GYEONGSEONG CREATURE
I have already arranged it with Director Ichiro of Ongseong Hospital.
The child in your womb will hold special meaning,
not only to Mr. Ishikawa but also to me.
So that being said,
you need to be very careful, hmm?
Take care of yourself,
Miss Akiko.
I'm sorry, but we're all closed up for the day, miss.
The creature's spores stopped floating around an hour ago.
Has she awakened?
No, it hasn't shown any movement.
Perhaps we used too much nitrogen gas earlier?
What are you thinking about, Seishin?
What's on your mind?
Lt. Kato, we have a distinguished guest.
Her name is Lady Maeda.
She is the wife to Commissioner Ishikawa
and the daughter to the most respected Lt. Gen. Maeda.
This area's restricted. I'm afraid outsiders are not allowed down here.
Lt. Kato, Lady Maeda is the hospital's most generous sponsor.
Is that the creature?
I would advise you not to get too close.
Seishin.
So, Master Seishin, it looks like
you are still alive.
GYEONGSEONG CREATURE BETWEEN JUSTIFICATION AND EXCUSE
EPISODE 8 AWAKENING
He must have gone through quite an ordeal.
He hasn't been able to sleep at all. Or swallow a bite of food!
What about Master Jang?
He didn't make it back.
Also, all the merchants in town, they have all been arrested.
Yes, hello.
Yes, I completely understand.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir. I'll let you know--
Everyone, quiet! Sit back down right now!
Hey, Mr. Gu, do you know what's going on here?
Why haven't we heard from Master Jang yet?
Where is he?
Is he not coming to save us?
Is he?
Ah shit.
HOUSE OF GOLDEN TREASURE PAWNSHOP
CLOSED FOR THE DAY
Master Jang.
Where have you been?
It's time for you to come back.
Is he breathing?
He's barely breathing, sir.
All right, then, you two take him to the medical unit.
-Go right now. -Yes, sir!
Kill him.
Track him down…
wherever he is,
and kill the bastard.
Stop where you are, all of you. Stand back!
As you were.
Sir! Something's happened, sir.
How urgent is it?
First Sergeant Haneda was found at the lower-level morgue,
severely wounded from a gunshot.
My apologies, Lady Maeda.
Please wait here until I return.
Master Jang!
What are you… doing here?
I had some business to attend to.
But then I missed my chance to get out of here.
So I need you
to help me get out of here, Lady Maeda.
So what are you saying?
There's still a Josenjing hiding somewhere around here?
Yes, sir. He's running around here somewhere.
Director Ichiro!
Looks like the Josenjing is headed towards the lab.
A guard just found fresh blood stains located near that area.
Lady Maeda, right now isn't…
a good time, I'm afraid.
Soldiers, we have an emergency!
Lady Maeda has been taken!
We need to find Lady Maeda right now! She's in great danger!
We need to find her now!
Lady Maeda?
Don't ask me any questions. Just drive the car.
Just drive.
Thank you.
What should I do, ma'am? Shall I stop?
To Honmachi.
PAWNSHOP CLOSED FOR THE DAY
Did you visit the House of Golden Treasure again?
Have you been waiting long?
It's been four days since we got out of there.
And we still haven't heard from Master Jang.
The chances of him being alive are slim.
With that said, our job was to find Myeong-ja,
and that's what we did.
It's time for us to go home.
We should leave early in the morning, so get ready.
I should've stayed there in his place.
He made his choice. It was the right thing.
All he had to do was save Myeong-ja, but he stayed there anyway.
He stayed because of us.
I should've stayed in the hospital, found a way to rescue Mother.
At the very least I should've gotten my revenge
on the men who did that to her.
If I had rescued Mother, Master Jang wouldn't have been left there.
Now I feel really guilty for leaving the hospital.
What do you mean by that?
I found Mother while we were inside.
She is still alive.
You probably saw her there too.
It's been like this ever since Lady Maeda's visit earlier.
It looks like it's been aggravated by something, sir.
Something must've triggered the creature.
Huh?
She's not just aggravated.
I think she's enraged.
Let me ask you again.
Where are all the prisoners you helped escape?
I… I don't know.
Where is Master Jang hiding?
I wish…
I wish I knew where he was.
Am I not speaking clearly enough for you?
Do you want me to start over? Hmm?
Start… start over.
