When the Phone Rings (2024) s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
A GOOD FRIEND TO MEE
ALL CHARACTERS, LOCATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS
DEPICTED IN THIS DRAMA ARE ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS
I've never been…
more curious about a man before.
[breath trembling]
[exhales]
[dramatic music playing]
Forget about getting arrested, 406.
I promise,
I'm going to catch you.
[timer rings]
[line disconnects]
[breathing heavily]
Wait…
Am I screwed, or did he fall for it?
[music ends]
[sighs wearily]
[breathing heavily]
[dramatic music playing]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter]
[music ends]
[exhales]
[Hee-joo] What… What's he doing?
Are you hiding something from me?
[Hee-joo] Hiding something?
Give me the phone.
[Hee-joo] The phone?
Give it to me.
I want you to answer my questions.
Yesterday,
was there a car accident?
What time?
[Hee-joo] Between 6 and 7 p.m.
[scoffs]
So…
there really was an accident.
[inhales]
Were you hurt?
[tapping on phone]
[soft music playing]
What's this?
I asked you what this is!
No.
You don't have to answer.
[exhales]
Who was he?
Did you see his face?
[Hee-joo] His face was covered,
so I couldn't see it.
[Sa-eon] Tell me…
what that bastard did.
Did he threaten you with a knife?
That he would kill you?
[scoffs]
[dramatic music playing]
If something like that happened,
why didn't you tell me?
[Hee-joo] You said to call back
when there's a corpse.
Did you see anyone suspicious just now?
Did anyone follow,
approach, or talk to you?
[sighs]
Make sure you keep
your bodyguard with you.
And get checked at the hospital.
[Hee-joo] He doesn't know, right?
[breath trembling]
[music ends]
[exhales]
SECURITY TEAM 1 LEE JEONG-WON
[line ringing]
Hong Hee-joo's going home.
Come to the second floor.
[line disconnects]
[phone vibrating]
-How did it go?
-[Do-jae] It won't be easy.
The IP was bouncing around
in less than ten minutes.
I think they're operating
as an organization.
-An organization?
-[Do-jae] Yes.
-Do you have any ideas?
-[Sa-eon sighs]
He knew more about me than I expected.
Things only family knows.
Secure the lists of the guests
and service providers for the event.
The embassy event? Is he there now?
He's pretending to be.
I'll send you part of the recorded call.
Try to remove the modulator.
As soon as possible.
EPISODE 2
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
Say something, Paik Sa-eon!
[Sa-eon] What do you want?
[Hee-joo] Yeah, good job.
That's the correct answer.
[Sa-eon] Tell me…
what you want.
What do you want?
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
Yeah, good job.
That's the correct answer.
[Sa-eon] Tell me…
-what you want.
-[chuckles softly]
[slow music playing]
He's scared.
[chuckles softly] Paik Sa-eon is scared.
I guess it makes him angry
when someone touches his things.
Yeah, Hong Hee-joo
really could've ended up dead.
The car rolled on the slippery road!
[breathing heavily]
[thud over phone]
Why do I care?
[sighs]
I've had this for two days now.
He must be looking for it.
I have to hurry.
-[door lock beeping]
-[Hee-joo gasps]
[door opens]
[door closes]
-[knocking on door]
-[Hee-joo gasps]
[Sa-eon] Hong Hee-joo?
[slow music playing]
Your car key.
Is it here?
[suspenseful music playing]
What are you doing?
-[sighs in relief]
-[door closes]
[car beeps]
[mysterious music playing]
Why does he want the car?
What's he looking for?
[sighs]
[gasps]
No way.
That asshole.
I have something to say to him,
so call him back now!
[breathing heavily]
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]
[Sa-eon] I'm glad you're here.
What happened?
[Hee-joo] About what?
Look at the car.
How did you drive it back?
[suspenseful music playing]
[Hee-joo] I called a tow truck.
And the dashcam?
Why…
isn't anything recorded?
[Hee-joo] There's nothing on it?
[sighs] Thank goodness.
[engine revving]
[intense music playing]
You should be…
careful.
[man] Sorry about that.
[engine revving]
[exhales]
I'll get you a new car.
But don't go to work from tomorrow on,
and stay at home.
[Hee-joo] I can't do that.
I have to go to court.
Court?
[Hee-joo tapping on phone]
[Hee-joo] I have to go interpret.
Alone?
[Hee-joo] I'm going with the director.
Also, I want to keep working.
[sighs]
[Hee-joo] Your mother told me to quit,
but I'd like to keep working, please.
[slow music playing]
Then keep the security staff
while you work…
[Hee-joo tapping on phone]
[Hee-joo] Don't make it obvious.
[door beeps]
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER PARK DO-JAE
[line ringing]
[Do-jae] Yes, sir.
It's a personal request,
and it needs to be handled discreetly.
Can I entrust you with it?
Of course. Please, go ahead.
There's nothing on the dashcam
from yesterday's accident.
See if you can restore it.
And check the traffic cameras
according to the route
between 6 to 7 p.m. yesterday.
Yes, sir.
[line disconnects]
[Kyu-jin] When will you join us?
Your father's waiting.
[phone vibrating]
HYESEONG DAILY NEWS CHOI YEONG-JIN
-[vibration stops]
-[Kyu-jin] Right.
I told her to quit working.
During the election period,
tell her to keep quiet and stay low.
-[Sa-eon sighs]
-[Kyu-jin clicks tongue]
I don't know why
I have to be bothered by her.
This marriage should've never happened.
Aren't we the ones who wanted
to establish ties
with Chungwoon,
even if that meant switching the bride?
Father was able to get this far
thanks to Chungwoon Daily News
burying his scandals.
Anyway,
who else knows about this marriage?
What?
Father, you,
Hee-joo's father, Hee-joo's mother,
Hee-joo…
And Hong In-a.
[Sa-eon] No one else knows about it,
but he does.
That means…
Why do you ask that?
HYESEONG DAILY CHOI YEONG-JIN
[phone vibrating]
[sighs]
It seems you've developed a bad habit.
-I'm getting calls that bother me.
-[Kyu-jin scoffs]
You still have a long way to go.
I've taught you that impatience
is a barrier to communication.
But when you get those calls,
you look ready to go on a rampage.
[inhales]
Then, why don't you give me some advice?
As our country's first negotiation expert
and a former criminal psychologist.
It burst with a bang!
The witness' precious testicle.
[spectator] Testicle? Did his ball burst?
Your Honor, the witness now must live
with the irrecoverable loss
caused by the defendant's attack
with a ladle.
I'm dying!
What a load of bullshit!
You fell on your own and burst it!
Why is that my fault?
You were wasted that day, as usual.
And that happened
while you tried to hit me.
How dare you lie in front of the judge,
you rotten bastard?
[judge] Interpreter.
It's not the defendant's turn to speak.
Also,
try to tone down the interpretation.
Oh, sure. Duly noted, Your Honor.
[quirky music playing]
Counsel,
proceed with the cross-examination.
Yes, Your Honor.
Witness,
do you often drink alcohol?
[plaintiff] Not often.
[defendant] You don't have to interpret.
I don't want to know.
I don't talk with that man.
-I only have fistfights with him.
-[plaintiff] I only drank a little.
I don't remember.
[indistinct conversation]
[defendant] Isn't it funny?
As a deaf person, the person
I can't communicate with is him.
That's because that woman
kept nagging me and wouldn't let me drink.
[defendant] And he's my husband
I've lived with for decades.
[plaintiff] I just pushed her.
[Do-jae] After tracking all of the routes,
this is the only footage
where he was spotted.
