Original subtitles

Presented by iPICTURES

A Chungeorahm Film production

The characters & events featured in this story are fictitious

'THE PRESIDENT'S BARBER'

starring SONG Gang-ho

My father is a barber

His name is Sung Han-mo

People also call him 'Tofu Han-mo' like for counting tofu

My mother was a shaver

When she came up to the city, it was the first thing she learned

LEE Jae-eung

Have a nice day

Yong-shik

Go eat and come back Go eat, okay?

MOON So-ri

My father was an ordinary barber,

but he didn't always do ordinary things

What are you doing?

Mi-ja, I have something to talk about

Hold on, This way...

Let go of my hand and let's talk

Because...

You are not supposed to shave like that

he was a barber

who lived in the President's neighborhood

Who are we?

March 14, 1960 Aren't we the President's neighbors?

March 14, 1960

March 14, 1960 It's up to us to lead our country

to prosperity and comfort

Do you all understand?

Remember this

To face off with the Northern commies

we have to support Dr. Rhee,

only Dr. Rhee Seung-man

Oh, of course he's got the president seat

Mister Choi the community leader,

always had concern for the country,

and said that the government was always right

But the problem is Lee Gi-boong

Whatever happens,

Lee Gi-boong has to become vice-president

Since he can support Dr. Rhee

You all know what I'm getting at?

So that's why

It's V for victory

Remember this

- Oh, it's cold - Nice for you to come early

You remember this also

Dad didn't know the victory sign,

but he did whatever Mister Choi told him to do

Hey, it's V for victory!

Yes, number two

V for victory, ballot one

You told me number two

Number one

Number two? Number one?

Dad always believed that the government meant well

So he followed Mister Choi,

and worked hard for the country

The briquette-selling gentleman

also knew that my father worked hard for the country

Hey!

What are you doing here?

Oh they're potatoes

They all rotted, so I'm burying them

Potatoes, I see

You dug pretty deep

Mr. Choi

It's going to be all right

The next important thing to my father

was my name

You're holding it upside down

So the name is

That's the Gwang and Ho characters

This is Nak and An

The name Gwang-ho

brings your son power, but not a long life

- So he won't live long? - I didn't say that!

The name Nak-an doesn't bring wealth,

but it brings comfort and no worries

Nak-an

So he can live comfortably

- But can't make much? - I didn't say that!

Both of them are good names, so pick one

Don't you have a name

that brings both comfort and money?

No!

If I were you, I'd pick Nak-an

Living long is the best

Which is better?

Even if it's a short life,

a man should live for power

Did you go into his wife's belly?

What if it's not a boy?

Nak-an?

Yes, What an easy name Nak-an

What's so easy about that?

People could mistake it for 'Knock on'

What if everyone calls him Knock-on-wood, huh?

Then no one will come in here

They won't knock on his door

Here comes the President

The President finally got re-elected

through a rigged election

Dr. Rhee amended the constitution

to get Plus Five votes to win before

Since he rigged the election again, he'll be President forever

Mr. Wang, people keep mentioning Plus Five

What does Plus Five mean?

Does it have anything to do with the constitution?

You didn't know?

Nine, ten

It takes ten months

for the baby to come out, right?

Right

So is the baby in the belly a person or not?

Hard to tell, right?

How about a nine-month baby?

Then it's the same as a person,

since it has arms and legs

How about eight months?

At eight months, it's still a person

How about seven months?

Seven months

Six months?

Then how many months makes the baby a person?

Confusing, isn't it?

Why the hell is it confusing?

Once it comes out, then it's a baby

Think a baby comes out like a dumpling?

So it's five months

At five months we think of it as a person

Less than five months, we don't

I said no

Then what are you going to do?

The baby has to be born

It's up to me whether I have the baby or not

No way It's Plus Five

What are you talking about?

Plus Five

If the baby's over five months,

it has to be born

Why?

The law says so

Plus Five even amends the constitution,

so the baby must be born

My mother had an arranged marriage at her hometown

She was planning to work for a few months,

but my father spoiled it all

I even named the baby

What is it?

Nak-an

Nak-an?

Sung Nak-an?

What a stupid name!

So that's how my name became known as Plus Five Nak-an

to everyone in our neighborhood

Let's do it again! Let's do it again!

The Freedom Party rigged the election! Leave the parliament!

Because of the Plus Five incident or the rigged election perhaps,

many people gathered on our street,

which lead to the Blue House

Rhee Seung-man betrayed democracy! Leave the Blue House!

