Original subtitles

Samsik, aged 16

[gangster] Hey, Kang Ilsik.

Kang Ilsik Kang Seongmin's father

Did you contact Osaka directly?

And who said that?

[grunts, screams]

What are you doing?

[grunting]

[baby cries]

[crying continues]

Samsik.

Yes?

You like red bean buns, right?

If you…

do me a favor,

you can have as many as you want.

[owl hoots]

[♪ suspenseful music]

[♪ suspenseful music continues]

[lighter clinks]

[♪ suspenseful music intensifies]

[thuds]

Uncle Samsik

[♪ theme music playing]

Uncle Samsik

Win Over

-[thunder rumbles] -[rain patters]

Capital Defense Unit, Secret Bunker

[thunder rumbles]

Hanmin.

San, is that you?

You're here too?

San, you gotta tell them.

[grunts] We didn't plan any of this!

This was all Samsik, not us!

San! Tell them, please!

Tell them it was all Samsik!

San!

Tell them, San!

San!

[lighter clinks]

[panting]

Captain Lee.

Been a while, Hanmin.

Jeong Hanmin, Lieutenant Colonel of the Capital Defense Unit

The 55th Howitzer Regiment.

[sighs]

So I guess you're…

with the Second Operations Commander now, hm?

[soldier] We ask the questions here.

Lee Sooil Captain of the 55th Howitzer Regiment

It seems there's been a misunderstanding.

I need to call General Jang Doosik.

[Captain Lee] Questions, requests…

They're off the table here.

Samsik is here, isn't he?

Where is Samsik?

Tell him to get in here!

Where is he?

[Captain Lee grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

Jeong Hanmin.

All you gotta do is answer.

Did Samsik plan this on his own?

How many times I gotta tell you, huh?

[groans]

If you don't fess up soon, Hanmin,

you're gonna die in here.

When did you first meet Samsik?

Hey, all this food in here is cold.

Get us something hot to eat and hurry. Come on, come on!

November 30, 1959

-[in Korean] ♪ Waterfowl ♪ -♪ Waterfowl ♪

-♪ Why are you crying? ♪ -♪ Why are you crying? ♪

-♪ Do not resent the time ♪ -♪ Do not resent the time ♪

-♪ That flies by ♪ -♪ That flies by ♪

[in English] I'd been passed over for a promotion that day,

and I was feeling like shit.

So I had quite a lot to drink.

[officer 1] General Jang talked to me about the Logistics Command.

So, does that mean he'll fix you up with a job there, huh?

I've had it with the miserable fucking military.

[cup clanks]

Here, drink up.

Here. Here, here, here, here.

Come on, fill those glasses up.

-[drink pouring] -[cup clanks]

The incompetent idiots are snagging all the star rankings.

[Hanmin] And the factions fight whenever they want, don't they?

Bow down to the government like we're their fucking slaves.

Now…

you call this the military?

What the fuck's the matter? Are you insane?

-What? -[cup clanks]

Are you scared, huh?

[Hanmin] You pathetic fucks.

It's time for some changes here, huh?

-[drink pouring] -[cups clank]

Our country's a total mess

and the soldiers have nothing better to do than drink all day long!

[exclaims]

[door closes]

[door slides close]

[footsteps approaching]

[lighter clinks]

[Doochill in Korean] ♪ Waterfowl ♪

[lighter clinks]

[in English] So, our captain here seems to have a fire burning in his soul, huh?

Who's gonna tame all that fiery energy?

What is this, huh?

I guess it's a little unfair.

You're an Albright graduate, second in your class,

and you didn't get promoted, did you?

And who are you?

You want me to get you a star ranking?

A star…

You must be crazy. [sucks teeth]

General Jang Doosik left the military.

I wonder how he got his star.

[thunder rumbles]

So that was how Samsik first approached me.

We'd just met, and he said all sorts of things.

Some are from the Japanese military, others from the Manchurian.

The factions fight, it's all corrupt. Why is the military like this?

Because it's been poisoned?

Yes, that's right. Who poisoned it, though?

Politics.

That's what poisoned the military. Don't you see it?

The government turned the military into its puppet.

We need to reform politics to cleanse the military.

-And if not… -And if not?

Then the military has to cleanse politics.

[♪ hopeful music playing]

You'd just met?

Yes.

Out of the blue?

Out of the blue.

Even the Minister of National Defense gets his orders from Minister Choi Minkyu.

Every key unit in the military is packed with Choi Minkyu's guys.

Don't you think that seems a little off?

Yeah, b-but what can we do about it?

You know the head of the CIC, Hong Youngki?

If we use him,

then we can sever the poisoned parts of the military.

[scoffs]

Hong Youngki is the most poisoned one of all.

Exactly.

Let's use Youngki for everything we can and then throw him away in the end.

