C'est Si Bon (2015) - full transcript

Oh Geun-tae (JUNG Woo) is a country boy with a booming baritone who is discovered by aspiring singer-songwriter Lee Jang-hui (JIN Goo) and thrust into the bustling world of Seoul's iconic folk music café-C'est Si Bon. Unwittingly, he becomes the third member of the yet-to-debut "C'est Si Bon Trio" and the begrudging buffer between two rival musicians-the vocal genius, Song Chang-shik (JO Bok-rae), and the heartthrob, Yoon Hyeong-ju (KANG Ha-neul). Amidst the smoke and chatter of C'est Si Bon's youthful clientele, they meet aspiring actress Min Ja-young (HAN Hyo-joo) and find themselves completely bewitched. Will their muse inspire them to create legendary music, or tear them apart before they even begin?

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A JFILM AND MOOV PICTURES PRODUCTION

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEONG TAE-SUNG

Yongdu intersection?

You found your way alright.

Turn right and you'll see a cornfield.

Continue down a little...

No, no... Stop.

Mr. Lee?

How about I just sing one?

I haven't sung in ages.

But you have too many hit songs.

I've just learned that 'Twin

Folio' was originally a trio,

that there was a third member

alongside Song Chang-sik

and Yun Hyeong-ju.

You're right. The band

started off as a trio.

I thought about inviting

him as a special guest.

but no one seemed to

have his contact number.

I heard you two were

close back in the day.

It's been over 20 years

since I last heard from him.

But for the others,

it's been over 40 years.

Ever since he quit.

Twin Folio's...

third member...

Mr. Oh Geun-tae.

C'est Si Bon is Korea's first

live music cafe to open in 1963.

It was a mecca for a new

generation of folk singers

such as Song Chang-sik

and Yun Hyeong-ju

who brought a new sensation to

the existing popular music scene.

Twin Folio, in particular,

gained an immense popularity.

But those who spearheaded

the golden era of C'est Si Bon

took a big hit with the

marijuana scandal of 1976.

There was a time when we were young.

Mugyo-dong, Seoul

Late 1960s

Is that Jo Yeong-nam?

Oh my God, it's him!

JUNG-WOO

HAN HYO-JOO

JIN-GOO

KANG HA-NEUL JO BOK-RAE

Is it because of your old man?

I got tired of singing.

Will we ever see a new star

that surpasses Yeong-nam?

Yun Hyeong-ju! Yun Hyeong-ju!

Then of course, there is Yun Hyeong-ju.

The winner of Student Night for

the last 10 consecutive weeks

has declared that he will no longer

be singing here in order

to focus on his study.

No!

This can't be true.

No, Hyeong-ju!

Back off.

I came all the way from

Suwon to hear you sing.

If only he wasn't pre-med...

We've heard all contestants

for the 24th Student Night...

Sorry, we had another contestant.

From Hongik University,

Song Chang-sik!

- Mr. Song?

- Song who?

I don't see his name.

Ah, there he is. A returning

student, perhaps?

Let's have Chang-sik on stage.

What will you sing for us?

A song of a vagabond?

I don't need that.

Ladies and gentlemen, he

doesn't want microphone.

That prick...

What's he playing at?

I have the name of the winner

right here in this envelope.

Tonight's winner is...

Yun Hyeong-ju

...'s 11th consecutive

victory was just halted by

Song Chang-sik from Hongik University!

Song Chang-sik, congratulations!

That's how the lifetime friends

and rivals met for the first time.

You said you were quitting.

C'est Si Bon needs a new face.

Right?

Keep it down unless

you own the damn place.

We're renting because

we're so fucking poor.

Countryside bastards...

Look what we have here...

Come here, you bastard!

Come on.

Punk!

What the hell? Hey!

Quiet, all of you!

Shut up!

What are you staring at?

I'll gouge out your eyeballs.

Hey you, run along.

Get the hell out of here.

You too.

He knows his guitar, too.

Told you he's something.

Will our new star, Chang-sik,

take home his fourth win?

I just can't believe my eyes.

The last contestant tonight

is Yun Hyeong-ju from

Yonsei University.

I thought our former star had

left to focus on his studies.

Is he here to vent out the stress,

or to reclaim his throne?

Perhaps the new guy's sparked

something in Hyeong-ju's heart.

I'll be damned.

That's what C'est Si Bon is about!

And tonight's winner...

I feel my heart beat

a little harder tonight.

And the king returns to the throne.

Yun Hyeong-ju!

Puts an end to Chang-sik's

three week reign.

Congratulations, my man!

I'm thinking about putting

them together into a duo.

What do you think?

Well...

Put two big egos in the same room,

there's bound to be conflicts.

You think?

You need someone who

can act as a buffer.

How about a trio?

A trio? I'm not so sure...

The Beegees who's sweeping the

Billboard's chart is also a trio.

A trio is three.

Three...

Three is 'Set'...

Bon.

Set-is-bon.

C'est Si Bon is a trio! It's destiny.

Who will be the third guy?

The third member?

Jang-hee can be that.

No, his voice's too weak.

Hey, did I even say I wanted it?

Do you know anyone?

Hyeong-ju has a silky voice

and Chang-sik is a tenor.

It'll be nice to have bass or baritone.

Where do we find him?

It's not gonna be you.

I don't want to sing anyway.

I'm more interested in writing

and putting together albums.

What they call 'producing' abroad.

I will make you a producer.

Just find this guy for me.

What the f...?

You freaked me out.

I know you.

You're on working scholarship?

Are you underprivileged?

No, I'm making an extra buck

to upgrade to a single...

Wait, who are you?

You go to this college, too?

Nice and thick.

I knew I saw right.

Wanna become a singer?

What are you, a talent scout?

I'm not looking for a trot singer.

What then?

