Original subtitles

PARK DONG-HO

[Su-jin] The thing about nuclear weapons is

it poses the greatest threat only when a finger…

[suspenseful music playing]

…is resting on the button.

You pushed that button first, and now it's my turn.

[flame crackling]

[music fades]

[knocking at door]

[door closes]

JEONG SU-JIN

Hey.

[Su-jin] Everything's ready.

We have the info you're going to release to the press.

The civil organizations are on standby.

[suspenseful music playing]

The combined viewer rating is 40% right now.

That means 20 million people will have their eyes on you.

Here's your speech.

On the same day President Jang had a heart attack,

Prime Minister Park Dong-ho came to see me.

On the day President Jang had a heart attack,

Prime Minister Park came to see me.

He looked quite troubled and worried.

[Sang-un] He looked troubled and worried

because the very next day,

he was to be arrested for bribery charges, I believe.

He said he wasn't going to go down without a fight.

-[Su-jin] He wanted to see the president… -He wished to see the president…

-President Jang refused to see him. -President Jang refused to see him.

So he asked me to set up a meeting for him instead.

It's imperative that the National Assembly

isn't swayed by his testimony.

This investigation has to be stopped immediately, Chairman Park.

[music fades]

[disconnect tone]

[exhales sharply]

Jeong Su-jin has the younger party members wrapped around her finger.

We need to turn the tide--

Prime Minister Park told me at the time that the Republic of Korea

would get a new president come morning.

[loud bang]

He said he already had everything he needed

to stop President Jang's heart.

[Dong-ho seething]

[Sang-un] He told me he'd solve

all of Daejin's legal issues once he became the acting president.

But I refused.

He said he would fix

Daejin's succession problem once he became president.

But I turned him away.

Then I met with President Jang that night,

and this is what I said to him.

"President Jang, you should be careful."

But it was no use

because, as you all know, he was poisoned that very night,

and Prime Minister Park

was with him.

VISITOR REQUEST FORM

[Dong-ho] This is the prison's visitor log.

Over the past month,

Prime Minister Jeong Su-jin

met with Kang Sang-un, the prime suspect, three times.

I'd like to hear why the prime minister

decided to visit the president's suspected assassin in prison.

Why is she sullying our Assembly with lies?

And what did he promise her?

[Sang-un] I sent the cardiology team from Daejin Medical.

They'll be there in ten minutes.

[Su-jin] The director from the Armed Forces Hospital is there.

They've been monitoring his health ever since he was elected president.

[Sang-un] We're doing the operation. When it comes to surgery, no one beats--

That was November 18th.

You just heard a recorded phone call between Jeong Su-jin and me.

I was in my office over at Daejin Group during this entire phone conversation.

That means I wasn't at the Blue House when President Jang collapsed.

While I was in prison,

Jeong Su-jin came to visit me three times

because she knew I was terrified

to live in a world with Park Dong-ho as the acting president.

She encouraged me to speak the truth.

So, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here today.

I would've kept silent out of fear.

That's a complete lie.

I never met with Vice Chairman Kang. Let me be transparent.

I will provide proof of everything I did

and every place that I have visited when I was prime minister.

-I've got-- -Nothing to hide, is that it?

That's because you erased the visitor log from that night,

as well as the security footage.

[suspenseful music playing]

There's a small detail that he missed.

[papers rustling]

This picture is all the evidence we need.

Park Dong-ho's car entering the Blue House.

[all murmuring]

And that's not everything.

I've acquired hard evidence

on how Park Dong-ho murdered the president that night.

This picture shows his secretary, Seo Jeong-yeon,

obtaining the drug to poison President Jang

that led to his ultimate death!

Now we all know how he committed the crime

and who assisted him.

I'd like to ask everyone sitting here today

to hold him accountable.

Justice must prevail!

[all murmuring]

[exhales]

[suspenseful music playing]

[reporter] Growing suspicion surrounds President Park's alleged involvement

in the death of the late president Jang.

Meanwhile, high-ranking officials from the Blue House are avoiding the press.

President Park refuses to leave the Blue House,

having canceled all March 1st Movement Day events.

A coalition of 1,280 civil organizations has emerged,

demanding President Park's resignation from office at a rally at Gwanghwamun.

After the rally, tens of thousands of citizens

marched toward the Blue House,

demanding an investigation to uncover the truth.

[crowd chanting] Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

Park Dong-ho has got to go!

