BLOOD FREE
BL1 LAB
[Hoseung] Hey. So you were here.
I have to head to the police station to give a statement about the incident.
I see.
Want to come with me?
No thanks.
I'm sure…
EPISODE 6
…they're more curious to hear from you.
What in the world happened?
You should at least tell me.
Why should I?
What?
Because we work together.
I feel left out.
It won't happen again.
[stammering] What won't happen again?
Where are you going? Ms. Yun is--
She's alone.
The other bodyguards are private security, so I--
Are you serious?
What do you want me to do?
You're so stubborn.
-[door buzzes] -Damn it. Why am I being excluded?
-[door buzzes] -I got this job fair and square too.
[Yun] Keep your word.
You'd be lying if you left.
[Saeip] Excuse me.
I just got visual confirmation of the first successful case
of our cultured muscle fiber.
It's impossible to believe that the subject had been fatally wounded.
I owe it to you all. Thank you.
[Saeip] You did it.
People naturally want to brag when they create something.
Especially engineers.
But please refrain from doing that for now.
This is still classified.
-Yes, ma'am. -Yes, ma'am.
You didn't have to call us here just to say that.
We're not kids.
I want to speak with Ms. Hong.
[Seo] What? Already?
-I guess we really did it. -[door closes]
What did you want to talk about?
I'm sure you never want to hear his name again,
but you two had the closest working relationship.
[sighs]
Professor Kim?
I kept going back over it in my head.
"Was everything he said afterwards a lie?"
After what?
After his wife passed away.
"I know you did your best."
"You all did well."
-Warning. EEG, ECG… -Yeongsil, open the bed.
…and EMG measurements not possible.
[Yeongsil] Warning. EEG, ECG, and EMG measurements not possible.
-[On] 100 joules. -Charging.
-Shoot. -[defibrillator whines, thuds]
-[On] 200 joules. -Charging.
-[On] Shoot. -[whines, thuds]
One more time. Shoot.
[beeping]
-One more time. Shoot. -[whines, thuds]
[steady beep]
[Yun] I'm truly sorry.
What?
It's okay.
I know you did your best.
You all did well.
Honey, let's go home.
Let's go home.
[Yun] Do you think he had resented me ever since
but hid his feelings all along just so he could retaliate one day?
Because if I knew he resented me,
then he would've been the first person I suspected.
Let's say this for the sake of argument.
He was the one who begged you to perform the surgery.
But as a result, his wife's health deteriorated.
So as any human would do, he started to resent you.
Even if that were the case,
do you think he would have hidden his feelings from the get-go?
Do you think he was planning his revenge?
That's the only way to explain what happened.
He died right before his arrest without revealing the truth.
And, as a result, people suspect me of poisoning him.
So you think he committed suicide?
To complete his revenge?
Though he barely got revenge.
Do you think he wanted
to cause you as much harm as possible before getting arrested?
That would be a better ending for him
since it would be his choice.
But he didn't know about his fate.
He didn't know he'd get arrested after landing.
That's why he drank champagne.
He was celebrating his success.
If you think it wasn't his choice, then…
If he hadn't planned this from the get-go,
then he had a change of heart.
There must have been a point
when he suddenly changed.
Maybe he did something out of character or met someone new after losing his wife.
I just thought he was adjusting back to his old life.
-He had joined a group too. -What group?
It wasn't anything special.
Early last year after his wife passed away,
he would leave work at 6:00 p.m. sharp every Wednesday.
-You're going today too? -What?
I asked him later, and he said he was meeting with a group.
[chuckles] I'll leave you to it then.
[Saeip] A group for bereaved families of cancer patients.
[Yun] That would be unlike him.
[Saeip] Exactly.
I thought he must be in a lot of pain, given how he wasn't very social.
But it must have helped. I could see him improving.
He must've befriended someone.
But it didn't last long.
Aren't you leaving?
-What? -[Saeip] It's Wednesday.
-You have that group meeting. -Right.
Everyone there is a coward.
A coward?
[Saeip] I don't understand
how he could have become so evil.
I won't ask you to bring him to mind ever again.
[Jeong] Team Leader Hong Saeip.
What?
[chuckles] I'm not a team leader.
[laughs] Why not?
It's a given for the chief researcher to become one
since the position for Research Team Three is vacant.
