Tempest (2025) s01e04 Episode Script

1
[Miji] Wow…
Apparently, throughout his career
as a bodyguard,
not a single person who's been under
the protection of Mr. Paik has ever died.
I think he's just the person we need.
Nobody knows how many civilians
he's killed over there.
Mr. Paik Sanho is nothing more
than an international contract killer.
[Miji] But what's more important
than safety when it comes to security?
[helicopter whirring]
[serious music plays]
IRAQ, 2007
[Changhee] From what I found,
he obtained US citizenship in '06.
In '07, he was deployed to Iraq.
At the same time, Valkyrie was scouring
the world to recruit special ops veterans
from Nepal, Serbia, Chile, Ecuador,
and Honduras.
Mr. Paik was previously registered
as Mongolian.
[Miji] He doesn't look Mongolian.
[Changhee] Mongolia was just
a useful stop for a passport change.
He looks Korean and speaks fluent Korean.
So what do you think
his real nationality is?
[assistant supervisor chattering]
-[gunshot]
-[clamoring]
[gunshots]
[gunshots]
[gunshot]
[clamoring]
[gunshots]
[Changhee] He volunteers
at the Peace and Forgiveness church,
known for its congregation
of North Korean defectors.
So what if he's DPRK Special Forces?
So you're saying that
he could be a spy from North Korea
and he had an ulterior motive
in approaching me?
Yeah.
[serious music plays]
Find some evidence first.
[sighs]
[Changhee] What concerns me
is we don't know
why he approached you in the first place.
[Munju] Let me figure that out.
[person] Dear Ms. Seo,
I hope this mail finds you well.
If I were to pick one of us to protect
my own mother, it'd be Mark. No question.
PARIS, 2008
-[suspenseful music plays]
-[screaming, clamoring]
[gunshots]
[timer beeping]
[person] Back during
the Paris nightclub attack,
Mark was the one who safely extracted
the Saudi oil billionaire's daughter,
not a scratch on her.
[Sanho grunts]
[person] Whoever you are, whatever you do,
if you feel as though you are in danger,
I insist you take Mark's services.
That is, if he accepts the job offer.
[theme song plays]
TEMPES
Beijing welcomes the president today
as she begins her visit to China
in attendance
of the Beijing Climate Forum.
President Chae will be heading straight
to the China National Convention Center…
[Munju] Why do you think
the president went to Beijing?
Climate doesn't seem like
her real concern right now.
She's probably asking for help
from China. To act as a mediator.
[Munju] Not much of a welcome.
No Chinese government officials
showed up, just the ambassador.
[Dujin] All the Chinese officials
are at the state guesthouse.
-The US VP made a surprise visit…
-[phone buzzes]
…to Beijing this morning.
IN FRONT OF BUILDING 18
AT THE ZHONGNANHAI STATE
GUESTHOUSE THIS MORNING
There's one more guest there.
This photo was snapped outside
of Building 18 earlier at the guesthouse.
[Dujin] Madam Cho and Jin Suryeon?
Kim Hansang's
English and Chinese translators.
Mr. Kim must be sitting at the table
with the US VP,
all while our president is abandoned
outside, waiting and sweating in the heat.
But why would China prefer a war?
The border region could end up
as a nuclear target.
[Dujin] As we speak,
the power dynamics are
shifting dramatically.
China, Russia, and even Idisha in
the Middle East are forming an alliance.
A new sphere of influence is developing.
Now, assuming North Korea joins as well…
[sighs]
…the US faces the biggest threat to
international order since World War II.
[Munju] The two sides could end up
fighting on the Korean Peninsula,
the only nation
made of two divided countries.
[Dujin] Well, I did hear the CIA director
showed up in Seoul this afternoon.
Someone at that level would've
come here to meet with the president.
But she's out of the country.
What could be the reason then?
He could be here for you.
You think so?
I'm afraid if Junik's death was the work
of the United States,
they could see you
as a very serious threat.
They'll be wondering what you know,
and what would happen to the peninsula,
if you were to become
the President of South Korea.
-The United States bombed the train.
