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01x02 - The Reason We Can't Return

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "My Perfect Stranger". Aired: May 1 – June 20, 2023.*
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A man, who seeks the truth behind a serial m*rder case, and a woman, who wants to prevent the marriage of her parents, realize that their goals are connected.

01x02 - The Reason We Can't Return

Post by bunniefuu »

(All characters, organizations,

locations, and incidents)

(in this drama are fictitious.)

In retrospect, it was truly an odd night.

The darned weather, the crazy GPS,

and the cell phone.

And that was when it showed up

in front of me.

In there, the manual explained

how to use the time machine.

The time machine that shows up

in novels or movies.

Have I ever even imagined a world

without my mom?

When I say, "Mom," no one in this world

can answer now.

Exactly a year from now, I will die

in the year when I turn 35.

That's because the culprit

who kills me is the real culprit

of the serial m*rder case

in Woojung-ri in 1987.

This was also found

at the scene of my m*rder.

That was the culprit's signature in 1987.

Mom.

We have just arrived in the year, 1987.

And there's no way to go back.

We're stuck here.

(My Perfect Stranger, Episode 2,

The Reason We Can't Return)

KSBC Anchor Yoon Hae Jun

who had gone missing

is suspected to have been m*rder*d

by the river in Gangwon Province.

The discovery of the m*rder scene

shocked many people.

The pool of blood found at the scene

was tested for DNA. And it showed

it belonged to Anchor Yoon.

The whereabouts of the anchor

are still unknown.

People are wondering if this will be

a m*rder case without a body.

("KSBC Anchor Yoon Hae Jun

Has Been Missing for a Week")

("Is It a m*rder Case Without a Body?")

(Episode 2)

Gosh.

Goodness.

Darn.

Gosh.

At 10:40 p.m. on May 9, 1987,

I had just arrived here,

and my only way out of here

had completely been destroyed.

Gosh. I can't believe this.

(Celebrating the Hosting

of Seoul Olympics)

Come on. What's up with today?

Wait.

Are you okay? Your forehead is also

Yes. I'm okay.

Oh, my.

How many foreheads

am I going to break today?

I ought to take better care of

my shoulders now.

(Jidong's Steamed Buns and Dumplings)

(Sun and Moon Record Shop)

Gosh.

I'm sorry. I'll explain everything.

Sorry?

You must already be in a state of shock.

But the situation is worse

than you'd expect.

We have just

arrived in the year, 1987.

And there's no way

to go back.

We're stuck here.

Are you serious?

Yes. Don't be too scared.

I'll do whatever it takes

Then

This is real. Goodness.

What

Excuse me.

You're laughing?

Did you hurt your head severely?

No.

Wait. Are you okay?

Sorry.

Come on.

(Beware of dogs)

So he's telling me this is real?

Mom is alive now?

Welcome.

Hello.

Welcome.

(Moon Night)

Mom.

(Moon Night)

Hey! One, two, three, four!

- The one on the left.

- Yu Ri.

Yu Ri!

Yu Ri. Where's the restroom?

Find it yourself.

- Let's go!

- Let's go!

(Moon Night)

- Mom.

- What?

I'm not dreaming, right?

Please, don't do this.

It's real.

This is really happening.

She's real.

Mom.

It's me, Yoon Young.

Weren't you scared?

How could you leave like that?

How was I supposed to live?

No, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Mom.

It was just that I was

kind of embarrassed

that I ignored you

in case I looked too shabby.

I didn't want to

show it to you.

That's why I ignored you.

I'm sorry for what I did, Mom.

I thought

there would be a lot of time left for us.

I thought you'd wait for me.

You look the same, Mom.

Are you

Do you recognize me?

Do you recognize me?

- Yes.

- He opened his eyes.

Goodness, you're the treasure of our town,

and you could've died before your time.

Mr. Yoon!

Stop! Stop hitting me.

I didn't hit you.

Seeing how he's bleeding,

I think we should take him

to the hospital.

- Right.

- No, it's all right.

I need to look for someone.

Goodness,

- you can't die yet, Mr. Yoon!

