Valid Love
Episode 2
It's back, Teacher!
The dog that bit my sister!
The dog's back!
Where?
I'd protect you if it did.
I think someone put glue on my eyes.
I can't take my eyes off you.
Ahjusshi, what are you doing?
Why did my unni...
kiss you?
Ah...
You must be Yi Ri.
You're as pretty as a doll.
You're a weird ahjusshi.
Mom! Mom!
What, Yi Ri?
Mom's right here.
What?
[Episode 2: Soju]
Hello.
What?
Jeez, you're a man.
Embarrassed...
because you did it.
- Hey. - How will you live in this harsh world?
By chance, do you have a uniform?
From high school.
Uniform?
Suspicious, right?
Yeah, it smells fishy.
It's rotten, not just fishy.
We have to clean it up.
Hey.
That's my boyfriend.
What?
Student.
Where's the English dictionary?
I'm not a student.
What a sight...
Isn't that an old uniform?
He likes vintage so he borrowed his cousin's.
Anyway, I'm...
dating him now, so stop following me.
Get a grip.
You think that straight arrow can handle you?
The person to plant the apple tree on Andromeda for you...
...is me.
He's gonna plant the tree, too.
Yeah, right!
Want me to verify? Huh?
Hey.
Hey...
Hey.
For her sake,
can you plant an apple tree on Andromeda?
I heard you're her boyfriend.
For the girl you love, can you go to Andromeda?
That's what I'm asking.
See?
He can't.
How dare you bluff?
He's just shy.
Hey, Jang Hee Tae, even if you're shy,
you begged me to date you first.
Answer. Am I right or wrong?
Don't put on a show!
How'd you find this guy whose head is even rotten?
Yeah, it's true.
What?
I'm her boyfriend.
Then...
Name and school?
Seyang Girls High School year 2 class 3, Kim Il Ri.
"Il" means one and "Ri" means plum blossom. Her father named her to be as beautiful.
I'm going to Andromeda with her to plant an apple tree.
I was his guardian during his circumcision surgery.
Are you circumcised?
Do it while you can.
It sucks if you do it when you're older or in the army.
Anyways,
we're that close.
Right, Hee Tae?
Yeah...
Darn it.
But still...
He's too old and rotten!
Damn it.
What? What?
What?
Prepare yourselves.
And I'm circumcised.
Do I look that easy to you?
I'm not a teacher because I'm a substitute? Am I dog shit?
How dare you play a joke like that?
You're lower than low. As disrespectful as can be.
What...
happens if a teacher isn't teacher-like?
Does it look good?
You want to follow me?
It's the same thing.
A student should act like one. How dare you act like a friend?
Am I your friend? Tell me.
- Am I your friend? - Can't we be friends?
Hey, Kim Il Ri!
You can be my teacher and friend.
Later on, my lover...
...as well.
But you can just be my teacher for now.
Don't be mad.
No...
It's my fault.
You know about my past.
I should've done it when I was younger.
I did it at this late age.
It's impossible to see me as a teacher when you've seen such an ugly side.
Our meeting was a mistake to begin with.
I have no right to be a teacher.
You're still a teacher to me.
No, I have no right.
All I do is get caught up with you.
I act like a fool caught in a mousetrap.
I get scared just hearing about a crazy dog.
Let's just be friends. Call me by my name. You were great at it earlier.
"Hee Tae."
I won't do it again, Teacher.
By chance,
is this because of that?
Excuse me?
When I dropped you off at your house?
As if we're really a couple or something?
No...
It's not all because of that.
Sorry, it was my mistake.
I did it first.
- It wasn't a mistake... - No, it was my mistake.
That's not true.
It is if I say so!
We'll never be alone again, whether it's school or not.
I'll say hello but don't talk to me needlessly.
Do weird things by yourself. Don't drag me into it.
Why?
I'm not your friend.
Be careful going home.
I'm going to marry Pollack!
It's true!
One.
Not skilled enough for art school?
If she can't go, who can?
