Way Back Home (2013) - full transcript

CJ ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
JEONG TAE-SUNG

A CJ ENTERTAINMENT
DASAEPO CLUB PRODUCTION

PRODUCER
SEO YOUNG-HEE

Although based on a true story,
some of the events and

characters have been fictionalized
for dramatic purposes.

Jean Do-yeon

Ko Soo

Paris Orly Airport

Ma'am.

Ma'am.



Ma'am.

Way Back Home

April, 2004

You made a wrong turn, mister.

Honey, can you pass the scanner?

Scanner?

I crushed a spider.

Can you hurry up?

Maybe you should ask Mundo
to come tomorrow instead.

But why?

They say killing a spider in the morning
brings bad luck to your guests.

He hasn't visited us in years.
Besides, he's no guest to us.

He's right. I'm no guest to you.

Mundo!



Hola!

How've you been, man?

It's been so long.

Jeongyeon?

Long time.

This is the real stuff.

So, Suriname's where you've been
for the last 3 years?

That's right.

Did you really find gold?

It's nothing big yet.

A friggin' gold mine!
That's incredible.

Where exactly is Suriname?

Between the US and South America.

Once I'm settled down,
I'll send you airline tickets.

Get outta here.

We finally get to travel abroad
thanks to Mundo?

That's the least I can do
for you two.

You need to get away from work
from time to time.

And you will let me tag along
when you go, right?

Hey, over here.

What smells so good?

Come and sit down, Sujae.

Man, I thought you were dead.

It's a long story.

What happened to you?
You look terrible.

It would have been a long story, too,
if it wasn't for Jongbae.

I swear, until the day I die,
I'll never forget...

Just pour me a drink.

What?

Let's drink.
Salud!

Cheers.

Help yourselves.

6 months later

Ow!

Keep still.
I'm trying to make you pretty.

But my skull hurts
if you pull too hard.

Skull?

Where did you learn such a word?

From daddy.

Did you say your skull hurts
in front of Hyerin?

What are you talking about?

You're acting funny.

Don't be silly.

Didn't Sujae call?

No. Why?

He's not returning my calls.

See you later, honey.

Bye bye Mommy.

I'll come in
right after I clean up.

Is everything alright?

You look as if
you haven't eaten in days.

I was in the neighborhood and
had a sudden craving for your food.

Sorry...
I just stopped by for a bite.

22:40, a male body found

hanging from a tree
with a suicide note and a bag

Request identification

The private loan that the deceased
owed amounted to $600,000.

$200,000 of which you
stood as a guarantor.

200 grand?
That's bullshit.

I stood surety for just 50,000.

He said he needed it for 3 months.
How was I supposed to say no?

You stood surety for 200 grand?

No, for 50,000

How can interest pile up so quickly?

I hate you, mommy.

Don't throw her stuff out.

Where are we gonna put them?

It's no use crying over it.
There's nothing you can do.

Hey.

What's up?

Hey, Mundo

- Did you have trouble finding your way here?
- No, the bus stopped right in front.

This is the man I look up to
like a big brother and his wife.

And this is mi amor, my girlfriend.

Hi, I'm Lee Suji.

4,000 bucks?

So, all I gotta do is to bring in
the rough stones you excavate.

That's right.

4 grand for just 3 days
going back and forth to Paris?

What do you say?

I'm in. All you gotta do is
to bring back a bag.

Mundo has great connections
with the customs people.

Something doesn't smell right.

If you get caught,
you just pay customs.

If not, it's 'gracias'.

Why do customs a favor?

You just have to pay customs
if you get caught?

That's right.

Honey.

Can't you see that Mundo
is trying to help us out?

Don't.

Don't you even think about it.

I said I'd give it a thought
not that I'd do it.

What's the difference?

Listening to your friends
never did you any good.

Just drop it, will you?

Perfect.

Are you home?

Yes.

You're really trying my patience.

I'll pay you real soon.

When? You've been living off
your rent deposit for months.

Just a few days more, I'm so sorry.
It won't happen again.

I've been sticking it out
because I felt sorry for you.

This house will find
a new tenant in no time.

Are you a little kid?
Did you commit a crime?

'This'll never happen again?'

It's not like we ran off with her money.
We said we'd pay her.

With what money?

What money?

Hey, Mundo!
It's me.

Honey.

Let's do this. When do we start?

What? You should've told me
that it was a job for a woman.

My wife?
Forget it.

She doesn't even have a passport.

What's the matter with you?

I said I'd take care of it, alright?

If only you discussed
things with me...

Would you have said yes?

God damn it.

I'm such a fucking loser that
I dragged you into this shit hole.

I'm such a stupid fuck that
lost everything you saved up

and got you humiliated
by the fucking landlady.

I can't believe you're still
trying to prove you're right.

Sujae's dead.
You think he wanted to do this to me?

Where are you going?

It's okay, honey.
Mommy and daddy aren't fighting.

Here.

Mommy, how come
daddy hasn't come home?

He didn't come home
yesterday and yesterday.

I didn't get to see Seungah.

You miss your friend and
want to go back to kindergarten?

Yeah.

Okay.
But only if you eat your breakfast.

Mundo?

It's me, Jongbae's wife.

Mommy.

This one's nice. Come here

It's a pink bunny, your favorite.

Hi. Here's 2 dollars.

Hyerin.

Mommy, when are you coming home?

Just three nights and mommy will
come home with a lot of money.

I'll buy you the doll you wanted.

Really?

Yes! So, be a good girl
and don't fight with Seungah.

Promise?

Princess, your hands are
as cold as ice.

Mommy, I'm cold.

Why didn't you say so?
I'll give a piggy back ride.

Shall we sing the Tomato song?

Wonderfully plump body.

Dressed in red.

Letting off a sweet and sour scent.

