Original subtitles

[♪ "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" playing]

TEMPEST

[♪ "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" continues on radio]

We couldn't stop this war after all.

For one last time…

I want you to pretend…

This is just an ordinary day.

[siren wailing]

[♪ Bittersweet music playing]

[Munju] If this were just an ordinary day

and we were just an ordinary man and woman…

I would ask you…

"Who are you?"

"Why did you come to me?"

"Would you really

take a bullet for me?"

"Why do I see you in my dreams?"

[♪ Bittersweet music swelling]

[Sanho] I was never afraid of anything.

But I was scared…

You'd get hurt.

[people screaming]

That something would happen to you, and I wouldn't be there in time.

That's why I held on to you even in my dreams.

I was afraid I'd lose you there too,

when I had nothing left in this world.

[clatters]

Honestly, I don't really care about the war or any of that.

I just want to run away with you, Munju.

Let's go.

Really?

Really.

I want to go.

[breathing heavily]

[♪ Tense music playing]

Where did you want to take me?

The Gobi Desert.

The Gobi Desert?

I spent two years there after defecting from North Korea.

[♪ Soothing music playing]

[Sanho] There was a lot I needed to forget.

My father, my mother,

and my grandmother who told me never to come back.

The stars moved slowly,

and in the end, only one remained unmoving.

Polaris.

Looking at that star,

it felt like nothing else existed, just me and the star.

In that moment, it didn't matter that I had no family, no homeland.

And that made me feel like I could go anywhere.

[Munju] Would I be able to do the same?

Is there something you want to forget?

My mom's hands when I was little.

Rough and worn from years of working at a grocery store,

a factory, and a nail salon.

She'd come home exhausted and fall asleep right away.

I wanted to protect those hands.

But in the end, I couldn't.

Is that why you came to Korea?

After my dad died,

my mom said she ran as far as she could and ended up in the States.

But I believed

everyone had a country, just as every child has a mother.

And for me, the only place I could call home was Korea.

That's why it was so important to me to come back here

and become someone this country needed.

Is that why you wanted to stop this war so badly?

As much as I wanted to protect my mom's hands.

But once again, I failed.

[North Korean anchor] Brimming with the hopes of this great People's Republic,

the newest nuclear submarine

has been revealed in all its splendor,

in time for tomorrow's historic launching ceremony.

The nuclear submarine, which for decades

had been a symbol of aggression against our republic,

has now come to symbolize the power of our people…

[in English] That's the submarine we're trying to hit?

That's the submarine we're trying to hit?

Jesus Christ.

[analyst] It's an entirely different vessel

from what we'd anticipated.

This submarine is a 3,000-ton Romeo class model,

heavily modified from an old Russian design.

That hull won't be able to withstand the pressure of a missile launch.

They've installed the missile deck behind the bridge for no obvious reason.

From a design perspective,

this submarine offers no functional effectiveness.

[♪ Tense music playing]

[in Korean] Last night, we shot down a reckless US reconnaissance aircraft

that was trespassing in our airspace.

Let this be your warning.

We are a nuclear-armed state,

and our military does not make empty threats.

What kind of world you wake up to tomorrow is up to you.

[in English] That Anderson video is spreading like wildfire.

Are you really going to start a war over that submarine?

W-What? We'll look into the submarine, but that's not what's important right now.

This war is a struggle between democracy and despotism.

So if we... if we back down now, we are surrendering our future

to this string of dictatorships from China to Russia to Idisha,

all the way to North Korea.

[President on phone] I'm afraid we have a little problem, Madam President.

Indeed, Mr. President.

In the present situation,

it would be difficult for me to persuade our people

to endure the sacrifice of war.

[President] Let's set aside the recon jet incident.

The timing wasn't right for us to retaliate.

We will find another way.

As I've mentioned before, this is our last chance.

If we lose this opportunity,

the free world will be in peril.

I'm going to do everything I can from over here,

but I'll also need you to do something for me.

Seo Munju, your former ambassador.

She has been, uh, quite a nuisance.

I'd thank you to take care of her.

[Kyungsin, in Korean] At 11:51 p.m. last night,

a US reconnaissance aircraft

conducting a routine surveillance flight around the Korean Peninsula

was shot down by a North Korean surface-to-air missile.

Our military immediately issued a Level 2 nationwide defense alert,

and the ROK/US Combined Forces Command raised WATCHCON to Level 2.

The Civil Defense Alert Control Center

promptly issued a nationwide preliminary warning,

which has now been lifted.

Our government and military will remain unwavering

in our commitment to protecting

the lives and safety of our people under any circumstances.

