Original subtitles

This film is based on true events

Spring 1980, Seoul

♪ That girl who once gave me ♪ ♪ a bouquet of flowers ♪

♪ Why do I miss her so much today? ♪

♪ Her neatly bobbed hair, ♪ ♪ like a rain-soaked blade of grass ♪

♪ Her sparkling eyes still ♪ ♪ shine in my heart ♪

♪ At times when I feel lonely, ♪ ♪ I remember that day ♪

♪ At times when I miss ♪ ♪ her, I begin to dream ♪

♪ That longing I can't forget ♪

♪ How cruel that time has taken her away ♪

A TAXI DRIVER

Private Taxi

- Lift the state of emergency! - Lift it! Lift it!

No more martial law!

No more! No more!

What, is it an accident?

Disperse, or we will act with force!

I repeat.

Disperse,

or we will act with force!

I wondered why today was so quiet.

Did they go to university to protest?

Enough is enough...

Spoiled bastards need to be shipped off to Saudi Arabia.

Work themselves to death in the burning desert,

then they'll realize, "Wow, my country is great!"

How can you dash at my car?

If you jump out like that...

Run!

Hey, where are you going?

Hey, you!

Get back here!

- Stop! - Taxi!

Taxi!

That...

To the hospital, quickly!

Mister, please go faster.

The first baby takes a long time, even after the water breaks.

My wife spent 12 hours in the delivery room.

The first baby's always like that.

Hey, hey, hey...

No more martial law!

Don't tell me you're that close!

Oh, whatever.

Throw out the dictatorship and bring in democracy!

We're here, honey.

My best driving ever!

This way.

Other taxi drivers won't take pregnant women.

But I did, remembering my daughter's birth.

Thanks... Honey, where's my wallet?

You packed the damn bag!

Take another look, it must be there.

Sorry but I left my wallet behind. Tomorrow, I promise...

You know how many times I heard that?

I could've bought a house with all that taxi fare!

No, I promise...

There she goes again!

It's coming!

Hold on just a second!

Here's my business card.

Call me tomorrow, I'll pay double! So sorry!

Pay me double instead?

Best of luck in there, okay?

Best of luck!

This is no place to play soccer. Go play over there!

Did she go out?

Hey princess, sleeping already?

You should eat dinner.

Huh?

Who did this to you?

I fell down.

Sang-gu, that brat!

It wasn't Sang-gu! I really fell.

Are you gonna lie to your dad?

Eun-jung! Should I hit you instead?

Ma'am! Sang-gu!!

Ah, just the person I wanted to see.

What do you say about this?

How could she do this to our precious son?

But she also has...

Really, I've never seen a girl as wild as Eun-jung!

You're too soft on her 'cause her mother died!

That's a bit...

And since you're here, one more thing!

I've held my tongue because I know your situation.

But you owe me 100,000 won in rent!

I'm sorry. Ma'am, I'll...

You're 4 months late, at least tell us when you'll pay!

100,000 won is a lot of money for us too.

Sang-gu, you're sleepy! Must have eaten too much.

I don't care what my husband says, I've had it this time.

And discipline your daughter, will you?

Breaks my heart to see my son like this.

Oh, I'm hungry!

Bean sprout soup?

Hey, don't fold the backs of your shoes.

Not answering again.

Those shoes are too small. Dinner's ready.

Then ask me to buy you new ones!

Wow, tastes great.

You could get married tomorrow!

Sang-gu's mom brought that over.

Right, I thought it was too salty.

Lift your head.

Dad, do we have to move?

Yup, we're gonna buy Sang-gu's house. After I get rich.

So don't worry and study hard.

Okay?

Ouch, it stings.

Then why don't you listen?

What did I say? Play nice with him, don't fight.

But he started it!

Just ignore him.

Learn to bear it. Life is never going to be fair.

Want to go on a picnic this Wednesday?

No school on Buddha's Birthday.

You should work. More customers on holidays.

Oh my, you're even worse than your mother.

Who do you take after, to be so sweet!

Under the emergency decree starting on May 18,

martial law is in force, all political activity is banned,

the nation's universities are temporarily closed,

and labor strikes are strictly forbidden.

The recent street demonstrations by students...

So does this mean I'll lose passengers again?

May 19, 1980 Press Center, Tokyo

Beer and sushi again?

Hey Peter, how was the parliament today?

Same as always, nothing different.

This is Jürgen Hinzpeter from ARD-nDR, Germany.

