Original subtitles

[intriguing music]

[birds chirping]

This is good.

[man/narration] One day, out of nowhere, I started seeing numbers.

[spoon clinking]

Ah.

[doctor] What did you say?

You can see ghosts?

Pardon?

You can see your past life?

Numbers...

[man/narration] The doctors said they had no idea why.

- [rain pouring] - [woman] Since it's raining, I made jeon.

It's good, right?

[intriguing music continues]

Drink some water.

[man/narration] These numbers only appeared when I ate...

No, no.

They only appeared when I ate food my mom made.

And strangely, those numbers went down one by one.

Ow!

That hurts!

Stop fooling around and eat.

I even made the anchovy broth from scratch for you.

[man/narration] When did I start seeing those numbers?

- [Ha-jun's mother] Ha-jun! - [TV news playing]

Eat before you go, okay?

[Ha-jun] I told you I'm late, Mom. At this rate, I'll miss the exam.

Wake him up quickly and make him eat too, okay?

Hey, Jung Ha-min.

Your big brother is taking the CSAT. You won't even show your face?

- That hurts my feelings. - Here, here, here.

- Just one bite. - Ah...

- [Ha-min's mother] Say "ah," hurry! - Fine, fine.

I can't live because of you, Mom.

If I mess this up, it's all your fault.

Hyung, fighting.

Life is one big shot.

One shot.

- I'm going. - Just one more spoonful. Ah, ah.

- [customer] Thanks for the meal. - [Ha-min's mother] Goodbye!

- [phone ringing] - [tray clattering]

[calm music]

Aren't you supposed to be taking your exam right now?

[Ha-min's mother/sobbing] How can I bear losing my precious child?

[Ha-min's mother] Let's eat first.

You need to eat to come to your senses.

How can you eat, Mom?

Will a person die from skipping one meal?

If you hadn't told him to eat,

Hyung wouldn't have had to run in a hurry,

and he wouldn't have been hit by a car!

[Ha-min sobbing]

[Ha-min's mother] Fine.

It's all my fault.

It's all Mom's fault,

so eat first.

You haven't eaten for three whole days.

If you don't eat, Mom won't eat either.

Do you want to hold another funeral?

Damn it...

[mysterious music]

What?

Mom.

You don't see that?

What?

Huh?

No, never mind.

[calm music]

[commotion]

[lively Christmas carol music]

[employee 1] All right, everyone, gather over here.

It's hard to change people's taste in soju, right?

But you know what?

My life is even harder.

- [employees laughing] - Come on.

All right, today too,

let's change everyone in this industry over to Hanryang!

[employees] Change them, change them!

Change them all over to Hanryang!

- [employee 1] All right, positions! - [employees] Positions!

- [employee 1] Okay, let's go. - [employee 2] Okay.

[Ha-min] Ha...

- Boss. - [employee 1] Oh, you're drinking Hanryang.

[employee 2] Hanryang over Sanhae!

[employee 3] Hanryang is in charge of great taste!

[employee 2] Hanryang is art!

[employee 4] Here comes our Hanryang.

- [female employee] Oh, applause! - [customers] Hanryang, Hanryang, Hanryang.

Hanryang, Hanryang, Hanryang.

[customers cheering]

[employee 2] A thrill that shakes your heart. This is Hanryang.

[employee 4] If you drink Hanryang soju today, we'll give you hangover relief medicine as a gift.

[customers cheering]

Oh my goodness.

[woman] Hello.

- [man 1] Yes. - [woman] Hello.

Enjoy your meal.

[man 2] Today's menu is really good.

[woman] Thank you.

[light music playing]

It's good, but I just don't eat much.

I didn't say anything.

If you could eat only one thing before you died, what would you eat?

- Anything... - It can't be anything. You'll go to hell.

Raw fish bibimbap.

[YouTuber/video] Two spoons.

- Three spoons of soy sauce. - [Ha-min] Three spoons of soy sauce.

[YouTuber/video] There's no fixed amount for soy sauce.

I just do it my own way.

Three big spoonfuls of sugar.

When you're mixing any kind of noodles,

[bright music playing]

- always eat lots of garlic. - [Ha-min] One spoon of garlic.

[YouTuber/video] This is sesame oil.

- A friend sent it to me. - What's next?

A whole lot of sesame oil.

- A whole lot of sesame oil? - [woman 1/video] Huh! Sesame oil too?

[YouTuber/video] Add plenty of sesame oil...

[Ha-min] How much is "a whole lot"?

[woman 1/video] How are you supposed to measure that?

[YouTuber/video] Just measure it by how much you pour in.

It's more accurate than a spoon.

[door lock beeps]

[video continues playing]

- [Ha-min] You're home? - [woman 2] Yeah.

- [door closes] - [door lock beeps]

What are you doing?

I felt bad that we couldn't spend Christmas together.

- Oppa. - [Ha-min] Yeah?

You can't have everything.

Besides, we agreed to spend New Year's together.

We're going to watch the countdown together this year, right?

Of course.

You're hungry, right?

I'll make it quickly.

- But... - [YouTuber/video] Mm!

Everyone else watches mukbangs with young women.

Why do you only watch that grandma?

Does she reveal some secret technique?

Because I miss my mom.

If you miss her, you can just go visit her.

Right, I could do that, but...

Anyway, my cooking skills are legendary these days.

Is there anything else you want to eat?

Anything.

It can't be anything. You'll go to hell.

Seaweed soup.

Seaweed soup? It's not even your birthday. Why seaweed soup?

Beef or clam?

Neither.

Then?

When I lived at the orphanage, there were a lot of kids,

so there was no beef or clam in the seaweed soup.

They just boiled it with some Dasida seasoning.

But strangely, I miss that taste.

Mm...

You deserve to be loved enough now.

I'll love you a whole lot.

Huh? For a passport?

[Ha-min] Huh? Oh, I forgot to tell you.

I'm planning to go on a trip once I match schedules with my friends.

Keep one of these too.

Why?

[Ha-min] Well, you could use it as my funeral portrait.

What if I go on the trip and never come back?

My mom doesn't have money.

Take money out of my account and hold a funeral for me.

