1975. October. 10
funding day of he Communist Labor Party was the date I was born.
I was given the name Kim Sun-ho.
My father gave me the name to become a revolutionist of our Great Leader.
My birthplace, Pyungyang.
I'm a native, never having left the city before.
My 5 year old brother asked me all of a sudden...
I was quite a gifted boy while young,
Blinking his eyes innocently Oh, what can I say?
It is with great grief to announce to the people,
Our family had an honorable background,
due to our war-dead grandfather's heroics during the National Liberation War,
and it was also his virtue that allowed us to become citizens of Pyungyang.
Of our great leader Kim Il-sung's sudden...
and it was also his virtue that allowed us to become citizens of Pyungyang.
... demise as of July 8th, 2 a.m.
The great leader's death is a sorrow to all the people,
The tyranny that the people of the world suffer, the dead-end children... oh so unbelievable!
But our grandfather was very much alive.
That same year the great leader passed away,
We started receiving letters from the South
from our very own grandfather that
we had thought was a casualty of war.
Father. Do you hear me?
I can't hear you.
Father! The water's too deep.
Father, what did you say?
Over the Border
What was that about?
I'm sorry. My mind has slipped.
Sir, you'll have to understand.
Sun-ho is a little out of place these days.
He's too busy dating.
I'll be watching you.
Sweep off the Americans! We'll start over from here.
Hey you longleg!
- Why are you still around? - What, dating a girl by yourself?
You should introduce us to the other girls.
I've mentioned it last time, they will drop by to see you.
We've heard that story countless times.
Hey, at least buy us some beer.
- Hey, where do you think you're going? - Grab him!
Good day, sir!
Is that how you learned to salute?
Sorry. Have a good day.
I'll see you guys later!
Hey, comrade Kim Sun-ho! Watch it, you!
The pictures that comrades are looking at right now,
are from the most fierce battle of,
the National Liberation War the battle at hill 1211.
With the orders of our great leader, not to allow our enemies to gain any ground,
has led to countless bombardments a day,
which helped us defend our land despite the attacks of our enemies,
taking the guns of our enemies when out of ammunition,
and even engaging on suicide attacks,
to repel our technically predominant enemies,
and defend our land.
Now, you comrades, have got to become heroic soldiers,
to serve our great leader, just like these men have done.
I feel embarrassed with you watching like that.
Eat up.
I can't eat when I'm busy watching you.
Doesn't the soup taste different? They've added too much flavor.
- Yeon-hwa. - Yes.
Next Spring,
before the rice-planting...
Rice-planting or harvesting,
You can't drink from an empty cup.
Can we have more water here?
Yes.
Yeon-hwa is the most brisk girl in the world.
Her personality, her face, they're all indicative of her straight-forward actions.
Speak. Yeon-hwa's right here.
So I was saying...
I meant to say that we...
That you want to marry me?
Holy, that was some direct fire.
There should be some sort of a mountain between us two,
for me to hit you with a high-angler, right?
You're totally right.
This was precisely what I loved her the most about.
- Yeon-hwa. - Yes.
Hold on a second.
- Yes? - Come on.
Come over here.
These days... I can't seem to play the French Horn.
I don't hear the instrument, but only your voice.
Hey, look...
I've grown gaunt because I can't seem to eat,
thinking about you all the time.
What shall I do?
That's strange,
I feel the same way these days.
You too?
Yeon-hwa...
Oh my!
I'm home.
- Hello, Sun-ho. - You're back already?
Hey, Gwang-nam. What's the occasion? Haven't heard you were coming.
Your father called us.
He must be wanting to say something important.
Obviously he wants us to have a baby.
- Let me change. - It's about time you had a child.
Mother, who can afford to raise a child these days?
We can barely afford ourselves, you know.
- Sun-ho, Oh my! - Shit!
Have you changed...
- You should knock before coming in. - Sun-ho, come over here.
She's a salesperson at the department store.
She's got beautiful skin. Let me fix you up with her.
She's much more beautiful in person.
- You don't want to see her? - No.
Is this because of that girl Yeon-hwa Is it?
Gosh.
I'll bring her home in a few days.
How will she make a living? Not to mention her looks.
She's a million times better than you.
What about me?
I had men surrounding me before I was married.
Ask your brother-in-law.
Is that true?
