Original subtitles

It's out of love and respect that everybody calls me

Samsik, brother Samsik, Uncle Samsik… and I just love it.

My nickname, I mean.

Year 1960 Unknown, South Korea

Capital Defense Unit, Secret Bunker

It's a standard investigation.

If you cooperate, it shouldn't take too long.

Good to see you here…

Colonel.

Hanmin.

San, is that you? You're here too?

San!

We didn't plan any of this!

This was all Samsik, not us!

Tell them, please!

Tell them it was all Samsik! It's not us!

You knew Pak Doochill, the CEO of Sail Developments?

Yes, I know him.

You called him Samsik, right?

I did.

What does it mean, Samsik?

He made sure everyone had three meals even during the war.

"Sam" means three. "Sik" means food.

Three meals.

He doesn't let anyone go hungry.

Uncle Samsik

Uncle Samsik

Three Meals a Day

November 26, 1959 Seoul, South Korea

US Army, Oil Storage Facility

- Two? Two.

- 20,000 hwan. For the oil.

What's "oil" in English?

That's 10 bills.

Oil. Oil.

That's 20,000 hwan.

That's 20,000 hwan.

A little bit more, a little bit more.

What the fuck is he saying?

-

- Get out! Get out of here! Run!

What was that?

Gu Haejun and Han Soo Seodaemun Gang

Shit.

November 30, 1959 Seoul, South Korea

Rhee Seungmin to run for reelection

We must protect our president!

That's the thing about Samsik, you know, he's got connections everywhere.

And those guys in Gunsan got caught smuggling Japanese radios,

- Samsik got them all out there too. - Yeah, you said that already.

Oh, did I?

Hey, don't talk back to me, you little brat.

I heard everyone got turned over to the CIC.

How much longer we got to wait?

Hey, keep it down!

Hey, don't, I'm serious.

He will see you now.

Our hope! Our hope!

We want Rhee! We want Rhee!

Retract it! Retract it!

President Rhee is our only hope!

Our hope! Our hope!

Yes, in here. Come in.

We want Rhee! We want Rhee!

Uncle Samsik?

We support the president's reelection!

We support! We support!

Come in, come in. Here.

So, you're with the Soedaemun gang?

- Yes. - You stole oil from US troops?

Yeah, now, our boys are being held at the CIC.

Why the CIC?

I'm not sure, the Counter Intelligence Corps…

Over in Osaka, thugs don't have to hide, they drive around freely.

And then we have you two who are doing nothing more

than just a little petty theft.

Don't you think you should try something a bit more decent?

Just tell us.

Can you get our guys out of there or not?

And if I can?

We'll pay you well.

You're pretty cocky for someone trying to ask a favor.

Let's go.

Hey, come on, man!

Let's go!

- Hey, Han Soo! - Let's go!

Look at you.

Leaving just like that?

Hey, how about you try calling me Uncle Samsik?

Call you what?

Try it, try calling me Uncle Samsik.

Why should I?

Because I'll feed you.

I won't pretend you're family just to get fed.

All right.

You know Yoon Palbong with the Dongdaemun gang?

I can give you his turf.

But Yoon Palbong is with the Liberal Party.

- How could we… - I'm saying I could give it to you.

- Miss Kim, bring me 10 envelopes. - Yes?

I'm giving you this money

and you're going to break Yoon Palbong's legs.

Protests continue throughout the country

expressing opposition to President Rhee's withdrawal

of his candidacy for reelection.

Political circles are closely following the protests

and are waiting to see whether President Rhee…

- Let's go, Jina. - …and run for reelection.

Jina.

Uncle, is your report going to help our country get better?

You just focus on your studies, hmm?

Put your shoes on.

We're off. See you later.

- Have a nice day. - Let's go.

- Bye, Jina. Study hard. - Okay.

Ministry of Home Affairs

National Reconstruction Bureau. Oh, hello.

Mr. Kim.

- Mr. Kim? - Yes?

Phone call, sir.

Who is it?

Hello, this is Manager Kim.

- Hello, San. - Yeojin.

Hi, are you free to talk?

Yes, I'm free.

Listen, I don't want you to come today.

I've been noticing a lot of suspicious people lurking around.

Wait, what do you mean?

I'll come right after work. Don't worry about it.

I'll see you later.

- Oh, Mr. Kim, the minister's here. Hurry. - Great.

- Be right there. - Come on. Hurry!

Miss Kim.

Site for Seohae Oil Factory

Yes?

Can you see… the Seohae Oil factory from there?

- I can. - Mm.

