Seok Hoon just wants to get to the hospital and Ji Sook is quite ready to leave, but Min Woo asks how Seok Hoon knows about the nanny’s condition * at this hour.* Smart man, Min Woo. Seok Hoon says that they don't have time for this. Min Woo says that he’ll go with them, then. Seok Hoon responds that Min Woo is drunk right now. Ji Sook seconds that Min Woo can just rest. She starts to walk away but Min Woo grabs her shoulder. He says that her nanny is in danger. How can he go to sleep? Such a good guy! She tells him to please, please just let her go. He lets go of her shoulder.
Mi Yeon appears. Seok Hoon is pleased that Ji Sook got Min Woo to back off. As they leave, Seok Hoon tells Mi Yeon that he’ll come back. Watching them leave, Mi Yeon says that she’s not even surprised now. Min Woo asks what she means by that. She answers that it’s exactly what she said.
As they drive, the rain pours. Ji Sook asks if Seok Hoon got a call from the hospital. Where and how is Mom hurt? Seok Hoon says nothing. Ji Sook notices that they’re not towards a hospital. She asks where they’re going. Still nothing from Seok Hoon. When are you going to catch on? Come on, Ji Sook! Ji Sook finally gets it. She asks if it’s even true that Mom is in danger? In answer, he speeds up, which scares Ji Sook – understandably.
The car screeches to a stop. Seok Hoon says that he was nine and his father worked at the factory. He lost his fingers in an accident. They fired him with no compensation, pension. He fell from 15th floor while protesting. He’s talking like he could be relating the story of someone tying their shoe, or something truly mundane. Like there’s an emotional disconnect between him and the event she’s talking about. That's when Seok Hoon realized that power is the only way to survive in this world. From his father's situation, he resolved that he wanted to make the kind of world where you can still laugh even when you have neither power nor wealth. Seok Hoon says that to do this, he needed to gain some power. So that when he’s at the moment between life and death, he’ll have a reason to live. That is his purpose for living. Really? You’re saying you’re doing this for the good of the world? Manipulating and using Mi Yeon? Drugging and manipulating Min Woo so that he thinks he’s insane is for the good of the world? You have seriously lost your way, Seok Hoon.
He looks at Ji Sook (who is not looking at him) and asks if her purpose isn’t her beloved family. Or, does she want to seduce Min Woo to be the lady of the house? He’s strangely fierce in his question. She doesn’t look at him as she asks what he just said. Even more fiercely he declares that he said! To win Min Woo's heart. He never said to give Min Woo her heart. There’s a beat and she says that it’s not like that. Sure it’s not. He demands to know why she didn't tell him that Scumbag knows about her being alive. Again, his voice becomes harsh. Did she think she could solve this on her own, or is she wishing that Min Woo will help her?! He almost sounds jealous.
Seok Hoon is practically yelling as he orders her to quickly settle all her feelings towards Min Woo. Woodenly, she agrees. In order to live, she won't mess with his lies, but he better not lie about her family from now on. Does he understand, Min Seok Hoon?
Back at Casa Choi, Mi Yeon and Min Woo are sitting at the bar, talking. He asks what she is talking about. She says that Eun Ha and Seok Hoon are not just in-laws. He practically rolls his eyes as he asks if she's starting this again? She said this about him last time, too. When was this? She answers that she did. She has logic behind her suspicions, but other people's reactions made her seem the odd one. Suspicious, he asks what she wants to say. And given how previously, she’s sounded like the sincere sister when it was really being manipulative, he’s totally justified in being suspicious right now.
She asks him how much he really knows about Eun Ha? Does he even care to know? He chuckles, like he can’t believe that she’s trying to stir up something between him and Eun Ha. She pulls out a decorative pen and puts it on the counter in front of him. He asks what it is. She tells him to look carefully. He should figure out what it is if he really wants to know her. And as much as he’ll want to ignore it, he’s going to give in and try to figure out what she’s talking about, because it’s about Eun Ha.
Ji Sook is asking Dad what he means. Is he saying that he wants her to start working at the main office? She’s not really capable of anything. Dad says that this is why he wants her to go and learn. His voice is actually almost gentle when he’s talking to her. He turns to Min Woo – and his voice gets gruff – what is his problem with Min Woo? Why is he always so mean? – and tells him to teach her well. He’s surprised. Him? Dad declares that Eun Ha is part of their house now. She needs to learn how the company works, so the Assemblyman will not worry about his only daughter and will instead focus on his campaign. Ji Sook looks nervous, Stepmom looks annoyed, and Mi Yeon looks bored. Min Woo clears his throat. And doesn’t look excited at all.
Stepmom speaks up and asks if Eun Ha going to work wont make the workers uncomfortable? And she starts to talk the fastest I’ve heard her speak. She says to just think about it. What if an article about this was released, saying that he pulled strings to give her an unfair advantage? Ultimately they'll be the ones who'll get the backlash. Mi Yeon is still bored and the only one eating now. Dad asks why he wouldn’t have thought of that? Who is she talking to? Dad’s not prideful at all. Stepmom sits there with a frown on her face but stops talking.
Dad declares that for now, Eun Ha will start at the bottom and keep it a secret that she is a family member. Ji Sook clarifies: At the bottom? He asks her if she objects; does she not like that? The gruff, don’t disobey me voice is back. She says that it’s not like that. Stepmom speaks up and says that Dad should let Mi Yeon go to work as well and create a mid-level management position for her. Mi Yeon chokes on the food that she’s chewing. Heh. Dad’s surprised by that suggestion. I’m not. Stepmom’s scheming to get Mi Yeon the company. Eun Ha going there and Mi Yeon not gives Min Woo an advantage.
