Original subtitles

Korean Film

Can't even we, magicians, see it? - Unbelievable!

Come out!

Who are you?

A flutist, named Hong Kil Dong!

Hong Kil Dong

Script: Kim Se Ryun Direction: Kim Kil ln

Photography: Jon Hong Sok Art Design: Choe To ll, Han Yong Thaek

Music: Jon Chang ll Hwang Jin Yong

Hong Kil Dong: Ri Yong Ho Yon Hwa: Pak Chun Hui

That you did it! - Pardon me.

lt's customary for nobles to keep a concubine.

You, a minister, could have a mistress of noble origin.

But you related with a maid of low birth. Shame!

Dear Kil Dong. OK!

l'll wear out stones of Mt. Paektu by whetting swords,

Dry up water of Tuman River by watering horses,

lf a man at 20 fails to pacify the country,

Who'd call him a hero in future?

Are you ready to cut your hair for your father's shoes?

Yes, l'm.

l'm not, sir.

Why not?

By Confucius, not to hurt the body given by parents

is the first step of filial duty.

Not to hurt your body is filial duty...

When did you learn it?

He mastered ''The Great Learning'' already at the age of 4.

Did he?

lt's OK now? - A little higher, brother!

OK, Kil Dong? - Not yet. A little higher.

Be quick!

The more the better.

Madam, look!

Damn you!

Kil Dong!

Son of a concubine dare call young master brother?

Who taught it to you? - lf not, how...

Can't you tell the poor from the noble?

Change young master's clothes! - Yes, ma'am.

Please, young master...

lf you call him bro or the master pa, l won't forgive you.

What's wrong there?

Shut up!

Please forgive him, madam.

You're covering him only to make his manners worse.

l was wrong, madam.

Why should you always cringe to her, mum?

Keep your mouth shut. - But it's too much.

She beats and pinches me as l call brother brother and pa pa.

lt's unfair.

How could l get along if you, too, trouble me?

Make way!

Try and get a house.

House? - For Kil Dong and his mother.

Good idea!

How do you mean?

Robbers are rampant in Phyongan Province

as the magistrates plunder people

and peasants can't farm due to compulsory service.

ls it true? - Yes.

He's slandering your good government, Your Majesty.

Thanks to Your Majesty's deep grace,

people sing in praise of peaceful reign.

You shouldn't forgive him for his improper remarks.

We should tell him the truth. - That's what l mean.

Stop it.

You are my two arms.

How longer will you quarrel like cats and dogs?

We're awfully sorry.

We must pacify the robbers anyway.

l agree with Prime Minister Rim that Lord Hong should go there.

Me?

You?! - lt's Prime Minister Rim's trick.

He's unable to swagger with me in Seoul.

But robbers are swarming there.

We should follow him, l think.

l wish it.

But what about this house?

He'll be back in 3 years, he says.

You're leaving Seoul?

What a surprise!

l have to.

l bought a house for you. Move there.

lt'd be harder for you without me.

But you're going to the frontier

and you'd need someone to attend you.

Let me come with you, sir. - Thank you.

Even the legal wife daren't go for fear of robbers...

l got it exactly.

Madam...

How did it go?

Please be careful. lt's rough from here.

l see.

Let's go on.

Boss!

She's coming.

OK.

Kil Dong! - Mum...

Things are loaded on the donkey.

l know. But l need your lives, too.

Wait.

She's too pretty to kill.

What about the promise then?

Can't we have a pretty girl?

Promise? How do you mean?

None of your business. Just obey me.

No. - My mum.

Let it go.

Kil Dong!

Come with me. - Let me go.

Frosty world!

Going to kill people wrongly...

Who the hell are you?

l'm a dotard.

Don't butt in other's affairs. Piss off.

She's my daughter and this is my grandson.

Sorry l am late.

Kil Dong! - Mum!

Let's go home now.

Fucking buffer...

What are you doing? Beat him.

Stop!

Go ahead. - Stop!

Arrow! Where's it?

Shoot arrow! Quick!

Quick!

l'll go see them. - Kil Dong...

l... can't move at all, bro.

Me, too.

For all your life unless you reform yourselves.

You don't say! - Surely not.

Believe it or not, it's your own affair.

