Original subtitles

THIS FILM IS INSPIRED BY ACTUAL HISTORICAL EVENTS AND FIGURES

Suyang, the eternally cursed traitor, now sits on the throne!

IN 1452, YI HONG-WI ASCENDS THE THRONE AT THE AGE OF 12

A YEAR LATER, HIS UNCLE, GRAND PRINCE SUYANG,

OVERTHROWS HIM AND BECOMES KING

For dishonoring His Majesty and corrupting the dynasty and the state,

you shall face heaven's wrath.

Han Myeong-hoe, you traitor!

You and the other traitors who have stolen the throne,

shall be punished by heaven!

Your Majesty.

Please eat, sire.

Beat him harder!

Take...

all this away.

Your Majesty.

Please eat, sire.

Take it away.

But you must eat, sire.

Take it away at once!

Your Majesty.

Chief Royal Secretary Han Myeong-hoe is here.

Your Majesty, it is Han Myeong-hoe.

You may...

enter.

I have heard it has been two days.

Why are you refusing to eat, Your Majesty?

Have you...

now come for me?

What do you mean, sire?

Is it my turn...

to scream in pain like them?

Those out there are criminals who plotted treason behind your back.

It is only right that they should be screaming in pain.

Since Your Majesty has done no wrong,

why would you scream in pain, sire?

You did not know about the treason they planned.

And even if you did,

you would not have condoned it.

Is that not so, sire?

Or...

am I wrong, sire?

What's...

to become of me?

Now!

Damn it!

It's running away!

Come on!

- Right in my ear? Seriously! - The deer is gone!

- Chase it! - Might as well throw it by hand!

- Where did it go? - Why do you two always end up fighting?

- Scatter out! - Run!

I told him to be quiet. He never listens.

I get no respect as the village chief.

Chief! Where are you?

Chief!

- Are you eating something by yourself? - Oh, come on. What's wrong with him?

I can't believe this!

It's the king...

Help!

Will you look at him?

What are you doing down there?

Taking a nap?

What the hell?

While we were scrambling to catch the deer,

he was taking a damn nap!

Why, I ought to...

It's fine.

He's always been like this. Let's go.

The tiger...

- Taking a nap. Are you kidding me? - Get some rest, Father.

Help...

Help me...

Sir?

Sir!

Where am I?

Is that for real?

White rice?

I must be dead.

And this must be paradise.

It's a real pig.

So you're finally awake.

You were down the valley. I'm glad you're okay.

Thank you, sir.

I do not recognize your face.

Where are you from?

I am from Gwangchungol.

Gwangchungol?

- Where am I, if I may ask? - This is Norugol.

Norugol?

How did you come this far?

I was out deer hunting.

- I was just about to-- - You hunt deer?

- Yes. - Why would you do that?

To eat it, of course.

You eat deer?

Yes.

You actually hunt and eat deer? That smelly thing?

We don't eat that stuff anymore.

Well, we can't get enough of it.

By the way, are you celebrating something? Why the huge feast?

It's actually my son's birthday.

You are hosting a feast for your son's birthday?

It's nothing fancy.

Who is this darn kid to hold a big feast like this?

It's a special day. Join us for a drink.

- Have some meat too. - Really?

I mean, if you insist.

- It's not deer meat, though. - Thank you.

Oh, eating with your hands?

Please excuse me. I'm starving.

People in other villages are starving to death with nothing to eat.

How do you have so much to eat here?

You seem like a simple fellow, so I'll let you in on a secret.

One day, an elderly man with a long beard came to our village.

He was the Minister of Justice.

Welcome, sir.

He was a powerful man in the capital,

but something must have happened

and he was exiled here.

He forced us to empty a house for him.

Bring me three meals a day and someone to serve me!

And though we were starving, we had to serve him meals every day.

Catch that and serve it to me this instant!

The old man thought he was still so high and mighty

that he treated the villagers like his slaves.

But then one day,

- Serve me meat for every meal! - something came.

- What came? - Donkeys.

Donkeys?

Yes.

Donkeys?

Donkeys carrying big loads of stuff kept coming to Norugol.

Deer antlers from Dongnae.

Meat, rice, dried persimmons, even silk sheets.

The nobles in the capital are smart.

They knew that the Minister of Justice would soon be reinstated in court.

But the old man was so bored that he started teaching the kids.

The village kids who could not read learned the Thousand-Character Classic

and the teachings of Mencius and Confucius.

Just as the noblemen at the capital thought,

the elderly man soon returned to his post.

He had taken some smart kids along with him,

and one of them became the top scholar in the state examination!

The village basically struck a goldmine!

Hooray!

- A goldmine? - A goldmine?

Yes!

And that goldmine can land right here in Gwangchungol too.

How?

Recently, there was major chaos in the capital.

The king was overthrown and a new king came into power.

Then many officials will be exiled, right?

And someone high ranked is coming here to Yeongwol in exile.

Keep it a secret.

Who is it?

It must be a high-ranked official with big, broad shoulders,

a big hat, and a long beard.

But he'll probably go to Norugol like everyone else.

No!

No matter what,

we must make him come to our village.

If we serve him well,

the nobles will soon send in their stuff like croakers in rows.

Croakers!

- Yummy. - Right.

No way!

You think exiled nobles will repent and turn over a new leaf or something?

Give me a break.

All they'll do is get drunk and harass women.

And if they get mad, they'll report us to the town office.

She's right!

They'll force us to prepare a house and serve them day and night!

We'd also have to watch them so they don't run away!

And if something bad happens to them,

our whole village will be burned to ashes!

Then forget it!

But...

Why do you have to be so negative?

What do you eat on Mak-dong's birthdays?

Since there's nothing to eat,

you just feed her water and send her to bed, don't you?

Hey.

But at Norugol, for a kid's birthday,

everyone gathered to eat meat and rice.

They were stuffed full!

They had chicken, pork and everything!

Just for a kid's birthday!

