The Ugly (2025) Movie Script
It's just a misconception, really.
That blind people can't
truly grasp the idea of beauty.
No, blind folks like me,
we really think a lot
about what people
see as beauty.
I've spent years
searching for that beauty,
traveling across the country
visiting tombstones and monuments,
touching and discovering
the beauty
our ancestors left behind.
You've been through so much.
Of course, of course.
But there's something
I've been curious about.
Your hands are
remarkably delicate.
- My hands?
- Yes.
I expected people who engrave,
to have calloused hands,
but yours are so smooth,
do you do anything
to take care of them?
I take meticulous care
of my hands.
These hands...
They're like my eyes,
you know?
I see and feel through them.
What about that scar?
Oh, this?
I hurt myself when I was young...
For us,
learning a job can be hard.
Ordinary people like us
can't even imagine
how hard that must have been...
Let's shift gears a bit.
You're a stamp engraving artisan,
but also a single dad
of your son, who now runs.
Cheongpung Engraving.
- Hm?
- Yes.
I think our viewers
would be curious
about that part of your life.
Why would they be
curious about that?
Raising a child alone
is hard enough,
let alone as someone
who's visually impaired.
Everyone tries to
raise their kids well,
even in hardship.
Kids pretty much grow up
on their own
if you let them.
Children don't grow up
on their own,
you raised him!
That's what we're curious about.
About your struggles
and the thoughts you had...
It was hard.
Yes.
What's the use of
dwelling on hardships?
Feel free to take your time.
The current time is 3:04 p.m.
Dong-hwan, let me take
a short break.
Father, they're busy people.
I'm sorry, one moment.
- My apologies.
- We should continue a bit more...
Sorry, I didn't realize
how quickly time flew.
- It was so fascinating.
- Sorry about that.
Let's take a short break,
I'm sorry.
- Have a smoke, father.
- Take five, everyone!
Here's the door.
(Commendation)
Dong-hwan, your father is
truly remarkable.
He's more than I could ever
hope to deserve.
Just look at this!
Im Yeong-gyu is proof
that miracles are real.
What a headline.
What's this?
Oh, that?
It's an old photo
from when he first opened
his engraving stand.
It's the only old photo we have.
You look just like him.
Well,
I thought so too,
so, a long time ago,
I told him
how much I look like him.
What did he say?
Was he happy to hear it?
He just stood quietly, thinking.
I guess
maybe he was reflecting
on the idea of resemblance,
since he's been blind from birth.
That's true.
He's never even seen his own face,
I never thought of it like that.
Where did you put the ashtray?
Here, give it to me.
- Have you rested enough, sir?
- Oh, yes, yes.
- Shall we continue?
- Sure.
Let's continue the shoot!
- Camera.
- Coming.
- Sorry about that.
- Not at all.
Let's get a close up of his hand.
Good to go.
Let's take it slow.
(The Ugly)
Father.
- Is it tea time already?
- Yes.
It's hot.
Got it.
I got it.
Is it tough
doing these interviews?
They've been
pestering me for days,
acting like this is some big deal.
The last news segment
only took half a day to shoot.
Just bear with it
a little longer, okay?
It's great publicity
for the studio,
and it isn't easy to get on TV.
I know,
if it's good for you,
I guess it's fine.
But that young producer
is such a pain.
Why does she treat me like a kid?
Always bossing me around,
"Do this" or "Do that!"
All producers are like that,
don't let it bother you.
You're right.
At my age, earning a living...
I'm just grateful
to be acknowledged.
Do you know how jealous
Gyu-chil is of me?
That guy's broke,
but he's constantly
going on trips.
What? He hasn't come back
from Southeast Asia?
No.
I'm so disappointed.
He could've taken you with him,
why'd he go alone?
What for? There's nothing
for me to see.
You've been friends for decades,
traveling together
would've been nice.
He's no friend of mine.
Don't say things
you don't really mean.
Alright, I've got a call,
one moment.
Okay.
Hello?
Is this Mr. Im Dong-hwan?
Yes, who is this?
This is Namil Police Station.
The police station?
We're calling about.
Jung Young-hee.
Who is that?
You don't know Jung Young-hee?
She's your mother.
What?
You say this is my mother?
That's what we presume.
We found an ID card
with the remains.
The body was found
while excavating a mountain
for a construction site,
and we found personal belongings.
Judging by the condition
of the remains,
it's been about 40 years.
The state of the body makes it
difficult to determine
the cause of death.
All we know is that
she died 40 years ago,
and was buried in the mountain.
It's hard to say if it was
an accident or not,
but given how the body was buried,
there's a chance of foul play.
Even so,
the statute of limitations
has long expired.
(National ID: Jung Young-hee)
(Funeral Home)
Don't work too hard,
no one's here anyway.
Is that you?
Yes.
Okay.
Anyone from the association here?
Not yet,
they sent a wreath though.
- Father.
- Yeah?
Wasn't it that
mother just ran away,
leaving us behind?
That's what I thought too.
I came home from work,
and only you were in the room,
she wasn't there.
And... that was it.
No one came looking for her
or anything like that?
Not at all.
Neither of us had
any family to speak of...
She wouldn't have had
any enemies, right?
Of course not.
Your mother was
such a kind person.
You know...
Why would you say that?
It's nothing.
It's just
after 40 years, suddenly hearing
that she passed away,
I was just curious,
don't worry about it.
Excuse me.
We have guests, father.
The producer.
Please come in.
I should've prepared this.
For this to happen
in the middle of filming,
I don't know what to say.
I'm really sorry about this.
It seems this will
disrupt the broadcast,
is that okay?
We can't have disruptions.
We'll stick with you
until the end.
- Pardon?
- As I mentioned before,
the schedule's finalized,
and delaying it isn't an option.
Besides, these moments might feel
more authentic to the viewers.
Well, but...
I mean, it's just a bit...
Don't worry.
We'll handle everything.
Alright, but
my father might feel differently.
I'm counting on you.
This must be the place.
Please have some.
I'll be right back.
Hello.
May I help you?
He must be the son.
I'm your aunt,
we're Young-hee's sisters.
After getting a call
from the police,
we thought it was the right thing
to come here.
She was my aunt, after all.
I see.
I also want to sincerely pay
my respects.
Thank you all for coming.
Also,
we came here to clarify something.
My grandfather left
a small inheritance
to my mother and your mother,
but we're not
willing to share that.
Pardon?
From what my mother told me,
your mother left home
when she was very young,
so, she had
no interaction with us...
I see, I see.
I'm a bit taken aback,
but I don't need the money.
This is all so sudden...
Besides, discussing money
at a time like this
doesn't seem right.
You're okay with that, right?
Okay.
I'm sorry about that.
I thought you'd agree to it.
In that case, would it be okay
to record this conver...
Please!
Later,
I'll write a formal statement,
and get it notarized.
I'll send it by courier.
Are we good now?
Very well.
My apologies.
I don't need anything,
but I feel awful about
holding her funeral
without even a photo,
so, let me ask you for a favor.
If you have a photo of her,
could you please share it with me?
There aren't any.
No photos of her.
What?
They don't exist.
She didn't like taking photos.
Her face was
a bit ugly...
I guess you wouldn't know.
Young-hee
didn't like taking photos
because she was ugly.
(The First Interview)
Ugly?
What do you mean by that?
Did she have
some kind of disability?
She had her shortcomings,
but it's not like
she was disabled.
She was just ugly, that's all.
Why do you keep saying that?
Seriously, even just now,
you said she ran away
when she was a kid.
- Yeah.
- She just ran away
from home like that?
Yeah, she just left
without any warning.
Does that makes sense to you?
A little kid?
Running away for no reason?
You never suspected anything?
She could've been kidnapped, even.
What kind of lunatic would
kidnap a girl so ugly?
She just up and left!
Young-hee, she
told weird stories
to the neighbors.
What kind of stories?
She claimed
she saw father with another woman,
both undressed
at his real estate office.
So, mother got angry
and beat her really badly.
Afterward,
she was sick for a few days,
then she just left.
She didn't just leave,
she took all of mother's jewelry
and valuables.
To mother, she wasn't
a daughter, she was a thief.
That's not right.
If a husband is cheating,
he's the one who should be blamed.