Stepmom says that Dad should have her start working there, too. She’s his only daughter. Dad grunts. Min Woo looks at Mi Yeon – like he’s waiting to see what her reaction will be. Dad agrees and orders Mi Yeon to start working at the main office, too. As a lower ranking employee. Stepmom frowns, since she suggested a mid-level (easy) position, Mi Yeon’s face is a mixture of shock and horror as Dad asks if anyone has any questions.
In their room, in their huge closet, Ji Sook looks at her clothes and says that she has no idea what to wear. She can’t wear what she has on. Min Woo is silently getting dressed. She tells him that she’s sorry about yesterday. Not looking at her, he asks what she’s talking about? Going to see her nanny without him, or about what happened while they were drunk? He chuckles bitterly. He should be sorry about that. For touching her when she didn't like it. Oh but she did. Still fanning myself when I think about it.
He looks at her and asks what she meant last night when she said that she was not Seo Eun Ha? She asks if she said that. He asks if she really doesn’t remember. She says – sounding unconvincing – that what she meant is that she’s not the Seo Eun Ha that he thinks she is. He gives her a look asking if she really just said that, gave him that lame explanation. What kind of person he thinks that she is?
As Min Woo looks at her, Ji Sook quickly declares that this won't do. She’ll have to buy new clothes and go to work. She says that she will go first. Min Woo says that, either way, it's a relief with her nanny. She looks at him, questioning what he meant. He refers to how she said that the nanny overcame her complication. Ji Sook awkwardly says that it's a relief. Saying a ‘then,’ Ji Sook says that she’ll wait outside.
Min Woo says her name again and pulls out the pen that Mi Yeon gave him. Does she remember it? She asks what it is. He says that it’s nothing and that they should go to the office. Ji Sook leaves the closet and Min Woo looks down at the pen.
Mi Yeon slowly walks into head quarters. Like she’s about to have several root canals. She gets plenty of stares from the men. And that’s an outfit. Quite dramatic. Not at all something you’d wear to the office. She’s getting stares from the women, too. She comes across Ji Sook waiting for the elevator. Ji Sook, on the other hand, is in a very conservative suit. Her hair is pulled into a pony tail. When she sees her, Ji Sook bows and greets her. Mean Girl Mi Yeon tells Ji Sook that the outfit suits you. Does she have to pretend she doesn't know Eun Ha now? Ji Sook asks she should call Mi Yeon then. Mi Yeon tells Ji Sook to just not talk to her. They should just pretend they don't know each other. That’s going to come back and bite Mi Yeon.
They end up working in the office with the other workers that we have met. Manager (who I have been calling Worker1) says that Ji Sook and Mi Yeon are the new interns. He asks them to introduce themselves. Ji Sook greets them and says that she is Seo Eun Ha. Please take care of her. Co-workers smile and bow back. Mi Yeon says nothing. Manager pleasantly asks if Choi Mi Yeon is going to introduce herself. She looks at him like that is the stupidest question ever and I roll. Mi Yeon asks if she has to, voice full of attitude. Manager is shocked (and stops smiling). The other co-workers look at each other and frown. Mi Yeon continues to stare/glare at Manager.
Min Woo enters and Manager greets him. Everyone bows – but Mi Yeon. Manager says that they are the new interns. Min Woo looks at Ji Sook and she looks down. Like she’s feeling awkward. Manager asks what Min Woo thinks? Should they have a welcoming dinner? Mi Yeon laughs to herself. She steps forward – shocking everyone else – and extends her hand to shake Min Woo’s. She asks that Executive Director, Choi Min Woo, please take care of her. She smiles and says that she’ll work hard, as if it was her own company. He tells her to do that. Just the thinking part. He doesn’t shake her hand, but walks past her into his office.
Mi Yeon turns to look at Manager and asks where her spot is. He’s shocked by her attitude. She doesn’t say thank you and goes over to her desk. Worker3 leans toward Manager and asks about the dinner. Manager gives him a look to shut up. Min Woo watches them all through his window. Ji Sook sits at her desk and gets to work while Mi Yeon sits and glares in Ji Sook’s direction. Min Woo goes and sits at his desk and looks at the pen. Mi Yeon suggesting there’s things he doesn’t know about Eun Ha and Ji Sook saying that she’s not Eun Ha, the person he married is not Seo Eun Ha. He looks at the pen again.
Lackey comes in. Min Woo covers the pen. Lackey demands to know if Min Woo told GeuMi Yeonong Construction that he’s selecting a new contractor?! Why’s Lackey so upset, unless it’s going to affect his pocket book. Min Woo asks, “And if I did?” Lackey declares that Min Woo can't overturn a decision which was already made. Min Woo smacks his desk. Lackey stops talking. His voice a little raised, Min Woo asks if Lackey has a problem with it. Lackey declares that GeuMi Yeonong Construction will not take this sitting down.
Min Woo chuckles and says that he’s curious to see what they would do. Lackey calls Min Woo ‘Executive Director’ in a voice that chastises. Really? You need to know your place, dude. Min Woo’s phone buzzes. He asks Caller if he found it and then says that he will leave right now. He gets out of his chair and puts on his suit jacket. Lackey is shocked to be ignored. Min Woo looks at him and asks he has anything more to say. Lackey just has to bow and leave.
Min Woo leaves his office. Mi Yeon is at her desk, doing her nails. Noticing him, she holds up a cup and asks if he would like some coffee, Director. He sighs, shakes his head and leaves. Mi Yeon shrugs and drinks the coffee. Manager sits and tells Worker 2 and 3 that there are two reasons for a new employee to act that way. Either she is crazy, or she has a heavyweight sponsor. He’s shrewd. The way he sees it, it’s the latter. Worker3 agrees.