I had a mound of white rice, okay?

And the steam was practically dancing on it.

The rice was pearly white, with a beautiful shine.

I thought I was in paradise.

Think about it.

When was the last time you had rice?

Do you even remember?

I think I had it once on my wedding day.

I won't lie to you.

It'll be a bit hard at first having to serve a nobleman.

But soon after,

donkeys with meat and rice will be lining up at our doors.

And we'll be able to eat rice and meat every day!

We'll be stuffed full every damn day!

Me too!

I want to try...

white rice too.

Just once.

Me too.

Just once?

You poor thing.

Mak-dong.

I'll make sure you get white rice, okay?

Hey, Gwangchungol!

What brings you here?

It's just that... I heard that over there...

- What? - I just heard...

Anyway, what brings you here?

I came to take on another exiled noble.

Another one? Really?

- Is he with you? - Who?

That bastard!

Thief! Get him!

Lord Magistrate!

- Sir! - Sir!

I have something to say, sir!

Let me talk first, sir!

Okay! Just keep it down.

Yes, sir. I'll keep it down. So please listen to me.

I entered two steps ahead of him, sir. Please listen to me first.

Okay, okay!

You go first.

But!

- Keep it down. - Yes, sir.

Have you ever heard of Cheongnyeongpo deep within Gwangchungol, sir?

Never. What are they?

See, sir?

It is so remote that you've never even heard of it!

In a valley deep in the mountains of Yeongwol,

there's a village called Gwangcheongol.

And deep within Gwangcheongol lies Cheongnyeongpo, sir.

- So? - So I'm saying

that Cheongnyeongpo is the best place of exile--

- Move, you bastard! - Hey!

- He is talking nonsense. - Sir!

The place of exile in Yeongwol has always been Norugol, sir!

The exiled folks have all been satisfied.

Some have even said they did not want to leave.

So why change it?

It makes no sense, sir!

Please reconsider, sir!

Fine.

I shall choose...

Norugol as always.

- Thank you, sir! - No!

Quiet.

But, sir!

Please let me explain, sir!

I heard enough! Just go!

Guards! Drag him out of here!

Let me tell you more about Cheongnyeongpo, sir!

What is all the racket?

We were chasing out a madman causing a scene, sir.

No, sir! I am not crazy, sir!

I am Eom Heung-do, a former clerk and current village chief.

Guards! Drag him out of here!

Stop.

- Eom Heung-do. - Yes, sir!

Well, why do you want your village to be chosen?

A place so remote that even animals get lost and lose their minds.

An island within land, Cheongnyeongpo!

During summer, it gets unbelievably hot and humid

with black mountain mosquitoes that torment you to no end.

While, during winter, cold air rises from the river

and seeps down from the frigid cliffs.

It is an absolutely terrible place to live, sir.

But I believe there is no better place for someone to repent of their sins.

I have been living there for years.

From the moment I wake up...

CHEONGNYEONGPO

This shall be the place of exile.

Thank you, sir!

Are you sure you can manage? No matter who arrives?

Yes, sir! Of course, sir!

We can manage no matter who comes, sir.

I shall return to you

with a sword in one hand and a reward in the other.

Which one you get

shall depend on you.

Of course, sir.

I will do everything perfectly as if my life were on the line, sir!

Thank you so much!

The sinner Lord Nosan

shall obey His Majesty's decree.

It has been proven that the King Emeritus knew of the treason...

Even though rebels such as Seong Sam-mun and Park Paeng-nyon

have been quartered for high treason,

and Grand Prince Geumseong has been banished for his treachery,

there still exist movements of treason, both large and small.

As it has been recently proven that the King Emeritus

knew of his father-in-law, Song Hyun-soo's treason,

the King Emeritus shall be demoted to Lord Nosan

and be banished to bring back order in the nation.

Will you sit there all day?

They cannot work up there! Hurry up and give them the roof tiles!

- Shut up! - Why, you little...

A great nobleman is coming from the capital!

Everything must be perfect!

Stop the yapping and pass me that water bowl!

What? This?

- Yes. - Jeez.

You heard her! Bring it to her!

- How could you not even lift a finger? - Okay.

Hurry up!

- How frustrating! - Here you go.

There is no time to drink water!

There's less than a month left until the nobleman comes.

Every hand needs to work! There is no time to drink water!

- Grandpa. - Yes?

What was this place before?

This place used to be

a shaman's house.

- A shaman? - Scary, right?

That's why you should never set foot here, okay?

- Okay. - Oh great. Keep talking.

All talk. No progress.

No, hey! Be careful!

I told you to be careful.

- Oh, no. - Hey you!

Those roof tiles are expensive!

- And... - Get down.

- You should never grow up to be like him. - Come down.

- Okay. - Come down!

The house is almost ready. We just need the man to come.

Why, sir! Welcome, sir! This way, please.

This way, sir. Right this way, sir.

What is that sound?

Oh, you came with donkeys? How nice!

Come this way, please.

Donkeys! You stay there. You can unload and wait.

Sir! This way, please.

Jeez!

You scared me.

Why, you...

Can you please study? Stop fiddling with the damn bow.

Tae-san. Don't you forget.

You had mastered the basics by five, the advanced texts by eight,

and history at ten.

Why waste your smart brain on that?

It is not too late.

Start preparing for the state examination.

Father.

Do you even know what a state examination is?

Well...

You think I'm not studying for it because I don't want to?

There is nothing but mountains out there.

How in the world would I find any books or teachers to learn from?

You'll have a teacher.

A nobleman will be coming from the capital.

A high-ranked official at that!

You can learn from him and take the state examination.

Who knows?

Maybe he'll like you and take you to the capital with him.

You think a nobleman will help us?

Have you ever seen a noble do that?

So, what...

It looks pretty good with all the work done.

Well done, everyone.

All right, then.

Who do you think will come?

- Not sure. - The chief worked so hard on this.

- I'm sure someone nice will come. - Right.

