Doctor Stranger

💖Chapter 1💖

1994, Seoul. 

A young boy changes the channel from a newscast about the heightened North-South tension surrounding the North's withdrawal to the Non-proliferation Treaty, along with North Korean leader Kim Il-sung's recent lack of public appearances, in favor of a kid's show. We can go ahead and identify him as our hero, PARK HOON (later portrayed by Lee Jong-seok).

A document lying on the table piques his curiosity, but when Hoon asks his father what a "lawsuit" is, Dad silently snatches it out of his hands. He pouts, but tries to get Dad's attention again before he heads off to school. Judging from his dejected sigh, he's used to being ignored.

A man at the door asks for Doctor Park Chul (Kim Sang-joong), who is none other than the boy's father. Their guest, JANG SUK-JOO (Chun Ho-jin) is an assemblyman who works for the National Defense Committee, which prompts the doctor to remark that he didn't think the National Assembly would try to stop a petty medical malpractice suit.But he's told that trial has been postponed for a more pressing matter of national importance: their latest intel suggests that the U.S. is preparing for an attack on the North, specifically the Yongbyon nuclear facility. Should that happen, the North would likely retaliate, which would lead to war.

Asked why the government would disclose such highly classified information to a thoracic surgeon at Myungwoo Hospital, Assemblyman Jang replies, "Because you can stop this war."

Despite the frenzied response outside, young Hoon is still too wee to comprehend the gravity of the present situation. He marvels at the military tanks and helicopters passing by and offers a lollipop to the bodyguard standing outside the house.He grows excited at the possibility of having lunch with Dad, but when he's told to fend for himself tonight, he points towards their practically empty fridge. It's sad how that also shows how much time Dad actually spends at home.

Watching the customers' hysteria over the threat of war on the news, Hoon asks if they can't go to the States if war does break out—that way, he could see Mom, too. Aw, kid. Dad says wars don't happen that easily, but his expression darkens to see a political debate on the topic on TV.

Somewhere off the coast, a pair of soldiers gapes from their lookout to see a seaplane barge (the same one Assemblyman Jang mentioned that would be used in an attack on the North) roll along the sea.Later that evening, Dad informs Assemblyman Jang that the x-ray indicates that the patient won't last a month. At the mention that saving the heart in question will halt the threat of war, Dad proposes bringing the patient to the hospital. Problem is, the patient is in the North. Oh, it's Kim Il-sung's heart, isn't it?

It is, which means that Dad would have to travel there to treat the patient. It's imperative that they save the North Korean leader lest his death throws the country into a tizzy, which is also when the U.S. plans to strike.

Back at home, Hoon hesitantly picks up the phone to call Mom, only to overhear his parents arguing over who should look after him. Mom refuses, saying that she's getting re-married soon and that she already cut ties with her past. Dad hears another click after she hangs up, letting him know that his son was listening in.The following morning, Dad tells his son that someone will look after him and Mom will come for him then. But Hoon says he wants to be with his father. A tear falls from his eyes as he adds that Mom doesn't want him anyway.

Hoon follows his father out to the car, and when it's clear that Dad won't say goodbye, Hoon says it for the both of them, saying in a breaking voice, "I'm off to school," and walks away.

And while Dad might be distanced, he isn't cold-hearted because the next thing we know, he runs back to embrace his son. Aww, daddy-child relationships make me go weak in the knees.Dad secretly travels to the North via a silent exchange that takes place late at night somewhere in sea. Assemblyman Jang briefs the South Korean officials on current events, and the men balk at the one-man mission to prevent an all-out war.