Original subtitles

Lovers of the Red Sky

Kim Yoo Jung, Ahn Hyo Seob

Gong Myung, Kwak Si Yang

Lovers of the Red Sky

The characters and settings of this drama are fictional and have no connection to historical facts

Once upon a time, there was a time where humans and creatures of the earth

lived in harmony with unseen beings.

Among them was Sam Shin*, (Goddess of fertility)

three gods merged into one body.

The first god blessed life.

The second god controlled death.

The third god maintained the balance between the two.

One day, the god of death who thirsted for blood gobbled up the god of balance.

Once the balance between life and death was broken,

the world fell into terror and chaos.

From then on, Ma Wang, the daemon king who was severed from the body of Sam Shin

seeped into the dark desires of humans.

One day, a woman who lost her lover to Ma Wang's rampage

created a piece of painting.

Sam Shin responded to her prayers and became one with the painting.

Ma Wang, who had caused chaos in the world, was sealed in the holy painting.

Afterwards, the woman disappeared without a trace.

Episode 1: Red Sky

(Dan Dynasty, the first year of King Seongjo's reign)

(The abdicated king Yeongjong was able to conquer the world with the power he acquired when Ma Wang entered his body.)

When he became afraid of Ma Wang's increasingly rampant bloodshed, he passed on the throne to his son Seongjo.

In order to eliminate Ma Wang, a ritual is held to seal the daemon king inside his portrait.

Eun Oh, have you heard the news?

I hear this royal portrait will be gifted to the subjects to prevent evil.

Something terrible is to be lifted from the abdicated king's body and sealed into this painting.

Please hear my prayers.

Please help my husband finish the royal portrait without trouble.

Please hear my prayer.

That is all. You are excused.

But sir, I am a shaman of the Shamanist Bureau...

The sealing ritual will be carried out by the Taoist Bureau.

Yes, sir.

(Hong Eun Oh: A royal painter)

(Gan Yun Guk: A painter) How can a painting be this powerful?

It is truly remarkable.

Now it truly is...

up to the gods.

My baby...

Buddha!

Gods of heaven and earth!

Sam Shin!

Anyone, please...

Please protect my baby!

Sam Shin!

Please protect my baby!

Please... my baby...

Cheon Gi... Cheon Gi...

(Grandmother Sam Shin: a goddess who blesses a child with life)

My poor Cheon Gi, what shall we do with you?

(Mi Su: Royal shaman)

(Ha Seong Jin: Head of the Taoist Bureau)

Sir! Sir, what's wrong?

Sir! Sir!

Father...

(King Seongjo: Fourth king of Dan Dynasty) Is it truly possible

(King Yeongjong: Third king of Dan Dynasty) to seal Ma Wang into your portrait?

That is the only way to dispel that daemon from this land.

Today, I will put an end to the endless bloody war with Ma Wang.

Begin.

Om mani...

Om mani padme hum*. (Buddhist mantra)

Om mani padme hum!

(Ma Wang: a god of death) Who dares wake me from my slumber?

You dare wake me?

Insolent fool!

He is the king of the living land!

Show your respect, daemon of the underground!

Don't look into his eyes! You must never look into his eyes!

King, come closer.

Accept me.

You cannot escape me.

Look, is anyone out there?

Sam Shin!

Sam Shin, how dare you!

From this day forward, you will all suffer from drought and famine!

Your descendants will be lost in darkness!

Your descendants will never paint again!

How dare he blind you?

Ma Wang, that daemon is truly unchanging and cruel.

Dear child, I cannot undo the curse...

but I shall bless you with a destined partner who can help you avoid the curse.

My Lady, it's a boy!

Sweet baby, your name is Ram.

The eldest son of the noble household of Ha.

- Ha Ram. - What a beautiful name!

What is the matter?

Will this truly bring peace to the world?

I am afraid the seal will be broken.

Do not fear any longer.

Your reign will be filled with peace and prosperity.

The curse troubles me.

The drought and famine.

What is the meaning of this?

You will not get away with this!

Once the abdicated king finds out...

The abdicated king has chosen the Shamanist Bureau.

It is time for Your Excellency to step down.

Strike him!

Everyone, scatter!

Death awaits the hunting dog once it finishes its job.

I only did what I had to do to safeguard the royal family

and the people of this country!

Nine years later, the ninth year of King Seongjo's reign

The sealing ceremony was successful,

but the Dan dynasty suffers from drought and famine for nine years because of Ma Wang's curse

So the Royal Shaman, Mi Su, searches for Seokcheokdongja to sacrifice during the rain ritual...

What does that say?

Divide the crop into ten grades and pay taxes based on how much you salvage I don't know. I can't read.

What do you mean he is not virtuous?

- The king should take charge and... - How dare you?

That is why it doesn't rain!

- Do you know how many years it has been? - Clear the path!

Make certain not a single grain of rice is taken out!

- Do you understand? - Yes, My Lord!

That boy has extraordinary powers!

- It's right here. - You are certain this is where the water is?

Come on, let's dig!

He said there is water! We must dig!

Water! It's water!

That child is truly blessed with the power of water.

Father!

Ram! You are back.

- That man... - Yes, Father.

- is His Lordship Ha Seong Jin. - Come inside. Come.

So he was alive.

It has been too long, Sir.

What business have you here?

I realize your sorrow and resentment still haunt you after all these years.

You should watch your mouth.

I only followed the abdicated king's orders back then.

Before I put an end to your life right this minute,

tell me your reason for coming to my house.

I am here to summon your son.

You sick wench.

I'm sure you are not blind to the fact that your son was born with the power of water.

- I will pretend I did not hear you. - Lord!

This country has suffered from drought for the past nine years.

We need your son for this year's rain rite.

How dare you!

Shut your mouth and leave!

Your divine powers have grown stronger.

I am now the head shaman of the Shamanist Bureau. (The head shaman is the one who conducts national rites)

I will take your son for the ritual as the Seokcheokdongja.

You do not have a choice in this matter.

Make your preparations.

I shall leave with your son tomorrow as soon as dawn breaks.

What is the most important part of a portrait?

It is not my eyes that look upon it.

It is the eyes that look upon me.

There's the maniac and the eye demon.

My mom says their house is haunted.

Ghosts? Really?

Do you really believe that?

Ghosts don't exist. Look carefully.

Come and get it! Come and get it!

- Come and get it! - Give that back! That's my father's painting!

- Come and get it! - Give it back!

Dirty rat!

Dirty rat.

Disgusting. Scram!

Don't mess with my daughter Cheon Gi!

- Don't touch Cheon Gi! - What's wrong?

Father, stop! Father, I'm all right! Father!

Father, please! I'm all right.

Father!

Let's go! Come on!

Run!

- Let's go! - Hurry, run!

Make way!

Make way!

Don't look into his eyes.

- We must not look into the eyes. - Father?

Don't look into his eyes.

Don't look into his eyes!

I sense demon energy.

- Must not look into the eyes... - Father...

Stop!

Please stop!

What is this energy?

My father is not mentally well.

Where am I?

Father. Father.

- Cheon Gi... - Father.

Do you recognize me?

- Cheon Gi! - Father.

My Cheon Gi!

Eun Oh!

H-Hong Eun Oh!

Is... Is it really you?

It is you...

You were alive!

Sir Ha Seong Jin!

It is so good to see you again.

Shamanist Bureau: managed shamans and conducted rituals for the royal family

Are you all right?

Your manic attack earlier seemed quite severe.

The seizures began after that day

and ever since, my memories have begun to slip.

I am worried to death for my little Cheon Gi because of my illness.

She was born that day in the year of the ox.

My son was also born on the same day.

Was your son not affected?

Ha Ram, go play in the yard.

- Yes, Father. - Cheon Gi, go with him.

Then may I go to the White Elm Painting Institute?

- Father, please. - What a bright child.

Ha Ram, why don't you go with her?

Yes, Father.

It is a path I know well.

I am not following you.

You don't own this land.

(White Elm Painting Institution)

- Where is this? - Goodness!

You've followed me, after all.

I was walking ahead of you.

Was that supposed to be a joke?

Where is this?

This is the White Elm Painting Institute.

- It is a painters' institution. - Painters' institution?

They make paintings and sell them.

(Transfer Simulation: imitation technique) The painting for today's replication lesson is not an old one.

It is a painting that I drew

(Gyeonjudaek: Helper at White Elm Painting Institute) of the street vendors' chicken fight when I studied at painting school.

(Choi Won Ho: Headmaster of White Elm Painting Institute) Choon Bok.

(Gang Choon Bok: Butler of White Elm Painting Institute) Yes, Sir?

Watch over them while they paint.

Headmaster?

Headmaster, where are you going?

Headmaster?

All right. Elements to learn from this painting is...

So what are we doing here?

You would not understand even if I told you.

Come now, tell me.

