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(Episode 02)
Your dad's friend runs a large noodle restaurant.
He'd offer your dad a job if he asked.
A big noodle restaurant owner.
And a vague memory of his face in the fire.
That was all I remembered about him.
I've been desperately trying to find him for the past 10 years.
But I didn't think about...
what I'd do after finding him.
Just like now...
where he's right...
in front of me.
Excuse me.
Isn't it ready yet?
I thought it had to be done by one o'clock. Am I wrong?
The kids had a light breakfast, so they seem to be very hungry.
So are you saying you want me to...
give them something that isn't even ready yet?
No, that's not what I meant.
I'd teach them to be more patient.
That's the courtesy to food...
and to people who cook it.
Please come this way.
He's here.
I'm sorry, Sir. We got stuck in a traffic jam.
It's okay.
I'm just worried that the kids might get hungry.
We will start shooting immediately. Just stay comfortable.
Okay.
I heard other people just left after taking some pictures.
That's because they are busy.
Do you always do volunteer work alone?
I only have to cook for about 20 people.
It must be hard, though.
It'd be a lie if I told you it wasn't.
In fact, it is hard.
But I can't be happier when I see little children...
enjoy the food I cooked.
That's what happiness is all about, don't you think?
He was like a monster who had eyes on the back of his head.
It was suffocating.
It felt like a stone got stuck in my throat.
- It is delicious. - Enjoy it.
- You seem to like it. - It's yummy.
- Moo Myeong. - Where is he?
He is in the director's room.
I will serve it to them.
You'll be...
doing a separate interview.
If you say that I've been doing volunteer work for 20 years,
it will save my face.
Okay. I will take care of it.
By the way,
have you heard of...
the name, Choi Soon Seok?
Pardon?
Come in.
Put it down there.
Why you...
Get that cleaned up.
Sorry.
Sorry about that. How clumsy of him.
Come and have a seat.
Get us some tea.
Please, sit.
I apologise.
He's not usually like that.
I guess his hands slipped.
Moo Myeong.
So who were you asking about earlier?
Choi Soon Seok.
He'd be around the age of the boy who just left.
He'll have wounds caused by a burn.
A burn?
Choi Soon Seok?
Choi Soon Seok, burns...
I can't be sure.
The name does sound familiar.
Do you want me to look for him?
Yes, please.
Goodbye.
You eat with your left hand.
Are you enjoying the food?
- Yes. - Yes.
Good, good.
Slow down.
Eat up.
Look at you using your left hand.
Good girl.
Yes?
Who taught you how to cook noodles?
No one taught me.
I stole the recipe.
And now I'm coming to steal your food.
Don't!
I won't.
Why did you tell me to park here?
Because people are nosy.
They like the Ha Jung Tae who cooks noodles,
but not so much the Ha Jung Tae who rides a black car.
Do you have to come this far to do volunteer work?
I have my reasons.
I'm looking for someone.
Where to, Sir?
Gangnam.
20 years ago,
I said I'd buy this land and people called me crazy.
Apart from a few apartment blocks, the whole area was a field.
Look at it now.
Who would think this place used to be a field?
I will move Goongnakwon over here.
So no one can threaten...
or crush it.
It will be big and strong.
Mr Ko won't allow it.
That old man...
won't even allow me to breathe properly.
He's still the face of the company.
You can't underestimate him.
So what?
Should I revere him, then?
That's not what I meant, Sir.
He's trying too hard in his old age.
He can barely plant a tree.
He doesn't scare me.
My goodness.
You wipe them too meticulously.
You'll have a stroke.
Take a break.
If dust settles on the crock,
how will it be able to breathe?
You also should wipe your face less...
and wipe these more.
I'm in charge of making side dishes.
Why should I wipe the crocks?
Are you becoming senile?
Just because we're both older, do you think you can tease me?
- My goodness... - Stop it.
You went from being a young man to a hunched old man.
Why haven't I seen the fool all day?
He went to cook for charity in Yangpyeong.
Will you please stop calling Mr Ha "the fool"?
The rest of the workers get scared when you two fight.
He doesn't really care about noodles.
That's why he's a fool.
A pine caterpillar should eat pine leaves.
It'll die if it eats any other leaf.
