Folklore (2018–2021): Season 2, Episode 1 - Folklore - full transcript
Small coastal town in central Taiwan
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
Hey Chef, this is so bizarre.
We're having a wedding here
while they're holding
a cleansing rite for the dead next door.
The wedding date was fixed way back.
—Chef, hurry up with the food. —Coming.
Set off the firecrackers now.
Time to set off!
In Taiwan, cleansing rites are held
for those who died by hanging.
Deities are summoned
to escort the dead out to sea
and dispose of the noose used in the hanging.
Should there be any interruption to
or intrusion on the ritual procession
the dead will not be able to rest in peace.
Come on, hubby! You got this!
—Wait, I've got this! —Five, four, three...
—Hurry, hubby! —Two... one!
—Time's up! —Come here...
—Sorry, may I? —Come on...
Let's not do this. It's gross.
No, it's not. It's your wife's high heels.
Time for their nuptial toast!
Toast... toast!
Here, Ming-Yin. Shawn.
But this is so gross.
I'll drink for her, OK?
No way, one drink each
for a long-lasting marriage.
It's OK. I'll drink it.
—All right, Ming-Yin! —Are you sure?
You go, girl.
Come on now...
drink up!
Yeah! Bravo!
Well done!
Are you OK?
Uncle!
How much did he drink?
What's the matter, Uncle?
My nephew here...
he was in Taipei for almost 20 years
carving out a career for himself.
Now he's finally home with a lovely wife in tow
He's all grown-up now.
He doesn't care that they're holding
a cleansing rite next door.
He's going ahead with the wedding anyway!
He's the man!
Why don't you go to bed?
What is this cleansing rite he was saying?
Nothing, just some traditional custom.
I'm not drunk!
—Uncle! —Let go of me!
—Are you OK? —I'm fine...
What are you doing, Uncle?
He's bleeding.
What's going on?
Sit down, Uncle.
Anyone with tissue paper?
Sit down...
Sit down.
Just sit down first.
Let me take a look. Are you OK?
Why are you sitting there?
Tissue... does anyone have tissue paper?
Here.
Anyone sober enough to drive?
OK, go bring the car around. Hurry.
Ming-Yin.
Uncle has a bad nosebleed.
We're taking him to the hospital.
He's bleeding? That sounds bad.
You better hurry then.
He's such a pain!
Don't worry about me. Just go.
Stay here, don't go anywhere.
—I'll be fine. —Wait here for me...
Come on... let's go.
—Come on, Uncle. —On your feet, Uncle
—Let's go. —Come on, Uncle.
Who's coming with me?
—Me. —OK.
It's not that far away.
Halt!
Who are you?
Don't you know we're holding a cleansing rite
and everyone has to stay away?
What cleansing rite?
I'm not from around here.
I'm just trying to make my way home.
Stand down.
You have barged into our procession
and now you're not allowed to leave.
You must stay for the entire ritual
or you will be cursed.
What?
Never mind, I'll just go a different way.
Stay! Or you'll be cursed.
That's odd.
No!
Ming-Yin, will you open the door, please?
Are you OK in there? Open up.
Ming-Yin!
I...
I'm fine.
How did I get here?
You were drunk.
What was wrong with you?
Why did you leave without waiting for me?
I got back and you were nowhere to be found.
You didn't pick up my calls either.
Do you know you were found
passed out drunk on the streets?
I had to carry you home.
Once we got home, you got really agitated
and took off your wedding gown.
You locked yourself in the bathroom
saying you wanted a bath.
I-I'm fine. I'll be out soon.
Come out soon.
(Incantation)
Ming-Yin?
Zhongxin Dry Cleaners
Be right back
This is the place.
Hello?
There's no number to call.
You broke a taboo barging into
the ritual procession and walking away.
Now the negative energy has latched on to you.
You need to neutralise it
before it brings you harm.
What nonsense.
Why won't it open?
Hey, where did you go so early in the morning?
Did you just wake up?
I've been up for a while.
There are wine stains on the wedding gown.
I wanted to send it to the dry cleaners
while you were still asleep
but the shop wasn't open.
You should have woken me up
instead of lugging the gown around by yourself.
Is oyster pancake a popular breakfast food
around here?
I saw a long queue for it on my way back.
