Original subtitles

(A production supported by...)

(the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism...)

(and Korea Creative Content Agency)

(This drama is a work of fiction,)

(and the characters, places, groups, and events are entirely imaginary.)

(A year before the Korean War, near the 38 Parallel)

Just look at that.

Young Bok has such nimble fingers.

She has already finished all the work,

while someone I know is still trying to thread her needle.

Young Bok, you must be having the time of your life these days.

Both your in-laws passed away,

and who knows if your husband is dead or alive.

It looks like the whole property is going to be yours now, doesn't it?

Stop.

Are you envious?

Excuse me?

You must be.

I ended up having one of the nicest houses around.

No, I meant...

What the... I...

That wench!

Hey, leave her alone!

Why are you always on her case?

She's so full of herself!

She always looks so grumpy and never wears a smile.

She must think of me so little when I'm older than her!

What does she have in her life to smile about?

Don't you feel sorry for that poor young thing?

Her only brother was being dragged into forced labor,

and she was almost taken as a comfort woman.

Can you imagine how desperate her parents must have been...

to marry her off all the way to Cheongju?

Worse, her husband has gone missing shortly after he left...

for Japan to study.

And as soon as the liberation came,

both her parents and in-laws passed away.

She had to endure one funeral after another.

Now, she's left alone in this whole world, just like that.

She must be so lonely,

waiting for her husband to return,

even though she hasn’t seen him in her life.

He probably doesn't even know he has a wife.

Seo Rim, is this our house?

(The Two Women)

Mother said a married couple should stay in the same room.

I knew it was yours, but I've been staying here.

Because you're my husband...

I haven't touched any of your things,

so don't worry.

How old are you?

Next year, I'll turn 20.

You got married to me five years ago, right?

Does it mean you were 14 back then?

Do you know how old I am?

How could you agree to marry a guy...

who's eight years older and has completely disappeared?

I'm sorry, but I can't take you as my wife.

I'll find a way to annul our marriage,

so please be ready to leave...

Shame on you.

What have you been doing while your house was falling apart...

and your parents passed away?

You must've been with her, having a good time.

- Young miss. - Don't call me that. I'm your wife!

I'm the madam of this house, registered on paper!

It was me who took care of your parents...

when they couldn't even go to the restroom.

It was also me who cleaned and maintained this house...

so it wouldn't fall apart!

And now you're asking me to leave?

Who gives you the right to tell me to leave...

when I've touched every corner of this house?

I won't leave.

I can't!

I have no place to go back to.

And I would resent myself...

if I left after everything I've done for this house.

What did she mean?

Is that girl really your wife?

Then, what about me?

What about our baby?

Say something!

That stupid jerk!

How dare he abandon his wife and take in a concubine?

Why are you suddenly siding with Young Bok?

I can bear anything,

but I can't stand those who do reckless things...

and girls who live as concubines.

Look at that thing on her hair when she's here to work.

How flashy it is.

That naive girl...

will never be able to outdo that vixen.

What's this?

Please take it off! Help me!

Speak in Korean.

You know how to speak in Korean, don't you?

What are you doing?

I will.

I'm speaking in it.

I'm speaking in Korean now.

Call her naive one more time,

and they'll be holding a funeral.

(Jerks who forget their history have no future.)

I told you. It's not going to happen.

Sir, you know my circumstances.

Can I use this to make it this time?

If I...

pay you for your work,

where will that money go?

That nasty girl will get to use it.

Young Bok.

You, of all people,

can't do this to me.

Darn it. Some luck I have today.

That's mine.

That...

is mine.

You should at least pay for lodging at my house.

When you give birth to the baby, go back to Japan with it.

If it's about leaving, you should be the one to go.

That's what Seo Rim told you too.

You Japanese.

Damned Japanese girl. Barbarian.

Young Bok!

Do you know why spoons sold so well in every town after the liberation?

It's because your people took even the spoons for the war.

Do you know why the man at the dry goods store got all angry?

It's because your people...

took his daughter, saying it was for the war!

Your people...

took away our rice,

our spoons,

and even my own brother.

And now, you want to take my husband too?

It wasn't me who did it.

I have nothing to do with it.

Of course, you do!

You're also a Japanese!

It was the same for us too.

We all had nothing to do with the war.

A gunshot?

It must've been soldiers training.

A few years ago, an army unit entered the village.

Do you know how startled I was?

Aren't you really going to tell me why you fought?

We didn't fight. She insulted me one-sidedly.

