(Artificial City)
(All people, places, organizations, and incidents appearing in this series are entirely fictional.)
You're a lot like me.
And perhaps I'm just
compensating for my past hardships by helping you.
Back then, I hoped
that somebody would come to my aid
to protect me.
That's because me and my husband
are more important than you.
It's more important that everything goes according to plan.
It's more important
that we don't become fodder for rumors.
You seem to have taken the moral high ground.
But then,
instead of pretending to care about me,
you shouldn't have slept with my husband to begin with!
Yi-seol…
I had no other choice.
I really had…
no other choice.
What was all that pretense for
if you were going to do this anyway?
Don't worry. I understand how you feel about me.
Instead,
you just be a good girl.
Or you might get a scolding.
Understood?
(Artificial City)
(Episode 14)
Good morning.
Morning.
Where's Hyeon-wu?
He went out to get chocolate milk.
So early in the morning?
We can't be spoiling him like that.
I didn't keep the promise to play dominoes with him.
[ARE YOU BUSY TODAY?]
[WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO OUR FOR A WALK?] If you start breaking promises like that,
he'll lose all trust in you some day.
Be careful.
I went over to your bedroom last night.
Did you?
I didn't know.
But I think Mr. Jung mistook my intention.
What was it?
He said he understood how I feel about him
telling me not to worry
and then touched me.
Did you, really?
I see you made her uncomfortable.
I told you she's not into you.
You'd better apologize for that.
Shall we have a talk?
I'd love to.
This is Jun-hyeok's, and this is mine.
This is it.
Oh, you've already seen it.
Would you like to try?
Which one?
Would you like Jun-hyeok's or mine?
Stop that.
Did you grandmother know
what dirty things you were doing with the likes of Noh Yeong-ju?
Don't talk like that when you don't know anything.
Why not?
Are you ashamed?
I'm sure you are after what you did.
Why would I be? I've done nothing wrong.
Nothing wrong?
It is you who should be ashamed.
You married Jung Jun-hyeok for your own ambitions.
And you'd do all kinds of dirty things to make him President.
You'd better watch your next words.
How dare you…
What?
He mistook your intention?
Enough with those lies!
That's just what you want to believe!
I've dealt with plenty like you before.
Why do you live with an asshole like that?
Apologize.
Ask for forgiveness!
Say that you're sorry for everything.
I've done nothing wrong.
I…
I trusted you so.
I told you to divorce him.
Shut up!
Divorce him, right now!
Let's have a talk.
I was going to tell you at the right moment.
And I think it's time.
[KIM YI-SEOL]
Jun-hyeok's child
[DNA Paternity Test Results] is not dead.
He's healthy and living by his father's side.
What are you talking about?
Hyeon-wu is indeed your grandson.
I made it so that
[PROBABILITY OF PATERNITY: 99.999%] Jae-hui adopted him.
Jae-hui
doesn't know about this yet.
I'll let you decide what to do with her.
It's been a while.
I was surprised to see your text. I thought you were too busy.
I'm hungry. Can I order room service?
What are you doing?
I don't want to go crazy imagining
what you might have done with him.
Stay within my sight until the presidential election's over.
I'll keep an eye on you
watching every little move you make.
That's the price you'll pay
for betraying my trust.
Whatever.
But I'll make sure you divorce him.
Let's see who comes out on top.
What do you mean, my child?
I will not accept a child
born from a random woman as my own.
I won't let a dead bastard
taint my reputation.
Grandpa!
My dear boy, Hyeon-wu!
Have you been a good boy?
Father.
Oh, it's so cold outside.
I wondered why he bought so many grapes,
and it turned out they're your favorite fruit, Jae-hui.
Well he just cares so much about his daughter-in-law.
[SAVINGS ACCOUNT]
Use this for Jun-hyeok's election.
It's all my money. Not a single penny came from my wife.
So, don't worry.
Let's put the past behind us
and focus on the future.
Did Mother say something?
I won't blame anyone for anything.
You reap what you sow.
That's one truth in life that I know.
[JUNG JUN-HYEOK FAN CLUB]
Hyeon-wu!
What's up?
I'll lend this to you.
[THEODORA]
I told Grandpa that
you like apples best.
Were you worried about me because Grandpa only brought grapes?
Yeah.
When I grow up to be like Dad
and make lots of money,
I'll buy you a ton of apples!
Thank you.
Jun-hyeok is
still quite young,
and having another young woman at his home
might end up being fodder for gossip.
As long as he's careful,
I think it'll be just fine.
I'll handle it. Don't worry.
I'll see you again.
Hyeon-wu. She has to rest.
But
she said she's fine.
Right, Yi-seol?
Yeah.
Don't worry about me. You can tend to your business.
[SEOUL HANGANG POLICE STATION]
[8,016,354,425 WON]
[HAN DONG-MIN]
Hi, Dong-min.