Once that's in place,

I'll be an official member of the Cheongwoo Federation.

You understand what that means, right?

You'll be a South Korean nobility?

South Korean nobility? Please.

I'll be the one reigning over the nobility.

Huh?

Hurry. Let's go.

San, hurry!

- They're almost here! Let's go, come on! - Okay, I'm coming.

General Jang Doosik is heading to Taepyeonggak.

Why does he insist to calling me over?

To watch him pig out?

Boy, you sure did a fine job with those shoes.

Yoon Palbong's coming.

- Let's go, just go. Don't look. - Hey, Samsik!

Damn it, Samsik!

Well, well, well. Well, if it isn't Yoon Palbong.

Good day to you.

I've called up 25 of my men for later.

Ah, good. How reassuring. Huh?

Did you talk to Kang Seongmin?

Oh, of course.

- Hey. - Hey now, people are watching.

- Hey, just give me a straight answer. - Come on, they're looking.

If what we did in Busan ever comes out, the three of us are dead.

If I don't get the Dongdaemun nomination, I won't take it lying down.

Have you gone insane?

I told you to stop bringing up Busan.

I'll stop when Kang Seongmin keeps his promise.

And why are you being so impatient?

Listen, he surely has everything handled. So, don't worry.

- Then why is he avoiding me? - You keep visiting him uninvited.

Listen, don't forget what we did for Kang Seongmin, okay?

Were we ever rewarded for it?

I'll be at the Innovation Party's speech to show you what I'm made of.

So you tell him that this is his last warning.

That bastard's stepping out of line.

You told the police to pull out, right?

Yes, I made the call.

Get ready to be humiliated today.

Let's begin.

The unemployment rate has sharply increased due to the collapse of farms,

small manufacturers, and traders.

The agricultural surpluses from USAID are fueling farming debt.

80% of which is in private loans

with annual interest rates of over 6%.

The agricultural economy is on the brink of collapse.

Now with South Korea's abundant young workforce…

The president is asking for you.

Is he running for reelection?

He said he's not sure yet.

- That's all for today. - Sir,

- we've barely started the briefing. - It can wait.

Our team spent all night putting it together.

Who is that guy?

He's manager Kim San from the National Reconstruction Bureau.

Minister Choi.

The way forward for South Korea… is laid out here.

Why is he so cocky?

Well, he studied economics in the US.

He was also an Albright scholar, sir.

- Albright? - Yes.

- Were you in the military? - Yes, that's right.

What's a military academy grad doing here? You couldn't adjust to it?

Minister Choi, the president is waiting for you.

Submit the report again.

We've already submitted several.

- But… we'll resubmit it. - We've been doing that for two years.

Right now, the president's reelection is our top priority.

Why is that your priority?

Unemployment is through the roof, agriculture is falling apart,

this country can't do anything without American aid.

- Is he out of his mind or what? - Hey, hey.

Minister, please just give us an hour.

Minister Choi.

Minister Choi! Please just give us one hour!

Oh, God.

We've been running reports for two years.

Taepyeonggak

♪ Waterfowl ♪

♪ Why are you crying ♪

♪ Do not resent the time ♪

♪ That flies by… ♪

Bunch of rookies.

Why did he bring the whole flock here?

I wonder.

♪ Leaving only the green mountains ♪

♪ In this transient world ♪

Hey, Samsik.

How strange. This bottle's gone lower.

It was up to here.

Are you all right?

Why is a general hanging around with a bunch of rookies, huh?

A general should treat his men to food and booze

in order to gain their respect, ain't that right?

But I pay for their booze, don't I?

Are you close with Hong Youngki, the head of CIC?

Hong Youngki? Why?

Uh, my nephew got caught stealing oil from US troops and the CIC detained him.

You want me to get him out?

Yes, I do.

You're making a general do menial task, huh?

I made you a general precisely so you could do such task.

Don't you know what Hong Youngki is like?

If he would get a hold of you, it doesn't matter what rank you are.

Just last year…

he got a third of all our generals stripped of their badges.

How's that? On what grounds?

Well, you're a commie if Hong Youngki says you're a commie.

He goes and cooks up some evidence and you're behind bars.

- I guess he and I are similar then. - How so?

Well, you just said he can get generals dismissed.

Why would someone like that bother with petty thieves?

- He wants to use them as bait. - Bait?

Go and meet Hong Youngki.

Are you insane?

Why would you argue with the minister? Might as well punch the guy in the face!

If you want to go rogue, then get into politics!

Go and be a politician like Choo Intae!