- Oh gosh, this can't be happening.

How can you die

when you saved all our kids?

Remember the superglue incident

from last month?

You do, right, Mr. Yoon?

This won't do. Carry him on your back!

Oh, right. Get on my back.

- No, it's fine.

- Get on his back.

- I'm still alive!

- Hurry.

- Just get on my back!

- Get on his back. Get a grip.

- Stop it!

- I'm totally fine.

Go on. What were you going to say?

Are you

Are you high on superglue?

What are you saying?

Are you going to hit me or something?

I just want to go home.

Mom

Mom, what's wrong with you?

Why would I hit you?

Mom.

Mom, it's me, Yoon Young.

Mom, don't cry.

I'm sorry!

Gosh, that hurts

Oh, my love

When the breeze open the window

Let your moonlight smile shine

My dream of happiness will come true

Oh, my

What was that? Come on.

Stop right there!

- What's wrong with him?

- Darn it.

We will start our crackdown on minors.

Those who have your ID on them,

take it out.

Those who don't have it

better turn themselves in.

- Hurry up and get out.

- Get out.

- Get out.

- Get out.

I'm really fine. I can walk.

No, Mr. Yoon.

- Stay still.

- We must go to the hospital.

It's that way.

- Okay.

- Hang in there.

Seriously

There was a blood stain

on her forehead too.

And she had a scarf

with red dots on her neck.

- She was just like

- Stop!

- Where?

- Sorry?

Hello, sir.

Oh, hey.

Where did you see her?

Where did the girl

with a red-dotted scarf go?

That way.

Gosh. Goodness.

You can't go in there.

Dong Sik is there, though.

- Dong Sik is here?

- Yes.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Take out your IDs in advance

and get them ready.

Put your hands up straight.

Excuse me. What's going on?

Can't you see?

They're checking our IDs.

Take yours out already.

Unless you want to end up

at the police station with them.

So that's how the IDs look like here.

There are IDs

that look different from this?

That means you're a spy.

I think you made

the wrong choice of words.

Sorry.

You punks. What are you doing here?

- Mr. Yoon.

- Mr. Yoon.

"Mr. Yoon?"

I told you numerous times

to get your act together.

How dare you come to a nightclub

when you're high school seniors?

Come out here.

Mr. Yoon

Please forgive us!

- Seniors?

- Forgive us.

- Mr. Yoon.

- What are you waiting for?

Come here.

Mr. Yoon!

- She's not in our school.

- Yes, you.

Why are you feigning ignorance there?

Mr. Yoon!

What do you think you're doing?

Detective Baek Dong Sik.

Five days from now,

right after 2 m*rder cases

and 1 missing case,

he suddenly quits his job

after having worked diligently.

He's someone who will

leave this town and go off the grid.

He goes off the grid for 30 years.

What did you say?

What's wrong with a teacher

taking his students?

How could you put it that way?

The police are taking offenders,

and you shouldn't

get in the way like that.

Don't try to threaten the youngsters

by calling them "offenders."

Why don't you do your job

and catch the real criminals?

What did you say?

Because you didn't do

your job right, things got mixed up.

What you just said

What do you mean by that?

Goodness, I appreciate your work,

Dong Sik.

- Gosh, sir.

- Hey.

Goodness, you're a father,

but you can't go home

when it's already late.

This won't do.

- I'll give a scolding to Chief Kim.

- Look at your clothes.

- You brat. You're out of your mind.

- Dad.

- It's nothing like that.

- You should go home, at least.

You should go home.

I'll take you.

- Oh, will you?

- Yes.

Then shall I get in the police car

since it's been a while?

Yes, sure. Let's go.

Hold on.

Come to the principal's office

until 8 a.m. on Monday.

- Let us go, sir.

- Yes, let's go.

Sure.

- Follow me.

- Dad.

Dad!

Detective Baek?

Yes, I'm coming, sir!

(Moon Night)

Thank you. Have a safe trip home!

Wait.

Where are you going?

I'm going to take care of the things

I couldn't because of someone

I wasn't supposed to save.

Who are you, by the way?