Shinhan, two, two, one, two.

NongHyup, three, three, zero, seven.

Why do you always go looking for worries?

Where do they sell them?

Hey, our lives are on borrowed time. We never know what'll happen.

No.

Sometimes, you seem like someone being chased every single day.

You even plan your funeral before going on a trip.

Huh!

What?

Unbelievable.

[intriguing music]

Is there some secret you can't tell me?

Like you have debt or some chronic illness?

Oh my, mother-in-law.

[tapping] It's because I'm a J down to my bones.

Sorry, I'm a P down to my bones.

But who exactly is this mother-in-law you keep desperately calling for?

In Gyeongsang-do, they call a mother-in-law "sieomassi."

And a mother-in-law is supposed to be the scariest person in the world,

but when things are even worse than that,

when you'd rather miss your mother-in-law,

my mom always says that.

She's probably calling for her mother-in-law somewhere right now.

[Ha-min's mother] Oh my, mother-in-law.

[bright music]

Heave-ho.

[Ha-min's mother humming]

Whoosh!

Goodness, that's done.

[Ha-min's mother grunting]

Hmm.

How much do these cost these days?

When my boy gets married, I should get him one of these.

[notification sound]

[ding-dong - doorbell]

[woman] Huh?

Who is it?

Oh, who is it?

- Who are you? - [Ha-min's mother] Ah...

- Here. - Oh, thank you.

- Eat up. - Okay.

I'll call Oppa and...

No, don't.

I had a wedding in Seoul, so I stopped by for a bit.

I was so curious how you two were living.

- Thank you for the food. - [Ha-min's mother responds]

Ah.

I've never tried this soup before, but it's really delicious.

It's Ha-min's favorite.

That boy,

when he feels a chill coming on, or when his body starts aching,

this is the first thing he asks for.

Where are your parents?

If it's your first time eating this, you must not be from Gyeongsang-do.

People usually don't like it when I talk about this.

Why?

I don't have parents.

That's nothing strange. My mom and dad are both dead too.

[calm music]

You've probably been buying all your kimchi and soybean paste, right?

Store-bought stuff doesn't taste good.

I'll send you everything from now on.

That brat never eats any of it even when I pack it for him.

This is good. This is good.

[Ha-min's mother laughs]

Yeah, eat a lot.

[cheerful music]

[announcer] The New Year's countdown will begin shortly.

Across the country,

many people have gathered to watch the New Year's countdown.

I hope everyone here achieves everything they wish for.

May they all come true.

[people] 10, 9,

8, 7, 6,

5, 4, 3,

2, 1.

[people cheering]

- [woman] Happy New Year. - [man 1] Please step back a little.

Excuse me, excuse me.

- [man 2] Excuse me, yes, yes. - [man 1] Excuse me.

Please move inside. Please step back a little.

- Huh? - [man 1] Thank you.

Thank you so much.

[people] Oh, what is this? What's going on? What is it?

[passerby 1] Oh!

- I think he's proposing. - [murmuring]

- Marry me. - [people] Oh!

I won't just be your husband. I'll be on your side forever.

[applause]

But I have one condition.

Huh?

Your mother is alone in Busan.

Let's live with her.

You said you miss her every day.

No, I mean, that's true, but...

I always told you, Oppa.

My only insecurity is family.

No.

Why not?

Just... Just no.

Then I can't either.

- Huh? - [whispering]

[passersby] What? Is it over?

[passerby 2] What? Why won't she take the ring?

[woman] Marriage

is my only chance to have a family.

Find someone else.

[passersby] What?

Unbelievable. Oh my, oh my, oh my.

[passerby 3] Unbelievable.

[passerby 4] I'm embarrassed for him.

[murmuring]

[man 1] Hey, damn it.

Hey, you idiot.

You're whining when you're already blessed.

[man 1] Hey, what are you standing there for?

[man 2] Hurry up and go after her before you regret it.

- [passerby 5] That wasn't right. - [man 1] Good grief.

[man 2] What are you really going to do?

[calm music]

[door closes]

[spatula tapping]

Oh!

Dad.

[Ha-min's father] How do you know my face?

[hesitating] Oh, I saw you in photos.

[Ha-min's father] Is that so?

I look better in person, right?

Yeah.

Bring me some rice too. Let's eat.

- [Ha-min] Okay. - Heave-ho.

You were upset that Dad never appeared in your dreams, right?

Even if you never saw me,

I watched you grow up the whole time.

[Ha-min chuckles] Really?

No, I wasn't upset.

But I've never eaten with you before,

so I don't know how much rice to give you. Is this enough?

Yeah, that's enough.

- Sit down. Let's eat. - [Ha-min] Okay.

You're curious what that is, right?

You can see it too, Dad?

When that number reaches zero, your mom will die.

What?

Really?

Ha, isn't this way too cruel to me?

Don't you feel sorry for me?

Who the hell is playing this joke on me?

Is it God?

Or is it you, Dad?

[bowl placed down]

It's not God, and it's not me.

It's just your fate.

But fate can change.

You know that, right?

[door clicks]

[woman] What are you doing here?

[Ha-min] Oh, ahem. Are you going out now?

[woman] Don't tell me you slept here.

Yeah.

Marriage aside,

I'm not into men with crooked faces.

I have to go to work.

Come to my office later or something.

[door rattles]

[stomach growling]

[Ha-min] Ah...

"Mom's Homemade Taste"

"Momchan Kimchi"

"Mom's Home Cooking"?

[calm music]

They all say their moms made it.

[clattering]

[rustling]

[commotion]

Hey, my mom is sick today, so she couldn't pack my lunch.

Share that with me.

[friend 1] Come on, damn it.

[friend 2] This punk is using his mom as an excuse again.

Hey, I ran into your mom at Jagalchi Market yesterday

- and said hi to her. - [Ha-min] What are you talking about?

Hey, my mom really is sick right now.

[friend 2] Ah...

- What, she's always... - [friend 1] Eat.

- Hey, just eat this. - [friend 1] It's fine, it's fine.

- Eat it all. - Hey, just eat it with your fingers.

[friend 1] My mom makes great gimbap.

