Original subtitles

A philosopher once said, 'Know thyself.'

He probably didn't know

how happy we are

in a state of self-ignorance.

If he knew,

he would have never said those words.

So ask not who you are,

and don't peer into your own self-ignorance.

Once you do,

unbearable shame

and misery will smother you.

(FUTURE, PRESENT)

The future comes with hesitation,

the present flies by like an arrow,

(FUTURE, PRESENT, PAST)

and the past idles forever.

This time today will be in the past tomorrow,

but if you stay faithful to the present,

this moment won't be lost in the past after all.

I wish the best for your present.

That's all for today.

Thank you.

Professor.

Congratulations.

Let's take a picture.

Three, two, one.

Do you regret it?

Of course not.

You worked hard.

From now on,

let's try everything you ever wanted to do.

In our new house.

- Buckled up? - Yes.

Watch out!

- Jeez. - Oh, no.

- You okay? - My heart is racing.

- Be nice. - Okay.

Are you alright?

I should've been more careful.

I'm sorry that I startled you.

I think we just brushed against each other.

Yes, it's only a scratch.

It won't be much of a problem.

But did you get hurt?

I'll take care of myself.

Just forget this ever happened, okay?

Go now.

Alright.

I'm sorry, sir.

Let's just be glad

that no one got hurt.

That guy,

he was drunk.

Drunk driving in broad daylight?

You should've reported him.

Looked like he's barely making ends meet.

His license could be revoked.

Jeez.

It's his lucky day.

No one else would let him off like that.

- Right? - Of course.

I was worried you might regret it.

Of course not. I'm the one who asked.

Actually,

I was surprised you wanted to buy the house

at first sight.

What did you like so much about it?

I was more surprised

when you agreed with me.

Because I've never

seen you so determined.

That's true.

Look at all this traffic.

How did we live in such a cramped city?

Look at the sky.

Wow, the air looks so polluted.

Let's go.

We won't worry about pollution anymore, right?

You bet.

Honey, look over there.

So pretty!

The air seems so fresh.

Honey, it's So-jung.

Take it.

(Daughter)

So-jung! How are you?

Didn't expect to see you both.

How are you two?

Congratulations on your sabbatical year.

Thank you.

We are driving to our new house.

I'm so happy for you.

I'm going to Korea soon.

I'll visit you then.

Really? When?

Weren't you coming next year?

It'll be a quick trip.

Then I have to come back.

Wow, So-jung's coming to see us.

It's great news on our moving day.

Our new house will look great

around the time you visit us.

It has so many maple trees there.

Take care till then,

and see you soon!

I can't wait to see you too.

Stay well till then.

I'll call you once everything is set.

Goodbye now.

Bye, So-jung.

- Bye! - See you soon!

I hope to see her soon.

We are here.

Aw, my back.

Wow, look over here.

All my worries will melt away, seeing this.

Yes, but to live here,

it takes diligent work.

Let's go inside.

I love it.

Honey,

wait for me.

(4PM)

(Based on Amelie Nothomb's novel)

(Directed by Jay Song)

There's a draft coming in through the frames.

- Honey. - Huh?

That doctor's house.

The light's still off.

Maybe he's coming home late.

It seemed like the house had been empty for a while.

We can visit him

after our walk tomorrow.

Would he be home?

What if he's not?

Well, then...

let's write a note

and slip it in his mailbox.

It's not nice to just to show up

and say hello.

It's not polite.

Alright.

We should do something about this window.

I'm your new next door neighbor.

I'm leaving you a note

since you aren't home.

Please visit our house at any time,

to have a cup of tea.

Sincerely, Lee Jung-in

- I think it's broken. - Right.

Maybe he left early.

- I don't think he's home. - Yeah.

We should've come earlier.

It's perfect. Try it.

It smells fantastic.

This is the tea that So-jung sent you, right?

Yes.

Shall we get ready now?

Shall we?

Who is it?

How may I help you?

I'm from next door.

Are you the doctor?

Yes.

Glad to see you.

Come inside.

Honey.

It's the doctor from next door.

Hello, it's so nice to finally meet you.

Thank you for paying us a visit.

- Can we get tea? - Sure.

Doctor.

Please take a seat.

It's a cozy and beautiful place.

