CJ ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
AN M PICTURES/ SNK PICTURES PRODUCTION
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEONG TAE SUNG
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER MICHELLE KWON
After defeating Korea in the war
the Qing Empire took tens of thousands of civilians as slaves.
Some of them were dragged into the battle against Ming China
to be used as human shield.
Huabei Northern China
Thank you.
Hey!
I'm Korean! I'm Korean!
'Since the language of our people is different from that of China...'
Don't wipe the blood off. Makes it look more real.
Now, quick, play dead!
This trick has saved my butt 12 times.
Your arrow... it's falling.
We were able to win this battle thanks to the Korean dogs.
I'm glad to be of service.
The Crown Prince awaits you.
Let's go.
Isn't that the governor of the Pyongan Province?
He's the reason I ended up here!
He's the reason all Koreans ended up here.
How can a Korean official be responsible for this?
He turned innocent citizens
into war prisoners and sold them to Qing.
And he's a governor!
Instead of protecting his people, he sold us out for money.
The bastard will pay for this.
Let's get out of here.
You have good survival instinct.
All you need is a bit of courage to escape.
I don't want to get caught and die like a dog.
I'd rather get killed running than die alone in a ditch.
What's your name?
I'm Kim In Hong.
They call me Bo Won. I don't have family name.
- And you? - Gyun.
'Gyun'... as in 'dog'?
Do you, honorable young sir, have a source of income back home?
I do not. Don't need one.
Since almost dying out here, I view my life as a gift.
I shall cherish every breath without calculating
and enjoy life to the fullest.
A few years later King's Royal Villa
I'm too good-looking to be a eunuch!
How beautiful.
Sorry?
I wish I wasn't missing certain... tools.
Wait!
Will you let me admire you, at least till the end of this hall?
Thief! Thief!
There's been a theft! Find the suspect!
Thief!
He's dressed as a eunuch!
Yes, sir.
Hey, you! Stop!
Stop that man! Over there!
There's no one here.
- Search the chambers! - Yes, Commander.
Your Majesty!
What's all this commotion? Take care of it quickly.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
I wish to be alone. Leave me.
But there's been a disturbance...
Am I the cause of that?
No, of course not, sire.
Then go away.
But Your Majesty's voice...
What about my voice?
It sounds... somewhat unusual.
You're questioning the voice that you hear everyday?
What has happened to the discipline of my servants?
I do not know what measures should be taken for this.
Your Majesty! It's the Chief of Servants.
Upholding Your Majesty's command,
I shall see to it that strict punishment is given to...
What's this about?
- Stop! - Stop running!
- Stop that man! - Stop!
How's it going?
Man...
I've got you bagged, you little snake.
He's wanted by the State Tribunal.
An extortionist on the national scale...
You're choking me.
...otherwise known as Mr. Bongyi.
How dare you touch the royal person!
You must have gone mad to steal from the king!
I just wanted to make a name for myself.
Have this returned safely to its place.
This criminal will be taken for questioning.
Yes, sir.
- Let's get back to the villa. - Yes, sir.
Chief, sir?
What is it?
Did you have to hit me so hard?
Poor control of power. Sorry!
Aren't gold bars supposed to be perfectly square shaped?
A donkey is perfect for a man of your stature.
What the hell, man? This is a big horse.
Let's go!
Stop, you scoundrels!
State Tribunal Seoul
Kim In Hong, also known as Mr. Bongyi.
Bongyi and his clan are responsible
for the recent theft at the royal villa.
Due to their mastery of disguise, exact descriptions aren't available,
but they're believed to be chiefly two people...
A good-looking, young man
and a chubby, aged man.
Why is he called Bongyi?
It was in Hamheung, Hamgyong Province.
What is this strange creature you have captured?
We didn't capture it, sir. Heaven sent it to us.
Deep in the notoriously treacherous Baekdu forest
in Geumgang Valley,
it suddenly revealed itself in the moonlight.
How majestic!
We took care not to disturb a single feather.
It took 3 days and 3 nights for us to present you
the Phoenix!