A folk singer.

Fork?

Fo...

Just take the job.

It'll easily cover your rent.

What the hell do you

want from C'est Si Bon?

Here he goes again.

This isn't the place for

someone who studied voice.

Singing's just singing.

Teach me how to sing American pop.

I'm a quick learner.

I'm not doing this because I like you.

I'm only doing it because

Mr. Kim promised a record deal.

Likewise.

Didn't you say we'll be a trio?

Jang-hee is bringing someone.

He said I should be excited.

What are you doing here, country boy?

Back at you, city girl.

Maybe you didn't learn

your lesson that night.

Maybe you suffered

a major brain damage.

Want a round 2?

Bring it on.

Jang-hee,

You're still not it.

I'm not that low of a man.

So, you can't play the guitar?

I'm told I only need to sing.

I don't suppose you read music either.

I'll mark your parts.

Can't believe I even have to do this...

You don't.

What's my part? Bass?

There isn't much anyway.

What? Did I surprise you?

I sang in a choir for 4 years.

Start with your strings.

Come now, chop chop.

Two three,

♪ You were like a dream that ♪

♪ came to me on a spring day ♪

♪ A dream I thought ♪

♪ would last forever ♪

♪ The sand castle of bliss ♪

♪ from that summer beach ♪

That was you, country boy.

Thought you can read.

My choir didn't have guitars.

Is that right?

♪ I love you, darling ♪

♪ I love you forever more ♪

Wasn't that better?

Your voice isn't as powerful as mine.

I should take the melody

and you, the harmony.

Because you don't want to sing harmony?

Oi, country boy.

Which one was better? Mine, or his?

Well you see, city girl, my

part's exactly the same.

You're right, country boy.

Just go with my version.

It's clearly the best.

It really isn't.

Away you go, empty shells.

With April snow, away you go.

Is Mr. Kim here?

Can I just debut as a solo?

Chang-sik is just hopeless.

I entered Seoul Arts

High top of the class.

And the country boy...

What kind of folk singer

can't play the guitar?

What am I supposed to be?

A goddamn punching bag?

This isn't what I bargained for.

Where is my 120 won a day?

Asadal and Asanyeo

shall bow each other...

Hey, Jang-hee!

- I quit.

- Please do.

- You know what? I'm out.

- Right, good bye.

I was willing to work this

out but just look at him!

A drink coupon?

Min Ja-yeong!

Jang-hee?

What are you doing here?

This is my hangout.

You have a mustache.

Yes, I do. Do I look dandy?

No, it's awful.

- How have you been?

- It's been so long.

My good buddy, Jang-hee!

Is she a friend of yours?

Let me introduce her.

This is Ja-yeong. We used

to go to same church as kids.

We did a play together. I

was Samson and she was...

- Delilah.

- Delilah!

This is Yun Hyeong-ju. He sings here.

That's him?

I heard the poet, Yun

Dong-ju, is your cousin.

A second cousin, yes.

And this is Song Chang-sik.

How're you doing?

The new genius at C'est Si Bon?

Is that right?

Genius, no. Prodigy, maybe.

What about him?

Is he a singer, too?

I thought you were leaving.

Well, I...

I'm Oh Geun-tae. I sing with these two.

I thought you quit.

Yun Hyeong-ju, Song Chang-sik

and me, Oh Geun-tae.

We three are

a trio.

And so the trio was formed.

♪ You were like a dream that ♪

♪ came to me on a spring day ♪

♪ A dream I thought ♪

♪ would last forever ♪

Country boy, two three.

♪ The sand castle of bliss ♪

♪ from that summer beach ♪

♪ got swept away by the wave ♪

♪ You can leave me ♪

♪ You can forget me, darling ♪

♪ My heart will always be the same ♪

♪ The only regret I have ♪

♪ is not loving you more ♪

♪ The sand castle of bliss… ♪

What do you think about the tambourine?

He has a long way to go, right?

There's room for improvement

but he is not bad.

Yeah?

He doesn't try to stand out.

♪ You can leave me ♪

♪ You can forget me ♪

♪ My heart remains the same ♪

Did it untie?

Ja-yeong!

My church friend we saw last time.

♪ Love is nothing but a day dream ♪

♪ A dream that you can't wake from ♪

You sure about that?

Ja-yeong.

Min Ja-yeong.

I heard that name before.

Empress Myeongseong had the same name.

Oh, Queen Min!

It's Empress Myeongseong.

And she has a lofty

dignity of an empress.

Charming!

Your girlfriend's here.

Come on, boys.

Great job.

Hey, I almost didn't recognize

you with your new...

Hyeong-ju!

It's not the hair... It's the person.

So, what did you literature

girls think of our trio?

I want to hear your thoughts.

I think it was a brilliant idea to

put Song and Yun into a band.

But...

But what?

The other guy doesn't seem

to be quite up to scratch.

You can't say that to his face!

No no, it's okay.

I'm just giving a

constructive feedback.

I have a different opinion on that.

Between the two brilliant men,

Mr. Oh Byeong-tae...

- It's Geun-tae.

- Huh?

Oh Geun-tae.

Right... Mr. Oh Geun-tae

is doing a fantastic job.

You think so?

Take The Beatles for instance.

Both John Lennon and

Paul McCartney are geniuses

but could they hold together

without Ringo and George?

It's easy to stand

out for your brilliance.

But being brilliant without

showing is a real challenge.

In that sense, Mr. Oh Byeong-tae...

- Oh Geun-tae.

- Geun-tae.

Mr. Oh Geun-tae is

essential to the group.

Man, I love that chick.

So, he's Ringo Starr.

Ringo!

♪ There is nothing harder ♪

♪ than loving someone ♪

♪ There is no more gratifying ♪

In those days, Myeongdong

was our playground.

We were young, and always together.

