Original subtitles

I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.

Please go to West Hall.

I trust you will honor my wish.

Wait a minute.

Are you ill?

I can find no other explanation.

We all know that Crazy Horse Mun Jaesin can't stand the Noron faction.

And yet he slept in a room with none other than Lee Seonjun,

the son of the head of the Noron faction.

It makes no sense.

Why has Lee Seonjun passed your test?

Passed? No way.

I'm watching him.

I'm watching to see how much longer he will last.

Just watching.

I trust you will honor my wish.

Please go to West Hall,

Lee Seonjun.

I thought

this was already settled.

I'm afraid it won't be settled

until you move to West Hall.

The proctor Ha Insu...

is more formidable than you think.

How noble are your principles

that you have to fight against him?

I have a question for you.

All I'm trying to do is follow a simple rule.

Is that so wrong?

At least at Sungkyunkwan, factionalism shouldn't hold sway.

Is that so wrong?

I should submit

just because they are powerful, just because they are the majority.

Do you agree with that?

No one's interested...

in your beliefs.

I don't care what they think about me.

I'm used to that.

What I want to know...

is what you think, Kim Yunsik.

I don't care

about the high exam or government posts.

All I care about is survival.

That is my guiding principle and wish.

So

I trust that you will honor your word.

Wow! You are brilliant!

You got Lee Seonjun by using Kim Yunsik as bait.

Our proctor is the best!

Will he really come?

Lee Seonjun has a lot of pride.

That's why he'll come.

He honors his vows.

That's probably what pride means to him.

- Morning paper! - Morning paper!

Morning paper!

The Red Writer appeared last night.

The Red Writer?

Geumdeungjisa...

A wicked vassal steals the will of the late king.

A cowardly king turns a blind eye to the blood-stained truth.

Do you know anything about this?

Of course not, Your Majesty.

If you, the blood and kin, do not know about the will of the late king,

how could we, your lowly vassals, know about it?

It's an accusation unbefitting to our humble status.

How would I dare accuse anyone when I myself am being

called a cowardly king?

Of course not.

Catch the Red Writer, minister of war.

We will be able to find out the truth from him.

Am I right, prime minister?

You will use all means available to catch the Red Writer.

If the king's personal troops find the Red Writer before us,

your life will be on the line.

Yes, sir.

It still bothers me that he disappeared into Banchon.

Keep a close eye on Banchon and Sungkyunkwan as well.

Geumdeungjisa?

The Red Writer, eh?

Right! About Kim Yunsik...

Were you okay?

I mean...

were you okay last night?

What's the matter with you?

You can't stop hiccuping when you're with a lass.

And that is without exception.

But you were okay?

Crazy fool.

This is Sungkyunkwan.

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

Sungkyunkwan.

You have class soon.

Have you forgotten?

If you fail again, you will be expelled.

I can't let that happen.

Don't act so serious. It doesn't suit you.

Right?

"Analects"! "Analects"!

"Analects"! "Analects"!

Have you gotten a hold of it?

Of what?

The genealogy.

Well, as for my family, many men of honor...

Not that genealogy. The genealogy of past lectures.

There is none to be found.

The professor is new.

So there's absolutely no information?

Is he a strict grader? What are his test questions like?

I heard he was demoted from a higher post

and sent here.

But why?

I heard something

about corruption and bribery.

A serious money-grubber.

What are you doing?

Haven't you heard?

The bell rang for the first class.

But where is your lesson plan?

And what are you doing with a chamber pot?

This is my lesson plan.

Goodness gracious!

Hell will freeze over.

Crazy Horse has shown up to class.

Even the director has given up on you. Who convinced you to come?

I'm taking the same class.

Our old-timer must be tired having had to drag his aged body to class.

And you.

Please sit here.

- This is... - A course on the "Analects" professor.

I am Jeong Yakyong, your instructor for this course.

What is your grading scheme?

It's only the first day of class.

What's more important?

You're right.

You fail if you miss five classes.

You must know that three failures combined in coursework and other activities

at Sungkyunkwan means expulsion, as well as permanent deletion

from the school registry.

That's why I brought this.

Fill it up as best as you can.

Your contribution will have a bearing on your grades.

What? Collecting bribes for good grades in class?

I was so shocked that I came straight over.

I suppose it's hard to break old habits.

The man gets demoted for bribery,

and now he's out to make a killing here.