Pray help me, bro. - l'm in a fix, too.

Grandpa! - Kil Dong!

lt's very kind of you, grandpa.

What are they doing, grandpa?

What do you think?

Dead?

No, just hit home.

They'll recover after a while.

Go on your way with your mum.

Thanks a lot, grandpa.

Say good-bye to him.

Kil Dong!

Kil Dong...

They don't move, mum. - Don't do it.

Sorry.

Teach me your art, grandpa.

What a nonsense! You shouldn't say so.

l want to be strong.

We can't live maltreated.

Let me be your disciple, please.

Higher...

Good.

Step forward. Strain...

Cool...

lt's tough, grandpa. - Grandpa?

lt's tough, teacher. - OK. Resume it.

Why?

lt's boring, teacher. - ls it?

lt's motionless.

Try at a moving thing then.

This is a real moving thing.

Hit it with both hands. - l see.

Sleeping?

Oh, he wet the bed.

Oh, flute!

Teacher!

You'd have a good ear to learn magic art.

Learn how to play it from today. - Thank you.

ls it magic art, too?

Try and jump it over. - Yes.

lt's easy, teacher. - ls it?

Tie these around your ankles then.

What are these? - lron bands.

lt's heavy, sir. - Try.

What's the matter? You did it easily before.

lt won't do. Practice it before breakfast from tomorrow.

Sir.

Unfasten them now. - You really mean it?

Here's a good undiluted liquor.

Please help yourselves.

Leaving already? - Thank you for your service.

See again.

How much will they pay us?

Perhaps as much as we can spend for life.

Do you hear? For all our life!

Then the thing in this sack is more valuable than gold?

Another drink! Please...

We can say good-bye to this life, bro?

Of course. Toast to our new life!

Look who's here.

Why didn't you show up these days?

Uncle!

Do me another favor. - As usual...

Even a roe!

How's your grandpa?

Fine. Wine is his liking.

This? - Yes.

Hey, bring liquor. We want more.

Coming.

Just a moment.

Coming. - Fast!

Sorry.

You drink much. Any good luck to you?

None of your business.

Wait!

Who's that, old man?

That boy? - Yes.

He lives hunting in that mountain.

Brings a boar or a deer sometimes.

One day he brought a big bear for some wine

as his grandpa is a heavy drinker.

That's why the dish is always fresh.

Help yourselves.

Sorry. - Never mind.

Take it to your grandpa.

This, too.

Thank you, uncle. - You're welcome.

Stop there!

Come here.

Not so strong he looks.

You mistook him, bro.

Such a coddle killed a bear? Must've stolen it.

That's all? l'm going now.

Why do you want to kill me?

lt's just a test. - Test?

Test a man by killing him?

Come down.

No.

Don't you want to be a rich man? - Rich man?

How do you mean?

Won't you join us rather than living in mountain?

You'll be well off then.

Why?

l won't be a thief like you. - Thief?

How d'you know we're thieves?

The scar on the back of your hand...

You were the boy?!

Remember?

Then you shan't remain alive.

Boss!

Thuk Jae!

Boss is dead. Your brother!

Alright?

Wait and see. Come on.

Are you alright, Kil Dong?

What's this?

Seems to be their property. What's this?

Well...

Undo it.

l'm curious! Please.

Seems to be from a respectable family.

Are you awake?

Mum!

ls she awake?

Drink it, please.

Thank you.

Who are you, miss?

l'm Yon Hwa, daughter of Prime Minister Rim in Seoul.

Thank you.

The son of Lord Hong?

Wait!

lt's my turn now.

What's wrong with you today?

Did l do anything wrong?

Let me do it.

No thanks. - Please.

Let me do it.

Mum!

Oh, my!

Are you hurt? - l'm alright.

But the soup...

What's wrong with you?

Charmed by the girl, aren't you?

No, sir. How could l ever...?

Descend the mountain at once.

Follow her to recite a love song!

You fool! - Sir...

A man of ambition is tempted by a girl?

Never show up again.

l won't repeat...

Will you devote your whole to the practice?

l give you my word of honor.

Show me your resolution then. - Yes, sir.

Where are we going?

Oh, roe!

What's this? Brought even a girl today!

Uncle!

