Japanese dialogue subtitled in blue Korean dialogue subtitled in yellow
(in Korean) What are you doing? Cut the kimchi.
They're famished!
Food is served!
Let's eat! Let's eat!
Time to eat!
For me, unripe kimchi is the best.
You can still taste the green buds of garlic.
Has that stomach ever met a food it didn't like?
Sunja, are you okay?
Here you are.
Thank you.
Tell Aunt Kyunghee I'll stop by the video store.
Have a good day.
Work hard.
Last night I dreamt of rice cakes.
Really?
A whole platterful.
-I even shared them with you, Sis. -Were they good?
Kyunghee, wake up.
Kyunghee.
Kyung--
Sunja, what is it?
My stomach.
Did I eat a bad clam last night?
That's terrible.
Could it be a sign that your bleeding is to come?
You missed it last month.
I'll boil some doraji for you.
Tell your mother I'm sorry for the price hike.
In Koh Hansu's absence, everything is chaos.
Isn't he supposed to be back by now?
I heard he was only meant to be gone for a week.
That's right.
But who knows? He may not return at all.
Why do you say that?
A man like Koh Hansu has options.
Being a fish broker in Busan isn't that man's ultimate dream.
It kills me to think about going back to the way it was.
He may have been strict, but he paid fairly.
Well, it was good while it lasted, wasn't it?
Look here!
Come! Cheap prices!
Who would that be?
I'll go check.
How about here?
She'll be with all these memories.
Isn't it too obvious?
Grandmother,
there's no need to agonize about this.
The burial marker will be done any day now.
Oh, my!
You really shouldn't have come all this way.
How can you say that?
Of course I had to come
to see how you are faring.
This is Pastor Rhee, visiting from Korea.
He's here with us at the church for a few months.
You don't know how lucky we are to have him.
Please, sit.
Our Kyunghee,
I didn't know her long,
but I could tell she was a rare person.
She loved bringing joy to others, didn't she?
I wish you could've seen her before the cancer took her energy.
Even at her age,
you'd have fallen for her.
I saw into her heart, and I saw it was good.
It's all we ever need to see in a person, really.
You speak so well.
You could write a book.
Do you mind if I move this?
Yes, please do so.
She should be with her loved ones.
Much better.
Shall we pray together?
Hurry.
Dear Heavenly Father,
we gather here today
to remember your child, who has returned to you.
Thank you for receiving our beloved back into your grace.
Amen.
Sunja, hurry home. The storm is coming.
This is my last errand.
Who knows how much damage it will do.
Koh Hansu!
We were beginning to think you had forsaken us.
You had us so worried!
An atonement for my absence.
It's too pretty to rip open.
You must learn to be less sentimental about things.
I don't even know how to read time.
I will teach you then.
That head of yours is clever. You'll pick it up quickly.
I'm…
I'm with child.
You must say something.
Are you sure?
Sunja.
You bring me my son.
There's no way you can know it's a boy.
But I know it.
I'm certain of it.
You'll be disappointed then if it's a girl.
But you'll still have to love her.
If it's a girl, I'll buy her pretty dresses.
And hope she's as smart as her mother.
Then when will you visit my mother?
She will be surprised, of course.
But if we marry quickly, she'll be put at ease.
Why are you suddenly speaking of marriage?
I thought you knew what this was.
Knew?
What does that mean?
I can't marry you.
I have a family.
In Osaka, I have a wife
and three daughters.
It's not exactly a marriage of love,
but a necessary arrangement.
A necessary arrangement?
Necessary for business reasons. There's no affection.
You and your mother
and our child will want for nothing.
I'll buy the biggest house in Yeongdo.
How about Jiyun's home?
They'll no longer be able to afford it anyway.
You'll learn how to read
and tell time.
We'll have more children, and we will live well.
Even more daughters.
You know it as well,
what the world is like right now.
Children who go to bed,
never to wake up.
Girls selling their innocence for a bowl of noodles.
The elderly stealing away quietly to die
so the young have enough to eat.
Sunja.
Marriage, it's just an arrangement.
