Original subtitles

September, 1568 [Sun Jo Dynasty Year 1] On river banks of Eui Ju, in Pyeong An

It's all there.

Here's four thousand.

The price you pay is six thousand.

What?

Circumstances have changed.

We've told you about our situation.

That's none of our concern.

We can't pay more than four thousand, as we said.

Same with us,

we can't accept less than six thousand.

Then, the deal is cancelled.

We can't do business with someone that can't keep a promise.

It's unfortunate that you can't.

We can't sell at a loss.

See here...

Who is the one to really suffer a loss if this deal is cancelled?

The same goes for you.

We won't give an inch. They're losing money.

Joon. Four thousand is a good deal.

What?

What can we do?

Let's consider the deal cancelled.

The police will be here, at any moment.

If you hesitate, you will suffer the loss.

Gilsang.

Yes?

Set a fire.

- Joon! - What are you doing?

Now!

Joon! Joon!

But, Joon! Why are you... Joon!

But, Joon...

Hey, are you crazy?

What are you doing? Put out the fire!

Yes, sir!

I'll give you the six thousand!

I'll even give you one hundred more.

One hundred more and a hundred sheets of silk.

We've got ourselves a deal.

It's correct.

- What are you waiting for? Hurry! - Okay.

Hurry up, hurry, hurry!

I've been across the border smuggling herbs many times,

but I've never met anyone like you.

Since we'll be doing business for a while, let me know your name.

My name is Hur Joon.

Hur Joon... hmm...

Episode 1

Ante up.

There's no rush.

Here.

My trousers haven't been this heavy in a long time.

Did you see that guy's face?

It went all green.

What?

Give me what's in your trousers.

You bastard!

Why do you ask me to give you the money you lost gambling?

I know you were cheating.

Who do you think you're trying to trick?

Of course we know. The son of Yongchun County's magistrate.

- And you still act like that? - Hey!

Being a magistrate's son doesn't make him a nobleman.

It depends on which girl's belly he used.

You should watch your mouth, you bastard!

Oh, damn it!

- You, son of a... - Hey, you!

Hey!

Stop them! Stop them!

Here, here... Here.

Here...

What are you looking at? Get lost!

Go!

Ouch! My nose.

Here!

Let's go to Saweepo gisaeng* house.

[*gisaeng = female "hostess" or �entertainer�]

Isn't that where Okhwa lives?

Okhwa? Who's that?

She's an ex-gisaeng who even gave bed service to the governor.

That lady's thighs smell of baby powder.

He's so into her these days.

- You shut up! Let's go! - Okay.

Hey, Joon!

What brings you here, Dr. Jang?

I have to talk with you.

But not here. Shall we go home for a minute?

Well, okay.

Gilsang, you go to Saweepo.

And Yangtae, follow us.

- What? - Okay.

Are you here, sir?

What is it?

He's been waiting since morning to see you.

I'm busy at the moment. Tell him to wait a bit more.

Yes, sir.

Excuse me, Doctor!

What is of higher priority, to a doctor, than caring for a patient?

My father is in a serious condition. Please prescribe some medication for him.

You don't seem familiar. Where are you from?

Does that make any difference?

- Care for the patient first. - Never mind.

I can't give medication to just anyone.

If you, at least, want his pulse to be examined, keep quiet and wait.

It's urgent, so please hurry.

I've made a list of the herbs I need.

It stinks.

These are snake's beards. These are foxgloves.

These are...

Honeysuckles.

Yang Tae, do you know what this is?

How am I supposed to know?

This is Oolnuljae, a seal's penis.

Isn't it?

Smuggling herbs made you half a doctor.

What? Is there anything wrong?

Rumor has it that you're making a fortune with the herbs we smuggled.

Merchants, who want Chinese herbs,

come from all over the country and wait their turn.

We're risking our lives hiding from the police.

And, we won't do it, if you're the one getting all the money.

All right, when the deal is over,

I'll reward your service.

Yang Tae, when does the next ship arrive?

At about the end of the month.

Hey you, what did you eat?

That is ... the seal's penis.

You fool! That wasn't an Oolnuljae,

It was a dried viper! It's poisonous!

- You'll die! - What?

Oh my, I'm dying.

I almost died because of you pretending to be a doctor.

You foolish boy, let's go.

Bastard!

How is he?

It seems he has a liver disease, causing jaundice and diabetes...

Is there any medicine for him?

You're too late.

I heard of your reputation and came a long way.

Please save my father.

