1848, 14 years after King Heonjong's enthronement
Power politics and party strife plunged the country into chaos
Uprisings occur all over the nation
Due to corrupt governing and taxation,
people's lives are pushed into extreme distress
But "The Book of Prophecies,"
which tells the advent of a 'True Man'
who will overthrow the dynasty,
starts circulating, thus inciting public unrest.
JUNG Woo
KIM Joo-hyuk
JUNG Jin-young
JUNG Hae-in
KIM Won-hae
CHUNG Sang-hun
and CHUN Woo-hee
Heung-Boo: The Revolutionist
You improved so much.
No, not there...
It hurts.
Four Treasures of the Study
Ah! You startled me.
Make some noise, will you?
Then I wouldn't be KIM Satgat.
Four Treasures of the Study...
Are they paper, brush, ink, and ink stone?
You think so?
Why do people always think all the same?
Look,
what does a writer need most when writing?
A writer needs most?
Paper and... writing brush?
Don't be daft.
It's alcohol, petty talk, woman and imagination.
Right?
So,
you were taken to the Ministry of Justice?
I was fined and flogged for writing a novel that corrupts morals.
It's disgusting.
Tell me, what's so corrupt about a woman dying after sex? Huh?
I offer hopes and dreams during terrible times, and they flog me!
Well, didn't you write this kind of novel for a reason?
I did...
but to no avail.
I brought news that will make you happy.
I heard about your brother, Nol-boo.
Why did you start writing when you know it only brings disdain?
Is it so your name can be known in Joseon and
your brother can find you?
I found out your brother is in the rebellion army.
These armies are led by CHOI in the southeastern provinces,
JEONG in the southwest,
and KWAK, who united the mid-western region.
Then there's famous archer, Gakki,
who can put an arrow in a tiger's eye from so far.
And that's your brother, Nol-boo.
All these men lost their parents in the rebellion.
A man named JO Hyuk raised and taught them.
Excuse me, do you know where JO Hyuk lives?
There.
Therefore, the king's a person who
follows heaven's will to give command,
and his subjects help the king by
advising goodness and preventing evil.
The king and his subjects meet, each fulfilling their duty.
The high and noble king exercises
authority over low and humble subjects.
Low and humble subjects serve the high and noble...
Wrong.
Do it again.
Yes, sir.
Hey! How was it?
Anyone willing to help today?
They're all thinking about their own stomachs.
Who has the luxury for charity these days?
We are self-sufficient for food
but still need books and clothes.
Anyway, good work.
Stop there. Cheon-doong, you start.
Yes?
Is this where JO Hyuk lives?
It is, but...
I'm looking for my brother...
General Gakki.
I want to meet him.
Gakki...
15 years ago, during a riot, I lost my parents
and was separated from my older brother, Nol-boo.
15 Years Ago
This is it! We'll all die!
Hold yourselves together.
Stop! Stop Them!
Mommy...
Mommy... Wake up.
Mom!
Heung-boo, that man sells children who survived to China.
Pretend you're dead.
Heung-boo, you gotta do it if you want to live.
Don't cry. Pretend you're dead.
Look! My little brother is dead!
Oh no... My poor brother!
Heung-boo!
My baby brother!
Brother...
Nol-boo...
I want to see my brother.
You're Heung-boo?
That's right.
Your brother is a man sacrificing his life to save the nation,
and you're a hack writer penning stories about sex.
Please, where is my brother?
I can't tell you.
Do you know how much money is on his head?
Judging from the books you wrote,
I can only guess you'd turn a brother in for that money.
Do you have a brother like me?
Would you sell your brother for a few pennies?
Answer me.
Huh? Answer me!
Certainly.
And not just sell him.
My brother and I pray for each other to die.
I have only this to offer our guest.
Do you know who this is?
YEON Heung-boo, the writer of obscene novels.
Ever heard of him?
Ah, of course! He's very famous in town.
You look normal.
Nice to meet you.
You're so naive you can't even tell a compliment from an insult?
When are you leaving?