We ask all citizens to stand firm with steadfast courage

and unwavering trust, and return to daily life.

We must protect one another.

[Sanho] Luckily, the crisis has passed.

It wasn't a complete failure.

We've just made it through the first wave.

The Republic of Korea will neither retreat nor falter,

no matter the circumstances.

[President, in English] Seo Munju, your former ambassador.

She has been, uh, quite a nuisance.

I'd thank you to take care of her.

I understand, Mr. President.

She will no longer be an issue.

PRESIDENT CHAE URGES CITIZENS TO RETURN TO DAILY LIFE

[in Korean] The president still has serious concerns.

This crisis isn't over.

PRESIDENTIAL REPORT

WAR IMMINENT ON KOREAN PENINSULA?

TENSIONS MOUNT, IS WAR NEXT?

Here are the media responses to your address.

NO TRUST IN KOREAN OR US PRESIDENT SEO MUNJU DEEMED TRUSTWORTHY

IF NOT FOR HER, WAR WOULD'VE ERUPTED

SEO'S STATEMENT DRAWS ATTENTION…

IS SHE THE ONLY VOICE PEOPLE TRUST?

They're mostly saying the government can't be trusted.

And Seo Munju has turned into Joan of Arc all of a sudden.

With North Korea unveiling the submarine,

Anderson's claims turned out to be true.

So now, people seem to believe Seo Munju prevented the war.

If we run a poll now,

her approval ratings will be off the charts.

[♪ Somber music playing]

In all your years in office, have you ever faced a crisis like this, Director?

No, ma'am.

This is hard.

Even if I had the entire nation's support, this would still be a tough situation.

And yet,

Seo Munju is turning public opinion against me.

Should I just sit back and let it happen?

Certainly not.

Every war begins with a fight for public opinion.

To win a war against North Korea, the first obstacle you must overcome

is Seo Munju.

We've been preparing for a situation like this for a long time.

You've had plans for Seo Munju for a long time?

If you give me some time, I'll explain everything.

[footsteps approaching]

[secretary] It's been ten minutes.

President Chae Kyungsin has delivered a public address

regarding North Korea's downing of the US reconnaissance aircraft.

President Chae stated that the nationwide warning issued last night

has now been lifted.

She also assured that the government and military will stand firm in their duty

to protect the lives and safety of the citizens under any circumstances.

Miji?

[Miji] Ma'am, Changhee is awake.

What?

[Munju] Changhee, how are you feeling?

He was moved from the ICU to a private suite today.

Thankfully, they were able to stop the bleeding with surgery.

I'm fine, really.

Listen,

there's something you should know.

That morning,

when I unlocked Mr. Jang's phone,

I was excited,

thinking I'd finally be able to access the secure emails. However…

I noticed a few unread messages.

SEP 7

INCOMING CALL 11 P.M. TOMORROW

[North Korean military officer in video] Next, we award the highest honor

and most prestigious decoration of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,

the Order of Kim Il Sung!

It's their state founding anniversary ceremony.

77TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF DPRK

[North Korean military officer] Comrade Jang Junik.

- [applause] - [♪ ominous music playing]

Comrade Jang Junik has devoted his very life

to stopping the vile and treacherous war of traitors

and imperialists, and to achieving our nation's reunification,

leaving behind a heroic legacy that will go down in history.

Though we cannot pin this medal to your uniform today,

when the day of our nation's reunification comes,

you shall return without hesitation to claim this honor.

[applause]

Was he really a spy?

I just couldn't believe it.

So I tried to find out who sent the message.

[Changhee] This is Park Changhee,

chief secretary to the late Assemblyman Jang Junik.

He shared his intentions to prevent the war with me.

Could we meet?

BAENGNYEONSAN BOOKSTORE, SEOMGWANGRO 24

HYORIM-DONG, SEODAEMUN-GU, AT 10:00

To get to Hyorim-dong,

you have to go through Seomgwang Tunnel.

They must have ambushed him there.

Didn't we go to Kang Hanna's house in Hyorim-dong that day?

[Miji] Kang Hanna?

Who's that?

- [Eunsung] Grandma, look at this. - [Hwarim] Oh!

[Hwarim laughs]

I've pictured this moment, Mother.

Since the moment I met Junik,

I have dreamed of living here.

I knew my dream would come true.

Getting pregnant was never a problem for me,

and I always get what I want.

Junik's the only thing missing from the picture.

A house, a son, and a husband.

You're lucky you're only missing the least important one.

Mother.

Why did you wake up Eunseong and take him to your room last night?

