Original subtitles

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

Park Yoo-chun

Park Min-young

Song Joong-ki

Yoo A-in

Seo Hyo-rim

Ahn Nae-sang

Kim Kap-soo

Jo Sung-ha Lee Jae-yong

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.

If you catch the Red Writer,

take care of him on the spot, covertly.

We cannot hand over the Red Writer to the king.

Mun Jaesin.

Is Mun Jaesin of room two not here?

Because of Mun Jaesin 's absence,

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

You're being a bit rough.

He may be called Crazy Horse,

but he is a Sungkyunkwan student.

And you're on the Sungkyunkwan campus.

How dare you.

His majesty is on the premises.

Anyone who acts suspiciously is subject to investigation.

Are you a government soldier?

If it is found out that the government troop is here,

your bosses will get fired.

Would that be okay?

And I'm not the only witness.

Here he comes.

This way, sir!

Mun Jaesin, shame on you!

You have shown that

the king 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.

If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have found Mun Jaesin.

That means Lee Seonjun would have...

Just the thought makes me break out in a cold sweat.

I shudder to think.

As for me, I find this very moment quite scary.

How did you know Mun Jaesin

would be there?

You're talking to Gu Yongha.

How unexpected.

I didn't think you would be

on the same page as Lee Seonjun.

I'm not.

It's you and I who are on the same page.

I don't believe in the king's trans-factional unity either.

Personally,

I wouldn't have sided with a Noron,

who killed my blood and kin.

- What did you say? - Hey, Big Man!

You're ready, right?

Hey, Noron.

I'm in it just for today,

in that silly thing called trans-factional unity.

Room two.

Trans-factional unity team.

We're ready.

To the archers' bench!

Those guys are driving me crazy.

I'm going nuts.

I can't help but drool at them.

You need a big bib.

They are the ravishing quartet.

Ravishing quartet?

Your bow.

It's from Ching China.

This is the only one in Joseon.

Isn't it a beauty?

But where are your arrows?

Well, um...

That scatterbrain merchant

forgot to include the arrows in the order list.

Then use another bow.

But this bow goes better with my outfit.

It's called color coordination.

He's injured.

It is bound to show

after he shoots several rounds.

If he really is the Red Writer,

we can deal with him after the contest.

The Red Writer has a unique style.

He's no amateur.

His right hand pulls the string and spreads out like a tiger's tail.

And his left arm is taut and straight.

That's an expert's posture.

He is someone who has gotten proper training in the martial arts.

You will catch him.

And it must be done covertly.

Most importantly, the Red Writer must not fall into the king's hands.

Don't worry, sir. I've told my men to take care of everything.

Minister of war.

Yes, Your Majesty?

Did you say your son is the student proctor?

Your humble servant's lowly son

is the proctor,

the leader of the Sungkyunkwan student body.

And the audacious Lee Seonjun, who declared he was putting me to the test,

is the prime minister's son, right?

I'm ashamed, Your Majesty.

That means I'm here today

not with the top officials of my court,

but with the fathers of Sungkyunkwan students.

So whom should I cheer for?

In the preliminary round, each archer gets three shots.

Ten points for a bull's-eye,

and decreasing number of points as you get farther from the center.

The contest will consist of preliminary, semi-final, and final rounds.

The winning team...

the champion of the Grand Archery Contest,

will be awarded honorary wine from the king,

as well as bonus points.

Don't touch this.

Which team will become the champion

of the Grand Archery Contest?

All you need to do is

put the character for "high"

on the team that you believe has the highest chance of winning.

I will bet on East Hall's room two.

Did you say room two in East Hall?

Introducing the room two team.

Sungkyunkwan is mine.

The rising newcomer, Kim Yunsik.

There's something different about nobility.

The left-handed legend-to-be, Lee Seonjun.

Wild horse or Crazy horse, that is the question.

Mun Jaesin!

Nah. No way.

I still bet on East Hall's room two.

But blood ties are binding.

You should bet on your brother's team.

I have my own investment principles.

Room two, at the risk of losing!

Let's see if beautiful-faced Kim Yunsik

takes after his father.

It seems like you're shooting the arrow.

Bull's-eye, bull's-eye, bull's-eye.

Nine points!

Eight points!

Six points!

Five points!

Kim Wutak, 16 points.

Seven points!

Nam Nlyeongsik, 20 points.

- Nine points. - Im Byeongchun, 24 points.

Nine points!

Wutak came last.

How can you be clapping right now?

Seeing how far Big Man has come, I can't help myself.

He couldn't even hold the bow right a few weeks back.

He has come along way.

But Byeongchun has always been an excellent archer.

