When the Phone Rings (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
A GOOD FRIEND TO MEE
ALL CHARACTERS, LOCATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS
DEPICTED IN THIS DRAMA ARE ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS
[captivating music playing]
[car accelerating]
[music stops]
[music continues playing]
[footsteps echoing]
[music crescendos]
[woman 1] He's so handsome.
He looks great in a suit.
-So handsome.
-Yeah, he's looking sharp.
[indistinct chatter]
[footsteps echoing]
[slow music playing]
[woman 2] Who's that?
[man] Who's that woman?
Is she his wife?
-[woman 2] Is she Paik Sa-eon's wife?
-[woman 1] They look good together.
Don't be nervous.
Those people are looking at me, not you.
[indistinct chatter]
Sure, they might be curious about you.
But remember,
there can't be any misunderstandings,
interest, or rumors
about our relationship tonight.
Let's go.
[dramatic music playing]
A DAY BEFORE
[You-ri] Heavy rainfall is expected
nationwide this year once again.
With the monsoon season approaching,
we must prepare in advance
for landslides, heavy rain, and typhoons.
-Experts have pointed out…
-What's that?
What's wrong with that?
[You-ri] While unexpected damage
is inevitable…
I think there's a lag.
How can it stop there?
It looks like she's cursing!
[You-ri] Inspections need to be
strengthened.
[director] You-ri, pass it over
to the scene!
[You-ri] We aim to review
last year's landslide site
and consider ways to reduce damage.
Reporter Park is on-site now.
[quirky music playing]
[sighs]
[You-ri] This means…
a mountain, right?
The high middle mountain?
[You-ri chuckles softly]
You did great.
I'll be honest.
Director Yoon's a superior,
but I can't stand how rude he is.
You really showed him
the peak.
I mean, the high mountain.
[You-ri chuckles]
[director] What the hell are you doing?
Put up the apology message now!
-Darn it.
-Okay!
[reporter] …roads have collapsed.
WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE DISRUPTION
[reporter] Places with heavy traffic
were no exception…
-Breaking news on the abduction incident.
-What?
The emergency briefing is in five minutes.
[director] But…
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDEN
[indistinct chatter]
[director] You-ri, breaking news
from the Presidential Office.
[You-ri gasps]
A spokesperson briefing?
I keep seeing Sa-eon today.
[suspenseful music playing]
Hee-joo, we're going live.
-Can you interpret--
-[director] No. Tell her to go.
That's all for today. You may leave.
Great work.
They keep having the spokesperson do it.
Don't the Chief Security Officer
or Foreign Ministry
usually take turns briefing
for situations like this?
They did.
-They did?
-Yeah.
When the abduction happened.
You don't remember, do you?
That's why they keep
sending out Paik Sa-eon.
Paik Sa-eon overshadows
the Foreign Ministry and the ministers.
[cameraman 1] Hey,
I think he's coming out.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDEN
[camera shutters clicking]
I'm Paik Sa-eon,
spokesperson for the Presidential Office.
Today, from 1:48 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.
Korea Standard Time…
[cameraman 2] Good vocalization
and a great voice.
What was he like as a news anchor?
The same as he is now.
He ranked first in preference,
trust, and ratings.
Excuse me.
Can you please be quiet?
I can't hear Sa-eon's voice well
because of you.
[cameraman 1 scoffs] Wow.
Being a fangirl even while she's working.
[Sa-eon] We have made our utmost efforts.
However, the armed group demands
the immediate withdrawal
of South Korean Troops
and payment of a ransom,
warning that they will kill the hostages
if their demands are not met.
-Kill?
-Kill?
[suspenseful music playing]
I would like to state
the government's position on this.
When it comes to negotiations
with the kidnappers regarding the ransom…
There will be none.
[camera shutters clicking]
The government considers their acts
as inhumane crimes
that cannot be tolerated
and will never compromise.
We promise to mobilize all
national resources to rescue our citizens,
including cooperation
with international organizations.
We will never compromise
on the principles we must uphold.
Furthermore, the government
will use this opportunity
to address the recent attacks
on third-country commercial vessels
in the Strait of Surmuz.