I was born on the day of the ApriI 19 Revolution

Dad would always brag to people

how my birthday was easy to remember

The Freedom Party rigged the election! Leave the parliament!

My belly! My belly!

Please let us pass

Fire!

What's this?

Get over here!

I'm gonna kill you!

You call yourself a husband?

I was just

Why do my shoes keep coming off?

- Shit, coming up again - Let's go

Let's do it again! Let's do it again!

- Crooked cops go away! - Go away! Go away!

What are you waiting for? Are you crazy?

Let get rid of Rhee Seung-man and vote again!

Fire!

Doctor! Doctor!

Please help us, doctor!

Doctor, please help us!

- No, I'm not a doctor! - Help us, doctor!

Doctor, my friend is bleeding!

It seems you've mistaken my gown!

I'm not a doctor!

Doctor! Help us!

I'm telling you, I'm not a doctor!

Like I said, I'm not a doctor!

I'm on my way to the hospitaI

because my wife's having a baby!

It's coming out! It's coming out! It's coming out!

It's coming out!

It's coming out!

Everyone, it's coming out!

Nice baby, Nice baby

I was born safely on that day,

but a lot of people were killed

in front of the Blue House

You look so happy

Hello

Welcome

I brought you a gift

Aw, you shouldn't have

Oh, Nak-an

My wife will bring mine

Mr. Wang bought you some pretty clothes

Who's that on the radio?

Isn't it the President?

The President finally stepped down

Mr. Choi was mad

at the college students for bringing him down

Come over here

Come this way

Come this way

Come to daddy

Hey you, where's the Blue House?

That way

Forward!

Bastard could've asked nicely

After the military seized the Blue House,

Mr. Choi thought it was for the better

May 16, 1961 Coup d'etat

So my father thought the same

'A few years later'

Okay, that's perfect!

What the heck are you doing to the barbershop?

Now, this place

looks like a real barbershop in the President's neighborhood

Your idea turned out pretty nice

Now when people come in here,

they'll say, 'A barbershop in the President's

neighborhood sure is better'

- Isn't that right, Nak-an? - Pardon?

You're too young What would you know?

Why are you hitting my son?

We've come to look for our flower!

What flower are you looking for?

We're looking for the Hair Man!

Rock, paper, scissors!

Rock, paper, scissors!

Dad

I told you not to talk to me when there's a customer

Mom went to the market, so fix yourself something to eat

Dad

Dad!

What is it?

The kids called you Hair Man

Who the hell said that?

There...

Is it that fatty?

Did you call me Hair Man?

No

- Yes, you did! - When?

Now you're Lying to me?

I swear I didn't!

Who are you to yell at me?

I swear I didn't!

Watch your mouth

I have no choice Let's go to the police station

You need to be interrogated by the police!

Now follow me!

- What's going on? - Daddy!

He's your son?

What happened? Tell me

The other kids Hair Man, but he said and hit me!

Say it right!

The other kids called him Hair Man,

but he said that I did and hit me!

Hair Man?

What's so bad about calling a barber Hair Man?

A barber cuts hair, doesn't he?

So, where are you going now?

To the police station

Police station?

What are you doing to my son?

Fine, let's go to the station

That's not what I

Anyway, when did your son grow up like this?

You look just like your father

Nice and healthy

You look great

You chubby thing, you

Buy some cookies with this, okay?

Buy some cookies

Need some help?

No, I'm almost done

Anyway, why'd you buy so much coal during summer?

Well, winter has to come anyway

Thanks a lot

Come by some time

Looks like you can use a haircut

Dad, Why'd you give him money

after Young-jong called you Hair Man?

I told you already

Young-jong's father and I have been old friends

That's why

Nak-an, come here

I said come here

Nak-an, I'll tell you what a barber is

See that thing spinning around outside?

Do you know what it symbolizes?

The red and blue lines symbolize blood

And the white lines symbolize bands

Do you know what this means?

No

I'll tell you what it means

Long time ago, barbershops were hospitals

Doctors cut hair

and performed operations long ago

This gown

Look at this gown

It looks exactly like a doctor's gown, right?

Don't I look like a doctor?

I do, huh?

Nak-an, from now on,

if anybody calls me Hair Man,

laugh at him to yourself

Think, 'You're too stupid

to know that a barber and doctor are brothers'

To myself?

Yeah, to yourself

It's the best way

to treat ignorant people

No matter what you tell them,

they can't understand

How could they ever get that

a barber and doctor are brothers?

No matter what

it's like reading a book to a cow

Like reading a book to a cow

In other words

Like talking to the wall

Talking to the wall?

Why would someone do that?

