Since 1959, more than 90.000 Koreans living in Japan emigrated to North Korea.
They are often referred to as "Returnees" Going back to Japan... It's very hard.
Our Homeland Translated by: cRosKy
Summer of 1997
It's been three days already.
What happened?
I'm sure he'll come back.
Mothers can feel it.
Mr. Hong Gi!
Embassy of North Korea from Beijing called!
He already left Pyongyang, now he boarded the plane from Beijing.
- He'll arrive in the afternoon. - You did it!
Seong Ho is coming.
It's at 2PM.
I think it will be informal. Come to the city hall, instead of going to the airport.
I have a meeting with Taejo. Send my regards to the directors.
- Can I go there too? - No, you're...
He'll be happy to meet Rie there.
Three months from now, right?
I'll get going then.
We're Closed Today
You've faced many hardships for the past five years.
That's how life is in China. Your family must have suffered too...
Hopefully we can find a cure.
- I must get going. - Hmm.
- Ah. - Vice Chairman!
- Thank you for coming. - Thank you.
- How long will he stay in the hospital? - Three months.
I'm going to do everything I possibly can.
Even if he stays in the hospital longer, he must be cured.
- Ah! - Thank God!
- Long time no see! - Ah!
- What a beautiful lady you've become... - I don't like it much.
Your family members have arrived.
Everyone, thank you for your hard work. This is the time of the Great Kim Il Sung...
In the name of our great leader Kim Jong Il...
As you're visiting your family in Japan...
I wish you to be healed completely upon the end of your visit.
Once again, to contribute to the development of our socialist homeland...
...I hope you will be able to return to Pyongyang safely.
In case you or your family faces any problems while in Japan...
...Korean Life Counseling Centre will be at your disposal.
We will help you the best way possible.
That is all.
Are you alright?
Father and uncle, I arrived safely.
How is your body? Are you tired?
Father, this is comrade Yang Dong Ji.
Nice to meet you, sir.
I accompanied Seong Ho for his visit.
- Thank you so much. You must be tired. - I'm alright.
These are my uncle and my sister.
Excuse me for a moment.
Brother...
- Do you like uncle's car? - Yes.
You can use this car as you wish while you're here.
What do you want to do first?
A bath?
I want to wash my hair.
Mother cooked delicious food, waiting for us.
His family members are.
His father is the vice-chairman of the Tokyo branch.
Mother earns her living by managing a teahouse.
Her younger sister lives in Japan.
She's teaching Japanese in university.
Uncle...
Please stop.
Mother...
Seong Ho!
How are you feeling? Does it hurt? Are you okay?
I'm okay...
Well, you're tired, right? Let's go inside, come on.
I have something to tell to the entire family.
Rie! Hey, Rie!
Mother!
While he stays in Japan for three months...
...there will be one assistant from the organisation in case of an emergency.
And as Yoon stays in Japan...
...it is forbidden for him to leave Tokyo.
His stay here is not officially registered. Please keep this fact in mind.
There will be a Japanese security watching.
Well... Now, if you'll excuse me...
I feel like I'm being watched, for some reason.
Because it's his job to watch.
To my beautiful son, who has returned after 25 years.
- Have a great treatment! - My brother will stay happy for 3 months!
- Now, let's toast! - Cheers!
Brother, you don't have to drink it like that in Japan.
Father, cheers!
Seong Ho, you'll be in hospital tomorrow. Don't drink too much.
- In Japan, you must follow the treatment. - Yes.
Japanese beer... is delicious.
- Mom has been cooking for 25 years. - Your favourite things are ketchup, mayo...
- Hamburger! - Hamburger!
Hamburger... Come on, eat it all.
Not long ago, she used to cry by looking at your pictures.
Stop it!
After all, it's worth spending money on my own brother.
That's what mothers do.
It must have been great to leave this heaven behind...
Seong Ho! Why don't you eat anything?
Eat to your heart's content!
Anyway, heal yourself and go back.
That's your duty.
My great family.
Yes!
Hello! I wanted to give you something.
Look Seong Ho...
- Wow! - Great meat!
I'm always in debt to you... Get inside. We were waiting for you.
Today is a family day. I should leave you alone.
You don't have to...
Seong Ho, Rie... Come.
Seong Ho...
How much does it cost?
- This is too much... - The rotten capitalism is not that bad.
I mean, I disagree with your thoughts...
...but I love you because you're like my own.
Spend it as you please. Sleep tight!
- Rie. - Yes?
Come in.
Huh? What is it? It's okay.
Sung Tae will be expecting a present.
I'll get him soccer ball and shoes.
- He must be grown up. - He's old.
You want me to come along, don't you?
You're going to a reunion tomorrow. Let's buy some clothes.
Okay.
Alright. I must dress properly.
