(The Tale of Lady Ok.)
(The following program contains themes, language, imitative behavior and violence)
(that are not suitable for viewers under 15.)
(Viewer discretion is advised.)
(This program contains product placements and virtual advertising.)
(Production sponsors: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KOCCA.)
(All characters, locations, organizations, and incidents...)
(depicted in this drama are entirely fictitious.)
Why do you walk away without telling me?
The person you want to marry is not me.
Am I so intolerable that you would act...
as if you are someone else?
That is not it.
Young Master...
Lady So Hye,
the daughter of Lord Kim Nak Su,
I am her...
Come here.
- It is not her. - Exactly.
This is not her.
This one is not, either.
Come here.
It is not her. Hurry and scatter to search.
Die! You filthy maggot, just die!
It seems those ruffians and that lady have crossed into Songju County.
I'd thought they would still be after me,
but I did not expect them to come this far.
She got her fiancé taken away...
by her servant Goodeoki,
and even got a chamber pot dumped over her head.
I would chase her to the ends of the Earth, too.
You must have been very startled.
I thought I was prepared to accept any secret.
But honestly, I was surprised.
It is a relief that the reason you rejected my proposal...
was not because of me.
No matter how necessary it is,
I am afraid of marriage.
I can act as a noble for myself.
But if I marry, there will be heirs.
How could the child of a servant...
dare to carry on the lineage of a noble family?
Please, Young Master.
You must keep this a secret.
If you are worried that I might reveal the secret,
shall I share a secret of my own, one that absolutely cannot be revealed?
How could your secret compare to mine?
I, too, did not wish for marriage.
I...
cannot embrace a woman.
What?
If this secret is revealed,
I would not escape death as well.
Therefore, please forgive me...
for not being honest.
Did you not promise me that you would save me once?
Yes.
Then...
marry me and become the daughter-in-law of the Magistrate.
I will become a safe haven for you, Lady.
I believe this is the path that saves both you and me.
If that happens, even if someone recognizes you,
they will just think Goodeoki resembles the Magistrate's daughter-in-law.
That will be the end of it.
As you know,
there are many people in this world who look alike.
The bride step forward.
Bow with respect.
Respond politely.
She is even more beautiful than I imagined.
Yes, indeed.
Who would believe that she used to be the grimy Goodeoki?
Even her lady would not recognize her.
Now that we have seen enough, let us leave.
Why?
Does seeing her in person make your heart ache?
Why did you insist on coming here to drive a stake through your heart?
For artists like us,
even wounds like these become fuel for our work.
Anyway, I have seen enough. Let us go.
Well, since we are already here,
let us sprinkle some salt on the wound.
For the sake of art.
Let us take a good look at the groom's face.
Let us see.
What? No way.
What is this?
How can there be someone who looks exactly like you?
Do you happen to have a twin brother?
Did your mother also have an affair with the Magistrate?
- You. - This mouth of mine.
Stop spouting nonsense.
This is how shocked I am.
What is so similar that you are making such a fuss?
You two were not just similar. You were identical.
I thought it was some kind of magic trick.
His features are neat and handsome.
But I do not see the resemblance.
If it were me, I would think I was looking in a mirror.
Then tell me.
Why would she marry someone who looks like me?
Pardon?
Could it be that she wanted to marry him to keep remembering me?
Why would you think that?
It is strange.
Out of all the people, why would she marry someone who looks like me?
If the face is identical, I would marry the Magistrate's son, too.
Why?
What is wrong with me? I am very popular.
As an artist, you are.
But not as a man. Let us be honest.
Not as a man? Honestly?
Honestly, the Magistrate's son...
who is incredibly rich and skilled in martial arts is...
a hundred times better than a wandering storyteller...
of illegitimate birth like you.
Stop using honesty as an excuse to cross the line!
You cannot marry because of your status anyway.
Forget about Goodeoki already...
and let us leave this dreadful Chungcheong-do.
This is very strange.
Why do my steps feel so heavy?
There.
Father, there they come.
Even the weather is absolutely perfect.
Go inside.
Tae Young.
This is your place.
Am I really allowed to use this space?
Of course. This study is solely for you.
Father has also arranged an office for your duties...
as a legal advocate near the government office.
From now on, consider me your father.
