My condolences.
Deok-chul, over here.
Oh, hey.
-Hi. You came. -Nice to see you.
By the way, not many of us showed up today.
There's fewer and fewer every time.
Jong-hui is still recovering from his cataract surgery.
Guk-hwan has to take care of his wife. She's very sick.
Gap-su is visiting his son in Canada.
Why?
What else? To babysit his grandkids.
Why would he go all the way there to do that?
His son never even calls him.
But he's still his son.
At our age, we either wear diapers ourselves
or change our grandkids' diapers.
That makes sense.
That does make sense,
but it's sad.
Deok-chul, let me pour you one.
Me? I quit drinking.
You said soju is the greatest joy in life, so why?
Because I turned 70.
Gosh, you're boring.
You won't live long anyway.
Why would you want to live long?
Why do we meet twice a month, in the first place?
We have nothing to do, and our wives nag.
We don't want to hang out at community centers, either.
We're the youngest there.
I should have planned my life after retirement better.
Before I knew it, I turned 70.
I'm going to quit drinking starting tomorrow.
Goodness.
But today, I'm drinking for Yong-pil's sake.
But it's odd.
Why aren't I crying?
As you get older, you get used to goodbyes.
Gyo-seok, I'm on my way now.
Don't forget to bring Kaoliang liquor.
My goodness.
TRADITIONAL CONFECTIONERY
EPISODE 1
Stop!
Hey, can't you focus?
You're auditioning for the National Ballet in a few days.
Get it together.
You gave up on international competitions and chose to go for this audition instead.
What's going on here?
Mr. Ki, Chae-rok injured his knee.
Also, I played too slowly.
No, you didn't.
I need a ten-minute break.
He's been a little strange lately.
He's probably in a slump.
Hey, what's wrong? What is it?
Why are you hesitating?
Is this about your father?
I don't have a father.
I feel a little heavy, that's all.
Ten minutes are up. Come out.
GRACIAS NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
Where's my Kaoliang liquor?
You want to go through hell again?
You moron. I hope you live forever.
How are you doing? Are you sleeping well?
Deok-chul, I'll tell you what. Even though my body is getting weak,
my mind has never been clearer.
I even remember my first bank account number
that I opened in 1971 at Chohung Bank in Jongno.
It's getting clearer by the day.
That's some great news.
And I remembered something else, too.
My ship, the Forward.
The ship that I named but never got to build.
I sold ships all my life,
but ended up getting old without ever building my own ship.
I wanted to sail out into the ocean on the Forward.
Cutting through the waves,
soaked in the salty sea wind,
I might have even encountered a whale.
And I would have chased the whale to the horizon.
Forward and forward!
I can't stop thinking about it these days.
What about you?
Do you have any long-cherished wishes?
The time is now, Deok-chul.
It's still not too late for you.
While your legs are strong and your head is clear,
do what you've always wanted to do.
My, look at Eun-ho.
-She looks all grown-up. -Here it comes.
Is that a cake?
Stay healthy, Father.
Make a wish and blow out the candles.
-It's not much, but go eat something nice. -Thanks.
-My goodness. -Thanks a lot.
-Stay healthy, Father. -Oh, my.
Grandpa, what did you wish for?
-Well… -First of all,
he wishes for his children's good health and success.
Second, he hopes he can stay healthy so that he won't become a burden for you.
Just those two.
Eun-ho, there's nothing else that people at our age wish for.
Right, honey?
Well, that's right.
By the way, why is Seong-gwan late? He has nothing to do anyway.
He must be on his way. Let's wait a little longer.
You're so generous.
Is that why you also make us wait so long?
Sorry? What do you mean?
How many more elections are you going to lose?
Oh, that's what you mean. I'm sorry for making you worry.
-It's okay. -I'm sorry.
Seong-san, what is with you?
You've never even visited his campaign office, have you?
I think I've done enough.
Yes, you have. I couldn't feel more indebted to you.
We'll pay you back this year, so don't worry.
Why are you bringing that up now?
-I know this is about money! -How much is it?
-Enough, everyone. -I'll pay you back.
Seong-san, you should stop now.
Mom, can't I even say this much?
Also, do you really think this is about money?
You know Mother has a soft spot for Seong-suk. That's enough.
-Eun-ho, I heard that you got a job. -Yes.
It must have been hard to get into such a big company. Congratulations.
-I'm just an intern. -Is that so?
Oh, Uncle.
-What a mess. -Here he comes.
-Hi. -You came.