Do you expect me to answer you for free?

Do you expect me to pay you?

Nothing in this world is free.

Never mind then!

I'm not curious in the slightest.

This moment of them flying into the air...

- All right. - sets an anticipatory atmosphere...

Close your eyes.

And if I will not?

If you close your eyes like this, you can hear sounds.

Do you hear them?

This is the sound of brushes against the paper.

Gliding...

and sliding...

A fast learner you are.

As you listen to the sounds, you begin to imagine the painting.

And as you imagine the painting, you feel content.

Because I see the world through sound.

Here...

Gyeonjudaek...

Headmaster...

Gyeonjudaek.

Sir!

Ch-Cheon Gi!

We have run out of silk threads at home.

Could I take your leftover threads?

Sure, go ahead.

All right. Thank you, sir.

- Sir! - What? What is it? What?

Where did Gyeonjudaek go?

She said she would give me something, but I do not think she's in the kitchen.

The bundle in the shed. The bundle in the shed.

The bundle in the shed.

She says there is a bundle in the shed.

That's right!

The bundle in the shed! What a bright young man.

- Why don't you go look for it with her? - Yes, sir.

Let's go, Cheon Gi.

Gyeonjudaek...

Headmaster, we've finished...

- I quit! I say, I quit! - Headmaster, please!

I quit! Is that what you want? I quit!

You dim-witted fool!

It was a mistake taking you in!

I wonder...

how did you know the bundle was in the shed?

That's... that is...

Cheon Gi, there you are.

Gyeonjudaek! I thought you had gone somewhere.

No, that's not it.

Cheon Gi, hold on.

What is wrong with your sleeve?

One moment. I will sew it back together in no time.

Wait here for a moment.

Did you pretend not to see it when you saw the hole?

I always get holes in my clothes, so I thought you were the same.

Do you also not have a mother?

I do.

Why? Do you not have a mother?

She died the day I was born.

What are you drawing all of a sudden?

A star.

This looks more like a full moon than a star.

This is a star to me.

What are you doing?

I shall draw with you.

This is a star?

Yes. The Big Dipper.

I see.

The Big Dipper...

Are you hungry?

N... no!

Follow me!

No.

Children.

Come here.

- Us? - Yes!

You two, come here.

Hold on, hold on.

Here. You will...

need this tomorrow.

No, that is all right.

I can't take this from you.

Take what?

What?

What's wrong?

What is it?

It is nothing...

I must have imagined it.

Let's go.

Be sure to hold your hands tightly together.

So they have finally met.

(Shamanist Bureau) What brings you to Gwanyang?

What a cruel joke of fate.

(Seokcheokdongja: A child to lead the rain rite) My son is to be Seokcheokdongja for the rain rite this year.

Ha Ram is born with the power of water.

So he is going to the palace?

That cannot be.

What?

(Seokcheok Rain Rite: A rain rite with a lizard for rain) You have found a boy suitable for the rain rite?

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Shamanistic Bureau has him under protection.

Who is it?

(Taiost Bureau: A bureau in charge of rituals to the sky and stars) He is the son of Ha Seong Jin, who once carried out rituals at the Taoist Bureau.

The boy is blessed by the water god.

The man who sealed Satan nine years ago.

- He is still alive? - Yes, Your Majesty.

It seems he had escaped and stayed hidden in Yangjoo.

That is a relief.

But it pains me that we must sacrifice his son.

You have to swallow your pain and make a decision for the starving people.

Are you suggesting a human sacrifice?

Your Majesty, a hundred years ago,

a human sacrifice relieved heaven's anger and brought down rain.

How dare you speak such words in front of His Majesty!

We are a country that serves Confucius and Mencius.

We cannot carry out something so grotesque!

Your Excellencies, had you forgotten about the incident nine years ago?

The drought and famine have continued for years.

Human sacrifice is the only way to undo Satan's curse.

How dare a mere shamanist suggest such treachery to His Majesty!

What are your thoughts on this?

The will of the higher power will not change through human deceptions.

How could the gods allow human sacrifice?

I am of the same mind.

The rain rite will be carried out in a dignified manner this year.

We shall not sacrifice any life.

Is that understood?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Only a human sacrifice will bring rain, Your Majesty.

You may all disagree with me, but I must do it.

The head shaman will do it.

Hey!

What are you doing?

This is thievery!

Hey, wait, wait.

There is someone here.

Do you not hear her snoring?

You're psychic.

See this stick?

I do.

Shake on it.