Eat while it's still hot.
I ate this all the time when I was little.
This is so sweet of you.
Standing in line to get me oyster pancakes.
Aren't you going to have some too?
What are you so busy with?
The bridal shop wants the wedding gown back.
I have to hurry and get the stains out.
Is it that urgent?
Ming-Yin, you just moved here.
You're not familiar with the area.
Let me know when you head out, OK?
Or I'll be worrying about you.
OK.
That's enough. You can do that later.
Let's eat first.
I made you coffee.
Go ahead and eat first.
Come and join me.
Come on.
Your coffee's getting cold.
You know... on my way home last night
I ran into this weird procession.
They said they were holding a cleansing rite?
It's part of the funeral customs.
And then I noticed a woman in a red dress
following me.
I fainted and that's all I can remember.
A woman in red?
You must have been dreaming.
You were pretty drunk last night.
Gotta go. Stay home and be good.
Take care.
I will. Call me if you need anything.
Why is it clogged?
Ming-Yin.
Ming-Yin, I'm home.
I found this in the bathtub.
Looks like my ex-girlfriend's earring.
I got us some takeout. Come, eat.
Your ex-girlfriend?
That former colleague from the Taipei office?
Yeah, her dad was the boss
at my former law firm.
So she stayed over here before?
Well, she was my girlfriend
so yeah, she had stayed over before.
Just how many girlfriends did you have?
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...
Seven? That many?
Just yanking your chain.
It was just her and you, really.
You're much older than me.
No way you only had one girlfriend before me.
But it's true.
We broke up and then I met you.
So why did you break up?
The same reason most couples did.
We couldn't get along.
Don't worry.
You're the only woman in my life now.
Give me the earring.
—Why? —Just give it to me.
Are we good now?
I'm starving. Let's eat.
What?
Do you have protection?
We're married now. We don't need it anymore.
Why don't we have a baby?
I'm not ready for that.
You do know this is only 95% effective, right?
Be good.
95% is still better than nothing at all.
Here, let me check your throat.
Open your mouth a little wider.
OK, good.
There's nothing to worry about. She's fine.
But, Doctor...
she was running a high fever yesterday.
She was all listless and spaced-out.
You might want to go to an obstetrician.
From my experience, she could be pregnant.
I'm pregnant?
The hormonal fluctuations in early pregnancy
can bring about drastic mood swings.
I see.
But we've always used...
Doctor, we just moved back here.
We're new to the place.
Do you have a good obstetrician
you could recommend to us?
What did I tell you?
I said you could be pregnant, didn't I?
Don't underestimate the power of that 5%.
Ming-Yin.
Put your job search on hold, OK?
Stay home and rest.
Be a happy mother-to-be.
You don't need to do anything else.
What's wrong?
What's the matter?
We're having a baby.
I thought you'd be more excited.
I guess I'm still feeling a little unwell.
Really?
Oh, right. The obstetrician did mention that
in the early stages of pregnancy
you'll be experiencing a lot of
physical and emotional changes.
How about this?
Let me draw you a hot bath.
You can take a nice, relaxing soak.
Wait here.
Didn't we agree to abort the baby?
But I'm scared.
We're still in school, we don't have jobs.
We can't afford to raise a kid.
Are you here yet?
It's almost my turn.
Ms Chien Ming-Yin, it's your turn.
I'll take your bag.
Hello, Ms Chien. I'm your attending doctor.
Relax, there's no need to worry.
The procedure won't take more than 20 minutes.
I'll be putting you under general anaesthesia.
Count to ten and you'll fall asleep.
You may experience some pain
in the abdominal area after surgery.
Are you feeling better?
Why are you in your wedding gown?
You wanna get married again?
Hubby.
Why didn't you come when I killed myself?
Ming-Yin, what are you doing?
Why are you smiling like that?
Cut it out, will you?
Ming-Yin?
Ming-Yin...
Ming-Yin!
What's going on?
Why am I in my wedding gown?
Everything's fine. I'm here...
Be good, don't give Mummy any trouble.
I'm going to work.
I'm off.
Bye.
But we threw that away.
Why is it here?
This earring belonged to the deceased.
The procession you barged in on the other night
was held for her.
Get me some talismans.
OK.
A lady from out of town came here last week.
