Original subtitles

The Foggy Town

Planning Hwang Hye-mi

Original Novel & Adaptation Kim Seung-ok

Cinematography Jang Seok-jun Lighting Son Yeong-cheol

Art Director Park Seok-in Composition & Performance Lee Bong-jo Editing Yu Jae-won Recording Lee Gyeong-sun

Prop Chu Gyo-hwan Still Jeon Chang-jun Sound effect Choi Hyung-rai Music Jeon Yun-ju Developing Kim Bong-su Production Manager Yun Cheol

Assistant Directors Jo Mun-jin, Lee Won-se Seo Jin-seong, Kim Jeong-won, Kim Dong-gyeong

Assistant Cinematography You Young-gill, Han Yong-un, Kim Jin-gi Assistant gaffer Son Han-su, Oh Jung-han, Kim Hyeon-cheol

Shin Seong-il

Yoon Jeong-hee

Kim Chung-chul, Lee Nak-hoon

Ju Jeung-ryu, Lee Bin-hwa, Kim Sin-jae

Lee Yong, Chu Bong Lim Hae-lim, Park Il

Producer Kim Tai-soo

Director Kim Soo-yong

Managing Director Yun Gi-jun

How about herb mints instead of a cigarette?

When will you be back, sir?

Depends on how things go here. I'll be back as soon as they call for me.

Probably a week's vacation.

It'll be a break for me, too, then.

My wife gave birth again yesterday.

Twin girls at that. She's downright miserable.

Really? Did you tell my wife?

What for? It's no celebration.

Talk to her. Who knows? She could help.

All right.

Why Mujin of all places for a vacation?

You're losing weight from stress these days.

It'll be nice to visit your mother's grave.

I wish I could go with you,

but I must stay with dad for this shareholders' meeting

and make sure he does as promised.

Just get a good rest for a few days,

and the managing director title's yours when you return.

Darn, it's stuffy. The fan is useless!

How am I going to endure this the whole night? It's boring.

God, it's hot in here.

I know it's faster to fly to the nearest airport,

but planes are dangerous, so take the train.

Fine by me, sir.

Are your hometowns sweet, cozy, and abundant?

My hometown Mujin is the opposite.

The only abundance is the blazing sun, cloying fog,

and small minds twisted by poverty.

My dearest wish while growing up was to leave Mujin.

I've gotten that wish now,

but success hasn't come easy in a strange land.

I've had my share of life-changing at turning points.

At such times, I'd find myself on the night train to Mujin,

nursing a heart bruised by despair and insanity.

- She lost her mind from studying too hard. - No, she was ditched by her man.

They say she speaks English. Shall we ask her?

Yeah, let's!

- Mother! - Gi-jun, no!

I can't stay in hiding anymore! I'll go crazy!

But please...

If I'll go mad anyway, why not in the army?

Don't do this to me.

If I go mad like this, you'll find why in my diary.

Show it to the mental hospital and cure me.

Gi-jun, think of my feelings, too. Your life is my life.

- Is the engine dying? - Not again!

- But we're almost there! - Damn, it's hot.

10 km to Mujin

Let's all push together.

What's that fella doing?

Hey, push.

Hey! Pitch in here!

Push.

Come on, push harder!

- We're almost there. - We'll be there in 30 minutes.

- Does Mujin grow anything famous? - Not really.

Then why does it have such a big population?

- Just doesn't figure... - Right.

It's a beach town that could've been developed into a port.

But the conditions weren't right, as you'll soon see.

Ah...

The water's so shallow that you have to

go out for miles before the horizon's clearly visible

and it really feels like you're at sea.

I see. So farming's the only thing going for Mujin?

But there aren't enough wide-open fields.

How do the villagers survive then?

That's why we have the phrase "from hand to mouth."

Still, every town should have a specialty.

Oh well...

Specialty of Mujin? I know what that is.

It's the fog.

