Original subtitles

A MERCHANT SHIP EN ROUTE FROM CHINA TO HAKATA

AND KYOTO, JAPAN,

SANK OFF THE COAST OF SINAN

MEASURING 34 METERS IN LENGTH AND 11 METERS IN WIDTH,

IT WAS A MASSIVE SHIP CARRYING AROUND 100 CREW MEMBERS

ITS CARGO INCLUDED 8 MILLION COINS

AND OVER 20,000 PIECES OF POTTERY

FROM THE SONG AND YUAN DYNASTIES

BASED ON THE HOOLIGANS BY YOON TAE HO SUPERCOMIX STUDIO Corp.

LOW LIFE

EPISODE 1, THE RUMOR

1962 SEOUL

- Get out! I said get out! Out! - This little--

This is my house! Get out, jerk!

Hey, you little shit. What's with the attitude?

Heedong! Heedong!

Are you okay?

What are you guys doing?

Hey, are you okay?

Are you Oh Taeseok?

-No, sir. -Yeah, my ass, you aren't.

I'm his brother, Oh Gwanseok. Here.

What are you, a pair of twins?

OH GWANSEOK

Where the hell is he?

Beats me. Three months ago, he left and no one's heard a word since.

What's this about?

He's wanted. He violated the Political Purification Laws.

-What's that mean? -That he's anti-government.

LAW THAT SUPPRESSES ANTI-GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES

He was in the Young Korean Academy.

My brother?

Hey, you've got the wrong guy.

He's not the type to get himself involved--

Don't give me that, you lying piece of shit.

Hey. You think we're fucking around here?

No, no, no, no. I mean it. Here. Just this once.

If you let us off easy today, when he gets here,

I'll grab him by the neck and drag him to the station myself.

You are gonna bring him in.

- Got it? - Yes, of course.

- Let's go. - Yeah.

Bye.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Have a good day, officers.

How are you? You okay?

Heedong, what about you?

Where could he have run off to?

I don't know. He mentioned he was going south.

South?

I can't believe those bastards.

They smashed up our house!

Your dad… he'll be back soon, okay?

Here.

Take it.

Hey.

Do you know what the most important thing in the world is?

This right here.

This is the reason your dad's on the run.

Everything in the world moves because of this.

This is life itself. Remember that.

My uncle Gwanseok was there for me when my dad wasn't.

ONE HUNDRED WON

He taught me the true value of money and what it can really do.

We had to flee during the war…

Hang on a sec.

PUNGNYEON STORE

Anyone home?

Excuse me?

Stay here and keep watch. Cough if you see someone, got it?

I wasn't allowed to get involved at first,

then he started giving me some smaller, safer roles.

Just enough to participate without the risk.

What are you doing in front of my store?

- What? - Come on, move.

Uncle! Uncle!

Hey, run!

Thieves! Thieves!

Thieves! Help!

Stop!

Ow. What the fuck?

Son of a bitch. Trying to die?

My uncle was never the type to get easily intimidated.

He would even stand up to gangsters when they picked fights with him.

What'd you say?

You're a stupid fuck.

Do you even know who you're talking to?

You can kiss my ass, for all I care.

You really are dumb.

You really wanna die, don't you?

We should call the police!

He wasn't really a good fighter, though.

Fucking asshole.

Heedong.

You sons of bitches. Come back!

Ow, shit.

PALSEONG LIQUOR

There's no way to find an opening with all these trucks coming in.

Shit, it'll be a pain once they lock it up in storage.

Then why wait? Let's do it.

Not with them working right there.

Hey!

This crazy little…

Ah, shit.

You're crazy.

There's some more in the truck.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Huh?

|Who are you?

Oh, hi. Working the late shift, huh?

I'll leave you to it.

Go. Hey, hey. Go!

Go, go! Damn it.

- Over here! Thieves! We got thieves! - Uh… oh, shit.

-Whoa, where are they? -Hey!

Whoa! Whoa!

Damn it, you fuckers! Bring it on! I'll crack your heads wide open.

Run for it, Uncle!

- Put it down! - Asshole!

Come on, then! You want more? You want more?

You motherfuckers wanna go? Bastards.

Calm down!

Yeah, that's right, assholes.

Whoa! Get him!

Whoa! Get him!

How could you leave me like that, you traitor?

Hey, one of us had to make it.

