She was the only subject Dad would ever paint.
Neither he nor Mom would say who she was.
The Gingko Bed
Starring/ Suk-kyu Han
Hae-jin Shim
Hee-kyung Jin
Hyun-jun Shin
Screenplay/ Jae-kyu Kang
Director of Photography Hee-ju Park
Director of Lighting Kang-san Lee
Producer/ Chul Shin Jung-whan Oh
Director/ Jea-kyu Kang
Come again.
Oh, Lord!
We've gathered to celebrate brother Su-hyun's birthday.
Blessed be the food we have prepared ourselves
because his girlfriend is late.
We're dying for starve.
Oh, Lord!
Forgive us, for we can wait for her no longer.
Our hunger and thirst have overwhelmed us... we're eating!
Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Su-hyun, Happy birthday to you!
Hold it!
Wait!
Sorry I'm late.
Let's cheers!
What the fuck you looking at? Fuck off, scumbag!
Are you deaf or something?
Continuous rain has caused extensive flooding throughout the country.
According to the weather bureau, this typhoon was born...
Change the sofa or buy a bed.
This one's just fine!
Not for making love.
Su-chol's boy sure is big. He's in kindergarden next year.
So what?
Marry me, Sun-young!
I'm happy this way.
I'm not ready for a change yet.
I forgot to buy you a present.
Sorry, your cake got trashed.
I'm such a klutz! That's what I like about you.
Happy birthday. Thanks.
Seen my pager, honey? No...
Where is it then?
It's after 9:00 PM. $15 a cigarette.
Or have you forgotten? More surgery?
Sorry, I'll be back soon.
What happened? Bus and a train collided.
Out of the way!
Around 9:00 PM, the body of an unidentified youth
was found behind the Plaza Hotel.
The victim's heart was ripped out.
Police are looking for leads to the killer's identity.
You smoked 7 more last night That's $100 you owe me.
I'll pay you after I kick the bucket.
How do you feel? Like being raped by a robot.
We'll see everything inside you.
I'm taking my $100 now.
I said, after I die!
What's going on?
What's with the lights?
You don't sleep, you smoke a lot,
you use too much salt, and you never exercise.
You're tempting the grim reaper, you know.
Are you listening? Huh?
What's on your mind?
Can't you hear it? It sounds like a kayagum.
What? A kayagum? Yeah
Maybe CAT Scan screw you up.
Got a kayagum in your ear?
Still hear it?
It's getting louder!
Now what?
Where are you going?
I'm sorry I got it already.
I didn't know you'd be this heavy!
You finally got a bed?
What kind is it?
What? In the trash?
And you want me to sleep in it?
What do you take me for? Throw it out!
Mi-dan? Mi-dan...
Hand in your work next class or face the music!
Oh, no!
Done for the day? Yeah.
Where you going? To my studio.
Coming to the lithography seminar?
No, I'm pressed for time for my exhibition.
Please send my regards.
Good luck. Thanks.
You can stop worrying. He's going to be fine.
Excuse me...
Hey, y-you're...!
Why are we running? No time to explain now.
Stop the truck!
Pull over!
Listen to me.
That man back there means to kill you.
For now... Don't go to your studio.
Stay away from it. Please!
What the hell is going on?
Please just do as I say.
Who is that guy?
Why's he after us?
He's General Hwang's incarnated spirit.
He's been wandering around for 170 years.
General Hwang? No time to explain.
I must leave.
How can you just leave?
What's wrong with my studio?
Why's he out to kill me?
If I don't go now, someone else will die.
I've borrowed someone's body.
So, who are you...? Please believe me.
Mi-dan... I am Mi-dan.
Mi-dan?
Hey, you asshole! You wanna die?
Get down!
I said get off!
Are you nuts or something?
We don't know how to thank you.
My brother would have wanted that.
I'm happy that in dying, his eyes gave sight to another.
It's not much.
Please accept our condolences.
It would feel like we'd sold his eyes to you.
No thank you.
They said he'd be okay!
You! You killed him!
How else could you explain it?
Your surgery failed!
Now who would want to kill him?
Think I did it? You did it?
Or a ghost did it? Now look!
At what? Out of my way!
Move! Now calm down!
So you're gonna kill me now?
Let go!
You think you can get rid of me that easy?
You're dead meat, I swear!
Let go!
It's been so long.
At last meeting you again.
I should cry out with joy. But I'm saddened.
This guy isn't the Jong-mun you knew.
Stop making me so miserable.
Hello?
This is she.
What's that?
What are you saying?
How could this be? He's come back to life.
You've got to be kidding. I wish I were.
Don't say a word.