Every morning when you step out the door, like an enemy who's landed in the night,

the fog envelops the village.

Even the mountains surrounding Mujin

are exiled far far away by the fog.

The fog is like the breath of a baleful witch

wandering the night in search of vengeance.

Until the sun rises

and the wind changes direction to blow seaward,

no human effort can dispel the fog.

It's conspicuous yet intangible,

wrapping around everyone in sight,

isolating us from the faraway world outside.

The fog greets villagers every morning,

making them desperate for sun and wind.

When it meets the sun, cold air and salty wind,

it may become the world's most effective sleeping drug.

The latest news from the front line. Puppet armies are moving south

and they left Iri at 1 pm to march toward Jeonju,

but met with our brave army's counterattack.

Floundering in confusion, they veered off toward Gwangju.

We destroyed two tanks and six trucks,

and seized 40 submachine guns and other different weapons.

Damages on our side were minor. I will repeat again.

Puppet armies are moving south

and they left Iri at 1 pm to march toward Jeonju,

but met with our brave army's counterattack.

Floundering in confusion, they veered off toward Gwangju.

We destroyed...

Biting our ring finger to draw blood

We draw the flag and cry, "Long live Korea!"

Hello!

Anyone home?

Writing the words letter by letter

Here you go. Your son's been drafted.

Biting our ring finger to draw blood

Min-su just got killed in the army. It could've been you.

The communists are all over the place. You hide him well this time.

Did you sleep well?

Is there a newspaper, aunt?

Why would a woman living alone need the newspaper?

Deliver all the papers you've got, please.

All of them?

- You need directions? - We know where you live.

I see. Good day, then.

The Hankook Ilbo

You know who that is? It's the lunger guy before.

- Oh, Mr. Park! Gi-jun, you have a visitor! - Hey, Park!

I heard from a friend at the paper that you're in town.

- So I am. - What brings you here?

Why? It's not like I'm banned from this town!

It's just that you've been away for so long.

The last time you came was when I was finishing military service.

Right, four years ago already.

- Heard you got married. - Yes. What about you?

- Not yet. - Here.

They say you married well.

Is that so? Why are you still single?

- How old are you now? - 29.

Ripe for marriage then. 29, you say?

Trouble brewing back home?

- You came out of the blue. - No, just taking a breather for a few days.

Great. Out of all the graduates of Mujin High,

they say you turned out the most successful.

Me?

Successful?

Yes, you and your classmate Mr. Cho.

Right. Is Cho still with the tax bureau?

He's the chief now.

- Is that so? - Didn't you know?

He passed the civil service exam two years ago.

Good for him. Shall we pay him a visit now?

Sure.

FOCUS

Why not add one more saying 'no pain, no gain'?

Still goading me about my past? Have a seat.

Though my place is no palace. It's in need of a mistress.

You're still single?

Buried my nose in law books for too long.

- My staff. - I see.

I'm sure you've heard of him.

We went to same middle school. He's a top with a big drug company in Seoul.

- Wow. - You must be Yun Gi-jun.

- Yes, that's me. - I see.

Park, stop the sweet talk and let Miss Ha say hello.

My old classmate and pharmaceutical big shot.

This is the music teacher at our alma mater.

Miss Ha In-suk.

Graduated from a music college in Seoul last year.

- Nice to meet you. - Hello. I'm Ha In-suk.

Sit here, Mr. Yun.

Sit down. It's been so long you came up to visit me.

I should bring something to serve you.

Mother!

Have a seat.

- Are you from here? - No.

I was posted to teach here and came by myself.

- I see. What did you major in? - Voice.

But she's also a superb pianist.

Is that so?

Not only that, she sings really well.

Awesome soprano.

For graduation I sang 'The Day After' from 'M. Butterfly'.

- How long will you stay? - I'm in no hurry to leave town.

How dare you get hitched without sending an invitation?

Then again, I couldn't have gone anyway.

I was a lowly tax accountant back then.

Make sure you invite me to your wedding, though.

