03x01 - A Call From Japan

[bunniefuu]

[Lee Je Hoon]

[Jang Hyuk Jin, Bae Yoo Ram, Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin]

[Taxi Driver 3]

[All people, incidents, and backgrounds...]

[in this drama are fictitious.]

[Children and animals were filmed under guidelines.]

[Fukuoka]

The show at the castle was good.

His acting is the best.

Not yet?

Testing, testing. Can everyone hear me?

Sorry about that. The ships were all backed up.

Thank you all so much for your patience.

The main event will begin shortly. We have a wide variety of goods,

so I hope you'll pay close attention.

Hey!

- Get moving!
- Hey, get out!

I said, get moving!

Alright, alright. Make way.

Good evening, everyone! Thank you!

Good evening. Can you all hear me? How are we all doing tonight?

Yes, it's a beautiful night, isn't it?

Not that we can see anything in the dark.

Shall we get right to it?

The format is the same as last time.

I'll show items. If you like one, please enter your bid.

Alright then, shall we begin?

And we're off! She's 168cm, size 2. This lovely lady is from Russia.

What shall we start the bidding at? Let's start at 5. It's 5.

If you'd like to bid, please turn on your laser pointers.

What do you all think? If you're interested, don't be shy.

You can't pass this one up. Look at this smooth skin,

don't you want a taste? Is that all, everyone?

She's Russian, everyone. Russian. Take a good look.

We have 80.

We have 87.

Are you going to place a bid?

No.

She's not my type.

She's a beauty! Here, take a look. Anyone else?

She's young and fresh.

Come on, come on. Let's get those bids higher.

She's in her prime!

There we go! Do you see that?

Look at that. We have 100.

I have 100. Anyone else?

We got 120.

Any other bids? More than 120.

Sold! For 12,000 dollars. Thank you.

Alright, take her away.

Welcome, you jerks.

Don't come close.

Who the hell are you?

I'm a taxi...

A taxi driver.

A taxi driver?

What's with the smug look then?

[Taxi Driver 3]

Please, just let me out of here. Please?

- Come on! Let's go!
- Yes, sir.

- Run for it!
- Hey! Come on out!

[Don't suffer in silence. Call us and we'll take care of it]

Hello?

My name is Yun I Seo.

Please, you have to help me.

Okay, we're on our way to you.

Where are you right now?

There she is. Over there!

Hey!

Hello?

Yun I Seo?

Hello? Yun I Seo? Are you still there?

Can you hear me?

Yun I Seo!

[To save a single life is to save the entire world.]

Sir, watch out!

He looks familiar.

What are you talking about? You're just seeing things.

- Just my imagination?
- Yeah.

This Hongdongbaekseo and Joyurisi... Where am I supposed to put this?

Just put it anywhere so we can get started.

We can't just rush through this. It has to be done with care.

What if we upset our ancestors?

Ancestors. Please.

Go Eun's right. About Joyurisi... It's not an ancient tradition.

Time's up. Hurry or I'm gone.

All set.

This car is gorgeous.

What about your old car?

I'm going to sell it. I'll get it all tuned up first.

Please watch over this car...

and grant us safe travels wherever we go.

Well, I have to admit, seeing the new car is pretty nice.

[Out on Assignment]

- Straight from the airport?
- Yes.

You should've at least dropped off your luggage first.

I know. I was in such a rush, it completely slipped my mind.

- Sorry I'm late.
- Hey, glad you're here.

- You should be a little quicker.
- Oh, please. You have no idea.

How is he supposed to know where his fare is going to get off?

That's what I mean.

Driver Kim Do Gi wasn't even late, but I gave him a hard time anyway.

How was your trip to Japan?

[Student ID: Yun I Seo]

We should find out what happened to Yun I Seo.

I guess I should be the one to go to the school, right?

Now where did I put my school uniform?

Wait a minute...

It'll be easier to question students as a teacher.

A teacher?

Hey.

Break's over, but you're all still out and about.

Hello.

Alright.

[Class 3-3, Homeroom Teacher Hwang In Seong]

You're all such dedicated students, studying even during your break.

- Who's that?
- I don't know.

Awkward.

- What was that?
- Did he just say "Awkward?"

- What's that?
- My goodness.

- Study hall?
- Did the schedule change?

Who's the class president?

That's me?

Alright.

Alright, everyone, keep up the hard work.

I'm rooting for you all.

Class president, can I have a word with you?

Hang on a second.

You know Yun I Seo, right?

We're in the same class, so I know who she is,

but I don't know her well.

She hasn't been around school much lately, right?

She turned in a form saying she was going to some camp.