How can I ignore...
what is so obvious?
That noodle chef. Wasn't he a bit odd?
He was so nasty one minute, then acted so nice the next.
You.
Do you remember...
who killed your parents?
Let's not go there.
But...
what if it's not him?
It is him.
- Stop it. - You thought you were sure.
- What if you were wrong? - I said stop it.
You coward.
Hey.
I saw his face from this distance.
How could I forget his face?
Could you?
You jerk.
You know it's him.
How long will you pretend?
How much longer?
(The President Who Loved Noodles)
The papers recorded his whole life.
He used everything he could,
and his tiny restaurant became a palace.
(Goongnakwon Investigated For Tax Evasion)
Even when his palace almost fell,
he got out unscathed.
And finally,
he became king of that palace.
(Goongnakwon)
Will I be able to...
take down that monster?
No.
Can I even leave a scratch on its walls?
(Goongnakwon's Noodle Expert's Great Works of Charity)
Yes?
Come in.
Mr Seo's here.
Where will you meet him?
I got rid of all my grapevines...
to grow buckwheat for you.
You can't tell me now that you don't want to buy my products.
Just get rid of it again...
and grow grapes.
You can't say things like that. You're killing me here.
You're responsible.
You talked me into this.
Mr Seo.
Must a man marry every woman he dates?
If you find out she has a temper...
and a huge debt, it's only right to dump her.
Haven't you dated a woman?
It's not my fault the buckwheat is poor quality.
You knocked on the wrong door.
Then is it my fault?
It isn't your fault.
But the loss is all yours.
Not mine.
Ha Jung Tae.
If you treat people like this,
you will be punished by deity.
Why would I get punished...
for mistreating someone by deity?
A punishment is what one person gives to another.
You.
Let's talk.
I was never educated,
so I don't know how to beat around the bush.
So...
I will cut to the chase to...
Learn, then.
There's nothing wrong with learning at an old age.
Learn how to play go and golf, too.
You need to find yourself a hobby.
You shouldn't be saying that when you know nothing about noodles.
When I started working at Chimyeon Restaurant,
all you sold were jangteo guksu and egg noodles.
If I hadn't perfected my royal pheasant buckwheat noodles,
you would...
still be kneading dough.
I made the restaurant into what it is now.
Sleeping in silk sheets and clothes...
don't bring you sweet dreams.
If a noodle chef wants to do anything but make noodles...
Silk sheets...
do guarantee a good night's sleep.
Is that why you want to move to Gangnam?
Do you think you'll feel comfortable then?
Why?
Can't I feel comfortable?
We aren't moving.
Goongnakwon's roots are in Masan.
No tree can survive being uprooted.
I will plant it elsewhere.
So it can take roots...
in richer lands and grow stronger.
Is what I'm thinking right?
Who else knows?
Now you do.
Why are you...
showing me this?
You took him in.
So you should know what kind of person he is.
(Thief and murderer wanted, 3,000-dollar reward)
Hello?
I'm looking for someone.
Black is the board and white is the chalk?
Why do you study natural sciences?
Do you expect to go to college when you can't even solve this?
Class President.
Chae Yeo Kyung.
The differential value of f-x is one...
plus one over the sixth power of x.
So the number we're looking for is...
The circular function is 2f(x). So with the interval-values,
it's 2f(a)-2f(0), so...
If you apply all that, the answer is root 2 minus 1.
That's my answer.
Yeo Kyung.
Follow me.
My goodness.
Here.
What is it now?
I'm tired, that's all. Don't worry.
How can I not when you're so lethargic?
What's wrong?
Is the director gambling again?
I don't know. Bye.
I'll tell the nurse.
Get a few hours' sleep.
People will find out.
Rumours are nothing when your grades are falling.
This is your most important year. You know that.
Turn a blind eye, at least until you get into college.
Is that why you work here instead of a posh school?
Not really.
I think of them day and night.
I can't ignore them.
Put that back. We have more than enough patrons.
I'm sure you do.
Take it.
Thank you. I'll make every penny count.
You're such a good girl.
- I should go. - Bye.
Let go.
I'm sorry.
It won't happen again.
He's saying he's sorry.
Leave them alone.