I will be your strong and steadfast support.
As both a legal advocate and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Seong family,
I will strive to fulfill my duties without lacking, Father.
And if you can,
give me a grandchild calling me "Grandpa!"
That would be the cherry on top, would it not?
Are you not rushing things a bit?
No, I am not.
You should rush.
I am starting to feel shy.
This household even gets new clothes tailored for the servants.
- How do I look? - You look at least ten years younger.
- You might even get married, Dokki. - Really?
Stop talking nonsense about marriage.
You ungrateful thing! You said you would serve the Ok family forever.
Why did you come along?
That is such a sad thing to say.
Mak Sim, can you live without me?
I cannot.
Even if you scold me all the time,
I need to see your face morning and night.
Morning and night,
I feel like my insides are burning in anger when I see your face.
Is that true?
Am I that bad?
If there were a state examination for being unattractive,
you would be a guaranteed top scorer.
That is a good thing.
- Topping an exam is always good. - Goodness.
Is that how you feel about me?
What is this drink that smells so strange?
This is a liquor made from epimedium herbs.
The cloth merchant Gong drank this...
and fathered six sons.
- Really? - Let me tell you.
Just one sip of this...
and an 80-year-old man can urinate 400km away.
Stop it, please.
Why are you so embarrassed?
- I can urinate 4,000km. - For heaven's sake.
Now that you are home, you should rest in your room.
Do you think that would be okay?
I will tell the servants that you should rest well...
since the military examination is coming.
As you said, with the upcoming special examination,
there will be days I cannot come home.
Shall I pour you another drink?
No, that is enough. I must step out.
At this hour?
There are a lot of things I have to get done.
How dare he turn my daughter into someone barking the wrong tree!
What humiliation is this?
Even the Magistrate must have a weakness.
Once I grasp it,
I will wring his neck and cut off his breath.
One.
Two.
One.
Two.
One.
Once Moon Soo joins us, we should move to the safe house.
Our numbers are growing,
so training has to be cautious.
Are you bringing Moon Soo yourself?
I must.
You are newly married. What if your wife finds out?
She does not know what you are doing.
I must be careful not to let her find out.
(Heart)
From now on, social distancing is mandatory.
If five or more gather,
they will be deemed rebels and punished.
Mark my words!
What is this? They force marriages on us...
and now they impose distancing.
Why does this king have so many orders about what to do and what not to do?
Well, he rose to the throne by coup.
So coup must be his greatest fear, no?
You never know when rebels might strike.
So he cannot sleep peacefully.
That is a problem in the capital Hanyang. This little village has no rebels.
Even if you searched, there would be none.
Lord Bak Jun Gi.
I heard you became the Mining Inspector for the Chungcheong region.
But you have visited such a humble place like this.
Do not say such things.
Are we not like brothers?
Is the Minister of War doing well?
Actually,
he has sent me to deliver a special proposal to you.
A proposal?
Take a look.
This is an outcrop, is it not?
That is all pure gold.
I discovered this outcrop...
in Mt. Unbong over there.
Mt. Unbong?
Do you mean the Mt. Unbong in Cheongsu County?
Exactly.
Are you asking me to mine the gold in Mt. Unbong and send it?
Just send the amount they want...
and the rest will be ours.
Do you not know what happens if the discovered outcrop...
is not reported to the court?
That is why we must hide it well.
You were framed for the Minister of War's corruption and forced to rural life.
Do you plan to be used again by The Minister of War and Bak Jun Gi?
Used?
I received the position of Chief in return...
and thanks to that, you manage the Mother's Sanctuary and the school.
Do you think I hold the position because I am the chief's wife?
Mother's Sanctuary and Cheongsu Academy are...
the fruits of my efforts.
Fine.
But with the strict Magistrate, I cannot even skim from tributes...
and it is suffocating.
We are short on funds for Deok Hun's wedding...
and we cannot find a proper match for him.
- Absolutely not. - My dear.
What if the Magistrate finds out and reports this to the court?
We would not only lose the Chief's position but face utter ruin!
Dear!
What nonsense is this?
Do not ever bring this up again.
Do you mean we should give up the gold mine in fear of the Magistrate?
That is ridiculous.
Someone finally understands.
I will cooperate...
but keep it hidden from your wife.
Will you do that?