-[serious music plays]
They will never stop hunting you.
That's fine.
Their desperation to kill me
just shows that I have power.
[Dujin] From the US perspective, the
reason that they see you as such a threat
is you capture the hearts and minds
of the public.
You have to rally their support
as much as you can.
To make them want peaceful reunification.
And that…
that will be your greatest asset.
Mother.
What are you doing out here?
[Okseon] Oh, Munju.
Aren't you moving out tomorrow?
You packed already?
I'm not taking much anyway.
Just bringing myself, I guess.
You're moving out for security reasons?
Yes.
Your new security guard,
Paik Sanho, was it?
Is he making you do this?
You know what, Mother?
I never really liked this place.
-I heard you insisted on hiring him.
-[calm music plays]
What are people going to say about that?
Fortunately, I've never cared about
what other people think.
I don't doubt that. You had your reasons.
After all, you're a smart girl.
But I'll give you some advice.
That young man is clearly the type
who could stir a lady's heart.
That mercenary has saved you twice.
He nearly died this last time.
Every human is foolish.
But if they're lonely,
they become irrational.
Give in to your emotions
and it will ruin everything.
I don't think
that was a coincidence, Mother.
I am positive he had his reasons
for doing what he did.
I'd like to know why he saved me.
You're risking it all, your reputation,
for that?
If it means I can find out
why Junik was murdered?
I'd risk everything I have.
Because right now,
every door in front of me is locked.
And the only key I've got in my hands
is Sanho.
I'm going to unlock the door
and see where it leads.
[sighs]
[Sanho] Hold on, Ms. Seo.
I open every door first.
[switch clicks]
[toilet flushes]
This will be every time?
[Sanho] Yes.
Do you really need to put this here?
Why?
I don't like things
placed next to the bed.
It's the perfect spot to hide a bug
or a camera.
[Miji] Oh, wow! This spot is just perfect.
We couldn't have asked for
a better floor plan or location.
How'd I even find it?
[Miji chuckles]
You can't open the windows.
I can't open any windows here?
A sniper will aim for a window.
-I've applied bulletproof film to them.
-[scoffs]
Look, Mr. Paik.
We're not in America.
Guns are illegal in this country.
Even prisoners have a right
to some sunlight and fresh air.
I can't even have that?
I carry a gun, even though it's illegal.
What?
Gun restrictions don't matter
to an assassin.
Oh, Ms. Seo?
Is it okay if I setup my office in here?
The previous resident was
an elderly person,
so this used to be the caretaker's room.
This way I can crash here
when we work late.
I'll be sleeping in here.
-What?
-I'll be sleeping in this room.
You know, Mr. Paik,
why not use the room across the hall?
That should be enough
for security purposes.
Well, that does place one extra door
that's in my way.
In an emergency,
I'd need to get through both doors.
That's two extra seconds
and enough time
for six bullets to be fired.
This room is the only reason
I approved this location.
I'm sleeping in here.
I can't let you stay in a room with her,
especially if it locks from the inside.
[Miji] Okay. I'll let you figure this out.
Excuse me.
Here's hoping you two can
reach a fair agreement.
Ms. Seo, what do you think?
I'll sleep in here.
That solve the problem?
The two of you can share the big bed.
Mr. Paik, I'd like to speak to you.
Give us the room, please.
[Miji] Come on.
[door closes]
I appreciate your perfectionism
when it comes to security,
but your job is to protect me
so I can work.
I have more to do than just stay safe.
I always respect the opinions of my team.
And if you can't learn
to coordinate with them,
we can't work together.
You think I was aiming for perfection?
I wish that were possible.
There's no such thing as perfection here.
To achieve that, I'd have to lock you
in a room with no windows or doors.
And it still wouldn't be enough.
Someone could blow up the room.
-[dramatic music plays]
-[sighs]
[door closes]
[Changhee] Ms. Lim,
she's waiting in the living room.
-[Munju] Hello, Mother.
-[Okseon] Am I interrupting?
No, it's okay.
[Okseon] Don't mind me,
please keep working.
How'd you find such a perfect house?
