What’s that, boy?  Ji-ho’s fallen down a well?  In Black Rock Canyon?  Oh well, just leave him there… he’ll figure a way out of that mess like he has with the others!

Yeong-rang repeats back into the phone that Ji-ho killed someone?  Attorney Choi is actually stunned for once to hear such news, as Yeong-rang claims she doesn’t know any details… but the other person’s name was Hong Woo Jin?  Attorney Choi looks like he’s ready to shit his pants, as she orders Secretary Oh to bring the car around ASAP.

Da-mi and Nam-joo pace and worry at the doors to the surgery room waiting for news on Woo-jin’s injuries.  Da-mi attempts to calm her mother down, but all Nam-joo wants to know is what the doctor meant earlier by saying Woo-jin had brain bleeding?  Da-mi tries to brush off that diagnosis by saying Woo-jin is healthy as a horse; he won’t stay down long from his injuries.  Jung-wook is hanging back observing the scene when Assistant Guy #2 comes up and whispers something in his ear.

They both converse in the stairwell, as Assistant Guy #2 tells Jung-wook that the MOU just drawn up with Boosung has disappeared.  Sherlock Jung-wook deduces that since Woo-jin took it with him to the warehouse, then Young-rang has all the pieces of evidence now: the contract, the blood-stained clothing and the tape recorder with Dong-yi’s confession on it.  A look of OH CRAP, WE’RE SCREWED flashes across his face, but he still has the Yoo Ji Ho At The Scene card to play.  Assistant Guy #2 asks what to do about the promissory notes that are due today, and Jung-wook tells him to delay the transaction — without that MOU in hand, Geumdan Construction is still on the hook.  There’s no way they’re going to die along side Boosung.

Da-mi comes down the stairs to demand who beat the crap out of her brother like that, as Jung-wook tells her that Yoo Ji Ho has been arrested as the suspect and is undergoing interrogation now.  As Da-mi vehemently denies that, Jung-wook reminds her that Ji-ho is Yeong-rang’s son and more than capable of doing so.  She doesn’t believe it and says that even though their families are mortal enemies, Ji-ho couldn’t even hurt a fly.  As she runs off, her words do give Jung-wook pause to think…

Yeong-rang is attempting to explain to the police that her son couldn’t have injured Woo-jin like that.  Investigator Kang says that it all looks like a misunderstanding, but until the crime scene is fully investigated, Ji-ho will have to be held in custody. Yeong-rang looks over at Ji-ho through the glass partition, and voices over that there was nothing she could do except take this to its logical end.

Entering the interrogation room, Yeung-rang sits and asks how far Ji-ho is going to go.  Ji-ho ain’t buying any of that crap, as he tells her he knows it was SHE that hurt Woo-jin.  The person that hates him most in the world… is Woo-jin’s murderer.  Yeong-rang gets all indignant and asks if Ji-ho claims she’s falsely accusing him?  Ji-ho knows that Woo-jin went out to meet with Yeong-rang last night, alibi meeting with Attorney Choi notwithstanding.  Ji-ho slams his hand down on the table and calls her a liar — it’s bad enough that she hates his living guts, but is it a sin for him to have been the progeny of the husband who she hated so much?

Asking what she wants out of him, Yeong-rang tells him to STFU but Ji-ho rises to his feet.  Saying that she’s already taken everything away from him that he holds dear, Yeong-rang has decided to hammer the final nail in the coffin by falsely accusing him as a murderer?  Yeong-rang gets up herself and asks Ji-ho why he’s all annoyed and stuff — once Woo-jin wakes up, the truth will come out then.  And if you have something else to say to her, do it through Attorney Choi instead.  Ji-ho’s mental capacity finally breaks, and he collapses in anger.

As Yeong-rang gets ready to leave the police station with Secretary Oh, Da-mi pulls up in a cab and runs inside.  Yeong-rang turns around with the best WTF? face she can muster.  Crying while looking at Ji-ho through the glass partition, Da-mi says that she knows it wasn’t him that hurt her oppa.  But she’s so scared that she’s going crazy too!

Da-mi meets with Investigator Kang and tells him that Woo-jin was meeting with Young-rang the night of his accident.  Investigator Kang says that there was no evidence of her being at the crime scene, and no other cars parked there except for Ji-ho’s.  Da-mi further explains that she had called Ji-ho to get him to intercept the meeting because she had a bad feeling about it; that would explain him being at the warehouse.  And of course… overhearing all this is Attorney Choi.  Investigator Guy #2 comes over with the call records from Woo-jin’s phone — the last entry being a text message to Ji-ho, but before that, an actual phone call to Chae Yeong Rang.  That perks up the cops’ ears big time!