Don't worry. You'll be invited before the year's out.

That's for sure.

Well... Any wife material in Seoul?

Though we aren't out of candidates in Mujin.

Mujin's still the best place for hwatu. Hwatu and Mujin...

Why don't you write a poem about it?

Damn it...

A pharmaceutical company makes drugs, right?

That's right.

You don't have to worry about getting sick.

Park! Heard you're popular with the students.

You live close by. Drop by more often.

- Go on. - Join us.

I've always wanted to...

Miss Ha talks quite a lot about you.

- Food's ready. - Oh good!

- Wow. - It's a feast!

- Too grand. - I'll take this end.

Here's to Yun's grand homecoming.

- Cheers! - Drink up!

Come on, Miss Ha! Why aren't you drinking?

Come on, drink it up.

Beer is just a soft drink, I tell you.

Then what do you call the beer tax?

What's come over you? Act your usual self!

Why are you so coy tonight?

You'll embarrass us if you keep turning us down.

Drink up!

Put it down. I can drink it myself.

Many women drink beer. For their complexion.

I've had soju before, too.

Back in college with the girls, behind locked doors.

So you're a closet drunk!

But not because I liked it. Just out of curiosity.

- So how did you like it? - I wouldn't know.

I fell asleep as soon as I drained my first shot.

Drink up!

That's exactly your strength, Miss Ha.

Making whatever you say sound interesting.

So charming.

It's not like I have to try. Back in college...

And that's your weakness.

Everything starts with "back in college"!

A poor soul like me who's never set foot on a campus

could drown in self-pity!

Don't you agree, Park?

- Bottoms up! - I apologize.

Apologize with a song, then.

- Oh yes! - Oh good!

We have a guest all the way from Seoul.

The song you sang last time was real nice.

Yes! Come on! Sing for us!

- We're waiting. - All right, then.

Good.

- Come on, then! - Quiet!

The boatman's song fades away

Lapping like waves over Samhak Island

Wetting the skirts of the bride on the bay

Tears of farewell or the grief of Mokpo

You're the best!

- That's no ordinary pop song! - It's not an aria either.

Sorry for being a wet blanket, but I have to go.

- Why are you leaving so soon? - The party just started!

Mr. Yun, I'll see you again tomorrow.

Park, why don't you stay?

- I'll see him out. - Enjoy yourself, Miss Ha.

Go back to the party. See you tomorrow.

You seem to be sweet on that music teacher.

What?

But she seems to be involved with Cho.

I don't know.

It seems he's put her on his list of wife material.

All the more you should woo her harder if you like her.

- Go for it. - What for?

I just feel sorry for her singing pop songs

for a bunch of materialistic snobs.

There's a time for classics and a time for pops.

- It's nothing to pity her for. - You should head back.

Being so indecisive, you lose your chance at true love,

that's more pitiful and coward. Good night, then.

In Mujin, we all despise one another for being materialistic.

In Mujin, everyone thinks

everyone else's life is mediocre.

Materialistic, materialistic, materialistic...

- I heard you took a trip somewhere. - I needed a breath of fresh air.

- I could have taken you. - Words, words, words!

Having lovers' quarrels already?

Sorry for dampening the party mood. Let the serious fun begin!

Since you're the tax guy we'll never run out of booze!

And you have the drugs if we drink ourselves sick!

- Mother! The chrysanthemum wine please! - Coming!

I thought only rich old men liked chrysanthemum wine.

Guess I underestimated you.

It was real fun tonight.

Good night, gentlemen.

- Good night, Mr. Yun. - Good night.

- You too, Miss Ha. - Bye.

- Good bye. - Bye.

- Off we go. - Bye.

- It's lovely at night here. - Is that so? How fortunate.

- I think I understand what you mean. - How so?

Because there's nothing lovely about this town.

- I answered correctly, right? - About 80% correct.

Oh? Not 100%?

The 100% correct answer would go something like...