[Sa-eon] Is that all?
From here on,
it's outside the cameras' coverage,
so nothing after this.
[sighs]
And the embassy?
Without an official notice,
we can't get the guest list,
so I called the security company.
And most external employees
were part-timers.
In short… [sighs]
you couldn't find anything useful?
I'm sorry, sir.
[exhales]
Should we request police cooperation?
Probably not.
I just think it's serious
since he threatened your wife.
Mr. Park.
Have you ever seen my wife?
No, I haven't.
Have I ever spoken of my wife, even once?
No, you haven't.
The entire nation
doesn't know about my wife.
They're just curious.
So, what do you think will happen
if I go public with this?
I apologize. I was thoughtless.
[exhales]
[phone vibrates]
[Jeong-won] Hong Hee-joo's
court schedule is over.
[Sa-eon] Take her home now.
[Jeong-won] Yes, sir.
[indistinct shouting]
[shouting continues]
Excuse me! Can you help us?
No, stop! Let go!
Come on, come help!
[mysterious music playing]
[indistinct shouting continues]
[footsteps approaching]
[footsteps stop]
[footsteps approaching]
[mysterious music playing]
-[Jin-e] Please calm down.
-You damn woman!
-What's your problem?
-Calm down.
[defendant panting]
Goodness.
That's better.
[breathing heavily]
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
But where did Hee-joo go?
[suspenseful music playing]
Ms. Hong Hee-joo?
[breathing heavily]
-[breathing heavily]
-[line ringing]
She's not here. Find her now!
[intense music playing]
[breathing heavily]
Here's a list of posts from the past month
with high approval ratings
from the public.
[phone vibrates]
First, we'll start from the top…
or the lowest?
Go ahead. Continue.
THE PUBLIC'S TOP 10 PICK LIS
[Jeong-won] I'm sorry.
I'm at the courthouse,
but I can't locate Ms. Hong.
[Sa-eon] What do you mean
you can't locate her?
[phone vibrates]
[breathing heavily]
[Jeong-won] She went to the restroom,
and I lost her.
[exhales]
I'm sorry.
[Sa-eon] Find her quickly! Request support
from the courthouse if you have to.
[exhales]
The current hot issue
is the punishment for dating violence.
-The penalties are too light…
-[phone vibrates]
[Hyeon-jin] I found her.
She's with some man.
A man?
Excuse me?
A man?
Yes, mostly men.
Usually, men do it
to their girlfriends or…
[Sa-eon] Who is he?
What does he look like?
Sorry about earlier.
Did I scare you?
[mysterious music playing]
SECURITY TEAM LEE JEONG-WON
-[music ends]
-[gasps]
What was I thinking
hovering around the women's restroom?
I saw you come out of the courtroom,
but I wasn't sure.
But what brings you here?
I had to appear as a witness.
What about you?
Did you come to interpret?
[suspenseful music playing]
[camera shutter clicks]
[camera shutter clicking]
[Young-woo] People commit crimes
out of resentment.
[Hyeon-jin] This is him.
I think he's an acquaintance.
[Young-woo] Not only are there
no provisions in place,
but the legal systems also fail
to protect the victims…
Which is why such crimes
continue to persist.
Furthermore…
Well, many cases are classified
as non-prosecutable offenses.
These result in minor penalties,
and the victim fears retaliatory crimes…
[Hyeon-jin] He's got a good physique.
He's good-looking.
-[slams]
-[Young-woo's breath trembles]
[Young-woo chuckles nervously]
[phone vibrates]
[Sa-eon] Don't take photos.
I asked you to guard her,
not to spy on her.
[quirky music playing]
[sighs]
He asked about his appearance.
What was I supposed to say?
That he has two eyes, a nose, and a mouth?
-Darn it.
-[Jeong-won] Mmm.
He's totally my type.
[sighs softly]
After you suddenly cut off contact
three years ago,
I looked everywhere for you.
But no one knew anything.
Then one day, I saw you on the news.
"Sign language interpreter, Hong Hee-joo."
[Sang-woo chuckles]
It was great to see you.
I'm sorry I didn't contact you.
Mmm-mmm.
Hee-joo,
you're doing well, right?
[mellow music playing]
You're still good at signing.
[Sang-woo chuckles]
That's how I can talk to you.
[Sang-woo] Right.
Starting this week,
I'm going to the station
where you interpret the news.
I've taken on a new program.
JI SANG-WOO
What type of program?
It's called "Crime Report."
It covers crime cases.
There's a cold case that I personally
want to solve. So I agreed to do it.
Wait.
Give me your number.
I'll call when I go to the station.
[mellow music continues playing]
[Hee-joo tapping on phone]
It was great to see you.
[Sang-woo] Mmm.
[sighs softly]
[Young-woo] In addition to strengthening
related penalty laws,
experts have voiced
that integrated services
[phone vibrates]
in psychology, healthcare,
and legal support should be provided.
[Hyeon-jin] Ms. Hong
has returned home safely.
I'll provide additional reports
regarding the measures and penalties.
Next.
Next. Okay.
Next, we discussed dating violence. Well…
[breathing heavily] This is about…
-[clears throat] school violence.
-Wait.
[Young-woo groans softly]
Let's discuss this first.
The sign language interpreter position
at the presidential office.
I see.
PRESIDENTIAL PLACEMEN
OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER
This?
[phone vibrates]
MOM
MISSED CALL
MOM
TEXT BACK OR PICK UP THE PHONE
I'M IN FRONT OF YOUR PLACE.
YOU'D BETTER…
[doorbell rings]
[Yeon-hui] Why didn't you pick up
the phone or go to the dermatologist?
Why do you never do what I ask you to?
Start taking these from today
and prepare your body.
And this.
[tense music playing]
What do you think?
It's work clothes.
You're pathetic.
Why do I still have to
bring things like this
and teach you everything?
Are you really a mother
and not a pimp?
What the hell are you saying?
Listen carefully.
When In-a ran away
and you agreed to be the sub,
what did you say?
[Yeon-hui scoffs]
You daringly imposed a condition
about your father.
That he be put in a good nursing home.
That's only if you maintain this marriage
and properly fulfill your duty
as Sa-eon's wife.
If anything goes wrong,
your father will be out in the streets
as soon as tomorrow.
Do you understand?
[paper rustling]
Yeah, that's how you are.
The moment your father is used
against you, you can't do anything.
[Hee-joo] She's right.
This is what a weakness is.
When someone touches it, you flinch,
tremble uncontrollably…
and desperately try to defend it.
[music ends]
I'll try my best.
[dramatic music playing]
But, Mom,
I'm so curious.
Once I successfully escape this prison,
what expression will you have?
[Kyu-jin] It's a misconception
that a strong stance
increases your chances of winning
and a weak one does the opposite
in negotiations.
Getting a serial killer to talk
ultimately relies on building rapport.
In a negotiation without trust,
there's no victory.
[dramatic music playing]
What about you?
How well do you understand your opponent?
[dramatic music continues playing]
[phone vibrating]
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
Have you decided?
Is there a reason…
for timing it perfectly?
[Hee-joo] That's up to me.
So?
Have you decided?
[suspenseful music playing]
Will you put everything back or pay me?
[Sa-eon] Before that,
I'm curious about something.
Hong Hee-joo.
The entire nation thinks
Hong In-a, the eldest daughter
of the chairman of Chungwoon, is my wife.
So where did you get…
your information on Hong Hee-joo?
By any chance,
are you close to me?
Considering that no one knows about this
except for family,
you must be close to me.
[Hee-joo] No, wait!
What does that matter right now?
Come on, man.
