Original subtitles

Son-juke Island, Spring of 1587

It's the enemy!

Heung-yang, Cholla Province

My lady! My lady!

What is it?

Madam Park is asking for you. You should go now.

All right.

Open it.

What is this, Mother?

I struggled with this for a long time.

Do I speak or do I bury the truth?

Mother?

That is the only symbol of your birthmother that she left behind.

Fifteen years ago, I was in Gon-yang at the home of my parents giving birth.

But the baby died shortly after delivery, I was very heartbroken.

That's when you came to me.

I could have kept this hidden, but I didn't want to.

Now that you are all grown up and getting married, I want to share

this joy with the woman who brought you into this world.

Was I... an abandoned child?

Did you take an abandoned child and raise me?

Don't say that. You are my daughter no matter what anyone says.

I may not have given birth to you, but I raised you with all of my love.

Mother...

You don't know what a blessing you are to me and how happy you have made me.

But I'm sure it was very painful for your birthmother to give you up.

You are a child of gentle and kind nature.

Don't be resentful or bitter. Be thankful.

That is the right thing.

Mother...

Bridal Obeisance!

The bride and groom will be in heaven tonight!

Exchange of wine!

February of 1587, on the 20th year of Son-jo's reign, eighteen Japanese war

vessels invaded the beaches of Son-juke Island in Cholla Province.

The southern coast of Chosun was not foreign to Japanese incursions,

but unlike before these invaders were official Japanese navy.

Accordingly, they showed greater interest in military combat as opposed

to previously indulged activities like pillage, arson and kidnapping.

The naval commander of Nok-do Yi Dae-won dies a heroic death in a brave

battle against them, and some one hundred Chosun troops are captured.

The first line of defense crumbles and and the Japanese forces push forward

seizing Heung-yang and Garipo. It is a sweeping victory for the Japanese.

You look happy, Sahwadong.

General!

But of course you're happy. Chosun is your home.

Home always has a warm place in our hearts. Don't you agree?

No... no, General. Of course not Chosun is no longer my home.

Japan, you and His Eminence Hideyoshi's land is my home.

This is why I like you. Dogs never betray the hands that feed them.

I wish all Chosunese were like you. Don't you?

Yes, of course.

- Sahwadong! - Yes, sir!

We will join the troops in Heung-yang. Lead us!

Yes, General!

Board the troops!

Yes, sir!

All men aboard!

There was an important variable in these Japanese victories and he was Sahwadong,

a native Chosunese who had sworn loyalty to Japan.

The invasion of 1587 was a carefully planned operation in which Sahwadong,

having exceptional knowledge of Cholla geography, was put to service as a

guide for the Japanese invaders.

There is not a moment to waste!

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty, Japanese invaders have invaded Son-juke Island raping our

women and killing our men.

The fires of battle have already spread to Heung-yang and Karipo,

and we are in a most pressing situation.

Why is our navy struggling against common pirates of Japan?

Your Majesty, I am appalled and infuriated by the evil and

destruction, but I do not believe this is a cause for great concern.

No?

No, Your Majesty. Lack of order and discipline on the part of Cholla Left

Guards is the cause for this struggle. Therefore, the situation will soon be

put under control if you place competent military leader to service.

And who would that be?

The second commander-in-chief Shin Lip.

Very well. Send Commander Shin without delay.

And instruct all magistrates of Cholla to recruit troops locally and give

their best effort against the aggressors!

Your grace is immeasurable!

The sentiment of the people is important as well, and I'd like

you to go to Cholla as the viceroy.

Your grace is infinite, Your Majesty.

You are the one I trust and depend on. Please give your best effort.

This is truly disturbing!

His Majesty is showing more and more partiality in favor of the Westerners.

We must bring Yu Sung-ryong back to the royal court.

That is the only way to win back His Majesty's heart.

A man named Sahwadong is guiding the Japanese through our land?

