01x04 - Chapter Four

[bunniefuu]

(in Korean) Are you certain?

Really, it'll cost
the same as a new one.

(in Japanese) Koh-san!

Your timing is perfect.

Your new suit is ready.

If you'll excuse
me for a moment.

You can serve me
after the pastor.

I'm in no rush.

Yes.

I didn't realize
it was so obvious.

Do I really look like
that much of a pastor?

I make it my business to know
what happens around here.

When I hear a newcomer
comes bearing illness…

I pay attention.

I am well now.

No need for concern.

That is good to hear.

Your clothes really
don't suit you.

So it seems.

This suit belonged to
my late older brother.

Did he die of the same illness?

No.

My brother, Samoel,

he was never ill
a day in his life.

The Independence Movement.

I was just a boy then.

He was one of those taken.

And we never saw him again.

So a martyr, then?

To me, just my brother.

Well, it matters how a man
presents himself to the world.

Those first
impressions follow you.

I know from experience.

And how does the
world see me now?

Like a man who does not matter.

Why wear clothes
that don't fit you?

Hanging on to the past,
it looks pathetic.

Are you sure we are still
talking about a suit?

Get a new one, Pastor.

I'll pay for it.

Do not concern yourself.

I can pay for my own suit.

I apologize for the wait.

I wanted to check the
stitchings once more.

Please make sure
it fits properly.

Kinoshita-san,

I have decided to
get a new suit.

I will need it right away.

I want to wear it for
my upcoming nuptials.

What wonderful news.

Congratulations! I will make sure it
lasts you for many, many years to come.

And please, re-hem
this one as well.

Even if it doesn't fit me,

who knows.

My son might grow
into it one day.

A wise idea.

I'll have your wedding
suit ready first.

Three days.

I'll return then.

Do you understand the
consequences of this?

For an unmarried woman
to be with child,

it's a serious blight.

And then to claim a
child that is not yours?

I assure you I have put much
thought and prayer into the matter.

Pastor Shin, these women risked
their lives to save mine.

I owe them this gratitude.

Rise, child.

Look at me.

You have brought a dark scourge upon
not only yourself and your child,

but also your family,

and this man's good name.

Do you understand?

Pastor, is this necessary?

It gives me no comfort
to say such things,

but we live in
difficult, callous times.

Even good people find themselves

preying upon the
weakness of others.

Do you understand the
nature of your sin?

Forgive me.

Forgive you?

My child, I am not
the one to forgive.

It is to God who you
must direct your prayers.

I know you do not come from a
family of believers, so I must ask,

can you sincerely

commit to the Lord?

I can.

Both of you, come closer.

Dear Father,

I ask you today to bless this
union between these two people.

I pray that through your mercy,

they seize upon this
opportunity for redemption.

Teach them

that the spiritual ties that bind
them together as husband and wife

must remain impregnable.

And show them how to care
for and respect one another.

May a true, deep love blossom.

In Jesus's name we pray.

Amen.

Sir.

Hello.

That boardinghouse must
be keeping you busy.

It's been ages!

Yes.

It's been so long
since I've been here,

I hardly remember my way around.

Well, those boarders of yours must
be getting their money's worth.

Didn't I send your daughter off
with two sacks of barley last week?

And you're already out?

How much more do you need?

I'm here for white rice.

I'm not asking for much.

Just two bowls.

I'll pay more if I must.

You must know, I can't sell
that rice to just anyone.

If an official came in here

and saw I didn't have enough
for the Japanese customers,

I'd be in deep trouble.

You know my other
grains are high quality.

My daughter was married today.

Sunja?

Really?

Why didn't you say so?

It must ease your mind
to know she is settled.

He is a good man.

We are very fortunate.

In that case,

some millet just
came in this morning.

I'll give it to you for
the price of the barley.

Soon,

she'll follow her
husband to Japan.

I don't have much to
offer them for a dowry.

But a taste of her own country
before she leaves home…

I would like to give her that.

Three bowls.

Thank you.

Perhaps the taste of it

will swallow some of
your sorrow as well.

Shall we pray?

Almighty Father,

please bless this
bountiful feast,

and watch over this house

and the good people
who dwell here.

In their times of need,

be a comfort to them.

Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

How will we get by without
your mother's cooking?

Perhaps this is why you
are so strong, Sunja.

Is your sister-in-law
a good cook?

It's strange to think of
Kyunghee cooking at all.

Her family was
once very wealthy.

Mrs. Jang says, in America,

people don't even ask their
elders for permission to marry.

Can you imagine?

For us,

I guess our suitors would
have to ask Sunja's mother

since we're orphans.

I hope I can have rice
cakes on my wedding day.

Who would you eat them with?

You, of course.

Bokhee will be there too.

And your mother,
the Chung Brothers,

even the one who
doesn't like me.

He's quiet with everyone.

He's such a terrible old man.

He gave me the meanest look yesterday
just because I dropped his pipe.

Nothing happened to it,

and I still burst into tears.

But it doesn't seem right to invite
the two brothers and not him.

Oh, and Pharmacist Chu.

He seems like such a nice man.

Will you stop this
ridiculous talk!

