[Hwa-yeong] You must've wondered about what happened back in the US.
The reason for why I just walked out on you then.
[melancholic music playing]
I'm going back to Korea.
I'm sorry to leave while you're going through all this.
Forget everything and focus on your treatment.
[sobbing]
You're telling me, finally?
It's an ugly story.
It's actually a lot worse than you can imagine.
I don't say this lightly, but you've gotta brace yourself.
Seven years ago, I found out that
a US company, which was partially funded by a Korean asset management firm,
had major financial issues and was going under.
I learned that one of the primary investors in that company
-was Lee Dae-ho. -Dae-ho?
[sinister music playing]
Yes, Lee Dae-ho.
Your brother and Chairman.
He realized that I was investigating that asset firm,
and he threatened me with serious consequences.
And early that morning…
you got into that horrible accident.
You're telling me that the person who caused the accident was--
Lee Dae-ho, yes.
[sighs]
I was worried sick.
Running the story could mean
that he'd actually commit to killing his own brother, so…
leaving was the only thing I felt I could do.
Your brother has done lots and lots of terrible things, you know?
There was somebody he even…
I'm sorry, I…
I can't listen to any more of this.
[breathing shakily]
[humming]
[horn honks]
[menacing, tense music playing]
[gasps]
Ms. Wi Jeong-sin.
We've met, right?
Well, you never responded to me, and suddenly you appear out of thin air.
You need to be worthy of my time. It's a currency, you know.
But since you keep overstepping boundaries,
I feel like we should, uh, have a quick chat.
Why aren't you firing me?
[chuckles]
Firing you?
If things were that simple, I think you know I wouldn't be standing here.
I've always dealt with things by either making people quit
or by erasing the problem completely.
-Are you threatening me? -Of course not.
You can just think of it as my genuine advice for you.
I guess you've erased many of us without a trace.
[sighs]
I'm advising you to drop what you're working on.
If you keep pushing this, it's not gonna end well.
You're wasting your time.
I won't stop digging.
All right.
You've made things clear, thank you.
Now, I will have no choice.
I have to take matters into my own hands.
[Dae-ho] Mmm.
[ominous music playing]
[tense music playing]
Whoa, whoa!
[music fades]
What a crazy bastard!
[shudders] Geez.
[breathing shakily]
[sinister music playing]
Ms. Wi. Don't say I didn't warn you.
[rhythmic breathing]
[somber music playing]
EPISODE 14
[Hwa-yeong] Wi Jeong-sin is the only person
who can stop your brother right now.
You need to publish her article.
Can you do that?
Sports Eunseong needs to publish what she wrote.
I'm begging you.
Huh?
Hey, this door's locked too!
[Ji-sun] What?
You sure you didn't get the right schedule wrong?
Uh, call up the AD, will ya?
6:30 is when we're supposed to be
-on the set. -[sighs]
[voicemail] The person you are trying to reach is not available.
-Not picking up. -[line clicks]
Come on!
[amusing music playing]
-[sighs] -[phone buzzing]
Hello? Yeah.
Oh, really?
All right. Well, you can go home then. Thanks, Gil-su.
-What did he say? -[gasps, winces]
Oh, he said… [sighs] …he went to the production office
and kept hammering on the door, but no one was opened.
No one seemed to be there.
-The lights were off in the studio. -Well, this is unbelievable.
Ridiculous. Who do these brats think they are, huh?
-Damn it. -[stammers] Hyeon-jun.
-You need to take it easy. Just calm down. -Calm down? How can I calm down right now?
He asked me to be in the show, so I agreed,
and now he's trying to rile up the staff against me,
simply because he's the director?
Mr. Hwang, I want an apology from Byeong-gi right now!
If they don't apologize immediately, I won't be shooting!
-Hyeon-jun, don't. -Tell them right now!
[Ji-sun sighs]
And how am I gonna tell them this right now
when the lights are off and no one's there? [sobbing]
Geez!
[moody music playing]
[sighs]
Huh?
No one seemed to be there.
The lights were off in the studio.
[sighs]
[music fades]
[gasps]
Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it?
GOOD DETECTIVE KANG PIL-GU
[grunts]
Oh, my precious trophy. How many years has it been?
How are you doing?
All right. Ready. Action!
-Cut, cut, cut, cut! Action! -Don't stop, but don't call cut.
-Just keep going. Just let it play out. -Action!
Are you all right?
Hyeon-jun, one more take. Right away.
Cut!
-Cut! Cut! -Don't flatter yourself.
You've never worked with Bong Joon-ho or Park Chan-wook.
Action!
-What? -Let's try that again.
They say you can't really fix people.
But…
I know I can.
-[Byeong-gi] Cut! Okay! -[crew cheering]
I'm always gonna try and stick to the mindset
which has brought me to this point.
Thank you.
You must have felt pretty cooped up stuck in that dark box, I bet, huh?
[chuckles]
Wow, I've had all this stuff in here.
[amusing, determined music playing]
Kill Kang Pil-gu, yeah! Kill Kang Pil-gu!
I get into a major accident,
and then I get a crazy surgery and look totally different.
Then another actor can take over as Kang Pil-gu. Seamless.
Well, couldn't she just push me against the wall and finish it there?
I mean, this is a workplace. Isn't this crossing the line just a bit too much?
Kang Pil-gu turning into a corrupt cop.
Think we could tweak that part a little, so it lands better? Hmm?
It's writer's job to make the audience think it's real.
He's actually gone?
GOOD DETECTIVE KANG PIL-GU 5
[Hyeon-jun grunts] Stop it, Director Bak!
Have you forgotten everything we talked about?
-You can't do this! -Shut it, all right?
Director Bak, listen.
-Just keep your mouth shut. -This is gonna ruin everything!
It's me, your friend Kang Pil-gu.
You can't do this, dude!
