Road Number One
Episode 9
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.
Most of the events of the Korean War have been dramatically recreated
and do not reflect any actual individuals or troops.
September 28, 1950
The National Army historically reclaims Seoul.
The 2nd Company advances on the township of Yeongchon on the other side
of the river they originally crossed on a single ferryboat.
From this moment forward,
1st Battalion, 2nd Company will be led by Company Commander Lee Jang Woo.
To our newly appointed Company Commander! Salute!
Noona has a baby.
Who is the daddy?
Someone I love.
This is a trick.
I also think it is a camouflaged line of defense.
The first platoon will pretend to go all the way over the 7th ridge
but turn around and come right back.
We must absolutely not go over the ridge in one attempt.
Only after we’ve confirmed the full force of the enemy
will the entire company will take the hill.
Platoon Leader!
Please spare my life.
My leader is in hiding nearby.
What?!
Just over the ridge, he's hiding like a little rat.
Tell 1st Platoon there's no attack.
They are to come down from the hill immediately.
Yes, sir.
Magpie. Magpie, Magpie, this is Black Kite.
Answer.
Aren't you going to answer, Lieutenant?
Magpie! Answer!
Lieutenant.
This is Black Kite. Answer. Come in!
First Platoon, what are you doing?
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant!
This is an order. You are to withdraw.
Lieutenant, let’s go back down. It’s an order from the Commander.
Lieutenant!
Lieutenant.
Shut up, fool!
If we catch a North Korean commander alive,
it could mean a promotion in rank.
A promotion in rank?
Lieutenant!
Lieutenant...
We will capture the commander alive.
Lieutenant.
Right. Didn't you hear him?!
It's over that way.
Magpie. Magpie, Magpie, this is Black Kite.
Answer.
Magpie!
We're changing the plan.
2nd Platoon, 3rd Platoon, immediately right now, we will go up the ridge.
- What? - What?
2nd Company, everyone charge!
There he goes.
We absolutely cannot lose him!
Catch him!
We will capture the commander alive.
Don't shoot him, just shoot the car!
They're hiding there! It's an act!
Lieutenant!
Lieutenant, are you all right?
Jang Doo Shik!
Doo Shik!
Hey Doo Shik. Doo Shik!
It's not a commander. It's a private.
We've been tricked!
C'mon, guy, hang on, huh?
Come to your senses. Hold on.
Huh?! C'mon man!
Doo Shik!
Captain,
why...
why did you put me in 1st Platoon?
Doo Shik.
Commander,
my baby Jang Woo,
Jang Woo, if you see him...
Doo Shik.
Doo Shik!
Doo Shik Hyung, wake up!
Doo Shik!
Hey! Doo Shik.
Doo Shik!
Hey man!
You punk!
Wake up!
Hey!
Doo Shik!
Hey!
We're done, Sergeant.
Salute.
1st Platoon Leader.
I ordered you to withdraw.
It was not a camouflaged line of defense.
We were both wrong.
The enemy only had one platoon here.
If we could catch a North Korean commander, we might get intel...
I ordered you to withdraw immediately.
Isn't that what you said?
In combat, more dangerous than the enemy
is disobeying an order.
You disobeyed a Commander's order, and ultimately,
led your men to meaningless injury and death.
Do you concede this fact?
I'll readily accept my punishment.
Is that so?
Your final words?
Like a true officer,
take your own life.
Let me ask you one final question.
Why is it you don't fail?
I absolutely must stay alive.
That's the reason.
Long live the Republic of Korea.
Thanks,
for following my order.
Yes. Yes, I understand.
[September 29, 1950. Gyeonggi Province, near Paju]
Yes, I will relay it immediately.
Yes, I understand.
[Transfer Request]
[1st Battalion, 2nd Company...]
We have to clean up the personnel files of the enlisted men.
Particularly, we need to confirm the accuracy of the casualty list.
[Deceased... Deceased... Deceased...]
[Gyeongsangbuk Province, Seongju County, Seongju, Daeseongni Station - Deceased]
[Deceased]
[Oh Jong Ki - Master Sergeant First Class - 30 - Gyeonggi Province, Paju, Hwadong Township, Hwadongni 14]
Attention!
The whole division is on standby orders at our current location.
Standby?
What about the 38th Parallel?
The Americans are against breaking through the 38th parallel.
