Original subtitles

[indistinct shouting]

9 YEARS AGO GYEONGWONJIN, HAMGYEONG PROVINCE

[soldier] The barbarians!

[whimpers, gasps]

[Jurchens shouting]

1583 THE NITANGGAE REBELLION

[army chief] The Jurchens are invading.

Close the gate now! Deploy our forces!

[yelling]

[♪ Dramatic music playing]

[gasps, shudders]

[indistinct yelling]

[army chief] Do not fear!

Stay strong! Guard your posts!

[yelling]

[villagers shouting]

[indistinct shouting]

[villagers screaming]

[Jurchens yelling, laughing]

[thudding]

[yelps]

[villagers screaming]

[yelling]

[yelps]

-[grunts] -[groans]

[grunting]

[grunts]

[Jung Chun's mother screams]

[groans]

[shuddering]

-[grunts] -[woman yelps]

-Siyul. -[gasps]

-[grunting] -[woman screaming]

-[villagers screaming] -[whimpers]

[pants]

Mama. Mom.

[whispering] You need to keep quiet.

[thudding]

[grunting, shuddering]

[in English] Stay back! Stay back!

[grunting]

-[grunts] -[groans]

[Wang Hae in Jurchen] You damn wretches.

[young Siyul grunts]

-[screams] -[groans]

-[grunts] -[crashing]

Filthy little worms!

[groaning]

-[grunting] -[groaning]

-[grunting] -[whimpers]

[Wang Hae] Fuck!

[in English] No! Mom!

[in Jurchen] You maggots!

[yelling]

[yelping]

[breathes heavily]

[yelling]

[gags]

[groans, exhales]

[grunts]

-[grunting] -[groans softly]

[gurgling]

[♪ Melancholy music playing]

[gasps, yelps]

[coughing, gasping]

[gasping]

[villagers crying]

[crying]

[villagers wailing]

[crying]

[weakly] Mom?

[sobbing]

[weakly] Mom.

Mom.

[gasping]

Chun! This child is still alive.

I can hear him breathing. He's breathing.

[groaning]

[grunting]

[woman sobbing]

[♪ Music continues playing]

[villagers sobbing]

The Murky Stream

THREE. A STRONG NEW MAN

[man yelling] Find them!

[indistinct yelling]

[man yelling] Find them!

[both panting]

[♪ Tense music playing]

[both grunting]

[grunting]

[indistinct yelling]

[grunting, panting]

[breathing heavily]

[panting] Hey! Do you realize who you just beat up back there?

[panting] Who?

He was the second son of Jo Daein, the Uiju county magistrate.

[chuckles]

Was that funny?

Does having such a title,

[pants] allow you to harass women like he does?

Goodbye to the real world.

Now!

[grunting]

Easy there, huh.

[both grunting]

[groans, yelps]

-[yelps] -[yells, groans]

[grunts]

[yells, groans]

Watch your back.

You're too slow.

[both grunting]

[grunts]

-Watch your own back. -Hey.

-[men yelling] -Let's go!

Let's go! Come on!

[men yelling]

[man] Get them!

Do you think they're already here?

Get behind if you're scared.

[exhales]

[exhales] Now!

Let's see who cracks first.

-[grunting] -[groans]

[grunting]

You want a government job. But you are always fighting like this.

-You know how blunt Siyul can be. -[chuckles]

I told you to help him steer clear of trouble.

[whimpering]

[Jung Chun's mother] What if the two of you end up getting arrested?

Forget passing the state exam, then.

Let alone the military exam!

-Just how thoughtless can you be? -[shuddering]

Siyul, you're next.

-What? -Come here.

[shuddering]

[Jung Chun] Ow!

[Jung Chun whispering] Your chance.

[Jang Siyul] I deeply regret

what I... [yelps]

-Please! -Quit your whining and stand right here.

Right now!

-Sorry! Sorry! Mother! -Look at you! Be a man!

-When are you gonna grow up? -[yelping]

-When are you gonna grow up? -[man] Is anyone at home?

[panting]

What kind of trouble are you in now?

-Huh? -[exhales, sighs]

Good evening. We are from Nokmyeongso.

[mother] What does that mean?

[man] We evaluate the applicants' qualifications.

Does a Jang Siyul reside here?

Are you Jang Siyul, then?

Yes.

Is your grandmother Oksan Hwang Clan,

name Jaun?

Is that correct?

Yes. That's correct.

[sighs]

[Jung Chun's mother] What's wrong? Is there a problem here?

She remarried, according to the records.

Due to that, you are not qualified to take the exam.

Wait. What do you mean by that?