- Come on, push! - I am pushing, damn it!

So tired.

When I was old enough, we started out with petty theft,

which eventually turned into some pretty dangerous jobs.

And yet, none of those jobs made us any money.

Quietly, you idiot, you'll wake the kids.

- Yeah, I got it. - Then do it right.

You're not even helping.

- Careful with that. - I said I got it.

-Lookie here. -You scared me.

-Catch you at a bad time? -Who are you?

Is it over here?

Wow. Quite a haul you got.

- Uh… who… - Oh, me?

I'm from Criminal Affairs.

Wow, you wrote every last detail.

Uncle was in school during the war when he lost interest in studying.

When he dropped out, he started obsessively writing everything down

to keep sharp.

But he kept his books so detailed

that they ended up becoming the evidence of all his crimes.

Hey, why did you steal soy sauce?

I really like marinated crab.

I hope you'll go easy on us.

I was hopping from prison to prison with Uncle when I met him.

A big shot in the antique business.

-Hey. -The Insa-dong Wildcat.

You guys mind if I take a break for just a little while?

Look at you.

Can't even do it for one minute, you fucking geezer?

Come here, asshole.

Please. Please, just stop. Please, I can't--

Stop being a bitch. Head on the ground, now.

Head on the ground, you piece of shit!

Shut the fuck up, you idiots!

I've had it up to here with this shit, okay?

What was that?

Look, you crazy fuck.

You sit there and mind your business.

You want a piece of me? You know who you're talking to?

Oh, shit.

Anyone else?

So you go out into the boonies and what do you find out?

All these folks are just sitting on these priceless ceramics,

wasting away, using them as dog bowls.

A good eye, that's how you know

- what they're really worth… - Huh?

Mr. Song.

Oh, look who it is! Gwanseok. Hey.

-Oh, wow. -What landed you in here this go around?

Oh, don't even go there.

I handed over a few ceramics to a guy, and it all went sideways.

- Oh, man. - Hey, do you know each other?

Hmm?

He's the Insa-dong Wildcat. I've told you about him.

Oh.

How do you know this kid?

My nephew.

Ah, the rude little bastard who…

Wow.

-You two make quite the pair. -No, no, no, that's my other nephew.

- Heedong. - Ah…

I'm gonna be transferring over to your cell.

-Wait, how? -I gave the guards some money.

What'd I say? There's nothing money can't buy.

Where'd you get the dough?

In my cell, I run the books.

Look at you. Your day is here.

Don't wanna stick around a little longer? Hmm?

Get in touch once you're out. I got work for you.

Hmm?

- Come on, let's go. - Yes, yes.

- I'll see you. - Hang in there.

Song was the first to get out,

-and then Uncle moved into my cell. -How are y'all doing?

My uncle had a real knack for making things happen.

Like if someone wanted to start a business, he'd find them a spot,

help them get funding, find people who wanna work, all that stuff.

He was really good at that kind of thing.

Hey, Song says he's got a job lined up for us.

-Doing what? -I'll know once we're out.

No thanks.

Well then,

the guy in the next room has a little racket selling fake booze.

He says we can get 50% of it.

Except we need a truck for that kind of work. We don't have one.

We got the handcart, don't we? You just gotta tough it out.

No way. I ain't doing that.

Fine, then.

Find some rich old bat and seduce her.

Where would I find her?

Look at you. This great face you're packing.

And speaking of packing, that ain't nothing.

Hey, forget it.

You're being too picky right now. Do it.

It's safe. There's no risk.

I said forget it.

Anyway, I have a girlfriend.

You do?

I do.

Soon as I'm out, we're getting hitched.

You're nuts.

I'm already engaged.

-What? -I met someone else.

Well, that didn't take long.

You need to get your act together and start settling down.

Stop scamming others.

Were any of the things you gave me real to begin with?

I mean, is there anything in your life that's real?

Take care.

Shit.

Geez, way to go, bonehead.

INSA-DONG, SEOUL

You tried your luck with a college girl? Really?

What's wrong with college girls? Come on. Chicks are chicks.

I don't know, man.

Did you even understand a word she was saying?

-We were hitting it off just fine. -Your ass barely got through junior high.

Educated women see it all, you know?

She could probably see right through you, dummy.

I said find work, not go on dates and shit.

You gotta show some love to get it.