She hanged herself, dressed in red.
Her mother came all the way from Taipei
to see me.
She said her daughter called her
before she died.
Her daughter said
she was going to kill herself
in her ex-husband's house.
Her ex-husband?
Her mother said
she got divorced about half a year ago.
(Incantation)
Master, do you know her ex-husband's name?
Please, Master... you have to help me.
I don't know why this is happening to me
but... I-I'm pregnant.
I have to keep me and my baby safe.
Here, take this. This is a Five Thunder pendant.
It'll protect you and your baby
by warding off evil.
Take these talismans.
Now listen closely.
Paste a talisman on every door and window.
I'll perform a cleansing rite for you
but until I do, bear in mind that
she is extremely angry and vicious.
Once you get home
stay in the house and don't go out.
Thank you, Master.
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
Ming-Yin?
Ming-Yin?
I'm back.
Look what I've bought.
Loads of toys.
Check out this robot.
It was such a bargain.
Will it be a boy or a girl? What do you think?
I'm thinking it's a boy.
What are these?
What's with the talismans?
Even in the kitchen too.
What are these for?
That cleansing rite on our wedding day...
you knew whom it was for, didn't you?
What?
What are you talking about?
Your ex-wife.
Didn't you know?
What ex-wife?
Who did you hear this from?
What a load of rubbish.
I went to see a Taoist master today.
He told me that earring belonged to her.
That earring?
Those earrings are sold everywhere.
Don't be paranoid.
Did you have anything to do with her suicide?
So this is your childhood home?
Need any help with it?
She's the reason you want a divorce, isn't it?
Don't you forget I'm the one
who gave you everything you have!
Why did you lie to me?
Why didn't you tell me about your ex-wife?
You want me gone?
I'll go.
I'll go right now, before your eyes!
Not this again.
Why are you leaving me?
I'm not. Give me the knife.
—No... —Give it to me.
You said you want me gone!
—Give it to me! —You said you want me gone!
—Give it to me! —You said you want me gone!
Cut it out!
I said, cut it out!
You said you want me gone!
Can you please stop being crazy?
Please, just let me go!
I'm never letting you go. I love you so much.
She was crazy.
She killed herself the day before our wedding.
I didn't tell you because I was so scared.
I...
It's not my fault.
It really isn't my fault!
So it's my fault then?
I'm sorry.
I find out I'm a homewrecker
after I'm pregnant with your child!
—How could you? —I'm sorry.
I want a divorce.
Ming-Yin, don't go.
—Why did you lie to me? —Don't go.
—Why did you lie to me? —I didn't mean to!
How could you do this to me?
Because I love you!
And that makes it OK to lie to me?
You make me sick.
You wouldn't want our child
to grow up fatherless, would you?
I'm sorry.
Please give me a chance.
Let's start over, please?
I'm sorry...
I'm sorry...
How could you do this to me?
Why did you lie to me?
Don't you forget I'm the one
who gave you everything you have!
You bastard!
You cheating bastard!
Ming-Yin...
Shameless bastard!
You shameless bastard!
Bastard!
Ming-Yin...
Bring me the holy staff!
Ming-Yin!
Ming-Yin, please wake up.
I'll go get help.
(Incantation)
I'm sorry...
I know you're angry.
I know you feel so wronged.
But I begging you...
please don't hurt us.
I love you so much. Please don't ignore me.
How could you be so cruel?
You can tell me what I've done wrong.
Please answer my calls.
I have something to tell you.
Wait here for me.
—Hello. —Hello.
How may I help you?
I'm looking for Master.
Oh. May I ask what this is about?
Here's the thing.
A while back, he performed
a cleansing rite for my late daughter.
But recently, I found this
among my daughter's clothes
so I came all this way from Taipei.
My daughter was pregnant
when she killed herself.
Do we need to perform a cleansing rite
for the unborn child too?
Feeling sleepy, huh?
Your tummy's full and now you're sleepy?
All right... good boy.
Hi.
It's been a while.
How are you?
Is your leg still bothering you?
Yeah, and god knows why.
The doctors couldn't figure out what's wrong.
I've brought the divorce papers.
Won't you reconsider?
Give me another chance.
So our son can have a family that's whole.
OK. Let's go to our room and get some sleep.
