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01x13 - Episode 13

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon". Aired: May 11 – June 30, 2024.*
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It tells the story of a secret and sweet real-life romance between Seo Hye-jin, a veteran cram school instructor, and Lee Jun-h*, a quirky student who returns after a decade to stir her heart.

01x13 - Episode 13

Post by bunniefuu »

[Jung Ryeo Won]

[Wi Ha Jun]

[Scriptwriter: Park Kyeong Hwa]

[Director: Ahn Pan Seok]

[The Midnight Romance in Hagwon]

[Episode 13]

I understand your decision.

Let me ask you why then.

It's because...

I don't treasure this anymore.

You don't...

treasure this anymore?

Right. Not anymore.

I've learned a lot from you two.

Rather than being content
with your current positions,

you pursued your dreams and
ambitions, and it impressed me.

- What's your point?
- I must grow too.

I'll teach my students
without relying on this file.

So you want to take on a new challenge?
Good grief.

You're not that young, Ms. Seo.

I could say the same about you two too.

Right. Anyway,

I doubt that we'll ever have
a meeting like this again.

Let's have a heart-to-heart
talk about this.

I want to teach my students
the ability to follow...

their university curriculum, so
they can have a proper education.

Our job isn't to help
them achieve that ability.

Our job is to help them
achieve better grades.

I'll try to help them achieve both.

But it will be hard to
do while working for you.

I must have...

really thought highly of you, Ms. Seo.

I'm sorry. I kept pestering you
instead of accepting your decision.

You gave me more attention than I deserved.

But I'm in a tight spot.

I'm starting to feel a
sense of responsibility now.

I have a soft spot for instructors
who joined this industry...

at a young age.

Their perspective is limited.

They have a hard time
planning out their future...

with a long-term approach.

That happens when they
get used to playing...

the boss with young students.

You don't need to feel a
sense of responsibility.

I will take care of myself.

I'm just disappointed. That's all.

I see so much room for you to grow.

This file...

which I dedicated my life
to was stolen from me.

I lost my senior colleague
whom I respected...

and a good competitor too.

If anyone's disappointed
right now, it should be me.

Gosh. You're so frustrating.

Exactly.

You had a chance to
keep those three things.

But you were the one who
let that chance go...

because you are so caught up...

in your romantic relationship
with your young pupil.

Did I make it sound too hard to understand?

I'm asking you whether or
not you would've made...

the same decision even if
Mr. Lee wasn't in the picture.

Well,

if you don't want to answer
that, you don't have to.

You must have thought
once you gave up the file,

this would be over.

But we're just getting started.

I appreciated listening to
your grand perspective...

on education.

I foresee a hectic period
ahead of you for many reasons.

Thanks for your concern.

Please think about my concerns...

from time to time even if you
find yourself on a busy schedule.

If I could,

I wanted to recruit you without
damaging your reputation.

I'll start serving your meal.

Okay.

Thank you for the meal.

Please come and see me
when things get tough.

What good am I for if I
can't share my wisdom?

I'm sure some of you feel this way.

"Gosh. It's hard for me to relate
to the fictional characters."

"I guess my left brain is more developed."

It was always those kids
who wept and wept...

when Iron Man died in the movie.

From now on,

I won't let you use that cowardly excuse.

If you can cry and laugh while
watching dramas and movies,

it means you can also cry profusely
after reading Kim So Wol's poem.

I'll make sure the spot
where your tear falls...

will lead you to the right answer.

From now on,

focus on the objects
flashing through the light...

and listen to the sounds carefully.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Mr. Lee is conducting a fun class.

Oh, that. I saw that on my way in too.

Well, I'm not sure if
it will be fun or not.

But how did he manage to start that class?

It didn't meet the requirements.

Oh, that. At first, they
rejected his proposal outright.

Then he tried again and
got them to approve it.

Gosh. That sounds even more unusual.

The academy has policies, you know?

If trying again worked,
I would've done the same...

to open a prep class for
English debate competitions.

If we could have a small-sized class,

we would've hired more
social studies instructors.

Then I would finally have
some colleagues in my team.

Mr. Lee used to work at a conglomerate.

Maybe, he did a fine job with his proposal.

I doubt it was the proposal.

He probably did a fine
job of using Ms. Seo.

What?