[Changhee]
Miji searched all over the city.
And luckily, this place opened up
just at the right time.
[Okseon] What is he doing?
-[chopping]
-He cooks for her too?
[Changhee] The new head of security
doesn't trust any of us.
He insisted that
he personally cook for Ms. Seo,
using ingredients
from a monastery he knows.
So he'll be cooking every meal for her,
he stays within arm's reach at all times,
and even sleeps just a door away from her?
I want you to keep a close eye
on those two. Something seems off.
Yes, ma'am.
Here's the bombing report from the NIS,
for your perusal.
I also have
a small favor to ask.
The NIS…
has been wiretapping my house.
Junik was suspected of spying.
[Changhee] They think that Junik was
a spy? That's ridiculous.
[Okseon] Well, of course it is.
But there has to be a reason.
Search my house.
Cameras, microphones, look for anything.
Then find out who's been listening,
who's involved in this,
and how it connects
to my son's assassination.
I'm his mother, I need to know.
You're the only one I can trust.
Right now, we can't trust Munju either.
You understand what I'm saying?
Yes, ma'am.
[tense music plays]
[phone buzzes]
Oh? What are you doing?
Does Ms. Seo always leave leftovers?
Ah… Mmm…
Well, she's never really been
that big of an eater. [chuckles]
She hates food that requires extra work.
You know, like peeling shrimp
or picking out fish bones.
I would guess
that's why that's still there.
Extra work?
She leaves food
on her plate because of that?
Oh… It's not like that, though.
Mmm… With the chicken in there whole…
Well, with the skin and the shape,
it looks… kinda a little gross and weird
-and she usually doesn't like that stuff.
-[Sanho] Gr…
How could food be gross?
Oh. That came out wrong, too.
[Sanho sighs] In all honesty, Ms. Seo
would not have my vote for President.
Unbelievable.
Just wasting food.
[sighs] Christ.
[supporters cheering]
THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY
AND GOYANG SPECIAL CITY JOINT RALLY
[supporters chanting] Seo Munju!
Seo Munju! Seo Munju!
I'll always remember that day.
When my husband, Assemblyman Jang,
lay bleeding in my lap,
I could see it.
I could see the division between us.
And I could see the crisis
surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
In that moment, I was given a mission.
Peace.
It comes at a price.
It's something we have to fight for.
I will reunite us and resolve this crisis.
As President,
I will bring our country peace.
[supporters cheering]
-[supporters chanting] Seo Munju!
-[tense music plays]
[device beeps]
Second floor, section 5 on the right side.
Check the male in the aisle.
That floor has been checked
and was given the all clear.
Focus on your assigned area.
[Munju] Today, like that day,
I will not back down.
And I won't in the days to come.
-No matter the danger that lies ahead…
-[static on radio]
Give me all the intel you have.
What am I looking for?
[Ethan] I've given you all the intel
we have. Now, stay off comms.
This frequency isn't secure.
I can't believe I have to tell you--
[Munju] …Lend me your strength.
And I promise that I will fight
with that strength. Thanks, everyone.
[supporters cheering]
[supporters chanting] Seo Munju!
Check that your side's secure.
[chanting continues]
[horns honking]
[Miji] Man, you really killed it up there
like always.
-Listen to that crowd.
-[supporters cheering on video]
You already hit over 200,000 views.
You're going to be
the next Blue House superstar.
[child] It's that president lady!
[children] Hello!
GOOD LUCK, SEO MUNJU
PRESIDENT SEO MUNJU
[child] Yay! We all love you, Seo Munju!
-Seo Munju for president!
-Please keep that closed, ma'am.
I love you, President Seo!
Even for some kids?
[child] Seo Munju for president!
Okay, bye-bye! See you!
[tense music plays]
Turn around.
[driver] What?
-I can't turn in this lane.
-[gasps] Turn around now!
[gasps] What's going on?
[tense music plays]
[tires screech]
[Munju and Miji scream]
[both groaning]
-Keep moving. Don't stop the car!
-[driver] Sir.
