Original subtitles

Episode 6

Excuse me...

Can I ask you a question?

Is this the house of Sir Lee Jungchan?

It used to be, but now it is Sir Yang Yesu,

the royal doctor of the court, who lives here.

Then where did his family go?

Sir Lee Jungchan had a daughter named Dahee.

I heard that when her nobility was restored,

she cleared up everything and left Seoul.

Do you know where she went?

No.

- Next. - Yes.

Call in the next examinee.

I am Doji Yoo, from Sanum village.

Have a seat.

Yes, sir.

*Tangak: Brewed Korean Medicine **Chimgoo: The study of acupuncture

He excelled in Tangak* and Chimgoo**.

Impressive.

How long has your family been practicing medicine?

For 4 generations, sir.

Do you mean your father is a doctor, too?

Yes. He is well-known in Kyungsan Province.

How dare you talk about fame to me!

I'm sorry.

That's alright.

So, what is your famous father's name?

His name is Weetae.

Weetae Yoo?

Is Weetae Yoo from Sanum your father?

Yes, sir.

That's it. You may go.

Yes, sir.

Call in the next examinee.

I'll go inside. You test the rest.

How many passed the final exam?

9, sir.

I was about to announce them.

Let me see.

It's 8 people, not 9.

What do you mean?

Isn't it obvious?

Are you interfering with a public exam for personal reasons?

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

An exam isn't the only thing that makes a royal physician.

He has to take responsibility for the king's life.

We have to consider his personality.

You be careful not to ruin a public affair,

by letting rumors spread.

Did Sir Yesu Yang give orders to do this?

He knows nothing about it.

But we should respect his feelings.

So, watch your mouths!

- Master. - Oh yes.

Let's go to the showgirl house.

How did the exam go?

Do you know who Yesu Yang is?

He's been the true influence of the royal physicians,

since the time of the previous king.

He said my answers were outstanding.

There's no more to say.

I think I can celebrate now.

Congratulations!

Let's go for a drink tonight!

Yes, sir.

Put it up here. Up here.

Let's go now.

This can't be. This must be a mistake.

Hey! Hey!

- I... - Where are you going?

I must see the examiner. There must've been a mistake.

Let me see the examiner.

Making a fuss won't make you pass an exam that you've failed.

Try again on the next exam!

The examiner could have lost my paper.

I need to find out for myself. Let me meet him!

It's no use making a fuss about

an exam you failed because you're unqualified!

If you don't go back, I'll send you to prison!

Look.

- Master! - Let go!

- Master! - Let go!

Even Sir Yesu Yang complimented my answers.

There must have been a mistake!

What's all the noise about?

Nothing, sir. A man who failed the exam

was insisting something went wrong.

So, I was about to teach him a lesson.

You're Doji Yoo?

Yes, sir.

Sir, why did I fail in the exam?

I must know the reason.

Follow me.

Sir, where are you going?

Don't we have to go to the court to see the test papers?

Follow me.

Bring us some wine here.

Yes, sir.

Have a seat.

Now drink.

Sir.

About 10 years ago,

something similar happened.

What?

Your father, Weetae Yoo, came to the court

and demanded to know why he'd failed.

What?

I... l've never heard

my father had taken the state exam.

He did.

And wrote answers that were

outstanding enough to go down in history.

Then why did he fail?

Back then, rumor had it that

the royal physician, Yesu Yang

excluded anyone who could

rival him in acupuncture.

Was that true?

Only he knows.

Anyway, your father heard that rumor, too,

and he came to Sir Yesu Yang.

You are the only one

capable of curing the baby prince's eczema

so perfectly, sir.

Sir, I was anxious when you held a knife

toward the prince's affected part.

You'd have probably lost your head,

if you had failed to cure the prince after incising his body.

But who knew that

you would make such a decision?

Hwata must have come back to life!

Now that you've saved the prince,

the king will favor you more!

Let go!

How dare you make a fuss here! Go back now!

I need to meet Sir Yesu Yang.

I have something to ask him.

I said, no.

I have to know why I failed the exam,

Who is making all this noise?

Let go of me!

- I said, no. - Do you want to die?

Where do you think you are!

What are you doing? Call the police!

- Yes, sir! - Let go of me!

I've come to see Sir Yesu Yang.

I'm not moving until I see him.

You bastard!

Send him in.

Sir, he's crazy. You must drag him out.