We worry whether enough students
have signed up for our classes.

It's normal for us to have
our classes shut down.

It's odd that he could start
his class with a small group.

I doubt that he got that
done all on his own.

He's a newbie instructor who
joined only a few months ago.

Is that so?

Ms. Seo isn't the type to play favorites.

Right. I don't think that's true.

Ms. Seo was the most opposed to the class.

They had a huge fight.

- Ms. Seo hasn't come to work yet?
- It is odd, though.

- No. She has evening classes today.
- No way.

Don't pay attention to their gossip.

Okay.

More importantly,

Ms. Seo and Mr. Lee have
been on bad terms lately...

after the huge fight in the research room.

Let's meet after class at Night Flight.

Here's what's important.

It's not about memorizing
whether a piece was written...

in the 1st or 3rd person.

It's important to grasp the perspective...

from which the piece was written.

Don't write that down. Look at me.

You know Lee Si Woo
from Heewon High School?

He was the reason you found out...

about their secret relationship
even we didn't know about?

That kid taught my teaching
assistant a lesson.

Get out.

Stay out of my sight forever!

My TA was upset that day...

and went out to drink alone.

He happened to go to a regular
spot frequented by Seo Hye Jin.

Sir?

I'm sorry, but it's closing time.

Oh, right.

Hey, Honey. I'm on my way out.

You know, if Hye Jin isn't feeling well,

you should try to get her to throw up.

What?

Why should we call Mr. Lee?

Okay. A perfect match?

What do you mean?

Yes.

Gosh. How could you...

After that, it wasn't hard to
find out what they were up to.

I could see why you couldn't catch
on with their secret relationship.

They're strictly professional
when they're in Daechi-dong.

More importantly, their special
history as a teacher and a pupil...

must have played a huge
part in fooling everyone.

Even if they were together, no
one would have suspected them.

When I first met you in your studio,

I told you Seo Hye Jin wasn't how
she used to be. Remember that?

Of course.

Then were you already aware
of their secret relationship?

There's one more person
who knows about them.

You have an instructor named Nam Cheong Mi.

She seemed quite useful.

Seeing how the secret
hasn't gotten out yet,

she knows how to keep a secret too.

Should we go somewhere else?

I think we should find a way...

to utilize this chance to our advantage.

[Closed]

You must have thought...

once you gave up the
file, this would be over.

But we're just getting started.

Hey, Ms. Seo.

Yes. I'm in an important meeting.
I'm outside.

Yes. Please text me.

All right. Let me sum up
your fortune for this year.

"Flowers on an old tree"
would be a nice way to put it.

The spring rain will wet the leaves,

and they will bloom.

It won't be a bad year.

Gosh.

I see someone bringing good fortune to you.

Even if you were to face misfortune,

it would turn into good fortune.

That's why I wanted to bring
in a new teacher to my academy.

I thought he would bring me good fortune.

Who is that?

You know,

the guy who was born in


The male schoolteacher.

I see.

But it didn't work out.

I thought he would bring me good fortune.

If you never crossed paths, how
could he bring you good fortune?

Based on my reading of your fortune...

I don't see any gold or trees.

So in the month when
there's a lot of water,

you may end up worrying about something.

You should be careful around
water in the next month.

Of course, I should be
careful around water.

Vice-Director Woo Seung
Hui will resign soon.

She'll leave with the other instructors.

I don't think we can resolve this
by hiring people at the last minute.

I'll tell you the rest
in detail when we meet.

Over here.

Hey.

This place feels different
in the afternoon.

- Like a different place, right?
- Yes.

But is it okay for us to be
here when the owner isn't?

I asked him if we could use this place.

I needed a place where only
the two of us could talk.

Only the two of us?

Did your meeting with the
scary ladies go wrong?

Well, how was your first class?
Did you do a good job?

Yes.

How did the students react?

Well...

They were unfamiliar with it.

But they had fun.

That's a relief.

What is it? What's wrong?

Wait. You're really starting to worry me.

What is it? Did something happen?

Jun h*.

Yes. Tell me.

We got caught.

Director Choi Hyung Sun...

and Vice-Director Woo Seung Hui...

know...

about us.

Gosh. It feels wrong because
the owner isn't here.

But he wouldn't mind if
I got some water, right?

I came up with an idea on my way here.