Here comes the
magnificent Mr. Tomato.

I will turn myself into juice!
Gulp!

I will turn myself into ketchup!
Squirt!

I will dance all day long!
Hey!

Hyerin, dad's home.

Going away for a few days.
Don't look for me.

I left Hyerin at Seungah's place.

Going away?

30-Oct-04

Ma'am.

Yes.

From Guyana?

We have a suspicious Asian female
traveling from Guyana.

Wait here.

Ma'am?

Thank you.

Go ahead. I'll meet you outside.

Excuse me, ma'am.
May I see your passport?

Your passport, please.

Your passport, ma'am.

Sangcheol.

Give me the keys.

I don't... know.

Give me the key to open the luggage.

It's not mine.

No... No!

What's this? Cocaine?

Cocaine?

No... No cocaine.

You see? Cocaine.

No.

There are people waiting for me outside.
Also in Guyana.

People... Guyana...

No, please!

People...

Outside the airport...

Suji!

What happened to Mundo?

He ran off on his own.

Did you give us up?

I had no choice.
They said it was all cocaine.

So, she was carrying 120 million dollar
worth of cocaine on your behalf?

You've got it all wrong.

It was supposed to be rough stones.
Seo Mundo said it was just stones.

So we just gotta catch
this Seo Mundo

and he'll testify that your wife
was just an accessory.

But I can't get hold of him.

Where the hell is my wife now?

You should inquire at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We need a urine sample.

Sorry?

A housewife from Korea
was caught trafficking drugs

for the international
'Cali Cartel' drug ring.

And you're the husband.

Daddy's going to the toilet
real quick.

Hey!

Do it here.

Excuse me?

Do it here where we can see.

It's no use if you
put water in it.

But how can I...?

Use that corner over there.

A sample of your hair, too.

Daddy, what are you doing?

Get back to your seat.

- What are you doing?
- Go away.

But why?

I said go away.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Ms. Lee must leave
France immediately.

What about me?

As a suspect in flagrante delicto,
you'll face trial.

Sorry for leaving without you.

Suji.

Please...
I had no idea it was drugs.

I'm just a housewife
and I have a little girl.

Can I make a call to Korea?
My husband doesn't know that I'm here.

Narcotics offenders are prohibited
from making calls.

Then, can you
call my husband for me?

I gotta at least let him know
that I'm here.

As a fellow Korean,
I am begging you.

I work for the French
Public Prosecutors' Office.

Write a letter when you get to prison.

What a disgrace!

Hyerin.
What's mommy gonna do?

Honey, what am I gonna do?

What a national disgrace!

How can she not have known?

Alright... Ciao.

What do they say?

The Embassy is looking into it
as we speak.

Give them a call after a few days.

These ignorant fools who
know nothing about diplomacy.

Korean Embassy in Paris.

Babble away as they please and
expect us to pick up their shit.

Absolutely right.

About the woman arrested
at Orly for smuggling drugs...

Drugs? At Orly?
When did that happen?

I thought you might like to
pay her a visit.

Can't you deal with that
sort of stuff?

Yes, sir.

Fresnes Prison, Paris

- Ms Song Jeongyeon?
- Yes.

My name is Chu Daeyun.
I'm from the Korean Embassy.

Thank you so much for coming.

This is a document confirming
you've been lawfully arrested

and there was
no wrongful treatment.

Sign here, please.

What's going to happen to me now?
How long will I be held here?

You see,
I don't know any French...

Shameful as I am to say this
but I am innocent.

If I knew it was drugs,
I never would've done it.

Yes, I'm sure.
This is from the Embassy.

Alright then.

I'm so sorry but
can you let me make a call?

I've been here more than
twenty days now.

Drug offenders aren't allowed calls.
It's the rule here.

Please, I beg you I'll be quick.

Just one minute.

Please!

The number you have called
is currently engaged...

I'll pay the rest in installments.

Hyerin?

I know but I'm all that she's got.

I guess he's not available.
I'm sorry.

The number you have dialed is switched off
Please try again later

Hey, Mundo. Call me.
I can't believe this is happening.

Please call back.

- Hello?
- What took you so long to answer?

Is that... you?

Where are you?
What the hell happened?

You're asking me?

How can you have gone there
without telling me?

Where's Hyerin?
Is she asking for me?

Is she with you?

Hold on. She's in the car.

How can you leave a 4-year-old
alone in the car?

What's wrong with you?

Honey, please hurry.

I'm almost there.

Suji is deported to Korea.

What?
She's released?

Yeah... and I have to wait
4 months to get trial.

Why the hell did you go there
without telling me?

Why did you guarantee a loan
without telling me?

Honey?

Ma'am, your 3 minute's up.

I'm here, I'm here.

- Please! Just 10 seconds more
- I'm almost there

Hyerin! It's mommy.

- Hyerin? Please just a second.
- Your time's up.

It's mommy, baby.

Mommy?

Honey?

Wait! Honey?

Please help me!

Hello?
Are you there?

Song Jeongyeon!

You have Lee Suji?

Look at me.
You know me, don't you?

How come you're here when
my wife's still held in France?

We're in the middle of interrogation.
Please step outside.

Where is Mundo?
That fucking bastard.

Hey, I said we're in the middle
of interrogation.

Get out of here.

You gotta catch that bastard
to clear my wife of her charges.

He tricked her into committing a felony.
Can't you see that, damn it?

Kim Jongbae!

Who do you think you are
to run amok here?

You're married to a felon.

Fly your ass over to Suriname
and nab the bastard yourself.

If you have a goddamn problem
with the judicial system.

I'm terribly sorry.
I'm just so frustrated...

I'll wait for you to finish.
Then, have a chat with her.

Seo Mundo is wanted for
pulling a pyramid scam.

