Original subtitles

[Final Episode]

Your Majesty.

I'm pleased to be standing before our chief physician...

...and his fine medical staff.

I have all of you to thank for that.

Your honor us, Sire.

You may begin.

Yes, Sire.

Clinic Doctor Yun Taeju.

You will serve the royal house and our great nation as head of the clinic.

With all my heart.

At your service, Sire.

Clinic Doctor Pak Taemang.

Sir.

That's my boy, that's him.

You hereby are appointed Clinic Instructor.

At your service.

He's like me now?

Piggy Pak is over me? Do I call him Lord Piggy now?

Enough piggy stuff.

Nurse Jang Inju.

Nurse Kang Jinyong.

Nurse Jong Malgeum.

Nurse So Kayong.

And finally, Clinic Doctor Baek Kwanghyon.

For your remarkable success with His Royal Majesty...

...you are hereby promoted to the Third Rank...

...and named Royal Physician.

Royal...?

If you please, Royal Physician Baek.

Sire.

Tusik.

Doctor Baek is a royal physician now?

Wasn't that impossible?

I thought so too, but the King himself gave the order.

Pak Taemang is an instructor? Yun Taeju is head of the clinic?

Royal... Royal Physician Baek?

How is that possible?

He didn't finish his apprenticeship or sit for the doctor's exam.

Sure it is. He lucked out and saved the King.

Still, it's improbable. Don't you think?

Piggy Pak is one thing, but a royal physician?

Now he'll be attached to the royal pharmacy?

Sure, the King commanded it, didn't he?

I swear.

Royal Physician Baek Kwanghyon?

I still can't believe it.

Our King is something else.

A royal physician no less!

Well said. I still can't believe it.

It's only right.

Taemang is an instructor.

If he didn't make Kwanghyon a royal physician it wouldn't be right.

And why not Taemang?

I was just saying...

My Lord Royal Physician Baek.

Where is His Lord-i-cian?

Funny, huh? Why don't you go find him?

Doctor Baek.

Not anymore. Royal Physician Baek.

You all right?

Just shocked is all.

I never dreamed...

Yeah, I'm with you there.

Good for you, Doctor Baek.

Ahem. Royal Physician.

Very good indeed, but I'm worried.

What is it now?

The court. Will they sit still for it?

It cannot be allowed, Sire.

A royal physician that didn't sit the exam?

It has never happened before.

Sire, he never finished his apprenticeship.

Rescind your order, Sire.

Rescind, Sire.

You would...

...prefer I had died?

Sire.

S-Sire, we would never...

I only want the doctor that saved my life near me.

As for his ability...

...surely he's proven that?

But, Sire...

But nothing. Unless you would prefer I fall ill again.

My commands aren't open to debate.

Viceroy, what now?

Will you allow it?

Not hardly. He refused our help.

I won't have him rising to power.

But His Majesty is adamant.

It's got to be stopped.

We have to find a way, whatever it takes.

I knew it.

I figured you'd be pouting.

Master.

I don't know what to do.

I'm pleased beyond words at the honor His Majesty has done me.

I know what you're going to say.

The royal physician is the most powerful doctor in the country.

But I don't want power.

I wanted to leave after helping the King.

To give my life to treating the sick.

It was my late father's greatest wish.

Yes, I understand, I do.

I know you've never sought power.

But can't you treat the sick as Royal Physician?

Sir?

You can have a private practice when you're not treating the royals.

Isn't that why doctors want the position?

To cash in on treating courtiers and wealthy nobles.

Forego that, you say, treat the poor.

Fine. Good for you.

But it's a little too trite. And no fun.

Master.

If it were me...

I'd take the position.

I would wield its power as I saw fit.

Kwanghyon, give it a try.

Show the court...

...the true nature of power...

...and of influence.

How power can be used.

How influence can be shared.

What sense does this make?

True. None at all.

Who ever heard of such a thing?

Right, then.

My lord.

Is everything ready?

Sire.

Yes, Viceroy.

Sire, the Viceroy and the ministers...

...Irritating...whining...

What? They refused to appear at court?

Yes, Your Highness.

They refuse to accept Physician Baek's appointment.

Pack of old whiners. Ignoring their duty to get their own way.

