Song of the Bandits (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

1
FIVE YEARS LATER, 1920
JAPANESE ARMY 19TH DIVISION
HOERYŎNG GARRISON CAMP
What the heck?
Who is it?
State your name and rank!
Sugiyama?
Where's Major Minami?
So tell me.
What happened to the rest of the troop?
How are you the only one who returned?
Yesterday,
we went on a scout mission
to Orangkae Pass.
Then
we ran into them.
Who's "them"?
Demons.
Whoa.
What is it? Who are you?
You are currently obstructing
the way of the Imperial Japanese Army.
If you want to live, move aside!
This Invader's Pass is the path that
leads into Myeongjeong from Hoeryŏng!
This means
if you so much as take a step forward,
you will be invading our land!
Any of you make a single move,
and I will crush you all into dust!
What is he saying?
He lost his mind after losing his country.
-Is he insane?
-Should we kill him, sir?
March on.
Forward, march!
Sir!
I repeat!
Load your guns!
If you so much as take a step forward,
you will be invading our land!
Any of you make a single
Fuck this.
Kill them all!
-Kill them!
-Charge!
So,
you're saying that you didn't fight back
until you were annihilated?
No, sir! That's not true at all, sir!
We fought back as proud soldiers
of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Fire!
Return fire!
But
as I just told you, sir
they were demons.
The man called Choi Choong-soo
used to lead a righteous army in Joseon.
Despite his old age,
he's still got a perfect aim with his bow.
And the sword he wielded was
strong enough to cut through the mountains
and stop the rivers from flowing.
Help!
You only thank me
at times like this, you old geezer.
Kang San-gun
is a hunter from Mount Seorak,
known to be the last remaining member
of Joseon's Tiger Hunting Force.
His tiger-hunting skills
were so incredible
that he was dubbed
"King of the Mountains!"
You were defeated by a Joseon general
who wields a sword and a bow
and a hunter who catches tigers?
Are you kidding me?
I wish I was kidding, sir.
Then the members of my squad
would still be alive.
Man, I saved a bunch of men today
Hands in the air!
Hold on. Chotto matte, okay?
I'm not good at dealing with
blood and gore, okay?
So I'm going to close my eyes.
They are closed, Choraeng-yi!
Where is he?
Who goes there?
All of my squad members
were murdered by Choraeng-yi.
Choraeng-yi, as his name tells you,
used to be a clown in a troupe.
He moved so nimbly that
it was almost impossible to shoot him.
A flying tiger, that's what he is!
It's over.
Don't lie to me, asshole.
I can still hear the screams.
Dude.
Don't blame me for that.
Geumsu is here.
Then there is Geumsu!
A man truly worse than a beast!
There is nothing I know about him.
Besides the fact
that he is absolutely unkillable.
So you begged them for your life.
That's how you survived.
Am I wrong?
Am I?
I don't need a soldier
who begs the enemy for his life.
Take your own life.
I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry, sir!
I don't need to listen to this!
Keep your honor as a soldier.
I know who their ringleader is!
The face of their ringleader
I saw it with my own eyes!
What did he look like?
Tell me what their ringleader looks like!
That
that man
You're the only one left.
Do you want to join them?
No!
Then forsake everything you own.
I'll let you live.
Forsake your conscience,
your beliefs, and your country.
Then I'll let you live.
At least you're better off than us.
You still own things you can forsake.
The man's face
you will soon see it for yourself.
You coward!
I wanted to live, even as a coward.
Please
Konbanwa! Nice to meet you.
I said hello, you rude bastard.
Are you independence fighters?
Are you independence fighters?!
No.
We're bandits.
SONG OF THE BANDITS
GYEONGSEONG, AUGUST 1920
I asked you to see me out here
even though you may find it discourteous
because there is something
I must tell you.
Sure. What is it?
Will you
do me the honor of marrying me?
Why did it take you so long to ask?
I've been waiting forever.
What?
Yes. I will marry you, Gwang-il.
Wait, do you really mean that?
You will marry me?
I will love you
for the rest of my life.
Hee-shin.
Me too.
I will only love you, Gwang-il.
Put your back into it!
These are some good guns. Subarashii.
Right. Did you hear?
Hear what?
The Independence Army won again, you know?
