Original subtitles

Production & Distribution Namajinheung Company

Rainy Season

Planning Kim Seung

Original novel Yoon Heung-gil Screenplay Yoon Sam-yook

Hwang Jung-seun

Lee Dae-keun

Kim Sin-jae

Kim Seok-hun, Seonwoo Yong-nyeo

Park Jung-ja, Ju Hye-gyeong

Kang Suk-woo Child actor Choe Yong-won

Child actor Kim Do-hui, Gil Dal-ho, Kim Kwang-il

Park Gi-soo, Gang Hui Kim Yeong-suk, Kim Seung-nam

Kim Ki-bum, Sa Won-bai, Park Byeong-gi Choi Yeon-soo, Lee Jeong-ae, Ra Jeong-ok

Son Jun, Choi Sam, Kim Min-gyu Oh Se-jang, Chu Bong, Gang Cheol

Cinematography You Young-gil

Lighting Kim Tae-seong

Assistant cinematographer Kwak Myeong-choon Choi Gwang-ok, Kang Chang-ho

Assistant gaffer Gang Sang-ryong, Cho Beom-geun

Editing Lee Kyoung-ja, Music Han Sang-ki

Art director Cho Kyung-hwan Recording Sohn In-ho

Effect Son Hyo-sin

Makeup Jang In-han Prop Lee Wol-ho

Still Kim Gyu-hong

Special effect Korea Mondoganewon, Jeong Myeong-ho

Production manager Kim Min-soo

Assistant director Suk Do-won Park Ho-jin, Im Je-bok

Script Lee Mi-sook

Producer Seo Jong-ho

Director Yoo Hyun-mok

What a strange dream!

Why is the rainy season so long!

Dong-man? Where is your mother?

Where is everyone? Dong-man! Dong-man!

Where is everyone?

Where is everyone in this rain? They should be home.

Where are they?

- Who are you looking for? - Nobody's home.

Dong-man's dad said the rice paddy ridges broke.

- Maybe they went there. - Goodness, it's been raining nonstop.

The weather has been just horrid these days.

If you're uncomfortable in your room, come to my room.

No, my room is comfortable, too.

A cold room in this rain can make old people like us sick.

Make sure you tell them to heat up your room.

Thank you.

Why are you asleep hugging a pillow?

Let me see your willy.

You're so like your uncle. You've got the same pinecone willy.

What a dream....

You took after your uncle. Just like a pine cone.

Why are you napping so long?

Dong-man, Dong-man. Wake up.

Here, here.

Dong-man, go and get your mom and your aunt. Hurry.

But it's raining.

It stopped. Hurry and go get them.

Tell them that I'm looking for them.

Poor thing.

You can't start shooting. You didn't even ask for the password!

- Password? - Mount Halla Mountain.

Mount Baekdu Mountain. Where are you going?

- To get my mom. - Come. I'll show you a neat place.

Where?

Where is it?

Come.

Come inside.

Wow, this is neat. Who made it?

- Here, have a bite. - Potatoes?

- Good, aren't they? - It's good.

Wanna touch them?

- Again? - Here, touch them. Go ahead.

- Aren't they soft? - They are.

Look over there. They're shooting again.

A torch was lit last night. It never fails.

A torch was lit?

You didn't know? A torch was lit here, there,

at every ridge. It was like fireworks.

Geez, I just went to bed.

It's so strange. Every time a torch is lit,

they start firing cannons at Geonji Mountain.

Stupid, that's because the mountain people are fighting with the police.

Why are they fighting? They're not the Southern and Northern soldiers.

The mountain people are our relatives. We know them.

How should I know?

It's because the Reds are hiding in the mountains.

You mean everyone in the mountains is a Red?

Jeom-sum's father and Mr. Choi from the next village?

And your uncle, too?

Don't say things like that.

My dad said you should never talk about things like that.

Wait!

See if I'm wrong.

Soon, you'll get to see.

See whether I'm wrong or right.

When your father passed away, I knew it four days before his death.

That time, it wasn't a tooth. It was a finger.

In my dream today, a tooth completely fell out.

Don't you get tired of talking about your dreams?

You just don't know.

You'll see soon enough. Just wait and see.

Please, stop it.

Mother-in-law, you're worrying yourself for nothing.

You don't believe me either?

Just wait and see. There'll be news soon.

It's all because of this weather.

That's why you're making yourself sick with worry.

It's the weather, Mom.

You just don't know.

Have my dreams ever been wrong?

I don't believe in dreams.

It was only a couple of days ago that we got a letter

from Gil-jun saying he is doing fine.

That's right. Mom, you saw his letter saying he's bored

because they don't do much fighting these days.

It doesn't matter.

My only son. When people are evading the army,

he volunteered to be a captain and now he shows up in my dream.

Please, stop it.

What terrible weather. Let's have some light.

Oh no, the light. Where's a match?

A match? Dong-man, where's a match?

Shh. Be quiet.

It's here.

Why are the dogs barking?

- It's here. It's here. - I don't want to hear it, Mom.

- Is this the house? - Yes.

The damn rain is pouring down.

It's here.

- What's this noise? - Sun-gu! Are you home, Sun-gu?

- Who is it? - It's me.

I'll go see who it is.

You stay put and don't make a sound.

No, I'll go and see. You stay put.

- Who is it? - It's me.

- Who is me? - Me, the town head.

What brings you here in the middle of the night?

And in this rain?

Come this way.

It doesn't matter. I'm fine.

