Subtitles by DramaFever
[This program is provided by the MCST and the media contents of the KCCA.]
[This drama is loosely based off of historical figures and events.]
[Episode 8]
"In the forest, the strength of autumn is strong."
"There is no way to console this poet's inner heart."
"The river in the distance is blue like the sky."
"The frostbitten leaves are red, as if they are burning."
[Poem by Yulgok (Hyun Ryong)]
I think something is backwards.
In circumstances like this, shouldn't the wife ask her husband?
Wife.
I have something to say.
I must pass the civil servant exam this time.
It is different this time.
Before it felt like it was an obligation, but not anymore.
Deep in my heart, I have a conviction that I must pass.
It is so strong.
If I fail this time, I will shave my head and become a monk.
Once the sun comes up tomorrow
I will ascend the mountain and dedicate myself to my studies.
I really mean it...
Anyway, I must leave early in the morning.
So, I must go to sleep early.
I'd like a reaction to what I'm saying.
Nothing.
I know you heard me.
You made a good decision.
You should do that.
If anything goes wrong--
I will write to you, so all you need to do is study.
Your mother--
We will take care of her, so don't worry about home.
All right.
I'm sure you will all do fine.
Make sure to pass this time and come live with us, Father.
Don't fight, and make sure to get along well.
Don't follow me out.
You too, Wife.
I said, don't follow me out!
Hyun Ryong, get ready to go out.
Hello!
Hello. Hello.
Hello.
"Reading is what raises the foundation of a household."
"Following principles is what preserves foundation."
"Being diligent and not wasteful is the foundation of a household."
We look at what the students have read every day and grade them.
The top 10 students are chosen from here.
They take tests on cultural education and philosophy.
Those who do well are given the right to move further up.
About half of Sungkyungkwan's students are from schools.
Our school sends the most students there.
I see.
"Is the foundation."
"Harmony and obedience are the foundation of a household."
I can call the authorities on you for stealing.
I'm not learning like a thief.
I will be attending this school, as well.
Do you think just anyone can attend?
It's true.
My mother is speaking to the professor right now.
What?
Look over there.
That is my mother.
I heard that there will be extra costs if he attends.
You should know after seeing it, but our household can't afford much.
I cannot guarantee anything.
Mother!
Come by if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Why is Saimdang here?
Professor.
- Oh, you're here. - Yes.
I just saw a lady leave.
Is she a student's mother?
Not yet.
She's not so well off, so she cannot send her son here.
I want to use our budget to help him study.
His name is Hyun Ryong. He is really smart.
A child like that gets no chance because of the meddling of the mothers.
Does that make any sense?
Meddling of the mothers?
There's a mothers group at this school. They are famous.
Honestly, they are a bad group that gets in the way of school operations.
Enough about that.
Have you given more thought about teaching the students here?
Lee Gyeom.
Huh?
Sorry. What did you just say?
I've already read the Four Books and Five Classics of Confucianism.
What else should I review?
What do you think, Mother?
If I do well at this school, I can attend Sungkyunkwan.
By the way, Mother...
wouldn't it faster to get into Sungkyunkwan by skipping to the exam?
What do you think, Mother?
Mother?
Yes.
I think we will have plenty of time to think it over.
You are right.
I've been dreaming about it and I'm just so excited now.
They couldn't have been writing to one another all along.
There is no way.
It has been so long.
What is there to see in a woman who is married with children?
Lee Gyeom...
canceled his marriage and came to Hanyang.
It can't be...
May I come in?
Come in.
Did you look into it?
They moved here recently from North Pyeongchon.
The husband was conned and lost the Soojin Room Home.
They've moved into a house next to the deposed Lady Shin.
The deposed Lady Shin?
Prepare the palanquin.
The professor of the school came by here not too long ago.
It seems he wanted the boy to attend school.
An untalented husband and a smart son.
- Mother. - Yes.
Have some water.
He is not merely smart.
He is considered a prodigy.
There is no one in Gangneun who doesn't know of him.
- Gather the students' mothers. - Yes.
Why is this mountain so high?
