Scene 5: The Envelope

The mother invites the assistant to a quiet café and slides an envelope across the table.

The mother
바쁠 텐데 시간 내 줘서 고마워요.
Thank you for making time — I know you're busy.
haeyo (polite)
The mother
이건 그냥 내 성의라고 생각해요.
Think of this as a small gesture from me.
haeyo (polite)
The assistant
사모님, 무슨 뜻인지 잘 모르겠습니다.
Ma'am, I'm not sure what you mean.
hapsyo (formal)
The mother
우리 애 옆자리는 비워 줬으면 해요.
I'd like you to step away from my son.
haeyo (polite)
The assistant
죄송하지만 이건 받을 수 없습니다.
I'm sorry, but I can't accept this.
hapsyo (formal)
The mother
생각할 시간을 더 줄게요.
I'll give you more time to think.
haeyo (polite)
The assistant
시간이 더 있어도 대답은 같을 겁니다.
More time won't change my answer.
hapsyo (formal)
The assistant
봉투는 여기 두고 가겠습니다.
I'll leave the envelope here.
hapsyo (formal)

Vocabulary

Korean	English	Note
성의	a token of goodwill	Often said when handing over money or a gift.
뜻	meaning, intention	무슨 뜻이에요? = what do you mean?
옆자리	the seat beside someone	Here: a place in his life.
비우다	to empty, to vacate	비워 주다 = to vacate for someone.
-었으면 하다	I'd like it if…	A soft way to ask for something.
봉투	envelope	Also slang for a cash gift.

Speech-level and title notes

-었으면 해요 means "I'd like it if…". It is a soft way to make a demand without a command form. In this scene the softness makes it colder, not kinder.

Refusing politely: 죄송하지만 ("I'm sorry, but") + -을 수 없습니다 ("cannot"). The formal style keeps a respectful distance while saying no.

In scene 4 the mother spoke banmal; here she switches to haeyo. Raising the politeness level can signal distance rather than respect — this is business, not family.

Quiz

Original dialogue inspired by genre tropes — not show scripts. AI-assisted.