Is this really...? I can't believe my eyes!
We stopped to show you on our way to the Qing Emperor.
How much do you want for it?
Their first con was
passing a chicken off as a Phoenix for 3,000 nyang.
Keep your goodbyes short and sweet
so it doesn't prolong your departure.
Well, bye then.
My Phoenix!
In Gyeongju, Gyeongsang Province...
- Namo Ah Mi Tuo Fo. - Guan Shi Yin Pusa.
...they sold the royal conservatory for 10,000 nyang
to a nobleman's wife in dire need of a baby boy,
and in Naju, Jeolla Province,
Man, what a load...
Good Lord!
Where do you live, my lady?
Accept these
as a token of my heart.
You're driving me crazy!
- Oh, we can't... - It's okay. I promise.
You barefaced scoundrel!
Who are you?
Who am I? You're asking me?!
You were about to disgrace the daughter of a noble household.
- You little...! - No, brother! Stop!
What the hell is all this?
It's his token of love.
A token of love? I'm so gonna kill you!
I'll make it the last word you'll ever utter.
- Dear brother! - Let go of it!
You must let us love each other.
Darling!
- My love! - Don't go!
They seduced a wealthy merchant
by disguising as a girl and stole 20,000 nyang.
Darling?
My love... It's not you.
The victim refuses to accept what happened
and is still in love with the fraudster.
They've even been bold enough to pretend being king.
Their latest scam got them a staggering 30,000 nyang.
They cannot be left running around any more!
Arrest them at once to show the severity of the law.
Yes, sir!
Thanks to my ever-crafty partner,
I get to be a chief inspector, a peasant, a general.
I live a dozen different lives every week.
A great schemer, a charmer, and an incredible storyteller...
that's my boss!
Tell me something I don't know.
My man!
Huh?
So what's the next grand con?
Listen.
Yeah?
Do you know what the greatest con in life is?
What?
The next one.
The next con must always be the grandest and most fantastic.
You must be tired.
A little.
You know,
I'd love to help, if only our roles weren't divided.
You sneaky snake...
Now that we've arrived in Seoul, let me remind you,
don't go spending all your money, okay?
Stay clear of entertainment houses, you hear?
Gods of Heaven and Earth, those high above and far below ground,
those of thunder and lightning, all twelve gods of all twelve lands,
the commander of a thousand spirits, O holy deity,
dear spirit General, speak to me...
Let me see. Your son...
he's your only child.
That's right.
What? What's wrong?
Your son's name contains the symbol for tree, correct?
How did you know that?
Crack!
Crack...?
I see an ax splitting that tree in half.
His bloodline will end with him.
Good God, no!
That cannot happen. No, no!
Calm down. There's a way.
Burn this and have him drink the ashes on a full moon night.
Thank you! Thank you so much!
Is Madame Yoon here?
Is that you, General?
I haven't heard from you in so long.
I thought you were rotting in jail somewhere.
How could I possibly get caught and leave you by yourself?
Be honest.
Wasn't it the General's statue you were worried about?
Why can't you believe me? It breaks my heart.
I could run away with all your money if I wanted.
Run away? I would k...!
I trust you
with all my being.
I bet.
We've been to hell and back as prisoners of Qing
we have shed tears and wiped tears off others' faces.
And in those tears grows trust.
In fact, I've learned to trust something else.
What would that be?
That one day you'll return my love.
You can trust that this will be your death bed if you keep on.
Never hurts to try.
What's our Mr. Bongyi up to?
He's probably at a tavern grabbing a quiet supper.
I told him not to blow all of his money like he did last time.
I'm sure he listened.
Everyone! Follow me!
Stop, stop!
Now,
where should we go next?
Where do the poorest live in this town?
Pick a direction.
It's the east.
East it is!
Giddy up!
Residents of east!
Like the saying, earn like a dog spend like a king,
let's all share this fortune.
Take it.
Take it all.
Why did you bother bringing a few pennies back?
You should just keep your statue at the bar.
Give him a break.
He knows how to appreciate a beautiful woman. That's our Bongyi.