The siren woke me up, and I couldn't fall back asleep.

I've always slept better with the kids.

I think there's a good chance Kang Hanna is Stella Young.

What do you mean?

The places Stella Young has visited recently.

[Anderson, in English] Somebody who imported structural steel plates

from Poland,

precision sensors from Switzerland, and engineers from Sweden.

[in Korean] Kang Hanna also went to those places

with her son.

[Eunsung] Malmö, Sweden, in 2022, when I was six.

I have plenty more.

I've traveled a lot.

Katowice, Poland.

Lausanne, Switzerland.

If Kang Hanna is Stella Young,

do you think she's the one who killed Junik?

Do you have the phone number of the person who sent the video?

Yeah, hold on.

The number is 010-6133-8758.

I found this in Father Inbo's Bible.

[Munju] It's the same card Sergeant Kim Yongjun had.

[Miji] I saw a photo of a card with this number on his phone.

[Changhee] The photo…

SEND

MESSAGE

Junik also had the same card.

[Hwarim] Eunseong, my boy. You're good at this.

That's it.

[♪ Tense music playing]

I really admire you, Mother.

You poured your heart into raising Junik, even though he wasn't yours by birth.

Eunseong is my own, but I can barely handle raising him.

Did someone say something to you?

Grandmother.

She told me Junik was also a child his father had with another woman,

so Eunseong should never feel small either.

Do you think Junik knew that before he died?

Probably not.

Grandmother said you made sure he never found out.

I made a choice.

The moment I first held him as a newborn…

I decided he was my son for as long as he lived.

And that's exactly how it turned out.

[Munju] That day.

[♪ Melancholic music playing]

The day Junik died.

He was going to tell me something.

[Munju] I've been waiting.

When are you going to tell me?

Let's talk later tonight.

It's quite a long story.

[Munju] He was going to explain it to me.

Why did Junik become a spy?

What if the submarine is just a prop for show,

China and North Korea are also just characters in the script,

and someone else is pulling the strings?

If becoming a spy is the only way to find out the truth…

Then I think I'd become one too.

[Sanho sighs]

You need to draw the line here.

Whether Jang was a spy or not,

whether Kang Hanna killed him or not,

that's their business.

Those people are like a whirlpool, pulling you in before you realize it.

You have to get out of it to survive.

Right now…

The right choice is to leave.

[phone ringing]

Hi, Miji.

[Miji] Where are you right now?

Why?

You need to get out. The place is bugged.

[automated voice] Shocking news.

Where is South Korean presidential candidate Seo Munju,

and what is she doing with her handsome North Korean bodyguard?

She's a widow.

- [♪ Suspenseful music playing] - He protects her.

They first met at the very spot where her husband was shot and killed.

They began seeing each other in secret, then started living together.

Who could cast a stone at the love between a lonely widow and her dashing bodyguard?

However, according to the tip we received,

her bodyguard, Paik Sanho, is from North Korea.

Was it just a coincidence that he became Seo Munju's bodyguard?

Who was she really exposing North Korea's submarine for?

What if she's being used by North Korea?

The two of them are together as we speak.

Seo Munju and Paik Sanho are currently staying in their hideout.

We have obtained a recording of their private conversation there.

[heavy breathing in recording]

[Sanho in recording] Honestly, I don't really care about the war or any of that.

I just want to run away with you, Munju.

[Munju in recording] Let's go.

[Sanho in recording] Really?

[Munju in recording] Really.

I want to go.

[heavy breathing in recording]

[♪ Tense music playing]

[heavy breathing in recording]

Gather media responses to the Seo Munju news

and update me every three hours.

And look into all possible legal actions we can take against Freedom Lab.

[♪ Tense music playing]

[rattling]

That's enough.

[sighs] I don't think it's here.

I don't regret last night.

[♪ Bittersweet music playing]

I was happy.

If I'm not wanted in this country,

I can leave.

If this is the end,

I can accept it.

Let's go.

I'll take you.

There's a ship we can catch tonight.

- [♪ Tense music playing] - [thunder rumbling]

[phone buzzes]

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

[Munju] Are you going somewhere?

I'll be back soon.

Pack your things and wait just a little while.

Where are you going?

I'll tell you later.

I'll go with you.

It's safer for you to wait here.

Even if you have a gun and know how to shoot,

it's not easy to actually pull the trigger at someone.

But in war, the one who kills the enemy first is the one who survives.

You understand, right?

I'll be back soon.

SEO MUNJU SCANDAL ESCALATES

'SEO MUNJU SHOCK' SENDS KOSPI DOWN 2.94%…

WILL SEO FALL AFTER HER METEORIC RISE?

