BOYHOOD
YEAR 1989 ONYANG, SOUTH CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCE
Pierce!
About face!
Block, kick, and hit!
- Block, kick, and hit! - Block, kick, and hit!
- "John got a job as a journalist." - "John got a job as a journalist."
Next up is "ch."
I warned y'all this one's a head-scratcher.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
- "Chicken." - "Chicken."
"Cheap, bench, March."
"Chicken."
- "Cheap, bench, March." - "Cheap, bench, March."
Now, the "k" sound.
"Chameleon, school, Christmas."
- "Chameleon, school, Christmas." - "Chameleon, school, Christmas."
The three of y'all who aren't paying attention come out to the front.
No one?
All right.
Is this how it's gon' be?
Jung Yong-gi, Lee Seong-jin and Hyeon Gwang-seo.
Yeah, you three.
Come out to the front.
Read it.
Mak?
Read this.
Chamiliyoo?
- Get up. - Hang on, sir.
We don't got all day!
Your turn.
Just hit me, sir.
You're a real man, aren't ya?
Hey, get up.
- We don't got all day! - Yes, sir.
Hey!
Get up.
You want more?
You'll snap my legs, sir.
We don't got all day. Get up!
I'm sorry.
Attention. Bow.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
You bastards who laughed at us earlier, follow me outside.
I saw y'all.
If you don't,
you're dead meat.
You sons of bitches.
What was so funny?
Was it me getting whooped? Or was it my pronunciation?
Spit it out.
You've got it wrong.
We didn't mean--
- I only laughed because he did. - What?
I laugh at anything, ya know?
You fuckers.
- I'm sorry! - I'm sorry!
Hey, Bum-tae.
Get over here.
I didn't laugh.
Chamiliyoo?
That ain't even a word! Get up.
Hey!
He was trying like hell not to laugh out loud.
Laughing's a problem.
But what's worse
is thinking it was funny at all.
Violence ain't right!
What a load of bull.
It's not our fault you can't pronounce the words.
- What's wrong with you? - You crazy?
A boy's gotta have a dream.
My dream ain't that big.
It's to not get beat up every day.
I just wanna live a normal life like everybody else.
Get up.
I said, get up.
Get up.
Get up!
We're in trouble.
Why are y'all sleeping like you're dead?
I almost held a funeral in here.
Where'd you get your ass kicked again?
Pack your stuff.
We don't got time.
Just take whatever you can't live without.
Damn your dance videotapes.
Hurry up and pack if you wanna live!
My boy, we gotta run away.
Why do we gotta run away again?
Come on, let's go.
We gotta go.
TAXI
Hell, that was close.
There isn't enough room.
So long, suckers!
I'm getting the hell out of here!
If you think about it, this could be for the better.
Let's go to Buyeo
and start ourselves a whole new life.
Are you gon' get us on the lam again because of your dancing?
How many times do I gotta tell you, you darn woman?
It's called performance art.
Performance art, my ass.
What kind of art got you with your hands on some woman's hips?
It's crap, not art.
"Crap"?
What's wrong?
I've been whooped
so many times here in Onyang
that I know how each of them picks fights,
and I finally figured out their movement patterns.
But if we move,
I'm gon' have to figure it out all over again.
Goodness, my poor boy.
This absolute bum.
This can't be real.
Goodness.
BUYEO, SOUTH CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCE
They're here.
Come this way.
Stop!
Hey, Hak-su.
Welcome.
- Goodness. - Y'all came a long way.
You didn't have to all come out to greet us.
- How much is it? - Just give me what you got.
- Put it here. - Okay.
All right.
- Goodness. - That looks good.
Eat up.
Byeong-tae, eat up.
Go on.
Your daughter here used to be a headstrong little thing.
Now she's all grown up into a lady.
A lady?
You don't remember?
They were our neighbors back at Onyang.
I remember she used to beat up our Byeong-tae every day
from the crack of dawn.
I didn't need an alarm with all your hollerin'.
