Original subtitles

장애인방송 VOD 제작지원 : 방송통신위원회·시청자미디어재단

Tears of the Dragon Episode 1

Wihwado, 1388

Right Army Commander Lee Seong Gye

Stop!

Stop!

Stop right there, now!

-Stop! -Stop!

Stop!

-Stop! / -You wretch!

Stop!

-Stop! -Stop!

What's the matter?

Deserters! We'll deal with them by military law!

Let's go.

"All of you, listen and pay heed."

"In the midst of great turmoil in the nation,"

"you have taken up the great task of saving the nation and its people."

"How could I not understand the torments and difficulties of the front line?"

Eunuch Kim Wan

"But, I worry that excessive deliberation and care..."

"...will bring disaster in the future."

"Once again, I earnestly order both Commanders."

"At the moment you receive this decree,"

"...cross the border, and hurry this military affair."

"How can you be so careless with this critical, Heaven-sent opportunity?"

"Strike your war drums, and advance immediately!"

Here!

Take it!

Did His Majesty have anything else to say?

He was very distressed.

He asked, "How can they suggest a retreat?"

What I mean is... he praised your hard work,

and even bestowed his seal and image!

You must not forget the immense grace of His Majesty, the King!

Tie that wretch up and imprison him!

-Yes, sir! -W, Wait...!

What's the meaning of this? What's the meaning of this?

Right Commander!

Let go of me! I am an envoy, under His Majesty's orders!

Commander Jo! Commander Jo!

Commander Lee. You confined a Royal Emissary.

Have you finally decided to retreat?

That's right.

Both of the Right Army's requests...

...were denied.

Do you know what a retreat is...

...without an order from the King?

I do.

It's the only way for us to return alive!

All that's left is the Left Army's decision.

When we first set out, Supreme Commander, General Choi Young...

...secretly gave me this sword.

He especially meant for me to execute any generals...

...who showed signs of rebellion.

It seems his concerns...

...were not totally in vain.

What we're doing here...

Left Army Commander Jo Min Su

...no matter what anyone says, is treason.

But I'm giving this sword... to you, General.

General Jo.

Smallpox is claiming dozens of lives a day,

and the glue for our bows has melted, so we can't even string them.

General.

You'll take a look at the island soon.

Despite countless constructions, isn't it now impossible to cross the waters?

Let's go together.

General...!

A chance like this won't ever come again.

I can't lose this golden opportunity to realize my longtime goal.

I must not hesitate.

General!

General, we are ready to move out!

The time has come to take off Goryeo's official robes!

Tungduran.

Do you really think so?

Haven't you waited for this day?

Tungduran

If you miss the timing today, you won't be able to achieve your goal!

Gaegyeong, Jeong Do Jeon's house

-Check! / -Out of check.

Then, I check you again!

Oh, I'm in a real fix. Then, have at this!

Then...

I'll take this general here!

That's a wrong move. How can a cannon move all the way there?

What is janggi?

Seonggyungwan Headmaster Jeong Do Jeon

It's the fight between Xiang\hYu of Chu and Liu Bang of Han.

In a game of life and death, do you think there's any room for formality?

You're in check.

Look at this board. This double-check ambush...

...is exactly the situation the nation is in today.

Do you still not get what I mean?

This situation...

...is that of your father, who's in Wihwado right now.

Your father...

...sent in two appeals...

...asking for a retreat.

I know.

When a net is weak, it bursts.

Right now in Wihwado...

...the horns of retreat must be shaking the skies.

Lee Bang Won

Hear me, soldiers!

We're going to take this path... and return to Gaegyeong!

Hear me!

To defy a Royal Command...

...may mean that death awaits us,

but I, Lee Seong Gye, will take responsibility for everything!

Follow me!

May 22nd, 1388 - King Woo's 14th year.

Goryeo King Woo's 14th year, May 22nd

Lee Seong Gye and Jo Min Su's great army of 100,000, sent to the borderlands of Wihwado to attack Liaodong...

...defied the King's command, and retreated to the capital Gaegyeong.

The so-called Wihwado Retreat.

A rebel army! It's a rebel army!