Who asks for bribes from students any more? It's so passe.

We should report him, right?

Are you nuts?

Do you want me to get fired?

No one can know about this. Got it?

Yes, sir.

Say.

Did he get anything of substantial value?

I'm very impressed.

To some, this may look like a chamber pot.

To others, it may look like a jar.

No one would think it's a hat, though.

To me...

this is the widow's cruse.

Widow's cruse?

Let's see.

What else is there?

Enough.

We're here to study the "Analects."

My goodness.

I may not be a great teacher, but I know what I'm here to teach.

Then why are you wasting our time with cheap Western tricks?

Did I bore you?

No. It was fun.

- It was fun. - It was fun.

It was a lot of fun.

Thank you.

Do you think practical learning is the only way to go

and that we don't need the classics?

Of course not.

You said so yourself. We're here to study the "Analects."

My gold ring.

Confucius said,

"A king should not be a bowl."

That is, a king should not be limited in thought.

If a king seeks the truth,

he should be wary of being trapped in his own biases.

It is a terrible bias to think there's nothing to learn from Western tricks.

You assume just because I've dabbled in Western learning

that I would not like the classics.

It's very biased of you.

Confucius said,

If a person's knowledge is confined,

he will be trapped in his own knowledge

and is bound to become bullheaded.

He stressed one should seek the truth with an open mind.

Why?

You are no longer star students at your little town schools.

You're no longer just book-learned.

You're students of Sungkyunkwan who are studying on taxpayer money.

The people's sweat and blood granted you this opportunity.

Study hard and pay the people back.

It is your duty to envision a better tomorrow and a greater Joseon

for this nation.

Let us all please make sure...

their money is well spent.

Not bad.

I will announce the grades for today's class.

Kim Wutak, fail.

Bae Haewon, fail.

Ahn Dohyeon, fail.

Kim Yunsik, fail.

Mun Jaesin, fail.

Lee Gangcheol, fail.

Lee Seonjun...

pass.

Why, professor?

Lee Seonjun went against the contents of your lecture.

That's why.

He was the only student who complained about this silly class.

Wisdom lies not in answers, but in questions.

The world I showed you has come and gone.

That's how useless teachers are.

But

those who pose questions will find the answers on their own.

That is why

Lee Seonjun passed today's lecture.

Do you know what the "Analects" is, Kim Yunsik?

A collection of Confucius's sayings.

Correct.

It's a record of the heated debates between an old, straitlaced man

and his bright pupils, about how the world ought to be.

Come to me if you have any complaints.

Let's butt heads all semester long.

We're done.

Analects

Where's the pot?

Oh, no.

I haven't yet learned

how to restore a broken jar.

What?

Amazing, Lee Seonjun.

The value of your father's name is surely amazing.

What do you mean?

Your grade today.

Did you think it had anything to do with your abilities?

How did you buy out Dr. Jeong?

Did you offer him his old job back?

The value of my father's name?

I wish I had made use of it.

Then I would keep cowards like you

from spewing nonsense on taxpayer money.

- What? - What did you say?

What's going on?

Fighting will cost you five points.

I don't care. It'll cost him a reduction, too.

Let's do this.

You're lucky today.

Let's go and make up over some wine.

Just the freshmen. How about it?

You're the eldest here.

Are you coming?

I hate not properly assessing

who's right or wrong and trying to let things

slide over wine.

Fine, then.

He's such a jerk.

How about you, Big Man?

Come with us.

I, um...

I'm sure you don't like him, either.

Let's chew him out over a couple of drinks.

Hey, Noron.

Make your choice.

Either act like a human being or be a Noron.

Just pick one.

What do you mean?

All the freshmen are going to Banchon.

I don't like cavorting and talking about nothing of import.

Why did you come to Sungkyunkwan?

Obviously, to learn and...

Lying can become habitual.

To learn?

You're rich. You could learn from a private tutor.

You're smart, so you could actually study on your own.

Sungkyunkwan has a specific purpose.

It's for young men to socialize.

There's no place for a self-righteous jerk like you here.

But this doesn't seem like a place for you, either.

So you've found out.

But once I leave here, that'll be that.

It's not quite that simple for you.

You need a set number of points to be able to take the high exam.

You'll need personal ties when you enter the government.

That's the real reason why you're here.

Don't you ever forget this.

Ultimately,

you're exactly like the other sons of Noron faction members

you're trying to get away from.