Geishas sell their chastity, scholars sell their spirit,

and now men sell their country!

Oh yes!

You're on a hot streak with your repartee!

Perfect rhythm, poignant...

Chung-hyang why don't we take a little trip to Cholla?

A military battle is the most exciting spectacle to watch.

Sure, when are we leaving? Shall I pack my bag now?

That's enough, you two.

Why? Would you like to come along?

Would you stop?

Don't be so angry with us. The King himself was ignoring all the warning signs,

and now he's scrambling to shut the stable after the horse has bolted.

Where is the crime in us talking about going out there and watching the battles?

I agree. Perhaps His Majesty should go out there first.

Stop. It's not that I don't agree with you.

I want to take His Majesty to the battlefield and let him see what is

happening to his people if I could.

Sahwadong was it?

I heard about extortion and abuse of local magistrates on the coast driving

the fishermen out the country. They deserve to die if they brought

the enemy back to their land, but how could we blame them in entirety?

We have to change this country. We have to change it completely.

We can't leave it in the hands of the incompetent King and his men!

What does the letter say?

It's from Nam Un-kung the viceroy of Chun-ju.

He was ordered by the royal court to recruit soldiers locally and combat

the Japanese aggressors, but he is having a hard time.

What do they expect? You can't turn farmers into soldiers overnight.

They should've thought ahead and prepared for this invasion long ago.

Assemble the league members immediately.

Yes, sir!

Hear me! The atrocious Japanese are destroying our southern coast, and

the cries of our people ring throughout the land!

But the benighted King and his men have closed their ears long ago,

and the fate of the country rests on your hands.

Chung Yuh-rip and his Great East League...

They were more than just a group of idealist.

They had real power and military strength to pursue their ideals.

In the 200 years since its founding, Chosun had never experienced a full-

scale war, therefore the royal court held a very nonchalant attitude about

the threat of foreign invasion and was negligent in defensive preparations.

And when the Japanese struck in 1587, they were utterly helpless.

But Chung Yuh-rip was different. He had always preached the need to perfect both

literary and military arts and had organized his league to accordingly,

and was able to rally an army in a matter of one day.

But...

by the time Shin Lip's Royal army and Chung Yuh-rip's Great East League

were deployed, the Japanese forces had already completed their mission and

were heading back to Japan.

Who is that woman?

She must be a woman of status judging by her attire.

She wears a dress worn by the ladies of the palace, but common women also

wear that dress once in their lives as a wedding dress.

My guess is she was taken at her wedding.

You!

You're...!

Who are you?

Step back!

Don't you dare lay your filthy Japanese hands on a lady of nobility!

No, it can't be. You're too young to be her.

The Invasion of 1587 was a reconnaissance mission for the

Japanese to test out the waters before a full-scale war.

Japan would acquire relatively detailed knowledge about Chosun military through

the prisoners taken at this time and Chosun's position was markedly weakened.

Nok-dune Island, fall 1587

Yes, yes. Keep up the good work.

Can't you walk any faster?

Gee whiz! What do you do with all that food you eat? Hurry up!

I see that everyone is hard at work.

Good morning, Captain.

How is the harvest?

We'll have some left over after we satisfy the military provisions.

How was your harvest, Gapchul? Will you have some crops left over for yourself?

Of course, Captain. This guy is incredible!

The training is exhausting as it is, but he worked day and night on the

field as well. I swear this man is going to be filthy rich!

Filthy rich? Now you're exaggerating.

Don't forget, you owe me a couple of sacks of grains.

Of course. Don't worry.

I'm even going to make a barrel of wine with my grains.

So you don't have to worry about wine this winter!

We're going to have a warm winter thanks to Gapchul!

Why are you drooling?

Why? Do you have a problem with that?

You'll be done with your service before the winter.

Why are you worried about getting through the winter?

Oh, that's right, I forgot.

Then I'll just take some of your wine home with me.

