01x03 - A Piece of Rockfish, a Taste Out of This World

[bunniefuu]

[Love in the Big City]

Mom, what is it?

What took you so long to answer?

I'm really busy right now, so

I have cancer.

Cancer?

- You have cancer?

- Yes, cancer.

Cancer.

I had a bad feeling so I went

for a checkup and it's cancer.

Those insurance policies will finally pay off.

Treatment costs 200 million won.

Did you win the lottery?

Hallelujah, it's as good as!

Two weeks later,

Mom had an operation with

a reputable uterine cancer doctor.

After a peaceful nap,

you'll be rid of your cancer.

Doctor?

I don't want to be put under.

Everything will be fine

so don't you worry.

Doctor, it's not that.

I just want to feel

the pain Christ endured.

I wish to feel the pain he endured

on the hill of Golgotha,

to share his pain of tearing flesh,

amen

Her cancer was more severe

than we'd initially thought.

It seemed to have metastasized to her

lymph nodes, and her liver was bad.

They removed her uterus

and gave her radiation

but the cancer refused to go away.

Mi Ae once told me

that when your head's about to explode,

you should meet new people

in a new environment

or learn something new.

Hello, my nickname is "OMG."

I'm panromantic, asexual,

and a member of a q*eer rights group.

I also live an eco-vegan lifestyle.

My tag is "AlphaGo."

I'm in college studying-

- I'm studying, sorry

- It's okay.

Hello, I'm "Wind."

I used to be a teacher

but recently retired

and now spend my days at home.

You can call me "James."

I work as an environment officer

for the Eunpyeong District.

I'm

"Blueberry."

I'm here today to strengthen myself.

I'm "Legend of Autumn."

I run a vegan leather business

and I'm here to meet

and communicate with new people.

I'm glad to meet you.

Will our latecomer introduce himself?

I'm Noh Young Soo.

I'm a creative.

Now then, shall we start the class?

In his most prolific work "Ethics,"

Spinoza lists 48 human emotions

Hey.

- Can I have a sip?

- Sorry?

all human suffering

stems from our passions.

Spinoza believed that human emotions

are governed by the laws of nature.

Noh Young Soo.

His nonchalant, if not icy, self-introduction

gave the sinister impression of a narcissist

and I determined

not to get better acquainted.

Hey.

I'll buy you a coffee.

Sorry?

No, that's alright.

Please.

I'd like to pay back the favor.

Favor? There's really no need.

It's alright.

There's a cafe right over there,

I won't keep you long.

Thank you.

Were you very thirsty?

Yes, you saved me.

I'm a recent graduate,

currently a writer.

I see.

Do you watch any shows?

No.

I see.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like to read

and I joined this class

to do some self reflection.

I haven't been doing so great recently.

I see.

My mother

is an alcoholic.

I sent her off to rehab

but she keeps escaping.

None of the treatments seem to be working.

She keeps hiding alcohol.

Underneath her bed,

inside her bag.

She even has early signs

of alcohol-related dementia

so I'm always chasing after her,

once every other day.

That sounds awful.

But she won't admit to her addiction.

Alcoholics are crafty, you see.

They construct their excuses

like a Dutchman building a d*ke.

Stephen King.

Yes, "On Writing."

My mother's also sick.

She has uterine cancer

but she's so stubborn.

She just had surgery

and is in hospital under my care.

We have a lot in common.

We do?

It's your first class, right?

Yes.

How did you know?

I didn't recognize you.

I would have remembered

such a cute face.

Right

Sorry?

[Noh Young Soo]

You're f*cking sexy

[Noh Young Soo: Did you get home safely?]

[Go Young: I did, thanks.]

[Noh Young Soo: Do you like pork backbone?]

[There's a good stew place, would you like to go some time?]

[Go Young: Sure! I love pork backbone stew.]

Have you been fasting?

Pork backbone stew

originates from the Jeolla province.

In 1899, during the construction

of the Gyeongin Line,

workers who moved to Incheon

often ate the stew

and the dish gained its popularity.

