Tempest (2025) s01e02 Episode Script

1
TEMPES
[suspenseful music plays]
[phone rings]
Sir.
[sirens wailing in the distance]
[stammers] Sir, I don't know what…
[stammers] …what I'm--
[call ends]
TWO MONTHS BEFORE
JANG JUNIK'S ASSASSINATION
How reliable is your intelligence?
Well, we can trust the satellites,
but the real question is,
how did they build it?
It's not possible
without Russian and Chinese cooperation.
Which means their tacit approval here
is a given.
Better believe they have
the resolve to launch those missiles.
Yeah, I'm afraid
I agree with the chairman.
[secretary] Mr. President.
Sit down, everyone.
[beeps]
[pedestrians chattering]
[knocks, door opens]
[driver] Hey.
Really appreciate it.
-All right, take care. Travel safe.
-[driver] Of course.
All right.
[door closes]
Hello there, sir.
The two of us spoke on the phone.
[dramatic music plays]
[Sanho] I had a dream.
[panting]
[Sanho] In the dream,
I was a woman.
[Munju] For South Koreans,
people in North Korea are not just anyone.
IRAQ, 2023
Millions of South Koreans
still have our family members
and relatives living in the north.
To us, they're still
our brothers and sisters.
Far into the future when we look back
and think about what we have done,
I sincerely hope that
we will be able to say
that we did the right thing
for the people in North Korea
who deserve to live a decent life,
just like us.
[Sanho] Even in a storm…
[panting]
…I wanted to run.
JANG JUNIK
When did my husband
tell you to increase security?
-I'm sorry?
-It wasn't so heavy before?
He was clearly on edge about something.
I'm wondering, Changhee.
You know his routine.
Everything about him.
[stammers]
It was a few months ago.
He began taking personal calls
and meetings in complete secrecy.
-I was kept out of it.
-…make time soon to talk.
I received a letter from the States.
I need to discuss it with you.
Hey, where are you…
Sir, where are you going?
Mmm.
[Changhee] He was especially anxious
the day before you got back.
He requested
that I double the security team.
And then he asked for a detour
on the simplest route.
But, sir, may I ask you
what this is about?
A squirrel is following us.
A squirrel?
[exhales sharply]
When Junsang was young,
he got bitten by a squirrel
and was left with a scar.
-Look who it is.
-[chuckles]
Junsang? [chuckles]
[both laughing]
[Junik] That's how he earned the nickname.
Squirrel.
The violent little squirrel.
[Junik laughs]
-Looks like him, right? [chuckles]
-[chuckles]
[phone buzzing]
Hey, Miji.
I'm looking into Kim's family
like you asked,
I came to see his father at his house.
But they're packing up
like they're going on a trip.
I see a lot of luggage.
And they're all getting in a van.
Something feels off.
There's these guys here helping them.
But they don't seem like family.
Someone's trying to cover this up.
-I can follow behind.
-No.
It's too dangerous.
I got this.
I was a divorce attorney's…
[grunts] …right hand.
Comes with the territory.
Let me know where they're going.
And I'll see you there.
Don't get out until I arrive.
[engine starts]
[Inbo] Last Sunday,
some members of the Catacomb
in the north visited your grandmother
and left her a bundle of rice,
bread and a letter.
She seems healthy.
The letter says that you'll be there
the day after tomorrow
to take her to China.
She hung up a white shirt
as her signal back.
It means that she understands.
You should go with her while you can.
So today?
The situation is bad and getting worse.
If you don't hurry, you might not make it.
What is this about, Father?
There was something that Mr. Jang
wanted me to do.
I have been asking God
how I can uphold that agreement.
The church will fall into chaos soon.
What was it that Mr. Jung
had requested from you?
If it's somehow connected to the murder,
you'll be in as much danger as he was.
[Inbo] Our promise.
A promise that was made in the face of God
between myself and Junik.
It's most important right now
that you move your grandmother
out of the country.
If you don't do this,
you'll regret it your whole life.
