I guess because she's the wife of his uncle, who's the same age as he is?
Novel spoilers ahead.
In addition to that point about unnie vs. noona (which I completely agree with), the real Baek Sa Eon also addresses HHJ that way in the novel, where it's established that the real Baek Sa Eon had no idea that the male lead was Baek Jang Ho's illegitimate son (and the real Baek Sa Eon's uncle), even in the moments before the real Baek Sa Eon died. The real Baek Sa Eon thought the male lead was the fisherman's son.
So, in the novel at least, that form of address had nothing to do with the fact that the real Baek Sa Eon thought he was actually blood-related to HHJ's husband, because he didn't think that they were blood-related.
I agree this is a possibility. Also, I think it's worth noting that while HIA and HHJ are step-sisters, the boy…
You're welcome! And totally understandable. The drama makes it really hard to tell, especially since they aged the brother up.
In chapter 37 of the novel, the little brother was directly stated to be HHJ's mother's youngest child and he was closer to a year old when the car crash happened. It was implied that Chairman Hong married HHJ's mother (a lounge singer who became Chairman Hong's mistress) because she became pregnant with his son.
Why does real Sa Eon keep calling HHJ "older sister" from female level?
Based on what others have commented in this comment section before, this (using the wrong form of address, such as a male speaker like the real BSE addressing HHJ as if he were her younger sister or similar close female friend or relation) is a semi-common trope that is used in KDramas to indicate that the villain is unhinged because it sounds so "off" / unsettlingly wrong to a Korean speaker's ears.
I believe the real Sa Eon told the male lead that his father, Baik Jang Ho was the culprit in the death of Hong…
I agree this is a possibility.
Also, I think it's worth noting that while HIA and HHJ are step-sisters, the boy who died was a half brother to both of them (born of HIA's father and HHJ's mother). He was HHJ's only blood-related sibling, not her step brother. And the car crash also killed their nanny, who was driving the car.
I created a discussions link for details. Shall I add it there or would you want to do it? https://kisskh.at/discussions/the-number-you-have-dialed/133590-subtle-details-and-gems-in-the-drama
I didn't notice it the first time I watched, but not only did he call with a "604" number that mirrors her old "406" number, he also called her at *exactly* 10:00 pm / 22:00 Korean Standard Time. Their usual time. ^^
Ok I am trying to go back to the scenes where we see the DNA test for BSE surely although he was not a parental…
In episode 8, it was confirmed that the DNA test that HIA received demonstrates that the male lead is not Baek Eui Yong's biological son.
In episode 9, it was hinted that the male lead might be Baek Jang Ho's secret, illegitimate son, because the fisherman insisted that the male lead should not call him "father" and Baek Jang Ho told the male lead that he intentionally did not give the male lead a name (meaning that he was in a position to give the male lead a name at the time of his birth, but chose to leave him nameless).
In episode 10, Sim Gyu Jin hinted to Baek Eui Yong that the male lead *is* Baek Jang Ho's secret, illegitimate biological son. Some fans have also speculated that she was also hinting that Baek Eui Yong is *not* Baek Jang Ho's biological son.
In episode 11, we now know for sure that the male lead is Baek Jang Ho's biological son.
In terms of how that connects back to the DNA test, either option (i.e., Baek Eui Yong is or is not Baek Jang Ho's biological son) still seems possible. Although it would be nice to see a full translation of the DNA test report that HIA received from the male lead to be sure.
If it was a paternity test, it would make sense that the test indicated a negative / no match / not possible result, as Baek Eui Yong is not the male lead's biological father. It would still produce that result even if Baek Eui Yong and the male lead were half brothers.
However, if the test was a general kinship test that was just looking for a % of matching DNA rather than a paternity test (unlikely), and:
-If Baek Eui Yong was the male lead's biological father, then about 47.5% of the male lead's DNA would match with Baek Eui Yong’s DNA.
-If the male lead was Baek Eui Yong’s half brother (i.e., they were both Baek Jang Ho's biological sons, but had different mothers), then somewhere in the range of 17% - 34% of the male lead's DNA would match with Baek Eui Yong’s DNA.
-If the male lead is Baek Jang Ho's biological son and Baek Eui Yong is not Baek Jang Ho's biological son, then closer to 0% of the male lead's DNA would match with Baek Eui Yong's DNA.
