Kkotbun's Shop
Youngja.
Yes?
You know what my dream was as a boy?
No, tell me.
To be a Captain...
steering a big ship like that.
Really?
How come you never told me?
I never knew that.
Ah, what's the point...
I did tell you once.
Oh my!
You need to look after yourself when you get old.
Eat the porridge I made you, then don't forget your pills.
Why don't you stay home today? Our kids are coming.
What's that?
Are they here?
Grandma!
Oh, it's my munchkins!
- Our munchkins are here! - Going somewhere?
- Dad! - We're here.
- Mom, what's wrong? - Are you sick?
It's nothing, just a cold.
Dad, can't you look after her better?
You should take her to a doctor! These damned pills won't help.
I can't believe you!
Where are you going this time?
A guy Kim knows invited us to Thailand.
- Thailand? - Yeah.
So sorry, I wish you could join us!
Yeah, me too.
Seo-yeon, listen to your grandparents and don't cause trouble.
Mom, thanks for watching them.
This is for the memorial.
Sure, don't worry and have fun there.
- Let's go! - Gosh,
I feel so guilty going off by ourselves.
Then don't go.
See you on the day of the memorial.
Okay, have fun on your family outing.
- Bye, Mom! - Bye bye!
Goodbye, Dad.
Family outing my ass.
Aren't we family?
Oh my!
What?
Get out, you bastards! Beat it!
Grandpa, please, let's talk this over.
Who are you calling Grandpa? Am I your Grandpa?
That's not what I meant, Grandpa.
We just suggest you sign while the price we're offering is good.
Sign? Take this for a sign!
I won't sell this store until they shovel dirt on me!
You really won't listen to reason.
It's no use anyway, Grandpa.
Now that the law's changed, if 80% of the merchants agree,
it'll be expropriated whether you sign or not.
Scram, you bastards!
You dirty crooks!
You didn't have to throw it.
All right, Grandpa, we'll go.
See you tomorrow.
Old man just won't listen.
Hey, you there!
You can't park here! Move your car!
Just 5 minutes.
Think you own this market?
Look, we can't do business without unloading goods.
- What? - Why are you so selfish?
You hold out selling your shop, hurting all of us,
now you won't let us unload?
You want us to starve?
Move it, quick!
What are you staring at?!
Grandpa!
Don't be angry, Grandpa. I'm scared when you're angry.
All right.
Grandpa, I was reading just now, what does "memory" mean?
"Memory".
This sort of thing is memory.
Thinking about the old days.
Things you can't forget.
What about "gigabyte"?
Let's go.
Don't be angry, Grandpa. I'm scared when you're angry.
Did you get angry when you were little?
No.
Then what were you like?
As a boy?
Are you okay, Seo-yeon?
No fooling around, I said!
December 1950 Hungnam, North Korea
Maksoon, you listen up good.
December 1950 Hungnam, North Korea
This is no playground. We're not going for fun.
Grab my hand tight, you hear?
Duk-soo! Maksoon!
Duk-soo, grab your sister's hand, and stay close behind me, okay?
Yes, Dad!
Let's move.
Go!
You okay?
Duk-soo...
Oh no, the Chinese must be right behind us.
The Chinese have entered Hungnam!
Hurry now. Don't get distracted!
Maksoon, come down!
Let's go, hurry.
Duk-soo, hold your sister's hand tight!
What if we can't board?
No talk, just move quickly. Come, follow me.
Duk-soo! Hold Maksoon's hand tight!
Quickly!
Ok-soon!
Mommy!
Maksoon!
Daddy!
Duk-soo! Duk-soo!
Duk-soo, I said to grab her hand!
Get up, Maksoon.
Everyone gather your wits! Let's go.
Get up, quick.
- You all okay? - Dad!
Duk-soo, Kkeutsun, Seung-gyu! Maksoon!
Honey!
- This way! - I'm okay.
- Stay there. Duk-soo! - Darling!
Duk-soo!
Come this way! This way!
Yes!
Maksoon! Listen up!
This is no playground. We're not going for fun.
Grab my hand tight!
Maksoon!
Take Seung-gyu.
Duk-soo!
Maksoon!
Maksoon! Maksoon!
What's wrong?
I lost Maksoon.
What?
I'll go and get her.
Go to your mother, quick.
I'll find her.
Dad!
I'll go with you.
Listen to me.
If I don't come back, you're the head of the family.
That means whatever happens, you put the family first, okay?
Now that you're the head of the family...
look after them well.
Okay?
Dad!
Darling!
Dad! Dad!
Darling!
Maksoon! Maksoon! Maksoon, where are you?
Maksoon!
Maksoon! Maksoon!
- Darling! - Dad!
Maksoon!
Dad!
Is this ship leaving?
Dad!
- Darling! - Dad!
You go ahead! I'll come join you!
Go on, don't worry about me.
Darling!
Daddy!
- Daddy! - Darling!
Daddy!
11:00 am, December 23, 1950.
The Meredith Victory withdrew from Hungnam Port carrying 14,000 refugees.
Early 1951 Gukje Market, Busan
By any chance,
do you know Yoon Kkotbun?
A woman from Hamheung.
Do you know a merchant named Yoon Kkotbun?
A woman from Hamheung.
Welcome!
