Original subtitles

PRESENTED BY CHUNGEORAHM FILM, MK2

CO-PRODUCERS WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF KOFIC, CNC

A JEONWONSA PRODUCTION

CO-PRODUCED BY MK2

TALE OF CINEMA

PRODUCED BY HONG SANGSOO AND MARIN KARMITZ

FINANCE: CHOI YONGBAE

STARRING: KIM SANGKYUNG

UHM JIWON

LEE KIWOO

PHOTOGRAPHY AND LIGHTING: KIM HYUNGKOO, KIM YOUNGRHO

SOUND: AN SANGHO

MUSIC: JEONG YONGJIN EDITING: HAHM SUNGWON

- Thank you. - Thank you.

SCREENWRITER & DIRECTOR: HONG SANGSOO

It's a wise choice.

And it's cheaper here.

It's good to get back to the guitar. You played bass, didn't you?

It's beautiful.

Your exams are over. Let's go walking in the mountains.

Walking? I don't know.

Keep me posted.

That's typical!

Just say you don't want to go, instead of dodging the issue.

It's not that.

Let's go then. ls walking in the mountains fun?

Forget it. We'll see.

It's not like before.

You see too many unemployed people, it's not nice.

Which way are you going?

That way.

Okay.

- It's too much. - Take it.

You're having a tough year.

See you at Mom's on Sunday.

Thanks, big brother. Take care!

I made a detour to a void going with my brother.

He'd given me 200,000 won.

For once, I was planning to spend it all.

Do you work here?

Yes, it's my uncle's shop.

How long has it been?

It's been two years, hasn't it?

I'm so happy to see you!

You don't go to school anymore?

No. I'll study again later.

You haven't changed. Still good-looking.

I have to go back in.

Go on, then.

What about you? What are you doing?

What if I invited you to a chic restaurant?

To celebrate our reunion.

You're serious? I finish at seven. Does that suit you?

You'll come back, won't you?

Sure. You work that late?

I'm paid to.

I wasn't sure I wanted to wait.

I decided to take a walk. I'd see later.

THE MOTHER

We haven't eaten for two days.

Will you give me some rice for my son?

Not you again!

When you beg, be polite and don't stir up trouble!

Take this.

Thank you. Thank you.

Chansong, it's rice. Eat it.

I want some sugared water. Keep the rice for yourself.

I'm not hungry. Eat.

Chansong! What's the matter?

Mom! I want sugared water!

Here.

What's wrong, my baby?

My son is sick. My son is sick!

Ah! It's typhus!

Chansong, say, "Mother."

Say, "Mother."

Mother!

Youngshil had waited for me.

We decided to go to a bar instead of going to eat.

I felt like smoking, so I bought some cigarettes.

Personally...

I didn't think I'd see you again, Sangwon.

Me neither.

It's so strange and unexpected.

Are you mad at me?

Are you mad at me, Sangwon?

Answer me. Tell me the truth!

Give that back, it's my glass. Drink from your own.

Stop it.

We realized one day that we were drawn to each other.

But things weren't possible between us.

She was going out with one of my friends,

so I gave up on her.

We'll end up doing something stupid.

Do you want me...

...to be your mistress?

Very funny!

Don't laugh, please!

Sangwon! Do you want me to be your mistress?

Later, if we live apart

If, when I think of the past

I can still tell myself that it was love

That will be enough for me

Now I know a love that is too deep

Comes to an unhappy end

I shall pray, my love, for my next love

To be different from ours And so I'll know no suffering...

We'd managed to get permission to stay out all night.

I was embarrassed to hear Youngshil lie so well on the phone.

Personally, I probably overdid it.

Where shall we go? Do you want to go home?

I don't feel like it.

But you can if you want.

We decided not to go home.

Do you feel ill? Are you okay? Do you feel ill?

I think I'm going to die.

Are you okay? Do you want me to hold you?

Yes. Please.

Let go of me, I'll do it. I'll do it.

Sangwon...

Me too...

You're hurting me.

Sorry, sorry.

You've had enough, I'm sorry.

Why insist when it doesn't work?

I feel good.

Stay like that. You're tired.

Why did you leave high school?

My teacher was a pervert.

Always feeling me up.

I see.

How long have you been working?

I couldn't go on doing nothing.

But I'll resume my studies.

I'll get my credits transferred. I'll learn Japanese.