When will you let go?
Place a bet and double your money.
It's 5 dollars to 10, 10 to 20.
Are you at it again?
Mr Loser's here.
Get going before I take your lunch money.
What is it today?
Guess how much salt's in the water.
What? That's impossible.
Have you heard of the perfect sense of taste?
Stop it while you can.
Are you trying to put out the fire I just lit?
Be nice and play along. Just this once. Pretty please?
I said no!
Do you not think you can guess?
Can you taste one grain of salt in a full cup of water?
Hey, stop talking nonsense.
I can.
What are you saying?
I bet you're after my money.
Double or nothing.
(Memorandum)
I have the money.
I didn't cheat.
You do stand a chance of guessing correctly.
It's just very slim.
There.
Take your pick.
- He got it right. - Wow.
I knew it.
Did you see that?
Have a good day.
How much is this?
How about we do this for a living?
You don't trust me.
Don't say that. I do trust you.
You used refined salt with 99 percent salinity.
Refined salt and normal salt makes a huge difference.
Wearing a seat belt isn't enough. It's best to have insurance, too.
Your sense of taste is the seat belt and...
the refined salt is insurance that pays out 99 percent of the time.
Here.
What made you want to play this time?
What about class?
Hi.
My teacher let me off to train for my physical.
Once you become a police, lock him up first.
He's my accomplice.
Go on first. I'll run some more.
- What's the goal? - It's 1km in 200 seconds.
- How long does it take you? - 180 seconds!
I already pity the criminals he'll end up chasing.
Hey.
I heard you scored.
Says who? It's not true.
Don't get into trouble.
I'll kill you if you don't graduate.
I wish you were as sweet as you are pretty.
See you later.
- Where is she going? - To teach.
She tutors someone our age.
My money.
It's gone.
Yeo Kyung!
Get back here!
Give it back! Yeo Kyung!
(Goongnakwon)
Father.
Wow. What's this?
I don't know.
Then how did you make it?
I don't know. I just did.
Eat, eat.
No one taught me.
I stole the recipe.
Don't worry too much.
He went to eat noodles often in the past, too.
But he never stayed out.
(Goongnakwon's Noodle Expert's Great Works of Charity)
You skipped breakfast.
Tae Ha. I think Moo Myeong...
went to Masan.
Can we switch seats?
But this is my seat.
I get motion sickness.
I might throw up.
Excuse me.
- You don't get sick, do you? - I do if I don't eat.
Taxi.
Taxi. Taxi.
Hello. Take me to Goongnakwon.
What are you doing?
Hey. We meet again.
We do.
- What are you doing? - Stealing.
Stop it.
Let go before I scream.
You're the thief, not me.
Are you crazy?
If I get caught, do you know what that makes you?
My accomplice.
Hide.
What are you doing?
Hold this.
Did we make a fuss only for this soy sauce?
It is not just soy sauce. It is royal soy sauce.
It is at least 10 years old.
Give me that.
But you still shouldn't steal.
My grandmother is sick.
She wants to eat...
chamnamul with this royal soy sauce.
I've never seen a man so stubborn like you.
I've never seen a woman so unruly like you.
And why do you keep talking down to me?
You can talk down to me, too.
These are too big for me.
Don't get the wrong message. I'm throwing it away.
Will you come to steal it again?
Of course I will.
Try to stop me again.
Ha Jung Tae, you jerk!
Pick him up.
Stand up.
Mr Seo.
Do you know what your problem is?
The fact that you don't know your problem is your problem.
I'm more afraid of getting my money stolen...
rather than being stabbed.
Think about it.
I will take all of your land anyway.
What good comes from stabbing me?
Does it help you to get your land back?
If you lose something,
you should think about how to take it back.
What's the use of losing your temper with that knife?
Attempted murder and self-defence.
Things will get complicated.
And it will take a long time.
Your debt will snowball.
Think about it in the hospital.
Take him.
I'm more afraid of getting my money stolen...
rather than being stabbed.
If you lose something,
you should think about how to take it back.
I went there to have some noodles.
I know.
Gosh, I'm hungry.
We will...
have to leave here in three months.
We promised to stay here together until we are 19.
So just endure it until then.
You can't leave before that,
no matter what.