There are many ways to strengthen the liver.

But they are of no use to a man in this condition.

Well, there is one thing...

What's that?

You can't buy it here. Maybe, in China...

Please tell me. If only I can save my father,

I would do anything.

Please, sir.

- Who is it? - It's Yang Tae.

So how did it go?

The police are everywhere.

Even at Odo ferry point and Yeoun harbor.

I heard that a new commander has been posted at Camp Weeju.

He came south, from Pyongyang...

And he's been coming down so hard on the soldiers that

not even a rat can get away.

Yesterday, one soldier, who was on guard drunk, lost his head.

And a policeman who went to the Saweepo gisaeng house...

That's enough.

We'll have to give up today's trade and look for another way.

- Let's go. - Yes.

Who's that! Who are they?

Halt! Halt! Halt!

Stop! Stop!

We have to run.

Yang Tae and Gil Sang, put your bags down and follow me.

To where?

To save that man the police are taking away.

What? Why do we have to save a stranger?

- If this goes wrong, we will suffer. - You fool!

Who else do you think will show up here at this time?

He must be working for a smuggler.

Don't you want to identify...

the men who are secretly smuggling here in Yongchun?

- Stop talking and follow me. - Yes.

Kneel down, you bastard!

Where are you from and why are you here?

You also must have come here to smuggle.

Whose orders are you following?

Speak before I cut your head off!

Joon!

This is the girl that we saw at Dr. Jang's house.

- Untie her hands. - Yes,

What's the occasion?

This place is tightly guarded by soldiers and police.

If you get caught, you'll die.

Why are you here at this time and disguised as a man?

I heard I can meet smugglers here.

I went to see the doctor because my father is very sick,

And he said the treatment of last resort to cure him is to use Chinese medicinal herbs.

If I couldn't buy them here,

I was planning to entreat the merchants and go to China.

You are out of your mind.

What makes you think a woman like you can get there?

Do you think smugglers are nice people?

That place swarms with brutal men from all over the world.

If only I can save my father,

I'll do anything, anywhere.

Please, tell me how to get there.

I feel sorry for you. But, there is no way.

The police will soon be here. Go back.

- Let's go. - Yes.

- Hurry up. - Yes.

- Drink up! - Isn't it good?

It is.

Is something bothering you?

Why do you keep drinking without a word?

Pour it out.

Did Swenne do something wrong?

Lighten up.

Just pour it out.

Are you thinking about that girl?

What girl?

Do you have another girl besides Swenne?

Yeah, some crazy girl

must have taken away his heart.

That girl had a pretty face...

Maybe I should have tried to make a pass at her.

Shut up and just drink.

You all are making efforts.

He's drunk.

The drink she sells taste good.

But, what tastes even better are her thighs.

Let's go together, Commander Hong.

It's on me.

If the magistrate sees us, he will be outraged.

So don't make a fuss and go in.

His mother is washing the gisaengs' underwear,

languishing in poverty, while her son is always drinking.

You shouldn't expect a concubine's son to behave as a nobleman.

Are you mad at me?

What are you talking about?

Why should I be mad at you?

Then, why on earth...

I trusted you and asked you to make me a jacket.

But look at this careless needlework!

I made such effort to get this silk.

I am so upset.

If you don't like it, I'll work on it again.

Yeah right, I should trust you?

It's time for the magistrate to leave the office. So go back.

Hey, you.

Does the magistrate still have a bad cough?

I've mixed some pear juice and honey.

Tell him to take a spoonful every morning and evening.

He doesn't need it, so take it back.

Hey, I made this because it helps heal coughs.

I said, he doesn't need it.

I'm so upset.

A doctor treats the magistrate's illness and I look after him.

I can't understand why you're interfering.

If you don't have anything to do, go do the laundry.

All right.

Joon, you're late.

Did you have breakfast?

Last night Sir Yoon's son came by.

He wants to see you before he goes to Seoul for the state exam.

I have nothing to do with him.

He was your schoolmate.

You two used to be friends.

How could a humble man like me be friends

with someone from such a noble family?

He must have thought of me on his way to Seoul.

Young Master Yoon was worried about you wasting your time away

and hanging around with roughnecks.

What's the matter with you? Why can't you just settle down?

Think about the kindness and sincerity he's shown us.

You shouldn't live so carelessly.

What do you mean, kindness and sincerity?

Joon.

Do you mean looking after gisaengs who give bed service to him?

Joon! Don't talk like that.

That's a way of serving him.

When was the last time you saw him?

I hardly remember when.

He doesn't even care about us.

Why do we have to serve him?

You asked me why I can't settle down?

If I do settle down, then what can I do?

What on earth can I do?

Joon.

I'm going to meet him.

I'll ask him why you have to look after gisaengs,

and what I should do for a living.

Joon... please.

Please don't.

If only I can serve him, I...

I'm okay.

I'm... Please, Joon.

Sir Yoon's son is going to Seoul to take the exam

and he wants to see you before he leaves.

You fool! You still haven't learned your lesson!

It's been hours since you started

and you still haven't got an answer!

You stupid boy!

Any volunteers?

Is there nobody?

You idiots!

- I'll give it a try. - What?

Aren't you Hur Joon?

You've just started to attend school.

- Can you do it? - Yes, sir.

All right, then.

One's behavior is among five types

and serving one's parents is the root of one hundred acts.

And...

This means, do not despise a humble man because you are noble.

And do not look down upon a small man because you are tall.

And do not be overconfident of your courage and slight your enemy.

Even the Myungsimbogam...

You are well versed with the books Dongmongsunsoup and Myungsinbogam!

That's amazing!

You are capable of studying "The Four Books and Three Classics".

You, idiots, are very lucky to have Hur Joon with you.

Everyone should follow his example and study harder.

That's it for today.

That's it for today.

Hey! Why do we have to study with that lowly boy?

Lowly boy?

Is it right for noblemen and a low man to study together?

What do you mean? His father is the magistrate of this county.

- That's right. - So what?

- His mom was a gisaeng. - Gisaeng?

Studying with that lowly boy

- is a disgrace to our families. - That's right.

Everybody tell your parents.

If he comes to school, we won't.

- Isn't that so? - Yeah!

Move! I got hit because of you.

Really?

Is Hur Joon here?

Why are you looking for him?

The magistrate wants to see him.

What for?

Why does he want to see Joon?

How am I supposed to know? Just tell him.

If only I can save my father,

I'll do anything, anywhere.

Please tell me how to get there.

I feel sorry for you but there is no way.

Joon... Joon.

The magistrate wants to see you. Hurry up and get ready.

Why?

I don't know.

Wait, wait. Wear these.

What are they?

I prepared these ... in case they were needed.

- No, thank you. - Joon.

Do you think a big hat and robe fits a humble man like me?

I only wore a big hat and robe

because I was carried away by ill-advised bravery.

I don't have to act brave towards him.

That's not true. It is no ordinary event for him to call for you.

It is your duty to dress up, even if you're just a medical officer.

Wear them for me.

Sir, Hur Joon has arrived.

Tell him to come in.

Come in.

Sit down.

Sir, your wound is severely festered.

I think we have to squeeze out the pus.

Then, do it.

It will hurt a lot, scraping out your flesh.

It doesn't matter.

Then I'll start.

Do you know when I got this wound?

No, sir.

When I was your age,

as a soldier at Camp Hyesan,

a barbarian shot an arrow at me.

All my life, I've wandered about, serving as a petty soldier

And all I managed to become is the Magistrate of Yongchun

But I tried to maintain a military nobility and my family's honor.

And now...

What are you doing?

I hear you have been hanging around with roughnecks, provoking quarrels

and drinking everyday with some retired gisaeng.

Am I wrong?

You, idiot.

Do you think wearing a hat and robe will hide your social position?

Don't try to impersonate a nobleman

and behave yourself!

If I hear of your hanging around with those roughnecks one more time,

I shall reprimand you, be sure of that.

Sir.

The commander of Camp Weeju has arrived.

I am Bae Chun Su, the commander of Camp Weeju.

What brings you here?

I am following the orders from the Pyongyang office

to chase fugitive criminals who escaped from exile.

I have come to request your help.

Fugitive criminals? Who are they?

They are Lee Jung Chan and his daughter, who were exiled to the North Office.

- Lee Jung Chan? - That's right.

While questioning the ones who plotted a conspiracy,

there were orders for him to give testimony.

So he needs to be send, in custody, to Seoul.

But, Lee Jung Chan and his daughter have run away.

Follow me.

Joon! Joon!

I found them!

Where are they?

There's a deserted house in the village where potters live.

They're staying there.

Let's go.

It is this one.

It doesn't seem like anyone lives here.

They are criminals who have to hide away.

Would they leave traces?

Joon!

Who are you?

Don't you remember us?

We saved you at the harbor.

I really appreciate that, but...