He's been living in Japan for about 8 years.

It might be helpful to know him.

It's good to meet you, Mr. Hinzpeter. David John, BBC.

Just call me Peter.

It's my first time in Japan. Anything I should look out for?

It's comfortable.

That's tricky... as a journalist,

you shouldn't be in a place that's too comfortable.

Excuse me?

Nothing. Where were you based before?

South Korea. It's very tense over there now.

I heard their government declared martial law.

It's always tense there.

I think it's much worse this time.

On top of the martial law, several opposition leaders were arrested,

and the universities got locked down too.

What else have you heard?

I've been trying to contact some people I know,

but it's... it's almost impossible to get through.

Since when?

Since last night.

Seoul, Korea

I work for the Church.

I'm a missionary.

It's been a long time.

I need to get back soon. Something doesn't feel right.

How bad is the situation?

It's been 3 days since the martial law.

Kim Dae-jung has been taken in,

and they've got Kim Young-sam under house arrest.

Gwang-ju?

It's a city down south.

And there's no article about Gwang-ju? No coverage, nothing?

This is the local paper from Gwang-ju.

They censored the whole page?

What exactly happened over there?

No one knows.

We got word of the first casualty at 3 AM on the 19th...

But now,

even the phone lines have been cut.

What about the foreign press?

Today is Kim Jae-kyu's trial. They all went there.

But the government has eyes on them.

They can't move as they wish.

You must be careful.

I should go to Gwang-ju, first...

By yourself?

But how will you get there?

For a guy so paranoid about his car,

how'd you break a mirror?

A worthless punk. He ran off after busting my car.

Why be a student if you can't be a decent human being?

All right. I'll only charge 5,000 won, okay?

What? Just take 4,000. I've had a rough day.

Have a heart, man! How can you be so cheap?

And get an inspection sometime. The engine doesn't sound right.

An inspection? I inspect my car every day.

After 600,000 km, this car is past retirement.

Easy on my car!

Try fixing it after it breaks, it'll cost you more.

Don't give me bad luck! I'm already pissed.

3,000 won, then.

That is so unfair! You know how much parts cost?

- Throw this out? - No way. I'll use it later.

Leave it.

Dammit!

Hey, what're you doing?

God, you're pathetic.

Pathetic?

So, the kids fought again?

I gave Sang-gu a good scolding.

Ma'am! Over here!

- What? - Another portion for us.

No, I'm fine. Never mind!

Why not? I said I'd pay.

Don't be silly, I'll pay.

What's the occasion?

Instead, lend me some money.

I figured. How much?

100,000 won. From your private stash.

Hey! I gave it all to my sister As a secret wedding gift.

But why so much? You paid off all your debts.

It's not the rent, is it?

Bingo!

My god.

Only you would borrow from your landlord to pay the rent.

Lend it to me before you start saying things.

Ma'am! Give me anything quick!

What's the rush?

We need to play cards after lunch.

You guys play all you like. I'm going to Kukdo Theater.

- Got a long distance. - Where to?

Gwang-ju. We'll go now, and be back before curfew.

Wow, you hit the jackpot. For how much?

100,000 won.

100,000 won?

What kind of idiot would pay 100,000 for one day?

A foreigner idiot.

Oh, do you speak English?

Of course. I grew up near the U.S. army base.

Damn, and foreigners pay tips! If you add the tip...

You spent time abroad. Couldn't you handle that?

I'm sorry! Enjoy your lunch.

Ma'am, discipline Sang-gu, will you? Who does he take after?

And he eats too much. Takes after his mom?

Wait till I get that money! I'll teach that kid some manners!

Called for a taxi?

Yes, but isn't this a private taxi? I called a taxi company.

Ah yes, but the company's cars are all busy.

So I volunteered...

Does he understand what's going on?

Of course. I explained everything.

You were told everything?

Yes, to Gwang-ju and back before curfew for 100,000 won.

And you speak English?

Of course, of course!

Sure, I spent 5 years in Saudi Arabia, so I speak English.

Don't worry, don't worry! I'm Mr. Kim!

Together, let's go Gwang-ju.

Okay, nice to meet you!

Please get in.

OK, okay.

Thank you.

Be careful.

Take another taxi. This one's reserved.

Reserved? For where?

Why?

This car's going to Gwang-ju.

You Korea first time?

No. It's my second time.

Oh really?

You are where from?

Germany.

Germany, oh really?

My friend...

What's the word for that?