"Housemistress B and Love
Letters." What do you think?

I'm a director, but I'm
also a Korean teacher.

A female teacher who never
had a proper relationship...

gets infatuated by her young pupil?

I've only seen Mr. Lee in the pictures.

He looked like the perfect man
for this kind of story to me.

Well...

Seo Hye Jin has so much power...

that even the director
must tiptoe around her.

To seduce the young instructor,

she abused her power.

How vulgar that sounds...

especially for the leader of an
organization and an educator.

They must have known that.
That's why they kept it down-low.

Once this distasteful scandal
hits the streets of Daechi-dong,

Seo Hye Jin's career will be finished.

Naturally, Kim Hyun Tak will
be gone from our industry too.

Here's the key point.

Who will be the one spreading this gossip?

If the source came from someone
who worked with Seo Hye Jin before,

it would be more effective.

Can you think of the perfect person for it?

What do you plan to do with
Seo Hye Jin's materials?

I'm thinking about giving it to Ms.
Nam Cheong Mi.

She already turned a blind eye
to their romantic relationship,

so I must use a different bait on her.

Can I tell you...

what I've been thinking?

This is worse than your
materials getting stolen, right?

Correct.

There will be waves of
bombs going off around us.

This scandal won't go away...

even if a few instructors quit. Right?

Right.

Woo Seung Hui and Choi Hyung Sun.

I got on...

their bad side.

The timing couldn't have been worse.

I insisted on starting a class
that was against the policy.

We started this, so one of our students...

could be ranked number one in Korea.

But look where our ambition led us.

It's okay.

It's not your fault.

I'm not sure if what I'm about
to ask is the right question.

Are you going to deny it?

Are you going to say it's a rumor?
That it's not true?

I can understand that.

You have so much to lose.

It's not that.

I want to tackle this issue...

with complete honesty.

I might have to tell 10
lies to cover up 1 lie.

I don't want to do that. But...

I need your permission.

Why do you need my permission?

I never wanted to date
secretly, to begin with.

Because I feel sorry.

Mr. Lee.

You're competent and brave,

and you have a promising future.

On top of that, you're young.

Because you're involved with me,

we'll face the nastiest gossip.

I don't understand what you're doing.

Why are you filling out my
report card all of a sudden?

"This student has achieved
excellent grades, is brave,"

- "and has a promising future."
- That's not what I'm doing.

Then...

just say that you love me.

I...

Could you go out and get me some tea?

Director Kim will be here soon.

How much does he know?

He only knows about the
Vice-Director's secret plan.

I haven't told him about us yet.

You wanted to tell him
after you got my permission?

Yes.

Hello, Ms. Woo.

Yes, hello.

Then, since the information
session will be a lot to deal with,

- you should prepare ahead of time.
- Yes, sir.

Hey, there. Mr. Yoon Ji Seok?

Yes, Ms. Woo. Are you just coming to work?

- You must've had a team meeting.
- Yes, ma'am.

I see. You're hard at work.

Yes. Well, then...

- Mr. Yoon.
- Yes?

Do you have classes today?

I have 1 class. It ends at 7pm.

That's perfect.

If you don't have any plans, would
you like to have dinner with me?

- Oh, right. Okay, then.
- Okay.

You should've told me this a little sooner.

You should've told me when you found
out that your materials were stolen.

Then, the materials would've
gone into someone else's hands,

and the vice-director would've
gladly taken the teachers and left.

- Oh, also...
- But one thing we can rely on...

is that the vice-director
isn't a virtuous person.

But aren't I a better person than her?

Well, the thing is...

There's something I wasn't
able to tell you over text.

- Oh, hey.
- Hello.

Coffee.

Did you get caught?

- What?
- What?

The two of you. Your relationship.

Did the vice-director find out?

But what are you...

But how did you know...

Darn it!

Darn it.

- Gosh, that's hot!
- Goodness.

Darn it.

But did you know about us?

This is why I was trying
to scout Mr. Pyo Sang Seob.

- But what about him?
- Darn it.

I was going to hand him the
Chanyoung High classes...

and promote you to keep
the two of you apart.

You were spending so much time together...

with the joint lecture and whatnot.

Darn it.

Hang on. So...

How... When... Since when did you...

What do you mean, since when?

I knew that you two would cause trouble.