This is basically saying I should not come back down.
How could she give me three bags?
It's so heavy.
And all of you crows are the very worst.
I'm going, but you all keep saying, "Go, go, go."
Do you see me stopping?
There you go again. "Go, go!"
I hear the monk hitting his wood block.
I'm finally here.
It sounds so bright.
My heart feels so heavy.
[Sooryongsa]
You guys should go, go!
Why are we out here?
This place is full of thieves even during the day.
Don't move!
I'm already not moving.
He says he's not moving.
Then we will let you live if you hand over all your belongings!
Forget that. Bring your leader here.
You must not have heard about us yet.
We are--
Hurry up and bring him out. Hurry.
Hurry.
Oh my! I am so scared.
I am scared!
I don't think words will work on him.
Words will not work. Get him!
Sir!
Sir! Sir!
Sir...
Sir!
It's hard making a living, isn't it?
- Sir. Sir. - Yes.
Sir! Sir!
Aren't you going to bow?
Sir!
[Im Kkeok Jeong's Mountain Den] So, this man Min Chi Hyung
is doing a lot of bad things in the country.
You would like me to look into him. Is that it?
Yes.
However, you will get hurt if you think of him as just a simple merchant.
There is a rumor that he has a network of men working for him in the country.
Come on, now. I am Im Kkeok Jeong.
Put aside those worries!
All right. Why don't you help me out this time?
Leave it to me.
Those men who steal from the people, I will pull them out by their roots.
You bad bastards!
Well, I'm not sure you ought to be saying that.
But...
Well, you do not need to worry.
I will take it on.
- Hey, you. - Yes, Boss.
I want you to go to Chungcheong and look into that paper business.
You seem to have connections everywhere.
- I want you to go to Gyeongsang. - Yes.
- And you. - Yes!
Lee Gyeom and Shin Myung Hwa's daughter were in love.
They even promised to marry.
Shin Myung Hwa...
I've already read all of these.
I've read all of these three times.
I don't have anything left to read.
What is this?
"Ae Cha Ha Min Sang Chun Yi."
"Ki Myo Chuk Gaek Shim Dan Jul."
Then where is that daughter now?
She married another man and lived a normal life in Ojukheon.
Recently, she moved to Hanyang.
Hanyang?
Hanyang, you say?
Lee Gyeom recently arrived in Hanyang, as well.
Watch who enters the Legendary Bird, especially women.
Watch that area covertly.
Yes.
Shin Myung Hwa's daughter and Lee Gyeom.
- Mother. - Yes?
I found this letter in grandfather's books.
Is this his writing?
Didn't you say that all of his writing was burned?
"I am saddened. "My helpless citizens."
Where did you get this paper?
In the back room, where the books are.
Hyun Ryong.
You must never reveal what you saw, ever.
Do not go into the back room for now.
Do you understand?
Father.
"I am saddened. My helpless citizens."
"The heavens have handed you your fate and you have lost everything."
Everything happened because of this.
Father.
These are the only words you left behind.
Father...
She's not so well off, so she cannot send her son here.
His name is Hyun Ryong. He is really smart.
A child like that gets no chance because of the meddling of the mothers.
Does that make any sense?
Damn it.
Why couldn't she be better off?
That darn music.
What are your standards here?
How could you do this without our permission?
You know that people have started talking about this, don't you?
Mothers, please calm down.
You've made it so that we cannot calm down.
So, let us sit down and talk it through.
Professor, I will be straight with you.
What is your relationship with this new child?
I think you are mistaken about something.
I am only using objective standards as a professor of this school.
There is no other reason.
Fine, then as the leader of this group
I will tell you our objective decision.
We have completed our investigation of that child.
He does not meet the standards.
- That's right. - That is true.
What are you planning, allowing a student of such low status to attend?
- Yes. It's nonsense. - What are those standards?
What else? It's his family...
My lord, Lee Gyeom.
Why is it noisy in here?
Please explain the situation to me.
Well, it's nothing really...
As you know, one cannot attend school just because he is good at studying.