Kkotbun's Shop
we've got army uniforms from Camp Hialeah!
We have C-Rations too, welcome!
Have you gone mad?
Drinking and carrying on at high noon!
Even dogs are put on this earth for something.
Were you put on earth to drink?!
How dare you nag me, you wench!
Go on, try to kill me!
- You can't even walk straight! - Aunt Kkotbun...
Even so...
How could you just leave my brother behind?
Don't you worry he might be killed?
There's not much space, but stay here for now.
Thank you.
We're cramped here as it is, how can she bring her kids?
Quiet!
They'll hear.
- Our house... - Our house...
...is called Flower House. ...is called Flower House.
- What's 6+4? - 10!
- 10. You sure? - Yes!
Then what's 3+2?
Hey, what's that?
Sister.
But where you from?
Hungnam.
Hungnam? Where's that?
Up north.
North? You a commie?
You think all Northerners are commies?
You must be, from your temper.
I told you I'm not a commie!
Hey!
Come up here, you!
Why is there a commie in math class?
Get up here.
Hello!
Chocolate give me!
Hey!
Give me chocolate!
Today's newspaper!
So embarrassing.
Do they have to act like beggars?
That's why our country stays poor.
Missing: Yoon Jin-gyu (father), Yoon Maksoon (sister)
You're from the North?
Me, too. Tongcheon, Gangwon Province.
What do you want to be?
- A naval Captain. - A Captain?
I want to build ships. Really big ones.
How can you make big ships in Korea?
First you raise a lot of money, and buy land.
A lot of countries need big ships.
So you show them a photo of the land,
and say, we'll build the ship you need on this land.
So buy a ship from us.
Will that really work?
Mr. Chung!
There are trials, but there is no failure.
Hyundai
Crazy fool.
You said it.
He might as well start a Korean car company.
With the world so messed up, you see some strange people.
Chocolate give me. Chocolate give me.
What the hell?
Okay, here. Have the chocolate but go, okay?
Get him!
Go, run!
Quick!
Hey!
- Duk-soo! - Run, Dal-gu!
Stop, you!
Hey, you!
Stop!
This is President Syngman Rhee.
For me, armistice does not mean that we fight any less,
but ultimately means more hardship and destruction.
Come out, you little punks!
I have been against the armistice...
what does "armistice" mean?
Sounds like it means not waging war.
So we can go back to our hometown?
I don't think so.
Why not?
If the armistice ends the war, why can't we go back?
It's true we're not waging war,
but that doesn't mean the war's over.
It needs to end first.
- The war is too... - You don't know, do you?
- I mean... - what's an armistice?
What's an armistice?
Can I go back to my hometown?
Where's your hometown?
Hamgyeong Province... Hungnam, Cheongi-dong.
You can't go back.
Why not? The war's over.
It's not over, it's a cease fire.
Our country's weak, so other countries came in.
Now they fight and divide us up as they please.
Those damn bastards!
Come here, you!
Hey! Spit it out!
Kick them!
July 27, 1953 Armistice Agreement signed
What happened to you?
In the middle of this chaos I send you to school,
and you go around getting into fights?
I wasn't fighting. I just tripped while running.
Now you lie to your mother?
Mom.
What?
You hate me, don't you?
Why?
Then why didn't you mention Maksoon even once?
Duk-soo, let's imagine.
Suppose our house is on fire.
You're in the house, and we're all outside.
Then what should I do?
Of course, you'd come in to save me.
No.
If I die trying to save you, who will feed your siblings?
It tears my heart to think of Maksoon,
but now I have to look after you and your siblings.
Because...
I'm a mother.
That's what mothers have to do.
But because of me, Dad...
No, it's not your fault.
Don't you worry over such things, just study hard.
Because you're the head of the family until Dad comes back.
You understand?
Those damned thugs.
Look at your face!
You saw me restraining myself yesterday?
If I catch those punks again, I'll beat them...
Shut your trap.
Okay.
So, since the war's over, you'll go back to your hometown?
I guess so.
Too bad. We just became friends.
What do you mean, friends? I'll probably never see you again.
That's what you think. I don't think that.
What's this? Look at her wrist! Go easy on her.
And you just need to let go.
You don't have many years left, stop being so stubborn.
Sell the store and enjoy your earnings.
Stop talking nonsense.
Look at me.
I sold my store and put up this big building.
It's called a multiplex.
What would a beggar like you know?
I'm gonna rip your mouth... damn you!
Cursing in front of the kid.
Old geezer.
All done...
Those migrants are drinking coffee!
Can you believe it?
That's why their country stays so poor.
Hey, you! Don't insult us!
Insult you?
We didn't insult you.
You did! Nobody gave me this coffee!
I bought it myself!
What's the problem?
Hey, he talks with an accent!
Of course!
I'm a Busan person, so I speak Busan dialect.
You're no Busan person, you black bastard!
If you live in Busan, you're a Busan person!
If you live in Korea, you're a Korean!
Now you're jabbering nonsense, you bastard!
Talk trash in your own country!
Let go of him, you punks!
What's it to you if he drinks coffee or barley water?
Hey, gramps!
What's a low-grade migrant like him doing in a cafe?
A dirt poor beggar working in another country!
What?
If you work in another country, you can't drink coffee?
