[Drama Recap] Heard It Through the Grapevine: Episode 24

On the 24th episode of SBS 'Heard It Through the Grapevine', Seo Bom (Ko Ah-seong) confirmed Han In-sang (Lee Joon)'s mindset had changed and said farewell to him.

On this day, Han Jeong-ho (Yoo Joon-sang) revealed to his son Han In-sang about the inheritance he would receive. After he realized how much he would inherit and how much responsibility he had for the family, he started to get shaken.

Han In-sang and Seo Bom went to Seo Bom's house. The two were silent. Han In-sang said, "Don't misunderstand me please. I think my father was right. I'm not saying I want to leave you". Seo Bom said, "If you want to inherit the wealth from your father and make it even bigger, then you should not live with someone like me".

When the two arrived at Seo Bom's house, she tried to send Han In-sang back to his house. Seo Bom told Han In-sang, "Can you live in my house if I'd ask you to? Same thing with me. The reason I liked your house was because I thought we were looking at the same direction. It wasn't because your family was rich" and "I once thought I wanted to become a powerful tiger like your father. So I studied real hard. I studies what your father was like and what he does. I'm really sorry, In-sang, your father is just a poor monster".

Han In-sang crying in tears said, "If you can change your mindset just a little bit, you can do really well under my father. He's just being practical with the reality". However he was understanding Seo Bom, who was asking for divorce.

Madam Choi’s talking to attorney Han on the phone and the inheritance matters move on, he took care of the ones he inherited from his late father and the ones from her late mother will be left to In Sang and Yi Ji. Under the new circumstances madame Choi states that the household looks like a camp site when the house personnel leaves when their shift is over and she feels like a refugee! However, she shouldn’t be talking that lightly about refugees and camp sites, she doesn’t even have the slightest clue of what a camp site looks like or how a refugee feels. It’s just her inner self fighting the senseless surface.
Yi Ji’s playing with Jin Young and she’s glad she didn’t have to say goodbye to him when her parents wanted to kick Seo Bom out of the household! The young couple acknowledges the fact that she played a major role in keeping Seo Bom there and soon enough a playful brother-sister word fight begins! Attorney Han returns back home and he wants to talk to In Sang and Yi Ji without Seo Bom being around. Teacher Park has already left and In Sang pretends to be unaware of the test grades. It’s a minor subject that will see light of day the next morning, what’s important at this very moment is for In Sang to know why he is different and why he should be different. The reason is simple, he’s the rightful heir to their family’s throne. They can have everything, but attorney Han’s “everything” always walks hand in hand with ulterior motives. Seo Bom’s taking care of Jin Young inside the studying room unaware of what’s going on inside the living room.

Yi Ji’s checking her own part of the inheritance and she seems to be liking the family’s chalet at Naesadong, a region northeast of Seoul. As for when will she get it, time shall tell and it always depends on her and in the way she will behave. It’s time for her to leave the living room, it’s In Sang’s turn as the eldest son of the family. Yi Ji returns to Seo Bom’s company and makes her aware that In Sang’s inheritance is vast. Seo Bom is sad, but not because she will get nothing, but because In Sang and her are not equal. Yi Ji asks her if she’d be happy had In Sang been as poor as her and soon she realizes that it slipped of her tongue, but Seo Bom would never misunderstand her, she knows that Yi Ji loves her.

Attorney Han asking In Sang how does he feel felt quite rhetoric, but you know what, I have the answer! In Sang at that point was embracing the outskirts of heaven inside the eleventh sub-level of ethereal bliss. He’s cracking into zillions of pieces even though the conversation is still in its birth pangs, can’t you tell from your own son’s stare? Oops, i forgot, you don’t know what to do when it comes to domestic matters. They are not only giving him their asset, but also an opportunity and tools through responsibility. Attorney Han infuses all of his prowess in a lifetime’s lesson to shut In Sang’s eyes and place the same blinders he was wearing since birth upon his own son’s face. If he goes around giving everyone a portion of money then everyone will be happy, but it won’t last; miscalculated generosity, hasty idealism.