[dark music plays]
It's something to do
with North Korea, isn't it?
This is Saint Anthony.
All this time, he's kept me safe.
[tense music plays]
[employee] Good evening.
That's three adults and one child,
four total.
One-way tickets to Melbourne, Australia
for tonight?
[person 1] Yes, that's correct.
-One-way to Melbourne? But why?
-[employee speaks indistinctly]
[person 2] Sorry to bother you.
-Mind if we ask you some questions?
-[gasps]
[line ringing]
[electronic voice] The person
you are trying to reach is not available--
-[call ends]
-[phone buzzes]
Junsang.
So Miss Miji Yeo,
where'd you come across a gem like her?
She's a tough one.
-Where are you?
-[Junsang] It was not an interrogation.
I kept telling her I just wanted to talk.
But she claimed
you had nothing to with this
and insisted on her right to silence.
[sucks teeth] Ah, shit.
[dark music plays]
I said, "Where are you?"
I'm surprised.
You're being quite rude.
When you come and pick up your friend,
let's see how far that gets you.
Okay?
What are you up to, Munju?
I'm looking for answers about my husband.
Didn't you read the report?
The murderer was anti-reunification.
Why did you follow Junik?
Are you implying
I had something to do with it?
[sighs]
[sucks teeth, inhales sharply]
I expect this from other people,
but… [scoffs]
…we're family, Munju, right?
Would you be interested to know
what I've actually done for Junik?
What I've gone through for him?
A reason?
That a prosecutor of this country…
had his brother tailed.
He was a spy.
[serious music plays]
-That's not true.
-[Junsang sighs]
You think I'd say this without proof?
After they caught the shooter,
I assembled a special unit.
To cover it all up.
All the evidence.
And everyone involved.
Why?
At any moment,
inter-Korean relations could change.
What happens when a presidential candidate
is revealed to be a spy?
Think of the damage that would do.
Or a plot from North Korea
could've been behind the murder.
Then we're on the brink of war.
And if the United States
has become involved,
the bond between our two nations
could be ruptured.
Are you implying
the US was involved with this?
We will meet again someday, won't we?
Mmm.
Oh, right.
The wine is for you.
Don't forget to take it with you
when you get back.
Father, would you mind
if I took this as well?
I might need it.
To find guidance in the darkness.
My son, take care.
Be safe out there, my young friend.
In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
[ferry horn blows]
HOLY BIBLE
[inquisitive music plays]
[announcer] Attention, passengers,
boarding will soon begin for flight 1945
service to Dalian.
Boarding will close
ten minutes prior to departure.
Attention, passengers,
boarding will soon begin for flight…
Sanho Paik, an American.
Top mercenary with Valkyrie,
the military contractor.
Heard of him?
-[gunfire]
-They'll protect or kill anybody.
-As long as the money's right.
-[exclaiming]
No questions asked.
[Sanho] People like me, first thing we do
is figure out escape routes.
What exactly do you mean,
"people like you"?
Someone who doesn't have a country.
The man caught at the scene,
what do you think he was doing there?
Just a little coincidence?
Do you see it now?
Do you understand why it has to be me?
For my family, my country,
and even global peace,
I have to clean this all up.
Just imagine
if my mother
discovered that her handsome, beloved,
and charming son was…
a spy for another country.
[scoffs] It'd be awful.
Obviously, you envied Junik.
You were hoping he would fail
and you wanted to take his place.
You're enjoying this, aren't you?
Right.
Opportunity of a lifetime for you.
The thing is, I know who my husband was.
He may have been foolish at times
but he wasn't a spy.
You say you have evidence,
but I suspect that someone
went out of their way to fake this.
Proof that frames an innocent man.
That's your specialty.
We decide who spies are.
And what constitutes as evidence.
It's just what we have to do
to protect out country.
[scoffs]
Really?
How patriotic.
The truth around Junik's death
will come out.
I don't know about world peace,
but I'll do what it takes
to find peace of my own.
[sighs]
[sighs]
I really did want to help
when you came to me.
