Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Park Yoo-chun
Park Min-young
Song Joong-ki
Yoo A-in
Seo Hyo-rim
Ahn Nae-sang
Kim Kap-soo
Jo Sung-ha Lee Jae-yong
Each freshman will undertake a secret mission.
The one who best accomplishes the mission
will be rewarded by the dorm proctor, yours truly.
But those who fail
will be stripped of their shirts and thrown into the river.
All of us have the duty
to uphold the traditions of Sungkyunkwan.
Listen up!
Succeed in your missions so that you can be initiated
as veritable students of Sungkyunkwan.
- Here we go! - Here we go!
The king of flowers protects the woman Yeopo loves.
Bring the love hidden in her silk undergarment.
The woman Yeopo loves... That's Choseon.
The peony is considered the king of flowers.
The silk undergarment of courtesan Choseon of the Peony Pleasure House?
Did it have to be Choseon?
Isn't this exciting?
Can you imagine the state that girly little fellow is in right now?
Let's remove your hat.
I want to see Choseon.
Master Yongha requested
that we take good care of you.
He even promised a golden turtle
to the girl who kisses your fine chest.
I'm here to see Choseon and Choseon only.
You can wait a lifetime.
Choseon will never be yours.
Sir.
Have you forgotten
why I'm here?
Oh, master!
Come here.
Would you like to see my undergarment?
How about mine?
What are you doing?
- Stop it! - Hold still.
Master!
Isn't that Choseon?
- And that's... - That's the minister of war.
Are those two...
What do you think you're doing?
Wait.
You...
I'm sorry, sir.
Today is Sungkyunkwan's freshman orientation.
This here is a scholar from Sungkyunkwan.
A student from Sungkyunkwan?
I will get Sungkyunkwan's director to expel you this instant
for the corruption of public morals.
I'm sorry, sir.
I don't know who you are, but I've made a bad impression on you.
But
I need this woman.
What?
Sungkyunkwan's dorm proctor, the son of the minister of war,
is a real tyrant, trusting nothing but his father's power.
He said if I don't bring her,
I will not only get kicked out,
I will also get a terrible beating.
I will get kicked out one way or another,
but I want to avoid getting beaten like a dog.
I need to stay alive
so that I can inform his majesty about this unacceptable practice.
Please excuse me, sir.
What an insolent fiend!
Please calm down.
It's Sungkyunkwan's freshman orientation.
You can't put your son, the dorm proctor, in an awkward position.
Please have a drink, sir.
Choseon! Choseon!
Are you okay?
I am indebted to you.
May I learn your name?
Bastard!
With fiends like him ruling the nation,
no wonder the people are suffering.
We should just throw fiends like him into the Han River.
Am I wrong?
Now that you've finally met Choseon,
shouldn't you go somewhere more private?
This is Choseon?
- Master! - Master!
He looked familiar.
Where have I seen him?
The prince of flowers is the lotus.
Pluck the most beautiful of lotuses.
The lotus.
The most beautiful of lotuses.
Master!
What are you doing here?
I knew you'd need my help.
If you keep being so stuffy,
you'll fail your mission.
And that would be humiliating.
I don't think...
You may know about the wisdom of Confucius and Mencius,
but I know everything there is to know about the ways of a man and a woman.
A lotus flower, eh?
The lotus is in full bloom.
That would mean a girl who's at the prime marrying age.
I got it.
What does it mean for a man to pluck a flower?
How dare you?
How can you call yourself a learned man
after trying to seduce a lady?
That's what I say, right?
You're a natural!
You're better than any actress!
Actress?
I shouldn't have compared you to lowly commoners.
It's this useless mouth of mine.
My brother has a very amusing pal.
Pal?
He's coming!
Lee Seonjun is coming!
I'm telling you.
I'm right.
Ha Insu would not want me to be with his sister.
There's something else to this riddle.
What are you doing?
Do you think she'll come out at this hour of the night?
This is not the path of a righteous scholar.
You have no time.
Come on.
Hurry!
Why isn't he here yet? Time's going to be up soon.
How long does he expect me to wait?
I'll show him.
So what if he's the son of the prime minister?
I'm going to give him an earful.
But still, miss.
The young men are waiting outside.
They deserve to wait.
Pardon?
They all look like sin.
Where are the dreamy men like the ones in storybooks?
Tell them I need a 15-minute break.
But your brother ordered that you wait outside.
