Flames of Desire (Flames of Ambition / Yokmangeui Bulkkot / 욕망의 불꽃)

Flames Of Ambition

Episode 21

I can't really handle hot drinks all that well.

Me, neither.

So that's why I always add cold water to them.

So we even have things in common?!

I'll make you into a star.

And depending on how you behave,

I could leave you all the profits without asking a single penny.

But the company will be in charge of your entire schedule.

And that includes your personal life, of course.

Which means that if you give interviews without our permission,

you'll have to pay a penalty, as much as the contract states.

Seems like I'll have to ask permission even to go to the bathroom.

We're just trying to change your image.

Things like cursing at reporters or creating scandals will be no longer tolerated.

Make your choice.

Joining forces with me and securing riches, fame and your future,

or ruining your life.

May I speak freely?

Go ahead.

Will getting my hands tied really solve all this?

Solve what?

Minjae has long forgotten you.

Do you even know why Minjae acted like that?

Because of me.

To attract my attention by doing things I was against.

You seem to know him well...

In twenty years, Minjae will become owner of Atlantic Group.

He's already being groomed by his grandfather.

And he'll get to marry someone suitable to such status.

Can Minjae really prance about getting involved in scandals with starlets like you?

You have a point.

My father owned an ironworks shop.

How do you think someone with such a poor upbringing was treated by chaebol?

And the humiliation and contempt I had to face are nothing, really.

I almost ruined my husband's career.

You could say I didn't have a single day of peace.

It's been like walking on a tight rope.

Anyhow... Let's do our best.

Okay?

Yes... We'll have to.

Is it true you signed an exclusive contract with Atlantic Group?

How about your love story with Kim Minjae?

Let's do this another time. We'll invite you.

Was your contract with Atlantic Group part of the deal?

Allow me to apologize for my past behavior.

Shouldn't an actress speak through her work?

I hope you'll be watching how my career changes.

Thank you.

What's this?

The schedule for this week.

What?! There isn't a single day off.

Why would you take days off? Take a step outside and it's money!

And she wants her to go promote some department store in the provinces?!

Director Jang chose it.

Give me a break.

Exclusive contract? Yeah... They should call it a slave register.

You're here?

What are you waiting for? Greet her.

How have you been, Aunt?

So you're Youngjae?

That's the one running the cafe chain. He's Gyeongjae.

Ahh... Right.

I'm beginning to wonder whether he might have a screw loose.

He just keeps prancing around the house without doing a thing.

She's right, Gyeongjae. Come work under me.

What are you waiting for? Say that you'll do your best.

Just let him be. I'm sure he's got his plans.

Tell Director Choi to come in.

You lifted a big weight off my shoulders.

Someone like me having to worry about my kids finding a job...

You can blame that on the chairman. With all the free positions in the company...

Tell me about it.

He's not letting any of his grandchildren even come close to his offices.

But things are only going to get better from now on, since Minjae broke that trend.

Yes... Come in.

- Were you looking for me, President? - Yes.

I was thinking I could go meet the chairman, are the documents ready?

Yes, everything's ready.

I'll go meet the chairman.

Ahh... Director Choi.

He's my nephew, find him a job.

Yes.

- I'll get going, then. - Go ahead.

Wake up, you silly.

Unless you want to continue embarrassing me.

What should I assign your nephew to?

He'll have to start from the bottom and learn the ropes.

By bottom...

Maybe the warehouse... Anything involving manual labor.

Yes, President. Right...

Minjae.

How have you been, Uncle?

So today...

You're skipping this?

Have we spent the night out or something?!

No...

Right, right.

Chief Yang?

Sir.

The chairman?

Yes... He's talking with President Yoon.

President Yoon?

Ahh... Nayoung...

- Should I tell him you're here? - Nah...

President Yoon is talking with him... Got to wait in line.

I thought we were promoting a scholarship fund already?!

Atlantic is the only top chaebol group not to have a cultural foundation, Father.

Would throwing money at the wall really improve our image?

Listen. This is how I see it.

Throwing a nickel to the needy is nothing but a stopgap measure.

Wouldn't creating one more job be a lot more charitable?

I certainly agree.

So, why?

You'll forgive my bringing it up, Father.

But I've heard that Mister Hong is handling quite a few secret accounts for the group.

Taking that path will help us deal with all those accounts in the most effective way.

Are you telling me you even thought of that?

Yes, Father.

So we'd use our secret fund to enter the culture industry.

If anything goes wrong and the government starts asking for contributions,

wouldn't that be quite the headache?

All right.

I'll give it some thought.

Yes, Father.

Aigoo... Thank you.

So I hear you gave Gyeongjae an important job?

Ahh... Yes...

Parents never really have any say in the matter, when it comes to kids.

Vice-chairman? You may come in now.

My wife is really grateful for everything you did for us.

Ahh... Don't even mention it...

If you'll excuse me...

You'll come home for dinner, right?

Yes.

I'll see you tonight, then.

I'll get going.

Are you leaving?

I'm afraid you'll have to start keeping Mister Hong in check.

Why would I?

There is nothing he doesn't know!

Is Nam Youngguk complaining?

You knew he wasn't just going to sit back and watch.

Don't you worry. I'm more than prepared to bear the brunt.

You'll pardon my saying this,

but aren't you trusting Mister Hong a little too much?

Who ever said I trusted him?

Never say never, as they say...

Mister Hong only knows so much.

Then...

Are you telling me that you're taking care of all those secret funds on your own?

No need to know. Get out.

Yes... Chairman.

- Is it Youngjun, Chairman? - I said it's none of your business!

I'm going down to Ulsan.

- I'll call to have the jet ready. - Nah, I'll go by car, so I can think a little.

Minjae, you're finally free.

Give Minjae some time off. He's been working hard as of late.

Yes, Chairman.

Let's take our time. I have a lot on my mind.

You can go.

What?

Why? You don't want to?

No... Not at all.

Are you looking for the owner?

Yes.

She said she couldn't come today.

Is that so?

Do you know where she lives, by any chance?

The other day, she collapsed so I accompanied her to the hospital.

But she told me not to tell that to strangers...

I'm sure she'll be waiting for me, too.

She drew me a map, just in case anything urgent came up.

Thank you.

Minjae!

How did you find this place?

Wow... It's really high up here.

The view is nice.

Why do you keep pestering me?

How can people show so much contempt?

I swallowed my pride and asked her for a job,

and she sends my son to some warehouse? Give me a break, really...

You should be grateful she stopped at that.

I what?

If the chairman learns that Gyeongjae is working at the dept. store, he'll be furious.

Then, how about Minjae?

What would I possibly know?!

Mother... Think I begged her for a job because we need the money?

He keeps fooling around taking everything for granted,

- so I wanted him to wake up. - Then, that's the perfect job for him!

If carrying boxes at the warehouse doesn't wake him up, what will?

Aigoo... I'm sure that's the reason she sent him there...

She only did it to upset me.

If you feel so bad about it, bring it up with her.

Stop acting all submissive with her and then taking it all out on me.

I'm not going to let this slide.

Mother... I'm back.

Nayoung is back. You better go now.

I'll go get changed, Mother.