Original subtitles

Japanese dialogue subtitled in blue. Korean dialogue subtitled in yellow.

(in Japanese) Koh-san! Welcome home.

- Unload the cargo. - Yes, sir.

Unload now.

It seems your trip was fruitful.

Who will it be then?

The Soviets or the Americans?

It's still not clear.

I need you to stay behind. Watch the men.

Make sure no one thieves.

Everything will be as you instructed.

Do not worry.

"We are showing the world our nation's great might.

Our brave soldiers storming the battlefields..."

You better not lose on purpose!

"...our cowardly enemies retreating in fright."

Mozasu!

(in Korean) Brother!

Come on!

Come, get a taste of home!

- Good morning! - Brother! Wait!

Try it with your ration rice!

Tastes better, stomachs feel fuller!

Come, get a taste of home!

- Kimchi! Delicious kimchi for sale! - I won!

- No fair! Brother! - Noa...

- You always win. - I told you not to drop your guard.

Why are you encouraging him?

Mother, if I don't do this, I don't get him out of the house on time.

May I get some kimchi?

Mr. Kim, so good to see you. It's been too long.

Yes.

I was worried you went elsewhere.

How could I possibly go elsewhere? No one's kimchi compares.

Have you been busy?

Yes, quite a bit.

You're running low. I hope that means sales have been good.

If only that was true.

Cabbages have been in short supply.

This is my last batch.

My sister-in-law scours the markets for anything to pickle, but...

What will you do then?

We'll manage somehow.

We always do.

Here.

You look like someone who can handle his money.

That's good news. I plan on being very rich.

You have a son you can count on.

- Thank you. Be well. - I'll come again.

Goodbye.

That man's definitely a spy or something.

Even in jest, you must not say such things.

Who's listening?

You never know. Not in times like this.

- Look at that! - What's that? Up there!

- Mama? - American planes!

Mother, look!

Something's falling.

Got it! What is it?

What does it say, Noa?

"To the people of Japan,

petition your emperor to halt this brutal war.

If Japan does not surrender, the situation will worsen.

We strongly urge you to accept the consequences

and begin the work of building a new, better and peace-loving Japan."

What does that mean?

How will things get worse?

Mama, don't you get it? The Americans are coming.

With 500 million yen in funding

from wise investors like you,

I can put my previous experience to work.

How much have you raised so far?

I've almost reached my goal.

Investors are enthusiastic.

With modest investments, limited risk,

especially in a runaway market like this,

the potential returns are substantial.

You plan to manage the fund on your own?

It will keep overhead low.

Besides,

I'm neutral.

Whether the dollar or the yen come out on top,

it makes no difference to me.

But you certainly weren't neutral at Shiffley's.

We heard.

You were compromised because of your sympathies with that landowner.

That deal fell apart because we were all too emotional about it.

That woman, she was never going to sell.

Not to Abe-san. Not to Colton Hotels.

What I'm trying to say is

it's dangerous to do business based on loyalties.

Your relationship with Mamoru Yoshii...

We have our concerns.

To be frank,

his associations.

Tokyo is now a metropolis of 11 million people,

and yet it still feels like a village.

You do not need to worry.

I have nothing to do with that man.

Brock, listen. It's not hype.

I mean, look at the Nikkei!

Come on, man.

Would you even be sitting in that cushy Goldman Sachs chair

if it wasn't for me hauling your ass through college?

I-- I'm not asking for a huge investment. It ju--

Listen, I don't know which story you've been told, but--

Talk soon, yeah.

Hey!

What stinky food are you eating today?

Listen up! You need to learn this too.

This is beoseot gangjeong.

It's usually spicier,

but there's no more chili peppers. Still...

Delicious. I could eat 100 of them.

Neulgeun hobakjeon.

Last fall, my aunt went to a farm in the country

and bought a huge pumpkin.

Five times the size of my brother's head!

She said we had to make it last the whole winter so enjoy every bite.

And I do!

Bando-kun! Get off your desk now!