I knew we'd get the news today. If not, tomorrow.

I knew it so I am fine, really I am.

It doesn't matter, it doesn't.

Sister, Sister!

I'll see you later then. Please give my regards to your mother-in-law.

It's painful for us, too. Don't know why we ended up having to do this.

We'll be going, then.

Take care.

Please, stop it.

You should think of Mother.

Please, think of Mom. Stop it, Sister.

Please calm down.

See. What did I say?

Didn't I say we'd hear something today?

When your father died, I knew it four days before.

You probably thought that because an old woman has

nothing to do, I was muttering nonsense.

And you thought I was crazy for saying it.

Now that you know what do you think?

I'd really like to hear what you think.

So, do you still take my words so lightly?

Just because I am going deaf and blind, you shouldn't treat me so.

Just because I am an old woman you shouldn't

think of what I say as gibberish.

My dreams have never been wrong.

Every time something happened in the family, I always knew.

Every time something sad happened, I always knew.

My poor brother, Gil-jun. When everyone is dodging the service....

It doesn't matter.

I knew this would happen, so it doesn't matter.

My poor brother!

How can this be!

It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.

My poor brother. Gil-jun, you poor thing.

You poor thing.

Here is lunch.

Did your mother eat something?

No, nothing.

You're not going to eat anything?

My poor brother.

Sister, have something to eat.

My poor brother.

I couldn't even give a warm bowl of rice to him.

Sister, stop it now. You should take care of yourself.

Can you believe it? Our brother Gil-jun

died in the war. What? You're not eating?

Don't feel like it.

- How about Mother? - She would not eat a bite.

She must feel horrible.

She lost her only son.

We have to adopt a boy just to carry on our family name.

Did my husband have lunch yet?

He's out in the field. I'm going to take his lunch to him.

Thank you for doing it instead of me.

Huh?

- Aunt! - What?

- How did Uncle die? - He died as a soldier.

Does that mean he died in the war?

That's right.

Why didn't he hide out longer? Why did he die in the war?

What?

Didn't he hide in the bamboo fields at the back of our house

- after he came to stay with us? - A man has to fight in the war.

- Aunt, Aunt! - What?

Was Uncle a football player in college?

- Yes. - Wow, cool.

Mom, Uncle from Seoul is here.

Dong-man!

Uncle!

Sister-in-law, your family is here from Seoul!

- Who? - Really?

- Grandma! - Dong-man!

You've grown up. You've really grown up.

- Mom, you must be tired from the trip. - So happy to see you again!

How are you?

- Have you been well? - We came to escape the war.

You're welcome here. Glad you came.

- You're lucky to have crossed the Han River. - We barely managed.

We two old women should live together and rely on each other

until the war is over.

Thank you, thank you so much.

Hurry. Hurry.

The people here are also worried about the Northern soldiers.

You really look like a lady now that you're a college student.

Seoul must be full of wonders!

Just look at your complexion.

Sun-cheol, mind your manners in front of your in-laws.

What did I say?!

So sorry to impose on you in the midst of this war.

- We are all family. - Still I'm sorry.

Why don't we go inside?

- How many did you catch? - Five.

- Give them to me. - No, don't want to.

You are not going to give them to me?

What is that? Is it lightning?

No, it's the Northern soldiers coming this way.

Gil-jun, where do you think you're going?

They've been dying to get their hands on

the college students who helped the right-wing.

I don't know left from right so

why do you have to be involved?

The Americans said they would help us but they are being pushed back by the North.

They underestimated the North and were not prepared for them.

- That's what the problem is. - Mother.

- It's too late. - What do you mean?

The Northern soldiers are already in town.

They destroyed Jeonju, Yiri, and Gunsan and now they are here.

If you go now, you're sure to die in vain.

Gil-jun! What should we do?

They will be here by tomorrow.

- Mother! - What should we do?

You can dig a hole in the bamboo field and hide out there.

- Hide? - Hide?

Right. We'll say you ran away last night.

If you hide there, you can hide for more than a year.

That's right.

Please, let's do that.

I'll feel much better, too.

That's right. I'll watch out for you.

- That sounds good. - That's a good idea.

- Let's do that. - Yes, let's.

Hide there, will you?

Isn't he Gwang-bae who was taken during the Yeosu Revolt?

And that's Gang-il who was a Red.

-They must be ecstatic. - It's their world now.

Many innocent people will lose their lives.

They shouldn't go after innocent people but get the real evil ones.

You're right. Like Yong-beom who searched

everyone for illegal liquor or meat.

Right. We should get him first.

That's right. That's right.

Right. Everyone complained about him.

Yong-beom, that ass.

You know what? I'll bring that ass here.

Yong-beom's wife rejected him when she was a maiden, so now it's pay back time.

Is Yong-beom home?

No, I haven't seen him for a few days.

- Is that right? You, over there. - Yes.

You, over here.

Yong-beom!

He ran away? I saw him moments ago.

- Yong-beom. - Here, here.

Here he is. Come on out.

- What do you want? - What do I want? Just come with me.

- Isn't that Yong-beom? - Hurry up, ass.

Where did they find that scum?

- Sun-cheol caught him, Sun-cheol. - Hurry up, you ass.

Giddy up!

Giddy up! Giddy up!

- Serves him right. - What are you looking at?

Where did you find that asshole?

In the toilet. We caught him like a raccoon and brought him here.

That asshole tasted the water we washed our rice with

- and wanted to argue it was wine. - Son of a bitch!