It's not a given.
Once you become the team leader
and the work you do in the basement becomes a success,
your future will be paved out for you.
[Saeip sighs]
I beg to differ.
We don't even know how long cultured meat will remain as the core item at BF.
It's true that our IT sector has grown significantly.
I'm the one who should be worried.
Why you?
If our company's future lies in the basement,
I might eventually get kicked out since it has nothing to do with me.
I wasn't a doctor like you were.
[Saeip sighs]
We always need someone with legal expertise.
Goodbye then.
So it's related to medical science.
[Yun] You tainted your reputation
the moment you claimed your culture fluid was trash.
[Kim] No! It wasn't me! It's all a lie!
It wasn't him?
[Kim] They said it was full of germs!
Then the news reported that and people believed them!
They're all the same! I devoted my entire life to this.
They're practically bad-mouthing me.
I'm not sure.
[line rings]
[Seo] Yes, ma'am?
I need to track an employee.
[sighs]
Do I need their consent even if they're dead?
-Sorry? -It's Kim Singu.
You never asked for it when he was alive.
He had been going somewhere regularly
at 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday since the beginning of last year.
Please find the address and send it to Mr. Kim Hoseung.
Mr. Kim is currently at the police station.
I just spoke with him about his sensor suit.
To give it to him right now?
Yes. We just received the samples for the bodyguards too.
He said he'd be done soon. Should we give it to him when he comes?
Do my two bodyguards have similar builds?
Yes. They're getting the same size. Why do you ask?
Then one of them can take both.
[call ends]
What? Why would she give both of them to one bodyguard?
Yeongsil, the location tracker.
[Yeongsil] Yes, sir.
I said I couldn't stop you from leaving.
-You did. -But?
I still have work left to do.
If you go to room 503, Mr. Seo will give you an address.
For a location where Kim Singu met with a cancer support group.
And what's there?
Hopefully nothing.
Where will you be while I'm gone?
I have no plans to leave this building today.
It'll be safer for you to work from home.
I'll get out of your place as soon as possible.
My neighbors will be sad to hear that.
[Yun chuckles]
Mr. Seo.
-[laughs] Was it hard to find me? -Ah. I came to the right place.
[Seo] Our HQ is like a maze.
[Hoseung] That's okay.
Right. Pick a suit that fits you.
Am I getting one? For free?
[laughs] Yes, it's free.
-Wow. It's a formal suit. -[chuckles]
By the way, thank you for protecting me last time.
-I didn't get to thank you. -That's okay.
I was just doing my job.
I'm just glad you were unharmed.
-And Chaewoon recovered too. -[laughs]
-Right. This is from Ms. Yun. -[knocking]
Yes?
What?
I came here to get an address.
What? Ms. Yun said that?
Is that it?
[chuckles] Uh, you guys should pick a suit.
[sighs]
[chuckles]
They're a bit heavy since they're prototypes.
Oh, but check this out.
They can withstand most blades.
They're bulletproof.
Too bad we didn't get them sooner.
-[clapping] -[chuckles] Gosh, this is amazing.
Mr. Seo, this is amazing.
[Seo laughs]
[stammers] It's not perfect yet, but look.
[sizzles]
That's carbon fiber.
That sizzling sound means that the binding has been torn.
The fibers absorb the heat instead of you.
Ah. If this were a car,
the car would get damaged but keep the driver safe.
[Seo] Exactly.
PARK SANGMIN
I expected some meat as a holiday gift since BF is a meat company.
"Some" meat? We give out our meat in boxes.
Really?
That's good. I have a skinny sibling who could do with some meat.
What's that address for?
I'm not sure.
Damn it. I can't deal with this condescension anymore.
Don't I deserve an explanation? You snatched that from me.
-"Snatched"? -Do you think I'd tell someone?
I'm also a bodyguard, you know. You're not working alone.
But I can do this alone.
[Woo sighs]
Now that Ms. Yun is staying at your place,
do I look like a small fry to you?
You're being arrogant--
[gasps]
[Woo sighs]
[thump]
[Seo] What?
What? What are you doing? Wait…
[stammering] What's going on?
[exclaims]
That's enough! Why are you two fighting?
[shouts, screams]
[whimpers, sighs]
He was being obnoxious.
