-- Based on a True Story --

Don't be nerveous. Just think barbel as a gravel!

Seoul, 1988

Lee Jibong, Korea
185 kg Last Attempt

You've got the gold!

Go for it, Jibong!

You're almost there, Jibong!

Just a little more! Jibong!

This is a shocking
and unfortunate turn of events.

This just in.

Korea's top weightlifter,
Lee Jibong,

will unfortunately have to settle
for bronze because of an injury.

But in soccer, Park Byeongju
passes the ball!

He passes the ball to Kim Juseong!

To Noh Sujin!

He shoots and scores!

Goal!

He showed the power
of Korean soccer!

Are you all right?
Bring me a stretcher, quick!

Jibong! Jibong!

Jibong! Jibong!

This section is called the bursa.

In layman's terms,
it's the elbow.

And the white dots are shattered bones.

What's all the fuss?

All I need is physical therapy.

We can reconnect the muscle,
but the problem is the bone.

It'll require about three operations.

When can I start training again?

We discovered something else
while taking your x-rays.

Your heart is an even bigger problem.

You have what's called
a dilated cardiomyopathy.

It's when the heart
becomes enlarged

and blocks the flow of blood.

Why do I need this
up my nose anyway?

When can I start training again?

You have to wear this
for the time being, sir.

So, when can I start
lifting weights again?

If you take a look here,

your left ventricle is extremely enlarged.

The condition is about 50% hereditary...

What the hell!
Are you deaf?

I asked when I can start training!

I'm sure you could lift heavy things

before your injury,

but it's too much stress
on your heart...

You probably only deal with regular people,

but I'm different!

You don't know anything!

- Jibong!
- Are you sure this is a sports clinic?

Let go of me, coach!

I'm Lee Jibong!

I can lift anything
with these arms!

Jibong!

My arms are fine!

Coach, let's go
get a second opinion!

Jibong.

Okay. Let's get a second opinion.

Bronze Medalists

2008 Seoul

You should go to the hospital.

No.

You can'tjust ignore this pain.

I'd have to give up
if I didn't.

You could damage your back

permanently like this.

I know that.

You lost your last competition
because of your back.

You can't keep hiding this.

So, should I just tell the reporters
they should give up on the gold

because I'm going to lose anyway?

What do you expect me to do?

The mood of the Olympic team isn't good.

How's the weightlifting team?

How do you expect to do?

We've worked hard
and hope to give it all we've got.

How have you been feeling
since your back injury?

There are reports that the Chinese broke

Park Youngja's record during practice.

I doubt that.

They're trying to psyche us out.

Youngja, is your bad back
the reason you didn't attempt

the Olympic record
at the last competition?

She was just saving her strength,

especially since gold
is virtually assured.

If you don't have any more questions...

Wait a minute.

Any last thoughts, Youngja?

I'm going to live up
to people's expectations of gold

and do my best.

Go for it! Go, Korea!

Youngja!

Youngja!

Youngja!

Over here! It's me!

Minhui, what are you doing here?

Congratulations!

How are you doing?

I'm all right.
I had something to give you,

but I couldn't
get a hold of you.

I came because I thought
I could see you.

Here. Make sure to open it
on the plane.

We think it'll give you strength.

What are you doing, Youngja?
Let's go!

Okay. Thanks. See you.

Take care of yourself!

Go for it, Youngja!
Have a nice trip!

We'd like to welcome
the Korean national team,

who've boarded
Korean Air Flight 851

to participate
in the Beijing Olympics.

We wish you all the best
in the competition.

I wanted to die at first.

But as time passed,
the pain of not weightlifting again

became bearable.

I even felt a sense of freedom.

What was really painful
was the fact

that I couldn't do anything

except lift weights.

Maybe I could lose weight weightlifting?

You're not that bad looking.

Don't you know what
weightlifters look like?

They're fat.

Weightlifters are downright ugly.

Sir, visit us sometime.
We have the hottest girls!

You've got to say something.

We have the hottest girls in town, sir.

And scatter those flyers
all over the streets.

It'll take you all day like that.

Come visit us, sir.

We have lots of hot...

Why weren't you
answering your phone?

For crying out loud!

You're handing out flyers?

Handing out flyers?

There's nothing wrong with that.

Please visit us sometime.

The association gave me
a spot on

their board for
Byeonggwan's gold medal.

Come visit me sometime.

Hey! Do you know why
I accepted the board position?

Just get your butt down there!

I was just passing by...

This place hasn't changed a bit.

I told you I wouldn't
lift weights again.

I haven't done it
since the '88 Olympics.

You never even called me.

I don't want you to lift weights!

I want you to teach kids!

But my business
is really taking off.

Plus, I don't know
how to teach kids.

You know I don't like kids, coach.

I have some extremely
good news.

The tennis team's Seo Yeongran

won the Governor's
Tennis Championship.

Hyeonjeong.

I bet all you did
was pick up the balls there!

You've probably heard

of weightlifter Jeon Byeonggwan,
who won gold in Europe, right?

This is Mr. Lee Jibong,
who trained with him,

and won bronze
in the '88 Seoul Olympics.

Mr. Lee is planning to start

a weightlifting team
to follow in the glorious footsteps

of the shooting and tennis teams.

She doesn't even
support us enough,

but she's starting another team!

Still, your funding doubled
or tripled thanks to it.

It's because of our team's
excellent record.

If your team won some medals,

you'd receive funding, too.

We can't win with our
shoddy equipment!

Not only in Korea,
but in the world!

Now, going back
to my main point...

