Original subtitles

"She was born in the forest."

"With bones of firm wood"

"and flesh of fibre."

"One day, green blood started"

"running through her veins."

"Kim Ji-hun's first novel, 'Underground'"

"Proposal for Kim Ji-hun's second novel"

"Underground 2"

"The foundations of life"

"from the perspective of soil."

"Incoming call: Honey"

—Are you at the airport? —Yeah.

When will you be back?

I'm going to stay at my mum's for a few days.

Yeah?

And...

I forgot to tell you...

I put the house on the market.

What?

You did what?

Without my consent?

It's my house.

You live there for free.

What about me?

Where am I supposed to go?

That's more important

to you than us breaking up?

Are you trying to break up with me?

Didn't that happen a while ago?

Why are you so selfish?

Whatever. Just find another place.

Bye.

"Hydrochloric acid"

How was your day?

What are you doing?

She's thirsty.

You didn't water her?

I don't have time for trees.

She wants water.

You can talk to trees?

Listen.

She's talking to me.

Yeah?

Let's see.

Don't let it get wet.

Thank you.

What if I were to live here?

I like that there are no stairs.

I'm...

selling the house.

What?

It's too big for one person.

And it reminds me of my late wife.

Are you selling it for cashflow?

Aren't you hot?

I'm OK.

Are you shy?

But it's your body.

My leg is off-putting, isn't it?

No.

It stopped growing when I was 12.

I'm going to a meeting.

OK.

—Where are you going? —A business meeting.

"The Blood Of Future, Green Blood Cells"

I transplanted chlorophyll

into red blood cells.

A genetic mutation occurred in cell one.

It looks like this as of now.

It's a prototype of a green blood cell.

What about trials?

I injected a zebrafish with synthetic blood.

But it died...

Soo-hee is next.

I haven't found a topic yet.

Are you kidding me?

You do know how important

this conference is, don't you?

Our lab could be shut down.

Let's drink.

Have a drink.

—Bravo. —Bravo.

Sir...

your book touched me deeply.

It's a masterpiece of epic...

Enough of that.

Just have another drink.

Sir.

Would it be possible for me

to publish your next novel?

Yeah?

Why not?

Thank you!

What's your name again?

It's Kim Ji-hun.

Have another drink.

It's an honour.

How old did you say you were?

I'm 42.

How many copies did "Underground" sell?

Following your childhood dream is fine

but writing a novel is no child's play.

—Yeah. —If you don't have the talent...

you should quit.

Open a bar before it's too late.

OK?

Honey.

That's a bit harsh...

But I'm telling him the truth.

—Are you crazy? —"Child's play"?

You came up with a few bestsellers

and you think you're king?

You copied off Wang Jing's book!

Who do you think you are?

Stop plagiarising, you're just a hack!

A maestro doesn't plagiarise.

You're calling me a hack?

Have you even read my book?

Who do you think you are to judge me?

Huh?

Look what the cat dragged in.

Here.

I'm thinking of restarting an old project.

This is my proposal.

Please take a look.

I'll like to do a serial novel on your website

Give me a shot.

See that?

Those are your books that got returned today!

You picked a fight with Mr Lee?

"Unknown Writer Kim Calls Lee A Hack."

Hey...

Everybody in this business

knows Lee Chang-dae plagiarises.

So what?

If you're successful, no one questions you!

You're done for.

A new novel? Forget it.

In this business?

Who's going to publish your work?

You're up against Goliath.

We're nearly there.

This forest is deep.

I never knew.

Watch your step.

There.

Come on.

This way.

Oh, it reeks.

The water stagnated

after they blocked the stream.

I used to catch fish here.

Pure things get tainted easily.

This way.

Wow...

It's huge.

It's dying.

Looks like someone was cutting it.

My dad.

He was a logger.

He stopped cutting it because of me.

Why?

Because...

that's when Mum died

giving birth to me.

My dad thought this tree cursed us.

And made my leg this way.

He thought trees have souls.

