Episode 24
It's me.
What did you just do?
What did you meet Yang Insuk for?
I'm having a drink with Minjae. Let's talk later.
So Minjae saw you? You and Yang Insuk together.
Minjae will be out soon, let's hang up.
She could barely hold her excitement, what were you doing when he saw you?
Say something!
I went there to ask what she wanted from us.
Why, you don't know that?
She only wants to get her revenge, so that she can get Minjae back.
Sorry for screaming at you.
Fine.
I'll tell you everything.
It was right before you and I came back to Seoul.
I went to school to drive Minjae back home,
and I found him talking with Yang Insuk.
She took a glance at me, and ran away immediately.
I let that slide.
But not long after, she took him out for a hamburger.
So I finally met her,
and told her that I'd give her all the money she wanted,
as long as she stopped meeting Minjae.
But she told me that she couldn't live without him.
No... Without you.
I was scared.
It felt like nothing I told her would make any difference.
What if she told Minjae everything?
I don't care what happens to me.
But wouldn't Minjae go crazy if he heard all that?
How could he possibly understand?
So I had to kill her,
it's all I could think of.
For Minjae's sake.
That's right... I went there to kill her.
I waited outside her door for a few nights.
Honey...
And then an opportunity presented itself.
I saw Yang Insuk walking on the road, completely drunk.
So I pushed the accelerator with all the strength I had.
The car was racing towards her in clouds of smoke, blinding me.
Right at that moment, Minjae's face came to mind.
- Minjae's... - Stop it!
I regained my senses and looked ahead,
and there she was, staring straight at me.
I must have hit the brakes without even realizing it.
Thank God...
She was laughing at me.
I still can't forget that smile of derision painted on her face.
"You can't hurt me."
"Since I'm Minjae's mother."
"Since I am his mother."
It felt as if she was whispering that to me.
How could I possibly kill her?
She's Minjae's birth mother.
I'm not asking you to believe me.
Since I'm responsible for her suffering, anyway.
I took her son away from her, so I've already killed her in a way.
I'll accept any punishment.
If you want me to, I'll even leave.
But Minjae can never find out.
If he does, it might drive him crazy.
If he learns that I'm not his real mother,
think of how that'll make him feel.
Honey.
I don't care what happens to me.
As long as Minjae can grow up without suffering,
I don't care what consequences I'll have to face.
Honey.
Are you listening to me?
Say something.
You despise me, don't you?
Then again....
It's not like you ever loved me, anyway.
I'd... presumed so.
You did?
I bet.
So that's why you met her again.
Since you believed her when she said I tried to kill her.
I did try to tell you more than once.
But I never found the courage.
Since I was afraid I would lose both Minjae and you if I did.
You don't even believe me, what excuses could I possibly make?
Minjae is your son.
No matter what anyone else says, he is your son.
Got it?
Minjae is your son.
Thanks...
Thank you, Honey.
Minjae should be here any minute, let's hang up.
Minjae, what are you waiting for?
Who have you been on the phone with for so long?
It's you...
I wanted a word with you,
but seeing how you were on the phone, I just waited outside.
Who was that?
My sister.
The one running that restaurant?
How do you know that?
Since Youngjun's wife keeps prattling on about her.
Serves her right, always acting so haughty.
And then she lets some hick in the provinces steal her husband?!
Oh my... Look at me...
I kind of spoke ill of your sister, didn't I...
Then again, she must be just as pretty as you are?
Here.
Let's see if our Minjae can handle the bottle.
What were you doing in your room all that time?
I suddenly fell asleep while getting changed.
So you really got drunk after all.
They just kept filling my glass all night.
They must be envious.
Since Grandpa seems to have only eyes for you.
Yes... I guess so.
If you're tired, just go to sleep.
Yes... I better.
I've been up all day running places, so I'm a little tired.
I'll go, then.
Yeah.
What?
Dad.
I'll do my best at work.
Is it bearable?
Yes.
Since I've started,
I want to win Grandpa's respect like you did.
You do that.
Have a good night.
Insuk.
Ajumma...
Dad!
What is it, again?
Can I come there right now?
- I need... - All right.
Call me when you get here.
Didn't you just hear the door?