Don't worry, Seo-yeon.
Your grandfather's just gone a bit senile.
Soon he'll be painting on the wall.
With his poop.
You bastards!
Penniless bastard! Trying to sneak into class again!
I'm warning you!
If I catch you here once more, you're in for it!
You shouldn't throw books.
- You bastard! - Come on.
It's because of beggars like him that our country's poor!
Autumn 1963
- Oh, that's heavy. - Hey, Beggar Boy!
You slacking off again?
How're your studies?
Studies my ass... out of the way.
Beggar Boy.
Damn.
What? Something wrong?
You need cash if you want to study.
You're earning cash now.
Can't even feed myself.
What do you mean?
My aging mother's out there selling things on the street,
and Seung-gyu has to be so damned good at his studies,
the jerk.
If you study well, you're a jerk?
Crazy bastard just got into Seoul National University.
Seoul National?
Wow! Wow...
what a jerk. Is he even human?
Now we have to pay the tuition.
I wish some money would fall from the sky.
Maybe not the sky...
but I know just the place.
What are you talking about?
Work in Germany. Miners needed. Miners?
Squid and peanuts!
Mister, one squid please.
Are you crazy?
Do you even know where West Germany is?
A miner? Gimme a break. You can't even shovel.
Duk-soo, life is all about timing.
There's a time for everything.
You know what I mean?
Let's go for just 3 years.
I'm not going, dammit!
The exam's right around the corner.
You can take it when you get back.
Seriously, who in your family earns money besides you?
How'll you pay your brother's tuition?
Making fish boxes?
A million of those won't pay his tuition.
What's there to think about? The answer's obvious.
No way.
After getting into that school?
Not just anyone can work overseas as a miner.
- Mom... - She's right.
Don't be ridiculous.
You've never once even gotten your hands dirty.
A bookworm like you, mining coal?
- Even the dogs will be laughing. - You be quiet!
Can't I have my say?
Anyway, don't you worry about any of that.
- Your brother's working hard. - Mom.
You know what people are saying about him?
He can't get educated because of his needy family.
Working himself to the bone 365 days a year.
How can I accept that money?
Shut your mouth, you! You want a slap?
Duk-soo...
You just study at your university.
Have you been drinking again? God, I can't stand it!
Life is about timing. A right time for everything.
You understand, you little punk?
Whining at your mother like that.
Mom, I'm going to bed!
He's just hopeless.
Have a drink?
All right, all right...
Now we'll have the physical test for West Germany mining applicants.
- You see that rice sack? - Yes!
Now, just lift this sack above your head.
- Understood? - Yes!
Let's start with applicant 1.
Failed. Next.
Failed. Why are you all such wimps?
Next.
Wait, wait!
Wait, I can do it.
Lift it!
Fail.
- It hasn't touched the ground! - You're done.
- I'm still... - Failed. Next.
Yes, sir.
Passed.
One!
Two!
Three!
Passed, top marks!
Really, in today's world, who tests with a sack of rice?
But why do you want to go anyway?
Your family's not poor.
Chasing my dream.
Huh? What dream?
Foreign women.
Physical development that Asians can't compete with.
The sort of free mind that Korean women can't imagine...
Can't find that in this country.
- You'll like it too. - Quiet, you idiot.
Next applicants!
Cheon Dal-gu, you're a bit weak physically.
Yes, I tend to concentrate on lower body workouts, so...
Yoon Duk-soo, your written test and everything look good, but...
no mining experience.
Yes, but I served in the army's engineer corps. We shoveled a lot!
Ah, engineer corps?
- Yes. - But that's not quite enough.
Sir!
I must go to West Germany!
Until that day when the East Sea runs dry
and Mt. Baekdu is worn away,
God protect and preserve our nation!
3000 Li of rivers and mountains,
filled with Roses of Sharon,
great Korean people stay true
to the great Korean way!
Long live the Republic of Korea!
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Passed: Strong patriotism
Spring 1964 Hamborn Coal Mine, Duisburg
Success and safe return.
Hey, you! Hurry up.
Hey, are you okay?
Duk-soo!
What's wrong?
Stop! Stop the combine!
Duk-soo!
You okay? Let me see...
Damn!
Here.
♪ A story from long ago ♪
♪ That refuses to leave my mind ♪
Don't touch me!
Ah, you're a nurse.
They say that's really hard work.
Surely mining must be harder.
Ah, not at all.
It's really not that bad.
Then when did you arrive in Germany?
Germany?
December the year before last...
About two years ago.
Meeting you here, suddenly I'm craving Korean food.
I didn't look.
What, a woman?
Really, a Korean woman?
She's in the nursing school at St. Anna's in Duisburg.
Nursing school! Nursing school!
Wow, a white angel! Nightingale!
Is she well developed? Big hips?
A woman should have a large pelvis.
Stop it, will you? But are they big?
How big? Huh?
Come on, quiet down!
Anyway, you arranged to meet her alone, right?
- Of course he did. - When?
No, I'm not meeting her alone.
- You idiot! - You don't have a clue!
Why'd you even mention it then?
I think he's impotent.
Why is the bread so hard again?
Ah, you soot-covered idiots...
You having fun?
Of course I am!
Miss, where do you hang out? You're a great dancer!
Leave her alone!
Let go of me!