Light the signal fire!

This tragic rebellion was recorded in history as a decisive trigger preceding the fall of the Goryeo Dynasty,

The most powerful people at the time were Chancellor Choi Young...

...and Deputy Chancellor Lee Seong Gye.

Lee Seong Gye was dispatched with this large army...

...after the up-and-coming Chinese Ming Dynasty...

...demanded Goryeo's sacred Northern lands.

Chancellor Choi Young reacted strongly, and ordered to dispatch soldiers.

At this time, despite Lee Seong Gye's petitions against going to war,

he headed to the front line at General Choi Young's severe insistence...

...and eventually returned after meeting with the monsoon season.

While Lee Seong Gye and Jo Min Su returned from Wihwado with their armies,

Choi Young

King Woo

King Woo, the prevailing ruler and Chancellor Choi...

...had joined forces in Pyeongyang to back them up.

And, while pressuring an attack through sending Royal Emissaries...

...they eventually received news of the rebellion.

It's a rebellion!

It's a rebellion!

My Lord! My Lord...!

It's rebellion, My Lord!

Lee Seong Gye's army in Wihwado is returning to Gaegyeong!

What?

You mean they retreated?

Correct, My Lord! Their vanguard's already passed Hoengseong!

It's rebellion, My Lord!

Rebellion? You wretch!

Choi Young

Insolent! How dare you even speak such ominous words?

What happened to Eunuch Kim Wan, the emissary?

They've locked him up!

Locked up...?

Then, who else is leading this army?

Both Left and Right Armies are coming together!

Then, you mean General Jo\hMin\hSu is also part of the retreat?

Yes, sir!

What a mistake...!

Gather all troops in the area!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Please wake up! It's urgent, Your Majesty!

What is it now?

Stand back.

Your Majesty. It's a rebellion, Your Majesty!

What? A... A rebellion?

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

No, Your Lordship!

Why do you say no?

Ming is a greater nation!

They pushed out Yuan and established their nation in the Central Plains!

Oh, how pathetic!

The land of Liaodong was Goguryeo's land, long ago!

We're trying to get back that land, how can you say it's not right?

A good general assesses their forces first before finding weakness in the enemy's, General!

Lee Seong Gye

Then, will you just sit by as our land falls into the enemy's hands?

Don't you know they seek to persecute Goryeo and make us give up our sacred land?

Just what is that land?

The Late King Gongmin risked his life to reclaim that land!

-But... -Yes.

It's not that I don't understand you, Deputy Chancellor.

But, Ming's troops are all headed North because of their war with Yuan!

Why is it so difficult to conquer Liaodong when it's empty?

Right now is a golden opportunity!

Your Lordship. This is the busiest season for farmers.

You'll have to draft a large army. Who will be left to spade the land?

What's more, it'll soon be monsoon season.

Before all else, disease will be a concern,

and the glue for the bows will melt, we won't be able to string them!

Your Lordship. I beg of you...

...please just wait until autumn, Your Lordship!

Your Lordship!

I've already sent conscription orders throughout the Eight Provinces.

His Majesty's also made up his mind.

General.

If you take up this great task...

...you'll surely be able to win!

Your Lordship!

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

Chancellor.

This all seems like it's my fault.

How can you say that? It's embarrassing to hear.

No...

If you were there in Wihwado, would they even dare dream of a retreat?

Ah... how did things reach this state?

I was always scared.

Scared of the officials, scared of the eunuchs!

Your Majesty is the loftiest in this nation. Who would dare to hurt you?

Didn't the previous King lose his life at the eunuchs' hands?

There's no one else I can trust and count on but you, Chancellor.

When you so earnestly begged me, I should've recommended you.

Now, because of me...!

Your Majesty, lay your worries to rest. You have me.

By the time we reach Gaegyeong, I'll have a way to stop them.

Location provided by the Korean Folk Village

What's going to happen to this dynasty, for you to say such things?

We've been degraded as a tributary nation for no less than 100 years!

Even now, joining hands with Ming is the nation's only way to survive!

What are you saying?

Then, are you going to let them have their way with our 1000 year-old sacred land?

