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Details

* Title: ??? ?? / Yokmangeui Bulkkot
* Also known as: Flames of Desire
* Previously known as: ??? ??? ? ? ? ??? ?? / Women Only Love Once in a Lifetime
* Genre: Drama, romance
* Episodes: 50
* Broadcast Network: MBC
* Broadcast period: 2010-Oct-02 to TBA
* Air time: Saturday & Sunday 21:45

Synopsis

The story of a conglomerate family that falls apart when the members are caught up in a furious battle for succession. Kim Tae Jin's children all covet his fortune and the power that he possesses as the company president, and they would do anything, however cruel and inhumane, to wrest it from the others. At the forefront of this desperate game is Yoon Na Young, the ruthless and ambitious wife of Kim Young Min, Tae Jin's third son. Her unquenchable thirst for power and wealth drove her to the point of no return, manipulating both husband and son to achieve her own desires.

Cast

Kim family

* Lee Soon Jae as Chairman Kim Tae Jin
* Lee Hyo Choon as Kang Geum Hwa
* Kim Byung Gi as Kim Young Dae
* Lee Bo Hee as Cha Soon Ja
* Jo Sung Ha as Kim Young Joon
* Sung Hyun Ah as Nam Ae Ri
* Jo Min Ki as Kim Young Min
o Joo Han Ha (???) as young Young Min
* Shin Eun Gyung as Yoon Na Young
o Kim Yoo Jung as young Na Young
* Yoo Seung Ho as Kim Min Jae
o Shin Dong Woo as young Min Jae
* Seo Woo as Baek Soo Bin / Baek In Ki
o Kim Yoo Jung as young Soo Bin
* Son Eun Seo as Kim Mi Jin
* ?? as Kim Young Shik

Yoon family

* Lee Ho Jae as Yoon Sang Hoon
* Kim Hee Jung as Yoon Jung Sook
* Jo Jin Woong as Kang Joon Goo

Other people

* Lee Se Chang as Park Duk Sung
* Uhm Soo Jung as Yang In Sook
* Park Chan Hwan as Song Jin Ho
* Kim Sung Hoon as loan shark

Production Credits

* Chief Producer: So Won Young, Kim Jin Man
* Producer: Min Hee Woong (???)
* Director: Baek Ho Min
* Screenwriter: Jung Ha Yun
source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/

Episode 1

Meet NaYoung (Shim EunGyung) and her son, MinJae (Yoo SeungHo). NaYoung is ambitious and overly manipulative. She tries to control every little thing, even her husband and “son”. This time around, MinJae is determined to escape from her claws, leave home and marry Baek Inki (Seo Woo).

She tries every possible means to stop him: kneeling down, attempting suicide, appealing to pity, defaming InKi. Pretty much everything. But all these were futile. MinJae won’t be stopped.

She had no choice but beg InKi a.k.a. HaeJin (her daughter?!) to stop the whole marriage idiocy. Don’t worry. There won’t be any incest. We’ll know why and how later on.

NaYoung: Tell me! What do you want?
InKi: Ahjumma… I wish you were dead. Is that possible?

InKi’s hate for her Mom is exuding beyond measure. But blood is still thicker than water. Beneath the indifference and cool facade, InKi is in fact, yearning for her mother’s love.

InKi: MinJae won’t come. That person doesn’t belong to the world where people like us live. He’s not like us. That person is an angel.

And she passed out. The poor dear, committed suicide. NaYoung cries in regret and apologizes for what she did. But then, it’s too late.

Year: 1973.

Meet the young NaYoung (huh? it rhymes?).

Reality is harsh for NaYoung. She practically lived a life far below the poverty line. Her father, SangHoon is a simple man who doesn’t desire wealth or fortune. She had a calm and kind elder sister named JungSook. All her life, NaYoung only dreamt of becoming rich. She loves money and she can give up everything just to satisfy her thirst for wealth. And for a young child, that is such deadly trait!

She then sees a small sparkle of hope when her father’s friend TaeJin, a rich businessman who thinks he’s indebted to her father, visits their humble home. A simple visit though it was, a betrothal (between JungSook and YoungMin) has been made. The promise wasn’t for NaYoung, but it was enough for her to think that she’s already a step closer to her goal.

Year: 1987. Seoul.

Years passed and NaYoung succeeded in having herself a rich boyfriend, DukSong. But still, life is cruel…

One night, she was attacked and gang-raped by thugs who warned her not to get hooked with DukSong anymore. Adding insult to injury, the thugs threw a bundle of money as compensation. But NaYoung’s desire for money is stronger. She stood her ground and never wavered. Until, she knew of DukSong’s upcoming marriage to a rich bride…

She confronts DukSong about the news and hopes against all hope it wasn’t true. But the truth is far more terrifying than she expected. DukSong is indeed going to marry someone else, and it was even he who planned the assault that fateful night. Making matters worst, she’s pregnant and doesn’t have the slightest idea who the father is!

There’s nothing much for a pregnant and helpless NaYoung could do but return home. She tries to hide the pregnancy from everybody, even to her family. But then, a bulging tummy can’t be hidden for too long. Subsequently, her sister knew about her condition. NaYoung solicits some help from JungSook. She wanted to abort the child and JungSook could only cry to what her little sister has become.

But NaYoung isn’t easily put down. With each fatal blow, she gets more and more driven to be rich.

NaYoung had an early labor. She refuses a Caesarean operation for the simple reason that she doesn’t want any scar marks, or that may pose a problem later (for marriage that is). Yeah, when you’re in terrible pain and on the verge of death, you’ll still think of a trivial thing as that!

Hours passed, NaYoung regains consciousness and looks for her child. But then, the baby didn’t survive. Unexpectedly, she cries for her child’s death.

Episode 2

Meet the grown-up YoungMin. After years of studying abroad, he comes back to Seoul, oblivious to Dad’s plan in fulfilling the long overdue betrothal.

A bookworm by heart, YoungMin is the third son of TaeJin. Contrary to his elder brothers YoungJun and YoungDae, YoungMin is rather contented to what he has. He doesn’t desire his father’s wealth and it’s interesting to note that despite his refusal to work for the family business, he is still the most favored son. Well, that’s what I think.

Dad: What did you say you’re studying in the States again?
YoungMin: Environmental Engineering.
Dad: What is that? Just say it! And don’t use simple words thinking your father is sutpid.
YoungMin: If you want to make a living, you need to create a factory. And when you create a factory, it impacts the environment.So it’s studying how to save the factory and the environment.
Dad: Does that make sense? In the end, you’re just going to end your father’s business!

NaYoung begs JungSook to keep her “secret pregnancy” a secret. Until now, I can’t understand why nobody else knew about it! Her tummy is practically as big as an oversized watermelon. And JungSook, the ever-loving sister, concedes. She advises NaYoung to go back to Seoul and continue school. With NaYoung’s wits, she can definitely find opportunities after graduation. But NaYoung thinks otherwise.

NaYoung: What for? In the end, a woman’s life depends on what type of man she marries.

When NaYoung goes home, she meets YoungMin. And a plan comes to mind!

That night, SangHoon is overly happy that after 10 years of silence, TaeJin and his son finally shows up to fulfill the engagement. Clearly, he anxiously waited for this day to come. Though, he was passive when they made the betrothal, he seems to hope that TaeJin would honor his words. I don’t know why SangHoon desperately wants JungSook to marry YoungMin so badly though. It’s clear he’s not doing this for money.

JungSook isn’t at all interested with the match up. But Dad insists and suggests that she must at least meet him once.

Dad is apparently apprehensive when YoungMin picks up JungSook for their date. NaYoung notices this and remarks that if only Dad was sensible enough to betroth her with YoungMin instead of her sister, then he wouldn’t worry as much. But Dad is indifferent, saying that he won’t ever consider a fickle daughter as her. I must admit that hurts. NaYoung is so riled up that Dad loves JungSook more than her.

Welcome to the most boring date in the history of all boring dates! How could someone read a book while on a date? Is that even logical? This YoungMin sure is something!

Dad inquisitively asks about the date. And since it was such a bore, JungSook couldn’t relay as much. Dad insists that she should have taken the initiative. JungSook doesn’t have the heart to disappoint him when he’s very enthusiastic about it and agrees to make the relationship work.

The truth is: JungSook and YoungMin agreed not to marry. They each have their reasons and it’s a mutual understanding. And since they both can’t tell their respective fathers, they resolved on going to the States minus the wedding vows.

And NaYoung puts her plan into action through JoonGoo. Of course, the plan is: Get rid of JungSook then marry YoungMin. Oh! I forgot to introduce JoonGoo in the 1st episode. Well, he’s a gangster turned good guy after falling in love with JungSook. Just to be near her, he works for SangHoon. YoungMin’s arrival clearly made him so pissed that he returns to being a thug.

Using JoonGoo’s feelings to her advantage, NaYoung continually insinuates that JungSook also likes him. We don’t know if it’s true but she seems so convincing! She encourages JoonGoo to grab the chance and fight for JungSook.

The plan worked! JoonGoo becomes too aggressive and raped JungSook.

NaYoung comes early that night and overhears JungSook’s plea, but she didn’t do anything and runs off. For a sister to just run away when her elder sister is about to be raped, that’s just shameless! Evil woman!

And then Dad came. NaYoung acts as if nothing’s wrong. But then seeing JoonGoo’s rattled reaction, Dad realizes what happened. Dad is so angry that he suffers from a fatal stroke and dies.

At the wake, JoonGoo is overly consumed by guilt that he has no courage to face JungSook. NaYoung, however, convinces him that what happened is for the best. Huh! Girl your dad just died, and now you’re saying it’s for the best!!!

TaeJin hears about the sad news. He cries and mourn for his dear friend, and then promises to take care of JungSook and NaYoung. After TaeJin left, he asks YoungMin to stay behind and oversee everything. And this is when NaYoung displays her awesome acting skills- crying so hard and hugging him for comfort. But then, when nobody’s looking she smiles wickedly like the genuine schemer that she is!

The sisters spread their father’s ashes to the sea. And when they came back home, loan sharks await. Thankfully, JoonGoo is there to fight for them and assumes all responsibility. JungSook appreciates the effort. And again, NaYoung sees this as an opportunity and encourages JungSook to choose JoonGoo.

NaYoung: It’s best to live with a man who loves you.

NaYoung talks with President Kim (TaeJin). She apologizes that their family can’t fulfill their end of the bargain coz JungSook is seeing somebody else. She further adds that it was their Dad’s wish that she fulfill the promise in her sister’s stead. Of course, these are all lies. This got President Kim thinking though. The poor old man just fall right into her trap!

Episode 3

After the nice chat with President Kim, NaYoung is all happy and gay. Until, she sees the demand notice and red tags (collateral tags) scattered all over the house. Now, if your NaYoung what would you do? Cry in a dark corner and act pitiful?

Think again! You’ll pack your designer clothes and keep it somewhere safe. Haha! Yup. NaYoung did that. And this got JungSook so worried coz first: that’s illegal and second: that’ll piss some heartless loan sharks along the way. But NaYoung won’t be barred.

Our saviour JoonGoo arrives, looking down and gloomy, wearing the we-must-pay-up-or-else expression.

I pity this guy. He just have so many burdens to carry: the family’s debts, SangHoon’s death. He can’t even look at JungSook without being ashamed of what he did. But then, he doesn’t have the courage to leave. He’s guilty, alright, but he can’t say he regretted doing it coz he loves JungSook so much.

Despite everything, JungSook can’t hate JoonGoo. She knows that in her father’s heart, he already acknowledged him. Besides, he doesn’t need to worry too much coz they can always sell the house and shop to settle the debts.

When NaYoung comes back, JungSook informs her that she’s going back to the province. NaYoung is outraged and urges JungSook to fulfill Dad’s lifelong wish. She even insists on putting JoonGoo behind bars just to get rid of him. But JungSook remains adamant. She can’t live her life deceiving other people.

NaYoung: Unni, in this world everybody has a secret.

When logical reasoning isn’t working, NaYoung resorts to bullying and declares that if JungSook won’t do it, then she would!

That night, JoonGoo didn’t go home. JungSook is getting uneasy and anxious. NaYoung finds her concern overly unnecessary and blames JoonGoo for destroying her sister’s future.

JungSook: I don’t blame anyone. Not you or JoonGoo.
NaYoung: So what? What are you going to with me then? You have no right to have him coz you don’t want him as much as I do. You don’t have any desires and you have no greed. You never wanted something that belong to others. You never even hated someone who are more privileged than you. Is that being kind? Fine. You’re lucky for being so kind. Forgive everyone. Kang JoonGoo and me too. Forgive us all while believing that is your destiny. But that’s not because you’re kind. You’re just too scared to go against your destiny. You’re being a coward! Why are you giving up your life? You need to fight! I’m not scared of destiny. I’m going to fight by any means. And so, I’m going to have everything I want! Mark my words Unni. So don’t even say a word about my past. If you do, then I’ll kill you, like how I killed my baby! Promise me you won’t stand in my way. Promise me!

With that outburst, who wouldn’t be compelled?

Meanwhile, JoonGoo is somewhere doing some vain, shady deals to earn money. But then, the deal isn’t working well. Nice talks doesn’t do him good, so he goes into a frenzy. When his good friend got killed during the brawl, all hell breaks loose and in a flash, he killed 3 thugs.

Meet the faultfinding mother-in-law, GuemHwa and smarty-pants daughter-in-law, Ae-ri (YoungJoon’s wife).

GeumHwa can’t get over the fact that his husband readily agrees to let his son marry a commoner. President Kim just brushes the topic off and advises his wife to treat it as a break from dealing with smart and rich daughter-in-laws.

President Kim officially accepts NaYoung as his daughter-in-law. He retells the story of how SangHoon saved him from being imprisoned. And from then on, how he had always felt indebted to him. He compares SangHoon to a saint in heaven, which made NaYoung laugh. Her suppressed giggles didn’t escape YoungMin’s observant eyes.

The news is out. JungSook was arrested for murder. NaYoung goads, saying that it should have been easier, if they reported him to the police outright. JungSook snaps at her sister’s unforgiving and indifferent nature.

JungSook: If you live like that, you’ll forever be miserable.
NaYoung: I’ll probably be less miserable than you unni.

NaYoung informs JungSook of her upcoming marriage and warns her not to come.

It’s funny that while the wedding’s going on, President Kim just kept on dozing off. Whoever sleeps on their son’s wedding anyway?

NaYoung: Until the day I day, I won’t let go of you YoungMin.

YoungMin actually looks scared. And at the wedding night, he didn’t bother to show up and went to the States. Before leaving Korea, NaYoung had a one last look at the life she’ll leave behind.

NaYoung: When I started to hate the world and myself, I thought of you every time. Then it would comfort me a bit. The world if filled with evil, but knowing that in this world there’s someone as kind as you Unni…

Then she stopped writing. No. She can’t afford to show vulnerability. Not even for her sister.

JungSook visits JoonGoo at the prison, but he drives her away. JoonGoo: “Forget a guy like me and live on”.

Meet the mistress, InSook.

There couldn’t be a blunter insult for a wife to be picked up by the mistress if you’ll ask me. Again, if you’re NaYoung what would you do?

You’ll stay fairly calm and set things straight. You’ll exercise your rights as the legal wife and tells the mistress to back off coz you’ve arrived.

When NaYoung enters their room, undies, shoes, all kinds of mess, scatters around the place. She angrily tidies things up, and this is when YoungMin comes in. Awkward!

NaYoung: You should have told me not to come then I wouldn’t have. Do I not deserve that much?
YoungMin: You’re not the type of person who won’t come just because I told you so.
NaYoung: This is a good sign. At least you knew I was coming, but didn’t run like what you did on our honeymoon.

NaYoung originally thought of just dumping InSook’s belongings in the trash. But after realizing some things, she goes back to the room. Her temper is already under control then and decides to go back to Korea. I don’t know but this seems a reverse psychology to me. Basing upon her personality, she won’t give up that easily!

For the first time, they had a long chitchat. YoungMin relays his sad experiences living alone and then apologizes for not being able to end his affair with InSook. NaYoung consoles that maybe President Kim let him study there so he can learn how to survive and be his successor later on. As for InSook, NaYoung is still determined to be his wife, with or without love.

NaYoung: Loving some one isn’t inflexible. It changes. You don’t fall in love with that specific person as if it’s destiny. Imagine yourself ten years from now. You living with that woman.
YoungMin: Life isn’t controlled by money. There are things more precious than that.
NaYoung: Would you have said that if you weren’t the son of the President of Atlantic Ocean Group.

YoungMin isn’t ignorant of the things NaYoung is capable of. He already notices her frivolous character since they were young and can’t bring himself to trust her.

Later, YoungMin confesses that he can’t just break-up with InSook coz she’s carrying his child. In fact, when she heard of his marriage, she tried to abort the baby. NaYoung gets infuriated and is quite disgusted that InSook even thought of doing such a barbaric act.

NaYoung knows an opportunist when she sees one. She knows that InSook is only after YoungMin’s money. And since they’re just the same, she makes a handsome bargain. She promises to make the child the successor of Atlantic Ocean Group. And when that time comes, InSook will be known as the child’s biological mother (making her filthy rich!). But for the meantime, NaYoung will provide for her.

Episode 4

NaYoung comes back and finds the apartment as messy as ever. Summoning all of her self-control, she manages to look calm and be passive about it. And then YoungMin snaps at her pretenses. He just can’t accept her manipulations or the ridiculous marriage anymore. NaYoung, however, assures that everything will be just fine as long as he follows her lead. She already called President Kim and told him she’s pregnant. She also talked with InSook and the latter agreed to give them the baby. And the problem is solved!