And when Jun h*...

suddenly appeared with you at
Yangjaecheon, I had my suspicions.

And when I heard that Seo Hye Jin
refused Choisun Academy's terms,

I became certain.

But all of that was
before we started dating.

My goodness.

I've only directed romance movies.

The tension between two people
right before they get together...

is the real deal.

A sizzling cauldron of desire.

Seo Hye Jin was the first to fill...

all of the spots in her special
lectures for the vacation.

No one can compete when it comes
to bringing in a steady profit.

You usually look those over
at the end of the month.

Why are you looking through them now?

Is Ms. Nam Cheong Mi in a lecture now?

Yes, she should be done soon.

Why do you ask?

Seo Hye Jin may be the
top in terms of stability,

but Nam Cheong Mi is the top
in terms of rate of increase.

Yes, she's very capable.

She has a lot of ambition,

and her textbooks are packed
with good information.

She has lots of good reviews.

I got the report from
the consultation room.

I hear the free lecture has good responses.

That's good news.

I was worried that I might cause you harm.

Your lecture left quite an impression.

It wasn't that bad as your debut lecture,

but you can't do that from now on.

These are the materials...

that we made while preparing
for Chanyoung High classes.

Don't worry. We didn't steal these.

My teaching assistants and I worked
hard for about three weeks...

to make these.

I may not seem like it, but
I'm the hard-working type.

Yes, I thought you might be.

We must bring all of the kids...

who enter Chanyoung High School.

Throw out what you did for
the free lecture last time,

and you should use these
as a reference for now.

Don't lecturers at academies...

have the right...

to teach classes the way they want to,

freely?

Today will be the last
day I listen to you...

go on about such frustrating things.

The virtue of a lecturer at an academy...

is to earn a lot of money,

freely.

Don't you take your phone into
the classroom during your lecture?

Why would I take my phone into a lecture?

In order to scold the kids
who won't focus like crazy,

I have to focus first myself.

So, I've been curious for a while now.

You don't have to work so
hard like crazy, do you?

I'm sorry if you didn't
like the way I said that.

I won't say it anymore.

No, that's not what I mean.

I just meant that it was about time
you got used to this neighborhood.

That's making me even more
confused about what you mean.

The kids in this neighborhood are
known to be gentle and hardworking.

I'm not sure what the kids
were like at your last place,

but you don't have to
scold the kids like that.

I've been curious about
this for a while too.

You settled down in this
neighborhood before me, right?

So, you have a good hold on the
kids from Yeongeun Arts High.

- Right.
- Right.

But if I...

target that school like crazy,

who would the kids follow?

Are you sure you know the kids from
this neighborhood better than me?

Truly?

I was just making a joke.
Why are you being so serious?

Did I upset you?

Yes.

If you were upset, sorry.

I don't care...

whichever way you teach.

But don't belittle effort.

How can you tell kids to study
with an attitude like that?

What logic can you use to tell them
to bet their lives on studying?

What?

I'm going to go to my lecture now.

I'm someone who's working like
crazy to get to a higher position.

So, you can stop...

giving me advice now.

Please come to my office when
you're done with your lecture.

- You were still here.
- Hello.

Yes. Hello.

- Oh, make yourselves at home.
- Oh, thank you.

Jun h*, will you go and help him out?

I'll just talk to
Director Kim for a minute.

Sir, let me help you.

But what brings you here
at this time of the day?

Oh, well...

Ms. Seo and I have been caught.

What?

Gosh.

And it was by people who
only wish us to fail.

What...

Okay, then just deny it first.

I'm sorry that things turned out this way.

Thanks for sending Jun h* away.

Gosh, I'm exhausted from
acting like everything is okay.

Sorry.

You can guess how things
will go from here, can't you?

Yes.

It won't end with...

a huge fight within the academy.

I'm sure she didn't mean
for it to end there.

Right.

Ms. Seo.

You will be doused in nasty water.

I know.

Do you remember something
I told you a while back?

That Jun h* was always there...

in the pivotal moments of our lives.

I remember.

I am...

very grateful for the two of you.

And with that,

I dreamed of growing the academy.

I don't want to resent the two of you.

It might sound cowardly,

but let's act dumb and pretend
like we know nothing about it.

That you two aren't in
that kind of relationship.

I'll connect Jun h* to
an even bigger academy.

