Almost Love (Cheongchun-manhwa) (청춘만화)

In 1895...

Lumiere Bros.

Invented the motion picture.

- About 60 years later - It hurts!

Do your best!

1945, Hong Kong

- most important incident in film history - Not yet?

Now what?

- Takes place in - Water!

- A small island of China. - Got it!

Hurry!

It's born to god of action movie.

Jackie Chan

According to legend, Jackie has shoulder-length hair

and he's good at kicking.

KWON Sang-woo

KWON Sang-woo I'm writing a screenplay now.

It's like a floor plan to make a movie.

Lucky ones are made into glamorous films

but most end up as worthless trash.

KIM Ha-neul

Okay, fantastic!

Written & Directed by LEE Han My name is LEE Ji-hwan.

Written & Directed by LEE Han I only have one dream.

Written & Directed by LEE Han I only have one dream.

To be an action actor surpassing Jackie Chan

and make movies 'til I get old and die.

ALMOST LOVE

Hey!

You wanna die?!

Sleep well?

My name is JIN Dal-rae.

Take care of your skin, you!

Wrinkles on your face already!

My dream is to be a heart-bearing actress.

Guess you don't know, that

sincere actors tell the life story through these wrinkles.

Kyung-hee wonders the street she was abandoned 13 years ago.

An empty corner of the street, where

she sees an alley cat, abandoned just like her.

Perhaps... I may not be a human being. I may be a cat instead.

A cat disguised as a human.

What? You're a human disguised as a cat?

JIN Dal-rae, you fool! shouldn't be crying now.

You can't even speak lines in public

yet overacting when alone!

Again!

But there's

one problem.

I get so nervous speaking

in front of people.

They tell me to drop my dreams.

However! I have a magical spell

granting all my wishes.

What is it?

It's... a secret.

Good morning mom!

What gets you up so early?

Is something burning?

Oh my, what am I thinking?

Dad, must be dementia.

I'm worried, aren't you? She's not even 50 yet!

Yesterday... all of sudden... she asks, 'What's your name? '

A mother forgets her own daughter's name!

Such a unique name too. JIN Dal-rae, from Youngbyun, Yaksan!

Dad, you named me, so don't forget it.

Okay?

Dad, you're losing weight.

Good morning!

That's Ji-hwan, a friend from neighborhood.

I was out exercising, brought these for you.

Stopped his mental age around ten.

How pitiful, so I play with him.

Dal-rae!

He's Young-hoon, my boyfriend.

Good looking, huh? Master of Taekwondo as well.

Always finishing in 1st place.

Took some time, but finally found myself the one.

Hi! Keep practicing.

I missed you.

Changed your hair.

It's pretty.

Let me walk you to the lecture hall.

That's okay.

Hey...

Took three months just to grab your hand.

Feels good!

Looking for Ji-hwan?

Yes. I don't see him anywhere.

Hasn't come to practice. Doesn't answer the phone either.

Hmm... Do it for love of movies.

Hi, how are you?

Good, how are you?

Excuse me, but...

Can you hand me the tissues?

Damn!

Stop!

I'll kill you!

Come on!

Cut!

Okay.

Are you Ok?

Is everything alright?

Except for blood on my chest.

Yeah, right.

It's the winter. Once the ice stabs the bones

he realizes that he's alive.

Nice! What a line!

Dad, you're a novelist now?

A novelist, that's really off the wall.

Can't recall the things you've done.

Uh, a truck driver...

a cabaret singer...

You and your samba...

a dance instructor...

a month at acting school to become an actor... Remember that?

Hey, stick to what's going on now.

Dwelling on the past... not a manly thing to do.

Sir, I came for visit.

Hi Dal-rae, welcome!

Hey, what's up?

This is Ji-hwan's dad.

I'm MOON Young-hoon, Ji-hwan's classmate.

Ah, so you're Young-hoon...

Sir,

bought some soju and squid for you.

How many?

The fridge is broken so put them in cold water.

Yes.

Do you drink?

No sir, not really.

You're cringing. Sit over here.

Stop playing around, dad.

Wait a sec Young-hoon. Will be with you shortly.

Thought you were hurt, look well to me.

My sincere apology for being well.

Are these even washed?

Should've never come here!

Well, Ji-hwan says you will wash them again,

for sure and told me to soak them and hang.

And those... socks need to be sewed.

I'll let you pass just for today.

Are these rags or socks?

Shit!

I guess you're a writer.

Yeah. A novel.

Oh, I see.

Why do you look at me like that? Do I look that handsome to you?

Yes, you're handsome.

Kissing my ass?

So young yet corrupted already! Um...

Did you want to tell me something?

Have a seat.

Okay.

I consider Dal-rae like a daughter

How long have you been a couple?

It's been about three months.

You two can't be serious then.

Huh?

Are you close to Ji-hwan?

Yes, I believe we are.

Close friends... It's hot!

Then can I ask you a favor as a father of your friend?

Yes, of course.

Got 30,000 won with you? Just 30,000 won.

Pardon me?

I saw a pair of sneakers perfect for Ji-hwan.

I'm short 30,000 won.

I'll pay you back right away.

Can you lend me that money?

Sure.

Thanks a lot!

I ask you as a father of your friend...

keep this a secret, okay?

Yes, a secret!

Quiet!

I worry about you and your life.

Not everyone can become Jackie Chan.

Heard from somewhere that he fell unconscious five times

and has metal parts all over his body.

My goal is to fall unconscious six times and be a Robocop!

Ouch! That really hurts!

A Robocop! You're Robocop!

Dad, Dal-rae's killing your son!

Dal-rae? He deserved it, right?

Of course.

Take her away Young-hoon!

Don't come back here again!

How can he be so filthy!

Dal-rae...

Yes sir?

When did you meet Ji-hwan?

Um... It was during 2nd grade...

over ten years already!

Dal-rae, Can I ask you a favor?

Yes, of course.

Actually... I thought of a novel seeing you and Ji-hwan

And?

Stories of you two may be helpful.

They're not that interesting.