That's what she said.
That she's not skilled enough.
She's not incredibly talented.
But if she raised her grades...
and got support from home,
she's good enough for commercial arts, but not fine arts.
I see.
But her family background is a bit...
They're not doing well?
It's not easy for a single mom with two kids.
As soon as she graduates high school, she said she wants to help her mom.
How are her grades?
Poor, of course.
She has no thought of going to college.
Six, seven, eight.
Two, two, three, four, five.
Can you see?
Is that Kim Il Ri?
It is. It is!
- Hey, do good. - Okay.
My foot!
Hey, Andro.
You flirted first, huh?
Drawing pictures and taking him to the mountain out back.
How dare you take Pollack for yourself, huh?
Who do you think you are?
Whispering amongst yourselves in the lab room?
Don't call him Pollack. That's my nickname for him.
It's my copyright, so you just call him biology.
You better not.
You hit me.
Come here.
Copyright, my butt.
Huh? Copyrighting his nickname...
Did you copyright him, too?
Let go. I'll kill you if you don't let go!
You think I'm a joke?
You think you're all that because Pollack likes you?
Want me to tell the principal?
What are you guys doing?
- You started it with me. - It's tacky.
What's with the headlock?
Because we're cool.
I told you not to do that!
Hey!
You're all dead!
Hey!
Don't call him Pollack!
Hurry.
Ask me anything you're curious about since you got me.
Clear up any misunderstandings.
If you keep doing this with her, we're going to boycott lectures.
We're gonna tell the other teachers.
You always whisper with her.
She saw you two going up...
the mountain in back.
I saw the two of you alone in the science lab.
Jung Soo Young.
Lee Bo Ra.
Kim Tae Jung.
Does she look normal to you guys?
What?
You know she's not. Isn't that why you call her Andro?
Why did we go up the mountain?
She was holding a ceremony to receive a UFO.
To take her to Andromeda.
Uh... yeah...
She set up mousetraps.
To catch and eat them.
Mousetrap?
I saw that.
- Really? - Yeah.
Yeah.
A mouse's...
right eyeball is tastiest.
Help her.
- Oh, my God. - Being classmates is fate.
Isn't she pitiful?
Yes.
Thanks.
You guys are true friends.
That's all.
- Okay. - Oh, my God!
Where did you learn that agility?
Were you hit by lightning?
You said we wouldn't meet alone. Where are we going?
Why did you lie?
What?
Why aren't you studying?
You're good enough to go to an art school. Why give up?
I don't really want to go.
Why not?
Why waste your talent?
Is that something to get angry about?
Follow me.
Look at me once.
Tell me I'm pretty.
[Study Room]
See?
I got you three months membership.
Come study here after school.
Why are you paying for it?
Make it your goal to raise your grades.
Your performance tests are good, so look into an art academy in time.
To pay tuition,
you can work part-time in college.
You can draw pictures.
Then your mom won't have such a hard time.
Why bring up my mom?
Well...
Don't take it the wrong way.
I asked your homeroom teacher.
No need to be embarrassed.
I'm not embarrassed.
Why should I be embarrassed that it's tougher because my father isn't here?
My mom works really hard. Why should I be embarrassed?
But what's strange is...
why are you deciding my future?
Deciding?
I'm just giving you advice.
How is this advice? It's forcing.
See?
You decide to enroll me in places. That's force not advice.
I like you.
But don't force me. No one has that right.
And you keep saying I'm the student and you're the teacher.
But I'll be a senior soon and a year will pass quickly.
It's your one and only life. You can only live once.
Is there nothing better to risk your neck over?
When my father died,
he said this.
That you only get to live once.
This moment only happens once and it won't return.
Don't regret later and grasp it fully.
My father...
must have wanted to stay so much leaving us behind like that.
He must have wanted to hold onto the time with us.
I'm not going to live that way.
I'm going to live for today.
You worry about the future, Teacher. I won't!
So, I'm going to live happily!
More happily than you!
