My Name Is Loh Kiwan (로기완)

BASED ON THE NOVEL I MET LOH KIWAN BY CHO HAE-JIN

When we land, walk out separately. Don't crowd together.

Once in customs, you'll see a checkpoint. That's where you'll give your passport.

Try not to act nervous. Do what they tell you.

But, sir, what if they question all of us?

"I don't speak French, sorry." That's all you'll have to say.

We're preparing to land. For your safety, sit down, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Once you're off the plane, go to gate 3. We'll meet by the bathrooms.

"I don't speak French."

-Wait, so what do I do, then? -I don't speak French.

Memorize it. You could get caught otherwise.

-What do we do if we get caught? -This is your captain speaking.

We have begun our descent into Brussels Airport.

Next.

"I don't…"

Please have your passports ready. Thank you.

Jeon Chun-bong.

Lee Han-gil.

Park Dong-hun.

Kim Jeong-sik.

Lee Gwang-cheol.

Um, excuse me, comrade. Where is this place?

I'll drive you. Forty bucks.

I'll pay you when we get there.

Here's the money.

I don't know what your story is, but I don't want any bad luck. Take it.

Call me if you wanna go back to China.

Here's my card.

Go.

Please don't push each other around.

Please stay in the line.

You can't stand there. Go to the other side.

Come on through.

Next.

Move on, please. Move on.

Please fill out this form.

Next.

You must attach a copy of your ID.

An ID.

Um, passport, please.

A copy of the passport or another form of ID you have to attach.

Do you… Okay.

Please get some help from the interpreter, okay?

Mm-hmm.

Yes. Mm-hmm.

You. Help.

Mr. Loh Kiwan?

Hello there. I'm your interpreter, Kim Gyeong-sil.

Oh.

You're in luck today. You usually have to book in advance.

I'm really glad to help you out. Shall we go?

-Hello. How are you? -Hello.

"First thing we need to do is gather some personal information."

"Your name, your date of birth, country of origin, and hometown."

My name is Loh Kiwan.

I was born December 1st, um, 1990.

Camp 7, Hasang Collective Farm, Usi-gun, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

I was born in the farm's seventh work unit.

I was able to obtain a passport through a broker my uncle found.

"So, Mr. Loh, you say that you fled to China in 2019

but that you weren't employed while you were living in Yanji."

"How were you able to afford a plane ticket here to Belgium

and counterfeit a passport?"

Well, uh…

Well, my mother… she…

" Do you mean your mother gave you the money?"

Mom, why aren't you eating?

I'm not hungry.

Anyway, it brings good luck when you eat a birthday meal alone.

They say if you do that,

you'll go through your entire life without ever starving.

They say you should eat your noodles whole if you want to live longer,

so stop breaking your noodles apart, okay?

All right, okay.

Oh, Mom… do you work today?

You know people like to have warm food on cold days.

That also means more money for you and me.

I know, but I should be the one working.

You do so much for us… while I spend my days indoors.

It's so unfair.

Now, now. It's your birthday, and I don't mind working.

Besides, all a mother wants is for her child to be safe and healthy.

I can continue to work for us until we leave China.

So don't worry.

It's my fault.

I should've turned a blind eye when the boss was beating up Jeong-jin.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have to be in hiding like this.

-I'm sorry, Mother. -Now, don't talk like that.

He would have died if you didn't intervene.

You did the right thing, so never apologize for that.

All right, okay.

Don't stay past closing, hmm?

I would leave on time if it was up to me, but it's not.

I'll see you after work.

Happy birthday, comrade.

Miss!

Yes?

-What would you like? -A cold one.

Coming right up.

-Hey, that snow sure is wild. -Hey, comrade!

-You're here! -Yeah!

Mr. Loh? This is the last question for today.

"Are you Korean-Chinese

and just pretending that you are North Korean

to receive state subsidies set aside for defectors?"

Uh,

I am not.

No.

There will be a second interview. I can fit you in on February 5th.

At three o'clock. I'll jot you down.

I guess I'll see you then.

Um, wait…

You mean February… of next year? Is that what I'm hearing?

Mmm.

It's just… what am I supposed to do? I won't be able to work for now?

You'll just have to hang in there.

Where did you say that restaurant was again?

Oh, just have to go downstairs. It's on the left.

Ah!

Oh God, baby, you taste like watermelon.

Come up here. I wanna taste too.

You will. I'm not done with you yet.

Yeah, right there.

Oh yes. You're so good like that.

Oh yeah.

Oh, hey there, sexy. You wanna join us?

Hey, get out of here! I said, get out of here, huh?

Get out of here!

Don't kick him out so soon!

I wanna taste of him.

Hey! Let me in!

You idiot! I kicked you out, freak!

Now, where were we?

You missed out. Maybe next time, pretty boy.

Who's this piece of trash?

Isn't this the one we saw pissing by the train station?

This one's way shorter. Makes you look tall.

Shut up, asshole.

Get lost, you beggar. This is our fire.

-Yeah, get out of here. -I won't hurt you.

Take your shit and get the hell out of here!

Sorry, I lied.

Take that, you beggar.

Dirty bastard!

Take that, bitch!

That's what you get, you dirty hobo!

-Damn, I'm starving. -Down for a beer?

I never turn down beer.

-I can go for a burger. -You eat too much.

Hey, hurry up!

I'll ask you one more time.

LOH KIWAN

Is this person here your son?

No, sir.

That's not my son.

Hey there! Officer Lee.

Don't you two know this lady is Mr. Choi's second cousin?

Mr. Choi?

Oh, come now. You remember.

He gave your wife a ride that night she got too drunk.

Ah, guess what.

Mr. Choi's son recently was accepted to Peking University.

Mr. Choi was never one for studying. It's funny, actually.

He barely graduated.

How did a fool like that raise such a smart son?

Huh?

Hey, Ma.

Hey!

Hey, freeze!

Mom, this way!

Stop!

Stop! There they are! Stop right there! Freeze!

-Shit! -Hey!

It's through here.

Come on! Get them!

They went that way!

Freeze right now!

Mom, no. Over here.

This way!

Almost there, Mom!

Mom!

Answer me. Mom!

Wake up! Mom!

-She just came out from nowhere. -Yeah, crazy.

-Ok Hui, wake up. -Uncle, help me. Please!

-Hey! Hey. Hey, sis. -Mom, wake up!

-Mom! -Open your eyes. Please!

Hey! Move the car! Hey!

Kiwan.

You have to survive, Kiwan.

You'll have to continue on without me now.

You need to go on.

Find a life worth living.

Seek refuge…

and have a life of your own.

Get up, Ma.

You're coming with me too. You'll be okay, huh?

You can't be here. They'll catch you.

I'll stay here with your mother. Don't get caught.