Original subtitles

What did Kim shout at you yesterday before running off?

Didn't you hear him?

I did, but it wasn't that clear.

What did he say?

'I knew it. You bastard...'

I guess...

'I knew it. Go cling to that fucking whore.'

Isn't that it?

The Man with Three Coffins

I deserve to be called like that.

I've done wrong. I made a contract with them.

I heard him mention some contract.

Yes...

To care for that old man for 2 years.

The president called me in when I was working at the hospital.

I had no choice, take the contract or quit nursing.

1985 Lee Sang Literary Award Winner

'Cause his company owns the hospital.

Original novel Lee Je-ha

They asked if I could do special care,

besides washing him and cleaning up his shit.

Special care?

You know what a 'hot bag' is?

Hot bag?

A bag filled with warm water to treat the aches.

Ah...

I've been his hot bag for 2 years.

The contract says 'special care.'

Producer Lee Jang-ho

I insisted on that term.

Now, they are worried about the contract.

The president's running for the National Assembly next year.

He's trying to get rid of any potential gossip.

Lee Bo-hee

Kim Myung-kon

Ko Seol-bong Chu Seok-yang

Yu Sun, Gwon Sun-cheol, Kim Dae-hwan

Lee Eun-young, Kim Sun-ae, Im Gwi-ryeon

Kwon Yong-woon, Yim Yong-kyu, Cho Seon-mook

No In-ryeong, Choe Gyeong-a, Won Mi-seon

Park Yong-soo, Kim Se-chang, O Seung-hwan

Special appearance U Ok-ju

Planning Lee Myeong-won, Lee Eun-su

Theme song Lee Je-ha Singer Kim Myung-kon, Mo Bo-gyeong

Music Yi Zong-gu

Editing Hyeon Dong-chun

Recording Korean Film Council Recording Kim Byeong-su Effect Yang Dae-ho

Devolping Se-bang Developing Lab Color adjustment Han Gwang-dong Special effect cinematography Lyou Jae-hyoung, Yun Jong-du

Photograph Yoon Jin-ho Art director Sin Cheol, Wang Suk-yeong Photographic design O Seung-hwan

Promotion Jang Mi-ok Management Kim Ok-sun Delivery management Lee Jae-gyeong

Production supervisor Choi Byeong-cheol Production manager Kim Cha-gon Casting Kim Se-chang

Assistant director Yu Hyeok-ju, Sin Yeong-hui

Directions Won Jo-wang Lee Gyu-hwan, Ha Heung

Assistant cinematographer Cho Dong-gwan Kim Hyeon-su, Woo Seung-ryong

Assistant gaffer Park Hyun-won Kim Yeong-gyu, Yeom Hyo-sang

Lighting Kim Kang-il

Cinematography Park Seung-bae

Director Lee Jang-ho

Damn, it's cold!

Really cold. It sure is the Gangwon Province.

- Shall we start with soju? - Sure.

Wow, look at the night sea.

The smell of the ocean just washes away the fatigue.

Hey, think they got any hot girls here?

Hands up! Don't move, or I'll shoot.

Move three steps backwards.

What's this?

Can't you tell? It's not a check or powder food.

What's this powder?

Is it lime powder?

At least, it's not roast grain powder.

You've got some attitude.

Ashes? Scatter them on the sea, and leave quickly!

This area is restricted at night.

Hurry up, and then go.

What's taking him so long? Maybe he failed.

No, this place is filled with bitches. Probably the opposite.

Are you kidding?

I hope they are too brash.

If you don't do them right, they'll be all over you.

Thanks for the cigarette on the bus earlier.

Nice to meet you.

Hey, why don't you have a girl?

At my age? Forget it.

Why? You some kind of saint?

Merciful Saint.

Give me a break!

Want some fish soup? It's all we serve.

- What kind of fish? - Flatfish.

Would you like some soju, too?

No, I'll have rice wine. And bring me a bowl of rice.

OK.

Here come the beauties! Let's have a look.

- Come quickly. - Wow.

Hey, come over here.