You will see reason in what I propose.
What are you saying?
For people like us,
it's how we survive.
Sunja.
So then…
was this the plan from the start?
To force me to marry you
because no one else will?
After all,
who would risk marrying the daughter of a cripple--
You will not speak of my father.
My child could inherit your father's deformities.
Don't I have the right?
So tell me, who's really cursing who?
Sunja.
Come back.
Come back now!
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Could you point me
to the boardinghouse run by the cripple's widow?
But it's a good 40-minute trek.
I can manage.
Mother.
Grandmother.
Give yourself a day or two.
What, you think these things will break me?
These are just things.
Even this house. A roof, some walls,
nothing more.
(in Japanese) A notorious figure with ties to organized crime,
he left his grandson a fortune after his passing.
Now Mamoru Yoshii is also dogged by rumors of corruption,
along with insider trading.
I was barely able to be a mother in those days.
Working 14 hours a day, seven days a week.
Without your aunt, I don't know what would've become of us.
You shouldn't tax yourself too much.
It's time to take care of yourself.
You make it sound like this kind of living is hard.
Enough. Go back to work.
What's the point indulging an old woman?
You don't need to worry about that.
They understand the situation.
Besides, there's nothing to do.
The landowner turned us down again.
What?
All that money?
Imagine everything she could provide for her children.
It's not like the money is dirty or anything.
What's wrong with her?
So what does this mean for you?
There will be a black mark for a while, I suppose.
I'll have to claw my way back up again.
What choice do I have?
Either way, that deal is lost.
I wish I understood
why some people cling to the past.
What good does it do?
It doesn't bring the dead back, does it?
Grandmother.
Come with me to Tokyo.
What?
I want you to talk to her.
Me?
What would I say?
Tell her what you told me.
If you look at a house, it's just a roof and some walls.
And the dead don't come back.
Grandmother, please.
What are they saying? Can you hear?
Tell us. Is he going to live?
He's contended with this before.
Death, it seems, has already marked him once.
It's a pity he's so far from his family.
I wonder if his parents are still alive.
-That's his? -Yes.
Let's try finding a name.
-These clothes are expensive. -Look at all these books!
How hard it must've been to carry such a load.
What does this say?
"Dear Mother and Father,
I have arrived safely in Busan."
"I am eager to get to Osaka to do the Lord's work
and begin my new life with Yoseb and Kyunghee."
"But do not worry.
I am well.
Your loving son, Isak."
Isak? What kind of name is that?
I believe it is a biblical name.
Here, he's from Pyongyang.
One of those Christians from the North.
You must take his sickness seriously.
This is tuberculosis.
We must report it.
How can I turn him out like this?
Ma'am…
think of your daughter,
your boarders.
Let's see if he survives the night.
-Hello. -What are you doing back here?
Who is this?
I apologize for disturbing you.
I'm his grandmother.
Would you speak to us for a moment?
-Please, do not trouble yourself-- -It's nothing.
I was just about to eat.
-Amen. -Amen.
Is there a grandchild here?
Those?
I'm the one studying.
The school just gave me this.
My diploma for finishing sixth grade.
So you go to school with the children?
Yes. Most of them are good kids,
but there's a few pains in the ass.
What made you decide to go to school?
I don't know how it was for you,
but my family was so poor
they couldn't afford school, even for the boys.
Grandmother,
my mother didn't see the point in sending girls to school.
Then you understand.
That feeling of being so separate from the world.
I was always either ashamed or afraid.
I'd get angry at my own children for learning how to read.
I was worried they'd look down on me.
But look, number three in my class!
I was almost second.
Wow!
You taste it, don't you?
But how?
A woman I know visits her daughter every few months.
She always brings home two suitcases full.
Grandmother, what is it?
Taste the rice again.
Look at that!
Young people don't know the difference.
This is rice grown in our country.
How can you tell?
It's nuttier.
A bit sweeter, with a harder chew to it.
Back then, white rice was a luxury.
We grew it, but they took it all.
But now we eat white rice at every meal,
and we don't even notice it.
And you think that's a good thing?