He went to mine coal.

I know, there are many Korean workers in Germany.

Nurses, miners.

I was in Saudi, you know?

Do you know Saudi? This taxi, Saudi money.

I drive Saudi truck.

Driving in that desert, shit!

People here don't have a damned clue!

Listen, how far is it to Gwang-ju?

I don't have much time, I need to go there quick.

Why is he talking so fast?

You, fast. Huh? Slow...

So that I can English.

Slow, okay?

Okay. Gwang-ju, we go fast. Okay? Fast!

What's the hurry?

Gwang-ju, don't worry! Don't worry!

I'm best driver.

It's really far. Get some sleep.

Sleep... sleep.

You darling, you!

My recent luck's been shit all for this day.

Hey hey, Gwang-ju! Gwang-ju!

Gwang-ju? Are we here?

What's this? Can we go?

Don't slow down, keep going!

Uh, yes, yes.

What's he shooting?

What picture, what camera?

Let's go, hurry!

Why so rude? If I ask you something, answer.

And what's with this road? Can I pass, or not?

What's this?

I'm not a reporter, you understand?

Huh? What?

I said to speak slow!

Are they training?

Stop!

Is this a training exercise?

What division?

I did my service in the 7th division.

This is a real operation. Turn back.

Didn't you see the sign?

My passenger's going to Gwang-ju.

You idiot, are you trying to die?

Who the hell are you?

What is he saying?

Is he asking me something?

What did he just say?

He said, let's go back. He made a mistake.

Allegiance!

Excuse me, Driver. This direction, also Gwang-ju?

No, no Gwang-ju. Now, we go Seoul.

Seoul?

What are you talking about? I have to go to Gwang-ju.

That's what you think, and it's not that I refuse.

Soldier say, Gwang-ju no!

Okay, you won't get paid if you don't take me to Gwang-ju.

You understand?

What's he saying?

No Gwang-ju, no money.

No money?

Are you joking? You know how much gas we used?

Soldier say no Gwang-ju!

We can't go there!

No Gwang-ju!

You what camera picture?

Why you Gwang-ju?

Oh my god.

You know what, just take me to Gwang-ju.

That's all you should worry about what I'm doing there.

It's none of your business, okay?

Business?

You businessman?

So you go to Gwang-ju?

Yes, Gwang-ju.

No Gwang-ju, no money.

Shit, am I just going to waste gas money?

Sir!

Let me ask you something.

Is there any back road to Gwang-ju around here?

Nope.

Then, is there anyone who'd know...

What do you want there?

Didn't you see the soldiers?

You'd be better off heading back home.

Sir, if I can't get to Gwang-ju...

Sir, I really need to go there!

Our village foreman told us to stay clear of Gwang-ju.

Over that there hill, there is one back road...

Where is it?

Over there...

Over that side...

This road's gonna ruin my shocks.

You're lucky to have me, you know?

Any other driver would be back in Seoul by now.

Here, no soldier!

Yeah, great. No soldier.

What's going on, for them to block even this road?

Stop! Who the hell...

Turn back.

I'm just trying to earn some money...

You said you're a businessman?

Dollars, contract.

Contract...

Something like this.

Very very important paper!

You forgot this, okay? In Gwang-ju.

What?

Good day, sir! Allegiance!

Yes.

I'm coming from Gimpo Airport.

That guy is a really important businessman.

He had to miss his plane to U.S., and return for important papers.

No. Turn back!

Please listen.

Without those papers, we can't export to the U.S.

I came speeding here from the airport all out of patriotism!

We need to export so we can like, get dollars! Yeah?

- What's wrong? - To become a developed country...

Hold on a sec.

Listen!

If I don't get to Gwang-ju there will be problems, big problems!

My boss is a very important man.

He'll be very unhappy if I don't get back with those documents.

Very very unhappy! Tell him.

What did he say?

You said a hugely important...?

Tell him, not me.

Very very important paper, okay?

Very important paper.

Important man, important paper. Big, big trouble!

Hey, clear a path.

But come right back.

It's dangerous there because of the rioters.

- Rioters? - Yes.

Yes, we'll be back in a flash.

- Allegiance! - Yes.

Nice job back there!

My fare.

100,000 won now.

I've told you, I'll pay you once we get back to Seoul.

Gwang-ju dangerous.

So pay in advance.

First money.

No, it's "Ladies first," so...

Money first.

Korea business style.

Now no money, I go Seoul.

Your choice.