You're supposed to fake it, not be the one who actually falls first, yeah?

Come here. When you're in deep,

you're supposed to keep your emotions in check.

Whatever. It's just what happens when I get close.

You idiot.

A smart girl like that is too good for you.

Know your worth before diving in.

What'd you think would happen?

What? Were you expecting her to roll over and give you some money?

I don't have trouble getting chicks, but then I just…

ORIENTAL ART GALLERY

-Here it is. -Yeah.

Oh, brother. Let's see who his mark is now.

This price is just for you. Otherwise it'd be over a million.

So, when did you get out then?

- A little while ago. - Mmm.

It reeks in here.

What is this, a flea market?

Hey, this place is one of the top three antique stores in the country.

Dream on. This garbage?

Ah…

The real stuff's all inside. I'll show ya.

All right.

Right in here.

Have a seat, yeah.

Well, this is more like it.

Have a seat, I said. I'll get you some coffee.

- Okay. - How much do you think that is?

I don't know. Like, 50 won?

That's inlaid celadon.

30,000 won.

Wait, celadon's, like, a national treasure, right?

Nah, it's not all that rare, actually.

That's why it's only worth 30,000 won.

- Really? This is worth that much? - Hey, hey, hey! D…

Don't do that. Just put it down and settle.

Come on. Come on, sit.

Mmm.

Hot.

So what are you working on these days?

Keeping busy. I've got a full plate.

You just got out of prison. How busy can you be?

You said you had work.

These folks over in Jeolla, Sinan coast,

they caught a few pieces of pottery in their nets.

They could be worth something.

What are you asking?

I want you to go and get them for me.

You want me to deliver pottery?

That's not all you're doing.

These pieces are buried underwater,

which means you'll have to fish them out of the sea.

And I'll pay you up front, so don't worry about that.

Why me, though? I'm no sailor.

Well, you're a fellow who gets things done around here.

It sound like a lot of hassle. How valuable are these?

The place is probably a complete mudflat.

Valuable, my foot.

Look, this is just what I do. Just trying to develop a collection.

Well, what's it pay, then?

400,000.

F-F-Four hundred thousand won?

You know, that's about half a year's salary for a civil servant.

Just bring them to me intact, okay?

These pieces have been underwater for so long, they're likely fragile now.

Handle with care, huh?

Let's eat some grub at my place.

I'm good. I'm not hungry.

We gotta talk about the job, kid.

What do you mean? There's nothing to talk about.

We get 400,000.

Shut up and follow me.

I dreaded going to my uncle's. He was a pain in the ass.

He had a son in seventh grade and a daughter with tuberculosis.

He'd always give them a long lecture before dinner.

What's this?

You think I swam all the way across the Han River during the war

just to see grades like these? Hmm?

What'd I say?

You have to be indispensable.

Like a screw that got jammed deep in there and won't come out, no matter what.

But the worst part was that he'd take all the time in the world

just to go over his day.

Hey, did she take her meds?

Uncle had to jot down everything that happened throughout the day

before he could feel relaxed.

Hey, weren't we gonna talk?

In a minute.

Then, he'd spend time going through his son's bag

to make sure he had everything ready to go for school the next day.

And he'd never forget to slip in a bar of chocolate.

Hey, get us something to eat.

Right now?

-But we don't have anything-- -Oh, no. Don't worry, Auntie.

It's the middle of the night.

I think this right here

is the last drink we're going to have for a while.

I have a feeling that this job Song got for us…

It's not gonna be easy.

Why?

Well, he's asking us to go fishing, right?

Me, of all people.

Why do you think that is?

He trying to avoid using pros.

And why would he avoid bringing them on?

-'Cause word will get out. -And then what happens?

Less profit.

Just profit?

The real issue is, it's pottery.

There are probably others who are going after it too.

So, there's danger.

Yeah.

This whole job is looking like it's going to be a real pain in the ass.

Hmm.

But how do you figure?

We just gotta fish them out and hand them over, right?

Like I'm gonna go all the way down there to make a measly 400,000.

What do you take me for?

Hey.

Look, about how many pieces are there in the sea?

-We don't know. -Then tell me, who would know?

Nobody would.

Right, no one knows.

Get what I'm saying?

Oh.

- We take some. - Yeah, that's it!

Right.

So stay off the drinks for now, okay?

