I'll start by saying this.
I'm against this marriage.
Why?
As I said, you haven't dated enough.
And I won't have her where she's not welcome.
Yaya has been through more than enough.
She deserves a man that loves her above all else.
I swear...
And his parents.
The first drink isn't the last, as they say.
In time they'll come to love and accept her.
Yaya is 25.
Nearly 26.
There's no rush.
Date 2 or 3 years.
Make certain it's right for both of you.
We accept each other as we are, strengths and weaknesses.
We have no secrets between us.
Weaknesses?
Can't answer?
I tended to be indecisive.
Yaya helped me to fix that.
I saw a show once...
I'm in the business so I see a lot of TV.
The man in the show said we can't 'fix' our natures.
Change your nature... and change your destiny.
I thought it'd be hard.
But Yaya helped me to face it.
That's love for you.
We're the same age but I hoped to treat her as well as you have.
I know how hard it is to be the older brother figure.
Calling when she's late, texting, all of it.
But you mean to try?
Yes.
As I said earlier, I want to do so much with her.
Eat in haste, repent at leisure.
We don't always regret our meals.
I respect that you're concerned.
Trust me.
This is a first for me.
Especially with my mother.
You may not have heard this.
My real mother passed when I was six.
She's always been with me, in a way.
I feel that same warmth with Yaya.
So in the end it's not for her.
It's for you.
Pardon my asking, but are you seeing someone?
No.
It's mutual, in its own mysterious way.
A feeling beyond words.
'One heart, one mind.'
Yaya feels it too.
I admit I was worried.
But he's nice.
Well-spoken, forthright.
A hard worker.
'Okay,' that's what I say.
I'll say as much to his mother.
Not his real mother, of course. She has no reason to say no.
People can sense goodness.
If the heart is pure.
Otherwise, nothing is ever good enough.
Yes, character matters.
Do you think your brother is helping?
He's with you, from the other side.
Not necessarily.
She's been blessed.
An end to her misery at last.
He's up?
Allow me.
You changing?
I thought wear this.
Put your heart into it. You'll need your wits about you.
'Sonji is here. Call in five min, ask if she's here.'
Leaving?
Mm.
No other plans?
No. I'll come straight home.
We were doing so well.
Life is like that.
Not like this.
Why choose rags over a fine suit?
Any ramen?
I'm making noodles.
Count me in.
What about lunch?
I had a late breakfast.
I had some chocolate cake.
A late breakfast isn't like you.
I don't like eating alone.
Hello.
Yes. Just now.
I'm here.
Were you nearby?
Yeah. I called on the way.
Have you eaten?
Sure.
Hey, no hello for your brother?
You're eating late.
Yes. A little.
It's even better when I'm starving.
Let's go.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Mind your own business.
It is. You're my sister.
You think I'm out of line?
A little.
Mom was in the wrong.
But that's her generation.
I've heard that one before.
Talk to her.
I did.
And?
She's hurt.
Make her understand.
Don't let her slip out of it.
The old, 'Oh I'm so hurt' routine.
I'm the one that's been hurt.
You really want her to say she's in the wrong?
If she wants us to be close.
I have to admit when I'm wrong.
She is what she is.
She's old school, you know that.
She always gives him the fancy food first.
Anyway, try to make allowances.
Hwaom.
You home?
No. Picking something up.
With him?
No, he had to work.
We'll see you at six then.
Hm.
Hello.
Yes, hello.
Knowing how people are I thought it best we speak face-to-face.
Of course.
You have citron tea?
Yes.
Two.
Have you heard?
Your son and Yaya?
Yes, she told you?
You son came by earlier.
Oh? To what end?
To pay respects.
Your thoughts?
Oh, they seem quite determined.
He's seeing a girl from an important family.
I see.
What would you do in my place?
I suppose I want the girl to be nice.
I'm so shocked I wanted to ask your advice.
I never imagined.
We might prefer they change their minds.
But I doubt they will.
How do you know Yaya?
The daughter of a good friend.
Our fiend was killed in an accident.
We took her in. She's like our own.
'Like,' yes. Yours, no.
Will she inherit?
Hardly easy.
How kind.
Not at all.
Your son said his mother died young?
Yes.
Rearing another woman's children.
How kind.
They've never been a problem.
Until this business.
They're in love.
Love isn't everything.
True.
Did you meet through a matchmaker?
No. At work.
Ah. The same office?
Yes.
I hope you can convince Yaya otherwise.
People can't just think about themselves.
In my experience, if the man decides, he decides.
I'm two years older than Mr. Jang.
I see.
There were plenty of eligible girls.
But he kept after me and, well, here we are.
Now you're bragging?
Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
I see. How did you meet?
I was a dancer.
He saw me and wouldn't leave me be.
We never win with our children.
I could tell Yaya to change her mind.
But even if she did, it might not help.
Now I see.
Pawning off the orphan on us.
Still, not listening to one's parents rarely bodes well.
You're like her parents in a way.
As are you.
Your son was reserved. I wanted to meet you myself.
So I take it you think this can't be stopped?
After meeting him,
I see it's not about permission.
He's quite decided.
She's not my legal daughter.
I really have no say.
I'll speak with Yaya.
Convey your thoughts.
As for me, if they dated a year, maybe.
But this is too fast.
They need to learn about each other.
I see.
Talk to her.
Yes, I will.
She's really in no hurry.
She's only just started as a manager.
She thought in time she might open her own agency.
Ah.
We reared her as our own.
We always hoped she might marry well.
And now this.
I see.
Either it's meant to be...
...or they'll break up in time.