He means that being too stubborn could bring us disaster. We're not giving them the land.

I don't want to hear it!

We can't refer to ourselves as a lesser country...

...and degrade ourselves further with this kind of policy!

Why is this Court...

...only filled with such weak men?

The problem is that all the officials have changed their attitude.

Changed their attitude?

The new gentry, such as Lee Saek, Jeong\hMong\hJu and Jeong Do Hyeon...

...are all standing on Deputy Chancellor Lee Seong Gye's side!

What did you say?

We must come up with a plan.

Order him to Court first. I'll take care of everything else!

Father-in-law, I'm trusting you. I only trust you!

We're too slow! Hurry up!

Location provided by the Korean Folk Village

Open up!

Open up!

Yes!

Young Master. What brings you here this late at night?

Is Brother here?

Yes. Go on inside.

What's the matter with you?

Brother. Pack some bags.

We might have to take Mother and escape Northeast.

Escape?

Brother.

Lee Bang Won

Didn't you hear Father turned his troops around from Wihwado?

I heard. But, why do I have to run away?

If he's coming by Royal Command, then it's a rightful retreat,

Lee Bang Woo (Lee Seong Gye's eldest son)

...and if not, then it's treason!

Wh... Brother...

I am a subject of Goryeo.

Defying a strict Royal Command is treason!

Yet instead of facing his crime, his family decides to run away at night?

Brother, you truly frustrate me.

Just who are we shouldering the crime for, then?

Wretch! Does it make sense, upending the world to save a nation?

Get out of here, right now!

-Brother... / -I said get out of here!

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

The officials left Gaegyeong? Where'd they all go?

They've all run away.

What do we do now...?

Lee Seong Gye will arrive at the West Capital in two days.

Fifth Royal Secretary Lee Soong In

If as the rumors say, he's decided to commit treason, we'll be in big trouble!

We must protect the nation.

Vice-Chancellor Jeong Mong Ju

Pressure the statesmen to gather.

How truly pathetic...

Finance Superintendent Lee Saek

Who will go try to calm this fierce gale?

Royal Secretariat Director Ha Ryun

It's most urgent that we try to figure out General Lee Seong Gye's motives.

We must prevent a civil war.

But what troops does the Capital have to stop them?

Where is that Sambong, and what is he doing at a time like this?

Lord Lee Seong Gye's troops have passed Pyeongyang.

And the King?

He's back in Gaegyeong.

What are you two so worried for?

You're so at peace, Lord Sambong.

Inspector-General Jo Jun

Why didn't you attend today's Council meeting?

Is there some reason I should waste my breath on pointless matters?

Pointless matters?

"The Yangtze's backwater pushes forward to the sea," as they say.

Who can stop the proud flow of history?

The hind legs are broken...

...and new flesh comes to the fore.

Document Storage Vice-Director Yun So Jong

Lord Sambong. What do you mean?

General!

What's the situation in the Capital?

His Majesty will arrive at the Palace at shin hour (6:30~7:30pm).

Who's accompanying His Majesty?

Chancellor Choi Young, sir.

And?

Around twenty eunuchs and court ladies are following them.

Commander. What are you hesitating for?

Think about the terrible things that happened in Wihwado!

You must not hesitate!

Commander Lee Cheon, reporting!

Speak.

Isn't stopping construction and requesting retreat...

...the same as giving up on the attack?

We're not giving up. We're just delaying for a while.

Either way, you're still defying the Royal Command!

How daring, Commander Song!

How dare a common Commander run his mouth about the Royal Command?

Military command starts with the King!

As a General, isn't defying your ruler's orders high treason?

High treason? Refrain from such nonsense!

Bae Geuk Ryeom

We're discussing ways for the Right Army to survive right now!

I, Lee Won Gye... would like to say something.

An army's loyalty...

...is earned through debate among the generals.

Lee Won Gye (Lee Seong Gye's brother)

I find it difficult to agree with the Right Army Commander's arbitrary decision.

Military orders are closer than a Royal Command, Commander Lee!

Even if the Army Commander's command is hypothetical,

...refrain from such disloyal words!

What are you saying? Is there any military power without the King's Command?

How dare the likes of you... try to persecute me?

Enough, all of you!

All of your opinions are reasonable.

But...

...I've thought this over a hundred times.

Even if you think about it 1000 times, you can't do this! Please, take caution!

I don't think this is right either!

General!

Once we try our hardest, we absolutely will cross this river!

Please, cross the river and conquer Liaodong!

Please, don't commit high treason! Why go down the path of the traitor?

Let's go out and fight, General!

This one talks with such arrogance. Traitor, you say?

Nam Eun

This won't be solved with words!

Get General Jo in here!

Yes, sir!

You wretch! What bizarre act is this in the generals' meeting?

You wretch!

Jo In Wook!

Jang Deok Ho!

What are you doing? Drag out everyone here for defying orders!

Yes, sir!

-Drag them out! -Yes, sir!

-You wretch! -Get back!

General. You can't do this.

You mustn't do this!

Our family has been loyal to Goryeo for generations!

Are you trying to ruin our family?

Listen here, Seong Gye!

You mustn't become a traitor!

Have you forgotten the rumors?

They say "the tree's son will gain the nation."

Remember the rumors about your greed!

Drag them out of here, right now!

No, General! You can't retreat, General!

General! General...!

General! Take back your order!

-Drag these men out! -Yes, sir!

-Get back! -You can't do this!

-General! -General!

You can't do this!

General...!

Halt!

Wretches!

Jo In Ho, Jeong Dok Ju! Even you dare to defy a Royal Command!

How could you treat me like this!

Bastard...!

General Lee! General Lee...!

You can't do this! Don't do this!

Let go of me!

-Listen, soldier! -Yes, sir!

Lock General Lee Won Gye up,

behead the rest and hang their heads at the front!

Yes, sir!

You wretch!

Commander.

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

Your Majesty, gather your strength. We're almost at the Palace.

Oh, how can this be? Where did the Chancellors and my guards go?

-Crown Prince. -Father!

That's right.

Mother!

King!

Traitors Lee Seong Gye and... J- Jo\hMin\hSu have started a rebellion!

The nation is in danger, but you must maintain dignity, King!

Listen here, Eunuch!

Yes!

Escort the King inside, and call a Physician in now!

Yes.

Come inside, Your Majesty.

Chancellor.

Your Majesty! Please, kill me!

Not at all. There's no end to your hard work, Chancellor!

I am much obliged!

Your Lordship.

Please, give your orders.

The Palace has been emptied!

Dowager An (King Gongmin's consort)

Where will you escort the King...?

I'm thinking of a way. Don't lose heart...

...and go back to the Grand Hall.

This old woman is trusting you, Your Lordship!

I am much obliged.

Look here, what are you all doing? Escort the Queen Dowager, now!

Yes, sir.

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

Everyone knew Lee Seong Gye had a treacherous mind from the start!

How could you neglect to defend against him?

W... Well, about that...

King!

Yes, Mother.

Am I talking to someone else right now?

Someone else?

I'm asking you why the traitors rebelled!

Let me hear it from you, King!

What?

King, how have you been governing this nation?

Mother!

This nation and its Court are like a candle in the wind!

What will our ancestors think of you and me, King?

Tell me quickly, King - tell me now!

Mother...

Please, just stop calling me Mother!

Dismiss Right Army Commander Lee Seong Gye and Left Army Commander Jo Min Su from office...

...and arrest the rebellion's ringleaders!

Arrest everyone following them including subordinate commanders for treason too!

Choi Young

His Majesty will approve all these orders afterwards.

Also, send a message throughout the Eight Provinces for all troops to assemble in Gaegyeong...

...and of course, all civil and military officials, and all able-bodied men...

...are to step up, and aid in stopping the enemy!

"Notice: We order that Lee Seong Gye is a traitor who poses a danger to the nation, and so he is removed from his Court positions. Anyone who aids him will be labeled a criminal of high treason. Anyone who kills or reports the traitors will be given high ranks and eternal wealth. The nation is in danger. End of notice."

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

Halt!

Then, what do we do about Lord Choi Young?