You still don't get it, do you?
I'm going to bring you down.
I'm going to brand you
with a scarlet letter.
[Sa-eon] I know.
What?
[scoffs]
Some crazy guy
crashed into Hong Hee-joo's car,
stabbed her headrest with a knife,
and left bruises
on her forehead, neck, and shoulders.
Let me be clear.
There will be no compromise.
[inhales]
Do you really think that?
I have something very interesting.
[phone vibrates]
[tense music playing]
How's that? Can you see it?
Still no room for compromise?
[Sa-eon] What is this?
You're her husband,
and you can't recognize that?
Aren't you making it too obvious
that she's not your real wife?
[Sa-eon] I asked what this is.
Be straight with me.
It's Hong Hee-joo's…
[softly] thigh.
I won't say anything right now.
How I'll use this photo
and what kind of story I'll add to it…
I'll leave that to your imagination.
How do I know…
that this is a photo of Hee-joo?
[Hee-joo] What a strange question.
You're supposed to be her husband.
Didn't you know
Hee-joo has a unique mole on her thigh?
How could you not know?
Were you just not interested, or…
have you never seen her naked?
[chuckles]
[Hee-joo sighs]
[music ends]
406, are you married?
What?
[Sa-eon] Are you married?
Yeah, I mean, no!
When was your first time with a woman?
-Excuse me? What?
-[Sa-eon] I'm asking you a question.
[bangs table]
Answer me, you perverted bastard.
-[Hee-joo] Pervert?
-Yeah.
A pervert who uses a cheap fake photo
to fantasize about, harass,
and slander my wife.
I guess blackmail isn't enough,
so I'll add one more
to your list of offenses.
[quirky music playing]
Article 13
of the Act of Sexual Violence Crimes,
obscenity crimes
using communication media.
Sexual violence?
If you want to threaten me,
then you'd better do your research on me.
I know her better than anyone.
Don't throw random things.
[scoffs]
You know her well?
What do you know?
You're just pretending to be her husband.
It's not a fake photo.
You should check for yourself.
See if that's her thigh or not!
Check for yourself!
Wait…
What did I just say?
-Did you get the signal?
-Yes.
Exceeding ten minutes helped.
[serious music playing]
The presumed location
is Seocho, Gangnam, or Yongsan.
It's a rough estimate, but yes.
We will identify the suspect
based on the clues I provide.
When I asked him if he was married,
he changed his answer.
When flustered,
the first response is often the truth.
However, there's a chance
he's divorced recently
or considering it.
-Take a broad approach.
-Yes, sir.
And he was flustered
when I asked him a sexual question.
So he might have a prior.
Check all sex offenders
and search the dark web.
-Yes, sir!
-[man] Yes, sir!
Yes, sir.
Also, find the source of this photo…
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
It's Hong Hee-joo's thigh.
[Do-jae] Sir?
Never mind. Get started.
[door opens, slams]
He seems really angry.
[Hee-joo groans] I must be crazy!
Check what? What?
[exhales]
[scoffs]
But what? A fake photo?
Does he know how hard I worked
to take that photo?
[electronic music playing]
[camera shutter clicks]
[camera shutter clicking]
[camera shutter clicking]
[camera shutter clicks]
[music ends]
"I know her better than anyone."
"Don't throw random things…"
What does he know?
[door slams]
[suspenseful music playing]
[sighs]
[door beeps]
[gasps]
[exhales]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[door lock beeping]
[door closes]
[breathing heavily]
[door closes]
[Hee-joo] What the heck?
[footsteps echoing]
[mellow music playing]
Why is he coming?
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]
[sighs softly]
The presidential office
will announce that they are recruiting
a sign language interpreter soon.
You said you wanted to keep working.
There are no privileges.
If you want to do it,
earn your spot beside me.
[door opens]
-[door closes]
-The presidential office?
All of a sudden?
[lid snaps]
[exhales]
[sighs]
[sighs]
3 YEARS AGO
[mellow music playing]
[chuckles softly]
[clears throat]
Did you make this?
Let's say we ate it.
What's next?
[mellow music continues playing]
Hong Hee-joo.
Look at me.
[dramatic music playing]
Do you want a tip?
Don't try to have any feelings for me.
Let it all go.
You don't need to act like a puppet
in front of me.
Don't do everything your mother tells you.
Let me be clear.
You weren't part of my plan.
So, from now on,
if you interfere or get in my way,
I won't let it slide.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Sa-eon sighs]
[music ends]
[sighs]
[soft music playing]
How could he barge into my room
in the middle of the night like that?
But why didn't he check?
He didn't even ask me.
[groans] Why do I care?
[sighs]
Calm down.
I was just startled.
[sighs] Just sleep.
[heart beating]
[You-ri]
Ahead of the presidential election,
the results of HBC's public opinion poll
are in.
Paik Ui-yong
of the Liberty and Justice Party
-ranked first in the public opinion poll.
-[gasps]
Did you see a ghost?
Why are you so surprised?
[You-ri] …in the simulated competition,
Paik Ui-young takes the lead…
I'll go in the afternoon.
What about breakfast?
I never skip breakfast.
[Hee-joo] He's telling me
to make breakfast, isn't he?
[coffee machine beeps, buzzing]
[beeps]
No coffee on an empty stomach.
[mellow music playing]
Cutting board.
Knife.
Pan.
Turn it on.
[utensil clanking]
[mellow music continues playing]
You'll get new guards.
I heard they lost you at the courthouse.
[Hee-joo] That was…
Then what happened?
What did you do?
[Hee-joo] A college friend.
A college friend?
Were you close?
Are they trustworthy?
Is this friend someone you can trust?
[mellow music continues playing]
[Sa-eon scoffs]
[Sa-eon] And all this time, I thought…
you were quietly and obediently living
under my control.
Was I mistaken?
[heart beating]
Eat it all.
[phone vibrates]
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER PARK DO-JAE
[Do-jae] The preliminary
voice analysis results are in.
[door opens]
-[Hee-joo] Did he make this for me?
-[door closes]
HE'S A GOOD PERSON.
I'LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU!
MY YOUTH SHINES BECAUSE OF YOU!
[indistinct chatter]
Excuse me.
-[fan 1] It's him!
-[fan 2] He's here!
-[fans clamoring]
-[You-ri yelps]
[You-ri exclaims]
[upbeat music playing]
[fans clamoring]
Are you okay?
[gasps]
What about you? Are you okay?
Yes.
-[You-ri groans]
-That's hot.
JI SANG-WOO
Oh my. You're the one
appearing on our show.
[Sang-woo chuckles]
Yeah.
I came for the pre-interview.
And suffered a disaster.
Sorry about that.
No, don't say that.
Those fans are a nuisance.
Such a fuss.
Wait a second.
[quirky music playing]
"Fans are a nuisance"?
It's a fuss?
[scoffs] I mean,
to catch music shows or pre-recordings,
you have to buy an album, join a fan club,
come early, wait in line, and keep waiting
if the recording is delayed.
It's not a fuss.
It should be called devotion.
Have you ever burned with passion
about anyone before?
My arm's feeling pretty burned.
Oh, that…
Sorry about that.
If having a crush on someone is
somewhat similar to being someone's fan…
Then, yes. I've done it before.
What about you? Who are you a fan of?
[You-ri] Well…
He has a nice voice.
A singer?
Mmm-mmm.
He's handsome.
An actor?
He's someone who's respected
and loved by the nation.
I'll leave it at that.
Anyway,
call me if you end up having to go
to the hospital.
[music ends]
NA YOU-RI
HBC ANCHOR
HEE-JOO
[Hee-joo in distorted voice] Come on, man.