Attorney Choi’s phone rings with Yeong-rang calling.  Telling him to listen carefully to what she is going to say, because he is the only one she can trust right now.  Pressing her for more details, Yeong-rang tells Attorney Choi that she’ll fill him in later.  But for now, tell the cops that she was at a meeting last night with him.  Smirking the entire time, Attorney Choi tells her not to worry; he’s got her back.  (AT FIRST.)

 A bruised and battered In-ha wakes up and flashes back to him pushing Woo-jin into the glass scaffolding last night.  Starting to freak out, he really does when EvilStep is at his bedside asking what is wrong with him?  Did he commit a crime or something since he’s all sweaty and stuff?  In-ha yells back at her for coming into his bedroom without permission and then orders her to leave.  But EvilStep is there on Mommie Dearest’s orders to feed him red ginseng to make him feel better, and shoves the package in his face.  Remembering Young-rang’s words to act like nothing ever happened, he grabs it from her and sucks down the medicine in one big gulp.

EvilStep grabs In-ha’s chin and orders him to speak directly into her eyes.  She hears that Ji-ho is at the police station, and does he know anything about the situation?  He asks why Ji-ho is at the station, as she asks if he really doesn’t know why he’s there?  She heard that Ji-ho half-beat to death Da-mi’s brother… but that doesn’t make any sense no matter how hard she thinks about it.  Why would Ji-ho beat the crap out of his girlfriend’s brother, hunh?

Pushing her hand away, In-ha tells EvilStep that she doesn’t know the whole story about Da-mi’s family and that she is the daughter of the man who killed his father; their families are mutual enemies!  That news puts EvilStep off her game, especially since she finally realizes that Da-mi’s father died in a fire incident just like Dead Burnt-Up Dad did.  So the hoddock seller who couldn’t talk was Da-mi’s father?  In-ha can barely contain his glee in telling her that’s the reason why Ji-ho and Da-mi just broke up… it would be a good enough reason for anyone to do so.

EvilStep still doesn’t believe what In-ha has told her, as he yells back asking why she’s always taking Ji-ho’s side?  WAE WAE WAE???   What’s so important about Yoo Ji Ho, dammit?!?  She doesn’t think Ji-ho is capable of unspeakable acts?  EvilStep asks In-ha why he’s getting all pissy with her?  Ji-ho has had everything else taken away from him; is him dying the next logical step?  In-ha declines to answer that question, as he’s still shaking like a leaf.

Confronting Yeong-rang downstairs, EvilStep asks her if she’s gone to see Ji-ho yet but she notes that Yeong-rang is amazingly calm over these recent events.  And by the way, Da-mi father is the hoddock seller who killed Chairman Yoo?  Yeong-rang says it looks like it, but EvilStep demands that Yeong-rang come clean — how could a deaf man who Yeong-rang didn’t even see the face of kill Chairman Yoo?  Spinning around, Yeong-rang spits out that the police investigated fully and found the critical evidence that damned Da-mi’s father 14 years ago.  That is no longer an issue to be brought up ever again!

EvilStep agrees with her, but it’s weird that Ji-ho has such ties to the Hong Family.  Either the Dead Burnt-Up Dad or the Dead Deaf Dad are holding a deep grudge from their graves.  Yeong-rang says that’s enough — it’s not past that family to purposely use Da-mi to approach Ji-ho for revenge.  You push and push and push, and now they’ve lost their son as well.  EvilStep gingerly asks if Yeong-rang had anything to do with the latest conflagration… she got away with it the first time, but the second time she’s not going to be as lucky.  Even if she hates Ji-ho that much, at least give him an escape hatch before she chases him away for good.  Yeong-rang tells EvilStep she’s full of it — who’s the one running around trying to help out Ji-ho?  EvilStep reminds her that it only takes one misstep, and Yeong-rang will be toast.

Pooh-poohing what EvilStep just told her, Yeong-rang turns around to find In-ha on the stairs glaring at her.  Demanding that he hear the truth from his mother, In-ha wants to know what the so-called “truth” was that Woo-jin was trying to get her to confess at the warehouse.  How exactly did his father die?!?  Yeong-rang tells him that what she’s told him previously is the God’s Truth.  In-ha then wants to know if Da-mi’s family is threatening her because Yeong-rang is somehow involved in his dad’s death?  Denying that as well, In-ha wants to know why the police weren’t called instead — why did she have to go out to that construction site so late at night?