Go and run a campaign, give speeches!

- I'm going to. - What?

I'm giving a speech at the current affairs talk later.

A civil servant, speaking in front of the Innovation Party?

Mr. Choo Intae is like a father to me.

Well, he's not your real father, kid.

- So stay out of there. Hey! - I'm heading out.

You're still on the clock!

I'm done writing reports.

Stop writing them.

Office of the President

I've served three terms

as president of this country.

Well, it is what the people want, sir.

I already withdrew my candidacy.

If I go back on my word…

"President"

…they'll surely criticize me.

Have you seen Choo Intae's approval rating?

So, do you actually think I could beat him?

Yes, sir. I'm certain.

I'll use any means necessary to get you elected.

You'll use any means necessary?

Yes.

You can count on me.

Banya Hotel

Right. The Cheongwoo Federation…

Hello.

Ah, right. Keep it up. Here.

For you.

"Thanks to the guidance of the Cheongwoo Federation members.

I… I'm here at this distinguished event today.

This honorable…" How corny.

So? Are you ready?

Honestly, I'm nervous.

Well, congratulations.

Not everyone gets inducted into the Cheongwoo Federation.

You're one of the top businessmen in the whole country.

"Thanks to An Yosub's guidance, I have the honor of…"

I now have the honor of standing here before you. Yes.

As soon as our industrial complex is finished…

we all will be eating pizza like the Americans.

Pizza. I'm sure that none of you have heard of it.

Ah, it's extraordinary.

Come on, this is taking too long.

So, since he's acquired us 60% stake in Seohae Oil,

I believe we can officially welcome our new member Samsik.

No, Mr. Pak Doochill, I mean.

All in favor of accepting our new member?

Petron Harvest, Sierra Union, Hassel Chemistry…

All eight companies that agreed to the partnership

have given the same response.

Payment guarantees from the Korean government,

the right to use port facilities,

the right to manage railways,

and they want diplomatic status for their staff at the complex?

It's like they want to call off the deal!

An Kichul An Yosub's youngest son

Hey, do you know what pizza is? I doubt it.

They use an oven that's wider than your bedroom

to bake bread bigger than you are.

And you add meat, cheese, vegetables. Ah…

You take one bite, and…

Ah, you probably haven't heard of cheese either.

Cheese? Cheese is like bread, right?

Man, oh, man, oh, man! Look at you, it's so obvious

you're a blue-collar worker.

Yoo Yeonchul, how are you in the Cheongwoo Federation, huh?

People in America, they eat that bread daily.

- And most of them don't even eat it all. - Uh-huh.

Once the industrial complex is complete,

then we'll have bread like theirs and we'll throw out the rest.

There must be some reason they're suddenly doing this.

Think about all the money we poured into this!

Isn't that a bit strange that all at once, all eight are making the same demand?

I'll look into possible motives right away, sir.

Kang Seongmin.

Bring him right now.

Yes, sir.

Yeah, the day is coming soon.

Hey, how'd it go?

What's going on?

Petron Harvest is now…

making certain demands.

Huh? What demands?

I don't understand all this. What does it say?

A payment guarantee from the government,

the right to use port facilities,

and the right to audit government grants.

Uh, but why all of a sudden?

Well, these bastards, they just can't trust the Korean government.

Unbelievable.

Well then, what's next?

I have no idea. It could mean it's the end.

Am I…

I'm still a Cheongwoo Federation member, aren't I?

If there's no Seohae Oil, then it sounds like the show is over.

Oh.

Hey, hey, get out, get out, get out.

Kang Seongmin.

Why is it so hard to reach you?

I thought I told you to stay away.

You heard about the Innovation Party speech today?

We're about to send 25 of our men.

So I'm asking you to acknowledge what we've done.

Fine.

We'll speak after the election.

The Dongdaemun nomination,

there's a rumor it's going to some other guy.

Keep your promises and don't just use people.

Yosub will be there, won't he?

I wonder how he'll react

if he finds out who killed An Minchul in Busan.

Should I tell him who killed his son?

Kang Seongmin Liberal Party Assemblyman

We've come all this way with a single goal in mind.

So we have to think of something fast.

Oh, welcome.

Samsik, a word.

Hey, what's the matter? What's going on?

Yoon Palbong approached me again just a second ago.

Huh?

That idiot showed up again?

I thought I'd gotten through to him earlier.

I will have to teach him a proper lesson at the Innovation Party speech later.

- Don't you worry about him. - Kill him.

Huh?

Kill Yoon Palbong.

Quickly.