[Miji screams]
[people gasp]
[tires screech]
[people scream]
[Munju gasps]
[tense music plays]
-[people screaming]
-Gotta move.
-[Munju gasps]
-[screaming continues]
-Where's Ms. Seo?
-This way.
[siren wailing]
-[worker 1] Get to the exit quickly!
-[worker 2] No pushing.
[worker 1] Up the stairs!
[Munju coughs]
[worker 1] This way, this way!
[worker 2] Watch your step!
[Munju choking]
[Sanho] Here, hold your breath.
[worker 1] Keep moving!
Hurry!
[subway rattles]
DANGER
Turn your phone off now.
POWER OFF
RESTRICTED AREA
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
[anchor] Breaking news,
at around 3:50 p.m.,
a fire broke out at Samwol Station,
possibly due to a gas explosion
at the construction site.
-That looks really bad.
-We'll soon be connecting with the person
who sent us this video.
-Was anyone hurt?
-For more details on what happened…
Hello, are you there?
-[informant] Yes, hi.
-Thank you for sending…
SECURITY HEAD PAIK SANHO
Were you injured at all in the accident?
[voicemail] The number you have dialed
is not in servi--
CANDIDATE SEO MUNJU
[informant] No, I'm fine.
[voicemail] The number you have dialed
is not in service.
[anchor] …the accident has been reported…
[gasps] Changhee, thank god! [panting]
Where's Ms. Seo?
Mr. Paik, he moved her somewhere safe…
-Where's Ms. Seo?
-…but I can't get in touch
-with either of them.
-[Changhee sighs]
[Changhee] Get the car,
we're heading there now.
We have to send out all personnel
and start the search.
If Mr. Paik interferes
with the candidate's safety in any way,
you're authorized to take him out.
[dark music plays]
[subway rattles]
[Munju] How did you know
this would happen?
Well, back at the rally site,
I had a feeling.
[Munju] Thank you so much.
[supporters cheering]
[Sanho] I saw a man standing in the aisle,
and he seemed out of place.
I didn't know
where that feeling was coming from
until I saw the kukri tattoo on his neck,
the symbol of the Nepalese Gurkhas.
The world's fiercest,
most ruthless soldiers.
Report, confirming target.
What do you think they were doing there?
This is happening because of me.
Isn't it?
Keep pushing forward.
Stay strong.
We're only at the start, Munju.
[Munju] The start of a war.
[dark music plays]
-[intercom beeps]
-[announcer] For safety reasons,
trains are currently running through
without stopping.
Thank you for your understanding.
[Changhee sighs] We've been waiting
for hours. Where have you been, Ms. Seo?
I turned my phone off.
We were concerned I would be tracked.
Sorry I made you worry.
[Miji] Why don't you take
a seat here? Come.
If you were concerned about
being tracked, why didn't you call me?
You're upset because you don't trust me.
I don't trust anyone either.
You're telling me that
you didn't call me
because you don't trust me?
You didn't check the man
at the rally site.
The one in the aisle.
Second floor, with a ponytail.
He was at the subway explosion.
Do you believe that he's responsible?
I was able to avoid the explosion
because I saw him.
It's… It's, it's completely true.
All of the sudden he began yelling,
jerked the wheel
and spun the car around like a maniac.
I thought he'd totally lost it.
Then one second later, the gas exploded.
If we had kept going,
we would've blown up too!
Nobody knows
you were at the explosion, Ms. Seo.
I think it should stay that way,
at least while we plan our next steps
based on the investigation.
Going forward…
I'll drive the car for Ms. Seo.
[sighs]
[Sanho] I told you to give me the intel.
She could've been killed today.
[Ethan] You did a great job, Mark!
That's why they call you the ace.
You need to tell me everything right now.
Who is the client?
And what am I dealing with?
We don't get to ask questions.
We just follow orders.
You've got me bugged.
You're listening in on my conversations.
And you're tracking me!
[chuckles]
Yeah. Well, that was the deal, my friend.
You agreed to supply information on her.
[serious music plays]
[Munju] Changhee,
I didn't know you smoked.
I managed to quit for ten years.