Send him in.

I'm Yesu Yang. What's your name?

I'm Weetae Yoo.

Why are you making such a fuss?

Don't you know?

I don't understand why I failed the exam.

Let me see my test papers.

If you show me my answers and those

of the ones that passed, I'll accept my failure.

You bastard!

How dare a country doctor like you

talk like that in front of the royal physician!

If the grading was fair,

there is no reason not to show me my papers.

You should know my skills from my answers.

Don't you know it's against the law

to show the test papers?

There are many people who are

as skilled as you. How dare you act superior!

If you're not going to let me see the answers,

I have my own ways.

Alright, then.

Since you're said to be the great master of acupuncture,

I challenge you to the duel of nine needles

to prove my skill.

What do you know about the duel of nine needles?

The duel of nine needles? What's that?

It was started by Hwata, the legendary doctor of China.

It's a very dangerous, life risking game

for doctors.

You put 9 needles deeply into

a live chicken,

and the chicken must not feel pain or die.

Is it really possible to apply acupuncture

to a live chicken?

Only if you can see through

the chicken's viscera and muscles.

An ordinary doctor can apply 5 needles,

a skilled doctor 6, and an excellent doctor 7.

Hwata let only students who achieved this level

care for patients.

A great doctor can apply 8,

and if you can apply all 9, you are called

a mighty doctor, who can cure every disease with a needle.

Was that game really played?

Choose a chicken.

What will you sacrifice if you lose?

I'll pull out one of my eyeballs.

What can I do

with your eyeball?

But since you challenged me, I won't refuse.

But

If I win, there's something I want, too,

Of course.

Give a deep bow to me and say

Weetae Yoo is the greatest doctor in Korea three times,

and treat me to some wine.

You bastard!

How dare you!

Stand down.

I agree.

- Turn up the lanterns. - Yes, sir!

Now start.

The first is the sharp needle.

All will be confirmed later.

The needle shouldn't stick out.

It's your turn.

The blunt needle.

The round needle.

Pretty good. From whom did you learn?

Next is the thin needle.

It's your turn.

From whom did you learn?

I don't want to gossip.

You've got two more left.

Should I finish first?

Why don't you just give up?

Go ahead. Why are you hesitating?

You don't feel sorry for the chicken, do you?

There are many people who can

apply the thin needle.

If you want to be the best, you must

be able to apply the long needle and big needle.

Where can you pierce

and make the chicken walk around

without feeling any pain?

Where?

Don't you know?

It's here.

Everybody step back.

You toss it too, sir.

What are you doing? Toss the chicken!

You're a butcher, not a doctor!

Sir, get up.

You don't have to deal with that lunatic!

Get up, sir.

Keep your promise!

What!

Step back.

A man must keep his word.

Don't you know that?

What! You rascal! I'll take care of you!

Step back.

I'll do it.

Sir, he's crazy. You don't have to.

I said, step back.

Sir.

Weetae Yoo is the greatest doctor in Korea.

Will that do?

Say it two more times.

- You bastard! - Two more times!

How dare you try to

mortify a nobleman!

Leave now!

What does social positions have to do with keeping promises?

Two more times.

Say it!

The greatest doctor in Korea is Weetae Yoo.

Once more!

And aren't you going to serve me wine?

Before that,

Sir Yesu Yang's social position might have ascended,

but that day's disgrace

was never to be forgotten.

Are you telling me I failed because of my father?

Because of his ill-advised bravado

that crushed the royal physician's heart?

Then is there no way for me to pass the state exam,

as long as Sir Yesu Yang is the royal physician?

When will you return?

Only Buddha knows.

I'll be back when the time is right.

I'd like to go with you

and look after the patients in the mountain temple.

I know your good intentions.

That's enough.

Well then, take care.

Excuse me.

How far is Sanum from here?

You have to go about 25 miles down that mountain.

Oh, thanks.

Let's go.

Excuse me.

Do you know a man named Hur Joon?

He came here about 4 months ago.

No.

Excuse me. Do you know...

Excuse me. Have you ever heard...

Ahh, this is usless. We might as well search for

a needle in a haystack.

I'm going to the government office.

The government office?

You think he's in prison?

He had a letter for the magistrate of Sanum with him.

He must have gone to the government office.

Oh.

So?

He didn't come here, either?

A man named Hyungbang says he's been here...

