Original subtitles

[music: "Villains" theme song]

(This drama is a work of fiction)

(Any similarity to real people, organizations, or events is coincidental)

(Scenes with child actors and animals followed production guidelines)

(young Suhyun) You're such a good talker.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

(boy) A swindler.

(young Suhyun) What?

(boy) I'll become the best swindler and make tons of money.

More money than you could imagine.

(young Suhyun) A swindler is a bad person.

[brakes screeching]

[sentimental music]

(boy) How are we any different

from the people who live there?

I don't just want to be a swindler

for the money.

If I become the best,

I can live a fake life as if it's real.

[in sign language] Liar.

(boy) You switch to sign language

whenever you want to swear at me.

- (young Suhyun) No. - (boy) You know what?

Starting today, teach me sign language.

(young Suhyun) Well...

only if you make the ride home fun.

(boy) Deal.

Hold on tight.

- Wow. - (boy) I'll go fast.

[young Suhyun squeals]

(Episode 2: Supernote Game; The Re-invited)

[tense music] [footsteps approaching]

[thunder rumbles]

[heavy rain]

[Gitae humming]

(Gitae) Wait!

Sir! Wait! Stop!

Seriously, sir! Do you even know who I am?

Seriously.

You have no idea.

Here!

I have diabetes.

You have to let patients slide when their blood sugar drops.

The ticket. [traffic officer scoffs]

[Gitae laughing] Please take it. Thank you.

I almost forgot.

As a thank you for your service,

here's a little something within the Anti-Bribery Act,

from the bottom of my heart.

[upbeat rap music]

[Gitae whoops]

[Gitae hoots]

[phone vibrating]

(Chief Han Yongsan) (Gitae) What's this?

[button beeps] My goodness!

If it isn't the great Unit Chief Han?

How gracious of you to call a lowly scoundrel

who snoops around the Myeongdong loan sharks.

If I weren't driving, I would answer with both hands.

(Financial Crime Unit Chief, Han Yongsan) (Gitae) I'm sorry, I'm on Bluetooth.

(Yongsan) Please cut the silly act.

A counterfeit bill has been reported.

You should go since you're always free.

(Gitae) What?

A counterfeit bill?

(NIS Financial Crime Unit Chief, Cha Gitae)

(Underground Economy Unit Chief, Cha Gitae)

[camera shutter]

[beeping]

(forensic detective) Hey, Violent Crimes Unit!

You guys stay out for now!

(detective 1) Buddy.

[walkie-talkie beeping]

Are you in menopause? Why are you so grumpy?

(forensic detective) You reek of alcohol.

Hey, it's a tiny alley.

(detective 1) Just bear with us until my boss gets here.

You know what he's like.

Okay, fine. Are you done? [camera shutter]

Gosh.

[detectives shouting] (detective 2) Make way.

[ominous music] Make way!

(Incheon Junggu Narcotics Unit Chief, Jang Junghyuk)

Seoul City Violent Crimes Unit Chief, Jang Junghyuk)

(Junghyuk) Hey.

(forensic detective) I got an ID from his wallet.

What was the name?

- (Junghyuk) I know him. - You do?

Anything special?

(forensic detective) This was in his mouth.

[music intensifies]

(owner) I needed some cash,

so I kept it in my safe.

It's not fake money, right?

Wasn't it just a prank call?

(Gitae) Do you think

someone would prank call the NIS for fun?

(owner) I guess not. I knew it.

- He only ordered expensive wine. - (Gitae) Gosh.

(owner) He had no problem paying millions of won in cash.

I should have known right then.

[Gitae sighs]

[Gitae clicks tongue]

(Gitae) Is this real cash?

(owner) Is it real?

[car beeps]

(Breaking News: Man found dead in the middle of Seoul, shot 5 times) [ominous music]

(Two weeks ago)

(currency security unit chief) Wow.

Who does this art belong to?

It passed the detector, infrared machine,

and even the chemical response test.

On top of that,

an intaglio printer was used.

(Gitae) So, it's a supernote?

It took two weeks to check one bill.

(currency security unit chief) It's 100% a supernote.

(Gitae) There's no time to waste. Thanks.

(currency security unit chief) Wait.

Do you remember this fake hundred-dollar bill?

(Gitae) From the casino case five years ago?

(currency security unit chief) Yes.

[ominous music] The guy who was shot in Jongno two weeks ago

had this in his mouth.

It wasn't made with an intaglio printer,

but it had perfect anti-counterfeit devices.

Unless you're an expert, it would be hard to believe

it's a fake and request an examination.

(Gitae) Who requested it?