An old district office in Incheon

was replaced by a slaughterhouse

and because potatoes

were easy to get a hold of,

workers liked dishes with potatoes.

The modern pork backbone stew

has elevated nutrition and taste.

It's a dish with the perfect balance

of carbs, protein, and fat.

I like pork backbone stew

and have tried it everywhere

Young Soo.

May I ask what you do for a living?

All of a sudden?

You only said you were a creative.

You're so knowledgeable,

I'm curious what you do.

I'm just

the average worker.

Okay, got it.

Is your eyesight quite bad?

These glasses?

I got hit by a ball this weekend

so I wore them to cover my eyes.

Did you play soccer?

How did you know?

One of my friends injured his retina

while playing soccer.

He was exempt from military service.

To be exact, I play futsal.

Why don't you join us sometime?

It's not particularly dangerous.

I don't like sports.

Don't you have an umbrella?

I didn't think it would rain.

Shall we share?

Yes.

How will you get home?

The subway.

Since meeting him, I couldn't stop writing.

I wanted to know more about this mysterious guy.

My head was bursting with thoughts of him,

expanding tirelessly.

This newfound energy

was overwhelming at first

but I decided to write down

and explore my changing emotions.

Let's see his face.

I don't have a photo.

Show us his profile then.

He doesn't have one.

Are you sure he's g*y?

In all honesty, I have no clue.

Honey, are you joking?

Give me your phone, let's pick apart his texts.

A sky pic?

"It's great weather to take a walk."

Hold up.

Why?

"It's great weather to take a walk."

Pic of a stray cat.

"This is a cat I feed."

"How adorable."

Is that stewed mackerel?

"I found a great mackerel place."

"They use perilla oil and ginger

to mask the fishy smell"

"It's good, I'll take you next time."

Cancer-fighting foods?

My mom.

Did you meet while hiking?

No, in philosophy class.

Are you mad?

In my seasoned opinion,

he doesn't seem to be g*y.

Gays don't talk about

the weather and mackerel stew.

No, he could be g*y.

He definitely seems interested.

What do you two eat?

Pork backbone stew, grilled fish,

pork chops, fermented soy bean soup.

Ugh, stinky.

- And pork bulgogi.

- Come on!

Is there nothing else?

Any clues about which way he swings?

Once, it was raining

and we shared an umbrella.

He tilted it my way

and his entire shoulder got soaked.

That's not enough, is there anything else?

Then how about this?

I totally get a vibe.

Why didn't you have sex?

How could I when I don't even know if he's g*y?

He walked you to your door.

Straight guys don't do that,

he's totally interested.

- He was asking for sex.

- You delusional b*tch.

I don't think he's one of us.

Just don't meet him.

He sounds like a nutcase and a total boomer.

Do I have bad taste in men?

Absolutely, yes.

Okay, I'm coming.

Sorry, I have to go.

Where are you going?

Hey!

Where are you going?

My mom's asking for me.

I have to go, sorry.

See you!

Are you meeting Mr. Mackerel?

Are you here?

I told you to hurry up.

mom what is this?

let's go for a walk.

I've got permission from the doctor.

The outside air is so refreshing.

Air pollution levels are sky high,

what do you mean refreshing?

Today's air quality is "very bad."

So is my mood, very bad.

I hand washed your dirty diapers, you know.

Why not ask your carer

to talk you on a walk?

I should know better

than to rely on you.

It's like when your grandma had cancer.

You could barely walk

but you crawled over to her

and slapped her right across the face.

- That's the sort of kid you were!

- Come on.

When will you stop bringing that up?

I'll stop when I'm dead, deal with it.

Son, please.

Be good to your dying mother.

It's all for your own good.

That reminds me,

do you remember Deacon Park?

Her son was a handful and went to

a college much worse than yours.

But he's already married

and bought a flat in Pangyo.

Isn't one of your friends married

and living in Songpa?

Mi Ae or whatever her name is.

- Why are you bringing that up?

- Why do you think?

Young.

I run a marriage agency,

I could easily find you a match.

Marriage is the answer.

It's always the answer!

My mom sure talks like

she had the picture perfect marriage

but that couldn't be further from reality.

