Melancholia (멜랑꼴리아)

All characters, groups, and events are fictional.

Asung High School Math Competition

We don't know who will get to participate

in the International Mathematician Olympics.

This is a rare opportunity,

so I want you all to put everything into it.

Good luck everyone.

- Now, shall we begin? - Wait.

It's not the time yet.

Sure. We should stick to the schedule.

Should we distribute the answer sheet first?

Let's begin.

Asung High School Math Competition

Distribute the answer sheet.

Now, shall we close the door?

Asung High School Math Competition

Asung High School

I found it.

The answer to the question.

I found it.

What's going on over there?

Tell me when this is over.

Asung High School Math Competition

A junior student from Class Two, Baek Seung-yoo,

is participating in the competition, Ms. Noh.

Why am I feeling so nervous? It's our kids who are taking the exam.

- Tell me about it. - Hold on.

I had a really good dream last night.

In my dream, Ye-rin was riding a very pretty elephant.

- Is that a good dream? - Of course.

The elephant is a symbol of fame, study, and prize.

I guess Ye-rin is going to top this exam as well.

We don't know until it's over.

As always, my girl, Ye-rin, worked so hard for this.

This is not like any other competition.

This is the competition where they decide...

the participant in the International Mathematician Olympics.

I didn't order any madeleines.

It's on the house.

That's new.

We have good news. That's why.

What good news? What is it?

Well...

I didn't want to tell you all the details,

but my son, Seung-yoo...

Honey, did Seung-yoo come here?

What are you talking about? Why would he come here?

He ran away.

He wouldn't answer the phone either. Where on earth is he?

Thanks

for the free madeleine.

Thank you.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

I didn't expect you to pop out like that.

Sung Ye-rin

School Math Competition

According to the law of sines, the two circles...

Make all questions essay questions?

Yes. Because how they solved the problems is more important

than solving as many questions as possible as quickly as they can.

That's what Ms. Ji said?

Yes. In fact, she's not entirely wrong.

But to those who don't have a good understanding of the logic of math...

Do it.

Meeting

Sir.

These are the potential questions.

Memorize them all.

They're essay questions, so make sure to memorize the whole thing.

Everything.

We're going to grade the papers now.

Essay questions can be partially correct depending on the criteria.

We'll make sure to get it done through in-depth discussions.

Make sure to finish it by the end of the day.

Yes, ma'am.

You're thinking of participating in the Mathematician Olympics, aren't you?

So you even know how to lie.

I'm not participating to beat you.

Then why?

Then why are you participating in it?

Do you like math?

I...

need to be good at it.

That's my reason.

What about you? Isn't this all too sudden?

- It isn't. - What?

I've never once hated math.

Sung Ye-rin

Math Classroom

Hello?

- Did you want to see me? - Yes, Ye-rin.

Your test results are out.

I didn't make any mistakes. I did as I prepared.

Of course, you did an amazing job.

You did, but...

Come in.

Great job.

Great job, Baek Seung-yoo.

Two people got perfect scores?

Yes. You and Baek Seung-yoo.

The one who always came in last

turned out to be Baek Min-jae, the math genius.

So? Who's going to participate in the Olympics?

Regardless of who's going to participate in the Olympics,

I'm

really glad to see you again.

I didn't come back because of you.

You said you solved that problem, right?

Is this the one?

- What's wrong? - It's not the answer.

I misunderstood something in the middle.

I see.

That's totally fine.

That reminds me, how did the conversation with your dad go?

Don't tell me you...

- Press in his number. - I'll talk to him.

Will you really?

You're going to do math with me, right?

Yes.

By the way, I had gotten the wrong idea.

About what?

I thought you were trying to send me to the special science school for prodigies.

Mr. Han Myung-jin: Come to the teachers' office.

The director is asking for you.

Seung-yoo, can you tell me that in detail?

Asung High School Math Competition Baek Seung-yoo, Sung Ye-rin

I think Sung Ye-rin should represent Asung High School.

Having taught her since freshman year,

let me tell you Ye-rin memorizes the math problem and solution as a whole.

We should acknowledge such hard work.

Understanding is the key in math, not memorizing.

Gosh, putting on airs.

Seung-yoo's answer

is the most creative solution I have seen in recent years.

He wrote down various solutions

and all of them are correct.

Only one can participate in the Olympics,

so what do you want to do?

- How about a retest? - What?

Only the two students will take the retest today,

and the representative will be selected based on its scores.

Why did two people get perfect scores?

If the level of difficulty was adjusted in the first place,

this wouldn't have happened.

You're right.

If I had known they'd come up with such outstanding solutions,

I would've made it much difficult.

I get it, you may leave for now.

Assemblyman Sung Min-jun

Yes, Director.

Do you have something to say?

What is she doing? Why hasn't she left?

I heard you tried to transfer Seung-yoo

to the special science school for prodigies.

I did.

Not long ago, I told you the student who got the correct answer

to the club member selection problem would cut a figure soon.

That student is Seung-yoo.

I know. So what?

He has great potential.

I dare guarantee...

He will be a mathematician who will mark

a milestone in our country's mathematics world.

Whether Seung-yoo was trained in Asung High School or not.

Wouldn't that be an important part

of your education performance as the director of school affairs?

Well then.

Assemblyman Sung Min-jun

Hello, Vice-principal.

- Welcome. - Thank you.

Is it true Seung-yoo's at school?

Follow me.

Mr. Baek, you must've heard of International Mathematician Olympics.

Of course. Isn't it going to be held in Korea next month?

It seems like Seung-yoo wants to participate in that.

I have something to tell you both, so I asked you to come.

Please sit down.

Seung-yoo got a perfect score?

What will happen now?

You said you'd only select one representative.

So I'm wondering,

would you be able to ask the organizer?

Yes, okay. Thank you.

One school decided not to participate, so there's an open spot.

They're willing to give Asung High School a special opportunity.

That's great! We can have two representatives.

Are you really going to go with two?

Or they will have to take a retest and one will be eliminated.

Let's let both of them participate.

Mr. Baek, I will get in touch regarding the upcoming schedule.

All right.

Thank you.

Professor Cha, it's me, Noh Jung-ah.

It's about our student, Sung Ye-rin, who I mentioned before.

I'd like to discuss her study participation schedule.

2017 Asung High School Math Competition, IMO 2017

During the exam, something struck me.

There was a problem Ms. Ji gave me,

and I thought I could solve it.

But I couldn't.