Ji Sook walks up and Manager asks if she knows anything. She asks him about what. He says about Choi Mi Yeon. He thinks there is something with the director. Otherwise, how could she be that bold?
If I didn’t know that Choi was the 4th most common last name in South Korea, I would think that it was obvious since the Director’s last name is *Choi*, but over 2.1 million people had the last name in 2000 (according to Wikipedia). See these links for more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_surnames_by_prevalenceJi Sook smiles awkwardly and says that she doesn’t know. Manager tells Ji Sook to find out! Show some interest in her co-worker!
http://www.ibtimes.com/kim-park-lee-why-do-koreans-have-so-few-surnames-1472324
http://askakorean.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-do-korean-last-names-mean.html
http://koreanslate.com/top-10-korean-family-names-in-south-korea.html
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/09/economist-explains-5
Worker2 wonders if Mi Yeon is trying to get the director's attention. You see that sort of things often on dramas. She acts all rebellious. Then, he'll start arguing with "I've never met any woman so rebellious." and fall in love. Manager and Worker3 gasp. Ji Sook says nothing. Worker2 is appalled. Is it really like that? She declares that she’ll give Mi Yeon some training. A person like that, you must start right off the bat. Pleasantly, Ji Sook asks that Worker2 doesn’t do that. It might get awkward for her if things don't turn out as she’s planned. Worker3 looks at her and says – as Worker3 gives Ji Sook the stink eye – that when she was a new employee, she couldn't even look into her sunbae's eyes. How dare she speak like that to a sunbae.
Worker2 orders Mi Yeon and Eun Ha to follow her. Manager laughs as he tells Worker2 to go easy on them. Mi Yeon sighs and rolls her eyes. Once she has them alone, she starts to lecture them. What are they doing on their first day at the office? Did they come to play? Ji Sook looks appropriately recalcitrant, but Mi Yeon can’t help but laugh. Worker2 asks if Mi Yeon is laughing when a sunbae is speaking? Is she funny? Does she not realize that their relationship is vertical? Vertical! Mean Girl Mi Yeon imitates Worker2 as she repeats “Vertical relationship.” Worker2 asks if Mi Yeon really wants to get fired. As Ji Sook cringes, Mi Yeon asks if Worker2 can fire her. Then fire her.
Scumbag wanders in. Ji Sook sees him and hides her face. He walks past them, not really noticing them. Ji Sook says that she needs to go to the restroom. Her stomach hurts. She hurries out. Mi Yeon gets Worker2’s attention with a ‘ya!’ Worker2 can’t believe Mi Yeon just spoke to her like that. Mean Girl Mi Yeon says that it seems Worker2 is much younger than her. She'll get it if she keeps it up. She steps closer and asks if Worker2 really wants to see what she can do. Worker2 isn’t sure how to react. Pleasantly, Mi Yeon says that she’ll use honorifics in front of other people. But, in exchange, from now on, Worker2 better watch it. Understand. Worker2 nods. I can’t believe that just worked.
Ji Sook hurries into her desk. Scumbag appears. She hides behind Worker3, who asks her what’s wrong. She says that his shoe is untied. He says he can get it. She says that she’ll do it. Completely oblivious, Scumbag demands to know where the executive director is. Manager stands and says, with a voice that asks who Scumbag is, that Min Woo is not there right now. Scumbag declares that he’ll wait until Min Woo gets there. Manager blocks Scumbag from entering Min Woo’s office and tries to get him to wait outside. Scumbag yells that he’ll wait in there!
Manger argues some more and Ji Sook takes that opportunity to run from the office. She catches an elevator, but the doors don’t shut before a bunch of people board. As it’s about to shut again, Manager catches it and he and Scumbag get on. Ji Sook hides her face. Scumbag is actually acting like he’s a little bit drunk. Scumbag declares that he won't take this sitting down. Manager tells him to just wait a little more. The problem won't be solved by acting that way to the director.
Manager notices Ji Sook, calls her Seo Eun Ha and asks her where she’s going. She ignores him, but he keeps asking, so Scumbag sees her and finds out that they’re calling her Seo Eun Ha. Scumbag pondering face.
Min Woo has taken the pen to its manufacturer. No other place can match this detailed work. Min Woo asks if Man can you find out who purchased it. (Chang Soo is with him.) Man says that he really can’t. They don't have records. What kind of business doesn’t keep a record of customers? One that will go *out* of business. Min Woo tries to press him for details, but Man just wants to get back to work. The only way that Man will talk is if they place an order. Min Woo is willing; he’ll pay plenty. Man says he remembers that the woman was the same way. She brought her own drawing saying that she’ll pay plenty. Min Woo shows him a picture of Ji Sook and asks if it’s that woman. Man says that she looks familiar.
Min Woo – because he doesn’t have any other business to do – heads to the gallery. He runs into Stepmom and asks if Eun Ha's family stores its paintings there. He’s vague when she asks why he’s asking. Min Woo looks through all the paintings. None are a match for the pen.
Min Woo returns home and rifles through Eun Ha’s desk. He finds a book… with Chang Soo’s name written in it as a customer. Ticked, Min Woo throws the book at Chang Soo and asks why his name is in there. Chang Soo looks in the book and is horrified to see his name. He sputters “see..” Min Woo can’t believe he just said “See.” Chang Soo sputters that she told me not to tell. It’s more like a whimper. Min Woo, obviously ticked at this apparent betrayal, steps forward and rips the book out of Chang Soo’s hands. He asks if Chang Soo is still not telling.
Chang Soo drives Min Woo to Ji Sook’s family’s restaurant. He sighs and meekly says that Ji Sook told him to supply dukbokki to the orphanage on a regular basis. Pleading, he says that other than that, he really doesn't know anything! Min Woo gets out of the restaurant and goes inside. Dad happily greets him. Min Woo says Dad can bring him anything. Dad recommends the garlic dukbokki. Min Woo agrees to that.
