Original subtitles

Hey!

FALL 1990, SEOUL

They say I was always different from the other kids.

Whatever the object was,

I wanted to take it apart and understand what was hiding inside.

Sewon!

Sewon, can you please explain to me why you did that?

Sewon!

What's the matter?

Did you do this?

It's okay. Wait for me here.

Mrs. Koh, he might have been curious

about what was inside the fire extinguisher.

But the problem here is

that while all the other children were screaming and crying all around...

Sewon just kept on playing like there was nothing wrong at all.

I'm very sorry.

I'll talk to him about it when we get home.

I'm afraid that we're far beyond that now.

He needs professional attention.

Sewon isn't really able to feel things.

He has no empathy.

I'm sure you...

I'm sure that you...

Even if you can't smile or cry, I know that you...

I know that you can feel everything too.

I'm always going to be by your side.

Don't you worry, okay?

Stop that.

Did you solve it all by yourself?

You're so smart!

Can we solve another cube together?

You don't want to?

Then how about we play with dice?

His cognitive skills have improved greatly over the past two months,

but as far as social skills are concerned, there's been no progress.

What does that mean exactly?

Daily routines won't be an issue.

However, having a social life will be hard.

We'll need to see him more often and perform an occasional brain scan.

Let's see here...

Ah, here it is.

There is a new program that started at our hospital.

I'll find out if I can secure a spot for you.

Take your time and think about it.

WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)?

₩1,000,000 PER MONTH

He saw his mother die right in front of him,

but he shows no signs of distress or any kind of emotion.

This is an MRI of his brain, and as you can see,

the distance between his hippocampus and amygdala is too far apart.

His memory is excellent,

but he does not display any emotional reaction to those memories.

You must be Sewon.

Do you remember what happened?

Can you tell me about the accident?

Short version, or long one?

What's the short version, and what's the long version?

The short version is that my mom was standing and got hit by a truck.

What about the long one?

A man in a blue hat, his eyes opened wide, and then a crash.

The windshield of the truck looked like a spider web.

Seoul 7 GA 1947.

You remember the license plate number?

White powder and white shards spread like water over my mom's head.

And then my mom's mouth moved, and then she said something...

Your mother spoke?

What did she say?

Sewon.

"Sewon."

That child has an extremely unique brain structure.

Just look at the ratio of his hippocampus to the amygdala.

His hippocampus is twice the size of an average child's,

but his amygdala is only a quarter of it.

He has a brain structure worthy of a case study.

I'm very curious to see how his brain develops.

Mom said that she'd always be by my side.

But after she said that,

she left me.

From then on, I've always wanted to know the human mind...

My insatiable curiosity gave way to brain research.

Unlocking what was inside the brains of others became an obsession.

PRESENT DAY

Now, please welcome Dr. Sewon Koh for his presentation.

We all have the desire to understand what people are thinking or feeling.

What started as a question, born out of curiosity

has developed into synchronization of brain waves,

achieved via quantum entanglement.

But wouldn't that entail access to memories?

Or even access to one's thoughts?

It doesn't matter how complicated the brain is,

since neurons just use electricity to communicate.

Now we can analyze the changes of these signals

and probe the depths of consciousness in ways we've never seen before.

I get the connections with brain waves,

but why understand the language?

First, let's talk about the medical aspect,

which concerns life and death.

We can help patients with brain disease,

those who cannot communicate, or those who suffer from severe dementia.

We would also be able to extract the thoughts of a comatose patient,

which could potentially lead to a diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

The day may come when we will be able to communicate

solely through thoughts and without language.

So you're saying that you're trying to hack into the human brain?

That would be correct.

This could have several uses in the medical field.

Though aspects of your research clearly disregard fundamental issues.

For example, if all of your thoughts are unfiltered,

can you imagine how seriously disturbing that would be?

Yes, brain synchronization might present human rights dilemmas,

and certainly has a risk of being abused.

Therefore, it's critical that before we establish the actual system,

stringent laws and proper protocols must be enacted to avoid such matters.

In a few months' time, my pilot experiment will be proof to you all.

Thank you for your time.

Hello, Dr. Sewon Koh.

My name is Jiwoo Hong. I report for Science Magazine.

Thank you for your presentation.

Oh, yes. Thank you.

So, off the record, of course,

I was wondering if I could ask you some questions I've been curious about.

Sure, go right ahead.

Is your research at all driven by any kind of personal interest?

Are you asking me what my personal motives are?

Yes.

Well, it seems only natural to wonder what other people are thinking, no?

Our family, friends, wife, or children.

We want to know what's going on in their minds...

A neurologist would be fascinated with the subject alone,

without involving any personal motives.

Yes, of course.

You see, as a journalist, I always make sure

to do as much homework as I can on people of interest, such as yourself.

I discovered that your mother was killed in a car accident when you were a boy.

I also learned things about your wife and son.

Could what happened to them be your personal motives?

My condolences. Very sorry to hear about that.

I take special interest in what personal motives

drive accomplishments, big or small.

I've even written articles on the topic.

I don't know.

Can a civilization exist without ambition?