I didn't hear anything, President.
Come on in.
I was about to close, so we're alone.
Do you want a cup of coffee?
What did you tell my wife on the phone?
I wasn't the one who called, she did.
How do you like your coffee?
You told her that Minjae saw us together?
Is that what she told you?
Anyhow, she sure is peculiar.
What are you trying to accomplish?
You and Yoon Nayoung keep asking the same thing?!
To get back my son before I die.
To what?
I had no intention to do so until a while back,
but I suddenly changed my mind.
Is that why you asked me to meet? So that I'd come when Minjae usually shows up?!
You're the one who was holding my hands, not me.
- Is that the kind of woman you were? - Yes.
What do you think I seduced a chaebol for, after parading the streets of New York?
Be my guest.
Still beats getting run over by a car, don't you think?
Don't you try to mess with Minjae.
Meet him just one more time,
and then I will be the one who'll make you pay.
But if you want me dead, you better hurry up.
And do it before Yoon Nayoung kills me.
Stop staring at me like that.
I let that look fool me long enough to let go of Minjae.
But you're not going to fool me twice.
You have no right to become Minjae's mother.
I'm the one who gave birth to him!
Minjae is my son!
Minjae.
Sorry.
I had to wait for Jinsuk Eonni to fall asleep.
Aren't you cold?
I see we've got Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer here?!
I always spent Christmas alone,
but I finally broke that record today?!
That's sad.
Let's drink.
So what did you want to talk about?
You just called because you missed me?
I don't really know why I hated her so much.
She raised me, after all.
Maybe I just needed someone to hate.
So that would help me feel more at ease with myself.
But now I'm just going to forget about it.
I don't even want to know who abandoned me anymore.
I'm sure they had their reasons. For not raising me.
The way I see it is this.
My mother probably fell in love with this man, but then was abandoned.
So that's why she left me at that orphanage.
Because I'd remind her of him every time she looked at me.
Maybe it's because she was too poor to provide for me,
or she was too young to be my mother.
But it's all right, really.
Since I've still made it here.
I'm no longer going to resent anyone.
Instead, I won't love anyone, either.
Since I can't have a daughter like me.
You dated me because of your mother, right?
Just to upset her.
But that's still fine with me.
Since I myself was seeing you because I hated the world around me.
Whenever I see happy people, I get angry and suddenly feel the urge to ruin them.
Want to hear a fun story?
The first time I saw you, I thought you were just a fool.
It felt as if you came from another planet.
Smile, will you?
I had so much to tell you...
So do it.
Isn't that the reason you wanted to see me?
I think they're hiding something from me.
Who?
I never really had a serious talk with my parents.
I don't really know.
I always get that feeling.
That, whenever my parents look at me, they might be hiding something.
At times, they can't even look at me straight.
No matter how serious the trouble I got into was, they never really scolded me.
It's as if they were holding back even while doing that.
As if they were raising someone else's son.
Laughable, isn't it?
No...
Who else could I tell this to?
They'd think I was demented.
Your parents just want to raise you as Atlantic Group's heir.
They say that chaebol chairmen are ruthless.
My grandfather is not like that.
He's such a warm person.
It's just what I think.
I better go.
Jinsuk Eonni must be going crazy looking for me, by now.
Ingi.
Where have you been?
I just... took a walk.
You met Minjae.
You brat...
I was worried you'd spend the night out,
thinking how much his mother would have pestered us.
I said I was cold, so he just told me to go back home.
What?
Good night, Eonni.
So why call her in the middle of the night?
- You're going back up? - Yes, Mother.
Wasn't Youngmin going to come down?
He said he can't make it today.
Really?
Then, just go. You need to hurry up and find yourself a house.
Find a house?!
Are you moving out?
The chairman said to leave Gahwedong empty.
- Why? - He'll be in Ulsan until the shipyard is complete.
Aigoo, then we'll have to go live there!
Why would you live there?
So, what, are you going to leave that huge place empty?
If Youngmin wanted to go there later, I'd understand...
Whomever ends up becoming the heir, they'll have to go live there.
Can't you stop staring at me that way?
Start by being a little more gracious.
With all the mess that's going on at the company, you worry about that house?