Still, I have a bad feeling.

- Jeez. - This will all be for nothing!

Stop being so negative.

Listen carefully, folks.

The village depends on this.

So don't act rash!

Even if the noble acts up, keep your smiles up and your bows low.

- Horses. - Sure.

- Look! Someone's coming! - He's here.

- Chief, hurry! - It must be them.

The goldmine is here.

Smile.

Hello, sirs.

Is the raft the only means to cross the river?

Yes, sir.

Only the palanquin, the woman, and I shall go on the raft.

The rest shall swim across.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Seriously?

Go on, then.

- Steer the raft. - Yes, sir.

- Get the palanquin on it. - Yes, sir.

- Easy, easy. - Be careful.

One, two...

- No beard? - Chief!

We're all ready!

Good!

Pull!

Let's pull.

- Heave! - Ho!

- Heave! - Ho!

Hey! The raft is drifting down!

- Heave! - Pull harder!

- Heave! - Ho!

Why is it not moving?

- What's happening? - What's wrong?

It's stuck.

Hey! It's stuck!

Pull harder!

- Hurry! Join them and pull! - What the hell is down there?

- Pull! - There you go!

Harder!

Pull harder!

Pull!

Pull harder!

- Oh my goodness! - They fell!

Sir!

Your Majesty!

Sir!

Hurry! What are you doing?

Are you unharmed?

- Sir! - Sir!

Wait! Hold on!

Come on! Hurry up!

All right, Tae-san.

- Put it here. - Here?

By the way,

instead of a long-bearded official, a grubby, little kid came.

What's going on?

What could he have possibly done to get exiled?

The poor kid...

Chief.

Do you know the young noble's name?

I heard it is Nosan.

Nosan?

He would not last a month.

What do you mean?

Do you mean Nosan will commit suicide?

The young lad...

Without his father, servants,

or a palace there,

it will be hard for him to last.

You are right, Lord Han.

But do not forget.

Nosan's uncle and the king's brother,

Grand Prince Geumseong,

is very close to Nosan.

SUNHEUNG GRAND PRINCE GEUMSEONG'S PLACE OF EXILE

Your Highness.

We pledge to follow you!

I shall follow you with my life!

- We shall follow you with our lives! - We shall follow you with our lives!

Everyone...

you have my thanks.

Are you awake, sir?

Your meal is ready.

This the warden, Eom Heung-do, sir.

What a terrible thing to happen on your first day here, sir.

The damn raft got caught on a big rock.

If I hadn't held on with the pole,

you could have drifted down the river, sir.

You must have your meal to regain your energy.

The village people prepared it with great care.

- So before the food gets cold, please-- - Take it away.

Sir?

Take it and leave.

Leave?

He must not be in the mood for it.

Please leave.

But I'm the warden here.

My job is to see him day and night, then report to the office.

- I must meet him to-- - He told you to leave!

You fool!

I shall not repeat myself again!

Take the table and leave!

Come on. Hurry.

Some temper...

"I shall not repeat myself again! Take it and leave!"

"You fool"?

That damn kid thinks he can be this rude just because he's a nobleman.

I am way older.

Right.

No matter how bratty he is, just smile and bow.

Oh, hell.

Why would he not eat this yummy food?

Oh my...

Your cheeks are about to explode.

Please don't get me wrong.

I'm not eating this because I want to.

I just found a bug as big as my pinky.

Don't get me wrong.

- Lord Magistrate! - What?

Sir!

Why are the soldiers leaving?

You did not know?

No, sir.

It is the warden's job to guard the place of exile,

not the soldiers.

So don't forget to report every two weeks.

Even the minor details.

Yes, of course, sir.

Sure, sure.

Oh, have you heard?

The King Emeritus has come to Yeongwol in exile.

Yes, I have heard.

Did he not go to Cheongnyeongpo?

- Cheongnyeongpo? - Yes.

- I'm back. - Hey.

- How did it go? - How did what go?

Did he like the food?

Don't even get me started.

- He didn't even touch it. - What?

- He didn't eat it? - No.

But we made all this for him while we were starving to death.

Maybe he's not feeling well.

He must have lost his appetite.

How could anyone not have an appetite?

This precious food is...

- What the... - What?

He did touch it.

Half of it is gone.

Right.

When he wouldn't eat, the maid ate it up.

I caught her red-handed.

But she kept denying it

when her cheeks looked like they were about to explode.

Then Mak-dong can eat this, right?

Sure.

We don't waste leftovers.

Mak-dong!

He ate it. His teeth marks are all over it.

Just forget it.

Hey, Gwangchungol!

What brings you here?

Let's talk this through.

I know how you must feel, but fighting would not change...

- I did not come here to fight. - What?

This hen was fed only good grains.

- Take it. - What?

The deodeok roots too.

These are fresh roots.

Why give me all this?

You have taken a calamity from us.

This is the least I can do for you.

So...

I have taken what?

These are prized mushrooms from our village.

Why are you giving me all this?

I am very grateful.

That crazy jerk thanked me and gave me all this.

- Father. - What?

Do you know who was exiled here?

Yes, Nosan.

But do you know who Nosan is?

Nosan is Nosan. What do you mean?

He's real name is Yi Hong-wi.

Until recently,

he was the king.

Did you eat something bad?

- The king? - Yes, king.

- The king? - The king!

Are you sure you can manage?

No matter who arrives?

Your Majesty!

- The king? - The king?

That young kid was the king?

That's right.

Hold on. A king is a king.

Why would he be exiled?

Are former kings all exiled?

Listen, Nosan became the king after his late father.

But Grand Prince Suyang raised a coup and became king instead.

All the servants under Nosan were killed,

and he was dethroned and banished here.

Still,

the king is usually killed, not exiled.

And as many people sympathize with him,

he will soon receive the death penalty by poison.

- Poison? - Poison?

If you drink that, you die, no?

Then what happens to us?

