Flames Of Ambition
Episode 32
Then, first answer me.
Are you really dating Kim Minjae?
- Then... - We love each other.
You can't!
What do you mean we can't?
I said we love each other!
You really love him?
Yes.
To death.
Why would I care if you and his mother are sisters?
It's not like we're blood relatives!
Nayoung...
is your real mother!
Minjae's mother is your mother.
She's the woman who gave birth to you!
What now... What can we do now?
Hyejin.
Now that's interesting.
So the woman who abandoned me was Yoon Nayoung?!
Hyejin...
I said don't call me that!
The Hyejin you raised has long been dead.
She killed herself in the waters of Jangsaeng Port!
Say that again.
Is it really serious between you and Kim Minjae?
Answer me!
Is it that much of a big deal?
What are you saying?
Minjae is your brother!
You really don't understand what I'm saying?
Don't worry.
Since Minjae is not Yoon Nayoung's real son.
What did you say?
She's not his real mother.
What's that supposed to mean?
Minjae is not Nayoung's son?!
Go ask your sister.
Who Minjae's real mother is.
Hyejin... Listen to me...
Hyejin, let me finish...
Listen, Hyejin.
I left you my phone number.
Why did she abandon me?
Why did she throw me away the moment I was born?
- That's... - Forget it.
Forget I ever asked.
Wait a moment, Hyejin.
I'll tell you.
I said enough!
It's not like we can turn back time and fix it,
so what's the point of hearing that?
Don't you ever come looking for me again.
I don't even want to know who my parents are.
And I surely don't want to ruin my life again because of that damned past!
So don't you ever come here again.
What are you doing?
Is anything wrong?
That ajumma just left looking like a ghost?!
- Hey... Take your time. - Let go!
What's the matter, Ingi?
Nothing changed.
You're still the son of Vice-chairman Kim Youngmin.
Got it?
Yes.
Just pretend you had the measles, or something.
If you let something like that bring you down, how will you ever succeed your father?!
I apologize. I was only told now.
- Is the vice-chairman in? - Yes.
I'm finally starting to get the hang of it. Checking stocks on my smartphone.
Thank you.
- How are you, Aunt? - What are you doing here?
He's been working as secretary as ordered by the chairman.
So Minjae won't feel lonely... Take good care of him.
Minjae, I'll go meet your father.
What are you doing? Go back to work! The hell are you all staring at?!
Minjae.
Thanks to you, I won a bet.
I bet you'd just come to work.
I made some money thanks to you, so tonight drinks are on me.
We need to cheer Minjae up.
What if he hadn't come to work? Wouldn't it have been even worse for him?
I did well, didn't I?
I've already comforted him, so don't say a thing.
Long time no see!
It's so hard to see you these days...
I bet it must be hard, because of Minjae.
Never felt better.
Really?!
After everything was laid bare, I feel like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.
That's good to hear.
I would be too embarrassed to even leave my house...
It's not like I sneaked out of the back door to have a nasty little affair, after all.
- A what? - Listen.
All I can be blamed for is not being able to bear children.
Isn't it still a hundred times better than all those tramps...
who give birth without even knowing who got them pregnant in the first place?
Sounds familiar.
Ahh... You better be careful, by the way.
My sister is more cunning than you think.
Don't think she'll let go of Kim Youngjun so easily...
Not pulling punches, are we...
With a few tears, she'll just win over naive men like him.
So try to imagine.
The destructive power of the tears that innocent country hick will throw at him.
She'll probably melt his heart in a moment?!
And you still have an affair?!
Come here... Stop!
Sit there a moment.
You're still meeting that hick behind my back, aren't you?
Youngmin's wife was giving her best trying to rile me up.
You just sigh?!
Watch what you say.
I'm vulgar by nature, what can I do?
Did you know that Minjae was the son of someone your brother dated before getting married?
Promote Seongjae to a director post within your company.
Are you listening to me?
I said promote him to director.
Being a step ahead of Minjae will only help him compete with the other grandchildren.
You promised you wouldn't interfere with company matters, didn't you?
