(Artificial City)
(All people, places, organizations, and incidents appearing in this series are entirely fictional.)
[KWON RESIDENCE]
What's wrong?
Hello?
What about Madam Kwon?
What is it? What's happened?
You can't be in here. Come outside.
Come outside.
[EMERGENCY. LOOKING FOR PROSECUTOR CHO]
[WIFE KWON MIN-SEON DEAD]
[SUICIDE]
What is it? I'm busy right now.
Something's happened at home.
At my house? What?
- Where? Which house? - We should go.
I'll explain on the way, sir.
Just spit it out.
(Artificial City)
(Episode 2)
What's this?
Hey! Are you blind?
Does this look like the same work to you?
I told you watch for color separation,
and you give me something that looks like it was done in some back alley shop.
I checked the sample and calibrated the settings to match it.
And?
And this is the result?
I apologize.
Go show Director Yun what you've done and have her take care of it.
Sorry.
We usually don't have the docents do this kind of thing.
I'll treat you to lunch.
Mrs. Lee has this place she loves to go to.
They've got the best truffle risotto.
I could sell everything I own
and still not have enough to buy one of her shoes.
But food, I can handle.
I guess she really let you have it.
But hadn't Director Yun already given the go ahead?
I just got caught in the crossfire, I guess.
Anyway, the director is out today because of a friend's funeral.
We can really take our time at lunch.
Hello? Yes, this is Art Space Jin.
The Sungjin Art Gallery.
We'd like a courier, please. An art brochure.
Right.
To the Sungjin Hospital Funeral Hall.
Oh, Da-eun.
No, I originally arranged a courier.
One of our docents thought it might be a little insensitive.
Oh, Ms. Kim Yi-seol.
Yes, I gave her cab fare.
Okay.
No, I'll handle the printing.
Okay, thanks.
You're here.
This is a problem. What'll you do?
Get out.
Come on, get out.
I said get out!
Now.
Why're we here?
God, this kid.
Even if only on paper, she was still your mother.
She's the reason you're not illegitima--
People need to repay favors.
Start acting like a human being, okay?
You're Cho Gyu-seong, the son of Cho Gang-hyeon,
and your father's wife, Madam Kwon, just passed away.
What does that mean? You're sangju*. (Chief mourner)
Fine, then give me 50,000 won.
Why?
For bujo*? (Donation to the bereaved family)
You little jerk.
Family donating to family?
Just give me 50,000 won.
Always money, just gimme gimme.
50,000?
If you see your father, bow respectfully.
Be polite toward his guests, too.
- One, two, three… - God you're stingy.
- Hey, hey now. - Put my bag inside.
You little bastard. Stay right there.
If you aren't busy, shall we talk?
This is Mrs. Kwon's phone.
As mother-in-law, I need to be on top of these things.
Look in the messages received.
We've unlocked the password, so you can take a look.
[CRAZYBITCH2 SENT A VIDEO]
At the top.
Yeah.
A sex tape?
That's why she killed herself?
And you're sure it's Cho Gang-hyeon?
Who's the source?
What? Where do you get that from?
Speak some sense.
Whether it's assault or blackmail, you have to start with facts.
What?
When have ratings mattered to me?
Station Manager, if you keep this up,
I can make things hard for you in the newsroom.
Something happened at Madam Kwon's. Call me when you wake up.
Can you handle this?
I'll contact you soon.
You really underestimate your mom, huh?
- Never went to college, right? - It hurts.
But I ran the 100 meters in 13 seconds at school.
You didn't know that until today, did you?
- Okay, just let go already. - You little punk, you just…
You already take after your father so all you do is eat and love money.
What's wrong with you!
Stop shouting! I won't go.
- Let go! - You horrible little brat!
Sister!
Oh my god, why?
What a horrible life you had.
After all your struggles,
I thought things had finally gotten easier for you.
But now this? Oh, Sister.
How can it end like this?
Hey, get her out of here!
Sister, no…
Just yesterday,
you seemed strong enough to fight off a tiger,
so how is this possible?
Sister…
Don't worry about us here.
Please just rest in peace.
Don't worry about Gyu-seong's dad.
I'll take care of him. I will.
I'll give everything I have, everything!