If the DNA test was looking for a kinship DNA match that would indicate paternity (~47.5%), then I assume it would still come back negative even if there was a small percentage of matching DNA (e.g., 17% - 34%, as one would expect to see in half siblings). Of course, it would also come back negative if there was ~0% matching DNA.
Thank you for the explanation. Looking forward to finding out what they came up with. He look completely devastated…
Lol, more of a theory than an explanation, but you're welcome! Fingers crossed whatever the writers did come up with will be satisfying and make sense! ^^
With those added details in the parentheses, I think it might be best to hide that comment as containing novel spoilers?
But yes, those parts of the novel were dramatic and created a lot of suspense. The drama writers couldn't incorporate everything given the changes they've already made to the story in the drama so far, but based on what we saw in the last few seconds of episode 11, it seems like the drama has at least adapted some of it.
There are two things in the novel that I think the drama writers might possibly have used as a basis (with necessary…
You're welcome! I'm glad it satisfied your curiosity for now. ^^
Interesting to see that others have similar theories! I wonder if that person's theory is also partly based on the novel (where the circumstances are pretty different) or if their speculation is only based on the drama?
Commented this below in response to a question about theories (about what the real Baek Sa Eon whispered in the male lead's ear) but the comment section is moving at light speed today and by the time I posted the OG comment was already buried. ^^"
There are two things in the novel that I think the drama writers might possibly have used as a basis (with necessary changes for the drama storyline) for what the real Baek Sa Eon said to the male lead in that scene.
Novel spoilers ahead.
When the real Baek Sa Eon faced down the male lead in the novel before the explosion that the male lead used to fake his death (and that actually killed the real Baek Sa Eon), the real Baek Sa Eon threatened the male lead by telling him that he had turned the phone that he gave to HHJ into a bomb and that it would explode unless the male lead cooperated with him. In the novel, HHJ still had the phone and was still using it to make 406 calls.
I feel like that might be adapted into the real Baek Sa Eon saying something like, "There are others [working with me]. We've planted a bomb in your car where HHJ is sitting right this moment. Either you die, or she dies. As long as you are alive, HHJ will never be safe."
Maybe it would only be a bluff... or maybe it would actually be true? Maybe the real Baek Sa Eon somehow did get connected with the male lead's enemies back in Argan (where he did his military service and began his career as a war correspondent - and, in the novel, where he brokered dirt and blackmail), and HHJ would not be safe if it was known that the male lead was alive until the threat was neutralized? That would explain why the male lead felt the need to continue to pretend to be dead, and didn't even reveal the truth to HHJ. Far fetched, but maybe not outside of the realm of possibility for this genre.
In the novel, the male lead goes to Argan after faking his death and deals with soldiers there. After his phone calls raise HHJ's suspicions, she tracks him down there and they reconnect in Argan. Maybe they will even incorporate some of those details into the drama, since they've already incorporated the time jump, fake death, and phone calls from a matching phone number?
In the same scene in the novel, the male lead reflected on the fact that he felt he could never be with HHJ because Baek Jang Ho, his biological father, was the kind of person who thought he successfully murdered his grandson and did successfully arrange the car crash that killed HHJ's brother, killed her nanny, and caused her sister's deafness... which lead to HHJ's forced muteness for 20+ years. All of that was on top of his own dark side (which has not really been covered in the drama) where, both in Argan and South Korea, he collected dirt on everyone through surveillance and used it to manipulate circumstances and amass power behind the scenes... ostensibly with the goal of eventually revealing the Baek family's corruption. Basically, the male lead didn't think he could be with HHJ because of who he was, his sins, and his father's sins.
I can picture the drama writers adapting that into something like the real Baek Sa Eon telling the male lead that Baek Jang Ho, the male lead's biological father, was the one who arranged the car accident that killed HHJ's brother and "ruined" her life... it wasn't just a random accident... and how could HHJ live with herself after finding out that the man she loved was that man's son?
Of course, if that's what the writers went with, they would (hopefully) also add some kind of explanation as to how the real Baek Sa Eon came to know that the male lead was Baek Jang Ho's son (as he didn't know that in the novel) and how the real Baek Sa Eon knew about Baek Jang Ho arranging the car crash (again, something he didn't seem to know in the novel) especially if the male lead didn't know (as he did know it in the novel).