I'd like to live in Japan.

Come here.

Wiped out by exhaustion, I had a strange dream.

While looking for the toilet, I reached a landing.

Do you want an apple?

When I woke up, I tried again.

- You're hurting me. - Sorry.

Had enough?

No. But why do you insist?

I'd like to die.

End with a flourish.

Dying would be good.

Why do you want to die?

I don't know... No reason.

I really want to die.

Me too, I want to die.

Are you serious?

Me too, I want to die. Let's die together.

Let's die clean. Let's not make love.

All right.

Enjoying it?

- It's delicious. - It is.

Do you want this?

What for?

In case you want to write something.

What are you going to write?

I'll say it all before I die.

I'm going to dry my hair.

They charged us for two nights instead of a day and a half.

We went to several pharmacies to buy 80 sleeping pills.

You want a coffee?

No, I'm just putting the coins in.

It'll make someone happy.

What a nice smell of coffee!

I wanted to be honest with Youngshil.

Wait!

I wanted to throw myself on the tracks.

On our way back up, I said to her, "Let's die together."

You cry, then you laugh, stupid!

I've never been up there.

Some other time.

- Marlboro reds. - I don't have foreign brands.

- No Marlboro reds? - No.

Some "885s" then. And some soju and dried squid.

All right.

What are you doing?

I wanted Marlboro reds.

Too bad.

They're divided up.

That's a lot of pills.

Youngshil, let's not make love.

- We won't go to bed. - Right.

- I'll go and wash. - Okay.

We wanted to be clean before we died.

While I was waiting, I almost took all the pills.

- Take your shower. - Yes.

I was afraid that she'd take all the pills in my absence.

What?

- Nothing. - You want something?

Just dry your hair.

Oh, it's snowing.

It's snowing!

Is it?

What a coincidence!

Is it pretty?

It's pretty. Very pretty.

I'll have a look later.

She was really going to die with me.

Hello?

Sangwon has had an accident.

We're in Namsan.

Hello? I can't hear you. What did you say?

Sangwon has had an accident? What kind of accident?

An accident.

He's lying here...

Come quickly.

Where is he? Where are you?

In Namsan.

She had woken up and gone home.

She used my phone to alert my family.

Sangwon?

Sangwon, wake up.

Wake up!

What happened?

Sangwon! Sangwon!

GENERAL CLINIC

Get some sleep. You need it.

- Are you in pain? - A little. It's okay.

Sir... Or should I call you Father?

What?

What are you talking about?

I'm going out for a cigarette. I'll be back.

Excuse me.

Have I been asleep long?

Two hours or so.

You mustn't talk.

I would've liked to impress the nurse.

Since I was going to live, I'd have liked to find a girl like her.

Can we remove the IV?

Sorry? No. Wait a little while.

You're too impatient.

I was worried about the reception I was going to get.

We'll take a cab.

I looked around for Youngshil.

I felt as if I was starting a new life. A gift that had been given to me.

Who did you want to die with?

A girl, huh?

You need a girl for that too?

It's not that.

- Give it to me. - It's okay.

If you want. Just be careful.

So you wanted to kill yourself?

You think you're capable of that?

What kind of a stupid act is that?

Drop dead! Why have you come back? You're just a clown.

I apologize, Mom.

But let me tell you my reasons.

Your reasons? You have reasons? Explain them!

I... I've always found it hard to communicate with you.

You know that.

For nineteen years, I've felt that you don't understand me.

What a pretty speech. Just shut up!

I'm hard to communicate with?

I've always given you whatever you wanted.

And now it's all my fault?

He's not entirely wrong. You can be difficult.

What the hell do you know?

You blame your mother and you call yourself a man?

I killed myself raising you, and you insult me, you little shit!

You say it's because of me that you want to die?

So go and die! Why have you come back?

Mom... Can't you let me speak?

I understand.

I fucking understand!

I'm going to kill myself for real.

I may as well kill myself!

You goddamn maniac!

Be respectful to Mom!

Stay out of this.

Sit down.

Nobody cared.

Mom!

Mom!

I got the letter this morning too.

Is it that serious?

He won't last much longer. There's no hope.

His old classmates are meeting tonight to make a collection.

It's to help his family.

Besides, it's been a long time since we last saw you.

Come along tonight.

Actually, I wanted to see his retrospective. I'm at the cinema.