Yong-baek! Yong-baek!

I heard you took seven of Nak-an's cards

How about a game with me?

Where are you running off to?

That little prick

How long have you run this place?

About twelve to thirteen years, sir

Then you'll know what goes on around here

Pardon? Yes, of course

Do you know where I'm from?

Pardon? From the Blue House?

No, I'm from

the Central Intelligence Agency

I see

Seen anyone suspicious around here lately?

I'm not too sure

Let me know if you find anyone suspicious

I'm looking for a fishy person lately

Yes, sir

Especially

Tonight

Around here

I feel like he'll show up

- That fishy person? - Yes

Yes, I'll inform you right away

Then it'll be too late to catch him

Then how?

Report it to the police, got it?

The police, right

Around midnight tonight

In this area

I understand, sir

Thank you

Mom told dad not to let

that man in the shop again,

but Mr. Choi told my father to always treat him nice

He said that it's good to know people,

who seem to have power and connections

I wanna sleep in the middle

You little

Your father's the oldest so he sleeps in the middle

Go to sleep

No, I wanna sleep in the middle

Shut up and just go back to sleep

- I wanna sleep in the middle - Just go to sleep!

Why the hell doesn't he sleep?

- Dad - What?

- A rat - What?

Stop it!

There's a spy A spy

I said there's a spy A spy

Hurry!

There's a spy!

Hey!

Freeze!

Don't try to escape!

Let go of me, you idiots!

- Wait! Wait! - Let go, you idiots!

- Get him! - Get him!

Who are you? You little punk!

You're a spy, aren't you?

I'm on a special assignment, you idiots!

He doesn't seem to be a spy!

He's a spy!

Have you ever seen a spy who says he's a spy?

- You're a spy - I know you're a spy

Let go, you bastards!

Stay still!

- Know who I am? - Yeah, a spy

But he wasn't a spy

He worked for the CIA

He was watching over a communist

student from Japan living next to us

Anyway, that day became

a turning point for my father

Are you the one who reported the spy?

Yes, sir

Can't you tell a spy from a CIA agent?

What unit did you serve, huh?

Are you Sung Han-mo?

I'm the head of Jongro Police Station

Great job

I'll also get a plaque thanks to you

Nice to meet you

The President is here

Mr. President

If there were more people like you,

no spy could ever show up around our Hyoja district

What is your name?

Sung Han-mo, sir

I see, Sung Ham-mo

No, it's Sung Han-mo, sir

Yes, Sung Ham-mo

No sir, it's 'han-mo', like for counting tofu

Oh, Tofu Han-mo

Later, my father discovered

that the Secret Service Director

planned out the whole spy incident

He did it to get the CIA Director into trouble

'Presidential Plaque'

I rubbed it already this morning

Then rub it some more

It's an honor rubbing that

Where else can you rub such a thing?

Anyway, why do you talk so much?

Wanna work somewhere else?

You should know your place

Attention!

Pack up your barber tools within three minutes

Pardon? My barber tools?

Shut up and just do it

Yes, sir!

Barber tools!

I'm done, sir!

You must know several things

First, address him as Mr. President

Second, keep your head down except when it's necessary

Third, don't ask unnecessary questions

Fourth, keep a clean cut appearance

And the last is the most important

Always say,

'Mr. President, I will begin shaving'

Then shave him only after he answers 'okay'

Don't put your blade on him at any time, understand?

Sign the contract

Cut his hair quickly within 15 minutes

Know what happens if you cut his countenance, right?

Countenance?

Countenance, the President's face

I can't hear your answer

- Excuse me? - Understand?

Yes, sir

I don't like your answer Lie face down

Lie face down!

One for louder, two for answer

- One - Louder!

- Two - Answer!

- One - Louder!

One

Louder

- Two - Answer!

- One - Louder!

- Two - Answer!

- Mr. President! - Mr. President!

- Is the country! - Is the country!

- Mr. President! - Mr. President!

- Is the country! - Is the country!

Stand up

Never make a mistake, got it?

Yes, sir!

Are you sick anywhere?

No, Mr. President

Then what are you waiting for?

Right

Mr. President, I will begin shaving

- Mr. President, I will begin... - Yes, okay

Thank you, Mr. President

Oh no

You look much younger, Mr. President

- I do? - Yes, sir

Come back next Monday at seven

Where? Right, I understand

And don't tell a soul about what you do in here

Were you planning to tell

the whole neighborhood then?

I understand, sir

- Mr. President - Mr. President?

Right, Mr. President!