Dad scurries over to Mom and says that he thinks word is spreading. They look over a Min Woo and he is wiping down the table with his handkerchief. Ji Hyuk arrives home. Oh no! They see each other and Min Woo recognizes him. Then he recognizes the Nanny. He gets up, leaves some money and says that he will eat another time. He leaves.
Ji Hyuk runs after Min Woo and grabs his shoulder, telling him to wait. Min Woo slaps Ji Hyuk’s hand away. He tells Ji Hyuk not to touch him. Ji Hyuk says that he’s Seo Eun Ha’s husband, right? What is he doing there? Min Woo instead asks why Ji Hyuk was at the company anniversary celebration. Ji Hyuk hesitates, trying decide how to play this. Min Woo says that Ji Hyuk should talk first, then he’ll the reason for his visit.
As Ji Hyuk tries to think of an explanation, Min Woo tells him to let go of her. She is married now. Because he still thinks this is her ex-lover. If it’s the money Ji Hyuk needs, he’ll give it to him. Ji Hyuk wants to know what Min Woo means. What money? Min Woo asks who Ji Hyuk thinks is ordering the food for the orphanage. He tells Ji Hyuk that if it isn't for pity, Ji Hyuk shouldn’t get involved with his wife anymore. He walks off.
Min Woo gets in the car. Chang Soo asks where Min Woo wants to go and Min Woo asks where Seok Hoon is. Chang Soo’s phone rings. It’s Ji Hyuk (labeled ‘Son of Dukbokki Restaurant’). Chang Soo chuckles and says that it’s just a solicitor. Min Woo doesn’t buy it so Chang Soo has to admit it’s Ji Hyuk. Min Woo has Chang Soo pull up next to Ji Hyuk. He rolls down the window and says that the person who is supporting the orphanage is his assistant. He holds up Chang Soo’s phone so that it’s obvious that Ji Hyuk is calling it. He asks if Ji Hyuk understands now. He rolls his window back up and has Chang Soo drive away.
Ji Hyuk is stunned. He goes back inside. His parents are busy getting food ready for the orphanage. They notice Ji Hyuk’s mood, but when they ask, he just goes in his room and shuts the door.
Seok Hoon is on the phone with Scumbag. Why did he come to the company? Seok Hoon told him that he’s in the process of persuading Min Woo. Min Woo enters. Seok Hoon gives a friendly wave and tells Scumbag that they will talk later. Sounding friendly, Seok Hoon says that Min Woo came. The Korean equivalent of ‘you’re here.’ Min Woo asks what Seok Hoon persuading him about. Seok Hoon doesn’t know what Min Woo means. Didn't Seok Hoon just say he was persuading Min Woo? Seok Hoon acts like he was talking about *investors.* And that’s a big office. With lots of power. And yet Seok Hoon wants more… For the PF business.
Seok Hoon invites Min Woo to have a seat. He seems like he has something to say. They sit. Min Woo asks where Seok Hoon went the night before with Seo Eun Ha. To the hospital where her nanny is staying? Seok Hoon says that he didn’t. And I’m surprised – but maybe he’s had Minion watching the restaurant and got tipped off that Min Woo knows. Min Woo replies, “Of course not.” A person who is in critical condition would not be making dukbokki.
Seok Hoon asks if Min Woo went to the restaurant. He says that he saw the family, too. The person Seo Eun Ha used to love is the son of her nanny. Seok Hoon’s expression doesn’t change. He is really good at lying and holding onto his cards. Min Woo asks if Seok Hoon knew this. Seok Hoon replies by asking how he could tell Min Woo, if he knew. He says that it’s true that the nanny's health is not good. She has issues with her liver. She passed out yesterday and the message he got that she was in critical condition was an error. Didn't Eun Ha tell him that? And I can’t tell what Min Woo is thinking right now.
Seok Hoon sighs and says that Eun Ha continues to meet with her lover and is helping him financially, too. He would be angry, too, if he were Min Woo. Min Woo doesn’t necessarily look angry. His face is unreadable. But, still, meeting them is not a good idea. Min Woo’s relationship with Eun Ha may become irreversibly damaged. Seok Hoon tells him to clear any misunderstandings as quick as possible. Min Woo nods and says that he should. Min Woo stands to leave and sees something that makes him stop. Seok Hoon asks if anything’s wrong. Min Woo says that it’s nothing. But it’s something.
As Min Woo rides in his car, he stares at the pen. Chang Soo gets distracted by this. He almost runs a light and hits a bunch of people in the crosswalk.
Ji Sook rides in her taxi, thinking of Scumbag at work. She thinks about Min Woo giving her a shoulder to cry on, comforting her and then kissing him. I’d fall in love with him. Ji Sook tells herself that she’s crazy.
Back at the house, Chul and Yun Soo are showing Ji Sook and Min Woo the bedding they’ve gotten her. It’s the best bedding, from Poland's finest geese breast down. Min Woo asks if that’s right. Yun Soo tells Chul that sleeping in the bed is more comfortable… Holding each other. She gives Chul a playful punch. How much more obvious does *she* have to get? Min Woo looks at her, almost glaring, and she stops smiling. She says that the more comfortable Siberian geese breast down is being imported as they speak. They leave.
Min Woo tells Ji Sook to take the bed from tonight on. He’ll sleep on the sofa. Ji Sook says that she’ll sleep on the sofa, of course. He notes the ‘of course.’ She says that she was sleeping on the sofa from the start. He tells her that they should talk completely freely. She replies, “Talk?” and won’t make eye contact. He asks if it’s uncomfortable when he looks at her. She smiles briefly and says that it’s not. Still no eye contact.
