Original subtitles

Written by CHANG Joon-Hwan, BONG Jun-Ho, KIM Jong-Hun

Produced by KIM Sun-Ah

Directed by MIN Byung-Chun

Executive Producers: CHA Seung-Bum, KIM Seung-Bum

I am floating over vast sands

And I am slowly sinking

I want to see the sky

Phantom, The Submarine

June 8th, 1999

10km North of the Palmiras island A Korean-U.S. Drill Exercise

Emergency in the Jangbogo submarine 3rd Korean Naval Submarine Fleet

Captain! Please back away!

They're coming to kill me. I don't want to die.

I'm not ready yet. Do it now!

Please, don't move sir! Nobody is out to kill you

This is just a drill. They're our submarines.

They're coming to kill me! They sent the submarines for me!

I know what's really happening!

Sir, I will shoot you if you don't remove your hand!

They're coming to capture me! They're going to kill me!

Do it now! Now!

No!

Commander!

Chan-Suk Lee

Lieutenant Commander of the 3rd Korean Naval Submarine Fleet

On June 8, 1999 at exactly 15:10

You were arrested for allegedly killing a senior officer

during the sixteenth Korean-U.S. Drill exercise

in the control room of the Jangbogo submarine

For disobeying regulations of the Korean Navy Command,

You are guilty of a serious crime.

According to article 52, line 1 of the Korean Navy Command laws

We sentence you to death.

About face!

Present arms!

Right face!

Aim!

Fire!

Shoulder arms! Left face!

You made a speedy recovery

A meaningless death is painful.

I speak from experience.

Am I right?

All of us here exist only as a number.

So do you.

From now on you'll be referred to as 431

A nuclear submarine

...the Phantom...

Can't you feel its power?

Where am I?

You're in a nuclear weapons base

National Security has designated this place top secret.

Why am I here?

You've been chosen for the Phantom.

There are no records of anyone here-you included

You have no choice.

You have to join the Phantom.

You still look confused.

You'll get used to it.

You won't regret spending the rest of your life on the Phantom.

You're looking better.

Your credentials set you apart from the rest.

Sand dunes.

You can't get out. An oasis. Your only escape.

A poisoned needle.

Use it when your cover's blown or in a similar emergency.

Southwest sea,

128 degrees east longitude, 31.5 degrees north latitude,

120 degrees is the location that we got from headquarters.

In my personal opinion...

this drill is no different

to the last one.

Revealing the Phantom brought pressure

Everyone knows that Japan is developing nuclear subs.

- But if we do... - Some people will get edgy...

Anything new from HQ?

Some time ago the captain and the naval special forces

inspected the Phantom for 7 hours

Why?

We don't know. They completely excluded us.

That�s odd.

We had better inspect the Phantom ourselves.

Okay, Once we set sail, everything will become clear.

Let's keep this between us.

- Just a routine check sir. - Yes.

Good, everyone is here.

Let me introduce 431, our new weapons chief

Since he's late joining us, make him feel at home.

Case 1. August 1996

They established a suspicious research complex on island.

Off the northeastern coast of Okinawa.

December, 1996 Monju, Japan

A heat reprocessing facility was driven

at high speed proliferation for nuclear

May, 1997. Obtained picture of a ship's hull

being made in an underground warehouse in Okinawa.

A large displacement of at least 20,000 tons.

We think it's a nuclear sub.

Case 1. December 1996.

A 3 trillion won debt obligation from Russia

...paid back with one Sierra class sub.

A top secret plan to operate a nuclear submarine.

Code name KMX-1... the Phantom

a special mono-propellant

driven by a steam turbine

built inside a nuclear reactor

In the vertical silos... In the remodeled vertical silos,

are SSN-16 cruise missiles,

unequipped with nuclear warheads.

Top cruising speed is 32 knots,

A maximum submergible depth of 750 meters

It has a shower room and a tanning booth

- We must be in the same unit - Yes. We are, sir.

- Are you just like me? - Sir?

Were you put here for shooting your senior officer?

Sir, I can't answer any personal questions.

We don't have much time before we set sail.

So let's enjoy the party.

Let me introduce you.

This is 841. Head of radio control.

A friend well-versed in the history of sea battles.

The Phantom's tactics officer.

This is 561, head of navigation.

He's more delicate than he looks.

And this is commander 202 the man I fear the most.

If that happens, the U.S. Might start a war here.

If Asia is ruined, the U.S. Might reap some short-term profit

but they could lose one of their biggest markets.

That scenario is unlikely

They'll pull back before total destruction

When everyone has suffered enough, they'll stop.

Why are you men so serious?

We're just talking about the weather, sir.

Do you want some?

