Dear Pyongyang

Stop drinking, darling

There's 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.

It's 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.

Thanks!

You're now old enough to be on the receiving end!

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, Dad.

Just no Americans or Japanese.

But you said anyone!

How about a Frenchman?

That's another issue.

So you do have parameters!

As long as he's 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 who has US nationality?

No way. No Americans.

This isn't "anyone," Dad.

Well, sorry.

Tea!

Tea?

But take the Chinese for example.

Doesn't matter where they live, they're still Chinese.

Anyway,

whether my daughter follows my orders or not,

whether she accepts my ideas or not,

I'm glad because she's all grown up.

She's a grown woman.

This is Tsuruhashi, the town where I was born.

A quarter of the population is Korean.

After the recent handshake between the presidents 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 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 past.

This is my special seat.

Your favorite?

Yup, here.

I'm gonna bike.

You are going to bike? It's so close.

It's easier on the bike.

- Are you going to bike, too? - No, I'll walk.

Pu!

Yes?

Coffee!

OK! I'm coming!

Hurry up!

Let's go!

Look, you're not going any faster than me!

But this saves my legs.

Good morning!

Hey,

I'm done for.

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 have to cry when I die.

I ask 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!

And next, you have to bring it to Pyongyang!

Go straight to Pyongyang, then!

I can't carry a tablet all over the place.

I'll discuss it with your older brother.

- 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 homeland.

But no one will visit your grave there.

Bury me near my sons, then.

That's all.

"Sweetbriers 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, "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 the name 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 amounts of money for Korean education in Japan.

Many had great expectations that North Korea would support their rights...

because their social position in Japan was rootless.

As a result, support for North Korea was over 60 percent.

You fell in love with mom first, right?

Sure, but we fell in love with each other at the same time.

You proposed 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, 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 my grandma?

He said, "I'll die if I can't marry your daughter.”

Then 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.

I was lucky!

Even after you married mom, you had no income?

No, but we were okay.

That's enough!

Stop asking!

My wife 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.”

And then I was born.

Keep it simple, honey.

Okay?

I know.

Happy together until the end of our lives, right?

I mean it.

What did you say?

That we'll live happy 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.

You love my heart. 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 heard 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.”