THIS DRAMA IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
SOME ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARACTERS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
You punk!
You... How dare you!
My father is not a dog.
He's the best general in Goryeo, Seo Geom.
So tell me to fuck off again if you dare, you bastard!
Someone told me that I am the greatest swordsman of Goryeo.
PASS
Now, leave.
EPISODE 2
Aren't you coming?
What?
Yes.
Aren't you happy to see me?
Now, I can hope to get
that ten seom of rice again.
-That's great. -Yes.
My gosh!
You have a good eye.
Daylilies symbolize a harmonious marriage and help you conceive a son.
Fly this kite and conceive a healthy boy.
"Marriage"? "Son"? Don't ruin someone's future here.
Whose future?
-Yours, of course. -Who knows? It might be even brighter.
Why can't a beautiful lady and a handsome man fall for each other?
-Enough. -Are you taking the military exam?
This kite with lilies will help you become a high-ranking military official.
Let's go fly a kite.
The kite will take all the bad luck away.
Bring Yeon. We'll go get some fresh air.
Forget it. She'll boss me around.
Don't give me that. I know how much you care about her.
Bring her. I'll let her boss me around instead.
Well, if you insist... Shall I bring her, then?
I'll take this cherry blossom kite.
Beautiful cherry blossoms. Here's your cherry blossom kite.
Here.
Me?
Tomorrow at Yeseongjeong.
Let's fly it together.
I should get you guys one too, then.
Why the squid kite for me?
See you guys tomorrow.
Why the squid kite?
Hey!
Hui-jae.
-Hui-jae. -Mom.
Sweetheart!
Give this to Madame Seo.
Don't look back. Just go, okay?
I'll come for you...
Mom!
Cut it out, you bitch.
Find it.
Look at this kid.
She's panting like a goldfish.
This little rat...
Your movements tell me that you learned proper sword fighting.
And you have the straight sword, which the military uses.
I bet you are wearing your uniform underneath.
Identify yourself!
Someone told me that
I am the greatest swordsman of Goryeo.
I am the Commander in Chief of the Northern Punitive Force, Seo Geom.
Now,
I shall slash you.
I have built thousands of stone tombs in battlefields.
These will never come apart even if the mountains collapse.
Do not
let anyone oppress you.
That's the only way you won't collapse.
Don't let anyone intimidate you even if they're stronger than you.
Only then can you hold out.
I will be sure
to repay you for this.
Sure, repay me.
With high interest.
My gosh!
No!
-My goodness. -Father...
No, don't do this to me.
No! You said...
Hwi means "to shine."
And Yeon means "beautiful."
I heard a well-made bow sounds like the geomungo.
It was true.
Let's go fly a kite tomorrow.
So I can get rid of bad luck before the big day.
"The big day"?
The military examination.
What?
Sir, why did you pretend you didn't notice them earlier?
What do you mean?
Those two guys and that girl. I know you saw them.
Did I?
What is the reason, sir?
Why must you pretend you didn't see them? We nearly caught them.
Watch what you say.
I will report this to Chief.
I will be sure to seize this opportunity.
-Colonel Choe. -Make your decision by tomorrow.
Jeez.
Did you put on that blush with your foot?
Don't laugh. If you do, I'll kill you.
I'll really kill you.
I clearly told you not to laugh!
Who is she?
What?
My boss.
She's my sister.
You must be Yeon.
I didn't know this good-for-nothing guy had such a beautiful sister.
You are quite beautiful yourself.
My name is Hui-jae.
I am Yeon,
Seo Yeon.
Did you crush safflower petals and mix them with water to make the blush?
How else can you make it?
Water is no good as it dries quickly.
Use camellia oil instead.
It absorbs easily and doesn't smudge.
Shall I show you how it's done?
Shall I?
Well, you can show me if you'd like.
Do clothes make the woman?
I'd say it's the makeup.
The poster pasters are at Yeseongjeong.
The word must not get out.
You and I are the only ones that know about it, sir.
Let's go.
Don't try to fight the wind.
Let the kite move with the wind.
Move with the wind instead of fighting it.
You'll live long if you unwind the spool all the way to the end.
I want to live long enough to die of old age.
I can't believe the string broke because of the wind.
I can fix it.
Hwi, just leave it!
I said, just leave it.
Don't.
You might fall and die.
The broken kite string and a white butterfly
seem like it's foreshadowing an early death, don't they?
It's all just a myth.
Worrying about things won't cure her illness,
just like how pus will never become flesh.
You need to be indifferent about it
in order to tame it.
I guess you've figured it out.
She looks so pale, and her hands are ice-cold.