It's only because he's not being treated as the eldest son, that's why.
Aigoo, enough.
What did you follow us here for, anyway...
I came just in case you tried to scheme anything against my husband.
Listen to her...
Anyhow, you're really something.
Mother, I'll get going.
What's that supposed to mean? It didn't sound like much of a compliment?!
I'll let you work.
I can't believe this...
You! Don't even dream about the Gahwedong house.
Eonni!
Are you going back up?
Yes, Father.
Send Minjae down here, then. I'm bored.
I will, Father.
- You can go. - Yes.
Nayoung.
Are you really leaving the Gahwedong house?
Yes.
If you just move out like that, Nam Aeri will be all over it.
Just go talk with Father, it was his idea.
Don't tell Youngjun's wife. All right?
Yes, all right.
A country hick like you would be more than capable of that.
Yang Insuk?
I've heard that name loud and clear.
Get in.
Sorry about the other day. Just get in.
What did she come here for, again?
Ahh... Tell me about it. Always upsetting Jeongsuk...
It must be because she's sorry.
Aigoo... I bet.
Would she come riding that fancy car and call her out, then?
Aren't they sisters? Why wouldn't she care about her?
Aigoo... What sisters?
- Where is it? - What?
Where you're building that nursing home.
Why are you asking?
What else can I do? Kim Youngjun might go to prison,
I'll have to help you instead.
What are you talking about? He might go to prison?!
Don't you even read the newspaper?
What did he do wrong?
He didn't kill people like Jungu Oppa did, so stop worrying.
How can you talk like that?
- Jungu just... - All right, fine.
I try to mend fences, and look at what I get.
So where is this place?
Let me off.
I will help you.
- I'll pay the expenses, and... - I said let me off!
That's why you keep suffering.
Always letting pride do the talking...
Jeongsuk.
Where have you been?
Is anything wrong?
I hear your name is all over newspapers.
You needn't worry about the nursing home.
I asked my brother to finish the construction.
You're not the kind of man who would commit any crime.
Not you.
When the construction is complete, move there.
I set up funds to cover expenses already.
So...
Wait...
I....
I still remember what you said about waiting for me no matter what.
Is that not what you meant?
It is.
I will.
It won't take long.
Nice shot.
General.
Kim Youngjun will be summoned by the prosecutors in the next two days.
Yes... I've heard.
And an arrest warrant will follow suit, I guess.
He was already going out of his way to take responsibility for all this, anyway.
How about Youngmin?
Ehh... Would he know anything? He has neither connections nor any influence.
After Kim Youngjun is detained, his father will soon follow him.
Then, it'll all be yours. Don't you agree?
Chairman Kim Youngdae.
Yes... Thanks to you, yes...
Ohh! Nice shot! Nice shot.
I suddenly feel liberated.
Who helped him get where he is today, after all?
You better not act like him!
That's what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you.
Of course, of course...
I'll give it my all to serve you.
This is fun.
It's just like a real course.
Let's come more often.
Yes... It's winter, yet it's not even that cold.
Thinking I'm hitting Kim Taejin, the ball just flies.
You prick, eat some of this.
Nice shot, nice shot...
Dad!
And what power could I possibly have?
Then, what, are you just going to sit back and let them arrest him?
He's going there on his own, what am I supposed to do?
So why did you make me marry him, to end up in this state?
Break up.
These days, will anyone say anything if you get married twice?
Dad!
You were the first to say it.
That you had it with him and wanted out.
It's because things weren't working out...
What wasn't?
Is he refusing to divorce you?
I told him I wouldn't. That I'd stay with him no matter what.
How fickle...
Dad.
I can't break up with him. I can't let him have it his way.
I can't accept defeat and let some country hick steal him under my nose!
When are you meeting the prosecutors?
Early tomorrow.
Are you ready?
Yes, Father.
I've already taken care of all the rest.
Just acknowledge what they can prove.
Don't try to play the noble hero, I mean.
Do you resent me?
No.
You were my most cherished son.
So why did you refuse to follow my wishes?
I grew up respecting you.
And I still do.
So? Are you going to prison in my place?
You took an insignificant business venture and made today's Atlantic Group out of it.
