Original subtitles

Seongmin, don't cry.

Ooh.

It's the ocean.

Oh, sweetie.

- Samsik. - Huh?

Do you see that ship over there?

- Yes, sir. - Do you have any idea

how that giant thing moves?

It's oil. Oil.

You must sell oil to become truly rich.

Uncle Samsik

Uncle Samsik

The Deceased

March 6, 1960 Seoul, South Korea

Democratic Party

- They're here! They're here. - Hello.

They're outside!

Has Mr. Kang Seongmin apologized to you?

Will you report Mr. Kang Seongmin to the Ethics Committee?

Why are you at the National Assembly

- at that hour? - What are you--

Did you already know

that they plan to rush the bill?

-Okay, let's go. -All right, let's go.

- Mr. Sun, a statement please. - Coming through.

Please, just a few words.

What is your next move?

We strongly condemn…

…the rushed passing of the bill.

If Kang Seongmin and the Liberal Party

do not issue an official apology,

the Ethics Committee will then have to hear about it.

I apologize.

Officially.

Then, the bill should be allowed another vote.

The Local Government Act has been passed already.

Aha!

We can't accept these illegal actions!

It's fine.

Then,

you'll issue an apology to our

Chairman Kim San.

And publish it in the Liberal Party publication

-and to the press as well. -That's not necessary.

Everything you just said, that will suffice.

What?

-You're gonna let it slide? -Yes, and from time to time, we should.

That'll be fine.

Hey, wait. Why did you do that?

It's all right, sir.

-I'll be in touch. -You…

Hey.

You said you'd take it easy on him.

This is different.

The man hit someone at the National Assembly.

How would that make me look?

Have you seen that… list of names I sent?

Hmm?

Mm. Yes, I did see it.

I'd like to discuss, mm…

some of the seats like the district committee chairmen and all…

the party leaders.

It's already been discussed.

Tell Kang Seongmin I want to meet in private.

I won't let it escalate at the Ethics Committee.

Mm? Okay.

Can we talk?

Yeojin.

How'd you get here?

-What? -Why are you a reporter?

Is that weird for a Korean Literature grad?

Running into each other this way…

it's awkward for the both of us.

If you don't make things awkward…

then they won't be.

Ms. Yeojin, come on.

We need to get going now.

- He just fell asleep. - Oh, don't wake him.

He was in critical condition last night.

I see. He's gonna pull through.

Do you think I'll do well?

Eh, what?

Ah, of course.

To be honest, I'm a little scared.

Scared that I'll ruin everything my father has achieved.

Well, I'll assist you where I can.

His influence over the Federation has been too great.

Once we reform the system, that'll be over.

Is parliamentary reform possible?

Yes.

I've agreed to meet Mr. Sun Wooseok later.

I thought we were done talking.

You've already agreed to combining the parties.

I'd like to discuss things further.

It can't be that you've had a change of heart, can it?

Huh?

No, that's not it.

List of the cabinet members Distribution of constituencies

This won't do.

Everyone's been elected three times over on our side.

What's that have to do with the matter?

You want to cherry-pick from us,

while the others just sit out?

Well, our side has over 100 people.

State Council splits in half.

And three seats for the economic sector.

Three.

You have to consider the number of seats, Mr. Sun.

Can you really bring over 100 seats?

I can guarantee

30 more seats from the Democratic Party.

I'll have to pass.

To be quite frank with you,

there are some who are suspicious of your integrity.

Why?

You know, that rumor,

the Sineui Alliance.

Who believes in such a ridiculous rumor?

I don't believe it.

Who is it then?

Give me their names. Who is it?

If An Yosub becomes suspicious,

the Cheongwoo Federation could abandon Kang Seongmin.

Sir, An Yosub is not long for this world.

I just visited him at the hospital.

Huh. The man will be dead soon.

And what can that kid, An Kichul, do about it?

The Cheongwoo Federation's in the palm of our hand, huh?

What game are you playing? Huh?

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Is this you calling it quits? Are you done?

Come again?

What's going on?

Where's all this coming from?

You think merging these parties is easy? Huh?

You haven't changed your mind, have you?

Let's negotiate further, huh?

They're three-time officeholders! They're hard to convince!

Fine. I'll leave it to you.

