TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE INCIDENT
THE HIDDEN DIVORCE STORY
His lawyers are just trying to drag us into a dogfight.
If we get caught up in it, it'll only be our loss.
Can't we submit a rebuttal article just once, saying it's all a lie?
My daughter has a lot of stress at school.
It would be more effective to have her grandmother testify in court.
We can't keep pushing back the trial.
I'm asking just in case,
but is there any problem with your mother's health?
No.
Why do you ask?
That's a relief.
The other side asked for her medical records for reference.
They're trying to invalidate her ability to testify.
It's just proof they're nervous.
Damn it, seriously.
Hello?
Sorry.
I'll call you back later.
Are you all right?
I'm sorry. Are you okay?
Yes.
My car…
You should see a doctor, just in case.
It's fine. Just give me your card. I'll call my insurance.
Right, okay.
It may be dangerous driving like that, so please call for a tow.
Thanks for your concern, but I'm okay.
Um…
Do you want to go for coffee with me?
Was my line too old-fashioned?
There's a new café just up there. The coffee tastes excellent.
Are you hitting on me?
You could say it's my way of making sales.
What a strange way to attract customers.
Yes, well…
To be honest, it hasn't officially opened yet.
I've never done this before either.
I thought I'd never see you again if I let you leave, so…
You like coffee, right?
Do you have any alcohol?
Pardon?
Do you have alcohol?
Well, I can't drive my car now,
and I happen to need a drinking buddy.
That's hot.
Two months prior to the operation,
the Professor approached Inspector Sun Woojin
under the guise of a coincidence.
She was exhausted by her daughter's custody lawsuit,
which was a hot topic among the press.
Perhaps all she wanted was to laugh and talk
with someone who didn't know anything about her.
However, the Professor, who knew almost everything about the inspector,
dug right into the cracks of her heart.
He was ready to drag the inspector into his plan.
You're leaving without saying bye?
Actually, I'm a married woman.
I'm in the middle of a divorce though.
I'm sorry.
This wasn't my intention when I followed you here.
But I have a lot on my mind lately, so before I knew it…
I'm terrible, aren't I?
Don't worry about it.
This was my intention when I brought you here.
I guess it went as planned?
This is just the beginning.
I have a lot of things I want to do with you, Woojin.
Such as?
Let's see.
Do you like traveling?
That's a bit cliché, isn't it?
To where?
From Vladivostok, we'll take the Trans-Siberian Railway
and go through Moscow to Kyiv.
What?
Doesn't that take about a week?
Right. We'll get there, change trains, and take it all the way to Kherson.
Where is that?
It's a small port city in southern Ukraine.
I hear it's a beautiful place.
If you're going to go there, wouldn't taking a plane be faster?
It takes a long time, but traveling by train is romantic.
I'm sorry, but that doesn't
sound romantic to me.
I'll call you.
There are people who are fine at the scene of an accident
but end up feigning neck pain later.
I didn't get to taste the coffee today,
so I'll come by when I have time.
PARK SUNHO
Why did it happen then?
If the inspector hadn't collapsed from overwork,
and if the Professor hadn't come to clean up the headquarters,
they would've never seen each other again.
And it should've gone that way.
Woojin!
Wake up.
Wake up, Woojin!
Wake up!
Woojin!
While their accusations turned out to be false,
experts say the robbers made false statements
to damage the inter-Korean economic cooperation.
It was expected that presidential candidate Kim Sangman,
who is leading the summit,
would experience a drop in approval ratings,
but opinion polls still show strong support.
Looks like we won't have to worry about public opinion for a while.
I thought the South Korean press would be different,
but it's not that different from ours.
Considering how much our group spends on advertising, they should do as we say.
If we get the guys on the inside,
it'll only be a matter of time before we get the ones outside.
We can simply brand them as terrorists
and get rid of them all before the summit.
And what if there's backlash?
Our hands are tied anyway, so we should take care of it after the summit.
Is this about approval ratings? If the summit doesn't take place,
our political lives will be over for you and me both--
Be quiet for a second.
We do this because we want to return the future
of the stolen unified Korean Peninsula
back to the people who are the real owners of this land.