But President Rhee
is insisting that even alone, the National Army should continue north.
I'm sure we'll hear the decision within a couple of days.
But, the 38th Parallel is so close. Why are we hesitating?
Can't you figure it out?
If the Americans move north, the Chinese Communist Army may intervene.
The Chinese Communist Army?
Ah, let's leave the complicated matters to the higher ups.
We've been given the route north.
Our orders are to move from Songchu towards Dongducheon.
Then, what about Road No. 1?
The Americans will take that side.
Our comrades are buried along Road No. 1.
But now we're told to give it up and go another route?
No matter what happens, we must recapture Road No. 1 by our own hands.
You think you're the only one angry about this?
If it were up to me, I'd go up Road No. 1.
But, these are our orders from the authorities, so what can we do?
Make sure your men get plenty of rest until you get your next order.
The battalion's main 1st Company in this current location,
2nd Company in Cheonchuni,
and 3rd Company sets up camp in Hwadongni. That's it.
Commander,
would it be all right if we took Hwadongni?
Why?
Fine, then. 2nd Company can go into Hwadongni.
Thank you, sir.
How's Shin Tae Ho?
Any problems managing him?
He's following well.
Even if you started as a non-commissioned officer,
you are now the uncontested leader of 2nd Company.
Don't be concerned about personal feelings,
and act in the manner of a Company Commander.
I understand.
Hey, does this make any sense?
Even if it's an order from the superiors.
They tell us not to go up Road No. 1, but another route?
Geez.
What about you Sergeant? Aren't you angry?
That mountain.
It's a mountain you've seen a lot, right?
Excuse me?
2nd Company!
Yes, sir!
Today, we're setting up camp beyond those mountains in Hwadongni!
There, Sergeant Oh will lead our Company!
Isn't Hwadongni your hometown, Hyungnim?
Whoa! Is that true?
Then, Sergeant, will you pull a few strings so we can eat to our belly's content?
Hey! You think food will be enough?
He's gotta treat us all to makgeolli too! (Unfiltered rice wine)
All right!!!
2nd Company!
Yes, sir!
To Hwadongni, move out!
Move out!
Yeah!
Long live Doctor Rhee Syngman, hoorah!
Long live General Kim Il-Sung, hoorah!
Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah, hoorah!
Yong Bae, where are you going?
Village Chief, soldiers are coming.
Which side? Is it Rhee Syngman or Kim Il-Sung?
Hoorah! Hoorah!
Ahjussi!
Who do we have here?
Aren't you Oh Ha Rae's second son?
Yes!
Everything's been fine, right?
Yong Bae, you punk,
if you see your Hyungnim, shouldn't you start with a proper greeting?
- I see you're still alive. - Of course!
Did you think the mighty Oh Jong Ki would have keeled over?
Thank goodness.
Hello. I'm the Company Commander.
Aigoo, yes, yes.
We'll be camping in this village tonight. I'm sorry to impose.
Don't mention it. We're glad you came.
But, what about my family?
Oh, they evacuated a long time ago.
Evacuated?
Long live General Kim Il-Sung, hoorah!
Long live Doctor Rhee Syngman, hoorah!
Hoorah, hoorah!
Long live Doctor Rhee Syngman, hoorah!
- That crazy wench... - Oh, let her be.
Hoorah, hoorah!
- You have to eat a lot to fight well! - Thank you!
Have some of this.
Here, sit! Come on.
What are you doing, come on!
Come on!
- Just a minute! Just a minute, please. - Aigoo.
- Here! - Oh, hey, hey, hey...
This fellow Jong Ki is my long time friend.
His insane personality may be a piece of work,
but he's not an evil guy, so treat him fondly!
Yeah!!
Sergeant Oh's the one that's gotta be treating us fondly.
How can we be treating the Sergeant fondly? Isn't that right, Sergeant Oh?
His personality even before the army must have really been insane too!
2nd Company!!
Eat up!
Yeah!!
We'll eat well, thank you!
And this guy...
is great with his hands!
When someone's shoe soles get broken,
he'll roll up his sleeves and fix 'em.
He's a village worker bee!
We thought he was a fighter, but he's a worker, eh?
Stop blathering on, will you?
But, when did my family evacuate?
I think maybe your wife went to her hometown.
When they heard you were nose to nose with the North Koreans,
they all packed up.
If it were found out they were a soldier's family, people said it would be an early death.
