Original subtitles

[Birds chirp]

[Wind blows]

[Soft, ethereal music]

[Music fades]

[Man, in Korean] Where will you sleep tonight?

[Woman, in Korean] At my mum's.

I'll take you.

[Emotional piano music]

[In Korean] I've got some lovely lemon sole if you want.

- Hey, Miss France! - How are you, beanpole?

- [Woman] Is your produce fresh? - [Vendor] Of course it is.

Very fresh.

[All speak Korean] Kids!

Hello, Ms Lee. How are you?

When will you learn to call me Mum?

[Woman] Mum!

- Go to the gym. - Surely we can talk to each other.

- [Mum] How are your projects going? - [Man] I'm doing my best.

It'll work out.

You're good-looking.

You already were back in high school, not a sea cucumber like the others!

No... Thank you very much.

- Go on, then. - Yes.

- Already? - I have to go. Goodbye.

- Go safely! - Will do.

You look tired.

[Water splashes]

Have you eaten?

Don't worry.

[Uplifting music]

WINTER IN SOKCHO

[Woman, in Korean] Hello.

[Grocer, in Korean] How are you, beanpole?

[Grocer, in Korean] Where are you going?

Can I have two carrots,

an onion and a leek, please?

Just a second.

BLUE HOUSE

- Hello. - Safe travels.

Thank you, goodbye.

[Bells chime]

I'm cold.

[In Korean] What time zone are you in?

France?

[In Korean] Mum has sent you some octopus.

[He scoffs]

If you think you can get round me with your mollusks...

Maybe sauteed, with some chili.

[Kettle purrs]

[Door bells chime]

[Innkeeper, in Korean] Hello, do you have a reservation?

- [In English] Reservation? - [Man] No.

[Man, in English] No reservation, no.

[Innkeeper] Many nights?

- [Man] I don't know, maybe. - Maybe.

- You are American? - [Man] No. French.

[Innkeeper] French?

Wait, wait.

Soo-ha!

Soo-ha!

Soo-ha.

He's French. [Chuckles]

[In English] Hello. What can I do for you?

Speak French! The one time it's any use to you.

[Switches to French] Hello.

Welcome to the Blue House.

- Do you have a booking? - No.

Is there any space?

Yes. Of course.

May I have your passport, please?

Mr...

- Yan Kerrand? - Kerrand.

Kerrand.

- How long will you be staying? - I don't know.

Several days, maybe several weeks.

I don't know, I haven't decided.

Everything in this building is taken

but we have rooms in the annex, just next door.

Fine by me.

Fill out this form, please.

[Clattering]

[Drawer shuts]

[In Korean] The smallest room?

[In Korean] Less housework.

Wait, please.

[He chuckles]

Breakfast is served in the main building,

over there, till ten.

And the evening meal is included too.

[In Korean] Hey, beanpole! You have more customers than me.

I do the cooking.

And if you need anything

there's a [in English] convenience store a bit further on.

[Yan] A what, sorry?

A mini market?

[Soo-ha] Mini market, yes.

If you like.

The shared bathroom is that way.

What, isn't there one in the rooms?

I told you, didn't I?

Since you're alone here, you won't have to share.

No. You must take your shoes off.

Sorry.

It's cosy.

And...

- I guess there's no minibar, either? - No.

I'll go to the shop.

If you need anything, I'll be in the main building.

Thank you. For you.

We don't do that here, sir.

Here. The key.

[Knife thuds]

[Clicking]

[Sizzling]

[Door squeaks, bells chime]

Hello.

Excuse me. Just to ask. I'm looking for a restaurant.

[She winces]

What do you mean?

I'm looking for a restaurant locally, can you suggest one?

Why?

For dinner.

It may not show, but I do eat from time to time.

Won't you eat here? Meals are included.

- If you like, I can... - Never mind.

I'll manage.

[Door bells chime]

[Both speaking Korean] So, how were the octopuses?

Everyone enjoyed them.

[Pops]

Jun-oh was on good form.

As usual.

When are you getting married?

We have time.

[Soo-ha] When he gets a job.

[Mum] Time is so cruel.

It slips through your fingers like an eel.

Well?

How do they look?

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[Mum] It's dry.

I should start taking cod liver oil again.

At one point, it came down to here.

Really?

You must have turned some heads.

I still do!

I'm very popular with Mr Woo, you know.

Mr Woo?

Really?

And? So?

What do you want me to do with him?

