I Can I Will I Did (2017) - full transcript
Depressed foster youth Ben is bullied and as a result gets into a car accident. His recovery process is slow, until he meets Adrienne, a wheelchair bound fellow patient at the hospital who breathes hope into his life and introduces to him her grandfather, Taekwondo Master Kang. Kang not only teaches him how to walk and get back up on his feet, but also how to take charge of his own life.
- Run, little one.
Run!
- Where you going, Ben?
Get back here.
Where you going?
- To mama?
- Which mama?
- Oh, here we go again.
Little Ben's got no parents.
Some poor baby.
- Give me those.
- I bet
they're the most
expensive thing you've got.
- Let go!
- Right?
Easy, little birdy, easy.
You want 'em back?
Hmm?
Are these yours or mine?
I mean, I think they're mine.
This whole orphan shit doesn't
get anyone to like you more.
The principal don't care.
Girls don't care.
We don't care.
I'm keeping these, sugar.
'Til next time.
Let's go.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Hey.
Hi, you.
How's it going?
- Good.
How was school?
- It was just fine.
- What did you get
for your English essay?
- A B minus.
- Oh, that's very good.
- So, they want us to read
three books for extra credit.
They cost about $60.
- Okay, well your
check comes in next week
so just let me
know what you need
and I'll look it up online.
- I'll just get it
from the library.
- What?
- Nothing.
What's up?
- Look at this.
So dumb.
Describe your mother
and your father.
- Sometimes teachers,
they just don't understand
that we're different.
- I kinda remember
what she looks like.
- Well, then you're
very very lucky.
- Yeah, I guess so.
- Yeah, I guess so.
What's to eat?
- Salad.
- Gross.
- Okay, this is how
this is going to work.
I tell you to eat and you eat.
Okay?
Let's go.
Bay, open your mouth.
Bay.
You know how many kids are
starving in this world?
They want vegetables
too, you know?
Are we gonna talk about
your birthday party?
You're gonna turn
18 and that means
that you are going to age out.
And that means that you have to
that program before--
- Yep, I'll take care of it.
Hey.
- Hey.
I know that birthdays
can be scary,
especially the older you get.
- Well, I don't know about
scary but definitely shitty.
- Yes.
But last year was good, no?
- Yeah, last year was good.
The year before that no.
- Yeah.
Yeah, but you
weren't with me then.
Didn't have a good
day today, huh?
- I'm okay.
- Okay.
I'm watching you.
- Okay.
- The fuck you going?
Come on, buddy.
- Hey, Ben.
Missed you in chemistry.
Got a secret lover you
meet here everyday?
- Why don't you
give me those back.
- What'd you say?
These?
- Yeah.
- These are mine.
- Let me ask you something.
Why do you like me so much?
- I think you're pretty.
- You know what I think it is?
I think it's because
you have parents
who really hate your guts.
And I think the
problem is you got--
- You don't get to talk
to me like that.
- Oh, I don't get
to talk to you like that?
- No, you don't.
- You know what?
You have little goons
sticking up for you
and you don't have the courage
to back up your own stuff.
You're a little midget bitch.
Who, what?
Do something about it.
- I'm a what?
'Cause you don't
get to say that!
You don't get to talk
to me like that, okay?
'Cause you're the bitch, okay?
You know what?
Pick his ass up.
We're taking you home, Benny.
- Get off me.
- Right where you belong.
- Get off me.
Get off me.
- Let's go.
Let's go, boys.
- I'm taking out the trash.
- In the dumpster.
In the dumpster!
You see?
This why you don't
mess with Dorian.
- Hey!
Hey!
- He's got some fire in him.
- Ooh, orphan!
- Come on!
- Orphan, orphan.
- Guess what?
You already lost.
- How you doin'
in there, Benny?
- Come on, Ben.
Let's go, buddy.
- Hey, smells like you, buddy.
Come on.
How you like it in there?
Feel like home?
Huh?
How's the smell, Benny boy?
Come on!
- Yeah, Ben.
Orphan.
- Yeah, you already lost.
- Yo, he's in a dumpster.
- This is what you get!
- How's it smell, Benny boy?
- Hey.
Put him in his place.
- You're right
where you belong, Ben.
- In the trash.
- Come on!
- Bye, loser.
- Bye, loser.
- Hey Ben, where you going, Ben?
- Fucking stop!
- Cheap, huh?
- Stop, stop it!
- Huh, Ben?
- Stop!
- Oh fuck.
Yo, come on, let's go.
- Let's go, bro.
Bro, let's go!
- Sir, can
you open your eyes?
Sir, I need you to stay with me.
- Stay with me.
- Patient was found.
- Ben.
- Can you hear me?
- Paramedics
arrived on the scene--
- Can you
open your eyes for me?
- You're doing fine.
- Patient's finally conscious.
- We're gonna
get you to the hospital.
- No response.
- We have a pulse.
- Obvious
left femur fracture.
- Stay with
me, keep breathing.
You're gonna be all right.
- Results are
inconclusive as of yet,
but we need more time.
While he was
anesthetized we took
a battery of exams that
we can have results for.
At the moment just touch and go.
He'd be glad to have a visitor
if you can spend some time
with him this afternoon.
We'll have more answers.
- But you're not telling
me how he's doing.
What's going on right now?
- Well, we can run
the scans again in eight
to ten weeks and
we'll know more then.
But with any luck he should
be feeling a prickling feeling
in his legs in the
next four or so weeks.
- With any luck.
- His nerve
canal is very fragile.
- So he can't
move until then?
- We have a top
notch physical therapy team.
- And I'm gonna need
all the people in the team
- Absolutely.
- Because yesterday was
one doctor, today
it's another doctor
and tomorrow's another doctor.
- Hey.
- Oops.
Sorry.
- Thanks.
- Where are y'all going?
- Actually a party at X-rays.
There should be a gallon
of water in your lap.
- If all the ills of the world
could be treated with water.
My kidneys are being bitches.
Well, I'm Adrienne
and this is Bruce.
I see.
- Yeah.
- My grandfather always
warned me of the gloomy type.
He says they're kind of a bore.
I dare you to prove
him wrong, though.
- What are you
shouting about me?
- Nothing, I just
mentioned your teachings.
- Show some
respect, this is hospital.
- Yeah,
Halabeoji, just wandered off.
- Okay.
Come on, buddy.
Let's see if we can get
some things moving, yeah?
- Sit down.
- He's so good.
- Feeling any of that?
Anything, Ben?
Okay, let's try this.
A nice stretch there.
Come on, man, give me
a little push there.
- Well, the doctor
says that you should
be feeling something
in your legs.
And what about your arms?
- Doctors say
they're completely healthy.
You just have to
want to move them.
- Ah, you hear that?
You have to work hard, too.
- Come on, buddy,
we're on the same team here.
- Ben, all we want is for you
to be out of here soon, okay?
That's all.
- How
about this one?
- That boy's spirit is broken.
- I'm trying to sleep.
- It's 8:30, I'm here
to hang out with you.
- What are you doing?
- Say hi to Bruce.
Bruce, say hi.
This is my dog.
You know, he likes to be petted.
One time I was having a
really really hard day
at the hospital and
Bruce climbed on
top of me and licked my nose.
- Can you please get
this dog off of me?
- That's not very nice
of you to say to Bruce.
Brucey, say hi to Ben.
Say hello Ben, I
hope you feel better.
Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff.
- I'd like to be left alone now.
- Well, you're very moody.
Me and Brucey will go now.
Bruce, say bye.
Goodbye.
Come on, Bruce.
- The lights!
Shit.
- Didn't work.
- You tried.
- So I started a new class,
which is pretty good.
I mean, I like the people in it.
Are you too hot or too cold?
- I don't know.
- Well, that can't
be true, you have goosebumps.
- Cold then.
- Here, let's put that on.
Let's turn him.
Okay.
On me.
One, two, three.
There we go.
Okay.
I mean why not, I don't
have anything else to do
and I thought let's go for
it, let's have a week out.
Just chill out.
I think it's about
time we had that.
There we go.
Maybe it's too soon.
Nah, I don't think so.
Whoa!
Where are you going?
- Nowhere.
- Okay.
Well, I think we are done.
Come on back.
There you go, champ.
- Woo woo woo woo.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep.
Thank you.
Woo!
Hey, Eric.
- What do you want?
- Did you see how
fast I was going?
- Yeah.
- Were you super impressed?
- No.
- Do you feed him?
- Who?
- Him.
- Well, we put the food
in there for him to eat.
On his psychiatrist's orders
if he doesn't touch it,
which he never does, then yes,
we go in there and we feed him.
- Can I try?
- Be my guest.
- Thank you.
Bye, Eric.
- See ya.
- Oh god, not you again.
- Oh, hungry and cranky, are we?
Well, let's get ya up.
Rise and shine.
It's 12 o'clock.
Look at you, lookin' all sunny.
Okay.
You know it's either me or
no food today at all, right?
There ya go.
Oh yeah.
- Fine.
Go ahead, spoon feed me.
I like big bites, by the way.
- Okay, great.
- More.
- All right.
- More.
- Okay.
- More.
- All right.
There you go.
Isn't it good?
It's my grandfather's
recipe with extra spicy
Sriracha sauce and extra
finely chopped peppers in them.
- Can I get some water please?
- Oh, yeah.
Right there.
- Can I please have the water?
- Yeah, it's right
there for you to take.
- I can't take it.
- Oh, all right then.
What the hell, man?
- The water!
What?
- Come on.
- Oh what?
- You can have some.
Have some more.
- You want some more?
What do you want?
I see what you're trying to do.
You think you can help me out,
you think you're gonna be a
good person, a good Samaritan.
Right?
You wanna sob story?
Okay, I'll tell you one.
You notice that the
only person that's come
to visit me is this
one woman, right?
No one else, just
this one woman.
She's not family, though.
You wanna know what she is?
She's my foster mother.
The only reason that
she comes to visit me
is because she has to,
because she gets paid to.
That's my worth.
Actually, my value's worth
less because the God,
or universe, or whatever
the hell is up there,
thinks I have more entertainment
value as a cripple.
So no, I cannot move my arms.
But I hope you feel
good about yourself.
'Cause that's the
important thing.
- I'm sorry, I just thought
that maybe you would just--
- Get out.
- I just thought
you'd like spicy.
- Why don't you get out?
- Cripple is not a good word--
- Get out.
- Why were you in there?
I told you he's not our problem.
- He doesn't have anybody.
No family.
Can you please help him?
- You don't get to talk
to me like that, okay?
'Cause you're the--
- Pick him up.
- You know what?
I think it's time to show him.
- Hey, Benny.
- We're gonna give
you a lift home.
Little bitches
like you get this.
- Hey.
- You like that?
- Is it salty enough for you?
- You like that?
- Huh?
- Get off me!
- Benny, we're
gonna give you a lift home.
- Get off me.
- Okay?
- Get off me!
- Fuck!
- I don't waste time, I only
teach people who want to learn.