This will completely destroy everything!
-Stop, don't do this! No! -Yes, I can.
Yes, yes, I'm doing it, I'm doing it, I'm doing it.
[sighs]
[chairman] What's up with Hyeon-jun?
He's forgetting parts of the dialogue, messing up the action scenes.
And then he leaves the set 'cause he doesn't wanna wait around?
-Come on! -I think things just…
[inhales sharply] …they were just spiraling.
I-It was out of control because of all the notes,
the director was constantly revising the script… That's a tough one. I mean…
Yeah, I mean, a lot of what happened was Hyeon-jun's fault.
[sighs] The truth is I'm frustrated about this myself.
So we have Hyeon-jun walking off the set,
and Mr. Bak stops the shoot.
This power struggle's going way too far, you know. Is Kang Pil-gu coming to an end?
-Do you want that? -Oh, come on. No.
You've gotta understand I have tried everything at my disposal.
[sucks teeth] W-W-Where's the Kang Pil-gu we all love, huh?
What happened to that wonderful sparkle?
I just wonder if it's gone.
He's become a totally different person!
And our production won't survive that, you know?
I promise I will talk to Hyeon-jun.
I'm seriously
gonna put him in his place.
We need to bring back the spark!
-Yes, the spark! -[elevator dings]
[door opens]
[menacing heavy metal music playing]
Up until now, I've compromised a lot.
I obliged the lead actor and changed the script whenever he wanted me to.
I bent over backwards to satisfy the production company's needs, did everything
to ensure that all of you were happy while sacrificing my integrity.
BEST DIRECTOR AWARD BAK BYEONG-GI
But I've decided that things are gonna change.
I will return to the mindset which I started out with!
The mindset of making independent films with passion!
I don't need your supervision.
I want to create, and create I will, you understand?
I will give this everything I've got,
and none of you corporate fools have a chance at stopping me!
I warn you, don't even try.
[music fades]
[door opens]
[Ji-sun shudders]
I'm terrified. Am I overreacting?
He had a wild look in his eyes. That was scary.
Mr. Hwang, what are you gonna do?
We need Hyeon-jun to find the spark he once had.
-[sighs, sobbing] Why? -[phone buzzing]
[sighs]
There's a call for you.
[inhales sharply] Oh, yeah. Sorry.
[sighs]
Yes? Hwang Ji-sun speaking.
[chairman] This is Eunseong Group's Corporate Planning Office.
I'm calling to inform you
that as of today you've been dismissed as CEO, following a board resolution.
-The dismissal takes effect immediately. -Hang on a second. I've been dismissed?
I'm not sure I understand. You're telling me…
You're saying I'm fired?
Fired? You? Why?
I don't have a clue, man. I don't know.
I wanted to know why I was dismissed,
and he told me it's just a decision the board made. That's all.
-You might've imagined it? -This sound like a joke to you?
Hold on. Remember Ms. Wi coming to the office the other day?
-Mm-hmm. -That day she said she wanted
to see our financial statements, which was completely out of the blue.
But if these trends continue, King's Back will be in danger.
She said something about the company being in trouble.
Why didn't you tell me that though?
She's really smart. She wouldn't have said that for no reason.
Hang on a second. That's not all.
Right after they fired me, I thought, "I gotta get to the office,
-and check our statements right away." -Mm-hmm.
But, suddenly, they wouldn't let me in. You know what the reason was?
There was construction going on.
-A pipe had burst, they said. -All of a sudden?
-Isn't that strange? -Mm-hmm.
[smacks lips, inhales sharply] You think this is a case for the police?
Or should you report this to the Ministry of Employment and Labor instead?
I do it?
[sighs]
[mysterious music playing]
Owning a building like this, in the heart of Gangnam,
is truly impressive.
Do you know who Ha Gee-wan is?
During the Cheongwon City redevelopment,
Ha Gee-wan gave you a large sum of money for letting him use your name in return.
How dare you make false accusations like that!
Nonsense.
-What're you trying to pull here? -I think what's nonsensical
is you buying a 40-billion-won building completely in cash,
-without taking a single loan. -We've never heard of Ha Gee-wan before,
and we have nothing more to say to you, so please leave.
Your brother did not commit suicide.
I'm sure you want to believe that's the case.
Though, you've already suspected the truth.
I'm not asking you to tell me everything right this minute.
But know this.
I won't stop until your brother's name has been completely vindicated.
No matter how much time it takes.
When you are ready to talk,
you can give me a call.
REPORTER WI JEONG-SIN SPORTS EUNSEONG
[phone buzzing]
LIM HYEON-JUN
[clearing throat]
Yes, Wi Jeong-sin speaking.
Hi, where are you right now?
I'm out. What is it?
Sorry, could you come over? Like, come over as soon as possible?
-Come to my place. -Your place?
Um, what's going on?
Come over and you'll see.
Just hurry up please. Bye!
-Hang on a minute. -[line clicks]
[comical, intriguing music playing]
What's going on?
Why come over?
[sighs]
[Ji-sun panting] Ms. Wi!
-Mr. Hwang, I didn't expect you here. -Yeah.
Here's the thing. So Mr. Hwang got fired from his own company.
They just axed him as CEO.
-Crazy, right? -Mm-hmm.
And I thought that you might have some insight,
and we could perhaps, y'know, brainstorm together.
-Um, what… Y-Y-You got fired? -Yes!
Do you remember when you came to the office that day?
You were saying something about our financial statements didn't look right.
Remember?
Tell me. Why did you say that?
Ms. Wi, I really desperately need your help. Can you help me? Huh?
-Hey, chill out. -I see.
Uh, were given any reason for the dismissal?
[stammers] A reason?
-A reason… -What?
Yeah! They…
were suddenly talking about conducting due diligence,
and the… [stammers] MOU…
-Or was it an MOW? -Just speak clearly.
