It's not about a guy wanting to see a naked girl.
Let's think of it
as an investigation into the truth.
Crazy Horse.
Yeah?
What are you doing here?
And you?
Have you seen Kim Yunsik?
Kim Yunsik? Why are you looking for him?
I can't find him anywhere.
This is the ritual room.
Only those who, you know,
can perform rituals are allowed to enter,
so why would Big Man be here?
Why couldn't he be here?
It's a secret and isolated place where only priests can enter.
If Big Man has a secret,
what better place is there for him?
Right?
Seeing is believing, right?
Let's see for ourselves
whether or not Big Man is here.
No.
Why are you so scared?
I'm not scared.
Where's our good old Crazy Horse?
A little donkey trembling with fear must have taken his place.
Like this.
Is there something we shouldn't see
in there?
What?
So you won't let us see?
Are you planning to enjoy the view alone?
Right, Garang?
Speak up, my friend.
Crazy fool!
This is the ritual room. The ritual room.
What else is in there but ritual bowls?
So get the hell out of here!
Only ritual bowls, you say?
You're right.
But I just saw light seeping through the crack.
Perhaps a stick of incense used at the last ritual
hasn't been properly blown out.
I should let the school and the students know,
so that we can all
get to the bottom of this together.
No!
No, right?
It would be better for me to check alone, right?
What did you see in here anyway?
Fortunately, there are no traces of ember.
We should go to our rooms for the nightly roll call.
Wait up.
I saw light in here.
What is the meaning of this?
How dare you cause a ruckus, especially in the ritual room?
Tell me what's going on.
We saw light in here as we were passing by.
Light?
How dare you horse around in the sacred ritual room?
It's blasphemous.
You each get a 5-point deduction.
But Professor...
Get out, right now.
Big Man's not back yet.
If he's not in the ritual room, where can he be?
There's nowhere to hide on this campus.
Yet he cannot be found.
Isn't it strange, Crazy Horse?
Where are you going?
To find him.
Stop right there!
He's a grown man. He'll be back when he feels like it.
Stop fussing over him.
I heard about an incident at the ritual room.
Did you cause it?
I'm sorry, sir.
Do you think being a Sungkyunkwan student
is a fun little picnic?
No. Of course not, Professor.
Remember this.
Here at Sungkyunkwan,
you are not a girl.
And even if everyone thinks you're a man,
you yourself cannot forget you're a girl and let your guard down.
The moment you said you would remain here,
you have set upon a perilous journey risking your own life.
And the person who chose to put yourself in such mortal danger
is yourself, Kim Yunhui.
Didn't Kim Yunsik say
I should recognize him as a Sungkyunkwan student
and also apologize if he came in first place?
Well...
Don't worry about it, proctor.
What can one do?
It's the trans-factional unity team acknowledged by the King Himself.
I have given him my word.
I'm sorry, proctor.
- This is all my fault... - if you want me to,
I can take care of them.
No. Give me another chance.
Just one more chance.
Look at how scared you all are.
No one does anything!
No one!
This will be a lot of fun.
Should I let the King Himself kick them out of Sungkyunkwan,
Or...
Should I make them turn against each other?
Decisions, decisions...
What's it to you?
You saw...
At the ritual room...
Right?
Where have you been all this time?
I heard you even got into a fight.
What's the matter with you today?
You weren't here for roll call and you got into a fight.
Are you trying to be like Crazy Horse?
Kim Yunsik is a girl, right?
You're crazy.
What are you saying?
You can't fool me.
I'm Gu Yongha.
I can guess the color of a girl's undergarment by her perfume alone.
And I've known you for 10 years.
Good for you.
So what?
Hiccups.
You ran out
because you can't share a room with a girl.
So that means one of the two in there is a girl.
Lee Seonjun was with us the whole time...
So there's only one answer.
Big Man Kim Yunsik.
Go to sleep.
Sleep talking with your eyes open can become a habit, you know?
We'll see
how long you can share a room with a girl.
Please let me repay you for your kindness.
Repay me?
You've eluded me again, Kim Yunsik.
A girl enters Sungkyunkwan,
mocking the king and the national law?
That's fine, I suppose.
But someone tries to deceive me?
My pride won't allow it.
I could've gotten to the bottom of it if it weren't for Crazy Horse.
Wake up! Wake up!
Wake up!
Wake up! Wake up!
Crazy Horse.
- Crazy Horse. - Get out of here!
What are you doing there?
And why are you wearing your robe and tucked in your blanket?
