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
Today's proceedings will determine the truth
behind Kim Yunsik and Mun Jaesin's homosexuality scandal.
Gender distinction is fundamental to Confucianism.
Sungkyunkwan upholds the dictates of decorum and righteousness.
Homosexuality is inexcusable.
All the students have decided
to defend the school's reputation
and punish your immorality
by removing you from the school registry
and taking away your right
to take the High Exam if you're found guilty.
- Aye! - Aye!
I ask Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik...
Did you engage in inappropriate activities in the ritual room?
No.
We were...
Please trust us, proctor.
If not,
tell us what happened
in the ritual room that night.
We were...
We were just...
We have no choice but to call on the witness.
Lee Seonjun,
did you see Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik in the ritual room?
Those two are homosexuals,
are they not?
I'm
the homosexual.
What did you just say?
I said
I'm the homosexual.
Lee Seonjun's a homosexual?
Lee Seonjun said so
- ...himself? - Yes, director.
I knew he would get himself into a lot of trouble one of these days.
What am I to say to the prime minister?
Homosexuality at Sungkyunkwan?
And it's not one or even two students.
Good grief.
How can you be so laid back?
Lee Seonjun's
a very intriguing fellow.
Should we go watch, too?
Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik
were not alone in the ritual room.
I was with them.
What?
So
if Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik are homosexuals,
it naturally follows that I, too, am a homosexual.
Do you know what you just said?
You just admitted to being a homosexual.
You have no right to protest even if your name is removed from the registry.
Since that's the rule,
I shall abide.
That is, if Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik
did engage in behavior inappropriate for Confucian scholars.
Do you think you can defend those two with false testimony?
There were people
who saw me leaving the ritual room that night.
They were Ahn Dohyeon, Kim Wutak,
and Bae Haewon.
Is that true?
But why was I not included in the scandal?
It's because
there's no truth to the scandal.
- People saw them together. - It has to be true.
Did you see Kim Yunsik and Mun Jaesin
engaging in inappropriate behavior?
No. But he said...
I didn't see anything. He told me!
Did you see anything?
I ask the student council officers.
Is homosexuality scandalous?
Sure.
Especially since we're Confucian scholars.
Confucianism considers humanity to be one of the greatest virtues,
and humanity includes loving and caring for a friend.
Am I wrong?
Well...
Humanity, righteousness, ritual, knowledge, and integrity.
If you are a scholar who upholds the teachings of Mencius,
you must abide by these principles.
To see not the truth but only see what you want to see
and what you want to believe is foolishness.
It goes against wisdom.
If your irresponsible curiosity has put someone else in trouble
and yet you do not know that what you've done is wrong,
you're neither righteous, nor do you have integrity.
And if you don't trust your friends...
you cannot be called a scholar of Confucianism.
No one has the right to point fingers...
at one person caring for another
and call it a scandal...
based on twisted standards of propriety.
If this is the path a student of Neo-Confucianism must follow,
I'd rather
choose the path of homosexuality.
Is that so, Lee Seonjun?
So Lee Seonjun is not a homosexual, right?
That seems to be the case.
What a relief!
This student council meeting seems to have gone well.
Do you think it's all over?
Let me ask you again.
What were you doing
in the ritual room...
especially so late at night?
That night,
the Red Writer got injured and came to seek refuge on our campus.
- The Red Writer? - The Red Writer?
He must have needed to stop the bleeding,
and there are tobacco ashes in the ritual room.
On the same night,
Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik were seen holding onto one another
in the ritual room.
Does the Red Writer have anything to do with why you can't tell us...
what you were doing there?
Then tell me.
What really happened in the ritual room that night?
This is for Crazy Horse's sake.
So
can't you just trust me and help us?
Does that mean Kim Yunsik is the Red Writer?
No way. But perhaps Crazy Horse is.
My analysis tells me the following:
they are a duo.
You two have been given plenty of time
to prove your innocence.
With the authority vested in me,
I command that
Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik remove their shirts.
Will it do
if I am to derobe alone?
Is that what you want?
- Jaesin! - Crazy Horse!
Before that,
please answer me, proctor.
Was this a trap you set up to catch the Red Writer?
Did you plan to take advantage of the student council?
In effect,
you yourself just confessed
that you never believed in the homosexuality scandal.
No one,
not even the director, professors, or even his majesty
interfere with proceedings of the student council.
That is, the students of Sungkyunkwan have sole authority.
This is to prevent
the student council from being used as a political tool.
However, the proctor, the head of the student council...
went against this principle.