[friend 2] Hey, tell your mom to open a Gimbap Hell.

[friend 1] It's not Gimbap Hell, it's Gimbap Heaven, idiot.

Hey, listen.

Every time you eat food your mom made, the number counts down by one.

And when it reaches zero, your mom dies.

What do you think you'd do?

Your mom doesn't know?

No.

Then of course you shouldn't tell her.

Listen.

What if your mom starts worrying about something like that

and ends up getting cancer or some other illness?

Right, right.

I'd avoid it on my own without telling her too.

Even if you told her, would your mom believe you?

Even if she did,

what kind of mother in the world would stop feeding her child

because she's afraid of dying?

Hey, but just imagining it is painful.

I mean, living in the same house as your mom,

but not being able to eat her food?

Or maybe not?

Oh, no, wait. That's not it.

Hey, you could just go out and buy food.

That would actually be awesome.

[friend 1] You're right. That would seriously be awesome.

[friend 2] Exactly.

[Ha-min's mother] No, I need to go home and cook.

[Ha-min] Come on.

[Ha-min's mother] Where are we going?

[Ha-min] There is somewhere.

[Ha-min's mother] What is with you today?

[Ha-min] Seriously, come on.

- [Ha-min's mother] Goodness. - [Ha-min] Come on.

[Ha-min's mother] Seriously.

My goodness.

Mom, please!

I said I don't want to.

Please, please, please, please.

[Ha-min's mother] Hey! Seriously.

Why do you keep wanting to eat out these days?

We're already tight on money.

They're asking us to raise the rent,

and we've used up all your dad's insurance money too.

We need every penny for your college tuition.

Ah!

Mom.

Just one day. Just today.

Let's go.

[woman/TV] If you follow the fish,

you end up at places that are great for taking photos.

[cheerful music]

- [TV playing] - [door opens]

- Did you eat? - [Ha-min] I bought something on the way.

- [door opens] - Did you eat?

[Ha-min] Ah, I don't have an appetite.

- [Ha-min's mother] Did you eat? - I feel nauseous.

Did you eat?

No, it's fine. Just watching you eat fills me up.

Bullshit. Eat with Mom.

No, no. You eat first. I have something to do.

[Ha-min/narration] To protect Mom,

I have to leave her.

As long as I keep my head straight,

I can change fate too.

[bright music]

First, I need to leave home.

No matter what, I'll go to college in Seoul.

Goodness, Eun-sil.

You're going to burn a hole through it. Eat first.

There are plenty of good universities in Busan too.

If you run off to Seoul, what about your mom?

Why do you only think of yourself?

Huh?

Other parents are desperate because they can't send their kids to Seoul.

What's with you, Mom?

Then,

what's your dream?

Dream?

To die of natural causes.

What nonsense.

How can a young man's dream be so tiny?

Good grief.

Do you think you'll do well in Seoul?

- Oh my, mother-in-law. - [Eun-sil] Ha...

Like you always say, what could be scarier than a mother-in-law?

Goodness, you little brat.

All talk, aren't you?

Come on, let's eat.

[calm music]

Mm.

[Ha-min sighs softly]

[Ha-min] So...

I don't think I can live with my mom.

Now I understand why you kept worrying about things in advance.

Right?

You must have had a lot on your mind all this time.

[Ha-min] Thank you.

But, Oppa...

[calm music]

You expect me to believe that?

Huh?

[woman] You can't live with her because you're afraid she'll die

if you eat her food?

Does that make sense?

You're not cursed with worries. Worrying is your actual fate.

Worrying is my fate?

Forget it.

I don't want to get in the way of your life anymore.

A coffin is a single room anyway.

Let's each go find our own happiness.

[Eun-sil] He's always been selfish.

What's so great about a selfish kid?

Don't worry about me.

A widow is more comfortable living alone.

I'm not comfortable with that.

[Eun-sil] Ryeo-eun.

Instead of being your mother-in-law,

I'll just be your mom. Your mom.

[Eun-sil chuckles softly]

[phone notification]

- Here. - [video playing noisily]

[friend 1] Huh? Isn't this lady the godmother of chicken feet?

- I'll give you lots. - I'll pile it on!

Ha, why would I show you?

Ah, Team Leader.

As you know, this place only keeps using Sanhae soju.

Even when we visit, they don't give us a single glance.

An order came down from the chairman.

He wants to use this restaurant owner as an advertising model.

[friend 2] Ah, we can't even get them to accept our alcohol. Casting her as a model makes no sense.

[friend 1] Ah, Team Leader, well...

There's also that Turkish jeon place next door with the owner who swears really well.

Even if this is our territory,

casting someone for an ad is a bit...

Oh-ho, the slaves are talking?

It's an order from headquarters, so there must be something to it.

You know, like a bonus or a promotion, huh?

I'll give it a try.

Well, what is life anyway? It's all or nothing.

- Hey, that will never work, man. - [friend 2] What's with you?

I'll try it.

I'll handle it myself.

Coming soon.

[friend 1] Wow.

What's gotten into him all of a sudden?

Apparently, they really broke up this time.

Love and marriage are both done for.

Ah, I see.

- [intriguing music] - Hello, Hanryang is here!

[owner] Oh my, oh my. Please leave.

[Ha-min] Ah...

- [owner] Go, go, leave! - [Ha-min] Oh...

[owner] Hurry up and go. Hurry.

- [Ha-min] Oh, hello. - [owner] Goodness, I'm so sick of this.

[Ha-min] Please take this...

Oh, gosh.

- [owner] Please, please just go! - [Ha-min] Ah...

[humming]

Here, table two.

[employee] Okay.

Ah, yes, thank you.

Your chicken feet are here.

Enjoy your meal.

Please enjoy, yes.

- Ah, seriously! - [Ha-min] Ah!

Is this what you call an apple?

What a waste, seriously.

- No, this is... - You have to cut off the stem first.

- Oh my goodness. - [customers cheering]

[customers reacting excitedly]

Now, watch carefully.

- Now I'm making the honey drink! - [customers cheering]

Say "ah."

Ahem.

[Ha-min groaning]

[phone buzzing]

Ah, ugh.

Ah...