Get down!

To the wall!

Hey, Bando.

Is it true?

The gossip about you.

Hey, garlic breath.

I'm talking to you.

I hear your family lives with pigs.

And the pigs sleep inside your house. Is it true?

Look, he's not denying it!

If it wasn't true, he'd deny it. Right?

He just lets that bully come after me!

I know the jerk is just trying to get my goat,

but come on!

I'm gonna smash his face in one day--

Noa.

I know how you're feeling.

You're not the only one. We all live feeling that rage.

Especially here.

Look around you.

Angry husbands shouting terrible things at their wives.

Tired mothers snapping at their children. Brothers hating on brothers.

But, Noa,

that anger, it comes from feeling so powerless here.

That's just how it is.

If you don't like it...

don't be Korean, Noa.

Even if it's only in your imagination.

Cheers!

I hope you are satisfied now.

With our major contribution of military supplies.

Yes. Everyone is pleased.

Does this mean in our next contracts,

our loyalties will be rewarded?

If we don't,

we risk displeasing you, Koh-san.

It seems everyone in Osaka knows what happens when you are displeased.

Speaking for myself, I prefer to keep all of my limbs.

Rather than worry about pleasing my son-in-law, let us all enjoy ourselves.

After all, his generosity is just as well-known. Please, enjoy.

Inoue-san. We have all this rice piled up in our colonies,

but it's impossible to get it shipped to us now.

Yes.

I say we strap the rice on the back of the Koreans, make them swim it over.

Serve those lazy cockroaches right.

Go and see where those two guests are.

They've been gone too long.

So it's happening then?

It's not confirmed yet.

But some messages have been intercepted.

There are whispers that the bombings are imminent.

Imminent?

Within days.

Quickly get your family out of the city.

I've already sent mine to the country. I'm following in the morning.

But first, we can't leave without eating all that splendid food.

That Koh-san is impressive. How he manages to find all that food.

You really kicked the hornet's nest.

Abe-san is on the warpath.

Believe me, I feel it.

Tonight is his big award ceremony.

Japan's Businessman of the Year. It's quite the honor.

Give him my best.

So, tell me honestly.

How much of the fund have you raised?

No way. Zero?

- Zero. - Yellowtail.

You should have asked me.

What are you talking about?

I don't want your pity.

I want to help you.

You serious?

And to think I was once jealous of you.

You don't need to open old wounds, Tetsuya.

I realize it's petty of me.

That was always your specialty, being petty.

200 million.

After all, you're my oldest friend.

I still remember

when I was transferred to the school, you were good to me.

You could've been cruel like the rest of them.

The new kid is always an easy target.

But you...

You never played that game.

It's a stupid game.

So it is.

Thank you.

Abalone.

Ready?

One!

Two!

Three!

When those American bastards set foot on our soil,

they'll plunder and desecrate our great empire,

turning it into a sea of flames!

So we'll have to take a stand against those devils, won't we?

Very good.

Now, listen carefully.

We're not just stabbing a straw dummy.

This is the enemy!

Those bastards will torch our houses,

steal away our children,

and who knows what other horrors they'll subject us to?

So I ask you,

will you let those beastly Americans come for you?

No!

Are you going to just let them tear your family apart?

No!

Then charge!

Why are you destroying it? We won't be able to use it again.

But, Mama, that's the point!

Take the enemy down so they won't be able to get up again.

Away you go.

Concentrate on the target! Concentrate!

Truthfully, I've been curious about you.

How you're doing, whether you have it good or not.

You married a pastor, isn't that so?

The sickly one.

He recovered from his illness,

and we had some good years.

But then...

the police took him away.

Really, for what?

For helping the laborers fight for better wages.

That was seven years ago now.

Then how are you managing?

I still consider myself lucky. I have my brother-in-law.

He was drafted to work in a munitions factory in Nagasaki last year.

The money he sent was a godsend,

but lately, they've been paying him in promissory notes.

And I'm on my last batch of kimchi now. Once I sell it...