HOSTAGE RELEASE NOTICE
But the people outside seem to be in a hurry to hide our intentions
and cover it up with lies.
Perhaps they are afraid that they are the real bandits.
Then I'll give the people of the North and the South
a chance to choose between us and the real bandits who don't care
about the safety
of the hostages.
Tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.,
we promise to release
some hostages.
-Really? -We can leave here now?
Stop the broadcast now!
The live broadcast has been stopped, but the viewers are sharing the footage.
Block them!
Check all the live comments!
Dammit!
Yes, Congressman.
We're handling it as we speak.
Since those bastards have no way to communicate,
this could be their way of signaling their accomplices on the outside.
Well, we're thoroughly monitoring everything now--
What I'm saying is you should keep them from pulling bullshit stunts like this.
Can't you cut off the network or something?
Then our network will be cut off too.
And releasing the hostages could be in our favor, so--
I'll be the judge of that. Just shut those bastards the hell up!
They took the initiative.
This won't make it easy to get rid of them before the summit.
Why don't we postpone the summit?
Congressman,
are you joking?
Then we might as well hold a press conference
to tell them that everything they said was true.
-No, that's-- -Business is…
all about timing.
You think you'll have another chance?
Do you think there'll be another development boom in North Korea? Please!
Pull yourself together.
The summit proceeds as scheduled in three days.
You guys find a way to stop those bastards.
That's why you two are here!
So, if the hostages don't listen to us and keep holding out,
should we win them over with money?
Well, the Professor did say that once, so I understand that.
But why are we sending out the others?
They wouldn't be of any help if they stayed,
and we should so the hostages trust us.
That's true, but most important thing is getting Tokyo back in here.
-What? -What?
She risked her life to get out of here. You want her to do more?
Tokyo and I already talked.
From the beginning, Tokyo's mission was to meet the Professor and come back.
-What? -Hey.
There are snipers out there, and--
That's why we're going to use the hostages.
They can't just shoot if she's among the hostages.
He has a point.
Hey, can't we just do what we originally planned?
Our escape route is almost complete. Why take the risk?
If it had gone as planned, we wouldn't have lost communication.
Tokyo has explained the situation, so the Professor will give instructions.
There's only one way to find out.
Kim Sangman's approval rating for the next presidential election
is expected to drop by more than 10%.
Experts say that the Mint incident will affect not only
the economic cooperation summit but also the next presidential election.
This is because the Mint robbers had announced during their live stream
that they would release some hostages.
The robbers are arguing that this is more than a simple heist
and that the goal of the incident is to expose
the corruption of certain parties involved
in the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Summit.
People have reacted to the truth of corruption…
The Professor analyzed the rapidly changing situation all night.
And he came to the conclusion
that there would be an upheaval that would destroy his plan.
I'm changing our plan.
What are you talking about?
The escape route will be done in a few days.
Don't we just need to wait for the day of the summit?
We can't anymore.
Didn't you hear what the news said last night?
Public opinion is on our side, so they can't raid the Mint either.
We can take the risk, but we can't make it go the way we want.
Having public opinion on our side was a prerequisite for escape,
but things are changing too rapidly.
So, did you find an answer?
-Yes, but it won't be easy. -Good.
I can deliver the message.
I'm counting on you.
If we don't let them know of the changed plans,
they won't survive,
let alone escape.
The robbers occupying the Mint
announced they would release some hostages at 3:00 p.m. today.
There are different speculations
as to whether the robbers' actions
were meant to strengthen their claims or if there were other reasons.
Mom.
Are you awake now?
How did I get here?
They said you're overworked. I'm relieved it's not worse.
You need to take care of yourself while working.
You passed out on the street.
But who brought me here?
We came here after we got a call from the hospital.
The nurse said someone brought you in,
but there wasn't anyone here with you when we arrived.
Woojin, wake up!
Woojin!
We're really giving them three billion won if they stay and help?
Yes.
But if the hostages
don't care about the money and they say, "Fuck it, I want to leave,"
then what will we do?
That won't happen.
You'll see how cunning people become when it comes to money.
Don't you think they're really going to let us go?
I mean, they even broadcast it.