I'm talking about...

your town, where we'll now be living in also.

How long have you lived here?

It's been 20 years.

20 years.

You've lived in such a nice place for so long.

I truly envy you.

I heard from the realtor

that you only take house calls.

Are you the only doctor in this town?

Yes.

We are so lucky

to have a doctor living next door.

Is it okay if we visit you

when we get sick?

Yes.

Sorry it took long.

Here's some herbal tea.

I would blame the mountains,

but it gets a lot colder at night.

We're already burning firewood at night.

We are.

Should I bring some fruit?

- Yes, bring some. - Okay.

I'll get some fruit for you.

Honey, why don't you bring us some rice cakes?

They went bad.

Throughout my entire life,

I've never had to sit down with a stranger

and share such a suffocating,

prolonged silence.

That was my first encounter with him

and his first visit.

The restroom is by the staircase...

Sir?

Are you leaving?

Well, goodbye then.

Goodbye.

Goodness...

What is with him?

I'm exhausted.

Honey.

I've never seen anyone that reserved.

I think he just couldn't ignore our note.

He must've been uncomfortable too.

I know.

Feeling obliged to stay,

he had this sullen face the whole time.

I almost told him he could leave.

You seemed nervous, too.

Of course, it was unbearably awkward.

Anyway,

now that he's done his part,

he won't come anymore.

Let's make occasional visits,

and befriend him little by little.

Jeez.

Looking on the bright side,

at least he's not a nuisance

who would annoy us every day.

- That would be terrible. - I know!

Seriously,

he sure made me dumbfounded.

The air quality is bad today.

We should eat inside.

Come on.

Why live here then?

Enjoy the river breeze. The trees will keep the dust away.

Don't worry.

I always dreamed

about enjoying noodles outdoors.

Why did you buy so much firewood?

Barbecues.

Campfires.

I thought you and So-jung wanted to do them.

Right, we said that.

Eat up before the noodles get soggy.

Who's that?

Wasn't expecting anyone.

Who is it?

Doctor.

What brings you here?

Please, come inside.

Hello.

As you can see, we spend time

drinking tea and meditating.

Did you come to say something to me?

Honey, I'll bring some tea.

No.

Then, I guess you're just visiting us.

I'm glad you came.

Is your wife doing well?

Yes.

And she's in good health?

Yes.

Last summer, did it rain a lot?

Yes.

While taking a walk,

I saw that the stream was quite wide.

Does it overflow during the rainy season?

Sometimes.

Does it take long to restore?

No.

So it gets restored right away?

Yes.

I'll leave you two to talk.

Is it hot during summer?

Yes.

There was no AC unit outside your house.

Don't you need one?

No.

Then,

you cool the house with a fan or a breeze...

I suppose?

Yes.

Are you fine with that?

Yes.

Is there anything you want to know about us?

No.

At that moment,

I wanted to break his pattern of blunt answers

to suddenly throw him off balance.

How do you spend your day?

I'm really curious about how you spend your day.

Forgive me.

I was rude.

It's not right to ask about someone else's daily life.

What did you specialize in?

I'm a cardiologist.

It must've been very tough.

I admire you.

I felt terribly uncomfortable,

but I did my best

to offer my hospitality,

for he was still my guest.

Do you have a landline at home?

Yes.

What about a radio or TV?

No.

We don't either.

We can live just fine without them.

Don't you think?

Yes.

Do you read a lot of books?

No.

My name is Lee Jung-in.

My wife is Kim Hyun-sook.

Okay.

I am Lee Jung-in.

I said okay already.

And what is your name?

I'm Park Yook-nam.

Park Yook-nam...

What's his story?

It was so suffocating.

But why did he come?

Why do you think?

Some people think it's impolite to visit only once.

Yet he came empty-handed.

I don't mind that, but I hope he never comes again.

He won't, right?

He won't.

Think about it!

He just came and sat down for nothing.

Why would he want to come again?

Oh, please...

I really hope he won't come.

(Cardiologist Park Yook-nam)

So chilly.

You might catch a cold sleeping here.

Get up.

Okay.

I came down because I had an idea

but I fell asleep.

You're too old for that.

Wash up for breakfast.

Honey.

Why don't we get some air and go to town

to buy some plants and saplings?

