Presented by CJ Entertainment
In association with Discovery Venture Capital
a cineWill production
You know, I noticed a shelter outside.
Then you go, idiot!
Shit, I'd be better off going back to the army.
Damn it.
What a pitiful sight.
I told you all not to drink here, didn't I?
Didn't I?
Hey, you.
You're new here, huh?
Yes.
Get up.
Get up now!
Let me see your ID.
Right, you wouldn't have one.
Because you're filth.
Pardon?
Human filth.
All of you are trash that disgust ordinary citizens.
Damn it, how old are you?
I got a presidential plaque when you were breast-fed.
You disrespectful prick.
You all are in big trouble.
You two come with me.
What?
Seems like filth carry around IDs now.
Han Min-wook...
Nice.
What?
Mr. President!
Salute!
President?
President, my ass!
If you're the President, I'm Kim Jong-il.
Yeah, Kim Jong-il.
THE ROMANTIC PRESIDENT
Produced by Choi Jin-soo
Executive Producer Lee Kang-bok
Producer Jung Soo-hyun
Co-executive Producer Seok Dong-joon
Starring Ahn Sung-ki
and Choi Ji-woo
Cinematography Byun Hee-sung (K.S.C.)
Lighting Director Jung Young-min
Edited by Kim Hyun Music by Bak Hae-sung
Script revised by Kwak Jae-yong
Associate Producer Kang Sung-joon
Written and Directed by Jeon Man-bae
Hey, where's an empty seat?
Are you deaf?
Where's an empty seat?
Here...
Thanks.
I'm Eun-soo, Choi Eun-soo.
Nice to meet you.
Hey, aren't you supposed to introduce yourselves, too?
Right, I'm Jin-ah.
Cho Jin-ah.
I'm Sun-mi.
Are you a transfer student?
What's our homeroom teacher like?
Is he cute?
We have a new teacher coming today.
Hey.
Who's the boss of this class?
Boss?
Her.
Min-sook.
I see.
And the pushover?
The one in front, Bang-shil.
I see.
Hey, then who's the rebel?
Han Young-hee.
Students, settle down.
I said be quiet!
Had it hard without a homeroom teacher for two weeks, right?
Well let me introduce your new teacher.
Come in, Miss Choi!
Hey.
What?
Hello everyone.
I'm your new homeroom teacher starting today.
You know my name, right?
Study hard with your new teacher.
And make a fresh new start.
Just do it!
Excuse me.
I don't know what your previous teacher was like,
but I can never forgive anyone
who ostracizes or harasses other students.
Understand?
When class ends, Min-sook and Bang-shil come to the office.
Okay?
So you're Young-hee, right?
Don't you hear me?
Please don't bother me.
Young-hee, feeling sick anywhere?
I'm not sick.
Just don't act like you care.
What?
Don't act like I care?
I'm your teacher, so how can I not care?
This sucks.
Young-hee, stop where you are!
Stop right there!
Speak.
We met for the first time today.
But are you mad at me for something?
I'm not, so don't bother me.
I guess it's no use talking to you.
I'll have to meet your parents.
My parents?
Then ask to meet them yourself.
Fine!
What's their number?
It's 016-200-0001.
This is the President's office.
What?
The President's office?
Through reality-based policies,
President Han has improved the lives of the less fortunate.
He's been single for ten years,
and had a piano concert for the first time for any president.
With the "Piano President" as his nickname,
he's very popular among the youth and women.
But his support from elders has considerably fallen.
With the local elections two months away,
this will be a test to the President's political ability.
Mr. President.
I think Young-hee is in trouble at school.
Look here, Miss Choi.
How can you put me in a tight position like this?
What are you trying to accomplish with the President?
As a teacher, I thought it was necessary.
I can forgive you for not knowing that her father was the President.
But you shouldn't have called him if you knew later!
Did you think the President would call you to apologize?
Yes, this is the principal speaking.
This is Han Min-wook, Young-hee's father.
Mr. President!
I'm sorry I couldn't...
Mr. President, what is the reason for your gracious call?
My secretary had received an urgent call.
I was wondering if I could speak to Miss Choi Eun-soo.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I know you're extremely busy, but please hold for one moment.
Thank you.
Answer it!
Yes, this is Choi Eun-soo.
