Original subtitles

Ah-in yoo

Steven yeun

jong-seo jun

Welcome!

Welcome! It's a factory clearance sale

we're giving away expensive products

for low prices

please come in

it's a blowout sale

Screenplay by oh jung-mi & Lee Chang-dong

there'll be a raffle in 10 minutes

produced by Lee joon-dong & Lee Chang-dong

Join the raffle draw later

just come in and take a look

Burning

the next prize is a yoga mat!

The lucky number is in my hands

it's number 49! Do we have 49?

Congratulations, sir! Congratulations

let's move on to the next prize

the next prize is a

luxury sports watch

who will be the lucky winner?

Please draw a raffle

the lucky number is 85! Do we have 85?

Where is 857?

Congratulations number 85

oh there you are! Congratulations

do you have a girlfriend?

I don't

uh-oh... this is a girl's watch

you should start looking for one

Lee jongsu

don't you remember me?

We lived in the same neighborhood

manoo village, tanhyun town, paju city

it's me, shin haemi

I had plastic surgery.

Pretty, right

are you free? It's my break soon

Have you had military service yet?

Finished it

and then?

And then what?

but I'm doing something else on the side

like what? Can I ask?

I write

you write? What are you writing

a novel

then are you a writer

not officially

I'm trying to become one though

how cool

Lee jongsu the writer

How's work?

It's fun

I like this kind of work. Physical work

I only work when they call

it gives me a more flexible schedule

so that's cool

now you look like the haemi I know

do you want this? From the raffle

It's my first time wearing a wrist-watch

jeez, it's so tacky

Hey, want to grab a drink with me tonight?

Why not?

Guess what

I'm going to Africa

Africa? Why

I've been saving up to travel

but why Africa

This is a pantomime

I'm learning pantomime these days

why? Do you want to be an actress?

You think anyone can be an actress?

I'm just learning it for fun

look. I can eat tangerines whenever I want

that's good. You're talented

this has nothing to do with talent

the trick is...

then your mouth will water.

And it'll really taste good

They talk about the two “hungers”

starving people. "Hunger" in english.

"Little hunger" and "great hunger"

that sort of thing

"great hunger"

cool, right? Great hunger

jongsu

Lee jongsu

can you do me a favor?

I have a pet cat

can you feed it while I'm in Africa

can you feed it while I'm in Africa?

Should I bring it over to my place?

No

You come to my place

a cat shouldn't be moved from its house

What's with all the luggage?

I'm moving into my house in paju

today? - Yeah.

Anyone still lives in your paju house?

No one

my mom left when I was little

and my sister got married a few years ago

but he ran into a problem.

So now I have to return home

you're not asking what the problem was?

There are always problems.

We're here

Hello

Nice room

the sunlight hits the Seoul tower window

and bounces into my room

it's only for a brief moment.

You have to get lucky to see it

boil

come on out

boil

your cat's name is boil

yeah, boil

I found him abandoned in the

basement boiler room

he has severe autism

Am I coming here to feed an imaginary cat?

Am I coming here to feed an imaginary cat?

You think I asked you to come here

to feed an invisible cat

that's funny

should I forget that there "isn't" a cat?

Do you remember that one time

when you told me I was ugly

really? I said that?

One day, on my way home from school

you crossed the street and told me

"you are really ugly"

now speak the truth

why don't you speak?

Wait

Put it on

What? Moo

Hello

hello

hello

Recent figures prove the severity of

our country's youth unemployment

it is growing at the fastest rate among

oecd member countries

we have reporter park seongho to explain

the growth of our unemployment rate

is the fastest within the oecd

A poll by the Washington post

and abc found that 94% of trump voters

hello

Boil, where are you?

Boil, where are you?

Come out, come out, wherever you are

Aha! Look what we've got here

what's this, Mr. boil

you're introducing your poop first

before a "nice to meet you"

You will not be disadvantaged

for denying your statement

do you understand?

Yes

The defendant, a livestock worker

injured a paju city government official

requiring six weeks of treatment

fine. Did you receive the indictment

including what you've just heard

yes

then do you accept the charges

and do you have anything else to say

okay

Mr. Lee

Mr. Lee

Finished college?