To think such a treasure is buried in Mt. Unbong...
If you fund the mining operation,
we will split the profits as agreed.
That is only fair.
But since this is a risky venture,
I have one condition.
To become in-laws?
Do you mean to arrange a marriage between Deok Hun and Seon Hui?
After what happened, our Seon Hui has nowhere else to go.
You must take responsibility.
How is it our fault that the Magistrate changed his mind?
Besides, Deok Hun is already in marriage talks in Hanyang.
So that will be difficult.
I will offer you a house in the prime area of Hanyang.
I will also provide all the support Deok Hun needs to go forward.
They make such a perfect pair, do they not?
Indeed.
We must hurry with the wedding preparations.
Next.
Number 26.
Next.
You from the fish stall! Did you just cut in line?
Go to the back.
I am watching closely with my own two eyes...
so everyone stay in line.
It is true that your mother donated farmland to Deokheung Temple.
How could she sign such a document?
Her mind is not fully there these days. What a pity.
Then go to the doctor...
and obtain a medical statement about her condition.
If it can be proven she was not in a sound state,
we may be able to nullify it.
Really?
I must go ask right away.
Thank you so much.
Young Master.
I picked this up on my way.
Thank you, Young Master.
The weather is nice today. Shall we go for a walk together?
I only came to thank you...
for sending rice cakes to the academy.
Why did you not mention that you topped the exam?
Because you are my brother's precious wife.
Please do not try so hard to fill the void left by my late mother.
Whatever it is, just tell me.
I will help you.
Some things are beyond what you can assist with.
Such as archery contests?
Bullseye!
Tae Young, how did you...
It has been a while, but I still have not lost my touch.
Father.
Father, did you see that?
I saw it.
So, you are skilled in martial arts as well.
I learned a little from my older brother.
But why have you come back already?
I have overexerted myself lately, so I have a bit of a headache.
I will visit the doctor and get some medicine prepared.
There is no need. Just some rest will do.
Do not let me interrupt you. Keep going with the good shots.
Young Master.
Here.
Look at the target through the lower part of the bow hand.
Shift your weight forward.
Hold steady here.
The only variable is the wind.
Release.
- Brother. - Quickly.
- Come here. - Go.
- Come here. - Help me.
Help me.
Why struggle so hard to climb the wall in the middle of the night?
Please let me go. My father is gravely ill.
At least let Bong Soon go. I beg you.
- Please. - Silence, you repulsive brat!
Tie shackles on their ankles so they can never escape again.
- Yes, sir. - No, please do not!
Let go of me.
Please.
I beg you, please. At least let Bong Soon...
I said let go of me!
You sold your own child and now you are causing a scene.
I never sold my child.
You claimed it was to teach her business.
You said she would be fed well, and you took her away.
Why imprison her and refuse to let her go?
You fool.
This is the document you signed.
Let us go.
- Are you okay? - Are you okay?
Stand up.
You are bleeding.
My goodness.
This is a Slave Sale Document.
Forced Enslavement of Commoners is clearly illegal.
Did they trick illiterate people into signing...
and take the children?
It bears the government office's seal to make it seem official.
Those scoundrels must have forged the documents.
Please, help me.
Save my Bong Soon.
(Silk Merchant Guild)
Is this the government office?
It is possible that Bong Soon was really sold.
First, we must confirm the facts.
I completely understand that, but why the disguise?
And what is with your outfit, Lady?
This makes it easier to move around.
Kkeutdongi, you can handle this, right?
Kkeutdongi cannot do this. Really, I cannot do this!
You better do it well.
If you are caught pretending to be a noble, your limbs will be torn apart.
My limbs.
What brings you here?
I heard there is a painting by Master Hui Suk from Qing here.
I am Hyeok from the Jin family...
in the Songju County.
Yes, please come in.
Let us go.
So, I heard many paintings have arrived.
Yes. If you head upstairs, you will find excellent pieces.
My goodness.
A true masterpiece with nature delicately portrayed.
You truly have an eye for art.
This piece arrived just yesterday from Qing.
What do you think of this one?
I have not seen you before.
I am a servant of Master Jin.
I was looking for the outhouse.
You are a woman.
You, come here.
Sir, I have been waiting for you.
Let us go.
Please, I am hungry. Over here.
