---
This is breaking news. In regard to Sang-hyun Park, accused of
bribing politicians...
A hand-written note of Yeojin Group's CEO was found.
Argon presents you an exclusive report.
Argon's exclusive report revealed collusive ties between conglomerates
and the Ministry of Land.
Argon's exclusive report...
This is an exclusive report by Argon.
JOURNALIST OF THE MONTH
THE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR HBC ARGON
JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR BAEK-JIN KIM
HONORABLE JOURNALIST AWARD BEST JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Baek-jin,
we're running the last commercial.
Five,
four,
three,
two,
one,
anchor!
This program reported on the 14th of last month
an allegation of corruption,
stating that Pastor Ki-chan Kang of Sungjong Church
appropriated the church's money at a casino.
However, it turned out to be false,
so we are making a correction.
We are correcting the report by request of the Press Arbitration Association.
ARGON
We will consider this as a lesson, and we will be more careful in the future.
However,
we also promise that we will always face up to the truth.
Also, your program Argon will change its airtime beginning next week
to midnight from Monday to Thursday.
Your program Argon? You're kidding me.
Even at a different time, Argon belongs to all of you viewers.
Please keep watching our program.
-You guys are still just wasting airtime. -Thank you.
Good job.
My gosh.
Good work.
You did a good job today.
Good job, everybody.
NEWS SCRIPT SPECIAL REPORT ON SUNGJONG CHURCH
I will be an online hater starting from today.
Well, we couldn't disobey.
ARGON
What? Are you packing up?
Are you quitting today?
I'm not quitting, but going to another...
I see. Goodbye, Yeon-joo.
I'm Yeon-hwa, not Yeon-joo.
Thank you for everything so far.
Thank you.
EPISODE 1
Here we go!
Come on!
Stop him! Go!
Hey, get out of the way!
-Get off of me. -What? Bring it on.
Come on.
Get the ball!
Shoot!
Why did you catch it?
Let's go.
Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind?
Didn't you see that I swallowed my pride and slipped in front of fucking Myung-ho?
What else could I do? I caught it by instinct.
Damn it! Don't use your instinct.
Okay, I got it. Just go, quick!
This is hurting my pride.
Pass!
Nice! Keep moving!
This way!
-Goal! -Yes!
You did it!
Way to go!
-Let's go! -Hey!
This game is too easy!
You are no match for us.
It feels like we're playing against the national team.
You are all lousy players.
That goalkeeper
is like an automatic door.
You crumbled in an instant, just like Argon.
That fucking Myung-ho!
I'll get you someday.
-Gosh. -Come on, guys!
Did you do it on purpose?
Pardon?
The ball came this way, but you fell in the opposite direction.
Do I know you?
Hello,
I'm Yeon-hwa Lee. I'm assigned to Argon as of today.
I've been dying to see you. It's my honor to work with you.
I've always admired you.
Argon is like a searchlight that illuminates the truth,
and an academy for journalists.
Foul!
Why is that a foul?
I'll consider myself a student here at Argon and do my best.
You didn't come to study. You've been exiled.
Argon has become a place
that everybody avoids in the newsroom.
A searchlight that illuminates the truth? The light went out long ago.
-Come on! Defend! Focus! -What?
And also, journalists are like soccer players.
You need your feet, not your mouth. So don't suck up to me.
I'm not sucking up.
Thirdly, we're playing a game, so shut that mouth up!
Cheol!
Are you all right?
You did it on purpose, right?
Yes, I did. So what?
You crazy asshole!
-Come on! -Okay, let go.
-You bastard! -Stop!
Hey! Come on!
Cut it out!
Come on, guys!
Bring it on, asshole!
Come over here!
Bastard!
Come over here!
Breaking news alert!
A breaking news alert!
-What? -What is it?
There's breaking news.
Guys, run! Run!
Run! Come on!
Come on, hurry!
Come on! Quick!
It's raining all of a sudden.
Hurry!
Midtown collapsed.
Hey, go change at the station.
All right. Let's go.
Let's run! We're going first.
Stop smacking your lips and let's go.
All right.
This must be a major accident.
Give me your bag. You are busy.
Holding a bag has nothing to do with being busy.
Yes, I guess you are right.
So I mean...
Yes, I'll look into it.
I've just arrived though.
What do I say to them?
Say that we're checking.
Should we answer these calls?
Can't we send them over to News 9?
Just tell them it was an alien invasion.
Calls are coming in. Pick up the phone, will you?
Argon
It's a call from the ninth floor.
-Are we running the regular? -Wait.
Sir, is my item going to be aired?
-Go check how much is left. -Yes, sir.
This is crazy.
Why weren't you answering?
The battery was dead.
Ms. Chae called several times.
-For what? -I don't know. But it sounded like
she'd sue you if you don't call in 30 minutes.
What rank did we place?
I can't hear anything. The TV is broken.
Last place again?
BREAKING NEWS
Goodness.
Oh my god.
-Those idiots! -We're screwed.
My gosh, we're doomed.
Excuse me.
Last place for what?
Breaking news. Our station was the last to report it.
Now give me a briefing.
The shopping mall Midtown in Haemyung City collapsed.