Quiet, you all.

Yeong-ja, go to him. Hak-sim over there.

Where's Dal-lae? Dal-lae, you go with him.

I said, I don't want a girl.

That's enough from you! Take her.

Huh?

- You really don't want one? - I said no.

If you really mean it, then forget it.

You're such a bum.

Tell his wife on him.

Maybe he's a eunuch!

Come on. Let's go.

Are you going to the mountain too?

If you are, join us at Baekseol Inn.

We'll play some card games.

Come on, let's go! Get on!

- Come on. - Don't push!

Come in.

Enjoy your meal. What will you have?

Sausage soup.

Look who it is!

Your studies going well?

Civil service examination History

Here, try this.

Just a second. You forgot your cigarettes yesterday.

Mister, please...

Don't say anything. Just follow me.

It's nothing bad.

Open it.

Go ahead.

Take him to nearby Wolsan,

and you can have 100,000 won.

He's over 80 years old, and he's been sick for 3 days.

He is sick?

Why me?

They've been waiting 3 days. No one was suitable.

You might work.

He can take a taxi.

You can't get to Wolsan by car.

There's no road.

It's near the DMZ, either just north or south.

He wants us to bring him as far as we can.

He might make it to Seohwa.

Why don't you take him there?

How? On my back?

He said he'll pay 100,000 won.

I can't do it.

I'm on my way to the mountain.

Travelers are supposed to help one another.

Mister. How much do you want?

What are you talking about?

You really can't?

Look for someone else.

Don't force him.

Mr. Chairman, what's wrong?

Please don't.

If you lose it this time, it will be the end.

Please!

You want to go to your hometown, don't you?

Fine. You plan to go to Wolsan dead?

Refusing medicine won't help.

I'll take you there, without telling your son.

All right?

Now take your medicine.

I must go now.

- See you later. - All right.

We've been too busy these days. Have a nice holiday.

- Good bye, then. - Let's go in.

How about Saturday?

Mr. Yang. You're coming on Saturday?

I'm coming too, after visiting my hometown.

Well...

We're supposed to bring our wives. I don't have one.

You can come without a wife.

Or just pick one up somewhere.

Hey, this is the last stop!

- Mister, could you help me with this? - All right.

Thanks.

Excuse me.

ls Baekseol Inn nearby?

Follow me.

It's this way.

Hello. You're here.

I knew you'd come.

Come on up.

We only shared cigarettes but I want to know you better.

You can share a room with us. It's enough for four.

They'll stay up all night, anyway.

I don't like cards.

It's this room, come in.

Do you want to join us, go to the waterfall tomorrow?

You mentioned playing cards before.

Let's just play a short while then.

No thanks.

I want to get some rest.

This is getting good.

How many no-point cards?

That's going to be 5 points.

Fine, 5 points it is! And you've lost this one!

Now, give me the money!

Chun-ja, take good care of him.

Did you win any?

- One, two, three... - Shut up!

Some people have all the luck.

- You want to join us? - Of course.

- Sit down here. - Move over.

Dal-lae, you won't be getting bored.

Pour out a drink.

He looks fun. Lucky you.

Have you eaten yet?

Serve him instead of me tonight.

Just stick to him.

Hey, move over.

Whether you win or lose, go to bed before midnight.

I'll call you in the morning.

I'll go do some yoga in my room.

I can't figure out why he comes with us.

Godori, Pibak, Seolsa, Ddongsagae we go for everything.

And Bulsechul, you know?

5 won for 1 gwang.

Those are pretty big stakes. What's Bulsechul?

If you turn over 1 gwang, and there is a matching card,

you can take any card you want, except another gwang.

It's a dud really.

It's still an advantage.

5 won for 1 gwang and 1 won for 1 point.

I'll need to be careful or I'll go broke.

- Don't touch me! - Come on.

- I'll massage your shoulders. - OK.

- Feel good? - Yeah.

Some people get massages,

some just cry over lost money.

You want a massage too?

Hurry up!

Mr. Kim, you have a phone call.

Hey, you got a call.