Have you forgotten who put you there in the first place?
Why... Want to call it quits and run back to that hick?
Be my guest. I won't stop you this time.
But I doubt he'll let you?! And you know why?
Because your father will want you to give him back the rest of the group.
Isn't that the only reason he accepted my uncle's offer?
Spare me that nonsense.
Atlantic Group will forever remain split in half.
And after Chairman Kim gets out of the picture, I'll swallow the other half on my own.
After which I'll give it all to Seongjae.
Just hold that seat for him until then.
Kim Seongjae.
You call this work?
What did you learn in school?
Can't even file an ordinary report... Do it from scratch!
Why, have a problem with that?
Chief.
Keep treating me this way, but what if I end up becoming chairman, one day?
Aigoo... I'm so scared!
I'm just worried about your future, that's all.
Don't you worry, Seongjae.
By the time you become chairman,
I'll be already home enjoying retirement.
So I have no reason to kiss up to you, isn't it?
From scratch.
Ahh... I'll be damned.
- Minjae. - Yes, Chief.
Go in. Your father is looking for you.
Yes.
Have a seat.
Having to see me at work so often is uncomfortable, isn't it?
Yes.
Would you like to work at one of our construction sites?
No?
I will.
Or if you don't want to, you can go back to the States and keep studying.
When you make up your mind, let me know.
Yes.
You can go.
What?
Tell me.
I'm only telling you for your sake. So you won't feel uncomfortable.
I'll think about it.
- Did you bring it? - Yes.
So what's inside this can bury Baek Ingi's career once and for all?
Yes.
All right.
Where are you? Still shooting?
I'm home.
I thought we could have a cup of tea together...
Would you mind?
Are you busy?
No.
Come.
I'll be waiting.
I'm so curious how she'll react, I can barely wait?!
Nayoung!
- I'm busy now. - It will only take a minute.
What's the matter?
Either wait until I'm back, or just call me.
Nayoung... Listen to me first.
Nayoung!
Is Minjae all right?
It did shock him a little, but now he's okay.
You're really impressive.
Who, me?
You are.
Is it easy to raise someone else's child as if he was your own?
Who's impressive is not me, it's you. You, Baek Ingi.
You thought that after saying that I'd become all submissive, or something?
- I did think about it. - What?
That you might be hiding a lot of repressed maternal love under that mask of yours.
Maternal love?!
Don't you agree?
You don't see too many people give such affection to children they didn't give birth to.
Of course... You can't take Baek Ingi down with a few words...
A little present from President Hwang.
He told me to show you this, if you refused to listen.
Give it a look.
It was so insultingly vulgar, I had to turn it off right away.
So what, you want to use this to bury me?
I barely managed to calm Minjae down. So if you sway him again, what else can I do?!
Keep it as a souvenir. I have another copy.
Ajumma.
You have the guts to address me that way?
Who the hell do you think you are?
Ajumma...
You can't post this on the Internet.
And you know why?
Because you might bury me as you wish,
but then it'll send Minjae completely insane.
So what, you want to bargain now?
You know it's true.
You can't live without Minjae.
Do as you wish. I'm not scared.
But after seeing your dirty little past, will he still like you?
Do you even know what's in there?
Why wouldn't I? I'm the one who did all that.
There even was a time when I went crazy trying to get rid of it.
But I changed my mind.
Because the past...
It's not like words written in the sand, something that water can erase.
Wouldn't it be revealed, one day?
Just like your past.
My past?!
Why, should I feel ashamed for raising Minjae instead of his real mother?
Sure... Let's see where this will lead us.
Wait.
- I won't meet Minjae again. - And how can I believe that?
You don't need to worry any longer.
You'll just use him as an excuse to meet again.
Until the day I die,
I will never meet him again.
Prove it. How you'll keep that promise.
If I break it, I'll just kill myself.
If you're prepared to die, what could you possibly fear?
It only proves you love Minjae that much.
That's right.
I like him that much.
So what damned promise?
And why do you keep staring at me like that?
I know what you're thinking just by looking at your eyes.