NaYoung: No matter who gives birth, that baby is mine.

YoungMin is enraged that she took the matters on her own hands. He hurriedly goes off to clear things up with InSook, but he was angrily driven away by her “brother”. Poor YoungMin. He’s been literally manhandled by his mistress and wife.

YoungMin is obviously heartbroken and disappointed. And so, NaYoung offers to leave just to end all of these. She says sorry for causing him the troubles. Since her father just died and her sister was raped, she was feeling lost, so she clinged on to him. YoungMin is taken aback and stares at her devoid of expressions. He then hugs her. I don’t know why, but I’m guessing coz it’s the logical thing to do.

Are those genuine tears? Now, I can’t determine the truth from lies. Arg, she’s good!

Later on, NaYoung relays that she won’t, or rather, can’t bear him children or else she might die. We know the real deal, right? She can’t have babies coz of the complications she had during childbirth.

JungSook visits an orphanage. She seems very interested to adopt this particular cute little baby. Hmmm, I have a feeling this is NaYoung’s child. We must still wait for a confirmation though.

This is definitely out of the ordinary! How can the mistress and the wife become the best of friends? Don’t worry. This is just an SOP to ensure that the baby will grow up healthy.

Per President Kim’s instructions, YoungJoon visits YoungMin and NaYoung. Of course, the couple is forced to act their charades. Just as YoungMin is extremely uncomfortable, NaYoung however, is so freakin’ relaxed.

Meet the pretty illegitimate daughter, MinJi.

One day, she was brought by President Kim from nowhere. We don’t even know if she really is his daughter or not. Mystery!

And when InSook was about to give birth, NaYoung comes to her rescue. It’s really funny that while InSook is already suffering from labor pains, NaYoung is still being overly cautious. She makes it clear that InSook knows what to do and lays down the drill. InSook must never forget that at this very moment, her name is Yoon NaYoung!

YoungMin thanks NaYoung for a job well done. And she answers him with indifference. She reminds him not to make a fuss coz in the first place, she also gained something- legal claim of the child.

But then again, NaYoung isn’t as heartless as we thought she is. Remembering her own child, she breaks down.

Meanwhile, JungSook was able to adopt the baby. Her name… HyeJin.

10 years later.

Meet the young MinJae and the young HyeJin.

The difference between their background is as vast as the Pacific Ocean. If HyeJin is living a carefree and uninhibited life, MinJae on the other hand, is bounded and constrained to abide by NaYoung’s rules.

NaYoung informs YoungMin that President Kim wants them to go back to Korea and help out in the family business. But he isn’t at all interested and refuses to return. Clearly, he doesn’t want MinJae to grow up like him too. He orders NaYoung to stop suffocating MinJae. But then, NaYoung remains unyielding.

Living a life full of lies is hard, even for the ultimate schemer, NaYoung. Everyday, she fears that InSook would suddenly betray her and take MinJae away. And behind those supercilious smiles, she reminds InSook not to play tricks on her or she might become nasty. As if she isn’t already!

HyeJin grows up to be a notable bully. And her dream? Become a singer with lots of money! I’ve heard that somewhere before.

JungSook keeps HyeJin’s adoption a secret and further lies that her father died in a car accident. To satisfy HyeJin’s growing curiosity, JungSook is forced to show the child JoonGoo’s picture and claims it’s her dad. Of course, HyeJin is extremely happy and shows off the picture to everyone, not knowing that the person in the picture is actually alive and serving some prison time.

After so many years, JungSook decided to visit JoonGoo. This is actually the saddest scene in this episode. I must admit. JoonGoo really knows how to act.

JoonGoo: Until the day I die, don’t forgive me…
JungSook: I think that was all destiny. If only I have told father that I liked you and got married to you then nothing would have happened to my family. You wouldn’t have forced yourself on me and father wouldn’t have collapsed because of that either. And you wouldn’t have had to kill people for me. Therefore this is all destiny. So don’t be sorry towards me.
JoonGoo: Still… I’m sorry.

Day after day, HyeJin becomes more and more like NaYoung. And for me, that is enough to prove that the child is really NaYoung’s daughter. The mere thought of HyeJin becoming a replica of his real Mom got JungSook so worried. Who wouldn’t be? One NaYoung is already a nightmare.

Episode 5

1997. New Jersey.

Nothing’s going to stop NaYoung now. She just can’t get her hands off that freakin’ chaebol’s money anymore. After tons of pleadings, bargaining and word plays, the couple finally comes to an agreement. YoungMin agreed to return to Seoul, if and only if, he will not be forced to work for dad. And it’s fair enough for NaYoung. After all, with a little scheming here and there, she’ll eventually make things go her way.

What really bothers NaYoung the most is the fact that InSook continues to talk to MinJae behind her back. She’s actually scared. She can’t let InSook take MinJae away. Not now, not when she already loves him as her own, and not to forget, he’s the trump card!

In reality, InSook is just another victim of the dreaded web of deceits and greed. She has been living all her life under the cruelty of her “brother”, who not only sees her as a money bag but a punching bag as well. She only longed for the love of a family (son), but even that, was taken from her.

InSook had enough! And so, when NaYoung threatens to do “something” for not carrying out the terms, she abandons all hope and dares NaYoung to do what she must. And if you think NaYoung will take pity on InSook’s despair, think again! She did just the opposite and basks in other people’s misery.

NaYoung stalks InSook like a predator haunting its prey, patiently waiting for the right time to strike.

Drunk and barely standing straight, InSook staggers down the empty New Jersey street. And this is the perfect opportunity for NaYoung! Conscience set aside and virtues forgotten, she must get rid of InSook no matter what. She hits the gas, and in a flash, the car smashes right to InSook.

The adrenaline rush subsides, and NaYoung feels the gravity of the situation. Alarmed, she flees the scene.

NaYoung goes straight to home. She looks at her sleeping “son”. Tears, mixed with guilt and contentment, roll down her face. In a shaky voice, she reassures herself.

NaYoung: No one can take you away forever. MinJae you’re my son.

As they say, karma’s a bitch. Every passing day, NaYoung is unnerved by InSook’s “death”. She imagines things. She even mistook a random girl as InSook who sweetly smiles at her.

And for the record, it has not been proven that InSook really died that night. Yah! So I guess, even evil women get scared.

JoonGoo was given the death penalty. Too bad. I really liked him.

I truly pity JungSook. Since episode 1, nothing good ever happened to her. And now this?! C’mon give the lady a break!

The grandparents and aunts. (From left to right)We already know NaYoung. Then grandma GeunHwa, grandpa TaeJin, MinJae, SoonJa (YoungDae’s wife) and lastly, Ae-ri (YoungJun’s wife).

Well, it was a happy reunion, and at least, everybody was discreet. Even Ae-ri is relieved. With NaYoung there, she can finally pass on the baton of responsibility in taking care of the in-laws. Of course, that’s a mistake on her part. Never misjudge a sly fox!

SoonJa, however, knows better. She can see behind NaYoung’s meek smile. Instinct tells her that NaYoung is someone who can stab you behind your back.

The band of brothers. From left to right (Eldest to youngest) YoungDae, YoungJun, YoungMin and YoungShik. Not to forget, they have a sister, MiJin.

For the first time in ten years, the couple finally sleeps in one bed!

YoungMin is still not convinced to let MinJae study abroad. Having experienced the loneliness himself at a young age, he just wants MinJae to stay with them. But NaYoung is adamant.

NaYoung: MinJae is my son. I traded my life for him.
YoungMin: What does it mean?
NaYoung:You don’t need to know what it means. It felt being abandoned when you were attending school by yourself in America? That’s not being abandoned. For 10 years, we’ve used separate rooms…I was the one being abandoned. I’m taking MinJae tomorrow. I need to go see Unni. Because Unni is really the woman who was abandoned.

Everybody assumed that the adoption was just a cover-up and HyeJin is actually JoonGoo’s daughter. Eventually, HyeJin hears about the rumors. Just imagine the kid’s disappointment. But then, JungSook would prefer HyeJin to believe that she’s a murder’s daughter than the illegitimate child of NaYoung.

With the past shoved behind her back, JungSook welcomes her sister with open arms. But first thing’s first, NaYoung sincerely apologizes for everything- for leaving her and for causing her a miserable life.

NaYoung: Because of my greed, you’re like this.

JungSook assures the it wasn’t her fault at all. There’s no point in living in the past and the most important thing is she’s living well. She even envies NaYoung for using all her strength to achieve her dreams. Besides, they can’t do anything if NaYoung oozes with so much ambition.

MinJae is spending his quality time alone when suddenly he sees a little girl (HyeJin) walking towards the sea. He wasn’t minding her at first, but when she didn’t stop walking forward, he runs and catches up to her. The only problem is, he didn’t know how to swim. Haha! Good thing, HyeJin is an expert swimmer. And ironically, the rescuer got rescued instead.

To show her gratitude, HyeJin gives MinJae some shells. Even though she actually saved him, and not the other way around, she still thank him for providing a diversion. If not for him, she might continued swimming until she looses strength and drowns.

Just like that, HyeJin and MinJae forms a bond. In her heart, she knows she’ll be seeing him again!

Episode 6 - 7

MinJae had this craziest idea of travelling on the countryside by bike… alone! Of course, NaYoung dismisses the silly thought ASAP. But MinJae sure knows how to reason out and negotiate.

Brothers YoungMin, YoungDae, and gang leader YoungJun converge and meet with President Kim for the proposed shipyard construction project. But then, President is clearly unhappy with the proposal and angrily orders them to buy out a decent shipyard instead. YoungJun speaks out and insists on proceeding with the construction. President gets so riled up that he throws the documents right at YoungJun’s face. YoungMin comes to YoungJun’s defense but then immediately receives major tick off himself.

NaYoung overhears YoungMin’s futile attempt to go against the President and comes in before the scene gets worse. Meeting adjourns and NaYoung sees to it that YoungMin behaves accordingly in front of President. She informs him of MinJae’s little escapade, hinting that he should talk MinJae out of it. But YoungMin thinks otherwise. In fact, he wants MinJae to experience freedom and a little hardship in life.

NaYoung: When you live in a world of hardships you’re the first to breakdown. I’m going to spoil MinJae.

Young Min: If you’re going to spoil MinJae, he’s going to end up like me!

NaYoung: Only people who have eaten bread with tears know the world? That’s a lie. How can starving people know the world? You didn’t grow up knowing how miserable starving is. You said that I’m a shallow woman right? Whenever you don’t know what to say, you always say that to stop me from doing anything. Fine, I’m shallow. I’m a terrible woman. You know why? It’s because I’ve been in all terrible things while growing up. I’m going to raise MinJae as the happiest person here on earth. I’m not going to let him shed tears until he dies. That’s why you need to win. You must defeat your hyungs and become the owner of Atlantic Ocean.

MinJae talks with President and bids his farewell. President then asks about his future plans. And MinJae honestly answers “nothing”. President laughs and says it’s pretty normal for a young man like him to get a little confused. Ever the eavesdropper, NaYoung overhears and is clearly appalled at his son’s reply.

And since, nothing no one could stop MinJae from going, NaYoung reluctantly agrees. And just to ease her worries, he promises to talk with her via video phone.

Mother-in-law, GeunHwa, comes home and NaYoung excitedly asks about the “meeting”. It seems these two are planning an arranged marriage for MinJae. Heh?!

In preparation to his adventure in the wild, MinJae buys coffee from the nearby shop. And guess who the owner is? InSook! She’s ALIVE! I just knew it! She’s been hiding in the shadows all these time. She offers free coffee and gives him modest gifts. A mother is a mother after all.

InKi’s assistant (don’t know her name so I’ll call her Assistant Unni) complains that HyeJin slaps her too hard that she might even get sick. InKi says sorry and reasons it had to be realistic so they’ll hate her and curse her even more. Assistant Unni asks if that’s what she really wanted. To be hated by everyone? InKi smiles and says no. But then, even if she acts nice, still, people won’t believe her.

InKi: I always wonder. People are like dirty clothes that need washing and cleaning. When I was young, whenever I saw the clothes my mom washed in the front yard, I become happy. Every time the wind blows, I can smell the sweet scent.

She closes her eyes far too long and Assistant Unni starts to worry. InKi playfully smiles and asks if she delivered the lines well. The brat is just rehearsing drama lines?!

InKi asks about the rumour she herself spreads online (about her and MinJae). And like she predicted, the scandal blows out of proportion. She then wickedly asks if she should just date MinJae. Maybe that way, the family will be so annoyed that they may even try to kill her.

A glimpse of JungSook’s whereabouts: She’s still being the angel we knew ten years ago. She helps old people now and let them stay at her home. She’s still living quietly with the 2 ahjummas and ahjusshi. And by the looks of it, she can’t still get over HyeJin’s death.

Wearing a disguise, InKi goes to “who knows where” and meets with “who knows who”. She gets all hyped up when she sees nobody home. She hurriedly looks for something, a CD. But then it’s like searching a needle in a haystack. She tries to watch one though, but suddenly, a man appears behind her back.

The man (I’ll call her Blackmailing Guy) stays calm and insultingly asks if she think he’s too stupid to hide “it” in plain sight. InKi throws a bundle of money at his face. Blackmailing Guy threatens to expose her dirty secrets if ever she tries to outsmart him again, reminding her that he’s got the upper hand . Blackmailing Guy: “Do you think it’s easy for you to live at the bottommost pit after living so comfortably?”

InKi: I know. That’s why when I go down, I won’t go down alone. (Something like that)

He gives InKi a CD, “a partial installment” he says. Outside, InKi breaksdown. The poor girl always acts tough but inside, she’s so freakin’terrified!

Meanwhile, MinJae is having the time of his life.

Ae-ri meets with NaYoung. These greedy women definitely know how to play the game. At first they were civil. But Ae-ri can’t just act nonchalance anymore. She knows NaYoung is up to something. NaYoung laughs it off and jokingly retorts that she has nothing to hide. Besides, what could she do? It’s not as if she had the education and skills like Ae-ri.

But, Ae-ri doesn’t believe her at all. It’s quite obvious. She never let other people (especially her) get near President Kim. NaYoung defends that it’s just pure coincidence. Ae-ri just happens to visit President at the most inconvenient times.

Ae-ri: Do you think just bcoz you came from a poor family and without proper education , I’ll let my guard down?

Ae-ri further warns that if NaYoung will get on her way again, she must prepare for the worst. NaYoung acts all humble and innocent but then… scary!

Ae-ri is quite busy. She talks with YoungJun and demands that he follows President Kim’s orders. YoungJun, however, stood his ground and warns his wife not to interrupt. Ae-ri couldn’t care less. She isn’t even a bit threatened.

YoungDae and his wife talks about Ae-ri and her devious plans of overtaking the company. But SoonJa is much more interested with NaYoung. She seems nice and all but something’s different. YoungDae laughs at her wife’s intuitions. It’s impossible. NaYoung doesn’t even have the prominent family background like Ae-ri. SoonJa insists. That’s exactly the point! Even without a family backing her up, NaYoung still had her ways and was able to marry YoungMin. And with the wives continuously glaring at each other, she wouldn’t be too surprised if troubles arise between YoungMin and YoungJun.

MiJin visits the President and Mother-in-law is utterly pissed. She then warns NaYoung to keep an eye on YoungMin or he might end up like President Kim (with lots of extramarital affairs and dozens of illegitimate children). After all, the Kim’s blood takes after the President. NaYoung laughs and says that YoungMin is different bcoz he just knows how to study. Mother-in-law concludes that it’s the reason why they only have MinJae and advises NaYoung to bear another child or it might be too late. NaYoung is uncomfortable with the issue and excuses herself.

As it turn out, MiJin is acting all sweet and bratty bcoz she wants the department store. And so, President promises to comply with her demands and assures she won’t be left out since she’ll have the store and distribution channel plus company stocks. MiJin is overly happy while NaYoung looks irritated on the side. Ah, another competition!

MiJin bumps into YoungShik and tells him to make his move now or he won’t get even a dime when President dies. YounShik, however, assures that he’ll live well using his own strength.

With Mother-in-law’s words still in her mind, NaYoung opens up, suggesting that they try mending their relationship and act like what normal married couples do. But YoungMin rejects the absurdity. What more could she asks from him? They were fine living like this for more than 20 years and he doesn’t find the reason to be “intimate”. Man, that’s cold. NaYoung angrily walks off.

She finds comfort in talking with MinJae. But then, since MinJae has been waiting for her for more than an hour, his battery nearly runs out and thus must log-out. Accidentally, NaYoung reads about the online rumours between MinJae and InKi courtesy of SungJae. She sees the tie (the one with InKi’s name and kiss mark) and gets super furious .

The rumours seem to be all over the news too. One of the Ahjummas living with JungSook notices InKi and remarks that the actress looks exactly like HyeJin. Just when JungSook bothers to look at the TV, the news changed, missing the chance to see InKi.

InKi watches the CD. And this reveals her infamous past, drinking, drugs, stealing, lots of horrible stuffs. Assistant Unni comes in and offers help if that man bothers her again. InKi looks at her intently and asks if she really means what she said. Could she really kill the man for her? Assistant Unni fell silent. And InKi, using her own manipulative techniques, remarks that surely Assistant Unni could do even more severe things than that just for her.

