01x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

[soft dramatic music playing]

-[Manan] Why are you always picking on me?
-[Peizu] Picking on you?

-No one's picking on you.
-What are you doing?

You're not focused on singing
at all. You're wasting my time.

-Wasting your time?
-[Peizu] Yeah.

[indistinct yelling]

Get out of my studio!

-[Manan] Fine!
-Get out!

[dramatic music playing]

[playing piano]

♪ The one who said it
Has a broken heart too ♪

[continues playing piano]

[jazz music playing]

[door opens]

[car honking]

[slurps]

[Miao] What the hell?

That was Paper Planes' last show,

and Tian just walked out?

I worked so hard
to get us on that stage.

[beeps]

[Ningning] But I think
it's pretty cool

to go out like this.

The single's out. No regrets.

[Miao] You've all
been spoiling Tian.

[beeps]

[Tian] Sorry, guys...

I must've been possessed.

I'll buy you shaved ice
to make it up to you.

[Miao] Even a hundred bowls
won't cut it.

[Tai] Hey, Miaojun.

These lyrics won't work
for the recording.

They need to flow better.

-Got it. I'll fix them now.
-[Tai] Okay.

-Hey, Tai...
-Yeah?

How's Peizu doing?

He should be fine.

How many whiskey bottles
were in the trash?

Three, I think.

[Tai] Then he's probably
still alive. No big deal.

-Hurry up, okay?
-Okay.

IF THAT DAY COMES - WEI YANZHU

Smells amazing.

-Good, right?
-Yeah.

You're actually sitting down
to eat?

-Food's ready.
-Sorry, I'll help.

Sit down. It's hot.

-Just eat.
-Thanks.

She can't do anything anyway.

Don't be so mean, Peizu.

-[Tai] Yanzhu.
-Yeah?

You came to Taiwan to record,
not to eat.

The whole point of this trip

is to try Peizu's
signature dishes.

Go easy on the food.

Your face is already puffy.
You're a singer.

It's protein.

[Eden]
Try some bak kut teh, Peizu.

I added white pepper
from Singapore.

It really makes a difference.

Okay.

It's used in Chinese
braised ribs too, right?

[Tai]
They're completely different.

[Eden]
Yeah, totally different.

-[Yanzhu clears throat]
-Peizu.

Tai.

You're both our honored guests.

Please come to Singapore
for our wedding.

[happy exclamation]

[Yanzhu] You're Miaojun, right?

That's right.

I used to be
the boss's assistant too.

Even though I didn't bring you
an invitation,

I'm inviting you in person.

Really?
I've never been to Singapore.

Maybe not.
She might not last that long.

[tapping table]

There you go again.

Peizu's so mean, isn't he?

Yeah.

[Yanzhu] No big deal.

I've been through it too.

You'll be fine.

[phone vibrating]

Sorry, I need to take this.

It's Joyce.

Okay.

[soft dramatic music playing]

[Yanzhu]
♪ If it didn't hurt so much ♪

♪ Who would want to be ♪

♪ The villain in love? ♪

♪ In the end ♪

♪ Someone has to be
The first ♪

♪ To lose even
The last bit of ♪

♪ Warmth ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[groans]

♪ The one who said it has... ♪

-Uh, Tai... Tai.
-[singing continues]

Sorry, Yanzhu.

Let's stop here.

-Honey.
-[Yanzhu] Huh?

Um...

Honey, I think...

This mic sounds too thin.

Let's switch to another one.
It'll give you a fuller sound.

Alright.

[Peizu] And could you...

read the last few lines in A2?

In the end,

someone has to...

be the first to sacrifice.

-Even...
-Okay.

-The last bit...
-[Peizu] Okay. Okay.

Who do you think
is making the sacrifice?

There's no clear subject here.

No "you", no "me"...

When do we ever speak
without one?

When...
we're talking to ourselves.

Okay.

So when you sing this song,

are you telling others
how hurt you are,

or are you telling yourself?

I want to tell others.
But I want to tell myself too.

[Peizu] So your mind
is telling you to let go.

But your heart...

still won't let go, right?

Yeah.

Then hold on to that feeling

and sing it one more time.

-Okay.
-[Peizu] Okay, okay.

Good.
Keep the same mic distance.

-Okay.
-Let's go.

[dramatic music playing]

♪ Holding on to this love ♪

♪ Will only hurt us more ♪

♪ The harder we hold on,
The more it hurts ♪

♪ The warmth we once had... ♪

Hey, Tai.

