Original subtitles

Subtitles by DramaFever

They're the same.

In every town with missing people...

Old Man Hong is appearing.

Choon Bong's family disappeared overnight?

Choon Sam died while he was tied to a tree and beaten, by Lord Choi's order.

But it was disguised as a falling death.

So, everything was resolved.

Then why did the family disappear?

Without taking anything...

the whole family of five disappeared.

What do you mean, you lost Haengrok?

While I was fighting with Gil Dong...

- People have disappeared? - Yes.

But please look.

The places where Thief Hong appeared

and the towns where people disappeared are the same.

Also, there is a commonality between the disappeared people.

All of them broke the Duty of the Human Being.

Thieves steal money.

Why would he appear in the places where the Duty is broken?

I've never heard of or seen a thief like that.

If my assumption is correct

we'll be able to meet with Thief Hong if we go there and wait for him.

Please give me a little time to find out if my guess is correct.

I will report to His Majesty and request a little time for you.

Thank you, sir.

I will absolutely grab the tail of Thief Hong.

[Episode 19]

- You're here! - You came!

That's enough.

- Hey, Hong! - Here is another one.

Welcome!

- You're here! - Brother! You came!

Good to see you, Yong Gae!

- Aren't you the famous Old Man Hong? - Old Man Hong, you're here!

Did you find out anything more about "Geoin"?

Don't even start.

As soon as I bring up "Geoin"

everyone gets scared and says they don't know anything.

Just what on earth is Geoin that no one says anything about it?

All of them were keeping this Haengrok like some treasure.

By the way, about these two letters meaning "Tree" in the beginning...

whose names could these be?

If you don't know it, how would we know?

[Song Do Hwan]

Isn't this you, sire?

It is.

Does it look like me?

This is how I think of myself.

But would others also think of me this way?

I wonder how others think of me...

I am very curious.

Sire, have you looked for me?

Yes. I'd like to give Nok Su a title of the internal court.

The internal court title starts with the lower fourth rank of Sukwon

then the higher fourth rank Sowon, the lower third rank Sukyong

the higher third rank Soyong--

The title doesn't matter to me.

Rather...

I hear that watermelons from Ming tastes so very sweet.

I'd like to taste it.

You would?

Congratulations.

By the way...

why do you not tell His Majesty anything about me?

Whenever His Majesty has been in agony over the dethroned queen

you have been the only true comfort to him, Lady Sukwon.

So please take care of His Majesty.

You're truly loyal.

I hear that the watermelons grown in Ming have an unbelievable flavor.

Should we have it in the upcoming feast?

So I'd like to get the watermelon seeds via envoys to Ming.

Your Majesty...

I heard the watermelon of Ming doesn't taste much different from ours.

Would we really need to bring in watermelon seeds from Ming?

More than anything, with the drought this year

the poverty of our people has never been so bad.

He is right, sire.

There is a lack of food these days

people are lined up to beg for food in the streets.

Also, thieves got together and are looting towns everywhere--

Are you talking about that Thief Hong again?

When there is a drought, it is expected that thieves come out.

However, sire...

even at the end of King Seongjong's reign, the storage was full.

It hasn't been even 10 years, but the storage is completely empty.

Right.

To bring in the watermelon seeds from Ming in this situation...

I went overboard.

Sire, officials feel embarrassed over the prolonged drought

so they had to say something.

So please don't be upset.

I am not upset.

It is just strange.

I have always been curious about how they thought of me.

But today, I saw how they nagged me.

Now I finally realize what they think of me.

[Rebel: Thief of the People]

He will definately show up to one of the people on this list.

What is this--

Don't ask about anything else. Just focus on catching him.

Hong Gil Dong...

He is my enemy now.

Without my permission, you dared to summon the soldiers to catch the thief?

Then would you sit back and watch the thief

when he dared to provoke our people?

Now that I think about it, you introduced me to Gil Dong before.

Sir, are you communicating with the thieves in secret, by any chance?

How can you say such a thing?

There is just no evidence of your secret communcation with them.

But I do have a feeling.

So, if you stop me...

you're creating the evidence I need.

We will track the thief and arrest him.

We will go through Godamhyun and Yeongeonjae and arrive in Suganggol.

Yes, sir!

Yeongeonjae, Godamhyun, Suganggol...

Where should I go first?

Where are we going now?

This is Godamhyun.

The town is known to have a lot of bats.

Someone in this town also has his name on the list of Suguidan.

Let's go! I'm sure we'll find something this time.