More importantly, the student needs to come from a good family.
I see.
I see that the professor's standards are quite different than yours.
That is what I am saying.
I see that you understand me very well.
Then how about we do this?
What is that?
A contest.
A contest?
Ah... a contest?
Yes, a contest.
A contest.
That's all right, isn't it?
Is it, right?
Yes, a contest.
Yes.
By the way, what are you doing here at the school?
Oh.
You have not heard yet.
I will be teaching here.
Here at the school?
If all you protested, I would have no choice, of course.
Oh, why would we protest to that?
- You're all in agreement? - Oh, yes! Of course.
We will have a meeting soon. You should come by.
Oh, yes. You should all come by the Legendary Bird, as well.
I will host you.
You all saw that, did you not?
Lee Gyeom looked at me and smiled.
We should have our next meeting at the Legendary Bird.
He did invite us.
- Sounds good. - I like that, don't you?
But, who is going to tell Whieumdang?
About the contest.
Oh my.
Me?
Oh, I completely forgot about my mother-in-law's birthday.
Oh my. My husband will be home soon.
Bye, now.
I don't know. You will figure it out.
The contest sounds fun.
Wait. Hold on, now!
They acted as if they would stick with me.
Oh, Whieumdang will not be happy about this.
I heard that she had someone in mind to attend.
Who is it?
Oh, that looks delicious.
That is so hot.
[Lady Gong: Daughter-in-law of the Jang household, richest family in Jeolla]
[Jang Tae Ryong: Only son in the Jang household]
What kind of noodles are these?
These are called buckwheat noodles.
If you eat buckwheat noodles when you are ill and can't digest
they help with your appetite.
They give you energy too.
The mix of broth and noodles is not quite right together.
- Is that so? - Yes.
Tae Ryong, do you know what they put in the broth in Hamgyeong?
They put baby chicks in. They use baby chicks.
What? Baby chicks?
Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for good food.
I think that sounds so delicious.
Right?
I think it would be good to make dumpling soup with these noodles too.
The fragrance is strong.
Also, add a bit of beef.
Look at you.
My Tae Ryong is a genius, a food genius.
What a good boy you are. Let's eat. Go on.
What do you mean by "contest"?
I told you to take care of it.
I did not say to create more trouble.
We said no to it.
Suddenly, Lee Gyeom appeared and suggested a contest.
Lee Gyeom?
He's going to be a teacher at the school.
And who is Lee Gyeom?
Day or night, he's the only one who can speak privately to the king.
It really was not the place for us to reject him.
By the way...
you know the boy you wanted to use your money to help?
- Hyun Ryong? - Yes.
- Is it very hard for him? - Why?
And if it is?
I was just wondering if there are many talented children like that.
They just do not have the means to go to school.
If we searched, we'd probably find many.
You probably know after what you just witnessed
but this is how all the schools are these days.
If you're not from the right family, it is hard to learn.
Let's do this then.
For the students who cannot afford to attend school
I will support them financially.
You can figure out the rest.
Also, it must be a secret that I am the one supporting them.
You're a man now.
I was once a beggar, remember?
I have a soft spot for the weak.
I'll be going now.
Over here. Take a look.
Yes, take a look. Over here.
Over here.
Yes, come take a look.
How much is this?
This paper used for tests is one yang per piece.
Then... what about this?
I don't sell these one sheet at a time.
10 of these cost one yang. Would you like to buy them?
Take a look around.
Do not worry.
I will find a way to get you the paper and brush.
I am fine.
It is more than enough that I get to go to school.
Also...
like this and this...
and writing like this.
It is no different than writing on paper.
I see.
Oh! Professor.
My lady, are you home?
- Hello. - Hello, Mother.
Have you been well?
Yes, but what brings you here?
Will I be allowed to attend now?
I have good news and bad news. What do you want to hear first?
Good news.
Children like Hyun Ryong, who have a passion for learning and show excellence
yet do not have the means to attend school, are plentiful.
A path for children like that is about to open up.
What do you mean, a path?
The Ministry of Education has opened up a special budget.
You no longer need to worry about the extra costs related to school.
Really?
Is that true?
Mother, they say when you have the will, there is a way.
It really is true!
You're right.
Hyun Ryong is a lucky boy.
Then what is the bad news?
That is... it looks like you will need to be in a contest.
There is another boy applying.
A contest? Like a competition?
Then you're saying nothing is for certain.
A complicated issue arose that is difficult for me to tell you about.
However, you should not worry too much.
If it is Hyun Ryong, he should not have any trouble.
Isn't that right?
Yes, I am confident.
Do not worry, Mother. It sounds like fun.
Are you going somewhere?
Yes.
A junior of Eun Soo's dad called asking me to meet.
Min Suk's junior?
Nothing's wrong, right?
No. Don't worry, Mother.
All right. You're all I have.
I think we should have good news soon.
What are you--
Seo Ji Yoon?
Don't look at me and listen only.
Senior wanted me to tell you.
Being as far away from the family as possible is his way of protecting you.
If you do anything rash, you could put yourself in danger.
He asked me to tell you that you should stay quiet.
Wait.
Is he sick or anything?
Is he feeling okay?
Yes.
Tell him that we are okay.
Tell him to take care of himself.
Okay.
Eun Soo, you're home? Grandma's reading a book.
Eun Soo.
Eun Soo?
Eun Soo! What happened to you?
Who was it? Huh? Who did it?
Since they passed the law on moral character education
that has been all the rage.
The Ministry of Education says that you cannot succeed with this new way.
Who can trust what they say?
I know.
Anyhow, I'm sending my Chang Min to leadership camp this coming vacation.
Forget about that camp.
Take your kids home and educate them on their moral character.
Who are you?
I'm Jung Eun Soo's grandmother.
Your son, who needs to go to camp and learn how to get along with kids
dared to injure my precious grandson's face.
How absurd.
How uncultured of you in this public place...
Uncultured?
Yeah, I'm glad you brought that up.
Yes, my daughter-in-law is a university instructor.
She may not be a professor yet, but--
Eun Soo's mother is at Korea University majoring in art history, right?
- Yes. - I know the dean of that school.
They had a disciplinary committee not too long ago because of Eun Soo's mom.
Don't you know that she was fired during the conference?
She caused some sort of problem or something.
What? What did you say?
Go ask your daughter-in-law about it.
Or go to Korea University to confirm it.
Why is she walking around like that and getting rained on?
Hey! What's it to you whether I get rained on or not?
What is this granny saying? Is she crazy?
What? Granny?
Did you do anything for me as I aged?
Did you?
- You must be crazy. - Yes, I am crazy!
You'd better watch out. Who does she think she's dealing with?
Mother.
What's with you?
What have you been doing that you got fired?
Are you out of your mind?
I had something that came up.
I will explain it in detail, Mother.
- What came up? - Mother.
You fool me and say you're doing what?
A joint research project?
What are you up to? Huh?
What is this? What?
[Divorce Application]
Di.. divorce?
Mother, it's not what--
Divorce?
Hey!
How could you do this to me? After everything I did for you.
In these past 10 years, you got married, had Eun Soo
got your master's degree, and did post-doctoral work.
That was 10 years.
Is 10 years a short time? Is 10 years short?
Conferences, theses, papers...
You were always out, but I never said a thing.
Why? Because you were my family and you would become a professor.
Because I trusted you!
You don't know if your husband is dead or alive, yet you want a divorce?
You want a divorce?
How could you be so harsh?
How could you be so selfish?
I really hate you.
I hate you.
An application for divorce?
You just need to stamp it and submit it.
Ji Yoon.
Calm down and listen to me.
How can I calm down? Divorce?
How could you do this to me?
How could you do this?
If we get divorced, you can be clean of this.
The rest of the family needs to live.
Divorce, divorce, divorce, divorce!
A divorce!
Lee Gyeom!
[Legendary Bird]
I see that Lee Gyeom has many things going on here.
I may have another thing to attend to.
Not the Legendary Bird, but something else?
Min Chi Hyung brought it up last time.