-Um, M… MO-MO-MOU! Yeah, MOU. -Come on, speak clearly.
[stammers] They asked me to stamp the MOU with our official seal,
-all of a sudden. -And did you do that?
Hey! No, I didn't!
I asked if they could actually lay out what I was asked to do here in detail.
And then what happens the following day? They fire me just like that!
-None of this actually makes sense. Why-- -All right!
Listen to me, both of you. I've got something to explain to you,
-and I'm gonna need your full attention. -Okay.
-Mm-hmm. -[Jeong-sin] All of this goes back to
Chairman Lee Dae-ho's long-standing relationship with Ha Gee-wan,
the current FSS Director.
Lee supported Ha's political campaigns with his own funds
in return for leverage to help Lee.
During the Cheongwon City redevelopment,
Ha had given information about the project to Lee,
who then got the land for a low price,
-resulting in huge profits. -Ugh.
He then bought up entertainment agencies,
including King's Back, to launder the money he made.
Ugh, geez!
-Wow, this is a real catch, huh? -So you're saying
this Lee Dae-ho guy is a very bad dude here, right?
You're saying that bastard used my company to illegally launder money?
Is that true? He used my company for that?
So now, the Chairman is facing a very serious cash crunch.
His buildings costs are even more expensive than he thought.
He's trying to put out the fire
by selling off King's Back and his other companies at a high price.
That means, the MOU you mentioned
is another step in his plan to sell King's Back.
That son of a--
Oh, so he just sold off our company to, um, make a bunch of money?
And Mr. Hwang was in the way, so he just got rid of him, correct?
-That's what happened. -[scoffs]
-That really hurts. -Hold on a minute.
What are we supposed to do now that we know?
Just sit back and let the guy walk all over us?
Not at all. If we want to strike back, we've got to get the evidence first.
-Mr. Hwang. -Yes?
Let's go to your office tomorrow.
We'll grab all the materials we need.
-Oh, uh… -Thank you. Ms. Wi.
Now, I feel like I've got an entire army with me in this fight.
-Thank you! [exclaims] Whoa! [groans] -Take it easy.
-[Jeong-sin sighs] -[Ji-sun sobbing] Thank you so much.
-Thank you. -Thanks for doing this. Mmm.
[tender music playing]
Oh. [chuckles]
[sighs] Hmm.
IMPERIAL PRINT
Man, it's been a while.
How is this car still functional? Huh?
Wow. [chuckles]
Remember when you gave the print shop to my uncle?
-He's been driving it since that day. -Ah.
I wanted to bring this car along so you could "Find Your Spark" again.
Now you're gonna give me that crap too?
Rediscover my spark and all that. Ugh.
[scoffs] I forgot how tiny this is.
This car's so small, right?
Just try not to get into any fights today onset.
Hey, I don't wanna have any fights either.
Director Bak still isn't done with the script yet, so,
I played the villain to buy him some time,
so he wouldn't look bad in front of the crew.
[inhales sharply] I wonder if Miss Wi and Mr. Hwang are doing okay?
[groans] I should've gone with those two.
Ugh. [scoffs]
Listen, you can't stop me from entering, it's my office.
-I'm sorry, you can't. -And why's he not allowed in?
He just wants to get his personal stuff from in there.
You don't have the right to stand here and refuse him entry.
Just following the chairman's orders. No one's allowed in the office.
If you got a problem with that, speak to him.
So the chairman gave the order?
Hey, dude. Honestly, there's no need to make such a fuss about this.
I mean, come on, do we really need to involve the chairman, dude?
No one needs to know, okay?
Do you see that over there? I'll just grab my laptop,
and perhaps the designer slippers my wife gave me, that's all.
I'll be out in just a moment, okay dudes? [chuckles]
Damn it, I said you can't go in. Are you deaf?
-Huh? -[Ji-sun] Did you just push me?
Oh, you wanna be tough, huh?
-I'm going in, you bastards! [grunts] -[Ms. Wi gasps]
What are you doing? Assaulting a man? Come on, now!
-Let her go, you bastards! -[clamoring]
You let her go right now!
Let go. Let go! I'm not leaving, you bastards, I'm not leaving!
I told you to let go!
IMPERIAL PRINT
Hello there.
Hello.
Mr. Bak.
-Ah. -Good morning.
Hi. Good morning.
-Go get ready. -Okay.
Uh, we need to set up the staircase.
So you've got nothing to tell me?
What do you wanna hear?
[sighs]
Is the script finished now?
The script, yep.
Good to hear, finally.
What's that?
Why are you wearing your film festival trophy
around your neck?
It's like that Imperial Print car.
-A reminder of how it all started. -Huh?
It is going to serve as a necessary reminder
of my purity and the creative passion I once had.
By keeping it close I'm not in danger of forgetting about it.
Come on, Director Bak, hey, you-- Would you please--
Oh, lord, he's such a nutjob. I just can't, this is completely crazy.
Why does he have to get so weird whenever he's directing a project?
Ugh, seriously.
Kang Pil-gu has become a corrupt cop,
he's a totally different character than he was.
Meaning he's a total scumbag who will take perks,
as well as cash from drug addicts.
-Oh, come on. Seriously. -But the way you're acting it,
he doesn't come across like that.
Honestly, I think you want him to be the good guy, no matter what.
Honestly, I can't get on board with this corrupt detective.
Our hero turning into a villain just like that? It doesn't make sense.
He just lost his friend, so why would he all of a sudden be totally into money?
The man's in so much pain.
Our Kang Pil-gu is just not that kind of guy!
You can't work with the new script, then?
I didn't like it when I first heard the idea, okay?
But after reading all these pages, it makes even less sense.
Honestly, it's forced. You're trying way too hard.
Director Bak?
When will you get your act together, Hyeon-jun?
