Excuse me, which way is the hospital?
Ah, thank you.
Oh, Myeongjin!
It's been so long. It's good to see you.
YEONSHIN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
- How have you been? - How are you?
- You've been doing all right? - Of course.
Look at you. You haven't changed at all.
What do you mean?
- I'm an old man now. - Oh, please.
Hmm.
- Kiyoung, come here. - Yeah.
I think that's his friend that was coming from LA.
From LA?
He and Dr. Choi were both Class of '84. Dr. Myeongjin Kim. Meningioma, I hear.
Meningioma?
So, he came to our hospital for Dr. Choi, then?
I guess so.
Hurry up, come here. Come on over.
- Oh, hello. - Hi.
- My son Kiyoung. - Oh, nice to meet you.
- I've heard so much about you from my dad. - Nothing flattering, I'm sure.
Uh, actually, he said you're the best surgeon he knows.
Just look at him laughing like that.
- Bye. - Don't worry, you're gonna be just fine.
I know, right? I guess he really missed Dr. Kim.
You ever seen him laugh so much?
It'll be like taking a nice nap.
Exactly.
Sounds good.
- It's a bit much. - I feel reassured.
Why don't you find an apartment near the hospital?
I can help you look.
I'm leaving for Boston, so what's the point?
Isn't the candidate being announced next week?
Right. It's already a done deal pretty much.
- Hey, this is Dr. Choi's lamp, isn't it? - Yeah.
I asked for it, and he gave it to me. Why? Is it expensive?
- You said you asked for it? - Yeah.
Why do you keep asking him to give you all his stuff?
You should give it a try.
I doubt it'll work for you though.
What? Are you jealous?
No. Not at all. I got one just like this in my room.
Be as jealous as you want.
Man, I'm fried.
Hey, can you close the curtains?
Is that good?
Yeah. Now get out and shut the door. I'm going to sleep.
Right.
Get some sleep. Please.
What do I have to worry about?
- I've got the best surgeon. - Come on.
51 WARD
- Hello. - Hi.
- Oh, hi there, Ms. Na. - Oh, hi there, Dr. Jeong.
Dr. Choi come by here?
He's been busy, you know. Ever since Dr. Kim was admitted.
Oh, there he is.
The summer training, wasn't it? You had a terrible stomach flu.
He seems really nervous about operating on him.
You're telling me he's nervous about it? There's no way.
But you understand, mistakes can happen.
He's never made a mistake in surgery, not even once.
I think it might be different. It's his friend, after all.
It even leaked out a little, didn't it?
Come on, I was squatting the whole time. That's why my posture's like this.
- When's the surgery? - Tomorrow.
No, I'm being serious.
I wasn't scheduled for tomorrow though.
RESTRICTED AREA
Dr. Choi wanted Dr. Ha to scrub in on this one.
Hmm? What?
What's taking him so long?
I'm not sure.
Go find Dr. Ha. Quickly.
Sorry I'm late.
What are you doing here? Where's Uyeong?
He suddenly got an upset stomach, so I'm filling in.
Ready when you are, Doctor.
Uh…
- Battery. - Sorry, Doctor.
Knife.
Are you all right?
I'm sorry, Doctor. That shouldn't have happened. My mistake.
You need to be more careful!
It's not like you to make a mistake like this.
Oh, my goodness.
Nurse Kim.
Dr. Choi.
This way, Doctor.
Don't worry, Doctor.
I'll take over from here.
All right. Let's get started, shall we?
Knife.
The surgery was a success.
Why did you do that?
Because a surgical error on your record, it wouldn't look good, Doctor.
What?
Surgical error?
Yeah.
You said it yourself, Dr. Choi.
We're the same, you and I.
Two sides of the same coin.
We can see through each other.
I figured out what you were going to do.
No one else had any idea.
But I could tell what you were planning all along.
That's bad, Dr. Choi.
And what was I going to do?
Mess up the surgery without anyone noticing.
That's why you wanted Uyeong to scrub in instead of me, isn't it?
