Flames Of Ambition
Episode 18
Drop the act and just tell me. How much do you need?
I knew you'd ask money from me sooner or later.
Nevermind... I'll handle it.
Sit.
I could tell what you're thinking from a mile away.
I never said I wanted that money, I just want you to lend it to me.
And what's the difference?!
You haven't changed at all?!
Back when you took Minjae away from me, and now.
How about you, then?
Be it when you sold your own son for a little money, or now.
Give me a break...
Money wasn't the reason why I gave Minjae to you.
I merely sent him back to his father.
Then you shouldn't have asked for money.
Leave!
I should have never trusted someone like you.
What did the pot call the kettle again?!
Do I have to throw you out?
Can't be helped. I'll just have to give you what you want.
You can keep it. Don't you ever set foot inside this place again.
You better watch out.
Say a single word to Minjae, and you'll forget what his face looks like.
There's nothing that money can't buy in this world.
Don't take my words lightly.
I'm sure...
I bet you could easily get rid of me.
Glad you realize it.
But, Yoon Nayoung... Mark my words.
I'm not going down without a fight.
You what?
I can't let a woman like you raise Minjae, can I?
So you'll have to accompany me to hell, I'm afraid.
Fine. Let's go for it.
Let's take this to the end.
Grandpa. That's too much.
You just eat a bit of everything. Don't you want to grow up?
I'm already all grown-up, Grandpa.
Are you going out, Mother?
Ohh... I'm meeting my friend from Shinmun-Ro.
She said to come over for tea.
But... Why do you look so down?
It's nothing, Mother...
You're always so cheerful, what's with that sulky look?
I'm just having a bad day, that's all.
What is that?
Did you cry?
What is making you cry?
It's nothing, really,
but tears were just pouring out, Mother.
Is it because of Youngmin?
No, Mother.
I'll see you later.
When you feel like crying, just let it all out.
Whatever the reason.
No need to see me out.
Mother, put in a good word about Minjae.
That's what I'm going there for.
Would I even know what a tea ceremony is?
- See you later. - Yes, Mother.
Finish eating it.
I'm really full, Grandpa.
You eat to fill your belly? It's to give you strength.
Fine.
Let's wait until you're hungry again, then.
All right, Grandpa. I'll finish it.
Youngmin.
I guess Dad is finally starting to show his age.
Ever thought you'd see him joke around with his grandson?
A man like him?!
Ingi... Where are you going?
I need to go somewhere.
You have a shoot in two days!
I'll be back before then.
Are you out of your mind?
If you act up again, President Hwang is not going to let it slide.
Let me go, Eonni.
Tell me, where are you going?
To meet Minjae, right?
I told you I wouldn't meet him again.
So why can't you tell me where you're going?
Eonni.
Becoming an actress was my dream.
And it was because of that dream that I was able to endure all the hardships.
But now you made it.
So why do you keep trying to ruin it all?
I don't know from where things started going downhill.
I achieved my dream, but I'm not happy.
So I need to make up for that.
And how are you going to do that?
I'll start from square one.
I'll go back to the beginning, and find out why things got to this point.
Wait a moment, Ingi! Let me come with you.
Ingi, wait!
Ingi!
Ingi!!
Ingi! You must be back by tomorrow!
Ingi...
What are you doing?
For the time being, I'll stay in Ulsan.
You want to live apart?
To get those agreements signed, I'll have to spend some time with those people.
You said you were against it.
It's Father's last wish, so I'll have to do my best.
Nice excuse...
Or maybe you're running away because you can't stand me anymore?
I'm just suggesting we take some time to reflect.
Do we have time to waste on love quarrels?
I've heard your father is taking Minjae around, teaching him this and that.
Don't you realize what that means?
That Youngmin will take over after him, and Minjae will be next in line.
It's pretty much written in stone by now.
I apologize.
I'll just stay at home from now on.
I have no intention of blaming you.
If anyone is to blame for what happened to us, that's me.
If you want to go, just do it.
If you pack up and leave this way, what will people say?
All right.
Hey.
Even after seeing me beg like this, you still leave without blinking once?
Fine... Do as you wish, I won't bother stopping you!
Dad.
Mom is crying.
Someone with Mom's pride is crying, how can you do this to her?