He looks like a fugu with that round face.

I already see those all day.

He must have been nuts about you.

- Mr Woo? - No.

The Frenchman.

My father must have been nuts about you.

Wasn't he?

Was he handsome?

Of course he was.

[She sighs]

Didn't you ever want to go to France and find him?

We've talked about this.

Do you think it's easy?

France is a long way away.

I forgot to put the food in the fridge.

[Woman on video] The new literary season is marked by Yan Kerrand

and his new book Burning Man Blues which you're here to talk about.

[Man on video] Yes, let's talk about it, since it was much awaited.

There is, as always, the beautiful watercolor,

the beautiful lines...

Aesthetically, it's lovely.

But then we still have those characters, drifting through landscapes...

Still, there's always a moment when...

[In Korean] You could have let me know.

[Jun-oh] Don't you read your messages?

I didn't notice.

Oh, right.

Soo-ha.

Like it?

- It was nice before, too. - Was it?

- What time do you start? - Later. Park's doing breakfast.

- Soo-ha. - Hm?

I've an appointment with Model One.

Really?

- I'm going to Seoul tomorrow. - Fantastic.

When I'm a famous model I'll come back to get you.

What if they ask me to have a bit of surgery?

What do you think?

Wouldn't you like to have some?

Even in tourism it can help.

In Seoul, appearance is more important than here.

How would you like me to look?

Let's see.

You could slim down your chin

and reshape your lips.

I'd do my cheekbones and my buttocks. It's important for guys, too.

We could get a discount for the two of us.

Hm?

Hm?

I have to go to work.

You never want to.

[He laughs]

[Soft, melancholic music]

[Rattling]

Hello.

- Am I disturbing you? - No, it's fine.

- I can come another time. - Your timing is good, in fact.

I was wanting to ask you...

Know where can I get some paper and ink? The mini market has none.

I don't know.

I'll have to find out.

Fine. Thank you.

Well, I'll leave you to finish up. I'll...

[Door rattles]

[Yan] Have you been working here long?

[Soo-ha] A few months.

Since I came back from Seoul.

The owner lost his wife last spring

and he needed someone to help him.

And you were the only person available in Sokcho?

Yes.

Doesn't he have family?

No.

What were you doing in Seoul?

Studying Korean and French literature.

Is that why your French is so good?

Where does that kind of thing lead?

That kind of thing?

[Yan] Sorry, no, I didn't mean it like that.

[Soo-ha] A bit direct, aren't you?

[Yan] Yes, I often hear that.

[Sports chatter on radio]

Where are the pots of ink?

[Soo-ha, in Korean] Excuse me, do you have any pots of ink?

- Just a minute. - Thank you.

Why sell brushes if there's no ink, tell me that?

He's just coming.

Here.

Korean. Japanese.

This one's thicker.

- [Man exclaims] - [Soo-ha chuckles awkwardly]

[In Korean] We'll buy it.

Mineral.

[Store owner laughs]

Why not?

[He sighs]

[Melancholic, somber music]

[Bus doors hissing]

[Yan] I like to go to places that are usually very busy

but...

when they're deserted, emptied,

you see?

[Soo-ha] Will your next story be set in Sokcho, then?

[Yan] I don't yet know what I'm going to write.

I feel as if I've been writing the same thing for years.

As long as it sells, my publisher doesn't care.

But… I do.

[Faint, soft music on speakers]

[Customer, in Korean] Not enough chili.

[She chuckles]

[Water runs]

Soo-ha.

The Frenchman called.

- The Frenchman is rude. - Hm.

But the Frenchman pays.

[Woman sings softly in Korean over speakers]

[He exclaims]

[To himself] Charming!

[Grunts]

[Loud rattle]

[Clattering]

[Rustling]

[Yan] It's open.

[Scraping]

Yes? [Pants] Ah, yes, the blanket.

Thank you.

Goodnight.

[Scarping softly]

[Head thuds, she winces]

[Rustling]

[Paper tears]

[He breathes heavily]

[Ink bottles clink]

[Low, rattling rumble]

[Droning rumble grows]

[Liquid burbling joins]

[Stops]

[Glass clinks]

- Where are you going? - To work.

It's cold, do you want something?

No thanks, I'll be okay.

- Aren't you hungry? - I have to work.

- Bad luck. - That's one of our clients.

[He gasps]

- Are you okay? - Yes.

I've failed in my aim to impress you.

That was impressive!