If Mun Jaesin takes off his shirt and no wound is to be found...
you must be held accountable.
- Am I right? - Aye. Aye.
- That makes sense. - Aye!
- Aye!
Did you convene
the student council even knowing...
- Mun Jaesin isn't a homosexual? - You used the student council.
You tarnished the Soron's reputation.
- That's right. - Tell us the truth, proctor.
- The Soron are no pushovers. - Tell us the truth.
Explain yourself.
But if you're willing to call off this student council meeting,
we, too,
will withdraw any accusation directed toward you.
Why should we? Let's take it all the way to the end.
Make them derobe.
What do you take the Soron for?
Bring the truth to light!
We will take it that you are withdrawing the proceedings.
We're not done yet.
The student council is not the proctor's.
It belongs to all the students of Sungkyunkwan.
We should do our duty.
Let's vote on this.
Will we impose disciplinary action against Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik?
Yubeol: disciplinary action imposed and executed by the student council
Announce the result of the vote, proctor.
I hereby declare
that Mun Jaesin and Kim Yunsik...
are cleared of any and all charges of homosexuality.
I'm so pathetic.
Why did I doubt him?
- Big Man! - Confucius once said...
We're so sorry, Big Man. Still friends, right?
- I was saying... - Have you decided to ignore us?
Have you seen Lee Seonjun?
I just saw him here.
You haven't seen him?
I was rather taken aback.
You're as straight as an arrow.
Yet you risked being branded a homosexual.
I was just...
It was a matter of principle?
If so, then you shouldn't have lied.
It's not true that you were with Big Man and Crazy Horse
in the ritual room the whole time.
It's not very becoming of you.
Did you also know what happened that night?
As the only son of the prime minister, your future success is guaranteed.
Yet you took a huge risk
by becoming involved in a homosexuality scandal.
Why? What for?
I heard you're getting engaged tomorrow.
And with Ha Insu's younger sister?
Is it because you need a wife from a renowned family?
Or is it because you don't care to whom you get married?
Are you running away from something?
And are you happy, Garang?
Just look at you.
You don't know how to lie.
So how are you going to live a lie for the rest of your life?
Who is it for?
Lee Seonjun's leaving Sungkyunkwan?
What kind of nonsense is that?
And did you let him
when he said he wanted to drop out?
These young students can be rebellious.
Weren't you ever like that?
Didn't you ever wake up thinking how tiresome studying is...
- And want to quit school? - Never.
Not once.
Plus, I don't think Lee Seonjun is childish enough
to make rash decisions.
But why now? Why at this important juncture?
I can't just sit back.
I need to see him and tell him...
He is leaving Sungkyunkwan
and will be studying
at a lyceum in Gurim Village.
It's lights out soon.
The bedtime roll call is coming up.
Have you seen Lee Seonjun?
You haven't heard?
I don't care for the student council on the whole, but I do like one thing:
the tradition of going out to drink after a proceeding.
All the students make up,
get drunk together,
and have a great time.
What are you doing?
Your wound
hasn't healed yet.
Did you know?
I heard Lee Seonjun dropped out of Sungkyunkwan.
Isn't he just on an overnight leave to get ready for his engagement tomorrow?
What's up with him?
I hope this isn't over what I said to him earlier.
The engagement is
tomorrow?
He left without even saying goodbye to you two.
Decorum, my foot.
What a...
rude fellow.
What is Lee Seonjun thinking?
Go!
It is said that the empty place is looking conspicuous but not the place already taken.
So, are you already doing like this? The roommate?
Like you letting me lean on you and letting me use your back.
Is this affection coming around with touches of each other?
Proctor, is there anything I've done wrong...
Proctor!
Let's celebrate, Proctor.
He quit today and left for the rural area to study.
Really? ls this true? Really?
Yes. It is true.
Proctor, you must feel relieved.
Congratulations, Proctor.
I thought he would love it... Has he developed that affection from hatred?
I feel insecure now.
Have you heard the news? Lee Seonjun.
Do you also believe that I would love to see Lee Seonjun gone?
At the student council today, the students upheld the hand of Lee Seonjun, not me.
I have yet to find the answer for what power Lee Seonjun has had, to overcome
me who has the biggest power in this Sungkyunkwan.
But if he just left the arena first like this,
wouldn't I look silly now?
And are you happy, Garang?
You don't know how to lie.
Sir!
If you're too excited to sleep before the engagement,
you'll go months without sleep before your wedding day.
Your father is looking for you.
The Jukjeong Lyceum in Gurim
has your accommodation ready.
