If you cultivate a small pea with a big pea
it's bound to produce only big peas.
So you're saying, that if you get married and have kids,
you're going to be able to have a normal kid?
Yes, and I'll know more for certain once I study genetics.
Kick his butt!
If you call my dad a midget again, I'm going to kill you!
You jerk!
- I'll teach you a lesson today. - Yeong-ho!
- Yeong-ho! Stop it! - But mom,
Yeong-ho was punching him because he called dad a midget!
Are you okay?
129 centimeters! Now, you are one centimeter taller than dad.
Oh no, what if everyone is taller than Dad?
- He will be embarrassed and... - Do you want to be short like dad?
Yeong-ho!
I hate it! I'm tired of hearing the word 'midget'. I hate it!
Hey! Don't use the word 'midget'.
Midget's Place
Executive Producer: Han Sang-yun, Lee Hyeon-u
Writer: Cho Se-hee
Screenplay (Adaptation): Hong Pa
Jeon Yang-ja, Ahn Seong-ki
Kim Chu-ryeon, Keum Bo-ra
Director of photography: Park Seung-bae
Music: Jeong Min-seob
Producer: Han Gap-jin
Director: Lee Won-se
If you promise, I'll let you do it.
Promise what?
Promise not to be like everyone else and work on the salt farm.
I promise, unlike the others
I'm going to study hard and become something.
When did you get here?
Just now.
Sit.
I should go.
Please sit.
Don't look at me like that. I'm not the only one who has changed.
Do you have to go?
- Myeong-hui! Come over to our place. - No!
Why?
I'm not going over, until you guys erase what's written on the wall.
Myeong-hui likes Yeong-su.
- We can't erase it. - Why not?
The cement is hard now.
Help me make money.
I want to make some while I still can so please
help me become a woman.
I wasn't able to keep my promise.
- If you promise, I'll allow you to do it. - Promise what?
Promise you won't become a worker on the salt farm.
I'm going to study and become something so I don't have to work there like everyone else.
Promise? Promise me!
I promise, I'm not going to continue living in poverty.
Okay, now you can touch it.
This little thing is warm.
- Okay? - Yes.
You're the only one who has touched my breast.
If you keep your promise,
I'll let you have your way with me
I... I haven't been able to keep my promises.
Childhood dreams are so idealistic, but reality isn't so easy.
If you cultivate a small pea with a big pea
it's bound to produce only big peas.
So you're saying that if you get married and have kids,
you're going to be able to have normal ones?
- Yeong-ho! - Yeong-su! How are you?
Still washing cars?
Who are you to talking? You've just lost your job and live in an attic,
but don't worry about it. You can find another job.
Go inside and rest! Let's go home together!
Um...
Mister!
Over here, horn tooter!
I won't be able to hear you play anymore!
You want to hear a song?
It was a good run. People laughed when you played and cried when I danced.
Oh my goodness...
Dear.
How's work?
What's to say, it's a pastry factory, but I like it because it's a clean place.
That's good. Use this time to get better.
The pay is low, but I'll stay for a while longer.
- Yum, that smells like mackerel pike! - No, that's big mackerel!
Looks like mom cooked it for your welcome home dinner.
- Dad! - Hi.
- When did you get back? - Yeong-su!
Dad! Our house felt so empty without you.
You're here to stay, right?
Yes. It's great to see you all.
Where's dinner, mom?
Your father just got back.
- Hello ma'am. - Hello
I rented out the kid's room since you weren't around.
Your father will no longer go on tour.
Instead, all of you will have to work a bit harder.
The circus has closed down.
So the group has split. What will everyone do?
Don't you think your father is of retirement age, now?
I have a favor to ask.
Paying monthly rent is difficult, can we switch to a lease?
If we can't make money off the lease, that will just put us in debt.
Can you fix this kitchen and maybe build another room here?
The place is a bit small, now that my husband is back.
Geez! Why are you still working?
