(Artificial City)
(All people, places, organizations, and incidents appearing in this series are entirely fictional.)
(Episode 4)
[HYEONGSAN STATION]
[HYEONGSAN STATION, EXIT 6, 08.0120]
[RIGHTFUL COMPENSATION FOR HYEONGSAN-DONG'S REDEVELOPMENT]
[CHO GANG-HYEON FEELS RESPONSIBLE AS PROSECUTOR GENERAL CANDIDATE]
[COUNCILMAN IN SEONG-SIK ELECTED PARTY LEADER]
[FORMER ANCHOR JUNG JUN-HYEOK WINS "THE PEOPLE'S JOURNALIST AWARD"]
Let's see
how long Jae-hui will hang on.
Tell her I'd like to meet her tomorrow morning.
- She should be informed of this. - Yes.
Yes, Mrs. Yun.
I'm visiting my husband's family.
If you're available tomorrow,
can you work with me from the morning?
We can also talk in the car.
We'll do the rehearsal in the evening so that we have enough time.
Good. Thank you.
Okay. See you tomorrow.
What are you doing?
- ♪ How you like this oppa? ♪ - ♪ Let's go! ♪
♪ The wind blows ♪
♪ at the street pub ♪
♪ Why don't we ♪
♪ have a drink here ♪
♪ We pour each other drinks ♪
♪ and my heyday will come ♪
♪ Hey! How do you ♪
♪ like me ♪
♪ Don't mess with me ♪
♪ Destiny, make way for me ♪
♪ for I am ♪
♪ on the march ♪
♪ Like a feather, I blow in the wind ♪
♪ Like dust, I get trampled on ♪
♪ Hey! That's how I lived ♪
♪ another day ♪
♪ It's me, it's me ♪
[CCTV]
♪ The wet shadow ♪
♪ is pushed by the wind ♪
[RECORIDNG]
[MESSAGE]
♪ This man right here ♪
[CHO GANG-HYEON FEELS RESPONSIBLE AS PROSECUTOR GENERAL CANDIDATE]
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?
Please take care of this.
We've got to stop bringing shame on this family.
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 the heck is this?
Jun-hyeok! Jun-hyeok!
Jun-hyeok!
Jun-hyeok, wake up!
Jun-hyeok! Jun-hyeok!
Jun-hyeok!
[AMBULANCE]
How did this even happen?
A gunshot in the family home?
I know your mother has a bad temper,
but what have you done to set her off?
Seon-mi said it was just an accident.
Fortunately, her wound is not fatal.
Mother must have been outraged.
Even I'm angry that she had to deal with Jae-hui's cheeky attitude.
By the way, Jae-hui will be touched
by how much you care about her.
[PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT]
Oh, for sure they'll be divorced.
Jun-hyeok is just as annoying as Jae-hui,
but he's still part of this family.
I'm sure you can make up a narrative
that won't harm Jun-hyeok's reputation.
You know, the common divorce story.
Have it ready, then.
Were you…
behind what happened today?
You accuse me of everything.
Why is it so hard for you to focus on our own lives.
I don't wish for more.
I've always said that's all--
Why don't you wish for more? Shouldn't we be working together?
There's a limit to what I can tolerate.
I knew about your family before I married you.
And I do feel sympathy for Mother's plight.
And I can bear with a brother-in-law like Jun-hyeok.
I hate your father to death,
but I can pretend he doesn't exist and mind my own business.
Because of you. Because you're Jung Jun-il.
But I cannot tolerate Jae-hui.
Why don't you just turn a blind eye?
You're not interested in anything I do, anyway.
[OPERATING CENTER]
This way, Jun-hyeok.
Jun-hyeok!
[SURGERY IN PROGRESS]
Have you called the police?
It's only a flesh wound. It won't take long.
What are you thinking, not calling the police?
- Jun-hyeok. - Huh? Oh…
…you think even the law cannot touch the mighty Sungjin Group?
You don't have to worry. We will take suitable measures.
What?
Hey, Seon-mi! Seon-mi!
Yes, Madam.
Yes.
I heard she's in surgery.
She is.
You could have just let her go with some alimony.
Why cause such a commotion?
Don't you know what Jae-hui's like?
Or is it because of me? Or Jun-hyeok?
What's gotten you so sour?
You froze her assets seven years ago.
What do you have against her?
Don't blame me. You're always the one that complained about her.
So, just hold on a little longer.
I'll see you to your old place.
I'm beyond grateful.
How will I repay you for all this?
Make sure you do.
I made one wrong move
and lost everything I've worked for all my life.
I'm sure Mother will forgive you.
It'll take time, but you're family.
You know she's had some painful memories
and how she's a bit paranoid and doubts everything.
And you stabbed her in the back.