Is it slippery?

And you don't have the right shoes.

I've stained the blanket.

- When you were drawing? - Yes, sorry.

Don't worry. Here.

I'll carry it.

All right.

Have you started?

Any inspiring encounters?

It's not that simple.

Sure you don't want me to help?

You've made enough trouble.

I'll deal with it.

My mother always uses vinegar to remove ink.

[Yan] Does your mother draw too?

[Soo-ha laughs] No, squid ink.

She works at the fish market. She's a fugu specialist.

Know what that is?

Yes, the deadly fish.

[Laughs] It can be deadly, yes. You just have to know how to prepare it.

Your father's French, is he?

How do you know?

I don't. I'm asking.

Oh.

He is French.

What does he do?

I don't know.

He used to be an engine in the fishing industry.

- A what? - An engine?

- An engineer. - Yes.

In fishing.

He was in Sokcho on a mission and he met my mother.

Did he teach you French?

No.

I never knew him.

He went back to France without knowing she was pregnant.

After that, no more news.

I'm sorry.

Have you never tried to find him?

[Water splashing]

The stains are too deep.

I'll throw it out.

No big deal.

[Soft, somber music]

[Soft rattle]

[Soft crackling]

Don't move.

[Music fades]

[Camera whirs]

I'm going for a shower.

[Curtain whirs]

[Water runs]

[Intriguing music]

[Rumbling, watery burble]

[Rumbling fades, music continues]

[Water trickles]

[Engine purring; Woman chuckles]

[Moans] If I could afford it I'd buy one.

Black leatherette.

But it'll never be as good as a man's hands.

Yes?

What is it?

Well done.

Okay.

Fine.

[She groans]

Me too.

[Quiet chatter]

- Who was it? - Jun-oh.

He's staying in Seoul a few more days.

[Mum] Eat.

No, thanks.

[Yan, in English] North Korea.

North Korea, I visit border.

[Park, in English] North? No visitor.

[Yan] No, no. No visit, sorry, no.

Just border.

[Park, in Korean] Soo-ha! Come and help me out.

You deal with Alain Delon here.

I don't have subtitles.

- Can I help? - [Yan] Yes.

[Yan] I'd like to go on an outing to the demilitarized zone.

The DMZ?

- [Yan] That's right. - [Soo-ha] No one goes there.

Precisely. That's what interests me.

[In Korean] Mr Park, he wants to visit the DMZ.

The demilitarized zone?

Kim Jong-un!

In winter, there are no buses.

You'll have to rent a car.

Fine by me.

- Can I see your driving license? - Yes.

[She chuckles]

I'll have you know I broke hearts with that mustache in '91 in Dieppe.

That's not it.

You need an international license.

Are you sure that won't do?

It won't do. It's the world's most militarized zone.

[In Korean] What is it? Why is he pulling that face?

[In Korean] It isn't an international license.

Oh.

You have a license. You go with him.

- That's not part of my job. - Of course it is.

Helping a customer. And me.

[Yan] What's going on?

He's asking me to take you to the DMZ.

That's great!

I didn't expect it.

Me neither.

[Soft, somber music]

[Yan] Not using your satnav?

[Soo-ha] It doesn't work in this zone.

[Yan] Do you come often?

Think we're going to a disco?

[Truck roars by]

[Soo-ha] The war's been going on so long,

[Soo-ha] it feels like it's over.

But it isn't.

[Music continues]

Stay on the road. No stopping.

No photos, no videos, only in the museum and the observatory.

[Engine starts]

[Soo-ha, in Korean] Two tickets.

[In English] The entrance is free.

[In Korean] Do you have a map?

[In English] You can use your phone and scan the QR codes along your visit.

It's right here.

Where are you guys from?

- France. - France!

- Bonjour. - Hello.

- Do you have earphones? - I have no phone.

[Epic music over earphones]

[Man, over earphones] In 1953,

at the end of the Korean War with over 2,000,000 dead,

the military demarcation line was drawn,

brutally separating North Korea from South Korea.

That line, punctuated with watchtowers, barbed wire and minefields,

stretches 248 kilometers splitting the peninsula east to west.

[Voice breaking]

That border, so much more than a line on a map,

has left deep scars on the population affected.

Families torn apart, abandoned villages

and tragic stories bear silent witness to the separation.

To date, no peace treaty has been ratified.

[Yan] What does that say?

[Soo-ha] "I pray for reunification. I'll see my family again."