 

After a company-oriented example attorney Han presents another one based on real facts that is no other than Cheol Shik ahjussi’s case against Daesan Group. Attorney Yoo’s team would like everyone who was a victim of the accident get compensated for justice to be served and In Sang agrees. Attorney Han strictly disagrees, compensating Cheol Shik ahjussi will settle the case quietly, but compensating only him doesn’t set a good example according to In Sang. It’s all about leadership. A leader is not someone with a good personality, but the one who shows that he has a good personality. He refers to an 18th century palace rule, a leader shouldn’t let his people question him, he should make them believe by simply staring at him, that’s where real power comes from. Power is a state through which people could dare touch their leader while still being afraid of him. In Sang thinks that such old-fashioned beliefs don’t fit the current century and madame Choi decides to leave so that In Sang will focus only at his father’s presence, plus she won’t get enraged! Or maybe she’s afraid of something?

It’s time for yet another example which derives from Seo Bom’s family. Attorney Han has never visited her humble house, but he’s seen the documents! He refers to a probably small but cozy midsize home, but when it gets compared to the center of Seoul it feels old and rundown. In Sang had the happiest memories of his life inside Seo Bom’s humble house and he’s quite uncomfortable with this fragile topic. Attorney Han gets to his point, In Sang should watch out for such sentiment and sympathy, they are abhorrent states of mind, but attorney Han forgets the heart factor.

In Sang returns slowly back to their room and he doesn’t resemble a human being by now, his soul had been drained and a frail body returns back to its base. He tells Seo Bom that attorney Han was talking about his usual beliefs, but it’s more than apparent that Seo Bom’s observant stare could see through the lines. Jin Ae ajhumma is lost in her own thoughts and by the time Hyeong Shik ahjussi appears she pretends to be busy. He wants her to call Seo Bom, but Jin Ae ahjumma doesn’t comply, if Seo Bom wants to call she will call on her own. She’s curious too about how she is, but she won’t call. Hyeong Shik ahjussi doesn’t quite pay attention to everything Jin Ae ahjumma wants to convey and he’s worried about his in-laws because his family gave them the reason to roam across the land and this is it. Jin Ae ahjumma erupts, she wants him to stop thinking this way and what reason did they give them? Because they didn’t beg for their forgiveness or because in their eyes they didn’t raise Seo Bom well? If he wants to Jin Ae ahjumma can go to the almighty household and give them a real reason!

It’s not only Hyeong Shik ahjussi who’s too blind to see the truth. At the luxurious living room and in front of president Song Noo Ri wants Je Hoon to decline her uncle’s case. According to Noo Ri, Je Hoon lives in the dangerous side of life and it’s something she doesn’t like! However, president Song indicates that she shouldn’t get anxious, especially when it’s not her life, but her sister’s. After all she shouldn’t forget the way they met in times when Je Hoon worked for Hansong and she was Seo Bom’s sister, she should have already passed that stage already. The point is, hadn’t she passed that stage they would have had already broken up even though she acts this way at this point. Superficial? Why not! Until Je Hoon goes to the US to continue his studies she hopes that nothing bad will happen, but he didn’t study to become like his father. He even wrote a paper on driver’s impact in one’s life reflecting the torture of listening to the Confucian ideology while eating breakfast and president Song concurs! Quite a brainstorming malnutrition dare i say, not for the ideology itself, but for the people deciphering it the way they want to. Noo Ri strikes back stating that his father got a promotion due to Je Hoon, so he’s following a like-minded path, but being too honest isn’t helpful since her sister helped her quite a lot as the young lady of the almighty household and an apology feels essential. It’s time for Je Hoon to leave before the conversation deepens even more. He will keep this very specific aspect of him while doing well in everything else and Noo Ri will do the same on her behalf!

The house personnel is talking about inheritance matters, quite a scary subject! They’re referring to the Duke of Winsor who run away from it, but it’s not quite an easy decision! According to teacher Park the most important factor now is In Sang, will he listen to attorney Han or not? Especially now that Seo Bom is the thin red line between him and the inheritance, despite the fact that the Hans want the house personnel to keep referring to her as the young lady. Inside the luxurious living room madame Choi and the rest of the hyenas alongside president Song have gathered. They concur madame Choi and attorney Han’s decisions on the inheritance matter. Even though In Sang wasn’t familiar with it since he was little, something that prevented him from showing off like most of the high class society scions, it didn’t prevent him from doing a great mistake; having a child with a woman that doesn’t belong to the highest peak of the social pyramid. President Song’s interest leans towards the market price of recommended stocks which are on the rise since Hansong started the plan for the heir to the throne, including madame Choi’s brother’s company! President Song and Eom So Jeong see money everywhere and they are quite interested in that fact, but madame Choi points out that her brother’s company has nothing to do with it and they are not quite satisfied with her slight discomfort as she pretends to not know anything about attorney Han’s specific moves.