Yes

but you still don't have a job

what was your major?

so you studied writing

I'm planning to write fiction

fiction

wow

I'm not sure yet

how about writing about your father?

He's like a protagonist in a story

he's like a protagonist in a story

look at his life! So turbulent

he was nuts back in the day...

Aren't all protagonists nuts?

He was number one in paju high

not for his grades,

but for his pride

I told him to buy a house in gangnam

it was a guaranteed profit

but he didn't, because of his pride

and now he's broke and in jail

even now

but he's being stubborn

he doesn't even listen to his lawyer

that's why I wanted to see you

visit your father and talk to him

immediately. Like tomorrow

got it?

Hey, it's me again

Still not showing yourself?

It's been over two weeks

Hello

hello

hello

I'm through! Hello

it's me, haemi

it was really hard making this call

we might get disconnected

I'm at the Nairobi airport in Kenya

there was a bombing near the airport

I have been stuck here for three days

are you okay?

anyway, I finally have a flight out of here

I arrive at 4pm tomorrow

can you come to pick me up?

I'll be there. For sure

hello

Lee jongsu

you're here

I'll take this

hi. I'm Ben

we're Nairobi comrades

we were the only two Koreans there

I'm hungry

I want some Korean food

like tripe stew

does it have to be tripe stew?

I've been craving for it

I know the best tripe restaurant in Seoul

really?

Jongsu, let's go eat tripe stew

Yeah, I'm on my way

I'm in my friend's car

he came to pick us up

what?

Yeah, I'm fine

Come on

wow... how can you be so naive

you're old enough to know better

you should keep a record of this

yeah

I miss you too

okay

I'll stop by sometime this week

yeah.

Okay, mom

I joined the "sunset tour"

on my way to the kalahari desert

it's a program showing the desert sunset

but it turned out to be just a parking lot

there was nothing

but trash tourists left behind

I suddenly felt all alone there

I wondered why I was even there on my own

then the sun started to set

the sun was setting beyond

the endless sand-covered horizon

at first it was orange

then it turned blood red

then purple... and Navy

it became dark as the sunset disappeared

it became dark as the sunset disappeared

and my eyes suddenly welled with tears

"t must be at the end of the world."

That's what I thought.

I wanted to vanish just like that sunset.

But I was afraid of dying.

If only I could vanish

like I never existed."

It's fascinating to me when people cry

fascinating? Why?

I suppose I did when I was little

but I can't remember ever shedding a tear

that is fascinating

but you do feel sadness, don't you?

Maybe, but

as there are no tears,

there's no telling what sadness is

may I ask what you do for a living?

Well, I do this and that

you wouldn't understand even if I told you

to put it simply

I "play"

you play?

Yes

nowadays, there is no distinction

between working and playing

may I ask

who your favorite writer is?

It's William faulkner

ah, faulkner

when I read his work

it's like I'm reading my own story

since you're writing stories

I'd like to have a chat with you sometime

I want to tell you my story

Isn't she cute?

She falls asleep anywhere when she's sleepy

it doesn't even take 10 seconds

hey, you're here! - Yeah

I parked the car out front. - Thank you

excuse me for a second

did you step on it

no

that's harder

speeding up and slowing down

Thanks. -You're welcome

haemi...

Haemi! Wake up

it's time to go home

Want me to take you home

okay, sure

I have a long way to go, anyway

jongsu, it was nice meeting you

likewise

Say something

if you've called, say something

who's this and why call and say nothing?

Dear honorable judge, '

we are filing a petition

for the defendant Lee yongsuk...'

who is in jail for

obstruction of justice, '

'assault, and property damage.'

hello

excuse me

nobody home. What?

What can I help you with?

Is your husband home?

No

What's your business here?

I'm here to get signatures for a petition

he's not here

I'l come back. -Yes

he didn't really interact with us

and whatever he did, he always did alone

sir, this is just a petition.

It's not going to cause you trouble

no, it's just this part

Frankly, he was never friendly

sorry about that

you write very well

Sir, we have an extra calf at our house

do you know anyone who'd want to buy it?