Then there's my mother.

Why? Has something happened to your mother?

It's been three months since her last letter.

My mother...

she's all alone.

It's a struggle, isn't it?

Even so, I keep smiling.

If I don't, my children,

they will only see a mother's tears.

I do not want that.

But, Sunja...

I heard a few women here make rice wine to sell at the black markets.

Perhaps you and I could--

But isn't that illegal?

You said so yourself. You have nothing to sell.

And no one has any money to pay me for their laundry.

Sunja, I'm...

I'm desperate now.

Do not get me wrong.

I am not scolding you,

but given my situation--

Never you mind.

Your boys are growing up so well.

GRAND OPENING

Grandma!

You've come!

At least you arrived before the opening.

You should've at least ironed it.

And you wonder why I worry.

- Solomon! - Father!

- How do I look? - You look sharp!

You both do!

Don't we?

Shiny new business with shiny owners.

Perfect, right?

Congratulations.

Somehow, it all worked out. I'm relieved.

So, how's the fundraising going?

I just caught a big fish today.

Remember Tetsuya?

That crybaby who was always picking his nose?

He doesn't pick his nose anymore.

He just proved he's a true friend.

For someone like him to invest, it makes it all real.

Is that so?

Look.

Your grandmother and I have been talking.

We don't want to miss out on a real gold rush.

What is this?

Just open it.

$700,000

Where'd you get this kind of money?

I took out a mortgage with this place as collateral.

You took on more debt then?

What does it matter?

The banks are practically giving money away these days.

The interest is almost nothing.

But it's still a debt.

What is this?

We do this for you and all you do is complain?

It's not that.

But if anything were to happen-- If I were to fail, this money--

You are my son.

If I can't believe in you,

then who will?

Just do your best. You'll do well.

Tanaka Akio. Yoshida Isamu.

In second place, Nakamura Minoru.

And in first place...

Bando Nobuo.

We will pick up where we left off last week.

Bando.

A word.

What book are you reading in class?

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

An American book?

You know it is forbidden.

I am sorry.

Try putting some effort into your work.

Your mind...

it can open many doors for you.

What kind of doors?

A chance to escape these wretched slums.

University, perhaps.

I went to Waseda in Tokyo--

But I don't want to get out.

I want to stay here. Become a pastor.

I hear your father is no longer at home.

He's coming back.

Excuse me?

My father,

he's coming home.

That's why I need to be here.

And what if he doesn't?

I told you.

I won't leave.

Here.

I don't need it anymore.

WASEDA UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM PRACTICE TESTS

But I'm not...

You know.

I know what you are.

Noa Baek.

THIS BOOK BELONGS TO OGAWA EIICHI (GO YOUNG HO)

It's bootlegging.

But, Kyunghee, what choice do we have?

Our savings are gone, and there's no money coming in.

Sunja, if anything were to happen to you--

I'll be careful.

I'm hearing the Economic Police have informers there.

I'm sorry, but it's too dangerous!

I won't allow it.

Should we starve to death then?

Do you have any idea who does those things?

Hungry people.

And parents with hungry children.

Kyunghee...

I heard Mozasu's stomach growl while he slept last night.

Our children are hungry too.

Do you think I don't know that?

The other day, I found worms in the ration rice. Worms!

Even worse than that,

I considered leaving them, with the hopes of filling their bellies.

There's no shame in that.

But we're not there yet.

Kyunghee.

For now, shouldn't we try to avoid feeding our children worms?

Promise me one thing.

Every night, you must come home to us.

You know I will.

You know I will.

It's just a practice drill. Let's keep working.

Run along.

Don't worry.

I'll take care of these.

I'm sorry to make you go alone.

It's fine. I'm good at selling.

But hurry now before your husband gets angrier.

Don't forget.

Show only your smiles.

- Solomon? - Oh, Tetsuya. I'm in Osaka now.

What is it?

Abe-san...

He heard about my investments.

But...

He's threatening to destroy us both.

He claims you're conning me.

