Original subtitles

A giant tree fell in a forest...

and no one was around to hear it.

Did it make a sound, or was there nothing but silence?

You're late.

THE FROG

Director, eat with us.

- You go ahead. - Enjoy your lunch.

- Enjoy your lunch, sir. - Thanks.

What?

You got a bad tan.

Did I?

Then just use the place as a vacation home.

Who runs a vacation rental at our age?

My wife's learning the business.

She enjoys being more active and working in the fresh air.

But it's far from the hospital.

That's okay. She has regular appointments.

Didn't they offer you leave instead of accepting your resignation?

Executives are contract workers anyway.

What's the point of all that?

- Can we get a refill on the side dishes? - Sure.

Everyone I know who built houses out in the countryside

ended up renting them out and returning.

I have nowhere to return to.

I put our place up for sale.

Hey, that's a terrible idea.

Quitting your job is one thing.

Selling an apartment in Seoul right now is throwing money away.

Call your realtor right away.

Here's an idea.

I'll contact a company I know to see if they have a spot.

The food's still good here.

The doctors said three months.

My wife might be gone in three months.

I'd have gone into debt if it meant I could buy her more time.

Have some juice.

That vacation rental was...

You did such an excellent job.

...the only thing I could give her.

Isn't this place nice?

More than nice.

Now, it's the only thing that I have left.

Honey, he's about to leave.

Okay. One sec.

Can...

can I help you?

Is this rental available?

I don't have a reservation.

I'm sorry, but not today.

I have other guests coming.

Dad!

Hi.

Is she a guest, Dad?

No.

I didn't make a reservation.

I came to stay at a nearby vacation rental

but had a bit of a problem there, and they recommended this place.

But it looks like you're unavailable too.

Too bad. I came a long way to stay in this area for about a week.

As you can see, I have guests.

I guess it can't be helped.

Well, we're only staying for dinner.

What are you talking about? I said they could stay the night...

They told me that their dog was sick.

They are very worried right now, so I think we should leave after dinner.

If you're okay with us having dinner out in the yard tonight...

Of course it's okay.

Oh my God! Thank you so much!

You don't have to mind me for now.

- I'll come back in the evening. - Thank you.

I'll bring them over.

Babe!

Are you okay? Here, I'll do it.

- Let me take care of the dishes. - Okay.

- I'll go wash them. - Sure.

Dad!

I'll give her the key.

I thought Yong-chae would be here too.

- He's in the hospital. - The hospital?

Yeah, he got hurt.

Let me give her this first.

This place is fantastic. No wonder Ji-su kept bragging about it.

The trail in the back is nice too.

You can visit anytime. Feel free to bring your friends too.

Could I come whenever my wife kicks me out of the house?

Honey!

- Let's drink. - Yes.

Oh no. I think we were a bit too loud.

Sorry about all the noise!

Excuse me.

Here.

No, you don't have to.

I wanted to thank you.

I was stumped earlier because I didn't have a place to stay.

This looks great. Thank you.

We bought a cheesecake for dessert. Would you like some?

I'll go fetch it.

We need new glasses anyway.

Mister.

I'd like to use the record player in the living room.

Sorry, it's broken.

There.

- We'll get going. - All right.

Dad. See ya.

You should go inside.

Dad?

Yeah. Have a safe trip home.

- Good night, sir. - Bye.

What are you doing, honey?

Don't.

That's enough.

Have you had breakfast?

Do you have something to say to me?

You were here with your son last year,

weren't you?

No, I wasn't.

I remember you said

you were afraid of water.

I think you have me confused with someone else.

Check, please.

Coming!

- Here. - Okay.

Excuse me, what's up with the bill?

Sorry?

We only had two servings of soup and two bottles of soju.

- If you give me your card... - Eun-gyeong, what's wrong?

I think I made a mistake.

I'm so sorry. Let me fix that for you.

Here you go.

Did you think you could get away with sneaking drinks?

I'm not an idiot, you know.

I'm sorry.

I've let you off until now, for your husband's sake.