Who is it?
Who?
Over there!
I dunno.
Ask, then!
Youngja, who is that?
Dormitory inspector. She came to watch over us.
No, no, no...
Hammering...
and your turn!
Youngja, look!
Mr. Yoon!
Are you crazy? At this hour?
You must be tired, right?
Quiet, you idiot.
What was that?
I dunno!
Wow!
You said you craved Korean food.
Your eyes were glued to my breasts, but your ears still heard me.
Ah, it wasn't like that, really.
Take this.
I didn't look, really.
But, your friend?
Ah, Dal-gu? He's meeting someone.
Who?
Ma'am, you mustn't do that.
That's... that's not why I came.
Shut your mouth.
What's she saying?
Is she crazy? What's she doing?
Please spare me, ma'am.
So cute...
Yes, that's it!
The taste I missed.
Youngja, I wanted to ask.
Yes?
That day we first met,
why were you singing such a sad song?
Just because...
things were hard.
When things are hard, don't cry all alone.
If you tell me,
I'll cook this kimchi stew and bring it to you.
So from now on, if you can't help crying,
please don't ever cry alone.
Why not?
Your heart hardens,
if you cry alone.
If we cry together, will that help?
Sure.
They say, "Even a sheet of paper is lighter if held by two."
Youngja.
Please promise me.
That you won't cry alone anymore.
Thank you, Mr. Yoon.
I said, call me Duk-soo.
Mommy...
Sit comfortably.
Catch me if you can!
Gotcha!
My apologies.
It's okay.
Wow, looks tasty!
- Sorry for the wait. - It's fine...
But, aren't you curious?
About what?
What kind of person I am...
where I lived in Korea,
well, what my family situation is.
What's the point in asking?
What?
You must have been poor.
Probably an eldest daughter.
And your siblings all had their mouths open like baby birds.
So you send all of your money back home.
We're here.
Already?
Here.
It was fun.
Good night.
I held her hand!
No, this can't be! Methane gas!
The pressure is over 3%!
Everyone must evacuate! All the miners below.
Everyone evacuate!
Quickly!
Everyone evacuate! Gas is leaking! Quickly!
- What is it, Duk-soo? - What was that?
The tunnel's collapsing!
- What? - The tunnel's collapsing!
Duk-soo, come on!
Quick!
Dal-gu! Dal-gu!
Come on, get up!
- Duk-soo, come on! - Duk-soo!
- Hey! - Let go of me!
Let go! Dal-gu! Dal-gu!
- Duk-soo! - We need to go!
Oh, that hurts!
Wait, wait!
Don't leave me here.
Even if I die, my ghost will come after you.
Shut up!
Duk-soo!
Father...
Youngja! There was an explosion.
Explosion? Where?
In Hamborn.
Duk-soo.
Out of the way! Our friends are dying!
Stay back! It's too dangerous!
The shaft is still full of gas.
Just be thankful you're still alive.
What happened?
Duk-soo and Dal-gu are trapped inside.
We're trying to go down,
- but they keep stopping us... - No!
Why can't we go down?
It's too dangerous. There could be an explosion.
And the people down there?
We can't do anything until the gas dissipates.
But, then they'll die!
The people down there!
Those people risked their lives for you!
Those people... those poor,
luckless Koreans,
who came to this country just to earn money.
If you won't go down, then we will.
Don't be absurd. Who knows if they're even alive?
Watch your mouth!
Those people won't die!
If they die, it's because of us!
Please!
Let us go in!
Even if they're dead, we should find their bodies.
Please!
Say yes, please.
No!
- Hey. - Yeah?
Let's go.
- Hey, let's go! - Let's go!
Get up.
- Let's go! - Let's go!
Duk-soo.
Duk-soo!
Duk-soo.
Duk-soo!
Duk-soo, where are you?!
Duk-soo, answer me!
Duk-soo!
Duk-soo, get out from there!
Get out, quick!
Duk-soo! Duk-soo!
Duk-soo.
I'm scared, Duk-soo! Open your eyes!
If you die here, then who will take care your family?
Get up, you damned Beggar Boy!
Duk-soo!
You're alive!
You're alive, Duk-soo!
How much time has passed?
Duk-soo...
You're thirsty, right?
We need to save the battery.
Duk-soo...
Dad...
I'm looking after them well, at Kkotbun's Shop.
Mom is still doing okay, for now.
I miss her...
Seung-gyu is an unbelievable student.
He just got into Seoul National.
Kkeutsun keeps getting prettier.
She causes trouble sometimes,
but she's turning into a fine woman.
Maksoon... my sister Maksoon...
I haven't found her yet.
I'm so sorry to her.
Dad,
life is hard...
It's really hard for me.
But the one I really want to see right now,
isn't you, or Mom,
or Seung-gyu, or Kkeutsun...
it's Youngja.
- Duk-soo! Duk-soo! - Dal-gu!
- Dal-gu, are you okay? - Hey, bring a stretcher!
- Dal-gu! - Quick, a stretcher!
Take Duk-soo first, he's hurt bad.
Wait just a minute! We'll pull you out.
Duk-soo's not waking up.
Hey, a stretcher, quick! Hurry up and bring it!
Damned rain.
They're coming out!
What?
Out of the way!
I'm relieved to see you recover so quickly.
