EPISODE 3
The operation will begin. Is everyone ready?
Ma'am, this way, please. Watch your step there.
Congratulations.
I prepared what you wanted.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Oh, how about a toast?
Yes, cheers.
I love you all.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
I love you.
Thank you so much again.
I was able to manage through the year, thanks to you, ma'am.
- Thanks for your hard work. - Goodness.
Oh, don't mention it.
By the way, is our next step going to work, Yi-rang? Boss?
Don't worry. We have James.
I'm counting on you, Yi-rang.
Do you want to go somewhere quiet?
Where we can be alone?
Oh, what's he saying?
Gosh, that's so lame.
Okay, I got his fingerprint.
Just as I expected.
What exactly were you expecting?
Well, what should I say?
Fabulous, sophisticated,
and luxurious.
And?
And excellent.
I like that.
We, Wonderby, will be purchasing
numerous works through you from now on.
As you know,
Wonderby Auction is leading the global art scene.
What can you offer me?
Tell me what you want, Olivia.
I will find you anything you want.
I'd do anything for you. Anything.
Really?
What?
Yi-rang, stop with that voice.
Hear me?
Really?
Olivia.
I've handled masterpieces far beyond anything you've ever seen.
And...
would you believe me if I said
even bigger works have been created
by my own hands?
Mr...
My apologies. I didn't know you were with a guest.
Well, the commission has been settled.
Excuse me.
Well, Chairman Kim offered 50 million won.
You may leave.
- Olivia. - Yes?
Will you look at that painting for a second?
Oh my!
One second.
I got the password!
Password secured.
I'm going to be a waiter now.
Let's do this.
- It's beautiful. - It is.
What's wrong?
- What's wrong? - I can't breathe.
- Are you okay? - I can't breathe.
It's suffocating.
You do look pale. I think you're having cold sweats.
It's because I wore a tight dress to impress someone today.
Whose favor?
Gosh, you're too much!
Naughty! Oh, seriously.
Yes. I am, aren't I?
Here.
Oh, Olivia.
Do you want to go outside for some fresh air?
Shall we?
Let's do that then. Be careful now.
Follow me.
I feel lightheaded.
Oh, boy. You should've told me.
I'm sorry. Be careful.
The desk.
Next to the desk?
Right. Behind the frame next to the desk.
Slide it, right?
What...
Do you still feel suffocated?
I feel much better.
I'm glad to hear that.
By the way, you've achieved enough in Korea.
Don't you want to advance abroad?
I think I can help you with that.
I still have things to do here.
Perhaps,
it's the most important job
in an art critic's career.
What could that be?
What is it?
Olivia is so curious!
Olivia,
if you ask me, I can't help but tell you.
Seriously, what is it?
I'm really curious.
Discovering the van Gogh of Korea.
That's my life's dream.
You want to discover Korea's Vincent van Gogh?
Discovering an unknown painter,
who was so obsessed with art that they devoted their entire life to it
and died without a name.
It's a noble calling that gives their work a second life.
I believe that it's worth dedicating my life to.
Seriously, cut the crap.
I'm touched.
Not only is your insight remarkable.
So are you.
Gosh, you flatter me.
I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself.
I should've held back.
Oh, wait. You got some...
Olivia.
Holding back will make you sick.
Don't hold back.
What's that?
Security! Run to my office! Hurry!
Yes, sir.
Make some noise!
Jump!
- James, buy me more time. - What?
I can't hear you.
What? Stop them?
Where are they?
Got it.
To the right!
Jump!
Jump higher!
Damn it.
What the...
Something wrong?
CHEONMYEONG SHOP
3 MONTHS AGO
- Hello. - Yes, hello.
One second. It's Gu-ho.
Gu-ho, when will you be back?
You said you'd toast marshmallows for us.
I'm getting tired of waiting for you.
Gu-ho, hurry up.
I promise I'll visit you soon.
I shouldn't have called you when you were busy.
Are you ill, by the way? You don't sound good.
No, I'm not ill.
She used to call me every day, but I haven't been able to reach her.
She's never done that before.
It's probably nothing. I will visit her later.
If you could do that for me, I'd really appreciate it.
