Produced by Jeonju International Film Festival
This film is based on the actual stories of government officials,
who took part in Jeonju City's restoration of
"The Annals of the Chosun Dynasty".
HANJI
Subtitle by Aldi Arman
Written and directed by IM Kwon-taek
We will now issue certificates for the new personnel appointments.
Attention! Bow to the mayor!
There's an old saying,
Hanji lasts 1,000 years, silk lasts 500.
Your names and duties are printed especially on Hanji paper.
Director, he's new to Han Style and the Hanji department.
Appointment certificate
- Nice to meet you. - I'll do my best, sir.
Han Pil-yong and I went to high school together.
You're old schoolmates?
Yeah, he had girls chasing him all the time.
- How's your mother? - She's fine, sir.
She made really good noodles.
Han Pil-yong just came from the cleaning department.
Hi, I'm Han Pil-young. Glad to meet you.
Han Style manages medicine and traditional song and dance.
Han Foods manages Korean food.
Han Housing manages traditional Korean houses.
Hanji Paper's main job is restoring
The Annals of the Chosun Dynasty.
This material will be of help.
Okay.
Let's do a great job together.
We want your names and duties printed on Hanji
to remain as worthy records even after 1,000 years.
One drop from a brush spreads over Hanji beautifully.
We pray your determination and
ideals on this 1,000 year paper
will shine on brightly.
- You haven't gone home yet? - No.
- Did my wife exercise? - She just slept all day.
You should have made her.
Why do you always give in?
She says she doesn't have the strength.
- Your dinner's ready. - Thank you.
Let's eat.
The bean-paste stew is boiling. It looks delicious.
So you didn't exercise or eat all day?
You shouldn't do that. You won't get better.
Hold the spoon and try to eat.
Hello? I just got in, Father.
I was about to call you.
Congratulations.
You drank too much with the cleaning staff and residents.
Cut down on it now that you're on the Hanji team.
Sure.
Are you going to stay at the same rank forever?
You have to get promoted so you can hold your head up to your kids!
I know.
Government officials are transferred every couple of years.
I don't know anything about Hanji.
I have a lot of studying to do.
Ask your wife.
She comes from a paper-making family.
She did paper craft for ages.
Ask when you don't know.
Father, she can barely talk.
I can't ask in-depth questions.
Dad!
Is Sang-hoon there? Can you put him on?
It's your dad.
Dad, you promised me a cell phone.
I'm the only one who doesn't have one.
Okay. Listen to Grandpa and Uncle.
Don't fight with your cousin.
Your mom and I will come this weekend.
I love you, too.
July 7, Incheon International Airport.
A very special cargo arrived from Japan.
It drew many reporters' attention.
It was the 47 books of the "Annals of the Chosun Dynasty".
They had returned after 93 years.
The Annals of the Chosun Dynasty
The Odaesan Archive was right above 'Woljungsa ' temple.
It was the archive that 'Woljungsa ' protected.
The Odaesan Archive copy of the annals kept here
went to Japan 93 years ago during the Japanese Occupation.
Four copies of the annals were made at that time.
They were kept at Chunchugwan Cheongju, Seongju, and Jeonju.
But they burned in the Imjin War and
only the 'Jeonju Archive ' remained.
The Korean War broke out in 1950.
The Annals went through war, too.
The Jeoksangsan copy went to North Korea.
472 years from King Taejo to King Chuljong.
The "Annals of the Chosun Dynasty" are strict and objective.
A vast record comprised of 64 million words.
Acknowledging its value,
UNESCO appointed it as a world cultural asset.
What do you do?
My job?
The city's budget for restoring the Annals is $10 million.
- $10 million? - Yeah, $10 million.
But it takes years to make it
so the profit margin's low.
Paper makers are excited
because the budget is big though.
Dealing with them is my job.
Must be hard.
Come on. Stand straight. Come here.
One, two, good.
It's okay.
Okay.
We began using paper from the China's Song Dynasty days.
Literature and art blossomed in this age of cultural Renaissance.