That's not all.

I skinned a rabbit that I caught last winter.

But this asshole insisted that it was illegal beef.

- He should be punished. - That's right.

Wait, wait. I have just the punishment for him.

- What? - I'll give him a piece of my mind.

Isn't that rice wine?

- What is it? - What is it?

Isn't it wastewater from washing rice?

This is the water you get after washing rice.

To dogs' eyes, everything looks like poop,

so to him, this will look like wine.

So, drink up. And do not leave a drop behind.

Go ahead.

- Drink. - This is rice wine.

This is rice wine that everyone is crazy about.

Don't you leave a drop behind!

Drink.

- It's free so drink it up. - What's that?

They must be punishing a counterrevolutionary. Why don't you go and help them out?

Drink it up, you asshole.

Drink.

Drink it up, you asshole.

Drink to the last drop. You might feel a little full.

- Great job, Comrade. - Yes, sir.

- What's your name? - It's Comrade Kim Sun-cheol.

Great job you are doing!

Wait!

This is rice wine with rice floating on top.

The illegal wine that you looked for high and low.

- Drink it. - Don't say stop, drink, drink.

Are you getting drunk?

Drink your fill. First time tasting wastewater wine?

Sun-cheol, you are doing great. Great.

Sun-cheol, today is your day.

Don't leave anything behind.

Where is your enormous belly? Where is it? Where?

Doesn't he look just like a goldfish?

This isn't enough? Sun-cheol, should I bring some more?

No, you shouldn't. Wine is expensive!

Great. You must be feeling good now.

Drink, drink it up.

Oh, no, look at him. He looks like he's about to die.

Really? Let's get out of here.

What's wrong?

Let's go home.

Execute him.

Did I go too far?

Oh, my goodness. You startled me!

Be careful so that no one notices.

It would be terrible if someone did.

Where is the food?

Keep a good lookout. And be careful.

- You, too, Mother. - I will.

Gil-jun. It's your mother.

- You must be hungry. - I'm not really.

Don't say that. In times like this, you should eat well.

- You must feel cramped. - It's all right, Mother.

Because of this messed up world, you have to suffer like this.

Don't worry, Mother.

I feel scared day and night.

By the way, I am so worried about Sun-cheol.

Why?

He went around the village saying he'd help people.

Now, he even has a red band around his arm

and goes around the place with his eyes red.

Yesterday he got Mr. Choi from Bongsanri and had what you call

a people's court and beat him until his head busted open.

Sun-cheol did that?

Right, Sun-cheol. I don't think he's going to leave you alone.

That's what I'm worried about.

He is not that kind of person.

He is good-hearted and maybe too gullible

and won't be able to harm anyone but...

Don't do anything that harms anyone.

- Never hurt someone else. You hear? - Yes, Mom.

People are saying that you dragged Mr. Choi out and

beat him up last night because he humiliated you a long time ago,

- so you took your revenge on him. - Who said that? Who?

Don't do anything that drives a nail into someone else's heart.

Yes, Mom.

And don't do anything that might worry our in-laws.

- Yes, Mom. - It sure is hot.

- Is he there? - Yes.

I should pay him a visit, too. He might think I don't care about him.

I don't know where he is.

Follow me.

I will keep a lookout until morning so get some sleep.

Mom, it's me.

- There... - Nice to see you.

It's you. Wasn't expecting you.

Hurry and go inside. We don't want anyone to see you.

With this, we don't have to worry.

Still, go inside. Someone might see us.

You must feel cooped up.

It's a bit humid, but nice and cool, no?

I'm all right. Because of me...

No problem.

You are our Dong-man's uncle, and

your sister is my sister-in-law so...

- Don't worry. Stay here. - Thank you.

I didn't want to get involved from the beginning,

but the people had scores to settle with Yong-beom

for bothering them about illegal liquor.

I just wanted to scare him a bit, but one thing led to another...

Still, don't get too involved in working for the communists.

What do you mean?

Perhaps I was out of line.

I don't think that I'm working for the communists

like some people are.

All I'm doing is punishing the ones who should be punished

and getting stolen land back to the rightful owners.

- That's all. - I understand.

Still, don't get yourself too involved.

This is an uncomfortable subject so let's not talk about it.

Did you make this bamboo spear?

If worst comes to worst, I'll take someone with me when I die.

I shouldn't just die alone, should I?

You would kill me if I weren't careful?

Well, you are so quick, they won't be able to get you.

By the way, I saw you playing football in Gwangju last time.

- You were like a tiger, a real tiger. - Did you see me?

You don't know how I bragged about you.

I said to people, "He is my in-law."

I bought everyone drinks, too.

Well, then, hide yourself well here.

I'll bring outside news from time to time.

Well.

Like I said before, don't get yourself too involved.

Well, if I said to you, don't hide yourself there,

but come out and join our liberation war, would you?

As long as I'm alive, I will refuse.

See, so let's not talk about this to each other.

Do you understand what I mean?

Just because he went to a college in Seoul,

he thinks he can disrespect me.

I'll see you later.

Take care.

I'm sorry, Brother.

Where have you been, stupid head, instead of helping me?

I can't. I'm too busy.

Why are you swaggering around when there's so much

work to be done around the house?

None of your business. I'm doing this for the good of the people.

Geez...

Wait, wait.

Can I?

Can I touch it a bit?

- Let me touch it a bit. - Go away.

- Just a bit. - Comrade.

Yes.