You can just say that you love me.

Seo Hye Jin.

- Director Kim.
- Yes.

I'll go ahead and get
doused in nasty water.

Hye Jin.

It's not a rumor that can
be stopped with a lie.

And if I insist that just so I can survive,

it'll only make Jun h*
seem like a weird person.

He will seem like a guy
who's so crazy about success,

and only focused on doing what he wants,

that he even seduced me.

That is...

I don't want to do that.

I never thought my
performance was that great.

We have the data.

Thank you for viewing me in high regard.

But I know better than
anyone what I have done.

The reason my sales jumped
a lot in the first month...

was because Ms. Seo gave
me her 11th grade class...

of Chanyoung High kids.

You can accept this much of a compliment.

There are plenty of teachers...

who can't hold onto classes that
academies put together for them.

But I didn't really
accomplish that on my own.

I want to become successful
with a class I put together.

Here, in Daechi-dong.

I like your performance
now and your aspiration.

Then, the academy should give you...

the kind of support that suits you.

I don't have any particular
complaints, though.

At the academy I taught at before,
I had to clean the classroom myself.

Gosh, don't compare us to
such a lousy place as that.

Are you satisfied with having
someone else clean the classroom?

That's not true.

Well,

a situation where you have to
clean the classroom yourself...

might come again.

Pardon?

Seo Hye Jin started out
cleaning classrooms herself too.

If the academy shrinks down to
the size it was back then...

I'm not exactly sure what you mean.

I mean this academy will
soon become a sinking ship.

And you will be able to
board a cruise ship...

and have the most Chanyoung High
students under your command.

Of course, it's up to you to decide.

[24-hour Sauna, Top Reading]

You're going home early.

Yes, I'm meeting someone.

That's a good thing.

It seemed like you didn't have
very many people around you.

That always weighed on my mind.

People are assets.

I learned that from you, sir.

If I ask you who you're going to meet,

would it be an invasion of
privacy or something like that?

I'm having dinner with Mr. Yoon Ji Seok.

I thought he might need some encouragement.

I see.

Bye, then.

Mr. Yoon Ji Seok?

Why is it Mr. Yoon Ji Seok?

I'm going to my lecture now.
Let's talk later.

I'll talk to Ms. Nam.

I think it might be good
to let her know in advance.

- Okay.
- Bye.

- Gosh.
- Here you go.

- Do you need something else?
- Makgeolli.

- I'll get that for you.
- Hey.

- Welcome.
- Hey, there.

Thank you.

- It's been way too long.
- I know.

Gosh, you're looking good.

Look who's talking. You've
gotten so much cooler.

You look like a real head counselor.

Of course, I'm a real head counselor.

- What are you saying?
- I can tell.

Gosh, I've been meaning to meet with you,

- but why is that so hard to do?
- I know, right?

It took too long to become
free from my husband and son.

Let's order some food. You
must be hungry after work.

Excuse me. Here.

You know how he is. And
he speaks so smoothly.

He says to trust him.

"I'm doing this so I don't
live off of my parents."

As I listen to him say that,
it sounds pretty convincing.

So I just go to bed, thinking
I should just do as he says.

But then, I get worried about
all sorts of things again.

I bet it's not that easy
to accept wholeheartedly.

Fine.

I said, "Since you've decided to do this,"

"why don't you go and work at
a large academy?" But then,

he was so mad that he was fuming.

Jun h* can be like that.

Gosh.

Should I really just
act dumb and trust him?

You know,

it is my job to tell others what to do...

about their kids,

but it's a bit awkward to say this.

Tell me honestly.

It's because we really can't
tell what that kid is thinking.

"Is working at the company too hard?"

We even thought about
dipping into our savings...

to send him to study abroad.

Then,

just take note of what I
say as my personal opinion.

Just keep watching him.

What?

Your son is no average Joe.

Really?

I think he's going to become a huge hit.

I'm leaving first.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Have a good night.
- Bye.

Bye.

Ms. Nam.

You don't have a lecture
tomorrow morning, do you?

No.

Let's go out and have a drink.

It's on me.

Gosh.

I'm sorry, but let's drink some other time.

I'm not feeling too great today.

Oh, okay.

So, did you perhaps speak with...

Sorry.

Hey, Mom.

I miss my son.

