Original subtitles

You need to pay for the book!

Mr. Wang! What a piece of work!

I could barely breathe.

Are you nuts?

You put me in danger, too.

Why did you come back this way?

I've come to get my money.

You took my book. You need to pay for it.

I want my 50 nyang.

He slipped away?

Don't fret.

What's really fun about conspiracies and schemes is the unexpected.

He must be a monster.

I thought he was just a good writer,

but it seems like he's well-versed in the martial arts as well.

He must be destined for greatness.

Nonsense.

You don't have the money?

I'll give it to you at the main test.

I give you my word.

Lead the way.

To get my money, I will follow you into your bedroom if I have to.

I won't go back on my word for a paltry 50 nyang.

Paltry?

Well, 50 nyang is small money for you.

However, the money is the reward for my younger brother

and the first day of the rest of my life.

However why did you steal the prohibited document.

Because this way it is much safer and more secure.

I would rather steal than be caught by the government soldiers.

I don't think they can catch me of my high social status.

It's a promise between two men.

I will pay you for the book.

I'll see you at the qualifying exam in two days.

I'm not taking any exam.

Drop off the money at the bookstore tomorrow.

Who should I say the money's for?

Kim Yunsik. My name is Kim Yunsik.

Take the test under your name, Kim Yunsik.

Are you angered by those who sell verses for power?

Do you want politics that will feed the people?

Then become a civil servant.

Don't waste your ideas on my robe.

Make your thoughts known to the king.

I am not interested in the qualifying exam.

Even though you despise the exams, I'm not sure you could pass them.

You're too good to waste your skills taking exams in people's stead.

Do you think I am impressed?

Do you think so?

Do you really believe that anyone can pass

and become an official regardless of class, money,

and family background?

Do you really think I can make changes just by passing that exam?

I don't think

Joseon is that great a nation.

I heard about a bold young man at the chosi.

I'm told it was your son.

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

Don't apologize.

It's my fault for not having taken

the preliminary test more seriously.

The main test

will be different, though.

The main test tomorrow will be overseen by the king himself.

No cheating or corruption will be tolerated.

I ask that all test takers be aware of this.

I'm here for my money.

Did Lee Seonjun stop by?

It's you who should pay me. Where's the money for the banned book?

He hasn't stopped by?

I don't know any Lee Seonjun.

I knew it.

He's going to get it.

Hold on!

There's a request for a proxy.

Haven't you heard it'll be overseen by the king?

It's too risky.

It'd be death if one got caught.

I didn't think you'd be up for it.

One's life is precious.

What I meant was,

it'll be expensive.

I want another 50 nyang.

The client will come to you, so you just stay put.

It'll be hemlock for you if you mess up this time.

I'm going to make you mine.

I'll send for you in three days.

We're here for you.

Where is he?

Give me a moment.

I need to bid my family farewell.

Hold on!

One test taker is running late.

Get out of the way.

Where is the girl?

His majesty the king!

The subject of the verse.

Are you looking for someone?

Yes.

The person who hired you as a proxy?

Mr. Wang?

You're a proxy at a test overseen by the king.

You're something else.

The person who hired you...

is yours truly.

What?

Excuse me, examiner.

There's someone here sullying this test site.

It's Lee Seonjun, son of the prime minister.

Who is the abominable fellow?

That would be me.

I caused him to sully his answer sheet.

Could he get new sheet?

Give me your identity tag.

Pardon?

We need to check it before giving you a new answer sheet.

Take the test under your name, Kim Yunsik.

Give me your identity tag!

Will you forfeit the test?

You'll get 100 lashes.

- Take him away! - Yes, sir!

Ipmunyurin.

If you did not register for the test, you cannot be here.

Don't you know that?

I'm Kim Yunsik of Namsan Valley.

Where did you hide your sister away?

I already paid today.

Watch what you say about my sister!

Both you and your brother

don't know the time of day.

I heard it's 100 lashes if you turn in a blank sheet.

Why are you doing this to me?

I told you.

I don't want you wasting your skills as a proxy test taker.

We'll see about that.

But first things first. I need my money.

Don't try to get out of it this time.

Become a civil servant?