The food court collapsed on top of the underground parking lot.
Approximately 150 people, construction laborers and customers...
This could end up...
There'll be heavy casualties. Any fatalities?
Not announced yet.
-The cause? -Not known yet.
Faulty work, North Korean attack,
UFO's crash-landing. They all can be a cause.
What was our item for today?
A widow's adultery diary
and a psycho's wild driving.
It sounds like some late-night mystery drama, right?
Now, what do you say?
-Let's kill it. -All of it?
This is our chance.
HBC is lagging behind and doesn't have a follow-up ready.
We need to step forward
when others run about in confusion.
Isn't it a rash decision? Let's not take a high risk.
Until when will we let our guys bum around like that?
We'll show people that Argon isn't over.
Okay, good. Let's give it a go.
Sir, you're needed on the ninth floor right now.
-Okay. -I don't think Director Yoo will allow us
to make a special edition that easily.
I'll figure it out.
-Okay. -And also,
don't look so excited, okay?
-Gather around! -What do we do today?
Argon will do special editions from today.
Seriously? Can we really do that?
Holy shit, I'm finally going to work.
Min-ho, connect me to the ground.
Seung-yong, check all real-time news.
Hye-ri, collect the data. Jin-hee, recruit experts for the interview.
Okay.
Is this confirmed?
Sir, the editing team said we're given 13 minutes 40 seconds.
And that's the absolute maximum.
You heard him, right? He killed his item for us. Move, guys!
I put the data on the desk.
Jin-hee, what was the name
-of the minister? -Jae-hee Han.
-Hey, come over here. -Yes.
You should make a call to Ms. Chae.
When will you make an announcement?
Do you regard my calls as spam?
Why do you always ignore my calls?
I'm also as busy as you.
Get right to the point.
Go to Seo-u's school right now.
Her teacher asked you to come.
Wait,
why did her teacher call you?
I'm the dad.
The dad was not available.
She didn't get hurt, right?
Not yet, but I'm worried
that you'll make her so if I tell you what happened.
What is it?
Seo-u was caught drinking with her friend
in the art room at school.
Drinking?
Does she drink?
She fought with her friend while drinking. And the teacher...
What?
Hello?
-Jin-hee, contact him. -Bong-gil,
-secure some photos. -We should contact him first.
-The source must be reliable. -Okay.
Hey, wait.
Of course, I have the laborers' list.
What do you think I am?
Look at the names of Jin-gu Byun and Jin-young Byun.
They sound like brothers, don't you think?
Byun is not a common last name.
What I'm saying is...
They might have been brothers working together.
As you can see here, aren't I right?
Hello?
Did you hang up on me?
You are so busted.
By the way, who is this young lady?
Are you the new writer, or assistant director?
I'm a reporter.
I was sent to Argon from Good Morning Live Show as of today.
From a morning show? Isn't that a comfortable job?
-I'm Yeon-hwa Lee. -I'm Cheol Shin.
I'm the producer.
What could you have done so wrong to be sent to here?
Excuse me?
You were the one going around over there.
Yes, that's me. I've been here for some time.
You know, we're so flustered.
You can eat snacks over there.
-Thank you. -Go ahead.
We must be the only broadcaster in the world
to miss breaking news because of a field day.
What does Director Yoo think of our losing three times in a row?
I'm sorry.
We should've been second place at least.
We lost in the preliminaries, but we'll win in the finals.
How can you compete in the final after being disqualified?
Chief, if it's only about speed, social networks are the winners.
Why don't we make an on-site desk for the finals?
We need a field leader who'll cover the scene.
Baek-jin Kim!
You still don't know your place, do you?
The leader is me. I'm the director.
On-site desk...
Do you recommend anyone?
Yes, I recommend myself.
My team Argon will take this case.
Argon went under long ago.
Do you think it makes sense for them to cover this important case?
Argon is just the same as before.
If I were to do useless chores, would I have been called here?
Aren't I right, sir?
Don't get cute with me and shut up.
I...
I'm sure Baek-jin is qualified.
First of all, he's highly experienced in reporting disasters.
Sampoong Department Store collapsed right after he joined us.
His strong point is reporting collapse accidents.
What's more,
we need tough guys like him on the ground.
Nice guys will only scavenge the trash from the cops
and come back in tears.
Despite the circumstances, Baek-jin Kim is
the main anchor of HBC, whether you like him or not.
He's never ranked below third place
in the yearly list of the most popular journalists.
No matter what the station thinks,
the viewers like this guy.
It was a compliment, but it doesn't make me feel good.
Keep going. There you go.
Let's see.
Here's a good spot just waiting for you.
What?
Are you disappointed because it's at a corner?
-No, sir. -Have a seat then.
This is the desk
that a real journalist who won the Best Journalist Award two times used.
Although he's now...
Anyway, I hope you get his spirit and win awards, too.
Thank you.
So where is he working now?
He got fired, unlawfully, from this company.
He's in litigation to get the job back. Maybe he'll have good news.
He exposed a relative of the CEO.
Did you see the apology we aired last week?
About the church...
We dug deep into the corruption, and the pastor was the CEO's cousin.
