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
Don't you remember?
I gave you an advance of 50 nyang when you got into Sungkyunkwan.
The Prime Minister's son?
What brings you here?
Young Master.
Do you have feelings for me?
I hate people who believe in superstition.
So please go home.
And I hope
we don't see each other again.
I'm so sorry, miss.
Hyo-eun!
Don't worry. Nothing serious will...
How can you ask me to give up on you?
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 your face again.
Listen to me!
I am so indebted to you.
If I had known, I would've at least been more docile.
Don't be so childish.
You needed the money then, and I had it.
You can repay me little by little. What's the problem?
You should've told me.
- You should've told me. - And if I did?
I would have refused.
I would've taken out another long-term or high-interest loan.
I wouldn't have taken your money.
Stop being so foolish.
People call this foolishness pride. Don't you know that?
You want to defend your pride even at the cost of your own life.
Why can't I have the same pride?
So
was it pity?
In your eyes, I was
powerless and poor,
and thus, pitiful.
So you assumed I would readily accept any favor extended to me.
Right?
You have no right to criticize the proctor.
No.
You're worse.
At least he knows he's a bad person.
Young Master.
Three pennies for writing a nuptial fortune note.
Written prayer for ancestral rites.
Five pennies.
And this is for writing a love letter...
Goodness me.
Even you, our gifted scholar, said this couldn't be done.
If it pays, why not?
That's better.
And mum is the word concerning my secret.
And this is transcription work...
You should go in. What are you doing out here?
Did something happen?
Of course not.
I'm just happy.
It has been so long since I was home.
Don't waste your energy by bringing out things like this.
We can take care of our meals.
Don't even think about crying out loud for us at all.
I am not crying out loud,
I told them I am going home and all those people treated me so well...
Our mother is right.
Sister, eating all those fatty food brings stomach trouble.
Let's eat, Mother.
Fool.
Just bandaging and re-bandaging the wound won't help you.
I told the doctor you got hurt at the Grand Archery Contest.
He said this should help.
Keep your distance
from that kid Kim Yunsik.
Why?
Because he's a Namin and won't help me get ahead in life?
When will you stop this rebellion against me?
When
will you stop playing the Noron's puppet?
I died that night
with Brother.
In exchange for your silence about Brother's death,
the Noron let you keep your government position.
By doing so, you have forsaken both your sons.
With my government power,
I will protect you.
Being close to Kim Yunsik is too dangerous.
The Minister of War suspects that Kim Yunsik is the Red Writer.
What do you mean?
Kim Seungheon.
The man who died while transporting the Geumdeungjisa with your brother
was Kim Yunsik's father.
What was it that made you love Father so?
He never even bought you a single hairpin.
What was so great about him
that you could sever ties with your family?
What's gotten into you?
Do you ever regret choosing Father
over your family?
I do. Everyday.
I have been regretting it every day since sending you to Sungkyunkwan.
If I hadn't severed ties with my family then,
I wouldn't be such a pathetic mother.
I do regret it.
Did you say marriage?
But I'm not ready.
You are a man.
Were you planning to not take responsibility
for what you did today?
It has worked out for the best.
You can take the high exam after the wedding.
You can prepare for the exam at home.
Beodeul.
Yes, Miss?
Has the moon always been that pretty?
Pardon?
Are you sure you're okay there?
Of course.
I'm going to work even harder from now on, Yunsik.
Like you said, I have to make your name proud.
Kim Yunsik.
My father puts this in my hand as I'm leaving.
He says they're gemstones.
Wow. This is
a rare luxury piece banned by the king.
Confucius said,
Learn to be happy even in lacking.
Looks like you have a new smoky quartz eyeglass chain.
My mother was so worried
I would lose my expensive glasses.
I had to get it.
And what did you bring, Yongha?
A little toy I had ordered last summer was finally delivered.
That's about all I brought.
- A toy? - A toy?
I went to Beijing with the famed Dr. Park Jiwon last summer
and chanced upon an emperor's palace.
