Where learning leads and where a nation begins...
The gate of Sungkyunkwan
leads to Banchon, the lowliest district in Joseon.
My brother told me that.
Jongmyo isn't where the nation begins.
The gate.
Where learning leads...
The gate.
Is here,
the gate leading to Banchon,
the lowliest district in Joseon.
Kim Yunsik is a girl?
I found "Geumdeungjisa",
father.
At the gate leading to the lowest rung...
of Joseon society...
was where your vision lay hidden.
So...
The Red Writer struck again last night.
So Lee Seonjun, who's in prison,
is not the Red Writer?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Minister of war...
I think it wise
that you make the apology
the Sungkyunkwan students are demanding.
But Your Majesty...
You let your men
arrest an innocent student
and violate the sanctity of an institution
that upholds the truth.
If his fellow classmates out there
protest days on end in front of the palace...
everyone will find out about your egregious error.
Is it now time for me
to make a decision on the appeal?
His majesty has made a decision regarding your appeal.
Where is the proctor who led the appeal?
Big Man.
Where is the student
who led this appeal?
Is he not here?
I'm right here!
I found it.
I found "Geumdeungjisa."
I'm the proctor
for this appeal.
I am ready to uphold His Majesty's decision.
As per the wishes of the students of Sungkyunkwan,
I will acquit Lee Seonjun
and publicly post the war minister's apology.
That is my decision.
I have heeded my young friends' request.
A celebratory drink is in order.
It's tradition for the king to offer wine to the students of Sungkyunkwan
when an appeal is accepted.
I have something for you, too.
I decoded
the secret instruction.
Where learning leads and where a nation begins
was the gate to Banchon,
the lowliest district in Joseon.
That's where "Geumdeungjisa" was.
And...
now your father's dream,
and
my own dream,
will be realized.
Thank you, Kim Yunsik.
I promise you...
I will do my best to make sure...
your hard work was not in vain.
It is now your turn to dream
in the new Joseon.
It's Lee Seonjun!
- Lee Seonjun! Lee Seonjun! - Lee Seonjun! Lee Seonjun!
He's coming!
Lee Seonjun has been acquitted!
You can confess now.
You actually like Lee Seonjun.
- Right? - That jerk?
I didn't mean for you to hear!
What I meant was...
I hope I can turn to you again in the future.
I was quite bored...
all alone in there.
Suffering and hardship must be good for a man.
Don't ever take things into your own hands again.
You won't see me again if you do.
Wait a minute.
Does that mean you will see him
forever and ever then?
Did you just confess
your love for him?
You did well.
Thank you, Jaesin.
I heard
everyone went to great lengths to get me out.
No one went to as great a length...
as the person
your eyes are seeking.
Big Man led
this appeal.
Where is Kim Yunsik?
I thank you.
You may be his roommate,
but given that I'm his father,
it must not have been easy for you to do this.
I am very grateful.
I did it for my friend,
so I don't believe I need to be thanked.
Your bold spirit is just like that of your father.
I...
Never liked your father.
He was too much of an idealist and a romantic...
to counsel the king.
I was ready to do anything
to crush your father.
I wanted your father to admit
that reality
can never be perfect
and submit to me.
But
I...
Never once thought of taking
your father's life.
I know
you must still resent me.
I don't resent you,
but I always remind myself not to be like you.
Not to be like me?
You step back once
and you will have to step back twice to hide the first step.
Before long,
your footprints are strewn all over the ground,
and you forget where you were headed
in the first place.
I can see
why my son is so fond
of you.
You didn't know I was being released?
Where have you been? What were you doing?
Did you think about how anxiously I'd be waiting for you?
We saw each other yesterday.
But...
What does not meeting today because we met yesterday mean?
So what are we?
Kim Yunsik.
Is this what we are?
What's keeping you two?
Are you having a deep heart to heart?
That's right! Drink up.
You can get drunk as a dog tonight. It's all good.
You, too.
Very good. That's right.
Very nice.
Good job.
I didn't think you'd pull through at first.
You led the protest and found "Geumdeungjisa."
You really are a big man.
I just don't grow tired of you, Kim Yunsik.
About "Geumdeungjisa"...
His majesty told me
it's now our turn to dream in the new Joseon.
So
what's your dream?
I plan to think about it.
I'm sorry to be a wet blanket,
but I don't have any more dreams.
I'm Gu Yongha,
and you who know who I am, yet you're still by my side.