Oh, really? I'm thinking of going too.

Are they showing all his films?

Three shorts and a feature. It ends tomorrow.

I won't be able to go. We'll see you tonight.

I have a lot to do, but I'll come if I can.

Thanks for calling me.

- Are you well? - Me? I'm fine.

Right, I'll be going now.

YI HYONGSU RETROSPECTIVE

THE HOSPITAL AND OPERATION COSTS HAVE REACHED 100 MILLION WON.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

Such details are obscene.

- What are you doing here? - And you? It's been ages.

You came to see the film. So did I.

You're looking better, healthier.

Marlboro reds?

Like in the film?

From time to time.

Let me have one. I've always been tempted.

Did you see the film?

I'd seen it before. This was my second time.

His films are good.

It's charming.

- Are you coming tonight? - I'm not sure.

What should I do?

I'm having lunch with my wife and children.

Do you want to come?

- To have lunch? - Join us. Have you eaten?

It's just that... I have so many people to see.

Let's go.

- How many children? - Two.

That's good.

You can eat a whole portion?

- Sure! You bet we can! - Yes, we can.

Two portions of shrimps then.

Two shrimps, one sweet-and-sour pork and three noodles.

- What an appetite. - They love shrimps.

Don't you want any noodles?

No. We'll see later.

- Don't smoke. - I'm not smoking.

You came to see his film.

You were close to him, weren't you?

At university, yes. But I'd stopped seeing him.

- You have things in common. - Such as?

You act cool.

You love women.

Your film would've been in the same vein, right?

Come on!

In any case, I've never eaten a beef rib as good as the one at your place.

A beef rib?

- Yes. It was years ago. - You remember that?

Oh, that's very kind of you to remember.

It was really good.

The meat melted in your mouth.

Do you remember how many times you complimented your wife?

- Complimented my wife? - You did that?

Six times. I remember counting.

You complimented her six times.

You remember such odd things!

I'd never heard anyone make compliments about food.

Mommy, I think I have a fever. I feel cold.

Really? Let me see.

You're hot.

Perhaps it's indigestion. Do you feel cold?

- What's wrong? - She says she feels cold. Let's go home.

Come here.

There's no need.

She's cold.

- Do you feel better? - Yes.

Thank you. Where are you going?

I'm going home before the meeting. Do you want a lift?

I haven't made my mind up yet.

Get in. I'll drop you off somewhere.

- It's at six? - Yes. Come along. They'll all be there.

I like the color of your car.

Get in, it's cold.

Thanks.

- How do you feel? - It hurts.

We'll be home soon.

Can I smoke?

Wait a bit. Because of the children.

All right.

Can you drop me here?

- Here? Why? - No reason. I have to...

- Let me out here. - All right.

Thanks.

I'd let you keep it, but my mother bought it for me. Sorry.

Bye. It was good to see you.

Okay. Close the door. Hurry!

I'll close the door.

It's visible from all over the city.

You're beautiful! Hurry, hurry. Just a second, please.

- What's your name? - Kanghi.

- Kanghi? - Yes.

You're really beautiful!

- Really! - Thank you.

We're big fans! Goodbye!

Goodbye.

Hello.

Hello.

Are you on a pilgrimage?

Sorry? What do you mean? Do we know each other?

Who doesn't know Choi Youngshil? I'm a great admirer.

I'm not a star. Thank you anyway.

We just saw the same film. Are you returning to the locations?

You're so classy.

What makes you say that?

I went to the same film school as the director.

He spoke about you. I know things about you.

I could've even visited the set.

- Are you going to Namsan next? - To Namsan?

No.

Talking of Namsan, is that where his classmates are meeting?

Will you be there? Why?

I've been asked to contribute to the collection.

I'd like to go, but I may not be able to.

I understand.

What about you?

I ought to go, but... not everyone there likes me.

I see.

- Are you a director too? - Yes. How did you know?

You were at the same school.

Please be in my film when I shoot it. I'm serious.

If you were to accept, that would be a big help.

Why not? Send me the screenplay.

All right. Can I have your address?

I'm not sure. I don't know you.

If I see you this evening, perhaps... I'd prefer that.

If you want. Let's shake hands.

All right. Like in the film?

We shall leave in a loved one's heart

Nothing but light memories

Now I know a love that is too deep

Comes to an unhappy end

I shall pray, my love

- Here you are! - It's been ages.

