----
[Episode 2] [The Fall of the King]
Wh... Wh... Who the hell are you?
I'm Lee Go Eun, who got screwed over by you.
This is the most important moment in my life. Get the hell out.
You...
You've ruined my life, which is the most important thing to me.
What the hell are you doing? Get this woman out of here!
Let's go. Let's go now.
Let go! I'm going to walk out of here with my own two feet.
The one thing I can't tolerate is the fact that...
because of a third rate scum bag full of trash like you, my life was ruined.
The most infuriating thing is...
the fact bastards like you have all the power and influence in the drama production.
You...
You'll be finished someday.
You'll be finished off by people just like yourself.
Ah, Writer Lee. It's Anthony.
What are you looking at?
If you are the top writer in Empire Production, that means you are the top in the country.
It has always bothered me that your per episode rate was not at the top.
I'll treat you like the best in the country How about 60 million won ($60,000) per episode?
President Kim. I understand what you are saying but...
Right now, I'm in the car driving.
So I'll call you again later.
Ah... I need to go into a meeting soon.
I'm sorry but would you mind not hanging up while you're considering my offer?
Okay. That's fine. Then give me about ten minutes.
Okay. I understand. I'll wait for you then. Yes. Yes.
Writer Park. Have you thought about it?
I'm sorry, President Kim. Because of the penalty fee, I don't think I can do this.
I told you I'll take care of it all.
Hello? Writer Park?
Writer Kim. What do you think?
Thank you for your offer but let's consider this next time.
There is no next time for my offer.
If it's 40 million won ($40,000) per episode then that's 800 million won ($800,000) per drama.
Instead of working like a dog for 800 million won...
I would rather work like a minister for 600 million won.
Hello. Writer Kim.
Before you talk about money, shouldn't you apologize first?
Hey, President Kim. Because of you, sleeping pills became a part of my regular diet.
How dare you call me.
Since when did you call me 'writer'? I'm hanging up.
I heard that you got fired.
What do you mean, 'fired?'
I'm leaving because I want to.
Hello? Hello...
These bastards...
I just need to get Lee Mi Hyun. Lee Mi Hyun...
Writer Lee. This is Anthony.
Writer Lee.
What are we going to do, President Kim?
Jung... Writer Jung?
That's right. This is Jung Hong Joo.
Oh, are you looking for Writer Lee whom you are dying to speak to?
She's right here beside me.
Writer Jung.
I want to apologize for any wrong I've done you.
I'm really, really sorry.
I was going to call you anyway.
Then now, you don't need to call.
I'm sure you knew it too.
Everyone has been hoping to see you fail and go under.
Anthony.
You are totally finished.
President...
The chairman is asking you to vacate the room now.
[Three years later]
The president has arrived.
Welcome.
I've always led a fancy and extravagant lifestyle.
Within that fancy extravagance...
there is bright light but there is also a dark shadow.
I'm not saying that there have never been dark shadows in my life.
The problem is that shadows have been present in my life for the past three years.
But I've never felt that I was unhappy.
Even when I got fired at the company...
Even when the new company I started with three billion won ($3 million) filed for bankruptcy...
I was still okay because I'm not the type to dwell on the past.
And I continued to dream on about my comeback.
However, I felt that everyone in the industry seemed to want to avoid me.
After that, even the investors pulled out, so things didn't turn out that well but...
When I moved my office again and again...
Even when I sold my house...
It wasn't that bad.
But...
I didn't even cry when my mother died.
I don't want to cry.
But for the past three years... without any set pattern or anything...
I'm not sure why I've been crying like this.
It's not like there is no pattern at all.
Whenever you feel anxious... you seem to touch your pinky finger.
Is there any story from three years ago that could be related to that habit?
You may say that you've moved on.
But deep inside you may not feel that way.
- Please give me my medication. - Because we stopped the medication...
It became known to us.
Don't you think I'm crying because I stopped taking the medication?
