"Members Only"
FOR THE INTERNET ONLY (NOT FOR PRIVATE USE)
"Someone's seen your sister in Suwon
so we're going there to check."
"I've borrowed some of your clothes."
It'll take at least a week at most.
Can't you do it any faster?
If you come pick it up,
maybe 5? It'll take 5 days.
It's no use then.
I need it for something important.
Is it like this everywhere else?
I'll try to get it in three, no, two days.
HOU Kook-jung, please come to the front.
- Hello. - Hello.
Hotel Adria...
During the '88 Seoul Olympics,
our whole family immigrated to Alaska
Alaska?
- You, too? -Yeah. Why?
Nothing...
So that's why you disappeared.
No one knew, that you immigrated.
It just happened that way.
I went to college in L.A. then started
working in Korea after graduating.
- Hey, make a donation. - Huh?
I'm a member of the Committee to
Establish a New Chinatown in Korea.
There's such a thing?
Seeing anyone special?
Uh... yeah.
Really? What's she like?
Well, we're not exactly dating...
It's more like mutual interest in each other.
Have you heard the name, Asako,
by any chance?
Asako?
Not really...
Doesn't she sound familiar?
You mean, Asako, the poet's lover?
She's the heroine of your
textbook poem, .
Yeah, that's right.
Why? Is your girlfriend Japanese?
No, it's not that...
You mean, you're seeing more than one girl?
No, it's not like that.
You're so cute.
Life is full of wonders.
Meetings and farewells all
seem part of our destiny.
Look at us, how we met again.
This is pathetic.
People are busy with stocks
and business ventures,
while I am sitting on my ass,
with no improvement...
You seem pretty content with your life.
You... seem to be above everything.
People like you irritate me.
You people are so two-faced.
You've tried a threesome, huh?
I hear you fuck the computer each night.
If you know of any cute babes,
hook this brother up.
Are you looking down on me now?
Sure, I took the Equivalency Exam
and night classes for my B.A.
The town office is just a hobby for you.
One is born with a silver spoon in his mouth,
working for fun.
And me?
Mom...
Our family was poor since I was young.
Block its way. Hurry.
It's headed that way.
What are you doing?
"Mia... miracle... Asako... Ruby shoes"
Close the door, will you?
I pulled a lot of strings.
Yes. Thank you very much.
"$0.99 per minute"
Welcome. Have a good day.
Sir, cash or charge?
Charge, please.
Sure. Thank you.
Uh... excuse me.
What for?
A moment, over there...
Hello?
Where are you?
Okay. See you there.
At the MOONKLE of course.
Yeah, I got it.
Where's my I.D.?
It... it's still...
What? It's nothing.
Yeah. See you later.
MOONKLE
Move over.
What is your problem?
What?
Yeah...
what the hell can I do?
Stop smoking.
The doctor told you not to.
Wanna die? Is that it? Is it?
Why can't you just listen?
We're lovers,
aren't we?
Can you stand up?
Come closer...
The Lord is my shepard.
I will not be in want.
He leads me beside green pastures...
Okay... Go sit.
Slowly... close your eyes.
Now... Feel the music.
Hmm. You feel it?
Now, stand up.
Walk...
No, this way... this way...
Welcome. Welcome.
Isn't that Hiroko?
Yeah, it's Hiroko.
Hi.
So cute.
Look at those tiny hands.
Hiroko, you're amazing.
What's the baby's name?
Hiro.
I want a baby, too.
Wanna make one with me?
Tonight? Okay.
Good job.
We've been getting amazing responses.
There's even an e-mail for you.
Where's it from?
Kuwata,
print it out.
Are you interested in anything else,
besides photos?
You know, with a partner, Like a movie...
You know what I mean.
No
Dear Asako, I'm U-in from Seoul, Korea.
I'm always watching you, You're very pretty...
I like your shoes, Pls send me email.
I wish we will meet someday.
Hello.
Haven't seen you for a while.
What brings you here?
Yes, well, I'd like to work again.
What's that T-shirt?
Are you still pretending as a Keio student?
I'm coming from my part-time job.
Guess you're doing well,
pushing two jobs?
I got a decent video job. Want it?
The lead is Tomomi or Kaori.
How about it?
Sure, if you give it to me.
Good job. Give me a call.
Then, I'll see you soon.
Call me sometime.
Okay.
Takashi...
I can't believe this. So stupid.
Try some of this.
Thanks.
That pretty girl, I don't see her today.
Oh, she quit.
It's... none of my business
but was her pay backed up?
Of course not.
Is that what she said?
Hurry up.
She's been driving me crazy...
Yes. This is E, U-in...
Ah, Kook-jung.
Sunday?
Well, nothing special...
Yeah, 2 PM?
See you then.
- Who's that? -You know her, right?
She's the redhead in baking class.
Who's she? Redhead no. 2.
Both are redheads.
Asako... That's a Japanese name.
Asa... What does that mean?
Morning?
What about 'ko'?
It may mean...?
'Morning Beauty'?
'Morning Beauty'
How come you have them?
Well, you see...
Give them back.
I guess redheads are your type.
Not satisfied with just one?
Hey, Asako, who's she?
Asako or Mia, that is the question.
Gimme, I say.
Easy on the vinegar.