Korean paper was sent to the Chinese emperor and gained fame.
According to records of the Song Dynasty,
an envoy from Korea brought Baejchuji paper in 1915.
History books say that in 1080, the 34th year of King Moonjong,
the Emperor of Song requested 2,000 poks of large Daeji sheets.
Kaifeng was the government office of the Song dynasty.
Many officials including Bao Qingtian passed through here.
Su Dongpo, considered the best poet of the Song Dynasty...
In poetry, literature, calligraphy...
The doctor?
My...
What does he think of your state? I know.
Tell...
Tell you?
You're dizzy and have depression on top of your condition.
So you avoid people and won't have sex.
Who... Me...
Who made you this way?
I'm sorry. I say that all the time.
- And? - And more?
There's more?
What else should I apologize for?
What other apology...
To my dearest love...
I didn't sleep at all last night.
Actually, I didn't know what to apologize for.
I'm ashamed of what I did.
Even after ten years have passed,
I never showed interest in your paper craft until now.
I thought I could get promoted if I did a good job.
You must have resented me asking you for help now.
When my parents looked down on yours
for being a paper craft family,
I never stuck up for you.
When you came home after looking for your hometown,
I didn't understand your pain
and imagined you were unfaithful.
I want to apologize for all that.
I'm lacking as your husband.
I'm really sorry.
I'll help you find your hometown.
I work on the Hanji team now
so I can find it for you.
Please give me another chance. I'll be good to you.
Honey, let's have a good life.
What the hell happened?
I heard the restoration project got cancelled.
Is this true?
Did you all know about this?
What about people who already spent money getting 'dak'?
- Who'll be responsible for this? - What the hell is going on here?
Calm down everyone.
How can I calm down?
I understand,
but we never notified that it was $10 million.
I know it wasn't, but everyone believed it was going to happen!
This is probably due to the new chief at the Culture Ministry.
I'll discuss it with them once I go back to Seoul.
Mr. Han, the mayor considers traditional Hanji very important.
You have to excel in trying times to get noticed.
If you convince the new chief there,
I'll give you a good evaluation.
I don't get it at all.
The Ministry said it was positive about this,
so the paper makers got all excited for the last two years.
But now its suddenly cancelled
because there's a new section chief.
Does that make sense?
You don't know the whole story.
The Ministry never thought this project was promising.
What do you mean?
They said it should support paper makers nationwide,
not just in the Jeonju area.
There are other reasons, too.
Can they make paper as good as the original?
Even if they did, modern ink only lasts about 200 years.
Then do we restore it again after 200 years?
Why spend money on that?
Things like that.
Don't worry too much.
I can persuade him with all the materials I've prepared.
What's that bottle?
It's 'moju'. You said she liked to drink.
Stupid, that's a tacky present.
Anyway, the new section chief loves to drink,
so convince her to come out for a drink, okay?
Hello, I'm Jung Woo-hyuk from Jeonju City Hall.
Lee Jin-kyung.
- This is Han Pil-yong. - Nice to meet you.
How do you do?
These socks and scarf are all made from Hanji.
That's amazing. Can they be washed?
This is 'Moju',
crude liquor made with various herbs.
You shake it first.
It's got all kinds of medicinal herbs and...
Thank you.
The project's main focus is to increase demand.
That means more supply.
Then the industry will grow.
That could lead to overseas demand as well...
We also did our own evaluation.
It's not clear if this is for restoration or to raise demand.
Well...
We should go after both...
And there are other ways to raise demand for Korean paper.
But this project aims...
to preserve our precious treasures and...
Also, I don't think this will help support smaller Hanji companies.
Hello? I drank all night for work.
I'm on my way back now.
I'll be home soon. Okay, bye.
You did a great job!
I heard she said she'd positively consider it.
You were there. Didn't you hear her?
I was dozing off.
I couldn't keep up with her drinking.
How did you get that icy woman to soften up?
I said, "You have great skin."
I'll bring all the paper makers for a rally.
Stuff like that.
Honey, the moon's so pretty.