Where's the patient now? Who was his doctor?
What's going to happen now?
Is it true his eyes were donated?
It's nothing but a hallucination.
Nothing at all.
Just a dream.
Police. Hello?
This is the police. Who is this?
Are you calling about the murder?
Hello?
You finally made a victim of love.
Is this your way of saying hello?
It's no use hiding from me.
Come out of there.
Aren't you tired of being in there?
How could this have happened?
What do I do?
If only we hadn't performed the transplant.
I'm a laughing stock.
Pronounce a living patient dead and remove his eyes.
It's international news. That might be so,
but this whole thing is no one's fault.
I don't want your sympathy. That's not what I'm giving.
He was my patient, so I'm responsible.
How could I be so stupid? Now stop that.
He returned to life and I'm dead.
It's all over.
See you tomorrow.
What are you doing? You startled me.
I've got to go back to the hospital.
I saw the results. You're not gonna die. Don't worry.
You're perfectly fine.
Look at me.
Do I look normal? What's wrong with you?
Do I look normal? No jokes now, please.
I'm not joking. I was dead.
I tell you, I was dead!
The patient was dead. I'm sure he was.
Some guy is out to kill me.
Don't worry, you'll come back to life.
I'm not joking!
Stop oooling around!
I saw the body. It was me.
Well, I don't believe it. It only happens in movies.
It wasn't in movies. I saw with my own eyes!
How's it possible?
But I was dead! I know I was!
What's wrong with you? I'm having a breakdown.
Well, so am I. So what?
I'm going crazy!
I wish I had it so lucky. I'm dying!
Someone's trying to kill me.
Go tell someone else! Please listen to me!
Shut up! Leave me alone!
This is the worst day of my lioe.
I don't understand. What's happening?
No way! Can't be true.
They said he was dead, so we donated his eyes.
And look what happened!
It's all that stupid doctor's fault.
So, your family didn't check to see if he really died?
What could we do but believe the doctor?
Can you believe it? Now he's blind.
Some hospital, eh?
You take him there to save his life and look what happens.
Amidst the confusion surrounding this case,
one thing remains clear, a corpse cannot be revived.
They'll close us down.
Anything to say?
Any recommendations?
We can't look at this emotionally.
We should investigate further... Investigate!
What don't you know, Dr. Kim?
I know it sounds strange,
but sometimes miracles do happen.
Miracles? Are you nuts, Dr. Kim?
A resurrection?
This is a hospital!
It's not a hokey religious shrine.
It's not a magic trick, either.
I can't believe a doctor would say that.
But he was really dead!
Really?
Well, for a dead man,
his heartbeat was certainly loud and clear!
I can't deny that. But you deny he was alive.
I'm referring to the moment of death.
Oh, you just pronounced him dead.
And you wash your hands?
The transplant team confirmed it also.
So, it's their oault?
I did my job. How can you say that?
Things are going to downhill and who's to blame?
How can you accuse me? It's me being blamed!
What do you want from me? To get the hell out of here!
Now!
Dr. Ryu!
You tell him he's going to pay for this.
Here, this is for you.
Oh, thanks...
At first,
I thought it was just an illusion.
I'm meeting Yun-soo. Want to go?
Bet you think I've done off the deep end.
Next time they appear let me know.
I'd like to see a ghost. I know.
I didn't believe it, either.
But in my dream... Hey, buddy!
I'd hate to see you end up on the funny farm.
But if you keep this up...
I got to go.
I hope I'll still look good when I'm old.
Will you still be with me?
Death won't seem so cold with the one I love beside me.
I remember the first time we met.
It seems like yesterday but it's been 7 years.
That old sofa has got to go. That old bed does, too.
We need our own bed.
I used to hate talking about marriage.
I guess I'm getting old.
Happy birthday, darling.
Oh, my eye!
Again?
Stop smoking. Make me.
Give it back to me. What are you doing? Want to try one.
I saw you last night in my dream.
My great-great grandfather made your bed.
It's from a gingko tree that Gen. Hwang laid a curse on.
It was long time ago.
How did you know I had the bed?
Mi-dan told me.
People can't see or hear her.
When she came to warn you the other day,
she had to steel someone's body.
But she can't do that anymore.
She can't stay in this world.
She and Gen. Hwang were given
eternal life by the spirits of good and evil.
This, love and hate competes for perfection.
My great-great grandfather carved the faces on the headboard
in hope that Mi-dan and Jong-mun would be brought together again.
She had to kill someone a few days ago
to save you from Gen. Hwang.
The spirit of love was angered and left her.
You can never see her again.
Who was Jong-mun?
You were a court musician.
You were the best.