-What did you say? -It's a professionally written script.
Look, I worked very hard on these pages, I'm not gonna accept this!
-Hey, look, seriously. You're telling me-- -Listen to me!
Either you'll start being cooperative, or the shoot today is gonna be canceled.
Are you threatening me right now?
You really do have a death wish, huh?
You're the guy who walked out in the middle of a shoot.
[sighs]
-Listen, that was-- -Enough.
I will stick to the script,
and not a single word is gonna be changed, are we clear?
Come on, Director Bak.
[sighs]
-That's not-- -[phone buzzing]
Hey, Mr. Ba-- Hey, Bak Byeong-gi!
HWANG JI-SUN
Hey.
Did you get in? Did you get the documents?
No, I wasn't even able to get into my office. They threw us out.
What? Why?
It's crazy. When we got here there were a bunch of goons outside
and they wouldn't let us through.
We can't even get inside, they're blocking us like a human wall.
Ms. Wi's clothes got ripped.
They were all over her.
What did you just say?
-Listen, just-- ow. -Hey.
Come on, why can't you let me through?
No! You stay right where you are, I'm coming, I'm on my way right now!
-Okay. Hyeon-jun? -Do you realize this is illegal?
-Hello? -We just need to go in for a moment
so he can grab his personal belongings.
Don't think I've ever heard him that pissed.
We just need a minute. We'll be really quick.
Ow!
I just need to go in for a second. Let go, let go! Geez.
Those damn criminals.
Where are you going?
Start the car right away, let's go!
Hyeon-jun, you need to stay. They're shooting still!
-You have to stay! -Where are we off to?
We just lost our main actor. Director Bak!
Director, Director, listen! Grab this.
It's a disaster.
He was screaming, "Start the car!" and off he went.
-Car? What car? -The one they were driving today.
-The Print car. -What?
There it is! Right there. Right there!
He's taking off again.
Freaking crazy actor!
Are we still filming?
That's it! Chase him down!
[exclaims]
I will hunt that guy down and bring him back here!
Why's this director rented a bus?
-Open. -Come on, let's go!
[clamoring]
[shouting] I'm coming!
-[crew member] He's unreliable. -[horn honking]
Gil-su, man. Will you drive faster? Ugh.
These jerks aren't get away with this.
Mr. Bak's totally gonna lose it. I think we should've stayed.
God, this is--
Just why did you have to take this fricking car today, huh?
-Step on it, step on it! Come on! -I'm already on it.
Oh, he thinks 'cause I never speak up he can just bully me like that.
[chuckles]
-Assistant Director. -Yeah?
How many scenes are on the schedule for today?
-A dozen in total. -Ah.
Then I'm gonna make sure that all those scenes get done today.
I'll drag him back with me to my set, where he'll do as he's told,
He'll see the insanity.
[giggles]
Do not lose that goddamn vehicle, man.
Okay.
Go.
Stay on him, all right?
We're not getting up until you let us go inside the office!
Yeah!
I want my designer slippers back right now!
Right now! Right now!
Now we're talking!
-Give them back! Right now! -Here, take 'em.
Huh?
-What the hell was that? -Take a hike.
What a jerk!
-Oh, no, my slippers! -I'm over this. Let me in right now!
-Come on! -[clamoring]
-Come on, miss. Stop this. You have to go. -Let me in!
-Come on! -[grunting]
-Miss, enough! -Let me in!
Stop it.
Hey, let go.
[yelps]
-[groans] -[Ji-sun] Oh, no. Miss Wi, what--
What? You little shit! What the hell is wrong with you!
IMPERIAL PRINT
[romantic music playing]
-Ms. Wi… -[groaning]
You jerks!
[shouting]
[tense music playing]
[grunting]
[romantic music continues]
Kang Pil-gu! Kang Pil-gu! No!
[shouting] Get off her! Get off her!
Come on, Ms. Wi. This way. Come on, go, go, go!
[grunting continues]
[groans]
-What's going on? -And stay down!
Come on.
[winces]
Are you serious?
What the hell do you think you're doing?
Hey, we've got a situation here. Come down.
Damn you, an actor's body is their livelihood.
[horn honking]
Stunt team!
-Ready! -[shout]
Action!
[exciting music playing]
[clamoring]
-Now over there! Okay! -[chuckles]
[Hyeon-jun] They say they can't really fix people.
But…
I know I can.
[K-rock playing]
-[groans] Shit. -[gasps]
-[thug] Come here. -What? Wait, what are you doing?
-Let me go! Let me go! -What are you doing? Wait, wait.
-Listen, you little shit. Let her go! -Hey!
-Let me go! What are you doing? -Let her go right now!
-Stop it! -Stop it! Stop it right now!
What are you doing? Let go of me! Let go!
-You son of a-- -[grunts, groans]
[both grunting]
[groans]
Oh, man.
[grunting]
-Let's get out of here -Hyeon-jun.
[stammers] Where's my slippers?
[clamoring]
ENTRY RESTRICTED
[upbeat music playing]
I guess due diligence is postponed.
[music fades, ends]
-[panting] -[panting]
Are you okay? Huh? You're not hurt, right?
[tender, romantic music playing]
[heartbeat thumps]
[clamoring]
[whimpers]
Are you all right?
[heartbeat thumping]
[wedding bells ringing]
[heartbeat thumping]
Tell me. Are you all right?
-Are you hurt anywhere? -I'm not hurt! I'm okay.
Tell me that you aren't hurt.
They were beating a woman. Those goddamn jerks!
[panting]
You're really okay, right? Yeah?
Come on. Speak to me, will you?
-[exhales sharply] Uh-huh. -[Ji-sun groaning] Oh, God.
-Oh, Mr. Hwang. Are you okay? -Hey.
[panting] We need to get this sorted.
Could you get the documents, please? We need to hurry.