Let's do that.

I heard there are many tree farms around here.

Let's do the dishes later.

(Flowers)

Be careful with the thorns.

Isn't it unique?

- You okay? - Yeah.

Didn't think they'd fit.

Open up.

Come on.

- Good? - Yes.

I feel like this is making me healthy.

Let's come out more often.

I love it here.

It's so nice.

He won't come, right?

Never.

Don't worry.

Honey, no.

Put it here.

My back!

No!

This morning,

we bought some plants at a flower market.

We didn't know we'd buy this much...

Doctor, what do you think

about keeping plants in the house?

It's good.

In what way?

I should've yelled at him then.

I should've told him to stop visiting our house.

But I knew I couldn't.

Because I wasn't that kind of person.

Because I am defined by my kindness to others,

as an educated man.

He'd visited us only three times.

Kicking him out for being silent

seemed heartless and irrational.

Plus,

this could really be his final visit.

Why?

What do we do if he comes again?

I'm...

I'm going to lose my mind.

And why is he always on time?

Honey,

tomorrow...

Let's just leave at 3:50.

What the...

Hurry, Hurry.

I told you we should leave early.

Let's Hurry.

Be careful.

We've come pretty far.

I feel refreshed.

I'm glad we came.

Aren't you?

There is something over there. Let's go inside.

Are you cold?

- Why shiver so much? - No, I'm fine.

It stopped.

Let's go now.

Let's go back after six.

Jeez, what are we doing right now?

But still, I feel at peace

not seeing his face today.

You think he came today too?

You bet.

Maybe he didn't because of the rain.

How long was he waiting here?

He probably got soaked.

Was he dying to catch a cold?

My gosh.

Look,

this guy turned our porch into a pigsty.

Honey, let's clean this. It gives me the creeps.

- Okay. - I'm so scared.

Your coughing is getting worse.

Thanks.

What time is it?

It's still early.

We got hours till the afternoon.

You know, I've been thinking.

Can we just not answer the door?

It's not like we're breaking the law.

Do you think we can do that?

Why not?

Honey,

can you be that rude?

Do you really have the guts?

But he's the rude one.

Or should I say, insensitive?

Yeah, I think he's slow. Being old and everything.

We can be just like him then.

Think about it.

If you're here upstairs,

it's perfectly normal not to hear him knock.

At your age.

Why would I be here though?

Because I'm sick in bed.

You're busy nursing me. That's normal.

Honey,

I know you're an honorable man

who hates lying.

I admire you for that.

But this is for us.

To protect ourselves

from that lunatic.

Don't call him that.

I got you. Okay.

- I hear nothing. - Come on.

- I won't hear it. - Honey.

- I will not hear anything today. - Relax.

You do it too.

Please grant us a peaceful afternoon.

Please.

I won't hear anything.

And I won't give in today. You too.

Hey.

He'll probably think we can't hear him.

Just ignore it.

You can't hear it right now.

But clearly I can.

You're killing me!

Okay, you're sleeping then.

At this hour?

Yeah, you fell asleep while nursing your sick wife.

He'll go away.

We hear nothing at all.

He'll leave.

Listen.

Our door won't break, right?

That man is absolutely crazy.

I'm so scared.

No!

Please, honey. Don't go down!

I didn't hear you knock.

I knew you were inside.

The ground was wet, yet it had no footsteps!

You were out yesterday.

That's right.

The weather was nice,

so we went out for a walk.

But still, you can't bang on our door like that.

I understand,

but my wife was startled.

In fact, she caught a cold while being outside yesterday.

She's coughing too.

So...

Want me to leave?

No.

She just needs a rest.

Excuse me, but I must go look after my wife.

So...

You can't even offer me a cup of tea?

Tea, sir?

I don't have the time for that right now.

If you really insist,

perhaps I can make your tea

when I make some for my wife.

So, that means yes!

I guess.

Here, drink this.

Why was he banging on our door?

I don't think he's dangerous.

We should take pity on him.

But you called him crazy earlier.

How can we have pity

when he's breaking down our door?

He's a guy with no manners.

Fine, then we can throw away

our manners too.

Honey,

please don't go down.

Thinking of you facing him all alone

gave me a terrible fright.

Lower your voice.

Why? Am I wrong?