My bad, honey!

It's okay!

My dad was living a double life

when I was in primary school

so I guess theirs was

the worst marriage imaginable.

sh**t!

You're doing great!

Never in my life had I seen him

looking so happy and peaceful.

It was a side of him

that Mom and I had never seen.

Mom instantly filed for divorce

and became our breadwinner.

Good shot!

Dude, not so hard.

Are you okay?

I'm sorry.

I'm alright.

Go.

Please go.

You're really out of shape.

I am?

- It's been so long, we should go out for drinks.

- Shall we?

You can't back out today

like you did last time.

[My thoughts kept me quiet.]

[We sat in silence, until I could see the base of my cup.]

You can't back out today

like you did last time.

You have to come.

You could ask your friend to join.

We're going for drinks.

Will you come?

I'm pretty exhausted.

You are?

Okay then, get some rest.

[h* Min: Are you at the hospital?]

[We're clubbing. Can you come?]

Eight tequila shots.

Sure.

b*tch, what's gotten into you?

I'm going to drink and forget.

Alright, I'm in. Young's had it rough these days.

If that's so

we better keep up the pace!

b*tches, let's get stupid drunk!

Cheers!

♫ Stop right there, my sexy love ♫

♫ I see your deep gaze, my sexy love ♫

♫ You're shaking my unyielding heart ♫

♫ You're tearing all my icy walls apart ♫

♫ On this electric night ♫

♫ Your gaze calls my name just right ♫

♫ Stop right there, come to me, I dare ♫

♫ Come and listen to this confession I now declare ♫

♫ Your have such sexy eyes,

sexy nose, sexy lips, sexy love ♫

♫ Everything about you is so sexy ♫

♫ Sexy eyes, sexy nose, sexy mouth ♫

♫ Don't you know, I find you incredibly sexy ♫

♫ No, no, no, no, can't you feel my love? ♫

Yeah?

Why couldn't I get a hold of you last night?

- I was sleeping.

- Son, will you come to me?

I'm a minute away from meeting the lord.

- What are you on about?

- You know what?

When your grandma was sick

I feared that my breathing

would disturb her

so I didn't even go to the bathroom.

I got a UTI from holding it in.

But now that I'm the one

knocking on heaven's door,

you're nowhere to be seen.

I should just hurry up and croak.

Stop talking like that,

I'm going to you now.

Hurry up.

Your mom's dying, you should be here.

Must I die without seeing you one last-

I told you I'm coming,

I'll go to you now!

Just wait.

This is rough

I heard your daughter's in Korea.

Give me a shot, I'll find her the perfect match.

The man's a doctor who graduated from Sungkyunkwan-

Not good enough?

Sure,

I'll find someone from Seoul University.

Many of my clients are alumni.

Hallelujah, indeed. I'll be in touch Mrs. Oh!

Seoul University

He's from Seoul Uni, right?

How come he has the brains

and is also a brilliant actor?

- What are you writing?

- Nothing.

What is it?

Don't read.

I should have made you into a doctor.

If I had the support you've had,

I'd have gone to Seoul Uni twice!

Yeom Eun Sook was always

top student at Sookmyung High.

Your Grandma wanted to sell the house

to send me to university

but I'd seen the wrinkles

on her fair face.

I couldn't possibly let her do that.

I worked right after graduating,

as an accountant at Dongil Construction.

That's where I met Go Jin Cheol

and ruined my bloody life.

Anyways, with my first ever paycheck

I bought your grandma

new thermals and Vaseline hand cream.

She was so precious with the lotion.

You've told me.

It took her three years to use the whole thing.

Young.

I don't expect such grand gestures from you.

Material things no longer matter to me.

I only wish you would

accompany me in my faith

and join me as one under the grace of God.

That would make my life worthwhile.

That's all I ask, amen

Where did he go?

My lord

So, Seoul University

Are you free for dinner?

Yeah.

How about chicken soup?

- There's an old place nearby-

- Seriously?

Can't we go elsewhere on a day like this?

What day is it today?

It's Halloween.

So what?