Don't worry too much about it.

Sun Wooseok is just trying to act tough with you, nothing more.

He looks down on me.

He thinks the Democratic Party is going to win.

The Liberal Party and Cheongwoo Federation

have abandoned me.

He's just changing his stance because those idiots

see me as some kind of joke.

President Rhee is going to win regardless.

You know what kind of man Choi Minkyu is.

The type to pull out all the stops.

Sun Wooseok will have his tail between his legs after the election.

It doesn't seem like we'll win right now.

Assemblyman,

there's a sure way to win.

What is it?

The late Choo Intae.

How do I use a dead person?

You can use him because he's dead.

Democratic Party

Hi, come in.

- Did you call on me? - Yes.

Well, I've reviewed the entire draft of your pledges.

The old faction has also agreed to it.

I may be getting ahead of myself,

but the old and new factions

are reviewing the next parliament.

Assemblyman Sun Wooseok

has suggested creating a National Reconstruction Bureau.

What do you think?

So not part of the Ministry of Home Affairs…

Why don't you prepare a proposal

for the National Reconstruction Bureau ahead of time?

I could not have recommended you more highly.

Mm.

Quick, come in.

The Reconstruction Project.

Isn't that exactly what you wanted?

-Thank you for your trouble, sir. -Of course.

If the Reconstruction Bureau gets established, who knows,

you might become its minister.

I'm not pining for it, but…

Will the new system work?

I'll ask Uncle Samsik.

No. Why would you discuss it with that guy, huh?

Don't trust Samsik too much, okay?

He's well known for enticing people with his words, got it?

Keep this to yourself.

Assemblyman Sun Wooseok appeared to be giving up

on the parliamentary system. And for good reason.

The Democratic Party's approvals were through the roof.

So, did you keep it a secret from Samsik?

No.

Why not?

Well done.

Oh, I feel so relieved now.

- After you. - Welcome!

- Hey, bring us some whiskey. - Welcome in.

Sure. Should I bring out your opened bottle?

-Oh, sure, sure. Just bring us whatever! -Sounds great.

All right.

Please, have a seat.

- Right over there. - Okay, good.

Mr. Sun, you were quite popular at the rally.

Nah.

It doesn't matter

who appears at campaign rallies from now on.

Yeah, still,

you should arrange more campaign appearances.

You'll need to exercise if you're going to manage a busy schedule.

You're right.

The only exercise I get

is from sex.

You can't call it exercise if you only do two minutes a month.

-Oh, you're here. -Or was it just one?

Hey, you do get exercise.

You need to be fit to cozy up to both sides, after all.

What are you doing?

Come on. Out here. Go.

What's wrong?

Kang Seongmin said something?

-What exactly did you say to Kim San? -What?

Did you mention the Reconstruction Bureau?

Did you tempt him with the position of minister?

Jeez. What'd he do? Did he rat me out?

He came to try to convince me. He wasn't ratting you out.

That innocent Kim San. He said he didn't care about status.

He wanted to know why he should plot with Kang Seongmin.

That's how innocent he is.

And you tried to tempt such an honest child.

God, you old man!

You're so superficial. That's why you'll always be third-rate.

It's not like that. I wasn't really trying to call it quits.

Should I go and tell all those people in there

that you're working with Kang Seongmin?

I'm sorry.

Try and sway Kim San one more time, and I won't just sit back and watch.

Okay then. I'll be more careful.

The merger will happen as discussed.

Okay, fine.

Got it!

Samsik would've been against establishing

a National Reconstruction Bureau. Why did you tell him?

Because you don't keep secrets from each other?

Why did you always tell him everything?

- Great work today. - Thank you.

What's the occasion?

Hey, do you have a second?

Can we talk?

I never should've gotten involved with Palbong and the Innovation Party.

San.

I like being a part of the Federation.

But getting involved in things like this really scares me.

Do you think you could help me out?

Can you talk to Uncle Samsik? I can't take any more of this.

Don't worry about it, all right?

I'll talk to Samsik.

I'm sure it'll all be fine, hmm?

Oh, where have you been?

I had dinner plans earlier.

-Yeah, you can go now. -Thank you.

Oh, wow.

You've made a lot of headway with this lye factory.

Yes, sir.