So don't worry, Sister.
Leave it to me.
And you, Sister.
I wish you a safe passage into Heaven.
Sister, my poor sister.
I can't believe it.
Sister--
- Please go home. - Ouch, wait.
Wait, who are you anyway?
I'm Prosecutor Park Jong-ho of the SPO*. (Supreme Prosecutor's Office)
Oh, so you work with Gyu-seong's dad?
Before he was nominated for Prosecutor General,
he worked for years in the Supreme Prosecutor's Office.
I'll escort you home.
What? What's with this poor treatment?
Don't you have any manners? Why don't you answer me?
You smarty-pants types always just talk around people.
Listen to others.
Attentively listening to others--
Yes, I trained under Director Cho.
Oh, is that right?
It's a pleasure.
- I'll escort you home. - Oh, I drove here.
But my son's a sangju, and I'm his mother.
How can I go home by myself and feel relaxed?
I'll bring your son la--
Fine, fine. I need the restroom. Just wait a sec.
Leave her. Go and take care of Cho Gang-hyeon.
♪ Life is always like that, you see ♪
♪ There will be pain and difficulties ♪
♪ But life, it's still worth living ♪
♪ You did your best today, too ♪
♪ Now having done my time ♪
♪ Those good days are coming for me ♪
♪ Life, it's still worth… ♪
Mrs. Yun…
How did you…
You came to pay respects to my dear sister.
You sing well.
Oh, it's just…
It's a song my husband likes, so I got used to singing it.
Old habits die hard, right?
Yeah, I know.
You sing one line and the rest somehow just pops out.
Old habits are a funny thing.
They always have a way of revealing how low class they are.
Listen, Mrs. Yun.
I understand how this looks. I see where you're coming from.
You think I have no business to be here.
But you know what?
Ever since I heard the news last night,
I haven't once been able to calm this pounding heart of mine.
Look at this.
Look at how much I've cried.
You see how my mascara's spread? See?
If I dry my hands like this
and wipe at it, it comes right off.
Don't go around intentionally looking for the worst in people.
As women, we have to trust each other.
Just thinking about how my dead sister met the wrong guy
and how she went through hell because of it…
Stop crying, Oh Ye-rin!
You understand me now, don't you?
It's not like we're any different.
We're the same sort, you and I.
How Mrs. Kwon put up with you, I'll never know.
I'm tempted to kill you myself!
How dare you come here and cry crocodile tears?
But I'll help you snap out of it!
No, but… Jesus.
You think I'm some kind of punching bag?
Listen, you think I'm the only one who cheated?
So you wanted to get revenge?
So…
that's why you did this?
You've crossed the line.
You had to send her over the edge and make her kill herself!
What…
What did you just say?
Kill herself?
This.
You didn't send this?
CrazyBitch2?
It's all quite awkward.
The people we asked to handle it-
Why don't you keep your sister with you at home?
We'll notify you when we've decided.
Sister-in-law, I was wrong. Please forgive me.
How dare you speak to me of forgiveness!
No Yeong-ju.
What?
Who?
CrazyBitch2, that's No Yeong-ju.
I'm… CrazyBitch1.
I was the one who ratted on her… [CRAZYBITCH1, CRAZYBITCH2]
Sister said she'd take care of it.
So I just left it at that…
Gyu-seong's father, he…
Will he really run for Prosecutor General?
Will he, Mrs. Yun?
Okay, so…
This here…
You confirm this is Director Cho?
He always had women. It wasn't his first time.
I always just prayed he'd never get any of them pregnant.
But he just couldn't get over this one.
It made me so crazy that I told Sister everything.
I didn't know it would turn out like this.
Mrs. Yun.
Please do something about it. Okay?
Your husband and my son's father, they…
They're both in the same boat, right?
Mrs. Yun, please help me.
Mrs. Yun, please.
[STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENT]
Vice Chairman Jung will not be indicted.
You'd better make sure of that.
How you must feel,
seeing your one and only sister
lose everything she has in one fell swoop.
What will you do about Cho Gang-hyeon?
First we'll publish a column in the Hanju Daily,
something affectionate and sympathetic.
"Can we entrust prosecutorial reform
to a man with deep personal sorrows?"