The detectives told me.

I thought you've been friends for years.
Shouldn't you have known better?

I know.

Do you know a guy called
Ha Taegwang?

Ha Taegwang?

They're like best buddies.
Think they were in pyramid scam, too.

Yes, I met Ms. Song in person.
She seemed to be doing okay.

This is an advanced country.
Prison facility is as good as hotel.

But it takes 4 months
to be tried in court?

You know how slow the French are.
Or don't you?

What should I be doing here?

Get a lawyer.
That'll definitely speed things up...

...and affect the decision positively.

We'll continue our communication
with the prison

Focus on getting the money
for the lawyer.

How much should I be looking at?

Perhaps around 10,000 - 20,000?

It could be more
if the trial drags on

if you can't afford one, France has
an excellent public defense system.

I'll call you back.

Was that her husband?

He must be pretty agitated
with the wife locked up in prison.

Why did he make her do such a thing?
What a loser!

If we present a petition and
the ambassador gets involved,

we may be able to get her
indictment without detention.

Shouldn't we report this
to the ambassador?

To the ambassador?

If she gets indictment
without detention,

she becomes our responsibility.

We mustn't waste
taxpayers' money like that.

She did carry drugs for a fact.

I guess she's in for a rough ride.

Hey! Excuse me.

Hey!

Come out here for a second.

Is this a fucking joke?

- The number you have dialed...
- Damn you

Sweetie.

3 months later

Hi honey, hope
you're well. I'm doing okay

It must be pretty cold in Seoul by now.
Didn't Hyerin catch a cold?

Please write me, honey.
And don't worry about me.

Get up.

You're being transferred.

I... go home? Korea?

You're not going back to Korea.

You're going to another prison.

I... go home? Korea?
Korea... No?

Where? Where?

Stop asking.

You don't understand anything I say anyway.

31-Jan-05

Where...? Where... I?

Martinique. Don't worry.

This is also French territory.

Ducos Prison

Bonjour.

My name is Hellboy. I'm the chief guard.

Take off your clothes.

Move it, yellow face.

Hurry up.

Come on.

Top, bottom, everything comes off.

This, too.

Cough.

Cough.

What are you doing? I'm pregnant.

You're pregnant?

I'm telling you the truth.

Pregnant, eh?

The cocaine must have burst inside.

Call an ambulance.

Don't you know how to say hello?

Come here, Momo.

Swallow it.

Now.

Open her mouth.

Swallow it and go to sleep.

Hyerin...

Why are you doing this?

Where is Seo Mundo?
Answer me.

Should I believe you or not?

Fucking morons!
Why go beat up a civilian...

...instead of nabbing Mundo?

Sorry.

I'm not the kind to bash
people up for no reason.

I hear your wife's in prison.

Why don't you treat yourself
to a bowl of hot soup?

Why is your gang
looking for Mundo?

Your gang?

Everything else I can tolerate.

That motherfucker fucked
around with my account book.

My business is cash
so, I'm sharp on numbers.

Then, maybe we should
work together.

Work together?

Yeah.

You're hilarious.
Go wipe your own ass.

Where did you find this joker?

For crying out loud!
She's only a kid.

I can't let them not smoke here
or they'll do something worse.

I stopped by your house
and picked up your mail.

You must've written
the address wrong.

Just tell her the truth and
give her my address here.

She'll find out sooner or later.

And wash your kid.
She's been scratching all day.

I'm not going with you.
I wanna go with mommy.

You've been here with
mommy and daddy before, remember?

Hyerin.

Hyerin.

Sweetheart.

Mommy.

Send her through the women's.
I'll take her in.

Hyerin, will you go with
this nice lady, then?

Come on, darling.
Take off your shoes.

Let's meet back inside.

So, you're a girl, too.

Look what I got you.

You can't cry like earlier
while staying at your auntie's.

Promise?

Daddy will be back real soon.

Yo, yellow face.

Come here, quick.

Come on, move it.

What the hell? Where's she going?

Piss off.

There's a good girl.

- Sure, I believe you.
- I'll be right back.

What's your name?

- Choi Byeonggu.
- Okay, Byeonggu.

The number you have dialed
is not in service

You've got the wrong number.
Stop calling, psycho!

Vincent's Watches

Hello?

Is this Vincent's Watches?

You're looking for Vincent?
Are you a member?

I'm a friend of Seo Mundo's.

Mr. Seo, I see.
I'll call you right back

Hello?

I'm back.

Good job.

Are you looking for Vincent?

Yes.

You're a friend of Mundo's?

Made in Suriname?

5, 7, 9... Difference is
the weight in grams.

Pardon me?

Lighter watches are more expensive.
Which one do you want?

Do you know a man
called Ha Taegwang?

You're looking for Mr. Ha?

He's out of office.
Why don't you wait here?

I'm telling you, he said
'Seo Mundo, made in Suriname'.

And I saw the same brand of cigars
that Mundo gave me.

Bring in Ha Taegwang
and you'll get a lead.

Just hear me out.

They watch too many movies.

What's the matter?

He wants to tip me off about...

...some Ha Taegwang character
playing detective.

Did you say Ha Taegwang?
He's on the wanted list.

What?

That's right.
For fraud.

Get away from me, damn niggers!

You called me a nigger, bitch?

I said fuck you!

You, Hellboy-cunt-licking whore.

What's going on? Move along.

Yalka...

Thank you.

You out of your fucking mind, bitch?

What have we got here?

Give it back.

I'll kill you.

Help... Please...

- Yalka.
- Don't touch me.

Yalka... This.

Mama!

It's my mom.

Sorry, mama.

I'm sorry...
The picture got wet.

I'm a mommy, too.
My baby...

She's far away.

I miss my daughter, too.
So, don't cry.

