Original subtitles

Now we begin the practical portion of the exam.

We will now see the patients.

When your name is called, step forth and begin the exam.

Who are the patients?

No idea. Clinic patients, I assume.

And now...

- Yun Taeju. - Sir.

- Baek Kwanghyon. - Sir.

You can go.

Sir.

The doctors are here.

Go on.

Welcome.

Hello. I'm your patient today.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...?

Your...

What are you doing?

Bow, hurry.

Your Majesty.

What? The royal house?

The royals are serving as patients?

It can't be.

But it is. Their Majesties are the patients for the physician selections.

The King, the Queen Mother, the Queen.

Oh no, oh no, I never...

It's true. At the highest level.

Really?

Really.

Her Majesty?

Ma'am, have you heard?

The clinic...

Yes, I just heard.

How did this...?

The royal family.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Welcome.

Enter.

Her Highness.

What? Where's Doctor Baek?

Quietly.

Ugh. I swear.

You must be surprised.

Today you'll be treating me.

Sire.

His Majesty? I'll be treating the king?

You knew about this?

Yes. We were told at the medical council.

Apprentices treating the royals?

It's unheard of.

You want them to treat the Royal Family?

Exactly.

They will be responsible for the health of the royal house and our people.

This will provide them with good experience.

More than that, it will strengthen your position.

Stand.

Lift your heads.

It's all right. You must see your patient to treat him.

Lift your heads.

Since you guys will be treating me I should at least know your names.

Speak up.

Yun Taeju at your service, Sire.

Yun Taeju.

Our best student and Lord Ko's son.

Oh? Lord Ko?

And you.

Baek Kwanghyon at your service.

Baek Kwanghyon?

Ah, of course, you were a horse doctor.

Sire?

I've heard of you. And of your skill with acupuncture.

You even raise the dead.

Not quite that. You honor me.

Lord Ko's son and the acupuncture expert.

Perks of being a king, eh?

I have high expectations.

At your service, Sire.

Now, to the task at hand.

Yes, Sire.

For the next few days they will treat and prescribe their patients.

Under proper supervision, of course.

And their scores?

The royal physicians have already diagnosed the patients.

We have their reports.

The apprentice's have 3-4 days to make their examinations.

After which they will be compared to the reports.

Listen, listen, I've got the queen.

You?

The queen mother.

When I saw it was her I thought I would die.

What do we do?

You think they got the king?

Good luck in the next few days.

His Majesty?

Baek Kwanghyon?

Ah, of course, you were a horse doctor.

Sire?

I've heard of you. And of your skill with acupuncture.

You even raise the dead.

Treat the king?

With these hands?

You're treating Her Highness?

Yes. Can you believe?

I nearly fainted.

And why not?

After all, such a daunting task.

It's not that.

She's just so cute.

What?

Like a fairy princess or something.

She said, "And you are?" and I couldn't even speak.

Wake up. Is that anything to say about Her Highness?

But she's so cute.

Her bright shining eyes.

Her bright lush lips.

Her soft lilting voice.

Pull yourself together.

Isn't that the way of it?

I get stuck with piggy and ferret face.

Your Highness, calling someone "piggy" and "ferret face"?

Why not? I call it as I see it.

Compared to them even Officer Mah looks good.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I was so excited to see Doctor Baek for a few days.

The queen and queen mother getting treated by piggies?

Or is it just me?

You all right?

No, not even a little.

It's like I'm in a dream.

How did this happen?

How did I come to treat a king?

I don't know the first thing about anything.

Try not to worry.

You're all inexperienced at this.

What's more, you've already met the king.

So no surprise there.

What? I met him?

What? You said he's huge with a chin out to here.

You said so at the stables.

Huh? Ah, that was just talk.

I didn't know you then.

Do me a favor and forget it.

How was it today?

Is the king really that different?

Come on, give me a break.

You have the whole clinic at your beck and call.

Commit to do your best for the next few days.

"He's a man like any other." That's the spirit.

You think?

Yes.

If you say so, all right then.

Thanks.

Oh, and about before, I'm sorry.

I was, um... Well, you know what I was doing.

Uh-huh.

Talkin', you know...

Master.

Kwanghyon.

The chef already told us.

Master. Sir. Thank you.

His Majesty? You must've been shaking...

He's up to it.

Just be extra extra careful.

The palace is a dangerous place.

One wrong word and off with your head.

I'll remember.

Don't say a word. I'm scared for you.

Moron, how can he treat him without speaking?

What? The eyes.

Look in his eyes. Animals don't talk, do they?

Whack! Is the king an animal, huh?