Hello.
Stop working. Your kids work. Enjoy life like me.
You started drinking this morning!
- Hello. - Oh, hello.
- Hey! How much do you make in a day? - What's it to you.
I think I can use you.
- How tall are you? - Why do you ask that?
I'm trying to give you a good job!
Here! Stand here and repeat after me.
- Welcome. - Welcome.
- We have pretty girls and alcohol inside. - We have pretty girls and alcohol inside.
Now, try it again!
Welcome.
Think of me as a customer, and try it again!
Welcome.
- Look at me and do it again! - Welcome.
You just have to pour the molten metal into the cast.
It's a small factory, but the pay isn't too bad.
You want the job?
- I'll come back, later. - Okay.
I'm going to use the new room, mom!
It's going to be for your brothers.
We can't build another room with that money, mother.
Prices are way too high, it's not even close.
I've got to start earning so we can get a bigger place!
We should be glad we even have a place.
Thanks to your father's strong will, we were able to build this home.
You think it's so easy, right?
Just wait, you'll see how hard it is to have your own home.
We were lucky, the circus gave us a large sum of money
when they recruited your father. That's how we could afford this place.
Why didn't you guys build it bigger?
If your father and I were greedy, we would have made more money and left this place.
When we got it the price of salt was like gold.
During the day men would work on the farm
and at night the women would steal salt from the warehouse.
Everyone made money and left for the city.
That all seems like a long time ago.
If we were around back then, we could have made lots of money
and built a bigger house.
People built homes here
as if living in poverty was some kind of privilege
Ma'am! Your husband collapsed
- in front of the salt warehouse! - What?
- I tried to bring him home, but he's belligerent. - Oh no!
Welcome. We have girls and alcohol inside.
- Father! Father. - Oh hi, Yeong-su!
- Let's go home. - I'm not going home
. I'm scared of your mom.
- Dad! - Get on my back.
I'll get him! He likes it when I carry him.
Put your father on my back.
Welcome.
- We have girls and alcohol. - Dear!
Oh it's you dear. Let's go to a place where only we can...
Uh, it's so hot! It would be better for everyone if I slept at the shop, no?
It doesn't matter if we eat separately, but we must all sleep under the same roof.
Yeong-su should have continued to study.
You're smart, just like mom
Yeong-su's an idealist!
Don't bother him. Go to sleep.
He's bothering me, mom! I can't sleep.
Your father is sleeping just fine.
He's sweating a lot.
Mother, don't let father work anymore. We'll bring home the money, now.
Work isn't only about money.
'Can't stop thinking about...'
That's Myeong-hui. She's probably drunk too.
Goodness, be quiet. You'll wake the neighbors.
Let them hear me.
They can't even make decisions.
- What do I care.... - Why did you drink so much?
That prick is always...
Don't be upset. I bet she drinks more because she's heartbroken.
She loves you, even though she works at a bar.
They say you never forget your first love.
Let's sleep.
Yeong-su!
You need money, right? Take the lease money. Here!
How can I take that?
Money is earned to spend. Take it!
Have a good day.
Uh! What is this? It's so dirty.
What? That's mine.
Why do you lug such a trashy box around?
I have my reasons.
Excuse me, where is Myeong-hui?
- Yeong-gwang, hurry up and get ready! - Okay.
- You looking for Myeong-hui? - Yes.
Ha ha ha. Come on boss, give me my hat now.
It's mine. Please give it back.
Please sit, boss..
- Yes - Thank you.
- Welcome back, boss! - How are you, little guy?
I'm not a boss. I'm a manager.
Father!
How did you find out? Go ahead and go home.
Welcome. There's pretty girls and alcohol inside.
This is the only job left for me.
Don't worry and go home.
Father! You can leave it up to us now.
I'm too young to sit at home and live off of you.
if your mother or Yeong-ho find out they're not going to be pleased.
Please keep it a secret and understand why I'm doing this.
