Road Number One
Episode 3
This program has received production support from Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
This drama spans the first year of the Korean War,
which broke out on June 25, 1950 and raged for three years.
The events on June 25 have been dramatically recreated
and do not reflect any actual individuals or troops.
Don't go! Don't go!
Don't go.
You said you wanted to become a doctor.
I'll earn your tuition.
You just study and don't worry about a thing.
Don't go!
Su Yeon,
what I want to do is exactly this.
To live for you.
I'm going to quit medical school.
So don't go to Mount Jiri.
So the money you earn by killing people,
I'm supposed to use it to study on how to save people?
About the time this blooms into a flower, I'll be back.
After that... forever...
I'll be by your side.
Jang Woo,
are you really dead?
I'll go to you.
If you can't come to me.
I told you I'd return when the dandelions bloomed.
See? I haven't died.
I've returned to you alive and fine!
- Jang Woo... - Let's go.
Wait.
Cross over!
I thought if I saw you again, if only I had you...
I could forget all that happened at Mount Jiri, I survived on that hope!
And now,
you're asking me to do those things all over again?!
I’m sorry Jang Woo. I didn’t know.
I'm sorry.
Yes, I will die here.
Tae Ho!
Kim Su Yeon...
Kim Su Yeon was a member of a rebel group.
The woman that was going to be my bride!
I had no idea, and I chattered about all sorts of things.
The plan that we were installing explosives on Yeongchon bridge...
I'm the one that told her!
It's my fault.
They all died because of me, and you want me to run away?
The things I said to you... my promise...
they were all sincere.
But that promise was made when Jang Woo wasn't of this world.
What about now?
What about now?!
Sergeant Lee Jang Woo, you will continue duty at your current post
as Sergeant First Class in 2nd Company, 1st Platoon.
That's an order.
We will stay here and provide protection so that you can cross the river safely.
We will do everything in our power.
I pray...
that we all survive and meet again somewhere.
Stay alive. You must.
Episode 3
They're approaching!
Hey you!
Get up! They're coming.
When the first tank falls into the ditch, blast the TNT
and completely blow up the entire wall of the mountain.
After the tank falls into the trap, we blast after, got it?
Come on, come on.
Come on, so we can blow you to pieces.
Just a little more.
Just come a little closer.
Just a little more,
a little more...
Just a little more.
Not yet.
It's not time yet.
Not yet, not yet.
Shit. You should have waited a little longer!
Hey Han Young Min, what the hell happened?
Answer me! Han Young Min, what the hell happened?!
There. My part is done.
What the hell are you talking about done?!
The traps have all caved in and it's a mess!
Hey 2nd Platoon, blast it!
Blast it!
Now, what do we, Captain?!
Jong Ki, let's go!
Stay low, stay low!
Shoot! Shoot, I say!
Launch grenades!
Now! Shoot! Shoot!
I dropped a grenade!
Duck!
We hit the tank!
Tank driver coming out!
You've never killed someone, have you?
We gotta get closer to the tanks.
Charge ahead!
What the hell is wrong with it?!
Tank's been hit! Wheels...
Platoon Leader! Platoon Leader!
Me too! I got hit too! Medic!
We're climbing to the top of the tanks!
Don't be afraid, and attack!
Lee Jang Woo.
Jang Woo, you okay?
- Jang Woo! You ready?! - Yeah!
- You really ready?! - Yeah!
Let's go! Let's go!
- Charge bayonets! - Charge bayonets!
Charge bayonets!
It's ended here.
Going any further is dangerous.
Get down!
2nd Company!
Enemy retreating!
Retreat!
Retreat! Retreat!
Retreat!
Tae Ho,
it's all over.
Let's go.
Captain.
Get up!
Let's go!
Jang Woo! Get up.
Let's go.
Let's go!
Don't act so grand, and just take care of the live ones.
He's not dead yet!
Are you okay?
If you run out of ammunition in the battlefield, you're a dead man.
If you want to live, pick up the weapons!
Listen, 2nd Company,
we're abandoning all laggards, so pick it up. Quickly, got it?!
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Hurry up!
Thank you for not abandoning me.
I will absolutely repay your kindness.