Let's do some exercises.
I feel really good today.
I got $50,000 more from the Culture Ministry.
We can start the first round of restoration now.
$250,000 sounds small compared to $10 million.
But Mr. Lee said I did a tremendous thing.
Some are criticizing me, though. Those bastards.
All I need to do now is talk to the Hanji makers.
The biggest obstacle's gone.
I brought the moon.
A monk in the woods fell in love with the moonlight.
So he brought it along with the water.
He realized when he got home.
Moonlight also disappears when the water is poured out.
Remember quoting Lee Kyu-bo's poetry to me on our school trip?
I fell for you so hard.
You got pregnant and...
we shacked up despite our parents objection.
And when our kid died,
I remember how sad your eyes looked.
Let's bring Sang-hoon back even if it's hard for us.
Your parents...
I'll talk to them.
I want the three of us to live together.
Next is what interests you the most.
The quality standards for Hanji
to be used in the restoration.
You must use inner bark of Korean 'dak',
not the outer bark.
You usually use 'palm' as a diffuser,
but you must use Hibiscus manihot for this project.
Sometimes you use caustic soda for the cooking process,
but you must use traditional lye this time.
Next is 'choji'.
You usually bleach in contained water,
but you must bleach in running water for this project.
Excuse me, but who are you?
- I got permission from upstairs. - Why are you shooting this?
I said I have permission.
This is a meeting. Please leave.
Those are the regulations.
Next, we'll take questions.
People barely use the single-framed webal.
The double-framed sangbal is common.
So why can't we use sangbal as usual?
Webal is Korea's greatest technique of creating paper.
As you all may know,
Webal scoops water from the front and dumps it at the back,
letting water flow side to side to create paper
with its complicating weave of fiber...
I'm asking 'cause I don't know.
My family made paper for four generations
and I started at six.
All the time since my grandfather made paper,
I never heard of regulations for acidity or whiteness.
I don't know what your references are based on.
They're based on the analysis of the Annals of the Chosun Dynasty.
It may be hard to follow them at first,
but you should be able to do it after a few tries.
Hibiscus manihot goes bad after summer.
Can't we use 'palm'?
Yes, it does go bad easily due to the summer heat.
Thus producing less glue.
But with modern science advancing, you can use related equipment.
Using a cooler or freezer will produce more glue.
I can give you advice on such technology.
Can we mix imported dak with Korean dak?
Out of the question.
Imported dak and Korean dak are processed very differently.
Imported dak uses fresh peeled bark,
while Korean dak is cleaned of impurities in the process.
So you must not use imported dak for this project.
Imported dak results in resin imperfections or spots.
They are bad for preservation and printing, so don't use them.
Some people lie about mixing imported dak and sell them.
Can you tell if it's been mixed?
Of course.
Although the two are not completely different,
composition, length, and thickness analysis of fiber identifies them.
The important thing is...
we restore the Annals of the Chosun Dynasty.
It goes against our conscience to use imported dak.
People selling imported dak as if it were the real thing,
and cheap Chinese paper as Hanji ruined the Hanji tradition.
You expect them to have any kind of conscience?
You're saying people who sell imported stuff ruin everything?
No, no. He's not talking about you.
Just that there are a few.
$10 per sheet won't cover half the production cost.
How's that going to help save the Hanji industry?
I can't do it for $10.
I know the price is wrong.
But your name will be in the Annals.
Passing this test will acknowledge you as a master,
and you have the honor of making a masterpiece.
Masterpiece, my ass.
There's no masterpiece in Korea!
We can't make paper like the old Goryeo paper.
Pollution! Water! Our conscience!
That's what's stopping us.
If any of you can make a masterpiece, come out here.
Hey, you.
You take cheap paper and sell it at a high price like you made it.
Can you talk with a straight face?
- You little piece of... - Stop talking nonsense.
Go to hell!
- Get up. - Who is it?
- Fuck, get up! - Okay, okay.
What a disgrace!
What the hell did you do to make a such mess of things?
Sorry, sir.
