Original subtitles

Eoudong

What the... Who are you?

It's so heavy.

The commoners are having a festival

in the village. That's what the commotion is.

The commoners get to have all the fun.

Do you mind if I get some water?

All right.

Thank you.

I know the way. I'll be right back.

Don't move.

I thought it was you.

You don't know who I am.

Do you know what you're doing or not?

Did you really think it would be that easy?

If you really don't know who I am...

You fool.

You really think that's all it takes to make a woman spread her legs?

Fine, but I'll make you my plaything instead.

I'll have you wrapped around my finger.

Just as I thought.

You're the boy who comes over to

polish our silver, aren't you?

Milady...

I could be killed for this.

That's OK.

There's no harm done.

Follow me.

Can't finish the dance? I'll finish it for you.

The tenth year of King Seongjong

Year 3812 of the Tangun era

1479 A.D.

506 years ago

When King Seong-jong took the throne, the Chosun Dynasty had

already consolidated its power. The public and moral order

were established according to Confucian principles.

Women were expressly forbidden to remarry by law.

Noblemen were permitted to keep concubines but even women

who had been abandoned by their husbands could not remarry.

It was the harshest law for women.

Hey hostess! Pour me a drink!

Hey, come here!

Cheon the mute sent a message about Eoudong.

Really?

Oh my...

A commoner had sex with her again.

According to this picture

the commoner was murdered and

the murderer was sent by

her husband, Taesangun.

It's getting serious.

Much more serious than I thought.

Reward Cheon well for this.

From now on we must keep a closer eye on her.

Next time it could be someone who wants to kill her.

Yes, sir.

No matter how powerful the Prime Minister is,

how can his position be safe while his niece is acting that way?

You'll have to be blindfolded the rest of the way.

All right.

You'd better not be up to anything funny.

I can still aim my knives with my sense of smell.

All right. Follow me.

Your breasts are so big, you naughty girl!

- It's so cold. - Don't do that.

Why are we avoiding them?

What would they think if they saw me leading

someone blindfolded in the middle of the night?

Then I should take off the blindfold.

No.

You'll come here again someday

If you knew where you were going now.

It would be hard for me to protect you then.

All right.

Take this off.

The foolishness was unacceptable.

What's your name?

If I asked you who you are,

would you tell me?

I can only tell you that I have no name.

Really?

If that makes you angry I can leave right now.

No.

Just tell me who you want

me to kill.

Can you do it right?

All right then.

Go into the room.

Remove the screen.

There are three things that I ask of you.

The first is for you to take a life.

The second

is that you make sure no one finds out

and do it quickly so that there is no pain.

The last thing I ask

is afterwards to find an appropriate place

for the burial...

Make sure it's a beautiful, sunny place.

Follow me.

I'll show you who needs to be taken care of.

She's a courtesan, isn't she?

You want me to kill her?

I only kill noblemen!

Keep your voice down.

I can assure you that

I'll keep my end of the bargain.

Still, it's a woman...

When you go hunting, do you vacillate between a male or female?

- Did you catch that? - What?

That bird.

- Can you give it to me? - Yes.

Do you know the story of the chief who was captured 7 times?

Long ago, when Jegalkongmyeong attacked the southern barbarians

he captured their chief, Maeng-hwek, 7 times.

And each time he did, he set him free again.

After the seventh time, the savage chief

kneeled before Jegalkongmyeong.

Do you think

this bird will come back to you on its own?

Let it go so it can come back to you on its own.

- Can you spare a coin? - Get out of my way.

- Can you spare a coin? - I said get out.

Do I know you him?

I don't think so.

He could be from one of the neighboring villages.

He doesn't look familiar to me, sir.

You are saying that

he was just passing through?

He is wearing a woman's costume

from the festival last night.

How can a stranger come

into town and just die?

As you may know,

things are so chaotic during the festival

that it's hard to tell who's a stranger

and who's from the village.

Unbelievable.

How can a village elder be so indifferent?

How can you keep saying that you know nothing?

No one even saw a stranger passing by?

Well...

Gather your people and investigate.

It's not his fault, leave him alone.

Go to Cheon and ask him

to start by investigating the hunters.

Hey, Cheon!

- Here you go. - Yes, Thank you very much.

Hey, bring me another bottle.

Don't drink too much.

Hey, stop.

Please come in.

Come. Come on in.

Hostess, bring me something to eat.

Yes, sir.

Why don't you sit here?

Oh, there are two of you?

Please help me.

I am looking for the water mill murderer.

Do you have any

suspects in mind?

Even if you don't know

you can ask around and find out.

Right?

What are you hiding?

Sit there.

Don't be so surprised.