Yeah, stay alive and repay me.
I'm sorry, *Abum. (*a way of addressing an elderly manservant - also a father)
It's all my fault!
It's all my fault this happened to you!
Let's go back down.
Soon, the boat is going to leave.
Unni, don't you feel anything?
It's not just anyone. It's Jang Woo's father.
From now on, even if we want to cry, we have to hold it back.
Even if we want to die, we have to live.
So, you have to be strongly determined too.
Because you no longer even have Ahjussi to attend to you.
Su Yeon.
It's the last boat.
Hurry and bring Su Hee.
Oppa.
Su Yeon!
Jang Woo!
Su Yeon!
Lee Jang Woo!
Don't worry and go on ahead!
I'll be right behind you!
Jang Woo!
Until then, take care of my father!
Ahjussi passed away!
Don't worry about anything!
I'm okay!
Jang Woo!
Ahjussi...
your father...
passed away.
My father!
Take care of my father, Su Yeon.
I'm sorry.
Everybody took off, leaving just us.
Now really, we're the only ones left.
Sergeant Kim.
Yes, sir.
Take a few of the guys over to the Haengju dock,
and see if you can get some boats. As many as possible.
You think there would be any boats left?
All the soldiers and civilians would have taken them and left.
We'll have to find at least a raft.
See if you can find a raft, at least.
Yes, sir.
Captain.
We can't fight like this.
- Follow me. - Captain!
Captain...
You see my house over there, don't you?
Yeah, I see it.
Please call my mother.
We can't right now, but...
Hey, pal.
Hong Ki, snap out of it.
You have to get up to go greet your mother.
Captain.
Are you sending me home?
Of course, kid.
Have a nap, then get up and let's go home.
Sound good?
Yes.
Rest.
Captain!
2nd Platoon Leader...
We gotta get closer to the tanks.
Charge ahead!
Hey, look. The woman doctor is passing by. Look.
I won't be tricked!
But it looks like she's going somewhere.
Hey look, pal, take a look!
What are we supposed to do now?
That... I don't really know either.
Everything I've believed in up to now has crumbled:
the homeland, love, and even my life.
Hyungnim!
Please tell me!
What, exactly, am I supposed to do?!
The only answer I can give...
is stay alive any way you can.
Stay alive any way you can
Time will give you the answers.
This is all we can do.
All we can do.
Why aren't they coming?
Sergeant Kim has to find a boat.
You think they just ran off on their own?
Captain, why don't we just swim across at a shallow point?
Then, what about the weapons?
The water has risen from the rain showers, and the currents are swift.
We also have a lot of wounded.
It will be difficult without a boat.
Even if we can't get a boat, the wounded won't be able to go anyway.
- I got it, kid. - Yes.
Calm down.
Tae Ho,
1st Platoon is observing the rear.
Judging from what they see, it looks like the enemy will be running into us soon.
Master Sergeant, take any remaining gunpowder from the trucks, and if there are any guns, take them all.
- Boats! - The boats are here!
This is all we could get.
What should we do?
Hey punk!
Load the weapons first!
Soldiers each load your weapons and ammunition.
The seriously injured will wait for now.
What do you mean wait? We need to take the wounded first.
Hey medic! Can't you see?!
How can we fit the seriously injured too on a tiny craft like this?!
Are you saying leave 'em behind, whether they get killed or not?!
Kwon Jin Chul!
We load the weapons first.
And those able to fight ride first.
Throw away your cheap pity!
People's lives are at stake! How can you be so calculating?!
Bok Soo,
stay out of it.
So are you telling me to die?!
We're all going to die like this!
Then, we can take him and you can stay.
You want to do that?
So, shut up, you punks.
Hey! Didn't you hear me?!
Get him out!
You just said it was fine to send them.
I'll go later, so let's send this guy first.
What, you punk?!
Who's going to fight like this?!
We'll abandon you if you get hurt! Weapons are more important than lives!
Who's going to fight, believing that sort of allegiance?!
There has to be people to need weapons.
Hey Lee Jang Woo,
you think I'm making a fuss because I don't have allegiance?
The fighters have to survive if we're going to fight a war or save the injured!
What the hell are you doing?!