I am so hungry.
Here.
- Please give me some. - Please.
- Me, too. - Please.
- Give me some. - Please.
Give me some.
- Give me one more. - Please.
Please.
I am hungry.
Quiet!
Are there any small but sturdy ones among them?
Most of them are small except for a few.
Look at them.
Those two over there are both 15...
but that one is much smaller in stature.
Look at that appearance. Is that a boy or a girl?
Despite appearances, he is from a noble family.
Are you doing something reckless?
Do not worry.
He ended up as a plaything for nobles in a courtesan house...
and was discarded.
Father.
Moon Soo, you punk!
He was caught wearing women's clothes by his parents,
beaten nearly to death, and then cast out.
A man has been placed near the Magistrate.
I will send word when he is away.
Yes.
Pretending to be a noble is not an easy task.
I must inform Father quickly.
I should have taken the master's clothes to the training hall today.
You can go to the training hall tomorrow.
Yes.
What?
But why is your husband who should be at the training hall...
over there?
Is that not the courtesan house?
Perhaps he is sharing a drink with his fellow trainees.
Let us pretend we did not see.
But you are newlyweds. Should he not come home to rest?
What is he doing?
He will come when it is time.
Kkeutdongi, do not say a word to anyone.
You must be Moon Soo.
Who are you?
(Cheongsu County)
Are you saying you did not see the face of the buyer?
Yes.
All I heard is that this is supposed to be the last transaction.
Someone sent me...
this time log.
It seems the Silk Merchant Guild has placed someone to spy on me.
They plan to use my absence...
to trade the children.
Who could have provided this information?
How about we act immediately?
Then we cannot find out who intends to trade and why.
From tomorrow onward,
spread the rumor that I am leaving for a business trip.
Then, station trustworthy people to watch the guild...
and have them tail anyone suspicious.
I will assist you.
No, you cannot.
You lack manpower.
Most importantly, someone must look after the children.
I said no.
I will follow quietly from a distance. I am capable of...
I said no!
No!
Lady!
What?
Why are you running? Do not run. Is something wrong?
Your husband has arrived.
Now?
Hurry inside. I will prepare a table with drinks.
Yun Gyeom.
(Heart)
Tae Young.
I came to see your face,
but I was disappointed to find you absent.
But seeing you now pleases me.
You just arrived.
So where are you headed again?
The exam is near...
and I thought working outside might help me focus.
May I ask...
about the mark on your shoulder?
Or is it something I should not ask?
Did you see it?
It seems...
I should not ask.
Please give me a few days.
When I return, I will tell you everything.
Let us rest here for a while.
Take a short break.
Move quickly.
We are near Gyeongsang-do.
Did he promise to come back?
He promised to save us all.
What did you say?
Speak up, you brats!
- Boss. - Get up.
- Get up. Move. - Hurry up.
- Get up. - Move along.
Darn it.
Magistrate.
Where were you...
taking these children?
If I tell you,
I will die.
What are you waiting for? Strike them.
- Chun Sam. - Chun Sam.
Stay back.
- Chun Sam. - Chun Sam.
Chun Sam.
Run.
- Go and save the children. - Yes.
Catch them!
Hurry, catch them!
Get them.
Moon Soo, let us go.
There.
- Are you okay? - Yes.
Did you see his face?
No, I did not see it.
Do not worry.
Let us go home.
How dare they set a trap!
If you fled, you should have gone elsewhere.
Why bring them here? What were you thinking?
What if we are discovered?
Do not worry.
Judging by their questions asking where we were headed,
the Magistrate does not know this place.
Neither do the children.
I will find more suitable children, so do not worry too much.
I will never let that Magistrate get away with this.
The children claim they do not know the destination.
The guild is shut down, and we lost some children.
This is a serious setback.
If not for the one who helped us, this could have been far worse.
Who could that person possibly be?
It seems they are the same individual who sent the message to me.
(Devoted Hearts House)
(Heart)
I was just about to escort you.
Where is my husband?
Why were you in such a dangerous place?
That is what I want to ask you.
Why were you there? How did you...
Are you not hurt?
What exactly are you doing here?
Bringing children to such a secretive place...
and training them in combat?
And what is that stamp on your shoulder?
Are you plotting treason?
