Park Seo-joon
Kim Da-mi
Yoo Jae-myung
Kwon Na-ra
Kim Dong-hee Ahn Bo-hyun Kim Hye-eun
Ryoo Kyung-soo Lee Joo-young
Yoon Kyung-ho David Lee Chris Lyon
Itaewon Class
All characters, places, organizations, and incidents portrayed in this drama are fictitious.
What should we do?
- About what? - Ma Hyun-yi.
People are responding negatively to the article.
Hyun-yi should've at least given us a heads-up.
Well, I think it'd be better for us to eliminate Hyun-yi.
And reduce Hyun-yi's airtime as well.
The judges will decide whether or not Hyun-yi'll be eliminated.
Let's get started.
Let's go.
The survival match among the finest pubs.
We're here to find the best pub in the country.
Among the 16 pubs from all over the country,
only four are remaining.
This is the long-awaited final round.
Who will be named the best chef?
The Best Pub begins now.
I'm sorry.
I know it's cruel of me to pressure you like this,
- but I... - No.
The diamond.
You thought of me when you read that poem?
For Saeroyi,
you,
and the DanBam family,
I will toughen up.
I'll stay strong.
You see,
I'm so proud of you.
We've been using the blind testing method since the third round.
The judges have no way of knowing who made what.
All they care about is how good it tastes.
Just now,
the judges have completed tasting all the foods.
First, let me interview Mr. Park Jun-gi, Jangga Pub's head cook.
You've always received high scores.
Are you feeling confident about today as well?
I've been doing this...
Look at... Oh, right.
I've been a cook all my life.
I did my best, as always.
You're a true pro.
Then let's speak with Ms. Ma Hyun-yi,
the head chef of DanBam who's been on a winning streak.
You were named number one for two weeks in a row.
How do you feel now?
DanBam Pub
Today,
something personal about me
was made public, irrespective of my wishes.
Frankly, I'm not in the greatest mood.
Right, I see. When you're in the showbiz...
- And you're awfully popular, so... - I am
transgender.
You got this! We must win!
- For real? - No way.
Yes, right.
A personal matter
was made public earlier today, irrespective of her wishes.
Hyun-yi's probably quite upset about it.
But you're standing here now, looking confident and strong.
I believe that this round
will be an opportunity for you to prove yourself.
Prove myself?
I'm just me,
and I don't need anyone's approval or validation.
I see.
Then could you tell us why you're here?
There are people who keep me strong.
I wanted to repay them by making delicious food.
That's why I'm here.
That's very inspiring.
Your co-workers must be so proud of you.
How well do you think you'll do today?
They say, birds of a feather flock together.
I work at the best pub in Korea
with the most wonderful people.
I, too,
will be the best.
In the previous round, we all saw what Hyun-yi can do.
So I don't think Hyun-yi's just bluffing.
Let's find out if the judges feel the same way.
The long-awaited final round. The winner is...
We'll be back in 60 seconds!
You're watching The Best Pub live.
It's time to announce the final winner.
The winner is...
DanBam Pub
The Best Pub
DanBam Pub's Ma Hyun-yi!
Congratulations!
Final Winner Ma Hyun-yi, DanBam Pub
Congratulations, Hyun-yi.
How do you feel...
Well done. Hyun-yi. Great job.
- Go, Hyun-yi! - Seriously, great job.
- My gosh. - We won!
- Gosh, this is so cool. - Hyun-yi!
What did I say? Hyun-yi is so amazing!
Come here, guys.
Ma Hyun-yi is the Final Winner
Hyun-yi.
You're the best.
Transgender Chef Ma Hyun-yi Wins the Competition
You assured me we'd win when you took this on.
I'm sure you remember what you said to me.
What should we do?
What do you want me to do?
Ms. Oh.
What did he do to make sure we could win?
He made them do blind tests instead when Ma Hyun-yi started becoming popular
and pressured Mr. Park, who wasn't nervous at all.
Nevertheless, he ended up ruining Jangga Co.'s reputation.
Is that all he did?
He also
leaked Ma Hyun-yi's private matter to the media
to deliberately distract her.
For that, he deserves some points.
Geun-soo, you may leave.