I can't do without the medication. Please give me some medication.
Relying on medication won't help you get better.
Fundamentally, we need to figure out what's making you psychologically unstable.
- So what's the percentage? - Excuse me?
So what's the probability of me not crying without the medication?
With the medication, the probability of me not crying is 100 percent.
Please give me my medication.
[Department of Neuropsychiatry]
Welcome.
I'll give you the prescription.
But please promise me one thing.
You have to accept the current reality and overcome it.
It's 50,000 won.
The card has exceeded its limit.
- You are here. - Yes. Everything was okay, right?
Everything was not okay.
The building owner said if we don't pay overdue rent by the end of this month...
He said he was going to kick us out.
And?
If we don't pay the gas bill by the beginning of next month they said they'll cut off our gas.
What else?
I didn't want to say this but...
I haven't been paid for four months so things are a little rough now.
I'm behind in my credit card payments so I'm getting calls from them all the time.
So by the end of this month will be great.
Are you going out?
I might be late so you can go home.
Yes.
Good bye. See you later.
Hi.
Hi mister. Remember the two sacks of rice delivery. Please don't be late.
Hi ma'am.
Can I please have a bottle of 'Goonsan' sesame oil?
You ran out already?
- Thank you. - Take care.
Here it goes.
Here is grilled mackerel.
Oh my, mister! You just changed the channel we were watching just now.
Gosh... women...
What did you say?
I was watching it too. That's not right.
Change it back to the drama.
Hey mister. It's three to one.
Have this delicious grilled mackerel and how about you give in this time.
Dang. We missed it. What happened now?
I think they found out he is the son.
What? How do you know that?
Look at the facial expression.
It's a hospital and she's shocked after she's seen the result from the paternity test.
I'm sure the doctor will say...
'The test result confirmed a match within 99 percent certainty.'
Then the mother will cry out the son's name in this sad voice...
Ji Hwan!
That's right. The son's name is Ji Hwan.
How did she get all the lines right?
Tell me about it. She can be a screenplay writer.
That's right. She can be a screenplay writer.
Yes, she's much better than that writer.
If you came to eat, why don't you just eat.
Why is there so much to say?
- Did you see that article? - Yes, I did. It was a big deal.
The camera will come in. And the camera 1. The camera 2...
Director Hong. Long time no see.
How have you been?
How are you?
Did you come to see President Oh?
I heard your contract with Empire Production is expiring.
You need to make a drama with me sometime.
But please promise me on thing.
You have to accept the current reality and overcome it.
I was just kidding.
I have a shooting so...
'A Collaborative Investment Proposal.'
Watanabe Group?
What time was I supposed to meet Writer Jung Hong Joo?
The meeting ran longer than I expected. I'm sorry.
- Why are you all so busy? - We are looking for more writers.
There are abundant writers out there. What did you do for the past 3 years not networking?
Anyway, what brought you here without even a call?
By any chance, do you have about three million won?
Is it that hard for you?
- What? - You don't even have three million won?
No. No.
On my way here, I had a fender bender. And he wanted to take care of it using cash.
I wanted to give him about three million won. But I left my wallet at the office.
He will be waiting now. It's not a lot of money so let me borrow it from you.
Ah, that's too bad. I left my wallet at home too.
Why don't you just go through the insurance? He might come back with something else later.
Maybe I will.
Do you have some investments coming in from Japan?
- Excuse me? - I saw that while I was waiting.
This is giving me such a headache.
Why? Are they being difficult?
He is a Korean and he's been very successful as a businessman in Japan.
He's talking about investing ten billion won ($10 million) in Korean dramas.
Ten billion won?
This is worth ten billion won.
Because this is Empire Production, an investment proposal like this comes in.
They'll not even give the time of the day to small production companies.
Did I say anything?
If you are really interested, do you want to try?
The condition is very simple.
The setting of the drama has to take place during the time of Japanese colonial rule.
- The time of Japanese colonial rule? - Yes.
