During the Joseon era, human desire reached its limits and the world grew uglier as nature was devastated. Yin and Yang gradually broke apart from each other in the chaos.
-=Episode 1=-
Young master! Young master!
Who falls asleep while I'm pooping?
Since a ghost could come and pull my hair,
I asked you to make a noise once in awhile.
Ghosts my butt. Here!
So do you want me to apologize for not watching out for you?
Of course not.
Your late grandfather always said that
not doing something you don't know how to do is not your fault.
What don't I know how to do?
Saying "I'm sorry", "Thank you", and "I love you." Those 3 sentences.
You don't say them because you don't know how.
That's right. I don't know. I don't.
What's the point of learning something that serves no useful purpose in life?
It's so humid. I'm afraid it's going to rain soon.
How dare you leave me out?
Who do you think has helped you survive all this time?
All of you are so dead.
Don't you think it would be better if Arang were here?
Do you want to have to share it with her again?
Let's start. Grab the guys in the back first.
Quickly go and get rid of the others.
I'll take the guy in front.
Arang!
Where have you been? We waited for you for so long.
You jerk! Do I eat water?
You wench.
This unknown wench who came from nowhere, since I let you join my group...
You have no one to leave food at your memorial.
You and I are just the same.
Wench, you can taste death for the second time today!
Ghost chasers!
Wha... wha... what is it?
Nothing.
Oh, it's so hot.
Every time we take this mountain road, it feels a little creepy.
Are you sure that Miryang is where you can find news of your mother?
I wish we didn't have to go to that spooky town if it was only a rumor.
Why is it spooky?
Since that town has been going through hard times, people say that it is haunted.
Haunted, my ass.
What?
There have been several new magistrates who all died of fright on their first night in office.
Even if we live miserable lives, our world is better.
You brat. There's no such thing as ghosts.
What is it now?
Behind you... there's a virgin ghost!
Mommy!
Aish.
Hey. You're bigger than a lion, but you have so much fear.
That is why I'm telling you to close your eyes a little.
Your eyes are so big that it makes your fear...
What are you doing? Let's go.
If we keep up this pace, we won't even arrive by dawn.
Why is the Underworld's noble general chasing after ghosts?
Perhaps you shouldn't have lost me on the road to the Underworld last time.
Arang.
Seeking personal revenge has been prohibited by the Jade Emperor.
Your crime is inciting other ghosts to rebel and seek revenge.
You have made a mess in this world.
Your punishment won't be light.
The Jade Emperor, my butt.
The law is that the thirsty one digs the well.
If you don't like it, then you should do it for us.
You like peach blossoms, right?
Arang!
It's really spooky.
Arang!
What is this?
It's raining.
Run faster!
Young master, where are you going?
Young master, let's go together!
Young master! Young master!
Hurry up!
Aigoo. Aigoo. (aigoo - oh dear, oh my god)
That cursed sky, it keeps letting go those loud farts.
It seems like we won't get to the town tonight.
Let's sleep here tonight.
That's why I said we should have waited until the sun was up in the first place.
Curse you, Jade Emperor.
You think you're that great?
Someone must be cursing my name.
What are you thinking about so seriously?
It's over.
I will really win this time.
You seem to be in a good mood today.
Your hairstyle is very pretty.
I had this hairstyle yesterday, and the day before that,
and for about the last thousand years or so.
Really?
Ah, seriously...
What are you doing? Hurry up and play.
Just put it anywhere. It won't matter since you have lost this game.
I suppose.
Then I guess... what about here?
Ah. This...
I am sorry, Yama. (Yama - lord of the underworld)
I really didn't plan to win this time.
I wonder if Mu Yeong caught that child?
You know that I didn't plan to win this time, right?
But Yama's problem is that he tries to calculate every little thing.
Too many things in this world do not go according to calculations, right?
How many times have I told you not to come here?
I have told you many times if you're going to die, die at your father's house.
And I have also said many times that I don't like living with Father.
I want to live with you.
If you live with me, then you are the child of a slave.
And if I live with my father, I'm the son of a nobleman?
Either way, I'm a lowly man.
So I may as well live the way I want and be with you.
You are not lowly. Don't you know that your mother's house was a prominent one?
If it wasn't for that bastard! If it wasn't for that bastard!
Please, just stop!
What is the use of complaining about it now? I would rather die!
Go. Go and live with your father and be a good son.
Forget me.
If I had known this, it would have been better if I never had a mother.
Mother!
Oh, it's a fire.
I'm all wet.
What's this? What is she doing?