- Learn what?
- Taekwodo.
My students win scholarships
and tournaments.
They become black belt
less than two years.
Catch this!
So, you can do.
- I guess I can.
- That is your first lesson.
I can means you believe.
- My grandfather starts
throwing stuff at you,
it means he cares.
I'll pick you up at
7:30 for breakfast.
We're gonna do laps.
- Laps?
Hang on a minute.
Just--
- Have a good evening!
Sriracha's like the
best spice ever.
Even though Koreans aren't
the biggest into it,
but who needs to play
into stereotypes?
- Yeah, well, I think it's
a little too hot for me.
- Well yeah, it was, 'cause
I saw you cry a little
when I gave it to you in
those mashed potatoes.
- Okay, I did not cry.
- I saw like a tear
- I didn't cry.
- coming down your
eye like right here
ever so slightly.
- You wish, you wish.
- Honestly, though, it's
kinda too hot for me, too.
I'm prone to stomach
ulcers and I don't
drink enough water so
I get kidney failure
every now and then.
- Think fast.
- Oh my god.
Thank you!
- I guess we're gonna
just be throwing things
at each other, huh?
- You better eat that ice
cream before it melts.
- I've been eating it.
It's just a little hard
to multitask, you know.
- Oh, right right right.
You like, man?
- Pretty good.
- It's really good.
Anyways, are you
gonna apologize now?
- For what?
- Uh, for being
such a boring ass.
You fell into the foster system
and you got into an accident,
but look at me, I
think my permanence
in this wheelchair
kinda has you beat.
Don't you think?
- No, I'd say we're about even.
- How are we even?
- How are we even?
I've been in fist fights.
- So have I.
- Okay, but I've lost
every single one.
- Now people don't even
wanna fight me anymore
'cause I'm sittin'
in this wheelchair.
What else you got?
That's what I thought.
I loath self-loathing punks.
They would never
match us on Tinder.
- Well I'm not on Tinder, so--
- Yes you are.
- I am not!
- Yes!
Why are you lying?
- What, how do you
know I'm on Tinder?
- Do
you ever get dates?
Be honest.
- No, I've never had.
No, I'm not on Tinder.
- Be honest.
- That's
good, lean into your arms.
- I am leaning into my arms.
My body is in my arms.
- Okay, see if
we can slide this foot--
- It's dead weight.
- Oof, okay, okay.
- Are you okay?
You can do this.
- Floor connects to your feet.
Your feet to your leg.
Your leg comes
through your body.
Your body connects your arm.
Then you can find your balance.
Do you understand?
- I think so.
- Get up, try again.
- Sir, I really do
wanna walk again, okay?
But this time I just can't.
- It doesn't matter if you're
falling down 100 times.
Floor likes you.
The floor is your friend.
Get up!
Bend your knee.
Straight back leg.
Straight your body.
Stay like this.
Let's go.
- He's insane.
Oh my god.
- It worked, didn't it?
- Oh.
Oh god.
Help.
Oh.
Good job.
Good job, Ben.
All right.
- Aye, my sweet boy.
This makes me so so happy.
- Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
I'm feeling a lot better.
- Yep.
Bueno, Mister Benjamin.
What is your plan?
You've missed a lot of
school and you are--
- And now I'm aging out.
- But if the state
stops the checks
then I can't take care of you.
- I know.
It's okay.
- Ben, I am not
kicking you out, right?
You know that, right?
You know that.
- Yeah.
- You can come to me.
We just have to
figure something out.
- We will.
I'll find some place to stay.
- Open your present.
- Okay.
- Oh yes.
- Thank you.
It's a box, that's for sure.
- Lily told us that
you lost yours, so.
- See?
I told you people care.
- She's right.
- One more thing.
No, two more things!
- Lily, wait wait
wait wait wait.
Here, give this to him.
They gave this to
me after court.
- Open your eyes.
- Thank you.
- The backpack was
very dirty but everything
else was there and I know
how much it means to you.
And the phone works.
- No, it doesn't.
I thought they stole everything.
- Well, they got
what they deserved.
And you will never
have to see them again.
Okay?
But this is a party.
Okay, this is a party.
This is not a party.
- Yes it is.
- So what's going to happen?
Aye, Lily, Lily wants
to do a special dance.
- What is this?
- Gimme a beat!
- Aye, beat.
- All right, you ready?
You ready?
Okay.
- Go Lily!
- I'm a cat.
- Get it girl.
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
- Everyone stay together.
Continue, go.
Hi, Bruce.
- Only six students today?
- After holiday,
there'll be more.
Tammy, bend your knee.
- You know, Halabeoji,
you could use
some help around the office.
Maybe Ben could live
here and help you?
- I don't want stranger in here.
- Halabeoji, he's not a stranger
and I just wanna help him.
- He doesn't need your help.
Enough.
- Ladies and gentlemen.
- Oh my god.
- Please give it
up for Hadagalango!
The fastest horse in the stable.
- Can you stop?
- Keep on going.
- Okay, but hang on.
- What?
- You're gonna make me fall.
- You're not gonna fall.
- Well could you stop
recording at least?
- You sit all day,
don't you dare.
Don't sit!
- You do it.
- Okay, touche, but I don't
have a choice like you.
- Yeah, well you know what?
There are a lot of
people who work me
but I think you're like
the queen of them all.
- Wow, look at you two.
I just wanted to tell you.
You're on crutches and
you're in a wheelchair
and you're both
just so inspiring.
I just wanted to tell you that.
Have a good day.
- Okay.
- Thanks?
I hate when people
say that to me.
Like, I know they mean well
but it just feels
very demeaning.
- One time I got "everything
happens for a reason."
Yeah, yeah, I wanted to
punch them in the face.
Have you ever gotten
can I pray for you?
- Oh my god.
All the prayers in the
entire world combined
would not get me up
and walking again.
And, if one more person
asks me to pop a wheelie
I'm gonna pop them in the face.
- Can you?
What, can you pop a wheelie?
- Seriously?
- You brought it up.
- Really?
- Yeah, really.
Really.
- Impressed?
- Yeah.
- Nice.
But don't tell me grandpa, okay?
- Okay.
Hey, so tomorrow there's
this counselor, right,
that's coming with Maria
just to talk about some stuff
and well, I was, I
was wondering like
if you would wanna be there too?
- Oh no.
- Okay.
- Just kidding.
Yes.
But, only if you can make
it around a whole lap today.
- A whole lap?
- A whole lap, you're
wasting time, let's go.
Come on.
Get up, old man.
- Oh my god.
- One, two, three.
Oh, let's go.
Did you fart?
Was that a fart?
- I did not fart.
- Oh.
- It was my mouth.
- Oh, okay, sorry.
There you go.
Today, though, like,
I'm getting sleepy.
- All right, easy killer.
If I go any faster I'll
probably just fall.
- Okay, you're not gonna fall.
Oh my god!
Really?
- Benjamin, this is real life.
Between 800 and a thousand
kids who are about to age out
of foster care wind up
homeless immediately.
That leads to drug
abuse, alcohol abuse.
So, when you get on
your feet you need
to think about going
back to school,
finish, get your diploma.
- I'm not gonna do that.
- Why not?
- Benjamin didn't have
a good experience there.
- I did read your file.
I'm sorry about all this.
All I can say is things
happen for a reason, no?
- I think maybe that
I want something more.
I'd like to see another city.
- Well, you can travel,
you can see the world.
But school and a job are first.
You need skills.
- It's not easy, Benjamin.
It's not easy, I know.
- You can change your life
right here, right now.
You figure out what's
important for today
and tomorrow and
the day after that
instead of just getting
overwhelmed by the big picture.
But step one is a
degree, a diploma,
and that leads to a good job.
And I have resources
that can help you.
- I think my step one
is to learn how to walk.
- Benjamin, por favor.
- Thank you very
much for your time.
- Benjamin.
- No, you're fine.
- He'll be fine.
He just needs a break.
- She doesn't know
who I am, right?
And she just says
the exact same thing
to every single
person that she meets.
And those programs, they
just don't work like that.
They just don't work, okay?
- Yeah, but how do you know?
The programs exist for a reason.
You're judging it before
you're even trying it.
You could really be letting
a good thing pass by you.
You gotta stop being stubborn.
I know stubborn.
I threw myself off of a horse.
That's how I landed
in this thing.
- What happened?
- He was this stunning
black stallion
with this gorgeous mane,
and every time we rode
it would just flow in the wind.
And he was strong and he was
free-spirited and so alive.
I mean, I really
wanted to tame him,
I wanted to make him mine.
And then my ego got in the way.
I was just a massive idiot.
- Can I show you something?
I was looking up videos of
your grandpa online, right?
- Okay.
- What, that's not right?
- No, what is that?
- A little defense.
- Oh.
No, that's not.
- Your grandfather,
though, he's pretty cool.
- Yeah, he's no joke.
You know he won
the Dongbaek award?
Which is the highest
award you can
get in Korea for public service.
And on top of that, you know,
he served on the '88 committee
for the Seoul Olympics?
- Did he teach you TaeKwonDo
before your accident?
- He did.
You know, I almost
got that scholarship.
- Really?
So you were like a black belt.
- No.
The scholarship
isn't for the pros,
it's for the one that
shows the most spirit.
You could get it
if you wanted to.
- Oh yeah?
I don't know about that.
But at least I
got metal defense.
Hey.
- You need a worthy
opponent or else
that doesn't make any sense.
- You're my opponent.
Oh.
- You like that?
- Yeah.
- Stand up.
- Yes, yeah.
Yeah, no, there's, um,
we're just friends.
- No, Halabeoji, he was
just showing me something.
- Show me.
- Show you what?
- Show me what you learned.
- I, I, I, I, I've
never taken class,
I don't know what I'm doing.
I haven't learned anything.
It was just some videos online.
- I don't want anyone
learning from video.
Show me.
Be the defense or be the punch.
- Sure, yeah.
No defense, no punch.
- No.
Try following me,
your attention.
Stand in position.
You widen up.
Again.
With a punch, with a punch.
Three punches in TaeKwonDo.
Ya!
- Three.
- Open with a punch.
And now we punch again.
Three more punches and kihap.
Ya!
- Ya.
- Always kyungnet.
- Bow.
- Right, uh.
- If you live in my dojang,
you'll always have the Korean.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Been waiting for you.
- Oh, sorry, how's it going?
- What are you watching?
- Uh, this is Master Kang.
Some of his YouTube videos
with him and his students.
- Hm.
What do you think of him?
- I think he doesn't
like me very much.
- But he wants you to go
live in his karate studio.
- Taekwondo, Hopkido.
- Same thing.
- No, it's not.
- You know what I mean.
And this offer,
what does he want?
What is the catch?
- I don't think there is one.
- Aye, por favor, Benjamin.
Nobody gives you
something for nothing.
That's not how it works.
- Yeah, I know.
I mean, I think I'm gonna
be cleaning his house
and maybe taking care of the
dojang, but other than that.
- So you decided this already?