Is this town for real?'

You're heading that way?

I go this way. Good night, then.

Sir...

Would you see me home? This way's so dark and quiet.

We've just met, but I can scent of Seoul on you.

It feels like we're old friends. Strange, isn't it?

- Pop songs. - Excuse me?

Why do you sing pop songs?

I thought opera singers disdained pop songs.

Because that's all they want me to sing.

If you don't like it, then don't join their parties!

I won't anymore. They're such a mediocre lot.

- Why have you mingled with them so far? - I was bored.

Bored? That's right.

Anyone who's lived in Mujin will know what you mean.

Park left in a huff back there.

He's so small-minded.

- He's a good soul. - Yes, too good.

Has it occurred to you that he loves you, Miss Ha?

Don't call me Miss Ha. You're old enough to be my big brother.

Then what should I call you?

By my first name, In-suk.

In-suk? Fair enough.

- Why did you avoid my question? - What was your question?

- It may be impolite... - Pardon?

It's nothing.

Oh, come on!

- What's your relationship with Cho? - What?

- A penny for your thoughts. - The frogs are croaking.

Oh, frogs! Goodness, I honestly didn't notice.

I thought frogs in Mujin

only started croaking at midnight.

At midnight?

When the radio stops and the only sound is croaking.

What keeps you awake till so late?

Some nights I just have trouble falling asleep.

They sound like shells rubbed against one another.

I used to think they were like stars twinkling at night.

- The sound of frogs? - I know I sound ridiculous.

- Is Mrs. Yun pretty? - You mean my wife? Yes, she's pretty.

You're happy, right?

You're rich, with a pretty wife and children...

By that logic, I'm not fully happy, since I have no kids.

Why do you travel alone?

If I call you big brother, will you take me to Seoul?

You want to go to Seoul?

Don't you like Mujin?

This place is driving me crazy. I'll go crazy.

My old classmates are in Seoul. I'd do anything to live there.

But no city can give you back your college days.

You're a woman, so until you start a family...

Even if I do have a family, it must be with a man I love.

And even if I meet such a man, I'll beg him

to take me away from here.

From my experience, Seoul isn't so great.

Too many responsibilities.

But Mujin's neither here nor there.

All the same, I want to live in Seoul. Take me, please?

- I'll think about it. - Please, promise me.

I'm much too forward, aren't I?

What are you doing tomorrow?

Well, I'm visiting my mother's grave in the morning.

And that's about it.

I was thinking of going to beach.

Drop by the house I used to board in to say hello.

Mr. Yun, go there in the afternoon.

- Fine with me. - I want to go with you.

Tomorrow's Saturday, so classes end before lunch.

All right, then.

Where should we meet? What time?

The pine grove at two.

Good-bye.

- Good night. - You too.

If I call you big brother, will you take me to Seoul?

Dear sir, please find me a job in Seoul.

Is there a vacancy in Seoul I could fill?

Dear friend, is that job you offered still available?

Life is fleeting, then comes Nirvana

May Buddha have mercy on your soul

Dad!

- You're home now! - Yeah.

- You're sure this time? - Didn't I say so?

All the major shareholders meet for dinner tonight.

Is your man all you care about? What about me?

You know he's nothing without you.

What can he do on his own?

What happened?

- Suicide. - Is that so?

Who was she?

One of the downtown prostitutes.

A few of them die every summer.

It's the climate, right? All the fog...

This one was such a shrew. I thought she'd tough it out.

Turns out she couldn't take it anymore.

I don't know what she took, but if you took her to the hospital...

This lot usually uses potassium cyanide.

They don't put on an act by taking a few sleeping pills.

That leaves less mess for me.

But can't you do something?

The poison's spread too far.

When did she?

Around four in the morning, the doctor said.

Four...

Where did you go so early in the morning?

To my mother's grave.

Really? Didn't know you were such a filial soul.

- The weather helped. - Come in for a break.

