Episode 3 of *Tempest* unfurls with Mun-ju encountering an elderly sage named Im Du-jin, the very mentor who had illuminated her path upon her arrival in South Korea, his mind a treasure trove of knowledge about the Korean Peninsula's storied past. Noticing his number on Jun-ik’s recent call log, Mun-ju probes into their conversation. Du-jin reveals that Jun-ik had presented him with Anderson’s letter, a revelation that ignited in him the conviction that reunification was the sole path forward. Jun-ik had sought Du-jin’s aid in his campaign, but Du-jin, wary of political entanglements, had declined. Now, Du-jin confesses his intention to flee the country, haunted by fear for his life after introducing Jun-ik to Father Yang. Mun-ju, seizing the moment, declares her presidential bid and beseeches Du-jin for his support. Despite his belief that the North is a lost cause, she entrusts him with her campaign notes.
Meanwhile, a poignant photograph capturing Mun-ju shielding a wounded Jun-ik from his assailant spreads like wildfire across the internet. As Ok-seon had foreseen, Mun-ju’s popularity skyrockets. Together, they spring into action, devising a strategy to unearth incriminating evidence against Jun-sang and the New Republic Party’s chairman, Hwang Mang-i. Mun-ju leverages her influence to coerce Jun-sang into exile, though he vows to return with a vengeance. In tandem, Ok-seon applies pressure on Mang-i, compelling him to throw his support behind Mun-ju.
As Mun-ju’s campaign officially commences, Mi-ji steps into the role of campaign manager. Chang-hee discloses that Jun-ik had been utilizing an encrypted email service, the decryption of which hinges on a fifteen-character key. Just then, Ok-seon strides into the office, announcing her imminent candidacy declaration and handing Mun-ju a meticulously crafted speech, complete with a cue for when she should shed tears for maximum impact.
That evening, Hwang Mang-i confides in Ok-seon, revealing that he has received intelligence indicating the arrival of several Americans in Seoul ahead of Mun-ju’s announcement. He warns that she might be in peril. Meanwhile, San-ho makes his entrance into the city, receiving his official mission from Valkyrie, setting the stage for the next act in this gripping drama.
In the hush of the morning, President Chae's voice crackled over the phone to Mun-ju, her tone laced with a mix of surprise and resolve. She hadn't anticipated Mun-ju's audacity to stand up to her with such unwavering defiance. President Chae's words were clear and unwavering: she would go to any lengths necessary to avert the looming war. Yet, Mun-ju stood her ground, unswayed by the president's determination. She rejected the notion of using Jun-ik's tragic demise as a pawn in diplomatic maneuvers with the Americans. "Peace cannot be forged on a foundation of deceit," Mun-ju declared, her voice resonating with conviction.
As Mun-ju embarked on her public engagements for the day, San-ho received alarming intelligence. An American mercenary and a Korean bomb expert had infiltrated the country. Racing to Chang-hee's side, San-ho managed to secure a call with Mun-ju amidst the chaos. His voice was urgent, laden with fear: there was a bomb planted on the train bound for Seoul, the very train Mun-ju was about to board. But it was too late; Mun-ju had already taken her seat.
San-ho's warning echoed in her ears as he urged her not to move, then he sprinted to the train's next stop. Once aboard, his eyes scanned the compartment until they landed on the explosive device, cleverly concealed within the seat in front of Mun-ju, its deadly tendrils of wires connecting it to her own seat.
The police sprang into action, evacuating the station with frantic efficiency. But the bomb squad was still ten minutes away, while the countdown to destruction had already begun at six minutes. In a desperate gamble, San-ho attempted to disarm the bomb by cutting a wire, but his efforts were in vain. With precision and courage, he carefully switched seats with Mun-ju, whispering for her to flee. As the seconds ticked away, San-ho, at the brink of oblivion, leaped up and used the luggage rack as a makeshift shield. The explosion rocked the train, but when the dust settled, San-ho lay there, battered but alive.
Undeterred by the ordeal, Mun-ju pressed on with the event. She arrived at the square, where a sea of people had gathered, their anticipation palpable in the air. Meanwhile, San-ho positioned himself in a nearby building, sniper rifle at the ready, his gaze fixed on the stage below. Ignoring the teleprompters, Mun-ju delivered a speech that pulsed with passion and inspiration, captivating the crowd and earning a thunderous ovation.
Later that night, under the soft glow of the church's lights, Mun-ju confronted San-ho. "How did you know I was in danger?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and gratitude. He replied simply, "I knew you'd be in peril because you're carrying on Jun-ik's legacy. I want to halt this war too." With a sincerity that resonated in the quiet space, he implored her to hire him as her bodyguard, to stand by her side in this noble pursuit. After a moment of consideration, she agreed, on the condition that her team conducts a thorough background check.
As "Tempest" Episode 3 drew to a close, a haunting clip unfolded on screen. A submarine breached the surface of the water, its silhouette stark against the night sky. Then, with a deafening roar, it launched a missile into the heavens, a stark reminder of the looming threats that lay ahead.