I thought he left for good, but he came back
and said he wants to run Jangga Co.
He wants to take over this role.
What are your thoughts on that?
Do you think he can be my successor?
He is
a lot like you, sir.
So is this the high card you talked about?
I did this to win.
Why do you have to...
Hold tight.
Let's go.
Move to the rhythm,
and make it seem like your body accidentally brushed against hers.
There's nothing going on between us. We're not dating.
We really are just friends.
But I like her.
Yes.
I don't care what anyone says.
I just need you.
Hey, what are you doing here?
You said you were in Jeju. You're back already?
That story about Hyun-yi.
It was you, wasn't it?
I worked as a model for three years, so I know dozens of reporters.
You didn't think I'd find out?
That's right. It was me.
What about it?
I was simply trying to win. That's all.
Was I supposed to keep it a secret
just because Hyun-yi and I used to be close friends?
Would you have done that?
Just be yourself.
Being a pushover suits you better.
But you told me
"If you desperately want me"
"you should take over Jangga Co."
Later on, I said that I was just talking nonsense.
- If that's why you're being like this... - Bull.
I was so used to giving up,
but I made a choice for myself for a change.
I ditched everything and chose this because of what you said.
You can't do this to me.
You know,
I don't want to destroy you.
What?
A while ago,
Boss told me this.
When it comes to your feelings...
Again! I'm so sick of hearing you talking about him!
I don't care what your amazing boss said.
It's already too late.
I can't stop now, Yi-seo.
I can't
hold back my feelings for you.
I'm sorry.
I can't accept your feelings.
Sorry.
I really am.
Hey, well...
I told you to get more rest.
We won The Best Pub,
and the investment has been confirmed as well.
- Thanks for your hard work. - That's it?
What?
You always pet my hair.
Oh, that...
I have to go draft the contract for Ms. Kim. Let's go.
Aren't you coming?
I am.
Watch the steps.
DanBam
You won't regret this investment decision, ma'am.
I'm a woman of her word.
Thank you.
You've made some promises too.
Keep your end of the bargain.
Your goal.
Becoming number one in Korea!
Of course. I'm a man of my word as well.
Good. I have faith in you.
Investment Contract
Kim Soon-rye
IC's Motto Helps the Company Secure $10 Million
Ten million dollars?
Her boss is pretty impressive.
So your goal is to help that owner with his business?
Then what?
Will you become a pub owner's wife?
That's not how I was raised.
Right.
That is not how I taught her.
I'm a lot more competent than you think.
That girl...
Seung-kwon
Jang Geun-soo
You won't answer it?
Yi-seo has found out
that I leaked it to the media.
I'll bet you're regretting what you did while feeling bad about it.
Am I regretting it?
What do you think Saeroyi will say if he finds out?
"Whatever you do,"
"I'll be just fine."
He'll probably say that.
Make sure you turn off the lights.
I know about what happened
between you and Saeroyi.
And I think I know why you're working for Jangga Co.
You think nothing I do can affect him?
Do you know what I thought when I heard you say that?
What?
"What can I do"
"to take him down for good?"
You see,
I'm not like you.
Hey.
What are you thinking?
Jeez, why isn't this jerk picking up?
Hey, let me pour you one.
There.
The sliding technique. This is how beer should be poured.
- All right. - Jeez.
Attention, everyone.
A while ago, Saeroyi said...
Gosh! Enough.
You talk about Boss all the time.
- Enough is enough, okay? - Why? It sounds interesting. Tell us.
Right?
That's what I'm saying! Hey, why are you so mean to me?
You're pretty, but so what?
Jeez, what the heck is he saying?
Whatever, forget it.
A while ago, Saeroyi said...
"I'll do"
"everything I want to do."
He probably said that.
Yes. How did you know?
And he also said,
"I'll turn DanBam into a franchise!"
- Franchise? What? - Goodness.
And what happened?
What happened, dude?
It became a reality today.
He fell asleep.
Hey, Saeroyi.
- Yes. - All right.
Say a few words.
Okay.
Raise your glasses.
Thank you.
Thank you all
for your hard work.
What did I say?
When we work together,
can we succeed or not?
- We sure can! - We sure can!
Who are we?
- IC! - IC!