[calm music]

Ah, owner, don't you have any perilla leaves?

[owner] Ah, these days, perilla leaves are as expensive as gold.

[employee] Your meat is here.

Oh, sorry about that, sir.

Should we go somewhere else?

The meat is already on the grill. Where would we go? Just eat, Oppa.

It's okay, Oppa.

- I like lettuce too. - No, no.

[Ryeo-eun] Ah...

[Ha-min] Goodness.

The meat is grilled nicely.

Ah.

Ah.

It's just perilla leaves, damn it.

Let's eat.

Did the owner go back to basics?

They've been serving perilla leaves well lately.

- [door closes] - [door lock sound]

[door lock sound]

[beep]

[ding-dong - doorbell]

What about dinner? Did you eat?

Ah, not yet.

- [door closes] - [door lock sound]

Oppa.

I saw on the news that someone did a survey.

Do you know what ranked first for when people decide to break up?

When they can't stand watching the other person eat.

I still want to watch you eat.

I love you.

[Ryeo-eun] Me too.

[Ha-min] Wow.

Have you tried beef soup before?

- [Ryeo-eun] Yes. - [intriguing music]

No.

Huh? Then how are you going to make it?

- [Eun-sil] Like this. - [Ryeo-eun] Okay.

Ha-min has always been frail, ever since he was little.

Whenever he gets sick, boil him a pot of this,

and he'll get better quickly.

[both laughing]

- Look, look. It's done, right? - [Ryeo-eun] Oh!

Huh?

Mm...

Mm.

Wow.

This is really the taste.

This is seriously delicious.

This is the taste.

Soul.

No, it's really good.

Hmph, I made it exactly the same.

Huh?

Do you know why I became a dietitian?

Why?

They say a lack of something isn't a flaw, but a possibility.

I grew up without eating my mom's cooking, so I wanted to cook warm meals like that.

And, Oppa...

I've thought about it,

and I think I was being selfish.

It's because I grew up hungry.

It's because I'm twisted.

It's because I'm not good enough.

No, no, no, no.

My mom and I...

We've each lived separately for too long,

so I think living together would be a little difficult.

Instead, let's go down to Busan often

and eat galbi and raw fish.

And fish cake skewers?

Huh? How did you know?

Fish cake skewers, seed hotteok, bibim glass noodles.

Come, look, and buy!

[Ha-min laughing]

[light music]

[phone notification]

[chopsticks clacking]

[water running]

It's so delicious.

How did you know about these soybean leaves?

Only people from Gyeongsang-do know these.

You know I like perilla leaves, right?

I don't just love perilla leaves. I love every leaf on Earth.

And did you forget I'm a dietitian?

What food from Korea would I not know?

Wow, look who thinks she's Dae Jang-geum.

- I'm really breaking up with you. - I love you.

Make this for me every day after we get married.

Isn't it spicy?

It's not spicy. It's so good.

[Ha-min laughing]

[Ha-min] But why aren't there any jeonse listings for us?

Should we just pool everything we have and buy a place?

[Ryeo-eun] Ha... What's wrong with paying monthly rent?

Let's not be too greedy.

What did you say your dream was?

To die of natural causes.

Then if you want to die of natural causes, at least get a proper endoscopy.

You've never once had your company health checkup, right?

What if they suddenly tell me I'm going to die? I'm scared.

Oh my, mother-in-law.

[Ha-min humming]

Good grief!

[Ha-min chuckles softly]

- [Ha-min] Look at this. - [Ryeo-eun] Okay.

How much is it?

- Whoa! - [Ha-min] Ah...

[Ryeo-eun] I made soybean leaves for him, and he said they tasted just like yours.

- I guess I'm pretty good at cooking too... - Is that so?

Then I guess you don't need me anymore.

[Ryeo-eun] Pardon?

No, never mind. I'm here to clean right now. We'll talk later...

[Ryeo-eun] Okay, Mom. I'll talk to you later.

- [thud - vacuum cleaner] - [heavy music]

Ah...

Ugh!

Ah...

Ah...

[Ha-min breathing urgently]

Excuse me! Um...

Where is the operating room?

- [staff] Third floor. - [Ha-min] Ah.

Oh, you're here? That must've been hard.

Auntie.

Since when was Mom feeling unwell?

Why is she suddenly having surgery?

I don't know.

Your mom isn't the type to tell me anything.

A few days ago,

she said, "Unnie, no matter how much cider I drink, I can't digest anything."

Goodness, she's so foolish. Seriously.

Ah...

When that number reaches zero, your mom will die.

[calm music]

[Ha-min breathing heavily]

[sniffling]

[Ha-min] Ha...

[phone ringing]

Yeah, what about Mom?

[Ha-min's aunt] The doctor said

they removed 80 percent of her pancreas.

She can't eat meat anymore. What are you going to do?

[Ha-min] Mom never liked meat anyway.

[Ha-min's aunt] That's a relief.

Oh, Ha-min, you're not going back right away, are you?

I need to step out for a bit, so stay by your mom's side.

[Ha-min] Okay.

[Ha-min's aunt] Goodness, how am I supposed to live without a son?

Your son was crying and making a fuss at the crack of dawn.

Sigh.

Why do you look so angry?

Are you mad because you had to come down here when you're busy?

Ha...

Where did you spend all the money I sent you?

Are you gambling behind my back?

Why didn't you go to the hospital regularly? What were you doing?

I really thought you were dying...

I'm sorry.

Stop scolding me now.

How could I spend the money you gave me?

I saved every bit of it to help you when you get married.

Mom.

I'm not getting married.

No, I can't because of you.

So don't make me worry about you, okay?

Okay. Ah, well...

When I get discharged tomorrow,

I'll go home

and make you some side dishes, so take them with you.

I'll make your favorite beef soup and...

Everything you make

is salty and spicy.

Buying food is much better.

I really can't stand looking at you.

[heavy music]

[knife hits cutting board]

[chopping]

[door clicks]

- [door thuds] - [Ha-min] Huh?

Goodness.

What is all this?

Have even just one spoonful before you go.

Unless you want to see your mother die.

I'm late for school.

[Eun-sil] Don't go to school.

Mom will call them.