Don't cut...
It hurts.
- Guess what I have. - What?
What is it? Show me.
Absolutely fabulous line, isn't it?
Then you, too?
This sometimes gives me strength, you know.
What are you so serious about?
Want to hear an interesting story?
Long long ago...
A woman lived by the sea.
The woman suddenly wished
for one person to lean on.
Then one day, she fell in love with a man,
who came on a boat from far away.
But before long
The man left her for the sea.
Poor thing.
And he didn't return.
The woman waited all her life for him,
living alone.
So stupid.
But there was a child between them.
That child is me.
I'm not going to live like my mom.
That's a stupid kind of love.
But once in a while,
I wish I had somebody to lean on, too.
Another surprising news.
I'm pregnant.
Interesting, isn't it, isn't it?
This is the last train.
Where are you?
Oh, here you are.
Shall we go?
Rain, rain, drop, drop...
I'm so happy mom's here with an umbrella.
Sis, you're up early.
Have you been out already?
Where's dad?
He's away on business
Money, money, my money.
The station?
I should kill myself.
It's me. Asako.
Asako in Ruby Shoes.
Oops. Look at me.
Had a lot to drink, didn't you?
You okay?
Is everybody here Chinese?
Am I the only Korean?
Probably.
It feels kinda shitty...
Why?
Feeling strange and out of place?
I probably feel the same way in Korea.
Speak in Korean.
In Korean.
Can't you speak Korean...
We have a special guest today.
Let's give him a big hand. U-in, E.
U-in.
What should I sing?
I'll sing .
We don't have that.
How about ? That too...
What new songs do you have?
New songs...
(A song from the 70s)
A loving couple, hand-in-hand,
walk along the road.
From a far, our paradise is
beckoning...
What's this?
Can't you hold yourself up?
So cute.
Get some rest.
"You up? I almost died
carrying you yesterday."
"The room's paid for so don't worry.
Call me later. Next time, do better..."
"Ha, ha... Kook-jung."
My head is fucking killing me.
Okay.
It's freezing.
Damn finger...
Sir, you asked for aspirin?
Oh, yes.
Have a good rest, sir.
Sir. Your finger...
Quick, check his blood pressure first.
Yes, doctor.
What a beautiful morning.
Only a few days left in July.
The lingering monsoon showers
seems ready to go as well.
Now only the scorching
days of August are left.
Let's begin another refreshing day.
"Mom's been here."
"I put some duck meat and kimchi
in the fridge."
"Take good care of yourself,
and take time out to visit me soon."
ASAKO'S FAREWELL SHOW
WED. GT+8PM
"I am always watching you."
"English Please"
"I want to meet you someday."
"Where are you?"
"Welcome, this is a place for..."
"Ionely and tired people"
"I want to touch you."
"So do I, I've been waiting for your touch."
"If you pay just for extra $9.99"
"I'll send you new pictures of mine everyday."
How was your vacation?
Don't even mention it.
It was hot and irritating.
The town office is much cooler
and more comfortable.
Where should I go this time?
Where are you going?
When I have my baby,
I'll take an extended leave.
The other day, why do you think
U-in had that girl's I.D.?
You think he has weird hobbies?
Think he's a pervert?
What are you saying?
Well, you know, there're all kinds of people
You shouldn't talk nonsense.
You don't even know...
Never mind then.
Excuse me. Okay.
Su-ne.
Relax...
and look at the camera.
Thousands are looking at you.
It's nice to be a star at least once, right?
And don't forget,
you are 'Asako in Ruby Shoes. '
Okay, go in.
And at the right time...
You know... you know what to do.
Come, have some fun.
Please.
Excuse me.
Did the Iranian working here quit?
Please.
He got caught as an illegal alien.
Please.
Rie is really amazing.
She's gonna make a great mother.
I'm so exhausted...
Here. A present for you. Thank you.
Do you want to see?
What?
Isn't it hard?
Still working at the sports center?
What can I do?
I've got to save up while I can.
I love this sound.
If I could hear it more...
Will my baby like this sound, too?
Oh, I'm dying for a smoke.
These days, even kindergarten
is difficult to enter.
You take care of it.
Who is she?
Uh, she a colleague at my company.
How do you do? This is E...
How do you...?
Hello. I'm at home right now...
Hello. This is E, U-in. Leave a message.
"With Junko on a field trip to Seoul, '98"
"With a Korean guy at Kyungbok Palace, '98"
It's not like I'm taking a trip.
You were so cool.
What are you talking about?
By the way, it's your birthday tomorrow.
What are you planning to do?
Are you going somewhere?
To die. Why?
That's a stupid thing to die over.
I'm rather proud of you.
What the hell are you talking about?
The ruby shoes were a nice touch.
Good night.
Asako?
I'm not in Seoul right now.
Leave a message.
Um, hope everyone is well.
And... mom... thank you.
Lady and gentlemen, this is captain's speaking.
We'd like to welcome you abroad our flight.
In about one min, you'll across the dateline.
At this point, here today'll become yesterday.
The time now is 5.05am
I hope you enjoy the flight, thank you.
Asako.
I feel like I've met him before, somewhere.
Where could it have been...
She said her name is Aya.
Aya...
That is how our story...
began...
ASAKO IN RUB Y SHOES