If something happens to Nosan, then we--

If something happens to someone in exile...

Oh no...

We'll be doomed here.

All those who followed Nosan were tortured and ripped apart alive.

All of their assets were taken

and their wives and kids were all sold off as slaves.

My damn luck!

- What do we do? - I told you, didn't I?

- We're as good as dead now. - He's right.

This is all the village chief's fault!

We are not as good as dead.

Stop yapping if you don't know anything!

Listen!

I heard clearly from Lord Han Myeong-hoe

that he will reinstate Nosan to the capital soon!

Heung-do, is that the truth?

You know me, sir.

I come from an honorable family!

Even with a sward at my neck, I would never lie!

Of course not.

- It must be just a rumor! - You're right.

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

- Your Majesty... - Your Majesty...

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- It is I, Seong Sam-mun, sire. - Park Paeng-nyon...

- Ha Wi-ji... - Lee Kae...

- Yu Seong-won... - Yu Ung-bu...

Why have you forsaken us, sire?

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Do not be so forlorn.

I shall soon

follow your steps.

I didn't ask for much.

I just wanted to have some rice.

I just wanted my son to get an education for a chance to live well.

But out of all the nobles,

why did I have to bring someone like you?

You think I begged like hell for someone like you?

I had a big dream,

but a walking disaster like you...

A walking disaster...

Where did it go?

Oh, sir...

Please, I can explain.

I had no idea you were the king, sir.

What brings you here this late at night?

It's dangerous, sir.

It is a cliff!

What are you doing, sir?

Please step back.

No!

Why are you doing this, sir?

Let go.

Please.

Let go of my hand.

No, sir.

If you die, everyone in our village

will die.

I don't know anymore.

What?

Yes, sir.

What did you just say?

He tried to commit suicide, sir.

- Who? - Lord Nosan.

Last night, I was on top of the mountain looking over at his house,

when Lord Nosan came and was about to jump off the cliff.

- The cliff? - Yes, sir.

So what happened?

I rushed over and saved him just in time.

If it weren't for me, he could have died, sir.

Do not tell anyone about what happened that night.

- Understood? - Yes.

And you must a keep tight watch on Lord Nosan's every move.

Yes, sir. I will.

Here.

What's this?

Croakers!

Rich, white rice!

Where did you get these precious things?

The town office sent them for Lord Nosan.

- Tae-san. - What a lucky man he is.

Can you go and serve this to him?

Me?

Chief had to go to the town office and wanted you to do it.

Who are you?

I am Tae-san,

son of the village chief and warden, Eom Heung-do, sir.

Why are you still standing there?

I will wait until you finish eating, sir.

I heard you haven't been eating, sir.

I suppose to nobles who only eat delicious food,

the food we eat to survive

must seem laughable.

How dare you? Hold your tongue.

If I return with your meal untouched,

no one could blame those who have nothing to eat

for resenting you.

Yet instead, these people only worry

that the food did not suit your taste or that you may be unwell.

If that is the case,

you should eat it.

Did you call me, sir?

Deliver my words.

What words, sir?

That I ate well.

Yes, sir.

You have to dry it completely.

Try it again. Here.

I'm back.

What happened? Did he eat it?

He ate it all!

- Really? - Yes!

He ate everything?

Yes.

What a surprise.

He also said to tell everyone that it was delicious and that he enjoyed it.

I'm so thankful.

He's quite nice, isn't he?

Yes, quite nice.

Why, you little...

Hey, can I go next time?

I can't believe this.

What is this?

It is a letter from Grand Prince Geumseong, sir.

Why are you not opening it, sir?

Sir?

I fear...

both the content of this letter

and the fact that he sent it to me.

I am scared.

Why, that little...

Warden!

What brings you all the way out here?

Have you seen Lord Nosan?

No.

Is he not at the house?

No.

When I returned from the town office, he was gone.

I looked everywhere,

but I cannot find him.

Then...

Let go.

Let go of my hand.

Damn it...

I just saved him. Not again.

It is a letter from Grand Prince Geumseong, sir.

Do you want to die that much?

What are you talking about?

Everyone in the village is worried sick searching everywhere for you.

But all you can think about is you and dying.

How can you be so childish?

What did you say?

How dare you!

Yes, how dare I?

- Have you lost your mind? - Damn right, sir! I've lost my mind!

All I wanted was to bring food to my village

and give my son a chance at an education.

That's why I worked so hard to bring you here!

But all you think about is diving off a cliff!

So of course I would lose my damn mind!

Am I wrong?

How dare you touch him!

There he is.

Unhand him at once!

Be careful.

Oh my goodness.

Are you all right, sir?

Yes.

- What's wrong with him? - I don't know.

I feel dizzy.

It's the king.

Yes, we found the king.

Not that king, but that king.

What? What's wrong?

Sir...

Hold still everyone.

- Do something. - Shut your trap!

Oh my goodness. What do we do?

Tigers...

If they kill and eat one, they would not touch the others.

Sir! No!

I've lived long enough.

Everyone, live a long and healthy life.

Goodbye.

What are you talking about? Come back!

Tae-san! No!

You wretch!

It is I

you must face.

Oh, goodness me.

- Oh my! - Sir!

A tiger attacked Nosan?

Yes!

It was a close call, sir!

My hands are still shaking.

What do you mean by a close call? Did you save Nosan again?

No, sir.

This time, Lord Nosan saved me and the village people, sir.

What kind of nonsense is that? Don't lie!

It's not a lie, sir! It's true!

I swear it is nothing but the truth!

Lord Nosan...

He went like this...

He stretched?

No!

A bow!

He pulled an arrow back and...

- Roar! - Oh my!

Nosan roared?

No!

Why would he roar? It was the tiger, of course!

Then, Nosan said,

"It is I you must face. Come."

And I don't know. Maybe the tiger understood him.

Suddenly, it charged.

Roar!

Then, Nosan shot an arrow!

Swish!

Thwack!