- No, but I don't really see
that I have any other option.
- No, Benjamin, you
have other options.
I can go and I can speak
to Rosalie's brother
about getting you a job
at the grocery store.
They're always
looking for bag boys.
Que?
What's wrong with that, huh?
What's wrong with
packing groceries?
I did it for three
years before I became
a foster mother
and you know what?
It is an honest job.
- You're right, you're right.
I'll look into it, I'll
think about it, okay?
But think, how cool would
it be once I'm up, running,
I could do stuff like that.
Come on, you like it.
- No, I don't like it.
- It's cool.
It's cool.
- Aye, Benjamin, change that.
- I like it.
So, I've made a decision.
I'm gonna work in your
grandfather's studio.
- Are you sure?
- Um, can I sit?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
So, I'm able to that because
of you and your grandfather.
Yeah, I'm sure.
- Oh my god, I'm
so proud of you.
Oh my god.
He's gonna love and hate this
so much at the same time.
- No, I'll make him like me.
Goodnight, Bruce.
Bye.
- It is very
important for me.
- It is very
important for me.
- To respect
my mom and daddy.
- To respect
my mom and dad.
- Repeat.
It is very important for me.
- It is very
important for me.
- To watch.
- To watch.
- Listen.
- Listen.
- Learn.
- And learn.
- Okay, go.
Good Charlie, yeah.
- Sorry.
- Around.
- Hey.
- That's okay.
Kendall, let's go.
Kendall.
Kick up.
Go again.
Kick.
Pound your foot,
protect your arm.
Again.
- I wish my father
made me do sports
and martial arts or something.
- Go!
Again, go.
Okay, good.
- Ha, that a boy.
- Jump.
Around.
Come on let's go.
BJ.
- Sir.
- Kick up.
Right there.
Yeah.
Pull up.
Beautiful.
Face off.
Back.
Come up, Alex.
Kick up.
When you kick up jump.
Around.
Again, turn around.
Again, swing.
Left swing.
And hands up.
Yes.
Beautiful, okay.
Repeat.
I can.
- I can.
- I will.
- I will.
- I did.
- I did.
- I will not give
up until I succeed.
You understand.
- Yes, sir.
- Very good, Alex, very good.
Good.
Very good.
Very good, Kendall.
Take off your shoes,
come on inside.
Come on.
- Okay.
- You stay here, my rules.
- Yes, sir, understood.
- You like my granddaughter?
- Uh, not that way.
- Okay, come.
Come here.
Clean floor three times.
Not one, not two, three times.
And put that down.
- Okay.
Three times.
Look out your window.
- What I would give to
climb down to you right now.
- This kinda has like a
Romeo and Juliet quality.
Um, I could climb up.
Is your grandfather asleep?
Just--
- I'm not sure.
I don't know if you can.
- Hang on.
Okay.
Okay, so maybe next time.
- Get going before you get
caught on your first day.
- Well, hang on.
I have something to say.
You keep encouraging
me and, you know,
I want you to make
sure that you're giving
yourself those speeches, too.
Goodnight, Adrienne.
- Goodnight, sucker.
- Bye.
- You ready, Brucey?
Right, doggy?
Hi, cutie.
Okay, sleepy time.
- So loud.
Note this man here.
He's doctor.
He won a scholarship in Korea.
Hi, Tom, how are you?
- I'm well,
sir, how are you?
- Long time, no see.
- Nice to see you, sir.
- Go warm up.
- Yes, sir.
- Hey.
- Ben, you too.
Go downstairs, get a uniform.
- Yes, sir.
- Hey, don't worry,
I'll go easy on you.
It's just practice.
- All right.
- Okay, fighting stance.
And come at you left punch.
No, come underneath like that.
Hook it.
You hook it in like that, right?
Your left leg's gonna
come behind my left leg.
Yeah, and you're gonna
take me down, okay?
- Okay.
- And you pull here as
you sweep the leg out
and see, I'm falling.
Bam.
Nice.
All right, your turn.
Ready?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Ready like this.
Yeah.
Okay, so you're gonna start
with the left punch, okay?
Punch right here.
Hook around, twos
to the shoulder.
Three.
You good?
- Yep.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- All right, again.
- Okay.
- Nice.
One, two, three.
Nice.
You good?
- Yep.
- One, two, three.
- Ben, back inside.
- Yeah, sorry.
- Now focus, no distraction.
- Yeah, sorry, sir.
- You're here, you
work, you earn.
Simple.
That is all that's life.
- Thanks.
- All right, here we go.
I'm gonna do a big one.
You guys ready for this, ready?
Oh, did you see that?
That was awesome!
All right, now this side.
Okay, watch how much air I get.
Oh, yes!
Yes, that was the best.
All right, now we're
gonna do downhill.
I know you guys are about
to be so impressed with me.
All right, here
we go, here we go.
Okay, here we go.
This is the fifth
time, Halabeoji.
Fifth time.
I don't want anymore surgery.
- You do not have any choice.
Sometimes the thing
you don't want to do
is what you need most.
You need the surgery.
- I need to not
be chained up in this
hospital bed anymore.
- Listen to me carefully.
Act like person who's in charge
- The lessons don't
- of her life.
- apply to me.
I'm not an athlete
facing off an opponent.
- You're your own opponent.
The lessons apply--
- You can't scare me into
- to you the most.
- Surgery when I'm not scared.
- You should be scared.
You're not thinking.
Fear to feel.
You must or you will die.
- I mean, I'm not gonna be as
good as Tom, that's all right.
You know, but my legs are
feeling stronger every day.
They don't feel like two heavy
bags of cat litter anymore.
- That's nice.
- Yeah.
And your grandfather, he's just.
I don't know, he's something
else because, I don't know.
Like one minute I feel like
he's gonna come
down on me really
hard and then the next he
just throws a curve ball.
I don't know.
Grandmaster Kang is
just a tricky guy
to figure out, I guess.
- You call him grandmaster now?
- Yeah, everyone does.
- Since when are you
like everyone else?
- What's wrong?
- You know, I'm
really happy for you.
That you're walking and talking
and training and stuff but.
- What?
- What about me?
You're leaving me behind.
- What do you mean,
what does that mean?
- Ben, look at me.
- Okay.
- I'm still here.
I will always be right
here while you're out there
making god damn strides.
- Wow, okay, I'm
leaving you behind, huh?
- Yes.
- I'm leaving you behind.
Adrienne, that's bullshit.
That's bullshit.
When I was in here
every single day
you were up my ass
trying to get me
to do exactly what
I'm doing right now.
- Yeah, well I never
encouraged bragging, okay?
- Okay.
Okay, you're upset that
I'm walking and you're not.
Okay, I get that--
- Really?
- That's what you're saying!
You were the one that told me
not to feel sorry for myself
and now you're asking
me to baby you.
What happened to the
independent non-victim?
- I never asked you to
treat me like a victim,
so don't twist my words around.
- What do you want
me to treat you like?
- I'm asking you to
treat me like an equal.
- Okay, I can do that.
I can do that, I can
treat you like that.
What exactly do
you need me to do?
All right, you know.
Let's stop this
right now and like--
- You know what?
You're right.
I don't think we should
see each other anymore.
- Wait, wait.
Hey, you don't think we should.
You don't, stop, you
don't think we should--
- Get off me!
- You know what,
that's fine, Adrienne.
That's fine, Adrienne.
Your grandfather's really
gonna appreciate that.
He'll be happy about that.
- Yeah.
Because that's what we care
about the most right now!
- Shit.
Okay.
- What are you looking at?
- They went to juvenile hall
and one for three months
and two for one week just
until their court date was set.
And one for one night
because his father
had a very good lawyer.
And they all got community
service and probation.
- How'd they get caught?
- One of them confessed
and told on the others.
- You never told me.
- You didn't wanna
talk about it.
- You're right, I
never asked about them.
- Do you like living
with the Korean?
- Yeah, he goes by
Grandmaster Kang.
- Well, I'm Dominican
and I do not get
offended when people
say that I am Dominican.
- I know, but you call a
doctor by their title, right?
It's just a sign of respect.
- Okay, fine.
How is Grandmaster Kang?
- He's something,
that's for sure.
- Hi senorita, hello.
Homework.
Open the door.
Thank you.
And if you want to help
out with dinner later.
- She seems nice.
- That's Sonia.
She came to us three days
ago, she's in your bed now.
She's very suspicious
of everyone.
We are still trying
to figure it out.
You see, you made it
to my wall of faith.
All my kids that move
on make it there.
- I saw one of them today.
His name was Dorian.
I saw him and I just ran away.
Thanks.
Excuse me, sir.
Are we still gonna have class?
- Maybe 9 o'clock
class if people come.
- Okay.
Hey.
- Hey.
- How's it going?
You look good.
- Thanks.
- So you're back
in the hospital.
- Where are all the people?
- It doesn't matter anymore.
I am selling the place.
- What?
No, you can't sell.
- I cannot pay rent this way.
- You have
to try marketing,
why are you set in your ways?
- I teach.
Who taught you that?
- Your videos.
Master Kang, I've been thinking.
I was hoping that maybe.
Maybe you would consider
me for the nomination.
- First position.
Hands up.
Look in my eye,
don't close your eye.
More motion.
Yes.
Now holding, holding.
Just punch out here first.
Beautiful, let's go again.
Very good.
- Okay.
- Hands up again.
Beautiful.
On your toes again.
Hands up.
One.
Ya!
You do it.
Go!
- Ya!
- Yeah.
But this this way.
Let's go again.
Make elbow.
One, two.
Look at my eye, come on.
Beautiful!
Very good.
- Okay.
Look, yeah.
Psst, hey.
- You're climbing?
- I guess so.
How's it going?
- Well, you don't wanna come in?
- No, no, that's okay,
I'm not gonna stay long.
I'm just.
What's this about
you needing surgery?
- Don't tell me to do it.
- Okay.
Look, about last time.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Are you gonna make me cry now?
- No.
- Okay.
- Well.
- 'Cause I'm not gonna.
- Okay.
Okay.
Bye.
- Bye.
- Let's go, come on.
- Okay.
- Yesterday you
stand out like this.
You must deepen like this.
And you'll bend your knee
and straight back leg.
And hands up.
Other hand.
Now slow down.
Cross the front, pull.
Now this.
Go.
Yep.
Now straight back leg,
straight back leg.
Like this is key.
Straight back leg.
Bend your knee.
This is a front stance.
You have to body up,
now look straight.
All right, look straight.
Good job.
- Oh, thank you.
- Yes.
Get some breathing
right, correct.
Now you will bend your knee.
All right, very good.
Hi, Tom.
Super boy.
- Sir.
- Warm up and stretch.
- Hey bro, can you
put me in the system
for 10 private lessons
with Master Kang?
- Private lessons?
- Yeah.
You can charge it to my
credit card, it's on file.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- Hi.
- What a great surprise.
It's so good to see
your face around here.
- You, too.
- I've been meaning to
send you this writing
blog I stumbled across.