I'm sorry I had called you so suddenly.
However, 35 students have been waiting for me for 25 minutes.
If you'd like to talk, please call me after class.
Have a nice day.
Look here, Miss Choi!
Hello?
Mr. President!
That doll is cute, huh?
Right?
Yeah, it's cute.
Steal it for me.
Huh?
Why? You don't want to?
But...
Welcome.
Hey, kid.
Hey, kid!
Damn it!
Hey you, stop where you are!
Stop!
"I envy those orioles who look so much in love."
"My lonely heart would like to return to my beloved."
Now who'd like to read it in Chinese characters?
Pyunpyun... Hwangjo... Jawoong... Sangee...
- Welcome, Mr. President. - Hello.
Thank you for coming.
Young-hee's classroom is over there, sir.
I'm sorry.
I should've visited you sooner.
But today's my first day.
So what happened with Young-hee today?
Right!
In your last press conference,
you highlighted equal education and teachers' authorities.
But one student used her father's special status
to directly challenge a teacher's authority.
In order to stop this act from repeating,
and as parents are legally held for a minor's crime,
I'd like for you to accept Young-hee's punishment.
Wait.
So you're saying that I be punished instead?
Yes, sir.
Miss Choi...
So I want you to write "The Oriole Song" 100 times.
In Chinese by tomorrow!
I have to go to class now.
I bet the principal didn't sleep, thinking he might get fired.
I wish I could've seen the President's face.
Giving the President homework is history in the making.
Think he'll really do it?
Are you on drugs?
Think the President will do it?
Mr. President, let me do it instead.
How much do I have before school ends?
If you speed it up,
we can arrive before after-school class.
Damn, it would be better drawing it instead.
Teacher!
Can't I get my dad to do it, too?
Just bring it to the office when you're done.
Understand?
Why couldn't my dad be president?
That's why you have to have the right parents.
97, 98, 99...
100!
You've done it, Mr. President.
Congratulations!
I won't be tardy, right?
No, sir.
The school is right over the bridge.
I'm exhausted.
But sir, what does this song mean?
Anyone who went to high school should know.
I was very into sports, so I missed a lot of classes.
The King of Koguryu wrote it for his beloved.
"I envy those orioles who look so much in love."
"My lonely heart would like to return to my beloved."
Mr. President!
I did my homework, but as I crossed the bridge...
In other words, the wind blew...
Well, I left the window open.
- And then the wind... - Mr. President.
Just say that you were too busy
or that you didn't want to do it.
You don't need to lie so blatantly.
Lying?
That's nonsense.
I did my homework, and then right on the bridge...
That's enough!
I'll take your word for it.
I have class, so I'm hanging up now.
Mr. President.
I'll order the coast guard to find your homework, sir.
Don't talk nonsense, and just get me some paper.
Choi Eun-soo passed her teaching exam in 1997.
She started teaching Korean at Jamshil H.S. In 1998,
and transferred to Songpa H.S. In September,
Junghwa H.S. In June 1999,
Jangchoong H.S. In September 2000,
Youngbok H.S. In March 2001,
Mijoo H.S. In March 2002, and then finally to Hanil High.
She only taught for six months at each school.
Only six months, I see.
Everyone, I have a surprising announcement.
Our new teacher, Ms. Choi Eun-soo
will represent our nation's teachers
and have lunch with the president.
Ms. Choi, I hope you do well.
Yes.
Applause!
She's the pride of our school.
What am I gonna do?
When the President appears, rise up and greet him politely.
Excuse me.
We're only having lunch, right?
I won't be dragged to anywhere else, right?
Just relax while you talk over lunch.
Hello?
Did you meet my sweety Min-wook?
Did you mention me?
Hang up!
Rotten girl.
She thinks she's a big shot now.
Miss Ha-rin!
Does a Mr. Shin Kwang-bae live with you by any chance?
There's a letter for him.
I don't know who he is!
No.
I'm positive a man lives there.
I said I'm coming, so stop calling!
Here it is, Mr. President.
Mr. President!
Please relax.
"The Oriole Song" written 100 times.
I'd like to repeat that I did do my homework yesterday.
It's not a lie.
And I stayed up all last night doing this.
Please take back that it was a lie.
You've written each character very well.
Excellent work.
I feel like a elementary school student all over again.