They're notes by families that have been parted.

Parents, children...

on either side,

with no news,

no means of being in touch.

Even today, people are hoping to see their family members again.

Sad, don't you think?

Why do you say that?

Isn't it, hoping to see someone again after so many years?

There's nothing sad about hoping or waiting.

[Intriguing music]

[Music rhythm intensifies]

[Music ends]

[Low, watery rumble]

[Stops]

[Resumes]

[Crescendos]

[Stops]

[Wind whistles]

[Rumble]

Yan Kerrand private life

[Keys clack]

Yan Kerrand children

Artist Yan Kerrand remains very discreet about his private life.

What are you doing, writing a review on Trip Advisor?

“Excellent food, an enjoyable stay...

"in spite of the elderly owner."

[He laughs, tsks]

- [Host] Hello and welcome, Yan Kerrand. - [Yan, on video] Hello.

[Host] We of course know you.

Already four books bear your name and you're known throughout the world.

What sparks your desire to write a story?

What sparks it?

Uh...

The place. I'd say above all it's the place.

First of all.

Once I've found it, I like to immerse myself

and try to soak it up, like a sponge.

[Dramatic music]

It may take some time,

but I like places that don't instantly reveal themselves.

And of course there are the encounters, the people you meet

the stories they carry with them, the secrets

to discover and explore.

And then...

it's...

the solitudes that meet.

[Host] You're responsive to other people's stories?

[Yan] Yes.

More than you think.

[Host] And yet your books, all of them,

only talk about you, don't they?

[Chuckles] Yes, you have a point.

[Soo-ha] Why did you never try to find him?

[Mum] What?

My father.

That again?

Didn't you look for him on the internet?

How?

Or through the port authorities?

What's up with you?

There's no point in stirring all that up now.

[Water splashes]

[Yelps] It's cold!

[Mum] It absolutely must be eaten today.

[Grunts] I hope I'll have enough for New Year.

I'm already getting orders.

[Soo-ha] I'd like you to teach me one day.

What for?

I'm interested to know.

Don't talk nonsense.

[Mum] Eat while it's fresh.

You still don't eat enthusiastically.

[Coughs]

[Distant traffic hum]

[Distant construction rattle]

[Sighs] You can't come up here. It's forbidden.

Sorry, I didn't know.

Look how graphic it is.

The shapes, the lines...

I like the structures a lot.

Are they beautiful to you?

I didn't say that.

Over there

there used to be an amusement park where I'd go with my mum and my aunt.

That building

was once a cinema that showed French films.

- There? - Yes.

Can you show me?

Show you what?

Show me your Sokcho.

[Wind blows]

[Soo-ha] Have you always drawn?

Yes.

I've read comic books since I was very small.

I'd spend hours reading and copying my favorite panels.

At first it was Tintin

then I went on to Philémon, Corto Maltese...

All travelers.

I love your drawings.

I looked on the internet.

They're really lovely,

they seem light, but...

but in fact they're sad.

I love their melancholy.

What about you?

Has tourism always been your thing?

Here, everyone does it.

You don't follow everyone.

[Soo-ha] See?

It's a dragon's back.

He's lost a pearl so he's looking for it in the depths.

[Yan] And what's that?

[Soo-ha] A woman!

- A woman? - [Soo-ha] Yes.

[Soo-ha] She is bent over

and her head is over there, towards the sea.

She's waiting for her husband to come back from fishing.

See there?

It's a flying fish.

Where?

There's its mouth coming out of the water and the fin there.

Can't you see?

It isn't all that clear, frankly.

But at least it stimulates the imagination.

I can see it.

- [Watery rumble] - [Soo-ha chuckles]

The fish has a dream.

It wants to fly above the sea of clouds.

But it's stuck.

It's too high to fly.

Every year when spring comes,

every morning, the valley is in mist.

And it seems to the fish that it's in the middle of the clouds

That's why spring is its favorite season.

Do you know all the local legends?

Did your mother tell you?

Or did you make that up?

Are you cold?

Your fingers are frozen.

Winter's here. You don't have the right gloves.

Oh yes, you can see the sea.

The radiator's broken. I'm going to the annex.

Take that. I'll turn up the stove.

Your hands are cold. Keep it.

Don't get unwell.

You'll have to work twice as hard.

Exactly.

Come back from time to time!

- [Door bells chime] - Breakfast is served until ten.

[Wind whistles]

I'm moving in here.

Welcome home!

