Original subtitles

I earned some money in Saudi Arabia.

But my wife got sick and I spent it all on hospital bills.

At the end, my wife insisted that I buy that taxi.

And the doctor said so too,

so I should look after our daughter.

We could have tried more meds,

but I didn't argue. That's the kind of guy I am.

The rest have to go on living, right?

Because after my wife died, I got drunk every day.

One day I woke up,

she was crying holding onto her mom's old clothes.

She must have missed her so much.

I quit drinking that day.

I'm the only one she has left.

What are you doing?

The paratroopers are searching for a Seoul taxi!

Should've said you're going. You don't even know the roads!

Here, take this and...

These are hidden roads out of Gwang-ju.

And the reporter asked me to give you this.

How can I accept that?

What?

If a driver took a passenger, he should accept the fare!

Just take it.

I can't take that money.

Just the repairs will cost you a lot.

Don't argue. Just take it!

On your way, now.

Your daughter must have waited all night. Hurry.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Why are you sorry?

Bastards out there should be.

It's damn fine weather.

Come visit with your daughter someday.

We'll take my son and go on a picnic.

Take care of yourself.

You take care.

It'll take an hour to fix it.

Don't stay cramped in here.

There's a Buddha's day celebration or something like that over there.

Go take a walk around.

Can I use the phone?

Hello?

Dong-su, is my daughter there?

Where have you been?

Is she with you?

She just fell asleep. Wake her up?

No, let her sleep.

Is she okay?

If you're so worried, why did you stay out?

Did you really get that money?

Give me the phone.

Mr. Kim! Where are you?

I'm...

I'm in the countryside and my car broke down.

I left 2,000 won in my drawer. Please give it to Eunjung...

She's been up all night waiting, so why make promises!

Hey, give me the phone!

You'll be back soon? Let's talk then. Stop it!

Hello!

How old is your daughter?

Eleven.

Then how about these?

These are sturdy and nice. Moms love them.

They're really popular!

If she's 11, she'll need size 200...

Give me size 210.

Size 200 is getting small for her.

What a thoughtful father. You know her shoe size!

Those are a bit expensive...

A bowl of noodles, please.

Huh? I thought you went bill collecting?

Ended up wasting my time.

Ma'am, another bottle of soju!

Sure.

What, people wouldn't pay?

I couldn't even get into Gwang-ju.

I heard people were killed in Gwang-ju, I guess it's true!

People were killed?

Yeah, soldiers raided the city, and all hell broke loose.

What are you talking about?

I don't know for sure,

but I heard many people were killed, and a whole bunch arrested.

That's not it.

A few innocent soldiers were killed in violent college student protests.

No, someone really saw people getting killed there.

It was in the news.

Not just students, but hardcore Communists.

They even brought gangsters from Seoul!

Really? It was in the news?

Yeah!

It's in the newspaper too, a full-page story.

If they want to protest, why not just do it in Seoul?

Protests in Gwang-ju Keeping me from doing my job.

Rogue Groups and Rioters...

You must've been really hungry. Have this, too.

It's delicious... Delicious.

Taxi, taxi!

So pretty.

Always bought her sneakers, never a nice pair of shoes...

Eun-jung will love these.

♪ The river water flows ♪

♪ Under the 3rd Han River Bridge ♪

♪ Like a bird, like wind, like water ♪

♪ It continues to flow ♪

♪ Yesterday I met you again ♪

♪ And we struck a solemn vow ♪

♪ That in the morning we'd ♪ ♪ take the first train ♪

♪ And leave together... ♪

Eun-jung, what should I do?

What do I do?

One more phone call, please.

Eun-jung, are you awake?

Daddy, are we going on a picnic?

Sorry, there's something I need to do.

Let's go another time.

When?

I left a customer behind.

Someone who really needs to take my taxi.

I'll come home right after.

So, be nice and don't fight with Sang-gu.

Until Mt. Baekdu is worn away and the East Sea's waters run dry,

God protect and preserve our country.

Where has he gone?

To the hospital.

The hospital?

Why are you back?

The paratroopers dragged him off,

and he died on the way.

So they just threw him in a rice field.

There aren't enough coffins in Gwang-ju.

So some students went to get more...

Why are you sitting there?

You need to record all this.

You promised, to tell people.

It needs to be broadcast so people will know.

You're a reporter, shoot this.

Jae-sik, and this too.

Here.

Open your eyes!

How can you leave me

and our unborn baby!

Make way!

Over here, Doctor! Please help over here.

He's been shot.

Bro, what do we do?

They're really trying to wipe us all out!

People were singing the national anthem,

when the paratroopers just started shooting.

God, so many people have been shot!

We need to get there.

You two go to Seoul, quickly.

I'm coming with you!

Mr. Kim, you go back to Seoul. I need to keep filming.

Hey, hey.

You paid me the fare.

We go together.

I taxi driver,

you taxi customer.

Okay?

Okay! Together.

Dear citizens of Gwang-ju.

One, stay at home. Two, don't believe rumors.

He needs hospital, now!

Get ahold of yourself!

Why are they shooting us?

Don't go out.

My god, look at that.

What's going on here?

Over there! She's shot!

Get a hold of yourself!

How can they just shoot people?

How can they do this to us?

How many times has it been?