You still don't get it, do you?
I'm going to bring you down.
I'm going to brand you
with a scarlet letter.
[sighs]
It's hard to identify someone with this.
I'm sorry.
It's not a typical voice changer.
The voice is encrypted.
-We need time to decrypt--
-I don't care how.
Tell me when you get results.
Yes, sir.
We filtered through the records of sex
offenders and searched the dark web.
I looked into vehicle 1575's dashcam,
and it was off at that time.
But…
Never mind.
What is it?
I tried enhancing the quality
of the footage yesterday,
and I found something strange.
[mysterious music playing]
It's this part.
Stop.
Rewind it.
Here. Zoom in.
[nurse] He'll be so happy
to see his daughter.
He's been doing great lately.
[Jin-cheol] Our club's treasure!
Our club's pride!
Let's give a round of applause!
Kim Yeon-hui!
Goodness!
[funky music playing on stereo]
Good grief.
[music stops]
[nurse] Why would you pick today
to do this?
Put this on now! Quickly!
I'm so sorry.
He was fine just this morning.
[nurse sighs]
[sighs wearily]
How many times have I told you?
You won't need to perform
at nightclubs again, Dad.
There you go.
Is it good?
No matter what I bring,
you insist on eating that.
[Hee-joo chuckles softly]
Don't go.
Yeon-hui, I'll do better.
So please…
Please don't go, Yeon-hui.
[slow music playing]
You should've said that…
when Mom packed her bags to leave.
Why didn't you say that then?
You made a living
with that mouth of yours all your life,
so you could've at least yelled
or cursed at her!
Or…
at least you could've kept me with you.
Our daughter's dream
is to become an anchor.
Isn't that cool?
So…
raise Hee-joo well so she can be an anchor
at a proper broadcasting station
and won't end up
in cheap nightclubs like I did.
Okay?
Is that why…
you sent me away?
[slow music continues playing]
[exhales]
But Dad…
[voice shaking] Dad, the thing is…
[crying]
ever since I became Hong Hee-joo
instead of Na Hee-joo,
I've never had a day of peace.
I pretend to be mute,
living in Hong In-a's shadow.
I don't remember who I am anymore.
[crying] I'm so sick of this.
I want to quit.
[sobbing] Dad!
[music ends]
[Hyeok-jin] Threats?
[jazz music playing on speakers]
Wait.
A man sends a photo of the wife's naked--
She wasn't naked.
Either way.
He sends a sleazy photo
and threatens the husband
to end it with his wife.
Yeah.
What does that sound like?
It's obvious. I'm sure…
Hey.
Who is this about?
Don't ask. You're sure of what?
What do you think? It's obvious.
I'm certain…
it's an affair.
[suspenseful music playing]
I thought the car was forcibly taken,
but he got in very naturally.
As if she opened the door for him.
[phone vibrating]
[phone vibrating]
[phone vibrating]
[Hee-joo] Hello--
[sighs]
[Hee-joo] What was that? Did he hang up?
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
Paik Sa-eon, I dare you to hang up again!
-[Sa-eon] I'm hanging up.
-Wait!
[Sa-eon] Now it's hard to tell
who's more desperate.
I won't stay quiet if you act this way.
[Sa-eon] Wait.
What?
[Sa-eon] If you want
to talk to me that badly,
then wait.
A pervert like you
deserves a penalty like this.
Be good and wait.
-Call me back in five minutes.
-[line disconnects]
PAIK SA-EON
Is he out of his mind?
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
[automated voice] The person you're…
[line ringing]
[automated voice] The person
you're trying to call…
[line disconnects]
[line ringing]
[automated voice] The person you're…
[line disconnects]
[tense music playing]
[Sa-eon sighs]
[music ends]
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
[phone vibrating]
[sighs softly]
[Hee-joo] Stay calm.
Do not get worked up. [inhales]
[phone vibrating]
[suspenseful music playing]
-Stay calm…
-[Sa-eon] Good job.
From now on, wait on all fours like that.
[Hee-joo] Do not get worked up.
Who knows?
I might even throw you a bone.
What did you say, bastard?
What are you trying to do?
I really won't stand for this.
Don't regret this later.
-[explosion]
-[Hee-joo yelps]
[ears ringing]
[ringing stops]
[breathing heavily]
[solemn music playing]
PAIK SA-EON
[breathing heavily]
The phone you called is turned off.
You'll be directed to voicemail.
-[sighs]
-Additional fees may apply after the beep.
[solemn music continues playing]
[door lock beeping]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[breath trembling]
[solemn music continues playing]
PAIK SA-EON
[automated voice] The phone you called
is turned off.
You'll be directed to voicemail.
Additional fees…
[music ends]
[TV beeps]
[male reporter] …is expected
to move northward
and emphasized that we must stay vigilant.
[You-ri] Breaking news.
At 10:07 p.m. last night,
there was an explosion
in an office in Yeouido,
resulting in injuries.
The fire department
is investigating the cause of the fire.
Let's go to the scene now.
[reporter] A man dressed in black
with a cap on
climbs the stairs with a delivery bag.
He takes what looks like a pizza box
out of the bag
and enters the fifth-floor hallway.
Moments later, bright red flames spread
and black smoke rises.
This is the office
where six people were injured.
Smoke lingers, with the victims'
computer fragments scattered around.
According to reports,
the perpetrator held a grudge
and repeatedly made
threatening phone calls,
hinting at the planned crime.
HBC has an exclusive recording
of the perpetrator's phone call.
[in distorted voice]
You have until tomorrow to decide.
[dramatic music playing]
Or we can settle for two billion won.
You have until tomorrow.
I was going to kill her. Do you get it?
Come on, man.
You still don't get it, do you?
The perpetrator,
who had been making threats,
set fire to the victim's office
last night,
-The fire department…
-A fire?
When did I do that?
-There could've been casualties…
-[door opens, closes]
[reporter] The police,
fire department, and forensics
are conducting an investigation.
They'll form a dedicated team
to look into the incident.
This was Jang Seok-hyeon with HBC.
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
Lately,
nothing makes sense.
[tense music continues]
There can't be a Hong Hee-joo
I don't know about.
I need to find out
which one is the real one.
Right now,
you're my only lead.
So cooperate.
Do you want to take it off…
or should I?
[dramatic music playing]
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
3 YEARS AGO
[phone vibrates]
[In-a] Have you decided?
Cancel the wedding tomorrow.
Make sure this arranged marriage
never happens.
[sighs]
[In-a] Or I'll expose
all of your family secrets.
[sighs]
[Sa-eon] Let me ask you something too.
Is Hong Hee-joo…
[sighs]
marrying the son
of the Yeonghwa Construction family?
Is that true?
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
[phone vibrates]
[In-a] It's true.
[exhales heavily]
[In-a] That piece of trash
is the last person
that daughters of influential families
would marry.
And the only woman willing to sell
her daughter to him is Hee-joo's mom.
[Sa-eon] The wedding will be held
as planned tomorrow.
However,
let's switch the bride.
[In-a] What are you saying?
You don't mean…
[Sa-eon] It won't be you.
It'll be your sister.
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
[Sa-eon] You don't know
what I'm trying to do
or what I'm trying to see, right?
Interpreter Hong Hee-joo?
Do you like her?
[Hee-joo] Do you suspect me and Sang-woo?
[Sa-eon] You know him so well.
What about me?
How much do you know about me?
[kidnaper] Sis!
Call him. Keep calling him.
[Hee-joo] Dad!
Just think of it as a bad dream.
Forget it all.
