(The following content may not be suitable for viewers under 15.)
(Viewer discretion is advised.)
(This drama is set in the times of King Jinheung.)
(But all characters and events are fiction.)
What does this picture mean?
I do not know what other people think,
but I pity that faceless King.
You pity him?
The Queen has no intention of stepping down,
so he must become stronger on his own and fly up.
I pity the young bird.
He became King against his will...
and cannot come out into the world.
He is like a small bird that fell from its nest.
There are...
people who never should have been born.
If he had not been born,
he never would have been pushed out of the nest.
How could you say that? I feel so sorry for him.
He has been roaming, homeless, since he was a child.
How could you say that?
How dare you...
pity the King?
Why are you suddenly acting this way?
Who are you?
Who are you to stir me up like this and why?
Please stop.
I do not know what happened, but...
Who do you think you are?
Who are you to make me feel pathetic?
(Episode 7)
If you keep treating me this way,
my brother will not forgive you.
I told you to stop talking about your brother.
My brother will be...
It is my brother.
If you make a sound, you are dead.
Why do I not hear anything?
Did he leave?
Is he gone?
The physician's room.
The physician's room. The physician's room.
What have you done?
What is it to you?
Because you are her brother?
Do not go near her.
Do not look at her.
Do not talk to her.
I cannot do that.
I think...
I like your sister.
Well... I suddenly...
felt ill.
I was going to go, but...
Goodness.
Wipe it.
Let us rest tonight.
Everything is new to me,
so I do not know how to be a good brother.
I have never...
hesitated about anything before in my life,
but you...
keep making me stop.
Give me some time.
I will be your real brother soon.
(King)
It is one of two things.
Either a man-woman concern or a woman-man concern.
I said I can go alone.
My sentiment exactly.
I said he really does not know his sister...
and that for enough silver, she would wrestle a cow.
But he did not listen.
My brother told you to walk me home?
Why else would I be doing this?
No one gives me a second thought.
Hold on.
Did you really say that to my brother?
That I would wrestle a cow for silver?
It is not like I made it up.
Still!
But...
is he really your brother?
What are you talking about?
That is so strange.
He said the necklace belonged to his friend.
What are you talking about?
What are you doing there alone in this late hour?
What is it to you?
I said the rule is that you must be with your roommate.
Please leave me alone right now.
I do not feel like talking.
Why you rude brat.
I hear your nickname is Dog-Bird.
You are like a dog and a bird.
A half-breed moron.
I said to leave me alone.
Do you know this?
I like you.
Everywhere you look are enemies.
You are full of burning rage and it blinds you.
Hence, you are short-sighted.
Someone like you...
makes it fun to teach.
I told you.
Roommates are like one.
You sleep together and wake up together.
However, someone was wandering around alone at night.
That is unspeakable.
Do you not agree, Dog-Bird?
You are really something.
Look at what you are putting us through.
Hold him up properly.
We are holding all the weight on this side.
You. I will deal with you later.
Pa Oh would be surprised if he witnessed this.
Now I can finally see the peak.
As members of Silla's Hwarang,
be like that sun.
Be renewed each day, and be passionate each day.
Burn away any prejudice or arrogance.
You must be reborn.
Do you understand?
- Yes! - Yes!
You should do these for what you have done to us.
If you make me receive punishment again,
it will not end this easily.
He never changes.
How can he always be so rude?
You should do my laundry, too.
I worked really hard earlier.
Forget it. Just tell me what happened.
Why were you outside at that hour?
You have a sister, right?
Did you sleep well?
You look well-rested.
I did not get a blink.
Why are you here?
Because we kissed last night.
You must be too naive...
to know what women are really like.
Women do not really...
I do not have to explain it.
If you are here to apologize, I accept.
Apologize? What did I do wrong?
You should apologize if you made a mistake.
What if it was not a mistake?
If kissing me against my will was not a mistake,
was it a child's tantrum?
I am saying this because you do not know me,
you would be dead if it was my usual self.
Forget it.
The two of us can consider it never happened.
- Agreed? - A child's tantrum?
Consider it never happened?
Do not take another step.
I know a few acupuncture spots that will...
make your manhood useless.
You will not be able to move for a moment.
I will really put the needle in the acupuncture spot,
so do not come closer.
Can you lend me 20 silvers?
What is it? I thought you did not want to owe me.
There is debt I want to repay...
despite the humiliation.
Who do you owe?
You do not have to know.