Beating up a child
for speaking up?
Isn't that the mother's fault?
We were a perfectly happy family,
and that freak of a girl
destroyed it with her rumors,
of course she should be beaten
within an inch of her life!
Don't talk like that!
In any case,
that's all we know
about Young-hee.
After that,
we lost contact with her.
With all the jewelry she took,
she got more than
her share of the inheritance.
She was family in name only.
We've done our part
by coming here,
haven't we?
That's right, Aunt.
Should we get going, then?
Yes, let's go.
Yes, boss.
Sir, you've got to trust me
on this one.
I think the story of his wife
is even more compelling.
I've got a strong feeling
that we've hit on
a much bigger story here.
I'm sure of it.
It's an undeniably gripping story.
Entertaining? Absolutely!
Then I'll get to work.
Okay, thank you, bye.
You can stand here.
Well
this is my first time
shrouding a skeleton,
but I've done my best
to piece the bones together.
If you wish to say
any final words,
please do so now.
There isn't much,
Young-hee, rest in peace.
If you two have anything to say,
make it quick so we can leave.
I've got a weak stomach.
If there's nothing to say,
let's just end it.
I'm feeling nauseous.
Seriously...
Do you know how long
it took to put this together?
It'll all be cremated anyway.
But I'm sorry.
I can't take it anymore.
Christ...
Father, don't worry, it's nothing.
Are you okay?
One moment.
- Father, I need to take a call.
- Sure, sure.
Hello, Producer Kim.
Hello? So...
You know the commercial building
where your parents first met?
Pardon?
The one in the photo,
in front of the stamp stand.
Yes, what about it?
I asked around and found out
she worked at a factory
in that building
called Cheongpung Garments.
Cheongpung Garments?
Yes, yes.
Cheongpung Engraving,
Cheongpung Garments.
Isn't that interesting?
Yes, I guess...
I got in touch with a few
factory workers from back then.
They said they knew your mother.
So,
if you're free tomorrow,
how about joining us
for a chat with them?
Is that good?
Like this?
Let me see.
Stay in the van.
Good to see you.
Ms. Kim,
I appreciate the gesture, but...
Don't mention it!
No, that's not what I'm saying.
You don't have to go this far.
No, no.
I'm a journalist at heart,
so digging into a story
is so much fun.
Let's go in!
The elders are waiting.
Okay? Come on.
(The Second Interview)
Good afternoon.
Hi.
Have a seat.
What can I get you two?
Anything will be fine.
Juice would be great.
Very well.
I'm Kim Su-jin,
the producer who contacted you.
Here.
And who's he?
This is, uh...
I'm the writer.
- A writer?
- Is that so?
Yes, our writer.
So, you're a TV producer?
Is this for the news?
Yes, something like that.
We're investigating the story
of Ms. Jung Young-hee.
Her remains were discovered
near the garment factory
where you all used to work.
It seems she died
about 40 years ago.
Oh dear...
When you called,
we assumed she died
someplace far away.
Back then she just vanished,
so we thought she'd run away.
It seems she met some
terrible misfortune.
Oh dear...
She just stopped coming
to the factory one day?
Yes, so we thought
she had run away.
Was there
anyone at the factory,
who was close to her
by any chance?
Well,
the only person close to Dung Ogre
was the blind guy
who ended up marrying her.
Was the blind guy
who ended up marrying her.
"Dung Ogre"?
Ah, that.
We called her "Dung Ogre,"
because of her face and all.
Come on now.
No one literally looks like dung,
but there was a reason
behind the nickname.
What reason was that?
I can't...
Come on, you can tell me.
It's all in the past.
Back then,
everything was so hectic.
It was a real boom period.
We were so busy,
every day was a whirlwind.
The country was
literally on the rise.
(Cheongpung Garments)
Young-hee! What took you so long?
Hurry up and bring the fabric!
Move your ass, will you!
Hey, I told you
to clear this away.
You've been messing
with this all day!
Excuse me, boss...
I'm sorry, but
could I use the bathroom...?
We're drowning in work,
there's no time!
I... I'm sorry...
It's urgent...
Get back here in one minute.
Thank you.
(Toilet)
She took his words literally,
and had no time to poop.
She stupidly ended up
going in her pants.
Clean it up now!
It was such
a strange and pitiful sight.
Her face was bad enough,
but then to poop her pants...
Everyone called her
"Dung Ogre" after that.
What exactly did she look like
for people to talk about
her appearance so much?
Did she have a facial deformity
or something like that?
A deformity?
It's hard to describe
what she looked like...
Anyway, it wasn't nice.
She was ugly.
Would there be any photos
of her left somewhere?
- Photos?
- Photos...
Well...
Back then, we didn't really
take photos that often.
You had to submit a photo
when you were hired, though.
Could those still exist?
It was so long ago,
I doubt they're still around.
Was there
anyone who might've held
a grudge against her?
People disliked her
because she was dirty
and looked like a monster,
but she was such a kind soul,
she never made enemies.
That's right.
Despite everything,
she married that blind guy.
She probably lived a happy life.
No,
I think she was
involved in something...
With our boss.
Yes, of course.
What exactly happened
with the boss?
Don't talk about that.
He was a good man,
he wouldn't have
done anything to Dung Ogre.
He's the reason we didn't starve
back then, you know.
Tell me, please?
It's okay.
You'd have to ask Jin-sook
about that...
Pardon? Who?
Hey, I need to look into
a few things.
Where should I contact
to get it quickly?
I have to find
a garment factory boss
from the 1970s.
Okay, then send me the contact.
Yeah, text me.
Thank you, bye.
He's the fastest digger I know,
we'll get a lead soon.
Ms. Kim, let's not do this.
I'll handle it from here,
it's my family matter.
No, not at all.
It's really no trouble for me.
I'll head out first.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Take care.
Take care.
Thank you.
- Take care!
- Good bye.
(Im Yeong-gyu)
(Living Miracle of Korea:
Im Yeong-gyu)
(Exhibition on Visually Impaired
Engraver Im Yeong-gyu)
(We'll meet Lee Jin-sook
tomorrow at her home)
(I also located the factory boss.
See you tomorrow!)
(The Third Interview)
(Producer Kim Su-jin)
So?
What is it you want to know?
We came to hear
about the last days
of Ms. Jung Young-hee.
Wait...
What does my mother
have to do with
this Jung Young-hee person
for you to come all this way?
- Uh...
- She was my sewing assistant.
She was a few years older than me.
I worked her to the bone.
If she really
died back then
then part of it is my fault.
I was really terrible to her.
She never complained once,
and just worked in silence.
Ms. Lee...
You haven't left yet?
Why... why are you crying?
Young-hee...
I don't know what to do.
Seeing Young-hee then
made me want to
come clean about everything.
That jerk of a boss
he
raped me.
What?
Who could I have told?
He always paid us on time,
even gave us bonuses.
Everyone called him an angel.
- Hey, you two!
- Hello.
Stand over here.
I'll take your picture, come on.
Stand straight.
Here we go.
One, two, three.
So pretty! Let's do one more.
Try a different pose.
Like Miss Korea.
Perfect.
One, two, three.
So pretty.
- Good stuff!
- Thank you.
Bye.
So embarrassing.
I'll print the pictures
for you girls, alright?
I'm sorry...
It must be hard enough
engraving stamps
and I make you watch Dong-hwan.
Stop it.
Taking care of my baby
is my responsibility too.
I'll save up quickly
so you can quit your job,
and focus on raising Dong-hwan.
Is something wrong?
No, it's nothing...
But honey,
if a bad person pretends
to be a good person,
does that make them bad?
Or good?
What are you talking about?
Never mind.
Morning.
Yeah.
Your seamstress skipped work
without notice again.
I really should tell the boss
to replace her.
Right in the middle of
the busiest time, seriously?
What?
Did you try contacting her?
Maybe she's sick. Hiring
someone new all of sudden...
Dung Ogre.
Guess your marriage is going well.
You got opinions now?
The blind must be
treating you nice.
This isn't the time for you
to stick your nose in.
Forget it.
Listen up.
A new seamstress
is starting tomorrow.
Dung Ogre,
you'll be assisting her.
What? What about Ms. Lee?
She skipped two days of work,
we'll miss
the delivery deadline like this.