- Is the country - Is the country

Remember that

Remember, right

See you next week

Yes, right

Dad collapsed as soon as he got home

Bring me a wet towel

Jin-gi, close the shop

Why?

Just close it

Close it?

What did you do over there?

I didn't do anything

Bring me a wet towel

So they told you

to come and go for no reason?

And no money, either?

You must've seen something in there

Wow, you're a big success now

Come on! Tell me whatever you saw!

I told you I didn't see a thing

Bring me the wet towel!

Until then my mother and I

thought my father was cutting

the staff's hair in the Blue House

- Mr. Sung - Yes, Mr. President

Have you been to the new bridge on Han River?

Not yet Mr. President

Why don't you go there?

I will Mr. President

What are people saying about the bridge?

They say getting around has gotten more comfortable

All three bridges over Han River are

symbols of your leadership, Mr. President

Mr. Sung, how many children do you have?

Yes, Mr. President, I have a son

He's ten years old now

So he was born when the country was in turmoil

Yes, Mr. President

Actually, it was because of Plus Five

Plus Five?

Yes, Mr. President

My wife discovered

that she was pregnant five months later,

but she wasn't going to have it

Remember that Plus Five phrase, Mr. President?

I told her she had to have it because of Plus Five

Since it's over five months, it must be born

I kept persisting on it

That's how the baby was born

So even now

whenever the locals see him,

they still call him 'Plus Five Nak-an'

The intellectuals always import

the bad ideas

That Plus Five thing or whatever

I graduated from the Japanese Military School,

so I know that

those sayings were crossed over from Japan

You're right Mr. President

I should drive out those remaining

pro-Japanese congressmen

Intellectuals have always spoiled

our nation in the past and even now

Plus Five

I shouldn't have said that

I don't know why,

but whenever my father went to the Blue House,

he was always worried about those buried sacks

How do I look?

It suits you perfectly, Mr. President

You look like General McArthur, Mr. President

- McArthur? - Yes, sir

- Try it on as well - Me, sir?

Try it on, Mr. Sung

- Mr. Sung - Yes, sir

How about if I change my hair style?

No, Mr. President

Parting your hair by a 2:8 ratio

suits you the best

- Is that so? - Yes, Mr. President

If you say so Mr. Sung

Mr. Sung

you have a son the same age as mine, right?

Yes, Mr. President

How about having lunch together

in the backyard this Sunday?

Your family and mine

Yes, Mr. President

You bring your family as well

Yes, Mr. President I'll prepare everything

I feel damn great today

You're not even family,

so stop trying to come

You can introduce me as your nephew!

What's with your hair?

Just look after the shop

Hurry up! Hurry!

Dad, I can't find my rubber shoes

Forget the rubber shoes

Where are the sneakers I bought you?

In the cabinet

Why'd you put them in there?

Go put them on quickly

How could she make him wear rubber shoes

to the Blue House?

Han-mo please!

When will I ever get another chance?

I said no

He said only my family

I'm pretty much family, aren't I?

Uncle!

Why am I your uncle now?

Jin-gi

Which one looks better?

Is this better?

This is my son, Mr. President

He also wants to be a Secret Service Director

- Hello, Mr. President - Hello

I need to pee really bad

Be quiet

Where's the toilet?

This is my wife And this is my son

So are you Plus Five Nak-an?

How did you know that?

Forget about work and eat plenty

What a relief

Hey, your father's Tofu Han-mo, isn't he?

- What? - Tofu Han-mo

No, my father's name is Sung Han-mo

I heard it all He's Tofu Han-mo

Your father's this, isn't he?

Clip, clip, clip Clip, clip, clip

Tofu Han-mo He does this, huh?

Clip, clip, clip Clip, clip, clip

Guard, do something!

Daddy!

Are you all right?

Are you hurt anywhere?

What's going on?

He pushed me

He's okay, Mr. President

What's with the Secret Service?

You're all too relaxed

I'm sorry, Mr. President

But dad,

- he called you Tofu Han-mo - Shut up!

Did you really say that?

No, sir

Yes, he did

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!

I'm sorry, Mr. President I'm sorry, Mr. President

I'm sorry, Mr. President I'm sorry, Mr. President

I'm sorry, Mr. President I'm sorry, Mr. President

That's enough

They're only children

You bastard,

don't you know where this is?

Well, the children

How the hell did you raise your son?

Want to see me get fired, you bastard?

Don't look

Don't you know where this is?

It's the Blue House, you idiot

Dad, I'm sorry

Your son is apologizing to you

Dad, please hit me

You got hit because of me

I'm all right

Dad, does it hurt a lot?