This early?

I have a bad hand. Look at this.

Don't take too long.

Damn it! You got any more booze?

You want soju? Here's some.

This isn't my day.

Mr. Park, you have a phone call.

When am I going to get my phone call?

That's a lousy haul.

Phone call for Mr. Yang.

I'm not going to do it.

I wasn't losing, why me?

Are you serious?

I can't get it up.

So forget it.

Come on, I can help you.

Shit! I said no.

Really?

Thank God! You really aren't going to do it?

When we go back to the others,

say 'Why the call was so long, was it an international call?'

Say this please.

OK.

Hey! Wake up.

Get up.

There's been an accident!

Dal-lae died last night.

- Dal-lae? - Do you have any idea what happened?

You had a 'phone call' with her.

Did you give her some kind of shock?

Looks like you're in shock, too.

You'd better go.

The police are coming. We called them.

You don't have to get involved.

Go ahead, don't worry about us.

You go first.

Will it be okay?

Did you send for a doctor?

It looks like a heart attack.

Mr. Sim! Mr. Sim!

The chairman and Mrs. Choi have disappeared!

Where did they go? Did you see them?

I have no idea. I'm going crazy.

Hey!

Bring them back here immediately!

Maybe he's in Wolsan.

Don't sit down!

Come here! Come.

This time you must not fail.

You're always screwing up.

Come here.

Take my car.

Nothing works and nothing doesn't work with him.

Hey, Mr. Sim.

Yes?

You were awful friendly with that nurse, weren't you?

I bet you helped them.

You think I'm crazy?

Those little fleas won't have gone far.

They'll never get past lnje.

I'm sure of it.

Hello?

Excuse me.

Are those people still here?

The old man...

They left.

So, they found a helper.

No...

They left ina taxi this morning for Wontong.

It'll be harder to find someone over there.

The money won't help them. They'll never make it.

Go to Wontong and ask around.

Why? Changed your mind?

I could go as far as Seohwa.

Then could I make it to Chuncheon?

I might...

Then I will be able to get to Seoul tomorrow morning.

It might be tough.

Will it take the whole day?

Can't do it.

I need to be at work tomorrow.

- Just make me some stew. - Yes.

Wonsan is not my hometown.

Death to Kim ll-sung! Kill him!

Kill him!

He must die!

- Did you find them? - No.

There's no one there.

Let's go back home.

Are you crazy?

You little bastard!

This is like playing hide and seek.

Oh, hello! Come on in!

We have good raw fish.

Don't hesitate. Come in!

You have a southern accent. What brings you here?

Many people were displaced because of the war.

What's that? The fish with the pointed mouth.

Which one?

Ah. Hornfish!

- You want that? - Please give me a cup of water.

Get it yourself!

Oh, wait for me in there.

- Bring a bottle of soju, too. - Okay.

Wonsan is not my hometown.

If not Wonsan, then where?

Tell me!

I said Wonsan because you are from Gaeseong.

I don't even know my parents. I lost them during the war.

How can I know my hometown anyway?

You ever heard of Auraji River?

Auraji River?

What are you doing in the cold?

Cold.

That room is very warm. Why don't you come in?

Mister.

We also have sleeping accommodations.

Pretty girls, too...

Wait till after the meal!

Is he sleeping like that ?

Sir? Sir?

Do you want a girl?

How about it?

Sir!

We have nice girIs here.

I'd rather die than live like this.

Go ahead, then.

Sir, I'll send a girl to you.

All right, all right.

Was it a traffic accident?

Sir, here's your girl.

Don't worry, girl. Go on in.

Why did you come to this cold place?

Well, let me see...

See, today is the day my wife died, three years ago.

This is driving me crazy. I want to quit this.

Ma'am!

Where is that girl from last night?

Why? Why are you looking for her?

She's not here anymore.

Where did she go?

I can't believe this.

Don't add fuel to a fire.

Would you believe that she's dead?

Road to reunification

Restricted area for civilians

- One for Wontong. - No more for Wontong today.

You can't go any further than the mineral spring.