It has nothing to do with you.
How can it have nothing to do with me?
You keep running away like this, so Minjae gets all the attention away from me.
And what attention are you speaking of?
He's all Grandpa has eyes for.
- Don't you even feel sorry for me? - And what have you done to avoid that? Womanizing?
Learn to support yourself, and get rid of that sense of entitlement.
Have you ever given me a chance?
Why don't you try to resemble Uncle Youngmin just a little?
Tell him to take it all and get out.
To enjoy life with that bitch he's fallen head over heels for!
Mom... He's gone.
Gone?
You could pretend you were overcome by tears, but he wouldn't care less.
Why didn't you wake up a little earlier?
- You kept giving him the cold shoulder, so... - Whose side are you on, you ungrateful little fool?
Here, take it.
What are you doing? Drink it and pass it on.
- Fill it. - Yes, Sir.
Minjae, have some yourself.
Yes, Grandpa.
Look, Minjae.
No matter how good your machines are, you can't get on top of a building without people.
- Got it? - Yes.
- Here... One shot. - Yes, Grandpa.
Here... To Chairman Kim Taejin!
- Cheers! - Cheers.
Father said he'll be late,
and Mother went to Shinmun-Ro for a tea ceremony, so she'll come after dinner.
Honey.
How about we send Minjae back to the States?
Why... Is anyone complaining about him?
He's loafing his time away without anything to do.
It'll spoil him.
I was actually thinking about that myself.
What did I tell you?
Yang Insuk hasn't changed a bit.
What's that supposed to mean?
- You can go rest now. - Yes, Ma'am.
She asked for money.
And it didn't seem like it'll be pocket money, either.
Money for what?
Don't know.
I didn't get the chance to ask her.
It seemed like she'd make a mess if I said no, what else could I say?
I just told her I will and we parted ways.
Get that money, for starters.
When does she need it?
Seemed pretty urgent?
Just have dinner, let's worry about that later.
Want more fermented soybeans, Honey?
I told you to come to me if you had any problem, didn't I?
I said I'd help you.
How much do you need?
Just tell me how much money you need.
I put the cafe up for sale.
I'm sorry.
It was too urgent.
Don't you have any pride? Asking Nayoung that favor...
I told you it was urgent.
I had no time to think about the consequences.
I'll get you that money.
I'll just sell the cafe.
And how will you make a living?
When did you ever worry about that?
Yes... You did help me, from time to time.
Throwing pocket money at me as if you were feeding chickens.
- Insuk... - Don't call me that.
I don't want you to call me that name.
Hey... You should have called to say you'd be late!
I've been waiting for that money for so long, it's driving me crazy!
Is it ready?
The hell do you think you're dealing with?
What?
Let me go!
Youngmin! Youngmin, don't!
- Let go! - Youngmin!
Youngmin! Don't do that!
Youngmin, listen to me!
Let me go first.
I can't breathe...
Why do you keep harassing Insuk?
I told you not to come back from New York!
Fine, kill me. Just strangle me to death.
Do it... Go ahead!
How can a gentleman like you resort to violence?
What is it that you want?
Say it!
If you really want to help, don't just pretend.
You want me to run a mom and pops store in New York at my age?
I told you...
Get me a place worth at least a million bucks.
Would that do it?
Will that make sure you won't show up again?
If I asked for anything more, I'd be nothing but a thief.
Give me a month.
I'll settle this once and for all.
So you'll keep your promise this time.
All right.
I'll just have to trust you on that, return to New York and quietly wait.
Promise you'll never show up before Insuk again!
Don't you worry.
How can that be possible?
I've spent days staring that phone, waiting for your call.
You get all sorts of strange thoughts.
For instance, that you told your father about us,
but in a fit of anger he grounded you at home.
Don't you think?
If that wasn't the case, why wouldn't you call?
Go take a shower. I'll finish here and cook dinner.
Insuk.
Right...
Shall we eat out instead?
To celebrate your safe return.
Right... I had something more important to tell you.
Listen to me first.
Later...
I got married.
You what?
I had no choice... My parents forced it on me.
Insuk...
And how about the baby?
I'm pregnant with your child.
I'm sorry for asking such a burdensome favor.
It's all right.
