This is not of a man's desire to see a naked woman.
It's the mind of a scholar seeking to find the truth.
Jae Shin!
Wha...what?
What are you doing here?
Then, what about you?
Have you perhaps seen Kim Yoon Shik?
Kim Yoon Shik...what about Big Shot?
I haven't seen him for quite a while.
This is...this is Hyang Kwan Chung. (Site of memorial services for Sungkyunkwan's great men.)
Memorial...what's that...
Only those who hold memorial ceremonies can enter this place.
But, why would he be here?
He could have come here.
Since this is a secretive place where only officials in charge of holding memorial services can enter,
if Big Shot has a secret,
Then where better to hide than here?
Seeing is believing.
We will now see if Big Shot is here or not.
No.
What are you so afraid of?
Afraid of what?
What happened to the Bangoong's crazy horse Moon Jae Shin? (university town)
You're shaking like a frightened donkey.
Just like this.
Perhaps you have something we shouldn't see,
hidden here?
What!?
So we can't look but you can see what's in there?
Isn't that right Seon Joon?
Tell me, friend.
Crazy jerk. This is Hyang Kwan Chung, Hyang Kwan Chung!
In a place like Hyang Kwan Chung, the only treasures worth hiding are pots for incense burners.
Leave! Leave I say!
Hyang Kwan Chung only has pots for incense burners?
You're right.
Then the light that's shining through the crack,
must be the fire remaining from the incense used at the last memorial service.
I'll inform the school guards and assistants, so that all of Sungkyunkwan can be sure of it.
You can't!
I shouldn't do that, right?
It would be better if I just checked myself, right?
So exactly what is there to see here?
Fortunately, there seems to be no evidence of a lit incense.
Should I take part in the night roll call for once?
Wait a minute.
I'm sure I saw a light from outside.
What are you doing here?
At this hour,
you dare cause a commotion at the Hyang Kwan Chung?!
Answer this instant!
While we were passing by, we saw a light coming from here.
That's why.
A light?
How dare you play around at the sacred Hyang Kwan Chung!
Such indecency!
You'll all have 5 points deducted.
Ah, professor...
Hurry and get out!
He still isn't here...our Big Shot.
If he's not at Hyang Kwan Chung either,
Where exactly did he go?
Where in Sungkyunkwan can he be hiding?
I can't even steal a glimpse of him?
Isn't that right, Jae Shin?
Where are you going?
I have to go look for him.
Stop right there!
He's a full grown man. He'll find his way back in safely.
You worry for no reason.
I heard there was trouble at Hyang Kwan Chung.
Was it because of you?
Please forgive me.
Do you consider the life of a Sungkyunkwan scholar
to be the idle outing of
a noble maiden?
It's not what you think, professor.
Keep this in mind.
Here in Sungkyunkwan
even though you're a woman,
you must not be one.
And just because everyone else is convinced you are a man
does not mean you should lower your guard.
From the moment you decided to remain in Sungkyunkwan,
don't forget that at each second
you are putting your life at stake.
The person who took this risk
Kim Yoon Hee...
was none other than yourself.
Didn't Kim Yoon Shik demand...
to acknowledge him as a Sungkyunkwan scholar if he won the archery competition?
He also demanded that I apologize.
Uh...
Forget about that nonsense
Sir.
What can I do?
It's the team of political harmony that the king himself acknowledges.
A man should keep his word.
I'm sorry.
It's all my fault.
With your permission, I will...
No!
I will...
Please give me another chance!
Just one more time...
So funny, the way you're scared out of your wits...
Don't be meddlesome.
Don't one of you dare interfere...
It'll be an amusing spectacle.
Would it be better if the king kicks them out of Sungkyunkwan himself...
or would it be better...
if those jerks talking about political harmony
turn their backs on each other?
A tough...
choice!
What do you care?
You saw...
Back there at Hyang Kwan Chung.
Right?
Where have you been and what have you been doing to return so late?
Moreover,
I heard you even got into a fight.
What's gotten into you today?
Missing the night roll call and getting into trouble...
Are you becoming like Geol Oh now?
It's a woman, right?
Kim Yoon Shik.
Are you nuts?
What kind of talk is that?
You'll have more luck deceiving a ghost.
