me! - Hey!
- Hello, hello! - Hey!
- Hi, Su-jin!
Oh my gosh, the taxi dropped me off over there,
but I followed Mr. Ko's perfume, and it led me here.
No joke.
We're all here, then.
Let's go.
- Yes. - Yes.
The theme of today's picnic
is none other than
glamping!
Glamping?
Which one is that?
- Is it a new Teenieping? - No.
Come on, Mr. Bu. You can't say anything that ends with "ping"
in front of a young girl.
We barely got through Children's Day.
Just look at her.
- What? No, it's nothing. - Okay.
All right, then. Anyway,
so I rented out a very luxurious camp…
camp…
vehicle for travel,
so do look forward to it.
With the beautiful nature of Gangwon--
No more work talk today!
- Whoo! - Research Team!
- Let's eat and play! - Let's eat and play!
- Potato, potato, potato! - Potato, potato, potato!
Let's go, let's go!
I spent all night trying to book this.
That's so nice of you.
What?
THE BEST LUXURY CAMPING CAR
Luxury? Where? Where's the luxury?
What?
Wait.
A Swedish prison would be better than this.
That's strange.
When I saw the pictures online,
it was really luxurious and spacious.
- Look. - Hey!
Who cares if it's a little tight?
It's better than being cooped up in the office.
Come on, Research Team.
Let's eat and play!
- Let's eat and play! - Let's eat and play.
- Is this it? - Oh my goodness!
Fancy seeing you here.
KIMJUNGMI FOOD SWEET POTATO LAB
My, oh my, aren't you the Research Team
from Sunnyeo Food Potato Lab?
What's with the harsh vibes?
Potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Rivals for eternity.
We have a particularly bad relationship
with that Sweet Potato Lab.
INNOVATION AND FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL VILLAGES
FORCIBLY REMOVED TWICE FROM CONFERENCES
We have a record of being forcibly removed twice
from agricultural conferences for heated arguments.
In the National Root Vegetable Association's foot volleyball matches,
our record against them over six years is 1 win, 3 losses, and 2 draws.
And…
FOOT VOLLEYBALL 1 WIN, 3 LOSSES, 2 DRAWS
…there's something they don't know about.
Our Ms. Ju and their deputy general manager
dated in college.
For three months.
That's rather old news.
We're no longer with Sunnyeo Food but with Wonhan Retail.
You could say we've moved up considerably.
So you rented out a budget camping car
befitting your large company. How frugal.
- We rented a luxury camping car. - Jeez.
You've come so far for a company trip.
But then again, I suppose Gangwon-do
is the best place to vacation in Korea.
- That's right. - Actually, as you know,
the south is temperate year-round,
so one can get too comfortable and relaxed.
We need to come to rough places like this with strong winds
- to refresh ourselves. - Exactly right.
Excuse me? Rough place?
According to the river basin survey this quarter,
Gangwon-do's water quality was nationally
the… best--
All right.
Don't bother them. Take a moment to unpack.
I'm sure they're busy researching snacks.
- You're right. - "Snacks"?
Did you just call our sweet potatoes "snacks"?
It sure isn't a staple food.
Go and make some sweet potato lattes
and candied sweet potatoes. Bang, bang!
- There you go! - I can't believe this.
If potatoes are such a great staple food,
why is their population support per unit area
only half that of sweet potatoes?
- Oh, please! - Excuse me. Sir?
You can't attack the potato with population support.
Don't you know that the explosive population growth in Europe
in the 18th century was all due to potatoes?
That's where the Industrial Revolution started.
And from there stemmed the Information Age!
Potatoes basically created human civilization in the 21st century!
Sweet potatoes are the real future food.
As for potatoes,
their time is limited.
Didn't you see the article about coral reefs melting away in the Jeju sea?
Give it 20 years.
There won't be a place left in Korea cool enough
- to cultivate potatoes. - Exactly right.
