Original subtitles

A long time ago, a boy loved a mermaid

and heard her voice.

Am I...

that boy?

He was the boy who loved the mermaid and heard her voice.

But he didn't know one important thing.

Mermaids have a special ability.

That is...

by kissing him, she can erase herself from the memories of a human.

Even if she keeps erasing his memories,

even if he's born in a different world,

he is a boy who is destined to love the mermaid again.

Please save me.

I'm different, too.

-Heo Joon-jae. -If Heo Joon-jae realizes I'm different,

he will not like me.

He'll probably leave.

Don't come, Heo Joon-jae.

My secret is...

that I am different from you.

That I am a mermaid.

So in the end,

he is the boy who will eventually hear the mermaid's voice again.

I love you.

He was...

me.

Excuse me.

-Have you seen this person? -No.

Excuse me, have you seen her...

The Black Moon will appear tonight.

The Black Moon is the second new moon in a single calendar month.

The name comes from the fact

that the moon disappears into the darkness.

In the past, it was thought to be an ominous sign.

Yang Seung-gil sent a message

to the Hanyang official Jo Bong-hak he's been bribing,

claiming that you have been bewitched by the wicked mermaid

and are disturbing the public.

He appealed, saying you had framed him for murder.

Thereafter, Jo Bong-hak has submitted a petition to the King.

What shall we do?

In addition, Yang's underlings are casting all kinds of fishing nets,

frantically trying to capture the mermaid.

-Open the door. -Yes, Sir.

Sir, why are you like this?

Die.

And then never be born again.

Why am I having these dreams?

It's a real mermaid.

Watch, I will make that mermaid mine again.

I will get rid of that naive town head with my own hand.

Die, and then never be born again.

Heo Joon-jae...

and...

the mermaid.

Refund me for all of this, please.

All of this?

Cheong didn't get here yet?

Tae-oh is watching the CCTVs of the house and the neighborhood,

and she took all the bags from the Gangnam department store.

Why?

I don't know. Maybe she's renting a room.

Why would she rent? Her house is here.

-Move. -Is this Cheong's house? It's yours.

You always say it's your house.

Where did she go? Did you check the department store?

-Do you think it's easy to get in there? -Do it quickly!

Are you really a hacker?

Even when we get into the department store,

how will we find her in the huge crowds?

Find her location with your phone.

It's turned off.

I somehow have a bad feeling about this.

Maybe she left for good?

Thank you for renewing the contract with favorable conditions.

Of course.

You've maintained good relations with my father.

I hardly ever see CEO Heo any more.

He isn't feeling well these days.

He must be counting on you as you are so dependable.

Well...

Oh, she shouldn't be riding that.

Wait.

It's closing time and there are no customers here,

so let her ride for a while.

Okay.

My secret is...

that I am different from you.

That I am a mermaid.

If you know who I am, you will be shocked.

You will be hurt and scared.

You will leave me.

That's why I am trying my best not to get caught.

Am I in some kind of fairy tale?

Or...

did you come out into the world?

The two of you are a great couple!

When are you getting married?

Soon.

Early next year. Near Dubai or Europe.

Oh, my gosh, I see!

That's right.

I lie.

I deceive people and make money off of them.

Right, I'm that kind of person.

That is my secret.

What is your secret?

Heo Joon-jae's family?

Just call me...

Heo Chi-hyeon.

Mr. Heo Chi-hyeon.

Yes. Thank you.

Did you come by yourself?

Where's Joon-jae?

There are a lot of pretty and good things here.

There wasn't anything like this where I lived.

Where is that?

Wherever it is, there must be a Christmas.

Some places don't.

Where's your house?

I live with Heo Joon-jae.

You live together?

I use the upper room, and he uses the lower room.

Heo Joon-jae is the owner.

Oh, I see.

You didn't bring a car, right?

Do you want a ride?

Will you drive me to that place instead of home?

You're really going to sleep here?

Yes.

I saw it on the TV.

People who leave home sleep here.

Well, okay, but be safe.

-Bye. -Bye.

MEN

-Oh, wait! -You!

-This is the men's sauna! -What are you doing?

The women's sauna is over there.

No!

I am sorry!

The women's sauna is here.

Bye.

That's the right place, correct?

Will it take much longer?

To protect the VVIP room, there's no CCTV.

Just do it quickly.

It was very nerve-wracking yesterday,

when you two were staring each other down.

When Cheong was like that,

I felt some type of unapproachable charisma.

-Nam-doo. -Yes?

Do you know the story of the Little Mermaid?

All of sudden?

