A collaborative project between Ga Young Choi, Amanda Jow, and Natalie Palumbo.
Act 1: The main character, Gilho Pak, has sent his family to America to have a better life while he stays behind in Korea to financially support them. He is searching for a tenant to room with him.
We are introduced to his new tenant, Wuseong, who is an exuberant college aged man who arrives with a goose. Gilho is both baffled and irritated to have to live with Wuseong's goose, but attempts to mind his own business and study his plants. One day, Gilho is attacked by the goose, and becomes extremely defensive around the bird. Tensions are eased when Wuseong prepares a lavish meal for Gilho. As they share the meal, Wuseong mentions reading Gilho’s first poetry book, to which Gilho is extremely embarrassed his old poems were discovered. The moment again softens when Wuseong mentions he is not fond of most people, but he enjoys Gilho’s company.
As time passes, Wuseong is shown to be a talented singer, actor, and photographer (shown in a quick paced montage). Gilho reacts with fascination to Wuseong’s carefree, uninhibited personality. Wuseong's unconventional nature is further made clear when he is seen acting and singing while wearing sponges on his feet to clean the floor. Gilho discovers that Wuseong had been training to become a Thespian actor, but quit college because the courses weren't helping him.
Gilho finally asks about the goose Wuseong brought with him. Wuseong says he believes the goose is his mother reincarnated. Wuseong tells Gilho that his mother promised to come back when she passed, and he was convinced the goose was she.
Act 2: Through Gilho’s travels to the karaoke bar and the slums, and we see his growing disinterest in women, which is becoming more evident the more time he spends with Wuseong. Sensing mutual attraction, Wuseong attempts to kiss Gilho. In an effort to resisting his primal urges, Gilho recoils and slaps him. Wuseong, feeling remorseful and humiliated, flees the apartment so Gilho can calm down.
Next, we see Gilho going to drink with his military friends to reminisce about their youth. Afterwards, he is stopped by two prostitutes, and is saddened to see one of them has eyes that reminds him of Wuseong. Later, Gilho meets with his military friends again to eat at a barbecue restaurant. Gilho points out the owner's pet pig in a cage, and wonders if the pig can smell the flesh from his own kind. [Perhaps a metaphor for feeling trapped, helpless, and at risk.] All the men are enduring a similar situation where they are supporting their families who are outside the country. They reminisce about their youth to cope with the hardship of being alone, but also to humble the younger ranks that have it easier.
Act 3: Gilho returns home with his drunken friend, Taeyeong, and finds the goose in the room. The drunken friend starts to chase it, and gets attacked. He wanted a feather from it’s plumage to use it as a quill pen. Wuseong bursts in to protect the goose from Taeyeong, who ends up collapsing on the nearby couch. Gilho, Wuseong, and Taeyeong soon fall asleep.
Gilho awakes a short time later to discover the first full moon of the year shining through the balcony window. Standing on the balcony is Wuseong gazing at the moon holding the goose. For a brief moment, Gilho can see the spirit of his mother standing next to Wuseong. This vision eludes to the fact that the goose is, indeed, Wuseong’s mother reincarnated.
Gilho joins Wuseong on the balcony, finally giving into his romantic feelings. Gilho admits, “I've been lonely. I've been lonely all my life.” He quietly hopes Wuseong’s mother will accept him. Gilho puts his hand on Wuseong’s face, and leans in to kiss him. [fade to black]
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