So Hyun-tak got fired and our team got in big trouble.
We have been thrown into this corner.
Stop, that's enough.
All right. I'll get back to work.
What happened to the mercenaries?
I mean those who bought their way in to replace our seniors two years ago.
The twelve zombies.
Rumors have it that they can hardly read the alphabet.
Hey, cut it out!
Don't ever mention those worthless jerks!
Do you think I'll tolerate those who stabbed their seniors in the back?
If they ever try to extend their contract, I'll go on a hunger strike.
Right on!
They don't deserve to be called reporters in the first place.
Don't you agree?
Gosh, it pisses me off. Let's just work.
We can't split the desk.
We should beef up on-the-scene reporting.
Breaking news 42 dead, 30 missing, 76 injured
Sit down.
We can't split the desk into two.
That's fine.
So how about this?
We'll make special editions of Argon at its regular airtime, which is midnight.
While other stations repeat the same news like parrots,
we'll take it and go deep into it.
That's the specialty of Argon.
Even if you abandoned Argon, it's a waste not to use its specialty.
Then, we don't have to change the existing system, either.
Well, that sounds okay.
Chief!
Let's do it as I say. News 9 is our center and it goes forward.
Argon backs it up with in-depth reporting.
We will join all our forces
and win this reporting war.
If we don't achieve anything,
we will all be fired next season.
Especially Argon.
The CEO is glaring at you with angry eyes since the church case, you know?
It's no big deal for him to tear you into pieces.
Think of this as your last chance
and prove your worth with viewer ratings.
I'll keep that in mind.
Shall we start?
Yes.
CHIEF'S OFFICE
You didn't really expect to make an on-site desk, right?
You are good at bargaining.
I talked big to my guys.
I had to earn this at least.
You'd risk yourself to join the battle, right?
It's not just my battle, but Argon's as well.
Go for it. I wish you good luck.
Thank you.
You've had boiling water poured over you, but you're still not done.
I hate being cold.
I bet you'll last only three months.
Special editions? The ratings won't even be over two percent.
Can you even hold up until the next season?
You were so worried about us
that you sent us a very green rookie.
She's not a rookie. She has experience.
Are you out of your mind? How could you send a mercenary?
You always complained that you're short-handed.
But you're complaining?
They joined us to make a living like everybody.
Train her well to your benefit. You're good at training lion cubs.
The only problem is that you push them off cliffs while training them.
Gather around!
-Yes. -Okay.
Come on.
I know that
we've gone through a lot.
But
let's prove this time that Argon hasn't changed.
So, are we still making special editions for the accident?
-Yes. -What happens
to the items we prepared for this week?
It's obvious. We kill them.
But we don't have enough time.
What do we have for today?
Of 150 people, over 40 died already. More than 30 people are missing.
In other words, we have 150 stories
that lie between life and death.
But the word "death" is forbidden at any moment.
And we should never forget the possibility
of "missing" changing to "all saved," okay?
-Okay. -Yes.
Today's broadcast is about this.
The stories of the victims who unexpectedly died in a blink.
We'll tell viewers that the names shown at the bottom of the screen
are all people like us, everyday neighbors.
We'll let the viewers get scared, shaken and saddened.
At least for tonight,
we'll make sure they never forget
our neighbors on this list.
-Yes, sir. -Okay.
Among the construction laborers, there were two Byuns,
and they were buried together.
I think they are brothers.
Check if that is true.
-If they're family, it's a good story. -Okay.
What else?
Ten children were having a birthday party and one of them is missing.
Her name is Bit-na Yang and it was her birthday.
Hey, you from the morning show,
do you have an idea?
-Yes? Me? -Yes.
Well...
Do you remember the story of a mother and her daughter
that was aired in November?
The daughter was helping her mom who runs a noodle house
in the food court.
She passed the bar exam as her story was aired.
The story became a topic of conversation across the country.
But both the mother and daughter were killed in this accident.
Really? Since the daughter was smart and even pretty,
the ratings were quite high, right?
By the way, who are you?
-I'm... -In place of Hyun-tak,
she was sent from the morning show.
I'm Yeon-hwa Lee. Good to see you.
So, who could be her peers among us?
What year did you take the entrance test?
I was hired
through special employment.
-Hey. -Yes?
That means there's something special about your employment.
Be specific and make it clear about what's special.
I've been a contractor worker for two years here.
I was assigned to work at Argon for the remaining six months.
Are you one of the freaking mercenaries who replaced our senior reporters?
And you were eavesdropping on us?
Guys! Stop wasting time on useless things. Let's focus on work.
Everybody find five stories and report to me in two hours.
Share information with each other. Any questions?
No questions? Okay. Work in teams.
Start!
Welcome.
Jin-hee, check the data again.
Yes.
Anything from the hospital yet?
No, nothing yet.
Did you request big data analysis?
-Hurry. -Okay.
-Hey. -Yes, sir.
Jin-hee, go in the order of the survivors, the missing, and the dead.
-I see. -I'm reporter Jong-tae Heo.
-Yes. -Regarding the collapse...
-Okay. -Please analyze the related big data.
Yes, that's right.
