Midnight Ballad for Ghost Theater (2006) - full transcript
Sodan lives with her grandmother until one day her grandmother disappears after attending a motion picture at a theater. Sodan discovers the Ghost Theater while searching for her and hires on as a box office attendant. One night, while smoking in the theater, Sodan sees four ghosts; Elisa, Mosquito, Wanda and Hiroshu. By day they appear to be theater employees but at night they are actually ghosts, singing and dancing the night away. Sodan is put through a hilarious ordeal by them but she soon finds herself filled with joy while dancing and singing at the Ghost Theater, the factory of bizarre and decadent dreams.
Present by CJ Entertainment
In association with
Korean Film Council
Production MJ Film
Prime Entertainment Co., Ltd
♫ Come to me
♫ Across the black river
Grandma! You scared me!
Aren't you going to bed?
It's time for me to go.
At this time of the night?
I'm going to Sam Geo Ri theater
To watch a movie.
You're watching what?
Where on earth is
Sam Geo Ri theater?
Please stay home
and stay out of trouble.
I must have been your age,
a lovely age,
when I was in that movie.
I need to see it before I die.
Grandma!
Where did she go?
WANTED Box Office Clerk
With Nerves of Steel Preferred
Sam Geo Ri theater
Midnight Ballad
for Ghost Theater
Uh...
Uh... Have you seen
my grandma...?
Thanks.
Are you okay, sir?
Who are you?
My name is So-dan.
Seong So-dan.
What brought you down to
this old theater?
My grandma hasn't come home yet.
I thought she might be here...
Go home.
This place is too rough
for old folks.
Go look somewhere else.
She said she was coming here
to watch a movie.
You are so annoying.
You have no idea
what terrible things might happen
If you stay any longer!
Leave now!
I have to find her.
She's the only family I have!
A, Araet, Araetnae?!
Sir, uh, what's going on?
Sir...
I don't believe this...
The time has come...
Yes, we have waited long enough.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
Do you believe in fate?
Huh?
I am amazed by the force of destiny
that brought you to this old theater.
Have you seen this per...
MISSING
Name Gang Shim-deok, Age 78
Two tickets for
3 o'clock movie, please.
That'll be 9,000 won.
This place is creepy.
Especially the people
who work here.
Probably because it's old.
It was built during
the Japanese colonial rule.
Will your grandma turn up
if you wait at the box office?
She said she was coming here
to see a movie...
I have nothing else
to do anyway.
And I'm behind with the rent.
What about school?
Well... I'm not gonna go to
college anyway.
Then what are you gonna do?
What should I do?
Watch fucking movies
and become an actress.
Then who's gonna sell
the tickets?
Who cares?
This place is fucking deserted.
MISSING
Name Gang Shim-deok, Age 78
Who are you?!
Shut up!
Who, who are you?
What, what are you doing there?
The theater's closed for the day,
leave quickly.
The security guy will be mad!
What?
You're the one smoking
in the theater!
What, what are you saying?
Are you Japanese?
I am Ijawa Hiroshi,
the lieutenant of
the Imperial Japanese Army.
Who are You?
She's the new box office clerk.
Because of your smoking,
23 strands of my hair fell out.
Who... Who the hell are you?
All hail, Princess Elisa!
♫ Listen to me,
my beloved subjects,
♫ The bloody full-moon has
risen to its height
♫ To knock on
the cold hearts of the spirits
♫ What are you waiting for,
♫ now is the time
♫ Let us continue the atrocious
performance tonight
♫ We are the traveling
troupe of the night
♫ The offsprings of tragedy
who are singing comedy
♫ Each one of us has
a story to tell
♫ The show begins
when we gather at this site
♫ Do not be alarmed
at first sight
♫ The wondrous nightmare
begins tonight
♫ Full of exaggerations
and jumping to conclusions
♫ The dancing and singing
traveling troupe of the night
Isn't it awesome?
♫ They shudder at
the mere imagination
♫ I am Elisa, the starlet of
the traveling troupe
♫ They all pay homage to me
and offer their submission
♫ Giving nightmares to
those who dream
♫ Punishing them
for their loneliness
♫ Oh Elisa, a diamond sparkling
in the dark
♫ We are the spirits of darkness
♫ Spirits of huge meaninglessness
♫ We are the spirits of death
♫ The spirit of innocent Elisa
♫ We are the traveling troupe
of the night
♫ Where time is
running backwards
♫ The offsprings of tragedy
who are singing comedy
♫ Putting on the never-ending
performance
Where do you come from, girl?
She's the new box office clerk.
Whatever.
Will you obey my orders?
I don't even know who you are.
She's a stubborn one.
What are you doing!
Arrest her now!
Now, we will start the trial.
Wanda, begin.
Begin what?
The trial!
Begin the trial.
Mosquito, you do it.
She who brings darkness
to light,
Who sparkles alone
in the darkness
Who lives a meaningless, dreamless,
heartless life
Princess Elisa,
the goddess of wisdom
The official charge brought against
the defendant Seong So-dan is
'Smoking in public place.'
However!
The gravity of this case
does not lie there.
For years, she lived alone
with her grandmother
She had no dream to cultivate
and no lofty mission to uphold
Everything felt trivial
and unfair.
She was indifferent
and intolerant.
As a matter of fact,
she was upset about this world.
Unable to hide her fatal anxiety
She begins to smoke
in public place.
She couldn't bear with
The unbearably boring
21st century!
Yes, she turned out to be
a shameless modernist!
Quiet, quiet, silence in court!
Off with his head
who dare to speak.
Mosquito, I have no idea
what you're talking about.
You insult me with big words
I don't understand!
Mosquito, you shouldn't
not be swearing in court!
Since when has the defendant
been smoking?
From 10th grade.
What made you start smoking?
They said it would help me
lose weight...
And did it?
It got rid of my constipation.
Why on earth are you asking me
these questions?
Have you considered quitting?
No!
I had nothing better to do...
I was looking for something to
do consistently...
The right to self-addiction!
One of the few rights and certificates
left to the modern people.
The defendant has just made
a decisive statement.
Honorable Princess Elisa,
I would like to call a witness
against the defendant.
Call the witness!
The witness has not arrived yet.
Call anyone!
Hiroshi, you testify.
Witness, take your oath.
I swear to tell the truth.
How do you know the defendant?
I don't.
I'm a veteran of
the World War II
and also an actor.
Why are you still here
and not back home?
I was watching a Korean movie
at the Ghost theater
When a riot broke out.
You were watching a movie
when your country was
nearly defeated?
I'd promised
my Korean girlfriend Ms. Mi-ja...
Call Mi-ja!
Stay calm, Princess Elisa.
Mi-ja is not here.
For the last time,
What does the witness think of
the defendant?
She's not my type.
That'll be all, Princess Elisa.
This is nonsense.
Now it's time for the verdict.
The defendant Seong So-dan has
dared to refuse my orders
and with no evidence to
prove her innocent,
I find her guilty.
Princess, punish her!
Your charges are grave,
but I will show you mercy.
You may choose between
three sentences.
First, we will cut your throat
and then pull out your guts.
Second, we will pull out your guts
and then cut your throat.
What's the third?
We pull out the neck
and cut the guts.
This is the most
absurd trial ever!
I will not play along your
stupid game!
Get your hands off me!
Wait!
Where are you running off to?
What's it to you?
You can't get away.
I won't be taken
in by you guys again.
You have nowhere to go.
I have a home.
I'm far better off than you people
Who live here without a home.
If you love home so much,
why did you come here instead?
Idiot!
Idiot!
Stop crying!