That's what I'm here to ask you.

Everything that happened recently...

...leads to Chancellor Choi!

He must definitely be punished!

That's right.

If we don't charge him, the people won't know the real reason why we retreated!

Father. What will we do about His Majesty?

If the King isn't guilty, then who is?

The world is changing! Now, the Royal Family and Court...!

Refrain, all of you!

Regarding His Majesty, I'll ask your opinions again later.

General, you must make a decision!

His Majesty and Chancellor Choi must be punished together! Keep this in mind!

My Lord! My Lord!

Oh... did you finish arranging the troops?

Yes, sir!

Well done.

Wait, where are you going?

Yes, uh... it seems I might have to go back to Gaegyeong, Mother.

To Gaegyeong?

Yes.

Isn't that where the fight is?

All the more reason for him to go.

Lady Han (Lee Seong Gye's Country Wife)

What you're saying makes sense.

Husband.

Take this with you.

What's this?

It's poison.

Poison?

Child! You give him poison when he's leaving for a long trip?

What kind of bizarre act is this?

Child!

I've prepared some for both of you, as well as the rest of the family.

Lady Min (Lee Bang Won's wife)

The head of our household... made up his mind to turn his troops around and come back.

If anything goes wrong with Father's plans...

...then we become traitors, our clans will be ruined, and...

What?

Child...!

Mother. Everyone in this family will die.

This poison...

...shows our family's will to accept death, and follow our breadwinner.

Sir.

Take it.

Your intentions... make this family proud.

Indeed. I'm truly proud of our daughter-in-law, Sister.

Husband.

Here's some gold. Use it as needed.

Thank you, Mother.

Lee Seong Gye had two wives.

Country Wife Lady Han was the legal wife, residing in his hometown...

Lady Han (Lee Seong Gye's Country Wife)

...and as the City Wife, Lady Kang lived in the capital Gaegyeong.

Lady Kang (Lee Seong Gye's City Wife)

This practice of City and Country Wife...

...was common among government officials at the time.

Between them, Lady Han had six sons, including Bang\hWoo, Bang Gwa, Bang Ui, Bang Gan, Bang Won...

...as well as two daughters.

Lady Kang met Lee Seong Gye later in life,

...giving him two sons Bang Beon and Bang\hSeok, and one daughter Gyeongsun.

Bang Seok

Bang Beon

Gyeongsun

Bang Won was Lady Han's fifth son.

Commander Lee! Have I committed some crime?

You're not going to kill me, are you? Right?

-Eunuch Kim. -Yes, sir!

Go tell this to His Majesty.

As everything that's happened traces back to Chancellor Choi,

tell him he should dismiss Lord Choi, and punish him for his crime!

Yes, yes! Of course I'll tell him.

Give Eunuch Kim a horse!

Yes, sir!

Welcome, Commander Jo. Have a seat.

How long are we going to wait for the city gates to open?

Let's wait a little more.

You're wasting precious time for no reason.

Left Army Commander Jo Min Su

I've sent Kim Wan, so let's wait and see.

If His Majesty punishes Chancellor Choi...

...then there won't be any need to make a fuss.

Yes, that's true, but...

My Lord!

We've stationed men at the East, West and North Gates!

Well done. Follow me!

Yes, sir!

What did you say?

Then they're asking to hand over Chancellor Choi, aren't they?

Your Majesty...

Then, they'll spare me if I hand over Chancellor Choi?

King Woo

Alright then! Tell them I'll hand him...

King!

Dowager An (King Gongmin's consort)

Are you out of your mind?

No, no!

Their army is 100,000 strong!

Your Majesty. Please do as they say!

You wretch!

King.

Put some thought into this, then make your decision!

Eunuch Kim.

Yes, Your Majesty!

Go visit them once more.

Go, and placate them with sweet words.

Ask them for a way for us to coexist.

Take some wine with you,

as well as generous amounts of gold, silver and silk!

Your Majesty.

I will go to them, but...

Go now!

Yes, Your Majesty!

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

Brother.

-You did great. -Brother.

Come on, let's go inside.

Yes.

Father.