He wants a story that tells the story of a man who battles against
the unfortunate time and his destiny during the Japanese colonial rule.
I can't find a script like that all of a sudden.
I've been looking all over in search of the script, talking to renowned writers.
All I get is just...
President.
Are you okay?
President.
Are you okay?
During the oppressive Japanese colonial rule...
a man who battles against the unfortunate times...
During the Japanese colonial rule...
Get rid of this too.
All these scripts can go into that armoire.
- Oh, Managing Director Huh. - Yes.
Throw out all the scripts in the armoire.
How many years have they been in there?
- Empty it out. - Yes. I understand.
President.
I'd love to have dinner with you but I actually have plans.
No. No. Go on ahead.
President.
- Go Eun. - Yes.
It's nothing.
- Hey. - Mom. Just go ahead and tell me. What?
- You... - You want me to go on a blind date again?
- What? - Whose son is it this time?
The vegetable store? The supermarket? The fish market?
Don't you want to write dramas?
I'm asking you whether you want to write dramas again.
When you paid off the bank loan I took out to write dramas
you told me it was good that I stopped writing dramas.
Now that we are making enough...
You can write dramas again if you want to.
I like making money with you like this much more.
And what do you mean we make enough?
We need to hurry up and save to buy a house.
When would we get there by just broiling mackerels?
I'll help you broil 100 mackerels every day.
- So everyone upstairs has left? - Yes. Good night.
Yes.
Take care.
I wonder whether they turned off all the lights.
Lee Go Eun.
Her name was definitely Lee Go Eun.
[Gyeongseong's Morning]
[Written by Lee Go Eun]
They didn't turn off the lights.
So forgetful.
Okay. This should be enough.
If we fill in a few things that are lacking this will be a masterpiece.
I hope this piece of work is to your liking.
From the president of World Production, Anthony Kim.
[Written by Lee Go Eun]
Here is your order.
Hope you enjoy it. Hope you enjoy it.
Cut!
Now we are going to shoot the reaction from the people now.
Do we really need to do this?
It takes up several tables. Soon it'll be lunch time.
Mom, do you know how many people will come here if this goes on air?
This will make us broil 100 mackerels a day.
- We are shooting now. - Okay.
Who would like to help us out?
Would you like to be shot from here? What about here?
Is she crazy about money now?
[International Call]
Hello?
Hello. This is the Watanabe's secretary's office.
Can I speak to Anthony Kim?
This is Anthony Kim of the World Production Company.
You can speak Japanese if that's easier. (Japanese)
Yes.
The chairman has read the entire script you sent.
He was very touched by the script. And he would like to invest in this.
But...
Would you be able to come together with the scriptwriter to Japan?
Because the chairman will be making a business trip to the U.S.
He would like you and the writer to come meet him tomorrow.
Hello? Mr. Anthony Kim?
Yes. Yes.
Is tomorrow possible?
Of course.
Yes. I understand.
We'll take care of the flight details. Then...
Then I'll see you when I'm in Japan.
The one thing I can't tolerate is the fact that...
because of a third rate scum bag full of trash like you, my life was ruined.
The most infuriating thing is...
the fact bastards like you have all the power and influence in the drama production.
You... You'll be finished someday.
You'll be finished off by people just like yourself.
As we suspected, it was a disconnected number.
I've asked around from the writer's guild training center,
other assistant writers and school friends... But nobody knew where she went.
What about Writer Jung? She was her mentor for 5 years. She doesn't know?
No.
President.
Wouldn't it be faster to hire a private detective?
A private detective?
With a name like Lee Go Eun...
and with a number that's been disconnected you want to find this person.
In a case like this the base rate is...
Five million won.
Five million won?
We need to find her within five hours.
Then it's eight million won.
If you think it's expensive... you can go elsewhere.
Think about it.
President.
Where do we get the eight million won now?
Hey, I can't just give out discounts all the time.
