Original subtitles

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

CHILD ACTORS AND ANIMALS WERE FILMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SAFETY GUIDELINES

Where am I?

Oh my, you're awake.

Where am I?

Where? You are in the palace.

The palace?

How did I end up here?

What about him?

What happened to the man that was with me?

He is being treated, but he has yet to regain consciousness.

Stay put for now.

I shall go and get you some porridge.

My lord?

No.

Lying there is Gangcheori in His Lord's body.

It is once again my fault.

I knew Gangcheori would not just stand idly by,

but I foolishly believed in that vision

because I wanted to be with His Lord.

I just wanted to believe that it would be okay.

This is all my fault.

I am the reason His Lord is…

Announcing His Majesty!

What happened to Examiner Yoon?

Did I not command you to keep watch over him closely?

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

He pleaded with me to let him stop by somewhere,

but when he failed to appear at the meeting spot,

I searched and found him collapsed

at the foot of a cliff.

Will he survive?

His life remains intact, but the stab wound is quite severe.

Stab wound?

He was stabbed deeply with a sword.

Getting him to wake up will be no easy feat.

Do you suspect bandits?

The stab wound was made by a skilled swordsman.

We also discovered footprints of a few men

in the vicinity that seem to have been covered up in a rush.

He was stabbed by a sword?

No, that is not true.

I did not kill that rascal.

Was he telling the truth?

Gangcheori was really not behind this?

This man

ended up in this state while working on my behalf.

Spare no treatment.

Yes, Your Majesty.

He must survive this.

We will find out

who did this to him.

Who is that girl?

She was discovered unconscious next to him.

I brought her here because I thought she may help

in identifying Examiner Yoon's attacker.

Did you see who did this to him?

I did

not see him.

Then, were you not with him?

Examiner Yoon hurt his leg and I briefly stepped away

to search for a place where he could rest.

And then, this happened to him.

We did find a piece of a skirt wrapped around his wounded ankle.

Why were you with him?

I am an eyeglass artisan.

Examiner Yoon mentioned His Majesty required new glasses.

We were on our way to the palace.

An eyeglass artisan?

What did you say?

Yoon Gap came back from the dead?

What sort of nonsense is that?

I most certainly confirmed he was dead.

Yes. I can also attest to it.

They said his cold corpse in the cart

suddenly jumped up and came back to life.

- What in the world-- - That is not all.

The underlings tried to kill him again,

but he overpowered them--

You expect me to believe that?

He was a bookworm of the highest order,

clueless about swordsmanship.

Resurrection was ridiculous enough.

What is this now?

What in the world is going on here?

They say the blind

see things average people cannot.

You were right.

It was the same creature from 13 years ago.

That same terrible stench…

How could I ever forget it?

What must I do now?

Why do you remain silent?

Are you even listening?

Your Highness.

I am the lowest of the low, just another blind man.

There is no need for such a divider.

I assure you,

I cannot see a single thing anyway.

What can I do for you, Your Highness?

Do you wish to see the prince become fodder for the ghosts?

And in turn, have Prince Yeongin rise to power?

Or since Your Highness seems

ever so heartbreakingly distressed,

shall I just eradicate that ghost for you?

I…

I…

Yes, Your Highness.

This lowly subject has very much been made aware of your true desires,

even those that you may be unsure of.

I hear that Royal Guard Seo Jae-il brought Yoon Gap to the Royal Clinic.

He must be killed

before he ever wakes up.

If he is allowed to wake up,

that will be the end for all of us.

You…

What was that sound?

Did it not come from here?

My goodness. What happened here?

- What? - Oh, no. What happened?

Clean this up quickly.

All these precious medicinal herbs…

- Gosh. - Here, too.

What are we going to do?

Wait.

How are you…

Are you all right?

Do you know where you are right now?

I feel terrible.

My eyelids remain heavy.

And my body feels sluggish.

Look here, Examiner Yoon!

Wake up!

My whole body is sore.

And it itches all over.

Why does that hurt so much?

You just scratched away at a stab wound.

Of course, it would hurt!

My goodness.

This must be disinfected and bandaged up again, now!

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

This is nothing more than the all-too-common rice gruel.

What is this?

What is this intoxicating scent?

I do not know why you are not eating.

Are you in pain?

What?

What is this?

What in the world did you put in this?

What do you mean?

I just boiled some rice and water.

Those two ingredients

are enough to make my tongue dance exuberantly like this?

Pardon?

I am glad it suits your palate.