I am the leader of this group, Devoted Hearts Association.
The stamp on my shoulder signifies my membership.
I rescue and protect...
children like me.
Are you saying all these children are outcasts?
Yes.
So you sent the message to Father...
and only brought back that child.
Moon Soo has no place to return to.
When people see someone different from themselves,
they mock, beat, and even kill them.
That child over there...
was beaten so severely that he cannot use one arm for good.
How could he do that?
This child...
tried to take his own life because he could not endure it...
and I saved him.
To prepare for any situation...
I taught them self-defense,
not military training or rebellion.
I understand your intentions...
but this is far too dangerous now.
Just because they are different...
I cannot stand by and watch them be killed.
I must...
create a world that embraces differences.
I...
I do not understand.
Is all this truly necessary?
Did you not once say all people under heaven are equal?
I thought someone like you would understand.
This is good.
Very good. Cheers!
I am feeling drunk.
Raise your cups.
Cheers.
What if we are arrested for treason just for gathering here?
It was said no gatherings of five or more.
See? There are only four. One, two, three, four.
No, three. I am off to the restroom.
Fine.
Anyway, congratulations on your wedding, Deok Hun.
You have claimed the beautiful Lady Seon Hui.
But do you know this?
Your wife was almost married into the Magistrates household.
The Yuhyangso tried to gain favor with the Magistrate, but they failed.
With the new Magistrate, your father's reputation has clearly fallen.
Baek Do Gwang's family was ruined and forced to flee overnight...
all because of the Magistrate, right?
Now, even doing whatever I want with my own servants...
is no longer possible in Cheongsu County.
Stop it.
Let go of me. What are you doing?
What is happening now? What is going on?
I cannot believe this.
This person is no woman but a man.
What?
I almost embraced him and was shocked. Darn it.
This is disgusting.
Are you sure you are not mistaken?
How is she a man? She looks beautiful.
Come take a closer look.
Let me see.
- Hold still. - Do not touch me.
Nothing is there.
Check lower, too.
Stay still for a moment.
A man pretending to be a woman to sell drinks...
and you dare to threaten with a knife.
I am merely a musician playing my instrument.
I never claimed to be a woman.
Your voice is disgusting.
Hey, why do you not speak properly?
So what? Are you actually planning to stab me?
I am protecting myself.
It is because you all insult me so freely.
Insult? What kind of revolting creature are you? I should just kill you.
What is this disgusting thing that has crawled into Cheongsu County?
Let us just kill it.
What is the Magistrate doing...
to allow something like this to hide in Cheongsu County?
Guards, take this person to Yuhyangso immediately.
The Chief will execute this person to restore order to Cheongsu County...
and reclaim the honor of Yuhyangso.
How can you take an innocent person...
and drag them away like this?
How is Yun Gyeom's wife in a courtesan house?
I was returning from a consultation as a legal advocate...
and witnessed this dreadful situation.
This is no matter for a woman to meddle in.
Take him to Yuhyangso immediately!
If there is a crime committed, it should be handled at the government office...
not dragged off to Yuhyangso.
Maintaining the village's order and customs is Yuhyangso's duty.
Then, I will report to the government office...
that Yuhyangso has dragged away an innocent person.
Take him to the government office.
Let us see how the Magistrate explains allowing such a creature to exist.
Let us find out.
Hae Gang has been taken to the government office?
I barely stopped them from dragging him to Yuhyangso.
If not Yuhyangso...
he will face execution wherever he goes.
What will you do?
Will you storm the government office to save him?
Yes, if that is what it takes.
Yun Gyeom, do not be like this.
If you are a legal advocate, you should be helping...
the innocent victim taken unjustly instead of stopping me.
Are the victims you care about limited to servants?
Is it because you are a former servant yourself?
How can you say such a thing?
I am sorry. I was too desperate.
Hae Gang was...
the first child I saved.
Are you okay, child?
When I was near death,
Young Master Yun Gyeom found and saved me.
From that moment,
we started helping children like us.
Because that...
felt like the reason we were alive.
I just...
wanted to live a normal life.
Why has the Magistrate allowed such filth to remain...
in Cheongsu County?
What matters were so urgent...
that the safety of the people of Cheongsu County was ignored?
If such creatures were to seduce our men and spread disease...
what would you do then?