But you've left me with no choice.
This is not my style.
Miji…
Oh, the blood?
Let's just say biting a sitting prosecutor
will have its legal consequences.
Well, I'm sure you deserved it.
The two of you
should make arrangements
to leave Korea in 24 hours.
Your Mrs. Yeo has older parents.
I would hate for them
to spend the rest of their lives
waiting for her return.
If Miji's okay, let me see her.
Now's when you learn
about how we use real power
to get someone
to act against their interests.
[line ringing]
It's really something to behold.
[groans, exhales sharply]
-Ms. Seo?
-I'm here, Miji.
Are you doing okay?
Doing okay here. Sorry to worry you.
Just keep thinking
about getting home to your parents.
Stay focused on that. You'll be with them
within the next 24 hours.
Don't bow down
to these pieces of shit for me.
All right, Ms. Seo? I'll be fine.
Try and stay calm, okay?
Just trust me.
I'll have all taken care of by morning.
I trust you, Ms. Seo.
-[call ends]
-[chuckles]
-[scoffs]
-[scoffs]
If you so much as lay a hand on Miji,
I'll make sure you pay for it.
How about
we both keep our promises?
[sighs]
Father Yang? It's Seo Munju.
[tense music plays]
Father?
[gasps]
[Munju grunting]
[Sanho] Calm down.
Keep quiet, okay?
I was too late.
[breathing shakily]
-I'm calling the police.
-I need to get out of here first.
Whoever did this
was looking for something.
[door opens]
[footsteps approaching]
[door closes, locks]
[tense music plays]
[both grunting]
[grunting]
[grunts]
[groans]
[strains]
[grunting]
-Who put you up to this?
-[groans, chokes]
What were you looking for?
[in Chinese] The whale in the distant sea.
[priest, in English] Father Yang,
are you in there?
What's going on?
-Father Yang!
-[banging continues]
Father Yang!
[sighs] Go get the key.
[footsteps running]
Wait a minute.
Someone out there will help you, Ms. Seo.
Hang on.
I gotta ask you something.
We haven't used the tea room
since my husband passed away.
Have you ever been here before,
by any chance?
My first time actually.
But I've definitely heard about it.
The old men who were worried
about the country would gather here.
Well, as I'm sure you've heard,
this room is safe to say anything in.
The strictest security is in place.
You know, I really put in a lot of effort
into getting you appointed
to your position.
And can I ask why, ma'am?
I wouldn't think of myself as very close
with you or the late minister.
I've been a part of this circle
of military wives for quite a while.
In those 40 years,
I can't recall meeting anyone else
as gracious as your wife.
When there's somebody as perfect as her,
it says a lot about her husband.
My wife is the one to thank
for me being here.
She made sure I kept this appointment.
She reminded me how terrible it would be
to abandon you in your time of need.
Although beyond that,
she refused to say why.
[Okseon] Mr. Yu.
Think back on your life.
When were the challenges insurmountable?
When my second child was ill.
Mmm.
We had a mystery donor.
Someone who covered the cost of surgery.
I wish she hadn't told you.
Keeping our spouses from worrying,
that's a wife's duty.
[gasps]
Now, tell me, Mr. Yu.
In the case of my dear son Junik,
was the US involved?
Can't be sure.
But we've received intel.
Anderson Miller,
an Assistant Secretary of State,
is being sought by the US,
the FBI to be precise,
under suspicion of disclosing
classified government secrets.
This Miller is wanted as a spy,
and it sounds like Junik
was talking to him.
[gasps]
There must be some kind
of misunderstanding.
The truth is,
in the months leading up to his death,
your son was being watched by us.
Why?
Under suspicion of treason.
[gasps]
We think he may have communicated
with the North from this very house.
[sighs]
Absolutely absurd.
[Unhak] Ms. Lim.
There a bugs planted
throughout the mansion.
[breathes shakily]
Who's doing this? And why?
Is the president trying to frame my son?
Keep an eye out for this man.
He's a private mercenary for Valkyrie.
