What an honest organism.
What you get
is what you give it.
If it sees the sun, it blooms.
If it doesn't, it wilts.
Don't you agree, Ryeon?
You didn't call me here to show me some flowers.
It's about the current suicide risk case.
Lee Young-chun. Age 91. A senior citizen living alone.
What about it?
It seems you'll be working together with the Escort Team for this case.
His life is set to end tomorrow.
-What? -In most cases,
people wish to live longer the more they age.
So, why is the last decision in his life
to kill himself?
I guess after all these years
he has deep wounds that have yet to heal,
or regrets.
Yes, you're right.
As you've said, whatever that wound in his heart may be,
shouldn't he live to his designated lifespan?
So you want me to heal a wound that he wasn't able to heal in decades,
in one day?
At the very least, shouldn't you make him feel
that his life had meaning?
EPISODE 6: A SOUL BECOMES A STAR
What's taking Ms. Koo so long?
It'd be nice if she could ask the Director to give us more personnel.
No one's coming here.
I guess this team's way too intense.
This team feels like it's the outcast of Jumadeung.
I'm sure most people would prefer to work in the Escort Team,
where everyone has a fancy suit. Right?
Anyway, how long have you been working here at Jumadeung?
-Since the Joseon Dynasty. -Joseon Dynasty?
Ms. Koo's been here longer than you, so does that mean she's been here
since King Sejong or General Yi Sun-shin's time?
Do I look that old?
So how long have you…
Since the Qing Invasion of Joseon.
Qing Invasion of Joseon…
Enough with the chatter. I have something I need to say.
LEE YOUNG-CHUN, AGE 91
If he's going to pass away tomorrow,
what's the point of helping him find the meaning of life again?
What's certain is that we don't have much time.
I'm sure our task isn't just to keep him from committing suicide for a day.
Mr. Lim is right.
Get changed. We don't have much time.
Man.
I mean, do people still live in this neighborhood?
They must have left because of the redevelopment project.
How much farther?
It's that house.
Pull me, please.
Pull me.
What did I expect?
I don't think anyone lives here.
The bell doesn't work.
Is anyone home?
Do I have…
Good for you! I'm so jealous.
Is being dense your special ability?
My fingertips tingled though…
They really did…
Let's start by cleaning up a bit. And then we'll search.
Cleaning?
Just looking at clean spaces improves mental stability.
Especially if it's their home.
We'll need equipment if we're going to clean the place up.
I don't think there's a shop that sells them here,
so we'll need to go to another neighborhood.
It'll be more efficient to have one person go
rather than having everyone go together.
So, that person.
How should we pick that person?
-What a conundrum. -It is a conundrum.
I'll go.
Thank you.
Jeez!
They could have just told me to do it.
Why bother pressuring me like that?
-Mom. -Yes?
Why's that old man taking the trash?
It's because he didn't study hard.
You need to study hard if you don't want to end up like him, okay?
What a mean thing to say.
Sir.
Sir!
Where are you headed? I'll help you there.
No, thank you.
-Wait. -What?
LEE YOUNG-CHUN, AGE 91
Mr. Lee Young-chun?
Yes?
You must be busy at the district office.
Oh, not at all. I'm really not busy.
And I don't have anywhere else to use my energy.
But I feel bad for letting you do this…
You really don't need to.
I'm deceptively muscular under all this.
Is that so?
This neighborhood seems pretty lonely.
It used to bustle with people, but they all left.
Why didn't you go?
Me?
Well, they offered me a ridiculously small amount of compensation,
telling me I had to leave,
but I couldn't really move anywhere with that money.
And I've lived in this neighborhood my whole life.
Not to mention, I don't have that much time left anyway.
What?
There you are.
Hey, gramps!
I've been looking for you!
You really have a knack for being a nuisance, don't you?
You managed to walk here on those old bones, huh?
I told you to go live somewhere else.
Why won't you just listen?
Hey, I think you're being a bit rude.
Don't.
And who's this? Brought your grandson, did you?