Over my dead body.

What's going on?

The test results will be announced today.

Today?

Yes. His majesty will announce the results himself.

His majesty?

Right now?

Step forward if your name is called.

His majesty himself will be asking the questions.

Family name Kim...

Given name Hyeonjung.

Let the king do what he wants?

Why do you think the king

has decided to oversee that silly exam?

My duty is to recommend a scholar.

You're too laid back.

Don't you get it?

He's trying to stop the sons of the members of the Noron faction

from gaining admission to Sungkyunkwan.

Aren't you worried about your son?

- What is there to do? - Pardon?

If he can't even handle that,

he won't be of any use to us.

Family name Kim, given name Yunsik.

Are you the Kim Yunsik who wrote this verse?

Yes, Your Majesty.

How dare you?

Did you expect to deceive me

and get away with it?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

What was the subject of the verse I ordered?

The reason for wanting to become

a civil servant, Your Majesty.

And what did you say?

Answer me this instant!

I have studied enough to know the classics by heart.

But I entered the test site today to take the test as a proxy.

Fearing the sacred law of the nation, I gave up my original intention.

But while I did not break the law,

I am not virtuous enough to enter into government.

That was what I wrote.

Who are you?

Who hired you as a proxy?

Where do you think you are?

Answer his majesty right now!

He...

He...

He is not here.

He's lying.

I hired him.

My son hired a proxy?

Is that true?

I'm sorry, master.

What a sorry shame.

The verse you submitted is impeccable.

It doesn't make sense

that you would hire a proxy.

But I did hire Kim Yunsik.

The Kim Yunsik I know is a talented writer and thinker.

He is also virtuous,

concerned about the plight of the people.

But he refused to take this test believing that it would be impossible

for a man from an unknown family to enter into government.

- That is why... - So you wanted to give him a chance?

And it was something I needed.

If Kim Yunsik couldn't pass the test with his exceptional writing skills,

if Joseon were a nation where only family background and political faction

got you a place in government...

I, too, was going to give up on becoming a civil servant.

What you mean to say is that you hired Kim Yunsik as a proxy

to test me?

If we both pass this test,

I will serve you with my life.

A man does not take his own life lightly.

What?

You deceived me and disrespected this institution.

You will not be forgiven.

Kim Yunsik and Lee Seonjun

will be subject to the worst punishment there is.

Rise and look at me.

Go to Sungkyunkwan.

I order Kim Yunsik and Lee Seonjun to study and live in Sungkyunkwan.

You will immerse yourselves in learning day and night.

You will stay on your virtuous path...

and serve me when you are ready.

Show me the Joseon you envision.

This is a royal order.

I can't, Your Majesty.

I...

I can't live in a dorm

as I am suffering from a grave disease.

Please have mercy on your loyal subject.

Where is the doctor?

Yes, Your Majesty.

He is my valued subject.

Treat his illness.

Your Majesty...

My goodness...

How ill is he?

Your Majesty...

This here is not a man. It's a woman.

What?

How dare a woman dress up as a man and enter this test site?

It is against the law and against the rules of decorum!

She should be taken away and put to death by dismemberment!

- Go ahead! - Yes, Your Majesty!

Kim Yunsik, do you accept this royal order?

I will,

Your Majesty.

Your face...

No. I'm not sickly.

I'm strong and healthy through and through.

Strength of mind comes from strength of body.

So...

Your face has a glow I will not easily forget.

Thus I will call you Beautiful Face.

Nobody has ever been as

honest with me as you have,

Kim Yunsik.

I will keep your face in mind.

I was right.

You are the first scholar who has impressed me.

- I knew you'd pass... - I told you.

I'm not interested in going into government.

I don't care about virtue and loyalty.

Those are abstractions folks like you can mull over.

Just accept it.

Joseon is not as terrible a place as you make it out to be.

What is it to me how good or bad Joseon is?

What has glorious Joseon ever done for me?

So I was mistaken.

You're not that smart.

You make excuses rather than take action.

You put all your energy into blaming the world

and miss a golden opportunity when it falls in your lap.

I wish I had known sooner.

Then I wouldn't have wasted my time on you.

You don't say.

