(Artificial City)
(All people, places, organizations, and incidents appearing in this series are entirely fictional.)
(Episode 3)
We'll add masterpieces as the exhibition continues.
We're planning to hold a special event
related to storytelling in conjunction with the special exhibition.
Some people may say it's run-of-the-mill,
but true connoisseurs of art
despise things that are too eye-catching.
You'll have to make sure that you don't raise any eyebrows.
Yes, Chairwoman.
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 Jun-hyeok's infidelities.
If I'm going to lose it all anyway,
then I guess I've got nothing to lose.
So, what shall I do?
Fine. I will try to help you.
I know that you are clever,
and the fact that you asked for my help shows me you know your limits.
I like the fact that you have clear ambitions.
What shall I teach you first?
You'll have to apologize first, for testing me.
What?
For what you did to Madam Kwon.
I was a bit surprised.
So, you think I cause the death of Cho Gang-hyeon's wife?
I wouldn't have even started if I thought I would back down.
Why did you start?
Kneel.
And bow your head.
Tell me that your sorry
and cry some alligator tears for good measure.
What?
I know you can do it.
You even married your driver
so that your son wouldn't be a bastard child.
You even accepted another woman's son as your own.
Kneeling should be nothing.
Would you rather send your only son to prison?
That's enough.
I said, enough.
I'm not such a fool as to ruin a good thing.
You, Mother, are the embodiment of the Sungjin Group.
You should always remain graceful.
Just make sure to remember who holds
the key to the castle.
Yu Jin-seok will narrate the special exhibition, right?
Yes, Mother.
The Minister said he would take the time to help us.
It's been over 10 years since he was minister.
He mustn't have accomplished much
if he still uses his tenure as a government minister to get jobs.
That's why I was thinking,
I don't think Yu Jin-seok would be appropriate to narrate the exhibition.
Look, Jae-hui… The Minister
graduated from a top art school and has directed the Biennale numerous times.
He was also the Minister of Culture.
He is a frontrunner for the directorship of the Museum of Modern Art.
If he isn't appropriate, then who is?
That's my point.
I don't want the speaker to steal the spotlight from the message.
Your acting so childish.
I don't know what to say to you.
I wonder.
You two discuss it among yourselves.
Yes, Chairwoman.
Dong-min, go to the Prosecutor's Office and get an insert.
OK.
- Hurry. - OK.
[HEARING FOR PROSECUTOR GENERAL] Oath. I swear that as candidate
[NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF KOREA] for Prosecutor General, I will answer
truthfully all questions put forth to me by the members of
the National Assembly of Korea.
Candidate Cho Gang-hyeon.
[CHARGES AGAINST SUNGJIN GROUP'S VICE CHAIRMAN JUNG JUN-IL DROPPED]
Mother, does Jae-hui have something on you?
Or else, how could you
let her behave impudently like that.
This is why you won't get anywhere.
You're always whining.
You'll have no one to blame but yourself if you lose everything to Jae-hui.
Mrs. Yun, that was really impressive.
But, do you have anyone else in mind to narrate the exhibition?
Or you could do it yourself.
Can you make an appointment with Kim Yi-seol for me?
Kim Yi-seol?
I'd like to have a simple lunch with her.
Oh, of course.
What's so urgent?
I ordered for you. I know it's your favorite.
You'd always insist on eating here
even when I suggested much more expensive places.
That was years ago.
Do you remember this place?
The owner would chide you for eating too much kimchi
with a single bowl of stew.
Don't do this.
What did I do?
Eat. We can talk afterwards.
Welcome.
How about a cup of coffee?
I'd rather not.
This is the record from No Yeong-ju's obstetrician.
[MEDICAL RECORD] She gave birth.
[INFANT DEATH RECORD] Although the record says that it was
a stillbirth, the nurse says that the child was sent away for adoption.
So, it was Cho Gang-hyeon's child?
There's a possibility considering the period.
What a dirty man.
If Seo Han-suk is behind all this as you said,
shouldn't you look for someone else to ally yourself with than Cho?
What other options do I have?
He's a dirtbag for sure,
but that's why he's working with me.