Since you have decided to leave Sungkyunkwan,
I think it best you start your new study routine as soon as possible.
Right after the engagement ceremony.
Are you listening to me?
The minister and I have decided to hold the wedding soon, too.
It helps
to have your wife by your side when you prepare for the High Exam.
You will have children once you wed
and your sense of duty toward them will motivate you.
And the pride you will get from seeing your family grow
will motivate you, too.
What more can you ask for?
Father...
are you happy?
This may be too forward,
but I need to know.
That question is not worth answering.
That kind of silly talk is for women.
It's definitely not something my only son should even think about.
As for me,
I have never wasted a minute thinking about such nonsense.
"Analects" class! "Analects" class!
So it's true. Lee Seonjun left Sungkyunkwan.
With hellos come goodbyes.
That jerk was rude right up to the end.
Why didn't he tell us he was leaving?
They say he's getting engaged and moving with his fiancee
to a lyceum in the mountains way outside the city.
We won't be seeing him again.
Unless we pass the High Exam and enter into government,
it is highly unlikely we'll see him again.
Didn't he say anything to you?
What is it?
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Hurry. He will be here any minute.
You look ecstatic.
Your face is glowing.
Do you think the he will see it, too?
Of course.
That's why he wanted the engagement as soon as possible.
I'll become the perfect wife for Lee Seonjun.
I'll work very hard.
I was right.
I thought I might have been seeing things.
What a coincidence.
What are you doing here?
The bookstore has some work for me.
I have to go and pick it up.
But
the bookstore is not this way.
I knew you wouldn't fall for it.
I didn't have a chance to thank you about the student council meeting.
I thought long and hard, and it seems only right
that we say goodbye to each other.
Knowing that this would be it...
knowing that I won't ever see you again...
I wanted come see you one last time.
So I was waiting for you.
Whether as a friend,
just a roommate,
Of...
just another classmate...
I really wanted
to see you...
one last time.
I'm glad I came.
You shouldn't have
come here.
Did I do something wrong again?
Go.
Let's...
not see each other again.
Sir.
I've been waiting for you.
I will be a good wife for the rest of my life.
You said you always achieve what you set your mind to.
And you said you would work hard to give your heart to me.
That was your promise.
I trust you will keep your word.
I don't think...
I will be able to keep that promise.
What?
I...
Like you, Kim Yunsik.
I only followed the path of righteousness...
and adhered to principles.
I used to think
decorum and righteousness were all there was to the world.
But I like you...
another man.
That's why
I can't be by your side,
neither as a friend, nor a roommate.
I can no longer be with you...
and pretend everything's fine.
I can't lie to myself any more.
Don't worry, Kim Yunsik.
I won't hurt you.
I won't let
the world censure you because of me.
This is the last time
you will see me.
That's the only thing
I can do for you...
right now.
You know this is all my fault, right?
I know.
Why did I have to fall ill on the day of my engagement?
What a burden I have put on him.
I will beg
if I have to to make sure this has no bearing on the marriage.
All you need to do is take care of yourself, okay?
Good grief.
Let her rest.
What happened?
Hyo-eun passed out from a high fever.
Seonjun went to get a doctor.
My goodness.
It's Hyo-eun who got sick,
so I don't know what I can say to the prime minister.
Why does it have to be so hard?
But father...
If Lee Seonjun went to get a doctor,
why hasn't a doctor come?
And if his future fiancee is ill, shouldn't he come to check on her?
He must think very little of us.
What?
Or there may be a secret
between those two we don't know about.
Just lie still.
What if you get caught?
Breaking off the engagement? No way.
I don't think...
I will be able to keep that promise.
Would you please break off the engagement?
What did I do?
Tell me, and I will rectify it.
The fault lies with me.
I'm the one
who is not fit to marry.
I cannot be a normal husband
who pleases his wife.
Isn't he cruel?
Why do you think
he hates me so?
But still, breaking off the engagement?
Miss.
I can't give up on him.
He won't break it off first.
He won't dump me publicly.
So, do you think I still have a chance? Huh?
The war minister's daughter is ill?
Instead of postponing the engagement,
we'll have you two wed right away.
The minister of war did not say anything about this marriage?
What did you talk with her about?
I have decided to call it off.
Call it off?
You're the one who wanted to get engaged as soon as possible.
Will you neglect your responsibility?
Have I been mistaken about you?
I'm sorry, father.
But
this is the best thing I can do for the war minister's daughter.
I will not marry her, father.
You're back.
I packed up everything you need to take to the lyceum.
You should get a good night's rest.
We have a lot of walking to do tomorrow.