That's just superstition.

The trees look a little creepy.

My dad revived the dying ones.

Once I have money...

I'm going to start a garden here.

Yes, sir.

Yes...

It's just that...

we need a bit more time on this project.

Yes.

We'll get it done as soon as possible.

Yes.

Yes, sir.

Sometimes I feel more like a salesman.

Not a professor.

Listen...

Jae-yeon.

I have a favour to ask.

Remember that project we worked on?

The one on alternative energy?

Yeah.

So...

how about merging that with...

your green blood cell research?

What?

Never mind.

Forget about it.

"Cells are active after gene manipulation."

"Signs of photosynthesis"

"observed in the blood cells."

Have you been up all night?

Yeah.

You're wearing makeup?

I feel gloomy today.

I have a lot on my mind these days.

And it's so hard to

get published in journals.

Have you found a research topic?

I have a few ideas.

That's good.

Hang in there.

Thanks.

I'll go take a shower.

—The cells are alive? —Yes.

The zebrafish died but isn't decomposing.

—Yeah? —Because of

the green blood cells injected.

These are

the mutated cells in the subject's blood.

They are producing oxygen.

But we don't know the implications in humans.

The human body might reject it.

As you know, the zebrafish has

a genetic makeup similar to humans...

Still, they're not identical.

I think there can be many uses

for green blood cells.

Instead of using it as blood

how about applying it to something else?

Such as?

I think Jae-yeon's research is good

but it will take

too long to develop practical applications.

Our lab doesn't have that much time.

Soo-hee, you wanted to talk to me, right?

Yes.

Let's wrap up.

See you tomorrow.

Cheer up.

Mr Kim.

You know how David defeated Goalith, right?

There is only one way to win.

Write a novel

that no one can resist.

I think I drank too much.

Mr Kim...

are you OK?

You're wearing a skirt?

Wow, it looks good on you.

Thank you.

—Hi. —Yeah.

You have everything ready for the forum?

Yes.

Korea's major rivers are polluted.

Reagent #18 is designed

to prevent the proliferation of green algae.

That looks more suited for

the Ministry of Environment.

We started from the concept

of transplanting

chlorophyll into red blood cells.

So they may produce oxygen

from just carbon dioxide and water.

The first experiment led to

genetic mutation of the cells.

Some of the haemoglobin mutated this way.

I call these modified green blood cells

"JY", from my initials.

Then, are you saying that JY

is able to carry oxygen?

They don't need to carry oxygen.

This is a dead zebrafish.

Even after its death...

the green blood cells circulate

and prevent its deterioration.

It's because JY produces oxygen by itself.

How do you plan to test your idea?

You need human trials for definitive results.

That will require some time.

It will take 10 or maybe 100 years

for this research to bear fruit.

Are you up for that?

It's theoretically possible...

but humans photosynthesising?

This can revolutionise human lives.

Even if it takes 100 years...

I think we should pursue it.

What school did she graduate from?

Good evening.

I'm Choi Soo-hee.

I have developed

an anti-aging cosmetic by

extracting chlorophyll from chlorella.

and combining it with haemoglobin.

I call these cells Chlorobin.

I got the inspiration from my colleague

Miss Lee Jae-yeon's

research into green blood cells.

This product is animal-based

and has fewer side effects.

It penetrates the dermal layers

showing excellent absorption.

Not only that...

but Chlorobin also has

applications in alternative energy.

I have worked on this project with

my chief supervisor Professor Jung.

With enough funds...

Soo-hee, meet the president of Biochemical.

I liked your presentation.

Nice to meet you.

—Nice to meet you, sir. —Cheers.

Your research is fascinating.

Let me pour you a drink.

This is Miss Lee Jae-yeon

who presented earlier.

Pure things get tainted easily.

Cut it out!

"You know Wang Jing? 'The Moon's Song'."

"You copied off Wang Jing's book!"

"Who the hell do you think you are!"

"Huh? Do you know Wang Jing?"