Go on!
Don't make them come looking for me.
Hurry!
If you don't go, I'll step outside like this.
Pardon?
Hold on. Will he come this way?
The young lady says she needs a 15-minute break.
- 15 minutes? - Yes, sir.
- Where is the toilet? - Pardon?
This way, sir.
A beautiful lotus.
Lotus Pavilion...
You're still there, Beodeul?
- Excuse... - Shh.
If it's about Choseon, don't worry.
Do you think I'm worried about Choseon?
You ask for news on Kim Yunsik every few minutes.
You're anxious.
You have the face of a jealous man.
Choseon will not budge unless a man wins her heart.
Even if a man said he'd take his own life for her,
she wouldn't even blink.
I know her all too well.
That's why I sent Kim Yunsik to Choseon.
The penalty for failure.
I want to strip off
Kim Yunsik's shirt.
Now...
Tell me how I may be of assistance.
The thing is...
Bring the love hidden in my silk undergarment.
Right?
Yes.
Then
it's now time for you to ask for it.
I have to get going now.
Have I done something wrong?
You haven't done anything.
I'm no different from the minister of war.
I'm here to request a night with you.
That won't do.
I'll be going now.
Please forgive me if I have offended you.
You won't get initiated without my undergarment.
Is that okay?
That's for me to worry about.
I don't want to humiliate a woman for my sake.
That's not what a real man does.
I will hold onto the love for now.
You can just take my undergarment.
It is my present to a man who has captured my heart.
This is not the shameful undergarment of a woman.
I will always cherish the memory of our encounter.
Now I owe you a verse in return.
Where the hell is this Lee Seonjun?
Are you sure you saw him coming this way?
There aren't many men with as radiant a countenance as his.
But why isn't he here yet? It blows having to wait like this.
Damn it!
I am very sorry for my lack of manners.
I can't let you go.
That louse!
Byeongchun's coming to save you, miss.
Miss!
What do you think you're doing?
We thought he might have...
I thought you were a good man.
I'm very disappointed.
It's a misunderstanding.
What are you doing, Beodeul?
I swear I saw him inside.
I swear!
You did see something. The young lady in her nightdress.
I saw the silhouette of a man.
A man?
I will tell my brother all that transpired tonight.
All right.
We'll wait outside as the dorm proctor has ordered.
I didn't see anything, miss.
Please believe me.
Go on. Quick.
- I'm sorry... - I'm sorry...
Please forgive my lack of manners, sir.
I put you through an ordeal unbecoming of you.
But I couldn't have those rude men harass a guest.
I wasn't dressed properly,
but in my heart, I adhered to the rules of decorum.
Please forget about what you saw of me tonight.
And I, in turn, will forget you as you were tonight.
Does it hurt?
Don't touch me! I won't even wash my face.
Give it back!
The trace of a woman's pillow on my face.
I don't want to share.
Stop!
They are the city's most persistent hoodlums.
They're even better than government soldiers.
I know my way around here. I should be able to help you.
Please forgive me,
but I would like...
to remember you and your kindness.
This way, sir.
Oh!
So it really does happen.
I thought it only happened in storybooks.
Step aside. The minister of war cometh!
I know him from somewhere.
Let's go back to the Peony Pleasure House.
I need to crush that boy. I can't stand it.
Yes, sir.
Turn back.
Look, sir!
What the...
Up there!
How impertinent!
Catch him! Go!
To the left!
- That way! - Yes, sir!
Don't let him get away!
The Red Writer is over there!
Shoot!
Geumdeungjisa?
Go after him!
Have you seen anyone suspicious?
No.
Let's go!
Stop right there!
This is Banchon, where Sungkyunkwan stands.
We cannot let soldiers enter.
He got away?
We had dozens of men after him.
This is humiliating!
He disappeared into Banchon.
I'm sorry, sir.
Banchon?
Yes, sir.
Does that mean the Red Writer is affiliated with Sungkyunkwan?
We do not know yet.
Banchon is outside the jurisdiction of government troops.
The Red Writer might have gone into Banchon
just to lose the soldiers.
Things are getting interesting.
The Red Writer is looking for the secret text "Geumdeungjisa."
Geumdeungjisa?
How did it come to this?
Why has it surfaced?
There is no "Geumdeungjisa."
You should know.
Get the Red Writer.
Get him before the king takes action.