It is a rude, cruel, and bothersome man.
Most creditors are like that.
"I have never hesitated about anything before,"
"but you keep making me stop."
This sounds like the person is worried about me, right?
Is it the person you owe silver to?
This is not the same person.
This is why you must not learn love through text.
Listen. Worrying is when...
the salt merchant fears the rain...
while the clog maker fears no rain.
This is what you call worrying.
"You keep making me stop."
Would not most people think of this...
- as love? - Love?
What you are saying is...
that man is worried about you because of that creditor.
I am jealous.
I knew you would achieve something in there.
Love? No way.
Just eat the rice cake.
How should you treat your sister?
First,
do not consider her as a woman.
Love between siblings grow...
when you are rough on each other.
If you see her from afar,
what should you do?
Run up to her. Just run.
Lock her. Lock her in first.
Act as if you will pet her, and keep locking her in.
Hold her down until she surrenders.
When you go home,
do not do anything.
Just call her over.
- Come hither. - Come.
Make her do everything.
Are you sure you are close with your sister?
Come on.
Our sisters...
are stronger than we think.
Also, all brothers are responsible...
for training their sisters to become stronger.
If you do not, how can she survive...
in this harsh world when you cannot protect her?
It looks like you are getting it now.
What do I have to do again?
I am so bothered. How can I see Master Pervert again?
What if my brother finds out?
It will get complicated.
However, I cannot pay back my debt if I leave.
I have to survive. I must.
My goodness.
I think you just avoided me.
No, I did not.
I have to talk to Pi Joo Ki.
Go.
It's okay. It was natural.
What was that? That was so awkward.
Did he give me acupressure treatment?
Where is Master Ahn Ji?
He has just arrived in the palace.
Your Highness.
This acupuncture point...
could take one's life in a split second.
I did not call you to treat me.
Please do not speak.
I will be putting the needles in.
This acupuncture point will calm you.
This will help calm you down.
Please run away with me.
Please...
I'm asking you...
to flee Silla with me.
I already have a family of my own.
I know you married out of spite for me.
It is too late to turn back time.
Are you saying you will ignore my plea...
because of that mute servant?
She is no longer a servant. She is my wife.
Do you really plan on leaving me?
Will you just stand and watch me marry...
my uncle who is over 60 years old?
It is you...
who left me.
If you let go of this hand,
you will regret it.
I will make sure of it.
How do I know you will not kill me...
with these needles?
You fell ill from sudden poor blood circulation.
You will be fine.
Have the royal physician...
remove the needles after 15 minutes.
She looks just like her mother.
Your daughter works as a physician at Hwarang House.
I guess it is the only way to see your anxious face.
How does it feel?
How does it to feel to control everything in my life?
Do I really have control over your everything?
That is why I will think about what I can do...
to take something away from you.
How much do you think you can learn like that?
You will be the first to leave...
Hwarang House anyway.
Do not waste your energy.
Aside from him,
it will still be hard for you to survive in here.
Please mind your own business.
I have no interest in you.
I feel like I have been put down.
A king and water.
Where could the King be?
Why does that matter?
A king without a face is powerless.
You cannot call that a king.
Do people not tell you that you are like a tree?
You are constantly rude just like a pine tree.
Gosh.
The Queen has no intention of stepping down,
so he must become stronger on his own and fly up.
I pity the young bird.
I...
I think I saw the King.
"Your Majesty."
I heard him say it.
He looked like...
a normal king.
A king.
How pathetic.
This is not something one can solve like that.
Do you not agree?
It is my backup.
Some people cannot think when they are taken aback.
Why did you not stop him?
Han Sung...
decided to sit beside me.
You look so perfect,
but it is unfortunate.
I am not that perfect.
That was not my point.
What will happen to Dog-Bird if he does not pass?
He will lose 1 of his 3 chances.
Then it will be harder for him to stay.
Do you crave authority?
Do you want to become an official?
It would be nice to be an official.
You do not have responsibilities,
but your power becomes unbelievable.
When you become an official, you will own Silla...
for the rest of your lives.
If you wish to climb...
to somewhere higher than where you are...
If you want to protect what you have...
If you want to survive,
you must pass.
That is the only way...
for you to get what you want.
Let me repeat.
Discuss king as water. However,
it must be based on "Tao Te Ching".
("Tao Te Ching" discusses the value of nature.)
You may begin.
You.
Do not look at other people's writings.
Sun Woo, you must pass.
Please.
Who is there?
