Original: 패션왕
An aspiring designer, a clothing counterfeiter, a fashion empire heir, and a top designer chase their career dreams and love.
Ga Young barely makes a living working at the boutique of Madam Jo, who extorted her parents' assets. She waits anxiously for an acceptance letter from a fashion design school in America. Through Madam Jo's tricks, she never sees the letter. She is even kicked out of the boutique for arson.
On the deep sea fishing vessel that Young Gul boarded, the crewmen bear a grudge against the boatswain and a mutiny breaks out. Young Gul barely escapes with his life and after undergoing all sorts of hardships, arrives in America. But he is pointed out as the leader of the mutiny, and Young Gul, unaware of this fact, wanders searching for Ga Young with a shabby appearance.
Ignored by Jae Hyuk and wandering the streets suffering from hunger, Young Gul reunites with Ga Young after many complications. Being wanted as the leader of the mutiny and on the run from the police, Ga Young finds a place for them both to live. To cover living expenses, Ga Young and Young Gul work hard to make clothes.
Young Gul, having received a promising proposal from Michael, enjoys a nice dinner with Ga Young in an excited mood. But they are both arrested by the police, reported by Jung Ah who trailed them. Ga Young is soon released with Jae Hyuk's help, but Young Gul is taken to court and sentenced to one year of prison labor.
Ga Young goes to Jo Boutique looking a mess and says she will impose. Madam Jo is flabbergasted by her behavior. Ga Young, who spent all night designing while holding back her tears, shows the sample to Jae Hyuk and proposes a subcontract and deposit. Jae Hyuk, dissatisfied with Anna's design, finds the proposal enticing.
Young Gul, looking for a smart way to get his factory back, opens his eyes wide when he sees the design Ga Young sketched. Jae Hyuk, at Ga Young's confident attitude, promises to pay the deposit. With this, Young Gul settles the factory's entire debt but is unable to get the fabric needed to make samples.
Jae Hyuk, having seen Anna with Young Gul, feels confused and Anna, having repeated Young Gul's words, grows upset. Meanwhile, Hwang Tae San decides to invest in Young Gul. Young Gul flashing a smile of satisfaction starts making clothes with the same design as Ga Young's being produced at J Fashion. Ga Young is anxious at Young Gul's actions.
Jae Hyuk, betrayed by Young Gul, trembles in fear that word will get out he stole Ga Young's design if he doesn't invest $5 million in him. Anna, having found this out, proposes a deal to Madam Jo. Jae Hyuk, knowing there is no other solution, calls out Young Gul and threatens to sue Ga Young.
Young Gul and Ga Young, contacted by Michael, are unable to hide their happiness. Ga Young is moved to tears and kisses Young Gul when he suddenly moves toward her. Young Gul is flustered, seeing Ga Young as a woman at that moment.
Jae Hyuk goes to Anna who stayed up all night with Young Gul. As the rage and jealousy surge up, he freezes Young Gul's funds. For Young Gul, his happiness at receiving an extra order momentary, the factory falls into difficulty due to customers pulling out of their deals. Jae Hyuk proposes to Ga Young they work with J Fashion on the condition Young Gul is included.
Madam Jo proposes to Jae Hyuk the condition he files the lawsuit he kept or takes over her shares. Jae Hyuk after taking great pains discloses his thoughts to Ga Young and tells her he'll push ahead with the lawsuit if she doesn't show up for work at J Fashion. Young Gul, unaware of this fact, prepares a dress he designed himself and a meal for Ga Young's birthday. Ga Young, not having had a chance to tell Young Gul, goes to work at J Fashion.
Ga Young, at the news that Young Gul has been sued, goes to argue with Jae Hyuk. She follows Jae Hyuk, who ignores her, inside his home. Young Gul having seen this, paces with anxiety. The next morning, Ga Young feels sympathy toward Jae Hyuk by Hyang Sook's violent actions forcing her way inside his home.
Young Gul feels the emptiness of Ga Young's absence. When Ga Young shows up for work at J Fashion, Jae Hyuk smiles contentedly. Jae Hyuk informs Madam Jo was conned by Young Gul as a fake investor and successfully takes over her shares. Young Gul closes the deal for $5 million and hands over the YGM brand to Jae Hyuk.
Anna, having picked a fight with Jae Hyuk through Young Gul's launching show, after turning in her resignation to J Fashion, moves to Young Young Apparel. Ga Young grows anxious and tries to clarify Young Gul and Jae Hyuk's misunderstanding but Young Gul only reacts coldly. As Young Gul's business drives forward, Ga Young, reliving memories with Young Gul, in the fear she'll lose Young Gul forever, makes a pitiful confession of love.
Young Gul, troubled having rejected Ga Young's feelings, thinks of the time he asked Jae Hyuk to promise Ga Young's future. He leaves for an overseas business trip with Anna for the GG brand's launch. Jae Hyuk feels the sense of crisis as Young Gul's business expands worldwide, and Ga Young enters a competitive show to be chosen as the Fashion King.
Young Gul and Ga Young, having run into each other on the plane to New York, try hard to ignore each other in the awkwardness. But the two, unable to hide their feelings any longer, kiss and confirm their love. Ga Young feels a new side of Young Gul who says he wants to do everything for her. Jae Hyuk grows nervous, unable to contact Ga Young who left for New York without a word.
Ga Young is unable to receive Young Gul's call while out celebrating her promotion to team leader. Jae Hyuk congratulates Ga Young on her promotion and gives her a necklace as a gift. Ga Young, belatedly seeing Young Gul's message, heads to the factory, and Young Gul, seeing the necklace from Jae Hyuk on Ga Young's neck, is unable to bear it and tells her to resign from J Fashion.
Ga Young goes to work at the factory again, and despite Young Gul's wishes, says she'll stay at the factory. Jae Hyuk, devastated at being unable to contact Ga Young, goes to the factory and pathetically asks her to come back. Meanwhile, Young Gul uses Anna to receive an invitation to Man Ho's home, and Anna sets up a party and invites guests to the opening party for the new office Young Gul leased for her.
Ga Young, at Jae Hyuk's rash confession, is unable to easily get over the shock. Young Gul for some unknown reason feels a sense of inferiority. Ga Young meets Jae Hyuk and tells him she loves Young Gul, asking him to always let her remember him as her savior. Jae Hyuk receives a shock, and against Man Ho's wishes, pushes ahead with a contract with an Italian company.
Madam Jo caught up in taking revenge against Young Gul, goes to see Jae Hyuk and suggests manipulating the media. According to Madam Jo and Jae Hyuk's plan, Young Gul is caught in a bind. Young Gul trembles in fear with his funds cut off, and Ga Young who learns the situation too late is overcome by shock.