Get the weapons first!
And abandon the wounded.
No! We load the wounded first.
You little punk!
What the hell are you doing?!
Hong Ki! Hong Ki!
Hong Ki.
Hong Ki. Hong Ki!
Hong Ki.
Park Hong Ki, get down!
Park Hong Ki!
Lieutenant, I did good, right?
Yeah, you did good, pal!
Ow, it hurts!
We can't abandon either the wounded nor the weapons!
Give the order!
Captain, say something!
Are we going to just leave this and go?
We're going to load the wounded first.
Hey Shin Tae Ho! I know how you're feeling,
We're in a situation where our weapons are already insufficient!
If we send this off first, what are we going to fight with?!
We can cross in two trips!
Send the wounded and the weapons first!
What'd you say?
If we do that and the enemy charges,
the men left able to fight will all die!
What he says is right.
We don't have time to cross twice.
We're going to bury the weapons.
Together with our comrades, we're going to bury the weapons.
What we're burying here is not our comrades' corpses and our weapons,
but the spirit of our 2nd Company.
Bum Jin, Hong Ki,
we, in 2nd Company, will return without fail.
The day that we recapture national Road #1,
let's meet again.
I'm sorry.
You don't like me?
Or is it because of a dead man?
I don't want to make a promise I can't keep ever again.
I'm sorry.
Take it.
Lieutenant Shin!
I can't give this ring to anyone but you, Su Yeon!
If you don't want to accept it,
then throw it away.
- I'm sorry. - Why are you still tied to a dead man?!
Because he's still alive!
Inside of me!
This deeply.
This painfully.
When I see you,
I think of my mother who passed away.
A mother whose face I don't even remember that well.
Her voice, her figure, her scent.
They all come alive through you.
I was too young to protect and care for my mother,
but I will protect and care for you!
I promise.
Accept this ring.
Promise to marry me.
Thank you for earlier.
Hong Ki was probably able to rest in peace after he heard your words.
Hong Ki died because of me.
The others too. They all did.
Because of the Yeongchon bridge.
Because of Kim Su Yeon.
You're saying that was all because of Kim Su Yeon?
If I'm going be specific about the source,
I suppose it was my mistake first.
Because I met Kim Su Yeon,
and loved her.
My crime was as deep as my love.
A battlefield is a place where people die, even without any reason.
I must see Kim Su Yeon and hear her answer.
After burying Sergeant Lee Jang Woo in her heart,
the promise she made me,
the pledge to be with me forever...
I need to know how much of it was true.
Aren't you curious? About how she'll answer?
If you want to hear the answer, stay alive.
At least until we see Kim Su Yeon again.
Answer me. Your dream...
Forever... drawing... one person.
That's my dream.
Even if that person... isn't beside you?
Even then, I'm going to draw you.
Your face, your image, only.
I - love - you.
We've gathered reports that they're planning to go after the Nakdong River line of defense.
The Nakdong River?
They're basically cutting off our retreat.
Because, if the Nakdong River line of defense collapses,
the fate of the Republic of Korea ends there.
Before then, we're going to have to supplement our forces.
Because we don't know when the situation will change.
We have an insufficient number of enlisted men,
but we also have a serious lack of platoon leaders.
We can't just continue to make do with the squad leaders.
Of the 14 Second Lieutenants in the Battalion, 5 have died and 4 are seriously wounded.
In Busan, a recruit training center will be set up.
If the appropriate soldiers finish a condensed 1 month training,
they can be promoted to Second Lieutenant.
"Promotion" and "Platoon Leader" all sound good in words,
but if a battle breaks out, they have to stand on the front lines as human bullet shields.
Who's going to volunteer?
Look over the men in your company,
and suggest some suitable candidates.
2nd Company has Kim Duk Shil.
Sergeant Kim can't do it.
Why not?
After 2nd Platoon Leader died in battle,
he's been acting as the men's leader anyway,
and as you said, we don't know how our situation might change.
So for the sake of 2nd Company, it can't be Kim Duk Shil.
So you're saying you can't appoint him as a human bullet shield Lieutenant.
That's right.
Then transfer as you see fit. After all, you can't make a platoon leader through an order.