So, did you bring me something to eat?

Sir.

Sit there, don't move.

Don't do this, please.

Don't move.

Sir.

Sir, no way.

No! What?

Then Taesangun?

If you know my fortune, you should tell me how it turned out.

I am not that good at it.

It's just for fun.

That's all right. I won't take it seriously.

Please tell me.

It said you will have a noble guest.

A noble guest?

Yes, so noble.

So noble?

As heavy as a huge mountain and as high as the sky.

Really?

If he's so noble, maybe the King is coming to visit?

When a wild goose flies in the sky she follows the river.

When a butterfly flies in the mountains she can't avoid the flowers.

How do you like it?

How can a flower avoid a butterfly?

Your skirt inspired the calligraphy of a lifetime.

Your poetry is wonderful.

I will treasure this.

Sir.

We have waited for too long.

Taesangun is the King's uncle.

I wonder what will happen if we go in there.

Ouch, my head!

Ouch!

Ouch! Where are you going?

Sir, not that way.

Sir.

Is anyone there?

- Did you call for me? - Come on in.

That's a dagger.

Girls carry that to protect themselves

and why did you have to come all the way for it?

That's not why I came here.

Then what do you want?

I wonder if this ever

belonged to your wife.

What?

Please understand that

I have to ask you some questions,

sir.

- Ok. - Thank you, sir.

But you came here for nothing.

Yes?

She went back to her family long time ago.

Really?

Well, she...

I don't care if she was carrying the dagger or not.

What are you doing?

Ok, I will excuse myself.

Idiots.

A death of a commoner means nothing.

They must have nothing better to do.

Sir.

What are you doing there?

How did you know?

What?

That a commoner died.

What are you talking about?

A commoner...

- Died. - What?

How did you know?

Well...

Don't you know the 7 valid causes for divorse?

Everything is so easy for men.

They can kick their wives out for not getting pregnant, or

for not serving parents-in-law well, or even for being sick.

How can we women survive?

Who told you to be born as a woman in the first place?

Don't worry.

I will never kick my wife out.

Please set me up with the lady.

- Oh no! - Please give the widower what he wants.

Please be kind.

Where are you going?

Does the flower go to the butterfly,

or the butterfly to the flower?

Oh, that's right.

You can say that again.

Please set me up with the lady.

It's been much too long.

- Hasn't it? - Yes, it has.

The 7 grounds for divorce?

Stupid noblemen...

Here I am.

Here's your butterfly.

Can the butterfly find the nectar?

Have you ever seen a butterfly that can't?

It depends on the butterfly.

Huh huh, you 'll see.

All in good time.

That's right. We can't start without a drink.

- Sir. - This makes drink tastes better...

You know there are places where important people go.

Hey, take my glass.

This is one of those places.

All kinds of officials and

young noblemen come here all the time.

Who can blame them?

So rumors spread quickly here.

Please have a drink.

If you say anything in a place like this

word will get around

in a matter of hours.

Please drink this.

It happens so quickly that

it's hard to believe.

Hey, my beautiful lady,

this lovely bed is waiting for us.

What would happen if I spread a rumor about you?

Well...

Take my drink.

What kind of rumors about me?

- What kind of rumors? - I don't know yet.

But what if I started a rumor that you were involved in a conspiracy.

A conspiracy?

Well, I didn't hear much, but...

I heard something about the royal palace and the military.

The date is coming up soon...

People who didn't know better

would think there's something going on.

Hey, that's nothing to joke about.

It's not funny. Stop it.

It makes my drink taste better.

Don't you agree, Your Excellency?

Are you sober already?

Or maybe you're not feeling well.

You look pale.

Where are you going?

The bed is waiting for us.

Yes, it is.

What the...

A bear's strength is in his paws.

You're not the only one who needed something to eat.

Why are you yelling?

That must frighten you...

Hey!

Do you think a butterfly caught in a spider's web can escape easily?

You may decide when you come here

but I decide when you leave.

What? What's wrong with you?

As I told you

what if I get angry and start a rumor?

What would you say then?

Are you brave enough to stand up to me?

Come here and lie down!

Don't worry about your dignity.

A man can be a woman's plaything.

Start from the bottom and climb to the top.

It's been 3 years since you married my son

and you still haven't given our family a baby.

There's no excuse for that

and this isn'tjust any family.

This is the Royal Family and His Majesty is our family.

Don't you understand that?

Now your husband is getting a concubine.

Don't even think about getting angry orjealous

unless you want to be out on the street.

It's not fair, Mother

It's not my fault that I haven't gotten pregnant.

Shut up!

A wife talking back can be grounds for divorce!

Milady, wait!