Yeon-hwa.
Yes?
Are you working on something?
No, I'm not.
Will you come here and help us?
Sure.
Please attach these name cards as I read each name aloud.
Sang-hee Hong, dead.
Goddamn it. You should've told me
that a mercenary was coming to our team.
-What happened? -I don't know.
-Why are you getting dressed up? -Cheol.
Take over the desk for me just for an hour and a half.
Right now? Are you nuts?
It's about Seo-u. She got into trouble at school.
They're asking me to come.
But this is not a good time.
Can't you send somebody on your behalf?
We're having a crisis here. Who would be available?
This is making me crazy.
Is there anybody here who is less busy?
From the list of survivors...
You are avoiding my eyes on purpose, aren't you?
Seung-yong Oh! Seung-yong?
Is there nobody?
Nobody.
Yeon-hwa, you can go. It might be some errand though.
We can manage here.
-What? -Come on in.
Do you need me?
Yes. Actually...
Just tell me. I'll do everything I can do.
Will you?
That's good.
Come on, if it's not official, you should make it official.
Don't come back before you interview
a police officer or prosecutor.
For God's sake.
We are getting screwed over.
Did anybody else find something?
No emergency announcement was made.
But we couldn't secure a witness.
We also don't have proof that a water leak began in the basement.
One station interviewed a survivor who was a laborer at the site.
But our guys couldn't even confirm those facts.
I think I'm going crazy.
Don't be in such a rush. If you're obsessed about being fast,
you could lose everything.
Come on, we are losing already.
We're about to collapse.
Part of Midtown, the famous shopping mall in Haemyung City, has collapsed.
-A year after the opening of the mall... -I came to see Seo-u Kim's teacher.
-This news is very... -Here, it's me.
Hello. My name is Yeon-hwa Lee.
I'm here for Seo-u.
Is her dad not coming?
Her dad is...
May I see Seo-u Kim's teacher?
Yes, here I am.
Hello. I'm Seo-u's guardian.
Which one of you is her guardian?
Do you remember we talked on the phone this morning?
Right.
You can talk to me.
Gosh, I don't understand.
She is his only daughter.
But the dad doesn't come and instead...
I'm sorry. If you tell me anything, I'll pass them all to her dad.
Okay.
Where is Seo-u?
She's in the nurse's office.
She is fairly drunk.
I heard she had a little fight.
She poured alcohol and tried to light a fire.
It's more than a little fight.
She did it in the school. What a nerve!
I know kids can drink or fight during adolescence.
But what happened is too much even for rebellious kids.
She reacted just at the mention of her dad.
-Yes? -Yes?
You know Seo-u's dad is an anchor.
Her friend saw her dad on TV and said that he looked nice.
Then, Seo-u suddenly got angry and poured alcohol over her.
Do you understand how this could happen?
Being a 15-year-old is tough.
You begin to see the flaws of your parents at that age.
Don't you?
Come this way.
Gosh! This crazy...
bitch...
The freaking girl slipped out. My gosh!
-I'm sorry. -And you understand her?
I think I was wrong.
My goodness!
I'll clean this up.
Hey, don't tell him that Seo-u could be expelled.
I'll tell him.
Alright, I won't.
Nice meeting you, too.
I mean, will you give me Seo-u's bag?
Oh. I'm sorry.
Rain's coming in.
What's wrong with her?
Your dream Argon, are you being treated well there?
You jerk! You've got to be kidding!
Indifference.
Inaction.
Irresponsibility.
The government's poor safety precautions caused the big disaster.
It'll be the nine o'clock news headline.
If things are like this,
all the blame will fall on the government.
It's not that there's no other way...
Hello?
Hello? Minister?
Minister?
Hello, Minister. I think the connection is bad.
There might be a survivor out of the missing people.
This is your way out. If we shift the focus to this person,
we could deflect the public attention.
What do you say?
For both you and me,
this is good news.
I'll work on it.
GANG-HO JOO
Seo-u, you are avoiding my call, aren't you?
Is there anything else I can do?
My daughter ran away from home.
What could you do?
I mean...
It's nothing, sir.
Well, do you know where your daughter might have gone?
Parents know their kids best.
No, I'm sorry.
Go wipe your desk if you have nothing better to do.
I'm sorry.
Soo-min, I heard you met the teacher.
What did she say?
He's the construction manager.
That's right.
Why are you sitting out here? You have your desk.
Ms. Yeon-hwa Lee.
It's going to get harder for you.
We have no personal feelings against you.
But it won't be easy
for our team to accept you as a member.
From now on, I think you should
grow much stronger to survive here.
Yes.
All right.
Here you go.
Is the construction manager a writer, too?
His writing won the literary contest.
There are quite a few laborers out there who dream of becoming a poet.
You don't look down on laborers, do you?
Of course not. I don't.
Good.
I guess you need some time to adjust. Just read it in the meantime.
Thank you.
It'll help you kill some time.
The number you have dialed cannot be reached.
You can leave a message after a beep.
A service fee will be charged.
You should tell me at least where you are, even if you run away.
Call me if you hear this.
DAD
Sir.
We're going on air in 15 minutes.