- What did you say? - Shame on you.
Attacking fellow agriculturalists with climate change
- is crossing a line! - Exactly!
- Who crossed the line? - Don't be ridiculous!
You're the one crossing the line saying that!
Calm down, everyone.
Wait, hold on!
Chief So!
- Chief So? - What?
Chief.
I'm Chief So Baek-ho of Wonhan Retail's Potato Lab.
I see.
- I'm from the Sweet Potato Lab-- - You must be the dessert researchers.
Dessert?
I do apologize for hosting you at a place
that falls short of expectations.
It was my mistake for not checking thoroughly beforehand.
Please go rent a first-class camping car…
that is suitable for our Potato Lab.
With all the add-ons.
Wait, really? Nice!
Oh, I knew it. My--
Prince.
What?
- Wow! - Ta-da!
I rented out the most luxurious glamping grounds!
Wow, this is amazing!
All right then. We'll have some free time…
Wow.
Oh, my goodness.
Gosh, my legs are killing me.
The beautiful sunlight, the waves…
I don't need any of that. I love a good room.
While I'm glad that we get to enjoy all this because of you, Chief,
isn't this too much?
I don't mean to brag,
but this isn't that huge an expense to me.
Wow. I'm both envious and annoyed by that.
And to you,
this is your last picnic here.
I wanted it to be a good memory.
I'm kind of annoyed by that too,
especially coming from the person who fired me.
Don't tempt me.
I'm struggling to keep myself in check as it is.
If I did whatever I wanted to, I might get arrested for indecency.
Well…
Let's see…
The door is closed, and the curtains are drawn.
No one will know
what we do in here.
Well, then.
Maybe a quick kiss would be--
What's your name, mister?
Oh… Su-jin!
Why are you…
Mr. Ko's in the next room over. He's not here.
I know that.
I'm here to play with him.
I walked around the whole place,
and I like him the best.
Me?
Yes!
What's your name?
It's So… Baek-ho.
How old are you?
I'm 34 years old.
Perfect.
Your hand.
Come transform with me.
- Pardon? - Come on!
Wait, hold on. Hold on.
Wait, where are we--
- Hurry up! - Mi-kyung, I…
Wait, can you tell me where we're…
Let's go!
Come in! Come on!
- Cheers! - Cheers.
No, you have to face that way. Like this.
CATCH! BAEK-HO-PING
LADY HO-STLEDOWN
Oh! A puppy!
Su-jin!
Su-jin, where are you going?
DECISION TO PLAY
Exactly! Gosh.
Oh! Sweetie, you're back!
Dad!
Come here, come here.
Oh, you must be exhausted.
- Wherever she goes, she… - When did he get here?
…always goes for the looks. She takes after her mom that way.
You should eat!
We grilled all kinds of mushrooms for you.
Oh, it's all right. Enjoy.
I think I need to get some rest.
Chief So, I…
This is…
quite embarrassing for me,
but I wanted to say this to you as the general manager
of our Research Team.
I'm so grateful to you for taking care
of our wonderful team.
- Yes. - I will
lead them well this season
and wrap things up nicely.
Wow!
- And! - Oh, man.
- And, well, here's the thing. - Hey! What is it?
- What? - What's he doing?
Love you!
Oh my!
- Thank you. - Why
are all middle-aged men like this?
Whenever my uncle gets drunk on the holidays,
he goes around making hearts at people like that.
Mr. Bu, you should go get some sleep. You might kiss him at this rate.
Dad, I'm sleepy.
Does my princess want to sleep?
Okay, let's go sleep. Let's go.
- But Dad? - Yes?
What's "indicen"?
What? "Indicen"?
What's that?
Does she mean "indecency?"
- Yeah! - What?
Where did you learn a word like that, Su-jin?
From that auntie and uncle.
They were lying down together--
- Oh dear. - Whoa!
Oh, no! Su-jin.
Here's what "indicen" means…
It's a type of food.