And you, my dear sister, have the wisdom to understand the world.
Gyun.
The government's army is coming! Run!
Bongyi, I knew you'd bring trouble with your money!
Let me see your face. You okay?
I got you, didn't I?
You scared me!
You were too busy with your statue to even check on me.
You see the trouble you got me into?
I fooled you, right?
Yeah, you got me.
You promised I could join you if I fooled you, remember?
Sister, you should make room for another statue.
- Happy now? - Of course I am!
You must never let the other person know how you really feel.
They'll never see a thing.
Did you want so badly to join in on a scam?
No, I wanted so badly to join you, my brothers.
Very well.
If you falter, they eat you alive.
Own it.
Yes, sir!
Do you see this reddish stain?
It's the blood of the Japanese who died
at the mercy of my great-grandfather's sword.
The Japanese?
Sitting by himself under the moonlit sky of Hansan Island,
wielding his giant sword, in deep concern for his country...
Hansan Island? You mean... Admiral Yi Sun-shin?
Are you... for real right now?
I've made a mistake.
This is a treasure that we can't sell anyone.
Let's go home.
Father!
Is he alright?
We're going home.
But your health treatments...
I'd rather die than betray my family.
We mustn't sell this sword to anyone.
Nothing can take priority over one's life.
Father!
I promise you.
I'll be a warrior worthy of Admiral Yi's sword!
Please buy that sword for me.
- You happy? - I'm thrilled.
Remember, work should always be fun!
That's right. Fun!
What are you gonna do with that money?
I'm not going to spend a penny of it.
But money is for spending, dummy.
- I'll use it later. - Later when?
I'm going to save up
to buy back all my townsfolk taken to Qing.
That a boy.
Tobacco!
Huh?
Our next job will be tobacco.
An ounce of tobacco equals an ounce of silver right now.
When did it become so expensive?
The demand is high, but there's only one supplier,
a merchant named Sung.
We pocketed 30,000 nyang worth of gold from the villa job.
The tobacco sitting in Sung's warehouse is worth 100,000.
100,000 nyang?!
It's the best quality available to be sent to Qing.
Do I have your attention now?
But still...
This is our last chance
before it gets shipped off to China.
Brothers!
Come on, the Phoenix soup is ready!
Alright!
Looks good.
About Gyun...
What about him?
Never mind, we'll talk later.
Let's eat.
Tobacco Job Plans
Every morning, Sung leaves home at 5 am.
Good morning, sir!
He stops by tobacco shops to deliver the day's batch,
has breakfast at the tavern across the street,
then goes to the warehouse, stays until sundown.
He stops by the bar before going home.
That's his routine?
Let's check out his warehouse.
We can't.
Why not?
To pass the guards guarding the warehouse,
we need a certificate stamped by Sung's seal.
Supposed we fabricated the seal.
Open the gate.
Sung will be sitting right there at the gate
telling the guards that he doesn't know us.
Suppose we got rid of Sung somehow.
What about the guards?
You'll take them down single-handedly then snatch the tobacco?
I don't care how clever you are. That simply cannot be done.
Let's get a drink.
Not you.
Why the hell did you latch this gate?
Well, look what we have here...
Anybody home?
Who's being a nuisance at this hour?
What's going on out here?
- ...ruining my appetite. - It's nothing, General.
What do you think you're doing?
We promised them not to accept any more customers tonight.
Take the money and go somewhere else.
My dear friend doesn't want to hear another man's voice.
Where's this stink coming from?
What the...?
You should be careful how you speak to me.
Prepare a table.
But sir...
Hey!
How can you lay a hand on a woman?
And you call yourself a man?
So, you want to drink here,
right?
Why don't we make a bet for it?
A bet?
Sure.
A fist fight. Man to man.
One from my side, and one from yours.
We'll have the fight and
the loser will pay for everyone's drinks and disappear.
Loser pays and leaves, huh?
Okay. It's a deal.
Step up! Anybody!
Who will it be from your side?
It's not over until it's over.
Put your back into it, General.