You knew I'd be the one to notice it all.
What are you saying? There was nothing to notice.
He's not actually your friend, is he?
You hate him.
If he was your friend, then why were you so tense?
You really were, Doctor.
You looked so uncomfortable.
It was obvious. You couldn't stand him.
Are you leaving?
HYPER KNIFE
What the hell?
What the hell is this? What's your problem?
Why would you do this?
Everything about me is a problem.
I thought you'd know this by now.
Shit.
Could be deeper, don't you think?
It's deep enough as it is, actually.
What if somebody finds it?
Will you run?
- Where would you even go? - None of your business.
What if you get caught?
They'll put you away in prison for the rest of your life. You know that.
My life is different from yours, Doctor.
It's already been ruined for a long time now,
so I don't care if I live or die.
If it comes to it, I'll kill myself. You got that?
Why bother with prison?
Your life isn't ruined, Seok.
I'm telling you to go Boston.
I can make that happen, just like you wanted.
Don't wanna? Too bad.
Go there and start fresh.
Yeah, but there's a catch, isn't there? Your little operation.
I won't do it.
You're pathetic.
If I'm really that pathetic, then just call the cops right now and finish this!
You little…
Oh, yeah, you need me to operate.
So you have to keep following me around
and begging me till I agree to it.
Did I get that right?
Huh?
You were a penniless kid when I took you under my wing.
You should know that everything you had was because of me.
Otherwise, you'd have had nothing.
Why do you think I helped you?
It's 'cause I felt sorry for you, that's why.
You showed up with nothing but a backpack,
foolishly strutting around, thinking you were smarter than everyone.
It was so pathetic, I couldn't help but step in.
Got that?
Dr. Choi!
Where are you?
- Shit. - Dr. Choi!
MS. RA
Deal with it. And stop giving me problems.
- Oh, finally. - Where are you?
Really?
I was waiting for you, but you were taking so long.
Where are you now?
I went down already.
I came down…
But-But the other side.
You said the other side? Uh, you mean, the way back to town?
Uh, yes. Yes, that sounds right.
I'll come to where you are, then. I'll bring the car around.
- Okay, I'll wait here. - Sounds good.
Oh, right, did you find her?
Yeah, why?
Well then, what was she doing over there?
She was up to something when I was tailing her earlier.
Uh, she was burying her dog. I guess her dog died.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's right.
No, everything's fine, yeah.
Yeah.
MARI'S DINER
Where's Mr. Singyu Kwon today?
Oh, he didn't come home last night.
So, he's not here then? Where'd he go?
I have no idea. He didn't tell me.
Miss, did you hear? The cops don't know he's dead yet.
You talk too much.
You sure he's buried deep enough?
You didn't half-ass it again, did you?
- Ms. Jeong. - Oh!
Oh, hey. Have you had lunch?
Yeah. I actually have some concerns about Singyu Kwon.
- Singyu Kwon? Who is that? - With the ankle monitor.
Just a couple days ago, he got his ankle monitor removed
which means we can no longer track his location or keep tabs on him.
- Really? - Yes, so please be careful.
That creep could show up and bother you again.
Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him at all today.
He didn't come home last night.
He wouldn't stop yapping about Seoul,
so, maybe he went there.
Anyway, please be careful, Ms. Jeong.
Oh, yeah, thanks.
He has no idea who should be careful of whom.
I'm happy.
I'm sorry? Happy?
Yeah.
His sister doesn't have to sell the place anymore,
and I can keep coming here to eat every day if I want to.
Oh, man.
A perfect happy ending, don't you agree?
Hey. I don't think I've ever been more happy.
You really might be a demon.
You're gonna go to hell.
Ms. Jeong.
Hey, what's going on?
These men at the pharmacy.
MEDICINE
What can I do for you?
Are you Ms. Seok Jeong?
Yeah, what is this?
We're from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
- I'm so sorry. Please wait. Sorry. - Wait. What's going on here?
- Sorry. I apologise for the inconvenience. - Geez.
Please hurry.