You think tears
will bring you mercy?
Let me tell you my story.
♫ I am the last princess of
Joseon Dynasty of Korea
♫ Born under tragic stars
♫ Spent my days full of tears
♫ And let them slip away
in scars
♫ One day, a poet of
the streets came to me
♫ He had melancholy eyes
and sentimental shoulders
♫ I fell in love with
him at first sight
♫ I fell in love with
him at first sight
♫ He looked woeful
as the mirror
♫ Tell me cute guy
♫ What do you want from me?
♫ He was so cute
♫ What do you want from me?
♫ What do you want from me?
Mamma mia!
Stop crying, lonely girl
You are not the only
one living a sad life
Shut up and dance with me
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Close your eyes tight
when feeling lonely and tired
♫ You can see more
if you close your eyes
♫ Do not fear,
and do not grieve
♫ Find yourself there
without any disguise
♫ Look at yourself
in the fantasy
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ The morning came
and he was gone
♫ And I was all alone
♫ I still call out his name
♫ The steps of the night flowing
like a dream
♫ Close your eyes tight
when feeling lonely and tired
♫ You can see more
if you close your eyes
♫ Do not fear,
and do not grieve
♫ Find yourself there
without any disguise
♫ Look at yourself
in the fantasy
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are
I call stop.
Give me 40 won, each.
He, he folds!
Then you have to pay me 80 won.
Aren't you going home?
Are you getting off work?
Yes.
Why?
Nothing, I'll close up.
Okay, then.
Huh? Boss...
You... You are...
Boss, it's me, So-dan.
Oh, that, that's right.
Then why am I...
No, why are you here?
I know...
I sometimes wake up
in front of the store
or on a rice field.
I'm sorry if I scared you.
Excuse me...
You seem to be staying in the theater
at nights these days.
Yes...
Are you... waiting for someone?
Yes... No, there's no-one home.
And the TV doesn't work...
What will you do
if a ghost appears?
Aren't you afraid of the theater?
No. And even if a ghost appears,
It must have wanted to
come out really bad.
You are braver than you look.
But sitting alone
in a closed theater
Is only for those
with empty hearts.
Not for the likes of
young people like you.
Have you found
your grandmother yet?
No... But I feel that
she'll come back here
the Ghost Theater
Living or dead...
You do know, right?
That there are ghosts
in the theater...
What ghosts?
The traveling troupe of the night.
They perform here every night!
Nonsense!
You are old enough to tell
the reality from a dream.
You didn't get enough sleep,
go home.
I'll fire you if you keep on
saying things like that.
I'm sorry.
And don't wander
in the theater at night.
I'm more scared of you
than anything else.
Hello?
Hello?
Would you like a ticket?
You must be new.
Yes, I've been here a few days.
Are you here to see a movie?
Yes.
That'll be 4500 won.
I am Mr. Park,
a Korean film lover.
Okay...
What are you staring at?
With that line from the forehead
to the tip of your nose,
You look like young Moon Hui
and Do Geum-bong mixed together.
What?
Ah... nothing.
I'm just going to watch
'One night on the knees'
I'll pay you 2250 won.
The princess is waiting for you.
You bastard!
Sit down, Hiroshi!
Princess!
Shut up and sit!
I tell you once and for all
If you talk during dinner,
I'll cut your throat.
So-dan, how is the food?
To be honest...
It's not that good.
That's good.
That makes it two of us.
Thank you for
inviting me though.
I've never been invited by
anyone before.
It's not something you
should be proud of.
I was wondering
where the 322 strands went...
Oh, you count your hair?
Oh, you don't?
I've never done it.
Hair is there to be counted!
Otherwise, why would there
be so many strands?
But how do you count so many?
You must practice.
When I was your age,
I practiced for two hours a day.
But that doesn't seem
interesting.
You should try it first
and then talk!
There goes a fish.
I've been waiting for
you every night.
You are not afraid of us?
I would rather be afraid of
something than be alone.
Do we look easy-going?
All right,
why did you wait for us?
There goes s a hat and an onion.
You know my grandma,
Gang Shim-deok, don't you?
I saw you in the pictures.
I know you guys were
in the same traveling troupe.
What happened?
Hmm, you finally figured it out...
Not bad...
Yes, Shim-deok.
She was a member of our troupe.
There goes a girl.
Where is she?
Where did she go?
Is she dead?
Why are you asking me?
You should know better than me.
How should I know?
She isn't in her right mind...
She said she was going to
see a movie she shot ages ago...
- 'Bull-head'?
- Mosquito!
Do you know that movie?
I don't want to talk about it.
Why? I want to know.
What's wrong with telling her?
Hiroshi!
Princess, what must be
said must be said.
That was our last film.
So-dan, we were in the movie
with your grandmother.
Miss So-dan, we've never heard of
such a movie.
The reason why we haunt the theater
without finding a resting place
Is because of that movie.
Us haunting the theater
Has nothing to do
with the movie.
Mosquito!
I want to see it anyway,
My grandma's movie.
I'd like to see it
if the film still exists.
If only I could watch
the movie one more time
I don't care if I die twice.
I don't want to see it even
if the film exists.
I'd rather die twice than watch
that damned movie.
You son of a bitch!
It must be somewhere
in the theater.
Wanda! Have you forgotten
about that day?
Forget?
What kind of shit is that?
♫ After three years
as a gisaeng
♫ The rich brat made me a woman
♫ One beautiful day he says
♫ Well, I mean...
♫ My wife found out
♫ You bastard, so what?
♫ I told you not to
have that kid
♫ You fucking bastard
♫ You son of a bitch
♫ I kicked his balls
♫ and ran off with
the traveling troupe
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ You told me you loved me
when you fucked me
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ Don't give me that shit!
♫ After three years in
the traveling troupe Going through
♫ All kinds of shit
♫ I finally shot my first movie
♫ I was going to be a star
and get my revenge
♫ There are many movies
in the world
♫ But none like mine
♫ Can you imagine how I felt
♫ When I died
without seeing it
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ You begged me to be
in the movie
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ Don't give me that shit!
♫ Don't give me that shit!
♫ That shit, that shit
♫ That shit,
- ♫ Stop saying that shit
- ♫ that shit
♫ What the hell are you
talking about
♫ That shit, That shit
- ♫ Shut your dirty mouth
- ♫ that shit
♫ Stop it now
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ You told me you loved me
when you fucked me
♫ Turn your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ You begged me to be
in the movie
♫ Raise your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ My head hurts, my back hurts
♫ Stop saying that shit
♫ Turn your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ Wake up, give back my movie
♫ Hey, you bastard,
give back my movie
♫ Raise your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ That shit, that shit
- ♫ That shit
- ♫ Stop saying that shit
- ♫ That shit
- ♫ Stop it now
♫ That shit, that shit
- ♫ Shut your dirty mouth
- ♫ that shit
♫ Stop it now
♫ Stop saying that shit
- ♫ Don't give me that shit
- ♫ Stop it now
♫ Shut your dirty mouth
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ That shit
♫ That shit
♫ That shit
♫ Don't give me that shit
Is Mr. Woo Gi-nam here?
And who are you?
I am the real estate agent.
Follow me.
What's a real estate agent
doing here?
Well, I guess
it's time to leave.
What? Are you quitting?
What else can we do
when the theater closes?
What do you mean, close?
The theater might be sold off.
- You're kidding me, right?
- No I'm not.
There are less than 10 people
here a day.
Even a corner shop would do
better than this, goddammit.
But...
I still haven't found Grandma...
MISSING
Name Gang Shim-deok, Age 78
You look sad.
