Rivals

Episode 1. Rivals

At the Prague Harmonie International Competition in 2017, two finalists vied for the top honors: Kang Pi-o and Choi Jeong-yo. Jeong-yo is abducted, driven to the countryside, and escapes when he tries to grab the gun from a kidnapper, causing their car to crash into a tree. Kang Pi-o wins the competition.

Kang Pi-o plays at the piano competition with a broken fingernail, his blood spreading over the keys as he performs. At home, he receives a commendation for elevating the prestige of Korean Arts High School by winning the Grand Prize at the 27th Lake Erie International Junior Competition. The award is given because his grandfather, Kang Seung-woon, is a patron. Pi-o throws the award in the garbage, but Han-rim retrieves it and returns it to him at the cafeteria provoking him with insults about his being privileged as a grandson. Pi-o reads the insults scribbled in his piano book: “No more special treatment for Kang Seung-woon’s grandson” and “Drop out, get lost bastard.” Han-rim tells him winning was easy because of his grandfather. Pi-o retorts that they are sore losers and should practice more instead of picking fights. Hong Jae-in defends him but also tells Pi-o to learn humility.

Kang Pi-o insists he doesn’t need to consider other people’s feelings. Jae-in calls him a sociopath. She wants him as her accompanist, but he refuses, saying their skill levels are different. She begs twice, but he harshly tells her she might sound bad. Despite his coldness, she admires his music and even proposes marriage because she doesn’t want to stop listening to him play.

At Songmin High School, students are unruly while Jeong-yo lies on a piano bench, immersed in sounds around him. His teacher urges them to learn instruments but eventually gives up, asking them instead to attend the Cheongun International Music Competition to fill seats and to get their music assessment done through watching. Choi Jeong-yo tells the teacher to give up on them.

Joe Rider picks up Jeong-yo and takes him to a loan shark’s den. The boys get paid for their work except Jeong-yo, whose father owes money. He pays the debt with his labor. At home, he finds his drunk father crying when Jeong-yo gives him money. After tucking him into bed, Jeong-yo sees overdue bills scattered on the floor and heads out to an old piano warehouse.

Meanwhile, Kang Pi-o watches his grandfather, Maestro Kang Seung-woon, conduct with pianist Do Hyun-soo. His mother, Kang Ji-hye seeks an orchestra accompaniment for Pi-o, considering Gyeonsong Philharmonic and Seonghan Philharmonic. At home, they overhear Maestro Kang praising Hyun-soo. When Hyun-soo credits Pi-o’s talent to his grandfather, the Maestro dismisses it, calling Pi-o untalented. Pi-o overhears his grandfather call him a half-witted boy with no talent.

Pi-o confronts his grandfather, playing the piano to prove himself. Maestro Kang tells him his playing is vain and soulless. Pi-o kneels, begging for one more chance at the Noblesse Concert, promising to quit piano if he fails. The Maestro agrees but warns him to keep his word.

At breakfast, Pi-o tells his mother he wants Professor Do Hyun-soo as his instructor instead of Professor Seo. Hyun-soo, however, tells him to return to Professor Seo, saying he has talent.

Choi Jeong-yo watches Pi-o’s performance and recalls their childhood piano sessions. Afterward, he criticizes Pi-o’s cadenza. Hong Jae-in defends Pi-o but is impressed when she learns Jeong-yo is from Songmin High School, not an art school. She asks for his number.

Later, Jae-in loses her accompanist and seeks out Jeong-yo at his high school, calling him a genius. She offers him a million won for five sessions with her. While Professor Seo quits on Pi-o, telling him he’ll never find another teacher.

Jeong-yo meets Jae-in at the piano room, receiving half the payment for the accompaniment upfront. They are overheard by Professor Do Hyun-soo and School Director Yoon Seong-ju. Jeong-yo tries to run away but Professor Hyun-soo convinces him to play by paying him for it, amazed at his talent despite having no teacher. Jeong-yo rejects a scholarship, saying he would starve if he only played music. Director Yoon gives him her card in case he changes his mind.

At home, Jeong-yo is beaten up by loan shark Kim who is searching for his father. He escapes the thugs and has nowhere to go. Desperate, he calls Director Yoon to accept the scholarship. Professor Do Hyun-soo marvels at his talent. Meanwhile, Kang Pi-o visits Professor Hyun-soo to ask him to teach him piano, but is told that  his music lacks emotional depth.

Choi Jeong-yo enters his first class at the art school and sees Kang Pi-o. Asked to play, he declines due to stage fright. Classmates belittle him until Kang Pi-o intervenes. Jeong-yo practices early in the piano room, and Pi-o listens, recalling their childhood rivalry and his mother Kang Ji-hye breaking his second-place trophy because Choi Jeong-yo won the top prize.

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