It reminded me of yours.
- Oh my
god, that's so nice.
You read my blog?
- Yeah, of course.
I love the latest entry.
It's like hopeful but hilarious.
- Oh, that's so nice.
Thank you so much.
- Of course.
- Yeah, I
mean, I love to read--
- Tom.
Let's practice for
the scholarship.
They will love your application.
- Yes, sir.
- Ben, when
you're ready, come out.
- Yes, sir.
- One, two, three, go!
- Ya!
- Again, go.
Go again.
Again, go.
Go again.
- Ya!
- Very good, Tom, very good.
How many movements did you have?
- There's three.
- You are doing two.
Tom, show him.
- Yes, sir.
Ya!
Ya!
Ya!
Ya!
Ya!
- Very good, good.
- I've been doing this
for years, don't worry.
- Okay.
- Take a break.
- Yeah.
- Drink water.
- You know my dog's
named after Bruce Lee?
He had a motto: "be like water."
- Okay, what's that
supposed to mean?
- You're overthinking
everything out there.
- Thanks.
- I.
- And punch.
- Okay, I'm ready, sir.
I'm ready.
- You are done today.
- Well, I'd like
to try it again.
- Go take out trash.
- Sir, I think I have
the move this time now
so I'd like to show
you if that's okay.
- You're done.
- Why?
Can we at least give
- Take out trash.
It a shot?
- I said no.
- No, let me just do this, okay?
Let's hang on, all right.
Let's just do this, okay?
And then we can all go home
and have a nice day, okay?
So let's just do this, okay?
One, two, three, go.
Can we just do it once, maybe?
- Show some respect, man.
- Can we
just do that, Tom?
- Ben, he said no.
- Come on, Tom.
One, two, three, go.
One, two, three, go.
No, one, two, three, go, Tom.
Go, Tom, come on!
Come on, Tom!
- Hey.
- Come on!
- Okay, go.
- Why are you giving
him the nomination?
Why are you giving him
the nomination, okay?
I thought it was for the
hardest working student,
not the most talented.
Who has worked any
harder than I have?
Sir, I am walking.
Sir!
I am walking, I am working out,
so what more do
you want from me?
How many people do you know who
have worked as hard as I have?
What are you saying?
Adrienne, can you speak to me?
What are you guys saying?
What are you saying?
Can we stop for
a second, please?
Just what are you saying?
- He was just trying
to impress you.
- Can you guys
speak to me, please?
What are you saying?
- You learned nothing.
No discipline, no respect.
You learn movements
but Taekwondo
is training for
giving you character.
You are not ready
for nomination.
Look for a new job.
- Sonia
Sonia, get the door, please.
- That guy.
Whatever.
- What guy?
Benjamin.
- I.
- What happened?
- I couldn't make it work.
- I'm sorry.
- Thanks.
Hello?
- What the hell
were you thinking?
- I don't know.
- You thought you
could beat the shit outta Tom?
- No, I didn't.
- What, it made you think
you were some kinda macho?
Who you tryin' to impress?
What are you doing?
- Look, Adrienne.
- What are you, five?
- Adrienne, Adrienne.
- Talk it out you don't just
- just sometimes.
- jump on a black belt.
- Sometimes, okay.
I want to say something
and but I just don't know how.
- Is that the case with me, too?
- Why aren't you
getting the surgery?
- It's none of your business.
I shouldn't of come today.
Please don't contact me again.
- Adrienne.
- Look, Adrienne.
- No.
- Can we please just talk--
- No, no, you're just
making it harder.
- Adrienne.
Adrienne.
Great.
Hi, how's it going?
- I'm good.
- Good.
Sriracha, good choice.
Great.
- Sonia,
we do not steal.
If you need money you ask me,
you do not steal from me, okay?
- I don't need money, and if
I did I wouldn't need yours.
- Then why did you
take my wallet?
- I didn't.
- Sonia, you are going to
- I didn't do
- because this is my house.
- anything.
Yes you did, you took my wallet.
- It's my house now.
- And this is not acceptable.
Yeah, well you know what?
It's my house and my rules
and I so no liars
and no stealers.
Do you understand me?
- No.
- Well, then I'm going
to say it in Spanish.
Do you understand?
In this house you do
not take my money, okay?
You want money, you ask me.
Do you understand?
You respect me.
I respect you, you respect me.
And these are yours to fold.
- Oh, you can throw that away.
- Don't get rid of it.
- All right, then donate it.
- Oh fuck.
Let's go, come on.
Run!
- Let's go, man.
Yo, let's go.
- Hey, Ben.
Easy.
I'm sorry!
- Oh, you're sorry?
You're sorry?
So what, your punishment
is to pick up trash?
That's what you do?
- Yeah.
Almost a year.
Four months to go.
Look, I know I deserve
more than what I got.
This is not like I like doing.
The hazing and shit, it's just.
You do it because
you do it, you know?
The best way I could keep
others from doing it to me.
When you was hit by that
car it was too much.
I mean, even an asshole
like me knows that.
These are yours.
- No, you know what,
you are an asshole.
- Ben.
Ben!
Benjamin.
- Tom, hey.
- Hey, man.
You work here?
- Yes, yes, I do.
- Cool.
I was kinda worried about you.
It's nice to see you
landed on your feet.
- Yeah, I think the
last time I saw you
was at the dojang that day.
- Yeah, Hulk-out day.
- Hulk-out day.
- It happens to the best of us.
- Listen, I'm sorry
about that, you know.
- Don't be, seriously.
- That was.
- Seriously, don't.
Thanks.
- Well.
Well, it's to see ya,
bud, you look great.
It's really good to see you.
Take care, yeah?
- Hey.
Did you hear what
happened to the dojang?
It was never about
the money anyway.
He just wanted students
he could teach.
It's closed.
Breaking and entering.
Interesting.
- And after you.
Wow.
- Come on.
Just do a light round.
- All right.
- Still remember all the moves?
You're a quick
learner for someone
who was just on crutches
a few months ago.
- Yeah, you're right.
- Ya, ya, ya!
Well, they'd like you in Korea.
- It's not like I'm going.
- Neither am I.
Ya!
- Wait.
- Ya!
- Why?
Master Kang can't
give out nominations?
- No, he can, he's
still a Grandmaster,
I just don't want the
nomination is all.
Ya!
- All right, then.
Why the private lessons?
- I used to be a cadet
at the police academy
and one day on a routine patrol
with the training officer
we stopped this one
kid who mouthed off.
All the bad words in
the book, you name it.
The kid spat at me, all over
my bright shiny uniform.
I just snapped.
Kid ended up on the ground
with a broken arm, so.
Then I found Master Kang.
He taught me this isn't about
fighting, it's about peace.
I take the private lessons
to give Master Kang
some extra money
into his pocket.
- Does he know?
- No.
Get up.
Ya.
- Hey.
That was a good one.
- Listen.
Here's my card.
There's my cell on there, too.
If you ever need anything.
- Thanks.
- And Adrienne.
She got an infection this week.
She's finally decided to
have the surgery tomorrow.
You should go visit them both.
- Okay.
It's good seeing you, man.
- Talk to you soon.
- Yeah.
Coggs.
- Hey, pal, look at you.
- Hey.
- It's so
good to see you.
- Yeah, listen, I need
you to do me favor.
- Okay, what's up?
What are you up to?
Mr. Kang, could I have
a minute with you?
We have some brochures
we'd like you
to read in preparation
of post-recovery care.
- Of course.
I'll be back.
- It'll just be a minute.
Come this way.
- What do you want?
- You tried to tell me
that you were scared
and I wasn't hearing any of that
because I was too wrapped
up in my own shit.
But I need you to
know that it's okay.
It's okay to not
smile all the time.
It's okay to be sad and angry.
It's okay to be
pissed at the world
when it hasn't handed
everything that you deserve.
It's okay to not be okay.
The minute that you're
willing to accept fear,
that's when you
can start to heal.
You understand?
You can do it.
Hey.
- Thank you.
- You're gonna kick
this thing in the ass.
You have to.
You're gonna be great.
- Okay.
- Okay?
- Okay.
yeah, Halabeoji.
Halabeoji, take care of Brucey.
Ready.
- Hey.
- What do you want?
- How many more years do
you have before you age out?
- Six more years.
I'm guessing a few more
homes between now and then.
- I circled through
a few myself.
- Oh yeah?
- Yep.
A lot of kids pass through here.
You know, Maria,
she tries her best.
They all do.
But somehow just doesn't
seem to be enough
and it kinda just feels
like the only person
you can really rely
on is yourself.
Oh, so serious.
Oh, she smirks.
She can't contain it.
That was a better one.
- You're really annoying.
- Nice.
Hey, do you still
have my uniform?
- It's in the left drawer
underneath the bed.
- Hey, yeah it's Ben.
I need your help with something.
- I've been getting into
fights since I was little.
- Look, I know where you're
coming from, I've been there.
Ben's been there.
You take that first small step,
we'll take it today, together.
Taekwondo is about three things.
Tae means feet.
Kwon means hands.
And Do means way as in
a different way of life.
- Hey.
So what's this about?
- TaeKwonDo.
- TaeKwonDo?
Man, I don't think
that's really my speed.
- I think you owe me one.
Close your-
- So this way?
- Fingers little by little.
- Yeah.
- Close it in like here.
- Now when you punch.
- Yeah.
- All right.
- And.
Joon Bi.
- Block it.
- Okay, so up.
Up, up, around, boom.
Okay, when you go,
you have to go up.
- A nice deep stance
when you move back.
- Up, okay.
- Ah.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Go.
That was really good.
Okay.
- You're better than me.
- Try again.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- Well, I think we have enough.
- I'll call him.
- Okay.
- You brought the
people here, why?
- These are all students
who wanna learn.
- How about you?
- I wanna learn from you.
- Show me.
- Tom.
- No, show me.
- Go on.
- How do you feel now?
- I feel calm.
- This is TawKwonDo.
You believe, you had a
plan, and then you did.
This is my true teaching.
Okay.
Everyone up.
And now repeat.
I can.
- I can.
- I will.
- I will.
- I did.
- I did.
- Now everyone follow me.
Okay now, fall in.
Now, everyone, left leg's
back, right arm over first.
Now lower defense.
Now face.
Now face.
Face.
Go again.
Now for the face, turn around.
Now face.
Now face, turn around.
Go!
Now face.
♪ Jailed inside my head
♪ I'm yearning to be free
♪ Feeling blind cannot see
♪ Losing my mind
♪ Imprints of my pain
♪ Cutting through the
goal for my soul ♪
♪ Healing what I can
♪ Breathe it away
♪ I can
♪ I will
♪ Crashing through the gates
♪ Broken my courage inside
♪ Glimmers of hope await
♪ Whisper never hide
♪ Stripping it all away
♪ Radiate my light
to the world ♪
♪ Face my fear, gazing high
♪ Roaring with
strength and pride ♪
♪ I can
♪ I will
♪ Imprints of my force
♪ Etched into the
base of my heart ♪
♪ I can
♪ I will
♪ Climbing up the hill
♪ Healing the fire within
♪ Glimmers of hope
waiting still ♪
♪ Screaming never give in
Run!