Each company recruits as many as you are lacking and report.
Today on the war field, we're also going to recruit more rank and file soldiers.
[July 4th, 1950, War]
Get out!
Hurry it up!
Get out now! Hurry it up, punks!
Stand up straight!
We will only confirm their age and general good health.
Then, get them to the truck.
It's a minimum of 20 men.
What about the ones who resist?
We make a case by case judgment.
However, be cautious not to use unnecessary military force.
- Carry out. - Carry out!
Carry out!
Yes, sir!
Didn't you hear the order?
Sergeant Lee.
Did you or did you not hear it?
I heard it.
Then move it.
Move!
What's with the soldiers?
What's the matter?
Aigoo, it's nothing.
What do you mean it's nothing? Your shoes are in tatters!
It's been fine for a long time.
What do you mean fine?
Aigoo.
Come here, come here.
Come here. Eat some noodles.
Noodles? What noodles?
Come here and sit down.
Excuse me! 2 bowls of soup noodles!
No! Just 1 bowl please and bring us an extra empty bowl.
We spent a lot of money on Mother's medicine. Why waste money recklessly?
You really...
I told you not to come with me.
How could you carry all that by yourself?
I swear... you are so stubborn!
I'm like you, I guess.
In intellectual terms it's called conjugal harmony.
Your food.
Aigoo, how come you're giving me...
Don't make a fuss and just eat it.
We'll be here all night like that.
You eat some more.
I just have no appetite.
Then just give me one more mouthful.
Aigoo, that's enough.
- Aigoo, aigoo, aigoo, just a little... - Enough, enough...
Rest here for a second.
Where are you going?
Are you going to follow me to the bathroom too?
Be quick.
All right.
Excuse me, Sir!
Where do they sell rubber shoes around here?
I don't know.
Hey Gang Tae, he's calling me "Sir".
A guy he collects scrap and junk is a sir?
Hey!
You, get lost! Get lost, pal!
What are you doing?!
Why are you doing this?
- Let's go! - Why are you doing this?
Why are you doing this, sirs?
Hey junkman, step out.
Junkman?
What?
You want me to call you an antique dealer?
This soldier bastard seems to have a death wish.
Hey, do you know who I am?
You mention Yang Kang Tae out on the war fields,
even the cripples suddenly jump up and run away.
You're dead.
Use this.
You're dead.
Play the corner thug when there's nothing going on.
Right now, we're at war, at war!
There are 17 men.
This kid, confirm his age.
We have confirmed it; he is 18.
We need 3 more.
Yes, sir!
You heard him. Let's go!
Yes, sir!
Come here!
Come this way!
- This is a mistake. - Hey, punk!
Except for this one, we picked up some fresh, lively ones.
But, where are we going, eh?
Didn't you say you were going to take me to a shop where they sell rubber shoes?
Listen, pal, from now on... you're a soldier!
A soldier?
What are you talking about?
What do you mean a soldier?
You men gathered here, under the laws in effect during national emergency,
are hereby drafted into active service.
Drafted? Drafted?
According to the law, all able-bodied men are eligible for the draft.
In the case that you do not comply,
you will be subject to a quick summary trial and punishment as dictated by wartime laws.
Please bear this in mind.
I can't!
My bride is waiting so I gotta hurry back.
Why should I go to the battlefields? Let me leave!
Me too!
Ahjussi, I really have to go.
My grandmother is sick, so I need to go quickly.
Don't ask me anything; I don't know what's going on either.
You trying to run away on your own?
This country has become like this because of cowards like you!
Punk!
Master Sergeant Oh!
Be still.
Guys like this need to have a little taste of bitterness...
Leave him alone.
Keep it up and you'll slaughter the kid.
What are you?
Lee Jang Woo, you punk, I let things slide because your discharge was repealed,
and now you tread on me with no fear?!
You gangly punk!
I'm killing you today!
Master Sergeant Oh Jong Ki!
Master Sergeant, people are watching.
20 recruits, move out!
Oh Mother!
From the beginning when you came as a Staff Sergeant,
I knew you were bad news!
Master Sergeant, why are you doing this?
Let go, you punk!
For these guys,
we have to show them who's higher up and who's lower down.