I don't have time to deal with your flirting.

Move away.

F... flirting? Watch your mouth.

Who do you think you're talking to?

This man is the son of the Magistrate of Yongchun village.

Shut up and move back!

All right.

How is your father?

I don't mean to be nosy,

But it seems that you are in trouble...

It's my business, so please go back.

Look.

The officers and soldiers are looking for you.

You must turn back or run away ASAP.

Just go back, sir.

Save a stranger from the sea, and he'll turn your enemy.

Look at her trying to act noble at a time like this.

- Let's go. - Yes.

Who is she, an atrocious criminal, trying to make a good guy bad?

Father! Father! Father!

Father! Father! Wake up!

She said something about a patient, maybe he's dead.

Please save him. Please save my father.

Please save him...

Yang Tae!

Yes?

- Bring the doctor. - What?

- Bring Dr. Jang, Now! - Oh... okay.

Father, wake up... Father...

Father, wake up... Father.

Father, wake up...

Father, wake up...

He's been dead for a while.

His body is still warm, please look again.

This warmth is not from his body, it's from the heat of the floor.

Isn't there anything you can do?

Try acupuncture.

Please save him. Save my father.

Try acupuncture.

Look, there has to be energy in a body to perform acupuncture.

How can I bring a dead body to life?

But...

Father, Father, wake up.

Father, wake up.

Father.

- So? - He's halfway to Hades.

What? Oh my...

I need to have a word with you.

Isn't that dead man the one they're looking for?

Isn't he?

Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking...

I'll come to my senses, so don't worry.

What about the herbs?

Didn't I tell you that every harbor is strictly guarded?

That's your problem. But what happens to my credit?

I deal with merchants from all over the country.

If I can't keep my promise,

I have other plans, you know.

What? Plans? Is that supposed to be a threat?

Yang Tae.

I'll keep my promise, so you keep quiet about what happened here.

This doesn't seem like some ordinary relationship,

helping out fugitive criminals, you know.

If you want my mouth closed, you'd better bring the herbs on time.

Tsk... tsk...

He's a sly fox.

Joon, what's the matter with you?

Why do we have to undergo all this for a total stranger?

Yang Tae, bring Jang Swe and Gil Sang and prepare the funeral.

What? But Joon!

Prepare a shroud and a coffin.

Joon, if they know that we held a funeral for a fugitive criminal,

they'll blame us, too. Let's stop.

Just do as I say.

And while you're at it, bring some candles, too.

If there aren't any candles on his way to Hades,

it would be poor-looking...

Father...

Joon!

Don't get nervous. Just calm down.

All right.

Wait!

Whose funeral is it?

Oh, it's old Mr. Kim's, from Dangsan Village.

What's this?

No matter how poor he was,

how can there be no flowers at a funeral?

Well, the fact is...

The doctor, who checked his body, said he had smallpox.

And, that we should quickly hold the funeral.

Smallpox?

- Hurry up. - Yes, yes.

Good job.

You guys go down first.

Okay.

I wasn't even able to introduce myself.

My family name is Lee,

and my name is Da Hee.

I will never forget your kindness.

Please let me know your name.

I am happy to be of help to you.

I'm a man of humble birth. So, it's not worth knowing my name.

But, I heard that you are the son of the Magistrate of Yongchun.

That's embarrassing.

The fact is true.

But, I'm not the son of his legal wife.

I'm notorious as a wretch around here.

You may have a humble station,

but not everyone would give help to a total stranger.

Let me know your name, so I can remember.

My name is Hur Joon.

Now, what are you going to do?

Since the officers are chasing you,

you can't mourn at your father's grave...

Since this is my fate, I'll trust to my luck.

I'm thinking of going to the police and surrendering myself.

No! You can't!

If you go there now, you'll be sentenced to death.

I'll help you hide, so don't give up.

But I'm a stranger...

I already owe you much.

Don't bother yourself anymore about me.

From the first time I saw you,

I've never thought of you as a stranger.

In Mt. Buyong, 5 miles from here,

there is a temple called Mirook.

The mountain is rugged, being out of the guards' reach.

Let's hide ourselves there for now.

Are you crazy?

Every harbor is strictly guarded.

How on earth are you going to smuggle?

Don't you know Dr. Jang?

If we don't keep our promise, he'll disclose all of this.

It would be easier to get rid of that old man than smuggle.

I need money.

What?

So I have to smuggle.

Because of that girl?

You need the money to save that girl?

You!

If I succeed this time and make a fortune,

I'm going to leave Yongchun.