I'm so afraid.

I keep seeing An Minchul in my dreams.

Assemblyman, that brat Yoon Palbong,

all he's ever wanted is a national assembly badge.

- Can't you just give it to him? - Please kill him.

Do you want to watch me worry myself to death?

Right.

As you wish.

Uncle Samsik, you're the only one I can count on.

Please help me get some sleep at night.

The eight partnering companies sent us these demands all at once.

Why all of a sudden?

They distrust the Korean government.

Why on earth…

did I let you join the national assembly?

If Minchul was still alive right now…

he would be sitting there instead of you.

He would've done well far better than you.

Kang Seongmin

has ordered me to kill Yoon Palbong.

Why?

He keeps mentioning what we did in Busan together. That lunatic.

And how we killed An Yosub's son.

Do you think the president will run for reelection?

- It's not certain just yet. - He definitely will.

He even went so far as to hire those filthy protesters.

I will look into it.

You're always one step behind.

Our industrial complex is slipping away from us here.

That bastard Kang Seongmin is another coward.

He's not satisfied until the people he fears are killed.

He wants you to do it?

I'll be the next one.

Those with power and with money

will do everything they can to stay out of the mud while wearing their best shoes.

Why do you think he's asked me to kill Yoon Palbong?

I've known Kang Seongmin a long time since he was born.

He gets this look

as if he could murder somebody without batting an eye.

He had it when he told us to kill An Minchul.

And he had it again just now.

Just wait.

I'm all but certain that he'll try to kill me next.

Petron Harvest apparently sent an inspection team to the Philippines.

They're trying to take our business there?

Are they out of their minds?

They sent an inspection team, it's not out of the question.

We can't let someone else reap our rewards.

Choi Minkyu has been dragging his feet too long and now it's all ruined!

I'll meet with Mr. Choi Minkyu, sir.

Go now! Tell him we'll give him whatever he wants.

Yeojin.

San, why are you here so early?

The preparations are going well?

Well, I'm doing my best, but I'm not so sure.

This is the first time Father will be speaking to a large crowd.

Don't worry about it.

I'm sure he'll do great.

Allow me to escort you, Minister.

Seonyoowon

Seonyoowon here.

Minister Choi Minkyu has just arrived.

He's arrived at Seonyoowon.

Yoon Palbong is sending 25 of his guys to the Innovation Party event.

So he can cause a scene and ruin the speech.

It's what Yoon Palbong has been doing for the past decade.

He always targets opposition party politicians

under someone else's orders.

How many men do you have?

Right, we have around 15 men, sir.

You think they are able to hold back 25?

Haejun, Heesung, and I will be inside the hall.

And Jongsol, you look out, when the Dongdaemun guys arrive,

just run them down with the truck.

Add more chili powder.

I'm not worried about taking on 25 men,

but what happens after that, sir?

What will happen is we'll be the ones to get arrested,

not the Dongdaemun guys.

I guess we'll need to get rid of the police.

Can you keep the police away?

Retreat.

Of course I can.

Han Soo, hey, look, the police are all retreating.

- All of them? - Yeah.

Yeah, good, we can handle those 25 men.

Yoon Palbong is our prime target.

You better make damn sure to break that bastard's legs, huh?

There will be a lot of people attending Choo Intae's speech.

A lot of politicians.

All kinds of people will be there.

They're all trying to befriend Choo Intae.

He's more popular than the president right now.

If he runs for office, he's sure to win.

No wonder he's being targeted.

Choo Intae Innovation Party Leader

Innovation Party's Speech

Peaceful reunification and our nation's path by Choo Intae

Now, let us begin

the current affairs address, hosted by the Innovation Party.

Choo Intae!

- Choo Intae! - Choo Intae!

- Choo Intae! - Choo Intae!

Thank you.

I am Choo Intae.

A question. What is the way forward for our country?

The answer,

first of all, peaceful unification, and second of all, peaceful unification.

It is the peaceful coexistence of South and North Korea.

Hear, hear!

What has the current administration

done for the people of South Korea?

Nothing. All the president's done is impoverish our country,

bringing suffering to farmers and workers.

Hear, hear!

Hey!

Get in there, you fucker.

Good fucking luck.

The incumbent president

has been putting on a little show by withdrawing his candidacy.

Who on earth could possibly fall for his tricks?

That's right!

There will still be five or six Dongdaemun guys in the hall.

Can you stop them on your own?

Of course.

As long as you give me their turf…

Uncle Samsik.

This incumbent is shameless enough…

Let's go.

…to ask for yet another term as president.