Your father wants to see me.
You mean the dainty scholar gentleman?
Is that whom he saw before going to the war minister's?
Right when we got to front gates of the war minister's house,
he was waiting for Seonjun.
Why do you ask, sir?
He's Seonjun's roommate?
Yes, sir.
Seonjun talked him into entering Sungkyunkwan.
It must have been fate.
He's the one who Seonjun set up as a proxy test taker?
Yes, sir.
Take the test in your name, Kim Yunsik.
You're too good to waste your talent as a proxy test taker.
The story of Seonjun and the dainty scholar gentleman
could make for a novel or two, at least.
Did you say the boy's name is Kim Yunsik?
Yes, sir. Kim Yunsik.
Tell me about Kim Yunsik.
He's the son of the late Professor Kim Seungheon.
Kim Yunsik.
What a twist of fate.
I...
Like you, Kim Yunsik.
I won't let
the world censure you because of me.
This is the last time you will see me.
I must be getting punished...
for deceiving the world.
Why are you so serious?
Should I leave you alone?
Jaesin.
May I
ask you a question?
You said you've read all the books here, right?
So
you must know what I should do.
I...
Lied to someone.
And my lie...
has imposed a major burden.
That person may have to give up on a long-held dream.
So?
I want to tell the truth
to free that person of the burden,
but I feel it may already...
be too late.
I'm worried I won't be forgiven.
I'm scared.
What should I do?
What's there to think about?
Be honest.
Say you're sorry and ask for forgiveness.
Show the person how sincere you are,
like how you have just shown me.
But the lie I told
was so huge and serious.
I won't be forgiven so easily.
What if I tell the truth...
and that person hates me forever?
I'm so worried and scared.
Are you in love with this person?
That, um...
Who? Choseon?
Let's see.
Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do...
It has been decided.
The destination for this year's outing is Mount Wolchul.
Mount Wolchul?
The spirit of Mount Wolchul is said to be powerful.
Many prominent figures are said to have been inspired there.
Who goes to the mountains these days? It's so passe.
Then where to?
Spread a mat in the backyard of any pleasure house,
and that's paradise right there.
There's no better place for a pep rally than Mount Wolchul!
I will even provide a special allowance for the outing.
So Mount Wolchul, it is.
A special allowance from one of the stingiest men I know?
Uplifting the spirit and morale of the students of Sungkyunkwan
is an investment for a better Joseon.
Come on now.
You want to go to Mount Wolchul
because the lyceum Lee Seonjun is staying at is nearby, right?
Lee Seonjun?
If Lee Seonjun sees everyone there,
he might want to come back to Sungkyunkwan.
It's a teacher's wish to guide his student onto the right path.
Mount Wolchul, it is.
Wow, really?
Would you be ready to give money?
Sure.
Why didn't you just say so?
I was missing Lee Seonjun myself.
I heard your son left Sungkyunkwan.
But I had ordered him to study and live there.
Have him return as soon as he feels better.
I plan to wait for him.
He's but just another student.
He's not worthy of your concern.
He may be a thoughtless young boy,
but he was so strong-willed about how he wanted to study,
so I couldn't keep him from going to the lyceum.
Strong-willed about his studies?
That lyceum is where the prime minister studied as a young man, Your Majesty.
It's but a dutiful son's wish
to take after his father.
And
I, too,
want to be a dutiful son.
I plan to move the capital to Hwaseong
as per my father's wish.
Your Majesty.
Over there, the factions and those clans having monopoly on power
will never be able to settle.
Those people with competence will be recognized
to devote themselves for the advancement of Joseon.
This is the will of my father
handed down for me.
Checkmate.
Hwaseong?
Abandon Hanyang for Hwaseong?
Good grief!
In effect, he's planning to abandon the Noron.
But that's impossible!
It's not impossible.
Prime minister!
That is, if he finds "Geumdeungjisa."
But "Geumdeungjisa" was destroyed ten years ago.
When Kim Seungheon and Proctor Mun Yeongsin were killed
while transporting "Geumdeungjisa,"
it was also removed from this world.
You know that.
But the king is looking for "Geumdeungjisa."
Minister.
There is no way the king gets "Geumdeungjisa."
This time, he will dearly pay for
what he had done on the night of 10 years ago.
We need one of the king's retainers to cross over to our side.
It must be someone whom the king trusts completely.
I plan to wait until Lee Seonjun returns.
I can give the secret mission then.
You must find "Geumdeungjisa" as soon as possible
if you want to move the capital to Hwaseong without their interference.
