A Taxi Driver

In 1980, Kim Man-seob (played by a stoic widower struggling to make ends meet) navigates the chaotic streets of Seoul as a taxi driver. One fateful day, he intercepts an intriguing opportunity when overhearing another cabby boasting about a lucrative fare to Gwangju - unaware of the unfolding turmoil in that city. The unsuspecting Man-seob pilfers this prized passenger, none other than Jürgen "Peter" Hinzpeter (a German journalist hell-bent on capturing the escalating civil unrest), and together they embark on an ill-fated journey. As they approach Gwangju, their taxi is halted by soldiers, but Peter's clever disguise as a businessman grants them entry into the heart of the city.

Upon arrival, Man-seob and Peter encounter a group of college students who take pity on the journalist and welcome him aboard their trusty pickup truck. However, Man-seob becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the escalating situation and decides to bid farewell to his fare, leaving Peter to navigate the treacherous landscape alone. Despite this, Peter's compassion is piqued by an elderly woman they encounter along the way, and he convinces Man-seob to return to the local hospital in search of her missing son - only to discover that he is one of the college students.

As tensions escalate, Peter confronts Man-seob about abandoning him mid-journey, offering to cover part of the fare. However, the group of college students and local taxi drivers refuse to accept payment until Man-seob completes the agreed-upon trip. With a heavy heart, Man-seob relents and takes Peter and another student, Jae-sik, to a protest at the Provincial Office, where they are met with food and gifts from the determined protesters. As Peter captures the brutal crackdowns that follow on film, Plainclothes Defense Security Command (DSC) officers attempt to apprehend him, but the three men expertly evade capture.

As night falls, Man-seob's taxi succumbs to mechanical failure, forcing them to seek refuge at Tae-soo's local repair shop. It is here that they learn of a devastating television station bombing and decide to head there to document the chaos. However, their decision proves costly as DSC officers recognize Peter and give chase. In the ensuing chaos, Man-seob is brutally assaulted and Jae-sik is captured, but not before he implores Peter to share his footage with the world.

As anguish over his young daughter's whereabouts consumes him, Man-seob (character name) embarks on a perilous journey from Suncheon back to Gwangju, fueled by desperation and determination. The unsettling news of the Gwangju uprising spreads like wildfire, with rumors of North Korean infiltrators sparking widespread panic. Crushed by guilt, he rushes back to the hospital, where he finds Peter (actor name) shell-shocked and Tae-soo (character name) mourning the loss of Jae-sik's lifeless body. Despite Peter's entreaties to return to Seoul and his daughter, Man-seob refuses to abandon those in need, opting instead to stand by Peter's side.

In the midst of chaos, as soldiers unleash a hail of bullets on civilians attempting to rescue the wounded, Man-seob and fellow taxi drivers spring into action. With their vehicles transformed into makeshift ambulances, they ferry the injured to safety. Their journey takes them via a treacherous mountain route, where they're confronted by an armed roadblock. A stern sergeant scrutinizes their vehicle, only to release them upon discovering the Seoul license plates. However, his comrades, under orders to apprehend any foreigners, open fire on the taxi, prompting Man-seob to make a daring escape. DSC officers give chase, but local taxi drivers valiantly intervene, allowing our protagonists to slip away undetected.

As their paths diverge at the airport, Peter implores Man-seob for his name and contact information, only to receive a cryptic response: "Kim Sa-bok" as his name and a cigarette company's phone number. Man-seob reunites with his daughter, while Peter broadcasts his gripping footage of the Gwangju Uprising to the world. On subsequent visits to Seoul, Peter attempts to track down "Kim Sa-bok," but ultimately remains unsuccessful.

Fifteen years later, in 2003, Peter receives a prestigious award for his report on the Gwangju Uprising. In his acceptance speech, he expresses heartfelt gratitude to "Kim Sa-bok" and hopes that their paths will cross again someday. Man-seob, still plying his trade as a taxi driver, reads about Peter's triumphs in the newspaper, his thoughts filled with a mix of admiration for Peter's dedication and longing for their reunion. The film concludes with a poignant video message from the real Peter, thanking "Kim Sa-bok" and voicing his wish to see him again someday.