Raise the price or something
so the masters will take an interest.
We'll find a way, sir.
The mayor's concerned about this.
So do whatever you can to make this project a success.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Show them in.
Come this way.
Did you see "Taean Oil Spill"?
Yes, about the west coast.
Director Min Ji-won here made that.
She's making one about the beauty
and industry of Hanji.
We're providing full support,
so show her around, Mr. Han.
Yes, sir.
I'll be shooting things related to Hanji.
Clothes made of Hanji, scarves of Hanji and fiber,
bamboo fans, crafts like accessories or brooches.
Jeonju Korean food, bibimbap,
bean sprout soup and so on.
Sang-hoo,
Daddy's working so I'll call you back soon.
Okay, I'll come with Mommy on the weekend.
Don't fight with your cousins. Bye now.
Han Pil-yong, Hanji team.
I arranged that yesterday and let you talk to them!
I don't know what she heard,
but she says to film them as they are.
Moving and lighting them will supposedly contort them.
Where are you?
You know the soup place under the overpass?
Okay, I'm on my way. Shit!
Don't get upset and just go and help her.
It'll be broadcast in April so we have to cooperate.
You know that the people upstairs are interested in this.
Hop in!
I saw that you got some award at the Yamagata Film Festival.
You said you'd shoot the beauty of Hanji but what's all this?
Are you a reporter now?
There are Hanji festivals in Wonju, Andong, and Jeonju.
So?
Is the restoration project to beat out the other regions?
Or is there a political agenda?
Look! See things as they are.
Hanji was born in Jeonju.
Hanji makers spread out to other parts of the country.
You know?
We're trying to help small businesses through this project.
The main focus is to create profit and expand the industry.
More demand means more supply,
making the industry grow.
Then there'll be orders from overseas, too.
That's why we're doing it. You know?
I'm Han Pil-yong from City Hall.
You said it was okay on the phone yesterday.
I thought about it but a camera crew makes my job difficult.
Please, I'm not happy, either.
It's hard for me, too.
Come in.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Be careful with them.
This looks good.
Wow, I thought you attached carved wood to furniture,
but you carve the paper itself.
What does the bat shape mean?
It stands for wealth and honor.
Heuksukgol used to be famous, but now it's deserted.
About 1,000 paper makers used to live here though.
That's the 'kalbittuh'.
They used to beat the dak,
but now they use a kalbittuh to increase production.
'Ssangbaltuggi' is a method created by the Japanese
to increase production compared to 'webalteuggi'.
So are you in or out on the restoration?
If I do webalteuggi according to the regulations,
I have to change the facilities and get a technician.
The numbers don't fit.
You were the first to apply for webalteuggi.
That's when I thought it was for $10 million.
I can't change the facilities just for 1,000 to 2,000 sheets.
You can't do that.
You have the largest factory, so you have to take the lead.
It's the city's main project.
Mr. Park of Namsun Paper agreed to participate.
Then we should, too.
I hear Jeil Hanji brought in a scientist to make samples?
Yes, they're very enthusiastic.
See, look.
This was made five years ago.
I could pass with just this.
You know the Hanji industry better than anyone else.
And you're leading the project.
But this project's regulations are too strict.
And its underpaying.
It's unrealistic to offer only half the money to make paper.
You talk as if we're a small-scale business.
Come on Mr. Choi, Jeil Paper is Korea's largest.
- Mr. Han, come on in! - I didn't know it was this far in.
- Remote, huh? - Yes.
I bet there's no pollution.
That's why I came here.
I see.
Mr. Han.
I've used that container for seven years.
And I cant stand it when someone calls me a paper swindler.
Are you going to apply for the restoration project or not?
Lots of people are doing it.
Sir, are you in? Sir!
Who is it?
I'm from the Hanji department. Is your father in?
He's not home.
He said he'd be home all day when I called yesterday.
My old man goes haywire once in a while.
He's not answering his phone.
That means he's getting freakin' wasted at the temple.
How can you talk about your father like that?
And you grabbed him by the throat, too.
