Original subtitles

(This drama was picked and sponsored...)

(by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and KOCCA.)

Why did you do something so pointless?

Once you rose in arms,

you should have pushed ahead to Hanyang.

You only ended up bringing foreign troops in.

I am sorry to say this,

but is that really General Nokdu's fault?

When the people rose up with bamboo spears in their hands,

instead of comforting them,

the aristocrats brought in the Qing to protect their power.

Everything is their fault.

How dare you say that?

I risked my life to come here.

I have to say what I have to say.

How dare you.

Stop.

Then...

has the loyal army broken up?

Most farmers when back to their hometown farms.

The remaining soldiers are looking after Jipgangso.

How naive.

What answer should I give to General Nokdu?

Are you...

good at fighting?

Fighting?

Well...

I do not know how to fight properly. I am only good at dogfights.

Perfect.

Follow me.

(Episode 27)

- Please save this country. - Lord Daewon.

- Lord Daewon. - Lord Daewon.

- Please save us. - Lord Daewon.

- Please save this country. - Lord Daewon.

- Lord Daewon. - Lord Daewon.

- We beg you. - Lord Daewon.

- Have mercy on us. - Lord Daewon.

- Please save us. - Lord Daewon.

Lord Daewon.

- We beg you. - Lord Daewon.

- Please defeat the Japanese. - Lord Daewon.

- Please save us. - Lord Daewon.

- Have mercy on us. - Lord Daewon.

Please save this country.

- Please defeat the Japanese. - Lord Daewon.

- Lord Daewon. - Please save us.

Have mercy on us.

(Gwanghwamun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace)

What brings you to the palace?

I am here to have an audience with his Majesty the King.

Why are you doing this again?

Make way.

I am sorry, but please go back.

Roll it out.

Yes.

(Gwanmungak, Gyeongbokgung Palace)

His Majesty the King.

(Japanese diplomat Otori Keisuke)

Well, what is the matter today?

Our Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi, suggested...

a five-point reform plan to you.

I am here...

for your answer.

(Gojong)

Only his Majesty the King...

has the authority to carry out a reform.

Tell your Prime Minister this.

I appreciate his concern,

but I refuse his interference in our domestic affairs.

- However... - Also,

we demand an immediate withdrawal of the Japanese army.

That will happen naturally...

once the situation in Joseon stabilizes.

The Donghak riot has already been resolved.

The only destabilizer of Joseon right now is...

your army.

Your Highness.

Why do you blame our army...

but not the Qing army?

Pardon?

The Qing army that landed in Asan...

has decided to withdraw from Joseon.

Now that you know, you should leave.

Father?

- Lord Daewon. - Lord Daewon.

- Lord Daewon, please get up. - I apologize, Lord Daewon.

Take him back to his house.

- Yes, Master. - Yes, Master.

Stop them!

My goodness!

My gosh!

Be careful. The people are watching.

Lord Daewon!

Lord Daewon.

Long time no see.

You should go inside.

You are such a fool.

Why did you block them with all your might?

Pardon?

If I got dragged away, the people would have stepped up.

My goodness, then...

Then you should have told me to just get beaten up.

I did not know you would be such a good fighter.

Father.

Get down.

You seem very concerned.

Things are not going well.

Have you been well?

Thanks to the Queen's care and support,

I have been doing very well.

I cannot say I have done my best.

I will try harder to care and support you.

I asked if I could speak to you in private, Your Majesty.

That will only cause people to jump to conclusions.

What brings you here?

I brought you a letter from the Donghak leader.

I respectfully write this letter to His Majesty, the King.

We are the loyal army that got rid of corrupt officials...

and made the Reform Bill in order to protect you...

and the country.

However, your disloyal subjects...

brought in the Qing army...

which led the Japanese army to invade our country as well.

And I have to say, this is a very deplorable situation.

Do not expect the Japanese army to leave the country without a fight.