Min Jae and In Sang are having a conversation on the latest news concerning the inheritance, rumors have already started moving in circles! Hyeon Soo appears and the conversation becomes more specific when in comes to clauses, it’s always a higher form of obedience towards the parents. About In Sang’s inheritance condition, he doesn’t even want to talk about it and Hyeon Soo points out that it could be the divorce factor. Unable to keep discussing such fragile matters In Sang leaves as Hyeon Soo alongside Min Jae keep wondering how could In Sang ever like such an alien persona. If Seo Bom is an alien then i am one too, ET go home, i found new company. She was too plain instead of a model and not someone who would fit In Sang’s family properly, these were Hyeon Soo’s first impressions and they still remain on the surface.

Seo Bom can finally see the difference between power and reality, but once you acknowledge it the pathway to power is a dead end. In Sang enters the studying room and he can’t really hide his anxiety, even though he tries hard to prevent anyone from reading through the lines he’s an open book. He recognizes his rash decisions while ignoring the source of power while still being aware of it at the same time. In Sang isn’t the only one feeling foolish at this very moment, Seo Bom lowered her head as well after having put her trust In Sang’s power which was no real power at that point and it still isn’t. The room inhales and exhales devastation, surrender and defeat.

Je Hoon meets attorney Han at the luxurious lounge of Hansong. The terms of the settlement in Cheol Shik ahjussi’s case are too confusing, the company would never accept revealing their overseas accounts’ wire transfers. “Trade secret” is the term attorney Han uses and Je Hoon finds himself under pressure since his goal was to settle before the trial and ask for Daesan Group’s apology and compensation. As for adding that very specific clause when it comes to the overseas accounts, it is to prove that the company didn’t pay the workers even though it had money, justifying even more Cheol Shik ahjussi’s demands. Attorney Han urges Je Hoon to find all the necessary information concerning the overseas accounts if he can, he’s not the only one searching around for them anyway and Daesan Group isn’t the only company receiving profit from them. Eventually he will lose the arch cause of the trial and without knowing it he will be forging a lie, something that would go against Je Hoon’s ideals. Attorney Han warns him to be careful not to get hit by the side wind!

Je Hoon informs Cheol Shik ahjussi that attorney Han was releasing all this information intentionally to mislead them while creating confusion among their ranks. Secretary Min wants him to act as if they were on a date so that nobody will get suspicious of them, she was being followed before and she can’t be sure whether something like that will happen again or not, after all, there’s always the CCTV option. Even though it’s not so easy, they will have to discuss everything in a smiling tone no matter how overburdening this may be. Secretary Min’s quite trained, but Cheol Shik ahjussi finds it quite difficult and after shedding some light on the latest events with Seo Bom and the emotional impact it had on him they decide to leave like couples do!

Min Jae and Hyeon Soo decide to visit In Sang and Seo Bom at the almighty household and president Song will give them a ride! And here they are and In Sang doesn’t seem quite pleased! Min Jae bows in front of Seo Bom and Hyeon Soo wonders why did he do such a thing! Min Jae states that they came to cheer her up due to almost getting kicked out of the almighty household and madame Choi appears. Of course it gets noisy sometimes so they shouldn’t bother that much, as for Seo Bom she will be the one to take care of the guests in the house personnel’s absence. In Sang follows Seo Bom and points out that they’re not here to cheer them up but spy on them! He becomes crystal clear in front of her, he neither called them over nor he wants to get close to them so she shouldn’t be bothered that much and deal with it naturally; a hug feels essential! Min Jae and Hyeon Soo’s playful yet observant tone goes on, but neither In Sang nor Seo Bom are in the mood for this, even though In Sang shows it while Seo Bom hides underneath a smiling mask. Yi Ji thinks that madame Choi used Hyeon Soo to torment Seo Bom even more, but this is not the case this time, or is it? Seo Bom doesn’t intend to stay for too long at the living room and eventually she leaves since she was already in the middle of something the moment they appeared. Min Jae and Hyeon Soo complete one another, something about Seo Bom is not like them and In Sang totally agrees!