♪ There's nothing more electrifying ♪

♪ than touching of brushing hands ♪

♪ A strange feeling you can't ♪

♪ understand when you're alone ♪

♪ A phrase you can't ♪

♪ get sick of, I love you ♪

F chord is so hard.

Then, you just get it one day.

F is a bitch of a chord

but once you get it,

you've got it for good.

Like learning to ride bicycle.

Give me the guitar.

- Catch!

- Hey!

♪ I have something ♪

♪ something to say to you ♪

Man, you're crazy.

Hey, man.

When are you gonna go?

You said you'll only crash

for a couple of days.

♪ I'm gonna stay here ♪

♪ in your place forever ♪

You have a crush on

Ja-yeong, don't you?

Who's that?

Are you playing dumb?

Oh her! The empress...

That old friend of yours?

So you do.

Cut it out, go to sleep already.

Whatever.

♪ Who are you, girl? ♪

♪ You came deep into my heart ♪

♪ and lit up a candle ♪

♪ before I knew it ♪

Where are you going?

Walk me to Midopa dept.

I once walked with her in the rain.

That moment is permanently

etched in my memory.

Which town are you from?

I went to school in Busan.

But I was born in Chungmu.

Chungmu? What's it famous for?

They call it the Naples of the East.

Fishery is a big business.

The food is great. What else...

It's where Admiral Yi beat

the Japanese invaders.

Admiral Yi Sun-shin?

He is my favorite historical figure.

You were born in a really nice town.

I had no idea

that the department store was

so close from C'est Si Bon.

I wished it was just

a little farther away.

♪ The scene I had always imagined ♪

♪ My soul was soaked ♪

♪ after just one look ♪

I wanted the road never to end.

♪ It must be love ♪

♪ O, it must be love ♪

It feels great to finally

get this off my chest.

Thanks, buddy.

P.S. Don't bother looking for

a place to crash, just stay.

I could really use a guitar tutor.

When are Hyeong-ju

and Chang-sik coming?

They must be on the bus by now.

And Yeong-nam couldn't make it?

You should be grateful he's not.

What's taking you

so long? I'm starving!

They have a guitar.

Let's sing.

Fantastic!

Let me just finish this.

Oh dear...

♪ When the raging ocean ♪

♪ finally quiets down ♪

♪ Will my baby come visit me ♪

♪ from across the ocean ♪

♪ The stars in the night sky ♪

♪ are shining beautifully ♪

♪ But your lovely eyes ♪

♪ are shining even brighter ♪

♪ But I'll wait only for you ♪

♪ I'll be waiting for you forever ♪

♪ I'll wait only for you ♪

♪ I'll be waiting for you forever ♪

♪ I'll wait only for you ♪

♪ I'll be waiting for you forever ♪

♪ I'll wait only for you ♪

♪ I'll be waiting for you forever ♪

One more time.

Come on, that's enough.

♪ I'll wait only for you ♪

♪ I'll be waiting for you forever ♪

In that short moment, I

prayed with all my heart.

Please let me get the F chord

even only for this one time.

Remember what you

said about the F chord?

That once you get it,

you've got it for good.

Oi, country boy.

I see your guitar's improved.

What's up?

Come join us, asshole.

I have a twin sister.

An identical twin who was

born one minute after me.

Her name is Se-yeong.

She had polio at birth.

So, she never went to school

when I even got to go to college.

Sometimes,

I wonder if I stole her

share of luck from her.

I'll always feel in debt.

♪ I'll make a necklace with seashells ♪

♪ and put it around her neck ♪

♪ We'll sit by the fire ♪

♪ and whisper all night ♪

♪ in each other's ears ♪

♪ Moon shadow in the distance ♪

♪ With the sound of wave breaking ♪

♪ the summer night deepens ♪

♪ but I can't sleep ♪

You wrote that just now?

Pass me the guitar.

It was your birthday

not long ago, right?

This is a belated present.

♪ One day she'll talk to me ♪

♪ When is it going to be ♪

♪ When is it going to be ♪

Give me the guitar.

- Something just came to me.

- No, I'm not finished.

That summer, so many songs

were written because of a girl.

Truly, she was our muse.

I envy them for writing

songs on the spot.

I heard weed gets you inspirations.

Maybe I'll try that.

You don't even smoke, dumbass.

Hey,

you've got tons of songs stashed away.

Can I borrow one?

Lend you a song?

Yeah.

Hey!

Do I know you?

You must be a friend of my sister's.

Are you Ja-yeong's younger sister?

Yes. I'm Min Se-yeong.

She told me you're twins,

you really look the same.

My sister is way prettier.

She's a city girl, I'm not.

They say you can't take

the country out of the girl.

How do you know my sister?

She's a regular at

the live cafe I work in.

C'est Si Bon, right?

You play guitar and

sing pop songs there.

I heard Jo Yeong-nam used

to sing there before he debuted.

Ja-yeong told me about a trio, too.

Song Chang-sik,

Yun Hyeong-ju,

and what's the other one...

It was Oh...

That's right. Oh...

Oh...

Geun-tae!

That's the one. I'm Oh Geun-tae.

Did she tell you about me?

She said she is good

friends with the trio.

That's my bus.

Alright, have a safe ride.

Hey, I'll buy a lunch next

time, for you and Ja-yeong!

You got it!

Take care, sister-in-law.

I ran into Ja-yeong's sister today.

They look so much alike.

Wait, who?

Ja-yeong's twin sister?

She was pulling your leg.

Did you really believe her?

Then, who's that girl I saw earlier?

Ja-yeong! You saw Ja-yeong.

No, I'm telling you.

She had a limp and

spoke with an accent.

Ja-yeong just joined a theater company.

Her first role is a country

girl from Gangwon province.

You understand now?

Ha!