Shall we have lunch now?
Despite one mistake,
I gave you a perfect grade for your sincerity.
A mistake?
Where?
Here.
On the third line, it's not the "Ji" character for "earth."
But it's the particle "Gi".
You're wrong.
That line means "a lonely me on the earth."
It's not "Gi", but "Ji" for "earth."
Come on, Mr. President.
"Gi" is a particle that connects the other characters,
so that line means "a lonely me."
I won all the calligraphy competitions with this song.
It's "Ji" not "Gi."
I am a language teacher.
I've taught this 100 times a year, so I should know.
It's "Gi" not "Ji".
You're being stubborn!
Stubborn?
Want to bet on it?
I'm the President.
You're also my student's parent.
Fine!
Minister of Education, this is the President.
Yes, sir.
I just want to inquire about something trivial.
It's about "The Oriole Song".
In the third line,
it's the particle "Gi" not "Ji" for "earth", right?
It's "Gi", right?
Of course it's "Gi".
What fool said it was "Ji"?
You finished college long ago, so you might be confused.
"Ji" should be right.
No, I'm sure that it's "Gi".
My doctorate was on "The Oriole Song".
Your doctorate?
Should I bring you my thesis now, sir?
Have a nice day.
He said "Gi", right?
I bet you're hungry.
You look so marvelous playing the piano.
And a bit lonely, too.
I really wanted to tell you that.
Thank you.
But I can't play too well.
Oh yeah!
Do you know the theme song for
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing?
Of course I do.
The movie with William Holden and Jennifer Jones, right?
It's Andy Williams' song, "Love is..."
Can you play that song?
Pardon?
That?
Well, I had a good time thanks to you.
Please teach our students to their full potential.
I was just thinking, sir.
Try pulling down your bangs a little.
And don't wear ties with stripes all the time.
Try on ones with pok-a-dots.
Then you'll look ten years younger.
Hi Eun-soo!
Did you meet my sweety Min-wook?
He's so incredible.
And don't call the President sweety.
Did you tell him about me?
That there's a girl who loves him?
Nope.
Hey, is there a law where I can't become his wife?
Shin Kwang-bae.
Ha-rin, you've got reserve forces training.
Sir, here's the location for you to examine tonight.
How about if we do this instead?
Did you know that I was also an outcast in high school?
You, too?
This is a secret,
but I'm an outcast among the teachers, too.
Don't stay home this weekend.
Go out and meet your friends, okay?
- Yes, teacher. - Go Bang-shil!
- Go Miss Choi! - Bye.
Here's Andy Williams' song,
"Love is a Many-Splendored Thing."
¢Ü Love is a Many splendored thing. ¢Ü
¢Ü It's the April rose that only grows in the early spring. ¢Ü
¢Ü Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living, ¢Ü
¢Ü The golden crown that makes a man a king. ¢Ü
¢Ü Once, on a high and windy hill, ¢Ü
¢Ü In the moonlight mist, ¢Ü
If I stopped, then hurry and give me a ticket.
Now they're having their fun with people.
How are you?
Remember him?
It's good to see you again.
It's good to see you doing well.
I'd like to make a proposal.
For the citizens who have worked hard today,
I will bring all of you home on the President's limousine.
How about it Mr. President?
Great!
Cheers for President Han Min-wook!
¢Ü Yes, true love's a many splendored thing. ¢Ü
Frankly, I've given up a lot on Young-hee.
But after meeting you, I've mustered some hope.
That maybe you could guide her into the right direction.
But lately I don't know
whether straightening up a student is really right.
After going through their own rebellious stage,
I think maybe they could naturally heal themselves.
The bigger problem is that she doesn't have a dream.
It's been so long since I've seen her smile.
Perhaps when she was six years old.
When I fell flat down on ice, she smiled and laughed.
I really miss that smile.
Then how about we try to find Young-hee's smile?
I'm not that confident, but...
Just do it!
Oh yeah!
Thanks for the cake.
I don't like them.
What?
I wanna be rained on.
Rain?
Please don't worry, everything is fine now.
Young-hee, let's talk.
No.
Young-hee!
Let's talk first.
No, let go!
Why'd you hit me?
My dad doesn't even hit me, so what gives you the right?
Follow me.
Do you want that?
Want me to steal it?