[Host] Let's talk about your hero.

So as to understand,

today, what exactly he is looking for.

[Yan] I don't know myself.

Maybe if I'd asked that question I'd have done fewer books.

[Host] That nameless character is in fact you.

You're a very solitary person, no?

[Yan] It's by choice. Well...

It was by choice.

[Host] Does that mean it's changed?

[Yan] That is to say, in the past

I have indeed taken decisions that left me isolated.

- [Mum laughs] It's too short! - I know.

Wait.

Try this one.

- That's a wedding hanbok. - Try it on.

[Coughs]

Mum.

Wow! [Laughs]

- Magnificent! - It's still too short.

- We can have it altered. - We can take care of it.

Turn round.

[Mum exclaims happily]

Do you like it?

- Treat yourself. - Look at yourself.

That hanbok really suits you.

Your aunt will love it.

But we should ask the bridegroom.

Stop it.

[Mom coughs]

[She clears throat, stifled cough]

- Are you okay? - I'm fine.

You must see a doctor.

Everything's fine. [Sniffles]

Darling, let's find something good to eat.

[Mum] You're looking tired.

Working too hard?

No.

It's calm right now.

We have a woman getting over an operation.

[Soo-ha] She's had her whole face done.

Including her ears.

Don't you fancy doing that?

What do you want me to have done?

My breasts?

My eyes are weird.

The nose is a good place to start.

Women make efforts.

Means you hold onto your lover.

- Like you? - Be quiet.

You look lovely when you eat, sweetheart.

Eat,

but stay slim.

I've made crab in soy sauce for tonight.

I'm not sleeping at yours.

But it's our evening.

I have to work.

[Running water becomes distant]

[Intriguing music]

[Music intensifies]

[Music continues]

[Deep, short breath]

[Creaking]

[Rumbling]

[Music fades]

- Excuse me. - Excuse me.

- Morning. - Morning.

That'll make you ill. You should eat something else.

We have to die one day.

I'm making white radish soup at the boarding house.

It's typically Korean. Not too spicy.

Oh, I...

I was wanting to eat out.

And in fact, could you take me somewhere?

Can you?

Yes.

Okay. Mr Park can serve.

That's kind, thank you.

- [Water trickles] - [Laughter, loud chatter]

This is where it all happens in town.

It might inspire you.

Would you like to eat here?

It's a bit noisy.

Let's try next door.

- [In Korean] Who's that? - A friend.

[In English] Welcome! Welcome, welcome.

[Soo-ha] People speak English when I'm with you.

[Yan] Maybe she thinks you're my daughter.

[Soo-ha] Or your girlfriend?

[Woman] Here I am, I'm coming!

[Soo-ha] Shall we eat here?

[Yan] Not really.

[Soo-ha] You were the one who wanted to eat out.

Trust me.

- Do you know this place? - Yes.

[In English] Hi. Welcome!

Good evening.

[Soo-ha] Is your story progressing?

[He groans]

Watch me.

You wedge your first chopstick in like this, and the other one...

[Yan] I do know how to use chopsticks, it's just that these are slimmer

so it's more complicated.

But when you come to France

I'll take you to eat fondue.

You won't be so cocky if you drop your bread in it.

It'll mean a forfeit.

What's a forfeit?

A forfeit's a sort of fun punishment.

[Food sizzles]

[Soo-ha] Anyway, yes, I'd like to go to France one day.

[Yan] One of these days.

[Phone buzzes]

You can answer it.

[Soo-ha] No, it's okay.

Will you show me round?

I owe you that.

You've introduced me to Sokcho.

What's your favorite place in France?

Paris?

Absolutely not.

Normandy for me.

Normandy?

I love the skies there,

the thick light...

It's where I'm from and above all, where I live now.

I thought you lived in Paris

No.

My son lives there, with his mother. I live in Bellencombre.

You have a son?

Don't you miss him?

What's it like where you are?

Sorry?

What's it like where you are?

"What's it like..."?

It's hidden away in the middle of the woods.

Do you know Châteaudun?

Châteaudun.

- Châteaudun? - Châteaudun.

- Châteaudun? - Yes, exactly.

That's how you say it?

Yes, we say "Châteaudun".

I don't know it.

What's special about it?

My father was from there.

Like this.

The first baguette, here...

and the second one goes like this.

Forget it, sorry.

[Soo-ha] It's so different in spring.

Everything looks much better.

[Yan] I won't be here in spring.

