What Comes After Love (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

Inokashira Park Station
Do you believe in everlasting love?
What Comes After Love
Tokyo, 2019
Ladies and gentlemen,
our flight will be landing at Narita International Airport shortly.
Please return your seats to their upright positions,
stow away your tables, and fasten your seatbelts.
Ladies and gentlemen, our flight will be landing
(in Japanese)
"Sky, Wind, Stars and Poetry
at Narita International Airport shortly.
Please return your seats to their upright positions
I've always had a dream, but I've never had a plan.
Back then I knew I wanted to do many things,
but I didn't know what I should be doing.
I didn't have the courage nor the confidence to chase
my childhood dream of pursuing a career in music.
I wasn't exactly ready to jump into society,
so I just left forJapan without a plan.
Let me take your bags.
Thank you.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Thank you very much. Please take a seat.
It was by pure chance that I chose Japan.
I had a friend in Japan who was willing to split the rent with me.
Seoul, 5 years ago
[Tokyo Tower - Travel to Tokyo]
Are you listening to me?
Japan is not an option, all right?
Yes, Mom. I hear you.
And more importantly,
I didn't care where I went.
Tokyo, 5 years ago
[Inokashira Park Station]
I just wanted to leave the nest to try living my own life.
To Kichijoji
I was a little afraid,
but I felt that I could do anything on my own.
Gate Closed, Under Maintenance
Oh, why is it stuck?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
Inokashira Park Station
Are you all right?
(In Japanese)
Oh, I'm
(In Korean)
Wait
(In Korean)
Yes, I'm all right.
(In Japanese)
That's good.
Here you go.
Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poetry
Are you from Korea?
Yes, I am.
Here you go.
Thank you very much.
Would you like me to hold this for you?
- Yes, thank you.
- It's all right.
Choi Hong!
Ji Hui!
It's been so long! How did you come this far?
It's so hard to transfer subways in Japan.
Good job. First things first.
Let's take a selfie together for your arrival.
- Right here?
- Yes.
All right. Look at the camera.
Up here!
Say, "Cheese"!
I'm so sorry.
- Yes?
- The
guitar
Oh. Here.
- Thank you.
- No problem.
- Who's this?
- Oh, no one.
No way
Already?
It's not like that.
- Two denials equal a yes.
- Oh, come on.
Sorry, but could you take a picture for us?
Sure.
Your Japanese is very good.
She lived in Tokyo when she was in elementary school.
And she's
- also single—
- Please take a picture with this.
Okay.
Well then.
Say, "Kimchi"!
There we go.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
Don't mention it.
Goodbye.
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
Oh, what the heck!
I have to say, your place is a bit different from what I saw on social media.
I can't believe you actually came.
You said to come!
Anyway, congratulations on finally moving out.
On an international level at that.
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
- The sweetness of freedom.
- By the way,
what did you tell your mom?
- I thought she said you could never.
- That's right.
So, I didn't tell her.
- What?
- I didn't want her to worry.
I always knew that you were crazy,
but this is next level.
It's not like she's paying for it.
I'm paying with my hard-earned cash from my part time job.
It's my life.
So, I'll do what I want with it.
Oh, come on.
When have you ever not lived like that?
Still, you did the right thing.
- I mean, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you can't miss.
- You're right.
- Shall we?
- Yes, we shall.
- Cheers!
- Cheers.
What's up with him?
Why is he smiling?
Why are you up so early?
Are you up?
I'm going for a run around Inokashira Park.
Inokashira Park?
You know, it's actually much bigger than it seems.
- Do you want to come?
- No way.
When I run,
I am surrounded by the ever-changing scenery.
And I like that.
It feels like I'm not just stuck in a rut.
It feels like
I'm moving forward gradually with each passing day.
Have you looked into what you want to study
after you complete your language course?
Yes, I have. I'd like to continue studying literature.
I'm especially interested in Korean poets who studied in Japan.
And I'm also very much into haikus.