Also, I've invested too much time until now.
Find out everything you can about No Yeong-ju.
Everything pertaining to her relationship with Cho.
This is my last opportunity.
What about the adopted parents?
They even faked the child's death.
They're probably unaware that anyone knows about the child.
Hey, why are you looking at me like that?
How is Hyeon-wu doing?
How Hyeon-wu is doing is none of your business.
- Jae-hui-- - Don't overstep your bounds
and find out more about No Yeong-ju.
I'll pay you plenty,
including today's meal.
I'm back, Madam.
So, what did they say?
They'll announce the appointment
for Civil Affairs Secretary three weeks after Cho has been confirmed.
Should we notify the station of
Master Jun-hyeok's resignation?
First, let's see what Jae-hui does.
It's cute how she thinks
she owns the castle just because she holds the key.
But if she somehow were to lose the key,
she won't be able to come back to the castle.
There won't be anyone there to greet her.
I think this needs a little more soy sauce.
- Daddy! - Hi!
You surprised me!
Daddy, Mom says that we'll have a party.
Really?
You should have used the doorbell. I would have come out to greet you.
Wow, something smells fantastic.
I've cooked something special.
I'm hungry. Why don't we eat?
Sounds like a plan.
What did you do today?
Son, have a drink.
A drink before dinner helps with digestion.
You've been through a lot.
As your wife said, I rushed into marriage
with your mother without any preparation.
And I was a poor dad and husband.
It's not your fault that you were born out of wedlock.
But it wasn't Jun-hyeok's fault either.
The fact that I had a son as clever as Jun-hyeok
after a single mistake that I made,
makes me think that the heavens have taken pity on me.
Please don't hate Jun-hyeok.
Because he was my son,
he could only realize a fraction of his enormous potential.
He doesn't hate Jun-hyeok.
Just look at his wife.
He had to marry far beneath his station.
Fine.
So I sold your son off to marriage to help my son.
If you're so unhappy,
why don't you have Jun-hyeok get a divorce and find him another woman?
I would love to do that
if only it weren't for Jun-il.
Drink.
"The Moon Rabbit spread his arms and said,"
"Daddy Rabbit's arms are much longer than mine."
"Daddy…
"loves you this much."
I wish my arms were long.
You should sleep.
I love you so much Daddy,
that I love you as much as the river is long.
I love you so much that my love could reach the moon
and come all the way back to earth.
I love you, Hyeon-wu.
He's so cute when he tries to stay awake when he's sleepy.
He's at an age when he looks up to his dad.
He wants to be like you in every way.
Someone sent you a text.
[KIM JI-SU, I MISS YOU]
How about you? How did you feel about your father?
I felt very differently about him. You should know that, honey.
That's why you should try to set a good example for our son.
Of course.
But setting a good example isn't enough.
You can't just take care of your own children.
You have to create a better world
for all the children of the future.
We have to approach our plans in that way, OK?
[HYEON-WU'S VIOLIN TEACHER] They're all talking about my conflict
with my brother. They don't know anything about it, yet they keep talking.
It's not like I've allied myself with Cho because I like him.
But if you want to work for the greater good,
sometimes, you'll have to roll in the dirt.
People think themselves to be so clean, but they're powerless to effect change.
You're going to change all that.
Shut those people up for good.
You should have seen how Jae-hui behaved.
It was quite annoying.
She was talking to the Chairman of the Sungjin Group.
Yet, the way she behaved
showed how crass and vulgar she is.
Then, why did you give her the company documents?
Thanks to you, Jun-il almost went to prison.
That's because she was threatening me.
She threatened
my only son-in-law
so what could I do?
I couldn't let him go to prison
just because he made one mistake.
She thinks she's well-connected just because her friend
is a prosecutor for the Supreme Prosecutor's Office.
Jae-hui has a prosecutor friend?
Good morning, Da-eun.
Hello.
Which restaurant did you reserve for lunch with Kim Yi-seol?
Well, the thing is…
She said she didn't have the time because of work.
She neither accepted nor turned it down.
You acted like that because Mrs. Lee was rude to you, right?
Yes.
Would it make you feel better if I apologized in her stead?