It seems they crushed the Japanese
real good this time, you know?
Yeah? That's good news.
I mean, they are on a winning streak.
Jeez, we might actually
gain our independence.
I'm actually surprised.
I don't know about that,
but Joseon people in North Gando
will breathe easier now.
Oh, you're right.
I became a patriot
without even realizing it.
That asshole is at it again.
It's an addiction at this point.
Look at that thievin' asshole.
How long has he been doing that?
What do you mean?
He's been like that since day one.
He steals those
and sells them behind our backs.
Can you see how seriously
obsessed with money he is?
Assholes like him are the ones
who sell off their country!
Man, he's such a damn traitor.
You're laughing?
Don't just laugh.
You should go talk to him about it.
"If you keep this up,
I'll snap your wris"
Fuck!
-Are you all right?
-Yeah.
I must have gone overboard
with my gun earlier.
I'm fine.
Are you sure you're okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
Anyway, Yoon,
if we are going to gain independence,
I wish it would happen soon.
I can stand everything here, but
the food is just shit.
It doesn't suit my taste.
It makes me homesick.
What's the worst thing about this place?
You know, I'm just saying
that it'd be nice to gain independence.
If not, then fine.
What is this independence nonsense?
Dude, do you think it'd be that easy?
There's no way it will happen
in the next ten years.
The shaman came by, like, two days ago
and told me everything.
I don't buy that spirit bullshit.
You look more like a general than a shaman
and never get anything right.
Your spirit said
I'm going to get married, punk.
It didn't happen
only because you didn't do a ritual.
I gave your stingy ass a good price
I should just
Do you do rituals too?
You're talented.
Yoon, this asshole is insane.
He gathers the village people
all the time and says,
"A ritual will expel
the evil spirit from you!"
What was it?
Ten won per session? Am I right?
It's supposed to be 20 won,
but I cut the price in half.
I did my best to negotiate
with the spirit for three whole days.
Twenty won?
-Cut it out!
-Come on, guys!
Thirty won for my father's sending ritual.
And another 30 for my mother's!
You took 60 won from me.
Come here, you son of a bitch.
I will pull out that wicked tongue
Sometimes, when I watch them,
they scare me more than the Japanese.
They fight every time their eyes meet.
Every time.
They would've joined the Independence Army
instead of us if they were sane.
Let them be.
You know they always wind down.
Yes, and they get back at it again.
Then they use up the ointment.
Waste of money.
You should step in and
Forget it, for heaven's sake!
Mr. Choong-soo!
They're fighting again, Choong
Where did he go?
I haven't seen the geezer for a while.
Darn it. He must be
hiding somewhere again.
Stop fighting, you punks!
Here you are again.
Why did you come up here?
It's a rough climb.
It's a rough climb,
so I was worried about you.
You can see Joseon so well from here.
That's why they call it Invader's Pass.
You know, back in the day,
the barbarians stood right here
and looked down at the Joseon lands,
fueling their ambitions to invade.
But now, the situation has reversed.
It's now a place of sorrow for those
who had to leave their homes behind.
You miss it, don't you?
My heart aches for it.
I miss every nook and cranny
of my hometown.
I would have seen, touched, and felt
the things that were important to me
just once more before I left
if I had known I'd be away for so long.
Are you thinking of that lady again?
It's strange how she comes to mind
whenever I'm here.
She was my first in everything, you see.
Is that right?
What exactly were those things?
She was the first member of the gentry
to ask my name, not my master's,
hold my hand, and smile.
And she was
the first person to make me feel happy
just by looking at her.
But I'm sure she doesn't remember me.
So,
does your heart ache as well?
I regret it a bit.
If I had known I would miss her so much
I would have seen more of her.
I regret it. Just like you.
-Is this the place?
-Yes.
Let's go in.
Hee-shin.
What brings you all the way here?
I wasn't aware that you had plans today.
An urgent meeting came up
concerning my business trip.
Oh, I see.
This is First Lieutenant Han Tae-ju.
He is my subordinate
I mean,
he is my friend.
We've been assigned together recently.
Hello.
I've heard a lot about you.
Congratulations on your engagement.
Thank you.
Would you mind
if I sat with you for a minute?
Not at all. Please.
My friend.
Go save us a table.
Of course.
Well, I hope you have a good time.