His sister might join as well.
- Brother. - Yes?
Welcome back.
I'm home.
- Morning. - Morning.
You woke up early.
Waking up early became a habit of mine.
Thank you.
- Rie. - Yes?
What is that? The thing next to the picture.
- Pigs? - Yes.
Those are piggy banks, to send you money.
I put money every time I see your face.
- You used to help me a while ago. - I'm sorry.
At this age, you don't even know how to cook. I don't know if you can get married.
No man would accept that.
Do you have a boyfriend?
I don't like Japanese men. Although I am Korean, no Koreans either.
Not even Americans. There are a lot of requirements.
We ate ramen at our wedding, right?
Maybe she won't even have anyone to eat ramen with.
- Yoon Seong Ho. - Yes.
You are from Korea.
- Sorry, not Korea. From Chosun. - Sorry?
He's from North Korea. He's here for treatment.
- If you can't explain properly... - Ah...
My brother was born in Japan. He moved to North Korea, and lives in Pyeongyang.
Ah...
I was diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago.
Medical technology in Pyeongyang is quite limited...
It took him five years to get permission from Japan for treatment.
Can you stay in Japan?
No.
Only for a limited period. I have to return to Pyeongyang in 3 months.
- Alright... Get ready for MRI. - Okay.
The test results will be ready in 3 days. We'll get in touch with you.
- Thank you very much. - Thank you.
Okay, you will move in there.
Thank you very much.
Come here for a second.
Hey... Seems like a hotel.
Don't forget it.
Seong Ho!
You were alive!
I'm not seeing a ghost, am I?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
- You have not changed at all. - He spoke Japanese!
I'm glad I didn't say anything bad.
Oh, right!
Come on!
Welcome!
Come in, come in.
Oh, wait. Be careful.
He's a right-wing journalist.
- I'm neutral! - Come on!
Seong Ho, welcome.
- Sit down. - Oh, yes.
Beer glasses.
Now! Here you go!
Seong Ho.
I missed you.
- We all studied together... - You mean...
Why did you study history so persistently?
I liked it.
Is your sister coming?
Yeah, she's coming.
Thanks.
I'm glad you're back.
After you went to North Korea, I went home and talked with my father...
It was a big deal.
I'm glad I will see Su Ni. Thank God I changed my mind.
Oh, sorry...
Back then, you'd want to go to North Korea. Everyone considered it.
- Su Ni's husband is a doctor. - She's treated like a princess.
- Why do you say that? - It's true though. I envy her.
I'm late!
My rival, welcome! You still look pretty!
Long time no see.
Thank you.
- Here you go. - Thank you, Cho Ri.
- Give me just a little. - Okay.
Great! Let's make a toast!
Well... Congratulations on our 25th reunion! Best of luck with the treatment. Cheers!
How do you feel about Japan after 25 years? Has it changed much?
It must have changed, right?
- He got here yesterday. - Here you go.
What has changed is, there are many gays like me and Japanese people are open-minded.
Still, different kinds of discrimination exist but... Things are better than before.
I am a minority among minorities. I know that.
- I've been working on that. - What a noisy gay guy!
Even if you guys make fun of me, Seong Ho has always been kind to me.
He also taught me how to study...
He also gave me lunchboxes...
Cho Ri...
Sorry.
Thanks.
Look, I want to hear Seong Ho's story.
Are you married? Got a wife? Anyone from Japan?
Or a woman in North Korea? Children? What do you do?
Hey... What have you been doing? I want to hear about the past 25 years!
- Where is the bathroom? - Over there.
Why do you ask such questions?
But... I want to hear it.
He will go back to North Korea. He's not allowed to speak much.
I doubt the second lieutenant of the association would say something.
When he goes back, he'll have to explain everything.
Where he went, to whom he talked to...
Depending on what he says, his family might suffer.
Don't scare me... You senseless prick.
You don't know anything...
You're not allowed to sing Japanese songs.
It's impossible to receive outside news or information.
Right... Guitar...
Seong Ho, sing a song like you used to. Do you remember anything?
Not sure...
Seong Ho used to listen to the records Su Ni sent him, every night.
- White Swing? - Yes.
Su Ni had fun every time Seong Ho played the guitar.
Cho Ri, play it!
I wonder if you remember
That white swing
The two of us rocked in the breeze
That white swing
I'm always lonely in the evening
You said, your narrow shoulders shivering
And when I kissed you
The white, white swing swayed gently
It still rocks in my heart
That white swing
It watched our young love
That white...
Somehow... My throat got dry.
Alright. Let's drink now!
I want to drink, too! Cho Ri, drink!
Let's drink until we drop!
- I'm gonna drink everything here! - Alright, drink them!
- It tastes amazing! - Finish them all.
Take care!
Hurry up! What the hell are you doing?