I don't need anything else.
Okay.
Let's do this.
Drink a little, will you?
Come on, Big Man! My arm's hurting.
Very good.
Hey, Lee Seonjun! Don't look at me like that.
I think we should wrap up now.
Yeah? Then I'm sleeping here tonight.
I'm so drunk I can't move.
You should go sleep in Yongha's room.
It's too crowded here.
Jaesin is right.
You should get going.
But this is my room, too.
I'm staying in my own room.
What the heck?
The Ravishing Quartet will all sleep here together.
Why can't you do things right?
You couldn't even deal with a puny little fellow
and you made an idiot out of me.
That Kim Yunsik is very dangerous.
Kim Yunsik
is a girl.
What?
How dare she belittle the law
and enroll at Sungkyunkwan?
We told him of our party platform
not to have the transfer of the capital to Hwaseong
but perhaps our king has a reason to believe in something...well...
I just don't know.
The king will hold a convention
and declare the transfer of the capital.
He must have found "Geumdeungjisa."
But
I have something better.
There's nothing to fear.
Kim Yunsik, to whom the king ordered to find "Geumdeungjisa"...
is a girl.
That...
is true?
This is our secret until that day.
We cannot give any opportunity for the king to maneuver.
If you're angry, you have to tell me
what's bothering you.
You're pouting and doing that thing with your eyes.
Be a man and stop being so petty.
You're like a sullen little girl.
What I mean is...
I have a lover who doesn't mind
sleeping among men.
It bothered me and kept me up all night.
Need I go on?
But I don't want to be a sullen little girl.
Then would you feel better if I sleep next to you by the wall?
That would be better.
But you'd have a harder time sleeping if I were to sleep next to you.
Would you be okay?
Kim Yunsik.
Kim Yunsik!
I need to know.
What kind of transcription work did you used to do?
Are you the notorious pretty-faced scribe who specializes
in dirty books?
No! I only transcribed three dirty books.
Three books? My goodness.
Really?
They pay a lot.
I have no idea
what you did and how you lived before entering Sungkyunkwan.
I shall visit your house on our upcoming day off
to find out all about you.
My house?
Do you spend your days off somewhere else?
No. it's not that.
But your visit would mean...
A man of marrying age is visiting his lover's home.
Need I say more?
Really?
We have a rough road ahead of us,
so we should brace ourselves.
I'm ready, though.
Please forget about "Geumdeungjisa."
Don't you think you're being to harsh?
First the father, and now the son?
What do you mean, prime minister?
To realize Your Majesty's dream of reform,
Dr. Kim Seungheon gave up his life.
Are you now about to put his daughter's life in danger?
Kim Seungheon's daughter?
Kim Yunsik,
a Sungkyunkwan student...
is a girl.
In your quest to find "Geumdeungjisa"
you violated the eight key principles of Confucianism
and have become a failed leader.
You just can't give up on Lee Seonjun, can you?
I'm not your errand boy, you know?
You still look down on me?
I've come to help you. Mind your manners.
My brother knows.
So that you know about it
means that it is a matter of time for father to know about it.
So who knows what, huh?
Why don't you tell me so that I could know about it.
Don't tell me you didn't know?
But, miss. What is this about?
That Kim Yunsik is a woman.
Hey, Mun Yeongsin.
Have a drink.
I used to think
you hated the world.
That's why I felt sorry for you all this time.
But now I know.
You never hated the world.
You loved it dearly.
That's why
you could live the way you lived.
Am I right?
It's freezing.
You hated the cold.
Hey, Crazy Horse!
We have a problem.
Hey, Lee Seonjun!
Did you hear, too?
About what?
Look at me.
Are you ignoring a royal order?
Look at me!
I am
a failed king
who violated the law...
and the eight Confucian principles.
So, you both
are already know that?
Kim Yunsik is woman?
Yes.
Hyo-eun said that the Minister of War is quietly looking for him.
Who took him over?
Why? Where?
It must be the Minister of War who wants to display that
Kim Yunsik is a woman, and conversely,
isn't this the fact that should not be displayed?
Who is that?
If "Geumdeungjisa" is not covered,
I will hold you liable to violate the national laws to cause a woman
to sneak into Sungkyunkwan to carry out the secret mission
for private purpose.
This is
what your silence has brought about.
Are you satisfied?
Your Majesty.
Why did you keep it from me?
You're my vassal and friend!
If you have to punish me by death...
I will accept it.
