Original subtitles

DEAR X

ALL CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND EVENTS IN THIS WORK ARE FICTITIOUS

CHILD ACTORS WERE FILMED WITH GUARDIANS PRESENT

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 IT

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 ENTERTAINMENT

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

Subtitles by Ho-young Yun