- You'll get scolded by your husband! - Thank you.
- Next time, let's go to the hot springs! - Hot springs? You go alone!
Of course!
What happened? Oh, not me.
You should go home as well!
Thank you.
Good night.
Take care of yourself.
Are you blind now? I am no different than a woman.
- Are you cheating on me? - Go to the car! Where did you park it?
- There's a place I know. - Here we go.
Mother...
- Come in. - We're home.
- Wanna take a bath? - I'm okay for today.
Ah, sorry.
What's wrong?
- Oh... - Where have you been until now?
- I met my friends. - Didn't I tell you not to disappear?
Today is just...
Rie, don't drag him around.
He came back for treatment.
- Huh? - Yes...
- Good night! - Good night to you too.
- He's been waiting here? - He was.
- He didn't move at all? - Exactly.
I got scared.
- Enjoy your tea. - Thank you.
Oh, thank you!
Yes.
Thank you very much!
- Is this a suitcase? - Yes, it is.
Shall we go in and take a look?
Rie, Rie. Come.
What?
- Wait a second. - Next to it?
You can travel to many countries with this luggage.
Many countries...
The price is...
100.000.
Did you like it?
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- How are you? How's your daughter? - Thanks, all is well.
She'll have the cosmetic surgery next week.
Oh, is that so? Thank God.
She will look beautiful.
The doctor said it takes about half a year to see the progress.
We'll have the test results tomorrow.
Let's hope for the best. You can send her back after full recovery.
- Rie. - Yes?
- I need to talk to you. - What is it?
- What? - Nothing...
I'm sorry, never mind.
What do you mean by 'never mind'?
- Nothing... - What?
You have to answer frankly.
What?
In the future, if... I mean...
If you met someone, talking about reporting or something...
...then would you mind working for them?
Work?
No, I mean... I'm asking if you'd be interested.
That's... Like spies, same work as agents, right?
It's not that great.
I meet a lot of people and report what they talk about.
If you refuse, would they hurt you?
If you accept it, will you gain anything in return?
No, I don't care what happens.
Really? Don't you find it problematic?
Yeah, it doesn't matter to me.
I'm not interested at all! I don't even want to get involved in it!
Tell your boss exactly what I'm saying.
Tell him that your sister is against all the ideas of North Korea.
- Sorry I can't help you. - No need to apologize.
Tokyo National University Faculty of Education
Teacher Rie!
I'm sorry, but...
All of a sudden, I got assigned to the Seoul headquarters, starting next week.
- Congratulations! That's nice! - Thank you!
- I will be all alone. - Please come to Seoul.
I'll try a lot of restaurants.
I can not go to Korea. Work hard in Seoul.
- It was delicious. - Yes.
Seong Ho, come to the restaurant.
Alright.
I heard you talking to Rie.
Have you been ordered to do the work behind the scenes?
I know where you stand as a citizen.
No, you don't know. You don't know.
You can't know anything! You can't know!
You don't know anything...
But...
I don't want you to get involved in being an agent.
Back then, many people...
...left the country with high hopes.
But you...
I wonder where your uncle Taejo... found all that money.
Focus on your treatment.
Heal yourself and go back home.
Is that the only thing you have to say?
Is that all you have to say to me?
Always... Always... You always talk about the same thing.
What the hell?
Why are you waiting here?
You can tell him yourself.
Isn't that so? Speak to me!
Don't force him to work for you. Say it yourself!
Do you know Japanese?
You listen to everything that's being said in our house!
Why don't you answer me?!
I really hate your country, too!
In that country you hate...
...your brother and I live together.
Until he dies, he will live like that.
Well, there's obviously a malignant tumor in this part of Yoon's brain.
Surgery is pretty risky, but it's not impossible to treat.
But, careful preparation and post-operation treatment and follow-up are required.
Um... In North Korea...
...medical care... medical world... is clueless about it.
It would be hard to have the surgery and return to North Korea in that condition.
Then...
Isn't there anything you can do?
You know... He might be able to extend his stay to half a year, so...
I beg you. Please save our son.
If you can't do surgery, try to cure it with drugs...
It would be difficult to cure without following the progress...
Is it impossible to get in contact with the hospital in Pyongyang?
Only among important people... There's a political problem between the countries.
What happens if the tumor grows?
Paralysis or memory loss... If it gets worse, dementia is possible.
In the worst case... it's life-threatening.
How long do I have?
We can't predict it at the moment.
- Thank you. - Sorry I can't help you.
Only if I could turn back time...
How much did I donate!
He must keep coming back to Japan several times until he's well!
South is okay... Why can't the North?!
That's why I disagreed with you on sending Seong Ho there.
A 16 years old kid... In a country he's never seen before.
With only a one-way ticket...