Fight again, and I'll report you.
Why the hell are you two fighting? Was getting shot at not enough?
-Goddamn it. -I'm sorry.
-[watch chimes] -You got a text! You got a text!
[stammers]
At least wear your suits so I can see how well they work.
[Hoseung sighs]
Get away from me. I can't stand you.
You can get lost instead.
What did you say?
You said I looked older than you.
So can I not talk down to you?
Geez. You still remember that?
What a petty bastard.
"Bastard"? "Petty"?
I shouldn't have worried about a petty bastard like you.
I shouldn't have cared. [sighs]
I never said I saw you as a small fry.
You came to that conclusion and got upset.
I didn't know you were worried.
You were bleeding profusely
and looked pale when they carried you away.
So who wouldn't worry all night?
You worried all night long?
No. I didn't.
-I'll drive. -Forget it.
You hurt your arm, so let me drive.
Look who's talking.
Are you trying to steal my job?
-[Woo sighs] -[door opens]
I heard about the fight, but you guys seem to be fine.
You're so reliable.
Damn it.
Why are you both here? You should move separately.
That's okay. I apologize.
Ma'am.
Ms. Jeong said I could go to the police station today
since you weren't going out.
I know you're trying to change the subject.
I'm sorry.
We won't fight again.
This was unplanned.
-[phone buzzes] -Are you being nosy again?
Go to that address.
If you tell us what this is about,
then we can deploy bodyguards in advance.
I doubt I'll need any.
The prime minister will have enough of them.
The prime minister?
[navigation] Starting route guidance.
BLOOD FREE
I'm going to the hospital.
-The hospital? -I won't be late.
He must still be in pain.
[classical music playing]
[door opens]
[Seonu] Goodness.
Thank you for coming.
You're okay. Like they said.
Yes.
I didn't know about this place.
I come here every now and then when I want to be alone.
[liquid simmering]
[Seonu clears throat]
I know you're busy, but you still need to eat.
And so do I.
So I invited you over for a meal.
It isn't much, but I hope you like it.
All right.
Dig in.
Not that great, right?
It melts in your mouth.
Even more so since it's our meat.
I told them to use your meat.
Everything on this table is takeout.
I'll make sure your table is filled with our products in the future.
I'm relieved.
After hearing about the shoot-out,
I wanted to check on you right away. But I didn't want to impose.
I knew a strong woman like you would pull through.
But then I thought, "That's easier said than done.
Seeing someone wielding a knife on the street is terrifying enough.
But all those men were shooting at her.
So how could she be okay?"
However, you just nonchalantly promoted your own products.
You're definitely
a strong one.
I didn't know this was your hobby.
Me neither.
I don't know if it is.
I've never gone camping, you see.
If you do go, I'll send you 100 servings of meat.
[laughs]
You only think about your products.
Are your products the only things on your mind?
Yes.
Sir, you're not allowed inside.
That's okay. Give us a minute.
Could you excuse us?
I told you to come to my house later. Why did you come here?
Do you know a man named Kim Singu?
I do.
His death caused a commotion. What about him?
And the ransomware?
You think I wouldn't know that because I'm old?
I know better than anyone else about what's going on these days.
How was I chosen to work at BF?
[Seonu] Here.
[Yun] I should get going.
[Seonu chuckles]
[sighs] How should we catch those scumbags?
Bosque Archi, I mean.
How dare a mere gang like them attack you?
I don't know how powerful they are,
but they were quite impactful.
Their method was quite bold.
Not that.
The timing.
[Woo] Not that.
I know I passed their test. I'm asking about the process.
How did BF know to contact me out of everyone?
Because you're competent.
Sir, were you involved in any way?
Or what about your son-in-law?
[sighs] He's no longer my son-in-law. He and my daughter are divorced.
That means…
it was the prime minister.
Was he at your house when I visited for the first time?
I called you over. It was my decision.
Sir.
I'm serving you, not the prime minister.
Please don't let him know that I was here.
[inhales sharply] What are you talking about?
I sent you there to get Yun Jayu.
BF hired me because their laboratory was hacked right before I joined.
And Kim Singu died as a result.
Are you claiming that we killed a man just to send you there?
[inhales sharply] That's nonsense.
No, sir.