The boss already
decided she's out,
that's all you need to know.
The boss said that?
Get back to work.
Hey.
Hey, hey!
Where are you going?
Dmmit.
Dammit, what is it?
What?
Boss.
Is it true that you're firing
Ms. Lee Jin-sook?
What?
You can't do this.
For crying out loud...
I'm trying to get us
through this together, get out.
Ms. Lee Jin-sook
you know why
she's not coming to work.
Are you going to keep
spewing this nonsense?
But you,
you did something awful to her,
that's why she stopped coming.
You damned wench.
Don't you dare
talk like that to me!
Get out.
Out!
She should've stopped there,
it wasn't even her business.
So foolish...
Honey.
What are you working on?
Uh, it's nothing.
Look at you two!
- Let me take a photo of you two.
- Let's go.
Where are you going?
These girls are so shy.
(Cheongpung Garments
CEO Baek Joo-sang)
(is a pervert
who assaults girls)
"who assaults girls."
Jeez.
Goddamn you.
You prick,
how the hell did you
manage these wenches,
to allow this to happen?
Useless jerk.
Fire all those wenches.
What?
Get out and fire every one
of those wenches!
Yes, sir.
Dung Ogre!
You dare to keep working here
after the crap you caused?
"The crap I caused"?
What exactly did I do wrong?
You goddamned freak.
You insult our boss
and still expect to get paid?
Get out, you wench.
Fine, but what about Ms. Lee?
Will you fire her, too?
Yeah, Dung Ogre!
Neither of you
will be able to work
anywhere near here, so piss off.
Wait, he's the one to blame,
and he ordered you to do this?
Why the hell do you care?
I'm going to have a word
with the boss.
Holy crap. If you go...
Ms. Lee...
That's enough, wench.
Who do you think you are?
Dammit...
Young-hee wouldn't have known.
If you write something like that
people don't focus on
the perpetrator Baek,
they're much more curious about
who got assaulted.
I felt so ashamed
that people would know.
Young-hee
was only trying to help me.
That prick probably went on
living the same way.
Because my shame
acted as his forgiveness.
If Young-hee died by his hands,
maybe it's my fault
for allowing it to happen.
Let's go.
Let's go see that prick Baek.
How could he do that
to the innocent woman...
Don't you feel
sorry for your mother?
We have to ask him why he did it.
Don't you think so?
He has to pay for what he did.
(The Fourth Interview)
Anyone home?
Hello, sir.
We're here from the TV station.
Why... the TV station?
We came to ask you something.
Your name is Baek Joo-sang, right?
Get out, you jerks...
Sir, do you by any chance
remember someone
named Jung Young-hee?
Who?
She worked at the garment factory
you owned.
She was called
"Dung Ogre" sometimes.
I know... that ugly wench.
Oh, you remember her?
Sure, how could I forget?
An ugly wench
who didn't know her place.
You do remember.
We're here to
find out about
Jung Young-hee's last days.
Sir.
If you know anything,
please tell us honestly.
Besides, the statute of
limitations has already expired.
It shouldn't have expired!
They didn't catch that prick?
Who's "that prick"?
That blind jerk killed
his own wife.
Damn, they still haven't
figured it out?
That prick, he's a sly one.
That prick...
Try to understand, okay?
Hey.
Boss.
He's here, he's here!
Good evening.
- Come here, sit in the middle.
- Yes, yes, yes.
That's him!
Come in here.
- Here, loosen this up.
- Okay...
- Sit over here.
- Come here.
Grab his hand.
Come, come.
- Are you serious?
- Sure.
So, he's the blind guy
who carves stamps?
Of course!
He's that good even though
he can't see at all?
- That's what I'm saying!
- So fascinating.
He carves stamps in the alley
near my factory,
and those are top-notch.
Can you show us?
Yeah, Yeong-gyu,
give us a demonstration.
How could I do that here?
Show us!
If you come by the stand,
I'll give you a good price.
Yeong-gyu.
Just show it off here.
Good.
Alright, who needs a stamp?
- Me! Me!
- Madam Jang!
Alright, carve one for Madam Jang.
"Jang Mi-sook," please.
Okay, okay.
Look, his tools are coming out.
So, this is how you carry
them around?
Watch this.
It's done already.
Wait till you see it.
All done.
Good!
Let's see it.
(Jang Mi-sook)
Is he really blind?
You see that?
This guy is amazing!
How does he carve
such beautiful letters
without being able to see?
Give it to her as a gift.
Mine, mine.
He's not pretending
to be blind, is he?
No way.
How does he know
if the letters are pretty or not
without seeing them?
That's why
he's so extraordinary, man!
But what's truly amazing about
these stamps is,
give it here.
If you use this on a contract,
you'll never face any problems.
It's perfect.
- Yeah?
- Sure.
This isn't just an ordinary stamp.
It has talismanic power.
You're making that up...
If you want a stamp,
always buy one from Yeong-gyu!
Thank you.
Yeong-gyu! Have a beer, man.
Wait, I'll empty this one for you.
Have a nice cold one.
I'm pouring you one
because you're brilliant
and amazing.
Alright, bottoms up!
Good.
Good, very good.
There you go.
He drinks so well.
Don't force yourself.
You'll choke!
- Give him some snacks too.
- Here it is, say ah.
Open up!
Mr. Baek, I bet your success
is thanks to this guy's stamp.
I told you,
it's his stamps!
- Yeong-gyu.
- Yes, sir?
Buddy, you better see me
as your benefactor, got it?
Of course I do.
Damn...
Freaking clueless idiots...
Boss.
Yeah?
Is everything okay?
I always carry so much
gratitude toward you, sir.
Buddy.
Do you even know your wife's been
giving me crap lately?
Pardon?
Did you put her up to this?
No! Absolutely not!
I could never, sir!
S... sir, I'll tell her
to stop, okay?
Please don't be angry.
Worthless...
Killing you guys would be
easier than pulling down
my pants in the bathroom.
Yes, absolutely.
Ungrateful pricks...
- Buddy.
- Yes?
Drink up.
Honey.
What are you working on?
Uh, it's nothing...
How the hell did you
manage these wenches,
to allow this to happen?
Fire all those wenches.
What?
Get out and fire every one
of those wenches!
Yes, sir.
Damn, worthless idiots...
Those wenches crossed the line...
This is Baek from Cheongpung.
I'm in a serious mess here.
How many men can you
round up for me?
Who's there?
Is someone there?
Who are you people?
Who are you?
Did... Mr. Baek
send you all?
W... what's wrong?
Honey!
Don't do this!
Please stop.
Please don't do this.
Let us go.
Spare her!
Sir, I'm sorry! Please!
I won't ever do it again.
Forgive us.
Forgive us, please don't!
Sir!
Enough.
Please spare us...
You guys must be hungry,
let's get some grub.
Honey...
Honey?
Please help.
Is anyone there?
Help!
Please help...
What the hell are you doing?
You lunatic!
What did I do wrong?
Tell me!
Holy crap.
Anyone outside?
- What did I do wrong?
- Anyone outside?
Get her off me!
Dammit...
That psychotic wench.
It looked like those idiots
botched the job,
so I sent them back.
I said to make it so she
couldn't get up for a few days.
They said the blind jerk came out.
Isn't that weird?
There was no need to kill her.
No one saw anything,
no one saw anything...
Get it together...
That idiot
couldn't even get rid of
the body properly,
so my guys took care of it,
and even held a funeral for her.
I guess they did it
so they wouldn't get blamed.
They probably buried her so deep
that the idiot never got caught
for the murder.
He should be thanking us.
No way. Don't lie...
Don't lie to me.
Dong-hwan, stop it,
please, don't!
Tell me the truth.
You killed her, didn't you?
Don't do this!
You perverted jerk!
- Stop it!
- You killed her.
You killed her, it was you!
This isn't the way
to solve things!
"This isn't the way"?
Seriously?
(The Fifth Interview)
Didn't know you were home.
So quiet.
What have you been doing lately?
Go get some sleep.
Father.
Yeah?
I met a man named
Baek Joo-sang today.
Who?
He told me
something really weird...
Did you kill mother?
But, father...
Why did you do it?
Why?
Back then, life was really tough.