Is this our exclusive?
In the whole world, it's only us. It's our exclusive report.
This is a scoop, but it's terrible news.
News 9 will scoop
the rivals this time.
Let's go.
Good evening, everyone.
An unbelievable disaster happened today.
At one o'clock this afternoon, Midtown shopping mall collapsed.
No less than 62 people have been found dead so far.
We don't know the exact number of missing people yet,
but this is a huge disaster.
Today's News 9 will run a special on the Midtown accident.
We'll present to you an exclusive report
on the cause of the accident.
Jin-hee,
are In-ho Jung, Jung-wook Kim and Dong-yeon Han
among the missing people?
Yes.
They were found dead.
The number of the dead is increasing.
This is so strange.
When they were on the missing list, they seemed to be alive.
Are you sad, Hye-ri?
-Shall I tell you about my grandmother? -No, please don't.
My grandmother Sook-ja Gong
left her last word on her deathbed.
"I can't die like this.
I need to spend all 500,000 won
that my husband stashed away before I die.
I can't go now."
Is this supposed to be funny?
It's so dull that it's addictive.
That 500,000 won reminds me of someone who survived because of money today.
He was in the collapsed building today.
He was arrested by a cop who was eating at the food court.
He was taken away just before the accident.
Does anybody know what he was accused of?
-Dating violence. -He's not like... No!
-Was he stealing? -No.
He missed his reserve forces training.
He didn't pay a fine of 500,000 won and was wanted.
That's ridiculous.
Are you saying you can save your own life if you skip the training?
We can't use that story because it carries no lesson.
Hye-ri rejected my idea again.
I'm getting rejected too often.
Cheol, where is he?
-Who? -Time's up.
You're right.
I guess he's coming.
Look at this.
Why? What is it?
I'm just looking. It's nothing.
What? Tell me.
Here's something.
Read it to me. What is it?
"Two people with the same name are on the victims' list.
The two had been living separate lives
until they ate a meal at the same time and place
and died without knowing each other's existence.
This is also a kind of twisted fate."
Is this a poem?
-It was written by Jong-tae Heo. -Who?
He's quite famous. Haven't you heard of him?
May I tell her the truth?
Do you think his existence can stay hidden?
She'll find out later anyway.
He got a job here thanks to his dad who's the Chairman of National Assembly.
Jong-tae Heo is the embodiment of incompetence and ignorance.
My gosh!
-Are you okay? -Yes.
The nine o'clock news is a hit.
-What? -What happened?
-Are you all right? -What's wrong with him?
That's him.
-What's going on? -Aren't you hurt?
I felt it's urgent so...
-What's so urgent? -What's the fuss?
The cause of the Midtown collapse
turned out to be the construction manager's mistake.
-The construction manager -Construction manager?
pushed ahead with the construction of the basement despite a broken water main.
But there is a bigger fault
in the way he handled the accident.
According to our exclusive investigation,
the manager escaped alone from the building right before the collapse
without any public announcements about the emergency.
He left in a freight elevator, leaving all the people behind.
Experts say that if the only escape route, the elevator, had worked properly,
many of the victims
could have survived.
This accident is a typical example of a man-made disaster.
Hello.
We defeated all the others. We ranked first.
Don't mess it up.
How could a building collapse
because of a broken water main?
It's impossible unless there had been serious cracks in the building.
Are you finding fault with me?
I'm not. I'm saying nothing like that has ever happened.
There was also an error in the caption.
The accident happened during anchor support work,
not slab support work.
Baek-jin,
the viewers don't care about such minor details.
The construction manager abandoned lots of people and escaped alone.
That's the truth that counts.
Reporters should reveal the truth only through facts.
You didn't cross-check with the police, did you?
Come on, most of the laborers have been found dead.
Only the manager hasn't been found.
His helmet was found in the elevator stuck on the first floor.
You can see the situation.
You're just making a conjecture.
Enough!
Keep up the high ratings at midnight with your in-depth reports, okay?
If you keep taking crappy information from government employees,
you'll be in big trouble.
Crappy information? You bastard!
Shut the hell up
and just do what you're told, okay?
I wish I could.
But the nasty mess you have just made
makes me so annoyed.
Seo-u!
Let go of me.
Why are you here? Just go to work.
Mind your own business!
Let go of me!
RECENT CALLS MY DAUGHTER
This is driving me crazy.
It's 20 minutes before airtime.
This is driving me mad.
He has to be right here. Where the hell has he gone?
What are you waiting for? Go out and look for Baek-jin!
Gosh, he's not answering.
-Cheol! -What?
It's urgent! Quick!
-Quick! -Why?
-In the bathroom. -In here?
Hey! Baek-jin Kim!
We have just 20 minutes left.
What are you doing, not even answering your phone?
Do you have an aspirin?
What? Do you have one?
Give it to him, quick!
Hurry up!
There you are. But why do you look like a wreck?
Did you go to the accident site?
What is a parent?
What are you talking about?
Seo-u ran away from home.
I don't know where to start finding her.
I don't know her close friends or their numbers.
I know nothing. Damn it.
Let's do our broadcast first.
Let's do that first.
He has arrived.