Why? Think I can't?
If I get caught, I'll say I was menstruating.
Here!
Mister, she told me to steal it.
Not again.
Hey!
Hey you!
Stop!
Smile whenever you wanna smile, dummy.
It's worse holding in a smile than pooing.
You're in high school, but do you still like dolls?
That was the first time I stole something.
It's easier than I thought.
Why did you stare at the doll before?
I was talking to it.
Talking?
When I was young,
I fell asleep after waiting for my parents.
When I wake up, parents have already left.
And I'd find a doll in front of me.
And then I'd throw it away.
Afterwards, there'd be another doll.
And I'd throw it away again.
Maybe it's some curse, but the dolls talk to me.
About what?
About anything.
Common day stuff.
You made that up, huh?
How'd you know?
There are ways to find out.
But others believed me.
Teacher, you take it.
Hey!
Young-hee.
I stole it for you.
It talks too much, so I don't want it.
Hey!
What should we do?
It looks good to me.
Leave it there so it can ramble on by itself.
Think we should?
Prices are too high I tell you.
So you mean that taxi fares are too high as well, right?
No way, taxi fares need to go up.
I was valedictorian, and I didn't get in.
But tall and pretty Ji-hyun who doesn't study gets in.
Mister, does this make sense?
Does this make sense?
I said does this make sense?
Sorry to keep you waiting.
No, that's okay.
Do I look strange?
No, you look good in jeans.
Please come this way.
Yes, sir.
So where shall we go?
I have an idea.
Young-hee really smiled?
Yes, sir.
It would've been nice if you had saw it, Mr. President.
Please don't call me Mr. President.
Just call me Mr. Han.
Or Min-wook perhaps.
Yes, Min-wook.
Why are you so late?
Man, it was damn hard.
That's why I told you to go on time.
How'd you get so much dirt on you?
She and I live together.
She?
In high school, we were in the same movie club.
He was so handsome all the girls liked him.
But after serving in the army, he came back as a girl.
I see.
Hey Eun-soo.
Why'd your reserve training end so late?
I had to make up for missing out on the last session.
It's you, right?
Right?
Pleased to meet you.
It's a tremendous honor, sir.
You look a lot handsomer in person than on TV.
Am I dreaming or what?
This isn't a dream, right?
Ha-rin, aren't you going to change into something prettier?
Oh my, where's my head?
I'm going to change very quickly,
so please wait a moment, sir.
I'll be right back.
- Let's drink. - Sure.
Mr. President, I mean Min-wook.
Have you ever been without your bodyguards?
No, I've never had the chance.
Don't you want to try once?
Well...
It won't be that easy.
The bathroom has a back door.
See you soon.
Hurry.
Out of shape?
It's locked.
Let's jump over.
Are you okay?
Where did he go?
Let's look for him again.
Noodles and a soju bottle for table three.
What's this?
This is a tavern, right?
Actually, these huge guys dressed in black suits outside.
I know, I know.
You're fugitives, right?
Yes.
Trying to hide, right?
Yes.
Follow me.
- Thank you. - Hurry and go upstairs.
Don't worry about big men.
I used to be a Marine.
Oh my, isn't that him?
Just finish your food.
They're coming.
What do you want?
Was the President here by any chance?
The President?
Of course.
Really?
Yeah, 30 years ago.
President Park came to my Marine unit.
Pardon?
Bastard didn't know what a real Marine can do.
I knocked him out, so you can relax and drink.
Follow me.
Sit, sit.
Sit over here.
It's nice sitting together, huh?
So what drink can I get for you?
Since we were drinking
Something newer?
I told you there's no one like that here.
No, a customer that just left
said there's someone who looks just like the President.
I'm sorry, but I'll have to look upstairs.
You can't.
Ma'am, you can't do this.
If you keep this up, I'll call the police.
Big trouble.
They have guns.
Hurry and hide.
Hurry and go.
Go inside.
Hurry.
Go in.
Wait...
Do you want to get shot?
I was only a security guard.
Sorry to interrupt.
Salute!
Everything's clear, Mr. President.
I think we've put them through too much,
so how about we quit?
What a beautiful morning!
Oh my, Young-hee's here early today.
What a great day it is.
Life is happy and beautiful.
We're going to study hard today, okay?
Just do it!