This is completely handcrafted. It took a while to make.
Have you guys seen Big Man?
Where the hell is he?
I have something to say
and you have something to say.
I went overboard last time.
Don't worry about it.
I'm fine now.
And I will pay you back little by little.
You know that's not what this is about.
Goodness me. Where are my manners?
Thank you for everything.
Here you are, Brother-in-law.
Brother-in-law?
I hear wedding talks are underway.
There was a misunderstanding.
It will be straightened out,
- so don't worry. - A misunderstanding?
As a son, you should know your father better.
Don't forget.
Whatever your father sets his mind to,
even the King can't come in the way.
So
are Lee Seonjun and Miss Hyo-eun really getting married?
A good beating is best for people who don't know
their rightful place.
They come to their senses when they're pummeled half to death.
I don't want to do that to my underling
given that you're still quite useful.
So just carry out my orders properly.
I don't allow second mistakes.
- Have you seen Big Man? - No, sorry.
- Have you seen Big Man? - Nope.
You!
Crazy Horse.
So,
you...
You are here because...
Because of that?
You...
You've known everything?
Something terrible has happened!
- Thief! - Thief! Thief!
The thief took my white porcelain bowl.
He took my chain and glasses.
He took all my spending money.
What a bold fellow!
It wasn't me!
What a bumpkin.
He should've taken matching tops and bottoms.
My Forbidden City!
I waited a whole year for that handcrafted masterpiece.
Slimy little thief!
A thief?
Do we have any missing school supplies?
I should've been more careful.
Some medicine is missing from the infirmary.
What a scoundrel.
Who could be so audacious?
Mr. Goh is at the market right now.
We heard a Sungkyunkwan student was seen selling medicine there.
We have to catch the thief tonight.
Tomorrow is the Sundujeongang.
When His Majesty is here, the Sungkyunkwan must be presented
as a place devoted solely to the search for truth.
Do you understand me?
You know that I was bedridden with severe indigestion.
I was studying for the Sundujeongang with Wutak.
I was having a snack at the cafeteria.
The kitchen servants can verify that.
I was at the Myeongryundang.
What were you doing there?
I was...
I was also studying for the Sundujeongang.
Did anyone see you there?
Well...
How strange.
Crazy Horse was looking for Kim Yunsik everywhere.
Didn't you say Kim Yunsik was nowhere to be found?
Right, fellows?
- You must remember. - Yes. That's true.
That's because I never checked the Myeongryundang.
Are you being truthful?
Yes. Please believe me.
We found the culprit.
What?
The person who sold the medicine from our infirmary at the market
also sold other stolen goods.
What?
And he misplaced this ID tag.
Kim...
Kim...Yunsik...
No. It wasn't me.
It wasn't me, Professor.
Shame on you.
It's not just the stealing that's the problem.
We all know the medicine we use here comes from the State Hospital.
That is, from the sweat and blood of the people.
And if we didn't use the medicine, the poor and infirmed could have used it.
But you sold such medicine to make money.
Don't jump to conclusions.
Kim Yunsik has an ailing brother.
I'm sure the medicine was for him.
We can send someone to check on Kim Yunsik's brother.
What more do we need than Kim Yunsik's ID tag?
Hold on.
Lee Seonjun is right.
We can send someone to your house, Kim Yunsik.
That's a bit...
No, Professor.
This is getting worse.
There must be an important reason why
he can't have his house revealed.
The culprit must be punished.
We can't have the police involved.
The Jaehoe will take care of it.
Jaehoe?
We will set up a disciplinary committee to punish Kim Yunsik for his crimes
and defend Sungkyunkwan's honor, Director.
I will be the chair of that committee.
Your Majesty! What are you...'?
This will be the assignment for the Sundujeongang.
The Sundujeongang?
But they're only trying to catch a petty thief.
That cannot be the assignment for the Sundujeongang.
He's too spontaneous
and has no clue what he's doing.
And he's violating the law left and right.
He's tarnishing the authority of the throne.
Spontaneous?
