Original subtitles

It was a place of mystery.

A place no one dared to approach.

Only the guardian spirits of the mountain

could sometimes be seen at this place.

The Garden of the Moonlight

was where their tragic tale began.

What's that?

You want to become human?

That's right. I want to become human.

Come to your senses, Wol-ryeong.

A search group is looking all over the mountain for that woman.

Do you know who is leading the search?

It's Officer Dam Pyeong-jun.

Officer Dam Pyeong-jun?

There are some men who are strong enough to defeat mystical creatures.

Officer Dam Pyeong-jun is one of those men.

He's different from the other humans whom you could easily scare away.

You must make that woman descend the mountain at once.

You are bound to suffer if you love a human girl.

We found something.

Search the surroundings thoroughly.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

Excuse me.

I have something to tell you.

What is it?

I think I must leave.

-Why is that? -As you know,

I am the daughter of a traitor.

And now I am a slave on the run.

So?

As long as I am here,

the people chasing me will keep searching the mountain.

You will get in trouble for hiding me.

So?

I can't let you face such danger just because you saved me.

So I wish to bid you farewell.

They can never harm me.

And as long as I am here, you will not be harmed either.

-But-- -Wait.

I thought you might be hungry, so I got a few things to eat from the forest.

Do you want to see them?

Which do you prefer? This or this?

I...

This will do.

Then wait here.

You need to eat this much to feel full.

Come on.

Right. Is it not enough?

Do you want me to pick more? Wait.

No. That's not it.

It's more than enough.

Thank you so much.

Right.

It's beautiful.

It's truly beautiful.

Your smile is beautiful.

Truly beautiful.

How long have you been living in the woods?

It's been so long that I lost track of time.

Don't you have family?

No. I have been...

alone for a long time.

I have a little brother.

And I have a maid named Dam-i,

who is dear to me like a little sister.

The only family I have in this world

were those two.

Then, where are they?

I was separated from my little brother while being chased in the woods.

Dam-i stayed behind at the House of Pleasure,

so that we could flee.

I am worried sick

because of those two.

And yet the only thing I can do

is to stay beside you and stay alive.

Will you feel better

if you know their whereabouts?

Will you be able to smile, then?

Why are you

so nice to me?

I would do anything for you.

That's how I feel like right now.

What are you talking about?

You want the body?

It's already been four days since the child was hanged.

Please, have mercy and let me take care of the body.

I plan to hang him for four more days.

Wild men are benign and ignorant.

It's much more effective to let them see the consequences with their eyes

than to tell them a hundred times what not to do.

But he is the child of your friend, Lord Yoon.

He's now the son of a traitor. He's the slave who ran.

How can you be so heartless?

What about you, then?

Why are you so eager to help that dead man's son?

Were you secretly in love with the late Lord Yoon?

Don't be ridiculous, sir.

If that's not it, shut your mouth and stay quiet in the House of Pleasure,

or else, I will hold you responsible for that woman who ran away.

Sir.

What is it?

The body... The body we hanged outside is gone.

What?

You are back.

Is there any news of my brother?

How about Dam-i?

What happened to them? Are they all right?

Sir?

YOON JEONG-YUN'S GRAVE

What is it?

Do you have bad news?

Is that it?

I think they are both safe.

Both of them?

Yes.

So you should relax now.

Don't think about going anywhere.

You should stay with me for a while.

From now on, I will protect you.

I will.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Now, I feel like I can live.

Now, I can breathe.

Forgive me.

I was just so happy. I behaved inappropriately.

Will you...

marry me?

I am the daughter of a traitor.

Will you marry me?

I am a slave on the run.

Will you...

marry me?

You are joking, right?

I am serious.

You are really going to marry her?

Yes.

So tell me how.

Tell me how I can get a hold of the Gu Family Book.

Gosh.

I haven't been here in a while.

I remember seeing it somewhere here.

Is it this book?

Is it this book?

If it's a book about me, you should've treasured it more.

Who would've thought that you would want to become human?

Honestly, I still can't wrap my head around your decision.

Of course, you can't understand me.

You've never lived alone for a thousand years.

Trust me.

Finite beings are much more noble than infinite beings.

That's why a human's life is beautiful.

But if I had eternal youth and immortality,

as well as that appearance, I would gladly live alone for 10,000 years.

Easier said than done.

Do you know how boring and dull those years get?

Does she know who you are?