They really plan to kill us all!

We can't leave injured people like that!

That's it. Let's drive our taxis in.

Wait...

Here.

I can drive well. Let's go together.

Look! The taxi drivers!

Thank you.

Young-pyo!

- Young-pyo! - Are you okay?

Hey, duck down.

Let's help them!

Let's save the wounded! Come on!

- Don't lose focus. - Come here.

Are you okay?

Please help me!

Bro, get in here!

Gently!

Here, over here!

Hold on a sec.

You need to go now.

They're getting closer.

You have to go now. Or it will be impossible.

Let us take care of this.

Go back, and please, prove all their lies wrong!

We cannot do it, but you can. Please, for us.

Go quickly! Things are getting bad here.

Mr. Kim, we must go now.

Block all checkpoints.

Can you get us out?

Don't worry.

I'll get you to the airport no matter what.

Good afternoon.

Where are you going?

I'm taking a customer to Seoul.

Is it a Seoul taxi?

No, a Gwang-ju taxi.

Where's your home?

Why?

Answer, you bastard!

And why don't you have a Gwang-ju accent?

I moved here not long ago.

What's going on? Why are you stopping us?

Hey, college boy! What's this bastard saying?

Where are you going?

I'm here on business.

But it's so dangerous in Gwang-ju, you know all these riots?

So we go back to Seoul.

He came on business but leaving to escape the riots.

Both of you, out of the car.

I don't understand. What's the problem?

Get out now.

Being a foreigner won't save you. Get out.

Open the trunk.

These are his souvenirs.

From Buddha's Birthday.

Let them through.

Sergeant, we have to stop all foreigners.

He's not a reporter, and it's not a Seoul taxi.

Let them through.

I said, let them through.

Yes, sir.

They said to stop taxis with foreigners!

Hey, close it!

A-34, A-34. Car with foreigner on the run.

Plate number 0310.

A-34, A-34. Car with foreigner on the run.

Plate number 0310.

This is awesome.

Run them over.

Bastards!

Shoot them all!

Damn it!

Bro, go faster!

Don't worry about me!

Come on bastards, let's go at it!

What's going on back there?

I'm sorry...

Take care of yourself!

Don't worry about us!

Step on it.

Step on it!

Yes, we're searching everywhere. Don't worry, sir.

He called the airport just now and reserved a flight.

Commander, we found him!

He booked the 10am plane to Japan tomorrow.

Yes, sir!

Hi.

Mr. Hinzpeter?

Yes.

Our system shows that you have a flight booked for tomorrow at 10am?

Yes, but I'm somehow here today,

so I'd like to get onto the first flight out to Japan and make it first class.

For your daughter.

This is for me?

Thank you.

Please give me your phone number.

What?

Your taxi. I'd like to pay for all the damage.

I'll get the news broadcast, then come right back to Korea.

I'll call you when I return.

Ah, I forgot to buy cigarettes.

Please.

Sa-Bok Cigarettes

Here you are.

Hey, stop that!

You're a good man.

You did a good job.

You... you good job too.

Learn Korean, before you come next time.

Come back, speak Korean, okay?

Okay.

Go on.

The curfew starts soon.

Did your dad run off? Cause he's so poor?

Sang-gu! Stop bothering your friend!

But she hit me first!

How'd you end up that way?

Eun-jung, come have some fruit. Get in!

Daddy!

Eun-jung.

I'm sorry.

You waited so long...

Daddy, why are you crying?

Daddy...

There's still no end in sight to the democratic uprising

in the Korean city of Gwang-ju.

From looking at the wounded,

we can witness the violence done to protesters in the last two days.

The army has blockaded the city and cut off all telephone and telex.

According to military sources, as of Wednesday,

there have been 9 deaths and about 60 people were injured.

However, students and protesters mention much higher figures,

Are you sure you searched everywhere?

Yes, but there's no taxi driver with this name.

Kim Sa-bok

So even the number is wrong.

Kim Sa-bok may not be his real name.

It might be better not to look for him.

Dec-03

It is a great honor for me to receive this award here in Korea.

I still remember the faces of the citizens I met in Gwang-ju,

that spring of 1980.

And I will never forget.

But there is one face in particular that I miss dearly.

My brave friend, Kim Sa-bok.

He is a taxi driver.

Hey.

Hey, young man!

Sorry, sir. I only have 10,000 won.

That's fine. Go on.

Thank you!

Watch your step.

Hey, wait!

Without him, news of the Gwang-ju Uprising

would have never reached the world.

Oh my.

I'm afraid my words fail to express my gratitude,

but you're always in my thoughts.

Mr. Kim, my dear friend.

Thank you.

I've missed you.

I'll keep waiting.

I hope to see you again soon.

He said if not for Kim Sa-bok's help he could never have made the report,

and he wishes to see him again.

I'm more grateful to you.

Thank you, thank you.

I wanted to see you again, too.

At least I see you like this.

You've grown old too.

Hello, where to?

To Gwanghwamun, please.

Gwanghwamun, okay.

It would be truly wonderful if I could meet you again.

Oh... really, I'd be happy beyond words.

If I could find you through this footage,

and then meet you once again,

I would just be so happy.

I'd rush over to Seoul in an instant,

ride with you in your taxi, and see the new Korea.