Original subtitles

Subtitles by MBC

An interpreter I had known asked me a favor.

He asked me to entertain an important figure in private.

[Episode 7] - Pull!

Save me! That's right. I asked her to do it.

Who was it? Who was behind it?

It was Sir Dae Gyun Kim.

Why can't you do it?

Do you need more medicinal ingredients?

Just name it. Whatever it is I will get it for you.

It is a medicine I shouldn't make!

What do you mean?

So many things will make so many rapid changes.

If I make that medicine, the world...

history...

could be changed.

History? What is that?

Isn't history made by people?

If we don't like it, we can change and rebuild it.

What on earth are you so afraid of?

Even someone like me tries his best to do something.

And you, with such amazing talents, won't do anything?

Is just sitting by and leaving people in the lurch what you mean by history?

Is that it?

Please...

Please save that pitiful girl.

I beg you.

What happened?

Who did this to you?

They forced me to confess,

so I told them it was Sir Dae Gyun Kim.

Who did you just say?

I am asking you!

In the open market, this small amount of gold is worth one bag of rice.

If what the interpreter said is true,

since one basketful of this small gold will make one gold bar,

a gold chest filled with such gold bars is worth...!

So at the 30% of the market price,

Dae Gyun Kim collected that much gold from the Western people.

If he sets his mind to it, gold prices can skyrocket.

Gold prices are not...!

That's not the major concern.

Say he releases gold on the market at his will.

With one word,

he could practically dominate the entire market in Joseon.

How I wish to see his gold chest just once.

If he lost his gold bars...

how do you think he would feel?

He'd be devastated, right?

Are you crazy?

We are already in the same boat. Here!

We?

We? Why do you associate me with you?

I know nothing.

I know neither Dae Gyun Kim

nor anything about his gold chest.

Joo Pal.

Don't even try to get me involved.

I'll foot the bill.

Joo Pal!

Westerner?

Did you really meet a Westerner?

He said he was a merchant from Qing.

Go away!

What horrible luck.

Let's go back.

I know everything.

I have no chance, do I?

That's all right.

I am a woman of obscure birth.

Having people who care for me like this...

I am more than grateful for that.

Farewell.

Wait.

My entire life has been prey to men's lust.

I have no regrets or feelings.

If there is any regret, if any...

Just for one day,

I wish I had lived like a decent human being.

With a deep loving gaze from my love,

I wish I had enjoyed his love...

even for just one day.

I'll help you see that day.

Not just one day. One month, one year...

you can live.

I'll help you.

I need your help.

I will make a medicine.

There is no time to lose.

All you have to do is to follow my instructions from now on.

And it requires absolute accuracy. Is that clear?

We know even a small amount of medicinal ingredients

...affects its efficacy.

Don't worry.

First, prepare culture mediums through rice-water mixed with potato broth.

Culture green mold in the rice-water medium and collect it.

At the same time, put the patient's sore discharge

...in the culture medium and multiply it.

So this is the medicine?

Not yet.

We should extract medically effective ingredients.

Extract? How?

Why do you pour oil into this filtered liquid?

It's to separate and take out the ingredient we need.

When you pour in oil, the solution separates into two layers,water and oil.

The ingredient we need is water-soluble.

Water Soluble / Water>

Take out the water portion at the bottom.

It comes out.

Mix it with sterilized charcoal powder, make a batter,

and pour in distilled water and acidic water like vinegar to rinse the batter.

My. So many rinses.

The more we refine it, the more effective medicine we can extract.

Lastly, pour in alkali water, and it'll leave us a highly refined solution.

So if a patient takes this, the patient will be cured of disease?

No. Since stomach acids will break it down,

we'd better inject it into a patient for better efficacy.

Since the concentration in this solution is uneven,

in order to sort out the highly concentrated portion,

we'll divide the solution into small parts and test each.

On the cultures with the staphylococcus taken from the syphilitic pus,

drop a small amount of the solution, put lids on,

and give a number to each.

If the solution kills the staphylococcus, it means the medicine is effective.

That ends the process.

Now all that's left is to wait.

By the way,

what is the name of this medicine?

Its name is...

penicillin.

Scholar Hong.

Or should I call you Boss Hong?

Did you come to die?

Shall I see your blood here?

I came to see you about something of mutual interest.

Take it easy and listen to me.

I have nothing to talk about with you.

How about talking about gold bars?