Then, why did she walk with a limp?

Because her character has a limp!

Mr. Oh Byeong-tae.

Sis?

Is that you?

It's really you.

Yeong-ok!

They're reunited.

It's me, Yeong-ok.

Your competition is down by one.

Chang-sik eliminated

himself last night.

♪ The foolhardy Chang-sik ♪

♪ got the brush-off ♪

Come live with me, Ja-yeong!

Hyeong-ju and Yeong-nam

are full of shit.

What happened to your face?

I'm Ja-yeong's mother.

I hear you're close with Yeong-nam?

I'm not.

Well, I'm his girlfriend.

Who's calling herself

Yeong-nam's girlfriend?

♪ Player Yeong-nam ♪

♪ also got the brush-off ♪

They were never my concern.

The only one I'm worried

about is Hyeong-ju.

Well,

only he got invited to her play.

You should do the classics.

Like Shakespeare,

Chekhov's 'The Seagull' and

Beckette's 'Waiting For Godot.'

There are so many good pieces.

How was my acting?

You're missing the point.

You're better off playing

smaller parts in a decent play.

I'm only telling you

this because I care.

And I'm telling you

this because I care.

You should only give

compliments to girls.

Even it's a lie.

I should go.

♪ The bigheaded Hyeong-ju ♪

♪ also got the brush-off ♪

She didn't reject me.

You never tried.

What do I do, man?

♪ Now, are you ready ♪

♪ for your doomsday? ♪

Since I got separated from

my sister during the Retreat,

I don't know if she lives or not.

Me and my sister,

we've been through

the thick and thin...

Stop being yourself. Be the

character, for God's sake!

Don't recite your lines,

talk like the character,

you understand?

How many times do I have to tell you?

It's the first time you said it.

How dare you!

Myeong-chan!

I'm not that drama teacher

from your church anymore.

So start performing like a real actor.

We're closed for the day.

I said we're closed.

Ja-yeong, is that you?

I saw the light was on.

Why are you still here?

I can't practice at home

because of the neighbors.

I practice for hours every

day with no improvement.

I don't think I have the talent.

Here's another one with no talent.

Don't be silly. Your acting is amazing.

No, you got your leg pulled

because you're a fool.

I meant your performance on stage.

Were you at the theater?

I went on the opening night.

Why didn't you visit me backstage?

I wasn't invited or anything.

It was you who left the

gift in the dressing room.

I wasn't interested in acting

from the start, you know?

There was this guy that I had

a crush on since high school.

I joined the company so

I can see him more often.

As I got to know him,

the fantasy was crushed.

But now I really want

to be a good actress.

Acting is so much fun.

- Want one?

- Huh?

Something I picked

up working in theater.

I see.

You alright?

Sure.

Can I sing for you? Something

just came to me.

You write music, too?

It's nothing really. So,

don't be disappointed.

♪ I have something... ♪

This isn't right.

Maybe this is better.

♪ I have something ♪

♪ Something to say to you ♪

♪ Out of the blue, tonight ♪

♪ I want to say this to you ♪

♪ For you, there is nothing ♪

♪ nothing I won't do ♪

♪ I will catch the stars ♪

♪ and put them in your hands ♪

Did you write it just now?

Huh? Yeah.

It just came to me.

It's amazing.

You're amazing.

Oh, it's nothing.

Anyone can do this.

Hey...

You know, I...

I have feelings for you.

I know.

Your next play has a kiss scene?

You fool!

♪ I'll give you all of my love ♪

♪ that's bursting out of my heart ♪

♪ For you, there is ♪

♪ nothing I won't do ♪

What's wrong with you?

Who smiles in their sleep?

Please let me off just this once.

- Next.

- I didn't know.

You ladies have so many excuses.

Geun-tae.

Please, stop talking.

Run!

I absolutely have to get

my hair done today.

- Let us off this once.

- I'm afraid I can't.

Geun-tae.

- Good afternoon, officers.

- Afternoon.

You all should dress like that.

Hey!

You there.

Me?

Yes, you punk!

I thought the regulation

only applied to women.

I thought it was okay for men.

Come here, you pervert!

But my mom said it was okay.

Don't walk around in that

tiny piece of cloth again.

Don't tell me what to do.

You're not my boyfriend.

Of course I am. We kissed

hence we're lovers.

Give me a break, country boy.

This isn't the 16th century.

Hey!

Don't fall for me.

You'll only get hurt.

Love is supposed to be painful.

It ain't love, if it's easy.

I can't sleep. Sing for me.

You want me to sing?

♪ I have something... ♪

Not that one. Another one.

Another one?

What?

No inspiration tonight?

I get inspirations all the time.

But I don't have my guitar with me.

Can you give me one second?

Yo, Jang-hee! Wake up.

Come on, man.

Wake up. There's a fire.

Come on, man!

Where's your guitar?

Hurry, Jang-hee, let's go.

♪ In the quiet of the night ♪

♪ everybody is asleep ♪

♪ but I am unable to sleep ♪

♪ It's you ♪

♪ It's you ♪

♪ It's you ♪

This one's really good, too.

♪ It's because of you ♪

You're a genius.

♪ It's you ♪

♪ It's you ♪

♪ It's you ♪

♪ It's because of you ♪

♪ It's you ♪

♪ It's you ♪

- ♪ It's you ♪

- Do you know what time it is?

Yes, you!

We're all up now because

of you, asshole!

Why don't we start selling liquor?

What?

OB's Cabin is fully booked

because they serve beer.

C'est Si Bon is no drink house.

This is a live music venue.

How dare you compare

us with OB's Cabin?

It is a live music venue alright

but the sound system

isn't up to standard.

The decor isn't all that great either.

It's all oldish.

Yeah, it is.

You gotta put money in it.

But look how slow the business is.