—"Show some respect, you punk!" —"Get lost!"

"I said, do you know Wang Jing or not?"

"You're being pathetic, young man."

"Answer me, you hack!"

"Don't plagiarise!"

"Chlorobin: Choi Soo-hee"

Jae-yeon.

Did you...

touch Soo-hee's sample?

It's been contaminated.

Why is it Soo-hee's?

She stole it from me.

We need the original samples.

Is that...

why you're here?

Why did you do it?

Did you think...

my work is worthless?

Did you see how they were looking at you?

Yes.

I did.

But you know what really hurt?

You looking at me...

the same way they did.

It was the only way to save the lab.

Bye.

Your face feels stiff?

Sometimes I can't smile.

Any other symptoms?

My fingers don't respond sometimes.

How long has it been?

Some time now.

My eyelid would twitch

and this side of my face feels numb.

We'll have to run some tests

but it may be a problem

with your cerebral blood flow.

"It's Sung-nae."

"How's your new novel going? Good luck."

"I was born from a tree."

"One day..."

"green blood started running in my veins."

"Land tax bill"

"455 Pyungsan-Li. Lee Jae-yeon."

Hi there.

Bring an extra box of tree sap next time.

There are more orders.

OK.

Did my package arrive?

Yeah. Here.

"The New Face of Cosmetics"

"Chlorobin Researcher Choi Soo-hee"

You can't come in here.

Actually...

I live in your old house.

I keep getting your mail

and I didn't have your number...

How did you find me?

You're late on your bills...

Can't we open the door and talk?

"I was born from a tree."

"One day..."

"green blood started running in my veins."

It was written on the wall.

Actually, that's why I came all the way here.

I'm not a weirdo.

Leave the mail and go.

"Kim Ji-hun"

"Novelist Kim Ji-hun"

"Kim Ji-hun gets in plagiarism dispute with"

"acclaimed novelist Lee Chang-dae"

"Stop plagiarising, you hack!"

"You're calling me a hack?"

"Have you even read my book?"

"Who the hell do you think you are!"

"Huh?"

The artery to your brain is too narrow.

—What? —The symptoms you experience

are due to oxygen deprivation to your brain.

Not being able to smile...

stiff fingers, all of it.

How do I treat it?

There's not much we can do

because it's genetic.

Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and junk food.

There's a ticking bomb in your head.

It could go off anytime.

Is the tree dying?

What do you want now?

You...

came into my mind.

Isn't it scary living alone out here?

I guess...

people are much scarier.

I have trouble smiling sometimes.

It's my blood circulation.

Your wall collapsed.

It's getting late.

"Glass Garden: Chapter One"

She was born in the forest.

When green milk dripped

from an old tree's bark onto the earth...

a baby was born from its roots.

With bones of firm wood...

flesh of pure and soft fibre.

One day...

green blood started running through her veins.

The baby crawled out

and looked up at the tree with love.

She sucked on the tree's sap

like it was a mother's milk.

While the logger was out...

the trees rustled their leaves

singing her a lullaby.

Her father said...

that wounded would become trees

in their next life.

Sometimes...

she would rest her ear on the bark.

All at once...

she'd hear the stories...

of the tree and the forest.

In the embrace of...

the earth, river and forest...

the child grew and grew

until she became a woman.

Looks like new cells have formed.

They are more oxygen saturated

than the last line of cells.

With a bit of mobility too.

I feel good about this.

"Synthetic blood using green blood cells"

1st October 2009.

His first day at our school.

He stopped with me to look at a bird.

He was the first person

to slow down for me.

Man, we're late again.

Hurry...

What time is it?

28 minutes!

Excuse me. Where's Building 11?

It's that building.

—Thanks. —I'm headed that way too.

You can go ahead if you're busy.

No, it's OK.

Oh.

I wonder how she got here.

She's a forest bird.

She came a long way.

She visits often.

She's here because she's hungry.

Upon looking at her...

J stopped in his tracks...

because of the scent of

earth coming from her.