Ever since I was a kid,
all I remember is
being teased and beaten up.
Because I couldn't see...
When I wanted to learn
how to engrave stamps,
I was beaten for no reason,
not knowing who did it.
It was just... complete hell.
But I scraped and saved
by not eating, not spending,
and managed to
open a little stand.
(Stamp Engraving)
I thought.
I could endure ten times
the hardship I'd already faced.
Come on, give me a big smile!
Why do you want a photo
of someone who can't even see?
You look great when you smile.
Come on, smile!
- One?
- Look this way?
Yeah, that's good.
Alright, one,
two,
three!
Very nice.
It's so impressive, doing this
even though you can't see.
Hey.
When I see someone like you
working so hard,
it's amazing,
I really respect that.
Listen, I'll frame this photo
as a grand opening gift.
Hang it in the best spot
when you make it big, got it?
- Sir?
- Yeah?
I, uh...
Thank you.
- I'll work hard.
- Good.
- Yeah, work hard!
- Yes, sir!
- Make it big.
- Thank you!
- Good, I gotta go.
- Yes, sir!
- Take care, boss.
- Bye.
Oh man...
But things didn't go as planned.
No one cared about
a blind guy engraving stamps.
All I got was curious onlookers
or people picking fights
to see if I could do it.
That's when I met your mom.
The lettering
is so pretty...
It's pretty?
Then would you like a stamp?
No...
I would love to...
But I don't have any use
for a stamp right now.
Maybe later...
later, I'd love one.
No, it's okay.
How about this?
You're my very first customer
after opening this stand,
how about I make one for free?
Really?
Of course.
Let's see.
Give me your name.
It's Young-hee.
Young-hee.
Jung Young-hee.
Ms. Jung Young-hee.
That's when I learned her name.
Jung Young-hee.
Such a beautiful name.
You have such a beautiful name.
Since you're my first customer,
I'll make it extra special.
Alright.
Do you work at the factory here?
Yes.
Let's see... Alright.
Now, press it yourself.
Right here.
Dip it in the ink pad,
then press it down.
Move it up and down,
and side to side.
Good.
(Jung Young-hee)
How is it?
It's... so pretty.
Is it?
Take this paper too.
Don't forget to spread the word.
Yes.
After that day,
she'd stop by, chat with me,
and bring me
rice balls and snacks.
You haven't eaten lunch, right?
I made some extras...
What's this?
Just some rice balls.
You didn't have to...
For the first time in my life,
someone had taken
an interest in me.
Just hearing Young-hee's voice
made my heart race.
Thump-thump.
- Thank you.
- Sure.
- Thanks again!
- Okay...
I'm so jealous, Yeong-gyu.
Look at that pretty girl
hitting on you.
I know, eh?
It must kill you not to see
such a stunning beauty.
You'd better snatch her up
before someone else does.
Ask her to live with you!
Don't let her slip away
and regret it.
So lucky.
Hearing that made me anxious,
and I got scared.
Somehow I worked up the courage
to ask her to live with me.
I promised to take care of her.
And your mom said yes.
I really couldn't
believe my luck.
Come, give them
a round of applause!
What's the virtue of married life?
Having lots of kids, right?
Look at this guy grinning!
When does that happen, huh?
- At night!
- Night, night.
Hey, Yeong-gyu, you're so lucky.
It's always night for you!
Since it's your wedding,
let me take a photo for you.
- Stand up straight.
- Good, good.
Where should I look?
Yeong-gyu, look this way.
Here we go, one...
That's when I formed
my first real dream.
To make sure Young-hee
would never be disrespected
and could live an honorable life.
Are you hungry?
I'm back.
Dong-hwan must be very hungry.
Here.
After having you,
we barely scraped by
even with both of us working.
It wasn't bad though,
it wasn't bad at all.
Then one night,
Gyu-chil was in the area
for work
and stopped by.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Sure.
Here, have some of this.
Okay.
She's got a good heart?
Yes, of course.
A blind guy like me meeting
a woman with such a kind heart,
it's a blessing, it sure is!
My only regret is that
I'll never see her face
with my own eyes.
Having a good heart
is all that matters.
Maybe it's better
you never see her face.
You son of a gun...
My only wish is to see
her face just once.
Don't talk crap to me.
No, really.
You're better off not seeing her.
What are you saying?
Has no one said anything to you?
About her face?
And that jerk
finally said it.
That your mom's face
was hideously ugly,
like a monster.
That's when
I found out everything.
Those punks,
no, those jerks were mocking me.
Mocking me all along.
From a young age,
I was mocked and belittled,
I worked so hard
to break free from it.
But then
it just kept happening.
Over and over!
A monster...
Why?
You think I can't tell
what's beautiful
and what's ugly?
People may secretly
look down on me,
but why bow before me?
Because my engravings
are beautiful.
So beautiful.
I know it.
Beautiful things are respected
and admired.
Ugly things are scorned.
I know it all.
It was only then
that I started to see things
I hadn't noticed before.
Everything.
Everything.
In the end, even your mother
deceived me.
How little must she have
thought of me?
She approached me
just to ridicule me.
If I stayed with her,
I felt I could never
escape the humiliation.
No matter how hard I struggled,
it didn't work.
I couldn't live with that woman.
Even when she got into a fight
with Mr. Baek,
why did she make things
so difficult for me?
I told her to stop,
but she kept doing it
just to spite me.
Please, just die.
Just die, die...
Someone, please kill her for me.
Kill her...
No matter how much I prayed,
she never intended to leave me.
Even after being beaten,
she kept going back for more.
I never imagined
I'd be the one to kill her.
Never thought of it.
Never.
Did you go see the boss again?
Did you?
Did you?
You know...
Why...
Why do you keep
stirring up trouble?
What did I... what did I do wrong?
For goodness sake!
Honey.
Please... just mind
your own business!
Like a little mouse,
let's just live quietly...
Since I was a child,
people have always blamed me.
That I was the problem.
So I thought I had to live
pretending not to see
or know anything.
For a while, I really tried
to live like that.
But you...
You were kind to me...
Stop it.
You gave me courage.
Because of you.
You didn't just...
Just see me as ugly...
Dammit.
Shut up, you stupid wench!
If you had any conscience,
you wouldn't dare say that,
you wench.
No one will ever find out.
No... Nobody cares anyway.
Dong-hwan.
With my own bare hands,
I drove out the humiliation
that forced its way into my life.
Without anyone ever knowing.
Dong-hwan.
You get it, don't you?
Honestly, this might've
all been for you too.
You need to understand that.
Right?
Come here.
Son, come here.
I only wanted to pass on
good things to you.
You have to understand.
Come here.
I don't understand you.
I just can't.
If you don't,
then you're
nothing but a parasite.
What?
A parasite feeding off everything
I've worked for my entire life.
You must understand.
You're a murderer.
No! Who's a murderer?
No, dammit! Not me!
The statute of limitations
has expired!
You think I don't know that?
I'm a living miracle of Korea!
A man who sees the world
through his fingertips.
A living miracle...
I'm not a murderer.
(The Last Remark)
You admired your father so much,
you sure about this?
I deleted some unnecessary parts.
Pardon?
Please make sure
the documentary wraps up nicely.
You know, my father
he's a living miracle of Korea
for overcoming
such difficult times.
So, please...
I'm counting on you.
You resemble him.
Sorry?
Your father.
You resemble him even more today.
I spoke a bit more with
Baek Joo-sang yesterday.
I spoke a bit more with
Baek Joo-sang yesterday.
All of these are my works.
They're art pieces.
Why didn't you take a photo
of Jung Young-hee?
There is one.
I took ID photos
of all new employees.
Eun-sook, smile big!
Hold it up, a little higher.
Yeah, closer to the chest.
So pretty, that's it.
Okay, smile, one,
two,
three!
(Jung Young-hee)
So pretty.
All done, go.
Next.
Hey, Jung Young-hee.
Why is your hair loose
for an ID photo?
Tie it up so your face
shows better.
Alright, here we go.
Smile.
Cheese.
One,
two,
three!
It's your mother's photo.
That is,
if you're still interested.
(Park Jeong Min)
(Kwon Hae-hyo)
(Han Ji Hyeon Im Seong Jae)
(And Shin Hyun-been)
(Directed by Yeon Sang-ho)
That blind people can't
truly grasp the idea of beauty.
