Original subtitles

Stepstool.

Why did you spare me?

Because I felt like it.

You are too arrogant.

I will make you regret...

for not killing me today.

All right.

I shall look forward to it.

- It has been a long time. - It has.

I really...

missed you all.

You are...

still alive.

Stepstool.

I am a changed man.

You should change as well.

No. I shall...

help you change.

You too.

It has been a while.

(Hong)

(The Rebel)

(Episode 17)

Why you...

Do not follow me. I will kill you.

You used to work for Heo Tae Hak.

I do not care for you.

Do not touch my brother.

What an odd girl.

Do not dare come back here!

Gil Dong.

What is it? Is something wrong?

Ga Ryung, we must speak in private.

Sorry.

A while ago,

Heo Tae Hak's henchman was here.

I found out that Prince Choong Won...

was released six months ago.

What took him so long to come to Hanyang?

He was exiled to Ganghwa Island...

and on his way to Hanyang,

he stopped by every village pretending to be a decent noble.

Are you saying that worked?

Prince Choong Won...

was punished and exiled in 1498...

alongside other upright scholars.

It seems that the nobles now see him in a different light.

We must get rid of greed and selfishness...

and focus on morals.

One who manages to return to one's true values...

will be able to become one with the deities.

Any noble who achieves that...

must fulfill the calling he is given,

with or without an office.

He has a duty to teach...

and lead the public by example.

Teaching and guiding the people...

is the calling the deities have given to us nobles.

People believe that Prince Choong Won is now...

more upright than anyone.

That is unbelievable.

He can deceive everyone but not me.

He has changed?

No.

Scum like him never change.

Then do you think...

Prince Choong Won knows...

what we did?

How would he know about...

Park Deok Joo?

Prince Choong Won living in a place like this?

I do not understand.

Are you in?

Hello.

My goodness.

Why are you staying in a place like this?

Right. You are no longer royal.

You suffered a lot while in exile, I see.

You have lost weight.

That is why I brought you some food.

Here.

You loved taffy.

Are you here out of fear?

You are afraid I will reveal how you tarnished my name.

His Majesty refuses to see you.

How would you ever...

get your word to him?

Enjoy the taffy.

I hope your stomach explodes.

Do brush your teeth before you go to sleep.

Rotting teeth reek.

I will wait...

until the day I see you kneel before me...

and show your remorse.

I see you are still good at talking nonsense.

So he does not seem to know about that?

He only mentioned the interrogation.

That is a relief then.

Do not do things like that ever again.

Il Chung, it is your fault. Why do you...

keep bringing Gil Dong tasks like that?

People from near and far make requests and...

We must all watch what we say.

Make sure no one finds out about that incident.

Do you understand?

- Yes. - Yes.

The thing is,

I do not believe he changed on his own.

Do you think...

someone is behind this?

Stepstool came to see me.

Master.

I do know you have a great and meaningful plan,

but please use your connections and let me see the King.

No.

You can see him for yourself.

You will see at one glance how evil he is.

My goodness, good sir, are you all right?

Oh dear. I apologize.

I am fine.

Why are you looking at me so?

I have no reason.

Let us go.

Oh, hello. Welcome.

Take him on inside.

Hello.

Do have a good time.

Hello again, master.

- Did you not miss me? - I did.

Go on inside.

Take the master inside.

Serve him well.

Do not disappoint.

Did you see him? Did you recognize the evil in him?

Prince Choong Won.

He works at a kisaeng parlor.

He is not just a thug or a procurer.

He deceived me and lied to the King at...

Prince Choong Won.

Scholars and noblemen surrounded you as you...

sat down to study.

Do you know why?

Because you bear scars from your flogging in 1498...

and because you were exiled after that.

They treat you like you are a living saint.

(A virtuous noble was respected.)

Do you want to lose your hard-earned reputation...

by arguing with a laborer from a kisaeng parlor?

The second you say you were framed by a laborer,

you will go back to being a fallen noble.

Is that what you want?

Prince Choong Won.

I am about to do something very important,

and I need your help with it.

Once I accomplish what I must,

then I will help you accomplish what you want.

By that time...

you will be mentioned in the scrolls with all honors.

The scrolls?

So,

what is your important work?

A thief has infiltrated us.

A thief of unusual means has entered Hanyang.

Those who met him have been gravely injured.