It struck!

Right on the tiger's head!

Then the tiger fell off the cliff,

and Nosan was like...

Amazing.

After the scare yesterday, I cannot even lift a spoon.

I hope Lord Nosan is all right.

Right.

He hasn't eaten much since he came here

and fainted yesterday.

Right!

How can someone so frail be so brave?

He risked his own life to take on the tiger.

You can't do that without a deep compassion for your people.

He was a king, all right.

Excuse me.

Wait.

Is he awake?

How is he?

That's none of your concern. Just leave the table and go.

It's just...

I'd like to see if he's all right.

- Just leave it and go! - Wait.

Why are you so cold and stern with me?

Because of yesterday!

What about it?

Did you forget what you did?

What?

Oh my.

Though you are not educated,

you should know there are lines you should not cross.

How dare you yell at him and grab him like that?

- How dare you! - What?

When did I grab him?

I just caressed him lightly!

And how do you know whether I'm uneducated or not?

It is so obvious.

You're very wrong, but let's just say I was uneducated.

How could you say that to my face?

I'm done talking, just...

Sir.

Are you all right?

I am

hungry.

Are you going to stand there until I finish?

I shall go, sir.

But if it wasn't for you,

my son and the village people could have all been killed.

How can I ever repay you?

I worried about you all night, sir.

So I hoped to see you eat before I go.

If you'd like, I could wait outside, sir.

You sound so different from yesterday.

You are the first person in my life to yell at me in anger.

Sir...

Please, sir.

Not only that,

you even laid your hands on me.

When did I...

Oh shit.

What?

What did you just say?

What did I say, sir?

You said, "Shit."

When did I say, "Shit"?

I meant shift, sir!

What a shift in fate to serve you, sir!

How could I have said, "Shit"?

You shifted the course of a huge charging tiger.

- By the way... - Yes?

What do you mean you volunteered this place to be the place of exile?

- Sir? - That is what you said yesterday.

I cannot tell you that, sir.

But I came here instead

when you were expecting the Minister of Justice?

I, who have no one to send me donkeys,

nor any power to secure anyone an official post.

Is that funny, sir?

Imagining how you must have felt when you found out who I am...

I had no idea you had gone through so much trouble.

However,

instead of bringing food for the villagers,

I have been taking food from them.

It's fine, sir.

We simply ask that you enjoy the food, sir.

There he is!

Oh my!

How is Lord Nosan?

Why? Is something wrong?

He...

finished all the food!

Why, you...

- I got her! - I'm glad he liked it.

I told you.

He's the best!

I got you good.

By the way, he asked about you.

Me?

Who made this soup?

It was made from the river snails I gathered at dawn, sir.

Did you make the soup?

No, but I caught the river snails myself, sir.

No, I mean who made the soup?

It tastes better than what the royal court chefs made.

It was made by Mak-dong's mother, sir. She's a very good cook.

But sometimes we get hair in the food.

Do you call her that because she is Mak-dong's mother?

Yes, sir.

Mak-dong is still young, but she is as clever as ever.

See this, sir?

This fish porridge.

It's made from the fish caught with the trap she made.

And this is seasoned prickly ash berries.

It was picked from the mountains by the oldest man in our village.

And this meat.

It is rabbit meat that a lad named Yong-yi caught, sir.

And the wild ginseng on top was given by Mak-dong's father.

It was very dear to him, but he wanted you to try it.

And the wild berries are from Mrs. Song, a widow.

She picked them from an area full of snakes, sir.

I see.

But please know

that all of this was done under my strict and thorough leadership, sir.

And I caught the river snails by myself.

Very well.

It's just that you only asked about who made the food.

I needed you to know what I went through since the crack of dawn.

Okay. I shall remember that.

Thank you, sir.

Oh my goodness...

The king mentioned me!

His Majesty may be young, but he sure understands a woman's heart.

Stop that.

Don't call him His Majesty or the king.

Just call him Lord Nosan.

Oh, come on. It's just us. Who cares what we call him?

Seeing him face the tiger yesterday,

he is a king, all right.

Stop.

If someone hears you, we'll be in trouble.

Look, Chief.

Someone's coming.

Excuse me.

Where might Cheongnyeongpo be?

Oh, it's that way.

But who are you?

We came from Haeju, Hwanghae-do to meet His Majes...

No, I mean, to meet Lord Nosan.

- From Hwanghae-do? - That place is unbelievably far away...

Why do you want to meet Lord Nosan?

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Even heaven must lament!

Please forgive these wretched people

who have failed to serve you, sire!

Stop calling him that.

If the town office hears, there will be trouble.

Your Majesty!

Oh, come on!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Stop them!

Don't call him "Your Majesty"!

Your Majesty!

You cannot say that!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

You can cry,

but don't call him "Your Majesty"!

Yes, you can cry.

- Your Majesty! Please take it! - Don't throw things!

- Your Majesty! - Stop!

For heaven's sake!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Please live a long and healthy life, sire!

Your Majesty!

Lift your head.

Did you deliver the letter?

I gave it to the court maid as you ordered, Your Highness.

You shall return to Yeongwol.

When you do,

hang a white garment upon a tree

directly across from His Majesty's residence.

Then His Majesty shall shoot an arrow in response.

Yes, Your Highness.

Wow!

- They're all floating down here! - Be careful!

- Chief! - What?

How did you think of this clever idea?

It's nothing.

You're truly amazing!

That's it! Let's gather everything!

Let's see what's in them!

It's ginseng!

This is amazing!

Croakers! Look!

Bigger than my hand!

Beef jerky!

What even is this?

I told you!

They may not be donkeys.

But from now on,

we won't go hungry like I promised, huh?

You're right!

No wonder you're the chief!

I believed in you all along!

Why, you lying rascal!

Well...

Oh my gosh!

You scared me.

Why are you here late at night?

Sir?

Lord Nosan is here! Come on!

- Sir? - Oh my!

What brings you...