Are you done practicing?

Can I try shooting your rifle?

Be careful with it.

Okay. Thanks for always
lending me your rifle.

Youngja.

Yes?

Did you call me, coach?

Didn't you say you were
going to buy a rifle?

Lmagine this.

You're in a battlefield.

Bombs are falling
everywhere and people

are being blown to smithereens.

The enemy is shooting

their machine guns at you,

but you don't have a gun.

Does that mean you should
borrow your friend's gun

so you can live, while they
shoot your friend full of holes?

I let you get by without a rifle
these past few months,

but I don't think this sport
is right for you.

Oh! I'm sorry, Hyeonjeong!

Yeongran, stop serving
and go do some weight training!

Ma'am, Miseon is talented,
but she started tennis late,

so she needs private lessons.

What do you think you're doing?
Get back to the roller!

I'm sorry ma'am.

One of my players was slacking off.

If I gave Miseon private lessons,

she could also win.

Hey! Pick the rocks off the court
before you use the roller!

There are rocks everywhere!

Hello, ma'am! You're here!
You're here too! Oh, my!

Weightlifting Team Orientation

To put it simply,

if you can lift those barbells
back there, you win.

If you can't, you lose.

There aren't as many judging
controversies as in other sports.

It's a very honest sport,
where you can get good results

simply by practicing hard.

I think that about does it
for the sport's pros.

But you become unemployed

as soon as you're injured.

Some people think
I receive a pension

for winning bronze
at the '88 Olympics.

But there's something
called pension points.

30 for gold, 10 for silver,
and 5 for bronze.

You have to have
at least 20 points.

It would be nice to get gold

like Byeonggwan,

but unlike in archery,
Korea isn't dominant in weightlifting.

And you can't give lessons

like swimmers or tennis players.

The best you can do
is be a trainer at a gym.

But even those jobs
go to bodybuilders.

Girls get buff and ugly

when they lift weights,

and they have
difficulty finding jobs

after they quit the sport.

Still, it's an all right sport.

What in the world?

But if your child likes sports,

you should have her try it.

How could you scare
people off like that?

You want to start a team or not?

Why? All I did was tell the truth.

You don't know anything
about kids, do you?

Hello.

This is your vice principal
speaking.

Students who weigh
over 60 kilograms,

please report to the tool shed,

I mean the weightlifting room.

Shouldn't you go?

Of course not.
I only weigh 59.7 kilograms.

Jeez! What's going on?

You can't force the kids to come here.

I thought you knew a lot about kids.

The inspections are
right around the corner,

and if the principal finds out...

That's it!
I know what I should do.

Second year student Song Suhui,

72.4 kilograms.

Second year student Kim Sunim,

63.2 kilograms.

What the heck?

This should do it.

That's not true!

It's not true! I lost weight!

Second year student
Lee Gyeongseon,

72.3 kilograms.

Don't cry. You're not fat.
You're just big boned.

Second year student Lee Minja,

138... Oh, that's her height.
Sorry, Minja!

Third year student Na Mina,
66.2 kilograms.

What do you think you're doing?

The kids are saying
they want to quit school!

Your school needs you."
'Be all that you can be."

What do they think this is,
the army?

I like manly things,

and I can buff up.

I'm pretty strong.

But your butt will get bigger

if you lift weights.

Do you like cowboy movies

where they gallop around
on horses?

They're manly
and carry around guns.

Why don't you join
the shooting team?

I want to enter
Harvard Law School

and join the FBI when I graduate.

I heard thatjust studying
won't get you into Harvard. You have to

excel in athletics
and the arts
and do lots of volunteer work.

The pumpkin is opening wide!

That's great!

Pass!

I love sports,

and more than anything else,
I want to strengthen my arms.

I think weightlifting
is the perfect sport for me,

when you consider my size
and athletic abilities.

- I...
- Pass!

Please pick me!

Pick me! Pick me!

You pass!

You pass with flying colors!

What do you guys
know about sports?

Stand up straight!

Attention!

Salute! Semper fi!

Semper fi!

What are you doing
out here in the cold?

We gathered together
just like you said.

I said the weightlifting room.

And don't wear tights
when it's cold.

And girls should wear
white T-shirts under their tights.

We have to select a captain.

I'll do it, coach!

- We already agreed.
- What?

Then you're the captain.

Now, let's do
some basic exercises.

Whoever runs the most laps

goes home first.

How long do we
have to run for?

Until somebody runs the longest.
Now start!

How long do we
have to run for?

I don't know.

You must be tired.

I'll carry this by myself,

so go back inside.

Really? That's all right.
Let's carry it together.

There's no need.
This is for all the times

you lent me your rifle.

It's really all right.

Go on in
for crying out loud!

Okay.

It's so tiring to carry these sacks.
I'll have to rest.

Jeez, I wonder
who put this here?

They're so light. They should
have filled them up more.

Umm...

Did you really win a medal
at the Olympics?

I can easily lift a sack of rice

and I'm strong,

so everybody says
I should try weightlifting.

I don't think weightlifting
would be right for you.

Coach Lee!

Lunchtime just ended.

I wasn't leaving. I was just...

You should go
after classes are over.

But then I have to train
the weightlifting team.

Anyway, this girl here

says she wants to join
the weightlifting team.

Do you have any extra small
weightlifting tights?

Probably.

She's the former mayor's
daughter,

and she thinks
the weightlifting uniforms are cute.

She's a little cuckoo.

Will you drop by our shop, sir?

What the heck! You almost
gave me a heart attack!

