[moody, intense intro music plays]
[phone] Toll fees have been charged.
[gentle pop ballad playing]
♪ Still one thing puzzles me inside ♪
♪ Why can't I live a normal life? ♪
SUMMER OF 2022
♪ No matter how hard I try ♪
♪ To change myself ♪
♪ I know ♪
♪ This much is true ♪
♪ How can I bring peace to my heart? ♪
♪ I think about it ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ I don't want to pretend ♪
♪ To be good ♪
JAEPYEONG CONSTRUCTION
♪ Anymore ♪
♪ No longer ♪
♪ I've been through a lot ♪
♪ My whole life ♪
♪ I felt like ♪
♪ There was no more chance ♪
EDEN APARTMENTS
♪ They taught me how to live again ♪
♪ And never fall into despair ♪
♪ I just want to live ♪
♪ A long life ♪
♪ From now on ♪
♪ Till the end of ♪
♪ From now on... ♪
[woman] Did you just move in?
[song stops]
Hi, how are you?
Oh. Finally, you're here now.
You sure took your time.
Anyway, welcome.
This flower here is known as the Devil's Trumpet.
That one there is called the Angel's Trumpet
'cause it looks like a horn facing the ground.
That one is the Devil's Trumpet
because it looks like a horn playing into the sky.
[chuckles] Apparently, God thought they were cocky for looking up.
Maybe that's the reason why you can only smell them at nighttime.
You need to shatter these kinds of pots before you can toss them.
- [shatters] - [crunches loudly]
[flame whooshes]
[slow, unsettling music playing]
[woman] My dear Yeon-jin...
TO YEON-JIN
Do you remember
that I used to hate the summer?
[staple gun firing]
Thankfully, I moved away before it got even hotter.
I've been organizing these photos,
but it's taking so long because of all these friendly faces.
WEATHERCASTER PARK YEON-JIN
And every time I start going through them,
I picture you opening that door.
[tense music playing]
[woman chuckles]
Wow.
What are you doing?
That's Jae-jun... Sa-ra... Photos of everyone...
So then,
who are you?
It's me, Yeon-jin. Me.
You really haven't changed at all, huh?
You still have no manners, do you?
You should take your shoes off when you enter somebody's home.
[stapler gun rattles]
[panting]
[breathing heavily]
Now, I have yet another reason to kill you.
You should at least recognize who I am.
[cackles]
Kill me? You think you could kill me?
Yeah, I know so.
I know I'm going to do my best to try and kill you.
So go and get ready, Yeon-jin.
I'm already here for you.
[stapler gun clicks]
Ah.
Do you want to hear the whole story
and how... I got here?
CHIEF SHIN YEONG-JUN
Since an official report has been filed,
we'll have to follow procedure and call their guardians.
But don't worry, I'll make sure she gets off easy.
SUMMER OF 2004
I'll call you later.
Park Yeon-jin...
- Yeah? - Why were you bullying your friend?
I don't want you here for that again.
- Your mother's been told. Get going. - But she's not my friend.
By the way, sir, what's going on between you and my mother?
We're friends from childhood.
Oh, you're like Son Myeong-o?
So that's why you've been so helpful with her divorce.
You're the one who proved my dad was having an affair.
I was wrong. I was thinking you slept with her.
- [Yeon-jin laughs] - [door opens, closes]
[woman] Get up!
All the deliveries are gonna be backed up. Go!
Come on. I told you not to come, asshole.
[woman 2] All you two need to do is just hug and say sorry.
Come on, Sa-ra. Let's go.
[siren wailing]
[woman] ...mentioned a car?
[exhales heavily]
[phone ringing]
How can I help you, sir?
[man] I'm acting as her legal guardian. I'm her teacher.
[inhales, sighs]
Hey.
What the hell are you doing at the police station?
You thought it was a good idea to call the police over some small prank?
The vice principal found out--
[inhales, sighs]
We'll talk later. Come on. Let's go.
[boy] Sir, help me too.
I'm an orphan this week
'cause my parents are abroad... golfing.
Really?
You should have called me as soon as you could.
I'll take him, too.
[officer] Oh, yeah. Sure.
[teacher] I was wondering, why are you still here?
Wait. Who's making your meals?
- [boy] Our housekeeper. - [teacher] Oh, of course.