Lee Seonjun is the son of a Noron.
That's why I need him all the more.
- Your Majesty... - Minister...
what I seek is not just "Geumdeungjisa."
I also seek Joseon's future.
Unless I make the son of a Noron one of my men,
this tiresome factional strife will never come to an end.
We are here! We are here at last!
We are here for an outing to Mount Wolchul!
The first rule of an outing is...
- Party! - Until we drop!
The second rule is...
- Party! - Like there's no tomorrow!
The third rule is...
- Party! - Like we've never partied before!
Mount Wolchul, here we come!
You have to do whatever it takes to get Lee Seonjun to come back.
I implore you.
I don't know.
He's very stubborn.
You're Gu Yongha. I know you can do it.
The power of positive thinking.
My 30-year career is hanging on the line.
Do I end it in the peripheries or proudly in the royal court?
Everything is riding on you.
- Help me out, all right? - I'll try.
I have to get going to strategize.
All those people are the ones that have waited Lee Seonjun so dearly.
I know you can do it!
Hey, Big Man. Are you still down?
You don't look like someone on an outing.
Be careful, Crazy Horse.
It doesn't cost anything to smile.
The high and almighty Mun Jaesin is on his first outing ever
in the hopes of seeing you smile.
It's too early for your nonsense, okay?
I have a big surprise for you.
I won't let you down.
We'll all have a good time, okay?
It looks delicious.
Hey, guys.
Kids will be kids.
- Here! Here! - Stop it, twerps!
Stop it! Stop it!
Hey, Big Man.
Don't be a wet blanket. Come in and hang out with us.
- Come on in. - Come on in.
No, no. I'm fine.
You're mighty suspicious.
Are you hiding something from us?
Pardon?
You must...
- Not be able to swim. - Right.
- Yes. - We'll teach you.
Don't be a sissy.
- Come on in. - Come in.
Yeah? Never mind, then.
- Yisam. - Yeah?
- What are you scared of? - Please.
Let's do this!
Something's fishy.
If he's a man, he shouldn't be scared of a shallow stream.
Sure. Even I'm not scared.
I'm telling you. There's a reason why he can't take his shirt off.
Do you mean to say...
The Red Writer.
And if we catch the Red Writer,
the proctor will be very happy.
You're smart, Gobong.
Let's catch the Red Writer.
A round of sweet wine for all of us!
Let's drink away!
- Cheers! - Cheers!
Here.
It's hot, you see.
You will make a great husband.
Whatever.
Where the hell is Yongha?
Your hand.
So all you need to do is get Lee Seonjun to come out.
Are you sure you can cure his ailment?
I'm sure.
There's no better doctor for his ailment than me.
He's lovesick.
Lovesick?
It's a serious ailment.
Sir!
The young lady is here.
Mother? Without sending word first?
I know. Something must have happened back home.
Hurry. We need to go.
Hurry up!
Don't you know you can get eye infection from reading at an outing?
It won't do if our Big Man's eyes get infected.
How about we disinfect your eyes in the water?
- Yeah. Let's go! - Come on.
- Big Man! - Where are you going?
I'm going to throw him into the water. Splash!
I'm going to strip him stark naked.
Why are they following him?
Come on. Let's drink.
Hey! Have you seen Kim Yunsik?
He went somewhere with Byeongchun and Gobong.
Hurry up, sir. The lady is waiting.
My mother has really come all the way from Hanyang?
Please forgive me!
But this is the only way you'll be cured of your ailment.
What are you up to?
The scholar gentlemen of Sungkyunkwan are here on an outing.
I was told that if I brought you here, you'll be cured of your ailment.
You shouldn't have done this. Let's go back.
This is the right spot!
See. Isn't that the dainty scholar gentleman?
Your Sundol sure has a good sense of direction.
Let's get going.
I have nothing to do with them any more.
You return to the lyceum first.
Sir.
Sir!
Kim Yunsik!
It's out of my hands now.
As hard as I try,
I can't help but look for you.
So
now it's your turn.
Run from me, Kim Yunsik.
Wait!
You need to give me a chance to respond.
Kim Yunsik. Kim Yunsik.
Wake up!
Are you asking me
to let you go like this?
Where the hell is he?
- What? - See for yourself.
What were you two doing?
Leave my woman in a place filled with men?
What do you take me for?
That's my spot.
There's no "my spot" or "your spot."
I know this is not proper etiquette, but I had to see you.
Get them!
Something's up with those two.
When did you start
hiding your beautiful face behind men's clothing?
Kim Yunhui. My name is Kim Yunhui.