Where is it from again?
- France. - Yes. Par-- it's French cuisine.
Right. Something like, "indicén"?
- "Indicén," yes. - No, it wasn't.
She said they'll be arrested for "indicen."
Oh dear!
Ms. Kim. What did you do in front of a kid…
Oh, it's not like that. We were just joking around!
Why is her memory so good?
She must be a prodigy.
She's basically a recorder.
No one can fool her.
I memorized something else.
What is it now?
That uncle said he fired Auntie Mi-kyung!
What?
Hold on.
What did I just hear?
Oh, Su-jin!
Here, let's go to bed.
- I'll put her to sleep. - Yeah. Thanks.
Let's go. You must be sleepy.
Wait.
Oh, wow. She really heard that one wrong this time.
Well…
What word sounds similar to "fired"?
Fi--
She's correct. Ms. Kim…
has been fired.
What? How could Ms. Kim be fired?
She works incredibly hard,
and we learn so much from her.
There's no way she got fired.
Potato Lab is currently undergoing restructuring.
It is nothing personal against Ms. Kim.
It was a decision that had to be made
in order for the lab to survive and grow.
But still,
MK…
I mean…
- Wait, MK-- - When…
is her last day?
As soon as Mr. Kwon's
onboarding is completed.
I had no clue.
I said I'd buy you beef once we were done.
Oh, my goodness!
While I'm thankful that you are all sad about me leaving,
didn't we promise not to talk about work today?
Here. Let's eat…
and play.
Hee-dong! The meat's getting burnt.
We can't let it go to waste.
I'm…
going to go for a walk.
Me too.
Where are you going? Have some more meat.
There's somewhere we need to go.
I'm a little tired today.
This isn't a request.
What is this place?
Come in.
POTATOES SAVE THE WORLD!
Remember when I told you I was cultivating potatoes on the side?
This is my greenhouse.
This is rather big
to be "on the side."
Of course. I'm not a potato researcher for nothing.
Did you think I'd just have a hoe in here?
I pulled some strings to buy used equipment
and set everything up.
This place…
is so important to me
that I don't even let Ong-ju or Hwan-kyung in here.
But do you know why I'm showing you?
To show you that I'm going to continue researching potatoes like this,
so you won't feel bad.
Obviously, I'm sad and upset at the fact that I have to leave
the place where I worked so hard. I love it there.
It's unfortunate.
But…
this isn't the first time that has happened to me.
And it probably won't be the last.
So I'm confident
that whatever I do next, wherever it may be,
I will be great at it.
Sure, my day job's now become a night job,
but I'll still be researching potatoes.
I'm saying that just because you're firing me,
my life isn't going to drastically change,
and I won't lose my hopes and dreams.
Why are you not getting mad at me?
I made a mistake.
You shouldn't be comforting me.
You should be resentful. You should curse me out.
Why won't you give me a chance to beg for forgiveness…
You keep telling me you're fine--
Because I'm happy.
I'm happy because of you, Baek-ho.
How can I hate someone
who makes me happy?
Can you say something?
It's cringey talking by myself.
I can't find the words.
Please give me…
a little bit of time.
All of a sudden? What--
Wait.
Baek-ho!
Damn it.
Darn it.
Jerk.
What the heck are you playing at, you jerk?
What time does he need?
Damn him.
Is this really the time to play hard to get?
Stop wasting time and just kiss me, you PG-13 man!
You're scaring me.
Ki-se used to date her.
I looked into him as we were getting ready for the wedding,
and it turned out to be an open secret
that he had a long-term girlfriend on the same team.
Park was stammering out apologies
while Hee-jin was floating on clouds, oblivious to it all.
What else could I do
but step in and clean things up?
It was a private relationship.
That was something they should have taken care of, not you.
If Hee-jin is involved, it involves our family.
What if that woman lost her mind in anger and exposed us somewhere?