Please help her to go to Seoul safe and sound.

Young master!

Please take me with you.

Young master!

Young master!

Madam!

Young lady's come. - What? Yon Hwa?

Oh, you're back! - Hurry, madam...

Mum!

Yon Hwa! She's come back.

Let me see her.

Mum! - Thank God. You're alive.

Greet your father.

Father...

Want to marry your daughter to my son?

Yes, your son saved her life. Please accept our proposal.

What a luck!

We thought he was dead.

This is God's will, l think.

Let bygones be bygones. - Yes.

ln Hyong!

Father!

Kil Dong and his mother are alive, l heard.

Kil Dong?

ls it true, father? - Yes.

They're alive!

Take it, Kil Dong.

l've nothing to teach you anymore.

Descend the mountain.

How do you mean?

What about the magic? - Magic?

l saw you making the thieves motionless.

l can never forget the scene.

lf you hit the person's vital point he'd be made so.

Magic is the complex of intelligence, physical and mental strength.

l taught it to you already.

But remember.

Your magic should be used to defend the country

and save people from misery.

Not for other purpose. - Yes, sir.

May you live long, sir.

Thank you.

Sir!

Kil Dong!

Leave now.

Sir -

Will you pay a visit to father?

No. How could l visit him?

We shouldn't repeat our miserable past, l think.

l'll make you happy instead of father.

Thank you.

Mother! - Why?

Let's say good-bye to the host. - Yes.

Oh, you're here. - Uncle!

Come on. A noble stayed long here to see you.

Me? - He's come!

Kil Dong's mum!

Let me see. - Uncle.

We thought you were dead.

Oh, how you've grown up!

Here's young master ln Hyong.

He's Kil Dong.

Oh, you're out of recognition.

Young master!

Stepmother!

How you suffered!

Kil Dong!

Brother!

Kil Dong! - Brother!

Here's a go, madam.

What's up? - Kil Dong and his mum are alive.

No! lmpossible! - Madam...

ls it true you're Kil Dong?

You're back alive.

Sit down. - Yes.

You must have suffered a lot.

We're going to marry our daughter to the son of Lord Hong.

Please try for us.

But l heard he's the son of a concubine.

Why do you... - ls it true?

Certainly. - What a shame!

Madam has just sent for a go-between.

Go-between? Why?

You know why.

Father!

Listen!

We must break your engagement with Lord Hong's son.

Yes?

Oh, dear! He's the son of a concubine, they say.

No, he can't be.

Miss!

Now forget such a humble boy.

What do you think of the son of Pak?

l don't mind his origin, high or low.

Let me marry Kil Dong.

He's the savior of my life.

What? Savior? What a fool!

l'd rather die than marry other man.

What a disgraceful talk in this noble family!

No!

Etiquette says one has to serve the savior of his life.

Low man is no better than a hunchback of high birth.

Miss!

Great!

Let me see your magic once. - Yes, later.

Lord Rim suggested a marriage of you and his daughter,

saying you're her savior.

Thanks to you, l made him lower his head before me.

May l tell you, sir? - What is it?

Madam wants you to come. - l see.

She wants you now. - l said l know.

Why not care for your health? - l'm recovered now.

l've had a good time tonight.

Have a good sleep, mum. - Now go to bed.

ls it fair to keep the Lord until late at night?

You came back to shorten his life, didn't you?

lt's too much, madam.

You even talk back?

You learnt bad manners in mountains.

And your laughter at deep night!

lt's as loud as to alarm the city!

lf you laugh again like that, you'd be kicked out.

We shouldn't have come back.

How could we cope with further contempt?

l'm braced up today!

l often ride as l'm an officer.

But today with you, l feel as if l'm on a fleet horse.

You're in trouble, Kil Dong?

No, l'm not.

Here we are, father. - Read it.

Lord Rim refused the marriage. - What?

Through it?

His daughter attempted her own life.

l feel uneasy.

lf an accident occurs, you won't be safe, either.

Dare want to be a son-in-law of a noble family?

How you talk!

Oh, Rim's force is ruining Hong's family!

Aren't you Kil Dong?

Yes, l am.

Enjoying the moon?

How could l, a trifling, enjoy it like others?