So don't ever show off in front of me again,

pretending to be a decent human being, pretending to be against factionalism.

It just confuses numbskulls like me.

My man,

whom I long to see...

No, it's too cliche.

My

beloved young man...

I sound too desperate.

Look at the fine wrinkles that have formed around your eyes.

Oh, no. I've aged dramatically.

Do I look like I'm over 20 years old?

Beodeul

This is...

A course on proper drinking etiquette, professor.

I will tell you about the legend of the drink of confusion.

Enough!

Lee Seonjun, fail.

- Did I bore you? - Yes.

Ahn Dohyeon, the master brewer of the drink of confusion, strikes again!

Red wine from Jindo.

Everyone has to chug the first bowl.

Chug?

- Kim Wutak, pass! - Oh, yeah!

- With flying colors! - Oh, yeah!

Have you heard about the legend of the drink of confusion?

Pardon?

The student who refuses to chug at the freshman pep rally

will end up expelled and deleted from the school registry.

It's the sad truth.

- Kim Yunsik, pass! - Oh, yeah!

This is the best energy booster around.

It's the famous three-legged octopus from Dokcheon.

Don't be a sissy.

You call on me around the clock.

Have you forgotten

about the handsome advance I gave you?

We need a love letter

that's neither cliche, nor too forward.

It should express longing,

but not sound too desperate.

Also...

So she is crazy about the guy, but she doesn't want him to know.

Am I right?

I'll try my best.

Say, is Lee Seonjun out with his fellow classmates?

Why are you looking for that fellow?

That's, um, "sineonseopan."

"Sin" for body, "eon" for speech, "seo" for mail...

"Pan" for...

"Pan" for frying pan.

That is to say, we want to know because he's rumored to be such a great man.

Sineonseopan is right. He is handsome, a good scholar, and from a good family.

He's too great to cavort with his classmates.

Ultimately,

you're exactly like the other sons of Noron faction members

you're trying to get away from.

We'll only be Lee Seonjun's sidekicks here.

Damn.

Not only at Sungkyunkwan, though.

He will get the most important posts once he enters government.

He has no respect for anyone.

He's so rude.

You saw, right?

He brought his good old daddy into it in the end.

My father's name value? I wish I had made use of it.

You should let it all out, too.

- Coward! - That's right!

- Pathetic louse! - Yup!

- Dirty bastard! - Uh-huh!

You're worse though.

Even that annoying jerk Lee Seonjun wouldn't do this.

You're such sissies. Don't talk behind someone's back.

Shame on you all!

If you're unhappy about your grades, go to Dr. Jeong.

Hell, I would go to the library.

I would study and make sure I show Lee Seonjun or Dr. Jeong who's smarter.

That's how you win.

But I thought you hated Lee Seonjun.

Of course I hate him.

I hate him more than you can possibly imagine.

But this still isn't right.

Lee Seonjun didn't do anything wrong today.

And you know that, too.

Yunsik really is the Big Man!

Let's just drink and be merry, okay?

- All right. - I need to take a leak.

I will pass. Oh, yeah.

This feels good. Oh, yeah.

I'm taking a leak. Oh, yeah.

Don't look!

Hey. it's Lee Seonjun.

Big Man! Big Man! Big Man!

Big Man!

Lee Seonjun's here!

You're drunk. You're seeing things.

You didn't see any ghosts?

Honest to goodness.

Why don't you come in?

Who was it that hates to settle things over drinks?

I do hate it.

But I also believe I must take part in extracurricular activities

with my classmates.

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

In this bowl, we poured the joy we're feeling at having you join us.

You have to chug the first round in one go.

We've chugged ours already.

You don't have to if you're scared.

Lee Seonjun, pass!

Choseon really can't come out?

She has a terrible cold.

She's just as upset.

Proctor.

You have along way to go.

What do you gain by hurting a man's pride?

Stop being so stubborn.

He's Sungkyunkwan's proctor and the son of the minister of war.

He came to see you right after freshman orientation.

You can't ignore that kind of attention.

You have along way to go, too.

You should know me by now.

A man's money or power can only buy a night with a girl.

But if a man captures a a girl's heart...

the mere touch of his hand can cause

the girl to make a lifetime commitment.

Even a courtesan has a sense of loyalty.

Are you saying...

Is it Big Man?

I mean, is it Kim Yunsik? Is it?

Yes. You should get going, too.