Is this how they use their influence?

Quite right. And they're the first to run off in a crisis.

They're the ones that ran away and hid during the pox epidemic.

Leaving Doctor Baek to treat the sick and save my life.

What gives them the right to oppose him now?

Be that as it may, they're rushing to the Queen Mother.

She adheres to the letter of the law.

Suppose the rally her to their side?

What?

Announce us.

Your Majesty, what will you do?

Send them in.

Pardon?

Lady Nam.

Uh-oh, uh-oh, doesn't that mean the Queen Mother is with them?

After all he did for her.

But she is famous for strict adherence to the law.

That won't change, whatever her personal feelings.

So, what, "Gratitude is one thing, the law is another."

Is that it?

They will try to win their point.

You can't back away now.

You've got to stand your ground.

Physician Baek.

Ma'am.

Her Majesty has sent for you.

Pardon?

Your Majesty, we turn to you as the conscience of the royal house.

You have always protected the royal family and the court.

Your adherence to the law is legend.

Doctor Baek may be talented.

But he has flaunted the law of our fine nation.

If he is allowed to be the Royal Physician...

...the foundation of our medical institutions will crumble.

Please speak to the King.

We refuse to accept his decision.

Well, now.

You're suggesting my son's edict was unwarranted?

Just so, Your Majesty.

But with your help we can set him straight.

I see.

So this isn't just an attack on Doctor Baek?

Pardon?

For refusing to work with you?

Not at all.

We truly believe...

"Truly?" Please spare me.

I've wielded power behind the throne far too long to fall for that one.

Your Majesty.

My lord.

Your Majesty.

You will have your answer.

Send in Physician Baek.

Your Majesty.

I'm much better thanks to him.

I trust him above all other doctors.

Your Majesty.

You have your answer from the highest ranking member of the royal house.

Blind obedience to law can be a fool's game.

Physician Baek taught me that.

I'm afraid I cannot work with you on this.

My lord.

So you won her over too, eh?

Well, that's talent for you.

"Royal Physician." I see how you managed it now.

The third rank. That's ambition for you.

Yes, I had ambitions, many of them.

And now I can fulfill them all.

As you said, the King is with me.

And the Queen Mother as well.

I suggest you get used to it.

I'm glad to see you here.

I felt certain you would want to practice in the country.

I did, at first.

It was a dream of mine.

But then I realized this was the best way to fulfill my dreams.

Not just for myself, but for all doctors everywhere.

Hm.

Now I will see to what good purpose your appointment can be put.

With your permission, Sire?

Of course.

That's why I entrusted you with this heavy burden.

The court will still plague you.

But you have me to help you.

At your service, Sire.

The Royal Physician.

My lord.

It's hard to see me with your heads bowed like that.

A little less formal. I prefer looking in each other's eyes.

Now, to pharmacy business.

First, a word about private practices.

They're still in a meeting?

What about my moxibustion treatment? Well?

My lord...

Royal pharmacists have always treated nobles on the side.

What? He's not coming? Why?

You have curried favor, been at their beck and call.

But we have a duty to all people.

When not treating the royal house...

...you will divide your time between the clinic and the surgery.

These are the pharmacy's herbs?

Yes. The finest in the land.

I see.

And why is it kept in the storehouse?

Sir?

From now on, send any overstocks to the clinic and the surgery.

They certainly could use it.

But these are for the royal house...

For the doctor's private patients, you mean.

Isn't it time we stopped robbing the storehouse?

Chief Physician, do you know what that Baek character is up to?

Limiting the doctor's private practices.

Interfering with the storehouse.

Making the doctor's actually work.

I've read the reports.

And I'm aware that he has the King's full support.

- But... - But nothing.

I've been at this too long. I won't hear it.

My lord...

Cuscata seed over here.

Send the pinellia decoction to the infirmary.

Yes, ma'am. Right away.

We're busy thanks to Physician Baek.

Just as well. I wish every day were like this.

I agree.

Me, too, though.

- Instructor. - My lord.

There you are.

We've been looking for you.

Have you?

I was busy-ish.

Nuh-uh.

The applicant regulations.

There are no restrictions on applicants. Just like in Lord Ko's times.