Go ahead and glare at me, you jerk.

Your choice!

You'll get the rest in Seoul.

Your choice!

What a fox. Are you copying me?

Still, 50,000 is nice.

I choice! Let's go Gwang-ju, okay?

Alrighty!

What a miser.

Glare at me like that and I'll rip your eyes out.

You don't know what I'm saying, do you?

Let's go Gwang-ju,

that's all I said.

To the citizens of democratic Gwang-ju...

Defend Democracy to the Death!

What's going on here?

Rescind martial law!

Stop the car, Driver. What does that mean?

Huh? What?

To the 1980s, Decade of Hope!

It says...

Hope, hope. Eight.

Ah, 80, 80. Hope.

Hope?

In the 1980s...

Oh, it's just some crap. Forget about it.

What's that?

Wait, stop! Pull over.

Hey look, it's a Seoul taxi.

Whoa, it's a foreigner.

Hi. Where are you going?

- What's he saying? - Well...

Isn't that a camera?

Those university students speak worse English than me.

Hey, Jae-sik! You speak some English, right?

Get over here, Jae-sik.

Why me?

Hi.

Hi.

Where are you going?

Where are you from?

Germany. German broadcast, ARD.

German. Um.. Are you a reporter?

Yes. I am a reporter.

He's a reporter from Germany, come to shoot us.

We'll be on the news. Great!

Businessman, my ass.

If you're a reporter, you should've told me!

He rode here in a taxi from Seoul!

Let's give a hand to the taxi driver who came so far!

Ah well, from Seoul to here...

Where are you headed now?

...is pretty far.

We go to the hospital for the sick.

Can I come with you?

Yes.

I'd like to interview him.

He wants to interview you.

Wow, you're a star now!

Ah, I should've at least washed my face.

You come up too, Mister.

What do you mean?

He needs to drive his taxi.

Don't worry, don't worry.

I'll be right behind you.

Me too go!

Then follow us!

Let's go!

♪ We fight for justice, hoorah hoorah! ♪

♪ Live and die together, hoorah hoorah! ♪

♪ We'd rather die standing ♪ ♪ than live on our knees! ♪

♪ We fight for justice! ♪

I should've known 100,000 won was too good to be true.

♪ Citizens of Gwang-ju, unite! ♪

♪ Citizens of Gwang-ju, ♪ ♪ citizens of Gwang-ju, ♪

♪ Citizens of Gwang-ju, unite! ♪

Can't risk my car getting damaged in the protest again.

Oh my, taxi!

Give me a lift, mister!

Take a Gwang-ju taxi, granny. This is a Seoul taxi.

Oh, jeez.

Granny, can you even pay the fare?

Who's in the hospital?

They said someone who looks like my youngest son

was brought there after a soldier smashed his head.

Is he a university student? Does he protest?

He didn't even go to high school.

Didn't come home last night.

Then he must have been out drinking with his friends!

He can't drink.

And those soldiers, they've gone berserk,

beating and stabbing anyone who passes by.

Granny, I was an army sergeant. No soldier would ever do that.

Those are all just rumors, right?

Of course...

Then where the heck did he go?

No, I won't take you!

Go see if they need help.

Please drive. I have to rush.

What's your hurry?

You don't write a single line in the newspaper!

You reporters have more time than anyone now!

If reporters don't report, why should we drive?

Gwang-ju taxi drivers must be rich, turning down fares like that.

Ma'am.

Please give me a ride.

No way.

Damn it!

Taxi, taxi!

No, this is a Seoul taxi. Take a Gwang-ju taxi.

Go to the other side!

Oh my.

What a mess.

A high school student?

Careful!

Go call a doctor!

Doctor!

Doctor!

Please find my youngest son. I beg you, please...

Where are you, Yong-pyo?

Oh, Yong-pyo! My son...

Are you okay?

Mom?

Mom!

Yong-pyo!

What are you doin' here?

Oh, you wicked boy!

I thought something awful happened to you.

Are you okay?

This ain't nothin' at all. Just three stitches.

Are you hurt anywhere else?

I'm totally fine.

- Sir, thank you so much! - Oh...

Thank you, really.

Mom, wear this.

Don't know what I'd have done without this taxi driver.

Thank you so much.

You got some money?

I ain't got money.

Never mind, you don't need to pay me.

See, I told you he'd be fine!

Wait! Are you that Seoul taxi...

You know me?

It's you!

Yong-pyo, you know him?