I should've known.
You snake!
General!
General?
At least he fought like a man.
And now it's over.
Bring us the tab.
Don't look so happy. You got beat up.
I'm the only one that gets beat up from now, okay?
You were supposed to hit the other guy, right?
Yes, ma'am.
What have they done to you?
Wow, bro!
How marvelous!
What herb is this?
Careful! It's poisonous.
You know what they say about this in Eastern Medicine?
What?
Nothing.
You snake!
The job will take place at 8 pm tomorrow.
The goods will be taken care of immediately through another dealer.
Let's get to work.
Just the right stuff for the guards.
Hey...
your hat is crooked.
You must always be dressed like a gentleman
if you want to be treated like one.
Yes, ma'am.
Deliver this letter to the cotton merchant, Choi.
He'll tell you what to do after.
- I'm counting on you. - Yes, sir.
We should get going too.
- The job is at 8pm. - It's now.
But you just told Gyun...
We'll do this without him.
What?
He's too nice a kid to be doing our line of work.
With smaller jobs, maybe, but this one's dangerous.
He still has a chance at a normal life.
You could have given me a heads up on this.
Take care, boys.
Who's there?
I've always been curious
who it is that makes
this incredible rice soup?
Sorry?
Exactly as I thought, you're beautiful,
with skin the same color as the soup you make.
Can you feel it?
The heat from my heart, radiating like this hot stove.
Let's end this within 2 hours.
Good morning.
Open the gate.
May I have a taste before I load it?
Go ahead.
This is a trick I learned in Qing.
Smoking tobacco rolled up in paper.
Wanna try?
It's impolite to decline, I guess.
Young men should be adventurous.
I don't smoke.
Really?
It makes my throat burn, so I don't like it.
You're gonna regret it.
Just do what I do.
Put tobacco on the paper,
and roll it up tight
like this.
Wow, this stuff is strong!
It's good, right?
- One... two... three... four... - Why are you counting?
Well, you're supposed to fall before 5.
Dammit!
Why couldn't you smoke like the others?
Sir!
See ya.
I think my arms are about to fall off.
I'd love to help, but we have divided roles.
There!
You must be Gyun.
Yes, sir.
Why don't you read it?
Dear Gyun...
This is what In Hong left for you.
Take the money and return to your hometown.
This should be enough to buy 100 acres of farmland.
Who said I wanted money?
They're my family.
This is my home where I live with my family.
The tobacco warehouse has been robbed.
It's them!
It's a large load, so
he'll contact someone who deals directly with the Chinese.
And there is only one person in Seoul.
Birds are flying in
All kinds of birds are flying in
- Will you serve me tonight? - No.
Looks like it's gonna snow.
Do you know how to make a snowman?
I sure do. But I prefer snowball fights.
There they are.
Why are you taking me to the river?
Because the snowman's floating in the water.
Brothers!
Did I miss them?
Where is my tobacco?
Where is the snowman?
Relax, what's the rush?
You have the goods.
Oopsy, look at that bird!
I'm sorry!
We finally meet.
I've been waiting for this moment.
If someone heard you, he might think we were lovers.
I think he wants to talk to you. I should get going.
Stop, fatso!
I knew it was you when I heard about the tobacco theft.
How dare you lay your hands on His Majesty's purse?
I finally got you, Mr. Bongyi.
Who?
We're just fruit merchants.
We just confirmed there's tobacco on this boat.
Do not resist arrest!
Wait.
You'd better turn around and quietly walk away.
Unless you want to see all this tobacco turn to ashes.
I dare you.
Do you have any idea how much this is worth?
Do it.
Oh, man...
Okay, then.
Watch me.
No!
Get them!
You can't set fire for real!
You just torched 100,000 nyang.
Stop!
Split up!
Over there!
Get them.
Stop!
Go away!
I'm sorry, dear.
Stop!
Kim In Hong!
Where is it?
I asked you
where's my tobacco?
Wanna know?
I smoked it away.
All that smoke went in and out of my lungs,
and it tasted so good.
We have a situation.