For the sake of Cheongsu County, this must be dealt with immediately.
- Kill him. - Execute him.
Kill him.
He must be killed.
- Kill him. - Kill him.
Execute him.
According to the will of Yuhyangso...
for the sake of Cheongsu County...
this man will be executed.
Kill him.
- Kill him. - Kill him.
He must be killed.
Why is our Lady here?
Why is the Lady...
I am Ok Tae Young, a legal advocate. I will argue this case.
Are you insane?
How dare you oppose a judgment made by your father-in-law!
There is no need to argue this case. Go back.
Are you saying I should choose who to defend?
That is not a person.
He is a person.
He has committed no crime, was molested,
and is now a victim in prison.
If he is a person,
then regardless of status or position,
he deserves equal judgment under the law.
How can you justify a decision based on Yuhyangso's will?
There is no law to protect them...
so they will not be protected by any law.
What you are saying...
implies there is no legal basis to kill them either.
Enough of this law!
How dare a woman interfere...
and disrupt the customs of Cheongsu County?
I am saying we must stop this senseless killing!
Killing, you say.
Do I have to keep listening to this nonsense, Magistrate?
Will you allow such a monster to roam freely?
There is no law, but I urge you to follow precedent.
Precedent? Ridiculous.
In the year of Gyeongmyo, August 12,
there is a recorded judgment on Nam Chun Gil of Somun-ri.
The king decreed,
"Nam Chun Gil, a bipolar person is ill...
and so do not interrogate him harshly, but send him to live alone in exile."
In administering justice...
caution must be exercised repeatedly, as stated in Seogyeong.
The king himself acknowledged all people...
as the subjects of heaven, not to be killed recklessly.
So how can someone be executed...
for simply being different without any legal justification?
The judgment on this man is deferred.
What?
We will send a report to the royal court, and upon receiving their reply...
a final judgment will be made according to their decree.
Hae Gang has returned to Devoted Hearts House, not the prison.
Until the royal court's decree arrives, he will stay there.
During this time, we plan to relocate the Devoted Hearts House to a safe house.
Tae Young.
Thank you for helping Hae Gang.
You said I only help servants because of my background.
I could not let that pass.
You unexpectedly hold grudges.
Should I give up everything...
and live only as the eldest son of the Seong family?
If that is what you wish, I will do so.
Do not say what you do not mean.
You know I cannot ask that...
of you.
It has been a while since you came out.
We have something new.
Maybe next time.
Take your time.
It would be better to visit a doctor and get a diagnosis.
My father-in-law is quite busy these days.
If the medicine does not work again, either close the shop...
or bend over backward to fix it.
I told you, that is not an option.
No credit for medicine. Now go!
Please, sir.
Just one dose for my father will cure his cough.
Bring the money, then you will have it.
- One bowl of soup, please. - Wait a moment.
Take care.
Thank you so much, Madam Legal Advocate.
Eat up.
Dear, what are you staring at instead of eating?
What is so fascinating about those potatoes?
I was thinking of Chun Sam from the Silk Merchant Guild.
He was always hungry.
I am worried he might be starving somewhere now.
The Magistrate is searching for him.
He has asked for help from the Gyeongsang Provincial office...
so please wait a bit longer.
Gyeongsang-do?
It cannot be Gyeongsang-do.
What? Do you know something?
Did you not say you do not know where they went?
I do not know where they went.
Are you playing games with us?
Did you hear something?
The day we took off, I overheard something while boiling potatoes.
I heard them say they would return after leaving.
Return after leaving?
Where?
To a mountain very close.
A mountain that close?
Mt. Unbong?
Can we really keep the rest...
after sending what we owe to the Minister?
Of course. It is your reward for your hard work.
We apologize for the delay caused by some interference along the way.
It was because of that blasted Magistrate.
I hear the Magistrate will begin searching this mountain tomorrow.
What? Why? How did he find out?
What do we do now?
- Stop everything. - Yes, sir.
Stop! Everyone, stop working!
We are starving.
We cannot keep going like this.
Shut your mouth.
We should have followed Moon Soo.
If we had gone with him,
we would have food and martial arts training.
What did you just say?
Who would teach martial arts?
Martial arts training in this situation?
They must be rebels.
It seems heaven is on our side.