If you cry, you mama will be sad.

Thank you, Song.

Something does smell fishy.

It does, right?

And the place was shut down?

I checked it myself.

- Put out the word on him.
- Yes, boss.

Let's go.

You're coming with us?

Of course, I am.

Hello?

I haven't heard from you in a while.
You said these were important.

Hi, darling.
How is everything?

How is my little girl?

I've been transferred to
an island called Martinique.

They said I would get
my trial in 4 months.

I don't understand
how I ended up here.

It was so cold in Paris
but this is a tropical island.

It's so hot and humid
that I can't sleep or eat.

All I can do is think about
you and Hyerin.

Aren't you on night shift tonight?

Hey, can you
find this Martin... place?

Martinique... Ducos?
This is from your wife?

So, find it.

The Embassy people came once
and haven't replied to my letters.

In Paris,
they gave me work to do,

but there is nothing to do here.

And the days go terribly slowly.

You need money for everything here
even for some salt.

I have to buy stamps to send letters
I feel terrible asking you this,

but I really need some money
I know you're struggling as you are.

Can you send me a picture of Hyerin?
Some summer clothes and underwear, too?

Don't forget the French dictionary.

And please show Hyerin
my pictures...

...so she won't forget my face.

Show her the video from our wedding.
Please do, honey.

It's on the opposite side
of the planet from us.

It's an island in
the middle of the Caribbean.

It's far.

Super express, please.

Martinique...
Ducos Prison?

Yes.

International postal money order
take more than 20 days.

If you go through the Embassy,
they can process it directly.

Thank you for calling the Korean Embassy.
The office is now closed.

Operating hours are from
9 am to 5 pm...

Who called in that joker?

He was begging so badly
and I felt sorry.

I'm more sorry
for your sorry ass.

Chief?

Is that... Kim Jongbae?

Where is Mundo?

Calm down, man.

Who the hell are you,
motherfuckers?

Motherfuckers?
Did you call me a motherfucker?

How dare you,
you fucking bastard!

Don't move.

Get out of there.

Who the hell are you?

Get him out of here.

Where is Mundo?

How did you know this was
Seo Mundo's hideout?

You told me to bring in Seo.

It was me that gave you information
about Ha Taegwang.

We've been keeping a tap
on it all along.

Who the hell are you?

I'm a friend of
his from hometown.

I tagged along to
give him support.

Civilians shouldn't interfere with
police business like this.

Since this is classified information,
bear with us for a while longer.

Classified Information, my ass.

That's fucking classic.

Go fuck yourself.

I guess this is it for us.

I wish you wealth and happiness.

It always rains when the Indians
perform a rain dance.

You know why?

Because they don't fucking stop
until the rain falls.

Like fucking bullheads.

Martinique

How did she end up there?

I have no idea.
She doesn't understand either.

I'll look into it
and get back to you.

Wait!

Shouldn't you know about it
before anyone?

How are we supposed to
know details like that?

Fine... Can I at least ask you to
process a money wire to the prison?

They tell me it's faster
if I go through the Embassy.

You think our job is to provide
convenience for criminals?

What would taxpayers say
if they found out?

She can't do anything
without money.

Please show leniency.

You think a public servant is there
to run personal errands?

Still on the phone?
Where's assemblymen's schedule?

How many Michelin stars
is this place rated by?

Oh, that one?

It's a popular place.

What if they ask?

They might think it's a restaurant
with no Michelin stars.

I'll check right away, sir.

This could be a big break
for you and I, you know?

Given that the principal offender
Seo Mundo has yet to be arrested

for this court to be able to proceed
with the trial of the defendant

I hereby extend the provisional
detention of Song Jeongyeon

by another 4 months.

Does the Korean Embassy have
any intention to provide an interpreter?

Apologies, your honor. I placed
a request but they haven't responded.

Excuse me.

Hello?

Yes?

Why... I, here?

I... Paris...
now, Martinique... Why?

It's because the jurisdiction
is in Martinique.

Before we are able to
have a proper trial,

we'll receive a review of legality
of confinement every 4 months.

Drug-related offenses can
get up to 24 months without trial.

Kim, we got Seo Mundo.

How can you do this to me
and call yourself a human being?

Get off me for Christ's sake!

What's your problem?

She asked me to give her the job.

What?

She's in deep shit because of you.
Do right by her.

Come here, you fucking bastard.

- Kim Jongbae!
- You, son of a bitch!

Calm down.
This is obstruction of justice.

Don't mess with
him until the trial ends.

You need a favorable testimony from him
to get your wife off the hook.

I'm so sorry, Mundo.

Please help me save Jeongyeon.

My daughter hasn't seen her mom
in 6 months.

Just tell them that she had
no knowledge of the drugs.

I beg you, please.

Please, Mundo.

Dear Mr. Consul.

I finally met the judge after
getting transferred to Martinique,

but I couldn't understand anything
because there was no interpreter.

I know this is a far
and remote place...

...but is there any way
you can find an interpreter?

Yellow face.

I thought your Embassy didn't have
anyone who spoke your language.

You wrote them again?

This is against the rules.
I'm confiscating them.

I have no panties.
Give me please.

Confiscated.

Hello, baby?

My darling, Jeongyeon.

Hyerin and I are doing great.
She is well, too.

Things are going well.

You have nothing to
worry about but yourself.

You go through so much for
meeting a foolish husband.

I blame myself for everything
that happened.

It's all my fault.

Let's not give up and believe
that it'll work out.

You trust me, don't you?

I couldn't find your underwear
so, I bought some new ones.

I suppose Hyerin has grown a lot.

I can't ever pay her back
for what I've done to her and you.

Please send me some
recent pictures of Hyerin.

Get moving, will ya?

If I... don't make it back
for her birthday.

Please take care of it for me.