We need to get to the Red Writer before anyone else.
If something goes wrong,
the century-old Noron faction will be wiped out of history.
It's as though you've seen a ghost.
I'd prefer a ghost to you any day.
It's almost 1:00 a.m., but you seem to be in no rush.
Are you going to quit?
You must be coming from Bukchon.
I guess you managed to solve the riddle for your mission.
Hurry.
If you don't get there on time,
the trouble you went through will come to naught.
Have all the freshmen carried out their missions?
Freshman Kim Wutak reporting.
I bring you the king's water, as per your order.
Did you really get water the king drinks?
This late at night? From the palace?
From the mountain behind the palace.
That's the water his majesty drinks at memorial ceremonies for Confucius.
Well done.
You are now officially a Sungkyunkwan student.
Next!
Freshman Kim Yunsik.
Is this Choseon's?
Isn't it Aeng-aeng's?
It looks like Seom-seom's.
Five peonies.
This really is Choseon's.
Who says a long night is better than a short one?
Tonight was short, but magical.
I would never trade it, even for the longest of nights.
We ask you once more.
Is this really Choseon's?
Did you see her?
Did she give it to you in person?
Yes, proctor.
We already have the winner.
No one can top this fellow, who won over the most unyielding woman
in the city.
Don't you all agree?
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
Kim Yunsik,
you are now officially a Sungkyunkwan student.
Next.
Freshman Lee Seonjun reporting.
I was unable to solve the mission's riddle.
Unable to solve the riddle, or unwilling to execute it?
Everyone knows the prince of flowers is the lotus.
But you didn't go to the war minister's house in Bukchon, did you?
Right.
Nitwit!
You said you were sure you saw Lee Seonjun.
Maybe I was under a spell.
I saw you coming from Bukchon.
You know what awaits you, don't you?
Just a bit more! That's right.
Good job!
Lee Seonjun the Almighty is about to get pissed on.
Enjoy the experience with all your pride.
Kids!
Miserable wretch!
Who?
Duh! Lee Seonjun, of course.
Rich kids are all sissies.
Why trouble an old man?
Commence!
The person you have to save
is not that straitlaced Lee Seonjun but me, Choi Sinmuk.
So don't mess up.
Hold on.
I am owed a wish.
You said it's tradition for the winner of the freshman mission
to be awarded the right to make one wish.
I want to use my reward...
for Lee Seonjun.
Please don't penalize him for his failure in the mission.
You want to use your reward on Lee Seonjun?
But I also have the authority to recommend students to government posts.
Pardon?
Oh.
If you wish, I can give you a government post.
Do you still want to use your reward on Lee Seonjun?
Yes, I do.
Stop.
You don't need to thank me.
I didn't do it for anyone.
I only did it to uphold my principles.
Plus, I can't stand being indebted to someone.
You shouldn't have intervened.
I was planning to rectify the practice for next time anyway.
I, too, can't stand being indebted.
Let me know if you ever need anything.
If it's something I can do, I'll try my very best.
Sure. As you wish.
Is that what it was?
There's no need to play along with our recklessness and immaturity?
Is that why you went to the house of the war minister but did nothing?
You'd rather get drenched in piss
than play along with our silly games?
Was it your pride? Or determination?
Or rebellion?
Freshman orientation is for people like you.
For young men from powerful families
who don't know anything about subordination.
It's to let you know that you're not always on top.
Why? Because this is Sungkyunkwan.
No matter who your father is or how big your house is, you're just a freshman.
Don't act all high and almighty.
That's what we upperclassmen want to teach you.
So don't look down on the practice.
I'm guessing...
you never had to go through the orientation.
No one's in fancier garb than yourself here.
You flaunt your father's wealth and power through your silk robes.
Smart. Very smart.
His majesty sure is a good judge of talent.
The lotus...
She was a virtuous woman.
It was against the rules of decorum
to make her the object of amusement.
It wasn't a show of contempt for you upperclassmen.
Congratulations on your admission, Lee Seonjun.
Kim Yunsik, that twerp.
If it weren't for him,
Lee Seonjun would be swimming in piss right now.
Who's Kim Yunsik to come to Lee's rescue anyway?
They're like two peas in a pod.
Lee Seonjun
is staying at the East Hall to be with Kim Yunsik.
Really?
Lee Seonjun's staying at East Hall?
No way.
The Noron stay in West Hall, and the Soron and Namin, in East Hall.