All right.
So, did you all get what you want? What are you having?
GYEONGJEON OFFICETEL, UNIT 602
Gyeongjeon Officetel.
GYEONGJEON OFFICETEL
Okay.
Bo-ra.
Bo-ra?
No!
Hey, are you okay?
He's here to see you. Don't you want to see his face?
Say something, Bo-ra, will you?
Ma'am, I will go and get what Bo-ra needs.
Will you do that for me?
I think I should stay by her side.
Sure.
MY SECRET WEAPON IS STILL IN MY HANDS THAT IS HOPE
IN EVERYONE'S HEART THERE IS A JEWEL OF THOUGHT
AFTER THE INTERNSHIP IT'S THE EXHIBITION!
ONE DAY, I'M GOING TO SHINE
He called me to his office again.
He fondled and touched me again.
When I try to avoid him, he talks about my debut.
TREASURE HUNT
Then, today, will we get to see an authentic masterpiece?
Let's bring in today's client. Please come out.
It's Legall's work.
My mother purchased it from an art gallery in Paris 25 years ago.
I have a certificate of authenticity too.
May I take a look?
Yes.
Thank you.
Sure.
Let me take a look at the painting for a moment.
May I ask the purchase price?
My mother said she paid 12 million won at the time...
After the IMF crisis,
when the country's economy was back on the right track,
many malicious painting sellers abroad took advantage of many Korean tourists.
I see.
Your mother was one of them.
What?
Wait, then are you saying this is counterfeit?
No.
It's worse than that.
What?
The painting material, the brushstrokes, and even the composition...
Everything's terrible.
This doesn't do Legall any justice. It's pure disrespect.
Wait, that can't be true.
Can you take a look again?
Look.
None of Legall's paintings ever used a canvas
that contained fluorescent materials.
It is clearly a cheap forgery.
- But... - This is not Legall's painting.
But how can you...
Wait, are you saying it's not even worth a little?
I will not comfort you with lame excuses.
But my mom is watching.
Remember.
True class is defined by the eyes that can see what's real.
He's now on public TV? He's thriving.
Mr. Famous is famous these days.
An art critic well-versed in all forms of artistic expression
and a major player in the art business world.
His jawline is just sharp enough to look masculine.
A nose that brings balance to his face.
And slightly slanted eyes.
He has the fennec fox face. That's the trend these days.
He's my type.
Why did you turn it off? Are you jealous?
Jealous? Me? No!
He's darn ugly.
Why is he sulking again?
I mean...
Seriously, because of him, Bo-ra is...
Bo-ra? Like the color purple?
Remember the shop by the beach?
Oh, the one that also runs an inn?
Bo-ra is the daughter of the inn's owner.
So?
What happened between Purple and Mr. Famous?
Bo-ra met Mr. Famous six months ago.
Mr. Famous visited her university as a guest instructor.
A familiar motif and an imitated touch.
That is just...
You've got the artistic sense though.
Not bad.
If you have anything else, bring it to my gallery.
What?
Bo-ra was naive enough to trust his word and visit that jerk.
A RUTHLESS MAN KNOWS WHAT'S REAL
You're here, Bo-ra.
It's me.
Let me see how much you've improved since the last time.
Not bad.
You've gotten better from last time.
Really?
You're improving every day.
I think it makes sense.
He's a good-looking professor giving her warm support during his visit.
And they're both artists.
He had the power to help her debut too. Don't you think?
No.
To students like Bo-ra, Mr. Famous is like god.
He's just a piece of trash
who takes advantage of his status to go after women.
Mr. Famous was actually known for that.
There were scandals and lawsuits.
And his girlfriends kept changing.
Because he's attractive.
What a piece of trash.
All right.
Now, shall we get started?
- Start what? - What?
What do you mean "what"? Mr. Famous is good laundry material.
We can't just ignore the jerk who did that to Bo-ra.
I'll sit this one out.
Why?
It's too little. I'm not interested in pocket money.
James.
You can't do this to me.
When you passed out, though you were faking it,
I swore to take revenge for you.
- Remember? - I remember.
Money's not everything, James.
Money is the essence of life.
Stay out of it.
