Original subtitles

[This drama is a work of fiction.]

[Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.]

[Scenes with child actors and animals were filmed safely]

[under professional supervision.]

You

just wanted to use me

for your grand ambition.

Do you get it now?

This is your last chance.

You choose.

Either you or me...

If this goes any further,

it won't end with someone getting hurt.

I did everything I could to protect you,

but maybe I chose the wrong way.

[Danger: High Voltage] [Authorized Personnel Only]

Mr. Bang Tae Seop.

What you're about to do

is kill the dead a second time.

But once you see this through,

you'll rise all the way to the top,

just like you wanted.

But in return...

You'll have to give up

the one thing you value most.

For example...

Chu Sang Ah.

Fine.

Then I'll be the one who dies.

[Episode 1]

I was born the son of a factory worker.

My father was a union leader.

While fighting for the workers' rights,

he was handed a prison sentence

by the prosecutor on the case, a man who had taken bribes from the company.

[Steel Mill Union Leader Bang's Tragic Death: Will the Truth Ever Come Out?]

And that night...

he took his own life.

I wanted revenge.

That's why I became a prosecutor.

But that place...

was their own private kingdom.

[Stay strong today and tomorrow, too.]

To squeeze in among the bloodlines that run the legal world,

I even emptied my rent money

to buy a Mercedes-benz,

and crashed at my sister's hair salon.

[Seong Hye Hair Salon]

I even tried getting in with the chief prosecutor's circle.

Once, I hung off

a ninth-floor hotel railing

for five hours in eight-below-zero weather.

But nothing changed.

Come on.

Knock it off.

You really think that'll get you in with those true-blood elites?

Well...

The more desperate you are,

the easier it is for them to squeeze you dry and toss you aside.

That's how the prosecution works.

I wanted to stand above the world

and look down on them.

I needed the key

that could open the gates to that kingdom.

Chu Sang Ah.

In the end,

I met her when she came in for questioning as a witness.

It was the perfect opportunity

to make the world know my name.

[Top Actress Chu Sang Ah Announces Marriage]

The relationship between a dirt-poor prosecutor and a pop star who once swept across Asia

is being called Korea's version of "Notting Hill,"

a marriage of the century

that has captured the nation like a real-life romance drama.

[Top Star Chu Sang Ah Suspected of Multi-Billion-Won Tax Evasion]

[The Fall of the Nation's Actress]

[Despite her heartfelt apology, public reaction remains cold]

Today, we have someone,

who has stood by my side for many years

[Chu Sang Ah After Tax Evasion Scandal] and endured this harsh industry with me.

[Spotted at Co-CEO's Child's Birthday Party] Our nation's beloved actress.

Please welcome Chu Sang Ah.

Come out here for a moment.

[She looks flustered] It's okay.

Let's give her a round of applause.

- Please sing a song for us. - Please!

[She's aged a lot since we last saw her] Sing for us.

Sing! Sing!

Sing! Sing!

Give a big hand!

[Chu Sang Ah After Tax Evasion Scandal]

I told you not to watch that.

Mi Soon.

Yes?

Is the person who filmed and posted that video the problem?

Or the people next to them bluntly calling it out?

Or is the problem me, a has-been past my prime?

Come on, of course not.

- Past your prime? Don't say that. - Then what, ancient?

You're kidding, right?

Look at these fine lines.

Touch this up for me.

Today my makeup has to look natural.

Okay?

♪ The moment you stood by my side ♪

♪ I love that look in your eyes ♪

♪ Yesterday I cried ♪

♪ But today, because of you ♪

♪ tomorrow I'll be happy ♪

- I'll be happy! - I'll be happy!

♪ Eat plenty today and have a drink ♪

♪ All I ever needed was a gentle love ♪

♪ So I could forget all the years gone by ♪

♪ Without you ♪

♪ I can't do anything anymore ♪

♪ All I know is love ♪

[Assemblymember Kwak Jung Ja]

Let me first offer my sincere birthday wishes

to our beloved Changjo Party's Assemblywoman Kwak Jung Ja.

I couldn't just pass by,

so I stopped in for a moment while I was next door.

I'm Bang Tae Seop, the star prosecutor of

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Criminal Division 3.

Thank you.

Prosecutor Bang, you should pour me a drink before you go.

Of course.

Let me pour you a nice strong one.

He's good.

Happy birthday.

- Congratulations. - Thank you.

[Stay strong today and tomorrow, too.]

Top stars always fade eventually.

And now that the perks he enjoyed thanks to his wife have run out,

he probably doesn't see a future in this office and wants out.

Yeah, I'm getting out of the District Prosecutors' Office.

So,

what exactly are you planning to do?

If you roll and crawl your way somewhere only to find it's a sewer,

then you find another hole to crawl into.

Fair enough.