I'm not moving til I see my brother.
Kids! Guys!
Here. It's ready.
A ball! When did we last have a ball?
Thank you!
I heard it was you who took my brother on a cart.
Shut up! Shut up! Tax time!
- Two rolls for your wife. - Two?
And two for your unborn.
Two more!
Taxes are a country's foundation!
The more, the better.
Taxes be damned!
Your land is my land!
You aristocrats!
Are you stealing land again?
Here, "The Book of Prophecies".
The Book of Prophecies?
Hide it!
It's "The Book of Prophecies"!
Patrol!
Retrieve all forbidden "Book of Prophecies"!
Arrest the street performers who soil this country!
Mere suspicion of treason means capital punishment
JO Hang-li of Gwangyang JO Clan
You've heard of this "Book of Prophecies"?
Oh! Where'd you get this forbidden book?
It's recently spread through the capital like poison.
The 'True Man' has eyebrows dark as charcoal and
fights with the spirit of the great General Eulji
and the intellect of King Sejong. He will save all people.
Absurd, right?
Don't you fit his description?
KIM Eung-jip of Geumsan KIM Clan
The more the people are brought to the State Tribunal,
the quicker it spreads.
A visitor from the palace, sir.
Court Lady KIM...
what brings you here?
Her Majesty sent me.
There are still persimmons left from your last visit.
Leave them somewhere and go.
So... The 'True Man' in this book is...
the person who will dethrone the Joseon King and take his place.
Who does it say he is?
Have you heard of the writer, YEON Heung-boo?
The adventurer who writes banned books
full of vulgarities and carnal desires?
A man of rare talent that moves people's hearts.
So... what about him?
Sir, where are you going so early?
To Bukchon to look for used books.
Ah, I see. What about him?
Sir!
Mr. JO!
Sir!
What is it?
Your brother said the land below Woojang Mountain is his.
That's where our potato farm is.
Sir.
Hey...
Yes?
Where did JO Hyuk go?
And how about some water?
Sir. What're you talking about?
We found the document in our files.
It's ours.
But a family of nearly 20
lives off crops harvested from that tiny piece of land.
Can you not just consider it abandoned?
There's a reason the document was found in my land, not yours.
There was no document in your land!
In my opinion, it's a sign our ancestors are helping me
by lending me their power.
Brother...
Now, what?
Give me til the end of the year
and you can take it.
You think I don't know you've been
housing tramps and helping rebels?
If word gets out we were once brothers,
it'll critically hurt my career,
and if that happens, I'll kill you myself!
This is our last meeting.
You cooked? Without asking first?
And you broke dishes?
I'm sorry, ma'am. The rice in storage was going bad.
I didn't want it to waste, so I cooked it and fed...
My dear sister-in-law!
If you have leftover rice, please give me some.
You're childless, right?
How dare you?
Ow!
Yeah... This is so good!
It's a bad year for rice, so I'm just grateful!
How about slapping the other cheek too?
I've no appetite, so don't cook. I'll just fill up on this.
Here.
Thank you!
Get out! Get out of my sight!
I'm so scared. So... so scared!
Very scared!
Hey.
Here.
This will stop the hunger.
Hello.
Minister JO is your brother?
He's not anymore.
How did your brother become the Minister of Justice
and you become the voice of the rebels?
What happened?
How does one brother become a lewd writer but the other a hero?
Such is life and fate.
Heung-boo,
let's call it a day.
Who are you?
I've come to see YEON Heung-boo.
He's out right now.
Have you come to hire a writer?
Or is it...
about writing a biography for that new, rich official?
Sir! Where have you been all day?
Do you know how many people have come looking for you?
Hey, what's wrong with your language?
You want to be a writer, yeah? So what kind of attitude is that?
What's this?
Anyway, why did you want to see me?
Can you fill in what's missing from "The Book of Prophecies"?
But my specialty is love, sex and... you know?
I don't know anything about this.
I'll get to the point.
Write this and the Joseon Dynasty will collapse.