Did I startle you?

I'm sorry.

Anyway, how is Inho doing?

Why are you asking
about my brother?

Well, I just...

Let's eat!

Jeez! Why are they
throwing away good milk?

You want to have lunch with me?

But I already ate.

I don't want to eat all alone.
Join me for lunch.

You must really love to fish.

It's just something to do
after school.

Do you keep a diary?

Here.

It's margarine.
Mix it in with some soy sauce.

I thought you already ate?

Youngja, would you like to join
the weightlifting team?

I thought weightlifting
wasn't right for me?

Seeing you up close,
your arms and legs are strong,

your neck is short and thick,

and you have a round waist.

You're a born weightlifter.

You've finally
recognized my talent!

My shoulders are strong
from farming.

Nobody can hit my pitches
in softball,

and I'm a good
soccer player, too.

But don't I have to buy weights
to become a weightlifter?

Of course.

A soldier can't
go into battle without a gun.

But does that soldier
buy his own gun?

Nope. The army buys it for him.

We don't have to feed
the other teams,

so it'll look like we're favoring
the weightlifting team.

But they don't have weight classes
in shooting or tennis.

We need cooking facilities
to maintain their weight.

The problem is that
the Department of

Education
thinks we started
the weightlifting team last year.

That's right.

We even filled out
the application last year.

But their skin is too white for kids
who've been weightlifting for a year.

Their tights look too new and
the weightlifting room is too messy.

Plus, their voices
aren't husky enough

for kids who've been training
with weights for a year.

That's right.
You're so perceptive, ma'am!

So, you want to
use the kids to scam

the superintendent?

Do you want those
cooking facilities, or not?

So that's what you
want me to do?

You should have told me.

I'll rewrite the proposal
and hand it in again!

Shouting is an important part
of weightlifting.

Louder!

That's it.

Stay still.

Why are you frowning?

This will help you tan better.

This is too old.

This is too rusty.

This has a missing part.

Stay still until I catch
a hundred fish.

Couldn't you give me
the flag for free?

You have to rub harder.

- Why are we doing this?
- I don't know.

Weightlifting Team Room

Harder!

We're going to wear these out!

Why do we have to do
this anyway?

Lt'll help strengthen your arms!

One, two, one, two!

Scrub harder!

Today, we're going to
start training in earnest.

I'll assign each of you
to a position.

- Boyeong.
- Yes, coach?

- You lift the barbell.
- Okay.

- Youngja!
- Yes, coach?

You do sit-ups.

Hyeonjeong, you drink water.

Huh?

Suok, take care of shouting.

Minhui, you're injured.

Hmmm...
Yeosun, you be on lookout.

- Huh?
- Get ready.

Now, let's say you see
the superintendent approaching.

Three, two, one, go!

One, two...

Boyeong, lift the barbell!

Grimace like it's heavy!

Grimace! That's it.

Hyeonjeong, drink your water!

Not like that!

Gulp it down!

Now, wipe your sweat!

You have to breathe
more heavily!

That's it! Good!
What are you doing, Youngja?

Don't look over here.
That's it.

300

When Youngja says 300,

Minhui, you suddenly get up!

Coach, I want to train, too.

You'll end up

fainting again!

This is an order!

Coach Lee! Uh? Who're you?

Oh, superintendent!

Cut!

That's good! Good work!

- Good work!
- Good work!

I don't mind eating
all this delicious food,

but shouldn't we
do some weightlifting?

All we do is eat.

When are we going
to learn weightlifting?

You girls are talented,
but you're too small.

That's why you should eat
like this

until you get nice and big.

Okay!

Wow! That's great!

Do we have to train
until we can't bend

our arms to win a medal?

How come you can
bend this side?

Girls are flexible, so you'll be
able to bend your arms.

Quickly!

Keep on the mat! That's an order!

But I want to train, coach!

Huh?

Who're you?

Oh!

Superintendent!

Attention! Salute!

Semper fi!

Boseong Singing Competition
Grand Prize

Superintendent,

this is Coach Lee Jibong,
'88 Olympic bronze medalist

and the pride of
our weightlifting team.

I know!

He's working hard to train

new heroes for the Olympics.

That was such an unfortunate
incident you experienced.

You could have been
the best there ever was,

but you chose to become
a teacher instead.

I respect that.

I'm sorry.

We were so focused,
we didn't notice you coming.

It's quite all right.

It was deeply moving to see

how focused your athletes were.

I think you definitely

deserve more funding.

Thank you so much, sir.

By the way,
will your team participate

in the spring
weightlifting competition?

Yes! They're training hard

for the competition, sir!

That's great.

I look forward
to seeing your athletes there.

There's a saying,

So deep is the teacher's
influence that the teacher influences

even the souls
of his students."

I'm sure your students will show that
good influence at the competition.

Move!

Don't get excited!

How could you enter us
in the competition

without even discussing it
with me?

We'll give you
all the funding you want, so...

Out of my way!

Why don't you just do it?

Lt'll give your team experience.

They could be injured
competing so soon.

Who's going to take
care of them then?

I won't do it, and that's final!

Do you think I started the
weightlifting team just for extra funding?

I started it to give students
more opportunities!

You're right, and I'm sure
you're a good teacher,

but you know nothing
about sports!

You don't know what
it's like to regret being injured

for the rest of your life!
I regret getting injured every day!

Do you know that?

If you think I won't give
my students opportunities

just because this school
is out in the boondocks,

you'd betterjust pack your bags!