-Seong-gwan, you're here. -Yes.
Stop staring.
Eun-ho, work hard,
or you'll end up like your uncle.
After quitting the hospital out of the blue,
look how he ended up.
How pathetic.
How can you have an appetite?
Father and Mother are worried sick about you.
Seong-san.
I said I didn't want to come.
You insisted we celebrate Father's 70th birthday together,
but what's the point? We always end up fighting.
Come on.
What did you just say? We're family.
I'm sick of your obsession with your family.
Father, happy birthday.
-Mom, stay healthy. -Why don't you finish your meal?
Seong-gwan, take care.
Seong-gwan, get back here right now!
Is that brat serious?
Enough.
Gosh.
Do you have my bankbook?
Are you giving more money to Seong-suk?
You can't look after her forever.
Live your life now.
How can you be so cold?
Don't you even feel sorry for her struggling alone?
My children's lives are my life.
HWANG YE-WON NOVEMBER 1, 1974 - JANUARY 20, 2016
Mom, I have an audition this week.
But Father will be released from prison that day.
I'll visit again soon.
YOU DON'T DESERVE A GOOD LIFE, DO YOU?
All right. You can take a break.
-Hello. -Hello.
-Hi.
Hi, Ex-husband.
Hey, what does it mean to be in a slump?
What exactly is it like?
You're annoying.
I just don't understand.
I'm sure you don't.
Who is in a slump, anyway? Bom?
No. Chae-rok seems to be having trouble adjusting.
HWIJEONG HIGH ADVANCES TO NATIONAL SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
Part-timers aren't allowed to be late.
-Everyone's glaring at you. -Whatever.
HYOGYEONG TAKES THE LEAD FOR YOUR FUTURE
Let me see.
I never got to congratulate you properly.
It's lunchtime, right? Let me buy you lunch.
I'm in the lobby.
Grandpa.
I'm sorry, but I already had lunch.
Oh, you did?
I should have called beforehand.
It's okay. Buy me lunch some other time.
I have to go now. Get home safe.
I will.
Make sure you eat well.
What should I have for lunch?
Hi.
Maybe I should work here as a delivery man like you.
Goodness. It looks easy, right?
The other day, Chang-seon came to try it,
but he quit after one day.
Riding a motorbike is the same,
but delivering hamburgers is nothing like working as a mailman.
What's the difference?
Back then, we could at least feel proud of being a civil servant.
A single day lasts so long.
I don't know what to do.
It's been many years since I retired, but I suddenly feel this way.
My gosh. What's there to worry about?
Go hiking and go on trips with your wife and such.
I only keep myself busy because my wife passed early.
Score some points with your wife.
Order number 41 is ready.
I have to get going. Let me buy you makgeolli soon.
-Okay. You should go. -See you.
-Did you hear? -What?
College-graduate interns will be here on Monday.
That must be why it's been so chaotic all week.
And they get paid more than we do. Does that make sense?
No one forced you to become a part-timer.
But I want to go see Messi.
This is unfair. I feel very upset.
Who said I'd grow taller in the military? I didn't grow at all.
Welcome…
You haven't seen him since graduation, right?
Did he know that you work here?
Oh, right. Chae-rok.
Your dad will be released from prison soon?
Life is unfair, don't you think?
After ruining other people's lives, how can he be released so soon?
Am I wrong?
Chae-rok.
You don't deserve a good life, do you?
Ho-beom, you're out of line…
See you around, okay?
Sir, you haven't paid.
Don't worry. I'll pay.
Why the heck should you?
Ho-beom.
-My dad's situation is too-- -You son of a…
You ran away saying you don't want to play soccer anymore.
Now you come asking for help?
You selfish bastard.
HANKUK UNIVERSITY OF ARTS SCHOOL OF DANCE ANNUAL SHOW
I'm not here to see you.
Me neither. Where's Chae-rok?
Working. He'll come as soon as he's finished.
Is he still working?
I know.
I've been telling him to quit, but he won't listen.
He doesn't even have enough time to practice.
What should I do to make him quit?
Just let him be.
He'll quit on his own sooner or later.
Once his ambitions become bigger and his goals clearer,
he won't leave the studio in order to improve himself.
We stayed up all night practicing too, haven't we?
No, I haven't.
I always slept as much as I wanted.
They're good.
Want to get something to eat together?
What should we eat?
Are you hungry?
No, I'm not.
I'm off to practice.
Jeez.
OH JOONG-SIK ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC
Just a second!
-What is it? -Open the door.