Take her to an amusement park
if you can afford it.

Daddy.

My baby.

Hyerin, it's me, mommy.
Are you being a good girl?

Mommy is studying hard
so that she can come home sooner.

Can you promise
to be a good girl?

Be happy and strong for me.

I'm so sorry, I had to come so far.

I'm really sorry.

One, two...

Come on, give me a smile.

I'm the drug-trafficker's husband.

Martinique!
I looked into it.

Your wife loaded
the drugs at Guyana.

That's why the jurisdiction
is in Martinique.

I already know that.

Can you provide an interpreter?

An interpreter?

There isn't a single Korean
living there.

Should we send one from Paris?
It's 9 hours away.

And who's gonna
cover the expenses?

Is there any way that
the Embassy can cover it?

It's your responsibility.
We don't have the budget for that.

What is it that
the Embassy does, then?

It's not my job
to explain that to you.

I've really got to go.

What did he say?

He says there isn't a single Korean
living there.

How the hell did she end up
in a place like that?

Shall I look up on the internet?

The Embassy already said
there's no Korean living there.

Do you know about a Korean housewife
locked away in prison...

...in a remote island
in the middle of the Atlantic?

The lives of her family are ruined.

July29, 2005. Seoul District Court.
Park Sangcheol, Lee Suji and Song Jeongyeon

have all denied connection to the drugs
at the time of their arrest.

Were they aware of the drugs
when departing from Guyana?

Sangcheol knew about it,
your honor.

What about Song Jeongyeon
and Lee Suji?

They had no idea.

Mr. Prosecutor.

I'm Song Jeongyeon's husband.

What is going to happen to
my wife now?

Ask the Korean Embassy in France.

But they don't make a habit of
explaining things.

Mr. Prosecutor.

The trial records will be sent over
to the Korean Embassy in France.

Once they translate and notarize it
and submit it to the French court...

...your wife will be able to get
an official trial.

I see... Thank you.

Since Seo testified that
it was a simple participation...

...her sentence won't be that long

Thank you so much.

Yalka! Yalka!

9 months in detention

I'm finally getting my trial.

Trial.

Trial?

Yes, trial.

Hello, Mr. Chu?
This is Kim Jongbae.

My wife is finally
able to get her trial.

Seo's trial records will be sent over
to you shortly.

Please have them well translated
and notarized...

...and submit them safely
to the court.

I'll be calling you again.

Thank you so much for
telling me how to do my job.

2 months later

French translation of
Seo Mundo trial records

What do you think you're doing?

Just sorting the outgoing mail, sir.

The assembly men will arrive
in any moment.

And look at this mess
we have here.

We'll clean it up right away.

Put these away, too.

Come on.

Smile for the camera, please.

One more.

Lunch will be served at
a three Michelin starred restaurant.

Only three?
It should be at least seven.

Three is the highest rating.

I was only joking.

You have such
a great sense of humor.

What's this?

That's the pile from earlier.

These shouldn't be
lying around here.

Documents to be shredded
from this quarter, please.

Given that the principal offender
Seo Mundo has yet to be arrested...

...and neither the government of
Republic of Korea nor the Embassy...

...submitted any relevant documents
for this court to be able to...

...proceed with the trial
of the defendant,

I hereby extend the provisional detention
of the defendant, Song Jeongyeon...

by another 4 months.

Trial... My trial...

My trial is possible.

Because...

Seo Mundo is arrested.

My trial...

Please sit down, ma'am.
We are doing our best.

Your Embassy is bad.

Your Embassy has no responsibility.

Ask for a translator
to your Embassy, okay?

Guard.

11 months in detention

Dear Honorable Consul,

my husband tells me that
Seo Mundo has been arrested,

and yet, I still can't get my trial,

I plead you to provide Seo's trial records
and an interpreter in the next 4 months.

I beg you desperately.

As ashamed I am, I, too, am
a citizen of the Republic of Korea.

It's the drug housewife again.

Will we have to move?

Hey sis, what's up?

You're coming tomorrow,
aren't you?

Don't be alarmed
but Hyerin had a little accident.

How are you going to
get back at this hour?

I already bought the tickets
for the last bus.

Bye bye, auntie.

We need to get
the wound disinfected.

I'll take care of it.

You talk as if I did a sloppy job
taking care of your daughter.

She wanted help to make
her birthday soup for you.

I know, I hear ya.

I'm not mad at you.
I'm grateful.

Neither of us knew
this would drag so long.

I can't burden you any longer.

We'll be on our way.
Donggeun, uncle's leaving.

And she doesn't look back once.

Look, a deer.

Where?

There it is.

Come here, pretty deer.

It's coming.

Daddy, you have this.
Auntie gave it to me.

I don't need a birthday present.
I just want you.

To temporary amusement park.

Let's go, sweetie.

I'm so happy that Hyerin
had a good birthday.

She says she doesn't
need a present,

and doesn't cry in front of you,
because she promised?

My trial has been postponed again.
I wonder how much longer I'll have to wait.

Why you look so depressed?

You want this?

Put them on.

Put'em on now.

Come on.

Yalka won't listen to me any more
because of you.

You're gonna have to
please me instead, then.

Get off of me.
Go away.

Help me.

Get off of me.

Help.

Hurry! Someone's coming.

Just close the damn door.

Shut the door.

Be quiet.

Is this the right direction
to get to Mount Pelee?

Yes, just go straight ahead.

Is everything alright there?

Sure, go right ahead.

Help me.

What's going on?
Everything alright?

All is in order.

Help me! Help.

Help me.

Call the police.

What are you doing
with that phone?

We were just...

Show me your papers.

She's getting away.

Get back here.

Stop.

Stop, you bitch!

Go after her.
I'll call the police.