Yes, IC!
Jeez.
Do you guys know that?
Because I have you guys,
I...
I will
win.
And whose son am I?
My dad...
He said
he was proud of me.
Gosh, that's enough.
Guys, fill up your glasses. This will be our last drink.
He's so proud of me.
Chairman Jang?
Jangga Co.? They can all come at me.
I'll beat them.
Gosh...
He drank too much.
I have no doubt that you'll beat them
because you're our boss.
Right?
I'll win this fight, right?
Yes.
Without a doubt.
Saeroyi.
- Gosh. - Boss.
- Saeroyi! - Oh, no. He's out.
He passed out. Gosh, don't do this to me.
Please, Saeroyi...
Wake up.
DanBam
You're still
hurt, right?
You assured me that we'd win The Best Pub,
but Park Saeroyi's pub did.
And thanks to that,
he has secured an investment.
Park Jun-gi has been let go.
The meeting will begin in ten minutes, sir.
We'll stop here.
It was a good game.
Follow me.
You'll join the meeting.
As some of you may know,
he's my younger son.
He's tall and handsome just like you, sir.
I'm thinking of
passing down the company to him.
Introduce yourself.
Hello, I'm Jang Geun-soo in the planning team.
I'll do my best.
Hello, boss!
Well, don't cause trouble.
I'll be out soon anyway.
Don't you worry.
- Hello, boss. - Hello, boss.
Hi, guys.
Who's that?
Hey, shouldn't you at least
greet your new cellmate?
Younger Son Jang Geun-soo Becomes Majority Shareholder of Jangga Co.
We've already received hundreds of franchise inquiries.
After organizing the company structure and taking care of all the locations,
we'll still have seven million.
We should expand nationwide.
Nationwide...
Gosh, things are finally becoming stable.
We'll do things step by step.
Congratulations. Your dream has become a reality.
Working on a fishing boat, doing construction work...
It was so hard to make $100,000 from nothing.
Why are you suddenly being so sentimental?
He deserves to be sentimental. It's a great achievement.
Boss, you did great.
No, wait. That's not right. Should I call you President Park now?
But once I had $100,000, I easily made that into millions.
The Korean capital market is very interesting.
The more money you have,
the more that makes sense.
Are you saying we should do stocks?
Now that we have big money,
we should play big.
What's this?
Shanghai Franchise Expo Gathering Participants
They're going to hold a franchise expo in China.
"China"?
No way.
Let's not just go national. Let's start from China and go global.
Let's turn ten million into hundreds of millions.
What?
Like I told Tony's grandmother,
this is not the end of my dream.
My dream is to beat Jangga Co. and become the best in the country.
So I should act accordingly.
This is just the beginning.
You never disappoint me, boss.
4 Years Later, the Year 2020
- Hello, sir. - Hello.
Hello, sir.
- Hello, sir. - Hello, sir.
You want to spend three million dollars
on another partner company?
Masa Distribution isn't doing very well right now.
We are not philanthropists.
I'm saying it'll be more efficient
to build guanxi with a new company than to help a dying one.
What do you think, Director Choi?
What? Oh, right.
Well...
I understand what you mean, Mr. Gwon.
But Masa Distribution helped us enter the Chinese market.
Wouldn't this be an act of betrayal?
That's nonsense.
We can't do business based on attachment.
Then is investing three million dollars on a new company to build guanxi
the right way to do business?
I don't think you understand.
In China, business is all about building guanxi.
Three million dollars will bring us a huge benefit.
Reading documents in the office
and actually seeing things in person
bring very different results.
Seeing things in person?
You keep talking about guanxi.
But are you sure you know what that means?
Pardon?
It means "relationship."
The eldest son of Masa Distribution is apparently getting married.
Do you know who he's marrying?
The second daughter of Tancent's chairman. It's a huge online platform company.
It looks like neither of you knew.
How could you not know when you're always experiencing things in person?
Almost everyone has heard the news already.
- Well... - Then
which company will benefit us in the long run?
Okay then. It's time to decide.
What's the philosophy of our company?
The importance of relationship and trust.
It looks like our philosophy will help us profit.
We'll invest in Masa Distribution as planned.
Okay, sir.