Before boarding your return flight, visit Niigata Red Cross Hospital.
Brother, don't you care about Seong Ho?
'Uncle, would it bother my father if I don't go?' he asked...
He shouldn't be spending the rest of his life alone!
Stop it.
What do you mean, stop?
I can't stop, brother.
Seong Ho! I'll find a solution!
I will! I will do everything I can!
This disease... Can't be cured.
I will never forgive you.
Rie!
I don't understand what your ideology is, but...
I will never forgive you.
Hello?
It's me, Rie. Am I speaking to Su Ni?
Sorry, but... We got my brother's test results.
I was wondering if your husband can help.
Yes?
- Is this Mr. Yang? - Yes.
- Is it okay to speak on external line? - Yes.
- Is this comrade Yang? - Yes, sir!
I'm Han Jin Soo. Tomorrow, you must contact the visitors.
Everyone must return.
You mean right away?
Are you questioning me, comrade Yang?
No, Sir!
I will contact you again about the plane that will take you to Pyongyang.
I understand, sir.
What? Tomorrow...
No...
- It says brain surgery for tumor... - It would be great if he accepts.
- Would you like coffee? - Yes.
- Here. - Thank you.
- I don't need milk. - Sure?
- Mom. - Yes? Ah, okay.
- I'm going back. - What?
I think we'll hear from the manager soon, but... I'm going back tomorrow.
I will be back in Pyongyang tomorrow.
- What are you talking about? - I think I'm going home tomorrow.
What's going on?
They decided.
What?
They do it all the time.
What?
I must get ready.
The coffee was delicious.
What's going on?
- Brother! - Sung Tae's soccer shoes...
I'm gonna go alone.
Seong Ho!
I was surprised when you called suddenly.
- Sorry. - No, no.
I'm happy.
I was afraid about the test results.
Rie called me.
I've already spoken to my husband. We'll find another hospital right away.
I'm sure he'll manage somehow.
If you didn't have to go by then...
I'm sure that 'if' cannot be changed.
Seong Ho! Why did you stop talking?
While you're in Japan, at least we've seen each other.
I want you to tell me something.
I'm going back.
What?
Tomorrow... I must go back to Pyongyang urgently.
What are you talking about?
What happened?
Not sure! All I know is that someone from there gave a call!
I would love Seong Ho to get treatment more than anything!
However, it's not possible.
What is the reason for this?
I got a call from Pyongyang yesterday.
They asked all the citizens that are in other countries to go back at once.
I've heard that before.
More than that...
...I understand how all you parents feel like.
Parents? Feeling?
I also have children.
Don't you know that you can't disagree with the decisions made by the North Government?
I know how you feel...
What do you know?
Everyone you know is in Japan!
What do you take the other people for?!
The surgery has been decided upon! My daughter was happy!
I don't... I also don't wish to send Seong Ho back there!
Didn't you hear everything I said?
Didn't you come here to get cured?
Why is it happening?
Are we going to say goodbye like this?
Su Ni... I want you to smile.
I hope you'll keep smiling.
I don't understand.
It happens all the time.
Let's not talk about it.
But... It's a decision without any reason. I really don't know if that's true.
In that country, the reason... doesn't mean a thing.
I don't know.
In that country, you don't think; you follow the commands.
Just follow their orders.
If you think about it...
My head... It gets weird.
You have to think about...
...how to survive. That's all.
You can prevent accidents.
Accidents.
Relax, and you can prevent accidents.
No... No... I don't like that.
I do. I have no choice but to live like this.
Everything is alright.
It's okay...
But, you know what?
Don't cry.
You know what? I want you to think and live your life.
Think a lot.
Think about how you can live... Live conscientiously.
I don't know.
It's your life! It's your life! Okay?
But I don't want to...
It's your life...
It's your life, not anyone else's.
Don't let anyone intervene with your decisions.
Go wherever you want to go.
Enjoy every day fully.
You must live your life freely.
Father.
I'm ready for the flight.
Seong Ho, wait a minute...
There is a suit in the second floor, give it to Mr. Yang.
He's going back from Japan. He can't go dressed like that.
Okay.
I can't do anything like this, and I'm a pathetic mother.
Are you still a good person? You should do it.
You have no time, come on!
Mr Yang.
Your mother prepared it.
I write this letter with my poor Korean.
Far away, from the mother in Japan.
I can't do anything for my sick son.
All I can do is to believe in your country.
We sincerely ask you to take care of him for the future.
I heard that you have three children.
Please use it for your family.
Mother of Seong Ho.
Seong Ho, as long as you're alive, you'll be alright.
Comrade Yoon.
Seong Ho! Seong Ho! Take care of yourself!
I'll come and see you, okay?
Wait a second.
Comrade Yoon, let's go.
I wonder if you remember
That white swing