Original subtitles

Your symptoms...

appeared after she left?

I think so.

You weren't getting on well?

We sometimes argued.

Well, your symptoms suggest...

...mental dissociation.

Mental dissociation?

Let me explain.

Say you're very attached to someone and you separate.

It may not be a real break-up,

but when your loved one isn't there...

...this disorder makes you rather unstable.

Is memory loss one of the symptoms?

What can't you remember?

What she was wearing at the time...

Why she left... That's what I can't remember.

It's a mental blockage.

It's not uncommon.

We'll...

keep an eye on you.

Actually, I'm also seeing strange things.

I'm afraid something bad has happened to my wife.

"WELCOME TO NEW TOWN, WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE"

"DRY CLEANING RECEIPT"

"HOME PHONE"

Back early today?

Still no news?

No.

You know, there's something strange about this place.

Back when there were still workmen on the site...

...and hardly anyone had moved in yet...

...I had a real weird experience.

Who's there?

That wasn't the only weird thing.

This place must be cursed!

You know what once happened here?

My daughter should be home by now.

I should go up.

Oh, right.

You go ahead.

Message playing.

You have one new message.

"...can't take your call..."

Say something.

- About what? - About what happened.

If I knew that, I wouldn't feel so frustrated.

Are you sure she hasn't called you?

What do you mean?

You think I'm in touch with my sister without telling you?

There was no message.

I told you, she didn't call!

You know...

I can't shake this bad feeling.

I passed a car-crash on the way home.

A woman in the car...

had her face smashed...

I have the feeling...

...something bad has happened to my wife.

"SUJI APARTMENTS"

To Suji, please.

Be a good girl now, Eunji.

- Don't let it get to you. - Okay, thanks.

Hey! Where are you going?

Mister! Mister!

Honey?

Darling...

"WELCOME TO NEW TOWN, WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE"

These puppets are imbued with my life and soul.

When my time comes, they should pass on with me.

Any person who dares to resist or disobey these words...

will know disaster and an agonizing death!

Don't hurt me!

- I'm scared! - Master Tao! It's me... Gaan!

Let go of me!

I'm scared!

Don't hurt me!

Don't be too sad, wife.

Death comes to all of us.

Sister, you were too young to die!

How did it happen, Gaan?

Why did Master Tao send his wife and son out on the boat at night?

I overheard Master Tao telling his wife, Nuan...

to drown the puppets.

Drown them?

Why would he want to get rid of them?

He loved his puppets!

Was he afraid that someone would steal them?

He'd rather destroy them than lose them?

There's a curse on those puppets, Master Tong.

A curse?

Since Master Tao fell ill, he's often raved about the curse in his sleep.

I took no notice at first...

but then bad things began happening to members of our troupe.

Several people ran away.

So I began to believe in the curse.

You think the curse caused Nuan and Little Dang to drown?

Master Tao knew something bad was coming.

Why else did he want the puppets destroyed?

Maybe he was just scared that someone would steal his treasured puppets.

He made up the curse story to frighten them off.

Please excuse me, I must go back to look after Master Tao.

Be comforted, wife.

Master!

Master!

Help! Help!

Master Tao's house is on fire?

Quick!

Hurry!

Quick!

May he rest in peace.

I don't like this.

Wife, don't take what Gaan said too seriously.

I don't believe in the curse.

Then how do you explain what has happened?

It was his karma, wife.

Now that it's over we should leave, shouldn't we?

Please?

Please?

No!

I'm staying!

Bua, don't go in there!

Now richness is mine, you bastard, Tao!

What is that?

It's a piece of net, Master.

Fuck!

Will you be all right, Master?

I'm fine.

You can go now.

Come here, Gaan.

Have you ever performed Khon, Gaan?

Never, Master...

Master Tao only taught me puppetry.

I was still learning from him when he fell ill.

If you want to learn Khon, I can teach you.

Really?

What if he dances like a wooden puppet?

Are you hurt? Don't worry, I'll bring you to the doctor.

Bua!

Where did you get that? Give it to Grandma!

Give it to me now! Give it to Grandma now!

Master, I mean no disrespect, but please be wary of the curse!

You think it was caused by the curse?

Fine!

Well, then...

I'll wash out the curse myself!

Now it's my turn, you bastard Tao!

Your puppet is in pieces!

We'll see what your curse can do to me!

Hear me well, all of you!

These are new puppets...

and I'm the one who makes them live.

You too will have a fresh start and lead better lives than before.

I and I alone control the spirit and destiny...

of these new puppets.

May all that is sacred be my witness.

Master? What's wrong?

There's a sudden pain in my leg.

Father! Is it true that Gaan is going to handle the hero puppet?

Yes, I've told him to.

Why the hell should Gaan come before me? You think he's better than I am?

That isn't the question.

He's more experienced than you.

Why am I worth less than him?

Because you're as aggressive and bad-tempered as the demon Tosagan!

Father...

Am I so much like a demon, Father?