You... dare... in front of anyone,
grab my arm, you punk?!
- Master Sergeant Oh! - Let go!
Let go, you punk!
- Let go! -Master Sergeant Oh!
Hey, you punk.
Hey! Catch those men!
Catch those men! Stop right there!
Stop right there!
Come here!
Oh my! What is that noise?
Aren't those gunshot?!
- I'm sorry! -Ay, ay!
I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
Bong Soon! Bong Soon!
Sir.
Please let me go.
We went to go buy my mother medicine.
And my bride is waiting.
What's your name?
Park Dal Mun.
Dal Mun.
Go.
Excuse me?
Take this and run away.
Here.
Thank you!
Thank you so much, sir!
He's in a difficult situation.
Can't we let him go?
The two of us can just pretend we didn't see him.
If we consider each and every situation,
then who'll protect our country?
All who are eligible by national law
will be drafted with no exception.
That's the order I was given.
Of course it was.
Sergeant Lee Sang Woo,
you have just committed a crime of disobeying a wartime order.
Be prepared.
Bong Soon!
Honey!
Love!
Honey!
Where are you going?!
- Bong Soon! - Honey!
Are you okay?
I told you to buy some real rubber shoes!
Go give Mother the medicine and use this to buy some rubber shoes!
Love, don't worry about a thing!
I won't be gone long.
Honey!
Su Yeon!
Jang Woo!
Su Yeon!
Lee Jang Woo!
Honey!
Bong Soon! Don't worry about a thing!
I'll be back real soon!
I'll be back real soon, so don't worry about a thing! All right?
Honey.
Bong Soon!
Love!
Don't worry about a thing!
Honey!
Honey.
You disobeyed orders and let a runaway draftee go.
Is the 1st Platoon Leader's report correct?
Yes, it's correct.
Disobeying a wartime command dictates immediate summary trial and punishment.
Consideration on the battlefield? We don't need that sort of thing!
Um, if you give the order, we'll carry it out strictly.
Sergeant Lee Jang Woo,
you put down the partisan guerillas before the war,
and according to the company Captain, your performance in the tank battle was impressive.
Send him to Platoon Leader training.
His battle experience is invaluable. What's the use of sending him to the detention barracks?
I'm telling you to go get a Second Lieutenant badge and lead a charge.
Sergeant Lee clearly violated military law.
Is it the detention barracks or training camp?
You decide yourself.
I don't want to.
You don't want to?
What?
A human bullet shield platoon leader, I don't want to become one.
Watch your mouth.
We're all risking our lives fighting here.
I'd rather go to the detention barracks.
You said you wanted to go run a business if you were discharged.
Is that true?
If you're stripped of your uniform like this during wartime,
the army can't give you any benefits.
Granted, you won't get what we owe you up to now.
And, because it's a dishonorable discharge, your personal life will be difficult too, I suppose.
Dismissed.
All Sergeants headed to platoon leader training must report immediately.
I'll anticipate your return as a worthy commissioned officer.
Weren't you the one who wanted me to go to the brig for disobeying orders?
Are you knocking me down and helping me up?
Anyhow, let's meet again alive.
For a soldier, the important thing isn't to stay alive,
it's how well you live with honor.
You have to live to have honor.
There are people, who throw away their honor to stay alive,
but there are also those who offer up their honor to protect the homeland.
If you're going to wear an officer's rank on your chest,
then at the very least, make sure that you have embedded in your chest
what a soldier's honor means.
I think your words are well-intended,
I will keep them in mind.
For the sake of our goal of victory,
I will put my personal feelings aside.
[August 2, 1950, Nakdong River Defense Line]
They're bombing, they're bombing!
Stay alive.
You must.
When I think of you,
I think of only how sorry I am for everything.
Su Yeon, I've made a decision.
So, you have to go along with my wishes too.
How long is it going to be?!
How long?!
I'm going to believe you to the very end.
Even if the whole world says you're dead,
I'll believe you'll come back to me.
Su Yeon, wait just a little bit.
Lieutenant, save me!
Captain! Captain.
What is the reason you don't fail?
I absolutely must live.
That's the reason.
You are under arrest for desertion.