A man named KIM Eung-jip of Geumsan KIM lineage
will rebel and become the new king.
I have no problem writing that,
but why ask someone like me who writes erotic novels?
I'll pay you generously.
How much do you want?
Well... writers don't just write anything for money.
Don't you want to see how your words
can inspire people?
Complete 'Book of Prophecies'
Write it however you want.
Sir, I don't know if I should say this,
but in the original book, there's a king who saves people, right?
That rumor's all over the capital, Hanyang.
But the king's not from royal family.
You can chitchat about the world after doing your duty.
Now, grind the ink. Okay?
And if he wasn't born royal, where was he born? A stable?
How'd you know?
Sir, you're extraordinary!
The book said he was born in a stable.
I got it, Seon-chul. Please, the ink.
So! Born in a stable and king of the people.
He got capital punishment like this, but within 3 days,
the dead lived again.
Yes, I see. Start grinding.
What's more is
he was born of a virgin.
Oh, come on!
What a scattered mind you have.
If you made that story up,
don't even think about being a writer, okay?
It's true...
Why'd you accept Minister JO's commission anyway?
You could be...
Gwangyang JO and Geumsan KIM people are like kettles and pots.
Their current situation is an internal war.
And?
I'm curious what really happens next.
There's a new "Book of Prophecies" out.
Me first.
Ladies, what brings you here? Heard the rumors?
Have a seat.
The Complete Book of Prophecies
This book has all the missing pieces everyone's curious about.
Applaud!
The next year will be the year of the fowl.
Geumsan KIM's power will grow, and they will incite a rebellion.
- Rebellion... - Rebellion?
A loyal family cannot condone it.
But a man of Gwangyang lineage will subdue them
and save the country.
The Geumsan KIM's and Gwangyang JO's
from the court?
Shut up! Damn!
Be careful! If you're too loud, we'll get in trouble.
How ridiculous...
We don't know the work's authenticity,
but everyone's reading it.
Dammit!
Some people consider this new book to be outrageous drivel,
but its influence
is much too great to be ignored, Your Majesty.
How much of the book is true to believe?
I don't know.
It's not a matter of truth though.
It's still confusing the people.
So...
this is my opinion after thinking for several days.
I heard you canceled the council meeting.
Um... yes...
You shouldn't listen to the words of the JO's, Your Majesty.
You should listen to me.
I must look ridiculous.
Your Majesty?
I still appear under the rule of the Queen Mother.
Your father, Prince Hyomyeong, experienced that too, but...
Minister of War.
Yes, Your Majesty?
Do you really dream of a dynastic revolution?
Never! Your Majesty,
the country was founded by King Taejo.
How can I dream of something so absurd?
You're not greedy for power then?
That's right, Your Majesty.
I beseech your discernment!
Yesterday, the Minister of Justice suggested a solution.
I thought about it further
and am making the following changes.
Minister of Defense, KIM Eung-jip,
is now Secretary of Ministry of Rites.
Minister of Justice, JO Hang-li,
will now also be Minister of Defense.
The Deputy Minister of Defense will be JO Deok-je,
Secretary of Ministry of Personnel will be KIM Bok-ki, and
Secretary of Ministry of Taxation will be KIM Tae-jun.
Police Chief LEE Ho will be promoted to Royal Guard Chief.
His Majesty is not complying.
Hey, Aeng-du.
So Mr. JO does Mask Plays?
He truly is a mystery to me.
He used to try to enlighten people with Mask Plays.
People? Why?
Oh! Hello, sir.
You must really feel at home here.
Because of your new book, the court's a mess,
which led the king to order an interesting personnel change.
He mixed the KIM and JO people so they'll keep each other in check.
Found this on the way here.
Tell me, Heung-boo,
do you know the power of words?
I just... play a little with a writing brush.
But you know words can do more than swords, right?
Yeah, sure. I've heard that plenty.
Really?
Then...
how about trying it with your own writing?
If you do,
I'll let you meet your brother.
I already did it.
The Complete Book of Prophecies is stronger than swords.