No, blind folks like me,
we really think a lot
about what people
see as beauty.
I've spent years
searching for that beauty,
traveling across the country
visiting tombstones and monuments,
touching and discovering
the beauty
our ancestors left behind.
You've been through so much.
Of course, of course.
But there's something
I've been curious about.
Your hands are
remarkably delicate.
- My hands?
- Yes.
I expected people who engrave,
to have calloused hands,
but yours are so smooth,
do you do anything
to take care of them?
I take meticulous care
of my hands.
These hands...
They're like my eyes,
you know?
I see and feel through them.
What about that scar?
Oh, this?
I hurt myself when I was young...
For us,
learning a job can be hard.
Ordinary people like us
can't even imagine
how hard that must have been...
Let's shift gears a bit.
You're a stamp engraving artisan,
but also a single dad
of your son, who now runs.
Cheongpung Engraving.
- Hm?
- Yes.
I think our viewers
would be curious
about that part of your life.
Why would they be
curious about that?
Raising a child alone
is hard enough,
let alone as someone
who's visually impaired.
Everyone tries to
raise their kids well,
even in hardship.
Kids pretty much grow up
on their own
if you let them.
Children don't grow up
on their own,
you raised him!
That's what we're curious about.
About your struggles
and the thoughts you had...
It was hard.
Yes.
What's the use of
dwelling on hardships?
Feel free to take your time.
The current time is 3:04 p.m.
Dong-hwan, let me take
a short break.
Father, they're busy people.
I'm sorry, one moment.
- My apologies.
- We should continue a bit more...
Sorry, I didn't realize
how quickly time flew.
- It was so fascinating.
- Sorry about that.
Let's take a short break,
I'm sorry.
- Have a smoke, father.
- Take five, everyone!
Here's the door.
(Commendation)
Dong-hwan, your father is
truly remarkable.
He's more than I could ever
hope to deserve.
Just look at this!
Im Yeong-gyu is proof
that miracles are real.
What a headline.
What's this?
Oh, that?
It's an old photo
from when he first opened
his engraving stand.
It's the only old photo we have.
You look just like him.
Well,
I thought so too,
so, a long time ago,
I told him
how much I look like him.
What did he say?
Was he happy to hear it?
He just stood quietly, thinking.
I guess
maybe he was reflecting
on the idea of resemblance,
since he's been blind from birth.
That's true.
He's never even seen his own face,
I never thought of it like that.
Where did you put the ashtray?
Here, give it to me.
- Have you rested enough, sir?
- Oh, yes, yes.
- Shall we continue?
- Sure.
Let's continue the shoot!
- Camera.
- Coming.
- Sorry about that.
- Not at all.
Let's get a close up of his hand.
Good to go.
Let's take it slow.
(The Ugly)
Father.
- Is it tea time already?
- Yes.
It's hot.
Got it.
I got it.
Is it tough
doing these interviews?
They've been
pestering me for days,
acting like this is some big deal.
The last news segment
only took half a day to shoot.
Just bear with it
a little longer, okay?
It's great publicity
for the studio,
and it isn't easy to get on TV.
I know,
if it's good for you,
I guess it's fine.
But that young producer
is such a pain.
Why does she treat me like a kid?
Always bossing me around,
"Do this" or "Do that!"
All producers are like that,
don't let it bother you.
You're right.
At my age, earning a living...
I'm just grateful
to be acknowledged.
Do you know how jealous
Gyu-chil is of me?
That guy's broke,
but he's constantly
going on trips.
What? He hasn't come back
from Southeast Asia?
No.
I'm so disappointed.
He could've taken you with him,
why'd he go alone?
What for? There's nothing
for me to see.
You've been friends for decades,
traveling together
would've been nice.
He's no friend of mine.
Don't say things
you don't really mean.
Alright, I've got a call,
one moment.
Okay.
Hello?
Is this Mr. Im Dong-hwan?
Yes, who is this?
This is Namil Police Station.
The police station?
We're calling about.
Jung Young-hee.
Who is that?
You don't know Jung Young-hee?
She's your mother.
What?
You say this is my mother?
That's what we presume.
We found an ID card
with the remains.
The body was found
while excavating a mountain
for a construction site,
and we found personal belongings.
Judging by the condition
of the remains,
it's been about 40 years.
The state of the body makes it
difficult to determine
the cause of death.
All we know is that
she died 40 years ago,
and was buried in the mountain.
It's hard to say if it was
an accident or not,
but given how the body was buried,
there's a chance of foul play.
Even so,
the statute of limitations
has long expired.
(National ID: Jung Young-hee)
(Funeral Home)
Don't work too hard,
no one's here anyway.
Is that you?
Yes.
Okay.
Anyone from the association here?
Not yet,
they sent a wreath though.
- Father.
- Yeah?
Wasn't it that
mother just ran away,
leaving us behind?
That's what I thought too.
I came home from work,
and only you were in the room,
she wasn't there.
And... that was it.
No one came looking for her
or anything like that?
Not at all.
Neither of us had
any family to speak of...
She wouldn't have had
any enemies, right?
Of course not.
Your mother was
such a kind person.
You know...
Why would you say that?
It's nothing.
It's just
after 40 years, suddenly hearing
that she passed away,
I was just curious,
don't worry about it.
Excuse me.
We have guests, father.
The producer.
Please come in.
I should've prepared this.
For this to happen
in the middle of filming,
I don't know what to say.
I'm really sorry about this.
It seems this will
disrupt the broadcast,
is that okay?
We can't have disruptions.
We'll stick with you
until the end.
- Pardon?
- As I mentioned before,
the schedule's finalized,
and delaying it isn't an option.
Besides, these moments might feel
more authentic to the viewers.
Well, but...
I mean, it's just a bit...
Don't worry.
We'll handle everything.
Alright, but
my father might feel differently.
I'm counting on you.
This must be the place.
Please have some.
I'll be right back.
Hello.
May I help you?
He must be the son.
I'm your aunt,
we're Young-hee's sisters.
After getting a call
from the police,
we thought it was the right thing
to come here.
She was my aunt, after all.
I see.
I also want to sincerely pay
my respects.
Thank you all for coming.
Also,
we came here to clarify something.
My grandfather left
a small inheritance
to my mother and your mother,
but we're not
willing to share that.
Pardon?
From what my mother told me,
your mother left home
when she was very young,
so, she had
no interaction with us...
I see, I see.
I'm a bit taken aback,
but I don't need the money.
This is all so sudden...
Besides, discussing money
at a time like this
doesn't seem right.
You're okay with that, right?
Okay.
I'm sorry about that.
I thought you'd agree to it.
In that case, would it be okay
to record this conver...
Please!
Later,
I'll write a formal statement,
and get it notarized.
I'll send it by courier.
Are we good now?
Very well.
My apologies.
I don't need anything,
but I feel awful about
holding her funeral
without even a photo,
so, let me ask you for a favor.
If you have a photo of her,
could you please share it with me?
There aren't any.
No photos of her.
What?
They don't exist.
She didn't like taking photos.
Her face was
a bit ugly...
I guess you wouldn't know.
Young-hee
didn't like taking photos
because she was ugly.
(The First Interview)
Ugly?
What do you mean by that?
Did she have
some kind of disability?
She had her shortcomings,
but it's not like
she was disabled.
She was just ugly, that's all.
Why do you keep saying that?
Seriously, even just now,
you said she ran away
when she was a kid.
- Yeah.
- She just ran away
from home like that?
Yeah, she just left
without any warning.
Does that makes sense to you?
A little kid?
Running away for no reason?
You never suspected anything?
She could've been kidnapped, even.
What kind of lunatic would
kidnap a girl so ugly?
She just up and left!
Young-hee, she
told weird stories
to the neighbors.
What kind of stories?
She claimed
she saw father with another woman,
both undressed
at his real estate office.
So, mother got angry
and beat her really badly.
Afterward,
she was sick for a few days,
then she just left.
She didn't just leave,
she took all of mother's jewelry
and valuables.
To mother, she wasn't
a daughter, she was a thief.
That's not right.
If a husband is cheating,
he's the one who should be blamed.
Beating up a child
for speaking up?