Hey, Gwang-nam, Gwang-nam.
Father's home.
Come on out.
Well, up to now... It looks like they've just got a hunch.
The Secret Service... they will find out later on.
Even if we try to hide it, I mean.
I don't know what to say.
So then. What happens to us?
We'll be taken to a concentration camp.
They'll find out we've been communicating with the South.
Damn. The Americans are the problem.
What can we do, father? Mother?
The way to survive there's only one way.
Your mother and I have already made a decision.
What decision?
We will go down south.
Your grandfather has prepared the funds.
He's a successful businessman in the south.
- Father. - If we can just get there
things will be better.
We've been persuaded for a long time now.
I just couldn't decide till now.
Sun-ho, Sun-ae,
Gwang-nam, please understand.
I wish to live the rest of my life...
with my father, that's all.
We leave this coming Saturday.
There's someone who can take us safely down south.
The guard post at the border, he can take us through that as well.
As I've been telling you about my grandfather...
He's as successful as the chairman of Hyundai.
You understand what I'm saying?
There's only one way out, I've got nothing left here.
I could return a dead body if I stay here.
That's not what you want, right?
Let's go Yeon-hwa. I'll make you happy.
Let's go.
Our worthy predecessors have achieved... We've gone through the trials of life,
which is how the people's nation
has become this powerful! Werful!
- Hey longleg, what's with you today? - Nothing.
Yeon-wha's not coming today?
No, she's got an errand to do.
Have you asked her, about getting married?
- Yeah, well... - What's so hard about that?
'Yeon-hwa, I love you. Marry me.'
It's as simple as that. You're no man.
What's wrong? Something on my face?
Yeah, there's something on your brow. Swipe it off.
Done?
Good. It's gone now.
Sun-ae, come on now.
Sun-ho, send someone for me later on.
I will persuade my parents.
You said your grandfather was wealthy,
three people won't be hard to extract
Send me someone as soon as you get there.
I will be prepared to leave.
Yeon-hwa.
Go on. They're waiting.
I'll meet them down south.
Pull over!
Good day, sir.
Hello. Pyungyang's vice-councilor. He's in here.
Let's see the papers.
You, let me see your face.
That's enough, Let them go.
Yes, comrade!
Take it slow.
Mother!
How's the food?
I can't thank you enough for this.
Don't say that. I get paid for this.
My god, this is amazing.
I'm worried about this man when we get to the south.
He won't be able to take his eyes off
all the near-naked girls there.
You're naughty to a head of a family.
I'll have to tell grandfather
not to give him much money.
What happen?
Wake up, hurry.
Wake up, we're in trouble!
- There are people after you. - Hey, wake up!
Hurry up, wake up!
- Hey! - Sun-ho.
Go on. Quick!
Till then we never knew, what was over the mountain.
We just had to walk forward all the way.
German Embassy
We had come too far.
There was no way back.
But there was no way forward either.
Then we decided to make our move. As swift as a swallow!
Okay, so here are the two guards.
Gwang-nam and I will shout out together,
and hold them off.
Then mother, father, and Sun-ae will dodge,
and get into the embassy.
- Like this? - That's it.
Gwang-nam and I will hold their legs.
That's when you all run in.
This gate here...
we get through this and they won't be able to catch us.
I can't do it. I just can't.
Mother, you have to be brave. You can do it.
Yes, you can.
Let's practice the drill.
Yes, one way or the other, we'll have to work this out.
Let's think out this.
What if the guard starts shooting at us?
Then we die!
If you're that scared, I'll hold them off.
You help mother.
Can't do that.
Gwang-nam, come on.
Pretend I'm the guard. Us two. Now grab us.
Mother, let's try it. You can make it.
Oh mother, come on. Gwang-nam, let's do it.
- Let's go. Come on. - Okay.
- Hey! - Gwang-nam?
Come on in now.
- Sun-ae, this way! - Mother!
Come on, hurry!
Faster, faster.
Mother, you can't make it like that.
Be more persistent.
Like this.
Again. As swift as a swallow!
This way! Hurry!
Let go!
Run!
Come on in, hurry!
5 family of defectors entered German embassy in Beijing.
Kim Yong-Chul's family demonstrate asking for coming to South Korea.
Kim's family soon bound to enter South Korea through a third country.
Father!
How can you leave us like this. How can you!