Choosing to remarry is considered inappropriate behavior.

As a result, her descendants, any children or grandchildren,

are barred from taking the state exam.

I'm surprised your mother never explained this to you.

I lost her when I was a child.

I was too young.

[sighs]

[sighs wearily]

Here. Take it.

JANG SIYUL

You're stopping him from taking the exam just because his grandmother remarried?

It's unfortunate. We're only messengers.

DENIED QUALIFICATION

If you think the decision is unfair,

you can appeal the government to reconsider.

Well, then.

[Jung Chun's mother] Wait, sir! Sir!

[man] You could get a recommendation from the district magistrate.

Then, we will reconsider.

[Jang Siyul] Magistrate! Magistrate sir!

Your subject is requesting an audience, sir!

-How can you just stay inside? -[scoffing]

I just want a chance to take the exam. Is that really so much to ask?

How many must we tell you, no?

You leave me no choice!

[grunting]

I'll see what the problem is.

[local officer] How dare you! Have you no manners?

[Jang Siyul] Magistrate! Are you listening in there, sir?

As a child, war came for us.

[♪ Melancholy music playing]

We faced an attack from the barbarians!

You officials were the first to abandon their posts.

People kept screaming at them for help.

And one by one, they were cut down with the sword.

That's what happened to my poor mother!

You officials, the barbarians,

how can you say one is any better than the other?

-Come here. -[Jang Siyul] Magistrate!

It seems this savage...

doesn't know how to be grateful.

-Tear his tongue out. -Punish this ingrate.

-[grunting] -[groans softly]

[coughs]

You would hit an unarmed man? What kind of officials are you?

-[grunting] -[groans softly]

I wanted to be an official to...

[grunting]

-Protect the weak and... -[grunts]

I couldn't save my mother's life.

I wanted to be an official...

so I can protect my family!

[indistinct shouting]

If the country abandons the people,

then who are we supposed to believe in!

[grunts]

[breathing heavily]

[both chuckle]

Everything's the same. Nothing changed.

-[clears throat] -[grunts]

-[yelling] -[groans]

-[grunts] -[groans]

[guards yelling]

[grunts, groans]

[men gasping]

-[yelps] -[groans]

[grunting]

[Subscribe] Should I call him a tiger caught in a trap,

or a dhole running wild?

It seems he caused quite the commotion.

He injured a number of soldiers.

-And then... -What?

It happened.

-He got himself in real trouble. -He killed someone, didn't he?

No! Too obvious. Use this.

-That boy... -Yeah.

Set fire to the official buildings there.

[men grunting]

And every single one of them set aflame instantly.

-Fire! -[Mudeok] If he's caught,

-he'll be decapitated anywhere. -Fire!

[men yelling]

While everyone was busy putting the fire out,

someone dragged Jang Siyul out of there.

A masked man, or so they say.

And the man who took him...

His brother, though not his blood,

Jung Chun, they say,

at least according to the rumors, you know?

It's upside down.

So this Jung Chun,

is it the same as that one?

Ah!

It's just a rumor. There's no way to know for sure.

-Shit! -Come here.

It's suspicious, though, isn't it?

-Look here. -[sighs softly]

The name of the sender written here,

the newly appointed assistant officer.

And where is he from?

Hamgyeong.

[both panting]

[grunts]

You...

You need to turn around.

Siyul...

The state test will be soon, brother.

If you don't make it,

I can never face Mother again.

[panting] Go now.

[♪ Somber music playing]

You need to run far from here.

[sobbing]

You need to survive, understand?

One day, the world will change.

Keep going.

Until that day.

[♪ Music continues playing]

[♪ Melancholy music playing]

Today is Mother's Jesa.

She was brave even when she was dragged to the government office and tortured.

But then last winter,

she got sick and passed away.

And it was all my fault.

I shouldn't have gone as wild as I did.

Siyul,

we are not just friends.

We're brothers.

Don't forget to hold Mother's Jesa.

I plan on leaving for the border soon.

Why the border?

There is a war going on right now.

If I distinguish myself,

I heard my charges could get cleared.

You can't.

You could die in a battle.

You're an official.

And I'm a criminal.

Staying here would expose you to more danger.

I had a wish...

to see you again before I died, and here we are.

I got my wish.

Siyul.

Please...

be a good official.

Please.

[sighs softly]

[♪ Music continues playing]

[sighs softly]

[Mudeok] Where are you off to?

Come work for me.

I'm Park Mudeok.

If you let me, I can change your life.

You should mind your own business.

You'd be wise to take my hand, eh?

Jang Siyul!

[♪ Dramatic music playing]

Jang Siyul, right?

