Rest well, friend.
Hey, what the hell? I'm not dead!
Use this opportunity to reflect back on the life you've led.
Ha-ha.
Yeah, real hilarious.
Hmm.
Laugh all you want now.
Once I get back up…
You'll do what exactly?
Argh! Stop it!
Don't touch me!
You stupid old dickhead!
How many times have I warned you about drinking and riding your motorcycle? Huh?
Listen. A fall like this would've killed your average joe.
But I survived 'cause I rolled
instead of getting flattened by the dang thing.
We were supposed to film everyone starting next Monday!
You'll have to pay us back for damages, y'know that?
Just delay the filming a few days, dude.
We heal bones quickly. It runs in the family.
A few days. Just trust me, all right? Yeah?
Doc said it's gonna be 12 weeks, dumbass!
Isn't that sad? We have no other choice, I guess.
We'll have to delay the shoot.
Sad. Too bad!
Yeah, postpone the shoot for a while. Yeah, a good while.
You screwed us here, you dick.
We're gonna start filming next Monday just as planned. Got it?
Your lead actor is injured. We can't start without him.
Yeah, you can't film when your lead actor is hurt. Hee-ran's right.
Let's think logically, 'kay?
We planned to shoot the approved scenes until you completed the rewrites.
Hey, didn't you hear what I said?
How are you gonna film without a lead actor?
Gonna use a stand-in for the whole thing?
Yeah, you can't use a stand-in for the whole thing.
I'm the lead here.
This thing will be nothing without Heo Hyeok!
Do you ever stop talking?
Delusional! It's "nothing" without you? What the hell do you mean?!
What?! Bitch.
You're not even a crucial character.
Your role is a supporting one.
You're just some washed-up old hag!
It'll be a piece of cake. We'll just find a new lead actor,
and we'll be good to go.
All we need is to focus and not allow ourselves to get off track. Got that?
Hey, President…
Since he'll be recast, it's a wonderful time
to let me go as well. Hmm?
Listen here, Ms. Jeong Hee-ran,
watch where you're putting your hands, 'kay?
You're a professional.
So why don't you act like it and keep it professional?
Okay?
Unhand me.
You'd manhandle a beloved actor?!
Argh! God! Oh fuck, that hurt! You--
Fucking bitch! You are an old hag, you insane bitch!
Yeah, bitch, you're crazy! You should be locked up in an asylum!
Both of you, shut the hell up, you dumb motherf--
COMPLETE BED REST
Aaaaaaaaaaaargh!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Ahhhh! Shut up, shut up, all of you!
I'm going insane.
You kidding me? You told me to keep focus earlier.
You said things will carry on as planned, right?
"Rewrite the lines," you said.
I did everything in my power to keep this on track,
just for this idiot to break every damn bone in his body
just as we're preparing to shoot the shoot!
And then I have to deal with these government assholes!
"Rewrite this! Rewrite that!" 'Cause sausages are sexual, y'know?
And then you keep talking about erections!
'Cause I gotta get them hard! Gotta be hard!
How can I show tits when I can't show tits?!
It's all bull! Bull!
I'm losing it!
What the hell?
You're all crazy.
Aaaaaargh!
AEMA
FILMING CREW
MADAME AEMA PRODUCTION VEHICLE
-Nice, isn't it? -Refreshing.
-How's that? -Oh!
Oh!
-Hm? -That's nice!
-Guys, do you have coffee ready? -Don't feel pissed off, okay?
Hey, move it, move it!
"Thirty-six counts of inappropriate subject matter."
"Salaciousness. Obscenity. Degeneracy."
Fuck.
AEMA CHOOSES HERSELF
TO SEEK INDEPENDENCE WITH ERIKA'S INFLUENCE
So tomorrow, we film.
How do you feel?
Why did you think I was the right one for this role?
No idea.
I… I just felt it in my gut.
When I saw you, I just thought, "Ah."
"She's perfection."
Was it because of my breasts?
Yep.
When I was little…
I was the first girl in our class to hit puberty.
The only one for a while.
My breasts were the talk of the town every day back then.
"They're way bigger than yesterday."
"No, they're smaller, actually."
I began hunching my shoulders forward.
Always looking at the floor.
I didn't want any more attention on "the girls."
But I'm not ashamed anymore.