How do you know that?

Do you know what the thief's victims have in common?

They were all...

questioned for murder and then released.

Jeong Joon Boo killed his adulterous wife.

Kim Woo Gyum killed his son while punishing him.

Lee Se Wang killed his half-brother...

but was released because it was deemed self-defense.

Think.

Is this a coincidence?

See if you can find out who the thieves are.

Then...

the man Kkeut Swe who was released after getting into a fight.

Could he...

have a connection to those thieves?

These thieves...

are not like common thugs who attack nobles out of anger.

They have a goal and a plan.

They want to shake Joseon to its core.

They have a plan to accomplish that.

Do you not know it?

Make me proud to have taught you.

(Hanseongbu)

Come in.

Oh dear.

You killed your adulterous wife.

Your son died while you were punishing him.

Your half-brother died while you were teaching him a lesson.

The thing is,

my wife was very jealous.

That was not all.

I even saw her...

in a compromising pose with another man.

That is not what I want to know.

Did you not all...

meet a bandit in the mountains?

Tell me about that.

It was around dusk.

I saw the bandit on the mountain trail.

He wore a mask, so I could not see his face,

but he was very large and had a deep voice.

The bandit I met also wore a mask,

but he was small.

He was tall and swift on his feet.

I... I saw...

the man's eyes.

It seemed as if he were very angry.

His glare felt like a blade that stabbed my body.

We peddlers...

heard a rumor that some know and some...

pretend not to know.

What is it?

People who were treated unfairly...

go to a certain place for help.

Is this Hwalbinjeong?

If you tell them your story,

they solve problems that even the government cannot.

How do you ask?

Well...

You must ask for their master.

Their master?

"Master"?

You are back again.

Serve him well.

Master.

Rumors say that their master is...

vicious and cruel.

He beats the target almost half to death.

The energy he emits...

is like that of the grim reaper.

Why are you back?

You cannot come here.

Please let me see your master.

You cannot come here.

I was told that...

Hanseongbu is going to reopen my daughter's case.

They called to talk to me.

But do not worry.

Even if I die,

I will never tell them about you.

If you had not punished my fool of a son-in-law...

who had killed my daughter,

I also would have taken my life long ago.

If I die now, I die with no regrets.

I thought that if not now, I might never get to...

see you again.

I wanted to say goodbye.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Gil Dong.

Do you think you will live a full life?

Your whole body is filled with the energy of death.

That energy will crush you one day.

The old man called Kim Deok Hyung.

Once they bring him in for questioning,

he will tell them about us.

I knew this would happen.

I knew we would get found out.

Before that happens,

- we must get the old man out. - How?

Have you forgotten?

We have the King's support.

So Bu Ri, have the silversmiths...

make a silver hair accessory of the best quality.

What is it for?

Eop San says...

the King is engrossed with a musician called Nok Su.

The accessory is for Nok Su.

You are finally back, Ha Sung.

So, how was your travels?

Your Majesty.

Something strange happened.

Something strange?

People from a few villages...

disappeared without a trace.

People just disappeared?

Whole families from villages all over vanished without a word.

I got a map and marked the villages in which those incidents occurred.

Your Majesty.

Nok Su the musician is here.

Good.

Your Majesty, did you ask for me?

Will you ridicule me for inviting a musician over often?

You must be tired.

You can go and rest.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Come closer.

Good. You look beautiful.

Look.

Deputy Governor Jo.

Things have been complicated with a few things.

There is an odd thief.

An odd thief?

Oddly, these thieves only appear to those...

who do not get punished even after they kill a person.

Then they hurt them badly.

What do you mean, someone got away with killing a person?

Well, a man named Jeong Joon Boo killed his adulterous wife.

Then his father-in-law Kim Deok Hyung...

made a report.

However, the office ruled they could not punish him...

for killing his adulterous wife.

Then they let Jeong Joon Boo go.

It must be hard for you because you cannot punish...

a murderer.

No. That is not the hard part.

Of course, a man has the rights to punish his adulterous wife.

However, the law of this nation is still feeble.

One official will punish someone for killing an adulterous wife,

but another official will not for the same case.

That is why these disputes are never ending.

I do not think that way.

- No matter how the wife did... - There she is again.

Is that you, Soo Hak?

Mother, come on. She still calls me by my old name.

Wait.

- Your name was... - Yes.