Grabbing In-ha, she orders him to just trust what she says… no matter what anyone else says, he must listen to her and only her!  She’s his mother and she’s going to protect him… but In-ha calls her out for lying and wants to know why she was so scared at the warehouse.  If she wasn’t involved that way, there would be no way for her to act like she did.  So spill your guts, lady!!  Yeong-rang’s done with this line of questioning, and firmly states that Hong Woo Jin’s father killed In-ha’s father!  Yes, she hated his Dead Burnt-Up Dad so much that she wanted to kill him too, but she couldn’t because he was In-ha’s appa and that would have made him sad.  Wanting to know if that’s the absolute truth, In-ha gives her one last chance to fess up… but she’s not taking the bait.

Yeong-rang tells In-ha that he needs to leave the house now, because the police are on their way over for more questioning and to search Ji-ho’s bedroom.  In-ha feels like his head is going to explode because he’s still not sure what exactly the truth is anymore… he needs more time to think and stomps out of her room.  Yelling after him, you can actually see a bit of fear in Yeong-rang’s eyes for a change.

At Restaurant Louis, Da-mi is meeting with the Usual Suspects and apologizing for all the troubles she’s put them through.  Louis asks how her mom is holding up, but Da-mi cannot answer him just yet.  He tells her not to worry and to lay low from the restaurant into Woo-jin gets better — go home and take care of her mom as well.  Bitchy Manager Girl remembers the day her mother passed away, and even though she didn’t feel like it, she slurped down a full bowl of yukgaejang (hot spicy beef stew).  So basically that’s her code for SUCK IT UP, GIRLY!  Put one foot in front of the other and move on with life.

Rummaging through Ji-ho’s desk, EvilStep comes across the speeding ticket that In-ha received the day of the plagiarism mailing.  Chiding him for being a stupid-head for not using his joker card while still protecting his little brother, she looks around and thinks she should have the room re-wallpapered while Ji-ho is away.  When he comes home, things will be brighter for poor Ji-ho… and she starts to cry a bit herself.

Ordering the ahjumma to heat up some beef soup to take to Ji-ho, EvilStep wonders what sort of bloodshed will happen next for their household.  (And we get another long, steamy PPL look at the inside of their fancy-pants LG refrigerator.  Hmpf.)  Turning around, she sees In-ha all dressed up and leaving the house with a dead expression on his face.

But out at the front gate, the cops are already there to meet him.  Investigator Guy asks why his face is all cut up, as In-ha explains he was out with his friends and had a little too much to drink.  His face and the floor decided they were going to be BFFs instead.  Asking him what time In-ha met up with his chingus, he claims it was around 9:00 PM but is not exactly sure.  Investigator Guy tells In-ha that he’ll check out his story with his drinking buddies, as In-ha nervously reaches for his collar to loosen his tie.  Investigator Guy takes note of the Chopin pinky ring he’s wearing and wants to inspect it closely.  In-ha hands it to him, but Investigator Guy just states that it’s a very unique ring and hands it back.  In-ha looks like he’s going to drop dead in his tracks.

Speeding away in his John Cooper Limited Edition Mini (NOONA WAAAAAANTS!!!), In-ha starts freaking out but decides going faster might solve everything.  Putting the pedal to the metal, he accelerates but doesn’t see the red stoplight and slams on the brakes, just stopping short of the pedestrians in the crosswalk.  A dad grabs on to his son to protect him from possibly being hit and yells back at In-ha accordingly.  But as In-ha breathes a sigh of relief over not killing anyone (today at least), he suddenly has a flashback to the night of the fire and how Dead Deaf Dad leaped to save In-ha from the chandelier falling from their ceiling.  In-ha finally has his Come-to-Jesus-Moment in realizing that Da-mi’s father WAS that person who saved him after all!!!

EvilStep drags Yeong-rang out of her room to force-feed her since she hasn’t eaten all day.  Just at that moment, the police decide to show up and tell her she’s needed down at the police station for more investigation.  EvilStep asks why and what for do they need her now, as Investigator Guy says she’ll find out at the station.  So don’t be long, okay?  EvilStep notices that Young-rang starts wringing her hands over that news.  Getting all prettied up for the trip to the hoosegow, Yeong-rang tells herself she has nothing to be afraid of — this is the first time she can finally do something meaningful for her In-ha.  As his mother, this will be a walk in the park to protect him.

EvilStep brings the beef soup to Ji-ho at the police station, but Ji-ho doesn’t want to be seen in such a state so she should just leave.  EvilStep reminds him that if Ji-ho is going to fight back, he should at least do it on a full tummy.  Asking if he thinks his mother set up this whole mess, Ji-ho declines to answer.  EvilStep says it’s beyond comprehension — how the hell did things end up this way?  Ji-ho tells her he gave Young-rang every opportunity to set things straight… now he has no choice but to divulge what truths he knows right now.  EvilStep says that if Ji-ho can handle the fallout, then go right ahead… but she bets the farm Ji-ho will never get that opportunity.  Ji-ho tells her he will do it no matter what.