I'm just a small piece of the puzzle.
[Seonu] You said the timing was impactful.
That means you suffered a great loss.
[inhales deeply]
You said you were okay, but you weren't.
Did you get hurt?
No, not me.
Then who?
Was someone else injured?
A mere gang, like you said, on the opposite side of the world,
just happened to commit a crime at the perfect time.
As if they were up to date with the current affairs here.
What current affairs?
People had been suspecting me of poisoning Kim Singu
and would easily be led to think I concocted the shoot-out.
That's just an absurd rumor.
Are you saying there's a spy?
Someone who told the gang that this was the perfect time?
It's possible.
I wonder who it is.
The ex-convicts.
Those men with guns probably told them.
I see.
You're right.
I thought you meant that there were still criminals at large.
They say misfortunes come one after another.
I'm afraid I took too much of your time.
Thank you for the invite.
-Have a safe trip back. -Thanks. See you later.
[sighs] Isn't he coming?
[footsteps approaching]
[Hoseung grunts]
[Yun] Why are you alone?
Sorry? After you.
[car door opens]
[sighs]
[phone buzzes]
Hello?
[Geun] Where are you?
[sighs]
You know where I am, don't you?
It can't be a coincidence that you called right after my guest left.
Your guest?
[clicks tongue] How disgusting. Don't say that.
What's so disgusting about meeting a CEO?
Father.
I asked you not to pry into my personal affairs.
Would you have met with her alone if she were a man?
When it comes to politicians, where there's smoke, there's fire.
You don't even let me go there.
But you let her in.
What are you going on about?
She lives with her bodyguard.
I'm hanging up.
[scoffs]
He's becoming more reckless.
[scoffs]
[shutters clicking]
It's not healing well.
[aide] I believe the prime minister summoned her.
Could he seriously be interested in her?
Who was it? Which one of you told the chairman?
[Woo] I remember how you shed tears over the death of a single soldier.
However,
there is someone else who doesn't value human life.
Was their goal
just to terrorize?
Or could it be BF's downfall?
What an impudent bastard.
[meows]
[sighs]
[clanging]
[clock ticking echoing]
[clanging]
[footsteps approaching]
[ticking continues]
[whispers] It's nothing.
What I fear
is fear itself.
[gasps]
Are you okay?
[gasps]
Ms. Yun.
-[breathing heavily] -Ms. Yun.
I thought you were asleep. I'm sorry for alarming you.
I wasn't alarmed.
[Yun panting]
[sighs]
There's this one man
who still hears the footsteps of soldiers from 30 years ago.
The footsteps of those searching the house while he was hiding under the floor.
Who was he?
An officer who was chased by the Nazis during WWII.
The war had ended 30 years prior,
but he'd hear the footsteps out of nowhere.
He was a soldier
who trained his entire life.
Did he overcome his trauma? Or…
Did he live with it forever?
Despite having trained all his life.
He never commented on that.
He couldn't overcome it.
That's understandable.
Perhaps not.
Not everyone overcomes trauma in the best way possible
like you did.
What did I do?
You took the bull by the horns
after the trauma.
I heard the story
of how BF was born.
What? Already?
I guess we really did it.
[On] I need to talk to you.
[Yun] Did San tell you?
[Woo] Yes.
[On] We should've just watched the news instead of going there.
We witnessed hell.
Everyone who went there witnessed it.
[civil servant] Hit them so they won't climb up!
[person] Hey, there! And here!
[On] Are you okay?
[civil servant] Hit them with your shovels!
[pigs squealing]
-[civil servant] Hit the head! -[Yun coughs]
[civil servant] Keep hitting them! There!
[On] The civil servant who kept ordering to hit the pigs seemed like the devil.
[Yun grunts]
Then I heard he committed suicide.
After that incident, the smell of pork belly would make us nauseous.
We resented Professor Kim.
He could've done the epidemiological survey by himself.
We couldn't understand why he had to bring his innocent students along.
But Jayu left--
Ms. Yun left the university.
Then she returned after two semesters.
"Don't you want to become a perfect dominant species?"
That's the first thing you say after returning?
Don't you want to become a perfect dominant species?
Humans are already apex predators whether we like it or not.
The apex of the pyramid that dominates the ecosystem.
Humans need to eat to live.