Alone, InKi reminisce the good old-time. The time when she was still a homeless street rat.

Still bothered with the discovery, NaYoung talks with SungJae. And SungJae assures the rumours are groundless. Despite that, she still hires a lawyer to talk with InKi’s manager and confirm the issue. The Manager refuses to comment though and says he has no idea with his talent’s personal lives. And hence, the lawyer advises NaYoung to stop bothering about it bcoz it’s a pointless fight anyways. No one ever wins over the internet. But since NaYoung is NaYoung, she won’t let go of this “petty” mess and is very much determined to talk with Baek InKi in person.

Episode 8

InKi curtly denies the rumors. Besides, she knows too well that there’s nothing they could do about it. The more they explain, the worse it gets. She halfheartedly says sorry for dragging his son’s name in this mess and lazily walks off. But NaYoung ain’t done with her yet and comments that she’s “low”. This grabs InKi’s attention and tempers fly into rage.

This Ajhumma hired a lawyer, intimidated her manager and made a background check on her and still demands respect?! She swears on not knowing MinJae. They are just strangers who got photographed at the same place and time. And if Ahjumma really wants to live peaceably, she better stop bothering her already!

NaYoung mockingly smiles and calmly says that there’s no need to get so worked up. She has no intentions of threatening her, just asking a “favor”. MinJae is an innocent child and she wants to protect him as much as possible. If InKi says there’s nothing going on, then she believes her and further hopes there won’t be any rumors in the future.

InKi: Kim MinJae? He’s such a pitiful child…at the age.

Haha! I just love InKi’s parting line. And by now, NaYoung knows InKi’s not an easy prey.

It’s a fact that chaebols are really scary people when they get angry, and so Manager warns InKi not to stir pointless trouble with them. But bcoz InKi’s been stepped on, she just can’t let it go.

InKi: Let’s see who has the worst temper.

With the rumor popping from everywhere, Mother-in-law gets worried and reminds NaYoung to watch over MinJae properly or else… they could kiss the arranged marriage with the Shim’s goodbye.

Ae-ri’s dad, the Senator, visits his old pal and long-time in-law to make sure that the latter will hand-over Atlantic Ocean to YoungJun. Of course, President assures he would… as long as the Senator helps him with shipyard thingy. Tssk… this old man is still tricky!

Did I say NaYoung is such an expert eavesdropper? She overheard this conversation again!

Our naive little MinJae is still up on the mountains. Oblivious to the rumors and all.

Ae-ri calls his dad and asks about the outcome of his visit. Dad is super happy to inform that President confirms he’ll give the company to YoungJun. Ae-ri is clearly unsatisfied and demands a signed document as proof. President is slowly going senile and it’ll be Dad’s fault if President backs on his words. But Dad is confident. Everything will go as planned.

Something tells me Ae-ri and DukSong aren’t just friends.

The money she was asking will be used to buy stocks from Central Ship Building (a shipyard company). Although DukSong likes Ae-ri since college days, he isn’t that dumb to just blindly agree. Ae-ri, however, guarantees to re-buy the stocks from him and offers collateral (Atlantic Ocean shares). DukSong can’t directly says yes, but he’s still willing to take the risks. He invites her for dinner but she “graciously” declines.

NaYoung is surprised to know that Mother-in-law gave her shares to Ae-ri. At once, NaYoung detects a problem… for her. GeunHwa is apparently ignorant of its value and even if she does, she’d rather let her sons take care of it.

NaYoung tells GeunHwa not to trust anyone, not even her sons. To justify her concerns, she cites another conglomerate that went bankrupt bcoz of greed. Mother-in-law chews on the thought and agrees she needs a strong hold for her future. But then, she can’t help but notice NaYoung’s intelligent words. Snap! NaYoung smiles and says she just learned from others. When alone, GeunHwa: “It’s true that you can’t trust anyone”.

YoungMin warns NaYoung not to cause a fight among the brothers. Though he doesn’t really likes Ae-ri, he can’t still turn his back on YoungJun. His hyung must definitely inherit the company. And that’s the last draw for NaYoung. This husband of hers can’t possibly give up everything for YoungJun, his half-brother! YoungMin is shocked to know that she knows.

Yes. She knows! She wasn’t lazing around in the past ten years. In fact, she’s the busiest bee. She sees to Atlantic Ocean’s entire operation: the interconnected networks, sub-financial positions, politicians on the backseat, even the transactions and deposits. It’s all inside her head bcoz she can’t depend on YoungMin. Either ways, everything will be for MinJae.

NaYoung: You never really wanted something. You never experienced the hopelessness of not getting the things you want. Not once have I gotten what I’ve desired. Not even a piece of your hair is mine. MinJae is the only one I have.

Genetically speaking, MinJae could not also be considered hers and in due time, she must accept it and tell the truth. NaYoung is enraged and firmly resolves she’ll take this secret to her grave. So he better shut up and don’t tell anyone!

This is cute!

For the first time, MinJae gets to taste a Naejangtang, a Korean spicy soup made from beef entrails. And he nearly vomits when the Ahjumma tells him the soup got the tastiest organs: heart, livers, even ears! Haha!

NaYoung is still considering having a more couple-like relationship with YoungMin. She even tries to doll up a little bit, putting a lipstick on. But she feels awkward and wipes it off right when YoungMin walks in the room. Suddenly, he roughly drags her close.

YoungMin: You said I never wanted anything? Have you ever thought about how much I wanted you? You need to make me believe that you really do love me.

Eee! The manly bravado sure renders NaYoung speechless. Ha! That’s a change. And then, he hugs her. Double Eee! Camera zooms out… Triple Eee!

This is a fun way to use our imagination. YoungMin overslept! And that never happened before. Hmmm… I wonder why?

President asks if the couple fought as they were so noisy last night. YoungMin could hardly mutter an excuse. And just then, President comments that they should have another child. Of course, the couple prefers to be silent.

Before YoungMin left for work, he gathers all the courage and asks NaYoung to transfer his blankets from the study to her room. NaYoung: “Just sleep in YOUR study room!” Haha! Acting hard to get?! YoungMin is dumbfounded. Inside the house, NaYoung sweetly smiles.

YoungMin is confused to see only Ae-ri, YoungJun and YoungDae when he thought it’ll supposed to be an executive meeting with all the shareholders and BODs. But Ae-ri reasons that the issue can only be settled by the family members. Since President wants to venture in the shipping industry, it’s time to elect a new management. YoungMin begs to disagree. That kind of concern still needs President’s consent and approval. Ae-ri then informs them that bcoz she has the largest share, she practically has a say in company policies and affairs. YoungDae insultingly suggests that she take over the ownership then if she’s so desperate. Ae-ri replies that if he’ll step out of the position, then she’ll gladly take the offer. Really hate this girl!

All the while, YoungJun is pretty pissed off with his wife’s insolence. Ae-ri: “Younger and Elder brother-in-laws need to be pushed aside when we have the chance. If you’ll give them time to even breath, they’ll think of something else”.

SoonJa makes her move too. She requested Mother-in-law to play cupid and introduce YoungJae (her son) to the Shim’s. Mother-in-law automatically declines. And SoonJa finds Mother-in-law’s obvious negativity unfair. How come the latter willingly introduced MinJae but not YoungJae? If it wasn’t for her mom, “Unni”(GeunHwa) wouldn’t have married President Kim. GeunHwa remains unyielding. President was still a nobody when she married him. And who would want to marry a poor widowed businessman with a son? She further reprimands SoonJa for calling her “Unni” when they are just distant relatives. Besides, why does SoonJa worry too much. President already promised he’ll give YoungDae half of the company.

SoonJa is still doubtful. Like her evil sister-in-law, Ae-ri, would let that happen? GeunHwa agrees and says it’s YoungJun’s fault to have such an unruly wife. He must have chosen someone like NaYoung. SoonJa: ” If Ae-ri is a sly fox, then NaYoung is a 100-year-old fox with tails”.

And since Ae-ri is a one tough wall, SoonJa and NaYoung form alliances. NaYoung, being the smarter one, cunningly gains SoonJa’s trust, insinuating that YoungDae should inherit a much bigger portion of the wealth. SoonJa reminds NaYoung not to let Mother-in-law know about the plan or they’ll be screwed.

When SoonJa left, NaYoung recalls last night’s incident.

YoungMin: You just need to say one thing. Ask me to love you and I would have gladly yield. Ever time I come close to you, you always had this expression on. It’s not you, but me who doesn’t even own a strand of your hair! What in the world is Yoon NaYoung?!

Our lover boy grew manly by the minute! Haha! Ae-ri brightly smiles at the thought.

JungSook comes to Seoul to visit NaYoung. On the way, she sees InKi being interviewed by a flock of reporters. JungSook must have felt some special filial connection bcoz she looks at InKi with apparent interest.

During the interview, InKi reveals she’s an orphan. She never knew how it happened and that’s all she could remember. Manager gets mad that InKi willingly exposes her life’s deepest secrets to the media. But InKi uncaringly assures she revealed only a part of her past.

NaYoung meets JungSook in this shabby restaurant. It’s their first ever reunion after 10 years and NaYoung comes up with tons of excuses for not visiting her sister. JungSook kindly smiles and guarantees it’s fine. She lived well and there’s no need for unnecessary guilt or pity. NaYoung says sorry for being such a terrible sister and mindlessly asks about JoonGoo. Heh? She forgot he got executed? And this ruins the mood. And to make amends, NaYoung promises to call JungSook often.

Time files and NaYoung must go home for supper. She hopes that JungSook stay longer but JungSook refuses, saying that old people are waiting for her at home. She has to take care of them… for free, NaYoung is horrified. Surely her sister isn’t crazy?! Why is she giving away money when she has an adoptive daughter to support. JungSook, however, can’t tell NaYoung that her precious daughter committed suicide.

With a heavy heart, JungSook said her goodbyes, turns around and walks off at a snail’s pace, still hesitant to leave. NaYoung can’t contain the emotions anymore and runs after JungSook, embracing her in a tight hug and cries like a child.

NaYoung: Unni, I lived my life thinking of you. Whenever I want to die, I think of you and got right back on track.

YoungMin advises YoungJun to concede with President’s decision. But YoungJun continues to resent the idea. Financial traps and economic sabotage (President Kim’s favorite tactics) are not really his thing. He wants to change Atlantic Ocean’s corrupt ways and he’s starting with getting rid of his Father-in-law’s hold of the company. YoungMin reasonably rejoins that one can’t always do business under morals and ethics and YoungJun must bear with the current situation for the mean time.

YoungJun can’t believe that YoungMin said such words. He is even hopeful that YoungMin will help him “rebuild” Atlantic Ocean. YoungMin is indeed prepared to help. But it’s still not the right time to take action. President’s era will soon come to its end. And when it does, YoungJun can do whatever he wants then.

It’s settled. YoungJun will have to conform. YoungMin reminds YoungJun that after the company’s issues are resolved, he’ll be going back to teaching as he has no plans of working with Atlantic Ocean for long.

MinJae is back! President is so happy that he literally spoon feeds MinJae with his specialty. I think it was Maeuntang, not sure. Anyways, it’s made up of fish internal organs. Good thing, MinJae already had Naejangtang during his trip. Eating this kind of stuffs will already be as easy as pie! President is so proud that MinJae is like a real Korean now!

After supper, MinJae immediately went off to somewhere. His odd behavior makes NaYoung rather uneasy, especially when President reminds her to raise MinJae well, unlike his other cousins who had been in the headlines from time to time.

MinJae returns the thermos and coffee beans to InSook. Our little boy scout wasn’t able to make brewed coffee using make shift materials. Haha! And next, they had mother-son bonding time. Though the son didn’t know it yet.

NaYoung waits anxiously at home. She probes if MinJae has any secrets or whatsoever he wants to tell her. The innocent child shakes his head. NaYoung then straightforwardly asks about Baek InKi. MinJae is perplexed, reacting like he never heard that name before.

NaYoung provides the basics: she’s an actress, they had pictures together and she freakin’ wrote her name on his necktie using a lipstick. MinJae laughs. He remembers. She was the girl who begged him to pretend to be her boyfriend. She wanted to give him an autograph as token of gratitude, but he had no pen so she used her lipstick. But this isn’t laughing matter for NaYoung, who is clearly very upset.

MinJae: I won’t date a person unless she’s the one I want to marry. Mom, I’m only going to love one person in my lifetime.

Somehow, NaYoung is quite happy with the reassurance and contentedly settles on burning the tie. MinJae instantly disagrees, almost too fast that its suspicious. SungJae happens to offer a handsome price for the tie. NaYoung smiles and says she should just buy it then.

Meanwhile, InKi thinks of the occurrences the past few days. And a mischievous plan comes into mind.

MinJae is so curious to find out what’s going on. He goes online and sees for himself. And it is indeed severe. MinJae: “Oh my god!” Haha… he really had an American accent!

NaYoung visits Ae-ri at work. Guess who’s there?

Episode 9

Ae-ri’s game plan: Gather as many shares as possible, acquire the bigger fraction of ownership, and accumulate the majority of voting rights.

In the simplest sense, the number of shares vary proportionately with the extent of influence one has in corporate decisions. And when Ae-ri succeeds in controlling the majority, she’ll have indisputable authority to manipulate Atlantic Ocean’s entire administrative set-up. She may even oust President Kim is she wants! Ya, that’s definitely it!

Of course, she’ll start getting robbing off shares from the weakest of links. Or that’s what she thinks. She’s done with mother-in-law, and now, it’s NaYoung’s turn. NaYoung goes with the flow, pretending ignorant and uninterested. These women acting nice and friendly makes me sick!

Ae-ri continues to nag convince DukSong in buying out Central Shipbuilding’s shares. And like any other businessmen, he consents but not after she signs an Agreement. By the way his eyes are popping out from its sockets, I can thereby say, he’s up to something. The Agreement may be a trap.

NaYoung waits for DukSong outside the art gallery. And the guy is actually scrambling to have a private talk with her. Heh! So they were just acting?

DukSong flirts with NaYoung, saying she’d gotten prettier and more sophisticated than before. NaYoung quits beating around the bush and asks about his relationship with Ae-ri. And his mood turns sour and he answers warily. He likes Ae-ri back in college, and now, they’re just business partners. NaYoung knows better. She’s aware of Ae-ri’s plans and persuades him to take her side instead. She’ll take this favor a payback of what he did to her in the past.

DukSong isn’t a bit guilty. The truth is he doesn’t owe her anything. She didn’t really loved him. It was all about his money. NaYoung didn’t bother to disagree. He’s right. Other than money, he has no redeeming qualities anyway. Just to nurse the hurting pride, DukSong threatens to expose her secrets. As always, NaYoung is ready to backfire and coldly tells him that he’ll be on the worst when it happens. DukSong laughs, incredulous that she hasn’t changed. He then asks about the baby. And she casually answers it died, using the ill-fortune to force him in joining her team.

NaYoung recalls the dreadful past… DukSong’s evil deeds… and the death of her child.

NaYoung (talking to the baby): Let’s meet in the next life… in more favorable circumstances.

Ae-ri meets with MiJin and YoungShik. And it’s really disturbing to see her pretenses. She just wants their shares that’s why she pretends to care! She assures that as long as they’ll agree, the future will be brighter. But then, MiJin won’t be swayed. She’ll never give her shares. Never!

President’s health is failing. Mother-in-law fears that even with proper medication, President won’t last long. NaYoung acts all worried, even shedding some tears. President smiles and tells her not to fret. He informs NaYoung about his planned vacation at Ulsan. He’ll be staying there with Mother-in-law for a while. Along their conversation, President shows early signs of Alzheimer’s; like he forgot when her father died and where he was buried. NaYoung appears to be skeptical though.

Something’s definitely not right! If President is so freakin’ sick, then how on earth could he move so fast and then busily reads some documents the moment NaYoung went out of the room?!

Assistant Unni (JinSook) rummage around Blackmailing Guy’s place in search of “the” CD. Blackmailing Guy (ChulMin) finds her then. JinSook is desperate. She demands that ChulMin stop sucking InKi’s money. But the guy is callously greedy. Why would he give up such an effective and most of all, effortless means to earn money? JinSook: “Be careful at night”. Chulmin: “I’m already being cautious”.

SungJae is kind enough to help MinJae solve the rumour problems. He asks YoungJae to arrange a meeting between MinJae and the legendary Baek InKi.

Imagine MinJae’s surprise! Haha! Someone’s severely star-struck.

The other cousins leave MinJae and InKi alone. And MinJae is starting to get panicky, nervous and overly conscious. Haha!

InKi says sorry for what happened and further informs that his mom already came to talk with her. MinJae is obviously embarrassed. InKi confides it’s alright. She explains how things went about that day. Reporters were bugging her about rumors that she’s selling her body. And MinJae voices out his disbelief. Surely, the accusations are groundless!

InKi laughs and admits it’s true! Haven’t he heard of her scandals? MinJae bashfully answers that he had, he just chooses not to believe any of it. And InKi laughs even more. Then why can’t he even look at her eyes? Maybe he finds her too disgusting to look at. MinJae stammers and says it’s not like that. Unexpectedly, InKi asks for his necktie. And MinJae guiltily fell silent.

A bit disappointed, InKi instructs MinJae to tell his mother she doesn’t like being in a scandal with him either. She has a long list of negative publicities already, and rumours of corrupting minors wouldn’t do her any good. And then she leaves.