I'll try my best to convince the villagers.
Don't push it too hard, or they'll start cursing at you.
No...
People might act as if they're against the shipyard,
but there are a lot of people who approve of it deep down.
I'll come early in the morning, then.
Yes... I'll be waiting for you.
Good night.
Go back in.
It's all right.
Hyejin...
Hyejin!
Hyejin.
Hyejin!
Hyejin!!
Hyejin!
You little...
Why did you drink so much?
Grandpa kept giving it to me...
Was it fun?
Grandpa... just rocks.
The chairman wants a snack.
- Should I boil some noodles, Father? - Sure.
Why did you get Minjae so drunk?
Just a little education, that's all.
Nayoung. Come here a moment.
Yes, Father.
- Start with the broth and then add the noodles. - Yes, Ma'am.
What are you waiting for? Come here.
I'm coming.
- Time to let the cub out of the den. - What?
Why is your son always so shy around people?
You've been so possessive that he wets his pants just talking to people.
Listen to you...
She raised him just fine.
The lady from Shinmun-Ro was practically drooling over him.
That's not how you raise a kid.
I'll take care of educating Minjae from now on.
Yes... Go ahead, Father.
Then, go get my noodles.
She was just telling you that.
I'm hungry.
Yes, Father.
- Right. - Yes.
At today's board meeting, I decided to put you in charge of the dept. store.
Thank you, Father.
You made a great decision, Chairman.
But you got the short end of the stick.
What's that supposed to mean?
Since our daughter-in-law is going to work, you'll have to do the chores.
Chairman!
Let me work, too!
I'd never let my wife prance around making a mess.
Will you really keep this up?
The hell is wrong with you... Where are you pinching me?
I just want to be a little active outside like everyone else!
Nice!
Have a drink.
Think I'm in the mood for drinking?
Just flush it down your throat, and don't worry about your guts.
What's that supposed to mean?
It's because they ripped your guts out, isn't it?
Always placid and peaceful, aren't we?
Youngmin is digging his own grave.
The board is already filled with rumors.
So he put the wife in charge of the department store, the son is a secretary...
Think they'd approve of that?
And if they don't, so what?
If Father is calling the shots...
When it comes to group matters, Dad can't just do as he pleases.
Anyhow, I've had it.
I can already see how things will end up, and there isn't even much I can do about it.
Honey.
You know what's the scariest thing in life?
The egg ghost.
You really...
Saying that every change she gets...
Is there anything scarier than someone you can never figure out?
Whenever I look at Nayoung she reminds me of that, and it gives me the chills.
Aigoo...
Listen to you...
So what is it, this scariest thing?
The tongue.
People's tongue?
I'll handle things with General Nam,
so you just prance around running that trap and spreading rumors.
Why, if I try to stir up bad blood, will Father even breathe in my direction?
If the tree doesn't fall down after ten strikes, go for a hundred.
Let's have a drink.
He's really something...
Giving that department store to some hick like her?
You just wait.
Who knows? Dad might finally go senile, and one day...
"Aigoo... My poor Youngdae..."
"Just take everything!"
Have a seat.
You could have told me you were living this way!
I'll take care of you, Insuk.
From now on, I'll take care of you.
Mom...
What are you doing there?
You woke up?
Yes... I was thirsty. Guess I had too much to drink.
- What time is it? - Go back to sleep.
- And Dad? - He's sleeping.
So why are you here?
Was just thinking about something.
I've become president of a department store.
Really?
You know I've always lived as a housewife.
So now that I think about it, the prospect really worries me.
Everything will go well.
You're smart.
Right... I can do it.
Go back to sleep. I'll go in a while, too.
Yes.
Mom.
Don't worry.
Grandpa and I really see eye to eye.
I knew that one day I'd meet you again.
Let's go eat whale meat!
I really have no time for breakfast...
Just have a bite.
I have a meeting early in the morning, so I need to go.
Sorry. You had it all prepared...
I'm the one who's sorry.
I should have woken you up earlier.
Just sell that cafe.
I'll find you a decent place to live in, so move as well.
- My wife... - All right.
I'll sell it.
I'm not saying you must do it right away.
When Minjae's issue is settled, you can take your time.
Where are you?