I see.
You are interested in literature and poetry.
Yes. I still have a long way to go to become a poet,
but I love reading poetry.
I see.
Let me know if you need any assistance in entering college.
I'll do my best to help you out.
I will. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
It's my pleasure.
- Let's give it everything we've got.
- Yes.
Looks yummy.
Seriously?
Why do they want a resume for a part-time job?
Hey, you have no choice.
It's a must in Japan.
You can't define a person by what's written on a sheet of paper.
The person I was yesterday is not who I am today.
Then, just call your mom. You could ask her to wire you some money.
Seriously
Listen, Hong.
Can't you just scribble something?
You can't even afford this month's rent.
Oh, right.
I totally forgot.
Rent!
The rent
Boulangerie ECLIN
Sales Staff Wanted
Boulangerie ECLIN
Part-time positions available.
WAGABI
Hiring Part-timers
Bartail
DESIGN Life Style Shop
DESIGN
KITSCHY SEPHIA
BAR DOMINO
EUROPEAN PAPA
Record Store
Well
Excuse me.
Excuse me!
Excuse me!
Part-Timers Wanted Immediately
Yes!
Hello.
Hello.
After you, please.
No, that's okay.
Please. Go ahead.
Excuse me.
Hello.
I'm sorry, but we're not open yet.
- The part-time—
- The part-time—
I want to apply for the part-time job.
Same here.
Hey, boss!
- Are you Korean?
- I am.
I lived in Japan for five years when I was in elementary school.
So, communication won't be a problem.
And your Japanese must be perfect
since you're a literature major.
Yes, sir.
Not only am I good at Japanese,
but I can speak Korean, too.
So I can serve Korean customers.
We do get a lot of Korean tourists these days.
Can you speak Korean?
No, I can't speak Korean.
Yes!
However, I've worked all kinds of part-time jobs,
in order to pay for my tuition.
I'm struggling financially this semester, too.
That must be tough.
Since I came to Japan by myself,
I won't be able to pay the rent for this month unless I start working immediately,
and I may get kicked out of my apartment.
Rent
Yeah, the rent is pretty high around here.
It really is!
And since I'm an international student,
I can't even apply for a loan.
All right, I've heard enough.
You need money for living expenses,
and you need money for your tuition.
Unfortunately,
we only have one position open.
How about this?
Why don't you stay for tryouts today?
After observing how you two work today,
I'll hire the one who does better.
That's fair, isn't it?
All right. Let's do this.
OPEN
Thank you for waiting. Please come in.
- Welcome!
- Welcome!
Sorry to keep you waiting.
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
Here you go. One large ramen.
- I'll bring you your rice, too.
- Here you go.
Thank you.
Thank you for waiting.
- I brought the noodles!
- I got it.
One al dente shoyu ramen, ready to serve!
Thank you.
Thank you for waiting.
This way, please.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Thank you. I enjoyed the meal.
Thank you for waiting.
Thank you for waiting.
- Welcome!
- Welcome!
Hey! Menu!
Here you go, sir.
This is our tonkotsu shio ramen,
(pork cutlet salty ramen)
and this is our tonkotsu shoyu ramen.
(ramen light broth that is flavored with soy sauce)
The tonkotsu shio ramen is our best seller.
Please take your time and let me know when you've decided.
Is there a waiter who speaks Japanese here?
How may I help you, sir?
So many stores hire foreigners these days,
and people like me feel uncomfortable.
In that case, I'll be happy to take your order.
You need to think of what's best for the customers.
You should teach your staff to speak Japanese properly.
Before that,
please apologize for what you just said.
What?
You want me to apologize?
Yes, sir.
Please apologize first.
Then, I'll take your order.
Have you lost your mind?
You've got some guts, kid.
You can stare at me all you want,
but I'm not going to apologize.
Well then,
please leave.
You're making the other customers uncomfortable.
Well, I've lost my appetite now,
thanks to you.
