AEMA
The morning rain Pitter-patters on my face
Choo, choo The sound of its horn lingers…
Gimme a second! Oppa, wait!
Uh, wait? Get back here!
But I still love him so…
It's coming soon! Ready!
Where should my heart go now?
Through the rain, the train chugs--
Whoa. Wait, who's that?
Hey! Who we got here?
Well, well!
It's Madame Aema!
Come on in!
I'm your number one fan, Ms. Shin Ju-ae.
Oh shit, your face is the size of my fist. Huh?
-You're even prettier in person. -Hey, come sit next to me!
-Squat next to Daddy! -Whoo! I mean, just look at you.
Now then.
All right, let's see…
She needs a seat. So tell me, gentlemen,
where should we put this lovely Ms. Shin Ju-ae?
Well?!
Where do I lead our dear Madame Aema?
Any takers?
C'mon! Do you even have to ask?
It's our esteemed guest's first visit.
So obviously you gotta seat her with the VIPs!
That's right!
Hey!
Why bother to make such distinctions here?
When we're drinking together, we're all equal.
Equal scoundrels!
To make it more, um… more democratic,
let's let our princess choose who her Prince Charming'll be tonight.
Ooh! I love that idea!
It's lady's choice tonight!
Yeah!
-C'mon! Jeez! -All right, get up! Get up!
C'mon!
-Pick me, Madame Aema! -Better choose quick!
C'mon!
We ain't got all night! So who's it gonna be?
-Let's do this! C'mon, honey! -Who's it gonna be?
-Take your pick! -C'mon!
Finally! Go on!
Excellent!
Ah, so right!
I'd expect nothing less from a smart chick like her.
Don't be nervous.
You're here
as our special guest tonight.
We're, uh, celebrating a great boon to our nation today.
So celebrate with us.
It's very important that, uh…
…we enjoy it. Hmm?
Mm.
To tonight.
Now then! Let's have a toast!
'88!
Olympics '88!
Ahhh!
Seoul!
Come on!
Seoul!
Come on!
Seoul!
Bang, bang!
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo, hoo, hoo!
Were you asked to come here by Jung-ho?
Then tell me…
why did you come to this banquet?
What was it?
A sense of obligation to protect the film?
You're powerless.
What obligations could you have?
It's none of my business, but you should know
that you haven't even debuted yet.
Why would you fight for something before it's really become anything?
What are you doing?
You've spent too long hiding in here.
It's about time you head back, don't you think?
You know, Elizabeth Taylor once said,
"Success is a great deodorant."
It can cover up the stench of your past mistakes.
I really quite like that woman.
She's elegant.
But also firm.
And a lotta moxie.
You're like that, aren't ya?
You're pretty,
but you seem firm.
With a whole lotta spunk!
I know one thing. You'll be a real big star one day.
I promise you that.
And once that happens,
you'll no longer exude this childlike innocence.
I already feel bad about that.
Y'know what?
I think I'm starting to become a fan of yours, Ms. Shin Ju-ae.
What do you say?
Should I? Or shouldn't I?
You shouldn't.
I shouldn't have any fans yet.
I've filmed a couple of days, but that's really all.
I'm in the middle of shooting my very first film, so…
how can you be a fan when I haven't done anything yet?
That makes me feel as though I've done something wrong.
And to be honest, it's humiliating.
Please don't be my fan.
Please, sir…
I'd like to accomplish everything the right way.
Please, sir, I'm begging you.
Ms. Ju-ae! Where are you going?
We'll tell you when it's time for you to leave.
Hey, show her back inside.
I showed up, laughed, and drank with the higher-ups.
Tell them I fulfilled all I was asked to do.
Do you expect a wild mare to be tamed on the first encounter?
I remember when I was like her.
You told me something years ago. Do you recall?
"Among the bitches that play hard to get, the ones who make it
always… hold out for the longest."
Girls like her, they're naive. Don't know how the world operates.
One misstep and they'll fade away, never to be seen again.
But if you decide to just leave her be,
she'll become a full-fledged actress eventually.
Everyone wins… don't you think?
Open it.
The clothes you came in and your belongings.
What you're wearing now is very expensive.
It's not for every day. Wear it for a fancy date somewhere.
I'll return them right now.
You probably bought this using taxpayer money.
Mm. Take it.
Don't let your pride get in the way.
Take it while you still can.
I won't be as generous next time.
You sick piece of shit.
Whoring out a girl who hasn't even debuted!
-You a pimp or something?! -All right, listen!
You feel humiliated, yeah? Welcome to the club, then.
-We've all been humiliated! -Who cares?