[music fades]

[opening theme music playing]

THE WHIRLWIND

[music fades]

EPISODE 9

As you know, a president was assassinated in '79.

The KCIA director, who had committed the crime, had met with someone prior.

It was the army chief of staff.

He was accused of being an accomplice,

so they took him in during the investigation

and tortured him.

A four-star general treated like a mere worthless traitor.

[intriguing music playing]

Eventually, people will wonder

whether Park Dong-ho, at that time,

met with anyone before the president's collapse.

With your permission, let me be of service.

Would you like me to explain everything?

In President Jang's absence,

we discussed matters of national security.

Hmm. That's a pretty good excuse.

But President Jang's followers are angry.

They're looking at the world through the eyes of Jeong Su-jin.

It's a shame, isn't it?

It's like no one can even think for themselves nowadays.

[connect tone]

Now, whenever I play my flute, they fall in line after me.

[phone line ringing]

LEE JUNG-GWON CHIEF PROSECUTOR - CIO

Yes, this is Lee Jung-gwon.

I'm not sure you're strong enough to resist my tune.

[intriguing music continues]

It's me.

Let him go free.

[music stops]

[Jung-gwon exhales]

You're free to go.

BLUE HOUSE - SANGCHUNJAE

Dong-ho.

It's time for you to resign.

You need to step down from office and confess your crimes--

I must finish the task that

Gi-tae left.

Your supporters have turned against you, as well as the National Assembly.

You have no one

standing beside you anymore.

[pensive music playing]

Are you?

I… will join the National Investigation.

I'll give them the intel. All of it.

I won't spare any details.

Dong-ho.

This is the end for you.

Well, I'm still the president.

So it's not over until I say it's over.

NTS Investigation Division 4.

We're conducting an emergency tax audit on Daejin Motors.

[pensive music continues]

I know you have a really strong sense of justice.

We both do.

We just have different ways going about it.

And I can't help but think that my way is the best way to truly achieve justice.

-Dong-ho. -You also think the same.

I know you can't stand the smell of corruption.

It's funny 'cause your favorite dishes,

spotted ray,

dried fish, and stinky tofu,

they are all…

quite smelly to eat.

Let me take the first bite.

Jang-seok,

just do what you have to do.

[Jang-seok] "In accordance with Articles 7 and 8

of the Act pertaining to testimonies

presented before the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea,

I solemnly swear to speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth

during my testimony at the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee."

"I attest to the veracity of my written and spoken statement

under penalty of perjury."

"April 5th, 2023."

"My name is Lee Jang-seok."

THE LATE HAN MIN-HO

[unsettling music playing]

President Park got rid of Jang-seok's team.

I wonder if he knew how harmful it would be

to transfer them right in the middle of a national investigation.

I believe the transfer was unfair.

It was obviously done to slow down the investigation.

Turning Jang-seok over to the CIO

only suffocates him more.

My arrest by the CIO

was likely orchestrated from someone inside of the Blue House.

[unsettling music continues]

[sighs]

In the end, the one closest to him

is the one who will end up being his downfall.

Regarding the accusations

on whether President Park Dong-ho had a hand in President Jang's death…

the evidence in hand…

raises strong suspicions.

Let's submit a motion for impeachment.

I need you to contact Jo Sang-cheon.

[Man-gil] Yes, ma'am.

[reporter] The National Assembly has submitted a motion

for the impeachment of President Park during the plenary session.

In order for the motion to pass,

more than two-thirds of the Assembly need to vote in favor.

Given that most of the Korean Liberal Party

and probably all the members of the New Conservative Party…

So you want to start a war.

I have no choice.

[Dong-ho] I can't stand by and watch you destroy the future of this country.

[phone buzzing]

KANG YEONG-IK - CHAIRMAN OF DAEJIN GROUP

[music fades]

Park Dong-ho speaking.

The NTS conducted an audit of Daejin Motors.

Park Dong-ho got his hands on some

compromising information.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VOTES ON PRESIDENT PARK'S IMPEACHMENT

SAFE HOUSE IN SAMCHEONGDONG

I heard that you got your hands on something of mine.

For someone who's about to leave the Blue House,

you're taking some pretty bold steps meeting--

Enough already!

You were supposed to get your son away from Jeong Su-jin's grasp.

[laughs]

You were the one who betrayed me.

So are you regretting not taking my deal?