My childhood name was Soo Hak. Jo Soo Hak.

Mother. Why are you out here again?

Soo Hak.

Great work today.

Who is it?

He is my friend. Park Ha Sung.

How dare you hurt my son?

I have heard a lot about you.

I have been...

wanting to meet you.

Like Kim Deok Hyung, the guy I mentioned before,

there are so many...

foolish people in this world.

They make a fuss over useless things.

They seem like servants from my childhood.

Servants?

Yes. As mere servants, they wanted to learn to read...

for nothing.

Especially, one boy was always around me looking over my books.

That is why you two have...

so much to do for this country.

Here. Have some.

I am not feeling well.

Please excuse me.

My goodness.

Goodness.

Gil Hyeon.

Gil Dong, be quiet.

I told you to look after the young master while he studies.

Where have you been?

I do not care if he is my master. I will not let him get away.

I will not!

If he goes over the hill by himself, he will surely die.

- Gil Hyeon! - My lady!

My lady!

Gil Dong!

I have not...

fooled Lord Jo!

People, hear me out!

Gil Hyeon. Gil Hyeon!

Gil Dong!

Uh Ri Ni.

How does it look?

Welcome.

Kim Deok Hyung said he disabled his son-in-law.

However, he is over 70. Who would believe him?

They will ask for anyone who is behind him.

I must find a way to free Kim Deok Hyung.

Gil Dong.

I have a question.

All people talk about these days is...

the man who killed his wife.

This has...

something to do with you, right?

Are you...

Ga Ryung.

I have been very busy recently. I am sorry.

Let us talk more when things are...

I really hope you can...

help the man who lost his daughter.

I heard that man Jeong Joon Boo...

spread a rumor after killing his wife...

who was never jealous or adulterous.

- Jealous? - Yes.

He beat her to death,

but he claimed he did it because...

she was jealous and adulterous.

Ga Ryung.

Thank you.

Jeong Joon Boo...

killed his wife saying she was jealous and adulterous.

However,

we have no way of checking the facts...

now that his wife is dead.

There is a similar incident.

The King's mother, the dethroned Queen Yun.

The dethroned queen was...

also executed for jealousy.

If we can connect the dots between Jeong Joon Boo's case...

with the dethroned queen's case,

the King will feel...

sympathy for Kim Deok Hyung.

- Se Gul. - Yes.

You were once adopted by a nobleman as a kid.

I was.

I will keep my eyes on you to see how well you can act...

as a nobleman.

Yes, I can...

What?

I heard the King...

adores a female musician named Nok Su,

and enjoys giving her jewelry.

He will like this.

Also, I would like to make a request.

I have never made such a request before,

so I hope you can do this one for me.

I heard there is...

a kisaeng who is an amazing singer.

That sounds great.

The Big Dipper

the Big Dipper.

One, two, three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

To you.

Did you all hear about it?

Investigations are held every day in Hanseongbu...

for a guy named Jeong Joon Boo who murdered his wife.

There is nothing to investigate.

But it is too much...

to kill his wife for that.

Too much? What is too much?

King Seongjong also killed...

his wife because of her jealousy.

King Seongjong was...

very strict with his jealous wife.

The royal secretary of that time named Lee Se Ja...

received King Seongjong's orders...

and went to the dethroned queen with poison.

Apparently, King Seongjong ordered him to check...

and make sure the dethroned queen is dead.

That is why the royal secretary had to wait a day...

after giving her the poison...

to watch her die painfully...

by her side.

That is not all.

Once the royal secretary told King Seongjong she was dead,

he said it was such a joyful day...

and gave a round of drinks to his officials.

When you punish an adulterous wife,

you must follow King Seongjong's steps.

Who are you?

Is he gone?

Follow His Majesty.

How did you like her singing?

How dare you...

mention the dethroned queen in front of His Majesty?

Second Eunuch.

Do you think...

this country's law makes any sense...

when it says no one can punish...

a man who has killed his wife?

Even an ignorant scum like me can see that it makes no sense.

Why do you smart people in high offices...

do not see that this law makes no sense?

I believe in the King.

I believe...

he will understand how this law is...

utter nonsense.

I will help Nok Su and make a lot of money.

Then I will make sure my mother lives a good life.

You are a good daughter.

What about you?

I am...

an orphan.