Lord Lee supposedly died from illness last year.

Really? Then we don't have much business here.

- Let's go. - Sure.

Hurry!

Walk fast!

We don't have time!

What is this about? Where are you going?

There is a jade mine in town.

We were told to carry 1,000 pieces of jade from the mine to Hanyang.

But if we don't plant the seeds now, what about our farming for the year?

What about our farming...

Unbelievable.

It drives me nuts to hear the whine and see the sight of crying.

Gil Dong! That, that... There he goes again!

Gil Dong!

My son!

What on earth happened?

We were told to submit gooseberries ripened through the frost

so we picked gooseberries without much sleep and offered our tribute.

But all of them rotted on the way to Hanyang!

How could that be my son's fault?

We were ordered to submit them again.

My son stood against them and said it couldn't be done.

So he was flogged!

What is the big deal about gooseberries ripened through frost?

Why did you have to kill my son over it?

Stop making a fuss here! Leave! Leave!

Bring back my son! Bring back my son!

My my...

It's not that the gooseberries weren't submitted. They rotted on the way.

How can you tell them to submit them again?

Why do you care? Step aside!

Come on, really...

Arrest him! Arrest all of them!

Gil Dong!

I knew this would happen.

You're tickling me.

Why are you moving so much?

What are you doing?

Where do you think you're touching?

I hate it when people touch me!

I can't believe I touched a pig with my bare hands.

- What did you say, a pig? - Not there.

- I said, not there. - What's wrong with him?

That smell! You shouldn't eat meat!

It smells like a rotten swamp.

Why did you have to provoke someone at the magistrate's office?

I agree with you. I'm sorry.

What are you going to do now?

By the way...

a tribute is a gratituous payment from people to their master, isn't it?

They should just say, "Thank you." Why did they get upset?

"Gratuitous payment"?

Gil Dong, what are you talking about?

Stop talking nonsense!

It doesn't make sense?

Then what about the old man who was crying over his dead daughter?

When it's revealed that the husband is cheating on the wife

he cannot be punished.

When it's found that the wife is cheating on the husband

the husband cannot be punished even if he kills his wife.

Does that make any sense?

Gil Dong, that's how the law is--

Those people of Suguidan always say

"The noble class should act as the noble class should."

"Women should act the way women should."

"Servants should act the way servants should."

I've wondered for a long time if that's really true.

I was naive.

You must've been in a difficult position over the watermelon from Ming.

No. Thanks to you, I learned how they think of me.

As a matter of fact, I've been curious since my childhood.

The officials have often told me

that I should act like the first royal son, the crown prince, then the king.

That's not all.

They also talked amongst themselves that the vassals should act like vassals

men should act like men, and women should act like women.

But... I've always been curious.

Is that... a given?

It's the same for everyone when it comes to eating, shitting, sleeping, talking.

Between the king and the vassals, the master and the servants

men, women, children of the proper blood, children of the concubine...

How are they different?

Is it because I am ignorant?

What do you think?

It's... Come on.

What I mean is...

the king, the people, the master, the servant, the man, and the woman...

If you look carefully, aren't they the same human beings?

Isn't that right?

Why do you keep talking nonsense?

Gil Dong must've eaten something wrong.

How does it make sense? How could the king be the same as us?

What's wrong with him?

How could this pig be the same as a noble man?

The noble men often mention the Three Principles and Five Virtues.

They say that men and women are different.

And the lowly class and the commoners are different.

But in fact, it's all bullshit for their convenience.

Then...

Men and women, masters and servants

sons of the proper blood and of the concubines...

They are all same.

There is no difference.

All of them can be tied into one.

How would you tie them into one?

All of them are...

only my servants.

The only one chosen by the heavens

the son of the heavens, is me.

But...

those servants forbid me from eating my watermelon.

Can they really do that?

As I saw more than enough blood in 1498

I really tried to teach them a lesson.

They forgot the meaning of that blood already.

I don't care. Let's get out of here first.

I can't stand to see the old women crying.

What's going on?

Please, calm down...

Hey, what's going on?

You don't want to go?

You have to untie us for us to leave!

Gil Dong, let's just leave.

No matter what the reason is

we'll be in big trouble for provoking the magistrate's office.

We can't fight the magistrate.

- A secret royal inspector is here! - A secret royal inspector is here!

Hey!

Are you torturing them?

I really had no idea.

I really didn't know that you were a royal inspector.

What do I do now?

Please...

Why did you force excessive tribute on people

and put them in a difficult situation?

How could I not know that it's excessive?