We must eat living things to survive.
How can you say we're perfect
when our lives directly depend on other animals and plants?
[On] She never pitied the animals
or questioned our right to kill them.
Humanity is an imperfect dominant species.
We must cut the chain if we want to be perfect.
We need to break free from the food chain.
We'll end it here.
In our time.
[On] That was the start of BF.
People have two misconceptions about our company.
One, that we're doing it for money.
If that was her goal, she would've sold the company
and lived a comfortable life.
So you shouldn't have accused her
of trying to make more money when she had just saved your life.
Another misconception.
They think cultured meat is just a way
to not slaughter animals and to protect the environment.
Look. It's only natural for humans to eat meat and plants, right?
But she changed that.
Yun Jayu's accomplishments
are just as commendable as finding a way for humans
to live without oxygen.
And yet, there are people out there who want her gone.
[Woo] And here at the company,
I was the one who misunderstood and criticized her.
While Mr. On
was only debating on whether or not to become a vegetarian,
he said
you changed the ways of nature that had started since humanity began
millions of years ago.
How wonderful would it be…
if that were how it all began?
If that were it…
She had lost most of her brain functions
within one month of returning from her studies abroad.
CJD. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Mad cow disease for humans.
They call this the mad cow disease for humans.
[Yun] My once bright younger sister
became an old woman with dementia.
My identical twin
showed all the signs of CJD and was dying slowly.
The government, however,
refused to acknowledge that it was due to the mad cow disease.
Some even said this.
"How much beef did she have during her time abroad?"
Why couldn't I do anything back then?
Why didn't I express my rage or scream?
How was I
so apathetic?
I'm sorry.
I should've preserved you.
I shouldn't have cremated you.
I should've replaced your organs
and filled up your brain. I should've revived you.
Had I buried you,
I would've dug you out and gave you new flesh.
I would've given you life.
I miss you.
I want to chat
and laugh with you again.
[sobbing]
Can Mr. Kim come with me tomorrow
to the address Mr. Seo gave me?
Sure.
How are you feeling?
The same.
Do you need a new dominant species?
If your first goal was for humans to break free from the food chain,
then is your second goal
for humans to become immortal?
Is that why you culture human organs?
And make skin that doesn't age?
If that's what you call a new dominant species,
it means immortal humans will dominate something else.
They'll probably dominate those who are old and sick.
Those who are too poor to replace
their failing organs.
Do you know how much cultured meat cost in the beginning?
Meat the size of my palm cost 300 million won.
But look how cheap it is now.
The same goes for human organs.
We shouldn't restrict it.
The prices will drop due to mass production and price wars.
That just means… [sighs]
We can't be perfect simply by not slaughtering animals.
We must be immortal to reach perfection.
Humans can't live forever.
That would be an error, not perfection.
But what if there's a way
to feel no pain until the day we die?
Why do you think I strived to perfect this top-notch technology
and save up money all this time?
Top-notch technology has always been used
to create weapons.
I was amazed when I first received
the weapons.
Then I realized later on
that they were created to take lives.
People invested money and technology just to kill others.
If there's technology for killing, there should be one for saving lives too.
Right.
I probably think this way
because I don't know much about science.
What I witnessed in the basement made me uneasy.
It was probably because
I've always believed that humans fed on wars
as well as meat.
I just came here to change clothes.
Thank you
for saving my life.
Thank you…
for keeping me safe.
[teacher, in English] He's Gilgamesh.
Can you say, "Gilgamesh"?
[children] Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh was big and strong.
[children shouting]
-[in Korean] What were you talking about? -I told them the story of Gilgamesh.
"Gilgamesh"?
He was a hero in mythology.
After enduring countless hardships, he was able to obtain a rejuvenating herb
that made him immortal.
But a snake ate it instead.
The kids went crazy when they heard this.
They said he should've eaten it right away.
-[laughs] -[grunts]
He should've eaten the snake then.
-What? -Soup.
-[teacher] Would that have worked? -[Woo laughs]
[sighs] So what happened to him?
I wonder.
[Hoseung] It's not like Kim Singu would've said,
"I hate BF! I'm going to take revenge on Ms. Yun,"
at the support group meetings.
I doubt we'll find anything here. [clicks tongue]
[Woo] Who knows? Everyone who had worked with him for a long time said that
he had changed all of a sudden.
