-(background chatter) -FEMALE DEALER 1: Any players?
MAN 1: I just need a good hand.
MAN 2: Damn it.
MAN 3: All right!
-MAN 4: We can do this all night. -MAN 5: Ugh, fuck.
(indistinct talking)
(groans)
FEMALE DEALER 2: Stay on 20.
Stay on Blackjack. Congratulations.
(inhales sharply)
(Ilho grunts)
Wow, just look at the time.
Darn, I could totally win some more.
I'll see you next time.
You're leaving already?
Yeah.
-Sir. -See you later.
How much is it?
FEMALE DEALER 2: It's 3.76 million won, sir.
3.76 million won?
-You earned a lot. -Thank you.
-I hope I'll see you around. -Sure. I'll see you next time.
(phone rings)
Hey.
I'm at a funeral right now.
I'm on my way now.
Yeah, okay.
-(alarm buzzes) -(door opens)
Sir, can you ring me up?
-Did you have fun? -Sure did.
Sir, I have a delivery for you.
Okay. Put it right there.
This place is booming!
ILHO: Are you guys open on weekends too?
Of course. We don't do any holidays. We're open 24/7.
(sucks teeth)
The dealers here must have come from real casinos.
And the food is great. I think this place will be a real hit.
Thank you.
Make sure to tell all your friends about us.
-Oh, of course. -Here you go.
(chuckles)
-(thuds) -Thank you.
-Sure. Have a great day. -Thanks.
(Sangchul laughs)
-That'll be 10,000 won. -10,000?
-DELIVERY MAN: Yeah. -Thank you for coming.
-Sure. -Hey!
-What the fuck? Who the hell are you? -All right, stay still, stay still!
-Put down whatever you're holding! -MAN 8: Ugh, I lost.
-INVESTIGATOR 1: Hey, you! -(indistinct talking)
-You there! -(indistinct chatter)
We're from the National Tax Service.
Everybody, stay where you are!
-God damn it. -Stop right there.
Where's the owner?
INVESTIGATOR 2: Ma'am, put that down. I can't have you touching that money.
Put it down.
See you later.
(indistinct talking)
-Hey. -Shh, shh, shh.
-Hey, where are you going? -Hey, you've got to go. Come on.
(laughing) Where are you going?
-Shh. -And what's this?
-INVESTIGATOR 3: Yeah. -Huh?
ILHO: Wow, just look at how much food you're delivering.
Wait, you're...
Oh, shit!
Where's Mr. Ahn Chiyoung?
Who?
Ahn Chiyoung. Your boss.
(theme music)
(gunshot)
BIG BET
TAX BOMB
(phone ringing)
-Hold on. -Okay.
Hello?
JJANGDOL: Moosik.
The NTS enforcement team barged in.
JJANGDOL: They took everything.
What? When?
A while ago.
(yawns)
Okay. I'll call you later.
Hey, Chiyoung.
Yeah?
Let's call it a day.
Why?
How much money do you have in your car trunk?
MOUNTAIN VALLEY APPLES
-This is all the cash that I have. -(sighs)
And where did you put the rest?
They're in the bank...
(frustrated sigh) Goddamn motherfuckers.
It's not like they've ever done anything for me!
I hate this. This is so annoying! Ah!
You idiot, didn't I tell you to keep that money out of there?
-(sighs) -MOOSIK: Huh?
I told you that you'll lose it all if you keep it in the bank.
What do I do?
That's 60 billion won right there. 60 billion won!
My god...
Hey, be quiet.
(sighing) Damn it.
MOOSIK: Hey.
Don't go to the bank.
You'll get caught right away if you go to the bank, okay?
This is driving me nuts.
CHIYOUNG: Hey, where are you going?
Where are you going, Moosik?
-Give me your phone. -My phone?
From now on, I'm the only person that you can call with this phone.
-Don't call anybody else, okay? -Okay.
MOOSIK: Go up to Seoul.
I'm going up there too, once I'm done cleaning this up.
Can I just go with you?
Then what, you idiot?
-Are you insane? -(sighs)
If we're together, they'll track us.
-(clicks tongue) -Damn it.
(frustrated sigh)
Go up to Seoul and hide in a motel somewhere, okay?
I'll contact you.
Fine.
You little...
You son of a gun. Oh, also,
you can't call your wife.
(shouting) Okay?
So five people were involved in starting the illegal casino bar?
Here. Check these names and see if they're the people who were involved.
SANGCHUL: Hold on a minute.
Are you going to keep recording?
I mean, I have my rights, don't I?
-Turn it off. -(smacks lips)
Okay.
(sighs)
These are the transaction statements. (sucks teeth)
Money taken out under the label of security deposits.
MINJUNG: Interior repair costs.
And we don't even know how some of this money was used.
SANGCHUL: Listen.
I'm just the figurehead, I swear.
I didn't even make that much money.
Your share was 20 percent.
I really didn't make a lot,
if you subtract the operating expenses along with everything else.
