"The Korean peninsula lost its independence in 1910, when it became part of the Japanese Empire." "World War II ended in August 1945." "Korea was both liberated from Japan, and divided into North and South Korea by Russian and American forces." "In 1948, the Republic of Korea was established in the south and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north." "The national tragedy continued." "The Korean War from 1950 to 1953 intensified the antagonism between North and South Korea." "The antagonism has not yet ended." "The division of the homeland was replicated among ethnic Koreans living in Japan --- the "Zainichi"." "Civil rights activity among the Zainichi was divided along political lines." "Although 99% of the Zainichi were from the South, they were divided into North and South Korean allegiance." "Those Zainichi who supported the North joined the Chongryun organization;" "those who supported the South joined the Mindan organization." "The ideological conflict between North and South Korea intensified among Koreans in Japan." "At the same time, they suffered from poverty and discrimination in the Japanese society." "In the late 1950s, the political and economic situation in South Korea was insecure." "Meanwhile, North Korea enjoyed vigorous economic growth, temporarily stimulated by the USSR." "Many from the South shifted their allegiance to the North." "Then, in 1959, the "Return Project" began." "Over the next 20 years, more than 90,000 people emigrated from Japan to North Korea." "Under the slogans "The Great National Migration" and the "North Korean Paradise", expectations were raised, both by the Japanese media and North Korean supporters." "Most "Returnees" and their families believed that diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea would be re-established and that the Korean peninsula would be re-unified." "Neither has happened." "In reality, the "Returnees" were people who went to an unfamiliar place, where they had never lived." "They have not been permitted to leave." "One of those who watched their families "return" to North Korea was me." "[January 2004]" " Enough drinking." " Just a bit more?" "There is no more beer." " You sure?" " That was the last one." " Let's share another can." " There's no more." "The holidays are one big excuse to drink, huh?" "Yet another toast." "This is new year's money from your daughter." "Thank you so much." "Why don't you count it?" "May I?" "Wow, 50,000 yen in here." "Your voice is being recorded, so say "Thank you"!" "Thanks!" "You're now old enough to be on the receiving end!" "That's good." "Keep working hard." "Take him to a hot spring some day!" "Let's eat." "We're lucky to have such a good daughter, aren't we?" "If only you'd bring home a boyfriend one of these days." " What kind of guy then?" " Anyone you love is fine!" "You sure?" "This video is evidence, you know." "You can't ever complain after this, Dad." "Just no Americans or Japanese." "But you said anyone!" "How about a Frenchman then?" " How about a Frenchman?" " That's another issue." "So you do have conditions!" "As long as he is Korean." "What kind of Korean do you want me to marry?" "There are all sorts these days." "Korean means a Korean just like me." "So both nationalities, North and South are acceptable." "What about a Korean with American citizenship?" "No way." "No Americans." " This isn't "anyone", Dad." " Well, sorry." "Actually, what's wrong with a Korean with American citizenship?" "Tea!" "Tea?" "But take the Chinese, for example." "It doesn't matter where they live, they are still Chinese." "Anyway, whether my daughter follows my wishes or not, whether she accepts my ideas or not," "I'm glad because she's all grown up." "She's a grown woman." "[Ikuno-ku, Osaka]" "This is Tsuruhashi, the town where I was born." "A quarter of the population is Korean." "After the recent handshake between the leaders of North and South Korea, conflicts among North and South Koreans in this town have noticeably decreased." "Previously, however, there was tension throughout this town as various massacres and the Korean War cast their long shadows." "My father, from Jeju Island in South Korea, spent the end of the war in this town." "He chose North Korea as his "Fatherland"." "Sixty years have since passed." "This is my special seat." "Your favorite?" "Yup, here." "I'm gonna bike." " You are going to bike there?" " It is so close." "Easier on the bike." " Mom, Are you going to bike too?" " No, I'm walking." "Let's go." "Good morning!" "Mrs. Pu!" " Yes?" " Coffee!" "OK!" "I'm coming!" "Hurry up!" "Let's go!" "Look, Dad, you're not going any faster than me!" "But this saves my