You, take your grandpa somewhere else.
Do you know how much he's costing us?
He's just a young man who came to help me.
I understood, so please leave for the day.
Gramps.
-Hey! -No.
Gramps, we're not leaving until you do. Understand?
Would you look at that?
What's this?
No.
Why would a person who fought to save the country
be standing in the way when we're trying to develop it?
We need to clean up this crummy neighborhood
so that real estate prices can rise, and things can get nice.
So move, I'm telling you!
-No. -Jeez!
What are you going to do, gathering this stuff?
Think of how amazing you were when you were young.
Don't…
So why are you being such a nuisance now that you're old?
I'm sorry.
No, stop! Stop!
Sir!
Are you okay?
You bastard!
It's okay.
-Did you get into a fight? -Did you not fight back?
He was trying to help me…
It's not like it was just one person. How could I win against those thugs?
Then you shouldn't have attacked.
After what they did to Mr. Lee here, was I supposed to stand by and do nothing?
Don't you raise your voice at me when you didn't even win.
Excuse me, but who are you?
Are you from the district office too?
Are you Mr. Lee Young-chun?
Yes, that's me…
We're Grim Reapers.
What…
No, not me. Not yet. Just like half?
Mr. Lee Young-chun.
You will die tomorrow.
Are we just putting it out in the open just like that?
Telling people we're Grim Reapers?
Mr. Lee Young-chun doesn't have long to live.
I know, but…
He looks really healthy for his age.
It's the lifespan he's been designated.
Do you know how he's going to die?
The Escort Team said it'll be an acute illness.
He's a Korean War veteran.
How did you know that?
He had his Person of Distinguished Service to the State cap on.
So why is he here, alone?
I didn't see any family on the Red Light either.
Are you really…
a Grim Reaper?
Yes.
I am a Grim Reaper.
Maybe it's because I'm so close to my death,
but I feel this aura around you.
You really must be
Grim Reapers.
We are here
to save you.
Pardon?
You were preparing to kill yourself.
But you only have a day left to live.
If there's something you want,
anything you want to do or see,
we can do anything for you.
A few weeks ago,
I heard that
one of my neighbors was found dead, having died alone.
His body had decomposed to the point where there were only bones left.
When I heard about that,
it made me think.
I thought
I'd probably end up like that too.
Just waiting for the day I'd die, not knowing when that'll be,
is too terrifying.
So…
I was looking
for a way to depart this world quietly.
Don't you want to spend your last day in a meaningful way?
I've been meaning to die
after I have finished my work.
So I just want to live the day as I always have.
Where are you going?
I'm going to collect more paper waste
and go to the junkyard to sell it before the sun sets.
Since it'll be lonely on your own,
we'll be by your side
for your final tomorrow.
Sir.
Why don't you spend the day relaxing at home or going somewhere nice?
It's okay.
Since it's my last day, I want to soak everything in.
I guess
it's not a good day.
Everything must have been taken already.
The competition must be fierce.
There's probably some left around that corner.
What? Oh, dear.
He really is very energetic.
The problem is, he's too eager.
Is that so?
How lively.
What? Hey, sir!
Sir!
Sir, wait! Sir!
Come on, sir!
I mean…
Why would someone so young…
He's even got a car.
There's a bunch of people nowadays who do it as exercise
because they feel cooped up at home.
As exercise?
But for us old folk, it's how we make a living.
It's my own fault for getting old.
There.
Here's a bunch.
The others must have passed by and missed it.
But the smell…
Isn't this trash?
Trash?
This is precious to me.
Maybe it's because today is my last, but I'm having a very lucky day.
Leave it. We'll do it.
No.
No. I can't have you getting your hands dirty.
This isn't dirty at all.
I've seen people much filthier than this.
Still…
That's right, just tell us what to pick up. We'll get them all.
No, it's okay.
Thank you, Grim Reapers.
I'll take that.
Why, sir!
-You've got a big load today. -Yes.
-You must have been lucky today. -Yes, indeed.
Who are they?
They came to help me.
So that's how you brought so much!
Yes, I'm very grateful.
Oh, right.
I heard you're closing the junkyard soon.
Yes.
I wanted to hold on for as long as possible,
but those thugs kept threatening me.
I understand.
I'll be leaving soon too.
Are you moving somewhere?
Real estate prices are so high these days. It's hard to find a suitable place.
Don't worry.
I'm going to a good place.
That's great to hear.
I always feel bad that I can't give you more.
Wait, is this it? But we brought so much.
Check again, are you sure that's correct?
I'm really sorry.
What are you always so sorry for?
I know you give me the best you can.
You don't need to pay me today.
And here, I've been saving a little.
It's not much,
but please use it to buy your kids something nice to eat.
Sir, I can't do that.
I can't take your money.
You've worked so hard for this.
Take it.
When someone older gives you money, just accept it with a "thank you."
Here. I've wanted to give this to you for a while now,
but things were too tight.
I'll treat you to a nice dinner soon, sir.
Thank you…
for everything.
Thank you too, sir, for everything.
Take care of yourself, sir.
You too.
I'll do it.
Goodbye.
Maybe it's because this is my last sunset,
but something about it feels different today.
It's as if the painful memories of my past are drifting by.
Are you reluctant to go?
Maybe it's because it's the end.
I try not to
but I keep looking back over my life.
I keep regretting…
the choice I made that day.
If I had known my life would be this difficult,
I think perhaps I would have chosen differently.
Did you volunteer to fight in the war?
Yes.
I did.
YEAR 1950, DURING THE KOREAN WAR
ADVANCED KOREAN
Mother, I'll be back soon.
You don't have to pack so much.
I'm sorry this is all I can give you.
Don't go hungry, okay?
I'm sorry, Mother.
You don't even argue with your friends, so how is a kid like you
going to wield a gun and fight?
Don't go, Young-chun. Please.
How can I just stand by and watch when kids younger than me
are volunteering to protect the country?
No…
I'll be back soon.
My goodness…
Mother.
Let me bow to you.
Young-chun, my child.
You have to be careful.
The battlefield was more gruesome than I had thought.
Because no matter where I went, it reeked of death.
Young-chun, Young-chun!
Young-chun, get it together! Do you have a death wish?
Sorry, sir.
-Let's survive and eat dinner. -Yes, sir.
People kept dying like that,
so I couldn't get attached to anyone.
The only one I let myself get close to
was Dong-chil.
Dong-chil.
Is it good?
Yes, sir, it's delicious.
Aren't you going to eat it, sir?
You eat your fill.
I'm going to go home and eat the hot meal my mother will make for me.
I miss my mom.
Do you think we'll see them again?
Of course. We're going to survive and see them in the end.
We definitely will.
I told her I'd eat well and we'd meet again when I was taller.
Damn it, do you want your head blown off?
Sorry, sir.
Put your helmet on properly.
-Yes, sir. -This and this.
You need these intact when you see her again.
Don't you?
Yes, sir.
Eat.
Everyone, move out of the way!
Dong-chil.
Dong-chil!
Dong-chil. Dong-chil!
Dong-chil, wake up.
Wake up, Kim Dong-chil!
Medic!
Wake up, Dong-chil.
Medic!
Where's the medic?
Help.
Dong-chil.
Dong-chil. Are you okay?
It's me.
Sergeant Lee Young-chun.
It's all your fault.
Why did you save me? Why?
Why didn't you just let me die?
Dong-chil, get it together.
It's all your fault.
I'd rather die than live like this!
Get the hell away from me!
Don't ever show yourself in front of me again!
Dong-chil resented my decision
to save him.
Wait just a moment!
Mother…
When that godforsaken war was over,
I rushed to my home village.
But my mother wasn't there.
Why did I volunteer to fight?
Look how much time has passed.
I rambled on, didn't I?
I'm sorry.
No, not at all.
It's fine.
If you have anything more you want to say, go ahead.
It's been such a long time
since I've confided in someone like this.
It's nice.
I would like to have…
one final drink.
-Here, let me pour you a cup. -Thank you.
Pajeon would be perfect with makgeolli, but we don't have any.
Hold on, I'll be right back.
Choi Jun-woong.
Have you forgotten?
The fried chicken.
This tastes so bad.
It's so terrible it's making me cry.
The fried chicken…
Yes, right.
You're a good cook.
-It's tasty. -Please, have as much as you want.
Why don't you join me?
-Okay. -Thank you.
I thought
I'd die a lonely death by myself.
Thank you for not letting it be like that.
-Why don't you have a drink, sir? -Oh, yes.
Here you go, sir.
Seeing your face without a single wrinkle
makes me think that youth is good after all.
Sir, you're still handsome.
Am I?
Thank you.
But sir,
what did you do after the war?
It's no fun listening to an old man tell his story.
Still, you were around my age after the war.
I'm curious how you lived.
I went back to sitting at a desk to resume my studies.
No.
It wasn't easy, returning to everyday life
after being on a battlefield where horrific cries filled the air.
Hey, Mr. Lee. What's wrong?
Mr. Lee, snap out of it. What is it?
-Mr. Lee! -What's wrong?
Naturally, I began to lead a life where I lived from hand-to-mouth.
I did everything.
Whatever work I could get.
What did you do?
Do you know how much this is?
I'm sorry.
Take the broken ones away.
I'm not paying!
Who hired that half-wit?
I wasn't physically or mentally stable,
so I never even dreamed of marriage.
I couldn't do hard labor after I got older,
so I started gathering paper waste from the streets.
Of course,
today's my final day for that too.
Sir, where are you going?
No.
No, please sit. I'll be back soon.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked.
War is hard on Reapers too.
It's traumatic, escorting tens of thousands of people.
But you weren't on the Escort Team.
When something catastrophic like war happens and many people die,
Reapers from other departments assist the Escort Team.
It must have been hard for everyone.
What?
Look!
What are you doing here?
What were you thinking about?
I was jealous,
seeing that young man there.
If I'd been born in this age like him,
if that had been the case,
I thought perhaps
my life would have been a bit better.
I'm old without a single accomplishment.
I have nothing but regrets in my life.
My life was meaningless
and worthless.
You may call your life meaningless,
but there's something I want to show you.
What?
This is…
You can see
all of Seoul from here.
It looks different…
looking at it like this.
I don't know…
when the world changed so much.
It's beautiful.
It wouldn't exist had it not been for your choice.
If it hadn't been for you,
the today that people are living right now
would not exist.
The life you have lived is by no means meaningless
or worthless.
Take in this sight.
It's the country you protected.
It's been a long time since the pride I had for protecting my country
had crumbled over the life I had lost.
Thank you for saying what you did.
You don't need to thank me.
I've only told you the truth.
Sir!
Where are you, sir!
There you are.
Sir, I've found Mr. Dong-chil!
What?
Dong-chil. Dong-chil!
I put your photo on social media just in case.
A lot of people helped and spread the word.
I just heard from Mr. Dong-chil's grandson.
He lives in Busan and is in good health. Look.
How?
I mean, how is this possible?
Thank you for living a good life, Dong-chil.
He says thanks to you, he never lost courage.
Goodness.
It's all your fault.
Why did you save me? Why?
Why didn't you just let me die?
You wanted to go home!
You wanted to show your mom how you've grown!
What did we fight for?
What do you think your mother wants to see?
It's not your dead body!
It's you, alive!
Help.
Did I say that?
You see this number next to the heart?
This is how many people you've helped.
How did people…
They're showing their respect for you.
For the valor you showed in risking your life to fight in the war.
It's not because I wanted some big reward.
I just wanted people to recognize what I did.
That's why I wore this silly thing.
-What is it? -I'm surprised you're actually useful.
Then why don't you say some nice things and compliment me for once?
It's cold out. Take Mr. Lee in.
-What about you, ma'am? -I need to go somewhere.
Go in, sir.
Yes.
-Let's go, sir. -Okay.
Be careful.
Who's escorting Mr. Lee Young-chun?
Why should I tell you?
I would like for you
to escort him yourself.
Do you want to manage the Escort Team as well?
Why don't you stick to what you can do?
Instead of holding on to something you can't do.
I'm asking you for this favor.
Please, I'm hoping you'll escort Mr. Lee Young-chun
with the respect and honor he deserves.
Make Mr. Lee Young-chun's last moment a peaceful one.
I can't stand by and watch him pass away in pain.
Did you guys plan this?
-Pardon? -Mr. Park was just here.
No two things in this world are the same,
but when people look at something and feel the same thing,
that's quite something.
But no one can be special before death. Nor should they be special.
At least don't let his final passage in life be a lonely one.
You're expecting quite a lot.
I only want him to be treated with the bare minimum amount of respect.
It is not for you Reapers to judge people's lives.
-Ma'am. -That's enough.
I won't tolerate it anymore.
Mr. Lee Young-chun's life will be judged fairly.
So go.
Fairly?
Why does that sound to me like we're not doing something that we can?
You're supposed to empty the place, not bring more people in.
Do you want a fight? Is that it?
Come on, just go. Please.
Do you want to be beaten again?
Go inside, sir.
Stop making a scene. Let's talk it out.
And who's this?
What are you going to do if I don't want to?
-What are you going to do? -No, don't.
You shouldn't be acting like this to them.
Oh, for crying out loud!
-Are you okay, sir? -Yes, I'm fine.
The way that old geezer glared at me, I thought he had become young again.
I was almost scared.
You…
So, it's you guys?
You beat up our newbie.
What is all this?
How annoying.
Go inside.
-I'll be there soon. -Yes, ma'am.
Let's go inside, sir.
Are you the grandkid?
What spirited progeny he's got here.
Hey there, Miss.
How old are you?
I'm 420…
What? 20?
Are you deaf?
I am 420 years old!
Sir, are you okay?
Yes, I'm fine.
But more than that, what about her?
We've left her all alone.
Don't worry.
She's more than fine.
Sir!
Damn it!
What the…
Trash like you shouldn't be interfering
when every minute and second is precious to that person.
Piss off.
DANGER
Sir.
Don't speak, try to take deep breaths.
Sir, the hospital. Let's go to the hospital.
No, I should call 119 first.
Mr. Choi, there's no point. Stop.
But he might live if we get him treated.
-Mr. Choi. -I mean, we have to do something.
No.
People's designated lifespans never change.
It is preordained.
Sir.
It's fine.
I'm fine.
We…
knew from the moment
that we met.
Where are you going?
I can't watch.
You expect me to just stand by and watch when he's in that much pain?
Mr. Lee Young-chun's life is over.
I know.
I know…
I know, but…
What can I do when I can't help it.
Okay.
Then you stay here.
But…
are you confident you won't regret this choice?
Come back in when you've composed yourself.
Don't be late.
The Escort Team.
What are you doing?
Get out of the way.
Please, can you give him just a little more time?
Please.
Move.
Please, sir.
There's nothing more you can do.
What can you do when you can't even watch
his last moment?
Stand by and be ready.
Who are you?
I remember the last time I saw you from behind.
It was a very long night.
If we survive tonight!
We'll go back home.
Everyone,
charge!
I want to pay my respects to the courage you had for your country.
So, we will all accompany you in your last moment.
Thank you.
You've changed.
The Ryeon I know
had a hard time watching people in their last moments.
That's why you only wanted to escort criminals.
I've become a little numb to it,
but I still find it difficult.
No one ever finds it easy.
But that is the work of a Reaper.
To watch to the very end.
The Escort Team.
But why are there so many of them here?
This is a special case.
The Director must have approved it.
Yes, I've never seen anything like this either.
I'm sorry.
We'll talk later. How is he?
He couldn't withstand the pain and fell unconscious.
He's barely breathing.
It won't be long.
The lives they've led are etched into their faces.