Hello? We have a situation.
A prisoner has escaped.

Mommy, daddy and Hyerin.
And this is our house.

Wow, is this our house?

Yup.

It's awesome.

I found her.
I found mommy.

Driver's license

Finally, we open our auto repair shop...
Go, Mr. Jongbae!

Sujae killed himself...
I can't believe it.

Kim Jongbae,
you small-minded idiot!

July 6, 1996 - Honeymoon in Manlipo.
Looking forward to tenth anniversary.

Sea of romance and adventure?
The Caribbean

You'll take me there someday?
Promise?

Of course!
For our tenth wedding anniversary.

You! You, know, you, see.

I didn't run away.
She tried to rape me.

You!

What is she saying?

It's the same old story.

This isn't fair! I'm innocent!

What?

Hanger.

Rice.

Stream.

Mould.

Tomato.

Tomato begins with 'T' not 'D'.

Daddy wins.

Wonderfully plump body.

Dressed in red.

Letting off a sweet and sour scent.

Here comes the magnificent
Mr. Tomato

I will turn myself into juice!

I will turn myself into ketchup!

I will dance all day long!

Cause I am the magnificent
Mr. Tomato!

I will... turn myself into ketchup.

I will be... dance all day long.

Cause I am the magnificent
Mr. Tomato!

Get up.

Get up.

Everyday, I have the same dream...

...of being locked up in a room
with no entrance or exit.

I'm scared more
and more everyday

Will I ever be able to
get out of this place?

Please wake me from
this nightmare, honey.

I feel as if I'm having
the same nightmares, too.

Foreclosure?

I'll send it as quickly as possibly.

I'm real sorry.

It was Valentine's Day today

February 14, 2006 which a lot of you
must have been looking forward to.

Did you give chocolates to
your loved ones?

16 months in detention

I hope all our listeners are
with their loved ones now

and wish you a
happy Valentine's Day.

Honey, it's me.

Hey, I'm here.

How did you manage to call?

I'm out of prison.

What?

Where are you?
Are you out on parole?

I think so.

From now on, you will be awaiting
your trial under my supervision...

...in a non-detainment capacity

There are a few very important rules
to bear in mind.

You must be back at your apartment
by no later than 7 pm...

...and may not stray away
from your living quarters.

You must always respond
to the convocations...

...and come into this office
once a week to sign in.

Sorry. It's not great.
This is for you.

See you next week.
Okay?

She's out on parole.

Congratulations.

It's worse than being in prison.

Now she has to pay the rent
and food?

You should ask the French court.

How can I when
I don't speak French?

We advised you
to get an interpreter.

Complain to the French court directly
instead of bothering us.

French Embassy in Korea.

My child's mother is being held
in French prison without trial.

Let my wife come home
from prison in Martinique.

Who is that man?

One moment.

Everyone is logged in on
'Supporters of Song Jeongyeon'?

You may not understand
the significance of your work now.

Take pride in what you're doing
and keep posting comments.

By doing this, you're saving a family
and eventually the world.

Add more exclamation points.
Use four!

Where did you learn to do that?
Great job.

Look at this, Mr. Ambassador.

It's on our website, too.

This is the public reaction?

Yes, sir.

We're doing the best we can.

But as you know, the French
are slow with everything.

Yes, it's our duty to protect the interests
of Korean citizens overseas.

Okay... Bye.

The problem is the French
who take forever to do anything.

When did we send off
those documents?

Everything's a mess because
they didn't proceed with the trial.

What's with
all this fuss on the net?

Mr. Consul.

How about taking a trip to Martinique?

In case they hold you responsible
for not following the procedure.

Besides, it's the Caribbean.

People go there for vacation.

Vacation?

I have nothing else to offer you.

Please contain yourself
in front of the Consul.

Everything else is fine but
because of the language problem...

...it's hard to understand
what's going on....

...and no one is
explaining things to me...

It must be hard being incarcerated
far from home.

But they say 'An evil may turn out
a blessing in disguise'.

People spend a lot of money
to come here for vacation.

Consider yourself lucky.
Positive thinking, you know?

When will I get my trial?

It's no good feeling so anxious.

You won't be leaving
any time soon anyway.

Excuse me?

Didn't you know?

Drug offenses are
taken very seriously.

Simple carrying can get you
up to 10 years in prison.

And that's getting it easy.

10 years?
But I didn't know it was drugs.

That's the law here
Any way Ms. Song...

It's Song Jeongyeon.

It's important to find
peace of mind, Ms. Song.

Have you ever tried meditation?

These walls are perfect.

Sit facing the wall
with your legs crossed.

Try it.
It'll do wonders.

You can't just leave like this.

I am sorry, I committed a terrible crime.

I'll repent till the day I die
for bringing disgrace to my country.

So, please.

Mr. Consul, please send me
to a prison in Korea.

I'm not asking to be released.

You should try to find inner peace.

That way your husband can
focus on paying off his debt...

...and getting a place to live.

What do you mean
'a place to live?'

Your husband told me...

that he got kicked out
of the house.

Why don't you get yourself
something to drink?

Please let me meet the judge.

Please one question!

What does she want?

Trial... Trial...

Ten years?
Really ten years?

This is the court house.

You are only permitted to see me
in presence of a parole officer.

Am I really getting ten years?

Is it true?

Tell me, please.

Please!

Dear Mr. Consul, thank you for
coming all the way to meet me,

but I cannot accept the money
you gave me,

FA 0: Korean Embassy in France
FA 0: Mn Kim Jongbae

My beloved Mr. Kim Jongbae,
It's your wife, Song Jeongyeon.

I remember the day we first met.

Our first night together,

and the moment we held Hyerin
in our arms for the first time.

These were the most brilliant
moments of my life.

I can clearly remember
the entire 8 years we spent together.