The only way to get rid of them is to show that you...

and the people of our country are one and in agreement.

I desperately ask of you, Your Majesty.

Please expand the Reform Bill...

to all of Joseon...

and start a new era of our country's reformation.

Jeon Bong Jun used to stay at my detached house as a guest.

And he is very good at analysing the country's current affairs.

You should take his words very seriously.

This is just a bunch of nonsense.

Not only will this calm the public sentiment,

but it will also be able to pressure Japan.

Therefore, you will be catching 2 birds with 1 stone.

Why is it that you keep...

trying to confuse His Majesty like this?

Do you have any other way to take care of this crisis?

This is not a crisis, so there is nothing to take care of.

How can you say that when the Japanese army is here?

This has happened before.

They are just doing this for their rights and interests.

This is the first time in 300 years...

that we have had the Japanese army in our city ever since 1592.

Who knows that this might not lead to something worse?

Something worse?

I am talking about the invasion of the palace!

(The invasion of the palace)

The Qing army is here,

and the diplomats of many powerful countries have their eyes on us.

So it will be impossible for them to invade the palace.

How can you be so carefree?

Do you really not know who will be put in danger...

if they ever do invade the palace?

Seeing that you know so well,

you must have been interested in invading the palace for a long time.

What did you say?

What is wrong with you two?

Will you please calm down?

You two have not changed at all.

Are you not tired of this?

May I ask you something?

Go ahead.

About those public officials...

Is that how you become once you pass the civil service exam?

Yes.

I see.

I am Baek Yi Hyun from the secretariat.

I am here to meet the chief royal secretary.

Lord Daewon, how did it go?

Lord Daewon.

What happened?

You cannot expect things to change very quickly...

when it comes to national affairs.

I will provide a place for you to stay, so wait there.

That is out of the question.

Jeon Bong Jun's letter had a point.

You saw the Reform Bill that Hong Gye Hoon brought.

It was filled with absurd requests...

that are bound to make a mess of Joseon.

I should grant at least...

some of his request in order to calm the people's sentiment.

That will only boost the morale of the Donghak members.

It might lead to another chaos in our country.

My Queen.

I am more scared of Japan...

than the Donghak members or my father.

They barged into the country without my permission,

and they are even interfering with our domestic affairs.

It is right to get rid of them first...

before we deal with the problem within our country.

- Your Majesty. - Enough.

That is enough.

Why are you still here?

[VIU Ver] SBS E27 'The Nokdu Flower' "Lord Daewon Delivers Bong Jun's Letter To The King" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-

Let us forgive him now.

I am sure he had his reasons for leaving the army.

Exactly.

He might be as big as a bear,

but he is quite soft-hearted.

Every night, he is tormented...

by the dead Donghak members in his dreams.

His face looks so thin by the next morning.

I forgave him a while ago.

However, I do not want someone who cannot make a living...

in my family.

So get out of here.

If you give me a store,

I will make it successful by all means.

Darn it.

Oh, my. Calm down.

Jipgangso took everything away from me.

I might end up on the street sooner or later.

And what did you just say, a store?

Calm down.

My goodness.

What is this?

I sold some of my fancy clothes.

With this money, start something with your family.

What do you think he can do with such little money?

Work.

The Baek family will have to work to support themselves from now on,

just like everyone else.

Yi Hyun, when Gaehwa group gained power in 1884,

it only lasted a few days.

How long do you think the Donghak members can last?

I am not a bit interested in that.

My only interest is...

whether the reformation through Jipgangso is possible.

Take it easy.

When the world changes again, you might get in trouble.

Did you make all this yourself?

I could not ask the servants to make food for you.

Here.

Drink this.

Nothing is better than omija tea in the summer.

How does it taste?

Well...

It tastes very good.

You sound forced.

No. It really tastes good.

How good does it taste?

Now I finally understand...

what people mean by "drop-dead delicious".