Isn't it about a mermaid going onto the land

and falling in love with a prince?

Yeah...

The witch gives her legs,

but after midnight, they turned back to a tail.

So she couldn't wear her glass shoes, and the prince was searching for her.

Isn't that something else?

Cinderella.

Just watch the footage.

Children's stories are all the same.

The prince and the mermaid fall in love and get married. The end.

Was it?

That's the Disney version.

Actually, she dies.

Dies?

I think so.

Who? The prince?

The mermaid?

That's right! I think the mermaid died.

Why does the mermaid die?

What kind of children's story is that?

I know. Kids read that. Why would they do that?

Why are we talking about that at this hour?

Even kids don't read the classic stories these days.

I don't know.

Hurry up and find her.

-Oh, it's refreshing. -Isn't it good?

Miss!

This is my spot!

Hello.

We meet again.

Yes.

Did Cheong come by here?

Which story touched your heart the most?

Excuse me?

For me it's Romeo and Juliet.

I cried.

Shakespeare isn't a maestro for nothing.

So, did you see Cheong?

Sit here for a bit.

In this world, there are many love stories.

But from all those love stories,

if you take out the rhetoric,

and unessential words,

there will be only one sentence left.

What do you think it is?

What is it?

Be nice while you can.

Jeez!

She wouldn't leave if you were nice.

You wouldn't be searching for her like this, either.

It's the eternal truth.

If you see Cheong, tell her to call me.

Make sure! For sure!

He better listen to me or he will regret it later.

He'll be back.

I am here at this time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Come back on those days.

LOCATION SERVICE UNAVAILABLE

Wow, look!

Score!

Score!

Hey, we scored!

-What's that? -What does she do?

I see something else. Let's look for more things.

Turn the cell phone on.

Watch out for people. Hurry.

I found that girl first!

I unlocked the door.

Let's just split it equally.

Stop right there!

Hey, stop!

You guys are playing tough.

Give me the phone.

Where did you find this?

It's mine.

Oh, really?

SIM CHEONG

Hey!

It's my girlfriend's.

Where's my girlfriend?

-I don't know. -You guys can keep all the money.

Just tell me where she is.

-The Cheonghae Sauna right there. -Hey!

Why did you say that?

Thanks!

Friend, let's shake hands.

Who are you?

-Hey, stop! -Give it to us.

Me?

I'm a con man.

If you do this, you'll turn out like me.

If the guy you like asks you what you do,

you'll have to lie.

Lies.

Is that what you want?

What was that?

He took everything!

My heart fluttered a bit just now.

Bad-boy style.

He was a bit cool.

Did you sleep well?

No, I didn't.

I couldn't sleep,

and maybe that's why I have no appetite.

I was worried about you.

Since it's my day off, I came here.

It looks like your appetite is back.

Eat it with this sikhye.

You are a good person.

I don't have a name.

But he told me that I am not strange.

Who is he?

A good person.

Do you know me? You have nothing to say to me, right?

Don't follow me.

Aren't you going to leave? Take that and leave.

Heo Joon-jae.

Who told you...

to leave the house and stay at a place like this?

Do you know how hard I looked for you?

How did you find this place?

Heo Chi-hyeon drove me here.

What?

Why are you here?

Don't misunderstand.

I happened to bump into her yesterday.

Cheong said she didn't want to go home.

Didn't want to...

You said that?

Yes, I did.

You go ahead.

Let's talk somewhere private.

Heo Joon-jae.

I got a refund for all of those items we bought before.

I don't need those clothes anyway,

so I'll return it to you.

Yeah,

I got it.

What happened?

Keep your phone safe, too.

Why do you have that?

I'm a bad guy,

but there are many others worse than me here.

So please be careful.

Did you eat?

I ate an egg and sikhye.

Do you want anything else?

No.

Tteok-bokki, sundae, seaweed fries, tangsuyuk

strawberry-flavored and melon-flavored shaved ice,

fried dumplings, steamed dumplings, dough seaweed soup.

I see you don't have an appetite.

I thought you would come, so I made galbi at home.

Galbi is the best when marinated.

Marinated galbi.

It must be so tender.

It's really tender.

It melted in my mouth.

I'm fine.

I want to eat the marinated galbi.

So, you're really not going to come?

No.

-Really? -Yes.

-Why? -Because you're a con artist.

You're a bad person who tricks people.

You tricked me too.

Nevertheless...

why can't I be disappointed in you?

Why can't I leave you? You fooled me.

If you don't want to come home, stay here.

Don't go anywhere else instead. Stay here.

You can't leave without even saying goodbye.