legs." "Good morning!" "Look, I'm on my last legs." " You still have plenty of time left." " Your dad is already 77 years old." "If I live to be 80 or 85 years old with your mom, you don't even have to cry when I die." "I hope that you say, "Dad and Mom, you did your best throughout your life."" "That's enough for me!" "Where should I make your tomb?" "I don't need a tomb." "I want a small tablet, just like this." "And you should put it in a temple." "Which temple?" "A Korean temple or a Japanese temple?" "Not a Japanese temple!" "A Korean temple!" "Where, though?" " Tonguk Temple, in Osaka!" " Tonguk Temple?" "And then, you have to bring it back to Pyongyang!" " Why not do everything in Pyongyang, then?" " I can't carry a tablet all over the place." "I'll discuss it with your older brothers." " Shall we reserve a tomb?" " Why not!" "Well, I'm a really lucky man who has such wonderful wife and daughter." "I'm happy, happy." "Do you prefer to be buried in Pyongyang or Jeju?" "Jeju, of course, it's my home." "But no one will visit your grave there." "Bury me near my sons, then." "That's enough." ""Sweet briars bloom and fall in our island village"" ""A school teacher comes to the village with migrating birds"" ""An 18-year-old girl falls in love with the teacher, a single man"" ""My love, don't go back to Seoul, please don't go"" "She's filming everything!" "My father chose to live as an activist working for social and civil rights for fellow citizens, the "Zainichi", in Japan." "He identified himself with communist ideals and became absorbed in the political activity for Korea's reunification, led by Kim Il-sung." "Dad, when did you first hear of Kim Il-sung?" "When I was 15 or 16." "In Jeju Island?" "That's right." "I was surrounded by people who studied Marxism." "How come?" "Were they friends or relatives?" "Both, friends and relatives." "What was their motivation?" "It was the Soviet Union." "After the successful Soviet revolution, many people thought revolutions could succeed in their own countries." "He was a founding member of the pro-North Chongryun organization." "He told fellow citizens of the greatness of Kim Il-sung and the importance of Korean National Education in Japan." "The organization opened more than 160 Korean schools across Japan." "Pyongyang sent large amount of funds for Korean education in Japan." "Many had great expectations that North Korea would support their rights because their social standing in Japan was that of rootless citizens." "As a result, more than 60% of the population supported North Korea." "You fell in love with Mom first, right?" "Sure, but we fell in love with each other at the same time." "You confessed first, right?" "Yup, at the beginning." "Nice, huh?" "That was good." "How did you propose?" "I said, "I love you!"" " That's all." " And?" ""Let's get married," I said." "You said more than that, Dad." "Don't be shy, Dad!" "This is your movie." "Stop!" "I should break your camera!" "Stop it!" "That's enough!" "But you said something else, didn't you?" " He said it to your grandmother." " What did you say to Grandma?" "He said, "I'll die if I can't marry your daughter."" "Then my mom said, "That's not a good idea." "You have to be alive."" "She's been filming all of this!" "I didn't realize that." "I hate you!" "Shortly after, my parents got married." " You didn't have any income then, right?" " Nope." " But you proposed to her." " Right." "And she still married you!" "Yes, she did." " Lucky you, Dad." " Lucky me!" "Even after you married Mom, you had no income?" "No, but we were okay." "That's enough!" "Stop asking!" "Your mom took good care of me, she really did." "Your foot." "What an annoying daughter!" " Throw her out." " Oh, please." "My mother had to work very hard to support her husband." "While raising three sons, she was also involved in the Chongryun movement:" ""The Parade to relay our gratitude to Kim Il-sung"" "[The Parade to relay our gratitude to The Great Leader, Kim Il-sung]" "And then, I was born." "Keep it simple." "I know." "Happy together until the end of our lives, right?" "I mean it." "What did you say?" "That we'll live happily together until the end of our lives." "How wonderful!" "Don't you think?" "Will you be quiet?" "What?" "What did you say?" "I may be loud, but you still love me." "That's why you married me." "Say what you want." "Deep down, you love me, isn't that right?" " Don't talk to me like that." " I want to make this collar wider ..." "My parents raised me along with my three brothers." "In 1971, I was told that my brothers were going to "return" to North Korea." "My family went on a trip to the sea and we stayed at a seaside hotel." "This