But don't fault that child.
The fault is all mine.
Is this because of your adherence to Western learning?
I heard
they dream of a world in which men and women are equal in the West.
Western learning...
has taught me that
all human beings are equal...
regardless of wealth, class, or gender.
But
as a government official of this nation,
I once thought
a girl had no need for education...
or a place in government.
So why?
That child taught me...
that what we learn
is not separate from reality.
Then go to the god
of Western learning for forgiveness.
Go away.
Western learning is but a discipline of study.
The only master I uphold...
is...
Your majesty.
There's something you need to do.
I thought...
you were a man of your word.
I did all that you've...
You'll want to do this.
Bring Kim Yunsik to me.
But why?
Kim Yunsik is not a man.
She's a girl!
But that's absurd...
I need to catch that girl who caused this absurdity
and restore the nation's honor.
Bring Kim Yunsik by the coming new moon.
By capturing that arrogant bitch who violated the national laws,
I will have her pay for her crimes with death.
I will have her pay for the crime of taking advantage of Choseon
and making mockery out of her.
Please tell us.
Is Kim Yunsik with his majesty?
Yes.
And that's for her safety, right?
I was afraid of the minister of war and Norons
who may inflict harm to Kim Yunsik by holding her
responsible to come into Sungkyunkwan.
So that I intended to protect Kim Yunsik...
Right?
It's late.
Go to your rooms.
I heard
his majesty is holding a convention on the day of the new moon
at which he will announce the transfer of the capital to Hwaseong.
His majesty will use "Geumdeungjisa"
to silence any opposition
from the Noron.
Am I right?
Yes.
But if the war minister and the Noron
fight back, pointing out that Kim Yunsik...
who found "Geumdeungjisa" is a woman...
what will his majesty do?
We have
the right to know what his majesty's plans are.
Please tell us!
Please tell us not to worry.
Please tell us his majesty will protect Kim Yunsik, no matter what.
Please
tell us that's a part of his majesty's vision.
Why can't you answer us?
Professor.
Because Kim Yunsik found "Geumdeungjisa"
is the reason why...
she...
will be forsakened by his majesty?
I think that
the king is the sacred king who brings out the cruelty
of a beast to place the people to the path of
holy men.
Cruelty of a beast
Leave out Kim Yunsik and
accomplish your long lasting hope and dream.
That is for
Joseon.
You're pathetic.
You're weak.
It's not like the nation's survival is at stake.
Don't put your life out there for something so trivial.
Father.
Please help me, father.
Save that kid.
A new world opened up to me
after meeting that kid.
It wasn't the ideal world I learned about in books.
It was the world I wanted to live in.
But...
that world is crumbling.
Yet...
I am pathetic and weak.
There's nothing I can do.
Nothing.
Nothing
whatsoever.
So will you...
please help me, Father?
Are you
my son?
I was stupid.
It was something not permitted to a woman.
Why did I have such a lofty greed.
For such, you are
almost lost the ways to revenge of your father.
I am going to leave you
and revenge the stern longing of my father.
Aren't you regret it?
How my father left me
will not be forgotten.
However, I
will have in
my heart.
How he had lived.
What he dreamt of...
Because he is
there for me.
Did you ask me if I am not regretting it?
I...
Want to live, Your Majesty... still...
However, even if I go back to the time,
I will dream of such unrealistic greed again.
I will dream of such a miracle never permitted for me
and will not be stopped to be foolish, Your Majesty.
After that day
then I will truly
be living again.
What did I tell you?
I've never had faith in the king.
Say something. You're driving me nuts.
She must be scared.
She's all alone.
- Wine! - Coming right up.
I want more wine!
Where will we stay? There are no rooms.
The entire Council of Confucian Scholars is in the city.
All the rooms are booked until the new moon.
Why has the war minister summoned us all of a sudden?
Who knows?
The king may do something wacky again.
The war minister says he needs our help.
The war minister has summoned the council.
The new moon...
They're here
for the convention.
Your Majesty.
The convention will start soon.
Your Majesty.
It I give up my life to light up the world
it would be a glory for me too.
The convention will start at 5:00 p.m. today.
If "Geumdeungjisa" is announced at the site, the minister of war
may mobilize the Confucian scholars to attack the king
based on the fact that Kim Yunsik is a woman.
Then the king has no other alternative
but to leave the Big Man.
So
if we find out the meeting place of the Confucian scholars,
and block off the meeting
we can save Kim Yunsik.