No, not the kind of writing that serves politics.
Promise me you'll write a sharp satire about the country.
Don't cater to popular appetite with butts and thighs.
Write something worthy!
You'll let me meet my brother if I finish such a book?
The story of you and your brother is a story about the world, right?
The tragedy of separated siblings because of troubled times?
Sir, I'm cheerful and bright by nature.
I don't know how to write tragedy.
You really are funny!
Look...
It's been so long since I was separated from my brother.
How can I write it?
Then how about the story of me and my brother?
Just use your talent, okay?
I... don't know.
Your Majesty, this is all of it.
Thank you.
What is it you're studying?
My father has detailed documentation
of a relief policy for the people.
Hello.
- Mr. JO. - Sir!
Good to see you all!
You must have suffered difficulties.
What's suffering if you're still alive?
What about Gakki? Is he doing well?
Yes.
He's quietly waiting for the right time.
He must be.
After Hwang-ho died, the theater troupe was disbanded.
You came here with difficulty,
and now you must go back empty handed.
I'm sorry I am not good enough.
I should've taken care of those who trusted me.
Sir, you took us in til now,
so please don't say that.
- Of course. - That's right.
No... no...
Come on. Give them glasses.
Stop crying, you little baby.
Oh, hey...
Hey, what's wrong?
She fell from the roof and broke her leg.
Shouldn't she go to the doctor?
Who has that kind of money?
We spread soybean paste on it, so it'll heal in a few months.
Huh?
Weren't you chased out of Minister JO's house recently?
Oh, yes... that's right.
Sir,
- what's with the dried fish? - Oh... um...
cook them with rice and let the kids eat.
Oh, sir, thank you!
Kids! Dried fish!
Wow! Dried fish! Dried fish!
Whoa! Swallows!
Huh?
Ah! Swallows!
You're right.
Will spring come for people like us?
If a swallow would fly into our lives, it would be great.
Oh... Soe-tong!
Something terrible happened!
Stop!
Stop! Stop!
Tak-su, they worked so hard for a year for these potatoes.
Don't you think they deserve these potatoes?
Hey...
Hey!
I told you not to come here.
People split one potato
among themselves just to get by.
Don't do this!
They pile them in storerooms,
and if they go bad, they feed them to dogs.
How can a swallow bring hope?
Swallow?
Hope?
Huh?
Say you're a commoner...
I am a commoner.
Right. So, you're a commoner.
What do you hope to possess?
Gold and silver things... A tile-roofed house, maybe?
I'm easy.
A swallow can't bring those things.
Then why'd you ask?
I feel stifled, suffocating.
A swallow would probably bring a gourd seed.
- Seon-chul, grind the ink. - What?
Okay.
That's right!
More paper. Hurry!
Oh my...
Finished! Ah...
Finished!
The Tale of Heung-boo
"Heung-boo eats the rice on his cheek then asks to be hit again."
He got hit but eats the rice anyway.
I mean, the perversion is so deep!
Jeolla-do, Gochang!
Joseon's 8 provinces are stirred up by "The Tale of Heung-boo".
He looked after the swallow with such care.
So the swallow brought a gourd seed,
and the vines were soon heavy with big gourds.
Sir, I love this!
You are a genius for sure!
The capital's boisterous, and the book is being adapted into a play.
The kids will sing songs about it.
That's right!
Great!
♪ Here we go, let's cut the gourd! ♪ ♪ Let's cut a gourd open. ♪
- Yesterday, Heung-boo - Yippee!
- begged for money. - That's right!
Today, he's rich!
What great fortune!
Don't show off for being rich!
Don't sigh for being poor!
♪ Hoorah! Whoopie! Yippee! ♪
♪ Hoorah! Whoopie! ♪
Let's go cut the gourd!
Let's go!
When spring comes, the gourd will grow.
When the gourd opens,
the sky opens!
Here comes Nol-boo!
Nol-boo with the kitchen spoon!
Step away! You wanna die?
Hey! What?
What? What?
Step aside! Step aside!
Step aside, you rascals!