What are you doing right now?

Why are you touching my clothes without my permission?

You...

You should have your meal.

Stop complaining.

This is my favorite food.

If you don't want to eat it, don't.

She's always complaining.

There's a chill in the air tonight.

Stop being so stubborn, and go to bed inside.

Young Bok.

Look.

You should sleep inside.

You can't keep sleeping out here.

If I go inside,

are you going to stay with that woman?

Do you think I'm that shameless?

Yes.

I'm not going in.

I'll stay here.

Go in and get some sleep.

I won't.

Get inside to get sleep.

I'm telling you. I won't.

I'm not going in!

I heard about an army unit that came to the village.

Have you had training with them or something?

You're so agile.

I'm just kidding.

Try to put on a smile.

I can't smile when it doesn't come naturally to me.

It's true what the elders in the village told me about you.

They said that you rarely smiled.

You took care of my sick parents...

and had to protect this house.

I'm sure you had no time to smile.

I'm sorry, Young Bok.

Also, thank you.

I should have said it sooner.

I'm sorry for saying it so late.

From now on,

we'll do everything together.

I want to share the chores...

and eat meals with you at the same table.

How could I possibly do that with you?

Didn't you say you were my wife?

A husband and wife should always do everything together.

Please go inside and sleep.

I'll be sleeping here from now on.

Are you saying your face heats up like fire,

and your heart pounds like a kid throwing a tantrum?

Well, there's only one explanation for that.

It's called love.

You're in love.

Of course, you're in love. Otherwise, your face wouldn't get all hot,

and your heart wouldn't ache as if you were being hit by bullets.

You're so book-smart.

I'm amazed you had no idea what love was after acting like you knew everything.

Is this love?

The laundry!

Why don't you both try learning how to read and write Korean?

- No. - No.

It's rare for you to share the same opinion.

I have a ton of work to do. I don't have any time to study.

I don't need to study how to read or write.

Looking at Young Bok, it seems you can get by in life just by being sturdy.

Hey!

You really have a death wish, don't you?

Watch your words.

They say, one ill word asks another.

Do you really want to start something?

Wait. Please stop.

Learning to read and write is always beneficial.

You will be able to write letters or even read books.

- And... - But you can just...

read them for me, Seo Rim.

Because you'll always be by my side, won't you?

What should I do first?

You can just leave us alone if you're not interested, Young Bok.

(Gu Young Bok)

(Nam Haeng Ja)

"Sachiko?"

Is this how you write Sachiko?

Can't you even read this?

It says, "Nam Haeng Ja."

When I convert my name, Minami Sachiko, into Korean,

it's pronounced Nam Haeng Ja.

Seo Rim, if I combine my name and Young Bok's,

I can make Haeng Bok, right?

Haeng from my name.

And Bok from Young Bok's.

"Happiness."

You're coughing so much.

Please drink some water first.

It's okay, Seo Rim.

It's okay.

Everything is all right.

Just stop.

Blood stains are hard to remove.

I know because I've tried it many times.

You just don't know how to do it properly because you're too dumb.

I can make it clean.

I can clean all the stains.

I can fix anything that's worn out.

And I can also make him healthier again as if he's never been ill.

I was also hopeful that I could fully recover until six years ago.

When I was in Tokyo,

I was thrown into prison just for being part of a book club...

that studied the Korean language.

And that is where I contracted tuberculosis.

I was released after independence was restored.

Eventually,

I returned to my country,

but now I'm on death's doorstep.

Both as a son and as a man,

my life has...

been a failure.

Don't you dare touch it with those filthy hands.

Seo Rim's illness is all because of you people.

Whether it's Japanese or concubines,

I'm just fed up with you damned people!

I'm not damned nor a concubine!

You are the concubine!

I told you not to speak Japanese in front of me!

What have you ever done for Seo Rim?

You may have taken care of his parents,

but I looked after Seo Rim.

You left your hometown to get married,

but I had to leave my country to get married.

And would you still call me a concubine?

I understand...

how you feel right now.

I used to feel angry and sad all the time, just like you.

And that made me want to act mean.

But in the end, you and I stayed here, just the same.

Because we wanted to stay with him.

Because we didn't want to feel lonely.

So why do you try to be alone...

when you need someone the most?

(Im Seo Rim)

(Gu Young Bok, Im Haeng Ja, Im Seo Rim)

(Happiness)

Young Bok.

Are you home?

The village headman was going to sell this to the junk shop,

so I got it at a cheap price.