EvilStep explains to Ji-ho that she promised herself when she married Yeong-rang’s father — a widower with five children — that she would never show any affection to those children whatsoever.  She didn’t deserve the term ‘stepmother’ if she did that.  But Ji-ho has gone past the point of no return; the wounds he’d receive will be too deep if he returns to his old ways.  Ji-ho tells her he cannot bear the injustice any longer; he’s going to go crazy soon!

Da-mi wonders why the doctors haven’t come out to let them know of Woo-jin’s situation yet.  Nam-joo is already thinking that the worse is going to happen, but Da-mi puts a stop to that by saying he’s too strong to stay under for long.  Once oppa wakes up, then he can tell everyone what exactly happened that night.  But Nam-joo claims she’s done with her Evil Holy Revenge; if her Woo-jin wakes up, there’s no need for that anymore.  In her bloodlust to clear Dead Dead Dad’s name, she’s sent her son into the Jaws of Hell.  Pleading with Da-mi that once Woo-jin wakes up, they should move away and go live on an island or something.  Da-mi’s pretty receptive to that idea at least.

Watching from around the corner is In-ha, who voices over an apology to Da-mi.  It was her father that saved him from the fire, and he’s so sorry that he just remembered that today.  He doesn’t know what to do… he’s so sorry, so what should he do?  Just at that moment, the doctors come out of the surgery room to tell them that Woo-jin has regained consciousness and they could go see him now.  Da-mi and Nam-joo thank him profusely, but In-ha suddenly goes white with fright over this new development.

Back at the police station, it’s Yeong-rang’s turn to get grilled over last night’s events.  Asking if it’s true that Woo-jin phoned her to meet him, she confirms that fact… but there was an urgent meeting at Boosung, so she refused to go.  Investigator Kang states that the maids said she was away from the home for two hours, but Yeong-rang lies through her teeth and says she was hiding out in their rooftop room thinking about important stuff so she can see why the ahjummas got that impression.  Investigator Kang wants to know more about the two families’ relationship, as Yeong-rang confirms there’s bad blood between them… but doesn’t want to bore him with the details.  (HA!)

Investigator Kang lets Attorney Choi enter the room and asks for more details on their alleged meeting last night.  Attorney Choi explains about their ‘long meeting’ on the Incheon Port apartment situation, so that basically collaborates their two stories.  Yeong-rang lets out a small sigh of relief, but Investigator Kang asks about the unique ring that In-ha was wearing.  She gets all incensed and asks if they’re now suspecting In-ha as well?  Just go ask the chingus that he met up with where he was!  Investigator Kang tells her that they’re investigating the whole family, not just her and Ji-ho, doesn’t she understand?  Nervous looks get passed around the entire room instead.

As Attorney Choi and Yeong-rang leave the interrogation area, they run into Ji-ho walking back with Investigator Kang.  Yeong-rang puts her Mommy Face back on and asks if he’s eaten today, but instead Ji-ho turns to Investigator Kang and says he’s requesting a re-investigation into the Seongbuk-dong Fire from 14 years ago… the same fire that killed his father Chairman Yoo Man Se, and the death of Hong Woo Jin’s father who died in that same fire.  Attorney Choi says that investigation is now closed, but Ji-ho begs to differ because Woo-jin’s father did not kill Dead Burnt-Up Dad.  The murderer is someone else… as Ji-ho stares laser holes into Yeong-rang’s face.  Woo-jin even had a tape recording which contained the truth, so if you find that tape, you will find the truth.

Investigator Kang says they did not find a tape recording at Woo-jin’s accident scene, as Ji-ho says of course not, you dummy!  The person who will be the most affected by its contents was the one who obviously took the tape recorder… and at the same time, you will find the person who harmed Hong Woo Jin.  Investigator Kang says he’ll check with Woo-jin’s family, as Young-rang graciously offers her own home to be searched.  But Ji-ho says that even if someone took the tape, that person wouldn’t be pabo enough to keep it in their home, right — saying all this while staring daggers at Yeong-rang.

She grits her teeth and reminds him that she’s his mother, but Ji-ho begs to differ on that fact because from this moment on, he’s an orphan.  The moment he entered the police station, his mother done up and died.  So don’t worry… he’ll never call her his mother ever again.  Other Investigator Guy comes up and tells the whole bunch that Woo-jin just regained consciousness and wonder if they could possibly drag a statement out of him today?  Commence Massive Group Stare-Off NOW.