Go ahead, just start over. See what happens.
Go ahead.
Start over. I don't know anything.
Has anybody ever
ripped out your fingernails from your hands?
Has anyone ever burned your skin?
Have you ever been electrocuted?
Do you know what happens to a person
when someone forces chili powder and water up the person's nose
while they hang upside down?
You get to that point where
you can no longer remember you're a human being.
If you're ever in a situation like that, Mr. Gu,
don't be a hero.
It's just going to make it worse for you. Instead, you should tell them everything.
If you ever end up in that situation,
if you betray us, I won't resent you.
Just keep that in mind.
Let me ask you again.
What is the true purpose of the House of Golden Treasure?
Are you rebels?
Have you all been secretly funding the rebellion?
Hey, answer me!
Why aren't you answering me, huh?! Where is Master Jang?!
Okay…
Are you well rested?
Lady Maeda, it's you.
Well, it looks like your fever's gone.
And those wounds of yours are doing much better.
How long…
…have I been over here for?
As of today, it's been four days.
Well, I have to admit you caused… quite the commotion at Ongseong Hospital.
It was unexpected for me to see you risk your life for someone.
It's not like you, is it?
I know.
But things are different now.
It's not my fault that my country has become this way.
I personally have nothing to do with everyone who was locked up in there.
So why help them?
Because…
because once I saw it with my own eyes,
that's when I got really angry.
I wanted to help.
Master Jang, you're not making any sense. You helped because they're Joseon?
It's not only because they're Joseon.
It's because I'm a human being.
Do you think that every life has meaning?
Do you believe all lives are created equal?
Yes. What do you believe, Lady Maeda?
Master Jang,
you and I, are we still friends?
You said a serial murder case?
Yes, sir, 11 murders have occurred in the area over the past four days alone.
We've asked the military for autopsies.
However, a large number of the corpses are in such a strange state.
What do you mean by that? Strange how?
Every one of the corpses were… missing its brain, sir.
He's from the military ward, Commissioner.
Yes, how may I help you?
I'm sorry.
The store's not for sale.
No, where'd you hear that?
Who's dead?
What else has everyone been saying about him?
Now, just wait a minute, sir!
That's stupid. Only the dumbest idiot could ever believe that were true.
Watch your mouth! Exactly who do you think you are? I'm serious!
I'll make you regret that. Yes, I'll sew your mouth shut.
Who are they to say something like that?
The nerve of some people, pronouncing someone to be dead.
My God, has everyone in town gone completely crazy?
Yes, how may I help you?
About that, I believe that, uh,
my associate here has explained that to you already.
Who am I, you ask?
The master of the House of Golden Treasure,
Jang Tae-sang.
Yes.
No, I'm not dead. That's right. I'm very much alive.
It's seems everyone wants to get a little piece of our pawn shop.
Don't they now?
Master Jang, you're here.
Didn't I say
there was no need to close up the shop just because I was gone for a few days?
No wonder everyone thinks we're for sale.
Well…
what took so long, huh?
Sorry, I got held up.
So you're not hurt at all, then? You're fine?
I'm okay. Mm-hmm.
In that case!
Why didn't you come home earlier if you weren't injured?
What took you so long?!
I almost had a heart attack because I was so worried!
-Did you even think about that? -Ah, I'm sorry I did that.
I did have my reasons, you know.
Don't be upset with me, Mrs. Nawol. I'm back now.
I said I was sorry. Don't cry.
It doesn't matter now.
Besides, you have to go pick up Mr. Gu.
Where is Mr. Gu now?
No!
Oh no.
Come out now.
No! Let me go! No! I'm not going! No!
I said out!
Master Jang, it's you.
Is that Master Jang?
Is that really Master Jang?
-No way! -I think it's him!
Just wait here, okay?
Hey, stop right there!
Master Jang, where do you think you're going?
Isn't that Master Jang of the House of Golden Treasure?
I need to talk to Commissioner Ishikawa.
Hey, you!
Are you ignoring me or what, huh?
Go and tell him Master Jang is here.
You bastard! Are you deaf or what?!
Why are you swinging your fist at me?
Are you a police officer or a thug? It's not very professional.
You're all policemen.
Would it be too much to ask for you to act like it?
You caused quite the stir over at the hospital.
You told me I should do whatever it takes, did you not?
Yes, that's true.