(currency security unit chief) It was a Seoul City Police Chief. His name was...

Jang Junghyuk, I think?

[ominous music]

[Gitae sighs]

(Gitae) Something smells fishy.

(currency security unit chief) Do you know him?

[tapping keyboard keys]

[mouse clicks]

[crowd cheering]

[host talking]

[gate clanks]

(host) Can he prove himself tonight?

We've been waiting for these two men to fight.

[crowd cheering]

Who will hit the jackpot tonight?

It's the main event, the grand finale of today's match.

The fighters may enter!

Yeah! [crowd cheering]

(man 1) You know I love an uppercut, right?

Sir,

is the crackdown next week?

(man 2) Yes, sir.

(man 1) When the match is over, make sure the customers know.

It's been too peaceful lately.

[man 2 scoffs] It's all thanks to our big boss.

(Junggi) That's right.

Our big boss is gatekeeping. Nothing can go wrong.

(host) Place your bets on the fighter of your choice.

It's your last chance to become rich.

"It's Surprise Time!"

[punching sounds]

(Junggi) They say a thug's life is a constant rise and fall.

The ebbs and flows, between a rock and a hard place,

hanging on by a thread, every call is a close call,

"Stern and drag" all the way.

[punching sounds] [crowd cheering]

(man 2) Sir, I think you mean, "Sturm und Drang."

I apologize.

(Junggi) They say,

if some asshole cuts you off,

you should yank his tongue out,

you piece of shit.

(man 2) I apologize. I take it back.

(Junggi) Sister!

(Jang Junghyuk's right-hand man, Tak Junggi)

(woman) My brother! [Junggi laughs]

(Junggi) Nice to see you.

You're a big shot.

[woman 1 greeting] You're a big shot now.

Did you do something? You look prettier.

(woman 1) I always look pretty.

- (Junggi) I'll pour you one. - Okay.

[phone ringing] (Junggi) One second.

I'm getting a call.

(woman 1) Gosh, make it quick. [Junggi laughs]

(Junggi) Yes, sir?

[crowd cheers]

Understood.

Okay.

[end call sound] [crowd cheering]

Be careful.

I got her.

- (Junghyuk) Junggi. - (Junggi) Yes, sir?

(Junghyuk) Give me the thing.

[ominous music]

[Junggi grunts]

(Junghyuk) Did you win some?

(woman 2) Well...

I lost everything.

[Junghyuk sighs]

(Drug Lab Director, Meth Expert, Dr. Choi)

[Junggi sighs]

[Junggi pants]

(Junghyuk) Get off.

[Junghyuk exhales]

(Junghyuk) Make it spotless after the match.

(Junggi) I'll stand by outside, sir.

(Junghyuk) I'm not some ringleader lining up his henchmen.

[Junghyuk sniffs]

[Junghyuk groans] [Junghyuk sniffles]

[Junghyuk groans]

[woman 2 sniffs]

[Junghyuk inhaling]

(woman 2) Good stuff.

[woman 2 laughs] (Junghyuk) Here.

(woman 2) Mister Big Shot.

[Junghyuk sighs] [woman 2 giggles]

[Junghyuk sighs]

[dramatic music]

[Junghyuk moans]

[Junghyuk moans] [woman 2 moans]

[Junghyuk laughs]

(NIS Deputy's Office 3) (Gitae) In 1989, at Manila Bank in the Philippines,

millions of hundred-dollar bills were found.

The US government was furious.

At the time, it was impossible to tell what was real.

The bills were deemed exact replicas.

The US named the fake bill

the "supernote."

(deputy) Hold on.

Are you saying

this 50,000 won bill is a supernote?

[ominous music] Yes.

[Yongsan scoffs]

(deputy) On what grounds?

(Gitae) Both the American dollar and this Korean won

have been printed by an intaglio printer.

(deputy) Those printers are safeguarded by the governments around the world.

The designs are also kept thoroughly confidential.

How in the hell was an intaglio printer used?

(Gitae) Seven years ago, North Korea

gave us intel about a missing printer design.

If it were smuggled in, it's not entirely impossible.

(deputy) Is there anyone you suspect?

The guy who made this.

Do you remember we found 30 million dollars in fake bills at a casino?

(Gitae) The hundred-dollar bill from that time,

and this bill that was found two weeks ago at the crime scene in Jongno,

are matching counterfeits.

[Yongsan scoffs]

(Gitae) Evidently, [deputy sighs]

on the day the fake fifty-thousand won bill was reported,

the gun was fired.

The dead man was found with this bill in his mouth

on the exact same day.

In conclusion, the casino fake bill

and this supernote may have been made

by the same guy.