I'm Gu Yong Ha, you know.
I can guess the color of a woman's panties just from the scent of her makeup powder.
I'm Yeorim, Gu Yong Ha. And...
the Gu Yong Ha who's been your friend for 10 years.
Yeah, so proud of you.
So what?
Hiccups...
You...
came running out because you couldn't stand being in the same room with a woman.
That means somebody inside that room must have been a woman...
Lee Seon Joon was with us.
That leaves only one person.
Big Shot Kim Yoon Shik.
Go to sleep. Sleep!
Don't make a habit out of
sleeping with your eyes open and talking in your sleep.
We'll wait and see.
how long you can stand...
sharing a room with a woman.
Please allow me to repay your kindness.
Repay kindness?
Kim Yoon Shik.
You sneaky...
A woman entering Sungkyunkwan
deceiving the king and belittling the law of the nation.
Well...
things like that can happen.
But
Tricking me, Yeorim, Gu Yong Ha...
My pride won't allow that to happen.
If it wasn't for that scoundrel Geol Oh,
I could have gotten to the bottom of this...
Get up! Get up!
Senior...
Get lost!
Senior...
Why are you over there?
What's wrong...
...with those clothes and the blanket?
Get away!
Senior...
Malaria.
I think I'm afflicted with malaria.
Malaria?
That's right.
So please don't get any closer.
Last night,
were you able to take a bath?
As if.
Thanks to you, I got into trouble
Why?
Did something happen at Hyang Kwan Chung?
I didn't go anywhere near Hyang Kwan Chung.
You didn't go!?
Why?
After hearing about the virgin ghost,
I couldn't go.
That woman...
must have been waiting for a man to enter.
And I'm not just any man.
I'm Big Shot. Big Shot.
So...
I looked for you so we could wash each other's backs, but you weren't around.
You should never ever go anywhere near Hyang Kwan Chung.
Who knows?
The grudge of a heart-broken woman,
you are guilty of causing quite a few of those.
Wait, wait, wait.
So you really didn't go?
I for sure saw a light coming from Hyang Kwan Chung.
Did you go there last night?
See!
That light...
It's surely the virgin ghost calling for you, Senior.
So live with more kindness from now on.
We're going home!
- Are you all happy? - Yes, sir!
Every 8th and 23rd of the month is your day off.
All scholars...
when they've returned home,
must not tarnish their scholarly reputation by indulging in hunting, fishing...
gambling and entertainment.
When you return to Sungkyunkwan,
you must not bring back money, valuables,
nor any other
forbidden items.
Be mindful of it.
Also,
in preparation for
the written exam given by His Majesty,
You are expected to devote time to studying as well.
And lastly,
the allowance provided to you today...
is the blood, sweat and tears of the people.
So do not squander it. That is all.
Hey, Big Shot.
Be honest.
Are you happy about going home...
- Or are you happy about this money? - Why bother asking?
It's not like he has a wife and kids at home, so of course he's happy about the money.
Confucius said...
I...
Getting this money and going home, makes me very very happy.
Hey, hey, hey look at Big Shot.
What's that about?
Say it.
At Hyang Kwan Chung yesterday,
absolutely, positively, without doubt,
was there nobody there?
Say something, you jerk!
Why are you like this so early in the morning? You look like you've just seen a ghost.
Professor Yoo,
this is the way I see it.
If the students want to bring something
from their homes,
must we forbid them from doing so
no matter how valuable to them these items may be?
So what I'm saying is...
What I mean is that...
...let's say a scholar brings something from home. - What's your point?
While looking at it...
the item eases their longing to see their parents,
and feel an overwhelming gratitude
for their professors and might even hand over the item
in an act of appreciation. And in turn, we give the item to the Majesty...
Have I said something wrong?
Professor Jung probably understands how I feel.
What is that thing you have on your eye?
Oh this,
Did I frighten you?
I'm making it to give to His Majesty for the exam this month.
Ah, what is this?
Even from afar, it can catch scholars who are cheating.
It's a kind of second eye.
Impressive, Professor Jung. Ten steps ahead as usual.
You're prepared for the upcoming personnel transfers.
Is it expensive?
Do you by chance know already?