-Go to Mokpo and hear what they're saying. -Mokpo and what? Why? Who's there?

My third cousin's daughter lives over there.

Third cousin? You're practically strangers.

MOKPO

The owner? She should be here soon.

Go inside and have a cup of tea while you wait.

You the third cousin's kid?

Third cousin? Don't that make us strangers?

Exactly.

Hey, do y'all like coffee in Seoul?

Yeah, right? Ours is real nice.

I'm good.

Here she comes. That's the owner.

It's gonna take forever to teach you

how to make any money at this rate.

Ms. Jang, you got a guest. Came here all the way from Seoul.

Oh, yeah.

Hmm, I wasn't expecting such a pretty boy, at that.

I suppose you're looking for a captain with a boat, huh?

- Yeah. - A captain… Well, let's see.

Will the old man be at his home yet?

-Well, where does he live? -You kidding?

If I was a psychic,

why would I be running this joint?

- Where does he usually hang around, then? - Where do you think?

I mean, it's likely he's eaten now, being suppertime and whatnot.

-Kambap is one of his favorite meals. -Okay, so how do I find him already?

Well, he likes to come by my place just about every day,

so you can stick around, if you buy something.

You want me to just wait for who knows how long?

Just hold your horses. He'll show up after dark.

Are people so rude in Seoul, they don't buy something if they ask for directions?

Gratitude gets you far.

I'm introducing you to a captain, aren't I?

So come in and buy a drink.

GOOD LUCK COFFEE SHOP

Sometimes, you come across things that seem so out of place.

Mmm.

The coffee's pretty good.

Where's the captain?

Madam Jang, guess who's here.

- Oh, you're here. - I'm here too.

Got quite a crowd today, don't we?

Geez, where'd you wet your beaks?

You two are drunk as skunks.

Drunk? Who's drunk? We had some makgeolli.

-Just one glass each with our meal. -Just a glass, my ass.

More like you shared a barrel.

Anyway, heard someone's looking for us, huh?

I ask for one captain, and now the whole town knows.

Who could have any idea if they're fake or real?

Well, uh, even so.

When we catch things like that in our nets, we don't like it at all.

It's real bad luck, don't you know?

You know, apparently, someone caught a few pieces,

took 'em to Gwangju. Even made a pretty sum of it.

Once that happened, that was it.

His eyes were never the same after that.

That's not how it went, okay?

Look, Choi went out there, set out his nets,

caught what he thought was trash,

but his younger brother, he reckoned it's Goryeo ware,

and took it to the county office.

But the person there laughed in his face.

"Goryeo ware in this small town?"

"You must be outta your damn gourd."

Then word started getting out

and someone came by and said, "Here, show me,"

and what do you know, they was real.

And now, that's exactly how it all went down.

Dang, look at you.

We got ourselves a storyteller here, don't we?

- You talkin' shit now? - What?

The hell? What the hell's your problem? I ain't talkin' shit.

Hey, you need to learn to watch your mouth.

I'll choke you in a fucking net, you little--

- Hey, hey, hey, hey! - What?

So you're saying they're already gone then, right?

Mind your manners, young man.

Hey, don't you read the news?

The government, they already finished investigating.

Even the president was there.

Took a picture with the pottery and everything.

That's not all of it.

The currents are strong over there, so they only wound up with a few.

Even the government gave up after a while.

There's still gotta be a ton left in the mudflat.

Did you see them with your damn eyes? Then how come you ain't digging there?

Shut the hell up.

Hey, wait a minute.

So here's the thing…

Digging 'em up ain't gonna be easy or free.

How are you gonna pay for it?

Just quit fighting. Giving me a headache.

Who the hell does he think he is? Little punk.

So word already got out.

The government came to dig out what they could.

So, what? Should we bail on it, then?

No, not exactly.

They just didn't bother keeping it quiet

'cause they don't think it's worth the time and effort.

They don't see it as a gold mine.

Well, that's good to hear.

Although, Song's not completely sure either.

Yeah, that's the reason why I'm still debating this.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.

Let's say we dig around.

I think we can make 200,000. Let's do it.

Why are you suddenly so into this?

It's just… …the coffee's pretty good here.

You're the first to praise Mokpo for the coffee instead of the seafood.

Just saying.

Anyway,

we need to get as much cash out of Song as we can.