The illegal use of force
in international waters,
where the freedom of navigation
for vessels is guaranteed,
is viewed as a serious concern.
In the future,
the government will strengthen
safety guidance activities
for citizens in high-risk areas
and implement measures
to prevent similar incidents
from occurring in the future.
As of 5:02 p.m.,
a temporary media control
will be implemented
under government authority.
-[reporter] An embargo?
-Again?
Why are they trying to silence us?
-[indistinct chatter]
-[Hyeok-jin] Excuse me?
HBC, Jang Hyeok-jin.
Foreign media are already reporting this.
If our media stay silent,
sensational fake news
and unreliable personal broadcasts
will take over.
Is that okay with you?
Yes.
Excuse me?
Aren't reporters from our country's
leading media outlets all here?
If you don't mislead public opinion,
the citizens won't believe
what fake news says.
[clicks tongue]
Be honest with us.
The current situation is bad, isn't it?
"Don't be gentle with the government."
You've come this far with that saying,
but I've never seen you
look so scared before.
[reporters chuckling]
[tense music playing]
Yes.
I'm terrified right now.
But am I the only one here who is scared?
I ask all of the journalists here today.
Come together as one
and pray for the safe return
of our citizens.
I promise that the government
will do its utmost to ensure
not a single life is lost.
Check major headlines,
personal broadcasts, new media,
and comments on community posts.
-Report public opinion to me.
-[Young-woo] Yes, sir.
Post live updates
from the negotiation team.
Yes, sir.
[phone vibrating]
SINIL DAILY NEWS,
DONGYUL DAILY NEWS, DAILY TAEJIN
SINIL DAILY NEWS LEE YEONG-JIN
MBS HA JOO-WON
[phone vibrating]
MBS HA JOO-WON
SINIL DAILY NEWS LEE YEONG-JIN
[phone vibrating]
SINIL DAILY NEWS LEE YEONG-JIN
[phone vibrates]
HBC NA YOU-RI
Sa-eon, it's You-ri.
I'm rooting for you! Stay strong!
[sighs]
[thunder rumbling]
[rain pattering]
[Kyu-jin] It's time…
you quit working.
You know the election camp
starts in a month, right?
Put aside external activities.
Focus on supporting him.
Of course.
I was going to ask her to quit anyway.
She never should've started working.
Last year, you suddenly
went on about not being able to breathe.
So I guess he let you work
to give you room to breathe.
But exposing your name
and face was something
that should have never happened.
Put an end to it quickly.
Also,
is there no improvement
in your selective mutism?
Is there really a need for improvement?
[solemn music playing]
It's probably better
to keep her mouth shut.
[inhales] Don't worry, ma'am.
I'll make sure
nothing interferes with the election…
[door slams]
God, that bitch.
[sighs]
I need to put that hag in her place
one day.
This is all your fault!
If you stole someone else's man,
you should do a better job!
You haven't even been able to win
your man's heart.
[groans]
Who do you take after?
It certainly isn't me.
You're Chungwoon Daily News chairman's
second daughter
and the future president's
daughter-in-law.
[Yeon-hui sighs]
-[thunder rumbling]
-[rain pattering]
[solemn music continues playing]
HANNAM-DONG, SIGN LANGUAGE CENTER
PYEONGCHANG-DONG, BROADCAST CENTER
HANNAM-DONG
[beeping]
[static noise]
[announcer] In an emergency briefing,
the government stated that
it will not compromise
despite threats
from the Argan armed group--
…no compromise…
[static noise]
Also, there will be no negotiations…
[static noise]
-[beeping]
-[automated voice] You've gone off-route.
-You've gone off-route.
-[sighs]
[hazard light clicking]
[car accelerating]
[tires screeching]
-[horn honking]
-[GPS beeping]
-[automated voice] You've gone--
-[static noise]
[whimpering]
[breath trembling]
[muttering]
[car accelerating]
[engine revving]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
[tires screeching]
-[horn honking]
-[panting]
[horns honking]
[tires screech]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
-[static noise]
-[automated voice] …kill the hostage…
…the armed group…
…ransom…
…strongly suggested…
-…no compromise…
-[distorted sounds playing over stereo]
…do its utmost…
-…kill the hostage…
-[breathing heavily]
[automated voice] …strongly…
…kill…
There will be no negotiation
unless the ransom is paid…
[reporter] The engine of an unattended car
starts on its own.
