Dear X (2025) s01e09 Episode Script

1
DEAR X
ALL CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND EVENTS
IN THIS WORK ARE FICTITIOUS
CHILD ACTORS WERE FILMED
WITH GUARDIANS PRESEN
EPISODE 9: NEW HEIGHTS
Longstar Entertainment released
an official statement today
announcing that it has terminated
its exclusive contract
with actress Baek Ah-jin
effectively ousting her
from the agency.
According to Longstar
the decision was made
after determining that the trust
between the two parties
could no longer be restored.
Some speculate that
this may effectively put a halt
to Baek Ah-jin's acting career.
Baek Ah-jin has not issued
any public statement
and attention now turns to
her next move.
Think about it, Mr. Cha.
Why pick up an actress
I've already used and tossed aside?
Your company just went public,
so you might want to be more careful.
You must have read the articles.
Why do you think I cut her loose?
Something big is about to blow up.
So don't even think about
waving a contract at Baek Ah-jin.
Just focus on the people
you already have.
This isn't friendly advice.
It's a warning.
You're early.
What's with that look?
Do you want to shove me
off this rooftop?
Did you have to take it this far?
Isn't it nice and cool up here?
Figured a little cold breeze
might slap some sense back into you.
So?
Is reality sinking in?
I just don't get it.
All this for In-gang?
I've thought about it.
About where it all went wrong.
If I hadn't reached out to you
in the first place
If you and In-gang had never met
Would he still be alive?
When I told you I was dating him
you knew what could come of it.
But you turned a blind eye
because the agency
was cashing in on us.
That was you.
So why am I doing this now?
I'm not sure.
I'm trying to figure out
how to wash away this guilt
I have about In-gang.
And the more I think about it
the answer
keeps circling back to you.
What are you planning to do?
I'll have to undo the knot
I tied myself.
And that means
sending you back
to the life you came from.
Just wait.
I'm going to tear your life apart.
I'm not letting you walk away.
I'll put you right back in the gutter
you crawled out of.
The suspect in her father's murder
Baek Ah-jin.
Go on.
Hit me.
If that's what it takes for you
to let it all out, I'll take it.
Is that going to bring In-gang back?
Then what?
You want me to get down on my knees?
Will that bring him back?
Then what do you want me to do?
If you jump off this building
I'll call it even.
That's funny.
"Funny"?
Ms. Seo.
Am I the only one at fault here?
Do you honestly believe that?
You stayed by his side
for all those years
and you still didn't see it coming?
You knew he was falling apart
for a long time.
But you chose to look the other way
because of your greed.
And now you're throwing
the blame on me.
So this is who you really are.
You blame others--
What do you know?
I know this much.
The one year he spent with me
meant more to him
than the ten years he spent with you.
Just wait.
I'm going to tear your life apart.
Damn it!
Shit.
Who says you get to?
Don't get in my way
because I'm not going to stop.
Ever.
If your company can't take
any follow-up action regarding Ah-jin
I don't see any reason
to keep investing.
We'll forgo the film investment.
Are you saying you have no intention
of protecting Baek Ah-jin?
Yes, that's correct.
One last question.
You're not planning to stop
at cutting her loose, are you?
A word of advice?
If you think there's anything human
left in Baek Ah-jin
anything worth saving at all
let it go.
She'll drag everyone around her
straight to hell.
Don't you think you're being
a little harsh with me?
I just want to talk to him!
The chairman instructed me
not to let you into the house.
Please leave.
Mr. Hong, I just need a word
I feel so dizzy.
I need a minute.
SON
What now?
You still haven't told Jun-seo?
I told you to let him know
that I got on my knees
and apologized.
Do you know how long it's been?
Ms. Hwang.
My head's already killing me,
so don't make it worse.
If you want him to know that badly,
go tell him yourself.
How am I supposed to tell him
if he won't pick up my calls?
He won't even meet me
when I go to see him.
What do you expect me to do?
This level of attachment
isn't healthy.
Learn when to stop.
I'm not attached.
I'm sick.
I need surgery right away.
Surgery? What kind of surgery?
I'm on dialysis,
and I need a transplant.
They say family members
usually donate.
It could take years
to wait around for a donor.
And it's not like I have options.
I'm drowning in debt
and can't even afford the surgery.
I don't have the money or the kidney.
At this rate, I'm going to die!
Make sure Jun-seo hears that.
So all this fuss is because
you need one of his kidneys, right?
That's why you came to me
with that pathetic little apology.
Well, perfect timing.
He's standing right here,
so tell him yourself.
Tell him you got on your knees
and apologized
because you want his kidney.
What?
You heard her.