What do you think? It'll do, right?

You can ride this instead of walking. It's tiresome.

I don't know how to ride it.

You can learn it. I'll teach you.

Do you want to give it a try?

I need to go to Gyeong Ja's place to give a hand.

But I'll learn it some other time.

You can teach me then.

Sure.

Nam Haeng Ja!

Haeng Ja!

Where on earth did she go?

Haeng Ja...

Nam Haeng Ja.

I was going to wash the laundry, but I slipped.

I didn't get hurt other than my ankle.

What about the baby?

Maybe it's feeling stuffed inside here.

It keeps kicking.

I didn't know you could smile like that.

No one asked you to do this anyway.

People will badmouth me once things go sour for you and your baby.

They'll think the wife has harassed the concubine so much...

Are you mad?

That's the only pair of shoes I have!

Oh, dear.

What should I do?

I can't believe this.

My gosh.

Young Bok, seriously?

- Move. - My shoes...

Give me your foot.

I'm sorry that I threw your ring away.

Also, I'm sorry that I slapped you earlier.

I don't feel sorry for anything.

Would you rather walk home alone?

Can I ask you something?

No, you can't.

What is that ring?

You always stare at it.

It's my treasure.

My mom gave me when I left Cheongju to get married.

Your treasure?

Is it an expensive one?

No, but memories that I treasure come to me when I look at it.

Memories like when my brother and I...

went to the riverside to catch marsh snails...

and my mom cooking soup with the snails we caught.

And memories of eating rice cakes with bean crumbs with my dad every spring.

Well, that ring is just the opposite of me.

When people here see me,

bad memories come to them.

Not just bad ones, but painful ones.

Young Bok.

Do you think...

we could be friends about 50 years later?

I don't know.

By the way, how are you so fluent in our language?

Did you learn it from Seo Rim?

Joseon people visited a lot when I lived at the catholic church.

They taught me the language.

I don't know who my parents are.

The orphanage run by the catholic church was where I grew up.

You could've told me that earlier.

You made me look like I was bragging about having a family.

What do you mean?

You're an orphan, just like me.

Haven't you heard about the saying, "Misery loves company?"

Geez, you do have a way with words.

But Young Bok,

why do you call me Haeng Ja?

Why not?

Are you bothered that I don't call you Sachiko?

Of course, you should use a Korean name if you're going to live here.

That's not what I mean.

I'm six years older than you.

Little one.

Call me big sister.

Don't mess with me. I'll leave you here all by yourself.

Oh, is that right, little one?

You're on your own.

Hey, Young Bok!

My leg hurts!

Wait for me!

Young Bok!

Here. It's barley tea.

I heard that you people drink tea with your meals.

Is it really for me?

We've got a pair of rubber shoes.

Suit yourself. Try them on or don't.

Hey, don't flatter yourself.

I'm going to take care of you until you've recovered from the delivery.

Fortunately, we still had some seaweed left.

So, when's her due date?

Less than a month now.

Goodness.

Stop being so happy about it...

and think about how you're going to get seaweed soup for yourself.

Isn't there any news?

Well...

I'm here to get some books.

Tonight!

Can you sleep here tonight?

To avoid the draft,

I've let you stay in Haeng Ja's room for the past few months.

But people will start talking if we keep this up.

Don't worry.

Even though this is a small neighborhood,

there's no way they'd ever find out...

You told me to sleep here tonight, but...

When are you going to learn how to ride a bike?

Are you still very busy?

We don't know when Haeng Ja will go into labor.

How can I leave her alone?

Once the baby is born,

I'll need to take care of them too.

And when spring comes, I'll have to get back to work in the fields.

There's so much to do.

I always thought...

I was so unlucky.

But I'm glad I got to know you, Young Bok.

I hope I haven't left you...

with only painful memories.

When the baby is born,

you should learn how to ride a bike.

I'll take care of everything else.

My belly hurts!

I think the baby will be here soon.

I'll get the ladies here now.

So you should stay with Haeng Ja.

(The name candidates for the baby)

(Boy: Gyeong Ho, Gyu Chang, Dong Heon, Yun Seob, Hyeong Sik, Seok Gyun, Dae Geon)

(Girl: Seon Hye, Yun Jin, So Jeong, Ae Ran, Mi Yeong, Jeong Seon,)

(Ju Mi, Myeong In)

Young Bok?

Young Bok!

Young Bok! No!

Young Bok...

No!

We need to live together.