Will they really pay us if we stay?
Mr. Park, are you going to stay if it's true?
I mean, three billion is a lot of money. Honestly, it's going to be life-changing.
And the money they're printing belongs to the bad guys anyway.
Are you out of your mind?
Have you forgotten that those bad guys sign our paychecks?
Three billion isn't really enough for a director at your level, right?
Of course not.
Just three billion?
Okay, now it's time to decide.
Have you made up your minds?
I'm sure it's not an easy decision to make.
Since you've given us a choice,
may I express my opinion as director?
Go ahead.
Everyone, there's no need to think it over!
This is all a trick! Those robber bastards--
Why would these robbers give us all that money?
They're just trying to take advantage of us.
Do you really think so?
What can we do
if you milk us after promising us money
and go back on your word later?
And when we're released,
we'll all get fired from the Mint for cooperating with the robbers!
Won't you get fired either way, whether you leave now or later?
What did you say?
Look back on what you've done so far.
You put people in danger many times just to save yourself.
What are you talking about? When did I do that?
Wait.
I bet the people who got out said everything already.
Hey! Is that what's important right now? I'm telling you this is all a trick!
Helsinki!
Bring it in.
Okay, take a look.
We are not lying!
If anyone wants to take it now, go ahead.
What's the point?
Even if we succeed, the police will take it back later.
Yes, that's right.
We'll need a better way to deliver it.
We already have a method in mind.
It's…
Well, I can't tell you right now.
If the hostages who get released speak of the plan,
you'll lose all this money.
And if you still don't believe us, we'll give it to you how you want.
As my director friend said,
if you work with us, you might be fired from your job.
But three billion won is
enough money to start a new life.
Starting now, we'll have one-on-one meetings with everyone.
Think about it carefully.
Three billion each?
If it's ten people, that's 30 billion.
The hostages' cooperation will be more important than anything else.
Especially when you escape.
Do we need to seduce them with money?
You know how in movies,
you're in a life-or-death situation together
and get close to each other?
You know what I'm talking about?
Stockholm syndrome?
I think I've seen it.
No, you haven't.
What is that?
Is it a mental illness?
Well, kind of.
It's a condition in which hostages develop
a psychological bond with their captors.
What?
-You know stuff like that? -I heard someone say it in jail.
Of course, some hostages might feel that way,
but the longer the hostage crisis, the harder it is to control.
-Unexpected things could happen too. -Like what?
The hostages rebelling and escaping?
Don't be ridiculous, punk.
You think they're Bruce Willis or something?
Die Hard.
That's right.
It is possible.
Right.
If that happens, the remaining hostages will no longer be afraid of us.
And if they go on strike, we'll never print money on time.
That must never happen.
But how can we say it'll work in that situation?
What, with three billion?
Think about it.
If a hostage chooses three billion instead of freedom,
from then on, they'll be rooting for our success.
As desperately as they want the three billion…
They'll become accomplices.
That's right.
Don't be nervous. You can say whatever is on your mind.
You're really going to let me go without any consequences?
Yes.
Have you been tricked your whole life?
Well, there is this one thing.
If you leave now,
you'll be broke.
Let's hear it, then.
Do you still want to leave after hearing what I said?
Well, I thought about it.
You can give me that money in advance, right?
-What if I can? -That three billion…
Why don't you hide it somewhere in the Mint?
They'll never think that you hid it here.
There's a place that only I know.
I have something to ask.
What is it?
Are you going to leave?
-What's your name? -What?
My name?
Well, I can't tell you that.
Too bad Tokyo is gone. Didn't you two have feelings for each other?
Right. It was just one-sided.
Shut up.
So, what are you going to do?
Do I have a choice this time?
That's unexpected.
How did you end up a director when you're so thickheaded?
You must've thought it was a smart move.
You think the cops wouldn't figure it out?
When the situation is over, the Mint will become a crime scene.
They're going to search every nook and cranny of this place.
I'll answer you right away.
I don't need to think about it more.
I'm going to stay.
Really?
I haven't even said a word yet.
Well, if you don't believe us,
we'll let you out as you wish.
Hold on.
What exactly is the method you have in mind?