What an evil talk!

l can't call you father though l'm your blood son.

Neither can l marry a girl l love. How could l be a man?

Why did you make my mother give birth to me?

A girl decided to kill herself because of me.

l'd never be forgiven.

lf my mother had married a man of her class,

l would've led my life as a servant easy in mind.

Enough!

Sir!

Madam!

How did it go?

Sneaked in unobserved?

Yes, madam.

He shouldn't fail this time.

Don't worry.

He refused the reward, saying he'd revenge his brother.

Keep it yourself.

Thank you. - Mum!

What's up?

You're so cruel! - What?

ln Hyong!

Look out, Kil Dong!

You?!

Are you alright?

Brother! - Remember me?

l swore a vengeance when you killed my brother.

You called a fight first then. - Heard a sound...

Let me go, or you won't be safe. - What?

Let him go, Kil Dong!

Brother!

l beg you. Please, before people gather.

However cruel, mother is mother.

What do you mean? - All this is my mother's...

Get lost. lf l see you again you're a dead man.

Anything wrong?

No. Go away.

However cruel, mother is mother.

Forgive her, Kil Dong. - Brother!

l leave my mother to your care.

l'll leave here. - See.

Don't worry about your mother.

Brother! - Sure.

Young master!

l'm going a long way to attain my aim.

Don't attempt your own life.

l'll be back with my aim achieved. Wait for me.

Young master!

Mum!

What's the matter? - My mum was beaten.

Aunt!

The thieves robbed us of all property.

ln the broad daylight?

Not a day passes without being robbed.

Look! That house was robbed, too.

No, not this...

l say!

Who are you?

ls it true this village was robbed?

Thieves?

Where are they? - lt's your job to nick it.

Let it go, you thief!

Are you OK?

You're worse than thieves.

Bastard!

You shall get whipping later.

Later? One of your hands is free, isn't it?

Why hit me?

One more!

Wait and see.

Please get in, granny. - Thanks a lot.

Where are you going, lad?

Me?

Your art is extraordinary.

But villagers will get into bigger trouble as you beat Gls.

Why? Bad Gls are little, l think.

How innocent!

You can find no saint in the government these days.

They'll surely come to take revenge.

He has very swift hands. Look at my eyes.

l'm doubtful. - We were beaten anyway.

You said no peasant rioters in that village, didn't you?

Dare hit your senior?

You? - No, not me.

Who's laughing?

Sir!

lt's him, that guy.

He made me like this, sir.

Come down.

Down?

You've got your own feet. Come up.

What? Capture him!

Come down, you brat!

Come on. Why so slow?

There he is. Hurry!

Good. A little more.

OK!

You're done now.

Missed again.

He's just like a monkey. - Hurry.

Make haste, or you'll never catch me.

He's flying. - This way!

He's kidding us.

Hurry and catch him. - No more men left.

We'll do it ourselves.

Stop him!

There he is.

Now we got him.

Oh, my back!

He never speaks.

He fainted. - A diehard!

Brought his wife and children.

What now?

Bring them here. - Yes, sir.

You villain!

Still keep silence?

Look!

Won't speak out?

Begin.

My son!

What are you going to do with my son?

They'd kill our son. Please tell them.

They are in Pawi Valley. Pray spare my son.

You said you'd not kill him, didn't you?

Don't!

Who are you?

Are you dumb?

Arrest him at once!

Run!

He told us to wait for him.

Shall we wait him longer? - No.

l don't believe he can attack them alone.

Hey, we've no time. - There he is.

Take out rice. Fast!

lnto the Adm. office!

Why so quiet here?

Good chance! Carry rice.

He's really a superman!

Many thanks to you.

The magistrate tortured innocent petitioner cruelly.

He, a noble, can't be so harsh. - The noble are all cruel.

These here are poor peasants who suffered a lot, too.

Merciless world!

Stuck in mountains, l didn't know the world.

Peasants in Pawi are leaving their home village

unable to stand governor's exploitation and oppression.

Please, punish him for them.

Unbelievable!

They said the truth!

No need.

New girls arrived. Old ones, go away.

Let me look at you.

l don't like it.

You bitch! l bought you all.

You're my playthings and property.

lf you disobey me, your parents shall suffer.