Quiet.

What brings you here?

Say 'Aah.'

You're not sick at all.

But I've been coughing a lot.

Give her some lemon water.

She's not sick.

I see. Thank you.

Anyone can say that.

Now, if you'll excuse us, this is our bedroom.

If I have to leave,

so should you.

I can't leave my wife by herself.

She's not sick at all.

But she's weak like all of us are at our age.

She's not sick!

At that moment, I couldn't stop loathing myself

for obediently following him downstairs.

My tea's gone cold.

Warm it up for me.

Alright.

He come tomorrow too?

Most certainly.

And you'll say the same things to him?

That man is like...

a giant wall.

What can I say to a wall?

Doctor, you're here.

It's 4 p.m., of course you are. Come in.

Doctor.

What are your thoughts...

on Chinese taxonomy?

Earlier, I was reading this book on taxonomy,

and it wasn't that removed from medical science either.

It seems Borges, as a semiologist,

played an enormous role in the field of taxonomy.

Anyway,

the book's called Celestial Emporium

of Benevolent Knowledge,

and I was laughing so hard reading it.

It brings the problems of classification into sharp focus.

And I say, it's impossible to read Aristotle

without first studying these problems.

So, are you trying to talk about Aristotle now?

Well, you could say that.

Doctor,

what are your thoughts on Aristotle?

I'm sure you know this.

Can you describe Aristotle's role in the history of medical science?

Oh, he doesn't know.

That's understandable. In that case...

It's 4 p.m. soon.

Here it is.

This book divides birds into 99 different passerines,

and 74 non-passerines.

But it's hardly fair to describe a being

by the characteristics it lacks.

Could we explain things by what they are not?

No.

Why not?

Is she ill?

No.

Then why?

Perhaps they don't get along.

We get along just fine.

Then, there's nothing to worry about.

We can all be friends,

drinking tea and having dinner together.

My wife would be delighted to have a friend.

Yes, I'm so curious to meet her.

I bet she's a kind, lovely person.

Bring her with you tomorrow.

I'm asking you, please.

She's lovely...

and kind.

Then tomorrow, instead of having tea,

the four of us can have dinner.

So instead of 4 p.m.,

we could meet...

at about 7 p.m.?

Please come then.

We must prepare the food,

and go to town for shopping.

Are you leaving?

It's only 5:30.

Please bring her too!

I wonder if they are okay with western dishes.

Honey,

don't forget our objective here.

Are we really trying to befriend

that grump and his wife?

No, we're not.

We're showing them with our food

that we're different kinds of people.

Hurry.

And what if his wife is...

a nice, educated person

and good company?

- If she's good company? - Yeah.

Then we're in deep trouble.

They will come and go,

making our house a village hall.

Let's go.

How strange.

How does it feel?

Watching 4 p.m. pass by without our intruder?

It feels like a dream being all by ourselves.

Please...

let there be many more afternoons like this.

I'm sure there will be.

You said that yourself,

this house will bring us good luck.

I'm getting choked up.

You're right on time. Come in.

Good evening. Where's your wife?

Good evening.

I've wanted to meet you for so long.

Yes, it's that way.

Thank you for coming, madam.

Enough with that word 'madam.'

How may I address her then?

Just...

call her Sera.

What does it mean?

It's her name.

Wow, what an elegant name.

That's beautiful.

Bring us the food now.

Oh, what am I doing?

I'll bring it right away.

Your children, are they in Seoul?

No children!

We don't have any either.

But I have a student, who's like a daughter to us.

She's studying in Canada...

Madam, are you alright?

Stay awake. Food is coming.

Let us pray.

Father, bless us and this daily bread,

and forgive us our debts

as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Excuse me, it'll stop soon.

Here.

May I ask what you usually have for meals?

We eat rice.

Everyone eats rice,

but don't you have other favorites?

Just rice.

You don't enjoy western dishes then?

We are right now.

Why don't we...

pour her some wine?

- Can I? - No, you can't!

I'm sure a glass of wine is...

I said no!

Then, enjoy the beverage.

I'll get the dessert.

Here you go.

This is enough.

- More. - No.

You can't have more!

No more!

How many times do I...

Doctor!

Please.

Please stop, okay?

We don't mind it at all.