Please let me know.
Honestly,
I have no choice but to stay here.
Yes, well.
You saw it too, right?
The guys out there are crazy and don't care if you're in here or not.
It's Taeksu.
Oh Taeksu.
Taeksu…
I don't need money,
but I'll stay.
I want to be with you, Taeksu.
It's embarrassing to admit,
but I'm doing my job more rationally than ever in my life.
You're the best boss I've ever had.
I'll tell you and only you, my director friend.
When things die down, a box will arrive at your house.
Quietly, without anyone knowing.
It's time to decide now.
Three billion won?
Or freedom?
Freedom to the left.
Money to the right.
Director.
It's this way.
Anne, what are you doing?
What's with you people?
Didn't you say we could leave if we wanted to?
It's okay. I want to stay.
What?
For those who chose freedom,
you'll leave at the time we promised.
Those who decided to stay will immediately move to the machines.
Let's have fun printing money
and talk about how you'll be spending that three billion.
Follow me.
I'm sorry.
I misread the time.
Yun Misun…
decided to stay.
Okay, stand on this side.
What?
Wait.
Wait. What's up with you?
What's going on with you and her?
What do you mean?
Look me in the eyes and tell me straight.
Dad.
The thing is,
I love that woman.
What?
Dad, if we get out of here,
we'll have tons of money.
Misun and I will live happily and take care of you.
You'll see your grandkid--
Are you crazy?
She's our hostage!
So what?
We love each other. What's the problem?
Love?
Didn't you hear about Stockholm syndrome?
Come on.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Come on, drop it.
What do you know, Dad? Seriously.
She said she didn't need the money, didn't she?
I mean, that she doesn't need the money
and that all she needs is your love, right?
Your mom said the same thing.
What are you talking about?
I
never told you how your mother and I met, did I?
At the bank I went to rob,
your mom worked as a teller.
What?
Just like that woman,
your mom said she didn't need anything, that we should just run away together.
We thought it was love too.
But as soon as she gave birth to you…
she told me to let her go.
Son, please,
don't turn out like me, please!
Denver wanted to respond, but he instinctively knew
that criticizing his father's past was only denying his present.
Fuck, seriously!
It goes in here.
Then through here, and here is where it's printed.
Okay! We have to work hard to make up for lost time, right?
Hey, you!
Don't just stand there. Get to work!
Nothing's free in this world. Can't you see I'm working?
Everyone, work hard!
You guys, come on and help!
Get to work!
Earn your keep!
Isn't it beautiful?
You can't help but admire it.
Why did you want to stay?
I don't think it's because you needed the money.
I don't know. I'm not sure myself.
What?
I wanted to see how things end up here.
You fainted from overwork but were already discharged?
Don't you need more rest?
I'm fine. About the announcement the robbers made…
Making a scene like that--
We'll take care of things here. You should take a break.
I already put you on vacation.
Chief.
Fine, let's drop it.
Welcome. Where can I take you?
Are you closing your café?
Woojin.
It was you who took me to the hospital, right?
I'm glad you were discharged so quickly.
I removed myself from the Mint case.
Now that I quit, I miss you.
I came because I regretted my decision.
I guess I wasn't in my right mind because of the case.
Inside information was being leaked, then Captain Cha disappeared.
I don't want to make any excuses.
I just…
I'm sorry for hurting you.
Just know that my feelings were sincere.
Even if I don't get to see you again, I had to tell you this.
Goodbye.
Woojin.
No matter how perfect a plan is,
it doesn't always go exactly as planned.
The Professor was well aware of that.
Because plans are carried out
by imperfect human beings, who are always swayed by emotions.
But what he didn't know
was that he could also be like that.
When I get time off work, do you want to go on a train ride?
Remember? When we first met, you asked me to go with you.
Back then, the city you wanted to go to…
Where was it?
It was called…
Kherson.
Right.
It's a port city where the Black Sea and the Dnipro River meet.
Why did you want to go there, of all places?
Actually, after my father heard about it from someone who'd been there,
it became his lifelong wish
that someday, he could live with his family there.
Your father?
This is the first time you're mentioning your family.
Because it's something that I don't want to discuss.