[typewriter clacking]

So this is what Hanmin is saying?

That's the statement he just gave.

Uncle Samsik first met Hong Youngki on that same day.

How do you know it was the same day?

I heard it later on.

So Hong Youngki wasn't in on it until after?

Yes, that's right.

What do you mean "heard it later on"?

I heard about the military supplies business.

Selling off old US Military supplies?

Yes, that's right.

Jeong Hanmin, Kim Kwangmin…

they were also tied up in it, weren't they?

The younger officers were resorting to skipping meals.

Well, you must've been aware of it, Captain Lee.

Everyone was about to explode.

Who suggested the US Military supplies business?

It was Samsik, of course.

[paper rustles]

Kim San says Samsik met Youngki for the first time that day.

[paper rustles]

Someone who barely knew Hong Youngki existed…

[file thuds]

…came up with this plan?

[scoffs]

He planned it the second they met?

Samsik has always been that kind of person.

[♪ soft music playing]

Hong Youngki can be talked into taking control of key units around the capital.

We'll get you promoted soon

and I'll make you Deputy Commander of the Capital Defense Unit.

Is this really possible?

How many soldiers have you stripped of their titles?

When Rhee Seungmin's administration comes to an end,

you think those soldiers would just leave you alone?

Hong Youngki's easy to get to.

Do you know what his main weakness is, Hanmin?

I don't.

It's that he has too many enemies.

And the fear that that gives Hong Youngki is his greatest weakness.

Why did you lock up those petty thieves?

[Youngki] The US Military Command

goes on and on about exploitation.

And it's all nonsense.

They think I captured all those people and then framed them as communists.

[laughs]

Those fuckers don't know the first thing about commies.

Anyway, I locked those thieves up because I had to do something.

To satisfy them.

You should let them go.

Why would I?

We're in business with some of the US Military Supply officers.

If you grant a few of our requests,

30% of the profits will be yours.

And I'll even provide you with a few sturdy men for your protection.

[Hanmin] And that's how we won over Commander Hong Youngki.

Yeah, in the end,

the Seodaemun thugs were released immediately.

[cheering]

-[thug 1] Yeah! -[thug 2] All right.

That's the way this man called Uncle Samsik generally likes to operate.

[♪ jazz music playing]

[singing "When The Saints Go Marching In"]

[Hanmin] Uncle Samsik never does anything with just one objective in mind.

The US Military supply business?

Though I didn't know it at the time,

it wasn't just about money.

[Doochill] Korean people have always had incredibly robust stomachs.

They can eat canned food that's two years expired,

-and they'll be completely fine. -Yeah. Expired food?

-I'd eat that. -[Doochill] And Koreans are great drivers.

You know that? The best drivers, huh?

We can drive incredibly safely even with tires that US troops

have been using for 10 years.

Yeah, driving around on worn out tires?

That's okay. We'll drive on 'em.

Without accidents.

[♪ tense music playing]

[Hanmin] Expired products from US Military bases

like used tires…

They're still okay to use, right?

[Hanmin] …and worn out vehicles

were sold for 10 times their price on the black market.

Scrap tires that were 10 years old?

We sold a hundred every day.

Expired canned goods would get fresh new labels.

And were sold by the hundreds, really.

-Every day, more cash flowed in. -[seller] Thank you, sir.

[Hanmin] We packaged our products in Sail Bakery bread boxes,

and then ship them everywhere as bribes.

We sent them to the police, the press, the military.

And 30% of the profits

went to Hong Youngki.

Even so, they still made us a fortune.

He's not as crazy as he might seem.

Samsik…

he isn't like the rest of us.

That's what I thought.

[clicks tongue]

Receipts for army supplies

Were you involved in this from the very beginning?

I got into it without knowing the finer details.

Was the Capital Defense Unit your target from the start?

Not when I first started out.

Who recruited Capital Defense Officers Pak Wonil and Kim Inho?

I did, sir.

[Hanmin] Here are Captains Kim Inho and Pak Wonil.

-[Kim San] Mm. -Nice to meet you.

I heard you were both Albright scholars.

Jeong Hanmin, Kim Kwangmin,

these men are…

also Albright scholars like you?

Yes, that's right.

But you knew they were involved in the US Military supplies business?

I wasn't sure.

[car honking]

San.

Hey, Kim San!

[sighs]

What brings you here?

Let's chat for a moment.

Kim Kwangmin CEO of Sanae Corporation

-I should get to work. -It won't take long. Just a moment.

[Kim San] What is it?

[Kwangmin sighs]

I have a favor to ask you.

All right, tell me what it is.

Oh, San.

We're trying to build a caustic soda factory.

-A lye factory? -Yes.

We already have a grant for five-ton pilot plant.

But apparently, Daemyeon Construction submitted an identical application.

[sighs] So they're trying to intercept it.