And that is why I respect you.
However, you've made too many questionable decisions to get there.
I wanted to tell myself that they were inevitable choices for the sake of the company,
but that is not what the father I always respected would have done.
I will pray the shipyard is completed just as you wish.
On the day it is finally completed,
I will be there by your side, to congratulate you.
Thanks.
I apologize.
For not sharing your views.
Youngjun!
What is that supposed to mean?
That you're being arrested.
Mother.
Chairman...
Try to stop him.
You can just give up on that damned group.
Let General Nam have it, Chairman.
Chairman!
Mother.
I told you it's not that.
What do you think I am, blind?
It's not what you think, Mother.
Chairman.
I've done everything you wanted all these years.
What kind of dictator have you become?
When you brought home those two strangers and let them call you father,
did I do anything other than complaining a little?
But I won't let this slide.
I'm not going to let Youngjun go to prison!
Then, am I supposed to go?
The hell do you know anyway?
Who ever said you should go?
Mother, I'll get going.
Youngjun!
"Get going" where, to school?
Youngjun!
Youngjun, stop!
Youngjun.
Just deny everything. Say your father told you to do it.
Mother...
Father wouldn't last a day in there.
So they'll close an eye...
How many people make a living thanks to him?
Thanks to him, thousands of people have made a living!
I'm not going there to die, what's wrong with you?
Because your life as you know it will be over, you silly...
Just go back inside. You'll upset Father.
Like I'd care how he feels right now?
You need to take good care of him.
You think he's enjoying all this?
Don't you know him?
Even witnessing a son die wouldn't make him blink once.
Youngjun, let's go back inside.
Tell your father you can't go.
Youngjun...
Let's go... Come...
Mother... What's the matter with you?
If you keep this up, you'll only make him suffer.
- Just go. - Let go! I said let go!
Mother...
- Go, I'll take her inside. - What the hell is wrong with you?
What's with the sudden outburst? Like you didn't expect this.
Youngjun, stop! Come here right now!
Youngjun, come here!
- My boy... - Mother...
Come here, Youngjun!
Youngjun, stop!
Chairman.
If you let them send Youngjun to prison,
I will never talk to you again!
Tell your husband to go instead.
He's next in line after the chairman!
Why are you suddenly bringing him up?
All he got was contempt from his father and brothers...
Aigoo! I wish he was in any position to go in the chairman's place!
- Aigoo... Aigoo. - Youngjun! Youngjun...
- Charity Nursing Home -
Jungu... Forgive me.
I promised myself I'd live the rest of my days thinking only of you.
But this doesn't mean I've forgotten you.
I will never forget you.
Did you look into it?
He's no laughing matter.
Who, Director Park?
He's got this ambiguous aura you can never really figure out.
So that's why I asked you to help.
Just give me a little more time.
Let's see if he can resist the urge to tell me everything about her.
If you keep working under Yoon Nayoung,
you can kiss your chances of running this place goodbye.
I know.
Just find out where she got rid of that child.
How disgusting.
She still feigned ignorance after doing that, and had the guts to marry Youngmin?!
I'll be counting on you.
I see we're busy?!
You managed to get back from Ulsan already?
What else can an ignorant hick like me do to survive?
I'll have to run as if my feet were on fire.
How vulgar...
By the way, what brings you here?
Thought I'd do some shopping.
Shopping?!
Your husband is about to go to prison, and you do that?
I should buy him some warm clothes, considering how cold it is these days.
Just give me some time.
I'll bring you the kind of news that will leave you speechless.
- President. - I've made you wait, didn't I?
Have a seat.
Baek Ingi is not acting up as of late, is she?
Thanks to you.
Did you look into it?
Yes... That's a piece of cake.
But we did look into all the hospitals in the outskirts of Seoul,
and there was no such record.
Really?
Is Yang Insuk her real name?
Probably... No, I'm sure.
One of my boys is a computer whiz,
and despite having checked all those hospitals' records,
he said there was no trace of such name.
She was even taken to the ER quite recently.
Really?
Yes.
It's likely a hospital around Gahwedong.
I sent my boys to look around there firsthand?!
Give it another try.
Yang Insuk has probably American citizenship, considering she lived there for so long.