I don't care if my breasts are the only reason I got the role.
'Cause, honestly, I've got a pretty screen-worthy pair of tits.
Why shouldn't I take advantage of them, y'know?
Except we can't show your breasts now.
They said we can't include them.
Then how are we gonna film those scenes?
So, um…
it's like, um…
We can't show your naked chest on camera.
But we can still subtly allude to your breasts…
So, instead of showing everything, it'll be a bit more…
I'm still working on it, I guess.
That's okay.
I trust you. I have complete faith in you.
Whatever you come up with will be great.
I'll do whatever you ask.
All right!
Uh?
I'm glad you made it here.
Now get out.
What?
Drop this off at the Ministry of Culture and Public Information.
First thing in the morning, all right?
Uh, wait, so, uh…
MADAME AEMA FINAL DRAFT SHINSUNG PICTURES
"On this day…"
"…I, Kwak In-u, the director of the film Madame Aema,
humbly ask all of the gods above to watch us, as we are on earth!"
"I ask that you hear our plea!"
"Protect us all!"
"Our actors and all of the crew!"
"Give us light and your guidance for our film to go smoothly and safely!"
"So our film, Madame Aema, is greatly adored
by all of the critics and the public!"
"And that the entire production
and all of its screenings
are successful!"
Damn it.
-Fire. Fire! Fire! -Stomp it out! Stomp it out!
-Stomp it out! -Yeah, yeah, stomp it.
Yeah. Nice.
-C'mon! -Hurry.
What are you doin'? Get over here!
Where can I put this box?
It's gonna obscure the shot if you put it here.
Lemme get that outta the way, sir. Sorry about that.
Wow, what a view, huh?
Move along, everyone! Let's move it, people! Let's go!
Hey, move it, move it!
Here's the new script. We shoot in 15 minutes, okay?
-What? I, uh-- -Listen up!
There's been a lot of script changes, so we'll check as we go.
New script, ma'am.
We're shooting in 15 minutes.
The car's gonna approach from that side though.
That side?
I mean, I'd love to backlight it, yeah.
Scene 135, take one, alpha.
And… action!
Erika!
Aema… have you gone insane?
I can't believe it!
After everything your husband has put you through.
And you're gonna take him back just like that?
You're forgetting about the most important thing.
I'm talking about you.
Okay?
You do realize that you'd be giving up your entire life for that guy?
-Answer me! -Answer me.
Answer me, Aema!
Say something, silly girl!
And I-- I, uh… as a woman…
…may have, uh--
I gave my heart to my husband, so, Erika…
I, uh…
Uh…
"I can't go." "I can't go."
Say you can't go!
You keep filming me, Director. Reshoot her scenes later!
Get a grip!
By letting your life be controlled by some man, now I look foolish!
Your decision… makes a mockery of us all.
Erika.
Cut!
Jesus! What the hell was that?!
The delivery, the emotion… Completely dead!
I know. I'm so sorry.
I-- I guess I haven't memorized all my words.
Oh, that's not it. I don't think so.
No, no, no. This isn't about learning the line.
You have to become Madame Aema!
Be the dang character!
Was I all right?
Yeah, you were great. I was very pleased.
Ju-ae here just had some nerves since it's her first day on set.
Isn't it everyone's first day on set?
Like I said,
she doesn't have what it takes to become a star.
The stand-in's got it!
Stand-in? What does that mean?
A replacement.
For who?
Aema, have you gone insane?
I can't believe it after everything your husband has put you through.
And you're gonna take him back just like that?
You're forgetting about the most important thing.
Your needs, yeah!
You do realize
you'd be giving up your whole life
for that bastard.
Answer me. Answer me, Aema.
-Say something. -Say something.
Say s-- something, damn you.
What is this? What's the vision here?
Only Paul knows what Paul has in mind.
The dress is a Paul Goh?
It's his creation?
-Mm! -Mm.
Hmm.
Huh?
Noona doesn't want anyone disturbing her.
Hey, now, I said no!
Oh my God!
No. You really-- r-- r-- really…
You really shouldn't… No, no, no, no, you can't!
Y-- you really shouldn't go up there! N-- n-- n-- n-- no!
Uh…
I said to let no one in here.
He tried to stop me.
I forced my way through.
You don't like me, do you, Hee-ran?
