Original subtitles

Please give me a chance.

For the first time...

I came to question

what it means to study.

For the first time, someone recognized my talent.

And for the first time, someone took my side.

I need to be given a chance.

Please let me ask questions about the world.

Please let me dream of a different world. Please give me that chance.

Fine.

I won't let the school know you're a girl.

It's not to save your sorry life.

It's to prevent the reputation

of the school and the king from being tarnished.

And I don't plan to allow you to stay at Sungkyunkwan.

I told you men and women are different.

Yes, sir.

Do you think a girl can compete on equal footing with the boys?

You can't even hold a bow properly.

Do you think you can ever come in first against the boys?

If I do, will you allow me to stay?

If you fail,

I'll expel you immediately to punish you for your arrogance.

And your brother Kim Yunsik will be deleted from the school registry.

Dignity will thus be restored to this nation's law.

As for you, you will be punished by death

for disrespecting the king.

Discipline will thus be restored to the nation of Joseon.

You will regret your arrogance

and understand just how different men and women are.

Here at Sungkyunkwan, you're not a girl.

And no one should find out you're a girl.

That is the only way

to keep you and your family safe.

I understand.

You'll need to teach me.

I have to come in first in the Grand Archery Contest.

Is something wrong?

The miracle.

I need that miracle to happen.

If it weren't for the knot in my back, I'd be the best shot around.

I give up.

Either the proctor or Lee Seonjun will take first place anyway.

Confucius said,

Archery is a man's affair.

A man's affair.

Something only done by men.

Don't you think Confucius was being too simplistic?

- Yeah, yeah. - Don't you agree, Big Man?

- Give it up. - Give it up.

You can't even hold the bow properly.

Do you think you can ever come in first against the boys?

As for you, you will be punished by death for disrespecting the king.

Discipline will thus be restored to the nation of Joseon.

Enough.

The arrows are mangled.

What a weakling.

You can't go on?

Are you giving up on the Grand Archery Contest?

He can't give up.

Get your act together, Kim Yunsik.

There's a certain someone I want to see kneel before me

in of front the king and all the top government officials.

The king is tarnishing this school's reputation

by admitting lowlifes like you under the pretext of trans-factional unity.

And there's someone who reminds me of the king.

So you need to do whatever you can

to reach the finals.

I don't want my plan to go awry because of you.

If you want, I can finish the lesson that was cut short.

That's enough, proctor.

Will you wait for me

at the finals?

I need to repay you

for the lesson you gave me.

Oh, yeah?

If I come in first place, will that do?

First place?

He said "first place." Is he nuts?

And if I do, you owe me an apology.

Apologize for calling me a lowlife

and insulting my family.

Apologize for everything.

And acknowledge that I am a Sungkyunkwan student

handpicked by his majesty.

Is impudence a contagious disease going around in room two?

I will cure you of your disease.

I will wait for you at the finals.

Don't worry about passing the high exam, proctor.

Don't you know Crazy Horse?

There is no guarantee that the may like the wind will come on that day.

He surely will get drunk somewhere.

Should I really be worried about such a trash...

So you just say anything.

This is your cut.

So I am telling you to control that little rascal

not to make any more noise on the Grand Archery competition.

You expect to win first place when you can't even load an arrow?

I give you props

for your reckless self-confidence.

It deserves acknowledgment.

Do you think

I'll be able to pull it off?

Well...

It won't be easy.

You have weak shoulders

and feeble arms.

Your breathing is uneven

and your legs aren't strong enough.

But...

if a man puts everything on the line...

there should be a way.

What are you doing?

Let me down!

The power to hold the bow

and the strength to pull the string

come from the arms.

Without basic strength training,

the bow will play you.

Let me down.

Right now!

Just 30 times.

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

Shaved ice. It's such a rare treat!

I felt like rewarding you.

Ice is rare indeed,

but you have all been working so hard for the Grand Archery Contest.

Enjoy the shaved ice

and show the king your best form.

Show the king that the students of Sungkyunkwan

are training hard for the nation of Joseon.

But wait a minute. Where is Lee Seonjun?

We haven't seen him or Big Man for quite a while.

Really?

They went off to have fun when they should be training?

Probably!

That means Lee Seonjun doesn't know that I had this special treat made.

But I know!

Let's pull out!

Go.

It's the arms that shoot the arrow,

but the strength that propels the arrow comes from your legs.

This breathing exercise strengthens your abdomen.

How you breathe at the very moment you let go of the arrow

determines the arrow's direction.

- It is very important... - Wait.

I have been breathing

since the moment I was born.

What I need to learn right now

is how to hold the arrow, hit the bull's-eye,

and come in first place.