The doors lock and unlock.
Malware is implanted
in the vehicle's navigation software.
It's car hacking, where someone
manipulates another person's vehicle.
HACKED NAVIGATION SYSTEM
MANIPULATES ENGINE AND LOCKS
[dramatic music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
[horn honking]
Monitoring results show no signs
of journalists breaking
embargo agreements…
-Mr. Paik?
-What about new media?
Yes, we've reviewed everything there too.
It's a mess.
Netizens have uncovered
your hidden background,
including FBI training
and NYPD hostage negotiation courses.
You're a negotiation expert.
They want you to be sent
to the negotiation team.
It's a mess… [chuckles nervously]
What? Excuse me.
So, after a comprehensive review,
it appears that
there are no speculative articles
or malicious reports…
There is.
Excuse me?
A very malicious report
that distorts the facts.
Where?
Here. Take care of it.
[quirky music playing]
What is this?
[Young-woo scoffs]
[Young-woo] What? Come on. [chuckles]
Jang Hyeok-jin from HBC is at it again.
Yeah.
He seems friendly,
but then he throws in a curveball.
But… [grunts]
what do we say when we request a deletion?
Emotional distress
caused by malicious distortion?
Hysteria?
-Hysteria?
-Hysteria.
Hysteria?
[music fades]
[sighs]
[phone vibrating]
TAESAN DAILY NEWS
SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR KIM HYEON-WOO
[vibration stops]
[sighs]
[phone vibrates]
-[phone vibrates]
-[horn honking]
[pants]
-[horn honking]
-[tires screeching]
[breathing heavily]
[thunder rumbling]
[Hee-joo gasps]
[thunder cracking]
[mysterious music playing]
[door lock opens]
[door lock opens]
[Do-jae] This is
the negotiation team's timeline.
[phone vibrating]
-You got a call.
-[Sa-eon] Who is it this time?
A strange number.
I think it's from abroad.
-What shall I do?
-[phone vibrating]
Paik Sa-eon speaking.
Please speak.
[sighs]
-I'll hang up if you don't.
-[kidnapper] Paik Sa-eon.
[mysterious music playing]
[chuckles softly] So it is really you.
[Sa-eon] What is this?
[kidnapper stuttering] What?
You don't like my voice?
Where are you?
It's not a domestic number.
Who are you affiliated with?
[kidnapper] I'll kill…
I'm going to kill
your wife.
[phone vibrates]
[Do-jae] The voice just now…
Get back to work.
[phone vibrates]
Yes, sir.
MOTHER
[line rings]
It's me.
Did you see her today?
What time did you part ways?
With my mother-in-law?
SON-IN-LAW
-[phone vibrating]
-[Yeon-hui] What?
Goodness. It's my son-in-law.
I thought you were busy.
-[Sa-eon talking indistinctly on TV]
-Your face is on every channel today.
My son-in-law looks amazing on-screen.
What? Hee-joo?
Yeah, I brought her home.
I'll send her off after dinner.
Is that so?
Okay, have a good night.
[line disconnects]
-Mr. Kang?
-Yes, sir?
406-000-1290. Trace this number for me.
-What?
-Did you memorize it?
-It's a phishing scam.
-Four, zero…
[Do-jae] 406-000-1290.
I'll trace it.
Yeah, okay. You do that.
Former journalists
really are a different breed.
They're fast.
[phone vibrating]
Is she dead?
You said you'd kill her.
Did you kill her?
Do you even know who my wife is?
Look here.
Don't you watch the news?
I'm far too busy
for these types of prank calls today.
[kidnapper stutters] Don't hang up.
I dare you to hang up on me again.
What if I do?
I have…
[stutters] a knife to your wife's throat
right now.
[kidnapper laughing maniacally]
I'll really kill her. Well?
-I'll kill her.
-Okay.
-Try it.
-What?
Don't just talk about it, do it.
Not yet…
[sighs] We haven't talked about money yet.
How much will you…
pay for the ransom?
The ransom?
[scoffs]
[Sa-eon] Listen up.