Please excuse me. Sorry, I'm late. It's been a pleasure.

Here are the test subjects. They've been anesthetized.

Subject 72 has a normal brain.

Subject has learned through training where to find the food.

Subject 32 is untrained.

It has no knowledge of what's at the end of the maze.

Synchronization test number 32.

Our objective, transfer memories of the white mouse to the black mouse.

Initiating brain sync between the mice while still anesthetized.

Let's raise the frequency.

Raised by 1.5.

Raise it by three.

Test 32 concluded.

Synchronization failed.

Good evening.

Don't you think you need a break?

Why's that?

You're pushing yourself pretty hard.

- Namil, we're going out for drinks. - Oh, yeah?

- Sewon, you wanna to join us for a-- - I'll pass.

You're too nice.

Why even bother?

You can keep trying,

but he won't really care, so there's no point.

Still, we should try to be friendly.

Showing some humanity sure wouldn't hurt.

So what's the point of being humane to a man who isn't even human?

Yeah!

You know, what's really weird,

is how he can show zero emotion after such a loss.

Can we be more discreet? We're all family.

Hey, Dr. Koh!

How about a drink?

No, thank you.

Come on...

A man needs to relieve his stress with a drink on a day like this.

Forget it.

I don't know why I even bother.

Don't you have any friends to hang with on a rainy day like today?

I don't.

I had a wife and son...

I always knew I couldn't be a typical husband or dad.

But occasionally, I felt like I was living a normal life.

But I was mistaken.

What was that?

Mika!

- Get rid of it. - What?

Get rid of the cat.

It makes a mess of everything.

We can't.

We need Mika for Doyoon.

You know that Mika is Doyoon's only friend.

Please, Sewon.

They help with empathy, communication, and social skills.

Doyoon could seriously benefit from a program like this.

He doesn't need that.

I was like Doyoon when I was young.

I'm doing just fine with every aspect of my life.

I get along with colleagues fine too.

All I want is for my little boy to be a little more ordinary.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

After losing our son, my wife began to gradually change.

She refused to accept his death.

What are you doing?

I told you to get rid of it.

And I already told you that cat is Doyoon's only friend!

What's wrong with you?

Doyoon is dead.

Doyoon is not dead!

He died in the fire. We recovered his body.

You're being unreasonable.

You need to accept reality.

Our son is clearly... dead.

My wife just kept repeating that our son was alive.

I couldn't accept what she was becoming.

Someone get the monitor and get an IV going!

- Is the monitor ready? - Yes.

Check for a pulse.

Epinephrine, stat!

In the end, I wasn't able to protect my son or my wife.

Test 37 concluded.

After the death of Subject 77,

a complete transfer to Subject 37 occurred.

Brain-wave sync successful.

The experiment was successful because the mouse died.

There can be memory retrieval only if the brain sync subject is deceased.

I need a clinical trial.

You want a trial?

Yes.

I need a fresh corpse as well.

You know how fast neurons decay without proper blood flow.

For brains to sync, I would need a recently deceased human body,

one that died within 36 hours.

Tell me you're not asking for a human subject, Sewon...

Let's say I manage to get you one...

Then who would be the recipient?

Me.

You think you'll find a better test subject?

First, I'd need a dissertation draft of your results,

but I doubt the institutional review board would approve.

You'd have to collate the results of the pilot experiment,

which we would need to review.

And we'd need follow-up measures.

Just bring me the results.

The experiment means nothing if it's a secret.

But that'll take at least two years.

I only need one day.

Find me a body.

You must be crazy.

Go back to work. I won't even consider it.

What? It works because one of them died?

That's why I need a body.

Look, that's great and all,

but you can't go to human trials just because it worked with mice.

Which is why we need a corpse.

But you're saying you'll be the recipient as well.

No way! That could be very dangerous.

It doesn't matter.

If we succeed, we can come up with a protocol

that will work on someone conscious or in a coma.

Look, I mean... How can this work if you rush it?

Calm down and maybe take your time with the experiment.

I've asked the clinical team, but they refused.

I need an alternative.

You have access to the morgue, am I right?

No way! No, I won't!

And you shouldn't even be thinking about it either.

- Even if the test was successful-- - I've made my decision.

So, are you in?

Wait, hold on!

If you want it that badly...

I think I have an idea.

Who's there?

- Who are you? - Excuse me!

I'm Dr. Hong...

Oh, yes! How have you been?

I'm so sorry.

I should have told you. We doctors keep some strange hours.

- Yes, of course. - Then, we'll get going.

However... Where are you going?

Well, to the morgue.

- Oh, I see. - Thanks so much.

He has severe facial injuries...

But there was no brain damage.

It was internal bleeding from a car accident that killed him.

Let's start.

Sewon.

Sewon!

Hey!

Hey, Sewon!

Damn it!

Sewon!

Hey!

Wake up!

Sewon!

Dr. Koh!

Come on!

I thought that you died!

Get off me.

You okay?

I might have seen something...

Is that important right now? You were dead a second ago!

You can't be serious right now!

You really can't remember anything?

No.

Bye...

Yeah?

I thought about it, and...

We need to increase the theta frequency

to about 2.1 second intervals.