I should find a worthy cause as kin of the king.
I have found something suitable.
A contest?
On top of that, it has been decided that Lee Gyeom will be a judge.
Why weren't you able to take care of this matter?
Lee Gyeom was getting involved in matters of the school.
What were you doing?
I apologize.
The request came in specially from the prime minister.
The grain land in all of Jeolla belongs to that family.
I realize that.
I will make certain that child gets in.
Trust me and leave it to me.
What level is the child at?
What? Oh, yes.
Well, Tae Ryong.
Show her just how much you know.
Why don't you recite the "Sa Ja So Hak"?
"Sa Ja So Hak"?
"Bu Saeng Ha Shin" "Mo Go Go Shin."
What comes next?
Oh...
"Bo Go... Ha Shi Go"?
Uh... what is it?
Oh, what is wrong?
Are you having indigestion?
It must be from what I ate earlier.
He does this every time studying comes up.
Are you all right?
We will eat something good later, so hold on.
The child does not even know the "Sa Ja So Hak."
If this is the case, even if he manages to win the contest
he will not do well.
What contest?
Does he have to do that to get into the school?
Did you think you would be welcomed just by bringing in money?
Still, how can you bring up a contest now?
It is obvious that my Tae Ryong will fail.
If he fails before even entering
all the elders in the household will be up in arms about it.
Goodness, what am I to do?
No matter what...
he must get in.
Get me all the best tutors.
Yes.
Yes, thank you so much.
- Thank you. - Stay up all night if you must.
He must pass no matter what. No matter what!
I want you to find out what the questions for the contest will be.
Do whatever you need to in order to find out.
"Hon Jung Shin"...
You've been up several nights studying.
Yet, this is all you have to show for it.
What will you do with that brain?
This is Servant Hong.
Come in.
When the warlord Xiang Ji was in his battle with nowhere to go
how did the historian Sima Qian assess the situation?
It's a question in reference to "Constitution of Shiji."
"We could not achieve our goal."
"However, no one like Xiang Ji will arise again."
"Therefore"--
Again.
Mother.
Hyun Ryong, why aren't you asleep?
I am too excited to sleep.
I feel like I am heading toward my dream, so I cannot sleep.
Are you too happy to sleep, as well?
Hyun Ryong, how many teachers are there at the school?
There's the professor and two other teachers.
There are three in total.
- There are no more? - No.
There are three.
All right.
Why do you ask?
Oh, it's nothing.
Go inside and get to sleep.
Mother, you sleep too.
Repeat after me.
"We could not achieve our goal."
"However, no one like Xiang Ji will arise again."
"We could not achieve"--
Again!
"We could not achieve our goal."
"However, no one like Xiang Ji will arise again."
Tae Ryong, I've memorized your answer.
I think my arm is going to fall off.
Thank you so much. Good work.
You are here, today's stars.
- Hello. - Hello.
Okay, so have you prepared hard for the test?
What is there to prepare? It's all about natural ability.
Isn't that right?
You can sit now.
You sure are a sturdy boy.
"We could not achieve our goal."
"However, no one like Xiang Ji"...
"will arise again."
You knew the question before coming?
What am I going to do?
How could I make such a mistake?
You fool.
You must have wanted to go here very badly, as well.
It isn't like that.
I'm not interested in this school at all.
Then why are you here?
If I fail here...
I might end up dying.
- Really? - Yes.
If I fail, my mother...
she said she won't feed me or give me any snacks.
Oh...
Your mother told you to go.
That must be nice.
What is nice?
I begged and begged my mother, but she said no.
I said I would rather not eat. Just send me to school.
What? You would rather not eat?
Yes, I forget it's time to eat once I start to read.
I like books more than rice.
I'm hungry.
I still prefer rice more.
Ah, I want to eat.
You see that chest there?
You will each see a handle in front of you.
If you pull that handle, it will open.
Aren't you curious about what is in that chest?
All right, then.
The person who pulls the handle first will pass.
If no one pulls it...
you both fail.
Do you understand?
You have until this incense finishes burning.