Yalka.

Yalka.

Song?

Song!

Are you okay?

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm okay.
Are you?

I'm okay.

I'm okay.

I only realized after
I got released on parole,

that this was the Caribbean,

the place we promised to come
for our tenth wedding anniversary.

And I realized,

that I've been living in my nightmare,

I don't want you to struggle
in my nightmare any more.

You deserve to be happy.

As long as I endure this,
it'll only make you suffer more.

And that's the worst nightmare
I can imagine.

Jeongyeon.

Open the door, Jeongyeon.

If it wasn't for you,

I couldn't have survived the year
and a half in this deserted place,

So, I thank you,

and I regret,

I could have loved you more.
I truly could have.

Please tell Hyerin that I love her,

that I'm so sorry.

It's my wife.

Something's not right,
and I can't reach the Embassy.

Please look at this letter.

Can you come back later?

Please check if she's alive.

Come back later.

Later?

When?

A woman who carried drugs
deserves to die?

She's not a Korean citizen?

Is it so damn hard to check
if she's alive or dead?

What are you doing?
Put that down.

Get off of me.

Is it so hard to find out
if she's alive or dead?

Hang in there, Jeongyeon.

Jeongyeon.

Wait for me, Jeongyeon.

Kim Jongbae.

Come out!

Jeez, look at you.

Not now, let's go.

This is a producer from KBC.
He wants to do a story on Jeongyeon.

My name is Shin Cheolho.
You must've been through a lot.

I have good news for you.

Netizens have found a Korean
living in Martinique.

But the Embassy told me
there were no Koreans living there.

Did this person meet Jeongyeon?

Is she okay?

She's stable now but she's suffering
from a severe malnutrition.

We are planning to fly over to Martinique.
Are you coming with us?

Pardon?

Pardon?

I see... Okay.

We'll go straight to her parole house.

What do they say?

She was discharged this morning.

She is really fragile.
I don't know how she managed until now.

This is it.

Honey.

Jeongyeon, are you there?

Jeongyeon.

Honey.

It's me.
Open the door.

Jeongyeon.

Why are you crying?
Don't cry.

Open this door.

Open the door.

Look at you.
What happened to you?

Is that really you?

You came all this way here?

Look at you.

Let me show you Hyerin.

Hyerin, do you have something
you want to tell mommy?

I do.

What is it?

Mommy, I can't remember your face.

My skull hurts because of that.
Hurry back home, mommy.

I love you.

Anything else?

I will... Mommy is coming home soon.
I love you and miss you, too.

Are you sure you never received
the documents?

Tell them to send the documents right away,
if they have them.

Ms. Song's case is
pretty straightforward.

Was she deceived or not?

Without evidence to contrary, we have
no choice but to assume criminal intent.

If such documents exist,
that assumption can be changed.

But where are the documents?

What challenges did you encounter
while defending Ms Song?

Listen! What can I do when I can't
even communicate with my client?

There was nothing I could do.

Stop filming.

How come the Embassy didn't know
that you were here?

I'm puzzled myself.

I sent my documents to Paris last year
to have my passport renewed.

Here we are in the Carribean
after all.

How come they're still up?

I guess they can't sleep either.

Honey.

Can I go home instead of you?

I want to go.

Okay, let's do that.

Let's do that, Jeongyeon.

Your wife isn't coming?

She can't come to the airport.

She's afraid she couldn't bear
to come back here.

I understand.
Let's go.

Our hearts go out to her
regarding the situation.

It must be so hard
being away from her child,

and face loneliness and hardship.

It seemed that your hearts
didn't go out that far.

You told her there were
no Koreans living there,

but there was a Korean woman
who's been studying there for 3 years.

We did the best we could with
the given manpower and budget.

We absolutely regret the situation.

What about the trial records?
According to the judge and prosecutor...

That's what I wanted to talk about.

We put a lot of time and effort
into translating and notarizing it,

and sent it out by registered mail.

This is the outgoing mail book.

As you can see, the documents
were posted on November 24.

We also have a copy.

France may seem like an advanced country
but there's always strikes,

and they're not
as precise as we are.

You said you sent them out
by registered mail?

It's mandatory for official documents.

Then, you must have the receipt.

Are you being serious?

We're civil servants hired by
the Korean government.

Are you accusing us of lying?

Mr. Chu, bring them the receipt.

Excuse me for a moment.

Is this all?

Wait.

This is from last year, too?

Just a minute.

How well did you hide it?

- Move over.
- I'm still looking, sir.

Here it is.

No, this isn't it.

It's not some old receipt
that's important.

We have sent the documents.
That's what matters, right?

How many times
did I ask you to check it?

Do you know who
you're talking to?

Get that camera off my face.

Stop filming.

What's the matter with him?

Somebody stop him.

You talked to me on the phone.

Why get all violent?

- Calm down.
- Stop him.

You got my calls, didn't you?
Didn't you?

Do you have any idea what
an awkward situation you put us in?

Your husband barged in
with a TV camera.

We're not criminals.

What ungrateful people you are!

Calm down. You're acting as if
we did something wrong.

Explain it kindly.

I don't understand.

I'll be honest with you.
You are making a huge mistake.

You think these television people
can help solve your problem?

You are currently on parole.

Pulling something like this
is breaking French law.

What are you telling me?

You could be going to back to jail.

You keep poking around at
the French judicial system.

How would that make them feel?

And the trial records...
they're not as important as you think.

They can't expedite
the process either.

Stop being so stubborn about
something that's of little importance.

We're acting stubborn?

Take what I just said to heart
and tell your husband,

that he'll ruin everything
if he continues like that.

Wait.

Let's go.

Wait! Please.

What now?

Let's go.

This is from France.

Here.

...recommend that
you hold off the broadcast?