Your mom needs a kidney.
If you want to save her,
give her your kidney.
Don't answer her calls.
Who knows what she'll do if I don't?
You know how she is.
Do you really not know
or do you just pretend
because she's your mother?
The same hands
that used to stroke your hair
are the ones
that shoved my head underwater.
Don't forget that.
I met with Ms. Seo.
She didn't budge an inch
when I said I'd pull my investment.
Looks like she plans to go
all the way with you.
She'll bury you
and make sure you never come back.
I'm not surprised.
She's so blinded by anger
that she can't see straight.
How far do you think she'll go?
I honestly don't know.
She's never gone this far before.
I talked to a few agencies,
but Ms. Seo already got to them.
It won't be easy to get out of this.
When has my life ever been easy?
That's exactly what worries me.
What do you mean?
Every time you're cornered
your solution is to cross
yet another line.
I won't sit around like a fool.
This is not the time to argue.
Focus on how we fix this.
The shackle file.
Isn't that all we need?
It's useless now.
At this point,
either she dies or I do.
One of us has to go.
MEDICAL CENTER
I'll give you my kidney.
I'll pay off the loan sharks
and cover the surgery too.
Really?
But I have two conditions.
First, you never show up
in front of Ah-jin again.
Second, you stay away
from Grandpa for good.
What?
Once your debts are paid
and the surgery is covered
you won't have any reason
to go to Grandpa for money.
And once you have my kidney
you won't have to go
stirring things up with Ah-jin.
From where I'm standing,
that seems fair.
You make it sound like
I've got a contagious disease.
Don't you think
you're being a little harsh?
You don't like it?
The people you keep hurting
are the people I care about the most.
So don't hurt Ah-jin or Grandpa
ever again.
Those are my conditions.
What do you mean?
Who's on the first floor?
For what reason?
Are you sure?
What's going on?
Ms. Seo, the police are in the lobby.
The police? What do they want?
Ms. Seo Mi-ri.
We have a warrant for your arrest
and a warrant to search the premises.
This morning, CEO Seo Mi-ri
of Longstar Entertainment
was taken into police custody.
Police say they uncovered evidence
that she embezzled
several billion won in company funds.
Investigators conducted
a five-hour search-and-seizure
at the company's headquarters
as part of an expanding probe.
Authorities say embezzlement
is only one part of the case.
New claims accuse Seo of abusing
and threatening her artists
fostering what insiders describe
as a climate of fear.
She allegedly used
the so-called "shackle files"
documents containing private details
about her artists
to intimidate and control them.
Police have seized these files
and will verify their authenticity.
Is everything in the file true?
When did you find out
about the shackle files?
Additional charges
against CEO Seo Mi-ri have surfaced.
Police say they uncovered evidence
that she bribed broadcast officials
and entertainment reporters
in an effort to promote
her agency's artists.
Police have added breach-of-trust
and bribery charges
and are seeking a detention warrant.
Yes, Mr. Hong.
I'm going into surgery soon
so I won't be able
to visit Grandpa for a while.
Please don't tell him
about the kidney transplant.
Yes. Look after him.
I'll contact you again.
What was that about?
A kidney transplant?
I'm giving my kidney to my mom.
Are you serious?
How could you not tell me that?
If I hadn't come today,
were you really not going to tell me?
Lena.
No wonder.
Every time I asked you for a drink,
you kept making excuses.
I thought you'd come around,
so I waited like an idiot.
But did you even care
that I was waiting for your call?
Do you like making me feel stupid?
Am I that much of a joke to you?
Careful, you'll hurt yourself.
Stop.
You're a jerk.
Your surgery is today, right?
Yes.
Don't give me anything
to worry about.
I hate that.
Okay.
I'm relieved
that Seo Mi-ri has been arrested.
One less thing for me
to worry about you.
How can it be so easy for you?
You're giving up
a part of yourself for someone else
and it's no big deal?
You can still smile?
Ah-jin.
You don't have to come
to the hospital.
Just wait for me,
and I'll come to you.
So don't worry about me.
I should go now.
Don't skip your meals, okay?
I'll hang up.
An exclusive management contract?
My public image isn't
exactly great right now.
Are you sure you made this offer
with that in mind?
Absolutely.
To be honest
we're not worried about that at all.
We're investing in your future value.
And any image reset can be managed
on our side without difficulty.
Ms. Baek, if you're free now
would you mind
stopping by our office?
We can have a meeting first
and take our time
discussing the contract.
Where are you going?
Aren't you going to eat?
I ordered your food too.
Hey!
You eat it.
And put that watch back where it was
before I call the cops.
Seriously.
Don't be so stingy.