Nothing wrong with that. You can still have a good life.

While we are at it,

what do you think about...

becoming musicians here by learning how to sing and dance?

I don't want to.

Why not?

Look at Nok Su.

The King just adores her.

What do you think you are doing?

How dare you do such a thing?

I told you not to touch these instruments!

Oh, no. What am I going to do?

Do you want to learn how to play instruments?

Wol Ha Mae.

We need to talk.

Please make the King laugh...

with your talk.

However, there is one thing you must not mention today.

You cannot bring up...

the word "mother" at all.

Mother...

Why are you here...

without that friend of yours?

After I received your order,

I went to look for her in a hurry.

However, it said it is completely burnt out today,

then it unwound its strings as if it is taking off its shirt,

and fell asleep right away.

- What did you say? - To be honest,

that thing is so hard to please.

It changes its sound so easily...

depending on the day.

It makes my heart so anxious whenever I play it.

Also, if you do not clean it out every day,

it gets feisty and tells me how it feels dirty.

If I neglect it from time to time,

it will start making loud noises as if it was a dog.

So today, I have...

scolded it harshly by saying...

"Do you know who called us? You must be insane."

"Darn you!"

"You darn..."

"instrument!" That is what I said.

A darn instrument?

A darn instrument.

- His mother? - I heard...

His Majesty sometimes gets very depressed...

reminiscing about the deceased dethroned queen.

In times like these, he will flog anyone and everyone...

who even mentions the word mother.

My goodness. I was so afraid I will make a mistake...

that I almost wet myself.

Your Majesty, it is I, Nok Su.

Why are you drinking by yourself?

The wind.

Blows.

And the snow falls.

On the beach.

Having lost his mom.

That seagull.

Cries for its mom.

Where there is no response.

But his mom does not come.

And the snow and rain keep falling.

The poor thing.

He cries.

And throws a tantrum.

The poor thing.

I will no longer wait...

for you to return my feelings for you.

In Hanseongbu,

after Jeong Joon Boo murdered his wife Kim Dong,

Kim Dong's father Kim Deok Hyung is being interrogated.

Let me hear your thoughts.

According to the law,

a husband who discovers his wife is being unfaithful,

he may kill his wife without any legal ramifications.

It is improper to punish Jeong Joon Boo.

That is correct.

From what I hear, his wife...

lost her virtue already by accusing her husband of infidelity.

Furthermore, since she committed the crime of betraying her husband,

so it was a severe crime that she betrayed her family.

Moreover,

the scholars are appealing, stating that...

it was improper for Jeong Joon Boo to punish his wife.

The scholars?

They are appealing?

Thus, a cheating wife...

must be punished by her husband...

just as a subject who betrays the King must be punished.

A woman must...

serve her father when young,

her husband once married,

and once her husband dies, she must serve her son.

Is he...

- useful? - As you can see.

He will be my loyal pillar.

His Majesty will find out soon...

who holds the brush that will write...

the future of Joseon.

Then...

are you saying it was...

proper for Jeong Joon Boo to murder his wife?

Is that truly what all of you think?

However,

his wife Kim Dong is already dead,

so we cannot find out whether or not she actually cheated on her husband.

If he can kill his wife...

and get away with it simply by claiming that she was cheating,

who will sooth the dead wife's sorrow?

Go on.

And yet, the deputy governor Jo Jeong Hak...

does not care to uncover Jeong Joon Boo's crime...

and is interrogating Kim Deok Hyung, who lost his daughter.

That is right. If he accuses her after killing her,

people will believe his wife was distrusting and cheated.

That is correct.

Thus, I humbly make a suggestion.

Because of the law that it is not a crime...

to kill a wife who is unfaithful,

men are murdering their wives,

and lying to the authorities...

claiming they killed their wives because they were cheating.

Thus, Your Majesty,

please uncover Jeong Joon Boo's fault this one time,

and prevent wrongful deaths.

Did you all hear that?

The woman had died,

so it is impossible to know whether or not she was jealous...

or betrayed her husband.

However,

how could you simply take the husband word for it...

and conclude that she was jealous and cheating?

Listen.

Console Kim Deok Hyung who lost his child and free him.

Call Jeong Joon Boo back...

and investigate whether or not his wife in fact cheated.

Furthermore, Jo Jeong Hak wrongfully punished Kim Deok Hyung,

and thus he shall be...

removed from his office.