Why don't we just tell Father we are hungry?

Do you wish to worry the elders during the famine?

All right.

Be quiet!

Everyone in the village knows about House Ahn's peach blossom field.

Why?

Because her fiery temper will make even grown men tremble with fear.

Then she's a scary person!

If we get caught, we won't be able to walk out on our own.

What?

I won't do it then! I'm coming down.

I want to eat a peach.

I can't even pick a peach because I can't see.

All right, fine.

Are you all right?

Who's there?

- You scoundrels! - Hey, run!

Oh, okay.

She's coming! Hurry!

Are you all right? Let's go!

You brats! Don't you try that again!

This is all your fault.

If it weren't for you, that scary woman wouldn't have chased us.

Where are you going?

I hate you.

I never said I wanted to steal someone else's peaches.

You are just like everyone else.

Because I can't see...

and because my father isn't mentally well,

and because my mother died when I was born...

I have no friends.

Everyone points fingers at me for no reason.

They say I am a cursed child.

I only wanted to eat a peach with you.

I'm sorry.

But...

the fact that your mother died giving birth to you,

that you were born blind,

that your father isn't well...

None of that is your fault.

- So why... - Why what?

What?

What do you know?

You're right.

I don't know anything, but you can't help it.

Everything that has happened to you is not within the human will.

It isn't your fault!

So don't blame yourself for things that you cannot control.

I'm even hungrier now from running so much.

This definitely is your fault.

Here.

It's still not ripe.

It's sweet. Tastes delicious.

What is that?

It should feel better now.

Where did the bundle go?

Oh, right!

Gyeonjudaek's bundle!

I must have lost it while we were running away.

Here it is.

Really?

Thank goodness.

Why would you jest about such a thing?

You really startled me.

You are so mean.

I can't even jest.

There are countless stars in the sky tonight.

Look, there's the Big Dipper.

Is there?

Wow...

- Oh, right. - Oh, right what?

Do you feel guilty about seeing the stars by yourself?

I'm sorry.

It was insensitive of me.

How many stars are there?

Around a hundred million?

How much is a hundred million?

A lot. Countless.

Come off now. We're here.

Wait.

Here. You should take this.

That's all right.

I'll come to fetch it after the rain rite.

Isn't this precious to you?

This?

It is nothing.

It is just the one and only handkerchief that my mother gave me.

Are you telling the truth?

All right. Come back tomorrow.

I'll be waiting for you.

All right.

Tomorrow, I'll go back to House Ahn's peach blossom field and get more peaches for you.

Give me your hand.

My hand?

Here.

Take this.

You will go pick peaches with me tomorrow, won't you?

Sure. Of course!

Okay. That's a promise.

All right.

Let's go.

His Majesty, the King!

You must be Ha Ram.

I lack virtue and must depend on a young boy like you.

I am indebted to your family.

My heart is heavy, Your Majesty.

The eyes are the most important part of a painting.

The soul must be clear!

Goodness!

Oh, my!

What insolence!

Have mercy!

Have mercy, please!

Father, I hear they have better medicine this time.

Hold on...

Hold on just a little bit longer.

His Highness, the Crown Prince!

(Crown Prince Lee Kang: Seongjo's eldest son) Hoo, it's been too long.

Why have you not visited me all this time?

(Grand Prince Joo Hyang, Lee Hoo: Seongjo's second son) Your Highness, you must speak with formality.

- There are people watching. - No matter.

We are brothers of the same mother.

It is a delight to see my brothers here.

Your Highness, our country is suffering from never-ending drought and famine.

Rather than the joy of seeing each other,

I pray you do not forget the significance of today's rain rite.

Hoo, I will not forget your council when I rise to the throne.

Yes, Your Highness.

Come now, Hyungnim.

Why are you acting so formally?

Yool, when I said that to His Highness, I knew full well what it means.

That is enough, Yool.

Hoo speaks for my own good.

(Grand Prince Yang Yeong, Lee Yool: Seongjo's third son)

I understand, Your Highness.

Hyungnim!

Why do you walk so fast?

Move out of my way.

Are you irked by what I said earlier?

Do not be so angry.

Yool, do you not feel anything?

- What do you mean? - Yool, we are like Guelder Flowers.

Yool, we are like Guelder Flowers.

They bloom flowers, but they cannot bear berries even though it is alive.

We are lifeless flowers.

Every time I meet His Highness, that is what I feel,

even though nothing can be done about it.

