Original subtitles

"Where the learning is headed..."

"Where the nation begins."

The door to Sungkyunkwan opens to the lowliest of places, Banchon.

My brother taught me.

The start of a nation wasn't Jongmyo.

The place where the learning is headed is...

Here.

The lowliest place in Joseon.

Here. The door opening towards Banchon.

Kim Yoon Shik... is a girl?

The Geum Deung Ji Sa...

I found it, Father.

Here. To the lowliest people of Joseon.

Here, at this place... was your will.

Minister of Justice, so then, the Hong Byuk Seo appeared last night.

So you mean the confined Lee Sun Joon is not the Hong Byuk Seo?

That is correct, Your Majesty.

In that case, Minister of War,

it appears it would be best for you to make an apology as soon as possible,

as requested by the scholars.

But Your Majesty, that might be a little...

This has resulted from that unjust search and seizure of Sungkyunkwan scholars...

inside Sungkyunkwan, the institution for the truth,

at the expense of forsaking the tradition that royal soldiers are not permitted inside.

If those passionate scholars...

make a big deal out of this matter in front of the palace, day in and day out,

every citizen throughout the land will know.

Is it now my turn to give my response to the appeal?

His Majesty will be giving his response to your appeal.

The president leading this demonstration, come out now.

Where is the head scholar who's leading this demonstration?

Is there no president for this appeal?

I am here!

Found it, Senior.

I found it.

The president of this demonstration,

Sungkyunkwan scholar Kim Yoon Shik.

I'm ready to accept His Majesty's response.

As requested by the Sungkyunkwan scholars,

Lee Sun Joon shall be acquitted and released.

And I will also publicly proclaim the Ministry of War's apology.

This is my response.

Now that I've heard your opinions, I should present you a drink.

When the appeal has ended, it is the tradition of this country...

to present drinks to the Sungkyunkwan scholars.

Your Majesty, I have something to present to you as well.

I solved the secret order.

Where the learning is headed. That place where the nation begins.

At the door that opens to the lowliest of places, Banchon...

The Geum Deung Ji Sa was there.

With this, will your father's dream,

and also my long-time dream, now come true?

Thank you, Kim Yoon Shik.

I promise you.

So that your effort would not have been in vain, I will give my all.

It's now time for you to dream new dreams in this new Joseon.

Hey! It's Lee Sun Joon! Lee Sun Joon! Lee Sun Joon!

He's coming out! Lee Sun Joon! Lee Sun Joon!

Lee Sun Joon!

Lee Sun Joon has been released!

You should just confess now.

You don't dislike Lee Sun Joon. Right?

That hapless lad.

If he's not around, I have no one else to badmouth.

I mean... What I meant to say...

I'll entrust you to continue to do so from time to time.

I was quite bored in there.

Indeed. A person needs to experience some hardship.

Don't you dare show off being high and mighty like that again.

Or else, I will never see you again.

Hey, Geol Oh.

So does this mean you'll spend the rest of your life seeing Lee Sun Joon?

A confession of your love? And in my presence at that?

You went through a lot.

Thank you, Senior.

I heard everyone labored greatly for my sake.

The one that went through a lot is elsewhere.

That very person you've been looking for with your eyes over and over.

The president who led the appeal... It was Daemul.

Kim Yoon Shik... Where is he right now?

It's something to be grateful about.

Though he is your roommate,

on account of his father,

it could not have been an easy task to help him who is my son.

I am grateful.

As I know it, the act of saving a friend...

is not something I should receive praise for.

Such strong vigor. You take after your father, I see.

I... was not fond of your father from the outset.

He was overly idealistic and romantic...

to be giving assistance to the king.

I was prepared to do whatever it would take to dampen your father.

I wanted your father to properly acknowledge it.

I wanted to see him surrender to the fact that...

reality cannot be as perfect as his ideals.

However, I never dreamt of taking his life in that manner.

But nevertheless, your resentment towards me must be deep.

Not resentment, but vigilance, Sir.

Vigilance, you say?

Once you back down once,

you'll back down twice to hide the first.

Before you know it, you'll stand confused among your zigzagged footprints,

even forgetting the direction that you first intended to take.

I see why my son thought of you as a precious friend.

Didn't you know I was released?

What exactly have you been doing all this time and where?

Did you even think about how long I would be waiting for you?

But we already saw each other yesterday.

But...