I'm a ghost, but I still get wet.
Except for not getting cold, it's the same as being a human.
Hey. Hey. What is she doing?
Can he see me?
I can't see you.
I'm pretty sure our eyes just met.
Hey, traveler. Can you see me?
I said I can't see you.
Can you see me?
Just endure. Endure. It will be annoying if she finds out. Endure.
So noisy.
That's right. There is no way he can see me.
He's not a shaman.
Right. How many times do I have to say I can't see you?
Traveler, what causes you to be passing through this area so late at night?
I can't hear you.
Well, whatever his reason is, it can't be as troublesome as mine.
Since it's raining out there, do you want to hear my story?
I don't want to. I can't hear you.
Well, it's like... it's just confusing.
Really. Don't tell me. I can't hear you.
One day I just opened my eyes and found that I was being led by a Grim Reaper.
I really didn't know what was going on.
But, there is something very strange.
No matter how hard I think about it, I can't remember who I am.
I don't know my name.
I don't know how I died, either.
Does that make any sense?
Who do you think I might be?
It would be nice if you could see me.
Then I could ask you for a favor.
I'm so tired. I should sleep.
What? You're going to sleep already?
Listen to the rest of my story.
Are you crazy?
Because of your "Listen to my story",
I might grow scab on my ear!
This is what I think.
This is all... the fault of the Jade Emperor.
After I go to the next world, I'll tell that old fogey a thing or two.
Are you asleep?
Can't you just listen to me?
Because I don't have anyone else to tell.
Blah, blah, blah, blah.
She definitely must have died because she couldn't talk.
Then I should sleep, too.
Go away! You crazy ghost!
Good night.
Where do these lunatics come from?
Go away. Go away. Just go away!
That's cold.
Dol Soe!
Wake up! Let's go.
Let's go, young master.
The weather is so nice.
Yes, it is.
What is this?
Aigoo, aigoo. Stop fussing.
Yes.
Where should we go?
Come with me.
Make way!
Who is that, putting on such a big scene?
The person who has Miryang in his hand, Lord Choe.
He was sent here because he was demoted.
Since there is no magistrate here, he is the law.
No, here he is the king. The king!
King?
In other words, the rabbit will try to be king while the tiger is away.
Make way!
Do you know why he got demoted?
My Lord!
Please listen to what I have to say.
- He's a troublemaker, stop him! - Yes, sir.
I have an 80-year-old mother at home who is sick!
If I am forced to go to the labor camp, there will be no one to take care of her!
If you will let me off, I will do anything for you!
Doesn't the law say that I can be exempted?
The law? Do you really want to die?
Shouldn't someone stop them?
Dol Soe.
Yes?
You know me. When I see injustice, I just...
You just endure it. I know. Yes, I know that very well.
Let's go.
Young master, please save me!
I beg you to save her! She can't survive without me!
What are you doing?
- Take him away! Take him away! - Young master, please!
Enough.
Just go.
Young master, I can't just leave like that.
What are you waiting for?
Make way!
I guess he couldn't tolerate the injustice.
It's nothing. Don't mind him too much.
All right. Let's go.
What?
I heard that they're going to build a palace annex.
Didn't you know? Not only that, they're planning to build it on top of the river.
How could they build it on top of the river? Does that make any sense? Did the King's head get squeezed in a door?
The people are suffering because he's trying to do such a ridiculous thing.
They dig up the river and then fill it in again. They are really getting desperate.
The people around the Guem River are being forced into labor camps. Every citizen is paying the taxes.
You know how the world works by now, don't you?
You really take an interest in what is going on in the world.
What good does it do for a man like me to take an interest in it?
Even if I did take an interest, there is nothing I can do.
Yes.
You go on ahead to the tavern.
Sure. Let's do that.
Why?
Why are you following me?
We heard a rumor that the young master can see us.
I don't see you.
Young master, I have a daughter.
She seems to believe that the man who killed her father is her benefactor. Would you let her marry him?
I beg you.
Get lost.
Young master, I beg you for help.
It's none of my concern.
Look at that. He really can see us. You'd try to trick a ghost?
Ah, now I remember.
She's not someone I know, right? That day, I happened to meet her while I was crossing that mountain.
Since the inn was full of men, I let her stay with me that night.
Did she say where she was going? Anything at all?
She only paid me very well for the rent and then left.
I understand.
Yes.
Oh! You can grab me?
Besides seeing me,
grabbing me and hitting me, you can also do that?
You, yesterday...
Who are you?
Why are you following me?