Maybe it's because you majored in literature,
but you sure have a way with words, Madam.
Mr. Editor-in-chief, what do you think?
Jung Jun-hyeok would have to report on it.
These days, if the broadcast news doesn't get behind something…
the papers alone won't get very far.
We must know some police officers who have connections with the press.
Not like in the past, no.
There's been a push to clean things up.
People expect the police to be clean, these days.
They say it's for the public good. What can you say to that?
Assemblyman Min, please choose another candidate for director.
Once you've settled on a candidate,
we'll support you in whatever way you need.
How will you take responsibility for this?
This all happened because you couldn't keep your house in order.
Women flying off the handle seems to be a family tradition…
She was so quiet growing up. I don't understand what happened to her.
Your family had nothing at all
until you got your law degree with the money from selling your sister.
It paid your expenses when you worked as a prosecutor.
That's a surprising attitude from you
who for 16 years had your way paid by us.
What I'm saying is…
Your younger daughter-in-law should be called here for fairness's sake.
So you wonder how I'll punish Yoon Jae-hui, I see.
She'll be disposed of.
One doesn't keep broken tools in the tool box.
Please give this to Director Yun Jae-hui.
I was sent to deliver it. Sungjin Art Gallery.
We couldn't find the shoes this time.
He always relapses like this.
Such a gentle man, why he'd act like that when he sees women's shoes…
But after you've come to see him, he always improves for a time.
He doesn't recognize me anyway.
No, that's not true, even if that's how it might feel.
I appreciate the hard work.
Make sure to treat all the staff, on me.
You don't have to keep doing this.
Thank you.
Why? You like them?
Yes.
They're quite expensive. You can't afford them.
I'm a judge, you know.
Not like the judges I know.
You don't have any money.
You put all your siblings through school
and even paid for their weddings, so of course you're poor.
You already told me this. Don't you remember?
Oh, yes, right.
Still.
Your…
Your shoes, would you tell me how much they cost?
Actually, I have a daughter.
She's an art student at the University of Korea.
I want to buy her a pair for graduation.
You know
when she was in middle school,
I promised to buy her some brand name sneakers but never could.
I still feel guilty about that.
It's fine, don't buy anything.
Shoes are just the beginning.
Once she has shoes, then she'll need a bag and clothes.
You really have to dress nice when you're selling art to rich people.
Otherwise they say you have bad taste.
Why not make a bunch of money yourself?
You're a judge, right?
Get wined and dined, get some kickbacks, get promoted.
No…
You should have just married rich after you passed the law exam.
Then, these shoes wouldn't seem so expensive.
For such a pretty woman, you sure say horrible things.
Anyway, I'm a bit busy. I'll be going.
Your father is a great man.
A judge for 30 years and yet he stayed clean.
I appreciate the compliment.
I hear your mother went to a vocational school?
She worked as a bank teller while he sat for his exams, right?
You must have learned a lot from her.
You'll know to support your husband.
You know Jun-hyeok was illegitimate, right?
You don't hear that word very often these days.
It's considered discriminatory.
Right, and they call unmarried mothers 'single' mothers.
Right.
Your soon-to-be father-in-law was once my family's driver.
I'm sure you've heard that.
I know that Jun-il
was born out of wedlock,
and you were forced to marry for the sake of your son's legitimacy.
Let's call a spade a spade.
I wasn't a single mother, I was unmarried.
I didn't choose it for myself. It was just bad luck.
If you're worried
that for that reason I might be disrespectful of you-
Hey!
You're a cheeky one, aren't you?
I'm telling you this so you understand your position.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you're one of us.
You must never forget that.
Your husband Jun-hyeok,
he's the child of the driver and some floozy.
Still, because of Jun-hyeok,
you were able to set foot in my house.
Be thankful for that.
Found not guilty, ma'am.
Your father worried a lot about your dowry.
He helped us out today.
All parents have a soft spot for their children.
Tell him I said he made a wise choice.
A word, sir.
How are you feeling about the verdict?
It's not the life you're used to,
so you'll find it uncomfortable.
Don't overthink it. Just keep one thought in mind.
Be useful to us.
If you're useful,
I'll see you never want for anything…
Integrity above all, right?