Are we in such a relationship that if we saw each other yesterday,

we do not need to see other today?

Then, what relationship are we in?

Kim Yoon Shik.

Something like this?

Why aren't you coming in?

*wordplay with sexual connotation

Are you two building up the Great Wall out there?*

That's right. That's right. Drink up. Drink up.

Even if you become the minister's lapdog, I'll go easy on you today.

Here. That's right, drink up!

Good. Right.

You've been through a lot.

I never imagined you could accomplish so much.

You led the appeal and you found the Geum Deung Ji Sa.

You're truly a daemul*. (*the great one)

No matter how much I look at you, I never get tired of it.

Kim Yoon Shik, you're the first.

About the Geum Deung Ji Sa...

His Majesty said it's now time for us to dream new dreams in this new Joseon.

So... what is your dream?

I'm going to start thinking about it from now.

Oh, what to do?! As boring as it may be,

I no longer have any use for dreams.

I'm Gu Yong Ha.

And despite knowing exactly who I am, I have you guys who aren't running from me.

That's all I need.

Here, here, here! That's right!

You drink some too.

Daemul, Daemul, take some.

You, Lee Sun Joon. Don't look at me like that!

It's time to call it a night.

Really? Okay, then I'm going to spend the night here.

I'm too drunk to move.

Oy!

You should go sleep in Yong Ha's room.

It's too crowded in here.

You are one hundred percent right, Geol Oh Senior.

What are you doing, not going?

My room is here, so why should I leave my room and go elsewhere?

Feels great. Let us Jalgeum Quartet just all sleep here like this.

Why can't you take care of matters properly?

You can't even handle one mousy little kid, and thus, make your father look bad?

He is a very dangerous kid, that Kim Yoon Shik.

Kim Yoon Shik... is a girl.

What?

As a girl, she defied the nation's law and is now at Sungkyunkwan.

Kim Yoon Shik.

The king will hold a council and declare the capital's move to Hwaseong.

He must have found the Geum Deung Ji Sa.

But I have in my hands a sharper sword,

so what is there to fear?

Kim Yoon Shik, to whom he gave the order to find the Geum Deung Ji Sa,

is a girl. A girl!

If you're mad about something, you should just come out and say it...

and give me the reason.

Sticking your lips out in a pout, and looking stern. Is that all you can do?

How can a man be so petty?! Like some old gramps!

No, what I meant was...

Concerned for my lover who doesn't think much of sleeping among other men,

I couldn't get a wink of sleep all night.

How was I supposed to spell this out to you?

Like some old gramps! Being petty.

So if I sleep next to you as you wish, would that appease you?

Well... as you wish.

If I sleep next to you, you'll lose more sleep.

Will that be okay?

Kim Yoon Shik. Kim Yoon Shik!

I need to know.

Exactly what kind of books did you transcribe at the bookstore?

Perchance, are you that infamous person known to specialize in transcribing racy novels...?

No! I only did it three times.

As many... as three times? Truly?

Well... it paid more.

I have no way to know where and how you lived until you entered Sungkyunkwan.

During this next break, I must visit your house and see for myself.

My home, you said?

Then, you have a separate house you stay at?

No, that's not it. What it means for you to visit my house...

A grown man is visiting his lover's home.

Are you really asking me because you don't know?

Really? Really?

It's not going to be an easy road, so I should fully prepare myself.

I'm ready.

Your Majesty, please bury the Geum Deung Ji Sa.

Don't you think it is too cruel to that father, and now to the child?

What do you mean, Left State Minister?

Your longing for reform had Sungkyunkwan professor Kim Seung Hun sacrificed.

And now it's even putting his daughter in danger.

What do you mean by Kim Seung Hun's daughter?

Sungkyunkwan scholar Kim Yoon Shik. That child... is a girl.

In order to find the Geum Deung Ji Sa, Your Majesty will have become a sinner who...

violated the "Three Bonds and Five Relationships".

Why? You still can't give up on Lee Sun Joon?

Telling a person to come and go.

If I looked easy to you once, is it okay to always see me as such?

I came to help. Treat me with courtesy.

My brother found out.

Don't tell me you all were unaware of it!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, about what, Miss?

That Scholar Kim Yoon Shik is a woman.

Hey, Moon Young Shin!

Accept my drink.

I... thought that you loathed this world, Brother.

So I felt so much pity for you after you left like that.

But now, I understand.

