Original subtitles

[opening theme music playing]

STILL SHINING

[Eun-a] Please let me say goodbye

to Tae-seo in person before I go.

I know you guys don't come out when it gets cold.

But still…

[Tae-seo] Mo Eun-a.

[slow instrumental music plays]

STILL SHINING

[exclaims] All the places in this town look the same no matter how far you go.

Are we even getting close?

[emotional music playing]

The fireflies…

[hesitates] I know they don't come out when it's cold, but…

[Tae-seo] What are you…

doing here?

[Hyeong-seok] Hey, isn't that Tae-seo?

Tae-seo!

Im A-sol, get out.

Tae-seo, you drive instead!

You know where the restaurant is!

The road here is really confusing!

I'm tired!

[Hyeong-seok grunts]

I drove all the way here!

I'm so tired!

[Hyeong-seok grunts]

Who is he talking with?

I'm cold!

Come on.

[Hyeong-seok grunts] Gosh.

[Hyeong-seok] He hasn't changed one bit.

I used to take really good care of him.

People thought he was my brother.

He looks more like me, not Tae-seo.

What are you talking about? He's clearly a cuter version of Tae-seo.

I get that a lot.

We just have different vibes.

A-sol, let me pour you a glass.

Thank you for inviting us.

- [Hyeong-seok] It looks delicious. - [Hui-seo] Right?

They have the best seafood ramyeon and aged kimchi here.

They only bring out the aged kimchi for me. [chuckles]

[groans softly] Tae-seo left Seoul right away for your sake.

He didn't hesitate at all. [scoffs]

Now that I'm here, I can see why.

When he was in Seoul, he always looked so worn out.

But here, the ocean's right there,

the sky's clear, and the air's fresh.

Man, it's nice here.

Wait, so that's what you meant.

"My dad looks at the sky at work,

and my mom looks at the sky and ocean at work."

He said it was the best job in the universe.

- That's what Mom used to say. - [gentle music playing]

You still remember it, Tae-seo?

[Hyeong-seok] Of course, he does.

Man, you were on crutches the last time I saw you.

You walk so well now. I'm proud.

- Come on. That's ancient history. [laughs] - [Hyeong-seok laughs]

- [Hui-seo] Is your dad doing well? - [Hyeong-seok] More than well.

Hey, come on.

You need to drive us back to Seoul.

I need to visit the hospital.

[Hui-seo] Tae-seo.

Just go.

Your guests came all the way here. You should take them back to Seoul.

Even Hyeong-seok's here, and he never comes.

You're making it awkward for him to drink.

[Hyeong-seok] Did you miss me that much, my little brother? Have a drink.

You can even drink now. You're all grown up.

[Hui-seo] Oh, come on.

The lights on the bicycle were broken.

The girl on the bicycle earlier was your ex, right?

So she lives in Gangneung.

She doesn't.

Then, where does she live?

I don't know.

Why did she come here?

I don't know.

[A-sol] So you didn't get to talk to her.

You must be frustrated and curious.

[music continues playing]

MO EUN-A

MO EUN-A

[Tae-seo] Why were you in Yeonwoo…

[music fades]

[camera shutter clicking]

[sighs]

Tae-seo's here.

Yes, I'm here.

You must be having such a hard time.

Get plenty of rest while you're on leave from the military.

[Hui-seo] What's this?

At least tell me if you're coming.

I didn't even eat before I came here.

Did you get to talk with Grandma?

She talked about when I was in the military.

She'd always talk about my middle school days.

Time must've passed for her.

Have you seen Eun-a from the house at the end?

Why suddenly mention that name?

I thought I saw her.

[smacks lips] I don't want you being pathetic.

[inhales sharply] Live an ordinary life. Get married and have kids.

Come visit from time to time. Is that too much to ask?

I'm going to live alone,

and then send our grandparents off to be with Mom and Dad.

I'll do all of that.

Did you see her or not?

You didn't even answer me.

I'm off.

[bus door hydraulics hissing]

[hesitates] Hold on, please.

[bus door hydraulics hissing]

Eun-a should be here by now, but she's late.

She went out with that old, beat-up bike.

You need to hurry and find her.

[hesitates] Right.

[melancholic music playing]

[sniffles]

[camera shutter clicks]

[sniffles]

[music fades]

[sighs heavily]

[gentle music playing]

[music fades]

What are you doing here?

I came to take a quick look around our school.

I had no idea it had closed down.

Not that. Why here? In Yeonwoo.

Are you staying here for good?

No, just for a bit.

I'm going to stay with Park So-hyeon.