Nam-joo and Da-mi fuss over Woo-jin in his hospital bed, as he barely opens his eyes to acknowledge them.  They both tell him to not exert himself and just get better.  Jung-wook arrives on the scene since he had just heard Woo-jin finally came out of his coma.  Nam-joo says that since he’s on the respirator, he cannot talk yet.  Saying that he’ll have his fellow gangsters… erm, I mean assistants stand guard over Woo-jin, he orders Nam-joo and Da-mi home to rest.  Da-mi says they’ll go home and bring back some of Woo-jin’s things instead.

In-ha paces in his room, wondering what’s going to happen to him now that Woo-jin is awake.  Everything will be revealed and In-ha will be in deep doo-doo.  One of his chingus calls (BTW, named Seung-ho! UBER-META, Show!!!), and tells In-ha that the detectives came by to question him.  In-ha looks like he’s been kicked in the gut.

Secretary Oh nods to Yeong-rang and leaves the room.  Telling In-ha that she will never let anything bad happen to him, he should just trust her and what’s she’s about to do for him.  (FAMOUS LAST WORDS.)

Back at the hospital, Jung-wook tells Assistant Guy #2 that it’s late but they should get some fresh air.  Of course, that leaves Woo-jin’s room unattended and a shadowy figure approaches (the names read as Hong Woo Jin, Kim Young Min, Lee Young Seon).  As if a third-grader wrote the script, the Shadowy Figure removes the respirator mask from Woo-jin’s face, and he flat-lines almost immediately.  Nam-joo and Da-mi are packing up Woo-jin’s clothing when Nam-joo’s phone rings…

Ji-ho is still getting grilled by Investigator Kang, who says that all the evidence collected so far is circumstantial but still not in favor of Ji-ho.  Even checking the CCTV in front of their house was for naught, since it has been out of order for a week.  Ji-ho asks how the investigation of the site is going, but there was too much rain and all the footprints have been washed away.  The cops were also unable to get any fingerprints from the crime scene, as those were all wiped away as well.  Ji-ho asks if anyone has put a trace on his family’s movements during that time, but Investigator Guy tells him that everyone has an air-tight alibi.  Since there is no black box in Ji-ho’s car, they’re trying to locate the taxi driver who took Ji-ho to the construction site that night.  Ji-ho says that as soon as Woo-jin wakes up, the truth will come out.  And right on cue, Investigator Kang’s phone rings with some sort of news that makes him get up and hurry out.

In-ha has passed out for the night, with Yeong-rang sitting at his bedside and creepily staring at him.  She takes a call from Secretary Oh, who tells her that everything has been taken care of.  Turning to watch In-ha still sleeping, she tells herself that everything is going according to plan and that In-ha will not have to suffer anymore.  (MORE FAMOUS LAST WORDS.)

Nam-joo and Da-mi run to the hospital to find out the news that Woo-jin has passed away.  Trying to shake him alive again, both Nam-joo and Da-mi go into hysterics.  With Jung-wook standing like a statue at the side of Woo-jin’s bed, Nam-joo tries to shake the life out of him for an answer since HE promised to protect Woo-jin, didn’t he?!?  Right then and there, she vows Holy Evil Death and Revenge upon Chae Yeong Rang and her family!

And that’s what Nam-joo does — stomps up to the Yoo Mansion and gives a good slap to Yeong-rang’s face.  Saying that they messed with the wrong person, Nam-joo screams that she’s going to get revenge on behalf of her dead son!  But Yeong-rang turns the tables and says it’s all Woo-jin’s fault for faking his name in order to ruin Boosung.  And does Nam-joo know that Ji-ho is being falsely accused right now because of her son?  Nam-joo doesn’t give a flip and will go to hell herself to bring down Yeong-rang!!!  Secretary Oh heads off Nam-joo from heading further into their house and throws her to the ground… as we see Jung-wook and Assistant Guy #2 in the background watching her.

Ji-ho finds out from Investigator Kang that Woo-jin died, and there’s not a single piece of evidence that can absolve Ji-ho of his murder.  Ji-ho sinks back into his chair, repeating no no no no no…

At Boosung, Attorney Choi tells Yeong-rang that there was a call from the police station saying Ji-ho will be transferred to a prison cell soon.  Yeong-rang is more interested about In-ha’s alibis, as Attorney Choi says he took care of nightclub personnel.  Yeong-rang breathes a sigh of relief over being relieved of that little problem and the fact that a tiny contract could have brought Boosung to its knees.  How the hell could Geumdan Construction put such a newbie in charge of such an important project?  Attorney Choi wonders if Geumdan was also deceived by his fake profile.  Yeong-rang says regardless, stop all transactions with Geumdan STAT — since she has the Butt-Ugly Piano construction notes now, they have no reason to continue their association anymore.