Come on, you've got the wrong person.
Man, you guys are frustrating.
Prove it, then.
Prove that you didn't make a lot of money.
How the hell am I supposed to prove that?
How the hell am I supposed to prove that I didn't make any money?
What do you want me to do? Go back in time and show you?
If you want.
For God's sake.
(shaky breathing)
Why are you doing this to me? Go find the real owner and ask him.
Well, let us meet the real owner, then.
I won't be shy with my questions.
(Minjung sighs)
If we don't catch Ahn Chiyoung, then you'll get all the blame.
You can do that if you want,
or take the easier route.
(sighs) Man, seriously.
(light music)
-Why did you park in a place like this? -Hey, be quiet.
-(groans) -Was there anybody following you?
-No! -Huh? Is this it?
(breathing heavily)
Yeah.
(breathing heavily)
Oh, honey.
I couldn't withdraw any money at the bank.
Those bastards. They've blocked everything.
What? (gasps)
What do we do? Are they going to take all our money?
Hey, where's the contract for the strip mall
-that you bought under your dad's name? -Give it here.
-Is it in there? -Here.
(breathing heavily)
-Okay. -What's going on?
Just go home for now.
I'll call you when I've taken care of everything,
so don't tell anybody that you saw me, okay?
What are you going to do?
What do you... Just go home!
-I'll call you. Hurry, go home. -What do you mean, go home?
I need to go to a wedding. Let's go.
(yelling) Go where? Get out!
I really need to get going.
Don't tell anybody that you saw...
I'm in a hurry right now! Get out!
Ugh, fine, fine, fine, fine.
Go!
Seven billion? That's pushing it.
I bought it for 9 billion. What do you mean, 7 billion?
Well, that strip mall has a lot of vacancies, and it's pretty big.
That's a pretty reasonable price if you're looking to sell it so quickly.
Still.
If you're not happy with it, then give me some more time.
This is driving me up the wall.
Okay, fine.
If you're fine with 7.5 billion, I'll make sure that it's sold.
You have my word.
You can sell it right away? Immediately? How long do you think it'll take?
No more than a week.
No, I can't do a week.
Three days. Let's do three days, and I want the balance paid in full.
It has to be within three days.
Oh, come on. That's...
What are you whining about? I bought it for 9 billion.
You're the one who reduced it by 2 billion.
REAL STATE AGENT: How am I supposed to sell this in three...
How? J-Just do it. Do it.
-Do it. -Mr. An.
I'm from the Daejeon tax office.
MINJUNG: Who is this?
He was in charge of everything related to the funds for Greater Electronics.
He's the real owner of the casino bar, too.
I'm not sure.
(scoffs)
Well, if you want to take responsibility for everything, have it your way.
The hearing may take place in a courtroom,
but I'm the one who makes the tax decisions.
-(phone rings) -Depending on how cooperative you are,
the taxes that you have to pay could fluctuate by several billions...
Oh, just pick up!
(phone ringing)
(ringing continues)
(inhales sharply)
Yeah.
Hello? Where are you?
I got caught.
I think you'll have to run. Sorry.
Hello?
Yeah, hello there.
I'm Kang Minjung of Investigation Bureau 4 at the Daejeon Regional Tax Office.
(Minjung laughs awkwardly)
MINJUNG: You're Mr. An's business partner, right?
(Minjung sighs lightly)
-Uh, I have some questions for you. -Huh?
Where are you right now?
Sir.
You really need to pay your taxes.
(sighs)
MINJUNG: If you don't pay your taxes, you can't do anything in South Korea--
Damn it, he hung up on me.
LAW AND ORDER, SINCERITY AND SERVICE
JONGHYUN: Finally.
-(chuckles) -(phone rings)
What?
-Who is it? -(phone ringing)
Huh?
Hello?
-Hey, Jonghyun. It's me. -JONGHYUN: Yeah.
Do you happen to know anybody at the Daejeon Regional Tax Office?
-No, not really, why? -MOOSIK: Hey.
Can you look into it, then?
Chiyoung is being held at Investigation Bureau 4.
Bureau 4?
MOOSIK: Yeah.
Dude, that's the central investigation department of the NTS.
The central one.
JONGHYUN: Those assholes are really, really thorough and persistent.
Hey.
Just help Chiyoung before he loses all his money.
Okay, fine.
By the way, where are you?
MOOSIK: I won't be in Korea for a while.
What are you talking about? Where are you going?
I probably shouldn't tell you over the phone.
I'll call you when I've settled down.
(inhales, smacks lips)
(gentle music plays)
MALE OWNER 1: Here you go.
(background chatter)
("Piano Man" by Billy Joel playing on radio)
(background chatter)
(indistinct chatter)
♪ It's nine o'clock on a Saturday ♪
♪ The regular crowd shuffles in ♪
♪ There's an old man sitting next to me ♪
♪ Makin' love to his tonic and gin ♪
(exclaims) That's awesome.
Right?