[Door rattles]

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

[Door shuts]

[In Korean] What are you doing here?

[Joon-oh] You didn't answer my call.

Sorry, I was occupied.

I've signed for a pizza ad.

Have you? I'm happy for you.

[Soo-ha] What?

[Joon-oh] We can move to Seoul at last, sweetheart.

We'll find a little studio flat. My salary will be enough for starters.

[Soo-ha] I can't just leave like that.

Mr Park needs me.

[He sighs]

Wasn't it meant to be temporary?

What about my mother?

She can come too.

Who doesn't want to leave Sokcho?

The grayness, the smell, the boredom...

There's nothing to do here.

She's happy here.

What would she do there?

She'd be a fish out of water.

You're afraid to leave.

No.

[Chuckles] That's not it.

I leave again tomorrow.

[Breathing deeply]

[Soft, solemn music]

[Rumbling]

[Crackling]

[Rumbling]

[Whooshing]

[Wind whistles]

[Deep breathing]

[Rumbling rises; Music continues]

[Rumbling and music conclude]

[Breathes deeply, softly]

I want us to split up.

You'll be happy in Seoul, my Jun-oh.

[He breathes shakily]

You're no doctor.

I knew it wasn't anything serious.

Let's see.

We just have to keep an eye on it, don't worry.

- [Bustling chatter] - Thank you.

There's the order from Ha-neul's!

- Here you are. - Thank you.

- Don't forget me! - Go and get Ms Oh's order.

- Tell me how you like it. - There's your foreigner.

Wake up.

- Who's that? - [Soo-ha] Who?

That man.

Oh, it's...

He's from the boarding house. He's French.

What do you want?

[Liquid burbles]

You should have an eye operation.

I don't need your opinion.

What does Jun-oh think?

I don't need his opinion either.

You deal with the cuttlefish.

Jun-oh and I are finished

What?

We split up.

- What happened? - Nothing.

That's just it. Nothing happened.

That's how it is. It happens after a while.

Is it because of the Frenchman?

- Mum. - Of course it is.

- I knew it. - But it isn't.

[Mum] What's going on with him?

[Soft, somber music]

[Doorbell buzzes insistently]

Come in.

I can do it myself.

[Mum chuckles]

- [Woman sighs] - Here you are.

Three hours on the bus next to someone who smelled of dried prawn.

What a delicious way to start the year.

Your foot.

[Sighs] The towers spring up like mushrooms.

I nearly missed my stop. Things have changed round here.

[Woman] How are your lungs?

[Mum] It's just pleurisy.

It's treatable.

A girl at the market had it and she's fighting fit now.

A friend at my gym had a serious form of it.

She had two weeks in hospital.

When she came back, she couldn't even do a lunge.

[Woman] Cheers!

[Mum] Cheers!

I only ever eat fugu here.

I'm wary in other places.

Last year, six people were poisoned to death,

three of them in Seoul.

And one in Yangyang.

Really?

Good health to the dead people.

Cheers!

Soo-ha, I hope you'll get married at last.

How's the boyfriend?

His career is taking off.

Oh? That's great!

So the wedding will be soon. This summer?

Will it be in Seoul? I know the boss of the Lotte Hotel.

The best!

We don't have friends in Seoul.

Nor here.

I'll manage making you look beautiful.

I met a fantastic make-up artist.

[Woman] She could make a clam into a mermaid.

Those glasses are terrible.

They look like the ones Mum wore.

- May she rest in peace. - She must be at peace.

She must have her short sight corrected. It's very quick

That's what I told her.

Soo-ha, stop playing with your food.

I keep telling her.

[Woman] That's why you're so skinny.

Still working at your boarding house?

Hey.

[Woman] Still working at your boarding house?

Yes.

All those evenings spent studying in my living room...

to be a skivvy in a boarding house.

I like it there.

Mr Park is kind and I meet some fascinating people.

[Woman] Pensioners who go hiking...

There's even a Frenchman.

[Woman] A Frenchman?

What does he do?

Did you know?

Did he come here to fish?

He does drawings.

[Woman] Frenchmen are good-looking, aren't they?

We gaze at them with our mouths open and our eyes wide.

Like a fish with a piece of courgette.

Then when they've done their business, they disappear.

We try to stop them because we're pregnant...

It's the best way to scare them off.

Mum.

What's she talking about?

Mum.

Did he know you were pregnant?

Mum.

You told me...