# There's a jade rabbit hanging

# from the end of
my daughter's ponytail

# It's hanging from
my daughter's ponytail

# My daughter!

# All right!

What do you think this is, Suok?

The folk singing club?

You'd better eat those fish
before they spoil.

- Hyeonjeong.
- Yes?

Fill in the training log when it's
time and send the others home.

Yes, coach!

I haven't seen Youngja around.

Is something the matter with her?

Goodness!

She took in the girl
and raised her as her own,

but the girl died.

Who would have thought
she'd die so soon after?

What an unlucky old lady.

She went through
such difficulty raising

that girl without anyone's help.

How much is this house worth?

That's no way for a person to act.

You never even visited
her while she was alive,

and now you want
an inheritance?

How about you two?

It's not like you ever visited her.

- What did you say?
- Keep it quiet.

The old bag just died!

Anyway, what are we going
to do about her?

We'll have to find
an orphanage for her.

They keep kids in orphanages until
they graduate from high school.

Crazy old bag!

She had to burden us
with a snot-nosed kid...

even in death!

No kidding.

You get rid of her,
because I won't.

What the...

Hey! Get rid of her?

I ought to just get rid of you!

How dare you

talk about her like that?

Look long and hard
at Youngja's face!

She's going to succeed

beyond your wildest dreams!

Just you wait and see!

Her face will be on every paper
and TV in the country!

Youngja, I'm taking care of you

from now on, okay!

Don't worry. I'll take care of you
until you get married!

I'll do the competition.

But didn't you say

it was impossible?

It's been my experience

that there are
things called miracles

that defy all explanation.

As you said, principal,

I've realized the children

deserve to have opportunities.

You've made the right decision.

But if you want me
to train them intensively,

the team will need a dorm.

- A dormitory?
- Yes.

But we can't give you preferential
treatment over the other teams.

If you build us a dormitory,

my team will stage a miracle

during the competition
that'll shock the world!

Thank you for coming.

Suneungdang

Weightlifting isn't a team sport
like soccer or baseball,

so why do they
need a dormitory?

And did you see that dormitory?

It's practically a five-star hotel!

That money could have
bought us a new court.

We don't even have
enough bullets to practice with.

Smile for the camera!

Suok, move a little to the left.
That's it.

Do you like your new home?

Now smile for the camera.

- Look at the camera.
- One, two, smile!

Sit down like you're taking a crap.

Stop giggling and do as I say.

Jeez!

This is so embarrassing.

Ugh, you stink!

It doesn't mean
you should really take a crap.

Now, hold your stick,

stick out your butt,

and look in front of you

at an angle of 15 degrees.

Straighten your back
so you don't hurt it.

It should feel like you're
pulling on the stick.

Stick your knee out.

Suok, you'll get hurt like that.

Stick your butt out.

Stick your butt out!

Stick it out even more!

Hey, Suok!
What's the matter with her?

Always poop when you need to,

- or you could get sick.
- Our coach is pretty clueless, huh?

If you use weights from the
beginning, you could get injured.

He doesn't know anything
about girls, does he?

Begin.

I still don't understand, coach.

Couldn't you give us
a demonstration?

Coach...

Keep on practicing.

He seems frustrated.

Why'd you ask him for a demo?

I just wanted to see
how it's done.

Doesn't he remind you of something,
beating his chest like that?

You're right.
He looks like a gorilla!

Notjust any gorilla.
He's King Kong!

He's King Kong!

Minhui!

# If I speak in the tongues
of men and of angels

# But have not love

# I am only a resounding
Gong or a clanging cymbal

Hello?

I'm sorry for calling you so late,

but is this Hyeonjeong's place?

That's right.

I'm calling because

I found Hyeonjeong's diary.

Really? Where did you find it?

My name is Song Inho, and I
think she goes to my church.

Are you her mother?

Yes, hold on.

Hello, this is
Hyeonjeong speaking.

Then I'll see you there
on Saturday.

Didn't I tell you not to come in
while I was working?

Is there a girl named Hyeonjeong
on your weightlifting team?

Hyeonjeong? What about her?

Huh?

It's nothing. I just...

Anyway, what's she like?

What do you think she's like?
She has an awesome body.

I think I'll only

take bronze this time.

You shouldn't set
your sights so low.

You should go for the gold.

You're right.

Since this will be your first time,

don't worry about the results.

Just think of the competition
as a field trip.

Okay!

Hyeonjeong, you should just eat
one at a time.

Anyway, why are you eating garlic
when there's so much meat here?

It must be hot.

Why are my legs
so thick and short?

What can we do about it?
We were born this way.

I know that!

At least we're strong, right?

Who cares if we're strong?

We can't even get guys to like us!

You have to be wafer thin
like Kate Moss.

I've been thinking about it,
Hyeonjeong.

You're not going to lose 15 years
of weight by Saturday.

Why don't you have Suok
meet him for you instead?

She's thin and clever.

I'm sure Inho would like her.
Oh, the meat's burning.

There's so much meat left!

No Wrestling Teams, Judo Teams,
Soldiers, or Weightlifting Teams

- I'm so full right now!
- Me, too.

What the heck?

Are you going home in that?

Why?

Is something wrong?

No.

Itjust looks so good on you.

I know.

She's a little cuckoo.

When I heard you
were a weightlifter,

I was afraid you'd look like her.

Anyway, why did you choose
a sport like weightlifting?

My dream is to go
to Harvard Law School

and work for the FBI in America.

Do you think she's doing well?

I'm so worried
she'll do something stupid.

