Original subtitles

[Episode 1]

- Did you get it? - That I did.

I went all the way to the port.

Good job. Let's take a look.

It stinks something awful.

Means it's fermented well.

Are we almost done?

Yes, Milady.

The Mayor of Euiju is gracing my husband's birthday feast today.

Everything must be perfect.

Yes, ma'am. Not to worry.

What is this smell?

Is it coming from that?

Yes, from the skate.

What use would you have for something so unsavory?

It is a favorite dish of the lord.

He would refuse to eat without it while he served in Haemi.

I thought it would be a nice nostalgic reminder of the past.

I acquired it with great difficulty.

Reminder of the past?

He took you in as his concubine while he served in Haemi.

A pleasant memory for you, but a nightmare for me.

I had my heart torn to shreds.

Forgive me.

Away with the stench and the memories! Get rid of them all!

Yang-tae! Gil-sang!

Jun, it's your father's birthday? My mum's gone to help out.

Promised to bring home tasty treats.

- Wow, rice cakes! - Wow!

Dig in.

- So delicious. - So good.

So good.

Slow down, you'll choke.

What about you?

I already ate. These are for you guys.

- You're so lucky. - I am?

You eat good food every day.

That doesn't mean my life is good.

Why not?

Well... you guys wouldn't understand.

Jeez, my pa has a saying for situations like this.

What does he say?

Don't know your luck, what a schmuck.

Jun!

Brother.

I told you not to hang out with these riffraffs.

They're my friends.

Shut up, you imbecile!

You're tarnishing Father's reputation right now.

Don't let me catch you with these commoners again.

Or your mother will pay with a beating.

It's fine. Let's go sledding at the lake.

- So fun! - Right?

Yeah, loads of fun.

- Another run? - I'm in.

Huh? Jun, over there!

Father.

You've come out too far in this bitter cold.

The barbarians appear here after the sun sets.

Run along home.

Yes, Father.

He's the man.

He killed loads of barbarians, right?

A hundred? No, over a thousand.

- Wow! - Wow!

- Really? - Super cool.

I'm going to become a general that fights barbarians, just like him.

- Really? - Truly?

Barbarians, en garde!

Come, change into these clothes.

Aren't these silk clothes?

Many important guests are coming, including the Mayor of Euiju.

Be on your best behavior. Speak clearly if he asks anything.

Yes, Mother.

You're like a boy in blue.

A boy in blue?

The handsome child who serves an esteemed Taoist hermit.

Get on your way.

Aren't you coming?

I have other business to attend.

Okay, Mother. I'll be back.

Why are you here?

Mother sent me to congratulate Father.

Not necessary. You may leave.

Ma'am?

I said, leave.

It is my duty as a son to congratulate my father...

You have no place among these people.

Hearing you say "father" infuriates me. Refer to him as "His Lordship."

Answer me.

Yes, ma'am.

Ever since you took office, the foreign attacks have lessened.

The border patrol has grown more vigilant.

Your services have been acknowledged. You can expect good news soon.

I owe everything to Your Lordship's consideration.

I will repay your good graces with the head of the leader, Lee Sang-gae.

That would be a weighty burden off both our shoulders.

- Let us drink. - Sir!

What is your name?

Your Lordship, I am Seok of the family Heo.

And what do you aim to become?

Someone who brings honor to the family.

Honor to the family? And how will you do so?

Your father is Joseon's top military officer.

Will you follow in his footsteps as a general?

Your Lordship, I am more interested in civil service.

- Civil service? - A civil officer?

May I ask why?

Military officers are stationed mostly in the frontier.

I plan to stay in the capital and become a top minister.

I see.

The child is too young and doesn't know any better.

Please overlook his errors.

You say he doesn't know better, but actually he's quite intelligent.

It is true that life in the capital is better than life on the frontier.

Isn't that so?

Mother, I'm back.

Come inside.

How did it go? Were you on your best behavior?

Yes, I had a great time and plenty to eat.

Did you see the Mayor of Euiju?

I did.

Did he ask you anything?

He asked what I aimed to become.

I said a general that fights barbarians, just like Father.

Good. That is a good answer.

Mother, are you sleeping?

No. What is it?

How did you meet Father?

Why do you ask?

Just curious.

We first met in Haemi of the Chungcheong Province.

He was fighting off Japanese raiders at the time.

And you?

I was a gisaeng allocated to the government office.

My family was too poor to feed all our mouths.

My father sent me there so that I wouldn't starve.

When I first saw your father, he was handsome and distinguished.