(Jo Jeong Hak is to be removed from his position as deputy governor.)

- We shall obey your command. - We shall obey your command.

If she does not obey these rules,

it is right that she be punished.

That protects the family, the nation,

and the people of Joseon.

Anyone who does not know...

Heed His Majesty's command!

Interrogate Jeong Joon Boo...

and prove whether or not his wife was indeed cheating.

Furthermore, the deputy governor...

Jo Jeong Hak has improperly punished Kim Deok Hyung,

and thus Jo Jeong Hak shall be demoted to governor...

and promote Uhm Ja Chi to deputy governor in his place.

Father.

- Father. - My lord.

Are you all right?

Careful.

How do you feel, Father?

From now on,

do not waste your time trying to catch...

those supposed rebels.

But my lord...

This is my first order as deputy governor.

Will you refuse me?

You young punk.

Master Hong!

Master Hong!

Look here.

Gil Dong. Where is Gil Dong?

Hello, master.

I've been...

promoted.

I am the deputy governor now.

The deputy governor.

Where is Gil Dong?

Master Hong!

Master Hong!

As soon as he became deputy governor, he went to Gil Dong...

and told him they will no longer hunt the rebels?

And he called him...

"Master Hong," is that it?

Are you okay, master?

My goodness.

I am fine.

Gil Dong is not simply a thug nor a procurer.

He deceived me and the King at court...

It cannot be.

I tried my best to repay you for your grace toward me.

However,

I am inadequate to receive your will.

I do not know why you are trying so hard to catch...

- those rebels. - Jeong Hak.

I am sorry, master.

Madam.

I need to talk to you.

You said Ah Mo Gae ruined your family...

and his son Gil Dong ruined Prince Choong Won.

Yes, master.

Thus,

I must see Gil Dong torn to pieces...

before I die.

That way,

my husband will finally...

rest in peace.

Do you know who the rebel is that Jeong Hak gave up on catching?

The rebels planning to destroy the foundation of this nation.

It is...

Gil Dong.

Thus, I wanted to entrust Jeong Hak to handle this matter.

However, he has no desire to take revenge for his father.

Go to Master Song...

and tell him you will do what he instructed you to do.

I do not want to!

Soo Hak!

Do you truly think...

your father died by the hands of some random thieves?

It was too humiliating,

so I planned to take it with me to my grave.

But Soo Hak,

your father...

was not killed by random thieves.

He was killed by a servant.

Now,

it is time for you to die.

The servant Ah Mo Gae,

whom your father fed and raised for 40 years...

killed...

your father.

And his son Gil Dong...

is the rebel that you...

refuse to catch.

Gil Dong...

is that evil rebel.

It is nice to meet you, my lord.

I am the procurer, Hong.

Young master!

- I had a great time. - Did you have fun?

Good night.

I will see you again.

Get home safely.

Please come again.

What is wrong with Gil Dong?

Let him be. He is always like that...

on the anniversary of Uh Ri Ni's passing.

Even still. He does not have a memorial for his sister.

To be honest, how could we know whether today is...

the anniversary of her passing?

Let us go in.

Jeong Hak.

He destroyed...

Ah Mo Gae for us.

That is why Gil Dong's fury turned on him.

I shall...

repay you.

And I shall give you Gil Dong,

who harmed you,

as an offering.

I hear...

you know a lot about Gil Dong.

Gil Dong and I have...

- quite a past. - I see.

Anyway,

did Gil Dong...

lose his sister?

That is his biggest grudge.

I see.

Master Song.

His Majesty is angry,

so it is impossible to investigate Jeong Joon Boo in Hanseongbu.

Thus, I thought of another way.

Gil Dong lost his brother and sister, correct?

Yes.

I saw him send a message...

to porters and boatmen...

that he was searching for his brother and sister, Uh Ri Ni.

Uh Ri Ni.

My name is Uh Ri Ni.

Please let me see my brother.

(The Rebel)

Hong Chum Ji is going after them one by one.

These are the spots where Hong Chum Ji appeared.

Look. Can you say he is a simple thief?

I saw that jerk Gil Dong.

Someone wants to meet you.

- You lived outside the city, right? - How did you know?

Someone backing those rebels...

must be speaking ill of me to His Majesty.

You cannot hurt him. Okay?

Let us go.