Don't worry. As far as
she doesn't sing a folk song...

# He grabbed the rabbit's ears
and asked,

# 'Are you the rabbit?"

# The rabbit replied,
'No, I'm not."

# 'Then what are you?"

# 'I'm a dog!"

You won't be able
to lose weight like that.

You have to lose weight
ahead of time.

Will you look at her!

When do we get to eat?

68.9. Pass.

Oh, my!
What are you doing here?

I didn't know the circus
was in town.

It's not my fault you got drunk

and missed the Olympics.

If you don't want the kids to hear
about your embarrassing past,

go away.

What do you think this is,
a pig farm?

I see you're still a big fatjerk.

Beat it!

Okay, okay! Good luck.

Yeosun!

Are you all right? Wake up!

Hey, turn around!

Go, Boseong Girl's Middle School!
Go for it!

Hyeonjeong!

Don't cry!

It's not like you did
anything wrong.

Stop crying!
I enjoyed the freak show.

It was incredible.

You had one kid spin the barbell,
one hit her head on a barbell,

and one even crapped
in her pants!

You must have trained quite a bit.

Go away!

You'll end up hurting
your kids like that.

You shouldn't try to
injure your kids

just because you got injured.

What did you say, you bastard?

You piece of crap!

Get up, you bastard!

What the heck?

Coaches Brawl
at Weightlifting Competition

They say that when people think

of Namwon,
they think of Chunhyang,

when they think of Sunchang,
they think of chili paste.

And when they think of Boseong,
they think of crap.

When I asked you to promote
our region through weightlifting,

I didn't mean this.

Is this the miracle you promised?

It's more like a spectacle
if you ask me.

Maybe you could get a diaper company
to sponsor your team?

Be quiet!

The shooting team

So what if no one on your team
pooped in their pants?

If your team can't win
a stupid medal,

you ought to just go
hunt some deer!

Don't write down everything I say!

'Crap"? 'Diapers"? 'Deer"?

For crying out loud!

Hey, Hyeonjeong!

I heard you crapped in your pants.

I guess you were just full of crap.

What are you looking at?

Stop going around embarrassing

the tennis team!

Why don't you take a crap here?

Take a crap!

Don't look at me!

What were you thinking?

Aren't my arms strong, mom?

But my weightlifting coach says

that when you lift,

you should lift
with your legs and your butt.

Didn't the coach give us
a one week break?

There's nothing to do at home
and I was worried about you

staying here alone.

Yeosun.

What's wrong?

I just miss my dad so much!

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

What's the matter with you,
Hyeonjeong?

Guys...

They beat me up
for crapping in my pants...

What's the matter with you guys?

Don't cry! I shouldn't have

entered you into that competition.

Coach, why did you pick us
when we can't even lift weights?

Hyeonjeong says you picked us
because you felt sorry for us.

That's not true!

I picked you for your potential.

I talked to the people
at the competition

and no one just eats like us
without training.

Do you think we're stupid?
Why won't you teach us to lift weights?

It's like you're the director
of an orphanage,

giving us food and a place to stay

just because you feel sorry for us.

I wanted to do well so no one
could tease me anymore.

But now they tease me
even more!

Just look at me.

Do I look good?

I'm young, but I've already

lost my health.

I have to take medication
every day!

I didn't teach you weightlifting

because it's a bad sport,

and it shouldn't be done!

It's useless!

I've never agonized over whether
I should do it or not.

I wanted to train hard and be able

to stand on my own...

They'll treat you like crap
unless you win a gold medal!

And if you're injured like me,

you'll become useless overnight!

Why do you think
you're useless?

They don't give this to just anyone!

Why do you think that?

I don't need your medal anymore,

so you can take it back!

I'm going to train hard

and win my own medal!

From now on,
I'm going to divide

the weightlifting team into a hobby group
and an athlete group.

The hobby group will use weightlifting

to strengthen their bodies and minds.

The athlete group will bet their lives
on weightlifting.

Who wants to be
in the athlete group?

You should do
the hobby group.

No. I've decided to major in weightlifting
instead of going to Harvard.

Some people are better suited
for studying.

No one is interested

in weightlifting.

Even if you break the world
record

and win a medal,

people will be more interested
in basketball.

Do you still want
to be weightlifters?

Yes!

Let me ask you once more.

Once you decide on this path
you'll lose many things!

It's a lonely path
that's full of pain!

So you're going to give up
everything for this sport

that no one even cares about?

Yes!

You idiots!

Then let's see what this
ragtag bunch is capable of!

Okay!

I don't want to hear anyone say
this is hard,

that they're going to give up!

Give me a hundred more!
Okay?

One!

Two!

Faster!

Run until you catch up with Suok

Are you going to give up?
No, coach!

Is it too hard?

No, coach!

Do you want to give up?

No, coach!

That's it.

I'm going to check your report cards!

Yes, coach.

And ask Suok if there's anything
you don't know.

Hey!

Who is she?

Minhui
the former mayor's daughter.

I know that,
but what's she doing here?

She was too embarrassed
to be on the weightlifting team

so she joined the tennis team because
she thinks tennis skirts are pretty

Stop it. She never stays

on a team longer than a month.

Just wait until she leaves.

Don't you think a month
is a little long?

Wanna play a game of tennis?

We're done!
Let's eat!

I'm so hungry!

- Give me some water
- I get to shower first!

I'm older, so I get to shower first!

You're also fatter.

What did you say?

What's that smell?

Oh, gross!

What smell?
I showered last month.

Last month? Jeez!