-Oh, yeah. -Yeah. [groaning]
-[Jeong-sin] You're sure you're okay? -Yeah, I'm all right. [groans]
The documents are right over there. [groans]
[Byeong-gi] Hyeon-jun!
Where are you? Say something!
-[gasps, panting] -[sighs] Byeong-gi.
God, I was worried! I thought you were just walking off the set.
-What the hell's going on here? -No, I wouldn't have walked off again.
This was an emergency.
-Byeong-gi. -Yeah?
If you hadn't brought everyone with you, these guys would have run us over.
-Seriously. -No, no, no, no. No, listen.
Is the company in danger?
It's a mess. The company's completely screwed.
These men came out of nowhere and just attacked us.
-[sighs] -[Ji-sun] H-Here.
[Byeong-gi] Oh, man. Well I'm not really sure what's happening,
but it appears that everything's been sorted out.
Can we go back to set now?
How can you even think about filming now?
Justice was violated!
Change the filming schedule!
Why do you think I followed you all the way here?
[comical, tense music playing]
You're coming with us.
Unless we get a natural disaster,
there will be no postponing of any of the 12 scenes we've got scheduled today.
You'll be with us till they're done.
-Mr. Gwon? -Uh, yeah, man.
I'll be leaving together with Hyeon-jun, so please start up the car.
-Producer and Assistant Director? -[both] Yes.
I want this man to be brought straight to my set.
Please, wait, Director.
I need to just wait here for a second.
-Let's go. We need to be on set… -Wait a minute. You can't--
-Come on, hurry. We got 12 scenes to film. -Ms. Wi! Ms. Wi!
[Hyeon-jun, crew members clamoring]
[Ji-sun] Ms. Wi, should I take this too?
[music fades]
Yeah, we'll take everything.
-[Ji-sun] All of these? Okay. -Yeah.
God, so much stuff in here.
[sighs] There.
[shouting] What?
[tense, sinister music playing]
[sighs] Tell me everything that happened.
Yes, of course, sir.
Security wasn't informed that the due diligence team was coming.
Kang Pil-gu… No, I mean Lim Hyeon-jun appeared out of nowhere.
These men are thugs, right?
-And one actor overwhelmed them all? -He wasn't alone.
Lim Hyeon-jun arrived with a bunch of guys
who seemed completely unhinged,
like a pack of zombies who hadn't eaten in days.
[Dae-ho] So let me get this straight.
They weren't able to take that idiot down,
and the due diligence team witnessed the whole fiasco?
Please forgive me, Mr. Lee.
One of Lim Hyeon-jun's men used his smart phone
to film the entire thing, I'm afraid.
[inhales sharply, sighs]
I was worried that if things got worse, it might end up in the media,
so I ordered a retreat.
-I'm truly sorry, sir. -[scoffs]
-What the hell? -Oh! Oh, no! What happened?
-Oh, no. My nose is broken. -Did you guys get into a fight?
[crew clamoring]
Listen up. We're starting right away, so please get everyone ready!
Uh, we won't get through all 12 scenes, so why don't we just postpone?
-We will get it done. -[crew member] His face doesn't look good.
-Producer! -Oh, my God. Are you all right?
-[Byeong-gi] Cut. Okay! -[crew applauding, cheering]
-[Gil-su] Hyeon-jun. -[groans]
[groans]
[comical music playing]
Wow. Ugh, that was crazy.
-[groans] -Hyeon-jun,
-want me to bring the car around? -[groaning] Yeah.
-I'm gonna clean up until you get here. -Okay.
Oh, God.
-Great work today. -You as well. Thank you.
Good Lord.
[music fades, ends]
[sighs] Have some water. Here.
God, Byeong-gi is something else.
He really got it all done.
He shot 12 scenes. That's insane.
[sighs]
Yeah, Director Bak really found his original spark again.
Could you please stop with this spark, spark, spark nonsense?
[groans, scoffs]
[sighs] So now what?
I was fired.
But you're still attached to King's Back, aren't you?
Hey, stop worrying about that.
Just keep representing me the way you've always done.
You can freelance for me for now.
[scoffs] Come on. So you're gonna pay me out of your own pocket?
[scoffs]
Listen, you will get paid exactly what you're getting paid right now.
-Sound good? -Oh, yeah?
That's a true hero! [chuckles]
[groans]
[sighs] But we can't go back to that office, I'm guessing?
Meaning, it's final?
You and I ran ourselves ragged finding that space.
We fixed that thing up.
We even painted all of it, you know?
Got furniture and everything.
[sobbing] The mugs, they all had their little spot.
You and I built all of that together, and now…
and now we can never go back there.
It's completely unfair. It really is.
Hey, I can still go there.
I'm with the company, right?
That means… [gasps] …essentially, I'm not the boss anymore?
I'm just a manager now? [sobbing]
Gil-su's my team leader? I'm gonna have to be formal with him?
Goddamn.
I haven't even spoken to my wife about this yet.
-Hey! -[gasps]
Stop it, okay?
[scoffs, clicks tongue] This will be your office. Right here. Look.
CEO - HWANG JI-SUN
Hwang Ji-sun, CEO. How'd you like that? But seriously, what a bunch of bastards.
First, they just fire you over the phone like it's nothing.
Then follow it up with having thugs attack us.
We totally need to strike back. But how, hmm?
Hey, I thought you were up all night, weren't you?
Are you heading out?
[comical music playing]
[Hyeon-jun] Hmm?
Yeah, I've got plans.
God, you can't be serious. What kind of plans could you have right now?
Oh, I know, I know. You're planning to see Ms. Wi again,
-aren't you? -Uh… [chuckling]
Hey, listen, I'm doing it for the both of us.
Don't you think we need to figure out our next move right now?
-Right? -Sure.
Or do you just wanna be a manager forever?