Soft as the water and sharp as the sword.
Your music was the sounds of the wind,
the insects, and your own heart.
Just listen.
Can you hear it? That was you.
That music has been buried for centuries.
It was the music of angels. No one could imitate it.
Gen. Hwang started a war over Princess Mi-dan.
He took her as his prize,
but she never opened her heart
to his selfish and suffocating love.
Today, you've been in my country for 1,000 days.
I rather choose death than leave you.
I shall become your shadow, and never leave you again.
Cultural property #348. This monument marks
the unusual love between two Gingko trees
170 years ago a natural disaster destroyed one,
and later the other died.
After death,
the gods reunited Mi-dan and Jong-mun as two ginkgo trees.
So they could always be together in rain and snow.
And they were blessed by heaven and earth.
Never apart, never lonely.
But nothing remains unchanged.
Love beckons jealousy and happiness envy.
Gen. Hwang returned as a hawk and separated them once more.
She was beautiful.
Long hair and medieval dress.
When she entered my body, it felt like electricity.
I felt every cell heating up.
After she left me, I knew that I had died.
How could you know that?
You'll know it when you die.
There are no words to describe it.
It may have been a dream. Only the living can dream.
I talked with a reporter and he thought I was crazy.
I may be blind now.
But I'm not angry
because, inside, I can see more than I ever could before.
Where are you?
Can you see me?
Touch me?
How can I see you?
How...?
How long has it been?
For the 3 of us. You want to touch him,
to hold him and feel his breath.
You'd like to talk all night.
But never again.
You little musician is gone.
Time and destiny has favored me.
Pitiful friend.
All's fair.
Now it's your turn to suffer as I have.
How does it feel?
You've eluded me for the last time.
Oh, my dimming star!
You've forsaken the god of love for him.
I'll protect you now.
3 flowers grew on 3 mountain peaks.
My late brother led me there.
I asked him not to, but he stayed with me.
I walked on a huge body of water.
Suddenly a light appeared in front of me.
A brilliant light.
I found myself inside a dark coffin.
My late wife greeted me.
Told me to change my name to Won-sook Kim.
I'd died in the accident.
Then this Won-sook Kim entered my body.
I was clearly dead, but no one believes me.
This old man was yelling at me.
He said, "you'd come too soon!"
Mi-dan was here again.
She said burn that bed
and never return to your studio.
That's her wish.
Where is she?
She's distracting the general.
There's no time. Hurry now!
What'll happen to her if I burn the bed?
Heaven is her reward.
She's not of this world, anyway.
Forget about her.
I can't do that. It's for everyone's good.
She's waited a 1,000 years for me...
There's no other way.
Then I'll face Gen. Hwang.
If I die, so be it!
How can you suspend me? What's your justification?
How can you say that? You mutilated a patient.
Mutilated a patient? I mutilated no one!
It's doctors like you who give the good ones a bad name.
I'll show you who's good and who's not.
Where are you, Hwang?
Don't hide like a coward.
What do you want? My life? This bed?
Kill me, if it means you can take Mi-dan.
Take the bed with you, too.
What are you waiting for?
Come on, slice my head off!
Come on!
Come cut off my head!
Su-hyun...!
Please, release me.
There's a stupid man
who has loved one woman for 1,000 years.
But his love was ignored.
The world always treated me poorly.
People laughed behind my back.
But no more. Now I'm the judge.
Now you'll know the pain
and loneliness I've suffered.
Don't you dare oppose me.
You've no choice now but to exist for me.
There!
Can't you hear it?
Heaven is praising our love.
They're beckoning us to return.
Let's go live in a world made just oor us.
Just you and I alone.
Come, take my hand.
Take my hand.
What are you waiting oor?
Come on!
Torture me no more.
I don't wish to spill more blood.
One favor then.
Let me see him one last time.
Just once. For a moment.
And if I don't? You'll never have my soul.
You've killed us twice before.
It's clear you'll do it again.
But what have you gained?
He's not even from our world.
If I don't see him now, I'll never see him again.
Please, just one last time before we go?
I'll do whatever you wish if you honor this last request.
Mi-dan made that patient die and come back to life.
I don't believe it.
You can't stay here. Go now.
I want to see oor myself whether it's true.
I need to see to believe it.
Go now, before you get hurt.
Your face is full of longing.
You look like a stranger.
You're not Su-hyun but the musician, Jong-mun.
What does Mi-dan look like?
It feels different in a woman's body.
Everyone's soul is of a unique color.
Know what color this one is?
You jealous?
You've been where I should be for 1,000 years!
Sun-young? A 1,000 years.
Over a 1,000 years.