A calf? -Yes

boy or girl

a girl

I'll have to ask around

Hello

Is someone else here?

Good to see you again, jongsu

haemi wanted to see you

no, Ben kept asking me to call you

did you have trouble finding this place?

No. It's easy with Google map

this is Ben's neighborhood

it's nice

it's quiet

keep going

Ben was reading my palm

haemi, you have something different

what's that?

There's something in your heart

a stone

the stone makes you suffer

that's why you can't fully enjoy things

that's why you can't fully enjoy things

that's why you can't appreciate tasty food

that's why you can't appreciate tasty food

or why you can't tell a guy you like him

Then what should I do?

You need to remove the stone

you want me to do it?

You can do that?

Just trust me.

Hold my hand

and close your eyes

Now open your hand

What's this?

What do you think? It's a stone

I took it out of your heart

where did you get this?

Back there from the flower bed

to do this? -Yeah

you brought one back to do this? -Yeah

what for?

For fun

I'll do anything for fun

Jongsu

do you like pasta?

What?

hello. -How was your trip back home?

Great, thanks to you

Hello.

Ben, you're really good

I envy people who cook well

jongsu

can you cook too?

I guess, since I live alone

but I can only make a few dishes

I like to cook

what's better is that I get to eat it

just as humans make offerings to the gods

I make my own offering

and consume it.

Offering

an offering. It's just a metaphor

a metaphor of what?

A metaphor of...

Well, ask jongsu

Haemi. -Hmm

do you know where the bathroom is?

Ben, where's the bathroom?

Across the hallway

How much older is he than me?

Six or seven years?

Travelling abroad, driving a Porsche,

listening to music while cooking pasta

I guess he's just young and rich

he's the great gatsby?

What do you mean?

Mysterious people who are young and rich

but you don't know what they really do

there are so many gatsbys in Korea

Why do you think he's seeing you?

Ever think about that?

Ben says he just likes people like me

he says I'm interesting

Hi. -Hey guys

hello

this is my new friend, Lee jongsu

he writes

so you're a writer?

when you write, you're a writer

a "writer" is someone who writes

Ben, it was just a question

I'm going inside

me too

At nightfall,

The oldest and wisest lady plays the drums.

Then everybody dances to its rhythm

like this

this is the little hunger dance

the dance of the people who are hungry

and as they go on,

their arms slowly reach towards the sky

this is the great hunger dance

the dance which seeks the meaning of life

I can't explain it in words

you need to see it for yourselves

then show us

really? -Yeah

show us! It sounds interesting

okay. I'll try

but I need a beat

please clap your hands. Like this

And slowly it turns into great hunger

help, mom! Help, dad

oh, my butt is burning up

help, mom! Help, dad

hello

jongsu, are you home?

Yeah, I'm home

I knew you'd be home

listen, I'm heading there now with Ben

here? What for?

We were driving by

and when I told him I used to live here

he wanted to stop by

we're almost there

What's that sound?

North Korea is right over there

how fun

it used to be right over there

now it's gone without a trace

and the well is gone too

there used to be a well near our house

I fell into it when I was little

do you remember?

You fell into a well?

How old were you?

Maybe when I was seven

I fell in when I was by myself

I was terrified that

I'd die if nobody found me

but then his face appeared

jongsu found me and I was rescued

but he doesn't even remember

I brought some food

okay

It's like I'm at home

my old place

This isn't bad

except for the smell of cowpat

I feel good

this may be my best day ever

I feel like smoking pot

want to join me?

Pot?

Marijuana

I always giggle when I smoke that

I hate my father

my father has an anger disorder

he has rage bottled up inside of him.

It goes off like a bomb

once it goes off, everything gets destroyed

my mom left my sister and me because of it

my father made a fire in the yard

and had me burn them with my own hands

I still have dreams about that night

sometimes I burn down greenhouses

excuse me?

I said sometimes I burn down greenhouses

I have a hobby of burning greenhouses

once every two months

I think that's the best rhythm

for me

rhythm

so you burn down other people's greenhouses

of course

it's a crime, so to speak

it's clearly a crime

it's very simple though

you spray kerosene then throw a lit match

that's it

you can make it disappear

as if it never existed

what if you get caught?