All you're looking for is a way out.
Fine...
I'll trust you and give you one more chance.
But this is your last.
I won't bother coming here next time.
Minjae's mother is your mother.
She's the woman who gave birth to you!
It's a lie...
You can't be my mother!
It's a lie!!
If it was so urgent, you should have told me!
What will people say, if they see you stand out there looking miserable?
They'll curse at me for being a merciless bitch.
So what is it?
Speak to me! I'm busy.
Never mind.
If you waited this long, it must be urgent.
I was just wondering how things were with your family.
With my family...
You mean Minjae? - Is he all right?
Of course, why wouldn't he?
I was worried it might have shocked him.
That's nothing you should worry about.
Worry about yourself.
Are you that busy?
I haven't come to work in a few days, and it's a total mess.
So if it's really urgent, just say it.
It's not.
What will you ride home? Want me to have you driven there?
No... I can just take a bus.
Look at yourself? Can't you dress warm?
Follow me.
I said follow me!
Come here.
See if it fits.
I don't need this.
You're embarrassing me, so just wear it.
Tell the driver to bring me my car.
See how good you look? It makes a great impression.
How about the muffler?
I'm not cold now.
Give it here.
You should dress warmly.
Don't catch a cold living all by yourself.
Did you open the restaurant?
I'm getting trained.
How about the money?
I'm settled.
If you need any, just let me know.
Half of Dad's house belongs to you.
Have him drive you, it's cold today.
Ehh... Look at you.
Come on.
Nayoung.
Be good to Minjae.
Why do you keep bringing him up?
Drive her home.
What are you doing?! Just go.
That's the reason I'm never affectionate around you.
Hyejin...
- Don't you remember Hyejin? - That's the girl you raised.
Hyejin...
Hyejin what?!
If you really don't want to ride that, just take a damned bus!
All you ever do is weep.
You barely made peace with your husband... Can you really do this?
Peace?!
I just had to pretend to beg him.
I've heard the rumors.
That the mighty Nam Aeri was finally tamed by her husband.
I was about to lose the half of Atlantic Group my uncle fought so much to gain,
so how couldn't I?
I guess I can take a breather, now that I put him on that seat.
You're really something.
While you were there, why didn't you take that seat for yourself?
- I did think about it. - After divorcing?
Why, just so I can grant him his wish?
How nasty... Forcing this on him while you prance about enjoying yourself.
Used old shoes are still better than running barefoot.
And when it comes to Kim Youngjun, he's much more useful than old shoes.
He's respected in the financial world, he's got plenty of followers within the group...
Nothing can shelter you from the storm like such husbands.
Then I guess I shouldn't even feel guilty?!
- Guilty for what? - Don't you think?
It's not like we got together after getting divorced,
and this is not really a romantic affair, after all...
Men are funny, all right. Always bringing up love.
I was just talking. Ehh... You really...
If you're guilty, then spill the beans.
- About what? - Yoon Nayoung!
- I told you we only dated a while! - But you said she wanted you to marry her.
That after getting knocked up she even started blackmailing you, and...
- No... I said that's not it! - Yeah... right. You told Mijin for sure.
She just kept asking nonstop, so I threw a few bones her way, that's all.
It's all I said!
Our having an affair has nothing to do with Yoon Nayoung.
It'll just go on regardless of what happens to her.
Let's go up. Got ourselves a room!
Ahh... What now?!
You wasted your money, I'm afraid.
All right... Let's go up and I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything.
Thanks for the wine.
Aeri... Aeri!
At least let's have dinner!
Or I can just call Mijin, who cares...
Hey... What the hell did I ever do wrong?
I only did what Dad told me...
But now he puts all the blame on me, and forces me to endure all this?
He really disappointed me.
All this pent-up resentment is what made me fall ill!
You really... What's the point of complaining to him?
Like that'd make any difference...
Still, I believed my father.
I thought he'd pull some strings behind the scenes and help me out.
Yeah, right...
Here you go.
Look at what state I'm in, and yet not a single call from Dad.
- Aigoo... Aigoo... - Leave me alone with him so that we can talk.