[Yongsan sighs]

(Yongsan) As the Financial Crimes Unit Chief...

(deputy) The same guy...

(Gitae) Here.

These are from the security camera at the wine bar that reported the bill.

The guy in the photos

is the casino mastermind, J.

If J got his hands on an intaglio printer,

this fake hundred-dollar bill

has to be a message from J.

The mastermind behind Korea's biggest counterfeit case in the last five years

returned with a supernote?

(Gitae) Yes.

(deputy) You two team up and get to the bottom of this.

(Yongsan) Wait, sir. [deputy sighs]

Counterfeit cases are exclusive to the Financial Crimes Unit.

(deputy) Gitae is the expert in the field,

and he also lost J before.

After working like a madman for years to catch J,

Gitae has a lot of intel.

(Yongsan) Gitae just monitors loan sharks.

- This is an important case... - (deputy) In sports,

they have a coach and a head coach.

We can apply it here.

Gitae can run the operation.

He'll report back to you, Yongsan.

Let's go with that.

This is a critical situation.

(Gitae) Yes, sir.

[Yongsan scoffs]

[Yongsan clapping]

(Yongsan) Gosh.

After being surrounded by loan sharks,

you learned how to lay it on thick.

You got him right where it tickled.

You had the deputy hanging on your every word.

Isn't that right?

[Gitae chuckles]

(Gitae) Was I that good?

[in English] Thank you.

(Yongsan) Damn it.

- You got this by luck. - (Gitae) What?

(Yongsan) I know you want to make this big for your comeback.

[Gitae sighs] (Yongsan) Let's see if it goes to plan.

(Gitae) I wasn't the director of the NIS.

Why would I drool over a unit chief position?

Don't worry.

I don't lose sleep over

a tiny position like that. See you later.

[dark music]

[Suhyun gasps]

[Suhyun sighs]

[phone ringing]

[Suhyun sighs] Yes?

To where?

Okay, I'll be there.

[end call sound]

(Seoul City Police Narcotics Unit) (chief 2) We had picked that day as D-Day,

but the guy suddenly died.

We're in a tough situation too.

When you say "D-Day,"

are you talking about the crackdown?

Yes.

[whoosh sound] [house music]

(woman 3) Watch it!

[knock on door]

[woman 3 sighs]

[Dosik sighs] (dealer) Everyone is after the thing, saying it's killer.

Can't we get some?

(Dosik) The manufacturer isn't into domestic distribution.

(dealer) So?

It's not available in Korea? [golf putting sound]

(Dosik) They only take orders of over 50 billion won.

(Head of Drug Trafficking Ring, Choi Dosik)

(dealer) What? Fifty billion?

[dealer scoffs]

I get that it's great, but he must be crazy.

(Dosik) Crazy?

I was able to get to the top,

all thanks to the chairman's groundwork.

(Dosik) The smart college, the one that's far away.

He has a few chemistry graduates.

He kept researching to make the sample a dose of brilliance.

(dealer) If you know them that well,

you could have gotten your hands dirty.

(Dosik) Of course, I did.

[foreboding music]

(man 3) Sir,

have you heard

- of the name, J? - J?

(Dosik) Right.

The one that people have only heard about

but never seen? That J?

[whoosh sound]

(Gitae) J?

(chief 2) Yes.

[whoosh sound] (Dosik) Yes, why?

Is he offering us seed money?

(man 3) J is willing to

invest 50 billion won into the drug.

[whoosh sound]

(Gitae) So?

(detective) Through this Fixer guy, J said he'll show up

with 2.5 billion won as an advance.

(Gitae) Was he laundering fake bills with drugs?

[foreboding music continues] [Fixer groans]

Gosh.

(The Henchman, Fixer)

(Fixer) It's a big group. I'm scared.

Let's go.

[ominous sound]

Ta-da!

(man 3) J must be sitting inside.

Tell him we should sign and get started.

(Fixer) We don't know each other well enough for you to ask for favors.

My boss

is a discreet man.

Tell your boss that he doesn't rush.

My boss will let you know where later.

(Dosik) One second.

One second.

[Fixer sighs] (Dosik) I'm usually discreet.

Behind a counterfeit case,

who knows if all the money is real or fake?

We'll have to examine them first. Don't you think?

(Fixer) What a pain.

[Fixer groans]

[suspenseful music] Here.

(detective) On the day J and Dosik were supposed to sign the contract,

they changed the location, and we lost Dosik in Jongno.

Bang after bang...

Bang. [gunshot]

Who knew he would be caught dead?

(Gitae) Where did J and Fixer meet

Choi Dosik with the 2.5 billion won?