Have a seat.
Are you going on a business trip?
You didn't mention it to me.
It was scheduled at the last minute,
so I didn't have time to tell you.
I'm heading to Myeongjeong to attend
the groundbreaking ceremony
for the Cheondo Light Railway on the 30th
as the representative
of the Railway Bureau.
Myeongjeong
Myeongjeong is a dangerous place.
It's occupied by insurgents, you see.
Be careful.
Ask the Government-General Office
for some guards to escort you.
Yes, I will do as you say, Major.
Thank you for your concern.
Don't thank me.
I'm only worrying about my future wife.
You don't have to say that.
Hee-shin,
I'm sorry, but your meeting today
can you have it somewhere else?
What do you mean?
Independence fighters will be here.
What?
There's a man named Jang Seok
who runs a tailor shop in Block 1.
We received intel that he'll be meeting
an independence fighter here today.
That's why I'm here with my men.
Is that right?
Yes. So please leave this place at once.
You and I both serve our country
as patriots,
but my job is a little rougher than yours.
To be honest, I don't want you to see it.
Right. I understand
what you're trying to say.
Then I will get going.
Take care of yourself, Major.
I love you.
Hee-shin.
I love you too.
Get him!
Hey!
You bastard!
You've got some nerve, asshole!
Get up!
You Joseon dog!
Don't look.
Don't look and just go.
I will be in touch.
I think there was a leak.
They knew everything, the time and place,
and even Comrade Jang's identity.
It's highly likely
that the leak is from within.
Please be careful, sir.
And be extra cautious
when dealing with people.
The war funds we were going to send
to the North Route Army
Comrade Jang Seok had it, right?
You were going to receive it today
and deliver it to the North Route Army.
Yes.
This is bad.
How do we gather over 100,000 won
in two weeks?
There is
a way.
What is it?
On August 30, the Hoeryŏng branch
of Joseon Bank will send 200,000 won
to the Myeongjeong office in Gando
for railroad construction.
We can snatch that money
and deliver it to the North Route Army.
Are you suggesting
that we raid an armored truck?
That's too dangerous.
If one of us gets captured by them,
our entire organization might
Don't you worry about that.
I will be working alone
without the help of other members.
How could you possibly do that?
No!
Let's find another way.
I won't put a member's life at risk
for such a reckless operation.
-Sir
-Comrade Nam!
Will you please stop humiliating me?
It torments me
that I had to match you with Gwang-il.
I am so tormented and ashamed
that I cannot bear to face you.
This operation is off.
One rifle. 200 bullets.
One grenade.
Five potatoes. Six buckets of millet.
A pair of straw shoes.
Those are
all that is supplied to our comrades
fighting in Gando.
And they are supposed to last
for six days.
You say you won't put a member's life
at risk for an operation?
We have to do something.
Sir, we have to put our lives on the line
so that our comrades fighting in Gando
will have one more meal,
take out one more enemy
and live
for one more day.
Then let's do this.
You can rendezvous directly
with the North Route Army.
-But let someone else rob the truck.
-No.
We don't even know
who sold out Comrade Jang Seok.
The plan might leak
I'm talking about an outsider,
not one of our own.
It's a dangerous task,
so someone more dangerous
should take it on.
-Who are you talking about?
-There is someone.
Someone who would do anything
and kill anything for money.
Enjoy.
I asked to see you gentlemen like this
because I cannot fulfill
both of your requests.
Now that I have you two with me here,
I'd like to make an offer.
Mr. Park Chun-ho.
You asked me to kill
Mr. Kawaguchi here, correct?
Why would you ask
something you already know, Eon-nyeoni?
Mr. Kawaguchi,
you asked me to kill Mr. Park, correct?
That's correct.
They say life and death
are decided by fate.
It means a person's life
is in the hands of the heavens,
and the length of one's life
cannot be determined by man's will.
So I plan on leaving the decision
up to the heavens this time.
We will set the starting bid at 100 won.
You mean you will only fulfill the request
of the person who pays more?
Yes.
Make your offer.
Whoever bids higher wins.
This is why they say friends
are more dangerous than strangers.
How is that the heavens' decision?
It is the heavens' decision.
To me, money is the heavens.
Darn. Forget it!
I'm out.
110 won.