Youngmin, they said he's a disaster waiting to happen.
Diabetes, kidney trouble and his liver is no better, not to mention his lungs.
It's a miracle he's still alive.
And you know what your mother said?
That he's faking it because he doesn't want to do time in the can.
Does that make any sense?
Give me a break...
I said leave us alone!
You have no right to complain, since you brought it all on yourself.
Eat some fruit.
All right, then. Let's see where this goes.
Youngmin. So you became vice-chairman?
Don't you trust Dad. Uh?!
You know what he told me right before I went to meet the prosecutors?
That you'd go in on his behalf, and then take over his seat?
So don't trust him!
Because, seriously... You really think he'll treat you any different?
Forget children this or that, all he cares about is himself!
Like grumbling after getting screwed is going to make a difference...
Again trying to rile me up...
Why, am I wrong?
But I'm not going to take this lying down.
Once I'm out of here, you just wait!
I'm sure...
Ahh... Keep it up!!
Just a word from me, and my father...
I guess you don't really know about the company's inner workings.
I'm sure you'll learn soon enough, but...
Can I really let this out in the open?!
Aigoo... It's so frustrating!
I'll be damned! Aigoo!
Why do you keep hitting your chest? Want to screw that up as well?
Father!
You're really too much!
My poor mother will be rolling in her grave by now!
Aigoo...
What a disgrace...
Aigoo... That hurt.
I was hitting so hard... Wonder if I bruised it.
You were perfect.
Wasn't I?!
- I'm sure Youngmin felt terrible. - I'm sure he'll go tell him.
He looked guilty as well.
But think of how cold a man he is.
Look at how he was pretending he didn't just come because your father sent him.
But think of how my father will feel,
if he says his brother has completely lost it.
Honey. You can't lose here.
If you lose this fight, it'll cripple you for good.
Don't you worry, I've got a hold of Dad's weak spot,
so a good hit and he'll go down once and for all.
- Honey... - What?
- Fighting! - Fighting!
- You're working late. - I knew you'd be coming, so I waited.
I was also worried about my brother... Is it serious?
- It can only get worse little by little. - But it's not serious.
I guess you could say it is.
It's not something you can explain with a few figures, is it?
Still, he should be treated in hospital for another few months,
since he still remains a patient.
Did you want to talk about anything else?
A few days ago, a friend of mine committed suicide.
My...
I wonder why things like that keep happening, these days.
It's really a problem in our country. We've got the highest suicide rate in the world!
It's not that...
So, what?
He had the chance to take a DNA test with his family,
and it turned out that he wasn't really his daughter's biological father.
So he started pushing his wife around as if he was torturing her,
and she ended up committing suicide.
Even the daughter resented her father so much, she killed herself as well.
But in the end, she was actually his daughter all along.
I don't know if they made a mistake with the test or the results were switched...
Anyhow, he eventually committed suicide just like them.
And all for a DNA test.
Such terrible situations are not all that uncommon when it comes to DNA tests.
There are plenty of children born that way, while the mother was having an affair.
They are things you are better off not knowing, don't you agree?
After sharing all that affection, just because of that you...
I don't really know myself.
Tell me about it.
Right... Want to go out for a drink? We haven't met in so long.
Yes... Let's do that.
- Is the chairman here? - Yes, Ma'am.
Father, you're here?
I missed Minjae.
Who made you dinner?
We just ordered it.
It sure is a nice neighborhood when it comes to tasty food.
You could have called me that he came...
I told him not to.
Just a moment, Father. I'll fix you a salad.
It's all right. Just go get changed.
Let me just wash these veggies.
But where did your maid go?
I just let her go, Father.
We often eat out in the evening, so it'd be just breakfast, anyway.
But can you do such a test on someone without letting him know?
I'm afraid not, without his permission.
- It must be illegal. - It sure is.
- Even if it's a father with his children? - Of course.
But if you really must, there is always a way.
It's good!
- Don't exaggerate, Grandpa. - Why? I don't have diabetes.
You'll gain weight.