Just let her eat as she wishes.

Baking a cake is pretty hard,

but making syrup isn't.

We have plenty still,

so I can make more anytime.

Go ahead, it's fine.

Madam,

you might get sick from having too much dessert.

If you're still hungry...

What else do we have?

Don't give her any more food!

No!

No!

No, no, stop!

No!

Our revenge was successful, in the most childish way.

Hold on, I'll get it.

No, I'll go with you.

It could be the doctor.

How does he have our number?

Don't answer, honey!

Don't answer it!

Hello?

So-jung! It's you.

Sure. How are you, my dear?

No, no. We were just meditating.

Hi, So-jung!

- My cell? - So-jung.

Was it turned off? I don't use it much here.

- So-jung! - She's right here. Hold on.

Hi, So-jung!

Yeah.

Really?

I'll come pick you up.

Why?

At 3 p.m.? I'll send you the address.

We'll finally see you.

You have to sleep over, okay?

Promise!

Be safe and see you tomorrow! Alright, So-jung.

All right!

Honey, So-jung is coming.

At 3 p.m.?

The doctor will be here an hour after.

Mrs. Lee!

So-jung!

How are you?

You're finally here!

- Have you been well? - Yes.

- I missed you so much. - Me too.

Where is Professor Lee?

He'll be here soon. Come in.

You must be tired.

- Yeah, honey. - Where are you?

Looks like no one's home.

So I'm waiting outside.

So-jung is dying to see you.

Really? What should I do?

His car's not here. He must've gone to town.

That's possible. Maybe his wife is unwell.

What should we do?

It's almost 4 p.m..

You're right.

He must've taken his wife to the hospital in town.

Alright, I'm on my way.

Let's eat out today.

I made a reservation at a famous restaurant nearby.

You didn't need to do that.

For you, of course I do.

Wait, hold on!

Sure, tell me everything.

I'll get that.

Can I help you?

Let me in.

Honey, what were you doing?

Hello.

So-jung.

- Oh, Professor! - Hello, So-jung.

Even prettier than before.

You have a guest.

Yes, I know.

Can we talk outside?

We can talk here.

Sir, please.

I'm tired.

How's living in Canada?

It's alright.

But Professor,

if you need to, I can leave you to talk.

No, there's no need.

I feel like I'm in the way.

No, really. It's nothing like that.

I could almost hear her wondering

why the doctor wasn't leaving.

I also felt her disappointment.

But it was only 4:30.

That doctor wasn't going to leave our house until 6 p.m..

You must be good at English now.

Yes, a little bit.

You're now taking Social Contract Theory, right?

Yes.

Do you learn about Hobbes or Rousseau first?

Hobbes, like here.

I see.

Now, So-jung didn't hide her disappointment,

especially toward my inability to deal

with an uninvited guest.

- Professor. - Yeah.

I'll get going now.

No, stay for dinner.

I want to hear about Canada

and have so much to ask you.

Please, sit.

It's alright.

I'll come back later if I have time.

Have a great time with your friend.

Doctor, you must be a special guest to these folks.

No, So-jung.

So-jung.

So-jung, wait.

You can't just leave like this...

So-jung spat out those rude words,

showing her bitterness and disapproval.

For the first time in 7 years,

she spoke with spite,

giving us her last farewell.

When you get to our age,

you can't handle the loneliness.

So, the way he sees it,

he'd rather be a bother

than feel like he's being tossed away by others.

Are you listening?

So polite and courteous.

What a saint.

That's all you can say right now?

Let's be honest. I'm so sick of this.

Do you think So-jung will ever come back?

No.

She won't.

We're both pathetic losers

who can't hold onto what's dear to us.

It's because we're old.

No, it's because we're cowards!

Stop making excuses.

I'm hanging up.

Are you not going to talk to me?

Get lost!

You hear?

Get lost!

Seriously?

Get out of our yard!

Honey!

Stop that!

Are you crazy? What's wrong with you?

Honey, stop.

Sir?

Don't help him!

Honey!

I'm sorry.

Hurry and help him up!

Are you alright? I'm so sorry.

How easy was that?

- Honey. - Go call So-jung.

Let's explain everything,

and tell her how I took care of things.

Alright, just calm down.

You're losing it. This isn't like you.