I will see you out.

Let's see how much longer

you can resist me.

We will see which prevails, a courtesan's loyalty

or my power.

It should be fun.

I will teach Choseon a lesson, proctor!

Proctor.

We're just waiting on the freshmen.

Kim Yunsik and Lee Seonjun are not back yet.

Our beloved freshmen must be running late, having a good time

socializing and bonding.

But we should make sure

they don't run late again.

- I may come in lastl - Oh, yeah!

- But if l pass - Oh, yeah!

- All's fine - Oh, yeah!

- Let's all pass - Oh, yeah!

- So that we can drink - Oh, yeah!

- The night away - Oh, yeah!

- Without worries - Oh, yeah!

I thought about what you asked of me.

I should keep my word.

I will go to West Hall.

Really?

I was taken aback at how you...

How l took your side?

It wasn't like that.

I just wanted to know what the right way was.

I wanted to know what the professor meant by truth and knowledge.

I just wanted to know everything.

That's all.

It was the first time...

the very first time in my life...

that I took a class, had a teacher,

and studied with classmates.

It was the first time I realized just how interesting the "Analects" could be.

In a sense...

it's all thanks to you.

I feel rather grateful to you today.

So I was thinking...

you don't have to go to West Hall.

It would be a waste to use the favor you owe me on that.

Are you that moved by what I said?

Are you okay?

What a pain!

They must not know what awaits them

if they violate the curfew.

We're in for a treat!

Help us!

Help!

Come on. Let's get going.

Please help us.

Don't leave us like this.

Sorry.

We don't want to get into trouble for violating the curfew.

And what if I throw out my back at my ripe old age?

You can do it.

Why? Because you're Big Man!

Pardon?

Just in time!

No points off for us!

Shut the gate.

It's past the curfew.

But there are freshmen who aren't back yet.

Have I ever gone back on my orders?

But most freshmen are probably drunk.

Until now, the freshmen's first night out...

has been handled without discipline. Things will change from now on.

Please open the gate!

We can explain.

Please let us in just this once!

We won't ever violate the curfew again.

The students in room two aren't back yet?

I will make sure

they do not violate the curfew again.

Mun Jaesin, Kim Yunsik, and Lee Seonjun, fail.

Yes, sir.

We were in, sir.

Lee Seonjun is not feeling well and can't come out.

I ask for your understanding.

Lee Seonjun?

He reeks of alcohol!

Has someone put a spell on us?

How did they get in?

Nitwit!

Someone must have told them about our secret passageway.

Thank you.

If you hadn't helped us,

we would be in a lot of trouble.

I am indebted to you, sir.

Don't be so dramatic.

Let's just say we're even, what with the orientation and all.

We're even?

Even-steven.

So you and Lee Seonjun will have the room...

all to yourselves tonight.

It seems like Crazy Horse will be spending the night out again.

Crazy Horse is not coming in?

I'm losing again.

What an awful hand.

And I'm winning again.

Oh, no. A reversal of fortune.

You each owe me three pennies.

And another reversal of fortune.

Take them out right now!

Arrest every single one of them!

Sir.

Let go of me.

You're pathetic.

For how much longer do you plan to live so aimlessly?

What would your dead brother think?

Do you have any right?

Anyone else can criticize me.

But not you, father.

Don't ever worry about me again.

Your concern disgusts me.

What are you doing?

A tidy appearance is the foundation of decorum.

Have you forgotten your manners?

Please, Lee Seonjun.

Every day is a battle.

Hey.

Get up.

Why the hell are you sleeping outside?

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

But last night...

Did something happen last night?

Drink this, sir.

I told you not to come here.

But you get into trouble when I'm not around.

How could I not come?

Why did you drink last night? You never drink.

How'd you...

know about that?

Everyone's talking about

how the prime minister's son got as drunk as a dog.

You're the talk of the town.

Please help us!

Please, Lee Seonjun!

Drink up.

Bend over!

Goodness me.

I'm fine now.

Let it all out!

About last night...

I think you're planning to pretend it never happened.

But I don't like people owing me anything,

and you don't like owing people anything,

what with your respect for etiquette and decorum and all.

All you have to say is "thank you" or "sorry."

it'll be out in the open and settled.

About last night?

Do you remember now?

You said you were grateful that I made you

come to Sungkyunkwan.

But after that...

After that?

About how you begged me not to go to West Hall?