I was rude to that customer earlier,
I'm sorry about that, sir.
Not at all.
I'm sorry that it happened.
It's all right.
You.
Please start tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
Here you go.
You did well today.
Thank you, sir.
Iseya
That must be it.
I'm telling you!
What do you mean?
What are you saying?
He came to your rescue.
He wanted brownie points.
Don't be ridiculous.
Well, look at you!
You were pretty much forever alone in Korea.
But look at what you've achieved as soon as you came to Japan.
Come on, I was never forever alone.
I mean, have you ever dated anyone who was half-decent?
One ghosted you and one went to the army.
When did you ever snag a catch?
Then there's Min Jun, who's actually not that bad.
But you insist he's just a friend.
Listen.
How many times must I tell you? He really is just a friend.
Sure, whatever.
Did he cry when you left Korea?
Poor Min Jun.
I'm sure "friend" is Min Jun's most hated word.
Enough already.. Not like you don't have male friends.
I feel bad for your knight in shining armor, though.
You said he needs to earn money for tuition.
I think he got a job at a food truck across the street.
Which is a relief.
A food truck?
Inubushi Kitchen Car
Here you go.
Closed
Here is your order. Thank you for coming!
Thank you.
What can I get you?
You're staring at the food truck again.
What?
Who, me?
I wasn't.
I was just
checking to see if it was raining outside.
Hong.
- Yes, sir?
- Can you get some hot dogs for us?
Yes, sir.
Best Hot dogs Here
- Thank you for your waiting!
- Here we go!
Hong finally passes centerline
and runs straight into the opponent's territory!
I wonder
if Hong will finally get to score her first goal.
The suspense is real!
However,
did she have to go out with that headwrap on her head?
What a terrible sight!
It shouldn't be too hard to figure it out.
I guess she's really nervous.
Perhaps she's not experienced enough.
Not experienced. I see.
Thank you. Please come again.
Hello.
Hello.
It's been a while.
Are you here for some hot dogs?
Oh, yes.
Can I have five cheese hot dogs, please?
- Five?
- Yes.
Five cheese hot dogs.
That headwrap looks good on you.
Thank you.
And you, too.
You look good in your apron.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Here she comes!
Get back to work!
One hot dog for each!
- Great.
- Thanks.
Here you go.
- Thanks.
- Here you go.
Oh yeah.
It's our turn to clean the shopping district this week.
We've always had the newbies do it.
So, you'll be doing that from now.
It starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Can you do it?
Of course. Leave it to me.
Good luck!
Yes, sir!
The stores of the Kichijoji Prosperity Association
work hard to keep the shopping district clean.
We clean one area each morning.
We appreciate your cooperation.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.
Let's start by taking attendance.
Ichiro's Ramen?
- Here.
- Thank you.
Murakami Bookstore?
- Here.
- Great.
Inubushi Kitchen Car?
Inubushi Kitchen Car?
Is there anyone from Inubushi Kitchen Car?
I'm here!
- Sorry for being late.
- That's all right.
- Wasabi Store?
- Here.
Eclin Store?
- Present.
- Thank you.
All right. Let's get to work.
Can you get this?
Over here.
Oh, that's cold!
Rock
- Eonni!
- What's up, Rock?
You promised only to call in emergencies.
It's actually an emergency right now.
Choi Hong!
What's wrong with you?
You said you were going to Jeju Island. What on earth are you doing in Japan?
It's pretty much the same.
It's about as close as Jeju, and Japan's an island, too.
Come back home right now.
If you're done with college, you should be thinking about getting a job!
How can you think to run away like a kid?
I'm not a kid. That's why I moved out.
Are you listening to yourself right now?
Stop wasting your time and get back here
or you'll regret this later!
Listen, Mom.
It's for me to regret, if I do, and my own time to waste.
It's my life.
You don't even know why I came here and what it is that I want to do, do you?
You're always the same. You dip your toes in this and that,
then quit when things don't work out.
