Original subtitles

Yeonbang Movies Company

Madame Aema

Producer: Choe Chun-ji

Planning: Yang Bong-seok

Production Supervisor: Son Yeong-cheol

Ae-ma: Ahn So-young

Lim Dong-Jin

Ha Jae-young

Hah Myung-joong

Kim Jin-kyu Jeon Shook

Kim Ae-kyung Kim Sun-Hui

Moon Tai-sun, Kim Min-gyu Park Bu-yang, Moon Mi-bong, Yang Chun

Child Actors: Cha Yu-mi, Yu Cheong-mun Lee Min-cheol, Ha Hyang-u

Screenplay: Lee Mun-ung

Cinematography: Lee Suk-kee

Lighting: Son Byeong-Jin

Director: Jeong In-yeob January 1982

Hands up!

Great!

Hands up!

Hands up!

Hands up!

Hands up or I'll shoot you.

Hands up!

Great!

Hands up!

Hands up or I'll shoot you.

You little rascal.

- Dad. - What? It's okay, it's okay.

I got you. Got you right on the spot.

You should die. You're a fool.

You're a handsome kid.

- Let me go. - You're cute. Very handsome.

Why? What's wrong?

Come on. Did someone hit you?

Only fools cry, pistol boy.

This guy here hit me.

When did I hit you? I just hugged you, cute little cowboy.

Don't lie. You hit me here with your fist.

- I said you're cute. I'll give you this. - No, no.

Then I'll tell you a story of a crook from the west. Come here and sit.

A long long time ago...

A baby sheep got caught by a wolf.

I want to dance before you eat me.

Please play the pipe for me.

- Okay, sure. - Okay, sure.

The wolf played the pipe and the baby sheep started dancing.

Hearing the sound of the pipe, the sheepdog came.

Woof, woof, woof!

The smart baby sheep ran away.

Are you sleeping, Ji-yeon?

Ok-sun! Ok-sun!

Oh, it's you.

Have you eaten dinner?

I didn't because I didn't want to.

You should. You'll get sick if you don't eat.

Ma'am, he won't be back today due to work.

He's entertaining buyers from Hong Kong.

Mommy.

Oh, Ji-yeon. Why aren't you sleeping?

Come here, sweetie.

Daddy, where's mommy?

Why did you wake up, Ji-yeon?

- Hello? - Is this Lee Ae-ma's house?

- Yes. - This is Erica.

Oh, it's been a while.

Sorry for the late night call, but can I talk to Ae-ma?

She's not here.

What do you mean? It's almost midnight. What happened?

Oh, I sent her to her parents. There were some issues.

Oh, really? I'll call some other time then. Bye.

Hey, he says you're at your parent's house.

Seems like he's waiting.

So, where did you go?

There was nowhere to go.

I just visited theaters and watched movies all day.

It's good that you came here. Sleep over here tonight.

No, I should go see Ji-yeon.

It's okay. This will teach Hyun-Wu a lesson.

I want him to understand how it feels waiting for someone all night.

You got to correct his bad habit. Might as well do it properly.

You can't go anyway. It's past midnight curfew.

Ae-ma, let's talk.

Come sit here.

What do you want to say?

Where have you been?

I asked you where you've been.

You aren't going to say? Where did you sleep, huh?

Don't you hear me? Where and who did you sleep with?

Why aren't you saying? Hey!

Aren't you going to say? What the...

Stop that. I'm your wife, not your belonging.

Okay.

Okay, you're my wife.

Are you saying a married woman can stay out overnight and come back the next morning?

Why? Why can't I?

You've been sleeping out almost every week since we married 8 years ago.

But why are you saying I can't?

You said you understand my sleeping outside.

For me it's business. But why do you have to sleep outside?

Business?

Is sleeping with other woman, part of your business?

I know everything. Don't try to lie to me.

When you were having affairs, I was...

I couldn't stand it anymore.

And when I asked you to sleep with me even then,

you rejected me and said you were tired.

You couldn't imagine the humiliation I had to go through.

I can't live like this anymore.

What do you want to do?

I'm not different. I'll do the same as you.

Go out and drink...