Are you going to let all your work just go to waste?

No, sir.

We should try to…

make a prime minister out of our Kim San.

Yes, sir.

Anyone who quits halfway through is the worst kind of person.

-That's not what I was-- -You say you're his friend,

-yet you hold him back. -I'm just so afraid right now.

Focus. Stay focused.

Do you really want to get in our Minister's way?

That's what you want?

If an honorable life is what you want, let go of your greed.

The lye factory, the Cheongwoo Federation, you want it all, don't you?

You want it all?

People only get to fulfill 25 percent of their desires.

It's impossible to fulfill 80 or 90 percent.

Everyone gets the same 25. So how do you change that?

You need to increase your desires by 30, 40, 50.

Do you have zero ambition?

You were planning a coup from the beginning, weren't you?

That's why you told Samsik.

No.

I am…

planning to stage a coup d'état.

Capital Defense,

the 3rd Marines, the 55th Howitzers,

and a squad of 30 from Army Headquarters.

After the presidential election,

the president will head straight to his villa in Jinhae.

When he does, we'll take him hostage and declare martial law.

If we block all the main roads leading to the capital,

we'll have a good chance of success.

There's nothing I detest more

than idiots in power.

I never intended to stage a coup, that wasn't my plan.

And yet you did.

If you never trusted me to begin with,

why did you come meet me at the Banya Hotel?

Why did you call me there that night?

Don't you think we're cut from the same cloth?

Sir, good evening.

Hello, thank you for meeting us.

I'm Rachael Jeong of the Albright Foundation.

Oh, nice to meet you.

-Is General Choi here? -Yes, he's waiting for you upstairs.

Shall we?

We both had our suspicions…

and then questioned each other, isn't that right?

Yes.

The plan felt quite feasible to us.

Take a drink.

Security at Jinhae villa is generally around 20 people.

The 122nd Battalion is nearby and can infiltrate within an hour.

- We have to block reinforcements. - Yes, sir.

We need the support of Logistics Command to move out all troops and equipment.

We need this done as soon as possible.

As soon as a date is set, I'll prepare everything.

The plans were perfect,

it was completely justified.

Then why didn't you stage the coup d'état then and there?

It was imminent.

If you were in my place…

what do you think you would have done exactly?

Soldiers…

only strategize with power they have at hand.

If they win the election that's coming.

If the parliamentary reform happens.

We do not strategize with such assumptions.

Not soldiers.

Weren't you a soldier yourself?

Do you remember that day?

Very vividly.

It was such a crazy day.

I was the one who suggested creating the Albright Foundation.

Really?

Dad wanted me to do something in Korea.

It was difficult initially.

But it's fun now.

That's amazing.

This is my uncle.

He's a senator. Senator Jeremy Albright.

Actually, he's the Foreign Minister now.

My uncle helped me a great deal.

I've met him, just one time.

Uncle Jeremy spoke very highly of you.

He did?

Mm-hm.

Excuse me.

Minister Jeremy has left.

Thank you.

Well, seems like they all just left.

Great work.

It's a relief.

Do you have a cigarette?

Did you say that your uncle complimented me?

Mm.

He said you were the best graduate of all time.

They all said that.

When I was studying in the States,

I did everything in my power to beat those smart and privileged kids.

They all said the same thing.

"Kim San, you have the potential to actually change Korea.

People like you need to go to Korea to change it."

I guess…

I didn't know it would take so much time.

So that's why you're so worried.

I think that you can do it.

'Cause your ideas,

and your views, and your vision

of a new Korea…

have opened my mind.

I really think you…

can change everything.

I'll be honest.

I have a confession.

What is it?

I want to hear it.

General Choi Hanrim was my idea.

What?

I'm the one that chose you too.

I think South Korea lacks the capacity to become a democracy right now.

That's why we need an incredible leader.

That's the dream I've had since I came to Korea.

To make a great leader for us.

A great leader.

You're lucky, Rachael.

I have nothing to choose.

You do have something to choose.

You can choose me,

and the Albright Foundation is yours.

Thank you.

Samsik can't know about you…

about you meeting General Doosik today.

Let me deal with that.

So did it seem like Choi Hanrim was suspicious of anything?

No.

Would you like some bread?

I'll take some water.

Sure.