Why are you so startled as if you have seen a ghost?

Who is that handsome lord?

- Mak-dong, you can't say that. - Quiet, Mak-dong.

Hello, my name is Yi Hong-wi.

You must be the one who caught fish with your trap.

Right.

And you must be Mak-dong's...

- This is Mrs. Song, sir. - Who?

The wild berries.

The wild berries from a field of snakes.

So you are the one who picked the wild berries?

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

This is Mak-dong's mother.

- Are you the one who cooked for me? - Yes, sir.

I enjoyed the wild ginseng you sent, Mak-dong's father.

Yes, sir. I'm Mak-dong's father.

Then the one who caught the rabbit...

Yes, I am Yong-yi, sir.

I heard you are quite the runner.

Yes, sir.

He's the fastest runner in all of Yeongwol, sir.

The prickly ash berry you picked tasted very nice and spicy.

Thank you, sir. It's a bit tricky to dry them.

Wait.

What is all this?

These, sir?

They are food that people brought and left for you, sir.

We were checking whether they were spoiled

before bringing them to you, sir.

I swear, we did not eat any.

Nonsense.

These were sent to Gwangchungol.

They belong to you.

They are precious gifts for you, so how could lowly people like us...

How kind of him.

I cannot believe it.

What a kind heart...

I hope to learn from you, sir.

Please be my teacher.

I heard you did not want to study.

What changed your mind?

Mountain village people like me

have no books to read nor teachers to learn from.

And even if I had a chance to learn,

I thought I would never pass the state examination.

However,

I began to believe that, if I were taught by someone like you,

I might overcome the impossible.

I want to serve at court and bring about changes

so that country folk with no connections, commoners, and even slaves

can live in a world of equal opportunity.

A world of equal opportunity...

Very well.

Let us give it a try.

The virtuous are never alone.

They shall always have others who gather around them.

Over there!

- Leave it here. - Here.

Oh my!

Here.

Oh my goodness, thank you.

The head of the fish is the best.

Please try it, sir.

You may have the good stuff.

I may be uneducated,

but I could never accept such a precious thing.

Please, share it with me, sir.

Now, try writing the character "house."

A house and heaven.

- A house and heaven. - A house and heaven.

Vast and barren.

- Vast and barren. - Vast and barren.

It rained so much, sir.

Everything was swept away, and we couldn't do a thing.

And the people sent so much stuff.

I tied a string around it, then hit it!

This bowstring

is silk from silkworms that grew from eating mulberry leaves.

It is much tougher than other strings, sir.

The rain gauge was created by a slave.

Both my father and grandfather were not ashamed to learn from him.

There is no hierarchy in learning...

Hey!

Go!

Why?

Just go!

Where?

Whatever.

Before going to find wild ginseng, you cannot bed your wife, sir.

- Because... - Stop!

- Day and month! - Day and month!

The sun and moon set and rise.

- The sun and moon set and rise. - The sun and moon set and rise.

A wild boar this big came after me...

Mak-dong, which one should I have? This?

Mak-dong is writing too!

It's good, right?

Yes, you did well, Mak-dong.

Father! I put it up!

- Good job, Mak-dong! - It looks great.

Maybe a bit this way.

That's good.

- Really? - Yes.

Mak-dong has her very own name badge!

I heard that coward Nosan fought off a tiger.

Does anyone actually believe it?

It is nothing but an absurd rumor from people who like to gossip.

Who would believe such a thing?

They let their guard down like that and we came to power.

If you let a sprout grow, it will become a huge tree.

Keep a close watch on Grand Prince Geumseong.

I shall go to Yeongwol.

His Majesty will be overjoyed by your allegiance.

Your Majesty.

The time has finally come to set history right.

I, Geumseong,

along with Chief Magistrates Lee Bo-heum, and Yu Gwi-san,

Director Cho Yoo-rye of Military Affairs and others

are preparing an uprising.

Many district leaders have agreed to join us.

However,

we will not take any action without Your Majesty's permission.

Therefore, I humbly beseech Your Majesty

to grant your gracious approval.

The one who wrote the letter to Nosan

is Grand Prince Geumseong, correct?

Well, then.

What did the letter say?

You fabricated history with your lying tongue

and became a high official.

What good is knowing the truth?

The families of rebels

are sent into exile or sold as slaves.

But I will see to it myself

that your families

are torn from limb to limb.

Han Myeong-hoe, you wretch!

Your sin of defiling the dynasty and the state

is the gravest sin of all!

Anyone who stands with Nosan must be killed.

- He went missing? - Yes, sir.

It's been several days since he went to Yeongwol, sir.

But we have not heard from him at all.

Go to Yeongwol at once.

Check on the signal.

Yes, Your Highness.

From today,

a royal order has been issued to keep a close watch on Nosan.

You four will take turns guarding his gate day and night.

The rest of you will patrol around the house.

From now on, we will keep a tight watch on Nosan!

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Where are you headed?

Lord Nosan has been having nightmares, and I heard yams can help.

I'm going to find some.

You take care of him more than your own son.

Give me some leftovers.

Why? Do you have nightmares too?

Of course I do.

Terrible nightmares about you.

What's wrong with me appearing in your dream?

It's not a nightmare, but a lucky dream!

What is that?

This was written by the village children.

Lord Nosan asked to see them, so I got them from the kids.

Go and show them to him.

I'm sure he'll be pleased.

Well done, son.

- Travel safe, Father. - I will.

Let me see...

Gotcha!

What do you hope to catch this time, sir?

As I was weak and foolish,

I could not protect my people.

I shot it at myself.

Weak? You, sir?

How can someone weak catch a tiger?

And a giant one at that.

And how can someone foolish teach illiterates to read and write?

So effortlessly, too.

Thus, you are not weak or foolish, sir.

Well, I suppose you are right.

- Yes. - Of course, sir.

Just give me a second!

- You can't enter! - Just a minute, please!