You got an offer from the Changjo Party before, right?

Instead of rotting away here,

try getting nominated for this year's general election.

As the general election is three months away

and the presidential election just over a year out,

attention is focused on the next moves of Mayor of Seoam, Nam Hye Hoon.

She continues to lead in polls measuring public support

for the opposition's next political leader.

She recently gave an exclusive interview to The London Times,

the first ever by Mayor of Seoam,

showcasing her presence as a global leader.

Nam Hye Hoon.

What if she actually makes it to the Blue House at this rate?

Hey.

You do know she's a sewer, right?

Don't say something so horrifying.

About Senior Prosecutor Yoon...

You know he got cut off while digging into her, right?

- Did he? - Yeah.

The case where Mayor Nam took kickbacks from TM and pushed through that redevelopment deal.

He was digging into it and got caught by the Chief Prosecutor.

That's when his head rolled.

Mayor Nam is the Chief Prosecutor's in-law.

Darn it.

But Joong Hyuk was in the Chief Prosecutor's line.

Line or not, he still got thrown under the bus.

Anyway, Mayor Nam

is a hot potato right now.

Everyone thinks if they dig up something and blow it open,

they'll get the spotlight

and land a job at a big law firm or go into politics.

But they all jump in,

get crushed, get blacklisted,

and end up doing public defense for the rest of their lives.

It's a poisoned chalice.

Hey, it's been a while.

Hello, Mi Soon.

Nice haircut.

You have a good sense, as always.

Good work today, Mi Soon.

Good night.

Thought you had a team dinner.

You're back early.

I came early because I wanted another drink with you.

Got plans?

Yeah. Something came up.

What's with you?

Meeting a guy?

If you are, shouldn't you change your underwear first?

Must be something important.

A film company.

I have a script meeting.

Doesn't sound like a film company.

You know I have to show up sometimes, even when I don't want to.

So I'd appreciate it if you stopped asking.

Okay.

Sorry.

Yeah, I'm heading out now.

- Let's talk later. - Okay.

[The Nam Hye Hoon List]

[Social Media Chat Analysis Report]

[Receipt for Full Payment of Property Purchase]

[Response to Request for Access to Personal Information]

Nam Hye Hoon's image was in free fall

because of slush funds and real estate speculation...

[Suspected Backdoor Ties Between Mayor Nam and WR Group]

But after teaming up with WR recently,

she suddenly rose as a leading presidential contender.

Especially... Lee Yang Mi.

Who's the real power at WR these days?

[WR Group Owner Kwon Se Myeong and His Wife, Lee Yang Mi: Korea's No. 3 Conglomerate]

It's Lee Yang Mi.

[Sansugapsan] Excuse me, do you have a table?

Sorry, we're closed today.

What?

But it's not your day off.

- Did someone rent out the whole place? - Yes, they did.

- What? - I'm sorry.

Let's go somewhere else.

- Sorry about that. - Okay.

How's the atmosphere on set?

You're doing well, right?

Even if the director's a nobody,

I read the script myself.

It won't flop.

Of course.

It's my comeback project, and you were the one who introduced it.

I'll give it my all.

Right.

If you're born an actor and will die an actor anyway,

you've got to stay cool

about a fate that swings like Tesla stock

if you want to last in the long run.

True.

I tell myself it's all part of life's lessons

and try not to ride the highs and lows...

but in this industry, that's easier said than done.

Then again,

I never liked the fate of entertainers getting swept up by trends,

living and dying by every rise and fall.

With this face,

I gave up on becoming an actress pretty early.

I'm a Scorpio,

so I prefer pulling the strings, not being pulled.

And you...

Before you crashed, you stayed on top thanks to me.

Anyway, I've bought shares in your agency,

and you're not getting any younger.

Did you really think I'd just let you fade away like this?

So...

I do have one card

that could put you right back on top in one shot.

Lee Yang Mi...

[Growing Favoritism Allegations] She's the one who stirred things up

with the Chief Prosecutor and got me forced out.

Mayor Nam's approval ratings were dropping,

but her image turned around

right after she started appearing with Lee Yang Mi,

the one who pulls the strings in the media.

I knew she was bankrolling films and dramas

and meeting celebrities through that,

but I didn't realize her reach extended into politics too.

Exactly.

So someone like Lee Yang Mi chose Nam Hye Hoon

as her presidential partner?

Yeah.

But apparently she has a certain way of doing business in politics.

She brings in celebrities she has leverage over

and uses them for sexual favors.

Sang Ah.

That rising actor your agency signed with CEO Eom.

Bae Yun Seong.

Mayor Nam says

watching his drama these days is the highlight of her day.

She keeps saying she wants to meet him.

You know...

We signed up for treatments at Director Park's aesthetic clinic,

and guess what.

She wrote her nickname down as "Kim Byul."