Darn...
Dad...
- Idiot. - Kim Il Ri.
I thought you were just a prankster.
But you're better than me.
[Valid Love]
Are you okay?
Okay.
I'll study.
I do when I say so.
So, don't act like you know me.
I won't talk to you until I raise my grades.
Okay, as you wish.
Don't act like you know me.
Where are you going?
Starting now.
Jeez.
We're getting engaged if I raise my grades!
Did you see that?
Isn't he cute?
My friend's brother...
What did you say?
Really? Did you see that?
Teacher!
We're hungry.
- Buy us food. - We're hungry.
What's with Andro? Studying like that.
Who knows what she's really thinking?
She's not Andro for nothing.
But is it true she eats mice?
Who knows?
But is the right eyeball really tasty?
And the left isn't?
Hi, Teacher!
Hello!
Hi.
Student.
The person you came with before left this for you.
Thank you.
Sol Mi!
- Hello, Teacher. - Hi.
Teacher, we'll be going.
Bye.
[University of Washington]
[University of Washington Office of Admissions]
Hyung!
[Hyung: older brother or older male.]
Ramen!
Applaud most improved Kim Il Ri.
Kim Il Ri, you went up ten spots but you're still average.
Try a little harder during vacation to place above average.
Yes, ma'am!
It's vacation. Do you have plans?
My legs.
Who are you looking for?
Teacher Jang?
Yes.
Today was his last day.
He left early because he didn't have any classes.
Last day?
Remember? He was a substitute.
Mrs. Ahn will be back next term.
But Kim Il Ri, how did you study?
She's fast.
The number you called is not in service.
Recheck and try again.
I told you so.
Why'd you pull that? It's all your fault.
There's a bum in front of my house.
I told you not to!
Il Ri.
Il Ri?
Why'd you come here?
How long did you wait?
It's my Pollack.
Let's go.
The alcohol smells good.
You drink, too?
You are a man.
I had a drink with friends.
I have to hurry and graduate to drink with you.
Oh, yeah, Teacher.
My grades went up.
I went up ten places.
Good, huh?
You should get an award.
Wanna watch a movie?
Okay!
Let's hurry up.
I don't wanna waste another minute.
My mom always said studying well has good results like being kind.
I'm actually watching a movie with you.
Let's hurry.
Did you cry?
Why are you laughing?
All you need is a flower behind your ear.
I'm so happy.
I'm so happy I might die.
Did you know?
In my eighteen years of life,
this is the happiest moment.
Ugh.
Why are you so listless? Like we'll never meet again.
I'll be a senior and you'll go to grad school.
Here or there. We'll both be in Seoul.
Your glass is empty.
It's okay.
Let me pour you a shot. Please?
Just one?
You brat.
I like seeing men drink soju.
Who's a man? I'm your teacher.
Me, too.
You're a student.
You haven't graduated yet.
I'll just take a sip. Please?
Please. Please!
Just a sip, okay?
I shouldn't do this...
Hey! Don't down it!
You wench.
Ugh!
Maybe because you poured it...
It's good.
Ugh, you brat.
Knowing the taste of soju makes you an adult.
Who said that?
My mom.
She hides a bottle of soju behind the washing machine and drinks secretly at night.
Just two shots.
Act like you don't know and be good.
It's because she's lonely.
I know.
You do?
What?
Something like that.
But Teacher...
your cell phone was disconnected. What happened?
That...
Huh?
Are you getting a new one?
Yeah.
Page me your new number when you get it.
Remember my pager number?
Yeah.
No, you never know.
And I'm going to write to you at school.
So, let me know the address.
Just leave it on my pager.
Okay.
Oh, yeah.
I have a gift for you.
Mackerel, saury, cutlass, croaker, pollack and Spanish mackerel.
I saved every time we ate them.
Oh!
It's a shooting star.
Wow.
It's just a phase.
Everyone experiences it as a student.
When you hang out with your peer in college,
you'll say an ahjusshi like that sucks.