Chairman Wang's baby daughter Yoon Hee-jin
becomes nothing more than a mistress of a low-level employee.
That simply won't do.
That's the excuse you're making…
for ruining an innocent person's life?
Since when did you care about an employee's future before firing them?
And get it straight.
I only asked you to deal with the situation.
You're the one who proposed a method and carried it out.
Whatever that woman went through,
it's all because of you, Baek-ho.
Because I'm happy.
I'm happy because of you, Baek-ho.
All because of me.
Please review the document and sign it, Director So.
Yeah, that's haughty enough, Mi-kyung.
DOCUMENT FOR REVIEW
- Let's go. - Whoa!
- Here you are. - Thank you.
And this.
I didn't use it, but I ironed it anyway.
Your father gave this to you when you became an adult.
You remember the weirdest things.
How's your mother doing?
She's all right.
I plan on visiting her more often.
That's good.
Thanks.
What you said helped me a lot.
Instead of thinking about all the ways I failed him,
I tried to remember all the good times I had with my father.
And it was much better.
If it helped, then…
I'm glad.
And…
I meant it when I said I regret it.
What?
The way you had to leave.
I regret it.
I regret it the more I think about it.
Are you out of your--
You can't blindside me like this!
I can't even curse you out right now.
That would just be morally wrong.
That temper never changes.
Can you just be a little bit patient and let me finish?
Fine. I'll hear you out.
Say it as calmly and peacefully as possible.
I'm just saying,
I regret it. That's all.
No matter how selfish I am,
I wouldn't beg you to take me back or anything.
I'm not that shameless.
Ugh. Hey, pause. I'm so sorry.
But…
I think I'm just about at my limit.
Sorry. I'm gonna go.
Did Baek-ho not say anything to you?
What?
What should he say to me?
Nothing. Let's go.
Don't leave me hanging.
Don't trust him too much.
That's all I can say.
- Thank you. - Enjoy.
Hello!
- One cream udon with pollock roe, please. - Yes, sir.
You can have a seat over there.
Oh, I can't. I can't sit there. Can I sit somewhere--
During lunchtime,
you sit in order of arrival. Go ahead and sit.
- Oh, I-- - Next, please!
Hello. This way.
Hello.
Wow.
You do have quite an eye, Ms. Kim.
How did you know this place was good?
Well…
If work sucks, you should at least have good food.
Oh, right.
I guess you're not coming out to the lab anymore?
I saw that you emptied your desk.
Yes.
Mr. Park said I could come back to Headquarters.
Mr. Park?
Were you at the lab because Mr. Park ordered you to be?
It wasn't a business trip?
Oh, wow.
How much do you know about me?
Name, age, job.
And?
You're currently residing at USB Guesthouse
with Mr. So and Mr. Park's ex-wife.
You're also Mr. Park's ex-girlfriend and Mr. So's current girlfriend…
- Oh, wait. - Wow.
You really did your research.
You must have kept quite a close tab on me.
I only work to ensure the smooth operations of the Strategic--
How is this related to your department? You were just spying on me.
Oh my…
What did he say to you?
Did he want you to break up me and So Baek-ho?
What on earth is that bastard up to?
Excuse me.
Do not insult Mr. Park.
Answer my question!
Why is Park Ki-se trying to get between us?
Well, when he was tipsy,
he said Kim Mi-kyung
doesn't know what So Baek-ho did to her.
What he did to me?
That's all I know.
I'm sorry.
Oh, thank you.
Wow.
This looks good.
Cream udon with pollock roe is always a surefire hit.
Yes.
- Mmm! It's good. - Yeah?
Gosh.
It's so good.
- Hello, Mr. Byun. - Oh!
You could've ordered by phone.
We would've shot out like an arrow. We have nothing else to do.
Have some of this.
I'm not here for coffee.
Ever since the other day, I just can't help
being worried about Seoul Guy.
Our guest? Why?
What?