- Where you going, Ben?
Get back here.
Where you going?
- To mama?
- Which mama?
- Oh, here we go again.
Little Ben's got no parents.
Some poor baby.
- Give me those.
- I bet
they're the most
expensive thing you've got.
- Let go!
- Right?
Easy, little birdy, easy.
You want 'em back?
Hmm?
Are these yours or mine?
I mean, I think they're mine.
This whole orphan shit doesn't
get anyone to like you more.
The principal don't care.
Girls don't care.
We don't care.
I'm keeping these, sugar.
'Til next time.
Let's go.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Hey.
Hi, you.
How's it going?
- Good.
How was school?
- It was just fine.
- What did you get
for your English essay?
- A B minus.
- Oh, that's very good.
- So, they want us to read
three books for extra credit.
They cost about $60.
- Okay, well your
check comes in next week
so just let me
know what you need
and I'll look it up online.
- I'll just get it
from the library.
- What?
- Nothing.
What's up?
- Look at this.
So dumb.
Describe your mother
and your father.
- Sometimes teachers,
they just don't understand
that we're different.
- I kinda remember
what she looks like.
- Well, then you're
very very lucky.
- Yeah, I guess so.
- Yeah, I guess so.
What's to eat?
- Salad.
- Gross.
- Okay, this is how
this is going to work.
I tell you to eat and you eat.
Okay?
Let's go.
Bay, open your mouth.
Bay.
You know how many kids are
starving in this world?
They want vegetables
too, you know?
Are we gonna talk about
your birthday party?
You're gonna turn
18 and that means
that you are going to age out.
And that means that you have to
that program before--
- Yep, I'll take care of it.
Hey.
- Hey.
I know that birthdays
can be scary,
especially the older you get.
- Well, I don't know about
scary but definitely shitty.
- Yes.
But last year was good, no?
- Yeah, last year was good.
The year before that no.
- Yeah.
Yeah, but you
weren't with me then.
Didn't have a good
day today, huh?
- I'm okay.
- Okay.
I'm watching you.
- Okay.
- The fuck you going?
Come on, buddy.
- Hey, Ben.
Missed you in chemistry.
Got a secret lover you
meet here everyday?
- Why don't you
give me those back.
- What'd you say?
These?
- Yeah.
- These are mine.
- Let me ask you something.
Why do you like me so much?
- I think you're pretty.
- You know what I think it is?
I think it's because
you have parents
who really hate your guts.
And I think the
problem is you got--
- You don't get to talk
to me like that.
- Oh, I don't get
to talk to you like that?
- No, you don't.
- You know what?
You have little goons
sticking up for you
and you don't have the courage
to back up your own stuff.
You're a little midget bitch.
Who, what?
Do something about it.
- I'm a what?
'Cause you don't
get to say that!
You don't get to talk
to me like that, okay?
'Cause you're the bitch, okay?
You know what?
Pick his ass up.
We're taking you home, Benny.
- Get off me.
- Right where you belong.
- Get off me.
Get off me.
- Let's go.
Let's go, boys.
- I'm taking out the trash.
- In the dumpster.
In the dumpster!
You see?
This why you don't
mess with Dorian.
- Hey!
Hey!
- He's got some fire in him.
- Ooh, orphan!
- Come on!
- Orphan, orphan.
- Guess what?
You already lost.
- How you doin'
in there, Benny?
- Come on, Ben.
Let's go, buddy.
- Hey, smells like you, buddy.
Come on.
How you like it in there?
Feel like home?
Huh?
How's the smell, Benny boy?
Come on!
- Yeah, Ben.
Orphan.
- Yeah, you already lost.
- Yo, he's in a dumpster.
- This is what you get!
- How's it smell, Benny boy?
- Hey.
Put him in his place.
- You're right
where you belong, Ben.
- In the trash.
- Come on!
- Bye, loser.
- Bye, loser.
- Hey Ben, where you going, Ben?
- Fucking stop!
- Cheap, huh?
- Stop, stop it!
- Huh, Ben?
- Stop!
- Oh fuck.
Yo, come on, let's go.
- Let's go, bro.
Bro, let's go!
- Sir, can
you open your eyes?
Sir, I need you to stay with me.
- Stay with me.
- Patient was found.
- Ben.
- Can you hear me?
- Paramedics
arrived on the scene--
- Can you
open your eyes for me?
- You're doing fine.
- Patient's finally conscious.
- We're gonna
get you to the hospital.
- No response.
- We have a pulse.
- Obvious
left femur fracture.
- Stay with
me, keep breathing.
You're gonna be all right.
- Results are
inconclusive as of yet,
but we need more time.
While he was
anesthetized we took
a battery of exams that
we can have results for.
At the moment just touch and go.
He'd be glad to have a visitor
if you can spend some time
with him this afternoon.
We'll have more answers.
- But you're not telling
me how he's doing.
What's going on right now?
- Well, we can run
the scans again in eight
to ten weeks and
we'll know more then.
But with any luck he should
be feeling a prickling feeling
in his legs in the
next four or so weeks.
- With any luck.
- His nerve
canal is very fragile.
- So he can't
move until then?
- We have a top
notch physical therapy team.
- And I'm gonna need
all the people in the team
- Absolutely.
- Because yesterday was
one doctor, today
it's another doctor
and tomorrow's another doctor.
- Hey.
- Oops.
Sorry.
- Thanks.
- Where are y'all going?
- Actually a party at X-rays.
There should be a gallon
of water in your lap.
- If all the ills of the world
could be treated with water.
My kidneys are being bitches.
Well, I'm Adrienne
and this is Bruce.
I see.
- Yeah.
- My grandfather always
warned me of the gloomy type.
He says they're kind of a bore.
I dare you to prove
him wrong, though.
- What are you
shouting about me?
- Nothing, I just
mentioned your teachings.
- Show some
respect, this is hospital.
- Yeah,
Halabeoji, just wandered off.
- Okay.
Come on, buddy.
Let's see if we can get
some things moving, yeah?
- Sit down.
- He's so good.
- Feeling any of that?
Anything, Ben?
Okay, let's try this.
A nice stretch there.
Come on, man, give me
a little push there.
- Well, the doctor
says that you should
be feeling something
in your legs.
And what about your arms?
- Doctors say
they're completely healthy.
You just have to
want to move them.
- Ah, you hear that?
You have to work hard, too.
- Come on, buddy,
we're on the same team here.
- Ben, all we want is for you
to be out of here soon, okay?
That's all.
- How
about this one?
- That boy's spirit is broken.
- I'm trying to sleep.
- It's 8:30, I'm here
to hang out with you.
- What are you doing?
- Say hi to Bruce.
Bruce, say hi.
This is my dog.
You know, he likes to be petted.
One time I was having a
really really hard day
at the hospital and
Bruce climbed on
top of me and licked my nose.
- Can you please get
this dog off of me?
- That's not very nice
of you to say to Bruce.
Brucey, say hi to Ben.
Say hello Ben, I
hope you feel better.
Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff.
- I'd like to be left alone now.
- Well, you're very moody.
Me and Brucey will go now.
Bruce, say bye.
Goodbye.
Come on, Bruce.
- The lights!
Shit.
- Didn't work.
- You tried.
- So I started a new class,
which is pretty good.
I mean, I like the people in it.
Are you too hot or too cold?
- I don't know.
- Well, that can't
be true, you have goosebumps.
- Cold then.
- Here, let's put that on.
Let's turn him.
Okay.
On me.
One, two, three.
There we go.
Okay.
I mean why not, I don't
have anything else to do
and I thought let's go for
it, let's have a week out.
Just chill out.
I think it's about
time we had that.
There we go.
Maybe it's too soon.
Nah, I don't think so.
Whoa!
Where are you going?
- Nowhere.
- Okay.
Well, I think we are done.
Come on back.
There you go, champ.
- Woo woo woo woo.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep.
Thank you.
Woo!
Hey, Eric.
- What do you want?
- Did you see how
fast I was going?
- Yeah.
- Were you super impressed?
- No.
- Do you feed him?
- Who?
- Him.
- Well, we put the food
in there for him to eat.
On his psychiatrist's orders
if he doesn't touch it,
which he never does, then yes,
we go in there and we feed him.
- Can I try?
- Be my guest.
- Thank you.
Bye, Eric.
- See ya.
- Oh god, not you again.
- Oh, hungry and cranky, are we?
Well, let's get ya up.
Rise and shine.
It's 12 o'clock.
Look at you, lookin' all sunny.
Okay.
You know it's either me or
no food today at all, right?
There ya go.
Oh yeah.
- Fine.
Go ahead, spoon feed me.
I like big bites, by the way.
- Okay, great.
- More.
- All right.
- More.
- Okay.
- More.
- All right.
There you go.
Isn't it good?
It's my grandfather's
recipe with extra spicy
Sriracha sauce and extra
finely chopped peppers in them.
- Can I get some water please?
- Oh, yeah.
Right there.
- Can I please have the water?
- Yeah, it's right
there for you to take.
- I can't take it.
- Oh, all right then.
What the hell, man?
- The water!
What?
- Come on.
- Oh what?
- You can have some.
Have some more.
- You want some more?
What do you want?
I see what you're trying to do.
You think you can help me out,
you think you're gonna be a
good person, a good Samaritan.
Right?
You wanna sob story?
Okay, I'll tell you one.
You notice that the
only person that's come
to visit me is this
one woman, right?
No one else, just
this one woman.
She's not family, though.
You wanna know what she is?
She's my foster mother.
The only reason that
she comes to visit me
is because she has to,
because she gets paid to.
That's my worth.
Actually, my value's worth
less because the God,
or universe, or whatever
the hell is up there,
thinks I have more entertainment
value as a cripple.
So no, I cannot move my arms.
But I hope you feel
good about yourself.
'Cause that's the
important thing.
- I'm sorry, I just thought
that maybe you would just--
- Get out.
- I just thought
you'd like spicy.
- Why don't you get out?
- Cripple is not a good word--
- Get out.
- Why were you in there?
I told you he's not our problem.
- He doesn't have anybody.
No family.
Can you please help him?
- You don't get to talk
to me like that, okay?
'Cause you're the--
- Pick him up.
- You know what?
I think it's time to show him.
- Hey, Benny.
- We're gonna give
you a lift home.
Little bitches
like you get this.
- Hey.
- You like that?
- Is it salty enough for you?
- You like that?
- Huh?
- Get off me!
- Benny, we're
gonna give you a lift home.
- Get off me.
- Okay?
- Get off me!
- Fuck!
- I don't waste time, I only
teach people who want to learn.
- Learn what?
- Taekwodo.
My students win scholarships
and tournaments.
They become black belt
less than two years.
Catch this!
So, you can do.
- I guess I can.
- That is your first lesson.
I can means you believe.