I can't do much about how you feel.
That being said, even you had a first day on set, didn't you?
Today was my first day.
I know that I'm a beginner.
I'm giving it my all though.
'Cause I wanna be good.
I see you haven't figured it out.
You still believe working harder will make you better.
A good performer doesn't work hard.
When an actor tries to force it, well…
It's so tacky.
Then again,
for you, I guess that's rather fitting.
That asshole.
Head down to the market right now.
FILM MODIFICATION DECLARATION
Buy a ginseng gift set, the most expensive one they have.
-Yeah. -Go on.
MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
Watch it!
Your smoke! You'll make it smell.
Let's see.
What if we…
And emphasized those curves.
It's Madame Aema.
All right.
So Aema's here for her acupuncture.
That's where she'll be.
-The blind acupuncturist starts. -Hmm.
As he begins, Aema feels her entire body pulsing.
Pleasure wrapped in pain. Erika.
Erika.
E-- Erika!
You, Erika.
You're a passive observer.
And you feel everything she feels as it's happening to her.
Everyone get that? Let's go!
You want me to feel it too?
But I'm supposed to record.
Oh. Okay. Just feel it in spirit, then!
Let's have a rehearsal. Focus!
All right, ready…
Go.
No, no, no. Stop laying there like she's dead.
-Embrace the sensation! -Uh, I'll try to.
Uh--
Don't look at me!
You squirm in pleasure.
It turns you on!
Huh?!
Dude!
Cut!
-You made it weird! -Ah shit…
What do you think?
I feel like the boobs are glaring at me.
-Can we put a bra on her? -Hmm?
Who the hell wears bras during acupuncture?
Well, turn her over, then.
They would know it was to hide her breasts.
Yeah, you're right.
Well, people usually get acupuncture face down, right?
Do they get pricked on their boobs?
If their breasts hurt. Then they probably would, yeah.
Hey, stay still.
What if we just showed one breast, then?
If it's one boob, it should be fine, right?
Didn't they stipulate how many breasts we can show?
We can't show breasts or even nipple at all!
-Ohhhh. -Ah.
No nipples, c'mon!
Huh?
Okay. Now ecstasy!
Ah, that's good, yeah! Now it hurts, but you're turned on!
All right, okay!
Now it hurts!
Oh yeah! Now, c'mon, ecstasy!
Didn't I already do that?
Uh, yeah, we did. You're right. Uh, where's my Erika?
-Erika! -Erika!
Cut.
Ms. Hee-ran.
Are you… unhappy with something?
I don't get what's going on here.
What don't you get?
Why the hell is acupuncture turning her on?
What, is it a fetish or something?
Ah, the scene is to show that pain and ecstasy
are actually just one and the same, really.
What are you saying? How are those two the same thing?
Forget it. It's not like I'm the one having to act it out.
"Erika experiences the same pain and pleasure as Aema."
Why do I feel it?
-Uh-- -"Erika licks her lips with her tongue."
"She's incredibly turned on."
Why am I getting turned on?
I'm sitting by myself like an idiot, just watching and getting aroused?!
I don't have any motivation!
This idea, it comes from this Japanese trend.
It's a combination of the erotic and the grotesque. It's nonsensical.
Like sweet and sour or spicy and bitter.
The idea of, uh, harmony opposing the, uh…
Director,
you're not sure you can convince me.
Ms. Hee-ran…
this scene, when people watch Madame Aema, this is what they'll remember.
No! You merely hope so.
I was asking about my motivation. Don't change the subject.
If actors don't get a scene, how the hell are we supposed to act it, huh?
I'm done.
We'll shoot the scene once you're a bit more convincing.
Yeong-bae! Start the car!
All right, grab that. Script, wallet, handkerchief…
MADAME AEMA SHIN JU-AE
Oh shoot.
Hee-ran, wait!
How could you just walk out like that?
You hate the script, hate your co-star…
So if you hate everything, why did you sign on?
Don't push me.
It's clear to me that you only care about the money, don't you?
You're a big bitch, Hee-ran, you know that?!
All right, then.
Keep working hard.
Keep being a tacky, talentless, try-hard.
Trust in the script. Trust in the director.
And keep at it.
But at some point, there'll come a time when you can't believe in them anymore,
no matter how hard you try.