I'm talking about Kim Yunsik.

Bah. How good can he be?

- What? How many points? - Kim Yunsik...

26 points!

Did you see that?

Do you have anything to say to me?

I almost forgot.

Stay focused.

Of the 12 shots you'll need to shoot to get to the final,

you've only done three.

Do you think you've won already?

I'm sorry.

Are you feeling okay?

You're so docile all of a sudden.

See?

Your face is flushed.

Don't worry about me.

I will stay focused

and do my best.

10 points!

10 points!

10 points!

At this rate, Lee Seonjun's team may come in first place.

It's not over yet.

The proctor's team has Kang Mu.

And the proctor is a good shot himself.

- Goodness gracious. - Confucius once said...

The goal of archery

is not determining the winner and loser

by hitting the target.

Is that why you got the lowest score?

Ten points!

Ten points!

Ten points!

The freshman team from room two is performing very well.

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

They should make it to the next round

without great difficulty.

Ten points!

But the reigning champions, the proctor and his roommates,

are in the lead with jaw-dropping scores.

They lead...

But the reigning champions, the proctor and his roommates,

are in the lead with jaw-dropping scores.

The game is getting very exciting.

But the reigning champions, the proctor and his roommates,

are in the lead with jaw-dropping scores.

But the reigning champions,

the proctor and his roommates,

are in the lead with jaw-dropping scores.

The left-handed legend-to-be, Lee Seonjun.

Will he get a bull's-eye?

He aims.

Bull's-eye! He got the bull's-eye!

Two points.

Four points.

Six points.

One point.

How can this be?

They're going to the finals!

East Hall's room two and the proctor's room will compete in the finals.

One of the two teams will become the champion of the Grand Archery Contest.

The final round will commence after a 15-minute recess.

You're dismissed.

15-minute recess!

Recess!

No, sir.

But my targets are here.

You look even more handsome outside the pleasure house.

Your porcelain skin is gorgeous.

That's why you two will never become first-rate courtesans.

You talk in cliches.

No man would open his heart to what he hears every day.

Today, you look like Joseon's top warrior.

With your confident vigor and posture,

you could pass for a commander on a battlefield.

See? See? See?

That's how you do it.

Choseon is the very best.

How could we ever top her?

But there's something the very best Choseon can't do.

How about hiding your feelings, just for today?

What do you mean, sir?

Thanks to you, he got the nickname "Big Man."

And thanks to you, he escaped from the throes of death.

Among the many Sungkyunkwan students, he is the only one you take to.

Kim Yunsik.

I'm telling you this for his sake.

I believe that you know just how much

this Grand Archery Contest means to me.

Of course, proctor.

Then, do you know this, too?

You're the one...

I'm counting on.

I will do my very best to not let you down.

Please have faith in me.

Bring me the win.

You can talk about faith after that.

Not bad, Big Man.

I didn't think you'd be this good.

I was worried sick about you all night.

The stress seems to be feeding me now.

What?

Let go.

Good heavens.

How can a scholar be so frivolous?

How will he do big things for the nation?

Stop! Truce!

Truce, my foot!

Stop right there!

So you've made it to the finals.

Now it's my turn to keep my promise.

I stepped out of line for the last time, sir.

Now you're sorry?

It's okay. Let bygones be bygones.

You had said we shall see which prevails, a courtesan's sense of loyalty

or your power.

I am here to deliver my answer.

Big Man! Big Man!...

It has been along time, Choseon.

I have something you left with me.

I am here

to return the love you left with me that night.

I hear that I caused you undue hardship.

I don't want my feelings for you to cause you suffering...

which is why I'm giving back the love you showed me.

My heart is bound to you

like this.

You are the man I, Choseon, have chosen.

May I trust that you won't go down on your knees...

no matter what?

Big Man! Big Man!...

This is a lowly courtesan's sense of loyalty, sir.

You lead and embrace all the students here with your great virtue.

I trust that you will show me the same virtue.

Are you trying to make me look even more pathetic?

The finals!

Both the teams are so strong.

One team is led by the student proctor of Sungkyunkwan.

The other team is comprised of Lee Seonjun, a Noron,

Mun Jaesin, a Soron, and Kim Yunsik, a Namin.

It is the team of trans-factional unity.

Which team should I be cheering, director?

Naturally, you should be...

I don't know how to answer

such a difficult question, Your Majesty.

I have decided.

Pardon?

I will consider...

the winning team to be our team.

The team that wins two out of three rounds will take the championship.

Each player will pick an opponent.

Why pick individual opponents all of a sudden?

Lee Seonjun versus Lim Byeongchun.

Mun Jaesin versus Kang Mu.