Okay.

You promised.

Right?

Then, I'm leaving.

I said I'm leaving.

Go.

What the heck?

"Don't go, Heo Joon-jae."

I thought she would say something like that.

Why is she so cold-hearted?

Joon-jae.

Father is ill these days.

And?

Why?

Where and how is he ill?

The doctor said it was cataracts.

His eyesight is very bad.

I told you...

to do all the good deeds.

Take him to the hospital.

He's the father you had from the start,

but he's the first father I ever had.

Fine, as you said,

I'm the fake son acting as the real one.

But I was grateful that he became my dad.

So I always want to be in his favor

and want to protect him.

Sure.

Be grateful.

Continue to be in his favor, and make sure to protect him.

In order for my father to become yours,

he failed to protect many things.

Did you received the official document?

Yes. In 1988, 423 Sujeong-dong.

You want the records of the family that moved in?

-Yes, thank you. -You're welcome.

-Thank you. -Sure.

April 15, 1988, Ma Dae-young moved in.

Another resident moved into the same house on the same day.

-Kang Ji-hyeon? -Kang Ji-hyeon.

Did Ma Dae-young get married?

No. His criminal records are complicated,

but his family relationships are simple.

He's an orphan and has never been married.

Kang Ji-hyeon. Who is she?

I didn't see the name during the initial investigation.

When I asked the construction people he last worked with,

they said he didn't have a woman.

Kang Ji-hyeon...

Get a copy of Kang Ji-hyeon's resident registration.

RESIDENT REGISTRATION

She married twice.

SELF: KANG JI-HYEON SPOUSE: KIM TAE-HEUM

Both of her husbands died.

The woman was beautiful.

That's why the man married her, even with a child.

She brought her child when she got married?

She did.

But her husband suddenly died.

A year after their marriage.

Why?

He was perfectly fine in the beginning.

-Then he lost his sight somehow. -Lost his sight?

Yes, he lost his sight.

He probably went outside with those eyes and died in a car accident.

She was an insurance agent.

Not long after they married,

her husband lost his sight.

I heard he died of some complications.

Honey. How are you feeling?

I'll have to visit Dr. Kim again.

The medicine doesn't seem to be working.

Oh dear.

I called Dr. Kim.

He said it would be best to take your medicine

and rest at home.

Just rest.

Okay.

You can't contact them?

I can't.

Goo Baek's dad has been completely ignoring my calls.

I called Kim's company many times, but they wouldn't out me through to him.

What could we have done wrong?

I mean...

up until the meal it was good, right?

It was. Did you see CEO Kim eat two plates of egg rolls?

Exactly.

After that...

what was the problem?

Getting ahead of yourself.

What did you say?

It seemed to be that

Ji-yong's dad was getting a bit ahead of himself.

You met them for the first time.

I could see a hint of the desire

that he wanted to get something and he stuck to him.

It could've been burdensome to him.

I can't live because of you!

I hid my desires as much as I could.

Did they show?

They did.

Who are they? Wouldn't they know?

That's right.

They were burdened.

I worked so hard to make this happen.

You ruined all this!

What are you going to do now?

I can't live because of you!

Why leave a warm house and go to some sauna to sleep?

I just can't understand.

Where is Cheong?

-Did you find her? -Yes.

She wouldn't come with you?

The heater in my room isn't working, so it's too cold in there.

Let me sleep here tonight.

So listen.

If there is a problem,

you should face each other and talk it through.

Why? Cheong didn't want to come home?

Where did she learn that bad habit of running away?

You're one to talk. You ran away in high school.

What?

You didn't want to come home?

Who did Cheong say that to?

To a nut job.

He is a nut job!

Was he good to you?

When it was raining, he held an umbrella over me.

When I was alone, he held my hand.

Ah, hand...

He made me ramen.

Ramen?

Wow, ramen!

He invited you for ramen?

What a jerk!

What's wrong?

Was that jerk me?

What?

Ramen...

He must look like a girly boy.

He is a crazy jerk.

He is a total sleazeball and womanizer.

You shouldn't hang out with the punk.

You should be careful with guys.

Those guys are lustful inside!

That was me?

That nut job was me.

I'm that pretty playboy!

Wait.

So...

that guy...

was me.

Not some other guy.

What did you say?

That guy...

was me.

Nam-doo!

It was me.

That guy was me.

I'll sleep in my room even though it's freezing.

-Hey. -Rest or take some medicine.

That bastard.

Sorry.

I couldn't see that well.

It's Heo Joon-jae.

Don't open your eyes, Heo Joon-jae.