A chestful of gold bars from the West.

My Lord!

What's the fuss at this late hour?

I need to have a word with you urgently.

Come in.

The heir of the Left State Councilor smuggled with Western people,

and gold bars must be hidden somewhere in his house.

Are you telling me to believe your words?

It is up to you whether to believe me or not.

What do you say?

It's the perfect chance to attack the family

...that disdainfully rules over the whole nation.

Isn't it what you've desperately wanted?

Are you that greedy for gold?

Not at all.

You keep what you steal.

Just hand over one or two gold bars.

There is a woman who deserves that much gold.

That's the only reason?

If you want them to be punished,

why don't you report them to the royal court?

Trading with Western people is against the national law.

I am surprised that you, of all people, are talking about the law.

Then...

what is it that you'll gain from this?

That woman is innocent but powerless.

All she has is the desire to live like a decent human being,

but the Kims cast aside that pitiful woman like dirt.

I must see them weep bloody tears.

You crazy fool!

Father! Fa...

Father!

You traded with Western people, using a courtesan?

Are you out of your mind?

Please do not worry too much, Father.

Things will pass without trouble.

Moreover, if I sell Western people's gold,

it will leave us fairly good profits.

How pathetic.

Someone got your name out of the interpreter by force.

The national law prohibits trade with Westerners.

If it is known that you traded in gold from Westerners,

our family will suffer a heavy blow.

The 60 years of political reign of our family can go up in smoke overnight!

I have committed a grave sin.

Where is the gold chest?

Pardon me?

Oh.

I hid it in the inmost recess of my room.

As soon as the dawn breaks, move it to another location.

Hire tongue-tied men for the job.

Yes.

What did you do with the interpreter?

I shut him up in a separate jail to avoid any rumors.

Very good.

First, find the courtesan.

Those she told about her meeting with a Westerner

must be the ones who interrogated the interpreter.

Comb through the insides and outsides of the capital,

and find the girl without fail.

Yes, My Lord.

No killings.

We'll only take the gold chest.

Do you understand?

Now we only have to wait for the result.

How do we know if it is a success?

If a clear circle formed around the solution,

it proves that the solution is medicinal.

Fail.

Fail.

Fail!

Fail.

Fail.

Fail.

Fail...

Again, fail.

Fail. Fail.

Fail.

Now there is only one left.

What is it?

Did it...?

It...

worked.

In 1860 in Joseon, 68 years ahead of Fleming's discovery,

I've succeeded in producing penicillin.

I knew you'd succeed.

We have no time to waste. We have to cure the patient.

Please make more medicine. The more, the better.

So you are the leader.

You shall die by my sword tonight.

What is this noise?

What's this...

Father!

Is no one out there?

Father...

Is no one out there!

Put the sword away.

If you touch even a hair of him,

you shall die in my hands.

Let him go.

No!

Don't let them take the gold chest.

If you want to preserve your life, just shut up.

How dare you!

What are you waiting for? Cut him off!

Don't let them take it away.

My Lord!

Get them!

Hurry up!

Father! Father! Are you alright?

We should hurry.

Will this really work?

We'll see.

Let's pray it works.

Did he not take you with him because you're not helpful?

Just shut up.

You didn't go to the courtesan house?

How come she is here?

Lost? You lost them?

And you call yourself a police commander?

Has His Excellency calmed down?

Why do you need to know that?

Go out and get the thieves now!

Do you...

Do you know how much the gold chest is worth?

Who is to blame for all these?

What?

Blinded by your own greed,

you jeopardized His Excellency and the family.

Having done so,

you have no guiltily feelings as the heir of the family?

How dare you!

What is this you are doing?

When we need to handle the situation together,

are you going to argue who is to blame?

But he is being presumptuous!

No more words out of you!

You hopeless fool!

The mere thieves brandished swords in my yard.

How could it be possible?

I deserve to die.

How will you catch them?

They precisely targeted the room where the gold chest was hidden.

As you command,

if I find out who the courtesan told the story to,

I am sure I'll have a lead on the thieves.

But she has vanished without a trace!

Can you catch the courtesan on the run?

Yes, My Lord.

We cannot afford a moment's delay.

Not only should the gold chest, but also this chaos should be kept a secret.

Resolve this matter promptly.

Your wish is my command.

But Father, what about the gold chest?

It is not just a coin or two.

Since the gold from the West bears a mark,

it cannot be used as it is.