Since he was young, the King has never made a single move
without careful calculation.
Have you forgotten?
How could I have?
It seems as though this Sundujeongang
will be a tougher assignment for us than for the students.
Are you saying that
the King has stepped in to protect Kim Yunsik?
Kim Yunsik.
You are expelled.
Your wish has come true.
That is, if you really are the culprit.
The person who sold the medicine also sold the stolen goods.
And Kim Yunsik's ID tag was found at the pharmacy.
But Kim Yunsik claims he is innocent.
Students who believe Kim Yunsik is innocent
and those that believe he is guilty
should form separate teams to prove Kim Yunsik's innocence or guilt.
This is the assignment for the Sundujeongang.
But Your Majesty.
The Sundujeongang has long been
based on the memorization and exposition of the Classics.
Do you think the students here
have the qualification to opine on the teachings of the great sages?
Pardon?
If Kim Yunsik is guilty,
then Sungkyunkwan has produced a thief.
That means the Director, faculty, staff,
and all students here
are unqualified to talk about decorum and the path of the righteous.
I deserve to die, Your Majesty.
But if Kim Yunsik is innocent,
some of his fellow students are guilty of falsely accusing the innocent.
And again, such students are unqualified to comment on the Classics.
That is why I'm assigning the said task for this Sundujeongang.
Proctor.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Which agency is responsible for maintaining public order?
Hanseongbu, Your Majesty.
I will give you the authority
to investigate this case.
Following the tradition of giving two days to complete the Sundujeongang,
all Sungkyunkwan students will be given two-day posts at Hanseongbu.
At Hanseongbu?
They're just students. What can they do?
But why is His Majesty doing this?
He doesn't want to see his own hand-picked student being expelled.
His Majesty could've given me a head's up
and I would have taken care of everything for Him.
Does that mean Kim Yunsik may not be the thief?
Even if he's innocent,
it will be difficult to find the real culprit.
All the goods have been sold, and the thief has probably covered his tracks.
Nothing has changed.
It's just that you have two more days before you're kicked out.
I will prove Kim Yunsik's obvious guilt
and restore the reputation of Sungkyunkwan students.
Who's with me?
This way, fellows.
I believe in your innocence, Yunsik.
But my belief is one thing, my grade is another.
The circumstantial evidence is too strong.
I'll get a failing mark if I opt to side with you.
Sorry.
Blame the Joseon society for worshipping academic achievement.
Guessing is what I do when I take tests.
It's only prudent that I err on the side of the majority.
Keep your chin up, Big Man.
Stay strong, Yunsik.
Hang in there, Big Man.
I have a question.
Has anyone seen you in Myeongryundang?
No.
What's the story with the ID tag?
Are you suspecting me?
And why wouldn't you let someone check out your house?
That would've been the easiest way
to prove your innocence.
What are you doing?
I need verification.
Do you really need verification?
He was set up.
What can your firm belief do?
Kim Yunsik is still a petty thief,
and a negligent one at that for having misplaced his ID tag.
You're worried because this is an exam given by the King.
You don't want a failing mark for believing in Kim Yunsik's innocence.
- Of course not. - What?
You're a Noron through and through.
Stay out of this.
How can I?
My most favorite pastime is watching people fight.
We're the only ones who believe Kim Yunsik.
Let's go easy on one another.
Enough.
I didn't steal anything,
so I will take care of this alone.
What do you plan to do?
Did you say he has been setup?
I need material evidence, not mere words.
Hey, Crazy Horse.
Where are you going?
I have to go make it, the material evidence.
Kim Yunsik must be feeling pretty bad about his inevitable expulsion.
What do you think you're doing?
It seems like you've forgotten
than I'm quicker with my punches than with my words.
What do you want to say?
Was this your intention all along?
Is that why you gave Kim Yunsik the medicine before break?
You set him up, didn't you?
You have a wild imagination.
This is why I can't be more generous to the poor.
My good intentions always backfire, as you can see.
But alas,
that's just how they are.