I didn't see Hyung Shik or Jong Cheol's family either.
Aigoo. A policeman, a school teacher...
they say town officials have a really hard time getting their lives spared.
What could they do?
They all took off in the night.
Excuse me.
We've made such an imposition.
That's ridiculous.
Please sit, sit.
You're all risking your lives for the country.
This dinner is far from sufficient.
Everyone is so congenial and amicable.
They all look like blood brothers. It's heartwarming.
Tae Ho, let me pour you one. Here.
Hey, Shin Tae Ho.
Tae Ho!
Shin Tae Ho!
- Shin Tae Ho! - Hey!
That little... To a soldier!
What?
Hey, hey, Yong Bae, what are you doing?
Jong Ki...
Let go! I'm going to play with Jong Ki!
Jong Ki!
I'm sorry! Please keep eating!
Just let her be.
Sorry!
Oh leave her alone.
You did a foolish thing.
It's great for me to visit my hometown,
doesn't it look bad to the other guys?
What?
They all seem to be enjoying it.
And if it's your hometown, it's our hometown, isn't it?
Thanks.
Let me pour you one.
When they heard you were nose to nose with the North Koreans,
they all packed up.
If it were found out they were a soldier's family,
people said it would be an early death.
Honey.
Mother!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry.
It'll be okay, right?
They say they'll be leaving by daylight tomorrow,
so we just need to make it through today.
You know Jong Ki's temper.
If this gets out, we're all dead.
Just bear it for today.
Let's go.
Here it comes.
Thanks.
Sergeant Oh, you seem like a different person here in your hometown.
What?!
You seem like a good person.
Oh my gosh! Dal Mun, you saw it, right?
Sergeant Oh just showed some gum. That's a smile, right?
After all, what's there to frown about, visiting your hometown?
Aigoo, look at that. Look at that sweat.
Just a sec.
Get that away.
Aigoo, just a second.
Alright, workin' hard, workin' hard.
Here we go.
What? Has the taste gone bad?
Why didn't they take this?
This was like my mother's baby.
For my mother too.
I wonder if my mother is doing all right.
What's the use of looking for your family here?
We can all just be brothers together.
Go ahead and call me.
"Little Brother", go ahead and call me.
Little Brother.
Yes, Hyungnim.
Okay, now call Sergeant Oh, Big Hyungnim.
Big Hyungnim.
What, you punk?!
Sorry, sorry.
Oh come on. We're saying you're like our big brother.
Big Hyungnim...
You punks.
Let go.
Follow me,
so we can at least rinse off.
Hello.
But where did Hyungsunim go? (Hyung's wife)
She must have gone to her hometown.
Ah, you're right!
We can't use that well anymore!
What?
Why not?
It's just been so dry.
Recently we dug a new well up that way.
Ah, do you want to rinse off?
Yes. Aigoo, that's good. Let's go.
Where to?
The new well is nice and refreshing.
Let's go.
Just go straight up that way.
Aigoo, come on.
Go straight up that way.
What are you doing? Come on.
What are you doing?
[Transfer Request]
See ya.
Hey Kang Tae. Let's just go back.
It's all right, pal.
I'm not chicken. A man's gotta have some conscience.
Hey, don't delude yourself 'cuz you got on a soldier's uniform, punk.
Guys like us, whether we get released,
or war breaks out, we're just trash meant to pick up trash.
Just keep a good lookout, will ya?
Yang Kang Tae!
It was nothing.
As a soldier, you should be ashamed.
You're no longer a soldier.
- Oh how cooling. - Now, I'm hungry.
Aigoo, that was refreshing.
We worked, we rinsed off. Now I'm hungry. I'm hungry.
How'd she get out?
Chun Mae... Why is she in this state?
Aigoo, whenever the sun goes down, she gets worse.
What can you do? Gotta manage her.
What about her family?
They evacuated without taking her?
Don't worry about her and go rest.
Come here.
Hey, hey.
Hey, catch her!
Sergeant Oh.
The Commander is looking for you.
- Hey you! - Just a moment!
Stealing, harassing a woman, is what Park Mun Ho says true?
Answer me.
You think this guy is clean?
This is the guy that follows my ass around
and stuffs his face with my shit.
You lousy bastard!
I'm sorry, please forgive me, Commander.
This is all so regrettable. I know you need to leave early in the morning,
and you can't even sleep.