All of the tobacco is burning!
Who did they think they could catch?
It all burned to ashes.
If the boss sees this
he'll have us all killed.
Gyun?
Why is he...?!
That man!
It's that bastard.
Sir, you're here.
Are you sure this is him?
He seems too young,
but if he wore a fake beard, it could be him.
Speak clearly.
Is this the man?
Yes! I'm Kim In Hong.
I'm the infamous Mr. Bongyi that sold a chicken as a Phoenix
and tricked even the king!
Where's the rest of your gang?
You expect the great Mr. Bongyi to give them up?
We're family,
and families don't sell each other out.
You have fierce eyes. How unfortunate.
No!
Gyun! Gyun!
What do you love the most?
I don't know your savage language, you...!
I just love doing this.
That's not Kim In Hong.
I'll be seeing you, brothers.
Gyun!
Please...
Look at me.
Gyun!
Open your eyes.
Get up. We gotta get out of here.
Pull yourself together!
Shenyang Capital of Qing
Aisin Gioro Fuguo Qing's Crown Prince
How's Dobatai serving you?
He's my loyal shadow.
I thank you for recommending such a good man, Your Highness.
You have the best credit among all the Koreans.
Even better than your king.
In the royal household, we refer to you as 'Wondongun',
the Prince of the Far East.
It's unfortunate
that our faith has been shaken due to the recent incident.
The royal household must not suffer any inconvenience from it.
This silver is worth three times the tobacco I promised to ship.
From next year on, we'll increase the tobacco shipment by five fold.
Are you sure you can handle that?
Soon, my entire province will be turned into a tobacco field.
We can't leave, not after what we did to raise this crop.
The ownership of this land has changed. Leave at once!
We have nowhere else to go.
Get them out of there.
If you throw us out, we'll all starve to death!
Show mercy! At least let us harvest the field.
Help me!
Help me, please!
What atrocity is happening in Pyongan Province?
Good citizens are suffering from hunger in the aftermath of the war.
All of that crop field was sold off for tobacco farming?
How is that even possible?
I shall announce a prohibition on farming tobacco altogether.
You must take heed, Your Majesty.
The state cannot dictate what to grow or not to grow
on land privately owned.
Take heed, Your Majesty!
You must take heed, Your Majesty!
I cannot just sit by and watch Sung Dae Ryung carry on like this.
Is there really nothing that can be done?
The winners of the state examinations are waiting for you
in the Grand Hall, Your Majesty.
- You happy? - I'm thrilled.
Remember, what should work always be?
Fun!
That's right. Fun!
What shall I do, Gyun?
I don't think I can do this one for fun.
Pyongyang
Bongyi!
You told me to wait a month. What took you so long?
Who are you calling Bongyi?
What did I tell you? Act like it's the real thing.
Yes, Master.
Want some rice cake?
What have you been doing in Seoul?
Preparation. We're not up against an easy target.
What about on your end?
I found a hut by the river, like you asked.
I also spread word among the tobacco workers
and found what you were looking for
a three-shooter.
This is a Korea-made gun modified in China.
It has three chambers and no wick.
We're putting our lives on the line with this job.
I'm not sure about putting my life...
I'm kidding! If you go, I go.
That's loyalty.
Gyun remained loyal to us until the end.
We owe him that much.
We'll do this job for loyalty and revenge
then go back to our life of fun.
Alright, I'll stake my life.
And one for Gyun.
Let's get to work then.
Find the carpenter that Madame Yoon recommended.
Hello?
Looking for a room?
How many?
All of them.
Come again?
There are plenty of other inns, but Madame Yoon sent me here.
- Lim Sun sent you? - That's right.
Well, why didn't you say so?
She and I were slaves in the same house in Qing.
I heard you're a man that can build things.
Ever heard of the Forbidden City?
Of course.
I put up all of its east walls.
Let's build something together.
Start construction immediately.
What about you?
I gotta find the right bait to catch a clever fish.
Are you from Seoul?
Yes, but this is my hometown.
I moved to Seoul to study as soon as I could.