You can demand however much you want.
But there will be no ransom.
So don't call me again.
[line disconnects]
[tense music playing]
[kidnapper sighs softly]
[scoffs]
[kidnapper] Darn it.
[kidnapper inhales]
[kidnapper breathing heavily]
[both groaning]
[tires screeching]
-[kidnapper grunts]
-[Hee-joo groans softly]
[kidnapper stuttering] I seriously love
this expression the most.
[kidnapper laughing maniacally]
[tires screeching]
-[Hee-joo panting]
-[kidnapper] Eyes on the road.
[Hee-joo panting]
Sis, do you get it now?
[stuttering] That this isn't a joke?
[chuckling] But…
why does your husband think I'm joking?
What the hell did he mean earlier?
Why did he ask me
if I knew who his wife was?
It's you, isn't it?
[Hee-joo gasps softly]
Wait. Or does he have another wife?
[laughing maniacally]
I'm just teasing.
Well, it doesn't matter
if he has more than one wife.
It's none of my business,
but the wife Sa-eon cares about the most
better be you, Sis.
That's how you'll survive this.
[kidnapper chuckles]
Now, let's call him again.
[tense music continues playing]
[tires screeching]
PAIK SA-EON
[line ringing]
[kidnapper]
Is he going to ignore me again?
Again?
Paik Sa-eon!
This bastard!
[both exhale]
[kidnapper] It's okay. It's all good.
[kidnapper humming]
[chuckling]
Sis.
Do you know what kind of phone this is?
This…
can only call Paik Sa-eon.
The voice modulation is also automatic.
Also, it…
What was it again?
Yeah! That!
[stuttering] It uses a VPN.
It can't be tracked for ten minutes.
[chuckles] I already prepped this car
in advance too.
That's why it moves on its own. [laughs]
I'm so well prepared.
But this guy,
[yelling] Paik Sa-eon,
isn't picking up the phone!
PAIK SA-EON
-Paik Sa-eon.
-[Young-woo] What?
Hello, just a moment.
I'll put Mr. Paik on the phone.
[Sa-eon] I told you not to answer it.
Why did you?
[Young-woo] I pressed the button
by mistake.
[Sa-eon] It's a phishing scam.
Listen up, you pathetic loser scumbag.
What did I say?
I told you not to call me again.
[kidnapper] I'm sure I was clear too.
-I'm going to kill your wife.
-[scoffs]
Fine, then hurry up and do it.
And…
Call me when there's a corpse.
[line disconnects]
[solemn music playing]
[breath trembling]
-[banging]
-[kidnapper yelling in frustration]
[continues yelling]
[Sa-eon] Call me when there's a corpse.
Mr. Paik, Argan called through the hotline
and requests your presence.
-[Sa-eon] Don't touch my things.
-[Young-woo] Yes, sir.
[phone vibrating]
[dramatic music playing]
[kidnapper] What the hell?
What are you doing?
[car accelerating]
You crazy bitch!
[tires screeching]
Damn it!
Get your hands off it!
Damn it! [panting]
[grunts] Stop the car!
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[Hee-joo panting]
[tires screeching]
[news anchor] The government
announced at 6:55 p.m. today
that negotiations successfully ended,
and the Argan armed group
agreed to release all Korean hostages.
Here is a statement
from spokesperson Paik Sa-eon.
[Sa-eon] Thank you
to the hostages and the public
for your trust and endurance
and to the media for your cooperation
in ensuring national security and safety.
We also express our gratitude
to the Argan government
and allied international organizations,
and we will take all necessary measures
to ensure the safe return of the hostages.
[overlapping chatter]
[music ends]
[Sa-eon sighs]
[Sa-eon sighs]
[knocking on glass]
[Hyeok-jin] Can I get
an exclusive interview, Mr. Paik?
Just a moment. Wait.
Wait! My arm! It's stuck!
[groans] Come on, you darn punk!
Why are you heading out so early?
It's not even 9:00 yet.
Let's grab a drink.
Did you wait to see
what time I clocked out?
-Are you a stalker?
-[Hyeok-jin scoffs]
Yeah, man.
I noticed you took down
all of my pictures.
Why? Didn't like them?
A journalist should report the truth.
You shouldn't distort it.
I didn't distort it. It's PR.
Come on.
-You lack humanity.
-I didn't ask you to do that.
I never will, either.
Hey, Sa-eon? Open the door. Hey!
Stop… Hey!
Hey, Sa-eon! Hey!
Darn…
[sighs]
[tires screech]
What?
-What?
-[car accelerating]
Hey, what are you doing? Hey!
-Darn it. [gasps]
-[tires screech]
[Sa-eon] Hyeok-jin, I have a favor to ask.
[dramatic music playing]
[tires screeching]
[car accelerating]
What's wrong with you? You're crazy!
[Hyeok-jin breathing heavily]
[horn honking]
Hey, I'm sorry!
I was wrong. I won't do it again.
In front of us! There!
-[tires screeching]
-[horns honking]
[Hyeok-jin breathing heavily]
Trace this number as quickly as possible.
What? What is it?
Hey, in front of us!
[horn honking]
It's a phishing scam,
but I have a bad feeling.
A bad feeling? So do I.
Slow down, man!
[car accelerating]
I never assumed
my number would be safe from scammers.
But a voice modulator?
He's pulling out all the stops.
So I just can't let it go.
What? Phishing? Modulator?
Is this a case?
Just look into the number.
406-000-1290?
[tires screech]
[horns honking]
Get out. We're done.
Okay.
I'm off. [exhales]
[engine revving]
[Hyeok-jin] Goodness.
That punk. [panting]
Why is he in such a hurry?
[water splashing]
[mysterious music playing]
[music stops]
[mysterious music continues playing]
[music ends]
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[tires screech]
[door lock beeping]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[breathing heavily]
[utensil clanking]
[sighs]
You're alive.
I received…
a ridiculous phone call today.
Someone said…
they would kill you.
Well, "my wife," to be exact.
Anyway,
you're alive and well.
[Sa-eon sighs]
[slow music playing]
By the way, what's with the food?
Didn't you have dinner with your mom?
[phone vibrating]
What happened?
You can't trace it?
[Do-jae] It's not using the cell towers.
We can't trace it with just a number.
[phone vibrates]
[Hyeok-jin] Hey,
406 is an area code in the States.
And it's a virtual phone number.
Is it because it's a virtual phone number?
So is real-time tracking the only way?
[Do-jae] Yes, how did you know?
And to track it in real time,
they have to call again.
[sighs]
So I have to wait for his call?
[Do-jae] I'm sorry, sir.
And the call must last
at least ten minutes.
I'm sure you already know,
but we need personal information
to identify--
-It's a man.
-[Do-jae] Sorry?
But the voice was modulated.
It's a man. I'm sure of it.
And he was on drugs
or not in his right mind.
[door closes]
[serious music playing]
[Sa-eon] He made the threatening call
at the perfect time.
It was clear he was trying to shake me up
during a national emergency.
[Do-jae] Yes, there are many groups
that would be glad to see you fail.
Is your wife okay?
Of course, she's fine.
But just in case,
I want her to be under protection.
Without them knowing she's my wife.
[Do-jae] Okay. There's a team I can trust.
I'll call them myself.
Just give me the number.
Yes, sir.
[Sa-eon] Also, about the event
at the British Embassy tomorrow,
didn't you say we needed
a sign language interpreter?
Did you find one?
[Sa-eon] Come and sit.
[water running]
[sighs softly]
There's an event at the British Embassy
tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.
I'll send someone to pick you up by 5:00,
so be ready.
The ambassador's wife is deaf,
so we need a sign language interpreter.
It's not a couple's event or anything.
Don't get the wrong idea.
[water running]
MOM
[phone vibrating]
[phone vibrates]
[Yeon-hui] Where are you? Are you at home?
Why won't you pick up?
Sa-eon was looking for you earlier.
WHY WAS HE LOOKING FOR ME?
[Yeon-hui] I don't know.
He asked me if I was with you.
I said I'd send you home after dinner,
so tell him so when he comes home.
[phone vibrating]
MOM
[sighs]
MOM
[Yeon-hui] You listen to me.
There's just a month left
until the presidential campaign.
You probably won't need to show yourself,
but just in case, see the dermatologist
and plastic surgeon starting tomorrow.
And another thing.
When did you stop going to the clinic?
No wonder why you're not pregnant!
I'll send the medicine tomorrow,
so be ready to get in shape.
[muffled] Are you listening?
[Yeon-hui sighs over the phone]
[Yeon-hui] I can't tell
if you're listening
since you're completely silent.
It's just a month left.
I told you to quit your job.
[mellow music playing]
[clock ticking]
[clock stops ticking]
3 YEARS AGO
[music ends]
[Sa-eon] Take it off.
It doesn't belong to you.
You're just the stand-in.
Take it off.
[inhales] The wedding
will be held in private.
You'll never have to pretend to be my wife
in front of others again.
[mellow music playing]
Are you going to strip naked?
It's our wedding vows.
You don't have to read it all,
just remember this.
One, the bride cannot initiate a divorce.
Two, especially
not during the election period.
Three, you will not publicly disclose
your name or face as Paik Sa-eon's wife.
If any of these is violated,
the penalty will be two billion won.
[theme music playing]
Get up.
I said, get up.
[scoffs]
You're so stubborn.
Forget the illusion that we're married.
You were sent…
as a hostage to me.
PAIK SA-EON'S MARRIAGE
SPOKESPERSON PAIK'S WEDDING
SUDDENLY TURNED PRIVATE
SOME SAY THE WEDDING WAS HELD IN PRIVATE
TO HIDE THE BRIDE FROM THE PUBLIC
[song ends]
SIGN IS A LANGUAGE
SEONGNANG-GU SIGN LANGUAGE CENTER
[Jin-e humming]
[man 1] Come on, asshole! Come at me!
Come!
Come at me if you have a death wish!
You bastards!
Who is it at this hour?
STUDIO
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
[man 2] We meet again.
[Jin-e] Goodness.
What is that?
Didn't I tell you not to run your mouth?
-What's she doing?
-[man 2] Do you want to lose your teeth?
[groans softly]
You must have a death wish, bastard.
Eyes down!
[Jin-e] Hee-joo?
What are you doing?
I was just practicing.
What kind of intense practice is this?
Are you interpreting for the police?
Or did a loan shark ask
for an interpreter? Is the debtor deaf?
It's not like that.
But you've never done this before.
You really startled me.
You scared me. [chuckles]
Just do what you usually do.
Watch the video you practice with.
The one with Paik Sa-eon.
There have been a lot of briefings lately.
Want me to bring you some?
No, I don't need them.
Why not?
You said you liked his videos
because they're like a textbook.
You said you wanted to be on-screen
with Paik Sa-eon
even if it was just a brief moment.
I'm done with Paik Sa-eon's videos.
I've done enough already.
[TV beeps]
[indistinct chatter]
-[soft music playing]
-[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
I apologize.
I'm sorry we're late.
It's fine.
Let's go.
[string quartet playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[ambassador in English] You look lovely.
-[guest] It's good to see you guys.
-Yeah.
-Have a good evening. [chuckles]
-Yeah.
[ambassador] Wow. That's so nice.
Mr. Ambassador, I'd like to wish you
a very happy birthday.
It's an honor to be here
celebrating this special day with you.
-Well, your presence means a lot.
-[Sa-eon chuckles]
And I know you've been incredibly busy
the past few days.
If this were an official event,
I might've been too tired to come.
But since you invited me as a friend,
I'm here to have fun.
Well, do make sure
you have a good time. [chuckles]
This is my wife, Rachel.
Nice to meet you, Madam Harris.
My name's Paik Sa-eon.
I didn't know
the spokesperson's wife could sign.
I'm not the spokesperson's wife.
I'm just here as an interpreter.
There's no personal relationship.
[intriguing music playing]
She's not your wife?
[chuckles nervously] I'm sorry.
I don't know any sign language at all.
Did the ladies talk about that?
Well, I thought you two were married.
[chuckles] But I was mistaken.
Thank you, anyway,
for bringing an interpreter for my wife.
Very decent of you.
[in Korean] To be honest,
my wife has a disability too.
[in English] Actually,
my wife is also challenged.