You can't imagine how awful we felt about our boy.
My heart's a mess because of it.
Open me up and take a look.
Here.
If y'all are gonna drink more,
I'm going to bed.
- Good night. - Okay.
Byeong-tae.
I'm glad you're here.
Y'all came a long way.
Make yourselves at home.
I'm gonna do just that.
I mean I took all the blame for you
when you messed around with Sun-deok's mom.
Come on now. Watch what you say in front of your wife.
She knows already.
You just had to blabber about it, didn't you?
- You were wrong, Sang-gyo. - What?
You got a nice wife and daughter.
Why did you...
cheat and run away?
Oh come on, don't take it too seriously.
But I almost split up with Hak-su.
We almost did.
I promise I won't tell another soul.
You don't have to worry about it.
I don't need nothing in exchange.
It's just that there's rent we gotta pay every month.
Aside from that, I got nothing to worry about.
Just pay me when you can.
That's nothing for you to worry about.
Holy hell.
Are they for me?
No, they're not.
Jeez, that startled me.
You off-duty now, Officer Kim?
You hungry?
I'm all right.
I have to change and head out.
I see.
- Enjoy. - Okay.
What's a cop doing living around here?
He's just a beat cop. You don't have to worry.
EPISODE 1. CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON THE LEGEND BEGINS
It's hot as hell.
Dad, breakfast is ready.
Jeez.
Hey!
Mom.
Do I...
have to go to school?
It's not like I'm smart or anything.
All I do at school is get whooped,
so I don't see the point.
Never mind.
You know,
my only goal in life is to raise you good.
Must you complain?
I'm gonna make a lot of money,
pay for your school, and get you your own place.
Just hang in there till then
and go to school, okay?
- Okay. - Good.
When your father gets up,
tell him to unpack our stuff.
You go find a rice store and buy some rice.
- Okay. - I'm going.
See you later, Mom.
I'm borrowing your bicycle.
Hey!
I never beat you up, okay?
I'm the one who got beat up. I remember everything.
But I'm all grown now, so don't get beat up by girls no more.
What a load of crap.
You're new, aren't ya?
Do you know everyone here?
Well, this is the only rice store here.
What's a genius like you doing running a rice store?
You should go run for president or something.
Here.
You're asking for a beating with that mouth of yours.
Come again.
What's this?
It's an arcade!
SPACE ARCADE
Bless whoever had this put up here.
Well then, it's only right I pay a visit.
Look here.
I got 300 won in change.
I can't just pass by, can I?
Never mind.
Mom worked hard for this money.
Look who it is.
I've been hungry for some revenge.
You did us a favor moving out here to Buyeo.
Whoever loses this fight
has to leave town.
Two tigers can't live under the same sky.
That's right.
What you waiting for?
You done talking?
WRESTLING CLUB
K.O.!
You can't just spam low kicks.
It's not allowed!
If it's in the game, why can't we use it?
Using the low kick means
you wanna fight for real.
Stop blabbering and get better at the game.
Which school do you go to?
You look new.
Well, who are y'all?
We're proud eighth graders at Baekgang Middle School.
Middle schoolers?
Y'all are babies.
Don't get cheeky with me.
I'm a high schooler.
You are?
I thought your skinny ass was a middle schooler.
Watch who you get cheeky with.
What's your problem?
Don't y'all older kids
get a bigger allowance than us?
- Hey! - Get him!
You're not a new kid anymore!
We know who you are now!
Now you know...
not to mess with me.
That little brat.
Why did he have to pick a fight?
It's a war zone out here.
Damn my life.
Nothing tastes better
than a bloody cigarette.
It's a fumigation truck.
Out of my way!
How hard did he hit his head to become unconscious?
Call the ambulance to take him to Cheonan Hospital.
Okay.
I was just riding my bicycle,
and he was passed out in the bushes.
- I'll call the ambulance. - Okay.
- Name? - Jang Byeong-tae.
No, the patient's name.
I don't know.
He's a stranger.
