Sponge and Cinepiazza presents
a Sponge and Cinepiazza production
in association with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC)
Seven days since tunnel collapse in Gangwon Province
JUNG Kyung-ho
KIM Min-sun
CHA Su-yeun
KIM Dae-won
JANG Hang-sun
For Eternal Hearts
producers CHO Sung-kyu, CHO Eun-un, HWANG Qu-dok
associate producer SUH Eun-jung
director of photography GO Myung-wook
So that's it about the mysterious co-existence of reality and illusion.
written and directed by HWANG Qu-dok
Any questions?
Professor!
There's something I've been curious about.
All right. Ask me.
Can we?
Sure!
I heard your wife is beautiful.
Tell us about her.
Did you meet in college?
In college?
Well...
What does she do?
She runs a small publishing company, busy making books.
In fact, we have a book launching party tonight.
But it's so rare that we all got together like this.
You promised to treat us to dinner.
Today's the perfect day.
What a letdown!
So you're waiting for her now?
She's not here yet.
So tell us till she comes.
Tell you what?
About the past.
The past?
Yes, the story about the past.
What past?
Your love story.
And we prefer a passionate first love story, Professor!
All right. Here we go.
You know how people say sometimes that they were spooked?
That's how love comes.
And it's what we call fate.
Does Time, the Destroyer, really exist?
Will it crumble the castle on the still mountain there?
Does Time really exist?
The destroyer...
June, 1979
On the still mountain there...
When will Time crumble the castle?
This heart...
To this heart that belongs to the gods forever...
When will Creator wield his violence?
Who'd like to read and translate the next line?
I've cited this awhile ago.
Are we really as anxiously breakable?
As Fate wants us to think?
Can it be that childhood?
So deep, so promising...
Is silent, later on, at the root?
Hey, young man.
Idle away, smelling flowers, and you'll be in big trouble.
You've got so much to do.
Don't you know me?
Do you know me?
You're the country mouse. And I'm the city mouse.
Are you senile already?
We had that class together, Introduction to Modern German Poetry.
Give me a cigarette?
Don't be so stingy.
Excuse me, what year are you in?
Me? I'm the class of '76.
You're '78, and you're Su-young.
How do you know my name?
Name's not important.
But sometimes it can shake you up.
You must be a senior then.
I took some leave.
They just need me everywhere.
I'm not a German Lit major.
What's your major then?
Singing.
I'm free.
I stay where I wanna be.
Looks like you got a smudge there.
A smudge?
On your face.
There.
I see.
You gotta help me.
With what?
It's hard to explain. Come on and see for yourself.
Now?
Yeah.
I never imagined that there'd be such a place on campus.
We're not here.
Because, this place doesn't exist in this world.
By the way, what's your name?
No need to know.
The name my parents gave me means nothing to me.
Would you like me to give you one?
Yeah?
Sounds interesting.
Pippi?
You got it! Pippi Longstocking!
- Like this? - Yes.
Careful!
This kind of ink is extra volatile.
I knew it. You are my lifesaver.
Hyun Su-young
You scared me.
So you're an English and math major?
No, I just tutor part time,
since it's easy.
My first love was my tutor.
He taught math and English like you.
First love? When was that?
In my second year in high school.
So what happened?
Secret.
Where is he now?
Some place.
Give me your hand.
One, two, three.
Can you feel it?
What if...
What if, let's say...
If you really love someone,
you should follow that person to death.
Don't you think?
I don't know.
I don't have anyone like that yet.
Come on, dummy.
I said 'if'...
If you really love someone,
you should follow that person to death.
- I guess. - I thought so.
- If it's true love... - Thanks.
You're probably the only one who understands me.
Later,
if you find your true love,
you have to do that.
I'll be watching you.
You have to love her even in death.
Dummy.
Everyone has a destiny.
A destined love you can't avoid.
A demonstration!
Where?
Let us become one not to be shaken
Like trees planted by the water
Not to be shaken
Like trees planted by the water
Not to be shaken
Come gather now Let us become one
Like trees planted by the water not to be shaken
Not to be shaken
No.
Ever since then,
mysterious things began to happen.
Is silent, later on, at the root?
Come gather now Let us become one
Not to be shaken
We're not here.
Because this place does not exist in this world.
Careful!
I knew it. You are my lifesaver.
Report on German Romanticism
Look at you. A big man now.
Started drinking, huh?