My goodness.
This person copied Chapter Three of "Tao Te Ching".
"It is difficult to rule over people..."
"because they are wise."
"Hence, we must make the people..."
"be like water."
"Like water in water, and water in alcohol."
What is it? Am I wrong?
This person copied, too.
I do not know what this says.
Do you think I wasted precious paper...
to read your terrible answers?
This task was given to you so that I know...
what kind of world you aim for.
However, to my surprise,
you hardly have any ideas.
Out of them all,
who are the two responsible for...
these thoughtless answers?
Were you two prepared to fail?
Or could these be out of your deep thoughts?
I do not think Laozi...
would have answered this question in text.
His philosophy stands against...
doing things by force.
Do you agree with him?
I cannot write what I want to write.
That is why I wanted to say it in words.
Master.
Then, who would like to begin?
- I... - I shall go first.
You, who submitted the blank sheet, may go first.
The law of Silla...
is the Bone-rank System.
The path of water.
The law is the path of water.
Thus, it is the natural flow defined by nature.
However, there is not a path of water everywhere.
Some lands are dry while others are abundant in water.
Following the path that was formed by flowing water.
There are harmony...
and the power of nothingness which does not irritate.
A king's law and a king's path are there.
It is gibberish.
Nobility uses the humble as its root,
and high uses low as its base.
That is even more gibberish.
Do you dare call "Tao Te Ching"...
gibberish?
A path of water...
makes water flow from highlands to lowlands.
Then where must something...
originating in the lowlands find its path?
A path on which low can become high.
Not only a path of water flowing high to low,
but a path that is dry and desolate, which you must...
carry water uphill if you must, to wet it.
I could not find the answer...
in that "Tao Te Ching".
No path started as a path.
Someone must walk on it for it to become a path.
You must pound and break the hard land...
and pierce through it for the water to flow out.
If the law is to ignore the dry land...
and that is the path of a king,
that king should not be king.
Pass. Fail.
Pass.
- Come now. - Oh my gosh.
Do you think he passed?
He cannot get everything for free.
Do you have a conscience?
He only just learned how to read and write.
Right?
- Pass. - Please stop already.
Why are you doing that to the poor sprouts?
Did I do this?
I am sorry.
Pass.
Kim Ki Bo.
Fail.
Kim Shib.
Fail.
Kim Jang Hyun.
Fail.
Suk Han Sung.
You copied down Chapter Three of "Tao Te Ching". Fail.
- I see. - Kim Soo Ho.
Fail.
Kim Yeo Wool.
Fail.
Park Ban Ryu.
Pass.
Kim Ji Dwi.
You have passed.
It is not because I like your answer,
but because it is based on "Tao Te Ching".
Kim Sun Woo.
You fail.
It is not because I do not like your answer,
but this assignment...
was to base your answer on "Tao Te Ching".
However, you called it "gibberish",
so I cannot pass you.
All we did was create kindling.
We will end the lecture here.
You may go.
Hey.
You have two chances left.
I told you the result would be the same.
You will waste your energy two more times...
and get kicked out.
Go on.
"If the law is to ignore the dry land..."
"and that is the path of a king,"
"that king should not be king."
What a feisty one.
Why did he fail?
Look who this is.
It is my fake nephew.
So you said you would bring down the Queen.
How is that going?
Did you not think the same as he?
You despise the arrogance of the high...
and think of the subjects first.
What king could look up from below?
The hidden King...
may be able to.
You seem to expect quite a lot...
from the faceless King.
Do you not as well?
Is that not why you oppose the Queen regent?
What would I know about the King?
What could a child...
who hid all his life and cannot protect himself...
accomplish once he returns?
The young and useless King...
will be unable to do anything...
amidst those old snake-like officials.
The Queen has no excuse to stay in power,
and the unprepared King...
will bring about disaster to Silla.
That is why I created Hwarang.
To protect the future...
The future of Silla.
If you find a way...
to protect Silla without the Queen,
come back to me.
There are no fish anyway,
but you are making it harder...
Darn it.
You may go.
Fail?
(Kim Ji Dwi)
What is this?
Why did this blank sheet pass...
when my brother failed?
I got it.
This is the infamous corruption within Hwarang.
I will not let this go.
How could this be?
Goodness.
Okay. Hello.
I heard from Pi Joo Ki that you were here.
I need to take care of business.
How could you do this?
- What... - The abuse of power by those with.
True Bone is innocent. A nobody is guilty.