This is great.

Even though I was worried about running into you here,

I still wanted to tell you that I was leaving to live with So-hyeon.

I wanted to say a quick goodbye

and tell you in person too.

And now, I got to do that.

My bicycle lights are broken.

You can follow me from behind then.

This is great.

I was worried I'd have to push my bicycle back.

Remember the fork in the road where we always used to split up?

Let's say goodbye there.

I really wanted to do this with you.

This is great.

When are you leaving?

Soon.

Since we've met,

let's say goodbye.

I really wanted to do that with you.

Bye, then.

I'm off.

[emotional music playing]

[brakes screech]

[music fades]

[sighs heavily]

[dramatic music playing]

[music fades]

[line ringing]

It's me.

I know.

Nothing happened, right?

I…

I left you alone with that colleague of yours.

It didn't cause trouble for you, right?

[Eun-a] Why…

[voice breaking] Why are you worried about me?

There's no need.

You had absolutely

nothing to worry about.

[somber music playing]

There was no need…

I guess so.

I can still picture that field in my mind clearly,

so I wondered if you'd finished things properly.

I wondered if leaving a place you had poured your heart and soul into

wasn't too hard on you.

I wondered why you were always forced to leave

when you never wanted to.

There was no need,

but I kept wondering.

Why is Park So-hyeon your mom?

Actually,

it's more that her mom is my grandmother.

She's a good person.

[Tae-seo] You didn't make a bad decision because you felt trapped, right?

- When you feel trapped-- - [Eun-a] No, Tae-seo.

[Tae-seo] I went to Tongyeong.

Your guesthouse was closed,

and I was told you had gone to your mom's.

I thought it was the mom who lives far away

and likes noodles.

We missed each other.

[sniffles] We're really good at that.

OLD HOUSE IM A-SOL

[doorbell rings]

I should hang up.

Granny's going to wake up.

Bye.

Eun…

- [sighs] - [music fades]

Including meetings and a year-end party, I had three events to attend.

The venue was around here, so I just stopped by.

Were you drinking?

Yeah, just a little.

Sorry.

[chuckles] No need to apologize for drinking.

Should I go?

If you're tired, I'll go.

Let's go out for a drink.

I need to talk to you.

Uh…

I wanted to finish what we were watching.

Sure.

Um…

I saw a bungeoppang place on the way here.

But there was nowhere to park. [chuckles]

I'll go buy you some.

You can sit.

Okay.

[door lock beeps, chimes]

[door opens, closes]

[exhales]

[A-sol] This is nice.

It's nice to relax together like this after a crazy day at work.

Just one sip.

I can leave my car here.

[can hisses]

[sighs in relief]

Focus.

[cellphone vibrating]

HAE-JIN

[Hae-jin] Hi, Eun-a. Sorry for calling you at this hour.

It's kind of urgent.

Could you cover for me for just three hours tomorrow?

You just need to check in one guest at 3:00 p.m.

[Hae-jin exclaims]

[panting]

Gosh, sorry about the wait.

There was just so much traffic today.

Look at you dressed all properly for just a few hours of work.

You're such a professional.

What do you want to eat?

It's my treat, so let's go.

I've got a bus to catch.

Did you really just come to help me out?

I'm touched.

You sure you're not here to see someone?

There is someone, right?

[gasps] I knew it. If you came to see them, you should.

I did.

[dramatic music playing]

Someone I wanted to see, even for a moment.

I already saw him.

YEON NAMSAN

[Eun-a] So-hyeon.

I might arrive later than planned.

I'll get back to you.

[music fades]

[door lock beeping]

[door lock chimes]

[emotional music playing]

[Eun-a] This is where I stop.

Trying to make things work,

intruding into your peaceful life,

and repeating this vicious cycle.

Enough.

[cellphone vibrates]

[So-hyeon] Are you crazy?

Do you know how much the fees would be if you canceled your flight now?

At the hotel you worked at ten years ago,

your former coworker is now the assistant manager.

They're all waiting for you to come back,

not to mention my mom.

Everyone's waiting for you.

[Eun-a] I'll go as planned.

I'll keep my promise.

Dad.

When you told me to live freely, as if I was on a journey,

you meant that in life, we can't stay even when we want to.

Things seem like they'll last forever, but they don't.

And since life is full of such things,

when it's time to leave,

you meant I should just take off, as if I was on a journey.

Now at age 30, I finally understand this.

MISSED CALL EUN-A

[music fades]

[door opens]

MART

It's cold outside.

[Eun-a] Ah…

Give me one second.