Really?
It's weird that there were no CCTVs.
My guy says there's nothing else he can do
unless we officially report the incident.
Well, that's not his fault, but I feel disappointed and embarrassed.
Don't beat yourself over this. You're only trying to help.
I'll explain to Yi-seol.
Okay.
Dong-min says he can't do much to help you.
And that he's sorry.
Life can be tough when you don't have power.
Don't you agree?
You can't protect your loved ones.
Your child
may have died in the arms of strangers.
But mine enjoys a happy life
in the safety of his home just because he's mine.
That's why I put up with Jun-hyeok.
Do you understand?
Mommy! Help me!
- Like this? - Right.
You can do it like this.
By the way, honey,
shouldn't we get Gyu-seong's records in place before it's too late?
He has his birthmother right here in real life.
So, he can't be without one on paper.
I thought you were just happy to have a nice meal.
What is this sudden nonsense?
Do you even have any idea how complicated
it would be to change all the records?
I want to officially be your wife.
I knew you would say that.
Asshole!
What? What's he doing?
What is it?
What?
Was it that bitch? I mean…
You called for me?
I need you… to keep an eye on Jung Jun-hyeok.
I have to make sure
I'm on the right guy's boat.
I think we were
on pretty good terms so far.
At least until I found out about your true intentions.
Let's at least keep saying hi
to each other
when we pass each other.
Let's keep it that way for now.
And when it's time I'll make sure
that I forget about you.
I hope you do the same.
I already told you the reason why
I cannot divorce him.
I thought you had
thrown them away.
Such a beautiful child.
I'm going to the bathroom.
Your husband has decided to turn a blind eye on the matter of Hyeon-wu.
I'm sure you're satisfied
with the investigation on the Minister of Land.
Now you have what you wanted.
It was all thanks to you.
It's my pleasure.
And I haven't done much, really.
I heard about Han Dong-min,
Jun-hyeok's reporter friend.
That was a coincidence.
He has a strong sense of justice
and is interested in all kinds of social issues.
It's fortunate that
Jun-hyeok has a friend like that.
I agree.
By the way,
about Jun-hyeok's dead bastard,
do you
happen to know who the mother was?
Why?
Are you curious?
It was my husband that found the child.
Would you like me to find her?
That's weird.
Isn't it?
The violin teacher,
and the video that was fed to Yu Jin-seok,
all that information came from you.
Has something come up?
After I used Cho Gang-hyeon's weakness to go after Minister Park
and used that to put the redevelopment project back on track,
I realized how anyone with power
can be manipulated with the right card.
And I guess I'm just scared that might happen to me.
I don't want to live
fearing what would happen if you decided to use
Jun-hyeok's problems against me, Mother.
You once told me
that you know better than to hurt your own family.
I am no different.
Please remember that.
And please
don't treat me badly again.
Please.
I won't.
From now on, I will take charge in Jun-hyeok's presidential election.
[I FOUND A PLACE THANKS TO YOU, FROM KIM YI-SEOL]
Hi, Jeong-ho.
A woman?
Just let him.
You don't have to…
I don't care.
I understand Cho Gang-hyeon might not feel safe.
Tell him I'll take care of it.
Tell him to trust me.
By the way…
Is that really necessary?
Yeah.
I'll make sure she suffers.
- Evening. - Hey.
Drunk already?
I feel embarrassed.
And that's keeping me from getting drunk.
Hey.
Are you really into Yi-seol?
You can do better.
Jun-hyeok.
I think what's most important in life is authenticity.
I believe that dreams come true if you try hard enough
and that no matter how tough life is
we can find hope in good people like you.
I met this inspector when I was doing some research.
My father started from the bottom
and retired a Senior Policeman.
I was just happy to have a cop friend.
And an officer, too.
He told me to contact the CCTV Control Center.
Anyone can find that on the internet.
Even I already knew about it, and that's all that he told me.
Of course, that's the only option. That's what I have to do.
But I found myself disappointed
and embarrassed.
I told Yi-seol I would do anything to help.
I'm not doing this for myself.
I'm doing everything for Yi-seol
and for you, too.
I'm just helping others.
So why can't he just help me out this once?
Perhaps he might have been more willing, were I a famous anchor.
Try it.
- What? - Being a famous anchor.
Then, you'll find out the answer to that.
How could I…
There's nothing you can do then.
What's up?
Now?
Can't we just talk on the phone?
What is it?
What?
What about these people?
Do you remember
the gathering you had seven years ago, right before
the Hyeongsan-dong tragedy?
That was a long time ago.
What about it?
Who is this?
The girl you bedded that day.
What do you think you're--
It's Kim Yi-seol.
What?
You need to resolve this as soon as possible.
Does my wife know?
No. Not yet.
[THEODORA]
I gave him the packet.
What are you doing?
She's not there.