Why should you apologize?
Because I need you.
I need you, Yi-seol.
I came here to apologize to you
and ask you for a favor.
I'm so relieved.
I've been wondering about why you wanted to see me.
I was worried.
Why? You thought I wanted to fight?
I'm not that kind of person.
I wanted to impress you.
You know,
they call you a docent, but the exhibit is narrated by someone else.
It's just a euphemism for exhibition guide.
- It made you feel uncomfortable? - Yes.
without any substance.
They give you a respectful title
to show how classy they are.
I can't say that I'm innocent.
There are lots of hypocrites who will deny that.
I didn't know you were the argumentative type.
That's why I wanted to impress you.
You wanted to act like a real docent?
Yes.
And that's why you wrote the report on your own?
Yes.
Congratulations, Yi-seol.
Your plan succeeded.
Everything is the same.
I just need to change the picture on the profile.
OK.
I'll send you the revised file right now.
OK.
Minister Yu! It's been so long!
It seems that you haven't aged a bit.
It feels like we just met yesterday.
Still as silver-tongued as ever, I see.
- Let's go. - OK.
Yi-seol, your report was excellent.
We just need to make some revisions and it will be perfect.
And we'll have multiple rehearsals.
Seeing how you fought with Mrs. Lee makes me think you have guts.
Call me when you decide
whether you'd rather be a fulltime employee
or a scholar artist for the Sungjin Culture Foundation.
OK.
I'd better get going now.
Please take a look at the brochure before it goes to print.
We'll reserve a studio for a photo shoot if you don't like the picture.
A photo shoot? That sounds uncomfortable.
I don't know how people manage to work in front of the camera.
You have to get used to it. It's a visual age, after all.
Let's see the brochure.
We want to see if the Minister's profile is correct.
Huh?
Show us the brochure.
Hi, Da-eun.
I'm almost there. I'm in the parking lot.
Huh?
OK.
If the Insurance Business Act is passed,
you'll have to sell
over half of your shares to Sungjin Life.
If the merger between Sungjin Trade and Apparel falls through,
you might lose your control of the group.
That is troublesome.
Jae-hui is quite clever
and observant.
Maybe you should get rid of her?
Seon-mi.
Have you ever hunted rabbits?
I went a couple of times
with the previous Chairman and Master Jun-il.
I hated rabbit hunting
when I was young.
At least you can eat pheasant meat.
But rabbits are useless creatures.
Also, Daddy always took Ruby.
You mean the German Shepard that you raised?
I even put her in socks that I knitted
so I was annoyed that Daddy would take her out on the dirty ground.
Once, she hurt her leg during the hunt.
Do you know what I did?
I yelled at Daddy
and blamed him for hurting my dog.
I was quite impudent for a nine-year-old girl.
I raged at him thinking he would scold me
but instead, he thought it was cute.
Then, he told me
that you shouldn't raise a dog to be soft.
A true dog should be able to protect her master.
I hadn't realized that Daddy took Ruby out to train her.
She wanted Ruby to be able to protect me
because he was worried about me.
It would have been nice
had he lived to see his hundredth birthday.
I think there must have been a misunderstanding.
I thought that the Chairwoman had consented
and you hadn't said anything much.
How dare you act so insolently!
You think you can do whatever you want?
I've taken the liberty to rehire Kim Yi-seol.
I read her critique of the exhibition.
She has a special insight into art.
Also, she's about to graduate from the University of Korea.
So, she thinks that she can
come into my house
and steal everything just because she's clever
even though she doesn't have shit? Just like you!
Why? Didn't you think you stole enough by yourself?
So you went and invited your beggar friends?
You don't have to be so offensive.
I'm not stealing, I'm taking.
And also, Ju-yeon,
I'll make you
and all your high and mighty friends kneel to people like me
and beg for mercy.
How dare you!
Things won't be easy for you anymore.
You lived a life of luxury as the child of the owner of the Hanju Daily.
Then, you married the scion of a wealthy corporation.
You didn't do anything to get the things you have.
You little…
So…
you'd better think carefully about how you behave in the future,
you dumb bitch.