-No. -You won't tell her?

I won't.

Before she finds out who I am, I must become human.

Anyway,

I can't approve of this marriage.

There is nothing more wearisome

and troublesome than loving a human woman.

Why do you think I became a monk?

Even human men can't deal with human women.

How could you possibly...

It's right here.

Where?

You are right.

The Gu Family Book is right here.

What does it say?

It says that nobody has seen the Gu Family Book.

Why is that?

It's because no mystical creature like you has become human. That means...

I guess that's how tough it is to become human.

Right. It's difficult. Forget it.

Keep going.

To gain the Gu Family Book,

you have to pray for a hundred days.

A hundred days?

And in those hundred days, you must follow three rules.

Three rules.

First, you must not kill for a hundred days.

Save me!

Save me!

Second, you must not neglect a human in need of your help.

Did you put the trap here?

Give me back my sack!

-How dare you? -Third,

you must never reveal your identity as a mystical creature to humans.

How is it? Isn't it difficult?

It's difficult.

Forget about it, then. Just keep living the way you are.

Anyway,

if I follow those rules for a hundred days,

I can get a hold of the Gu Family Book. Is that what you are saying?

If this book is right, when you finish praying for a hundred days,

the Gu Family Book, which is a covenant of Hwanung,

will appear before you.

"Covenant of Hwanung."

But everything comes with a price and some side effects.

Should you violate any of those three rules,

not only will you lose the chance to become human,

but you might also become an evil spirit for a thousand years.

An evil spirit for a thousand years? Me?

Nobody has actually seen the Gu Family Book.

That's how slim your chances of success are.

Will you still give it a try?

Then a new history will be written.

I will be known as Koo Wol-ryeong, the second mystical creature

to become human after Ungnyeo.

Thank you, my friend. That was very helpful.

Hey, Wol-ryeong.

I'm begging you as a friend. Why don't you reconsider it?

You might end up getting hurt.

It's the first time I've felt like this in a thousand years.

If I miss my chance with this woman,

I might have to wait for another thousand years.

I will see you after a hundred days.

"An evil spirit for a thousand years."

The grave is covered with fresh dirt. It must be about a month old.

That is around the time the body went missing from the scaffold.

She is alive.

She is alive after everything.

YOON JEONG-YUN'S GRAVE

But I can't understand it.

How can a mere woman

take the body deep into the woods?

Darling.

Honey.

You should take this.

This is your snack.

Jeez, I forgot again.

Thank you.

Why are you holding a basket?

I thought I would go and pick some wild vegetables.

You can't go alone.

Wait until I return from gathering wood.

Don't worry about me.

I've been living in the woods for nearly three months now.

I can walk to nearby places with my eyes closed.

Even after three years, it would still be dangerous for you to walk around alone.

I won't feel at ease. Give it to me.

It's all right.

It's really all right.

Come on. Listen to me. You can't do that yet.

Enjoy your snack, honey.

I will be back before lunch. Don't worry. Okay?

You are hopeless in front of your wife.

Hey, So-jeong.

My gosh. I guess it's tough to pray for a hundred days.

You don't look good at all.

It's because I haven't eaten meat for three months.

Do you only have ten days now?

Eleven days, to be precise.

It's amazing that you've made it safely this far.

I've been all right.

Other than seeing grilled rabbit legs floating in the air, it's bearable.

You have to endure that

in order to live with such a beautiful wife.

Besides, she packed food for you too.

What's the big deal about not being able to eat meat?

She can't cook that well yet.

Have you been eating this for the past three months?

When you keep eating it, you'll get used to it.

The power of love is amazing.

Jeez.

Now, tell me.

Tell me why you suddenly came to see me.

What is it?

I found it.

I found a way to get rid of the side effect.

It took me a while to figure it out.

This is made with a 100-year-old hawthorn.

You only have 11 more days to go,

but you never know. So keep it until the last day.

What are you talking about?

You are going to dismiss the search group?

We have already looked all over the woods for her.

But there was no trace of a gumiho

nor claims of an attack by a gumiho.

Isn't it meaningless to continue the search?

I'll decide whether it is meaningless.

I was hired by the state, too.

If you are looking for someone you can use for your personal agenda,

you should look for someone else.

I will get going, then.

It's me, sir.

Come in.

They found her.

I have news that some people have seen a girl who looks like Seo-hwa.

Did you hear that?