Again, if the real Baek Sa Eon managed to convince the male lead that he wasn't worthy of being with HHJ or that the truth would destroy HHJ if she found out... that might explain why the male lead continued to pretend to be dead and didn't even reveal that he was alive to HHJ. Although this does seem rather illogical given their earlier conversation about showing each other their darkest parts and accepting each other anyway... and not running away.
Looking forward to finding out if the drama writers did end up adapting something from the novel, or if they came up with something totally new. ^^
----- ----- -----
Chapter 60:
“You moron, you don’t even know what you should prioritize…”
His eyes twitched at the unexpected remark.
— “That phone is going to explode.”
“……!”
— “The phone I gave to Hong Heeju, it will blow up.”
The kidnapper mimicked the sound of a clicking timer with his mouth.
— “If you want to stop it, pay up with your words.”
“……”
— “Confess all your sins right here and step aside. Admit you’re not Baek Jang-ho’s grandson. Say you’re just the son of a fisherman. Admit what a pathetic fraud you really are!”
A booming voice roared through the line.
— “Give me back my name, you piece of sh*t!”
... ... ...
“However, this press conference is not to address allegations of infidelity.”
What came next… was exposing his true self.
“I am here today to expose the corruption of the late Baek Jang-ho and his family.”
He had wanted to become “Baek Sa-eon” for her, but the truth was, being Baek Sa-eon was what made it impossible to approach her.
Knowing of his biological father’s crimes, including murder and orchestrated accidents, he couldn’t dare to speak of love.
Hong Heeju was forever beyond his reach. His conscience, however faint, stirred only in her presence. He had vowed to forever conceal his true, shameful self.
But—
What expression will you make when you hear of my filthy sins?
The thought alone made his throat tighten painfully.
“I am not the son of Baek Ui-yong, nor the grandson of Baek Jang-ho.”
Perhaps not seeing your face filled with contempt is the only salvation granted to me.
“I am an illegitimate child born to Assemblyman Baek Jang-ho in his seventies.”
TF THIS MAKES THE MOST SENSE THE REASON HE DISAPPEARED OH MY GOD MY HEART IS TEARING APART 😭😭
That was the case in the novel, but not in the drama.
In the drama, they changed it so that HHJ's brother (who they aged up) was the one who saw the real BSE's face and would be able to tell that the replacement BSE was not the same person.
There are two things in the novel that I think the drama writers might possibly have used as a basis (with necessary changes for the drama storyline) for what the real Baek Sa Eon said to the male lead in that scene.
Novel spoilers ahead.
There are two things in the novel that I think the drama writers might possibly have used as a basis (with necessary changes for the drama storyline) for what the real Baek Sa Eon said to the male lead in that scene.
Novel spoilers ahead.
When the real Baek Sa Eon faced down the male lead in the novel before the explosion that the male lead used to fake his death (and that actually killed the real Baek Sa Eon), the real Baek Sa Eon threatened the male lead by telling him that he had turned the phone that he gave to HHJ into a bomb and that it would explode unless the male lead cooperated with him. In the novel, HHJ still had the phone and was still using it to make 406 calls.
I feel like that might be adapted into the real Baek Sa Eon saying something like, "There are others [working with me]. We've planted a bomb in your car where HHJ is sitting right this moment. Either you die, or she dies. As long as you are alive, HHJ will never be safe."
That would explain why the male lead felt the need to continue to pretend to be dead, and didn't even reveal the truth to HHJ.
In the same scene in the novel, the male lead reflected on the fact that he felt he could never be with HHJ because Baek Jang Ho, his biological father, was the kind of person who thought he successfully murdered his grandson and did successfully arrange the car crash that killed HHJ's brother, killed her nanny, and caused her sister's deafness... which lead to HHJ's forced muteness for 20+ years. All of that was on top of his own dark side (which has not really been covered in the drama) where, both in Argan and South Korea, he collected dirt on everyone through surveillance and used it to manipulate circumstances and amass power behind the scenes... ostensibly with the goal of eventually revealing the Baek family's corruption. Basically, the male lead didn't think he could be with HHJ because of who he was, his sins, and his father's sins.