- Want to try shooting? - Yes.

- I got it? I got it! - You did well, very well.

I shot it. I did!

Go without me. I'm going to go for a swim.

We are training right now, Comrade.

You can't do everything in one day. I'll try harder starting tomorrow.

It's really hot, isn't it, Gil-ja?

It is. It's really hot today.

My, my, this feels cool. It feels really cool.

Your legs look like a kid's legs in the water.

Yes, they are tiny.

Do you remember how we used to swim here when we were little?

It's been ten years since you moved to Seoul.

I was ten years old.

I was fourteen years old.

- Doesn't it seem like yesterday? - We were as small as those children.

When it rained, there were so many mudfish.

We used a straw basket to catch them, then.

We got a basket full in half a day. I miss those days.

You used to let the fish go saying you felt sorry for them.

Yeah, I returned all of them to the water.

It's the siren for us to meet now.

Comrades, we don't have enough time to go to Geonji Mountain. Hurry.

Comrades, we have no time. Hurry, hurry.

Sun-cheol, is that you?

- You're home early today. - Yes.

Why are you standing there? Sit.

Mom, I have to go to Geonji Mountain tonight.

Geonji Mountain? Why?

- You have something to do there? - Yes.

If you leave tonight, you won't be able to return by tomorrow.

No.

Then when will you be back?

It will take me a couple of days.

I see. Take good care of yourself.

You, too, Mom.

Why are you bowing all of sudden as if you were going somewhere far?

I guess now I feel all grown-up, Mom.

My sweet boy. Come back home as soon as you can.

It's me, Sun-cheol.

I wasn't expecting you.

- I'm going to Geonji Mountain tonight. - To the mountain?

- The Southern soldiers will be here tomorrow. - What?

I'm leaving with the Northern soldiers for the mountain.

You mean you'll become a guerrilla fighter?

- No, not a guerrilla. - Then what?

I'll be a communist partisan fighter.

- Is it funny? - Yes, it is.

Is it funny because now it's my turn to hide?

No, that's not it, but the fact that you'll be a partisan fighter...

What about me being a partisan fighter? What about it?

I really, really liked you.

I liked your down-to-earth personality.

I know. I like you, too.

You're smart and good at sports, too.

Please, think carefully about what you are doing.

You're at it again.

What did I say? Didn't I say let's never talk about this to each other?

Every man has his own opinion.

So don't bother yourself about this.

Anyway, just be patient for tonight and stay here.

Because you did stuff for the right wing, if you get discovered,

it will be the end for you and a problem for me as well.

Even if the world tumbles, you have to stay here tonight.

Then you'll able to see the sun tomorrow.

Thank you for everything.

Well, take good care of yourself.

Why are you here? Why are you staring at me like that?

You were here. I have to go to the mountain tonight.

I see.

It'll just be for a while, so don't worry.

Just wait for a while and we'll liberate you soon.

Do you have to go?

For the liberation of the people, I have to go anywhere they want me to.

I don't have time so I'll be going now.

Ah, I asked Dong-man to steal a picture of you for me.

Bye.

Comrade! Where did you go?

To my mom. To say goodbye to her.

- To your mother? - Yes.

Let's go. We have no time.

- Comrade! - Yeah.

A counterrevolutionary from Seoul has been hiding out

in the bamboo forest behind my house.

Really?

A college student who worked for the right wing.

- Where did you say? - The bamboo forest in the back of my house.

Got it.

Follow me.

Come out!

He ran away.

They are gone.

How did you know that they would be here?

When Sun-cheol came to see me today, I just knew

that he would betray me tonight.

Good job.

- He ran away. - Ran away?

- Comrade! Tell us the truth. - What do you mean tell you the truth?

I know that he is your in-law.

Huh?

Then why didn't you tell us about it before?

- Where did you hide him? - I didn't.

He is stalling. He must be a counterrevolutionary.

- No, never, never. - Tell me the truth.

You are a counterrevolutionary and cannot be forgiven.

Counterrevolutionary!

Give me your gun. Take off your gun. Hurry.

- No... - Give me your gun.

It wasn't me, really, it wasn't me. What do you mean?

- How can you prove it? - What?

Kill him!

Kill him!

Sun-cheol, it's me. I carried you on my back when you were a boy.

Comrade, we have no time.

I said we have no time.

I just can't understand you. You can stay here with me.

Why do you want to join this war?

I just can't understand you at all.

The country is in need right now.

I understand why you want to do it but...

Why become a captain when they say captains are the first ones to die?

Mom, do you think I would die so easily?

I will see you later.

- Goodbye. - Take care of yourself.

Uncle.

Uncle!

Oh no, it's going to pour soon. What weather!

- Dong-man! - Yes?

- Aunt! - Sister-in-law!

- What's wrong with you, Aunt? - Sister-in-law!

She is sick.

Wife! Wife!

- What's.... - Wife!

What's wrong?

What's wrong with you?

- She fainted in the field. - What?

She was trying to put the basket on her head when she fainted.

It's because she hasn't eaten anything.

After she heard the news, she didn't have any water or food for three days.

Poor thing. You poor thing.

It will be the death of my whole family.

You won't eat at all? Why are you so stubborn?

Gil-ja, Gil-ja. Are you all right?

I know. I know. You poor thing.

You poor thing.

That's right. Just pour it down. Just pour it down.

Strike and burn those Reds into charcoal, the ones behind the rocks, too.

Rake them all. Sweep every one of them out.

