In a shocking turn of events, the latest episode of MBN's drama series 'First Lady' revealed the tragic truth behind a devastating fire, leaving viewers stunned as Ji Hyun-woo's character is left in disbelief over his wife's dark secrets.
On the episode aired on the 29th, Shin Hae-rin, played by Lee Min-young, confessed to the hit-and-run incident involving Eom Soon-jung, portrayed by Jo Young-ji. Just a week before the presidential election, Shin Hae-rin discovered that Hyun Min-chul, played by Ji Hyun-woo, was searching for his former lover, Eom Soon-jung. Using a listening device, she monitored Hyun Min-chul's movements. When he suddenly disappeared, she tracked his location but lost her way in the dense fog.
In a panic, Shin Hae-rin accidentally hit someone with her car, only to discover it was Eom Soon-jung. Frozen with shock and fear, she fled the scene without reporting the accident, fearing it would ruin the election. She later admitted, "I was afraid it would ruin the election," revealing her willingness to sacrifice her morals for Hyun Min-chul's presidential victory.
Hyun Min-chul confronted Shin Hae-rin in an interrogation room, expressing his regret for her actions, saying, "How can I blame you when you did it out of concern for me?" However, Shin Hae-rin firmly stated, "It wasn't for the president-elect. It was for me," before sending him away. In a letter to her son, Ahn Kang-myung, she revealed the truth: she committed the hit-and-run to fulfill her late husband's wish to give their son a better life, and she worked tirelessly to ensure Hyun Min-chul's election and the passage of a special law.
Meanwhile, Cha Soo-yeon, played by Eugene, was in distress over her housekeeper's accident, which left her in a coma. Hyun Min-chul apologized to Cha Soo-yeon for mistakenly accusing her of the hit-and-run, admitting he had become someone who only considered political gain. Cha Soo-yeon responded, "That's what being a president is about," but was angered when Hyun Min-chul questioned her involvement with Chairman Yang.
Cha Soo-yeon, in a fit of rage, confronted Hyun Min-chul, insisting, "It's my fault!" as he urged her to reveal her connection with Chairman Yang. Despite his pleas, she remained silent.
Facing protests demanding his resignation, Hyun Min-chul publicly revealed that Shin Hae-rin was the true culprit behind the hit-and-run, expressing his frustration with the political reality that linked him to the incident. He vowed that if he or his wife were found to be involved in the fire incident, he would resign immediately.
Cha Soo-yeon confronted Yang Hoon, played by Lee Si-kang, about the housekeeper's accident. Yang Hoon blamed her for attempting a paternity test and threatened her, but Cha Soo-yeon revealed a recording pen. As she played the recording, a conversation from 15 years ago about the H Chemical fire incident was revealed, causing Yang Hoon to beg for mercy. Cha Soo-yeon coldly warned, "If the housekeeper doesn't wake up, you're finished," before leaving.
Hyun Min-chul learned from First Lady Park Sang-hee, played by Baek Ji-won, about the hidden truths of the H Chemical fire 15 years ago and a deal Cha Soo-yeon made with President Yoo Jin-myung five years ago. Determined to uncover the truth, he declared, "I will use all my power to reveal the truth." Park Sang-hee exposed the secret deal Cha Soo-yeon made during the presidential race between Hyun Min-chul and Yoo Jin-myung.
The H Chemical fire incident was orchestrated by Cha Soo-yeon and Yang Hoon, who incited a clash between labor and management, leading to a staged fire. Shocked, Hyun Min-chul questioned, "Are you saying she was involved in the fire? The person responsible for that horrific fire?" Park Sang-hee warned of the political fallout, stating, "The person who will bleed from the special law's sword is the president-elect. With the promise of resignation, neither Soo-yeon nor you can protect yourselves."
A flashback revealed the day Hyun Min-chul and Cha Soo-yeon visited the H Chemical protest site 15 years ago. Hyun Min-chul attempted to negotiate with the workers, but they resisted. As he left to speak with Do Tae-hoon, Cha Soo-yeon opened the gates as planned with Yang Hoon, allowing his men to set the factory on fire, resulting in the deaths of the workers and Do Tae-hoon.
As Hyun Min-chul recalled Do Tae-hoon's death, he was left in a state of panic, realizing the extent of Cha Soo-yeon's deception, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the final episode's conclusion.
Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr