The Harmonium in My Memory
Boiled eggs, dried squids
How much?
There you go, Thank you.
Boiled eggs.
Pumpkin candy.
I collect empty bottles.
I take rubber moccasins.
Ullungdo pumpkin candy.
Hey you! Stop!
I said stop!
Dare you! You're messing me up!
Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top
Stop crying!
Hey! You can play like that
with the baby crying?
Get away!
Come to mama. Come sweetie.
You done boiled the laundry, girl?
I've...
Hey! Where ya going?
Ouch!
Get off!
Oh my lord!
Oh no!
Wretched girl!
I'll be sure to break your legs!
Sir, we're here.
Thank you, sir.
Pardon me, Miss!
May I ask you something?
I'm trying to find
Sanri Elementary School...
Pardon me, Miss... Pardon me...
Damn girl! What cha looking at?
Talk about nerves!
Get up and hold onto this!
You act like you've never been fed!
When was I ever fed right?
How dare you complain like that?
Oh, my back!
Ma, you ok?
You trying to kill me girl?
Get up and eat your dinner!
Here, here. Drink some water.
Ay, you wretched girl.
This is Mr. Choi,
he's in charge of 6-2 class.
Nice to meet ya!
You're gonna break
some hearts in Sanri, ain'tcha?
Meet Mr. Cho, Myungkoo,
He's in charge of moral training.
How're ya! Nice to finally meet
a fellow bachelor.
And this is Sanri's one and only,
Miss Yoo, Haeri.
She's in charge of
the 4th grade 4-1 class.
A bachelor worthy of the title.
Welcome to Sanri!
Mr. Yang, Poongjoo,
in charge of General Affairs.
Ay, nice to meet you.
Please fill out these forms...
I need a copy of your
birth certificate, diploma...
huh?
Here, let me...
Thanks.
My name's Yang, Eunhee,
Nice to meet you.
K-Kang, Suha. Good to meet you.
Have you two found places to stay?
Quiet, bright,
the best room in this house.
This is the only room you've got.
Great! I'll take it.
Wonderful. You must be starving!
Go on and wash up!
First job after Teaching School,
so how old are you?
Twenty-one.
Why do you ask?
It's like seeing me,
only ten years younger.
Living in this poor village...
It's boring a single old man
like me to death here
Why are you still single?
It takes two to tie the knot.
I'm sure you'll meet someone...
What?
What's the use?
You don't have a turntable!
I've got some root wine,
let's have a drink.
Good morning.
What's with you two?
Go on, get going...
Good morning.
Kangjoo,
please walk Nanhee to school.
The most important thing is
to respect your elders.
Respecting your parents
and following the rules...
Who the hell!
So happy I'm not your
class teacher anymore, huh?
We'll see about that next year.
What you laughing at?
Fuck! You little punks!
Attention! Bow!
Good Morning!
Listen, students.
She still thinks
I'm her class teacher.
Go over there and have a seat.
Before we begin...
Quiet.
Quiet!
Who's baby is that?
Young lady, I'm speaking to you?
It's my baby brother,
we don't have a babysitter.
Before we begin everyone...
Kangjoo!
Granddaddy's got your lunch box.
Where'd she go?
Sir, I'm Kangjoo's class teacher.
Oh, teacher sir.
What a fine job you're doing here.
She quarrel with her mama
and didn't have breakfast.
Granpa, I ain't hungry!
Go home!
Kangjoo! Get over here and take it.
Scholastic achievement
is not everything.
You all have different
features and different talents.
Scholastic success
is only one of thousands of gifts.
What I want from you
is to value your...
You bastard.
Fuck you asshole.
Hey, let go of me, dickwad!
Hey you two!
Stop that this instant!
You son-of-a-bitch! Let go!
Ooh, look!
You had to go poop now!
You guys stop it!
He's got the stick!
Stop it, stop it, stop it!
Jesus, Christ!
Damn lowlifes!
This isn't your living room!
You spare the rod
and the kid goes rotten.
You have to kick some asses
if you want peace.
Treat them like people.
Force may not be necessary.
That's theoretically correct,
theoretically.
You have to punish one
and show them what you can do.
They won't mess with you
after that. Isn't that right?
Hey, they're getting away.
Stop right there!
Hongyeon! Let's play!
I'm too old for
you runny nose babies!
A belated welcome.
I'm Dootae's dad.
Please come on in!
Thank you. Here you go.
How's my Dootae?
I hate to brag, but he's a winner.
Yeah.
If I can be of any assistance.
Please let me know.
Talk about needing assistance.
Such an ancient Auditorium,
this an age for
reconstruction, right?
There isn't much,
but please help yourself!
Mr. Chung, huh, huh?
What in God's name are you doing?
Got your monthlies?
Ow.
An official welcome song
to the new teachers of Sanri!
"The young girl by blossom
pond has run away to Seoul.
She done thrown away
her bucket and hoe..."
Hongyeon,
mama's going to town for work.
Wretched girl.
What in heavens is going on here?
I wanted to teach them
that school is a fun place.
A place worth coming to...
The classroom is not a playground.
What about next month's
provincial placement exams?
I understand your intentions.
But you mustn't disturb
neighboring classes.
Oh, were we that loud?
No. I, I thought you were
having class outdoors.
I thought it was a chorus.
What? I thought it was an earthquake!
Uh oh, look who walked in.
Ouch!
Are your their class teacher?
Yes? Please have a seat.
Aren't you Hong... dan?
Oh, right.
Uh, hmm, uh...
Huh?
My name's Hongyeon, not Hongdan.
Yoon, Hongyeon.
Oh right! Sorry, I haven't
learned all your names yet.
That's all right. I understand.
Good.
What are you still doing here?
Ah, I left my lunchbox here.
I see. Well, go home now.
Oh, Mr. Kang!
Please, let me.
Oh, that's Ok
It's Saturday.
Why are you still here?
What about you?
I wanted to correct some
compositions with the kids.
These 5th graders have
the grammar skills of 1st graders.
Many of their parents
are illiterate themselves.
I heard most of these kids end
their studies after 6th grade.
To be practically
illiterate would be a shame.
It doesn't seem like
the rain's going to stop.
Mr. Kang, do you have an umbrella?
I wanted to major in music,
but my parents disagree.
So, I settled for just
listening to a lot of it.
Have I been babbling on about me?
No, I like music too.
But here is far from town.
It's hard to buy new records.
I have some LPs.
We could swap from time to time.
Mr. Kang, you're twenty-one, right?
Yeah...
What an age to be.
Why do you think you're too old?
Not yet but
I'm already twenty-five.
Twenty-five is a
ripe age for a woman.
We're already here.
My place is this way.
I'll walk you home.
No, that's Ok It's just right here.
It's raining too hard.
You'll catch something...
Miss Yang, here take this umbrella...
No just share it with me next time.
Of course... yeah!
The LP... the LP?
Hey, stop fooling around.
Hurry up!
Where has she gone?
Hi ya.
Sir, does this work?
Everything I fix works like a charm.
More like a scream!
Teacher!
Nanhee! You live here?
Uh huh.
Ooh... how pretty.
Now, where's the newspaper...
Oh, Mr. Cho
Yes...
Could you please help me here?
Yes, ma'am...
Oh, Mr. Cho.
Hold on a sec.
Journal Time
Class, I got a look at
your compositions.
Everyone works hard but still
have many mistakes.
So I got this idea.
You will have a chance
to write in your journals everyday.
Aahh, come on!
Do you want to be someone who
can't even write a decent letter?
No-o-o!
Then, you must listen to what I say.
Now, now, settle down. You must
write in your journals everyday.
Don't wait until the last minute.
OK?
Yes, teacher!
If you do this well,
I will tell you stories about
Seoul and other fairy tales.
Tell us now!
OK, I'll tell you about
the young man that got married...
Once upon a time...
I experienced
a dramatic story in Seoul...
The full moon
always makes me so sad.
I wonder if teacher's
looking at the same moon?
What's with you girl?
Actually doing homework!
Ay, Suha just put
your laundry in the hamper!
No, that's OK, I've got it.
Oh no. What if your students
see you? Go on in.
It's all right. I can do it.
For heaven's sake,
go for a walk to town or something.
Let me help you for this
Teacher told
a really good story today.
He's such a good storyteller...
Our teacher is so generous.
Other classes are jealous
as their teachers are monsters.
I can't wait until tomorrow,
the night is too long.
Good morning.
Hello.
Hello, Miss Yang.
Good morning.
"They drift like snowflakes...
smell the scent of flowers
look at each other and smile"
Teacher pinched my arm today.
I was surprised to red.
I felt so strange walking home.
Why did he pinch me?
What does it mean?
I can't understand.
"Three times eight is twenty-four,
three times nine is twenty-seven..."
Excuse me.
Mr. Kang!
Have you seen Miss Yang's class?
Miss Yang!
Come over here! Miss Yang!
All the other students
are busy cleaning,
Why's your class getting haircuts?
We've finished our
spring cleaning, sir.
You haven't waxed the floors,
they must shine!
It's clean.
Why does it need to shine?
The school inspector
will be here tomorrow!
Is he coming to inspect the floors?
No, that's just common courtesy.
Mr. Choi, I'll take full
responsibility with
regards to the floor.
Now if you'll excuse me,
I've got hair to cut.
Wait a second! Miss Yang!
That pigheaded little...
Mr. Kang! Mr. Kang!
Are you waiting for someone?
Teacher, why did you pinch me?
I can't forget it.
I think about it when I study,
when I walk home.
teacher, what did it mean?
Please tell me.
I think and I think and
I can't figure it out.
Mommy, mommy!
Why you despicable girl!
Subtract twenty-three wons,
add ninety-four wons...
Hongyeon, are you feeling all right?
I'm fine.
It's fine for a boy to
pee from the living room.
Why do boys get all the break.
I hate boys.
I really do.
But ma only takes
his side because he's a boy.
Anyhow, I feel better now
that I pinched him real hard.
I hate our rooster.
The hen lays the egg and
he crows like he did all the work.
I hate him...
School's no fun.
I'm sick of my friends.
What's the point with
school or graduating?
Mongdol, didn't you bring any lunch?
Here have mine.
Something I ate for breakfast...
I'm not very hungry.
Here have it.
Yoon, Hongyeon!
Answer me when I call you!
Yes
Why aren't you eating?
I'm not hungry
You should eat something.
I'm all right.
Hongyeon
Mr. Kang!
Here you are!
I've been looking for you.
Go on home...
Aren't you sick
of boardinghouse food?
I brought some side dishes,
please try some.
No, I'm fine.
The kids are cleaning themselves
before physical exams!
When I think of Mongdol last year,
I still lose my appetite.
Raise your head. Come on kid, go.
Clean under your fingernails!
What are these, your toenails?
You eat 3 times a day
not even a toothbrushing?
Mongdol!
When was your last shower?
Where's Hongyeon?
Hongyeon?
You're maturing into a woman!
Yes, just a minute.
Miss Yang!
What is it?
Uhh...
We're here to take the class'
stool samples!
Go ahead!
I listened to the LP you lent me.
Connie Francis, "My Heart Has
a Mind of Its Own" is good.
I asked a friend of mine
to send it to me.
He is helpful. Well,
I'll lend it to you when I get it.
Thanks.
No, I should thank you. Hahaha.
"elp"..."elp"...
I can't do it. It's not coming out!
Try harder. Or else,
a week of bathroom cleaning!
What about you?
It's not coming out because
I went this morning.
Does anyone live near Hongyeon?
Did Hongyeon tell you
she would miss school today?
Oh, did everyone bring
a stool sample?
What's going on?
Teacher, it's Nanhee!
What's wrong?
Hongyeon's absent again!
Teacher, Hongyeon's not coming
to school ever.
Why, what's wrong with her?
I don't know.
She just doesn't want to she said.
What's she doing then?
Just laying on her stomach all day.
Why, is she sick?
What's she doing?
Nothin'. She just lies there like a frog.
She's just playing hooky.
How much further?
We're almost there.
Yoon, Hongyeon, Teacher's here!
Ay, Teacher!
What brings you all the way here.
I don't know what's got
into that girl.
Why won't she go to school.
She drove me crazy!
Ma'am, where is she?
She was here.
Where is this wretched girl?
She's hiding in the back.
What are you doing there?
Hongyeon, why've you been absent?
Why're you behaving like that?
OK, kids. Go on home now.
Ma'am, could I talk
to her alone, please?
Sure, sure!
Mr. Kang, if she don't listen
to you, just beat her...
Hongyeon!
Hongyeon
Hongyeon, look at me.
I came all the way here
and you won't talk to me.
Didn't you hear your mother
telling me to beat you?
But I would never hit you...
Hongyeon?
But you must come to school.
I was worried about you.
I thought you were sick.
Even in an accident.
Well, I'll expect you
in school tomorrow.
It's not the same without...
Wow, these cherries sure are ripe.
"My heart is beating,
you're the one who knows"
Some girl student of yours
left them here
I asked her name and her grade
but she didn't answer.
A big girl I might add.
"Come closer..."
Thanks for the cherries.
Here, let me help you!
No, I've got it.
It's too heavy for you!
No, I'm Ok
Come on, let's go.
I can carry it.
Someone will see us!
So what?
No.
You go ahead.
Geez!
Ladies and Gentlemen
Prepare yourselves
for the time of your lives!
"We're not fake medicine men,
we don't ruin your white skin
with poisonous potions,
we give you laughter and tears..."
My prince, how can we forget
our parents' war by running away?
Who's there?
Is that you, Hongyeon?
Hello!
What are you doing there?
Are you here to see the play?
Aren't you scared?
Sitting here alone...
Hongyeon?
I'm not scared.
Really? Have a seat.
That sure is a full moon!
Hongyeon,
were you waiting for someone?
No?
Why are you laughing?
You're so foolish!
Darn mosquito...
You scared me! It's just...
a mosquito!
That's one big mosquito!
Serves you right!
What, serves me right?
All right, let's get going.
I'm tired.
Stop moping around
and go see the play or go home.
I'm gonna turn in.
"Go Blue Team. Go White Team."
Ready
"Run with mom"
"Run with Mr. Choi"
Good Hongyeon!
Why you...
"Run with Principal Hwang"
Oh, Mr. Kang!
Miss Yang, what are you doing
here on a Sunday?
It's my turn for weekend duty.
What are you doing here?
Well, that is...
Here it is!
I was just getting into the plot.
"School Administration"
I'd left it here.
What's so interesting
about that book?
It's got its virtues.
It's quite interesting.
Actually, I wrote a song.
One more song...
Uh... Mr. Kang...
Miss Yang. I just...
"They hugged, they hugged,
he hugged from behind"
"Kang, Suha + Yang, Eunhee = baby"
What if he really did hug her?
If he did, he's a fool.
I don't ever want
to see that fool again.
Doesn't he know she's older,
she's an old maid?
Isn't it too heavy?
She's supposed to be 25.
But she looks much older.
She's probably seven years
older than him.
How could he hug such an
old woman like her.
He's a fool. An idiot...
She seems to wear
too much lipstick.
She seems to wear
more powder these days.
I guess turning thirty
does that to you.
Well make-up can't make up
for old age.
Try to look younger to a man
ten years younger than her?
She think she can marry
a man ten years younger?
She should marry someone older.
He should know he can't marry
such an old woman.
Everytime I see her fake
made-up face, I feel terrible.
Why'd she have
to come to our school.
Why isn't she married.
I hate her...
Mija, did you take my shoes.
Are these it?
Do you know
how expensive they were?
Hey let me try.
Here, let me, let me!
Hey, give me that!
Do you guys know what this is?
Mr. Kang, come here.
Isn't this yours?
They totally destroyed it.
Totally!
I swear, it wasn't us.
What? You little rascals...
I saw you with my own eyes.
You liars!
We swear! We just picked it up
from the ground!
Why you lying little punks!
Oh my. I'm so sorry!
I should have given it back
to you sooner.
This LP was for you...
It's my fault for not
disciplining them!
No, that's not it!
I shouldn't have just
left it there... I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Don't eat!
Stop eating them!
There isn't enough for lunch.
Girl, they're hungry too!
Take your shoes off,
this room isn't the playing field.
They're new.
Do you want lunch or not?
Ma...
Don't you think
rice-rolls aren't enough?
You're not the only one
packing your teacher lunch?
How 'bout one of our chickens!
What?
What is it a picnic or a
presidential dinner?
I wanted to wash my face...
I didn't know you were here
Mr. Kang?
Yes?
About the record...
I told you it was ok.
Don't worry about it...
You've really cooked
a live chicken before?
My family's been running a
restaurant for over 10 years.
Piece of cake.
Miss Yang? There is an odd rumor
going around.
Have you heard?
About us.
That we're going out
Have you heard?
Yes, I have.
I'm OK with it but I'm worried
about your reputation...
There's even graffiti
in the bathrooms.
I know, I've seen them.
What should we do?
It's just rumor amongst kids.
Don't worry.
Well... yes, I know that.
Wow, it's hot.
Go ahead...
Well, actually...
Over there!
Isn't that Hongyeon? Oh, no!
Hongyeon!
That was close!
Weren't you scared?
The waves were really strong...
It's lucky I can swim.
Aren't you cold?
I'm fine.
Thank you for everything.
I love you more than life itself.
I truly love you Eunhee.
I fell in love you
the first time I saw you...
No! It's too obvious!
Good morning.
You look nice today.
Ay! All dressed up,
What you have a blind date today?
Miss Yang has resigned today
due to personal reasons.
She's leaving for San Francisco
with her fianc.
She's only been here a year.
About her students...
Ay, look at you! You stink.
Why are you so drunk?
Sorry, ma'am.
When I heard that Miss Yang
had quit, I was ecstatic.
I almost clapped out loud.
A woman should follow her husband.
I was so happy, I even enjoyed
cleaning the classroom.
I was overjoyed
It seems that Mr. Kang is upset.
He should be happy for Miss Yang.
Funny! She will be a great wife.
I wish her happiness.
What's with this girl.
Carrying on like this by herself!
Pass... Pass... Pass...
Yoon, Hongyeon... Fail!
Let me borrow it.
No!
What now?
It was a birthday present,
and he keeps asking for some.
You didn't bring any?
My mom said to borrow some.
Where're your crayons?
My older brother
took them to school.
Please share yours with him.
Yes.
All those who aren't prepared
raise your hands!
What do you need?
By any chance...
Oh, Mr. Kang, is that you?
Ahh, I told him to leave
again and again...
No closing remark today.
Bumho,
please come to the Faculty Room!
Are teachers here a bunch of punks.
Beating kids and ripping
their ears? What have you done?
Ma'am, please calm down.
It's not what you think.
Calm down? How dare you!
You hurt my kid and
you ask me to calm down?
You want to be crippled too?
Please ma'am, let me go,
there are kids here!
I'm gonna kill you!
You've met your match!
You can laugh about this?
She's ignorant. How can she
treat a teacher like that?
It's all my fault.
Uhh...
Sorry you had to get involved.
That's Ok
Well be careful, it's dark outside.
Uhh... Teacher...
Yeah?
What's an "elp"?
It's not "elp", it's called an LP,
music comes out form it.
Yeah.
This was broken.
I meant to throw it out...
ah, ah, only you
What are you singing?
You sound like a squealing pig!
Why don't you study?
You're gettin' on my nerves.
Hey, mister, hey mister.
Can she borrow it?
She'll give it back.
Good girl.
Where's the King of the Sea?
That's Dootae...
Where are the servants?
They were here a minute ago.
Good? Give it to me.
Stop fighting.
FIRE!
Teacher! I can't find Nanhee!
What are you talking about?
Nanhee, Nanhee...
No! Teacher!
Get out of the way. I'll be fine.
Where on earth were you?
I went poo-poo.
What?
Nanhee!
Are you trying
to get yourself killed?
Outta my way, boy!
It's my baby in there!
Sir, we're running out of water.
Hongyeon, no!
Bumsoo!
A teacher must continue learning
to teach his students.
We know more since we lived
a bit longer than them
Omnia, Amore, Vicit,
"Love Conquers All"...
I've held onto this belief
for the last 35 years
but the truth is I'm just
becoming a big talker.
Tomorrow's the start of
Spring break, aren't you excited?
Yes!
Today...
Today is our last day together,
aren't you glad?
No!
I hope you'll remember me
if we ever meet by chance.
YES!
Girls get shy and hide
when they see their old teacher.
No way!
Then you'll greet me even after
you all get married?
YES!
We'll see about that.
After you all get married
and old, we'll see about that.
You're really leaving?
That's so sad.
It's not much.
Just a train ticket to Seoul.
Oh, no, The rice is burning!
You're really leaving?
Maybe I'll become a farmer.
Hongyeon, I'm too inexperienced
to teach anyone.
I've got a lot to learn.
You do understand, right?
I'll always remember you.
Hongyeon
Teacher, don't leave.
Don't go! Don't go!
Where're you headed?
Into town to the
bus station for Seoul.
You're in luck! I'm headed
for Seoul. I'll give you a ride.
Teacher, this is from Hongyeon...
Are you going or not?
Teacher, don't go!
Teacher, don't go!
"Teacher, Teacher, Teacher,
Teacher, Teacher..."