I won't. Never

in Korea

there are tons of greenhouses

and as I watch them burn to the ground

I feel ecstatic

and from here

I feel a low hum right here

a hum that shakes the very core of the soul

I don't judge anything

I merely accept it

I accept they're waiting to be burned down

It's like rain

rain falls

the river overflows

causing a flood that sweeps people away

you think the rain judges anything?

There is no right or wrong

there are no morals to nature

Simultaneous existence

simultaneous existence

I'm here, and I'm also there

I'm in paju, and I'm in banpo

I'm in Seoul

at the same time, I'm in Africa

something like that

that kind of balance

Well

it was right before I left for Africa

so almost two months ago

which means it's about time for another one

I have

a great one to burn down

to be honest

I came here to scout

scout?

Does that mean it's nearby?

That's right

it's close

very, very close

I'm in love with haemi

Fuck... I said I love her

This tree has gotten really big

only whores do that

I'll keep an eye out for the greenhouses

you do that

ones that are really near

Your call cannot be answered at the moment

haemi. Please answer your phone

Come in

this way

State your number from left to right

one! -Two

three

four

five. -Six

seven! End of number

where do you live, no. 1

I live in paju city. It's 5 minutes away

can you work nights or after hours?

Yes I can, sir

where do you live, no. 2

buchun, sir

no problem, sir. I can do it

where do you live, no. 3

where do you live, no. 3

Okay, no. 4. - Yes, sir

where do you live? - Munsan, sir

can you work nights or after hours?

Yes I can, sir

Road atlas of paju city'

Haemi'

hello

Hello

Your call cannot be answered at the moment

What are you doing?

Pardon?

I said what are you doing

I'm just looking

haemi! Shin haemi

what's wrong?

Hello, ma'am

I can't seem to reach haemi

I need to get in

I have to feed the cat

it might starve to death

there is no cat

we don't allow tenants to have pets

there is a cat

I used to come to feed it

you have a master key, right?

You can't ask me to open the door like that

at times like this, I'll get into trouble

I told you there's no cat

she seems to have gone on a trip

the room's been tidied up

I don't think she went on a trip

welcome to the crop festival

they all seem fine,

but you never really know their story

in credit card debt

and they eventually go into hiding

it's difficult being a woman

it's a problem if you wear make-up

and a problem if you don't

but also if you don't dress up

have you heard of the saying

"no country for women"

What?

Nothing

Come visit us and enjoy our food

Shit

Ben

what brings you here?

I was passing by and saw your car outside

I thought it might be yours

is that so?

Have a seat

may I?

Do you want to order something?

It's okay

I have to leave soon

Are you still working on your story?

I'm trying

you said you liked faulkner

so I wanted to give him a shot

come to think of it, I was wondering

what happened to the greenhouse?

Ah, the greenhouse

you still remember that

I burned it down, of course

without a trace

I said I would

near my house?

Of course

very near

when?

A day or two after I stopped by your place

that's strange

you checked the greenhouses every day?

Yes, every single one

yet, you have

it happens

I don't think so

how strange

Ben

sorry I'm late

something came up at the store

it drove me crazy

it's okay

but we're running late.

So no time for tea

nice to meet you

by the way, are you in touch with haemi?

is that so?

I can't seem to reach her, either

haemi just

disappeared like a puff of smoke

Did haemi say anything to you?

Like what?

Like wanting to go on a trip

or maybe

she can't afford it

as far as I know, she's broke

she's not in touch with her family

and doesn't have any friends

haemi is lonelier than she seems

Jongsu, you know what?

she told me so

it made me jealous for some reason

I've never been jealous in my life

Jongsu

are you jongsu?

Yes

he is

you haven't changed one bit

how have you been?

What brings you here?

Did haemi send you?

No

Haemi

Eat

yes, ma'am

I heard sujin got married

yes, she has kids as well

right

are you in touch with your mother?

No

I'm guessing that haemi sent you here?