Sorry about this, everyone. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Hi, Dr. Jeong.
How's the clinic? Everything okay?
Your pharmacy as well?
PHARMACIST LICENSE JEONG SEOK
They're here about substitute medication.
If this was really an issue,
half of the pharmacies in the country would have to shut down.
It seems like Dr. Choi is pretty upset by all this.
Well, what about tomorrow's surgery then?
Huh? Still on?
I think we should take a break until we figure things out.
Seriously? For how long?
Not sure. I think we should feel it out.
Dr. Jeong, apologies, I'll contact you later, okay?
SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS FOR 30 DAYS
- Ms. Seok, I think… - I don't really care what you think.
What is it?
Did the Ministry of Health and Welfare come by?
I want you to fix this. Get them to lift the suspension.
Well, then. You shouldn't have broken the law.
Don't give me that bullshit!
If you want to talk, come to Busan.
Call me when you're here. Let's grab dinner.
- How do you do? - Oh, hi.
- Pleasure to meet you. - How are you? Welcome.
- Oh, thank you. - Shall we?
DR. CHOI DEOKHEE
MEDICINE
Are you doing okay?
No, I'm not doing okay.
Oh, my. What's going on with you?
Ah, shit. I'm so pissed that I…
can't breathe right.
Hey, that's not good.
Here.
Slowly.
Keep your eyes closed.
Just relax.
Only peaceful thoughts. Peaceful thoughts.
Better now?
No, not yet.
In that case,
I want you to find a moment in your life when you felt the safest and happiest.
Now, imagine taking a break there, and then go.
How do you feel?
I'm at peace.
I'm happy.
Seok Jeong, can you see anything back there?
Come closer.
Can you see it?
- What? - Where's that fire you had last night?
I can hardly hear you.
You staked your entire life on this, no?
Please teach me, Doctor. You're the only one I want to learn from.
I can see everything, Doctor.
Watch closely and learn.
Everything I know,
every bit of knowledge I have, everything.
All of it.
Don't keep anything to yourself. Don't hold anything back from me.
Please teach me everything.
I won't hold anything back.
PRESTIGIOUS MEDICAL AWARDS HELD IN BUSAN
CAN CHOI DEOKHEE ACHIEVE A 10-YEAR WINNING STREAK?
Any comments on potentially winning at the Ichida Awards for the tenth year?
What's the reason for canceling your visit to Busan University Hospital?
The Ichida Awards are being hosted in Busan, many say you're the reason…
- Could you tell us about your schedule… - Doctor?
Wow, Dr. Choi must be really famous.
Why is everyone making such a fuss? I want to puke.
I really hope that one day you'll be as famous as he is.
- And get the recognition you deserve. - I'm already done for.
Why do you say depressing things all the time?
Why exactly does it bother you so much?
Do you like me?
I thought we liked each other.
Of course we like each other. You're mine.
Right. So, it's the same as liking your phone. 'Cause you own it?
- No answers? - Yeah, I hear you.
- It's been a really tough day. - I'm going to the bathroom.
- I'll go with you. - Let's go together.
- Good night, guys. - Good work. Thank you.
- Good night. - Bye.
That Ichida lady decided to stay in her suite, didn't she?
She'll only come out for her official interview and that's it.
Well, I don't think that's okay for the main sponsor to do.
If she's just gonna hide from the press,
why even bother putting together this kind of event?
Yeah, well, she's in no shape to deal with the press.
Her son is gonna die any day now.
Wait a minute. How do you know that?
It's old news. I'm surprised you haven't heard about it
If only someone performed the surgery on her son.
Then we'd really have a story worth printing.
Yeah. But who's gonna risk that?
I mean, doctors today know better.
It's not that it's a risk.
It's an impossible surgery in the first place. That's all.
Well, what if Dr. Deokhee Choi did it himself?
Oh, that'd be amazing.
- Wouldn't it? - For sure.
- All done, girls? - Yeah, let's go.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
ICHIDA AWARD: FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE MEDICAL FIELD
How come we're always broke no matter what we do?