I know you ran away because you're afraid to get a job.
- Mom!
- What?
Am I wrong?
No, you're right.
I did run away.
I ran away from you.
Talk about perfect timing.
You know
If you're free after work tonight
do you want to go for a drink?
I wonder if it's this way.
I see.
So, you might end up staying in Japan for a while then.
I'm not sure yet.
I'm getting ready to go to graduate school
but I don't know if I'll stay here
or just move on.
I'm not even sure if I'll like it here.
You can take your time and think about it while you're here.
Just as you said,
I just want to take things slow.
In life
don't we have times when we need to buffer?
"Buffer"?
I mean,
Kind of like putting the brakes on.
I see. You mean to put the brakes on.
The closest person to me
can't understand me at all.
She doesn't even try to understand me.
Has that ever happened to you?
It happens sometimes.
That's why it hurts so much more.
It's so frustrating.
That's why I came all the way here.
Oh, by the way.
You're a literature major, right?
- Right.
- So am I!
No way!
We have quite a lot in common.
How so?
Well, we both have the same major,
and we're both working hard.
And
What else
Right!
We're both buffering!
You're right.
So, why did you choose literature?
I wanted to become a writer.
Actually, I feel more comfortable
expressing my thoughts on paper.
What are you writing these days?
Well, just this and that.
I just write down whatever comes to mind,
but I'm still an amateur at writing.
I think you'll make it.
Pardon?
As a writer, I mean.
You think so?
Trust me.
I've got a hunch.
Can I
trust your hunch?
If you don't believe it,
then come with me.
What?
Come on.
Come on!
You've got this.
Come on, Bonobono!
Come on! Come on!
That's too bad.
I was hoping it'd be a Bonobono.
Since you got Dai Nee-chan,
it means your hunch was wrong, right?
You know Dai Nee-chan?
Not many people know about that character though.
She's the older sister of Shimarisu-kun, who is Bonobono's friend.
Oh, no way!
You really do know her!
Since your hunch was wrong, shall we call it a day?
Did you say we're going for another drink?
What? You seem pretty drunk already.
I'm not drunk at all.
I drank very little earlier.
You had ten lemon sours.
Hey, this is Choi Hong you're talking to.
What was that?
Choi?
That's right. Choi Hong.
My last name is Choi,
and my first name is Hong.
I'm Jungo.
My name's Aoki Jungo.
- Jungo.
- Right.
Jungo
Hey, Jungo.
Doesn't Dai Nee-chan look lonely to you?
How about
We look for her boyfriend!
- You mean Pippo?
- That's right!
Let's get Pippo so they can be together!
- Sure.
- Good.
Come on, Pippo!
You got one again!
That's amazing!
Are you all right?
I could've got Pippo if I just played one more round.
Dai Nee-chan needs to have Pippo by her side.
Don't worry.
Even without your help,
they'll always be together.
Eternally.
Eternally
Do you believe in everlasting love?
That's a difficult question.
I guess it exists somewhere.
"Somewhere"?
I made up my mind!
I'm going to stay here.
I want to go and see where that "somewhere" is.
By the way,
where do you live?
I'll be fine.
I can go home by myself.
Goodbye.
How are you going to get home?
I'm going to run.
Now?
Don't worry.
I'm probably much faster than you.
You know,
I may look very frail,
but I run around Inokashira Park
five times every morning.
That cannot be true.
What do you mean? You don't believe me?
Of course not.
Inokashira Park is actually pretty big.
Unbelievable.
I'm being serious!
I can prove it.
Don't get surprised.
Make sure to watch me run.
Wait! You're way too drunk.
Hong?
Hong!
She can actually run.
Well, look who it is.
If it isn't the resident lunatic.
So, tell me.
How much did you have to drink?
That's weird.
Did I bump my head somewhere?
Eat up for your hangover.
So?
What was he like?
You met him, didn't you?
The hot dog man?
Yes.
I did.
And?
Well
Give me money.