See to it.

Yes, sir. But why me?

Why? Isn't it up to instructors to find the best applicants?

You... piggy...

Piggy? Watch it.

We're both instructors now.

- Did he..? - Piggy Pak...!

See to it, Instructor Kwon.

Yessir, right away. Yessir.

We have a meeting to get to.

Get to work.

Yes, my lord.

Let's go. Get to work.

Yes, sir.

I can't stand it!

Sir. It's strange.

Me, I understand, but I thought you were sucking up good.

You laughing at me?

You are, aren't you.

I would never. I just like smiling.

Smiling? How 'bout we turn that upside down?

Sir?

Here.

I want copies plastered on every street corner. Got it?

But Instructor Pak told you to do it.

And I'm telling you.

It flows down hill, get me?

Oh, he'll get his someday.

Wait, to do that, I have to look good for Physician Baek.

That's it.

He's not scared of anything now.

He's putting on airs like he's a minister.

But there's no way to stop him yet.

My lord, my lord.

My lord, you should go home quick.

What is it?

It's the herb vendors...

My lord, we have always trusted that you would look out for our interests.

And we have paid handsomely for the privilege.

How could you let this happen?

It's bad enough we have to supply the people's surgery at cost.

Now Physician Baek is initiating reforms.

Reforms? How so?

Everyone here?

Yes. Let's go.

Private clinics? Operating for free?

Yes. We have the people's clinic.

But it's not enough for all the patients.

But can you do this?

Even the surgery operates at cost.

He's right. Herbs aren't cheap. How can we do it?

We'll appropriate funds from other sources.

What?

The Jonaewon Clinic records.

Jonaewon..?

Yes, a community-based clinic in Sangju, in the Kyongsang Province.

We can follow their funding strategy.

Those that cannot afford treatment...

...work to supply the clinic with needed herbs.

These are then sold to maintain operating costs.

This way everyone receives treatment, rich and poor alike.

Jonaewon has been running this way for over 50 years.

It's worth a try.

Hm.

But this entire strategy relies on selling the herbs.

Has that been arranged?

You needn't worry about that.

What?

Come on. We'll be late.

It's the middle of the day. We should meet at night.

We don't have to hide now. Stop lagging.

Let's go.

Fine, fine, chop-chop, look at me, woohoo!

The vendor coordinator is coming?

He is.

We've been wondering about him.

What's to wonder? You know her.

What? Her?

Welcome, my lady. I mean, Yongdal.

Yongdal?

Wait, Yongdal's a she?

Sorry for the shock.

I had to keep certain things from you.

Sure, sure, that's who things are so get over it.

It's rude.

My lady, what do you want us to do?

I asked you here to ask a huge favor.

What is it?

Anything. Just say the word.

Well...

What do we have here? Angelica, tangerine rind, daisy roots.

Let's make a deal. For a repeat customer, huh?

All the same...

Take a look.

We're buying a lot here.

50 in gold, what do you say?

Forget it.

Stingy. YOU forget it.

You can't just leave.

We need those herbs.

Just wait. I know these Qing vendors.

Lady? Ma'am?

See? What did I say?

Sixty?

Pssh. Fifty.

YOU'RE stingy.

Forget it then.

Fine. Take it.

Thanks.

What the..? What are you...?

Stand aside.

What the..?

What is this?

This is too much.

If you run this place for free,

you'll drive us out of business.

That's enough of that.

You've grown fat off of the nobles and the ministers.

Surely helping a free clinic...

...more than makes up for the bribes you've taken.

My lord.

Enough already.

It's time you started acting like doctor.

[Qing Envoy Pavilion]

Tomorrow?

Yes. Your letter from the Imperial Academy.

If you mean to go, the boat leaves tomorrow.

It's been a few days.

It has.

Here it is.

Made to your exact specifications.

No rest for the wicked, huh?

When did you get here?

Here. I'll take it.

I remember how we used to play here.

Hide-and-Seek, Stick Toss.

Remember?

Sure.

If I hid there you'd always find me.

It seems like yesterday.

I never thought it would end up an infirmary.

Sad?

No, not at all.

It's important. It has meaning.

I still have our memories. That's enough for me.