What are gonna do? What do we do now...
Our uncle faced us with the most emotional reception ever.
- Father, Father. - So emotional...
that we never ever saw them again.
We were too scared to ever face them again.
- I'll get that for you. - Yeah.
2002 years
This is all I got from the government.
Please help me out here.
How did you come up with such money?
They pay you by installments these days.
I loaned some.
You've become a real capitalist already.
I'm not even half way there yet.
I'm not sure I can take this money. Hmmm.
Please help me out here.
You're like my little brother. I'll help you.
But all this money for love?
This is only possible because you're young. Youth, passion...
Okay then. I'll do it!
Thank you so much sir! Thank you.
- Give me you number. - Huh?
You haven't got a cellphone yet?
Get one.
I'll send you messages with this.
Oh, okay.
Remember the password.
The first one, 'Here's the noodles.'
This means that they've crossed the border.
The second one?
'Here's the soup.'
This means that they're heading here, to Seoul.
Here's the soup.
- Hey, don't be so stingy. - Oh dear.
I can't stand this anymore.
- What? What did you say? - Don't drink if you can't stand.
I had one drink.
What's with that?
What's that?
He says it's for Sun-ho.
My god.
Father, we can't afford something like this.
- Sun-ho! - Yeah.
Play the darn thing.
I hadn't got you anything for your birthday...
So I managed to get a present for you.
- Sun-ho, son! - Yeah...
C'mon, play it for us.
Play it, Sun-ho!
Why do you keep following me?
Is that all you do, following girls all the time?
Who's following who?
You've been following me since the public square.
Hey, I'm just going home.
Oh really?
Then go on ahead. What are you looking around for?
Uh... nature's call...
You're at the Mansoodae Artists Group, right?
Is that a french horn?
Yes.
There seemed to be a problem with the orchestra today.
A problem?
Strangely I could only hear the french horn play.
I'll shoot that one over there. I was a top shooter, you know...
Sun-ho.
Hello, this is Sun-ho.
Just wanted to know how everything was going.
Give me a call. Thank you.
That can't be.
No, that can be.
Have you seen a swindler admit he's tricking you?
Salute!
You know the Refugee Committee?
They've got info on those swindlers.
Okay then. Let's go!
Oh my!
- Oh, I'm so sorry. - Oh my! It's okay.
Excuse me.
If he comes by,
we won't let him get away. I'll call you.
So can you please go back home?
I'm so sorry.
It's been, what...
So sorry.
How many days?
I'm losing customers because of you!
I'll stay out,
I'm really sorry.
Sir, sir!
You bastard!
Oh, I'm so sorry! I've mistaken you with someone else.
Oh no.
My leg, leg...
- What? - Cramp...
- Your leg? - Cramp...
A cramp?
You should put this on.
No, it's fine.
Shouldn't you be treated in a hospital?
No, I'm fine, really.
You do have a strange accent.
Ah... somewhere down south.
I see...
Yes.
Hello.
Oh yeah?
That's it.
Flat forehead.
A mole by his nose. Small eyes.
Yeah, that's him all right. Where did you see him?
Hold on. Mind if I Borrow a pen?
- Yes. - What?
Something to write!
That... bastard, wait till I get my hands on you!
Stab him to death! That's what I'll do.
- You've got a phone? - Yes.
Okay then...
I'll send you messages okay?
- And the password... - 'Here's the noodles.'
Yeah, that's it...
Huh?
Bastard, give me back my money!
- Give it back, you asshole! - Let go. What's wrong with you?
- Let go! Let go! - My money! Give it back!
It's okay, This guy's out of his mind.
I warned him last time.
Raise him up.
Asshole!
We're finished today. Huh?
Have you seen my cellphone?
What happened to you?
Never mind.
Hold on. Here... I've got your phone safely with me.
My phone...
Oh my god.
Sir, sir? Are you okay?
There was only one thing I could do.
Earn the money again and send someone in for Yeon-hwa...
I was being impatient.
Care for a bowl of noodles?
Gotta go.
- Aren't you overdoing yourself? - I'm fine.
100% bodacious girls! All at you service!
Being betrayed once was hard. But not as bad twice.
I'm waiter Kim Jung-il.
What are you folks standing here for?
Lovely girls inside, come on in. I'm Kim Jung-il.
You Kim Jung-il? Well then I'm George Bush,
you asshole.