Yang Kang Tae, you bastard!
Sergeant! Sergeant!
- Sergeant Oh! - Sergeant Oh!
Let go!
Yang Kang Tae and Park Mun Ho will be court-martialed.
Excuse me?
Arrest them.
Commander, I'm sorry. Commander.
Hey, Kang Tae!
Put down the gun!
Put down the gun, Yang Kang Tae!
Commander or not, I'm going to kill you all!
Kang Tae, don't do it!
Hey you son of a bitch!
You're dead meat!!
Commander!
Big trouble!!
Chun Mae.
Chun Mae, grab this rope.
Come on.
Jong Ki Ahjussi, you're here?
Did you come to see your bride?
Your mother's here too.
What's going on?
The corpses in there,
what is that?
I'm asking what is all that?!
I don't know anything about it.
Are those bodies village people?
Then...
my family?
Tell me!!
Yong Bae did it!
It wasn't me that was the informer!
Yong Bae, he did it.
Hyung Shik's family and Jong Cheol's family, and your family too.
He did it all!
That bastard!
Yes.
You bastard! Stop him!
You killed them?
This dog killed my flesh and blood?!
Put down the gun.
No.
After I kill this bastard.
Sergeant Oh.
Why?
Why did you do it?
Why did you do it?!
They said if someone didn't shed blood, the whole village would be killed.
I'm sorry.
You can beg for forgiveness, when you get to hell.
Let go!!
Get him!
A truck has come from battalion.
Don't worry about Sergeant Oh's case.
I'll report it directly to the Commander and ask for leniency.
But that... will be hard to overlook.
It really looks like...
I'll be along shortly. Go on ahead to base camp and be on standby.
Yes, sir.
When we get to the battalion, please take care of this.
[Transfer Request]
I'm officially requesting a transfer.
You can't.
Our Company needs you.
We don't know what's going to happen to Sergeant Oh, either.
I failed an operation and disobeyed an order.
I don't believe I have any right to stay in 2nd Company.
That judgment is up to me as Company Commander.
I don't have any interest in what you think.
Please report my request.
Is it because of me?
I know you don't like me.
But still, right now you need to think of the Company before your personal feelings.
I'm saying I want to leave for the sake of 2nd Company.
I don't want to follow orders anymore.
Are you saying you will absolutely not accept me as Company Commander?
The day I meet Kim Su Yeon in Pyeongyang,
if her answer is different from what I feel,
I will pull the trigger.
At that point, what will you do with me?
Fine.
If you really want this, then you submit it to the Commander yourself.
Put 'em all there!
Sergeant, don't worry about a thing.
Right. You'll be out in no time.
Of course. Come back soon.
Long live General Kim Il-Sung, hoorah!
Long live Doctor Rhee Syngman, hoorah!
Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah.
It looks like the American troops are doing reconnaissance.
Stop the car!
They might mistake us for the enemy because of the flags!
- Excuse me? - Stop the car!
Sergeant Oh.
Shin Tae Ho!
Wake up.
Shin Tae Ho!
Tae Ho, wake up.
Shin Tae Ho!
With this, let's say the punishment has been given.
Let's go back to the Company.
Giyeok (first symbol in Korean alphabet)
Giyeok.
Nieun.
Digeut.
Di...
Digeut?
What is this?
You didn't do your homework, did you?
Well, I did do it...
Yeah, right you did. It's all homework for tomorrow then.
Oh geez. I'm sure I knew it.
What are you doing during class?!
Sit right.
I don't know!
It hurts my head.
Do what you want then.
If you're going to date a doctor, and you don't even know your ABC's?
I guess you won't do.
Teacher!
I'll do it.
I'm doing it.
How far did we get last time?
E.
And if you erase this, it's F.
What?
F.
It looks simpler than an E.
But, it's 2 strokes. Hard.
F.
Okay, now repeat after me.
ABCDEFG.
ABCDE...
What?
Listen.
ABCDEFG.
Ah. ABCD...
my tooth hurts. (sounds like EFG)
Where are you going? ABCDEFG!
ABCD my tooth hurts! I'm not doing it!
You have to study!
I'm not doing it!
You're not?
You!
Ow, my teeth hurt!
Here, Digeut.
Di-geut.
Ahh.
The nurse is coming.
Here.
If you don't do your homework by tomorrow, you're in big trouble.