I'm sorry, who are you?

So she went to a camp.

Where?

- Japan?
- That I wouldn't know.

[Class 3-3, Homeroom Teacher Hwang In Seong]

By any chance, are you our new assistant homeroom teacher?

This camp... Is it a real camp?

Doesn't the school usually sponsor things like that?

I Seo's family is not well-off, so she gets a special scholarship.

Maybe the scholarship foundation sent her?

But why do you keep asking such weird questions?

Why do you think?

I'm asking because I'm worried.

You're the Class President.

One of your classmates has gone missing,

and I guess you're not worried at all?

Your granddaughter looks just like you.

Really? Well, she didn't get her brains from me,

but she's an incredibly bright student.

She and a friend have been studying at a boarding academy, I think.

Who knew studying could be so much fun?

A boarding academy?

- Here you go.
- Thank you.

- I gave you the whole row.
- You shouldn't have.

My goodness.

- Enjoy!
- Yes, thank you.

- Take care now.
- You too.

[Lens Implant, Cost with insurance: 1,400 dollars]

- Yes, Mr. Jang.
- Hey, Driver Kim.

I heard her family thinks she's at a boarding academy.

But she told the school she was going to a camp.

So she lied to her family and school and left the country ten days ago.

I'll have to ask Go Eun to check immigration records and CCTV.

Are you heading back now?

I'll head back after I meet one more person.

You have something to tell me, don't you?

No, I don't.

I think we have something in common.

We're both worried about I Seo.

[Student ID: Yun I Seo]

It's because of me.

It's my fault this happened to I Seo.

Can you tell me...

what happened?

[Student ID: Yun I Seo]

Hey, I Seo.

This is so much fun.

- You gotta try this.
- What is it?

I saw it on a webtoon site. You just pick 1 of the 2.

- I'm not really good at games.
- This one's super easy.

I have to see a teacher. Play for me? I'll be right back.

[Odd]

[You've won 5 dollars!]

I won.

What a cute cat.

[You've won 5 dollars!]

[50 Dollars]

Hello?

Who is it?

Grandma, I told you about her. She's Ye Ji, the new transfer.

- What's this for?
- You won it for us. Let's split it.

But I just won a game.

It feels a little weird getting real money for it.

- See? It's fun when you win, right?
- Yes.

It is pretty amazing, though.



Hey, with this money, my grandma could get eye surgery!

- Now you can get surgery, Grandma.
- Sweetie.

Don't you worry about me. Your grandma can see just fine.

- You know that's not true.
- Yes! Hey, I won again!

- See? It really works. Wanna try?
- Go on, you try it. Quick.

Okay, I'll do it.

Okay.

From the day...

she cashed out her points,

- Hey, I just...
- she became desperate for points.

Between people, there is an island.

And I long to go to that island.

The island symbolizes the breakdown...

of social connection in today's world...

- and a sense of alienation.
- When she won and received points,

she would feel so relieved.

[My Points]

But when she started losing, it would spiral out of control,

and she couldn't stand the anxiety.

[Try Again? Win Chance 20 percent! Points Won 20 percent!]

[Challenge Cost: 50,000 points]

[Recharge? Yes or No]

[Results in 3, 2...]

[Results in 1. Revealing results now]

[Even]

[5,000 lost]

Damn, I lost again.

[Insufficient Points]

[Advance Points Event, Get Points]

[Advance Points: 300,000 Win Chance: 20 percent]

Hey, Ye Ji. Do you know about this? The Advance Points Event?

Does it just give you points?

Actually, I already got the points from that event.

Really? I guess I'll get it too, then.

[Terms of Service]

I had no idea I Seo would end up like that too.

[Terms of Service]

[Agree to All]

All right. Okay, it's done.

Yun I Seo?

Who are you?

Well, aren't you a piece of work?

You were happy to take the money, but now you're playing dumb?

At least your friend paid up. What about you?

I'm sorry. I didn't know I had to pay it back.

You know now. Pay up.

I don't have any money right now.

- I'll pay you as fast as I can...
- Hey.

What if I stab someone, then say, "Oops, my bad?" Would that work?

How about I stab you, then?

Knock it off. You're scaring her.

You got lucky my boss is here.

Whatever.

All right, kid.

I hear you're an orphan on a scholarship, right?

Huh?

Think you can keep that scholarship with a gambling debt?

I'll get a part-time job and pay you all back.

- She says she'll get a job.
- A part-time job?

How can you pay it back with that?

- Sent.
- Check your phone.

[Message]

[DOWNLOAD]

This is a referral code.