I can't stand this. This really doesn't suit me.
Boss, can I go back to working at a pub?
You're doing great.
"Boss"?
Will you please call him by his rank when you're at work, Director Choi?
Yes, ma'am.
Hyun-yi, we're treating a Chinese buyer at the end of this month.
- Can you cook for us that day? - Sure.
Why are you calling her by her name when we're at work?
We're different.
Hey, call me Director Choi. We're at work right now.
What's this?
You have a meeting with the director of Maparam in 30 minutes.
There might be an argument, so use this as reference.
And in two hours, you have dinner scheduled with the CEO of Gojoseon Hotel.
Isn't he meeting the store owners at our franchise seminar in the evening?
I don't think it'll take long.
He can go right after dinner.
- This is your schedule for tomorrow. - Okay.
What's with the crazy schedule?
He'll lose it.
- Is it exhausting? - No.
Boss, don't be like that.
- We've settled down... - You think we've settled down?
We're the second most-liked brand.
We're ninth in annual sales and sixteenth in market capitalization.
That's our position in the food industry.
Jangga Co. is number one for everything.
I want to be number one.
And Yi-seo is planning things out so I can achieve that.
This is what made me fall for him.
I told you to stop.
You're so persistent.
I was going to gather everyone and go for a drink.
We had a company dinner two days ago.
Geun-soo is back.
Jang Geun-soo?
Where was he?
He was at an overseas branch. I think it was the US branch.
You guys keep in touch?
Yes, of course. He's a nice guy.
I think he was lonely working overseas.
Haven't you heard from him, boss?
No, I haven't seen him in ages.
I wonder if he's doing well.
Director Jang.
Do I really need to be your driver at this age?
You're my mentor.
My gosh, I'm starting to hate you even more.
Voice Recording
Saeroyi goes to Pajin very often these days.
Pajin? Does he go there to meet Ms. Kang?
I think so. They're really close.
Hye-won surprises me.
She's taller every time I see her.
She always surprises me, too.
It feels like yesterday when she was only a little kid.
She's going through a growth spurt.
"A growth spurt"?
I totally agree. She's going through a growth spurt.
Which part of what I said was so funny?
Well, I just liked...
You like me?
No.
That's absurd.
You didn't have to pull a straight face.
I mean... Well...
Do you want to see photos of Hye-won when she was little?
Sure.
Isn't she pretty?
Oh Hye-won
She never looked like you.
This is Jangmun Market Street.
It was almost redeveloped ten years ago, but it was canceled.
And right now, lots of places are empty regardless of the cheap rent.
Why do you think so?
Most of the landlords even put their buildings up for sale.
Apart from a few buildings,
we can purchase most of the buildings
from here to here with only 40 million dollars.
You want to spend 40 million dollars on a place that's dead?
Isn't that too much money?
We're going to fill all those buildings
with Jangga Co.'s brands and affiliated companies.
We'll redecorate the filthy buildings
with bright
and unified murals
and turn it into a popular street
like Gyeongridan-gil Road
and Songridan-gil Road.
We're Jangga Co., so we could call it
Jangridan Street.
We're investing millions of dollars,
but how long will that last?
Streets like that
tend to lose popularity very quickly.
Yes.
But when those streets
were at their very peak, the rent in those areas
almost quadrupled.
The 40-million-dollar investment will turn into 120 million,
and our brand value will eventually increase.
What will we do when the street
loses its value?
We're going to increase the value
and sell the buildings at their peak.
Wouldn't that hurt our brand image?
No.
That's when the marketing team steps in.
"The area was high in value when Jangga Co. was here,"
"but now that they're gone, it has lost its popularity again."
Then people will think once again
that Jangga Co.
is truly incredible.
Okay.
You can proceed with it.
Thank you, sir.
This is a street renovation project,
so we need to be on good terms with the borough chief.
You should meet him next month
when he comes to our groundbreaking ceremony.
Okay, sure.
Let's talk about the rest over dinner.
I need to go to Jangmun Market with Mr. Oh and meet the merchants there.
I see.
Okay.
Park Saeroyi and IC Co.
His business has grown so big.
Does he still bother you?
He'll come at us one day.
Don't let your guard down.