And after meeting him, I was truly happy for the first time.

Not once have I regretted meeting your father.

But because of my low social status, you are forever a concubine's son.

For that I am deeply regretful.

Please don't feel apologetic.

I'll become a great general like Father and melt away all your regret.

I have faith in my Jun.

You will, I know you will.

- Men's actions are but five. - Men's actions are but five.

- Yet filial piety spawns a hundred. - Yet filial piety spawns a hundred.

Who can explain this saying?

Such incompetent fools. Can no one interpret its meaning?

Seok, explain the meaning.

Forgive me, sir.

Unbelievable.

It is not a difficult saying, yet no one knows the meaning.

Are your heads just accessories?

I will interpret the meaning.

But you just joined us recently. Can you do it, Jun?

Yes, sir.

Then go ahead.

The actions of men are largely limited to five types.

But of these, only filial piety is the root to a hundred actions.

Excellent. Then, "Judge others not by my worth nor by my size."

"Nor by the strength of my courage."

Do not look down on others for being more common.

Do not look down on others for being smaller in size.

Do not underestimate enemies by being overly confident.

Brilliant.

Jun has mastered Myeongsimbogam, which we've yet to cover.

Seok, aren't you ashamed to be his older brother?

Jun!

Jun.

Why are you here?

Gil-sang and the others are waiting. Why?

You promised to go to the village today.

Right, I did. Let's go.

Jun!

A word.

I have somewhere to go.

Don't talk back to me.

Follow me.

I don't understand what I did wrong.

- You don't? - I don't.

Then I'll teach you.

Take off your clothes.

Take them off, you brat!

All of it. Take it all off!

Gather his clothes.

Listen carefully.

Your first crime was desiring to study alongside noblemen like us.

Brat, I heard your mother was a lowly slave.

Second, a concubine's offspring can't take the state exam.

So why master the Myeongsimbogam or the Seven Chinese Classics?

Your crime is humiliating us when you can't even take the state exam!

I'm going to take the state exam and become a general like Father!

Fool, you can't take the exam no matter how much you want.

I'll have mercy on you if you beg for forgiveness.

I did nothing wrong. I have no reason to beg!

We'll see how long you hold out.

Let's go.

Isn't it way too cold? What if he freezes to death?

He'll come begging if he wants to live.

Jun, you'll die. Tell him you're sorry.

I did nothing wrong.

Jun!

Aw, man. Stop being stubborn.

Jun!

Jun! Jun!

Jun!

Mother, please hurry!

This way!

Huh? He was right here.

Jun! Jun!

Where is my son Jun?

I swear he was here.

He fainted right there and wouldn't get up.

Jun. Jun.

Jun! Jun!

We should send Seok to stay with my brother in the capital.

He's limited here in the countryside. He can't widen his horizons.

He'll reach a limit in his education.

If Seok agrees, you may do as you wish.

Milord! Milord!

Milord, please save Jun. Please save my son.

What's the big fuss?

Save Jun? Did something happen to him?

Milord! Milord...

He's here.

He's gone. Must've run away.

I totally called it. He's so dead.

Where's Jun?

Sir?

Where is your brother?

I do not know.

Did you strip him and leave him in this bitter cold?

I did.

Why? What reason have you to be so cruel?

It's because Jun forgot his place and behaved carelessly.

Forgot his place, behaved carelessly? Explain what happened in detail.

He behaved arrogantly about his knowledge.

He humiliated my friends and me in front of the teacher.

In other words, you were humiliated because you studied less than him?

Answer me!

Jun can't even take the state exam.

I couldn't stand to see him forget his place and show off.

Enough! You petty brat!

If we don't find him soon, he could freeze to death.

Find my son Jun!

Yes, Milord!

Strip.

Sir?

Milord, what are you doing?

Stay out of this. Strip immediately!

Milord, please forgive him.

Milord.

Milord, he's just a child, have mercy on him.

Please forgive him.

You are to stand there until Jun is found.

Milord! Milord!

Milord!

You guys, this way. And you, that way.

- The rest follow me. - Sir!

- Master Jun! - Master!

Jun. Jun.

Jun! Jun!

Jun.

- Jun. - Jun.

- Jun. - Jun!

Who are you?

Where am I?

Who are you!

Subtitles provided by MBC

Father says he's never seen someone so young with your condition.

Are you okay?

Mother.

You've been hanging around the daughter of a traitor.

His education is your responsibility. You punish him.

Milord!

The barbarians have entered the area!

What?

We're friends, right?

Subtitles by MBC America