But it was after the man he was looking for

had retired and left this village.

You mean there's no way to find out where he lives?

The new magistrate is so strict,

he's driving out every vagabond coming here.

So there's no way to find out if he's here.

Ma'am! Ma'am!

We must get some rest now.

I'll do everything I can to find him,

so don't worry.

Hey.

Let me see your identity tag.

I'm not an official. You need not be afraid.

Let me have a word with you.

My name is llsuh Koo.

I'm Yangtae Chun.

I'll speak forthrightly.

You don't have an identity tag, do you?

If you do, it's bound to be one of low status.

Nowadays, there are many people like you

trying to change their lives; coming here on the pretext of a bad harvest...

What are you talking about?

I told you I'm not an official. You don't need to be afraid.

I'm trying to help you.

I know all the officials of Sanum.

I serve all of them.

Getting a new identity tag

could be quite easy, you know?

What is an identity tag for?

Isn't it for noblemen to exploit humble people like us?

'Birds of a feather flock together.'

We should help each other out, don't you agree?

Bring me some money,

so I can serve the officials and flirt with retired showgirls.

I'm telling you that getting a new identity tag

can be easy.

Wha... what are you doing?

Who are you trying to fool?

I'm not fooling you. Let go of me.

Ouch!

Seems your job is to rip off poor vagabonds.

But, today you've chosen the wrong person.

I'm here looking for someone and I'm not interested in identity tags!

So get lost!

Then you should've said so in the first place!

Finding someone is a whole lot easier

than making an identity tag.

Really?

I know every nook and cranny

of Sanum.

If you're looking for someone, you must come to me.

Who is it you're looking for?

Can you really find him?

Do you think I'm lying?

Let's drop the subject then.

Wait! Wait a minute!

His name is Hur Joon.

What did you say?

Hur Joon, from Yongchun. Do you know him?

Well, never seen someone with the family name Hur.

Can you find him?

If he's here, it's just a matter of time.

Here...

Take this. If you find him, I'll give you more.

Alright then. I'll look for him.

What? Who's looking for Joon?

He looked like

a brutal criminal.

He told me he'd give me as much money as I want.

So I made up a story.

Did he seem to be an official?

Well, he looked like a bandit...

Maybe a policeman ...

Anyway, why did Joon

leave Yongchun?

Th... that is...

He didn't do anything wrong to me.

Who cares if he's a fugitive criminal?

You don't need to tell me if you don't want to.

He's not a fugitive criminal, so be quiet.

I won't fail in my duty and turn him in for a little money.

Don't worry.

Let me have a word with you.

Why?

I've got something to say!

Are you crazy?

Crazy? How can you say that to me?

Then why did you say,

'Who cares if he's a fugitive criminal'?

Well, Joon...

doesn't look like a criminal.

Do fugitive criminals have it written over their faces?

Stop nagging.

We don't have any children.

What if you get caught and hard hit?

I won't make you a widow. Don't worry.

Are you Joon's servant or something?

Why do you keep protecting him, for no reason?

I said, stop.

How much did he offer?

If he offers a lot...

Are you crazy for money?

Why are you yelling at me?

You're a moneygrubber!

Just go and prepare supper!

Dahee, get some more rest.

Is he here yet?

He said he'd be back in the morning.

I'll greet him, so stay here.

What happened? Did you find him?

- You've wasted your time. - What?

Joon has already left Sanum, about 3 months ago.

Where did he go?

I don't know.

Are you sure?

Why would I

lie to you?

I've searched everywhere

to find him.

Thank you, anyway.

This isn't much, but buy yourself a drink.

Sorry, I couldn't find him.

Well then, goodbye.

Did you hear?

Dahee...

Dahee! Dahee! Wake up!

Dahee!

Anybody here?

Doctor!

What is it?

She suddenly fainted.

- Follow me. - Yes, sir.

Dahee...

What happened? Why isn't she waking up?

Don't make a fuss and wait outside!

Yes, sir.

What shall we do?

There's an urgent patient, and Dr. Yoo isn't here.

Can you feel her pulse?

It beats slowly and stops

and then beats again.

*Tight pulse: A slow and unsteady pulse

Then it must be a tight pulse*.

Judging by her pulse and her dark lips,

*lung fatigue: Pulmonary tuberculosis

seems she has lung fatigue*.

Lung fatigue?

What?