You don't know anything.
He's out of control when he's drunk.
He'll get beat up somewhere
if I don't do that.
- Which temple? - Geumdunsa.
Someone's coming from Seoul to see the paper.
So tell the old man to hurry back.
I'm Han Pil-yong from Jeonju City Hall.
Hey, what are you doing here?
You know why I'm here.
I wanted to ask you to join the restoration project.
There are lots of people to do that.
Why are you bothering me?
There aren't many people left who know the traditional ways.
Please participate.
My paper will kill them all!
None of them want me.
Would they want mine to beat 'em? They'd rather kill me.
- Wake up. - Come on, sir...
Come here! Have a drink!
The priest made Songhwaju just for me.
Have some.
He works three years to make this booze for me.
It smells great.
Restoring the Annals of the Chosun Dynasty is important?
Yes, we can introduce the excellence of Hanji to the world.
It's tough for paper makers now,
so we want to create...
Our great Mr. Jang does things far greater than that.
You're too kind.
I'm building a tower for unification on Geumjunsan.
I have the greatest stone mason working on it for two years.
In order to decorate the tower with scriptures and dharani,
I need a paper that can last a thousand years.
Scribing, is the holy act of copying the Buddhist scriptures,
And laying down the words of Buddha.
You write one character and bow once.
It's a process that requires all of your heart and soul.
If it is to last and be passed on to generations,
It must be written on lasting paper.
The only man who can make such a paper
is Mr. Jang Duk-soon here.
What makes you think he can make a 1,000 year paper?
Kumarajiva, an Indian monk who learned Chinese,
translated the 'Diamond Sutra'.
It's a 350-year-old book printed with wood.
The paper is so soft that no one can make it now.
It feels as smooth as a baby's cheeks.
It's thin, strong, tight.
Still, it's as light as a dragonfly's wings.
It's already 350 years old, but it'll last hundreds more.
This is called a ninefold hemp cloth.
You can't change your mind about taking part in it.
I already submitted a report so you can't back out.
Please do.
Thank you, sir.
This is Han Pil-yong.
Why are you so late? It's 11:45 pm.
You, of all people, have to be a part of this.
I'm begging you, please.
I'll call you. Yes, bye.
Why are you waiting outside? It's freezing.
It's going well.
Seven companies are in.
We only need three more.
Who?
Daesung Hanji, Haedong Hanji, Songgang Hanji.
Soondae sausages.
Nam...
I got it at Nammun Market like you said.
It looks good.
Here's salt and toothpicks. Looks delicious, huh?
Eat.
Your hometown, Wolgok.
It's not on the map.
I asked every paper maker I met,
but no one knows it.
There are similar names in South Jeolla and Gyungsang provinces,
but they're not paper making places so that's not it.
Hello? Sang-hoon,
it's late. Why aren't you sleeping?
Yes, I'll come with mom tomorrow.
Okay, okay. Good night. I love you, too.
Your family history, you see...
Your paper making grandfather finally settled down in Wolgok.
Your father exported paper to Japan,
then ran off with another woman.
So you lived with you mother until she passed away.
And you grew up with your mom's relatives, right?
I told the whole family history, but nobody knows.
Think it's near here? Think carefully.
Pull over.
- Why? You remember something? - No.
Mom!
- Sang-hoon. - Dad!
How are you?
- Big brother. - You came.
Come on in.
How are you feeling?
- Hello. - Hello, auntie.
- Hello. - Father, I'm here.
- Sang-hoon's mom. - Mother.
You guys share that.
Come on, hurry up.
Is there any change?
What do the doctors say?
They say she's much better.
Rehab exercises will help her recover.
Although they say that every time...
I'm here to see Ms. Kwak.
- She's in the room at the end. - Thank you.
- Mr. Han! How are you? - Oh, hello.
Hello.
What brings you here?
It's my wife's old studio.
- Everything's going well? - Yes.
Just say what you think.
Brain development, creation, creativity, concentration.
Ms. Kwak, right? I'm Han Pil-yong.