What are you talking about? I'll come back and eat it later.

Was the lunch I packed for your picnic yesterday good?

Are you afraid you'll die like your brother

if you eat the food Mom makes?

Is that why you keep avoiding it, throwing it away, and not eating it?

Damn it, that's not it...

Mom, you really can't see that number?

When that number runs out, you'll die.

Number?

What number?

Where is there a number?

Where? Huh?

Where is the number?

Where?

Ha-min, please come to your senses.

Or...

Do you want to go see a psychiatrist with Mom?

People say psychiatry isn't something to be ashamed of these days.

- My friend's daughter... - [table bangs]

Do I look mentally ill to you?

You go.

[door opens and shuts]

[doctor] Well, he suddenly lost his older brother,

so he must be having a very hard time emotionally.

After something like that happens,

because of post-traumatic stress disorder,

people can hear ringing in their ears or see things that aren't there.

It's the mind trying to protect itself.

It's a natural reaction.

Once enough time passes,

everything will be all right.

Is work bearable?

[Ha-min] Yeah.

Is your boss giving you hell?

No.

Do you want more rice?

No, I'm done eating.

It's almost time for my train.

[Eun-sil] I know you're busy,

but who else would I chat with besides you?

You have Auntie, don't you? I'm going.

[Ryeo-eun] You haven't even had dinner. What were you doing?

Ta-da.

This is Gyemisae ramyeon, a new recipe I developed.

[Ha-min] What is that? Gyemisae?

[Ryeo-eun] Egg, seaweed, and shrimp.

- Hurry and try it. - [Ha-min] Ah.

- Hey, damn. - [Ryeo-eun] It's hot.

[Ha-min blowing]

Wow, this is killer.

[mysterious sound effect]

[dark music]

[chopsticks clatter]

Fuck.

Oppa.

Where did you get the kimchi?

I bought it.

You bought it?

[Ryeo-eun] Yeah.

My mom didn't give it to you?

How did you know?

So if you really eat something your mom made, you see something?

You can see that number behind me?

Was this a test?

No.

That's not what this was...

You didn't believe me.

You don't care if my mom dies.

Oppa, why would you say it like that?

Maybe it looks like a joke to you,

but do you know what it's like

to live your whole life anxious because of that damn number?

Did you ever think about me?

Okay.

Oppa, okay, so...

[door opens]

[door slams]

[customers talking]

Ah, ha...

[calm music]

[soft sigh]

- Ha... - [dial tone]

[Eun-sil] Oh, Ha-min.

Did you get back safely?

Did you eat?

[sobbing]

Why?

Mom.

Mom.

[Ha-min sobbing]

Mom.

[Ha-min crying]

[cheerful music]

[narrator] Even when you're alone, this moment is the best.

The one secret that breaks the loneliness of drinking alone.

After living a while, I learned somaek beats connections.

[narrator] Hanryang.

Ah!

[employees] Wow! Whoa!

[employee 1] Jung Ha-min!

[employees cheering]

[friend 1] Jung Ha-min!

Wow, you really pulled it off.

[friends] Wow, damn.

Yap!

They say it's hard to change people's taste in soju?

Yap! Who says that?

Yap!

Who said that?

- Shall we toast? - [employees cheering]

Change it! Change it!

[employees] Change everything to Hanryang!

[employees cheering]

[commotion]

[Ha-min] Blech! [coughing]

- [friend 1] Hey, hey, damn. - [woman] What the hell?

- [friend 1] Huh? Sorry, sorry. - [Ha-min] Oh, I'm sorry.

- [friend 1] Sorry. - [Ha-min] I'm sorry.

- [friend 1] Sorry. - [friend 2] Ah, what's wrong with you?

- [Ha-min] Ugh. - [friend 1/laughing] This bastard is such a lightweight.

- [Ha-min] Ah, what's wrong with me? - [friend 1] Sorry.

- Sorry. - [friend 2] He drank all by himself.

- [Ha-min coughing] - [friends laughing]

[Ha-min] Ugh.

- Ow. - [friend 2] Good grief.

Hey, what about Ryeo-eun?

Are you really done with her?

What did you fight about?

Ha... I don't know.

Hey, man.

How can you only think about yourself?

This guy really only thinks about himself.

[friend 2] Tsk, tsk.

My taxi's here. I'm leaving first.

[friends] Okay, yeah.

- Go on. - [friend 2] Get home safe.

[friend 2] Sigh.

[friend 1] Sigh.

[door lock beeping]

[click - door]

[Ha-min] Ha...

[thud - door]

Ha...

[clattering]

Ah...

Ah!

Ugh...

[click - mouse]

Are you married?

- Not yet. - What about family?

My mom and me.

Where is your mother?

- Back in my hometown. - Where's your hometown?

Busan.

I'm from Busan too.

- Busan High. - I went to Gyeongnam High.

Good.

Pardon?

Then what about your father?

Ah, he passed away from stomach cancer.

- When? - The day I was born.

Good.

Good?

When was your last health checkup?

- I haven't had one yet... - Why not?

I was too busy making a living.

What do you do?

I sell alcohol.

Ah, alcohol.

I work for a liquor company.

Good.

No, what exactly keeps being good?

It's stomach cancer.

[calm music]

Three months at most.

The younger you are, the faster it progresses.

[doctor] We can try surgery,

but it's late-stage 3,

and you have a family history, so it's hard to guarantee anything.

[Ha-min/flashback] If Mom hadn't kept telling him to eat,

he wouldn't have been hit by a car!

[Eun-sil] Are you afraid you'll die

if you eat the food Mom makes?

[Ha-min] I really can't stand looking at you.

Do you know what it's like to live your whole life anxious

because of that damn number?

[Ha-min/narration] Was this something that could only end if I died?

If I die,

Mom's number will never go down again.

[phone beeps]

[Ryeo-eun] Oppa.

Nothing happened to you, right?

I'm so worried because I can't reach you.

Let's meet just one last time.

[soft music playing]

I thought about it carefully.

Later, when we have a baby...

Then again, you don't believe what I say, do you?

Anyway,

you don't even know what illnesses your birth parents had.

What if our child inherits your family history?