Get out oo her body! I could stay in here forever.
But don't worry. I won't stay in here.
I'm not like you.
Tonight, during the eclipse, you'll meet Mi-dan here.
For the last time.
Aren't you excited?
Send Mi-dan back by the end of the eclipse,
or this doctor will never wake up.
Don't worry! Mi-dan will borrow this body.
Remember that. Before the eclipse is over.
Sun-young...!
Wake up, Sun-young! Please...!
It's alright. Sun-young...!
Come to! I'm okay.
Where is the patient's chart?
I don't know who's in charge.
No one answers the phone.
What happened? Where have you been?
I tried to call you. Where are you?
What? What are you talking about?
I'll find out what it is like to die tonight.
And everyone will find out
why and how my patient died and came back.
Please tell our esteemed administrator.
I'd be honored if he attends my clinical death.
The show starts at 8:00 PM. Go to your studio.
Don't do this, Sun-young.
Please calm down. I'm perfectly calm.
This is foolish. What purpose will it serve?
It will clear my name. How can I refuse?
That's not important. You could die.
He'll come anyway.
Don't feel so guilty. It's not your fault.
Please change your mind. There's no time. Go now.
I'm not going. Whatever. See you.
Would you listen?
Go to your studio. No way.
This is my affair. I'll decide what I do.
It's not worth your life!
It's important to me. You can't!
It's unavoidable. I said, you can't go.
Why? Who give you right to say that?
I'm sorry.
They took my license today.
Why should I suffer?
You know how hard I've worked?
How long and hard I studied?
While others worked with tutors, I tutored kids.
Even when my Dad died, my brothers gave up the studies
but I still continued my studies.
Now just when things were getting good...
I don't die so easily.
You know how much I love you.
I'll make it through.
Everything will be alright.
Go now.
And see her for the last time.
In a few moments, at 9:07 PM, the lunar eclipse begins.
Tonight the skies are unusually clear.
Let's meet the members of the Astronomy Club from Mt. Nam.
She says she will die as her soul exits her body.
She also says someone else will use it
during the eclipse and will return it.
She can't just die at will. She must be out of her mind.
Absolutely.
It's now 9:02 PM.
Just 5 minutes remain before the eclipse begins.
What are you showing us?
Are you planning a magic show?
You tell me whether it's magic.
You think I've got time to watch your foolish show?
I've no time for foolish shows, either.
I'd rather you just left now.
Are you afraid I might be right?
It's now 9:07 PM.
And the eclipse has begun.
Were it not for Copernicus,
we might think God was sitting on the moon.
Dr. Ryu...!
Dr. Ryu!
Snap out of it! Dr. Ryu!
Wake up! Dr. Ryu!
I've waited for 170 years in that bed.
But the gods won't even grant us one night.
I'd wait hundreds of years for another moment like this.
In time, we'll meet again.
I'll never forget this sweet moment.
No matter where you are, no matter what you become,
I'll forever be by your side.
Forever I promise.
No... don't go!
Please go now.
If I don't return... No...
There's no time. Please...
No!
Please!
Dr. Ryu!
Open your eyes!
Can you hear me?
Dr. Ryu! Please, snap out of it!
Shaking her won't bring her back.
Eclipse is over.
Put her in the morgue.
Don't touch her! This is her own decision!
We must wait until she returns.
If you believe her, why don't you die, too?
I couldn't. I'm not as brave as her.
You're just the same... Well, you're fired, too.
Take her body and get out!
Out of the way!
Move over!
Have you all gone mad?
Sir, are you okay?
You broke your promise.
Enjoy your reunion with Mi-dan?
I told you to let her go before the eclipse ended.
You didn't keep your word.
Now, get away from the bed.
Get out of here!
I'm taking back my bed.
You think she's in the bed?
Where is she, then?
Here, in my heart!
Then I'll have to take it.
You can never have Mi-dan!
You can't have her.
She is not yours!
You'll never have her.
It's finally over.
First the doctor, and now you.
Come and get me.
What the hell do you know about anything?
For hundreds of years, you twisted your roots together in love.
All I could do was sit and watch.
You forgot everything and entered this world,
while I've pursued her around the earth.
Know what loneliness is?
And solitude?
You'll soon find out.
No! No!
Come out, Mi-dan!
Come out of the bed!
Please!
Don't do this to me!
Come on!
Out of the bed!
Mi-dan!
No! No!
Come out!
Please! Come out!
Please...!
Please...
This is the last thing my master made.
He told me to give it to you.
On the night Dad died,
Mom told me about her for the first time.
Your dad has finally gone to where he must go.
Someday,
we'll be able to understand him.
Because we love him.