Subtitle translation by: Sue Mounce
A GOOD FRIEND TO MEE
ALL CHARACTERS, LOCATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS
DEPICTED IN THIS DRAMA ARE ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS
I've never been…
more curious about a man before.
[breath trembling]
[exhales]
[dramatic music playing]
Forget about getting arrested, 406.
I promise,
I'm going to catch you.
[timer rings]
[line disconnects]
[breathing heavily]
Wait…
Am I screwed, or did he fall for it?
[music ends]
[sighs wearily]
[breathing heavily]
[dramatic music playing]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter]
[music ends]
[exhales]
[Hee-joo] What… What's he doing?
Are you hiding something from me?
[Hee-joo] Hiding something?
Give me the phone.
[Hee-joo] The phone?
Give it to me.
I want you to answer my questions.
Yesterday,
was there a car accident?
What time?
[Hee-joo] Between 6 and 7 p.m.
[scoffs]
So…
there really was an accident.
[inhales]
Were you hurt?
[tapping on phone]
[soft music playing]
What's this?
I asked you what this is!
No.
You don't have to answer.
[exhales]
Who was he?
Did you see his face?
[Hee-joo] His face was covered,
so I couldn't see it.
[Sa-eon] Tell me…
what that bastard did.
Did he threaten you with a knife?
That he would kill you?
[scoffs]
[dramatic music playing]
If something like that happened,
why didn't you tell me?
[Hee-joo] You said to call back
when there's a corpse.
Did you see anyone suspicious just now?
Did anyone follow,
approach, or talk to you?
[sighs]
Make sure you keep
your bodyguard with you.
And get checked at the hospital.
[Hee-joo] He doesn't know, right?
[breath trembling]
[music ends]
[exhales]
SECURITY TEAM 1 LEE JEONG-WON
[line ringing]
Hong Hee-joo's going home.
Come to the second floor.
[line disconnects]
[phone vibrating]
-How did it go?
-[Do-jae] It won't be easy.
The IP was bouncing around
in less than ten minutes.
I think they're operating
as an organization.
-An organization?
-[Do-jae] Yes.
-Do you have any ideas?
-[Sa-eon sighs]
He knew more about me than I expected.
Things only family knows.
Secure the lists of the guests
and service providers for the event.
The embassy event? Is he there now?
He's pretending to be.
I'll send you part of the recorded call.
Try to remove the modulator.
As soon as possible.
EPISODE 2
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
Say something, Paik Sa-eon!
[Sa-eon] What do you want?
[Hee-joo] Yeah, good job.
That's the correct answer.
[Sa-eon] Tell me…
what you want.
What do you want?
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
Yeah, good job.
That's the correct answer.
[Sa-eon] Tell me…
-what you want.
-[chuckles softly]
[slow music playing]
He's scared.
[chuckles softly] Paik Sa-eon is scared.
I guess it makes him angry
when someone touches his things.
Yeah, Hong Hee-joo
really could've ended up dead.
The car rolled on the slippery road!
[breathing heavily]
[thud over phone]
Why do I care?
[sighs]
I've had this for two days now.
He must be looking for it.
I have to hurry.
-[door lock beeping]
-[Hee-joo gasps]
[door opens]
[door closes]
-[knocking on door]
-[Hee-joo gasps]
[Sa-eon] Hong Hee-joo?
[slow music playing]
Your car key.
Is it here?
[suspenseful music playing]
What are you doing?
-[sighs in relief]
-[door closes]
[car beeps]
[mysterious music playing]
Why does he want the car?
What's he looking for?
[sighs]
[gasps]
No way.
That asshole.
I have something to say to him,
so call him back now!
[breathing heavily]
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]
[Sa-eon] I'm glad you're here.
What happened?
[Hee-joo] About what?
Look at the car.
How did you drive it back?
[suspenseful music playing]
[Hee-joo] I called a tow truck.
And the dashcam?
Why…
isn't anything recorded?
[Hee-joo] There's nothing on it?
[sighs] Thank goodness.
[engine revving]
[intense music playing]
You should be…
careful.
[man] Sorry about that.
[engine revving]
[exhales]
I'll get you a new car.
But don't go to work from tomorrow on,
and stay at home.
[Hee-joo] I can't do that.
I have to go to court.
Court?
[Hee-joo tapping on phone]
[Hee-joo] I have to go interpret.
Alone?
[Hee-joo] I'm going with the director.
Also, I want to keep working.
[sighs]
[Hee-joo] Your mother told me to quit,
but I'd like to keep working, please.
[slow music playing]
Then keep the security staff
while you work…
[Hee-joo tapping on phone]
[Hee-joo] Don't make it obvious.
[door beeps]
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER PARK DO-JAE
[line ringing]
[Do-jae] Yes, sir.
It's a personal request,
and it needs to be handled discreetly.
Can I entrust you with it?
Of course. Please, go ahead.
There's nothing on the dashcam
from yesterday's accident.
See if you can restore it.
And check the traffic cameras
according to the route
between 6 to 7 p.m. yesterday.
Yes, sir.
[line disconnects]
[Kyu-jin] When will you join us?
Your father's waiting.
[phone vibrating]
HYESEONG DAILY NEWS CHOI YEONG-JIN
-[vibration stops]
-[Kyu-jin] Right.
I told her to quit working.
During the election period,
tell her to keep quiet and stay low.
-[Sa-eon sighs]
-[Kyu-jin clicks tongue]
I don't know why
I have to be bothered by her.
This marriage should've never happened.
Aren't we the ones who wanted
to establish ties
with Chungwoon,
even if that meant switching the bride?
Father was able to get this far
thanks to Chungwoon Daily News
burying his scandals.
Anyway,
who else knows about this marriage?
What?
Father, you,
Hee-joo's father, Hee-joo's mother,
Hee-joo…
And Hong In-a.
[Sa-eon] No one else knows about it,
but he does.
That means…
Why do you ask that?
HYESEONG DAILY CHOI YEONG-JIN
[phone vibrating]
[sighs]
It seems you've developed a bad habit.
-I'm getting calls that bother me.
-[Kyu-jin scoffs]
You still have a long way to go.
I've taught you that impatience
is a barrier to communication.
But when you get those calls,
you look ready to go on a rampage.
[inhales]
Then, why don't you give me some advice?
As our country's first negotiation expert
and a former criminal psychologist.
It burst with a bang!
The witness' precious testicle.
[spectator] Testicle? Did his ball burst?
Your Honor, the witness now must live
with the irrecoverable loss
caused by the defendant's attack
with a ladle.
I'm dying!
What a load of bullshit!
You fell on your own and burst it!
Why is that my fault?
You were wasted that day, as usual.
And that happened
while you tried to hit me.
How dare you lie in front of the judge,
you rotten bastard?
[judge] Interpreter.
It's not the defendant's turn to speak.
Also,
try to tone down the interpretation.
Oh, sure. Duly noted, Your Honor.
[quirky music playing]
Counsel,
proceed with the cross-examination.
Yes, Your Honor.
Witness,
do you often drink alcohol?
[plaintiff] Not often.
[defendant] You don't have to interpret.
I don't want to know.
I don't talk with that man.
-I only have fistfights with him.
-[plaintiff] I only drank a little.
I don't remember.
[indistinct conversation]
[defendant] Isn't it funny?
As a deaf person, the person
I can't communicate with is him.
That's because that woman
kept nagging me and wouldn't let me drink.
[defendant] And he's my husband
I've lived with for decades.
[plaintiff] I just pushed her.
[Do-jae] After tracking all of the routes,
this is the only footage
where he was spotted.
[Sa-eon] Is that all?