That's right, that's right.

Get those Reds behind the trees. That's right.

That's right, that's right. Thank you, God.

Dear Buddha, I thank you.

Thank you, Providence. Thank you.

Give it to them one more time.

Is that old hag begging to be killed?

Where does she think she is that she can rave like that?

Whose house is this, huh?

I've been patient, but I won't be anymore.

This is what they mean by repaying kindness with ingratitude.

Mom, that's enough.

- What do you mean? - That's enough, so stop it.

I took pity on you and had you stay at my house because you had no place to go.

But now you think you can do whatever!

If your heart is wicked like that,

lightning will strike you, lightning.

- Mother! - What?

You think about it!

Because she goes on ranting will that bring her dead son back to life?

Or will that kill a person who's alive?

It will never happen. Never.

Everyone lives and dies as they were born to do.

When your children die before you, it's because of your own sin.

Because of the parents' sin in their previous life,

their children die before them to make them suffer.

There's nothing to rant about since this is the fate that she was born with.

If you are sixty something,

you should know a little bit about shame.

Right, let's say my son died before me because of my sin.

Doesn't seem like you were blessed either

to have a son like that!

Just listen, listen to what that old hag is saying.

- She is begging for her death. - Mother, please stop it.

What? What about my son? What's wrong with my son?

- If you just thought about it, you would know. - Mom!

When she dies, there'll be no son to perform the rites in memory of her,

so she thinks everyone else should be like her.

Mother, please stop it, I said.

Nobody can touch my Sun-cheol. Nobody.

It will make her happy to have something happen to him, but

my Sun-cheol will dodge bullets even when they

- pour down. - Mother, stop.

Just listen to what your mother-in-law is saying!

Please listen to what I have to say, too.

- Your mother-in-law... - Mom, what's wrong with you?

Didn't you hear what your mother-in-law said?

She is my in-law, but she called me

a bitch who has no son to perform the rites after I die.

It is killing me that my only son sacrificed himself for the country,

but listen to what your mother-in-law's saying!

I'm a crazed mother who lost her son. Who can blame me for ranting?

But does she have to pick on my rambling and brag about the fact

that she has many sons in front of poor me?

If you have a mouth, say something, please.

Mom, please don't be this way!

- Son! - Mom, please stop.

This bitch is asking the gods to kill your brother, isn't she?

She might be your mother-in-law, but

I don't want to see her as long as I am alive.

If you don't do something, I'll leave this house.

No, I'll leave. I'm too ashamed to stay here.

I would rather die starving on the street than

stay at this house of the Reds.

Commies!

What! What!

Son, get them and

kick them out today. Kick them out!

If your wife says something, kick her out, too.

They might bring ruin to our family.

Did you hear me? Say something!

Before they leave, go through their things.

My silver hairpin is missing and I know who stole it.

You must find it.

Just keep your mouth shut!

They don't even have any fuzz on them.

- How many baby birds are there? - Three.

Two are mine and one's yours.

- But I saw them first. - Wanna argue with me again?

Okay, okay. Two are yours.

- Dong-man, is that you? - Aunt!

- Are your parents home? - Yes.

Come down here.

Mom, Aunt from Cheonamgol is here.

- What brings you here? - Is my brother home?

You walked miles to get here, but you just

want to talk to your brother?

- Let me have a word with you. - About what?

Mom, I'm here.

- You're here? - Yes.

Be careful.

Go to bed early tonight.

Why don't you have him sleep in his grandma's room?

It's all right. Once he falls asleep,

he sleeps through anything.

You must be tired from playing all day. Just go to sleep.

Don't open your eyes till morning and sleep like you were dead, all right?

- I'm not sleepy. - Still, close your eyes.

It would be better if it rained tonight.

- Why isn't it raining today? - Really...

Unload what you have in the back, too.

Oh, my goodness. Isn't that a grenade?

My goodness, it is a grenade!

Oh, it's scary.

You have two guns. How scary.

Did Dong-man go to bed not knowing I would be here?

- We didn't tell him. - My boy.

Don't worry. Once he falls asleep,

he sleeps through anything.

He has grown so much in just a year.

You say there are many people in the mountains

but they are all men.

Who cooks rice and soup at every meal?

We do.

- You make vegetables like kimchi, too? - Yes.

My goodness.

If I were there with you, at least I could make it tasty.

- Is the food okay? - It's all right.

I can just imagine the taste of food cooked by men.

The more I hear about it, the more terrible it sounds.

It's all right.

Bring a blanket and put it under his head.

Yes, Mother.

Do you skip meals because you're constantly on the move?

No.

Even if you're in a hurry, you should never eat raw rice.

You cannot have stomach problems.

There is no medicine in the mountains and you cannot call a doctor.

Don't worry.

It's summer time now, but in the mountains

at night, it must be as cold as winter.

Do you at least have a blanket to cover your legs?

Of course.

Is it warm enough?

To treat frostbite, an eggplant stem works the best.

- First, boil the stem... - Mother!

Now that I see your hands and feet,

my heart feels like it's being torn to pieces.

- You poor thing. - That's enough, Mom.

You want me to keep quiet when his fingers are about to fall off?

It will be daylight soon.

You can't go on like this as if we had all the time in the world.

It's life or death right now.

We have no time to worry about blankets and kimchi.

- Want to eat some more? - No, I am full.

- What are you going to do from now on? - What do you mean?

Are you going to stay in the mountains till the end?

Don't you want to turn yourself in instead of dying like a dog?