Stop showing off and just give me my money.

My paltry 50 nyang,

including interest for being a day late.

50 nyang for the book plus two nyang interest.

But your math is poor.

Medicine is provided for free to Sungkyunkwan students.

Going to Sungkyunkwan makes sense if you want to help your ailing brother.

And a handsome stipend is provided as well.

But you're too dimwitted to do simple math.

You would be of no help to the people anyway.

50 nyang?

What are you scheming?

Scheming? Come on now.

Let's just say it's a scholarship.

What do you have up your sleeve?

Up my sleeve?

I'm a pure soul!

I learned something recently.

Taking someone else's money can be a very dangerous undertaking.

Just tell me the truth.

I'm just helping you out because you're so talented.

I'm being truthful!

The truth is, I'm not lending you this money.

Truth be told...

Truth be told...

it's an advance!

Transcriptions by Sungkyunkwan students sell like hotcakes.

It's that darned name value.

So...

This isn't a loan

but an advance?

That means there's no interest on this?

Of course not!

Are you sure the owner will keep his lips sealed?

I'm your trusted servant Sundol.

I even made him pinky swear.

But didn't you say you had a debt to settle with that dainty scholar?

Why did you lend him money then?

I shouldn't have.

His majesty himself announced Lee Seonjun's acceptance.

Some even wet their pants at the test site.

And yet Lee took a gamble with the king.

Lee really must be destined for greatness.

You're the one who wet his pants, right?

How did you know?

He did more than that. He got diarrhea, too!

Just keep quiet or I'll tell them everything.

Say, who's the fellow who got linked with Lee Seonjun,

Kim Yunsik?

The pretty face. You know him.

He transcribed your juhaebon.

That annoying fellow who looks like a girl?

Perhaps...

a fellow...

This blows!

I can't live under the same roof

as Lee Seonjun and the pretty boy.

I won't!

You won't.

Admission is up to the king...

but kicking students out of the dorm is up to the proctor.

Those two are probably on their high horses right now.

But it's not Lee Seongjun

that the king and the director fear.

It's his father,

the prime minister.

Cheers!

We should show them who Lee Seonjun really is

and who I really am.

At Sungkyunkwan, even the king is beneath me.

We need to make sure everyone knows that.

I'm here for my brother.

And the money?

Yunsik.

I'm sorry, Yunsik. I'm so sorry.

I'm terribly sorry.

Don't worry. I'm fine.

I'm glad there was something I could do for you.

I've never felt more at peace than I did today.

Honest.

What an insolent lass!

So she somehow got 100 nyang.

If you give me your order, I will get that girl and...

No. Let's just see how much longer she can hold out.

I always get the girl

I set my eyes on.

I heard you had brought a proxy to the test today.

I also heard that you did it to test the king.

Your immature son has caused you concern once again.

So,

did the king pass your test?

I have decided to go to Sungkyunkwan.

You mean, he has neither passed nor failed your test as of yet?

I feel the same way.

As your superior in government,

I have to say

you have neither passed nor failed as of yet.

But I will keep watching you.

Congratulations

on your acceptance.

Sungkyunkwan?

I'm sorry, mother.

And you'll be living in a dorm with the boys?

No. Never.

But...

it was his majesty's order.

What did I tell you?

Your talent in writing is your own poison.

I want to live like a human being.

I don't want to be sold to someone for money.

If I go to the minister of war, no matter how big a house I live in,

no matter how fancy a dress I wear,

I would be nothing more than a 100 nyang commodity.

I don't to live like that.

Yunhui.

And if I go, I can get medicine for Yunsik.

I'll get paid a lot more for my transcription work, too.

I'll also get a stipend.

Going to Sungkyunkwan is better than living of life of shame.

I want to live like a human being.

Let her do as she wishes.

Do you know what that means?

You will have to give away your identity.

She has lived for me all her life.

Please give her permission, mother.

Was the name Kim Yunsik?

A beautiful face that comes

with a beautiful heart.

He pleases me.

It has been so long

since I've seen a talented individual as exciting as him.

Aren't you looking forward to seeing what Kim Yunsik and Lee Seonjun have in store...

for Sungkyunkwan?