He used to help me out by recommending my diner to your motel guests.

I felt sorry for the good man.

I'm saying that he's the only reason I've kept you on.

Goodness me.

This is your last chance. I'm done lecturing you.

Such a drama queen, I swear.

What's so funny?

Don't pretend you care about me.

What?

Why pretend like you're tolerating me for my own good?

Eun-gyeong.

You have no idea what I'm going through.

Yet you feel sorry for Sang-jun and call me a drama queen?

Why?

Why do you feel sorry for my husband? Are you two seeing each other?

Are you crazy?

I know you were seeing that bar owner.

Just as you've known about my drinking, I've known about your affair.

Hey!

You didn't hire me because you felt sorry for me.

I did my job, and you paid me for it.

I might be working for you and receiving paychecks,

but you can't talk to me like that.

- Eun-gyeong, you're drunk... - No, I'm not!

Why didn't you just fire me?

You didn't because you love to think your life isn't as bad as mine.

Did you enjoy patronizing a bottom-feeder like me?

Why do you act like it's your right to see me so miserable?

Hi. I'll take it.

Hello?

- Thanks. - Here.

One for you.

They plan to tear it down and build a state-of-the-art low-rise apartment.

They're debating between two properties.

I think

you should grab this chance and knock the price down a bit.

Knock it down by how much?

We'll accept whatever offer.

It's already been a year.

We'll take any price. Please make sure they pick our building.

All right.

Let's make it happen.

Honey.

Let's not get... too ahead of ourselves.

It'll happen.

Drop me off at the market.

There we go.

Don't just sit there. Dig in.

Let's eat.

It's been a while

since our family's had a proper meal like this.

Gi-ho got the top score on his midterms, and we didn't go out to eat to celebrate.

Here.

Eat up, sweetie.

Whether this sale goes through or not...

I'm going to change for the better.

Hello?

Hi, Mi-gyeong.

Hey, it's okay. Stop it.

You don't need to come by.

Seriously, I'm fine.

I'm gonna hang up now.

I was washing the dishes.

Yeah.

Yes, things are gonna get better.

Don't worry. Okay, bye.

It's like throwing away her soul.

What is?

A boozer throwing away her booze.

Have I ever told you about my life?

Nope.

It's a cliché, that's why.

Hey.

A hillbilly troublemaker without a father went on to become a two-bit gangster.

He now lives off his mother, who runs a tiny store. Can you beat that?

You win.

Nothing good ever happened to me.

My parents died when I was 17.

I soon realized my gambling addict of an uncle had run away

with all of their money.

I had no home and no relatives to take me in.

So I worked at construction sites, eating and sleeping with the laborers.

You know, those who work in teams, taking on big construction jobs.

Yeah.

Then...

I got tired of drifting around, so I got a job at a factory.

This time, the manager ran away.

Shit, you sure knew how to pick 'em.

I know, right?

Back then, I knew a lot of people all over the country.

I caught the guy who ran away and started cleaning up his mess.

The head office was impressed,

so they put me in charge of the factory when I was just a kid, in 1985.

Good for you.

Eun-gyeong was the office assistant at the head office back then.

It was love at first sight.

I went to see her every day, but she hated me so much!

Well, compared to me, your looks are a little lacking.

Crazy bastard!

Oh man.

The year the IMF crisis happened,

I was fortunate enough to sell off the factory and move here.

Looking back, I've been through so much,

but I overcame it all.

That's how my life has been.

Whenever I reach the stage where I just can't hold out anymore,

a solution appears.

I hope I can sell the goddamn motel this time.

Want a drink?

Nah, I gotta go to work.

Now?

They were short for the night shift, so I volunteered.

See you.

Later.

That's it. More!

- Hey, I like soju better. - Good on you!

- Soju's the best. - More! Yes, good!

This is it?

I can't bring you these anymore.

Damn. That's not cool.

Cigarettes!

- Give it here, dumbass. - He remembered to bring them.

- What is it? - Awesome!

Pass me the cigarettes.

- Give them to me. - Come on!