In his last years, he forgot all about Kherson
and suffered until the day he died.
Did he have dementia?
Yes.
My father had dementia too.
INCOMING CALL
I have to go.
It's a bit complicated to close up the store.
So, we're going to Kherson?
He wasn't sincere when he first brought up Kherson,
but at that moment, the Professor sincerely wanted to go there with her
even though he had to disappear without a trace in a few days.
Let's do that.
When I'm done with the store, let's go together.
Who gives a shit about that Stockholm syndrome or whatever?
What are you doing standing there?
It's nothing.
Your dad
told you to leave that Misun girl, right?
How did you know?
It's written on your face.
Do you think she's got that Stockholm thing too?
I don't know, but does that matter?
Whatever her feelings are,
won't it be fine if you're confident that you won't regret it?
Berlin.
I heard you brought that girl out of the concentration camp with you.
Right? The girl named Seoul.
And she followed you out too, right?
Doesn't that mean you love each other?
Right?
I regret it.
What?
Damn it!
Why are you here?
What?
Aren't you a Pyongyang University graduate?
You try to disguise it with the Seoul accent,
but I can tell you're from there.
Is that so?
Perhaps,
it's not easy to erase the past.
How did you end up with those guys?
That's a long story.
If you wanted to…
you could have lived a comfortable life.
If you regret it, it's still not too late.
-If you help me-- -You'll erase my past.
And give me a new life, right?
I'm sorry…
but I'm already living a new life.
And I like it a lot.
I'll take this.
Good luck getting out of those handcuffs.
I'm punishing you for being stupid.
Where have you been?
I had things to handle.
If you're ready, shall we go?
Wait a minute.
Here.
It's medicine.
Give it to Berlin, please.
If Berlin ever tries to do anything stupid--
Don't worry. I'll grab him by the neck and drag him out.
Let's go.
-The house of paper is ours! -It's ours!
REVEAL THE TRUTH
Reveal the truth!
We will not negotiate!
-What's going on? -What are you doing?
Why is it so loud?
As instructed, we've set a perimeter of 100 meters.
But it's difficult to stop the hostages' families and reporters.
Why do you think those bastards tried to draw attention like that?
They want to play with propaganda.
Do you know how complicated things got after the last stunt they pulled?
I don't know what it is that they're up to,
but we can't let them play us anymore.
There shouldn't be anything we can't control here, okay?
Yes, sir.
Set up a tight perimeter so that nobody is closer
than 300 meters to the Mint.
What should we do about the reporters?
Get rid of those streamers and YouTubers.
Here.
Only the news outlets on this list can stay.
They won't go live, and we've already discussed the direction of the reporting.
Yes, sir.
My father had dementia too.
"My father too"?
They've got more troops.
Did they figure out our plan?
No.
They're afraid of the public.
Things will be harder for us, then.
It's not looking good for us.
We need the place bustling with people. But they got rid of everyone.
We need to stop before it's too late.
They've doubled the force and completely blocked access.
Tokyo coming back in right now
is a total suicide mission.
Hey, let's not release the hostages.
We can't do that.
Why not? Because of public opinion?
Our own survival depends on it. I told you.
The Professor said that?
Are you sure it's not part of your crazy plan for a revolution?
Berlin!
Stop accusing me.
What does a South Korean kid know anyway?
Do you think Tokyo will give up if we don't release the hostages?
No, she'll risk her life coming back. Why? For us.
Withdrawal?
That's what will get Tokyo killed. Got it?
Hey! If something happens to Tokyo,
I will kill you myself, got it?
Fine, I'm looking forward to it.
Hold on. You're hurting me.
You…
You should leave.
What?
Get out of here!
What are you suddenly saying?
Just go live a normal life.
You'll regret it later.
I won't regret it.
And it doesn't matter if I regret it later or not.
Because I'm the one who decided
to be with you.
Hey, come to your senses.
I'm a robber.
Because my father was in and out of prison for theft,
I didn't go to school.
I'm just a punk who only knows how to use his fists.
Trusting a guy like me and staying here…
Does it make sense? Does it?
Why are you being like this?
Fuck, seriously!
Fuck, can't you take a hint and just leave?