It suits my palate…

My palate…

Right. I forgot that humans have their five senses.

Rice gruel…

Touch, sight, smell, hearing, and the powerful sense of taste.

That is why even mundane rice gruel

makes the human tongue dance blissfully.

Do not just stand here! Go and stop him!

I refuse! I will only be smacked again.

Even if he was just on the brink of death,

how can someone change that much overnight?

Well…

Gosh. I cannot believe this.

Now, I understand.

He suffers from…

amnesia.

Are you sure?

Amnesia…

The human race is undoubtedly an inferior species.

But its five senses,

especially the one of the tongue,

is an exquisite attribute!

While I spent over a thousand years

merely picking at the energy of various cuisines,

those creatures

got to enjoy such delectable treats?

Just because they have tongues?

Those lowly creatures

were privy to such delights!

This rage is about to twist my insides.

It is him.

Move it!

Curse it.

I need to get Yeo-ri out of here before he spots us.

You may reside in my quarters for the night.

Once day breaks, His Majesty will summon you.

Okay.

What an awful stench.

What is that I smell?

It smells like something is burning.

But why is the palace for the king

filled with this unsettling yin energy?

Yeo-ri…

Yeo-ri…

Lord Yoon Gap?

This way, Yeo-ri.

Please save me.

Please help me.

My lord.

Hey! Where are you going?

You cannot just go wherever you please.

Hey!

Where did she run off to?

Yeo-ri…

His Lord's spirit is inside the palace.

That's right.

Come this way.

You are almost there.

Yeo-ri.

You are here. I am in the well.

Please save--

My lord!

I have been tricked.

Curse it.

Why is this body so damn slow?

Come with me.

You should come with me.

I am so lonely and indignant.

Hey! Wake up!

Wake…

up.

Curse it.

Are these human eyes to blame?

Are you awake?

My lord?

I am not him.

Seeing as he is nowhere to be found,

Yoon Gap must have crossed the River of the Afterlife a while ago.

- Just let it go. - You are wrong.

The drowned ghost who remains confined in the well, unable to cross over,

called for me by perfectly impersonating Lord Yoon Gap's voice.

That drowned ghost knew His Lord.

I am certain His Lord's spirit is here in this palace.

So?

I shall meet with that drowned ghost once more.

Have you lost your mind?

Even experienced shamans

slip up and lose their lives when dealing with water ghosts.

With no Ghostbane Stone or patron deity,

you are easy prey, coveted by such wandering spirits!

The cat worries for the mouse…

How detestable.

I wasted 13 years pursuing you and no one else.

Do you think I would just lose you

to some random wandering spirit?

A spectral wail?

We cannot stay here.

Let go of me.

Curse it.

Damn this decrepit body…

of Yoon Gap.

MYEONG

HEE

"Hee" as in "happiness."

HWAN

Can you read this character as well?

I cannot.

It is "hwan" as in "luminous."

This young girl has quite a commendable talent.

Yes.

This lens seems to be a perfect fit for me.

Then, I shall polish that lens and present it to you, Your Majesty.

I see the lens has been ground to curve inward.

This is a concave lens.

An eyeglass for those who can see nearby objects clearly

but have difficulty with faraway objects.

How did you know that, Your Majesty?

I have made glasses for countless people,

but none knew of the science behind them.

Of course.

That is why I am the king.

I have even read Adam Schall's Treatise on the Telescope.

After I read that book and learned of the science it discusses,

I personally instructed master craftsmen to create…

these glasses.

Wait, those…

No other glasses have left me more satisfied than these.

Not only do they restore clarity to my eyes,

but this wondrous gadget even provides clarity of the mind.

Could that be a Ghostbane stone?

This is a Ghostbane Stone.

Consider it an extension of yourself and keep it with you at all times.

That is a female Ghostbane Stone.

It looks different because it was cut into the shape of glasses,

but I am certain.

How in the world did it end up here?

Thus…

I do not require new glasses.

Pardon?

I am sorry about that.

I only summoned you today

because I heard Examiner Yoon went out of his way to bring you here for me.

I was curious to what made you so special.

You may leave now.

What should I do?

I still need to question that drowned ghost.

I need an excuse to come back to the palace.

Your Majesty.

I endured quite a treacherous journey here with Lord Yoon Gap.

I joyfully made the journey with hopes of utilizing

my lowly talents to humbly present His Majesty with a pair of glasses.

Although His Lord may be hovering between life and death,

I am certain he shared my intentions.

I heard Yoon Gap woke up last night.