Leave? To where?

Anywhere...

Any place where I can hide my social position,

I will go.

Do you really believe you and I can hide our social positions if we leave this village?

Unless we burn all the documents in the office ...

Unless there is a revolution ... our positions under the status system

will never be hidden.

I am going.

If this country doesn't approve,

I'll cross the river and go to the barbarians' land.

If you guys are afraid,

then I'll go alone.

So, what about you,

Gil Sang?

I'm coming with you.

Me, too.

You're crazy.

Yang Tae.

If you insist, I'll risk my life and go.

Yang Tae, you bring the lady to Odo harbor.

When the deal is done, we'll hide her in Miruk temple.

Okay.

Be careful.

Be careful.

Joon...!

Run now.

Joon...

I swear he's plagued with bad luck.

Poor Joon.

Why of all women did he have to fall for a fugitive criminal?

How stupid!

Is there any way to save him?

How can you save someone who might have already gone to Hades?

Don't you know if you get caught smuggling, you'll die?

Do you know why he smuggles?

All of this is because of...

Let's quit this. We've done enough.

Holding a funeral in that kind of situation.

Aren't you ashamed of getting Joon in trouble?

Is getting others into hot water the way you, noble people, live?

Open your mouth and say something!

I've brought in smugglers from Odo harbor.

Look at me.

I said, look at me!

You should know that violating the law

and smuggling is high treason.

I should cut your heads off right now.

But I'll lay the axe to the root of you smugglers

down at Weeju Camp this time.

Interrogate them until they tell us who they were working with!

Yes, sir! Get the chairs ready and get ready to investigate!

Yes, sir!

Hey, aren't you the guy who held a funeral for the man with smallpox?

Judging by his looks, he seems to be from a noble family.

Which family are you from?

Answer now!

Sir, he is the son of the Magistrate of Yongchun.

What did you say? The son of the magistrate?

So you're saying he's the son of the Magistrate Hur Ryoon?

I don't have anything to do with him. So, just punish me.

You shut up!

Drag them to Yongchun office now!

Yes sir!

Today some herbs are supposed to arrive.

- Empty these. - Okay.

You go to the inn and tell the merchants from Gaesung

to take their herbs today.

Yes, sir.

Doctor! Doctor!

- What's this fuss all about? - We're in trouble.

What is it?

Hur Joon got caught smuggling in Camp Weeju.

What?

I saw him being dragged to the Yongchun office with my own eyes.

These men were smuggling at Odo harbor,

which is under your command.

Is it true that he is your son?

Is it true?

I have heard your name before, Magistrate.

Concerning when you were serving at Camp Haemi

and how you repulsed ten enemies.

And, how you ran into the enemy's camp and cut off their general's head.

I really respect your maintaining a military nobility.

But why did an honorable man like you not look after your son?

Sir, Hur Joon was not born from his legal wife.

A concubine's son...

Sir, even if he's a concubine's son, he still shares your blood.

How can you undertake the responsibility of guarding the borders,

when you can't even look after your own family?

And how can you accept a salary from the government?

I can punish him myself.

But I'm leaving it up to you.

Sacrifice your personal interest for the public good and punish him.

That way, you will set an example

for every officer and person.

If you don't give him a heavy punishment,

I will make a direct appeal to the Pyongyang office.

Let's go!

Why?

Did I ever make you go hungry or be in rags?

What made you do something like this?

Why?

I'm asking you why!

I've nothing to say.

Just kill me.

Kill you?

Do you think killing you will settle this situation?

Do you think this disgrace will disappear if you die?

I can understand now

why the law discriminates between the high and the low.

Why the law restricts the low.

I can understand now, just by looking at you!

If the law had not discriminated against me,

I would not have had any reason to live this way.

I'd rather have been a butcher or a street peddler in the market.

Then I wouldn't have lived this way.

Is it my fault I was born as a concubine's son?

What can I do?

What the hell can I do in order to uphold

the military nobility and family honor you've praised all your life?

Shut up, you bastard!

Who do you think you're talking to?

Say that again.

I don't care if I die now. Just kill me!

You idiot!

Sir, please save him! Please. Sir...

Save him. Please save him.

Sir, please save him.

- Please save him - Step back!

Sir, kill me instead.

Kill me, Swenne, instead.

What are you doing? Drag her out!

Sir, everything is my fault.

Giving birth to Joon,

disgracing you, everything is my fault.

Kill me. Sir...

Put him in jail, right now!