I'm sick of marriage and having kids now.

Let's just stop seeing each other.

You know exactly how I grew up. Do you really have to say it like that?

Stop thinking

you're the most pitiful person in the world.

I'm sick of it.

Fine, let's break up.

You don't deserve to have a family.

You're really selfish. You only care about yourself.

That's right.

I only care about myself.

I don't care about family at all.

You too.

Meet a man who can handle your inferiority complex well,

and live happily.

[door clicks]

[announcement] The 10:15 KTX train bound for Busan will arrive shortly.

Passengers, please wait behind the safety line...

[soft music]

[child crying]

- [woman 1] Oh... - [child 1] Mom!

[woman 2/tearfully] Mom.

I failed.

Mom, I want to eat the tteokbokki you make.

- [woman 3] Should I make tteokbokki? - [student] Yeah.

[child 2] Mom.

[Ha-min/narration] We humans are strange.

[child 2/crying] Mom!

[Ha-min/narration] When we're in danger,

before saying, "Please save me" or "Please help me,"

we call for Mom first.

[child 2/crying] Mom!

The number or whatever else...

I don't care anymore.

[calm music]

[birds chirping]

[children chattering in the distance]

My son.

Both my sons are dead.

What are you talking about? I'm alive right here.

No, no.

The first one got hit by a car,

and the second one went into the water.

A woman with no luck with children has no luck with her husband either.

I have neither.

Huh? When did I ever go into the water?

I don't even go to pools, let alone the sea.

Mom, do you have dementia?

But who are you really?

Goodness, are you my son's friend?

Or are you the new public-service worker from the neighborhood office?

Stop joking around. It's me, Ha-min.

I'm telling you, I really don't know you.

Do you look down on me because I'm a woman living alone?

Why are you being so scary?

Ah...

D-Dementia?

Ah...

What's 5 times 8?

Ah, what the hell!

Hey, Mom is a good actress, right?

Are you crazy?

- How can you ask your mom if she's crazy? - [Ha-min] Ah...

You scared me!

Why did you come here, after saying you couldn't stand to look at me?

Damn it, I came to eat your food.

What food is there?

There isn't any food?

I live alone. How could I cook rice every day?

My arms and legs ache like crazy.

[sighs] What do you want to eat?

Beef soup.

[Eun-sil] But why are you so skinny?

[Eun-sil] Haha, hello.

Ah, hello.

- Boss! - [owner] Oh, welcome.

Beef for soup. Give me one geun.

No, give me one and a half geun.

Oh, what's this?

Starting a new household?

My son came home.

- [owner] Must be nice. - Don't trim off the fat.

Just give it to me as is.

My boy likes it when the oil floats on top.

[owner] Got it.

[Eun-sil] What, are there no side dishes?

Huh? No, that's not it.

What, you have no appetite?

- No. - What, you have no manners?

Wow, Mom, you've still got it.

Then do you wish your mom was dead?

Stop talking back and eat.

[Ha-min] Ha...

Huh?

Why is your soup like that, Mom?

I told you, I can't eat meat.

Did you forget already?

Oh, right. Sorry.

It's only meat I can't eat. I can eat everything else.

Stop putting on a show and eat.

- Thank you for the meal. - [Eun-sil] Mm.

Mm~

Is it good?

[Eun-sil laughing]

[calm music]

[Eun-sil] Goodness.

[mysterious sound effect]

Ha, this is seriously so good.

[Eun-sil laughing]

[Eun-sil] Don't they have Daiso in Seoul?

[Ha-min] There are lots.

Then buy a nail clipper for 1,000 won.

You're in sales, but look at your nails. Tsk.

I told you before.

Only Mom cuts my nails.

[Eun-sil chuckles softly]

- But, Mom... - [Eun-sil] Mm?

How long did Dad live after the surgery?

[Eun-sil] About three days in the ICU.

He just lay there and passed away.

Your dad was impatient, wasn't he?

He could've opened his eyes even for a moment

so he could see you before he went.

- Mom. - [Eun-sil] Yeah?

Should I stay a little longer?

Did you get fired or something?

Come on, what are you talking about?

Other companies are fighting to take me.

Then why?

Just because.

I want to eat Mom's food to my heart's content before I go.

Bullshit. You said bought food tastes better.

Come on, that's only for a day or two.

How long will you stay?

[Ha-min] Ha...

It's only about a month.

Ah.

Ah...

Ah...

[calm music]

[Eun-sil] What do you want for dinner?

[employee 1] Did you have a good trip home?

[team leader] Oh, well...

Right, you all said you're from Busan, didn't you?

[all] Yes.

At most, I see my parents twice a year, on Lunar New Year and Chuseok.

And since I'm from Jeju,

if a typhoon comes, like last Chuseok, I just skip that too.

Even if Mom and Dad have 20 years left,

that means I'll only see them exactly 40 more times.

- [employee 1] Huh? - Forty times.

That's chilling, huh?

When you say it's suddenly only 40 times...

You're right.

Your wife may wait for you at home, but your parents won't wait.

[employee 2] Ugh! It's cold, damn it.

- [employee 3] Hello, sir. - [employee 2] Yeah.

No, but seriously,

what's so fun with this team

that whenever they get time, they gather and whisper among themselves?

What's so fun, huh?

Hyungnim.

I heard Jung Ha-min quit.

Pardon?

[employee 2] Ha-min, that guy...

He even brought in that somaek lady, so your position was looking shaky.

This worked out well.

- Hyungnim, aren't you throwing a party? - [team leader] Hey.

- Smoke your cigarette. - [employee 2] Oh, right...

[team leader] If you came out to smoke, then smoke.

Right, Executive Kim was looking for you earlier.

- Huh? - [team leader] Yeah, hurry up and go.

[employee 2] Why? What did Executive Kim say this time?

Just hurry up and go. You'll find out when you get there.

[employee 2] Why again? Ah!

[employee 1] What do you mean, he quit?

Ah, that bastard, seriously.

He told me not to tell you guys.

[calm music]

[phone vibrating]

[Eun-sil] Oh, Ryeo-eun, did you call?

- Mom. - [Eun-sil] Yes?

Oppa...