Who did you lose?
A woman?
Don't follow me!
Who was it?
Your mom?
I'm right?
That is right! You have "I lost my mother" written all over your face.
Do you want to die?
Why are you angry?
Besides,
I'm already dead.
Oh, you're just going to leave?
I said, are you just going to leave like that?
I don't need to talk to
a lowly ghost like you.
Why did you pretend not to see me last night?
I can't see you.
I can understand.
There must be a lot of ghosts like me bothering you.
Do this for me, do that for me.
It must be troublesome, right?
If you know, then get lost!
How can I get lost?
But still, we did sleep together.
Are you crazy?
When did I do something like that with you?
Didn't we sleep together last night?
Anyway... it's not like
you have to build the Great Wall to say you've slept together.
"The Gr...Great Wall?"
Magistrate Wanted
We are earnestly seeking a magistrate to serve the village of Miryang.
No interview is required. There are no restrictions on class, education, or prior criminal record.
Anyone willing should please apply.
Very urgently needed. - Lee Bang Pak. (city official)
The rumor that this town was doomed seems to be true.
I just suddenly died one day,
but I can't remember anything.
Don't keep repeating the same thing.
Oh, you heard me?
You did hear me after all.
Then why act like you don't know anything?
Aren't you going to go away?
I'm just asking you to listen.
It's very simple.
You just need to help me find out who I am.
What is this?
What is it?
What are you doing?
Normally, I wouldn't use something like this.
But to get rid of pesky, clingy, despicable ghosts like you,
I will use this sometimes.
Don't do it!
I'll throw it for real next time.
I'm just asking you to find out my name. Is that so hard?
For that kind of thing, you should go through the local government.
I would like to,
but there is no magistrate.
That's not my problem.
I'm not the magistrate, after all.
Fine.
Then, if you do become the magistrate,
will you help me?
If I become the magistrate?
Sure. If I become the magistrate, I'll help you.
You promised.
This disturbance is all because of you, you know.
The last time, we should have set an example.
You made an inappropriate display of compassion at that time.
That is your business.
I was only in a hurry to get on my way.
That's true. In a few days it will be the half-month.
It seems that things are not going to be so simple after all.
I'm leaving now.
You must be having a few sleepless nights.
How is it that in this whole world,
you can't seem to find the girl you're looking for?
One who will attract your favor.
Whatever it takes, you must find her,
if you intend to warm yourself by the fire next to her.
The fire I share cannot compare with yours.
But if I can't find her,
your own fire will not be safe, either.
What?
That reckless fellow.
Oh, I see it.
I see it.
There was a child in your home who died by drowning, wasn't there?
That's right!
You're right.
He is a boy.
Aigoo. Mak Dung!
You are truly incredible.
He keeps...
crying that he's hungry and that his leg hurts.
Our baby is crying?
Okay. How much? How much will it take? How much will it take?
About 10 nyang should be enough.
10 nyang? Okay, 10 nyang.
I will give you 10 nyang.
Take this instead, you quack.
I said you were just a swindler.
You cheated my innocent mother, so hand over the money she gave you.
My money. Give me my money!
You dung fly!
Don't take me lightly.
My old mother and I were chased away from my husband's family because I couldn't have a baby.
How dare you put on this act in front of my aged mother?
Give me my money!
I don't want to.
My money. My money. My money.
Aigoo, mother. Aigoo.
If I catch you wandering around my house one more time,
you will die that day.
You still live like this?
You came back? You said you would never come back.
Long time no see.
I'm over here.
Do your spiritual powers still come and go?
Then how can you do this job?
This job has always been that way,
half trickery and half spiritual powers. That's how it is.
Shaman,
I need you to do something for me.
Now what?
Now there are only 2 days left.
What if we can't find a magistrate within the next 2 days?
It won't matter what office we hold,
we should all prepare to die.
Does this make any sense?
If we don't find somebody, they will eliminate our last 3 generations.
Why should we be responsible for finding the magistrate? Why?
Everyone says this king has a few screws loose.
It looks like they're right.
Since it's the son of a concubine sitting on the throne,
can his mind be normal?
What you're saying is treason.
During the day, the birds hear and at night, the rats listen.
If they want to hear it, then tell them to listen.
Where's the rat? Where's the rat?
Squeak, squeak.
What was that noise?
I'm a shaman from the village.
And?
To introduce myself...
I am the 10th generation of a very famous shaman family.
So what about it?
Today, the spirit of a great general came to me and told me to come see you.
Why?
It's... It's because...