That excuse is disgusting! Why the hell did you say yes to those guys?!
Fucking hell, it's not like I can say no to them, Hee-ran! Yeah?
Name one person with the balls to do that. I bet you couldn't!
Talking a fresh-faced kid who's still wet behind the ears into selling her dignity…
How dare you destroy her future for your own benefit?
You're disgusting.
You didn't have the courage to protect even one girl.
Some producer you are!
You say that as if anyone has any real power in this country!
A place where you can get hauled away, and the next day you turn up dead!
You are only interested in yourself.
You disgust me with your lack of loyalty.
You can compromise on all of your values if it benefits you.
You'll betray anything and anyone.
Right?
What's your point, Hee-ran?
As you know, I wanted this film to fail more than anyone.
MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
If we let it flop like this, we'll lose what little is left of our dignity.
All films would suffer.
We'd be setting an awful precedent.
PERMISSION GRANTED FOR MADAME AEMA TO RECOMMENCE PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION PERMIT MADAME AEMA
PERMISSION GRANTED TO PRODUCE ABOVE FILM
Oh, you did good.
In return,
I expect to see some big changes in this production.
I might as well do this properly since I have no choice.
First, we're getting rid of that ridiculous script.
My next demand is that you stay out of sight.
Don't meddle.
Hey! Ku Jung-ho!
Ahhh, the crazy bitch is here.
Shit.
I heard there was a grand banquet. Why didn't I hear about it from you, huh?
I can't believe this shit.
Protecting my virtue,
'cause now you think you're my husband or white knight?
Like I'm your little doll!
Well, wake the hell up!
Stop holding out on me, you fucking bastard!
Why are you blackout drunk again?!
Mi-na! Have you lost your damn mind, drunken alcoholic?
You! Did you also go?
Has she been there?!
Curse you!
Where you going? Get back here! Huh?!
Think you're special? 'Cause you're not!
I should've been there!
I was crowned the queen at the last one!
I pestered Yeong-bae into giving me your home address.
I'm sorry for coming here out of nowhere.
Come on, then.
MADAME AEMA SHIN JU-AE
You said trying too hard was tacky and unrefined.
I guess this is definitely trying too hard.
…MIGHT AS WELL BE A BADASS BITCH LIKE JEONG HEE-RAN
After my mother died,
there were only men at home.
My four older brothers all had victim complexes.
As for my dad…
I'd rather kill myself than spend my life hand-washing five men's underwear.
I needed to be anywhere else.
So eventually, I packed up and got outta there.
I would have done anything that was asked of me,
as long as it meant I wouldn't have to go back home again.
You were right, y'know.
I almost lost myself that night.
Had it not been for you,
things would've unfolded a lot differently.
I thought that in order to protect myself,
I had no choice but to protect the film as well.
I'm grateful.
I had to say thank you. That's why I'm here.
Why are you unloading this sob story onto me?
What happened to your whole bitch persona?
You're not special.
So you left your tragic life behind to become a lowly actor.
There's five million "you"s out there.
A bitch with a tragic backstory is still a bitch.
So I say keep being one.
Production will still carry on.
Not because you did something
but because you didn't.
Why do you really wanna be an actor?
You needed a reason to get out, didn't you?
And you wanna give it your all, everything you've got…
But what else?
Why?
Oh, you're here!
Grab some chopsticks and chow down.
It's crazy how much money I made
in just one night.
I wanted to tear it into pieces… but I couldn't do it.
Not when this much cash was on the line, y'know?
What in the world do I do with one million won?
I mean, what else is there to do?
Just enjoy it, yeah?
You aren't gonna ask what I had to do for the money?
I just…
I'm so sorry.
Looks like we're both sorry, huh?
It's, um…
…a shame, I guess.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S VOICE REPORTER YANG SEOK-WON
2ND FLOOR, 577-2 GURO-DONG, GURO-GU, SEOUL
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S VOICE HQ
A bit messy in here.
Well, I see you made it here. It's kinda hard to find the place.
I wanted to bring this to you.
It's money.
It's money I'm laundering.
Wha…?
It's dirty money, so I'd like to see it put to good use.
Use it to fund your work.
I'll be sure to bring in more if I can.
Is there… any way we can help you?
I'm good.
But thank you.
Well, reach out
if you need our help.
You needed a reason to get out, didn't you?
And you want to give it your all, everything you've got…
But what else?
Why do you really wanna be an actor?
I was in a school play, and
I got to be on stage for the first time.
As a child, I was always taught to make myself smaller,
to remain quiet.
But on that stage,
I finally discovered that I had a voice.