I think...

I now know

why you sent me to Sungkyunkwan.

What's this?

How will you survive if you're this dimwitted?

It's rice cakes to offer the upperclassmen at the freshman orientation.

Orientation?

You have to make a good impression.

They're learned men. They'll see the heart behind this offering.

That's why I made it.

Your hair.

Why did you...

Why did you sell your hair?

Whenever I saw you with short hair,

I felt so ashamed at being such an incompetent mother.

I'm not letting you go, Yunhui. I'm sending you.

Your mother is sending you to Sungkyunkwan.

So if punishment befalls you for what you're about to do,

I will take it.

Nobody can know that you're a girl.

No matter how angry you get,

exercise self control.

Our poor Yunsik.

Do well for my sake.

Here.

Make my name proud.

Fix your robes! Follow the latest trend!

Fix your robes! Follow the latest trend!

Dear students!

We have the best wines and teas!

Come enjoy a drink.

We offer store credit points to Sungkyunkwan students.

Welcome!

The best place for wines and teas!

Where are you going? You have to pay!

Did you think you'd get away?

It's him again?

Throw salt at him!

Bastard!

If you drink, you have to pay!

Calm down, will you?

Why are you giving me my favorite snack now?

Let me carry it.

Stop being so stubborn.

Look at the other students.

They have their servants carrying all their luggage.

They look so dignified.

I'm fine. You know how I am.

It's just that I'll miss you.

I can't believe this is it.

I won't be seeing you for so long.

Look, sir.

It's that pretty-faced scholar.

Scholar Gwon Byeongjwa.

Scholar Jeong Seongmin.

Scholar Kim Yunsik.

From Namsan Valley. Age 19.

Do you know Kim Yunsik,

I mean, me?

A beautiful face.

You don't meet my expectations, but you're not too bad.

Not too bad?

Don't you have eyes?

I thought my master was the most handsome there was,

but that young scholar is quite a sight to behold.

He's as beautiful as a lass.

You spew nonsense, just like someone else I know.

Sundol.

I know. Why would a lass come to Sungkyunkwan?

Unless she's crazy, of course.

You should get going.

I was about to.

Take good care of my master.

Take this in, will you?

What do you think you're doing? We can't let Scholar Seonjun wait in line.

Welcome!

You must be tired from the long journey.

Let's go in. I'll show you around myself.

Come this way.

Hey!

How are you?

You must know Lee Seonjun.

Yes, well I know he's annoying.

You know that the prime minister is above the king, right?

Don't mess with him. You'll get hurt.

I'll be fine.

I'm Bae Haewon.

I went to Central School like Lee Seonjun.

Hmm...

Master Confucius once said

you should not befriend anyone who's not as good as you.

So I don't plan to befriend you

and I don't care to share my personal background with you.

Strange...

Don't you know me?

I learned the "Thousand Character Classic" at two,

the "Three Character Classic" at three, and "Children's First Learning" at four.

I entered South School at five and caused a huge sensation.

I'm Kim Wutak. Are you sure you don't know me?

Sinsasikdang: Sungkyunkwan cafeteria

Be well seasoned?

Myeomyundang: Sungkyunkwan main lecture hall

Jongyeonggak: Sungkyunkwan library

This way, this way!

This way, here.

This way, this way!

This way, this way!

Ah!

I always stretch before I play.

Hey, newbie. Here!

The prime minister and I are like brothers.

So consider me your family as well,

and come to me for anything you need.

The prime minister must be worried, having his only son in our care.

He will be relieved to know

that I will be helping you however I can.

I'm too shy to tell him myself, of course.

But should I tell him anyway?

If the dorm room is not to your liking, you can have this room.

I will inform my father about your offer.

You take after your father. How smart you are!

I will tell him that you pretended to be like family to him

and attempted to bribe me.

I will also tell him you are willing to disobey his majesty's order...

regarding my dorm stay.

From this moment on, I will accept no special treatment.

But treating you like all the other students

is actually more difficult than giving you special treatment.

That's not my problem.

There's a rule in place.

Unfollowed, it no longer serves its purpose.

The housing assignment has been posted.

Housing assignment?