No.
I'll meet up with her and then we'll work something out.
So you focus on managing all of my work from now on, yeah?
Don't cry, okay?
I'll see ya.
Sound good. Have fun.
[music fades]
Wow, he's actually kind of a hopeless romantic. How 'bout that?
Uh,
what are you thinking coming here in a car like this?
-Why? What's wrong with it? -It's so flashy!
-It's not. Just… Just get in. -Okay, you get in first.
-Please just hurry. Get in. -What?
-Why? What are you doing? What's going on? -Go ahead. Get in.
[scoffs]
[Jeong-sin] You know, Kang Pil-gu would never drive a car like this.
Hey, you need to relax.
You do know that Kang Pil-gu is a fictional TV character and I'm real.
Uh, how's Mr. Hwang doing?
He's still overwhelmed by what happened. Pretty sure he's having a meltdown.
[sighs] Lee Dae-ho is a frightening man.
He must've planned this from the beginning.
Why did we get involved with someone like him to start with?
Since the day we went fishing, I had a bad feeling about that dude.
And why would you dig into someone who's obviously dangerous?
Aren't you scared?
It's just that if I don't,
no one will.
It's been several years that I've been working on this case.
I really wanna get to the bottom of it.
Thanks to Mr. Hwang's help, I gathered a lot of the evidence I need.
Now, I've got to find the best way to expose everything.
[comical, mysterious music playing]
Well, I'm not the type to just sit back after someone messes with me either.
So I guess you and I should, um…
come up with a plan.
[sighs]
[music fades, ends]
Oh. How come we're the only ones here?
[Hyeon-jun] There it is.
Well, I'm not surprised you're not picking up on this.
You only watch Kang Pil-gu and others like that.
What?
Well, if you watched things like melodramas you'd understand the situation.
What are you talking about?
Have you never seen a drama?
In those stories, the wealthy boyfriend will rent out an entire place for a date.
You rented it out?
This whole place? Are you serious?
I don't understand this. You must have better ways to spend your money.
Ha! Of course. I knew you'd react that way.
No, I didn't do that.
I asked if I could use it since they're not filming today.
And also, I wanted to be alone with you.
You get so self-conscious around others when you're with me.
I come here every now and then.
I had my acting debut here. [chuckles]
Although, it was a small part.
-[smacks lips] The film was called… -The City of Romance?
[cheerful, romantic music playing]
You know the title?
Well, your fan forum required a bit of research.
I mean, joining that forum was such a freaking hassle.
[chuckles]
[gasps] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[both chuckle]
Aw. I think I've seen this place on TV before.
[chuckles, sucks teeth]
It's like a walk down memory lane. [sighs]
I think Kang Pil-gu even filmed around here.
Hey, by the way, how did you get started in acting?
I wanted to work, so I came in as an extra.
[sucks teeth] I just really enjoyed the time on set.
I thought I could pull it off somehow.
Oh, so you were just an extra, but then you got cast right away?
That's right, yeah. [chuckles]
I mean, with a face like mine,
-why wouldn't they? -Mm-hmm.
Even now, I'm this good-looking, so imagine me back then.
The director spotted me, and instantly wanted this hunk to have a line.
Only thing was, I'd never acted before.
How was I supposed to deliver it?
I was so nervous, I swear.
I actually remember the line to this day.
[nostalgic music playing]
[gasps] Oh, no. Wait, please!
[panting, whimpering]
-[gasps] -Sorry. Ma'am,
-the last train just left the station. -[gasps] Oh, no.
Oh.
[Hyeon-jun] "Sorry, ma'am, the last train just left the station."
"Cut!"
I nailed it in one take!
Oh, wow. It was so exhilarating.
I started studying the craft.
I did theater to get as much experience as possible.
And then, I suddenly had a film career.
Oh, what about Kang Pil-gu?
How did you end up joining the show?
It all started one day when I met this college student
who was just about to graduate.
[knocks on door]
Hello.
Um, I had a screenplay printed here a while ago,
and I just noticed there's a small problem with it. [chuckles]
I need to show you.
He relentlessly begged me to appear in his project.
I agreed and ended up winning a major acting award.
And ever since, I've been pretty much married to the show.
That college student, Bak Byeong-gi, is my director now. [chuckles]
Oh, really? Wow. [gasps]
Oh, so Mr. Bak is a bit like a personal good-luck charm for you then.
Good-luck charm, what?
You had a comeback thanks to him.
And became Kang Pil-gu as well.
[sighs]
Kang Pil-gu is not simply just a character in a TV drama.
He stands up for those who are weak, takes risks,
and punishes the bad guys in a cool way.
He helps you forget whatever rough patch you're in.
His sense of justice is very inspiring to people out there.
And there's a ton of them who started applying to the police because of him.
-[chuckles] -Kang Pil-gu is
insanely, insanely, insanely, insanely special.
And the fact that you got to play the extraordinary Kang Pil-gu character
is an amazing stroke of luck.
-[sighs] -[scoffs]
And still, you believe it's a burden.
Lim Hyeon-jun, you've lost your spark somehow.
[sighs] Not again with the spark.
I just need something else.
I just want to play… I really want to play a different kind of character from now on.
[sighs]
Although, I know I should focus on Kang Pil-gu right now.
[sighs]
[Se-na] Hyeon-jun said there's someone he likes. Who is she?
He did? He told you that?
There's no one, is there? I knew he was lying.
Hey, you'll have to ask him in person, I guess.
I'm not really in a position to speak for him.
So I hoped that we could start a dating rumor for us.
Are you crazy? That's completely insane.
I don't understand. What's going on right now?
I just wanna reconcile with him. Could you think about it, please?
I mean, you expect me to just put out a completely baseless rumor. How could I?
[sighs]
So, um, can I do it then?
Se-na, listen.