By the way, are you not going to your grandparents' in Jangheung?

As long as you and my brother are here, I am not going anywhere.

You will get scolded.

I am not afraid of getting scolded anymore.

Nokdu said,

"The only way to overcome fear is..."

"by confronting it."

I intend to do that.

I got startled.

Ogre!

Young Master Baek.

Relax. It is only practice.

Young Master Baek.

Try to breathe. Come on.

Young Master Baek.

Young Master Baek.

I am okay.

Do not worry.

I am really fine.

I swear.

- Eat slowly. - Here you go.

- Thank you. - Enjoy.

Oh, Young Master Baek.

Who are these people?

They are loyal soldiers who deserted in Jeonju.

They followed this friend of Yi Kang's here.

Is he a friend of Yi Kang's?

Hello.

I am here to meet Yi Kang.

I wonder where he is.

Nice to meet you.

I am Kim Ga from the detached force.

I see. I am Baek Yi Hyun, Jipgang of Gobu's Jipgangso.

Your brother and I fought the battle together.

So will you let me stay here?

We are short-handed at Jipgangso.

Please let him stay here.

Then please be our guard.

Thank you.

I appreciate it, Jipgang Baek.

(Hyangcheong)

Sit down.

Where were you?

I went to meet Young Master Baek.

I told you to pack up.

Leave for your grandparents' immediately.

Why are you not answering me?

I will...

not follow your order.

I will never be...

away from Young Master Baek again.

Myung Sim.

I will not let you decide how I should live.

From now on, I will do...

what my heart tells me to.

"To carry out the reform,"

"Board of Rectification will be established."

"Prime Minister Sim Soon Taek..."

"and Official Kim Hong Jib..."

"will lead the board."

I guess we will be living in a new world.

It is too early to say that. Nothing important has been announced yet.

We will find out soon.

Let us go.

What is going on?

What is the matter?

"Board of Rectification"?

To...

(To Chief of Imperial General Headquarters.)

Chief of Imperial General Headquarters.

Joseon has established the Board of Rectification...

to carry out a reform independently.

Japan's reform suggestions have been denied.

Please take follow-up measures.

(Please take follow-up measures.)

You are Song Bong Gil's daughter?

(Ministry of War)

Yes.

I have come here to make...

a temporary Peddler's Inn in Hanyang on the chief peddler's behalf.

If you put in a word for us to the Office of Peddlers,

(Office of Peddlers: A public office that observes peddlers' affairs)

things will go much smoother for us.

My lord.

Goodness, you surprised me.

I apologize, but this is very urgent.

Tell me what it is about.

What?

Move.

Come back tomorrow.

Wait.

"The Japanese government demands the following to the Joseon court."

"Send a reply as soon as possible."

"First,"

"give the Japanese government the full authority..."

"on constructing railroads that connect Hanyang and Busan Port."

"Second,"

"according to the Jemulpo Treaty,"

"install barracks for the Japanese army."

"Third,"

"force out the Qing army..."

"stationed in the Joseon land immediately."

"Fourth,"

"reverse all the treaties with the Qing..."

"as they invade the independence of Joseon."

- This is nonsense! - What is he talking about?

This is almost like an ultimatum.

What do you think is the reason behind such behaviour of Japan?

Let me, Official Kim Hong Jib, dare make an opinion.

This is considered retaliation for rejecting their demand...

on internal affairs education and installing a Board of Rectification.

I believe it is a wise strategy...

to express our regret to the Japanese government,

offer negotiation,

and thus appease this imminent crisis.

That is exactly what they want.

They are trying to come between us and the Qing.

We must not be fooled by their scheme.

I am just telling we should not give them a cause.

This could lead to an uncontrollable situation.

What do you mean by an uncontrollable situation?

The invasion of the palace, Your Majesty.

(The invasion of the palace)

How dare you say such a thing?

Please do not worry, Your Majesty.