I can picture the drama writers adapting that into something like the real Baek Sa Eon telling the male lead that Baek Jang Ho, the male lead's biological father, was the one who arranged the car accident that killed HHJ's brother and "ruined" her life... it wasn't just a random accident... and how could HHJ live with herself after finding out that the man she loved was that man's son?
Of course, if that's what the writers went with, they would (hopefully) also add some kind of explanation as to how the real Baek Sa Eon came to know that the male lead was Baek Jang Ho's son (as he didn't know that in the novel) and how the real Baek Sa Eon knew about Baek Jang Ho arranging the car crash (again, something he didn't seem to know in the novel) especially if the male lead didn't know (as he did know it in the novel).
Again, if the real Baek Sa Eon managed to convince the male lead that he wasn't worthy of being with HHj or that the truth would destroy HHJ if she found out... that might explain why the male lead continued to pretend to be dead and didn't even reveal that he was alive to HHJ. Although this does seem rather illogical given their earlier conversation about showing each other their darkest parts and accepting each other anyway... and not running away.
Looking forward to finding out if the drama writers did end up adapting something from the novel, or if they came up with something totally new. ^^
-----
Chapter 60:
“You moron, you don’t even know what you should prioritize…”
His eyes twitched at the unexpected remark.
— “That phone is going to explode.”
“……!”
— “The phone I gave to Hong Heeju, it will blow up.”
The kidnapper mimicked the sound of a clicking timer with his mouth.
— “If you want to stop it, pay up with your words.”
“……”
— “Confess all your sins right here and step aside. Admit you’re not Baek Jang-ho’s grandson. Say you’re just the son of a fisherman. Admit what a pathetic fraud you really are!”
A booming voice roared through the line.
— “Give me back my name, you piece of sh*t!”
... ... ...
“However, this press conference is not to address allegations of infidelity.”
What came next… was exposing his true self.
“I am here today to expose the corruption of the late Baek Jang-ho and his family.”
He had wanted to become “Baek Sa-eon” for her, but the truth was, being Baek Sa-eon was what made it impossible to approach her.
Knowing of his biological father’s crimes, including murder and orchestrated accidents, he couldn’t dare to speak of love.
Hong Heeju was forever beyond his reach. His conscience, however faint, stirred only in her presence. He had vowed to forever conceal his true, shameful self.
But—
What expression will you make when you hear of my filthy sins?
The thought alone made his throat tighten painfully.
“I am not the son of Baek Ui-yong, nor the grandson of Baek Jang-ho.”
Perhaps not seeing your face filled with contempt is the only salvation granted to me.
“I am an illegitimate child born to Assemblyman Baek Jang-ho in his seventies.”
Happy New Year! The Year of the Snake is close, but it will still be the Year of the Dragon for a little bit longer. For those that follow the Chinese lunisolar calendar and recognize the animal zodiac, Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year / Spring Festival, will occur at the end of January 2025 and will mark the change over to the Year of the Snake.
Didn’t Sa Eon’s (ML) mother tell the father that Sa Eon looks a lot like the chairman, while the father doesn’t?…
Novel spoilers ahead.
Yes, he does. Baek Jang Ho never tells the male lead that he is Baek Jang Ho's illegitimate son, but the male lead figures it out himself shortly before Baek Jang Ho's death.
3 
1 
1 
In addition to that point about unnie vs. noona (which I completely agree with), the real Baek Sa Eon also addresses HHJ that way in the novel, where it's established that the real Baek Sa Eon had no idea that the male lead was Baek Jang Ho's illegitimate son (and the real Baek Sa Eon's uncle), even in the moments before the real Baek Sa Eon died. The real Baek Sa Eon thought the male lead was the fisherman's son.
So, in the novel at least, that form of address had nothing to do with the fact that the real Baek Sa Eon thought he was actually blood-related to HHJ's husband, because he didn't think that they were blood-related.
In chapter 37 of the novel, the little brother was directly stated to be HHJ's mother's youngest child and he was closer to a year old when the car crash happened. It was implied that Chairman Hong married HHJ's mother (a lounge singer who became Chairman Hong's mistress) because she became pregnant with his son.
Also, I think it's worth noting that while HIA and HHJ are step-sisters, the boy who died was a half brother to both of them (born of HIA's father and HHJ's mother). He was HHJ's only blood-related sibling, not her step brother. And the car crash also killed their nanny, who was driving the car.