He says that girl is alive.

If she has managed to live deep in the woods for three months,

there must be a group of people looking after her.

Whether they are bandits or gumihos, you must catch them.

Don't you agree?

Seo-hwa, I am here.

Seo-hwa.

Seo-hwa.

This way.

There she is.

Catch her!

-Catch that wench! -Catch her!

Catch her!

Help me, Wol-ryeong.

-Wol-ryeong. -Quiet.

You guys go that way. The rest of you follow me.

You are fine now. It's all right.

Let's go home now.

You have a fascinating talent.

You can build a wall with plants.

Who are you?

Are you a human or are you something else?

I don't want to fight you.

Does that mean you are confident that you'll win if you fight us?

My wife and I didn't hurt anyone.

How can you disrespect us like this?

If the woman next to you is not a runaway slave,

I will apologize for my behavior.

What will you do?

Will you agree to go with us?

I asked if you will agree to go with us.

What will you do?

The captain is sending us the signal.

Get to your positions and wait.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

I can't go.

I can't run anymore.

Come on. Just a little more.

I am sorry, Wol-ryeong.

I should've listened to you.

You are in danger because of me.

I am so sorry.

Trust me.

No matter what happens, I will protect you.

Hang on just a little longer.

Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

Are you sure she is the one?

I am certain of it. She is Yoon Seo-hwa, the runaway slave.

Catch that woman.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

No.

No!

Don't you dare. She belongs with me.

What are you doing? Catch her.

-Don't you dare touch her! -Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

-Wol-ryeong! -Seo-hwa.

Wol-ryeong!

Seo-hwa!

Wol-ryeong!

You must never kill.

Wol-ryeong!

She's calling for my help.

You must never reveal your identity as a mystical creature to humans.

Wol-ryeong.

What are you doing? Hurry and take him down.

Don't you dare hurt her.

No.

No.

Don't come near me.

No!

Get away. Get away from me.

Don't be scared. It's me. It's me, Wol-ryeong.

Wol-ryeong?

Is it really you?

I am sorry that you had to see this.

Is it...

really...

you?

Yes.

This is...

the real me.

I am sorry.

I am really sorry.

I am sorry.

No.

No.

No. It can't be him.

It can't be him.

-Is it bearable? -Yes, sir.

Hang in there.

I will.

Did you send a message to Master Cho?

Yes. He will be bringing more men shortly.

I see.

Who is there?

Wol-ryeong!

I knew it.

I knew you would get hurt.

Wol-ryeong, wake up.

Wol-ryeong. Here.

Come on, Wol-ryeong!

Are you all right?

Seo-hwa. Where is Seo-hwa?

She's not here.

Please find Seo-hwa.

She must be in shock because of me.

How can you worry about her in the midst of all this?

I beg you.

Get up.

Here.

You didn't lose the hawthorn dagger I gave you, right?

You must do what I have said at the last moment.

Do you understand?

You witch.

You used your maid as a sacrifice

and let your brother die so you could run away.

Was all of that just to be with that wicked creature?

What do you mean? What do you mean I sacrificed them?

Who did I sacrifice?

Did you not know?

That maid of yours, who let you and your brother run away, hanged herself.

Your brother got caught by bounty hunters

and was hanged.

No.

I think they are both safe.

They couldn't have died.

Trust me.

I hanged your brother myself.

If you should have just let me have you,

you could've saved your brother.

No.

They couldn't have died.

They couldn't have.

Make her lead you to where that gumiho is.

As soon as you find him, cut off his head immediately.

Then cut her head off, too.

Jeong-yun.

Dam-i.

How...

How did you get this far?

Humans can't find this place. How...

Seo-hwa.

How can you...

Did you bring them here?

Did you betray me?

Then why

did you lie to me?

Dam-i died,

as well as Jeong-yun.

How could you lie to me and say that they are safe?

I couldn't watch you be sad.

-That's why-- -No, that wasn't why.

Despite being a gumiho, you wanted to win her heart.

So you lied to her, tricked her,

and confused her.

Isn't that it?

Trust me. That wasn't it.

Then why did you lie about being a mystical creature?

Why did you pretend to be human to me?

Not knowing this, I trusted you.

I thought you meant everything you said and everything you did.

I believed they were all real.

Seo-hwa.

Seo-hwa.

What are you waiting for?

Cut off that wicked creature's head!