was the first and last family trip for us." "We took a family photo to commemorate the "return"." "I didn't know the meaning of the word "return"." "But I realized that my brothers were leaving for a place far away." "I still remember the scene at Niigata Seaport where many well-wishers waved farewell, and a brass band resounded loudly." "I stood on tiptoes in floods of tears to see my brothers off." "My mother was standing at the edge of Niigata wharf, gazing at the ferry fading away towards the horizon." "She kept gazing long after the ferry had gone." "I wouldn't see my brothers again for 11 years." "After my brothers "returned" to North Korea, my mother began to immerse herself in activism." "My parents became great activists and devoted everything to their Fatherland." "People in the community would say, "Your family is the model of a revolutionary and patriotic family."" ""You must grow up to be like your parents, someone who swears loyalty to the Fatherland,"" "... my teachers at school would often tell me." "In those days, ideological content related to the history of Kim Il-sung was incorporated into most subjects taught at Korean schools in Japan." "I accepted words such as "Fatherland", "loyalty" and "revolution" without question." "I was a model student who routinely wrote such words on exam papers." "At the same time, I enjoyed a different kind of culture in Japan." "I listened to my brother's Beatles records, and watched films and plays." "These were ordinary parts of daily life for me, born and raised in Japan." "I repeatedly heard of the "Revolutionary Capital", Pyongyang." "But what I really wanted was to get a real sense of the Pyongyang that my brothers were living in." "I made my first visit to Pyongyang in 1983 as a member of a delegation of students from Korean schools in Japan." "I saw my three brothers for the first time in 11 years." "Although we had been apart for 11 long years, we were allowed only short and limited visiting hours." "During these short visits," "I kept looking for words to describe the missing years." "But all I could do was cry." "And my brothers would look at me and laugh." "Much of the two weeks spent there was taken up by the required visits to local attractions, and I had to swear to devote my life to the Fatherland." "In this country that I'd been taught as my "Fatherland", as I saw the real Pyongyang beyond photos, rather than feeling at home, I felt out of place." "In the 20 years since my first visit, I've visited Pyongyang several times." "It took me some time to fully comprehend the reality of life in Pyongyang." "What would be best to send them?" "Are you planning to sell these in Pyongyang?" " Maybe school supplies would be best?" " That's right." "Pens and erasers." "How about these?" " Only a mother can do this." " Exactly!" "As they say, mothers always look after their kids." "Maybe they'll become doctors?" "They keep on asking for pencils." "Your mother can't help but splurge when it comes to her grandchildren!" "[For Chi-sung and Chi-hong]" "[For Son-ha:" ""Take it everyday, from Grandma"]" " These are the medicines meant for kids?" " Yes, yes." "Not many children there can get good medicine like this." "Well, my grandchildren do." "Not many people pack as meticulously as you do, Mom." "When customs inspectors open my bags in Pyongyang, they would always smile and say, "This is well-packed!"" "My mother has been sending money and supplies to Pyongyang for the past 30 years." "At first, she used to write to her sons and tell them:" ""Make an effort to live as the locals do even if it may be uncomfortable."" "However, as she came to know the reality of life in Pyongyang, the packages she sends got bigger." "Ever since her sons got married and had children, the packages have gotten even bigger." "Would you mind taking some packages to the post office in your car?" "I'm packing 6 or 7 boxes." "If you aren't too busy, I'd appreciate the help." "Around 4pm." "Is that okay with you?" "Right." "I'm still working on it." "Please hold on ... 