Their lowly disposition
is not something even the Sungkyunkwan uniform can hide.
So you be careful, too, Crazy Horse.
Do you want to go to the disciplinary chamber?
Gladly.
That's a good idea.
By the time you're released,
Kim Yunsik would have already been expelled.
You just wait.
I will get to the bottom of this.
It's you all who should prepare to get expelled.
What a jerk.
Don't worry, proctor.
This time around, I've taken care of everything impeccably.
Everyone thinks Kim Yunsik did it.
That mouth of yours... Watch it.
Proctor, who do you think is the real criminal of the incident.
Why are you curious about that?
We just need to make Kim Yunsik as the culprit, that's all
If it's out of pity,
you don't need to do this.
What do you mean?
If you pity me because
no one else believes in my innocence,
I don't need your help.
If you're worried about failing the test,
- you can just... - Did I say
I was worried about getting a failing mark?
That's why you interrogated me.
Is that what you really think?
Is that why
you said you would not have accepted my money?
Have I only been a grade-mongering
son of a Noron to you?
I never suspected you.
As you say, I never do anything that would give me a failing mark.
If you were going to get so hurt over a few questions,
how do you expect to take care of everything alone
at the Hanseongbu and in front of His Majesty?
Remember, Kim Yunsik.
No one will be on your side at the Hanseongbu.
So if you want to prove your innocence,
you'd better brace yourself.
Do you think the students will be able to handle this?
You're a pathetic teacher.
Why don't you trust your own students?
If they can't even hold Hanseongbu posts for two days,
they are not qualified to enter into government.
I know that
what Your Majesty seeks to accomplish is not merely catching a petty thief.
So my cover has been blown.
Are you coming from Unjong District?
I can never fool you.
How did you know?
You're not in your official robe.
I read about the rising crime rate in Unjong in the government newsletter.
I was worried about it, too, Your Majesty.
If you tail the petty crooks,
you are bound to find the big crooks.
That's what I believe.
If any of the students are insightful enough to see this
and has the courage to confront it,
I plan to assign him the task
of finding the Geumdeungjisa.
Hey, Hanseongbu officials.
What are you wearing?
Oh, this?
Do you know why Joseon is in such a terrible state?
Because all public officials are made to wear the same thing.
It suppresses their individuality and personal tastes.
This leads them to think in the same, boring way.
The crazy fool always knows what to say.
It's very you.
In my neighborhood, people say they'd rather believe
the next-door puppy than a Hanseongbu official.
But if you're to report to the Hanseongbu,
wouldn't it be better for you to dress accordingly?
I have you guys.
I'll have to use government jargon.
Proxy attendance. You can report to work in my stead.
But, sir.
It was His Majesty's order for us to report to the Hanseongbu.
Don't worry.
I, too, plan to catch the real culprit.
Not to defend your innocence,
but to find my Forbidden City.
Don't worry. He's Gu Yongha.
He was born and raised in Unjong.
When we get to the Hanseongbu, I first want to investigate the pharmacy
where my ID tag was found.
And then we can figure out where the other stolen goods...
Thief! Thief! Get him!
- It's a thief! - Catch him!
I saw it.
Around that kid's neck
was Wutak's eyeglass chain.
- What? - I'm sure of it.
Get him to the Hanseongbu safe and sound.
Where are you going?
Did His Majesty hint at something to you last night?
The government newsletter. Are you keeping your eyes and ears open
for news of your return to the royal court?
There were eight cases of robbery in the Unjong District last night.
And four assault cases.
And goodness me.
Even a murder.
Oh, please.
Everyone knows the Unjong District
has always been teeming with petty crooks.
That's what I mean.
Why are there so many robberies
in and around Unjong?
Do you know the reason?
That's because...
How should I know? I don't work for the Hanseongbu.
I was just contemplating on how I would answer the question
if our students should ask.
I have the lowest government position,
but I am a teacher, after all.
We are temporary appointees from Sungkyunkwan.
We are...
Chamgun: Public officials in charge of maintaining public order
- This is your charge. - Yes, sir.