By next week, you're going to get five of your friends to sign up.

Five of them?

Open the game, hand them the phone.

Tell them you have to go to the faculty office.

That other girl. She was a natural at it.

[Odd: 5,000 Lost]

Gosh, I died again.

What game is that?

Can I see?

The cat's cute.

- Oh, a cat.
- Can I try it?

Hey, I have to go to the bathroom. Take over for me while I'm gone.

Sure, go ahead.

What? Are you kidding me?

[Nyan-Nyan Jump Ladder]

Wow, look at all these games.

They look like simple little games but designed to make kids bet.

Kids are glued to their phones now. They're an easy target for crooks.

That "Advance Points Event" they got? It's actually a loan.

They split the 300 dollar loan into contracts under 100 dollars.

Why bother splitting it? Why not just one contract?

Because current law has no rate caps on loans of 75 dollars or less.

That's the exact loophole they're exploiting.

Am I seeing this right? It's 5,000 percent annual interest.

What? Wait. That's right. It says 5,000 percent.

How is that even possible?

A 300-dollar loan ballooned to 1,500 dollars...

in less than two weeks.

What is this?

Service fees, late fees, collection fees.

What kind of ridiculous charges did they tack on?

Do you think I Seo and Ye Jin know what kind of contract they signed?

Either way,

any loan contract with a minor is ill*gal anyway.

If it's ill*gal, isn't it void from the start?

You'd think they'd know that.

Until someone tells them,

it won't be easy for them to figure it out.

Why not?

Because the fact is, they did gamble.

- Hold it steady, will you?
- Just stay still.

I'm gonna fall!

- Goodness.
- Boss!

Hey, go give her a scare.

Let's see.

Number one. Y equals two to the minus x power...

is an exponential function.

Which is one-half to the x power, so it's an exponential function.

- So that's a true.
- Answer the phone.

Why won't she answer the phone?

- Number 2. Y equals log base 5...
- Why is it so noisy?

The exponent x moves forward, so it's x times log base 5 of 2.

Hey, is that noise headed this way?

Shouldn't we tell the teacher?

- So the answer is "false."
- This is getting scary.

Grandma.

Grandma? Aren't you home?

Grandma, where are you?

- Is this the place?
- There she is.

- What? What's going on?
- It's raining. Let's hurry inside.

What is this?

It's a GPS. I had business here anyway, so this is perfect.

- Find the cash box.
- The cash box? Okay, let's see.

- Found it. The cash box.
- No, don't!

Let go.

- I told you to stop!
- Out of my way. What's with her?

- This place is huge.
- You really can't do this here.

- Let go.
- I said no!

Let go of it.

- Please, just stop it!
- Stop what?

After her, you're next.

Who do you think you are, not paying us back?

I'm calling the police.

The police? Go ahead. Call them!

- You were gambling, not us.
- If you call the cops,

they'll arrest you, not us.

He's right.

Minors who gamble go to juvie, right?

What are you waiting for? Not calling? Why not?

- Don't you know the number?
- I was wrong.

- We're sorry. We won't do it again.
- I Seo.

Please, just let us go this once.

Forget the "please forgive us" crap. Just pay us the money.

Why can't you get it through your head?

Please don't call the police.

Please, don't.

We'll never do it again.

We promise it won't happen again.

Get up.

I said get up. Now.

What are you doing? You too, get up.

Okay.

Okay.

All right then.

Want me to tell you an easy way out?

Do you?

I'm...

I'm going to do what those guys said.

Hey, Yun I Seo.

You heard what those guys said.

If we go to Japan and work for just one month,

they said they'd wipe out our debt, interest, and all.

Do you have any idea what kind of job that is?

If it's dangerous, we can just come back.

Remember on our school trip? It only took three hours by boat.

Right?

This is all my fault.

I shouldn't have done it.

I never should've gotten into this in the first place.

What was I thinking?

I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.

I'm so sorry, I Seo.

Let's go together...

and pay it all off.

- I was leaving with I Seo then...
- Ye Ji.

Dad.

My dad caught me and took away my phone,

so I had no way to get in touch with I Seo.

Come on.

How long are you gonna keep calling?

Stop trying to reach someone who's not coming.

So, what's it gonna be?

Let's just go already.

Take it.

There you go.

You have to clean up your own mess.

- Right?
- Let's go.

It's all my fault.

This happened to I Seo because of me.

I was too scared to tell anyone.

Please, find my friend.

They just started playing a mobile game for fun.

They never imagined they'd fall into such a deep hole.

Of course not. How could they have predicted this?

I Seo didn't just fall into this.

She was dragged into it.