- My grandfather starts
throwing stuff at you,
it means he cares.
I'll pick you up at
7:30 for breakfast.
We're gonna do laps.
- Laps?
Hang on a minute.
Just--
- Have a good evening!
Sriracha's like the
best spice ever.
Even though Koreans aren't
the biggest into it,
but who needs to play
into stereotypes?
- Yeah, well, I think it's
a little too hot for me.
- Well yeah, it was, 'cause
I saw you cry a little
when I gave it to you in
those mashed potatoes.
- Okay, I did not cry.
- I saw like a tear
- I didn't cry.
- coming down your
eye like right here
ever so slightly.
- You wish, you wish.
- Honestly, though, it's
kinda too hot for me, too.
I'm prone to stomach
ulcers and I don't
drink enough water so
I get kidney failure
every now and then.
- Think fast.
- Oh my god.
Thank you!
- I guess we're gonna
just be throwing things
at each other, huh?
- You better eat that ice
cream before it melts.
- I've been eating it.
It's just a little hard
to multitask, you know.
- Oh, right right right.
You like, man?
- Pretty good.
- It's really good.
Anyways, are you
gonna apologize now?
- For what?
- Uh, for being
such a boring ass.
You fell into the foster system
and you got into an accident,
but look at me, I
think my permanence
in this wheelchair
kinda has you beat.
Don't you think?
- No, I'd say we're about even.
- How are we even?
- How are we even?
I've been in fist fights.
- So have I.
- Okay, but I've lost
every single one.
- Now people don't even
wanna fight me anymore
'cause I'm sittin'
in this wheelchair.
What else you got?
That's what I thought.
I loath self-loathing punks.
They would never
match us on Tinder.
- Well I'm not on Tinder, so--
- Yes you are.
- I am not!
- Yes!
Why are you lying?
- What, how do you
know I'm on Tinder?
- Do
you ever get dates?
Be honest.
- No, I've never had.
No, I'm not on Tinder.
- Be honest.
- That's
good, lean into your arms.
- I am leaning into my arms.
My body is in my arms.
- Okay, see if
we can slide this foot--
- It's dead weight.
- Oof, okay, okay.
- Are you okay?
You can do this.
- Floor connects to your feet.
Your feet to your leg.
Your leg comes
through your body.
Your body connects your arm.
Then you can find your balance.
Do you understand?
- I think so.
- Get up, try again.
- Sir, I really do
wanna walk again, okay?
But this time I just can't.
- It doesn't matter if you're
falling down 100 times.
Floor likes you.
The floor is your friend.
Get up!
Bend your knee.
Straight back leg.
Straight your body.
Stay like this.
Let's go.
- He's insane.
Oh my god.
- It worked, didn't it?
- Oh.
Oh god.
Help.
Oh.
Good job.
Good job, Ben.
All right.
- Aye, my sweet boy.
This makes me so so happy.
- Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
I'm feeling a lot better.
- Yep.
Bueno, Mister Benjamin.
What is your plan?
You've missed a lot of
school and you are--
- And now I'm aging out.
- But if the state
stops the checks
then I can't take care of you.
- I know.
It's okay.
- Ben, I am not
kicking you out, right?
You know that, right?
You know that.
- Yeah.
- You can come to me.
We just have to
figure something out.
- We will.
I'll find some place to stay.
- Open your present.
- Okay.
- Oh yes.
- Thank you.
It's a box, that's for sure.
- Lily told us that
you lost yours, so.
- See?
I told you people care.
- She's right.
- One more thing.
No, two more things!
- Lily, wait wait
wait wait wait.
Here, give this to him.
They gave this to
me after court.
- Open your eyes.
- Thank you.
- The backpack was
very dirty but everything
else was there and I know
how much it means to you.
And the phone works.
- No, it doesn't.
I thought they stole everything.
- Well, they got
what they deserved.
And you will never
have to see them again.
Okay?
But this is a party.
Okay, this is a party.
This is not a party.
- Yes it is.
- So what's going to happen?
Aye, Lily, Lily wants
to do a special dance.
- What is this?
- Gimme a beat!
- Aye, beat.
- All right, you ready?
You ready?
Okay.
- Go Lily!
- I'm a cat.
- Get it girl.
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
- Everyone stay together.
Continue, go.
Hi, Bruce.
- Only six students today?
- After holiday,
there'll be more.
Tammy, bend your knee.
- You know, Halabeoji,
you could use
some help around the office.
Maybe Ben could live
here and help you?
- I don't want stranger in here.
- Halabeoji, he's not a stranger
and I just wanna help him.
- He doesn't need your help.
Enough.
- Ladies and gentlemen.
- Oh my god.
- Please give it
up for Hadagalango!
The fastest horse in the stable.
- Can you stop?
- Keep on going.
- Okay, but hang on.
- What?
- You're gonna make me fall.
- You're not gonna fall.
- Well could you stop
recording at least?
- You sit all day,
don't you dare.
Don't sit!
- You do it.
- Okay, touche, but I don't
have a choice like you.
- Yeah, well you know what?
There are a lot of
people who work me
but I think you're like
the queen of them all.
- Wow, look at you two.
I just wanted to tell you.
You're on crutches and
you're in a wheelchair
and you're both
just so inspiring.
I just wanted to tell you that.
Have a good day.
- Okay.
- Thanks?
I hate when people
say that to me.
Like, I know they mean well
but it just feels
very demeaning.
- One time I got "everything
happens for a reason."
Yeah, yeah, I wanted to
punch them in the face.
Have you ever gotten
can I pray for you?
- Oh my god.
All the prayers in the
entire world combined
would not get me up
and walking again.
And, if one more person
asks me to pop a wheelie
I'm gonna pop them in the face.
- Can you?
What, can you pop a wheelie?
- Seriously?
- You brought it up.
- Really?
- Yeah, really.
Really.
- Impressed?
- Yeah.
- Nice.
But don't tell me grandpa, okay?
- Okay.
Hey, so tomorrow there's
this counselor, right,
that's coming with Maria
just to talk about some stuff
and well, I was, I
was wondering like
if you would wanna be there too?
- Oh no.
- Okay.
- Just kidding.
Yes.
But, only if you can make
it around a whole lap today.
- A whole lap?
- A whole lap, you're
wasting time, let's go.
Come on.
Get up, old man.
- Oh my god.
- One, two, three.
Oh, let's go.
Did you fart?
Was that a fart?
- I did not fart.
- Oh.
- It was my mouth.
- Oh, okay, sorry.
There you go.
Today, though, like,
I'm getting sleepy.
- All right, easy killer.
If I go any faster I'll
probably just fall.
- Okay, you're not gonna fall.
Oh my god!
Really?
- Benjamin, this is real life.
Between 800 and a thousand
kids who are about to age out
of foster care wind up
homeless immediately.
That leads to drug
abuse, alcohol abuse.
So, when you get on
your feet you need
to think about going
back to school,
finish, get your diploma.
- I'm not gonna do that.
- Why not?
- Benjamin didn't have
a good experience there.
- I did read your file.
I'm sorry about all this.
All I can say is things
happen for a reason, no?
- I think maybe that
I want something more.
I'd like to see another city.
- Well, you can travel,
you can see the world.
But school and a job are first.
You need skills.
- It's not easy, Benjamin.
It's not easy, I know.
- You can change your life
right here, right now.
You figure out what's
important for today
and tomorrow and
the day after that
instead of just getting
overwhelmed by the big picture.
But step one is a
degree, a diploma,
and that leads to a good job.
And I have resources
that can help you.
- I think my step one
is to learn how to walk.
- Benjamin, por favor.
- Thank you very
much for your time.
- Benjamin.
- No, you're fine.
- He'll be fine.
He just needs a break.
- She doesn't know
who I am, right?
And she just says
the exact same thing
to every single
person that she meets.
And those programs, they
just don't work like that.
They just don't work, okay?
- Yeah, but how do you know?
The programs exist for a reason.
You're judging it before
you're even trying it.
You could really be letting
a good thing pass by you.
You gotta stop being stubborn.
I know stubborn.
I threw myself off of a horse.
That's how I landed
in this thing.
- What happened?
- He was this stunning
black stallion
with this gorgeous mane,
and every time we rode
it would just flow in the wind.
And he was strong and he was
free-spirited and so alive.
I mean, I really
wanted to tame him,
I wanted to make him mine.
And then my ego got in the way.
I was just a massive idiot.
- Can I show you something?
I was looking up videos of
your grandpa online, right?
- Okay.
- What, that's not right?
- No, what is that?
- A little defense.
- Oh.
No, that's not.
- Your grandfather,
though, he's pretty cool.
- Yeah, he's no joke.
You know he won
the Dongbaek award?
Which is the highest
award you can
get in Korea for public service.
And on top of that, you know,
he served on the '88 committee
for the Seoul Olympics?
- Did he teach you TaeKwonDo
before your accident?
- He did.
You know, I almost
got that scholarship.
- Really?
So you were like a black belt.
- No.
The scholarship
isn't for the pros,
it's for the one that
shows the most spirit.
You could get it
if you wanted to.
- Oh yeah?
I don't know about that.
But at least I
got metal defense.
Hey.
- You need a worthy
opponent or else
that doesn't make any sense.
- You're my opponent.
Oh.
- You like that?
- Yeah.
- Stand up.
- Yes, yeah.
Yeah, no, there's, um,
we're just friends.
- No, Halabeoji, he was
just showing me something.
- Show me.
- Show you what?
- Show me what you learned.
- I, I, I, I, I've
never taken class,
I don't know what I'm doing.
I haven't learned anything.
It was just some videos online.
- I don't want anyone
learning from video.
Show me.
Be the defense or be the punch.
- Sure, yeah.
No defense, no punch.
- No.
Try following me,
your attention.
Stand in position.
You widen up.
Again.
With a punch, with a punch.
Three punches in TaeKwonDo.
Ya!
- Three.
- Open with a punch.
And now we punch again.
Three more punches and kihap.
Ya!
- Ya.
- Always kyungnet.
- Bow.
- Right, uh.
- If you live in my dojang,
you'll always have the Korean.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Been waiting for you.
- Oh, sorry, how's it going?
- What are you watching?
- Uh, this is Master Kang.
Some of his YouTube videos
with him and his students.
- Hm.
What do you think of him?
- I think he doesn't
like me very much.
- But he wants you to go
live in his karate studio.
- Taekwondo, Hopkido.
- Same thing.
- No, it's not.
- You know what I mean.
And this offer,
what does he want?
What is the catch?
- I don't think there is one.
- Aye, por favor, Benjamin.
Nobody gives you
something for nothing.
That's not how it works.
- Yeah, I know.
I mean, I think I'm gonna
be cleaning his house
and maybe taking care of the
dojang, but other than that.
- So you decided this already?
- No, but I don't really see
that I have any other option.
- No, Benjamin, you
have other options.
I can go and I can speak
to Rosalie's brother
about getting you a job
at the grocery store.
They're always
looking for bag boys.
