The Silenced (경성학교: 사라진 소녀들)

(Sanitorium school near Seoul, 1938)

Is she here?

The new girl?

Let me see.

Is that the car?

There she is.

Finally,

a new owner for the spot.

I don't like it. Do you?

I'm Kato Sanae, the headmistress.

We don't normally accept new students during the semester.

So, it's an exception for us.

Welcome.

Very nice to meet you, Shizuko.

When do you leave for Tokyo?

In a few days.

My husband's already there.

You're on your own now.

But don't worry. So is everyone else here.

You'll become healthy again, too.

What are you doing?

Aren't you coming?

I don't understand...

But why?

Can I just keep this?

Guidance!

It's the regulation.

You know what a regulation is, don't you?

Still burning.

She was being extra harsh because it's your first day.

But things won't be so bad.

Your personal belongings should go in here.

This is your journal. Write your name on the cover.

Keep daily entries and hand it in in the morning.

And...

Don't ever cry.

I'm Shizuko.

Her name is Shizuko?

I trust you'll treat her like a family.

Be nice.

Let's get back to class.

Kihira, show Shizuko what we were doing.

I'm Kihira.

Good to meet you.

Hi...

You know how to embroider?

Yeah.

We're embroidering cherry blossoms together.

Individual blossoms are tiny

but together they'll look great.

Once it's completed, we'll send it to Japan.

If we get more points than the other schools,

our chances of going to Tokyo will increase.

Isn't that great? Have you been there?

Huh?

To Tokyo.

No, I haven't.

Me, neither.

They say the city is covered with cherry blossoms just like these.

Okay... ready?

Two, three!

Fifteen.

Sixteen, end count.

All present and accounted for

and ready for bed, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lights out.

I brought her.

Shizuko.

Shizuko?

You get on my nerves.

What have you got? Is it contagious?

Answer me.

You need to tell me so I can categorize you.

Categorize me?

Answer me first.

Is your disease contagious?

Is it or is it not?

No.

Hey.

I can't hear you.

Are you dumb?

Oh my god, you've got tuberculosis?

She's jinxed.

What's going on here? Go back to bed.

All of you.

What's the matter with you?

I heard you coughed blood last night.

Perhaps your condition is more serious than I thought.

Things must have been

hard for you, poor one.

Drink this. It'll help you ease up.

We select two physically outstanding students

and will send them to Tokyo.

If someone weak like you becomes one of them,

it would bring me great joy as a teacher.

You want to go to Tokyo, don't you?

I'll prescribe injections for you to take every morning.

I hope we'll see some results.

Thank you.

Kihira...?

I'm sorry.

I can't believe they did that to you.

It's not fair

just because you have the same name.

What do you mean?

There was another girl called Shizuko before.

She used to be best friends with Kazue and Yuka.

But her health got worse and she went home.

Still, that is no reason to be mean to you.

You've done nothing wrong.

How pathetic of them.

Something wrong?

Huh?

Nothing.

I figured

that you'd be upset about your diary.

This place is a secret.

It's broken. Nothing down here works.

It's safe with me.

What?

You said this was a secret.

It must've belonged to someone.

We discovered it by chance.

I haven't been here in a while.

Now, this is the real secret.

Because it's breaking the regulation.

Keep it well hidden.

What's your name?

Real name.

Mine is Hong Yeon-deok.

It's Ju-ran.

Cha Ju-ran.

That sounds more like you.

I got it from mom.

My disease.

Aren't you scared that you might catch it?

But your mom looked well.

She passed away.

I guess my dad

and the woman he remarried

are scared they might catch it.

They dumped me here and left for Tokyo.

How cowardly of them.

Never told anyone about this.

It's safe with me.

Don't you keep a diary?

I told you it's against the school regulation.

Good!

3m 87.

Shizuko.

Kazue.

Yes.

Very good!

3m 91.

My job is to turn out

physically fit female citizens.

Your academic performance

and having good moral values are important, too.

But as loyal subjects of Japanese empire,

the most important is to maintain physical fitness.

Your daily pills will boost your immune system

and stabilize metabolism.

They are prescribed for you individually.

So, have faith and follow me.

Alright then,

say 'thank you for the meal.'

Thank you for the meal.

I like the pills we take before the meal.

It gives appetite and clears my head.

I sleep so much better

and gained some weight, too.

You know that girl, Shizuko...

What was she like?

I mean...

Was she kind... or mean?

Was she pretty... Tell me anything.

What are you trying to do?

I didn't mean to...

You didn't mean to?

You didn't mean what?

No...

You didn't mean any harm?

What the hell, wench?

Who do you think you are?

Hey, Shizuko.

Kihira...

How are you feeling?

I'm great. Why?

I'm sorry

for making you lose your temper.

Me? Lose temper?

But I never do that.

Look, it's Kazue.

She knows she's the one that's going...

- Huh? - To Tokyo.

It's obvious that it's going to be Kazue and Yuka.