"Jung Gyeong-tae"?
It's Jang Byeong-tae.
I'm saying the patient's name is Jung Gyeong-tae.
ASAN BUKSAN HIGH SCHOOL JUNG GYEONG-TAE
Your names sound alike.
- Drive safe. - Don't worry.
SABI JEIL HOSPITAL
What a strange world.
Curse whoever built that arcade.
It's their fault.
Why would you build an arcade there?
And why the hell didn't he get out of the way?
Damn it.
The rice!
Just take this rice
and forget our past.
I'm not the type to make issues about the past.
I was a weakling then, but things are different now.
I may not avenge myself,
but I always make sure to repay kindness.
So don't you worry.
Call me if you ever need a strong pair of hands.
Bye then.
Can he even carry that?
The White Tiger of Asan?
You dumb punk.
You don't know the White Tiger of Asan?
I've never actually seen him myself,
but apparently, he fought with the Technical High kids 17 to 1.
And someone who saw the scene
said he was like a tiger hunting sheep.
That's why they call him the White Tiger.
That bastard
always says nothing tastes better than a bloody cigarette.
What's his name?
Was it Jang Gyeong-tae?
Jung Gyeong-tae? Or maybe Jung Byeong-tae.
So he gon' transfer to our school?
Yeah.
Y'all know our high school is full due to the increase in population here in Buyeo.
Yeah.
Well, that guy is one scary bastard.
They say he got rid of the three top dogs at our school
just to make room.
Hell, we're all screwed then.
Jung Byeong-tae, the White Tiger of Asan?
Buyeo Technical and Sabi Girls' High School.
- We're screwed. - Yeah.
Aren't we?
Get the hell out of the way.
Rumor has it that Dong-je, Sun-haeng, and Un-ho hightailed it to Seoul.
What's gonna happen to y'all
now that the three top dogs of Agricultural High are gone?
You poor bastard, you look old as hell.
Damn.
I better not see y'all walking around downtown.
It's Technical High's turf now. Got it?
Let's go.
Go play out in the fields, Agricultural High bastards.
It smells like cow crap in here.
What the hell you looking at?
BUS DOWNTOWN
That bastard!
- Calm down. - Let him be.
This is what you call a tactical retreat.
Good to go!
That's a lot of stars up there.
The White Tiger of Asan?
No chance.
Damn it.
What was that for?
What are you whining about?
This looks good.
What's with the long face?
I was at an academic school in Onyang.
Here, it's a vocational school.
And?
There, I learned with a pencil.
But here?
I gotta learn with hoes and pickaxes.
It's very different.
Why'd you have to get caught running an illegal dancing school
and make your only son's life so damn difficult?
It ain't my fault you can't fight for crap and get whooped.
How frustrating.
Take a good look at my body, arms, legs, and head.
I got these all from you.
There's no point talking to you.
- Evening. - Evening.
Listen.
There's a way.
My goodness!
How are you?
I'm Jang Hak-su.
Oh, hello.
- I'm Kim Hyeong-gi. - Nice to meet you.
You have no idea what an honor it is
to live under the same roof with a fine officer like you.
Now, the thing is...
This ain't the time to read your comics.
You hear me?
The teacher's coming!
Is everyone here?
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Introduce yourself.
I'm Jang Byeong-tae, and I'm from Onyang.
Hope we get along.
Take a seat over there.
Any questions?
- No, sir. - No, sir.
Y'all have a good day.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
- Hey. - Yeah?
Ain't that the kid from Asan Cheol-hong mentioned?
Was it Myeong-tae or Byeong...
Jang Byeong-tae. I reckon that's him.
He's from Onyang, isn't he?
You're dumb as a rock.
Onyang's in Asan.
It's a town in Asan, idiot.
Is that right?
Do I do it or not?
Do I do as Dad said?
What the hell do I do?
Hell, I'll get whooped either way.
Attention.
If any of y'all
think you can win against me,
put your hand up.
No one?
None at all?
