Tempest (북극성)

Wow…

Apparently, throughout his career as a bodyguard,

not a single person who's been under the protection of Mr. Paik has ever died.

I think he's just the person we need.

Nobody knows how many civilians he's killed over there.

Mr. Paik Sanho is nothing more than an international contract killer.

But what's more important than safety when it comes to security?

IRAQ, 2007

From what I found, he obtained US citizenship in '06.

In '07, he was deployed to Iraq.

At the same time, Valkyrie was scouring the world to recruit special ops veterans

from Nepal, Serbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Honduras.

Mr. Paik was previously registered as Mongolian.

He doesn't look Mongolian.

Mongolia was just a useful stop for a passport change.

He looks Korean and speaks fluent Korean.

So what do you think his real nationality is?

He volunteers at the Peace and Forgiveness church,

known for its congregation of North Korean defectors.

So what if he's DPRK Special Forces?

So you're saying that he could be a spy from North Korea

and he had an ulterior motive in approaching me?

Yeah.

Find some evidence first.

What concerns me

is we don't know why he approached you in the first place.

Let me figure that out.

Dear Ms. Seo, I hope this mail finds you well.

If I were to pick one of us to protect my own mother, it'd be Mark. No question.

PARIS, 2008

Back during the Paris nightclub attack,

Mark was the one who safely extracted the Saudi oil billionaire's daughter,

not a scratch on her.

Whoever you are, whatever you do, if you feel as though you are in danger,

I insist you take Mark's services.

That is, if he accepts the job offer.

TEMPEST

Beijing welcomes the president today as she begins her visit to China

in attendance of the Beijing Climate Forum.

President Chae will be heading straight to the China National Convention Center…

Why do you think the president went to Beijing?

Climate doesn't seem like her real concern right now.

She's probably asking for help from China. To act as a mediator.

Not much of a welcome.

No Chinese government officials showed up, just the ambassador.

All the Chinese officials are at the state guesthouse.

The US VP made a surprise visit…

…to Beijing this morning.

IN FRONT OF BUILDING 18

AT THE ZHONGNANHAI STATE GUESTHOUSE THIS MORNING

There's one more guest there.

This photo was snapped outside of Building 18 earlier at the guesthouse.

Madam Cho and Jin Suryeon?

Kim Hansang's English and Chinese translators.

Mr. Kim must be sitting at the table with the US VP,

all while our president is abandoned outside, waiting and sweating in the heat.

But why would China prefer a war?

The border region could end up as a nuclear target.

As we speak,

the power dynamics are shifting dramatically.

China, Russia, and even Idisha in the Middle East are forming an alliance.

A new sphere of influence is developing.

Now, assuming North Korea joins as well…

…the US faces the biggest threat to international order since World War II.

The two sides could end up fighting on the Korean Peninsula,

the only nation made of two divided countries.

Well, I did hear the CIA director showed up in Seoul this afternoon.

Someone at that level would've come here to meet with the president.

But she's out of the country.

What could be the reason then?

He could be here for you.

You think so?

I'm afraid if Junik's death was the work of the United States,

they could see you as a very serious threat.

They'll be wondering what you know, and what would happen to the peninsula,

if you were to become the President of South Korea.

The United States bombed the train.

They will never stop hunting you.

That's fine.

Their desperation to kill me just shows that I have power.

From the US perspective, the reason that they see you as such a threat

is you capture the hearts and minds of the public.

You have to rally their support as much as you can.

To make them want peaceful reunification.

And that… that will be your greatest asset.

Mother.

What are you doing out here?

Oh, Munju.

Aren't you moving out tomorrow? You packed already?

I'm not taking much anyway. Just bringing myself, I guess.

You're moving out for security reasons?

Yes.

Your new security guard, Paik Sanho, was it?

Is he making you do this?

You know what, Mother?

I never really liked this place.

I heard you insisted on hiring him.

What are people going to say about that?

Fortunately, I've never cared about what other people think.

I don't doubt that. You had your reasons.

After all, you're a smart girl. But I'll give you some advice.

That young man is clearly the type who could stir a lady's heart.

That mercenary has saved you twice.

He nearly died this last time.

Every human is foolish.

But if they're lonely, they become irrational.

Give in to your emotions and it will ruin everything.

I don't think that was a coincidence, Mother.

I am positive he had his reasons for doing what he did.

I'd like to know why he saved me.

You're risking it all, your reputation, for that?

If it means I can find out why Junik was murdered?

I'd risk everything I have.

Because right now, every door in front of me is locked.

And the only key I've got in my hands is Sanho.

I'm going to unlock the door

and see where it leads.

Hold on, Ms. Seo.

I open every door first.

This will be every time?

Yes.

Do you really need to put this here?

Why?

I don't like things placed next to the bed.

It's the perfect spot to hide a bug or a camera.

Oh, wow! This spot is just perfect.

We couldn't have asked for a better floor plan or location.

How'd I even find it?

You can't open the windows.

I can't open any windows here?

A sniper will aim for a window.

I've applied bulletproof film to them.

Look, Mr. Paik.

We're not in America.

Guns are illegal in this country.

Even prisoners have a right to some sunlight and fresh air.

I can't even have that?

I carry a gun, even though it's illegal.

What?

Gun restrictions don't matter to an assassin.

Oh, Ms. Seo? Is it okay if I setup my office in here?

The previous resident was an elderly person,

so this used to be the caretaker's room.

This way I can crash here when we work late.

I'll be sleeping in here.

-What? -I'll be sleeping in this room.

You know, Mr. Paik, why not use the room across the hall?

That should be enough for security purposes.

Well, that does place one extra door that's in my way.

In an emergency, I'd need to get through both doors.

That's two extra seconds

and enough time for six bullets to be fired.

This room is the only reason I approved this location.

I'm sleeping in here.

I can't let you stay in a room with her, especially if it locks from the inside.

Okay. I'll let you figure this out. Excuse me.

Here's hoping you two can reach a fair agreement.

Ms. Seo, what do you think?

I'll sleep in here. That solve the problem?

The two of you can share the big bed.

Mr. Paik, I'd like to speak to you.

Give us the room, please.

Come on.

I appreciate your perfectionism when it comes to security,

but your job is to protect me so I can work.

I have more to do than just stay safe.

I always respect the opinions of my team.

And if you can't learn to coordinate with them,

we can't work together.

You think I was aiming for perfection?

I wish that were possible.

There's no such thing as perfection here.

To achieve that, I'd have to lock you in a room with no windows or doors.

And it still wouldn't be enough.

Someone could blow up the room.

Ms. Lim, she's waiting in the living room.

- Hello, Mother. - Am I interrupting?

No, it's okay.

Don't mind me, please keep working.

How'd you find such a perfect house?

Miji searched all over the city.

And luckily, this place opened up just at the right time.

What is he doing?

He cooks for her too?

The new head of security doesn't trust any of us.

He insisted that he personally cook for Ms. Seo,

using ingredients from a monastery he knows.

So he'll be cooking every meal for her, he stays within arm's reach at all times,

and even sleeps just a door away from her?

I want you to keep a close eye on those two. Something seems off.

Yes, ma'am.

Here's the bombing report from the NIS,

for your perusal.

I also have

a small favor to ask.

The NIS…

has been wiretapping my house.

Junik was suspected of spying.

They think that Junik was a spy? That's ridiculous.

Well, of course it is.