You always said he left without knowing you were pregnant.

[Mum sighs]

[Melancholic, soft music]

Why did you lie to me?

Both of you?

[Woman] Happy New Year, love!

Happy New Year!

[Music continues]

[Water running]

Mr Park.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year, my girl.

Your mother stopped by to give us some sausage.

Put it in the fridge.

This morning?

Didn't she ask for me?

What about you? How was it?

[He chuckles]

Old Ma Kim tried to offload her ravioli on me.

The pot of kimchi was nearly empty.

What can be worse than that?

The ceiling falling in?

[He sighs]

It's the first time I've spent Seollal on my own.

I should have spent it here.

[Speaking French] For that we need some beef,

what's known as stewing steak.

Tell your butcher you're making beef bourguignon

and he'll give you what you need.

The first step in the recipe is the marinade.

You'll be needing herbs, bay leaves and thyme,

some nice carrots from the garden,

button mushrooms, white or brown.

I chose portobellos which are tastier.

The name of the beef bourguignon comes from the wine,

a Burgundy, but I chose

a Madiran from the Gers region.

Cook for two to three hours.

A little water can be added if the sauce is too thick...

[Uptempo, curious music]

[Music tempo decreases, music concludes]

[Scribbling]

I've made you a French dish.

[Rustling]

I'll...

I'll put it here.

[Rustling continues]

Have a good evening.

[Rustling]

[She sighs]

[Soft, melancholic music]

PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB

Yes.

Do you need anything?

No, I'm fine.

I was thinking maybe you needed food and drink.

No, I don't need anything.

- I'm working. - Are you sure?

Yes, I'm working and I mustn't be disturbed.

- Thank you. - But if you want...

[Door slams]

Why are you doing this?

Sorry?

I said, why are you doing this to me?

You appear out of nowhere.

You ask me...

to show you my city,

and you're keen to discover it.

You need help.

You...

need someone.

People give you their time...

open up to you.

And... [Sighs, voice breaks]

you shut the door.

But you're going to disappear.

Please don't take it like that.

Don't mix everything up.

Here, I'm nothing but a tourist.

Just a tourist, a client like any other, no more.

I'm not the man you're looking for.

[Melancholic music]

[Watery rumble]

[Music rises: Dramatic]

[Sobs]

[Music tempo rises]

[Disturbing rumble]

- [Music ends] - [She retches]

[Footsteps approach]

Soo-ha. Soo-ha.

[He sighs]

[He sighs; She cries]

[Melancholic music]

[Food sizzles]

[Birds sing]

[Door bells chime]

Mr Park asked for some clams.

Was it good?

Why did you lie to me all this time?

It's true.

Your... He...

He did know.

When he left, he said, "See you when I see you."

He was meant to come back in spring.

Then nothing.

I didn't have his address.

I never heard from him again.

I was young.

I was naive.

Didn't you ever try to find him?

Yes.

I tried with companies that look for missing persons,

but...

they all specialize in North Korea.

They don't deal with France.

And then...

I stopped thinking about him.

What was important was being with you.

[Soo-ha sniffles]

Why did you never tell me all this?

I...

I didn't want you to experience that.

Being abandoned is a terrible feeling.

[Melancholic music]

[Music continues]

[Water ripples softly]

Coming back from the cemetery the other day, I saw...

three big hotels being built on Subok-ro.

There's a thing.

If we're to survive, we need to get some work done.

Repaint the walls,

change the radiators.

Change the wood-burning stove.

No way, that's historic!

Renovate the kitchen?

You want me to be ruined.

And throw these out?

My wife made them.

- It's pretty. - [He chuckles]

Very pretty.

We should fit out the rooftop before the spring.

That's true.

It's a beautiful city.

We sometimes forget that.

[Door opens, bells chime]

I'll go and clean the couple's room.

[He chuckles]

- Hi! - Hi.

I'm going back to France the day after tomorrow.

So I wanted to let you know that... the room's soon free.

Is your story finished?

And you're part of it.

You need one more souvenir.

You're to taste my cooking.

[Water ripples]

- Hello, Mr Woo. - Hey.

[Suspenseful music]

- [Music halts] - [She gasps]

[Music resumes]

[Music concludes]

[Soft music]

[Man] Excuse me?

Excuse me.

Where shall we put this?

It goes here.

[Music continues]

See you later.

BLUE HOUSE

[Waves crashing]

[Music rises]

[Music continues]

[Music ends]