Good going, my friend.
Yeah
Hey, don't worry about it too much.
You'll see him again if you're meant to be.
I don't think I can ever
I've never believed in such things.
Rather than believing in fate or miracles,
I've always wanted to believe in myself.
Ji Hui thinks it's fate when coincidences repeat,
but I think that's just wishful thinking.
People who believe in fate
are the ones who hope for a miracle to happen.
But
Hey.
Wait! Hong?
Stop!
Wait up! Don't go!
Hong!
Oh, no.
Are you all right?
No, I'm not.
That really hurts.
I'm so sorry about the other night.
Don't worry about it.
You're a little later than usual today.
It's already past 11 a.m.
What?
By any chance
Thanks to you,
I'm late for school today.
Have you been waiting for me all morning?
Finally,
I got it.
Is this
When did you get this?
I went back to the area yesterday.
So, I just wanted to try,
and I got it on the first try.
Please be it.
Yes!
I did it!
That was the moment when I realized
that fate
really did exist
in this world.
It was a moment I've never felt before.
It was also a moment
that I would never get to experience again.
Please hand in your work next week.
All right. That's it for today.
Well done, everyone.
Please come and ask me if you have any questions.
Jungo!
A cherry blossom.
Closed
- I'll see you tomorrow, everyone.
- See you!
Hold on. Did something good happen to you?
- What?
- That look on your face
Nothing really happened.
What?
I knew it, Hong!
You finally scored!
It's not like that.
I'll see you tomorrow!
- Bye!
- Have fun!
They're enjoying their youth.
She's got some moves.
It's nice to be young.
It's so beautiful.
How do I say "beautiful" in Korean?
It may be a little hard to say.
You say, "yeppeuda."
Yeppeuda.
That was pretty good!
So, it's yeppeuda.
Yeppeuda.
Hong.
Sorry.
The spring of that year was
my first
and my last
Back then,
I firmly believed that if I truly loved someone
Seoul, 5 years later
the abundance of the universe would be there to help me.
That was what I believed.
Everyone knows
that even love has an expiration date.
But I believed
things would be different for me.
I believed our love would be different.
After I broke up with Jungo and came back from Japan,
I was tormented by the fear
that I would end up destroying myself
if I didn't immerse myself in something.
Sodam Publishing House
I've made some notes on it.
Would you like to take a look?
Manager Lee, this is the final version.
All right.
Ms. Choi.
This is the final version.
We'll go ahead and print it if you don't find any issues.
Could you take a look?
I'll get back to you after one last review.
Sure.
If I knew that I was going to meet Jungo
I wouldn't have gone.
Chief, did you see the snow outside?
I did. I was stuck in traffic because of it.
Right.
If everyone is here, let's start, shall we?
Yes, ma'am.
First, let me show you the cover design for the reprint.
We've already seen it last time.
Let's move on to the next item on the agenda.
Yes, ma'am.
We couldn't decide on the copy for the cover in our last meeting.
I've narrowed it down to these two options.
Let me read them to you first.
That's fine. Let's just read it ourselves.
Have we still not received Writer Park Ji Hui's manuscript?
Well, we haven't been able to contact her since yesterday.
All right.
I'll try to get in touch with her.
Manager Lee, are you ready for next week's event?
Yes, Chief.
Writer Sasae is scheduled to arrive by lunchtime tomorrow.
Once he arrives, the interview will proceed at 4 p.m.
Manager Lee, can you continue working with the CEO on the Japanese section?
I know you're busy with the South American section.
Don't worry about us.
Everything's going to be perfect.
Sir, can we make the color a bit darker?
Of course, we can.
This way.
- Have we received the first shipment?
- Yes, it's all here.
And the second batch is arriving in two days, right?
Yes, it will all get here in time.
When did you get here?
Just now.
What's that?
It's a cake.
I was craving something sweet.
How did you know?
How do you always know me so well?
It's nice to hear such a lovely compliment,
but it feels like you're happier to see this than me.
