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

Episode 36

So you'll have a press conference?

Yes. It's my last hope, after all.

If you say that I'm your real mother, how do you think Minjae will take that?

He'll probably go crazy.

I see you realize that.

You really know what that means?

Minjae is your brother!

Until you acknowledge that you're my mother,

Minjae and I are perfect strangers!

We don't share a single drop of blood!

- Isn't this supposed to be a "press" conference? - Let's hear it.

Folks, I apologize.

This is not an official press conference, but one personally organized by Baek Ingi.

I'm sorry.

What are you going to tell them?

Whatever they ask.

Still, wouldn't it be better to leave something to their imagination?

What's the point?

Yoon Nayoung would tell them all the rest, if I tried.

What did you talk about, last night?

Just Minjae?

Go see if they're ready.

Isn't it over with him anyway, after all this?

Would he keep liking you after finding that out?

Maybe....

it could mean a fresh new start.

With Minjae?

He's all I have left.

Everything's ready.

Here, let's begin.

Baek Ingi.

You'll pardon me for asking, but since everyone's curious about that sex video,

that leaves us with no other choice but to start with that.

It's me.

- Are you going public with this? - Yes.

When was this shot?

Let me explain that.

You know that I grew up in an orphanage, right?

But I didn't live there from the beginning.

Until grade school,

someone raised me.

Because she took me from the orphanage when I was just a baby,

I grew up thinking she actually was my mother.

I still have a few photos from back then, want me to show them to you?

- I looked like a tomboy back then. - Let's show those photos.

Wouldn't they help people understand you better?

That kind of compassion is not what I was after.

It's sort of ironic to mention it here,

but there are actually people who hope you'll use this as the turning point for a comeback.

I'm not looking for anyone's forgiveness.

And neither am I asking people to understand my upbringing.

I just want all my past to be laid bare, for everyone to see.

President. I'm sorry.

Reporters have been coming in droves all morning,

so there was no stopping this.

All right. Keep me in touch.

Let's shoot photos later, when the interview is done.

I had no other choice, back then.

Because I had to survive one way or another.

Of course I know that I could never use that as an excuse.

But that was the only way I could survive.

Because to me, "tomorrow" really meant nothing.

Because just surviving day by day was already enough of a torture.

Still, didn't you overcome all that to become a movie star?

Leaving the orphanage before I did, Jinsuk Eonni promised to me.

That if she could find work in the film industry, she'd get me in as well.

So that's how you joined the industry.

I guess I'm easy on the eyes.

But I never really imagined she'd keep that promise.

I just thought she said it to make me feel better, since I kept pestering her.

If I took you with me right away, that would have never happened.

So you must have been really close friends at that orphanage.

She's like a sister to me.

Right... What happened to that woman who raised you?

Is she still alive?

Yes. She is.

Can you reveal her identity?

Is there a reason that forces you not to?

More than that... I'd rather talk about my real mother.

Because thanks to that woman, I finally managed to find her.

You mean that you found the parents who abandoned you?

Yes.

Why can't you reveal that?

Have you met?

How about your father? Does he still live with her?

Not too long ago, I met my mother.

She tried her best to hide her face, masking it and wearing a hat.

I begged her to show me her face just once,

but she just cried, without saying a word.

So I couldn't possibly ask her.

I always wanted to ask her the reason why she abandoned me,

but I guess the situation forced her to do that.

Or else, why would anyone leave their own child in an orphanage?

I just asked her who my father was.

But no matter how many times I asked, all she did was shaking her head.

Then, does that mean that you can't reveal who your mother is?

We kept staring at each other for a while, and then a car stopped by,

from which high school kids came out.

I hid right away.

She held those kids' hands, and looking back,

kept staring at me.

Suddenly, this middle-aged man came out of the car,

and gave my mother a soft hug.

So it wasn't your father.

It's obvious why she couldn't say a thing.

Have you ever met her since?

Any plans to meet her again?

She's found happiness anyway, what would be the point of ruining all that?

So you're never going to meet your mother again?

Until she comes looking for me, I won't.

Why don't you say something to her?

Mom...

Have a happy life.

I don't resent you.

I'm sure leaving me to that orphanage wasn't an easy decision.

It must have broken your heart like it did to me.

I know how it feels, Mom.

But I'm happy now.

Just knowing that you're still alive makes me happy.

Ingi...

Eonni...

Why did you bother finding her?

If I knew nothing, I would have just moved on.

Thank you for coming.

See you.

Yes, President. The press conference just ended.

I'll write a briefing and send it to you right away.

You were great, Ingi. You'll earn yourself some pity, I guess?!

Anyhow, let's see how people react to this.

Take good care of yourself.

Thank you, Director Jang.

The moment Yoon Nayoung sees your interview, her blood will boil.

The woman hiding her face with a mask?!

Stop beating around the bush and just say it.

Did you record it or not?

I thought she'd find out, and I had chills all over my body.

But what will you do with this?

You're not handing this to the press, are you?

Just wait, I'll call you.

Ehh... The things I have to do...

Did it really work?!

- Seen the interview? - They said it will be up in no time.

I want to see it before newspapers and TV get a hold of it.

Don't worry, those reporters and I are close.

How many did you call?

Just three from sports and entertainment mags, all people who know her well.

Ohh... Here it is. Would you like to read it?

Start with the video.

Mom... Have a happy life.

I don't resent you.

I'm sure leaving me to that orphanage wasn't an easy decision.

What the hell is she saying?!

She's confessing that she found her mother?!

Look for any mention of Minjae. Let's see what she says about him.

Yes, President.

Why did you bother finding her?

I I knew nothing...

Give me a break...

When did she ever find her mother?

She really thinks that will make me accept her as my daughter?

Left my earrings here.

- Aren't you going? - Yeah... Right away.

See you.

Look if you left behind anything else.

Didn't you go to work?

Dad says he's leaving, so I thought I'd drive him home.

- Already? - Yes.

Are you leaving already?

I got permission from Doctor Yoon.

She was probably going to come today...

I'm sure she'll be disappointed if she doesn't find you here.

Yoon Jeongsuk called me, and I told her about the accident.

Fine... I called her.

When you were taking those tests, I saw how her number was all over your phone.

It was touching, you know?

That letter of yours.

I didn't really hear what you wrote in detail,

but I guess you confessed your love for her?

Seeing how she kept saying she doesn't deserve to be loved by you.

That's enough.

Must you really continue making that woman suffer?

Until they both die. Her and Yoon Nayoung.

I told your father.

That from now on I'm going to run the company.

There will be a board meeting soon, announcing me as the new president.

After that, I'll agree to divorce you.

How about it? Do you like my present?

Do whatever you want with that hick.

Enjoy life with your father, as I don't need you anymore.

Mom!

- Give it here. - Doesn't look like that recorder is working.

Forget video, it couldn't even record any audio.

Changed your mind on your way here?

You might be scarier, but is Nam Aeri some pushover?

Just keeping it as insurance.

- Doesn't feel too bad, actually. - You leave me with no choice, then.

I'll have to tell her everything.

To who?

Who do you think? Your long lost daughter.