All thanks to you.
I don't know how to thank you.
Cook me something tasty. This time, bean paste stew?
Shall I?
What are you doing next weekend?
This week I'm a bit busy.
Can we make it this weekend?
Why?
To be honest...
my visa expires in a week.
And they're not extending the miners' visas anymore.
Good for you. You've been wanting to go back.
Youngja.
How about coming back with me to Korea?
Money's nice,
but rather than washing corpses all day long in a foreign country...
There you go.
Youngja.
Don't cry.
Why cry on such a beautiful day?
You'll return home proudly, having earned a lot of money.
And I'm working hard and living well here.
Duk-soo.
Congratulations on your return.
Mom!
- Seung-kyu, Kkeutsun! - Duk-soo!
This is our new home?
- Wow, it's great! - Duk-soo!
Duk-soo!
Come here!
Is our Seoul University kid studying well?
Sure, brother.
- Mom! - Duk-soo!
You worked so hard over there...
No big deal. You've worked hard too.
Auntie, is the store doing well?
Sure, sure. Too well, in fact!
Duk-soo, did you earn a lot?
Sure!
Hey, don't touch a lady's butt!
Lady? How's our lady doing at school?
Pretty girls don't need to study.
Then you better study hard!
What!?
Mom, let me carry you! Let's take a spin!
Auntie come here, your turn.
Are you healthy enough?
Ah, then not Auntie, Mom again!
Duk-soo, me too!
December 21, 1966 First group of miners return from Germany
This is our home!
Auntie, I brought the stuff you ordered.
You're always on top of things.
Now that you own a house, you should take over this store.
What?
No Auntie, you're still healthy and strong.
No, if I die, I want you to have this store.
Auntie...
Here it is. Hey, Beggar Boy!
What?
- Oh, your aunt's here. - Hello.
This gentleman is looking for some cloth.
Oh, really? Over here, take a look.
I'm seeking an exotic and abnormal kind of fabric.
Fabric... fabric...
Oh, not this.
This is good... abnormal.
Oh, fantastic! Unbelievable!
I was seeking a fabric for women of elegance.
But that fabric was nowhere to be found.
Why didn't I think of putting embroidery in fabric?
Oh, idiot! Oh, stupid! Oh, fool!
Ah, then in Seoul, men make women's clothing?
In our generation, the shattering of gender roles will be a hot topic.
I appreciate your help. Thank you!
See you later!
His bag.
Mr. Kim! Kim Bong-Nam!
Shattering gender roles?
He probably thinks a man can have a baby.
Ha, don't be ridiculous!
Youngja...
How long has it been, Youngja?
3 months.
Is that all? It feels like 3 years.
Anyway, let's have a drink.
No.
Why not? You don't drink?
I'm not allowed to drink.
I'm pregnant.
Pregnant?
Ah... oh my, congrats. Congratulations.
That's such great news.
Will he be named "Schu..." like other German boys? Schu-shine?
He'll be Yoon!
It's because of the night before you left!
Won't you reconsider?
If you come back to Korea with me now...
I'll support you, and...
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have brought it up.
I guess this is my only chance to sing this.
♪ I don't understand why it is ♪
♪ That I am so sad ♪
♪ A story from long ago, ♪
♪ This is... ♪
Oh my gosh...
Youngja, we really shouldn't...
- Duk-soo, lucky you! - Youngja, you're beautiful!
Let's shoot the photo!
One, two... three!
Stay still!
Why are you doing this?
Dal-gu! What are you doing to my brother?
Beat it, you!
Dal-gu, that's enough!
Don't worry, ma'am.
Why are you doing this? Stop!
Then sing!
I... I can't sing.
- She can't sing, can't sing! - Hurry up and sing something!
- I'm a terrible singer! - Youngja, save me please!
Youngja! He's going to die!
I'll do it!
I'll do it.
Okay, let's hear the bride sing!
♪ I don't understand why it is ♪
Oh God.
♪ That I am so sad ♪
Grab him.
Where'd you find a woman like that?
He won't die from that feeble beating.
Why don't you die, you bastard!
That's not water, is it?
Whack him hard!
♪ That man ♪
♪ In a yellow shirt ♪
♪ He says hardly ♪
♪ A word at all ♪
You dance well, come on!
♪ Somehow I think I like him ♪
♪ Somehow he's my type ♪
♪ He may not be very good looking ♪
♪ But he's got some spirit ♪
How are things?
Aren't you sick?
- Where are the kids? - Auntie's watching them.
So why are you here?
Take a walk with me.
Where?
Just come.
The memorial's in two days, why buy the food now?
You're still sick.
Need to prepare early.
And then I can have this date with you.
You losing your mind?
What a great song.
Great?
Nam Jin sings much better.
Hey, don't you have any songs by Nam Jin?
What?
What's important, the face or the voice?
Na Hoon-a is much cooler.
Get out, the really cool one is Nam Jin.
Ask any of these people.
Who's better, Nam Jin or Na Hoon-a?
No question, Na Hoon-a's the better singer.
Nam Jin looks like a girl.
Right!
Just chop your fish heads and mind your damn business!
Nam Jin's the best!
Don't ask me to walk with you anymore!
Coming through!
Autumn 1973
Those kids have a good appetite.