[tense music swells, fades away]
[woman] Didn't I say today was important?
I am so disappointed by what you did.
- I didn't know I'd get in trouble. - [woman] And that's why I'm disappointed.
You couldn't handle someone so low.
[woman grunting angrily]
Didn't I say that you can only hang out with Jae-jun?
If you're bored, Sa-ra too.
Did you forget?
The shaman said you'd get bad luck from people with Os in their name.
Son Myeong-o. Choi Hye-jeong. I'm talking about those kids now!
Inside. We're running late.
[drums, percussive instruments banging]
[woman vocalizing]
[continues vocalizing]
[phone chimes]
MOON DONG-EUN SUNGHAN HIGH SCHOOL
Dong-eun's here!
The one that you get to see every day.
[boy chuckles]
[boy laughs]
[Yeon-jin] Welcome!
[Dong-eun whimpers]
[Yeon-jin] I wanted to apologize for bullying you.
I'm sorry. We even now?
There was no need to call the cops on us, was there? We got scared.
Speaking of which, Dong-eun...
from this moment on,
you'll check if my iron is hot enough.
- [menacing music plays] - [panicked whimper]
Please don't! No!
They'll arrest you! Let go! Stop!
Hey, now, what's the crime in asking for a little favor?
You're making us feel weird.
Come on, check if it's hot or not.
[Yeon-jin] Come on.
- [flesh sizzling] - [Dong-eun wails]
[Yeon-jin] Is it hot enough?
Seems to be good.
Try it now.
[Dong-eun sobbing]
Somebody help me! Somebody please come and save me!
[girl] You're just wasting your time.
Scream as loud as you can. No one'll come.
Nobody will save you.
The gym teacher even gave us the key!
GYM
[dark, overwhelming music playing]
Why are you doing this?
Why are you doing this to me? Please!
I'm so sick of that.
Why do you people always ask that?
I do it because nothing will ever happen to me,
and nothing will change no matter what.
Take now, for example.
You raised such a fuss with the police, but look where you are right now.
Did anything change?
What I'm trying to say is that no one's going to save you.
Not the cops, not the school, not even your parents.
Know what they call a person like that?
They're called a loser.
[bullies laughing]
Did I hear you really live at a motel?
I thought that you never really had a home, no?
It's like something out of a fairy tale.
Guess you're living in a fairy-tale, Dong-eun.
Wow, I guess that makes her my fairy godmother, then.
Since she helped me check my iron. Didn't she?
- [flesh sizzling] - [Dong-eun screams]
Please, no! [Dong-eun whimpers]
Let go!
- [Dong-eun] No! - Shut her up, will you Myeong-o?
[Dong-eun] No!
Hey, try and use your inside voice, okay?
[dark, overwhelming music continues]
[bullies cackling]
[music trails off]
[woman] Hydrogen peroxide?
I spilled something on my shirt.
If I can have some, I'll clean it up.
[woman] What'd you get on your shirt?
So you're... bleeding?
Just let me have some hydrogen peroxide.
[gasps]
How did this happen? Who did this to you?
Did you tell your homeroom teacher?
I've seen something like this before.
If you can't do it alone, I'll go with you and tell your teacher. Okay?
Who did it?
[cheerful ringtone chiming]
[Yeon-jin] Oh, hey, Mom.
Can I call you back soon?
[tense music playing]
I did.
Last time was me as well.
[woman] Did you know, Yeon-jin...
that your daughter likes to look at the world upside-down?
Maybe people can still understand
because in some way,
the whole world is always upside-down.
[solemn choral music playing]
Those look like the same shoes my mom wears.
So, you're her.
Park Yeon-jin's daughter. Ha Ye-sol.
Do you know who my mom is?
I think about your mom every single day.
There's a type of hatred that's similar to longing.
It's impossible to stop.
Don't know hatred.
What's it mean?
You wanna know what hatred is?
[wind whistling]
[baby crying in distance]
[faint laughter]
[girl laughing] That's so fucking funny.
[door opens]
Huh.
Hey.
Leaving?
[breathing shakily]
[distressing music playing]
[woman] Her eyes would darken when she was having fun.
What took you so long?
I really missed you.
[woman] Her lips curled up when she smiled.
All that dark, beautiful hair.