My skin's dry, so the doctor said

shouldn't shower too often.

Oh, what's that smell?

Hey, open the windows!

Open them quick!

Coach, it smells like

a skunk farted in here!

We've got a pig
and a skunk on the team.

What are you waiting for?
Come inside.

What the heck? I thought you
were embarrassed of us!

Stop it!

I'm glad you came!

This is Minhui, and she'll be joining
our weightlifting team starting today.

Let's give her
a round of applause.

Focus...

on how...

to...

What does 'to" mean?

To...

What on earth
does 'to" mean?

The thing I hate to hear most

is that athletes are stupid.

That's why we're going to study
weightlifting theory in English.

I skimmed the book,
and it's not that difficult.

I'd translate it for you,

but you'll get more out of it

if you study it yourselves.

Now, let's all give Suok
a round of applause.

From now on, Suok will translate
a page a day for you.

I want you to write the words

you don't know 100 times a day.

We'll use the method Lukashev
used in the Soviet Union in 1972

for lifting the weights.

The first thing you have to do

is determine the proper bar position.

One!

One!

One!

One!

That's it.

Good.

Voila!

Anyway,
where'd you get our pictures?

From our student IDs.

What's this?

Well, I didn't have nough
pictures of female weightlifters.

What the heck?

You're a guy!

I'd like to say goodbye to the
younger students staying behind

I'll remember oseong Girl's
Middle School forever.

Why is she practicing

that speech?

I saw the valedictorian
practicing her speech.

You're not the valedictorian.

I'm done.

I'm so tense!

So, they'll fall in love if this
becomes a gigantic circle?

You unfold it.
One, two, three...

Inho is going to
fall in love with me!

So, what are you looking for?

I'm looking for a high school
with a dormitory.

A dormitory?

I won't be able to use
the team dorm much longer

Our weightlifting team
isn't very old,

and we're happy

you're sending such good athletes,

a coach,
and even giving us funding

The athletes are insisting
they keep their coach.

I'm well-aware of what
your athletes are like.

There are lots of big
competitions coming up,

and I don't want your athletes to
be a negative influence on my kids.

This is good.
Just stay there and keep

your athletes away from my
athletes.

Hyeonjeong!

You should carry your own lunch
It's heavy.

I haven't seen you
in church lately.

The thing is...

She's Buddhist. She and my mother

go to the same temple.

Will you stop it?

Hey, Poopy Pants!

Poopy Pants, do you

attend this school?

Do you two know each other?

Everyone in Boseong knows her.

She pooped in her pants.

You shouldn't talk to her.

It'll only tarnish your image.

Let's go.

Hey, Minhui!

Don't you go walking
arm in arm with my brother!

What?

He's not your brother!

I'll kill you!

How dare you call him your brother!

What do you think you're doing
to my sister?

What? Your sister?

For crying out loud!

Didn't you know
Minhui is Inho's sister?

I'll see you this Sunday,

Hyeonjeong.

He was awesome!

It must be nice to have Inho

get revenge on Yeongran for you.

I'll buy spicy rice cakes
for everybody!

That's it. Bring your legs together.

Together!

You're strong, but you have
no sense of balance!

Get up there!

Balance yourselves.

It's all about balance!

When you jerk, you have to stick your

leg out and pull your waist in!

Breathe deeply!

Get into the bow position.

I can't believe you can't do this!

You have to jerk it

in three seconds!

Bring your legs
together quickly!

You're not agile enough
You're too slow!

That's it. Duck!

One, two...

Faster! Faster!

What do I hate to hear
most in the world?

That athletes are stupid.

Write this a hundred times.

Okay, coach.

I'm going to count them all.

What are you doing there?

You have to go faster!

According to Newton,

it's takes a very complex process

to lift something up.

But weightlifting isn't
a complicated sport.

You don't have to runagainst
your competitors like in track,

and there's no ball
that could bounce anywhere.

That's why instead of wishing
for luck before a competition,

I always asked God
for superhuman strength.

I can't tell you the results
of tomorrow's competition,

but one thing is for sure.

The weights you'll have
to lift tomorrow

will be a lot lighter
than the burdens

you've had to carry
in your lives up till now.

I believe in you.

Timing!

You have to get in position
ahead of time!

Have some of this.

It's all right to eat fruit.

My brother's here.

Go for it!

Look alert!

Lee Boyeong!

Put some strength into your legs!

That's it!

Now straighten them!

Balance yourself!

Balance yourself!
Straighten your back!

Concentrate!

You can do it!

Balance yourself when you jerk

and lift, okay?

Concentrate!

You can do it!

Put strength into your legs!

Good work! That's it!

You have to finish quickly, okay?

Concentrate!

Go for it!

That's it!

All right!

Relax and try to concentrate.

Get up, get up!
That's it!

Now finish! Finish!

Finish!

Bring your legs together!

Three more seconds!

Go for it, captain!

You can do it, Hyeonjeong!
Go for it!

That's it!

Now stand up!

Now hold still!

Coach!

I hereby give this award to
the principal
of Boseong Girl's Middle School

for her contributions in developing

sports in the city of Boseong.

Attention! Salute!
Semper fi!

What are you doing there?
You should take a picture with us!

That's right. You have to be
in the picture, Coach Lee!

Come over here.

Let's take the picture together.

Is it the Boseong Middle School team
or the Jungang High School team?

Stay at our school and I'll make

you principal someday.

Boseong Spring Weightlifting Competition
All-Around High School Division Winners

Get in, coach! Come on!

Oh! Inho!