[laughs slyly]

Jang Siyul! [continues laughing]

You're Jang Siyul, aren't you?

They wouldn't let you take the state exam,

so you charged into the office, and you burned it all down.

I don't know anyone around here who would think to pull that shit.

[laughs heartily] That's great. Good job.

How did you know?

What's it matter how?

What matters is that the two of us are together now.

What do you want from me, then?

The Mapo territory can be ours

with your brute strength

and your courage.

The way I look at it,

you were always meant to be a bandit.

I'm not interested in being a bandit.

Nor am I cut out for it.

I get to decide that.

Just report me to the officials, then.

What?

I only carried on because I didn't die.

I'm going now.

Go ahead. Report me if that's what you want.

I don't care what you do.

Really?

All right, fine.

[sighs]

Wait. What about Jung Chun?

He helped you escape

when you set the government office on fire.

On top of getting you out of there,

he now holds an assistant officer position.

Now, what if I were to go and report that to the officials, huh?

I don't know what you're talking about.

You don't know him, you say?

I saw something in your bundle.

Huh?

Was it a letter?

[laughs maniacally]

Is it still in there, you idiot? [continues laughing]

[grunting]

If you don't give it back,

I really will kill you.

Go ahead.

Just do it.

Where would that letter end up if I die?

The police will wanna see it.

Huh?

[shudders]

Wow! Look at those damn eyes.

What did I tell ya?

You were always meant to be a bandit.

Huh?

[rock clucking]

You're wrong.

-That's not who I am. -Hey.

If you listen to me,

you'll live.

And your friend will live, too.

What? You don't like it?

All right, then.

Never mind.

[scoffs]

What do you want me to do for you?

You see,

I don't like to offer my hand to someone who already turned me down.

Got it?

But for you? For you, I'll let it slide.

[sighs]

Grab it.

What are you waiting for?

Grab my foot.

[Jang Siyul shudders]

[exclaiming scornfully]

Remember this, okay?

This right here.

This is where we stand.

You hear me?

[Jang Siyul] My friend.

If anything happens to him,

I really will kill you.

[laughing] Oh, shit.

You're scaring me, kid.

[shudders]

Hey.

I don't make it a habit of saying this to other men.

You're mine from here on out.

Got it?

[laughs maniacally]

Captain Park?

-Captain Park? -[Captain Park] Yes?

The barn is short a few horses.

[Captain Park] Horses?

I bring this issue up because it says there are 20 in here.

In the barn, there were only three.

Well, I... I wasn't the one who kept the ledger.

I wouldn't know about that.

Captain, you have to know what the status of the horses are.

Officer Jung, I am highly disappointed.

There may be mistakes due to heavy workloads.

I swear to the heavens, I have no reason for remorse.

[sighs]

The armory looks empty as well.

Is this everything?

Why are you picking everything apart?

What's wrong? You've not enjoyed your stay?

I'm not picking on anything.

It's just that it's a far cry from the logbooks you've been submitting.

[sighs]

Why are all the swords and spears rusted like this?

Rust can always be cleaned.

-I think you can lighten up a little. -Can you bring the hwapo here?

It's been a while since we cleaned it.

I don't know if it'll fire at this point.

[crackles]

[shudders]

[Jung Chun] The armory is empty.

Neither the rations nor the horses match the ledger.

At this point, if war breaks out, we'll be absolutely helpless here.

[Lee Dolgae] Insolent!

That kind of arrogance can get us in trouble here.

We are not the ones to take measures.

That authority is the General's,

far greater than where our powers lie.

Then I'll take it to the General

so I can seek real measures.

Sure, go right ahead.

He's not there, though.

Don't you remember?

We're throwing you a welcome party today.

Guests are coming from Hanseong City.

I already told you to be ready for it.

For goodness' sake! How did you place first in the exam?

-[women laughing] -[♪ upbeat music playing]

[officials laughing, cheering]

[all laughing]

[all applauding]

Consider me nothing more than a mere woodpecker.

I just peck, your Grace, if you allow me.

I wish you nothing but the best, General.

I knew it.

You're the only one in our bureau who works hard,

and the only reveler as well.

You sincerely honor me, General.

Now we have a newly appointed officer.

And as per tradition, we shall drink from the bottle.

So let us celebrate.

-All right. -[all cheering]

[Lee Dolgae] Here!

To unending loyalty

and endless alcohol.

[officials] To us, the military!

[all laughing]

[exclaims] Here, here, here, here, here, here!

Now that this old man's danced his dance,

it's only right that the young man dances.

[all cheering]

-Yeah! Yeah! -[official] Come on! Show us your moves!