I actually lose weight, if I eat too much of this.
Really?
Darling, give me some more.
Father... I'm afraid we ran out?!
Should I go buy some more?
But it must be cold outside...
Then, I guess I won't.
Just dress warm and hurry up.
Yes.
- Put on something warm, Minjae. - It's just around the corner, it'll be a minute.
He seems all right.
He didn't even hint at it.
I'm sorry, Father.
You know?
For some reason, he keeps growing on me.
Maybe because it's a miracle he was even born, I feel compassion.
Thank you, Father.
Raise him well.
He's a thoughtful boy. Don't you agree?
Think any other boy would have been able to hide his feelings,
after his real mother died so miserably?
He takes after his father.
Are you having some doubts?
But why can doctors handle drinks so well?
I guess it's because we have to smell blood all day long.
But why are you asking?
Are you worried you might have some health issue?
No.
You haven't had a check-up in quite a while, isn't it?
When you have time, let's do one.
- How is my father? - The chairman?
He fainted not too long ago, remember?
Because of his age, things will gradually get worse.
But it's nothing really serious.
But should he experience another shock like that and collapse?
Then it'd be trouble!
Why? Is he showing such symptoms?
Because of our disagreements, we often argue as of late.
Because of group matters? I've heard the rumors.
I even thought that maybe I should just let him have it his way.
Don't worry about the chairman.
He's still got the body of a man in his early 60s.
Your father is not as weak as you think.
He might not reach the hundred years, but I'd bet he'll easily pass ninety.
If you're worried about anything, just talk about it.
As a doctor, I'm obligated to keep it a secret.
- Go in, it's cold. - Yes, Father.
Minjae, remember to come visit me at least three times a week.
Or else I'll have to come here.
Yes, Grandpa.
And when you come, bring some ice cream along as well.
Yes, Grandpa.
- I'm going. - Yes, Father. Have a safe return.
Let's go in, it's cold.
- Minjae, want to drink coffee with me? - A bit later.
I'll make it good...
You really don't want to?
Should I bring it here?
What were you looking at?
Nothing... Just my e-mail.
I'll bring the coffee here.
You still haven't found it?
The same person who posted it must have deleted it right away.
I can't find it no matter what?!
Director Jang called me saying he saw it.
The server is about to crash because of excessive traffic,
so I guess nobody could find it.
Just stop.
Hey... We should find it and have it deleted!
I know who did it, so what's the point?
This prick must have just shown a little appetizer and then took it off.
That's why people are even more interested!
It was Yoon Nayoung, right?
Is this it?
I guess she found Cheolmin.
- Who gave you this? - Yoon Nayoung did.
She said it's a gift.
She's really pushing it.
What now? If this gets out in the open, it's all over.
Where are you going?
Begging won't make a difference. What's the point of meeting her now?
Was Yoon Nayoung behind this?
Who else would be capable of this?
But she only had nice things to say about Ingi?!
She's different inside and out.
I'll be damned, really.
Hyeonpil here.
Yes... They took this quite seriously.
All right.
Should I keep just giving hints?
Just give it a few days, see how Ingi reacts.
All right. I'll leave you to it.
Aigoo... You guys have been busy.
I see things are proceeding well.
Yes... How's the restaurant doing?
It'll take time to get settled, what else?
- Is everyone doing fine? - Of course.
If you need my help, just say the word.
You've helped us enough! Don't you worry about us.
I'll get going, then.
It's a good spot, so business will go well.
Yes...
Aren't you Hyejin?
How did you find this place?
- Did you have a drink? - A couple.
With whom?
Doctor Yoon, after I went to the hospital to see my brother.
How is he feeling?
I don't think it's anything serious.
See? Big deal...
Is Minjae back?
Yes.
He's surfing the Internet, see him later.
- He's not there?! - Guess he's in the bathroom.
- Why was my father here? - He said he missed Minjae.
Thank him, will you?
He's taking Minjae's side, so everyone is on their toes.
Imagine if he hadn't.
What should I thank him for?
You're responsible for all of that, anyway.
Honey...