Moo Myeong!
Follow me.
You jerk.
Are you out of your mind now that you're about to leave this place?
You're still young.
How dare you sleep out last night?
Why are you giving me a dirty look?
Drop your eyes, you punk.
You little jerk. Look at you.
You want a good beating, do you?
Okay, let's do this.
I'm dying to beat you up.
Do you know?
Us orphans are the ones who are keeping you alive.
- What? - Don't you know?
I will teach you then.
Moo Myeong, stop it!
Get off me.
I might hit you instead.
We've waited for 11 years. Just be patient a little bit more.
Get off me.
Moo Myeong!
Why that...
Please.
He'd be around the age of the boy who just left.
He'll have wounds caused by a burn.
We need a man.
A scum like Mr Seo came...
and threatened me.
And we've been preparing for this, too.
I am sorry, Sir.
I don't need anyone loyal.
Get someone who likes money.
Someone who'll do anything I say...
as long as I pay him.
I will find someone.
Was that guy released from the prison? His name was Dokku.
I heard he's the best.
But I'm not sure if he'll behave.
Violence can open people's mouths,
and money can open closed ears.
There has never been an exception.
(Correction Centre)
It's an honour to meet you, Sir.
- Who are you? - My name is Doo Chul.
Gamjatang, who used to serve you is my senior.
I remember Gamjatang. How is he?
He has passed away, Sir.
He fell down while roller-skating.
Anyway, congratulations on your release.
You can keep that. Let's go eat something.
Sir, please choose a menu.
Let's see.
How does gamjatang sound?
Gamjatang. Okay.
(Diner)
Chul Doo.
- It's Doo Chul, Sir. - It's the same thing.
Is there a good coffee shop around?
Madam Jeong of Yakseok Coffee Shop makes excellent drinks.
Her specialty is herbal tea with...
Who are you?
You aren't so bad for someone who was out for five years.
That's a relief.
Did you just test me?
Something like that.
You talk rather smooth like someone who just had butter.
Come here. I'm going to beat you up.
If you return to prison, you'll be 50 when you get out.
You're old enough to know when to behave or not, aren't you?
Who are you?
Wow.
He must have too much money.
He only uses it for things that are worth the money.
So that noodles guy hasn't forgotten about me?
Of course, it'll be disappointing if he forgot about me.
You can decide.
We'll give you as much money as you'd like.
I'll think about it after I take over this area.
After I take over Yangpyeong and Suwon,
Gangnam will be a piece of cake.
What was your name again?
Hwang Sung Rok.
Like master, like dog.
I'm leaving.
(Children's Personal Information)
(Moo Myeong)
Here he is.
He has burn scars.
He got here on February 17, 1995.
You used to be a police?
I worked in the Intelligence Division for 20 years.
I'm trustworthy.
Take this...
wanted poster and find all related records...
and erase out every single record you find.
I will get back to you tomorrow at the earliest.
What is it?
You must see this.
Come in.
I caught a man from a detective agency.
I believe Mr Ko called him in.
(Thief and murderer wanted, 3,000-dollar reward)
Go get prepared.
(Thief and murderer wanted, 3,000-dollar reward)
Is that so?
All right.
(Incoming Call)
Yes?
It's about that kid named Choi Soon Seok you mentioned.
Yes, Sir.
Do you remember when he got lost?
It's probably around February 16 or 17 of the year 1995.
Did you...
find him?
No, but I thought knowing the timeframe would help my search.
He's probably not your son, though.
He's my friend's son.
He's like a real son to me.
Is that so?
I see.
If you do find him, make sure you call me first.
I will reward you generously.
Of course I will.
All right, then.
Wow, these side dishes are awesome.
Are you still sullen?
Myeong, your name is...
Choi Soon Seok, right?
You're Choi Soon Seok.
Right?
(Master of Revenge)
Revenge is paying him back with more than what you got from him.
Try to hide it, then. I will take any measures to find out.
I knew you were Choi Soon Seok because of your burn scar.
I'm not hunting anyone down. I'm looking for my friend's son.
Don't smile. You don't deserve to smile.
I think I found him.
Are you really Park Tae Ha?
Who is that?
I need to live to get my revenge.