James, help me.
You're right.
Money is the essence of life, but it's not everything.
It's not, but it's about 90%.
James.
From now on, you're the boss of this operation.
I will do anything you say, James.
- That's not bad. - Right?
I mean, what can't we do without Yi-rang? Right?
This prick...
Right, for something this size, the two of us will do.
And it's something I always do.
That's right. You're an expert in this field.
Let me see.
Given his complex relationships with women,
in just a day or two, we'll be able to spot his weakness.
We'll pay Purple compensation with that,
and the two of us can take some commission.
You can have my share.
I can sacrifice that much to serve such a great boss like you.
We have a chance.
I'm in!
So now...
Scalpel.
- We'll dig up Mr. Famous's dirt. - Suction!
To bits and pieces, every single detail,
completely, all of it, and everything!
- Yes, Boss! - Louder!
Yes, Boss!
- Let's get it! - Okay, let's get it!
Another unit of blood, please.
WASH & HAPPY LAUNDRY SERVICE
Excuse me.
We're here for the fire inspection.
What? Inspect what?
Fire inspection.
I don't want any noise. Get out.
I'm sorry, but noise can't be avoided.
For Christ's sake.
- What about the VIP invitation list? - Oh, the final...
MS. NA
Yes? Jeez.
One moment, please. Sorry, it's too loud in here.
Hold there.
Yes. The complimentary item?
Yes, I made sure you got one.
Gu-ho, can you see clearly?
Mr. Famous's house is above his office.
It's your turn now.
- I'm here for disinfection. - Okay.
- Where? - That way, please.
Over there? Thank you.
- My goodness. - Can you see me?
Yes, I can see you very well. Very good-looking.
Now, shall we uncover the truth about Mr. Famous?
It's only a matter of time until we catch this guy's weakness.
James, wait.
I think he's looking straight into it.
Did we get caught?
No, wait.
His eyes aren't looking here.
It's about 0.8 degrees off.
What?
Jeez, it's tilted.
- Jeez. - That's right.
That scared me. Wait, how did you even catch that?
I'm an expert.
Gosh, I thought he was looking straight at me.
He's a little cross-eyed.
- His eyes? - Yes.
Mr. Famous, good job!
You're awesome.
Make sure to be born as yourself again in your next life.
Hey.
You're doing great.
Oh, so nice.
- What a loser. - What a loser.
That's laughable.
It's the size of a candle.
I'm rooting for you.
Ew, that disgusting punk. So gross.
So freaking gross.
Even my poo looks cute.
I mean, how does one even say that?
He just made me imagine it.
Stop saying nonsense, you poophead.
I'm bored.
Going over.
Yes!
Step on it! Come on!
This is boring.
It's boring.
ART CRITIC 'S ENDLESS PASSION WRITTEN BY MR. FAMOUS
Okay.
All right. Let's find out who he is.
He studied aesthetics at Hongmin University
and earned his master's and doctoral degrees there too.
He received the Curator of the Year Award for his sharp criticism abilities.
Thanks to a corporation's sponsorship,
he started running his own gallery at a young age.
After discovering a few missing masterpieces by famous painters,
he instantly became a star critic.
MR. FAMOUS' ART CLASS
MR. FAMOUS' MUSEUM RECOMMENDATIONS
YOUNG CRITIC DISCOVERS YU KANG-IL'S PIECE
Yes, it was this painting.
So is it real or not?
Ma'am, I am sorry.
It's one of the mass-produced pieces from the early '90s.
This is a forgery.
Darn it.
And they talked like I owed them a lot.
Still, the finish is pretty good.
I'll buy it for 250,000...
I'll buy it for 300,000 won. Yes, 300,000.
I will buy it.
He lies that a genuine painting is a forgery and buys it dirt cheap?
How much is he going to sell it for?
I'm thinking 30 million won.
What the...
Turning 300,000 into 30 million? Ridiculous!
That's insane. He's a total fraud.
A darn fraud.
I was having a meal.
Hello, ma'am.
Yes. It's me, Mr. Famous.
Yes, of course. I got a big one for you.
James, wake up.
What's going on?
Listen to this.
- When I saw the altar painting... - It's cold.