How could I not know?
I also know that she's wearing a ton of rouge to cover her purple lips.
She has epilepsy.
It's getting worse.
Yeon would've been much better off
with a sister like you than a brother like me.
She can find many sisters like me,
but no one can replace you.
All right. I shall go get that kite.
Wait, gosh.
Hey.
-You are one fearless girl. -Hold tight.
You said a broken kite string doesn't mean death.
I said it to make you feel better.
Darn it. Why are you so heavy?
I got it.
People are flying sky lanterns.
-Where is Seon-ho? -What?
He went to find you. You didn't see him?
There he is. I will get him.
What are you doing?
Don't you worry. I will take you in one piece.
You rat.
Lose your sword.
Let's see who deserves to be called a rat.
Nam Seon-ho, you are arrested for putting up those posters.
Does the Capital Patrol arrest just about anyone?
Just wait. I will arrest that bitch at Ihwaru too.
Don't you dare lay a finger on her!
Just worry about your family.
Your father is next.
Gosh, where did he go?
Let's just go.
I am worried Yeon might catch a cold.
I envy Yeon.
She has someone who can carry her home.
That's what I am saying.
You are two peas in a pod.
Didn't you call me a good-for-nothing earlier?
I am not talking about Yeon.
"Do not let anyone oppress you.
Only then will you not collapse."
That's random.
"Don't let anyone intimidate you
even if they're stronger than you.
Only then can you hold out."
What is this about?
I figured you probably never got to hear it.
I heard it just now.
Don't let anyone oppress or intimidate me.
Then it's all good.
Let's go.
I did not kill him,
and you did not see anything.
The one who lets out this secret will die first.
I did not save you for your sake,
nor was it because of your father.
Thus,
do not kid yourself into thinking that I am on your side.
Why you?
Why is it that you are the one who made it out alive?
-You should have died instead of him. -My lord.
Please spare his life.
You should have died instead of my son!
This was your brother's.
With this, you will always hit your target unless the bowstring quivers.
Your brother did.
Prosperous times are ruled by scholars,
and turbulence is overturned by the military.
An era of sword will come.
The sword will not
discriminate against you for being an illegitimate son.
It will
accept you into this family.
Hence, the sword
will show you a world that you have never even imagined.
Then promise me one thing.
If I pass the military examination,
you will not talk about Min-ho in front of me ever again.
I wish to live my own life from now on.
You have my word.
Who is the best swordsman in Goryeo now?
It is swordsman Seo Hwi.
It's not Father's fault.
I ended up with this illness
because of the person who framed Father.
His stipend was so little,
yet he never hesitated to give rice to his subordinates
who ran out of rice or whose family member was sick.
We had to live on millet because he gave all the rice to his subordinates.
And what? He siphoned off military rations?
He was corrupt?
Do you really believe that?
No, I don't.
HWI YEON
Bang-gan.
Born on July 2, 1364, in Gwiju-dong in Hamhung.
He is the fourth son of Yi Seong-gye. His mother is from the Anbyon Han clan.
He's skilled in martial arts,
and he seems brave, but he is actually rather vicious.
I am utterly speechless.
Did you memorize this whole thing?
From the junior 9th rank to the 2nd State Councillor.
All of their family members.
"Knowledge is gold, and gold is power," said Madame Seo.
Next.
Nam Jeon's son, Nam Seon-ho.
Next.
"Born on April 5, 1368.
Illegitimate son of Nam Jeon, the head of the Royal Stables.
Officially, he's not considered a member of the family as his mother was a slave.
He is well-read, skilled in martial arts, and handsome."
He is.
Enough, okay?
Let's see. Seo Hwi?
-Begin. -We will now begin.
Aim.
Shoot!
The wooden arrow, iron arrow, and short arrow.
Miss the target even with just one, and you are disqualified.
Horseback spearing decides whether you pass.
The sword duel is the final round.
You said you would change your destiny.
Go for it.
Do that and change this corrupt world.
I know you can do it.
And I, too, will see
how high I can climb.
I will fight to the death,
even if you're my opponent.
See you in the final round.
SEO HWI NAM SEON-HO
The final round.
-Begin. -We will begin now!
What?
Stop.
You'll die.
"Don't joke about swordsmanship.
There is no such thing as friends before swords."
Seon-ho.
I...
came here, determined to kill you if I must.
So do it properly.
Don't be such a do-gooder.
It's over.
The end.
Nam Seon-ho wins.
Did you not say it was over?
All I did was nod my head.
All civil service examinations
don't come to an end before the examiner calls time.
How...
How could you do such a thing?