Hyun Su-young 72-3457
I'm gonna run to the lab. You gonna stay here longer?
No. Here, just now...
What are you talking about? Come on.
Didn't you see? She was just here.
We will now lower the national flag.
Son of a bitch, come here.
Stop, you damn commie.
Before the proud National Flag I pledge
To devote my soul and body in loyalty
To our State and Nation's eternal glory
Are we really as anxiously breakable?
As Fate wants us to think?
Hello?
Excuse me for calling so late.
That's fine.
Is this 72-3457?
Yes.
I'm calling
about the part-time job posting.
Yeah, I heard.
The German Lit major?
Ah, yes.
Then you must be around Building No. 12 a lot.
Oh, the School of Medicine building?
You know the tennis court there?
How about ten? Let's have dinner.
The tennis court near No. 12?
Yeah, at 10 p.m. tomorrow. I'll be wearing a yellow shirt.
But there's no class tomorrow.
Hello?
At ten, tennis court, No.12 building.
Ten in the evening. At ten.
3x1=3, 3x2=6, 3x3=9, 3x4=12,
3x5=15, 3x6=18, 3x7=28...
Su-young. A similar name.
Have a seat.
My sister's name is Su-ji.
Su-ji?
Su-young and Su-ji...
So tell me about yourself.
You mean where I was born, what my hobbies are and stuff?
Whatever.
Would you like to see my student ID?
Nah, not interested in that stuff.
How many times a month do you sleep with girls?
Well, not yet...
Do you have a girlfriend?
How can you understand literature?
Shall we play pool some time? Do you play well?
Not really.
This is my princess, Su-ji. Isn't she lovely?
The house is in Samcheong-dong. Start tomorrow.
Twice a week. 100,000 Won. Pretty good, huh?
Yeah.
I'm counting on you, Mr. Hyun.
Thank you.
By the way, don't say anything about me to my sister.
Not a thing.
In search of Truth, he relinquished his princely throne.
And found it through the hardship he's borne.
As Buddha reached nirvana,
the lands shook...
And the drums in heaven rolled.
Flowers rained from the sky to assist his rise to nirvana.
The lands shook...
And the drums rolled...
Yes, who is it?
Yes, I'm the tutor.
My name is...
Where is it?
My name's Su-ji. I'm a sophomore.
I'm Su-young. Hyun Su-young.
Where should we start?
Infinitives?
You should have some, too.
I do everyday.
I've never seen this before.
What is this?
Kiwi.
Who's that?
Mata Hari.
Mata Hari?
Mata Hari? The spy?
'Mata Hari' means the eye of the day.
Really?
I like women who are full of mystery.
Professor.!
Something seems wrong here.
What is?
Why did you go to her house that very day?
Her brother at the tennis court asked you to start the day after.
Yes, it is a bit strange.
But I went that very day. Honestly.
And there was a pool table?
Yes.
That was the first house I saw with a pool table.
And I haven't seen one since.
I have one at my home, too.
You're rich, dummy.
Anyway, I finished that first lesson and was leaving.
And she didn't even see me to the door.
Thank you.
Would you like me to wrap it?
No, this is fine.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
First day of Part-time job.
Su-ji
This letter was from Ms. Moon Young-hwa.
And the song she requested is "I Miss".
Warm sunny morning, I walk in the woods
The path of memories where we walked side by side
On violet petals I see you smiling at me
Reach out to feel you and you've already gone
I miss our days long gone
Stories of love written down on flowers
I miss our days long gone
Still rain the flowers in my lone heart
Still rain the flowers
There was a display of fireworks earlier this evening.
Those of you in Seoul have probably seen it.
I also saw it on my way to the radio station.
And some young people were actually cheering and clapping.
Rise to the sky with my wings of imagination.
And on the clouds it feels like I'm in your arms.
If I tell you I love you not,
remember that truth it is not.
If I tell you I'm not blinded by your smile...
Yeah!
I'm on a roll today.
Why do you have a pool table at home?
It was my Grandpa's. He loved to play.
And he taught me to play when I was young.
My average is 400. How about you?
I'm 80. I stink.
You played quite well, though.
Maybe it's the table.
How come you're alone at home?
The lady outside, is she always so quiet?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
21?
Wait.
My parents died when I was six.
So I don't really know them.
They went on a trip to the U.S.
And died there together in a car accident.
On a road that runs through the woods.