Moon Young Shin didn't loathe the world, but loved it.

That's why you were able to live like that.

What I am saying is true, right?

It sure is freezing cold.

He really hated the cold.

Hey, Geol Oh!

We have a big problem!

Hey, Lee Sun Joon!

Are you here because you found out as well?

About what...?

Lift your head.

Kim Yoon Shik, did you not hear my command?

Lift your head!

It's true that I'm a sinner...

who defied the nation's law and the "Three Bonds and Five Relationships."

Professor Jung.

This is the result your silence brought upon us.

Are you satisfied?

Your Majesty.

Why did you hide it from me?

You, who is my subject and my friend... Why?! What for?!

If you sentence me to death, I will obey.

But please put all the blame on me alone.

Is it because of the Western teachings that you believe in?

I heard that in the Western teachings,

they dream of a world where men and women are equal.

I've learned from the Western teachings that all people,

be they poor or wealthy, old or young, male or female, are born equal.

But as a public servant of this country,

I agree that women should have no right to learn or become officials.

Then why?!

I learned from that child... that knowledge and life are inseparable.

So then go beg for forgiveness...

from the God of the western culture that you believe in.

Western teaching is only one field of knowledge.

The sovereign that I believe and follow...

are you alone, Your Majesty.

There is something you must do.

Your Excellency.

I thought you to be a man of your word.

- I have already fulfilled my duties... - You will also want to do this.

You must bring Kim Yoon Shik to me.

Why do you want to bring the young lord...?

Kim Yoon Shik is not a man, but a girl.

Your Excellency, what kind of nonsensical...

I will catch the girl who did this nonsensical act,

and restore order to this country.

Before the end of this month, bring Kim Yoon Shik to me.

Please answer us.

Is Kim Yoon Shik... with the king now?

Yes.

Then, Teacher,

that is to protect Kim Yoon Shik, right?

The night is late.

You should go back.

A Council meeting...

I heard that at the end of this month, a Council meeting has been arranged.

And during this Council meeting, he plans to announce the move to Hwaseong.

So, to suppress the Norons' protests, he will present the Geum Deung Ji Sa.

His Majesty will do so.

Am I correct?

He'll probably do so.

If by chance, the Minister of War and the Norons reveal...

that the Geum Deung Ji Sa was found by Kim Yoon Shik, who is a girl,

and use this to challenge His Majesty,

I'd like to know what His Majesty intends to do then?

We have the right to know.

Please answer us!

Don't worry about anything!

That no matter what happens, the king will protect Kim Yoon Shik!

That is...

That is the hope that the king dreams about.

Why won't you answer us?

Teacher...

So, because Kim Yoon Shik found the Geum Deung Ji Sa...

Exactly because of this!

The king will now abandon him?

You pathetic fellow.

You fool.

In a matter on which the survival of our country does not depend,

you mean to say a man intends to wager his life?

Father.

Please help, Father.

Please save that child.

Only after I met that child,

a new world opened up to me.

Not the world a man should make as taught in the books,

but a world that I want to live in.

However...

that world is now collapsing.

But...

I am pathetic and foolish...

and there's... nothing... I can do... anywhere.

Therefore,

would you please help me, Father?

Are you...

really my son?

What did I tell you?

I told you I don't believe in the king.

Say something! I'm frustrated to death!

That punk...

must be really scared now... being alone.

- Madame, liquor. - Yes, just a moment.

Bring me liquor. Liquor!

It's a big problem that there aren't any rooms left.

Confucius scholars have flocked to all the inns in the capital.

So no rooms are available till the end of this month!

What is the Minister of War's reason for suddenly gathering us?

Who knows? Perhaps the king is stirring trouble again...

because he says he needs our support.

The Minister of War has gathered the scholars...?

- If it's at the end of the month... - The Council meeting.

That's the day of the Council meeting that the king has called for.

Let's give our support in moving the capital to Hwaseong.

Your Excellency!

If we, Norons, give support to the capital's move to Hwaseong...

where Crown Prince Sado is buried,

then the king will not use the past to pressure us anymore.

But Your Excellency, why did you suddenly decide this?

I am risking my political career to request for everyone's support.

- *Northern village where many wealthy people lived - We cannot give up Bukchon*!

We've already agreed to wait for the Minister of War at the Council meeting.

That's right!

We need a leader who will go up against the king and protect us, Your Excellency.