As only members of the royal family are permitted to stay in the Royal Clinic,

he was moved to the National Clinic to be treated.

Yes, I see.

I am very glad to hear such news.

However…

What exactly do you desire?

I beseech you to allow me to at least present you

with some colored lenses!

You dare try to barter with His Majesty?

I cannot tell if you are fearless or audacious.

Forgive me.

His Majesty

only gave you his royal permission because he cherishes Yoon Gap.

Act with caution.

Yes, my lord.

You.

Hey!

My goodness! Head Eunuch!

What brings you by?

Make some space for this girl to work for a few days.

Yes, my lord.

- This way-- - Wait.

Could I possibly go and acquire the necessary tools,

and start working tomorrow, my lord?

So be it.

His Majesty will also be delighted to see you.

Recent discomfort in his eyes has him looking for a new pair of glasses.

Thus…

I do not require new glasses.

The king was in no rush for new glasses.

Then, why did His Lord bring me here?

Also,

why is Grandma's female Ghostbane Stone here?

A cherished subject of mine was attacked.

They say the tracks were covered skillfully.

I do not believe bandits are to blame.

We must find out who was behind it, do you not agree?

Does Your Majesty

already have some suspicions?

Someone who leads with his sword and not his words.

I anticipated my noble pursuits would bring forth a bloodbath,

but I did not expect Yoon Gap to become the first victim.

Then,

why did you summon that eyeglass artisan?

Something feels off.

Yoon Gap must have brought her here at this very moment for a reason.

Who goes there?

I have not seen your face before.

How dare you snoop around these parts?

I am…

She clearly looks like someone important.

Why is there a stench of a vengeful ghost?

Could it be from that drowned ghost?

This will not do.

It seems you are intent on keeping your silence.

Go on. Drag her away.

- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.

I am an eyeglass artisan.

It is my first time in the palace and I lost my way.

Please forgive me.

Stop.

Are you the one that Examiner Yoon Gap recommended?

Yes, that is correct.

You may leave.

Yes.

Your Highness, why do you let her leave?

If Examiner Yoon Gap brought her here,

she must be the one.

We must not act rashly.

They say Yoon Gap is awake.

I will confirm it with him in person,

before I summon her again.

So, that was behind the Queen's Quarters.

Forget helping a soul cross over. How will I even get close enough?

Maybe she was a court lady?

She had quite a bitter grudge.

I wonder why.

Is Lord Yoon Gap really that much of a disaster?

They say he's a complete mess.

He tried to jump into a fiery hearth,

tried to jump off the roof,

and even ran around with a knife in his mouth.

Maybe it is not amnesia.

What if it is just lunacy?

That is what everyone at the National Clinic thinks.

He was not that bad when he was with us.

Exactly.

That is no way to live.

My lord!

- Why did you go up there? - Come down from there!

- Oh, young lord! Come down! - What is he doing up there?

Please come down now, my lord!

It still has not worked after three jumps.

Maybe somewhere higher?

Maybe I should keep my eyes closed?

No! You cannot!

Examiner Yoon!

Come down from there.

Come on.

Who are those rascals?

You are making absolutely no sense.

A courtesan house?

There is no one more righteous and straight-laced as him.

And where did you say he is?

Listen.

He was stabbed and at death's door a few days ago, the courtesan…

Who would ever believe that?

My thoughts exactly!

Despite being stabbed a few days ago,

when he heard about the delicacies and booze there,

he ran out without shoes on.

What do you want me to do?

Who did that? My Gap?

He ran off in the middle of the day for some free booze?

- Without shoes, no less? - Yes!

- His shoes. - My heavens.

Here. The shoes he left behind.

My goodness. Gap…

Lord Yoon even consumed every last bit of the clinic's provisions.

And as a result of his jumping off roofs, he broke…

no less than 15 roof tiles.

My heavens.

So, please reimburse us.

Will that be enough?

Where is that courtesan house?

That bland rice gruel pales in comparison to this.

Grilled abalone, soy sauce marinated crab, mung bean jelly salad,

salted mackerel, stuffed cucumber kimchi, dried yellow corvina, scallion pancake,

royal hot pot, braised short ribs, chrysanthemum wine, pine needle wine,

and pan-fried battered beef.

This is a celebration!

This. Bring us another serving.

This, too. That and this, too.

What other alcohol do you have besides this?

Lotus leaf wine, pear blossom wine, and even more azalea wine.

Just hearing about them makes my heart flutter.

Fetch a bottle of each.