♪ It's nine o'clock on a Saturday ♪
(both laughing)
♪ He says, "Son can you play me a memory?" ♪
♪ I'm not really sure how it goes ♪
STUDENT 1: You fuckers.
BILLY JOEL: ♪ And it's sweet and I knew it complete ♪
When you see an upperclassman, you say hello.
STUDENT 1: Hey, on your feet.
STUDENT 1: On your feet, you bastards!
Head on the floor, now.
Do it, you punks!
(clears throat) Okay, right away.
(scoffs)
Hey.
Got a death wish?
Why are you doing this?
"Why are you doing this"?
I'm going to rip your mouth apart, you bastard.
Leave it, leave it, leave it.
TEEN SUNGIL: Hey, Cha Moosik.
I heard you're the toughest among the second-years.
Is that true?
Yes.
Are you usually this rude
to upperclassmen?
You sure don't act like an upperclassman.
You're just ganging up on me.
You little punk!
(thuds)
What?
-(grunts) -(action music)
-You bastard! -(straining grunt)
(teen Dongeok groans)
(pained grunt)
-(teen Dongeok yells) -TEEN MOOSIK: Let go!
Bastard.
(teen Moosik grunts)
(yelling)
(grunts)
-(pained groan) -(scared breathing)
You asshole!
(grunts)
(teen Sungil gasps)
You freaking dirtbags!
(teen Sungil breathing heavily)
Come at me!
(tires screeching)
(background chatter)
(chuckles)
Ma'am, it's good to see you.
-Yeah. -(laughs)
So, how's business?
It sure looks like it's doing better than when I was running this place.
The store's doing well, all thanks to you.
(both laugh)
One moment.
(both murmuring)
Thank you.
You're the owner of this place now.
Try your best to run things smoothly.
Of course, I will. (laughs)
(soft chuckle)
I'm going now.
-Take care. -Bye.
(laughs)
SUKJA: Thank you so much.
Thank you!
You got beaten up? How can you call yourself a man?
Forget it, Uncle.
Is this the place?
-Man… -Follow me.
Where's Cha Moosik's mother?
-(surprised breath) -WOMAN 1: Let's eat somewhere.
That's me.
(scoffs)
Hey, come over here.
-Damn it, come on... -SUNGIL'S UNCLE: Come here!
(Sungil's uncle clicks tongue)
I'm this kid's uncle,
and your brat did this to his face.
What will you do about this?
What? My Moosik did that?
SUNGIL'S UNCLE: He messed up this handsome face!
So what the hell are you going to do about it?
(mutters)
What is this?
(scoffs)
-Hey, are you Cha Moosik? -Wait, hold on a second.
Moosik.
(shaky breathing)
Did you really do that to him?
MAN 9: Can I have one more bottle of soju, please?
(sighs)
Tell me!
MAN 10: Over here!
Yes.
Let's go.
Let's go to the police station!
Mom.
Why'd you do it?
Why are you going around picking fights?
Are you trying to be like your father?
Darn you!
People like you should be sent to prison!
-Jesus Christ. -What are you doing? You have to come too!
-(Sukja panting) -I'm sorry.
Why are you apologizing to me?
Apologize to your friend!
Go and apologize!
(sighs)
I'm sorry.
You can hit me until you feel better.
Bullcrap. That's not going to cut it!
(crowd gasping)
What are you doing?
Don't do this, please!
Let go of me!
(groans)
-Mom! -I'm fine.
-Shit... -What are you looking at?
(crowd gasping)
SUKJA: What are you doing?
(gasps) No, don't do this.
SUKJA: Please don't do this, please!
-No, no! Please stop! -SUNGIL'S UNCLE: Shit.
-Let go of me! -(pained grunt)
TEEN SUNGIL: Stop it, Uncle!
I said I can take care of this myself!
You shut the hell up!
(tense music)
What are you glaring at, you bastard? I'll cut your eyes out!
(grunts)
The hell?
(Kyungduk spits)
Who the hell are you to be beating up my kid?
-(pained grunt) -Huh? Do you belong to a gang?
What? Did I piss you off?
You want to fight?
KYUNGDUK: Let's fight, you scumbag.
Get up.
-(crowd gasps) -KYUNGDUK: Yeah.
Come on. Stab me.
KYUNGDUK: Stab me, you little punk.
Come on, stab me.
You can't do it?
Loser.
(crowd screaming)
(screaming continues)
(mutters) Crazy bastard…
(breathing shakily)
Here. Stab me.
WOMAN 3: Oh, my god.
-WOMAN 4: Oh, no. -(scoffs)
(murmurs) Sorry…
Get lost, asshole!
(woman screaming)
-(indistinct talking) -KYUNGDUK: What an idiotic loser.
Hey. Forgot to say hello again?
KYUNGDUK: Huh?
I've been all over the place,
so I forgot today was the day.
What?
You're too embarrassed to come to the prison now?
SUKJA: Not at all.
KYUNGDUK: Wow.