That I felt things deeply and passionately.
For the first time, I felt like myself.
It was like
I had finally discovered who I was.
Being here makes me feel like I'm abroad or something.
I never took you as someone who appreciated the great outdoors.
Director,
I really wanted no part in this thing.
Yeah. I'm aware.
I hated it with such a passion
that I prayed that it would flop every day.
That, I didn't know.
But I've changed my perspective.
Since I have to do it, I guess I should make it better.
It dawned on me recently, we hadn't yet talked about the script.
I know I'm not playing Aema, but tell me something,
why is she always masturbating?
Oh, why so shy? You're the one who wrote her like that.
She does it while showering, while driving her car,
next to her sleeping husband…
That's gotta be a mental illness, right?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Oh, save your apologizing.
I just wanted to know the reason.
Why this poor woman's been driven to a life of masturbation.
Since-- Well, Aema is a story of sexual desire.
I figured the character needed a quirk like that to fit the film's tone.
And masturbation is the only version of sex that's independent.
It's unlike sex in that it's a non-stop race to your desire,
individually.
A whole entire universe of pleasure that exists for oneself.
It's more than just masturbation. It's liberation!
Hm. All right.
Instead of focusing on the act of masturbation,
don't you think it'd be better to describe the feelings and emotions
of the masturbator in detail?
Even a middle-school boy wouldn't touch themselves this frequently.
Oh, here. "Scene number 46."
The first scene I wanted to discuss.
Okay, right here.
After Aema's husband goes to prison,
Aema then decides to get an apartment with Erika.
She then finds out that her first love, Yun-ho, is living right upstairs.
"Scene number 46."
"Aema and Erika are moving into their apartment."
"It was an afternoon much like any other."
"The two women return from grocery shopping."
"They look forward to the peaceful life that lies ahead of them."
"Or so they think."
Mm?
"Erika's heart suddenly sinks as she encounters Yun-ho."
"So imagine how Aema must be feeling in this moment."
Aema.
Ah, that's a good baby.
Peekaboo!
Can you say "Mama"? Say "Mama." "Mama!"
He lives on… the 11th floor?!
"Seeing Aema again reminds Yun-ho
of all the beautiful memories they've shared in the past."
"Aema too recalls the memories of their love."
Then, shocking no one, touches herself.
Touching herself, left and right. Ugh! It's weird.
"Erika notices Aema's faltering resolve."
"Erika grabs onto Aema's shoulders and shakes her, saying…
"Aema, get it together."
-"Get it together, Aema." -Get it together, Aema.
That man, as you knew him, is dead.
The man you fell in love with, he's different now.
And so are you. He died to you the moment he betrayed you.
Unni!
Slap me in the face, Erika.
Then this nightmare can finally end.
Slap me, please, as hard as you can!
Now, coming up,
this next part I really take issue with, 'kay?
Yun-ho was blinded by his burning passion for Aema.
Nothing could stop him.
And there was nobody who could ever stand in his way.
Hmm.
She's sleeping… like a fool.
-Who… -Shhhh!
It's me. Yun-ho.
Aema… you belonged to me once.
Why'd you take so long to return?
Yun-ho, we can't!
Please don't do this. Please!
Aema.
-I'll scream! Please, let me go! -Aema!
"Aema ends up caving in to Yun-ho's advances."
"Reawakening her carnal desires, which had been suppressed all this time."
"From outside, Erika hears them in the act."
"Unable to bring herself to enter…"
"…she feels her own carnal desires reawakening as well."
Why does Erika moan in corners constantly?
Her character pisses me off.
"As Yun-ho's hands caress her, passion grows in Aema's coarse breaths."
"Ultimate pleasure, like riding horseback in the open fields,
finally washes over Aema."
What a beautiful morning.
Aema.
Unni!
Yun-ho comes back down the rope
and proceeds to screw her three more times after this.
I mean, seriously?
You want me to believe
you understand what women want?
You see, Aema, well, she…
she still really longed to be with her first love deep down.
Except now that she's married to another, there's no way she could.
And also, Yun-ho is married. He has a wife and child.
So, even though she desires Yun-ho, Aema's too overcome with guilt.
And that's why he, um--
Yeah, I'm sorry, there's not a single woman on this planet
who would use any of those reasons as justification for rape.
Didn't you tell me your objective was showing desire from a woman's perspective?
Ah! Too late.
Scrap that idea. That ship has sailed.
You don't know a thing about women.
And, uh, we've filmed too much of the script already, haven't we?
I can understand.
You were hoping Madame Aema would accomplish two different things.