MinJae is clearly dismayed. SungJae comes back and reminds him to be careful. InKi’s a veteran and an innocent guy like him is not a match for her. MinJae isn’t even listening. He runs after InKi and says that the necktie was burned. InKi didn’t let him finish. She gets inside the car and takes off. But MinJae is determined to explain and chases the car.

Moved by MinJae’s efforts, InKi decided to give him a chance.

He deliberately let his mom burn the tie bcoz he knows she won’t stop. She’ll become very obsessed and won’t let go of the issue. Suddenly, she invites him to watch her film a movie on Sunday. And he eagerly answers yes. He asks where. But she just smiles and taunts him of the fact that his mom will never allow him to go.

MinJae is rendered speechless. InKi smiles triumphantly. Huh! But nothing’s going to bring MinJae down. If InKi won’t tell him where, then it’s time to search the internet! Haha!

YoungJun asks Ae-ri about her plans. She answers him vaguely, saying that whatever it is, it’s all for him. There are gossips that she’s forcing the President to retire. And Ae-ri reasons that it’s inevitable. There’s nothing a senile man could do anymore. The President knew it too. That’s why he went to Ulsan.

YoungDae is fuming mad that YoungMin let Dad flee to Ulsan, intentionally letting YoungJun and his wife win. He’s insulted that YoungMin chooses YoungJun over him. And that just proves, YoungMin’s not considering him as part of the family. Even SoonJa accuses NaYoung for betraying her.

Ae-ri meets with Lawyer Hong. And she’s not contented with the number of promissory notes he secretly bought from Central Shipbuilding. It’s not even enough for the shipping company to surrender its shares. She directed the lawyer to buy every promissory note on the market. Time is of the essence as she’ll be meeting with the shareholders within 4 months. As for the funds, he doesn’t need to worry bcoz she already finalized it with the banks.

Basically, a promissory note is a binding legal contract made by one party to make a stated payment in full by a certain date. More promissory notes means greater demanding power for the holder. As I’ve understood, Ae-ri will be using the notes to force Central Shipbuilding in selling its shares (capital stocks).

NaYoung followed President to Ulsan, and MinJae is utterly relieved. YoungMin notices his son’s ecstatic mood and asks if MinJae had to go somewhere he can’t tell Mom. MinJae confesses and says that sometimes people wants to keep secrets. Dad is cool with it and asks if he likes someone. MinJae hurriedly says no. But Dad is rather doubtful. MinJae clears the air and says that he just likes the idea of hiding something from Mom. Whenever he looks at her eyes, he always end up telling her everything. There are even times when he is forced to tell lies Mom wants to hear.

MinJae: I’m sorry dad I’m a professional liar. Lying is more comfortable.

YoungMin understands his son’s dilemma and reminds MinJae that Mom loves him very much. MinJae is feeling good, knowing that this is the first time they had a serious Dad-Son conversation.

President mulls over the idea of retiring. It seems all he just did is build castles in the sand. He apologizes for not doing something for NaYoung. She then kindly refutes. Allowing her to be his daughter-in-law is already a chance of a lifetime. President insists that she has every right to be one though. Bcoz of her, YoungMin gave up on the girl (InSook) and became a man. NaYoung is surprised that President knows about InSook. Duh! Of course, he does. He planned it all!

Look who’s back! It’s him! InSook’s despicable brother, Song JinHo. He is recently released from prison. And the first thing he did is call YoungMin and arrange a meeting.

JinHo tells YoungMin that he had been imprisoned for 20 years at the States. InSook, not even once, visited him. He originally thought that she hated him so much. But later, he found out that she was in a car accident. And the very person who run into her was none other than YoungMin’s wife herself, NaYoung. YoungMin refuses to believe him. He then throws a bundle of money at JinHo. Throwing money?! Why do they always do that! It doesn’t mean that he believes him though, he’s just being sympathetic toward InSook.

MinJae went to InKi’s movie set. But then no one’s there, he starts to feel gloomy. Until…

And so they went on a date. I think.

The rides get bumpy, giving them opportunity to “accidentally” hug each other. Haha! This is why I love Kdramas. They always have accidental hugs.

MinJae smiles. And from what I want to believe, InKi feels a bit confused. They stayed hugging there for a minute or two. That’s way too long for an “accidental” hug if you’ll ask me.

InKi flashes him a teasing smile. And he actually looked embarrassed! You sneaky little MinJae you.

Actually, the date is just a set-up to take more pictures of them together.

JinSook asks if InKi wants her to post some of the photos online. But InKi somehow gets a sudden change of heart and tells her to wait for a while. JinSook convinces InKi to marry MinJae. InKi just smiles. Of course, MinJae’s family won’t let that happen without a fuss. They might even make a background check on her and expose her secrets. JinSook guarantees to help her out then. But InKi is resolved. She wants JinSook to delete the photos. JinSook can hardly belive that InKi will give up just like that. There are many chaebol’s son out there! And she has so many to choose from.

Inside her room, InKi thinks of her past… the time JinSook left her at the orphanage.

NaYoung went to visit JungSook. She sees the old people and the scene disgruntled her. She asks why JungSook didn’t show up in the villa. JungSook’s answer is quite funny. She did come. But no one’s there and she doesn’t know how to open the gate. Heh!

They went inside JungSook’s room and NaYoung sees JoonGoo’s picture. JungSook tries to hide HyeJin’s picture too, but NaYoung gets a clear look at it. Darn! NaYoung notices her resemblance with the kid. Of course, she would! And JungSook lies it’s basically the reason why she decided to adopt HyeJin. She looks exactly like NaYoung. Thankfully, NaYoung drops the topic and asks about the old people and volunteers to help JungSook with the finances. JungSook refuses to accept the offer simply bcoz helping seniors give her satisfaction.

NaYoung finds JungSook’s idea of satisfaction absurd. JungSook laughs and says that NaYoung is still the same after all.

NaYoung is still troubled. HyeJin undeniably looks like her in every possible way. The growing suspicion is hard to contain. She asks JungSook if the baby really died during birth. She knows deep inside that the child is alive. The girl JungSook adopted is her daughter!

Episode 10

It’s an understatement to even say that NaYoung is ragingly furious or frenziedly enraged or radically apoplectic. Her anger is beyond words. Her emotion unfathomable. All bcoz JungSook lied that the baby died.

JungSook: Then what else could I do? She’s a child you can’t raise.

NaYoung: Do you have an idea how guilty I am? Whenever I think of the child I can’t breath properly. I am a mother who killed her own child just to survive!

Had JungSook told her the truth, she wouldn’t have married YoungMin. She would have raised the child with her bare hands. She wouldn’t have done things she even resented. How can she even face her daughter now?

JungSook cries in shame. That time, she really thought it was the right thing to do. NaYoung hated the child and HyeJin would have been a burden to her. NaYoung: “What do you think I am Unni, an animal? I couldn’t possibly want my own child dead!”

But then, NaYoung doesn’t need to worry anymore. HyeJin’s dead. She committed suicide. And if it would ease NaYoung’s pain, JungSook assures she didn’t tell HyeJin anything. The child grew up knowing she was her mother. NaYoung calmed down a bit. There’s no point in dealing with the past now. HyeJin would have been tormented if she knew she was abandoned by her own mother anyway. The funny thing is NaYoung always thought JungSook hides something from her. She just chose to keep silent and suffer the guilt… alone.

With one last look, NaYoung tells JungSook not to see her again.

YoungMin reproves NaYoung in fighting Ae-ri. The brothers are already doing something about the problem and there’s no need for her to interfere. NaYoung laughs. They don’t even know Ae-ri’s real scheme. She isn’t targeting YoungDae but President Kim. YoungMin finds that impossible to believe. And even if that’s the case, YoungJun will stop her. NaYoung: “Of course, for you, he’s always the hero”.

But business matters aren’t YoungMin’s main concern right now. He tells her that InSook’s brother, who was imprisoned for 20 years, came to talk to him. NaYoung acts surprised. Then that brother didn’t even know InSook died in an accident? This somehow confirms JinHo’s accusations. Why does she know that InSook died? NaYoung abruptly rejoins that she already told him about it. If she hadn’t, then she’s telling him right now! Just to satisfy his suspicions, InSook died after they returned to Seoul.

YoungMin knows that NaYoung was paying InSook behind his back. NaYoung pretends to be offended. If he knew all along, why is he talking about it now? YoungMin honestly answers it’s bcoz he’s afraid she’ll do something to InSook.

YoungMin: Because you’re a woman who’ll do anything for MinJae.

NaYoung: Go ahead. Believe it. Yang InSook didn’t die from accident but was killed by Yoon NaYoung.

The day proves to be the most nerve-racking day ever! NaYoung learned that her daughter was alive… but was dead. Huh?! And worse, YoungMin is slowly discovering her secret.Darn! Her happy place is little by little breaking into bits.

MinJae can’t still get his mind off InKi. InSook isn’t blind not to notice that infatuated look. MinJae explains he’s just interested with InKi as an actress. InSook smiles. There’s no need to be too defensive, she already know about his rumors.

Imagine InSook’s dread when her degraded, detestable, good-for-nothing brother visits her. I really hate this guy! I even hate him more than Ae-ri.

Well, the lazybones is undeniably happy to report that he already found a new milking cow. (YoungMin). And while he’s feeling so darn lucky, InSook fears the world came crumbling down upon her. Didn’t JinHo promised to disappear when she agreed to use her insurance money? Heh? You mean they actually benefited from her alleged “death”?

JinHo casually tells her that it’s not his fault money kept on bringing them together. He gives her half of the money he “earned”, but InSook refuses to even touch it. JinHo: “And now, I just need to find Kim MinJae”.

InKi proudly admits it was all an act. She’s just using him for her plans. And if she thinks MinJae would hate her for that, then she’s dead wrong. MinJae: “It doesn’t matter how we met”.

She tries to end the conversation right away, but MinJae won’t let her. And so she confesses she needed (to marry?) a third generation chaebol to put all her scandals to rest. MinJae smiles and calmly answers: “Then LET’S put them to rest”. Okay, so that’s like proposing marriage already!

MinJae is seriously making things worse for InKi. If he’s not insane then he’s plain stupid. She isn’t the nice girl every mother wants for their son. MinJae: “I’m not nice either. Want me to tell you why?”

Haha! I so love MinJae’s innocent arrogance in here. InKi is forced to act Noona-ish then.

InKi: Don’t be naughty and return to your mother Kim MinJae!

MinJae: I said I didn’t care about your past.

Everything seems not to work. And so InKi draws the I-don’t-like-your-mother card. She’s flattered to know that an heir to one of Korea’s richest families like her, but then she doesn’t want to be insulted by his mom. That sure pulled down MinJae’s confidence a little.

MinJae: I already said sorry for that.

InKi: And I said it’s okay. If I were your mom, I won’t probably let my son date a woman like me either. It would have been nice if we’ve met under different circumstances.

She walks off, but MinJae runs after her.

And the two ends up discussing things over again.

MinJae starts by defining the word PURE. There are basically three meanings. (1) Free from contamination, Clean; (2) One’s heart being free of selfish interest and desires, Clean; (3) No intercourse with the opposite sex.

And all InKi could say is: “Huh, you memorized all that?”

That was funny. Anyways, back to MinJae’s theory.

The problem lies in No. 3. The man and woman must be both virgins to be considered pure. His mom told him that if a girl losses her virginity she becomes dirty. But that’s wrong! It’s not the definition of purity anymore.

Definition No. 1 (Free from contamination) actually refers to a person’s feeling. For example, he loves somebody, but then after some time they broke up. The purity of that feeling is gone. But if he falls in love with another person, does that feeling remain unclean? Of course not!

MinJae: Purity is formed the moment two people love each other.

InKi: Like laundry?

I believe this theory is striking a sensitive spot. (Refer to Episode 7)

InKi: You’re an interesting person MinJae.

MinJae: What I’m trying to say is that no matter what the world thinks of you InKi. None of that has to do with me.

InKi: So you like me?

MinJae answers he hasn’t reach a definite conclusion of his feelings just yet. But he is sure he wants to see her often. She doesn’t need to answer him immediately. But InKi is resolved. She doesn’t need time to think bcoz she’s sticking with definition no. 3.

This wraps up everything. She says her goodbyes and offers to pay for the bill. But then…

She suddenly signals MinJae to join her in the counter. Thinking InKi changed her mind, MinJae beams in delight.

Imagine his disappointment when InKi tells him she forgot her wallet so he must pay up the bill instead. Haha! InKi blurts out a teasing laugh.

InKi then goes to the talent agency and alas! A group of gangsters awaits.

It seems marrying to one of the Kim’s isn’t a choice but a necessity. There’s this group of thugs who forces InKi to continue stirring up scandals with MinJae. They even beaten up Manager and JinSook just to get the new photos.

Despite the threat and danger, InKi refuses to abide by Gangster Leader’s rules. Nope! Not this time. She agreed to their every demands before bcoz those people deserved it. But not MinJae. Why don’t they look for other prospects instead? Gangster Leader won’t compromise. It must be within President Kim TaeJin’s family.

JungSook still hopes HyeJin is alive. Seeing InKi just proves that fact. She’s 100% sure. It can’t be a coincidence. That actress looks exactly like HyeJin!

JungSook went to talk with NaYoung about the discovery but then little sis is still angry.

JungSook: Alright, at least you should have a good life. You must have a good life.

Ae-ri is throwing a temper. She learned that President re-claimed all of the family’s shares. Ha! She demands that President give all of the shares to her, saying she’s using it to make his dream of having a shipbuilding company come true. But President would rather die than let her have it.

Things are getting trickier for Ae-ri. DukSong is blackmailing her.That’s a relief! He basically wants re-funds for the money he invested. And Ae-ri can’t say no bcoz it’s written in the Agreement she hastily signed.

Note to self: Try to read the contract before signing.

Ae-ri gets pissed but then there’s nothing she can’t do about it. She asks what could she possibly do to stop this nonsense. And the pervert actually suggested that they get into a more intimate relationship.

All the while, YoungJun listens to their banter. Ae-ri gets super mad and slaps her secretary for not telling her YoungJun arrived.

YoungJun plays it cool and tells her not to vent her anger on other people. Ae-ri then asks for his help.

YoungJun: In this fight, you lost against father.

YoungJun couldn’t or wouldn’t help her. But if she really do wanted to win, there’s only one person she could turn to- her eldest uncle. Ae-ri goes like are-you-insane? By doing that, the company will be divided. It’s like declaring war. But then it’s that or she lose.

The brothers talked about the issue. YoungMin suggests that since things has come to this, they must help Ae-ri in convincing other members to issue their shares as collateral and buy Central Shipbuilding’s promissory notes.YoungDae says some unnecessary remarks. YoungJun gets angry. The tension builds up. And then they argue.

YoungJun remains unyielding. They won’t buy out Central Shipbuilding bcoz they need to create a proper shipbuilding company!

The cousins plan to go to a party… except MinJae.

The poor boy wants to go so he defies mom’s decision. He can’t really comprehend why she won’t let him. It’s just a party for Pete’s sake. Mom still insists. She won’t consent until she finds out when, where , whose and what kind of party it is. MinJae declares he’ll just go back to America then. It’s a far more better place than here. He wants freedom. Since birth til now, Mom has always decided everything for him. It’s time for Mom let him run his own life.

NaYoung gets angry. She risked her own life just to give birth to him and this is all she gets?!

After a few moments of pondering things, MinJae says sorry to Mom. He promises not to disobey her again. NaYoung then tells MinJae that lately, she’s been visiting the hospital bcoz of depression. MinJae is confused. What worries does Mom have? And NaYoung says it’s bcoz of him. She’s always worried for him. She can’t eat or sleep. Everyday she fears that he’ll get in an accident. MinJae is appalled. How can his Mom live fearing that the world will end?

YoungMin sees NaYoung drinking. And he finds it odd. NaYoung tells him that she started drinking for a while now. At night or on early mornings, while he and MinJae are sleeping, she’ll come out to the terrace and and drink. Of course, he wouldn’t know bcoz he doesn’t care.YoungMin apologizes for being so insensitive.

NaYoung: I’m scared, have regrets and see my future pitch black. Bcoz of you. No! Not just because of you. I went crazy on my own. Without your love, I shivered in fear on how MinJae and I are to live on in this house. That’s how I went crazy.

YoungMin: Let’s start again. No. Since we never even started. Let’s just start from the beginning. I promise you from now on. I will take care of you and MinJae.

NaYoung: I already gave up on you a long time ago. I erased you from my heart.

YoungMin: Give me another chance.

NaYoung: Honey… let’s just live it the way we are.I’ve gotten used to liking this.

And then she vomits. Huh! She’s pregnant?!

The next day, NaYoung is in a very good mood. She even agreed to let MinJae join the party. And MinJae goes super shock.

YoungMin jokes that bcoz of MinJae’s scandal, he’s gotten popular and people keeps on asking for his autograph. MinJae defends that InKi isn’t that bad. She’s actually nice. Good thing, NaYoung isn’t paying attention with that remark.

NaYoung receives a frantic call from GeunHwa, telling them that suspicious looking men appeared out of nowhere and that they should come to Ulsan ASAP. It seems Ae-ri’s eldest uncle came to talk with President. Ae-ri’s Dad continues to convince President to change his mind, but he sure is stubborn.

And the most unexpected thing happened…

Episode 11

As it seems, the President won’t be retiring any time soon. But like Ae-ri, General Nam (Ae-ri’s fearsome eldest uncle) wants the President to give up the chairmanship too. President: “You filled your stomach well and now you’re stealing from the table too? Don’t you have any conscience?”