I just met with Mr. Sun Wooseok.

Is that all right with you?

It doesn't matter.

Don't forget, there is no reason to be shaken by the things Wooseok says.

He's known for running his mouth close to an election.

He promises you the moon

and says he can guarantee certain positions for you.

I don't believe him. You can rest easy.

Hmm.

Did something good happen today?

No. Why?

Well, you just seem to be in, uh… an especially good mood.

I had a few drinks, that's why.

Oh, who with?

With Rachael.

Did Rachael suggest having drinks with you?

We got bored waiting around, so we had a drink, that's all.

She must've really enjoyed your company.

You should try your luck with Rachael.

You'll gain a great support system if you become a son-in-law

-to the Albright family. -Let's just discuss work.

Pak Jiwook is going to be charged tomorrow.

I see.

That's everything, right?

Minister.

It's really good to see you in such a good mood now.

Then buy me a drink sometime, all right?

Sure, will do.

You'll hear from me.

March 15th.

The fourth presidential election is currently looming.

Candidates from each party have been campaigning daily

to appeal for citizens' support.

The Democratic Party candidates are gaining great traction

and they have put forth a new economic policy in an effort

to emphasize how they are different from the current administration.

Citizens gathered at Jangchungdan

showing support for the Democratic Party's policies.

Many political commentators have remarked on the Liberal Party's need

to increase votes in regional areas for President Rhee's re-election.

Vote for Number 1

Rhee Seungmin for president Rhee Kihak for vice president

Number one!

No matter what!

Number one! No matter what!

With the amendment of the Local Government Act,

government workers will be assigned to each district.

We will obtain ballots of the elderly

and those who have moved elsewhere.

We'll secure 40 percent of supporting votes prior to the election.

Now, make sure you all remember your groups,

and do it, just as you rehearsed.

Wait, your group was…

Isn't he in our group?

Hey, you!

Stay in your group of three. Three in a group! That's all!

You think voting is a joke?

Come here.

The group leader gets the paper ballot first.

The rest follow suit and vote the same way.

Then you go and show the observer right over there.

Come on, is that so hard?

- Right. Okay. - Yes, sir.

Have you looked into

how regional government employees have been mobilized?

Yes, although it's worse than that.

We've received intel they've even had voting rehearsals with many residents.

-Rehearsals? -Yes.

They rehearsed voting for President Rhee in small groups.

-Do you know where that is? -Yes, should I go there right now?

Go. Cover that story, then call me.

Yes, sir.

What's next?

Here's a follow-up article about Kang Seongmin's

potential link to the Sineui Alliance.

Links between anarchist group Sineui Alliance and Kang Seongmin

Drop this one.

-We don't have any solid answers yet. -No Sineui Alliance stories.

What's next? What'd you find? Let's hear it.

Right.

What is it?

Uh…

Reporters who covered the Sineui Alliance in the past were threatened.

Mr. Lee's just… He's worried about you.

The police report stated that

Yoon Palbong was shot first that day.

The following shot that was fired was aimed at him as well.

What do you think that means?

I don't know.

The whole thing feels off.

And no one's covering it.

I know a detective who investigated the Sineui Alliance.

I'll see what he knows.

Capital Defense Command

This way.

What's all this?

Some care packages just came in.

Where'd they all come from?

There's an importer that supplies goods to Logistics Command,

I ordered extras because I wanted to bring them here.

So let me guess, you still haven't found those Sineui bastards?

Hey, what's with the silence, you punks?

Police chiefs who have gathered from all over the country,

the fate of the country rests on this election.

We must unite and protect South Korea.

Let us protect our country!

To victory!

- To victory! To victory! - To victory! To victory!

- To victory! To victory! - To victory! To victory!

- To victory! To victory! - To victory! To victory!

- To victory! To victory! - To victory! To victory!

- To victory! - To victory!

- To victory! - Victory!

- To victory! - To victory!

- To victory! - Victory!

Army Counter Intelligence Corps

Workers' Party Directive No. 29

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

How's that? On what grounds?

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

- Get Captain Kim first! - Grab him!

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

- Let him go! - Wait…

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

- Get him! - Drag him out, right now!

- Everyone go inside! - Please, let him go!

- Keep it moving! - W… What are you doing?

