Episode 20
Kang Maru!
Thanks for coming with me.
I'm the one who is thankful.
How can you leave without saying goodbye?
How can you just leave like this?
Hey.
I found a non-agency job.
Huh? Really?
I didn't have to go through the agency.
Wow. That's great.
He'll be better off wherever he goes.
Are you okay?
Hey.
I apologize.
Hey. Hey.
I heard they ran off.
How did this happen?
Who ran off?
The storage room hobos.
I heard they did a runner.
Did that rich mother come to get them?
You were always telling them to leave,
so you must be relieved.
You, fool.
That was when they had nothing.
They have a financial backer now,
so how could you just let them leave?
Stop being ridiculous, mom.
Who cares if they have a rich mother?
They don't owe us anything.
Of course they do.
They ran up a huge tab.
You know that spindly boy's number, right?
Tell him to come here and pay up,
or I'll go to where they are.
That's enough, mom.
What are you talking about?
We need every penny we can get.
Why miss out on what we're owed?
Hey...
Easy does it.
Be a man, will you?
Watch it.
Good grief.
I gave them food and shelter,
but they just ran away.
That's why you don't help a dark-haired beast.
Here you go again, mom.
That's what you always say to me.
Do you even know what that means?
Fine. Your mom is ignorant.
Here.
Maru left this.
What is it?
Dear Ms. Lee, thank you
for taking our family in.
"You had a sharp tongue,
but we knew you were kind.
Thank you for washing our clothes."
It's nothing but talk.
Wait. He mentions me too.
"Uncle Baedal,
thank you for shielding us from Ms. Lee
and treating us like your nephew and niece."
It's nice to be appreciated.
"Ga-eul, thanks for
taking care of Jia when she was sick."
That's it?
Why doesn't he mention you?
He must not have anything to thank me for.
So?
He thinks this stupid letter
settles their debt to us?
What's the point in thank-yous
if there's no money involved?
No one loves money more than you.
It's baffling that you're not rich yet.
How is that baffling?
Raising you two has left me
high and dry.
This is maddening.
No wonder Gukhui's a big shot business owner.
No wife is more devoted than her.
That's right.
I've done it all, from getting married
to giving birth and getting divorced,
but I can't do what Gukhui's done.
It takes a lot to do this, you know?
Oh, my goodness.
You made a tough decision, Gukhui.
Thank you for bringing Jia here.
Jia, my little lamb,
you should have
come sooner instead of struggling out there.
Jia, I'm sorry.
I don't know what to say.
What's keeping you?
Oh, my.
Maru.
My boy...
Why is he here?
This is no place for you.
Maru's staying with us.
Of course.
You two are siblings after all.
Why would he live here?
He's not like you, Jia.
Maru's staying here with us.
Why don't we let the kids get some rest?
Jia, you can stay in grandma's room,
and Maru can stay in your room, Jeonggi.
There's an empty room on the second floor.
Jia could use that...
Mom, please.
Jeonggi,
go and thank Gukhui.
She's done what
no other woman can do.
Thank you.
I never thought
you'd bring the kids here.
I was going to leave once Aran got better.
And how would you have gotten by?
Worrying about putting food on the table
and making those kids suffer?
I'm too ashamed to even thank you.
I didn't do it for you.
I did it for my peace of mind.
I brought the kids here because
I was reminded of Paran.
I pray every night before I sleep
that Paran has met good parents
and is happy.
So I couldn't leave Jia out there.
I sometimes think
Paran may be very close by.
I might not recognize her
because she's grown so much,
but I think perhaps one of the girls
I see on the streets may be her.
Wherever she is,
I'm sure she is sweet,
kind, and doing very well.
Take good care of the kids.
Don't treat them any differently from Aran.
I won't.
Aran, Jia, and Maru
are all my kids.
There will be a lot for you to worry about.
Consider it payback for what you've done.
You had chased your stepmom away,
but you ended up crawling in here.
I'm not here because I like that woman.
It's just been so tough out there.
I would've even gone with
my dead mom just to
escape the misery.
Wretched thing.
Talking about death in front of your grandma?
And "that woman"?
Where are your manners?
You should thank the person who helped you,
not badmouthing her
after getting what you wanted.
Calling her "mom" can't be easy.