4pm is too early, right?" "4:30?" "Yes, 4:30 would be good for me, too." "Yes, to the post office." "Yes, thank you." "Thank you very much, sir." "Winter in Pyongyang is harsh." "One day, Mom got a letter, saying that her grandchildren got frostbites." "She quickly packed disposable pocket body-warmers and sent them." "Since then, she's been sending boxes full of disposable body-warmers not only for our family, but also for all our relatives." "Her sons and grandchildren have survived only because of her support." "But she would always tell people:" ""My family lives well because The Great Leader takes good care of them."" "[Year 2001, on Mangyongbong-92] (North Korean Cruise/Ferry)" "This year, my family decided to get together to celebrate my father's 70th birthday." "My father had long wanted to take one more photo of the whole family." ""This ferry is leaving Niigata Seaport, and is heading to Wonsan, the cultural port city in our Fatherland."" ""Currently, the waves are between 1.5 and 2 meters high."" ""The ferry has just departed and is estimated to arrive at Wonsan Seaport at 4pm tomorrow."" ""We respectfully wish for longevity of our Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il."" ""We hope that our fellow citizens will enjoy this cruise journey to our great Fatherland."" "Look over there." "Move a little to this side." "Move here a bit but still try to be in the light." "That's enough." "30 years ago, my brothers crossed this ocean with one-way tickets in hand." "I wonder what they were thinking as they watched this very ocean." "Are Japan and North Korea separated or connected by this ocean?" "After my brothers went to North Korea," "I grew up in the Korean National Education system in Japan, while enjoying a free society." "I believed that I had the right to choose my career." "But I was taught that I had to devote my life to my "Fatherland"" "as the daughter of a patriotic family, even though I had spent my whole life in Japan." "As their only remaining child in Japan, I wanted to please my parents." "But I also wanted to make my own choices." "So I left home and only saw my parents occasionally." "There are seagulls flying ... over the sea." "My mother tore up the first photo of my brothers after their "return"." "She couldn't bear to show it to my father because they'd lost so much weight." "I wondered how they lived, what they ate, what their opinions were." "My questions were only met with ambiguous smiles from my parents." "Kona, with his easy-going personality, should be fine since he could make friends anywhere." "Konmin, who was 14 then, was flexible enough to be able to adapt anywhere." "Kono, however, couldn't live without coffee and classical music when he was in Japan." "He used to listen to Beethoven on his headphones all day long." "I was barely five then, but he would speak to me so passionately about music." "When Kono first "returned" to North Korea, all Western music was prohibited there." "But times have changed, and now, only Western classical music is permitted." "So I would send many CDs of Chopin and Rachmaninoff to Kono." "Each time I visited Pyongyang, we enjoyed listening to those CDs." "Soon, he got married and got a son, Un-sin." "Kono wrote to me that Un-sin would fall asleep listening to Chopin." "Those CDs became an integral part of Un-sin's musical development." "[Year 1995, Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang]" "[Pyongyang University of Music and Dance, Primary Course]" "You should say:" ""Grandma, I've finally been accepted into the school."" "Un-sin keeps looking at the piano." "Where are you going after lunch?" " To my piano lesson." " To piano lesson?" "He can be an idiot." "Aunt Yong-hi!" "You were looking for a piece of paper, right?" "Here!" "Great, thanks!" "Thanks so much." "Son-ha, you're wearing nice pajamas." "It's beautiful." "Show me your pajamas." "Oh!" "It's "Hello Kitty"." "Here you go." "Son-ha!" "Son-ha!" " Son-ha, you should eat them." " I want more!" "Son-ha, say it again." "Grandpa, Grandma!" "I'll eat a lot!" "Okay, good job!" "They are so delicious!" "Say "Thank you."" "Thank you so much." "Thank you!" " Say "Thank you so much!"" " Thank you!" "Yes, good girl!" "Grandpa, Grandma!" "Say, "Thank you for sending so many boxes."" "Thank you for sending so many boxes!" "Why don't you ask them, "Am I pretty?"" "Grandpa, Grandma!" "Thank you for sending us the boxes!" "Grandpa!" "Can you see me?" "This ferry has carried many people with families and relatives in North Korea." "Most passengers bring dozens of boxes for their families." "The ferry connects divided families." "[The Great Leader, Kim Il-sung, is with us forever.]" "Will my parents ever have an easier journey back and forth?" "It's a long journey to see their beloved grandchildren." "A 3-day ordeal by plane, ferry and bus." "The North is so close, yet so far, I realize." "[Wonsan Seaport]" "Wonsan Seaport is the gateway to North Korea." "The landscape of my "Fatherland" has remained unchanged since I first came here 20 years ago." "It seems that time has stopped here." "But here too, ordinary people live their daily ordinary lives." "(Written on top of building:) [Lightning assault]" "[Blitzkrieg]" "[Crush all the enemies]" "As I looked out, I saw people anxiously waiting