Isn't that beautiful?
To die with the person you love?
Now, you remember the theorem I taught you last time?
Sin+cos=1
(x+y)= x+2xy+y
Try this problem.
What are you waiting for?
Can't solve it?
You don't want to study with me, is that it?
I do want to.
We've gone over this last time.
I've changed nothing. Not a single number.
Think you can go to college at this rate?
Do you ever review what you've learned?
Why does she walk out all the time?
Is this me?
Su-ji!
Mommy.
Su-ji.
He called me 'dummy'.
I'm gonna tell everything when I go to heaven!
My mom won't let you live.
Hey! Long time no see!
Hello.
Have a seat.
Having a tough time?
Yes?
You know, Su-ji. She's unique.
You must've had a hard time the past month.
It's been a month already?
A-students sure are different.
You didn't realize time was passing.
Why? What's wrong?
You're not quitting, are you?
Well, I got mad at her a few times for not studying,
and she just walked out crying.
Really? Then what?
And we skipped three sessions already.
She did?
No, I did.
Because I'm not sure I can take it.
Hey, destiny doesn't end so easy.
So be patient.
Hey, country mouse!
You think it's easy going out with a city mouse?
Hey, Su-young!
He's not so bright this kid.
So you don't have a girlfriend.
Do you have sisters?
No, I'm the youngest of three boys.
That's why you know nothing.
Girls are most sensitive at that age.
So you should be delicate with her.
Like writing poetry.
I think I should quit.
I really can't.
So you've skipped two sessions?
Three.
Three?
That's not good. Not much time left.
Don't worry about the missed lessons.
Try to learn today
how to treat our princess.
Let's go.
Huh?
I miss
Our days long gone
Stories of love written down on flowers
I miss
Our days long gone
Stories of love written down on flowers
Hey, Su-young.!
Su-young?
My first love was also my part-time tutor.
He taught math and English like you.
Thank you.
It's already been a month?
Excuse me, but where's the restroom?
Su-ji, I'm sorry I was too hard on you.
I'm really sorry, Su-ji. Was I too hard on you?
Oh my god!
- Hey, what are you doing here? - What?
- In there. - What?
- Take a good look. Inside the tub! - What?
There's nothing?
I'm no liar.
You're a poor judge of people.
I'm sorry about last time.
I won't do it again.
I came today to tell you something.
I don't think I can teach you anymore.
This is what I've come to tell you.
Man, I need a cigarette.
Go ahead. You can smoke in my room.
Think I've left mine at school.
I'll get a pack and be right back.
By the way, your brother's name is Su-young, isn't it?
Why didn't you tell me?
By the way, don't say anything about me to my sister.
Not a thing.
From the time of the Present
Expands the time of the Past on to infinity
In the air where a slow
turning history stays alive
Even in the infinite time that expands into the future
That the air would not dramatically change
I was at ease in this belief
I!
I sensed that I would forever remain a child
In this poem he expressed it
as the color of red wine
that may shine in the glass eternally
in a place he could feel at home.
And he wrote: "To the movement
of the liquid Mesmerized I listened"
Professor!
Nietxsche said
a writer's imagination comes from his illusion of reality.
Can it also be the other way around?
In other words, can imagination create reality?
Professor, the time is almost up.
Did I hear a question?
About the currency of illusion?
Professor, can you please call the role?
You always do when I'm absent.
- Park Jeong-kyun. - Yes, Professor.
- Seok Jae-hyung. - Here.
- Kim Young-chul. - Here.
- Lee Sang-hyuk. - Here.
Professor, you didn't call my name.
Professor.
You didn't call my name.
Why's there a red line over my name?
We will now lower the flag.
Before the proud National Flag I pledge
To devote my soul and body in loyalty
To our State and Nation's eternal glory
Here, use this.
Why are you sweating so much?
Frankly speaking, I'm afraid.
Of what?
Of being with you like this.
What about it?
You're dead,
do you know that?
I am looking at a dead person.
You're so rude.
You know, I came to see you 'cause I missed you.
Missed me?
Yeah, and you were so chummy with him.
Don't you know that he's a little bit different from you?
What makes him so different?
How should a kid like you understand a wise girl like me?
Besides, you're a country mouse.
A country mouse?
So you don't know the real world, especially the tediousness of life.
The weariness that overcomes me in a pitiful world like this.
Oh, yeah?
And I guess that's why you jumped off a building and killed yourself.