You must have gotten rich…
I swear I'll be more polite from now on.
Okay.
I'm sorry too.
Maybe we can be friends.
Okay.
-Here, smoke one. -Okay.
TEEN SUNGIL: Shit, man.
My face is so swollen.
Sorry.
(sucks on cigarette)
(siren blaring)
MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES, 2001
SUNGIL: Wow.
I never thought I'd see you...
(chuckles) ...Daejeon country boys here.
(Sungil laughing)
You've grown up.
-(laughter) -Right.
I heard you're doing pretty well nowadays, Moosik.
I knew he'd become successful one day.
Even in high school, he was a big spender.
That's true.
Hey, Moosik.
Remember when we made a mess at your mom's store?
-(laughing) -Of course.
My God. You know, back then,
my uncle was so embarrassing.
(exhales deeply) Sungil.
It's so great to see you here.
Yeah, it is.
(laughs)
(smacks lips) So...
how's your father?
I haven't talked to him in a while.
So, what are you going to do now?
I haven't planned anything out yet.
Dongeok, have you found a place for him?
I said he could stay with me, but he said he'd be uncomfortable.
I'll just look for a villa.
Well, all right. That's better than a hotel.
Just get some rest first.
Play some golf and some games.
(sucks teeth)
By the way, what do you do here?
He runs a casino.
(clicks tongue)
I'm just a sales agent. A marketer who finds customers.
DONGEOK: Oh, speaking of,
want to go to Sungil's casino and play a bit?
Can we go, Sungil?
Sure, let's go.
-Let's go. -Okay.
(laughter)
ILHO: Cha Moosik. Born in 1965. From Yeongju, Gyeongbuk.
Used to be an adjunct instructor at Chungam University,
then started an English academy in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon.
There are no records after that.
So there are five casino bars?
Yeah.
Two in Daejeon, one in Jochiwon, one each in Ansan, and Suwon.
But, uh,
they only did cash transactions. They didn't leave a trace.
They didn't use any credit cards, either.
How much are the cash transactions worth?
(sucks teeth) If you combine them all...
(inhales) ...about 10 to 20 billion won.
(surprised exclaim)
Hey, let's just quit our jobs and open a casino bar too.
-Yeah? -(Ilho chuckles)
What are we even doing this for? (scoffs)
Right?
What about Mr. Cha's family?
He has a wife and a son, who are currently living in Daejeon.
He also has an apartment under his wife's name.
Yeah? Are they still there?
(Sungil smacks lips, inhales sharply)
SUNGIL: This is the best hotel in Manila.
It has the biggest casino, too.
(upbeat music)
(indistinct chatter)
SUNGIL: These are all table games.
The machines are on the sides.
They have the same thing on the other side too.
So everything combined, it's about 180,000 square feet.
(indistinct chatter)
MAN: Yes. Come on.
MALE DEALER: Bet.
Give it to me baby!
Give it to me baby, yeah!
He's back again after losing all his money last time.
Hey, Moosik.
So are you going to spend some money here today?
-(laughs) -(smirks)
The real thing is somewhere else.
You want to go?
Where?
-Come with me. -Come on, let's go.
Let's go. Let's go.
(indistinct chatter)
The VIP casino. The junket.
The one you just saw is for the common folk.
What's a junket?
It's like they're renting the place, in a way.
An individual or a company pays the casino
a deposit to run this place.
Here in Manila, there are junkets run by Koreans, the Chinese, and the Japanese.
Hello, sir.
-(chuckles) -SEOKJUN: Oh!
(chuckles)
MOOSIK: Wow, this is...
(Seokjun chuckles)
This is the guy that I told you about. My friend from Korea.
I see. Welcome, I'm Min Seokjun.
I'm Cha Moosik.
This guy right here is the top guy in Manila.
Number one.
Gosh. I think Sungil is up there too.
He's doing pretty well nowadays.
-Oh, come on. -(laughs)
I've still got a long way to go.
(Seokjun and Dongeok laugh)
Mr. Min, are you the person who runs this place?
SEOKJUN: Oh, no.
I'm just a sales agent who brings over customers.
The owner of the junket is somebody else.
But the owner doesn't really show his face around here,
so Seokjun is basically the owner.
(awkward laughter)
Take a look.
Do you play any games?
Oh, yeah. I know a little bit of baccarat.
Well, that's good. I'll take good care of you from now on.
It looks like it's pretty packed even though it's a weekday.
This place is one of the best in Manila, after all.
Would you like to play a game?
Well…
-Thank you. -(both laugh)
(inhales sharply)
(sighs)
(indistinct whispering)
(doorbell dings)
SUJIN: Who is it?
Hello. This is Mr. Cha Moosik's house, right?
That's right.
Are you his wife?
Yeah, why?
(awkward laughter)
My name is Kang Minjung. I'm from the Daejeon Regional Tax Office.
Well, I have a few questions about your husband.
The tax office?
Yes.
Do you mind if I step inside?
My husband's not home right now, though.
What taxes did he not pay, exactly?
(awkward chuckle)
Your husband
was running a gambling den. You know that, right?
-A gambling den? -Yes.
There are a lot of additional taxes we need to collect.
If he doesn't pay them, he'll get charged, and his passport will be canceled.
Then... (sucks teeth)
...he won't be able to return to Korea.
We haven't decided to prosecute him yet, so please let us talk to him.
If he pays his taxes, there are no issues.
Do you happen to know Ahn Chiyoung, the owner of Greater Electronics?
No.
Do you know about the casino bars?
(soft gasp)
Oh...
(awkward laughter)
What is that?
Why did Mr. Cha go to the Philippines?
Does he know somebody there?
Yes. He has a friend who runs a travel agency there.
MALE DEALER: Betting.
Player wins, natural nine.
Thank you, nice.
Thank you.
FEMALE DEALER: Banker, player, banker.
(clicks tongue)
(upbeat music)
FEMALE OWNER (in English): This way, please.
As you can see, the unit I'm showing you is on this floor.
-Its view, and it's really nice and airy. -All right.
-Hi. -Hello.
(Dongeok laughs)
(in Korean) Let's go inside.
FEMALE OWNER (in English): This is a one-bedroom unit.
You have your living room.
You have a small kitchen with its own equipment.
Knives, forks.
Bathroom.
Here's the bedroom.
Bed for two.
Cabinet space.
Oh, and it also has a balcony that you can use.
DONGEOK: Moosik.
-(in Korean) What do you think? -I like it.
-(in English) Thank you! Okay. -Thank you. Thank you.
(laughs) Okay.
(Dongeok laughs slightly)
(Dongeok sighs)
(sighs)
(in Korean) It won't be as comfortable as a hotel.
No, I prefer places like this.
Hotels don't suit me.
(laughs)
I live nearby, so let me know if you ever need anything.
My wife said she'll pack some food and side dishes for you.
Just put your laundry in a corner too, okay?
Dude, I can just do my own laundry.
Okay. (laughs)
You can wash your underwear and stuff.
But I can get you
clean bedsheets and stuff once every month.
Thanks, you son of a gun.
Don't say I never did anything for you.
-Okay, you jerk. -I'm so tired.
Maybe I'll just live here instead.
(laughs) Oh, this is nice.
(blows out air)
-Hey. -Yeah?
How's life these days?
It's just so-so.
My business is tanking, which stresses me out,
but my wife always whines about money.
And my damn son is pestering me about wanting to study abroad.
-You said your son plays soccer? -Yeah.
I think he's got some talent... (smacks lips)
...but I don't know.
Where does he want to go?
Europe, of course. The soccer capital.
South America, you idiot. Don't you know Ronaldinho?
Of course, it's Europe. Don't you know Cha Bum?
You freaking idiot, come on.
You're crazy.
-Cha Bum? Ronaldinho is better. -Forget it.
(sucks teeth)
(grunts)
That's for you.
-What is it? -Just open it, man.
Use that money to send your son abroad.
(mutters)
Really?
Idiot. You think I'd lie to you?
This is...
Oh, my god.
This is… It's all for me?
Yeah, you idiot.
I'm saving your face so that I can save mine too.
You…
I...
Thank you so much.
Shit, you're a true friend! Come here, idiot.
-What's with you? -You won't regret this.
Have you lost your mind?
-Thank you, Moosik! -Back off, dumbass!
It's already hot enough.
(indistinct chatter)
(groans)
PROMISSORY NOTE
FEMALE DEALER: Banker is a seven, banker wins.
MOOSIK: At first, I was winning as much as 20 billion won.
But as time went on, I started losing more than I was winning.
The money that I had brought with me was running out too.
(mumbles)
(lighter clanks)
(inhales sharply)
(mumbles)
How are things looking?
(light sigh)
Depressing.
You know, when things aren't going well, sometimes you need to let go of it.
Mr. Min.
Let me borrow some more money.
MAN: Greedy pig.
FEMALE DEALER: Will you raise your bet?
(whispers) You've already borrowed 10 million pesos.
I'll pay you back within a month.
(smacks lips) How much can I borrow?
(whispers) I shouldn't let you do this,
but you've spent quite a lot of money here so far.
So I'll let you have one million pesos.
(groans)
Thank you.
(people cheering)
Hey, Jungpal.
Yes, sir.
Give him one million pesos.
And don't add on interest in advance.
Yes, sir.
MR. WOO: Wow, Seokjun.
It looks like you're super busy.
I need to talk to you for a second.
Seokjun, I have something awesome for you.
What is it?
You know Mindong Construction, right?
They've built a bunch of apartment buildings in Jeolla-do.
Mindoong?
No, Mindong! Mindong! Anyway,
they're a big company. And, uh...
I know the owner's only son pretty well.
I told him to come visit me in the Philippines sometime,
and he said he would.
And?
Jesus, you're slow.
His family is rich! Really rich!