to see their families and sad people still waiting for families that would never come." ""Today, Pyongyang, led by our Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il, maintains its dignity as the capital of the world's socialist countries."" ""No other country in the world is as magnificent a flag-bearer of socialism as our Fatherland."" ""Therefore, many distinguished people striving to adopt socialism would visit Pyongyang to witness true socialism at work."" "This is the highway connecting Wonsan and Pyongyang." "The rural scenery seen outside was in stark contrast to the "City of Revolution" that the guide was describing." "But even as I felt dissociated from her words, her rustic "Northern" accent was oddly comforting." "At that moment, I saw a sign, saying:" ""16km to Pyongyang"." "We were only 16km from Pyongyang." "My thoughts turned towards my brothers, nephews and niece as I watched the scenery outside." "And I became convinced that I've come not to the "Great Fatherland", nor to the "City of Revolution"." "I've come to see the people I love ..." "who, in turn, await me." "[Pyongyang]" ""No. 17, 33, 49!"" ""Comrades!" "Be responsible by marching in perfect order!"" ""Even if pushed from behind, do your best to keep your place!"" ""Maintain your place in line as you march!"" ""Let's do it again."" ""Each team, make an effort!"" ""Music!"" ""Stop!"" "[Statue of Kim Il-sung, Mansudae Grand Monument]" " Be natural." " Be natural?" "They always stop moving as if it's a still camera." "I have to keep telling them, "Don't stop moving."" "It's too embarrassing with our arms all stiff and locked." "He's walking so self-consciously, like this." "My parents looked truly happy standing in front of the statue." "But I couldn't ignore the triangular building (Ryugyong Hotel) behind it." "Construction of the building had been halted years before." "To me, it was a symbol of unveiled reality, and it was painful to see." ""Stop!"" ""Pom-poms down!"" ""Comrades on the right need to be especially sharp."" ""But once the march begins, everyone must follow the order."" ""Turn your upper body with grace!"" "Dad!" "You look so cute!" "Bring my medals here." "It was a last-minute decision to celebrate my father's 70th birthday." "My sisters-in-law had prepared a traditional outfit for him." "You've gotten fatter than before." "Dad ..." "You should wear it for your first visit to South Korea." "And here, put on the badge of our Great Leader." "You look so young!" "And the color of the vest is nice." "You look like an actor who plays a typical grandfather." "A famous old actor!" "You look great!" "Like a distinguished Korean man." "Really nice." "Let's go to the mirror." "You need to lose weight!" "You should go on a honeymoon with those costumes." "I'm bringing your dad to the mirror, so film the whole thing." "Really, this outfit suits you." "See, it looks great." "I'll go back to the hotel wearing this." "Good morning." "This way?" "These red peppers will be used for kimchi." "Can you see that steel window-guard on the second building?" "That's the kitchen of my apartment." "And the other rooms are on the opposite side." "The porch is also on the opposite side." "There it is." "They're making charcoal." "Briquettes." "We're almost there." "[Tower of the Juche Idea]" "Is it already noon?" "We had a nice walk today." "Let's go back home." "This way." "Take bigger steps, like it's exercise." " Grandpa, you're on camera." " You're being filmed, Grandpa." "Grandpa, long life!" "Long life!" "There's so much fat, Grandpa." "It won't hurt, Mother." " Mother, how does it feel?" " It's painful." "Mom, help me again!" "Your homework?" "Again?" "Where?" "Son-ha is drinking water, Mom is doing Son-ha's homework." "An American who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize ..." "At this rate, I have no idea when you'll be able to finish!" "Hurry now and get it done." "How do your classmates do their homework without a book like this?" "Write your name at the end, and add something like:" ""I hope to win such an award in the future."" "I really like Aunty." "I love you." " I love you." " I love you too." "Un-sin, you promised you'd play the piano for me." "Play the piano for Grandpa." "What shall I play for you?" "Let's start with a bit of Liszt." "Aunty, film it!" "That's great!" "How do you feel, Father?" "I feel great!" "He plays well." "I'm happy." "My brother was hopeful for his son's future." "My father was happily listening to his grandson's performance." "What seems like an ordinary moment for any family would become a precious memory for us." "Ah, finally, a sense of civilization ..." "Electricity!" "Un-sin!" "Play