Wait, you forgot this.
Fifteen seconds left!
Baek-jin, don't worry about anything. Just do it as usual.
All right, just do things as usual.
Five,
four,
three,
two, one.
Anchor! Cue!
Everyone...
EVERYONE, HELLO! THIS IS BAEK-JIN KIM.
What? Why is he silent?
Did the prompter stop?
Wait a minute.
What's happening?
Did the prompter break down?
I'm sorry.
I couldn't bring myself to say
-"Hello" to you tonight. -Okay.
Part of Midtown mall in Haemyung collapsed today.
-Thank God. -Over 150 people
-were affected. -I thought we had a problem.
They left their home with excitement
but disappeared, never to return.
Their families are still waiting in agony.
Those tragically buried under the collapsed building...
What kind of people were they?
Thank you.
Cameraman, shoot the anchor in a wider angle.
Mom, two more bowls of noodle soup, please.
Okay.
Aren't you tired, Mom?
I'm not tired at all. But this must be hard for you.
Thank you, sweetheart.
Construction manager?
Was the last report prepared by you? Or is it from Director Yoo?
Who cares?
Didn't you watch News 9?
Is it from you or Director Yoo?
We can't change it. Just read it.
The manager's actions were not confirmed.
Baek-jin Kim!
You're not a reporter if you just read what's given to you!
Please listen to me! Just do it, jerk!
Twenty seconds to go.
Hey, Mercenary! Have you been on a live broadcast?
Me?
Put a mike on her.
-Don't do it! Don't! -What?
Don't do it! Seriously! Don't!
I'm warning you!
Now it's my turn to check
how well they spell.
Come on over.
I'm warning you! Don't!
We'll kill the last video clip.
-Instead, I'll interview her. -No! That's not right! Stop it!
For God's sake, you freaking...
Come on! Baek-jin, please!
Sit down quickly!
Turn left.
-Hurry! -This is killing me.
Baek-jin!
-Think of what to say about the survivors. -Yes.
Staff, get ready.
Bong-gil, you take over on the set.
This is our last report.
Five, four, three, two, one.
I'm Min-ho Eom.
We are learning more and more heart-breaking stories.
I heard you've also found moving stories about the survivors.
Yes, there were many moving stories.
-Look, what's her name? -Yeon-hwa Lee.
Reporter Yeon-hwa Lee. Put in a caption.
-Yes. -It's "hwa," not "wa"!
It's misspelled.
Goddamn it!
Yes.
Well...
there were two victims who had the same name.
They didn't know each other.
But they were eating at the same time and place
and they died together.
It's like the twist of fate.
-Yes. -And...
She just repeated what Jong-tae wrote.
It's Jong-tae's item that was killed.
And we learned a lesson that we must attend reserve forces training.
A lesson? Could you expand on it?
I'm sorry. Actually...
I'm against it.
-Missing the training -Come on!
-is not always bad. -No! My Gosh!
What I'm saying is...
If you miss the reserve forces training,
you get a fine of 500,000 won.
This person didn't pay the fine
and was put on the wanted list, but thanks to that,
he luckily saved his life.
All right.
Things that seem bad sometimes turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
What is that jerk doing?
This is it for today.
You said you'd win the game, but you're losing big time.
This isn't some internet talk show.
How can you fuck up on live news?
I'm sorry. I'll fix it.
Good work.
My gosh.
Did we dodge the bullet?
I must've been crazy.
He doesn't give a damn about his boss and company.
Other channels are busy catching up on our reports.
But he stabbed us in the back working on the same channel.
That's what he does.
So this is how he's going to act?
-Sir. -Cheol.
Cheol.
I couldn't help it.
Get out!
Get your asses out!
-Yes, sir. -Yes.
I'm sorry.
You did what you wanted. Why are you sorry now?
I'm sorry for leaving my place today
and changing the script.
Is that all?
Do I have to do a confession?
Do you broadcast news alone?
How could you do an impromptu interview like that?
A major broadcasting accident could happen!
You always said that news broadcasting is about team play.
And where was that team play today?
If we can't trust each other, let's just all quit.
It's not that I don't trust my team.
I couldn't accept that report by News 9. Don't you find it strange?
What? What the hell is strange?
The shopping mall is only a year old.
Can it collapse because of one person?
Does it make sense to you?
That's too easy. Don't you smell something fishy?
As time goes by, more and more people will look for a culprit.
If an ignorant, irresponsible scumbag is found as the culprit, things get easy.
Is that your hypothesis?
Come on, you know what I mean!
Let's assume you're right and the news was shoddy.
Still, since News 9 broadcast it, you should've gone with it!
At this rate, we will be kicked out sooner or later!
No matter what they say, we should check the facts first!
We're not here to instigate the public!
If their facts could be fallible, so could your facts.
Is any of what you said confirmed?
No.
But instead of mindlessly repeating news that wasn't checked with the police,
I'd rather trust my doubts.
Survivors
At least we have his photo.
The construction manager
who is believed to have run away
hasn't been found anywhere yet.
Missing
When was the freight elevator's cable cut?
As far as we know,
it was disconnected right after the collapse.