You really do keep yourself entertained, don't you?
- Come here, quickly! - What's wrong with you?
You're hiding something from me, right?
What brought this on?
Spit it out already.
If you tell me now, I'll forgive you.
So,
remember when you dyed your hair pink, and I said it looked good on you?
It actually looked really weird.
Not stuff like--
You said it brought out my eyes and lit up my face!
I had pink hair for three years!
Even at my first love's wedding!
Remember, you promised to forgive me.
I wasn't asking about such traitorous confessions.
Are you sure there's nothing wrong with So Baek-ho?
What about him?
Remember Sesame Oil Gift Day?
Ward B cried.
Don't lie.
Come on.
You couldn't even bother to make up a more believable story?
I'm serious!
He was crying at Ms. Hong's place.
Mr. Byun, the Chairman, and Mr. Park all saw it.
Four eyewitnesses.
So I wrote out the timeline, and it was too suspicious.
You two had a nice date on Friday.
On Saturday, Ward B cried secretly.
Then on Sunday, you went to the beach but came back the night of.
I figured it out.
It's an adult issue, right? Something intimate?
Go on, you can tell me now.
As someone who has devoted her life to that field…
I swear I'll end this friendship this year.
So Baek-ho cried?
Why?
How is that even possible?
Don't trust him too much.
Please give me a little bit of time.
Damn it, what on earth are these two playing at?
Baek-ho.
I'm frustrated out of my mind. I can't do this anymore.
Come out! Let's talk.
Whatever it is, just tell me.
That way, I can also think about whatever it is.
For heaven's sake.
Don't you know I'm impatient?
You know this only makes me angrier, right?
Mi-kyung?
He's not home yet.
I see.
Why would you tell me that now?
I yelled for nothing.
- I just got-- - Get out of my face.
Okay.
You can't avoid me today.
I won't move an inch from the front door until you're back.
ASSISTANT MANAGER KIM MI-KYUNG I WON'T MOVE AN INCH
FROM THE FRONT DOOR UNTIL YOU'RE BACK
You look like you already know everything.
It's for the better, I suppose.
It's not an easy story for me to tell either.
When do you plan on telling Mi-kyung?
- She didn't seem to know yet. - Don't act like you care about her.
It's repulsive.
You're right. I have no right to.
But you aren't being honest with her either.
That's why you're here. To tie up any loose ends.
Mi-kyung
didn't leave the company just because she broke up with me.
She left after suffering all kinds of ridicule at Wonhan.
I know. I also know I set it off.
Then you know exactly what decision you should make.
It's a shame things came to this.
You didn't know who Kim Mi-kyung was then.
You just did what you always do.
This must feel unfair to you.
What about you?
How did you feel?
The person you once loved was being torn apart.
She had to suffer for no reason.
But you didn't do anything.
You weren't affected by it at all.
- Back then, I-- - I don't want to hear your excuses.
You were just a piece of trash.
Baek-ho.
She does not deserve that kind of treatment from anyone.
She wasted her emotions and heart by pouring them out
- to someone like you. - I know.
I know that she was too good of a person,
that I was a total bastard for betraying her. I know that now.
I regret it deeply, and I feel truly sorry for it.
That's why I want Mi-kyung to live a normal, happy life now
and not be so stupid as to fall in love with the man
who pushed her over the brink.
I want her to live comfortably with someone
who lets her forget about the past,
who is not related to Park Ki-se or Wonhan.
She might be short-tempered and picky,
but when she's actually hurting, she doesn't say a word.
She'd rather die than show her vulnerable side
and she cries alone in a corner.
- Before her feelings grow-- - I'm going to let her go.
I will…
let her go.
Didn't you see my text?
I did.
Then why are you so late?
I told you I'd wait.
You know what, it's for the better.
I was so mad. If you had come back right away,
I would've unleashed my temper on you.
It's a bit unfair that you came back just as I was dozing off.
I was literally awake five minutes ago.