Let the Qing Consulate know about this...

and mobilize the Qing army stationed in Asan to the capital.

If we defend...

the capital and the palace firmly with the soldiers,

they will never be able to provoke us.

Proceed as your opinion, Minister of War.

Thank you for your generosity.

- Thank you for your generosity. - Thank you for your generosity.

We got an urgent message from Hanyang.

Japan is threatening the court to cut ties with the Qing.

They are starting to show their true intention.

How is the Board of Rectification discussing the reformation?

Nothing much yet.

We are rushed.

Darn it.

(Gwanghwamun Gate)

Hurry.

Do not lower guard.

Move!

Move swiftly.

What are they doing?

It seems like another war will break out.

It is probably to intimidate the Japanese army.

Yi Kang, let us go scout Waeseongdae.

Before then,

see if there is any naming place.

Let me see.

Rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep,

monkey, chicken, dog, and pig.

It is out.

What is your father's surname?

He does not have any.

What? Why?

He is a butcher, so he does not have any surname.

- A butcher? - While you are at it,

make one nice surname too.

How unlucky.

Leave.

We are not asking you this for free, so just do it.

I do not understand.

I get that the world is chaotic,

how dare you want a name when you are a mere butcher?

Goodness, I should stop this business or something.

Pick up the note.

Well...

What do you want for your surname?

Let us go with Lee.

Lee. That is nice.

- What about the family origination? - Jeonju.

Jeonju, all right.

Jeonju...

But that is the royal family.

The royal family, it is.

Let me see. It is out.

It is out.

(Lee Bang Won, Lee Seong Gye)

(Episode 28 will air shortly.)

(Lee Bang Won, Lee Seong Gye)

Will it be okay?

What is there not to be okay?

Every person is equal.

These names are good enough for my dear nephews.

Goodness.

How pretty.

Stop staring at it. It does not suit you.

What?

Beo Dul, you are beautiful just the way you are.

The cool gunner.

Do you not think so?

That is right. Of course.

Thank you so much.

Did I make any mistake?

You really are dumb.

What did I do wrong?

Hey.

What is it?

I am sorry about my joke earlier. It was a little too much.

You know, I always make slips of tongue.

Take your time eating.

Goodness.

It is so pretty.

Why do you not just tell him honestly?

- Tell him what? - You have a crush on him.

What are you talking about?

It is not true.

Go tell him. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.

But he does not see me as a woman at all.

He always...

thinks about Lady Song.

I am good with leaving it as a crush.

My gosh.

I used to fly.

You are flying right now.

I never...

bought you a ribbon for your hair.

I am sorry.

(Yeongchumun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace)

Was that not Lee Kyu Tae?

It looks like something is up.

Meet him and find out what that is.

I will go somewhere else.

Where is that?

(Takeda Yusuke)

I am Song Ja In.

Nakamura said that you wanted to do business with me.

I wish to purchase a large amount of rice from Jeolla Province.

Are you not aware that Jeolla Province...

is forbidden from trading with the Japanese?

If I were to find you a way,

would you do it?

What will you arrange and how?

I know many ministers in the Joseon court.

I can use them to cover up who you're selling to.

You don't have many guests.

How much rice do you need?

28,800t each month.

I will pay you 10 percent more than the market price.

It is not like you are going to have a war.

What a terrible joke considering we just met.

I am not bored enough...

to crack idle jokes.

This man is not a merchant.

If you wish, we can strike a deal right now.

What do you say?

According to the peace treaty,

if you sell grain to the Japanese, you will be punished.

Rice to the people!

You had better lie low.

The people here do not welcome merchants...

who sell rice to the Japanese.

I apologize.

Find someone else.

Do you not like the conditions?

No. The conditions are great.

Then why do you refuse?

Just because.

"Just because"?

What is that?

It is a Joseon thing.

It is more special than a deal.

(Waeseongdae in Hanyang, Japanese residential area)

They all have a repeating firearm like Beo Dul's.