I'm sad about it too.
I'm out there killing people but that still doesn't put food on the table.
All that work for nothing.
So,
I know that Dr. Choi might have influence and all
but can he really overturn the suspension on the pharmacy?
He might be able to, but it'll take some time.
It's just annoying for us.
You're gonna go see him tomorrow, right?
I was going to.
- I changed my mind though. - Huh?
Seeing him earlier, it made me really pissed off.
He still seems to think he's the best there is.
He needs to be humiliated… …so he'll come to his senses.
Whatever.
Just don't kill him, okay?
Yeah, yeah. I won't, don't worry.
Hurry up and go to bed!
Geez.
DAEHO MOTEL
HARU ONLY TOOK A FEW SIPS OF PORRIDGE FOR DINNER AS USUAL
Good evening.
You remember me, right?
We met once in Tokyo when Dr. Choi Deokhee introduced us.
Oh, I remember now.
Life hasn't been kind to you.
You have aged a lot.
Operations should be seen on the big screen.
What on earth are you up to?
Na Seokjin, age 16.
In June 2022, he was diagnosed with brainstem glioma.
A large 4-centimeter tumor was found in the center of his brainstem,
but nine university hospitals refused to perform the surgery.
This footage is evidence of how this boy was saved.
Why are you showing me this?
If it were a simple brainstem glioma,
why do you think so many doctors refused to operate on him?
The truth is,
this boy has hemophilia, which is also what your son Haru Ichida has.
To remove a tumor so deeply embedded in the brainstem,
you need to make a large incision to get a clear view.
But for patients with hemophilia whose bleeding won't stop,
this kind of extensive surgery is a risky gamble.
That's why all those surgeons refused to operate on him.
My plan? To approach the occipital area from a sitting position,
making an incision at the upper tentorium to access the tumor.
I gave him FFP and Botropase while controlling the blood vessels
and started removing the tumor.
If there's any bleeding at this point,
it becomes a race against the clock from that moment.
But even with blood-clotting agents,
there must have been clear limitations in an extensive procedure like this.
Just watch and see what I did.
Five hours and 23 minutes.
The kid pulled through and survived.
If you had nicked even one blood vessel while removing the tumor…
He would've died.
Because he would have bled out.
But I didn't mess with a single one of them.
Let me save your son, Haru Ichida.
Haru is younger than that boy.
He won't survive a five-hour surgery.
Four hours, tops.
What if I can finish it in that time?
What do you want from me?
INTERVIEW WITH DR. CHOI DEOKHEE
I want to make him miserable.
- A lot of people are predicting… - A non-Japanese doctor winning this award
- consecutively has raised controversy. - Could you share a few words on that?
Have you decided?
My answer is no. Please leave.
You know my offer only stands until the ceremony begins, right?
The moment you hand over that trophy to Dr. Choi,
you can no longer expect me to operate on your son.
I won't accept such an arrangement.
Ms. Ichida, is your pride more important than your son's life?
Dr. Choi was selected as the winner through a fair assessment.
The fact that you're trying to sabotage it
means you're a despicable human being.
Why would I entrust my son's life to someone like you?
- How are you? - I'm good.
Hey! What are you doing here?
Are you here to make a scene at the ceremony?
Hey, Seok!
Hey, hey!
Are you serious?
Oh, thanks.
Dr. Choi, how are you?
I was actually thinking of calling you just now.
Oh, and congrats in advance, huh? The awards are tomorrow, aren't they?
Yeah, thank you. So when are you coming?
Uh…
Maybe the week after next?
Okay, so, two weeks from now?
That's right.
Oh, how are you managing without medication? Any issues?
Well, I've been feeling fine for the last few days.
Anyway, did you see the video I sent?
Yeah, I'm watching it right now.
Actually, I haven't stopped watching it all morning.
This is amazing work.
It is, isn't it?
So, let's hear it. What's your answer?
Uh…
When were you thinking of scheduling the surgery?
Do you have a date locked in?
If you're in, I can start preparing.
So, what will it be, huh?