Hyeon Soo returns back home and Ji Young Ra wants to know about everything, but she doesn’t get through Hyeon Soo’s wall of silence! Hyeon Soo can be her only source of information on that and she doesn’t intend to give up, she prepares a juice and puts on her maternal mask to approach her once again, the only thing she can find out is something obvious, that madame Choi deeply hates Seo Bom and if Hyeon Soo still likes In Sang is something that should bother only her and her alone.

 

In Sang’s confession time feels near and he mentions Seo Bom that attorney Han won’t just give the inheritance to him in an openhanded way. He wants her to remain calm in order to proceed with further information and since he doesn’t seem to do so Seo Bom intends to sum up what his father told him. In Sang and Seo Bom’s facial expressions feel different externally, but on the inside both of them are bleeding. In Sang is spending some time along with his own demons in his prison of mirrors while Seo Bom witnesses his desperation from the other side of the glass. The Hans will be sleeping at ease tonight, Seo Bom will eventually sense it all.

Attorney Yoo and attorney Han are having a conversation; “even if everybody is our enemy, we should treat all like they are one of us”. Attorney Yoo’s grateful for having Je Hoon under her wings and she’s aware that attorney Han confused him quite a lot. Any possible information cannot be ignored, even if it’s apparent that it could be wrong confirmation’s always required just in case. Wasting time and getting drained was attorney Han’s plan from the very beginning, but he changes the subject of the conversation and moves towards her baby and her studies in America. Attorney Han thinks that it would be a great idea if she would update her studies at this point and she’s neither positive nor negative. It’s Je Hoon’s time to visit attorney Han and all the secretaries are aware that something’s going on since he called them separately.

 

The house personnel is having another meeting and secretary Yang is the main subject of the conversation! They’ve left her waiting in agony without contacting her back, secretary Lee’s waiting for her to communicate with her in order to arrange a meeting once the ropes start thickening around her neck! It’s the punishment she receives for her slush fund behind everyone’s back, but they don’t intend to share all this dirty money either. It’s time to unite their powers in order to find out how they will get compensated after having scared to death secretary Yang! Since madame Choi isn’t at home and lunch time has arrived they intend to invite Seo Bom to eat with them, secretary Lee will inform her on pretty much everything. She’s thankful towards Seo Bom since she was of great help and everything will probably flow well for the house personnel. Secretary Lee was the first one to meet Seo Bom with her big belly getting out of the taxi and soon enough memories are all over the place in a playful tone for the first time after such a long time inside the almighty household!

The housemaid takes care of some ingredients since tomorrow’s a day off and butler Park’s revolutionary spirit doesn’t approve! The meeting with secretary Yang will take place tomorrow at secretary Lee’s place and since the major owner will change, meaning In Sang, everything must flow according to plan without rushing anything with the hope that everything will work out eventually. Secretary Lee informs madame Choi on everyone’s schedule beforehand, attorney Han will be playing golf in Jeju island, Yi Ji will be visiting her art studio and In Sang and Seo Bom alongside Jin Young will be going out for a walk with the baby. Madame Choi will be home alone, oh the frustration! Secretary Lee passes by the studying room but she finds out In Sang and Seo Bom are having a close conversation and she doesn’t want to disturb them.

In Sang informs Seo Bom that attorney Han hasn’t made an offer yet to Cheol Shik ahjussi and secretary Min’s family. Seo Bom’s pretty certain they will offer that much money in exchange for their confidentiality they won’t be able to refuse. It doesn’t feel right, but taking advantage of both family’s economical situation is essential to attorney Han to avoid any further problems. They’re not their usual lively and passionate selves when they are on their own and both of them notice that something’s just not right between them. Seo Bom finds attorney Han at the main corridor but he doesn’t intend to talk to her, neither In Sang nor her uncle’s matters concern her.

Jin Ae ahjumma gets ready and prepares some food for Jin Young and takes care of the table’s edges to protect him and here they are! She notices that they brought along many things and she states that it feels as if they were moving! Jin Ae ahjumma is quite happy seeing her grandson again, but the ambiance between In Sang and Seo Bom doesn’t shine at this point, they’ve become quite distant, they don’t even reply to Jin Ae ahjumma’s caring thoughts about them as a couple and when they do they are not reassuring, awkwardness is the least floating in the air.