It's fine if I wear it at your place.
Oh, right.
Most of your hate comments are gone.
And the articles trashing you
got deleted too.
Look.
Everything got wiped clean.
I told you it would.
Just a few days ago,
there were tons of them.
Isn't that wild?
Do you spend all day
searching for my name online?
You have nothing better to do?
You really don't get it.
Keeping tabs on you
is part of my daily routine.
When an article about you drops
leaving the first hate comment
is my little hobby.
Hey, grab some snacks
on your way back.
Something sweet.
It must be nice.
Your life just works out
even when you don't try.
Must be nice for you too.
Every time things get rough,
someone swoops in to save you.
Are you dumb, or just immature?
A life where someone has to show up
and save you every time
actually looks good to you?
If you like it so much, you take it.
Not that you're on that level.
Hey!
What a brat.
I'm here to show you this luxury bag.
What do you think?
Isn't my baby gorgeous?
It's been so long.
It was about ten million won--
IT WAS ABOUT TEN MILLION WON
WHEN I BOUGHT I
This is ten million won?
Even used, this must be worth
at least a few million won.
This is insane!
Welcome.
What took you so long?
The store is right around the corner.
Hey.
Did you forget
to microwave the kimchi?
Just eat it.
It all turns warm
the second it hits your stomach.
You're not eating?
You can have it all.
I don't have an appetite.
By the way
about the black sedan I mentioned,
did you find anything?
I gave you the plate number.
Oh, that car?
Turns out it's a ghost car.
Fake plates and everything.
These guys are pros.
If those guys beat you up like that,
they must be dangerous.
Didn't you say
they were tailing your girl?
You should warn her about them.
You're right.
Stressing over it alone
isn't going to solve anything.
I should give her a heads-up
and tell her to be careful, right?
What does your girlfriend do
that guys like that are after her?
It's none of your business,
so stop prying.
Hello?
Where are you? I'll come to you.
I'm stepping out for a bit.
Where are you going?
Sir, it's time to move
to the lecture hall.
I almost got into a bad accident
driving alone last time.
I've been scared to drive ever since.
You're lucky you didn't get hurt.
If you feel uncomfortable driving,
just reach out to me.
Jun-seo specifically told me
to stick close to you
while he's away.
Also, don't drive so close to people
who drive like maniacs.
You could get dragged
into their accident.
I was that maniac driver.
I was the one
who almost caused an accident.
Yeah?
Do you still have
that burner phone I gave you?
Why?
You know how dangerous
the world can be.
So keep it on you at all times.
If anything happens,
call me right away.
You're so lame, Jae-oh.
So where are we going?
An agency meeting.
They asked me to come by the office.
If everything checks out,
I might sign today.
I knew it.
Longstar goes down, and everything
starts working out for you again.
Here at DO Entertainment
we're a full-service agency
active across multiple fields
including drama, films,
and broadcast content.
We're also rapidly expanding
into online content
and our label business
is growing aggressively.
We'll provide
comprehensive management support
so you can work across
a wide range of projects.
And as you can see there
the revenue split is
structured to be beneficial for you.
By the way
what kind of relationship do you have
with Mr. Moon Do-hyuk?
Mr. Moon Do-hyuk?
The person who pushed
the hardest for us to sign you
was actually Mr. Moon Do-hyuk,
CEO of Hadere.
He's a major shareholder
in our company.
And he's got a real eye for talent.
I heard he personally cleaned up
all the smear pieces about you
ahead of time.
So I assumed you knew him personally.
SATURN'S PHILOSOPHY AND VISION
Sir, I have a question.
- Yes?
- After meeting you today
I found you impressive
not only as a businessman
but as someone
who's truly worthy of respect.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you for your time.
He's amazing, isn't he?
Thank you for coming.
Thank you.
It's nice to meet you.
I'm Baek Ah-jin.
I'm Moon Do-hyuk.
It's our first time meeting,
but we're not exactly strangers.
You seem to know me pretty well.
I do. I've been waiting.
I honestly thought
we'd meet a little sooner.
I wanted to thank you.
You believed in me
when everyone else
turned their backs.
I always believe in myself
and in my own judgment.
I'd like to know
why you're helping me.
Shall we sit?
The company I run donates
over 15 percent of its annual revenue
to charity every year.
That money goes
to the underprivileged.
I like helping the unfortunate.
I really can't stand
just watching them struggle.
In that sense, I've been watching you
fighting to survive
for quite some time now.
"What would have become of you
if you had grown up
in a normal family
with parental support?"
It started from that simple question.
And that's what made me
want to become your guardian.
Sounds like you've done
a lot of digging.
I can't stand being curious.
