Live action TV
Description
Choi Eung-chan is a central character in the narrative, depicted as the President of South Korea. His background is deeply rooted in the country's turbulent political history. Before entering politics, he served as the Deputy Director of the National Security Planning Department and the head of its special operations division. In 1983, he was the leader of a secretive five-member group of military and intelligence officials who orchestrated a retaliatory operation known as the "Sweeping Plan" following the Aung San Mausoleum bombing. This operation involved dispatching a team of 21 operatives to Pyongyang. When his four colleagues voted to annihilate the dispatched team to avoid political fallout, Choi Eung-chan was the sole dissenting voice, though he was ultimately unable to prevent the decision. This event became a source of profound guilt that would follow him for the rest of his life.
After leaving the security agency, Choi Eung-chan transitioned into politics, eventually ascending to the presidency with the support of a powerful business figure. His personality is defined by a complex duality. On one hand, he presents himself as a thoughtful and humble leader who prioritizes the welfare of ordinary citizens. He is known to study extensively to manage his cabinet effectively, and he famously refused special assistance, stating that his higher salary justified his own hard work. He opposes giving preferential treatment to his own children, with his daughter working a part-time job and his son serving in the military like any other citizen. This behavior is contrasted sharply with the rampant corruption of his former associates.
On the other hand, Choi Eung-chan is a pragmatist who firmly believes that the end can justify the means. He is willing to compromise his ethics to achieve what he considers a greater good. To pass an educational bill designed to help underprivileged students, he makes a deal to shield corrupt lawmakers from investigation in exchange for their votes. He rationalizes these small evils as necessary sacrifices for a larger national benefit, focusing his presidential legacy on major reforms in healthcare and education.
Choi Eung-chan's primary motivation stems from a desire to atone for his past sins by doing good as president, even as he continues to operate within the corrupt system that enables such sins. His role in the story is multifaceted. He is the central figure of the political conspiracy that Lee Yoon-seong seeks to expose in order to avenge the murdered operatives of the Sweeping Plan. He also has a deeply personal connection to the protagonist, as he is revealed to be Lee Yoon-seong's biological father, the result of an affair he had before his political rise.
His key relationships are fraught with tension. His bond with Lee Yoon-seong is particularly complex, evolving from that of a political adversary to a father burdened by a secret son who has become his accuser. He is constantly in conflict with Lee Jin-pyo, the avenging survivor of the Sweeping Plan who seeks to kill him for his role in the betrayal of his team. His relationship with his own children, including his daughter Choi Da-hye, is distant but marked by a refusal to exploit his power for their benefit.
Throughout the narrative, Choi Eung-chan undergoes significant development. Initially, he is a man who has buried his guilt to function at the highest levels of power. When his past involvement in the Sweeping Plan is threatened with exposure, he initially denies everything to protect his political agenda. However, upon discovering that Lee Yoon-seong is his son, his perspective shifts. He confronts the weight of his past actions, hands over evidence of his corruption to his son, and effectively surrenders. After passing his prized education bill, he accepts the political fallout, leading to his impeachment.
Regarding notable abilities, Choi Eung-chan demonstrates significant political acumen and leadership skills, having navigated from a security official to the presidency. He is also a strategist and negotiator, capable of orchestrating complex political deals to achieve his legislative goals. His primary power, however, is his authority as the head of state, a position he uses to shield and pursue his agenda until his past actions catch up with him.
After leaving the security agency, Choi Eung-chan transitioned into politics, eventually ascending to the presidency with the support of a powerful business figure. His personality is defined by a complex duality. On one hand, he presents himself as a thoughtful and humble leader who prioritizes the welfare of ordinary citizens. He is known to study extensively to manage his cabinet effectively, and he famously refused special assistance, stating that his higher salary justified his own hard work. He opposes giving preferential treatment to his own children, with his daughter working a part-time job and his son serving in the military like any other citizen. This behavior is contrasted sharply with the rampant corruption of his former associates.
On the other hand, Choi Eung-chan is a pragmatist who firmly believes that the end can justify the means. He is willing to compromise his ethics to achieve what he considers a greater good. To pass an educational bill designed to help underprivileged students, he makes a deal to shield corrupt lawmakers from investigation in exchange for their votes. He rationalizes these small evils as necessary sacrifices for a larger national benefit, focusing his presidential legacy on major reforms in healthcare and education.
Choi Eung-chan's primary motivation stems from a desire to atone for his past sins by doing good as president, even as he continues to operate within the corrupt system that enables such sins. His role in the story is multifaceted. He is the central figure of the political conspiracy that Lee Yoon-seong seeks to expose in order to avenge the murdered operatives of the Sweeping Plan. He also has a deeply personal connection to the protagonist, as he is revealed to be Lee Yoon-seong's biological father, the result of an affair he had before his political rise.
His key relationships are fraught with tension. His bond with Lee Yoon-seong is particularly complex, evolving from that of a political adversary to a father burdened by a secret son who has become his accuser. He is constantly in conflict with Lee Jin-pyo, the avenging survivor of the Sweeping Plan who seeks to kill him for his role in the betrayal of his team. His relationship with his own children, including his daughter Choi Da-hye, is distant but marked by a refusal to exploit his power for their benefit.
Throughout the narrative, Choi Eung-chan undergoes significant development. Initially, he is a man who has buried his guilt to function at the highest levels of power. When his past involvement in the Sweeping Plan is threatened with exposure, he initially denies everything to protect his political agenda. However, upon discovering that Lee Yoon-seong is his son, his perspective shifts. He confronts the weight of his past actions, hands over evidence of his corruption to his son, and effectively surrenders. After passing his prized education bill, he accepts the political fallout, leading to his impeachment.
Regarding notable abilities, Choi Eung-chan demonstrates significant political acumen and leadership skills, having navigated from a security official to the presidency. He is also a strategist and negotiator, capable of orchestrating complex political deals to achieve his legislative goals. His primary power, however, is his authority as the head of state, a position he uses to shield and pursue his agenda until his past actions catch up with him.