[inside door opens, closes]

[Eun-a] When my dad and I first came here, we had just one bag with us.

It's in the main bedroom dresser.

It should be in the bottom drawer.

It's a backpack that you use for hiking.

Can you get it for me?

[coughs, sniffles]

[objects clatter]

[footsteps approaching]

Is this the one?

Yeah, it is.

This should be enough to take with me.

I thought I wouldn't be able to take anything from here.

But I got something thanks to you.

You've never been in our kitchen before, right?

This is the best part of our house.

I'm sure you didn't call to show me your kitchen.

I went to Seoul because I had something to do.

And since it's Seoul, Yeon Namsan was right there…

I thought of you, so I called.

I called without even thinking,

but now that I see you here,

I think I know why I did that.

I guess I wanted to do this with you.

Let's go over there.

This is yours.

I finally got to offer you some tea.

I'm…

leaving on Friday.

Mmm.

That's pretty soon.

You were right. I felt trapped, so Park So-hyeon became my mom.

That's what it took for me to allow that.

But to put it differently,

I was able to make up my mind thanks to you.

[gentle music playing]

I'd been thinking for a while that maybe I should accept her as family.

My dad at least left me Park So-hyeon before he left.

That's how I see it now.

I'm saying it's not your fault.

It's thanks to you.

That's how I've always felt about you.

It's all thanks to you in the end.

But you probably feel the exact opposite about me.

If you go…

will you come back?

[Eun-a] Right now,

I don't plan to.

Where will you be living?

[Eun-a] At Park So-hyeon's mom's place. The lady who'll become my grandmother.

They don't live together.

What about work?

I can work right away too.

Park So-hyeon told me

the hotel I worked at ten years ago is waiting for me to return,

so I should go.

It's kind of amazing that they still remember me.

I liked it there.

But…

If I hadn't gone there…

If I hadn't left…

That's all I kept thinking about for the past ten years.

But I think I can finally go back now.

You'll have a place to stay,

your grandmother will be there,

and you'll have a job.

Why…

did you go to Tongyeong?

I couldn't understand why things were like this between us.

Everything felt wrong.

[Eun-a] You had every reason to do that.

My decision when I was 20 was wrong,

but yours was right.

[sighs softly]

Do you realize

we're worried about each other right now?

Because for us,

we can't make things hard for each other.

No matter where we are.

You're the only one in the world who's like that.

[music fades]

I told you I logged into your account and listened to music twice.

Both times happened here.

PLAYLIST

[Eun-a] It was December.

[melancholic music builds]

I had caught a cold after shoveling all the snow in the village.

[sniffles, sighs]

I had decided on interning in Hawaii.

And I had finally accepted that we broke up.

[melancholic music playing]

Then, when I gave up on everything in Tongyeong and came here,

even before leaving for Seoul…

When I logged into your account…

[knocking on door]

Look at me.

[Eun-a] …it felt like I was looking at you.

Even when I'm far away,

if I need to borrow your strength, I'm logging into your account.

You don't mind, right?

If you go there,

will you smile like that?

[Eun-a] I don't like her.

She's so cheerful, completely unaware of what's ahead.

I like her.

Then…

I should try to be like her.

I'll do that.

I should go.

[music ends]

[breathes heavily]

Eun-a, let's eat.

[chuckling] It makes me so happy to cook for you.

I'm done. There's a lot of things to do around here.

What are you going to do today?

I'm going to drop by my house.

I just want to clean the kitchen.

You're going to go inside?

Just the kitchen.

[chuckling] Okay, already. I'll come visit.

- Thanks for everything. - All the best.

It's been a pleasure.

[line ringing]

I thought this would be an invalid number by now.

Dong-sik told me you're leaving Korea.

I'm leaving soon.

[Seong-chan] If you have something to say, go ahead. I'm sure you resent me.

I'm not really one to talk,

but back then, I thought you'd abandoned

the guesthouse you loved because of that guy.

I was so angry, wondering what my efforts were all for.

But once I'd calmed down…

[inhales] Back then--

[Eun-a] I didn't plan to go there and meet him.

I really did run into him by chance in Seoul.

And I tried my best to bring what I'd started to a proper close.

Not that you'd believe me.

Is that what you wanted to say?

To be fair, running into people happens.

You remember the girl I went out with?

Your roommate during your intern days.

I remember.

She said how you looked in your hotel uniform

and in regular clothes was really different.

She said you didn't look good in regular clothes. It was ridiculous.

You said the same thing back then.