It is his goal to wage another war

and reach unification with violence!

Once again flooding these lands with the blood of innocent people.

You'll take on 100 each, each of you.

If you go down, take three with you!

We cannot wage yet another war on these lands.

Never again, everyone!

Choo Intae! Choo Intae!

- Choo Intae! - Choo Intae!

- Choo Intae! - Choo Intae!

Choo Intae is a commie!

Hey!

Get outta here, you punks!

You motherfuckers!

Hey, you!

Let's go.

Someone get the police in here!

- Hey! - What are you doing?

Call the cops. Huh?

Hey! Call the fucking cops right now.

Shit or get off the pot, alright?

I got it done, huh?

Let's go.

Wait a minute, has Mr. Choo Intae already run away?

That lilly-liver little commie. Can't handle politics, huh?

No, he can't.

Excuse me.

- Are you talking to me? - Who are you?

That's Pak Jiwook of the Liberal Party. You should stop.

Ah, calm down, Assemblyman.

Calm down.

Who do you think you are interrupting an assemblyman?

Mr. Choo Intae is not a commie.

- Apologize right now. - What?

He aspires to bring the people peaceful coexistence and prosperity.

Well, that's precisely what we call a commie, boy.

Do you have any idea what kind of man he is?

Do you?

Have you read Co-prosperity on the Korean Peninsula?

It's a detailed exploration of the prosperity of a nation.

Do you know it, sir? I bet you don't.

- No, you punk. - Well…

may I explain it to you?

- Be my guest. - Thank you, sir.

Let's hear what he has to say.

This is where I come

when I want to relax, think, or just be alone.

Feel free to come here, have a drink.

Whenever you need a moment to yourself.

Is this about the Cheongwoo complex?

I can't help you.

The president's opposed to it.

He thinks a planned economy is something only commies do.

Hello, everyone.

I work at the Reconstruction Bureau.

Prior to this, I received a doctorate in economics.

I was an Albright scholar at an American university.

During my time in America,

there was beauty and abundance everywhere I'd look.

Meanwhile, my countrymen were stripped bare and starving.

Do you know what pizza is?

Has anyone tried it?

Mr. Pak, have you tried it, sir?

No, I haven't, boy.

During my time abroad, I lived above a pizza shop

and couldn't afford a single proper meal a day.

Every day, I smelled pizzas baking.

Every night, it kept me up.

Listen, the economy matters more than guns.

I saw a country where no one worried about food,

where you can have three decent meals every day.

What I envied during my studies abroad

wasn't their fighter jets or aircraft carriers. It was pi…

it was pizza.

What is the point

of winning a war when the entire nation is starving to death?

That's why Mr. Choo Intae said

that I should study economics.

Steel, shipbuilding, transport, chemical, oil, and textiles.

All the key industries a country needs.

They're each putting their life on the line for this complex.

If we don't act quickly, the overseas partners

we'll go do business with the Philippines and Taiwan.

We can't afford any further investments in facilities.

We poured everything we have into this industrial complex.

If we can't secure foreign capital,

all the money we've put down…

it all goes down the drain.

So if the government were to help us out here…

What?

You'll help us with the presidential election?

Yes.

The president and Mr. An Yosub are well into their eighties now.

How much longer do you think they'll hold on to power?

My time will come soon. After that…

yours could too.

You understand?

With your wealth and background

and my political power,

imagine what we could do if we share what we have?

I believe…

we'd be invincible.

Right.

I think so too.

Use this election to your advantage and take control of the party.

Become the chairman of the campaign committee.

All I need to do is speak to the president.

And I could give you

the chance to reign over the Liberal Party.

So…

what are you asking for in return?

Do you have anything…

aside from the Cheongwoo Federation?

Now take a look.

Seoul and Busan will be connected by a new expressway

and we'll build industrial complexes and ports.

Seoul and Incheon could connect too,

and we'd ship our goods all the way to China.

If the 700 million people in China

each buy one pair of shoes, we can sell 1.4 billion shoes to them.

Hey, smart-ass.

Why on earth would we sell shoes to the damn Chinese?

That's the kind of ideal only a commie would have.

- Exactly, yeah! - That's right!

Don't commies wear shoes too?

The Republic of Korea

can use its young and abundant workforce to become an industrialized nation.

With our peninsular position, we could become the next center of trade.

That is exactly the kind of nation…

that Mr. Choo Intae dreams of.

Choo Intae! Choo Intae!

- Choo Intae! - Choo Intae!

- Choo Intae! - Choo Intae!