You don't look well.
You should get some rest.
Jangga Co. is going to revive a market street?
They're trying to promote their gentrification plan.
Director Jang Geun-soo seems to have a good reputation in the company.
He's nothing like Geun-won.
He's practically the successor.
Are you sure it's a good idea for you to stay here in Pajin?
I'm powerless now.
What else can I do?
What about Saeroyi? What is he up to these days?
Yi-seo.
- Why are you looking at me like that? - Why do you think?
Why are you shopping online in my office?
Sir, take a look at this necklace.
Isn't it so pretty? It looks like a smile.
Yes, it's pretty. And it does look like a smile.
Buy it in your own office.
Can you buy it for me tomorrow?
Don't I have a busy schedule tomorrow?
Right. Then I guess tomorrow won't work.
When do you think you'll be free? When should we go to buy it?
- Yi-seo. - Stop.
I told you
that it's my right to keep liking you.
Yes, I get that's how you feel. But what about me?
You're right.
You don't like me yet.
So you must feel uneasy about it.
- If you get that... - But unfortunately,
I like you so much that it drives me crazy.
- Hey... - Wait.
As I said,
you can fire me for this.
If it makes you uneasy, then go ahead.
But I'm so good at what I do,
so you probably can't fire me, so that's a real pity.
What's the trouble?
It's not like you don't have a choice.
You just need to accept my feelings for you.
What is wrong with you?
What?
Should I come back a little later?
No.
I'll go check some buildings in Itaewon.
Okay, go ahead.
I love you.
Hey, what...
Gosh, it's way past working hours.
I came to ask for your signature.
Yes, of course. I should sign this.
Baega Dandan First Quarter Settlement
That's a nice pen.
Oh, this? Yi-seo got it for me for my last year's birthday.
I see.
What about you?
What?
What did you get for Yi-seo last year
on her birthday?
Jang Geun-won.
Who are you?
Is porridge enough, sir?
I don't have
an appetite these days.
You don't look very well.
I'll schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim.
Okay, go ahead.
I didn't know you were eating.
Why are you here?
I'm planning to eat with the borough chief tomorrow.
I was wondering if you could make it.
Well...
Director Jang.
The chairman isn't in his best condition right now.
Don't you feel well?
The borough chief is very particular.
On top of that,
You are the figurehead of Jangga Co.
Once you meet him, things will go a lot easier.
Director Jang.
- Tomorrow, Chairman Jang will... - It's okay.
He says I can make things easier.
I should go then.
Thank you. I'll come back tomorrow to pick you up...
Chairman Jang.
Hanguk University Hospital
Pancreatic cancer?
What about surgery?
Will he get better after surgery?
The cancer spread to the lymphatic gland and blood vessels.
And it might metastasize to the liver and lungs.
Considering Chairman Jang's age,
it is best to treat it with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
But practically...
How much time does he have left?
I can't tell you how long it will be.
It varies from person to person.
I just need your opinion.
It may be for about six months.
Half a year?
You should've called me as soon as you got out.
What took you so long?
I know.
I hesitated.
You didn't come to see me even once.
I wasn't sure if it was okay to call you when I'm abandoned.
I see.
You must've resented me.
Do you want me to apologize or something?
It's been four years.
How could you say that to your son you just met in four years?
When did you come?
Are you feeling better?
Mr. Kim told me.
I have half a year left.
But it depends on the person.
When I was with him,
I had him get a checkup every year.
Is that my job as the director?
Stop it.
I stopped this from being reported,
but it will be important to control the press.
Okay.
The doctor says
there's no point in getting treatment.
Can't you go to work?
What?
- Succession due to ill health will... - Jang Geun-soo.
lead to a fall in stock prices.
You should name the next chairman
when you are in good condition.
You've become interesting.
Stop it.
And you haven't changed.
- You think? - I said stop.
I will meet with the borough chief by myself.
Get some rest, Chairman Jang.
You made him become
just like you.
That's why
he deserves to take my seat.
I'm telling you
I don't regret what I did that day.
I did it
for Jangga Co.'s sake.
You haven't changed.
It's all about Jangga Co.
I wonder what it is for.
Get some rest.