Another way is to
have the king to discard "Geumdeungjisa" before he goes to the banquet
and all Norons in the banquet to participate in the transfer of the capital to Hwaseong
for the king not to have Geumdeungjisa at all.
Let's help the king
move the capital to Hwaseong.
- Prime minister! - Move the capital to Hwaseong?
If we help the king move the capital to Hwaseong,
where his father's grave is,
the king will also pressure us
regarding his father's death.
What has gotten into you?
I know I'm putting my political career on the line,
but I beseech you.
- We cannot compromise! - No can do!
We have agreed to wait for the war minister...
- At the convention. - That's right.
We need a leader who will fight for us against the king.
Let's go!
I'm sorry, Choseon.
It's all my fault.
I do not deserve someone
so beautiful and upright as yourself.
I'm sorry.
I am very sorry, Choseon.
If we go to where the scholars of the council are staying,
we'll be able to find out where the convention will be held.
If we find out before five o'clock, we'll be able to figure something out.
It must be nice to get love letters from beautiful courtesans.
Youth is invaluable.
This is from Choseon?
Did you say you will get Kim Yunsik to stand before the council?
I have someone who will bring her to me.
Is that the same person who posed as the Red Writer?
That person has never disobeyed me.
I won't be let down.
I can't do your bidding any more.
Isn't that Choseon, proctor?
I...
I told you...
to bring that girl before the council.
You won't be attending the convention, either.
I'll make sure of it.
What are you doing?
Step aside right now!
What have you been doing to her?
Step aside!
I'll take care of everything.
No. Now that I know,
I won't let you.
Make way!
I have to go meet the council!
Make way?
I don't want to.
And when I don't want to, that's final.
This is the first time
you're acting like a human being.
Get them out of my way!
Why isn't the war minister here yet?
We should just go to the palace on our own.
We can find out what's going on in Sungkyunkwan at the convention.
Professor Jeong must have gotten my message by now.
Where the heck is he?
They do nothing but read, and yet they're as strong as oxen.
The minister of war sent me here.
I'm Gu Yongha, a professor at Sungkyunkwan.
A professor?
It's almost 5:00 p.m., Your Majesty.
You need to get to the convention.
Are you also here to ask me
to spare that child?
Kim Yunsik.
I've come to ask you to forsake Kim Yunsik,
or rather, Kim Yunhui.
And I ask that you
forsake me, too.
Because there is no hope...
in the new Joseon you're envisioning.
You're about to forsake Kim Yunhui
not because she violated the law and the eight Confucian principles
and entered Sungkyunkwan where women are not allowed.
You're about to forsake her
because she's getting in the way of your dream.
It is you who handpicked those unfit for the standards
of righteousness and propriety in order to realize your plans for reform.
My high regard for you may have been misplaced.
Have you been fighting not for the people,
but to bring down the Noron?
Is the world you envision
not for your subjects,
but only for your beliefs?
Stop.
Stop it.
You said a needle that no longer wavers because it doesn't keep itself in check
won't be able to point in the right direction.
I return this compass you gave me.
Just who is the Sungkyunkwan student having such a problem?
There is no such a student in Sungkyunkwan.
The king will turn all he laws and manners of the country
upside down once again
with the matter of the Sungkyunkwan students.
Now, let's not waste the time but to go to the palace.
- Move! - Move!
Good grief!
- Shame on you! - Fiend!
Who do you think you are?
I'm Gu Changseo, the second son of the commissioner of law.
Are you
the son of the commissioner who lives on Persimmon Street?
Yes, but...
it's me, Gu Yongha, uncle!
You're the one who kept failing the High Exam.
You're also the one who got us a family registry for an acre of land.
Why... But...
Rascal!
I know.
You sacrificed yourself
to show a rascal like me the teachings of Confucius
through action.
As a mere merchant's son,
I never thought I'd get into Sungkyunkwan.
Learning makes
no class distinctions.
That is, learning is open to everyone
according to Master Confucius.
I'm sure you all remember.
Of course we do!
That's what you taught me, uncle.
Me?
But of course I did!
The gift
of teaching
is having
a talented student.
That is, being able to teach an intelligent individual
is one of the three greatest sources of happiness for a gentleman scholar...
according to Master Mencius.
- That's right! - Of course!
I took you under my wing
to practice the teachings of Confucius and Mencius.
But it seems as though you have already forgotten those teachings,
even before the ink on the fake registry dried.