Well, I've already filed for an appeal.

Is there any way you can help?

I'll look into it.

Thanks, I know you're busy.

[both chuckle]

[Captain Lee] So you're saying it was all Samsik's ploy to win Kim San over?

And the military supply business was bait?

And Kim Kwangmin, Sanae Produce's owner?

He was recommended by Yoo Yeonchul from Daemyeon Construction.

[♪ jazz music playing]

[Doochill] Did you go and tell them, the Cheongwoo Federation?

[Yeonchul] Yes, I did.

I already told them.

Do they know Director Kim Kwangmin at the Cheongwoo Federation?

-Yeah, they did. I told them all about it. -[door opens]

We need to speak with them again today.

[Doochill] Oh, you're here.

This is Kim Kwangmin from Sanae Produce.

-Yes, I've heard good things about you. -Thank you.

Have a seat.

Hi there. Yoo Yeonchul from Daemyeon Construction.

I'm Kim Kwangmin.

-[Yeonchul] Mm. -[drink pouring]

I heard you were withdrawing your application for the lye factory.

Well, that all depends on you.

You were an Albright scholar, weren't you?

Yes.

Yeah. You really look like it.

[sighs]

I'm prepared to make you a lucrative offer.

All I need is for you to withdraw the factory application.

As long as you're not trying to impact our business--

Hey, kid.

Look, have you heard of the Cheongwoo Federation?

Yes.

Isn't that a group of businessmen from the northwest?

Its members are all top businessmen.

That's right.

If you'd like, we could help you become a part of it.

[scoffs] Well, how would you…

[chuckles]

Well, Yoo Yeonchul is just a laborer and he's in the Cheongwoo Federation now.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

Here.

[glasses clank]

[glasses clank]

[Hyunseok] Why did Daemyeon Construction apply to build a lye factory?

Withdrawal of application for caustic soda factory establishment

[Hyunseok] They were never really interested in the factory, were they?

-[Kim San] No. I don't think they were. -[telephone rings]

It was just bait to lure me in.

Hello?

Oh, hey, Kwangmin. It's San.

Daemyeon Construction withdrew its business plan.

Really?

That's good to hear.

You already knew?

No, I didn't know.

[Kwangmin] I should buy you dinner as a thanks for looking into it.

Don't worry about it.

Thanks.

[Kim San] They had Jeong Hanmin with the military supply business

and Kim Kwangmin with the lye factory.

[Hyunseok] And that's how they got to your friends?

[Doochill sighs]

[Kim San] That's right.

This coffee is cold now.

He needs his friends beside him.

Yes.

They should be there supporting him during these hard times.

Ministry of Home Affairs

Comprehensive economic policy for the 5-year National Reconstruction Plan

[Kim San] I couldn't let go of the National Reconstruction Proposal

even at the Audit Bureau.

I was afraid that my dreams would…

Well, never be realized.

-Yeah, sure, yes. Thank you. -Please enjoy.

-Great. Have a good day. -Thank you.

-Oh. -Hi. How are you?

-What can I get you? -How much are they?

[vendor] It's 300 hwan for one bag.

-I'll come back. -All right. Thank you.

[Kim San] No matter how hard I tried,

it was hopeless.

Hey, when did you get here? [laughs]

[♪ jazz music playing]

Hey, San.

Jeong Hanmin. [sighs]

Oh, oh, oh. Okay, you're pretty drunk.

You're making me wanna stop drinking.

[Hanmin] Okay. Okay.

Hey, let me introduce you.

These are Captains Kim Inho and Pak Wonil.

Nice to meet you.

I heard you were both Albright scholars.

Long time ago.

Long time…

[Kim San grunts]

[laughing]

-[Kim San grunts] -[Hanmin] Get up.

You've had a lot to drink. [laughs]

Sorry.

I'm not in the military.

[chuckles]

[♪ jazz music continues playing]

[slow clapping]

[♪ despondent music]

[sighs]

[dog barking in distance]

Jina.

Jina, your uncle's home.

Jina.

-Uncle. -Jina.

Come here. Look.

-I got you a little treat. -[gasps]

Have some.

Uncle, were you out drinking?

Sorry.

It's cold.

Go back inside.

-Hi, I'm back. -[Jina's mother] Are you all right?

-[Kim San] Yes, I'm fine. I'm fine. -Oh, my.

[grunts]

You should come in and lie down.

-Okay. -That's it.

Ooh. Goodness, you're quite drunk.

-[Jina's mother] Come on. -[Kim San] I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[Jina's mother] Come in and rest.

[Kim San groans]

What are you thinking, huh?

Is there something you wanna say?

Even if there is, you can't say it anyway.

You don't have the energy to say anything.

When the US Military was bombing us nonstop,

you made my brother go out and beg for scraps to eat.

He left his pregnant wife at home.