Let's go!

I'm sorry, Cho Sun. I was wrong.

It's all my fault.

For such a beautiful and kind person as you,

I am too shameful and unworthy.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Cho Sun.

If we start by following the Confucius scholars staying at the inns,

we should be able to find a clue on the meeting venue.

If we are able to find out by yu-si (5-7 p.m.), there will be a solution.

Beautiful gisaengs come to deliver a love letter early morning.

It's truly good to be young.

This is from... Cho Sun?

Your plan is to bring that girl Kim Yoon Shik before the scholars?

I have someone who will bring her.

Is that person the Hong Byuk Seo from last time?

This person is a trustworthy one who has never disobeyed me once.

I can no longer obey your order.

President, isn't that Cho Sun?

You, you...

What about that girl?!

Didn't I tell you to bring that girl before the scholars?

Your Excellency,

you will not be able to go either.

Because I will not let you pass through.

What are you doing?

Get out of the way!

What have you been doing to her this whole time?

Out of the way. I will take care of it.

No.

Now that I know, I won't let you have your way.

Let me pass through. I need to meet the scholars!

Passing through?

I don't want to let you.

I'm not one to do things that I don't want to do.

For the first time, you're acting like a human.

Get them out of the way!

Why isn't the Minister of War here yet?

We need to go to the palace now!

We need to clarify the truth of the situation at Sungkyunkwan!

He should have received the message by now.

Shouldn't Professor Jung do at least this much to help out?

How do people who sit at their desk and study all day have so much strength?

I have been assigned here by the Minister of War.

I am Sungkyunkwan's professor, Gu Yong Ha.

Professor?

Your Majesty, it's time.

It's almost time for you to head to the location of the Council meeting.

Are you also here to ask me to save that child's life?

Kim Yoon Shik.

No...

Kim Yoon Hee... I came to request that you forsake her.

And I'm also here to request that you forsake me as well.

It's because Your Majesty's dream of a new Joseon...

has no hope.

The reason Your Majesty is giving up on Kim Yoon Hee...

is not because she disregarded the nation's law and the five tenets...

by disguising herself to enter Sungkyunkwan.

Instead, it's because she is in the way of the reformation Your Majesty dreams of.

Isn't it so?

It was Your Majesty who appointed half-nobles, going against our propriety and custom.

For the sake of Your Majesty's reformation.

I must have doted on you too much.

Were you fighting not for the people, but to win against the Norons?

Is the world of equality that Your Majesty dreams of...

a world filled not with concerns for your people,

but only that of your beliefs?

Enough.

That's enough.

If the compass needle isn't on guard against itself and no longer wavers,

it cannot point in the right direction.

The advice that you gave me... I now return it back to you.

You little rascal!

Do you know who I am?

I'm the second son of an official of the Ministry of Justice and Punishment,

I'm Gu Chang Seo! Gu Chang Seo!

Hold on.

Are you Lord Gu who lives on Myungryunbang's Persimmon Tree Road?

Yes...

I am Gu Yong Ha, Uncle!

You know...

After failing repeatedly in your civil exam,

you added our family to your genealogy after receiving a small piece of land.

That, that, that...

You little rascal!

I know.

That it was the attitude of a martyr who sought to put into practice...

Confucius' teachings to a pathetic child like me.

To me who had given up on entering Sungkyunkwan due to my lowly status.

Yoo.

Gyo.

Mu.

Ryu.

In learning, there is no discrimination and everyone is equal.

This is a quote from Wei Linggong's chapter of the Analects.

- You remember, right? - Of course we do!

You had greatly enlightened me.

I did?

T...T... That's right, I did!

Deuk.

Cheo.

Ha.

Young.

Jae.

Yi.

Gyo.

Yook.

Ji.

The joy of teaching a clever person is one of the three joys of a scholar.

This is Teacher Mencius' teaching.

I took you under my wings in order to live out Confucius and Mencius' teachings.

You didn't forget these teachings even before the ink you used...

to re-write the ancestry list could dry, now, did you?

If we are to discuss Sungkyunkwan scholars' qualification,

then Uncle and I should be the first ones to be punished.

It seems as though he is not a spectator in the crowd anymore.

Scholar Gu Yong Ha.

Pass!

Where is the Minister of War?

He went to the palace.

We barely stopped the scholars' gathering. He must have gone to the Council meeting.

Everything... is up to the king now.