How could you protect your nephew so?
What are you talking about? Move.
The blank sheet got a pass.
Why did this thoughtful answer, written with effort...
by someone who just learned how to write, fail?
The assignment was to base it on "Tao Te Ching", but...
Regardless, move!
No.
I will not let this go.
Then what is it that you want?
You remember the research on the young noble men...
in the capital, right?
I am considering telling the officials...
how I conducted the research at your request.
Fine. Do as you wish. I am in a rush.
Do you not know?
This is not a simple matter.
They will say it was an illegal investigation...
and try to eliminate Hwarang.
Then the Queen will be very unhappy.
Please.
So...
what is it that you want?
Do not do that again.
Do you understand?
Now, I will have time...
I should go back in.
Here is the silver I borrowed.
We are even now,
so let us not see each other again.
Wait. Why did you want me to teach you how to write?
You apparently have strong connections that pass you...
even if you submit a blank sheet.
I was inattentive to my brother because of you...
and he failed.
I should have helped him to the end.
You ruined it all.
Are you saying...
you were thinking of me...
and couldn't tend to your brother?
That is the most pleasant thing I have heard.
- I never said that. - But then again,
it could not have been nothing...
after what happened with me.
It could not have been nothing.
It is not about the kiss.
I felt sorry for you.
You looked like the loneliest person in the world.
Because I was like that too.
Because I have been lonely.
That was all.
Although it will not happen again.
What must I do?
What must I do for you to see me?
When I look at you, I feel like nothing.
It drives me mad.
- Stop joking... - I forget about who I am...
and what I must do.
I think only of you.
(Hwarang House)
May we enter today?
Do you know how many times it has been?
Call Master We Hwa!
Here.
Let us get a drink 30 years later.
What? Master We Hwa, that...
Let us go.
There will be another chance.
- Master Young Shil. - I just wanted to see someone.
Please let us in next time.
Let us go.
This is not the only place with people I want to see.
It has been a while, Master Ahn Ji.
I heard you found your son.
Congratulations.
I heard he is a Hwarang.
I heard the Queen...
chose him herself.
Your stomach is queasy...
and your energy level is down,
so you need to rest.
I will perform acupuncture for you.
I will give you a prescription.
Have your servant get the medication for you.
I am sure it is much better...
than what I have.
They say a woman's jealousy...
makes snow fall in the summer.
Much time has passed.
But resentment...
does not fade.
You must know that very well.
I think...
we are looking at the same scenery.
Does Master Pervert really like me?
True, he is not bad.
He is Master We Hwa's nephew and not poor.
He must have learned much from the West.
Objectively, he is not bad looking.
What was that? And today of all days.
How could I be thinking about that?
- What day is today? - Oh my gosh.
Well... Just...
It is no special day.
Get home safely. Stay on wide roads.
Make sure you go with Pi Joo Ki.
I heard everyone failed.
So do not be too disappointed.
Master We Hwa is strange for assigning that, not you.
And from what I saw,
you did quite well.
I get it, so go.
Mother.
It is the anniversary of her passing.
Today is the anniversary of Mother's passing.
Do not worry. I have been doing well on my own.
She will be very happy to know we found you.
You must stay here, so I will take care of it.
What is this? Is it a sprout?
It tastes good.
It tastes like Mom's cooking.
Why are you here?
I like it here. And it's an even number.
I told you that you cannot survive here.
You already have a fail,
so our time together will come to an end soon.
Are you that proud about passing?
I think Dog-Bird's answer was the best.
What?
Everyone thinks so too,
do you not?
The anniversary of a death...
Is that very important?
Who's death?
She said our mother.
You should go home then. We finished our assignment.
It is the anniversary of her passing.
Today is the anniversary of Mother's passing.
This is a prison.
We finished the assignment. Why must I sleep with you?
Then leave.
You said it is like prison.
You should go to your family too.
I am warning you. Do not do anything stupid.
Do not make me suffer because of you.
What is your plan?
You would not do something stupid.
I have paved the way slightly.
What could this be?
My mother gave it to me when I entered here.
It is a precious liquor from the West.
She said to offer it to you.
Thank you.
It is the killer of all liquors.
One drink, and your body grows weak.
Gosh, it's hot!
Two drinks, and you do not recognize your own parents.
The killer of all liquors.
Are you saying Hwarang House is unguarded right now?
Go if you wish to go. Stay if you wish to stay.
But it will be better to go...
since you will take the blame just the same.