Don't wake up, Heo Joon-jae.

So I can watch you.

So I can see you for as long as I couldn't see you.

I don't have to ask you anything,

and you don't need to hide anything from me.

Don't open your eyes, Heo Joon-jae.

It's cold.

He must be cold, too.

Why is it so hot?

It's so warm.

Look!

Look!

What the heck? Where did she go?

Her son is handsome.

What are you doing?

I was wondering where the kimchi was.

I have someone to give it to.

Would the kimchi be in there?

Come out.

Yes.

You like the food at our place,

so I packed some for you.

That's right. The food at your place is really good.

Do you want to come to my home sometime?

The food will be tastier when it's still warm.

I like the food cold.

I'll eat it here.

Me too. I like it cold too. It's weird.

Right?

Is Cheong gone for good?

She'll be back if she makes up with Joon-jae.

What are you looking at?

Tae-oh, you can't be so obvious in front of other people!

Me?

I thought you were smart.

We're all helpless when it comes to love.

Earlier, you were jealous of Joon-jae and glaring at him.

That's because of me.

Is it that hard to look at my face?

No. I forgot it all.

It's the truth.

You want to make my heart comfortable, even with lies?

Love isn't something that can be broken so easily.

Why wouldn't I know it?

Do you have my number?

Give me your phone.

Why? It's fine.

It's okay, give it to me.

Give it to me. Now!

If it's too hard, call me.

If you miss someone too much, you'll feel sick.

I can't give you my heart,

but I can buy drinks.

I guess this is the pie in the sky.

That would have been a disaster.

If I had fallen in the water, he would've found out all about it.

If you slip and fall here, you'll get a concussion at the very least!

Be careful!

-Are you okay? -Are you alright? You're all wet.

I'm fine.

If you're going splash like that, go to a swimming pool!

What are you doing in foot spa?

What the heck? What's wrong with you?

What the heck? What's wrong with you?

This won't do. All the elements here are too dangerous.

Let's leave for now.

Is there anywhere dry?

Hey!

Hey! You should be careful!

You can't spill water like that!

It's dangerous!

Jeez, water isn't that dangerous!

How is water not dangerous? It's the most dangerous.

It can get in the electrical outlet.

If you put your nose in a bowl of water, you could die!

Let's go. What the...

Are you okay?

These rascals! Stop!

Play by yourselves in that ice room.

You know how far that water gun can reach?

Don't you think that it might hit an innocent person's leg?

That's a weapon.

Go!

Go!

Those little kids with weapons.

He's not normal!

Do you have any long pants? For women?

Excuse me? All of our pants are shorts.

Don't you need to make one?

Long pants or a long skirt.

A wide one. One that comes up to here.

There are a lot of dangerous things in there.

Honey, when are you going to go home?

Excuse me?

Well, I've had a couple's quarrel as well.

So I'm staying at sauna. I feel awkward saying this.

But we're so very uncomfortable because of your husband!

-You are right! -My husband?

It's your husband, not mine.

Your husband is too peculiar.

We're getting annoyed here!

-Right. -That's true.

Can you just go back home?

I don't know what happened between you, but just make up.

Go back when he asks you to,

as if you're being forced to.

Look at me.

I live right by the intersection, but he's not coming.

He knows I'm here, but he's not coming.

I'm too late.

I have to crawl in by my own means.

Just go home!

We can't live here at the sauna because of your husband!

Just go! Please!

Wow, really.

Elizabeth!

Mom!

Where's Yoon-ah?

I don't know.

I told you to stay with her!

She is the hidden line of influential power to CEO Kim.

-What's that? -There's something like that.

Hi, Yoon-ah.

Hello.

Oh, that's right.

You said you wanted to learn how to swim.

Tell your mom that we'll put you on Elizabeth's swim team.

Yes, thank you.

Okay.

And...

That woman I met at the convenience store,

When you see her again,

you can tell her about me.

Okay.

What will you tell her?

That a strange woman is being nice to me.

I see, you're quite an honest

and good child. Sure.

How about this?

Elizabeth's mom is taking care of me so well

that I want to go to school!

Lately, Elizabeth's mom is taking care of me so well that I want to go to school.

Really?

No.

I just said that because she told me to.

I still don't want to go to school.

Why?

We are doing a performance soon,

and we're supposed to invite our families.

But I really hate that.

I don't have anyone to come for me.

Is your mom busy again?

Last year, and when I was in kindergarten,

even if I sang and danced, no one watched me.

No one waved at me.

It was boring.

You're a fake Santa, aren't you?