A heavy snow warning was posted.

The bus can't leave because of the snow warning.

It'll start snowing soon.

Or you can go as far as Osaek-ri.

How about Seoul?

You have to take an express bus from Gangneung

but that route will be closed, too.

Come with me.

I'll take you up to Wontong I'll give you a good rate.

That's why the bus isn't running.

Can we go to the mineral spring?

I'd suggest that you don't.

There will be hundreds of climbers stranded there.

Taxi fare will be very expensive.

What about taking a boat on the river from lnje?

Well, snow can't stop a boat.

Let's go.

OK.

Mr. Sim! Where are you?

What are you doing? There's no time to piss. Let's go!

Move faster!

Hurry!

Wow, look at all this snow!

These snowflakes!

You see?

- It'll be a heavy snowfall - What?

You'll see.

You're just being sarcastic because you charged so much.

The weather seems to be fine.

I'll just shut my mouth now.

We'll be lucky to reach Wontong.

At thirty, you'll meet a man by the river with three coffins.

This man was your husband in your previous life.

You're a good driver.

I'm the best.

With chains I can even drive over the Alps.

There's nobody like that here

but he's looking for the same people.

Are you looking for Mrs. Choi?

Have you searched all the inns?

I can't find them.

We have searched from Seohwa.

Seohong and Wolhak-ri, but so far nothing.

This is me, by the way.

I met the patient at Sokcho.

Mrs. Choi has taken him away

under her own authority.

Our chairman is dying.

I have to find him and bring him back.

I saw the patient at Sokcho, and I've been tracking them ever since.

You did?

Everyone feels nostalgic about going to hometown.

Nurse Choi was in charge of him?

She was chosen from the hospital. She's impertinent!

Now she's caused such a trouble.

Mrs. Choi...

Come with us if you want to meet her.

I found them! Here!

Come on.

Why are you just sitting there?

Why don't we just go home?

What? You idiot! Just follow me

and do what I tell you!

You'll be out in the streets begging otherwise.

Mrs. Choi...

Take this and give me the contract paper.

Then everything will be settled?

Our President is impressed by you.

There is no other way then. Give him my thanks.

I will. You're making a wise decision.

You...

What brings you here?

Aren't you coming with us?

Fine? Ok then.

I knew it, you bastard! Go cling to that fucking whore!

You didn't leave?

Why did you come here?

You asked me to take him to the DMZ.

You're too late.

If you had come yesterday, it would've been different.

Well, so we meet again.

Let's go somewhere else. I'll buy you dinner.

You're going to Seoul tomorrow?

Maybe, if there's a boat.

I'm going to Jeongseon.

I'd like to visit my father.

Is that your hometown?

Everyone's from this area.

- You're also from Gangwon Province, too? - Huh?

What?

Oh, my hometown is Yeoryeong, not Jeongseon.

Not me... My late wife's...

Have you heard of Auraji River?

Auraji River?

Here we are. Let's go in.

After dinner, you go sleep at another inn!

He dropped it when they took him this afternoon.

He never let go of it.

He probably gave up hope making it to Wolsan.

I guess that's why he left it in the room.

His son made a fortune in the South and insists it's their home.

But the old man didn't agree.

After he got sick, he couldn't talk,

but he kept begging me with his eyes to go to his hometown.

I came here without knowing anything.

I...

I knew you were coming.

A fortune teller told me something, so I waited.

At that restaurant...

She said, 'At thirty, you'll meet a man by the river with three coffins.'

'That man is your husband from the previous life.'

Sometimes fortune tellers know things.

You believe in that kind of thing?

Look at this. Have you ever seen palm lines like this?

So I am the man with three coffins?

Who says it was you? Don't jump to conclusions.

I just knew you would come.

Let me read your palm. Who knows, maybe...

You kept your virginity for the man with three coffins?

No virgin would tell this to a man.

I was a virgin once.

Not any more.

This is my severance pay.

What do I do with this check?

Should I tear it up?

Are you crazy?

Would I be crazy to get rid of ill-received money?