Get away from me.
Crazy Horse.
Malaria.
I think I may have malaria.
Malaria?
Yeah.
So don't come near me.
How was your bath last night?
Bath? Thanks to you, I went through quite an ordeal.
Did something happen at the ritual room?
I never even got near the ritual room.
You didn't?
I got scared after hearing about the ghost.
The virgin female ghost.
She must be desperately waiting for a man to come in.
Plus, I'm no ordinary man.
I'm Big Man.
So I was looking for you to ask me to pour some water on my back,
but you were nowhere to be found.
Don't ever go near the ritual room.
Who knows?
The ghost must hate all men who abandon their women.
Wait, wait, wait.
Are you sure you weren't at the ritual room?
I saw light coming from the ritual room.
You were there last night?
See?
The virgin ghost probably used light to lure you in.
You should be kinder to women from now on.
We're finally going home.
Home sweet home.
Are you all happy?
- Yes. - Yes, sir.
You can visit home every 8th and the 23rd.
While at home, students should not
hunt, fish, gamble, or do other things
that would tarnish the reputation of Sungkyunkwan.
When you return to school,
you cannot bring any valuables, luxury goods,
and other items
that are banned at school.
Also, to prepare for Sundujeongang,
don't forget to keep up with you studies.
Lastly, the allowance provided to you is the sweat and blood of the people.
Don't waste it. You're dismissed.
Be honest, Big Man.
Do you like going home
or do you like the money?
Why even ask? He has no children waiting for him at home.
Of course he likes the money.
Confucius once said...
I'm very happy
to be taking this money home.
You always know what to say.
What in the world is that creature?
Tell me.
Are you sure there was no one
at the ritual room last night?
Speak up.
What's up with you?
You're so pale. Have you seen a ghost?
This is what I think, Professor Yu.
If the students want to bring things back from home,
as valuable as some of the things may be,
I don't think we should put an outright ban against them.
What I mean is,
let's say a student brought a celadon vase from home.
And?
He looks at it whenever he misses his parents.
And he may be so grateful to us, who take care of him like he's our son,
that he may give us the vase
as a token of appreciation.
And I can give it to His Majesty...
Did I say something wrong?
I'm sure Professor Jeong knows just what I mean.
What is that bizarre contraption?
Did I startle you?
I'm making it for His Majesty to use at the upcoming Sundujeongang.
He can use it to spot cheaters from along distance away.
It gives you amazing vision.
You're always a step ahead, Professor Jeong.
You're already making plans for the next round of government appointments.
Is that expensive?
Do you know?
The question His Majesty will give at the Sundujeongang.
Who knows what that eccentric man will come up with?
Your Majesty?
It's a puzzle.
Pardon?
Don't be startled.
You don't have to solve it.
It's the test question for the upcoming Sundujeongang.
If anyone passes this exam,
even if it is Lee Seonjun, the son of a Noron,
you won't be able to talk me out of what I will set out to accomplish.
You haven't changed one bit since entering Sungkyunkwan.
You're so distracted by money
that you forget what's truly important.
I have nothing to say to.
Didn't you say you had a sick brother?
I don't know why you would remember that.
Since you brought it, I suppose I'll take it.
If only I were a minute earlier.
Take it, Kim Yunsik.
Here!
Why are you giving it to me?
What's all this, proctor?
My gift.
Tell me.
I did some thinking.
When we are away,
the food in the kitchen will rot.
It will be thrown out and become fodder for livestock.
You know very well
that this all comes from the sweat and blood of the people.
We can't waste it on swine and cattle,
especially since we will become government officials one day.
What are you trying to say?
Don't be so impatient.
So I did some thinking.
Who would be the best person to take care of leftovers?
Who's dirt poor
and yet smart enough not to talk about pride
and make a big deal out of this?
It's you, Kim Yunsik.
This is not for Kim Yunsik.
Why you and
not me?
You asked that if you won, I should accept you as a Sungkyunkwan student.
This is how I am accepting you.
A Sungkyunkwan student should enjoy some good food.
Right?
Of course.
Shut your mouth.
First Lee Seonjun, and now Mun Jaesin, too?
All of Kim Yunsik's personal guards are here.
The trans-factional unity team?
Enough, Crazy Horse.
I'm fine.
Thank you, proctor.
What did you just say?
Put them down right now.
No.
I'm going to take them.
They will help out my family.
Thank you.
Mun Jaesin and Lee Seonjun!
Become one, irrespective of factional lines?