My gosh. I can't believe you.

Could there be a greater
one-sided love than this?

I mean, if I think about
it, he seems so harsh.

But when I see him, he's just so adorable.

Right.

Haven't you ever been upset
because of Seoung Gyu?

Rather than feeling upset,

I thought I was going
to die of frustration.

Was it because of my Jun h*?

Yes.

Well, the friend who barely dodged...

coming in last place on the first exams...

was beating him and rising up the ranks.

But he was just smiling and laughing.

My goodness.

I mean, even when Jun h*...

overtook him in rank, he just laughed.

And when Jun h* got into a better
university, he just laughed.

When Jun h* got into a top
company, he just laughed.

Gosh, every time that happened,
I yelled at him so much.

My goodness.

Gosh.

Back when Jun h* did that, I felt
like the whole world was mine.

Goodness, gracious.

When Jun h* said he was
going to join the academy,

I actually felt a little satisfied.

I thought, "Goodness, he
must finally be facing..."

"something bad."

Gosh, that was too mean.

But not anymore.

I think I might call him the
director of the academy...

one day, so I'm supporting him all the way.

You used to say it would be Seo Hye Jin.

That one is now...

on her way downhill.

Hey.

You guys are standing in a crowded
market in the Qing Dynasty...

in the late 18th century.

Keep that in mind as you read the question.

Considering the context, what
is the most appropriate...

as the meaning of part G?

Find part G.

"The seeds of an immense cri..."

"The seeds of an immense
crisis were being sown."

All right. "Seeds of a crisis."
It's explaining it right above.

In cases like this, kids,

you have to come up with the answer
before you look at the choices.

Take a look. What is it?

"The risk of a rebellion..."

Sorry.

Hey, Mom.

I'm on my way.

I know. Your son is
better than your husband.

I'll be there soon.

My mother had a few drinks,

and she misses her second son like crazy.

I'll take her home, then
come to the academy.

Min Ji, you can go ahead.

- Good job today.
- Thanks.

Oh, did you say...

you might go back to school in March?

Oh, I haven't decided yet.

You have to hire someone, don't you?

When do I need to tell you by?

You can take your time. It's not urgent.

Okay.

Drink with her if she wants...

and take her home safely.

Thanks for the drinks.

Oh, my gosh.

You startled me. What was that?

I'm just your mom's friend's son.

Our moms are just...

I was disappointed that Ms.
Nam had gotten off work early.

I guess it all worked out.

Let's have some makgeolli.

Hey.

Did Ms. Nam say anything else?

What should I have heard?

Never mind. Let's go inside.

What's going on?

Hey.

I'm having dinner with Mr. Yoon Ji Seok.

I thought he might need some encouragement.

You may enter.

Mr. Yoon.

I saw your car was parked.

I came up just in case.

I see.

Are you making a new textbook?

Yes.

The one I use for the KSAT lecture is old.

Is it?

You printed a new batch
before the school break.

- I...
- I remember all sorts, don't I?

You do.

- Jun h*...
- Can I...

Where's Jun h*? Why are you alone?

Isn't this place scary
if you're alone at night?

I'm used to staying late on my own.
It's fine.

Jun h*...

Ms. Woo told you, didn't she?

Yes.

I was so surprised.

At first, I was surprised to
hear her say she would leave.

But when she told me about you and Jun h*,

I think I was ten thousand
times more surprised.

It's a miracle I didn't faint.

It must be true, then.

Ms. Woo disliked you a lot.

I wanted to check with you
in case she'd made it up.

I'd like you to accept
it without prejudice.

What prejudice?

Jun h*'s face getting put on our
posters as soon as he joined,

his joint lecture with me,

and his new class that just started.

That had nothing to do
with our relationship.

You're still so calm.

I believe you understand my position.

You and I have worked here
since the place opened.

If you were in my shoes, you'd...

You're so eloquent.

I think so all the time, but you are.

You almost had me.

I almost thought instructors
cared about their academies.

- Mr. Yoon.
- That's why I always went with it.

When you didn't want to hire Jun h*.

When you said you'd hired him.

When you said you'd tutored him in secret.

And when you considered
moving to Choisun Academy.

Is this too cowardly?

It wasn't because you were eloquent.

It was because I had other intentions.

That's...

I can't be responsible for that.