- A while back, this guy... - Hey, mister!

What's he doing here?

Do you have any idea how much time I wasted looking for you?

We've been driving all over trying to find you!

Where is my film bag?

Who is he to yell at my driver!

He ran off with this reporter's expensive equipment.

What are you talking about?

How dare you!

I took what? I didn't take anything!

What's going on?

His...

Look here!

What's this doing here?

I don't know.

I really didn't know.

You said to follow, and then you sped off.

I don't know the roads here. You know how hard I searched?

Hey mister, that ain't so.

People saw you take a U-turn.

Hey, Yong-pyo! Watch it.

Would he really take off without collecting his fare?

Here, the other half of the fare.

So you just go back to Seoul. I'm better off on my own.

What? He charged 50,000 won just to come here?

Actually, they agreed on 100,000, and he already received half.

100,000 won?

What? So he got paid and tried to run off?

Take this and go!

Just take it.

Why are you giving this guy money?

He's giving us all a bad name.

Taxi drivers like this need to be taught a lesson!

Whose side are you guys on, anyway?

How dare you start shouting!

Bro, am I wrong?

Why don't you say something?

What would I say?

If he received his fare...

would he really just ditch his passenger?

Man, you're so wishy-washy.

I'm not wishy-washy.

I'm firm when I need to be. Don't you know me?

Hey, Seoul Driver! You'll pay for doing that.

As a driver it's wrong, and as a human being it's wrong!

How dare you talk to me that way!

I guess everything they said about you was true!

Let me take a look at your license number.

What the hell are you doing?

Here!

I'm not receiving anything, alright?

Let's go.

College boy! Are you gonna ride around in my car all day?

He asked me to translate...

Do your parents know what you're doing?

Why are you chewing me out?

Didn't you see back there?

Your mother must be worried sick.

Paying that expensive tuition, did you go to university to protest?

You went to study, right? Then you should study, dammit!

I didn't go to university to study.

I went to compete in the university song contest.

Then why not spend this time practicing your singing?

Mister, you don't know what you're talking about.

You students think other countries are as nice as ours?

Go to Saudi Arabia! In that hot, burning...

What's so great about a country where soldiers assault you?

Then why do you keep protesting?

They keep telling you to stop, but you won't listen!

How is it that this foreigner understands better than you?

Forget it.

Seven o'clock go Seoul, okay?

Okay.

Promise, seven o'clock!

Is he going in the right direction?

Yeah, don't worry. This is the right direction.

We turn right here, and then we go more.

There!

Oh my god!

Mister, you missed the right turn!

Gas, gas!

I'm going to fill the gas tank!

Goddamn!

Gas...

Stop, stop.

3,000 won's worth, but like a full tank.

Who do you think I am?

I'm not that kind of person!

What did I just say?

You're not that kind of person.

No, I said 3,000 won.

- Right? - Yes.

Stop pumping! What, are you crazy?

- What are you doing? - What's wrong?

I asked for 3,000 won's worth. 3,000 won only!

What?

You think I'm gonna pay more?

I may be an out-of-towner, but this is outrageous!

I'm only gonna pay 3,000 won.

Look at this guy.

What are you so angry about,

me giving you a bit more gas when it's all free anyway.

If I filled it full, you'd have me by the throat.

Free?

Did you think everyone in Gwang-ju was just like you?

Ouch!

Why didn't you say it's free? I'd have filled the tank full.

Then fill it before you head back to Seoul.

Of course! The gas fare to Seoul is costly.

But why is it free?

You saw that taxi at the hospital?

Taxi drivers have one helluva of a job these days.

Some were arrested for transporting wounded people.

What's wrong about that? You can't choose who you take.

That's my point.

We didn't do anything wrong to be suffering like this.

Gwang-ju citizens, to the Provincial Office!

Drive out the martial law soldiers!

That way, mister. Over there.

Citizens of Gwang-ju! We're all in this together!

Drive out the soldiers!

Drive them out and protect our city!

Citizens of Gwang-ju! Let's all take action!

Coming through! News reporter here!

All the way from Seoul to report, so please make way.

Thank you, thanks!

That's a reporter!

A foreigner?

Thank you!

Flew all the way here?

Make way, people!

Best to set out on a full stomach. Have some.

What's this? Thank you.

- Hungry? Try one. - Thank you.

- Is it okay to take this? - We already ate!

Thanks so much!

Thanks to you, too!

Mister, we'll be back in no time. Why bother?