Seon-mi.
Do you know what happened to Ruby?
I killed her.
She was loyal, even until old age.
She guarded the house and caught rats.
Then one day, when I was pregnant with Jun-il,
she bit me while I was putting ointment on her leg
that was injured in a mousetrap.
She must have been in such misery.
It must have been agonizing.
So did her a favor
with Daddy's hunting rifle.
Hello, I'm Yun Jae-hui and I'm in charge of protocol.
How are preparations going?
Not as well as when you were director, Minister Yu.
Did you major in art? Where did you study?
I studied Western Painting at the University of Korea.
I didn't ask about your school.
I guess experience is more important when you plan exhibitions.
You're quite impudent.
Will the Korean art world improve if there are more people like you?
I doubt it.
I heard that the Ministry of Culture
was sponsoring an exhibition for new artists.
So?
I would love to be part of it if you'd let me.
Give me your business card.
I'm currently working as a curator at an art gallery.
Art galleries don't have curators. You should call yourself a dealer.
I understand, sir.
You're quite pretty.
Thank you for your compliment.
I'm very curious
about how far you're willing to go.
Minister Yu, it's time for the tape cutting.
Let's talk privately afterward.
Why is Minister Yu so nice to her?
I don't know.
She's the youngest manager at the National Museum of Modern Art.
She graduated from Illinois and got her doctorates at Yale.
She's going to direct the New Artists' Exhibition.
Her father is a member of the National Assembly.
Let's go eat. I'm hungry.
- I bet you envy her. - No, I don't.
I got money from my tutoring job. I wanted to treat you to something nice.
- Jeong-ho. - What do you want to eat?
Among Ministers, Assemblymen and Judges,
who has the highest position?
They represent the three different branches so how can you compare?
That's not what I mean.
Assemblymen are as high as assistant ministers.
Judges are only as high as ministers if they are in the high court,
so ministers are the highest.
What if that person also has a lot of money?
Then he's on top of the world.
How about prosecutors? That's what you want to be, right?
Prosecutors are considered level four or three officials.
But not all prosecutors are the same.
If you go to the top high schools and universities
and then pass the bar exam,
you'll be part of the Invincible Family.
That's so corny.
It is. I admit it, but…
most of the highest positions of the land belong to them.
No one can match their power
unless it's the Chairman of the Sungjin Group.
[RESUME, JUNG JUN-HYEOK]
Make sure to get rid of unwanted acquaintances before you see Madam Seo.
There will be three dates with Master jun-hyeok
before the wedding takes place.
You'll find all other details in the prenuptial agreement.
[DONATED BY CHAIRMAN SEO JONG-TAE]
[DONATED BY PRESIDENT LEE MAN-GEUN]
Prosecutorial reform
is what the entire nation wants.
Why? Because prosecutors have all the power.
They don't want prosecutors to influence politics.
So, who'll achieve reform?
Huh? Who'll do it?
It's yours truly!
I, Cho Gang-hyeon will do it!
I didn't have any connections
but I served the Prosecutor's Office loyally.
I'm the man for the job!
Huh? Yeah…
Hey.
Your phone's ringing.
Right?
Excuse me.
Am I right or what?
Think about it. What this era needs is…
What if someone sees us?
Who cares?
How did you know I was here?
I'm aware of everything in my husband's schedule.
Where is No Yeong-ju's home?
[CHO GANG-HYEON NOMINATED AS PROSECUTOR]
[PARTY LEADER ELECTED WITH 63.6% OF THE VOTES]
[BEING AWARDED THE 2020 DOCTOR AWARD]
[HANJU DAILY CHIEF…]
[CEO OF MYEONGSEONG INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT HELPING NEIGHBORHOOD]
[JBC JUNG JOON-HYEOK AWARDED 'CITIZEN JOURNALISM AWARD']
So, she killed herself?
She jumped into the Han River.
They say she was deep in debt.
I read the police report.
How do you close a suicide case?
Try to close it right away.
I can't do it yet.
I can close the case if the next of kin shows up.
That's all the more reason to close the case now
so that there are no problems.
What's with that expression?
- Do you have to do this? - Then?