You never talked to me about that or...

But you knew.

I was always around.

You could've tipped me off.

Then I wouldn't have made a fool of myself.

I never once thought...

you were making a fool of yourself.

I'm grateful you sided with me...

whenever I was in trouble
or clashed with someone.

But...

I don't know what she
said and how she said it,

but I'm not the one who's trying to...

use your feelings. It's Ms. Woo.

- Playing us against...
- I know.

I'm not stupid.

Can I get a coffee?

I was such a fool.

Eat this.

Because of those darn hot flashes,

I need an electric fan
even in this weather.

You need to take cinnamon for that.

Cinnamon's the best.

Do you know how much sujeonggwa I drink?

It's not the same as that.

- Let's just eat.
- Gosh.

- It can't be helped.
- Oh, dear.

- It's menopause.
- You need cinnamon.

- Seriously.
- Sujeonggwa has cinnamon.

It's not the same as taking pure cinnamon.

- Not like that.
- Mom, your phone's ringing.

It'll be your dad.

- It was scientifically proven...
- Shouldn't you take it, then?

I'm not going to whine...

that I liked you too.

But then I can't stay around
you and Jun h* forever.

Even if Ms. Woo's just using how I feel,

that feels better than
knowing you two deceived me.

If you'd told me how you'd felt,

I'd have acted differently.

You're blaming me?

I didn't deceive you.

This is the first time you've
looked at me for this long.

What was I to say and how?

I would like to know one thing.

What if I asked you out
before Jun h* joined?

Would I have had a shot?

No.

Right?

That's the good thing
about unrequited love.

It's a bit cowardly,

but you can hang around
safely and in comfort.

It was nice while it lasted.

Coming into work and sharing a coffee.

Discussing the weather.

Talking about the students.

I enjoyed it.

Choi Hyung Sun will
take over the academy...

that Ms. Woo's trying to start.

She'll offer a better package...

- to recruit you all only to...
- Don't worry about them.

They're all adults.

They'll make up their minds.

"They?"

By "they," you mean...

There's a group chat with
us all minus you and Jun h*.

We're meeting up before class tomorrow.

This is exactly what Ms. Woo wants.

Yes.

As I said, I know.

[Traditional Food and Drink]

- Gosh.
- I enjoyed the food.

- Son.
- Who keeps texting me?

- What is it?
- Woo Seung Hui...

- What is it?
- Don't.

Gosh.

Jun h*.

What's going on?

It's nothing.

Ms. Kim. Could I have a look?

- No.
- It's fine.

[My Hometown]

Mom, I'm seeing someone.

Hey, you...

Why would you say something like that...

when we're standing in a street?

We're serious.

I know you're seeing someone.

- When I visited last time...
- It's my ex-tutor Seo Hye Jin.

Seoung Gyu.

What's he talking about?

[Daechi-dong Park]

I request an open discussion...

on Lee Jun h*'s class on
appreciating literature.

I heard this class was
only possible because of...

Lee's personal and special relationship...

with Seo Hye Jin.

It's not a groundless rumor
made up to slander them.

Seo Hye Jin...

used her position as team
leader and main instructor.

What the...

She favored her lover Lee Jun h*...

What? - and gave him extra resources.

What does this mean?

I think we should discuss...

not just this class but all
that happened since Lee joined.

I'd like to ask...

what you instructors think of this.

[Kim Chae Yun]

Ms. Seo. I just got a weird message.

Is it true?

Are you dating Mr. Lee Jun h*?

Is this a joke that I got left out of?

I'll go home now.

Drink some honey water and sleep well.

The door is open.

Stay the night.

I have to go.

I'm worried about Ms. Seo.

What am I to do about you?

I'm so upset. I don't know what to do.

What is the matter with you?

What are you doing?

What is wrong?

I'm so upset. Why are you doing this?

Goodness...

Ms. Seo.

Let's go.

I'm too scared to be here.

Why? Did something happen tonight?

Yoon Ji Seok was here.

He's going to...

tell everyone about us.

I must've lived a crappy life.

No one's on our side.

I read the text Mr. Yoon sent out.

We can explain everything.

They'll understand like Ms. Nam did.

Let's go.

What's the occasion?
How come you called me?

I had makgeolli, and so
I can't take you home.

That's not why I asked to see you.