Just get out of this safely.

Don't get greedy, all right?

Yes, sir.

Me, too.

And talk. Nice and soft.

Ugh, sweaty hands...

Those are the apprentices?

Yes, my lord.

Which is the horse quack?

Second row, over there.

He's treating the king?

Yes.

Suppose he does well?

With his acupuncture and such?

This exam is for diagnosis and prescription, nothing more.

The apprentices will not use acupuncture.

He's nothing without his needles.

Lord Ko's dreams of reform will go up in smoke.

This is the royal pharmacy.

This is really different from the clinic, really-really.

No kidding. Look at the herbs, there's tons of them.

But you know about the palace from your stable days.

No I don't. The stables are right on the edge.

I don't know anything.

Oh? I was going to ask you stuff I didn't know.

Taeju must know all about the royals' prescriptions.

- How's life at the clinic? - It's going well.

I mean, Taeju AND the king?

I mean there's bad luck, but you have really bad luck.

Still, it's mine to do.

- He's doing well? - Yes, he is.

What? Yonhwa?

Yes, ma'am.

The same island where the boy stayed with his father.

What now?

You look at the chef and the apprentice is right there.

It must be him.

Ma'am.

Huh?

The needle?

Shall I?

I got distracted for a minute.

Chrysanthemum tea. To clear your head.

Thank you.

What were you thinking?

I've never seen you look like that.

I was thinking of someone.

A child I've been looking for.

Child?

Of the man I admired most.

A child who was wrongfully deprived of life's fortune.

It was thought the child was dead.

But perhaps that's not so.

It may be the child is quite close.

That's great then.

You may meet a child you thought was lost.

Why does that trouble you?

. . . Your Highness, oh, you . . .

Right, let's see what we have here.

Tomorrow, His Majesty's ablutions.

When he rises, brushes his teeth,

trims his beard.

I even have to note how many times he brushes his hair.

Sire, the apprentice doctors.

Did you sleep well, Sire?

D-did you, Sire?

Yes. Today you start treating me.

Sire.

Sire.

A deep wiry pulse.

Do you have stomach pain?

Yes.

And a tightening in the chest.

And has this interfered with your sleep?

Not that I've noticed.

It's all right. Take your time.

At your service.

Sire, I detect a deep wiry pulse. Do you have abdominal pain?

You ask the same questions.

Sire, would you describe it as intermittent?

Meat, grilled foods.

So that's what he likes.

He's a picky eater.

If he wants to rule over the nation, he should eat a variety.

He only ate the meat from the soup.

Grilled beef.

How long does he spend on his ablutions?

Some 15 minutes.

After which he takes a stroll?

When does he retire?

Around eight.

Your pulse is slow, indicating listlessness.

Are you hands and feet cold?

It's cold outside, isn't it?

Stupid question.

Yes, Your Highness.

If I may...

What now?

Your pardon. If I may?

Hurry it up.

Your Highness.

Baek Kwanghyon tells me you have a cat.

Is the little one...

Doctor Baek? You know him?

Yes, we're good friends.

Oh? Why didn't you say so?

Pardon?

Any friend of his is a friend of mine.

What's your name again?

Pig-mang, Hog-mang, Something-mang?

Pak Taemang.

Right, Pak Taemang.

What were you saying?

Ah, right. My hands and feet are cold even on hot days.

And I needed a poultice for my shoulder.

Is that so, Your Highness?

The other doctor, is he friends with Doctor Baek, too?

No. They hate each other.

Oh?

Yes. He locked Kwanghyon in the morgue a while back.

What? He's the one?

Yes.

Not too hot?

It's fine, it's fine.

Give me that. Hurry, hurry.

Whew, hot.

Your Highness, Jong Taesop.

Here, hurry.

Enter.

Are you hands usually this warm?

Yes. Fever, warm hands, all of it.

Your Highness.

I understand you had a cold a while back?

No, not at all.

Pardon? But you were given green herbal tea?

That was for Lady Kwak.

Right?

Right. It was good.

Pardon?

Your Highness.

And a poultice? May I ask where it hurt?

No idea, that wasn't me.

Pardon? It wasn't?

You dare question me?

Abdominal... abdominal pain...

He likes fatty foods.

Occasional fever.

Gastritis?

Or heartburn?

No, there's a slight discoloration.

Jaundice?

No, no.

His chamber pot.

His feces are gray in color.

Gallbladder, maybe? It's what happens to pigs and cattle.

Listen to you, still a horse doctor at heart.

Those are animals.

He's a person.

My lord.

Please.

My lord.

How's he doing?