It's a pine caterpillar. How gross...

Oh, my!

Who are you?

If you need money, ask for it poiltely.

I don't need money.

I need something else.

What?

I need to cut your ears off.

How rude! Get away from me!

Who are you?

What are you doing?

Come here.

Come out here right now.

You idiot, I don't care about her ears.

I want to know who that guy was.

- He was... - Well...

When he interrupted you with his throwing knives

he must have had his reasons.

You are such an idiot.

I am asking you who hired the guy with the knives.

Why do you want to know that?

Someone else is watching out for her.

I need to know what's going on.

OK.

I will tell you one thing.

You said you only kill aristocrats.

I don't know why but that's not all.

She is a daughter of a noble family.

For a shaman to perform an exorcism

she needs to know. That's why I am telling you this.

What are you doing here?

What's the same?

Work?

What kind of work?

The lady.

Who hired you?

I am sorry.

Please stop!

Please stop!

This is what happens

when a commoner consorts with a noblewoman.

No, Father!

Who's there?

Catch him!

Cut out his tongue. That will shut him up.

Open your mouth.

She is my prey.

Don't interfere. She will die one day by my hands.

The seventh chance hasn't come yet.

We must see this investigation through.

But Taesangun won't even listen to us.

What can we get from him?

Don't go to his house again.

Then where should I go?

- His inlaws' home. - What?

You know his father-in-law is the Prime Minister's brother-in-law.

All the more reason to go...

But Sir, don't you think

that he is too important to be bothered?

Aren't you strict with the strong

and merciful with the weak?

Pardon?

Oh, yes.

How long have you been in your position, sir?

It's been 15 years.

You are definitely braver than I am by 5 years.

All right, I have nothing to lose. I will go as far as I can.

What?

Are you saying that she died?

Yes.

- I can't believe it. - What do you mean by that?

No, I didn't mean anything.

Sorry to bother you but may I ask you one more question?

OK, that's yourjob.

- Please go ahead. - Thank you, sir.

What is your next question?

Well, when did she die?

A long time ago

Is that so?

It happened last year.

Last year?

I can't believe it.

Do you think I am lying?

No, not at all.

- Look! - Yes, Sir.

Actually I couldn't believe it either.

Who can ever believe

that his daughter died before he did?

I should get going now.

- Look. - Yes?

Do you have something to tell me?

I guess you should ask one more question.

Yes.

You seem to be an experienced detective

but why haven't you asked how she died?

This girl knows everything.

Once she married

she changed completely.

She used to be a very cheerful person.

As soon as she got married she became a different person.

No wonder since from the day she married,

her husband never even came home.

I never saw them spend the night together.

However since he found a concubine,

she gradually became her old-self again.

Then one day...

She used to wear my clothes

so she could pretend to be a commoner.

One day, while she was wearing my clothes...

How beautiful!

Are you hurt?

Let me see.

Please.

They didn't do anything wrong.

Please!

Mother, please forgive them, Mother!

Oh my!

Poor things...

They didn't do anything wrong.

Please.

Step aside.

Shut up!

You belong to that family.

But Father...

Go back to your family.

Father.

From this day forward you are dead to me.

What did I do wrong?

It's unfair, Father.

- Dear. - Mother.

Oh, my daughter.

Because of the seven valid grounds for divorce

a woman who can't give her husband a baby

can be kicked out.

- What can we do? - Mother.

Yes, my baby.

You must endure.

There's no other way.

Mother, I can't endure this!

How can I endure this?

I can't endure anything.

I want to fly free.

Birds, take my hands.

Birds, let me fly with you.

Birds, take my hands.

Hold my wings and let me fly with you.

The tenth year of King Seongjong June, 1479

- Is she gone? - Yes, Your Majesty.

I feel sorry for her.

She would have been better off born as a commoner.

I would like to go for a boat ride.

Why don't you pour a drink for the Minister?

I will wait until I can pour for the Prime Minister.

- What? The Prime Minister? - Yes, sir.

- Not for the Minister. - What's wrong with you?

What do you mean?

I doubt you will still be just a Minister

by the time my drink gets cold.

Will you?

I am very pleased to hear that.

You should watch what you say.

- Sir! - Shut up!

I guess you sould be a Prime Miniser

so you can have a drink.

It sure is hard to get a drink around here.

Actually...

I have a secret plan.

I am so worried.

The Minister and Yoonmoon

are so hungry for power.

Once the sword is in their hands, they would do anything.

So what happened?

The King went too far.

The Queen who used to be so powerful and dignified

was kicked out of the palace one day.

Then it must be true that she scratched his face and left a scar.

Who could tolerate

her husband having a concubine?