I had a meeting early in the morning so I didn't drop by.
I'll call you when the meeting's over.
All right.
Yes.
Dad.
You came to work again?
Of course. I was assigned to the secretary's office.
Really?
Do your best.
Dad...
Did you call Mom?
Yeah, I did.
I thought she was made of steel,
but last night I saw her in tears.
I'm so sorry... I'm late.
It's all right.
It's not like rushing it will make things easier, so we can take our time.
I'm sorry again.
Is anything the matter?
No.
You don't look too well today...
No... It's just that I didn't get to sleep that much.
Then, let's just take the day off.
Jeongsuk!
Have fun on your date.
On your way back, buy a chicken, uh?
What's wrong?
Just a moment.
Can't you find prettier ones?
Hurry up and find them!
Look at me.
Here is where my life ends.
- And where I will be reborn... - And where I will be reborn!
I won't be reborn as the daughter of a murderer,
but that of a great man!
Mom...
I'm not dying out of hate for you...
I just...
hate the world I'm living in.
I really...
hate this world!
Mom...
You...
are Hyejin, right?
Hyejin!
I knew you were alive.
There was no way you could die.
Look at your mother.
Look at me and say something.
Say you're my Hyejin.
Hyejin...
You...
know I'm not your daughter.
What are you saying?
You're my daughter.
What I meant...
is that you might have raised me,
but you're not my birth mother.
I came here a few times, wanting to learn who I am.
Who told you that?
I'm your birth mother.
You brought me from the orphanage.
I said that's not it!
Why can't you believe me?
All right.
Hyejin.
I read your diary.
The day I ran away from home.
In it, you wrote about bringing me home from that orphanage.
Thank you, Ajumma.
For raising me like a real mother.
Hyejin...
But I was still curious, to find out who my parents were.
I said you're my daughter!
I came thinking you might know that,
but you keep saying you don't know, so it can't be helped.
Hyejin...
If you ever end up recalling it,
please give me a call.
I'd at least like to see the people who abandoned me at that orphanage,
see what they look like.
Thank you, Ajumma.
One day I'll make it up for everything you did for me.
What can I do now?
Nayoung... What do I do now?
Why don't you listen? Uh?
Enough. It's my fault.
- Director Jang. - Yes... Yes, Hyungnim.
How are you going to handle this?
I'll take full responsibility and find Baek Ingi by the end of the day.
If Baek Ingi doesn't show up at that shoot tomorrow,
you better be ready for the consequences.
Yes, Hyungnim.
Aigoo...
The things I have to deal with...
Grandpa.
Ohh... We're home already?
I really envy you.
Why?
You could fall asleep just about everywhere.
I always had little time to sleep, so I got used to it.
Listen, Minjae.
If you want to make it, you better not waste too much time sleeping.
Yes, Grandpa.
Can I get off here?
You're not coming home for dinner?
I just have to drop by somewhere.
- Pull over. - Thank you, Grandpa.
- I'll get going, Grandpa. - Is it a secret?
All right. I'll tell your mother I last saw you at the office.
Thank you.
Don't you run, Minjae.
The busier you are, the slower your steps.
Yes, Grandpa.
Let's go.
- Temporarily Closed -
Must feel great, Nayoung. Heard you got yourself a dept. store?
Yes...
Aigoo... And at my age, I can't even say a word no matter what I'd like to do.
Whenever you have time, come to the department store.
You can just work with me.
Shall I?
Sure.
- The chairman is home! - Yes, Mother!
- Will you have dinner right now, Father? - Yeah, sure.
Where is Minjae?
He said he was going out with his friends.
- Is Youngmin still out? - Yes.
But he left the office before we did?!
Something must have come up, I guess.
I'll bring you dinner, Father.
Minjae's mother has been acting like that all day.
Why?
You gave her wings, what else?
- The department store? - It was a wise decision.
She's a passionate woman, so keeping her at home would just kill her.
She's endured it long enough.
Have a problem with your daughter-in-law being excited?
Should I give the department store to Mijin instead?
Don't you even say that!
I'm never going to let that stand.
I saw the notice at the cafe, "Temporarily Closed."
I put it up for sale.
We finally... hit the jackpot?!
Aigoo...
Yes, come in.