Good job, boys.

Boss, we need a raise.

They pay 90 won per hour at OB's Cabin.

I don't know about these two

but I sing to make a living.

I need to support my grandma.

Yes, I know that.

Did you talk us into a phony

record deal to use us cheaply?

Are you ganging up on me?

Forget it.

How would you know

what I'm going through?

This cigarette tastes funny.

INN

You wanna go there?

Well, sure... why not?

I mean we're both

grown-ups, boys and girls...

But,

you sure about this?

What are you thinking?

You can sleep there. I'll

stay over at my friend's.

Myeong-suk lives around here.

Oh, your friend Myeong-suk!

She lives around here.

So, I'll go there tonight.

Hey.

You want to stay with me tonight?

Yes... No!

Why?

I want to know how you feel about me.

And you need to sleep

with me to know that?

I guess I'm just... anxious.

I am so impossibly happy

when I'm with you

and thinking it might

end drives me crazy.

Sleeping with you won't

make me your girl.

If I decide to leave,

I can leave you whenever

even after sleeping with you.

Shall we run?

Don't want to break curfews.

On three.

One, two!

♪ Big smiling eyes ♪

♪ Long flowing hair ♪

Myeong-suk!

Are you asleep?

Come on, girl.

I'm so sorry.

Go on.

Good night.

Come on, young man.

I'm coming.

Go on. I'll be fine.

Mister!

But my mom said 10 minutes is fine.

Let's go!

♪ All the memories of us ♪

♪ countless like the stars ♪

♪ Even if they're swept ♪

♪ away by the wind ♪

♪ I will never forget them ♪

♪ I will never forget them ♪

CLOSED FOR RENOVATION

Coming back soon with

a new sound system.

Guess what? I'm hired.

I'm an in-house actress.

I told you you'd get it.

So, I'll be seeing you on TV from now?

It'll be small parts at first

like maids or waitresses.

Still!

Why TBC though?

We don't have that channel down here.

Geun-tae!

Come on, son.

When are you coming back to Seoul?

My old man's business gets

crazy at this time of year.

How come you're...

Hello?

Geun-tae?

I'm sorry but Mrs.

Kim is not available.

I'm sorry but Mrs.

Kim is not available.

You picked up the dress that

I had dibs on at Andre Kim's.

MAID

Why would a maid

need a dress like that?

I won't say this again.

I want it cleaned and in my

wardrobe by tomorrow.

I heard the drama producer got you in.

Don't think about telling me off.

I got in through the director general.

Your girl?

Let's see...

This one?

No.

This one, then.

Nope.

Her?

Come on, it can't be so hard.

Can't you tell from a glance?

It can't be her.

Is it?

Don't look so shocked.

Holy Mary!

Son...

How come you always fall

for someone you can't have?

Silly boy...

You gotta meet someone in your league.

I can see how this will end.

Mom must've been a hell of

an ugly chick to marry you!

Miss Min, your role switched.

Get changed and learn your new lines.

I sincerely believed that

Mr. Kim's wife passed away.

I didn't know he had such

a young and beautiful...

Have you any idea how

I got to where I am?

How dare you!

I can't wait to go back to Seoul.

I miss the stage.

I'm dying to sing again.

Because I don't go to

C'est Si Bon anymore,

my father seems to believe

that I've given up singing.

Jang-hee, do you think I'll

find happiness being a doctor?

If I can heal people's

broken hearts with my songs,

couldn't that also be meaningful?

I'm traveling around the country

and am learning how beautiful

the traditional folk

melody and rhythm is.

Although I'm singing

American pop songs now,

one day,

I want to graft traditional

melody with popular music.

P.S. Send me some money, will you?

Crazy bastard.

I'm surprised how the success

of a movie can change a man.

Do I sense sarcasm?

I still remember you reciting

Lord's Prayer in Sunday school.

Now you're smoking cigarettes.

Do you still want to marry me?

You told me back in high school

to wait for you until you graduate.

Men are such simple creatures.

You honestly believe

that if a girl falls for you,

she'll carry the torch forever?

I saw you on television.

You must have a good eye sight.

My mother calls me 'Miss Blink'

because I only appear for a second.

But you played a bigger part

in the weekend soap opera.

Apparently my director

liked my acting from the play.

Are you friends with

the director of drama?

We were in the same theater club.

You made such a fool out of me.

FEMALE STUDENT

This is the script for my next film.

It's an adaptation of Choi In-ho novel.

I'm sorry for being harsh to

you in the theater company.

I wanted to discourage

you from entering this world.

You wanted to be an actress

like Audrey Hepburn, right?

I want you to be my muse.

I thought you have to be handsome

to become a singer.

I'm not supposed to tell you yet

but I'm getting my debut

as a singer soon.

Next year, I'll be too busy

to help you with fishing.

Is that right?

Your father's running for

presidency next year.

I'll be watching you on

TV from the Blue House.

But I'm telling the truth.

Ja-yeong!

Min Ja-yeong!

Geun-tae!

Ja-yeong!

Why did you take the trouble

when I'm coming back to Seoul soon?

I didn't know it was so far.

I took the night train

and arrived only now.

Hey! I can't breathe.

Wow, what's that?

I've never seen a

cassette player that tiny.

It was my uncle's gift from Japan.

You could actually carry it

around to listen to music.

It's my favorite song.

'Wedding Cake' by Connie Francis.

Will you learn it and sing it for me?

It's such a sad song.

Sad?

But the melody is cheerful.

That what make it even sadder.

Geun-tae,

what can you do for me?

♪ For you, ♪

♪ there is nothing ♪

♪ nothing I won't do ♪

I will sing for you for

the rest of my days.

Come on.

We should go now

to catch the last train.

I'll get you some seaweed

rolls on the way.

Ours is different from Seoul style.