Well, we commoners wouldn't have to stand for it.

I guess it's not that bad being a commoner.

Do you think the bird will fly into

our hand by itself?

Let it go seven times

and wait until it comes back to your hand on its own.

- Tell me what happened. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Shh!

Wow, she is amazing.

- Don't you think so? - Yes, Your Maj... oops!

Stop that.

I will be outside.

- Good work. - Thank you.

- Wait. - Yes?

I got this silk from a Chinese deputy commander.

The quality looks excellent.

Thank you very much.

- Ah! Wait! - Yes.

- Take this too. - Yes, yes.

- Have a good time. - Yes, thank you.

- Take good care of her. - Yes.

What the... Where is the river?

Where is he?

- Oh, that's why the palanquin shook... - Seize her!

Won't you leave me alone?

Stupid man. Let's just say that we are taking a break.

You can't decide whether to go or not.

Now, you finally have the courage to kill me yourself.

Why don't you get angrier and grind your teeth?

No way.

A noble man like me can't touch a dirty animal.

But I am merciful enough to watch a courtesan commit suicide.

Suicide?

You must know that you can't run away anymore.

No wonder...

But my men can definitely help you hang yourself.

The king's uncle couldn't rule his own family

and made his wife commit suicide?

Hum, not bad.

It would be a serious disgrace to your noble family.

Go hang yourself!

Who's that?

Come out where I can see you.

What are you waiting for?

You took me out of my way.

Shouldn't you let me go now?

Prepare my palanquin.

You bitch...

Make sure you kill me next time.

This is very unusual.

What's so unusual.

The owner of the dagger

was already dead long before she could kill anyone.

So you're saying her ghost did it?

Of course not, but...

Then you were wrong about whose dagger this was... Oh, no...

What's wrong, sir?

Let me see. This must belong to the courtesan.

Pardon?

- You are not here to drink? - Of course not.

Then why are you here?

- I have something to show you - To me?

What's that?

Oh, my...

- Have you ever seen it before? - Yes.

- Then? - This used to be mine.

Why are you asking?

- Did you kill him? - What? Kill who?

You did kill him

Haha, I didn't kill just one or two men.

Huh? You killed someone else with that dagger too?

Do you think woman needs a dagger to kill a man?

What?

Would you like to spend the night here?

- I will make you dead for 3~4 days. - Hey!

- Oh, my... - I am not kidding now.

Then you came to discuss important national affairs with me?

A man was killed with this dagger.

What did you say?

Are you saying you don't know anything about this?

This dagger was found in a dead body?

Could she have really done it?

One evening, we went to the riverside

for a picnic with the Minister.

Oh my!

- Oh no... - Oh my!

Look, she's still breathing.

Thanks to the merciful Minister, she was rescued

and came to stay with us.

Keep this with you from now on.

Someone gave this to me when I was going through hard times.

It is engraved with the Chinese character for "Endure".

So keep this with you.

If you meet another woman undergoing hard times

give it to her and tell her what I told you.

Here.

Who was the 'she'?

I don't know. She was not registered.

We don't ask about each others' pasts.

That is our way.

This valley is so beautiful, you must have come from here.

You flatter me too much, sir.

Ah, Sir.

- Don't be so rude. - Hum hum...

Yes.

Never mind.

I am so sorry, sir.

I guess I am captivated.

What? You are captivated?

Yes.

I was so excited just thinking about seeing you.

That's why it took so long for me to get ready.

- That's why you were late. - I am sorry to keep you waiting.

That' all right.

Sir, you shouldn't walk here.

Hey, what's the matter with you?

- I am more worried about this beautiful lady. - Yes?

- Carry her. - Yes.

The scenry is lovely but it cannot compare to your beauty.

Pour me a drink.

Go on.

Do you love my face that much?

What's wrong?

Sir, may I serve you with my special glass?

Special glass?

Sir, come and have a drink.

What?

Is it true?

- I can't believe it. - You didn't know?

- How can it be possible? - How could even His Majesty do that?

She hasn't been caught yet.

They say you can find out what's in the deepest waters

but not what's inside the human heart.

Wow, how could the wife of such a high official

kill a person so cruely, even cutting his ear off?

- It's so frightening. - How terrifying!

I hereby order Eoudong, daughter of Park Yunchang

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and wife of Taesangun

of the royal family to be placed under arrest

for the charges of obscene acts and murder,

as proscribed by Royal Law.

You don't have to

protect her any more.

This is an order from the Minister.

Why don't you catch her and collect the reward?

They're saying I killed a man?

Who did I kill?

Who are you?

Oh, no

Eoudong!

You know what you have done.