What's this sound?

Who are you?

Bastard!

You know where you are?

People of Sosan village are starving now.

But you eat your fill and spoil girls.

You deserve death. - Forgive me.

OK.

Distribute the rice in your godown to people.

lf not, you won't remain alive.

See?

Yes, sir.

We may take such snow-white rice?

How come the niggard Choe show this generosity?

Could he be so grateful?

Stop chatting. Just take it.

And thank the flutist for this.

A flutist? - The helper of the poor.

ls he?

Stop, bastards!

Put down your things and piss off!

Help! - Stop!

They left their things, boss. - Hurry up.

Who are you?

This flutist will punish you who plunder people.

Flutist?

Beat him!

Still robbing? - Who are you?

A man told you if he'd meet you again he'd kill you.

Hong Kil Dong?

How come you're a flutist?

The day when you attempted my life, l left my home.

l came to know how unjust this world is.

Pray kill me.

Even after my brother's death, l kept robbing.

But you forgave the lady who intended to kill you.

And you use your unusual martial arts

for the people, not for yourself.

l can't come close to you.

Kill me.

Thuk Jae is dead.

Young master!

l'll turn over a new leaf.

Please grant me the field. - Don't worry.

l've made an arrangement. You'll soon have it.

Thank you, sir.

What about my request?

l ordered an official.

Take some of my men and do as you like.

l see.

What's the sound?

Who is there?

My child?

Why do you play it here?

Give it to me. Quick!

Get in.

At once!

Get in at once.

l lost 10 years of my life.

Thanks for your coming. Let's have a drink.

Oh, magistrate...

Corrupt officials!

l'm here to punish you,

who plunder people abusing your position.

l feel relieved now.

Once the flute sounds all evils fall dead.

And poor peasants are given snow-white rice.

He's a young lad, l heard. - ls it true?

lt's for your own sake. Why do you refuse?

What's his defect?

He's the son of a reputable family and handsome...

headed the list in the state exam, and is a minister-to-be.

Just marry him as father told you.

l've decided already.

lf you disagree, you're not my daughter.

How stubborn!

Miss!

There's a rumor among people, miss.

A man of muscle has appeared to punish evil guys.

He's very young and plays the flute, they say.

What? Flute?

Go on.

Stepmother!

Why do you do this?

lt's not your job.

Never mind.

Housemaid!

Where on earth is she?

What's all this noise?

Why should the stepmother do this?

Did you call me? - Yes.

You do it.

Hurry up! - Wait!

You bring the seamstress. - Yes, ma'am.

That bitch!

You must wash dishes, too. And brew wine, do ironing...

Hurry up!

Oh, my lot!

Stepmother!

ls that so?

My heart breaks when l think of my poor mother.

Strange black monsters haunt these days

bringing calamities to the people.

They kill and rob people and even kidnap girls.

People are waiting for the flutist.

Strange black monsters?

Thank you for your coming to inform me.

l'm no longer a robber. Let me be your subject.

Stop!

There!

Stop!

Where are they?

Pursuit! - There!

What sound?

Hey! - Thieves!

Murder!

Prime Minister Rim! Lord Hong!

What on earth are you doing?

Thieves even broke into my palace.

We're awfully sorry, Your Majesty.

The palace cashbox disappeared overnight.

What a queer mischief!

Never show up before you capture the gang and bring back the box.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You mean the Black Corps? - Yes.

They're savage, l heard.

But without the box l can't enter the Royal Court.

l'll find it out without fail.

You?

Yes.

Black Corps? - They've stolen all properties.

Yon Hwa and her maid disappeared. - What?

Even my daughter?

Damn them!

Found out their den?

Disappeared suddenly while l was following them.

What? - How do you mean?

So many disappear all at once? - lt's true.

l saw it myself. - They're using magic, too?

Magic?

lt's a puzzle anyway.

Why don't l know any other magician in our country?

However hard we may try, it's futile.

They must be invisible monsters.

They popped up around the tavern last night.

The government troops, too, failed to catch them.

They must be in this city robbing every night.

Never think of returning home before you arrest them all.

Yes.

Stop them!

There!

Stop!

ls that the Black Corps? - l'll go inform of it.

No. We must take back the robbed things.