Hey! Why are you doing this?

Go, right now!

- Pak Wonil. - Yes, sir.

You know Labor Party Directive 29, right?

I'm not sure, sir.

Labor Party Directive 29.

"Infiltrating the military

-to win over diplomats." -No, General Hong.

I'm not familiar with that, sir.

Have a smoke.

It'll help you think.

Yeah, yeah, see you.

What?

Why are you blocking my way?

We're here from the Prosecutor's Office, sir.

Prosecutor?

How dare a lowlife prosecutor

block the path of an assemblyman?

Get him. Hey…

-Get him. -Let go, assholes!

I plan to go after Pak Jiwook and use Han Soo as bait.

Then what?

Then Pak Jiwook could be the bait to get Choi Hanrim, that's what.

Hong Youngki has made his moves.

Major General Min Soochul of the Capital Defense Unit

will be arrested for espionage.

This was in one of the vases. What is this?

I happen to have made alliances within Capital Defense.

03 attack, 04 commence, 05 secret meeting…

-Jang Doosik… -Sir.

…the new commander of Capital Defense

will appoint Jeong Hanmin as his deputy.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeong Hanmin, Capital Defense Unit.

That way, Doosik and Hanmin will have Choi Hanrim on a tight leash.

Commander, thank you.

Hmm.

Here.

The addresses are five years old.

It's hard to say if they'd still be there, but that's what we've got.

I appreciate it.

Why are you looking into it?

Cha Taemin hasn't been caught yet.

They're not even looking for him.

Kang Seongmin's really not part of the Alliance?

A little while ago, Mr. Pak Jiwook took these addresses too.

He called his subordinates, the ones from his old cop days.

Pak Jiwook, huh?

I'm done doing favors for you, all right?

The police are also getting involved in the election, so things are crazy.

They're involving the entire police force?

I mean, can you prove that?

Stop asking questions, goddamn it.

I…

You're unbelievable.

List of Sineui Alliance members

Assemblyman Pak Jiwook sent his former cop buddies after the Sineui Alliance.

If they find those men, they'll probably also find Cha Taemin.

Why would he get involved?

Kang Seongmin must be tied to it somehow.

Elections abusing power.

Elections based on bribery. Illegal elections.

All of these things are happening in this corrupt democracy.

Democracy

Collusion, conspiracy, and hypocrisy are rampant.

Here you are.

The election is falling into an endless confusion.

Thank you.

Regardless of which side wins,

we won't escape that confusion.

Will political chaos end up being South Korea's growing pains,

or its death sentence?

We must wait and see.

Please, have a read.

- Here. Yes, thank you. - Right.

It is because politicians are solely immersed

in the fight for their careers.

From this moment on,

the Sineui Alliance is reinstated.

We will fight back against authorities,

powers, and injustices.

Intellectuals have sold their souls,

politicians have sold their ideologies,

and citizens have sold their hope.

The politically aware citizens must rise up.

What has once been lost…

is difficult to recover.

And no one

is able to fight on our behalf.

In a democracy, all sovereignty belongs to the people.

If the owner does not raise their voice and state their claim…

who will defend them?

Sineui Alliance

is an armed group that fights against injustice.

Sineui Alliance

opposes the authorities and powers

that oppress our people and our nation.

We strictly condemn philosophies, people, and groups who monopolize

their control and power.

We will prepare the weapons and violence to enact this.

Anyone encouraging persecution

will be dealt with by the Sineui Alliance.

All right. Okay.

Uncle.

It's all right, it's all right. It won't last long.

Can you let those students go?

Of course.

What will become of Pak Wonil and Kim Inho?

They've been captured.

They will both confess within the evening.

I have a confession too.

What is it?

Rachael and I slept together.

Is that why you were in such a good mood before?

I can stop right now if you want me to.

Rachael is like…

pufferfish at a restaurant.

If you extract its poison correctly, it becomes a delicacy,

but if you don't extract it right…

you could die.

Rachael was the one who planned the coup d'état.

Yes, I'm aware.

Are you sure we should still go through with this?

Yes.

All we have to do is stick to the plan.

But what if something goes wrong?

Life itself doesn't always go according to plan,

and yet that fact is just a part of life.

And whose fault is that?

It's just how things go.

Huh?