Shut up, you worthless scums!
Oh, oh, oh...
Hey, wife?
What?
We broke 12 swallows' legs.
12 majestic, tile-roofed houses
will come out.
What... what?
Quit yapping and check the gourd!
Let's do it!
Gourd, gourd, gourd, gourd!
Wow! A goblin!
Catch him!
No, save Nol-boo!
What the... what the hell?
What on earth is this?!
Nol-boo is you, Minister!
That damned Heung-boo! Where is he?
Look at him.
Catch the greedy Nol-boo!
Oh, come on. Sir.
- Just over the mountain. - Yes!
There's a rest area.
Let's get a drink.
Ah, nice. Keep it up!
Bye.
Hi, there.
I haven't seen you before.
Where do you come from?
From the capital, Hanyang.
That's a long way. Where are you going?
I'm going to see my brother.
Eh? The person next to you isn't your brother?
What?
You two look alike.
Guess not...
Goodbye.
Oh, thank you!
How do you feel about meeting your brother?
Now that I think about it, I'm worried about one thing.
It's been so long since we were separated.
What if he doesn't recognize me?
He'll recognize you.
Right?
Honestly,
I'm both excited and nervous.
That's how brothers should be.
I envy you.
We have a long way to go. Come on.
Yes sir.
So Heung-boo is JO Hang-li's brother, JO Hyuk,
and Nol-boo is JO Hang-li, isn't he?
And the writer of "The Tale of Heung-boo"
and Hang-li's brother, JO Hyuk...
JO Hyuk?
They are in this together.
Hold on. JO Hyuk?
Isn't he JO Hang-li's weakness?
Those jerks...
Do you remember?
What're you...
What are you doing here?
We're being followed.
Let's separate for now.
What do you mean? But we just got here.
There's nothing we can do. Your brother must be careful.
Let's go.
Come on, Heung-boo.
Now!
Heung-boo!
Hurry!
Sir... just a moment.
You're putting your brother in danger.
Now, come on.
Seon-chul!
Seon-chul...
What...
Chul?
So the vulgar writer wrote "The Complete Book of Prophecies"?
No.
I'll ask you again.
Did he write it or not?
Here!
Arrest JO Hyuk and his men,
who soiled the public's mind with the forbidden book.
Come here!
Sir, you should leave.
Something's wrong.
General HONG left this when he passed away.
A keepsake to remind us to keep his spirit alive,
even though he's gone.
A commoner and a king are no different
Listen, Heung-boo.
If something happens to me,
I hope you, who has the talent to move people's hearts,
will continue in General HONG's way.
Sir, what does that mean?
Keep dreaming
and pass that dream on to the people.
When dreamers join forces, they can change the world.
A world where the lowly becomes high.
I'm an ignorant aristocrat who knows nothing about the world.
I learned that from you.
Seon-chul?
Sir...
I brought this suffering onto you.
Are you alright?
Don't worry, master. I'm alright.
If someone asks you to confess,
give up my name and save yourself. Do you understand?
Sir, you're like a father to me.
If you hadn't taken me in, I would have died homeless.
Nonsense.
You'll walk out of here alive.
You really think so?
Of course.
I never had the chance to thank my parents,
so I want to write a novel about filial devotion.
When you get out of here, you can write that novel.
From beginning to the end, I'll be your assistant.
Hurry and go. Don't worry about me.
Don't worry. I promise I'll be back.
Thank you.
There's a way out for you and Heung-boo.
Why would you betray your master to help me?
Isn't that the political tide now?
Your Majesty,
rumor has it Minister JO's brother harbored the children of rebels.
Such behavior is unacceptable.
JO Hyuk was disowned by the family long ago.
It's nothing to worry about.
Do you know the hottest topic in the capital today?
The Tale of Heung-boo by YEON Heung-boo.
They say it's a novel about
Minister JO Hang-li and his brother, JO Hyuk.
That's not true, Your Majesty.
The liaison between Heung-boo and
JO has been going on for some time,
and I have proof Heung-boo wrote "The Complete Prophecies"
at the instigation of Minister JO.