Isn't that the mother's fault?
We were a perfectly happy family,
and that freak of a girl
destroyed it with her rumors,
of course she should be beaten
within an inch of her life!
Don't talk like that!
In any case,
that's all we know
about Young-hee.
After that,
we lost contact with her.
With all the jewelry she took,
she got more than
her share of the inheritance.
She was family in name only.
We've done our part
by coming here,
haven't we?
That's right, Aunt.
Should we get going, then?
Yes, let's go.
Yes, boss.
Sir, you've got to trust me
on this one.
I think the story of his wife
is even more compelling.
I've got a strong feeling
that we've hit on
a much bigger story here.
I'm sure of it.
It's an undeniably gripping story.
Entertaining? Absolutely!
Then I'll get to work.
Okay, thank you, bye.
You can stand here.
Well
this is my first time
shrouding a skeleton,
but I've done my best
to piece the bones together.
If you wish to say
any final words,
please do so now.
There isn't much,
Young-hee, rest in peace.
If you two have anything to say,
make it quick so we can leave.
I've got a weak stomach.
If there's nothing to say,
let's just end it.
I'm feeling nauseous.
Seriously...
Do you know how long
it took to put this together?
It'll all be cremated anyway.
But I'm sorry.
I can't take it anymore.
Christ...
Father, don't worry, it's nothing.
Are you okay?
One moment.
- Father, I need to take a call.
- Sure, sure.
Hello, Producer Kim.
Hello? So...
You know the commercial building
where your parents first met?
Pardon?
The one in the photo,
in front of the stamp stand.
Yes, what about it?
I asked around and found out
she worked at a factory
in that building
called Cheongpung Garments.
Cheongpung Garments?
Yes, yes.
Cheongpung Engraving,
Cheongpung Garments.
Isn't that interesting?
Yes, I guess...
I got in touch with a few
factory workers from back then.
They said they knew your mother.
So,
if you're free tomorrow,
how about joining us
for a chat with them?
Is that good?
Like this?
Let me see.
Stay in the van.
Good to see you.
Ms. Kim,
I appreciate the gesture, but...
Don't mention it!
No, that's not what I'm saying.
You don't have to go this far.
No, no.
I'm a journalist at heart,
so digging into a story
is so much fun.
Let's go in!
The elders are waiting.
Okay? Come on.
(The Second Interview)
Good afternoon.
Hi.
Have a seat.
What can I get you two?
Anything will be fine.
Juice would be great.
Very well.
I'm Kim Su-jin,
the producer who contacted you.
Here.
And who's he?
This is, uh...
I'm the writer.
- A writer?
- Is that so?
Yes, our writer.
So, you're a TV producer?
Is this for the news?
Yes, something like that.
We're investigating the story
of Ms. Jung Young-hee.
Her remains were discovered
near the garment factory
where you all used to work.
It seems she died
about 40 years ago.
Oh dear...
When you called,
we assumed she died
someplace far away.
Back then she just vanished,
so we thought she'd run away.
It seems she met some
terrible misfortune.
Oh dear...
She just stopped coming
to the factory one day?
Yes, so we thought
she had run away.
Was there
anyone at the factory,
who was close to her
by any chance?
Well,
the only person close to Dung Ogre
was the blind guy
who ended up marrying her.
Was the blind guy
who ended up marrying her.
"Dung Ogre"?
Ah, that.
We called her "Dung Ogre,"
because of her face and all.
Come on now.
No one literally looks like dung,
but there was a reason
behind the nickname.
What reason was that?
I can't...
Come on, you can tell me.
It's all in the past.
Back then,
everything was so hectic.
It was a real boom period.
We were so busy,
every day was a whirlwind.
The country was
literally on the rise.
(Cheongpung Garments)
Young-hee! What took you so long?
Hurry up and bring the fabric!
Move your ass, will you!
Hey, I told you
to clear this away.
You've been messing
with this all day!
Excuse me, boss...
I'm sorry, but
could I use the bathroom...?
We're drowning in work,
there's no time!
I... I'm sorry...
It's urgent...
Get back here in one minute.
Thank you.
(Toilet)
She took his words literally,
and had no time to poop.
She stupidly ended up
going in her pants.
Clean it up now!
It was such
a strange and pitiful sight.
Her face was bad enough,
but then to poop her pants...
Everyone called her
"Dung Ogre" after that.
What exactly did she look like
for people to talk about
her appearance so much?
Did she have a facial deformity
or something like that?
A deformity?
It's hard to describe
what she looked like...
Anyway, it wasn't nice.
She was ugly.
Would there be any photos
of her left somewhere?
- Photos?
- Photos...
Well...
Back then, we didn't really
take photos that often.
You had to submit a photo
when you were hired, though.
Could those still exist?
It was so long ago,
I doubt they're still around.
Was there
anyone who might've held
a grudge against her?
People disliked her
because she was dirty
and looked like a monster,
but she was such a kind soul,
she never made enemies.
That's right.
Despite everything,
she married that blind guy.
She probably lived a happy life.
No,
I think she was
involved in something...
With our boss.
Yes, of course.
What exactly happened
with the boss?
Don't talk about that.
He was a good man,
he wouldn't have
done anything to Dung Ogre.
He's the reason we didn't starve
back then, you know.
Tell me, please?
It's okay.
You'd have to ask Jin-sook
about that...
Pardon? Who?
Hey, I need to look into
a few things.
Where should I contact
to get it quickly?
I have to find
a garment factory boss
from the 1970s.
Okay, then send me the contact.
Yeah, text me.
Thank you, bye.
He's the fastest digger I know,
we'll get a lead soon.
Ms. Kim, let's not do this.
I'll handle it from here,
it's my family matter.
No, not at all.
It's really no trouble for me.
I'll head out first.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Take care.
Take care.
Thank you.
- Take care!
- Good bye.
(Im Yeong-gyu)
(Living Miracle of Korea:
Im Yeong-gyu)
(Exhibition on Visually Impaired
Engraver Im Yeong-gyu)
(We'll meet Lee Jin-sook
tomorrow at her home)
(I also located the factory boss.
See you tomorrow!)
(The Third Interview)
(Producer Kim Su-jin)
So?
What is it you want to know?
We came to hear
about the last days
of Ms. Jung Young-hee.
Wait...
What does my mother
have to do with
this Jung Young-hee person
for you to come all this way?
- Uh...
- She was my sewing assistant.
She was a few years older than me.
I worked her to the bone.
If she really
died back then
then part of it is my fault.
I was really terrible to her.
She never complained once,
and just worked in silence.
Ms. Lee...
You haven't left yet?
Why... why are you crying?
Young-hee...
I don't know what to do.
Seeing Young-hee then
made me want to
come clean about everything.
That jerk of a boss
he
raped me.
What?
Who could I have told?
He always paid us on time,
even gave us bonuses.
Everyone called him an angel.
- Hey, you two!
- Hello.
Stand over here.
I'll take your picture, come on.
Stand straight.
Here we go.
One, two, three.
So pretty! Let's do one more.
Try a different pose.
Like Miss Korea.
Perfect.
One, two, three.
So pretty.
- Good stuff!
- Thank you.
Bye.
So embarrassing.
I'll print the pictures
for you girls, alright?
I'm sorry...
It must be hard enough
engraving stamps
and I make you watch Dong-hwan.
Stop it.
Taking care of my baby
is my responsibility too.
I'll save up quickly
so you can quit your job,
and focus on raising Dong-hwan.
Is something wrong?
No, it's nothing...
But honey,
if a bad person pretends
to be a good person,
does that make them bad?
Or good?
What are you talking about?
Never mind.
Morning.
Yeah.
Your seamstress skipped work
without notice again.
I really should tell the boss
to replace her.
Right in the middle of
the busiest time, seriously?
What?
Did you try contacting her?
Maybe she's sick. Hiring
someone new all of sudden...
Dung Ogre.
Guess your marriage is going well.
You got opinions now?
The blind must be
treating you nice.
This isn't the time for you
to stick your nose in.
Forget it.
Listen up.
A new seamstress
is starting tomorrow.
Dung Ogre,
you'll be assisting her.
What? What about Ms. Lee?
She skipped two days of work,
we'll miss
the delivery deadline like this.
The boss already
decided she's out,
that's all you need to know.
The boss said that?
Get back to work.
Hey.
Hey, hey!
Where are you going?
Dmmit.
Dammit, what is it?
What?
Boss.
Is it true that you're firing
Ms. Lee Jin-sook?
What?
You can't do this.
For crying out loud...
I'm trying to get us
through this together, get out.
Ms. Lee Jin-sook
you know why
she's not coming to work.
Are you going to keep
spewing this nonsense?
But you,
you did something awful to her,
that's why she stopped coming.
You damned wench.
Don't you dare
talk like that to me!
Get out.
Out!
She should've stopped there,
it wasn't even her business.
So foolish...
Honey.
What are you working on?
Uh, it's nothing.
Look at you two!
- Let me take a photo of you two.
- Let's go.
Where are you going?
These girls are so shy.
(Cheongpung Garments
CEO Baek Joo-sang)
(is a pervert
who assaults girls)
"who assaults girls."
Jeez.
Goddamn you.
You prick,
how the hell did you
manage these wenches,
to allow this to happen?
Useless jerk.
Fire all those wenches.
What?
Get out and fire every one
of those wenches!
Yes, sir.
Dung Ogre!
You dare to keep working here
after the crap you caused?
"The crap I caused"?
What exactly did I do wrong?
You goddamned freak.
You insult our boss
and still expect to get paid?
Get out, you wench.
Fine, but what about Ms. Lee?
Will you fire her, too?
Yeah, Dung Ogre!
Neither of you
will be able to work
anywhere near here, so piss off.
Wait, he's the one to blame,
and he ordered you to do this?
Why the hell do you care?
I'm going to have a word
with the boss.
Holy crap. If you go...
Ms. Lee...
That's enough, wench.
Who do you think you are?
Dammit...
Young-hee wouldn't have known.
If you write something like that
people don't focus on
the perpetrator Baek,
they're much more curious about
who got assaulted.
I felt so ashamed
that people would know.
Young-hee
was only trying to help me.
That prick probably went on
living the same way.
Because my shame
acted as his forgiveness.
If Young-hee died by his hands,
maybe it's my fault
for allowing it to happen.
Let's go.
Let's go see that prick Baek.
How could he do that
to the innocent woman...
Don't you feel
sorry for your mother?
We have to ask him why he did it.
Don't you think so?
He has to pay for what he did.
(The Fourth Interview)
Anyone home?
Hello, sir.
We're here from the TV station.
Why... the TV station?
We came to ask you something.
Your name is Baek Joo-sang, right?
Get out, you jerks...
Sir, do you by any chance
remember someone
named Jung Young-hee?
Who?
She worked at the garment factory
you owned.
She was called
"Dung Ogre" sometimes.
I know... that ugly wench.
Oh, you remember her?
Sure, how could I forget?
An ugly wench
who didn't know her place.
You do remember.
We're here to
find out about
Jung Young-hee's last days.
Sir.
If you know anything,
please tell us honestly.
Besides, the statute of
limitations has already expired.
It shouldn't have expired!
They didn't catch that prick?
Who's "that prick"?
That blind jerk killed
his own wife.
Damn, they still haven't
figured it out?
That prick, he's a sly one.
That prick...
Try to understand, okay?
Hey.
Boss.
He's here, he's here!
Good evening.
- Come here, sit in the middle.
- Yes, yes, yes.
That's him!
Come in here.
- Here, loosen this up.
- Okay...
- Sit over here.
- Come here.
Grab his hand.
Come, come.
- Are you serious?
- Sure.
So, he's the blind guy
who carves stamps?
Of course!
He's that good even though
he can't see at all?
- That's what I'm saying!
- So fascinating.
He carves stamps in the alley
near my factory,
and those are top-notch.
Can you show us?
Yeah, Yeong-gyu,
give us a demonstration.
How could I do that here?
Show us!
If you come by the stand,
I'll give you a good price.
Yeong-gyu.
Just show it off here.
Good.
Alright, who needs a stamp?
- Me! Me!
- Madam Jang!
Alright, carve one for Madam Jang.
"Jang Mi-sook," please.
Okay, okay.
Look, his tools are coming out.
So, this is how you carry
them around?
Watch this.
It's done already.
Wait till you see it.
All done.
Good!
Let's see it.
(Jang Mi-sook)
Is he really blind?
You see that?
This guy is amazing!
How does he carve
such beautiful letters
without being able to see?
Give it to her as a gift.
Mine, mine.
He's not pretending
to be blind, is he?
No way.
How does he know
if the letters are pretty or not
without seeing them?
That's why
he's so extraordinary, man!
But what's truly amazing about
these stamps is,
give it here.
If you use this on a contract,
you'll never face any problems.
It's perfect.
- Yeah?
- Sure.
This isn't just an ordinary stamp.
It has talismanic power.
You're making that up...
If you want a stamp,
always buy one from Yeong-gyu!
Thank you.
Yeong-gyu! Have a beer, man.
Wait, I'll empty this one for you.
Have a nice cold one.
I'm pouring you one
because you're brilliant
and amazing.
Alright, bottoms up!
Good.
Good, very good.
There you go.
He drinks so well.
Don't force yourself.
You'll choke!
- Give him some snacks too.
- Here it is, say ah.
Open up!
Mr. Baek, I bet your success
is thanks to this guy's stamp.
I told you,
it's his stamps!
- Yeong-gyu.
- Yes, sir?
Buddy, you better see me
as your benefactor, got it?
Of course I do.
Damn...
Freaking clueless idiots...
Boss.
Yeah?
Is everything okay?
I always carry so much
gratitude toward you, sir.
Buddy.
Do you even know your wife's been
giving me crap lately?
Pardon?
Did you put her up to this?
No! Absolutely not!
I could never, sir!
S... sir, I'll tell her
to stop, okay?
Please don't be angry.
Worthless...
Killing you guys would be
easier than pulling down
my pants in the bathroom.
Yes, absolutely.
Ungrateful pricks...
- Buddy.
- Yes?
Drink up.
Honey.
What are you working on?
Uh, it's nothing...
How the hell did you
manage these wenches,
to allow this to happen?
Fire all those wenches.
What?
Get out and fire every one
of those wenches!
Yes, sir.
Damn, worthless idiots...
Those wenches crossed the line...
This is Baek from Cheongpung.
I'm in a serious mess here.
How many men can you
round up for me?
Who's there?
Is someone there?
Who are you people?
Who are you?
Did... Mr. Baek
send you all?
W... what's wrong?
Honey!
Don't do this!
Please stop.
Please don't do this.
Let us go.
Spare her!
Sir, I'm sorry! Please!
I won't ever do it again.
Forgive us.
Forgive us, please don't!
Sir!
Enough.
Please spare us...
You guys must be hungry,
let's get some grub.
Honey...
Honey?
Please help.
Is anyone there?
Help!
Please help...
What the hell are you doing?
You lunatic!
What did I do wrong?
Tell me!
Holy crap.
Anyone outside?
- What did I do wrong?
- Anyone outside?
Get her off me!
Dammit...
That psychotic wench.
It looked like those idiots
botched the job,
so I sent them back.
I said to make it so she
couldn't get up for a few days.
They said the blind jerk came out.
Isn't that weird?
There was no need to kill her.
No one saw anything,
no one saw anything...
Get it together...
That idiot
couldn't even get rid of
the body properly,
so my guys took care of it,
and even held a funeral for her.
I guess they did it
so they wouldn't get blamed.
They probably buried her so deep
that the idiot never got caught
for the murder.
He should be thanking us.
No way. Don't lie...
Don't lie to me.
Dong-hwan, stop it,
please, don't!
Tell me the truth.
You killed her, didn't you?
Don't do this!
You perverted jerk!
- Stop it!
- You killed her.
You killed her, it was you!
This isn't the way
to solve things!
"This isn't the way"?
Seriously?
(The Fifth Interview)
Didn't know you were home.
So quiet.
What have you been doing lately?
Go get some sleep.
Father.
Yeah?
I met a man named
Baek Joo-sang today.
Who?
He told me
something really weird...
Did you kill mother?
But, father...
Why did you do it?
Why?
Back then, life was really tough.
Ever since I was a kid,
all I remember is
being teased and beaten up.
Because I couldn't see...
When I wanted to learn
how to engrave stamps,
I was beaten for no reason,
not knowing who did it.
It was just... complete hell.
But I scraped and saved
by not eating, not spending,
and managed to
open a little stand.
(Stamp Engraving)
I thought.
I could endure ten times
the hardship I'd already faced.
Come on, give me a big smile!
Why do you want a photo
of someone who can't even see?
You look great when you smile.
Come on, smile!
- One?
- Look this way?
Yeah, that's good.
Alright, one,
two,
three!
Very nice.
It's so impressive, doing this
even though you can't see.
Hey.
When I see someone like you
working so hard,
it's amazing,
I really respect that.
Listen, I'll frame this photo
as a grand opening gift.
Hang it in the best spot
when you make it big, got it?
- Sir?
- Yeah?
I, uh...
Thank you.
- I'll work hard.
- Good.
- Yeah, work hard!
- Yes, sir!
- Make it big.
- Thank you!
- Good, I gotta go.
- Yes, sir!
- Take care, boss.
- Bye.
Oh man...
But things didn't go as planned.
No one cared about
a blind guy engraving stamps.
All I got was curious onlookers
or people picking fights
to see if I could do it.
That's when I met your mom.
The lettering
is so pretty...
It's pretty?
Then would you like a stamp?
No...
I would love to...
But I don't have any use
for a stamp right now.
Maybe later...
later, I'd love one.
No, it's okay.
How about this?
You're my very first customer
after opening this stand,
how about I make one for free?
Really?
Of course.
Let's see.
Give me your name.
It's Young-hee.
Young-hee.
Jung Young-hee.
Ms. Jung Young-hee.
That's when I learned her name.
Jung Young-hee.
Such a beautiful name.
You have such a beautiful name.
Since you're my first customer,
I'll make it extra special.
Alright.
Do you work at the factory here?
Yes.
Let's see... Alright.
Now, press it yourself.
Right here.
Dip it in the ink pad,
then press it down.
Move it up and down,
and side to side.
Good.
(Jung Young-hee)
How is it?
It's... so pretty.
Is it?
Take this paper too.
Don't forget to spread the word.
Yes.
After that day,
she'd stop by, chat with me,
and bring me
rice balls and snacks.
You haven't eaten lunch, right?
I made some extras...
What's this?
Just some rice balls.
You didn't have to...
For the first time in my life,
someone had taken
an interest in me.
Just hearing Young-hee's voice
made my heart race.
Thump-thump.
- Thank you.
- Sure.
- Thanks again!
- Okay...
I'm so jealous, Yeong-gyu.
Look at that pretty girl
hitting on you.
I know, eh?
It must kill you not to see
such a stunning beauty.
You'd better snatch her up
before someone else does.
Ask her to live with you!
Don't let her slip away
and regret it.
So lucky.
Hearing that made me anxious,
and I got scared.
Somehow I worked up the courage
to ask her to live with me.
I promised to take care of her.
And your mom said yes.
I really couldn't
believe my luck.
Come, give them
a round of applause!
What's the virtue of married life?
Having lots of kids, right?
Look at this guy grinning!
When does that happen, huh?
- At night!
- Night, night.
Hey, Yeong-gyu, you're so lucky.
It's always night for you!
Since it's your wedding,
let me take a photo for you.
- Stand up straight.
- Good, good.
Where should I look?
Yeong-gyu, look this way.
Here we go, one...
That's when I formed
my first real dream.
To make sure Young-hee
would never be disrespected
and could live an honorable life.
Are you hungry?
I'm back.
Dong-hwan must be very hungry.
Here.
After having you,
we barely scraped by
even with both of us working.
It wasn't bad though,
it wasn't bad at all.
Then one night,
Gyu-chil was in the area
for work
and stopped by.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Sure.
Here, have some of this.
Okay.
She's got a good heart?
Yes, of course.
A blind guy like me meeting
a woman with such a kind heart,
it's a blessing, it sure is!
My only regret is that
I'll never see her face
with my own eyes.
Having a good heart
is all that matters.
Maybe it's better
you never see her face.
You son of a gun...
My only wish is to see
her face just once.
Don't talk crap to me.
No, really.
You're better off not seeing her.
What are you saying?
Has no one said anything to you?
About her face?
And that jerk
finally said it.
That your mom's face
was hideously ugly,
like a monster.
That's when
I found out everything.
Those punks,
no, those jerks were mocking me.
Mocking me all along.
From a young age,
I was mocked and belittled,
I worked so hard
to break free from it.
But then
it just kept happening.
Over and over!
A monster...
Why?
You think I can't tell
what's beautiful
and what's ugly?
People may secretly
look down on me,
but why bow before me?
Because my engravings
are beautiful.
So beautiful.
I know it.
Beautiful things are respected
and admired.
Ugly things are scorned.
I know it all.
It was only then
that I started to see things
I hadn't noticed before.
Everything.
Everything.
In the end, even your mother
deceived me.
How little must she have
thought of me?
She approached me
just to ridicule me.
If I stayed with her,
I felt I could never
escape the humiliation.
No matter how hard I struggled,
it didn't work.
I couldn't live with that woman.
Even when she got into a fight
with Mr. Baek,
why did she make things
so difficult for me?
I told her to stop,
but she kept doing it
just to spite me.
Please, just die.
Just die, die...
Someone, please kill her for me.
Kill her...
No matter how much I prayed,
she never intended to leave me.
Even after being beaten,
she kept going back for more.
I never imagined
I'd be the one to kill her.
Never thought of it.
Never.
Did you go see the boss again?
Did you?
Did you?
You know...
Why...
Why do you keep
stirring up trouble?
What did I... what did I do wrong?
For goodness sake!
Honey.
Please... just mind
your own business!
Like a little mouse,
let's just live quietly...
Since I was a child,
people have always blamed me.
That I was the problem.
So I thought I had to live
pretending not to see
or know anything.
For a while, I really tried
to live like that.
But you...
You were kind to me...
Stop it.
You gave me courage.
Because of you.
You didn't just...
Just see me as ugly...
Dammit.
Shut up, you stupid wench!
If you had any conscience,
you wouldn't dare say that,
you wench.
No one will ever find out.
No... Nobody cares anyway.
Dong-hwan.
With my own bare hands,
I drove out the humiliation
that forced its way into my life.
Without anyone ever knowing.
Dong-hwan.
You get it, don't you?
Honestly, this might've
all been for you too.
You need to understand that.
Right?
Come here.
Son, come here.
I only wanted to pass on
good things to you.
You have to understand.
Come here.
I don't understand you.
I just can't.
If you don't,
then you're
nothing but a parasite.
What?
A parasite feeding off everything
I've worked for my entire life.
You must understand.
You're a murderer.
No! Who's a murderer?
No, dammit! Not me!
The statute of limitations
has expired!
You think I don't know that?
I'm a living miracle of Korea!
A man who sees the world
through his fingertips.
A living miracle...
I'm not a murderer.
(The Last Remark)
You admired your father so much,
you sure about this?
I deleted some unnecessary parts.
Pardon?
Please make sure
the documentary wraps up nicely.
You know, my father
he's a living miracle of Korea
for overcoming
such difficult times.
So, please...
I'm counting on you.
You resemble him.
Sorry?
Your father.
You resemble him even more today.
I spoke a bit more with
Baek Joo-sang yesterday.
I spoke a bit more with
Baek Joo-sang yesterday.
All of these are my works.
They're art pieces.
Why didn't you take a photo
of Jung Young-hee?
There is one.
I took ID photos
of all new employees.
Eun-sook, smile big!
Hold it up, a little higher.
Yeah, closer to the chest.
So pretty, that's it.
Okay, smile, one,
two,
three!
(Jung Young-hee)
So pretty.
All done, go.
Next.
Hey, Jung Young-hee.
Why is your hair loose
for an ID photo?
Tie it up so your face
shows better.
Alright, here we go.
Smile.
Cheese.
One,
two,
three!
It's your mother's photo.
That is,
if you're still interested.
(Park Jeong Min)
(Kwon Hae-hyo)
(Han Ji Hyeon Im Seong Jae)
(And Shin Hyun-been)
(Directed by Yeon Sang-ho)