Do you think this lunacy makes sense?
Tattle if you want.
That will be after we leave here, though.
What will you do?
I should go.
I thought you had a reason to go.
What? Did the liquor not work?
Did it not?
I gave him a bottle.
They cannot resist but drink it just by smelling it.
We are about to be killed.
What is that?
What did I say?
It is the killer of all liquors.
- Let us go. - Let us go.
Why these jerks.
Let us meet here at 3am and go in together.
- All right. - Let us go.
I almost had a heart attack.
Now, you roam at night.
Please do not play with bad influences.
You are the King after all...
Shut it and lead the way.
Where do you wish to go at this hour?
Home.
Your Highness, it is that flower again.
It does not bloom in the palace.
What are you doing?
I simply sat in my seat for a moment.
Do you think you have the power...
to protect that seat?
No.
As you say,
I am too small...
and weak yet.
I am glad you realized that.
Then leave Hwarang right away.
If you leave Hwarang and wait quietly,
I shall take care of the rest.
The more I wait,
the stronger you get.
A child cannot walk from the start.
The child must fall and practice...
for his legs to grow stronger...
and for him to be able to walk well.
No path started as a path.
Someone must walk on it for it to become a path.
You must pound and break the hard land...
and pierce through it for the water to flow out.
I must practice walking...
in order to take the path of a king.
I will become stronger in Hwarang,
Mother.
We finally found Sun Woo, whom we searched so much for,
but it's just the two of us again.
But at least we found him,
so do not feel guilty toward Mother anymore.
Okay. I will not.
I have a question.
What happened to Sun Woo?
When he first came here,
he was severely injured.
It was obvious he went through something huge,
but I felt bad asking him.
Of all the places to go to,
I came here.
Please wait here. I will call a servant.
It is late. I do not need a servant.
Let us not draw attention.
Yes, Master.
He is so handsome.
- He is so handsome. - My gosh!
You wanted to get out so badly.
Why do you not seem happy to see the maidens?
They are all half-cooked...
and low-class.
He is so cool.
He has lost his mind.
He left Hwarang House and is roaming at this hour.
Darn it.
Is today the day?
The day I will make up for my sorrow.
Be ready.
You see what it feels like.
How does that feel?
You always choke me. This is what you get.
Is that not your sister?
What?
Why are you doing this to me?
What? Did Master Ban Ryu...
sexually assault Miss Soo Yun?
A Hwarang should not do that.
He openly grabbed her.
I...
did what?
Actually,
- from the back... - Step aside!
Step aside!
Ban Ryu!
Ban Ryu! What did you do to my sister?
Tell me. What did this jerk do to you?
No, that is not it.
You did that on purpose, knowing she is my sister.
Refrain yourself.
Let go.
Soo Ho, the truth is...
Do not speak.
I will take care of everything.
Stay quiet.
Ban Ryu.
I will kill you tonight.
Oh, no.
Where is it?
Oh, no.
What is going on?
Sorry.
Are you all right?
Are you really all right?
How did you get out?
I climbed the wall.
What?
Did you give up because you got one fail?
I did not give up.
I will go back...
before I get caught.
Then why did you bother coming out?
You said it was the anniversary of Mother's passing.
It is her birthday.
Mother's birthday.
I do not know the anniversary of her passing...
since we do not know when she passed away.
It is nice having a brother.
So I do not want to think about...
your getting in trouble later.
Because it is nice...
having you next to me right now.
I miss Mother's scent.
On days like this,
she used to stroke my head.
The sound of the wind and birds was my lullaby.
Why? Was Mother not a good singer?
Sun Woo.
Mother could not sing us lullabies...
since she was a mute who could not speak.
(Hwarang The Poet Warrior Youth)
Why do you think Ban Ryu did that to Soo Ho's sister?
What did he do?
Remember this. Everything is a misunderstanding.
I wish you were really my brother,
but at the same time, I wish you were not.
Did you mean it when you said you liked my sister?
What if I did?
What are you doing in our room?
I am going to sleep here from now on.
Really? With me?
What are you doing?
- I wanted to do it for you. - Why?
Because I like you.
Who could that be?
She is a princess. Princess Sook Myung.
Hwarang will put on a performance?
Are you telling us to dance and sing for the Queen?
How long will you take this insult?
I heard your friend died. I am curious.
Did you see the King's face?
The King's face?
Mak Moon, I will get him back for you.
That King.
I cannot forgive him.