From here on,
it's outside the cameras' coverage,
so nothing after this.
[sighs]
And the embassy?
Without an official notice,
we can't get the guest list,
so I called the security company.
And most external employees
were part-timers.
In short… [sighs]
you couldn't find anything useful?
I'm sorry, sir.
[exhales]
Should we request police cooperation?
Probably not.
I just think it's serious
since he threatened your wife.
Mr. Park.
Have you ever seen my wife?
No, I haven't.
Have I ever spoken of my wife, even once?
No, you haven't.
The entire nation
doesn't know about my wife.
They're just curious.
So, what do you think will happen
if I go public with this?
I apologize. I was thoughtless.
[exhales]
[phone vibrates]
[Jeong-won] Hong Hee-joo's
court schedule is over.
[Sa-eon] Take her home now.
[Jeong-won] Yes, sir.
[indistinct shouting]
[shouting continues]
Excuse me! Can you help us?
No, stop! Let go!
Come on, come help!
[mysterious music playing]
[indistinct shouting continues]
[footsteps approaching]
[footsteps stop]
[footsteps approaching]
[mysterious music playing]
-[Jin-e] Please calm down.
-You damn woman!
-What's your problem?
-Calm down.
[defendant panting]
Goodness.
That's better.
[breathing heavily]
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
But where did Hee-joo go?
[suspenseful music playing]
Ms. Hong Hee-joo?
[breathing heavily]
-[breathing heavily]
-[line ringing]
She's not here. Find her now!
[intense music playing]
[breathing heavily]
Here's a list of posts from the past month
with high approval ratings
from the public.
[phone vibrates]
First, we'll start from the top…
or the lowest?
Go ahead. Continue.
THE PUBLIC'S TOP 10 PICK LIS
[Jeong-won] I'm sorry.
I'm at the courthouse,
but I can't locate Ms. Hong.
[Sa-eon] What do you mean
you can't locate her?
[phone vibrates]
[breathing heavily]
[Jeong-won] She went to the restroom,
and I lost her.
[exhales]
I'm sorry.
[Sa-eon] Find her quickly! Request support
from the courthouse if you have to.
[exhales]
The current hot issue
is the punishment for dating violence.
-The penalties are too light…
-[phone vibrates]
[Hyeon-jin] I found her.
She's with some man.
A man?
Excuse me?
A man?
Yes, mostly men.
Usually, men do it
to their girlfriends or…
[Sa-eon] Who is he?
What does he look like?
Sorry about earlier.
Did I scare you?
[mysterious music playing]
SECURITY TEAM LEE JEONG-WON
-[music ends]
-[gasps]
What was I thinking
hovering around the women's restroom?
I saw you come out of the courtroom,
but I wasn't sure.
But what brings you here?
I had to appear as a witness.
What about you?
Did you come to interpret?
[suspenseful music playing]
[camera shutter clicks]
[camera shutter clicking]
[Young-woo] People commit crimes
out of resentment.
[Hyeon-jin] This is him.
I think he's an acquaintance.
[Young-woo] Not only are there
no provisions in place,
but the legal systems also fail
to protect the victims…
Which is why such crimes
continue to persist.
Furthermore…
Well, many cases are classified
as non-prosecutable offenses.
These result in minor penalties,
and the victim fears retaliatory crimes…
[Hyeon-jin] He's got a good physique.
He's good-looking.
-[slams]
-[Young-woo's breath trembles]
[Young-woo chuckles nervously]
[phone vibrates]
[Sa-eon] Don't take photos.
I asked you to guard her,
not to spy on her.
[quirky music playing]
[sighs]
He asked about his appearance.
What was I supposed to say?
That he has two eyes, a nose, and a mouth?
-Darn it.
-[Jeong-won] Mmm.
He's totally my type.
[sighs softly]
After you suddenly cut off contact
three years ago,
I looked everywhere for you.
But no one knew anything.
Then one day, I saw you on the news.
"Sign language interpreter, Hong Hee-joo."
[Sang-woo chuckles]
It was great to see you.
I'm sorry I didn't contact you.
Mmm-mmm.
Hee-joo,
you're doing well, right?
[mellow music playing]
You're still good at signing.
[Sang-woo chuckles]
That's how I can talk to you.
[Sang-woo] Right.
Starting this week,
I'm going to the station
where you interpret the news.
I've taken on a new program.
JI SANG-WOO
What type of program?
It's called "Crime Report."
It covers crime cases.
There's a cold case that I personally
want to solve. So I agreed to do it.
Wait.
Give me your number.
I'll call when I go to the station.
[mellow music continues playing]
[Hee-joo tapping on phone]
It was great to see you.
[Sang-woo] Mmm.
[sighs softly]
[Young-woo] In addition to strengthening
related penalty laws,
experts have voiced
that integrated services
[phone vibrates]
in psychology, healthcare,
and legal support should be provided.
[Hyeon-jin] Ms. Hong
has returned home safely.
I'll provide additional reports
regarding the measures and penalties.
Next.
Next. Okay.
Next, we discussed dating violence. Well…
[breathing heavily] This is about…
-[clears throat] school violence.
-Wait.
[Young-woo groans softly]
Let's discuss this first.
The sign language interpreter position
at the presidential office.
I see.
PRESIDENTIAL PLACEMEN
OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER
This?
[phone vibrates]
MOM
MISSED CALL
MOM
TEXT BACK OR PICK UP THE PHONE
I'M IN FRONT OF YOUR PLACE.
YOU'D BETTER…
[doorbell rings]
[Yeon-hui] Why didn't you pick up
the phone or go to the dermatologist?
Why do you never do what I ask you to?
Start taking these from today
and prepare your body.
And this.
[tense music playing]
What do you think?
It's work clothes.
You're pathetic.
Why do I still have to
bring things like this
and teach you everything?
Are you really a mother
and not a pimp?
What the hell are you saying?
Listen carefully.
When In-a ran away
and you agreed to be the sub,
what did you say?
[Yeon-hui scoffs]
You daringly imposed a condition
about your father.
That he be put in a good nursing home.
That's only if you maintain this marriage
and properly fulfill your duty
as Sa-eon's wife.
If anything goes wrong,
your father will be out in the streets
as soon as tomorrow.
Do you understand?
[paper rustling]
Yeah, that's how you are.
The moment your father is used
against you, you can't do anything.
[Hee-joo] She's right.
This is what a weakness is.
When someone touches it, you flinch,
tremble uncontrollably…
and desperately try to defend it.
[music ends]
I'll try my best.
[dramatic music playing]
But, Mom,
I'm so curious.
Once I successfully escape this prison,
what expression will you have?
[Kyu-jin] It's a misconception
that a strong stance
increases your chances of winning
and a weak one does the opposite
in negotiations.
Getting a serial killer to talk
ultimately relies on building rapport.
In a negotiation without trust,
there's no victory.
[dramatic music playing]
What about you?
How well do you understand your opponent?
[dramatic music continues playing]
[phone vibrating]
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
Have you decided?
Is there a reason…
for timing it perfectly?
[Hee-joo] That's up to me.
So?
Have you decided?
[suspenseful music playing]
Will you put everything back or pay me?
[Sa-eon] Before that,
I'm curious about something.
Hong Hee-joo.
The entire nation thinks
Hong In-a, the eldest daughter
of the chairman of Chungwoon, is my wife.
So where did you get…
your information on Hong Hee-joo?
By any chance,
are you close to me?
Considering that no one knows about this
except for family,
you must be close to me.
[Hee-joo] No, wait!
What does that matter right now?
Come on, man.
You still don't get it, do you?
I'm going to bring you down.