The base rate is high but he doesn't say he can't find her.
During the time of modernization when food was scarce...
they used to grill mackerel on a grill like BBQ ribs.
It's grilled mackerel. It really looks delicious.
President.
The Eun's grilled mackerel. It's really delicious.
So... have you made up your mind?
We're all set.
- What? - I said we are all set.
P... President.
This is a special rate now. How about seven million? Seven million won?
- Seven million won? - Yes.
- Are you going to come? - Yes.
Fine. Five million won!
This is a blowout price. Five million won! How about it?
Still expensive?
4.5 million won! Four million!
Give me a price.
Here is your order. Please enjoy.
- Can we have some more vegetables? - Yes.
- Can we have our grilled mackerel soon? - Yes, it's coming.
Hi! Could you please wait for little bit?
The TV advertisement was definitely awesome.
Madam Kang's grilled mackerel is more awesome.
Here is your grilled mackerel. Please enjoy.
Hello, this is Eun's Grilled Mackerel House.
By chance, is writer Lee Go Eun there?
Excuse me?
Is there writer Lee Go Eun?
I'm sorry but I can't really hear you. Who are you looking for?
I said, is there writer Lee Go Eun?
Hello?
Yes... this is she.
I'm calling from a drama production center called World Production.
We were looking for a script for our new drama production.
We happened to come by your script, 'Gyeongseong's Morning'.
Yes.
Can you hold on a minute?
Can you quiet down a little?
Yes, please continue.
Do you have a production company with which you are currently under contract?
No, I don't have one.
Ah, I'm relieved.
The World Production would like to produce your 'Gyeongseong's Morning' into a drama.
What do you think?
You mean 'Gyeongseong's Morning'?
If it isn't too much, can I meet with you today?
Today? Where do I need to go?
No, I'll come to you.
Ms. Lee Go Eun. Long time no see.
How have you been all this time?
Get out right now.
Ms. Lee Go Eun.
- I told you to get out. - Writer Lee.
I said to get lost, you bastard.
Let go of me.
I know I've done you wrong in the past, Writer Lee.
Writer Lee?
I got kicked out of the industry because of you. And now you are calling me 'Writer Lee'?
Because of you...
I was told that I was a backstabber who betrayed my mentor for my own success.
I was the girl who was crazy about getting ahead.
I heard all sorts of things and got kicked out.
Because of you...
I endured all the slander and finally gave up on being a screenwriter. But now...
What? You crawl back after three years and tell me that you want to make my drama now?
I'm sorry. I really am sorry about it. So I came here to apologize.
Three years ago... it was trash that wasn't going to make any money.
All of a sudden, you happened to like my writing?
Because your writing is sincere.
Don't try to cheat.
Just tell me the truth.
Okay, your script is a mess and not so great but I see potential.
I came here to buy that potential.
Stop beating around and tell me the truth!
With your script, I enticed a wealthy old man.
You...
Really are...
the lowest of the low.
Get lost.
Before I get lost, I'll say this one thing.
I don't know whether you know but I went completely bankrupt.
The only thing I have left is a bank account with negative balance...
the car that's about to be scrapped... and I haven't paid rent for my office in months.
But...
I know can make a comeback.
The king of drama, Anthony, can make a comeback again.
In order to conquer the world again...
I need you, Lee Go Eun.
I...
don't need you. So...
Get out.
Didn't you hear what she said?
You are not satisfied with...
completely drawing all the tears out of me three years ago...
If you don't want to die by my hands, you better get out now.
Before I go, I want to say this one last thing.
I told you to get out now!
Hey... the young man wants to say one last thing.
Why don't we just hear it?
- Yes. Let's hear it. - Let's hear it.
That's right. I'm a cold-blooded jerk. But what does that have to do with anything?
The fact that I'm a jerk and you pursuing your dream have nothing to do with each other.
Are you going to end your life here grilling mackerels for the rest of your life?
And someday when you have your children, you are going tell them you once had a dream too.