Can we... take a short break?

Sorry, Yanzhu. Let's take five.

What's wrong?

-Honey.
-Is it my voice?

Is it that bad?

You're too in love.

[scoffs]

You're completely wrapped up
in the honeymoon phase.

How can you possibly
capture the emotions

of someone who's just
gone through a breakup?

That's what I'm thinking...

[quirky music playing]

Maybe you should...

stop seeing Eden for a while.

[chuckles]

Do we have to?

What about texting?

Let's finish the recording first,

then you can go back to
your little love bubble.

[sighs]

Let's call it a day.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

Can I borrow Miaojun?

To keep me company.

-Yeah. Take care of Yanzhu.
-Sure.

-Bye, Tai.
-Bye.

[door closes]

[Yanzhu] Did you know Manan
got remarried?

[Miao] Yeah.

[Yanzhu]
I'm worried about Peizu.

I'm afraid he'll take it
too hard.

So this song is...

about Peizu and Manan?

Oh...

I guess today in the studio,

I just couldn't tap into
those emotions,

so we didn't get anything
recorded. My fault.

You're getting married soon.

The feelings
of a middle-aged divorced man

aren't exactly easy
for you to relate to.

[phone beeping]

[Tian] Please don't be mad.

Is that Peizu?

Mm-mm.

Your boyfriend?

No way.

He's my classmate and roommate.

He did something stupid,

so I'm pissed at him.

Not your boyfriend?

Just a friend.

I know exactly what you mean.

[both laugh]

I met Eden
through a campus club too.

-Really?
-Yeah. He was my senior.

So you've been together
for a long time?

Not really.

It was just...

a college romance.

About a year
after we started dating,

he told me
he wanted to study abroad.

So we broke up.

But two years ago,
I came back to Taiwan,

and ran into him again.

I'd been searching
for the right person.

Honestly, I was ready to give up.

But then it turned out

the right person had been
by my side all along.

Wow, that's so romantic.

Right?

Driver,

please take us to Drunkie Monkey.

Shouldn't we make a toast
to a love story like that?

Sure.

-Really?
-Absolutely.

You sure you've got time?

-Don't you need to check on that "friend" of yours?
-Nah.

-[soft music playing]
-[groans]

[Tian] Le Le! Hi, Boss.

Le Le's off today.

-Off?
-Yeah, he's off today.

He didn't even tell me.

Weren't you the one holding...

that "TRAITOR" sign
the other day?

You were awesome.

You stopped singing
because of my sign?

No, because you were
disrupting the show.

That version was
a betrayal of your music.

It's not like you've heard
the original version.

Actually, I have.

I paid good money for the single,

and it was garbage.

I was so mad,
I wanted to burn the CD.

Then burn it.

So you hate that single too?

Personally, I prefer
the original version,

but that's none of your business.

Bye, Boss.

Alright.

What's the rush?

So what happened after that?

Did you have to return
the performance fee?

No.

But Paper Planes broke up
right there on the spot.

No way. Seriously?

Did I really
break up the whole band?

Not at all.

We knew what we were doing.

But does this mean I'll never
get to hear the original version?

You like the original version?

Yeah, it's amazing.

Then find me a place to perform.

Deal.

Deal.

Wait for me.
I'm almost off work.

Hold this.

Don't you dare eat it.

Huh?

[Li Guiqin] Wait outside.
I'll be quick.

Okay.

Bye, Boss.

The atmosphere here is great.

Do you come here often?

I held my first fan meet here.

Oh, really?

Of course not.

You're so silly.

Relax.

-Hey, babe.
-Hey, babe.

Sorry I'm late.

You're Miaojun, right?

Hi.

Peizu already ordered.

That fast?

Yeah.

So we can't see
each other anymore?

Just for now.

What about texting?

No texting either.

Peizu only wants
the song recorded right.

Don't worry.

I'll do my best

and finish it as soon as I can,

okay?

Then I'd better go pack.
I'll move out right away.

Hey, no!

There's no need to go that far.

Okay, I get it.

Good luck. I'll be waiting.

I love you.

I love you too.

[dramatic music playing]

[chuckles]

[tongue clicking]

What are you going to do
now that the band's over?

I don't know.

Probably keep writing songs
and get another job.

Money, money, money...

You're so practical.

Oh? And you just live on air?
You don't need to eat or drink?