He has a gentle face.
He's lived a good life.
People face choices every moment of their lives.
All those various choices come together to make their lives.
I'm sorry, Mother.
The choice you made in your youth was honorable.
You have lost so much.
Everyone, charge!
Yet you have protected many lives
and brought about the world of today.
Thank you for protecting the lives of so many.
I'm sorry.
All I can do now
is to help you pass on peacefully and comfortably.
Lee Young-chun.
Your soul
will be blessed beyond
what your life has been worth.
You've had a difficult life.
Thank you for your hard work.
I can't believe
so many people came just for me…
Because if it weren't for you,
Jumadeung wouldn't exist either.
Could I have a moment?
I've lived regretting the choice I made that day
for a very long time.
But fighting for my country
was the noblest choice I have made,
and it was worth it.
If I were to go back to that time,
I would wear my uniform again.
Thank you so much
for being here with me for my final tomorrow.
I told you.
That's my job, no.
That's our job.
Thank you for everything.
What are you crying for?
Why are you crying when I'm going somewhere nice?
Sir…
Thank you.
Sergeant Lee Young-chun.
Thank you.
All Reapers.
A moment of silence for the soul of the fallen hero,
who protected this country.
Mother.
Oh, my goodness.
Let me see.
My Young-chun. How have you been?
You weren't sick?
-Mother. -Yes.
I'm so sorry.
I came too late.
No, you're here now. That's all that matters.
You did well, living out your life.
Mother.
Yes.
Mom.
Let's go eat, son.
I've prepared a hot meal. Let's go inside.
Are you still upset?
Yes.
He suffered so much in the Land of the Living.
And he never received the respect he deserved until his death.
It all feels so futile and sad.
Couldn't you have helped him, ma'am?
I'm only involved in life and death
and crime and punishment.
Not the Land of the Living.
I think that's cowardly. It's not fair.
The world makes a fool out of people who are kind and hard-working.
Why do you just stand by? You have the power!
I am…
I am not fair, nor can I be.
All I can do is to give
the appropriate punishment to those who have sinned.
So I can't help but have hope for your team.
You are the only Reapers who can save those in pain.
I don't know if I'm even helping.
At first, I thought that if I held on,
I could go back to my own body.
But…
Now that I've actually seen people on the edge…
It's like a tunnel
with no end.
I just can't escape!
There's no end in sight.
I feel like trash.
How come I'm the only one who can't make it?
Please, let go of me!
I don't think I realized how hard this job is.
I think
this job is difficult and a lot to bear.
Yes.
It's not an easy job to change the minds of those
who are so close to the edge that they're thinking of dying.
But if you help each other in your shortcomings and work together--
Then give me this too.
You know, the thing Ms. Koo and Mr. Lim have.
Why can't I have it?
-No. -Why?
Come back after you die. Then I'll think about it.
But…
You know that I already half-died
that day on Dongjak Bridge.
EPILOGUE
No. It's not like I have anyone to look at the picture.
No, it's because I want to have it.
We made it all the way here, please?
Still…
Nope, no "still." Let's go in.
Hello!
If you could sit up a little straighter, sir.
Wait.
Just a bit here.
There we go. Smile. Sir.
Yes, that's it. Good.
He's a Person of Distinguished Service, you know.
Goodness, thank you for your service. I'll do my best!
Thank you.
Now, eyes open wide.
Put on a handsome smile. We'll take the picture now.
One, two, three.
Finding a risk case with just two team members is impossible.
You saw it yourself.
How serious the entire situation is at Jumadeung.
They say to some, an emergency is a chance.
If faking a position is too hard, can't we go in as a part-timer?
I'll look for people born in April.
Jeong Bo-ram. Stop stuffing your face.
Kim Yong-jun.
I'm sorry.
Shin Ye-na.
Lee Dong-ja.
This is why working moms can't cut it.
It's these four people.
Can we find them before it's fixed?
We have to find them.
If something were to happen, it'll probably be today.
Subtitle translation by: Jung-in Park