Talk to her.
I will.
We got this. Go inside.
No.
Go on. It's cold.
I dressed warm.
I work faster alone.
Yaya would have a fit.
How about some coffee?
Oh, and some salt.
I'll get it.
Hey. You look like on old maid.
You should know. In your forties.
Yeah?
Yeah. Silly.
Kidding. You'll get cold, it's freezing out.
But why just 20 heads of cabbage?
It's not much.
Mom used to say, make half as much in winter.
I see.
Kimchi stir-fry, kimchi stew.
Kimchi for big-mouthed brothers.
Got it.
Don't we have to wash it again?
Hm. At dawn.
It's no picnic.
A whole year?
Yes. So she said.
She didn't say no.
Only that Yaya is young and headstrong.
Which is fair enough.
Nadan won't be turned away.
I recognize the signs.
He's head over heels.
How did she look?
Was she terribly upset?
She was calm.
But I'd say so.
We can suggest it but it's Yaya's life.
Finding a man to love is a rare thing.
Like you did.
We need this year.
He'll listen.
He'd better.
Mom, she's not quite right.
You felt it too?
Did she brainwash him or what?
Manipulated him, more like.
Give us a year and we'll fix her.
For good and all.
The first room heated cools the fastest.
Too loud. Bring the audience down.
Still at it?
Nearly done.
I spoke with him. He seems to mean it.
But all that matters is you.
Marrying him out of fondness?
Marriage is no childhood whim.
Or a question of fondness.
You've all been so good to me and I'm grateful.
But I won't meet another man like him.
He loved me without hesitation, asked me to marry him.
In a short time I saw he's a good man.
I can't let him slip away.
I yearn for family more than most, ache for it.
Now I'm imposing on others.
Not family, not my own.
You think that?
You're family to me.
We see things differently.
I want to live a good life in pay for your kindness.
What kindness?
Can't you understand?
I do.
But this rush, I don't like it.
There is no time limit on feelings.
And his mother?
His family will be hard on you.
Then we'll move out.
He's the eldest.
Yes but his parents are young.
And you're right, they don't like me.
They won't want us.
It's not a bad thing.
Bad or not, it's not easy.
Married life, children.
Have you thought of that?
People do it all the time.
And seeing Junso, he's such a blessing.
That's a happiness worth having.
We...
I've failed you.
We didn't help you enough.
Don't say that.
You've done so much.
That's why...
What?
If I stay I'll come to rely on you too much.
I won't do that.
Why not?
I can't take any more pain.
Like the song says, to have love and lost...
...never more.
This is better all around.
Suppose...
You'll thank me later.
Please. Give it a year.
I still...
I'm not ready to let you go.
You're young.
I won't see a child married off.
I can't.
So that's it.
Don't worry.
It's for you.
Hello.
Is Sonji with you?
Yes. At the studio.
It's dark and she isn't home.
We'll eat here and come home.
You can't bother her every meal.
We're working.
She's still upset?
She's fine.
Okay.
Bye.
C'mere.
Chinese cabbage soup.
One of my favorites.
You need meat in this cold.
I need the exercise anyway.
So good.
You have croaker left?
It's hard to eat it all alone.
There's a lot.
Here.
What, am I the only one here?
I don't like it much anyway.
All the same.
He has to work late.
Come sleep at our place.
Yes, well, if it's not too much trouble.
Not at all.
They agreed.
There's no rush.
I'm not a child. Who are you to decide?
I urge caution.
Look before you leap.
My mind is made up.
What's the rush anyway?
Haste makes waste, you know.
I don't want to wait.
You can't stop it and I'm tired of talking about it.
We won't, not if you put it off.
We're getting married.
Not even a courting period?
No.
She's talking sense.
You'll see that we're happy.
Not to worry.
Everyone starts happy.
Shouldn't you listen to your parents as the oldest son?
He's been brainwashed.
Once her hooks are in, his family means nothing.
I agree with her.
And keep you around a bit longer.
You've been here about a year?
I would feel sad if you left us already through marriage.
Very true.
Right.
Date, have fun together, and learn about each other.
If that's what he wants.
Take your time.
Learn about life.
At least how to cook for your husband.
I planned to learn from his mother.
If you marry without her blessing...
she won't teach you a thing.
Who knows what they like after living in America.
You're better off learning here.
She's right.
Within reason.
Right. Reason.
Plus we want you here a bit longer.
Hello?
It's me.
Hey.
The 'grown-ups' decided we should wait a year.
Yeah.
I told them no way.
Okay.
Just okay?
What, should I say okie-dokie?
Kidding.
Pssh.
Now I'm pouting.
Why?
I thought you'd be mad and annoyed that I agreed with my parents.
Then don't make bad jokes.
Bad?
Yep.
What can I say, my mouth runs away with me.
I love your laugh.
Let's set a date.
Then?
All we need is the hall.
I'll move pretty fast.
You just be ready.
We'll discuss the particulars over a meal tomorrow.
'Kay.
Did they fuss at you?
Am I a kid?
Back in the day we'd have three by now.
Tomorrow we'll look at houses.
Our new home.
Okay.
Go to sleep now.
You feeling better?
All better. Say warm.
Mm. Night.
I'll text you tomorrow.
'Kay.
There's a manager with the Royal agency.
Baek Ya?
Yes.
Her number.
Get me anything you can.
That's her real name?
Yes. She's 25.
I see.
How long will it take?
A general background check. Two days.
Her parents died when she was young.
Find out how and of what.
That will take a little longer.
[Subtitles provided by MBC Translated by D. Bannon]