When will you get some sense
in that feeble brain of yours?

You and I, we have no family.

No name, no dowry.

Our only option is to take
a man just as penniless.

And then what?

We can't afford
to live together.

And if we had children…

We'd just be bringing them into
the same miserable poverty.

So what's the point?

Why bother dealing with marriage

when we aren't even entitled
to any of its benefits?

That's how it is for us.

That's how it will
always be for us.

With no signs of slowing,

the Nikkei continues to rise.

At the close of
yesterday's market,

the index nearly reached 33,000.

This has led some influential
analysts to predict

the market could surge to
45,000 by the year's end,

further fueling speculation

that Japan will overtake
the United States

as the world's richest nation.

You're early.

Yes.

I suppose it's not just me

who is eager to close this deal.

I suppose we are.

You don't like me.

Is that a problem?

You will be leaving,
isn't that so?

Is that how you felt about
Tom when he first arrived?

That he didn't belong here?

Or did the affair
just begin right away?

Well,

I don't care what
the two of you do.

Just like I don't care if you and
everyone else here is jealous of me.

All that matters is
that she signs the deal.

Baek-san, how many copies
of the contract do we need?

I wrote it down on the memo.

Please read it.

Do you know how he came
to be at Shiffley's?

No. Why's that important?

Before Shiffley's,

Arimoto was with the
top bank in the country.

But over the years, Arimoto
saw his fellow colleagues rise,

while he was left behind.

His superiors warned that he was
not contributing to his team.

They tried shaming him through
rigorous training to do better.

But he was unable to meet
his superiors' expectations.

I heard he was let go
shortly afterwards.

Your father, Baek-san,

he's in the pachinko
business, no?

So?

You didn't grow up living under the
shadows of the Japanese company.

You don't understand

that for a salaryman, the
company is your family,

sometimes even more so than
your own flesh and blood.

When I was a girl,

I would record the number of
minutes I saw my father each day.

If they added up to
more than an hour,

I would consider that to be
better than an average week.

So now you understand.

Arimoto wasn't just fired…

He was disowned by his family.

And after that,

no other major corporation
would have him.

That's how he came
to be with us.

That makes no sense.

Shiffley's is a top firm.

In America, perhaps.

But here, this is the graveyard
where people like the Arimotos go.

Why are you here then?

You're from a good
school, a good family.

Yes, because of that,
I was sought after

by all the top banks
in the country.

But against my parents'
wishes, I chose Shiffley's.

You see, as a woman,

it helps to be surrounded
by those less accomplished.

Here, I can rise.

What will your mother
do without you?

Oh, my.

Not today. It's my gift to you.

But...

Rush home now.

Hurry!

Is something wrong?

You need to go with him.

Go on.

Leave us.

What are you doing?

I can't be seen alone with you.

Do you feel safe now?

You've really done
it, haven't you?

You married that fool.

All illusions, with no inkling
of how this world truly runs.

Yes, we've met.

Why have you brought me here?

To tell you not to
delude yourself.

Do you really think he married
you because he's some saint?

That's not what I saw.

I saw a sickly man who couldn't burden
himself to any other woman but you.

How can you speak
of him like that?

He is my husband now.

He did what you could not.

I offered you so much more.

You offered me
shame. Nothing more.

I have heard whispers…

Of who you are over
there, of what you do.

It sickens me.

Whispers…

And those whispers,

do they also tell you about the
life you'll find over there?

You said it had everything.

Sure, if you have money.

If you don't…

I have seen and lived what
it is like for us over there.

And I'm telling you that you will
suffer. Our son will as well.

Sunja…

Do you really think
you can forget me?

Do you?

Even in your decent marriage…

Your thoughts will return to me.

Don't go.

That is my blood you carry.

No.

This is my child.

- Mine.
- You stupid girl!

You're as much of a fool
as that husband of yours.

Fine.

Go to Osaka.

There, you will call for
me and beg me to save you.

But I won't even
remember your name.

How are we to go on without you?

Who will give me a stern look
when I ask for too much food?

Don't worry. You'll still
have Donghee and Bokhee.

Those two just like
to laugh at me.

I'm their cheap entertainment.

A parting gift from
me and my brothers.

Please take it.

Thank you.

I can't do it.

I thought I could,

but I can't.

I can't bear you going.

You must.

But still…

You must do something for me.

Can you promise?

My mother…

Will you look after her?

Don't cry.

The man who made them,

he says ducks mate for life.

Bokhee, it's too much.

You must return this.

Build yourself a
good life over there,

you hear me?

It won't be easy.

But it is a new start for you.

Don't squander it.

Enough now. They'll never leave.

Mother, I can take those.

Never mind these. You
just lead the way.

- Please...
- Enough!

Mother.

Are you sure you
want to go back?

What are you talking about? We
already paid for the tickets.

Come on.

We've been expecting
you. This way, please.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Tom Andrews, Shiffley Bank.

I'm Abe from Waei Enterprises.

Grandmother, it is
good to see you again.

Enough! Let's just
get on with it.

You'll be more
comfortable waiting here.

I must go get our
travel papers approved.