- Chief! It's Tae-san! - What is it, Yong-yi?

He's been taken to the town office!

- What? - Let me in!

Chief!

Stop right there!

Look. I came to meet the magistrate.

Let me in, please.

- You may not! - Let me in!

Out of my way!

Eleven!

Twelve!

- Thirteen! - Oh no! Tae-san!

- Sir. - Father.

Please, sir. What's going on?

I gave orders to catch anyone sneaking in and out of the residence.

He is my son, sir.

He did not sneak in. I sent him on an errand.

I told you that no one but the warden could approach the house!

He shall be beat 100 times!

Sir, please...

I sent him there, so please punish me instead.

Please let my son go, sir.

Don't just stand around!

- Drag this fool out of here at once! - Yes, sir!

Sir, please let him go.

Sir, please...

Every time I come here, you create a disturbance.

Sir!

I acted out of ignorance.

Please forgive me, sir!

I came upon hearing some odd and disturbing rumors.

I see that you have been doing your job strangely.

Yes, sir.

I was wrong, sir. It's all my fault!

So please punish me and let my son go.

Violating the solemn state laws is not a small offense.

Yes, sir.

Of course, sir!

But if he gets beat 100 times,

he will die or become disabled, sir.

Keep beating him.

Sir!

Go on! Keep beating him!

- Yes, sir! - Sir!

- Fourteen! - Tae-san!

Stop!

Let this man go at once.

He went to your residence without permission, sir.

There is no telling,

if he stole or tried to harm you, sir!

I called him in.

I was lonely so I called him in to converse.

So let him go right now.

What should we do, Lord Han?

Keep beating him.

Sir!

Please, sir!

Beat him until he dies.

Sir! No!

Beat him to death!

Han Myeong-hoe, you dare insult your king!

That fool must think he is still the king!

Han Myeong-hoe, you wretch!

Beat him.

Beat him to death.

I commanded you to stop!

If you do not return to your residence at once,

he shall get beat 200 or 300 times.

He shall be beaten to death today.

Sir, at this rate, we might get into bigger trouble.

Please go back, sir.

They're saying they'll kill Tae-san!

Please go back, sir.

Guards! Escort Lord Nosan back to his residence!

This lowly servant acted beyond what I was ordered to do, sir.

I had forgotten whom I should follow,

whose orders I must follow,

and who the current king of our lands is.

There is no time to delay.

Nosan's eyes have changed.

They used to be weak and frail.

But they have changed to the eyes of a tiger here.

The sinner Lord Nosan...

That fool must think he is still the king!

Beat him.

Beat him to death.

Your Majesty.

I humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant your gracious approval.

Geumseong has raised an army

to dethrone His Majesty and restore Nosan to the throne.

Let us gather

more district magistrates and officials to join our cause.

As discreetly as possible.

What happened today will solidify Nosan's resolve.

Surely...

He will join the revolt.

Nosan must die

for your son

and your village to live.

You must secure the evidence of treason.

All the troops are ready to march toward the capital.

We cannot delay it any further.

We must proceed even without His Majesty's permission.

What is it?

Uncle,

I shall no longer be a feeble exile,

but shall stand with you

as a witness to history.

Should a successful rebellion remain in history,

Joseon shall be plagued by bloody power struggles with swords

for decades and centuries to come.

And even if our plans should fail,

the fact that we sought to rectify a wrongful act,

the fact that we fought with our lives,

shall be passed down to generations.

Please stay in Sunheung, Uncle.

I shall come to you.

I will be at the Mount Madae shrine as you mentioned.

To rectify the wrongs in history...

For the sake of the dynasty and the state and the good of the people of Joseon...

Nosan and Geumseong are secretly colluding.

We have noted suspicious movements in Sunheung, sir.

A bloody storm is coming.

- Prepare to set out. - Yes, sir!

Everything is ready.

Go to Mount Madae.

Escort His Majesty here.

I, Cho Yoo-rye, shall obey your command.

- Let us go! - Yes, sir!

At last,

the time has come to end the history gone wrong.

Now!

We shall put an end to the rebels

and open a new world for the people of Joseon!

I shall remain here

and join you as soon as His Majesty arrives.

All troops, led by the mounted squad,

charge!

Advance!

Please stop, sir.

What do you mean?

Prince Geumseong incited you to start a rebellion.

Sir Han Myeong-hoe told me.

He also told me to report your every action, sir.

Any signs of suspicious acts must be reported to the town office!

And?

Have you noticed anything suspicious?

Yes!

I saw a man taking a letter from the arrow you shot, sir.

So please stop, sir.

What if I do not stop?

If you do not,

I will...

I will go to the town office, sir.

Do you know what it is like to never have lived by my own will?

I became the crown prince as my father wished.

Then I became king.

Then I was chased out by Uncle Suyang

and banished.

But now I know

why the heavens have kept me in this world.

Why I must live on.

The ones who made me realize that

are you, Tae-san,

and the village people.

I will not stop.

Now go to the town office.

If you do,

you and the village people will be spared from harm.

Sir!

Sir!

Must you really go, sir?

I no longer wish to lose

the people I cherish and love because of me.

Give my regards to all.

Even me, sir?

Am I one of them?

You said you do not want to lose another cherished person.

Am I one of them, sir?

Do you not feel the same?

Of course I do, sir.

What is the status of our troops?

By now, our troops will have passed Danyang and reached Jecheon, sir.

There are soldiers waiting to join our troops.

All forces!

Advance!

With those reinforcements, we will be stronger than ever!

With the combined forces, we will pass through Yeoju

and gather at Mount Maebong.

We shall await the commands of His Majesty and you, sir.

When His Majesty arrives at Mount Maebong,

we can arrive at Sungnyemun Gate in the capital before dawn.

We should be able to reach the palace from there within half an hour.

The palace gatekeeper has agreed to join us.

And while there are 200 soldiers within the palace

we have 1,800, sir!

Victory is only a matter of time!