You said that excuse was ridiculous. [chuckles]

I ran into someone I dated in Gangneung all the way in Geoje Island.

It does happen.

In all my life,

you were the first person who listened to me so attentively

and respected what I said.

[gentle music playing]

And I'm nobody special.

You're someone I care enough to worry about.

I'm relieved you're going to live with Park So-hyeon.

When I left this job, I was wondering why I felt so empty.

It was because you had been there at every step.

Without your feedback,

I found myself without dreams or anything.

I'd planned to just get by in life,

but I ended up pushing myself to keep up with you.

For those ten years of my life…

only you know how hard I worked.

I'll vouch for that.

I'll be the one to vouch for how you gave it everything you had.

That's enough for me.

Take care.

[Eun-a] You too.

Actually, saying goodbye over the phone isn't so bad.

Thank you,

Seong-chan.

[Seong-chan] Thank you too.

Bye.

[music continues playing]

[Eun-a] Please come over here.

Happy New Year.

[chuckles awkwardly]

[exclaims]

[music fades]

[dramatic music playing]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2024

[sighs heavily]

Is a half-open drawer

really that big a deal?

[sighing] Is this… [breathing heavily]

Is this supposed to be…

this painful?

Dad can barely breathe, as if he's running a marathon,

and here you are complaining…

[scoffs]

[sighs]

[line ringing]

[Tae-seo] I'm on my way.

No, it's fine.

Let's not meet up today.

[groans]

[line ringing]

[breath trembling]

[frustrated sigh]

Owner of car 2017?

Owner of car 2017?

- [banging on door] - [A-sol] Hello? Anyone home?

[banging on door]

- [A-sol] Owner of car 2017? - A-sol?

[frustrated sigh]

What's wrong?

I need to get my car out, but no one's answering.

- [A-sol sighs heavily] - [cellphone vibrating]

Hi, Mom. I'm busy right now, so I'll call you back…

[somber music playing]

Yeah.

No, I'm not busy. I'll be right there.

Mom, don't cry.

Okay, bye.

The car…

Tell them to move it.

I need to go to my dad right away.

- [breath trembling] - A-sol.

[shuddering]

[A-sol sighs]

He's okay for now.

My mom said he'll have bouts like this, and then recover again,

so she asked me to bring some clothes.

Is there anything I can do?

I left it at your house.

But I wasn't expecting this.

You'll see when you go home.

I took it there so you could work on it slowly,

but I think you'll have to hurry.

Okay.

I'll get going.

Tae-seo.

A few days ago,

that person with the bicycle…

She came to your house.

[exhales] All I had to do was pick up my car,

but I went up to your house like a fool

and entered the passcode.

When I went back down, she wasn't there.

I must've been out of my mind. [chuckles softly]

[sighs]

I'm sorry.

[A-sol] Tae-seo.

It's my turn to hear it.

I really need to be ready now. [inhales sharply]

[voice breaking] I don't have…

I don't have much time.

Tell me what you want to thank me for

right now.

I want to hear it now.

[sighs softly]

Do you want to take a walk?

[gentle music playing]

[Tae-seo] The reason

why I'm grateful to you is,

thanks to you,

I can now hope for a warm goodbye.

As you know…

[door closes]

[music fades]

[somber music playing]

[A-sol] If the three moments of waiting that are needed to make a frame

can all be done in a day…

- That thing I mentioned before… - You mean my name tag?

JULY 2014

Thanks.

MAEUM STUDY CENTER

[A-sol] …I'll believe

that the sincere and heartfelt support I gave you back then

went around and found its way back to me.

Please use hanji for the mat

and oak for the frame.

I want it to feel like my dad's face is being warmly embraced.

I'm counting on you.

[music fades]

[Hwa-sun] The snow has let up.

It seems it was snowing earlier for your grandma.

Ah…

[Gyeong-chun] Hui-seo's grandma's memory keeps coming and going?

- They said her brain is still recovering. - Hmm.

For now, her memory will be mixed up, but it'll come back again.

Oh.

[sighing] When you get old, ten years ago feels like yesterday,

and yesterday feels distant.

Your mind is all over the place.

[Gyeong-chun humming]

Oh. They're coming.

Where is she?

I'm right here.

Welcome back.

- Mmm. - [patting gently]

Where's Eun-a?

[Gyeong-chun] Hmm?

Eun-a is from ten years ago.

[Gyeong-chun] Mmm. Hwa-sun.

What do you want with Eun-a? Hmm?

[Gyeong-chun yelling in distance] Eun-a.

Eun-a!

Eun-a.

Give me your hands.