It is only because I am told to submit the tribute every other day--

You're told? How can you lie to me?

I'm telling the truth.

Gooseberries ripened through frost, deer tongues, live octopus...

All of them are to be used for His Majesty's feasts!

So I am told to bring all of them to Gyeonggi Province, close to the palace.

So I had no choice either.

The king's...

feasts?

For the food on His Majesty's feast table

you're causing a ruckus and killing people?

We will seize the tributes filled in the storage of the magistrate's office.

My goodness.

If we cannot submit the tribute...

I will die!

If you're asked...

tell them that Old Man Hong stopped by.

Then...

you're not a secret royal inspector...

If you accuse Old Man Hong, both you and your people will live.

Everyone will be safe.

[Hong]

What's in there?

Let's go! Please, this way.

I brought them.

Take it.

It's fine. Take it!

If you're asked later about who stole from here

you can say, "Old Man Hong stole from the storage."

Then there will be no problem!

Do you understand? Please, take it!

Take it! It's fine!

Thank you!

Thank you, sir!

Thank you! Thank you!

There was a problem at the magistrate's office of Godamhyun.

Move aside!

Move aside!

[Hong]

Old Man Hong! Old Man Hong was here!

You said that you saw the thieves running away?

Yes, I saw it.

Where did they go?

They went over the hill and towards Manlijae.

Yes, I also saw them going to Manlijae.

Let's go.

Did they really go this way?

Then why is there no trace of it?

If they stole that much goods

there should at least be a trace of cart wheels.

We were fooled.

The citizens lied to us.

Did you also see Old Man Hong?

Did they really steal from the magistrate's office and harm people?

Old Man Hong is not that kind of thief!

You wouldn't understand it even if I told you.

[Hanyang]

- Hello there! - Oh my! You're here!

Isn't this Dong Choon!

What happened to you?

I met a savior! Old Man Hong saved the people of my town!

To stand by your half-brother from a concubine...

you're a shame of our Confucius scholars.

Thanks to him, I got to farm at the right time!

That's great!

I've only been hearing about him. Did you really see him?

Of course! He didn't ask for money or any reward!

He just helped us! So I asked!

Let's go!

Excuse me.

Why are you helping us?

Well...

Because I want to.

- "Because I want to." - "Because I want to"?

Because I want to...

Did you hear about Old Man Hong?

I hear Old Man Hong can solve the problems that the king can't.

"Old Man Hong"?

Of course I've heard about him.

He goes after the masters who beat up their servants

and the parents who beat up their children.

And he really teaches them a lesson!

It must be the Elder. I'm sure it's the Elder.

Wherever I go, everyone talks about Hong, Hong, Old Man Hong these days.

You're right.

- I'd like to see him. - Me too! I'd like to see him, too.

- He's supposedly really handsome. - Really? How tall is he?

I hear he's tall.

Hong is supposedly an illegitimate son of a noble family.

No! I heard he's a royal blood of the Goryeo era.

So he's really Wang, not Hong.

No, I heard Hong's father is a really high-ranking official.

Hong's father is neither a royal blood from the Goryeo era

nor a minister of the country.

Therefore, our handsome Hong with bright eyes

neither a royal blood from the Goryeo era

nor an illegitimate child of a minister.

Therefore, before all of this story is told

the story of Ah Mo Gae, Hong's father, must be told.

- Sir. - You're back.

I was right. Hong appeared in the towns where people have disappeared.

In order to report this as soon as possible--

But... His Majesty has no interest in the thief.

Recently, he's absorbed in hosting feasts with the musicians of Jangakwon.

I really don't know what he has in mind.

We'd like to congratulate you, Lady Sukwon.

- Congratulations. - Congratulations.

In order to show the discipline of His Majesty

he often hosts feasts. You're all aware of it, aren't you?

Anyone who can make His Majesty happy...

can become like me.

I hear you also want to be musicians?

But I...

Yes.

You're pretty good.

You've improved a lot.

What will you do?

I'd like to sing today.

Sing?

Go ahead.

Even when the sun is coming up, we can't say the sun is coming up.

We're afraid Old Man Winter may get upset, so we smile quietly.

Keep the gate open.

Why are you crying?

I don't know.

Somehow, every time I sing this song...

tears keep coming up.

Why did you cry earlier?

Isn't it a common song that people sing on the street?

I don't know.

Every time I sing that song, I keep crying.

That's odd.

Anyway, we must become musicians to receive lots of jewelry from His Majesty.

To give to your mother?