Yes
- Is Hyu-kyung getting better? - Yes, she is.
Tell her to exercise with this.
It'll strengthen her muscles.
This is 'okchoonji' and you wash it in water for days.
The paper just keeps getting stronger and softer.
You can make clothes, scarves,
or use it for paper craft.
I see.
I'm leaving. Keep up the good work.
Good-bye, then.
I'll give it to her. Thank you.
Mr. Han must come often.
No, it's his first time.
His wife has many beautiful pieces that she made.
Try to squeeze harder.
It's still the same.
Hello?
The crew's going there to shoot the tea set and tray.
They say they have to,
so let them in.
No, that's...
Your teacher recommended it.
They'll be there in 30 minutes.
Come in.
- Here they are. - Okay.
I'll give it to her.
Thank you.
They want to see the chamber pot, too.
This chamber pot is made with twisted paper.
It has to be lacquered seven times to not leak.
Where do you use it?
A bride's mom would put it
in the bridal palanquin.
The 18-year-old bride can pee in it,
Or throw up in it if she gets nauseous.
The government and the city put up a total of $500,000.
$30,000 is for using the image of the Annals in Kyujanngak.
Printing costs $150,000.
Then there's the cover and management fees.
That leaves a little over $100,000.
If all the companies qualify,
they each get $10,000.
I'll get straight to the point.
How about a loan of some kind...
I need money to buy dak
and get people together.
I can't do this. It's too hard.
Paper makers have tough lives.
Sir, about the smaller companies...
Couldn't we give them an advance to get things started?
So you've been telling people they'll get some funding.
No reason we can't.
Well get into serious trouble if we get caught!
I don't mean that.
I'm just saying let's advance the funding date,
that's all.
I'm telling you as a friend.
Pil-yong, you're overdoing it.
Working late alone and
getting noticed by the director's good,
but look what's going on around you, man.
Am I doing this for just me?
All I'm saying is, let's help the ones having trouble.
It's not like I'm keeping the money.
Then you guarantee it and get the Culture Institute to pay up.
You got good grades in school. Use your brains.
Stop overdoing it, dickhead.
- Fuck you, man! - What did you say?
You've completely lost it. Are you done, you fucker?
- Sir, he's not worth it. - Let go of me!
Pil-yong! You're dead meat!
Woo-hyuk! You used to copy my answers in school!
Fuck you!
Who does he think he is?
- You're early, sir. - Yeah.
Where's the film crew today?
The director wants to have dinner with them.
- Mr. Han! - They're shooting 'jihwa', sir.
What's jihwa?
- Paper... - Paper flowers, sir.
Make dinner arrangements tonight.
Yes, sir.
I've been there a couple times, but I can't remember.
I turned right at the realtor's and
came 200 meters.
Huh?
I came the wrong way. I'll turn back.
What are you doing here?
Your cell phone's turned off.
The director wants to have dinner tonight.
- I already have plans. - What plans?
I'm having dinner with an accessory maker.
The day after tomorrow looks okay.
You shoot bamboo fans from two to four and that's it.
He's coming.
- Hello, sir. - Let's go in.
Have a seat.
You can take your coat off.
I hear you're working hard.
Thank you for coming to dinner.
Thank you.
Would you like a drink?
Here you go.
You, too.
I'll pour for you.
When is it airing?
It'll be delayed about three months.
I hope it gets finished by the time the restoration is completed.
I heard you know Professor Kim Choon-gi at Jeolla University.
I asked him for an interview, but he hasn't replied yet.
I was hoping you'd help me.
Why do you need him?
They say he uses only traditional hanji for his calligraphy.
Hello.
The interview just started.
Many artists and
calligraphers use 'hwasunji',
but why do you insist on using only hanji?
Do you think you can save hanji through calligraphy?
You compared hanji to a faithful wife and
hwasunji to a concubine.
Could you tell me why?
I'm Han Pil-yong from Jeonju City. Sorry I'm late.
Calligraphy must be good to make hanji look good.
Hwasunji makes even bad writers look like they can write well.