What are you saying, Tetsuya?

I'm sorry. I can't.

Solomon?

- Are you still there? - Don't worry.

I understand.

I'm sorry, Solomon.

I know.

Solomon. What are you doing there?

Come to the store with me.

- What? - The grocery store down the street.

The cake will be ready now.

We need some cups too.

I told your father not to serve grape juice.

Why are you just standing there?

I'm going.

Maybe the person who took your order couldn't understand you.

They couldn't understand "50"?

Grandma, what's going on?

I ordered a cake for 50, but this is what he gives me.

Isn't this your mistake?

Listen, this is a custom order.

It's written here.

But this isn't what we ordered.

In any case,

don't blame me for not understanding half-assed Japanese.

Half-assed?

I'm just saying, if you're going to live in this country,

you should learn our language properly.

Let's just go.

This isn't about the cake, is it?

I don't know what you're implying,

but if you don't like our service,

please take your business elsewhere.

There are stores for people like you, isn't that so?

What did you just say?

Don't walk away. Answer my question.

Who the hell do you think you are? Huh?

I was born here, just like you.

I went to Yale University. You get it?

I made your monthly salary in a single day!

You are in no fucking position to put us down! You idiot!

Anyone home?

There was a raid at the black market.

Sunja got arrested.

They took her away!

What?

Where is she now? Where must they have taken her?

Let's hope we get the older judge. At least he's fair.

Just hope we don't get the young one.

That man is cruel.

Solomon, you scared me tonight.

I'm sorry I scared you.

But, Grandma...

Now...

It's just too hard now.

I can't do it anymore.

I--

I can't live always feeling sorry for you.

Time to wake up.

Auntie, what did the police say?

No news yet, but the officer promised to look into it.

Could we stay home today and wait with you?

Your mother would want you to go to school.

You know that.

Mozasu, wake up.

He's coming. Get ready.

What's happening?

He's here.

Name?

Ryu Kimiko.

Your third offense, I see.

He tried to run off without paying me!

Two months' sentence.

Two months?

- Name? - Hayashi Asuka.

First offense. Three weeks' sentence.

Name?

Bando Nobuko.

Oh. It's you.

You may go.

Don't count on your luck next time.

Remember that.

Next.

Name?

It's a great honor to accept this award.

I am humbled

to think I have done anything worthy of such a tribute

from so many of my fellow countrymen whom I admire.

As I was saying,

it's an honor to receive this award.

Thinking back on what we had to overcome to be here today...

A nation once reduced to burned-out ruins.

But from those ashes, we rose...

Mr. Kim.

I went to the station,

but they said you were already released.

But how did you know I was there?

I ask that you come with me.

You want me to get in the car?

Where would you take me?

I am not at liberty to say.

A mineral found in the bowels of the earth.

It's called tungsten.

Once processed, it's resistant to corrosion.

Useful for airplanes and missiles, grenades and such.

This makes the war possible.

How did you find me?

I didn't have to look for you. I never lost you.

Mr. Kim, he works for me.

I tasked him years ago to watch over you and the kids.

Noa especially.

He's a clever boy,

but he's not applying himself.

What do you want?

The bombs are coming.

We've been hearing that for years.

It's real this time.

And it'll happen soon.

Not just the smaller bombs targeting the factories.

They'll carpet-bomb the entire city.

The Americans want all this to burn.

How can you be so sure?

How did I know you were making rice wine?

Or that Noa's teacher is a Korean who pretends otherwise?

It's my job to know what others do not.

It's how I learned to survive.

You must do the same.

I've arranged for you, your sister-in-law

and the two boys to shelter in the countryside.

I won't leave my husband to rot in jail.

Do you understand what I am saying?

The Americans are sending in their planes to destroy this city!

Everything you know will be gone.

You think you understand what that means.

No.

You don't.

I do.

I told you.

It's not possible.

Are you willing to risk your children for an imbecile who got himself arrested?

I'm not going to leave him.

I won't.

You...

You actually care about him.

Don't you?