Warn goldsmiths against stolen gold.

You are right!

Then the thieves cannot even sell it, which remains beyond reach!

How could you hide her even from me?

He asked me to keep it a secret, so I couldn't help it.

Still, I am in charge of this infirmary.

How could you make that decision without my permission?

I'm sorry.

Comb through the house!

Even if you rip up the floor, you won't find the person who isn't here.

We will search until we find her.

She is a mere courtesan, and she's dying.

Even when she might've even killed herself somewhere,

you're accusing her of spying?

This is too much.

You really don't know her whereabouts?

I wish I could show you my heart.

If you find her body, please let me know.

At least I should see her off to her journey to the next life.

Stop searching.

Yes! Stop searching.

She's playing cheap tricks on me.

She'd certainly know her whereabouts.

Place sharp-sighted men in hiding around here.

If there's anyone coming in and out in secret, trace the person.

- Yes,sir. - Let's go.

Ke Hyang.

My lord.

What happened?

Did you make a medicine?

Yes. The medicine works on her.

Her breathing is regular, and the boils are subsiding.

Doctor Jin, I knew you can do it.

Thank you. Thank you!

She requires ongoing care to make a complete recovery.

And we need to make more medicines.

She has very little time left for that.

The police are searching for her.

What?

Gold chest?

So you mean you committed theft?

Then what could I do?

I couldn't sit back and just watch those bastards who made her like that.

How can you be so reckless? Do you really want to save her?

It's all for Ke Hyang.

For her? You put her in more danger!

Did Doctor Jin go somewhere?

What brings you to such a humble place?

I dropped in since I heard of the good news.

So, you've made a mystical medicine?

If this medicine is applied, the affected area doesn't fester, right?

It suppresses the progress of disease.

No.

You shouldn't open while it is in incubation.

Fine.

Have you used this medicine on a person?

No.

You can't mean that.

If there is a medicine, there must be a patient.

The police is searching for the syphilitic courtesan

...on charge of collusion with Mumyonggye.

Is she here in the infirmary by any chance?

Courtesan?

I didn't even smell any cosmetics.

Then I'll let you smell it.

Search!

Yes!

Well, this is the place where...

where we keep odds and ends. Yes.

Sir, please...

Sir, please forgive me...

for disappointing you.

There is no one. No one is here.

Sir, she is not here.

How is that possible?

I was informed that she was...

Excuse us then.

It is time for patients to arrive.

How did you know and prepare this?

That place did not feel safe anymore, so I thought about moving her.

By the way,

Doctor Yu seemed to have sensed something to show up there.

But how?

Here! Jin!

I see. I'll get ready and be there shortly.

Are you a doctor, too?

No. I picked it up from Doctor Jin.

A noble lady doing medicine. How respectable.

I am only troubling other people.

If you talk nonsense, I won't be nice with the injection.

Boss.

You know how much money we make by renting this room for gambling,right?

Three days. After three days, you should vacate it.

Don't worry.

By the way, we need to prepare her for a journey.

Also, she'll need money to settle down when she returns to her hometown.

Ha.

Give him an inch and he'll ask for a mile.

Sir, why would I lend money to that stranger?

There is no way for her to pay me back.

Joo Pal...

Didn't you say you wished to see a gold bar from the West?

Yes.

Now it is yours.

Did you really burgle the house of the Left State Councilor?

For the time being,

the police will keep strict watch on goldsmiths.

Wait until their vigilance eases off and then use it at your will.

You think I'm a half-wit?

Anyways, can you prepare her for a journey?

Yes,of course! If you command me, yes!

I'll count on you then. Make haste.

We will arrest the culprit covertly.

Do you understand?

Yes!

Ke Hyang, you are really beautiful!

Don't say.

I mean it. Isn't she beautiful?

If you can't believe us, look in the mirror.

Is this truly me?

Is this really me?

Welcome back, Ke Hyang, the fairest of the fair!

Don't cry. You might ruin your look.

You should show yourself to Prince Heung Seon like this.

Ke Hyang...

You are really unstoppable.

You thought I wouldn't keep the promise to pester me all night?

I felt desperate, so what could I do?

No!

She is still a patient!

You want to be punished as well?

Choon Hong hasn't done anything wrong.

Misprision of culprits is a grave offense,

however, I will take it as fidelity between courtesans and let it pass.

So back off.

Let's go.