And what about me? I still have nightmares.
Who told you to dream about me?
Don't over-excite yourself.
You're a real psycho.
Don't talk to me like that.
I'm older than you, remember?
So what? You're dead.
And so are you. Don't you see?
Stop kidding me. I'm a student here.
And I used to be a student here, too.
Hey, young man.
Idle away, smelling flowers, and you'll be in big trouble.
You've got so much to do.
When death takes over the body,
the dead wanders for 49 days at the border of life and death.
So he belongs to both this world and the other world.
That's you not me.
You do know that the dead must leave this world on the 49th day?
I'm not interested in playing ghosts.
If you don't, you'll become a soul lost in the nether world.
Hyun Su-young.
Will you stop already? I'm not dead!
Remember.
The 49th day, you must leave.
See ya.
Somebody grabbed my foot.
Sorry, I'm sorry.
I guess this is disturbing. Let's end it here.
No!
If you stop here,
then that'll mean you're a ghost.
Stop, I'm scared enough already.
7x1=7, 7x2=14, 7x3=21, 7x4=28,
7x5=35, 7x6=42, 7x7=49, 7x8=56, 7x9=63.
Our days long gone
Still rain the flowers in my lone heart
Rain the flowers
Come on. Not you, too.
There was a display of fireworks earlier this evening.
Those of you in Seoul have probably seen it.
I also saw it on my way to the radio station.
And some young people were actually cheering and clapping.
But that was actually...
A display of fireworks.
Those of you in Seoul have probably seen it.
I also saw it on my way to the radio station.
A display of fireworks in Seoul.
A display of fireworks in Seoul?
Yes, this is "For the Sleepless".
Hi, I was listening to the radio
a few days ago and the power went out.
If you wish to hear the program again,
you need to purchase the recording of the broadcasted show.
First, you need to have the exact date of the broadcast.
I'm sorry.
You said there was a display of fireworks in Seoul.
I want to know what it was.
Hello?
Don't you read the paper?
Not really.
It wasn't fireworks.
It was anti-aircraft firing.
Did that answer your question? Good-bye.
Anti-aircraft fire?
Enjoy.
Around 20:38 on June 23rd,
an aircraft, without the approach light,
appeared in the skies of Seoul.
The military responded with anti-aircraft fire,
and several spent shells fell in the downtown area.
A student lost his life, hit by a shell
that had fallen into the bus he was on.
The bastards. They never clean up.
In Samchung-dong, a shell smashed
through a roof and hit a young girl.
Su-ji.
Seems like you and I are dead.
21, 28, 35, 42
43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48. 48...
You do know that the dead must
leave this world on the 49th day?
Today's the last day.
Damn rascals spit out gum wherever they feel like it.
You have to love her even in death.
Dummy.
Everyone has a destiny.
A destined love you can't avoid.
Teacher, you're here.
Yes, my classes finished earlier than usual.
Today's not a lesson day.
Oh? It isn't?
Seems like no one's home.
Nope. No one.
So we are alone?
You're scared, aren't you?
That we're together alone.
3, 6, 9, 12,
3, 3, 46, 47, 48...
Add tonight, and it's 49.
How far did we go last time?
Wine's not for getting drunk.
That's what Grandpa said.
He said it's for appreciating.
You don't like me, do you?
You regret that we'd met at all.
I knew it.
No, that's not it.
Then what is it?
I think today will be the last day, Su-ji.
- Not that I'm quitting. - Stop. I see what you're saying.
- No, you don't see. - I do!
I want to end it with good memories.
Don't show off!
So tonight,
everything comes to an end?
Am I right?
Oh, well.
It's our last day, so how about a farewell handshake?
I used to do this often with my brother.
Can you feel it?
Now I think I understand.
What love feels like.
Citizens of Korea.!
As of22.:00, a national emergency alert has been issued.
Three enemy aircrafts are heading for Seoul.
All citizens should comply with blackout orders.
And take shelter.
This is the civilian defense emergency center.
I repeat.
As of22.:00, a national emergency alert has been issued.
Teacher, where are you?
Teacher?
You know how to play the piano?
This is the only song I can play.
You're real good.
Come on, I'll show you something very interesting.
You rotten bastards!
We did that, didn't we?
Su-ji, let's make our last wish.
Why?
Everyone has to die at least once.
If we make a wish now, it will come true in the next life.