If you put that together,
that's what hatred looks like.
[Dong-eun breathing tremulously]
[bully laughs]
No fucking way! She took her shoes off. [cackles]
Oh, we're so shitty. Shame on us.
Move over.
[Myeong-o] Hey!
This your piggy bank?
I found this in your rice cooker.
- I just couldn't believe it. - Give it to me.
Oh, no.
Are you mad at me?
[grunts] Nice catch, huh?
Wow. There's a ton in here.
[bully] Ooh, that's it? So sad.
[weeping sarcastically] Dong-eun, you have such a terrible life.
[Myeong-o] What's that crazy bitch on now? Pan Cold or glue?
- [plastic ripping] - [Dong-eun] No!
Stop! No! No!
[overlapping clamoring]
[Myeong-o] She's got so much dough! This is like 200,000 won.
Guess she's paying for all this?
You guys all have money! You guys don't need any of mine!
Please, I'm begging you. Give it back.
Hmm. Seems like you've learned to behave, Dong-eun.
Fine.
I'll give it back.
But you'll need to dance for us while we drink.
Then I won't touch any of it. Sound good?
- What? - Go and dance for us.
How are we supposed to have fun if no one's dancing?
Don't you want it?
Well, if you won't do that, there's another way to get it.
I found this in your house.
You seem like a bit of a mess right now.
And if you act like you're better than this,
you're going to have a really, really big mess. Huh?
So dance for me.
Have some fun.
[Yeon-jin giggles]
It's fine if you don't want to.
Hey, I've never noticed, but Dong-eun...
your legs are pretty.
[distressing music builds]
[Yeon-jin snickers]
[bully] I'll pick out the first song!
I have a ton that are so fucking good.
[giggles]
[upbeat electronic music playing]
[Dong-eun screams]
[Dong-eun continues screaming faintly]
[upbeat electronic music continuing]
HEALTH OFFICE
TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO RESIGNATION OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
[somber, melancholy music playing]
[squeaky rattling]
[wind whistling]
[music intensifies]
[whimpers]
[melancholy music continues]
[whimpering, weeping]
For real? When though?
I'll call you back later.
Hey... Dong-eun dropped out.
And she listed us as the reason for her transfer.
She gave it to the vice principal,
and now he's chewing out our homeroom teacher.
Not the gym teacher?
She list us in order? [chuckles]
I wonder where my name is on that list.
Are you stupid or something?
Hey! Jae-jun! Yeon-jin!
Get over here!
[man] You stupid fucking bitch!
You should've just quietly dropped out.
So you're innocent? You didn't do anything wrong?
Only someone this messed up would push it this far!
Come back and correct your reason, right now!
[disconnect tone chirps]
DROPOUT FORM
[man] If the principal finds out,
it might affect your performance review, Mr. Kim.
I know that. Jesus.
Okay?
What's this about?
What kind of reason are you putting?
It's in-school violence.
By Park Yeon-jin, Lee Sa-ra, Choi Hye-jeong, and Son Myeong-o.
And you just stood there, watching it happen.
You shut that lying mouth of yours.
Did they break an arm or a leg?
You're walking around fine with nothing broken.
So what bullying is it? What did I do wrong, huh?
At this point, you're delusional.
Once in a while, friends hit each other too, no?
Why...
are you okay with that?
What?
You were so proud that your son got into university.
Would it be fine if your son's friends hit him as hard as they could?
[Mr. Kim sighs] I've been trying to go easy on you.
But now you're asking for it.
I can't believe you.
What'd you say
about...
my son?
Say it again! What?
- Say it! - [man] Stop! That's enough.
Say it.
- What'd you say? Get up! Say it again! - Mr. Kim! Mr. Kim!
- I dare you. - [man] It's not worth it.
Come on! Get up!
I dare you to say it again.
- Say it! Come on! - Mr. Kim!
NEW WORLD HAIR SALON NO PARKING
[phone ringing]
Ms. Jeong, phone's ringing.
Yeah, coming!
- Oh, hey! Watch it. - [man] What's wrong?
Just wait a sec.
[Ms. Jeong grunts]
Hi, who is this?
Yeah.
I'm her mom. Yeah.
Who is this?
Go ahead, open it. It's quite all right.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.
CASHIER'S CHECK
And all I need is the father's signature.