Ke Hyang! Ke Hyang!

Sir. It's too late.

Keep still before you get beat up.

Ke Hyang!

Ke Hyang...

Who is it?

To whom did you let out what happened with a Westerner?

I did not tell anybody.

If you didn't, how could Mumyonggye know about it?

I don't know.

I don't know anything.

Spiteful wench!

She'll confess when she gets seared.

Executor.

Wait,wait.

Ke Hyang.

We don't think you are a spy from Mumyonggye.

Just tell us whom you told about the Westerner you met.

If you tell us that, we'll stop this and let you be treated.

And once you are completely healed,

we'll help you to return to your home with handsome sums of money.

So don't ask for trouble and just confess.

I caught this virulent disease...

because I believed your empty words.

There is nothing I know or I don't know.

Wench!

How outrageous!

Sear her!

They say that the door was even shut to policemen

and the first son of the State Councilor interrogated her himself.

Since she kept refusing to own up even after a good flogging,

they seared her with an iron.

When she hasn't even fully recovered,

such torture can drive her into critical condition.

We've made her medicine after such a great struggle.

So why...

Whether she is guilty or not, let's save her life first.

If this is about that courtesan, go back.

My lord.

Whatever you may ask,

there is nothing I can do for you.

I am not asking you to release her.

You saw her, didn't you?

It is absurd to torture the patient in peril of her life.

If she is guilty, still you need to save her first and then question her.

Please, please let me administer medicine to her.

Are you a doctor?

Why do you ask things a doctor should ask?

Having frequented the public infirmary,

do you want to pretend a doctor?

It is not that, my lord.

Go back.

I beg you.

Please allow me to use a medicine on her.

If you grant my wish just this once,

I will not go to the infirmary ever again.

Please stand up.

I can find time when it gets dark after sunset.

Send in a doctor then.

My lord.

I hope you keep your promise.

He is a doctor to see the culprit.

It won't take long.

Free the way.

Thank you.

Don't even think of doing anything foolish.

Doctor.

Miss.

I brought your medicine. Please just hang on just a little.

Because of this wretched woman...

you took the trouble...

I promised you.

I promised I'd help you live a day, a year or more.

Don't worry about anything.

Everybody out there is trying their best for you.

You'll be released soon.

What if my mind declines before my body does...

and I cause trouble for Prince Heung Seon...

That is what I am afraid of.

I'll give you an injection.

Who authorized you to let a doctor in?

I authorized it since he only wanted to give her a treatment.

We didn't find out anything yet, and if she dies like this...

You are completely out of your mind.

Lower your voice.

Drag him out.

Wait.

Wait. Please let me give her an injection.

She needs urgent treatment.

You can interrogate her after she regains her health.

Doctor Jin, I highly appreciate your medicine.

Even if the Royal Physician opposes,

I can give you a position at the royal court clinic right now.

I wonder why you waste your notable skills.

I gave her my word...

that I'd save her life at all costs.

So you invented a new medicine to save that mere courtesan?

Yes. That's why I made it.

So please help me, sir.

Human lives are not equal.

Instead of saving a hundred scumbags in Tomag,

saving this Byung Hee Kim would be more valuable.

I don't think so.

Whether it is a beggar or a courtesan,

all men have one equal life.

Saving their lives is my job.

Just because you saved my life doesn't mean you may disobey me.

You better watch yourself from now on.

My Lord!

The culprit bit off her tongue and killed herself.

What can you do by going to the police bureau?

I will tell the truth and prove her innocence!

Then what about you?

Even if you are a royal kinsman, you won't be safe.

What's such a big deal about one rowdy royal kinsman dying?

My lord. My...

Ke Hyang! Ke Hyang!

Oh no, Ke Hyang...

Ke Hyang!

Ke Hyang...

Ke Hyang...

Dressed in fine ramie fabric,

Let us go to play on the swings to Ansung

Are my hands a door handle

that every sort of man grabs

Are my lips a goblet

that every sort of man licks

Being served by a man...

what a luxury I have today.

Slow down.

I sent poor Ke Hyang off to heaven.

I'd like to get drunk tonight.

Drink even though when we are sick...

Dance even though when we mourn....

That's the unfortunate destiny of courtesans.

Aren't I pathetic?

You are not.

Then do you find me lovely?

Well, what would be the use of many men seeing me that way,

when there is not a single man who would comfort me in grief?

I think it's getting too late.