So, escaping through the elevator
was only possible before the collapse.
Yes, that's right.
-Thank you for the lunch. -You're welcome.
Sir! Did you enjoy your lunch?
Do you have hard evidence that the construction manager escaped?
-You know how things are. -Come on.
Is everyone a construction manager in this country?
Why are there so many?
This can't be true.
Besides the construction manager's mistakes,
could you explain all the possibilities
that could have caused the collapse?
There are many assumptions.
But what do you think is the cause of the collapse?
A laborer who survived the accident said
that water broke out of a crack and the collapse began.
According to the construction plan that we reviewed,
anchor bolts had to be used to extend the parking lot.
Seung-yong.
I almost forgot. Find the family of the manager.
-Yes. -Did you hear him, Seung-yong?
-You know, right? -Yes.
THE SOUL OF WILD GRASS
Take a look at this script.
POET GANG-HO JOO
Check for typos.
YEONGDEUNGPO WILD GRASS
Check it.
Hello. We talked the other day.
WILD GRASS RESTAURANT
Temporarily closed
Eun-sol, you must be hungry.
What do you want to eat?
Are you the wife of Mr. Joo, the construction manager?
I have nothing to say.
Was the book's title named after the restaurant?
You inherited this restaurant from a deceased aunt, right?
Look, that's my dad's book.
I read it.
May I ask you a few questions?
Is she Gang-ho Joo's wife?
-I think so. -Yes, she is.
Eun-sol, run.
Get her!
Follow her!
Catch her!
No!
Mom!
Stop!
Get her!
No!
Mom!
Guys, let's have a drink.
You still have time.
-Here. -Thank you.
This is a good one.
We're still at war. Can we drink during a war?
It's more like an energy drink at a time like this.
Here.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER'S FAMILY ASSAULTED
We'll throw a counter-punch tonight.
Do you have something?
We have a witness who saw the manager
escape from the site.
This is nice timing.
For God's sake.
It smells fishy, but I can't find the source.
There's a witness who saw the construction manager escape.
And the witness might be right.
But the police is hiding him like he's some kind of secret agent.
There's nothing I can do.
I see.
Cops here also say that they think it's strange.
But it's all off the record.
They'll deny whatever we report.
Okay. Just come back.
-See you. -Sir.
People are uploading photos online, saying they've seen Mr. Joo.
Sir.
Professor Choi canceled his interview planned for today.
What? What about the expert analyzing the cause of the accident?
We have nobody.
I guess they got scared watching News 9.
They don't want to look like they're taking sides with the manager.
What do we do?
Even if we use data from yesterday, we can't fill our airtime.
Sir.
There's no other way.
We should change our focus.
What?
We have made hundreds of calls and used all our personal connections.
But we couldn't even secure an interview.
If we just follow up on News 9,
we could have tons of experts volunteering for an interview.
Even if we start writing a new script now,
-there's not enough time. -Min-ho Eom!
We don't have much time.
You should decide, sir.
I'm sorry. I'm late.
Look at you.
What happened to you?
You're a mess!
What now?
What?
I think we did everything we could, right?
You like facts.
But there are no facts
that can prove your hypothesis.
Baek-jin, in about an hour, News 9 will interview the witness
who saw the construction manager escape.
If so, News 9 or Argon,
one of the two will be ruined.
I don't want to lose my team.
If you were me, what would you do?
I would do what the company tells me to.
Thank you.
Sir, it's about the construction manager.
Go ahead.
He opposed the extension of the parking lot from the start.
-Is that true? -Yes.
He tried to stop the construction several times.
He also insisted that the foundation
should be constructed again.
All his requests were rejected.
Who's the informer?
Is the person reliable?
Yes, it's a trustworthy person.
I mean the social status, not the personality.
I'm afraid I can't tell you about it.
What are you talking about? Does he have criminal records?
-No. -Is he your ex-boyfriend, then?
Do you think this is a joke?
No, I have the documents.
There are statements that Mr. Joo submitted to his employer.
You should've told me that first.
Look.
Your ex... no, your informer.
Can we interview him on the phone tonight?
Yes, that asshole will even come to the studio if we give him the bus fare.
Excuse my language.
Okay. Wait, one more thing.
Do you...
Do you also think that Mr. Joo is responsible?
"Wild grass can be trampled on, but truth can't be.
So we should always get back up."
They are the verses Mr. Joo wrote.
I believe in what you decide.
You're playing politics.
No doubt you're a mercenary.
That son of a bitch!
UNION OF BEREAVED FAMILIES
I was dumbfounded at the news yesterday.
No!
One mother lost her two children at once because of this accident.
How...
How could someone do this?
The police put the manager Gang-ho Joo on the wanted list
and will search for him around his house and the accident site.
Meanwhile, reports and photos of the construction manager
have been spreading online
through social network sites.
The police are openly searching for Gang-ho Joo.
The construction manager of Midtown...
Anybody who has seen Joo...
-He insisted on... -He escaped alone.
His family photo has been leaked.
How did you take this?
It's taken by a 2G phone.
It makes me sad.
Its resolution is low. Make the mom and child look clear.
Okay.
Is this the only item that Argon has for tonight?