Good boy.
Back to our room.
May I come by to visit him?
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
Hey Chef, this is so bizarre.
We're having a wedding here
while they're holding
a cleansing rite for the dead next door.
The wedding date was fixed way back.
—Chef, hurry up with the food. —Coming.
Set off the firecrackers now.
Time to set off!
In Taiwan, cleansing rites are held
for those who died by hanging.
Deities are summoned
to escort the dead out to sea
and dispose of the noose used in the hanging.
Should there be any interruption to
or intrusion on the ritual procession
the dead will not be able to rest in peace.
Come on, hubby! You got this!
—Wait, I've got this! —Five, four, three...
—Hurry, hubby! —Two... one!
—Time's up! —Come here...
—Sorry, may I? —Come on...
Let's not do this. It's gross.
No, it's not. It's your wife's high heels.
Time for their nuptial toast!
Toast... toast!
Here, Ming-Yin. Shawn.
But this is so gross.
I'll drink for her, OK?
No way, one drink each
for a long-lasting marriage.
It's OK. I'll drink it.
—All right, Ming-Yin! —Are you sure?
You go, girl.
Come on now...
drink up!
Yeah! Bravo!
Well done!
Are you OK?
Uncle!
How much did he drink?
What's the matter, Uncle?
My nephew here...
he was in Taipei for almost 20 years
carving out a career for himself.
Now he's finally home with a lovely wife in tow
He's all grown-up now.
He doesn't care that they're holding
a cleansing rite next door.
He's going ahead with the wedding anyway!
He's the man!
Why don't you go to bed?
What is this cleansing rite he was saying?
Nothing, just some traditional custom.
I'm not drunk!
—Uncle! —Let go of me!
—Are you OK? —I'm fine...
What are you doing, Uncle?
He's bleeding.
What's going on?
Sit down, Uncle.
Anyone with tissue paper?
Sit down...
Sit down.
Just sit down first.
Let me take a look. Are you OK?
Why are you sitting there?
Tissue... does anyone have tissue paper?
Here.
Anyone sober enough to drive?
OK, go bring the car around. Hurry.
Ming-Yin.
Uncle has a bad nosebleed.
We're taking him to the hospital.
He's bleeding? That sounds bad.
You better hurry then.
He's such a pain!
Don't worry about me. Just go.
Stay here, don't go anywhere.
—I'll be fine. —Wait here for me...
Come on... let's go.
—Come on, Uncle. —On your feet, Uncle
—Let's go. —Come on, Uncle.
Who's coming with me?
—Me. —OK.
It's not that far away.
Halt!
Who are you?
Don't you know we're holding a cleansing rite
and everyone has to stay away?
What cleansing rite?
I'm not from around here.
I'm just trying to make my way home.
Stand down.
You have barged into our procession
and now you're not allowed to leave.
You must stay for the entire ritual
or you will be cursed.
What?
Never mind, I'll just go a different way.
Stay! Or you'll be cursed.
That's odd.
No!
Ming-Yin, will you open the door, please?
Are you OK in there? Open up.
Ming-Yin!
I...
I'm fine.
How did I get here?
You were drunk.
What was wrong with you?
Why did you leave without waiting for me?
I got back and you were nowhere to be found.
You didn't pick up my calls either.
Do you know you were found
passed out drunk on the streets?
I had to carry you home.
Once we got home, you got really agitated
and took off your wedding gown.
You locked yourself in the bathroom
saying you wanted a bath.
I-I'm fine. I'll be out soon.
Come out soon.
(Incantation)
Ming-Yin?
Zhongxin Dry Cleaners
Be right back
This is the place.
Hello?
There's no number to call.
You broke a taboo barging into
the ritual procession and walking away.
Now the negative energy has latched on to you.
You need to neutralise it
before it brings you harm.
What nonsense.
Why won't it open?
Hey, where did you go so early in the morning?
Did you just wake up?
I've been up for a while.
There are wine stains on the wedding gown.
I wanted to send it to the dry cleaners
while you were still asleep
but the shop wasn't open.
You should have woken me up
instead of lugging the gown around by yourself.
Is oyster pancake a popular breakfast food
around here?
I saw a long queue for it on my way back.
Eat while it's still hot.
I ate this all the time when I was little.