Are you finally curious about my identity?

It was too hectic back there, so

Besides, things are

quite extraordinary right now.

You know that it's extraordinary,

yet, you're poking around here and there?

Are you here for a tour?

Why on earth did you go into a nightclub?

That's

What about you?

Who on earth are you?

How come you look so natural

in this place at this hour?

You're him, right?

The one who hit me with a car.

It's beyond my understanding

why it took someone of sound mind

that much time to figure that out.

Yes, it is me.

Follow me.

You'll understand it faster if I show you.

So, this is not a normal car.

It's a time machine.

And you're a time traveler.

I got hit by this car

and traveled back to 1987.

Is that the story?

- That's amazing.

- "Amazing?"

That's what you think,

seeing my car like this?

I'm not the one who caused this, am I?

Why didn't I think of that?

Why did I think it was only my problem?

Why did you get hit?

What?

How and why did you end up

being hit by my car?

Is there a way to get hit?

I got hit because you hit me

as the driver.

No, you don't know how this works.

This car can't bump into things.

It becomes transparent.

I've been traveling between

countless points in time

at least twice a day

for the past two months,

but this never happened.

You didn't just get hit

but also followed me here.

Which of us is likely to be

a variable here?

A variable.

Does anything come to mind?

The music. Isn't it the music?

- What?

- Right. It was a Sanullim song.

It was so loud that

I was hurting my ears outside.

Laying silk in my heart

What does that have to do with this?

Did you make a call or something?

Make a call?

(Speaker)

Hello.

What? Hello?

You did.

Isn't it likely to lead to an accident

when you do such a thing while driving?

Look. It's designed not to crash

in the first place.

It can't be covered

by insurance here, anyway.

What are we arguing for?

Gosh.

I was just asking to see

If it could help me fix it.

Do you have a place to get back to?

You said you were a teacher here.

It looks like she didn’t really

watch the news.

I was just on a trip.

The timeline you live in is

my home ground too.

I just got a job

to have an identity for safety.

You and I are in the same position

since we don’t belong here.

Which means we could be

in a dangerous situation.

Especially for you.

Hey, Mr. Yoon!

Are you all right?

Sir, I'm sorry for the trouble

at this late hour.

Oh, my.

Did something happen to your car?

He seems to know a lot of people

for a person who is not

supposed to be here.

Hello, we're G-Rock. Thank you!

- Let's go!

- Let's do this!

Stop thinking

And start talking

Stop the boring stuff

And start speaking your heart out

My body's fidgeting. I'm in a knot

I'm hesitating, feeling unsure

My face is turning red

I'm hesitating, feeling unsure

- Goodness.

- Oh, my.

- Gosh.

- Did I break your head?

I'm okay.

No.

I can't break 3 heads in 1 night,

so I should always be careful.

Wait. Stay away.

Let's keep that distance.

What is with him?

Are you okay? You've been walking

in a weird way.

I'm all right.

I can't be covered

by insurance here, anyway.

What about you?

I should be okay.

It'd get a little complicated

if I died here.

It'd be the death of a person

who was never born.

There is no way I can take

responsibility for this.

This sweet, salty snack is

the solution to everything.

Gosh. It's the worst.

Oh, dear.

Come on in first.

Drink some.

You could keep living here.

Are you cursing me?

Well, I have to crash here

because I don't even have a house.

I'll fix the car by any means.

Stay here until it's fixed.

Try not to go out

since it could be dangerous.

Why? What is dangerous?

Didn't you feel that way

at the club earlier?

Do you have an ID?

What about a job? Do you have one?

I could be a spy.

I'll be careful.

Most of all, you could become

a danger yourself.

If you drop a seed here by accident,

it'll become a tree in 30 years.

Your one action can completely

change someone's future.

I'll keep that in mind.

- Hey.

- Mom!

- Why are you so strong?

- Let me go, Mom.

You brat! You went to a nightclub?

You want to get on my nerves

just like your older sister.

- No, Mom.

- Right? Shut it!

I don't need any of you. Just move out.

Goodness.

Honey, you've scolded her enough.