- Kid, what grade are you in? - Fifth grade.
Fifth grade? You play sports?
Yes.
Which sport?
Wrestling.
- Wrestling? - Yes.
Just stuffing your face won't help you in wrestling.
You need technique, you know?
- Holds and flips... - Dammit, let's go!
Rude little punk, interrupting your elder like that!
Hey!
Dal-gu!
Dal-gu, I passed!
Korea Maritime University!
- Really? - You bet.
Lee Man-gi
Soon I'll be a Captain!
And I thought you were just a blockhead!
Duk-soo!
Dal-gu!
Dal-gu! Hey, don't do that!
That's a great dress.
- I gave you a big piece. - Thanks.
You never buy meat, what's up?
Receive some good news?
- Is it that obvious? - Yeah.
- Have a good day. - Bye.
Bye.
You can sell the house!
How can you even say that?
And why should it cost you so much to marry?
You keep saying that, and I'm turning into an old maid!
How dare you shout at your mother like that!
Your brother emptied his pockets to buy this house!
You know our situation, how can you carry on like that?
You did it for my younger brother when he got married!
Didn't you even think of your daughter's wedding?
Your older brother spent barely a coin on his wedding!
The idiot wanted it that way!
Hey!
You little ingrate!
Don't you know who sent you to university?
Your brother almost killed himself mining coal in West Germany,
so that you two could study,
and we could buy this house!
When is she ever going to grow up?
Look at the view here! This is it.
It's originally an imported goods store.
But you could turn it into whatever you want.
Hey! What's going on here?
Uncle! We just laid my aunt to rest.
She worked her whole life maintaining that store!
How can you sell it without asking us?
I'm selling my store, who do I have to ask?
It's not your store, it's Auntie's!
Who are you to yell at me!
I don't have any money to live.
If I don't sell that store, I'll starve.
What, cat got your tongue?
Leave, then!
I'll buy it!
What?
Kkotbun's Shop!
I can buy it out from you, can't I?
Kkotbun's Shop
Certificate of Acceptance
No way.
Vietnam's at war.
I may not know much,
but I won't send you to a place where so many men are dying!
Mom, those are soldiers carrying guns.
For technicians like us, it's completely safe.
I doubt that.
Duk-soo, do they pay you well?
Shut your mouth.
They pay in dollars, $850.
That's 400,000 won.
Wow, then my wedding will be no problem!
I said, shut your mouth! Anyway, there's no way!
If we're frugal, we can save for her wedding.
Mom, just let me go.
It's not like I'm going alone.
Who else is going?
Dal-gu said he's going too.
I... I did?
When?
No.
She's right.
You want to make me a widow?
Then we'd be a widow village here.
Whether you live or die, you're staying here.
Why are you so negative?
Anyway, forget it.
Honey, I'm the eldest son.
And the head of the household!
That's right.
Either way, I have to look after my family.
You've done enough!
Why do more?
Why is it always you who sacrifices everything?
That's enough, stop.
You think I don't know? The wedding?
No, you're going to a war zone because of that store!
You think I'm stupid?
Stop it, please!
Why do you talk back so much?
You think I want to go there? Huh?
It's my damned fate!
Why are you blaming me for my fate?
What about your fate?
It's time for you to live for yourself, not others.
It's your life
why is there no part of you in it?
I, standing before the our noble flag,
do solemnly pledge allegiance
to the Republic of Korea, and its glory, liberty and justice.
- Are you even human? - What now?
Summer 1974 Saigon, Vietnam Bringing your friend to a war zone?
Hey, you brought me to Germany!
A coal mine and a war zone are not the same!
What's the difference?
It's a job either way.
There's more to life than money.
There's more to life than women.
And where'd you get that weird hairdo?
Oh, it's hot.
- Hey, Duk-soo! - Yes?
Damn, that's heavy.
Sign this.
Sign?
Here.
Uh, sign okay. Okay, okay. Sign, sign.
Oh, it's hot.
Dal-gu, look.
Seen that before, huh?
Forget that.
Now we've been paid, wanna get a drink?
- Where? - There.
Are you an idiot? That's for American soldiers.
We can't go in there.
Oh, ladies!
That's mine! Give it!
Damn little punks... hey!
Oh my. Don't cry.
Those kids hit you?
Here.
Korean?
Yeah, Korean.
Thank you.
Oh, it's hot.
What?
Hi.
Dal-gu!
No!
Youngja, how have you been?
I'm working comfortably here with no troubles.
It's really great here.
Like I said before, since I'm not a soldier
I'm far away from the war,
it's almost like I'm here on vacation.
Youngja, I've been thinking.
Isn't it a relief to know
That it was us, and not our children,
who were born into this difficult time
and lived through all these hardships?
Just imagine...
If our Do-ju was caught up in that cursed Korean War...
Or if our Ki-ju was down in those hellish mines...
Here in Vietnam, our young men have come to earn money.
I wish that none of this had ever happened.
Still, I'm thankful that these troubles
have been suffered not by our children, but by you and me.
Everyone pull back!
Saigon has already fallen to the Viet Cong.
It's dangerous to remain here.
Evacuate quickly!
Viet Cong!
Get down.
Over there!
It's nothing!
Snake!
Huh?
Snake!
What?
A snake, you idiot!