So that must be why they couldn't find her.
I'll be counting on you.
President.
Don't waste your time this way, and just make things simpler.
How?
It's all right. You can speak.
Throw her into a mental institute, making it appear as if she's schizophrenic.
That's the easiest way, and with no strings attached.
How could anyone stoop so low?
You say she keeps pestering you... Blackmailing you as well.
Just find me her hospital records.
If she's really as seriously ill as she claims, I want to help her out.
If they can't do anything here, I'll send her to the States.
- You sure are compassionate. - I have my reasons.
So I'll count on you.
Minjae.
Shall we have dinner together?
I have to work all night long.
Uncle is going to the prosecutors tomorrow, so we have a lot of data to prepare.
Come on... I wanted to have some spaghetti with you.
I'll drive you back here after we're done.
Aren't you eating?
We're going to move, you know?
What?
We'll move out and live on our own.
It was uncomfortable living there, wasn't it? Having to always be on your toes.
From now on, let's have fun living by ourselves, just the three of us.
- Like the idea? - Yes.
Right... Your father was worried.
He went to this cafe you always go to, and you saw him there?
Yes.
He's not the kind of man who would have an affair.
Then again... He did say that anyone could have misunderstood that.
I hear he spilled his coffee?
Ajumma...
Minjae. it's you...
I didn't really misunderstand.
Still, he was worried.
He ended up holding her hand for a moment,
and he thought you might think it was on purpose.
I didn't see any of that.
Really?
How could I even imagine that?!
Dad has only eyes for you...
But he might have cheated on me at least once, who knows...
I don't think so.
Then, that's settled?!
You came all the way to the office just for that?
Nah...
To tell you that we're moving.
Shall we go see our new house after we're done here?
You already found one?
Sure...
Grandpa had already bought one for us.
Finally.
Living there was awkward, wasn't it?
Yes.
Go ahead and eat.
Did Minjae go out?
Yes... He called saying that he'd have dinner with your wife.
Go in.
The vice-chairman is inside.
Yes.
Youngmin, it's you?
Yes.
- Are the preparations going well? - Yes, Young Master.
Mister Hong... That "Young Master" is still a habit of yours.
You always thought the world of Youngmin ever since he was little.
Don't even mention it, Vice-chairman.
So when are you going to Ulsan?
In a few days.
If Youngjun meets with the prosecutors tomorrow, it'll take all day.
So let's go to Ulsan before then.
We can go cheer up the chairman while we're there.
Did we get in touch with the prosecutors?
The special task force got involved, so...
But don't let it concern you, Young Master.
We're more than prepared for it.
Aigoo... I'll have to take a nap.
Don't wake me up.
- So how is it? You like it? - Yes.
Tell Grandpa, then. He bought it for you.
Yes.
This reminds me of when we lived in the States.
It's just like the house we had in New Jersey.
Mom...
What?
It looked like she had feelings for Dad.
What makes you think that?
You can tell.
I just kept getting that feeling.
Even though I tried to tell myself that there is no way.
Did you meet Baek Ingi last night?
No.
I wasn't complaining.
Mom.
You're still checking her every move?
Have you forgotten that she works for me now?
- I just... - There's nothing between us.
We're just friends.
Friends?
She knows, too.
That I only pretended to like her so that it would upset you.
You did? To upset me?
You little...
You did what?
I'm sorry, Dad.
- Did you have dinner together? - Yes.
Hurry back in.
All the secretaries are busy as hell.
Yes.
Mom, I'll have to work all evening.
All right. Hurry up.
You're coming home?
I'll go to the prosecutors with my brother early in the morning.
Minjae was really happy that we're moving out.
He's still a kid.
He doesn't know about you and Yang Insuk.
I guess he was worried you might have had an affair.
I never imagined he could be so sensitive.
He wouldn't have second thoughts. That's how I raised him.
So don't ever mention it to him.
I've had dinner with Minjae already, so go in first.
- Honey... - I won't say a thing.
I'll meet her.
Don't meet her again, whatever the case.
If you keep getting involved, it'll only encourage her.
Drive home.
Come on in.
- Isn't the owner in? - Just a moment.
It's you.