I see one.
- Put your damn hand down. - Anyone else?
Another one in the back.
What?
I was just reading, that's all.
- Not you? - No.
Certainly not.
What a strange bastard.
And why you putting your hand up and down?
This ain't a game!
There's seriously no one?
No one at all?
Why is no one raising their hand?
This ain't going to plan.
First, you gotta drive up to school all cool in a police car,
like you're some hotshot thug.
And then when you walk in,
you gotta leave a big impression.
Attention!
If any of y'all
think you can win against me,
put your hand up.
I could beg not to get whooped, and they'd still do it.
But what? You want me to rile them up?
Let me finish!
Five or six of them are gon' raise their hands.
All you gotta do is pick the weakest-looking bastard
and fight with your life on the line.
Goodness me.
Then again, there ain't no chance you gon' win.
But even if you lose,
you'll get to be sixth or seventh on the food chain.
Just walk around like you got some fight in you
and all them bastards under you are gon' leave you alone, Bum-tae.
Got it?
You telling me I can be sixth or seventh?
There ain't no harm in trying.
You got nothing to lose anyway.
You gon' get whooped either way.
This is a union.
Right here.
It's round, isn't it?
I'M SCREWED
Unions include everything...
Dad is really no help at all.
What am I gonna do?
If they're all together, you call that a union.
On the other hand, an intersection...
Don't y'all older kids
get a bigger allowance than us?
Damn it.
I'm screwed.
Who was that?
What's the matter?
You got a question?
It's nothing, sir.
Don't it look like its mouth is closed?
It's small.
What could even fit in here?
Hey, at the arcade...
Don't get on his nerves, crazy bastard.
Now...
- Why? - Make sure you know this.
Just leave him alone, you darn bastard.
All right.
You have to remember this, okay?
Union and intersection, got it?
Okay.
That's it for today.
I'm bored out of my mind.
- Let's go. - Let's go out for a smoke!
Shut the hell up, okay?
We're screwed.
Why?
You know the White Tiger of Asan?
What about him?
He just transferred to our class.
He's Jang Byeong-tae, right?
Jang Byeong-tae?
Jung Byeong-tae...
Jang Gyeong-tae...
Jang Byeong-tae.
I think it's him.
He's in our class.
He came in today.
Damn it.
Damn it, we're screwed.
What the hell do we do?
None of y'all do anything.
We could get our asses kicked if we're not careful.
Leave him alone.
We'll see him after class, okay?
I say we take our chances and pile on him.
You crazy bastard.
I told you already.
Real gangsters have tried to recruit him.
Leave him be.
I'll think of a plan before school ends.
Attention. Bow.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Let's go! - Don't run.
I'm so damn confused.
Goodness.
I swear this school ain't normal.
Is it time?
Dad is really no help at all.
You know, I...
Is he a martial artist or what?
Welcome to Buyeo Agricultural High School with a 60-year history.
I'm Yang Cheol-hong.
You ever heard of me?
I'm Jang Byeong-tae.
You don't gotta tell us.
Nice to meet you.
We gon' have a welcome party after class.
You got time?
A welcome party?
Where?
Behind the bathroom?
Jeez.
You're funny, aren't ya?
- He sure is. - For sure.
You got me scared
thinking you wanted to fight already.
Why'd I try to block it?
Well, I'll be damned. What's up with them reflexes?
My bad, I wasn't thinking straight.
Maybe I gotta tie my hands up or something.
My bad.
Sorry.
Anywho,
see you at the gate after school.
Okay.
Aight.
What just happened?
Who are those bastards?
What did I say was gon' happen
if y'all get out of school
and get caught playing at the arcade like idiots,
stuffing yourselves with bread,
or messing around with girls?
- Decapitation. - Decapitation.
That's what's gonna happen.
Y'all understand?
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
That's it for today!
Attention. Bow.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Section two's cleaning today.
Push the tables back for them!
- Okay. - Okay.
I have to clean today.
Section two's cleaning.