Gosh, you were clearing the snow.

Are you all right?

To her, today's the day you cleared the snow.

You think Tae-seo made it there, okay?

Gosh, I don't know. I'm worried.

[wind blowing]

[Chang-sik exhales]

[emotional music playing]

[Hwa-sun] You cleared all the snow from our truck.

We had to send Tae-seo off to the military all on his own.

There was nothing we could do.

Did it hurt?

It hurt really badly, but I'm all better now.

That's good.

Well done.

I heard you're going to Hawaii.

Oh… Have a safe trip.

We'll check in on your dad often so he doesn't feel too lonely.

I meant to tell you this. It's been weighing on my heart.

Thank you.

[music continues playing]

[sighs]

[cellphone vibrating]

[music fades]

Grandma?

It's me, Tae-seo.

You remember me, right?

[Hwa-sun chuckling] Why wouldn't I remember you?

I'm back home safe and sound.

[sighs in relief]

- [loudly] Eun-a! - [honking]

[Hui-seo] My grandma's back.

- Not from ten years ago. From right now. - What?

Get on.

It's right now. The present!

Yeah, I understand.

[engine revs]

[Hwa-sun] The Hangang River has a lot of bridges, doesn't it?

It's so long.

You run there every day?

[Tae-seo over phone] I'm usually sitting down when I'm operating trains,

so it's a way for me to exercise.

Right. Good idea.

You need to look after your health while you work.

Goodness, Eun-a!

[Eun-a over phone] How are you?

[gentle music playing]

Eun-a. Gosh, Eun-a.

Welcome back.

You haven't changed one bit.

[Eun-a] You're the same as well.

- [Hwa-sun chuckling] - [Eun-a] I'll redo your scarf for you.

Wrap it round and around, and then tie it.

There. Nice and warm.

[Hwa-sun and Eun-a chuckling]

[Hwa-sun] Everyone here worried about you so much.

It's so good that you came back.

- Well done. - [patting gently]

[music fades]

[cellphone vibrates]

[Tae-seo] I'll see you off tomorrow.

Let's say goodbye in person.

- Granny. - Yeah?

You have to live well even without me.

- It'll feel empty when I'm suddenly gone. - [Gyeong-chun] You're right.

It's been like a picnic lately,

eating and sleeping together every day.

But after a picnic, you need to go live your life.

You can't keep pining for it forever.

You're right.

[Gyeong-chun chuckles]

[gentle music playing]

Thanks, Granny.

[Gyeong-chun chuckling]

Let's take a photo.

- A photo? [chuckles softly] - Yeah. Photos look nicer with plants.

[Gyeong-chun chuckling]

- I'm going to look at this every day. - [Gyeong-chun] Okay.

Smile and say "Eun-a."

Mo Eun-a.

[laughing]

- [chuckles] - [camera shutter clicks]

[Eun-a] So beautiful. I'm going to look at this photo every day.

[chuckles]

[music continues playing]

[Eun-a] I'll come to Dongjak Station.

[Tae-seo] Dongjak Station to Incheon is too short.

[bus door hydraulics hissing]

[music fades]

[emotional music builds]

[emotional music playing]

[cellphone vibrates]

YEON NAMSAN

[Tae-seo] These are the views from my everyday routine.

You wanted to see them too.

I'm…

going to do what we talked about together.

You're the reason I could make up my mind,

so I'll wait for you there.

You should go there, be loved and appreciated,

and live a great life.

And when you ever feel like

thinking about a future that includes me,

let me know.

[music ends]

Let's say goodbye here.

Thank you for seeing me off.

This is…

the first time we're saying goodbye in person.

Goodbye then.

[melancholic music playing]

Goodbye.

I love you,

Mo Eun-a.

[music fades]

Ladies and gentlemen, the next station is…

Please take a moment to look out the window.

[gentle music playing]

[Tae-seo] An ordinary view from our lives

may become an unforgettable brilliance

that could lead you somewhere,

somehow,

and to someone.

I hope that today

was another meaningful day

where you followed the shining light within you.

You did a wonderful job

getting through the day.

The next station is…

1 YEAR LATER

[music fades]

CHEONGGYEONG STATION

[cellphone vibrates]

[emotional music playing]

MO EUN-A

[Tae-seo] Where we'll be…

[Eun-a] Where we'll be…

- [Tae-seo] What we'll be doing… - [Eun-a] What we'll be doing…

- And with who. - [Tae-seo] And with who.

STILL SHINING

STILL SHINING

[music continues playing]

Subtitle translation by: Hyesoo Lee