[Ep. 3 & 4] Empire of Gold - Summary Review + mslee's thoughts

Just found the time to finish watching episodes 3 and 4 with subs this afternoon. 

In episode 3, Tae Joo secured the ownership of the land needed by both cousins, Min Jae and Seo Yoon. The purchase of that particular land will benefit either one the sit and share in the board meeting to stay in the game of holding on to power and authority.

With TJ's calculating intelligence, he laid the bait for Min Jae, expecting him to bid badly, but vengeance is the name of the game. Tae Joo once again hold the upper hand and flatly refused to sell the land. Instead, he called Seo Yoon and negotiated with her. Min Jae of course would not just sit and take a step back, he would do anything to get that piece of land. Calling his right man who deals in cases like this, Joo Pil Do the gang beat the hell out of Tae Joo when he showed up to save his sister and friend who were hostaged by the group.

In a badly beaten state, Min Jae just offered him the money he thought was enough. Tae Joo surrendered momentarily, to save his life. But of course, even in that sorry state, he still went to Seo Yoon the next day, as Seol Hee was already given instructions to close the account so that Min Jae won't be able to wire the rest of the money to complete the transaction and close the deal, in order to get the clearance they needed for the renovation.

Seo Yoon only wanted to give Tae Joo more than the amount of the land but TJ told him about his father and how he lost his life. How SungJin Corporation in the hands of Min Jae dragged the death compensation for the longest time. Now even if they badly wanted the land he owned, he would only sell it to the price he wants. And that is a billion won. 

Seo Yoon in her surprised and perhaps shocked knowledge of what happened, gave in. Once again, Tae Joo won over Min Jae and he made sure he knew it in the most sarcastic and humiliating form by throwing a bundle of money in front of him.

The money TJ get from SungJin group, he bought a noodle shop for his mom, a house and pay for Hee Joo's studies. He jumped into real state together with his friend Yoon Seol Hee. They gambled in the world of construction and after a few years, they succeeded. But still not as big as SungJin.

Meanwhile, father and son, Dong Jin and Min Jae were kicked out of the company and both were struggling to be afloat while near bankruptcy. 

In episode 4 Choi Dong Sung's illness is getting obvious to the family particulary to Seo Yoon who is now working outside the company and teaching in school. Though the illness is not yet being divulged to the family, but because the old man is showing signs of forget fullness and incoherent mumblings, Seo Yoon decided to talk to the doctor in charge of his father's health.

The tumor in the brain was not successfully treated during the surgery and is advancing fast. Sooner, he will get worse, his memory will be lost and his health will deteriorate. Dong Sung talked to Seo Yoon, encouraging her to step in his place as the president/successor of the company. However, Won Jae, her brother is already managing the company but her father knew Won Jae will never be capable of handling the corporation. He is a puppet for Min Jae and Dong Sung knows it very well. He only trusts Seo Yoon. He begged her to do as he wished for his time is running out. 

These were the scenes I found myself crying. the tears just rolled down silently as I watched father and daughter embraced each other tightly knowing he is leaving his empire in the hands of his daughter. He knew she looks fragile but her loyalty and love for the company will make his heart and mind at peace. 

Min Jae is at his loosing end but a new opportunity present itself. The woman, Yoona who wants to be his wife offered him a solution to all his money problem. The fact is, he promised his father Dong Jin that they will come back in the SungJin company and promised his dad that people will again vow their heads to him. What's so heart wrenching was that, although Min Jae is a tough businessman and an ambitious one, his wife is in the hospital for a very long time, a decade just as she said. He is a loving husband even though he has a sick wife.

But because of circumstances, he needed to abandon her even though he seemed in despair and still very much in love with his wife despite her sickness. But he had no choice. He needed to survive. He pitied her but he had to say goodbye.

I felt the sorrow they felt.  It crushes one's heart to see marriages fall apart not because there is no longer love towards each other, but because it needed to stop.

The race to grab the next project is on and Tae Joo, Min Jae and Seo Yoon are all jumping on the wagon to snatch it. Min Jae offered once to Tae Joo a partnership but he refused. Still not recovering from their past encounter. But Seo Yoon on her part is trying to mess up Tae Joo's plans by convincing his candidate [sorry, not sure what the election is for...maybe someone who will represent the entire neighborhood to bid for the project of renovations in the buildings] to be on her side. Tae Joo soon knew about it and decided to give him a lesson.

Who will win in this current project, I don't have any idea. Who will collaborate, I might be in for a big surprise. Who will be the looser, I can only guess. But all three have huge stake outs and surely it will be bitter to loose.

My additional thoughts about the drama so far....

This drama made me think again about family, relationships, loyalty, and how sometimes there is  a special child among your children who you'll put your trust to, because that child really cares more than any other. In the midst of division and grab for power, I like the relationship between Min Jae and his dad, Dong Jin, ... Dong Sung and Seo Yoon's father and daughter conversation that made me cry, how Seo Yoon doesn't want to repeat what happened to his father and uncle ... and the story of Dong Sung on what Dong Jin did when they were young, even stealing medication for him. Dong Sung's story tells how he also cared for his brother and that after all that has happened between them, he would always remember that incident in his heart.

All characters are worth watching. Dong Sung's wife [of 20 years] is clearly extending her hand towards Min Jae, to secure her son's future in the company. Maybe she thinks that with Seo Yoon being the trustee, [for now] and soon the successor, her son deserve to have her position. Min Jae is the villain here, but his story is really interesting. 

I have faith in this drama. A lot will happen and  much will be learned.

for now these are my thoughts...

-mslee1107-