TAX BUREAU

Come in.

I didn't know women looked sexy in death till today.

- Men and our dirty minds... - Aren't you busy?

What's there to do?

Just nagging at my men to stick to their convictions.

- Shall I? - Sure.

- Well. - Here.

Let me...

Hello.

Here you go.

Ah, yes...

Yes.

Ok.

- There. - Here.

Here you go.

Ah, yes...

Yes.

Miss Ha from last night? You are planning to marry her?

Chief of Tax Bureau Cho Han-su

What?

You think I'm only good enough for the likes of her?

What's wrong? She seemed nice enough.

You wily dog! You snagged a rich big-shot widow,

but you want me to be stuck with some music teacher

from God knows where?

You're rich enough to marry for love, even if she's poor.

Wrong! That's not the way.

I wasn't born into a powerful family, which is why I need to marry into one.

As soon as I passed the civil service exam,

matchmakers called me, but the offers were pathetic.

All gold-diggers, selling themselves for security.

I find that kind of opportunism despicable.

And the music teacher is one of them?

A prime example!

She's like an irritating bloodhound.

- She seemed smart. - She's smart all right.

But I asked around. She has a sorry excuse for a family.

Even if she died in this remote town,

no one would come to collect her body.

To think poor old Park's in love with her.

Is that so?

He writes her weepy love letters,

and she shows them all to me.

So actually he's sending me the love letters!

Last spring, I took her to a mountain temple,

hoping for a one-night stand.

But the cunning thing said no way unless we get married.

- So what happened? - Nothing! Bloody embarrassing...

- How fortunate. - What?

For her, I mean.

Ready? Now!

Way down upon the Swanee River, far far away

Mr. Yun!

What brings you here?

Is 'what brings you here' the only greeting you know?

I was bored. Just killing time.

Why don't you drop by for dinner? Let's have a dinner.

I'll be there.

Wait, you're leaving?

The lesson ends in a few minutes.

I'll see you tonight, then.

Oh how I long for my old hometown far far away

I knew I had to leave you, but I loved you so

I swore hundred times to forget you when the storm passed

Seoul Tea & Music

- Do I have to wait long? - Won't be long now.

- Call from Seoul! - Oh, thanks.

Is that you, honey? Yes, I arrived safely.

What's it like here?

Full of fresh air, sunny skies, and green woods.

That busy?

You're sure this time?

All right. Bye for now, then.

I asked Mr. Park about you today.

Is that so?

What do you think I was most curious about?

I can't guess.

- I asked for your blood type. - Blood type?

I have this strange superstition.

That your blood type tells a lot about your personality.

It was in the biology textbooks, remember?

If only it were absolutely accurate.

Then all the personality types in the world could be counted on one hand.

That's not superstition but wishful thinking.

I'm the type who believes in what I wish for.

- And what blood type is that? - The blood type called stupid.

How do you plan to survive in Seoul?

I have a big brother like you who would look out for me.

You won't have problems finding a husband,

but won't you be better off in your hometown?

- My hometown's even worse than Mujin. - Then stay here in Mujin.

Are you trying to get out of taking me to Seoul?

Hey, answer me, will you?

I'm past the age to be swayed by sentiment or pity.

Like Cho said, I did marry well.

But I didn't plan getting married wealthy widow from the start.

But it turned out well enough for me.

So say something!

They say men can love many women at once, right?

- What about women? - I don't know.

But for me, no matter how hard I try,

I can't love anyone at all.

It's a kind of illness, right?

Yes, but an illness with a cure.

So what's this illness called?

The illness of loving no one but yourself.

What a long name.

With symptoms as complicated as its name.

So what's the cure?

Do whatever you want and go wherever you please,

and you'll be cured in no time.

You sound like an expert.

Everyone living in Mujin has that illness.

A few years ago, I lived on this beach cleansing my sick lungs.

Whoever received the letters I wrote

during the year I lived by the sea

would've noticed how often I wrote of loneliness.