Excuse me for my leaving.

Is it because...

I am a lowly courtesan?

If there is another universe different from this,

I would like to live as an ordinary woman there, not as a courtesan.

Have you heard of Parallel Universes?

What's that?

There is far more than just one universe that we live in,

and in some other universe, I have some different life.

Isn't it amazing?

What exactly do you mean by that?

Why?

Did I sound too absurd?

But so many unbelievable things do happen in the world.

I just became maudlin in drunkenness.

Please ignore it.

Would you like one more drink?

No. No thanks.

Did you look for me?

Come close.

Drink.

Accept my drink.

You handled the complicated matter nicely.

You were poised and intelligent in dealing with it.

Your praise is more than I deserve, My Lord.

Dae Gyun has a hot temperament.

He can cause trouble any time again.

Assist him well even when I don't give you instructions.

I will keep that in mind.

Drink it.

Awards come after merits.

Tell me if there is anything you want.

There is nothing.

You wouldn't be a man if you don't desire anything.

Should I give you a promotion or prize money?

Then I have a request.

Yes. What is it?

It is concerning my marriage.

You're back.

Were you still up?

I just cannot sleep.

I feel so sorry for the deceased.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

I believe she hasn't died in vain.

The medicine you made for her might save countless lives.

But so many unbelievable things do happen in the world.

I will let you rest then.

Remember once I told you...

that someone I know once said that...

we might live a totally different life in a different universe?

In a different universe, you and I might...

have a different relationship.

Haven't you ever thought about it?

Wait your turn,

and we'll see you and prescribe medicine.

What are you doing here?

What was that? Your peni...

Anyway, people thronged here to get it from early in the morning.

We are short-handed.

One second. I'll be right out.

Okay.

What's this smell?

Did you drink?

Oh. I boiled soju to make anesthetics.

What? You made anesthetics from soju?

Sir.

Where have you been without dropping any news?

I've been cultivating my mind and body

by visiting splendid mountains and rivers.

Ugh, my legs ache.

My whole body aches.

Hey, bring me a bowl of cold water.

Cultivate? Nonsense.

I was worried that something might've happened to you.

You were worried about me?

Even if I fall over a cliff, I climb up with all my strength.

Hanyang has been peaceful, a good place to live in but...

I'm afraid it'll get noisy again.

This chap is....

It seems there is no one but you who welcomes me back here.

I'll let you take some rest.

I have patients waiting to see me.

Doctor Jin.

There is a patient I want you to see urgently.

Then you can bring the patient here.

I'd like to but I can't.

The patient is a lady of good lineage.

I'd like you to examine her in private.

Why a deep bow out of the blue?

I wonder too. Are you going to go a long way?

I came to visit you since I have some difficult topic to discuss.

What is taking you so long? Go ahead and speak.

My Lord the Councilor told me to prepare our wedding...

as soon as possible.

Wedding? Is it true?

Yes. I made a request to him and received his approval.

That's great news! Young Rae!

But this is too abrupt.

What are you talking about? It is rather late.

Don't you think so?

Congratulations, Kyung Tak.

Thank you.

Come here! Is no one in there?

It is done now.

The vitality in your mind and body is not bad.

And your internal organs feel all right.

You are very healthy.

She asked you to come in.

Only one person please.

Who is Doctor Jin?

Are you the one who saved the Left State Councilor?

Yes.

Well, I need to know where you are feeling unwell.

Come close.

Can you cure this?

By the way, whose house is this?

I guess an influential family lives here?

It is folly to be wise. Ignorance is bliss, my friend.

The surface is smooth but it feels hard.

I think the lump is not deep-rooted.

Fortunately, it seems to be a salivary gland tumor, not a lymphoma.

Then?

It can be removed through a simple surgery.

Do you mean I should go under the knife?

Yes.

There is no other way to remove a lump as big as this.

You don't have to worry about pain.

I'll use something called anesthetic to reduce pain.

It is not because I'm afraid of pain.

Have you seen a lump like this before?

Yes, a few times.

Have you seen it on a woman?

Was it as big and ugly as this enough to confine her?

It can be removed through surgery.

You won't even remember that you once had a lump there.

Please do it quickly.

I wish to have this lump cut away as quickly as possible.

You came back.

Yes.

Good night.

I have something to tell you.

Yes?

I want you do move out soon.

My daughter and Commander Kim will get married soon.

Mother.

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