Those people will do anything for money.
We don't know what he's doing,
we don't know why
he's approached your son,
or who brought him into this.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Munju] What is this place?
An underground tunnel
from the Japanese occupation.
This network of churches
with underground tunnels
connecting the North and South
is called the Catacombs.
Only a handful of people,
including Father Yang and myself,
know about them.
I heard that you're a mercenary
for a private military group.
[Sanho] At Valkyrie, contracts are
renewed every one or two years.
My contract was done a year ago,
and I chose not to renew it.
You were the closest person to my husband
and Father Yang when they died.
Is that a coincidence?
This passage is 40 feet below ground.
If you really thought I was dangerous…
then it's very curious
that you would follow me down here.
I found this
in one of Father Yang's bibles.
On the back of his hand, a puncture wound.
He was poisoned to death.
Ordinary people don't use those methods.
The killer was looking
for something in his room, right?
[Sanho] Father Yang said
that at mass tomorrow,
he'd be relaying a message left with him
by Assemblyman Jang.
Junik had planned to announce something
at the end of mass that day.
[suspenseful music plays]
SANHO, MARK
[sonar beeping]
[sonar beeping]
That's Mayang Island.
Youngpo Shipyard.
"Dear Junik, this is a satellite image
from DIA two weeks ago."
[Anderson] This object is suspected to be
a 10,000-ton class nuclear submarine.
We suspect that the object
is a 10,000-ton nuclear submarine,
spanning 460 feet.
It's equipped with 16 of the most
advanced vertical SLBM launch tubes,
capable of holding 128 nuclear warheads.
If… If our analysis is correct,
then the North Korean nuclear threat
is very real.
Holy shit.
-Yeah.
-[chuckles] Hey, fucktard!
Weren't you the one
who insisted that the submarine
the North Koreans were building
was a 3,000-ton rickety piece of junk?
What if one day that venereal dipshit
says he's gonna nuke our country?
What… What are you going to do then?
Fuck's sake.
-Could you be any shittier at your job?
-Sir, I don't know what--
-No, no, no.
-W-W-What I'm--
-Shut the fuck up! That was rhetorical.
-[line disconnects]
[Anderson]
The news hit us like a ton of bricks.
The submarine is expected
to be unveiled two months from now.
In time for North Korean leader
Kim Hansang's birthday.
Mr. President.
We're planning a precision strike
with low-yield tactical nuclear weapons
on a total of 40 targets,
including North Korea's
nuclear storage facilities, missile silos…
[Anderson] US military is planning
to launch simultaneous precision strikes
to wipe out all of North Korea's
military nuclear facilities.
[analyst] Our missile guidance system
has a strike record of over 98%.
We're confident
we can destroy these targets.
Excuse me, what…
What about the possibility of a full-scale
escalation across the Korean peninsula?
[analyst] The Herman report suggests
there's a 32% chance
that a preemptive strike
against North Korea
could result in full-scale war,
and while there's a 41% chance
that we could contain the conflict
to this region,
if it does escalate,
the entire East Asian region
will become a battlefield.
Something isn't right here.
The North Koreans don't have the capital
or the technology to pull this thing off.
We could be putting
millions of lives at risk, sir.
Let me just check to see
if this thing is real.
[laughs] I don't need you
to do shit, all right?
This operation will be over
in five minutes.
I'm talking about
the warfare of the future,
with the weapons of the future,
and the strategies of the future.
And the history
of future warfare starts now.
You know what? [scoffs]
Stop trying to act like
you're being objective.
You're barred from this room from now on.
Presidential orders.
[Anderson] Having a Korean face
and advocating for the most
aggressive policies against Korea,
that plays well in Washington.
But this plan needs to be reconsidered.
Help me, Junik.
My phone, laptop, all my electronics…
there might be eyes and ears
on all of them.
Please reply via encrypted email
using the enclosed key,
and burn this letter once you've read it.
[Munju] "Anderson Miller."
The US Assistant Secretary of State.