- Go on. Quickly now. - Yes, my lord.

And you are certain the Minister of War will pay for all of this?

There is no way we can afford this with our salaries.

Should we just sneak out?

What a novel idea.

Yeo-ri.

Yeo-ri is here!

Who are you, wench?

Why are you hitting me?

Yeo-ri, who is this woman?

I will not let this slide.

Damn it.

No! She is…

You little punk.

Your mother here

thought you were going to die.

Do you know how scared I was?

Goodness gracious.

Thank you for staying alive, Gap.

Thank you.

My, my.

I am so thankful…

Thank you.

Bring me another drink.

Let me. I can do that.

No need. I am done.

A precious guest deserves a clean room.

Come on, I am no guest.

Gosh.

This room may look old,

but it is the warmest in the house.

I am sorry for putting you out like this.

It is no trouble at all. Do not say such things.

I am so happy to see someone from Yongdam Village after such a while.

Goodness me…

Life could not have been easy for you.

Yet, you even managed to become an eyeglass artisan.

You did well, Yeo-ri.

You know, I cannot help but remember

what the great shaman told me after all that has happened recently.

My grandma?

Yes.

I think it was after Gap's first birthday…

This child

may not be able to live past the age of 30.

Make a mortal thread offering.

MORTAL THREAD OFFERING: A CLOTH OFFERING FOR A CHILD'S HEALTH

PRAYER FOR LONGEVITY

AND PROSPERITY

She acted as the intercessor

and when she passed away,

I could not help but worry.

Perhaps, he was able to avoid death

all thanks to you.

No, ma'am. I did not do anything.

That is not true.

My Gap only survived

because you were by his side.

Thank you, Yeo-ri.

It is almost all set. Just a little bit left.

Forgive me, ma'am,

but that man

is not Lord Yoon Gap.

SPIRIT TABLET OF THE LATE YOON GAP

It is all your fault!

Your cursed child!

Move aside!

Stop it, this instant!

My kids are about to starve to death

because this brat brought Gangcheori to our village!

Admit it. You are all cowardly lashing out.

Before Gangcheori ever came to our village,

we've always had floods, droughts, and swarms of insects!

Calamities that are beyond human control

have always been around!

So,

why are you blaming her for everything?

My mother and I are moving to Hanyang.

When?

A few days later, after my bones heal a bit.

So I wanted to ask,

do you want to come with us?

With you?

Yes.

Come with us.

You must also be sick and tired of this village.

I do not want to. Why would I follow you anywhere?

Then, are you just going to continue living like this?

Just let them trample over you?

One wounded leg is not enough for you?

I will only ruin your life!

I am cursed by Gangcheori and out of favor with the Dragon King.

None of that is real.

I only hurt this leg

because I recklessly climbed up that tree.

It is not your fault.

Come with me, Yeo-ri.

Did he really cross the River of the Afterlife?

No.

That is impossible. It has not even been 49 days yet.

I thought he might be lingering around his mother.

That is a waste of time.

I have not seen him once at the palace or anywhere in the vicinity.

You do not have to believe me.

You would not believe me, even if I say the sky is blue.

What? Well?

Are you not afraid?

What is it?

Would you like me to become your patron deity?

Be my guest.

If you can.

- What? - You are unable to.

You are trapped in that body, unable to even budge.

To escape that body,

you jumped off the roof and jumped into the fire.

Run around with a knife in your mouth.

Is that not why?

Yes, that is right.

I will not believe a single word that comes out of your mouth.

However…

this heart

still beats.

What do you think you are doing?

You were the world's most modest woman in front of Yoon Gap.

How dare you touch me like that?

I did not touch you.

I touched His Lord's body.

His warm body with his blood flowing through it.

What are you thinking about?

You are right.

I am thinking exactly what you assume.

You are going to find his spirit and return it to this body?

That is absurd. His life thread has already been cut.

And you occupying that dead body makes a whole lot of sense?

I miss His Lord so much it kills me.

His face and body are right in front of me.

But it is not him.

There is nothing I cherish more than his face,

but behind it is you, the one who I abhor in this world.

This is

the most horrific nightmare.

I…

cannot stand you.

Stop dragging His Lord's name through the mud

using his face and voice.

Until that body is safely returned to His Lord,

I will not stand idly by as people slander his name.

Go ahead.

Spit those words full of venom until the end of time, for all I care.

Yeo-ri…

I had never met such a human before.

Together with heaven and earth,

she was utterly harmonious.