Look, this is our funding.

Here, Hyeonjeong.

Youngja.

Suok.

Boyeong.

Here, Yeosun.

Minhui.

If you do well at the next
National Meet,

you'll easily get on a
professional team or into college.

I can't accept this
I really didn't do anything.

What are you talking about?

You motivated the girls...

with this.

Coach...

What's with the tears?

Let's drink up!

Cheers!

Cheers!

Coach.

Huh? Yang Huieun's songs
are so great.

I agree.

Are you cold, coach?

No. Why?

Then does your arm still hurt?

No.

Then, why do you always keep
that hand in your pocket?

Oh, this?

It's because I feel so sorry
for my arm.

Instead of telling me

you love me...

The coach is snoring.

Let's lift up King Kong and go!

They're our students.

And that's why we want
to teach them from now on.

You got your awards
and funding.

Can't you understand
how we feel?

Our students won the medals,

but we have nothing to show for it.

All the papers are talking about Boseong

Girls' Middle School and Coach Lee.

Don't you think you've exploited
the girls enough?

You were never interested in them.

I'm going to keep coaching them
like I always have.

It won't be good for the girls
to suddenly change coaches.

You're only using them
for your ambitions.

I know you don't want to give them to us

because they won medals...

I don't care if they can't win medals!

I just want to take care of them
until they go to college or getjobs!

I'm not doing this
because they won medals!

Bastards...

This is the only school

with a permit to teach athletes.

If you walk out that door,

your students
will never compete at Nationals.

Coach Lee's methods
were outdated,

so your records
improved slowly.

Plus, you're all Jungang Girls'
High School students,

so I'll be coaching you

starting today.

Anyway, where's the skinny girl?

Minhui?
She's in the hobby group.

Hobby?

No wonder you're such a sorry bunch.

Didn't I tell you
not to come near here?

Stay where you are
and keep training.

These are the kids' training records.
I thought they'd be of help.

Okay, now go away!

Make sure Hyeonjeong gets easily
digestible food after the weigh-in.

She likes canned peaches.

Yeosun can digestjust about anything.
So she'll be fine.

Youngja always has diarrhea
after she eats meat,

so don't let her eat any meat.

This upcoming competition
is a very important one for the girls.

So please take a look at this.

What?

You want to study?

Hobby group?

You should be training
all day and all night!

You'd better not move.
You could hurt your back!

In the future, don't even
think about going to that class!

Hey! Is that how
Coach Lee taught you?

We don't need a loser like you,
so get out of here!

Get the hell out of here!

Aren't we going to train, coach?

We're already done writing
our English words.

Suok.

Yes?

Does Harvard have
a weightlifting department?

Then you should quit weightlifting.
You've done this too long for it to be a hobby.

I'm very fond of you, Suok.

That's why I want you to do
what you're really good at.

Boyeong.

No! I want to be a weightlifter!

What's the matter with you?
Prepare hard for next year's competition.

Coach, can't we just train here
like we used to?

We want to keep training with you.

Who told you you could come here?

Who told you to disobey
your coach like this?

Get down on the floor!

Get down on the floor now!

I told you I'm not
your coach anymore!

I told you not to come here!

Get down on the ground!

I told you not to come here again!

I only distracted you guys
from your training.

It's a good thing
I got kicked out.

What are you talking about?
You motivate us.

That coach is so weird.

He says you don't know
anything about weightlifting.

Just don't listen to him.

Yeah. Like we'd believe
anything he says!

Believe it.

What?

He's your coach now.

You guys sleep at this dormitory,
so I can see you at night.

But as an athlete,
you have to believe in your coach.

That's the only way
to get good results.

I'm so proud of what
my students have achieved.

Will you act natural, please?

What do you do
when training's difficult?

We go out and have fun
with our coach.

And our coach cooks
delicious food for us.

Coach Shim even cooks for you?

No. Coach Lee Jibong
of Boseong Girls' Middle School does.

We don't learn much here.

But he gives us supplementary training
at the dorm.

Lee Jibong...

Darn it!

I hope I won't have to take her in.

I'm just concerned
for Youngja's welfare, that's all.

I heard that Youngja
is pulling in some dough.

All you have to do is write a letter
to the Department of Education.

When did your back first start hurting?

Why didn't you tell me?

Who could it be at this hour?

Are you a student at this school?

You see!

She wouldn't come home
because of that evil man!

Youngja, what are you doing in there?

You bastard!
What do you think you're doing?

What's going on?

What Are you doing to my Youngja?

What's going on?
- She's a minor, you lowlife!

Why are you acting like this, uncle?
Coach didn't do anything wrong!

Do you want to become a whore?

What do you think you're doing?

What are you doing here?

Stop harassing her!

Why'd you let students stay there
when they don't go your school?

They have nowhere else to go.

Then you should have
sent them to an orphanage.

Did you think your school
was an orphanage?

Principal Gwak,

you should know it's illegal to build
a dormitory at school.

It was only a temporary lodging.

How can you teach
when you don't even follow the law?

I thought an experienced teacher
like you would know better!

Why'd you coach students
that don't go to your school?

Why were you at their dorm
late at night?

How many times did you
molest those children?

How could you do such a thing
to those innocent children?

You're not a teacher,
you're a monster.

We've found no evidence of molestation,
so those charges are being dropped.

Although Coach Lee
was using the children

to fulfill his own ambitions
and deserves to be punished,

because of his excellent past record,

he won't be relieved
of his position as coach.

However, the students must be coached
by their school's coach,

and the illegal dormitory
will be shut down.