I didn't know you were that kind of woman. Okay then. Let's end this.

Let's break up. Let's divorce!

Sir, can you give us three hangover soups?

Hey, drink it up.

Aren't you sobered up yet?

Where's your partner who danced with you?

Oh, that girl. Gosh...

Hey, she really had it going on.

You know what? When I was dancing the blues with her...

I rubbed my leg on her.

And then she stuck tight to me.

Hey, what do you mean by a girl? She's a married woman.

I danced with her too. It was great.

Poor husband. If he slept with her every third day,

she wouldn't have ended up dancing with strangers.

Dude, it's not just her. All women do that these days.

Give me a cigarette.

- Here. - Empty.

- Hey, cigarette. - I don't have one.

Take your cigarettes with you. Gosh.

Sir, can you give me a cigarette?

Damn, he's staring at me because I asked for a cigarette?

What an ungenerous world.

What the hell did you say?

Hey, watch your mouth.

I said it's an ungenerous world.

You bastards.

Bastards? Are you out of your mind?

I'm not your bastard. You punk!

What the...

No, I'm going to live with mom.

I don't want to go. I want to live with mom.

I don't want to.

What a nasty mom. How can she not say bye to her kid?

- That's why she ruined Hyun-wu's life. - Honey, get in. Let's go now.

Did everyone go?

Such dreadful people.

So, Hyun-Wu got an eight year sentence?

How are you going to wait for him? What does he say?

He looks like he gave up everything.

You should restart your life. You're still young.

I'd be happy to restart if I were you.

Get a divorce. Hyun-Wu wasn't a faithful husband.

He had lots of affairs. You still can't let him go?

Steel your heart and get a divorce.

I don't want a divorce.

Is Ji-yeon doing well?

You've come to see me for the last three years.

I've asked you before but why don't you start a new life?

I wouldn't mind at all if you did.

Are you listening?

How's your health?

Please, don't come to see me again.

You must've been disconcerted with me flirting at you.

Yes.

Thank you so much back then.

You're welcome. Things like that happen when you ride on trains.

It seems like you go to the prison a lot. Who are you seeing there?

I go there often too. One of my friends is in there.

He is a good guy but things I can't understand happen.

Maybe it's because I'm just too young.

Actually, I saw you on the train before.

I wanted to have a chat with you.

Really? Why didn't I see you?

Maybe I don't stand out too much.

No, you're really handsome.

Oh, really? I guess I'll have to buy this coffee today.

Because I heard a compliment from such a beautiful lady.

What do you do?

I'm talking with the most beautiful woman in my life.

I'm asking what your job is.

- I teach ceramic art. - Ceramic art?

It's about making pottery. I wanted to do it from when I was young.

How is it?

It's quite a tough job but I think it's worth it.

It can be painful when you fail

but I can feel the joy when the pottery comes out as I intended.

There's nothing compared to that entrancing moment.

It must be great.

Oh, I should get going now.

It was great talking to you. Thank you.

Hey...

I want to meet you again soon.

Well, if that's so. Can you give me your number?

Yes.

I have a kiln by Namhansanseong.

I live there so I'll come out whenever you give me a call.

Bye then.

Hello? Is this Yeong-dong?

- Yes, it is. Who is this? - Well, I'm...

Who is this? Oh, it's you Ae-ma?

Yes, it's me. Is Ji-yeon doing well?

- Yes. - Who's calling?

Oh, it's nothing. What's up, ma'am?

Can you take Ji-yeon out of the house?

Okay, I will.

Mommy!

Ji-yeon!

- Mommy! - Ji-yeon!

Mommy.

Mom, I really really wanted to see you. Really.

Oh really? I wanted to see you so badly too.

Don't lie. You've came here after so long.

Ji-yeon.

You're the one I love the most in the world.

Is grandma in the house?

Yes.

Ji-yeon.

Oh, hi.

- It's been a while. - Yes, it's been a while.

Where are you going? It's time for your piano lesson.

No, I'm going to go with mom.

What are you doing?

Do you want to see your daughter cry?

- Ji-yeon, let's go. - No, no.

- Let's go, come here. - I want to go with mom.