Welcome. Please go inside
- Bye. - See you later.
One ticket to Gunja, please.
I'm blue everyday because of you.
Since we met, I'm unable to study. All I think of is you
- I love you! - What are you talking about?
Please go out on a date with me!
- Hi, Dad! - Hi.
- What's wrong with him? - Stupid idiot
He said he loves me.
He won't come near me anymore.
- Are you in a lot of pain? - No, I'm okay.
You should have continued studying.
You weren't meant for salt farms or factories!
Yeong-su! What's wrong?
What's wrong?
- I'm fine. - He was burned by molten metal.
Oh no.
I'm okay. You're heading home late today.
Aren't you tired, Father?
- Oh, don't you have to buy tickets? - Oh, right
I already got mine.
It's not easy meeting up like this.
Let's wilingly forget about it like a sad dream
or like the dark fading at sunrise.
Let's remember occasionally.
After a long time has past
let's very briefly remember...
Mom! Look at this. You're so clumsy.
You should have stuck to studying.
Shouldn't you go to the hospital?
I'll be fine in a few days.
Here, you're running late. Aren't you leaving, Yeong-ho?
Going!
Come home with Yeong-ho today,
just in case that boy follows you again.
Dad scared him away.
He's not going to come back.
Yes, Mother. There's always a lot of teenagers at the bakery.
Looks like father went out early again today.
No use in trying to stop him, he's worked all his life.
He seems to drink heavily, these days.
He's tired.
Make sure you keep your house ID plate. If you don't have it you can't be compensated.
Stamp here or use your fingerprint.
What is it?
They're getting rid of the salt farm and starting a factory.They want us to leave.
The inevitable is finally happening.
I didn't even have a bad dream last night... .
Read me what it says
It says, everyone on the company's premises needs to leave by August 30th.
Mother!
Don't be so alarmed.
This is something that was bound to happen to us.
We need to start from scratch, again.
Your father's going to be so shocked when he finds out.
I actually thought he would run up to me, but rather,
he ran away when he saw me
I feel so bad for my kids.
Don't buy the building! It's not even worth anything.
Just coax the rights from them!
What are you going to do?
We have to sell it. .
It can't be too hard to find a room to rent, with our family size
How much are you going to sell it for?
They are going for 560,000 won, right now.
560,000... We'll have 210,000 after debts are repaid.
Buying an apartment cost 5.5 million won and 1.5 million to lease.
Plus, an additional 5,000 won is due monthly.
That's totally out of reach.
They say they built it for us,
but that's not what the price says.
Is everyone selling their rights?
It's better than forfeiting everything, but that's what those sharks want us to do.
Who can afford those prices?
Can you give me...
Yes, I'll give it to you.
Everyone is selling their rights.
- I can't give you more. - Just give me 20,000 won more.
Look here. Come on I've got to earn some profit
Just give me 10,000 won more.
Someone is asking for a 2,000 won increase. What should I do?
No way! Tell them we can do 1,000 won.
Okay.
- Yeong-su! - What's going on, Yeong-su?
- How did you find out? - I didn't want to believe it when I first heard about it.
What are those people doing?
People are trying to negotiate, sell and buy liens.
What are you going over there for, Yeong-hui?
You got a good deal.
Deal? I can't even rent a room with this money.
- Here's your 560,000 won. - There you go.
Anyone else want to sell their rights?
- Yeong-hui is crying. - She cries easily.
What are we going to do, mom?
- What book are you reading so intently? - Huh, oh. I borrowed it from the tenant.
We have to keep this securely.
Give it here. I'll do it.
What can we do? We should start packing as well.
- You are going to sell the rights to our place? - Why are you going to sell it?
We can't afford to move into the apartments.
- Why would we move to the apartment! - Then what shall we do?
This is our home! We should stay!
That's how everyone felt until they posted the demolition notice.
They said the apartments were for us and with that, the discussion ended.