- My lady. - Oh, yes.
Here you go.
Young Master Hyun Ryong must be doing well, right?
Yes, and Hyun Ryong likes this soy bean paste stew.
I'd better have it ready soon so that he can eat it.
Yes.
Get some garlic.
Yes.
What are they doing?
Why aren't they pulling it?
I might end up dying.
If I fail, my mother...
she said she won't feed me or give me any snacks.
I begged and begged my mother, but she said no.
I said I would rather not eat. Just send me to school.
Stop.
You have both failed.
What do I do?
Why didn't you pull it?
You're both crying.
That must mean you want to attend.
You could have pulled it open first, so why didn't you?
Why?
He said that if he did not pass
he may end up dying.
He said rather than eating
he preferred to go to school.
That was why.
You gave me the same answer, so you are tied.
Do they both pass or fail?
Mothers.
It seems that these children have presented us with a test instead.
What do you think, as the leader?
Should we fail them both?
By all means.
We would need a proper test to make a decision, after all.
- That is true. - Oh, yes.
We followed orders and prepared a test, but the test question was leaked.
That is why we had a new test.
Did you know that?
Yes, that is good then. Professor.
Expand the capacity and allow both students in.
- What? No. - That is nonsense.
That is ridiculous.
That is nonsense.
If they were both getting in, why bother with the contest?
Isn't this all a game that was set to get that child Hyun Ryong in?
Who is backing him that such a commotion was made?
Backing him?
He just waited for a persimmon to drop and caught it in his mouth.
He is a country boy from a family I've never heard of.
I'm worried he will dirty the waters.
Now that you mention it...
I have heard some strange things.
Like what?
- Wow. - Wow, you look so cool.
The sleeves look a little long. Come over here.
Young Master Hyun Ryong. You look like you're from Hanyang now.
You show up all those Hanyang boys.
Congratulations.
I dyed this handkerchief myself with safflowers.
You sweat easily, so use this.
Thank you, Mae Chang.
What's so great about dressing the same and reciting Confucius and Mencius?
You can take this.
Oh my. I noticed you were wrestling with a piece of wood for days.
Older brothers are the best.
When did I wrestle with it?
Thank you, Seon.
This will be a one-of-a-kind brush container.
It is really great to see this.
The closeness of siblings is the strength of friendship.
You must remain friends like this in the future.
I am very proud of Hyun Ryong in his school uniform.
But your mother is happier to see your friendship and it is more precious.
Good job, Seon. You too, Mae Chang.
Oh my word. What is this dirty place?
What is this smell?
Is it sheep's manure?
Who are you people? Who are you to show up here unexpected?
How can I help you?
I tend to get sick easily, so I can't sit just anywhere.
I will stand and talk.
When it comes to the boy's school, you cannot just send him there.
Everything that goes on in the school must go through us mothers.
All the information regarding education must be discussed and communicated.
If you plan on sending him there, you must pledge membership to our group.
What do you mean, pledge membership to your group?
How naive of you...
So, this is how you got our kind Lee Gyeom to support your son.
Lee Gyeom... support?
We will inform you of where we meet later on.
Ah, you do have a silk dress, don't you?
It is a tradition for the dignity of our group.
For your first time attending, you should follow the rules.
You must wear silk. You must.
Well, then.
It does not seem like she seduced him with her looks.
She is insipid and boring.
She should be at my level, at the very least.
How did she get Lee Gyeom to help her?
I know.
You helped out a lot this time.
I'll drink this and get going.
I have to prepare for class.
That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard.
You said you wouldn't do anything, so now what are you talking about?
In order to do nothing
people usually prepare further when others are not watching.
Listen to you...
What brings you by?
Subtitles by DramaFever
[Saimdang: Light's Dairy]
I cannot accept your help.
Mother, there is a tree making sounds inside the fire pit.
I can make paper and sell it.
My mother has started a new business.
I will see for myself if you'll ever hold another brush or not.
Why don't we do in it Woonpyeong?
You won't be able to ever paint another page again.
Woonpyeongsa.