I apologize for calling you so late.
Don't even mention it.
I had a urgent favor to ask you.
Go ahead.
Have a seat.
You can tell me everything.
Some urgent expenses suddenly came up.
How much...
Go ahead and tell me.
It's for personal reasons...
I don't know how much it is,
but we always have sufficient funds ready for such emergencies.
Thank you.
If you are to take over the group, you'll need a secret fund.
I don't know if you were aware of it,
but I've been put in charge of managing that secret fund.
If you need any funds, don't hesitate to tell me.
I even thought about killing myself a few times.
Still better than surviving this way...
Insuk!
Every single inch of my body is wounded.
I told you already. I killed her.
So someone who never trusts anything I say would believe that?
- Was it really you? - Of course not.
But I told you, if you want to believe that, go ahead.
Cheers!
Insuk... You're really smart.
Where did you get that brilliant idea?
Need to pay back all they made me go through.
When you started acting like that with me, I got the chills.
I was almost afraid you'd go at my throat with a knife or something.
Because you were messing with my son!
You better watch out, Jinho. Leave Minjae out of this.
All right, I get it.
Just a little money in my pocket, and I'm happy.
I'll get my son back whatever it takes. And his father as well.
Minjae's father still loves me.
He never really married that woman out of love.
His parents forced it on him.
Insuk.
Don't get too greedy.
That's not gonna do you any favor.
Minjae likes me, too.
He tells me everything.
That's only because he doesn't know who you are.
If he learns that, he'll like me even more. I'm his birth mother.
Hey... Don't push it.
Fall on a chaebol's bad side, and it'll be the end for us.
You really think she'd be any safer?
Neither of us was cut out to become in-laws with chaebol.
Insuk.
I'll go to New York and open that market,
so hog whatever you can get your hands on and come back to the States.
And enough with those ridiculous romance shenanigans.
I'll never be able to forget it.
The look on Yoon Nayoung's face as she was running me over.
I'll torment her until the day I die.
Until she kneels down and begs me.
Nah... Even that won't cut it.
I won't forgive her even if she begs for it.
Not until that Yoon Nayoung breathes her last breath.
Ingi...
Where have you been? Director Jang was furious.
Prepare for the shoot, Eonni. I'll get some shut-eye.
I thought you'd gone into hiding again!
You brat...
Don't forget, Ingi.
You have no parents.
And even if they might still be alive, they have nothing to do with you.
Because they abandoned you.
Did she ask who her parents were?
Then, couldn't you just tell her?
That you brought her from the orphanage, so you don't know.
Jeongsuk.
You don't know them, right?
The people who abandoned Hyejin.
I can't tell her.
I can't tell her that.
Your parents are sleeping.
What have you done all evening, skipping dinner and all?
Eat... It'll get cold.
- I went to meet Yang Insuk last night. - I know.
Want some ginseng liquor on the side?
Did you sleep over?
You didn't even call, so I figured out that'd be the case.
I'm starting work at the department store tomorrow.
If I'm late, don't bother your mother and eat out with Minjae near the office.
I really don't know if I'll be any good.
It's been so long... Still, I did fine back at the New York branch.
- No need to worry. - Honey!
Do we really need to talk about that?
I was afraid you'd throw excuses at me after spending the night out.
But knowing that you slept at Yang Insuk's place, I feel relieved.
She said she'd put up the cafe for sale, so I was curious where and how she lived.
I'm sure it was hard to bear.
It's still Minjae's birth mother, and yet she's living like that.
Did you know?
Of course I looked into it. You never know what she might have tried.
She's not that kind of woman.
I'll at least help her live a decent life.
Go ahead.
She had bruises all over her body.
I never imagined it was this serious.
Did you get enough of a good look to see that?
Then again...
You spent the whole night there, I'm sure it wasn't just to catch up.
- Don't get any indecent ideas. - Indecent?!
I'm indecent for having to ignore the fact that I know who my husband is sleeping with,
while the woman who used my weak spot to get rich is all refined and stuff?!
Have we completely fallen head over heels?
Listen well.
Lay a finger on Yang Insuk again, and you'll pay.
I told you it wasn't me!
I have no idea how she got into that accident.
I've had it up to here with your damned lies!
Cheers!