Avoid referring to her
or addressing her if you can help it.
What kind of stupid advice is that?
So why did you tag along?
There's no one here to welcome you.
Grandma, stop it.
I wouldn't have come had it not been for Maru.
Good grief.
Look at her taking her stepbrother's side.
I thought I'd be able to
exert my authority with all my kin here,
but you're ruining it for me.
Go. Scram.
Go before Jeonggi keeps you from leaving.
Stop it, mother.
I brought Maru here.
He will be living with us.
I didn't want to make you uncomfortable.
The room's smaller than I thought.
It's perfectly nice.
Don't mind what
grandma says.
You're Jia's brother,
and I'm Jia's mother.
It's only right that you stay here with Jia.
I'm worried
I'll be a nuisance here.
No. Make yourself at home.
I know what I say won't help much,
but your dad, grandma,
aunt, and Jia are here.
You're family regardless of
what the family registry says.
Thank you for looking out for me.
Maru, I'll say this because
you're old enough to understand.
Don't worry about what happened
between your mother, your father,
and me.
I was told
he found you lost when he was looking
for our missing daughter.
He took you to your mother,
and that's how
he came to start a family with her.
I suppose it was fate.
Don't dwell on the past.
Is your cold better?
I was going to come see you.
But you never came.
I'm sorry.
It must have been hard for you and Maru.
Ms. Lee is hot-tempered, so
it must have been hard on you and Maru,
but I heard Bom looked out for you.
Do you know how tough it was for us?
I had to do the dishes all day and
was on my knees wiping the floor at the pub.
I'm only here since I couldn't take it anymore.
Jia, that's all over now, so don't worry.
- I promise. / - Let go.
I don't have anywhere else to go right now,
but I don't plan on staying long.
You won't stay put here either, will you?
I can't let Mr. An go like this.
Come up with a plan!
Why are you all so quiet?
Don't you have any ideas?
You know very well
how we can save him.
If you step up and
clear him of the false charge...
Mr. Jang Gyeongu,
be quiet if you don't know anything.
There's a hierarchy in a company.
Mr. An did what he had to.
Come up with something by tomorrow.
This won't go away
just because Mr. An's taking the blame.
If our team's singled out,
no one here is 100% safe.
Why is she taking it out on us?
She's the one who caused this mess,
but she's lashing out at us.
As if.
(My love Aran)
What were you thinking?
It was my fault, so I did what I had to.
How was it your fault?
Ms. Choi directed the project
and caused this mess.
Everyone at the company knows.
It's my fault for not stopping Aran.
I know you care about her,
but this is work.
What about your future?
You can't be reckless like this.
Don't worry. We're still young.
We can weather this crisis.
You said you had it
tough too when you were young.
But you stuck by Ms. Bae's side and
made Punggildang what it is today.
I want to stick by Aran's side too.
I want to love her and be with her
as we make Punggildang even better.
I consider this one step back
so that we can move two steps forward.
Your transfer will be announced tomorrow.
It'll be worse than you think.
What are you two so hush hush about?
Personnel transfer?
An Taeho, are you getting a promotion?
It's not that.
Of course it is.
Right, Taeho?
You're moving up the ladder, right?
My goodness.
Thank you, my son.
- Thank you. / - Sure.
Gilsu.
Gilsu. Gilsu,
Taeho's getting promoted, right?
Is it that big of a secret that
you can't even tell your wife?
If you don't tell me,
I'll call Aran and ask her.
Geez. Settle down.
Dad, we need to have a serious discussion.
What's there for you to discuss with him?
Don't drive your dad mad with your nonsense
and just be quiet.
What is it? Let's hear it.
You'll leave Taeho and me
a little something as inheritance, right?
Would you consider an advance
and pay for a year of my music expenses?
An Suho,
what are you talking about?
I'll keep this short.
If music is your dream, go for it.
But all my assets
will go to charity when I die,
so I have nothing to give you.
That's absurd, dad.
What about
your poor sons?
"Wanted, part-timer who knows music and life."
"Minimum wage guaranteed."
Great writing and great penmanship.
We're closed.
It's not that.
I'm here to see someone who lives here.
Who?
The skinny, big-eyed girl who resembles
a fox. I think she's the owner's daughter.
The owner's daughter?
Do you mean Bom? Ga-eul?