I will do as you wish,

so you need not worry.

I notify the students of Sungkyunkwan.

The Grand Archery Contest will be held

at Sungkyunkwan on September 20th.

The first-place winner will be given 50 points and a bottle of honorary wine.

Those who do not pass the preliminaries will get failing marks.

I hope the contest serves to challenge the talented students of Sunkyunkwan.

Grand Archery Contest?

Do I pull like this?

Sorry.

If a roommate fails the preliminaries, I fail too.

That's the rule.

I don't want to fail the preliminaries

on someone else's account.

Where is the power with which you dragged me around last night?

That's too much.

You must have been kicking the school gates too hard last night.

You knew everything that had happened last night?

It was the first time for me too...

that one of my classmates took my side.

You're the first classmate to ever side with me, Kim Yunsik.

What the hell are they doing?

It doesn't look like Lee Seonjun will be coming to West Hall.

Roommates form one team for the Grand Archery Contest,

and he's not leaving Kim Yunsik's side.

Right. And he won't lie at a contest

overseen by the king.

The Grand Archery Contest?

How can you be so laid back? You know what that contest means.

It was one of the king's father's favorite events

at Sungkyunkwan.

And it was banned by King Yeongjo,

the king's grandfather.

The Red Writer is looking for "Geumdeungjisa" all of a sudden,

and the king announces the Grand Archery Contest.

Say something, prime minister.

What is the king up to?

You said

"Geumdeungjisa" had been done away with,

did you not?

Why, yes.

There is no "Geumdeungjisa."

This isn't the time to make a move.

We have to observe what the enemy does.

We will know when the time is right.

Your Majesty?

The late Dr. Kim Seungheon's possessions have been retrieved.

It has been ten years since his passing. Dr. Kim's son sent them here.

Isn't this

an appeal against his forced resignation?

It is that dastardly Kim Seungheon's coded will

to me, his unreliable king.

If what this will says is true,

"Geumdeungjisa" is...

This is the real reason why I sent you to Sungkyunkwan.

Dr. Jeong.

You're well-versed in the art of medicine,

so I will put you in charge

of the infirmary as the students prepare for the Grand Archery Contest.

Are you listening to me?

His majesty will be coming to Sungkyunkwan.

It may be my last chance

to get an appointment in the central government.

I plead with you, Dr. Jeong.

Also, put these registries into order for the king.

By tomorrow!

Where are your roommates, Big Man?

It's not our team's allotted time to practice.

Then what are you doing here?

I don't want to be a burden on my roommates.

I need extra practice...

You're going to stay with a Noron in East Hall as per Lee's order?

You're also going to win the contest as per Lee's order?

I'm doing this on my own accord.

You need a beating, don't you?

Do you think it's wrong for a Noron to stay in East Hall?

What's your point?

And you said no one can go against you and survive.

And I believe it. You have the power.

But...

But the thing is,

if you really think it's wrong for a Noron to stay in East Hall,

change school regulations using your authority.

If it is stipulated by school regulations that students are assigned to dorms

as per their factional affiliations,

Lee Seonjun won't resist.

Are you insane?

So you're saying Lee Seonjun did nothing wrong?

You're right.

I overreacted. I should've thought things through.

I'd like to apologize.

May I help you with archery?

The opponent you must conquer at the Grand Archery Contest

is none other than yourself.

You and your fear of the bow and arrow.

I'm only doing this to help you.

Emergency!

The Big Man is...

Why the long face?

I thought you'd be the happiest about the Grand Archery Contest.

You're the best archer around.

What are you doing?

I'm imparting wisdom as an upperclassman.

Is that wrong?

Kim Yunsik...

Kim Yunsik...

is the son of Dr. Kim Seungheon?

Professor! Professor! It's Kim Yunsik.

Professor.

I'll get going now.

Are you a girl?

Answer me, Kim Yunsik.

Are you...

a girl?

There's something to the Big Man.

What is that that you want to say?

It's just a student's desire to seek the truth.

Crazy Horse!

Are you responsible for what happened to Lee Seonjun?

Please allow us to love.

What do you know about love?

Can you do it?

I don't know.

Three pennies for live updates on the Grand Archery Contest!

Bam!

It's the Red Writer! Catch the Red Writer!

This is very skillfully written. It's a Sungkyunkwan student.

What are you doing? Let me down.

Just 30 times.

After that, I will keep you grounded, even if you want to fly away.