All right...

Dr. Sewon Koh.

Senior Researcher at B.C. Brain Center.

And you are?

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR KANGMU LEE

Are you with a detective agency?

Yeah... "Detective agency".

You could say that I deal with sensitive issues for my clients.

Do you know Junki Lim?

I'm afraid not.

Seems you've found the wrong guy.

Jaeyi Jung.

I'd like to find out what happened to your wife, Jaeyi Jung.

What happened, Doctor?

Why are you asking me about my wife?

Mr. Lim is a client of mine.

And he would like to know what happened to your wife.

Junki Lim?

I've no idea who that is, and you're on private property.

I suggest you leave.

Okay.

I'll be seeing you.

I'm always going to be by your side.

My name is Taesuk Myung.

I study the brain, you know.

Sewon.

And it's safer that way!

- Sewon Koh? - Yes, that's right.

I'm Lieutenant Jiun Choi from the ST Unit.

We have a few questions. Can we come in?

What's going on? It's pretty early.

Are you Jaeyi Jung's husband?

I would like to have a word with her.

BRAIN SCIENCE RESEARCH AWARD

It doesn't seem like your wife is home today.

What's going on here?

Any chance you know a man named Junki Lim?

I don't.

Are you sure?

I think Junki Lim was close to your wife for a long time.

And then yesterday, he was found murdered.

- What? - Thursday, March 12th.

Can you tell us where you were and what you were doing?

I was at home.

And can anyone confirm that?

Perhaps your wife can?

Are you accusing me of murder because some dead guy knew my wife?

I never said I was accusing you of anything.

In any case, let your wife know.

We'll be in touch soon.

Do you know Junki Lim?

JOKWANG SECURITY GWANGRYEOL AHN

His name is Junki Lim.

He was murdered two days ago.

Yes, of course.

You'll be well compensated.

Yeah.

A man died.

The police think I'm a suspect because he was close to Jaeyi.

I need to find out why everyone keeps asking me if I know that man.

This can't take more than an hour.

JUNKI LIM, MALE, AGE 38 BRAIN HEMORRHAGE, HEAD TRAUMA

Heejin!

Come, baby.

Careful, careful!

Peekaboo!

I want to put him in my treasure box.

During the synchronization

my heartbeat seems to have remained stable.

Brain waves and all vitals were normal.

But it's unclear whether the test was a success or not.

I may have gotten a glimpse into some of his memories.

But I can't recall any of them clearly.

My memory has always been... infallible.

So why can't I recall his memories?

Hey, I'm gonna grab something to eat. Wanna join?

I guess not.

Wait! I mean... I'll go. Have to eat at some point, right?

Bye, guys.

Was that Dr. Koh?

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CUISINE HARU

- Hello. - Hello, how are you?

Namil, sit over here.

- You like sashimi, right? - Yes, but it's raining.

But sure...

Okay, we'll do...

The sashimi plate and some beer.

What?

Well, this is new!

Never seen you with anyone here, let alone drink.

I never thought I'd see you drink. I'm surprised.

Uh, yeah...

I just feel like a drink for some reason.

Maybe it's the rain.

Yeah, sure.

"Looking into memories and thoughts by scanning a person's brain.

"Brain wave synchronization possible through quantum entanglement."

FIVE-YEAR-OLD DIES IN GAS EXPLOSION

The victim, Junki Lim.

His lover, Jaeyi Jung.

FIND JAEYI JUNG, THE WIFE!

Hey, Sewon.

Have you always been left-handed?

1. I AM RIGHT-HANDED.

Brain sync not only transfers memories...

2. I DO NOT LIKE ALCOHOL.

...but also habits and quirks of the deceased.

3. I DO NOT ENJOY LISTENING TO MUSIC.

I need to separate what is mine from what belongs

to those who have died.

Oh... I forgot my umbrella.

Don't worry. I won't bother you.

What's that?

Is that your bio?

A bit bored, are we?

Or maybe doing a self-help questionnaire?

Dr. Koh, you drink coffee now?

Good point.

4. I DO NOT LIKE COFFEE.

See you. Don't work too hard.

5. I'M NOT FRIENDS WITH DR. NOH.

Who's there?

Dr. Noh?

Weird things are happening after syncing with the dead.

I'm experiencing strange feelings for the first time.

And...

I'm seeing things, and I don't know what they are.

What the hell? You almost killed me!

This could be a side effect of my brain waves

colliding with the deceased.

This has to be a hallucination, just a brain sync side-effect.

The memories of the dead are creating these illusions.

I need to strip them away and look into the actual memories.

Doyoon isn't dead.

Wait...

What do you mean?

Doyoon?

My son Doyoon is alive?

That girl said the same thing as Jaeyi.

That Doyoon is alive.

Why did Jaeyi believe that?

There is only one way to find out.

I--

I didn't believe you.

I'm sorry.

I think you were right.

Jaeyi, please help me.

Do you know where our Doyoon is?

Could he really be alive?

Show me what you know.

BASED ON "DR. BRAIN" WEBTOON BY HONG JACGA

Subtitling: DUBBING BROTHERS