I should ruin my life
because of some floozy who worked in a bar?
I know you pity her.
She grew up in an orphanage
and dreamt of a happy marriage even as she worked at a bar.
Also, she was penniless and killed herself.
But you know what?
I pity myself even more.
I had parents and my dad was a judge.
I was a good student, too.
You know, it's not easy to get into University of Korea even as an art major
even though it's a walk in the park compared to the bar exam.
- Jae-hui… - But people still look down on me.
People like Lee Ju-yeon
whose husband my dad saved by giving up his principles.
And people like my mother-in-law.
You were the one who chose to marry Jun-hyeok.
It's not too late to stop if it's so hard.
I chose it?
I chose to hang onto a thread of hope with all my strength?
You're working under a scumbag like Cho because you want to succeed.
It's the same with me.
You may have a choice other than Cho Gang-hyeon,
but this is my safest bet.
The fact that you are always by my side,
that is your choice.
It's not too late to stop if it's so hard for you.
[HYEONGSAN STATION EXIT 6, 08 0120]
What did I do to deserve such treatment!
Honey…
Will you get a hold of yourself?
Hey, Ms. Oh!
You know
that I would never leave my wife, don't you?
- You know it, right? - Of course. I'm sure.
Mi-seon! Kwon Mi-seon!
Wife! Honey! My dear wife!
Where are you going?
Take me with you, dear!
I'm so sorry, dear!
Take me with you!
Dear!
- Please take me with you! - Jeez, you imbecile!
Take me with you!
Mi-seon! Where are you going?
You can't do this to me!
This marriage won't end
just because you leave!
Ms. Oh, what's the bill?
Shut up!
Want to go to a hotel?
- Try to get up! - OK!
Why the hell is he so heavy?
Why haven't you quit smoking yet?
It's hard to wash the clothes of a smoker.
I'll just throw them away.
Take a spoonful every day.
And don't stand there in the cold. Go inside.
You shouldn't smoke or stand out in the cold with your weak lungs.
You're always thinking of new ways to torture your mother, aren't you?
The fact that I exist
is torture to you, isn't it?
I've reclaimed the shares of
Sungjin Trade that I had entrusted to your aunt
and split them up in accounts under aliases.
We don't have to worry even if they pass the Insurance Business Act.
Sungjin Trade can purchase the shares
of Sungjin Life.
We shouldn't have tried to merge Sungjin Trade with Apparel.
That's why we committed accounting fraud.
When Jun-hyeok becomes Senior Secretary of Civil Affairs,
we can get the rights
to develop the remainder of the land in Hyeongsan-dong.
That is a project worth seven trillion won.
It'll be worth even more when they start demolishment.
Sungjin Trade's value will return
and we'll have enough money to buy shares of Sungjin Life.
Are you going to use Dad's company for demolishment?
Yes. Your father needs to earn his keep.
Have you already forgotten what he did?
Jun-il, I don't care about anything else.
All my life, my only goal has been
to make you the Chairman of the Sungjin Group.
You know how I've lived until now.
Jun-il.
You must become chairman
in order to protect Sungjin Group and me
so that no one can ridicule me for giving birth
to a child out of wedlock.
- Nice shot! - Nice!
Excellent!
Nice shot! He's so strong!
Jae-hui,
I heard you receive your husband's itinerary every morning.
If he's doing anything with my husband,
please give me a heads up, huh?
Didn't he say he was golfing?
Then you should just believe him.
He said he'll golf so he'll golf.
But it's what happens afterward that's the problem.
Stop laughing. I'm wracked with worry!
You got what you deserve.
What?
Madam Kwon acted the same way because of you.
This place is so nice.
What do you want? I'll buy.
It won't be my break for a while.
I came here to give you this.
- What is it? - It's a gift.
Come to the gallery wearing this for tomorrow's rehearsal.
Thank you.
Thank you for not turning me down.
See you tomorrow.
Who was that?
You can stay here if you want. I have another appointment to go to.
Hey, wait! Wait for me!
Jae-hui!
How can you be cold!
All you have to do is tell me
what they're going to do after they golf.