In episode 9, it was hinted that the male lead might be Baek Jang Ho's secret, illegitimate son, because the fisherman insisted that the male lead should not call him "father" and Baek Jang Ho told the male lead that he intentionally did not give the male lead a name (meaning that he was in a position to give the male lead a name at the time of his birth, but chose to leave him nameless).
In episode 10, Sim Gyu Jin hinted to Baek Eui Yong that the male lead *is* Baek Jang Ho's secret, illegitimate biological son. Some fans have also speculated that she was also hinting that Baek Eui Yong is *not* Baek Jang Ho's biological son.
In episode 11, we now know for sure that the male lead is Baek Jang Ho's biological son.
In terms of how that connects back to the DNA test, either option (i.e., Baek Eui Yong is or is not Baek Jang Ho's biological son) still seems possible. Although it would be nice to see a full translation of the DNA test report that HIA received from the male lead to be sure.
Note that typically paternity tests are specifically designed to test for DNA marker matches that would be possible in the case of paternity, not a percentage of matching DNA that would indicate any kind of biological relationship, and it looked like the DNA test was a paternity test (see an example here: https://genera.lv/en/dna-tests/kinship-dna-tests/paternity-testing/interpretation-of-results#:~:text=What%20does%20a%20negative%20result,NOT%20the%20child's%20biological%20father.).
If it was a paternity test, it would make sense that the test indicated a negative / no match / not possible result, as Baek Eui Yong is not the male lead's biological father. It would still produce that result even if Baek Eui Yong and the male lead were half brothers.
However, if the test was a general kinship test that was just looking for a % of matching DNA rather than a paternity test (unlikely), and:
-If Baek Eui Yong was the male lead's biological father, then about 47.5% of the male lead's DNA would match with Baek Eui Yong’s DNA.
-If the male lead was Baek Eui Yong’s half brother (i.e., they were both Baek Jang Ho's biological sons, but had different mothers), then somewhere in the range of 17% - 34% of the male lead's DNA would match with Baek Eui Yong’s DNA.
-If the male lead is Baek Jang Ho's biological son and Baek Eui Yong is not Baek Jang Ho's biological son, then closer to 0% of the male lead's DNA would match with Baek Eui Yong's DNA.
If the DNA test was looking for a kinship DNA match that would indicate paternity (~47.5%), then I assume it would still come back negative even if there was a small percentage of matching DNA (e.g., 17% - 34%, as one would expect to see in half siblings). Of course, it would also come back negative if there was ~0% matching DNA.
Source: https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170668-Average-Percent-DNA-Shared-Between-Relatives
I posted this same comment (minus the confirmation from episode 11) last week here: https://kisskh.at/766179-the-number-you-have-dialed#comment-19987466
But yes, those parts of the novel were dramatic and created a lot of suspense. The drama writers couldn't incorporate everything given the changes they've already made to the story in the drama so far, but based on what we saw in the last few seconds of episode 11, it seems like the drama has at least adapted some of it.
Interesting to see that others have similar theories! I wonder if that person's theory is also partly based on the novel (where the circumstances are pretty different) or if their speculation is only based on the drama?
There are two things in the novel that I think the drama writers might possibly have used as a basis (with necessary changes for the drama storyline) for what the real Baek Sa Eon said to the male lead in that scene.
Novel spoilers ahead.
When the real Baek Sa Eon faced down the male lead in the novel before the explosion that the male lead used to fake his death (and that actually killed the real Baek Sa Eon), the real Baek Sa Eon threatened the male lead by telling him that he had turned the phone that he gave to HHJ into a bomb and that it would explode unless the male lead cooperated with him. In the novel, HHJ still had the phone and was still using it to make 406 calls.
I feel like that might be adapted into the real Baek Sa Eon saying something like, "There are others [working with me]. We've planted a bomb in your car where HHJ is sitting right this moment. Either you die, or she dies. As long as you are alive, HHJ will never be safe."
Maybe it would only be a bluff... or maybe it would actually be true? Maybe the real Baek Sa Eon somehow did get connected with the male lead's enemies back in Argan (where he did his military service and began his career as a war correspondent - and, in the novel, where he brokered dirt and blackmail), and HHJ would not be safe if it was known that the male lead was alive until the threat was neutralized? That would explain why the male lead felt the need to continue to pretend to be dead, and didn't even reveal the truth to HHJ. Far fetched, but maybe not outside of the realm of possibility for this genre.