Dal-gu, no!
Dal-gu! Dal-gu!
Dal-gu! Don't kill us!
It's all right, we're Marines.
What the hell are you doing here?
- Don't kill us! - Mister, we're Marines.
This area's been occupied by the Viet Cong.
The Americans have evacuated. Follow us.
There are snakes here, snakes!
What are you doing, we're in a hurry!
Driving me crazy...
By any chance, are you Nam Jin?
Ah, my popularity spreads to all corners...
Duk-soo!
Dal-gu, we're saved!
On that grassy plain, I'll build a pretty house
with the one I love...
we built this pier here.
Don't want the enemy to use it, so we'll detonate it.
Blow it to smithereens.
It figures...
Don't have much time, so hurry onto the boat.
Don't want to get blown up.
"I'll build a pretty house".
That song is great.
Is it new?
Yeah.
I'll release it when I go back. Think it'll be a hit?
It's got something special.
By the way...
Can I have an autograph?
Three of them.
Come on.
This is the last box?
- Put in your luggage. - Duk-soo, look.
What is this?
Hey, what's going on?
They want us to take them on the boat.
No.
The Americans demanded information about the Viet Cong.
Then the Viet Cong arrived, and asked about the Americans
They took away all of the young men.
All war is like that. It was the same for us.
Hurry, let's go.
Hey! How can you compare the two?
Is that how I taught you?
You...
The Viet Cong will kill us for talking to you.
They say if you can't take them, at least take the children.
We can't. There's barely room for us.
Hey, why aren't you helping?
Just hold on, I'm coming.
Come up. There you go.
Come on up.
Come here! It's okay.
Come here.
Brother!
Dao! Dao!
Brother!
Help!
Help my sister! She fell in the water.
Duk-soo! Where's he going?
Withdraw!
Stay still.
Hurry!
Take the girl.
Duk-soo, quick!
Duk-soo!
You're okay.
Blow up the pier!
April 30, 1975 End of Vietnam War
Come one, come all!
Look, we have new goods from Japan and the US!
Mister, take a look!
You just don't listen, do you?
What?
I told you, your goods can't come over past that pillar.
Sorry. Let's not be too harsh, okay?
Sure, but there are rules to the market, you know.
You see anyone else flouncing around like you?
It's obvious you've got no husband around.
- Leave my husband out of this! - Are you crazy?
What's wrong with you?
Let go!
You want to die?
Let go! What are you doing?
Have you gone crazy?
What's with you?
Honey!
Youngja!
Honey.
Ouch! Oh, my.
- What happened to your leg? - It's nothing.
How's my wife been?
What happened to your leg?
It's nothing.
- What happened? - Hey!
It's fine.
It's okay!
What happened to your leg?
Come here, it's okay.
Come here now.
Kkotbun's Shop
All done.
Thank you, thank you!
Thank you.
First ever Korean-Vietnamese wedding
Duk-soo...
It's okay, don't cry.
Okay, everyone. Look here.
On three.
One, two...
Duk-soo, how come your eyes are closed in every photo?
Is your timing that bad?
And why don't you take a rest? Let your son run the store.
Right, do some travelling with Mom.
Enjoy yourself, will you?
You think you'll take the money with you when you die?
And who uses imported goods anymore, we all buy Korean.
Right! Dad, the trendy spot now is Haeundae.
Life is all about timing.
Let's just sell the shop and move to Haeundae.
Hey!
Stop blabbering and eat your fruit.
How come you get so negative if anyone mentions the shop?
Ah, these days I just can't communicate with my father.
These days? It's been a while.
What's so precious about that damn store?
It makes no money, should've sold it earlier.
And what's with the name "Kkotbun's Shop?"
- Such an old-fashioned name. - Right.
Dad! Dad!
Duk-soo, if I don't come back,
I'll meet you at Auntie's shop in Gukje Market, Busan.
Just ask for Kkotbun's Shop.
Kkotbun's Shop, okay?
Yes!
The new KBS special program "Does Anyone Know This Person?"
is being launched in an effort to reunite the many families
who were separated during the Korean War.
Summer 1983 Yeouido Plaza, Seoul
Seeking brother: Kim Hak-cheol
What's your uncle's name?
Kim Yeo-jun.
Yes, that right.
Kim Yeo-jun.
That's correct.
Seoul / Daegu
Mom... Mom!
Jeju / Daejeon when I was young, you left me at the barber's home.
That's right.
The weather was cloudy.
That's right!
Brother! Brother!
Now I can die with no regrets. Brother!
Why did you take so long to find me?
Seoul / Busan
Yes, it's certain. He really is my son.
Mom... Mom!
Next we have Yoon Duk-soo from Jung-gu, Busan.
He is seeking his father Yoon Jin-gyu and sister Yoon Maksoon.
Could you briefly describe the circumstances?
It was at the Hungnam Port... no...
during the Hungnam withdrawal.
I was carrying my sister Maksoon on my back.
I was climbing up onto the boat, but there were many people.
- I was grabbing her hand, but... - Maksoon...
I lost hold of it.
My father went down to search for her
and so I was separated from both of them.
Yes...
Yoon Jin-gyu was a laborer at Hungnam Fertilizer Factory,
and Yoon Maksoon had a mole behind her ear.