They say the theater is up
for sale...
How do they know?
In a small town like this,
news travels fast.
Well, it hasn't yet.
And it's not going to.
It's a shame old theaters are
closing down one by one.
What happened to all those
glamorous old movies?
Have you heard of a movie featuring
a bull's head?
No, never.
A Japanese movie?
No...
There is one called
'Hornless Bull' made in 1927.
I see...
I must have heard it wrong.
Who are you?
This is embarrassing.
Who are you?
What are you doing in there?
Ah, let me introduce myself.
I'm Mr. Byhun, an exorcist.
I was just passing by
When I felt a really strong energy
in this theater.
Wait...
You have a ghost about you.
A ghost of an ancestor...
Who's this?
Who?
You pathetic man.
An exorcist scared of
his own son's ghost.
I told you to stay on my back!
He has a weak spot
for young girls...
What happened, Mr. Byun?
I was once the best byunsa,
movie talker in the area
Taught by the great
Seo Sang-ho himself.
Then those good-for-nothing
talkies came along
And all of a sudden
I'm nobody, goddammit!
Sorry to hear that,
but what can you do?
That's life.
This is no time for idle talks.
When will the theater
be sold off?
By the end of this month.
We have less than a fortnight...
We have to think of something.
There is nothing to think about.
We are doomed.
We can't just sit by
and let them kick us out.
What can we do against humans?
Let's just accept the fate
and look for some other theater.
It's because of ghosts like you
that humans don't take us
seriously, you idiot!
Mind your own business, sucker!
What?
You want a piece of me?
Come on!
Shut up!
Off with their heads now!
I have a great idea!
You guys are ghosts.
"Don't you think that night is too short
to talk about that useless story?"
Ghosts are supposed to be
scary, right?
We'll scare the audience.
They may be scared at first
But when the word gets
around town
People will want to come to see
for themselves
Then the boss will want to
keep the theater open.
What should I do?
♫ There are things still undone
Sister dies, deer dies
♫ I'm afraid this will
all disappear like a dream
♫ The stars what shined before
are not shining anymore.
♫ And nightmare became a real.
♫ blowing wind,
and falling down petal,
♫ my sister's dead,
and then a deer's dead.
♫ Vanishing, forgotten
♫ With nowhere to turn to,
I grow fond of the dream
♫ Deep dreams, deep illnesses
♫ Sleeping among
the cold clouds
♫ Wandering aimlessly
in an endless maze
♫ The road is...
Too Many.
♫ Or nowhere to be found
♫ I still have things undone
♫ I'm afraid this will
all disappear like a dream
♫ I'm afraid they'll
all leave me
♫ I'm afraid
I'll be forgotten
♫ Please stay with me
♫ Vanishing, forgotten
♫ With nowhere to turn to
in this world,
♫ I grow fond of the dream
♫ Deep dreams, deep illness
♫ Sleeping among the cold cold
clouds every night
♫ Vanishing forgotten
♫ With nowhere to turn to
in this world
♫ Deep dreams, deep illness
♫ Sleeping among
the cold cold clouds
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
Hello, Ms. So-dan.
Hello.
I hear yesterday was awesome.
My friends are dying to
come here.
They are going to shut
the theater down sooner
because of yesterday.
There are no more
movies to show...
How terrible!
Hey, about the movie you
mentioned last time.
Yes? Ah...
one about a bull's head?
I went to the public library
and looked up all the literature
on film history.
Lee Young-il's
'Complete History of Korean Movies'
came out in 1969
But apparently there were
a few things
He accidently left out.
So he compiled those
and published
'Complete History of Korean Movies-
The Things I Left Out' the next year
And the movie's mentioned
in page 87...
The official title is
'Minosu, the Bull-headed Human', 1945.
Directed by Woo Gi-nam and
starring him and Gang Shim-deok.
Woo Gi-nam, Gang Shim-deok?
It was reported to be
the first monster movie
in Korean movie history
But the film was lost
and nobody had seen it
So it's unofficial.
For some reason,
the Japanese Government in Korea
approved the production
but banned it from showing
after watching the rough film,
The director secretly finished the movie
and while showing it for the first time,
Something really
scandalous happened
And the Japanese Government
in Korea,
afraid of the aftermath,
muzzled the press.
That's what it says.
Something scandalous...
I wonder what it could be.
By the way, how did you
come to know about
this obscure movie?
My grandma starred in the movie.
What?!
Isn't it beautiful?
What?
The lights...
Yes...
Just watch those lights
and colors mixing together
To create trees and rivers,
humans and cities
Feelings, ideas, histories.
In there, there are unfeeling
streets, heroic deaths
Fun adventures,
and fantastic love...
Don't you find the drama of
light incredibly sexy
That builds on moments to
create eternity
Very sexy...
When I sit here alone and watch a movie
in this dark theater
I feel like
I'm some kind of a ghost.
Have you ever felt that way?
Everything feels like a dream
and I don't exist at all.
Even after the show is over
and you leave the dark theater
The life doesn't go on...
And another movie is showing
In another dark theater
when you open the door.
Well...
do you mean the multiplex?
You are up to something...
Yes, I am...
Who put you up to this?
You think that will
bring people back to the theater?
But Boss...
I thank you for trying to
save the theater.
But some things are
just beyond our powers.
We'll bring in the ghosts then.
Not that ghost rubbish again!
Stop it now!
The theater is
closing down anyway.
It's late, go home.
I want to see it,
the movie you made.
Dammit!
The one you made and starred in
with my grandma.
You have it, right?
I want to see it, please?
You want to see my movie?
Do you even know what it is?
You are crazy,
you are all crazy.
Who would want to see a cursed movie
that stimulates mythical imagination
about desire and salvation?
Either lunatics or idiots...
Stop scratching yourself!
Why make a movie
and not show it to anyone, then?
♫ When darkness falls
and the moon clouds over
♫ Theater is filled
with boundless time
♫ The barbaric phantom
that chokes your heart
♫ Empty theater,
empty screen
♫ Fallen factory of dreams,
the barbaric phantom
♫ It all feels like yesterday
♫ The Empire's war was
nearing the end
♫ The hungry people of Joseon
had to give up
everything they had
♫ Girls and boys were
dragged off
♫ Never to come back
♫ In unbearable fear
and ineffaceable shame
♫ I made a movie
♫ A truly terrible movie
♫ That will fuck
the terrible world
♫ But the bloody hatred
gained a body
♫ And appeared before us in
full form
♫ The theater turned into hell
♫ Leaving me to curse myself
for the rest of my life
♫ The theater will
go down under the curse
♫ And my destiny lies with it
♫ The remains of a dream
with no more visitors
♫ The graveyard of lost souls
♫ Their screaming still
fills my ears
♫ The remains of a dream
with no visitors
♫ The graveyard of lost souls
♫ Their screaming still
fills my ears
Go home now.
The show's over.
Grandma... Grandma!
Grandma... Grandma!
Ahh, so this is
the legendary movie.
Let me see.
It's burned in a few places
but not too bad overall...
Princess!
If you show this, something terrible
beyond your imagination may occur.
Are you sure
you want to do this?
What could be more terrible
than to have this theater shut down?
Grandma wanted to see this...
She'll come, for sure...
All right, let's risk it then!
But if it fails to scare
the hell out of people
I will cut your throat,
for sure!
The premier of Korea's
first monster movie
'Minosu, the Bull-Headed Man'
Exclusive!
'Minosu, the Bull-Headed Man'!
The masterpiece by Woo Gi-Nam
Which will blow away
the incredibly boring 21st century!
