In 1980, Kim Man-seob, portrayed by Kang-ho Song, is a stoic widower struggling to make ends meet as he navigates the chaotic streets of Seoul in his taxi. One day, while driving, he overhears another cab driver boast about a lucrative fare to Gwangju, completely unaware of the turmoil that is about to unfold there. Seizing this unexpected opportunity, Man-seob captures this prized passenger—Jürgen "Peter" Hinzpeter, a determined German journalist, played by Thomas Kretschmann, who is intent on documenting the escalating civil unrest. Thus, they set out on a journey that will change both their lives.
As they travel toward Gwangju, their taxi is soon halted by soldiers, but thanks to Peter's ingenious disguise as a businessman, they manage to gain entry into the city. Once there, Man-seob and Peter encounter a group of college students who, seeing the need for solidarity, offer assistance and welcome Peter aboard their pickup truck. The situation, however, becomes increasingly intense, leading Man-seob to feel uneasy. Feeling the pull to separate from the chaotic scene, he decides to leave Peter, but not before Peter is moved by an elderly woman they meet, compelling him to convince Man-seob to seek out the woman’s missing son in a local hospital—only to discover the son is among the college students.
At a critical moment, tensions rise, and Peter challenges Man-seob for abandoning him, offering to share the fare. However, the group of college students and local taxi drivers insist they will not accept payment until the trip is complete. With a heavy heart, Man-seob submits and transports Peter along with student Jae-sik, to a protest at the Provincial Office, where they are met by generous protesters offering food and gifts. Amidst the escalating violence, Peter films the events while grappling with the threat from Plainclothes Defense Security Command (DSC) officers, who try to capture him, yet the trio manages to dodge their grasp.
As night falls, the taxi suffers from mechanical issues, pushing them to seek shelter at Tae-soo’s local repair shop. Here, they hear shocking news about a bombing at a nearby television station and choose to document the chaos. Their decision leads to disaster when the DSC officers spot Peter and give chase. In the frantic commotion, Man-seob suffers serious injuries while Jae-sik is captured, desperately pleading with Peter to ensure his footage is shared with the world.
Driven by a fierce love for his daughter and guilt over the events unfolding in Gwangju, Man-seob embarks on a dangerous journey back from Suncheon. Panic grips the city as rumors of North Korean infiltrators bubble up from the chaos. Back at the hospital, he finds Peter in shock and Tae-soo mourning for their fallen friend Jae-sik. Peter urges them to leave Gwangju and return to Seoul for Man-seob's daughter's sake, but Man-seob refuses, choosing instead to support Peter in his time of need.
During the height of the violence, as soldiers ruthlessly shoot at civilians trying to save the wounded, Man-seob and his fellow taxi drivers convert their vehicles into makeshift ambulances, risking their lives to transport the injured to safety. Their perilous route takes them through treacherous mountains where they're challenged by an armed roadblock. A tough sergeant inspects their vehicle but ultimately lets them pass upon noticing the Seoul license plates. However, his colleagues, ordered to apprehend any foreigners, fire upon their taxi, forcing Man-seob into a daring escape. Local taxi drivers come to their aid, ingeniously providing cover to ensure their escape goes unnoticed.
Their paths eventually diverge at the airport; Peter pleads for Man-seob's name and contact details, only to receive the ambiguous reply of "Kim Sa-bok" along with a random cigarette company's phone number. While Peter broadcasts his harrowing footage of the Gwangju Uprising to the world, Man-seob reunites with his daughter. In time, Peter makes multiple visits to Seoul in hopes of locating "Kim Sa-bok," but ultimately finds no trace.
Fast forward to 2003, Peter is honored with an award for his courageous reporting on the Gwangju uprising. During his acceptance speech, he expresses sincere appreciation for "Kim Sa-bok" and holds a glimmer of hope that they may one day reunite. Meanwhile, Man-seob continues his work as a taxi driver, reading about Peter’s triumphant achievements in the newspaper, filled with a mix of admiration for his friend's dedication and a longing for their shared past. The film culminates with a heartfelt video message from the real Peter, extending his gratitude to "Kim Sa-bok" and expressing his yearning for their paths to cross once more.