You're right.
Seeing how he tried to drown his colleague proves just that.
[Hoseung] Did the group members treat him like an outsider?
Could that be why that old man acted out?
Or maybe someone influenced him.
I hope it's neither.
I hope it was indeed a heart attack.
-Geez, this is heavy. -What is?
This suit. Are sensor suits normally this heavy?
WELFARE CENTER
[counselor] Hello. [chuckles]
Are you Mr. Kim Singu?
He started coming here after my mother passed away.
He said this place offered him great comfort.
[crying] He was going to visit me soon.
Did he talk about me?
Of course. He told us on many occasions about his son
-who lived in the US. -[sniffs, sighs]
I can't believe he took his own life.
[gasps]
-[crying] I'm sorry. -I was shocked when I saw the news.
I didn't know him for that long,
but I knew he was a good man.
Did he say anything that stood out?
Did he seem agitated during your meetings?
He's my maternal uncle.
I see. Hello.
[grunts]
This kid
just can't understand why his father made such a decision.
There was nothing in particular.
In fact, he was on the quiet side.
What about his friend?
He told me that he had befriended someone.
-A friend? -Yes.
There was one man he often spoke to.
[Hoseung mutters]
I'd like to ask him about my father.
Could I get his number?
[counselor] Gosh.
We're not allowed to give out other people's phone numbers.
I'll tell him my father gave it to me, not you.
[sighs]
I'm sorry.
-[Hoseung] But ma'am-- -Hey, you!
You should've visited your father more often when he was alive.
[clicks tongue]
What about you then? What did you do?
I'm your maternal uncle.
Maternal uncle… [laughs]
Maternal uncle.
Who says uncles can't visit their sisters' husbands? Huh?
He was your brother-in-law!
Aren't I right?
-Hold on. -They visit too, right?
-Hold on. -Are you serious? [crying]
[counselor] Look. You don't need to fight.
[shouts, grunts]
Ma'am.
Ma'am, I beg you.
Please tell me.
[counselor] Why isn't he picking up?
We're not supposed to give out addresses.
What was his name again?
HAEJEONG BUILDING, UNIT 101 PARK SANGMIN
"Park Sangmin"?
Excuse me.
Does Mr. Park Sangmin work here?
[employee] "Park Sangmin"?
No.
Is this Haejeong Building, unit 101?
Yes, this is Haejeong Building, unit 101.
Thank you.
Didn't she say this was his home address?
Even if this were his work address, there's no one here
by that name.
Something smelled fishy when he didn't pick up.
By the way, you always wear only one earphone.
-Is it just for fashion? -Is that what you think?
[Woo sighs]
What is it?
Get in for now.
OSARANG CHURCH
[Woo] I saw that same black car in front of my house
the day Ms. Yun first came.
[engine starts]
[turn signal clicking]
[tires screech]
[horns honk]
[horns honking]
[tires screeching]
[officer] What is he doing?
[siren blaring]
[officer, through speakers] Pull over. Plate number 213N 6064.
Pull over.
Plate number 213N 6064. Pull over now.
Pull over.
[tires screech]
-6064. Pull over. -[Woo] Keep chasing him.
We have two vehicles on the run between Euljeongro 3-ga and 4-ga.
Plate number 213N 6064
and 301B 1269.
-[screams] -[officer] We need backup.
[person screams]
[tires screech]
[grunts]
[panting]
What a mean mug.
Did Kim Singu give you that scar?
[grunts]
[panting]
[grunting]
[Hoseung grunting, magnified]
[grunting, magnified]
[shouts]
[panting]
[Hoseung grunting, magnified]
[Hoseung gasps]
[Hoseung gasps, magnified]
[panting, magnified]
[groans, magnified]
[attacker] Even a conglomerate's bodyguard like you
can't beat a stray like me.
Kim Hoseung!
-Hoseung. Stay awake. Breathe. -[panting]
-A scar… -Don't talk. It's okay.
Jang Yeongsil, call 911!
[Yeongsil] Yes, sir.
Hoseung, wake up.
You're okay. Breathe. Hoseung!
[officer] Over here!
-Stop right there! -[officer 2 shouts]
Right there! Hey!
Translated by Kim Sooji