Look at the machine guns and cannons.

(Machine gun)

Darn it. I feel intimidated.

They are all well-trained elite soldiers.

The scumbags.

What is wrong?

Darn it.

I am seeing things now.

Who are you?

Why are Joseon people in the Japanese district?

My gosh. What is he saying?

Hey. My wife.

I think we are in Japan.

I thought we had come to Hanyang.

Why are we in Japan? Are we dreaming?

It is a reality.

Stay strong.

If we walk just a bit more,

we will reach Qing.

- My gosh. That is amazing. - Right.

What now?

- What now? - What now?

What now?

We are stupid Joseon people...

and we do not know the way.

I am sorry. I apologize.

Go straight that way.

Thank you. Thank you.

Sam Dol, Sam Soon, it is that way. Let us go.

Wait.

There is a Joseon phrase I want to know.

What is "just because"?

It is more special than a deal.

You said some things are done just because, not as a deal.

I just want to do this.

I never let anyone break a deal.

Stop talking about deals.

Is everything a deal to you?

What else is there?

Just because.

What?

Just because your heart says.

Lady Song.

How strange. We took different paths...

but we met again.

Are you managing the trip down your path?

So-so.

What about you?

I am managing so-so too.

Where are you headed?

Things are scary around here. I will walk you back.

It is okay.

I will meet Master Choi at the palace.

Okay then.

Baek Yi Kang.

Stay strong.

Okay.

You too.

Most counties in Jeolla Province...

have opened a Jipgangso.

Put together and send them an operational guideline.

I will.

A few groups are clashing with the local nobles.

Those involved must be punished severely,

regardless of the reason.

There are rumours...

that some extremists are forcing single local noblewomen to marry.

- Forced marriage? - They hang towels...

on the gates of some nobles' houses...

to imitate dowry to force and shame them.

Order each Jibgangso to investigate...

such shameful practices.

I will.

Did Gae Nam dismiss his army?

He will just not listen.

(Namwon Government Office)

Why are you doing this?

I am the district magistrate.

I also know you are corrupt and bled the people dry.

Listen up!

I do not believe we can work alongside the government!

Let us make this clear.

Where I go, there will be no social class.

No rich or poor!

Let us go!

- Okay! - Okay!

I did not mean to hurt him.

But when I saw him, I remembered how he had abused me.

Even so, you should not have hit a noble's head with a stick.

What if he had died?

I know.

I deserve to die for what I did.

Have the officials beat him 50 times...

and imprison him.

50 beatings?

Here in Gobu, resentment runs deep and is a tangled web.

If we do not punish accounts of personal revenge,

we cannot guarantee a successful reformation.

Not bad for an ogre.

Jipgang Baek!

The Hyangcheong nobles are at the government office.

(Gobu Government Office)

Come along.

Lord Hwang. Lord Hwang.

Step aside.

Young Master Baek.

No, Jipgang Baek. I am glad you are here.

What do the nobles want?

The farmer who hit a nobleman's head with a stick.

Until that man is beheaded,

the nobles will go on a hunger strike.

That is just great! They can all starve to death!

Keep quiet, Kim Ga.

Master, are you all right?

Compromise with 100 beatings.

He will not die, but he will go to death's door.

We did not gather to compromise with you.

Behead him.

Excessive punishment is also a crime.

A peasant beat a noble like a beast in broad daylight!

This is acceptable.

One man hit another. Execution is too much.

Is a peasant the same as a noble?

Are two people different?

Do you...

think that you and I are the same?

I do.

This is why I should not have accepted...

a lowly officer's son as a pupil.

Never once did I...

consider you an equal human being.

You will soon.

Our 500-year-old class system.

It will be done with soon.

Do not speak of such things.

If you are right,

Joseon will disappear soon too.

Not at all.

Joseon will become as powerful as Japan.

You are mistaken.