- What's that? - Looks dope.

What's this?

- What is that? - What is it?

Pills?

Something for his health?

He does look sick.

- Run! - Hurry up!

Gi-ho.

Your son's the one who brought all the alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.

Sorry?

The sleeping pills are prescription. Do you know where he got them?

The kids mixed the pills with alcohol.

They put more pills in each time until one of them went into shock.

The others say that Gi-ho started it and made them do it.

That's not possible. My son is...

How dare you keep our kids at the police station this late!

- Detective Cho. - Where's my son?

- Are you okay? - You brat!

SANG-JUN

Are you hurt? Who the hell did this?

- Is it that little piece of shit? - Detective, is he the one?

- Gi-ho! - What? Why?

Gi-ho!

Gi-ho, are you okay? Gi-ho!

He's just asleep.

MURDER MOTEL 9:00 P.M.

- Don't! - Open the door.

- Open it! - Stop!

Gi-ho! Let go of me!

- And what were you doing? - Cut it out!

Get out.

You little... Where are you going?

- Honey! - Get back here!

- Hey! I'm talking to you! - Honey!

He was being bullied!

What?

They made him bring booze and cigarettes to the motel.

For God's sake.

Then why didn't you fight back like a man?

They said if he didn't, they'd burn down the motel.

They threatened him, teased him, and beat him up for months on end!

Do you know who took the most sleeping pills yesterday?

It was Gi-ho!

Gi-ho!

First, you must prioritize separating the bully from the victims...

I totally understand your intentions.

- My son is not a delinquent. - This is a disgrace to the school.

- He's a kid. He'd never drink... - Mr. Koo?

- That's Gi-ho's dad? - Are you Gi-ho's dad?

Please calm down, sir.

Are you seriously telling us to calm down?

Look at the state our kids are in, thanks to his brat...

Mr. Principal, Byeong-u had to go to the ER a few days ago.

How do you expect us to trust your institution with our kids?

What kind of school are you running here?

What the... What do you think you're doing?

- Are you insane? - Mr. Koo!

What's wrong with you?

Unbelievable!

What's your deal, punk?

The sale of the motel fell through.

As it turned out,

the developer interested in our motel was a close friend of that parent.

You didn't need to bring anything.

I heard what happened. Don't stress about it too much.

Sorry to bother you about this.

No problem, Gyeong-ok.

I'm happy to help an old classmate of mine.

I don't want special treatment.

Please just make sure it's investigated fairly.

I will. Have some tea.

I'm counting on you.

- Thank you. - Don't worry, ma'am.

Sang-jun.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

This, too, will pass.

It is passing as we speak.

Come now, let's go.

Hey, you're up?

Let me get some sleep.

I wanna catch up on all the sleep I've missed.

Sure, get some sleep.

Don't mind me.

Go on, sleep.

Okay, let's see. These papers need to be recycled.

Jesus.

Go to sleep. I'm all done now.

Go to sleep! Don't get up. Sleep.

Can't sleep, huh?

- Dude. - Yeah?

Okay, I'm going.

Well, it's just...

I feel like I need to stretch.

DOCUMENTARY ON JI HYANG-CHEOL TO AIR

AFTERMATH OF MURDERS STILL PRESENT 1 YEAR AFTER HIS ARREST

REPORTER YEOM DONG-CHAN

The Ji Hyang-cheol motel is around here, you know.

- Whoa, Ji Hyang-cheol? - Want to check it out?

Why would I? That's creepy.

People go there to take pictures. It's become a tourist spot.

- Let's go now. - Okay.

Ring us up.

Don't want to.

Sorry?

I'm not selling to you.

What the hell?

Let's go somewhere else.

Let go of me. Hey, man.

Why won't you sell to us?

- Take a look at the sign out front, kid. - Kid?

Yeah, kid.

Go outside and read the sign.

It says "Jong-du's Supermarket."

Jong-du, that's my name.

Everything in this store is mine.

I get to decide if I sell them or not. What's your problem, asshole?

Wow, that's some funny logic.

Then laugh, you motherfuckers.

