Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area (종이의 집: 공동경제구역)

Fans of K-pop group BTS are called ARMY.

They have members all over the world.

Of course,

there are ARMYs in North Korea too.

DPRK! KIM IL-SUNG UNIVERSITY

It was second nature for me.

Since I was a kid, I've secretly watched K-dramas,

and I've always listened to K-pop.

But there'll always be one thing that sets me apart from the other ARMYs.

-I had to join the real army. -

It's been years since the leaders of the North, South, and the US

met at the Joint Security Area.

As time went by, hopes of unification continued to die down.

That is, until something came like a thief in the night.

You need to see this.

- What is it? - The war's over?

- Do you think this is real? - I said things were dying down.

…comprehensive economic development.

Both countries will soon establish an economic union.

The development of a common currency…

What does she mean by common currency?

Does that mean we can buy stuff from South Korea?

-Permits will be issued by the government. -What?

I mean, does that even matter?

What really matters is that we can cross the border

as long as we have a permit now!

As soon as I was discharged,

I left Pyongyang and headed to Seoul.

I didn't even give it a second thought.

To live the Korean dream.

SINUIJU, NORTH KOREA (DPRK) <-> SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (ROK)

Look over there!

This train is now passing through the JEA, or Joint Economic Area.

As you're aware,

this was once the Joint Security Area, a symbol of division.

NORTH KOREANS SPECIAL SALE

Now the area is used as a testing ground for economic cooperation,

ensuring free travel and work for every Korean.

This area is already home to numerous organizations and companies

from the North and South.

Unified Korea Mint

and the Preparatory Committee for Unification

will be based here in the near future.

This is how North Korea's gonna look like soon, you know?

I'm gonna make so much money

and I'll buy a house in a tower like that one back home.

- I wonder what it's like. -

It was obvious that everyone on the train smelled the same thing.

It was the smell of hope.

And soon after, a huge South Korean corporation

promised to make large-scale investments in the North.

Those who claimed to have made a fortune riding the wave

started showing up in both Koreas.

But for me…

…the house and job that my migration broker had promised me

was all a lie.

QUICK LOANS FOR MIGRANTS

Welcome to capitalism.

Hey.

You want a bite?

Whatever.

If it's so great,

why is that bitch eating garbage?

After the second economic cooperation,

an influx of North Korean migrant workers have settled in South Korea.

This has led to growing social animosity towards North Koreans.

Meanwhile, a BTS concert being held in Pyongyang next month

has already sold out,

suggesting that the cultural exchange between the neighboring countries

is happening much quicker than expected.

What is happening to the world?

CLUB MORANBONG NORTH KOREAN ESCORTS 24/7

I just don't get it.

How did things get this way?

Fifty-thousand won.

You know we charge a 20% exchange fee for the old notes, right?

- What's all that stuff? - What do you think?

Things I got instead of money. You got anything valuable?

I'll pay you good money. What do you say?

Look, I understand.

Hard times, right?

They call this "Ice" up North. Ever heard of it?

I know you been through it, so take it as a gift.

No thanks.

Yeah?

It's better to work in a good mood.

You can always go all the way, you know, with the clients.

Huh? When are you gonna pay off your loan at this rate?

Fine.

If you wanna make money, you need to keep an open mind.

Try it.

Come on!

-Hey, what the fuck is going on? -

Hey, boss, we caught this bitch running away without paying us.

Wanna take one of her kidneys?

Her junkie kidney isn't worth much.

- -

You want a bite?

All this is thanks to bastards like you.

What?

You're all just bunch of greedy fucks.

- -

Did you release the safety?

TT pistols don't have safeties.

Uh…

Hey. I'm sorry, okay?

Come on, let's talk, all right? Hmm?

- -

- -

Thieves were making money in this new world.

And there's nothing stopping me from becoming a thief.

- -

What are you doing?

Grab everything and let's go.

ONE YEAR LATER

Suspects wanted by police

have committed a series of robberies in the last year,

specifically targeting loan sharks.

According to what's been confirmed by the authorities,

one of the suspects died at the scene,

The police are currently after another suspect,

who is assumed to be an illegal immigrant.

-thunder rumbling] - Come in, 1506.

Copy. We've lost the suspect. She moved towards the second avenue.

Copy. Moving in that direction now with four officers, over.

I didn't have anywhere else to go.

Are you okay? You look like you're badly hurt.

When I first saw him,

I thought the Grim Reaper had finally come for me.

It's you, right?

The little Miss Robin Hood who's been stealing from people

who take advantage of immigrants?

I thought you would be a monster. Turns out you're just human.

Leave.

How was it?

Did you feel good after you killed petty criminals?

Hmm?

Who are you?

I have a plan, an elaborate one too,

and I really want you to join me.

You're really asking me to join your little heist?

After I was just about to blow my brains out?

The thief who steals petty cash

either gets killed by a cop or serves prison time,