He frowns and turns the topic to last night… what he did to her… the lips like that... He won’t make the cowardly claim that it was a mistake. He just wanted to do it at the time. His emotion... His heart was moved like that. His heart was moved like that! Sigh. Like he’s trying to convince himself that it’s no big deal – Min Woo says that you can't control your heart. Ji Sook doesn’t respond. He looks at her and tells her not to be ashamed like that. It's making him miserable. How he said that last sentence. Swoon.
He switches the topic to her visit to your nanny with Seok Hoon. The next time that happens, he’ll go with her. He’s her husband. There are prying eyes. She quietly says that she’s sorry. He says that he’s sorry, too, for the unwanted skinship. Slight facial reaction from Ji Sook. Maybe it wasn’t so unwanted. He tells her not to worry about it. From now on, he won't even touch her fingertips. And he’s the one with the skinship issue. But then, there is that clause in their contract. If she was upset, she would have pressed charges like she promised, wouldn’t she?
Seok Hoon is taking a shower. Why is there a mirror in the shower? Who does that? He doesn’t look very happy. He’s thinking of the kiss that Min Woo and Ji Sook shared. After his shower, he asks Mi Yeon – who has changed her clothes and is lounging on the couch – how her first day at work was. Practically rolling her eyes, she asks he thinks it went. Probably not fun? Right. Mi Yeon whines about having to work there. Seok Hoon says that it will be a good experience for her. It will help her to run the company later. He tells her to think positively.
Mi Yeon gets up from the couch and holds out a glass with some liquid in it. It kind of looks like Coke or an herbal drink. She tells him to drink. He asks what it is. She tells him to drink it first then she’ll tell him. He chuckles and downs it. Judging from how he’s smacking his mouth and rubbing at his tongue, it did not taste good. He coughs and makes a face like it was really bitter. She asks how he feels; can he breathe okay? He nods. She says that the energy will slowly drain from his body. She take a step forward. Then he’ll lose consciousness and fall asleep. A deep sleep. He tells her to stop playing. I don’t think she’s playing, dude.
She says that it's a concoction made of worms. He is grossed out. She puts her hand on his shoulder and says that she was told that it will give him enough energy to do ‘it’ all night. She tells him to drink it everyday for their baby. He can do that, right? He smiles – not convincingly though – and says that he’ll gladly do it, if it will give them a baby.
Min Woo is curled on the couch. He looks over at the bed, where Ji Sook is tossing and turning. He sits up and says her name. He wants to ask her one thing. She sits up. What is her goal? Goal? It doesn't seem like she wants to take over the company. Is there something else she wants? She repeats that question: Something that she wants? Min Woo says that she wouldn't want to keep living this way, would she? If she gets what she wants later, will she leave then? Aw, he’s asking whether she’s going to leave him at some point. Aw. Ji Sook sighs and says that she has no place to go. So, she can't leave. Not the most comforting answer. She lies down again. I’m not sure how Min Woo took her answer.
Mi Yeon and Seok Hoon are in bed. She nudges him and asks if he’s awake. He says he isn’t. You’re supposed to be baby making right now. She asks if the drink was effective. In a voice that wants her to go to sleep, he says that nothing is happening. She mutters that the man said it would give a lot of energy. He laughs and asks if she believed that snake oil salesman? She starts to roll over but stops when he tells her not to believe what other people say. They look at each other. His expression is actually soft here, kind. Only believe what he says. She tells him that he’s brazen. He says to believe him in spite of that, even if she doesn't like it. He says that because she’ll believe him anyway...even his lies… He leans over, softly puts his hand on her face and leans over to kiss her. But they’re interrupted by his hand phone. He’s going to kiss her anyway, but it keeps ringing.
Switch to Seok Hoon waiting in a junk yard. Scumbag arrives with a briefcase. Scumbag asks if he woke Seok Hoon. Seok Hoon says that Scumbag did. Scumbag replies that Seok Hoon can’t be sleeping already. He said he’d take care of Scumbag’s problem. He puts the briefcase on the hood of Seok Hoon’s car. He says that he couldn't sleep because there is something odd. Seok Hoon asks what is odd – in a tone that sounds irritated.
Scumbag says that it’s about Executive Director Choi Min Woo's wife. It is not just odd, but very strange. Seok Hoon waits. Scumbag says that he did some research on the director's taste and his weaknesses. Min Woo’s wife looks so similar to the girl Scumbag used to play with. He told Seok Hoon about Byeon Ji Sook, right? Seok Hoon asks what Scumbag is talking about. Scumbag says that Director Choi's wife looks exactly like Byeon Ji Sook. Seok Hoon’s face looks more shark-like.
Scumbag says that the interesting thing is that Byeon Ji Sook died a month ago. They even registered her death. But Scumbag ran into her when her was meeting the director and he saw her today at the company. She ran away as soon as she saw him. She asks who Ji Sook was and they said she was a new employee, Seo Eun Ha. The same name as Director Choi. Seok Hoon asks what Scumbag is getting at. Scumbag says that he’s been thinking – never a good thing for this guy – and he’s concluded Byeon Ji Sook is pretending to be Seo Eun Ha.
Seok Hoon laughs and asks if that even makes sense. Scumbag says that that’s why he’s saying it’s strange. Seok Hoon lives with Director Choi's wife, right? Seok Hoon should look into it. If Seok Hoon digs out the right info, getting a construction contract would be a piece of cake. Scumbag scrunches his nose as he adds “for a lifetime.” Seok Hoon repeats it: Lifetime. Scumbag opens the briefcase full of cash and tells Seok Hoon to relay the message to Director Choi that they’ll be on the same team once he accepts this. Like they are. Forever. He smiles.