a "Prelude"." "By Rachmaninoff, was it?" "I can't do that yet." "Un-sin!" "You're the best in the world!" "I'm giving you a compliment!" "Film this, I'm kissing my grandson." "Round about here." "It should be above the heart." "Someone told me that." " A little bit lower." " I'm making it aligned, it's not that easy." " It's not aligned." " There." "That should do the trick." "A little bit lower on this side." "Above the heart?" "Symbolizing: "As long as my heart beats ..."" "Okay, that's it." "Handle them with care." "You should practise doing this, in case you have to do it on your own." "Anyone can help me with this." "Well, what if you are all by yourself!" " You're so naggy." " I'm not nagging." "Is each medal an acknowledgement of my parents' loyalty?" "I couldn't bear to smile along with my parents." "My family has always forbidden criticism of the Fatherland." "That hasn't been easy for me." "I've thought that the ideological gap between me and my parents could never be bridged." "As I talked to my parents over the years," "I've tried to understand what their lives were like before I was born." "As their daughter, I needed to understand the choices they've made." "Do something with your hands." "Stop it." "Okay!" "Both together this time." "[Okryu Restaurant, Pyongyang]" "Thank you." "Thank you so much." "We're both so old now." "Many people came to the celebration of my father's 70th birthday and my parents' golden anniversary." "The guests were not only from Pyongyang City but also from outlying regions such as Sinuiju, Wonsan and Chongjin." "For people here, attending a big party hosted for a guest from Japan is an honor." "I felt especially thankful to those who had traveled by train for dozens of hours." "Though my parents were ecstatic that their sons were hosting the party in their honor, it was actually paid for out of the allowance sent by my parents." "The party for 100 guests cost US$2500." ""Our Dear Leader has sent his love and well-wishes for this celebration of Mr. Yang's 70th birthday held in Pyongyang City, where his family currently live, in recognition of Mr. And Mrs. Yang's admirable work as great leaders and exemplars for our fellows."" ""We will now commence the 70th birthday celebration of comrade Mr. Yang."" "Do you remember her?" "Sure, she was in kindergarten then." "She's all grown up now." "Most of the guests were "returnees" from Japan." "They included my brothers' childhood friends from Japan, and my father's childhood friends from Jeju Island who had gone to Japan before "returning" to North Korea." "I heard from these guests that my parents had been sending money and boxes of supplies not only to our own family, but also to many relatives and friends." "Each time they thanked my parents, I had mixed feelings." "My parents have been continuously sending money and supplies to North Korea." "Those who "returned" here are being sustained by my parents." "Yet, people here speak of those acts with phrases such as "for our Fatherland"" "and "by the grace of the Fatherland"." "I couldn't comprehend what was the "Fatherland" they spoke of." ""And now, a few words from Mr. Yang."" "Although I've already been properly introduced, please allow me to add a bit more." "I started this career in the August of 1946 by the grace of love and consideration of our Great Leader, Kim Il-sung." "Since then, 55 years have flown by." "It's easy to say "55 years"." "But they certainly were not the easiest of times." "I've been reassessing my life in terms of our ideology." "I've been wanting to talk to my father about changing my North Korean nationality." "In the past, I've talked to him about me immigrating to South Korea." "He was furious." "He said he would take it as a rejection of his life's work." "Since then, nationality has been a taboo subject in my family." "As I listened to his speech," "I wished he could understand I would never live up to his ideals." "I couldn't be sure whether he would still accept me as his daughter." "I feared that there was no way to bridge this divide between us." "Be well!" "We'll come again!" "Take care!" "Take care!" "We've repeated the same farewell several times." "Whenever I leave for Japan, my brothers would always tell me:" ""Yong-hi, be happy!" "Keep your chin up!"" "And I would respond:" ""You keep yours up too, Brothers!"" "We're saying the same thing, but there's a different weight to our words." "And I would say:" ""You know I'll come again."" "There is nothing else I can say to them." "Three years have past since that last visit." "[Osaka, June 2004]" "Do you have any regret about sending your sons away?" "I had no alternative then." "But I wish I didn't have to send them." "How old were you when you sent them to North Korea?" "How old was I?" "It was about ... 