Why do you keep on saying it's like dying like a dog?

You can't even die in your home. Then, it's like a dog's death!

Soon the Northern soldiers will be here again.

We just have to survive in the mountains until then.

When they are here and it becomes our world again,

you have to make sure that our family won't be harmed.

Stop it.

They are talking about a truce right now, so that won't happen.

I have to get back before daybreak.

Now that you are home, you cannot leave.

Now that I know what's going on, you'll have to kill me before you leave.

I won't let you go to that horrible place.

- I should go with you... - I have to go.

so I can cook for you and take care of you but

since I can't, you have to stay next to me so

- I can watch over you. - Let go of me.

You should stay home, work the land, get married,

and give me grandchildren. That's what you

- should do! - Why are you doing this to me?

A man has to have a family.

That's right. Without one, it's not living.

- Sit, sit down and let's talk. - That's right.

We still have some time so let's sit down and talk.

Think carefully.

Right now nobody is winning the war.

And it's likely that it will end with a truce.

The people in the mountains are being lied to by the North.

So why don't you turn yourself in?

- You should. - You should.

I know some people in the police.

I can ask for a favor and maybe get you out unharmed.

- You are going to lie to me, too? - Lie to you? What do you mean?

I heard all about it.

About how the police killed people who

picked up propaganda papers and turned themselves in.

Forgiveness and freedom are complete lies.

How could you tell me to turn myself in?

What!

Stop it!

You think I'm trying to push you into your grave?

You think I'm dying to kill my only brother!

- Why are you hitting your poor brother? - Stop!

Husband, are you crazy? Stop it.

- My poor baby... - My goodness.

I killed people. Killed many people.

What?

No, you didn't.

You used to free the mudfish when you were little.

Don't think...

I don't think they'll forgive me even if I turn myself in.

Don't worry about that. People who killed more than you were set free.

I saw them with my own eyes.

- That's right. - You made the right decision.

Right. Right.

It's the right decision.

- What is it? - What?

- What's going on? - Shhhh!

Did you hear something?

What is it?

There was a sound. The sound of footsteps.

- See. - Is there someone out there?

It's coming this way.

- What's wrong with him? - What!

- Sun-cheol! - Sun-cheol!

If I had known this was going to happen, I'd have packed everything.

I didn't give him food or clothes.

Who knew this was going to happen!

You cannot tell anyone that your uncle came by, understand?

- A terrible thing would happen to the family. - Calm down, Mom.

Isn't this a silver hairpin? Can we trade this for food?

- Wanna trade this for a couple of nails? - Huh?

- He's the one. - Dong-man!

Hold this hairpin for a while.

- Are you Dong-man? - Yes.

- Is your father's name Kim Sun-gu? - Yes.

You are a cute boy.

Then Kim Sun-cheol must be your uncle?

You must be a smart boy since you answer so well.

I'm your uncle's friend.

I have to talk to him about business.

It's hot. Why don't we sit there and talk?

I'm here to talk to him about a good business opportunity.

Have you had this before? It's chocolate.

If you tell me where your uncle is, I'll give this to you.

Don't be shy.

A good boy should get a reward.

Don't want it?

Then I guess I should throw it away. Because I don't want to eat it.

I heard you were smart, but you're not smart at all.

Are you crying?

It's not too late. Think about it.

Your uncle came home, didn't he? When was that?

You leave me no choice.

You really are my uncle's friend, right?

Dong-man! Dong-man!

Dong-man! Hurry! Dong-man!

Go home. Your mom is crying.

- You bad, bad boy. - Hurry and hide.

You are worse than a beast.

You sold out your uncle for a treat. You bastard.

You are worse than a butcher. Get out right now.

- Stop it. - Get out now.

He's just a boy, he didn't know anything.

I see. So you are all together in this

scheme to kill all the men in my family.

One curses the family and the other one squeals to the police.

He didn't know what he was doing.

Stop crying. Stop.

What should we do?

What a way for a family to be ruined! What should we do?

He is just like his uncle. A pinecone willy like his uncle.

Dong-man.

- Dong-man. - Yes?

- Why aren't you sleeping, Grandma? - I'm not sleepy.

Are you thinking about Uncle?

Maybe.

- Dong-man? - What?

Do you like your uncle on your father's side or mother's side?

It's difficult to answer, isn't it?

One's always closer to his father's side of the family.

If you are going to be my Gil-jun's nephew,

first you have to know what kind of person he was.

If you don't, you have no right to

call him your uncle.

You don't. Really, you don't.

You should have seen him, then.

You should have seen how that goalkeeper fell on the ground

blocking the ball that your uncle kicked.

Then it would be easy for you to answer

and say that you prefer your uncle on your mother's side.

Mom! Sister-in-law! Dong-man's father is home!

You got released earlier than we thought.

- They went easy on me. - Are you hurt anywhere?

Husband! Are you okay?

How terrible was it?

Eat this.

Dong-man, if you go outside without my permission,

I will break your legs, do you understand?

What's that noise?

Where is it coming from?

- From the town, the town! - Is it from the town?

This is terrible.

- What's that noise? - Mom!

The guerrilla fighters from the mountains attacked the town.

There is fire everywhere.

- What did you say about the mountains? - I'll go and see.

- Husband, no! - Where do you think you're going?

You can't go outside, remember?

This is horrible!

- This is horrible! - Oh, no!

Oh, no....

- What happened? - The town's been destroyed.