I was wondering why you weren't coming.
I'm not in the mood for coffee, so just sit.
Looks like Minjae misunderstood his father.
He kept pestering him with questions.
I was just sitting together with Youngmin, that's all.
- He misunderstood that? - That's what kids his age do.
Actually I was caught off-guard myself.
Of all times, he came in right as Youngmin was holding my hand.
He did?
Yes. It put me in an awkward position, too.
Right... So I hear you're moving?
Who told you?
Minjae called me.
Saying he might not come as frequently as he used to.
He even called you to say that?
Yes.
That's such a relief...
I was really worried he might have misunderstood you two,
but seeing as he called you, looks like he still hasn't realized it yet?!
You have quite the talent for interpretation?!
Or else, it'd drive me crazy.
But if I can't see Minjae enough,
it might drive me crazy as well.
Really?
I don't know how I might react to that.
I'm prepared for that.
Right...
What hospital did you go to, again?
Hospital?
You said there's a lump this big growing inside your brain.
Want me to bring you the MRI scan?
It's okay.
I can just get it on my own.
Wait.
It was quite believable.
Since you almost fooled me as well.
Just say the word.
I'll give you all the money you want.
- Atlantic Group Investigated by Prosecutors -
The investigation dealing with Atlantic Group's secret accounts is proceeding rapidly,
as President Kim Youngjun of Atlantic Shipbuilding will be summoned tomorrow.
It's me.
I thought the news might have startled you, so I gave you a call.
It didn't.
I knew already.
What were you doing?
I... I'm doing nothing.
Actually...
I was a little scared.
Nobody would like to be summoned by the prosecutors.
I even thought of running away, since I quit my job anyway.
But then I thought of you, and changed my mind.
I've heard a lot about the way you've lived all these years.
Despite all the difficulties you faced, you kept hanging in there with great determination.
I didn't...
I merely survived because I couldn't do any better.
I'm sorry.
You're about to face such a huge test...
and I'm only making things worse with this farce.
Don't say that.
Whatever might happen,
I'll never forget the tears you shed for me.
But there's nothing I can do to help you.
Aren't you talking to me now?!
Never lose that courage of yours,
and continue living this way.
Just like this. Are we clear, Jeongsuk?
You really had suspects about me, didn't you?
You didn't?
I went to the hospital where Yang Insuk was.
Was it then that she told you?
That I tried to kill her.
That she clearly saw me driving that car.
You did believe her, after all.
But now it's all over.
She said she'll leave.
She must be hurting seriously.
She tried every hospital in Seoul,
but they all said that any surgery was out of the question.
Thankfully, there's an hospital in Houston specializing in brain tumors.
I told her not to worry about the money.
That I'd take care of it one way or another.
Moving out will settle Minjae's issues as well.
He said he's having fun at work. And that your father is happy, too.
You do your best as well.
Make the best of impressions on your father.
All right.
- I'll leave Yang Insuk to you. - Right.
I told you I'll take care of everything.
If you stay out of this, she'll calm down on her own.
She's a kind person, deep down.
She's not the kind of woman you think she is.
I'm going to stay like this.
So don't move until I fall asleep.
What are we, in mourning or something?
What's with that look?
Then, what, should we get up and start dancing instead?
What?
You little...
Isn't this all because of you, anyway?
Give me a break...
Dad, just divorce, will you? I can't take this anymore.
And don't think I'm taking your side.
Since you care about us even less than she does.
Let's just eat, Oppa.
Act like that again, and see what happens.
I'm going to provide for myself from now on.
Come here!
Can't even have breakfast in peace...
Fine... Pierce his heart while you're at it.
Ungrateful little fools.
You just keep eating like that?
If you turn yourself in, they'll detain you right away.
Sorry.
For not being the husband you wished for.
At least you realize that.
Why does it have to be you?
Of all his sons, why you?
Hyung.
All right. Let's go.
Nobody will take it.
If not my husband, nobody will take Atlantic Group!
Go back.
Hyung.
Who are you people?
What's wrong with you?
Where are you taking me?
Lie down. You're my patient now.
What do you plan to accomplish by abducting me?
Abducting?!
I'm saving your life, why would I need to abduct you?!