Yes. It happened.
Look at here, this part.
Sir.
Are you going to go with this?
Yes.
Please do as I ask.
Change the content.
Take a step back for two steps forward.
Even if you are right,
the station will think of you as a traitor.
I don't want to
see you get hurt.
I understand your concern.
Baek-jin,
you're a descendant of the federation.
Yes.
The anchor is in.
Following yesterday's news, this is a special edition on Midtown.
First, please let me show you a video clip.
GANG-HO JOO'S WIFE AND DAUGHTER
The wife of Gang-ho Joo got injured
and was admitted to a hospital.
Her little daughter who saw her mom get assaulted
fell into shock and stopped speaking.
We understand the grief and anger of the bereaved.
However, is the culprit that deserves the blame
really Gang-ho Joo, the construction manager?
Is it really right
to throw the entire blame on Gang-ho Joo?
That crazy bastard!
Guys, follow me.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
HBC made an allegation against Mr. Joo.
We also belong to HBC.
But, Argon wants to
raise an objection
against our own company.
Hold out.
-Move. -We're on air.
Please go back.
Get the fuck out of the way!
Run the pictures without the announcement.
What?
-That fucking Myung-ho! -What?
Get the next item ready.
-Just start it. -Yes, sir.
How much time is left?
Fifty-seven seconds.
Move, you bastard!
-You can't go in. -Come on!
-Move! -No!
You can't go in there!
Baek-jin Kim!
You asshole, change your script now!
-That would cause a problem. -A problem?
Is he crazy?
You disgraced our newsroom and the entire company.
-Bong-gil, we have fifty seconds left. -You've just caused a problem!
Fifty seconds to go.
The viewers will understand.
You think you're so smart!
You guys! Hey!
You should get yourselves together.
Do you want to keep your job and keep getting paid?
If you want to get paid, change the script right now.
I can't believe this.
Don't you want to get paid?
Gosh, you all are out of your minds!
What's that asshole doing?
He's gone crazy!
I went through so much to make the exclusive report!
You get the hell out away from the desk!
You bastard!
Those people didn't die for the sake of your success!
What the fuck do you think you are?
-Please stop! -Let go!
You fucking asshole!
What the hell!
No, somebody has to be here.
Son of a bitch!
Get off me!
Come here, fucker!
Gang-ho Joo was found dead!
Gang-ho Joo's body was found!
My gosh!
The location where he was found is the underground emergency stairs!
He was found hugging an 8-year-old girl named Bit-na Yang!
He seems to have died while rescuing the little girl!
The rescued girl was moved to the hospital
and her condition is fine! That's it!
Yes!
Come on, guys! Let's wrap it up.
Studio!
Fifteen seconds left!
We're going on air. Please get out.
Did Gang-ho Joo really...
Dear viewers...
Hold it.
Go!
Stop!
We've found someone!
Be careful.
Come on, hurry.
Go ahead.
One, two, three, four, five
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
-She's alive! -She's alive!
-Yes! -She's alive!
Move her to the hospital!
Yes, sir.
One, two, three.
Let's go.
After midnight, on the Midtown accident site,
a body holding a little girl in his arms was found.
The girl in his arms was Bit-na Yang, who was reported missing.
The body belonged to Gang-ho Joo,
who was blamed for escaping alone.
The police will hold a press conference tomorrow morning
and apologize to Mr. Joo's family and the public.
The construction manager Gang-ho Joo
saved a little girl in the collapsed building.
Anyway, everybody did a good job today.
-Let's all drink! -Fill up your glasses.
News without facts is
-garbage! -garbage!
-Cheers! -Wait! Hold on!
Let's not do cheers, at least for today,
in memory of the victims.
Anyway,
you all did good work today.
Let's drink!
-Drink! -Drink!
Thank you for the phone interview.
I did my work today, thanks to you.
Let me be on TV next time, okay?
But don't you guys have a get-together on a day like this?
We do.
But nobody let me know about it.
They call me a mercenary. Goddamn mercenary.
It rings in my ears all day.
NEWSROOM
Dead, Missing
GANG-HO JOO
Hello.
Hello?
Is this Seo-u?
Seo-u, where are you now?
You're the reporter of Argon, right?
I'm sorry for calling you at this late hour.
Who is this?
I'm the wife
of Gang-ho Joo.
Hello.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Please...
Don't mention it.
How's your daughter?
Is Eun-sol okay?
Thank you.
Mr. Baek-jin Kim, how do you feel now after stabbing your colleagues
in the back?
Mr. Kim had a clash with the CEO.
Does it deserve more reprimand than the false report
that demonized an innocent person?
It's about how your team can survive.
But you just want Argon to be like before.
What does the company want from us?
Is it called Argon?
I've been always watching you.
Where do the connections end?
He knew about the mercenary's item.
Use the mercenary as a spy?
Things can't get any worse anyway.
I'll wear my shoes out for this.
You have no facts.
I followed him myself and took that picture.
Not a single line is good for broadcast.
-Please look at it again. -Is it because you're a mercenary?
You are fearless.
Do you still think it's fiction?
---
Subtitle translation by Min-shil Moon