What the fuck? Fine, let's take this outside.

No?

Come out, you trashy thug.

- I'm fucking coming. - Crazy son of a bitch.

- What a fucking whack job. - Fuck.

- Get out, asshole! - Come on, then.

Fucking hell!

Have you lost your mind? You crazy bastard!

- Let's fucking go! - Officer!

You got busted, man. Officer, hurry up and arrest this thug.

What's the problem here?

I was minding my business when you fucking grabbed me!

You're the one who picked a fight!

- Calm down! - Fuck!

You are the ones who said all that shit first!

What the hell did we say?

Take pictures at the motel?

A tourist spot? You fucking sons of bitches!

I'm gonna fix that foul mouth of yours!

- Stop! - Hey!

Sorry to interrupt.

I'm Yeom Dong-chan from Joongmin Daily.

I'm writing a story

on the first anniversary of the Ji Hyang-cheol case.

You were saying that you're willing to take a picture in front of the motel

where someone was brutally murdered, right?

I'd like to interview you and ask why you'd do such a thing.

What the fuck?

What kind of a messed-up town is this?

- Let's just go. - What a shitty day!

- Don't come back, assholes! - We won't, asshole!

- Piss off, dickhead! - Fuck you, you fucking jerk.

- Hey, you're a fucking reporter? - What?

First anniversary? Of the murder?

Is it a damn birthday party to you?

I'm only here to buy cigarettes.

Fucking hell.

Are you suggesting I write about what happened?

I only said all that because those two annoyed me.

Not more annoying than reporters like you.

You shared pictures of the motel on the news and in the papers

without even blurring them just to make money.

Wait, but that's...

Do you really think people would be interested in a story like that?

These cigarettes started selling like hotcakes when an article revealed

that Ji smokes them.

Only because he smokes them.

I had been smoking these before then.

Anyway,

people don't always pay attention to the things that are important to you.

And unfortunately, a reporter's job is to uncover the next big scoop.

But I'd still like to do some interviews.

Do you know the owner of the motel?

I do.

I'm Yeom Dong-chan from Joongmin Daily.

Hey, this guy's on our side.

Please leave.

Come on, man.

The world thinks that the only victims are the dead ones and their families, huh?

As things are about to die down, a report comes out,

and Ji gets sentenced to death.

This all happened in one year. It'll happen next year and the year after.

Things will continue to be rough for you because Ji won't actually be executed,

and he won't repent for his sins in silence.

He sends tons of letters to reporters and the police

and gives interviews nonstop.

His murders are an accomplishment to him.

He'll spend his whole life blabbing about what he's done.

Your motel will be mentioned again and again,

but no one will know how that pains you.

Yes, I came here in search of a story,

and I wrote the article about the first anniversary.

But now I think I know what I left out.

Not the story of Ji Hyang-cheol the murderer,

not a sensational crime story,

but your story.

Don't you have something you want to say?

Sang-jun.

How about doing... this interview?

Once you do,

maybe people will stop bothering you so much.

JOONGMIN DAILY YEOM DONG-CHAN, REPORTER

JONG-DU'S SUPERMARKET OWNER

Earlier, you were a bit too easy on...

Did the interview take place?

No.

- Where are you going? - Yoon!

Yoon!

Yoon!

I guess it was hard for you to keep pretending.

Why did you come back?

Should I start growing tomatoes?

I'm really good at making sauces.

Why did I come back?

Good question.

I had no intention of coming back here.

But you popped up in my thoughts.

So I came back,

and you acted like you didn't know me.

As though

you'd spent all this time... thinking about me and nothing else.

Too bad we can't keep playing, huh?

It can't be helped. It's raining.

Wow! Is that right?

You're a smart boy, Si-hun.

It's Si-hyeon. Ha Si-hyeon.

Can I help you?

Here.

- Thank you. - Are you okay?

What's going on?

His nose started bleeding, so we gave him tissues.

The fourth floor. Room 403! Take the stairs on the left!

Come quickly!

Wake up, ma'am!

This way.