A mobile game that's easily accessible to anyone.

And when a classmate recommends it, you're less likely to suspect it.

They set a trap right inside that very game...

and just waited for someone to spring it.

And they're targeting minors who have no real-world experience.

Those evil jerks.

[24MA 5283]

[24MA 5283]

[Deluxe Taxi]

[24MA 5283]

[Seoul 24MA 5283]

[Seoul 24MA 5283]

[Deluxe Taxi]



[Deluxe Taxi]

[1979 Rainbow Transport. Welcome!]

Nice.

[Deluxe Taxi]

It's so much faster now.

Did they overhaul the entire program?

All right.

Driver Kim, I'm sending you a video. Check it out.

It's footage of the guys who took I Seo at the port.

- If it's debt, why ship her abroad?
- Exactly.

Debtors are usually harassed to pay. They don't get shipped off to Japan.

That's one of the things we need to figure out.

Sending them to Japan must be much more profitable for them.

The two guys who left the country with I Seo...

they came right back.

It's like they dropped I Seo off.

They could just be couriers.

If it's all right, can you let me handle it this time?

I have a plan.

[Deluxe Taxi]

What's your plan?

Tell us. What is it?

- What do you want to eat?
- Tteokbokki and sundae.

- I said no.
- It's good.

[Parking Lot 2]

Ye Ji.

That mobile game URL you sent to I Seo.

Can you send it to me too?

Who is this?

I'm here to help.

I'll explain everything later.

It's okay.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

Catch a tiger by the toe.

[JACKPOT 50,000]

Damn it.

The two punks who took I Seo just came back alone.

Then shouldn't we grab those two and beat it out of them?

Go Eun already told us. If we make a rash move,

we could lose our only lead to find I Seo.

Seriously? How did I win again?

I worked so hard to lose all that money.

And here, everyone else is dying to win.

- You have a strange talent.
- Don't you have work to do?

You're distracting me, and I can't concentrate.

All right, I'm off to work.

Let's go.

Win a lot. I mean, lose a lot.

Goodness.

All right.

If I keep trying, I'm bound to lose it all eventually.

I can do it.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

Catch a tiger by the toe.

No! Why? Why am I winning?

[Neko Money]

You owe us, but came empty-handed. That's a big problem for us.

No, I swear I was winning a ton,

and the next thing I knew, it was all gone.

Of all the folks I've loaned money to,

- You're the first to lose it fast.
- Me neither.

What am I gonna do?

I don't have any money. What am I supposed to do?

You got any friends?

You get a break on your interest just for a referral.

No.

I just play games all day, so I don't have a single friend.

What a pity.

Family?

I live alone.

Gosh, this is just pathetic. What are we gonna do?

With a face like that, she'd fetch a high price.

I was thinking the same thing.

- What did he say?
- Nothing.

We're here to help people like you. Right?

There is a way, though.

Really?

Sure. You could be debt-free in a month or two. No problem.

I'll do it. I swear I'll work really hard.

What do I have to do?

Do you have your passport?

[Neko Money, Neko Loans]

Turns out this company, Neko Money, is a franchise.

All their funds, from the beginning, came from Japan.

So Japanese money is funding these kids' gambling habits?

I also checked the game's source code comments.

It was made in Japan.

A loan company with Japanese funds.

A gambling game they created.

And...

They're sending the young students who get into debt to Japan.

This feels really ominous, doesn't it?

Let's put this shady loan company on the back burner.

Let's focus on finding the student, I Seo.

Hello?

Yeah. I just got it.

Okay. I'll just grab my stuff and head right over.

Okay.

[Neko Loans]

They want me at the Ferry Terminal right away.

Right now?

We're leaving soon.

- You'll see.
- Don't worry.

You'll be very pleased.

It's just that this is my first time.

Gosh, sorry.

Hey, there are plenty of other seats.

What was that?

So sorry. Excuse me.

Remember this.

You're not in this alone.

I know, right?

And I've got you guys. I feel so much safer now.

That's right. You bet.

That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Yes.

Hey.

You made it.

- You weren't followed, right?
- Of course not.

I'm the one who'd be doomed if I got caught.

We don't even know what the boss looks like.

Me neither.

By the way, today's girl is really cute.

Am I going by myself?

Hey, over here.

Driver's side is on the other side. This must feel weird. You okay?

Yeah, I'll be fine.

This feels weird.

All right, then.

Everyone, drive safe.

- Right turn. No, wipers.
- All right.

I wonder why they're turning back right after they got here.

- Me too.
- Because it's a cell network.

A cell network?

You mean the kind that's hard to trace?