Today, the curse that will bring back
the forgotten 60 years begins X breaks!
Welcome, enjoy the show.
Welcome. Welcome.
Welcome.
Welcome. Welcome. Welcome.
Testing, one two three
'The snow melts...'
'The snow melts into a trickle...'
'Oh please'
'No, no, don't do that'
'No, I'm just going to lie down'
'No, no, how can I trust you'
'Yes, Just trust me'
'Trust you with what?'
'You are so bad... hmm hmm'
Are you ready?
Well, I'm not so sure.
It's been a long time...
Mr. Jo? Let's roll!
'Minosu, the Bull-Headed Man'
At some point in the 20th century
food shortages were threatening
the very existence of mankind.
Rice industry, the main staple of
the people of Joseon
for hundreds of years.
And the center of
all economic activities
was facing a critical situation
due to falling birthrate of the cattle.
A university research lab
in Joseon
was carrying out
a top-secret project
That could dramatically increase
agricultural produce...
A mad scientist Pyo Se-dong,
who had studied in Tokyo,
led the team
and firmly believe
that a new species
'Modern Agriculture'
that could understand human language
Yet had the strength of a bull
was the key to modern agriculture.
And after years of cross-breeding
between cattle and humans,
The experiment was
at the threshold of success.
Doctor Pyo was blinded
by the sight of success
While looking for a woman
to bear the progeny
He kidnapped gisaeng Wanwolin
in broad daylight.
After ten months of pregnancy,
the birth was imminent.
Now the humankind was to witness
the human-headed bull,
With the intelligence of a man
and the strength of a bull
The marvel of the 20th century
new agricultural science.
Ah, but what the hell?!
Instead of a human-headed bull,
a bull-headed human was born.
Dr. Pyo's mighty dream to
innovate modern agriculture
By sacrificing an innocent girl
to produce a human-headed bull
Came to a crashing end,
leaving the seed of tragedy.
He himself was brutally murdered
by his own creation.
Ah... Modern agriculture...
The bull-headed man,
born with a tragic fate
Was locked away
in an underground maze
He was named 'Minosu, '
since his coming into this world
was about producing rice (mi)
Fighting nature's wrath (no),
and creating a monster (su)
He spent his days
in tears cursing his fate
Who could ever fathom the sorrow of
Minosu the bull-headed man?
Meanwhile, there was a girl
who brought Minosu daily food and water
By the command of the Japanese
Government in Korea
And she was called Araetnae.
Araetnae used to sit by and sew
until Minosu finished his meal
Oh shit! Isn't
that Seong So-dan?
Although he had never met
a female in his life
Minosu's heart slowly began to
yearn for love.
Happy first birthday!
Listen to it when you're bored,
and it will make loneliness go away.
What the hell do you think
you doing?!
Boss!
Stop it now!
We have to save the theater.
Do you have any idea
what you're doing?
Terrible things will happen
if you show this movie!
What is this terrible thing
you talk about?
There's an evil spirit hiding
in the film.
If it gets out,
everyone here will die!
I don't believe you!
Even if I do,
that evil spirit won't be half
so terrible as you!
What are you so afraid of?
If you spend your whole life
torturing yourself
Will it bring
the dead people back?
You say, don't go near
the ghosts?
You are more ghostly than
all of them put together!
Stop thinking about how to die
And get a life, just for once!
With the World War II
at its climax,
The Japanese Government in Korea
was under intense pressure
And after deciding
that a mere look at Minosu
could scare the enemy
Sent him to the battleground
in the Philippines
However, Minosu inflicted
more damage to
their own forces more than
the enemy
What a shame for
the Japanese Army.
At last, Minosu was
deported back to Joseon
And locked up in the underground maze
once again as a circus freak show.
But by the strange twist of fate,
The girl working for the circus
was none other than Araetnae,
Araetnae herself.
What story could be
more dramatic?
Meanwhile,
the mean Princess Hashiba
who came by the underground maze
to gawk at the unique monster
Was taken by his strong physique
and demanded a night with him
But with only Araetnae
in his heart,
Minosu refused
the Princess' demand.
The mortified Princess Hashiba
summons her guard,
Detzuo, to kill Minosu.
Minosu regained his health
thanks to the devoted nursing
by Araetnae
But was unable to find his way
in the twisting maze
Upon accidentally hearing
about Hashiba's plans
Araetnae suddenly had
a bright idea.
Minosu the bull-headed man
Your cursed life comes to
an end today.
Prepare to die!
Minosu, the bull-headed man!
No! No!
Bang! Bang!
Bang!
A failed life
that nobody understood
Comes to an end today.
I will sleep long and cold
In a place where
there's no sorrow
Ghosts disappear into darkness
And anxiety into thin air.
To whom does the shadow belong?
None other than
Araetnae herself!
Yes, so it unravels
and unravels and unravels
And he winds and winds and winds.
Ah what fun!
Ah, what are we to do about
the tender flesh showing
Sweet Araetnae's belly,
and her little navel
Now, Minosu follows
by winding the string
Could their love last longer than
the endless maze?
Yes, hurry on and free our
Minosu from the cave!
Yes, they keep going,
unraveling, following,
following by winding
Ah, soon happiness
shall be mine!
Oh no!
What are they to do?
Araetnae's sweater has
unraveled too soon
Even before they escaped the maze.
What are they to do?
Stop thinking about how to die
And get a life, just for once!
Meeting for
preserving our culture.
They live in the Ghost Theater
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ Party of the dead,
a newly found ecstasy
♫ The dead who doesn't die
The dead who doesn't die
♫ Where everybody wants to come
♫ I want to come to
the Ghost Theater
♫ Once you come,
you can never forget
♫ Come to the Ghost Theater,
the Ghost Theater, the Ghost Theater
♫ It is chaos every night here
at the Ghost Theater
♫ The Ghost Theater
♫ Night showing comes to an end
♫ Everyone is the star
at the Ghost Theater
♫ Party of the dead,
the burning show, we are
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
No... no!
♫ My Ghost Theater, my Ghost Theater,
the Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ Ghost Theater for ever
♫ No-one can stop us
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The Ghost Theater yeah!
No!
♫ Come to me,
♫ Come to me
♫ Come to me across
the black river
♫ bring the shadows behind you
♫ I am here
♫ Spit on me so
♫ That I can fly,
♫ Come to me
♫ Minosu
♫ Born for modern agriculture
♫ Minosu
♫ Had the heart of tragedy
♫ Minosu,
in love with a poor girl
♫ Minosu,
refused a princess' demand
♫ Nobody liked him
♫ but her, Araetnae
♫ Minosu,
in love with just one girl
♫ Just one girl
It's me, So-dan.
What can I do for you?
I have something to say to you.
Wait, wait...
Come in.
Are you going somewhere?
The theater will be closed for good
thanks to last night's episode.
That's why I'm packing
in advance.
I'm sorry, boss.
No, it's all for the better.
Now I can leave freely without
any regrets.
I'm curious about something.
What?
Do you think, maybe,
that I'm my grandma's,
or Araetnae's ghost?
After what happened last night,
I thought maybe
I was Grandma all along
but didn't realize it.
Nah, actually
I'm sure I'm Grandma.
How else could I have spent
all that time
with those ghosts?
Don't you think so, boss?
Boss?! Oh no, I'm so sorry,
I was kidding, just kidding.
Boss, oh no,
where are the pills?
Water, where's water...?