That's interesting.
I never thought my miserable life
would captivate anyone.
The moments you shone brightest
were when you were acting.
I didn't want it to end like this.
It looked like you were in a crisis,
so I simply held out my hand.
Like I said
I get a sense of purpose
from helping talented people
with real potential.
It seems removing Ms. Seo
from the picture isn't
the end of your plan.
What kind of plan do you have for me?
I can't tell you that yet.
It's a surprise.
If you drag out the preview,
it ruins the fun.
I have another appointment today.
Why don't we set a proper time
to meet next time?
I'll call you.
- Hey.
- Hey, when are you being discharged?
Was it next week?
No, I'm heading out today.
My recovery was fast,
so they moved it up two days.
Oh, really?
That's perfect.
Can you swing by the office
after you get out?
There's a pressing matter
we need to talk about.
Can't we just do it over the phone?
Come on, man.
Seriously?
Didn't you hear me say
it was a pressing matter?
I'd come to where you are
but my boss isn't in
because it's the weekend.
So if you could
Forget it.
You're a patient, after all.
I'll come to you.
You craving anything?
No, I'll just stop by the office
this evening.
What?
NAME: HWANG JI-SUN
These are Seo Mi-ri's shackle files
that the police obtained.
If we delete Ms. Baek's portion
and send it back
this should wrap up quietly.
And the reporter?
We checked all of his files.
Came up clean.
That leaves two loose ends.
Leave the one who just had surgery
alone for now.
Yes, sir.
As for this guy
I've grown a bit attached.
I'd rather this one go quietly,
without any noise.
How should we handle it?
Since it's cold out
let's keep him warm.
They said the police have issued
a detention warrant.
Why are they in such a hurry?
Something's not right.
Did you talk to your lawyer?
What is he advising you to do?
He said when the police
push this hard
it usually means
they already have solid evidence.
His advice is to admit to it
and try for a reduced sentence.
He said probation is unlikely.
- What do we do?
- Someone's behind this.
Otherwise, how would
everything line up so neatly?
And the person behind
whoever's pulling the strings
must be Ah-jin.
Ah-jin!
Ah-jin.
I need to talk to you.
What's this about?
Ah-jin, let Longstar off the hook.
Why are you asking me
to save your company?
What does it have to do with me?
You've come to the wrong person.
Ms. Seo regrets what she did to you.
If you help her this once
she says she'll let
bygones be bygones.
- Please, Ah-jin.
- Ms. Moon.
What makes you think
I could pull something like this off?
She was the one who was after me,
not the other way around.
Ah-jin.
We're really sorry.
Please.
Perhaps she sent you
to get on your knees and beg.
Funny thing is,
I tried to beg her for help too.
But she wouldn't hear me out.
She just told me
to throw myself off the roof.
The shackle files
are already with the police.
So if there's no way out
she should take her own advice
and kill herself.
ARTIST: BAEK AH-JIN
AGENCY: DO ENTERTAINMEN
Should we keep going
or should we stop?
You decide.
You really know everything,
don't you?
How could I not?
I'm the one who set it all in motion.
It's all thanks to you.
I appreciate it.
So? How does it feel?
Is that good enough for you?
What did you want to discuss?
You see these marks?
What happened to you?
The other day
I saw some shady guys tailing Ah-jin.
I followed them,
and they beat the crap out of me.
What?
They had several cars on her.
They weren't messing around.
But they're all ghost cars.
I couldn't even trace the plates.
They're the ones
who gave you a hard time.
If you want, I can do worse.
I can send them far away
so they never come near you.
Or I can destroy them
so they never cross your mind again.
I don't get it, though.
What don't you get?
Why you're going this far for me.
Are you into me?
Does Ah-jin know about this?
I was going to tell her
once I knew what was happening.
You've lived a rough life.
And like I told you,
I can't ignore people like that.
Ms. Baek, I know
how hard your life has been.
You must have cried a lot as a kid.
Am I right?
How much do you know?
How high do you want to go?
I wanted to discuss it
with you first.
Hey.
Do you smell that?
I'll help you achieve
anything you want.
So tell me
how high you want to go.
I'm offering you this opportunity,
so think carefully.
Think hard about what choice
you need to make right now.
It's not that complicated.
You'll star in
Director Park's new film
make your international debut
and take home Best Actress
at a major festival.
You'll spend your days
as a brilliant actress.
And you'll enjoy all of that
as my wife.
Hey.
Shit.
You okay?
So?
Do you like
my wedding gift?
Wedding, you say?
Move!
I'll wipe away
all the stains from your past.
And you'll start over by my side.
I promise you, Ah-jin.
Come to me.
DEAR X