Concrete proof?
Your Majesty,
Secretary KIM commits high treason when he lies to the King.
Do not forgive that shameless man who does not admit his crime.
How dare you! You ignorant KIM?
Ignorant KIM?
How dare a mere Secretary...!
One of them is surely lying,
so I think it's in order to summon
the writer Heung-boo and reveal the truth, Your Majesty.
The Complete Prophecies...
Did you write this?
Yes, that's correct.
And who?!
Who put you up to write it?
I was hired and paid by Minister JO Hang-li.
Now! Bring the brat out!
Seon-chul...
Tell us exactly what you saw.
I have a dream of becoming a writer, and
I saw how "The Book of Prophecies" moved the people.
So I started a vain joke.
You wrote it?
Yes, that's right.
Seon-chul...
Your Majesty,
my master has nothing to do with this.
He only said he did it out of compassion for me,
but I cannot lie in front of Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, this is my student.
Please, kill me.
I'm a poor girl who flaunted a crude talent
to do something I shouldn't.
Seon-chul!
But... Mr. KIM Eung-jip kidnapped and forced me...
to tell Your Majesty that the book
was commissioned by Minister JO.
No, Your Majesty!
You tramp!
You dare lie before the king?!
That jerk from the JO family is
conspiring revolt with his brother,
JO Hyuk, and this man, Heung-boo.
Here is a letter JO Hyuk exchanged
with the heads of the rebel armies.
Please look at it.
It has JO Hyuk's seal, Your Majesty.
Now! Bring in criminal JO Hyuk!
Is it true you wrote this letter?
Yes.
And is it true you are planning a revolt?
Your Majesty,
JO Hyuk did nothing but help people in need.
How is that revolt or treason?
Show respect! You cannot just run your mouth here!
Your Majesty,
do not listen to what these people say.
Wait. Minister JO.
Criminal JO Hyuk, tell His Majesty we have cut ties
as brothers and no longer have contact with each other.
Minister JO is not interested in people's well-being.
Shut up!
He was born from the same womb as I,
but we are not brothers!
Your Majesty,
I merely looked after poor people
and dreamed our children would live in a different world.
If having such a dream is wrong,
then I am guilty after all.
You fool.
It's a crime to dream!
JO Hyuk...
Wake up...
JO Hyuk, open your eyes.
This doesn't make sense.
It's a crime to dream...
Though the dream is a crime, it can't be punished by death!
Wake up!
Open your eyes!
JO Hyuk, you can't die like this!
Wake up!
Wake up...
I am indebted to you.
Wake up.
Your Majesty,
that girl and her evil writing should be punished too!
Please, grant it!
JO Hang-li, how dare you!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Minister!
Your Majesty?
Minister! Minister!
Your Majesty! I'm innocent!
Seon-chul...
Seon-chul!
Seon-chul...
Seon-chul... Chul!
JO Hyuk!
Thank you. Thank you.
But JO Hyuk...
what about JO Hyuk's body?
How many times have I told you?
It's impossible to collect the body of those punished for treason.
It's been an unwritten law forever.
Hey... hey...
Hey...
Here, take this.
Is this for me?
Thank you, master.
You like it?
I do.
PARK Seon-chul
The talent to move people's hearts...
Continue in General HONG's way...
The people's voice grows louder.
Appeals denouncing corruption flood in.
It's all due to the pioneers of riot
who incited the peasants.
I killed my brother, JO Hyuk, with my own hands.
But still the riot's fire does not die!
Gakki! Catch him right now!
You jerk!
You jerk! You traitor!
His Majesty will not see you!
Did you walk here on your own feet
because you want to die too?
No, Your Excellency.
I have come to ask a favor.
A favor?
Please host a Mask Play of
"The Tale of Heung-boo" in the palace.
What on earth is your play about?
Something that will shock everyone.
Shock?
The loudest moment in the book
is when the gourd opens.
You achieve what you want in that moment.
Gourd?
What do you say?