In the novel, the male lead goes to Argan after faking his death and deals with soldiers there. After his phone calls raise HHJ's suspicions, she tracks him down there and they reconnect in Argan. Maybe they will even incorporate some of those details into the drama, since they've already incorporated the time jump, fake death, and phone calls from a matching phone number?
In the same scene in the novel, the male lead reflected on the fact that he felt he could never be with HHJ because Baek Jang Ho, his biological father, was the kind of person who thought he successfully murdered his grandson and did successfully arrange the car crash that killed HHJ's brother, killed her nanny, and caused her sister's deafness... which lead to HHJ's forced muteness for 20+ years. All of that was on top of his own dark side (which has not really been covered in the drama) where, both in Argan and South Korea, he collected dirt on everyone through surveillance and used it to manipulate circumstances and amass power behind the scenes... ostensibly with the goal of eventually revealing the Baek family's corruption. Basically, the male lead didn't think he could be with HHJ because of who he was, his sins, and his father's sins.
I can picture the drama writers adapting that into something like the real Baek Sa Eon telling the male lead that Baek Jang Ho, the male lead's biological father, was the one who arranged the car accident that killed HHJ's brother and "ruined" her life... it wasn't just a random accident... and how could HHJ live with herself after finding out that the man she loved was that man's son?
Of course, if that's what the writers went with, they would (hopefully) also add some kind of explanation as to how the real Baek Sa Eon came to know that the male lead was Baek Jang Ho's son (as he didn't know that in the novel) and how the real Baek Sa Eon knew about Baek Jang Ho arranging the car crash (again, something he didn't seem to know in the novel) especially if the male lead didn't know (as he did know it in the novel).
Again, if the real Baek Sa Eon managed to convince the male lead that he wasn't worthy of being with HHJ or that the truth would destroy HHJ if she found out... that might explain why the male lead continued to pretend to be dead and didn't even reveal that he was alive to HHJ. Although this does seem rather illogical given their earlier conversation about showing each other their darkest parts and accepting each other anyway... and not running away.
Looking forward to finding out if the drama writers did end up adapting something from the novel, or if they came up with something totally new. ^^
-----
-----
-----
Chapter 60:
“You moron, you don’t even know what you should prioritize…”
His eyes twitched at the unexpected remark.
— “That phone is going to explode.”
“……!”
— “The phone I gave to Hong Heeju, it will blow up.”
The kidnapper mimicked the sound of a clicking timer with his mouth.
— “If you want to stop it, pay up with your words.”
“……”
— “Confess all your sins right here and step aside. Admit you’re not Baek Jang-ho’s grandson. Say you’re just the son of a fisherman. Admit what a pathetic fraud you really are!”
A booming voice roared through the line.
— “Give me back my name, you piece of sh*t!”
...
...
...
“However, this press conference is not to address allegations of infidelity.”
What came next… was exposing his true self.
“I am here today to expose the corruption of the late Baek Jang-ho and his family.”
He had wanted to become “Baek Sa-eon” for her, but the truth was, being Baek Sa-eon was what made it impossible to approach her.
Knowing of his biological father’s crimes, including murder and orchestrated accidents, he couldn’t dare to speak of love.
Hong Heeju was forever beyond his reach. His conscience, however faint, stirred only in her presence. He had vowed to forever conceal his true, shameful self.
But—
What expression will you make when you hear of my filthy sins?
The thought alone made his throat tighten painfully.
“I am not the son of Baek Ui-yong, nor the grandson of Baek Jang-ho.”
Perhaps not seeing your face filled with contempt is the only salvation granted to me.
“I am an illegitimate child born to Assemblyman Baek Jang-ho in his seventies.”
This was the final briefing.
-----
Original post: https://kisskh.at/766179-the-number-you-have-dialed#comment-20062516
In the drama, they changed it so that HHJ's brother (who they aged up) was the one who saw the real BSE's face and would be able to tell that the replacement BSE was not the same person.
Novel spoilers ahead.
There are two things in the novel that I think the drama writers might possibly have used as a basis (with necessary changes for the drama storyline) for what the real Baek Sa Eon said to the male lead in that scene.