32 ... 33 years ago ..." "That would make you ..." "43 or 44 years old?" "We had exciting prospects for our future because the pro-North movement had made great progress." "I know now that we were overly optimistic." "I've talked honestly to my three sons about my feelings regarding my decision." "We were probably too naive, and they also were too young." "Konmin was only 14 years old, right?" "Did you cry when they left?" "No, I didn't." "Did you see Mom crying?" "Yes, I saw that." "Do you remember her standing at the edge of Niigata wharf?" "But I never thought the whole situation would turn out like this." "I believed that many issues would be resolved better than they actually have been." "At the time, the relationship between North and South Korea was very hostile." "Were you planning to go back to Jeju if the North and South were reunified?" "At the time, yes, I was." "He had always avoided discussing the past with me." "But I appreciated that he was beginning to answer my questions the best he could." "His replies were terse." "But each word carried tremendous weight." "This is the only housework you do." "That's right." "Thanks for coming this time." "You should come more often." ""Thanks for coming"?" "This is still her home!" "You're acting strange today." " I mean, I understand if she can't come." " Of course, she'll come!" "She had a good rest here this time." "Do you want to say something to your grandchildren in Pyongyang?" "Stay healthy." "Study hard." "I truly believe that our country will soon make great progress economically as well as in other areas." "Haven't you waited long enough?" "Faith means nothing without waiting." "My loyalty has never wavered." "Let them know how I feel." "Hopefully, they will re-establish relations so that my sons in Pyongyang can come visit us in Japan." "And we'll be free to make phone calls!" "Dad, my nationality is causing problems." "Go ahead and change it to South Korea, then." "Really?" "Are you sure?" "You shouldn't have to, but if you must, ..." "It's very hard for me to travel abroad, Dad." "Whenever I do, I need a "Re-Entry Permit", like for refugees." "It's easier with a South Korean citizenship, right?" "So go ahead." " Will you change yours?" " Me?" "You won't change it because of your loyalty, right?" "Never." "Not even after I die!" " But you'll let me do it." " Yup." "You said that all your family members must remain loyal to the leaders." "Yourself, Mom, your sons and grandchildren in Pyongyang ..." " But you left me out." " No, you still need to remain loyal." "Are you putting me in a different category than family?" "Only around this issue." "You won't give me a hard time about it later on?" "Of course not." "Don't be silly!" "Are you sure?" "My!" "You've changed, Dad." "Dad, we're not done yet." " That's enough!" " We're not done yet." "Listen to me, Dad." "When I was in New York, you demanded that I keep my North Korean nationality." " I did." " Then, why have you changed your mind?" "Well, I want you to have a better situation for your work and circumstances have changed in many ways." "So I've decided on a small compromise." "Don't turn away." "We haven't finished talking." "No!" "Stop!" "Ouch!" "Stop it." "Can I marry a guy from Seoul?" " That's okay." " Really?" "Yes, that's okay." "South Koreans are Koreans too in my opinion." "But you'd be so lonely if I moved to Seoul after marriage." "Sure, but you can always come to Japan to see me." "I see." "Maybe your mom and I will visit you in Seoul." "Maybe even Kono or Kona can visit someday." " Who knows when that will be possible, Dad." " It'll be difficult, sure." "But it can happen." "Dad, I want to ask you more, a bit more." "Enough!" "What's with her?" "Dad, just a bit more." "Can I have a glass of water?" "Keeping our North Korean nationality had been the law in my family." "He had never compromised on this issue." "He said it's for my work, and because circumstances have changed." "Was he showing his acceptance to a daughter who chooses a different life than his?" "I was grateful for his smile." "Meanwhile, I thought about the harsh reality that we all must choose between North and South Korea." "He said he would never change his citizenship." "What exactly is he trying to protect?" "I would continue to think about the meaning behind his words." "Finally, I felt like I could talk to him." "I wanted to hear more of his thoughts." "I wanted him to hear more of my thoughts." " That's enough!" " Listen to my question." "Which guy would you prefer?" "A Korean guy who can't