Gosh, why does it have to be now?
Hey.
Hang on a second. I'm sorry.
I was finally having my moment.
I was saving the world from terrorists, you know?
Just save yourself. You look like a mess.
Have you been playing games all day? Is it even fun?
It's just like you dancing every day with an injured knee.
Once the audition is over, please take a break.
And go through rehab.
Fine.
How's your back?
-Well, it's okay. -Let me see.
-That hurts. -I really should move far away from you.
Damn it.
What are you doing?
You call this ballet?
What else would it be?
There's no emotion in your moves.
You're just mechanically following the routine.
How can the audience feel anything when you don't?
This is not ballet. It's a workout. It's labor.
What did you tell me when we first met?
What is going on here?
Do you even know what this is?
Don Quixote.
I mean, what were you thinking?
What was I thinking?
I wasn't really thinking.
I just followed my emotions.
You said, emotions.
I don't know what is happening to you,
but forget about the audition if you're going to keep pushing yourself like this.
You don't deserve to dance.
Honey, are you sleeping?
No, I'm not.
I can't sleep.
I saw a performance today.
Those young dancers were amazing.
But I couldn't find anyone as old as me on stage or in the audience.
I guess that's only natural.
What was I expecting?
Okay.
And I sat there, feeling envious.
My father, who forbade me to dance, is long gone.
But I never had the courage to even give it a try.
Everyone lives that way.
I've lived that way all my life,
and I'm 70 now.
I know it is too late.
I should give up.
AUDITION FATHER'S RELEASE
TODAY 9:00 AM
-Is he there? -Give me a second.
-Wait. -What?
Did he show up?
Yes, he's here.
-All right. -Who is he, anyway?
If he stood out to you, he must have an awful lot of potential.
He'll be the lead role at the National Ballet within a year.
LEE CHAE-ROK
10:06 AM SEPTEMBER 21, MONDAY
Number 10, Mr. Jung Chun-gu, and number 11, Mr. Lee Chae-rok.
Mr. Lee Chae-rok?
Let me go check.
Mr. Lee Chae-rok?
Wait! Does this bus go to Anyang Correctional Institution?
MR. KI
What is it?
Deok-chul, what are you up to?
Are you not coming today?
Are you out of candy?
I can't today, but I'll be there next week.
Don't throw it away, okay?
What?
Don't throw it away.
Gyo-seok.
Get me some ginger candy.
Gyo-seok.
Goodness, is it him again?
He should have been good to his family when he was young.
How come his family never visits him all these years?
That's why he keeps calling you.
Come out. Let's eat.
Okay.
HAPPY CHANGES MAKE HAPPY CIVILIANS
Excuse me.
I'm waiting for inmate number 1352. His name is Lee Mu-yeong.
Why isn't he coming out?
-One moment, please. -Okay.
He's already been released.
Pardon?
He was released this morning at 7 a.m. You must have missed him.
Thank you.
Hello?
-Who is this? -Chae-rok.
I've been released.
A friend of mine found me a job,
so I'm in Daecheon.
I'll be in touch.
Is that all you have to say to me?
FATHER
The person you have reached is unavailable.
Hello?
I ran here as soon as I heard a loud thud,
but all I found was this letter.
Do you hear that?
It's the sea!
The ocean!
I see a whale!
Forward!
Sail forward!
I'm sailing out into the ocean.
Into the vast, endless ocean!
Deok-chul.
We have known each other for almost 50 years now.
But it's time to say goodbye.
When my own family abandoned me, you've visited me all these years.
I can't thank you enough.
Lately, I keep hearing the ocean in my ear.
There are whales swimming in the vast, deep ocean,
and I sail across it
on the Forward.
But just when I think I'm about to move forward,
I keep waking up.
Am I asleep or intoxicated on medicine?
I can't tell anymore.
Deok-chul.
My pain is getting worse and worse.
I want to be happy
at least in my last moment.
Are you out on the ocean now?
Have you spotted any whales yet?
Why did you back out after going all the way there?
Answer me.
Fine.
Let's end this.
My father…
I went to see my father.
But I couldn't meet him.
I'm sorry.
You little brat.
Do your homework after school.
What are you doing here?
Father, did you see that?
How can a person fly up like a bird?
Is that why it's called Swan Lake?
Father, I want to be a swan, too.
What? Do you want to be a boy who dances with makeup on?
Do you want to live the rest of your life in poverty?
Who do you think I work my ass off for? No way.
Father, please.
I said, no.
Come on.
Forward, sail forward.