- So finish up and hurry back. - All right.

What?

Hey, I-I need to call you back later.

Hey, how long you been standing there?

What's got you so stirred like you're guilty of somethin'?

-Why the hell were you listening in, huh? -What's there to even listen in on, huh?

-If you've got time, treat me to some hoe. -Why should I?

Is everybody from Seoul as cranky as you are?

Forget it. Your loss.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Fine. I-I'll get you some.

All right?

What do you got for me though, then?

You won't be wasting your money, that's for sure.

Well, what's that mean?

The guys you talked to earlier,

the three of them want me to keep an eye on you.

See who you're meetin' and what you're talkin' about.

Gave me a thousand for the trouble.

-Why would they do that? -Obvious, isn't it?

'Cause the pottery.

Looks like grave robbing's back in season.

Least, that's what the rumor mill's sayin'.

How's that?

That should be worth the price of hoe.

Hey, Seonja.

What're you up to there, huh?

Dang. Look at you, off foolin' around with some guy, hmm?

- Who's he? - He ain't no one.

Yeah? So you were flirtin' with no one then?

Shakin' your lil tail?

BEOLGU

-He's ain't from here. -Flirtin'? Flirtin', my foot.

Just get walkin'.

Now why would I go and do that when I came here for you?

Hey.

PILMAN

Where are you from?

-Ignore them. Just go. -Hey, you're not goin' nowhere.

DOHUN

'Cause the boss ain't done talkin'!

What's going on?

Nah, nothin'. There's nothing going on.

"Nothing," that right?

You rotten pricks are pickin' a fight with my customer.

Go on, then. Get.

Hey, now. We're not pickin' no fight.

We're just sayin' hi.

And what are you doin' out here?

Hey, word of advice.

Keep your hands off my girl, outsider.

- You could wind up dead. - Hey, hey, Boss.

Let's get some coffee then, yeah?

Let's go.

- Ah, man. What a bitch. - Come on. Let's go.

Pussy.

Ignore them, 'kay?

They're just a bunch of idiots.

These motherfuckers.

Now where could he have run off to?

He left the store alone.

Is that Han?

Oh, Mr. Han.

- Oh! - How are you?

- Gwanseok. - Hi. What's goin' on?

MR. HAN

-You don't know where Song is, do ya? -He's not here?

Oh, shoot. I'm here to see him too.

Oh, really?

Oh, well.

I'll see you… …uh, next time then.

All right, take care. Bye.

Now, where the hell did you go now?

ARE YOU MEETING WITH CHAIRMAN CHEON TOMORROW MORNING?

"Chairman Cheon."

Cheon, huh?

HEAD OFFICE OF HEUNGBAEK CORPORATION INC.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

- You can keep the change. - Thank you.

Sixth floor.

HEUNGBAEK CORPORATION INC.

Twelfth floor.

Gas prices went up by 4.275%.

Wow, it went that high?

Mm-hmm.

"214.5 won per liter, and 251 won for premium."

Hmm. I think we might have to cut down.

Right.

In July, they're rising again.

-Better to stock up sooner. -Ma'am.

-Ms. Yang, hello. -Hi.

- Is the chairman inside? - Yes. He's in his office.

Mr. Kang.

Oh, thank you.

I hear your mother's coming to visit.

- Oh, she is? - What, she didn't tell you?

I hadn't heard.

It's spring now. Take her to see some flowers.

Right.

Oh, hold on!

-Hello, Director Lee. -Hello, Mrs. Yang.

Are you here to see the chairman?

- Yes. How are you? - Good, thank you.

How are the apartments in Yeouido?

Good. They'll be finished within the year.

Land prices there are getting high,

and I hear a park is in the works.

That area is going to see massive development.

-Good to see you. -You too.

We should have lunch.

Love to.

Hello, Mrs. Yang.

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Yang. - Hello, Mrs. Yang.

-Have you been waiting long? -No, not at all. I just arrived.

- Let's go inside. - Yes.

- I'm here. - Oh, hi.

Hello, Chairman Cheon.

CHAIRMAN CHEON HWANGSIK

Oh. Sit down.

Okay.

- No, no. Do it this way. - Mmm.

Here. Here.

Mr. Song.

What…

-Gwanseok, what are you doing here? -Wow.

All these years of us being friends meant nothing to you, did they?

What are you talking about?