Loneliness has become a shallow word today

that's lost its power to pull at your heartstrings.

But back then,

it was the only word for me that was worth repeating over and over.

Waking up in the dead of night from a nightmare

and pressing one hand on a frantically thudding heart,

I'd listen to the woeful cries of the sea with such pity.

It seemed I was the only one heeding its cries.

I named the feeling loneliness, filled my letters with it.

They weren't letters but the winds gushing

from a sea of poverty, laments from my soul.

Wonder who wrote the first-ever letter in human history.

Wow, the first-ever letter writer?

Probably someone lonely like you.

And like you.

Hello, Ma'am. Remember me?

Of course! Gi-jun! I hear about you once in a while.

- You haven't changed at all. - And you've changed so much.

- Where are your husband and kids? - Fishing as usual.

Right.

It's nice of you to remember us.

I brought you something... Nothing special.

Oh, you didn't have to...

Oh, I heard you got married.

Yes...

Hello, Ma'am, nice to meet you.

Oh, sorry.

I just want to go to Seoul, that's all.

Does a good soul actually exist in this world?

Not if you don't have the heart to see the good in others.

- So are you a good soul? - As long as you believe in me.

Let's go to the beach. I'll sing for you.

Let's go to the beach. This room's too hot.

Mr. Yun, have you ever hated yourself?

I shared a room once with a friend,

and the next morning he told me I snored.

I hadn't known I snored! I almost lost the will to live.

I don't want to go to Seoul anymore.

Let's not lie to each other.

Promise.

Walking alone on this street thick with fog

What's the use of dwelling on memories?

But I miss him so, where could he be?

I keep walking endlessly into the fog

Let me give you fair warning.

I'm going to have an affair with you while you're here.

But I'm stronger than you,

so you'll end up getting dragged to Seoul by me.

See you tomorrow.

Good-bye.

Aunt!

What kept you out so late?

Mr. Park came by this evening.

It was early evening.

He gave you this to help you killing the time.

I'll turn in early tonight. Sweet dreams, aunt.

One, one hundred, one thousand...

Ten, forty, fifty...

Twenty...

Ten thousand...

Ten...

Twenty...

Honey, we were meant to be.

I was born to take care of you, and you're born to be a nuisance to me.

You wouldn't even be in Seoul if it weren't for me.

In-suk, In-suk...

Gi-jun, get up!

It's a telegram from Seoul.

Meeting on the 27th.

You must attend. So come home now.

Your mistress and wife.

It must be prejudice.

Maybe the temporary carefreeness that a traveler feels.

Time will make you forget.

Listen, here's my answer.

You're past the age to be swayed by sentiment or pity?

So what? You're nothing but a con man!

Want to check again what you did to In-suk?

Would you see me home? This way's so dark and quiet.

- This is my wife. Say hello. - Hello.

Don't take it the wrong way!

I honestly intended to take In-suk to Seoul.

My heart was sincere!

I don't want to go to Seoul anymore.

Let's not lie to each other.

I have to leave urgently.

I wish I could meet you face-to-face and explain,

but spoken words tend to come out all wrong,

so I'm writing to you instead.

I'll be brief.

I love you, In-suk.

Because you are me.

You are exactly like the old me

that I still remember and love in a way.

And like the way I struggled so hard

to turn the old me into the present me,

I'll spare no means to take you away from here

and into the sunlight.

So believe in me.

And when I send word from Seoul that I'm ready,

leave Mujin, leave this fog, and come to me.

We'll surely be happy.

Let me give you fair warning.

I'm going to have an affair with you while you're here.

But I'm stronger than you,

so you'll end up getting dragged to Seoul by me.

Good-bye You are leaving Mujin

For once, for one last time, I'll acknowledge

Mujin, the fog, the maddening loneliness,

suicidal prostitutes, betrayals, and irresponsibility.

Just one last time. Just once.

The End

proofread by Christy Shin