I'll explain as I write on the two papers.
Now watch. This is hwasunji.
Ink is absorbed quickly so it clings to the paper.
Not only that,
It keeps the brush straight,
and makes it look like it goes right through the paper.
So it makes even bad writing look good.
This is the trickery of hwasunji.
This means 'play in talent'.
According to Confucius, it's the most consummate level in life.
This is our hanji.
It doesn't absorb ink immediately,
and looks a bit rough.
You can see all the traces,
so a bad writer's faults cannot be concealed.
Let's look at the two together.
Hwasunji absorbs the ink and
covers up its tracks,
so the ink looks like it's deeply imprinted.
The same person wrote them, but this one looks much better.
It is not his actual writing.
The paper makes it look good.
Look at the hanji though.
It shows every trace of the brush,
so it's very honest.
Hwasunji uses trickery to make bad writing look good.
So, I compared it to a concubine.
Hanji shows up writing as it is and
keeps it for a long time.
So, I compared it to a faithful wife.
Aren't the two papers completely different?
Wasn't hwasunji developed with pulp
after western paper was introduced?
It spreads better and looks good
so it was popular for 100 years.
Yes, but hwasunji...
Hwasunji has its own excellent...
That's enough nonsense!
You're making a film about hanji and
you compliment hwasunji?
Let's not just talk among ourselves.
There's no objective evidence that hanji is good, right?
Yes, there is.
Poet Hwang Jung-gyung's book of poetry in the Song dynasty...
- Listen to me! - Yes.
Bu Wu Yao Lan of Ming,
and Gezhi Jingyuan of Qing dynasty all talk about the beauty of...
I've read them all, too.
Professor.
France, Italy, Japan, China, Thailand
produce the most writing paper...
But Korea isn't regarded as a major manufacturer, right?
Take a look at this.
This was written on hwasunji.
It looks fine at first glance,
but a closer look reveals it is cracked and split,
and it looks ugly with age.
Look at this one.
This was made only 22 years ago.
Look at the ugly discoloration and
how it's cracked everywhere.
It may be because it wasn't taken good care of,
but it happens because it is not very durable.
And you still think hwasunji is good paper?
Look at this one.
This was written on traditional hanji 68 years ago.
Look how graceful it is! Like a beautifully aging lady.
The paper holds the ink well with no cracks or discoloration.
Isn't it beautiful?
This is certain to last for several hundred years.
China developed 'xuanchi', their own traditional paper.
Japan also developed 'washi',
their own traditional paper.
But both are interested in the durability quality of hanji.
International circumstances for calligraphy
are becoming more advantageous to hanji.
Hanji is not simply a material.
It contains our spirit.
If we globalize it along with our spirit,
I believe it will succeed.
How did you end up working on hanji?
There must have been other topics, too.
I was at a film festival abroad a few years ago,
And they had a fashion show for clothes made with hanji.
I was watching it when a foreigner asked me,
"China has xuanzhi and Japan has washi even today."
Wasn't Korean hanji made only in the past?
Do you still make it?
I was shocked by that.
Great job.
Have a drink.
A toast.
Good work everyone.
Yes. It's going well.
We wrap up this month,
so I'll make the deadline.
Yes.
I'll send a rough cut right away.
Yes.
Sorry. I'm pissed off.
This helps.
I should be doing features,
but I'm still stuck in documentaries.
Sense of duty?
I feel I need to tell about things that need to be told.
Is that it?
Want some more?
You go in first!
Turn the lights off. The moon's nice.
Wow! What a great place!
- What happened to your wife? - What?
Oh, it's all my fault.
She found out I was having an affair.
She was already stressed so it came as a huge shock.
She had a stroke and spent six months in intensive care.
She's been home for two years now.
So the other woman was even more beautiful than your wife?
That wasn't it.
She was just comfortable.
By the way, are you married?
You look married, but you also look single.
- I'm divorced. - I see.
He took our kid and I didn't take the settlement.
I wanted the divorce, so why should I take it?
I'm free and single.