Written and directed by
Jeon Gye-soo
Investment by Kim Joo-seong
Produced by Lee Seung-jae
Producer Hwang Yoon-kyung
Kim Kkot-bi
Cheon Ho-jin
Park Joon-myun, Jo Hee-bong
Park Yeong-soo, Han Ae-ri
In association with
Korean Film Council
Production MJ Film
Prime Entertainment Co., Ltd
♫ Come to me
♫ Across the black river
Grandma! You scared me!
Aren't you going to bed?
It's time for me to go.
At this time of the night?
I'm going to Sam Geo Ri theater
To watch a movie.
You're watching what?
Where on earth is
Sam Geo Ri theater?
Please stay home
and stay out of trouble.
I must have been your age,
a lovely age,
when I was in that movie.
I need to see it before I die.
Grandma!
Where did she go?
WANTED Box Office Clerk
With Nerves of Steel Preferred
Sam Geo Ri theater
Midnight Ballad
for Ghost Theater
Uh...
Uh... Have you seen
my grandma...?
Thanks.
Are you okay, sir?
Who are you?
My name is So-dan.
Seong So-dan.
What brought you down to
this old theater?
My grandma hasn't come home yet.
I thought she might be here...
Go home.
This place is too rough
for old folks.
Go look somewhere else.
She said she was coming here
to watch a movie.
You are so annoying.
You have no idea
what terrible things might happen
If you stay any longer!
Leave now!
I have to find her.
She's the only family I have!
A, Araet, Araetnae?!
Sir, uh, what's going on?
Sir...
I don't believe this...
The time has come...
Yes, we have waited long enough.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
Do you believe in fate?
Huh?
I am amazed by the force of destiny
that brought you to this old theater.
Have you seen this per...
MISSING
Name Gang Shim-deok, Age 78
Two tickets for
3 o'clock movie, please.
That'll be 9,000 won.
This place is creepy.
Especially the people
who work here.
Probably because it's old.
It was built during
the Japanese colonial rule.
Will your grandma turn up
if you wait at the box office?
She said she was coming here
to see a movie...
I have nothing else
to do anyway.
And I'm behind with the rent.
What about school?
Well... I'm not gonna go to
college anyway.
Then what are you gonna do?
What should I do?
Watch fucking movies
and become an actress.
Then who's gonna sell
the tickets?
Who cares?
This place is fucking deserted.
MISSING
Name Gang Shim-deok, Age 78
Who are you?!
Shut up!
Who, who are you?
What, what are you doing there?
The theater's closed for the day,
leave quickly.
The security guy will be mad!
What?
You're the one smoking
in the theater!
What, what are you saying?
Are you Japanese?
I am Ijawa Hiroshi,
the lieutenant of
the Imperial Japanese Army.
Who are You?
She's the new box office clerk.
Because of your smoking,
23 strands of my hair fell out.
Who... Who the hell are you?
All hail, Princess Elisa!
♫ Listen to me,
my beloved subjects,
♫ The bloody full-moon has
risen to its height
♫ To knock on
the cold hearts of the spirits
♫ What are you waiting for,
♫ now is the time
♫ Let us continue the atrocious
performance tonight
♫ We are the traveling
troupe of the night
♫ The offsprings of tragedy
who are singing comedy
♫ Each one of us has
a story to tell
♫ The show begins
when we gather at this site
♫ Do not be alarmed
at first sight
♫ The wondrous nightmare
begins tonight
♫ Full of exaggerations
and jumping to conclusions
♫ The dancing and singing
traveling troupe of the night
Isn't it awesome?
♫ They shudder at
the mere imagination
♫ I am Elisa, the starlet of
the traveling troupe
♫ They all pay homage to me
and offer their submission
♫ Giving nightmares to
those who dream
♫ Punishing them
for their loneliness
♫ Oh Elisa, a diamond sparkling
in the dark
♫ We are the spirits of darkness
♫ Spirits of huge meaninglessness
♫ We are the spirits of death
♫ The spirit of innocent Elisa
♫ We are the traveling troupe
of the night
♫ Where time is
running backwards
♫ The offsprings of tragedy
who are singing comedy
♫ Putting on the never-ending
performance
Where do you come from, girl?
She's the new box office clerk.
Whatever.
Will you obey my orders?
I don't even know who you are.
She's a stubborn one.
What are you doing!
Arrest her now!
Now, we will start the trial.
Wanda, begin.
Begin what?
The trial!
Begin the trial.
Mosquito, you do it.
She who brings darkness
to light,
Who sparkles alone
in the darkness
Who lives a meaningless, dreamless,
heartless life
Princess Elisa,
the goddess of wisdom
The official charge brought against
the defendant Seong So-dan is
'Smoking in public place.'
However!
The gravity of this case
does not lie there.
For years, she lived alone
with her grandmother
She had no dream to cultivate
and no lofty mission to uphold
Everything felt trivial
and unfair.
She was indifferent
and intolerant.
As a matter of fact,
she was upset about this world.
Unable to hide her fatal anxiety
She begins to smoke
in public place.
She couldn't bear with
The unbearably boring
21st century!
Yes, she turned out to be
a shameless modernist!
Quiet, quiet, silence in court!
Off with his head
who dare to speak.
Mosquito, I have no idea
what you're talking about.
You insult me with big words
I don't understand!
Mosquito, you shouldn't
not be swearing in court!
Since when has the defendant
been smoking?
From 10th grade.
What made you start smoking?
They said it would help me
lose weight...
And did it?
It got rid of my constipation.
Why on earth are you asking me
these questions?
Have you considered quitting?
No!
I had nothing better to do...
I was looking for something to
do consistently...
The right to self-addiction!
One of the few rights and certificates
left to the modern people.
The defendant has just made
a decisive statement.
Honorable Princess Elisa,
I would like to call a witness
against the defendant.
Call the witness!
The witness has not arrived yet.
Call anyone!
Hiroshi, you testify.
Witness, take your oath.
I swear to tell the truth.
How do you know the defendant?
I don't.
I'm a veteran of
the World War II
and also an actor.
Why are you still here
and not back home?
I was watching a Korean movie
at the Ghost theater
When a riot broke out.
You were watching a movie
when your country was
nearly defeated?
I'd promised
my Korean girlfriend Ms. Mi-ja...
Call Mi-ja!
Stay calm, Princess Elisa.
Mi-ja is not here.
For the last time,
What does the witness think of
the defendant?
She's not my type.
That'll be all, Princess Elisa.
This is nonsense.
Now it's time for the verdict.
The defendant Seong So-dan has
dared to refuse my orders
and with no evidence to
prove her innocent,
I find her guilty.
Princess, punish her!
Your charges are grave,
but I will show you mercy.
You may choose between
three sentences.
First, we will cut your throat
and then pull out your guts.
Second, we will pull out your guts
and then cut your throat.
What's the third?
We pull out the neck
and cut the guts.
This is the most
absurd trial ever!
I will not play along your
stupid game!
Get your hands off me!
Wait!
Where are you running off to?
What's it to you?
You can't get away.
I won't be taken
in by you guys again.
You have nowhere to go.
I have a home.
I'm far better off than you people
Who live here without a home.
If you love home so much,
why did you come here instead?
Idiot!
Idiot!
Stop crying!
You think tears
will bring you mercy?
Let me tell you my story.
♫ I am the last princess of
Joseon Dynasty of Korea
♫ Born under tragic stars
♫ Spent my days full of tears
♫ And let them slip away
in scars
♫ One day, a poet of
the streets came to me
♫ He had melancholy eyes
and sentimental shoulders
♫ I fell in love with
him at first sight
♫ I fell in love with
him at first sight
♫ He looked woeful
as the mirror
♫ Tell me cute guy
♫ What do you want from me?