Teacher, please have some. It'll help start your great day.
Thank you!
Well, see you in Korean class!
Just do it!
Teacher!
Teacher, are you all right?
I'm fine.
Vinegar is a good beauty treatment.
Just do it!
Sorry, teacher.
It's okay.
Hey, it tasted better than soy sauce.
We mixed it with soap water, too.
It's okay.
We spit in it, too.
The files on the eastern front you'll be visiting today, sir.
Yes, good work.
There are so many.
Here you go.
Mr. Chang.
It concerns Young-hee's teacher.
Well, some place people can't notice...
That is, a quiet place...
Well, for the two of us...
I understand very well.
I'll set the time and place for you.
Thank you.
- Good afternoon. - Hi.
Hello?
Is this Miss Choi Eun-soo?
Yes, it's me.
This is Mr. Chang from the President's office.
Yes, we've met before.
The President wants to meet you at a quiet place tonight.
Yes.
The place is suite 2301 at the Hyatt Hotel.
The President will arrive at 10 pm.
It's suite 2301, and please don't be late.
Hotel suite?
Our policy shouldn't be superficial or formal,
but being full of hope for the future is most important.
- Do you understand? - Yes, sir.
Oh yeah, what happened to that favor I asked of you?
Right, sir.
The room has been reserved, and security has been sent.
What? Reserve a room?
Yes, if you go to suite 2301 at the Hyatt Hotel at 10 pm,
Miss Choi will be waiting for you.
It's the room President Clinton slept in during his visit.
It's the best place for secrecy.
Look here, Mr. Chang.
I'm sorry, sir.
I should've mentioned it when no one's around.
Look here, Mr. Chang.
Are you out of your mind?
Sir?
This is not what I wanted.
Cancel it right now.
Now!
What's wrong?
Something happened?
I want to get drunk.
Why?
What happened?
Which bastard did this to you?
The President bastard.
Hello?
Oh, right.
Hold on please.
Answer it.
Who is it?
The President bastard.
I don't want to.
Answer it, he wants to talk to you.
Just tell him what's on your mind.
Hurry.
Hello?
Eun-soo, it's me.
I'm sorry that I'm not that kind of girl.
I'm not like that so I'm very sorry.
Good-bye.
Yes, Mr. President.
Get the car ready.
I think I've fallen in love.
Okay.
Good luck with him.
Good luck with that president guy.
It's all over now.
Don't ever talk about him in front of me, okay?
Hey, Han Min-wook!
It's all over!
The end!
End!
But it's not about my sweety Min-wook.
Hello.
She just left.
Where did she go?
Eun-soo!
Eun-soo, I know you're very upset.
It's all my fault.
But I wish you'd let me explain.
I'm sorry.
This may be rude of me, but one thing is for sure.
I'm not that kind of girl.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
It's the President!
It's an honor to meet you.
What a handsome fellow.
Hello.
You're so cute.
This guy who likes this girl made a mistake.
It wasn't directly his fault,
but if he nonetheless hurt her in the end,
I think he should apologize and make up to her.
If you were her, what would you do?
That girl was riding in the subway.
She waited for him to come closer and missed her stop.
So what would you do?
I'd have to take her all the way home.
Let's get off at the next stop.
Seoul Night Club, Waiter Han Min-wook
It's here.
I see.
It's a nice place.
I'm sorry and grateful for today.
I had a good time.
I had a good time as well.
I wonder why people find courage in the dark.
Feeling the hiccups coming again?
President Han Gets Caught On A Secret Date
In a recent newspaper,
President Han was found embracing a woman.
Her name is Choi Eun-soo.
She's the President's daughter's teacher.
But the thornier issue is Choi Eun-soo's past.
In college, she was suspected of
kidnapping the Unification Minister's granddaughter,
and was being investigated.
My granddaughter was taken hostage.
Is that a humane thing to do?
Hello.
Hey, did you guys hear?
Ms. Choi came to our school to become the President's wife.
That sucks.
For that kidnapping,
she seduced these guys and then betrayed them...
No wonder she tried to manipulate Young-hee.
I heard she stole something to get close to Young-hee.
Repeat what you all just said.
What?
What did you just say?
Say it, you bitches!
Say it!
To be the President's wife,
become a teacher and transfer to different schools.