What will you do when there's no one for you to believe in?
How will you handle that?
Keep giving it your all?
Even after losing faith?
What's the point of working hard
when you don't even know what you're working for?
Take a moment to reflect on what you're saying.
Is there never a justified reason to walk away?
And also,
since you know I'm a bitch,
I suggest you stop trying to be one, Little Miss Superstar.
Unless you wanna find out
how bitchy I can be.
All right, let's clean things up and roll out!
We'll give you the new call sheet when it's ready.
Good work, everyone.
This whole thing needs to be completely torn down. Let's hurry it up.
Director.
I swear to you
that I'll be giving your film everything I've got.
I'll devote my heart and soul to this project.
But in return…
How's your day been, man? I missed you.
…you need to give me the confidence to trust you.
I needed to say that.
MADAME AEMA
SHIN JU-AE
IF I'M GOING TO BE A BITCH, MIGHT AS WELL BE A BADASS BITCH LIKE JEONG HEE-RAN
It is good to see you, Aema.
Aema?
Ooh!
Oh, seriously?!
I told you not to wear any underwear!
Now we'll have to hold off on filming until those imprint lines are gone!
Oh…Sorry, I just…
Uh… just felt so weird going commando.
It's, uh… uh, a thing.
I try not to walk around with no underwear on.
Since I was a kid, I've been sensitive to… to cold, um, temperatures. So…
-Make a fist for me. -'Kay.
That's your wiener.
And your scrotum, okay?
Uh, wiener and my scrotum.
Now hand me your fist.
Then you'll wrap it. Depending on your size, it should be easy.
Like that. Trim the parts that stick out like this with a pair of scissors.
But don't get too close and cut yourself or I have to pull an all-nighter.
Wrap it around properly, separating the penis from the testicles.
This area right here?
You have to pay attention and be careful if you don't want it coming off.
You think you got it?
Oh! Ah!
Mm. Oh.
Looks like… you might need a little assistance.
Oh, hey. Heard you asked for me.
Ah, okay.
-Any chance you've found a workaround yet? -What?
A way to subtly allude to my breasts without baring them,
since we can't actually whip 'em out?
Oh, that, oh…
Well, I… The DP and I were going over it together earlier.
I was just thinking about it as well.
What if it's raining outside?
Rain? What about it?
I mean, if it's raining,
I'll get wet.
-And what if I wore just this… -Wait. If it's raining…
…after removing my other clothing?
What? Just this?
If there's a storm outside,
I'll get wet.
That way, we could allude to…
but not show.
Rain!
I need to-- We got it!
Rain! Prepare the rain!
Hey, Assistant Director! Come here!
Back up, back up, back up, back up, back up.
Ah, no, no, no! Careful! Careful! Argh!
Careful! Watch out… Oh…
-Rehearsal, go! -Close-up like that.
Take a look from this side. This side.
Lower your legs, dumbass. Knock it off. You, keep your back straight.
Stay still. Yeah, so the, uh, emotions are what matters here.
-Mm, right. Yeah, okay, emotions. -Yeah, tight close-up.
-Yeah. Close-up. -Okay? Okay, all set.
-Got it. -All set?
-Let's rock and roll. -Okay.
-Hey, I said we're all set! -Do we have to keep going?
Keep thrusting. Don't stop.
Don't look at me.
Argh, I'm blind! Stop! That's good. Save the lightning for when we're rolling.
Sure, sorry about that.
The next scene is what Aema's dreamed of her entire life.
It's when she finally liberates her body from the shackles of virtue,
escaping the repression that has kept her in chains.
Yeah, so the crucial thing here will be capturing the orgasm.
Okay, how would I express one of those?
Uh--
You need me to explain?
Well, it's this feeling that shoots up your spine
from the pit of your stomach, which gets you feeling…
Right. But how exactly should I perform it?
Oh, wait. Are you still a virgin?
-Are you still a virgin? -How is that relevant?
I dunno. Didn't you ask first?
Uh…
Well, sometimes,
if my partner's trying their best,
I'll put on a show to give the guy a little push.
And how do you achieve that?
I just hold my breath.
Your bre--
All right, ready!
We're good to go.
Action!
Yun-ho.
Aema.
You came to me.
Aema!
Now.
Whoa!