Seok Hoon’s face twitches slightly with a smile. He asks Scumbag who else knows about this? Totally clueless that he is signing his own death warrant – Scumbag says that he just figured it out. That's why he came at this hour. Seok Hoon nods and tells Scumbag not to tell anyone. They’ll make their move after he confirms it and gets some solid evidence. Scumbag tells him not to take too long. He has no patience for waiting. Scumbag gets in his car and leaves. No use getting his own hands dirty. Seok Hoon will just farm it out to someone else. Minion, maybe?
Ji Hyuk holds a picture of Scumbag. Loan Shark’s voice says that today is the only chance. Tonight at midnight. Loan Shark gives Scumbag’s location. Ji Hyuk looks at him. His face says that he’s not sure he can do this. And I say ‘don’t!’ It might get you out of debt sooner, but you have to live with yourself afterward. Loan Shark says to open the door with the key he has and then inject Scumbag with the stuff in the needle. It is very simple. Ji Hyuk’s debt will be paid off with one strike.
Loan Shark tells Ji Hyuk that paying him 500,000,000 KRW for killing someone is a huge sum of money. Loan Shark takes out one of his special cigarettes and Ji Hyuk pulls out his lighter for Loan Shark. Loan Shark tells Ji Hyuk not to think too much. It'll only give Ji Hyuk a headache. Loan Shark exhorts Ji Hyuk to finish it tonight and then they should not see each other anymore, huh? Ji Hyuk lights his lighter and reaches over like he’s going to light Loan Shark’s cigarette. Instead he torches the photo. Ji Hyuk stands and tells Loan Shark not to bring it up again. He’ll report Loan Shark. He tosses the photo on the coffee table in the cigarette tray and leaves.
At home, Mom and Dad are hard at work – it looks like it’s the food for the orphanage. Ji Hyuk keeps thinking about the offer. Mom collapses.
At work, Ji Sook gets a paper cut and drops a stack of paper. Manager gives her a hard time. She cleans up the papers, avoiding getting her blood on them. Min Woo walks by and notices. He asks if just got a paper cut? She looks at him. He asks how she could get cut by paper? It's not a knife! Where’s her mind at? The faces of the other workers look shocked that Director is so mad. He orders her to come to his office!
Ji Sook approaches Min Woo, who is sitting at his desk. Wordlessly, he puts a bandage down on the desk. He tells her to put it on, and don't thank him. She asks if he called her in there for this. He replies that it’s so she can't use it as an excuse to slack off at work. Yeah, right. She takes the bandage and bows. She starts to go but he orders her to put it on here! Could he be a bigger dork. So sweet.
♫ I didn't know. You would be someone ♫
♫ to fill my like this and abandon me. ♫
Min Woo watches her put on the bandage. He says that she knew Seok Hoon before, right? She says that she did. He asks how she met Seok Hoon. Can she tell him? Ji Sook says that they didn't meet on good terms. She starts to say how but stops.
♬ It seems it will the last thing to happen to me. ♬
♬ With both pain and tears enough ♬
She asks if they have to talk about this at work?
♬ that love will change. ♬
He’s been looking at her and now looks away. She doesn't have to tell him if she doesn't want to. She says that it’s not that she doesn’t want to say. He says that she must have her reasons for not telling him. He knows. He knows it, too.
There’s a pause and he tells her that she may leave if she’s done. She looks at him, bows and starts to go.
♬ Now I know ♬
♬ The sorrow which remained. ♬
Min Woo adds for her to not get hurt at work from now on…
♬ It's all because you are the one. ♬
…because someone who is watching gets hurt, too. Could he be sweeter?
♬ After a long darkness the love which appeared ♬
She almost turns around but bows and goes.
♫ I think you will be my last love ♫
Ji Hyuk is struggling at the hospital. Mom wants to be discharged. Right now, she’s only increasing her hospital bill. Dad is ticked that Mom didn’t tell him about her test results. She asks what it will change for him to know. Her liver is already ruined. Dialysis costs way too much money that they don’t have. Why waste money on that? Dad asks if Mom’s just going to die then. Ji Hyuk can’t take any more and leaves the room.
Ji Hyuk sits in the hospital coffee area. Doctor has says that Mom is in the final stages of Hepatocirrhosis. If not treated, she could die from complications. His face says that he’s thinking about Loan Shark’s offer.
At work, Mi Yeon holds out a hand phone to Ji Sook. She says that it sounds like Eun Ha’s lover. Ji Hyuk calls her by name and says that it’s him. He asks her to meet him. It is very important. She tells him he’s not supposed to bother her any more. He protests that it won’t take long. Instead of saying Mom’s sick. She asks if he didn’t understand her and orders him not to call anymore! She hangs up. Min Woo has been watching.
Ji Hyuk calls again and gets the machine.
Minion is injecting cans of beer with something. Scumbag is now meeting with Seok Hoon. He has one of the cans of beer. Seok Hoon says that as a youngster, he thought human life is more important than money. He had no doubt. Scumbag takes a drink of beer. Seok Hoon says that he thought that to save a dying person, spending billions was the right thing to do. Scumbag wants to know why Seok Hoon talking about that all of a sudden. He cancelled all of his appointments because Seok Hoon said it was important.
Seok Hoon replies that it is important. Because Scumbag must understand me. Scumbag shrugs and tells him to go ahead. Seok Hoon says that he wants to change the world. He don't like this world that can be moved by money. Scumbag smiles and tells him to do it. Hasn’t Scumbag supported Seok Hoon diligently all this time so he can do that? Oh, is Seok Hoon saying that he needs money? Even though Seok Hoon is richer than this guy, by far, not counting Mi Yeon’s money? Is he not getting Seok Hoon’s drift? Seok Hoon smiles – his shark smile – and says that he told Scumbag, Scumbag must understand him.