The General is infuriated. Who wouldn’t be if your greatest nemesis played a game on you? President still has the last laugh after all.

After the frantic call, NaYoung dashes into action. And while she’s busy preparing everything and all, YoungMin just stand on the sides, clearly not even interested on going anywhere near Ulsan. NaYoung irritably asks why he’s being so hardheaded all of a sudden.

The reason is quite simple. He can’t go against his hyung. And if going to Ulsan will cause a misunderstanding between them, he’d rather stay. NaYoung: “Either way, you’ll take separate paths. Between the two of you, only one will survive”.

YoungMin convinces YoungJun to come with him to Ulsan. But big bro is stubborn as a bull. He won’t help the old man. If President can’t fulfill his promise, then his done solving the problems for him. When YoungMin asked what the promise was all about, YoungJun dismissively evades to answer.

Luck is definitely NOT on Ae-ri’s side. Asking help from her eldest uncle is indeed a bad, bad idea. Adding to the series of unfortunate events is DukSong, who is very much eager to collect his sum of money. And if I were Ae-ri I wouldn’t mind strangling this pervert for a minute.

Despite YoungMin’s snobbish remarks that morning, he still went to Ulsan and check on things, especially to keep an eye on his beloved scheming wife.

Though NaYoung already denied having a part in InSook’s accident, YoungMin is nevertheless suspicious. NaYoung is fed up with his husband’s seemingly unending doubts. She finds him too ridiculous to understand. She already told him she killed InSook (in a mocking and sarcastic way), but he didn’t believe her either. What does he want then?

For the last time, she has nothing to do with InSook’s “death”. Yes. She tried to talk with InSook before they left for Seoul, but she didn’t find the chance to meet up with her. She only heard of the accident later on. She asked InSook’s former employer about her condition, but the employer had no idea whatsoever.

NaYoung: The only crime I committed was raise MinJae and protect him from that woman!

He just wants to hear that she wasn’t at any rate involved. If she says she wasn’t then he’s satisfied.

NaYoung: I don’t care if you love me or not, but please don’t steal MinJae from me.

YoungMin is perplexed. No one will steal MinJae from her. NaYoung is unhinged. His suspicions are enough to frighten her. She suddenly feels nauseous and speedily dashes out of the room. And then… She falls dreadfully, and painfully, down the stairs.

The cousins are out for their partying pursuits. InKi joins the fun, flirting the night away with SungJae. Amidst the revelry, InKi still feels lonely and sad. Of course, MinJae wouldn’t miss the sorrow beneath her masked happiness. He can’t take her obvious dejection anymore and drags her out. InKi struggles to break away from his grasps. She told him before. She isn’t a nice person.

MinJae: This isn’t your true self. I know what kind of woman you are. How you’ve been hurt and what kind of pain you’re living in, I know.

InKi: How can you know?

MinJae: Because I’m exactly like you. I’ll save you InKi. Whether you’re in a sludge or hell … I’ll save you.

But she doesn’t need a hypocrite like him. What she needs is a person like SungJae. A person who lives carelessly, who just eat 3 meals a day and chases women around.

InKi: Should I tell you the reason why? But even then, you wouldn’t understand.. bcoz you were never abandoned like me.

The pain-coated words render MinJae speechless. InKi’s manager and some bodyguards comes in and yank MinJae away. He tries to go back inside but the whole building is locked. Heh! You never lock out a chaebol’s son. That’s illegal!

Inside, the poor girl is crying her heart out.

After a while, InKi comes out, drunk and overly woozy. She sees MinJae waiting for her and sits right next to him. The real reason why she keeps on pushing him away is bcoz she knows he could never help her. Saving her means declaring war against wicked people. And there’s a whole lot of them.

NaYoung: You can’t do it with your own strength. You can’t do it even with your mother’s power. For me, stop dreaming that you can be my knight in shining armour. Got it MinJae?

NaYoung wakes up in the hospital. YoungMin sincerely says sorry for suspecting her. He then thank her for raising MinJae. YoungMin’s sudden tenderness makes NaYoung uneasy. She tells him to stop acting weird. She’s much more comfortable when he’s neglecting her.

YoungMin confesses that when InSook’s brother told him that she was in a car accident, he was relieved. He had always feared that their secret would be revealed. He knows he wasn’t suppose to think like this but he can’t refrain from feeling happy.

NaYoung: Now, you and I are the same people.

The Doctor informs YoungMin that NaYoung is pregnant. But bcoz of the accident, the baby died. Mr. Doctor advises him not to tell his wife or it might just upset her even more.

NaYoung is feeling much better now. Even all those nausea were gone. She then wonders if she’s pregnant. And YoungMin stammers on telling her it’s impossible. She said she can’t get pregnant. NaYoung denies saying that and cheerily tells him she wants to bear him a child. Heh!

JungSook was informed that an orphanage in Seoul took in a girl who looks like HyeJin years ago. Without wasting time, she confirms the news. The orphanage manager indeed recognizes the girl in the picture, but somehow something’s wrong. The little girl’s name wasn’t HyeJin but MiYoung.

The next morning, InKi’s having a hangover. It must have been a very terrible hangover bcoz she keeps on prattling about her mom all of a sudden. What would she feel if after a long, long time she sees her? Maybe she’ll be happy. Maybe she’ll hate her too. Often, she wonders what her mom looks like, why she was abandoned, what situation she went through.What would happen if they meet? It’s funny. Probably, her mom would deny everything. No woman will admit of abandoning her own daughter.

JinSook tells her to stop looking for her mom. Who knows? Maybe that mom would only use her for the money she earns.

InKi: I have a lot of money Unni. Even if that’s the kind of mother, I still wish she’d come and find me. I’m going to give her everything she asks bcoz even if she was a bad mother she’s still my mom. Even if she’s that kind of woman, I would like to have her with me…I want to see her. The face of the woman who comes before me and kneels asking for forgiveness. I really want to see her. When I meet her, I want to beat her as much as I want until she’s bleeding and bruised. Then I’ll feel more peaceful right? Isn’t that right Unni?

JinSook takes InKi for a drive when suddenly… JungSook appears out of nowhere. Fully convinced that InKi is HyeJin, JungSook asks that they talk for just a sec. But InKi feigns on not knowing the ahjumma, unwillingly shedding some tears. JungSook cries in silence. She is HyeJin!

InSook forces InKi to stop bothering about her past life. She doesn’t have a mom. Her life started the day she arrived in the orphanage. But InKi is adamant. She must find her mom. She must have her revenge. It’s the only reason why she kept on living.

All three brothers are now at Ulsan. President talks about Atlantic Ocean’s history and many other stuffs. In conclusion, he wants them to join forces and work as one since many people are dying to overtake Atlantic Ocean.

President: And once this fight is over, only one person will remain and the two will leave the company. If all of you will remain, a rivalry will break out.

They are forced to concede. When YoungJun and the President left, YoungDae had a private talk with YoungMin. As what he understood, the President has only YoungMin in mind. But YoungMin insists he’s not interested in company affairs.

YoungDae: I fear you more than YoungJun. I mean… I fear your wife.

Ae-ri waits for YoungJun at home. She’s angry and sourly rolled into one. YoungJun must be happy that things went his way. YoungJun argues he’s not thinking like that at all. No one’s laughing at her. It’s not yet too late. If only she’ll apologize to the President, this would be over. Ae-ri is too proud for that. She gives YoungJun an ultimatum. He must decide if he’s on her side or not. If not… then they better get a divorce. Ae-ri: “In father-in-law’s mind, there is only YoungMin”.

Her demands are too much for him. YoungJun: “Whoever father chooses, it his decision.” As far as Ae-ri is concerned, that’s not always the case. If only YoungJun will help her, she can make him the next president.

Back at Ulsan… cue music… add some rain and lightning. Heh! I already saw this scene before.

NaYoung: I’m not going to lose. No matter what fate blocks my way. I will not back down. I’m going to fight and win. I can win. I will win. For my husband.. for MinJae… No. For yourself. Remember the days of poverty, NaYoung. All the humiliation, deprivation and despair you went through. You need to take revenge, NaYoung. Don’t care about the methods. That’s right pretend you’re the lightning and shout. Tear apart the hearts of all people you hate. Cover the earth with your tears.

MinJae is spending his free time at InSook’s. She volunteers to read his palm. The left hand is for his past. And so, he shows his right hand. Since he already knows about his past, he’s more interested about his future. InSook then tells him that he’s in love with someone. Baek InKi? MinJae sadly relays it doesn’t matter since it’s over. It hasn’t even had the chance to start. InSook disagrees. According to what’s written (in his palm), his love story is still on the process. MinJae gets all hyped up. All the while, InSook gets teary-eyed for finally having the chance to hold her son’s hand.

And then JinHo comes by to ruin the mood. Darn! His very face annoys me! InSook hauls him out. She promises to do whatever he wants as long as he won’t linger around MinJae. JinHo pretends to be hurt. He just wants to see his nephew. Of course, he won’t tell MinJae about her secret. That will just ruin everything for him.

MinJae concludes that the guy who just walk in is a bad man. InSook denies. But MinJae is sure. She doesn’t need to make up excuses since he knows a bad man if he sees one and volunteers to take care of him. InSook looks worried though.

The doctor assures that the President is in good health but they still need to be careful bcoz of his old age. YoungMin then asks if a person who had vasectomy 20 years ago could, in the slightest possibility, still impregnate his wife. Of course, he was referring to himself. The doctor laughs and affirms he could. Vasectomy isn’t permanent and effective as most men thought. After a couple of years, somehow the body has its own way of undoing the process. I don’t really quite understand the technical terms in this scene. Anyways, YoungMin is quite happy to know that!

YoungMin gets a call from JinHo. And this time, he’s fuming mad. JinHo lied to him. His wife didn’t kill InSook! JinHo defends that he did it only bcoz he needs money to live. If he just had a big sum, he could go back to America and won’t bother them again. YoungMin is calmed. He tells JinHo to meet with him the next day.

Meanwhile, NaYoung is also busy talking with DukSong. I’m guessing that he intends to blackmail NaYoung using their past affair and the rape incident as tools. But NaYoung is cool as ever. She knows a time like this will eventually come and she’s prepared. She won’t be taken advantage by a guy like him anymore! So what if he tells her in-laws? Then, she’ll just tell his wife that she’s raising his child. Ha! Now, that scandal will sure bring him down the grounds, dirt poor!

NaYoung: I still remember what you did to me. Even when I was beaten up by those thugs, I still protected my body until the end. You know why? I thought you would abandon me if I dirtied my body. I’m a woman who once hit rock bottom. I went to hell’s door. So what would I fear?

DukSong raises the white flag. Haha! Tsk. Dude, you’re way too amateur. NaYoung still thank him. If not for what he did, she wouldn’t have learned so many “skills”.

And while she’s smiling at her recent success, YoungMin watches from afar.

Episode 12

It seems YoungMin had no idea who NaYoung was talking to or what she’s doing. And even if he did, I’m sure NaYoung could make up something.

The couple went out for tea. And there, YoungMin informs her that she had a miscarriage. When he first heard of it, he immediately thought she was having an affair. You see, he had vasectomy way back in America. But when the doctor assures there’s a big chance he was the father, he felt ashamed for even doubting her fidelity. NaYoung is enraged. NaYoung: “Do you really hate me that much? Is this your revenge?”


YoungMin searches round the city for NaYoung. Only to find her bright and breezy at home. Heh?! Now, I’m beginning to think NaYoung is going nuts! What’s with the mood swings lady?

She teasingly accuses YoungMin for playing a joke on her. She wasn’t pregnant. Actually, she already had her physical check-up when they arrived in Seoul and test results turned out negative. She isn’t blaming him or anything. She understands that he’s just worried for MinJae. NaYoung: “Even if I could have a baby or even if you didn’t have vasectomy, I still don’t want to have a child… for MinJae”. Yeah, everything is MinJae’s fault!

There’s a new rule in town. President Kim’s children and in-laws should have their breakfast together… everyday. No one really knows what the President is up to this time. Maybe he has an ulterior motive or maybe he just wants to bring the family closer together. Who knows?

It’s breakfast time and MinJae’s a no-show. President is appalled that he’s still sleeping! And so, he goes upstairs and wakes MinJae himself. It sure took President a good ample of minutes to get MinJae up and about.

And when he finally succeeded, our MinJae cutely asks for a few seconds more, saying he stayed late last night bcoz of tweeting. And President goes “tweet…tweet…what?” Haha!

Just to make sure MinJae won’t sneak-in some ‘z’ s, President refused to go down until MinJae finished changing clothes. Haha!

Meanwhile, the other family members are also busy having their own brand of quality “bonding time”. Of course, by “bonding time” I mean bickering and arguing their hearts out. Ae-ri had it and angrily walks off.

President contentedly remarks that eating together promotes harmony and helps build stronger relations amongst the family. For once, I agree with President. I’ve always considered food a “language” that transcends beyond culture and race. Besides, bonding isn’t bonding without eating.

The President lays down the master plan. Since YoungJun’s in-laws are busy trying to minimize the damage caused by the risky and expensive promissory notes, they have enough time to freely proceed with the shipbuilding project. YoungMin will take charge. YoungDae will oversee the company’s operations. And YoungJun will serve as back-up. Of course, they still need to be very careful. General Nam won’t surrender without a fight.

And the happiest of them all? NaYoung!

President introduces YoungMin as the project head. And the announcement literally creates a buzz among the board.

I guess it’s true. When it rains, it pours… only for NaYoung that is. Not only did President choose YoungMin to facilitate the important project, also, Madam Shim Woo Rok called to personally meet MinJae.

But then, MinJae isn’t home. He’s out to spend some time at the nearby coffee shop, which basically means, he’s with InSook! And since he’s so busy chatting, he didn’t notice NaYoung’s call. And what else would NaYoung do? Of course, she’ll go and get her son ASAP.

And next, we see the most fortunate miss in the history of all fortunate misses. I wonder what could have happened when InSook and NaYoung did meet that day.

Just when NaYoung is about to cross the street, where the coffee shop is, MinJae sees the miss call prompt and calls mom. And so, she instructs him to go home immediately. After the call,MinJae proudly tells InSook that the lady on the other side of the road is his mom. InSook pretends not to see her.

MinJae and NaYoung meets on the way home. NaYoung excitedly tells him that Madam Shim is waiting for him. This gives MinJae the creeps. His alarm bells ring. Meeting Madam Shim is as good as getting married. He can’t get married… not yet. NaYoung consoles that it doesn’t mean he has to marry her granddaughter right away. Think of this as a favor for his dad. MinJae remains apprehensive. Can’t she just tell Madam that she didn’t find him? NaYoung changes tactics. She pokes on his conscience then, pretending to be hurt at his obvious defiance. And ever the kind and obedient , MinJae submissively concedes.

MinJae is apparently uncomfortable being the center of attraction. He can’t even sit on his knees properly. Despite this, Madam Shim still sees MinJae a prospective grandson-in-law.

After the obligatory introductions, MinJae was kindly dismissed. And he’s much happy to leave. NaYoung isn’t a bit pleased that MinJae went out again. She then carefully “inspects” MinJae’s room. I don’t know what she’s looking for but one thing I’m sure, what she did is rude. Talking about privacy issues, duh!

She then sees InKi’s picture set as a wallpaper background in MinJae’s laptop. And somehow she knows this would happen. She calls Gangster Leader (refer to Episode 10) and instructs him to proceed as planned. Okay, this got me confused. There seems to be a connection between the two.

MinJae meets with SungJae at YoungJae’s restobar. He says sorry for flirting with InKi the other night and MinJae assures he’s totally okay with it. SungJae tells MinJae to get a life, follow the trend and stop living like a caveman. It never hurts to have flings here and there. That’s how yuppies do things nowadays. But MinJae won’t be deterred. He can never live like a careless, mindless, insensitive dude!

Seeing how SungJae desperately tries to influence MinJae, YoungJae calls his attention and gives him a warning. They know too well that NaYoung won’t be happy with what he’s trying to teach MinJae. SungJae casually answers he just wanted to ruin MinJae. And the more he sees MinJae’s sweet-smiling-backstabbing-mom, the more he wants to ruin him.

Before MinJae left, SungJae gave him InKi’s call card.

SungJae plays full-time devil advocate and convinces InKi to date MinJae. Maybe thing’s will workout for them, just like aunt NaYoung (a blacksmith’s daughter) and uncle YoungMin (a chaebol’s son). No matter how he looks at it, a popular actress like her is still better that a blacksmith’s daughter. But InKi isn’t interested at all. She can never be satisfied living meekly and quietly with MinJae’s family.

InKi: MinJae has a talent of making people nice. I really hate being nice.

Once alone with JinSook, InKi unveils her true feelings. She wants to restart her life. From when? She doesn’t know. JinSook concludes that InKi is in love with MinJae that’s why she’s behaving weird lately. She then advices InKi to put a stop on the silly thought bcoz she’ll be hurt in the end.

After a bottle of soju, InKi gets a little tipsy. She starts to rattle on things. Things and people who make her loose her mind. She had never hated the world as much as she hates it now. She hates what she had become and she hates herself even more. And the real reason why she’s going insane is MinJae and her dreams of living a normal life with him.

JinSook suggests that they go somewhere else, somewhere far. But InKi can’t just leave. The problems lie on how she feels. At first she thought, MinJae’s just like any other man who passes by as quickly as the wind, but she was wrong. She just woke up one day, trapped and filled with unexpected emotions.