My husband met him while they were
both getting doctorates at Georgetown.
This must be what Junik
was planning to announce that day.
He wanted to prevent a war.
I have to get to North Korea soon.
That's what Father Yang told me to do.
He knew a war could break out.
You have family in the north?
You should go.
I'll take care of the letter.
You'll be putting yourself
in a lot of danger.
Are you ready for that?
Yes.
This is the only way.
It's what my husband was planning to do.
You sure you can trust them?
She's the most reliable
and powerful person in this country.
You can leave now, Mr. Paik.
I'll take it from here.
He's the patron saint
for counter-revolutionaries.
It's a gift from Father Yang.
But I have miles to go
and should travel light.
[Munju] Yes, of course, sir. I understand.
I realize she's not someone who
can just take a last-minute appointment.
I know she's very busy,
but it doesn't have to be immediately.
I just need a moment.
I'll be here.
No, I'm not pressuring her.
-I have something urgent we--
-[siren blares]
[line disconnects]
Why are you bothering my Chief of Staff?
[sighs] Sorry I did that, Madam President.
I know it's not protocol,
but this news was too important to wait.
The country could be at stake.
[Anderson] US military is planning
to launch simultaneous precision strikes
to wipe out all of North Korea's
military nuclear facilities.
But this plan needs to be reconsidered.
Help me, Junik.
[sighs]
I think that Junik was planning
to discuss this with you,
to work together to find a solution.
Mmm.
Why didn't Assemblyman Jang
burn the letter after reading it?
If he did,
Father Yang would be alive right now,
and you wouldn't have to deal
with all of this mess, would you?
[gasps]
For days after the Assemblyman's death,
South Korean and American
intelligence agents were in turmoil.
Once I began to understand the situation,
I came to the same conclusion
as the Assemblyman.
We have to prevent war at all costs.
Which means you stay out of this.
What?
Diplomacy is done. This is war.
A game of chicken.
Two men of debatable sanity
are speeding directly towards one another.
They are both daring each other
to make the move.
But they won't stop.
We could be standing there, waving a flag
saying, "Peaceful solution, gentlemen."
You think they'll listen?
So what exactly is your plan?
Next step is to pick a car to ride in
and try to make them change directions.
Munju.
You know what your problem is?
You are always too honest.
For a diplomat, that's a disadvantage.
As a smaller nation,
when we were scrambling
for anything we could get
that type of charm had its uses, but…
as a tool for standing up
to Hauser's regime,
managing hostile, multilateral diplomacy,
you are absolutely hopeless.
Do you really think
quitting was your choice?
You were fired.
In order to get results in this world,
one must use deception, betrayal,
scheming, lying and slander.
So, we replaced you.
Because you couldn't do it.
You see?
Even now you can't believe
that I would betray you.
Listen to me.
Death and war isn't the same as murder.
Your husband's tragic death
will get handled,
but we'll handle it politically
and with strategy.
So you know who killed him
and you're just covering it up.
The death of your husband
provides an opportunity
to hitch a ride with the Americans.
You should leave the country.
You're interested
in nonprofit work, right?
Just go.
Doesn't matter where
as long as it's quick.
And don't think of this as advice.
This is an order.
And what if I refuse?
You won't.
I'm responsible for preventing war
on the Korean peninsula.
This is a lot bigger than any one person.
[brass band playing]
[dramatic music plays]
[phone buzzing]
[buzzing stops]
DALIAN, CHINA
[people chattering]
[in Chinese] Pay up first.
Let's go.
[in English] We found a new house.
We'll all be out of here soon.
I have to ask you, Mother.
Why were you against
Junik and I getting married?
You said you would cut him off
and never see him again.
I wanted for my son
to marry someone warm, someone happy.
But you're the opposite of that.
I thought he'd be unhappy,
and then the worst happened.
Finally we got your approval.
I know we couldn't get married without it.
On the outside, it may have looked like
Junik's father was in charge,
but I know that you made
all the decisions.
Before the wedding,
I conducted a thorough background check.