speak Korean or eat kimchi, or a Japanese guy who can speak Korean and loves kimchi?" "No Japanese!" "I've been saying that!" "Are you crazy?" "Just confirming, Dad." "I held my father's hand tightly, and prayed he would keep breathing." "His hand was warm as he held mine just as tightly." "He was in great pain, but I felt in him a strong will to live." "I had never stared at my father's face for this long." "[New Year's Day, 2005]" "What did you want to say?" "That you fell in love with me?" " Your mom and I are still in love with each other." " That's right." "I know." "I will try and find a man just as wonderful." "We're going to get through this and go back home, okay?" "Promise me." "Let's make a pinky swear." " You promise me, right?" " Right." "We should cut those fingers apart." "That's scary, Dad." "Dad, here, New Year's gift from me!" "Isn't it cute?" "A Hello Kitty envelope this year." " Who's Kitty?" " It's a cute cat." "Can you see this?" " There's 50,000 yen in here." " Mom, don't say that yet." " He should know." " Dad, you should count it." "Let's take a picture holding it." "Don't bite it, Dad." "Do you want to open it?" "Okay, now you can see the money." "Look how much there is." "She paid the hospital bill, too." " We should thank her." " But I still need more money." " I have a lot to spend on." " I know." " Let's count it." "Okay?" " 1, 2, 3, ..." " ..., 4, 5." " She gave you 50,000 yen." "We should thank her." "Put them back in the envelope." "I'll work hard so I can give you more next year." "You want to put them in your pocket?" "Okay, okay, let me help you." "You might drop it." " I won't." " There you go." "Okay!" "From now on, money will go into my suit pocket." "Sure, let's do that." "Dad, what are you going to do with this money?" "Maybe pay for the treatment?" "You've already got 20,000 in your suit pocket." "I'll put this money together with that." "Keep them separate." " So what would you like to do with it?" " Anyway, you're a great daughter!" " Say, "Thank you"." " Okay." "Let's all hold hands together." "We'll do our best!" "Don't go to sleep, Dad." "Dad, Mom was crying last night." "She's worried about you." "She's worried that you might hold it against her." "Even though she's been doing her best for you, she sometimes feels you blame her." "Mom feels guilty." "She is sorry because she can't do enough to help you get better." "She feels as though she is not doing enough for you." "She blames herself." "Dad, you know that Mom has been a great help to you, right?" "Isn't she the best?" " She's the best!" " She is, right?" "Say "Thank you" to her." "Say it to the camera and I'll show it to her." "I'll show it to her so that she knows how much you appreciate her, okay?" " Shall we do that?" " Okay." "So Dad, what kind of a wife is she?" " She is the best." " She's the best, right?" "And she's so beautiful too, right?" "That's right." "It was love at first sight for you, right?" "Yes, it was." "She was such a beauty when she was young, right?" "And she still is." "I can see why you fell for her." "You celebrated your wedding over just a bowl of noodles, right?" "That's right." "And you could only afford an apple to share on your dates?" "But she helped you with your activitism work?" "She distributed leaflets for you, right?" "She did." "And she put up posters?" "That's right." "Mom was arrested by the police because she helped you, right?" "She was so brave, wasn't she?" "I remember that." "She did a good thing." "She sent boxes and boxes of supplies to your sons." "For her grandchildren too." " She did a lot for them." " Yes, she did." "So Dad, you should tell Mom, "Thank you"." "Thank you, honey!" " And tell her you love her." " I love you!" "You love her a lot, right?" "I love her so much." " More than anything in this world, right?" " Right." "I'll show this video to her." " This is evidence, okay?" " Okay." "Dad, I'm so happy to have you as my father." " You're happy?" " Yes." "Even though my ideology is different from yours." "No, it isn't." "Even though my thinking is different from yours," "I'm very happy to be your daughter." "I'm so proud of you, Dad." "I'm also proud of Mom." "Why are you crying?" "Aren't you happy?" "Let's do our best to go to Pyongyang again!" "Let's go to Pyongyang!" "As I repeatedly tell him, "Let's go to Pyongyang again to see our family,"" "I begin to realize what "Pyongyang" means to him." "Dad, even if you're in a wheelchair or bedridden, we'll get to Pyongyang again." "Your family is there waiting for you." "Let's go home." "This is dedicated to my mother who has always stood by my father." ""Grandpa, Grandma, Un-sin will play a song for you.""