I found a way for you not to become an evil spirit for a thousand years.

What is that?

If the woman who made you decide to become human

loves you with all her heart even after finding out

that you are a mystical creature,

you will be safe.

However,

if she betrays you,

you must stab her heart with this dagger.

Then you won't turn into an evil spirit.

You will continue to protect this mountain as a mystical creature.

In the worst-case scenario, you must use this hawthorn dagger.

You must stab her heart

to avoid becoming an evil spirit for a thousand years. Okay?

Shoot him.

Seo-hwa!

Why did you do that?

I loved you.

I...

loved you...

I loved you so dearly.

Why...

What are you waiting for?

Cut off his head.

Wol-ryeong.

Well done.

Please take care of the rest, too.

Let's go.

Wol-ryeong.

Wol-ryeong.

Wol-ryeong.

Wol-ryeong.

What happened?

Where is Wol-ryeong? What happened to my friend Wol-ryeong?

No.

No! Wol-ryeong!

Wol-ryeong!

Why did you do something so horrible?

He was a good mystical creature who was protecting this mountain.

He didn't harm anybody.

He killed half of my men.

Did he start the fight?

Did he?

He just wanted to become an ordinary human

and grow old with that woman.

This all happened because he loved you.

Do you get it?

He could've become human in just ten more days.

He only had ten more days.

Wol-ryeong.

Wol-ryeong.

Wol-ryeong.

No.

That can't be true.

Master Dam told me to hand you this as proof that he took care of her.

Try throwing it.

Move away!

Let me go!

She tried everything she could,

this wench even tried to drink lye.

You weakling.

After going through so much,

you must learn to accept your fate.

What is my fate?

Being a courtesan?

Being the wife of a mystical creature?

Being the mother of a monster?

I can't accept it.

I won't accept any of those as my fate.

Help me.

Before this monster child is born,

I need to get rid of this child.

You chewed poisonous plants.

You tried falling from a high place a lot of times.

But the child in your belly is still growing well.

That child won't die unless you do.

Then kill me.

Just kill me.

The man who brought you here asked me to look after you,

so I am afraid I can't do that.

Get that child some warm soup.

I will do that.

Seo-hwa.

Why did you do that?

I loved you.

I loved you so dearly.

Why...

Wol-ryeong?

I am sorry, Wol-ryeong.

There is nothing else I can do.

Forgive me.

I am...

really sorry, Wol-ryeong.

My baby.

He's not a monster.

My baby isn't a monster.

He is not a monster.

My baby.

Get me some water, Choi.

That's refreshing.

It's torturous for me to drink when you can't.

Wait.

Do you hear something?

What? What do you hear?

I think I hear a baby crying.

I don't hear anything.

No.

It's certainly the sound of a baby crying.

Stop the music.

What in...

Isn't that the sound of a baby crying?

There can't be a child here.

Right. Wait.

-There! -I really hear the cry.

-There. -What?

How...

-Goodness. -It's really a baby.

What's going on?

How can this be? It's an infant.

He looks like a newborn.

What kind of beastly human would abandon a newborn in the stream?

I know.

Oh, my lord. You've found a lucky charm.

You got a lucky charm.

Who are you?

My name is So-jeong.

Well, let me see you.

While wandering, I picked up knowledge here and there.

And I've learned the secrets of the universe.

If you take this child and raise him,

you will be rewarded with great fortune.

It's your lucky day, Mu-sol.

You came out to play and found a child that will bring luck.

Why don't I name the child?

Since he was abandoned in the stream, why don't you call him Kang-chi?

Kang for river and chi for abandoned. So it's Kang-chi.

You can give him Choi's last name and call him Choi Kang-chi.

Sirs, I am not even married yet.

Choi Kang-chi. What a great name.

What do you say, Master Park?

It was a place of mystery.

A place no one dared to approach.

Koo Wol-ryeong, the mystical creature,

and Seo-hwa's sad love ended.

But a new legend

was beginning here.

Kang-chi.

Choi Kang-chi.

Please let him grow as a perfectly human child

amongst ordinary humans.

Choi Kang-chi!

Get him!

Love will find you soon...

You're better off avoiding him if you can.

Isn't fate decided by the heavens?

If you can avoid it, how is that fate?

Don't worry.

I, Kang-chi, will protect you.

What happens if I don't avoid that fate?

What if I can't avoid it?

Subtitle translation by So-rang Kang