Que?
What's wrong with that, huh?
What's wrong with
packing groceries?
I did it for three
years before I became
a foster mother
and you know what?
It is an honest job.
- You're right, you're right.
I'll look into it, I'll
think about it, okay?
But think, how cool would
it be once I'm up, running,
I could do stuff like that.
Come on, you like it.
- No, I don't like it.
- It's cool.
It's cool.
- Aye, Benjamin, change that.
- I like it.
So, I've made a decision.
I'm gonna work in your
grandfather's studio.
- Are you sure?
- Um, can I sit?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
So, I'm able to that because
of you and your grandfather.
Yeah, I'm sure.
- Oh my god, I'm
so proud of you.
Oh my god.
He's gonna love and hate this
so much at the same time.
- No, I'll make him like me.
Goodnight, Bruce.
Bye.
- It is very
important for me.
- It is very
important for me.
- To respect
my mom and daddy.
- To respect
my mom and dad.
- Repeat.
It is very important for me.
- It is very
important for me.
- To watch.
- To watch.
- Listen.
- Listen.
- Learn.
- And learn.
- Okay, go.
Good Charlie, yeah.
- Sorry.
- Around.
- Hey.
- That's okay.
Kendall, let's go.
Kendall.
Kick up.
Go again.
Kick.
Pound your foot,
protect your arm.
Again.
- I wish my father
made me do sports
and martial arts or something.
- Go!
Again, go.
Okay, good.
- Ha, that a boy.
- Jump.
Around.
Come on let's go.
BJ.
- Sir.
- Kick up.
Right there.
Yeah.
Pull up.
Beautiful.
Face off.
Back.
Come up, Alex.
Kick up.
When you kick up jump.
Around.
Again, turn around.
Again, swing.
Left swing.
And hands up.
Yes.
Beautiful, okay.
Repeat.
I can.
- I can.
- I will.
- I will.
- I did.
- I did.
- I will not give
up until I succeed.
You understand.
- Yes, sir.
- Very good, Alex, very good.
Good.
Very good.
Very good, Kendall.
Take off your shoes,
come on inside.
Come on.
- Okay.
- You stay here, my rules.
- Yes, sir, understood.
- You like my granddaughter?
- Uh, not that way.
- Okay, come.
Come here.
Clean floor three times.
Not one, not two, three times.
And put that down.
- Okay.
Three times.
Look out your window.
- What I would give to
climb down to you right now.
- This kinda has like a
Romeo and Juliet quality.
Um, I could climb up.
Is your grandfather asleep?
Just--
- I'm not sure.
I don't know if you can.
- Hang on.
Okay.
Okay, so maybe next time.
- Get going before you get
caught on your first day.
- Well, hang on.
I have something to say.
You keep encouraging
me and, you know,
I want you to make
sure that you're giving
yourself those speeches, too.
Goodnight, Adrienne.
- Goodnight, sucker.
- Bye.
- You ready, Brucey?
Right, doggy?
Hi, cutie.
Okay, sleepy time.
- So loud.
Note this man here.
He's doctor.
He won a scholarship in Korea.
Hi, Tom, how are you?
- I'm well,
sir, how are you?
- Long time, no see.
- Nice to see you, sir.
- Go warm up.
- Yes, sir.
- Hey.
- Ben, you too.
Go downstairs, get a uniform.
- Yes, sir.
- Hey, don't worry,
I'll go easy on you.
It's just practice.
- All right.
- Okay, fighting stance.
And come at you left punch.
No, come underneath like that.
Hook it.
You hook it in like that, right?
Your left leg's gonna
come behind my left leg.
Yeah, and you're gonna
take me down, okay?
- Okay.
- And you pull here as
you sweep the leg out
and see, I'm falling.
Bam.
Nice.
All right, your turn.
Ready?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Ready like this.
Yeah.
Okay, so you're gonna start
with the left punch, okay?
Punch right here.
Hook around, twos
to the shoulder.
Three.
You good?
- Yep.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- All right, again.
- Okay.
- Nice.
One, two, three.
Nice.
You good?
- Yep.
- One, two, three.
- Ben, back inside.
- Yeah, sorry.
- Now focus, no distraction.
- Yeah, sorry, sir.
- You're here, you
work, you earn.
Simple.
That is all that's life.
- Thanks.
- All right, here we go.
I'm gonna do a big one.
You guys ready for this, ready?
Oh, did you see that?
That was awesome!
All right, now this side.
Okay, watch how much air I get.
Oh, yes!
Yes, that was the best.
All right, now we're
gonna do downhill.
I know you guys are about
to be so impressed with me.
All right, here
we go, here we go.
Okay, here we go.
This is the fifth
time, Halabeoji.
Fifth time.
I don't want anymore surgery.
- You do not have any choice.
Sometimes the thing
you don't want to do
is what you need most.
You need the surgery.
- I need to not
be chained up in this
hospital bed anymore.
- Listen to me carefully.
Act like person who's in charge
- The lessons don't
- of her life.
- apply to me.
I'm not an athlete
facing off an opponent.
- You're your own opponent.
The lessons apply--
- You can't scare me into
- to you the most.
- Surgery when I'm not scared.
- You should be scared.
You're not thinking.
Fear to feel.
You must or you will die.
- I mean, I'm not gonna be as
good as Tom, that's all right.
You know, but my legs are
feeling stronger every day.
They don't feel like two heavy
bags of cat litter anymore.
- That's nice.
- Yeah.
And your grandfather, he's just.
I don't know, he's something
else because, I don't know.
Like one minute I feel like
he's gonna come
down on me really
hard and then the next he
just throws a curve ball.
I don't know.
Grandmaster Kang is
just a tricky guy
to figure out, I guess.
- You call him grandmaster now?
- Yeah, everyone does.
- Since when are you
like everyone else?
- What's wrong?
- You know, I'm
really happy for you.
That you're walking and talking
and training and stuff but.
- What?
- What about me?
You're leaving me behind.
- What do you mean,
what does that mean?
- Ben, look at me.
- Okay.
- I'm still here.
I will always be right
here while you're out there
making god damn strides.
- Wow, okay, I'm
leaving you behind, huh?
- Yes.
- I'm leaving you behind.
Adrienne, that's bullshit.
That's bullshit.
When I was in here
every single day
you were up my ass
trying to get me
to do exactly what
I'm doing right now.
- Yeah, well I never
encouraged bragging, okay?
- Okay.
Okay, you're upset that
I'm walking and you're not.
Okay, I get that--
- Really?
- That's what you're saying!
You were the one that told me
not to feel sorry for myself
and now you're asking
me to baby you.
What happened to the
independent non-victim?
- I never asked you to
treat me like a victim,
so don't twist my words around.
- What do you want
me to treat you like?
- I'm asking you to
treat me like an equal.
- Okay, I can do that.
I can do that, I can
treat you like that.
What exactly do
you need me to do?
All right, you know.
Let's stop this
right now and like--
- You know what?
You're right.
I don't think we should
see each other anymore.
- Wait, wait.
Hey, you don't think we should.
You don't, stop, you
don't think we should--
- Get off me!
- You know what,
that's fine, Adrienne.
That's fine, Adrienne.
Your grandfather's really
gonna appreciate that.
He'll be happy about that.
- Yeah.
Because that's what we care
about the most right now!
- Shit.
Okay.
- What are you looking at?
- They went to juvenile hall
and one for three months
and two for one week just
until their court date was set.
And one for one night
because his father
had a very good lawyer.
And they all got community
service and probation.
- How'd they get caught?
- One of them confessed
and told on the others.
- You never told me.
- You didn't wanna
talk about it.
- You're right, I
never asked about them.
- Do you like living
with the Korean?
- Yeah, he goes by
Grandmaster Kang.
- Well, I'm Dominican
and I do not get
offended when people
say that I am Dominican.
- I know, but you call a
doctor by their title, right?
It's just a sign of respect.
- Okay, fine.
How is Grandmaster Kang?
- He's something,
that's for sure.
- Hi senorita, hello.
Homework.
Open the door.
Thank you.
And if you want to help
out with dinner later.
- She seems nice.
- That's Sonia.
She came to us three days
ago, she's in your bed now.
She's very suspicious
of everyone.
We are still trying
to figure it out.
You see, you made it
to my wall of faith.
All my kids that move
on make it there.
- I saw one of them today.
His name was Dorian.
I saw him and I just ran away.
Thanks.
Excuse me, sir.
Are we still gonna have class?
- Maybe 9 o'clock
class if people come.
- Okay.
Hey.
- Hey.
- How's it going?
You look good.
- Thanks.
- So you're back
in the hospital.
- Where are all the people?
- It doesn't matter anymore.
I am selling the place.
- What?
No, you can't sell.
- I cannot pay rent this way.
- You have
to try marketing,
why are you set in your ways?
- I teach.
Who taught you that?
- Your videos.
Master Kang, I've been thinking.
I was hoping that maybe.
Maybe you would consider
me for the nomination.
- First position.
Hands up.
Look in my eye,
don't close your eye.
More motion.
Yes.
Now holding, holding.
Just punch out here first.
Beautiful, let's go again.
Very good.
- Okay.
- Hands up again.
Beautiful.
On your toes again.
Hands up.
One.
Ya!
You do it.
Go!
- Ya!
- Yeah.
But this this way.
Let's go again.
Make elbow.
One, two.
Look at my eye, come on.
Beautiful!
Very good.
- Okay.
Look, yeah.
Psst, hey.
- You're climbing?
- I guess so.
How's it going?
- Well, you don't wanna come in?
- No, no, that's okay,
I'm not gonna stay long.
I'm just.
What's this about
you needing surgery?
- Don't tell me to do it.
- Okay.
Look, about last time.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Are you gonna make me cry now?
- No.
- Okay.
- Well.
- 'Cause I'm not gonna.
- Okay.
Okay.
Bye.
- Bye.
- Let's go, come on.
- Okay.
- Yesterday you
stand out like this.
You must deepen like this.
And you'll bend your knee
and straight back leg.
And hands up.
Other hand.
Now slow down.
Cross the front, pull.
Now this.
Go.
Yep.
Now straight back leg,
straight back leg.
Like this is key.
Straight back leg.
Bend your knee.
This is a front stance.
You have to body up,
now look straight.
All right, look straight.
Good job.
- Oh, thank you.
- Yes.
Get some breathing
right, correct.
Now you will bend your knee.
All right, very good.
Hi, Tom.
Super boy.
- Sir.
- Warm up and stretch.
- Hey bro, can you
put me in the system
for 10 private lessons
with Master Kang?
- Private lessons?
- Yeah.
You can charge it to my
credit card, it's on file.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- Hi.
- What a great surprise.
It's so good to see
your face around here.
- You, too.
- I've been meaning to
send you this writing
blog I stumbled across.
It reminded me of yours.
- Oh my
god, that's so nice.
You read my blog?
- Yeah, of course.
I love the latest entry.
It's like hopeful but hilarious.
- Oh, that's so nice.