He said there's a way to find a magistrate.
What did you say?
Heaven must be helping us! Heaven!
I think so too!
The King's decree was for us to find a magistrate,
but not protect a magistrate.
Did you already report this to the capital?
Of course. Just as soon as we all agree on him.
We all agree.
Since we didn't know there was such a simple way to handle this,
it was so nerve-wracking for us.
It's only because this matter was so urgent that we listened to that shaman.
Will there really not be any trouble from this?
The general's spirit assured us this was the right person.
Since he'll be dead by tomorrow anyway,
at least it's a way out of this mess for us.
This person will get a lot of good deed points for his next life.
And we can have some breathing room,
for a while at least.
This is good for you, me, and everyone,
don't you think?
Right. This way, at least for a little while, our lives will be easier.
That's why you shouldn't make careless promises.
What is this?
Magistrate!
On behalf of the 6 government offices of Miryang,
we welcome you to your new official position.
What?
Magistrate!
We hope you have a good rest tonight.
Hey! Hey!
What?
Magistrate?
How did it go?
He's already conscious.
But we can't let Lord Choe know about this.
Will it really be okay?
This was an emergency.
First we must notify the palace that we have complied with the royal decree and appointed a magistrate.
That way we can protect our lives.
But this person, he'll end up dying tonight anyway.
Anyway, he is Gim Eun Oh from Gim Hae City.
What does he do for a living?
What's the use in knowing?
She said he was an orphan without any family.
By the way,
what kind of coffin should we get?
How about a sandalwood coffin?
You idiot! Those are too expensive!
Just get a sycamore coffin.
Good idea.
It's going to be midnight soon.
Hey, aren't you going to untie me?
These maniacs!
What is this all about?
What magistrate?
So that's it.
They're planning to make me a sacrifice.
Stop testing the waters and come out right now!
I don't feel like playing hide-and-seek with you!
Since you must be the evil and malicious demon that drove Miryang to this state,
come and show me your true identity!
Come down nicely, okay?
Get right-side-up or I'll tie your hair to the doorknob.
It seems... my vision was not wrong.
You really are a brave young master.
But, do you really think a ghost will kill the magistrate?
If that weren't the case,
then how would they all die on the first night they take office?
It must be a virgin ghost,
and I guess magistrates are the type of men she likes.
Untie this.
Are you going to throw red beans at me again?
I won't throw anything.
This lady does not believe you.
There's a saying that a man's word is worth more than a fortune in gold.
Okay then.
Since you made me a promise,
I helped you get this position.
Promise?
What promise?
If you became the magistrate,
you said you'd help me resolve my grievances.
You promised.
So that's why you planned this?
By the way,
why have you been using
a voice that makes my skin crawl like a caterpillar?
Although you aren't my type,
someone once told me
that in front of men,
you should appear sweet and gentle.
That's the only way to get what you want.
And if the other person doesn't agree then you just kill them?
All those innocent magistrates?
About all that... I feel very wronged.
Wronged?
Ghosts cannot just show themselves whenever they want to.
I only wanted to appeal to them for help.
But I wasn't able to make them see me.
I struggled to find the herb that would make me visible and ate it.
An herb that makes you visible?
It's also called Boyi Gura.
Boyi... boyi... what? Boyi Gura?
After a ghost eats it,
they are able to show themselves. It is a very mysterious herb.
In our world,
this stuff is circulated in great secrecy.
Magistrate.
Who? Who is it?
Magistrate.
I beg you.
Help me receive justice.
Unfortunately, the first magistrate had a very weak heart. So the next time...
I planned it very well. I tried very hard not to scare them.
But since I only had one pill left, I only ate half of it.
Magistrate.
I beg you.
Come out!
- The third magistrate was supposed to be a warrior. - Ghost, come out!
Just shouting, "Come here ghost! Come here ghost!"
Since he said that, I relaxed and went to him.
Magistrate,
I beg you.
Magistrate!
When things turn out like this, what am I supposed to do?
Why does the country keep sending such weak-hearted old men?
Use your normal voice.
That's why I tested your courage.
Since you seemed to be strong enough, I made this arrangement.
What a waste of time.
How can you be so indifferent?
If you want to ask a favor,
then come back as a human.
I detest ghosts the most.
If only I could, that would be nice.
Go back.
Doing all this in front of me is useless.
Didn't you lose your mother?
I am just the same.
I lost both parents, just the same.
I also want to find them.
I want to go and say goodbye before I leave.
I don't know whether they have become sick
because their child went before them.