He seems to be on the right track.

Really?

Yes. Judging from his reading, he may be close.

My lord, this can't be allowed.

My lord, leave this to me.

I find him as offensive as you do.

I'll make certain you have nothing to worry about.

The apprentices?

The archives, sir.

All right.

Is he doing all right? As long as he doesn't fail.

Songha.

Didn't you see me? Where are you going?

I pretended I didn't.

I know it's uncomfortable.

I'm sorry.

Don't be. It's to be expected.

It happened so fast. I thought we'd have longer.

Songha, I'm...

I know what you're going to say.

I'm a brother to you,

we've always been siblings,

right?

It's not easy to change your thinking.

Now or in the future.

Songha.

But Jinyong, let me ask you this.

Is this because of Baek Kwanghyon?

Because of what? I'm...

I suspect you don't know yourself.

Or don't want to.

You wouldn't be as friendly with him if you did.

But it can never be.

I'm irrelevant. But you and he can never be.

You'll both be hurt.

I'm irrelevant. But you and he can never be.

You'll both be hurt.

Sire.

A nice day at last.

Whoa, whoa.

A horse doctor comes in handy.

At your service.

If you please.

All right.

Sire.

Are you all right?

I'm fine. It happens.

Occasional pain in your side?

It's nothing. Just reading too much.

His side... pain in his side...?

Sir.

Kwanghyon, what brings you here?

You should be working.

I need to check something.

You have a cow with a bezoar?

My father gave his permission.

Won't you visit your mother?

No, thank you.

I was wed here. This is where I'll die.

Die? You're going to die?

No, I'm not. Not now.

Keep in touch. Let me know if you need anything.

All right?

Yes, of course.

Right. Goodbye.

Father.

You're doing better?

Yes, thanks to your concern.

Your face is looking better.

My lord, Yi Myonghwan to see you.

Send him in.

Go and rest.

Okay.

Please.

Who was that?

Head of the royal pharmacy.

Oh?

It's tomorrow?

Yes, my lord.

There's no way Lord Ko can survive this?

Not to worry.

I'll leave it to you then.

My lord.

Nothing.

Nothing that matches his symptoms.

Intermittent abdominal and side pain, gray coloring.

It reminds me of something...

Here you are.

My lord.

Sit.

Tomorrow is the day?

Yes, sir.

Well? You have a diagnosis?

I have no idea.

At first I thought heartburn or gastritis.

But?

But I dismissed them both.

I can't quite put my finger on it.

I keep thinking like a horse doctor.

I have the wildest ideas...

Oh? Would you prefer forgetting your own experiences?

Sir?

Your time treating animals is your best advantage.

You gained valuable knowledge and experience.

It's a great asset, one other doctors don't have.

Did you forget?

You saved all those people during the rinderpest scare.

I don't know what you're thinking.

But trust your own judgment.

But this is the king...

Is his body made of gold?

Trust me on this. We're all the same.

You treated horses.

Don't be ashamed of that.

Or of the wisdom it gave you.

My lord.

Kang Taesop. Yi Jinsok.

Sir.

Next.

Yun Taeju, Baek Kwanghyon.

Sir.

Whenever you're ready.

Sir.

You will follow your instructors,

and give your diagnoses.

Come along.

Sir.

Announce us.

Sire, the apprentice doctors.

Your examination is complete.

Now for the diagnosis?

Just so.

I'm curious to hear what they say.

Let's get started.

Your Majesty.

This is the diagnosis proscribed by your physician, Yi Myonghwan.

It will be compared to the apprentices' notes.

First, Yun Taeju.

Sir.

Read your notes.

His Majesty suffers from sporadic abdominal pain,

accompanied by flashes of pain in his sides and chest.

He suffers for occasional nausea and bloating after meals.

What's this?

And your diagnosis?

His Majesty suffers from faulty liver function and heartburn.

A tincture of six herbs and mushrooms should suffice.

Well? Is he right?

Down to the last detail in diagnosis and prescription.

Excellent.

I'm surprised at your abilities.

You honor me.

Now for Baek Kwanghyon?

Read your notes.

Sir.

Sire, pharmacy officers.

What is this?

Pardon me, I don't know.

Send them in.

Sire.

What? The official diagnosis was where?

Well?

Your pardon.

The official diagnosis was found in Baek Kwanghyon's things.

What?

What are you saying?

He had the official findings?

No, Sire, I did not.

I know nothing of this.

We have the proof.

You dare deny it?

I know nothing about this.

I would never do such a thing.

If you check my notes,

you'll see that they differ.

Check.

Sire.

What is this...?