If she's gonna be with me, I'm okay with it.
Okay, huh? No, you're honored.
Right, I'm honored.
All right, I'll talk to you later.
- Doctor, we should go. - Let me get my jacket.
Earlier, I ran into Seok. I was really surprised to see her.
Okay, what about it then?
Well, it's an important night. Will you be okay?
Well, if she wants to watch the ceremony, you should get her a good seat.
She needs to see how the world really works.
Sure.
- I guess you're enjoying that. - Yeah, well, it smells so good.
You're right.
- Was I a little… - Exactly.
- Oh, my. - Here he comes.
- Hello, Doctor. - Hello.
Enjoy.
Doctor.
- It's good to see you. - Yeah, it's been a while.
How's everything going?
This way, please.
This is Dr. John and Dr. George.
Oh. Hello.
Hello.
You should go easy on the drinks, or you'll pay for it tomorrow.
What?
You think I'll deliver a drunken speech tomorrow?
By the way, I noticed you didn't bring your friend this year.
Your female student that you introduced to me before.
The one you couldn't stop singing praises for.
Ah. Jeong Seok?
Is she well?
Yes, of course she is.
How is she doing these days?
Is she still perfect?
Perfect?
She was never less than perfect.
She's always been perfect.
Look at those fools over there.
Those idiots think they're so great.
She's better than ten…
No… She's better than a hundred of them combined.
Do you know why?
Because Seok never hesitates in the operating room.
The concept of failure never even enters her mind, ever.
And she's never failed…
- Not even once? - Not even once.
Impressive, right?
Four hours, max.
If you fail, I will make you pay for it.
Whatever you say.
HAN HYEONHO'S ANESTHESIOLOGY & PAIN MEDICINE
SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS FOR 30 DAYS
Dr. Han, it's me. Is this a bad time?
No, don't worry about it at all.
Get your passport and head to the airport now.
Can you speak Japanese?
I can speak Japanese.
Ladies and gentlemen,
it is now time to announce the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Ichida Awards.
Hi.
Knife.
Bovie.
Drill.
His vitals won't stabilize.
Set up a three-way line and get ready for a blood transfusion.
- Yes, Doctor! - Get as many lap pads ready as possible.
- Yes, sir. - We can't control the bleeding.
Let's close him up and move him to the ICU.
- Notify the ICU right now! - Yes, Doctor!
The award will be presented
by the vice-chairman of the Ichida Foundation,
Mr. Yuji Tsunoda.
The 2024 Ichida Award goes to…
Doctor…
Sergio Pessina from Sapienza University.
Dr. Sergio Pessina is a neurosurgeon at Sapienza University.
He's been doing clinical trials since 2022
to treat brain tumors by using CAR T-cell therapy
and has successfully completed the trials earlier this year.
The CAR T-cell therapy enhances the anti-cancer effects
by genetically modifying T cells to specifically bind to cancer cells.
Pediatric patients with diffuse brain stem glioma
typically have a median survival of about 12 months.
- However, results from… - Yeah, that's right, Doctor.
I'm the winner.
I just got a text from Dr. Han.
He said Haru Ichida is doing well, so there's no need to worry.
Of course he is. You know who his surgeon was.
You're really thrilled.
Yeah, it's great. Everything's great. So exciting.
- What am I gonna do with you? - Hold on, guys. Just a minute.
What should we eat?
- Let's get something yummy. - Excuse me, Doctor! Doctor?
Uh, hello.
Oh, you don't recognize me?
Well, uh, at Yeonshin University Hospital,
you operated on my dad on behalf of Dr. Choi.
Dr. Choi's friend. Um, your dad is Dr. Kim, is that right?
Yeah.
The Rolls-Royce.
Oh…
What are you doing here?
Uh, I'm just out with some friends.
Mmm.
Your father's doing well, I guess?
Uh…
Dad, are you all right?
Yeah.
We were gonna head back to LA as soon as he was discharged,
but he wanted to rest for a bit, so we stayed in Paju.
He was doing great, even exercising.