Uh… Ms. Seo, I…
There's something off about Mr. Paik.
The report from the NIS on the bombing
says an American defense contractor
called Coldrain was behind it.
The same company where Secretary of
Defense Eagleton served as an adviser.
Yeah, I talked to the president
a lot about you.
How we've got to work with you disruptors
if we want to get things done.
[Changhee] And its CEO is cousins
with the CEO of Valkyrie.
[Coldrain CEO] It's an honor, sir.
You take care now.
I'm positive that we can find a link
between Mr. Paik and the attack.
[Sanho] You know
what I realized after the explosion?
The only people who knew our planned route
were the client
and you.
Mark.
This is a dream job for guys like us.
One more month and you can retire, man.
Tell your client
they can take the money back.
I'm done.
[line disconnects]
[thuds]
Ms. Seo, I just keep thinking
that he didn't actually help you
avoid the accident.
You got caught up in this
because of this guy
and because
trouble follows him everywhere.
And then this place too.
A little suspicious that the perfect spot
shows up right when we need it.
According to the register,
it's owned by a corporation called KCR.
I looked into it.
Turns out, it's a shell company.
That morning, a text from the owner
came to the agent
saying the house was going on the market
but they hadn't spoken in years.
Miji talked to the agent right after.
This whole thing is very concerning.
Let's just both keep an eye on him.
I have reasons.
I'm being careful.
I need your help and your trust.
[beeping]
[beeping quickly]
BEDROOM
SEPTEMBER 23RD
[Junik] You know, things are really great
right now with you and I.
I'm sure in ten or 20 years,
when I look back on my life,
I'll probably say
this was the happiest time.
[Munju] That makes me sad.
[Junik] Why?
[Munju] What if, 10 years from now,
I get lost and can't find my way
back to happiness?
[echoing] He was a spy.
[people screaming]
[Yongjun] I killed the spy.
"I killed the spy," he said.
[Unhak] The truth is
in the months leading up to his death,
your son was being watched by us
under suspicion of treason.
[Munju] The thing is,
I know who my husband is.
He may have been foolish at times.
But he wasn't a spy.
The truth around Junik's death
will come out.
-[music ends]
-[breathing shakily]
[inhales, exhales deeply]
[calm music plays]
[knocks]
Yes?
Ah…
Sorry.
Even a sniper needs
to get some sleep, right?
[chuckles]
Did I wake you?
I sleep pretty light whenever I'm on duty.
What's wrong? Why are you up?
It was a dream, that's all.
Now that I'm awake,
reality feels more like
a nightmare.
I hope I'm not the cause of all this.
Wanna go run?
[cheerful music plays]
Hey. About the house,
you had something to do with it, right?
Yeah, the house is owned by Catacomb.
It's optimized for security.
I told them what's going on,
and was assured
they'd have it ready for you quickly.
[Munju] I could tell
there were things you hadn't told me.
That much I knew.
[Sanho chuckles]
Then why did you hire me
as your bodyguard?
Well, if someone's gonna kill me,
I would prefer to see the assassin
come at me head on
instead of lurking in the dark.
So I'd know exactly who's after me
and why they want me dead.
Repeatedly saving someone's life
only to kill them later.
I'd make a pretty inefficient assassin.
[sighs] That's true.
Let's get something clear.
You can keep saving my life,
but no matter how often you do,
I'll never trust you.
[chuckles]
I won't let that bother me.
I'll just keep doing what I'm here for.
Let me ask you this.
If someone had actually
taken a shot at me,
you would've taken the bullet for me.
Is that right?
[sentimental music plays]
That's what we're trained for,
as bodyguards.
I suppose
I won't be needing this necklace.
Since you're the one protecting me…
it should be around your neck instead.
[Changhee] I found these in Mr. Jang's
bedroom, the study, and also the hallway.
I didn't find any others anywhere else.
The fact that they even planted these…
Does that mean that
someone in my family was involved?
I found files from the bugs
on Prosecutor Junsang Jang's computer.
[gasps]
Junsang did this?
[gasping]
It's all my fault.
When he was growing up,
I didn't give him enough affection.