Don't waste your time on useless stuff. Just focus on the project.
Question, why did you ask to meet here?
-Why not at your office? -[sucks teeth]
[sighs] They decided to fire me.
I'm using this till I figure everything out.
Why would they do that?
Did you do something wrong? Or…
I did nothing wrong whatsoever. Nothing at all.
They probably wanted to sell the company,
and I wasn't very helpful with that. That's it.
[tense music playing]
Ho-Hold on, is your agency okay?
I-If they sell everything,
wouldn't they just try to put the both of us in a package?
-Does Hyeon-jun know what's going on? -Yes. Of course, he does.
[sucks teeth]
Try to keep things on the down-low.
-Do nothing to draw attention right now. -Yes, I'll keep things on the down-low.
[sighs]
[Hyeon-jun] I've been coming here for a long time.
-I never usually bring anyone here. -[chuckles]
So, one down of our ten dates.
Nine more left, right?
What? No.
Today was about making plans to help Mr. Hwang.
I'm not counting this one.
We didn't even discuss it.
-[chuckles] -Well, I think we talked about it enough.
It's not something we can solve in a day or two.
Oh, we should finish our food. Season premiere is tonight.
Why? What's the rush anyway? I've already watched it all.
I haven't seen it.
I've got to get home to watch the show.
Hurry it up.
[tender music playing]
I'll never forget this.
I'll remember this for the rest of my life.
No matter how many parts I play in the future,
I will never forget to remain humble and always give it my best.
[Jeong-sin] Kang Pil-gu is
insanely, insanely, insanely, insanely special.
And the fact that you got to play the extraordinary Kang Pil-gu character
is an amazing stroke of luck.
[sighs]
[sobbing] Thank you, everybody!
-Hey. -You scared me. [sighs]
I'm gonna stay over at my friend's tonight.
-Which friend? -Hong-sin.
We're watching the first episode together.
Hong-sin?
[laughs] Just the two of you watching won't be fun.
-You should watch it with the main actor. -Wait a second.
-You're trying to coming too? -I'm gonna need five. That's it.
Hey, aren't your intentions a bit dubious?
[chuckles]
What do you mean "dubious", huh?
Come on, you said you like Ms. Wi too.
Now you better work with me unless you want me dating Su-ji, hmm?
Hmm.
[scoffs]
[playful music playing]
Uh, these are, uh--
-Oh, yeah. Here, let me take that. -Oh, oh, yeah.
Uh… can-can we come in? Yeah? [chuckles]
-I'll… -Oh, sure.
[Hyeon-jun] Hmm.
Uh, you… you live in a really nice house.
Why does your power keep going out?
Good question, yeah,
I mean, you could've gone to some nice hotel.
Why would you come to our small apartment?
Uh, well, it's kinda… it's a bit of everything. [chuckles]
I figured we could run our lines together.
And we've got three actors who are in the show,
so why not watch the first episode and chat about everything?
I would like that, wouldn't you?
Sounds awesome. I'm down.
[chuckles]
Uh, but I really don't get why it has to be here of all places.
Come on, will you drop it?
-What are you worried about? -Shut it.
Um, I think you're not reading the room correctly.
Hyeon-jun wanted to see you. He was begging me to bring him along.
-Hey, hey, hey. -Ow.
-Oh it feels like you've been working out. -I've been doing a lot.
Looking good.
[laughing]
-Hey, stop. -[Seon-u] It's true.
What do you mean? I'm just… [scoffs]
[chuckles]
Mr. Lim, should I get us some ramyeon?
-Have you eaten? -Sure. Ramyeon sounds great!
-Seon-u, can you help me in the kitchen? -Wait, there's so much food here.
[gasps]
Aw, we've run out of ramyeon. Sorry.
Hey, you're not gonna find ramyeon in there!
-Don't even bother looking. Let's just… -Oh, really?
…go and get some, you and I, okay?
-Go get some? -[Hong-sin] Yeah.
Come on, we'll be getting some ramyeon. Go, go, go.
-Hey, guys. -[Hong-sin] Let's go.
[Seon-u] You sure? But there's all this food--
[Hong-sin] Just be quiet and keep going, all right? Don't think about it.
Hmm.
[sighs]
This is so exciting!
[dramatic music on TV plays]
Whoa! Mr. Lim! [chuckles]
GOOD DETECTIVE KANG PIL-GU 5
[chuckles]
[Seok-ho] You won't have any use for her 'cause you'll be dead!
[Hong-sin] All right, here comes your signature line!
-They say you can't fix people. But… -[Hong-sin] They say you can't fix people.
-But I know that I can. -[Hong-sin] But I know that I can.
-[Hyeon-jun groans] -[Hong-sin chuckles] Yeah.
[Jeong-sin] Kang Pil-gu is
insanely, insanely, insanely, insanely special.
And the fact that you got to play the extraordinary Kang Pil-gu character
is an amazing stroke of luck.
[Ji-sun sighs]
FIRST EPISODE VIEWERSHIP RATINGS: 4.3%
So what rating did we hit when we premiered last season?
It was 12.4%
which is a whopping 8.1% higher than we had yesterday.
And season three?
11.7%.
13.5% for the second season
-and 8.9% for season one. -[sighs]
It's the lowest rating that we've ever had.
Was there a game on last night?
-Like soccer? -No. Nothing.
I think the weather was good.
You think folks stayed outside because the weather was nice?
The rating would be decent for other shows,
but the thing is we've premiered at higher ratings prior to this.
And only that matters when it comes to TV ratings.
Yeah! That's what I said from the start.
About how this storyline is weird.
The audience has a specific image of Kang Pil-gu.
Sure, you can make him a corrupt cop,
put him through the wringer and give it a twist.
He's got to come back to being Kang Pil-gu quickly, like he was earlier.
I don't know. Is that the problem here?