You can't be one with the likes of Kim Yunsik,
whether you're a Noron or a Soron.
You've never had to worry about where your meals come from.
Your the sons of big name families.
How about we become friends
as people from similar backgrounds?
Shut your mouth.
Your breath stinks.
Young Master?
What are these flower pots doing here?
What good is a son?
Don't you know what today is?
It's not that I don't know today is father's birthday.
But...?
But he always returns the flowers.
This is a first.
I know.
Your father must be getting old.
He even invited guests for dinner.
It's just a lot of work for me.
Father invited guests?
Let me look at you.
How handsome you are.
Where is father?
Master. Young Master is here.
I know.
I am waiting for him.
I was a bit taken aback that you're throwing a birthday banquet.
You've never done it before.
There's no banquet.
I just want to share the nice fruit wines we made last year.
Your archery skills have improved.
I have a long way to go to catch up with you.
Trans-factional unity team.
The King seemed very pleased.
Good job.
There's no reason for you to make the King your enemy just yet.
Are you saying I have to become His Majesty's enemy in the future?
Are you afraid?
I am afraid it may not be the right thing to do.
Joseon is the nation of the nobility.
During the two most recent wars,
the only thing the royal family has done is
go into exile or
kneel before Japanese barbarians.
It was the nobility that rallied the people and protected the government.
Through the policy of trans-factional unity,
the king aims to turn us into mere cliques
and take all our power.
I know you're smart enough not to be fooled
by such a deceptive policy.
But you shouldn't do things that may be misunderstood by the world.
Misunderstood by the world?
Cavorting with a nameless Namin kid
and a Soron roommate.
I don't have such roommates.
My roommate Kim Yunsik may be poor, but has always studied hard.
He puts his family's welfare before his pride.
And my roommate Mun Jaesin never hesitates to fight for justice.
I learn from them.
This is your father's order.
What more do you need?
What would you like?
- This. And give me all of that. - Yes, sir.
A large plateful.
Here you go.
Thank you.
This looks better on you.
It's so pretty.
How well you know what women like.
That's five pennies.
How about a ribbon?
No thanks.
Men must like this.
I'll take it.
Who's making you do this?
Speak up!
The Minister of War.
Why is he tailing me?
Not you, sir.
Then who?
Answer me.
The dainty-looking scholar...
Who are you, Kim Yunsik?
You couldn't even tail a dainty little fellow?
But he's definitely not the Red Writer, sir.
His style of archery and his build are not that of the Red Writer.
Who's asking you to analyze all that?
If I tell you to get him, you get him.
I don't care whether or not he is the Red Writer.
I'm home, Father.
I hear you're going to the Prime Minister's birthday banquet.
It's Gurim pottery.
I don't know what's gotten into him. He never throws banquets.
It's to showcase his power.
Why?
To whom?
He wants to show that although the king may be rallying
the young students of Sungkyunkwan,
it isn't the royal family that is running Joseon.
There's a student named Kim Yunsik at Sungkyunkwan.
What's he like?
I would first like to know why you're asking.
Stop being so uptight.
Just let this one slide.
Nothing should happen at Sungkyunkwan without my knowing.
I owe his father a little something.
Are you worried that
the son will come to collect his father's debt?
Something like that.
Don't worry. He's not cut out for such a thing.
That's a relief.
It seems as though the king is watching him closely.
He was on that trans-factional unity team.
That's over, too.
I'm planning to make Lee Seonjun my man.
How?
Didn't you know?
Hyo-eun.
Hyo-eun?
What about my daughter?
This one.
When will the Young Master ask for my hand in marriage?
Snap out of it. It will never happen.
What?
Who do you think you are? Don't you know who I am?
Calm down, Miss.
All his special power is concentrated in his lips.
He gets more powerful the more you curse at him.
My sister could not bear a son despite ten years of prayer.
But he gave her a son.
He also said that my father would take a mistress.
So what should I do?
Are people naive or stupid?
Do they really believe a few picture cards can move a person's heart?
He's the best there is.
He shut down several tea houses.
Really?
You get to gossip there and have your fortune told.
Isn't it wonderful?
Is that why the place is called Gossip Fortune?
Should I get my fortune told?
You?
Who is it?
Whose heart do you want to move?
Mine.
My heart.
Women are great but
they get so boring.
It would be nice if you wouldn't get so boring.
It would cost me less.
If ever you find a woman who doesn't bore you,
I'd like to meet her, too.
The man is a bear,
a stupid bear.