Mr. Kawaguchi bids 110 won.
Make your offer.
Yeah, whatever. Let's do this.
120 won.
We'll reopen the bidding at 120 won.
Make your offer.
130 won.
130 won.
-140 won!
-140 won!
150 won.
150 won!
One hundred
and 55.
155 won!
160 won!
Mr. Kawaguchi has made a bid of 160 won.
-What do you say to that?
-170 won.
That's it. I'm all out of money.
Mr. Park Chun-ho bid 170 won.
Make your offer.
One hundred
And?
No! 200 won!
You're a dead man now!
You crazy bastard!
Do you want me dead that badly?
Mr. Park Chun-ho.
Calm yourself and sit back down.
It's not over yet.
Mr. Park Chun-ho bid 170 won,
and Mr. Kawaguchi bid 200 won.
Then,
it is only right that I should fulfill
Mr. Kawaguchi's request.
However
Mr. Park Chun-ho has been my friend
for a long time.
I cannot betray a friend
for a mere 30 won.
I am sorry.
What did you just say to him?
It looks like
I won, seeing his expression.
Am I right?
Yes. You won, my friend.
The heavens have decided.
Really?
You're a dead man now, prick.
That's what the Japanese get for crossing
Cheonggyecheon to do business!
How dare you, Josenjing bitch.
Do you think you can get away with this?!
I am a Joseon-born woman,
so I don't do anything
that I can't get away with.
So, Mr. Kawaguchi,
go home
and screw yourself.
Damn it!
Take out your guns!
Yes, boss.
Kawaguchi's men will barge in
any moment now.
There's a back door,
so you can escape through that.
And if you have anyone else
you want dead, find me.
How about the money?
Leave it on the table. I'll take it later.
Okay.
Fire!
It's her! Get her now!
There she is!
Don't lose her!
Die!
Kill her!
Your share. 17 won.
And tomorrow's schedule.
The man who killed your parents.
I heard he's in Gando.
Do you want me to find out
where he is in Gando?
It's fine. You don't need to bother.
What kind of answer is that?
Didn't you take up this profession
to kill the man that killed your parents?
Fighting through life tooth and nail
has changed my mind.
Revenge, grudge, all of that
I realized that they are useless.
Taking care of myself is all that matters.
Don't bother looking into it.
Don't look for him either.
If I ever happen to run into him,
I'll kill him then.
Good night.
DANSEONGSA MOVIE THEATER, 11:30 A.M.
You damn fool.
You can't even open the door properly!
I hired you because you're of the gentry,
but you're useless!
-Apologies, ma'am.
-Move, you fool.
-Hey.
-Where's Yoon?
I think he's doing something up there.
Don't laugh!
Straighten your back.
Spread your legs out.
-This is good.
-Yes, sir.
Oh, nice. What's this fool doing?
-Load the gun.
-It's loaded.
Fire.
You've got to be shitting me.
This gun's messed up.
Hey. Don't do it. Hey!
How dare you desecrate
the holy shooting range?
Stop smiling!
Hey!
I have some incredible stuff.
Do you want to see it?
Stop talking nonsense.
Where's Yoon? Bring him.
Are you really going to be like this, sis?
You'll hurt my feelings.
I don't care if I hurt your feelings
or your face, so go and get Yoon already.
You lot are in big trouble, all right?
You're all about to starve to death!
What are you talking about?
Why would we starve to death?
So the Japanese Consulate
has forbidden all arms trade,
so even if we bring you arms,
you won't be able to sell them?
You know what happened recently
in Bongo-dong.
The independence armies have been
crushing the Japanese.
I think that had a big influence.
They can't dispatch their main forces here
since that would cross China.
And they can't take them out one by one
since they don't know where they are.
So, they will disarm them instead?
What are the independence armies
going to do about this?
They made connections in Yeonhaeju.
Don't we have connections there?
The Czechs have a strong hold
over the area, so it's hard.
I heard they're selling weapons dirt cheap
to save up for their trip home.
If you buy a pistol, they will throw in
a rifle and a cannon and everything.
Crazy idiots.
And the Fengtian Clique?
They're not the Independence Army,
so you can sell to them.
The Fengtian Clique
won't buy our weapons anymore.
Now that the Independence Army is bigger,
they're growing wary
of anyone from Joseon.