Anyway, I'll take care of it all.
You just need to provide lots of dough.
MR. WOO: Speaking of that, give me a present, will you?
Hey, don't be like that.
I'm not doing very well nowadays, either.
What do you mean? You're the ATM of Manila.
I really don't have any money. It's all in different places right now.
(laughing) Really?
You really mean that?
You borrowed one million pesos from me last time, and didn't pay me back.
(Mr. Woo sighs)
I'm going to pay you back. Did I ever say that I wouldn't?
-Come on. -MOOSIK: Mr. Min!
There you are. I'm so sorry.
Come on, you've got to go take care of this.
There are a lot of people waiting for you.
-For goodness' sake. -Hey, look.
(inhales sharply)
What do you think you're doing?
Oh, I'm sorry. We were in the middle of a meeting,
and Mr. Min disappeared suddenly.
-Okay. -Everybody's looking for him.
Sorry.
So I get that you came to get him.
But who are you?
(sucks teeth)
Uh...
(sighs)
Well, I'm a…
Could I borrow a light first, if you've got one?
Please.
(scoffs in disbelief)
(inhales sharply) Why, thank you.
(sucks teeth) Mr. Min and I are...
Uh...
I'll tell you next time.
Sorry.
Is that guy crazy or what?
(smirks)
You should really avoid people like that if you can.
Thank you.
No problem. I'll get going now.
(soft upbeat music)
SUNGIL: Hey, Moosik.
Do you want to be business partners with me?
Sungil.
What?
I think we'd work really well together.
You and I are both good at the exact same thing.
Partners need to have different talents.
Says who? It's great if we're good at the same thing, isn't it?
(clicks tongue)
If we start working together, there are bound to be problems.
Jesus, come on.
SANGGU: Sungil!
Hey, Sungil. You're early.
Hey, hey. Say hello.
He's my friend from Korea.
Hello. I'm Lee Sanggu.
He's Korean too. He's the hardest working guy that I know.
Oh, hardly.
SUNGIL: Hey, did you bring me the thing?
(in Tagalog) Give me my bag, Billy.
SANGGU (in Korean): It's two million pesos, sir.
Hey, Moosik.
I know that you're good, but don't borrow any more than that.
If you do, you'll get yourself in trouble.
(smacks lips) Okay.
Sir.
Call me anytime. I'm available 24/7.
Are you a gangster or something?
He just has a lot of gangster friends.
Hey.
Be polite to him, okay?
Back in Korea, he was a really important man.
Sir, I look forward to working with you.
-I'll get going now, Sungil. -All right, bye.
I'll see you next time.
I'll call you.
Hey.
I bet you're thinking he's just a lackey.
Like you can borrow from him and never pay him back.
Let me tell you just one thing.
You're in the Philippines.
Don't underestimate him.
(in Tagalog) You can keep the change.
Good.
(soft music)
(background chatter)
(sighs)
(inhales sharply)
MOOSIK: When I was in Korea, I thought that I had gotten the hang of things.
But I was losing money left and right.
-(indistinct talking) -(dealer mumbling)
Eighteen billion won.
(breathes deeply)
I worked so hard to save it up.
But I freaking lost it all in less than three months.
SANGGU: Dongeok?
Goodness, welcome back.
-(exclaims) -(strained groan)
(exclaims)
You look so cool now.
You look all fancy.
(sighs)
You make the clothes look even nicer because you have a good figure.
Yeah, right. (chuckles)
I'm guessing your travel agency did well?
Travel agency, my ass. I did find some sucker, though.
A sucker?
I'm planning on taking all his money.
There's this really nice guy
who used to do everything that I told him to do.
A nice freaking guy.
Do you have it?
Oh.
You see, this stuff is from Myanmar.
Europeans go crazy for it.
I've repaid all my debt now.
Right?
Thank you.
Jeez, you're such a snake.
Have you eaten yet?
Yeah, I have.
-Let's go have some tea, then. -Sure.
Shit.
-(distant chatter) -(phone ringing)
(tired grunt)
(phone ringing)
(distant dog barking)
(strained grunt)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
MINJUNG: You never pick up, do you? Is this Cha Moosik?
Yeah. Who are you?
(relieved sigh)
I'm Kang Minjung from the Daejeon Regional Tax Office.
We've actually talked on the phone before. It was before you left the country.
I'm calling you because you have some unpaid taxes.
It's related to the arcade and the casino bar you used to run.
When can you come back to Korea?
Why should I go back?
You have a lot of additional taxes to pay.
But you won't pay them even if we charge you.
I'm... (sighs)
I'm a bit busy over here.
If this isn't taken care of, you'll be prosecuted.
Then you won't be able to come back to Korea.
Even if you're busy,
you need to come here and reach an agreement with us.
Are you going to rescind my passport if I don't go over there or something?
Yes, and it won't stop at that.
You'll be wanted by Interpol.
Your wife seemed like a nice person.
You have a son too.
Do you plan on ever seeing them again?