And this is yours.
And you stand guard here.
I have put my all into this operation.
Let's go.
Oh, my goodness!
Five nyang.
This always happens to me.
We are here as per His Majesty's order
to find the culprit of the Sungkyunkwan robbery.
We ask for your cooperation.
There are robberies everywhere, not just at Sungkyunkwan.
Why make such a fuss?
Are you scared the thief will come back for your manhood?
You seem to need more of your mother's milk.
Would you like to suckle mine instead?
We may be temporary appointees,
but we are Hanseongbu officials, nonetheless.
As colleagues, please abide by the dictates of decorum.
Decorum?
Why, of course.
Yes, of course.
Yes, yes. We shall abide, my honorable Master.
About Lee Seonjun and Kim Yunsik...
What if they act like they're real Hanseongbu officials and interrogate the pharmacist?
We were the ones who left Kim Yunsik's ID tag...
I have given orders to the Hanseongbu.
Kim Yunsik won't have time do anything to prove his innocence.
He'll have enough on his plate.
How's business?
Keep up the good work.
That nap did me wonders.
You should've napped, too. Napping is good for your health.
Now let's see how capable our great masters are.
Do you still get black-market goods?
That's so outdated. Ten years, at least.
It has only been around for three years. I paid a fortune for it.
Where did you get it?
Business secret.
Really?
Spill the beans.
I'm Gu Yongha.
- Should I find a different tenant for our store? - There are these little kids.
That liar. They're not little kids.
Hurry up.
What do you want?
Who's your supplier?
Crazy Horse.
Funny seeing you here.
We must be a match made in heaven.
Rats!
He got away.
He could be the culprit.
We have another lead.
Using violence can become a habit, you know?
A good beating is effective for ridding bad habits.
That's enough. They're government troops.
Rough them up.
Make it quick but rough.
Please stop. Don't do this.
Now arrest them.
What are you doing?
It's your duty to protect the helpless.
It's also my duty to uphold the law, Master.
What law says you can do this to innocent civilians?
Innocent?
Unless you're a registered merchant, you can't sell anything in the city,
Master.
Carry on.
Yes, sir.
This is absurd.
Take them in.
They're not civilians. They're criminals that broke the law.
- Put them away! - Yes, sir.
Please have mercy, sir.
The students seem to be getting closer to the big crooks, Your Majesty.
Am I being oversensitive?
Your tone says this is not what you wanted.
In the end, those kids won't be able to change anything.
What do you suppose they will get out of this?
Fury against this unjust world.
Fury at their sense of helplessness,
because alone, this world cannot be changed.
Why can't the King give it up?
He was going around the market
talking about curbing inflation
and commercial liberalization.
He can talk about turning Joseon into paradise.
He keeps talking about doing away with the merchant registration system.
What does he have against registered merchants?
We're so nervous we can't do our business.
Stop your whining.
You have us, the Noron, behind you.
Could you please repeat that in front of all registered merchants?
We are holding a small get-together tonight.
Now I know why the number of thefts is on the rise.
Because only registered merchants can do business,
the poor and the hungry have no choice but to steal.
Say something.
Government officials should take issue with registered merchants,
not the poor street vendors.
They can't.
They get funding from the registered merchants.
A dog doesn't bark at the one that fills his bowl.
The Noron are financed by the money the registered merchants provide
in exchange for political protection.
What's gotten into you?
You know very well what's gotten into me.
Give us wine here!
Wine!
This is not something a scholar should be doing.
Thief?
Fire!
Let's get out of here!
- It's the ravishing quartet. - The ravishing quartet?
It's the ravishing quartet.
The ravishing quartet?
That's it! The title of the next naughty romance novel,
The Secret Outing of the Ravishing Quartet.
This is where the real culprit is hiding.
The real culprit?
Where is this place?
The house of Song Haengsu, head of the registered merchants.
The culprit is hiding in this house?
Where do you think the goods confiscated at the market have gone?
Not to the Hanseongbu?