Ah, technically, I'm not.
But I... I'm sort of like her father--
Then... you can sign it.
- Ah. - [Mr. Kim] Yeah.
SETTLEMENT LETTER
As you know, certain things need to be on file.
I don't... have a signature.
Can I just write my name?
Of course, you can.
VICTIM : JEONG MI-HEE
[Mr. Kim] Just write your name there, and then write one more thing for us.
- Write what? - It's just... It's real short.
"Maladjustment."
[suspenseful music playing]
LONG-TERM STAY AVAILABLE
[distressing music playing]
[woman] Honey, forget something?
You... didn't know she left?
Your mother checked out of here this morning.
Oh, Jesus Christ. Your school uniform.
I'm sure she'll call you.
She's your mother.
My god...
SPACE GROUP OF KOREA BUILDING SOCIETY AND SPACE
REASON FOR DROPPING OUT MALADJUSTMENT
GUARDIAN JEONG MI-HEE PRINCIPAL OF SUNGHAN HIGH SCHOOL
KIMBAP PARADISE
[melancholy music playing]
[birds chirping]
[rain pattering]
[wind whistling]
[sniffles]
KEEP WATER CLEAN WHEN YOU ENTER THE POOL
[Dong-eun] My scars were itching,
and I was in so much pain from my period cramps.
So I thought,
"The pharmacy opens at 9:00 a.m.,
and the Han River is just 20 minutes away."
"The water will be freezing,
but then it'll pass."
"My scars won't itch anymore."
"What more can I want?"
"This is the right thing to do."
[waves lapping]
[melancholy music continuing]
[pants]
[grunts]
[whimpers]
[weeping]
[Yeon-jin] Is Dong-eun pretty?
I mean, what do you think?
From a guy's view point?
[boy clicks tongue]
I don't know.
Don't play dumb.
I mean, her face isn't the only thing that's pretty.
Maybe you should've just kept your mouth shut.
Ugh. Get off me.
[Yeon-jin] Where are you going? Getting more drinks?
Hye-jeong'll do it.
She would've asked me already.
I've gotta go to an early service.
Ugh, my dad threatened to destroy my studio if I didn't show up.
He wanted me to bring you guys, since it's for college exams,
but I said no.
Hey, wanna make sure I'm never invited?
Got any white shirts?
[congregation] Amen!
[pastor] Jesus Christ once said,
"If someone slaps your right cheek,
you should let them slap the left one, too."
[all] Amen!
And if someone takes your shirt,
you should give them your jacket as well.
[congregation] Amen!
And if someone makes you walk five kilometers,
then you go walk ten kilometers.
Amen! Amen!
- We believe in Jesus Christ. - Amen! Amen!
Sa-ra's dad's voice cracked. It was so funny.
You should've seen him.
Maybe he was just shocked by your small titties, you know?.
- Get me chocolate milk. - Huh?
Sure.
- Anyone else? - [Yeon-jin] Hye-jeong!
I told you, I'm fasting.
- [girl weeping] - Shit.
Hey, Gyeong-ran,
You gonna keep crying all night long?
Stop. Stop crying, you whore.
Fuck, you're so goddamn loud.
[Myeong-o sighs, chuckles]
Shh, Gyeong-ran.
If you scream again...
Huh?
Dong-eun?
[tense music playing]
[chuckles wryly]
Is she crazy? She came here on her own?
Wow, Dong-eun...
I've really missed you.
You dropped out without saying goodbye.
Your dream that you wrote, on your Cyworld.
A wise mother and a wife. That's really your dream?
Seriously? Did you really write that?
[derisive laughter]
You shit. Why are you bringing this up out of nowhere?
[Dong-eun] Sa-ra wants to paint.
Jae-jun wants to inherit the golf course.
Hye-jeong wants to be a stewardess.
And you want to be a wise mother and wife?
[Myeong-o] Hey, what the fuck?
Forget me? Huh?
I have a dream, too. I'm going to be filthy rich.
A dream? No, I don't need that.
Having a dream is just for people like... like you,
or him, or her.
With my money, I can pay you to make my dream job come true. [chuckles]
I don't need a dream. I need nothing.
Maybe a job that's not too shabby.
Um, I'll just get married while I'm still young and pretty.
I'll pick a nice guy to marry. Maybe have a kid or two.