Day 2 of get-together breakfast. Ae-ri is absent. And YoungJun grabs the chance to defend his wife. Ae-ri was just helping President in her own way. YoungMin agrees. To ease the tension, Mother-in-law happily informs the President that MinJae earns Madam Shim’s favor the other day. SoonJa is offended that Mother-in-law didn’t fulfill her promise and introduced MinJae instead of his son.

YoungDae gives YounJun a lecture. He must never defend Ae-ri in front of President. That’ll just show he’s being jealous of YoungMin. And in case he doesn’t know, there are already rumors that YoungMin already surpassed him.

President is very upset upon knowing that YoungMin helped Ae-ri in paying off half of the promissory notes. When will he learn that Ae-ri’s not the problem but the in-laws!?! YoungMin reasons out that he’s just doing this for YoungJun. President won’t listen to any of his excuses. NaYoung, who always know what’s going on, gave him a telling off. In this world, there is no room for sympathy. He must, at all cost, obey the President.

General Nam is very, very angry for losing a great sum of money. But what really pisses him off is the thought that President Kim is laughing at them. Ae-ri is rather calm. She’ll raise the money in one month and confidently tells uncle that she’ll handle the President. General Nam is hesitant. Ae-ri is too young and inexperienced to fight the President. Ae-ri insists. She must make her husband the owner of Atlantic Ocean!

Ae-ri thanks YoungMin for helping her out. She can’t refrain from asking though. Is this his idea? Most probably it’s his wife’s, since she placed her in such money-tight position. Huh?! So NaYoung has that influence?

After the night of emotional outburst, InKi finally realizes she needs to continue what she started. She’ll re-establish her goals. Before love and her painful past, she must first become the number 1 actress. JinSook couldn’t be more relaxed. And once InKi reach the top, she can retire. She can do whatever she wants. She can even date MinJae when that time comes. But for now, she’ll forget everything…

Now that she’s sure HyeJin is alive, JungSook spends the day in a daze. She doesn’t know what to do. Will she tell NaYoung? Will she keep this a secret?

JungSook: The road ahead is pitch black for me. It seems NaYoung and HyeJin wants to forget the past.

Episode 13

Gangster Leader (Hwang DoJin) orders InKi to lie low for a while. For the time being, there will be no movies, no projects, no media interviews, no nothing! InKi is furious. Just when she’s resolved to start anew and focus on her career, he suddenly wants her to rest?

Gangster Leader meets all-time favorite Scheming Wife. Gangster Leader promises to take care of Scheming Wife’s problem (InKi), so as long as she’ll help him out with his construction business. It’s a fair enough bargain and Scheming Wife agrees. And they live happily ever after… sorry that’s for another story.

Ae-ri is being suspicious. Intuition tells her that there’s “something” between NaYoung and DukSong. She sets them up for a meeting just to test her theory.

Unsurprisingly, NaYoung, acts all friendly and nice. DukSong, on the other hand, feels jumpy and awkward. But then, NaYoung won’t be the oh-so-great femme fatale if she can’t handle situations like this. She readily masks DukSong’s obvious unease with smooth talks and sweet smiles, which made Ae-ri wonder if she had it wrong. She really did assume they knew each other from before. The more DukSong stayed, the more he gets nervous and so, he resigns to leave at full tilt.

And what follows next is the most unruffled, smile-filled word banter in television history. With all those wide, forced and humorless smiles, I have a feeling these girls will suffer from severe facial stretch marks. Haha!

NaYoung passively remarks that Ae-ri’s being too immature. Ae-ri confidently retorts that she already knew what NaYoung really was since the very beginning. Ae-ri: “Who are you really?” And NaYoung cheerily answers she’s just a blacksmith’s daughter. But Ae-ri isn’t convinced. Nope, there are lots of dirty trash in her past.

NaYoung: Then what about you are you clean?

Ae-ri: Can I be worse than you?

NaYoung: The only sin I have is being poor. Having been born under a penniless father, I’ve always lived in poverty. You don’t know anything about that right, Nam Ae-ri? No. There were probably times when you were curious about what it’ll be like being poor. You probably wanted to see what poverty was like.

Note: Calling your elder sister-in-law by her first name is a sign of disrespect!

Ae-ri laughs and NaYoung continues her piece. Unlike her, Ae-ri had a fortunate life. She studied in the best university, she came from a very influential family and men chases after her like bees. But then, those were in the past now. Ae-ri threatens that she won’t stop until she knows everything, so NaYoung better be careful. NaYoung isn’t a bit affected. Go on then. She has nothing to hide. Yeah, right!

NaYoung wins this round.

Is it only me or DukSong really gets funnier every time I see him? It seems they’re building him up to be the comic relief though. Like a child who nearly got caught, DukSong expresses his relief. He thought Ae-ri caught up with what’s going on.

He then tries to earn NaYoung’s favor by pretending he really did love her in the past. It broke his heart when he saw her crying the day his father insulted her. NaYoung looks at him with disgust. She wasn’t crying bcoz of him. She was crying bcoz God let him live. Haha! She warns him to be always on guard. She swears that if he ruins her life again, she’ll kill him using her bare hands.

NaYoung cuts the crap and tells him to organize a party for YoungMin. She wants to build connections for her husband. DukSong plays hard to get and says organizing a party will cost a lot of money. NaYoung tells him to pay for it first. If her husband becomes President then she’ll pay him 10 times the amount.

DukSong can’t belive it! Once again, he’s been scammed… by a woman. Why does he always end up being duped anyways? Haha!

Atlantic Ocean’s shipyard will be constructed at Ulsan. A problem arises when the local residents strongly refuse to vacate the land. YoungDae proposes that they pay the residents with enormous compensation to resolve the issue. YoungJun differs. They need to take proper measures and persuade the residents. YoungMin decided to go to Ulsan and deal with the problem himself. But YoungJun insists on handling the situation instead. With a heavy heart, YoungMin consents.

YoungDae had a bad feeling about this. Surely, the President will get angry that YoungMin handed-over his responsibilities to YoungJun. Deep inside, YoungMin wants to resolve the issue with his own strength. Lawyer Hong tries to convince YoungJun to step aside this one time. But YoungJun is resolute. If he won’t help, YoungMin will be targeted by others.

President thanks NaYoung for a job well done. If not for her, he couldn’t have gotten rid of that woman (InSook). NaYoung sheds some crocodile tears. In truth, she’s lacking. Sometimes, she even thinks that YoungMin might have lived better with InSook. President holds her hands and assures she’s already the best wife for YoungMin. She must only remember to raise MinJae well for the future of Atlantic Ocean.

NaYoung finds MinJae secretly reading articles from his laptop. And basing upon his reactions, NaYoung concludes he’s keeping secrets from her again. In the end, MinJae confesses that YoungShik asks him to help out in his Academy. And MinJae is very much interested. It’s not like he has something to do anyways. He’ll get to learn business and help uncle at the same time. But NaYoung is so against it. Why would MinJae associate himself with someone who isn’t even acknowledged by the family.

This gets MinJae riled up. He already gave up doing things that he wants just for her. NaYoung angrily rejoins that people doesn’t succeed just becoz they do what they want. MinJae argues that it’s not a matter of success, but doing things he love. He begs that even for once, Mom let him live. After saying those words, MinJae realizes the weight of his words. He immediately says sorry. He just can’t express his feelings well.

MinJae: To me, the world is too small. In my eyes, I only see a small world. I want to see other things. The world I don’t know about and have never seen.

NaYoung asks if he sees those things in YoungShik. Yes. He sees a dark and twisted world when he’s with him.

MinJae: But I still want to see that. I want to love and feel the sadness of losing someone I love.

Fine! NaYoung gives up. He can live the way he wants. He can be friends with everybody. He can even date. But she will never, ever accept Baek InKi. MinJae is confused. Why is Mom setting limitations now? Mom answers bcoz InKi’s a woman who kept on blaming the world.

The local residents are in full-blast protest against the shipyad construction. Before the angry crowd, YoungJun introduces himself as Project Director. For some stroke of luck, JungSook is there, who served as spokesperson for the group. She isn’t particularly good in giving speeches but somehow her words made sense.

Actually, they are not protesting bcoz they want to raise the compensation fee. It’s just that the residents practically lived their whole lives there. They only know how to catch fish and sell those fishes for a living. How can they live on after giving up a life’s work? Basically they are scared. They are afraid of going somewhere they’ve never been to and doing work they don’t know how. How can they separate from long-time neighbor’s and live among strangers?

MinJae is out for a drinking escapade. Knowing that Mom won’t like his drunken state, MinJae went to InSook’s and sober up a bit before going home. InSook rather find his behavior normal. At his age, he could already drink with friends and date many girls. And MinJae readily agrees. If only his Mom was like her… If only, she was his mom instead. Hearing those wishful declarations, InSook gets emotional. Imagine the happiness she felt. MinJae passes out. And InSook lovingly covers him.

YoungMin admits that he had vasectomy bcoz he hated NaYoung before. He thought that by not giving her a baby, he could have her revenge. NaYoung smiles. So that was it? Did he think she was lying when she told him she can’t have a baby? The doctor had it wrong. She could never have a baby. She doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. They are past the age of clinging unto love. But YoungMin is decided. He wants to know if she really loved him at all. NaYoung drops the topic and orders YoungMin to go to Ulsan and take care of the problem.

It’s past midnight and MinJae isn’t home. NaYoung gets worried and goes out to look for her beloved son.

InSook sends the sobered-up-but-not-yet-fully-clearheaded MinJae home.

Alas! NaYoung sees them and hides. And yes, she did get a clear-view of InSook.

President furiously tells YoungMin to go to Ulsan. As an ultimatum: he can’t return until the problem is solved!

MinJae happily tells Mom that Dad already gave his consent. It’s official. He’ll be working at YoungShik’s. NaYoung is unusually lost in lala-land. She keeps on thinking about InSook.

Gangster Leader assures Scheming Wife that the problem is solved. InKi will be sent off to Hawaii tomorrow and they won’t be hearing from her for 6 months. And Scheming Wife is much ready to compensate.

YoungShik acquaints MinJae for the job at hand. But MinJae is not even listening. His mind is wandering somewhere. YoungShik construes MinJae really wants to see InKi. MinJae didn’t bother to argue. He likes her very much, but he doesn’t want to disappoint Mom.YoungShik gives some advice. If he was in MinJae’s shoes, he’ll certainly choose InKi.

MinJae calls InKi, but in sheer panic, he ends the call right after hearing a woman’s voice. He really is naive in every freakin’ sense of the word. Instinct tells InKi that it was MinJae and so she calls back. She was so sure that she even stake her life on it. That’s rather extreme, neh? MinJae is having a hard time deciding on whether to take her call or not. Just when he finally pressed the accept button, the line was cut.

InKi is apparently depressed. It’s not MinJae after all. She comes out of her room and plans to fulfill her promise (jumping off the roof). JinSook is worried. Why not just obey Gangster Leader and go to Hawaii? InKi won’t be deterred. This is all NaYoung’s fault! She could never bow down to her.

JinSook tells InKi to stop acting naive, it’s not like she likes MinJae that much. Her remark triggers a full-swing fury. For years, InKi dated men bcoz of filthy reasons… but it’s different for MinJae.

InKi: He is pure. He doesn’t care about my past. He just like the “me” who’s in front of him.

The phone rings. It’s MinJae. Thank goodness, she won’t be jumping off roofs anymore!

The world turned upside down and Ae-ri’s so freakin’ nice. She gives MiJin the department store shares, praises NaYoung’s cabbage kimchi and massage Mother-in-law’s back. Eh? It’s either (1)Ae-ri got selective amnesia, (2) she already lost her mind or (3) it’s just her way of presumptuously begging for forgiveness. And since this is FoD, reason no. 3 is more likely to apply. Using her own blackmailing tehnique, Ae-ri manages to convince Mother-in-law to tell her some of NaYoung’s secrets.

Obviously, her efforts proves fruitful as she manages to know some things: NaYoung never went to college and her first job was at a sewing academy.

Ae-ri wins this round.

MinJae waits for InKi at the train station. InKi’s nowhere to be found and he starts to panic. A train passes by and then he receives a call. It’s from InKi. He can’t hear her clearly bcoz of the loud noise.

And like those cliché dramatic scenes we love so much …

…after the train pass, we see InKi standing right across MinJae.

Episode 14

Episode 13 ended with this dramatic scene… MinJae and InKi on the opposite side of the trail, talking at each other via phone. Of course, talking like this, we know something bad is coming.

InKi admits she likes MinJae. But since they’re sticking with the tragic Romeo-Juliet love story, she can’t be with him. Commence the silent and suppressed tears. Could their love end even before it begins? Nope, MinJae can’t let this happen.

He desperately struggles to talk with her in person… but bcoz this is a Kdrama, he’ll miss the only opportunity. She waves her hand for a “final” goodbye, just as another train passes by. Cue music… then she’s gone. Seriously, train you have the worst timing! The next thing he knew, there’s a text message sent, InKi: “The answer to the question about purity is no. 3.”

NaYoung follows YoungMin to Ulsan, per President’s instructions. President probably wants the couple to have another child. NaYoung laughs at the notion. But somehow, it’s a good thing. She’ll have more time to execute her plans. YoungMin gets worried. He assures he’ll handle everything so she better stay away from his issues. YoungMin: “Whether I win or lose, I’ll be the one to fight.”

NaYoung mocks at his growing confidence. Surely, he can’t win on his own. In fact, he already created a problem when he allowed YoungJun to do what he wants. Does he really believe that his brothers will keep their promises? NaYoung:”This fight will be over only when 2 of the 3 will die.”

Just as planned, InKi prepares for her Hawaii trip. On her way, MinJae sends her an SMS: “Answer is no. 4. We need to meet.” InKi closes her eyes in sheer frustration.

With InKi out of the picture, NaYoung can focus on her another recurring problem (InSook). NaYoung acts carefree and cheery, eager to have a nice long chat with her old chum. InSook, on the other hand, begins to feel nervous. Anytime now MinJae might just pop out of nowhere. But NaYoung seems unconcerned. Maybe, it’ll be convenient for everybody. Should they just tell MinJae everything? InSook begs. She can’t let her son know she sold him for money.

And so, NaYoung agrees to talk outside. InSook promises to keep their secret a secret until she dies. NaYoung has her doubts. As a mother, InSook can’t bear to just look at her son from afar. What if MinJae catches on? The moment his birth secret is revealed, his life will be over. He’ll be an outcast in an instant. InSook vows not to see MinJae again. But at least, NaYoung give her half a year to be emotionally prepared.

InSook: I know very well that you’ve had tougher times than me. To live your life hiding something. I never thought that MinJae is my son. I just gave birth to him, but never breastfed him even once. But as get older, I miss that child more and more.

In conclusion, InSook will stay for a few months. NaYoung changes the topic and asks how InSook earns money after the accident. InSook tells her that they caught the driver responsible for her accident. NaYoung feels a little dizzy. Confused and baffled, she thinks to herself: Did she hit someone else?

When InSook went back to the coffee shop, she finds MinJae patiently waiting for her. The moment he saw her face, he immediately felt revived. He bids farewell , but then accidentally trips over his bike. InSook runs to him in worry. They obviously look happy. All the while, NaYoung stares at them with burning jealousy.

At the Kim’s, Ae-ri, SoonJa and Mother-in-law performs their daily word banter. Ae-ri can’t get over the fact that her in-laws are conspiring to corner her.

Ae-ri: Do you know what’s the scariest thing in the world? It’s ignorance. There’s no cure for ignorant people who keeps on insisting something. Though they do regret it after stabbing their own foot. But then it’s too late.

SoonJa won’t back down. She may not be smart but she knows how to play the game too. SoonJa: “Sister, in law then you must know this proverb. One falls for their own plots.”

Still against the shipyard construction, YoungJun tries his luck in persuading YoungMin to stop the project. But Little Bro is much more hardheaded than before. YoungJun knows too well that Father will be disappointed when he keeps on showing this side of him. YoungJun is tired. He had lived his entire life pleasing the Father.

YoungJun: That is why I was jealous of you. You lived freely.

YoungMin: Do you think I was different from you?

YoungMin remains firm. YoungJun must get the villager’s consent within two months!

What’s this? Ha! If the current love teams aren’t complicated enough, let’s add a new couple to spice everything up, YoungJun and JungSook!

YoungJun was moved by JungSook’s speech. He shares her sentiments. He too doesn’t like to destroy a beautiful village. He promises to find ways to solve this predicament. JungSook assures it’s okay. It’s inevitable anyway. Besides, the project isn’t too bad since it would create new job opportunities.

She brings him to her special place. The only place she could call out her father’s name. Yup, another kdrama cliché.

JungSook: Since I was young, whenever I was having a hard time, I come here. After watching the large ocean, the world seems nothing. Even if I’m sad, I can bear with it and live on. When I was having a hard time, I thought to myself that other people have it harder than me. So I felt better, to me this is an important place.

NaYoung is quite busy ironing the details. Since she can’t force InSook to just go away, she considers hiring Gangster Leader to scare the wits out of her. Gangster Leader is uncertain. Scaring someone is much harder than actually beating the person.

Guess who she meets after. Yeah. DukSong! It’s funny how he warns her not to deal with Gangster Leader when, in truth, she already concluded a shady business with him.