That's how it has always been.
He must think we, the Soron, don't have backbones.
Why else would he dare to stay at East Hall
without our permission?
I won't allow it.
I will send Lee Seonjun to West Hall tomorrow morning.
A huge fight could break out over this.
I don't even want to think about it.
I don't think it'll be that easy.
What do you mean?
Lee Seonjun's burning with youthful passion.
He lives for his conviction and principles.
You know how he is.
Don't worry.
Neither Lee Seonjun, nor Kim Yunsik...
will last long there.
They'll stay in that room maybe a day or two.
You're not as right on as you used to be.
Nothing has turned out the way you planned.
I know.
But this time, I won't be lifting a finger.
So who will?
We have a secret weapon.
You know...
Crazy Horse.
Do you really think Crazy Horse will take care of Lee Seonjun?
Have you ever seen Crazy Horse not kick out his roommates?
Have you ever seen Crazy Horse cavorting with a Noron?
Tonight will be the first and last night
Lee Seonjun and Kim Yunsik share a room.
Oh, it's hot.
- Take off your clothes. - What?
What is it to you anyway?
I can't blow out the candle until you've changed for bed.
I'll go to bed when I feel like it.
How can one sleep with the candle on?
Are you happy now?
Are you sure you're from a noble family?
A tidy appearance is the foundation of decorum.
Have you forgotten?
We are here to learn and practice basic etiquette.
That is why we are required to live in dorms.
Fine. I get it. Enough.
Lee Seonjun will leave tonight.
I'll wage 10 nyang.
10 nyang for Im Byeongchun.
Wait a minute.
Is everyone betting that he will leave?
Not so fast.
Lee Seonjun has resolve.
He'll stay put until tomorrow morning.
Who are you?
That's my question for you.
What are all these things?
Get out of here!
Good old Crazy Horse.
He never disappoints me.
Seeing from your lack of manners,
I take that you are Crazy Horse.
- Let me introduce myself. - There's no need.
I won't be seeing your ugly face ever again.
I'm Lee Seonjun, assigned to East Hall, room two.
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Are you nuts?
- How dare you? - The thing is, I...
You're a Noron. Why are you here?
I'm asking you.
What's a Noron bastard doing here? You stink of the filth that you are.
I was assigned to East Hall.
This room, to be exact.
I was just following rules, not factional divides.
Whatever.
It's the Noron
who have divided Sunkyunkwan, no, all of Joseon
along factional lines.
You're the one who's bringing factional division into this room.
You must be a Noron, then.
What?
I will sleep here in accordance with school regulations.
One.
Two .
Three.
Here we go.
What?
Did you just call me a Noron?
Crazy jerk.
You're the most annoying human being I've ever seen.
Blow out the candle. I'm tired.
Pardon?
You're not leaving?
Please excuse me. I have to go and change.
Do you expect me to sleep next to a Noron?
This is your place,
forever.
What?
What the hell?
Pass it over.
My 10 nyang...
Fine.
Things will get more interesting around here.
The son of a Soron and the son of a Noron
sharing a room.
There's also that dainty fellow.
I bet it's like hell in that room.
Trash with trash, garbage with garbage!
Lee Seonjun, a Noron, is staying in East Hall.
Don't you know what that means?
It's an act of defiance against the existing order.
He's going head on against Sungkyunkwan
and me.
Please don't worry, mother.
I'm sure sister is doing well.
Rise and shine! Wake up!
Are you out of your minds?
Get the hell out of here!
Isn't that Lee Seonjun?
He's the son of the prime minister.
What is a Noron doing in East Hall?
Who does he think he is?
He should be in West Hall.
He's so cocky.
What's he thinking?
Five points off for unkempt attire.
A tidy appearance is a part of your training.
I ask that all students be mindful of this.
Hey!
Next!
What did I tell you?
You're always right.
You can only go home twice a month, on the 8th and 24th of every month.
There's an oral exam on the first of every month.
And there is an exam conducted
by his majesty at the end of the month.
Fifteen points are taken off for riding a horse on campus.
Ten points off for violating the curfew.
Five points off for an unexcused absence.
Five points off for...
Most importantly...
The violation of the Principles of Human Relations
will result in expulsion and deletion from Sungkyunkwan's registry.
How many points off for a student who pretends to be an instructor?
Come on, Changik.
Go stand where you belong, Ahn Dohyeon.