Finally, Kim Yunsik versus...

Ha Insu...

Ten points!

Ten points!

Nine points!

Nine points!

Ten points!

Eight points!

It's him, sir.

I want to prove that I can do it,

that I can be trusted.

I want to prove it to myself.

Trans-factional unity team, we're ready.

Get him as soon as he comes down.

Covertly.

No one can know that we have taken him.

Yes, sir.

What's up with Crazy Horse? Did he suddenly lose his edge?

He's not good enough to be the Red Writer.

He's injured.

That may be the cause of the poor performance,

in which case, he could be the Red Writer.

Seven points!

You can do it!

Imbeciles!

That can't be the Red Writer.

Don't just rely on papers.

Use your heads!

Be more creative when doing your work!

Crazy Horse.

Thanks to you,

my plan has gone awry.

My true skills are classified due to security reasons.

But thanks to you, now everyone will know just how good I am.

I have no choice now.

I will have to showcase

my special technique.

The sense of tension.

So don't worry.

And thank you for coming today.

He's good

at driving someone nuts.

Cheer him.

Proctor.

The proctor of Sungkyunkwan versus the beautiful-faced freshman.

Don't you suppose the match will be anticlimactic?

But Your Majesty, Kim Yunsik is quite something.

He could barely hold the bow right, but he has made it to the finals.

He stands for the kind of education we pursue at Sungkyunkwan.

He must have his father's iron will...

His father?

Why that's...

This is the last match of the finals.

Ha Insu and Kim Yunsik will each get three shots.

The winning team will be determined by this match.

This is it.

Eight points!

Ten points!

Eight points!

He could be the Red Writer.

Keep an eye on him.

If he appears even the least bit suspicious,

arrest him on the spot.

Yes, sir!

Ten points!

The final shot.

For the final shot, Ha Insu will go first.

Bull's-eye.

Bull's-eye. Bull's-eye!

Five points!

What? Is the proctor giving Kim Yunsik a chance?

No way. He's not the type.

This means the game's not over yet.

If Kim Yunsik gets a bull's-eye, two wins.

- Oh, no. - Rats.

Oh, no.

Grab that. That one.

Do you think

I can win?

I know you're always honest.

No.

Your shoulders are still weak,

your arms are still feeble,

and your breathing is still erratic.

That's why you shouldn't try too hard to come in first place.

But...

I like you hand.

You prepared for this contest like a champion.

Even if we get failing marks or lose...

to me...

you are already a champ.

Show them,

Big Man.

Show them what a champ can do.

Do you think you can ever come in first place?

What is it?

I'm fine.

Your hand...

I can do it.

Ten points!

Ten points!

A come-from-behind win!

Big Man! Big Man!

Big Man! Big Man!...

We won.

We are the winning team!

With your hand in that state...

Where are you going?

You know where.

His Majesty is here. Don't ruin the festivities.

The scoundrel who did this must pay.

Someone else will do the punishing for you.

What happened? Why didn't you do things right?

I did.

It should've done significant damage to his hand.

This makes no sense.

He must be a monster.

Get a hold of yourself!

The trans-factional unity wins the Grand Archery Contest.

You're better than me.

Lee Seonjun.

Mun Jaesin.

Kim Yunsik.

I will put my hope in you.

It would be nice if you could teach me how we can be one,

regardless of factional divides.

Right, prime minister?

A man is not a man unless he has a noble dream

when he is young.

When he is young...

Is that so, prime minister?

They say the king, teacher, and father are one.

Now the prime minister and government investigator each shares a son with me.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Aren't you curious to see which father...

our sons will take after?

Haven't you found the Red Writer yet?

The final archer didn't have the Red Writer's distinctive posture.

He wasn't the Red Writer.

Red Writer, you fiend!

Where are you hiding?

Even if you stay here,

you cannot be a Sungkyunkwan student because you're a girl.

That's how powerful social order is.

No matter how much you want it or try,

it's impossible.

So just give it up.

You can't make me give up just by telling me something's impossible.

Ever since I have sought to learn the letters as a girl,

no one has ever told me anything was possible for me.

Couldn't you find the Red Writer, Minister of war?

But, Minister, the person to securely control right now is...

your son, not me.

The son of deceased Kim Seungheon is now in Sungkyunkwan.

And he is on the Trans-faction Unity Team as he won the Grand Archery today.

What does that mean?

The guy that your son created havoc in the High Exam

in bringing into Sungkyunkwan.

Minister, isn't this a little strange?

The Red Writer who speaks of "Geumdeungjisa" sneaked into Sungkyunkwan

and Son of Dr. Kim who died of moving "Geumdeungjisa" is in Sungkyunkwan.