I'm going to brand you
with a scarlet letter.
[Sa-eon] I know.
What?
[scoffs]
Some crazy guy
crashed into Hong Hee-joo's car,
stabbed her headrest with a knife,
and left bruises
on her forehead, neck, and shoulders.
Let me be clear.
There will be no compromise.
[inhales]
Do you really think that?
I have something very interesting.
[phone vibrates]
[tense music playing]
How's that? Can you see it?
Still no room for compromise?
[Sa-eon] What is this?
You're her husband,
and you can't recognize that?
Aren't you making it too obvious
that she's not your real wife?
[Sa-eon] I asked what this is.
Be straight with me.
It's Hong Hee-joo's…
[softly] thigh.
I won't say anything right now.
How I'll use this photo
and what kind of story I'll add to it…
I'll leave that to your imagination.
How do I know…
that this is a photo of Hee-joo?
[Hee-joo] What a strange question.
You're supposed to be her husband.
Didn't you know
Hee-joo has a unique mole on her thigh?
How could you not know?
Were you just not interested, or…
have you never seen her naked?
[chuckles]
[Hee-joo sighs]
[music ends]
406, are you married?
What?
[Sa-eon] Are you married?
Yeah, I mean, no!
When was your first time with a woman?
-Excuse me? What?
-[Sa-eon] I'm asking you a question.
[bangs table]
Answer me, you perverted bastard.
-[Hee-joo] Pervert?
-Yeah.
A pervert who uses a cheap fake photo
to fantasize about, harass,
and slander my wife.
I guess blackmail isn't enough,
so I'll add one more
to your list of offenses.
[quirky music playing]
Article 13
of the Act of Sexual Violence Crimes,
obscenity crimes
using communication media.
Sexual violence?
If you want to threaten me,
then you'd better do your research on me.
I know her better than anyone.
Don't throw random things.
[scoffs]
You know her well?
What do you know?
You're just pretending to be her husband.
It's not a fake photo.
You should check for yourself.
See if that's her thigh or not!
Check for yourself!
Wait…
What did I just say?
-Did you get the signal?
-Yes.
Exceeding ten minutes helped.
[serious music playing]
The presumed location
is Seocho, Gangnam, or Yongsan.
It's a rough estimate, but yes.
We will identify the suspect
based on the clues I provide.
When I asked him if he was married,
he changed his answer.
When flustered,
the first response is often the truth.
However, there's a chance
he's divorced recently
or considering it.
-Take a broad approach.
-Yes, sir.
And he was flustered
when I asked him a sexual question.
So he might have a prior.
Check all sex offenders
and search the dark web.
-Yes, sir!
-[man] Yes, sir!
Yes, sir.
Also, find the source of this photo…
[Hee-joo in distorted voice]
It's Hong Hee-joo's thigh.
[Do-jae] Sir?
Never mind. Get started.
[door opens, slams]
He seems really angry.
[Hee-joo groans] I must be crazy!
Check what? What?
[exhales]
[scoffs]
But what? A fake photo?
Does he know how hard I worked
to take that photo?
[electronic music playing]
[camera shutter clicks]
[camera shutter clicking]
[camera shutter clicking]
[camera shutter clicks]
[music ends]
"I know her better than anyone."
"Don't throw random things…"
What does he know?
[door slams]
[suspenseful music playing]
[sighs]
[door beeps]
[gasps]
[exhales]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[door lock beeping]
[door closes]
[breathing heavily]
[door closes]
[Hee-joo] What the heck?
[footsteps echoing]
[mellow music playing]
Why is he coming?
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]
[sighs softly]
The presidential office
will announce that they are recruiting
a sign language interpreter soon.
You said you wanted to keep working.
There are no privileges.
If you want to do it,
earn your spot beside me.
[door opens]
-[door closes]
-The presidential office?
All of a sudden?
[lid snaps]
[exhales]
[sighs]
[sighs]
3 YEARS AGO
[mellow music playing]
[chuckles softly]
[clears throat]
Did you make this?
Let's say we ate it.
What's next?
[mellow music continues playing]
Hong Hee-joo.
Look at me.
[dramatic music playing]
Do you want a tip?
Don't try to have any feelings for me.
Let it all go.
You don't need to act like a puppet
in front of me.
Don't do everything your mother tells you.
Let me be clear.
You weren't part of my plan.
So, from now on,
if you interfere or get in my way,
I won't let it slide.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Sa-eon sighs]
[music ends]
[sighs]
[soft music playing]
How could he barge into my room
in the middle of the night like that?
But why didn't he check?
He didn't even ask me.
[groans] Why do I care?
[sighs]
Calm down.
I was just startled.
[sighs] Just sleep.
[heart beating]
[You-ri]
Ahead of the presidential election,
the results of HBC's public opinion poll
are in.
Paik Ui-yong
of the Liberty and Justice Party
-ranked first in the public opinion poll.
-[gasps]
Did you see a ghost?
Why are you so surprised?
[You-ri] …in the simulated competition,
Paik Ui-young takes the lead…
I'll go in the afternoon.
What about breakfast?
I never skip breakfast.
[Hee-joo] He's telling me
to make breakfast, isn't he?
[coffee machine beeps, buzzing]
[beeps]
No coffee on an empty stomach.
[mellow music playing]
Cutting board.
Knife.
Pan.
Turn it on.
[utensil clanking]
[mellow music continues playing]
You'll get new guards.
I heard they lost you at the courthouse.
[Hee-joo] That was…
Then what happened?
What did you do?
[Hee-joo] A college friend.
A college friend?
Were you close?
Are they trustworthy?
Is this friend someone you can trust?
[mellow music continues playing]
[Sa-eon scoffs]
[Sa-eon] And all this time, I thought…
you were quietly and obediently living
under my control.
Was I mistaken?
[heart beating]
Eat it all.
[phone vibrates]
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER PARK DO-JAE
[Do-jae] The preliminary
voice analysis results are in.
[door opens]
-[Hee-joo] Did he make this for me?
-[door closes]
HE'S A GOOD PERSON.
I'LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU!
MY YOUTH SHINES BECAUSE OF YOU!
[indistinct chatter]
Excuse me.
-[fan 1] It's him!
-[fan 2] He's here!
-[fans clamoring]
-[You-ri yelps]
[You-ri exclaims]
[upbeat music playing]
[fans clamoring]
Are you okay?
[gasps]
What about you? Are you okay?
Yes.
-[You-ri groans]
-That's hot.
JI SANG-WOO
Oh my. You're the one
appearing on our show.
[Sang-woo chuckles]
Yeah.
I came for the pre-interview.
And suffered a disaster.
Sorry about that.
No, don't say that.
Those fans are a nuisance.
Such a fuss.
Wait a second.
[quirky music playing]
"Fans are a nuisance"?
It's a fuss?
[scoffs] I mean,
to catch music shows or pre-recordings,
you have to buy an album, join a fan club,
come early, wait in line, and keep waiting
if the recording is delayed.
It's not a fuss.
It should be called devotion.
Have you ever burned with passion
about anyone before?
My arm's feeling pretty burned.
Oh, that…
Sorry about that.
If having a crush on someone is
somewhat similar to being someone's fan…
Then, yes. I've done it before.
What about you? Who are you a fan of?
[You-ri] Well…
He has a nice voice.
A singer?
Mmm-mmm.
He's handsome.
An actor?
He's someone who's respected
and loved by the nation.
I'll leave it at that.
Anyway,
call me if you end up having to go
to the hospital.
[music ends]
NA YOU-RI
HBC ANCHOR
HEE-JOO
[Hee-joo in distorted voice] Come on, man.