YoungMin is apparently furious that Jun made him wait all day. YoungJun reasons out that he’s just having a close interaction with the villagers. Well, technically he was only interacting with one (JungSook), scratch the “s” in villagers. He continues to convince YoungMin. The village isn’t a place for shipyards. He’s an environmental engineer, right? He’ll definitely understand what he’s talking about if he just take some time to look around. YoungMin won’t be swayed. He’s the one to make the decision. YoungJun’s supposed to be there to help him. If he won’t, then he better back off.

NaYoung and MinJae meets for dinner. MinJae, like always, says sorry for making his obsessed Mom worry. To ease her doubts, he assures he isn’t interested at Baek InKi like a woman. She’s just different from the other he met. That’s all. And then, Mystery Caller calls. Basing upon his reaction, I’m guessing it’s Baek InKi. Yeah, so much for not seeing her as a woman!

MinJae sends Mom to the train station. She sweetly asks him if he really, really loves her. He gives her a thumbs up. NaYoung appears overly content. In return, she promises to trust him from then on.

And yes, I guessed it right. Mystery Caller is indeed InKi. She wants to meet with him tomorrow! Who’s the happiest guy?! Who?!

Thanks to Manager Jang, InKi is safely back in Seoul. He then conclusively remarks that InKi must have really liked MinJae a lot for her to just give up everything. And she nods in agreement. She had always thought of starting a new life. She just needed a turning point. And then, MinJae comes into the picture. It seems he keeps on whispering at her to “start anew bcoz this isn’t the life you wanted”.

When alone with JinSook, InKi wonders what could have happened if Unni didn’t take her out of the orphanage. JinSook sadly admits that there are times when she regretted to bring InKi in showbiz. InKi is starting to become more optimistic. Yes, so many things happened, but thanks to MinJae she’s slowly changing to a different person.

InKi: I don’t care how it is. I like it that way. Whatever happens in the future, even if I become more and more miserable, I don’t care.

NaYoung angrily tells YoungMin that she went to meet InSook. But then, he probably knew already. Just like how he knew all along that InSook was alive!

YoungMin admits it’s true. He knew InSook was alive. She called him after the accident. He couldn’t just ignore a person who was hospitalized for four months so he helped her. He even paid for her hospital bills and gave her monthly allowances. Thinking through, all is in the past now. They must all learn to forget everything.

But how can NaYoung forget when that woman is stealing MinJae away from her?! YoungMin insists on handling the situation alone. He caused this mess, he’ll be the one to take care of it.

YoungMin: InSook is a woman who love and care for MinJae like you… though you don’t want to acknowledge it.

NaYoung knows that. It’s basically the reason why acts like a freakin’ lunatic.

NaYoung: It should have ended back then. Either I should have died… or at least one of us should have died back then.

In anger, YoungMin walks off. Realizing how things might turn out, NaYoung catches up to him.

NaYoung: Don’t got to Yang InSook. If something goes wrong, she’ll tell MinJae everything.

Ha! Now she’s scared!

Episode 15

Ae-ri finally finds a way to redeem herself. And it’s by guaranteeing YoungMin’s position in the government. Of course, President won’t let this offer pass him by. Having a politician in the family will surely strengthen their family’s social, and not to mention financial, influence. But in return, President must help her pay off half of the promissory notes. President agrees. Mission accomplished!

Nope, you’re not hallucinating or anything. Believe it or not, after all those bickering, backstabbing and backbiting, these women are enjoying each other’s company. Heh?!

Upon learning his wife’s plan, YoungJun instantaneously gets riled up. For a husband, why is he always kept in the dark?

President relays the new progress to YoungMin, who is obviously reluctant to venture in politics but plays along just for the sake of his “sickly” dad. Yup, I refuse to believe that President Kim is physically unwell. Feigning illness may just be one of his devious ploys.

General Nam is still fuming mad about his recent defeat. Ae-ri laughs at her uncle’s foolish and violent ways of dealing with the “setback”. It’s the 21st century and aggression is already out of fashion. They don’t need strength but rather intellect! She will definitely make YoungJun the next President. When that time comes, she’ll have full control over Atlantic Ocean. Cue evil laugh. Bwahaha! Oops, got carried away again.

YoungMin was informed that MinJae went to the countryside for some nature seeing. He didn’t bring his cellphone and thus, there’s no way to contact him. Smart boy! Just to check if InSook has nothing to do with MinJae’s sudden “vacation”, YoungMin decides to make an appearance in front of the coffee shop. He still doesn’t have the courage to talk to her in person, and so he decided to call. InSook then confirms that MinJae didn’t come that day. She still wants to have a nice long chitchat with him, but obviously, he’s not in the mood and hangs the phone right away.

Nature-tripping, huh? It’s more like InKi-hunting. After a train ride and some extra hikes, MinJae finds InKi. He is sincerely happy that she came back. But then if she didn’t, he might just as well fly to Hawaii. He even bought a plane ticket scheduled that very day. Aw. Our MinJae sure is sweet. InKi feels a bit guilty for making him spend so much money for the ticket, but then he’s just too pleased to mind the cost. In the end, she kept the ticket as souvenir.

First thing’s first, even though she agreed to meet with him, they must start off as friends. And since she’s older, he must call her “Noona”(elder sister). MinJae remains silent, apparently not agreeing with her proposal. It’s okay to be friends but he doesn’t need a “Noona”. InKi considers his sentiments. Fine. Then their relationship should be as a fan and an actress. But MinJae has other things in mind. He’s much more comfortable if they’ll be like a paparazzi and a star and begins to take snapshots at her. For an actress, she’s freakin’ camera shy.

MinJae apologizes for everything. Actually, he already suspected that his Mom drove InKi away to Hawaii. If not for him, she wouldn’t be hiding in this secluded place. InKi refutes his suspicions. She went to Hawaii for a commercial shoot and she’s hiding bcoz media people won’t leave her alone.

Walking down the path of tall (pine?) tress, InKi has this prompting to play the “Happiness Game”. The game basically entails recollection of the happiest memory in their lives. But then again, she’ll sure to lose bcoz she doesn’t have too many happy memories to share. MinJae cheers her up and says he doesn’t have that many happy memories either.

MinJae then begins to passively narrate his happiest memory. InKi tells him he’s not playing it right. He must close his eyes and think of that happiest memory. And he did just as that. Funny, his happiest memory was about the young girl (HyeJin). Just as he was doing it right, InKi suddenly breaks in tears.

InKi: I never once succeeded. I never found the happiest moment in my life.

Poor girl. MinJae can only look at her in empathy.

Night time. It’s cute how MinJae tries to conveniently hold her hand. Haha!

Loving her reaction. Quizzical but succumbing. Loving his reaction more. Shy but urging.

When he succeeds to hold her hand, he moves closer to her side. Then puts his arm on her shoulders. Then… she shoves his arm away. Haha! She’s not playing hard to get, she just doesn’t want to put malice in their innocent love affair.

InKi asks what was his happiest moment. And he answers the time when he met this girl who looks exactly like her. InKi: Whoever she is , she’s lucky to be your first love. MinJae looks at her in intent.

MinJae: I’m going to make happy memories now… I’m going to fill my head with our happy memories.

In the spur of the moment, MinJae makes his move for a kiss. But she insists on keeping some distance.

InKi: I don’t want our happy memories to start like this. You need to protect me. I don’t want to live my life dreaming of nightmares anymore… so you need to protect me.

MinJae nods and settles for a hug.

Back to Ulsan, NaYoung and YoungMin are having their regular couple’s argument. NaYoung is angry that YoungMin still hasn’t gotten rid of InSook. He always act nice, when in fact, he was the one who abandoned InSook first. From the very beginning, he has no intentions of taking care of that woman. He’s just a coward who can’t decide on his own.

YoungMin: That’s right! Like you’ve said I’m a coward.But I didn’t abandon Yang InSook and married you because I was afraid of Father. It’s bcoz I didn’t love Yang InSook. I was that lonely.

The person he was really afraid of was his Hyung, not his father. That’s why he kept on hiding abroad. He already knew what InSook was up to. When NaYoung helped him “dispose” InSook, he was so happy he could dance with joy. NaYoung won’t listen. She drives off, desperate to find MinJae.

Next thing, NaYoung was involved in a car accident. She isn’t terribly hurt, just shock. Hmm, am guessing this is one of her charades. YoungMin worriedly looks for his wife and immediately brings her home.

If I’m not mistaken, this is the first time we see NaYoung cry in front of YoungMin. It’s kinda moving. Now we know, she has a heart. She just expresses her love in a crazy, obsessive kind of way though. She knew she was over-speeding but she can’t stop. She kept on thinking that MinJae already knew something.

NaYoung: Everyone will be happy when I’m gone…you… MinJae and that woman too.

YoungMin wipes her tears. Why is she thinking such foolish thoughts?

NaYoung: The moment I thought I was going to die, I thought of you.

The eyes! I knew it. She’s even using death.

The next morning, there’s an obvious reversal of events. Just last night they were arguing. And now, breakfast in bed, a hug and a rare good-morning kiss? C’mon! Just in time, MinJae calls. YoungMin tells him that Mom was in a car accident and he must come home ASAP.

MinJae feels deflated. So much for spending a few more days with his beloved InKi! She sends him off and teasingly remarks that at times like this, he should have an excuse for leaving her.

MinJae: People that love each other don’t make excuses.

Thanks to NaYoung’s accident, YoungMin is compelled to talk with InSook. She knew what he was aiming at. But then, she can’t just leave. He need not worry bcoz the doctor says she can’t live longer anyways. Oh my! She’s dying? YoungMin is as shock as I was.

MinJae has returned and NaYoung is once again, in high spirits. MinJae, however, is pissed. He won’t be fooled. He knew the “accident” was setup to bring him back. He already told her that he needs to keep some secrets, but she just can’t get it!

MinJae: I feel naked in front of you. You look right through me. Do you know what that feels like?

Wow! Never expected the outburst. Way to go MinJae.

In anger, she runs off to confront InSook. She’s ready to explode but got taken aback to see her husband and InSook talking. Ha! InSook notices her and smiles. Yeah, she smiled, which infuriated NaYoung even more.

As for our new couple YoungJun and JungSook (ok that’s just weird), well, they’re getting more and more familiar with each other. JungSook helps YoungJun in getting her fellow villager’s consent and he in response, invites her for a meal.

And then Ae-ri wrecks the lovely vibes when she gives her hubby a surprise visit. Being the smarty-pants that she is, she immediately senses the awkward, disappointed looks and catches on. Incredulous it may seem, but her smart and sharp husband is falling for a country girl. But then again, he better not do something stupid (like divorce) bcoz no matter what, she’ll never ever consider giving him any.

Out of habit, MinJae went to InSook’s and they had lunch together. He is having such a nice time eating and so InSook can only stare at him fondly. He prepares and serves InSook his own version of bibimpap. She is so touched that she nearly cried. Minjae wonders at her reaction, and she reasons it’s just bcoz the gesture made her remember her son. He then starts to get nosy and asks series of questions about her “son” and so she resorts to leave.

Meanwhile, YoungMin tells NaYoung to give InSook some more time with MinJae, relaying that she’s already dying and all. NaYoung is enraged, obviously it’s a lie. She can’t take the pressure anymore and went to give InSook a nice talking-to.

NaYoung is so flared-up that she kept on yelling at InSook. Why is she saying that she can’t live that long? Is this another of her tricks? And then… the most unexpected thing happened… MinJae overhears everything!

Episode 16

MinJae gives InSook a bouquet of flowers in front of NaYoung, which thereby, intensifies her anger. If NaYoung could choose, she’ll definitely drag her son away in zooming haste, but MinJae grew courageous overnight and refuses to go with her. Though clearly detesting the idea, NaYoung concedes.

Thinking all the while that InSook will fully support him, MinJae confides that Baek InKi is back in Seoul and he’s seeing her. But he’s wrong. It seems his only “friend” dislikes the idea of him dating a scandalous actress too. Despite InSook’s disapproval, MinJae’s feelings won’t budge.

MinJae: The more my Mom hates it…the more I like Baek InKi.

Feeling down and disappointed, MinJae went home. NaYoung’s nagging about meeting with Madam Shim’s granddaughter, MiKyung, incites his irritation even more. He packs his bag for yet another nature-trip, but this time around, NaYoung insists that he stays. MinJae is resolved. He doesn’t want to meet the girl. Period.

NaYoung: Why aren’t you listening to me? Do you want to see me die?

MinJae: Then what about you? Do you want to see me die?

On impulse, she slaps MinJae. She’s rather appalled for what she just did and immediately says sorry.

MinJae, once again, begs that Mom let him do what he wants just this time.

NaYoung reckons that InKi might be the reason why MinJae is behaving odd and so darn disobedient these past few days. She calls Gangster Leader to make sure InKi is still in Hawaii. Gangster Leader confidently says that she is.

Without wasting time, MinJae rushes to InKi’s hiding place, only to be direly disappointed bcoz she isn’t there.

And so it seems, InKi already changed her mind. She’ll be breaking up with MinJae. Though I find it rather confusing. Did they really hook up? Anyways, she won’t be seeing him anymore. She really has nothing that she can do well, but acting. And being with MinJae hinders every opportunity that may come. But truth be told, InKi is doing this painful sacrifice to protect MinJae.

NaYoung frets every time she thinks of InSook, but that doesn’t mean she lost focus. MinJae must marry MiKyung! They need the Shim’s for some backing up later on. And since MinJae isn’t listening to her anymore, she vents all the nagging to YoungMin.

Thankfully, President opposes her whims. He’s much more open-minded and urges that she let MinJae decide whom he likes to marry. He even prefers that none of his grandchildren marry into a rich family. Besides, they must learn to share their wealth for the economy to survive. Heh? Fair enough.

He understands that she meant well. But she’s wrong to say that they need the Shim’s money and influence. Has she forgotten that she was poor when she married YoungMin? People thought he was crazy to allow the marriage, but he didn’t care. He chose her not only bcoz he wants to fulfill his promise to her father but bcoz he sees her determination to survive.

President Kim: You need to raise MinJae well so that a shadow isn’t cast upon him bcoz of your greed.

Honestly, I didn’t quite get what he said, but it seems cool. NaYoung sheds one or two crocodile tears and apologizes for acting foolish. Yeah, that glaring eyes says she’s sorry!

NaYoung expresses her real opinion on the matter to YoungMin. She can’t raise MinJae like that. No matter what happens she’s going to make MiKyung her daughter-in-law. YoungMin contends that she already gained the things she could and there’s no point in wanting for more. NaYoung is determined. She wants something greater.

YoungMin: Greed is like ocean water, the more you drink the thirstier you get.

She remains indifferent. Tsk, greed how frightening thou art.

InKi arrives at the villa and pronto! Her tears brim, her heart breaking as she saw MinJae waiting for her out in the cold, flashing his brightest of smiles.

We all saw this coming, right?

InKi acts all too indifferent and cold, hardheartedly pushing MinJae away. Since he already knew the real reason why she went to Hawaii, she might just as well tell him the truth. She’s not the kind of person he thinks she is. She’s not dating him bcoz she liked him but bcoz she’s too naive to imagine that she could be a chaebol’s wife. It was a useless dream of course. She could never compete with his Mom. And if this relationship continues, she’ll be thrown in the swamps (not literally!) so he better stop lingering around her!

MinJe couldn’t believed what just transpired and cries.

JinSook drives MinJae home. She tries to comfort him, saying it’s a good thing. Kids like InKi are ambitious and vain. MinJae thinks otherwise. He grips the stirring wheel and runs back to the villa. JinSook could only sigh in disbelief.

Bonding Time. President shares that to be successful YoungMin there are things he should and shouldn’t learn from YoungJun. Like his hyung, he should be humane (both in business and personal dealings) to gain the trust and respect of his subordinates. However, being humane is also the very trait he should avoid. When it comes to money, people doesn’t respect you bcoz you’re humane. You’ll be seen as a pushover and later on people will take advantage of you. Running a business is a battle, that’s why he must properly use his hyung’s weakest and strongest points.

InKi is determined. She can’t be with MinJae and she’s leaving him right then, while he’s sleeping peacefully. JinSook tells her to set things straight and talk earnestly with MinJae. Breaking-up like this only leaves foolish unsettled feelings behind. But InKi isn’t that brave and walks off.

In desperation to ignite YoungJun’s greed, Ae-ri tries to wheedle him in joining her side of the ring. The truth is, she’s the only one he got. And if he just helped her out a little, she could have given him the president’s position. But then, YoungJun is adamant. He can’t sell off his father for her. Ae-ri laughs. Isn’t this a world that can sell things more than that? She knows what he really thinks. Acting cool and unconcerned when in fact, he’s dying to be the owner of Atlantic Ocean more than anyone else. He’s even worse than YoungDae.

In reality, he doesn’t care about YoungMin. He’s only staying there to know what his younger brother is thinking. He’s not an idiot to just believe that YoungMin wants to be a University professor all his life. No one could resist wealth that’s in front of their eyes.

Ae-ri: You, YoungMin and YoungDae had no choice but become wolves in sheep’s clothing the moment you were born to this family.

She then tries to tempt him with a kiss but he just heartlessly turn the other way. Ouch!

Ae-ri: You’re so humane to others but you couldn’t even forgive your wife for having an affair once. Stop using me as an excuse! It’s your fault you turned out like this.

YoungJun: No matter what happens, I’m gong to protect father.

So after the fight, where do you think YoungJun went? To see JungSook! Heh?! Seriously, are we dealing with affairs here? JungSook somehow can’t cross the borders of morality. She appears awkwardly uncomfortable talking with him. He invites her for dinner, but she declines. He insists on waiting for her anyways. When at last she decided to go out and talk with him, he’s gone.