Funny, right?

That's the name of Yun Seong's co-star, isn't it?

It is, right?

- Director... - Or am I wrong?

Don't go that far.

What?

You should be satisfied with just me.

Leave the agency and Yun Seong out of it.

Listen, Chu Sang Ah.

Get a grip.

You're not stupid.

You said you wanted your top spot back.

Whether you sink lower or climb back up depends on me.

So face reality.

In a situation like this...

This isn't the time to be clinging to your pride.

If you take one more step, it is a cliff.

You see that, right?

Whether you keep going or not...

That's your call.

Did you drink a lot?

No.

I think I just feel sick.

Did something happen?

Just a little rough.

Are we...

going to be okay?

I'm sorry.

I feel like I'm not much help to you.

Don't say that.

Honestly, today was hard.

I know I can go further,

but I'm scared

this might be the end for me.

Do you know why

I wanted to be with you so badly?

Even when you get hurt and knocked down,

even when you're afraid,

you're the kind of woman

who's more afraid of stopping than anything else.

That's what I admired

about you.

I feel the same.

With you...

I thought I could go all the way.

That's why.

You know, I threw up.

When I look at the woman, it feels like I'm looking at myself.

That's why I wanted to have her.

And I thought I did...

But lately,

I'm starting to think maybe that was just my illusion.

You're madly in love with her.

This isn't the place

to go on about your tragic love story.

I don't have anywhere else to talk about my wife.

Sorry.

No need to apologize.

These are files on Lee Yang Mi and Nam Hye Hoon.

They really are close.

Even with their busy schedules,

whether it's golf or the aesthetic clinic...

they always show up together.

And...

the SBC vice chairman and the Doyak Party leader

arrived one after another,

took the elevator up, and got off at the penthouse floor.

Soon after, a group of women arrived

and got off on the same floor.

I couldn't get a clear look,

but they looked like recognizable celebrities.

Interesting.

And this is

the WR Hotel reservation list.

[Hotel Room Reservation Log] See the name "Kim Byul?"

That's the name Nam Hye Hoon uses when she books aesthetic appointments.

Next Wednesday.

Okay.

This case...

Finish it well.

Once it's done, I'll throw in a little extra.

Looks like you're really quitting your job.

You should stop playing informant for me too.

I'll find you something else.

I'll handle my own life, so stay out of it.

How am I supposed to stay out of your life?

If you can't...

It's not like you'd choose me over Chu Sang Ah.

I'm heading out.

[CINE24]

Tae Seop.

Yes, sir.

I hear

you've been making quite a name for yourself lately.

Sorry?

Word is you've been sticking your nose

where it doesn't belong.

Decided to start living life on the edge?

Mayor Nam Hye Hoon.

I hear you've been digging into her lately.

Oh, that's just...

You little punk!

If I miss that deputy chief promotion again,

are you going to take responsibility for it?

What on earth are you doing?

The personnel announcement is coming up.

Are you trying to drag us all down with you?

Listen.

If you want to get yourself killed, do it alone.

Why are you splashing your mess all over me?

Sir, this is a misunderstanding.

I was only checking something I heard.

Checking?

You little jerk...

Hey.

Who do you think you are, checking up on Mayor Nam?

Why? Why?

Darn it.

This is really irritating.

Even this bastard's cousin is a congressman.

If the prosecution gets purged,

guys like me will be the first to go.

Drop the Mayor Nam case right now.

Got it?

Of course. Much respect, sir.

Darn it.

That's not going to...

work for me.

My way out is already gone,

so I might as well go all in.

I heard they call you the Doberman of the Seoam Central District Prosecution.

I actually keep a Doberman myself.

Is that why you went after Chu Sang Ah too?

I can't exactly deny that.

Go ahead.

I'm on a diet.

Kwon Jong Uk.

The heir to WR Group,

the third-largest company in Korea by market cap.

He's been raised with a silver spoon.

All pride and not a shred of common sense.

Kwon Se Myeong, the owner of WR,

and his wife, Director Lee Yang Mi.

Then there are the twin sons

from Kwon Se Myeong's previous marriage.

Kwon Jong Uk and Kwon Jong Il.

When the younger brother, Kwon Jong Il, gave up his claim to management,

WR was practically Jong Uk's for the taking.

But then Lee Yang Mi gave birth to Kwon Se Myeong's daughter.

She secured control of the hotel and entertainment divisions,

and that is when the real war between her and Kwon Jong Uk began.

So far, the score is two to one.

Lee Yang Mi is the one with two.

Which means if I take down Nam Hye Hoon and it hits Lee Yang Mi as well,

the one who benefits the most

is this man.

It sounded like an interesting offer, so I came.

But how exactly are you planning

to take down Lee Yang Mi through Nam Hye Hoon?