The Magistrate will be too busy hunting rebels to bother with this place.
Where has Moon Soo gone?
Tell me now, and you will have plenty to eat.
At 5 a.m. tomorrow at daylight,
split into groups and search Mt. Unbong.
- Do you understand? - Yes!
My lord, the provincial governor is on his way here.
What do you mean?
It is said that rebels are conducting military training at Devoted Hearts House.
There is no one here.
Look at this! Not even an ant can be found!
Exactly, how can the entire courtesan house be empty?
They must have already been evacuated.
This is evidence of a conspiracy!
Darn it.
Where is this wind coming from?
We are done for. Go quickly.
No, Hae Gang.
You must not be discovered.
How can I leave you?
Leave it to me and go quickly.
Go, quickly!
What did you burn?
Did you burn evidence of rebellion?
Rebellion? No.
I was simply taking care of pitiful children.
Really?
This is a misunderstanding. I will explain everything to the magistrate.
Right.
That will not happen.
Because you will die here as a rebel.
(Heart)
There was this same symbol in the hidden room behind the Devoted Hearts House.
How could such a scheme go unnoticed?
It is not just about being unaware.
My son captured this rebel...
only for the Magistrate and his daughter-in-law to set him free.
All remaining rebels must be captured immediately.
If the state learns of rebellion in Cheongsu County...
you will not escape blame.
I will delay sending the report. Round them up now.
That is the only way for you to live.
It must be addressed above all else.
Suspend the search of Mt. Unbong.
Yes.
From now on, we will track down...
all remaining rebels hiding in Cheongsu County.
Ensure not even an ant escapes Cheongsu County.
Block all pathways...
and search everyone's bodies for stamps without exception.
Anyone resisting is a rebel...
and may be killed on the spot.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir!
Pass!
Quickly, Yun Gyeom.
Go to the safe house where the children are.
We cannot bear this false accusation.
How can they call us rebels?
I came to pack some things.
Thankfully, you are here as well.
He also needs to leave for the training camp.
Indeed.
Show me your shoulder.
I will stamp your identification tag.
It has already been stamped.
I see. Understood.
Father.
Hae Gang is not a rebel.
Yun Gyeom.
In these times, gathering people for military training is...
simply indefensible.
It was not military training.
It was to help the children learn...
to protect themselves, Father.
And how do you know that?
Yun Gyeom, please.
Yun Gyeom.
(Heart)
What is this?
Why is this here?
He was only helping minority children.
Why did you go this far to help minority children?
Because...
I am the same as those children.
I just wanted to survive.
I just wanted them to survive.
I was only seeking a way to keep living, Father.
If you found a way to live,
you should have hidden it.
For the first time, I am grateful...
your mother passed before seeing this.
I am not ashamed before mother, Father.
My life has value!
Silence, you fool!
Father! Please, calm your anger.
How could you...
have married this child?
It was my choice.
I knew everything and still chose that, Father.
From now on, you will live only as my son...
and her husband.
And you will scrape the stamp off...
even if you must tear it from your flesh!
I cannot do that.
Before being a son or a husband...
I am the leader of the Devoted Hearts Association.
- You promised! - Yes.
- Go on inside. - I will eagerly wait.
- See you in Okcheon. - Yes.
In ten days...
there will be a recital in Okcheon, Jeolla-do. Be prepared.
How much did you get paid to make you grin like that?
Wait for me, Jeolla-do.
Here I come.
What is this again?
Take off your clothes at once.
How unexpected.
Fine, I will. I have a severe fear of blades, you see.
Should you not at least tell me why?
But...
It burns.
Here. See for yourself.
From this moment, you are no longer my son.
Leave this place immediately.
If I see you again...
I will kill you myself...
for being a traitor.
So never...
never return to this place.
My son.
Yun Gyeom.
It seems they are searching beyond Cheongsu County.
Traitors! Seize them!
Open it.
Over there.
That way. Seize them.
Seize them.
Catch them!
Hurry, get inside!
Understood.
Why did you run away?
That is...
You must speak honestly.
Where is the man who was with you?
Why are you acting so recklessly?
Let us talk this through calmly!
- Strip this man immediately! - Yes, sir.
I will strip myself.
It is me.
Why did you run away when you bear no stamp?