What the fuck is wrong
with these people?

This won't affect us
broadcasting the program,

but since this concerns you also,
I thought I should let you know.

It's just blackmail.
There is nothing they can do.

Excuse me.

Hello, Jihye.

What?

How can it not be important?

How can they say
we're being stubborn?

Don't believe a word they say.
It's just blackmail.

I never said I wouldn't pay
for what I've done.

All I wanted was a little attention.

I know... Stop crying.
It'll make you weaker.

This isn't over yet.

Jongbae, it's on.

Martinique, a remote Caribbean island
22 hours away by plane.

There is a Korean woman locked away
in prison here for over a year.

I never imagined it could be drugs.
I thought it was rough gemstones.

Ms. Song's case is
pretty straightforward.

Was she deceived or not?

Jeongyeon.

Take a look at this.

"How much she
must miss her daughter?"

"It's not just the Embassy but a problem
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Be strong, Jeongyeon."

This is creating a huge stir
on the net.

If America has nuclear bombs
we have netizens.

We're an Internet nation.

"Scandalous!
Waste of taxpayer money"

"I'm sending you support as a mother
Never give up hope."

"Hang in there, Song's family
We have your backs!"

"How can the lost time
be compensated?"

I'm Song Jeongyeon's husband.

My wife has been held in prison
in Martinique without trial.

But, no one cared
to listen to my story.

I blamed the man who
put my wife in this situation,

I blamed my country
that did nothing for her,

and I blamed my wife for
getting herself in this mess.

But, I'm the one that drove her
to go so far away.

It was me.

I failed to keep my promise
to always keep her happy,

and keep the smile
on my daughter's face.

But' this new hope
you have given me,

I will never let it go.

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
we'll be watching how you deal with this"

What if Song was from
a powerful family?

"Citizens are watching you"
"Do not delete this post again!"

"Please share this post
so that more people can see"

"We're sending Song a parcel"
"Raising funds to help Song's family"

Give Song your hope.

I knew it would lead to this.

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
do you really work for this country?"

It's all over the TV and the Internet.

I heard they've been reassigned
somewhere in Central Asia.

Uzebekistan?

Kazakhstan?

08-Nov-06

24 months in detention

This is Bekhor. Your new lawyer.

Bonjour, Olivier Bekhor.

Bonjour, nice to meet you.

He says not to worry.
Everything will be fine.

Feel free to doze off,
it usually gets boring in the court.

And someone's come
from the Embassy.

Shall we?

Please sit here.

The 37 kilos of cocaine, the defendant
tried to smuggle into the country...

...is an enormous quantity
worth over 85 million Euro.

This fact alone makes it impossible
to avoid severe punishment.

Your Honor,

I believe you have examined
Seo Mundo's trial records.

He testified in court that in order to
to get the defendant involved...

...in his cocaine smuggling scheme...

...he tricked her into believing
that she was carrying gemstones.

Until now, the defendant,
Song Jeongyeon,

has never been
involved in any crime,

including drug-related offenses
or faced criminal indictment.

Despite this, she was forced
to spend 2 years in prison,

in a country she is completely
unfamiliar with.

Does the defendant...

...have any last words to say?

In that case, sentencing will be
delivered after 10 minutes...

I...

I committed a crime.

I committed a crime because of
my foolish desire to earn money.

I'm a criminal.

And for the past 2 years,

I've been repenting for my sin

But there are others
I must beg for forgiveness,

My family,

My husband who lost his wife,

My daughter who grew up
without her mother.

She's six years old now.

She was barely four when I left.

She has turned five and then six.

I have caused her so much pain
that cannot be undone.

I want to go back home
pay for the wrong I've done.

Please let my family have...

...the wife and mother back.

I want to go back home.

I...

...want to go back home.

I want to go back home.

The court sentences the defendant,
Song Jeongyeon

for the charges of violation
of Drug Control Law,

the Customs Act and the Aviation Act

one year of imprisonment.

He said one year.
You've already served two years in prison.

That means you can go home now.

Wait, you have
already served 2 years.

What about the year already spent?

If you file a lawsuit, you'll be able
to claim compensation.

You can claim compensation
for the extra year you served.

No... I just want to go home.

Welcome home
- Song Jeongyeon supporters

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
of the Republic of Korea requests

...efficient entry and necessary
convenience to the holder of this passport.

We'll be landing at Incheon
International Airport shortly.

We hope you had a pleasant flight
and wish you a very good journey.

Jeongyeon.

There she is.

Look, there is mommy.
Can you see her?

Mommy's here.

Hyerin, are you being shy?
It's mommy.

Go to your mommy.

Mommy hasn't forgotten your face.
Have you forgotten mine?

Come to mommy.

Is it really you, mommy?

From when I was little?

It's me, baby.

It's mommy.

It is your mommy.

It's mommy, baby.

I missed you, mommy.

I'm so sorry it took so long.

Ow.

Does it hurt?

No.

I think it does.

No it doesn't.
You're trying to make me pretty.

Let me braid your hair.

Honey! Hyerin!
Daddy's home.

- Daddy!
- Wait.

Come on out here.

What?

My queen and princess,
it's the first snow of the year.

Let's take a picture together.

Lean in a little more.

That's perfect.

Hello?

Hello, is this Mr. Kim Jongbae?

This is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
We have good news for you.

Your wife, Song Jeongyeon, had a trial
and was sentenced to a year in prison.

I believe she'll be able to
come home soon.

Mr. Kim?

I'm coming.

Come on, dad.

Smile for the camera.

Smile.

- Let's have a look.
- Let's see.

Hyerin looks pretty.

Whose daughter is that?

Jang Mijeong returned home
after spending 765 days in detention.

She has since had another daughter
and is living with her family.

A 2013 film by Pang Eun Jin