This is so sweet of you.
Standing in line to get me oyster pancakes.
Aren't you going to have some too?
What are you so busy with?
The bridal shop wants the wedding gown back.
I have to hurry and get the stains out.
Is it that urgent?
Ming-Yin, you just moved here.
You're not familiar with the area.
Let me know when you head out, OK?
Or I'll be worrying about you.
OK.
That's enough. You can do that later.
Let's eat first.
I made you coffee.
Go ahead and eat first.
Come and join me.
Come on.
Your coffee's getting cold.
You know... on my way home last night
I ran into this weird procession.
They said they were holding a cleansing rite?
It's part of the funeral customs.
And then I noticed a woman in a red dress
following me.
I fainted and that's all I can remember.
A woman in red?
You must have been dreaming.
You were pretty drunk last night.
Gotta go. Stay home and be good.
Take care.
I will. Call me if you need anything.
Why is it clogged?
Ming-Yin.
Ming-Yin, I'm home.
I found this in the bathtub.
Looks like my ex-girlfriend's earring.
I got us some takeout. Come, eat.
Your ex-girlfriend?
That former colleague from the Taipei office?
Yeah, her dad was the boss
at my former law firm.
So she stayed over here before?
Well, she was my girlfriend
so yeah, she had stayed over before.
Just how many girlfriends did you have?
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...
Seven? That many?
Just yanking your chain.
It was just her and you, really.
You're much older than me.
No way you only had one girlfriend before me.
But it's true.
We broke up and then I met you.
So why did you break up?
The same reason most couples did.
We couldn't get along.
Don't worry.
You're the only woman in my life now.
Give me the earring.
—Why? —Just give it to me.
Are we good now?
I'm starving. Let's eat.
What?
Do you have protection?
We're married now. We don't need it anymore.
Why don't we have a baby?
I'm not ready for that.
You do know this is only 95% effective, right?
Be good.
95% is still better than nothing at all.
Here, let me check your throat.
Open your mouth a little wider.
OK, good.
There's nothing to worry about. She's fine.
But, Doctor...
she was running a high fever yesterday.
She was all listless and spaced-out.
You might want to go to an obstetrician.
From my experience, she could be pregnant.
I'm pregnant?
The hormonal fluctuations in early pregnancy
can bring about drastic mood swings.
I see.
But we've always used...
Doctor, we just moved back here.
We're new to the place.
Do you have a good obstetrician
you could recommend to us?
What did I tell you?
I said you could be pregnant, didn't I?
Don't underestimate the power of that 5%.
Ming-Yin.
Put your job search on hold, OK?
Stay home and rest.
Be a happy mother-to-be.
You don't need to do anything else.
What's wrong?
What's the matter?
We're having a baby.
I thought you'd be more excited.
I guess I'm still feeling a little unwell.
Really?
Oh, right. The obstetrician did mention that
in the early stages of pregnancy
you'll be experiencing a lot of
physical and emotional changes.
How about this?
Let me draw you a hot bath.
You can take a nice, relaxing soak.
Wait here.
Didn't we agree to abort the baby?
But I'm scared.
We're still in school, we don't have jobs.
We can't afford to raise a kid.
Are you here yet?
It's almost my turn.
Ms Chien Ming-Yin, it's your turn.
I'll take your bag.
Hello, Ms Chien. I'm your attending doctor.
Relax, there's no need to worry.
The procedure won't take more than 20 minutes.
I'll be putting you under general anaesthesia.
Count to ten and you'll fall asleep.
You may experience some pain
in the abdominal area after surgery.
Are you feeling better?
Why are you in your wedding gown?
You wanna get married again?
Hubby.
Why didn't you come when I killed myself?
Ming-Yin, what are you doing?
Why are you smiling like that?
Cut it out, will you?
Ming-Yin?
Ming-Yin...
Ming-Yin!
What's going on?
Why am I in my wedding gown?
Everything's fine. I'm here...
Be good, don't give Mummy any trouble.
I'm going to work.
I'm off.
Bye.
But we threw that away.
Why is it here?
This earring belonged to the deceased.
The procession you barged in on the other night
was held for her.
Get me some talismans.
OK.
A lady from out of town came here last week.
She hanged herself, dressed in red.
Her mother came all the way from Taipei
to see me.