I'll have to bring you
some more blankets.

Doesn't it get scary at night?

It's all right when I'm asleep.

But it's scary when I turn off the lights
and go to lie down and sleep.

We'll turn the lights off for you
so stay under the covers.

We're turning off the lights, Youngja!

Okay.

See you tomorrow!

Bye!

How do you expect to become
an athlete when you can't even lift that?

You're the worst weightlifter here!

Your former coach taught you wrong,
so that's why all you do is whine!

Did you take the painkillers
I bought you?

What the heck?
Are you crying again?

You should either take more painkillers

orjust go home, you crybaby!

Hello?

Coach.

Youngja.

Is anything wrong?

No. I just missed you.

How's training going?

I haven't been feeling very good,

and I don't think I can get the gold.
Maybe I should drop out of the competition?

Youngja, everybody tries to win the gold.

Butjust because you win the bronze,

it doesn't mean your life
will be a bronze medal life.

If you try your best and don't give up

you'll have a gold medal life.

That in itself is priceless.

I'm sorry.
I won't give up.

But when I get married,
you have to promise to give me away.

Okay.

It's getting late, so you should go home.
We'll call as soon as we find him.

Raise the barbell
and tuck in your stomach!

Were you out looking
for Coach Lee again?

Do you know what time it is?
Get your butts in here!

Are you crazy?

Coach Lee probably ran away because
he didn't want to see your sorry faces!

I'd beat the snot out of you
if the competition wasn't in two days.

Consider yourselves lucky.

53 kg class.
Seo Yeosun's third attempt.

Raise the barbell, you idiot!
What are you waiting for?

If it still hurts after you take these,
I'll let you forfeit.

Bunch of whiners!

What are we going to do, Youngja?

It's the coach...

Dear Youngja.

Some people are as spotless as the sky,

and as kind as angels.

I believe that you're such a person.

Thank you for bearing through
the difficult training.

Ijeong, thank you for working hardto lead the team as the ca

Don't forget to starve the day
before the competition,

and after weighing in,
eat chocolate, porridge, or fruit.

Yeosun, I'm proud of the way

you've matured and grown healthy
since you joined the team.

What do you think
you're doing? Huh?

Did you rip yours off, too?

Did you?

I ought to kill you
useless crybabies.

Yeosun...

Lee Jibong?

Stop writing!
Stop writing!

That bastard's ruined my life!

I never should have
let you join the team!

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Get the hell out of here!

Why are you all acting like this?

What's going on with Lee Jibong?

You are all dead when we get back to school.

Get up.

Right now!

Stop your crying.

This isn't what Coach Lee
would want from us!

Get up right now!

Dear Hyeonjeong.

You're only truly beautiful
when you try your best.

Although the results might not always
reflect your efforts,

working as hard as you can
to achieve your goal is priceless.

Hyeonjeong.

Always give it your best,
when you're competing

and show us how beautiful you really are.

Coach...

Dear Youngja,

I understand how lonely you feel
because you have

no parents to share your joys
and sorrows with.

But you can't live your entire life

in loneliness, longing
for somebody that's gone.

Youngja, someday your time
will come.

Youngja, stand up
on top of the world.

Raise the world over your head
and stand up on it.

Stand up.

How do you feel right now?

Who do you miss most
aside from your mother and father?

Don't be tense and talk slowly.

Who's Lee Jibong?

Move out of my way! What was
the most difficult thing about training?

How does it feel
to break the Korean record?

Who's your favorite singer?

There are lots of popular singers
these days. Just name one.

Yang Huieun.

Yang Huieun...

Yang Huieun.

Don't go, coach...

She's competing in the Olympics

without having fully recovered
from her back injury.

She's failed her first two attempts,

and she must raise over 140 kilograms
in her third attempt

to beat the Chinese lifter and win the gold.

That's right.

Because Youngja's failed
her first two attempts,

gold is highly unlikely.

We expect her to attempt 135 kilos,
which will give her the bronze.

It's quite unfortunate for her.

She's going to attempt a weight
that isn't even her personal best.

It looks like she's going
to go for the bronze.

She can't seem to overcome
her big competition jinx.

Park Youngja!
Park Youngja!

I've never seen anyone as determine
as Youngja in all my life.

And she's full of diligence.

Where does she get her determination
and diligence from?

Huh? She's changing the weight.

If she can lift 140 kilos,
she'll win the gold.

Don't you think
she's overexerting herself?

Youngja, everybody
tries to win the gold.

But just because you win the bronze

doesn't mean your life
will be a bronze medal life.

And just because you win gold,

it doesn't mean your life
will be a gold medal life.

If you try your best and don't give up,

your life itself will be a gold medal.

That in itself is priceless.

Coach!

Coach!

We miss you!

I can lift anything with these arms!

If any of my students fulfills the dream
that I haven't been able to fulfill,

it will probably be

Youngja.

I'm sure of it.

This film is a dramatic retelling
of coach Jeong Inyeong's life.

In 2000, at the 81st
National Athletic Meet in Busan,

two of his students,
Kim Yongcheol and Yun Sangyun,

won 14 out of the 15
available gold medals.

This previously unheard of record
has never been broken.

A year later, Jeong Inyeong

had a heart attack
and passed away.

He was on duty
at school at the time.

He was also responsible
for discovering

Barcelona Olympic Gold Medalist

Jeon Byeonggwan
in Jinan, North Jeolla Province.

Translated by Kiyoung Che

Proofread by Evan Yerburgh

Localization by Furmo-DT