You can count on me.
Be careful.
If the soldier comrades know about this,
he won't have anything good to say about it.
I'm not taking anyone else's food.
I'm just sharing mine during my breaks.
What's wrong with that?
Anyhow, I'm just telling you to be careful.
Myung Ho, try it again. Digeut.
Digeut.
It's been a long time.
Lieutenant Shin.
That suits you well, that uniform.
I become a nurse, and ultimately I run into you like this.
Yeah.
I looked bad sleeping, didn't I?
I hope I didn't snore.
What about the other soldiers?
Private Park Mun Ho was hospitalized.
Sergeant Oh wasn't wounded very badly
so he rejoined the Company.
They say your wound isn't a big one either.
Thank goodness.
Yours was torn and bloody, so I got this from the supply station.
Are you looking for this?
You're going to leave your unit?
Long live the Republic of Korea.
Lieutenant Shin! Just a moment.
These are rations that the American troops are eating.
It was hard for me to get them, so don't give them out
and eat them on your own.
Su Hee.
Oh that's right, you need a can opener.
Just a second. I'll be right back.
Kim Su Hee!
What do you think you're doing when you know I'm going to transfer?
Is this fun for you?
You think this could be fun for me?
Go.
Go where ever you want to go.
But,
erase the thought that it's because of my sister.
It has nothing to do with Kim Su Yeon.
This is my issue.
Then what's this?
I wanted to throw it away with my own hands,
but I couldn't.
Because if you don't throw it away yourself,
it means nothing.
I don't have anything to do with my sister anymore either.
Where ever you are, don't get sick, don't get hurt,
and don't die.
Then where ever that is,
I'll come and find you.
I'll look for a can opener.
The plan has changed.
Our regiment will temporarily join with the American troops,
will advance up along Road No. 1.
All right!
Road No. 1.
The road where, 3 months ago, we had to retreat despite our many sacrifices,
a road bound with our sorrow.
Recapturing Road No. 1 is regaining our honor.
Company Commander Lee Jang Woo.
Yes, sir!
Spearheading the division's advance
will be the men who took down the tanks on Road No. 1, 2nd Company.
Good job.
Then now, we will follow Road No. 1, pass Yeongchon bridge,
to Pyeongyang, Shinuju and all the way to the Baekdu Mountains.
All right!!
Lieutenant Shin!
We're going up Road No. 1.
I heard.
If you leave the unit like this, don't you think you'll regret it?
I've already set my mind to it.
Then I suppose this ends your promise to go to Pyeongyang together?
Not keeping the late Captain Yoon Sam Soo's promise,
I'm sure you'll regret.
This is yours.
If you change your mind, come back anytime.
I'll be waiting.
[Yoon Sam Soo]
What we're burying here are 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 No. 1,
let's meet again.
[Pyeongyang People's Hospital]
Public announcement!
This is a public announcement!
Myung Ho, go find shelter!
The say the National Army is coming up.
The National Army?
Everybody was going on and on about Road No. 1,
I thought maybe some honey pot was buried here or something,
but it doesn't seem like anything much.
Watch what you say, pal.
Something more precious is buried here.
What's that?
Comrades.
Our brothers are buried here.
Damn.
They're lined with tanks and field artillery.
That stream is a bigger problem.
The bazooka, machine guns, mortar, we can't take them across.
Isn't that what the enemy is counting on?
We don't have time to move the heavy weapons and we're no match for them with mere rifles.
Whether we live or die, we just need to wipe 'em out.
What do you think Lieutenant Shin?
At 10:00, it's the small hill.
I was thinking that too.
It's the only way.
What we're burying here are not our comrades' corpses and our weapons,
but the spirit of our 2nd Company.
There are rumors that the National Army has crossed the 38th Parallel.
Whatever happens, whatever you hear,
don't ever waver. Understand?
If the war hadn't broken out, who would Kim Su Yeon have chosen?
Are you forgiving Su Yeon?
Myung Ho, can you hear me?
If we fail this operation,
there's no way either of us can reach Su Yeon's side.
When I see Su Yeon again, my war ends there.
I will submit my transfer request after this operation.
That's the best I can do for the sake of 2nd Company.
The one who really needs to leave the Company
is not you Lieutenant Shin, but me.
He chased him alone like some possessed person.
I think the Commander followed him.
Why did Sergeant Oh do such a dangerous thing?!