How did you know?
See? I'm an open book to you.
Hold on.
You didn't forget what day today is, did you?
Today?
Is it Valentine's Day? No, it's not.
No way.
Is it Cake Day?
It's your mother's birthday today.
You're right! What time is it now?
Come on, Hong.
Didn't you forget last year as well?
But lunar birthdays are so confusing.
I forgot to get her something.
Let's just go.
What? All right.
Min Jun.
Can we tell her that this is from me?
Please?
Don't give me that look. You can't convince me that easily.
Please, Min Jun. Can we?
Just this once. Please.
Did Jun say he'll be here by 7 p.m.?
Yes, he did.
I told you he said he would be.
Why do you have to keep checking?
You should've picked him up yourself.
What's with the attitude?
I just want to make sure there's enough food.
If I ever get a boyfriend, I'm never going to tell you.
Sure. Don't bother.
That must be them.
Hello, my brother-in-law-to-be.
Hi, have you been well?
"Brother-in-law"? That's so weird.
Hey, let her be. She's just practicing. Right?
Hello, Jun.
Come on in.
Happy birthday, Mother.
Thanks, Min Jun. You must be hungry.
This makes me so happy.
This is such a lovely cake!
Didn't you hate birthdays because it made you feel old?
What's gotten into you?
I'm celebrating with my future son-in-law.
You have no idea how happy I am.
Just wait until you meet yours later. You'll know exactly how I feel.
Can you stop getting ahead of yourself?
Why are you and Rock being so weird?
No, you're being weird. We're basically a family now.
That's right.
I'm so sorry.
I had to take this call.
So, what did I miss?
Don't worry. You didn't miss anything important.
By the way, Hong.
- Can I ask you for a favor?
- A favor?
Can you go to the airport for me tomorrow?
- What?
- I need a substitute interpreter
because Ms. Miyazawa had something urgent come up at home.
You want me to interpret?
Come on, Dad. I can't.
It's been years since I last spoke Japanese.
Why can't you go instead?
You're good at Japanese, too.
Dad's going to Busan for work tomorrow.
I just need you to cover for tomorrow.
I already made plans with Min Jun for tomorrow.
Don't worry. You should go.
He needs your help.
All right?
That's my son-in-law.
- Help yourselves.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thanks, Mom.
I'm sorry.
We'll have to check on the venues next week.
It's fine. I understand.
I'll look for a few more places for us to check out next week.
All right.
Min Jun.
Yes?
Thank you.
Oh, come on. I told you not to say that.
Whenever you say that,
you sound so distant.
Good night.
Go inside. It's cold.
Passenger Terminal 1
You're a lifesaver, Chief Choi.
I didn't realize you knew Japanese.
Did you study there?
No, I lived there for a bit when I was little.
I took classes for a year and got pretty good grades,
but I get nervous when it really matters.
I still get so nervous.
He'll be here soon. Shall we?
Right, of course.
Welcome to Korea, Writer Sasae Hikari
I didn't expect him to be so late.
Where is he?
Yes, Mr. Park.
I'm at the airport.
- Excuse me, Ms. Choi.
- Sure.
Time stood still
like a neatly folded piece of paper.
If I knew that I was going to meet Jungo
I would have never come.
♫ I believe you're saying about love ♫
♫ Even if it's not in words I know ♫
♫ I know you're at the end of the road ♫
♫ So I run to you through the night ♫
♫ Count the lights in the distant night ♫
♫ Our distance is closer than the stars ♫
♫ Tomorrow, when we are together ♫
♫ I'll run with you ♫
♫ Can you see me reaching out? ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ We're the only ones ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ Promise me ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ Know we need each other ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ Hold me in your eyes ♫
♫ I heard you whisper ♫
♫ I believe you're saying about love ♫
♫ Even if it's not in words I know ♫
♫ And I wanna tell you in your words ♫
♫ In any shape ♫
♫ I'll be your meaning ♫