Then go to the President's daughter's school.
Afterwards, be her homeroom teacher.
Since there needs to be an opening,
use any means to kick out her old teacher.
I'd like to point something out.
There's something very important to be his wife.
What's that?
You must kidnap a little child ten years ago.
Our country has gotten a lot better.
In the old days, he'd go to jail for saying that.
Who is he talking about?
Just keep eating!
A woman who dates the President can become his wife.
Who is she?
The mother of our country.
But at the same time, she lives with another man.
Does this make sense in a civilized country?
Look at this.
Shin Kwang-bae's ID is 730728- 1052511.
Have you ever heard of a woman called Kwang-bae?
And ever seen a woman's ID start with a male's number?
Ha-Rin.
Our party's approval rate has fallen by 35% this month.
This will negatively affect the local elections next month.
Sir, shall I catch you on a better time?
Are you really dating the President?
- When did you two meet? - Is it true?
How do you feel now?
Please say something.
Mr. President, please allow me to begin by addressing your
alleged relationship with Miss Choi.
Is there any truth to this rumor?
She would like to first ask you about the rumors
that is troubling you at the moment.
To protest his objection to the North-South student summit,
we stopped the Minister's car.
But he had mistakenly left his granddaughter and drove off.
So we're not kidnappers.
Choi Eun-soo is simply my daughter's teacher.
We had no time to develop feelings for each other.
All I did was hear her advice on Young-hee's education.
And I'd really like to point out something here.
Shin Kwang-bae had a sex change,
but she's not treated legally as a woman.
She's my best friend and is like a sister to me.
I'd like for you all not to hurt her any longer.
As our country's President,
I deeply regret that I've confused the people.
From now on, I'll restrain from these acts.
Is your relationship with the President true?
Please tell the truth.
Yes, it's true.
I had feelings for the President.
So I did what I could to get close to him.
By doing this wrongful act,
I've brought trouble to the honorable President,
so I'm deeply sorry.
Didn't the President realize you intentions?
Will you keep teaching at his daughter's school?
Miss Choi.
Don't be too upset.
The President has no choice but to be a politician.
Why are you up there?
Just because.
I'm really sorry.
For what?
Just because.
I bet it's nice to quit this dumb school.
Envious, huh?
I'm going very far away to the countryside.
Did you really like my dad?
Yep!
But you're giving up?
Yep!
Why?
Just because!
When are you coming down?
After you leave.
Okay!
I'm done having fun, so I'm going home.
You're the first person to hit me.
And the last, of course.
You need to be hit more.
Teacher!
Excellent work
Mr. President.
You're 35 minutes behind schedule, sir.
This year, there are many paintings
that entail fantasies of a cyber-future.
When I was young,
I'd paint landscapes of my dreams.
Kids today are surely different.
Who's the person standing there?
It's me, sir.
Your dream must be to become president.
Yes, sir.
When I grow up,
I want to be a great president for the people.
An honest and great president like President Han.
At a countryside school in Youngwol Town,
a elementary school student dreamed of becoming president.
This boy painted a picture of his dreams and ambitions.
It was rough yet sincerely made.
And into the far future,
this boy became president.
But this president lied to the people who elected him.
And terribly broke this woman's heart.
My beloved citizens.
Today, in front of all of you,
I'd like to confess something to you.
Frankly, I don't play the piano well.
For the last election, I practiced to artificially create
this image of a piano-playing president.
You voted for a person like this.
And I was elected president thanks to you.
But I can't lie to myself any longer.
I'm very embarrassed for lying to you all until now.
My beloved citizens, I'm very sorry.
But I'm not going to disappoint you any longer.
I...
I love Miss Choi Eun-soo.
She helped me find myself again.
Ladies and gentlemen.
If I don't hold on to her, I'll never get married.
Teacher!
Hi.
Which one is prettier?
This one is, right?
No, this one's prettier.
Mine's prettier.
No, both of them are.
Teacher, you take them.
Thank you.
A man who loves this woman made an unforgivable mistake.
But this man desperately wants her to forgive him.
If you were her, what would you do?
Can I answer in a poem?
A poem?
Can you say Han Min-wook by character?
Han...
Han is the first character for big mistake.
Min...
Min is for broken-heart.
Are you prepared to pay for it?
Wook...