No...
Jia... She said her name was Choi Jia.
Oh, her. She left.
Her family was living in our storage room,
but her rich mother came to get her.
How do you know her anyway?
Does she owe you money?
Her aunt took something
from me too.
Should we go look for them?
That's okay.
It's just that she has my guitar case.
Guitar? Guitar case?
Oh, right. Hang on.
"Help wanted"?
Is this yours?
Yes, it is. Thank you.
Wait.
Are you a good guitarist?
I was once called
the mad guitarist of Hapjeong-dong.
I had people coming to me, begging me
to join their bands.
Really?
Are you looking for a part-timer?
Part-timer?
Why? Are you interested?
Yes. You'll be great.
Did I move in here to cook?
Grow up, will you?
If you don't want to get kicked out,
you'll have to get your stepmom to like you.
You must at least pretend you're trying.
Whatever.
Your aunt and I will do everything,
so just pretend you're helping.
Why have such a big breakfast?
Toast and milk is all anyone needs.
Don't encourage Jia.
You're her aunt.
Good morning.
Take these over.
Hi.
Grandma, can I help?
We're all set.
Why are you in here?
I'll do it. You sit, mom.
There are enough women in the house.
You're the head of this household.
You sit at the head of the table
and just enjoy the food.
Move over. I'll do it.
You always wore an apron at your concubine's.
Don't do that here.
You're now with your first wife,
so don't even come near the kitchen
if you want to be respected.
Go. Go.
I'll do it.
Oh, wow. My daughter-in-law is up.
Sit, sit.
Breakfast is ready. Let's eat.
You sit here.
And my daughter-in-law sits here.
No.
You sit here.
But you're the head of the household.
What does it matter where I sit?
Okay, okay.
Enjoy.
Maru and Jia,
if there's any food you like or dislike,
let the housekeeper know.
And get ready to go back to school.
Let me know if you need anything.
Please help them on the school front.
Gukhui, I'll help the kids with that.
Was Aran at work all night again?
She's not well yet.
She shouldn't overexert herself.
I should pack her lunch and go see her.
Don't.
Aran can take care of herself.
But she is the legitimate child.
She comes first.
How can we eat when
the legitimate child hasn't eaten?
Jia, sit down.
That's not what grandma meant.
Jia, sit down and eat.
I don't want to feel unwanted
when I only just got here.
Good grief. You wretched child.
How dare you walk out on your elders!
Mother, let me say this again.
I won't treat Jia any differently from Aran,
so don't you ever say anything
that hurts Jia or Maru's feelings again.
It's just that I feel bad the concubine's
children may cause you grief.
Let's eat.
Have a nice day.
You too.
Has dad always been like that?
Is that what it takes to live here?
I'm dumbfounded.
Geez.
Did you see, Maru?
Dad was shining that woman's shoes.
Really?
I should've done it.
Oh, my gosh. Not you too.
Why are you groveling and fawning?
How is that groveling and fawning?
We used to polish mom's shoes.
She's not mom.
I thought dad was being treated well here.
He wasn't like this with mom.
He cowers before Ms. Bae.
It kills me to see it.
Ms. Bae reached out to us with good intentions.
Whats's wrong with being nice to her?
This is why you and dad are hopeless.
I don't know why we moved in here.
I hate living like this.
Jia, then would you like to
go thank Bom and her family with me?
No. Why would I go back there?
I can't stand that place.
You go.
You're still not done?
Hurry up.
Hey, Oh Bom,
I told you to keep an eye on the broth.
It's turned into gravy.
Oh, no. Maybe my nose is stuffy.
You almost burned the pub down.
What's the matter with you?
Good-for-nothing.
You don't go out and make money
nor do you do a good job around here.
You have no redeeming qualities.
I was working all morning, handing out fliers,
and I'm here working on an empty stomach.
How dare you talk back to me!
According to the agreement you signed,
you said you'd help me get a job.
But what is this?
You're making me work here around-the-clock.
I'm doing odd jobs to make the payments.
I have no time to read or study.
I need a proper job
if I'm to give you money and pay off the debt.
Do you want me
to just be kitchen help here?
Is it my fault you're unemployed?
Other moms get an allowance
from their daughters and go on vacations.
What have you ever done for me?
Why are you so mean to me?