After that car drops Go Eun off at her destination,

it'll disappear too.

So it's a kind of safety precaution.

But driving on the other side, it feels really strange.

I know. It feels like we're on the wrong side. Cars are coming for us.

We are driving on the wrong side!

- Hey, what are you doing?
- I'm driving!

Come on, hurry up!

No, you have to change lanes again!

I'm not used to it, okay! I'm not used to it!

My body isn't doing what I want it to!

- This is the right lane, right?
- Yes.

That's right. Follow the arrows. You got it.

You want me to drive?

We need to move faster too.

[Life Reset]

Nice.

It's cute.

[Life Reset]

Please, come in.

Go.

Go Eun?

- Go Eun!
- What? Why did it shut off?

Something in the building's probably blocking the signal.

Then what about Go Eun?

Hey, who the hell are you?

Hey!

We're not expecting a delivery today.

Driver Kim.

No, it's just...

They suddenly tried to take all my stuff.

What do I do?

It's okay. It's fine.

You know who this is, don't you? This girl.

Hey, wait!

You know who she is, don't you?

I just...

I just wipe the traces and identities...

of the people they send over!

I don't know what happens after that!

How do you pay them?

A car!

A car always comes to pick up the cash!

If you check out that car, you'll find what you need.

That's everything I know!

He must be talking about the car that dropped me off.

I got a picture of the license plate.

You know, Driver Kim is surprisingly good at Japanese.

And his accent is perfect.

I've confirmed the location. Sharing it now.

Hey! You can't just leave me tied up! Hey!

Thanks for your cooperation.

- Sir.
- Sir.

- Sir.
- Sir.

Please, help me.

Who did this to you?

Please let me go home. Please?

Who's in charge of this girl?

I am, sir.

It's not your fault.

The punishment...

is for the one who failed to do their job.

False hope...

is nothing but a noose around your neck.

The longer you hold on to it,

the tighter it will choke you.

The sooner you give up,

the more...

at peace you'll be.

Get her dressed.

- Yes, sir!
- Yes, sir!

What on earth are you guys doing here?

- What's with the crazy getup?
- We're trying to lose weight.

This is a gym, right?

Find a butcher shop instead.

You fat fool.

Everything they do is so obnoxious.

You think they are yakuza?

He doesn't seem like your typical yakuza.

And how would you know that?

They don't have a single tattoo.

Plus, they look young.

- Still, this place is kinda creepy.
- What is?

They've got all those huge talismans plastered on the entrance.

Is it haunted or something?

It says "No Unauthorized Entry."

Is there anything you don't know, Driver Kim?

I really thought they were talismans.

Go Eun?

Yes, Driver Kim.

If outsiders aren't allowed in, then who can get us inside?

Well...

An insider?

Bingo!

I got it.

But where are we going to find an insider?

Right there.

I don't know.

They don't exactly look like the welcoming type.

- Let's go. Boss will be here soon.
- All right.

Wipe it off.

What?

These are my favorite shoes.

If you don't want to clean them, it's 500 dollars.

What? You're the one who stuck your foot out.

Cut the excuses!

What's all this commotion?

This guy just came out of nowhere.

You too. Cut the excuses!

Enough!

Don't cause a scene out here.

Bring that jerk upstairs.

If you're going to run, now's your chance.

Now that...

is a very original excuse.

- Drag that jerk upstairs, now!
- Yes, sir!

I'll go myself.

Gosh, I wanna be like him.

He's amazing.

If I go on a diet... He took them out in five seconds.

More like three seconds.

We don't go easy on people who cause trouble in our territory.

And who exactly is it that won't go easy on me?

Because it sure doesn't look like it's you.

Where's your boss?

- What?
- Goodness.

You think our boss would bother meeting a punk like you?

I guess you don't get to see him much either, right?

Kageyama!

Today's his big debut,

and you're the perfect warm-up.

Five minutes.

Last five minutes,

you get a new pair of those precious shoes of yours.

If you don't,

you'll spend the rest of your life in a hospital bed.

Looks like you're raring to go. You're not scared?

Why so cold, guys?

Driver Kim will be all right, won't he?

What? Is it going to end this easily?

Stop it! Stop!

That idiot!

It got dirty.

But at the end of the day, what completes the look...

is the face.

Tell your boss.

To buy me new shoes,

and when he does,

have him call me here.

My deepest apologies.

Some psycho suddenly went on a rampage,

so we were unable to select the bodyguards.

He's the one who tore up the gym.

And why?

He claimed someone spat on his shoes.

Tell your boss.

To buy me new shoes,

and when he does,

have him call me here.