I'm fine It doesn't hurt

Dad, when I grown up,

I'll become stronger than that man

and punish him

Yeah, when you grow up,

don't always get beaten like your father, please

Nak-an, I'm fine

And that man isn't that bad

You're so nice, really

You just study hard, okay?

Nak-an, hop on my back

But is your leg okay?

No problem

Hop on

You're truly amazing

You got beaten so much since you were little,

it doesn't fade you now

My father thought his days

working at the Blue House were over

Hurry up

I didn't finish my food, so I'm hungry as hell

What am I doing here?

But then the Blue House went through an expansion,

and a new barber room was installed

in the new wing area

My father was called again to work there

Since my father worked in the Blue House,

Jin-gi often took care of the shop

Nak-an, know what this is?

No

This is the twist The twist

Jin-gi was dying to go to America

In America, he said he wanted to meet

Elvis Presley, Grace Kelly,

and even Muhammad Ali

What the hell are you doing?

Han-mo!

Han-mo

Know what this is?

This is the twist!

When I fight the Vietcon in Vietnam,

and bullets come I'll avoid them like this

You've lost your mind

Why don't you try it?

Try it It's really fun

Since he had no way to go to America,

Jin-gi thought he could meet

Americans in Vietnam

Hey, John John, friend

John, friend friend, friend John

God dam you fucken son of a bitch!

You fucken mother gook! Why don't you go fuck off?

I don't want to speak to you!

Shit you understand that, cunt you understand that?

So fuck you!

Don't even fucken start on me!

Sit there and shut the fuck up!

But ironically, the one who went to America was my father

Dad rode on the US president's helicopter,

and stayed at the most expensive hotel in America

There were hundreds of people

waiting to greet my dad at the hotel

But being our president's private barber,

my dad was always busy taking care of him

Dad always tried to be next to the president,

but sometimes he couldn't

When he returned home,

crowds of people waited to greet my father

The neighborhood people who saw dad on TV,

finally learned that my dad

was the President's barber

My friend in Chuncheon City

wants to run for congressman

He needs a nomination

Can't you help him out?

You know I've run my dumpling shop for 17 years

Doesn't the President like dumplings?

I have a promotion test next month

Mr. Sung!

There was this fox-fur muffler

It looked so cute and warm

Those were the best days for our family

Jin-gi came back from Vietnam and worked with us again

He didn't talk much or joke around

He was a totally different person

And he always wore a white glove on his left hand

The customers didn't like his glove so much,

but my father didn't mention it

Make a head count

We lost a man

So that's Seoul

We're close to the enemy's heart

Captain, I have to take a dump

Captain, I also need to take a dump

Captain, please

You shitting bastards

Where are the rest?

Shit!

What are you doing there?

I'm just working

The so-called Marxus Disease

that the North Korean spies carried

is spreading across the nation

The government suspects that those infected

have made contact

with the North Korean spies,

and will be punished under the National Security Law

Also, anyone who reports infected persons

will be rewarded 2 million won

Wow, 2 million won is worth a house!

That's all bullshit!

That means anyone with diarrhea is a commie

They say there's no smoke without a fire

The government is always right

Just wait and see

The Republicans should make this guy a congressman

You just shut up

You still in there?

Don't talk to me

That's what you get for eating too many beans

The Marxus disease was breaking out

all over the country

Nobody thought

anyone living by the Blue House

Are you Wang Cheol-gu?

Yes?

Mind going out for some fresh air?

Who are you?

You have diarrhea, right?

You have Marxus, don't you?

Who infected you, you bastard?

Han-mo, some men took Mr. Wang away

- Why? - Because he had diarrhea

Then he should go to the hospitaI

I heard that those men were from the CIA

- CIA? - Yeah

- Why? - Because he had diarrhea

Why? So what?

That diarrhea disease

You know, because of that Marxus disease

Marxus disease?

Dad

My stomach hurts

What's that?

It's for a feces test at school

No, this won't do

Why do you think they're doing this?

To investigate the family

by looking at the kids' feces

Nak-an, it means that they're

testing for the Marxus disease

I'll take a dump instead A real solid one

Wait

Men's shit is different from women's,

you dummy

This disease is contagious, you know

So that means that somebody

must have infected you

Just tell me who

Tell me one person, and I'll let you free

If you tell us who,

then we'll ask that person again

Who has infected you?

Then we'll know the next person, right?

Then we'll ask that person again

Then the next person,

the next person and the next

So what happens in the end?