[music intensifies]

But before dying, this is all you wanted to eat?

[Ha-min] Ha!

Try it first. Eat it, then say that.

Here.

I don't get it.

Hey!

Geoin Tongdak is my life, okay?

When I went up to Seoul, this was what I missed the most.

Junko, Yoogane, Okkudak, Mubwatna— they all went up to Seoul,

but this place is still the same.

Actually, I came to say goodbye.

Goodbye, Geoin Tongdak.

See you in my next life.

Come here.

[Ha-min chuckles softly]

Wow, this is seriously delicious.

What else was it that I wanted to eat again?

They say when you get stomach cancer, all you think about is food. I guess it's true.

Ahp, you searched it up again.

Anemic, skinny as a rail, eyes sunken, and skin rough like a sweet potato.

What else?

- Hair loss. - Ugh!

Hair loss? No, not hair loss. That's my last shred of pride.

Well, look who thinks he's Mr. Hairpiece.

- This is your punishment, Oppa. - Ahp!

Damn it, that "ahp, ahp, ahp"!

What the hell is "ahp" anyway?

You're dying, but your mouth is still alive.

Anyway, I'm not a doctor or anything, so I can't save you.

Goodbye.

But still, watching you eat makes me feel good.

Someone who's going to leave anyway...

I'll try holding on to him one last time.

And I'll let him go properly, without regrets.

[door clicks]

[door shuts]

[Ha-min] What are you doing? Let's eat.

What did you do with all of it?

[fridge door shuts]

I threw it all away.

What?

Why?

What's the point of eating?

You're going to throw it all up anyway.

How long were you planning to fool your mom?

What do you mean, fool you?

You said I lost weight as soon as you saw me.

[Eun-sil] Ha...

Get the surgery.

Dad had surgery too, and you said he never woke up.

I'd rather spend a few more days with you.

It's been so long since I ate your food. It tastes good.

If I go to the afterlife, I won't be able to eat your cooking.

You little...

Is that something a child says to his parent?

Like you always say, just think of it as fate.

At this point, it really is fate.

[heavy music]

[sniffling]

I'll beg you like this.

With Mom...

let's go to the hospital.

Is now the same as when your father died?

That was over 30 years ago.

Do you know what it's like

to send your child off before you?

After sending your brother off like that,

not once...

not once did I put toner or lotion on my face.

I haven't lived a single day properly.

Because you...

Because you came back to me,

I thought I should finally live properly too.

Are you going to do this to me too?

My life is mine, so why are you telling me what to do?

Because I'm your mom. Your mom.

Forget it. I'll take care of it myself.

[door clicks]

Ugh...

- Ugh... - [door shuts]

[pained groaning]

Ha...

[sniffling]

[Ha-min retching]

[Ha-min coughing]

[Ha-min breathing heavily]

[heavy music]

[YouTuber/video] You have soaked garlic?

[woman/video] Aren't we supposed to add soaked garlic?

- No, soaked seaweed. - Seaweed. Add that in.

[woman/video] We're supposed to add soaked seaweed, right?

[soft music playing]

[Ryeo-eun] How is Oppa doing?

What is he planning to do, acting like that?

Ugh, it's making my blood boil.

Sigh.

Even if you're going to break up,

try persuading him first.

Tell him to get the surgery right away.

Men may not listen to their mothers,

but they listen to women, don't they?

Mom.

You love Ha-min Oppa, right?

Of course I love him. He's my child.

What is love?

It's believing someone, even if they say something impossible.

We don't know when Oppa will leave us,

so let's try believing him.

Believing what?

The thing that keeps tormenting him...

that number.

[foghorn in the distance]

[Ryeo-eun] Add the fish sauce.

Here.

[Ha-min] Oh, you know how to eat this.

[Ryeo-eun] Mm!

Wow!

Wow, you eat pork rice soup well. Doesn't it smell gamey?

Isn't it basically the same as soondae soup?

[Ha-min] Hey.

Say that in Busan, and you'll get slapped.

The pig's passion as it dives into the broth is different.

Wow, look who thinks he's a Korean cuisine master.

Hey, damn it.

Why did you come back down here?

I told you I'd hold on to you.

Be honest.

You still love me, right?

- Yeah. - Huh?

Hey, how can you just say "yeah"? How am I supposed to die now?

So what are you going to do from now on?

Mm...

I'll die leaving one behind.

Are you a KakaoTalk message? You're going to die leaving a "1"?

To be honest,

I don't really know what you're feeling toward your mom right now.

I never learned that.

Anyway, stop messing around and get the surgery soon.

And I thought about it carefully.

About what?

A way to save you from the curse of the number.

You believe me now?

Yeah.

In Latin, "Animum fortuna sequitur."

Do you know the saying, "Fortune follows courage"?

Wow, look who thinks she's Harry Potter.

Forget it. Just die, then.

Sorry. What is it?

Forget it.

Come on, I'm about to die. Let me off just this once.

[calm music]

Actually, Ryeo-eun...

I don't want to die like this.

[tearful breathing]

[Ha-min sobbing]

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

[rustling plastic]

At least tell me.

Sigh.

Ugh.

Tch...

Slice the radish really thin, like you're sharpening pencils,

then put the beef in the oil.

Oh, right. You have to buy brisket.

Don't go to the supermarket just because you're lazy

- [rhythmic music] - and grab some prepacked meat.

Go to the butcher shop and ask for one geun

with the fat still attached.

Think about it.

How could the soup taste good if it's only dry lean meat?

There has to be fat, and oil has to float on top.

That's the key point.

Put the beef into the oil, then add minced garlic.

You know Joseon soy sauce? Add one spoonful of that.

Coarse red pepper powder is better.

- Stir-fry it until it almost burns in the pot. - [sizzling sound effect]

Then add the radish and water.

If you add the green onions too early, they'll all turn to mush.

And don't chop the green onions all tiny and fussy.

Just cut them casually. Chop, chop.

Do you understand?

[rolling sound effect]

Mom, are you Outsider or something?

Speak a little slower!

Oh my, mother-in-law.

Listen carefully.

[clearly] Radish.

Slice it like you're sharpening a pencil.