In Sang loses himself in Seo Bom’s thoughts. She was pretty much aware that if In Sang wants to get the inheritance he will have to divorce Seo Bom. Holding the towel he doesn’t really want to let it go as memories from the recent past come to the surface, he’s way too attached to this humble house and the people living inside it. It’s time for the young couple to head outdoors! In the meantime, secretary Yang arrives at secretary Lee’s place. Soon enough the playful attitude surrenders to reality, secretary Lee doesn’t quite want to have half secretary Yang’s profit and points out that her life is way too exhausting. It was a plan to raise fear among secretary Yang’s ranks, secretary Lee wants everyone to become the rightful owners of Han Trust and divide the shares, but secretary Yang doesn’t quite agree. Secretary Lee points out that In Sang will become the owner of the company soon and since he’s an idealist it will be a big plus, however secretary Yang’s still not convinced and considers everyone of them delusional. The divorce paper is secretary Lee’s strongest card and if Seo Bom signs it In Sang will get the inheritance.

 

Seo Bom and In Sang arrive at the restaurant and it’s such a shame witnessing such a beautiful moment before the storm, for Jin Young’s poop’s sake, it’s the first time they get out on their own since Jin Young’s birth! In Sang’s loving attitude comes to the surface, but Seo Bom instantly puts an end to it as the dishes catch her attention intentionally. Out of all the Greek dishes, why did you pick octopus salad? I’d rather jump out of the window that eat octopus, but since it’s the Mediterranean style dish Haruki (Murakami?) liked, oh well. It’s an expensive restaurant and Seo Bom intends to drink a coffee, In Sang will buy her the most expensive one.

  

The overall ambiance is overburdening and In Sang points out that his father might had been right without meaning that he intends to break up with her. Seo Bom adds that if In Sang wants to take the inheritance and run it he shouldn’t be married to someone like her, but this isn’t entirely true points In Sang. Taking care of secretary Min’s brother’s and Cheol Shik ahjussi’s case is essential, but if their case works as an example to everyone else who was mistreated the company will go bankrupt. Seo Bom bursts into tears but she tries to prevent herself from crying, she can’t help it but feel disappointed in In Sang.

Attorney Han returns back home, but madame Choi doesn’t know anything about the young couple’s destination, Yi Ji points out that In Sang will be returning home alone tonight. Madame Choi’s quite happy, even though it lasted longer than expected! The major confrontation between Seo Bom and In Sang takes place, she’s pretty certain he wouldn’t be able to live at her humble house if he had to and tension rises as Seo Bom bursts into tears and cries her heart out. The only reason she liked the almighty household was because she thought they were staring at the same direction as a couple, not because In Sang was rich, she didn’t know it in the first place until walking in there. However, she doesn’t deny that she was tempted a bit at some point. Noo Ri notices that something doesn’t feel right and informs her parents! In Sang wants to take Seo Bom back home and talk there, but it’s not the right place where she can think logically and bring her thoughts together.

She acknowledges that she was raised by a monster and she could have turned into a monster too referring to attorney Han’s legacy. In Sang points out that if she thinks a little bit differently they can grow up well under attorney Han’s care, but she simply can’t agree with this alienation! Noo Ri and Hyeong Shik ahjussi enter the room and try to calm things down, but being a nobody inside In Sang’s house is way too much of a burden. If they think she won the lottery it simply doesn’t feel like that, it’s a curse she had to go through every freaking day all this time. Even though she tried hard to become the tiger that would eventually emerge victorious it wasn’t neither easy nor a lifetime’s dream for her.

Being around a pathetic monster like attorney Han just doesn’t feel right, it’s more than she can bear, In Sang should be returning back home alone as the most devastating hug in this 24-episode run of Heard It Through the Grapevine takes place with Seo Bom losing herself in tears and In Sang being unable to withstand the emotional charge of the moment; he’s empty. At the almighty household attorney Han’s not worried if Jin Young gets left behind they will find a way to bring him back. Attorney Han’s more than satisfied, his medicine seems to be working quite well, everything happened way faster than expected, but what confuses me is the fact that madame Choi’s doesn’t seem that pleased, she’s rather confused or even frightened dare i say.