You can't kick her out

in the middle of the night.

What? If you have complaints,

get out of the house with her.

- Mom.

- What?

- Mom.

- How could you?

Mom, I'm sorry.

Soon Ae, take the punishment

for a little while.

Oh, my.

It looks like Mr. Yoon is home.

Given the fact

that she called him a teacher,

she must go to school nearby.

Her house must be

in this neighborhood, then.

Is that why I ended up in Woojung-ri?

Because it's Mom's hometown?

Is that why I was sent

all the way here, Mom?

Are you really okay with sleeping here?

I feel comfortable here.

If you need anything

while staying here, let me know.

Clothes, food, or drinks.

Being a rich, jobless person is

a dream I've had for a long time.

Enjoy it while it lasts

since it won't take long.

I'm a better handyman than you think.

That's good.

Thank you for everything today.

You must've been quite frightened today.

Don't worry too much,

and just get some rest.

I'll get you back home in no time.

This is k*lling me.

I'm utterly clueless.

Darn it.

(The first m*rder)

I must send her back before that

no matter what.

Mr. Yoon!

(Lee Hyung Man)

Mr. Yoon!

Mr. Yoon. Gosh.

Hello.

It's 7 a.m. on a Sunday.

What's going on, Mr. Lee?

I was wondering

- if your forehead was okay.

- Gosh.

- I see. I'm all right. Thank you.

- Okay.

Then come with me.

Go where?

Don't tell me

you're not going to participate

in the Woojung-ri Family Walkathon.

I'm hosting it.

I already put your name on the T-shirt.

I see. I don't have a family here.

And I'm busy.

There's someone in the same boat as you.

And that person needs a partner.

- Let's go.

- Pardon?

- No. I was in the middle of

- All right.

I'm sure you'll have a blast

once you get there.

Nice. That was some impeccable timing.

By the way, how can I find Mom's house?

Gosh.

Mom.

The superglue lady?

Wait. This is my mother's house?

Gosh. This is a miracle.

It's a miracle!

Why do you keep following me?

Because

I like you.

It's fascinating.

And I missed you too.

Did your mom pass away?

Yesterday in the restroom

Is that why you're staying

with your relative?

I'm Lee Soon Ae.

That's my name.

I don't know

if it's because I resemble her

or because you've been sniffing superglue.

But don't call me Mom.

It really scares me.

Then can I follow you?

Soon Ae.

Soon Ae.

Lee Soon Ae.

Soon Ae.

(Woojung General Store)

Do you work here every Sunday?

No.

Usually, my parents take turns

working here.

But they have the Walkathon today.

So I'm filling in for them.

I see.

Are you going to stay there?

I have to work now.

Okay. I won't get in your way.

I'll be outside looking around.

(Kim Seung Jin)

(Ticket Office)

Yoon Young.

Mom, what are you doing here?

Your father goes to the hospital nearby.

I was so surprised to see you

when we were walking by.

Are you busy?

- No.

- Look how slim your face got.

- You'll ruin my makeup.

- Okay.

The writer will be here?

Yes. Won't you be late

for the doctor's appointment?

There was a time when I dreamed

of becoming a novelist.

That's not easy.

What's the plot?

Can you give me a signed book too?

You're going to read it?

That's fine. You won't even read it.

Let's go now.

Right.

My eyes are getting bad these days.

Why would I read books?

- Bye.

- Okay.

- Don't skip your meals.

- Okay. Bye.

I'd be alone after the breakup

And I'd cry with a broken heart

I knew I'd regret it when she left

But why couldn't I tell her that?

Gosh.

As long as I can find some members,

I can easily form a band.

But then again,

who would have musical instruments

in the countryside?

(Woojung Transportation)

Hey.

(Direct)

- Thanks.

- Okay.

- Gosh. See you tomorrow.

- Thanks.

- I'll be there tomorrow.

- Bye.

Bye.

Goodness.

- Did everyone get off?

- Yes, they did.

Gosh.

How can he not be on time for the bus?

Mom liked reading books.

If it hadn't been for us,

she would have read

all the books she wanted.