Your mother must be happy that she had you.

To be honest...

my mother is not the one who gave birth to me.

But she is still my only mother.

We'll be late. Let's go!

Now...

I will give you wine as a special present today, so enjoy as much as you want!

Your grace is immeasurable!

Enjoy!

Now... look at them.

What do they look like?

Prime minister? Minister of Culture? Minister of Justice?

They are neither Prime Minister nor Minister of Culture.

All of them are just servants of Your Majesty.

You're right.

You've exceeded my expectations, Nok Su.

[Lee Se Jwa, Minister of Culture, Second Rank]

King Seongjong ordered him to watch and confirm

the detroned queen's death.

So Lee Se Jwa watched the dethroned queen for a day

after she took the poison until she died slowly in pain.

[Lee Se Jwa, Minister of Culture] That's enough.

By the way, Nok Su...

Even after they killed my mother

how can they smile so brightly in front of her son?

Minister of Culture!

Receive a glass of wine from me!

Yes, sire.

Your Majesty.

Since His Majesty is giving wine to the Minister of Culture

it looks like he will live a long life!

Congratulations!

- Here. - Yes, sire.

Drink up!

Your grace is immeasurable, sire!

Long live the king!

Thank you.

The tributes from all over the country were thrown away again at the feast.

You're aware that a thief called Hong appeared in all eight provinces, right?

But what's odd is... the citizens didn't hate that thief.

So... are you saying that we should not catch that thief?

That's not what I mean.

Since 1498...

all of the officials only repeat, "Of course, sire."

Recently, they only stopped His Majesty from bringing in watermelon from Ming.

So... do you regret finding the Tribute to King Huai of Chu in 1498?

Because of it, His Majesty has deep trust in you.

Teacher...

officials of deep learning and exceptional resourcefulness

only repeat, "Of course, sire."

Do you know what a horrible sight it is?

Teacher, His Majesty is also a human being.

He is a human who can make a mistake.

So he should listen to honest advice--

You have a very romantic idea of how you consider His Majesty.

Look. His Majesty is not a human being.

His Majesty is the military of Joseon, wealth of Joseon, and food of Joseon.

Gaining His Majesty means gaining the military, wealth, and food of Joseon.

So how can you view His Majesty in such a romantic way?

My goodness.

It seems that Gil Dong is stirring things up everywhere.

How could the heavens be so indifferent? How could someone like him--

Don't worry.

I'm sure he will be caught.

Sir Prince Choongwon...

I still have a card that I haven't played yet.

The evidence is gone...

but there is something I remember clearly.

Something you remember?

I heard His Majesty is not interested in catching the thief.

In case he has no intention of catching Gil Dong...

I have my own plan.

We just missed him by a whisker.

If you'd allow me more soldiers, I can definitely catch the thieves.

That can't be allowed!

Thieves have left Hansungbu and they're wandering the countryside now!

We cannot send more soldiers of Hansungbu!

Sir.

If this matter is not resolved, His Majesty will be furious later.

All right, I will give you more soldiers.

How dare you, Choon Hyang!

Will you spend a night with me?

I cannot do that!

How dare you!

I've said that you're pretty, and now you really think you're pretty!

Look! Punish her by flogging!

Yes, sir!

- A secret royal inspector is here! - A secret royal inspector is here!

How dare you!

Put your head down!

Can't a magistrate say, "Spend a night with me"?

Did I become a magistrate to go through this?

I feel shame.

Now...

How can you do that to Jang Hwa and Hong Ryun?

You're such a bad stepmom!

We only meant to discipline them, and put them in the well briefly--

Discipline them? Discipline them?

You don't need to do it. What are you doing?

Get them.

Please spare us!

Look carefully. Have you seen them?

Take a look.

If you see them, report them right away!

Repeat after me!

I will not scam young, kind, pretty ladies like Shim Chung ever again!

I will not scam them!

I will not give live offerings to Indangsu!

I will not give live offerings!

That's right.

Introduce yourself, Shim Chung. Here is Shim Chung.

Thank you!

You're welcome. You've gone through a lot.

Have you seen Old Man Hong's gang?

I saw them go across the river that way.

- Yes, I saw them go across the river! - Let's go!

- Have you seen Thief Hong? - I saw them go over the hill that way.

Let's go!

So, which direction did Hong's gang go?

That way!

They went that way, across the river!

Now now now...

so, exactly which direction did they go?

Really, all of you!

What? People who saw Hong say different things?

Yes. They say that he went east, so we follow that direction.