He's not bad deep down, though.
Fortunately, there's no evidence that
Junik was a spy for North Korea,
at least not yet.
You know,
something does worry me,
a thought I can't get rid of.
So Junik happens to write a will
stating that he plans to leave everything
he owns to his wife.
[dark music plays]
Then, two weeks later,
he's assassinated.
Who would you suspect was the killer?
You're saying
Ms. Seo was the only beneficiary
of the will?
No matter how much I want to trust her,
it just makes my blood boil.
A strong, intelligent man
who any woman would want to rely on…
Munju comes to life when…
when she's with that man.
She seems happy.
Though sometimes,
I want to look through her phone.
The temptation's too great.
Ma'am, are you asking me
to spy on Ms. Seo?
If you take care of this for me,
there'll be plenty of opportunities
I can give you.
Give me your hand.
Nothing more valuable than a young
professional who excels at his work.
[Sanho] Dear Lord,
please look after the soul of Father Yang.
And forgive even the smallest of his sins,
and be with him, always.
And Lord, please bestow your mercy
upon Seo Munju
and forgive her sins as well.
Amen.
This lady…
just doesn't seem to realize…
the unforgivable sin of wasting good food.
-[soft music plays]
-[Sanho sighs]
[Sanho sighs]
PARK CHANGHEE
[phone buzzing]
[coughs]
Yes, Mr. Park.
[Changhee] I found it.
Found what?
[Changhee]
Assemblyman Jang's secret phone.
I got a message about
an overdue phone bill, so I checked.
[suspenseful music plays]
Turns out, there was
another phone registered under my name.
MY PHONE INFO
I knew right away,
it had to be Mr. Jang
who'd set it up that way.
But, sir,
may I ask you what this is about?
A squirrel is following us.
[grunts]
[Changhee] Then I remembered
seeing him use a phone I didn't recognize.
I tracked its location
and it seemed to be in his car.
[grunts]
[Munju] We can access
the encrypted emails with this, can't we?
I'll try.
I have to unlock the phone first.
Can you do that?
[Changhee] I know some of
the combinations Mr. Jang used,
so if I run those
through an algorithm-based program,
I should be able to crack it by noon.
[line disconnects]
[secretive music plays]
Yes.
[sighs]
[breathes shakily]
RESETTING THIS PC
Hmm?
What the…
Did he unlock that phone already?
[line ringing]
[voicemail] The person you have dialed
is not in service.
Hmm?
[traffic signal beeps]
[sighs, breathes shakily]
Hmm?
How recently did Changhee leave?
[employee] More than 30 minutes ago,
I think.
LET'S GET A FEW BASIC THINGS
OUT OF THE WAY
[Sanho] He formatted the drive
before he left.
[line ringing]
[voicemail] The person you have dialed
is not in service…
-Shit.
-[line disconnects]
[suspenseful music plays]
[Miji gasping]
What happened?
[panting]
Changhee, are you okay?
No! No!
Changhee!
Changhee.
Changhee, you'll be okay.
Ma'am, I'm sorry.
This is as far as you can go.
-[Changhee] Ms. Seo…
-Oh, Changhee.
[Changhee] Ms. Seo…
I think that Assemblyman Jang
might actually have been a spy.
[dark music plays]
[Miji] I should've just gone
after the truck.
[sobs]
Oh, that's right.
I found this near the accident.
[sniffles] Is this
Mr. Jang's secret phone?
[mysterious music plays]
WELCOME!
[Sanho] Looks like he reset the phone too.
[sighs]
What was my husband hiding?
I don't know,
but what did Changhee say to you earlier?
[phone beeps]
14-4 HYORIMRO 7-GIL
FRONT DOOR PASSCODE 0814
[phone beeps]
I'M MOVING OUT TOMORROW,
SO YOU SHOULD COME TODAY
[phone beeps]
Do you really need to go in there?
Ms. Seo.
I can open it.
[Munju sighs]
[lock clicks]
[hammer cocks]
[tense music plays]
[music escalates]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[calm music plays]
[child] Mom.
Someone is in our house.
[calm music plays]