Whatever happens, you can't use violence.

Sometimes, violence is the answer.

No, it isn't!

What's right or wrong is not important.

What's important is...

the result.

The outcome!

Just watch. He'll never show up again.

Now we're free!

After that, he stopped coming.

But strangely enough, as it got closer to 4 p.m.,

I was still tormented by all sorts of symptoms.

I was sweating, I couldn't breathe,

and suffered from insomnia.

I hated him all the more, enough to want to kill him.

But that very night...

That crazy prick!

What's he doing now?

He was surely miserable because of his wife.

I could understand how such misery

might drive him to suicide.

So much that as I gazed at his pathetic, miserable body,

I felt not a grain of sympathy.

So much that the urge came

to drag him back to the garage

and let him breathe in that fatal gas.

Then, he'd never come back to our home.

That way, we'd have our 4 p.m. to ourselves.

The temptation lingered,

and I hesitated all the more.

Suicide?

Poor guy...

I bet he was suffering.

Don't feel bad.

I regret saving the man.

You shouldn't say that.

I still saved him. Didn't I?

But honey,

what about his wife, Sera?

The doctor was her only guardian.

Did he plan to die and leave her all alone?

Or did he try to kill her too?

That prick.

The place was a living hell.

He had tried to escape this hell,

but I was the one who stopped him.

He was only struggling to keep his dignity as a human,

but my petty conscience got in the way.

Sure enough, I should have let him die.

I'm sorry.

I fell asleep while waiting for you to wake up.

Something happened to your husband.

Unfortunately,

he tried to commit suicide.

But I stopped him.

He was taken to the hospital,

and he will be fine.

I saw it clearly.

Her face lighting up

when I spoke of his suicide,

and her look of despair

when I said he survived.

The clear air was a shock

when I left that hellhole.

The air shone even brighter than the sunlight.

Having escaped that vile place,

it felt good to be alive.

Perhaps, life is indeed beautiful.

(Hospital)

Why did you do that?

Do you want the windows down?

Didn't you want to kill me?

You were tempted.

That's absurd.

Didn't you want to kill yourself?

Your dreams will be shattered now.

What dreams?

Peace.

You'll shatter our peace?

Why are you doing this to us?

Alright.

Then...

tell me what you're going to do to us.

What are you gonna do, you jerk?

I'm a doctor.

I know lots of ways,

many ways to kill people!

Kill?

You're insane.

You tried to kill me!

I don't know why you think that...

Do you resent me?

Because I stopped your plan and saved you?

What are you doing?

Let go!

Are you insane?

Yeah.

I want to kill you.

I want to rip you apart and kill you.

Listen up.

If you visit us again,

I will really kill you.

Thanks,

I'll be there.

You son of a gun!

Let me ask you.

Before we moved here,

what did you do at that time?

Do you find those changing leaves beautiful?

Don't you feel bad for your wife?

Probably not.

Those who see no beauty,

people who feel no compassion or love

deserve to die.

You should've just died then.

You want to kill me that bad?

You've got it all wrong.

They say if you fail in suicide once,

it's hard to try again.

There's a phrase, 'I'll die the way I've lived.'

Didn't you try suffocating yourself

because you found life suffocating?

Don't give up on suicide

if you're set on it.

I beg of you.

You have to take on

your pain yourself.

Mark my words.

I don't make empty promises.

- Honey. - Yeah?

What's wrong with you today?

The doctor.

He might die soon.

He's going to.

What?

I told you.

Humans repeat their actions.

Even suicide.

There's no exception.

He's going to kill himself?

Maybe.

Oh, please.

To hell with him!

Let me tell you.

I'm not a pushover

who is scared of your petty threats.

This here is my weapon.

You know how scary this is?

Good luck living with that pain of yours.

Yes.

No.

Say it.

Die, jerk.

Just die, you prick!

You've stayed so strong despite this tragic loss.

It's respectable.

Must get lonely though.

If you ever need help,

please let us know anytime.

How happy are we

in a state of self-ignorance!

So ask not who you are,

and don't peer into your own self-ignorance.

Once you do,

unbearable shame

and misery will smother you.

(Oh Dal-su)

(Jang Young Nam)

(Kim Hong Pa)

(Gong Jae-kyung)