- Sir, we have to depart tomorrow. - Shut up!

Don't order me around!

That's all. Any questions?

Well...

If we pass through the Sushima and Mariana Straits,

Sir, there'll be many Japanese and U.S. Subs.

We can cruise 100 meters deeper than the Japanese subs

They won't detect us.

And even if they find us out, they'll think it's a Russian sub.

As long as we avoid their waters, they won't attack.

But Sushima is pretty shallow, sir.

It won't be a picnic sailing into the Pacific.

A nuclear sub can't hang around the East Sea forever.

When we have finished developing our satellites

and nuclear warheads,

We'll have to head out into the open sea.

Sir, would we have to cut communication lines with HQ?

Yes, that would be the case.

If you have no more questions, go back to your posts.

- Dismissed. - Attention!

Sir...

why the sudden change of plans?

We just follow orders. Soldiers aren't allowed to think.

To the next way point!

Move to way point!

Oh, my god!

What the hell are you doing?

You've got a one-track mind.

Hey, you sons of bitches! Go to sleep!

Mind your own business, You bastard!

You idiot! Why are you washing that rat?

Whose towel did you use?

- You idiot! Moron! - Hey!

Do you want to be punished again?

Get up to your bunk.

If I see that rat once more...

I can't understand it at all

It's impossible to pass through the Mariana without being discovered.

There must be a reason for all this

For what?

For why this old submarine suddenly becomes fearless?

- Perhaps... - You are all so curious.

Perhaps soldiers shouldn't think after all.

I wonder what our new recruit thinks.

Well, sir...

They may already know the Phantom exists.

Maybe politicians are using it for their own ends.

Are you saying that it's time to step out of the shadows?

If that's the case, does Phantom have a political values?

Even without nuclear warheads?

The Phantom has the potential to carry nuclear weapons.

That could be valuable enough.

Then do you support nuclear armament?

Nuclear power can give a country complete sovereignty.

But of course the situation calls for caution.

Caution?

I see.

It's not the time for nuclear arms yet.

We need a better understanding of the situation first.

It was good to talk. You're right.

Captain.

Last communication link with headquarters.

Just send a farewell message.

No contact for the next 3 months.

How much time do we have?

13 minutes until the open sea, sir.

13 minutes...

I feel calmer than I thought I would.

In 13 minutes...

I'm be leaving the waters I navigated for 30 years.

Sir, you sound like you're never coming back.

Is that what you heard?

Old age has overcome me. I'm getting sentimental.

This is the captain speaking.

The Phantom will enter Japanese waters in 12 minutes.

Only sunken rocks and mines are waiting for us

Keep in mind that any careless behavior

or mistakes can threaten all our lives.

We are the crew of the first Korean nuclear submarine.

We are the Phantom, our country's strongest weapon.

That is all.

Speed, 30 knots standard Take her down to 150.

Open vents, speed 30 knots down 150 deep.

8 degrees down bubble

- Is anything wrong? - No, sir.

What's that behind your back?

Nothing, sir.

- 981. Are you the head cook? - Yes, sir.

Don't you know that possessing a photo is a violation of

Navy Command rules and deserves a heavy punishment?

Yes, I know, sir.

- So are you prepared? - Yes.

- Are there any noodles? - Sir? ...Yes, sir.

Can you cook some for me?

Yes, sir. Right away, sir.

Not now.

Bring two bowls to my room at 22:00 hours

Be careful!

- Understand? - Yes, sir.

- Are you finding things comfortable? - Yes, sir.

You're much different from your father.

You look a lot like him, but you're very different.

Sir, you knew my father?

Isn't it ironic?

Even though we are in the sea, we can't see where we are.

It's like being in a desert.

Your father was a dreamer.

- The Phantom may be his dream. - Why did you call me, sir?

In this world... there are some things you can't run away from.

Our boarding the Phantom... your father's death...

It is all the same.

- This key looks better on you. - Sir.

As you grow older, you tend to depend on other people.

Hold this for me.

Keep it a secret.

You can go back to your post now.

Stick to your beliefs.

Hey 532! What are you doing!

Give it to me.

Son of a bitch!

You carry that thing all day and bring it here, you idiot!

Give it to me, you bastard! Now, you son of a bitch!

Sir. It's exactly 22:00 hours.

Sir, it might taste a little undercooked.

Did you have a nightmare?

It's common around here. Does anyone sleep well here?

In my quarters, I often hear people screaming in their sleep.

Thank you.

Everyone has his own nightmares.

- Have some. - What? Me, sir?

Why do you think I ordered two bowls?

Have some.

I'm afraid of getting fat...

- Lieutenant commander. - What?