You made him go during that…

during that air raid.

And my brother died.

Do you know how hard that was on his wife?

Father.

It shouldn't have been him.

It should've been you that day.

Not him.

It should've been you instead.

[breathes shakily]

[♪ emotional music]

[bird chirping]

[grunts]

[groans]

[coughs]

[indistinct chatter]

[♪ pensive music]

Yeah, he just passed by here.

Hmm, he was very well-dressed.

Uh, he's just handsome, is all. Yeah, bye now.

[♪ mysterious music]

-Thank you again. -Of course. Bye now.

Innovation Party

[Haejun] Are you sure he's coming?

Have the guys call up Uncle Samsik, all right?

[telephone ringing]

CEO Pak Doochill

Just wait there.

He'll eventually make his way over.

Just stay on standby and be ready.

He's coming, he's coming. Kim San, he's on his way.

Let's get ready.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Quick, quick, quick!

He's here, he's here.

He's going in.

[Han Soo] Oh, fuck, he's leaving.

Wait.

[♪ suspenseful music]

Just go in.

Go on.

Go inside. That's it.

He's in. He's in.

[♪ foreboding music]

[♪ music stops]

[Kim San] Can I come in?

Why did you leave like that?

I remembered I had something to do so I took care of it.

Is Mr. Choo not here?

My father's out at dinner.

Could you just wait a little?

[♪ suspenseful music]

[car door closes]

[line beeping]

[owner] Choo Intae just left.

I think I'll have to come in tomorrow. Even though it's a Sunday.

Someone has to go through all of this.

So many people wanna be party members.

[chuckles] But we're still short-staffed.

[Kim San sighs]

[♪ mellow music]

San.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Go and lie down.

What?

Lie down.

[Kim San grunts]

I'll just take a short break.

And I'll take one with you.

Actually…

I could be taking a long break soon.

Is it true you left the Ministry of Home Affairs?

[chuckles]

Do you think…

there might be a position for me in the Innovation Party?

So you want to get into politics?

I think the Innovation Party isn't ready yet.

I have great respect for Mr. Choo Intae.

And I believe…

-[glass shatters] -[people screaming]

-[staff 1] What is this? What is this? -[staff 2] Fire! Fire!

[glasses shattering]

-Get out of here! Get out! -Yeojin!

-[indistinct shouting] -Hey.

Get out!

[clamoring]

[shrieks]

Are you okay?

Police!

Somebody help! Where is everyone?

Mr. Choo. Mr. Choo!

[♪ tense music]

Mr. Choo!

[people clamoring]

[heavy breathing]

[people clamoring]

[gangster 1] Choo Intae's fleeing!

[gangster 2] Hey, Choo Intae! Look! He's getting away!

[heavy breathing]

[gangster 1] Hey, Choo Intae is fleeing!

Hey, Choo Intae!

[♪ dramatic music]

Gyeongmudae

Inspired by the encouragement and strong support of the people,

I hereby announce a decision I've made out of love for the nation.

[Seungmin] I am…

revoking the withdrawal of my presidential candidacy.

Ministry of Home Affairs

In order to save South Korea from its current state of crisis.

Democratic Party

I am officially…

Liberal Party

…presenting myself as a candidate

in the upcoming presidential election.

[cheering]

[chanting] Rhee Seungmin! Rhee Seungmin!

-Rhee Seungmin! -Rhee Seungmin!

-Rhee Seungmin! -Rhee Seungmin!

[♪ tense music]

[clatters]

-[telephone ringing] -[cheering]

[ringing continues]

It was the day that the president announced his candidacy.

All his supporters were out in the streets.

[Kim San] During the war when our country was taken from us,

we were defenseless.

[scoffs]

[chuckles]

An incompetent head of the household.

[telephone ringing]

[Kim San] A coward of a man. That had always been my idea of a father.

Mr. Choo Intae had been another father figure to me.

But in the end…

he was no different than my own father.

But I guess I'd always thought that…

fatherhood looked that way.

[telephone ringing]

[ringing continues]

[sighs] You finally picked up.

No matter how hard I try…

there's nothing that I can do.

Effort is meaningless in this world.

Why not flip it upside down?

And what if it's wrong?

Then spit it out.

You'll know if it's poison the minute it touches your lips.

And my proposal?

Can we save it?

Save it, or kill it, we can do anything.

[Kim San] I'm asking if we can make it happen naturally.

Letting it happen on its own

will also cost you.

Does the Earth's rotation and revolution just happen?

Is it a coincidence that the Sun lights up the Earth?

I want more power. Tell me how to get it.

I will give it to you.

I'm the one who can give it to you.

I'll wait to hear from you.

[handset clanks]

[handset thuds]

[♪ tense music]

Mr. Hong, my name is Samsik.

[♪ closing theme music playing]