Actually,
I know the reason
why my life has come this way.
I will protect Jangga Co.
that you cherish.
Soo-ah.
Saeroyi.
What are you doing here?
Were you waiting for me?
I was just passing by.
It's close.
You should've called me. It's cold outside.
Hey, where are you now?
I'm in Itaewon.
I ran into Soo-ah.
Now?
Hang on.
Can we go to Seok-cheon's restaurant next time?
- Well... - I see.
It's okay. It seems urgent.
Okay. I'll be right there.
Okay.
I'm sorry. We met after a long time.
It's really okay.
The whole world knows that you are busy.
I should get going then. See you.
Bye.
It's been a long time.
I know.
I was on a date with Saeroyi.
I saw the whole thing.
You got stood up.
When are you going to let go of him?
Let go of him?
You should say that to Saeroyi.
I said I didn't want a poor guy.
So he said he'd become rich.
He will destroy Jangga Co.
and make me unemployed.
So I won't have a hard time anymore.
What's wrong with you?
You were always like, "Saeroyi likes me anyway."
I've never seen you feel so nervous like that.
You are afraid
that Boss might fall in love with me.
It's
so disgusting.
- What? - "Come to me after you become rich."
"Destroy Jangga Co. so I won't have a hard time."
You only care about yourself.
You just keep asking for things
while you aren't doing anything.
What...
What do you know?
I know
at least one thing.
Who loves Boss more.
Do you know
how I felt when I talked to him?
"Rich?"
"I will make you rich."
"Jangga Co. gives you a hard time?"
"I will destroy them for you."
You...
If you
care about him at least a little,
you should
keep
staying still like that
doing nothing.
What's the matter?
Good for you. You were on a date with a manager from Jangga Co.
Why are you being so sensitive?
About your dad
and your grudges against Jangga Co.
You didn't forget them, did you?
I met Jang Geun-won.
I didn't know he was released.
I was off guard.
So?
Did something happen?
He doesn't even remember me.
I've never forgotten him even for an instant.
Do you know what's funny?
I'm different from back then, and Jang Geun-won lost everything.
But I'm still afraid of him.
I talked to Director Kang Min-jung. We will have a new plan.
I'll bet Jang Geun-soo will be the successor.
Successor?
Chairman Jang
has only a few months to live.
Was it pancreatic cancer? Late-stage.
He's being punished by Heaven.
What?
Jangga Rice Soup
Sang-sun.
Have a bite.
It's good.
I'm hungry,
but I don't want to eat.
You should eat though.
You said you want to be a doctor when you grow up.
So you should eat this and become healthy.
Open your mouth.
All right. Good girl.
- What about you? - What?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to
own a ten-story building.
- A ten-story building? - Yes.
That's really tall.
I know. It's tall.
You fool. There's no such thing as a ten-story building.
Of course, there is.
There isn't?
Gosh. Hey, if there's none, I should build one.
If you're nice to me, I'll let you live in the building.
That's not going to happen.
You're not supposed to lie to her.
Bo-hyeon.
See? I told you.
I begged for food,
lowered my head,
and betrayed people.
I abandoned,
extorted, and trampled.
With all my life,
I've built
this Jangga Co.
I achieved it.
I did.
Hello?
Who is this?
It's me.
Park Saeroyi.
Have you been doing well?
What do you want?
I heard about you.
You have cancer.
Are you going to die?
Are you trying to...
I don't
want you to leave so easily like that.
Punished by Heaven?
Who said you can do that?
You should be punished by me.
Don't die just yet.
I can't believe you are the only person
who wants me to stay alive.
This is interesting.
Fine.
You will be my last grand show.
I will see you soon.
I can't wait too long.
Hurry and come.
Special Thanks to Lee Jun-hyeok and Kim Il-jung
Do you still like me?
Tell me you like me.
Why do I have to feel sorry for you?
I guess you are starting to have feelings for me.
I know you better than anyone.
Please go on a date with me. It's my wish.
Enough is enough.
Gosh, Yi-seo.
Whatever I say,
he needs to have me around him.
I have to be someone who he needs.
When are you going to stop using Yi-seo like that?
If IC Co. disappears,
will you let go of Yi-seo?
Yi-seo.