♫ He was so cute
♫ What do you want from me?
♫ What do you want from me?
Mamma mia!
Stop crying, lonely girl
You are not the only
one living a sad life
Shut up and dance with me
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Close your eyes tight
when feeling lonely and tired
♫ You can see more
if you close your eyes
♫ Do not fear,
and do not grieve
♫ Find yourself there
without any disguise
♫ Look at yourself
in the fantasy
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ The morning came
and he was gone
♫ And I was all alone
♫ I still call out his name
♫ The steps of the night flowing
like a dream
♫ Close your eyes tight
when feeling lonely and tired
♫ You can see more
if you close your eyes
♫ Do not fear,
and do not grieve
♫ Find yourself there
without any disguise
♫ Look at yourself
in the fantasy
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are.
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How sexy you are
♫ Now look, now look, now look
♫ How awesome you are
I call stop.
Give me 40 won, each.
He, he folds!
Then you have to pay me 80 won.
Aren't you going home?
Are you getting off work?
Yes.
Why?
Nothing, I'll close up.
Okay, then.
Huh? Boss...
You... You are...
Boss, it's me, So-dan.
Oh, that, that's right.
Then why am I...
No, why are you here?
I know...
I sometimes wake up
in front of the store
or on a rice field.
I'm sorry if I scared you.
Excuse me...
You seem to be staying in the theater
at nights these days.
Yes...
Are you... waiting for someone?
Yes... No, there's no-one home.
And the TV doesn't work...
What will you do
if a ghost appears?
Aren't you afraid of the theater?
No. And even if a ghost appears,
It must have wanted to
come out really bad.
You are braver than you look.
But sitting alone
in a closed theater
Is only for those
with empty hearts.
Not for the likes of
young people like you.
Have you found
your grandmother yet?
No... But I feel that
she'll come back here
the Ghost Theater
Living or dead...
You do know, right?
That there are ghosts
in the theater...
What ghosts?
The traveling troupe of the night.
They perform here every night!
Nonsense!
You are old enough to tell
the reality from a dream.
You didn't get enough sleep,
go home.
I'll fire you if you keep on
saying things like that.
I'm sorry.
And don't wander
in the theater at night.
I'm more scared of you
than anything else.
Hello?
Hello?
Would you like a ticket?
You must be new.
Yes, I've been here a few days.
Are you here to see a movie?
Yes.
That'll be 4500 won.
I am Mr. Park,
a Korean film lover.
Okay...
What are you staring at?
With that line from the forehead
to the tip of your nose,
You look like young Moon Hui
and Do Geum-bong mixed together.
What?
Ah... nothing.
I'm just going to watch
'One night on the knees'
I'll pay you 2250 won.
The princess is waiting for you.
You bastard!
Sit down, Hiroshi!
Princess!
Shut up and sit!
I tell you once and for all
If you talk during dinner,
I'll cut your throat.
So-dan, how is the food?
To be honest...
It's not that good.
That's good.
That makes it two of us.
Thank you for
inviting me though.
I've never been invited by
anyone before.
It's not something you
should be proud of.
I was wondering
where the 322 strands went...
Oh, you count your hair?
Oh, you don't?
I've never done it.
Hair is there to be counted!
Otherwise, why would there
be so many strands?
But how do you count so many?
You must practice.
When I was your age,
I practiced for two hours a day.
But that doesn't seem
interesting.
You should try it first
and then talk!
There goes a fish.
I've been waiting for
you every night.
You are not afraid of us?
I would rather be afraid of
something than be alone.
Do we look easy-going?
All right,
why did you wait for us?
There goes s a hat and an onion.
You know my grandma,
Gang Shim-deok, don't you?
I saw you in the pictures.
I know you guys were
in the same traveling troupe.
What happened?
Hmm, you finally figured it out...
Not bad...
Yes, Shim-deok.
She was a member of our troupe.
There goes a girl.
Where is she?
Where did she go?
Is she dead?
Why are you asking me?
You should know better than me.
How should I know?
She isn't in her right mind...
She said she was going to
see a movie she shot ages ago...
- 'Bull-head'?
- Mosquito!
Do you know that movie?
I don't want to talk about it.
Why? I want to know.
What's wrong with telling her?
Hiroshi!
Princess, what must be
said must be said.
That was our last film.
So-dan, we were in the movie
with your grandmother.
Miss So-dan, we've never heard of
such a movie.
The reason why we haunt the theater
without finding a resting place
Is because of that movie.
Us haunting the theater
Has nothing to do
with the movie.
Mosquito!
I want to see it anyway,
My grandma's movie.
I'd like to see it
if the film still exists.
If only I could watch
the movie one more time
I don't care if I die twice.
I don't want to see it even
if the film exists.
I'd rather die twice than watch
that damned movie.
You son of a bitch!
It must be somewhere
in the theater.
Wanda! Have you forgotten
about that day?
Forget?
What kind of shit is that?
♫ After three years
as a gisaeng
♫ The rich brat made me a woman
♫ One beautiful day he says
♫ Well, I mean...
♫ My wife found out
♫ You bastard, so what?
♫ I told you not to
have that kid
♫ You fucking bastard
♫ You son of a bitch
♫ I kicked his balls
♫ and ran off with
the traveling troupe
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ You told me you loved me
when you fucked me
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ Don't give me that shit!
♫ After three years in
the traveling troupe Going through
♫ All kinds of shit
♫ I finally shot my first movie
♫ I was going to be a star
and get my revenge
♫ There are many movies
in the world
♫ But none like mine
♫ Can you imagine how I felt
♫ When I died
without seeing it
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ You begged me to be
in the movie
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ Don't give me that shit!
♫ Don't give me that shit!
♫ That shit, that shit
♫ That shit,
- ♫ Stop saying that shit
- ♫ that shit
♫ What the hell are you
talking about
♫ That shit, That shit
- ♫ Shut your dirty mouth
- ♫ that shit
♫ Stop it now
♫ Are you playing with me?
♫ You told me you loved me
when you fucked me
♫ Turn your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ Are you playing with
the movie?
♫ You begged me to be
in the movie
♫ Raise your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ My head hurts, my back hurts
♫ Stop saying that shit
♫ Turn your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ Wake up, give back my movie
♫ Hey, you bastard,
give back my movie
♫ Raise your head
and listen to me
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ That shit, that shit
- ♫ That shit
- ♫ Stop saying that shit
- ♫ That shit
- ♫ Stop it now
♫ That shit, that shit
- ♫ Shut your dirty mouth
- ♫ that shit
♫ Stop it now
♫ Stop saying that shit
- ♫ Don't give me that shit
- ♫ Stop it now
♫ Shut your dirty mouth
♫ Don't give me that shit
♫ That shit
♫ That shit
♫ That shit
♫ Don't give me that shit
Is Mr. Woo Gi-nam here?
And who are you?
I am the real estate agent.
Follow me.
What's a real estate agent
doing here?
Well, I guess
it's time to leave.
What? Are you quitting?
What else can we do
when the theater closes?
What do you mean, close?
The theater might be sold off.
- You're kidding me, right?
- No I'm not.
There are less than 10 people
here a day.
Even a corner shop would do
better than this, goddammit.
But...
I still haven't found Grandma...
MISSING
Name Gang Shim-deok, Age 78
You look sad.
They say the theater is up
for sale...
How do they know?
In a small town like this,
news travels fast.
Well, it hasn't yet.
And it's not going to.
It's a shame old theaters are
closing down one by one.
What happened to all those
glamorous old movies?
Have you heard of a movie featuring
a bull's head?
No, never.