They're not building that for us!
We have no place to go!
I'm going to kill whoever tries to touch our place!
Didn't you hear what your father said?
The law is on their side.
Give it to me.
Let me try to lift you. Come on!
Boss, stop it. Boss...
Now, I've lifted you, I must get something to drink..
Here you go
Welcome!
Give me more alcohol!
Stop it! You've had enough! Go home little guy!
Ha ha ha. Little guy? Little guy. Ha ha ha...
Dong-nam you know I have two sons!
Your sons are midgets as well, right?
My sons will kick your butt, kid!
Yeah right.
Yeah right? Yeah right?
Get in.
- What's wrong, father? - Hurry up and get in.
Pull the rope, pull it!
Let's get out of the boat.
- A lot of water is getting in. - It's okay. Pull.
Your mother won't even be able to hear what we say here. Ha ha ha...
What are you doing?
Listen to me very carefully! You are the eldest.
Yes.
Don't count on me always being around.
It's time for you to retire, Father.
That's not what I'm talking about.
I dream a dream every night.
I'm on an enchanting moon where only dwarfs live.
Tall people get stared at there. Ha ha ha...
You can't go to the moon, Father.
What's left for me to do here?
How long can I sharpen knives or work at a bar?
I've learned a lot working at the bar.
When I worked at the circus I didn't feel disillusioned about life.
The only thing I can do now is try not to be a burden to my children.
Father!
You worked your whole life for us.
Now it's our turn to take care of you.
I wasn't able to make a lot of money nor send you guys to school.
You gave us life.
Yes, that is true.
That was all thanks to your mother.
Mother, is the most amazing mother in the world.
So... I have a plan. It's to go to the moon
before your mother and build Lilliput for her.
Lilliput?
- Did you read Gulliver's Travels? - Yes, I can see that you've read it, as well
I'm going to build a dwarf village on the moon.
And no one will give her dirty looks
for having a dwarf husband.
Love will make the wind blow, love will make it rain,
people will work because of love, and people will love each other.
I'm going to take your mother there and make her the queen
It's been torture for me ever since you guys were born.
I wanted to die every time
you guys were made fun of because of me.
Oh, Father, don't think like that.
Thank goodness you guys grew up to be decent adults.
It's all thanks to you, Father.
Yeong-ho has a temper so you need to look after him.
I have always been proud of all of you.
- Oh, pull the rope! - Be careful.
I'm fine.
- I'll carry you, Father. - No, it's okay.
- Get on my back. - I'm okay!
Father!
Let me be!
Aren't you cold?
- I'll carry you. - I'm okay.
Father, you must be cold.
Don't tell your mother about our talk today.
You know, her back is warmer than yours.
Ha ha ha. Oh, Father...
Don't you think your father is acting different these days?
Look after your father.
He isn't well.
I'll go get some medicine.
Oh it's the plant professor. Did you come to greet me?
Did you come to congratulate me
on becoming someone's mistress?
Don't I look different? Don't I smell like money?
Factory, bakery, cafe, club, bar and now a mistress.
Everyone is dying to become a mistress, but I was the only one selected.
Don't you have anything to say?
You won't have to worry about where to stay now.
Stay?
We all have to leave.
Why? Was there a fire?
We've been evicted.
So we're going our separate ways.
That worked out. We weren't able to keep our promises anyways, right?
I've always felt really badly about that.
It's okay.
Now I can eat and wear anything I want to.
But we're not really separating.
You said that when I started to work at the bar.
It's not our bodies that are important, but our minds.
- How kind of her. - Who are you talking about?
Myeong-hui's mother. I'm so thankful.
Myeong-hui gave her money so she's lending me 150,000 won
to return the renter's deposit.
Has the price gone up?
It's the same as it was in the morning. Everyone is just testing the waters.
We still have some time, let's see how it goes.
You've got to sell a product when the price is high. After that it won't be worth much.
It's an issue of rights. It's not just about some product for sale.