[unsettling music playing]

[man] Out of the 296 members,

295 voted.

Votes in favor, 218.

The motion for President Park's impeachment

has been passed.

[Yeong-ik] The only way I can help is to give you a generous payment.

Enough so that your family has nothing to worry about.

I'll make sure your son gets everything he needs.

He can go to a real nice college and--

[Dong-ho] I need to stay in power at the Blue House.

The impeachment bill went through,

and I need you to get it dismissed immediately.

[Yeong-ik groans]

You ask too much in exchange for a broken sword.

The Indonesian factory you constructed embezzled 500 million.

I'm in possession of a few documents that can prove that.

You think a threat is enough to scare me?

You can't stab me with a broken blade.

Listen. If you don't help me stay in power,

who do you think will take my place?

Take a wild guess.

What should I do first once I become the acting president?

[Dong-ho] Jeong Su-jin will.

And I'm sure your son Kang Sang-un will join her after lying to save them both.

If they take my sword,

then which of the two, I wonder, will stab you first?

SEOUL NATIONAL CEMETERY

[unsettling music continues]

[Man-gil] Vice Chairman Kang called, ma'am.

He wants you to arrest his father and his brother

before he's released from prison.

He said that his statement might change if you don't keep your promise.

I was sitting right here when your boy exploded.

[Sang-un whimpering]

Father.

I trusted you, you bastard!

[pensive music playing]

[Dong-ho] The abandoned prince will return.

I bet he's eager to use the broken sword to cut the king's head off.

[Yeong-ik] At this age, I have a hard time even lifting a teacup.

How on earth can I get an impeachment dismissed?

You should believe in yourself.

[music fades]

I believe in myself, but…

[inhales sharply] But you don't trust me?

Perhaps you need convincing.

[intriguing music playing]

Here is what you will get in return.

You'll receive half of the president's power.

But only if I return to office

after the impeachment is dismissed.

All government institutions will

be of service to Daejin Group and its leader.

Whatever you desire

will be yours to have.

This is your chance to take control of the Blue House.

Chairman Kang,

you are a very lucky man.

[intriguing music continues]

I WILL BRING JUSTICE AND EQUALITY TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

[Min-ho] Su-jin.

I wanna be remembered

for who I was.

JEONG SU-JIN, ACTING PRESIDENT

[Su-jin] The North might take advantage of this moment,

so national security will be one of my priorities.

But my top priority is

investigating the flow of overseas funds of

the top ten corporations in Korea.

The chaebols have been above the law for far too long, in my opinion.

So any companies suspected of exploiting the hard work of their employees

while embezzling money will face severe consequences

regardless of their position or status.

No stone will be left unturned in the new Republic of Korea.

Park Dong-ho's offer is a ticking time bomb, Father.

It doesn't matter.

I've already got the means to defuse it anyway.

[music stops]

[Man-gil] Chairman Park Chang-sik is setting up his campaign office.

Mayor Oh Jin-cheol and Governor Song Min-tae will also

be running as well it seems.

Everyone is jumping at the opportunity.

They're too late.

[unsettling music playing]

We've been ready for the elections for a very long time now.

[unsettling music continues]

BLUE HOUSE - SANGCHUNJAE

Sangchunjae is on the grounds of the Blue House.

You need permission from the chief of staff's--

I don't need permission from you or anyone.

"During the impeachment trial, the acting authority

may rule over every organization under the president's authority."

Is that not true?

Tonight, I'm expecting

30 sitting party members to attend.

Although, there's one attendee who doesn't need security clearance.

YOO JEONG-MI, FORMER FIRST LADY

It's good to see you, former First Lady.

If I'd known you were coming, I would've--

I'm surprised you didn't.

You know everything that happens in the Blue House.

I wonder what you know about… that night.

[phone buzzing]

[sighs]

So this is a ruse for the party members

to witness the First Lady's support for you, isn't it?

Don't worry about it.

As long as Park Dong-ho crumbles,

you won't be harmed in any way.

But don't try to stop me.

I'd be so very upset

if you got caught in the crossfire.

[Hyeon-su] Mom, please! Please help me.

[applause]

Please be seated.

To begin,

everyone here, including myself,

has been governing this nation

under the shadow of the former president.

The First Lady invited us here tonight in order to remind us

what President Jang believed in.

I would love to know what he would say to us

if he were here to witness what's been happening.

I'm sure many of you would like to know as well.