A Japanese movie?
No...
There is one called
'Hornless Bull' made in 1927.
I see...
I must have heard it wrong.
Who are you?
This is embarrassing.
Who are you?
What are you doing in there?
Ah, let me introduce myself.
I'm Mr. Byhun, an exorcist.
I was just passing by
When I felt a really strong energy
in this theater.
Wait...
You have a ghost about you.
A ghost of an ancestor...
Who's this?
Who?
You pathetic man.
An exorcist scared of
his own son's ghost.
I told you to stay on my back!
He has a weak spot
for young girls...
What happened, Mr. Byun?
I was once the best byunsa,
movie talker in the area
Taught by the great
Seo Sang-ho himself.
Then those good-for-nothing
talkies came along
And all of a sudden
I'm nobody, goddammit!
Sorry to hear that,
but what can you do?
That's life.
This is no time for idle talks.
When will the theater
be sold off?
By the end of this month.
We have less than a fortnight...
We have to think of something.
There is nothing to think about.
We are doomed.
We can't just sit by
and let them kick us out.
What can we do against humans?
Let's just accept the fate
and look for some other theater.
It's because of ghosts like you
that humans don't take us
seriously, you idiot!
Mind your own business, sucker!
What?
You want a piece of me?
Come on!
Shut up!
Off with their heads now!
I have a great idea!
You guys are ghosts.
"Don't you think that night is too short
to talk about that useless story?"
Ghosts are supposed to be
scary, right?
We'll scare the audience.
They may be scared at first
But when the word gets
around town
People will want to come to see
for themselves
Then the boss will want to
keep the theater open.
What should I do?
♫ There are things still undone
Sister dies, deer dies
♫ I'm afraid this will
all disappear like a dream
♫ The stars what shined before
are not shining anymore.
♫ And nightmare became a real.
♫ blowing wind,
and falling down petal,
♫ my sister's dead,
and then a deer's dead.
♫ Vanishing, forgotten
♫ With nowhere to turn to,
I grow fond of the dream
♫ Deep dreams, deep illnesses
♫ Sleeping among
the cold clouds
♫ Wandering aimlessly
in an endless maze
♫ The road is...
Too Many.
♫ Or nowhere to be found
♫ I still have things undone
♫ I'm afraid this will
all disappear like a dream
♫ I'm afraid they'll
all leave me
♫ I'm afraid
I'll be forgotten
♫ Please stay with me
♫ Vanishing, forgotten
♫ With nowhere to turn to
in this world,
♫ I grow fond of the dream
♫ Deep dreams, deep illness
♫ Sleeping among the cold cold
clouds every night
♫ Vanishing forgotten
♫ With nowhere to turn to
in this world
♫ Deep dreams, deep illness
♫ Sleeping among
the cold cold clouds
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
♫ Nowhere to stay
Hello, Ms. So-dan.
Hello.
I hear yesterday was awesome.
My friends are dying to
come here.
They are going to shut
the theater down sooner
because of yesterday.
There are no more
movies to show...
How terrible!
Hey, about the movie you
mentioned last time.
Yes? Ah...
one about a bull's head?
I went to the public library
and looked up all the literature
on film history.
Lee Young-il's
'Complete History of Korean Movies'
came out in 1969
But apparently there were
a few things
He accidently left out.
So he compiled those
and published
'Complete History of Korean Movies-
The Things I Left Out' the next year
And the movie's mentioned
in page 87...
The official title is
'Minosu, the Bull-headed Human', 1945.
Directed by Woo Gi-nam and
starring him and Gang Shim-deok.
Woo Gi-nam, Gang Shim-deok?
It was reported to be
the first monster movie
in Korean movie history
But the film was lost
and nobody had seen it
So it's unofficial.
For some reason,
the Japanese Government in Korea
approved the production
but banned it from showing
after watching the rough film,
The director secretly finished the movie
and while showing it for the first time,
Something really
scandalous happened
And the Japanese Government
in Korea,
afraid of the aftermath,
muzzled the press.
That's what it says.
Something scandalous...
I wonder what it could be.
By the way, how did you
come to know about
this obscure movie?
My grandma starred in the movie.
What?!
Isn't it beautiful?
What?
The lights...
Yes...
Just watch those lights
and colors mixing together
To create trees and rivers,
humans and cities
Feelings, ideas, histories.
In there, there are unfeeling
streets, heroic deaths
Fun adventures,
and fantastic love...
Don't you find the drama of
light incredibly sexy
That builds on moments to
create eternity
Very sexy...
When I sit here alone and watch a movie
in this dark theater
I feel like
I'm some kind of a ghost.
Have you ever felt that way?
Everything feels like a dream
and I don't exist at all.
Even after the show is over
and you leave the dark theater
The life doesn't go on...
And another movie is showing
In another dark theater
when you open the door.
Well...
do you mean the multiplex?
You are up to something...
Yes, I am...
Who put you up to this?
You think that will
bring people back to the theater?
But Boss...
I thank you for trying to
save the theater.
But some things are
just beyond our powers.
We'll bring in the ghosts then.
Not that ghost rubbish again!
Stop it now!
The theater is
closing down anyway.
It's late, go home.
I want to see it,
the movie you made.
Dammit!
The one you made and starred in
with my grandma.
You have it, right?
I want to see it, please?
You want to see my movie?
Do you even know what it is?
You are crazy,
you are all crazy.
Who would want to see a cursed movie
that stimulates mythical imagination
about desire and salvation?
Either lunatics or idiots...
Stop scratching yourself!
Why make a movie
and not show it to anyone, then?
♫ When darkness falls
and the moon clouds over
♫ Theater is filled
with boundless time
♫ The barbaric phantom
that chokes your heart
♫ Empty theater,
empty screen
♫ Fallen factory of dreams,
the barbaric phantom
♫ It all feels like yesterday
♫ The Empire's war was
nearing the end
♫ The hungry people of Joseon
had to give up
everything they had
♫ Girls and boys were
dragged off
♫ Never to come back
♫ In unbearable fear
and ineffaceable shame
♫ I made a movie
♫ A truly terrible movie
♫ That will fuck
the terrible world
♫ But the bloody hatred
gained a body
♫ And appeared before us in
full form
♫ The theater turned into hell
♫ Leaving me to curse myself
for the rest of my life
♫ The theater will
go down under the curse
♫ And my destiny lies with it
♫ The remains of a dream
with no more visitors
♫ The graveyard of lost souls
♫ Their screaming still
fills my ears
♫ The remains of a dream
with no visitors
♫ The graveyard of lost souls
♫ Their screaming still
fills my ears
Go home now.
The show's over.
Grandma... Grandma!
Grandma... Grandma!
Ahh, so this is
the legendary movie.
Let me see.
It's burned in a few places
but not too bad overall...
Princess!
If you show this, something terrible
beyond your imagination may occur.
Are you sure
you want to do this?
What could be more terrible
than to have this theater shut down?
Grandma wanted to see this...
She'll come, for sure...
All right, let's risk it then!
But if it fails to scare
the hell out of people
I will cut your throat,
for sure!
The premier of Korea's
first monster movie
'Minosu, the Bull-Headed Man'
Exclusive!
'Minosu, the Bull-Headed Man'!
The masterpiece by Woo Gi-Nam
Which will blow away
the incredibly boring 21st century!
Today, the curse that will bring back
the forgotten 60 years begins X breaks!
Welcome, enjoy the show.
Welcome. Welcome.
Welcome.
Welcome. Welcome. Welcome.
Testing, one two three
'The snow melts...'
'The snow melts into a trickle...'