Hyungnim, Guelder Flowers are light green when they blossom initially,

then white in full bloom, then yellow when it dies.

then yellow when it dies.

How could you call a flower that lives so vibrantly lifeless?

But listen, Hyungnim. Follow me.

I know what will make you feel better today.

What foolery is this?

I will show you something grand.

(Kyeongwonjeon: A palace hall where former kings' portraits are kept and ceremonies are held)

Hyungnim, you've dropped your protection amulet.

(Protection Amulet: To protect against evil spirits)

Did His Majesty tell you to keep this amulet close as it repels evil spirits?

keep this amulet close as it repels evil spirits?

Keep it close with you.

How ominous.

Why would this fall off?

But listen, Hyungnim.

When else would we have a chance to see the faces of past kings?

This place is truly enchanted.

Future king.

Future king of this land.

Future king.

Future king of this land.

Come to me.

His Majesty, the King!

Future king.

Future king of this land.

Future king.

Future king of this land.

Come to me.

Hyungnim! What are you doing?

You shouldn't touch-

Future king...

Come to me.

Doesn't royal grandfather's face seem quite alive?

quite alive?

Future king.

Future king of this land.

The ceremonial incantation!

O radiant spirit!

This year's drought has been particularly severe.

The people cry out and suffer in agony!

It is all due to my lack of virtue.

Please look over us

and grant us extensive rainfall!

Begin.

♫ Salamander, salamander, bring forth the clouds ♫

♫ Spew the clouds ♫

♫ Salamander, salamander, bring forth the clouds ♫

♫ Spew the clouds ♫

Come to me.

Come to me... future king.

We must go now. Quickly!

Future king.

I shall become one with you.

Future king.

Future king of this land.

I shall become one with you.

♫ Salamander, salamander, bring forth the clouds ♫

♫ Spew the clouds ♫

♫ Salamander, salamander, bring forth the clouds ♫

♫ Spew the clouds ♫

♫ Only once you let the sweet rain fall ♫

♫ We will let you go ♫

Are you the one who has awoken me?

Is this...

a human sacrifice?

Om mani padme hum!

No!

Where is it?

Is it that direction?

Ha Ram!

Ha Ram!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Father!

- Ha- - What's going on?

It's raining!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Your Highness!

Rush and take His Highness!

Your Highness, we must leave!

It was my place.

Rush and protect His Highness!

It was my place all along!

Father...

Father...

Hurry!

- Rush! - This way!

This way!

The fire is spreading!

Bring him this way!

Father...

Fa...

Father...

Rain!

It's raining!

Goodness, it's raining!

Ha Ram!

Ha Ram!

It really is raining!

The throne was rightfully mine

as appointed by the heavens.

Ha Ram...

Ha Ram...

You have sacrificed yourself for the good of countless people.

You have used the child as bait

to lure me out?

Satan,

remain in this child's body.

I will take your eyes, the source of your power.

You will be powerless

until the day you reclaim your eyes.

Cheon Ki...

Cheon Ki...

You are a child destined to save the world.

I shall temporarily entrust these eyes with you.

Create your own destiny.

Ha Ram!

Move aside!

Ha Ram...

Ha Ram!

Ha Ram!

Ha Ram!

Arrest the head shaman immediately!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, I have done nothing wrong!

You cannot do this to me, Your Majesty!

Ha Ram.

- Father. - Ha Ram!

I cannot see!

Father!

I cannot see anything!

I cannot see anything, Father!

Far in the future,

when the two destinies intertwine,

everything will find its rightful place.

(Lovers of the Red Sky)

♫ Whichever way the wind blows ♫

♫ Wherever my feet lead me ♫

♫ I can walk without a moment's rest ♫

♫ Wherever you are, I ask you to stay ♫

♫ Am I the one who lives in your heart? ♫

♫ The one you miss endlessly? ♫

♫ I may not be, you may hate me ♫

She is the only female painter in this town.

The flower of the White Elm Painting Institute.

What use is replicating paintings?

We must paint people's wishes.

Warden Ha, welcome.

It is the hour of tiger. Please observe the stars of the southern sky.

How would you explain a blind man studying astronomy?

What can I say, she has no dignity as a painter.

What is the virtue of imitation?

It means it has to be exactly the same.

It is probably that man who only seeks Cheon Ki's paintings.

Find the imitation artist and investigate her.

I don't know who you are, but please pretend you didn't see me!

This woman, could she be?

♫ Am I the one who lives in your heart? ♫

(Lovers of the Red Sky)