The question His Majesty will ask for this month's exam?
Who can even guess at what that goblin does?
Your Majesty?
This is...
A problem.
Is it?
Don't be surprised.
There are others who will be solving the problem.
This is the problem that I will pose for this month's Sungkyunkwan written exam.
This time around,
whoever passes my exam,
whether that person is Noron's son, Lee Seon Joon,
you won't be able to change my mind.
Even as a Sungkyunkwan scholar,
nothing has changed.
So focused on the bag of money,
unable to discern what's truly important. You haven't changed.
I have nothing to say to you.
Didn't you say that you have a sick sibling?
How did you remember such a thing?
Since you brought it,
I will accept it.
Oh no.
I'm a step too late.
Accept it Kim Yoon Shik.
Here.
Why are you giving this to me, you punk?
What is this, President?
My present.
Say it.
I did some thinking,
When we all leave this Sungkyunkwan,
the leftover food from the kitchen will all become a waste.
Then, it will be thrown away on this pasture of grass
to feed the cows and the pigs.
Kim Yoon Shik.
As you may know quite well,
this is all the blood, sweat, and tears of the people.
I can't just throw away the blood, sweat, and tears of the people...
to be fodder for the cows and pigs.
We, who will one day become government officials.
What is that supposed to mean?
So hasty.
That's why I did some thinking.
Who is the most suited to take these leftovers?
Who is poor enough to need these scraps?
More importantly, who would be smart enough to not let silly pride get in the way of this offering?
That would be you,
Kim Yoon Shik.
This isn't for Kim Yoon Shik.
Why?
You can give him gifts.
Why can't I?
You asked me to acknowledge you as a Sungkyunkwan scholar if you win the archery competition.
This is my answer.
As a Sungkyunkwan scholar,
you should enjoy at least this kind of luxury.
Isn't that right?
Of course!
Shut up!
Look at this,
From Lee Seon Joon to Moon Jae Shin,
the entire Kim Yoon Shik clan is here.
Political harmony group or whatever.
Please stop, Senior.
I...
am fine.
Thank you, President.
What are you saying?
Won't you put that down!?
I don't want to.
I...
will take it.
It will be a great help...
to my family.
Thank you.
Hey, Moon Jae Shin...Lee Seon Joon...
didn't you say you'll be unified despite divisions in political parties?
You guys can't be one with Kim Yoon Shik.
Whether you're a Noron or a Soron,
because you're precious sons...
who've never had to worry about food since the day you were born.
Let's get along from now on.
We're of a similar situation.
Shut that mouth.
It smells.
Young master, you've returned.
What's with the pots of plants?
Ah really! Having kids is useless!
You really dont know what today is?
I know it's my father's birthday.
Then?
Today is the first time
We haven't returned the plants we've received as gifts.
I know.
Your father must be getting old.
Well,
for dinner, he's even having guests over.
Your mother has been busy preparing for the dinner.
Father's invited guests?
Let's see.
Our son. Whose son is he?
So good looking.
Where's father?
Sir, young master is here.
Young master is here.
I know.
I've been waiting.
I was a little surprised to hear that you are holding a birthday banquet.
It's never happened before.
Not really a banquet.
The wine I made last year turned out well, so I wanted to share it with others.
Your archery skills have improved.
I still have a long way to go until I meet your standards, Father.
Political harmony group?
The king looked very pleased.
Good job.
It wouldn't benefit you
to turn the king into your enemy yet.
Do you mean that one day
I must be enemies with His Majesty?
Are you afraid?
I'm only afraid
of whether that's the right path I must go.
Our country Joseon belongs to the nobles.
During the Imjin Invasion
and the Byungja War,
the royal family...
abandoned the people and fled from the palace.
They bowed instead to the barbaric intruders.
During those times,
the ones who led the citizens,
and guarded our posts were us noblemen.
Punishing the noblemen...
accusing us of splitting up parties,
and isolating all power from the hands of the monarch...
is the real purpose of so-called "political harmony."
I do not believe that you're a fool who would fall for such deceptions.
However,
it would be wise to avoid acting in a manner that would cause others to misunderstand you.
Did you say the world's misunderstanding?
With a Namin kid with an unknown lineage, or with someone
from a Soron family as roommates.