The rice and the

fillings come separate.

Rice here, fillings here.

All separately.

Come on now.

But I'm not going back tonight.

Carry it with you, so

you can record anytime.

Turn on the lights.

It's modern.

I've missed you, fellas.

Good to see you, man.

You'll fall on your asses when

you hear the new sound system.

Somebody saw you singing at OB's cabin.

That's absurd.

I saw you there, too.

Listen.

Your drifting ends here.

Following the grand

re-opening celebration show,

we'll start recording your debut album.

Is it all going to be

translated pop songs?

Let's play safe since

it's your first album.

Don't worry, I got you

the best lyricist there is.

Who would that be?

Kim Chun-sik.

Who's that?

You don't know who that is?

You don't know your own boss' name?

My name isn't 'Mr. Kim.' It's

Kim Chun-sik, you buggers.

What do you think?

I'm not too convinced. The

song is in the female key.

'White Handkerchief' is

a Nana Mouskouri song.

I need to hear it a few more times.

Let me borrow this.

I don't think so.

It's a gift from my girlfriend.

You listen on your player.

You call yourself a friend?

C'EST SI BON'S RE-OPENING SHOW

Featuring Superstar Jo Yeong-nam

and C'est Si Bon Trio

C'est Si Bon is back and so are you!

It's great to see everyone.

Welcome to C'est Si

Bon's re-opening show.

The place is packed.

I have news for you.

You're going live on air

on a CBS radio show tomorrow.

Seriously?

What's even more exciting

is that you'll go live on 'Music

Grand March' this weekend!

KBS 'Music Grand March'!

'Music Grand March'?

It's going to be a joint performance

with Yeong-nam, but still!

It's 'Music Grand March.'

I'll be damned!

Guess what, ma? I'm gonna be on TV.

No... I'm coming out on

a national television.

In 'Music Grand March'!

Yes, your favorite TV show, ma.

Yeah!

♪ You were like a dream that ♪

♪ came to me on a spring day ♪

♪ A dream I thought ♪

♪ would last forever ♪

♪ The sand castle of bliss ♪

♪ from that summer beach ♪

♪ got swept away by the wave ♪

♪ You can leave me ♪

♪ You can forget me, darling ♪

♪ My heart will always be the same ♪

♪ The only regret I have ♪

♪ is not loving you more ♪

Created and raised in C'est Si Bon

and even named after the cafe,

give it up for C'est Si Bon Trio.

Hold on a second.

We have a special guest today

who's joined us in celebration.

Please welcome the mega hit director,

Mr. Kang Myeong-chan.

He's come here amidst

a very busy schedule.

C'est Si Bon is more than

just a live music venue.

Years from now,

it will be remembered

as a cultural heritage.

Fantastic.

I never liked C'est Si

Bon, to be honest.

The girl I love is crazy

about this cafe.

I thought she loved

it more than myself.

So, I felt jealous.

At this very place she loves dearly,

I wish to manifest my love for her.

To my soul and muse.

What is this?

So, this was a proposal event.

The star director and

C'est Si Bon groupie,

I mean, the rising starlet,

Min Ja-yeong were lovers?

We'll carry on this evening of love

with C'est Si Bon's next song.

♪ There is nothing better ♪

♪ than being in love ♪

Ja-yeong!

Ja-yeong!

Ja-yeong!

Ja-yeong!

You're going on air tomorrow.

Congratulations.

It's no big deal.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

To tell you the truth, I hooked up

with tons of girls this summer.

This girl who had a huge crush

on me back in high school,

she got her eyes done and

became a pageant queen.

After a few of drinks,

I couldn't see why I shouldn't bed her.

And there was this other girl...

Where was I? I've known

this one for some time...

Maybe he had an accident.

Does he know the exact time and venue?

He is the one that fussed

the most about this.

Then, why...?

If this falls through...

Don't even...

Okay, okay. I got it.

I never imagined out

of the three of you,

Geun-tae would be the

one to screw me over.

Don't wait for him.

What?

He's not coming.

What are you jabbering about?

Just a day has passed

and nothing is the same.

Was it all but a dream?

The time I spent at C'est Si Bon

was nothing but a dream.

I want to wake from it now.

My reason for singing is gone.

Let's go as a duo without him.

A duo?

Kim,

wasn't it a duo project initially?

This is an opportunity we can't miss.

Okay! We'll go as a duo.

We gotta change the name first.

The C'est Si Bon duo

doesn't sound right.

Geun-tae, you bastard!

Any ideas?

Urgh! Nothing comes to mind.

What's sheet music called in English?

Folio.

Folio?

Duet Folio, it is.

TWIN FOLIO

Next, we'll hear a song by Twin Folio.

♪ Enclosed in the letter she sent me ♪

- ♪ notifying of our break up ♪

- A pop song from a classic channel?

Who changed the channel...?

♪ was a carefully folded ♪

♪ white handkerchief ♪

♪ When I left the hometown ♪

♪ she stood on the hill ♪

♪ and in tears, waved ♪

♪ the handkerchief ♪

♪ the white handkerchief ♪

♪ The trace of her tears ♪

♪ has disappeared completely ♪

ENGAGED: DIRECTOR AND HIS MUSE

♪ Now it's my fresh tears ♪

♪ that soaks the handkerchief ♪

Twin what?

Twin Folio.

Twin Folio, okay.

It was Twin Folio's legendary debut.

It's the rookie duo, Twin Folio!

I don't see him.

The little bugger's become a bluffer.

Twin Folio! Twin Folio!

The crowd's gone crazy even

before the album release.

Songs, songs...

Jang-hee, can you pick out

some good pop songs?

We'll need at least 10

songs for a full album.

I got it.

Se-hwan,

Don't beat down your guitar so hard.

Be gentle as though

you're caressing your lover.