Let's leave it at that. It was more than enough.

My lord, my lord.

Leaving? Today?

Exactly. He's not one for long goodbyes.

He wanted you to give this to Jinyong.

And Songha? Where is he now?

I wasn't sure what to give you.

A lovely pin for your wedding day?

Or some shoes for those feet you run so ragged?

In the end, I chose this.

Something that suits you.

That you can always keep.

And I suppose...

...because through this...

...I can still be with you.

Songha.

Sissy, over here.

Here I am!

When did you get here?

Just now.

You keep getting prettier. Not a little girl anymore.

"Little girl," he says to his older sister. Show some respect.

"Older sister," she says. That was fine when I was little.

Now it's your turn to show respect.

What?

Look at you. Still a mess.

It won't do. Now you call me, "Elder Brother."

Elder..? Forget it.

Go on. "Elder Brother."

Forget it. Call me "Elder Sister" or else.

Be happy, Elder Sister.

Happier than anyone else in the world.

As happy as you made me.

Songha.

Hurry. We'll be late.

Her Highness is waiting.

All right, let's go.

Ma'am.

My lady.

Welcome.

Her Highness?

Don't ask.

She was up with the dawn getting ready.

She can't decide.

Really?

This? Or maybe this?

They're all lovely.

It's not your wedding.

You can't be prettier than the bride, after all.

Are you kidding? Today is special.

I've been waiting forever.

I can't argue with that.

What's taking so long?

Is it two o'clock yet?

So today is the wedding?

Yes, Sire.

I'm a little sad.

I wanted a better match for him.

Jinyong is a fine woman.

Much better for him than many noble girls.

Don't believe her.

She already granted them a royal gift.

Did you, Mother?

What choice did I have?

Too true.

My lord, be careful.

Oops.

Allow me.

Sorry. It slipped out of my hand.

Sorry.

My lord.

Hm?

The needle is upside down.

Wait, the small intestine meridian... no, the large...

My lord, you're making some pretty simple mistakes.

And why not? His heart's beating a mile a minute.

Enough. Knock it off.

Here, here, here. Leave this to us. You go get ready.

No. I'm fine.

Fine, he says.

Go be a groom. Scoot.

You should go.

I'm fine. There's plenty of time.

Plenty, she says. Scoot.

Some bride you are.

Did you read up on the first night?

You know what to do?

Kayong.

C'mon, let's go.

What is it with her?

Oh.

They kicked you out too, huh?

They didn't want me to be late.

Well, I guess it's about that time.

Right, well, see you later.

Wait. Darling.

What?

What-what? I can call you that in an hour.

Give it a try.

"Darling."

What? You're insane.

We should practice.

Hm?

Pssh.

We can't know what the years may bring.

But whatever it is, we'll face it together.

The day has finally come.

Yep. Our Kwanghyon's wedding day.

Oh, sure, oolala, what about me?

It's cause we're happy. Give it a rest.

Oh, to be married again.

The groom.

Here he comes now.

There he is, that's our boy.

Behave.

He's a fine young lad.

He's finer than you.

The bride.

Your Highness, the bride.

Where? Where?

Jinyong.

She's so beautiful.

Like a goddess.

Yes. The loveliest bride I've ever seen.

Look, he's speechless.

Bride, pay your respects.

Groom, your respects.

Good, good.

You may be seated.

Now a drink for the bride and groom.

Drink just half.

Now exchange the wedding cups.

And finish your drinks.

And now...

The traditional gourd cups.

Drain your cups.

[A Few Years Later]

Chef. Chef!

Where is that man?

Looking for me?

EEP! Where were you?

I've been looking everywhere.

Where else? I was in the kitchen using this.

You going to keep calling, "Chef, Chef?"

Well, I like the sound of it.

How about "Honey" instead?

What? With Malbok standing right there?

Malbok.

Go, scram.

Go on.

H-hon...

"Honey."

I like the sound of that.

So what did you want?

Oh, listen to me.

The date. It's today.

Right. Where is he?

A p-pleasure.

Hello.

I heard you worked so hard.

But such dainty hands...

Dainty? At my age?

Not from where I'm sitting.

You're like a flower in bloom.