When I first came to this country,
we had so little money.
We lived in Osaka.
I remember walking by the food stalls near the train station,
and I would try to imagine what each dish tasted like.
I must've gotten pretty good at it.
My mouth actually watered.
Like the first time I smelled coffee.
I thought it was the most wonderful smell.
It was years before I finally had my first sip--
-So bitter! -Exactly!
Not at all what I imagined.
But these days,
I don't even get hungry.
I eat because it's time.
I no longer make my own kimchi.
I buy it for 300 yen a jar.
Back in the day…
I would've had to sell out my entire cart to make that much.
This rice reminds me--
It reminds me of my mother,
the day I got married.
Grandmother,
what is it?
I'm just being ridiculous.
-I'm sorry. We shouldn't have come-- -Don't look down on her tears.
She earned the right to those.
I know you do not know me…
but do not worry.
I will take care of you as best I can.
Have you returned home?
Twice.
Once in the '70s, then again a few years ago.
And you?
At first, there wasn't enough money,
then not enough time.
I don't see the point of it now.
It's all gone, from what I hear.
Yes, much has changed.
But to walk the street and hear your own language,
to smell our own food.
The ground beneath your feet feels different.
And that's when your soul knows…
this land really is my home.
That's the reason why we go.
My sister-in-law--
My sister-in-law passed a few days ago.
She was such a good person.
Even though her heart yearned for more,
she thought of us first.
My sister-in-law--
My sister-in-law,
if only she could have gone back once more.
How happy that would've made her.
And now--
Now it's too late.
It's not too late for you.
Isn't that so?
You.
You're not even curious about our land.
But you thought if you brought your grandmother, she'd get me to sell?
Yes.
You're a pitiless one.
Have you no shame?
I'm not stealing from you.
No one's out to get you.
We're offering you a fortune.
But instead of being grateful,
you act like there's some injustice here.
Things are different now.
It's their turn to account to us.
And you really believe that?
Yes.
Mother.
His fever's finally broken.
We should make some porridge.
Mother…
I must speak with you.
What?
Who did this to you?
Name him!
Tell me.
Did he force himself upon you?
No.
It wasn't like that--
Then why are you protecting him?
What kind of coward does this and refuses to own up to it?
It was my mistake thinking you were a sensible girl.
How could you be so stupid?
Mother…
I'm sorry.
You know what this means for you now.
For this baby.
Do you know?
Sunja…
is there no way to get him to marry you?
It's done, Mother.
He's gone.
I was just a fool.
I see it now.
That woman wants to die in that house.
Couldn't you see that?
You said so yourself,
her children would benefit from that money.
So,
is that our lot then?
To constantly sacrifice for our children?
When does it stop?
At our death?
What are you asking me to do?
I need you to be very clear.
Can't you be at the top of the mountain
while leaving her in peace?
No.
That's the job I do.
That's how I put food on the table.
I'm sorry I'm not a beloved clergyman like Pastor Rhee.
What does he have to do with this?
He reminds me of someone.
That is all.
I should go. The train's coming.
I'll come to see your train off.
I know you're a good boy.
I know I raised you right.
Stop nipping at your rice!
You know it's bad luck.
What is it?
Did someone die or something?
What's going on?
What?
Eat.
Solomon Baek.
I just got a call from her lawyers an hour ago.
You did it.
Using your grandmother.
That's brilliant.
Yeah.
Okay, everybody.
Naomi, Arimoto, you too. We're going to celebrate.
Château Budweisers for everyone!
Congratulations.
Thank you.
I admit, I didn't think you had a chance.
I misjudged you.
Tom is calling for us. Shall we go?
I'll be right there.
Hello?
Be good and tell me you missed me.
-Or at least lie well. -I've been waiting for you to call.
No, you haven't.
I called four times today.
I went home for a few days.
What is that?
Is that a party there?
Solomon!
I closed an important deal.
We're celebrating.
Of course you did.
So it seems sending you off to America
was the right choice after all.
I suppose your wish came true.
But do you ever wonder about all that's been lost?