The registered merchants' warehouse.
They get rid of the street vendors and then resell their goods
through the market at very high prices
to make undue profits.
Correct.
They're all in the warehouse right now,
including my Forbidden City and the transaction ledger.
The ledger.
Yes.
The transaction ledger that contains the name of the scoundrel
that sold my Forbidden City.
So if we get the ledger, we can catch the culprit?
Of course.
But that ledger is not something the registered merchants need.
They could have thrown it out.
We can't be sure it's in the warehouse.
It is in there.
Nothing can be thrown out before Song Haengsu inspects it.
And the fellow has had no time to tend to the confiscated goods yet
as there is a very big banquet
tonight.
- Minister of War. - Welcome, sir.
This way, sir.
The warehouse is comprised of eight storage rooms.
The ledger is in one of those eight rooms.
All that has to be done is for one of us to get that ledger.
I'll go.
No.
Because this goes against the law and the dictates of decorum?
Can't you see how absurd the law is?
- The street vendors can't... - That's what I mean.
It's too dangerous there.
I'll go.
Shut up, you two.
I'll go.
No. Let me.
Please let me go.
Do you understand what this job entails?
It may be a banquet, but it's no laughing matter for us.
If you're unlucky and get caught,
you can disappear without a trace.
That's why I want to do it.
This is all my fault.
I want to take care of it.
I ask for your understanding.
No.
Never.
You stay right here, Big Man. I'll go.
Fine. Fine.
Why don't we all go, hand in hand?
Are you satisfied?
We'll meet back here at 11 o'clock.
And this is my son.
He is very handsome.
He is the proctor of Sungkyunkwan.
We'll go and get the ledger. Don't worry and just stay put.
I am going along with you,
but even if we make it back alive from here,
Big Man and Crazy Horse might kill us.
It's safer if only one of us goes into the warehouse.
Kim Yunsik is not nimble enough.
That's harsh.
And Crazy Horse has too hot a temper.
He's the most unreliable among us.
I can't just wait around.
This is all my fault.
I don't want to feel indebted to anyone again.
What brings you here?
Where there are women and wine, there is Gu Yongha.
I thought only registered merchants were allowed in.
I'm the son of the landlord who rents store space to these merchants.
But how did you get in?
Oh, right.
I forgot the Noron and the registered merchants are one family.
Are you alone?
Of course.
Who else would enjoy a repulsive banquet such as this?
Could you please get the government soldiers here, covertly?
Your future son-in-law needs a little lesson.
Stop being so stubborn.
We're worried about you.
The best way for you to help is to just stay put.
I'm worried, too.
As much as you worry about me,
I worry about you guys, too.
Then I'll go, so...
It was our first night off in a million years.
All because of a bold scoundrel.
- A bold scoundrel? - Yeah.
True. You have to be crazy to break into Song Haengsu's warehouse.
We have no choice now.
I'll stall the government soldiers. You need to go and warn the guys.
You can do it, right?
Be careful, okay?
Hang in there, Mun Jaesin.
What a shame.
You can't pass through here.
Are you crazy?
Let's do this nice and slow.
Sorry, sir.
Only registered merchants can enter.
I have a message for someone inside.
Please go away.
There was a report that a thief has broken into the warehouse.
Thief? What thief?
I made the report.
I think there's a thief on the premise,
near the warehouse.
I must not have it in me any more.
We have to get that thief, Minister.
Do you doubt the government soldiers?
Our warehouse stores more than mere goods.
If the warehouse is robbed,
it won't be us that suffer,
but you.
While you stalled the soldiers, Big Man threw himself into the thick of things.
What?
Jerk.
Was this what you came for?
No. There.
Is it gone?
How pathetic.
The Young Master has his father's lashes.
That's so cute.
You are my son.
Is it because of my father?
If they haven't found the culprit yet,
doesn't that mean they have failed the Sundujeongang?
Have you failed to find the real culprit?
He'll be here.
I had wished it would be you.
I just didn't know the right way to do it,
because it was my first time.