Please. Let's live together.

Don't give up on me.

I always thought...

I was so unlucky.

But I'm glad I got to know you, Young Bok.

I hope I haven't left you...

with only painful memories.

Haeng Ja...

Hey. You're sure you're good at riding a bike, right?

Don't you worry.

I even went on deliveries back in Japan.

I got fired after bumping into a wall, though.

What? What did you just say?

That was the important part, right?

Hey! What did you say just now?

You can't let go of me like this!

Look to the front, Young Bok.

Keep your eyes on the front.

Riding bikes is not my thing.

Just let me get on behind you when you ride it.

Did it hurt a lot when you fell down?

So, don't you die.

I'm sick and tired...

of goodbyes.

The same goes for you too.

Never let go of my hand.

Now, in this world,

there are only this baby, you, and me.

You know it's just the three of us, right?

If you run away, that makes you a wench.

When are you going to name the baby?

You can't keep calling her without a name.

You have to get a name for the baby soon...

so that she will settle down here.

I hope my baby's name...

will be just like your ring.

A name that makes you remember only the good memories.

These days,

both our side and those over the 38th parallel...

seem to have gotten really quiet, don't you think?

That's not likely.

Haeng Ja.

Young Bok.

That sound is also coming from the training, right?

Haeng Ja.

Haeng Ja.

I think the war has begun.

What?

Here. It's this way.

- Come this way. - Hurry up.

What's going on?

It looks like the North came over the 38th parallel, right?

Then, we can't be here like this.

Shouldn't we flee to the south?

We can't do that when our homes are here.

For now, let's see how things go. Okay?

I thought I lost it.

I stole it because you were so cheeky.

We'll be okay.

No matter what happens in this world,

you and I are both fated to get through it bravely.

You've crossed the sea, and I've been through Japanese imperialism,

so what's there to be scared about?

We're not alone now either.

Isn't that right, baby?

Here, baby. This is for you.

Young Bok.

Hey, you.

When will you get a name?

Ask your mom to give you a name soon.

A puppet army might be hiding. Check it now.

There are only civilians here.

- Spare us. - Please spare us.

Let's go.

Baby. No, don't cry.

Don't cry, baby.

Stop crying.

You're a Japanese girl.

We were liberated. Why are you still speaking in Japanese?

Haeng Ja!

- Come with me! - No!

- Haeng Ja! No! - Please!

- Stay still! - No!

Come!

Haeng Ja!

Haeng Ja! No!

Oh, no.

What do we do?

They're in big trouble.

- What should we do? - Come on.

Hurry! Go!

You should go ahead with the baby.

I'll lose him and join you soon.

What are you talking about?

No, it's too dangerous.

If not, all three of us will die.

Are you going to let your baby die like this?

You remember the tree we saw...

as we were running away, right?

There were many red and yellow strings on that tree.

Let's meet in front of that tree later.

If...

I'm not there until sundown,

leave for Japan with the baby.

It's too dangerous to stay here by yourself.

I won't go.

I can't go.

We promised to stay together until the end.

I don't know how much it'll cost to get on the ship,

but this ring should be of some help.

Please don't go.

Let's just stay together.

This must be why...

my mom gave me this.

You saved my life by hugging me tightly like this.

I'm returning the favor now.

I can't go.

Goodbye, baby.

Get a good name from your mom, and have a good life.

- No. - Goodbye, Haeng Ja.

Haeng Ja, my big sister.

Haeng Ja.

You asked me before...

if we could be friends.

Yes.

Let's be friends.

Next time, let's meet as friends...

and go to Cheongju, my hometown.

Let's go to the place where I caught marsh snails with my brother...

and make marsh snail soup.

I'll also visit your hometown.

I'll go to the catholic church where you lived...

and visit the school that our husband went to.

When that time comes,

let's both be happy.

Just like our names.

Mom.

Young Bok.

Yes, Mom.

It's your daughter, Young Bok.

You must really like it here.

Then, should we stop living in Cheongju...

and move to this place, Dad's hometown?

Yes.

You've been looking over there for some time. What is it?

Did you see a lover from the past?

Young Bok.

Wait for me.

Take a look.

I made it.

Isn't it pretty?

Here.

Geez.

What's this? It's so childish.

Give it to me.

That's so pretty.

I know. How pretty they are.

Haeng Ja, my sister.

(Special thanks to Son Sook, Sung Byung Sook, Baek Hyun Joo,)

(and Jo Hee Bong.)