Mom, Santa smells like cigarettes.

I saw it on TV.

On Christmas, Santa gives you presents and makes your wishes come true.

Are you a kid?

If you want that to happen, you can't cry.

I've already cried many times, so I won't get any presents.

I've cried many times, too.

It won't work for either of us.

Here.

What if I ask that person?

Hello!

Can you tell Santa what my wish is?

It's not something I deliver.

Write it on one of these and hang it on the tree.

He'll probably read it.

You really can't tell him?

What?

I would like you to tell Santa my wish too.

I've cried several times, but it was for a good reason.

So I want to explain.

Can't you contact him?

Contact him? I probably could.

If you give me your phone number, I'll call him.

My phone number?

Here.

I wish my Mom and Dad would come to the performance.

Look here.

You're so pretty.

Pose. Looking cute!

Our Elizabeth is so pretty.

Oh my! Yoon-ah!

Yoon-ah! Hi!

Hello!

Your mom didn't come today?

Her mom doesn't come to these.

That's because she's busy.

Seo Yoon-Ah!

Oh my.

Do a good job.

Your mom asked me to wave to you, take pictures,

and cheer you on for her.

Hello!

I guess you're quite close to Yoon-ah's mom.

Yes. We're totally best friends.

You're here already.

MILK SKIN, SEO YOON-AH

CEO Kim Jae-y!

I'm a little late.

No, I just came too.

How did you know?

What is there that I don't know?

Hi, kiddo.

Wow!

You're the prettiest one here.

Do well. I'll only be looking at you.

Okay.

Goo-baek's dad!

Well, hello.

I called so many times!

-Oh, did you? -Why didn't you pick up the phone?

Oh, you were here.

It's so nice to see you here!

-Yes. -Hello!

Hi!

-It's nice to see you. -I was waiting so eagerly!

2016 HONGSEO ELEMENTARY PERFORMANCE

No, that's not it.

You still need to...

Give it to me, please.

You two stand together too.

You're not calling me Mister any more?

I'll take the picture for you.

Come on. Get closer together.

I'm happy.

Cheongdam-dong, please.

It's my day off. I'm not working.

Let's go.

He is not working today.

Look at this.

How nice is it that Cheong's coming back home?

While Cheong wasn't here,

the refrigerator was full, but my heart was totally empty.

I lied today because of Yoon-ah,

but it was doable.

Right?

In this world, there's something called a white lie.

But you guys tell more than just white lies.

Are you attending some speech academy?

How do you suddenly speak so well?

Heo Joon-jae.

Can you promise me

that you'll only tell good lies?

That you won't tell lies that will hurt other people?

I have to promise that in front of these guys?

Yes.

I promise.

Really?

Yes.

I won't. Ever.

Did I hear wrong?

Or is this a lie too?

Go in first. I'm going to go somewhere with Cheong.

Let's go.

Stay here for a little bit. Don't go anywhere.

-Did you call for backup? -Yes.

-What if it's a false alarm? -What if it's not?

Someone reported seeing Ma Dae-young here.

There are so many people.

-Go over there. -Okay.

Heo Joon-jae.

While I was crossing the wide ocean to find you,

I saw pretty stars like these every night.

But I was lonely because I was alone.

I was tired. I was scared.

But now, is it okay to be this comfortable?

Is it okay to be happy?

Is it okay to love?

Wow, I was right.

You slimy bastard!

I came to catch a tiger, but caught a rabbit.

But I caught something!

Requesting backup to the square.

I'll go.

What?

I'll just go quietly,

so don't call anyone.

This bastard.

Heo Joon-jae, come soon.

A boy loved a mermaid and heard her voice.

Even if she erased his memories over and over,

even if he's born in a different world,

he is a boy who is destined to love the mermaid again.

So in the end,

he is the boy who will eventually hear the mermaid's voice again.

He was...

me.

I would like you to tell Santa my wish too.

I cried several times, but it was for a good reason.

So I want to explain.

Can't you contact him?

Contact him? I probably could.

If you give me your phone number, I'll call him.

My phone number?

Here is my phone.

-Excuse me. -Yes?

Can you really contact Santa?

I'm asking if you can.

You got my girlfriend's number earlier, saying that you would give it to Santa.

If you can really contact him, I have something to say as well.

I didn't know she was your girlfriend.

You didn't memorize it, did you?

Please let my mom and dad come to the performance.

Allow me to have a date with Heo Joon-jae under a pretty tree,

this year, next year, and the one after as well.

I wish I could keep all of the promises I made to you.

Subtitle translation by: , Leon Elalouf