Your nose is sweating. Hot food makes my nose sweat, too.

You won't be caught again, right?

Sir, of course... want to see?

You can see it

...can't... can... can't

Your kids must be crazy about you.

As we expected, we found a bomb during the search.

Well, then...

We are all in agreement.

Only a few days at sea and I'm so bored.

Why isn't there anything to do?

The less work for us, the better.

If you like it so much, stay here as long as you can.

I'm breaking out of here.

Tell me first before you bail out. So I can give you a present.

Really, Sir?

What do you want?

Your watch, sir.

I have wanted that kind of watch since I was a child.

Have you? Then you can have it, now.

There's no one to impress here. Give it to me when I escape.

Tell me when.

- Where are you going? - To check the missile silo.

- Present depth? - Steady at 150 feet.

Can't we dive deeper?

Any deeper, sir, and. We'll hit rough terrain

We may run into a Japanese sub.

Any movement?

Nothing yet, sir.

It's strange, sir.

There should be at least one or two subs here.

Do you want to destroy a Japanese sub?

Personally speaking... yes. But I must follow orders.

Sir, you should take some rest.

You feel the need to take over.

What are you going to do?

I have 10 more years to go.

...I'll just have to wait, sir.

- You have the bridge - He has the bridge!

What the hell is this!!

Why is it so noisy out there?

Maybe the engine crew are being disciplined, sir.

And they scold us for doing nothing. Bastards!

What's going on? Why are you armed?

- I don't know, sir. - This is the commander.

There was an attempted mutiny. The captain has been killed.

The rebels have been contained and their leaders were killed.

From now on, we are on full alert.

Navy regulations stipulate that I should take command.

493!

Sorry, sir. It was an emergency order.

Why do you have the key?

The captain ordered me to prepare for missile launch, sir.

Captain?

Yes, sir.

You mean commander 202?

Yes, sir. Our new captain sir

I see

Commander

A whale

It's swimming right next to us

The strongest animal in the sea

The captain was killed by mutineers.

Regulations state that, I must identify the corpse.

Three officers and the coroner must witness...

Once, I lost my eyesight for a while during childhood.

I was frantic at first, but as time passed

I could hear sounds. I had never heard before.

When I concentrate,

I can even hear someone's hidden emotions.

He likes us... that whale

The strong can recognize each other.

A natural instinct

The captain's corpse... please take necessary steps.

There's no need for that. I killed the captain.

So it's a waste of time to pursue formal procedures.

Why did you kill him?

To put it simply, the captain planned to destroy the Phantom,

and all of us.

What makes you think so?

Believe it or not, we found a bomb on board.

I don't know how many are left

It's simple.

During the last drill, we ran into a Japanese sub.

Ever since the U.S. And Japan found out about the Phantom,

the pigs in the top brass have bowed to pressure.

I don't understand

why a sub with no nuclear warheads could be considered a threat.

I thought you were smarter than that.

Even terrorists in the Middle East are armed with nuclear missiles.

Although our leaders are idiots...

do you actually think they made this sub without nuclear weapons?

Did they want to break the world diving record with it?

This sub...

contains missiles that can easily wipe out Japan.

Do you realize why we passed through Sushima and Mariana,

fully exposed to Japanese and American subs?

We were expected to put on a suicide show.

So, what's your plan?

Now you're catching on.

Our country hands over her pride and dignity for money.

But this time it's different...

the Phantom has the power...

the power to protect herself...

She has nuclear power.

But nuclear power is something we can't use at will!

Who the hell gives them the right to decide our fate?

The point is...

not living or dying.

It's showing that our country won't sells its soul for money

Captain. The ship is at launch depth.

Now let's see if we do have nuclear missiles.

All stop, Hold fast at this depth.

- Check the target - Check the target!

13324 east, 2842 north

2 kilos northeast of Okinawa

A submarine construction base. The target has been confirmed.

Japan's development of nuclear subs will be delayed.

Want to insert it yourself?

- The captain's key. - I think...

...you're crazy.

The Phantom has no nuclear missiles.

That's too bad.

We had high expectations of you.

He doesn't have it

You're quick-witted

Why did you hide it?

Instinct. I could sense something in your voice.

So did I meet your high expectations?

Don't talk back to your captain

Captain... sir?

Or should I say Emperor?

Too many damn fanatics here.

Tell us where the key is.

Tell me where the corpse is.

I have to report back to base.

Sir, sir?

What?

- Aren't you making radish soup? - Yup.

But why are you cutting it into strips?

- Is something wrong? - No, nothing.

This boat is screwed up.

- Ouch! - Clean up the fish.

Chan-suk Lee

Your father was killed for being stubborn like you.