No way! There will be barely enough for us!

Now, now, let's finish up and get back to training.

Yes.

Youngbo what are you doing here?

I'm here to stand guard.

Stand guard? Why should you stand guard?

Dolsue has a cold, so I told him I'd fill in for him.

The barbarians have been quiet lately.

Yeah, too quiet.

I'm kind of scared, but I wish they'd attack so we could wipe them out and

be released from serfdom.

I can't wait to be free so I could wear a soldier's uniform.

Is that what you want to do when you're free?

What's so good about being a soldier?

You watch. I'm going to be a hero here and make myself real soldier.

Then a commander, a lieutenant, and maybe even a captain.

The enemy is too quiet.

Perhaps they've seen our airtight defense and they're afraid to attack.

They may be afraid, but they are running out of food.

My guess is the barbarians will risk considerable casualties to come after

the harvest.

We better see what they're up to.

Chief!

Over there!

They're soldiers of Chosun! After them!

Sassonga.

Yes, sir.

Chase them for a while and let them go.

Pardon? But...

Do as you're told!

Yes, sir.

What? Countless?

Yes, countless!

There must've been at least ten times, no twenty times...

Say something! They had hundred times as many men, didn't they?

Not twice as many but ten, twenty times as many men?

Are you sure you're not making a mistake, Ilsu?

I'm not the only witness! Why would I lie to you about this?

Tell me the truth. How far did you go with Soonim?

Go where?

I'm sure you held her hand. Did you... kiss her?

I don't know!

Be careful choosing your woman.

There're a lot of deceitful wenches out there.

Soonim is not like Hong.

What? Don't you cross me!

Be quiet!

Aren't you a least bit worried? Ilsu isn't back from the enemy camp!

How can you talk about women when one of your comrades is in the lion's den?

I hope he's all right.

Ilsu!

Thank goodness you're alive! I was worried sick about you!

How did it go? What did you see out there?

This is so frustrating! Say something!

Ilsu?

Can we...?

Can we really beat those barbarians?

I don't understand. They were enemy scouts. Why did you let them get away?

We have just exposed our strength to the enemy.

That's good. That's exactly what I want.

But Chief!

Now the enemy leader Yi Soon-shin will know that they are no match for us.

And he will become afraid.

When the enemy is paralyzed with fear, the battle as good as won.

Right, Matniungae?

Yes, but...

But that doesn't mean we can relax. I shall make my last crucial move.

The barbarians are coming by the herds you say?

Hundreds of barbarians are gathered at the river with a cavalry leading them.

They are preparing to cross the river.

Put the troops in alert. I will go to the front myself.

Yes, sir.

What? The barbarian forces have converged around Jong-sung Fort?

Yes, Commander.

They're making their move now the harvest is done.

The entire region will be astir for a while.

Commander!

I've come to report a barbarian raid at Onsung, sir!

And I, from Kyung-won, sir!

We must allocate at least one third of the soldiers from each of the six

camps to Nok-dune Island.

Are you out of your mind?

That is our best option at this point with no other means of securing additional troops.

The barbarians are coming together converging their

forces at Chu-do and compounds nearby.

Captain Yi has a point.

Barbarians have a perfect motive since Nok-dune is an island of military farms

that produce our food supply.

Sir, as I've said repeatedly, Nok-dune is a point of great strategic importance.

If Nok-dune should fall into the hands of the enemy the entire coast will be

in danger.

How can you say that after seeing that map?

There are daily barbarian raids everywhere in this region.

What does that mean?

But they are random, isolated raids that involved no more than 30 to 50

cavalrymen. Then taking one third from each garrison shouldn't be...

The army that I saw across the river was at least three times that number.

It could be a trick.

A trick?

We must consider the possibility of it being a part of their strategy.

Why didn't they attack if there were so many of them?

Perhaps it is a trick to try and confuse us.

I thought I warned you. Do not overestimate the enemy.