I only want to do what I love.

[upbeat music playing]

Got another cigarette?

[Li Guiqin]
So if you keep writing songs,

will they be as cheesy
as that single?

Of course not.

Now that Paper Planes
has disbanded,

I'm writing for myself.

It's much simpler.

Nice.

[chuckles]

Since you're not a sellout,

I think I can find you
some paying gigs.

Give me your hand.

Give me a call.

Don't forget.

[Tian] I'll sleep
with you tonight, Baby.

[song playing on speakers]

[Yanzhu] ♪ The one who said
It has a broken heart too ♪

♪ The one who asked
to break up ♪

♪ Has no regrets
About loving ♪

♪ The one who said
It bears the blame ♪

♪ Living with the pain
All alone ♪

♪ Let the final tear fall ♪

♪ Washing away Every
tangled emotion ♪ -[groans]

Tai.

Sorry, Yanzhu.

Let's take a break.

Honey.

I still feel like

you're not connecting
with the emotion.

You're not really in...

the lyrics.

You're holding yourself back.

Do you know what I mean?

Sorry.

We'll dim the lights
for you, okay?

Peizu, I already...

-did my best.
-I know you did.

-I haven't contacted Eden...
-But that's not the point.

-No calls or texts...
-I think...

you could express
the sadness even better.

Look at this line...

"We're still in love,
but we have to let go."

Yeah, that's the line.

-It's not coming from deep down.
-I know.

-You don't really feel it.
-But I can't just...

-You don't understand it yet.
-get divorced right now.

-That's the problem.
-I want to nail it too.

But I'm not divorced.

Should I get divorced
just because you did?

[dramatic music playing]

Sorry, I...

What's Peizu doing in there?

He's telling her the story.

He thinks Yanzhu
isn't emotionally connected yet.

Tai, mute the mic.

Okay.

He feels Yanzhu hasn't really
connected with the lyrics,

so he's trying
to pull her into the song.

That way,
the emotions will come through.

Honestly,
I can't tell the difference.

He expects more from Yanzhu,

so he's being a little tough.

[Miao] I see.

-What's wrong?
-Why'd you buy this brand?

That's not the right one.

That brand was sold out.

Then go somewhere else.

Why'd you buy this one?

You think they're all the same?

I can go get it now.

Sure, and make everyone wait.
Go ahead!

What's your problem now?
You think it doesn't matter?

Everyone knows it matters!

Everyone except you!

You want to go get it?

And make everyone wait for you?

We're holding up the session
because of you!

This is ridiculous!

[door slams close]

[Peizu]
It's necessary for this song.

You sure?

Make the call.

I'll make the arrangements then.
You're sure?

She left?

Yanzhu's back at the hotel.

What's on her schedule this week?

Studio sessions all week.

Cancel them.

Okay.

I'll contact the record label.

-And let them know.
-No rush.

What's the hurry?

Take her to this restaurant
on Sunday.

Me?

It's a pretty fancy place.

Just give them my name.

You really want me to take her?

Okay.

Thank you.

[Tian] So you're really
not mad anymore?

No. You apologized.

You still owe me shaved ice.

Deal.

Even if I have to wait
in line for three hours.

Just don't get mad again.

It's really scary.

No, I'm not.

Ken's girlfriend heard our single

and said you've got
real potential.

Whose girlfriend did you say?

Ken's girlfriend, in the States.

Ken has a girlfriend
in the States?

Yeah. Why?

Nothing.

[quirky music playing]

I thought Ken liked you.

No, he doesn't.

Right. He likes his girlfriend.

[laughs]

[Miao] You're acting weird.

The water's here.

Help me out.

Okay.

Let me do it.

Looks like we need more.
We'll have to try another store.

Let's check out the gear.

[Yanzhu] So what's he like?

He really hates school.
A guitarist who never graduated.

Is he cute?

He's not bad.

So you do think he's cute.

I can tell by your face.

He recorded at Peizu's studio,

-right?
-[Miao] Yeah.

So how's his music?

He's got some unique ideas.

He thought Peizu's music
was too sentimental,

not really his style.

What about you?
What kind of music do you like?

I like Chen Yujie.

Wow.

You've got great taste.

[laughs]

Well... let me tell you
a secret about him.

Okay.

He always wears cologne.

I think I noticed that
at the fan meeting.

Right? It smelled so...

[Eden] So how are you going
to thank me?