Gently.

♪ There is nothing better in ♪

♪ the world than the one I love... ♪

Stop smiling.

Geun-tae,

I really like this seaweed roll.

Geun-tae.

Oh Geun-tae.

No one's ever made me

laugh as much as you did.

Thank you for that.

And sorry.

Geun-tae,

I really like this seaweed roll.

Seaweed roll?

♪ The handkerchief she waved at me ♪

Stand back everyone!

Lee Jang-hee.

Lee Jang-hee, right?

Did you see Yun and

Song smoke marijuana?

As far as I'm concerned, they

never touched that stuff.

Are you trying to protect your buddies?

I'm not protecting anyone.

We can get them without your testimony.

I only did it because my friends

said it was a cigarette.

Weed?

Me?

You smoked it at C'est

Si Bon on November 2.

You smoked with Song and

Yun and the other clowns.

This cigarette tastes funny.

It's gotta be a misunderstanding.

We have a witness. Just admit it.

Your friends gave you up. Confess.

Are you trying to use

my friends against me?

We never smoked marijuana.

Possession alone is a criminal offense.

Damn it, who's framing us?

- Bring the bastard to me.

- Shut up!

You know Oh Geun-tae?

Your friend.

He told us everything.

The truth didn't matter.

It was a crazy time.

MUSIC CAFE C'EST SI BON SHUT DOWN

With C'est Si Bon closed,

our youthful days were over.

No one's heard from Geun-tae since.

No one asked about him.

Twin Folio was disbanded

in just one year.

It was difficult for me

to remain in Korea.

So, I started a new life in America.

Los Angeles, 20 years later

You're listening to Lee

Jang-hee's 'A Letter From LA.'

It's raining now in Seoul.

Over here in LA, we get just

a day or two of rain in a year.

Sometimes, I miss the rain

from my home country.

It's a beautiful night everyone.

What are you thinking

about on a night like this?

You have a guest waiting outside.

You own this restaurant, too?

I heard that you're the

owner of the radio station.

You're making the most

money out of all of us.

I'm the worst singer. I'd better

be good at something.

Are you in touch with

Hyeong-ju and Chang-sik?

It's hard to meet Chang-sik

because he only works at night.

Hyeong-ju wants me to come

to church, so I try to avoid him.

No, thanks.

I quit since I moved here.

I heard you live like an

ascetic. I see that's true.

I could easily stop drinking

but smoking's a different story.

Weed is not addictive but this...

You used to smoke weed?

People in my world experimented

with it at least once.

It wasn't illegal back then.

Look at you...

You guys at C'est Si Bon

took the fall for everyone.

They wanted to control

you folk singers.

They even passed a new

legislation to do that.

It's all in the past.

What about Geun-tae?

Did you hear from him?

Oh Geun-tae?

Even you haven't heard from

him. Of course we didn't.

You should come on my

show while you're here.

The 70's star of the silver

screen visits Los Angeles.

Forget it. No one remembers me.

Ja-yeong.

I'm taking a trip with a friend.

Where are you going?

Las Vegas and San Francisco.

If you lose all your money,

call me, I'll loan you some.

- I'm gonna take off.

- Okay.

Have a safe trip.

Let's go easy on the first night.

Okay.

Hey.

What's the matter?

That's my old favorite.

What is it?

'Wedding Cake.'

That's the original of

the Twin Folio song.

Twin Folio's 'Wedding Cake'?

But that's a sad song.

You used to sing with the Twin Folio?

I'm telling you.

It was originally a trio.

But I quit and they became a duo.

You could've sung that song.

I guess so.

If I didn't join the army, maybe.

The original lyrics is about

an ordinary house wife.

How come Twin Folio's

version has such sad lyrics?

That's the charm of translated songs.

You want to go to LA?

My aunt lives there. I want

to drop by to see her.

I booked your rental car.

You can pick up the

keys from the office.

I'm flying straight to San Francisco.

Okay.

Drive safely.

Lee Jang-hee's 'A Letter From LA'

Radio Korea

You're assigned to San Francisco?

Our company lab is in Silicone Valley.

Silli... what?

Why wouldn't your wife come with you?

It would've been good

for your daughter, too.

You're listening to Lee

Jang-hee's 'A Letter from LA.'

The time now is just after 8:20.

Do you know the feeling of

time and place jumbling up

in company of an old friend?

Although I live in LA 16

hours away from home,

I've just met a friend from long ago...

I was so happy to run into

an old friend in America.

Let's record three day's shows.

I'm taking a few days off for air.

Where are you off to?

Sedona, Arizona. It's a good

place for meditation.

I've been living here for 10 years

and have never been there.

What's there to life? You

gotta follow your heart.

Jang-hee.

You...

You look exactly the same.

I never grew up, that's why.

You've become an old man.

I'm a company man after all.

You're married?

I married the prettiest one

of the girls that wanted me.

Why did you cut yourself off?

You didn't have to do that to me.

There was a rumor that you gave us up

but we all knew that it wasn't true.

Disappearing like that

only made you look worse.

It's good that I came to see you.

Of course.

We're friends, back then and still.

Can we drink soju?

Jeez, wake up!

Someone's calling.

Hello?

Hey.

- Oh, you're here?

- Hello.

I promised a radio appearance?

I don't remember.

You're lucky it's a pre-recorded show.

Thinking back, you did

miss a live show before.

You're listening to 'A Letter From LA.'

We have a special guest in the studio.

20 years ago, he sang alongside

Song and Yun as a trio

until he quit the band

right before their debut.

Please welcome, Mr. Oh Geun-tae.

Hello. I'm Oh Geun-tae.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed

to be on the show.

I reconnected with Jang-hee

last night after 20 years.

We had some drinks.

He tells me that I got wasted

and begged to be on the show.