We'll find out

who originally contacted the spies

So don't take it too hard,

and tell us just one person

Then we'll just go ask

that person a few questions

We won't throw him in jail We'll just talk

Do you understand what I'm getting at?

I'm a Republican!

I'm part of the Republican Party!

I'm a Hyoja district resident!

How could you treat

the President's neighbor like this?

The Doctors' Association

made an announcement yesterday

They said that the Marxus disease

is no different from colitis

Shouldn't you capture

people like them first?

I think we should send the Marxus patients back home

It's the general sentiment now, Mr. President

How could you say that as the chief of the CIA?

Don't you realize that

This is a great chance to overrun

those who oppose us now?

Director Jang!

About that Doctors' Association

Yes Mr. President

How many members does it have?

About twenty Mr. President

- Twenty? - Yes

Are you afraid of merely twenty people?

Don't be silly

The association has some doctors

respected by the people

So their statement could shake public opinion

Rather than public opinion,

I think we should worry about

tackling this epidemic head on

Arrest all the leaders

If you have any problems, report to Director Jang

Mr. President!

That weak fool doesn't deserve to be in the CIA

To think, he used to be my superior

About that Marxus disease

What happens to the ones who get arrested?

- Why? - Well...

because one of my neighbors was arrested

- Mr. Sung - Yes, sir

Just focus on your job

Yes, sir

Water came out of his butt! Water came out of his butt!

Nak-an had diarrhea!

Nah, nah, nah, boo, boo

Mister Nak-an had diarrhea!

Nak-an went to the market with his mom,

so go play somewhere else

No, he's in the bathroom

I saw him in there, too

You little brats!

Water came out of his butt! Water came out of his butt!

Kids these days are so rude

Dad I had diarrhea

It's not what it seems

He must've eaten too many beans

Why'd you eat that many beans?

That's why you have diarrhea

He ate all the boiled beans

for the bean sauce

I'll take him

to the police station this instant

And go see

Whether he has the Marxus disease or not

Let's go, boy!

I still don't know

Why I had diarrhea then

But the important thing was that I had diarrhea anyway

- Officer Kim - Oh, hello!

Is the Sergeant here?

He's in the room

Hello Sergeant!

Mr. Sung what brings you here?

My son keeps having diarrhea

So?

Director Jang of the Secret Service

is in my shop now

What happened?

You know how I'm the Blue House's barber

Well, my son has diarrhea,

so I couldn't just act like it was no big deal

So you wanted to be a good Samaritan

- Not exactly - Of course

that's what the President's barber should do

Dad

What?

I don't like this place

Then why did you have diarrhea?

Didn't you learn this at school?

Our country is a democracy

So innocent people are never taken away understand?

Please look after him

- Sure thing - Bye, Sergeant

Officer Kim isn't the Sergeant here?

He went out

Where's Nak-an, my son?

He was transferred to Jongno Police station

Why?

Political criminals are usually sent there

Look for your son there

I just asked him to look after him for a bit

Why'd he go there?

Hurry and sit down! Sit down you bastards!

Heads down!

I told you he was sent to a higher department

A higher department?

It means that they investigate spies

But my son is only a child

Is there any age limit for spies?

But still he's just a child

Where's Nak-an?

Don't worry I'll meet Director Jang tomorrow

So did you see our son or not?

I didn't but...

Get out!

How could you come back without him?

What's wrong with you?

- Get out - Director Jang will...

Go find our son!

I told you I'll go to the Blue House tomorrow

I'm the President's barber

Where did you lose our son?

Bring Nak-an back right now!

Why are you laughing?

This is torture

You should be in pain

I'm sorry

Now, are you ready to tell the truth?

You met a spy didn't you?

I didn't

I never met a spy

Is this your first time?

Yes?

The first time is always hard

But you'll get used to it soon, so be patient

- Okay - Anyway

what's a kid like you doing here?

Because I had diarrhea

That's too bad

Now I'll start reading

'I was infected with Marxus by my father'

- Correct? - Pardon?

- No? - No

Okay here it goes

I don't know why, but the electricity was ticklish

Does it hurt?

It's endurable right?

Yes

But my mouth smells fishy

It normally does

I'll raise it just a little bit since you're a kid

Thank you, sir

I'll read it again

'I was infected with Marxus by my father'

Correct?

What? No

The shock treatment

wasn't that hard to stand

But other people couldn't stand it,

and eventually signed the deposition

- Director Jang - What?

My wife brought this ginseng from her hometown

So what?

You know about my son

He was transferred to the spy investigation department,

but I can't find him anywhere

His name is Sung Nak-an Nak-an

Could you help me find him, Director Jang?