Soon, Lee Yang Mi will be making

an illegal lobbying move on Mayor Nam at the WR Hotel.

I'll raid the scene and take Mayor Nam down.

When that happens, Lee Yang Mi's grand plan falls apart too.

That is sexy.

So you must want something from me for coming all this way.

Make sure the story breaks and does not get buried.

And back me for the nomination in the upcoming general election.

You want my backing?

That's not hard.

But,

we just met.

Why should I trust you?

I never asked you to trust me.

You need Lee Yang Mi taken down without getting blood on your hands

if you want to protect WR.

And I need Mayor Nam taken down

to clear my path to the general election.

Is there

any bond stronger than

two people whose interests align?

You and I...

see the world the same way.

You're a strategist, huh?

Seems like a waste to stop at the general election with you.

The general election is not my goal.

My goal is to stand at the top of Korea.

Now that is some ambition.

Protect WR Group.

And keep working with me.

Bravo.

I heard you met Director Lee Yang Mi.

Yeah.

Then I guess you heard about

Yun Seong too.

How did you know?

WR's director office contacted us.

Don't worry about it.

It is nothing like that.

I expected something like this

when Director Lee bought shares in our company.

This really sucks.

Yeah, it does.

By the way,

do you know why I bought shares in your agency?

What, because I felt sorry for you?

No.

I'm not a charity worker.

I'm a businesswoman.

Do you think I'd invest that kind of money

without anything to gain?

Are you threatening me right now?

I'm offering you a deal.

Let's call it even with this.

Whether you end up shredded in my blender as the sacrificial lamb,

or survive and step back onto the stage,

that's entirely up to you.

Oh, if that sounded like a threat,

sorry.

Let's find another way.

I can't make a comeback using a dirty trick like that.

And Yun Seong will become a star soon anyway.

So even if Lee Yang Mi's side reaches out,

don't touch Yun Seong.

Understood?

All right.

Hello, director.

Hey, leave that.

The energy is off today. That color works better.

Understood.

This scent doesn't suit the lobby today.

Then...

which scent would you prefer?

Patchouli's woody note adds a more refined mood,

and the warm trail of ambergris gives it a sensual finish.

Clear that one out.

Who is this VVIP coming today?

The mayor.

Welcome, ma'am.

- Yeah. - This way, please.

Whether you end up shredded in my blender as the sacrificial lamb,

or survive and step back onto the stage,

that's entirely up to you.

Sang Ah.

I was supposed to meet CEO Eom. Where is he?

Well... about that...

He said something suddenly came up.

What do you mean?

Hey, Sang Ah.

Where are you?

I'm just...

Well...

I didn't want to do this either.

But

Director Lee's office...

They are coming down hard, saying they will pull their investment.

Our company is already struggling as it is, you know.

Are you insane?

You still can't go through with this.

What did Yun Seong ever do wrong?

He agreed to it.

What?

Yun Seong said

there is a limit to the roles he can land through auditions.

And once this is over,

WR will cast him as the lead in a romcom they're producing.

So yeah, Yun Seong was the one who said he'd do it first.

Don't worry.

He is ambitious, you know.

Let's go to the WR Hotel.

Yes.

Today's recommendation is

a premium vintage from Lafano Winery.

It has a spicy profile with a firm, full body.

Enjoy your evening.

[Bae Yun Seong]

The call can't be completed. Please leave...

Penthouse, 17th floor. Target is in.

I'm by the back entrance...

Chu Sang Ah is here.

What are you talking about? You sure you didn't see wrong?

No.

You know my eyes don't miss things.

Yun Seong.

Sang Ah?

You have to go in, Sang Ah.

All it takes is closing your eyes once,

and you will be a star.

Let's go.

I'm really sorry.

I'll just close my eyes once and come back.

Hello, ma'am. I'm Bae Yun Seong.

Oh, there you are.

You're even cuter in person.

Come sit here.

Yes.

Close your eyes

just once tonight,

and you'll be a star.

The call can't be completed. Please leave...

[Bang Tae Seop]

Try calling me Byul.

Byul.

Oh, Kim Byul.

Kim Byul.

Call me Byul.

Byul... Byul...

Hello, Mayor Nam Hye Hoon.

What the... Who are you?

Who are you?

Hey!

I'm sorry. Please let me go!

Is anyone out there?

[Hong Jin Kyu] [CEO of Big Entertainment]

[9 years earlier]

This is a good film.

It's a shame it will never be released.

Do you have any idea

who's holding the keys right now?

This was done without consulting me.

That's your fault too.

From now on, you work for me.

Are you hiding something from me these days?

No.

My wife is hiding something.

Wiretap her or follow her.

Just dig into it for me.

Please.

If you go any further with this...

you and I are finished.

You might be opening Pandora's box.

If it is a box that will be opened anyway...

then it might as well be me who opens it first.