She moved to the city.

She made her nest in a university.

Living in a suffocating place...

J was her source of comfort.

But every night...

she dreamt and longed

for her forest.

Hey, Sung-nae.

Ji-hun, your story is awesome.

I posted it on my blog, and people loved it.

Yeah?

A human becoming a tree.

This could be your comeback.

—Good luck. —Yeah, thanks.

"714 likes"

"Who are you, Ghost Writer?"

"I love this so much!"

"When will the next part be out?"

Do you have a room for rent?

"Green blood response test..."

So your hobby is spying.

It's not like that.

I'm staying nearby

for a few days to rest.

Is this the synthetic blood?

I read your dissertation.

I thought it had real potential.

So, why did you quit and come here...

Ji-hun.

What is it you want to know about me?

My...

body is stiffening.

Like I'm becoming a tree.

Her flesh was thin.

When did it begin?

Her blood began to turn green.

In the city...

she concealed her green veins...

with her clothes.

People found it strange that she wore

long sleeves in summer.

She told her friends

that one day she'd become a tree.

She whispered she knew

how to turn people into trees.

People smiled in front of her...

but not one person understood her.

The project is discontinued.

Did he ever love me?

Everything ended overnight.

I found out too late...

that his smiles were not for me.

Leaves were what she ate.

She could live off just sunlight and water.

Like a tree.

She waited

believing that some day she'd be reborn

as a beautiful tree.

Then one day...

she left the city behind.

I wish you could be happy.

One day...

J held her in his arms.

At that moment...

he felt her loneliness penetrate his soul.

She too...

felt his loneliness penetrate her.

That day...

they shared their warmth.

J felt sorry for her.

It was nothing but sympathy...

For a short while, they thought it was love.

She knew...

she would be hurt again

but she loved him nonetheless.

What's that? "Glass Garden"?

Look at the number of clicks.

Yeah...

"Ghost Writer"?

What kind of a name is that?

It's Kim Ji-hun.

What?

—It's an alias. —Out of the way!

"Trending: #2 Glass Garden, #3 Kim Ji-hun"

What are you doing out here

in the middle of nowhere?

Well...

it looks like country life suits you.

What's behind this burst of genius?

Good strong sentences.

It has potential.

I have a good feeling about this one.

It's about time you hit it big.

You've suffered enough.

You know...

sorry about the last time.

Back then, I had no choice.

Lee Chang-dae is such a household name...

Enough of that.

Yeah.

A tree human. I like the idea.

It's unique.

How does it end?

I'm not sure yet.

Oh, come on.

Aren't you the creator?

When God created Adam and Eve...

he didn't know humans would turn out so evil.

$30,000 up front.

A 20% royalty from the third printing.

Isn't that a bit steep?

Take it or leave it.

The weather's nice today.

I don't think it's mould.

These are mutated cells.

Bring three boxes next week.

OK.

By the way, who's the guy?

—Who? —The man staying

at the bed and breakfast.

He hangs out around your place quite a bit.

Granny saw him

going around taking photos.

"Glass Garden"

What is this?

I hadn't written in a long time.

But you gave me inspiration.

In your story...

I don't have a limp.

I wanted you to be happy

at least in the story.

Happy?

Isn't that character

just a representation of your desire?

Just like in your story...

this man

is turning into a tree.

Continue working on your novel.

Show them

I'm not wrong.

He's dead.

He's rotting...

No.

It's just a side effect of the experiment.

I can't believe this...

You're insane.

I'm not insane.

I'll prove it to you!

No!

I can't do it anymore.

I've seen too much.

What do you mean?

I...

met her in the woods.

Your muse?

I'm scared.

I quit.

What's going on?

Did she...

Did she kill him?

Kill who?

Who killed who?

"Recent search"

Why did you do it?

Why did you...

do that to me?

Huh?

You're alive.

I'm right.

I've been right all along.

How did you...

You said some weird stuff last night

when you were drunk.