Hello.

- Sit down here. - Thanks.

It's really been ages.

You're late.

I walked from the top of the hill.

Really? Why?

No reason. I've lost my wallet. I'm broke.

What about your credit card?

I'm beyond my credit limit.

You'll never change.

Sorry about earlier. You understand, it's a gift from my mother.

I didn't know if we'd meet again.

That's all right. Forget it.

Vice-chairman, how much must we donate?

I've lost my wallet, I'm a bit short.

Give what you can. Go ahead. Whatever you can spare.

- Here. It's not much. - Thank you.

Do you still drink as much?

No, I don't drink at all anymore.

I have to think of my health.

I'm getting older.

I met some people up there, but I didn't drink.

You're right, you're no spring chicken.

But you're looking better.

I don't like drinking anymore.

Have a glass anyway.

- Here. - Thank you.

Don't get drunk, please.

What's your problem? What's the matter?

- It's been ages, hasn't it? - Stop it!

Muscular. Do you work out? You're so muscular.

Dongsoo... If you plan to get drunk, say so.

Understand?

I understand.

- I think I've walked too much. - Have some meat.

Thank you.

It looks good.

Enjoy it.

Miss Choi Youngshil! Good evening. You're so beautiful!

Good evening.

How do you do?

What do you want me to sing?

If I Loved Again, please.

My name is Choi Youngshil. I'm an actress.

Your older colleague, Yi Hyongsu...

Oh, some people here are the same age.

He allowed me to make my film debut.

I haven't seen him... for a long time.

It's his fault as much as mine.

But, at this moment in time,

I feel that it's my fault.

Mr. Yi, I'm really, really sorry.

We shall make no promises

Even if we part

We'll be able to move away from each other

Without too much pain

We shall leave In a loved one's heart

Nothing but light memories, easy to cast aside

Now I know a love that is too deep

Comes to an unhappy end

I shall pray, my love

For my next love to be different from ours

And so know no suffering

We're all great fans of yours.

- Thank you for coming. - Thank you.

Would you do a commercial for me?

I'd be delighted.

- Wonderful. It's been a pleasure. - For me, too.

- Don't look down on TV serials. - I don't look down on anything.

Go back inside.

- Take care. - Goodbye.

Where are you going?

You scared me. Where have you been?

There's no reason to be scared. I was the one who chose the song.

I know.

Where are you going?

Me?

I'm going to Kyonghi University Hospital. To see Mr. Yi.

Oh, I see.

- Do they allow visits this late? - I don't know.

I'll see. They're saying it's serious.

I should go too. Shall I come with you?

I'm going alone.

- Stay with your friends. - That's not important.

What's the matter?

You're a strange guy.

Is it tough being an actress?

Can I tell you about my idea?

No.

My taxi's here. Go back inside.

I didn't know you had a limp.

What? Didn't you?

Don't talk bullshit.

- Has she left? - Yeah. She's really pretty.

- She's a good actress. Too bad. - What?

Nobody offers her any work since her accident.

What accident?

She had a friend. An artist.

When she tried to leave him, he attacked her.

Is that true?

She's covered with scars.

She's had several operations in the USA.

But she still has some to undergo,

especially in intimate places.

- Really? - What places?

How should I know?

In certain places, intimate places.

Give me a cigarette.

You never noticed that I limped?

I find you everywhere I go!

Yes.

I'm broke. I lost my wallet.

That's a nuisance.

I have some cigarettes left and enough for the subway.

Do you want me to lend you some money?

That would be very kind of you.

No, forget it.

Actually, it's my heart that's the problem.

Buy me a drink instead.

You have a problem with your heart?

Yes.

Youngshil... you look like an angel.

You're laughing?

You're saying that because of that angel statue.

No, you're my feminine ideal.

You're repeating yourself.

You made me cry.

You can tell, can't you?

Yes, I can. I'd like to smoke a cigarette.

Come with me, then.

It looks like Yi's condition is serious.

What can we do?

Did the doctor tell you that?

Yes, the one treating him. That's what he implied.

Today's dawn could be his last.

I feel so sorry for him.

Today's dawn?

Let's go and smoke a cigarette.

All right, then.

Why did you keep your own name in the film?

Was that Yi's idea?

For a short film, it didn't really matter.