The Independence Army is hope for us,
sure, but they're just trouble to them.
Trouble that causes friction
between them and the Japanese.
Oh fuck. It's so hard to do business
in Gando these days. Shit.
Still, you need to find a way somehow.
We can't let all our people
starve to death.
Speaking of, Yoon,
why don't we shift our business plan
in a new direction?
I brought a great piece of information.
What is this information?
Recently, the Government-General Office
announced a ten-year plan
for railways in Manchuria.
And the plan is
to connect Gilhoe Railway
with Gyeongwon and Hamgyeong Lines
and get it done within ten years.
Gyeongwon Line runs
from Gyeongseong to Wonsan.
Hamgyeong Line runs
from Wonsan to Hoeryŏng.
And Gilhoe Railway runs
from Hoeryŏng to Jilin.
Once it's completed,
Japanese military supplies,
not to mention the soldiers,
will travel from Gyeongseong,
through Myeongjeong, all the way to Jilin.
Then it won't be enough to block off
Invader's Pass like now.
Think about it.
How can we stop them if they're
transporting their main forces by train?
We can't,
even if we get the Chinese to help.
If that Gando Line is constructed,
a huge Japanese army will be transported,
and we won't be able to stop them
by ourselves.
Why is this "great" information?
It's not great for us.
Of course it's great for us.
Can you construct a railroad for free?
You need money.
It's all done with money.
I told you when you first came here.
Japanese money, Chinese land,
and Joseon people.
Which do you think
will take over this place?
So?
What are you getting at?
Japanese money is pushing its head in,
trying to eat up this Chinese land.
Isn't it only fair that
we Joseon-borns join in?
Let's
Yoon!
Let's take all that money.
A manager from the Railway Bureau
will be coming to Myeongjeong
to attend the groundbreaking ceremony
for Cheondo Light Railway on the 30th.
You're the client, right?
But the ceremony seems like an excuse.
The real purpose of the visit must be
-To inspect the site of Gando Line?
-Exactly!
But the important thing is
they will be sending money
from the Hoeryŏng Branch of Joseon Bank
to the Myeongjeong Office,
just in time for the manager's arrival.
They will be sending money.
Construction fund for the Gando Line.
I want you to bring me that money.
That is my request.
You want me to rob money?
The railroad construction fund, at that?
Well, how much?
It's 200,000 won.
200,000?
200,000?
Yeah! 200,000.
Why? Is your heart suddenly racing?
Please continue.
I paid a lot of money to someone
at the Myeongjeong Office for this intel,
so you can rely on it.
And I'll say this, just in case
You would do well
not to have any ulterior motives.
"A woman named Eon-nyeoni
from Namsan Valley
ran away after stealing 200,000 won
from the Government-General Office."
"Lee Yoon from Taepyeong-dong
is going to steal 200,000 won
from the Government-General Office."
You don't want the rumors going around,
so keep your boys' mouths shut.
Don't you worry.
I may work on the dangerous side,
but I live my life on the safe side.
Do you not trust me?
Gosh, you have to trust my boys.
They know how to keep a secret.
Okay, fine.
Just this once.
I'll trust you.
Thank you. I am so flattered and honored.
Let me ask you something.
Can I?
Go ahead.
Is that manager in charge
of the whole Gando Line project?
Yeah, probably.
And the manager will be attending
the groundbreaking ceremony on the 30th?
Why?
Are you going to hurt them?
If, by any chance, someone gets in our way
and things do not go as planned,
then what will you do?
Isn't that obvious?
I'm going to kill them.
They're trying to take our land.
I'm going to kill them, of course.
They're trying to take our money.
That's what I do.
I get paid to kill those kinds of people.
That's what I do.
I kill those kinds of people
to protect this village.
I hope you won't change your mind.
I will kill them in front of everyone.
As brutally as possible.
That way, the world will know
what will happen when they covet Gando.
Do you have to go that far?
I have to go that far.
We can't keep running away forever,
you know.
For once in our lives
we should live like human beings.
ALL PERSONS, LOCATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS,
TERMS, EVENTS, AND EPISODES
MENTIONED OR DESCRIBED
IN THIS SHOW ARE FICTIONAL
ANY RESEMBLANCE TO REALITY
IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL