THE RETURN
You're doing it again. I told you not to do it that way!
You're ruining them.
It's fine this way!
Let her be.
Hey.
What in the world?
It's a customer.
You fools. What's so strange about a customer?
Mr. Byun, you have a customer!
What do you have?
Soybean paste stew, please.
IF YOU DRINK MAKGEOLLI HERE, THE PERSON YOU MISS WILL RETURN
It's true. They really do return.
Who returned?
It's been eight years since your wife ran off,
and this one's son isn't back from the army yet.
Mr. Byun's old man and son…
And your daughter too.
My daughter returns every day. Always at dawn though.
And my son's getting discharged next month.
You fools. Did I say they won't return?
They will return!
Excuse me. Would you like to join us?
Food never tastes good when you eat alone.
Oh… Sure.
Then…
You can put your bag…
-Are you here on vacation? -Yes, something like that.
I'm a licensed real estate agent.
She's an elementary school teacher. And Korean-Japanese.
Hello.
And this is… You don't need to know.
-And he owns a lodging business. -A hotel.
May I ask why you were so surprised to see me earlier?
We don't see a lot of out-of-towners here.
Especially young ladies like you.
Where are you staying?
You can't see anything.
Goodness.
Why would you check yourself in the mirror?
I do need to check once in a while
even though I don't really want to see my face.
You're such a fool.
Excuse me, sir?
Yes?
Do you take in lodgers by any chance?
I can help you around the place too.
-This is the room. I'll let you rest. -Thank you.
You don't have to clean.
Okay.
What are you doing?
All right, fine. It's on the house!
That's all from my store.
She says her knees hurt too much to go up the mountain.
So she takes everything from here and sells it over there.
Can't she at least sit farther away? That old lady…
What?
I'm a good guy!
INTRODUCING "THE RETURN," A COOL MAKGEOLLI PLACE
"IF YOU DRINK MAKGEOLLI HERE, THE PERSON YOU MISS WILL RETURN"
EVEN MY FRIEND FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MY DOG THAT RAN AWAY A MONTH AGO RETURNED HOME
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER
DELICIOUS BAR SNACKS ON THE HOUSE
ADD TO HOMEPAGE
I heard that all the paperwork for the contract is ready.
Yes.
Then you just need the official seal, right?
Yes.
Please check and let me know.
Okay.
Sir?
What are you doing here?
I was just… I was looking for some pain-relief patches.
My neck hurts.
I'm sorry.
Do you really believe that?
That if you drink makgeolli here, the person you miss will return?
Don't wait.
Only the one who waits will get hurt in the end.
Are you waiting for someone?
No, not at all.
At this point, this is all I can do.
That's a lie.
If you long for someone, you should go find that person.
It's ridiculous to just drink makgeolli and wait here.
I'm sorry.
It's like the last hope.
We're all trying not to let go of that hope.
So we do our best even if this is all we can do.
Sir!
Take me with you.
What are you doing?
Please get off!
We buy all scrap metal!
-We also buy broken TVs! -Who's that?
-Who is that? -Be quiet.
Hey, answer my question. Who is she?
Honey?
How about we deep-fry this?
Hilarious!
Hey, don't joke around like that. You're going to start rumors.
Why are you talking casually now?
Sorry, miss. Hop on.
I'm kidding. You can speak casually to me.
Wow, that's bitter.
What the heck are you doing?
Me, ma'am?
Pay for what you ate.
Protect us, merciful Buddha.
Jerk! Where are you going? Pay for those veggies!
Bastard! People, look! Stop that bald pig!
SCHOOL FIELD USAGE POLICY
Hello, there!
Is the school closed today?
No. It shut down for good, so it's empty now.
Is that so?
That's odd. I came here because I sensed a lively energy.
-My gosh. -Really? That's fascinating.
Actually, we're running around, trying to bring the school back to life.
Maybe this is a good sign.
Welcome!
Can I order SPS?
"SPS"?
-Soybean paste stew. -Oh, of course.
Please don't use knives at all.
Just rip the vegetables apart with your hands.
And chop the squash and tofu with your hand. Like this.
Would you like some makgeolli?
No, thank you.
IF YOU DRINK MAKGEOLLI HERE, THE PERSON YOU MISS WILL RETURN
Excuse me?
Yes?
Well…
Could I have just one cup of makgeolli, please?
Of course.
Which temple are you from?
I don't belong to any. I just wander from place to place.
That calligraphy has strength and warmth.
I heard the chief monk at Bongho Temple wrote it.
So it's Monk Haewon's calligraphy.
Is that so?
Would you like another one?
I've been walking around all day and haven't eaten yet, so I'm all right.
Here. Drink up. You fake monk!
-Jin-chul, what are you doing? -Hey, you should thank me!
Sit down. Sit.
Just sit down! Why are you being so rude to him?
Monk Haewon should have some too.
Protect us, merciful Buddha.
You rascal, not again!
Oh, no!
I said, no alcohol! Listen to your grandpa!
Why do you keep sneaking drinks every night?
Look, promise me that you won't drink again!
Do you mean you're going to keep sneaking drinks?
You rascal… I have no choice, then.
You need a whipping!
Grandpa!
IF YOU DRINK MAKGEOLLI HERE, THE PERSON YOU MISS WILL RETURN
It's my fault.
I just felt so bad for him.
I thought he'd understand it meant that
his father would return when he is old enough to drink.
That's why I wrote it for him.
It was thoughtless of me.
What are you doing here?
I'll give you some food. Eat something.
Food? Are you kidding me?
You abandoned your father and your own child.
What the heck are you doing here?
"The person you miss will return"?
Don't even call yourself human.
How could you have the audacity to run a business here?
It really worked!
Mr. Byun!
It's a hit!
-Makgeolli, please! -Hurry up with the makgeolli.
What? Take this.
Mr. Byun, where have you been?
The orders are all backed up. Please hurry!
-Who's making the food? -I've been trying but…
It doesn't taste good!
Those rotten fools. That's my seat.
Excuse me.
I'll buy you makgeolli. To pay for the veggies.
It does seem a bit unfair, but I'll stay cool about it.
You son of a cow!
Yes, I did grow up drinking cow's milk, Mother.
Then does that make my mother a cow?
What?
Why you…
-You bastard! -My gosh!
Why are you calling me "Mother"?
I never gave birth to a shaved pig like you!
-My dear Chang-young was so adorable! -Calm down.
-Ma'am! -How dare you call me "Mother"?
-Calm down! -Come on! What's the matter now, sister?
You crazy punk! Where are your manners?
What? "Sister"? You bastards!
-Have you both gone crazy? How dare you! -Please calm down!
-Got a death wish? You bastards! -Ma'am, calm down!
-Hey, help me out here. -You worthless jerks!
It's awkward to see so many people here.
I think they're coming because of Ju-young.
To see this young lady.
So many people came, but the food tasted awful.
-Don't cook. -Just don't eat what I make.
She's tiny.
I guess she has a son?
We don't know.
She never talks about herself.
Chang-young? Would that be her husband?
Nope! It must be her son.
She's always drinking makgeolli here, so he's probably not dead.
Maybe he ran away like Mr. Byun's son did?
If he's alive, he'll return someday.
And if he's dead….
Then, I guess he'll return as a ghost.
If you're going to get drunk, at least watch your mouth.
What are you mad about?
Jung-hwan…
He came by.
Jung-hwan?
Your son, Jung-hwan?
How is he doing?
I didn't get to ask him anything.
So it's true.
That if you drink makgeolli here, the person you miss will return.
It's really true!
Ma'am! This way…
Welcome!
Have a seat.
It's actually quite spacious.
If you tear this down and rebuild it, it'll be huge.
-I didn't order this. -This is on the house.
We came from the real estate office. You've put the place on the market, right?
On the market? Who did that?
What do you mean? Who put it on the market?
Your son, sir.
So that's why. That's why he came by!
What? I thought this was all settled.
This place is generating quite the buzz on the Internet these days.
-Was it on TV? -Anyone can pay to be on TV.
It's all over social media, which has more influence nowadays.
That's all paid for, too! You don't know anything.
Anyway, the value of this property will double soon.
That's for sure, ma'am.
The makgeolli here is really famous.
And a resort and a mineral water factory will be built in the area.
-A school's coming here, too. -Jeez!
No, forget it! Nothing's coming.
Jin-chul!
What's his problem?
The school will reopen, and the children will return.
See, ma'am? Gosh, I'm parched.
So refreshing!
I believe in that.
What is that?
"If you drink makgeolli here, the person you miss will return."
How stupid.
I'm afraid my dead husband would return alive!
Oh, ma'am.
Tell your dead husband to come and take you away!
Ma'am, please.
Excuse me, ma'am. Are you talking to me?
Yes, you fool! Don't you dare blabber like that in front of me!
-What? Unbelievable. -Ma'am!
-I'm not selling. -What?
Please enjoy your food.
I'm not selling the place.
Is this how you do business?
Ma'am!
The owner refusing to sell just shows how well this place is doing!
Bitch.
Hey, pay the bill!
Ma'am, wait! We'll be back. Ma'am!
Gosh, wait up!
I'm trying to make a living too.
There's no way.
Not until my Jenny comes back. No way!
Your son will be discharged in a few weeks.
And you, stop talking about Jenny all the time.
Eight years is enough! Why wait for a wife who ran off with your money?
You should get the police to find her and put her in jail.
Ma'am, who are you waiting for?
Do you even remember with all that cursing?
You should be ashamed.
And the boss here. Your son has returned. Isn't that enough?
Oh, the grandfather?
Honestly, don't you think he's passed away by now?
How long has it been? He should have returned by now.
And he wasn't all there, you know.
Am I wrong? Don't you all think the same? They'll return? Come on!
You should all stop waiting! It makes me mad.
How frustrating.
Bitch.
I heard about Jung-hwan and went to see him once.
I saw him running the snack stand with you.
He seemed to be doing fine without me.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to deceive you.
Here.
Ju-young.
His grandfather…
will be back soon.
Can you ask Jung-hwan…
to just wait until then?
Ju-young!
Want to go to the market with me?
Ju-young!
Ju-young?
Is this really all right?
When did you get here?
I'm sorry I slapped you.
What's with you all of a sudden?
I'm sober for a change, but I feel drunk.
I wish you all the best.
Did he step out?
You can all stop staring. You're going to stare holes into me.
Why are you back?
My feelings are hurt.
I won't be coming back even if you ask me to.
Ju-young has suddenly left, and Jin-chul's not around these days.
It's weird.
He's probably drunk, talking about Jenny somewhere.
-He hasn't been drinking. -Him, not drinking?
He said he hasn't had a drink today.
It's the first time I've seen him sober!
He wished me all the best as if I'd never see him again,
then he left.
The old lady was always telling him to go off and die.
Maybe he did just that.
Jeez…
My goodness!
What?
The rope.
-He was holding a rope. -Rope?
He wouldn't… Right?
That fool…
-Oh, God. -My gosh.
Oh, my…
Oh, no!
Jin-chul!
-Jin-chul! -My gosh!
Jin-chul!
-Jin-chul! -Call an ambulance!
-Jin-chul! -What do we do?
Jin-chul!
Jin-chul! Oh, Jin-chul…
Get up, you fool!
-You scared us! -What do you think you're doing?
Thank you.
For worrying about me.
Bastard!
That was unbelievable!
Still, it turned out all right. In the end, it's another return.
What? What do you mean?
He got his girl back, in a roundabout way.
Wait, Mr. Hwang. Who are you waiting for?
You never talk about it.
What? I talk about it all the time.
Customers!
By the way,
where's the old lady?
-Where did she go? -She probably went off to do something.
She has high blood pressure. Will she be okay after all that running?
She'll be fine!
You punk. No respect for elders!
Who starts eating before their elders?
Please help yourself before it gets cold.
Forget it! You've already eaten everything.
Your father
loved this.
My sweetheart.
You're such a good boy.
When will Daddy return home?
I thought he'd understand it meant that
his father would return when he is old enough to drink.
IF YOU DRINK MAKGEOLLI HERE, THE PERSON YOU MISS WILL RETURN
Venerable sir.
You've been visiting often.
I know.
May I have a cup of makgeolli?
-Let me pour you another one. -One's enough.
What's with that look?
Why do you wander around without a purpose?
I suppose I'm not ready to renounce the world yet.
All the anger inside me might burn me to ashes if I stay in one place.
So I walk and wander around to meditate.
Let me.
Protect us, merciful Buddha.
By any chance,
did you put that there
because of my father?
Lucky you.
Lounging around and slurping up makgeolli.
Where are you staying?
Just move in here and--
Why all of a sudden?
You want to play Dad now?
No matter what you say, I can't leave.
So you can come back, or…
Just live your life, like you're doing now!
Now, you show your true colors!
Damn, do you think I'm crazy? Why would I come back and live here?
I feel like throwing up when I smell the makgeolli here.
Move out within the next three days.
If you don't,
I'll really kill you!
Jung-hwan!
I told you not to say my name!
You…
You're a murderer.
Who's my son?
How could you just take in the kid without asking me?
You come back after six years, and that's what you say?
I had no way of contacting you!
All she did was think of you, waiting and waiting.
Then even she left, so he was left all alone here!
A man takes responsibility when he gets a woman pregnant!
You call yourself a man?
You call yourself a father?
She never said a thing about it to me, and we broke up a long time ago!
You took him in, so you take the responsibility!
This is none of my business!
Can I have one?
Thank you.
Do you have a lighter?
-Father! -Father!
Father…
Ju-young?
Is that you, Ju-young?
It's you?
I'm back.
Have you eaten?
Do you want some food?
Yes.
I have something to tell you.
Later.
Tell me later.
Ju-young, you're back!
My gosh!
HOGYE SAUNA
Next course is bulgogi!
-Wow. -Oh, my!
This is…
authentic Korean beef.
I asked Mr. Goh to get it for me since Ju-young is back and…
Jin-chul.
Congratulations, you two!
Let's drink! Cheers!
-Cheers! -Cheers!
Jin-chul, why aren't you drinking?
Only cola?
He promised me to quit drinking.
Really?
A lot has happened since the last time I was here.
A lot has happened, indeed.
But where did you go?
A friend of mine passed away.
I traveled around to see some of the places my friend liked.
Protect us, merciful Buddha.
I was always curious. May I ask you why you became a monk?
Delicious!
-Come on. Tell us. -Tell us.
I was actually a police officer.
-Not a gangster? -What?
But then, I got into some trouble and left home for the temple.
I was a monk there for about seven years. Then I quit that too.
I did mixed martial arts for about six months or so.
-Mixed martial arts? -Yes.
Then I was on a deep-sea fishing boat for about a year.
When I came back,
I became an alcoholic homeless person.
Then I met my current master and joined the temple again.
Come on.
That's a tall tale!
Was it that obvious?
-What? That was a lie? No wonder! -My goodness.
I thought it was true.
-Come on! Tell us your real story. -Yes.
My real story?
I'm wandering around, looking for my mother.
When I came here
and saw that calligraphy,
my heart started beating wildly.
"They will return."
It was written
with a longing like no other.
Father!
"Father"?
Whose father?
I'm sorry I took so long.
What is this?
It's Jung-hwan.
He used to…
hate talking about you.
But whenever he got drunk, he talked about when he was little.
I should have known then.
If I had known that was him missing his father…
I wouldn't have let him be like that.
I thought you were like my own dad.
Someone who is not even worth meeting.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry to have taken so long.
Don't ever come around again! I do not have a son like you.
Whatever you say, I'm still your son.
Remember that, and until the day you die…
Here!
Etch it here!
And suffer your whole life.
He breathed his last the day he came down here to sell the place.
He wanted to drink his grandpa's makgeolli again.
He thought he could replicate the flavor of his grandpa's makgeolli.
Ju-young.
Will you help me?
It's good.
Dawn is coming
Oh, my love
-I hope you don't forget either -Which language is this?
This summer night in Moscow
I hope you don't forget either
This summer night in Moscow
-My gosh! -Impressive!
One, two, three!
-Let's take a look. -Show us.
Let's see.
What's this?
Let me see.
Ma'am, I told you not to pick at this.
-Hey, it's the monk. -What?
This must be a picture of him as a young boy. Look!
-Move! Stop messing around. -Who?
The monk.
Ma'am…
Did something happen?
When the school is restored…
I thought my child's father would come back.
To my son…
I wanted to tell him he has a dad too.
I wanted to show him his dad lived here. Funny, isn't it?
I know you all think I make too much fuss over my son.
But I have no choice because I'm a bad mom.
I fell in love with his dad who came to study in Japan and got pregnant.
But then, he suddenly disappeared.
So I came to Korea to look for him.
But it was so hard.
It was so hard…
One day, I was bathing my child.
My hand slipped, and he went underwater.
But I didn't pull him out right away.
For a moment,
I thought it'd be better if he just died.
Maybe that's why…
he's a slow speaker.
While that slow son of mine was in the army,
my heart was never at ease.
But he has returned.
Dead.
Oh, my goodness! Ma'am!
-You crazy woman! Are you insane? Go away! -Ma'am!
-Careful! -No! You're going to hurt your hands!
It was a lie. It was all a lie, I tell you!
-Careful! -You said they'd return!
-Bring my son back! My son! -Ma'am!
-Bring him back! -You crazy woman! What are you doing?
-No! -Ma'am! My gosh!
My goodness.
Chang-young!
-Chang-young! -Pardon? Who?
My child! My baby, Chang-young…
-Ma'am! -Chang-young! What are you doing here?
-It's the monk. -My child! It's me, your mom.
-You've seen him a lot. -My baby… It's me, your mom.
-What are you doing here? -Why are you being like this?
-My baby! -Please, ma'am!
My child…
What are you doing here? Your mother's here. What are you doing?
Chang-young! My baby…
Yes, that's what happened.
Since then, she's been calling you her son.
Me? Oh, my…
Her dementia seems to have significantly worsened due to the shock.
Is that so?
Ma'am, your son's on his way.
-Ju-young, help her. -No, I can go alone.
-Okay, but will you be all right? -Yes, I'll be fine.
He's coming!
-He's here. -Really?
Where is she?
She went to the bathroom.
Have a seat.
Chang-young.
My gosh, Chang-young…
I'm…
I'm sorry it took me so long, Mom…
My son, Chang-young!
-Chang-young. -Mom!
My gosh, Chang-young…
Oh, my. Chang-young! My son!
-Mom! -Chang-young!
-Mom! -Chang-young…
-Mom! -Oh, my child!
My baby…
Come join us.
Welcome.
I brought this.
IF YOU DRINK MAKGEOLLI HERE, THE PERSON YOU MISS WILL RETURN
The day I got the phone call about my father's Alzheimer's
was also the day I finally achieved my dream of becoming a hotel chef.
My family became a burden to me.
And I'm sure
my son could sense that.
So, him thinking that I abandoned his grandfather…
I understand why he thought that way.
If he comes back, ask for forgiveness so you won't regret not doing so.
Will he…
come back?
What do you see?
Nothing.
Someday, it will all become clear.
Dad, what's the matter now?
You said you wanted to take a bath.
-Let's go home. -What?
Home…
No! We're not going anywhere!
Your grandfather? Yes, I abandoned him.
Yes, you're right.
Get undressed. Come on, hurry up!
Mr. Byun! It's awful. Jung-hwan is…
-Jung-hwan? What now? -There was a traffic accident.
I think it's Jung-hwan. Go, quick!
For crying out loud!
-Where is he? -Over there, go all the way!
Jung-hwan!
-Are you okay? -Seems like epilepsy.
I confirmed it wasn't you.
And it was only much later that I remembered my father.
It was as though he had flung up to heaven.
No one had seen him.
He was nowhere to be found.
That day, I searched for him all over the town, in the mountains…
I looked for him all night long
but couldn't find him.
You should've kept looking!
The next day and the next day… And the next!
You should've found him no matter what!
I'm sorry.
Back then…
I didn't want to.
I wanted to run away.
I'm sorry.
Jung-hwan! I'm sorry…
I'm sorry…
That foolish father of yours whom you abandoned…
was worried that I'd hate you.
So he never…
He never, ever…
said anything bad about you.
I wish
I had that kind of father too.
I'm sorry…
I…
I should get going.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry…
I'm sorry.
-That was impressive! -Isn't he so good?
Oh, thank you.
Let me sing a song in return.
-Nice. -Go for it!
Go, Mr. Hwang!
The clear water of the Imjin River
Flows down
All sorts of birds
Freely fly up and down
My hometown in the South
I can't go there even if I want to
Oh, the Imjin River
Do you carry grief down as you flow?
-Incredible! -You're the best!
-Cheers, everyone! -Cheers.
-Mr. Byun, when can we drink -Cheers!
the makgeolli you made?
Goodness! Don't even think about drinking.
If you're going to keep playing Mom like that,
just become a mom!
Are you making fun of me for being old?