The Sinan pottery. What are they really worth?

Uh, how can I tell you for certain without taking a good look at them first?

Come on, I know that's bullshit.

Word's already out.

400,000's chump change.

-Who the hell d'you think you're trying… -Hey.

-…to take for a ride here? -Shh! You should keep your voice down.

Get your hands off!

Look, listen. Let's go somewhere and talk this out.

What's there to say?

- Just come on. Hey! - Hey, let go!

Look, regardless of the situation, it's not like I'm not using you for free.

Using me? What am I to you, a tool?

Oh, please. Calm down.

Honestly, I don't know what the ceramics are gonna be worth.

I'm taking a gamble here, so it's not fair for you to accuse me.

How are you gonna sell them to Chairman Cheon then?

- That's your plan, isn't it? - Hey…

You already know about everything.

Mr. Song.

Just spill it.

After all the drinks we've had over the years,

do you wanna burn the bridge between us like this?

Fine. You're right.

The truth is, whether the pottery is real or fake doesn't matter one bit.

Chairman Cheon's agreed to buy them all.

I've even laid the groundwork. I've already sold him a few genuine pieces.

I've been working on this for six months now.

About how many are you selling?

Don't know how many there are, so whatever we can get.

What if we don't find that many?

I already have a plan for that.

What is it?

Welcome.

-Hey. This one good? -Oh, here. Please take a seat.

- What would you like? - Let's have jjajangmyeon.

When I first heard about the pottery in Sinan,

I planted some seedlings.

I'm getting 300 pieces ready at a fish farm.

Six months and few hundred barnacles later,

they could easily pass for 200 or 300 years old.

So even if you come up short, there's that?

Exactly.

So either way, there's always gonna be enough to sell there.

Why not just sell those then? You're scamming the man anyway.

Hey, now.

When you're scamming, what's the most important thing you have to do, hmm?

You have to be sincere with them.

You gotta be able to look at them and say,

"This pottery's really from Sinan, you know."

And you've gotta say it straight from the heart.

Sure. You're not gonna feel guilty about selling the fake ones?

That's easy.

I'll have the fake ones and the real ones in one container.

Out of sight, out of mind, you see?

And you'll only put the real ones on display then?

Exactly.

Look here, when two people sit down and gab face-to-face,

it's easy to tell when they're trying to bullshit you.

Does it look like I'm lying right now?

Wow.

Please enjoy.

It's all 'cause I'm being sincere.

All right then.

Let's up the ante.

-What do you mean? -I might have looked into it.

This could be big. Whoever finds it gets to claim it.

Hey, you… Were you working on this behind my back?

I'm ain't doin' this for a measly 400,000.

-I say we do this right, find some hands. -Huh?

You can go small if you wanna keep it for yourself,

or we can go for the big money together.

That's one million.

It'll be enough to get a boat, hire some divers.

And that should cover travel as well.

And, uh, take this guy along.

He works for me.

He's a good kid. Mmm.

Mr. Song,

are you planting eyes on us?

Hey, if we're working together, we gotta stay in close contact, don't we?

You were saying that you're 28, am I right?

Yeah.

Well, Daesik, here…

uh, w-what are you, 30?

I'm 28.

He's, um, a good kid. Mmm.

You two are the same age.

You should get along, you two.

I'm Na Daesik. Let's try and get along.

Ah.

Just so you know, this guy right here, he knows how to throw a punch.

He competed in

the Jecheon County Amateur Boxing Tournament.

I don't know what it is exactly,

but the look in his eyes really gets under my skin.

That's not how you should look at your boss, is it?

Oh, what the hell?

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Hey, I'm Oh Heedong, and I'm above you.

Ow.

Why do you both have to be like this?

Oh, no, no, it's fine, it's fine.

I-I just need to rest for one second, okay?

-Yeah, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. -So…

…that guy, Cheon.

He has a thing for pottery?

It's not the pottery he's after.

His family moved here from North Korea after independence,

but soon, they realized things were no better in Seoul.

The whole family took on whatever work they could do to get by,

and during the war, they made decent money selling American goods.

Cheon couldn't write,

but spoke English with the best of them.

He started an import business after befriending American soldiers.

And then some time after that, he inherited his father's business.

That was Heungbaek Plastics, which became the Heungbaek Corporation.

And it really took off, you know,

'cause everyone and their mother needed plastic.