Here.

[woman laughing] Oh!

[laughing] Would you look at that?

[all laughing]

[official] What a pretty official!

What exactly is the meaning of this?

You dare?

Our young official here isn't excited enough!

He needs to dance!

-[♪ Upbeat music playing] -[all cheering]

Here we go!

[retches]

Look at this.

What kind of military official can't hold his liquor?

[groans softly] Goodness! I worry about the future of this country.

[groans softly]

We agree about that.

They say a fish rots from the head, but...

I struggle to find a spot in this city that doesn't smell.

You can stop your lofty speech now. Head on inside.

I experienced war as a young boy.

The soldiers were no different then.

Passing the time by drinking, and they were always the first to run.

Who is it that protects the commoners if the officials care only for pleasure?

[scoffs]

What an arrogant assistant officer we have here.

Looking after the people isn't what we do.

We're only here to protect His Majesty.

Protecting the citizenry?

That's the king's authority, so that's his purview.

Are you the king now?

Do you want his position?

[laughs]

This kid.

You should watch your mouth, all right?

Getting outed as a traitor doesn't take a lot.

[laughs]

-[man] Wow. -[all cheering]

[Jageun Ae] Eat up.

-Thank you so much -Let me try that.

[man] Yeah.

You look like you're a decent man. Why are you with these good-for-nothings?

Your life must have been nice and cushy.

How else could you be so good with those?

[Gaechun] I know. You use chopsticks like a nobleman.

Very classy.

Ah! I need to learn how to do that.

Oh! Just...

By the way, we all know that there's a pecking order in this class.

Am I not next after you?

Isn't it wrong that the new boy gets to sit here?

It's wrong.

Well, then fight for it.

Huh? What?

I mean, if you win, you're the boss, and if you lose you're the underling.

That's right.

-He's about to get his teeth knocked out. -[laughs]

Let's see it. Brother, you should fight him.

Uh, no, no, no. All of you need to be quiet.

We can't fight. We're... [stuttering]

-[laughing] Look at him. -[laughs]

-He's a flincher. -Look at this stuck-up jackass.

[♪ Whimsical music playing]

My name's Walwal, by the way.

I'm the youngest. Malbok.

Call me Jungbok. I read the room and talk fast.

I'm Gaechun.

Open up. Ah!

Oh? Well...

How old are you? It's just...

Wait. What do you want to know that for?

Uh, I mean, I think you look older.

I wouldn't say I'm much older.

[laughs]

[Gaechun] Besides, seniority isn't set by age here.

It's set by the fist.

Still, that's a bit...

By the way, what's your name?

It's Siyul. Jang Siyul.

-Oh! -Siyul.

Your name, even that's classy.

So classy.

-And he burned down a building. -Huh?

Arson of a government office.

-[gasps] -Really?

-Everything was burned to the ground. -Wow.

[all exclaiming]

I never would have expected that.

Now, that is a man.

I didn't realize what a brave person you are.

I hope that you can forgive me, brother.

That is a man.

That's a real man!

Brother,

-I have to respect that. -Me too.

See that, huh?

You are meant to be a bandit.

I'll be the forefinger again.

[all laughing]

I'll lie on silk bedding and piss in a golden chamber pot, huh?

-Gold chamber pot? Oh, yeah? -Hey, hey.

When you're walking around town, huh,

you spot a tile-roof house, claim that shit.

How about the one over there?

-[all laughing] -I know.

What about Gyeongbokgung Palace?

That'd be a nice place to buy.

If the King puts it on the market, I'll snatch it.

[all laughing]

Here. Eat a lot.

Keep your eyes fierce,

'cause tomorrow, I'll be the forefinger again.

Don't we have wine? Go and get it.

Wait. What does that mean?

[all] We're drinking tonight!

[all laughing]

[Chief Kang] Five majigi of rice paddy, and three majigi of farmland in Anseong.

This much will suffice as collateral.

We can lend up to 200 nyang.

You have until the second day of next year.

We need to receive the full amount plus additional interest.

Do you understand?

Yes, I understand.

I'll need your signature up front.

The money we lent. How much was it all together?

Uh...

Sampo Market and the Gyeonggang River combined

is around 270,000 nyang.

[Choi Eun] Don't forget the promissory notes.

There are about 500,000 nyang.

Including guilds in other regions,

and if we factor in all the small merchants,

the math is sound to me.

And then, we have to pay the government.

That's a little more than five hal.

If we could spend half of that,

we could build a few more bridges here.

Tomorrow is a busy day.

We're sending Seokchon their items.

We must load before the sunrise.

Do try to get some sleep, young lady.