Yeong-rang gets a text and is stunned to see it’s from Woo-jin!  Saying that she shouldn’t be lulled into a sense of complacency thinking her plan has succeeded, she should take a look at the present he’s sent over to her house.  And then, in a strange juxtaposition in the plot line, we see In-ha and So-yeol in full hiking gear going up a hill somewhere.  As In-ha trudges along, he continues to flash back to the night of the fire and Dead Deaf Dad saving him from the falling chandelier… and then yet another flashback to the night he pushed Woo-jin into the scaffolding.  So-yeol scolds him for walking too fast, and In-has gets all pissy by telling her she can just leave if she’s so freakin’ tired.

Continuing her complaining, she asks In-ha what’s his deal for him to bring her out, but So-yeol slips on some loose leaves and In-ha grabs her arm (drink!) to keep her from falling down the slope.  She tells him she’s okay, but they both engage in a little eye-lock before In-ha continues on his way and she stands there to contemplate the meaning of all that (and for the Costume Department to adjust her outerwear to ensure the Millet brand is well-represented in that shot).

Yeong-rang is fussing at Driver Choi to go faster to their house, and then calls home to ensure that no one touches her mail until she gets there, arraso?!?  But it’s too late, as In-ha returns home from his little mountain trek to see an envelope addressed from Hong Woo Jin to Chae Yeong Rang on the coffee table.  Committing mail fraud and opening the package, In-ha sees that inside is a small cassette tape…

Yeong-rang returns home and yells at the maids for her mail, but In-ha saunters down the stairs with the tape cassette in his hand.  Back in his room, Yeong-rang still denies everything said on the tape and that it was Dead Deaf Dad that killed his father.  FINALLY In-ha says that he doesn’t believe a word she says, as Yeong-rang goes ballistic asking why he would believe Dong-yi’s words over his mother?  In-ha tells her that Hong Soo Pyo wouldn’t do something like that… because he was the one who saved In-ha in the fire 14 years ago.  Yeong-rang looks at him blankly, as In-ha explains that when she was busy carrying her precious Ji-ho from the fire, Da-mi’s father was busy saving him instead.  Hong Soo Pyo came in to rob their house and kill his father?  LIKE HELL HE DID!!!  In-ha trusts his memories more than he trusts his mother, so she needs to stop the lies now!!!

Grabbing Yeong-rang, In-ha attempts to shake the truth out of her by screaming at her to confess to killing his father.  Young-rang tells him he had no choice since his father was going to hand over the Company to Ji-ho, but In-ha is appalled to finally hear the truth, especially since his appa was everything to him!  Young-rang still tries to get it through In-ha’s thick skull that she did it only to ensure Boosung would be handed to him.  In-ha says yeah big deal so what… it still doesn’t change the fact that she killed his father.  In-ha then decides that he’s not going to commit any more sins in front of Da-mi’s family any longer — he’s going to turn himself in and pay for his crimes.

Yeong-rang demands to know if he’s really gonna give everything up just like that, but In-ha says he can’t live with his head up knowing that Dead Deaf Dad died because of In-ha.  Yeong-rang gets on her Martyr Hat and tells In-ha that just because he confesses, his guilt will never go away.  Dead Deaf Dad was bound to die anyway, so does In-ha want to be branded as a murderer for the rest of his life?  In-ha calms down, and for the first time, says it’s not fair for his hyung to take all the blame — he may still hate Ji-ho, but In-ha doesn’t want to head down any further into hell.

As In-ha starts to leave, Yeong-rang grabs him and asks if In-ha’s guilt will be lessened if she gets Ji-ho out of jail.  So try and forgive her… his father’s death was an accident that couldn’t be avoided.  In-ha asks what will happen if he doesn’t forgive her, as Yeong-rang gets back on the defensive and tells him that even though everyone else in the world has already, In-ha has no right to judge her.  Since he is her only reason for living, if In-ha abandons her, she will surely die.

An obviously beat-up guy is dragged into Geumdan HQ by Assistant Guy #2.  Jung-wook asks if this was the man responsible for removing Woo-jin’s respirator, to which Assistant Guy #2 confirms he was the one captured by the hospital closed-circuit television.  Beat-Up Guy gets the standard K-Drama Trope glass of water thrown in his face (at least I hope it’s water) as Jung-wook demands to know who ordered him to do such a despicable act?  He will spare his life if he at least tells the truth!!!  Beat-Up Guy bends down and says that it was Yoo Ji Ho that put out the order, because if Woo-jin regained consciousness, there would be big problems thereafter.  Asking for full confirmation, Jung-wook is surprised to hear that it was Ji-ho’s doing and not Yeong-rang’s for a change.