First Lady.

On the night

when my husband, President Jang…

collapsed…

the night of November 18th, 2022,

Park Dong-ho was at

the Blue House.

But he was meeting with me.

[tense music playing]

[all murmuring]

[Hyeon-su] Mom, please help me. I'm begging you!

Dad's gone.

Don't you understand? You're all I have now!

If I go to prison,

you won't have anyone by your side.

Park Dong-ho came to my official residence because…

he believed he didn't deserve to speak with my husband,

given the situation.

So we talked and… shared a cup of tea together.

First Lady.

[Hyeon-su] Do you care more about your dead husband

or your living son, huh?

I… I'm still alive, and I'm still your son!

I guess Jang Il-jun and I

have both really failed as parents.

The impeachment's a scheme, and…

I know my husband

would've wanted Park Dong-ho to return to his rightful duty as President of Korea…

and continue the legacy

my husband started.

[reporter] Yoo Jeong-mi has denied President Park Dong-ho's

assassination charges,

introducing a new turn to the impeachment trial.

The Constitutional Court of Korea

is currently holding the third hearing regarding impeachment.

Recent survey data reveals that 48% of citizens

are in favor of the impeachment motion, whereas an equivalent 48% oppose it,

highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the trial's outcome.

[remote beeps]

Now it's up to the Constitutional Court of Korea.

Public opinion is indicative.

Constitutional hearings are political.

The public is still confused. They don't know who to believe.

I'm positive the constitutional justices are in the same boat.

We can't give up.

Whatever she's doing, let's beat her to it.

[Man-gil] Are you saying you want to bribe the constitutional justices?

I only want to guide anyone who is on the fence about this trial.

[pensive music playing]

There are nine constitutional justices.

The fate of the country depends on these individuals.

JEONG SU-JIN STARTED A GROUP CHAT "JUSTICE"

[Su-jin] Justice Lee Gil-seob.

Justice Baek Jong-il.

Chief Justice Choi Yong-hwan.

Justice Kim Gyeong-jin.

Those four justices are already on our side.

For the impeachment bill to pass, we need at least two-thirds approval.

That means we need six justices.

Precisely, yes.

Two more justices.

[pensive music continues]

[sighs] Let's see. Where is that file?

Oh.

There it is.

Ah! [chuckles]

[coughing]

A constitutional justice who ruled favorably

for his soon-to-be future in-laws.

CASE FILE: RETURNING OF LAND BELONGING TO STATE

Judicial misconduct, isn't it?

You failed to uphold the law.

Will you uphold the law for this upcoming trial?

[exhales sharply]

MIN SANG-CHEOL HAS JOINED THE CHAT

Feels like yesterday your son came by before heading to college.

Well, has he graduated yet?

Yes, sir.

He's thinking of launching his own start-up now.

I say, let him get it started first,

and I'll make sure he keeps it going.

[laughs]

[panting]

[Sang-jin] Father.

Jeong Su-jin has five out of the nine justices.

I think she's blackmailing them.

I expected the other four to side with us, but we're out of luck.

[uneasy music playing]

I believe Jo Sang-cheon

is talking to Justice Song Tae-ho as we speak.

CHAIRMAN YEONG-IK

Join us…

JUSTICE SONG TAE-HO

[phone buzzing]

…or get squashed.

[Man-gil] Ma'am, we've got the six justices we need

for the impeachment motion to pass.

[uneasy music continues]

Sang-jin, you should leave the country.

I'll call you when the dust settles.

[Sang-jin] Father…

It looks like our friendship has come to an end.

Why, Chairman Kang, I never believed you to be a quitter.

I don't like fighting in matches I cannot win.

I would rather

wait for a match that I can win.

We already convinced three justices. We only need one more person to stop--

I helped one justice with his son's business,

another justice by taking over the family's failing factory,

and one more.

It was hard enough to get three people. There's no way--

But Jeong Su-jin managed to persuade six justices.

I thought you had the power to move the world, but I guess you don't!

[Sang-jin] We were outnumbered. Pil-gyu opened up an old case file.

Jo Sang-cheon won over a justice by bribing a former public security--

You should've done that too!

You should've been at least two steps ahead of Jeong Su-jin!

I took one step with Jang Hyeon-su's drug issue

and another step convincing the First Lady.

I guess my old legs can't keep up anymore.

Jeong Su-jin is… always three steps ahead of me.