...I immediately thought of you and your deep faith in Buddhism.
Yes, of course.
Ma'am, do you know King Jinheung?
During the rebuilding period in the time of King Jinheung of Silla,
it was stored at a temple.
I don't even need to mention its value.
Of course. I won't say a word about it.
As always. Without any trouble.
Illegal purchase and trade of cultural heritage?
Gosh, this is getting serious, right?
- I know, right? - Yes.
For something this big, shouldn't we call Yi-rang?
No!
You're the boss, James.
I know you can do it!
Your boss had a plan,
but this is getting out of control.
No. You can still do it, James.
- I can do it. - Yes, you have a plan.
- I can do it. - You can do it, Boss!
I can do it!
- You're the boss! - I can do it!
WASH & HAPPY LAUNDRY SERVICE
I told you to eat well.
- What is... - What's this?
Sushi?
What are you doing here at this hour?
Never mind. It's the morning.
Are you here because you were bored without us?
Bored? Me? Why would I be?
No way. Yi-rang can have fun all by herself.
I guess you're not happy to see me.
Come on. You know he's happy to see you.
Tell her.
Well, then are we doing this together now?
Why would I?
What do you mean "why"? Because we're a team.
Yi-rang's the only one who cares about us, right?
What's all this?
Producing forgeries...
Illegal trade of cultural heritage?
He wasn't some small laundry.
He turned out to be huge.
- Is that so? - Yes.
Yes.
CHAIRMAN KIM OF HUNDRED VICTORIES GROUP
Yes, sir.
Mr. Famous helps politicians and high-ranking officials
build illegal slush funds through art.
His phone is set to ring anytime his VVIP clients call.
So, when the phone rings,
he answers it anytime, day or night, mid-meeting or fast asleep.
The genuine piece will be stored safely in the basement storage.
If one buys a painting with the company's funds,
Mr. Famous produces an identical fake piece.
Then the forgery is hung on the company lobby,
- and the genuine work... - Thanks.
...is used to build the chairman's illegal slush funds.
He's even making a deal
with the chairman of Hundred Victories Group?
That's not the end of it.
I bet there are tons of rich people involved with Mr. Famous.
This might be more complex than we thought.
This might be worth money.
What? Are you saying...
Can I expand the scale?
Yes, of course. It can't hurt.
So are you in too?
No takebacks. Okay?
But there's something I need to do first.
What is it?
- Reordering the hierarchy. - Reordering the hierarchy?
Call me "Boss."
Boss.
Why aren't you saying it?
I'm leaving then.
- Fine, Boss. - Boss.
Happy now, Boss?
Yes.
Now, why don't you come up with a strategy, Boss?
Your face says you already have something in mind.
What we need right now is...
Is?
...the perfect pushover.
"Your Eyes, Nose, And Lips" by Painter Go Hui-jeong.
We'll start at 40 million.
Forty million.
Forty-one million.
Forty-three million.
The next work is Painter Kim Gi-baek's "Frozen Time."
The single unforgettable moment...
moment in life.
It's a work that expresses such memory in a dreamy way.
Kim Gi-baek's "Frozen Time."
The bid starts from 50 million.
Fifty million. Fifty-five million.
Sixty million.
Sixty-five million!
Eighty million.
We have 80 million won.
Eighty million won.
Sold.
Next artwork.
LOT 23 KANG JI-HYUNG
Sixty million.
Sixty million won!
Sixty million won. Sold.
Ninety million.
Ninety million. Sold.
- One hundred and fifty million. - Sold.
It's sold.
The paintings you purchased will be safely delivered to your house.
Be careful. Treat them like babies.
I appreciate it.
As I heard, there were many great works, Mr. Famous.
Thank you.
Oh, right.
I'm the Head of Purchasing for Wonderby Asia,
Olivia Kim.
By Wonderby, you mean the world's biggest auction company?
It is that Wonderby.
Wait.
You purchased so many pieces today.
If you don't mind,
I'd like to return the favor.
Can we have dinner together?
I understand if you already have plans, though.
You read my mind.
Have you heard the news that
Wonderby's headquarters sold all shares of Soul Auction?
Yes.