What is it?
You were standing here the other day, too.
Why are you watching me?
Didn't you hear me?
I said, why are you watching me?
I want to do ballet.
What?
I want to do ballet.
Do you happen to be ballet dancer Ki Seung-joo?
Yes, that's me.
I'm a huge fan. I can't believe this.
I've been to all your performances in Korea.
This is such an honor. I didn't expect to see you here.
I heard that you want to do ballet.
Yes.
This place is just for practice. I don't give lessons here.
Please go back.
If I was going to give up so easily, I wouldn't have come.
I'll pay you and do whatever you tell me to do.
Please just give me a chance.
I beg you.
I'm stronger than I look.
If you need a hobby or exercise--
No, it's not that.
I genuinely want to do ballet.
Then go to ballet class.
Can't…
I learn here?
He can barely stand straight, let alone keep his balance.
Hello.
Mr. Ki, I'm off to work.
When are you going to quit?
Don't you think it's a waste of time?
You're already 23.
You know that ballet dancers retire early.
Why are you suddenly saying that?
Next to that white-haired old man
desperately begging me to teach him ballet,
you look pathetic.
It's that old man who's pathetic.
If he's so desperate, why didn't he start earlier?
Anyway, I'm off.
You better not be late for evening practice.
I'm just going to watch a little.
Sure, suit yourself.
Fifth.
Shoulders down.
Eyes straight ahead.
-That's right. -I thought so.
Here they come.
Look how shiny everything is.
Mr. Sim cleaned the whole place.
You didn't have to.
Don't worry. I'm happy to do this as long as you let me watch.
I'm sorry, sir.
Would it be okay for me to come back tomorrow?
No, you can't.
I see.
He reminds me of you four years ago.
Why do you want to do ballet, anyway?
I've never done anything I wanted to do my entire life.
I've been too busy making ends meet and supporting my family
to even dream of it.
I thought it was only natural.
And now…
I'm finally trying to do what I want to do.
I know very well that I'm old and weak.
Still, I want to try it.
I don't care if I lose to reality.
I want to give it a shot at least.
These interns will be training here for six weeks.
Ms. Cho Min-jae and Ms. Sim Eun-ho.
Please introduce yourselves.
Hello, I'm Cho Min-jae.
I'm Sim Eun-ho. Nice to meet you.
Min-jeong, can you show them around the hall?
Okay.
All right, let's start prepping for dinner.
-Let's do this! -Let's do this!
Excuse me.
Do you have any recommendations for two people?
-Recommendations? -Yes.
Well… Let me see.
Sir, would you mind if I give you some recommendations?
Please go ahead.
When you're two people,
you can enjoy more dishes at a cheaper price if you order a set.
This set on the first page is the most popular.
-Then we'll have that. -Sure.
Why did you interact with customers when you're not ready?
-It's because-- -Don't act up.
Next time, just ask one of our employees for help.
Yes, sir.
I hope they're not like that during the whole training period.
I'm sorry.
Did we jump through hoops to land this measly job?
Eun-ho.
Come here please.
-This is for table number 11. -His name did sound familiar.
Turns out, he's the coach's son.
My cousin is in a youth soccer club.
He says it was a huge deal back then.
-Why? -What do you think?
The soccer club was disbanded, and everyone split up.
-Gosh, it sounded terrible. -What a bother.
Excuse me.
I was in that soccer club you just mentioned.
Were you more affected by it than I was? No.
Then keep your mouths shut.
Narcissism is a disease.
Get to the point and leave.
An old man in his 70s came by and asked me to teach him ballet.
-So? -I said no, of course.
My hands are full with Chae-rok.
Then what's bothering you?
He's been coming every day since.
He'll stop soon.
Right? I guess he will.
But the look on his face…
I can't stop thinking about what he said.
What the hell?
What a weird old man.
Hey, come here.
I asked him to come over.
Mr. Sim, please come over here.
Okay.
Don't tell me you're going to teach him ballet.
No.
I'm not going to teach him. You will.
What?
SPECIAL THANKS TO CHO SEONG-HA
-Father, have you been working out? -No, I haven't.
Not at all.
All I do is breathe.
Don't you know you're making things difficult for everyone?
I'm in no position to be picky.
It's for me.
-Could you recommend some? -Sorry?
If you manage to master this in a week, I'll teach you ballet.
Yes. I can do it.
Gosh, I'll be dead by then.
Why would you smash your face into the mirror?
Whenever you're ready.
Subtitle translation by: Min-jin Kim