Then I will

hand the sword over to your son.

I am still strong enough to protect myself.

But taking an enormous bet with a losing hand

is just too risky, I think, for me.

I'm not going all in for you.

[sighs]

[door closes]

[exhales sharply]

We need to secure a hundred Assembly votes

in order to win the election.

I'll take care of it.

Once we secure the majority of the votes,

that will ensure my victory as the new president.

[Man-gil] I have faith you'll win.

Jeong-yeon.

Secretary Lee Man-gil,

the Blue House will soon be ours to take.

We are going to win.

[stirring music playing]

[reporter] The verdict of President Park's three-month-long impeachment trial

will be announced today.

[chanting] Step down! Step down!

Step down!

[man] I'll be delivering the verdict on

the Constitutional Court case number 2023 N-1

concerning the impeachment of the president.

It's imperative for all citizens of South Korea

to understand that the Constitution

forms a foundation of all state institutions,

including the presidency.

It is the people who are the ultimate source of this authority.

The Court acknowledges this fundamental principle,

and we all have decided to approach this decision knowing

the heavy weight of this responsibility.

The motion for the impeachment of the respondent, President Park Dong-ho…

BREAKING NEWS CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S DECISION

…is hereby dismissed.

[unsettling music playing]

CHOI YONG-HWAN LEFT THE CHAT

The Court hopes that this verdict,

issued with the authority granted by the citizens of our nation,

will lay the groundwork

for resolving the disputes and the chaos

currently surrounding our country.

[Yeon-sook] Do you remember these?

[unsettling music continues]

These teacups were a present from your trip to Spain.

I remember hearing that you and the First Lady

had watched a movie together in a private theater.

"The Bridges of Madison County."

It's about a couple and their brief love affair.

[man] …and help

guide our beloved country to a better path and one of harmony.

[Yeon-sook] I wouldn't want to subject you to public humiliation.

Do what's right for our nation.

Furthermore, it is the Court's opinion

that we must uphold and protect

the Constitution

and the law as a unified nation,

for they are the basis of our society.

[phone buzzing]

PARK DONG-HO

Jeong Su-jin speaking.

[Dong-ho] Come to my office.

Get me up to speed.

Discard the revised enforcement plan. It's outside your authority, I'm afraid.

What did you promise Chairman Kang Yeong-ik?

While you're at it, cancel the joint citizens' committee too.

It's superfluous.

What did you agree to do if he saved your neck?

You promised half of the Blue House, didn't you?

You couldn't stand it when President Jang Il-jun

offered him a pardon.

That's the reason why you got involved with this whole mess, to begin with.

So what did you agree on?

I want to know what you promised him.

All I did was promise him that I would bring you to justice

for the crimes you and your husband committed.

Han Min-ho is gone.

He had the ties to Daejin Group.

I have nothing to do with them now.

[sighs]

Well, I am

a step ahead.

[stirring music playing]

[Dong-ho] We convinced three justices. We only need one more person--

[Yeong-ik] I helped one justice with his son's business,

another justice by taking over the family's failing factory,

and one more--

[Dong-ho] You should've done that too!

You should've been at least two steps ahead of Jeong Su-jin.

[Su-jin gasps]

[gasps]

Just how far are you planning to go?

Chairman Kang took two steps.

You took three.

And I

am taking it

one step further.

[tense music playing]

[Jeong-yeon] Now you have evidence against those

who manipulated the Constitutional Court.

Now it's your turn to do your part.

Why?

He just got out of quicksand, so why go back in?

Because he never got out.

His plan is to bring Jeong Su-jin under.

He is also planning to

take Chairman Kang as well.

[tense music continues]

He said this to me.

"We're all seeking justice in this rotten world."

"We just have different ways of going about it."

"I'm going to stick with my way until the very end."

[camera shutters clicking]

Jesus Christ once said to an angry mob…

"He that is without sin among you,

let him first cast a stone at her."

Everyone turned away.

Because anyone who casts stones at others

has to endure

having stones cast at them as well.

From this moment…

until my very last moment inside the Blue House,

there are

many stones that I

am planning on casting.

That's why

I'll let

whatever stones…

be cast at me first.

[suspenseful music playing]

On November 18th,

2022…

I paid a visit to the Blue House.

And the reason I…

went there that night was to…

kill President Jang.

[dramatic music playing]

THE WHIRLWIND

[closing theme music playing]

[music fades]