Yujin tore up the divorce papers in front of Ji Hyun-woo, foreshadowing a furious counterattack with a "declaration of all-out war" ending.
On the 2nd (Thu) broadcast, episode 4 of the MBN Wednesday-Thursday miniseries First Lady (written by Kim Hyeong-wan, directed by Lee Ho-hyun, produced by Studio Gidam Co., Artist Studio, Roadshow Plus Co.) proved its rising trend by recording a nationwide viewership rating of 2% and a peak minute rating of 2.4% based on Nielsen Korea.
First, the truth behind the school violence video that began when Hyun Ji-yoo (played by Park Seo-kyung) started beating someone after being taunted by Park Seo-ah (played by Lee Ji-yeon), who sneered, "widow Cha," was revealed. Cha Soo-yeon (played by Yujin) bowed her head, but Park Seo-ah's mother threatened to expel Hyun Ji-yoo immediately. At that moment the foundation chairman and Cha Soo-yeon's half sibling Cha Jeong-yeon (played by Do-yu) appeared, and when Cha Soo-yeon and Cha Jeong-yeon were alone, Cha Jeong-yeon taunted her by recounting how their father Cha Jin-taek (played by Jeon No-min) and she lost a congressional seat because of Cha Soo-yeon, creating tension. But soon Cha Jeong-yeon said she had smoothly handled Ji-yoo's school violence video, and when Cha Soo-yeon expressed surprise and gratitude, Cha Jeong-yeon threatened her by saying, "Agree to a divorce," which enraged Cha Soo-yeon.
Moreover, after Cha Soo-yeon left, Cha Jeong-yeon called secretary Lee Beom-seok (played by Lee Myung-hoon) and, while talking with Hyun Min-cheol (played by Ji Hyun-woo), mentioned that she would facilitate the divorce smoothly, but Hyun Min-cheol instead firmly ended the call saying he only asked to handle Ji-yoo's school violence issue, raising suspicions about Cha Jeong-yeon's actions. In particular, Cha Jeong-yeon summoned Go Ah-ram (played by Jo Hee-soo), who filmed Hyun Ji-yoo's school violence video, and repeatedly asked whether she had completely deleted the video from her phone, casting an ominous shadow.
Meanwhile Hyun Min-cheol met with Bae Young-seon (played by Son Ji-na) of the Peace and Freedom Party over lunch boxes and began persuading her to pass a special law. At that time it was revealed that Shin Hae-rin (played by Lee Min-young) and Bae Young-seon's close aide, secretary Im Hyun-kyo (played by Joo Seok-tae), had swapped information about Cha Soo-yeon's wiretapping case and Councilman Bae's drinking problem, shocking viewers. During the meeting Hyun Min-cheol attacked Bae Young-seon with a blunt line, "Have you forgotten? Sincerity is my pledge," and ultimately Hyun Min-cheol and Bae Young-seon announced, "We have formally agreed to pass the Do Tae-hoon law in the National Assembly," surprising everyone.
But at that dramatic moment, the school violence video of Hyun Ji-yoo, which was thought to be suppressed, was leaked, immediately causing a huge uproar as public criticism poured down on the president-elect's family. While Shin Hae-rin went to the school to investigate and told Hyun Min-cheol that the student who filmed the video claimed cloud hacking, a scene was captured in which Cha Jeong-yeon gave Shin Hae-rin a silent signal, fanning suspicion. Worried about his daughter Ji-yoo, Hyun Min-cheol told Lee Beom-seok to find a way to take down the video, but Lee Beom-seok suggested a public apology, warning that a simple school violence case could be grown into a power-type scandal. Hyun Min-cheol accepted but firmly said he would decide the timing. Later, alone, Hyun Min-cheol called Shin Hae-rin and repeatedly asked, "Is this related to Ji-yoo's video being leaked?" Even after Shin Hae-rin said, "I'll look for a way," he warned, "I will make the final decision. Don't make judgments or move arbitrarily like this anymore," freezing Shin Hae-rin.
Cha Soo-yeon visited Cha Jeong-yeon after hearing that Hyun Ji-yoo's study abroad was jeopardized because of the school's disciplinary action, and when Cha Jeong-yeon again urged divorce, saying she would write a recommendation letter stamped with the foundation chairman's seal and "If you want Ji-yoo to study abroad, get a divorce," Cha Soo-yeon became furious. When Cha Soo-yeon lashed out at Shin Hae-rin, "Would you sign a divorce to push my daughter into ruin?" Shin Hae-rin stepped back, saying, "The president-elect is not involved," but when Cha Jeong-yeon even called reporter Son Min-joo (played by Shin So-yul) to exert silent pressure, Cha Soo-yeon, conflicted, revealed she would divorce.
Ultimately, Cha Soo-yeon and Hyun Min-cheol met over the "application to confirm intent for a consensual divorce," and Cha Soo-yeon asked Shin Hae-rin and lawyer Hwang Nu-ri (played by Jeong Min-ji) for some private time. Cha Soo-yeon then recalled the "2008 rally to launch Cha Jeong-yeon's congressional candidate support committee," where she first met Hyun Min-cheol. At the time, Cha Soo-yeon, desperate after her father Cha Jin-taek handed the congressional candidacy to Cha Jeong-yeon, attacked Cha Jin-taek and Cha Jeong-yeon, and seeing Hyun Min-cheol scold Yang Hoon (played by Lee Si-gang) about illegal succession, she reached out to Hyun Min-cheol saying, "I'll vote for you. You'll make it. Member of the National Assembly of Haseong City," offering her hand to him.
Cha Soo-yeon, catching her breath, said, "Twenty years ago, when I said I'd pick you and make you a member of the National Assembly, no one believed me. It's what I'm good at. Making the impossible happen," then added, "There's one thing you forgot. There's something I'm even better at. It's destroying," as she ripped the divorce papers to shreds. She continued, "This time it's your turn, just like you ruined Cha Jeong-yeon and father," and coldly exploded, "Don't touch Ji-yoo. How dare you demand a divorce by taking my daughter hostage?" After declaring, "I'll protect Ji-yoo," Cha Soo-yeon stormed out, and in a final warning to Shin Hae-rin, "I warned you clearly. Don't touch my daughter," she delivered a sharp warning, ending with the "declaration of all-out war" ending that raised curiosity about future developments.
Meanwhile, Kang Seon-ho (played by Kang Seung-ho), the lawyer for Yoon Ki-joo (played by Kim Ki-bang), who carried out the tomato attack, visited Park Seo-ah, who was hit by Hyun Ji-yoo, and Go Ah-ram, who filmed the video, and pulled out the school violence perpetrator videos they made in the past, cornering them and foreshadowing a forthcoming twist.
Viewers reacted, "Yujin's confident walk at the end was absolutely spectacular! Her charisma exploded," "Cha Soo-yeon was amazing today, gave me chills! Tearing up the divorce papers is truly legendary!!," "I completely rewatched Yujin, Ji Hyun-woo, and Lee Min-young this time!! Their acting, full of betrayal, warnings, and shivers, was mesmerizing!" and more.
Meanwhile, episode 5 of the MBN Wednesday-Thursday miniseries First Lady will air on the 8th (Wed) at 10:20 p.m.
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