You wanted to make a European art house erotica,
but you mentioned this conceptual approach that's layered,
that's… dramatic, y'know?
The Japanese thing?
Ero guro nansensu.
Hmm! Yeah, there you go.
Too much! Just pick one thing.
Art house erotica might be a little ambitious.
But the grotesque and nonsensical approach,
now, that seems a little promising, don't you think so?
What are you looking at, miss?
You should be looking here.
Gosh, get with it!
Aren't you here for work, dear?
What?
I'm just saying, you were sent here by Mr. Gi,
so I'm trusting you against all better judgment.
But, gosh, it's something about that face of yours.
Oof, and your eyes.
Well, I'm just getting bad energy. It's just off.
I can tell just by your face.
So step it up. Okay?
Now, c'mon! All right?
The chiffon skirt
will go with the tweed jacket
and the bucket hat!
This would all make up one outfit.
This polka-dotted dress here would go with a twilly scarf
and Mary Jane shoes.
It's so fun! But at the same time, so very elegant!
I've grouped each outfit together as an ensemble,
so dress her exactly the way they came.
Don't mess with my design!
Mr. Lee? Take this into her car, won't you?
-Right away, ma'am. -Yes.
Let's see…
Where did I put that envelope?
Where might that silly little envelope be?
Ooh, I've got so many things.
If my head weren't attached to my neck, it would fall off of my shoulders.
COMMEMORATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT
PYOUNGHWA MARKET
That was last New Year.
He really honored us by appearing at our humble store.
It truly was a beautiful little visit!
I shook his hand, and I gotta say,
ooh, his hand had such a strong grip!
Now, that's a real man for you.
Seriously, for a second, I thought he was gonna crush every single bone in my hand!
But it was sexy.
Our great leader visited our shop.
And because of Mr. Gi, Madame Aema will now be wearing our clothes.
This year's just been one big blessing after another.
Tell him I'm sorry for the delay in getting his money to him.
And also that I'm grateful for this wonderful opportunity
and his generosity.
GIL SHIN-AE BOUTIQUE
What? Did I leave something out?
The amount is wrong.
Hm.
Mr. Lee, would you give us a moment?
What?
A million was the deal.
Two million.
Seriously? What kinda bullshit is this now?
Two million won? You know how much we'd have to sell to get that?!
Are you sure?
You sure you're not mistaken? You're new at this, after all.
Or maybe you're not as naive as you look, and you're tryna skim some off the top?
Yeah, is that it… ya thief?
I'll have you know, Ms. Shin Ju-ae…
used to exclusively wear Paul Goh's designs.
We decided to support a lesser-known designer like you,
and this is the gratitude we get?
Whoa! Oh! Oh!
If you got a problem, you're free to take it up with Mr. Gi!
Yeah, call him, and go haggle for your discount! Go ahead, call him!
-Mr. Lee, hey! Take those back! -Whoa, hold on!
All right. Got you loud and clear. Uh-huh.
Forking over so much money for publicity was a big deal.
And I don't wanna screw up our new working relationship,
so your price is fine.
Oh, come on! Don't be like that!
Just make sure she wears the outfits all pretty. Okay?
All right, you just wait right here.
Fuck that thieving bitch.
Little thug.
I rewrote it again.
Let's reshoot it all.
You got it, sir. I'll go tell 'em.
MADAME AEMA FINAL SCRIPT
Hah!
Giddyup!
Who…
Aema.
It's me, Yun-ho.
Hmm!
You were my woman!
A bit late, but you returned to me.
I don't want this, Yun-ho. Stop it!
I can't do that, I'm afraid.
'Cause I love you.
I loved you yesterday, I loved you today, and will love you always.
Now tell me you love me too.
Spit it out!
Those words I've been longing to hear. Spit them out!
Would someone care to explain what's going on here?
We once loved each other. And we still love each other.
Me and Aema here, we still long for each other's embrace.
I don't feel that way!
We're not the same people that we once were!
Aema!
Hmm.
Looks like you were dreamin' all by your lonesome.
A good whippin'
might help wake you up.
Huh!
Argh!
Take your punishment.
-Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho. -Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho.
-Heave-ho, heave-ho. -Heave-ho, heave-ho.
Don't do that.
Those eyes of yours…
-…won't work anymore! -Ow!
Final pleasantries aren't necessary.
Ero…
guro…
nansensu…
Cut.
Cut!
-Okay! -Yeah? We got it?
Ms. Shin Ju-ae.
Good work.
And your little smile,
it looked nice.
Hee-ran, wait. I wanted to say something.
I hope that you never lose yourself.
Um, what I mean to say is, I don't want any harm coming your way.