But you gave our relatives everything we had,
leaving Mom to struggle.
You were always so worried about tarnishing your name,
you wouldn't even let her haggle for lower prices at the market.
You couldn't even afford to send me to a cram school.
So why? Why are you doing this?
How do you think I got here?
Do you know how long I struggled already?
So…
Isn't that the reason?
I'm trying to repay that debt.
I know it's late,
but I wanted to repay at least a tiny bit of that debt.
Pass, pass!
Down the middle!
- Nice! - Good one!
Nice!
Where's Hyeon-wu?
He's about to finish his violin lesson.
Mommy!
Don't run.
Why are you so late?
I know, right? Mommy missed Hyeon-wu.
- Where's Daddy? - I don't know.
Every third weekend, Mr. Jung goes to play basketball.
Oh, you're right.
Mom, can I play games?
Hyeon-wu, I'm going now. You should say goodbye.
Bye-bye. Be sure to practice.
How many times will you practice?
A hundred times!
A hundred times? Promise?
Bye!
[JUN-HYEOK]
The customer is not answering the phone.
Please leave a message after the tone.
Mommy!
Mommy's in her room.
Mommy, let's eat.
"Dinner is ready."
"Dinner is ready" sounds weird.
Why?
You're becoming a big boy, so you'll have to use big boy words.
It doesn't sound like we love each other.
Then you'll have to say it lovingly.
Mommy and Daddy are like that.
"Nah. 'Kay. Great." Then…
"Yes. No. Fine."
That's what you say when you don't love someone.
[I'M RIGHT OUTSIDE]
I saw someone leave your house.
A young twenty-something.
Ah, Kim Yi-seol?
She's pretty, right? Young and fresh.
Are you okay?
You came all the way for this?
Seeing as how there's little movement from the hearing committee,
it seems like damage control is proceeding smoothly.
Are you still secretly investigating my husband?
He's got another woman, right?
Nothing will come of it.
Don't worry.
You must be happy.
Take a good look at the asshole you chose over me, right?
Yeah, it's great.
The fact that I'm better than him.
Serves you right.
It's not like I didn't know you were the better man.
Diligent, kind and faithful.
But…
Jun-hyeok had what I needed.
Sungjin Group…
Jun-hyeok's protection.
Born an illegitimate child, he still ended up with a silver spoon
and was given things we can only dream of.
Find someone for me.
No Yeong-ju.
It was the woman that set Madam Kwon off.
I have to fix it before it all blows up.
Whatever happens, I'll protect my husband.
I need him.
Hey, treat the boys to something nice.
Thank you! Food and drinks on Jun-hyeok tonight!
You should come with us.
- Jung Jun-hyeok! Jung Jun-hyeok! - You go on ahead.
Jung Jun-hyeok! Jung Jun-hyeok!
Goodnight!
You wait long?
No.
Did you win?
Of course.
Let's go.
What do you say we take a little break?
So, what do you want me to do for you this time?
I'll be here with you. And this'll be the last time.
You old art student types,
you need to come work this job, not us.
What do we know about color?
Once we're done, I'll buy you some kimchi stew.
We'll have some makgeolli, too.
Got out early today. God I'm hungry.
No way. So even though you're a bigwig,
you're telling me you still like kimchi stew?
Just this once, okay? Promise.
But listen, you've got it made now.
Why this daily grind?
Count your lucky stars,
kick back and start relaxing.
Okay then, let's see now.
What does she think the problem is?
Uh, what's this?
Don't know.
[PORTRAIT OF PAINTER SON SANG-KI]
[PLEASE TAKE A LOOK, DIRECTOR. -KIM YI-SEOL-]
[PORTRAIT OF PAINTER SON SANG-KI]
[-KIM YI-SEOL-]
Um…
Burrata cheese salad, but with white truffle oil, please.
Also, the asparagus should be lightly boiled, not fried,
- …and pack the jujube separately. - Sorry?
Oh, um…
The Space Jin CEO, she…
Oh, hello.
- Burrata cheese salad? - Right.
- As Mrs. Lee likes it? - Yes.
I'll get that ready for you.
Where's Director Yun?
Is she taking the day off again?
No, she's out at the printer's…
Where's my salad?
Sorry?