Don't you understand?

That would be like a child who hasn't even learned to write

Did you think it was the bow that shoots the arrow?

Well?

It's the person.

You have to get your body in prime condition for archery

if you want to shoot well.

Have you ever said anything that turned out to be wrong?

I must have trained too hard.

The last thing is your grip.

You must train to strengthen your grip.

So you're going to take part in the Grand Archery Contest after all.

Good thinking, Crazy Horse.

Mind your own business.

And don't you dare praise me.

I'm looking forward to this contest.

It would be a shame if you were to mess it up

because of your wanderlust.

It wouldn't be fair to me or to your precious roommates.

Don't try too hard.

I don't care for any of your threats or cajolery.

Perhaps you're not cut out for a head-on competition.

Perhaps you're just a hoodlum who puts up a tough front.

You confuse me sometimes.

Even that girly Kim Yunsik said

he would beat me and come in first place.

You should train hard.

Heaven forbid if you should lose to that girly fellow.

You're the proctor after all.

First place?

Big Man?

Kim Yunsik!

He couldn't have hit the bull's-eye yet, right?

Who? Kim Yunsik?

He's made a lot of progress.

Who? Kim Yunsik?

But the contest is in two days. A bull's-eye would be a tall order, right?

For whom? Kim Yunsik?

But he has strong fundamentals.

Do you think I'll lose to Kim Yunsik?

He's small and frail like a girl.

Kim Yunsik has a knack for archery.

It took him five days just to learn how to pull the string.

He has along way to go.

But he's not giving up.

He started off way behind others.

He could've despaired at his weakness and ineptitude,

but he did not give up.

Perseverance. What greater talent does one need?

You're pathetic.

Crazy Horse.

You're a nitwit.

A cow would do better than you.

But Crazy Horse.

There's only one remedy for pathetic fools like you.

What is it?

Crazy Horse?

The remedy is alcohol.

The feeling of tension. Do you know what that is?

The feeling of tension?

Archery is a game of waiting.

You wait and wait until you know the right moment has come.

At that right moment, you get the feeling of tension.

The feeling of tension.

But with your hand like this, you can't bear the wait.

That's why you can't hit the bull's-eye.

What are you after?

Success or pride?

Pardon?

Why do you want to win first place in the contest?

I want to prove...

that I can do it,

that I can be trusted.

I want to prove it to myself.

I need

at least one person in the world who believes in me.

Did you learn that from Lee Seonjun?

You speak well.

This I learned from you.

So you will suffer the consequences if you don't show up.

What?

Are you afraid we won't come in first place?

Don't worry.

I'll take care of it.

All you need to do is show up for the head count.

Please join us at the Grand Archery Contest.

I beseech you.

Sir.

Have I ever said this to you?

Thank you.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

You've done quite a job

teaching Kim Yunsik archery.

Good effort,

but my arrows don't know sympathy.

So I won't go easy on you.

Brace yourself.

I hope your arrows know how to admit defeat.

Insu!

Miss!

I had no idea

I would run into you here.

What are you doing here?

At the freshman orientation,

Lee Seonjun said he hadn't been to my house.

That's true.

We were keeping watch like hawks.

He couldn't have slipped in unnoticed.

But if someone helped him,

he could have.

If so, I don't get it.

Why did he lie that he couldn't solve the riddle?

He almost got drenched in piss.

It is such an honor to have you

and your daughter here.

I'm not here today as the minister of war. I'm here as a parent.

As the father of the student proctor, I felt it my duty to stop by,

given how hard you are working to prepare for the Grand Archery Contest.

Here comes Sungkyunkwan's pride and joy!

He's so tall and handsome. Like father, like son.

You've come without sending word first.

A surprise attack is best

when entering enemy territory.

You catch the enemy unawares.

It's very, very strange.

Seeing that you have the hiccups,

there must be a lass somewhere close by.

But girls aren't allowed in here. Who could be causing your hiccups?

There!

Huh?

Oh, it's her.

What about her?

She's the reason why

Lee Seonjun lied at the freshman orientation.

He didn't want her to be the subject

of men's dirty talk.

We need a love letter

that's neither cliche, nor too forward.

She is a beauty worth a swim in a river of piss.

I have finally come up with the perfect nickname for Lee Seonjun.

Garang.

That'll be his nickname.

Garang?

"Ga" for beauty,

and "rang" from Sinrang for husband.

He'd make the perfect husband for the daughter of the minister of war.

Garang suits him well.

Here...

Prime rib patty, bamboo rice, and roe. Such a rare delicacy!

And it's roe from Yeongam, the best of the best!