Scumbag asks how Seok Hoon’s research is going on the director's wife? He adds that he’ll be in awkward position at home if he can't get the construction contract. Seok Hoon says that everything will be resolved today. Just wait a little longer. Scumbag excited: Really?
Ji Hyuk enters Loan Shark’s office and says that he’ll do it. Who was Loan Shark going to get to do it if Ji Hyuk didn’t agree?
Scumbag takes another swig of beer. He asks why Seok Hoon is looking at him. Seok Hoon looks at his watch. And we all know that he’s just waiting for the drugs to take effect. Scumbag has now drunk 6 cans of the beer. Wouldn’t a needle-sized hole cause the beers to go flat? Scumbag gets up to get another and it finally hits him. He collapses on the floor. Seok Hoon says that in the novel ‘Crime and Punishment,’ a poor college student says after killing a loan shark that a remarkable person changes the world. A remarkable person transcends good and evil. He (Seok Hoon) is a remarkable person. Who has the villain stare down now.
Seok Hoon gets up and tells Scumbag not to over do it. He’s wasting what's left of his energy. Scumbag whimpers that he’s scared. And I don’t feel bad for him at all. Seok Hoon snaps on the latex gloves. He pulls out a syringe. He says that Scumbag will die anyway. He’s not sure if will be a suicide or a murder. He sticks the needle in Scumbag’s arm. Seok Hoon tells Scumbag that his death will help him (Seok Hoon). Scumbag understands him now. And Scumbag writhes on the floor, exhales and goes limp.
Ji Hyuk is outside Casa Choi. It’s 9 o’clock. He only has 1% left on his battery. He tries calling Ji Sook again. Aw, he’s trying to get his Noona to rescue him. He doesn’t want to do this. Security guy notices him, so Ji Hyuk leaves. Guard goes and tells Chul and Yun Soo. He’s been there before, asking to see the Madam. Ji Sook arrives and hears. He was making a phone call?
She heads back to her room and gets her phone. She turns it on. Ji Hyuk is leaving his message: Remember the toy gun? He’s about to do something far worse than that. Mom is very sick. Seongbook dong, Seongjin Officetel room #606. If she is his noona, if she is his family member, please stop him. Please!
Ji Sook sees she has 8 missed calls and a message from the dukbokki restaurant’s son. She’s about to listen to the message when Min Woo enters. He declares that he must know about it. He puts the pen on the coffee table in front of her. Who is the person she used to love?
Seok Hoon is driving down the street. He screeches the car to a halt to not hit Ji Hyuk. He waves Ji Hyuk across the street. He looks at his watch: 9:15 pm.
Ji Sook isn’t looking at him. Min Woo says that he knows that they agreed not to interfere with each other's personal life and won't fuss about each other's past. She fidgets. She knows something’s going on with Ji Hyuk. He wouldn’t have called that many times if there wasn’t. But they are husband and wife. They eat and sleep under same roof and are the first people the other sees each morning when they open their eyes. His voice becomes a little more emotional, urgent. He has to know that his thoughts are wrong. Ji Sook doesn’t say anything.
Min Woo asks if she really doesn't remember? She looks at the pen. She says that there’s no way she can't not remember this. Look more carefully. She says that she doesn’t know. She asks what it is. Whose fountain pen is this? He looks at her. Close up of her eyes as he’s reflected in them. Aw. He blinks because it affects him. She looks down at her phone. Min Woo looks down and tells her to check what she needs to check. It seems her mind is somewhere else. He looks like he’s about to cry. I’ll hug you, Min Woo.
She steps a few feet away from him and listens to the message. She gasps as she listens to it and starts to run out of the room. He grabs her and asks what’s wrong. She says that she has to go. He doesn’t let her go. He asks her to let him come with her, or is she going with Seok Hoon again? Sounds a little jealous. She tries to leave again but he doesn’t let go.
Seok Hoon walks down the hall of the house, tired. Killing someone will do that to you. He comes across Mi Yeon, who is standing with a glass of wine. She tells him that he must be busy these days. He says that he just finished some important business. The kind of things he has to do himself. They see Ji Sook and Min Woo leave together. She asks if he’s going to have to go out again? His eye twitches as he says that he just said he finished the important business.
As they drive – and I’m so happy that she let Min Woo come! She needs to start letting him in on things! – Ji Sook tries calling Ji Hyuk but there’s no answer.
Ji Hyuk waits at a bus stop. People load. He doesn’t get on because his phone rings. But then his phone dies. Ji Hyuk gets on the bus.
Min Woo and Ji Sook stop at a light. Ji Sook asks if she’s really not going to tell him what is happening? She apologizes and says that she can't tell him. She says that he asked her what dream she wants to fulfill in that house. Living a normal life can be a huge dream to some people. He looks at her. Her dream... Her goal is just living a normal life.
And then they are rear-ended. It’s just a tap really. Min Woo gets out of the car. Car’s driver yells at him for not moving after the light changed. Still your fault, lady. It is normal to go after the light changes! Ji Sook hops into the driver’s seat and takes off. As she drives, she goes faster.
Ji Hyuk looks at the syringe.
Min Woo tries to hail a taxi.
Police car with flashing lights behind Ji Sook, telling her to pull over. They make her pull over. Cop asks for her license. She says she doesn’t have her wallet. He asks for her registration. Is this her car? She says that it’s her husband's. Cop wants husband's name and phone number. She asks if he couldn’t just let her go? She’ll take the ticket. She has urgent business to take care of. Cop tells her to please step out of the car. He repeats the request.
Ji Hyuk has a face mask and cap on. He falls on the floor when someone walks by. He opens the door.