This

can't be a coincidence.

How did I end up meeting Mom

when she was 19?

I'm sure there's a reason behind that.

I really want to turn back time, Dad.

If I could go back to the past,

I would go way back.

So that Mom wouldn't have to

love you or me.

I'll make her live happily

all her life by herself.

I'll make sure she lives.

Mom got married in 1988.

And she said she had met Dad a year ago.

How can he miss the bus? Seriously.

What time are you looking to take the bus?

Are you all right?

I think

I need to go to the hospital.

Oh, gosh.

(Woojung General Store)

Soon Ae, what happened?

He suddenly flopped down after seeing me.

My heart suddenly

It started beating like crazy.

It was as if ten or more drums

were being played.

- Oh, my.

- Careful.

- What's your name, by the way?

- Sorry?

I'm Baek Hee Sub.

And what's your name?

Oh, gosh.

Wait, you're the first forehead.

What are you trying to pull here?

I need to talk to you.

Soon Ae, get back inside.

- So

- Come here.

So it's Soon Ae.

Come on.

Get back inside!

- You're quite strong.

- Come here.

- What's the matter?

- Come!

- What's wrong with you?

- Just come!

They kind of look alike.

They're both so weird.

Is your forehead all right?

I guess your heart is feeling okay now.

It seems to be totally fine.

You're right.

Are your legs okay?

- Try running.

- Run?

They're fine.

Since when did you speak in dialect?

Since I was born.

You're asking so many weird questions.

What's going on here?

You

Don't you dare come near Soon Ae.

Bread?

Gosh, you're studying hard

as usual, our literary girl.

Hey, girls.

Come on out. We have somewhere to be.

But my mom will tell me off

if I leave now.

It'll only take a second.

We want to do something fun

at school tomorrow.

We wanted to plan ahead.

Plan?

Why must I do that?

Who are you to tell me what to do?

I

am Soon Ae's BF, okay?

What? BF?

What on earth is that?

It means I'm her closest friend

in this world, okay?

That's how close Soon Ae and I are.

I'm sorry about bumping into your head

and cracking it yesterday.

Forget it.

As long as I'm here,

you'll never get a chance with my Soon Ae.

So quit now

before you develop more feelings.

Why do you not like me?

"Why?"

I know who you are,

what kind of person you are,

and how light and insignificant

your love is.

I've seen it all.

What

Who are you to say that?

How would you know?

Hee Sub.

Yu Sub!

- Uncle Yu Sub?

- What took you so long?

Just wait and see!

You'll eventually grow fond of me.

- One, two, three, four,

- One, two, three, four,

- five, six, seven, eight.

- five, six, seven, eight.

- Two, two, three, four,

- Two, two, three, four,

- five, six, seven, eight.

- five, six, seven, eight.

Now to the legs.

- Two, four

- My goodness.

- Five, six, seven, eight.

- Five, six, seven, eight.

- Two, two, three, four,

- Two, two, three, four,

- five, six, seven, eight.

- five, six, seven, eight.

- One, two, three, four,

- One, two, three, four,

- five, six

- five Goodness.

Who are you waiting for?

My grandson.

(Spring, 2024)

He disappeared right here.

You can't even recognize him.

My grandson disappeared right here.

Please find him.

Some might think

you cherished that grandson.

What are you doing here? You said

you couldn't stand the sight of him!

- Two, three

- Two, three

- Five, six, seven, eight.

- Five, six, seven, eight.

- Two, two, three, four.

- Mr. Yoon.

- Over here.

- Five, six, seven, eight.

- One more time.

- One more time.

- You've got this!

- Let's go!

(Woojung-ri Family Walkathon)

Come on, honey! Hurry up!

Goodness. Hurry up!

- Gosh, seriously.

- We're almost there.

Gosh.

I didn't even expect to join

the walkathon this year,

but I'm really glad I did.

I could only be on the sidelines

and clap for them.

I see.

I heard the prize

for third place is a Walkman.

I think we can win that much.

All you have is money.

Gosh, you're so cheap.

The only family I have is my son,

but I sent him to the US to study.