But as the business grew and he hired more hands,

that's when a new issue reared its head.

What issue?

Well, he's the head of the company,

but every employee he hired had way more education.

And what do you know, he couldn't understand anything that they would say.

So what? Does he wanna re-enroll in school or something?

Well, when his first wife died, he remarried.

And his new wife, her suggestion was to open a college.

Uh-huh, 'cause that was when there was a whole thing with enrollment issues.

With enrollments?

- Yeah. - What do you mean?

Basically, the state said schools could only accept ten students.

And wouldn't you know, some chose to ignore that.

Then when the government pointed it out,

the schools said, "Just let the students stay."

It was then Cheon's new wife saw this as an opportunity to make quick cash

and badgered him into starting a school right away.

With tuition fees and state funding,

can you imagine how much money they can make?

Well, now, there's a racket.

So Cheon started putting together his college, but he needed something else.

"What about an antiques museum?"

That's why he needs antiques.

That's the interest in pottery, huh?

Exactly.

How impressive would he look to have a huge museum right in his school?

Wow.

Well, after hearing all that, seems like we got ourselves a good target here.

That aside, the big challenge isn't Cheon,

it's that wife of his, really.

She's no ordinary lady.

For 132 workers,

that comes out to 264,000 won.

She graduated from a commercial high school

and joined Heungbaek Plastics as a bookkeeper.

And it was her innate sharpness that caught Cheon's eye.

ESTIMATE - CHEONGSU GENERAL HARDWARE AND SUPPLIES

Those numbers are off.

It should be 5,618,245.

Well, you see, we report lower numbers for subcontractors each quarter,

then make up the difference in the following one.

What's the reason for this?

That's just how we've always done it.

Then where are the records of those differences?

Oh, that's…

It's fine. You can go.

Yes, sir.

Don't tell me.

You took that money?

Well, you need some slush funds, right? If you're running a company, that is.

You're awfully good at sneaking around.

Just focus on getting the college running, okay?

When will I get approval from the Ministry?

Well, I wish I knew.

They're just dragging their feet at this point.

Sounds soon, though, from the way they talk.

Well, I think a dinner would go a long way.

Just sending some money doesn't seem very sincere, does it?

Just be patient a little longer.

We need to make ourselves look good first, don't we?

You're talking about the museum.

If money's all we got, they'll never approve.

It'll all go straight to pot, and we can forget it.

All right. Just let me be involved in this as well.

It costs a fortune to build a museum.

And we're not going to see any return, so we should budget accordingly.

ORIENTAL ART GALLERY

That Daesik guy rubs me the wrong way.

I bet he and Song go way back, you know?

Guess Song's still holding things close to his chest.

You know better than to trust that guy.

What do you think?

-About what? -This job.

You've got a good instincts.

Wow, take a look at this.

All of these were found in Sinan.

They're displaying them at a new museum in Gwangju.

The groundbreaking ceremony is taking place

over in Maegok-dong, Gwangju, it says.

They've dug up a thousand pieces already?

-Do you think there are any left? -Are a thousand pieces

really that exciting?

Come to my factory then.

We've got thousands of stoves.

See, with stoves, the prices are fixed, aren't they?

With pottery, the sky's the limit.

So don't forget to take me along when you go to buy them.

I can spot a fraud from a mile away.

How do you know if someone's a fraud?

It's all in the scent. They smell fishy.

Did your ex-husband sell a lot of fish or something?

Not exactly, but you aren't far off.

He had a fishing vessel. He would use it for cons.

This has to be the one that sank in the Indian Ocean I bet, right?

I'm surprised you knew.

Well, of course I knew.

If he was able to scam you, he's no ordinary grifter, is he?

I didn't get conned. He did.

What?

Oh, it's nothing.

Why are you asking so many questions though?

- What are you jealous about? - Jealous?

That's ridiculous.

Anyway, didn't you say they were heading down today to Mokpo?

- Is that today? It's Thursday? - Yes.

I think you should show your face there. It's good for morale if nothing else.

Is that really necessary?

People even steal rice from Buddha. Keeping a close eye is needed

with all that pottery there. It's too tempting.

You have a point.

Where's Jeonchul, by the way?

Why do you wanna know?

SEOUL STATION

The train to Mokpo will be departing shortly.

- Thank you. - Next, please.