Thank you so much.
- Of course.
- Yeah, I
mean, I love to read--
- Tom.
Let's practice for
the scholarship.
They will love your application.
- Yes, sir.
- Ben, when
you're ready, come out.
- Yes, sir.
- One, two, three, go!
- Ya!
- Again, go.
Go again.
Again, go.
Go again.
- Ya!
- Very good, Tom, very good.
How many movements did you have?
- There's three.
- You are doing two.
Tom, show him.
- Yes, sir.
Ya!
Ya!
Ya!
Ya!
Ya!
- Very good, good.
- I've been doing this
for years, don't worry.
- Okay.
- Take a break.
- Yeah.
- Drink water.
- You know my dog's
named after Bruce Lee?
He had a motto: "be like water."
- Okay, what's that
supposed to mean?
- You're overthinking
everything out there.
- Thanks.
- I.
- And punch.
- Okay, I'm ready, sir.
I'm ready.
- You are done today.
- Well, I'd like
to try it again.
- Go take out trash.
- Sir, I think I have
the move this time now
so I'd like to show
you if that's okay.
- You're done.
- Why?
Can we at least give
- Take out trash.
It a shot?
- I said no.
- No, let me just do this, okay?
Let's hang on, all right.
Let's just do this, okay?
And then we can all go home
and have a nice day, okay?
So let's just do this, okay?
One, two, three, go.
Can we just do it once, maybe?
- Show some respect, man.
- Can we
just do that, Tom?
- Ben, he said no.
- Come on, Tom.
One, two, three, go.
One, two, three, go.
No, one, two, three, go, Tom.
Go, Tom, come on!
Come on, Tom!
- Hey.
- Come on!
- Okay, go.
- Why are you giving
him the nomination?
Why are you giving him
the nomination, okay?
I thought it was for the
hardest working student,
not the most talented.
Who has worked any
harder than I have?
Sir, I am walking.
Sir!
I am walking, I am working out,
so what more do
you want from me?
How many people do you know who
have worked as hard as I have?
What are you saying?
Adrienne, can you speak to me?
What are you guys saying?
What are you saying?
Can we stop for
a second, please?
Just what are you saying?
- He was just trying
to impress you.
- Can you guys
speak to me, please?
What are you saying?
- You learned nothing.
No discipline, no respect.
You learn movements
but Taekwondo
is training for
giving you character.
You are not ready
for nomination.
Look for a new job.
- Sonia
Sonia, get the door, please.
- That guy.
Whatever.
- What guy?
Benjamin.
- I.
- What happened?
- I couldn't make it work.
- I'm sorry.
- Thanks.
Hello?
- What the hell
were you thinking?
- I don't know.
- You thought you
could beat the shit outta Tom?
- No, I didn't.
- What, it made you think
you were some kinda macho?
Who you tryin' to impress?
What are you doing?
- Look, Adrienne.
- What are you, five?
- Adrienne, Adrienne.
- Talk it out you don't just
- just sometimes.
- jump on a black belt.
- Sometimes, okay.
I want to say something
and but I just don't know how.
- Is that the case with me, too?
- Why aren't you
getting the surgery?
- It's none of your business.
I shouldn't of come today.
Please don't contact me again.
- Adrienne.
- Look, Adrienne.
- No.
- Can we please just talk--
- No, no, you're just
making it harder.
- Adrienne.
Adrienne.
Great.
Hi, how's it going?
- I'm good.
- Good.
Sriracha, good choice.
Great.
- Sonia,
we do not steal.
If you need money you ask me,
you do not steal from me, okay?
- I don't need money, and if
I did I wouldn't need yours.
- Then why did you
take my wallet?
- I didn't.
- Sonia, you are going to
- I didn't do
- because this is my house.
- anything.
Yes you did, you took my wallet.
- It's my house now.
- And this is not acceptable.
Yeah, well you know what?
It's my house and my rules
and I so no liars
and no stealers.
Do you understand me?
- No.
- Well, then I'm going
to say it in Spanish.
Do you understand?
In this house you do
not take my money, okay?
You want money, you ask me.
Do you understand?
You respect me.
I respect you, you respect me.
And these are yours to fold.
- Oh, you can throw that away.
- Don't get rid of it.
- All right, then donate it.
- Oh fuck.
Let's go, come on.
Run!
- Let's go, man.
Yo, let's go.
- Hey, Ben.
Easy.
I'm sorry!
- Oh, you're sorry?
You're sorry?
So what, your punishment
is to pick up trash?
That's what you do?
- Yeah.
Almost a year.
Four months to go.
Look, I know I deserve
more than what I got.
This is not like I like doing.
The hazing and shit, it's just.
You do it because
you do it, you know?
The best way I could keep
others from doing it to me.
When you was hit by that
car it was too much.
I mean, even an asshole
like me knows that.
These are yours.
- No, you know what,
you are an asshole.
- Ben.
Ben!
Benjamin.
- Tom, hey.
- Hey, man.
You work here?
- Yes, yes, I do.
- Cool.
I was kinda worried about you.
It's nice to see you
landed on your feet.
- Yeah, I think the
last time I saw you
was at the dojang that day.
- Yeah, Hulk-out day.
- Hulk-out day.
- It happens to the best of us.
- Listen, I'm sorry
about that, you know.
- Don't be, seriously.
- That was.
- Seriously, don't.
Thanks.
- Well.
Well, it's to see ya,
bud, you look great.
It's really good to see you.
Take care, yeah?
- Hey.
Did you hear what
happened to the dojang?
It was never about
the money anyway.
He just wanted students
he could teach.
It's closed.
Breaking and entering.
Interesting.
- And after you.
Wow.
- Come on.
Just do a light round.
- All right.
- Still remember all the moves?
You're a quick
learner for someone
who was just on crutches
a few months ago.
- Yeah, you're right.
- Ya, ya, ya!
Well, they'd like you in Korea.
- It's not like I'm going.
- Neither am I.
Ya!
- Wait.
- Ya!
- Why?
Master Kang can't
give out nominations?
- No, he can, he's
still a Grandmaster,
I just don't want the
nomination is all.
Ya!
- All right, then.
Why the private lessons?
- I used to be a cadet
at the police academy
and one day on a routine patrol
with the training officer
we stopped this one
kid who mouthed off.
All the bad words in
the book, you name it.
The kid spat at me, all over
my bright shiny uniform.
I just snapped.
Kid ended up on the ground
with a broken arm, so.
Then I found Master Kang.
He taught me this isn't about
fighting, it's about peace.
I take the private lessons
to give Master Kang
some extra money
into his pocket.
- Does he know?
- No.
Get up.
Ya.
- Hey.
That was a good one.
- Listen.
Here's my card.
There's my cell on there, too.
If you ever need anything.
- Thanks.
- And Adrienne.
She got an infection this week.
She's finally decided to
have the surgery tomorrow.
You should go visit them both.
- Okay.
It's good seeing you, man.
- Talk to you soon.
- Yeah.
Coggs.
- Hey, pal, look at you.
- Hey.
- It's so
good to see you.
- Yeah, listen, I need
you to do me favor.
- Okay, what's up?
What are you up to?
Mr. Kang, could I have
a minute with you?
We have some brochures
we'd like you
to read in preparation
of post-recovery care.
- Of course.
I'll be back.
- It'll just be a minute.
Come this way.
- What do you want?
- You tried to tell me
that you were scared
and I wasn't hearing any of that
because I was too wrapped
up in my own shit.
But I need you to
know that it's okay.
It's okay to not
smile all the time.
It's okay to be sad and angry.
It's okay to be
pissed at the world
when it hasn't handed
everything that you deserve.
It's okay to not be okay.
The minute that you're
willing to accept fear,
that's when you
can start to heal.
You understand?
You can do it.
Hey.
- Thank you.
- You're gonna kick
this thing in the ass.
You have to.
You're gonna be great.
- Okay.
- Okay?
- Okay.
yeah, Halabeoji.
Halabeoji, take care of Brucey.
Ready.
- Hey.
- What do you want?
- How many more years do
you have before you age out?
- Six more years.
I'm guessing a few more
homes between now and then.
- I circled through
a few myself.
- Oh yeah?
- Yep.
A lot of kids pass through here.
You know, Maria,
she tries her best.
They all do.
But somehow just doesn't
seem to be enough
and it kinda just feels
like the only person
you can really rely
on is yourself.
Oh, so serious.
Oh, she smirks.
She can't contain it.
That was a better one.
- You're really annoying.
- Nice.
Hey, do you still
have my uniform?
- It's in the left drawer
underneath the bed.
- Hey, yeah it's Ben.
I need your help with something.
- I've been getting into
fights since I was little.
- Look, I know where you're
coming from, I've been there.
Ben's been there.
You take that first small step,
we'll take it today, together.
Taekwondo is about three things.
Tae means feet.
Kwon means hands.
And Do means way as in
a different way of life.
- Hey.
So what's this about?
- TaeKwonDo.
- TaeKwonDo?
Man, I don't think
that's really my speed.
- I think you owe me one.
Close your-
- So this way?
- Fingers little by little.
- Yeah.
- Close it in like here.
- Now when you punch.
- Yeah.
- All right.
- And.
Joon Bi.
- Block it.
- Okay, so up.
Up, up, around, boom.
Okay, when you go,
you have to go up.
- A nice deep stance
when you move back.
- Up, okay.
- Ah.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Go.
That was really good.
Okay.
- You're better than me.
- Try again.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- Well, I think we have enough.
- I'll call him.
- Okay.
- You brought the
people here, why?
- These are all students
who wanna learn.
- How about you?
- I wanna learn from you.
- Show me.
- Tom.
- No, show me.
- Go on.
- How do you feel now?
- I feel calm.
- This is TawKwonDo.
You believe, you had a
plan, and then you did.
This is my true teaching.
Okay.
Everyone up.
And now repeat.
I can.
- I can.
- I will.
- I will.
- I did.
- I did.
- Now everyone follow me.
Okay now, fall in.
Now, everyone, left leg's
back, right arm over first.
Now lower defense.
Now face.
Now face.
Face.
Go again.
Now for the face, turn around.
Now face.
Now face, turn around.
Go!
Now face.
♪ Jailed inside my head
♪ I'm yearning to be free
♪ Feeling blind cannot see
♪ Losing my mind
♪ Imprints of my pain
♪ Cutting through the
goal for my soul ♪
♪ Healing what I can
♪ Breathe it away
♪ I can
♪ I will
♪ Crashing through the gates
♪ Broken my courage inside
♪ Glimmers of hope await
♪ Whisper never hide
♪ Stripping it all away
♪ Radiate my light
to the world ♪
♪ Face my fear, gazing high
♪ Roaring with
strength and pride ♪
♪ I can
♪ I will
♪ Imprints of my force
♪ Etched into the
base of my heart ♪
♪ I can
♪ I will
♪ Climbing up the hill
♪ Healing the fire within
♪ Glimmers of hope
waiting still ♪
♪ Screaming never give in