Yeong-rang comes to see Ji-ho at the police station, but he’s so not thrilled to see her at all.  Yeong-rang tells him to hold his horses, because she’s there to spring him from jail.  But in return, he has to promise to go to the States in order for she and In-ha to live a happier life from now on.  With fire in his eyes, Ji-ho says he’s not even going to consider her offer, because if he runs away like this, it will be admitting to a crime he had no part of.  He’d rather stay and find Woo-jin’s real murderer instead.  Yeong-rang says okey dokey, be that way and go to prison… but it was his dongsaeng In-ha who requested her help.

Ji-ho remains defiant and tells her that he already knows who Woo-jin’s real killer is, and they will be trading seats in jail soon.  Yeong-rang reminds Ji-ho that if he decides to play his little game, then Da-mi and her entire family will get hurt — is that what he intends to happen by revealing the real killer?   Yeong-rang gives him one last chance to accept her offer, because she knows Ji-ho’s weak spot when it comes to that girl.

Ji-ho trembles while remembering Yeong-rang’s words to him about at least giving one thing to his brother, whether it be the successor position or the Boosung heirship.  He also flashes back to the time that Woo-jin told him Yeong-rang was the real killer of Dead Burnt-Up Dad.  And doing the usual balling-up-of-his-hand-into-a-fist move, Ji-ho swears to himself that until Yeong-rang is prosecuted for her crimes, he will not play the piano with these hands again.  He picks up the pen left for him to sign the agreement to leave Korea, and STABS IT INTO HIS LEFT HAND!!  Dripping blood all over the place, he collapses in grief.

At the columbarium, Da-mi and Nam-joo are there to inter Woo-jin’s ashes next to Dead Deaf Dad.  Nam-joo thanks him for being born and making her happy, but next time, be born to better parents, okay?  Da-mi tells Dead Deaf Dad that she promises to be strong and take care of her mother for them… and that she will never ever cry again.  And make sure that when they meet in Heaven, give Woo-jin a big hug since he suffered so much for their family.

Da-mi and Nam-joo leave the niche, just as In-ha arrives to pay his own respects to the family.  Tearing up, In-ha apologizes over and over to Dead Deaf Dad, asking him why he saved such a pathetic person like In-ha?  Did Dead Deaf Dad know that those events would eventually end up with his own son’s death.  Wae… WAE?!?  In-ha turns towards the camera with a look of finality on his face.

Jung-wook comes to visit Da-mi, where she says there is no forgiveness in her entire body for Chae Yeong Rang.  There will be no rest for Woo-jin if everything is forgotten, as Jung-wook reminds Da-mi that Yeong-rang is not a person that she can take on by herself.  Let him do the dirty work himself, but Da-mi refuses — she knows she’s not a match but will confront her using her own methods.  (Which is a polite way of saying dude, go away — you done fucked up big time!)  Da-mi then pleads with Jung-wook to look after her mother instead… please?

Slowly and methodically, Yeong-rang starts packing up Ji-ho’s things for him to leave the country as she demanded.  The Ice Queen actually starts crying while she folds his shirts, but catches herself before her eye settles on the wooden gingko leaf sitting on Ji-ho’s desk.  Showing that she actually has. .000000000000001% of motherly instinct still left in her, Yeong-rang gently places it on top of the packed clothing before zipping up the suitcase and taking one last look around Ji-ho’s bedroom.

And as promised, Ji-ho is sprung from the hoosegow with Attorney Choi’s assistance.  He gets the car with Yeong-rang, who orders Secretary Oh to take them to the airport.  Ji-ho asks for one last favor — they need to make one stop first before he leaves for good.  Saying that he promised to not meet anyone before his flight, Ji-ho tells her not to worry; that will not happen.

Da-mi returns home in full funeral regalia to see the mail piled up that has Woo-jin’s name all over it.  Sobbing uncontrollably, Ji-ho watches her from down the street and apologizes for not being able to keep his promise to stay by her side when she’s in pain.  Telling her to never forgive him, Ji-ho turns and walks to the waiting car.

At the airport, Yeong-rang hands Ji-ho an envelope with money that he will need upon his arrival in the States.  Taking it without a word, he heads toward the departure gates, she stops him and puts a sweater around his shoulders.  Saying that she will accept that he has every right to hate her until he dies, Ji-ho pulls the sweater off and walks to be checked in without a glance back.  Yeong-rang suddenly gets a phone call from EvilStep, who informs Yeong-rang that In-ha has just tried to kill himself with an overdose of sleeping pills!!!