Joseon was established and ruled by nobles,

and is for the nobles.

The class system...

is Joseon.

Young Master Baek.

[VIU Ver] SBS E28 'The Nokdu Flower' "Ja In & Yi Kang Encounter Again" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-

What a lovely picture.

You two looked like a lovely couple.

Who are you?

This is why the world will take a long time to change.

Do not talk down to me.

Who is that young lady?

Why would you ask me such a thing?

She is the younger sister of Lord Hwang,

the head of the hyangcheong.

Lord Hwang?

The fool who yelled inside?

Is that so?

People are not like what you think, are they?

If reformation were that easy,

no nation would have fallen.

Each one would be paradise already.

Do not go too far.

Consider Lord Hwang's position...

and be nice.

To survive in a world where everything comes around,

you cannot grasp just one rope.

You must grasp every rope that you think will help you out.

As a child, you always told me how to get along in the world.

And what you said was always right.

Are you praising me?

It is the truth.

But I want my children to live in...

a world where such base tricks...

are no longer needed.

Unless it is in that kind of world,

I do not want to live.

I made you an ointment.

Put it on your wound every morning and evening.

It will stop the scar from darkening.

Jipgang Baek said he would ask the district magistrate...

to elevate the status of people like you.

You should get some good news soon.

Here.

My gosh.

Come on now.

Who are you?

My gosh.

Young Master.

Leave this to me...

and go inside and study.

Jipgang Baek!

Lady Hwang.

Lady Hwang is...

Listen up.

After three days, the lady of this house...

will marry the man who sent in his date and time of birth.

(Document with date and time of birth)

Will you all be quiet?

Come and watch.

- See you then. - Okay.

Lady Hwang.

Lady Hwang.

It is a forced marriage.

The Donghak members...

are forcing you to marry.

Tell Jeon Bong Jun.

(Unhyun Palace, Hanyang)

It is urgent.

Tell him to prepare to march to Hanyang soon.

Is it that dangerous right now?

Can you not tell by the fact that the soldiers...

guarding me returned to the palace?

I will relay every word.

Now go.

(Gwanghwamun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace)

We have mobilized all our troops to defend the palace.

Do not lower your guard.

Yes, my lord.

It is time for you to give an answer to our demands.

It is time for you to give an answer, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, be strong.

Do not back down.

I...

cannot accept your demands.

I will report this to the Imperial General Headquarters...

for follow-up instructions.

All right.

Weasels.

What do you mean?

The peddler in Waeseongdae is suspicious?

He is from Daeil store.

I think he is a spy disguised in peddler.

- Why is that? - It is the custom...

to buy rice at once before or after a harvest season.

But he said he would buy 28,800t of rice every month...

for higher than the market price.

28,800t of rice at a price...

higher than the market price every time?

Maybe they are trying to secure military provisions in secret.

Military provisions?

So they are not going to stay here for a day or two.

They are going to start a war.

Sender,

Otori Keisuke, the Japanese diplomat in Joseon.

Receiver,

Oshima Yoshimasa, the commander of Mixed Brigade Nine.

The following is the command from the Imperial General Headquarters.

Attack Gyeongbokgung Palace immediately,

and arrest the King of Joseon.

What is that?

Did you say military provisions?

That is correct.

Go find the Minister of War.

Yes, my lord.

Enemy forces!

(Thank you for Park Seung Geun, Lee Jun Hyuk, and Choi Dae Hoon...)

(for their cameo performances.)

(The Nokdu Flower)

You killed him. His name was Beon Gae.

I am not an ogre.

Did Yi Hyun kill him?

I did not want to show you this side of me.

Do you want this nation to be in worse confusion?

You know it all, but you will still sell the rice to them?

I did not know you were this kind of a person.

If it is true they will use the rice for military provisions,

it means a war will break out soon.

The Joseon court with 500 years of history...

is faced with the dire crisis.

The general will not scold me even if I die here, right?