Oh God! Oh God, oh God, oh God! Hold on!
Oh God! Oh God! Argh, God!
-Seriously? Oh man! -Hey!
-You don't stop until I say cut! -Jesus!
What the hell?!
I'm so sorry.
My cover fell off.
It's my bad!
Oh.
An erection?
Oh, to be young.
What'd you think? Was that okay?
Mm!
Amazing!
A bunch of those, uh, magpies here in the neighborhood tonight, right?
Huh?
I just noticed, uh,
a lot of magpies tonight.
Uh, I guess so.
They're, um,
pretty great.
I don't know what love is yet
You're the only thing I believe in
Um, excuse me!
We're tryna shoot a film, so you actually can't park here.
I'm really sorry.
Hey.
Yeah?
I'm here to see the director. It sounds like he's shooting.
Yes, sir, that's correct.
Then tell him to wrap it up and come 'ere. 'Kay?
I'm not sure I understand.
Is this prick for real?
Want us to make you understand?
Okay. Got it!
Jeez, get a load of that prick.
Hey, uh, stop!
Cut! I mean, uh…
Stop! Stop… the cameras!
What the hell are you talking about? Who the fuck stopped the filming?
-The Ministry of Culture. -What? Are you sure?
-Yeah, they're the real deal. -Get Seok on the phone.
Yes, sir, they're with the Ministry of Culture and Public Information.
-What? -They've got the car, badges, suits…
-What? -They said the ministry sent them.
-What is this shit?! -I don't know!
Not at all.
If you could put in a good word for us, I'd really appreciate that.
Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. I'll give 'em a call.
-You're the best, thank you. -Uh-huh. Sure.
I'll have to treat you to a fancy dinner sometime soon.
Thank you!
Knock-knock.
Hey, right on time! Take a seat.
The ministry sent people to my set last night.
They told us to shut down the shoot in the middle of filming
'cause we didn't make the adjustments they demanded or something.
We already changed it.
We did what they asked, gave them gifts and everything.
I just don't get it.
We made all their changes, so I don't know why they're still unhappy.
Think you could look into it?
It's gonna be the end of Shinsung if Madame Aema ends up failing.
Could you help us out here?
Yes, you've certainly brought lots of "art" to the world.
I guess the past decade was a way more lucrative time for you, huh?
It's not like it was before.
International films have stolen the interest of our younger crowd.
Everybody has a color TV now,
meaning fewer and fewer people are seeing films in the theaters.
Unfortunate your little industry
must feel the heat.
It's a shame you're not better taken care of.
We government boys, should be helping with that.
President Ku,
d'you have any idea where they'll be hosting the Olympics in '88?
Yeah. You don't, huh?
They're announcing it today.
The consensus
is that everybody thinks Seoul will be the one getting the honor.
So, thanks to that, I've been working my ass off.
It's terrible.
You see, they're planning a grand banquet.
The higher-ups are hoping for a little "fresh meat," so to say.
I know from experience that's easier said than done,
but, uh, unfortunately, it's all the same old, same old.
We're tired! It's not exciting!
Should I maybe snatch people off the streets?
I'm joking. Who knows if we'll even get the Olympics?
Are you kidding me?
I'm certain Seoul's gonna get the Olympics.
You government boys have been breaking your backs,
going above and beyond to host it.
Nothing's impossible with all your hard work.
We've got this in the bag, so it's smart preparing in advance.
And if you let us, we in the movie industry
would be more than happy to contribute however we can.
We threw a press event for Madame Aema.
I bet you saw it. It was this huge deal that got everybody talking.
I dunno.
Did I?
You see, I've got a newcomer on this one.
Ms. Shin Ju-ae.
She's green, sure, but dependable.
And I've got absolute confidence in her abilities.
From the second that she came into the room,
I was positive I'd found our Madame Aema.
Insanely talented, that girl.
Get the picture?
Well, too bad she's busy filming right now and can't attend.
Ah! My mistake.
Filming's on hiatus.
You're sure?
You submitted everything exactly like I instructed?
Of course. I gave them everything you told us to.
Slipped 'em extra too.
Sorry I'm late!
-Did they announce it already? -Calm down. No, give it a minute.
Didn't they say before that Seoul had it in the bag?
Ya skim some off the top?
You did, didn't you?