Or could you let me talk to the President?

Are you trying to bribe me

in the situation we're all in?

The country is in a crisis

A crisis!

Do you want to die by me?

How dare you speak of the President that way?

It's working

Fantastic!

What the hell are you doing?

Everything is clear!

Sir, everything is clear!

This is why we can't get any results!

Raise it all the way up!

I didn't lie to the end

Because my father never had diarrhea

I will now make an announcement

After the CIA conducted

a 10-month long investigation,

we've finally succeeded

in rounding up all the members of the 'Hyoja Poker Spy Ring'

So even when the men who signed

the deposition became famous,

I was being tortured in silence

Their members surprisingly included

doctors and professors,

and it was discovered that some of them

had met the armed North Korean spies last summer

Up to 20 of the spies were from Hyoja district

He said there were 20 spies in the Hyoja district,

but in fact there were only three, including me

Everyone from the 'Hyoja Poker Spy Ring'

were sentenced to death,

and executed in three days

Drink it

How's this going to help things?

Our son

Good afternoon

Oh hi Young-jong

Did Nak-an come back?

Nak-an told me to hold this for him

Good-bye

Mr. Sung the President wants you to come have a drink

Good work

Congratulations on your never-ending term

- Cheers! - Cheers!

Mr. Park, I heard your electric bill was high this month

What are you getting at?

I heard that there's a person,

who's eating up a lot of electricity

in the CIA building

Yes, lately I've been investigating someone,

but he's very persistent

So what are you investigating?

Mr. President

I heard it's because of diarrhea

Isn't that Marxus case finished?

Yes, of course

Anyway, I heard he's extremely young

But regardless

how could you torture a little boy?

Director Jang

Do you even know how hard my job is?

Is putting electricity into a boy

a hard job?

Director Jang!

That's enough!

Why do you two always argue

with each other?

- I'm sorry, Mr. President - I'm sorry, Mr. President

Finish the Marxus case quickly

Yes, Mr. President

Now what's wrong with you?

I'm sorry Mr. President

I was thinking of my son

Why?

Well, just that my son is somewhere far away

You're too sensitive

That's nothing to worry about

Children being outside of the home

is good for their upbringing

When I went to a teacher's school,

I grew up outside of my home

After I graduated

I taught in a secluded village,

and then I went to Manchuria

On my way to Manchuria's vast land,

I had a lot of dreams

I wanted to make history

and become a big hero!

That night, nobody knows why Director Jang brought it up

Maybe it was because of dad's ginseng

Or maybe because

he just hated Mr. Park

Regardless,

I was allowed to go back home a few days later

Is anybody there?

Mom

Dad

Is that you boy?

Mom...

Dad...

Mom

Dad

Mom

Dad

Mom

Dad

- Dad - Nak-an!

Mom!

Nak-an!

It wasn't until I arrived home

that I realized my body was different

Oh goodness

What's wrong with you?

Stand up

Oh no

Oh no

Oh no Where... Where...

Where have you been Nak-an?

What happened to our son?

Oh goodness

Oh... What am I going to do? Nak-an... Nak-an...

What's going on?

What happened to you?

You sons of bitches!

How dare you do this to my son!

You sons of bitches,

how could you do this to him?

You sons of bitches!

Don't you know who I am?

I'm the President's barber!

I'm the President's barber

You sons of bitches!

I won't let you get away with this!

Determined to cure my legs,

my father took me to all the famous

herb doctors around the country

Nak-an are you cold?

No Dad...

do you think there really is an herb doctor here?

Of course

You heard what they said back there

This doctor's acupuncture can cure people and even ghosts

Then why does he live in the mountains?

People who are enlightened

usually hide in the mountains

Since he can even defeat ghosts,

your legs will be a piece of cake

Let's sit here for a second

Here we go

Dad, let's just go back home

We came all the way here so why go back?

Dad, your legs will freeze up

I'm okay

Hold this for me

Dad's okay I'm okay

How is he?

Sir, you've said nothing

for over an hour

Silence

I'll cure his body

But his spirit

Sir I don't understand

I'll cure his body

But his spirit

I'm sorry

but could you please repeat that?

But his spirit should be cured by you!

Your son was born with a strange fate

In other words,

his name is strange

He's supposed to live in comfort by his name

He's in this pain

because the serpent across the river became a dragon

So your son is paying for it

What do you mean by that?

When a dragon dies in a few years,

it will ride a chrysanthemum bus at the funeral

After you poke out its eye,

boil it with chrysanthemum and feed it to your son

Be silent and take off his clothes for the acupuncture

Dad, where'd that old doctor go?