Really?

Yi himself acted in the film.

While we were shooting it, everyone had a good time.

Were you dating each other?

No.

He's the one who gave me my start. I'm grateful to him for that.

Thanks to him, I've appeared in some quality productions.

Yeah...

I was shooting my second film...

...and he called me.

He said that I'd made a lot of money.

That I'd succeeded thanks to him. He was asking me for money.

It's tough being an actress.

He was preying on your pity.

How much did he want?

He talked about a loan, but he wanted me to give it to him.

He wanted 20 million won.

That's what he wanted.

I hesitated for a few days.

He called me back and we met up. He apologized, in tears.

He was really crying. He said he'd been drinking.

All the same, I never felt like seeing him again.

I see.

I have to tell you... that film tells my story.

I told him the story as a secret.

I can't forgive him for having made it public.

I'm shocked. That was your story? What part? All of it?

All of it. Going to a hotel to die.

Sharing out the pills one by one. I told him everything.

Even the snow falling before the suicide,

the Marlboro reds that I couldn't find, all that.

I like the bit with the Marlboro reds. You told him all that?

Well, not exactly...

But back then, he saw me smoking them all the time.

Really?

When you're part of a filmmaker's entourage,

you tend to think like that.

As soon as you spot a coincidence, you think it's because of you.

We all think the world revolves around us.

But does all that really matter now?

Does it matter?

Dongsoo...

I just wanted to tell you all that.

What are we going to do? We've had too much to drink.

Do you really bear a grudge against Yi?

He was a big influence on me.

He did everything that I'd have liked to do.

I was jealous. And he was excessively proud.

Although he had no reason to be. I'm just as good as him.

He acted like my mentor,

and he wanted me to recognize him as such.

No way! I didn't like that.

Don't get angry. Don't hate him.

He's dying.

So are we!

You're exaggerating. I don't like that.

I'm too fond of drinking. Life is too tough. It's too...

Grotesque.

You're grotesque!

Sorry.

I love you.

Do you mean that?

You're talking bullshit.

You forgot your change!

Goodbye. Thank you.

That was delicious. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Wrap up warmly.

I'm drunk.

Careful. Are you okay?

I don't feel so good.

I'm sorry, it's my fault.

How dare you touch me?

It'll be all right.

You're hurting me.

There's nothing special about an actress, you know.

She's a woman like any other.

I know.

I love you.

Is that true?

- I love you so much. - Is that true? You like it?

Yes.

I'd like to come. I'd really like to come.

I love you.

Make me come!

- No... Stop it. - What?

Stop it.

I love you.

Stop it. Stop it...

Stop it.

What? Why are you looking at me?

No reason. You don't have any scars.

Eh? What scars?

I was told you had scars.

Who told you I have scars?

I can't tell you.

Wait.

Wait.

Is something wrong?

Why are you leaving? What have I done?

Nothing. You haven't done anything. Why?

No reason.

What if we died?

If you want, before dying, we could live another six months.

We'd love each other intensely.

Enough.

Are you going to stay? I'm leaving.

Don't go.

I'd like to rest a little longer.

I have to leave. I have to go somewhere.

But will you come back?

Come back. Please.

I'll see. Go on, sleep.

Excuse me, but...

Leave me something that I can keep.

"Something"?

I don't think you really understood the film.

Did you sleep well?

I didn't sleep. I'm coming to see the patient.

It's true... You didn't know I was here.

Did you spend the night here?

Yes.

His condition has improved. The crisis is over.

Really? That's good.

But it could start again.

I have to go. You go on.

- Wait... - What?

You must be tired, but give me a second.

I'm worn out. I haven't slept.

You had a good time, so that's enough now!

Go home and rest!

It'll be all right. What can I do?

Tell me, how are you?

What...?

What are you doing here?

It's tough. It hurts so much. I think I'm going to die.

It'll be all right. What can I do?

I don't want to die. I really don't.

It hurts.

I don't want to die. I really don't.

Don't say that! Don't say that!

You're not going to die, trust me.

I'm sorry...

It's my fault.

Don't die!

Dongsoo, I don't want to die.

I want to live.

I want to live. I don't want to die.

Don't!

You're not going to die, trust me!

I need to think now. Thinking is necessary.

With thought, I can sort everything out.

I can even stop smoking. I have to think.

To get out of all this.

To live a long time.