That's the biggest issue in the field lately.
Of course I've heard about it.
We're expecting Korea to reshape the Asian art world in the next ten years.
That is our anticipation,
that the Korean wave in diverse fields will not wither easily.
I wasn't aware
of Wonderby's thoughts on the art world in Korea.
To tell you the truth,
it is not an anticipation but a plan.
Our decision sets trends in the global art scene.
Obviously,
as Wonderby is leading the world trend.
SOUL AUCTION LEGAL TEAM MANAGER CHOI DAE-CHEOL
Right.
You must have met Soul Auction's legal team manager.
His name is...
Choi...
Right.
I've got his business card here.
Buy some time.
Hurry.
LEGAL TEAM MANAGER CHOI DAE-CHEOL
- Choi Dae-cheol! - Choi Dae-cheol!
- Jeez! - What's up?
- Ouch. - What...
I've been suffering from rhinitis.
Choi Dae-cheol, right? Mr. Choi.
Oh, I finally remembered.
I've been getting forgetful these days.
Jeez!
I'm sorry.
What's wrong? What happened?
Excuse me. I need to make a call.
Yi-rang,
did you do something weird?
I didn't do anything.
Yi-rang. Please, I'm begging you.
Don't act on everything that pops into your head, please.
I respect all your ideas, but not this time.
No improvising. Stick to the script.
Stick to the script.
Why do you all think I can't do it?
I can pull it off too.
That was really close.
- It was. - Yes.
Whatever. And don't yell.
Is he puking or what? What's taking him so long?
May I ask when you arrived in Korea?
Two days ago.
Why do you ask?
I'm just worried that you might be tired.
I see.
I stopped by Hong Kong.
And yesterday's meeting with Soul Auction was the last on my official schedule.
You could say
I'm on a short break now.
Hello, sir.
The name of the person in charge of Asia is indeed Olivia Kim.
She arrived in Korea two days ago,
and she's currently on a business trip around Asia.
You are truly amazing.
Pardon?
At Wonderby, which holds sway over the global art world,
you're in charge of Asia,
the region destined to become the most influential.
I was just lucky.
Meeting people in various fields around the world,
I'm humbled by their passion and insight.
Especially when I meet someone
with such a unique insight like yours.
Oh, my heart is pounding.
Do you see I'm getting a little shy?
If that is you being shy,
I can't wait to see what you're like when you're bold.
You will soon see it
because I will show you.
I didn't expect to have such a good time before going back to England.
When are you going back?
Well, if there's nothing special, I might go back tomorrow.
Well...
Can you stay in Korea for a little longer?
What's this?
"VIP charity auction"?
Am I allowed to go to such a place?
You are already
my VIP.
That's so sweet of you.
We spent too much on the initial cost.
I'm worried we might go broke.
I will retrieve it big-time for you. Don't worry.
Wait, Yi-rang.
What's up with that weird look?
Your eyebrows are connected.
That is such a bold comment.
So, are you going Frida Kahlo this time?
The greatest female artist of the era
who expressed all the pain of her life on the canvas in vivid colors.
So what are you going to do dressed like Hurida?
It's not Hurida. It's Frida.
As in "free." Frida Kahlo.
- Okay? - Oh, "free."
"Free-da."
I'm preparing a bait to catch Mr. Famous.
- A bait? - I don't bite it.
We'll dangle the bait using Mr. Famous's most powerful memories.
Powerful memories?
Frida... Bait...
- I don't know. Whatever. - What?
The incident that got Mr. Famous his biggest fame.
I'll make him feel the joy of discovering a famous painter's hidden painting again.
So you'll make him discover an artist through a forgery.
First,
the painter with the greatest artistic skills,
Yun Yi-rang's...
Vermeer.
What's up with that earring?
Why are you laughing?
DOKSIMNI ANTIQUE ART
Excuse me.
Look who it is!
Look who's here!
My tangy, dangly, spangly, zangy, lovely little Yun Yi-rang!
How have you been, sir?
Not good, of course.
How could I have been well when I missed you this much?
This much!
That's such an old joke.
And how do you know that joke?
Anyway, who is he?
- He's... - I'm Kim Yong-bok!