Three million won...

I could get a humble home for my father.

Be reasonable.

Nothing can be done now. You're a fool if you tear it up.

How old are you, anyway?

I'll tear it up. I'd rather be a fool.

I can't do it!

I can't stand this anymore.

I've been alone for three years.

Come with me to Seoul.

No, if I do this on the road, I might cause you to die.

What did Kim shout at you yesterday before running off?

Didn't you hear him?

I did, but it wasn't that clear.

What did he say?

'I knew it. You bastard...'

I guess...

'I knew it. Go cling to that fucking whore.'

Isn't that it?

I deserve to be called like that.

I've done wrong. I made a contract with them.

I heard him mention some contract.

Yes.

To care for that old man for 2 years.

The president called me in when I was working at the hospital.

I had no choice, take the contract or quit nursing.

'Cause his company owns the hospital.

They asked if I could do special care,

besides washing him and cleaning up his shit.

Special care?

- You know what a 'hot bag' is? - 'Hot bag'?

A bag filled with warm water to treat the aches.

Ah...

I've been his hot bag for 2 years.

The contract says 'special care.'

I insisted on that term.

Now, they are worried about the contract.

The president's running for the National Assembly next year.

He's trying to get rid of any potential gossip.

The old man's home is on the other side of the DMZ.

Separated families...

He doesn't need this picture anymore.

A boat's coming!

What's that?

It's a shaman boat!

Maybe there's a shaman ceremony.

Somebody must have died.

Look, there's Yong-seok's mother.

Must be a rite for Yong-seok.

Yeah, he got drowned last year.

They haven't found his body yet.

His mother has been weeping everyday.

I'm afraid to go near their house.

Quiet!

- Here comes his ghost! - Run!

- Come back after you visit hometown? - I will.

Let's both work, until we can buy a house.

How could you say such things so soon?

There's a soul There's a spirit

What a piteous soul

Poor baby

What a piteous soul

He can't go through mountains and water

He cant't go anywhere

He can't go through mountains and water

What a piteous soul

What a piteous soul who wanders around with sorrow

Poor baby

What a piteous soul

The soul weeping for his mom

Can't come back home

There's a soul There's a spirit

What a piteous soul

Lee Bo-hee

Kim Myung-kon

Ko Seol-bong Chu Seok-yang

Yu Sun, Gwon Sun-cheol, Kim Dae-hwan

Lee Eun-young, Kim Sun-ae, Im Gwi-ryeon

Kwon Yong-woon, Yim Yong-kyu, Cho Seon-mook

No In-ryeong, Choe Gyeong-a, Won Mi-seon

Park Yong-soo, Kim Se-chang, O Seung-hwan

Special appearance U Ok-ju

Producer Lee Jang-ho

Planning Lee Myeong-won, Lee Eun-su

Original novel Lee Je-ha

Music Yi Zong-gu

Theme song Lee Je-ha Singer Kim Myung-kon, Mo Bo-gyeong

Editing Hyeon Dong-chun

Recording Korean Film Council Recording Kim Byeong-su Effect Yang Dae-ho

Devolping Se-bang Developing Lab Color adjustment Han Gwang-dong Special effect cinematography Lyou Jae-hyoung, Yun Jong-du

Photograph Yoon Jin-ho Art director Sin Cheol, Wang Suk-yeong Photographic design O Seung-hwan

Promotion Jang Mi-ok Management Kim Ok-sun Delivery management Lee Jae-gyeong

Production supervisor Choi Byeong-cheol Production manager Kim Cha-gon Casting Kim Se-chang

Assistant director Yu Hyeok-ju, Sin Yeong-hui

Directions Won Jo-wang Lee Gyu-hwan, Ha Heung

Assistant cinematographer Cho Dong-gwan Kim Hyeon-su, Woo Seung-ryong

Assistant gaffer Park Hyun-won Kim Yeong-gyu, Yeom Hyo-sang

Lighting Kim Kang-il

Cinematography Park Seung-bae

Producer Lee Jang-ho

proofread by Christy Shin