I wish you good luck, and now to the next person.
Wait... wait a minute.
Whenever my mother made our clothes
she'd sew a flower and a butterfly
at the bottom, as a family sign.
At Hungnam, when I lost her,
I was left holding the hem of her clothes.
Move over.
- Left or right? - Your right...
- Do you know what my job was? - You had a bicycle shop.
Yes, that's right.
Eat something, will you?
You should get your hand smacked for watching TV while eating.
I'm an adult, it's okay.
You don't look like an adult to me.
Hello?
Yes.
Yes, he's here.
What?
Duk-soo, they found him.
What?
Your father.
- Yoon Duk-soo is here! - Yoon Duk-soo?
We have a call from Busan KBS. Quickly!
Busan? But I came from Busan.
Yoon Duk-soo is here!
Okay, standby... Standby!
Bring him here, quick!
You can sit here.
Yes, okay. Sit down quickly.
How do you do?
Okay, we're going live.
When you see the man on the screen, speak to him.
All right.
Just relax.
All right.
Okay, here we go. One, two... cue!
This is Yoon Duk-soo, searching for his father and sister.
A man from Busan saw your broadcast and contacted us.
Okay, Mr. Yoon. We're connecting now.
Are you Duk-soo?
Yes... do you know me?
Are you Yoo Duk-soo, who lived in Hungnam?
Yes, I did live in Hungnam,
but my family name is Yoon, not Yoo.
Try to remember... your name's not Yoo?
- No, it's Yoon, not Yoo. - That's not your father.
Is there a burn mark on your left arm?
No, there's no mark.
I don't think it's him.
It's not my father.
Unfortunately, this time we do not have a reunion.
It's okay.
At least there's still some hope, right?
Imagine if someone came on and said he passed away?
You spent all this money to come up here to Seoul...
Please shut up.
Okay.
Hello?
Oh, Duk-soo. Are you okay?
Don't worry about that.
What?
Mom!
Hey, get Camera #3 ready!
Out of the way!
Okay, standby!
One, two, three... cue!
We have a new piece of news.
We were just contacted by a woman who may be Yoon Duk-soo's sister.
Let's connect to Los Angeles, in the US.
The US?
Yes, she was at Hungnam,
but you'll have to confirm the rest with her.
Now, when she appears onscreen, talk to her.
The... name of my sister is Maksoon. Yoon Maksoon.
What's that?
Oh my, she can't speak Korean.
What'd she say?
What did she just say?
She was adopted to the US as a girl,
but she doesn't know her Korean name.
Adopted? To the US?
But then... where is your hometown?
Where? Please ask her where it is.
I don't know exactly.
I was crying at Heungnam Port when a U.S. Soldier took me on board.
I was sent to an orphanage in Busan, and from there
I was adopted by a family in the States.
I... oh, right. Maksoon...
had a mole behind her left ear.
It's really there.
She has it.
I remember...
I remember right before we were separated...
my brother told me...
"This is no playground. We're not going for fun."
"Grab my hand tight!"
I can't believe it.
My sister Maksoon...
Am I your sister?
Look at the clothes!
That's right! That was Maksoon's!
Maksoon!
I missed you so much!
Maksoon, I'm sorry!
Why did you leave me?
I... I...
I couldn't hold on...
I'm sorry I couldn't hold your hand tight enough!
It's really Maksoon.
Sister, you're alive!
Where is mom, where is my mother?
Mom is still alive, Maksoon! She's still alive!
Your mom's here...
Thank you. Thank you.
Hurrah!
Thank you. Thank you.
Mommy...
My poor daughter...
- That's right, go Man-gi! - That's right!
Grab him and twist him. That's the way!
My mother died the year after meeting Maksoon.
All her life she missed my father, but that dream was unfulfilled.
Put this in the middle.
Shall we bow to grandma?
Next, should we hear Seo-yeon?
Seo-yeon's the best singer. Give her a hand!
Stand up straight here.
Which song will you sing? Pororo?
Then what?
How about your favorite, "When the Sun Rises?"
Then what?
♪ At Hungnam Port, ♪ ♪ where a snowstorm raged on ♪
- ♪ I shouted your name ♪ - Oh, that's great!
♪ And searched for you ♪
How could you teach this to a little girl?
♪ - Where did you go, Geum-soon? ♪ - God, you're stubborn...
♪ - where are you wandering? ♪ - Really, Dad!
- Oh, my stomach. ♪ - Crying in anguish, ♪
♪ I left alone in the retreat of January 4 ♪
Dad,
I kept my promise.
And I found Maksoon.
I think I've lived well enough.
But you know,
it was so hard...
Don't cry, Duk-soo.
Dad.
I know how hard it was for you.
And I'll always be thankful.
You did all the things that I couldn't do.
Dad...
I missed you so much!
I know...
I missed you too, always.
Then what was your dream as a girl?
To meet a handsome man, and have a happy family.
Congratulations.
Your dream came true.
I don't think so.
What? You regret marrying me?
Then why did you marry me?
Because you're pretty.
Nice to hear, even if it's a lie.
Then why did you marry me?
Because I love you.
Nice to hear, even if it's a lie.
Let's sell it.
What?
The shop.
Oh my...
you've finally grown up.
Surely by now,
he's too old to come.