When I gave birth to Yu-ri,
she even demanded a paternity test
before she gave me Sungjin Apparel shares.
I felt so insulted.
She is indeed meticulous.
Had the world been as liberal as today, she wouldn't have let my husband
inherit the Sungjin Group.
She would have taken on it herself.
It's not any different today.
We still live in a world where nobody finds it surprising
that stocks plummet after a woman inherits a company.
Sure. You have a good point there.
Oh my. You want to become chairwoman yourself?
How would I dare?
It would have been nice if you had a son for just such a situation.
Look who's talking. What about yourself, Ju-yeon?
Jae-hui was only so confident because she had a son.
Mother requested that my husband and I
adopt him.
Who? Jun-hyeok's son?
Oh my God.
Oh, Yi-seol. What brings you here?
I don't know much, but it seems there was an accident.
I heard she needed surgery…
Excuse me. What room is Yun Jae-hui in?
What's your relationship with the patient?
I will be going then. I have to report to the chairwoman.
No need for that.
Daddy!
Hi.
Let's go in.
Yes, Madam.
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!
Shoot me!
I meant every word of it.
I thought I'd rather die
if I can't live in style.
I knew that life isn't so fair
as to give everyone a chance to live
with human dignity.
♪ …carrying some candy with it ♪
♪ and goes to the baby in Mother's room ♪
♪ and it will give her all the candy ♪
So happy over a secondhand car.
Oh, dear. I forgot to turn off the gas.
♪ …and it will give her all the candy ♪
♪ and goes to the baby in Mother's room ♪
♪ and it will give her all the candy ♪
♪ The toy train is now leaving ♪
♪ carrying some candy with it ♪
♪ and goes to the baby in Mother's room ♪
♪ and it will give her all the candy ♪
Mom!
Why did I feel sorry for her?
I didn't do anything wrong.
I wanted to ask that girl who stared at me in sullen anger.
"What have I done wrong?"
I haven't done anything.
Hey.
You're not supposed to touch that.
That'll change the sound.
Okay.
Do you take piano lessons?
No.
- What do you even know? - Huh?
Why are you playing with something you know nothing about?
That's when I realized…
what indeed was wrong.
Our father in heaven,
we have before us an abundant dinner thanks to your amazing grace.
We shall consume this food
and act as your proud children in your grace.
I pray you watch over us.
Give us generous, loving hearts
so that we will help those in need.
Give us a plentiful pantry from which we will share with our neighbors.
And my dissatisfaction reveals your satisfaction.
My poverty gives your achievements greater glory.
My misfortunes shine light on your benevolence.
My sorrows give way to my gratitude for the happiness you share with me.
And my manner of speech casts light into your world.
Don't be so offended.
As lowly as you are, you will be a Sungjin woman
though just in the namesake.
And this is what it takes.
That's when I made up my mind.
That I would not let myself live in squalor or darkness.
That I would achieve success and glory by any means.
Always remember this.
Your husband, Jun-hyeok, is a bastard
between a lunch lady and a driver.
And you should be thankful
that you were only allowed to set foot in my house
because of his humble origin.
Your environment will be different from what you've experience until now.
But there's only one thing you really need to know.
Make yourself useful.
If you do that,
I'll see to it that you'll live a life without want.
I decided that I would ever again
rely on the charity of others
or be an object of sympathy.
Hello.
It's me, Kim Yi-seol.
Don't you remember me?
Oh, we met before
in front of the art center, right?
It's the prenuptial agreement. Please check the revisions.
If you agree, we will send it to our lawyers and make it official.
And this is…
[STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENT] for the shares that are to be transferred to Master Hyeon-wu.
[ASSIGNER: SEO HAN-SUK BENEFICIARY: JUNG HYEON-WU]
Mother,
I will prepare Hyeon-wu's
proof of paternity as soon as I get out of here.
There's no need.
We're past such formalities now.
Take good care of yourself.
I'm glad that you're all right.
I thought that all my suffering had come to an end.
Now that I had everything I wanted,
I thought that I could live
praying to God to give me
the goodness and generosity to help those less fortunate than I,
just like my father's wealthy friend.
But, how did you know she was here?
I went to the art center
in order to participate in a rehearsal.
I was supposed to meet Mrs. Yun there.
Mother, we need to talk.
I don't want to repeat myself. Ask your wife what happened.
And mind your actions.
Do you understand?
Thank you for everything. I'll show myself out.
What are you so worried about?
Do you think I've gone senile?
I'm glad.
I girl who isn't scared to die
won't shy away from any difficulties that come her way.
Does it hurt, Mom?
No, it doesn't hurt at all.
So why do you still have the needle in your arm?
Don't you remember, Hyeon-wu?
When you were in the hospital because of a tummy ache,
you had the same kind of needle sticking out of your wrist.