But what did you do with the Joseon prisoners you helped escape?
That wasn't part of the deal.
I actually have no idea what you're talking about.
I'm here on behalf
of all the Joseons in custody you have wrongfully imprisoned here.
Please release them immediately
as the charges against them are completely false.
But so many of our laws were broken that night, I'm afraid.
Playing foreign music, drinking alcohol in public,
violating public safety codes, not to mention many other misdemeanors.
How about we settle this with a simple fine?
You think you can fix this by throwing me some money?
I think that that is the easiest way to clean up everything.
What if I refuse?
Well, every business in the district of Bonjeong
will be shut down for the time being.
I'm sure you know the fundraising party is being held in Gyeongseong in two days.
With the businesses closed,
all deliveries of alcohol and food to the event will be halted.
Just think about all the officials and their wives
who've ordered garments to be made for the occasion.
I wonder how this will look for you.
Since you oversee everything,
an investigation will be launched immediately.
Your superiors will most definitely hold you accountable for this.
Is that a threat?
There comes a point in time when two enemies can, uh,
form a temporary alliance together.
We are simply just having a conversation on how to help one another.
You are walking a fine line here.
It'd be best if you didn't risk your life for matters that don't concern you.
So my little visit at Ongseong Hospital taught me something very important.
When you put your own life on the line,
you have to go all-in.
And if you hesitate even for a single minute,
you will end up dead.
If I may, Commissioner.
I have an idea who the prime suspects are.
Master Jang of the House of Golden Treasure.
The sleuth, Yoon Chae-ok, as well as
a courtesan.
A Joseon named Akiko.
Miss Akiko?
Are you feeling all right?
Do you have a… specific reason why those are your prime suspects?
Because all three have been in this hospital, Commissioner.
They broke into this ward, and then… they all escaped together.
Lieutenant, I'd like to know… exactly what is going on in that hospital?
Well, I'm not inclined to disclose that kind of information.
That information is classified.
Akiko.
Aki--
What the hell? What is this?
Tell me, Master Jang.
I want to know what you saw in there.
I want to know everything that was happening
inside of that hospital right this second! Huh?
As you already know,
the price for my services is quite steep, Commissioner.
The kind of information you're asking for, about military hospital secrets,
now, that's gonna be top-level information.
I most likely wouldn't hand it over so easily,
especially something of that caliber, you know?
Are you trying to bribe me?
Commissioner Ishikawa,
what I hope to achieve here is that we gain mutual trust for one another.
Not to mention I kept my word to you. I returned Akiko to you safe and sound.
Now you return the favor.
Release my people, Commissioner.
Get out!
You are all released!
We're released! We're really free!
We're really getting out!
I can't believe it! We're getting out!
Oh my God. Thank you, Master Jang!
Master Jang got us out of here! I can't believe it. We're all free!
I can't believe it! Everybody's out.
Everybody's free! We're getting out of here alive!
I can't believe it! Let's go home!
Master Jang, it's you.
You're really alive?
Mr. Gu, are you able to walk?
What took you so long?
Let's get you out of here.
All right, hang on.
-Bonjeong! -Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
Bonjeong! Bonjeong! Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
-Bonjeong! Bonjeong! -Do you all want to die here?
Then quiet down!
Bonjeong! Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
Bonjeong! Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
Bonjeong! Bonjeong! Bonjeong!
-Mori. -Yes, sir?
Commissioner.
I want you to keep tabs on where Master Jang goes.
Sir? But what for, sir?
All right, um… I will do what you ask, Commissioner.
ONGSEONG HOSPITAL UNDERGROUND LAB HUMAN EXPERIMENTS, LADY MAEDA
LADY MAEDA
Oh…
Don't worry too much. He'll be all right.
I'm in his debt now. I have to make things right with him.
No, you don't.
You've saved Mr. Gu's life so many times now that I've lost count.
In fact, all of us owe our lives to you.
The trauma from being tortured,
it lasts a while, doesn't it?
Why don't you get some sleep?
No, it's okay. I wanna stay right here.
There's someone else waiting for you, just so you know.
She came by here every single day.
She kept visiting to see if you had come home safely.
Leave Mr. Gu to me.
Go pay her a visit, Master Jang.
Are you not going to have dinner tonight?
I'm not hungry. Go ahead and eat.
How about some dumplings? I can go buy some for you.
I'll get some. I'll be right back.