ENJOYING A SECRET RENDEZVOUS

A MONTH AFTER HER HUSBAND'S DEATH…

Okseon, did you hear?

I thought she was a prissy little cat, but she was actually a filthy slut.

Oh, my poor Junik.

He must be rolling over in his grave.

I hear you, Mother, but I need to make a phone call.

Can we talk tomorrow?

[line rings]

- [door closes] - Director, I need to talk to you.

[heavy breathing in recording]

[Munju in recording] Let's go.

[Sanho in recording] Really?

[Munju in recording] Really.

I want to go.

[rewinds]

[object clatters in recording]

[volume increases]

[rewinds]

[object clatters in recording]

[♪ Tense music playing]

[clatters]

The advanced transmission programs these days allow a much greater range.

It's also battery-free, so it can be used permanently.

It's been upgraded a lot compared to the one in the frame

that you gave to the Japanese ambassador before.

The recordings are automatically backed up to your cloud in real time,

so even if the device gets damaged, the files will be safe.

[Munju in recording] Let's go.

[Sanho in recording] Really?

[Munju in recording] Really.

I want to go.

[♪ Tense music playing]

[screams]

[in English] There was another bug.

How many did you set?

What are you talking about? We agreed…

[in recording] …on a wiretap to monitor her, and then you broke it.

And that's all we got.

Now, get off of me!

[Ethan chokes]

How did you know I was going to Mongolia?

[Ethan groans]

- Talk. - [screams]

Who else would listen and release those files?

[Ethan groans]

[in Korean] Drop your weapon and raise your hands.

Paik Sanho, you're under arrest on suspicion of espionage.

You sure are keeping yourselves busy, rounding up innocent people as spies.

- [footsteps approaching] - [Unhak] No.

You're a real spy because it was Kim Hansang who hired you.

- Come on. - [Ethan groans]

[Unhak] The one that paid you through Valkyrie is

a company called Cheonil Credit, based in Macau.

It's a state-run bank responsible for North Korea's

foreign weapons transaction payments.

All financial transactions of this company

are approved and signed off by Kim Hansang.

[breathes shakily]

In other words, you're just his pawn, hired to eliminate Seo Munju.

Now, tell me.

Was it also part of your plan to make her fall in love with you? [Chuckles]

Thanks to you, Seo Munju has completely fallen from grace.

[♪ Suspenseful music playing]

[agent 1] Ah!

[Unhak] Your grandmother…

Wanted me to give this to you.

You said you'd come get her, but you never did. That poor old woman.

She's with us right now.

I told her you'd come for her…

Once you were done with your work.

You bastards…

I'm here to give you a chance.

Our ship will be waiting at Pyeongtaek Port tomorrow night.

You were planning to go to Mongolia with Seo Munju, right?

But before that ship can cross the NLL, the coast guard will seize it.

You'll be presumed to have jumped into the sea

and escaped to the North in the process,

while Seo Munju will be caught red-handed and arrested

as a spy attempting to defect to North Korea.

That way, you can take your grandmother and go wherever you want.

[agent 1] Ah!

[Unhak] Good.

You made the right decision.

[grunting]

[object cracks]

[static buzzes]

[♪ Somber music playing]

[Unhak] Take him.

[Munju] Who are you?

[Ethan, in English] We agreed on a wiretap to monitor her…

[Munju, in Korean] Why did you come to me?

[Unhak] Was it also part of your plan to make her fall in love with you? [chuckles]

Thanks to you, Seo Munju has completely fallen from grace.

[agent 1 screams]

[agent 2 screams]

[door opens]

[Munju] "Don't trust those close to you."

"Always have a way to escape."

"Never go back to Korea."

[groans]

[Sanho] Munju!

Munju!

[groans]

Munju!

Where are you?

Munju!

[Munju] "Never go back to Korea."

Dear Mom,

I always remembered what you told me.

Because I wanted to prove you wrong.

[grunts]

[bird chirps]

[breathing heavily]

[♪ Melancholy music playing]

I trusted him.

[sighs]

I really thought he had come to save me.

- I was a fool. - [Munju crying]

Such a fool.

What do I do now?

I have nowhere left to go.

[phone chimes]

SEO MUNJU

SEO MUNJU, THE SUBMARINE EXISTS

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[♪ Dramatic music intensifies]

WHO IS THIS?

GEUMSEOL PORT, NOVEMBER 2 AT 22:00

[♪ dramatic ominous music playing]

Translated by Yoonjung Song