You should fire Kim Yi-seol.
I don't like it that you have her around.
Why?
It's the way she behaves.
I've noticed you're letting her get in your head sometimes
And I'm starting to doubt your judgments.
There is something you don't know.
What is it?
She once gave birth.
What about that?
She had to send it away for adoption.
And she found out that the child died.
That's why if she's acting weird.
It must have hit her hard.
Shocking news like that changes people sometimes.
But what I wonder is
what kind of an asshole was the father
to let all this happen.
It happened seven years ago,
and she was only twenty years old back then.
He got her impregnated and just abandoned her.
Perhaps he had his own reasons.
Right? Also,
she was also at fault
doing naughty things at such a young age.
- You think so? - Yeah.
I remember you said she's well-educated and from a decent background.
Perhaps I picked the wrong person.
Your child
may have died
in the arms of strangers.
But mine enjoys a happy life
in the safety of his home just because he's mine.
That's why I put up with Jun-hyeok.
Do you understand?
[PROSECUTOR PARK JEONG-HO]
I've told Jun-hyeok everything.
You said I'd better remember how we first met.
Was this the reason why?
This is pathetic.
What is it you want? Money?
You know what you did.
What I did…
I think I already
paid you for everything seven years ago.
I remember
you were already quite pathetic back then.
You said your family was in trouble, didn't you?
You came to me because you needed money.
So young and stupid you were.
Back then,
I pitied you for all your plights
because you were so young.
So, I was extra nice to you.
But aren't you old enough to know better after all these years?
And my wife has nothing to do with this.
And you're using her
to get to me and threaten me. You should be ashamed.
I can reveal everything.
What happened that day
seven years ago.
Listen, Yi-seol.
I don't even understand why you're doing this,
but this won't do you any good.
Do you think that revealing
what happened between us will give you any sense of worth?
Huh?
Just because your own life is miserable
doesn't mean you can make others suffer, too.
You gave birth to my child without my consent.
It's not fair that you're using that to shake down on me.
If you're in need of money, you can simply ask for help.
To you, I can be generous.
Okay?
Mrs. Yun.
You have a visitor.
I am glad to finally show you today
a true work of art that has been missing for 35 years.
This would have been impossible without the help
of Ms. Kim Yi-seol who is currently working
at our gallery as a docent.
Ms. Kim?
Isn't she the narrator from the talk concert
with Mr. Jung Jun-hyeok?
She is.
She was the one that wrote the script.
Although art was not her specialty,
she joined us as a temporary docent
and has proven herself a valuable asset.
She is also a beneficiary of the Young Artist Funds
provided by the Sungjin Foundation.
She will be narrating at more gallery events to come.
I'm sure you're all excited.
And the Sungjin Foundation will continue its efforts
to find and support young talents like Ms. Kim Yi-seol here.
[SUNGJIN CULTURAL FOUNDATION] [YOUNG ARTIST FUNDS]
This piece is not what you might call a masterpiece.
But then,
why did you try so hard to find it?
When I first
saw this piece, "Irony", in the brochure,
I felt ashamed and embarrassed.
But weirdly enough,
I also found comfort in it.
It helped me confront a part of me that I'm not particularly proud of.
I once stole a pair of sneakers when I was young.
Wow.
By the way, I was a good student and popular among the boys.
I was even prettier back then.
But my family was not that rich,
and I couldn't afford things that were popular among my friends.
I felt it was unfair.
I dreamed of a bright future where everyone would appreciate and admire me.
For that…
I had to earn the respect of others.
But I just couldn't wait.
Now, back to the painting.
Do you see that painting hanging in the living room of a rich family?
Yes.
That painting inside this piece was also the work of the same artist.
His painting was probably sold for a good price.
Isn't that what all artists dream of?
It is.
An artwork that portrays
the lives of the poor and was only recognized for the money
that a rich collector paid for it.
Do you see the irony in that?
- Also-- - Just like how you committed a crime
in order to feel admired and appreciated?
Right.
That's true.
I stole those sneakers to feel admired and appreciated.
A great work of art like this one
makes its viewers reflect on themselves.
And I hope you all
create great artworks like this one in the future.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
With Jung Jun-hyeok!
Here, now, us!
[KIM YI-SEOL'S ART CONCERT] [ARTIFICIAL CITY]
That's a nice picture.
You look really nice in it.
No one would be able to tell
the kind of life you've led.
I give up.
I've realized that there's really
nothing I can do.
It must be tough.
Hang in there.
After this passes,
you'll live a life you've never imagined you'd live.
I would like to leave.
Please let me leave.
It's not your choice.
The only choice you have is to do as I say.
If your child were still alive,
you could have shown him how you've succeeded.
It's a pity.
Right?
[YUN JAE-HUI HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF YOUNG VOTERS]
[20TH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION POLLS]
According to the polls,
Master Jun-hyeok is rising rapidly in the polls.