I had no idea Miss Hyo-eun was so cruel.

She not only broke my heart...

She also discriminated against us with food.

Why couldn't I have been born into a better family?

Apart from my family background, there's nothing Lee has on me.

Just come up with one thing,

and I will say no more.

I can't. How can I?

You're a true pal, Gobong.

Looks, smarts, knowledge, personality, strength!

I can't just come up with one. There are too many.

I heard you were injured. Are you okay?

How did you know?

I, um...

Heard about it from my brother.

He was so worried about you.

He said I had to come to Sungkyunkwan.

I had no choice.

The proctor told you to come?

Yeah.

You shouldn't come again.

Pardon?

State law forbids women from entering this campus.

You're from a family of good standing.

You should set an example for the people.

So long.

I will never ever come to Sungkyunkwan again.

So could you please come to see me?

I hope this is enough for me to save face at Sungkyunkwan.

Starting tomorrow, you will be able to realize

your long-held dreams,

They were also the dreams of a good friend

who gave up his life for them.

Are you referring to the late Dr. Kim Seungheon of Sungkyunkwan?

Was it Kim Yunsik?

I don't know how I will repay him

for the enormous debt I owe him.

Tomorrow is the Grand Archery Contest.

You vowed that you would come in first place.

I did.

You don't yet have the power to hit the bull's-eye.

It's not too late yet.

If you repent for your crimes and give up now,

I will spare you and your family's lives.

I'm finally standing before my target.

Until I use up all my arrows,

I won't step aside.

Did you see?

I hit the bull's-eye.

I did it!

You didn't think you would?

Have you always known that I would be able to do it?

Of course.

Everything I set out to do, I accomplish.

I got the city's top proxy test-taker into Sungkyunkwan.

Have you forgotten?

The bear that does the tricks.

Of course.

Garang, my foot.

Mr. Wang is perfect for you.

Good job, Kim Yunsik.

I'm proud of you.

He hit the bull's-eye!

Hit what?

Big Man hit the bull's-eye!

He hit the bull's-eye, proctor.

Not bad.

But that doesn't change anything, does it?

I have...

you.

Why, of course.

Kim Yunsik hit the bull's-eye?

Hey, Byeongchun. You can do this, right?

What? Do what?

If we lose tomorrow,

the proctor will have a field day with you.

Why would we lose, you numbskull?

Kim Yunsik hit the bull's-eye once!

I've hit it more than 99 times!

And there's Crazy Horse.

If he doesn't show up, Kim Yunsik can't even compete.

Sir.

It's the Red Writer! Get him!

What an impudent fiend!

Catch him right away!

Are you okay, sir?

It's not your duty to check up on my well-being.

But if you had done your rightful duty as government inspector,

the Red Writer would not be out and about...

causing problems.

Forgive me, prime minister.

That way.

Follow him!

He couldn't have gone far.

Find him!

He is injured. He can't run fast.

We have to get him before he enters Banchon.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

Get him!

This is Banchon, where Sungkyunkwan stands.

Government troops cannot enter!

Let's go.

The Red Writer is a student at Sungkyunkwan.

Joseon is for the Noron only.

The truth of the bloody "Geumdeungjisa" is about to be revealed.

You're not in seats of power, but in seats of sin.

The reckless impudence...

The writer is naive, believing that he can deliver justice.

He wants to change the world

with a single arrow.

The writer is young.

- Sir... - And...

This is very skillfully written.

The Red Writer is a Sungkyunkwan student.

If he is a Sungkyunkwan student...

Catch the Red Writer at the Grand Archery Contest tomorrow.

This is your last chance.

The Red Writer is said to have come into hiding in Banchon again.

Make sure it does not lead to any unrest on campus.

The word is that

the Red Writer was hit by an arrow and bled quite a bit.

The Red Writer is injured?

It was the mice for a while.

Now it's the alley cats' turn to run the city amuck.

Mun Jaesin.

He's not in again for the night?

Five points off for Mun Jaesin.

Five points off.

I have a question, sir.

If Mun Jaesin doesn't return by tomorrow morning,

what will happen to his team?

Roommates form one team to compete in the Grand Archery Contest.

We cannot allow any absences.

If Mun Jaesin is not back on time,

Lee Seonjun

and Kim Yunsik

will be automatically disqualified as well.

He will come.

Mun Jaesin will show up for the Grand Archery Contest tomorrow.

Please wait for him, professor.

We can't wait!

Just sit back and do nothing?

No. Search all the bars in Banchon

and find Mun Jaesin, or

put Lee Seonjun and Kim Yunsik on another team.

But director...