Or for you to end up in a bad position.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S VOICE REPORTER YANG SEOK-WON
You're a woman of power and influence, so I don't know if you'd ever need this.
But I figured I'd share it anyway.
It might come in handy for you one of these days.
But, um,
if I overstepped,
then I'm sorry.
What exactly do you think you saw that day?
If you're not sure what you saw…
leave it alone.
Yeong-bae.
Look at that. She seems to have taken a liking to you.
Stop, Mi-na. It's been two weeks.
Just one week without eating can kill a person, y'know?
Not if I drink water, it won't.
If you drink water. Not alcohol.
What's wrong?
Oh, are you afraid I'm gonna die?
How cute!
There's so much of me left to indulge in, and you don't wanna miss out.
You must be scared.
Would you be okay with a different banquet?
I hear there's gonna be another one soon.
You're serious?
What's the catch for this one?
It's a different kind of banquet. It's gonna be a bit of a mixed bag.
C'mon, baby.
How can you say that?
I'm a mixed bag in the flesh.
Why settle for something predictable and boring
when you can get crazy and hot?
That's kinda my whole thing.
Who's hosting this one?
-Giddyup! -Giddyup!
Hah! Giddyup!
Mmm.
Aema…
…I've always noticed how beautiful your body is.
Even a woman can see how very beautiful you are.
The loveliest flower.
Yet a fire lives within you.
Hot, raging, burning you up.
Please, unni.
You're just being kind.
I'm not that woman anymore.
Aema,
I'm telling you it's not too late.
Start trying to find a way to be your own person.
Stop living as someone's wife and as someone's memories.
Don't live for them anymore.
So that one day,
you will learn
to love everything about yourself.
No matter how much the world tries to chain you or hold you down,
don't shrink away.
Don't let them push you to make yourself small.
And whatever the case,
protect yourself.
Okay.
Wait. That's an official wrap on Madame Aema!
Thank you for your hard work, everyone.
Great job, guys!
You all heard about the wrap party tonight?
Great job, man. You've been through a lot, but you did it.
-We actually did it! -Yeah, awesome job.
-Great job! -You were amazing.
Thank God, it's finally over!
I want you to know how grateful I am.
Grateful for what?
We were just acting.
Now get going.
Make sure to take your things with you, guys.
Don't forget anything. Don't leave anything.
Everybody…
I would like to thank you for all your hard work on this film.
My sweetheart couldn't make it tonight,
so I organized this humble dinner for all of you to enjoy tonight.
To say thank you for a job well done.
So please, enjoy.
Ms. Ju-ae?
Hmm.
You probably aren't aware,
but I've always been a big fan of yours right from the very start.
Actors know other actors. Hmm.
And as it turns out, we're both quite similar.
I see the same things in your eyes.
Ambition.
Sex.
Hmm.
'Kay!
Why don't we raise our glasses, everyone?
C'mon, you all!
Cheers!
Yeah!
-Nice job, guys! Nice job! -Great job, everyone.
-Good job! -All right! All finished!
Hey, here's to the film!
Another glass! Another glass! Sir?
We hit a lot of snags on this film in particular.
It was hard for us both.
Please, you know it's all over now, and you're trying to draw out this moment.
Don't be clingy now.
I know getting dumped is hard.
But your heartbreak will eventually heal.
Ah, yeah. So about that.
There's a hiccup you might wanna be aware of.
I was looking at your contract earlier.
The law's a fickle beast.
According to article three, paragraph two, it says that you are to,
"star as the lead in 12 total films produced by Shinsung Pictures."
Did you hear me?
The lead, Hee-ran.
Your character in this film was only supporting, wasn't it?
So, by law, I can't rightfully qualify it as your last film.
Man, the law's a harsh mistress, I tell ya.
But that's how the law is.
It's completely inflexible.
And very cruel.
AEMA ROCKED HONG KONG
How about one more film together? After that, we can finally part ways.
Hmm.
You bitch! You crazy--
Holy fuck!
You tried to kill me! Are you crazy?!
Sh… sh…
You crazy bitch! Use your words!
Oh!
Noona!
Shit!
You almost hit me, goddammit!
Goddammit! There!
Shit!
Shit.
Sh…
Sh… Yah!
The New Year is quickly approaching!
Let's all begin the countdown!
Ten!
Nine!
Eight!
-You proved you're a psycho. -Seven!
I get it.
-Six! -Now cut it out!
Five!
Oh, I'm just gettin' started.
-Four! -Four!
-Three! -Three!
-Two! -Two!
-One! -One!
-Happy New Year, everyone! -Happy New Year!
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