Hey, Dad. Where are you?
On a walk?
Kiyoung. Listen, all right? Now, pay attention to what I'm saying.
Yeah, what's going on?
I want to be on my own, without any burdens.
I want to be free.
So don't worry about me, okay?
Focus on your studies.
What do you mean by that?
That was the last time I heard from him.
I haven't been able to find him since.
Cheers!
Let's go! Go! Go!
Go, go, go, go!
Come on.
So, you really think your dad just ran away?
Did Dr. Choi say that?
No.
That's what the police are saying though.
And you? What do you think?
I have no idea.
I just wish I knew what happened.
CONGRATULATIONS, DR. CHOI DEOKHEE
FROM YEONSHIN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Just get it all out of here.
Put them face down in the parking lot.
Hey, look.
- All right, let's dig in. - Yes.
CELEBRATING 10 CONSECUTIVE ICHIDA AWARDS
HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. CHOI DEOKHEE
Here.
- I should take this. - Sure.
Sure. Go ahead.
- Please, eat. - No, no…
- Excuse me. - After you.
Hi.
I saw the news. Have you had a lot to drink?
Of course not. What's going on?
Hello, Dr. Choi. It's me, Detective Wanil Lee.
Yes, Detective. How are you?
Hi. I'm calling about the video I showed you before in your office.
The illegal surgery. We actually got a tip about it recently.
Oh, that's good.
Yeah, we're both on our way to the scene right now.
And I was wondering that maybe you could come for a bit and look.
It's not that far from Busan.
I can do that. Sure.
Text me the address.
Seok did that?
Yes. But on one condition.
One that's unfair to me, I suppose.
To be honest, I want to take her up on her offer,
but…
But what?
I'm not sure if I can trust her to operate on my son.
I can't decide.
I can vouch for her.
I think you should give her a chance.
What?
Come to see me humiliated?
Are you satisfied?
Did Ms. Ichida tell you everything?
Yeah, I heard.
You somehow finished in four hours.
Actually, it was three hours, 49.
Not bad.
I would've done it faster at your age.
But anyway, you did good work.
Guess who I ran into earlier?
Myeongjin Kim's son was outside the venue.
Oh, Kiyoung.
He came here too?
Apparently, his dad went missing. Did you hear?
Just a month after his discharge.
Yeah, I heard he ran off somewhere.
So tell me, what did you do?
You know that some people have mental health issues
after a major surgery like that.
What? What?
You killed him.
What reason would I have for killing my own friend?
Yeah, he's your friend, isn't he?
You know, I thought about it. And guess what I realized?
The reason you decided to send Uyeong to Boston instead of me all of a sudden.
It wasn't because his family bribed you, was it?
It was all because I saved him.
I saved the patient you were trying to kill.
So I had to suffer, right?
From that moment on, you couldn't stand the sight of me, huh?
Pathetic.
Did you murder Myeongjin Kim?
DELUXE
Thank you so much for coming. This way.
Kind of spooky, isn't it?
So how did you find this place?
Min, the broker. I'm sure you've heard of him, right?
'Cause brain operations are one thing we don't touch.
He got scared and ran to China.
But he called me out of the blue before he left.
He said he only deals with livers and kidneys
but never any brains though.
Something had that asshole shaken to the core.
Anyway, he claimed there'd be a ton of evidence here, so here we are.
Did he say more?
- What do you mean? - No, nothing.
Just thinking out loud.
They must've cleared this place out already.
It's clean, unlike the other spots.
Something definitely happened here.
This doesn't look like the place from the video.
It was an office, wasn't it?
Well, according to Min,
there are all sorts of guys who are willing to do black market brain surgery.
Those bastards. Any one of them could've been here.
So what do you need me to do?
I need evidence that this place was used for brain surgery.
Help me find something. Anything.
You're the expert, so I figured you'd notice things that I might miss.
There's no electricity here.
In this darkness,
even if Hua Tuo couldn't perform brain surgery.
Inspector!
Here it is.
Sir.
Here.
Go on, then.
This just got complicated.