You don't look a day over forty.

I know, I've always looked this way.

So I never aged.

I see.

Well? How's it going?

So far so good.

Great. Maybe this is the one.

Looks like I missed out.

What? Some wife you are...

- Shh. - Huh?

Out. Out, out.

So dainty.

Oh, no...

Well then...

Master.

Inju.

Ma'am.

It's been years. Chosun hasn't changed.

Neither have you.

Hush.

I'm the one who's aged. From all his nagging.

Oh? Dork 1.

It is Dork 1, isn't it?

Dork 2.

Long time, Nurse So.

And you, sir.

Hello, sir.

What brings you two here?

I said, "No way, forget it," but he wanted to see someone.

And here we are.

Come on.

See who?

All you think about is eating. Grow up a little.

What'd I do?

This way. Allow me...

Allow me, miss.

Look at him. Talk about eager.

Oh? Kwanghyon's out of the city?

Yes. The new King has put him over Keumcheon.

A magistrate?

Then he's been demoted? Local officials are sixth rank.

No. Local magistrates are lower in rank.

But he has important work to do there.

I didn't realize rank meant so much to you.

It does. I like the highfalutins.

He needs to see how people live to help them.

He was happy to go.

He King agreed when he sent him.

Still, a local magistrate.

I bet they won't like that.

Ugh, listen.

So the magistrate went out again today?

Don't ask. You ever see him sit still?

He's killing me.

Magistrates are supposed to loaf.

What's this go-go-go stuff?

It comes from being a horse doctor.

A commoner.

Oh? I heard different.

I heard he came from a noble family.

Which is it then?

Noble, commoner, the sooner he's gone the better.

Suppose he sees something, what then?

That's my point.

That would be bad.

Not good, not good.

Wine's better after a good planting.

Definitely, much better. Nothing like it.

Here, another drink.

Thank you.

So how are things going?

How else?

Work work work all day. Nag nag nag all night.

Same old thing.

Your wife is that bad?

Are you kidding?

I slave all day and after taxes I bring home this much.

Taxes are a little steep.

A little? They're breaking our backs.

We're starving here.

I'll see that the court knows.

Watch yourselves this time of year.

A fever can lead to inflamed intestines.

Yes, we will.

We've broken bread together.

Let's see about those backs of yours.

Now that you mention it...

And my legs?

Sure. How is the swelling?

You using the poultice?

Of course, all the time.

Good.

Take it one day at a time, sir.

Goodbye, sir.

So, um, shall we?

Yes, I want to see the fallow fields.

Wild boars are loose, I'm told.

Sir?

But magistrate, you can just read the report.

This comes from being a common horse doctor.

I just can't sit still.

Magistrate.

Magistrate!

Report.

What? Leave?

Yes, some workers were hurt when an embankment collapsed.

Oh?

Look after the little one.

Sorry. I'll be back, Your Highness.

Jinyong, Jinyong?

The springs were just an excuse to see her...

What can we do? People are hurt.

Sweetie, Mommy and Daddy are as busy as ever.

Icky?

Where's the magistrate?

He's having the hurt moved.

Then we have to hurry.

Pardon? You, too, ma'am?

I was once a nurse.

Let's go. There's no time to lose.

Yes'm. I swear.

My leg, my leg...

Sir.

Get the most serious cases to the infirmary.

Bring sappan and milkweed.

Yes, sir.

It's fractured. Vitex fruit powder.

Sir.

Sir.

Sir, the doctors are here.

Good. Come in.

You remember the techniques I showed you?

Yes, sir.

We have a lot of sick people.

Treat the lacerations first.

Sir.

Ma'am!

Ma'am...

The collapse damaged his gallbladder.

He'll die if we don't do something. How could you leave him here?

We don't have a decent horse doctor.

You have needles? Get them.

Sir? You, yourself, sir?

Why would you bother with an animal?

Animals are living beings.

He's treating a horse and you want me to stop him?

Yes. It's beneath his dignity.

No, you're wrong.

He's doing what he does best,

what makes him happiest.

Stay with me. I'll save you.

All right?

Now for the million coin acupuncture point.

Thank you for enjoying Horse Doctor with us.

Subtitles provided by MBC