Novel spoilers ahead.
When the real Baek Sa Eon faced down the male lead in the novel before the explosion that the male lead used to fake his death (and that actually killed the real Baek Sa Eon), the real Baek Sa Eon threatened the male lead by telling him that he had turned the phone that he gave to HHJ into a bomb and that it would explode unless the male lead cooperated with him. In the novel, HHJ still had the phone and was still using it to make 406 calls.
I feel like that might be adapted into the real Baek Sa Eon saying something like, "There are others [working with me]. We've planted a bomb in your car where HHJ is sitting right this moment. Either you die, or she dies. As long as you are alive, HHJ will never be safe."
That would explain why the male lead felt the need to continue to pretend to be dead, and didn't even reveal the truth to HHJ.
In the same scene in the novel, the male lead reflected on the fact that he felt he could never be with HHJ because Baek Jang Ho, his biological father, was the kind of person who thought he successfully murdered his grandson and did successfully arrange the car crash that killed HHJ's brother, killed her nanny, and caused her sister's deafness... which lead to HHJ's forced muteness for 20+ years. All of that was on top of his own dark side (which has not really been covered in the drama) where, both in Argan and South Korea, he collected dirt on everyone through surveillance and used it to manipulate circumstances and amass power behind the scenes... ostensibly with the goal of eventually revealing the Baek family's corruption. Basically, the male lead didn't think he could be with HHJ because of who he was, his sins, and his father's sins.
I can picture the drama writers adapting that into something like the real Baek Sa Eon telling the male lead that Baek Jang Ho, the male lead's biological father, was the one who arranged the car accident that killed HHJ's brother and "ruined" her life... it wasn't just a random accident... and how could HHJ live with herself after finding out that the man she loved was that man's son?
Of course, if that's what the writers went with, they would (hopefully) also add some kind of explanation as to how the real Baek Sa Eon came to know that the male lead was Baek Jang Ho's son (as he didn't know that in the novel) and how the real Baek Sa Eon knew about Baek Jang Ho arranging the car crash (again, something he didn't seem to know in the novel) especially if the male lead didn't know (as he did know it in the novel).
Again, if the real Baek Sa Eon managed to convince the male lead that he wasn't worthy of being with HHj or that the truth would destroy HHJ if she found out... that might explain why the male lead continued to pretend to be dead and didn't even reveal that he was alive to HHJ. Although this does seem rather illogical given their earlier conversation about showing each other their darkest parts and accepting each other anyway... and not running away.
Looking forward to finding out if the drama writers did end up adapting something from the novel, or if they came up with something totally new. ^^
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Chapter 60:
“You moron, you don’t even know what you should prioritize…”
His eyes twitched at the unexpected remark.
— “That phone is going to explode.”
“……!”
— “The phone I gave to Hong Heeju, it will blow up.”
The kidnapper mimicked the sound of a clicking timer with his mouth.
— “If you want to stop it, pay up with your words.”
“……”
— “Confess all your sins right here and step aside. Admit you’re not Baek Jang-ho’s grandson. Say you’re just the son of a fisherman. Admit what a pathetic fraud you really are!”
A booming voice roared through the line.
— “Give me back my name, you piece of sh*t!”
...
...
...
“However, this press conference is not to address allegations of infidelity.”
What came next… was exposing his true self.
“I am here today to expose the corruption of the late Baek Jang-ho and his family.”
He had wanted to become “Baek Sa-eon” for her, but the truth was, being Baek Sa-eon was what made it impossible to approach her.
Knowing of his biological father’s crimes, including murder and orchestrated accidents, he couldn’t dare to speak of love.
Hong Heeju was forever beyond his reach. His conscience, however faint, stirred only in her presence. He had vowed to forever conceal his true, shameful self.
But—
What expression will you make when you hear of my filthy sins?
The thought alone made his throat tighten painfully.
“I am not the son of Baek Ui-yong, nor the grandson of Baek Jang-ho.”
Perhaps not seeing your face filled with contempt is the only salvation granted to me.
“I am an illegitimate child born to Assemblyman Baek Jang-ho in his seventies.”
This was the final briefing.
Yes, he does. Baek Jang Ho never tells the male lead that he is Baek Jang Ho's illegitimate son, but the male lead figures it out himself shortly before Baek Jang Ho's death.