Bring me the bottle, I'll have another few drinks.
Aren't you drinking a little too much?
Do I have to ask permission now?
What's wrong with you, seriously?
- You just scream when Minjae is around? - Why, what did I say?
Wait a moment...
Minjae!
Where did he go? I saw him using his laptop a moment ago?
- Where are you going? - To look for Minjae.
How long will you keep hanging from his damned lips?!
I suggest you take a DNA test, to see whose son Minjae really is.
Minjae... Are you all right?
Where have you been?
You left without saying a word... It scared me to death.
Mom.
You think I'm that stupid?
What are you talking about?
You know that better than anyone.
Minjae.
I just...
I understand. Why you're acting like this.
So just do as you wish.
Say something, Hyejin.
Minjae, come here.
Have you thought about it?
I'm still trying to make up my mind.
- The way I see it... - You can keep that to yourself!
I'm only saying it for your sake.
Fine... I'll just disappear for you.
You'll never have to see me again, so stop worrying!
Honey!
What are you trying to say? You'll "disappear for me"?!
Honey... Let go of him.
What is that supposed to mean?
Answer me!
Honey! I said let him go!
Honey!
Minjae... Go beg him to forgive you. Uh? Minjae.
Don't bother! He's no longer my son!
Don't talk back and just stay here.
What are you saying?
He's no longer your son?! How can you say that?
Honey!
Why did she abandon me?
Tell me.
Let me at least hear the reasons, if there were any.
- Your mother... - Don't call her that!
All right... Let's suppose she is.
Hyejin.
Does she know, too?
That I'm her daughter.
She doesn't.
I bet.
Or else, she'd never be capable of acting like that with me.
Hyejin. Listen to me.
- Your mother... - Just tell me why she abandoned me.
There must be a reason why she did that, right after giving birth to me!
Your grandfather ran an ironworks shop in Ulsan.
But because we couldn't afford it, I had to quit school early,
and started working right after graduating from high school.
But your mother completely devoted herself to studying,
and went to college in Seoul.
- But... - What's this... A damned biography?
Why did my mother...
Why did that woman who supposedly was my mother abandon me right after birth?
It's what I'm trying to say.
Who's my father?
There must be a father, if I was born.
That...
Just listen.
Right after giving birth to you, your mother went home.
So what, she didn't even know who the father was?
Then again, that's probably why she abandoned me.
Hyejin...
Never mind.
I wonder why I even bothered asking you.
Wait, sit down a minute.
I'll tell you everything.
Just tell me why she abandoned me, and who is my father.
Can't you just tell me?
Is there anything else to hide?
I don't really know the whole story, either.
Say what?
Your mother never told me everything.
Fine.
Then, let's suppose it's really true.
Why have you never told her I was her daughter, all these years?
Or maybe you told her, and she denied it?
Did she tell you she doesn't remember ever giving birth to someone like me?
No...
Your mother thinks you're dead.
Hyejin. Your mother did nothing wrong.
It was a difficult delivery, so she lost her consciousness the moment you were born.
When she woke up she was looking for you, but I lied to her, saying you died.
Why?
Why did you tell her that lie?
Your mother could never raise you.
I mean it.
I'm the one who deceived her.
She just abandoned me to marry into a chaebol clan.
I said I deceived her.
So her daughter supposedly died after birth, and she didn't even verify it?
What's wrong with you, Hyejin?
All right.
I'll have to ask Yoon Nayoung firsthand.
Hyejin!
That'll do it.
You said she's my mother, after all!
On Dad's testament... It's Youngjun, right?
- Have it fixed. - Please give me your consent.
Did he say he wanted to make all those changes on his own?
I'm working on it.
- The way I see it... - Keep that to yourself!
He's no longer your son?! How can you say that?
- They're both your mothers. - Is it your fault? It's all because of her.
How could anyone ever trust you again? You should know when to stop.
I'll disappear for you.
You'll never have to see me again, so don't you worry.
Whomever tries to take you away from me is my enemy.
I always grew up thinking she was some kind of monster.
And you are the only one responsible for that.