You still don't get it, do you?
I'm going to bring you down.
I'm going to brand you
with a scarlet letter.
[sighs]
It's hard to identify someone with this.
I'm sorry.
It's not a typical voice changer.
The voice is encrypted.
-We need time to decrypt--
-I don't care how.
Tell me when you get results.
Yes, sir.
We filtered through the records of sex
offenders and searched the dark web.
I looked into vehicle 1575's dashcam,
and it was off at that time.
But…
Never mind.
What is it?
I tried enhancing the quality
of the footage yesterday,
and I found something strange.
[mysterious music playing]
It's this part.
Stop.
Rewind it.
Here. Zoom in.
[nurse] He'll be so happy
to see his daughter.
He's been doing great lately.
[Jin-cheol] Our club's treasure!
Our club's pride!
Let's give a round of applause!
Kim Yeon-hui!
Goodness!
[funky music playing on stereo]
Good grief.
[music stops]
[nurse] Why would you pick today
to do this?
Put this on now! Quickly!
I'm so sorry.
He was fine just this morning.
[nurse sighs]
[sighs wearily]
How many times have I told you?
You won't need to perform
at nightclubs again, Dad.
There you go.
Is it good?
No matter what I bring,
you insist on eating that.
[Hee-joo chuckles softly]
Don't go.
Yeon-hui, I'll do better.
So please…
Please don't go, Yeon-hui.
[slow music playing]
You should've said that…
when Mom packed her bags to leave.
Why didn't you say that then?
You made a living
with that mouth of yours all your life,
so you could've at least yelled
or cursed at her!
Or…
at least you could've kept me with you.
Our daughter's dream
is to become an anchor.
Isn't that cool?
So…
raise Hee-joo well so she can be an anchor
at a proper broadcasting station
and won't end up
in cheap nightclubs like I did.
Okay?
Is that why…
you sent me away?
[slow music continues playing]
[exhales]
But Dad…
[voice shaking] Dad, the thing is…
[crying]
ever since I became Hong Hee-joo
instead of Na Hee-joo,
I've never had a day of peace.
I pretend to be mute,
living in Hong In-a's shadow.
I don't remember who I am anymore.
[crying] I'm so sick of this.
I want to quit.
[sobbing] Dad!
[music ends]
[Hyeok-jin] Threats?
[jazz music playing on speakers]
Wait.
A man sends a photo of the wife's naked--
She wasn't naked.
Either way.
He sends a sleazy photo
and threatens the husband
to end it with his wife.
Yeah.
What does that sound like?
It's obvious. I'm sure…
Hey.
Who is this about?
Don't ask. You're sure of what?
What do you think? It's obvious.
I'm certain…
it's an affair.
[suspenseful music playing]
I thought the car was forcibly taken,
but he got in very naturally.
As if she opened the door for him.
[phone vibrating]
[phone vibrating]
[phone vibrating]
[Hee-joo] Hello--
[sighs]
[Hee-joo] What was that? Did he hang up?
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
Paik Sa-eon, I dare you to hang up again!
-[Sa-eon] I'm hanging up.
-Wait!
[Sa-eon] Now it's hard to tell
who's more desperate.
I won't stay quiet if you act this way.
[Sa-eon] Wait.
What?
[Sa-eon] If you want
to talk to me that badly,
then wait.
A pervert like you
deserves a penalty like this.
Be good and wait.
-Call me back in five minutes.
-[line disconnects]
PAIK SA-EON
Is he out of his mind?
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
[automated voice] The person you're…
[line ringing]
[automated voice] The person
you're trying to call…
[line disconnects]
[line ringing]
[automated voice] The person you're…
[line disconnects]
[tense music playing]
[Sa-eon sighs]
[music ends]
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
[phone vibrating]
[sighs softly]
[Hee-joo] Stay calm.
Do not get worked up. [inhales]
[phone vibrating]
[suspenseful music playing]
-Stay calm…
-[Sa-eon] Good job.
From now on, wait on all fours like that.
[Hee-joo] Do not get worked up.
Who knows?
I might even throw you a bone.
What did you say, bastard?
What are you trying to do?
I really won't stand for this.
Don't regret this later.
-[explosion]
-[Hee-joo yelps]
[ears ringing]
[ringing stops]
[breathing heavily]
[solemn music playing]
PAIK SA-EON
[breathing heavily]
The phone you called is turned off.
You'll be directed to voicemail.
-[sighs]
-Additional fees may apply after the beep.
[solemn music continues playing]
[door lock beeping]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[breath trembling]
[solemn music continues playing]
PAIK SA-EON
[automated voice] The phone you called
is turned off.
You'll be directed to voicemail.
Additional fees…
[music ends]
[TV beeps]
[male reporter] …is expected
to move northward
and emphasized that we must stay vigilant.
[You-ri] Breaking news.
At 10:07 p.m. last night,
there was an explosion
in an office in Yeouido,
resulting in injuries.
The fire department
is investigating the cause of the fire.
Let's go to the scene now.
[reporter] A man dressed in black
with a cap on
climbs the stairs with a delivery bag.
He takes what looks like a pizza box
out of the bag
and enters the fifth-floor hallway.
Moments later, bright red flames spread
and black smoke rises.
This is the office
where six people were injured.
Smoke lingers, with the victims'
computer fragments scattered around.
According to reports,
the perpetrator held a grudge
and repeatedly made
threatening phone calls,
hinting at the planned crime.
HBC has an exclusive recording
of the perpetrator's phone call.
[in distorted voice]
You have until tomorrow to decide.
[dramatic music playing]
Or we can settle for two billion won.
You have until tomorrow.
I was going to kill her. Do you get it?
Come on, man.
You still don't get it, do you?
The perpetrator,
who had been making threats,
set fire to the victim's office
last night,
-The fire department…
-A fire?
When did I do that?
-There could've been casualties…
-[door opens, closes]
[reporter] The police,
fire department, and forensics
are conducting an investigation.
They'll form a dedicated team
to look into the incident.
This was Jang Seok-hyeon with HBC.
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
Lately,
nothing makes sense.
[tense music continues]
There can't be a Hong Hee-joo
I don't know about.
I need to find out
which one is the real one.
Right now,
you're my only lead.
So cooperate.
Do you want to take it off…
or should I?
[dramatic music playing]
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
3 YEARS AGO
[phone vibrates]
[In-a] Have you decided?
Cancel the wedding tomorrow.
Make sure this arranged marriage
never happens.
[sighs]
[In-a] Or I'll expose
all of your family secrets.
[sighs]
[Sa-eon] Let me ask you something too.
Is Hong Hee-joo…
[sighs]
marrying the son
of the Yeonghwa Construction family?
Is that true?
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
[phone vibrates]
[In-a] It's true.
[exhales heavily]
[In-a] That piece of trash
is the last person
that daughters of influential families
would marry.
And the only woman willing to sell
her daughter to him is Hee-joo's mom.
[Sa-eon] The wedding will be held
as planned tomorrow.
However,
let's switch the bride.
[In-a] What are you saying?
You don't mean…
[Sa-eon] It won't be you.
It'll be your sister.
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
[Sa-eon] You don't know
what I'm trying to do
or what I'm trying to see, right?
Interpreter Hong Hee-joo?
Do you like her?
[Hee-joo] Do you suspect me and Sang-woo?
[Sa-eon] You know him so well.
What about me?
How much do you know about me?
[kidnaper] Sis!
Call him. Keep calling him.
[Hee-joo] Dad!
Just think of it as a bad dream.
Forget it all.
Subtitle translation by: Sue Mounce