Am I your punching bag?
Why are you always out to get me?
Mom, please help me.
Give me time so that I can find a proper job.
Time?
You had time to cavort with the spindly kid.
I wasn't cavorting with him.
I was working.
Am I your daughter?
Don't you worry about me?
I'm scared I'll never get a job
and end up growing old here.
Go away. I don't want to see you.
If I go in now,
I'll only make Ms. Lee angrier at Bom.
(Personnel Transfer)
(An Taeho, Head of Marketing Team 1)
(Transfer to Punggildang Wine Bar manager)
Mom, this is so unfair.
Manager of the wine bar?
How can you do this?
You did this to him.
Everyone knows Taeho was demoted
because of you.
That's why you should've stopped it.
I don't know how I'll face
Taeho and Mr. An.
But it's the board's decision,
so I must honor it.
And you will be penalized too
irrespective of the board's decision.
Go and wait.
Taeho, you can't leave like this.
Just wait. I'll figure something out.
I'm relieved I'm not getting fired.
I did want a chance to
work at the wine bar.
I'll get to meet our customers
and learn a lot.
You should drop in.
I'll hook you up with free drinks.
This isn't the time to joke around.
Why didn't you pick up yesterday?
We could've done something
before the transfer decision was finalized.
I was sleeping.
I must have been tired.
When all this is going on?
It looks like you didn't get any sleep.
You must be hungry. Let's go eat.
Come on.
Only half a bowl of rice for you, right?
Okay.
Looks delicious.
Let's eat.
I'm not hungry.
Aran,
Punggildang is your dream.
I want you to keep your dream.
I'll get you reinstated no matter what.
Just give me some time.
I told you.
I've wanted to work at the wine bar.
This will be a great experience.
Why do you always yield to me
when I'm so selfish?
Don't you know why?
No.
I don't get why you give up everything for me.
(Because I love you)
Why aren't you writing me back?
(I'll return that love)
Promise?
I'll get you reinstated to
the best position I can get you.
I won't leave you at the wine bar.
Ow, ow, my back.
Where in the world is Baedal?
Why do I bother?
Why didn't you come sooner? Ow.
It's hurting again?
Sit down. I'll rub it.
Forget about it.
Just finish cleaning up.
I saw the help-wanted sign.
Good thinking, mom.
Get help when it's busy here.
If you skimp and get sick,
I'll have to nurse you.
Whatever.
You act like you care about me,
but you just don't want me burdening you.
You'll be the first to leave me if I get sick.
Where's the back brace I got you?
You should wear it.
I don't know. Probably in my room.
Okay. I'll get it for you.
Just sit
and wait for me to get back.
I'll tidy up here.
I think it's in the vanity.
It's not here.
What is this?
Why is this here?
Oh, no. I put the ring in the vanity.
You're something else, mom.
What?
Why is this in your vanity?
Why do you have Maru's mom's ring?
What? That was his mother's?
I found it in the living room.
I thought someone had dropped it.
Why would anyone just drop it?
You should've returned it to the owner.
What owner?
They did a runner.
Mom, this is all Maru has of his mother.
He said this was all she had left behind.
Are you implying that I stole it?
You did hide it.
Why didn't you return it to the owner?
How dare you accuse me of stealing!
Is this what I deserve for raising you?
Forget it.
I'm taking this to the owner.
It's not worth arguing with you.
You wretched girl.
Where are you going? Hey!
When will I get to wear a ring like that again?
What a shame.
You should polish your shoes.
Half of the construction site is caked on them.
I know.
He never polished mom's shoes,
but he makes hers look shiny and new.
Why did I move in here?
I can't tell him mom had it.
Jia, where are you going?
Shh.
Maru, I don't think I should've moved in here.
Seeing how dad is around her
makes my blood boil.
Would you rather see them fight?
It's nice to see they're trying hard
to make this work.
We only got here yesterday.
I know some things are upsetting,
but let's make do.
No. I can't stand it.
Jia...
Who are you?
We're sorry. We moved in...
Who are you?
This is our dad's house.
What? Your dad's house?
So you're the kids
dad had out of wedlock?
Wow. So you must be
the daughter dad abandoned.
What did you say?
Please leave my sister alone.
Let go, you leeches.
Aran.
Maru.