When someone comes at you with a sword,
running away is human instinct.
Are you fleeing because you have committed another crime?
You must tell the truth.
Why do officers intimidate the innocent?
Should you not be pursuing real traitors instead?
I am Seong Yun Gyeom,
the son of the Magistrate of Cheongsu County.
Let us go.
Are you okay, Young Master?
Yes, are you okay?
What were you doing here? Where is my husband?
Well...
Hurry, get inside!
- You. - Do you know who I am?
You look like you know me, too.
Are you being pursued?
I am looking for a place to hide.
Are you bearing the stamp of traitors?
I am no traitor.
So you do bear the stamp.
Let us exchange clothes.
What are you doing?
If you are caught, you will be killed as well.
I do not care.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I cannot put you in danger as well.
Do not worry.
I am not doing this to help you, just so you know.
I owe you a great debt.
Thank you, Young Master.
The son of a Magistrate is a traitor.
That cannot be allowed.
It is a misunderstanding. He is not a traitor.
Understood.
Even with the seal, you may still be inspected, so be cautious.
The village is dangerous.
So take the small path by the tree behind the inn.
Thank you.
Hurry and go now.
Take care of your wife and leave now.
Go.
Come on, Yun Gyeom.
You must leave Chungcheong-do at once.
I will look after your father and brother. Do not worry.
I will send word as soon as I arrive.
When the situation calms and Father's anger subsides,
you must return.
I will.
I promise.
Sit down.
Did he leave you behind after all?
You must have been lonely all this time.
I was never lonely for a moment...
because we understood each other better than anyone.
And Father and Young Master...
all cherish me so dearly.
Thank you for saying that.
I understand what my husband is doing, Father.
I cannot understand it.
However,
as a father, I regret the harsh words I spoke to him.
I feel only remorse for that.
I am sure...
he understands that, Father.
I will permit you to send word to him.
But you must leave this house immediately.
Father.
Steel yourself.
Leave this house without looking back.
Why do you wish to cast me out?
I am the eldest daughter-in-law of the Seong family.
Please, let me stay and wait for my husband in this house.
If he intended to return,
he would not have left at all.
That is not true, Father.
He vowed to me that he would return.
Our family will not remain unharmed.
So leave at once.
That is not true.
There is no evidence that the Devoted Hearts Association is a group of rebels.
You will remain unharmed.
The Magistrate of Cheongsu County, Seong Gyu Jin, receive the royal decree.
Father.
- Father. - You cannot go there.
Magistrate Seong Gyu Jin is ordered to receive the decree with courtesy.
Tae Young.
Leave this house.
The misguided rebellious hearts spreading everywhere...
have even reached Cheongsu County, which grieves me deeply.
Training soldiers and conspiring is...
undeniably an act of treason.
The negligence of Magistrate Seong Gyu Jin...
failed to prevent this and let the leader escape.
This is equivalent to being complicit in treason.
This decree is unjust, Provincial Governor.
If the rebels were not captured,
there is no proof that they were rebels.
Did you smuggle them out...
or did the Magistrate collude with you and release them as before?
This is a false accusation!
You wretched woman! How long will you evade with words?
Do you think your eloquence...
can overturn the royal decree?
Provincial Governor.
You must not obstruct the decree.
Therefore, Magistrate Seong Gyu Jin is stripped of his office...
and his estate and household are confiscated.
Mak Sim.
In recognition of his loyalty in suppressing and punishing the rebels,
the Chief of the Cheongsu County Yuhyangso, Lee Chung Il,
is rewarded by royal command.
What are they saying?
This is absolutely outrageous.
Father.
- You cannot leave. - This cannot happen.
Father.
- Do not go, Young Master. - Father.
(The Tale of Lady Ok)
Sell them off immediately at the slave market in Gungchon-ri.
I have nothing to offer in return.
Be gone.
You have no one to protect you now.
If you keep pretending to be noble and get caught, what will you do?
It seems my guess was right.
You truly have become Bak Jun Gi's lapdog.
Bak Jun Gi is not even from Cheongsu County.
How did he learn about the treason at the Devoted Hearts Association?
Are you sure you will be okay on your own?
Just wait. When we leave this mountain,
you will thank me.
I was too greedy.
I thought I could achieve it all.