So tell her

By the way

do you remember

when haemi fell into a well

a well?

Did that happen?

When she was seven

she fell into a well

crying and looking upwards

hoping someone could help her

but could only see the round sky

I'm sorry

That never happened

if it did, why didn't we know about it?

Is that what haemi told you?

She's very good at telling stories

and those stories can be very convincing

there wasn't even a well near our house

Good morning, sir

I have a question

was there a well here?

A well?

Yes

a well deep enough to fall into

I'm not sure. I don't think so

Through him, and with him, and in him

Hello

jongsu

jongsu... right?

Yes

it's mom

They kept phoning, came to my place

and even charged into the

department store that I worked at

all that trouble for just 5 million

if I were younger, I'd sell my organs

look what I'm saying to the son

I haven't met for 16 years

I'll take care of it

what?

I'll take care of it

don't worry

you have money? No way you'd have the money

Mom

yeah?

Was there a well nearby?

A well?

Yes there was. A dried up well

really?

Haemi said she fell into it once

what's wrong?

Hello

jongsu, where are you?

I'm in gangham

where in gangnam?

Let's see

I thought this truck looked familiar

what brings you here?

Are you here to see me?

Actually, I'm here to ask about haemi

you could've just called

since you're here, let's talk inside

park the car in our building

Going up

Nice timing, actually

join us

you've already met them, so it'll be okay

4th floor

are you having a party?

Not really, more like a gathering

a casual gathering

not really

it's a potluck party

so everyone brings food

someone was supposed to come early to help

but I guess she's running late

what's that sound

oh, I have a cat

you didn't have one last time

right

I brought a stray cat home not long ago

it's a pretty cat

It's really cute

isn't it?

Do you like cats?

What's its name?

I haven't named it yet

it's more difficult than I thought.

Jongsu, what kind of story are you writing?

If you don't mind me asking

I don't know what to write yet

how come?

To me

the world is still a mystery

Excuse me, can I use your bathroom?

Sorry, Ben

I meant to come sooner...

What's all this?

I bought a bit too much.

Shut the door, or the cat will escape.

Oh my! No!

What do we do?

Go catch it, of course.

Where are you?

Come out kitty.

Hey, kitty.

Where are you?

Hey, kitty.

Come here, little cat.

Hey, kitty.

Hey, kitty.

Come here, little cat.

Hey, kitty.

Stay...

Hey, kitty.

Come here.

Hey, kitty.

Come here, kitty

boil

boil

boil

Hey, kitty.

Wow, he caught it

amazing

how did you catch it so easily?

It's very fast

can I hold him?

Did you all come out to greet us?

Yeah

with the cat

hey guys

how was traffic? -Awful

hello

like this... -Why do they do that?

They consider money to be filthy

we treasure money

but they treat it like dirt

maybe it's because they're so proud

Chinese people have a strong sense of pride

they crumple and throw their bills saying,

"one, two, three, four!"

They're like, "here! Take it!"

The Chinese are similar to the Americans

we're wrong thinking they're more like us

because of confucius culture

how come China and America are similar?

They're both giant continents

that's true

just like you

"You have them! Give them to me!"

Still, it would like to date a Chinese guy

please do

Chinese men are so nice to their women

they treasure their women

so a Chinese man treasures his woman

but throws his cash

he should throw it at me.

Better if it's a credit card

but at the same time, he should treasure me

Jongsu, why are you leaving?

You should stay longer

didn't you want to talk about haemi?

It seems that I don't need to anymore

It's no fun being too serious

know how to enjoy yourself

you need to feel the hum right here.

The hum that rocks the core of your soul

it's the only way to be alive.

This case is a serious offense...

assault', and 'damage of property.'

the defendant claims this act of violence

which caused the plaintiff injury...

Requiring six weeks of medical treatment

And injuring the plaintiff.

the court judges that a corresponding

and sentences the following order.

Court is adjourned

Come on! Climb up

let's go! Climb up! Go

good girl

So long

She's saying something

Hey jongsu

I see there are a lot of greenhouses here

where's haemi?

You asked me to join you and haemi

isn't she with you?