But in fact, he went west.

They say that Hong left in the morning, but when I look into it

he stayed in town and disappeared later.

Bring in everyone who lied and flog them!

Yes, sir.

Why are you laughing? Is it funny to you?

I will go separately.

What?

People have decided to hide Hong Gil Dong.

Do you think you can catch him by chasing his tail?

Have you seen a man like this?

Pass!

Have you seen a man like this?

No? Pass!

Hold on.

Have you seen someone like him?

You're so tall!

Have you seen him? No?

Pass.

Let's go.

Have you seen him? No?

I don't know him. I'm about to pee.

- Pass! - Hurry up and leave!

- Honey... - All right...

Pass! All right, pass!

Wait!

You're so ugly.

Pass! Hurry up and leave!

You are really ugly!

We can't just laugh about it.

We raid the magistrate's office so often that there are more soliders now.

We have to be careful from now on. Do you understand?

I understand!

But still, we were able to connect Young Master Lee and Choon Hyang.

That's not all!

We took revenge for that poor Jang Hwa and Hong Ryun!

We also saved Shim Chung before she was pushed into the sea of Indangsu!

Anyway, Pat Jui should become a good person now.

Isn't this fun?

This is it, though.

Yes. We'll never do it again.

You should make a pledge.

Of course.

"Of course"!

The thieves who call themselves Old Man Hong

the ones who entered Hanyang?

Yes, sire.

Since Secretary Jo is chasing the thieves now, soon--

However, sire...

Secretary Jo took all of the soldiers from Hansungbu

so I am worried about the safety of Hansungbu.

Hansungbu is responsible for the safety of Your Majesty.

How could we use the soldiers of Hansungbu for catching thieves?

That's right.

It doesn't make sense.

Did you say that Official Park has been chasing the thieves recently?

Yes, sire. I told him to report back, so he will be here soon.

Your Majesty, Official Park is here!

You may take your leave.

Sire, did you look for me?

Whenever there is a drought

thieves always come out, so this is nothing new.

But we should make an effort to catch them.

They're also chasing him from Hansungbu.

I will appoint you as the military officer in charge of catching thieves.

So catch Thief Hong and bring him to me!

I receive your order, sire!

Gil Hyun...

Gil Hyun... It's you, isn't it?

You've got the wrong person!

Barbarians!

They're barbarian intruders!

Barbarian intruders are here!

The barbarian intruders are here.

Call for backup!

Notify the communcations office and ask for horses--

The office is competely empty. There are no horses.

What do you mean, "There are no horses"?

We were told to submit horses as our tribute

so we even submitted horses at the communications office!

I will go hunting with female musicians of Jangakwon next time.

Prepare more horses that run well.

Yes, sire.

Then will I also be riding a horse?

Yes. I will teach you.

Then send someone who can run fast and ask for backup!

I will go.

I can run fast.

Hey, what's wrong with you?

- Hey... - What's wrong?

- Are you all right? - I have to go ask for backup.

Backup?

Barbarian intruders... in my town...

Barbarian intruders?

If the soldiers don't come, everyone in my town will die.

So...

Hey kid!

Let's go!

Let's go, let's go.

Let go of her!

Mom! Mom!

No!

Mom!

You barbarian bastards!

Who the heck are they? Who are you?

You are all dead now.

Get them!

Catch them!

Are you all right?

What are you doing?

Let's go.

- We made it out alive! - We made it out alive!

- We're alive! - We're alive!

You're talking about that Thief Hong again?

Your Majesty...

did you hear the rumor

that Thief Hong's gang defeated barbarian intruders in the border area?

How does that make any sense?

Thieves steal. How could they stop the barbarian intruders?

It doesn't matter if it's true or not.

People believe that Old Man Hong saved them.

That's the problem.

People say that they have Old Man Hong instead of the king.

People love Old Man Hong.

Old Man Hong is not stealing money.

He is stealing your people.

He is stealing the heart of your people, sire.

We're in big trouble.

Now we can't stop playing Old Man Hong.

You're right.

We're in big trouble.

Thank you!

Thank you!

You saved us! Thank you!

[Rebel: Thief of the People]

People are praising the thief.

Didn't I already tell you?

Thief Hong is not interested in money.

You're going to fool me again? Did you think I'd be fooled twice?

Gil Dong is waiting for you.

Are you trying to teach me now?

His Majesty appointed me as the new leader of catching the thief.

You're relieved of the duty as of today.

I'm going to catch you today and offer you to His Majesty!

All of you are dead now.