(annoyed grunt)
God damn it.
-(phone thuds) -(sighs)
-(distant chattering) -(phone line ringing)
-(sighs) -(ringing continues)
(coughs)
Hi, honey. It's me.
Did somebody from the NTS come to talk to you?
Yeah.
Who is she?
MOOSIK: A woman?
Yeah.
SUJIN: Is something wrong?
Honey.
Why don't you just move to the Philippines with Byungkyu?
What are you talking about all of a sudden?
MOOSIK: Oh, come on.
Don't you want our family to be together?
Just leave everything in Korea and come over here.
I'll have somebody take care of the apartment.
Dear.
MOOSIK: Yeah.
Nothing's going on, right?
Of course. Everything's going just fine.
Yeah. Don't worry.
Okay, I'm hanging up.
-MOOSIK: Even at that moment... -(sighs)
I was thinking about selling the apartment so that I could gamble more.
JUDGE: The defendant, Ahn Chiyoung,
shall be sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 500 million won,
Any accounts, movables, and real estate
belonging to the defendant and his immediate family shall be confiscated.
-(sighs) -If the fine and surcharge are not paid,
every 100 thousand won of the combined fine and surcharge
shall be converted into one day of detainment in a labor camp.
JUDGE
Oh, no. What do I do? (sobs)
(sighs)
(mumbles)
(prisoners murmuring)
VISITATION ROOM
MINJUNG: Thank you for letting us visit you.
You're angry, aren't you? I mean, you shouldered all the blame.
(chuckles)
Just let us get Cha Moosik's taxes.
Then I'll reduce the surcharge for you.
You're not being loyal by shouldering all the blame.
He'll be on the run his entire life. Don't you feel sorry for him?
Wait, what do you mean by that?
Why should I feel sorry for him?
-I thought he was a dear friend. -I don't like how you're talking to me.
(chuckles) Oh, come on.
So, just be honest with us, will you?
How was everything run anyway?
Well, what kind of information do you want from me?
I want to know how the two of you split the profits
between yourselves, okay? And the roles that you played.
I also want to know how much money Cha Moosik made.
Why are you doing all this?
Do you receive any benefits for collecting more taxes?
(sighs)
Of course not.
I wish there were, though.
-Hey! -Yes?
Why don't we have something like that in Korea?
If there were, I would work so much harder.
That's what I'm saying.
Why don't you just relax a bit?
Don't be like that. Let's just wrap this up, okay?
Man, you guys are persistent.
You guys would put loan sharks to shame. Seriously.
You're even worse than loan sharks.
WOMAN: My God, why are there so many?
FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Hey, that looks delicious. Get it to the table.
SANGCHUL: All right, I hope you have a blast.
All right!
(laughing) I got it!
-That's it, that's it! Nice! -(laughter)
That's what I'm talking about!
(people clamoring)
MAN 1: Hey, miss!
I need some beer.
FEMALE EMPLOYEE: How many?
(alarm buzzes)
(man cheering, laughing)
Hey! It's great to finally meet you in person.
-Congratulations. -Hello.
-Congratulations. -This is nice.
Hey, hold on. I have something to talk to you about.
-Wait, I want to play one game. -But it's too loud in here.
-Let's step outside for a minute. -See you soon.
We'll come back inside after we talk.
Hey, Moosik!
You're going to hurt your hand. We're not admitting you here, okay?
-You're going to break your hand! -Please, Moosik!
-(lock clicks) -(pounding on door)
GANGSTER: Moosik. Open the door!
Hey.
Didn't I tell you not to let them in?
-Didn't I? -I won't let them in, Moosik.
But isn't it a good thing to have more customers?
Hey, dumbass.
Do you think this place is some neighborhood convenience store?
Huh?
What if they come in here and pick a fight with other customers?
We'd be screwed.
This place is for smart people
like directors of academies, heads of hospitals, and college professors.
We make money off of nerds like them. Okay?
If people like them start coming in here,
people will start associating them with us.
Remember that.
Okay. I will.
Idiot.
It's all business.
Business.
CHIYOUNG: Moosik!
This is insane.
We're giving back 10% of the money they lost,
and yet we're making ten times more than the arcade.
There are a lot of insane things out there in the world.
-(chuckles) -Hey.
-This is the only thing that we can do. -Yeah, I agree.
-So let's open a few more. -A few more?
Just think about it.
(laughing) All right.
(loud indistinct talking)
So, we had the dealers stay in the rooftop apartment
and made them work 12-hour shifts a day. And we made 10 billion won
in six months.
But when word got around that we were raking in a ton of money,
gangsters started showing up.
Good work. Come inside.
CHIYOUNG: Good work.
Take a seat over here.
(sighs)
Tell me. What is it?
What did you want to talk about?
(sighs)
Huh?
What are you pouting about?
Come on, tell me.
(smacks lips)
Hey, you know,
I've always thought of you guys as part of the family.
And that hasn't changed, all right?