Here.

I live with someone who
works at your academy.

I got a gist of it.

I brought this because I
thought we'd be here a while.

Thanks.

I'm standing at a fork in the road.

Should I choose ambition or loyalty?

I like how loaded the theme is,

but is this issue...

that serious?

Enough to threaten the academy?

It's not and shouldn't be,

but it looks like it will,
and that's why it's bad.

What?

By this time tomorrow, everyone
in this neighborhood...

will think Ms. Seo is crazy.

Gosh. Is it that bad?

Those people think...

the relationship is a huge
weakness they can exploit.

How disgustingly well would they use it?

They don't even have to ask...

people from other academies to
spread the rumor like wildfire.

They'll wait to poach Ms. Seo's students...

once they start to leave.

It's like a massive chunk of meat landed...

in the middle of a pack of hyenas.

And...

I'm in the position to get
a cut before anyone else.

Then...

you must eat.

- Right?
- Yes.

You moved here on your own...

to work like crazy to succeed.

What good is loyalty?

Are you being sarcastic?

Not at all.

Did you get what I meant?

I have to take a huge
bite out of your friend...

and the person who got you into university.

As if it would show if you didn't.

You said everyone else...

will rush in, bite, chew,

and taste them.

I take back asking Jun h* to
treat us to an expensive meal.

It looks like you might
have to pay for a while.

Oh, gosh...

If I buy you expensive meals
with the money I made doing that,

will you eat it?

I'll think about that.

It might make me ill.

What's going on?

It's almost midnight.

Ms. Woo.

Did you get Mr. Yoon's text?

Were you aware the two were dating?

Why didn't you discuss it with me first?

Discuss it with you?

I mean...

If you'd told me about it first,

I could've gathered the others...

and got them on the same page.

You could've considered how
this would make me look.

You know,

I'm grateful to you...

for a lot of things, Mr. Lee.

You got me Ms. Seo's teaching material.

But...

shouldn't you be grateful
to me for a lot of stuff?

No?

I covered up the fact that
you lost a whole class...

to Choisun Academy when
they hired a new instructor.

When Director Kim wanted
to revise your pay,

I stopped him.

You using your master's degree to...

Ms. Woo.

Everyone knows...

that you work for me.

And everyone knows you
always disliked Hye Jin.

If you were to step
forward and talk about...

Hye Jin and Jun h*,

how credible do you think that would be?

Well,

it wouldn't matter who started the rumor...

that starts to spread outside the academy.

I got the hint.

Mentioning how they met
when Lee was a minor...

Is that too much?

I think you'd have made a
great writer if you hadn't...

decided to teach Korean.

Once the move is done,

Seo Hye Jin's material is mine.

Okay?

Go on home.

What?

What about dinner?

I'll eat at home.

Don't lie.

I want to feed you.

The rice was microwaved, but
the side dishes will be good.

My mom made them.

It's hard to eat with no soup, isn't it?

No, it's fine. I'll eat.

I'll get some warm water.

It's cold. Get back home.

Call if you can't sleep.

Sorry I left without doing the dishes.

Don't worry about that.

See you.

Thanks.

Bye.

Hey.

Just a moment.

Where are you going?

Did you leave something behind?

No.

Then what?

I forgot to tell you something.
What about you?

I wanted to ask you something.

I see.

What is it?

You go first.

- Shall we go inside?
- No, it's a simple topic.

I'm...

okay.

I wanted to tell you I'm okay.

Go to sleep and don't worry about me.

What were you going to ask?

Oh, well,

it was nothing.

I wanted to know if you were okay.

I see.

- I'll walk you back...
- No, there's one more thing.

One more thing to say.

- Is it...
- I love you.

You said...

I just had to say I love you.

Our lives...

will get really crazy tomorrow.

Saying something like this to you...

at this...

kind of timing...

[The Midnight Romance in Hagwon]

Are you moving as a team now?

We did nothing wrong.

There's no reason to run away.

Mr. Lee, you're so tough to handle.

I'm just trying to take my share.

Help me.

Is this how someone changes
when they're cornered?

What a piece of trash.

You're not dating your pupil?

Seo Hye Jin.

What a waste.

I have never been as scared
in my life as I am today.

With all your heart and effort...

[OST "Simple Melody" by
The Restless Age released]

Love me.