He doesn't know that a girl is right in front of his eyes.
His eyes are useless slits.
Is that why he can't see me?
Just look at you.
You're the one who picked the lousy cards.
You don't deserve to cry.
What's the tiger?
A perilous destiny.
There's always a tiger lurking about.
What should I be doing, sir?
Mugwort and garlic.
Become a woman.
Tell that bear of a man that you are a woman.
Then it'll all be over.
That I am a woman, sir?
No! No! I can't do it.
What is it?
- What did he say? - Tell us.
You don't need to know. I won't do it anyway.
You won't do it?
You used to do anything for money.
Give me something else to do. I can't write that love letter.
I'll finish everything before I return to Sungkyunkwan.
Do you want to see me go down?
That miss has quite a temper.
What am I to do? I can't write it.
I've never received or written any love letters.
Do you think this is something I want to do?
I make no profit off this. I'm only doing you a favor.
No profit?
I heard you charge three nyang for a love letter.
I don't get a single penny.
It all goes to the prime minister's son.
This is so frustrating.
Don't you remember?
I gave you an advance of 50 nyang when you got into Sungkyunkwan.
The prime minister's son?
What are you saying?
Choseon.
What's the matter?
Have you seen a ghost?
A ghost? What ghost?
There's no such thing as a ghost.
I need to go back to the Peony Pleasure House.
Didn't you say you were getting a new dress?
If I'm in a beautiful new dress
and yet he doesn't look at me,
what excuse will I have?
Why you and
not me?
Young Master.
You have a guest.
What brings you here?
Young Master.
What are you doing
in a man's outfit?
I'm the daughter of a noble family.
People can talk.
For me, coming here is more difficult than entering Sungkyunkwan.
I congratulate you on your birthday, Prime Minister.
- Congratulations. - Let's eat.
Could you please let His Majesty know that
we enjoyed a festive banquet
thanks to the food and wine His Majesty has provided?
You must also tell His Majesty
just how many people came to congratulate the Prime Minister
at his birthday banquet.
I don't plan to do that, Minister of War.
Gossip mongers will have a lot to say
about this banquet.
They may say you're trying to show your power to His Majesty.
It's all just idle gossip of course.
Relaying the world's base outlook
will only tarnish the reputation of the Prime Minister.
Well...
Did you think His Majesty
would be swayed by such idle gossip?
His Majesty knows very well how loyal I am
to the nation of Joseon.
You can't keep doing this.
Your showing up like this
not only goes against the dictates of decorum
but it also is an affront against me.
From now on, if you have a message for me, have a servant...
No. No.
He said it just had to be on you for just 15 minutes.
Do you have feelings for me?
If so, please stop all this.
I don't believe that an amulet can move a person's heart. And also,
I hate people who believe in superstition.
I don't want to be associated
with such a person neither as a friend nor something more.
So please go home.
And I hope
we don't see each other again.
Then what should I do?
I'm angry, too. I hate myself for being like this.
I wasn't going to come.
I couldn’t have even dreamed of doing something this stupid.
But here I am,
standing before you, so pathetic and foolish.
I was so happy that something I had only read about was happening to me.
I had butterflies in my stomach everyday.
But it slowly dawned on me
that you did not have the same feelings for me.
But that's okay,
because I like you.
I like you very much.
I'm so sorry, Miss.
Hyo-eun!
Don't worry. Nothing serious will...
How can you ask me to give up on you?
You must not have known.
It hasn't been long since I myself have found out.
Kids these days are so different from us.
We can't just fault them.
It's a part of youth.
Sundol will take you home.
Please take care.
Hey! That's the dainty scholar.
Please take the miss home, Sundol.
Yes, sir.
Haven't you come to see me?
Kim Yunsik!
Has it been fun?
I must have looked ridiculous to you, all excited at being at Sungkyunkwan,
oblivious to everything.
What are you talking about?
50 nyang!
Mr. Hwang at the bookstore told me everything.
I don't ever
want to see you face again.
Listen to me first.
Did you say marriage?
You can take the high exam after the wedding.
You can prepare for the exam at home.
I will have him wrapped around my little finger.
Where is he?
There were eight cases of robbery in the Unjong District.
Slimy little thief.
Does that mean Kim Yunsik may not be the thief?
Even if he's innocent, it will be difficult to find the real culprit.
This is all my fault.
I don't want to be indebted to anyone again.
I died that night with brother.
Where did you get that?
Say what you want to say.
I believe in Lee Seonjun,
more than myself.