Getting some fresh air?

How do you think Eun is taking to the trade?

From what I can see,

I'd say your daughter was born for this.

Are you saying she is talented?

She inherited your blood right down to her bones.

I see.

She and I were cut from the same cloth, is that it?

I didn't mean to say that.

[laughs]

It's fine.

Who could know her any better than I?

I approve of her.

Make sure the dawn duty is on schedule.

[Chief Kang] I'll ensure it is done.

[♪ Suspenseful music playing]

[panting]

My lady!

My lady!

My lady, you must come. There's a problem.

[gasps]

What happened?

Another guild paid the rush charge, my lady.

So, the order was moved around.

We need those laborers.

It's their scheme. This is how the bandits cheat us.

As of now, the bandits are blocking our loading crew.

-I will speak to them, then. -My lady, there would be no point.

-Surely they'll listen to reason. -Bandits are not capable of diplomacy.

For the boat to leave on time, we must load now.

If we don't move at once,

we will lose our items and our integrity.

I recommend paying the charge. It will resolve all of this.

Do you know how many laborers we have?

Why do you ask?

We don't have time now.

We will load the boat with our laborers.

My lady, it would be unwise to provoke the bandits.

This problem is bigger than money.

You must know that, too.

[sighs]

Summon all the laborers we can.

Prepare some torches as well.

I will try, my lady.

[sighs softly]

All right. Everyone, gather around.

[man] Yes.

From here on, we will do this ourselves. We will load the items directly.

Now, then.

[men shouting]

What are they doing?

-Hey, Walwal. -Huh?

Do we have money for the torch charge?

-They didn't. -[Mudeok] Oh!

So they think they can just pull one over on us.

[indistinct chatter]

Here.

Hey! Put those torches down now!

[grunts]

What do you think you're doing?

Who the fuck thinks they can work my port without paying the damn torch charge?

The torches we're using are ours, and we brought our own oil.

So tell me, why do I have to pay you for that?

What are you blabbering about, little girl?

Maybe I'm getting old because I don't understand a word you're saying.

Mudeok, we're in a rush.

Let it slide this once.

Chief Kang, you already know.

If you pay a lot, that means you're very busy.

But if you don't, you're only a little busy.

You've been around here long enough. What's gotten into you?

Oh.

Don't tell me it's because your new leader is this young lady.

So you wanna learn to trade?

I suggest you start by learning the rules if you want to last around here.

Don't you agree?

[Walwal laughs]

She's scary? Look at that glare.

I am not interested in playing along with bandits.

Oh, my.

[men whispering]

[indistinct chatter]

All of you, grab your cargo and follow me.

-Right now! -[Walwal] Don't move a muscle.

Do you want to get your legs broken?

If I see you move an inch, hmm,

I'll break your legs right there on the spot.

-Okay? -I welcome you to try.

But you'll face the consequences.

Don't stand there.

Go move the cargo.

[men chattering]

Hurry. Do as Lady Eun says.

[indistinct chatter]

This might just be treasonous, bitch.

Hey, what should we do, brother?

Hey, come here.

Get over here.

Hmm.

I have a job for you.

You go and take the bitch's torch away.

Must we?

I thought I taught you to shut up and do whatever I say.

Yet with each passing day, you're just getting more arrogant.

Hey, did you forget I own you now?

I can make it so both you and your friend

lose your heads, yeah?

If you don't want that, bring me that torch right away.

[man] Just hold it.

Yeah. That's it.

[Chief Kang] How dare you! Halt!

Hey, you! Get back, will you?

Stay out of the way!

[indistinct chatter]

-[Walwal] Relax! Take it easy. -[Chief Kang] Stop! Listen!

I'm here... to take your torch.

If the guild keeps pressing ahead,

then the laborers here cannot make a living.

They'll still make a living.

It's just that you won't be able to rip anyone off.

It's no use complaining to me, my lady.

The torch.

What the hell is this shit?

Hey! Are you trying to court her?

Why aren't you restoring order?

[♪ Pleasant music playing]

[breathing heavily]

[sighs]

[sighs wearily]

[♪ Piano music playing]

Wow!

He's a bandit now, through and through. [laughs]

[Mudeok] Listen up!

Our country's peace depends on the bandit standing tall.

Put out that fire.

[Jungbok] That's right.

[Walwal] Grab them all.

Put down the torches! [grunting]

-[grunting] -[water splashing]

[Walwal] Put out the fire, all of you.

Is this the justice you wanted?

I thought you were a hard worker.

But it turns out you're nothing but a bloodsucking leech.

Fine then.

Enjoy this life.

[water splashing]

[shudders]