But Chiyoung's always the only one with good ideas,
and I'm Chiyoung's business partner.
Then I don't really have a reason to keep working with you.
Am I right or what?
It's about Sangchul, not Chiyoung.
He's our friend too.
But it feels like you're favoring him over us.
(mutters)
What about Sangchul?
Are you talking about the car that I bought him?
Sangchul is running a casino,
but we don't have anything like that.
(chuckles)
(smacks lips, inhales)
Man, you guys are really cute.
Okay, fine.
(smacks lips)
You got the money?
What?
I'll let you guys have something too. Do you have the money for that?
How much?
You can just give me the amount I spent to set this place up.
So just this much.
Five hundred million?
Five billion?
Hey.
It cost me 50 million won to set up one casino.
I spent exactly 50 million won on facility fees and entitlement fees,
so just give me 50 million won.
Moosik! Are you serious?
Just get me the money, and I'll give you guys the same share too.
Thank you, Moosik.
Thank you.
Also, you guys can be joint managers.
Yes, sir.
But remember this.
If you want to be joint managers,
don't let any gangsters into this place, okay?
-Okay. -Of course not.
Look, this place is
for the kinds of guys who wear ties and act all fancy, okay?
This is the kind of place where those people hang out and play cards.
If those gangsters with tattoos start coming here, you're screwed.
Okay?
-Okay. -Okay.
What will you be?
-Screwed! -Screwed!
That's right.
But I don't think you guys can manage it.
You'll just let anybody in here to make money
and let those gangsters in here too. And this place will become a total mess.
That won't happen. We'll work really hard.
-We'll do our best. -We'll do our best.
We'll do our best. (laughs)
Now you're all excited.
-JJANGDOL: This is great, isn't it? -(laughs)
He took only the amount he'd initially spent and gave it away.
So that's how Moosik earned some trust from the gangsters.
"Moosik is not somebody who cheats his friends."
That was his image.
Is Cha Moosik a gangster?
No.
Then why did those gangsters seek him out?
Because he knows people nationwide.
(scoffs) So he's a gangster.
You clearly don't get how someone becomes influential nationwide.
Huh?
You don't become like him because you're the best fighter in the country.
Okay? To become like him,
you need to pay the most congratulatory money for marriages.
Congratulatory money?
Gangsters will call you
even when their cousin thrice removed is getting married.
"Sir, my nephew is getting married. Can you come to the wedding?"
Then you send the money and some flowers,
even if you can't make it to the wedding.
If you do that for everybody, you'll become acquainted
with people all over the country.
And that is what Moosik did.
Then,
exactly how much money did he make?
He made about six, seven billion won from the machines.
He made around that much from the casinos too.
So, around 15 to 20 billion won.
(scoffs)
Then where did he keep all that money?
If he didn't put it in a bank, and it was all in cash,
it must've been a staggering amount.
CONTRACT FOR ESTABLISHING COLLATERAL SECURITY RIGHT
MOOSIK: I ended up losing the apartment in Daejeon too. My last property.
(Moosik smacks lips)
(Moosik sighs)
Fuck, I should just die.
What's the point of living?
(Moosik smacks lips)
SUJIN: Your father's in critical condition.
The hospital's already given up on him.
Your mother and I have been taking turns staying with him.
I think you should come see him, too.
MOOSIK: Hey.
Why should I go see that man?
SUJIN: You should at least be here for his funeral.
You're his only child.
Okay. Let's talk about this later.
(frustrated sigh)
(phone ringing)
Hey, Jonghyun.
JONGHYUN: Hey, it's me.
They're not prosecuting you right now.
Really? Then, can I go back to Korea now?
JONGHYUN: Of course you can.
Hey,
what if I go to Korea and get screwed over?
JONGHYUN: That probably won't happen. Hey!
Your only issue has to do with your taxes, so just call the NTS.
I mean, what are they going to do if you promise them that you'll pay?
Hey, by the way,
I heard that you got totally screwed over.
I heard you lost all your money at a casino.
Hey, man. What are you talking about?
Who told you that bullcrap? Who was it?
Hey, no big deal if it's not true. No need to get mad.
Just tell me when you're coming. I'll meet you at the airport.
(sighs)
(knocks on door)
(clicks tongue)
Who is it?
Sorry to disturb you at such a late hour.
What is it?
I was in the area, so I just wanted to say hello.
SANGGU: These are my friends.
(in Tagalog) Come say hello.
(in Korean) Can we come inside and talk for a bit?
Whoa, whoa.
(door slams)
What do you think you're doing?
Oh!
I heard that you gambled all your money away.
I dropped by because I was worried.
You freaking bastard.
(murmurs) Hey, you.
So you're here to intimidate me because you think
I'll run away without paying you back?
(sighs)
MOOSIK: Hey, Sanggu.
I'm going to pay you back. With interest too.
Moosik.
You know, that money is very important to me.
Of course you need to pay me back.
Do you really think you can handle me?
Yes.
(coin clinks)
(closing theme music)