I...
don't have such roommates, Father.
Although poor, he's not lazy in his studies.
He places his family above his own pride,
Scholar Kim Yoon Shik.
And...
he never hesitates for the sake of justice,
Scholar Moon Jae Shin.
I am learning a lot from them.
I have given my command.
Do I need to explain any further?
Please give me all of this and that.
Ah, yes.
Here you go.
Ah, yes. Thank you.
This one.
What about me?
Hey, this looks better on you.
It's so pretty.
My, how do you know a woman's desire so well?
That one costs 5 pennies.
You should get the ribbon.
No thank you.
Is this a man's preference?
For me, this!
Who is it?
Who ordered you to do this?
Spill it!
Byong Pan!
Byong Pan? Why would he tail me? Why?
We weren't following you!
Then who?
Answer me, now!
That sissy pretty scholar.
Kim Yoon Shik.
Who are you?
What?
You lost that sissy boy?!
But Kim Yoon Shik most certainly is not the Red Messenger.
Judging from his archery stance. He also seems to have a different physique from the Red Messenger.
Who told you to analyze?
Just catch him like you're told! Red Messenger or Blue Messenger, whatever it is, just catch him!
I came, father.
I heard you're going
to the birthday banquet.
I wonder why that fastidious man is throwing a banquet.
He wants to show off his influence.
Why?
To whom?
Even if the king has authority over the young scholars,
the power that really moves Joseon is not the Royal Lee Family of Jeonjoo...
but Jin Sung of Jwa Sang himself.
Among the Sungkyunkwan students,
there is a student named Kim Yoon Shik.
Do you know what sort of person he is?
First, you must tell me, father, why you want to know.
Why do you have to be so fussy?
Can we just go on?
At Sungkyunkwan,
nothing happens without my knowledge.
I'm indebted to his father, you happy now?
So,
are you worried that the son will ask you to repay his father's debt?
Kind of...
Don't worry.
He is not capable of that.
That is good, but
The king has taken notice.
Something about political harmony with the roommates.
That's coming to an end too.
I'm planning to make Lee Seon Joon
one of my people.
How?
Didn't you know?
Hyo Eun.
Hyo Eun?
What about my daughter?
When will my lord send a matchmaker to my house?
Get a grip, that'll never happen!
What?!
What sort of?! Who do you think I am?
Calm down, little Miss.
That medium supposedly gets possessed through his mouth.
The more he curses, the more excited he gets.
It's true. The son my sister couldn't bear
even after ten years worth of praying to Buddha, was conceived with the medium's help.
He also predicted that my father would take a concubine.
Then...
what should I do?
Is she naive or dumb?
Does she really believe that a few drawn cards
can change a person's heart?
No! He's so uncanny.
He drove a lot of fortunetellers out of business.
That so?
He babbles
and also tells your fortune. Isn't that fascinating?
Oh, that's why this place is called "Babbling Medium's."
If that's the case, shall I...?
You are going too?
Who's the woman?
Whose heart do you want to change?
My heart.
Everything about the female...
is good but always gets boring.
How nice it would be if it weren't so.
Then I can save on the seduction costs.
Don't you think so?
If you ever meet such a person, please introduce her to me too.
I'm curious as to
who such an amazing woman might be.
That man is a bear, a bear...
What a thick skull...
A woman is flitting to and fro right before his eyes and he doesn't know.
Doesn't he know how to use his eyes? Tsk, tsk, tsk.
So...
So you're saying he can't see me?
Oh dear...
What gall you have to tear up after picking such cards? Shush!
What does the tiger mean?
Like facing
a tiger with its mouth wide open.
That's how precarious your fate is!
Then...
What do I have to do? Sir?
Absinthe and garlic.
You have to be a woman.
Let the obtuse guy know that you're a woman. Then the game is over.
A woman? How?
No! I won't do it! I'll never do it!
Why?
- What did he say? - Let's at least hear it.
No need to know. I won't do it anyway.
You won't do it? Weren't you the sort of man who'd do anything for money?
Please give me a job besides writing the love letter.
I will finish it off before returning to Sungkyunkwan.
You want to see me dead?
That young lady has such a temper!
What can I do? I can't write it.