People related to "Geumdeungjisa" are gathering into Sungkyunkwan one at a time?

The one that I am more afraid of

more than the Red Writer is the king.

I need young friends who will keep "Geumdeungjisa" for me.

Implementing the Grand Archery is the reason for it.

But...

You cannot leave him to the students who won the examination.

Lee Sunjun is the son of Noron.

His is my vassal and the king is also the father, they said.

When "Geumdeungjisa" is found and the truth of the tragedy of the past is revealed,

who do you think Lee Sunjun would follow from his two fathers?

Your Majesty.

Haven't you waited for over 10 years of time?

For me...

For me, I do not have much time.

So I am not going to listen to you this time.

So that you know.

- All right! - Cheers!

Listen up!

We're here today to honor the champs of the Grand Archery Contest.

Hence, we must drink the night away!

- Got it? - Of course!

- All right! Cheers! - I will make the wine of confusion.

You can't hold back tonight, Lee Seonjun.

Big Man and Crazy Horse aren't here yet.

Oh, well...

We'll start with you.

Great!

I'll pour you one tonight, Noron.

Congratulations.

You must sure love to drink to be hiding a whole jug.

Drink away.

You kept your promise.

You've come to see me.

Instead of making me come to Sungkyunkwan to see you.

Please accept this.

As you were preparing for the Grand Archery Contest,

I was working on a little something myself.

I embroidered each and every stitch praying for your victory.

I have a long way to go with my embroidery,

but my feelings for you are earnest.

- Accept it! Accept it!... - Accept it! Accept it!...

This may be too much for me.

But this is...

Amazing craftsmanship.

The spring limited edition piece by the embroidery master Kim Okbun

for which there is a three-year waiting list...

This looks just like it.

I worked hard, sir.

What's taking Big Man so long?

I don't quite know how to convey my feelings.

But this is something I want to say to you.

Thank you for today.

It's all thanks to you.

I won't forget it.

It's all thanks to you, Mr. Wang.

Thank you.

Garang! Garang!...

Come in.

What took you so long? Sit.

Have a cup, Big Man.

- Another round, everyone. - All right.

Let's all drink up.

- Cheers! - Cheers!

Where are you going, Big Man?

All set, sir.

It suits you.

What are you doing out here?

How's your hand?

What's it to you?

They're calling you. Go on in.

I'm sorry, proctor.

I made a horrible mistake.

Never...

I will never...

Don't make a mistake.

Do it well

if you do it at all.

So he pretends to care about me.

Garang, Garang. He's loving it.

Hey!

You're one dogged fiend.

There's no way to beat

the tenacity of a chap with nothing.

How could you bear it?

Didn't the glass powder dig into your skin?

You wanted to succeed that badly, eh?

So it was you?

Yeah. What are you going to do about it?

Jerk!

Did you just hit me?

Blood? Do you want to die?

You didn't lose to me.

What?

You lost to your cowardly self.

You're the one who ruined everything.

My tailbone!

Both nostrils?

Cut it out.

Professor Yu will be making his rounds. You'll get into trouble.

Look. I have a bloody nose.

It's not fair! It's just not fair!

It's not fair at all!

Let it go.

I had a bit to drink and didn't have my guard up.

That fiend punched me.

Let's not be like this.

Be a man.

- See you later. - See you.

Will this do?

What happened? You look like crap.

Take your clothes off.

Let me pour some water on your back.

I'm fine.

Come on now. We're both men.

It'll be nice and refreshing.

No, sir.

Why not?

Because...

Spit it out. Be honest.

A scar.

I have a huge scar.

A scar?

That's fine. We're friends, aren't we?

I don't want you to see it.

I don't want you seeing me like that.

Yeah?

That's too bad.

I do pity you though,

so I'll tell you about a very isolated spot where you won't have to worry

about anyone seeing your scar.

An isolated spot?

It's said that a woman,

abandoned by a Sungkyunkwan student, killed herself.

They say her ghost haunts the place.

No one ever goes there.

It's not about a guy wanting to see a naked girl.

Let's think of it

as an investigation into the truth.

- Crazy Horse? - No!

I should let the school and the students know

so that we can all

get to the bottom of this together.

It'll be a lot of fun.

Get out now!

Kim Yunsik is a girl, right?

What is that bizarre contraption?

Did I startle you?

What in the world is that creature?

I'm Big Man.

You haven't changed one bit since entering Sungkyunkwan.

- Crazy Horse! - Crazy Horse!

Get out of here!

The man is a bear.

Whose heart do you want to move?

Shut your mouth!

Why you and not me?

This is not for Kim Yunsik.