I asked you to get lunch.
Oh, the docent, she…
She should be back any moment.
How could you leave that to a docent? So uncouth.
I'm sorry.
I must have seemed busy like because she offered to help.
Busy like…
These people and their grammar,
working here in the arts.
[KIM YI-SEOL]
She an art major, or?
What's this?
[SPACE JIN… INCLUDED IN TOP 100] This was so complic…
Looks like our docent is a big fan of Jung Jun-hyeok.
No, I'm not.
Why are you acting so angry? You can just be frank.
My employee shouldn't have asked you to do this.
Don't do it again.
Start with an apology
for going through my things.
What?
How is it? Okay?
Tone it down. A little less yellow, a little more blue.
Okay.
I said, apologize.
You can't just go through other people's things.
It's common sense, right?
I know what's going on.
I must've set off
your inferiority complex to make you blow up like this.
Cut the bullshit.
Apologize. Say you're sorry.
Don't speak Korean?
You're crazy.
How dare you?
Dare?
Who do you think you are?
Hey!
What's all this commotion?
You have to control your temper.
You're not an impulsive kid anymore.
You should be calmer.
We should teach Jae-hui a lesson, Mother.
Her behavior is unacceptable. It's not just the incident with Jun-il.
I even don't know if she really considers us family.
You don't think she's family either.
We're going to have you adopt Hyeon-wu.
Mother!
People are so obsessed with sons these days. But to adopt one?
That's embarrassing.
Jun-hyeok isn't even Jun-il's real brother.
Running off to your parents' place
while your husband is being grilled by prosecutors,
and fighting with a girl
who is beneath you in ever way,
that's what's embarrassing.
Looks like I'm set for another late night tonight.
Hey, you're getting paid, right?
There's only so much money you need.
And I'm already done raising my kids.
I live for myself now.
So how's your son?
Starting elementary next year.
Already?
Other people's kids always grow up so fast!
I've got to answer this. I'll be right back.
What happened? Find her?
Yeah.
But…
[SONGSAN VILLA 204, 35 HAENGSAN ST. HANGANG-GU, SEOUL, NO YEONG-JU]
Hello?
Why you so quiet? You find her or not?
I'll turn off the stove. I have hypertension so it can't be too salty.
Okay.
You think you found her? What do you mean?
[JBC STATION MANAGER]
[8 MISSED CALLS / JBC STATION MANAGER]
Hey, it's the Station Manager.
Jun-hyeok! Here.
Oh god.
What are you doing?
- The customer is not answering… - What are you doing?
Please leave a message after the tone.
That jerk isn't answering.
But he's right, anyway.
This alone doesn't tell us whether this is quid pro quo
and the video quality is awful
so it's impossible to identify her.
If we answer it now, there could be backlash.
No Yeong-ju.
You heard about the Minerva Bar when you covered room salons, right?
That place where only the VIPs go.
You still think it wasn't quid pro quo.
Fine then. Let's say it wasn't quid pro quo.
It was just a bunch of guys partying and having fun together.
Nothing new.
But
isn't it ethically wrong?
What about that?
Geez. This is driving me nuts.
Why can't he just answer?
Jun-hyeok, answer the damn phone.
She's a crazy bitch with no fear at all.
She's threatening to ruin Cho
if he still plans to attend the hearing.
The whole affair has ruined Cho's career.
So what's going to happen to Jun-hyeok?
Nothing.
He'll still do the news.
Your wife is so nice to him.
Jae-hui, though, will go through a lot.
Will Jae-hui quit now?
She's full of ambition.
But she's no match for your wife.
Why are you acting so weird?
The Civil Affairs Secretary is just the President's lackey.
CEO of one of Sungjin Group's affiliates is a much better position.
But President, now that might be worth it.
You're right.
The presidency is what everyone wants.
Huh?
They'll report on Cho Gang-hyeon the day after the wake.
Yes, it's good of them to wait.
I'll have to talk with Jae-hui over a meal.
She won't be with us for very much longer.
Stop.
Her. Enlarge it.
Madam Yun is in Hyeon-wu's room.
Just leave her. She must be tired.
[MISSED CALL / KIM DA-EUN]
[GO SEON-MI] Tomorrow at 8:30 AM, breakfast here.