What do you gain from this?
You get the world you want,
and my brother and I get freedom.
How adorable, your brotherly love.
Change the king just to save your brother?
Shitheel...
Instead of handling state affairs,
His Majesty is avoiding the council.
This is because of my negligence.
Enough! Get to the point!
For the palace feast, I am preparing a Mask Play,
The Tale of Heung-boo
It's known for its humor, and nothing could better
reverse the current tensions in the palace.
If you do nothing, nothing will change,
so I'm writing a new tale that will change the world.
Gather everyone tomorrow night.
Please, I need your help.
When the gourd opens, we cut the King's neck and blame the troupe.
I was told that the palace doors will open
when JO's soldiers get there.
That's when I'll lead people inside.
Mourning clothes!
Tomorrow is the day of the king's death.
The young king was so unfortunate.
Here comes the king!
What a great show!
I hope this feast dispels all of our worries.
Now, let it begin!
Whoopie! Yippee! It's great!
Whoopie! Yippee! Old man!
Oh, what a handsome old man.
Yes, so handsome!
But... old.
When young, we cut open a gourd and became rich.
But was it all a dream?
Haha! That dream was very loud!
But the man who stole our belongings
is still in that yonder land,
eating and living so well!
But! That greedy Nol-boo
is not satisfied and opens his mouth
really wide
to eat the sky!
Enough!
Minister,
why so angry?
It's just a play, isn't it?
Is this really "The Tale of Heung-boo"?
Seems like it...
It doesn't matter as long as the gourd opens, right?
Here comes Prince Hyomyeong!
Son...
What a shame... you are just like me.
The excellent high officials here
gave me so much good advice.
I wobbled to the left.
I wobbled to the right.
I danced many lousy dances.
Father?
Oh, no! The throne is empty!
Someone must want to sit there!
Someone must!
Such a joyous day.
Let's play.
How is this the "The Tale of Heung-boo"?
I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I don't know...
No more swords.
What are you doing? Break the gourd!
Come! Hurry up!
Doesn't it look like
Nol-boo wants to kill the king and take the throne?
Shut the hell up! This is not how the story goes!
It's the new "Tale of Heung-boo".
Now, let's break that gourd.
What is that?!
We were tricked!
It's not a gourd!
Let's hurry up!
Stand guard!
Kill any who insult the court!
Kill them!
I should've killed you long ago.
Minister!
Dreams are only a crime
if they are dreams like yours.
Heung-boo, you bastard!
Please be a king who puts the people first.
Stop!
JO Hang-li's revolt
has been contained by the people.
Now, I'll ask you one question.
Do you think power tainted by bias
has the right to rule us?
We are the true owners of this country.
The people.
The people, all of you
are the hope.
We did it!
The Book of Prophecies
3 months ago
Sir, do you believe Heung-boo is the 'True Man'?
The man who wins the people's heart wins the world.
The 'True Man'?
That's the choice of the people.
When in a good position, do well
When with good people, protect them
JO Hang-li is plotting revolt
Hurry and protect your royal body
The Tale of Heung-boo
Ah, you startled me.
Make some noise, will you?
Then I wouldn't be KIM Satgat.
Here! Seon-chul's book is out!
The girl pretended to be a boy just to write, didn't she?
The Tale of Simcheong
Where is your brother, Nol-boo?
He retreated to Gyeryong Mountain.
Maybe because he's used to solitude.
It must have been hard adjusting to worldly life.
Heung-boo, where are you going?
To meet Nol-boo.
I envy you brothers.
Sir, are you happy where you are?
Happy?
What use is happiness and unhappiness in life?
Look at swallows. Aren't they just doing their duty?
You do what you have to do.
So keep dreaming.
Right. My dream is that the gourd
from the swallow will break open one day.
A gourd called hope.
We were grateful to make this film with the late KIM Joo-hyuk.
15 years later, more corruption sent the people's anger soaring again
Master Gakki, everything is ready.
Let's dream the dream of hope once more.
NOL-BOO The People's Guardian, Gakki