She's a famous
singer, apparently.

She's so beautiful.

Wait!

Thank you.

Someone I care about
gave this to me.

When is your child due?

We expect in two months.

But you are leaving home?

I've just been married.

I see.

Then tonight, I'll
sing for us all.

I wish you well.

We welcome you as our
distinguished guests today.

As the Americans have warmly
welcomed the Japanese on US soil,

we now feel the same
generous spirit here.

And I'm certain,

when the hotel opens,

we can convince Colton
Hotels to throw in…

A suite for the weekend.

Now then, let's get started.

As we've already received your
consent to the agreement… Excuse me.

…we have ten copies of the
agreement here for signature.

Excuse me.

Please sign where there
is a highlighted mark.

Excuse me.

It's the same contract
we walked through.

You haven't even looked at it.

How can you be so sure?

You cannot afford
to make a mistake.

Not over there.

As a wife,

as a mother,

you must be absolutely flawless.

Do you hear me?

I understand.

And you must be good to
your in-laws. Understand?

They may be unfair
to you, cruel even.

Be patient,

and be grateful, you understand?

It is not easy feeding
an extra mouth.

And Sunja…

Even though you are with child…

And it may be unpleasant…

You must see to your
husband's physical needs.

The pastor is a man first.

Even decent men have been known

to take comfort
with other women.

I wonder how you even
got pregnant at all.

You must know these things now.

Long ago,

your father's mother
gave me these…

Once she was sure I wouldn't run
off in the middle of the night.

Hide them in a safe place.

Don't even tell your
husband, you hear?

It's important for a woman
to have money hidden away.

Things can happen, and we don't
have the same choices as men.

No, you keep those.

I have…

This.

What is this?

Is this from the father?

Is this from him?

What kind…

What does it matter now?

Sunja.

You must forget him now.

Understand?

I know.

Here.

Your father would want
you to have these.

He wanted so much for you.

Here I was, wanting your roots
planted firmly in the ground…

But your father
wanted you to fly.

There will be many
difficult days ahead.

I don't know when we will
see one another again.

It may be a very long time.

There now.

Pour out all your tears here.

I don't want them
to fall over there.

- My daughter.
- They're boarding now.

Mother! Mother!

I feel sick.

Mother,

you're keeping all these
important people waiting.

Look at how many
of them there are.

They must have other
appointments as well.

Grandmother, you won.

Today you'll secure great wealth for
your children and their children.

Never again will they
have to worry for money.

That sounds like a curse to me.

Do you know what my
grandmother is doing today?

She's flying back to Korea for
the first time since leaving home.

Fifty years ago, she
came here with nothing.

But today she goes
back in first class.

Now that's something.

Look at these lowlifes! Now the
whole ship stinks of their sh*t.

I should go elsewhere.

Wait here. I'll bring you water.

Don't leave me. Don't leave me.

Don't leave me.

I'll be right back.

I hope you enjoy my
repertoire tonight.

Where can I find water?

Who are all of you here?

We're going over to work in the mines.
The company's paying for our travel over.

And the women and children?

Where are your families?

They say if we do well, they'll pay
for our families to join us later.

My father was the
first one to come.

Me and my mother, we
followed a few years later.

Madam, is this...

He came over to work
the mines in Chikuho.

The conditions were terrible.

So bad that he and the 400 other
Korean miners decided to strike.

What's going on?

But,

they lasted 20 days before
they were all fired.

Back then, no one wanted
to rent to us Koreans.

They said we were
too dirty, too loud.

They were right.

We were too dirty.
We were too loud.

Because we had to crowd
two, three families

into one room so as to
afford the jacked-up rents.

That's all behind us now.

If you really believe that…

Then you're a bigger
idiot than I thought.

They called us cockroaches.

They said we needed to be
pounded into the ground.

Think about that.

They're talking about you.

Grandmother…

What is this singing?

- Do you hear that?
- That's our music. Come now!

Drag her off the stage!

- What is this?
- Where are the guards?

Get her down immediately!

Make her stop!

Where are the guards?

Let me hear you say it.

If it was your grandmother…

Sitting here, staring at
these smug faces in the room…

If she was here telling you…

That every drop of her blood…

Was against signing
these papers…

What would you say?

What's going on? Speak Japanese!

Would you still
tell her to sign?

Don't do it.

That's what I would tell her.

Don't sign.

What's going on?

I can't hear the music.

What is going on here?

What's happening?

Where's she going, Solomon?

The signing was just protocol.

- What just happened?
- g*dd*mn it.

She already agreed
to the contract!

What the f*ck was that, Solomon?

What did you say to her?

Now you're not gonna talk to me?

Why couldn't you shut up
ten minutes ago, Solomon?

That was so f*cked.

f*ck you, "defy gravity".

Three year... Three
f*cking years, man.

- Jesus Christ... Yeah, yeah.
- I warned everyone of this.

To bring someone
like him into this…

It was reckless. Worse,
it was dangerous.

He should never have been
trusted! He made a fool of us!

You f*cked me, Solomon Baek.

f*cking embarrassment.

Stop here.

But we're not at the hotel.

Mother!