I did, too.
Awhile ago,
I coincidentally met the bachelor teacher I had a crush on.
He was pathetic.
Enough to make me resent seeing him again.
Forget that. What did you say earlier?
At least five years?
So...
Don't think of writing letters.
Even if you write,
he won't write back.
Did you see the shooting star earlier?
Jeez.
To celebrate raising my grades,
there was even a shooting star.
Fine, okay.
I have a gift, too.
Really?
What is it?
Follow me.
Yay!
It's dangerous. Get up there.
I can take the subway at this time.
It's late. Take a taxi.
Okay.
That scared me.
Are you okay?
Yes.
I think smoke's coming from the car.
It crashed.
What to do if they're badly hurt?
I know. They have to be okay.
The driver's in there.
Someone's hurt.
Open the door.
Are you okay?
Thank goodness. I guess he's not hurt badly.
I know.
Oh, my. What to do?
Move.
Someone call for help.
Oh, no.
What's going on?
This is bad.
Did you call?
Fractures all over.
Skull fracture and ruptured organs.
The surgery went well.
A few fractures had to wait because of swelling.
Thank goodness, no brain injury.
She was conscious, but in and out because of painkillers and morphine.
Her time awake was short.
Oppa.
Unni...
You delayed your flight twice.
School starts in fall.
But what about the Bering expedition?
You were so happy to join the exploration team.
How long will you stay like this?
It's not your fault. It was an accident.
There were five accidents at the same time and location.
You happened to be there unfortunately.
The insurance company will pay for treatment and damages.
Her parents will get some compensation, too.
You did all you need to.
I did all I need to?
What do you know?
Did you do something to be responsible with her?
Hee Soo.
Those words don't suit her.
Anyway,
you have to go now.
Mom and Dad are waiting to see you off.
He takes after me to be so kind.
He's kind because he takes after me whose been with you all this time.
You're overly friendly.
That's why you give your heart and money away to women.
No wonder when Hee Soo saw that girl hanging around our house,
she thought a half sister finally appeared.
She didn't know she came to see Hee Tae.
She asked what her father's name was.
I told you I didn't spread my seed.
You did spread something seedless.
Take it easy, okay?
He's not here yet?
Should I bring him?
You really won't regret it?
Then I won't care either.
Hyung!
Let's go!
[Valid Love]
Have a nice trip, Teacher.
I heard you're going far.
Do I seem adult now?
I would follow if I had plane fare.
Then while you study, I could cook, clean and do laundry.
But it's okay.
Someday we're destined to meet.
Someone said...
There's a destined time.
A time for every fated meeting.
You'll end up meeting someone you're destined to.
Someone who's destined to leave will, no matter what.
So, don't obsess on meetings and partings.
I believe that.
Even if we're separated for a very long time,
someday we'll meet again.
I'll desperately want it.
That's the only thing I'm good at.
Don't forget my pager number.
I'll write you, so leave the address on my pager.
If you don't, I'll charge in after saving plane fare.
When you get back,
drink soju with me.
I'll drink well because I take after Father.
I'll probably outdrink you.
Teacher.
I heard meat is cheap over there.
Eat a lot of meat and get stronger.
Don't just study. Work out, too.
Even if you get unrecognizably cool,
I'll recognize you right away.
Because...
you're my Pollack.
Then...
bye for now.
Your student, friend...
and future wife candidate number one,
Il Ri.
Jeez, Teacher...
you're so immature.
Hurry up and go.
You'll miss your flight.
The surgery went well.
She recognizes me and her sister.
I think she recognizes you, too.
So, don't worry.
I cooked hospital food for over ten years raising the kids.
I know from watching over shoulders.
It's a fight with time from now on.
She needs time. Her life isn't in danger.
How long will you stay like this?
My daughter is immature.
I know she bothered you.
She always talked about you at home.
She complained about the lack of fish on the table.
If you don't go now,
Il Ri and I will be upset.
That we ruined a person's bright future.
