##Spoiler Alert Frankly Speaking ep 1 The show begins with our protagonist Anchor Ki Baek hosting a news program on JBC station. He covers a new law against workplace bullying and connects with a field reporter, but the reporter who shows up is actually a young boy. It turns out that the station's director, Mr. Kim, arranged for Ki Baek to host a fake news segment for his children's entertainment. Staff at the station speculate that Ki Baek is enduring Mr. Kim's antics to advance as the main anchor of JBC.

Mr. Kim asks Ki Baek to deliver the closing line for filming. Ki Baek earnestly promises to report only the truth, despite Mr. Kim's children misbehaving. Later, Ki Baek prepares to host another news segment with his colleague, who praises his resilience and predicts his promotion. However, Ki Baek reacts calmly, and as they're about to start, his colleague receives unsettling messages and turns pale. The broadcast goes live moments later.

In another scene, the female lead variety show writer Woo Ju meets a young man at a café to invite him to her program. During her blind date, she finds herself preoccupied with her phone. She explains to her date that writers, such as herself, rarely find time for dating due to their hectic schedules. Confirming her statement, she hastily excuses herself when she receives a call, citing a work emergency.

Woo Ju arrives at the filming location, but the guest refuses to continue because his girlfriend won't allow it. Despite Woo Ju's attempts to persuade him, he remains unwilling.

The story continues with Ki Baek noticing the arrival of his colleague's husband. The husband bursts into the studio, shouting at the camera and berating someone named Song Hun for sleeping with his wife, causing chaos. Ki Baek looks at his colleague, stunned by the situation. The husband then attacks Ki Baek. Despite that, Ki Baek still tries to apologize to the audience. Everyone in the studio looks at each other in shock, with no one reacting until someone shouts "cut." However, due to confusion, they broadcast this scene on all other TV channels before cutting the feed.

Meanwhile, Woo Ju is still trying to persuade the guest when she receives news that the person having an affair with the main MC is the guest she's trying to convince. After reading the news, the young man instructs the driver to speed away, leaving Woo Ju confused.

Later, talking with Director Kim, Ki Baek takes full responsibility for the incident. Director Kim launches into a series of moral lessons then asks Ki Baek to write a report and not mention unrelated people like him. Ki Baek complies, making the director very pleased. As Ki Baek is about to leave, Director Kim mentions considering adding Ki Baek's name to the list of candidates for the main news anchor position. In the restroom, Ki Baek encounters his best friend, who asks why he hasn't been answering his mother's repeated calls. Just then, a colleague joins the conversation, inquiring about Ki Baek's family, which makes his friend uncomfortable, prompting him to leave. The colleague assumes Ki Baek hails from a prestigious family, attributing Director Kim's constant support to this.

Exiting the elevator, Ki Baek is hit with a sudden stomachache. Meanwhile, Woo Ju is persuading the female CEO not to cancel her male beauty contest program. Agreeing, the CEO urges Woo Ju to convince the guests and put in more effort. As Woo Ju is taken aback, Ki Baek approaches, presses the elevator button, and steps in. Catching up, Woo Ju joins him in the elevator. As they descend, an employee puts up a sign indicating "elevator under maintenance."

Inside the elevator, Ki Baek's stomach rumbles loudly while Woo Ju angrily talks on the phone. Ki Baek struggles to control his discomfort, fearing an accident. Suddenly, the elevator halts, and the lights go out. Trying to restrain himself, Ki Baek hesitates to move. Witnessing the stoppage, Woo Ju attempts to pry open the doors, urging Ki Baek to assist. Ki Baek explains it's a routine check and asks her to wait, but Woo Ju persists. Then, a prolonged noise echoes in the elevator. Astonished, Woo Ju questions Ki Baek about it, wondering if he passed gas. Calmly, Ki Baek clarifies it's just gas, not a fart. Annoyed, Woo Ju demands Ki Baek to open the door, but he hesitates, fearing he might lose control. Desperate, Woo Ju calls for help, and luckily, a staff member outside hears her plea. With a concerned look, Ki Baek struggles to hold on, while the staff member opens the door. The smell reaches the staff member, but he remains composed and assists them in getting out. Woo Ju is pulled up first, and the staff member asks Ki Baek if he's coming, to which he raises his hand to signal he's okay, but is lifted up right after. The next day, when Ki Baek arrives at the company, his boss informs him that he's not included in the list of candidates for the main news anchor position. Ki Baek is bewildered and disappointed because after all his efforts, he's been excluded. The director suggests he focuses on the entertainment program to improve his public image. Ki Baek disagrees, saying if he joins the entertainment program, he won't be able to return to news. The director dismisses that and introduces him to Woo Ju. Woo Ju steps in and invites Ki Baek to join her program.

As they talk, Ki Baek has no idea about the "Men's Running Contest" program Woo Ju writes for. He declines due to a previous leg injury and fear of recurrence. Woo Ju brings up the company's basketball championship last year, emphasizing Ki Baek's excellence. However, Ki Baek continues to refuse due to physical weakness from aging. At that moment, Woo Ju shouts about a cockroach near his leg, making Ki Baek jump up in panic. On the way out, Woo Ju wonders why Ki Baek dared to reject her so bluntly.

That evening, after discovering Director Kim has accepted Woo Ju's invitation and pressured Ki Baek to join the "Men's Running Contest" program or quit, Ki Baek feels deeply disheartened. He confides in his friend about how his efforts seem to be disregarded. On his way home, Ki Baek receives a message from Woo Ju asking to save her number in his contacts.

The next day at the program's studio, a famous singer and guest named PN arrives. PN notices a guy wearing shoes identical to his own. Despite always appearing cheerful, once in his private room, PN scolds his assistant over trivial matters like not being given soy milk and choosing non-unique fashion items for him. When Woo Ju enters, PN appears polite and friendly, but Ki Baek happens to be in the room the whole time and witnesses all of his two-faced personality.

During the filming session, Ki Baek and PN start arguing on the field. Ki Baek continuously throws balls at PN, making him uncomfortable. Finally, Ki Baek throws a strong pitch hitting PN's head, causing him to fall. Despite being penalized by the referee, Ki Baek is kept in the competition.

During break time, Woo Ju calls Ki Baek outside for a chat. She leads him into the stadium's electrical control room to find a quiet place. Woo Ju explains to Ki Baek that he's overexerting himself, affecting the main guest of the program and their fans, who might lose interest. Ki Baek only just grasps this.

As the two of them nervously talk, there's a malfunction in the electrical system. Ki Baek accidentally touches a switch and gets electrocuted. He's thrown back and he loses consciousness gradually.

The stadium also experiences a power outage, leaving everyone bewildered. Woo Ju tries to wake Ki Baek, and he opens his eyes. However, Ki Baek starts uttering unrelated and bizarre sentences. Both of them are confused and rush out.

Outside, PN becomes more hostile. He insults Ki Baek and hits a staff member, trying to assert control. Ki Baek gets angry and grabs PN, scolding him. He's about to slap PN to teach him a lesson, but Won-joo pushes him down. She asks if he's lost his mind, and he starts yelling and being mad at himself.