Is that what you are going to say?
You don't dream so that you can remember it.
You dream to achieve it.
And you won't even have the possibility to achieve that dream after tonight.
Fine. You can hate me if you want.
But please...
Don't do anything you're going to regret later.
What the heck are you all looking at?
Hurry up and just shove down your mackerels!
- I'm leaving now. - Okay. See you later.
Mister Kim. You've had a little too much to drink tonight.
- One more Soju here please. - Ah, sure.
Please come back again soon.
Take care.
Oh, hi.
It was the last chance I got after all that struggling.
Is it really going to end like this?
Two more orders of grilled mackerel.
Are you going to end your life here grilling mackerels for the rest of your life?
And someday when you have your children, you are going tell them you once had a dream too.
Is that what you are going to say?
You don't dream so that you can remember it.
You dream to achieve it.
Fine. You can hate me if you want.
But please...
Don't do anything you're going to regret later.
Mom. I'm sorry.
I really want to go.
Okay... I know you will realize your dream.
Don't worry about me... Just go.
Actually...
You weren't that good at grilling mackerels anyway.
It turned out well.
Mom.
Hey, do you realize that you just got fired?
No, I can't give up like this now.
You've made the right decision.
I want you to know two things.
First...
I really don't like you.
You are a dirty and greedy businessman.
I want you to know that.
- Thank you... And next? - Second...
If you screw me over one more time...
then I'm really going to murder you.
I hope you give me a painless death.
I'm going to relay my mother's message too.
If you make her cry one more time... she's going to cut your throat.
It's a very tough family.
Fine. It's my turn now to talk.
You've been talking down to me using informal speech.
If you are going to work with me, you need to stop that.
I understand, president. (In formal speech)
What do I do now?
- Pack your bag and get in the car. - And?
We are going to the airport. Don't forget your passport.
Why airport?
Why else? We're going to get on an airplane.
That wealthy investor is a Korean-Japanese.
He wants to see you in Japan.
Mr. Anthony Kim and Ms. Lee Go Eun.
It's our pleasure to serve you today on Mr. Watanabe's private jet.
This private jet Air-WK501 is...
expected to arrive in Fukuoka Airport at 2:15 in the morning local time.
We hope it will be a pleasant trip for both of you.
Do you think I'll sign a contract that doesn't even have a sign-on bonus?
What do you mean no sign-on bonus? It's written right there.
It's written that it'll be paid as soon as we get the funding from the investment.
You know my situation well enough.
Then why did you get on the plane?
Because I'm a country bumpkin who has never ridden an airplane before.
What is this?
It's your sign-on bonus.
You can look at me all you want. That's all I can give you now.
If you can't trust me, then trust the King Sejong on the money.
Please give me your luggage. Where will you be staying?
Please take us to the Empire Hotel.
We'll come back to pick you up at ten tomorrow morning.
Yes.
Where are you going?
Do you know how much it is per night here?
Taxi.
What is he doing?
How much is it per night here?
10,000 yen.
If it's 10,000 yen, according to the yesterday's exchange rate it's 139,300 won.
Two rooms will cost us 278,600...
Is there discount for two rooms?
No. No.
I'm sorry. There is only one room available.
What?
Are you sure they only have one room?
You are not Kim Tae Hee or Song Hye Gyo. Why would I lie to you?
Please turn off the light.
It's eight o'clock already. You should get up now.
You call yourself a writer and sleep that much?
You are a woman and you grind your teeth, and even snore.
Good morning. The chairman is waiting for you.
His yacht and the car is waiting for you.
Please wait here for a moment.
What is chairman Watanabe like?
Why does he want to invest the entire expense for the drama?
I told you. He is a wealthy Korean-Japanese businessman.
Then... he read my script and liked it?
That would have been great but...
We were able to make it this far because of my tricks.
- What do you mean? - You have so little experience.
You only have five years under your belt as an assistant writer.