Who are you?

Why are you helping me?

This is the eighth time.

I guess I can do it on the eighth try.

I don't need any man's help.

I really don't know where she went.

She wouldn't have gone to the courtesans in those clothes.

Why did you trade clothes with her?

She used to do it

when she goes to the village.

Sir, she's hopeless.

I guess we'll have to torture her.

Oh no, please sir.

Report to the constabulary.

Tell all of our men to stake out every possible location.

- Don't let her get away. - Yes, sir.

And cover yourself up!

- You should be ashamed to be seen this way - Yes.

Get out of here This is no place for children

- Uh oh! Go, go away! - Let's go home.

Why are you helping me?

I have a promise to keep.

A promise? What do you mean?

You are to be killed suddenly, without warning.

You are to be killed without any pain.

You are to be buried in a good place.

- Bury me in a good place? - Yes.

In a sunny place on a mountain near a beautiful river.

Do you always worry about where you bury the people you murder?

That's what I was paid to do.

The burial location... He wouldn't care about that.

- Do you think you know him? - I thought so.

The burial location?

I was blindfolded from here.

I have been waiting for you.

I am the cruel father

who tried to kill his own daughter.

Didn't you say hunting is yourjob?

When you think about it

there are more beasts in this palace than in the forest.

Animals are not divided into noblemen and commoners.

They don't care about power or family.

They meet who they want and find new mates when they want.

They take care of their young.

No animal would ever kill its own young like me.

Her life is her own now.

Please tell her

that her father has many regrets.

Have you heard the rumor about

the Prime Minister's niece?

- I knew her. - Since when?

Since I saved her life from the riverside.

Then the rumor

was true.

She is Eoudong, the daughter of

Chief Officer Park of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She is also Prime Minister Jeong Changson's niece.

I didn't know...

If you want to catch a big fish, you find a good spot.

Then cast your bait

and wait for the right moment.

This is the moment I have been waiting for.

I have found the real murderer. Come here, please.

Take those smelly things away.

Now it's clear that she is innocent.

- It's all useless now. - Pardon?

The Royal Inspector will handle this matter from now on.

She is the legal wife of Tae Sangun, who is

the King's uncle.

Any case involving the royal family is a matter for the Royal Inspector.

You know that better than anyone.

Five years of more experience wouldn't do any good on you.

- Thank you. - Make sure you get it right.

I will go and meet her.

I will never forget your kindness.

Hello, Detective Kang.

Hi, how are you guys doing?

What brings you here so late at night?

I resigned from my position as detective today.

I just have one last criminal to check on.

Madam.

Madam.

You wouldn't know who I am

but I have gotten to know you very well.

Well, I got to know you in a way.

Perhaps I never really knew you.

But I know very well that you do not deserve

to be executed for this crime.

Thank you.

Even the humblest creature knows when and where to be born.

But for human beings, choosing wrong

is grounds for execution.

The only thing I resent is being charged with murder.

Who's there?

- Catch him. - Catch him!

Get her out of here.

How are you this morning?

Sir.

I heard what happened to Chief Officer Park.

It's a pity to lose him.

But one should be able to rule his own family

before trying to rule the country.

- You. - Yes.

Don't beat around the bush.

What do you mean?

You can be straightfoward with me.

Yes, actually it has nothing to do with you.

You are noble beyond everything.

So you do not deserve to be troubled by your niece's lewd behavior.

I blame myself for it.

But it's too much since her obscene act is only

a misdemeanor but she is being sentenced for a felony murder.

- But... - Go ahead.

The King is a true father of this country,

and a moral role model for the people.

What if people find out that the King joined

your niece in this obscenity?

Shall we charge her for her lewd behavior?

Orjust execute her for murderer?

What is better for the country?

I will follow your advice

Here comes the King. Here comes the King.

Here comes the King.

Sir.

The criminals have escaped.

What?

- Is that true? - Yes.

No.

Eoudong is still in prison.

Listen carefully.

Kill everyone who can recognize her

and arrest the head courtesan.

Yes, sir.

You are the only witness.

Don't you know that government officials always scheming?

I am not smart enough to figure this one out

but the truth is hidden.

You mean no power can oppose the will of Heaven?

Yes, the will of the people is the will of Heaven.

What did you inscribe?

The thing that I want to do with you most.

I want to fly with you.

Now...

You must keep your promise. I want to die by your hand.

According to Annals of the Seongjong Era,

Eoudong was executed

but there were rumors that her life was spared

and she was released from the prison.

The 500 years of the Joseon Dynasty were the hardest time

for Korean women. The aristocrats could never kill Eoudong.

She lives on in the hearts of oppressed women.