Our dorm rooms.

Let's see.

You will be staying in East Hall in room two.

And what a roommate...

You mean we don't get our own rooms?

You didn't know?

Will you be okay?

Lee Seonjun?

No way.

I can't share a room with Lee Seonjun.

Don't worry.

He's bound for West Hall.

But it says East Hall here.

Even the king is helpless in the face of factionalism.

A piece of paper means nothing.

Lee Seonjun will definitely stay in West Hall.

If I were you, I'd worry more about Crazy Horse.

Who's Crazy Horse?

You don't want to know.

He's out of his mind.

That's why we call him that.

He looks like a thief

and acts like the lowest of the low.

Really?

But don't worry about him, either.

I've never seen him sleep in his dorm room.

You're a lucky chap.

A first-year student rarely ever gets a room to himself.

What a relief.

Why?

Is there a reason why you need a single room?

Of course not.

I'm your senior, Gu Yongha.

"Yeo" for women and "Rim" for forest.

My nickname is Yeorim.

I don't have a nickname yet.

What?

You'll get a nickname soon enough.

What are you doing here?

I was assigned to this room.

Members of the Noron faction stay in West Hall.

I was assigned to East Hall, room two.

But you're a Noron!

There is no rule stipulating that a Noron stays in West Hall.

Rules, rules...

I can't share a room with you.

You probably don't want to stay with me, either.

Have you forgotten that it was you who criticized

factionalism?

If you go against your own beliefs because of petty emotions,

how can you call yourself a scholar?

I don't want to share a room

with someone who's not a real scholar.

Then we're in agreement!

But I will bear this.

School rules are meant to be obeyed.

You should bear it too, with all that you've got.

You should bear it too, with all that you've got.

What's going on?

It's freshman orientation.

Freshman orientation?

Make them stop right now!

Why are they wasting their time on childish shenanigans?

Yes. It is a bit childish.

At our orientation, we painted our bodies with cow blood.

Cow blood?

That's nothing!

As for our class, we had yellow liquid from the toilet poured on our heads.

A whole vat each.

We weren't allowed to wash ourselves for weeks on end.

You were a part of the legendary Class of the Golden Age?

Yes, I was. It was our class, the Class of the Golden Age.

Dr. Yu, you're the only one who can instill order at Sungkyunkwan.

Please get the students to stop.

What if something happens?

What if the prime minister's son gets hurt?

That's right.

But I won't stop them.

It's tradition.

Traditions are meant to be observed.

That's right.

Let the festivities begin!

Spirits and newbies gathered here,

you have entered the sacred academic institution of Sungkyunkwan

in shame with your pathetically poor talent.

If you want to be cleansed of your sins,

you will give the upperclassmen your offering of delectable foods.

I, Scholar Kim Wutak,

serve you the rare delicacy of beef from plum-fed cattle.

I, Scholar Bae Haewon,

offer you the king's favorite treat,

watermelon from Mount Wolchul.

Look who's here.

I, Freshman Kim Yunsik,

have but a small offering.

So you know

how very small it is.

It's a mistake if you do it without intention. Otherwise, it's an affront.

Bugger off.

Scholars study and seek the truth.

Among the numerous books containing ancient wisdom,

does any one of them say

humble food ought to be disrespected?

What?

Answer me.

I suppose when it comes to edible food,

we should show it proper respect.

But...

what you offered is not real food.

Then

what is it?

You're disrespecting your elders

by offering us cheap crap.

What are you doing?

You're right.

This isn't food.

It's the sweat and blood of the people

you will eventually serve.

So go ahead and take a bite.

I'm nobility. I can't eat food that has fallen on the ground.

Get it away from me!

I did what nobility ought not to do.

But I did what a human being ought to do.

Go on.

You must eat it if you're not a dog or swine.

Okay.

Just a bite each because it's the sweat and blood of the people.

It's okay.

Good.

We're just tasting it.

Don't enjoy it too much.

Sungkyunkwan, where we gain knowledge to serve the people.

If you don't abide by this principle...

we, the freshmen...

will not recognize your seniority.

Sungkyunkwan is where we ready ourselves for government.

It's where we learn about the order of the universe.