Father. I send my regards.

Oh, alright.

It's been a long time.

But what brings you all the way here?

I took both mothers to the Northeast, and I'm here to protect you.

Lee Bang Won

Your brother Bang Gwa's here, what's the need?

I'll be at your side too, Father.

There's nothing for you to do here!

Father. Goryeo is already collapsing.

You play a great role in the revolution...

Shut up, fool!

What do you know, to run your mouth so carelessly?

Who's running a revolution?

Father.

Didn't you turn your troops around and retreat to Gaegyeong...

...to rise in revolution for the good people?

Shut up, you fool!

You're never careful about anything, that's your problem!

Your indiscretion... will bring grave disaster one day!

Now go back. This is a military camp!

I said there's nothing for you to do here!

Yes, Father.

Hey, Brother. What are you so angry for?

He's too ignorant.

But still, of all my nephews, Bang Won is the most like you.

He's a little short-tempered, but...

Brother.

Tungduran

To be honest, isn't our retreat as good as a revolution?

We can't delay any longer.

His Majesty and Chancellor Choi are posting notices to have us captured...

...and they've stationed troops at the four major gates!

I've sent Kim Wan...

You mean you want us to wait on him again?

Commander!

Eunuch Kim Wan is back from the Palace to see you!

Let him in!

Yes, sir!

-Send him in! -Yes, sir!

What happened?

Yes, uh...

His Majesty has rewarded you two with Royal wine and gold.

His Majesty asks you to consider your relationship with him as ruler and subject...

...and wishes to reason and discuss with you...

What are his plans for Lord Choi Young?

Well, after reasoning with you...

Get out!

General!

No more discussion!

The Left Army will enter from Seonui Gate!

Commander. Our army must set out too.

Go ahead.

Have the outpost troops advance to Soongui Gate!

Bang Won...

He said 'revolution'...?

He was just telling the truth.

Forget revolution, our retreat... is to establish a new nation, Brother!

Please, make a decision now!

This fight... was originally between you and Chancellor Choi.

You've struck Chancellor Choi. Now see it to the end!

Brother.

You're no different from that boy.

Let's go.

My Lord! My Lord!

What's going on?

Jo Min Su and Lee Seong Gye's armies are attacking from Seonui and Soongui Gates respectively!

Understood.

I'll go to Seonui Gate. You go to Soongui Gate!

Yes, sir!

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

My Lord!

Lee Seong Gye's army broke through Soongui Gate and is now in the Palace!

What?

Have all troops assemble and protect His Majesty!

Yes, sir!

Halt!

Y... Your Lordship!

Your Majesty! How could I be so disloyal?

The rebel armies have broken in, Your Majesty!

What to do? What should I do about this?

Your Majesty...!

Traitor Choi Young! Come out, immediately!

What do we do, Chancellor Choi?

You visited your father's military camp?

Yes.

Didn't he say anything else?

No, he didn't.

He must be going through a lot, knowing his family had to escape so far away.

Then again...

...he has you, so your father must've gone out with a settled mind.

What do you think the situation will be in the future?

You'll have to wait... until the new house is built.

The old house is collapsing.

It needs new rafters, it's overrun with rats and bedbugs, and...

...the rice steamers for the guests need heating.

Criminal Choi Young, come out now and accept your arrest!

Come out now, and accept your arrest!

Your Majesty.

It looks like it's time for me to go.

Ch- Ch... Chancellor Choi!

Your Majesty.

I wasn't able to protect you and the nation to the end.

Please, forgive me.

Chancellor Choi.

Ch- Chancellor Choi! Chancellor Choi!

-Your Lordship! -Your Lordship!

-Your Lordship! -Your Lordship...!

-Your Lordship! -Your Lordship...!

Clear the way!

Escort His Majesty!

Your Lordship.

General Lee.

We... lived our whole lives as warriors.

A warrior knows when to live and die.

This is my wish.

Make my death quick.

Your Lordship.

Left Army Commander Jo Min Su

I didn't know...

...that even you would betray me.

General...

-Take the criminal away! -Yes, sir!

General!

Subtitles by Sean Maclair