I've never written or received a love letter.
Do you think I'm in this business by choice?
I get no profit from this sort of work, but for your sake, I am...
What do you mean?
I hear you charge three nyang per love letter...
Do you think that money ends up in my pocket?
Every cent is going to that young master of Jwa Sang's. I'm saying this out of frustration.
Why? Don't you remember?
The money I gave you in advance when you entered Sungkyunkwan, the 50 nyang!
Jwa Sang's son?
What do you mean by that?
Sir.
Why are you so pale?
As if you've seen a ghost?
What do you mean a ghost...a ghost?! There are no ghosts.
I must go back to Moran-gak.
But why? Didn't you say you were going to buy new clothes?
If I wear new and pretty clothes, and he still doesn't look my way.
Then I have nothing to blame for my lack of interest.
If it's okay for you, why can't I give him a gift?
Young master!
You have a guest.
What are you doing all the way here?
Young lord.
This is unexpected.
Dressed like this...
I am a nobleman's daughter. I have to escape others' notice.
To me, your house is more difficult to enter than Sungkyunkwan.
Congratulations on your birthday, Left Prime Minister.
Congratulations.
Will you tell His Majesty?
Thanks to the food and drinks His Majesty has provided, everyone here has dined joyously.
Prime Minister, many people have come to congratulate Left State Minister on his birthday,
so you must make sure to tell him everything without fail.
I have no intention of doing such a thing, Minister of War.
People who gossip will have a lot to say about Left State Minister's extravagant party.
There have been talks about how this party is meant to prove to His Majesty the Left State Minister's influence.
Telling the minister about vulgar public opinion...
would be the same as bad-mouthing him.
Oh, no. Do you believe that His Majesty would be easily swayed by such trivial matters?
His Majesty knows better than anyone else
of my loyalty to this country, Joseon.
You shouldn't continue to do this.
To pop in and out like this at any time is not only against the rules of men and women,
but it is also acting rudely towards me.
From now on, if you have any messages for me, send them through your servant...
No, no!
What do I do? Just 15 minutes. He said you had to have it for 15 minutes.
By any chance,
do you have feelings for me?
If so, please stop.
I don't believe that a person's heart can be moved by something like this amulet. And I...
I absolutely despise such foolish trickery.
I don't wish to associate with you as either a lover nor a friend.
Please go back. And I hope...
that we will not meet again.
Then what do I do?
I'm angry too. I hate myself for being this way,
so I tried not to come.
I never dreamed that I would do such foolish things.
But before I knew it, I'm standing in front of you like this looking like a fool.
I was happy that the things that only happen in romance novels were happening to me.
My heart fluttered every day.
Even so, one day I realized. I came to know.
That you don't share the same feeling as I.
But it's okay. Because I like you.
Because I like you so much...
Miss, I'm so sorry.
Isn't that the Minister of War's daughter?
Hyo Eun, YOU!
Nothing will happen. Don't worry too much...
How can you ask me to give up on someone like you?
It seems you didn't know either, Left Prime Minister.
But then again, I only recently found out, sir.
Kids these days are different from our times. We can't just scold them.
It's all a part of being young.
Soon Dol will safely take you home.
Return safely.
Oh...
Young master, isn't that man over there the pretty boy scholar?
Soon Dol, take Miss home safely.
Yes.
Aren't you here to see me?
Kim Yoon Shik.
Did you have fun
while you were gone?
Seeing me excited going around as a Sungkyunkwan scholar, not knowing
how much must you were secretly mocking me?
What are you talking about?
50 nyang.
I heard everything from Mr. Hwang at the bookstore.
Never again...
do I want to see your face.
Listen to me first!
Did you say marriage?
I think you should prepare for the civil service exam after getting married and leaving Sungkyunkwan.
I'm going to...swoosh...grab the young lord.
Where the heck did this punk go?
There were 8 theft cases over night.
You thief!
Is it really possible that Scholar Kim Yoon Shik is not the thief?
Even if Kim Yoon Shik was innocent, it would be difficult to find the real culprit.
It happened because of me. I don't want to live as if in debt this time again.
I died with my brother that day.
Where did you buy it?
Say it. What you want to say.
I...believe in Lee Seon Joon. More than myself.