Oh, that's right.
You have a tummy ache, Mommy? What did you eat?
Mommy has a tummy ache.
She ate something really big.
That's why Mommy has to be here for three nights.
Jeez, for three whole nights?
You can sleep with Daddy while Mommy's not home.
How about you, Mommy?
Are you going to sleep here with that lady?
No. She will go home to sleep.
I brought the things I thought you might need.
Please call me if you need anything else.
It's all right. I'm only here for a little while.
Who'll take Hyeon-wu home?
I have to drop by the supermarket on my way home.
You take her home, honey.
It's all right. If you could just take Hyeon-wu home…
Go on ahead. I'll take him home with me.
- Are you sure? - Of course.
Hyeon-wu, I'll see you at home.
- Don't forget about my chocolate milk! - OK.
Goodbye.
Bye.
Having fun?
Hyeon-wu, you want to go buy some chocolate milk?
- Really? - There's a convenience store downstairs.
Why don't you ask Daddy to buy you some?
Daddy!
Huh? Chocolate milk?
You want to go get some? Let's go!
- We'll be right back. - Ok.
Chocolate milk!
Two cartons? Mommy won't like that.
Let's just get one, okay?
Are you all right, Yi-seol?
You seem uncomfortable around my husband.
Pardon?
My husband has lots of female fans.
He was the most popular guy on campus.
All the girls hated me
because they wanted to be with him.
Don't worry.
I'm not that kind of girl.
I am interested
in Mr. Jung.
But I'm even more interested in you, Mrs. Yun.
As I already told you, I wanted to impress you.
I'm interested in your husband because of one thing.
I'm just curious about
the man that you chose.
That's it.
What is all this?
Mrs. Lee instructed me…
Where is she now?
First, we'll publish an article about someone abusing Propofol*. (ILLEGAL DRUG USED BY THE WEALTHY)
Then, we'll publish an article implying that it is Mrs. Yun.
Then, the public relations department at Sungjin
will publish an article denying the drug abuse.
Afterward, if the two get divorced,
everyone will assume
that it's because of Mrs. Yun's addiction.
Let's proceed like this.
- How about the chairwoman? - I'll tell her.
Okay.
Mother?
I didn't think you'd come here today.
What are you doing here, Ju-yeon?
The exhibition will soon be starting.
[YUN JAE-HUI ACCUSED OF PROPOFOL ABUSE]
[S CORPORATION FAMILY MEMBER ADDICTED TO PROPOFOL]
Unbelievable!
Chief editor of the Hanju Daily!
Yes, Madam?
Chief editor Choi Hui-jun!
Yes, Madam?
Did you study abroad on a scholarship from the Sungjin Group
so that you could drink all night?
Your lack of sober judgment makes me think
that it's time for you to quit.
How dare you do something like this without my consent?
I'm sorry, Madam. Please forgive me.
A daughter-in-law is nothing!
She's family only as long as she's married to my son!
How is the investigation into Sungjin Bio going?
Mr. Kim, the VP of Strategy is going to take the fall.
It's a sad fate to be a prosecutor in this country, isn't it?
Anyway, if they pass the Insurance Business Act,
Sungjin Life will have to sell the Sungjin Electronics shares
that it owns.
What will happen to Jung Jun-il then?
If Sungjin Trade can't buy those shares,
he won't be able to take control of the company.
We need to know
what Seo Han-suk has up her sleeve in order to prepare.
How are you enjoying the food?
Think of this as your home and make yourself comfortable.
Tell me if you need anything else.
Let's eat.
I've been thinking about my position in Gang-hyeon's life.
What are you trying to say?
Now, draw the fins like this.
That's good.
Hyeon-wu, are you happy now that you've had chocolate milk?
Yeah!
You can have a carton a day until Mommy comes home.
- Promise? - Promise.
Hold on.
I become Gyu-seong's mom and Gang-hyeon's wife, for a perfect life.
Please help me.
Who is it? That woman?
You mean, Kim Yi-seol?
Why?
I heard that she will be narrating the exhibition.
Yeah.
She seemed really young.
She's different than she looks.
And she's not some young floozy.
She has a strong sense of ethics.
What's that supposed to mean?
Will you look at the time?
It's time to put Hyeon-wu to bed.
Hyeon-wu, say goodnight to Mommy. It's time to go.
Goodnight, Mommy.
Goodnight, Hyeon-wu. I love you.
Call me if you need anything.
Okay.
I'll call you later.
I'm recuperating after surgery.
Honey!
What does
"recuperating" mean?
Who said that?
I was texting Jae-hui
and she texted, "I'm recuperating after surgery."
I know what surgery is.
But what does "recuperating" mean?
That means that she's
recovering her health.
But, why did she have surgery?
I don't know.