Can't we have chicken soup on Halloween?

I don't want chicken soup.

Tonight, I'm choosing where we're having dinner.

Go on, try some.

I don't quite enjoy this type of food.

Then drink some more.

Beer makes me want to pee.

You're not having fun.

Do you frequent places like this?

What do you mean by places like this?

Crowded and noisy places.

Excuse me, could you please take a photo of us?

Of course.

- There you go.

- Thank you.

Would you two like a photo?

No thanks.

Don't worry, it's free.

I'll lend you this.

I'll take it now.

Thank you.

Everyone's celebrating blindly,

unaware that it stems

from a barbaric practice.

It stems from what?

Never mind.

It's a bit of an eyesore.

They're just having some fun.

You look good.

- You're very photogenic.

- Don't.

- Come on, take a look.

- I said no.

- My bad, I'm sorry.

- What's your deal?

I'm just not

used to this kind of culture.

- And I think you're drunk.

- I'm not.

I don't get drunk on two beers.

Never mind.

I'll stop bothering you.

Young!

Are you feeling better?

I was never in a bad mood.

Maybe you were in a grump.

Emotions

are subjective.

Whatever.

Didn't you hear that Spinoza

listed 48 distinct human emotions?

Were you daydreaming in class?

Right, Spinoza

Why have you been taking

philosophy classes for so long?

I'm an editor

for a publisher that specializes

in philosophy books.

I left the company

and have been working freelance.

I see.

You're a "worker" in publishing.

The laws of the universe

have always intrigued me.

It's all fascinating,

why the world is the way it is.

Why I'm my pathetic old self.

How many stars there are

in this vast universe

and how insignificant my being is.

If I mull over these thoughts,

I feel infinitely lonely.

What do you think you just ate?

Flounder?

Or rockfish?

I can't really tell fish apart.

I like whatever's expensive.

You're right and wrong.

What you're eating is rockfish

but you're not just tasting rockfish.

On the tip of your tongue

is the taste of the universe.

Sounds like bullshi-

I mean nonsense.

This rockfish is like us, a part of the universe.

So when we eat,

the universe is tasting the universe.

The more transparent one is flounder.

Rockfish is chewier.

Rockfish.

I'm pretty chewy.

You should call me rockfish from now on.

No.

I'll call you flounder.

I can see right through you.

My mom always carefully

removed fish bones for me.

I wasn't asking you

to do it for me. I'm sorry.

I like it.

I like saury, too.

Not the saury.

I like the universe that is you.

Are you awake?

Did you have a dream?

No, I just dozed off.

You were snoring.

I'm sorry.

It was cute.

How long has it been for you?

Why?

You were so good.

When did you know I was g*y?

The moment I first laid eyes on you.

Did you also know

we'd end up lying in the same bed?

From the beginning.

Is this a Christmas tree?

It's the tree of life.

What's that?

It's the legend I study.

It symbolizes the laws of the universe

that we're all connected somehow.

Want to know more?

Shall I tell you?

No.

You said there was something you wanted to do.

Can I ask what that is?

I'll show you next time.

Being here with you in the dark

Yes?

It feels like it's just us two in the universe.

Seriously

That night,

we lay still, holding each other tight and close.

It felt like my body existed to nestle in his.

In my arms,

he felt vast like an entire universe.

Why did you have to become a writer?

You little as*h*le,

I told you to become a doctor.

Being a doctor's tough,

you have inspect people's assholes.

Do you want me to suffer?

What, you punk?

Where are you off to?

Your carer will be here, I'm off!

Heavenly father, forgive my sinful soul.

Are you okay?

Yeah, it's nothing.

No it's not, you're burnt.

Give me that.

It wasn't even hot.

Can we eat first?

Fine.

Whose song is this?

Lee Eun Ha.

A famous singer from the late 80s.

All her songs were hits,

except this one.

I like hidden gems like these.

Discovering them

is like seeing a Messier nebula,

shining brightly in the dark universe.

I wish that time would stop.

This house feels dark and lonely

when I'm on my own

but when I'm with you

It feels like an entire universe.