Ten points off for your act of deception.
Come on now.
We used to study together for the qualifying exam.
This is Sungkyunkwan.
You're a student, and I'm a teacher.
You're a student?
I have been seeking in-depth knowledge, you see.
Commence meal.
Commence meal!
It's not a meal,
but half a point.
Half a point?
Points that will give you the right to take the high exam.
You get one point for finishing breakfast and dinner.
You need 300 points to take the high exam.
I see.
For the high exam...
You have to take it.
You're no ordinary person.
The king has acknowledged your scholarly abilities,
and Choseon has recognized your skills in bed.
You're Big Man Kim Yunsik.
Crazy Horse is the only one we can rely on.
He is a Soron after all.
He is the only one who can force Lee Seonjun to move to West Hall.
You talk to him.
You're tour class's saekjang.
Hey, Crazy Horse.
We'd like to talk to you.
Long time, no see.
We'll talk when you're ready.
Tell us.
What is your secret? How did you get Choseon to fall for you,
Big Man?
We have to learn from you, Big Man.
Master Confucius once said,
There's no better way to learn
- than through repeated practice. - Come on!
You shouldn't harass a classmate.
Mind your manners.
Right, Big Man?
You've gotten yourself a grand nickname.
Don't say it's my nickname. I don't agree with it.
- Hey, Big Man. - Yes, sir?
I told
you'd soon get used to it,
Big Man.
From what I can see, you are very satisfied with your nickname...
Big Man.
Are you enjoying yourself?
I am.
Your mask performance.
Mask?
You made your name known at the preliminary test.
You got the king's attention at the main test.
And you made quite an impression on the students at orientation.
You're the son of the head of the Noron faction.
But you're a swell guy who doesn't care for factionalism.
Do you think you've won over your Soron and Namin classmates?
But the problem is,
you have forsaken the confidence of the Noron students.
You're a Noron. Why are you in East Hall?
I didn't do it to win anyone over.
Sure. You refuse to get off your high horse.
But you'll regret it soon and come crawling to me.
And I will give you a grand welcome.
I tend to be generous with those who submit to my will.
Unrealistic expectations...
are bad for your health, proctor.
Hey!
Hey, Kim Yunsik!
You're more cunning than you let on.
You're kissing up to Lee Seonjun for a government post, right?
That's why you saved him from the pool of piss, right?
No. I was just...
Only the proctor can decide whether you stay here
and whether you get a government post.
Here's a good piece of advice from my fellow upperclassman.
Kiss up the right person, dimwit. Like me.
I don't care to kiss up to anyone.
Oh, yeah?
Where does your confidence come from?
From Choseon's acknowledgment?
Big Man Kim Yunsik.
Let's see how big you really are.
Sounds good.
What are you doing? Please stop.
Please!
Stop wasting time. Strip him.
What's going on?
Proctor.
I asked you, what's going on?
You saw for yourself.
If this little twerp didn't butt in at orientation,
Lee Seonjun wouldn't be so cocky right now.
That's right.
I'm sorry, Kim Yunsik.
I apologize on their behalf.
Proctor.
But don't hold anything against them.
As upperclassmen,
they were just giving you sound advice.
Depending on how you conduct yourself,
Sungkyunkwan can be heaven or hell.
It's about time you think about
which side you should be on.
Our unconventional king went against tradition
and handpicked you.
Considering how special you are...
I will keep a close eye on you.
I will watch how you speak, walk, and even breathe.
So Kim Yunsik,
don't anger me again.
To show you who I really am,
I may have to hurt that girly little body of yours.
And I really don't want to be bothered.
You're a more diligent student than I thought.
You must have come prepared for the first class.
Is the offer still valid?
You owe me a favor.
You made a promise.
And I intend to keep it.
Please go to West Hall.
I trust you will honor my wish.
Please go to West Hall,
Lee Seonjun.
What are you doing?
Please!
Were you okay last night?
Were you?
Take a seat.
Hey, Noron!
This is a course on "The Analects."
Did I bore you?
It wasn't bad.
The grand archery contest?
You said the secret text "Geumdeungjisa" had been done away with.
It seems like Crazy Horse will be spending the night out again.
It should express my love, but I can't sound desperate.
Everyone has to chug the first bowl.
You're worse, though.
Help us!
Let's see how much longer you can resist me.
Answer me, Kim Yunsik.