On top of that you weren't doing anything for three years.
If I hadn't added or fabricated your background do you think you would be here now?
So... what did you say?
I told him to meet you in person.
Too much is as bad as too little. If I have to lie too much, I'll get caught.
More than anything else, he has agreed to invest because of his trust in me.
So don't make any mistake.
Okay.
So he is a man after all.
The chairman is on his way.
- Is this the writer you were telling me about? -Yes.
This is Lee Go Eun.
When I read your work, I was reminded of
my own country, my days as a young man.
After he read your script he wondered whether...
he could trust this new writer enough to invest in the drama.
When I read your script I was so moved
that I really wanted to meet you in person.
While he was reading the script, he felt that things were lacking a bit.
But he trusted the producer Anthony Kim and decided to invest in the drama.
Did you come up with the script on your own?
He's asking you whether you came up with the script on your own?
Even though I didn't get to directly experience the painful period in our history.
Even though I didn't get to directly experience the painful period in our history... (Japanese)
I wanted to write about the life of a man who has put
his destiny on the line during the unfortunate time in our history.
During the difficult time she experienced in the creative phase...
she met me and was able to ask for my advice.
So with my help, she felt that she was able to come up with a good work.
So Anthony Kim is your savior.
Then I'm going to trust Anthony Kim and the writer.
I'd like to sign the contract.
What is he saying?
He said he's going to trust me and sign the contract.
Really?
Thank you.
'Arigato gozai masu.' (Thank you in Japanese)
But... there is one condition.
This year?
Within this year...
with my lovely wife Akiko...
I would like to be able to watch the drama.
She is really beautiful.
The drama will be aired this year.
That is my one condition in this investment.
The way it is...
The schedule has been set for the dramas this year.
So what I mean is...
Is there any particular reason why the drama has to air this year?
I can't tell you that.
Can you promise that, Mr. Anthony?
Of course. You'll definitely be able to watch the drama this year.
Just the promise alone is not enough.
Once I gain a slot in the drama schedule this year.
I'll take your funding then.
That's fine. Let's sign the contract right now.
One percent of the retainer will be deposited within today.
And as it is written in the contract, the investment fund
will be paid in three separate installments.
This way please.
My drama is going to be actually made finally.
I hope this isn't a dream.
You are so excited over a small thing like this.
Don't act rash now and think about how you can make the lacking script better.
If I could get into this year's drama schedule...
I will get 9.9 billion won ($9.9 million) and that's total of 10 billion won ($10 million).
Finally, I'm going to make a comeback.
My empire will begin again.
Mom. I'm going to show you that I can do this.
I'm going to show everyone that I can be a proud TV drama writer.
I promised myself I'll never write a drama again.
But the opportunity that came up as if it were my destiny...
cannot be missed.
The opportunity is already within my hands and this is destiny.
My destiny that has pre-ordained me to be the king of dramas.
To the people who have misunderstood me until now...
To those bastards who have ignored me so far...
my honest sincerity...
with my bloody power and influence...
will be shown to them.
I'll get revenge on them.
'O genki desu ka?' ('How are you?' in Japanese)
'Watashi wa genki desu.' ('I'm fine.' in Japanese.)
Who is it? Is there someone out there?
Stop!
Please just spare my life. I'll never...
If you don't keep your promise, you should pay it back with your life.
What the hell are you doing?
Sometimes it's okay to break your promise.
But if you break my promise, that means death.
Who is it?
----
No matter what happens the drama has to air this year.
The person that Kang Hyun Min brings is the owner of the November schedule.
It's well known to people that Kang Hyun Min is a star.
But they don't know he is the biggest idiot in the whole world.
Mr. Kang Hyun Min.
This is writer Lee Go Eun.
If you don't want to die, get up and put your hands on your head.
Did you get tricked by Anthony again?
Do you want to sign a contract with Empire Production?
We'll give you the best offer possible as a new writer.
No matter what you do, just get it.