When one faints because of severe lung fatigue,

you must control the energy in the lungs.

Look.

If the Yin is too strong, the pulse gets tight.

We must strengthen her Yang.

Give her some ginseng and boil down Doksamtang*.

*Doksamtang: A medicine brewed with only ginseng.

Pour another.

Stop drinking

and pay some attention to me.

Shut up and pour another drink!

You may go.

Where do you think you're going?

Oh, Joon! Come and have a drink.

Master, you're drunk.

Let's go.

Drunk?

I'm far from drunk.

I can see my father's face in this bowl.

I'm still conscious.

I'm far from drunk.

Hey! Bring me more wine!

Master, we must go back to Sanum.

Shut up! Who are you giving orders to?

I'll make decisions for myself.

Master.

I won't go. If you want to,

then go alone.

You mustn�t give up. Now let's go.

What do you know?

Do you know how I feel?

My life is over.

Are you going to live the rest of your life in sorrow?

The state exam isn't the only way to become a doctor.

What?

Get up, sir.

If you give up now,

you'll never be able to see your bright future.

You'll regret the giving up

more than failing the exam.

How dare you say that!

I'll pack our things.

Let's go, sir.

The doctor has returned.

Welcome back, sir.

We haven't heard from the young master, sir.

He should be here by now.

We're afraid something might have happened.

Is everything in the infirmary alright?

There was an urgent patient, but she seems okay now.

- Let me see her. - Yes, sir.

That cold-hearted man.

How can he not care about his own son

when his job is to save people's lives?

Did you examine her pulse?

It beated slowly, then stopped, and started beating again.

It was a tight pulse.

This means the Yin is strong and the Yang is weak,

so I gave her Doksamtang to strengthen the Yang.

And?

She showed fatigue from a long journey.

Fatigue: Weariness and exhaustion of the body

She was gasping for breath and her lips were dark.

So her lungs must have been damaged.

Examine her pulse again.

What do you feel?

It beats quickly and stops once in a while.

What does it mean?

Fast pulse: A pulse beating quickly

It's a fast pulse.

A patient's condition changes day and night.

You have saved an emergency patient,

but that's just part of your duty.

Even after a patient has passed the crisis,

you must pay attention to their changes.

Yes, sir.

You must strengthen the Yin with food rather than medicine.

She needs both the Yin and Yang strengthened.

Boil down ginseng, milk vetch, baekchool, white Tuckahoe,

cooked foxglove, white peony, chungoong, danggui,

cinnamon, licorice to make Sipjundaebotang.

- Yes. - Yes, sir.

Oh my.

Why is he still here?

Ma'am.

Try some sesame porridge.

No, thanks.

Ma'am.

I said I won't eat!

Ma'am! Ma'am!

Ma'am!

Stop the fuss! The mistress is ill.

Ma'am, the young master is back.

What? Really?

Yes.

Where? Where is he?

Where is he?

Where is he?

Doji.

What happened?

Look at your face! Oh my...

What happened?

I'm ashamed of myself.

Does this mean you failed?

- How could this be! - Ma'am! Ma'am!

- How could this happen! - Ma'am.

No, no, no! No!

Ma'am.

Take her to her room.

Yes, Ma'am, let's go.

Ma'am.

What shall I do?

Where's father?

He's in his room.

I'm back.

Welcome.

Aren't you asking me how it went?

Is it because you already knew I'd fail?

You already knew that,

no matter how hard I tried,

I would never be a royal physician!

Go and take a rest.

I met Yang Yesu.

I heard of the acupuncture match between you.

Because of that...

I heard I could never become a royal physician

unless I changed my family name!

Say something!

Say something!

Do people still remember that?

Do you know that it ruined my life?

No matter how hard I struggle,

my life will never change.

Now I know why

you kept me from taking the exam.

I was carried away by ill- advised bravado.

It's a memory I want to erase.

The reason I held you back from taking the state exam

wasn't because I was worried you'd fail.

I didn't want you to make the same mistake I made.

I didn't want you to chase after fame

rather than becoming a true doctor.

I wanted you to know

what being a doctor

and caring for patients meant, first.

Does wanting to be a royal physician mean chasing after fame?

You already have that fame.

Didn't you know?

Everyone praises you for

beating the best royal physician ever.

But look at me!

The praise going to you

ruined my dreams.

He told me to live as a country doctor all my life.