Ji Sook is now at the police station. Cop pulls up her record but orders another cop to get Ji Sook’s prints to verify. She refuses. Several cops fight with her but she won’t unclench her fist. Min Woo arrives and demands that they unhand her. They look at each other. As he walks over to her, she says his name: Min Woo-shi.
He thinks of a session with Doc Kim. Oh, this should be good. The doc who’s working to convince Min Woo that he’s crazy. It was all an hallucination. Everything starts with the wrong belief. As Doc Kim’s voice says a kid believing his uncle killed his father may be a delusion – Hamlet? – we see inside Min Woo’s secret room and his murder board.
Min Woo looks at the pen and says, “Geum Uh Cho (Snapdragon).” It means ‘Desire’ in the language of flowers. We see what Min Woo saw in Seok Hoon’s office: the painting that inspired the pen, a painting that he later saw in a brochure attributing the painting to her. He remembers jeweler saying that she said he’d be paid plenty and brought her own painting.
Min Woo looks at a picture of Seok Hoon. Seok Hoon’s holding the pen. Seok Hoon’s Initiation Ceremony for the 37th Prosecutors' Class. Eun Ha takes out the pen and tucks it in his coat pocket. She smiles sweetly at him. And there’s even a picture of when she does it. So they’ve known each other a *long* time.
Doc Kim says that even if the delusion is wrong, it can be troubling and end up attacking you.
Back to the police station where Ji Sook and Min Woo look at each other. Her eyes are full of tears.
Thoughts
Wow, Eun Ha and Seok Hoon have known each other a long time. Longer than he’s been married to Mi Yeon. So how long has he been planning this? Have *they* been planning this? And how did Seok Hoon not know about those pictures? Did he not think anyone would look back that far?
What is Min Woo thinking now? Because something was going on with him, when he saw himself in her eyes. When I think of other instances where a lover has seen him/herself in someone else’s eyes, it means that they are connected, really in love. I think of Peter Gabriel’s song, ‘In Your Eyes.’
The chorus has these lines:
♫ And all my instincts, they return ♫
♫ And the grand facade, so soon will burn ♫
♫ Without a noise, without my pride ♫
♫ I reach out from the inside ♫
♫ In your eyes / The light the heat ♫
♫ In your eyes / I am complete ♫
♫ In your eyes / I see the doorway to a thousand churches ♫
♫ In your eyes / The resolution of all the fruitless searches ♫
♫ In your eyes / I see the light and the heat ♫
♫ In your eyes / Oh, I want to be that complete ♫
♫ I want to touch the light ♫
♫ The heat I see in your eyes ♫
Just thinking about that being that going on in Min Woo’s heart makes me swoon just a little. He’s feeling all this, knowing that Seok Hoon and Eun Ha *knew* each other, that Seok Hoon (rather than Ji Hyuk) is most likely Eun Ha’s lover. But that whole scene, where he comes in with the pen and asks, as he begs to go with her, is him saying that he doesn’t care. Especially because things are different now. He doesn’t care if that was before. He’ll take her that way, any way, and he’ll be there for her, even if she’s running off to be with another man.
We finally have Seok Hoon's motivation for why he's doing what he's doing. It started out as an altruistic goal: so that the weak and powerless are no longer trampled on. But he's seriously lost his way. I mean, pretending to love someone, manipulating them constantly, sending your lover to marry (and have sex with) another man, drugging another person to convince them that they are crazy, leaving a fourth person to potentially die a painful death and then constantly terrorizing her in order to control her, threatening her family... Pretty evil stuff there. But it says two things to me: (1) Seok Hoon has completely lost touch with reality, because the way he is now, he would be the one doing that stuff to his dad; and, (2) he's redeemable. He's not doing this out of greed or malice or a need for revenge... just to save the world.
I think it’s telling that he compared himself to Rodoin Raskolnikov from ‘Crime and Punishment.’ Raskolnikov is a study of contradictions: cold, apathetic, antisocial, but warm, generous, and compassionate. He’s grabbed onto Raskolnikov’s nihilistic idea that nothing is intrinsically good or evil, moral or immoral. Killing someone isn’t necessarily right or wrong; it just depends on the person who commits it and the reason it’s committed. Being remarkable, rather than average, Raskolnikov’s murder of an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money is completely fine, justified and his right to do, because the ends justify the means and he was going to use the money to do all kinds of good, plus the world was rid of a repulsive leech. Even though Raskolnikov is revealed to be not remarkable, nor able to bear the burden of his own guilt, and even though Raskolnikov later accepts his punishment and gets his redemption after a prison term in Siberia, Seok Hoon is thinking that he’ll get away with it, because he truly *is* a remarkable man. Who, is it’s ‘Crime and Punishment,’ will be serving a long prison sentence and finally find true love with his wife. Which isn’t so bad an ending for either him or Mi Yeon.
Both Ji Hyuk and Min Woo are getting closer to the truth about Ji Sook. I wonder what both of them are going to do when they find out. And when is Ji Sook finally going to crack and admit to herself about her attraction to Min Woo, particularly with him growing sweeter and more affectionate by the day?
Oh, almost forget to mention the brief glimpse at the murder board, where all of Min Woo’s family members are posted, and Doc Kim telling him that his whole idea of reality might be delusion. Was that before or after Doc Kim started conspiring to make Min Woo believe that he’s crazy? I think our Min Woo knows a lot more than he’s been letting on, but since he has no one he can trust and rely on, he hasn’t been able to reveal it.
And, speaking of Doc Kim, why hasn’t Min Woo been having any episodes lately? Because he accidentally ‘almost’ killed Eun Ha? And when are we going to find out who really killed her? And does Seok Hoon have any real affection for Mi Yeon? Sometimes he seems genuinely gentle with her.
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