When I think of the sins I committed to my late Big Sister…
No Yeong-ju's case has been closed.
You can hate the sin, but don't hate the sinner.
- And think of my poor Gyu-seong! - Ye-rin…
Ye-rin? Why?
Just try to believe what your husband says.
What if you find anything out?
What are you going to do?
You can't even be a mother to your son.
Even if you find out where he went, there's nothing you can do.
Your words are so mean.
Fine. I understand what you mean.
I'll go.
What else can I do, after all?
You won't even listen to me.
And it's obvious what he'll do after golf.
Yes, Prosecutor General.
Yes, I have the car.
I'm going to send you an address. Come to that place.
Yes, I understand, sir.
Hello, Mother.
Why did you call me to this place?
I don't think I've ever treated you to a meal.
At the beginning,
I was scared of you and also hated you.
But I wanted to get on your good side
so I thought about what I should do,
whether I should buy you a gift, and what gift I should buy.
Then I understood.
There was nothing I could give you.
You already have everything.
There is nothing you can't get if you want it.
I wonder why you're explaining yourself
to the mother-in-law you force to kneel.
The case has been closed on the suicide of No Yeong-ju,
the woman in the sex video.
I see. Well done.
I want to get along with you, Mother.
Is that so?
It's a good thing to get along with others.
You've tied up loose ends with Cho. Now, it is Jun-hyeok's turn?
Why? Don't you think you can take care of your husband's affairs?
No.
I'll need more strength in order to take care of his mistress.
Please give me the shares to
Sungjin Trade you promised to Hyeon-wu.
Jun-hyeok will have to make his assets public after he becomes Secretary.
Are you sure it'll be all right?
I plan to donate them to the Sungjin Culture Foundation
in return for its control.
That was a good shot.
Did you wash up?
Now, it's onto the next destination.
Thank you. You're dismissed.
We're off!
[HYEONGSAN STATION]
What the hell.
What if someone sees you?
So what?
Are you angry?
You must not know where your husband is if you think someone could see us.
I'm sure he's off somewhere partying with some floozies.
Are you here to rub it in?
Why didn't you bring some pictures?
It didn't look like he had a shred of guilt as he went to cheat on you.
I don't want to hear it. There's no reason to.
Is this your thread of hope?
Don't play the sympathy card.
This is all because of your ambition.
You have a nice house and a nice car,
but still, nothing is enough to satisfy your dirty ambitions.
What's so dirty about my ambitions?
Do you know what's really dirty?
This is what's really dirty.
It's being used and mocked because you're in love with me.
I don't want to be treated like that.
That's why I'm doing all this. Do you understand?
Good morning.
- Have you had breakfast? - Yes, Mother.
Let's go.
Sister-in-law and her husband seem happy today.
Really?
I haven't been myself today.
You look a little pale, Mother.
I think it might be indigestion.
Let me get you some ginger tea.
No. There's no need.
Instead,
there is a folder on the desk in the vault.
Please bring it to me.
Yes, Mother.
You've had me tailed until now
and waited for this day, didn't you?
You're very patient.
Ju-yeon gave it to me.
She said she didn't want to give you control of the Sungjin Foundation.
What do you think I should do?
Please let me talk.
Kneel.
Get on your knees and bow your head.
Tell me that you're sorry
and beg me to help you.
And cry some alligator tears for good measure.
Help me!
Help me, Mother!
I just wanted to live in style.
What do you think you're doing?
If you'll use this incident to treat me like shit,
I would rather die.
I won't live like that anymore! I can't!
Let go!
Promise me!
Promise me that you'll treat me well!
You're out of your mind!
Or shoot me! Shoot!
You're capable of anything, Mother!
Let go! Let go!
Shoot me!
What was that sound?
(Artificial City)
I wanted to ask them…
That's nothing if you want to become a part of the Sungjin Group's family.
What did I do wrong?
I'm Kim Yi-seol.
She's not some young floozy.
I'm interested in you, Jun-hyeok.
I can't wait. Since you want to die.
Are you all right, Yi-seol?
It seemed my husband made you uncomfortable.
What kind of man did
Yun Jae-hui choose?
That's what I was curious about.