I don't know

He seems like a mountain spirit

He's no doctor at all

Poke out the dragon's eye?

He's an old psycho

Nak-an this is the sea

Wide isn't it?

Yes, there's a lot of water

Is this your first time seeing the sea?

Me?

For me

It's also the first time

Nak-an let's go home

Okay

What do you think we should tell your mother?

I'll ask her to buy me crutches

Mr. Sung

Yes Mr. President

I'm going to have a drink

with Mr. Park and Mr. Jang tonight

Why don't you join us?

No, thank you Mr. President

I won't be any help

to your conversations on politics

That's what I like about you

You've always been what you are now and then

Modest and sincere

Thank you Mr. President

How long have we known each other now?

It's been twelve years, Mr. President

You've been doing this job for quite a long time

You, too Mr. President

Mr. Sung

Yes Mr. President

Why don't you give me a shave?

Mr. President I will begin shaving

I told you not to say that any more

Yes Mr. President

I'm in a rush, so cut my hair fast

You'll have to wait for a moment

Mr. Sung,

do I need to repeat myself?

Crazy bastard

You bastard Didn't you hear that I was in a rush?

Mr. Jang

Mr. Park, you have a barber in your building right?

Getting a haircut here doesn't mean

you own the Blue House

You bastard, I was your superior in the Academy

Oh, sir

why are you pulling rank in the Blue House?

You want to give me a drill?

What are you all waiting for?

You bastard!

You may think you're high almighty

being close to the President,

but I won't leave you alone for the country's sake

Remember that You disgraceful bastard!

Mr. Sung, what are you waiting for?

Yes, sir

On that day

many things happened to my father

And on that day

it was also the last time my father saw those two men

- Do you have a gun? - Sir?

- Give me your gun! - Yes, sir

October 26, 1979

All meetings or demonstrations will be forbidden

All schools and colleges nationwide

will be closed temporarily

I repeat

At 7:50 pm last night

the President was shot to death

At 12:20 am today

the President died from a gunshot

At 4:00 am

October 261979,

the government has declared

Martial Law except for the islands

All meetings or demonstrations are

forbidden in all areas under Martial Law

All schools and colleges nationwide will be closed temporarily

When a dragon dies in a few years,

it will ride a chrysanthemum bus

After you poke out its eye,

boil it with chrysanthemum and feed it to your son

Where are you going this late?

Honey

No matter what happens to me

- Never mind - What are you talking about?

Whatever happens to me, cure our son's legs, okay?

My goodness he must've lost his mind

Who's that?

Stop right there! Freeze!

Who are you?

Mr. Sung!

What are you doing here?

I came to see the President's face for the last time

I'm sorry

Why isn't it moving?

It must be broken

The bus stopped

It's stalling in front of the barber shop

Han-mo!

What?

Come on out!

I can't go out right now

How is it?

It tasted horrible

But I couldn't say that since my parents did their best to make it

AII I could say to them was

Hey you!

Would you like a haircut?

Han-mo

- What? - One sec

Who's the ex-President's barber?

Yes, I was

I'm from he Blue House

Want to work for the new government?

Didn't you hear me?

I'm sorry

I don't want to do it any more

Mr. President, I'll come back when your hair grows out

My father said

he didn't know why he said that

But he said he felt at ease.

Honey!

Let him through

One more step

Good!

One more step

Just a moment

Alright! Good!

One more step

Alright! Good!

One more step

Good! Good!

Oh, Han-mo

Keep going Good

To the left

Slowly

Keep pedaling!

Good! Now, slowly

written and directed by Lim Charn-sarng

produced by CHOl Yong-bae

executive producer CHOl Jae-won

producer SHIN You-young

line producers KIM Hong-baek / PARK Sung-ho

screenplay revised by JANG Min S.

director of photography CHO Yong-kyu

lighting director LIM Jae-young

production design KANG Seung-young

edited by KIM Hyun

music by PARK Ki-heon (M&F)

location sound HAN Choul-hee (LIVE) sound designer KIM Suk-won (BLUECAP)

prop masters JANG Su-nam / CHA Bong-eun set designed by Art Service, Inc

computer graphics by Yoon Jae-hoon

(DeePictures) casting director HONG Suk-ho

costumes by SHIM Hyun-seob (LEOKAMA) make-up artist KWON Su-kyung

martial arts coordinator JEON Moon-shik

special effects by KIM Byung-kee (Future Vision)

first assist director HAN Seung-rim production manager KIM Woo-jin