That is, about who's powerful and who's weak

and how the weak should treat the powerful.

In short, we learn about the way things are.

I'll give you a lesson on that right now.

Teach him what and how?

I think he wants to kick Lee Seonjun out.

But his majesty himself admitted Lee Seonjun to Sungkyunkwan.

Yet the proctor holds sway here.

I've spent some 20 years here,

and I've never seen a student last if he displeases the proctor.

Each freshman will undertake a secret mission.

You have until 1:00 a.m.

The one who best accomplishes the mission

will be rewarded by the proctor, yours truly.

But those who fail

will be stripped of their shirts and thrown into the river.

Failure will also result

in your dismissal from the dorm.

That is a long-held Sungkyunkwan tradition.

All of us

have the duty to uphold tradition.

Listen all!

Succeed in your missions

so that you can be initiated as veritable students of Sungkyunkwan.

Here we go!

We don't have much time. You'd better hurry.

Looks like you haven't even opened your mission note.

Don't you have a classmate who can help you?

What do you want?

Thank you.

I heard you're an important person, the son of the prime minister.

I'm worried that you might get into trouble

on my account.

You needn't worry about that.

I was only upholding my principles.

You're too straight-laced for anyone's liking.

Didn't you say we didn't have much time?

If you don't want to get kicked out on the first day of school...

But is it true?

If we fail,

do we get kicked out, regardless of the royal order?

You should get going. I'll catch up.

I'm going to enjoy the moonlight for a bit.

If you fail this mission, you'll get erased from the Sungkyunkwan registry.

Erased?

Yes. Erased forever.

And you won't ever be able to take the qualifying exam again.

See you later then.

The king of the flowers protects the woman Yeopo loves.

Bring the love hidden in her silk undergarment.

The woman Yeopo loves... That's Choseon.

The peony is considered the king of flowers.

Silk undergarment of courtesan Choseon of the Peony Pleasure House?

The prince of flowers is the lotus.

Pluck the most beautiful of lotuses.

How dare you?

How can you call yourself a learned man after trying to seduce a lady?

That's what I say, right?

Yes. We'll take care of the rest.

Let's practice one more time, miss.

He's coming. Lee Seonjun's coming!

Why do you hate Lee Seonjun so much?

He's in the Noron faction, too.

That's why.

I woudn't care if he were of the Soron or Namin faction.

The elders take care of things there.

This is why I don't like politics.

I can't enjoy my drink.

Does it have to be Choseon?

I want to strip Kim Yunsik of his shirt.

Does Choseon ever give herself to a man?

Neither to you, the powerful,

and neither to me,

who has been seducing women ever since I can remember.

Isn't this exciting?

Can you imagine the state that girly little fellow is in right now?

You should undress, sir.

I want to see Choseon.

That's not fair.

Are you saying Choseon's the only worthy woman?

Do we all look like men to you?

Stop it.

Master Yongha requested

that we take good care of you.

He even promised a golden turtle

to the girl who kisses your fine chest.

I'm here to see Choseon and Choseon only.

You can wait a lifetime.

Choseon will never be yours.

A Sungkyunkwan student is here on a mission?

The mission probably demands a night with you.

The poor man will be shivering in the river tonight.

A student at Sungkyunkwan is a boy, not a man.

Sir.

Have you forgotten why I'm here?

I know you want to see your family.

You can refuse the king, but not me.

Let go! What do you think you're doing?

- Hold still. - Don't do this.

Sir!

Isn't that Choseon?

- And that's... - That's the minister of war!

How dare you?

What do you think you're doing?

Wait. You?

Who are you?

I can't blow out the candle until you've changed for bed.

I know everything there is to know about the ways of men and women.

Shh...

This is not the path of a righteous scholar.

Isn't this Master Choseon,

the man who has won Choseon's approval?

This is Sungkyunkwan.

You can't catch even half a glimpse of a woman here.

Get out of here, all of you!

Get them!

Get the Red Writer.

If this goes wrong,

the century-old Noron faction will be wiped out of history.

Bottoms up with the first round.

Coward! Pathetic louse!

Fiend!

Arrest every single one of them!

This is your place,

forever.