He's almost caught up with Congressman Min Seong-sik.
He is receiving absolute support
from voters in their twenties.
Is the task force ready?
Yes.
So, why don't you have them start?
I'll run it by Madam Yun, first.
What brings you here?
We're
getting a divorce.
Has Jun-il agreed to this?
It's what I want.
I can't bear it any more.
Tell me, what exactly is your problem?
You should know, Mother.
I've tried to bear
Father and Jae-hui's rudeness until now.
Mother,
I know how hard it must be to be patient with Father.
But sometimes, it seems
pathetic.
So?
What do you want?
I don't want much.
I just…
want to live with a little class.
Class?
You mean you want to live a life of privilege and luxury,
surrounded by servants,
without having to lift a finger?
Admit it.
You can't bear it to have Jae-hui lord it over you.
Isn't that why?
You should never have started a fight you couldn't win.
You can have your divorce.
I'll discuss it with your father and decide on the terms
- so wait. - No.
I'm going to hire a lawyer and sue for divorce.
I won't accept your terms
for alimony and settlement.
[JUNG JUN-HYEOK NEARLY EVEN IN THE POLLS THANKS TO YOUTHFUL VOTERS]
Dear! Dear!
Dear!
Madam!
- Madam! - Dear!
- Madam!
We're going to select the core members of the task force.
I'll text you the time and place
so head there directly after your morning appointment.
Okay.
Bye.
Hi, Eun-jeong.
What?
Mother?
What in the world happened?
Ju-yeon is the cause of this.
She knows how precious Jun-il is to her,
but she's suing for divorce.
Damn it!
So,
Mrs. Yun asked us to wait?
She didn't say anything else?
How many times do I have to tell you?
If you're so tired of waiting,
line up those chairs and sleep.
Haven't you been able to reach Ju-yeon?
No.
Ju-yeon and Han-suk
aren't the kind of women
who'd stay so quiet for this long.
It must be game over.
Yun Jae-hui must have all the power.
It can't be.
Today might be our final chance.
Mother had a fainting spell and is in the hospital.
What is she trying to do?
[MOTHER HAD A FAINTING SPELL AND IS IN THE HOSPITAL]
I know what this is.
She's testing our loyalty.
For crying out loud!
Jeez.
[MIN JI-YEONG]
We've all decided that our appointment
with you is more important.
[1 UNREAD MESSAGE]
[CHO GANG-HYEON]
When are you coming?
Mom!
Are you all right?
Go fetch Dr. Jang.
Tell Jae-hui to leave.
Mom…
Now.
Will you leave us for a moment?
It'll only take a minute.
I have something to discuss with Mother.
Just accept it.
It's over for you, Mother.
All the people who were under your protection
have turned their backs on you.
If you treat me with respect
and prove you haven't outlived your usefulness,
I'll protect you and make sure that
no one treats you disrespectfully.
[YUN JAE-HUI]
You've passed the test.
Welcome to the task force.
Yes!
You've passed the test.
Welcome to the task force.
Jae-hui
is a woman of her word.
She might come from a poor background
but she's quite clever.
Ju-yeon could never outsmart her.
Let's eat.
Have a drink, Congressman Park.
- It's a great occasion. - Have a drink.
The three people mother trusted most and Cho Gang-hyeon
have all joined the task force.
Even Min Seong-sik?
Don't be so surprised.
Those people can't be trusted.
They're people we should discard after we've used them.
I'll take a picture.
One, two, three!
I would like to leave.
Please let me leave.
It's not your choice.
The only choice you have is to do as I say.
Why did you want to see me?
Dong-min,
I need to ask you for a favor.
What is it, Yi-seol?
It's all right.
You can tell me.
Hello. What is it?
What?
I see.
I'll call you again.
Kim Yi-seol
is looking for her child.
A mother looking for the traces of her deceased child…
I feel for her.
I'll have to help her.
- What are you doing here? - Why didn't you answer your phone?
What's the matter?
What is it?
Hyeon-wu's birthmother
says she wants to see you.
She says if you don't, she'll tell everyone about the adoption.
She knows who you are, Jae-hui.
What are you doing here?
Mommy!
(Artificial City)
You're right.
- Hi, Yi-seol! - I'm crazy.
How could I be sane?
Nothing gets better no matter how hard I try!
Are you scared?
Scared that I'll take everything from you?
Just pretend that he's dead.
I won't let my child
live under the same roof as Jung Jun-hyeok.
This is all your fault.
Do you think I'm scared of you?
I just don't want Hyeon-wu to get hurt.
You knew about what happened
that day seven years ago?
Kim Yi-seol wants you to get a divorce.
Hyeon-wu is my son,
and my husband, Jung Jun-hyeok,
is the future president of this nation.
Nothing is going to change.
I'll make sure of that.