1 EXPRESS, PUNGNYEON 2 EXPRESS, JEUNGSAN

- Hi, can I get three tickets? - Three for Mokpo?

Be careful with your gout.

No drinking. Not a drop. Got it?

Yes, sir.

Since you're working together, try and get along, huh?

Can you stop poking his eyes?

Let's do our best.

Oh, come on, don't--

- We're off. - Wait… hold on a second.

-Cheon is on his way here. -He is? Why?

He said he wanted to meet you before you go.

- Why the hell would he wanna do that? - Once you get to Mokpo, here,

one of my friends is staying at this inn.

PEACE INN

He's from Gwangju. He'll help you with the appraisal, okay?

Be sure to call every day now.

This is getting uncomfortable.

Look sharp. There he is.

Chairman Cheon, glad you could make it.

Well, I heard your men were leaving today.

-I'm just here to wish them good luck. -Oh, you didn't have to do all that, sir.

Oh, this here… This is the man who's in charge.

- Oh. Hmm. - I'm Oh Gwanseok.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

We've already met, haven't we?

Ah.

Uh, right.

And, uh, these are his assistants.

Say hello.

Hello, sir!

I also have someone to introduce.

You'll be working together. This is Mr. Im.

- Im Jeonchul, hey. - Huh?

He's tagging along with us?

- Yes. - Mrs. Yang,

you were really that worried about us? Uh, we already have a full team, yeah?

Well, he's a pottery expert, you see. So I'm sure he'll be helpful on this trip.

Oh, I see.

Uh, can we, uh, talk for a minute?

Y-Yes, of course, sir.

So what is it that you do?

I do pottery.

Yeah, so what does that mean exactly?

I'm getting a little offended here.

I just do what I do, all right?

Anything else, none of your business.

I know I said he was an expert.

In reality, he's just going on our behalf, so he won't get in the way.

Just try to get along.

Great, now there's two guys, here, who "won't get in the way," huh?

-How old are you? -39, Year of the Rabbit.

Okay, I'm a lot older.

And you two, he's older, so act accordingly.

Right. Uh, it's nice to meet you.

I'm Na Daesik, sir.

You too.

Nice to meet you.

And how do you know each other?

-Oh, this, here, is my nephew. -What's your name?

Hey, she asked you a question.

You little shit.

No, it's fine.

Just do what they say.

- Whatever job they ask you of you. - Ma'am.

His name is Oh Heedong, ma'am.

Hey, go get another ticket.

Move it, kid.

Go. Go.

Hi there.

-Hey, Gwanseok, let's talk for a second. -Hey, what's with all the secrets, huh?

-Hurry. Over here. -What is it?

Once you get there, there's another job to do.

What? What is it?

One for Mokpo.

These seats are empty.

- Oh, uh… - Grab a seat anywhere.

Go read somewhere else.

- What was that? - Move.

What are you doing?

What do you mean?

Hey, man.

The book you threw… It just nearly hit me in the eye.

Hey, asshole. Where's your fuckin' apology?

Just gonna stare all day?

Just apologize. Don't make a scene.

What was that?

-Apologize. -Hey, sit down.

Sit your ass down.

He said to sit.

- You fucking… - Hey.

Fucking son of a bitch.

I'm still waiting here.

Look, you ignorant asshole.

I threw you a book, so read it or wipe your ass with it.

Unless you wanna throw down.

Hey. Ask around in Iri, "Who's the baddest fucker in the city?"

What? You think I'm scared of a few scars?

You should take a good look at this one right here.

You ever been shot?

Hey. Did your balls fall off, you piece of shit?

Did you get what you wanted then?

I had a lot of work for him over here.

You told me we need to keep an eye on them.

You're right. I did. We could've sent anyone.

Why did you send Jeonchul there?

Hold on.

Why can't I send my own employee?

What's with this tone? What's gotten into you?

Now, now, wait just a minute.

You always get so worked up any time it involves him.

-What's going on there, huh? -Nothing.

Jeonchul's my right hand, and you just sent him away. Do you understand?

-Kim, listen. -Yes, sir.

I want you to be her right hand.

And do whatever she asks of you, okay?

Yes, sir. I will.

Anyway, the people that we met…

What a strong impression.

This isn't the kind of work for soft guys, is it?

You're right.

I do hope they get along.

Assholes!