- Let's go. - Aunt, let me go. I hate you.

- Mommy's leaving. - Do you want to get scolded by grandma?

No, please.

- Oh god, come on. - Mommy!

- Get in. - Mom.

- Come on. - Mom!

Dad, I want to pee.

Bear it for a minute. It's almost here.

Oh, hello.

Why did you bring so much?

Looks good.

Tonight's dinner is going to be a feast.

Oh look at this fish. It's alive.

Who is it?

Let me get this.

Who is it?

- Is this Lee Ae-ma's place? - Yes, it is.

This is Kim Mun-oh.

What's up?

I'm looking for Lee Ae-ma.

There's no such person here.

Ae-ma. I couldn't forget your voice.

It won't take long. Open up the door.

After I lost you...

I wanted to see you, Ae-ma. I didn't know I'd meet you again.

I'm not the Lee Ae-ma you're looking for.

- I'm the wife of a man. - Ae-ma.

Don't come here again.

How is it, Ae-ma?

It's good to get on a horse after so long?

Yes, this is refreshing. It seems like that horse remembers me.

Really?

A horse would remember its master even after so long. Better than a human.

We were university students full of dreams when we first met here.

Yes, I was able to meet my husband and get that horse too because of you.

You looked so happy when I saw you in university.

Ae-ma, you have a wonderful body.

What do you mean wonderful? It got bad after I had my kid.

No.

Even I as a woman want your body.

Passion with dignity. A body hiding a flame inside.

Body with its hotness inside.

Really?

You all have so much fun dancing.

Why don't you dance with us, Mr. Park?

I like watching it.

Oh, Ae-ma, you didn't say hi, right?

This is writer Park Do-Hun. She's my friend Lee Ae-ma.

- Oh, okay. - Yes.

You're really a great dancer.

She's the most beautiful among us.

Why am I the only man with all these beautiful ladies?

Aren't your husbands here?

Come on, Mr. Park. Don't be a party pooper.

- That's right. - Let's keep on talking about your work.

I think it will be a great novel.

What I want to tell in this book was

how people take the freedom of sex.

Everyone commits adultery in their minds.

With a woman or man you see on a full bus,

or maybe with a neighbor's wife or a neighbor's husband.

Everyone dreams of having sex with someone else in their head.

- Really? - Of course.

I think most men and women would say the same.

Let's be honest and talk. You all have similar experience right?

But if you really sleep with a man

other than your husband,

would you tell your husband about it?

Well, I don't think I could confess.

How about you Jin-suk?

I think I don't need to tell him.

That would make me lose my right as a wife.

I'd keep it secret till I die.

How about you, ma'am?

Hyun-Wu!

Honey...

I told you not to come here.

I don't want to see you anymore.

Hyun-Wu!

I love you. You're the only one for me.

Honey...

It was not true that you want to break up with me, right?

You love me too, right?

Honey!

You look like you're sick.

No, I'm not.

I'm a lousy husband who can't help you with your pain.

Don't ever come to see me.

Welcome.

May I take your order?

- Give me some liquor. - How about a side dish?

- Anything will do. - Okay.

Oh, god.

What are you doing, Jeong-sik?

Let me go.

Come on.

We don't have much here in the country side.

Jeong-sik, you're really strange today.

You can't do this.

Oh god.

Oh my.

Oh, oh.

Hey, okay?

Spit it out. Spit it.

Oh, what should I do?

Hey, hey!

Hello?

Ah... can I talk to Ae-ma?

- Excuse me, but who is this? - Ae-ma, this is Kim Mun-oh.

I want to meet you. I'm in Cafe Lee right across the apartment.

Come out here. It'll be quick.

It's been a while.

Long time no see.

It's already been ten years.

I really didn't think I'd see you again.

So, how is your marriage? Happy?

Yes.

After I lost you...

I had to give up studying abroad and had a very hard time.

But I married too.

I heard.

Lee Ae-ma.

Oh, hey.

Can I sit here?

You must be having fun. Can you introduce him to me?

This is Kim Mun-oh.

What's your relation with Ae-ma?

Oh, I see. Are you her lover?

Would you watch your mouth, young lady?

Anyway, who are you?