Hey, where are you going?
I'm sorry, sir. I left something in the office.
Why did you come out? You could have used the call button.
I just wanted to get some fresh air.
Please call me if you need anything.
Of course.
- Hello? - Where are you?
I'm home.
Is it all right to talk to me from home?
I don't see why not. I've done worse.
Are you all right?
Why wouldn't I be all right?
Were you with Cho Gang-hyeon?
Who was it?
Who did this to you?
I'm the new CEO of the art center.
And I finally received Hyeon-wu's shares of Sungjin Trade.
Aren't you going to congratulate me?
You think it's just a result of my dirty ambition?
I'm going to continue to contact you.
And I'm going to keep asking for your help.
I'm not going to apologize for yesterday, either.
I've made enough apologies for a lifetime.
If you don't like it,
you can do what you want.
[RESUME]
[NAME: KIM YI-SEOL] [BIRTHDAY: APRIL 5th, 1995]
[MESSAGE]
It was nice seeing you. See you again.
[KWON MIN-SEON]
It was nothing.
It would have passed if you'd just let it.
[MESSAGE]
[Good morning.]
[It's nice to hear from you.]
Jun-hyeok.
Hi.
I heard that tonight will be your final newscast.
I saw the article that you'll be the next Secretary of Civil Affairs.
People will write anything that they want nowadays
without even checking their sources.
And it spreads like wildfire.
People will only see
what they want to see and believe what they want to believe.
Isn't that so?
[JBC'S JUNG JUN-HYEOK THE FORERUNNER FOR SENIOR SECRETARY OF CIVIL AFFAIRS]
[SUNGJIN TRADE RUMORED TO RECEIVE CONTRACT FOR HYEONGSAN-DONG PROJECT]
Mother, how's your schedule today?
We're having the rehearsal for the exhibition narration.
- I can't wait. - Great.
Hello, Jae-hui.
What are you doing here?
Didn't you hear that the narrator's been changed?
Are you very busy?
The opening of the exhibition is just around the corner.
It would have been nice if you'd called ahead.
I see.
I was thinking it was like old times, I guess.
We met for the first time seven or eight years ago, right?
It's been so long that I can hardly remember.
I must be growing old.
I wanted to talk to you
the last time I was here.
It was exactly 10 years ago.
I was in charge of protocol at the Biennale
while you were at the Ministry of Culture.
That's right.
I guess my memory can't be as good as someone so young.
You were quite old even then.
I was young and foolish,
so I asked you to put me in charge
of the new artist's exhibition.
Oh my.
You certainly had the skills for the job.
Why didn't you get it?
Isn't it obvious?
I couldn't bring myself to go to bed with a dirty old man.
You even gave me your hotel key
to help me get the job.
It was quite unfortunate.
I'm sure you're aware that you are no longer the narrator.
I'll send you an invitation so come back at the opening.
And don't be late.
Hello, my name is Kim Yi-seol.
We will now begin the rehearsal.
A painter but not be obsessed with the object of his art.
However, if he does not struggle with the object,
the painting will lose all tension.
Painter Sun Sang-gi was born on November 14th, 1945.
He was born on an island near Yeosu in Jeollanam-do.
Due to his weak constitution,
he only started elementary school at the age of ten.
But his talent was recognized early on,
so he attended both middle and high school on an art scholarship.
[RETRACT PLANS FOR REDEVELOPMENT NOW]
[DO NOT THROW AWAY TRASH]
[JBC NEWS]
Hello everyone. It's time for JBC News.
Yi-seol, I think this is just about finished…
I was wondering where you were.
What are you thinking?
I'm just wondering about the people
that lived in this place.
How about you?
What do you think when you see this painting?
I'm curious.
It…
pains me.
That's how I felt from the first time.
That white dirt road
seems to harbor a sadness whose tears have dried up.
But also, it tells us not to be sad,
that someone is still here,
that people are still living here.
Geez!
That stupid girl!
[KIM YI-SEOL]
How about you, Yi-seol?
I just wonder
how those people are now.
Those people were chased out of their homes.
I wonder where they are and what they're doing.
Even though
they might not even be alive.
Did you find the person who lived with No Yeong-ju?
We're looking.
Hurry.
We can't have another person that knows what happened that day.
I'm sure they're fine.
They're probably living in some city
in cozy homes of their own.
That's what we should think.
But for whom?
(Artificial City)
I hide my weaknesses
and try to embarrass others by revealing their weaknesses.
That's how I am.
You look and smell especially good tonight.
It's just strange.
We're getting tips about the woman in the video.
She is being blackmailed by the person
who used to live with No Yeong-ju.
It's unsettling that a woman is so vindictive.
You're not like that, are you?
I punished her because she was mean.
It felt good… but bad at the same time.