[woman] What do you want?

[Eden]
I don't think that's enough.

How about we go upstairs?

[dramatic music playing]

[exhales]

Miaojun.

Hey, babe.

Today's my assistant's birthday.

Everyone came
to celebrate with her.

Everyone?

They're on their way.
Let me introduce you...

What are you doing?

What?

Look at yourself in the mirror.

And you still ask what I'm doing?

[Miao] Go away!

f*ck.

[Miao] Are you okay?

I'm fine.

This is good.
What noodles are these?

[Miao] Zhajiang noodles.

Do you have anything to drink?

[Miao] Let's eat first.

[knocking on door]

[Eden] Zhu, it's me.
Please open the door.

[Miao] It's Eden.

I don't want to see him.

[Eden] Zhu, please open the door
and let me in.

[Miao] She doesn't want
to see you, just leave!

[Eden] Zhu, I know you're upset,
but I can explain.

Please open the door.

[Miao] I'll call the police
if you don't leave.

Zhu, I won't leave
unless you open the door.

[Miao] I've got my phone right
here. I'll call the police right now.

[Peizu] How dare you
show your face here?

I know what happened today.

[Eden]
That's none of your business.

[Peizu]
You're disturbing our artist.

[Eden] But she's my fiancée.

Peizu's outside.
They're arguing.

[Eden] Please leave.

I live here. You don't.
You leave.

-I can't. She's my artist.
-This is my place.

-Shut up!
-I'll call security.

-Shut up!
-You're the one who should leave.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Zhu, please listen to me.

I don't want to hear it.

You don't have
to explain anything.

Just leave...

Leave.

Leave!

[Peizu]
The woman you saw today...

She's a model
at my friend's agency.

You know, there are no secrets
in show business.

So you've known all along?

And...

I got these photos too.

You know,
he's seeing more than one woman.

[dramatic music playing]

[Peizu] Yanzhu,

some men put women
into categories.

Some are just girlfriends,
while...

others are the ones
they'd actually marry.

You're the second kind.

But believe me...

you're not the only one he loves.

So think carefully

about whether he's worth loving
for the rest of your life.

You should get some rest.

You must be exhausted
after everything today.

Call me anytime
if you need anything.

I can do this.

What?

Let's go to the studio.

Yanzhu, I'm ready.
How about you?

I'm ready.

Okay, let's start.

Peizu.

You had us take her
to that restaurant...

Was it for the song,
or for Yanzhu's future?

[soft music playing]

♪ Holding on to this love ♪

♪ Will only hurt us more ♪

♪ The harder we hold on
The more it hurts ♪

♪ The warmth we once had... ♪

♪ Only reminds us ♪

♪ How empty things have become ♪

♪ If it didn't hurt so much ♪

♪ Who would want to be ♪

♪ The villain in love? ♪

♪ In the end ♪

♪ Someone has to be the first ♪

♪ To lose even the last bit of ♪

♪ Warmth ♪

♪ The one who said it
Has a broken heart too ♪

-[Peizu] Hey, babe?
-Huh?

[Manan] Hey!

Hey, what are you doing?

♪ The one who said
It bears the blame ♪

♪ Living with the pain
All alone ♪

♪ Let the final tear fall ♪

♪ Washing away
Every tangled emotion ♪

♪ So we can both move on ♪

-Stop saying you're completely into it.
-But I am!

If you don't want to do this,
then leave my studio.

-[Mana] Fine.
-[Peizu] Get out!

[Yanzhu] ♪ The one who said
It bears the blame ♪

♪ Time can't decide
Who was right or wrong ♪

♪ Say one last goodbye ♪

♪ Let the pain end right here ♪

♪ Broken together... ♪

♪ Can we just stay calm... ♪

♪ Until the end? ♪

[song fades out]

[Yanzhu sniffles]

Was it good?

[dramatic music playing]

[sobbing]

[cars honking]

[soft guitar music playing]

Why didn't you call me?

Huh?

[Li Guiqin]
You washed it off? Cold.

What's wrong?

Le Le's off again?

[Li Guiqin] Yeah.

I've got good news.

Oh?

I found you a job.

Managing a live house.

Steady pay,
and you still get to perform.

Not bad, right?

-Really?
-Yep.

The owner's a musician too.

He said you've got attitude,
real rock-star vibes.

But he wanted me
to check with you first,

to see if you're really ready
for this path.

You're good-looking,

and the single got great reviews.

