Little Forest (Liteul Poleseuteu / 리틀 포레스트) (리틀 포레스트)

Mi-sung-Ii is a rural village famous for rice and apples.

To buy anything, I have to go into town.

It takes close to an hour to go and come back.

KIM TAE-RI

I came down to my childhood home from Seoul 3 months ago at winter.

LITTLE FOREST

WINTER

When it's cold, I crave dough soup.

The dough must sit for 2 hours. Perfect time to clean the snow.

Jae-ha?

One sip of dough soup when I'm freezing...

There is no more rice or flour left.

I have to go into town or report to my aunt.

Or I could starve.

I don't want anyone to know that I'm here.

Song Hae-won!

When did you come down? Why didn't you call!

I was going to after chopping firewood.

Don't lie.

You should've called right away.

I'll fall!

Welcome home.

I missed you.

But Why'd you come? Did you pass the exam?

Why didn't you call me first!

Did your boyfriend pass?

Well, ah...

Some friends hit you where it hurts.

Eun-sook is like that.

I get it.

You failed and he passed, huh.

It hurts your pride so you came to hide?

You did that before too!

- When you did bad on your tests. - Stop!

You kept quiet to yourself.

That's why you came, right?

No. 1 came because Tm hungry.

Not because you're jealous?

I'm really hungry.

What?

Should we call Jae-ha over?

Jae-ha?

How long has he been back?

Jae-ha went to a university nearby and got a job right away.

Since I went to school in Seoul, we naturally lost touch.

He helped his parents farm and started a small orchard.

Number 12, please!

Eun-sook graduated from college and got a job at the bank in town.

Since she's never lived away, she complains how boring it is here.

Her dream is to escape here and live in the city.

I worked and studied for the teacher certification exam.

My life in Seoul was stifling too.

Instant food didn't fill me up.

I meant it when I said I came back because I'm hungry.

Thanks for the food!

HOON

Hae-won, I passed the exam.

I don't know how you did, so I can't really be happy.

Call me. I'll be waiting.

Who is it?

Wild boars come around this time of year.

Doesn't the elk cry like humans?

Sounds like a crazy woman crying.

Stop it, Mommy! Please!

AUNT BOK-SOON

What are you doing here?

Aunt Eek-soon?

How'd you know I came?

There's smoke coming off your chimney.

1 thought your mom was back.

How've you been?

Has Morn been by here?

I wouldn't know. I don't come by every day.

She's not one to come and say she's back.

Do you keep in touch?

Oh dear.

You're just like her.

What?

I thought your mom was odd. You're unique too.

You're so much like her.

Of course, she's dad's sister.

Come have breakfast and take some food.

It's okay. I'm not staying long.

When are you leaving?

In 3 or 4 days.

If Morn ever comes back, don't tell her I was here.

- Please? - Okay...

Come on. Let's go.

Eat slowly. You'll choke.

Why do you look so haggard?

Eat slowly!

- But it's good! - Why you...

Try the pickle too.

- Long time no see. - Long time...

What's the dog for?

Here.

Sleeping alone can be scary.

How's this going to console me? I'll go back soon anyway.

Warm, living things are comforting.

If you're leaving soon, why bring all that food?

See ya.

His name's Fivo! He was the fifth one born.

Wait! Take him back!

Sorry, Hoon. I'll be in touch soon...

Hey!

A few days after my college entrance exams...

Mom! I'm hungry!

Mom?

MQm!

Mom?

Mom?

- Hi, Aunt Bok-soon. - Hi.

Where'd your morn go? Didn't she say anything?

She came by earlier and asked me to watch you.

She didn't say why. She just left after saying that.

Did you eat?

I'm not hungry.

You didn't even graduate yet. She's crazy!

Don't worry. She'll be back soon.

I doubt it.

Oh dear.

In her hidden letter, she wrote about why she left.

But I couldn't understand any of it.

I just knew that she wouldn't be back soon.

We moved to Dad's hometown when I was 4 years old.

It was because Dad was sick, but we stayed even after he died.

I was angry and curious about Mom leaving so suddenly.

I wanted to Iive well and prove I didn't need her.

Here, Hae-won!

Looks like good news.

ACCEPTANCE LETTER

Only I came back without finding answers.

I wonder if Mom found hers.

Come here, Fivo.

Hey, where are you going?

Can you mash the red beans?

Hey, I'm a guest here.

Bang! Bang!

How can you put a guest to work?

What's this?

Am I doing this right?

Yup.

You're doing good!

Yes, ma'am.

It's all mashed up!

Now, what do 1 do?

So colorful!

Fivo! Fivo!

Sit Fiv0!

Fivo sit!

Give me your paw!

Good dog.

Is it clone?

Almost.

- Not bad, huh? - What?

Jae-ha. What do you think?

You mean as a man?

Didn't we call him 'Snotty'?

You see him as a man now?

You gave him the nickname!

Well, there's no other guy in this village.

He's cute.

I'm not interested.

Damn dating... It's the same in the city and here.

Then, keep your eyes off him. He's mine.

Got that?

- Hey! - What?

Don't!

There.

- Oh! - Tada!

How can you make rice cake?

It tastes just like your mom's rice cake.

I think mine tastes better.

But it's slightly different.

How?

Your mom's tasted a bit sweeter.

Yours tastes slightly saltier.

How do you remember that? I think it tastes good.

How did he know?

Mom used pumpkin instead of gardenia, so it'll be sweeter.

And [put a little more salt in boiling the red beans.

It's cold! Watch the furnace.

- You said you'd sleep over. - When?

Will you drive me home?

You live down the street.

There's no streetlamp! I can't see in the dark.

Let Fivo sleep outside when it warms up.

I said I'm going back soon.

What's to do in Seoul?

You failed your test, quit your job, and don't talk to your boyfriend.

Don't go anywhere!

Let's go!

I'll come tomorrow.

Reserve a seat for me at 7.

- It's cold. Let's go. - Hey!

- Why you! - Hey!

Silly.

That's weird.

- What? - I don't get it.

Hae-won.