She said her daughter called her
before she died.
Her daughter said
she was going to kill herself
in her ex-husband's house.
Her ex-husband?
Her mother said
she got divorced about half a year ago.
(Incantation)
Master, do you know her ex-husband's name?
Please, Master... you have to help me.
I don't know why this is happening to me
but... I-I'm pregnant.
I have to keep me and my baby safe.
Here, take this. This is a Five Thunder pendant.
It'll protect you and your baby
by warding off evil.
Take these talismans.
Now listen closely.
Paste a talisman on every door and window.
I'll perform a cleansing rite for you
but until I do, bear in mind that
she is extremely angry and vicious.
Once you get home
stay in the house and don't go out.
Thank you, Master.
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
(Incantation)
Ming-Yin?
Ming-Yin?
I'm back.
Look what I've bought.
Loads of toys.
Check out this robot.
It was such a bargain.
Will it be a boy or a girl? What do you think?
I'm thinking it's a boy.
What are these?
What's with the talismans?
Even in the kitchen too.
What are these for?
That cleansing rite on our wedding day...
you knew whom it was for, didn't you?
What?
What are you talking about?
Your ex-wife.
Didn't you know?
What ex-wife?
Who did you hear this from?
What a load of rubbish.
I went to see a Taoist master today.
He told me that earring belonged to her.
That earring?
Those earrings are sold everywhere.
Don't be paranoid.
Did you have anything to do with her suicide?
So this is your childhood home?
Need any help with it?
She's the reason you want a divorce, isn't it?
Don't you forget I'm the one
who gave you everything you have!
Why did you lie to me?
Why didn't you tell me about your ex-wife?
You want me gone?
I'll go.
I'll go right now, before your eyes!
Not this again.
Why are you leaving me?
I'm not. Give me the knife.
—No... —Give it to me.
You said you want me gone!
—Give it to me! —You said you want me gone!
—Give it to me! —You said you want me gone!
Cut it out!
I said, cut it out!
You said you want me gone!
Can you please stop being crazy?
Please, just let me go!
I'm never letting you go. I love you so much.
She was crazy.
She killed herself the day before our wedding.
I didn't tell you because I was so scared.
I...
It's not my fault.
It really isn't my fault!
So it's my fault then?
I'm sorry.
I find out I'm a homewrecker
after I'm pregnant with your child!
—How could you? —I'm sorry.
I want a divorce.
Ming-Yin, don't go.
—Why did you lie to me? —Don't go.
—Why did you lie to me? —I didn't mean to!
How could you do this to me?
Because I love you!
And that makes it OK to lie to me?
You make me sick.
You wouldn't want our child
to grow up fatherless, would you?
I'm sorry.
Please give me a chance.
Let's start over, please?
I'm sorry...
I'm sorry...
How could you do this to me?
Why did you lie to me?
Don't you forget I'm the one
who gave you everything you have!
You bastard!
You cheating bastard!
Ming-Yin...
Shameless bastard!
You shameless bastard!
Bastard!
Ming-Yin...
Bring me the holy staff!
Ming-Yin!
Ming-Yin, please wake up.
I'll go get help.
(Incantation)
I'm sorry...
I know you're angry.
I know you feel so wronged.
But I begging you...
please don't hurt us.
I love you so much. Please don't ignore me.
How could you be so cruel?
You can tell me what I've done wrong.
Please answer my calls.
I have something to tell you.
Wait here for me.
—Hello. —Hello.
How may I help you?
I'm looking for Master.
Oh. May I ask what this is about?
Here's the thing.
A while back, he performed
a cleansing rite for my late daughter.
But recently, I found this
among my daughter's clothes
so I came all this way from Taipei.
My daughter was pregnant
when she killed herself.
Do we need to perform a cleansing rite
for the unborn child too?
Feeling sleepy, huh?
Your tummy's full and now you're sleepy?
All right... good boy.
Hi.
It's been a while.
How are you?
Is your leg still bothering you?
Yeah, and god knows why.
The doctors couldn't figure out what's wrong.
I've brought the divorce papers.
Won't you reconsider?
Give me another chance.
So our son can have a family that's whole.
OK. Let's go to our room and get some sleep.
Good boy.
Back to our room.
May I come by to visit him?