My brother is her husband. Would that do?

Are you living alone to date like this?

I guess so, since my brother is of no use to you.

Have fun.

Hey.

I should get going.

Let's have a talk.

It was great seeing you again, Mun-oh.

But we're married people. Let's not think about the past any more.

What...

It's me. Mun-oh.

I love you. You were my woman and now you should come back to me.

Please don't do this, Mun-oh.

Please.

No.

No.

No...

Honey?

What are you doing?

The morning breeze is very good.

This is very nice.

You didn't come last week. It was the first time after three years.

Hyun-Wu...

It's fine because you came to see me now.

Actually I was thankful to you.

I was not a good husband but you always made me happy.

I now realize that couples should cherish each other.

It's been all because of you.

Honey.

Grandpa, you should play with mom.

You play with your friends here.

You must be lonely being alone.

It's okay.

You must be lonely. I know well.

You must've heard this story.

When Hyun-Wu became two, I got drafted to the military.

It was almost the end of Japanese occupation and soldiers hardly came back alive.

I went to the Philippines and South Seas for five years.

So many of our innocent people got killed.

When I returned to Korea after getting released from US prison camp,

Hyun-Wu had become seven.

Your mother-in-law went through hard times.

She did everything to make a living while waiting for me to return alive.

We all had to do that back in the day.

When we got married, we never thought of separating

until we are separated by death.

The world has changed and people have changed.

Ae-ma.

Yes.

I don't want to talk about you meeting other guys.

It's your life and something you have to decide, so nothing for me to talk about.

But I want to make one thing clear.

There's something that you have to keep for couples before you separate.

I guess Hyun-Wu made a lot of mistakes on that point of view.

You get what I say?

Yes, dad.

Hello? Hello?

Who? Is this Ae-ma?

Yes, it's me. Can you come to my home now?

What happened? It's so early.

I want to die...

Then you should call a doctor. Should I bring one for you?

Don't call the doctor. You come here.

Okay, I'll be there.

Hello. Yes.

Hello.

- Can I talk to Ae-ma? - It's me.

I couldn't be there after my biz trip. Sorry. I'll be there at 10 tonight.

No.

Oh, come on. You dumped me before, but we're together again.

Don't come.

Dong-yub! Dong-yub!

- Hey! - What happened?

You have a visitor.

- Visitor? - It's a woman.

Woman? Who is it?

I don't know. She is really beautiful.

- Beautiful? - Yes.

She's here!

Welcome.

I'm sorry.

I was in the middle of some work.

Am I interrupting you by visiting so suddenly?

Not at all. I'm so glad you've come.

Let's go then.

Be careful.

It's very nice here. I didn't know you lived in such a nice place.

Who's the owner? Is it you?

No.

This place is not owned by one person. This way.

There was my friend who was a painter.

He was genuine and full of passion.

He got some money inherited from his parents and bought some land here.

At first it was just him and me.

We stayed in a tent and built a house for ourselves.

Right here.

And then, more people gathered and now we have quite a big bunch.

Where is your friend?

He passed away recently.

- Come in. - Okay.

You have to bow to come into my room.

Here, come in.

I'm sorry.

It's quite messy since I live alone here.

No, it's very nice.

Oh, well. Wait a second.

- Here, come sit. - Okay.

Would you like some coffee?

- Yes. - Okay.

You came a long way but there's not much to serve you.

Try this coffee.

Not that tasty but...

Thank you.

You seem to be a humble man. This coffee is really great.

Thank you.

How about music?

I don't have too many records but I'd like to play some music you'd like.

- Do you have Bach? - Yes, I do.

Who drew this painting?

Oh that? My friend who passed away drew it.

What are these?

- Which ones do you mean? - These potteries.

Oh those are... Actually...

Who? Your lover?

No.

She's a beautiful lady.

Actually I made them thinking about you.

Who? Me?

I made one pottery whenever I saw you on the train.

- Can I touch them? - Yes, go ahead.

When was this?

It was when you were smiling at the cowboy kid.

It feels like I'm living here. You have great skills.

Do you really think so?

Actually I was worried that you may be angry that I used your face without asking.