I don't believe I've ever seen your wife
at an official event.
How come she doesn't accompany you?
[in Korean] Because my wife…
[interpreter in English]
I would say my wife is…
[in Korean] …is my weakness.
[interpreter in English] …my weakness.
[ambassador] Your weakness?
Because of her disability?
[exhales]
[in Korean] I face attacks from all sides.
In a way, you could say
I'm the government's official scapegoat.
So I don't want
my wife to be exposed
to indiscriminate attacks like I am.
Yes, she's my weakness.
[intriguing music continues playing]
Oh, a weakness in that sense. [chuckles]
So that's why you keep her hidden away.
Sa-eon, despite appearances,
you're quite a hopeless romantic.
[both chuckle]
[phone vibrates]
-[Sa-eon in English] I'm sorry.
-Yeah.
TEXT MESSAGE
[Do-jae] We're on standby.
We can track it once you get the call,
so just be mindful of the time.
[chuckles softly]
[Sa-eon] Are you trying to get drunk?
Or are you already drunk?
I'LL GO HOME IF I'M DONE HERE.
You can't.
You just have to stand quietly next to me.
Is that so hard?
Stay.
Go sit somewhere if your legs hurt.
Stop drinking.
[serious music playing]
Do you think I can't hear
just because I can't speak?
Do you think I can't feel emotions?
You don't want to expose me
to indiscriminate attacks?
Then why am I hurt and torn apart already?
[Sa-eon sighs]
Did you say I was your weakness?
A weakness…
is a wound that's prone to infection.
When someone touches it, you flinch,
tremble, and desperately defend it.
That's a weakness.
But you didn't act like that yesterday.
You despicable jerk.
Did you just curse at me?
[serious music continues playing]
[sighs in exasperation]
But then, I might not be the wife
you were just talking about.
[music ends]
[indistinct chatter]
[Hee-joo groans softly]
[sighs]
[Hee-joo breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
[phone vibrating]
Hello?
Speak, 406.
Should I go first?
My wife is safe.
Did you fail to kill her?
Why won't you speak? [chuckles]
You went on and on yesterday.
Wait.
I didn't have time
to listen to your rambling.
Then let's hear your plan on how
you're going to hurt her in the future.
I've got plenty of free time today.
[kidnapper] True,
I guess there's not much to do at a party.
[suspenseful music playing]
I'm glad you're having a good time.
You're good
at playing the lovestruck fool.
Are you surprised by how close I am?
Yeah.
I've been watching you the whole time,
but you didn't notice.
-Stop bluffing.
-Bluffing?
How could someone like you get in here?
You need an invitation to--
You've hardly eaten anything.
Eat something.
The bruschetta with the truffle on top
was really good.
[music intensifies]
Who are you?
[kidnapper laughs]
Are you curious about me now?
Stop laughing and answer me. Who are you?
How did you get in here?
Yeah, I'll answer you.
The answer to the question
you asked earlier.
You asked me…
how I plan on hurting your wife.
Don't mess around.
How dare you come here?
[kidnapper chuckles]
You look flustered.
You should've done this yesterday.
[intense music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[grunting]
Who are you?
What are you doing?
[woman over phone] Hello?
What's wrong? Did something happen?
[breathing heavily] I apologize.
[kidnapper laughs]
[kidnapper] What was that?
You're way off base.
You said I can't be possibly here.
A loser like you is probably hiding
and snickering in your room.
Do you really think someone like you
could do anything to my wife?
[intense music playing]
Listen up, if you wanted to threaten me,
you chose the wrong hostage.
My wife? Who's my wife?
Have you even seen her?
Yeah, that's right.
The world has no idea who she is.
They don't know who your real wife is.
But I do.
Hong Hee-joo
isn't your real wife.
[music ends]
Your real wife is the one you were
supposed to marry, your real fiancée.
The eldest daughter of the chairman
of Chungwoon Daily News, Hong In-a.
She ran away the day before the wedding,
and I heard no one knows where she is.
But still,
how could you marry
her sister instead? [chuckles]
Isn't that outrageous?
[suspenseful music playing]
But then,
Chungwoon Daily News and your family
are in an inseparable
symbiotic relationship.