A dock near the warehouse complex in Incheon Port.

[explosion]

(Gitae) I found J's hideout.

He's still using the one he set up for the fake dollars five years ago.

Come to the Incheon container dock with the guys.

I'll meet you there, and we'll bust his hideout.

(Yongsan) Are you ordering me right now?

(Gitae) I am reporting.

Do you hear me?

Be careful on your way here with the guys.

I'm asking you nicely,

Unit Chief Han Yongsan, sir!

[whoosh sound]

[end call sound]

[car engine starting] Here we go!

[button beeps]

[exciting music]

[Gitae whoops]

[Yongsan sighs]

[knocking on door]

(Yongsan) Guys,

we're heading out to Incheon.

(Gitae) Everyone, listen up.

Stay alert.

He can vanish in an instant.

(agents) Yes, sir.

[dramatic music] (Yongsan) Let's just see

how incredible

this J guy is.

[dynamic music]

[Yongsan grunts]

[music intensifies]

(Yongsan) Look at that.

Is this his grand comeback after five years?

Right?

(Yongsan) That scared me!

Jeez, that was crazy.

[ominous music]

(Gitae) He was just here.

(Yongsan) Go.

(Yongsan) I mean,

based on the evidence of his hideout,

you just assumed the supernote was made in the warehouse.

That's...

Isn't that reckless rather than bold?

Isn't it?

[Gitae sighs]

[Yongsan sighs]

Wait...

[car engine starting] [Yongsan scoffs]

[lighter flicks]

[ominous music]

[loud clank] [ominous sound]

[loud crash]

[Yungyu sighs]

Yungyu.

- Who... - It is Park Yungyu, right?

It's me, Jung Sanggi.

Well, I don't recall...

(Fixer) Gosh, how are you?

[ominous music] [muffled scream]

[car engine starting] [muffled scream]

(Fixer) Let's go.

[Gitae sighs]

[Suhyun sighs]

[Suhyun sighs]

(Gitae) Suhyun, I heard you almost died.

Right?

Gosh.

You don't seem like you almost died.

You're alive and kicking.

By the way,

I was demoted five years ago because of you.

You look even younger now.

(Suhyun) Never mind.

Stop beating around the bush, and cut to the chase.

Listen to yourself.

Get off your high horse.

No wonder containers fall from the sky.

[Suhyun sighs]

(Gitae) Jeez.

What have you been up to?

(Suhyun) That's not what you should be asking.

You should ask me who I met.

[foreboding music] [Gitae sighs]

(Gitae) Did you meet that bastard?

(Suhyun) Yes.

J.

He's back.

(Gitae) I knew it.

Two weeks ago, a case of a supernote was reported.

On that very day, [gunshot]

one of the fake hundred-dollar bills you made five years ago was found.

Also, today,

I didn't even have to call you in.

Is this a coincidence?

Everyone related to the counterfeit case from five years ago

is surfacing one by one.

Me.

You.

J.

Jang Junghyuk.

(Suhyun) And Choi Dosik, who is dead.

(Gitae) Yes, Choi Dosik.

It has to be whoever

put the hundred-dollar bill in Dosik's mouth.

(Gitae) I never disclosed that it's Choi Dosik,

nor did I tell you where the hundred-dollar bill was found.

How did you find out?

[Suhyun sighs]

(Suhyun) I know too much.

That's why I have to die.

[loud crash]

[workers shouting] (worker 1) What the hell is going on?

(worker 2) There's a person!

(workers) Call 911!

(worker 3) Excuse me.

Are you okay? [Suhyun panting]

(Suhyun) After escaping death,

I wanted to live,

so I came to you.

This seems to be the only safe place.

(Gitae) Your fake hundred-dollar bill from five years ago

was so impeccably made.

I see you've mastered the 50,000 won bill too.

Did you work together with J on this?

(Suhyun) That's right.

It's my work.

(Gitae) Amazing.

[Gitae laughing]

I thought as much.

The whole time you were in prison,

you were just biding your time, waiting to get revenge for Master Yang.

[Gitae sighs]

Han Suhyun,

how did the supernote start,

and how far has it progressed?

(Suhyun) And if I tell you?

If I tell you, will you protect me?

Will you keep me alive?

(Gitae) Of course.

It's the duty of a national agency.

(Suhyun) But what if

it's like five years ago?

[ominous sound]

It doesn't matter.

Even if history repeats itself,

the only person I can trust

is you, Mr. Cha.

I'll tell you

everything.

[suspenseful music]

[Gitae sighs]

(J) It's about damn time we started...

the supernote game. [music: "Villains" theme song]