I want to see them before I leave.
Please help me.
Get lost.
You're a ghost who doesn't even know her own name.
What would you know about mothers or fathers?
Do you even know what a mother and father are?
Get out of here while I'm still being polite.
So mean!
I should have known you were hopeless.
In a few days, it will be the half-month.
Things are not going very smoothly.
It's going to be a full moon soon, so I wonder if anything will happen.
Why?
You didn't know? This month is the "rotten moon".
The rotten moon?
Yes, "rotten moon". An intercalary month. (an extra month added to the lunar calendar)
It is said on that day, the gods aren't watching the people,
so you won't be punished even if you stand a corpse upside down.
- That sounds like an old wives' tale. - Do you believe that?
Hey, don't you guys know it?
When there's a rotten moon, any missing girls from Miryang
can walk among us and you won't know if they're alive or dead.
Hey, that's enough of the scary stuff.
Be careful. Be careful.
Careful of the threshold.
Be careful.
All those guards, and they're not even helping us.
It's not the first time it's happened. Why are you complaining so much?
Wait. Wait.
I was just wondering... but it looks like it happened again.
I'm rather sorry. He was a promising young man.
That's what I say. You two hold this.
How can you be alive?
Did you... see the ghost?
Bring me my clothes now!
Young master! Young master! Young master!
Young master, are you all right? Where are you hurt?
I was tied up and kidnapped, but you were able to sleep through it?
Tied up and kidnapped?
You dared to offer my master to the ugly widow?
How much money did you get?
It wasn't that. They made me the magistrate.
Then they tried to offer me to a virgin ghost.
Magistrate?
Have you gone crazy?
Do you even know who my young master is?
Even 10 lives won't be enough for you!
What sort of person is he?
He is the son of Lord Gim Eun Bul.
The previous Prime Minister... Lord Gim Eun Bul?
That one?
You all know it very clearly!
You're all dead!
Oh, you've even brought a coffin.
Why is there only one? Get two more!
Aigoo, young master! Please forgive us!
We only did that out of worry for the poor people of our city.
Otherwise we never would have done such a thing.
It wasn't for our own benefit!
Please forgive us!
Did things go well for you today?
I did everything you said, but I got no response.
Cuteness, tears, sniffy nose, everything...
but he's ruthless.
Maybe...
that can only mean... you're a very ugly woman!
Why didn't you tell me that before?
I didn't know either.
Oh, that's true. Ghosts can't see themselves.
The thing about men...
no matter what they say, they will always fall for a pretty girl.
Then what can I do?
If you don't have it naturally, you can only do the best you can.
Put a little powder on your face and something in your hair. Wear some pretty clothes.
Where would I get things like that?
Ghosts only have what people give them.
I don't have any family. Who will make clothes for me?
Oh that's right. You can give them to me!
You can just give them to me.
But where would I find money for that?
Money? Is money a problem?
Why do I have to steal things?
If someone like me gets caught, I'll go straight to jail.
Don't worry about it.
I'm a ghost.
If you have a ghost as your lookout, how can you get caught?
You really won't come again?
As long as you help me do this,
I absolutely will not come again.
No one's there, start now!
Do you want to buy something?
No. Just continue on.
Now.
Obviously this one was the prettiest.
What's this?
Stop thief! Thief! Thief!
You, thief!
Catch that thief! Thief!
- Stop that thief! - Move!
Catch her!
Hurry and catch her!
Stop right there!
Stop! Stop!
Step aside.
Young Master.
Catch the thief! Stop her!
- Catch that damn thief! - She's over here!
What's all this?
Quickly arrest her!
Don't come any closer.
If someone like me gets caught, I'll go straight to jail.
Hurry and arrest this thief!
What is it? What happened?
What are they doing?
Has Arang gone crazy? Does she want us all to get caught?
Don't kill anyone! It will make the Grim Reapers come down!
What are you doing? Hurry and run!
It looks like he's being possessed by a ghost!
Really.
What? Let's watch, it's fun.
Let's just go.
This isn't good. With all this commotion, there's no way they won't know. Run!
Where are you going?
Run! Run faster!
What is it?
What do we do?
They came! The Reapers came!
Arang!
What? Are you going to keep watching?
What? You want to see more, right?
Young master!
Young master! Where are you going? Young master!
Where are you going? Young master!
So ghosts remained in this world and wandered about. The ghosts could see humans, but humans couldn't see the ghosts.
There was only one person who could see the ghosts. He came to Miryang to look for his mother, who had disappeared 3 years earlier.