Huh? You skimmed some of the bribe money for yourself.
You think I'm some kind of criminal?
You thieving bastard!
What the fuck are you gonna do to save our shoot now, huh?
I did what you asked! Why you freakin' out?
Don't you raise your fucking voice at me! Fucking backstabber!
-I didn't do anything! -I'll smash the bottle. I'll do it. C'mon!
-You ain't smashin' nothin'! -Motherfucker! Don't think I'll do it?
-Bring me a drink! -Seoul, Seoul, Seoul!
I'm gonna gut you, from your fucking tongue
down to your balls, and brew snake wine out of ya.
SEOUL: 52 VOTES NAGOYA: 27 VOTES
-Ah. -You're a spineless mother-- Huh?
It's Seoul.
'88 OLYMPICS HOST CITY ANNOUNCEMENT
SEOUL CONFIRMED AS THE HOST
-Seoul, Seoul, Seoul! -Olympics.
Oh. Hey.
They say that once we host the Olympics,
our GDP, all the way through the roof!
And we'll become a fucking first-world country.
What's GDP? Do you know?
I feel like I caused it all.
Why?
Should I not have crossed the ginseng's legs?
-I might've jinxed us. -You sound crazy.
Just forget it!
Go over there…
You're sober, aren't you?
Head on over to the Yangji Café.
President Ku will be there.
If he's hungry, buy a meal for him.
And drive him around.
Yeah!
Ju-ae's gonna be there as well.
YANGJI CAFÉ
Welcome!
What are you talking about?
Like I said, you've got that spunk, that moxie, charisma.
Use it to your advantage.
Listen, this banquet is gonna be a big celebration.
It's an honor to be invited, okay?
'Cause only the most elite individuals in the entire country can attend.
Your common man off the street would never be allowed to go.
So a newbie like you getting an invite? You should be honored!
You've got nothing to lose.
It's celebrating the Olympics.
It's a big party. It's gonna be cool!
Besides, one could argue,
as the lead character of the movie, the responsibility lies with you
to go represent and promote it.
Right? If this project thrives, you will too.
You and this movie are intertwined.
Its fate lies squarely in your hands. You get that?
GREAT FORTUNE WILL COME IF YOU WORK WITH YOUR SENIOR
That's a fancy way of begging me to save your skin.
Come again?
You don't share authority with anyone, so why should I share responsibility?
You want your cake, but you wanna eat it too.
I'm just an employee over here, and you're a coward.
Am I wrong here?
Okay.
I was tryna be nice. Let me tell it straight, then.
You have no cards to play. You've got absolutely nothing.
No authority or power.
Go.
Don't go.
That's not your job.
Are you kidding me?
You're considering it?
Ju-ae!
All I have to do is drink and laugh with some big shots, all right?
Don't worry about it.
So you're gonna go?
You're seriously gonna go?!
You make it sound so easy.
Why are you deciding what I can and can't do?
This is an incredible opportunity. I'm surprised you don't understand
why I'd be willing to do whatever it takes to protect it.
Should I go back home and work in the kitchens? Is that better for me?
I would suffocate.
I have no idea
what my future is gonna look like.
I can't lose this opportunity just because I don't wanna go.
It's important to me.
Take it off.
Don't make me ask you again. Got it?
Take it off, girl.
Come in!
From here onward,
if you ever tell anyone,
make any allusions to,
even if it's to yourself,
about what's going on here,
about anything at all that you see or hear,
anything you do, what you may witness,
any extra-special activities that you experience,
the moment that you leave this room and open those big doors,
you're a dead girl.
And it won't just end with your death.
It would mean the deaths of anyone close to you as well.
WRITTEN OATH I AGREE NOT TO SPEAK ABOUT…
OCTOBER 1, 1981 UNDERSIGNED SHIN JU-AE
Very well.
Starting now,
you'll smile.
The morning rain Pitter-patters on my face
Choo, choo The sound of its horn lingers
As the early train goes on its way
But I still love him so
Where should my heart go now?
THIS SHOW IS A WORK OF FICTION
INSPIRED BY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MAKING THE 1982 FILM "MADAME AEMA"
ALL CHARACTERS AND STORYLINES HAVE BEEN CREATED
SOLELY FOR DRAMATIC STORYTELLING PURPOSES EATED