So, I looked into it.

She seems like a real nut.

Who's the guy?

Someone you know?

No...

Liar.

Finish the novel.

I can't.

What?

Did you forget you signed a contract?

I'll give you back the money.

You sorry piece of garbage.

What?

Backing out again?

You're just a coward.

You always chicken out when it matters.

And that's why you live in this dump!

You...

Get the hell out.

Hell!

911.

Is this the police?

Just stop.

Pretend you never saw anything.

This is a criminal case.

If I turn you in, you're an accomplice.

I still won't do it.

You're just using her anyway.

Aren't you?

You wanted to be famous

and stick it in Lee Chang-dae's face, right?

What's the difference between

him plagiarising and you stealing

her life story?

Hey. You're such a hypocrite!

You used her right from the start!

You lowlife rat!

Stealing a mad woman's life story

is no crime.

Write the last chapter.

Just like you saw it.

Then I won't report you.

Do it for her sake

and for yourself too.

J, the man she loved...

was a professor who went missing.

She kept him locked up in her cellar.

She embraced his corpse

and whispered words of love.

Maggots crawled out of his body

but she didn't mind.

My lovely and innocent muse...

where did she go?

Was she...

just a scientist who lost her mind?

"Glass Garden"

"Hot New Arrival"

"Glass Garden"

"True Story Of A Mad Scientist!"

"Dialling Kim Hyeon"

"Your call cannot be connected..."

"Glass Garden: Final Chapter"

"True story?"

"Isn't she a criminal then?"

"She's just some crazy woman!"

This is the shop.

Are you all right?

Why?

The police are looking for you.

They seemed really serious, so I told them.

But I was worried.

Hello?

—You two! Follow me. —Yes, sir!

"True Story Of A Mad Scientist!"

Is it a true story?

No... I just made it up.

What's this?

I think...

my publisher got it wrong.

You know her?

Do you know Lee Jae-yeon?

Yes, I met her a few times.

This is the body from the crime scene.

Do you recognise him?

No...

I don't.

You've never seen him?

No, never...

How did you first meet Lee Jae-yeon?

I went there to get some rest.

I was writing an Internet novel

"Glass Garden" at the time.

She told me she liked my stories.

"This cold-blooded murder was committed"

"by a researcher"

"who believed humans could"

"photosynthesise like plants."

"The police are doing all they can"

"to find the key suspect, Miss Lee."

"Miss Lee disappeared a year ago"

"while she was working on her doctorate."

"The body found"

"at the crime scene was identified"

"as Professor Jung who worked with Miss Lee."

"He has been missing for the past year."

"The police believe she committed"

"a copycat crime after reading"

"the Internet novel 'Glass Garden'."

"For our next story, the police arrested"

"a group of illegal gamblers..."

"Glass Garden"

Jae-yeon...

Jae-yeon!

Jae-yeon!

Jae-yeon! Wait a minute!

I'm sorry!

Jae-yeon...

Jae-yeon...

It was the tree...

who killed him.

The water took him.

I prayed...

for him...

to never leave this forest.

His blood runs in my veins.

I'm turning green...

just like in your story.

Isn't it amazing?

No.

Jae-yeon, you have an infection.

Don't these trees look like humans?

People died and became trees.

So will I.

Like in your story...

I was born from a tree.

The story...

is just a lie.

That lie...

was all I had.

It was perfect except for the ending.

When trees branch out...

they try not to hurt each other.

But...

people are different.

People kill each other.

I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.

Let's go to the hospital.

Your hands...

are so warm.

I will...

I will change the ending.

Just for you.

But...

it's too late.

One day...

I met her again in the woods.

Wild grass amongst the weeds...

chattering birds, they all had names...

but she did not.

Until one day, her tender bark swelled...

the branch split into two arms

exposing white flesh...

like a woman's breast.

White liquid dripped like milk.

A branch below sprouted

and rooted itself to form a leg.

Now people would call her by name.

She was, at last, a Tree.