Hey, you know how the saying goes.
"Even a worn gem is still a gem."
The ratings will go up, so don't even worry about it.
[sighs]
KANG PIL-GU 5 MAKES LITTLE SPLASH
[comical, tense music playing]
THE BIGGER CONCERN IS THE VIEWERS' REACTION
[sighs]
4.3%, episode 1,
5.1%, episode 2,
5.2%, episode 3,
4.9%, episode 4.
[groans, blows raspberry]
[sighs] I feel like they need a break, you know?
These guys have been getting chewed out for days now.
I guess I'm not a good enough director.
This isn't one person's fault, Byeong-gi. I think you know that.
You see, even with record-breaking production costs,
and Gwon Se-na in our cast,
and even with previous ratings of over 20%,
if it's going to fail, it's going to fail.
Still, we have the overseas pre-sales, so we're likely not gonna be in the red.
Sure, but I'm heartbroken about how pathetic Kang Pil-gu's exit is.
To think we had this award-winning, multiseasonal drama
that will no doubt go down in Korean TV history, you know?
[sighs]
Do you even remember me begging on my knees
to start promoting the show on YouTube? But no one listened.
-Oh, by the way, Hyeon-jun. -Yes?
-Congrats. -Huh?
Well, you couldn't wait to set aside this character,
and now, it looks like there won't even be a next season.
Are you happy now? Are you?
Oh, that's not…
[chuckles]
The scripts are mostly finished and we're almost done filming.
At this point, I'll have to do my best in post-production.
-Yeah. That's the spirit. -Mm-hmm.
Even though a grand exit seems unlikely right now,
I'll put in the effort and do my best until the end.
-Mmm. -Mmm.
[scoffs] What are you gonna do?
[mischievous music playing]
Oh. Well…
Ah!
A press conference!
Let's do one to get viewers interested again.
Let's give them Kang Pil-gu, yeah?
[chuckles]
I wonder if it's too late.
[emcee] All right, I'll hand the mic over to the reporters, and we'll take some time
for any questions you have about Good Detective Kang Pil-gu Season 5.
[reporter] Director Bak, a question for you.
Ratings have been quite low through episode 4.
Can you tell us what we can expect to see in the upcoming episodes?
We will reveal why Kang Pil-gu had no choice but to become a corrupt cop.
And as the audience will come to understand him,
I think they'll end up being more immersed within the drama.
We will never give up, so I urge you to continue.
Please keep watching until the end.
[reporter 2] Hyeon-jun, some people say that your interpretation of your character
is a bit unconvincing this season. What do you say to that?
Yeah, I do admit it.
I think because of how Kang Pil-gu was portrayed in our show so far,
I-I honestly experienced quite a lot of pressure.
I've been working extremely closely with our director,
so that we can make viewers understand and accept
this very new side of Kang Pil-gu they've seen.
[emcee] Yes.
I believe there's great significance
in the fact that your character has been going down a different path this season,
and that the show is taking a risk in not following
the previous formula for success.
Did we give her this?
Oh, no, no, no. Of course not. She's a serious reporter.
Could you say a few words about that, perhaps, to fans like me?
[chuckles]
Yeah, with pleasure.
First of all, I want to thank
all the viewers who keep watching and keep supporting us.
Honestly, it wasn't easy to decide to do this season.
Uh, it took a lot of convincing.
I wanted to break away from the image of Kang Pil-gu.
I mean, we've become inseparable at this point.
And it seems many of you were apparently seeing that in my work.
[reporters laughing]
But filming this season,
I once again realized how special my character is to so many people
and how wonderful it is that I get to play this man.
[Jeong-sin] Kang Pil-gu is
insanely, insanely, insanely, insanely special.
And the fact that you got to play the extraordinary Kang Pil-gu character
is an amazing stroke of luck.
And so, I came back to filming with a renewed sense of affection for him.
There are twists ahead,
and all the foreshadowing will be resolved. I do think you will love it.
I hope that you trust me,
and I would truly appreciate it if you watched till the very end.
[reporter 3] This is a question for Se-na.
How was it acting with Hyeon-jun this time around?
It's been a little while since we worked together on our film Sad Waltz,
but the work on Kang Pil-gu has been effortless.
I will say Hyeon-jun got a little bit embarrassed
every time we had intimate scenes together.
-[both chuckle] -[reporters chuckle]
What? [chuckles] What do you mean?
That's ridiculous. I wasn't embarrassed at all.
I wasn't embarrassed, but the thing is
Kang Pil-gu is constantly crushing it with…
-[reporters chuckle] -He's had crushes,
which weren't… they weren't reciprocated,
and I guess that added some nervousness. [chuckles]
[emcee] Now we know even seasoned actors get nervous.
Let's move on to the next question. Yes.
-[reporters murmuring] -[shutters clicking]
[mischievous music playing]
Hyeon-jun, you were in a relationship with a well-known actress not too long ago,
and now, there are rumors that you're back together.
Could you tell us, is she also here today?
[reporter 4] Is it Gwon Se-na? They used to date.
What's going on?
[emcee] Sorry, but please refrain from asking personal questions.
No, it's fine. Happy to answer the question.
You want to know if the person I like is here today?
Yes, she's with us.
-[K-pop music playing] -[shutters clicking]
[reporters murmuring]
SPECIAL THANKS TO OH YEON-SEO FOR HER APPEARANCE
[Se-na] We're running out of time.
We have to get it out fast.
These materials will be the most decisive piece of evidence.
[Ji-sun] Why the heck won't they let me in?
What are they doing?
[Dae-ho] But real life doesn't end as beautifully or heartwarmingly
as it does on television, does it now?
-I think Ms. Wi is in grave danger. -[Jeong-sin] They say
there's a thin line between a cursed encounter and a destined one.
So I was right after all.
[gasps]
[song fades, ends]