- Really? - Byeong-tae, you coming?
We told you about the welcome party earlier.
But section two's cleaning today.
Section two?
Don't move a muscle, you bastards!
Our friend Byeong-tae doesn't have to clean, does he?
What, section two?
I get that we're a divided country, but come on.
You know what?
Starting today, we're unified!
Byeong-tae's never gotta clean, you hear me?
Answer me.
- Got it. - Got it.
Good. Get started!
Move it.
Let's go.
I'll carry your bag for you, okay?
Hey, hang on.
I can carry it myself.
Just let them be.
Is he a damn dictator or what?
Let's go to our go-to place.
Aight.
Are they gon' take me out back and kill me or something?
Let's drink.
Cheers.
- Cheers! - Cheers!
I see they're gon' get me drunk first.
This is Cho Sang-u.
He's known as the Teeth Puncher.
We call him TP.
I'm TP. Nice to meet you.
I'm Kang Dae-jin.
People call me Sledgehammer.
They say my fist is as strong as one.
I'm Yoon Yeong-ho.
They call me Johnny Yune.
As you can see, I have western features.
"Hello, I'm Johnny Yune!"
- "It's time for y'all to--" - Shut your trap.
I'm Yoo Seung-ho, the Weasel of the Baekma River.
I'm Yoon Jae-mun, but you can call me Curly.
I'm Kim Sang-yun.
They call me Stonehead.
Let's eat.
- Okay! - Okay!
He's just Yang Cheol-hong.
The Weasel.
TP.
What was his name?
Stonehead.
Sledgehammer.
Johnny Yune.
Damn it, you know what?
Whatever happens, happens.
I guess Byeong-tae moved out here because he drank Asan dry.
My nickname--
- We know! - You don't gotta tell us.
We're welcoming you because we know who you are.
You know why Napoleon died?
There wasn't no one around to pour him a drink.
Cheers.
- Cheers! - Cheers!
What's with these guys?
Here's to Jang Byeong-tae from Asan!
- Cheers! - Cheers!
SANDARA MUSIC CAFÉ
I'm good.
You know what?
I wanna believe our deep and eternal friendship
is gonna last, you understand?
There's fate and destiny involved
when two people meet, ya know?
Let's be good friends, okay?
Sure thing.
Byeong-tae, you don't smoke?
I ain't a fan of smoking indoors.
But you smoke outside?
Yeah.
Let's drink.
- Cheers! - Cheers!
Hey.
Look who's here.
Our very favorite troika
from the Buyeo Girls' Commercial High School.
Troika!
- Get up. - Me?
Hyo-jeong, sit here.
Mun-jeong, you can sit here.
It don't make sense.
How do you keep getting prettier?
Seon-hwa, you don't know Byeong-tae, do you?
He's Jang Byeong-tae, the famous White Tiger of Asan.
Byeong-tae.
This here is Buyeo Girls' Commercial High's queen
and Buyeo's prettiest girl,
Kang Seon-hwa.
Say hi.
Isn't she gorgeous?
I'm Jang Byeong-tae.
Nice to meet you.
Byeong-tae here is really something.
Dong-je, Sun-haeng, and Un-ho ain't nothing to scoff at.
So how the hell did he whoop all three of them at once?
- It's crazy. - Seriously.
If you didn't say you were from Asan,
we wouldn't have recognized you.
We weren't sure if you were Jung Byeong-tae, Jang Byeong-tae,
Jung Gyeong-tae, or Jang Gyeong-tae.
It's confusing as hell.
I know.
But now that we've seen you,
we all know damn well you're Jang Byeong-tae.
- For sure! - Yeah, we do!
"Jung Gyeong-tae"?
It's Jang Byeong-tae.
I'm saying the patient's name is Jung Gyeong-tae.
ASAN BUKSAN HIGH SCHOOL JUNG GYEONG-TAE
Out of my way!
No one?
Byeong-tae's never gotta clean, you hear me?
- We know! - You don't gotta tell us.