She wants you to return the key.
Yes, Da-eun. You called quite a few times.
I dozed for a bit.
Mrs. Lee did?
And?
What's missing?
That must have been a shock.
You have her resume, don't you?
Can you send that over to me?
Yeah, see you tomorrow.
[KIM YI-SEOL, RESUME]
We're having breakfast at your parents' house tomorrow.
All of this was brought about by my failings as a father.
I should have put my foot down about this marriage.
But at that time, I was doing my utmost
to protect my oldest son.
It turns out it was a grave mistake.
Why didn't I know it was more complicated than that?
I should have known.
Why are you alone? Where's the star of the show?
She hasn't arrived yet?
She left before I did.
[SUNGJIN HOSPITAL]
What's this?
A Cho Gang-hyeon sex tape?
Wait, a sex tape?
Looks like it was secretly recorded.
Isn't that the Prosecutor General?
- It's really him! - Yeah, this looks legit.
Huh?
Do you know anything about the leaked video?
Are you the one in the video?
Do you know the source of the video?
Might this be some kind of political plot?
Please comment.
Do you confirm your involvement?
Please offer an explanation.
A few words, sir.
Is it you in the video?
Please confirm or deny your involvement.
Oh, poor Gyu-seong.
Oh, hey! They must be crazy!
You'd better not make any mistakes.
I'm not stupid you know. And I practiced all night.
I am your father. Ah, no.
I am that woman. The woman in the video is me.
I didn't do anything wrong.
It happened while Cho was separated with his wife.
- Get a hold of yourself. - Okay, okay. Wait a sec.
Where was I? It was an unfortunate private affair
but nothing immoral or tawdry.
It's all simply a plot to block prosecutorial reform.
That's it! Bam, I'll nail it.
Wait and see, Mrs. Yun.
I'll make our Gyu-seong's dad the prosecutor general,
and we'll get your husband in as Civil Affairs Secretary.
Trust me.
I'll be right back.
Everyone, please. I'm…
I'm the woman in the video.
What?
Is it really her?
Must be.
No Yeong-ju is dead?
If she's dead, why is her SMS ID still active?
No known acquaintances?
No one reported her dead?
So she's dead and she had no family…
then who sent it?
Let's leak the video first.
Don't worry.
I know someone who fits the part.
This person, and this person here…
they were going through a painful divorce
and I had no idea they'd get back together.
So…
[CALL FROM JUN-HYEOK - ANSWER / DECLINE]
An arrest warrant has been issued.
If you aren't busy, why don't we have a little talk?
Come to the vault.
Welcome.
You've got quite a lot of spirit.
No, I'm actually quite tired.
An upsetting thing has happened.
Jun-hyeok's got another woman.
It's not the first time. I thought I'd get used to it
but it hurts my pride.
- Divorce would work. - Hate that, too.
No, I don't want that. We won't do that.
I guess I've realized,
if you can't throw something out, you've got to protect it.
Looks like you're finally maturing.
Ah, so it's happened to you, too.
I failed to put myself in your shoes after all.
But, Mother,
I have finally understood.
Unfortunately, I'm not quite as desperate as you are.
I don't have anything so precious to protect.
What is it that you want?
Everything.
Everything you have.
You think you're capable of taking it?
You'll have to help me.
No one's just born ready.
How can I trust that
you have the best interests of Jun-hyeok in mind?
If you're not interested in helping me,
Vice Chairman Jung Jun-il will be arrested.
I called in a favor from Cho Gang-hyeon.
That and I'll reveal all of his infidelities.
If I'm going to lose it all anyway,
then I guess I've got nothing to lose.
So, what shall I do?
(Artificial City)
So you think I was behind Cho Gang-hyeon's wife's death.
Cutting her off-
Seon-mi, that's not how you raise a dog.
Not satisfied with stealing scraps?
I'm not stealing scraps, I'm taking the whole thing.
You stupid bitch.
I need you, Kim Yi-seol.
You have to go this far?
A kid from an orphanage, how pitiful.
You know what, though? I'm more pitiful.
I want to get along with you, Mother.
What are you doing?
You're just being greedy.
Don't, Mother.
I want to live well, just once.