I am fully aware that you oppose moving the capital to Hwaseong.

This is my dream that refuses to be shaken.

Because your firm standing leaves no room for a compromise,

I...

have found a secret weapon that will suppress your objection.

The Geum Deung Ji Sa!

This secret weapon that can serve to suppress the Norons for having...

committed an act of treason, and to realize my dream.

Your Majesty, I, Minister of War, Ha Woo Gyu, at your presence.

It is this...

right here!

- Your Majesty, that... - I'm not done speaking, Minister of War!

- I know that the Geum Deung Ji Sa... - The Geum Deung Ji Sa...

was not preserved.

As if to mock my dream.

However...

I will not be deterred from fulfilling my dream of moving to Hwaseong.

Because this battle was not started to win against you,

but it is a battle for my people.

I...

intend to persevere...

till the very end!

What's going on here?

He doesn't have the Geum Deung Ji Sa.

I... I don't understand...

Your Excellency.

As the mastermind behind the theft of the late king's will,

I hereby decree the imperial order to arrest you.

What... What did you say?

Say you will promise me this.

Not my shabby death,

and not my short living,

but my dream...

The tomorrow of this land,

that I have longingly desired.

Will you remember that for a long time?

So that I too...

may live on in your memory.

I will do so, Your Majesty.

Disguising yourself to enter Sungkyunkwan?

You are even more daring than I thought.

So that you won't walk on a zigzag course,

you'd treat me with vigilance, you said?

It will be difficult to do.

Because even with your both eyes open, making a miscalculation...

That's what life is.

It won't be easy alone.

So will you stay by my child's side?

Is this old man's greed too excessive?

Thank you, Senior.

This will be the last time.

From now on, it's up to you.

So that I wouldn't concern myself with that kid ever again,

you have to do it properly until the very end.

I won't ever forget the care you've shown.

Thank you.

Enough. You're embarrassing me.

What are you doing here?

The guest of honor has been waiting for us.

Let's go! Daemul is here. Let's go, let's go.

You go ahead.

Let's go together.

Is that somewhere for you to butt in?

Then do I belong here?

What?

Let's go!

What I can give you...

is not forgiveness,

but only that of a lover's...

A woman's heart alone.

Did you see the skilled bear?

Wang Seobang?!

This color doesn't suit you.

To be befitting of my clothes...

You look too traditional-looking.

I heard that you were a Sungkyunkwan scholar.

Where did you pick up this skill?

I was born with it. I'm Gu Yong Ha!

It's the Cheong Byuk Seo*! (*Blue Messenger)

This friend is at it again.

This kind of rotten writing. If you keep at it, it'll become a habit.

What has Sungkyunkwan been teaching these kids lately?

I haven't seen any well-written notes.

Professor! Professor!

We have a question about the Analects lecture!

I thought my grade on the Wei Zheng chapter of the Analects...

may be wrong.

If you only learn, but fail to think on your own...

It means that if you only learn but fail to think on your own,

your brain will harden into stone.

If you aren't willing to think on your own, and spend all day following your teacher,

that attitude can't be called that of a scholar. Thus, "No Pass."

After asking a question, you should respectfully return your gaze to the books.

You dare to turn your gaze towards your teacher's face.

It can't be called a scholar's attitude. So you don't pass. "No Pass."

To continuously question your knowledge is the basis of learning. This scholar passes.

Also, the attitude of a student's deep respect for his teacher is a "Pass."

It is a big pass, Professor Lee.

What are you doing?! Professor Lee Sun Joon. Professor Kim Yoon Shik.

Whether it be teaching or student management, you're always quarreling.

For failing to manage my teachers,

I've been passed over again for a transfer opportunity.

I beg of you to grow up. Grow up!

For how long are you going to fight like this?

At this rate, how will I ever step foot inside the Central Agency before I die?

That is not only for my personal benefit.

It is for Sungkyunkwan's peace...

I believe Professor Lee Sun Joon was in charge of cleaning today.

If instead of the cleaning you're told to do, all you do is be jealous,

how will you receive a passing grade as a husband?

It can't be helped if you tell me I'm wrong.

But I will not accept you saying that you dislike me.

Then, is this a "Pass"?

I do not intend to stop until I receive a "Pass."

What is with you today?

Hold on a moment.

I'm still inexperienced...

For how long do you plan to use that book?

Here it is.

Oh, it wasn't this?