I don't remember much about that.

You want me to what?

You said you wanted to.

From what I saw last

night, you still have got it.

Are you making it up

because I was wasted?

Like you said, once I

got it I got it for good.

Even after 20 years.

Let's ask Geun-tae to sing for us.

What will you sing?

I had a friend who used to

believe that I wrote this song.

Not any more though, right?

I released it a few years later.

Now the whole country

knows that it's my song.

♪ I have something ♪

♪ Something to say to you ♪

♪ Out of the blue, tonight ♪

♪ I want to say this to you ♪

♪ I will give you everything ♪

♪ give you my all ♪

♪ I'll give you my love ♪

♪ that's bursting out of my heart ♪

♪ For you, there is nothing ♪

♪ nothing I won't do ♪

How about you sing together?

Not a chance. I haven't

sung in over 10 years.

We have someone who hasn't

touched guitar in 20 years.

Thanks, buddy.

The show will go on

air tomorrow evening.

When are you heading

off to San Francisco?

Tomorrow or the day after.

Drive up the Route 1 along the coast.

It's a detour but it's beautiful.

I'm returning the rental

car and taking the plane.

Sentiment is a luxury for

a company man like me.

Hey, listen.

Ja-yeong is in California now.

I wasn't sure whether

to tell you or not.

But I thought it's

stupid to not tell you.

Jang-hee,

the rumor that I ratted you out

20 years ago when it happened...

It's true.

I gave up your names.

But why?

I was never one of you.

Shall we go straight to the hotel?

You'll need to pack for

your flight tomorrow.

Who's singing this?

I don't think it's the Twin Folio.

It sounds like Jang-hee.

But I'm not sure about the other one.

♪ In tears I leave ♪

♪ for someone that isn't you ♪

♪ After this night, I leave ♪

♪ for someone I don't love ♪

I sang for the first time in

a while thanks to a friend.

A man who could've been

a Twin Folio, Oh Geun-tae...

Oh Geun-tae...?

We were young and clueless

but because we were...

Can I help you?

I'm here to see Jang-hee.

Can I wait until the show ends?

I'm afraid this is recorded.

Mr. Lee is in Sedona now.

Oh, really?

You have kids?

I have a daughter in kindergarten.

Did you get married late

or had your baby late?

I read about you in magazines

from time to time.

Yeah...

I've divorced and am raising

the children on my own.

The night before my wedding,

you left a cake outside

my house, didn't you?

How did you know it was me?

I just did.

My army colleague was a baker.

I got him to make it for me.

So, you joined the army.

We all kind of assumed.

I remember the seaweed roll.

It was the first time I had it.

Now you can see it everywhere.

You can easily find it in Seoul, too.

That's true.

I gotta board now.

Sure.

Take care of yourself.

You, too.

Did you have a good time in Sedona?

I'm boarding my plane now.

Hey...

Guess who I ran into at the airport.

Geun-tae?

So, you met after all.

Good to hear you two got to catch up.

But

Ja-yeong,

it just occurred to me

while I was in Sedona.

The incident from 20 years ago...

People in my world experimented

with it at least once.

It wasn't illegal back then.

If you tried it couple

of times like you said,

how come you were never

called in for questioning?

I mean, even the innocent

ones were implicated.

I was a nobody back then.

Miss Min,

in the Marijuana scandal two years ago,

there's a rumor that your name

was originally included in the list.

What can you do for me?

I will sing for you for

the rest of my days.

I gave up your names.

Do you think...

Do you think there is a chance

that Geun-tae gave up

C'est Si Bon friends' names

because of...

♪ I will give you everything ♪

♪ give you my all ♪

♪ I'll give you my love ♪

♪ that's bursting out of my heart ♪

♪ For you, there is nothing ♪

♪ nothing I couldn't do ♪

♪ I will catch the stars ♪

♪ and put them in your hands ♪

Geun-tae!

You...

Did you...

Did you do it for me?

You sold out your friends

to protect me?

Why did you do it?

Why did you do it?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Oh Geun-tae!

Oh Geun-tae!

MIN JAE-YEONG

Detective,

There's someone here who

doesn't belong to the list.

I think you should cross out that name.

I guarantee you, Min Ja-yeong,

shouldn't be on this list.

Who's that?

We're not looking to

catch a few small fish.

I'll make sure her name

is taken off the list.

You have my word.

STATEMENT

...along with Yun Hyeong-ju, Song

Chang-sik and Lee Jang-hee...

You did cross out Min Ja-yeong

from the list, didn't you?

I mean

she's only starting out...

Her dream and everything...

♪ The night is deep and quiet ♪

♪ I hear tapping on my window ♪

♪ Unable to sleep, I look outside ♪

♪ There is no one outside but ♪

♪ a wedding cake on door step ♪

♪ Who might've left it there? ♪

♪ I am going away, my love ♪

♪ After this night, I'm going ♪

♪ to someone that I don't want ♪

♪ In tears, I'm going to ♪

♪ someone that isn't you ♪

♪ After this night, I'm leaving for ♪

♪ someone I'm not in love with ♪

♪ Please let me see you ♪

♪ one last time, my love ♪

♪ From afar, the morning bell tolls ♪

♪ over my broken heart ♪

♪ I keep looking out the window ♪

♪ hoping to catch a glimpse of you ♪

♪ but you're long gone ♪

♪ nowhere to be seen ♪

♪ Only the endless tears ♪

♪ stream down my cheeks ♪

♪ As I gaze at the wedding cake ♪

Even after a long time,

friends were the same.

They had become old men

soon turning seventy,

but they had the same faces

from when they first met.

People who love

never grow old.

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY KIM HYUN-SUK

KIM YUN-SEOK

KIM HEE-AE

JANG HYUN-SUNG

C'EST SI BON