Do we have to die?
Su-ji, you and I are already dead.
What are you talking about?
I know it's unfair.
We can't do anything about it. We're already dead.
You're lying.
We have no time! Those shells will hit us!
You're lying, aren't you?
I promise. I swear.
Then, let's pray together.
I love you.
Su-ji.
Maybe it was a dream.
I met Su-ji in dream and broke up with her just like that.
Su-ji...
Now, get up.
Before it's too late.
When Pippi fell off from the building...
I was invited to her magical trip...
together with her first love, Su-ji's brother.
They chose me...
and set me free when the time came.
I've lived through the death they have experienced
and came back to real life.
Does the dream end within the dream itself?
The rose leaf, the wine, the kiwi, the candlelight,
and Su-ji.
Across the dark earth comes the girl quietly
And pours wine
When the red bloody stream
disappears through the soil without hue or smell
Repose of darkness is shattered and baffled
Whilst the girl sings with red blood even at the moment of fall
Hail the angels playing melodies so sad
Hail the lingering music unshared and unknown
I'd thought I just couldn't.
But strangely enough, poetry came to me from then on.
And tonight I celebrate the publication of my first book of poetry.
Can't we go with you?
Yes, take us with you.
You, too?
Well...
Oh, just in time.
Sir?
I have something for you to do. Come here.
Call the roll, and use this pen.
- Park Jung-joon. - Here, son.
- Seok Jae-hyung. - Yeah.
- Kim Young-chul. - Yeah.
- Lee Su-yon. - Yeah.
- Lee Ji-ho. - Here, here.
- Kim Seung-hyon. - What d'ya want?
- Oak Jong-ho. - Uh huh.
- Cho Young-eun. - Yeah.
- Kim Bo-ram. - I'm here.
- Lee Young-ju. - Yeah.
Hyun Su-young.
You've come though late, so mark a triangle.
Kim Mi-sun.
Son Sung.
Lee Kyu-shik.
Lee Sang-hyuk.
When is Su-ji coming?
You know today's the ritual, don't you?
Sorry?
That night of the fireworks.
When there was this strange airplane,
and they tried to shoot it down,
one of the shells fell through the roof and hit.
Dead.
That was a long time ago now.
You mean, Su-ji, she died?
Is it so hard to understand, young man?
Uh, what do you mean, ma'am?
Don't you know?
Su-young died.
What about Su-ji?
She's flying home for the ritual.
Su-young. Yeah, her brother is Su-young.
Now, you're coming to your senses.
You like coffee, don't you? I'll make some.
Who are you?
It's a very long story.
So maybe we should sit down to talk.
Yeah, it's me.
Honey, I'm now driving through the gates.
So you can come now.
You're a little late.
Yeah, so hurry.
Now?
I'm in the middle of a lecture.
Was that your wife?
- Maybe we should stop here. - No.
- The story isn't over yet. - Please finish it.
Let's just leave it at this.
It's just another story of the past.
Professor, who did you like better?
Between Su-ji and Pippi, I mean.
Let me keep that as my little secret.
Have you seen her afterwards?
Who?
Pippi.
Nope, but I sometimes feel her.
Like today, for example.
- Today? - Yes, today.
That's freaky.
You know what?
You are here on a Sunday.
You must have gone somewhere together.
Where was it?
Where are you, now?
We won a prixe in the orchestra competition.
Yeah, we won second place.
We cried because we lost the grand prix by one vote.
If you idle around flower beds, smelling buds,
you'll be in big trouble.
I think it's time.
Wake up all of you.
You need to want it real bad.
Break time and return.
Understand?
This is breaking news.
The students, who'd been buried in a collapsed tunnel for seven days
are now being safely rescued.
We have our team at the site.
Eight students have been successfully rescued.
They show mild signs of delusion, possibly due to lack of water intake.
Fortunately, though, none are seriously hurt.
According to their families, they were returning to Seoul
from a music festival in Gangleung when the accident happened.
Could you tell us again?
The eight students have just been safely rescued.
Life is like a dream, isn't it?
A dream?
No, no.
Not a dream but a lie. A lie.
But no lying to me, all right?
Then, I've got a confession to make.
What is it?
It can be scary, so is that okay?
No, I don't want anything scary.
See?
That's why I keep on deceiving you.
All right, go ahead.
I don't think we're alone in this car.
Come on, not again.
Sorry.
I won't say a thing.