| Director | Byun Sung-hyun |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₩12 billion |
| Box office | $6 million |
In the 1960s, Seo Chang-dae, a man with political ambitions who is temporarily running a pharmacy, catches the attention of emerging politician Kim Woon-beom. Impressed by Seo's determination and unconventional thinking, Kim takes him on as a political aide. Seo soon proves himself as a skilled strategist, helping Kim win a National Assembly seat in Mokpo despite extensive government interference and bribery. After the victory, government officials attempt to recruit Seo, but he refuses.
As the New Democratic Party prepares for the presidential election, Seo encourages Kim to challenge the party establishment and run for the nomination. Kim enters the race against the younger Kim Young-ho, who has launched the "40s generation" movement against party leader Kang In-san. Rather than relying on established factions, Seo has Kim's campaign personally appeal to delegates across the country. When Kang eventually joins forces with Kim Young-ho and Lee Han-sang, Seo targets Lee, exploiting his political ambitions to break the alliance. He ultimately convinces Lee to support Kim by offering him the party chairmanship. Kim defeats Kim Young-ho in the runoff and becomes the opposition party's presidential candidate, with Seo formally joining his campaign.
During the presidential campaign, Kim comes under attack over his pledge to abolish the reserve forces. Seo proposes staging a terrorist attack to generate sympathy, but Kim rejects the idea and warns that Seo is not ready for politics. Soon afterward, Kim's home is actually bombed, and Seo is arrested. Although he is eventually released, Kim asks him to withdraw from official campaign activities. Feeling that his contributions entitle him to political power, Seo argues that the people are merely a force that politicians can manipulate. Kim rejects his cynical view and insists that politics must be based on democratic principles. When Kim asks whether Seo was responsible for the bombing, Seo tearfully admits that he was, ending their partnership.
Seo is subsequently recruited by Director Lee and begins working for the government. He helps exploit regional divisions, using historical tensions between the Silla and Baekje regions to turn the election into a contest of regional loyalties. As the campaign grows increasingly divisive, Seo becomes disillusioned with what he has helped create. Kim ultimately loses the presidential election, and Seo leaves politics. It is later revealed that Lee had orchestrated the bombing of Kim's home to drive a wedge between Kim and Seo and bring Seo over to the government's side, although Lee continues to deny involvement.
Years later, Kim and Seo meet again and reflect on their political careers and past choices. Their conversation reveals how differently they have come to view politics and the means by which political change can be achieved. The film then reveals that South Korea achieved its first peaceful transfer of power in 1997, followed by the statement that Seo Chang-dae was not part of it.