- [Eun-sil] You can tap it like this too. - [Ha-min] Yeah, oh.

[Eun-sil] Like this, like this. Like this. Look.

[Ha-min] Whew.

[Ha-min] Yeah.

Mm...

[calm music]

[mysterious sound effect]

Mom.

Yeah?

I'm going to have the surgery.

But...

if I don't wake up, don't cremate me, no matter what.

Bury me somewhere sunny with an ocean view.

Why did you suddenly change your mind?

Just because.

I feel so sorry for you.

Why do you feel sorry for me?

When I think about it,

Grandpa didn't even let you go to school, so you couldn't study.

And you spent your whole life taking care of me and Hyung,

without even knowing what you wanted to do.

In Seoul, women your age

are professors and National Assembly members.

They're living life to the fullest.

And I felt so sorry for you.

Well, my goodness.

They say boys finally mature before they die. That's exactly you.

Ms. Eun-sil.

In your next life,

be born as my child.

I'll send you to college and let you do everything you want.

That mouth of yours is still alive.

And...

at Hyung's funeral, I heard everything people were saying.

That you killed your husband,

then killed your child too,

and that it was all your fault.

But...

Dad...

me, and Hyung too...

none of it was your fault.

[calm music continues]

Thank you, even just for saying that.

[seagulls crying]

Oh my, mother-in-law.

There's nothing scarier in this world than a mother-in-law.

Don't be scared.

Okay. I'll be back.

[Ha-min's aunt] Go and come back safely.

[sorrowful music]

Unnie.

I'm so scared.

What if something goes wrong?

If they take Ha-min too, from a woman with a twisted fate like me,

Jesus, Buddha, whatever— I won't let them get away with it.

Don't worry.

[Eun-sil wailing]

[beeping medical equipment]

[Ha-min] Oh my, mother-in-law.

Oh my, mother-in-law.

[nervous breathing]

[calm music]

Oh my, mother-in-law.

Ha...

[Ha-jun] The soybean leaves were really delicious.

[Eun-sil] Eat a lot.

They're salty, so eat them one at a time.

The youngest should do it, shouldn't he?

[Eun-sil laughing]

[Ha-min's father laughing]

[Ha-jun] This tastes like Mom.

- [beeping medical equipment] - [hissing respirator]

[ding-dong]

[Eun-sil] Ha...

[Ryeo-eun chuckles softly]

Thank you.

Mom.

[Ha-min's aunt] Goodness.

That's embarrassing. How old are you, still saying "Mom"?

What else should I call my mom besides Mom?

Mother.

Ah, that's so awkward.

[Ha-min's aunt] What's awkward about it?

Excuse me, ladies.

I just knocked on death's door, so could you please focus?

Are you okay?

[Ha-min] Wow, Auntie, you're tough.

Your son just had cancer surgery. How can you not shed a single tear?

[Ha-min's aunt] Goodness, why wouldn't she cry?

Your mom cried and cried so much

that all the nurses at the hospital quit because of her.

[Eun-sil, smacking her] Unnie, what are you saying?

Ow, ah...

Let me talk with my son after so long. Get up. Let's go, go, go, go.

What are you saying? I just got here...

[Eun-sil] Go, go.

Seriously.

- Then get some rest. - [Eun-sil] Seriously.

[Ha-min's aunt] What is this?

He only just woke up, so what are you...

[Eun-sil] Go. Hurry.

[door thuds]

[friend 1] Sigh.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Hey, the doctor says it's a miracle.

He says you only need six rounds of chemo.

Hey, so your sister-in-law prepared a gift for you.

What do you mean, sister-in-law? Just because it's not your life...

Ahp.

Ahp?

Seeing you say "ahp, ahp" again means you're well enough now.

[Ha-min] Ah...

- Goodness, damn it. - [friend 2] Hey, now.

[friend 1 clears throat]

Thank you for surviving.

Yeah.

Here.

Look at this.

Hello, this is Park Mak-rye.

Hey, you damn punk.

Even if you roll around like dog poop, isn't this world better than the afterlife?

Looking at your face, you'll live a long life.

Listen to your mother.

Why are you making a fuss?

Is it because you don't listen to your mom?

Think of Grandma's words as a bonus and accept it.

Live well.

[Ha-min laughing and groaning]

[friend 1] Hey, are you okay?

[Ha-min] Ah, haha...

[birds chirping]

- Oh. - Bean sprouts?

Yeah. Here.

- Green onion. - [Ryeo-eun] How much green onion?

A lot.

How much is "a lot"?

Plenty.

Are we in Busan or Osaka?

Okay.

[Eun-sil] She's good with her hands. Really good.

[Ha-min] Here it is.

[Ryeo-eun] Oh.

[Ha-min] Yes.

Ahp, wait.

- [Eun-sil] Oh, right. - Oppa, close your eyes quickly.

Okay.

[Ha-min breathing nervously]

[calm music]

[Ryeo-eun] What is the last food you'd want to eat from your mom?

Beef soup.

Then how about you make that for your mom?

The home-cooked meals your mom makes for you may only have one left,

but the home-cooked meals you make for her can be infinite.

[Ha-min's father] But...

fate can change, you know?

Okay, try it.

[mysterious music]

It went up.

It went up.

- Really? - [Eun-sil] Really?

Now, let's hurry and eat.

[Eun-sil laughing]

Oh my, mother-in-law.

- Why? - [Ryeo-eun] Pardon?

Mom, give me some more broth.

It's good, right? Amazing, right?

[Eun-sil laughing]

Yeah, me too.

[softly] But it is a little bland.

But it's still good, right?

It is good.

Whew...

Ah...

[lyrical music]

[Daughter] Is it good?

It's good.

[Son] Eat like you're enjoying it, Mom.

[son laughing]

More than this soup my daughter made me,

I wish she'd show me her face more often.

Come home more often, my daughter.

Was yours good?

[Daughter] Should we post this in the group chat?

Of course. Something like this has to be posted.

[lyrical music continues]

[family] ♪ Congratulations, dear... ♪

[family] ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

[Mom] Oh~

Kids, thank you. You worked hard preparing all this.

I enjoyed the meal.