They must have met by now.

I hope His Majesty safely meets Director Cho.

Are you all right, sir?

I am fine.

I remember when I first met you at Cheongnyeongpo, sir.

What did you think of me then?

What do you think, sir?

"What a handsome lad?"

I'd say I'm better-looking than you.

Let's go, sir.

We're here.

This is the shrine.

Please wait here.

There's no one here.

But this is the right place.

Who are you?

Your Majesty!

I am Director Cho Yoo-rye of Military Affairs, sire.

Well done for coming this far.

Everything is prepared, sire.

Come with us, Your Majesty.

Let us go.

Where are you going in such a hurry?

Han Myeong-hoe...

Do you know why

I banished you and your uncle so close to one another?

The moment the ringleaders of the treasonous plot come together...

This was the day I had been waiting for!

They are vile traitors.

Kill them!

Escort His Majesty to safety!

I will hold them off here.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

He should have been here by now.

What is taking so long?

We cannot delay any further, sir.

The longer it takes to move our large forces,

the more they will notice!

He is right, sir.

We cannot just sit here and wait, Your Highness!

Block them at all costs!

After them!

We make for Mount Madae in Danyang.

I shall personally meet His Majesty there,

then march to the capital.

Secure His Majesty!

Sir!

The more you resist,

the more those who follow you will shed blood.

Han Myeong-hoe.

You wretched scoundrel!

Do you truly wish to be condemned by history?

I said I will return to you

with a sword in one hand and a reward in the other.

But you simple fool

dare bring about my sword?

You, your son,

and every living thing in your village

shall be annihilated.

Please...

Sir, kill me instead...

You wretch!

You dared to read my letter in secret and lure me straight into this trap!

What did he promise you for your allegiance?

Was it fame and prestige for your son?

You damned wretch!

Sir...

Do not say a word.

It does not matter.

Seize the traitor!

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

Sir, no...

Sir!

Traitor of high treason, Geumseong, Yi Yu,

shall drink the poison.

Your Majesty.

It is I, Geumseong.

I have failed my duty

to safeguard Your Majesty.

Please...

live a long and healthy life, Your Majesty.

Sir...

Why did you do it?

Why shoulder it all alone?

Come in.

This way.

How have you been, sir?

I have been craving Mak-dong's mother's radish soup terribly.

Did Mak-dong finish learning the Thousand-Character Classic?

And has Tae-san healed from the beating?

I have been greatly concerned.

They are all well, sir.

Most of all,

I have missed your face, Warden.

You mean my handsome face, sir?

Seeing it again,

it is still as handsome as ever.

Listen.

I have a request.

Yes. Anything, sir.

Traitor of high treason, Yi Hong-wi

shall drink the poison.

Traitor Yi Hong-wi.

Despite His Majesty's great mercy,

you conspired with Geumseong and his cohorts

and plotted the unforgivable act of high treason.

Thus,

you shall die by poison.

By His Majesty's command, come and receive your punishment!

This cannot be!

Sir...

Drag the criminal out.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

Such insolence!

How dare you damage a royal's residence!

Damn it! Move!

What are you doing? Can't you even handle one traitor?

If you give me time,

I will drag the traitor out, sir.

What?

Your Majesty.

It is the warden, Eom Heung-do.

It's time

for you to cross the river.

When the time comes...

I beg of you to take that bowstring

and...

kill me yourself.

I do not wish to die by their hands.

To die by the poison they bring...

would be like dying twice.

I beg of you.

Please help me

cross the river by your hands.

Your Majesty...

I shall...

help you cross the river.

It's time to go, sire.

Yes, sire...

Let us go.

Let's go.

Your Majesty...

It is time.

Let us go now!

Let us go!

Let us go...

Please hold on a little longer, sire.

You're almost there.

You're almost there, Your Majesty!

You've reached the riverbank, sire!

Let us go, sire!

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty!

Whoever collects Nosan's corpse

or holds a funeral for him,

shall have their entire family and relatives annihilated!

From the moment I took my first steps, you have been by my side.

You have been my friend, my sister, and my mother.

I will leave those grateful days behind and go on my way.

Should we be reborn in the distant future,

I hope you will be my friend then too.

I too shall gladly be your friend.

Sir...

You must be so cold...

Let me take you

somewhere warmer.

Let's go.

Let's go, sir.

A SERVANT, WHO HAS BEEN SERVING NOSAN, VOLUNTEERED FOR THE TASK.

TYING A LONG BOWSTRING TO THE DOOR, HE PULLED IT TIGHT.

YI HONG-WI WAS 17 YEARS OLD.

FROM YEONRYEOSILGISUL: THE DANJONG PERIOD ACCOUNTS

NO ONE SAW TO NOSAN WHEN HE DIED, BUT EOM HEUNG-DO, A LOCAL OFFICIAL,

IMMEDIATELY WENT TO MOURN HIM, PREPARED A COFFIN AND BURIED HIM.

THE PRESENT-DAY TOMB OF NOSAN IS THAT VERY GRAVE.

FROM THE ANNALS OF THE JOSEON DYNASTY

JANUARY 5TH THE 10TH YEAR OF KING HYEONJONG'S REIGN

DESPITE PLEAS TO DISSUADE HIM, EOM HEUNG-DO DECLARED,

"TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND SUFFER MISFORTUNE IS SOMETHING I WELCOME GLADLY, NOT FEAR."

FROM THE BIOLOGICAL RECORDS OF THE JOSEON DYNASTY

241 YEARS LATER, YI HONG-WI WAS RESTORED AS KING DANJONG

AND EOM HEUNG-DO WAS HONORED WITH THE TITLE OF LOYAL AND RIGHTEOUS LORD.

EOM HEUNG-DO, YI HONG-WI

THE TOMBS OF YI HONG-WI AND EOM HEUNG-DO LIE TOGETHER IN YEONGWOL TO THIS DAY.

THE KING'S WARDEN