A happily ever after of my own.
There isn't a word to describe all that, is there?
Uh, yeah, there is.
Dumb!
Shut the fuck up, Sa-ra.
Scary. [simpering chuckle]
Tell me.
What's your dream then?
It's you.
You are what I dream about.
I hope
we'll meet again, Yeon-jin.
[chuckles wryly]
[Dong-eun continues chuckling]
SUMMER OF 2006
Knock it off with that. Put it away.
Hey! Go easy on her!
Don't you see all the cigarette burns on her arms and legs?
Just get to work.
[gentle Korean pop song playing]
[man singing in Korean]
GED EXAM RESULTS
MOON DONG-EUN YOU HAVE PASSED THE GED EXAM
FALL OF 2006
SCHOLASTIC ABILITY TEST WORKBOOK
FALL OF 2007
FALL OF 2008
[bell ringing]
[gentle Korean pop song continuing]
[woman] Excuse me, Miss...
I'm sorry, but I don't mean to bother you.
Um... I'm twenty years old, and my name is Koo Seong-hee.
I heard you were leaving the factory at the end of the month, miss.
So I wanted to have a talk with you, maybe,
at least before you leave for good.
I'm glad you did. Also, thanks.
What for?
Tip-toeing in.
Oh, you noticed that...
Anyway, congrats to you!
I heard you got accepted into college.
[sighs] You must be so happy!
In college, you can meet new people, get a boyfriend... [chuckles]
I can't do that.
I'm there because I really need to go somewhere.
Oh. Where are you going, then?
Samsung?
Hyundai?
[Dong-eun] I wasn't kidding, Yeon-jin.
Ever since that day, you've been my only dream.
SUNGWU TEXTILE
SPRING OF 2009
What's the strongest coffee you have? And iced, please. I'm exhausted.
[barista] How's an iced Americano with an extra shot sound?
Uh, sure. Can I get one?
You can pick it up at the next counter. Next customer, please.
One black and a mocha latte.
For the latte, a ton of whipped cream and extra chocolate drizzle.
We'll pay separately, but can you stamp for both of these on my punch card?
[boy 1] I knew you'd do that. That's why I didn't bring my wallet.
[barista] Pick up your drinks at the counter. Who's next?
Please step forward.
[boy 1] I'm saving up. Every little bit helps.
So, then your punch card'll turn into diamonds?
- How's a punch card gonna make me rich? - Come on, share the wealth.
You always do this. Make me pay for you.
- Why can't you pay for your own? - Sorry...
[boy 1] At least you're one more stamp to becoming rich.
The punch card can't help me do that.
- How would they even do that? - Hey, come on.
WELCOME, FRESHMEN OF 2009!
EUICHEON UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION
[Dong-eun] I think about it every day, Yeon-jin.
Where would I see you again?
I'm guessing that you have it all.
There's probably nothing that you're scared of.
So where should we meet
where you'll fear me,
even for just a second?
There is only one place that I can think of.
In that gym where we were together. Sixty square meters to share.
HA YE-SOL
Wow, just like a fairy tale.
[Dong-eun] And now,
I'll use your precious hair iron against you.
The one who is so soft, with such fair skin.
My story's like a fairy tale?
Yeah. But since my mommy's not the hero, I don't like it.
What makes you think that?
Because my mommy has lots of money.
Main characters are supposed to have nothing at all.
[dark, somber music playing]
No, that's not true.
In this story, your mother is the main character.
That's because this story isn't
a fairy tale.
[woman] Fog is denser
when the visibility range is less than a kilometer.
The fog warning issues yesterday is still in effect today.
Did you know that fog can even potentially pose a risk for planes
even greater than a typhoon or lightning?
[Dong-eun] If you love thy neighbor like you love thy self...
[praying indistinctly]
[Yeon-jin] Although the accidents are more likely to occur on sunny days,
the fatality rate is the highest on foggy days.
That's why it's important to be careful of the fog.
Park Yeon-jin signing out.
FOG WARNING
[Dong-eun] An eye for an eye,
a tooth for a tooth.
A scar for a scar.
The one who injured shall suffer the same injury.
Well, maybe not.
Then I would be playing too fair,
don't you think?
[somber music swelling]
[dark, moody Korean pop song playing]