The prime minister will be here tomorrow.

Do you want him to see that his son is not in the contest,

just standing around doing nothing?

But rules are rules.

How can you be so cold?

Think about it.

The kids have worked so hard

over the past several weeks.

It would be cruel to keep them from competing.

What do you think, Dr. Jeong?

There is still time

until the contest.

Let's wait until then.

Good grief!

You should get some sleep.

Sungkyunkwan is not the place for Crazy Horse.

He has no manners and is rough.

But

I don't think he would be irresponsible enough

to let someone else's long hours of hard work

come to naught.

That's why I'm worried.

This is a composite sketch of the Red Writer.

Keep this face and his distinctive movements in mind.

If the Red Writer is a student at Sungkyunkwan,

the Grand Archery Contest tomorrow

will be our only chance to get him.

Yes, sir.

Government troops cannot enter Sungkyunkwan.

Get into non-military government attire and find the Red Writer covertly.

- Understood? - Yes, sir.

We need to get him before the king does.

If need be...

kill him on the spot.

Today is the day of the Grand Archery Contest at Sungkyunkwan!

Young or old,

male or female,

the event is sure to thrill and excite!

Three pennies!

Three pennies for live updates of the Grand Archery Contest!

- Three pennies! - Three pennies!

Let's do this!

It's a beautiful day for archery, don't you think?

I heard there was an incident last night, prime minister.

I am sorry, Your Majesty.

I'm the one who should apologize.

I must be one awful king

for the Red Writer, who's critical of governmental affairs,

to show up at the residence of the prime minister.

You do not mean that, Your Majesty.

Minister of war,

let's hurry up and get the Red Writer.

I feel so ashamed in front of the prime minister.

I will do my very best, as always, Your Majesty.

But not today.

Pardon?

What do you mean?

I'm going to leave

behind all the complicated matters of the state here.

You should all do the same.

His majesty will be here shortly.

If Mun Jaesin is not here by then,

Lee Seonjun and Kim Yunsik of room two will be disqualified.

And as per school regulations, you will both get failing marks...

for this particular event.

The contest is done for.

You couldn't even win over you own roommate's heart.

Trans-factional unity, my foot.

Crazy Horse isn't coming. You're both disqualified.

There's still time.

His majesty the king cometh!

Your Majesty, I am so very honored that you have come to my Sungkyunkwan.

Were I to die today, I would die a happy man.

Your Sungkyunkwan?

I had always thought it was mine.

Pardon?

Your Majesty! I deserve to die for the egregious mistake I just made.

I'm just joking, director.

Neither you nor I are the owners of Sungkyunkwan.

Pardon?

Then who...

The Grand Archery Contest is about commence.

This is the final roll call.

Those students not present

and their roommates

will be disqualified from the contest.

Ha Insu, Im Byeongchun, and Kang Mu.

Present!

Paik Jaecheol, Kim Jongmin, and Lee Jeongsu.

Present!

Kim Wutak, Bae Haewon, and Ahn Dohyeon.

Yes, sir! Present!

Kim Sucheol, Lee Jaesik, and Kim Yujeok.

Present, sir!

Next.

Search for the Red Writer covertly.

No one is to know about your mission, including the king's personal troops.

We cannot hand over the Red Writer to the king.

If need be,

kill him on the spot. Don't forget that.

- Lee Seonjun. - Present.

- Kim Yunsik. - Present.

Mun Jaesin.

Mun Jaesin.

Is Mun Jaesin of room two not here?

A rule is a rule.

Because of Mun Jaesin's absence...

Room two will not compete in this Grand Archery Contest.

And because of Mun Jaesin 's absence,

both Lee Seonjun and Kim Yunsik will get failing marks for this event.

Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse, Crazy Horse.

You must be very disappointed.

I'm just as disappointed as you are.

I wanted to crush your trans-factional team in front of the king.

That way, the king would stop talking about unity and other such crap.

Because my target is not you, but the king.

You have shown that

he should stop making repulsive comments about unity.

You have shown that such unity is impossible.

Who says it's impossible?

Crazy Horse.

Hey, Big Man.

I came for the head count.

The freshmen team from room two is performing very well.

Lee Seonjun, Kim Yunsik, and Mun Jaesin comprise this team.

But the reigning champions, the proctor and his roommates,

are in the lead with jaw-dropping scores.

Bring me the win.

Those guys are driving me crazy.

Ravishing quartet?

- Crazy Horse. - Crazy Horse.

All right!

You kept your promise.

Let's not be like this.

Be a man.

Undress.

A secret place?

It's not about guys wanting to see naked girls.

Think of them as subjects of study.

Where are you going?