You had to go through with the marriage,
so you married her sister as a hostage?
Either way, I bet
people will love that. Right?
It's so shocking.
Paik Sa-eon,
the clean and great spokesperson,
rides both sisters like an elevator.
On and off whenever he wants. [laughs]
What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?
Don't you want to know how I know
a secret nobody else knows?
Say something, Paik Sa-eon!
What do you want?
Yeah, good job.
That's the correct answer.
Tell me…
what you want.
Then listen carefully.
I'm going to tell you my demands now.
Get rid of Hong Hee-joo
and get back with your real fiancée.
You don't need Hong Hee-joo
in your life anyway, do you?
[dramatic music playing]
[Sa-eon] Listen up,
you pathetic loser scumbag.
What did I say?
I told you not to call me again.
[kidnapper] I'm sure I was clear too.
I'm going to kill your wife.
[Sa-eon] Then hurry up and do it.
And…
Call me when there's a corpse.
PAIK SA-EON
-[banging]
-[kidnapper yelling in frustration]
[continues yelling]
[tires screech]
[kidnapper breathing heavily]
[solemn music playing]
That asshole.
[breath trembling]
Call him back.
[kidnapper] What?
I have something to say to him,
so call him back now!
[dramatic music playing]
[Hee-joo breathing heavily]
[line ringing]
[kidnapper laughing]
This is exhilarating.
[car accelerating]
-[line ringing]
-Pick up.
[breathing heavily]
Pick up.
Pick up!
[engine revving]
Pick up!
[tires screeching]
[thunder cracking]
[panting rapidly]
[panting]
[tense music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
[Hee-joo] Do you understand?
Unless you want your personal life
to ruin your father's election,
return things to what they were.
If you don't,
I'll expose the secrets of your marriage.
Hey, man. Are you scared?
[chuckles]
It's funny Paik Sa-eon would be scared
because of a loser like me. [laughs]
[music fades]
You have until tomorrow to decide.
Or we can settle for two billion won.
You have until tomorrow.
[Sa-eon] Are you done?
[scoffs]
[inhales]
Tell me,
how do punks like you
never change your repertoire?
What?
If you want to threaten me,
you should study up on me first.
There are hundreds of reporters
eager to get me to speak at any cost.
Turning a lame scandal into fake news
is easy for me.
And I can get rid of
a pathetic blackmailer with my eyes shut.
So why would I?
[slow music playing]
Why did you think
I'd accept the presumptuous demand
to abandon Hong Hee-joo?
Why are you dragging my person into this?
[scoffs]
"My person"?
Don't be ridiculous!
Hey, do you know what happened
to your precious person yesterday?
She almost died.
No, I mean, I almost killed her!
I kidnapped her in her car,
choked her, and grabbed her by the hair.
I had a knife to her.
I was going to kill her. Do you get it?
[Sa-eon] So?
What do you mean? It was scary.
She was terrified!
So she was scared. What happened next?
I was about to kill her,
and she couldn't even beg for her life.
Since she can't speak.
[Sa-eon] Then?
Then you ruthlessly hung up the phone,
saying to call when there's a corpse!
Yeah, Hong Hee-joo
really could've ended up dead.
The car rolled on the slippery road!
[music fades]
[thud over phone]
[Sa-eon's breath trembling]
I've never been…
more curious about a man before.
[exhales]
Forget about getting arrested, 406.
I promise,
I'm going to catch you.
[timer rings]
[line disconnects]
[foreboding music playing]
[Sa-eon inhales]
[breathing heavily]
Wait…
Am I screwed, or did he fall for it?
WHEN THE PHONE RINGS
[Sa-eon] Who was he?
Did you see his face?
[Hee-joo] Paik Sa-eon is scared.
-[Sa-eon] What is this?
-[Hee-joo] It's Hong Hee-joo's thigh.
Have you never seen her naked?
[groans] I must be crazy!
What the heck? Why is he coming?
[Sang-woo] Hee-joo,
you're doing well, right?
A man?
Were you close?
[Sa-eon] Lately, nothing makes sense.
There can't be a Hong Hee-joo
I don't know about.
By any chance,
are you close to me?
Subtitle translation by: Sue Mounce