Why the fuck don't you get it?
Taeksu.
Get lost.
I'm not interested in you anymore.
Weren't you also looking for some fun after being with that old guy?
What?
Are you pretending to be clueless because of that three billion won?
I'll send you three billion won--
I don't need that money.
You son of a bitch.
What are you doing? Time's up!
Hostages who are going to leave, gather in the lobby!
Fuck, seriously.
Tokyo.
-Can you hear me? -Yes.
I'm ready.
To be honest, this operation
is going to be difficult.
If you fail…
I'll be ruined or killed.
I know that.
I feel like I'm putting too much burden on you.
Professor,
I have just one question.
I'm listening.
The promise you made me then is still valid, right?
Of course.
Then it's all good.
Don't think. Just do.
It's okay.
As promised, with no strings attached,
we're sending 15 hostages back into their family's arms.
I'm thankful for the patience our hostages have shown
and for all of their hard work.
We are hundreds of meters away from the Mint,
but as you can see, except for some specific media outlets,
it's impossible to get access.
The police authorities said it was for safety reasons…
To the people of the North and South…
Why is it lagging?
What's wrong?
-What's happening? -Everything's cut off.
This isn't working.
Come here and cover that side.
All nearby radio stations and networks are shut down.
He doesn't want to talk now that the microphone is gone, huh?
I love how flustered they look.
Now, go home.
Move forward.
You all did well.
Walk slowly and watch your step.
Come out!
Now!
What is that? Catch them!
What is that?
-I think it's an accomplice. -They…
Are you just going to watch? Fire!
But the hostages…
Sniper, what are you doing? Shoot!
-Sniper! -Covering fire!
Are you out of your damn mind?
Get in!
Come on, Rio. Get in!
Get in!
Watch out!
Close the door!
That was awesome!
Goodness.
Jeez, welcome back.
Welcome back.
Good to have you back.
Welcome back. Come on.
That was pretty good.
Hey, are you hurt?
You really almost died just now, you know?
But I didn't.
Right.
Honey, I missed you.
You did it!
Berlin.
Why did you bring this?
Some girl really insisted.
Why…
Apologize to your father.
What?
Why should I?
He's still your father.
Forget it.
After a few days, he'll come up to me
and say he’s sorry and whatnot.
Besides, we'll make up once we talk.
You have nothing to worry about.
We're always like this,
my dad and I.
What's this about?
Come on. What's wrong?
Mom, about that café owner…
Yeah, the one you're seeing?
-Yes. -What about him?
Have you met him before?
I'm not sure.
About a month ago, when I saw you off, I think I saw him for a moment.
Think more carefully.
I
called you.
What? What are you talking about?
I saw
that man.
That's why I called you.
You saw him? Here?
Did he come looking for me?
I don't know.
-What's wrong, Mom? -I don't know.
Mom, when was that?
When was that?
-What happened? -I don't know.
All right.
-I don't know. -All right. One second.
CHA MOOHYUK
This may not be the best time to bring this up,
but when did you start seeing that man, Park Sunho?
Those robbers chose me?
But why did you eavesdrop on my call?
Woojin, let me…
Just give me a minute!
Sunho. What are you--
Woojin, here. It's your mother.
What was on the menu this morning?
Sandwiches.
Here it is.
I think I've found it.
Okay.
These bastards…
Okay.
Great work, everyone.
We're almost there.
Hold on.
-That bastard. -Damn it.
That way!
This must be what Captain Cha Moohyuk found that day.
"Name."
"Song…
Sunho."
"Cancellation of citizenship due to death."
"The aforementioned person's residence registration data was registered
in accordance with article 19 of the North Korean Refugee Act."
"He and his father, Song Minhyeok,
defected from North Korea."
"His biological mother and brother
were reported missing
while defecting."
WELCOME TO JEA: JOINT ECONOMIC AREA
Cha Moohyuk!
Hey!
Sorry.
Where's Moscow?
What?
I don't know. I'll relay the message to him later.
You can go on.
The summit is going to be moved up.
Moved up?
By how much?
If the Professor's calculations are right…
it'll be tomorrow.
We have to get out of here.