Waiting for his return

is the only joy in life.

Since when did you adore him so much?

Sorry? What have you

been mumbling all this time?

You need to speed up

if you want to win third place.

Third place? Right, the Walkman.

(Yoon Byung Gu)

Mr. Yoon.

Wait for me!

It's a Family Walkathon.

Why did he give me this

when he wanted it so much?

(Stereo radio cassette player)

I'll only be able to fix it if I go back.

I told her not to go outside,

but she couldn't even last a day.

It's almost as if she'd had this planned.

Goodness.

Gosh.

(Bong Bong Teahouse)

(Women who read are dangerous.)

What is this doing here?

(Women who read are dangerous.)

Both Dad and Uncle

seem so different.

(Woojung General Store)

No. Even if it's a prank, it's too mean.

So? You don't want to do it?

You just need to pretend to have lost it.

I can't lie about having my things stolen

when I actually haven't.

And it's one of our classmates.

It's too harsh.

You're acting all innocent again.

Gosh.

(Kim Seung Jin)

("A Room of One's Own")

(Lee Soon Ae)

Mom,

I know you snuck a peek

at all my diaries leading up to college.

We're even now.

(Ticket Office)

I

hate fake people.

Those who act like

they don't know anything

that has to do with bad

or dirty things in this world.

People like you.

Soon Ae!

Soon Ae!

Help!

Help!

Soon Ae!

Mom!

Gosh, what should we do?

Soon Ae, are you okay?

What's wrong with you guys?

Why were you just watching

when your friend was practically drowning?

We thought she was joking.

Is a person's life a joke to you?

I see.

Should I start joking around too?

Who are you to get involved?

How annoying.

Ko Mi Sook.

Dear Y,

from time to time, whenever I feel lonely,

I picture a small door inside my head.

I am sitting alone in a small room

with absolutely no light.

Why is this

This is your first novel

released in 1987, "Small Door."

You wrote this

remarkable novel when you were only 19.

Don't you know

how many people became fans

because of your first novel?

I'm the first fan of yours.

Right?

You're Ko Mi Sook, right?

How do you know my name?

Soon Ae, are you okay?

Are you sure you don't need to

go to the hospital?

I'm going home.

Let's go, Soon Ae.

Let's go.

There's a big hospital

at our town's intersection.

My mom's a doctor there.

If her condition gets worse,

make sure to take her there.

I'll put in a good word.

Come on. Let's go, Soon Ae.

I'm sorry, Soon Ae.

See you at school tomorrow.

I'm sorry. I'm not good at swimming.

I caused such an inconvenience.

Do all those girls

attend the same school as you?

Even Ko Mi Sook?

Yes, we're friends in the same class.

They just stood and watched you

drown. How are they your friends?

You can be honest with me.

Do they bully you?

No.

They were just joking.

"Joking?"

How is that a joke, Soon Ae?

Can you just pretend it never happened?

Still, they're the only friends

I can talk to

at school.

People don't really seem to like me.

So no one wants to talk to me.

That's why

I need to continue

being friends with them.

And everything needs to be a joke.

So

So what I'm saying is

I want to die.

Hey, Lee Soon Ae!

What are you doing over there?

Hurry up and come inside.

Please keep what happened today a secret.

Go back inside.

(Congratulations

on hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics.)

Have you ever

realized how someone felt,

but it was too late?

If only I had realized a little earlier.

If only I had known a bit faster,

everything could've changed.

But that's not the case here.

In this place, it's not too late.

Nothing has happened yet.

I'm sorry,

but I don't think I can go back just yet.

There's something I must do here.

(My Perfect Stranger)

I need to go to school.

If I remove my makeup,

I don't look my age.

Do you think that makes sense?

You want to go as a student,

not a teacher?

I need to see your ID for real this time.

Her identity is verified?

She is a senior in Class One

at Woojung High School.

What happened?

Aren't you glad to see me?

Unbelievable. What nonsense.

The list of prime suspects.

Three people.

I'm going to move as close as possible.

I'll blend in with them

and keep my eyes on them.

The school is my starting point.