Did the Northern soldiers attack?

No, the guerrilla fighters from the mountains.

Didn't you see the torch last night?

That's right.

- Mom, eat something. - Take it away.

Sun-gu! Are you home?

Why are you here so early in the morning?

We went to town this morning.

To town?

Because of what happened last night, I just had to know.

So what happened there?

It's a living hell there.

Everything is burnt, with dead bodies everywhere.

- It's a living hell. - Did many people die?

A couple hundred guerrillas came down from the mountains

but only a handful went back alive.

Last night at midnight, they started shooting

and attacked the place.

It must have been some fight since all the houses

near the police station have been burnt.

The police retreated at first, but later the guerrillas were pushed back.

They couldn't escape, so most of them got shot and died.

It's like they've been swept clean away.

How could people die in such a grotesque way?

There were dead bodies here and there.

One dead body had his guts spilling out.

One had his arms and legs everywhere.

One had sixteen or seventeen bullets in him.

And his waist was all bent.

He wasn't bent. He was completely folded in half.

And thrust into the sewer.

Oh, no....

The police are displaying the bodies in the backyard.

To give them to anyone who claims them as family.

So why don't you go and

take a look at them?

No need for you to go. My Sun-cheol isn't dead.

He wouldn't die so easily.

No matter what terrible things might happen to him, he'll stay alive.

That would be great, but who knows?

What did you say! You, listen!

Heaven looks after him, so my son will not die like that.

There's no need to go. It'll just be a waste of time.

My Sun-cheol is alive with his eyes wide open.

- I told you there's no need. - You should go.

Even if something happened in town,

it has nothing to do with my Sun-cheol.

Even if it is a waste of time, you should go and see.

- Wife, bring me my suit. - Yes.

What? You don't trust your own mother?

If Sun-cheol's body is there we can't let

it become food for dogs, can we?

He's not dead.

Still, I will go and see.

This is ridiculous.

You don't trust your own mother's words?

- So, what happened? - He wasn't there.

- He wasn't there, was he? - No, he wasn't.

What did I tell you!

He really wasn't there.

I told you it would be a waste of time.

I told you my Sun-cheol wouldn't die, didn't I?

My Sun-cheol is alive. I know it for sure.

He is alive.

Thank you, God. Thank you, Buddha.

Thank you, Heaven. Thank you, Ancestors.

Dear gods who watch over this house, thank you.

Thank you.

Ever since he was little, my Gil-jun

did not like things being messy.

I'm sure even when he died, he died a clean death.

I'm sure he got shot with only one bullet in his heart or head

and had no time to feel pain or anything and died peacefully.

I'm going to see that fortune-teller over the hill.

- So watch the house. - Yes, Mother.

Why are you in my way, you rascal?

A bastard who sold out his uncle. You're worse than a beast.

What's going to happen?

He's alive.

He is, isn't he?

He is going to come home.

- Is he really going to come home? - He's going to be home.

When will my Sun-cheol be home?

Let's see.

When will he be home?

Dear stars, I ask you again. Please tell me.

June 16th according to the moon, and before noon.

The 16th in the morning?

Really? Really?

That's what my prediction says.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you so much.

You got it, right? June 16th in the morning.

We must have everything prepared.

Can we trust the fortune-teller?

What do you mean?

Her predictions have never been wrong.

My Sun-cheol is alive no matter where he is

thanks to her rituals and amulets.

That's the truth.

With only two days left, we have to start making rice cake

and preparing food. There will be many things to do that morning.

Yes, Mom.

Mom! I'm hungry.

Feed him at a different table.

I want no sight of him.

Please eat.

Dong-man! Dong-man!

What?

- How many did you catch? - With this little boy, nothing.

- Let me see. - You still can't come out?

If I do, my dad will break my legs.

- Just sneak out. - I can't.

- I'm bored. - Me, too.

- You cried, didn't you? - My grandma hates me.

Your grandma is too mean. Let's go.

Bye.

Make sure that the radish kimchi is tasty, you hear?

My Sun-cheol likes fried zucchini.

Right.

Make plenty, you hear?

Things are so crazy nowadays that it's hard to get good vegetables.

- You should use more bean oil there. - Yes.

You should go and pull the reeds out from around the well.

And sweep in front of the gate.

Yes, Mom.

Be careful with the rice cake. There shouldn't be any grains of sand there.

We will be careful.

There are tons of things to do, so move fast.

Is this what you call sweeping?

Because of the rain, the house is in such a state...

You carried these heavy things from so far?

My Sun-cheol might die from overeating.

Mom!

Nice to see you.

- Let's go in. - Thank you for coming.

I'm late because I stopped by the fortune-teller's place.

Did you get doubtful?

She said not to worry and just to wait.

She will put her neck on the line for her prediction.

You silly. You had that much time on your hands?

That's not it. I gave her some more money.

Oh, good.

Give me some water. I'm dying of thirst.

What's wrong with her? He is not going to come.

She believes the fortune-teller and makes us do all this work.

This is all going to be for nothing.

Don't I know it.

He is not going to come.

What did you say? He is not going to come?

If he had turned himself in, the police would have let us know.

If by heaven's blessing he makes it home,

it's not going to be the way mom thinks it will be.

But I have to do a son's duty, don't I?

If we don't do what she says, who knows what she will do?

We'd better just do this, don't you agree?

You're right.

What are you doing? You think you are newlyweds?

Hurry and get this rice pounded.

He's going to come through the town, but the river has risen.