When she gets better, I'll move her to the hospital I'm at.
Don't worry.
Are you more worried than me, her mother?
Why are you being immature, too, huh?
Even if the sea in Incheon was filled with cider, you need a cup to drink.
Why is a student talking like that?
I mean, cup.
I'm kidding.
Go to sleep!
Did you finish your letter of apology?
Write it over.
[Apology Letter: I'm sorry, so sorry. But! Thank you very much!]
In the end, I left her.
My guilt turned to shame.
That shame caused me to ignore her.
I...
refused all news about her.
[7 years later]
It seemed like she didn't seek me either.
I'm sure she thought of it as a teenaged crush and forgot me.
I eventually forgot her, too.
A lot changed in seven years.
Jang Hee Tae!
People were saying, strange saying like "Earn a lot of money" as a compliment.
Moreover, Choi Jin Shil, who made me hot in youth, could no longer be seen.
The funeral ended awhile ago at 8:30.
The body is no longer there.
Oppa.
- I never pictured life without her. - Choi Jin Shil died.
I know. It shocked me, too.
Wow, are you okay drinking like this?
I can drink way more than this, man.
- Let's pee. Come on. - No, I'm okay. Go ahead.
I wanted to become a professor.
I thought it was an obvious decision without a doubt.
Thank you, Teacher.
I'll work hard.
On this project...
Be careful here.
Professor Lee!
Professor!
Professor Lee!
My mentor disappeared in an accident and so did my dream.
That's life.
I changed my course.
A country surrounded by water on three sides.
With inadequate knowledge of marine life.
[West Sea Marine Research Center]
The environment is bad in this country.
Hey!
Being underpaid in this country,
I went to a place where researchers gathered.
It's too small.
Your stomach sticks out.
I remembered her while buying a suit for my first day at work.
But that's all.
It passed.
How are the pants?
It wasn't the present.
They're good.
Mom, I said it's okay.
This suits me better than being a professor.
Do you know how many doctorates are unemployed?
I'm sorry for spending money studying abroad.
But I love you, Mom. I'll do good.
I love you so much.
Mom, hang up.
I'll call you back.
What is this? Paint?
Ugh, I just bought this.
You should be more careful.
Painter ahjusshi.
What will you do about this? I just bought this and paint got on it.
Uh?
Look here, ahjusshi.
I just bought this. I haven't even worn it!
Is it an ahjumma?
Ahjumma.
It's your fault. Apologize.
Hello!
The day we met again was...
another sunny day with blue skies.
Miss, are you okay?
What to do? This is bad.
Should I call 911?
What to do?
I told you.
We're destined to meet again.
Idiot.
You're really an idiot.
Sorry.
My wife...
had become a woman.
An adult...
who knew the taste of soju.
It's sweet.
As expected, the soju you pour me is the best.
I thought you were joking.
I didn't think you'd really become a painter.
I didn't think you'd become a mackerel expert.
I'm not drunk.
I'm not drunk, right?
Nope.
I'm not drunk.
Hey.
Pollack.
I'll...
become your poem.
I'll...
become your side dish.
Il Ri.
Pollack, where are we going?
Sure, treat me like a friend.
Hey!
You better hurry up.
Catch me!
When you drink soju,
I'm fine with being your side dish.
I'm fine with being your poem.
Rip it up!
That name...
That name is Pollack.
Everything was ready.
As if waiting for the day,
my wife smelled a strange man's scent.
I should have known sooner.
That she had fallen for...
- his mysterious charms. - You didn't add egg?
I never add egg.
Hey...
Look here!
Are you kidding?
Hey, you!
Let go of me!
My pretty daughter laid there immobile.
Stop it, please!
Hee Soo wouldn't have become like that if not for you.
I'm disappointed in you, Teacher.
Do as you're told.
Do you always act like you're all that?
Crazy bastard. I've never seen anyone like him.
He's self-righteous.
And he's just a big kid.
How would it feel to sleep with another man?
Just don't get caught.