Show yourself.
And somehow here I was hoping for a warm welcome.
Now that you have seen my face… would you mind letting me go?
It's really you.
I feel the same way.
I've missed you.
I've missed you more than you would know.
Exactly what is it you wanna know?
I want to know…
…what goes on inside of Ongseong hospital and the… basement laboratory below it.
Are you even remotely aware of what is happening in Ongseong Hospital?
There's nothing that goes on I don't know about.
What have you done to Akiko this time?
I asked you a question. Why aren't you answering?
It sounds like you are a little confused right now.
You have forgotten you do not have any right to ask such things of me.
I don't owe you an explanation about anything.
Oh, yes, you do.
From the very beginning, we both… had an understanding
that this marriage was formed for mutual benefit.
I was in need of a loyal husband in order for me to come here to Joseon.
And you… needed my powerful name and lineage
to move up and succeed.
It feels rather awkward now to suddenly pretend
that… you're my husband now,
Commissioner Ishikawa.
You shouldn't have crossed the line and meddled with Akiko.
And you should not have employed
the master of the House of Golden Treasure to find her.
We agreed we wouldn't interfere in each other's lives, didn't we?
But you're the one who decided not to honor the arrangement.
It's your own business what you decide to do at night.
However, when you impregnate someone else,
it complicates our original arrangement.
Oh,
I don't know if you've heard yet… but Master Jang has found himself a woman.
Her name is Yoon Chae-ok.
I heard she is a Joseon woman.
Apparently, she's young and beautiful too. How unfortunate for you.
I thought you would like to know that,
considering all of that time and effort nursing him back to health.
I suppose it was all in vain now.
Hmm…
Here are your dumplings, miss.
Hmm…
How about we go?
Saw that! Huh!
Gimme a bite of your food.
No!
Go get your own!
This one's mine.
Don't come any closer!
Go… go away. Go away!
Get away from me!
M…
Myeong… Myeong-ja?
Is this it?
The Najin parasite you discovered?
That's correct.
They were discovered deep in the glaciers of the Muryong Mountains.
They were quite difficult to retrieve.
So this parasite latches onto the brain of its host,
and that's when it mutates into a monster like Seishin did?
Not exactly.
If it is the Najin alone,
the host only turns into a predator.
But it still retains the outward appearance
of its human form.
In order to survive,
the Najin controls them from the inside,
hunting for human brains.
The Najin is highly aggressive
and more violent than most apex predators.
It can analyze situations quickly and heal its wounds almost immediately.
So explain to me.
Why does Seishin look disfigured like the way that she does?
Because she was given two injections. One serum was combined with anthrax.
Once injected with this serum,
it mutates with the Najin parasite,
as is the case with Seishin.
From what you observed so far, are there any weaknesses?
Nitrogen weakens it,
as well as sunlight and fire.
Get a hold of yourself.
What's wrong with you?
Myeong-ja!
How horrible it must be
to remember what it was like to be human when trapped in that state.
Something's happened to her.
I think they experimented on her at the hospital.
There was a red flare fired into the sky, Commissioner.
Over here! Get her!
Stop right there!
Don't lose her!
-Find her! -Yes, sir!
She was unable to remember anything at first.
But then her daughter showed up.
What about a daughter?
So Seishin was a mother?
How do you know this?
She broke into the hospital hoping to find her long-lost mother.
That's when the two were reunited.
Somehow Seishin recognized her daughter, and something changed.
She was able to control the Najin.
And what's the poor girl's name, I wonder?
Her name is Yoon Chae-ok,
and she works as a sleuth.
I don't know if you heard,
but Master Jang has found himself a woman.
Her name is Yoon Chae-ok. I heard she is a Joseon woman.
-Find her! -Yes, sir!
Search this way too!
-Hurry up! -This way!
-Move quickly! -Find her!
There she is! Go after her!
Are you all right?
If they catch Myeong-ja, they might kill her
or do something much worse to her and her baby.
Just like what happened to my mother.
Go after her!
Hurry!
Hurry! Get her!
Catch her!
Let's get going.
I don't want to die!
Please don't kill me!
Please let me live!
Hold up!
That way!
Find her! That way!
-Don't let her get away! -Stop right there!
Don't kill me! Please don't kill me! Please don't!
I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!
I don't wanna die! Don't kill me!
I don't wanna die!