A child of great character,

more than enough to cleanse me of mankind's jinx.

Then, why

would I ever…

give up on you?

His Majesty commands Examiner Yoon Gap to return to the palace at once!

So, what if he is the king?

That boy was just stabbed,

and he's to be pulled out of bed and put to work?

Watch it!

Such insolence.

Such hearing you must have. I was just talking to myself.

I should wake him up. I shall. Here I go. Going.

Gap! Wake up.

The king has summoned you.

I am just so happy, I could die right now.

The physician said it was amnesia.

Observe him carefully as you bring him here.

Is this what they call underfloor heating?

Yes.

Taste is not the only one of the five senses that should be enjoyed.

My whole body is enveloped in toasty heat…

I am just melting.

How delightful.

Get up.

I do not want to.

Did you not hear all that?

The king wants you back at the palace.

He is not even my king. Why do I need to answer his summons?

You defy royal commands?

What is there to be scared of? He will not even live to 100.

At this moment,

enjoying this underfloor heating here is much more important

to me.

I told you I would not let you tarnish His Lord's reputation.

Such heartbreaking devotion.

Why would you care so much about the man who tricked you to come here?

Do you think he brought you to make some measly glasses?

That rascal--

What about him?

Forget it. I am going back to bed.

What are you hiding from me?

You have been acting suspiciously since Yongdam Village.

You must know the reason

why Lord Yoon Gap brought me to the palace.

Even if I did,

why must I share it with you?

I could say the sky is blue and you would not believe me.

Forget it. I expected as much.

I am the fool for asking.

I will find out the reason myself.

That was pretty easy.

He is surprisingly naive.

I do not have the slightest intent to listen to you.

I am just tagging along to make sure you do not get jinxed

by some random wandering spirit.

After all, I had my eye on you for 13 years.

I heard you. You can stop now.

Everyone is looking at us.

How do humans wear such cumbersome things daily?

This headpiece.

It has grown so sticky with sweat.

This belt here.

It keeps flopping around, bothering me.

Why you…

You may head to the Royal Couturier now.

Pardon?

Yes.

What? Where are you going?

- I am coming with you. - Where are you going?

Do not just stand there. Stop him!

- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.

How dare you lay your hands on me?

Release me.

Now!

I hope it'll be fine.

Do not resist so!

Let me down this instant!

Let me down!

Let go!

I shall instantly hurl that grilled abalone of a man

to the Jeju sea where he belongs.

Put him down. Now!

What now?

Your Majesty!

- Lord Yoon Gap-- - Later.

Seriously?

I show up to his summons, and he ditches me?

Such insolence!

How dare you behave that way in front of…

Was it this way?

Wait here. Come back here!

No, thanks. Why would I?

Where was she off to again?

Royal Couturier or something?

That insane…

Why that…

You guards.

Why that…

On the Day of the Metal Goat

in the second month of the Fire Dragon Year,

I seek to aid a soul in crossing over.

Please, kindly take heed.

Supreme divine being in heaven.

Please hear all my prayers as your disciple.

Please wholly protect my mind from malicious ghosts and evil spirits.

And may you--

Got you.

Most Sacred One, who powerfully speaks the impartial truth

May you expel evil and strike down malicious spirits

Grant us wisdom

She is out.

Great King of Golden Joy Great King of the Dragon

Through the fleeting world He stands tall as a mountain

Please guide the remaining living

To righteous paths

Tell me where His Lord is.

Then, I shall free the rest of your soul.

She is not at the Royal Couturier. Where is she?

No!

You cannot go until you tell me where His Lord is.

Even if I tell you, you will not be able to meet him.

Why not?

If you do,

everyone will die.

What does that mean?

Tell me what that means!

He was already…

eaten by it.

"It"?

The eight-foot-tall ghost.

Gwang.

Gwang!

Eight-foot-tall ghost?

It is him.

The eight-foot-tall ghost.

SPECIAL THANKS TO KIM YOUNG-KWANG, KIM KI-LEE

I cannot give up on Lord Yoon Gap.

- My lord! - You fell for his trick.

He used you.

I will never believe a word out of your mouth.

I will first bring His Lord back to life and ask him myself.

Do you not want revenge on the one who made you this way?

I shall help you.

I only ask you to help me in return.

The eight-foot-tall ghost's grudge did not originate with him.

Yoon Gap knows too much.

Keep a close watch on him.

What is that? What in the world is going on?

I will use myself as bait and summon the eight-foot-tall ghost.

Subtitle translation by: Justin S. Kim