I didn't even look at my phone. I just sat here…
and contemplated.
What did you contemplate?
How you left the greenhouse
and avoided me afterwards, ignoring all my texts.
I should be furious about it.
But I wasn't. I was just worried.
I worried that something might have happened to you.
I thought…
"What if he leaves me?"
So I came to the conclusion…
that I really like So Baek-ho a lot.
My "stainless steel" man. He'd better come home. When he does…
I'll give him a hug.
Six years ago,
when I was on Wonhan Retail's HR Team, I was asked for a favor.
- What? What are-- - You need to know this.
Please hear me out.
The favor asked of me was unjust and not right,
but I did not refuse.
I even went so far as to wrap up the matter
in an extremely despicable way to avoid legal trouble.
What do you mean? How despicable?
Will you get arrested?
The favor asked of me…
was to kick out Assistant Manager Kim Mi-kyung
of Planning Department's Team 2 at SSM Headquarters.
It was tacit knowledge that a sudden transfer
to another department was a heavy disciplinary action
tantamount to being laid off.
- Which was what I expected. - Wait. Wait a second, Baek-ho.
My plan was to make that employee leave the company on her own
due to her being unable to handle the pressure
and isolation.
I…
drove an innocent person over the brink…
then promptly forgot about her and moved on.
Never for a second have I thought
about how devastating that time would have been for her,
or how lonely and distressed she must have been.
The person you like, Mi-kyung…
that's who I am.
No.
I can't believe this.
I don't know what you're trying to say…
Mi-kyung.
You already know what I'm trying to say.
Just get angry at me. You can curse me out or hit me.
Until you feel better. Please.
Please do something!
Why?
Do you think if I did that to you,
that would lessen your guilt?
Do you think I'll say it's fine
after I curse you out for a bit?
My goodness.
"The employee left the company
due to being unable to bear the pressure and isolation."
You summarized that incident in one simple sentence, Baek-ho.
Would you like to know the details?
I was betrayed by my boyfriend, who I was engaged to…
and was tormented by all kinds of rumors
spreading behind my back. Even my coworkers turned on me.
After that, I was moved to another team.
It was unfair and upsetting, but I pulled myself together.
"This is an opportunity to start with a clean slate."
That's what I told myself.
I wanted to believe, even then.
But…
do you know how they treated me there?
No one spoke a word to me.
No one made eye contact with me.
I just sat there pointlessly.
I was so deeply isolated.
Every single day,
I felt like I was withering away.
I endured that for three long months…
before I couldn't do it anymore.
If I went any longer,
I thought I would lose myself completely.
So I gathered up my despair, humiliation,
all my feelings of self-loathing and worthlessness, and then I ran out.
And it took me a long, long time before I became okay again.
I…
I finally…
feel like I can live a happy life.
But what you're saying…
is that everything
was your fault. Am I right?
The reason why I had to suffer, why I despaired,
was all because of you?
Tell me.
Did you really do that to me?
Did you?
Yes.
What? What's going on?
Wait, what? What's happening?
What happened?
What?
- Why? - Shush!
Stop.
Just for five minutes.
I just want a five-minute break.
I bet. It's not easy being a princess.
Not a princess.
A noble lady.
Whichever it is,
let's take a photo.
This kind of beauty needs to be recorded.
What? No, I don't want to.
Why now, of all times--
Come on.
It's my first time asking for a picture of us together. Are you saying no?
Oh…
Come here.
You're so pretty.
- Here we go. - Wait, hold on.
Goodness.
Okay, smile.
One, two, three.
MY BELOVED PRINCESS
You're like a natural disaster to me.
You show up wherever I go,
destroying everything I've built and everything I'm dreaming of…
Jerk.
Did you know?
Even though it would hurt someone?
If you're disappointed in me…
will you dump me too?
If I ask you to stay…
will you stay?
Mr. So!
Subtitle translation by Grace Kim