Can I have this? I'll take this for my modeling fee.

Of course. I'll bake it in the kiln right away.

- Make one for me. - Yes, thank you.

I'll start making it right away.

Then you should sleep over here tonight.

Okay.

Sit next to me. I'll drive.

- I'm okay even if I go alone. - I'll do it.

Thanks, Dong-yub. You should go back now.

You look more beautiful today.

Are you crazy?

Don't pretend to be virtuous.

Where have you been?

Please don't do this.

Let's get a divorce.

Ae-ma.

What are you saying all of a sudden?

You waited for me for so long. Why are you saying this?

Did something happen?

I want to know why you want a divorce.

No. Don't say anything.

Honey, you're my woman no matter what.

I may not have been a good husband. But we're a couple.

Thinking about you in here, I realized that you were a nice wife.

Wait for me a little more. Please...

Concentration! Concentration!

Grandma.

Grandma, where did the guy go?

What are you doing here Dong-yub?

I wanted to see you.

You must be surprised that I came here.

I heard all about you from Erica.

Let's go in.

No. I can tell you here.

I'm in love with you, Ae-ma. Marry me.

I don't care who you were in the past.

And I can overcome the age difference too.

Marry me.

Go back, Dong-yub.

I can't go back. I know you're in love with me too.

You can't hide love.

I'm a woman who lost everything. I can't take your love.

You have a future. Forget about me and go back.

I can't go back like this, Ae-ma.

Aunt!

Aunt!

Grandma's looking for you. Come on.

I'll be at the shed by the reservoir.

I'll wait till you come.

Did Dong-yub come here?

Yes, he did.

He seems to be a nice guy and seems to truly love you.

What did he say?

He said he'll go to Paris to study art and wanted me to join him.

What are you going to do?

I don't know what to do.

Hyun-Wu is going to be discharged.

It'll be the 15th next month. He was included in the special pardon.

I heard it from Ji-yeon's grandfather.

Are you that happy?

Yes.

Hyun-Wu and you are not together anymore. Why are you so happy?

How can I not be? He was in there for so long.

Don't tell me you want to get back with your husband.

You're really a fool if that's what you're thinking.

I think he'll never break the habit of having affairs.

He may be able to stop for a while but it won't be long.

He's going to do it again and I'd never get into that again if I were you.

What about Ji-yeon?

Can you please forget about that feudal mind?

You don't have to live with a man that doesn't love you.

It's not too late. Leave here with Dong-yub.

You love him too, right?

No reason to hesitate. You should start a new life.

I love you, Ae-ma.

We can live full of love in Paris, the city of art and dreams.

I'm sure I can protect the dream of ours.

I love you, Ae-ma.

Honey.

Hello?

Is it you? I have to entertain buyers so I can't come home tonight.

I'll be early tomorrow. I'm sorry.

Madame Aema

Producer: Choe Chun-ji

Planning: Yang Bong-seok

Production Supervisor: Son Yeong-cheol

Ae-ma: Ahn So-young

Lim Dong-Jin

Hah Myung-joong

Ha Jae-young

Kim Jin-kyu Jeon Shook

Kim Ae-kyung Kim Sun-Hui

Moon Tai-sun, Kim Min-gyu Park Bu-yang, Moon Mi-bong, Yang Chun

Child Actors: Cha Yu-mi, Yu Cheong-mun Lee Min-cheol, Ha Hyang-u

Screenplay: Lee Mun-ung

Cinematography: Lee Suk-kee

Lighting: Son Byeong-Jin

Production Manager: Shin Seung-ho Costume: Luvina

Assistant Director: Lee Se-min, Cha Gyu-dong Script: Lee Gong-hee

Assistant Cinematographer: An Tae-wan Heo Mun-yeong, Kim Jung-Han Assistant Gaffer: Jun Myung-chun, Jeong Sun-ho

Photography: Kim Byung-oak Prop: Park Chang-yeong

Music: Shin Byung-ha Theme Song: Ju Jeong-i

Editing: Kim Hee-su Recording: Lee Jae-woong Effects: Kim Kyeong-il Developing: Korean Film Council

Director: Jeong In-yeob January 1982