Is that so?
Regardless, don't miss a chance to sell. Where's your father?
He's not home?
Go look for your father. He's acting weird lately.
Okay.
Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on your father?
Father! Come down. It's dangerous up there!
It's not dangerous!
What are you doing up there?
I'm contacting a spaceship. I'm sending letters to the moon.
Yeong-su, come out Hurry up and come out!
What's wrong?
The poor thing took some pills.
Oh no! Oh no! Please doctor,
please save my Myeong-hui.
Please save her.
Oh no, oh no, my poor baby.
Take her out.
The guardian needs to come in, now!
She was with child.
That man left without saying anything.
We cremated her.
I'm never going to get married.
And I don't believe in your Mendel's law talk.
I'm going to start working at the bar starting tomorrow. What can I do?
It's the same thing as you going to the salt farms.
But I want to keep one promise.
I want you to have me before anyone else.
- No! - Why?
I can't.
Coward. You loving me was a lie as well then.
No!
- Then why can't you? - I don't know!
- You don't know? - I don't want to!
- No! All guys like to do it! - I don't want to do it!
That's a lie.
Yes, that was a lie.
So there's no need to be sad about her death.
We don't have time to be sad.
That's true.
Marrying her would have been a bad idea.
If you're scared we don't have to get married.
I even understand when you say it's not our bodies that matter, but rather our minds.
But it'll all be over for me tomorrow.
I want to give everything to you first.
Please take me.
You loved Myeong-hui, but you couldn't have her anyway.
Yes, I should forget about it, but don't swear off marriage.
Look at mother. We may be poor, but we're happy.
I don't want to. I'm never going to get married!
Yeong-su!
You can't cry her back to life.
Yeah, let's not be sad about it.
Her death didn't mean anything to anyone.
Go inside, mother.
No matter what, you have to sell it today.
I have to pay Myeong-hui's mother back today. It came from Myeong-hui.
It pains my heart when I think of her...
- If we sign the lease, when can we move in? - Next February.
Where are we supposed to live for the next six months?
I'm not a crook. I'm trying to buy it for myself.
570,000 won is too expensive. Let's do 550,000 won. Okay?
Look here! It will cost over 3 million won to demolish and rebuild there.
My father worked his whole life to build our home.
Think about selling that for only 570,000 won.
Did you sell yours yet?
If not, I'll buy it.
What is the going rate right now?
570,000 won.
You're pretty.
Okay then I'll give you an extra 5,000 won. No? Then another 10,000 won. Okay?
Yeong-su! Don't sell it to her. Someone else will pay more. He'll pay 750,000 won.
He's over there. He said I was pretty and that's why he'll buy it.
Really?
He said he would drop by tonight and we shouldn't tell anyone else about it.
I'm sorry, you'll have to ask someone else.
- Let's go. - Yes.
We won't have to come here anymore.
Here you go.
What are you guys doing? We can't sell.
Dad, think of how you built this place.
We have to fight for it, father!
Why isn't anybody doing anything? Why?
We can't sell this house! Not this place!
Yeong-su do something! Nullify the contract! Hurry up and void it!
Give his money back!
Yeong-ho!
We're done.
Did you wait for me?
You want to get in?
- Is our contract in that briefcase? - I'm sure it's in there.
- I came to get it back. - How?
That is our house.
Not anymore. I bought it.
Why did you pay more than others for it?
Ha ha ha. You want to know that?
Am I pretty?
If you want, I'll give you work at a nice place.
If not, I'll drop you off and you can go back!
- There's nowhere to go back to now. - They'll be waiting for you at home.
Our home is in that briefcase.
Ha ha ha. You're not thinking of stealing the briefcase, are you?
I'm thinking about it.
Fine. I'll give you work, but only if you do as I tell you.
And you can never say 'no'. If you do, that will be the end of you. Understood?
If you don't say 'no', I can give you a lot of money.