Your mother raised you alone in America.
There's so much she went through…
she worked at a nail salon,
as a hospital janitor, and a cashier…
So many different jobs.
When she got sick,
Junik helped you take care of her
until she died.
In college,
you made your model UN speech go viral,
and I came across this article about you.
A young student with the Korean
national flag on her wall. [chuckles]
Even in South Korea,
young patriots can be rare.
I always wanted to be accepted
in my home country.
For a long time,
I dreamed of having a life in Korea.
And that is why
we wanted Junik to go into politics.
Our family worked towards this
for generations.
But there was always something he lacked.
Something I could never give to him.
And then,
I realized it was patriotism.
That's why I accepted you.
I had to admit that you were exactly
the partner he needed. A good asset.
Let me ask you something.
Do you still think…
that I should be the one
running for president
instead of Junsang?
[clock ticking]
[dark music plays]
Junsang was never likable,
not even as a child.
Junik was always the popular one.
But you…
You're something special.
How can I put it?
People are willing to back you.
They feel safe with you
and not because they want to win,
but because they wouldn't mind
losing with you.
If I were the party chair,
I would choose you.
Certain traits can be worked on
with proper training,
although some you have to be born with.
Junik became a top presidential candidate
at such a young age.
I'm aware of how much of that
was your work.
His party, the media,
sponsors, the district…
You must have spent decades
preparing everything for him.
Why are you telling me
what I already know?
I thought it must be painful for you.
You laid out all these…
intricate plans just to--
Come up short at the very end?
You assume I'm devastated.
That's why I thought that
if I offered my hand, you might take it.
Even though you don't like me,
I may be your only chance
to finish what you started.
[Okseon] If my son…
hadn't done what he did with his money,
I could have felt sorry for you.
I lost my child and you lost your husband.
All women are different, but…
we are very much the same.
I will take this
the rest of the way, Mother.
[serious music plays]
AMNOK RIVER, CHINESE BORDER
[person 1] We won't make it today either.
[person 2] I have to cross
the border today!
You know my family's been waiting for me.
[person 1] Forget about them.
It doesn't matter if you're dead!
River's blocked. You can't go any further.
The Storm Corps has been all over here
the past few days.
[in Chinese] What is this?
Just go.
This is how everyone else does it.
[gunfire]
[person 1 in English] Run!
[soldier 1] Shoot them!
-[gunfire continues]
-[people screaming]
[soldier 1] In the water!
Get in the water! Get them!
-Don't let them cross!
-[child grunts]
-[gunfire continues]
-[child grunts]
Let's talk business, Munju.
What do you want from me?
And what do I get in return?
I want you to put me in the presidential
race right where Junik left off.
If I become a candidate…
I will hand over the remainder
of Junik's assets.
Including this house.
AGREEMENT ON THE DIVISION
OF INHERITED PROPERTY
So if I help you get the nomination,
you'll hand over everything,
even his overseas assets?
[laughs]
If this were a novel,
the author would write,
"She had been waiting…
a long time for the day
when her husband would die,
so she could reclaim
the dream she had lost."
STUDENT RECORD
Tell me what it says.
That used to be your dream.
PRESIDEN
So, Munju. How should we begin?
What would you like me to do first?
I want you to call Junsang.
Tell him to return my assistant.
Miji is to be sent home.
Junsang will withdraw his candidacy,
and leave the country in 24 hours.
[suspenseful music plays]
[child crying]
I know you don't believe in God.
You may utter prayers with your mouth,
but your soul doesn't truly rely on Him.
You try to do everything by yourself.
But, my dear boy,
even if you never know God's love, you
can't go through life without human love.
Who says that
I haven't experienced human love?
Leaving home and going off to wander
the world is something we do to find love.
But you're risking everything
to go back home.
[Munju] I'm going to stop this war.
You'll be putting yourself
in a lot of danger.
Are you ready for that?
Yes.
[calm music plays]
[line ringing]
[sighs]
Tell the client…
I'll take care of her.
[dark music plays]