Where are they?

Quick!

Young master!

Stop there!

Brother!

Kil Dong! - Brother!

Why were you pursuing them?

lt's the King's order.

lf we fail to arrest them our family will be ruined.

Rim's family, too...

They broke into the palace and stole the national treasures.

lnto the palace?

Lord Rim was also robbed.

Even his daughter and her maid were kidnapped.

lt's clear that they are from abroad.

All nation should rise up to beat them.

Right. l'll also fight them at all costs.

Send notice to the bandits in every province to locate their nest.

See.

Tell peasant rioters to find out their den.

Yes.

Must we watch here, too? - lt's the chief's order.

He ordered us to ransack every nook and corner.

This is not a busy street. Let's go.

Black Corps!

l've searched the places along this path.

No doubt they've gone by a cart from here.

Are you sure? - Yes.

l sent two boys over this path. They are not back yet.

Not yet?

Pine Tree Valley...

Nothing, sir.

A tavern over there!

Granny, give us something to eat.

Welcome. lt's long since we had guests.

l've some liquor, though not very tasty.

Shall we have some?

Are you an old resident here? - No, l'm a new comer.

Didn't you notice something strange around here last night?

No, nothing unusual. Anything's up?

ls that your horse? - No, it isn't.

How long has it been there?

l don't remember exactly, but since long.

You said you saw a horse cart last, didn't you?

Yeah.

Horse cart...two missing guys...

Let us pay. - Why so hurry?

We've something to do.

Surely it was Ninja!

lt's clever of you to guess who l am.

Keep away!

Run to the young master!

Hurry to Kil Dong!

No. - Hurry off!

Look out!

Killed them all.

No. Two guys are missing. - Surely not!

Shut up. Find them out.

One more cup!

lt was a real sight to see them chasing after us.

The Royal Palace must be in utter confusion now.

Be careful, anyway. - Here's no one who can beat us.

ls there?

Right. They're no match for us.

Come off it. Let's have a drink.

l can't bear any more.

How l wish to hug one!

You'll soon have one.

Boss'll show us generosity in the ship.

Boss!

l hear our liaison spot was exposed yesterday.

lt's true, sir.

Who's in charge of it? - Me, sir.

But l killed them all.

All?

Dare tell me a lie? You can't deceive me.

Forgot our law? Failure and betrayal mean death.

lt's the law of our Black Corps.

Our ship arrives the day after tomorrow. Keep vigilance.

All dead?

We found out their den, but our loss is too big.

l wish l'd have died with them.

Found out their den?

Can we beat them on our own?

Our troops encircled them. Let's attack them.

No, we must do as ordered by the boss.

Right. There's only one place for them to hide.

We'll soon go back home.

Your lady would be pleased to see these goods.

Enjoy yourselves in the ship.

Carried all goods to the ship.

Take girls to the ship.

Come out! - Miss!

lt's young master!

The flutist?! - Black Corps!

Found you out at last.

Charge!

Our troops are in danger!

Down!

Where are they?

Look down!

Come out!

Young master!

Young master!

Great!

Tell me your desire.

Ask me anything you want. Rank or wealth.

Thank you very much.

But the victory owes to people, not to me alone.

They fought risking their lives.

Pray consider the people in misery

and let them do their jobs for living in peace.

You're kind-hearted, too.

What's all this, Lord Rim?

You always said people are enjoying peace.

But Kil Dong says differently. - Awfully sorry.

Sorry to trouble you, Your Majesty.

l entreat you for my brother. - Go ahead.

Kil Dong and Lord Rim's daughter love each other.

Pray give your permission to have them get married.

Good news!

lt's a double happiness for two families.

lt isn't so.

Kil Dong is an illegitimate son of Lord Hong.

Their marriage allowed, such case would happen successively.

The upper class couldn't be told from the lower one.

ls it true?

Didn't you say you'd comply with any request?

Your Majesty!

l can do anything, but not this.

Kil Dong!

They resisted the regime of the noble,

and made great services for the country.

But all they got were maltreatment and contempt.

lndignant, they left their dear home

and got on board a ship.

They sailed out to find a land where all can enjoy equal rights

and live harmoniously free from poverty.

But could there ever be such an ideal land waiting for them?