You're drunk, sir.
Going to church every Sunday.
I prayed to God and God finally gave us a reply.
There's wasn't a church we didn't visit.
Oh, we're just glad to be sharing with God.
More crosses, thousands of crosses...
To step in front and be forgiven of our sins! For eternal life!
The almightily God that forgives us... of all our sins,
I had become a genius with the confession of faith.
With numerous speeches made up north,
this was a piece of cake.
Let us close our eyes.
But despite all this...
it was not easy raising the funds to help three people escape.
Our Great Leader had said that only the man that loves
his future has a vision...
But it seemed for me that the future was no longer a subject of affection.
I'm going to work.
Sun-ho!
Sun-ho,
you should take some rest. Look at your haggard face.
- I'm okay. - Sun-ho.
What?
You should stop writing letters.
Why, the letters don't reach there no more?
It's not that...
Forget about Yeon-hwa. Take care of yourself.
In any case, girls here down south are much prettier.
What are you saying Sun-ae?
Yeon-hwa, she's married!
I heard from a missionary back from China.
Your letters, none of them have reached her...
Do you think her parents would have let that happen?
That is bullshit!
Bastard.
You bitch, how could you!
Asshole.
Yeon-hwa...
He was in a restricted area,
so we've got to check up on him...
- Salute! - Okay.
But he's so drunk, so we can't talk to him...
Sir, he's... he's my husband.
Oh god!
We haven't registered our marriage yet.
We couldn't afford to.
He's also like this when he drinks...
A little out of his mind...
Damn it!
He's called Kim Jung-il at the night club,
that's why he claims to be the man when he's drunk.
- Shit. - Please let him go.
I'll take him to the hospital,
so please let him go.
Please let him go.
Kim Jung-il of North Korea has been
reelected Chairman of the National. Defense Commission for the third time,
going through a partial shift of cabinet members as a second tier...
showing the will of an economic reconstruction.
Reporter Kim Jong-hwan will join us for more news.
Has Kim Jung-il permed his hair?
Or is that curl natural?
I'm not sure... It should be natural.
But what does it matter?
He's handsome anyway.
Handsome, my ass.
You're much better in my opinion.
Ha! I wouldn't come even close.
Okay, this is done!
Anyway... Is Pyungyang noodles really that good?
Of course.
You try a little bit of that and you won't eat the noodles they sell here.
Can't even compare.
They put too much additives on the noodles here.
The broth is all wrong.
Your scent is lingering, but then you leave.
You are just like a rose.
That sounds lovely!
What music is that?
Mozart's horn concerto no. 3. The second movement.
No, no, no. What's wrong? You should finish the piece.
It's a concerto. I can't play alone.
No way! You can play, come on.
But that's not possible...
Let me hear you play.
Come on, Sun-ho.
2004 Years
And I whistled all night yesterday
- Thank you. Visit us again! - Whistled for countless days
As I go by Bok-soon's house I feel my heart beating
So I whistle again Whistle for her to hear
How was your meal?
This is jinseng tea, good for the man.
Good for man?
Say animats backwards.
Animats?
Stamina
Well, enjoy!
Welcome to our restaurant.
We, at Moranbong Live Restaurant will provide you with the best food
- I'm back! - Back so soon?
- I got what you needed. - Yeah.
Pour some hot broth on that pot.
- Okay. - Ha, so busy...
But Hannara Party said scholarship foundation is a public-service corporation
and there are no problems whatsoever.
KBS News, I am Lee Youn-Hee.
Next news.
230 or so defectors from North Korea has finally set foot on the south.
Sun-ho, honey!
Look at them.
They've come over to the south again. Those people from you hometown...
Here, they will go through investigations for a month, later moved to Hanawon,
They must have risked a lot, right?
From the Hamgyung province,
and they have gone through China to take refuge in a third country.
Hmmm? You get too absorbed to the news when it's about the north...
What do you need this album for?
Well... The more data we have, it will help us get more ideas.
I brought along a few cartons of cigarettes.
I felt sorry bothering you.
Sorry, I don't smoke. But thanks anyway.
- Take it, it's my token of gratitude. - No, really. I'm fine.
At least give it to someone who does smoke...
- Excuse me. - Yeah.
Hello?
- Mr. Kim Sun-ho? - Yeah, that's me.