'Oh please'
'No, no, don't do that'
'No, I'm just going to lie down'
'No, no, how can I trust you'
'Yes, Just trust me'
'Trust you with what?'
'You are so bad... hmm hmm'
Are you ready?
Well, I'm not so sure.
It's been a long time...
Mr. Jo? Let's roll!
'Minosu, the Bull-Headed Man'
At some point in the 20th century
food shortages were threatening
the very existence of mankind.
Rice industry, the main staple of
the people of Joseon
for hundreds of years.
And the center of
all economic activities
was facing a critical situation
due to falling birthrate of the cattle.
A university research lab
in Joseon
was carrying out
a top-secret project
That could dramatically increase
agricultural produce...
A mad scientist Pyo Se-dong,
who had studied in Tokyo,
led the team
and firmly believe
that a new species
'Modern Agriculture'
that could understand human language
Yet had the strength of a bull
was the key to modern agriculture.
And after years of cross-breeding
between cattle and humans,
The experiment was
at the threshold of success.
Doctor Pyo was blinded
by the sight of success
While looking for a woman
to bear the progeny
He kidnapped gisaeng Wanwolin
in broad daylight.
After ten months of pregnancy,
the birth was imminent.
Now the humankind was to witness
the human-headed bull,
With the intelligence of a man
and the strength of a bull
The marvel of the 20th century
new agricultural science.
Ah, but what the hell?!
Instead of a human-headed bull,
a bull-headed human was born.
Dr. Pyo's mighty dream to
innovate modern agriculture
By sacrificing an innocent girl
to produce a human-headed bull
Came to a crashing end,
leaving the seed of tragedy.
He himself was brutally murdered
by his own creation.
Ah... Modern agriculture...
The bull-headed man,
born with a tragic fate
Was locked away
in an underground maze
He was named 'Minosu, '
since his coming into this world
was about producing rice (mi)
Fighting nature's wrath (no),
and creating a monster (su)
He spent his days
in tears cursing his fate
Who could ever fathom the sorrow of
Minosu the bull-headed man?
Meanwhile, there was a girl
who brought Minosu daily food and water
By the command of the Japanese
Government in Korea
And she was called Araetnae.
Araetnae used to sit by and sew
until Minosu finished his meal
Oh shit! Isn't
that Seong So-dan?
Although he had never met
a female in his life
Minosu's heart slowly began to
yearn for love.
Happy first birthday!
Listen to it when you're bored,
and it will make loneliness go away.
What the hell do you think
you doing?!
Boss!
Stop it now!
We have to save the theater.
Do you have any idea
what you're doing?
Terrible things will happen
if you show this movie!
What is this terrible thing
you talk about?
There's an evil spirit hiding
in the film.
If it gets out,
everyone here will die!
I don't believe you!
Even if I do,
that evil spirit won't be half
so terrible as you!
What are you so afraid of?
If you spend your whole life
torturing yourself
Will it bring
the dead people back?
You say, don't go near
the ghosts?
You are more ghostly than
all of them put together!
Stop thinking about how to die
And get a life, just for once!
With the World War II
at its climax,
The Japanese Government in Korea
was under intense pressure
And after deciding
that a mere look at Minosu
could scare the enemy
Sent him to the battleground
in the Philippines
However, Minosu inflicted
more damage to
their own forces more than
the enemy
What a shame for
the Japanese Army.
At last, Minosu was
deported back to Joseon
And locked up in the underground maze
once again as a circus freak show.
But by the strange twist of fate,
The girl working for the circus
was none other than Araetnae,
Araetnae herself.
What story could be
more dramatic?
Meanwhile,
the mean Princess Hashiba
who came by the underground maze
to gawk at the unique monster
Was taken by his strong physique
and demanded a night with him
But with only Araetnae
in his heart,
Minosu refused
the Princess' demand.
The mortified Princess Hashiba
summons her guard,
Detzuo, to kill Minosu.
Minosu regained his health
thanks to the devoted nursing
by Araetnae
But was unable to find his way
in the twisting maze
Upon accidentally hearing
about Hashiba's plans
Araetnae suddenly had
a bright idea.
Minosu the bull-headed man
Your cursed life comes to
an end today.
Prepare to die!
Minosu, the bull-headed man!
No! No!
Bang! Bang!
Bang!
A failed life
that nobody understood
Comes to an end today.
I will sleep long and cold
In a place where
there's no sorrow
Ghosts disappear into darkness
And anxiety into thin air.
To whom does the shadow belong?
None other than
Araetnae herself!
Yes, so it unravels
and unravels and unravels
And he winds and winds and winds.
Ah what fun!
Ah, what are we to do about
the tender flesh showing
Sweet Araetnae's belly,
and her little navel
Now, Minosu follows
by winding the string
Could their love last longer than
the endless maze?
Yes, hurry on and free our
Minosu from the cave!
Yes, they keep going,
unraveling, following,
following by winding
Ah, soon happiness
shall be mine!
Oh no!
What are they to do?
Araetnae's sweater has
unraveled too soon
Even before they escaped the maze.
What are they to do?
Stop thinking about how to die
And get a life, just for once!
Meeting for
preserving our culture.
They live in the Ghost Theater
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ Party of the dead,
a newly found ecstasy
♫ The dead who doesn't die
The dead who doesn't die
♫ Where everybody wants to come
♫ I want to come to
the Ghost Theater
♫ Once you come,
you can never forget
♫ Come to the Ghost Theater,
the Ghost Theater, the Ghost Theater
♫ It is chaos every night here
at the Ghost Theater
♫ The Ghost Theater
♫ Night showing comes to an end
♫ Everyone is the star
at the Ghost Theater
♫ Party of the dead,
the burning show, we are
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
♫ The dead who doesn't die
No... no!
♫ My Ghost Theater, my Ghost Theater,
the Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ My Ghost Theater
♫ Ghost Theater for ever
♫ No-one can stop us
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The theater for ghost,
The theater not for most
♫ The theater
where we play the host
♫ The Ghost Theater yeah!
No!
♫ Come to me,
♫ Come to me
♫ Come to me across
the black river
♫ bring the shadows behind you
♫ I am here
♫ Spit on me so
♫ That I can fly,
♫ Come to me
♫ Minosu
♫ Born for modern agriculture
♫ Minosu
♫ Had the heart of tragedy
♫ Minosu,
in love with a poor girl
♫ Minosu,
refused a princess' demand
♫ Nobody liked him
♫ but her, Araetnae
♫ Minosu,
in love with just one girl
♫ Just one girl
It's me, So-dan.
What can I do for you?
I have something to say to you.
Wait, wait...
Come in.
Are you going somewhere?
The theater will be closed for good
thanks to last night's episode.
That's why I'm packing
in advance.
I'm sorry, boss.
No, it's all for the better.
Now I can leave freely without
any regrets.
I'm curious about something.
What?
Do you think, maybe,
that I'm my grandma's,
or Araetnae's ghost?
After what happened last night,
I thought maybe
I was Grandma all along
but didn't realize it.
Nah, actually
I'm sure I'm Grandma.
How else could I have spent
all that time
with those ghosts?
Don't you think so, boss?
Boss?! Oh no, I'm so sorry,
I was kidding, just kidding.
Boss, oh no,
where are the pills?
Water, where's water...?
Written and directed by
Jeon Gye-soo
Investment by Kim Joo-seong
Produced by Lee Seung-jae
Producer Hwang Yoon-kyung
Kim Kkot-bi
Cheon Ho-jin
Park Joon-myun, Jo Hee-bong
Park Yeong-soo, Han Ae-ri