I agree with the Chief Commander.

The barbarians are not as smart as you think they are.

I speak based on factual reconnaissance reports. The enemy is...

All right.

Perhaps the barbarians really had converged their forces near Chu-do

at one point.

But the continuing random raids suggest that they have dispersed and returned

to their own camps.

Rise above your groundless fears. Tribal union is not as easy as you imagine.

These barbarians can hardly feed themselves.

They are not an organized army capable of conceiving such ideas as

points of tactically importance and establishing command centers.

Please reconsider, Commander.

I'm not willing to make any changes in the positioning of the troops at

this point! I believe we can get through this fall like the year before

if each garrisons does its best to fend off the barbarians.

Do not bring this up again, and do not initiate military action without my

authorization. There will be severe consequences if you violate my order.

Is there something wrong?

Everyone has been acting strange for the last few days.

What's wrong? Did you glue your lips together? Come on, tell me!

Captain, you're back!

Did you check the enemy camp again?

Sir, I don't want to say this.

but if we can't get any aid, and if there is no change with the enemy,

perhaps we should... clean up the island.

No!

We'we done everything we can.

Look.

Hear me out. I know what you want to say.

And both the captain and I feel the same way that you do.

But you can't fight a war with rage and desire alone.

Let's say we are going to clean up the island.

Do you think the people are going to accept that?

We'll explain the situation and make them understand.

Captain?

Captain!

I know this is difficult, but only you can make this decision, sir.

What? Repeat that?

Did you say they are going to clean up the island?

Yes, what do they mean by that?

They're going to burn everything down and abandon the island!

What?!

No! I oppose!

How can we do that? Haven't you seen how hard those men work?

To them this island is...

Shut up. You're not the only one with a heart.

We care about them too!

Aren't you the one who made the most fuss here?

You're the one who's always roused up taking about trashing the barbarians

and wiping them out!

Don't shoot your mouth off just because you have one!

Don't you feel bad? Doesn't it bother your conscience?

You jerk!

Getdong! Getdong!

How dare you show such disrespect!

Step aside before we get ugly! We don't care about anything right now!

Get the captain out here! Where is he? Get him out here now!

How dare you!

Get the captain out here! We have no business with the two of you.

We'll be forced to hurt you if you don't stop this!

Drop your hoe, fool!

Kill us! The barbarians will kill us anyway!

Why don't we die together? We'll kill you and you can kill us!

Withdraw your weapons at once!

But...

Now!

Captain, do you know what's worse than taking arbitrarily by force?

It's giving and taking it back.

If you were going to do this, if you were going to give up like this,

you should've never give us anything in the first place. The hope of freedom,

the hope of having our own land, you shouldn't have give us anything.

You're going to burn everything down and evacuate?

Don't destroy our houses. We're not like you or your soldiers.

We are this island and this island is us. You can't think of us separately.

Let's go!

I've come to say thanks.

I speak for all of us.

Everyone feels bad about how we reacted this afternoon.

All of you have been so good to us this past year.

You farmed with us, gave us military training...

I know we resisted pretty hard at first, but we can at least die

trying to defend ourselves.

Gapchul...

We're all right no matter what happens.

We have our family here with us, so we'll at least be together when we die.

But you have to go back. That's the right things to do.

You have family back home waiting for you.

You'll be breaking their hearts if you die here.

Shut up.

Don't worry about us.

We brought what we could in the short time we have.

These are your share.

Fellows, let us go now.

Thanks for everything. We'll meet again.

I don't think I can leave.

How could I leave them here to die?

When faced with an enemy of incomparable strength, when odds of victory is next to nil,

it is clearly a wiser choice to break camp and evacuate.

But is that the right thing to do?

Is it right to leave those people behind to die?

Sir...

We know what you're thinking, Captain.

And we're here to tell you we feel the same way.

We won't give up like this!

We've been with these people too long to abandon them now. We want to fight!