Yelling at Secretary Oh to speed up his driving, she asks herself why In-ha would do such a thing when she’s taken care of all their problems by forcing Ji-ho to leave Korea?  BUT OH NO HE DIN’T!!  with his bandaged hand tossing his sweater into a garbage can, Ji-ho purposely strides towards the exits with a FACE OF REVENGE!!!  And that’s where Episode 18 leaves us!

Air Date:  14 October 2012

Ratings:   AGB Nielsen Nationwide 9.3% (10th) / Seoul 9.4% (10th); TNmS Nationwide 10.1% (10th) / Seoul 12.1% (7th)

Flowers and Brickbats

*BANGBANGBANG*  That sound you just heard was me beating my head against my desk trying to recap Episode 18.  It’s bad enough that the Holiday Onslaught started right as I was digging into this one, and I was trying to plow through it in fits and starts in between work and decorating and baking and stuff.  But sooooo many talky exposition scenes made this one kinda dull to watch and comprehend the second, third and fourth times I made the attempt.  And talky scenes are a pain for a screencapper, since all you’re given to work with is first face – other face – first face – other face.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  So I apologize for the boring setups picture-wise this time around.

FINALLY we come to a screeching halt with the Let’s Make Ji-ho Take The Fall For Everything Since He Was Born Storyline.  And just in time as well, since another one or two extra episodes would have made me throw things at my monitor.  We also finally saw what a waste-of-space Jung-wook is turning out to be in helping the Hong Family with their Evil Revenge Plans.  Wouldn’t he have thought poor Woo-jin to be fodder for anyone who wanted him eliminated so he couldn’t testify?  Hope that walk for fresh air was worth it, buddy!

Chae Si Ra continues to nail her portrayal of the Korean Jocasta (Oedipus’s mother) with her façade just ever-so-slightly showing signs of cracking now.  I bet it’s exhausting having to come up with evil plan after evil plan, though — I’ve noticed the circles around her eyes getting darker with every passing episode.  Hell, everyone looks tired enough that they must have been begging the Writer-nim to add in more in-bed scenes so they could catch up on their sleep!

Anyone else worth mentioning that had an advancement in their character development?  Mmmm, not really… a couple even took a few steps backwards, as I kept thinking “didn’t I hear them say that very same thing in Episode [X]?”  The snail’s pace makes me wonder if this Show would have better pacing if it was written for 24 episodes instead.  It’s hard recapping as if I don’t know what’s coming up next, because I don’t want to give anything away too prematurely. *whispering it does get better so just wait*

But did anyone else start humming “Staying Alive” (from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack) as Ji-ho was walking away LIKE A BOSS out of the airport?  Yeah, I figured it was only me…

And seriously, Show? CHINCHA?!?  I could overlook another viewing of the Special LG Refrigerator this time around, but the whole slap-in-the-face product placement of the Millet Outerwear Line was just freakin’ insipid and insulting.  I could have sworn that Lee Min Ho(t) was the actor-face behind the Millet brand, and I have read or heard nothing that Changwook-ssi was picking up the endorsement since his contract with Googims had long expired.  Regardless, that scene where In-ha and So-yeol are look like they’re traipsing around a Cook County Forest Preserve (a little inside joke for my fellow Chicagoans) was so disjointed and felt like either (a) a feeble attempt at another tertiary storyline; or (2) someone fell asleep at the Editing Desk and a major portion of that vignette was left on the cutting room floor.  But we all know now that (2) is the correct answer, because it has been discussed in several post-Finale interviews that much more of this scene was filmed in order to properly set up the ‘love-line’ between In-ha and So-yeol.  Honestly, I wouldn’t have shipped those two together EVAH, so it was quite uncomfortable to watch them attempt any sort of spark between them.

Music Nerd Ramblings:   Sigh.  Another non-musical episode.  Granted, we can’t have a 24/7 All-Chopin, All The Time drama, but I still feel like something was missing by someone not playing something classical.  I would have been happy if they rolled out the Butt-Ugly Piano for a tune or two!  Wait… what am I saying?!?  *slapping face*

Again, a major FAIL on the OST producer for not including more of the incidental music due to the rush in getting the soundtrack to market.  At around 35:07 and again at 1:08:40, we are treated to a snippet of the Main Theme being played as if imagined by a music box.  This is the second time a variation was introduced on a theme — it’s a very sweet piece and should have been part of the release, dammit!  I need to fly over to Seoul and have a nice long chat with whomever’s in charge over there.  Hmpf.

Now that the day is finally winding down, a Happy Christmas to those who celebrated!  I’m going to drown out the voices in my head with one last cup of eggnog before even attempting Episode 19.  굿나잇!