Cold-hearted kids.
- We've come to look at apartments. - Welcome. Sit down please.
Everyone has left. We are the only ones.
I'll go look for a room somewhere.
Renting a place will be rough on your father.
Besides, if we move now, the kids won't be able to find us.
We won't be able to meet Yeong-hui.
Your future lies in your first fight. It's only four rounds, so go at him strong!
His chin is his weak spot. Go for the chin. Got it?
What happened to your face? Did you get hit?
Yeong-su!
I ended up losing.
It will only take five minutes.
I don't want more than that.
Hey! Put some air in!
Hello? Yeong-ho?
Hello? Is that you, Yeong-hui? Where are you?
Yeong-ho! I miss everyone so I want to stop by, but just don't have the time.
Where are you?
I don't want you guys to worry about me.
I'm an adult now. Take care of mom and dad
I'll come back soon.
Yeong-hui! Yeong-hui! Yeong-hui!
You really can't figure out where she is?
No.
Quit boxing, won't you?
No. I know I lost this time, but I'm going to be the champion.
They said I have a lot of fight in me, for a rookie.
One more thing for our parents to worry about.
I'll solve all our family's problems with my fist.
Is that you Yeong-hui?
It's me, mom. Yeong-hui, isn't coming back.
What? What happened to your eye?
Mom, let's have a party! A party with lots of meat!
What happened to your face?
I had a boxing match yesterday.
They said my future was promising.
Don't worry, mom.
I got knocked out, but I think I learned a lot from it.
Wicked child!
Yeong-su, aren't you going to do something?
- Yeong-ho! - They must think it's an empty house.
Let them continue.
Hey! Hey! People still live here! Stop it!
We haven't left our house yet.
There isn't much left, but here's some meat.
I don't blame you. I'm sure you don't enjoy it either, right?
I'm sure our situations are similar.
You can demolish our house, but we have to sleep here tonight.
My daughter... she's run away. She hasn't come back.
You think money solves everything?
We thought it was empty!
You are the villain that will ruin this family!
that we have built over time!
What do you want me to do?
I don't want to do this either, but...
What are you doing there? Put your clothes on and leave, immediately!
I can't, mom. If I leave, we lose after the first round.
Who asked you to save us? Hurry up and leave.
I'm an adult. I can take care of myself.
I'll endure it! I'll take on whatever I have to!
But you're shaking with fear right now!
Our house is in his safe.
I know where our papers are.
I'm going to get it back before our house is gone. Okay, mom?
I know the safe number.
Mom! Mom! Mom! I can endure it!
I can take even worse things. I'll endure it.
Your great grandmother's sister was once left at a pond, naked.
Do you know why? Because she slept with the master
The master's wife left her there to die.
I can't help it, mom! I have to get our home back.
They will demolish it today. Where will we go then?
That is why you are ruined. So young, but this is the kind of thing you like. So young!
Stupid girl.
What? Huh?
What are you stealing, you whore!
We'll be able to make some big money this time, right?
Will it be enough?
You can't buy an apartment with just the rights.
I'll help you get the contract, here's the money.
If you ever change your mind come back,
I like you.
Next in line? Next!
Mom! Dad! I got an apartment!
Mom, we have an apartment now!
Why did he have to die here?
Is that a midget?
What if he is a dwarf?
He is my husband and the father of three children!
I don't need your help!
I'll take him.
No, your father likes it best when I carry him.
Shall we take him to your house?
We don't have a house.
Dad...
Then we'll take him to the hospital.
Don't you dare touch him!
I'll take him.
Dad...
But, we have a place now
We have a place where we can all live together.
Child! Where have you been?
Yeong-su! Doesn't this make you angry?
Let's kill all the evil people that called dad a midget!
- I promise, I'll kill them! - You promise.
- I promise! - You will!!
Korean Film Archive presents Korean captions and English subtitles are sponsored by Google Translations and subtitles by Free Film Communications