If you're here to pass judgment on whether or not
someone's fit for Sungkyunkwan,
you and I should be the first to be punished, uncle.
You've finally decided to join the game.
How to go palace?
You pass,
Gu Yongha.
The war minister?
To the palace...
Although we managed to keep him from meeting with the council, alas...
So, is it all up to the king now?
I know very well
you are against the transfer of the capital to Hwaseong.
It is a dream I cannot give up.
Because of your faction's platform,
you are not willing to compromise.
But
I found something that can quash your opposition.
"Geumdeungjisa".
- "Geumdeungjisa"'? - "Geumdeungjisa"'?
It is my secret weapon
with which I can turn the Noron into national traitors
and push ahead with my plan.
Minister of War Ha Yugu reporting, Your Majesty.
It is this!
Right here.
Your Majesty! That...
I am not finished, minister of war!
I know everything. "Geumdeungjisa" was...
"Geumdeungjisa"...
no longer exists...
almost as if to mock
my foolhardy desire.
But I won't...
give up on my dream of moving the capital...
to Hwaseong.
It's because I didn't set upon this quest to beat you.
I set upon it for my subjects.
I plan to continue trying...
until the very end.
What's the meaning of this?
There's no "Geumdeungjisa."
I'm quite confused myself.
Minister...
The king has ordered that you be arrested
for seizing the former king's last will and testament ten years ago.
What?
Promise me...
that you will...
forever remember...
neither my pathetic death...
nor my short life...
but the future...
of this nation...
I so passionately yearned for.
I want to be able to live on
in your memory.
I will,
Your Majesty.
A woman who dares enter Sungkyunkwan...
You're a lot bolder than I had thought.
Did you say you were going to look to me as a negative example
to keep yourself from losing your sense of direction in life?
It won't be easy.
Oftentimes, you stray even if you know exactly
where you ought to be headed.
It's even harder if you're alone.
So, would you stay by my son's side?
Am I being too greedy?
Thank you, Jaesin.
That was the last time.
She's your responsibility now.
I don't want to have to worry about her again.
You be good now.
I won't ever forget your warmth and friendship.
Thank you.
That's enough. You're embarrassing me.
What are you doing here?
She's here, waiting for us.
Let's go.
Big Man's here.
Let's go! Come on!
You run along.
We should go, too.
That's not where you belong.
Then do I belong here?
Come on.
Let's go!
What I can give you...
is not forgiveness...
but love...
a woman's love.
Have you seen the bear that does tricks?
Mr. Wang?
This color really isn't for you.
Your look is too classic
to pull off dresses made by Gu Yongha.
I heard you studied at Sungkyunkwan.
But where did you learn to become a skilled dressmaker?
I'm a natural.
I'm Gu Yongha.
- It's the Blue Writer! - It's the Blue Writer!
There he goes again.
If you keep writing bad verses, it could become habit.
What are they teaching the kids at Sungkyunkwan these days?
I don't see any properly written leaflets any more.
Professor, we have a question about your "Analects" class.
There seems to have been a mistake with the grade you gave me
on my interpretation of "Danger lurks in learning without thinking."
If you only study and do not think...
you gradually lose the ability to think for yourself.
You don't think on your own
and only follow your teacher around.
As such, you cannot be deemed a true gentleman scholar. You fail.
If you have a question, you should look for the answer in books...
rather than automatically turn to your teacher.
As such, you cannot be deemed a true scholar.
So, you fail!
Questioning even what you already know is the basic requisite of a scholar,
so this student passes.
He also has respect for his teacher, making him a righteous student,
so this student passes.
He passes with flying colors, Dr. Lee.
What is the meaning of this, Dr. Lee Seonjun and Dr. Kim Yunsik?
Whether it's over studies or students,
you're always quarreling.
I once again failed to get a promotion
because I could not keep the two of you in check.
Please grow up. Please!
When will you stop your childish bickering?
If you keep at this,
I'll never get to the royal court in this lifetime!
What I'm saying is, it's not just about me, of course.
For the benefit of this fine institution...
I believe it's your turn to clean today.
If all you do is get jealous,
you can't get passing marks as a husband.
I can't help it if you think I've erred,
but I won't allow you to refuse me.
Do I get passing marks for this?
I won't stop until I pass.
What's up with you today?
Hold on.
I still have much to learn.
This book is lasted for...
This is it.
Huh? Is this not?
Hurrah!