Born in 1958, the Year of the Dog. Woof woof!
I don't like this guy.
He's a painting restorer on the outside,
but he's actually the Meegeren of Korea.
Meegeren?
The notorious art forger.
- The one who fooled the German Nazis-- - Look it up.
Are you a finger prince?
"A finger prince?"
It means use your fingers to look it up.
So is this your forgery factory?
Come on. Not here.
You'll see it if you keep going this way.
The perfect forgery factory where my art world spreads!
Since the man with the perfect skills paints with the same art supplies,
no wonder a perfect forgery is created without the risk of getting caught.
Sir, then do you think you can also fool Mr. Famous?
Who?
The greenhorn who's on a show counting on his handsome face?
He's nothing compared to me!
Hey, I really don't like you.
Paintings are all about confidence. I'm counting on you, Mr. Kim.
Don't worry. You can count on me.
What we need now is Elcasso.
He spent his entire life doing nothing but painting.
So, he left behind a mountain of work.
And countless pieces of his vanished during the war.
These canvases here are all by obscure painters from Elcasso's time.
We'll paint over them,
bake them evenly in that oven, and age them.
Then they will become paintings of Elcasso,
lost to history, reborn with the marks of time.
I pray that it doesn't come out better than Elcasso's!
Please.
A FEW DAYS LATER
He's here.
Yes.
Please take a seat here.
Okay.
Nice to meet you. Prepare the drinks.
Nice house you have here.
I asked you to come
because I want you to evaluate a painting that I want to sell.
Then can I take a look?
I'll show you as long as you promise me not to rip it.
I guess
that must have bothered you.
I actually became a fan of yours after seeing that.
You know how the showbiz runs.
I couldn't help it because of the viewer ratings.
Right. You have to say things you don't want to say.
It's Elcasso's work.
I need to observe it carefully.
Sorry?
There are many forgeries of Elcasso's works.
Is that so?
It's from Elcasso's Rose Period.
The Nazis confiscated it,
then one collector bought it from the black market and brought it to Korea.
And my grandfather purchased it.
Let me take a look.
Here is the last room.
Because it's facing south,
even though the sun has already set, it's still bright.
Isn't the view nice?
INQUIRIES
Isn't it gorgeous?
INQUIRIES FOR SALES
Are you done yet?
Oh, stop.
What?
- What? - What?
I mean, if you could observe it more carefully...
- More carefully. Thanks. - Okay.
If you're done, shall we go down?
- Was that from upstairs? - Oh, right.
Tell the kids to stop running upstairs.
Yes, sir.
How many children do you have?
I have a son and a daughter.
How old is your son?
- Seventy... - Seventy?
I mean seven.
The chairman is thorough with everything he does.
I see.
Now, if you're done, shall we go down?
He's water divining.
Please be quiet.
What are you doing? Hurry up.
We're in a rush. We look weird.
What's wrong? Is there a problem?
Well, by any chance...
Yes?
Can you show me
the certificate of authenticity for that work?
- No. - No?
I mean... Sure.
Let me see here.
Here it is.
Where was this purchased?
The Nazis had confiscated it.
Then a collector bought it from the black market and brought it to Korea.
And my grandfather purchased it.
When?
The Nazis...
confiscated...
My grandfather bought it. I'm not sure...
I don't think so.
Darn it.
I don't think it's fake.
This Elcasso painting...
May I take it over?
Sure.
I will do my best to raise the price.
What?
We were checking how stable the house is.
See?
I told you even Mr. Famous would fall for it.
Now, let's start working on other painters one by one.
All right. Let's wet our whistles to celebrate.
- You're talking like an old man. - What the heck?
Why do good beginnings always end badly?
What the heck?
- What? - Wait.
What's going on?
Mr. Kim...
Mr. Famous's list?
The artwork ledger that Mr. Famous used for deals.
It must be here somewhere.
I can see through all of them.
No one can fool me.
James, buy me more time.
Where are you? Get out of there now.
I found it.
Should I call the police?
Gosh, this jerk. He's an even bigger piece of trash.
Now that I threw the bait, there should be a bite.
We underestimated him. We were completely wrong.