I’ve been saying that this lazy, blackmailing guy is InSook’s brother right? Well, it’s confirmed he isn’t. He was, in all intents and purposes, her ex-lover. Arg, I’m so slow. How come I didn’t get this?

YoungMin wants to get rid of this leech once and for all by sending him off to America, where he’ll be given enough money to manage his own business. But this dude is sure greedy. He needs cold cash, not a business. Had YoungMin forgotten, if he doesn’t get what he wants he’ll spill the beans. YoungMin gets riled up. This JinHo must learn that he can make him vanish without anyone knowing.

InKi invites NaYoung for a dialogue. She begs and kneels for the Madame’s forgiveness. She promises to do whatever NaYoung wants just so she won’t block her path again. NaYoung is still skeptical though. She can’t be deceived. Who does InKI think she is, a moron?

And now, it’s DukSong’s turn to be terrorized. Ae-ri won’t let him go that easily. DukSong hides something from her and she’ll definitely find it out. After a long agonizing moment of talking with Ae-ri, DukSong finally blurts out that NaYoung worked for their bus company way back. And the only reason why he remembered her is bcoz she was such a diligent worker. Hmm, but Ae-ri suspects that their relationship is far more than that!

Drama, how long will you make this poor boy cry?

For countless of times, JinSook tells MinJae that InKi chose her career over him. It’s useless waiting for her. If he really wants to blame someone, then he should blame his Mom.

It seems Ae-ri ain’t the only one busy plotting something. NaYoung also has her set of evil ploys. These ladies sure have all the time, neh? Using the department store as bait, she’s forming a deadly alliance with the equally stubborn MiJin,

YoungDae is also making his move by conniving with the enemy,General Nam.

MinJae returns and NaYoung is very much pleased. He immediately declares he won’t be seeing Baek InKi again, so she must forgive her. This is the very same line InKi used. Now that her son finally comes to his senses, NaYoung is so relaxed. MinJae is rather insulted. If he wants him to return to being a puppet then fine, just as long as she won’t bother InKi again!

MinJae: You don’t know me Mom! What you know about me is just the MinJae you want to see. But this isn’t my real self… whenever I needed you, you were never on my side. I had to handle problems on my own.

NaYoung: I know everything about you. What you’re thinking about, what torments you. I know it all.

MinJae: Then why did you pretend you didn’t know?

NaYoung: Bcoz i know you can handle it on your own.

But he needed her. He can’t even count how many Christmases he spends alone. At times, he even thinks she’s not his biological mother. Bullseye! Then slap! That’s two in a row.

NaYoung is freaking out. She must definitely send InSook away. She’s willing to pay an enormous sum if only InSook would go back to America. Huh? America again? Aren’t there any other country in the world? But then, InSook isn’t a bit interested.

InSook: The person that can’t be trusted isn’t me but you.

NaYoung feigns ignorance. InSook was the one who stopped contacting her. InSook smiles and calmly tells her that NaYoung herself knows too well why. She clearly saw her face in the driver’s seat that night. NaYoung laughs. Is InSook implying that she hit her?

Episode 17

NaYoung won’t be tossed around. In a calm and merry voice, she denies InSook’s allegations. InSook is rather a hundred and one percent sure. She could never be mistaken and she could never forget! Thus, she hates NaYoung to death. But then again…

InSook: You love MinJae more than I do. Every time I hate you, I kept on remembering that fact. You don’t know how tormented I was. Sure… I would have done the same. To protect my child, I would have killed too.

She couldn’t possibly have any affection for that child. The moment he was born, she already gave him to someone else. But now… it’s different. Now that she’s dying, she wants to give everything for MinJae. She practically begs NaYoung to let her spend the remaining of her days with her beloved son.

And NaYoung, being the NaYoung that she is, rejoices at InSook’s unfortunate demise. Okay, she believes her alright. She’ll fulfill her last wish… but for a price: InSook must tell her all of MinJae’s secrets. Also, she must never, ever accuse her again! InSook could only take the demands in hopeless resignation.

When alone…

NaYoung (to NaYoung): I shouldn’t have run away like that. You should have made sure you fool.

After having that heart-to-heart talk, NaYoung gladly tells YoungMin that she already took care of Yang InSook’s issues. She fully understands everything now and she’s willing to bend her own rules. He can even meet with InSook if he wants. One thing though, YoungMin must never give InSook money behind her back.

NaYoung and MinJae comes to an understanding. He says sorry for being stubborn and she says sorry for taking him for granted before. They should call it quits then.

Things are going back to how they used to be. Even InKi returns to the crazy world of showbiz, which of course, made NaYoung super angry.

YoungJun will be attending a very important Board Meeting at Seoul. But of course, he won’t leave until he could bid his goodbyes to JungSook. Well, it’s apparent there’s a spark between them. And the funny thing is they both knew it, but for some unknown reasons they like to beat around the bush!

YoungJun promises to persuade the BODs in transferring the shipyard to another location. JungSook gets worried. There’s basically no need for him to do the extremes. But YoungJun sure is determined. He’ll protect this village no matter what. JungSook then gathers her courage and apologizes for acting weird and uncomfortable in front of him. In truth, he makes her happy. It’s just that she’s used to being alone and she has this tendency to be dependent on people. JungSook’s confession just made YoungJun so freakin’ inspired. Ha!

And the most awaited part… the juiciest catfight!

The new discovery (Episode 16) throws Ae-ri in hyper mode. She gives NaYoung a friendly visit and pryingly inquires why the latter pretended not to know DukSong. NaYoung coolly retorts that it’s understandable. Of course, DukSong can’t remember her. She’s just a lowly worker. But nothing can’t fool Ae-ri’s intuition. She feels it in her guts. The more she digs deeper, the more it gets interesting. NaYoung has so many secrets and she’ll uncover every little thing.

NaYoung: Before that happens, this fight will be over.

President Kim wants to rush things. He’s only planning to live 3 more years, that’s why. Ha! YoungJun makes his move, proposing that they relocate the shipyard to a more suitable place. Needless to say, President is overly furious.

YoungMin warns YoungJun not to rile the President. But what is done is done. YoungJun: “It’s useless working like this. Do what you want becoz I’m going to do what I want”.

After hearing about the commotion, General Nam is fairly satisfied. This might just be the perfect time to cause some more mayhem in Atlantic Ocean. YoungDae gets anxious. What if there will be an adverse effect if they act now. General Nam differs. They must strike now! General Nam is cooking something wicked. And when it’s all done, President Kim TaeJin will end up in prison!

Ae-ri learns about YoungJun’s brave performance and thus, she went to nag him. Why is he sabotaging everything? YoungJun simply answers that it’s becoz his father’s era must end now.

And out of the blue, YoungJun blurts out that he wants divorce. He can’t continue living like this and it’s time to stop wasting their lives. Ae-ri is clearly shocked and hurt. She won’t allow it. Not until he becomes President. Doesn’t he consider her feelings anymore? What will become of her when they separate? It means she’ll have to give up her claim on Atlantic Ocean too! They should settle this… at least for the sake of their children. YoungJun made up his mind. He can’t.

Time for the daily habit.

MinJae went to InSook’s. He gets curious why she lives alone. InSook laughs. It’s becoz she only loved one person in her life, but sadly it’s only one-sided. MinJae then finds it a coincidence that they have the same fate. He’s referring to Baek InKi of course. He can’t figure out why she suddenly changed. InSook guesses that maybe InKi just wants to protect him. Maybe she doesn’t want to see him suffer when his family disowns him becoz of her.

MinJae: I wouldn’t like somebody if I wasn’t prepared for that.

JinHo conveniently comes in right when MinJae went out. He grumbles that YoungMin only gave him a tiny store in New York. How can he possibly live on that? InSook doesn’t care. She already made up with NaYoung and he can’t blackmail her anymore. He better go back to America and take YoungMin’s offer while he can. JinHo acts unaffected. Does it mean it’s fine to tell them that MinJae isn’t even YoungMin’s son? What? Some more birth secrets! So, MinJae is not YoungMin’s son? InSooks violent reaction confirms everything.

Mother-in-law pesters President to give her the Department Store. However, President can’t be bothered by his wife’s foolish talks. MinJae walks in and President tells him to work at the Secretary’s Office tomorrow. And Nayoung dances with joy!

YoungMin tells NaYoung to stop what ever she’s planning. Why did she convinced Mom to ask for the Department Store anyways? NaYoung: “The Department Store is a dingy thing. I just want to set boundaries for your brothers”.

Late that night, YoungJun and Ae-ri talked. Huh! That’s a first. Mostly, it’s all about Ae-ri nagging him. It’s funny that she only remembered it’s their 24th Wedding Anniversary when he mentioned divorce.

Ae-ri: I wonder when you stopped seeing me as a woman.

But then, their marriage might never had any love to begin with. The only reason why she married him was becoz he’s the only man who didn’t want her.

YoungJun: You are a good woman. You’re not just the one for me.

He’s in love with someone else. JungSook perhaps?

Ae-ri goes wild. So that’s why he was so unaffected even when she had an affair! Didn’t he know why she did that in the first place? She wanted to see him mad from jealousy. At least, jealousy is a passion. If only he treated him with passion, she would have changed from being the arrogant and proud Nam Ae-ri to an ordinary woman clinging to her husband’s love.

Meanwhile, YoungMin and NaYoung are also having their talk.

NaYoung is happy that things are going well for them. Of course, she’s sad for InSook. At first she didn’t believe her, but now she thinks her illness is for real. When she heard of InSook’s situation she “feels like her heart is being ripped apart”. Okay! (I meant that in a sarcastic way).

The next day, NaYoung is extremely excited. MinJae, on the other hand, is awfully distressed. My, it’s MinJae’s first day at work!

Nervous much.

Something urgent came up and InSook called NaYoung for some help. Well, she needs cash ASAP. NaYoung laughs. She knew something like this would happen. InSook could never change. She still loves money that’s why she sold her son!

Episode 18

InSook is enraged. If that’s how NaYoung puts it, then she doesn’t need her money. And for the record, NaYoung could no longer step a foot inside her cafe! Ha! NaYoung remains composed. Okay, whatever. As long as InSook doesn’t reveal the secret, she’s totally cool with it. But InSook must be careful. There’s nothing money can’t do in this world and she has lots and lots of it.

InSook fully understands the risks.

InSook: But Yoon NaYoung, listen carefully to my words. I won’t die alone this time. I can’t leave MinJae with a woman like you. I’m going to die with you.

And the most unfathomable thing happened! When the ladies were alone, they started to cry. Heh?!

InKi wants to go somewhere. JinSook tries to convince her otherwise but…

InKi: Starting from a certain point, everything has gone wrong. I fulfilled my dream but I’m not happy.

She must understand how her life became a complete mess.

InKi: I need to go back to the beginning… go back to where I started and think on how I became like this.

Amidst the havoc and soul-searching, MinJae is busy trying to work!

And yes, it’s official. It’s over between YoungJun and Ae-ri. He’ll be staying at Ulsan for the project, which by the way is a very obvious excuse to get the hell out of Ae-ri’s claws.

Ae-ri begs. She can’t (and won’t) let him leave. It’ll tarnish her “good” reputation. But it’s of no use for YoungJun. Ae-ri had it. Even if she’s begging like this, he still wants to go? Then she doesn’t care anymore. He can do whatever he wants.

It seems Ae-ri ain’t the only one burning in fury. SungJae too has his say. If Dad runs away like this, MinJae will take everything from him. Jealous much!

SungJae’s unreasonable outburst riles YounJun. He has no right to say that! Why, this arrogant, good-for-nothing son did nothing but chase girls all day! YoungJun: Make your own living and don’t expect a free ride from life! And then, YoungJun went off, leaving Ae-ri and YoungJae sulking in exasperation.

YoungMin suggested that they send MinJae abroad, since he’s just lolling around doing nothing. And NaYoung eagerly agreed, throwing me and YoungMin in complete shock. Heh? This is way too suspicious!

NaYoung then informs MinJae about InSook’s “extortion”, hinting that InSook can’t be trusted at all. Without wasting time, YoungMin went to have a word with InSook.

He promises to take care of her… to give her money if that’s what she needs. InSook refuses. She already decided to put the cafe on sale and dismisses the concern. When did he start caring about her anyways?

Right then, JinHo comes in and harasses InSook. YoungMin gets irritated and drags JinHo away in violent haste. InSook tries to stop the brawl, but weakly stumbles trying to catch up.

YoungMin angrily reminds JinHo that he needs to stop pestering everyone! JinHo argues that he can’t just disappear. Not with that tiny store in New York. He wants $1000,000 and then he’s off. What a leech! Don’t we all want this guy to just choke to death?! With that sum, he won’t show his face ever again. YoungMin is forced to concede. He needs one month to get the money ready.

Like me, I’m sure many of you are wondering why YoungMin suddenly cared. Personally, I think it would be for the sole reason that he’s hunted by guilt. He remembers the day when he told InSook he already married. She cried then. Wounded and disappointed.

As part of the soul-searching process, InKi went back to Ulsan… only to find “Mom” talking with YoungJun. InKi couldn’t bring herself to have a chat with Mom though… not now when Mom seems to have moved on.

Just when we thought, this scene would be just like those random missed opportunities… JungSook looks around… somehowt sensing her daughter’s presence. And bam! Regal shocker. There she is… her daughter… alive. She runs toward her, but then of course, InKi will find a way to hide.

MinJae comes home terribly drunk. He’s been under President’s strict guidance, and apparently drinking alcohol is part of the training. NaYoung can’t help but smile though. Huh? First time, I see a mother so darn happy seeing her son dead drunk!

That very night, President finally announced that he’ll let NaYoung manage the mall. Good news for NaYoung, bad news for SongJa.

Being the weakest among the greedy daughter-in-laws, SongJa is starting to lose some confidence. She just can’t do it anymore. No matter how hard she try, NaYoung kept on getting everything.

YoungDae guarantees that not everything will go according to their plan. And to illustrate what he meant, he asks what’s the scariest thing in the world. And she answered “faceless ghost”. Not knowing someone’s face is the scariest thing and that’s exactly how she sees NaYoung. YoungDae laughs. Nope it’s not. It’s the tongue. Words could destroy everything. SongJa doubts it. President will never blink an eye if she stirs trouble. YoungDae: “If a tree doesn’t fall over ten hits, all you have to do is hit it a hundred times”.

That same night (ha! this night sure is long) NaYoung can’t sleep. MinJae happens to see Mom crying over something. Mom lies that she’s just nervous about the mall thingy. And so, MinJae assures that she’ll do just fine. But then, the real reason why she can’t sleep is bcoz YoungMin didn’t go home. Oh well, he’s with InSook remember.

InSook cries over her misfortunes, he looks at her scars, they hug. What?! Is this love the second-time around? I hope not.

The next morning, YoungMin promised to help her look for a much better place to stay. And for his wife’s sake, it would do them good if InSook will sell off the cafe ASAP! InSook is hurt. So, everything is just for NaYoung?

Call it mother’s instinct but all of a sudden, it just strikes JungSook that HyeJin (InKi) might be at the beach… the place where her daughter used to play.

And the inevitable happened! JungSook bursts into tears. She had always believed that HyeJin is alive. And at last, her daughter finally came home. HyeJin couldn’t hold back her tears either. Mom doesn’t need to pretend. She already knew that she’s not her biological mother. She read her diary the day she ran away. She’s just an orphan. Though she’s really grateful that Mom raised her, she still wants to know who her real parents are. She only came back becoz she wants to know who she really is. In her heart, she wants to see the faces of those people who abandoned her! And if Mom remembers, it’ll be great if she ‘ll give her a call. JungSook breaks down. HyeJin knew!

MinJae went to InSook’s coffee shop and finds it temporarily closed. Hmmm… and where could she be?

Well, well, well… she’s having a good time with JinHo. Just when I thought this greedy woman turned a new leaf… darn! Those pitiful tears were just so darn real! The ravening couple celebrates their success. This time, InSook hits the jackpot! But, she’s not finished yet. No matter what, she’ll get her son back.. and YoungMin too!

InSook: Until the day I die, I could never forgive NaYoung. I”ll torment her until she begs on her knees. No, even if she begs I won’t forgive her. Not until, Yoon NaYoung breaths her last breath!

YoungMin didn’t bother to make up excuses on where he slept last night. He was with InSook. NaYoung responds in the calmest of voice. Yeah, she knows. She’s actually relieved that he told her the truth. YoungMin feels sorry for InSook.

He didn’t know that InSook was living so poorly. Again, NaYoung passively confirms that she knows that too. YoungMin is surprised. She knows? Yes, she does! She needs to know what that woman is up to. YoungMin is pissed. Then, she must have known that there’s not a single part of her body that was left unhurt. NaYoung loses her cool. He saw her body too?! Of course, they wouldn’t just stare at each other the whole night. YoungMin gets angry.

Special thanks and credits to source: http://zsa86.wordpress.com/ for the synopsis/recap of Episode 1 - 18 Flames of Desire/Flames of Ambition

source: (Thank you and credits to
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and all sources for the information and pictures) Tinggalkan komentar anda tentang Episode 1 - 18 synopsis/recap - 50 Episode Korean Drama Flames of Desire/Flames of Ambition/??? ?? / Yokmangeui Bulkkot starting October 2, 2011 jika anda suka dengan artikel yang kami suguhkan.