Your question is wrong.
You should first figure out why I couldn't do such a thing.
Get rid of him.
Do you want me to cancel your pass?
Is it because
my father was sentenced to death by boiling?
Was he?
If not, why...
If you are that curious,
you should go ask the cauldron your father was dipped in.
First place,
Nam Seon-ho.
Smile.
This is the moment your life is changing.
What is going on?
Go to the ice room and get me some ice.
And some thick cotton cloth.
Ice?
It's prohibitively expensive.
Bring some hemostat too.
Hurry.
Do as she says.
What's your relationship with him?
What's up with you two?
We are meant to be together.
That's what it is.
Does it answer your question?
Are you feeling better?
What do you think?
I guess you are all right.
What about Seon-ho?
He was getting an appointment.
So why did you give me the squid kite?
The one with lilies was pretty.
I'll give you the lily kite next time.
Stay still. Let me cover your wound.
Yeon would be frightened.
Seo Hwi.
His father was sentenced to death by boiling.
His sister has epilepsy.
And he's a penniless fool who just failed the state exam.
He sounds the worst.
So?
What's wrong with that?
Once this guest leaves, you'll enter the big room.
However, don't close the doors.
Sorry?
You heard me.
Wait, Yeon...
Right, Yeon, of course.
She'll be worried.
I guess I should go.
Get changed then.
It's for your cuts.
Sprinkle it whenever you can.
Pus will only make it worse.
Why does a courtesan house have this medicine?
Apart from the prisons, this place
sees the most blood.
It makes sense.
Don't cry in front of Yeon though.
I never even shed a tear at birth.
I'll get going.
-Please have another. -Why not?
Please enjoy, my lord.
-Could I have one too? -Sure thing.
Is it because my father was sentenced to death by boiling?"
You should go ask the cauldron your father was dipped in.
My, that's good.
Isn't it?
My lord,
please help.
Both the mortician and bier-carrier
are turning a blind eye.
Please...
let me at least bury him.
My father is still rotting!
Although I feel bad for you,
but I will be considered just like him if I take in his body.
So,
go home.
Please, I am begging you.
Please bury my father beside my mother.
What if they don't cross paths and miss each other?
What will happen then?
You were his friend!
This isn't how friends treat each other!
My lord, please!
My lord!
Please help me.
My lord!
Hwi...
Stomping in here without announcing oneself?
You must be Hui-jae.
The message I gave Nam Jeon...
Was it from the state exam examiner?
What if it was?
That single message ruined a man's life.
How can you not be ashamed?
The gold bought us a year's worth of rice.
-That's why I am not ashamed. -Seol!
I told you end that relationship,
but you didn't listen to me and got tangled up.
Don't make friends.
Love? Stay clear from that too.
It's only your heart that'll break.
That may be how you lived your life,
but I can't.
I...
won't.
What is this?
You are confined to our walls until this blows over.
Seol!
You need more lessons on life.
I have something to ask.
Let me answer first.
Yes, I bribed the examiner.
How are you not ashamed by any of this?
If that's the case, why didn't you tell me you bribed him before the exam?
"I bribed him, so you'll be in first place no matter what."
That's why I bribed him.
Even with the bribe, you still needed to do your best.
That's why...
I am only telling you now.
I still could've won on my own.
Maybe so,
but I couldn't afford a loss.
You said you fight for your own sake,
but I put you in first place for my sake.
Things never go in your favor. That's life.
Painful memories must be subdued and buried.
You ruined my only friend.
I can never forget that.
Then take it back!
Admit that I bribed the examiner.
Do it! What are you waiting for?
Your friend?
When you are poor, you run out of rice first
and then your friends leave you.
Are you saying
that such a friend means more to you?
Is that so?
You are the one who betrayed your friend.
You may use me as an excuse,
but don't blame me.
Congratulations, by the way.
By the looks of it, you flunked.
I couldn't have flunked it harder.
I knew it.
A military officer, my ass.
I'd rather live quietly hammering at metals and weapons.
And a hairpin for me?
That wouldn't be all.
I'll even make you a silver ring and a gold norigae.
Are you trying to burn a hole in my face?
How did you get beaten up during the exam?
I tried to duck,
but I got smashed.
Oh, dear.
The scars will ruin your handsome face.
You did well,
my brother.
You did well.
What's gotten into Ms. Stubborn?
Hunger crumbles just about anyone.
Anyone.
Unless you want trouble,
you'll shut this trap.
-Got it? -Yes.
Come with me.
Now!
You asked for us, General?
Follow me.
When I was surrounded by enemies in Mount Huang,
you alone came to my aid.