If you debuted solo as an idol,

you'd be famous.

Did you tell him

I'll only make my own music
and sing my own songs?

Even if I never get famous,

I won't sell out
my music or my style.

You've got guts.

When can you start in Taichung?

-Taichung?
-Yeah.

Why? Too far?

Hmm...

I'll have to think about it.

[Li Guiqin] Okay.

[phone dialing]

Remember to call me.

[soft music playing]

Tai.

-Your coffee is here.
-Oh, thanks.

[music continues]

[Tai] Hey.

Can you take this to the boss?

Okay.

[door opens]

[Miao] I'm with Peizu.

I'll call you later.

It's done.

Tell Tai I said yes.

Do you know where Di's studio is?

-The one out in Xindian?
-[Peizu] Yeah.

-Take it there for mixing.
-Okay.

[jazz music playing] -How many days
have you been sleeping at the office?

Go home and take a shower.

-Okay.
-Hey.

Take a cab.

[Miao] Okay. I will.

Do you think she'll take a cab,
or secretly pocket my $2,000?

[bartender] That's way too much.

Too much?

[bartender]
If I were her, I'd keep it too.

[Tian] Today we'll focus on
what the right hand does.

Your left hand just
holds the C chord.

[guitar chords playing]

As for the right hand...

Thumb, 2-1-3-1-2-1...

Just keep repeating it.

Got it?

[sighs] What's up with you now?

[inhales, exhales deeply]

A live house in Taichung
offered me a manager job.

You know
what a live house is, right?

Yeah.

I'd get the chance
to perform too.

It's a great opportunity.

But I also found out...

that Ken already has
a girlfriend,

so he and Miaojun
will never end up together.

[Lele] I get it.

You want to tell her
how you feel,

but you're afraid
you can't be with her

if you move to Taichung.

Yeah.

What should I do?

Help me figure it out.

I've thought about it,
but I've got nothing.

Then just tell her.

What about the job in Taichung?

[Boss over speakers]
Don't overthink it.

As long as she likes you,

she'll wait for you.

Women are like trees.

Once you've planted the seed...

they'll stay rooted,
wherever you go.

Sorry.

I was just testing the equipment.

Just tell her.

But I don't know how.

You're a guitarist.

How do you not know
how to win a girl over?

Because I'm always the one
who gets asked out.

Okay, Boss.

I'll continue the class.

[soft music playing]

[chuckles]

Okay, let's keep going.

Watch my right hand.

[Yanzhu]
Thanks for the Zhajiang noodles.

I'll take you out
next time I'm back in Taiwan.

Deal.

Take care of yourself.

And...

don't quit just because
you can't stand Peizu.

[chuckles]

Good luck!

[light music playing]

You take care too.

Still think I'm mean?

Super mean.

Bring me some bak kut teh
next time you're here.

Just skip the white pepper.

I'll think about it.

Alright, don't be upset.

Cheer up.

Be careful when you're
looking for a husband.

I'm exhausted.
I'm sleeping till I wake up.

Thanks for all your hard work.

TAIYI MILK KING

[Tian] Damn.

The shaved ice place is closed.

[Miao] Oh.

I'll buy it for you next time.

Forget it. I'm so sleepy.

Ah!

-What now?
-I know!

There's a really great place.

Let's go.

[chuckles]

[Tian]
Hey. Want a pork meatball?

[Miao] Sure.

[Tian] How about some veggies?

Okay.

And an egg?

Yeah, soft-boiled.

You got it.

And...

how about a boyfriend too?

[dramatic music playing]

[sighs] I mean...

do you want a boyfriend?

[singer singing
in foreign language]

[Wan Fang]
Welcome back to iWalking.

Friday nights
from 6 to 8 p.m.

I'm Wan Fang.

The song you're hearing now

is my "Know or Not".

Sometimes you have
to face yourself,

and it's never easy.

But sometimes, it's simply fate,

and you're forced to accept it.

Sometimes,
when a relationship ends,

the one who walks away first
isn't always

the one who stopped loving.

They can be hurting just as much.

Letting go
of a failed relationship

takes tremendous courage.

Maybe someday, looking back,

you'll be grateful
to the one who left.

It's now 6:08 p.m.

It's pouring in Taipei.

[phone beeps]

[Manan] Did you get
the wedding invitation?

Save the date.

[dramatic music playing]

[pop music playing]

[singer singing in Mandarin]