Mom, you worry too much.

The water cannot stop him if he is destined to be here.

He knows this is the rainy season.

He would take the other route home.

You're right. He would take the other route.

But if he does, it will take him longer to get home.

Easier said than done.

With frostbitten feet, it would be

terribly difficult to walk all that way.

I saved this expensive oil to use for times like this.

- Mom, I'll do it. - That was a good idea.

She said he will be here before noon but who knows?

He might knock on the door at night.

So true.

No matter where he is, if he knows that

his house has the light on and that

his mom won't have a wink of sleep waiting for him,

he'll run home, won't he?

Because my boy is coming home, it stopped raining.

That's true, Mom. Isn't it strange?

It is.

Dong-man, did you hear it, too? That's the sound of a black snake crying.

It's the sound of a black snake calling other snakes.

Don't talk about things like that in front of the boy.

Dong-man.

- Dong-man. - What, Grandma?

- Do you think so, too? - What?

That your uncle didn't turn himself in because of me?

No, that's not what happened that night.

I wasn't going to hurt anyone. When I went out to pee,

I saw the light on in the room and heard people talking.

I wondered what was going on, so I went close to the room.

Who knew he would run away like that?

Why would I want to look inside?

Well, it is my fault that things went wrong.

But you shouldn't blame only me for the whole thing.

Even without me, your uncle would have left.

It was his fate.

We shouldn't start eating

when he's not even here yet.

Don't worry. He will be here soon.

I'm sure.

She said he'll be home before noon, but

she could be wrong about the time.

Just relax and enjoy the food.

Bring some more wine here.

- Yes, Mom. - Thank you for the food.

He'll be here. That fortune-teller has never been wrong.

That's right. She has never been wrong.

I don't know about the fortune-teller but

heaven will send him back because of his mother.

He will be home for sure.

Why don't you go and have something to eat?

Don't want to. People say I sold out my uncle to the police.

Oh, no, such a young heart wounded.

- Thank you for the food. - Good-bye.

He'll be home today. She didn't get the right time, I'm sure.

Right. It'd be hard to get the right time even for her.

Goodbye.

I'll let you know when my Sun-cheol gets home.

Please do.

He will be home, I'm sure he will be home.

Mother! Mother!

Mother!

Dong-man.

Who threw a rock? Who?

What's going on?

Mom! Mom!

- Mom! - What's going on?

What's wrong with Mother?

- There, there, over there! - My goodness!

Go away now! You silly rascals!

Get out and keep it quiet!

It's really really long. It's going that way.

Mom, what should we do?

It's coming this way. Coming this way!

It's going to where the jars are.

Who threw a rock?

Be quiet! I said be quiet!

Be quiet!

It's going up the tree!

You came all this way

because you couldn't forget your family.

Which bastard is snickering?

Come out here so I can drive a screw into your mouth!

I said be quiet!

As you can see, your mother is doing well

and all the other family is well, too.

So don't worry about the family, and

be on your way. Hurry and be on your way.

Go ahead and be on your way.

I understand. I do, so be on your way.

It's a very long way, so you shouldn't

stay here all scrunched up like this.

Come on, don't be that way.

I understand how you feel, but think of your family.

If your mother saw you like this,

it would break her heart. So go ahead and be on your way.

It's a very long way for you to go,

so hurry and get going.

Go ahead. Be on your way.

To chase a snake, you have to burn hair and drive it away with the smell.

That's right. That's right.

Dong-man, go inside

and get a handful of your grandma's hair.

Okay.

Mom!

We need Grandma's hair to chase the snake away.

- What? Hair? - Get this out of the way.

This is the food that your mother prepared for you.

You can't eat it but at least take a look at it.

All this is your mother's work.

Stay there.

I'm not trying to drive you away.

You have to understand that.

Don't be angry with me even if this smells.

Don't you worry about the family.

Just have a safe trip to where you have to go.

Please, have a safe trip.

Be safe.

That's right, that's right.

Hurry and have a safe trip.

Don't worry about anything and have a safe trip.

Stay safe.

That's right. Come down from there.

Leave everything to your brother, and take care of yourself.

It's far, but have a safe trip.

Don't worry about anything, and have a safe trip.

Thank you, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Mom, are you okay?

Did he leave?

- Did he have a safe parting? - Yes, he did, Mom.

How did he leave?

Gil-jun's mother sent him away.

- Did she? - Yes.

She drove the crowd away and talked to him under the tree,

told him not to worry about the family,

gave him food to eat and

later burned your hair and saw him off.

Can you ask your mother to come and see me, please?

Yes, Mother.

Mom, my mother-in-law wants to see you.

I can't believe you had to do that difficult job

in my place.

- Are you feeling better? - Yes, thank you.

It's nothing, really...

She told me everything.

It was something that I had to do, but you did it for me.

How can I thank you?

It's all bygones, so let's not dwell on it.

Just take good care of yourself.

Thank you, thank you so much.

Stop crying. You should think of yourself.

- I was so mean to you. - No, I was mean to you.

I wonder if he went unharmed.

Don't worry. No matter where he went,

he is sure to have become a boss already.

- Dong-man! - Dong-man!

Dong-man!

Dong-man, come inside. Your grandma wants you.

- Come here. - Dong-man.

Come.

I'm sorry about what I did to you.

Please, forgive your grandma.

My handsome boy.

You can go outside to play.

Right.

My baby.

My boy.

Go outside and play.

The End

proofread by Christy Shin