Well? What does it say?

My lord.

What..?

This is blank.

Your Majesty, that is my diagnosis.

I did not write anything down.

Your illness was not to be found in the texts.

What?

What is this?

Speak clearly.

What do you mean it wasn't in the texts?

Not that I know of, Sire.

What is all this?

How dare you..?

Wait. Enough.

Let's hear it.

What's wrong with me?

Your Majesty suffers...

from gallstones.

What? Gallstones?

Just so.

As you know, high temperatures and dehydration...

can cause stones to form in the kidney or bladder.

Correct. Kidney stones or bladder infection.

But stones in the gallbladder?

Yes, it is not in any of the texts.

But gallstones occur frequently in cattle and pigs.

They are called bezoar stones.

Cattle indications include intermittent abdominal and side pain,

as well as discoloration.

It occurred to me that the symptoms in people...

Not in the kidney or bladder, but gallstones?

Like cattle?

Yes. So His Majesty's symptoms would indicate.

Enough. Silence.

You dare compare His Majesty to an animal?

You think you can live after saying that?

Sire, ignore this fool.

Take the uppity commoner away.

He's right, Sire.

I realize how absurd this sounds.

But that is only because we have not compared human and animal illnesses.

But abdominal pain of this nature may well be gallstones.

If that is the case, it must be treated immediately.

Your Majesty will be in danger once the real pain starts.

Enough. Silence.

This from an ignorant commoner.

Sire, enough of this.

Well? Take him away.

Lord Yi...

My lord.

What's that?

Crazy horse quack.

Kwanghyon.

You all right?

What happened?

What is it?

You all right?

Sire, comparing Your Majesty to beasts?

It can't be allowed.

Just so, Sire.

That uppity commoner must be dealt with.

Sire, we are to blame.

We allowed a commoner to insult Your Royal Majesty.

Lord Ko, his talent is in his hands.

But he's obviously quite ignorant.

Your pardon, Sire.

So? And Apprentice Baek?

They dragged him away.

What?

Of course they did.

After saying that to the king? What do you expect?

There's the fool now. The horse quack himself.

What? Should I get on all fours for him to treat me?

Enough already.

What? Enough?

Where do you get off?

You.

You want to go a round, huh?

Stop.

Let go.

Filthy common horse...

That's enough.

You all right?

He may be unlettered and all, but to think...

It's absurd.

I'm just worried how this will affect you.

Listen to you. What about him?

What is this?

You said yesterday it was heartburn.

Why didn't you say that?

I didn't think it was.

What?

It couldn't be, not that I could see.

How could I say it was?

You went too far.

Fair enough.

I knew he was stupid, but not this stupid.

My lord, won't His Majesty want to punish the ignoramus?

His Majesty will be upset, no question.

But we're different.

We can't allow an apprentice to insult the king.

We will have to deal with this ourselves.

Abdominal pain, side pain, discoloration.

My lord, come quickly.

What now?

They have convened a council of the three medical institutions.

Right now?

What for?

What did I tell you? Don't say a word.

Don't say a thing, that's what I said.

Enough. Don't be a nag.

I'm not being a nag.

He's lost his mind.

He should have hid his horsiness.

And we were so proud he made good!

Hid? Why should I?

You kidding?

I'm not ashamed of being a horse doctor.

I don't regret my diagnosis.

Suppose the King changes his mind?

Suppose he has you arrested?

Kwanghyon, you there?

Kwanghyon.

Taemong, what is it?

Come quick.

The council is meeting to decide on your punishment.

What?

They're not going to let this lie.

I knew it, I knew it.

What do we do?

Hush.

It's ridiculous.

For an apprentice to show such cheek.

It's a question of character.

He was never right for us.

What do you suggest?

He's already been disqualified.

No, that's not nearly enough.

His disdain for the King is an insult to all of us.

We can't let this go unpunished.

Horse quack.

So? What exactly are you saying?

Nurse.

What are they talking about in there?

Something about a punishment?

For me?

Nurse.

They're discussing your resignation.

Resignation?

Yes.

Or your dismissal.

Dismissal?

They're going to fire me?

Send me away from the clinic?

He dared to insult His Majesty.

I don't know what to say.

I've failed you both.

This was a mistake from the very start.

His presence is an insult to all of us.

And if you send him away, what then?

My lord.

Let's leave the capital for good.

Sir.

Let's go somewhere where they don't know about you.

Are you scared?

So you want to run?

I have to leave.

What? The King has collapsed?

What good are you then?

No, I can't lose everything, not like this.

I'm not going to run. I'm going to save him.

No matter what.