I still remember
how you stood by me when I had cuts and bruises all over my body.
I am in your debt
and I will pay you back until I die.
I was only fulfilling my duties.
And now I am fulfilling mine.
Office of the Inspector General received an anonymous letter before breakfast.
It was to inform the court of a rigged state exam
and request a retake.
Wasn't your son
in first place?
Who else knows?
Just him...
and me, General.
Is it true?
No one else knows.
Rumors have been spreading all over Capital Patrol that your son
is associated with those putting up posters.
In this case though, it's true and not just a rumor.
Consider my debt paid.
This all happened because of you.
When you can't untie a knot, you must sever it.
You do not cover a mouth to shut it up.
It only shuts with death.
Sever this knot,
or you two will both die right here.
I severed it
with my own hands.
Let it get tied again
and I'll sever it myself.
From this day on, all blood will be on my hands.
You do not need to worry.
You said you admired me.
Finally, that seems remotely true.
There is one more who knows.
What will you do?
Military duty.
The law can make him serve until 60.
He will serve until the day he dies.
You can't kill him, is that it?
Where he's going, it won't be considered as living.
Are you trying to buy time?
I am saying I'll trap him in time.
Can I trust you?
Hwi has been my lifelong friend,
but I will not die for him.
You can trust me.
Let's eat.
You did quite a good job.
I can make anything taste good, you know.
Let's eat then.
I have an upset stomach.
When you can even digest metal?
You just have to irritate me, don't you?
Don't argue with me and eat up.
Got it.
Are you Seo Hwi?
I am.
You have not paid the military cloth tax which means you are up for enlistment.
As of this moment, you have been drafted.
What are you talking about?
My father is absent and I have a sister to care for.
This doesn't make sense.
Drag him out of here.
You can't suddenly order this.
-At least give me some time. -Hwi!
-I will pay the tax soon. -Hwi!
Let go. Let go of me!
Yeon!
I will not resist.
Just let me care for my sister first!
She'll die if no one holds her.
If her tongue rolls back to her throat, she won't be able to breathe.
Yeon!
Yeon...
Yeon!
Yeon...
Sir, please.
Please, I am begging you. At least give her a gag.
Just a gag!
You bastards!
Yeon!
Yeon, don't die.
Yeon, don't you die.
Can anyone please help her? Yeon!
Yeon!
Yeon...
Please wake up. Please.
No...
Please relay this message for me.
Nam Seon-ho, the winner of the state exam is my friend.
Please tell him to look after my sister for me.
Please.
Please let him know that.
Please...
Please!
Please...
What's going on?
Get me the physician. Now!
Who is she?
She's Hwi's sister.
-Remove her. -My lord.
Step back!
Quiet.
You are too loud.
How many times have I told you to threaten instead of yell?
One more person knows you bribed the examiner.
And who's that?
Me.
I know the truth.
What if I told General Choi?
You won't be able to.
I only shoot arrows for my own sake.
Why should I care about who becomes my target?
Yeon...
I will not let her die.
So do not provoke me today.
Help her get well.
However,
keep that fact hidden.
No one can know.
If anyone finds out,
I'll kill them.
Sir, what happened to my sister?
Is she alive or not? At least tell me that.
Let go of me, you bastards. Let go!
Did you say that Nam Seon-ho is your friend?
Yes, sir.
Nam Seon-ho, son of Nam Jeon, is my friend.
If you give him word, he will run over here.
He's the one who sent you here.
What?
He's the one
who's sending you to the military,
you idiot.
Seol!
I won't stand in your way anymore.
At 2 p.m.,
a boat will ship soldiers to the battlefield.
One of its passengers,
goes by the name Hwi.
Go and witness
the outcome of your foolishness.
3 MONTHS LATER, 1388, YEAR OF THE WIHWADO RETREAT, LIAODONG
SPECIAL THANKS TO YU OH-SEONG, KWAK SUN-YOUNG, AND KIM YOON-SEO
Send this to Bang-won and have him escort his mothers to the northeast area.
Your fifth son Bang-won?
Who cares of the order my sons were born in?
I will always consider Bang-won as my first child.
Will Goryeo be turned over?
The King comes first and the country comes second.
Time is not on our side anymore.
One leader will show his competency.
Do you even know any of our names?
If you do, tell me.
What's my name?
You'll only end up dying.
Since we're lowlifes,
we can afford to die?
I will survive and return home.
There's one I must save and one I must kill.
You cannot achieve anything unless you are willing to make sacrifices.
There's no such thing as a rightful sacrifice.
And there is no revolution without sacrifices.