You're supposed to be happy for me.
I refuse.
At least I'm honest about it.
No doubt there are those who hate you for your success.
When will I see you?
Perhaps you never will.
You haven't changed.
It's pathetic, you and these games.
You're wrong.
I've changed so much.
Are you sick?
Hana!
Ma'am?
How are you feeling?
Alive, thanks to you.
Pharmacist Chu says you are mending well.
I am relieved to hear it.
My parents will be as well.
I--
I'd like to go into town to send them a telegram.
I'll fetch a boy to carry a message.
I'd like to go myself.
Test these legs of mine.
But you shouldn't be running around so soon.
If I'm to go to Osaka, I need to get stronger.
Must you go?
I know a church is waiting for you,
but if you were to die there,
so far from home…
I have nearly died so many times.
I know it too well.
I am not scared of that.
Living, on the other hand,
that's the hard part for me.
At least let my daughter accompany you.
Please--
I do not wish to trouble anyone.
I can't send you alone.
Just a moment. I'll fetch her.
Sunja!
I'm sorry to burden you and your mother.
Let me take you to lunch.
It's no trouble.
Perhaps there's something at the market.
There is a noodle shop.
I have heard people speak about it.
It's not too far from here.
Wonderful.
In that case,
we'll send my telegram after lunch.
I told you about this.
Get rid of those.
What's this?
Write it down.
I've heard so much about this market. It's magnificent.
It really is big.
Please, we should go.
Enough of this--
Solomon.
-No, hey-- Tom. -Apologies, he will have to call you back.
Tom, don't hang up--
I am your fucking boss.
Get out here and celebrate.
Genius.
Hey.
Cheers.
Cheers!
That is…
Mother,
what are you doing here so late?
She wanted to go back,
to see our homeland once more.
What are you talking about?
I don't want your aunt's ashes to be buried here.
I want to take her back home.
Me too. I want to go home.
It's my first time at a restaurant.
That was quick!
We don't want our customers waiting.
Who taught you to speak Japanese so well?
I had a tutor as a child.
Shimizu-san.
He and I were great friends.
I saw all your books.
You must know so much.
I'm not sure about that.
As I grow older,
I realize there's so much I don't know.
To tell you the truth,
I feel stupid most of the time.
Would you pray with me?
Father, thank you for the food we're about to eat.
And thank you for looking out for us,
for guiding us onto the right path.
In Christ's name, we pray.
Amen.
Sunja, you can open your eyes now.
It's good.
I feel it is disingenuous of me
to hide it any longer.
I know you are with child.
I have no intention of castigating you.
I only bring it up because--
perhaps it would help you
to have a friend at this time.
But if I may.
The child,
have you thought of offering the child to another family?
Perhaps a childless couple.
I know it is difficult, but…
What are you saying?
To raise a child on your own, the repercussions--
I'm not under any illusion about my fate.
I understand my child and I will be outcasts…
that I'll have to leave the boardinghouse so as not to ruin my mother's business.
I know all this.
And yet…
I…
I was loved by an outcast.
My father.
It's strange how much I am thinking of him now.
For most of his life, he was told he'd never marry
or have a child of his own.
But here I am.
I am here even though I shouldn't be.
And now…
my child is here even though he shouldn't be.
And he will be loved.
Even if I must work until my fingernails break,
and my back aches and my stomach goes empty,
my child…
he will want for nothing.
That's my promise to him.
My father…
he made the same promise to me when I was born.
No.
I will not…
give up this child.
I apologize, Sunja.
I was wrong.
I have been sick for so much of my life.
I know books, yes.
But I know so little of people.
And then to hear you speak…
I am ashamed.
That was not my intention.
No.
I am grateful to you for it.
Grateful?
This person…
can you forget him?
I want to.
If so,
do you think you could care for another?
What does it matter now?
No one will take me.
But if it was possible…
If someone were to ask you…
to leave your home…
and begin anew…
could you?
But…
you understand I'm--
You are with another man's child.
I understand.
And I am asking you whether,
perhaps…
with enough time…
you can learn to care for someone else?