I see.
Today, I took a walk along the Daedong River.
Everyone I met there talked of a sunflower,
a sunflower that lives in this establishment.
They were referring to Miss Gyu Young.
'Gyu' as in sunflower, 'Young' as in blossom.
Now I see.
She must be quite a stunner to make even scholars stutter.
But is she a 'Miss, ' not a woman of the night?
Please ask no more.
Would it be inappropriate
to ask to see her?
I wouldn't encourage that. It could put you in danger.
There's always danger when a man and a woman meet.
Missing someone you've never met
is like yearning for the moon.
Like a child reaching out for the moon,
I sing the song of a shy man
to a sunflower impossible to meet.
I will run to your chamber while you count to one.
Please make up your mind while I count to three,
so we can gaze at each other as we both count to ten.
If my wish is granted,
I shall be gone
before you count to twenty.
I counted to ten.
It's not just beauty
or allure.
It's a flutter.
You...
You make me flutter, miss.
In the upstream of the Daedong River,
there's good flat land suitable for tobacco farming.
Take a trip up there and check it out.
Yes, sir.
Great to see you, sir.
What a pleasant surprise!
I'm sorry, but you're not the woman I'm looking for.
Is the preparation well under way?
You have nothing to worry about.
Pour me a drink.
She's nothing better than a stone.
You said there'll be someone I must smile at.
Of what value would I be if I smiled at just anyone?
I'm just anyone?
That you are.
If you fail to please the Crown Prince of Qing,
there'll be no remuneration to save your family.
You'll be on your way to Qing by the next full moon.
Go away! Don't come near me!
Wait.
I just wanna ask some questions.
I got nothing to tell you. Don't trespass on our river.
I'm interested in the land, not the river...
I don't care!
Go!
Did you say gold?
Yes, sir. No doubt about it.
Really?
There's gold in Daedong River?
Don't come any closer.
You scoundrels!
This is our river. You can't trespass.
Are you listening to me?
You are not welcomed, so take your dirty butts out of here!
Don't come any closer!
Let go of this!
You're pulling my pants down!
Damn you.
Do you find a lot of gold here?
You know
I'm just guarding this river at the order of my master.
I don't know whether there's gold or not.
If you're so curious, talk to my master.
You've been saying you're guarding the river.
How can a river have an owner?
Master!
What's this fuss about?
You're the young sir from the other night.
Why are you and your men hassling my guard?
I was enjoying the landscape when I stumbled upon this nice river.
If you'll excuse me.
It's gold, sir.
Judging from the amount,
the bed of the river must be covered with it.
We should immediately...
Do not rush.
Haste makes waste.
This looks like a lost cause.
Hey!
You'll put a jinx on it.
Don't worry. They'll be here before I count to ten.
One... two...
My master wishes to meet you.
Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Han Gyu Won.
I'm Sung Dae Ryung.
I asked to meet you because I'm a man of curiosity.
Ask me anything you like.
If I'm not mistaken, I heard you're the owner of this river.
Is that correct?
Yes, that's correct.
To this day, I've never heard of any river that was a private possession.
I'm a very lucky man to have ancestors with such foresight.
It was when King Taejo was founding this dynasty.
Daedong River June 1388
King Taejo
It will take 8 hours to detour via upstream.
We'll fail if we're delayed by 8 hours.
We'll cross the river here.
It's too dangerous, my lord!
We can't afford unnecessary loss before arriving in the capital.
Look over there!
Archers to position!
Identify yourselves.
Please don't shoot!
Allow me to speak to you, sir.
My name is Han Bong Su. I'm the chief of this village.
We'll help you cross.
Stop that.
That's how my 13th generation ancestor
contributed to the founding of this kingdom.
Inscrutable are the king's favors!
Does that answer your question?
Indeed, it does. Thank you for sharing the amusing story.
As good as it may sound, owning river means nothing.
It's not like you can sell the free-flowing water.
Until recently, there's been no real benefit,
but I may finally gain from my ancestor's good doing.
That's marvelous.
So,
I think I'll quit studying
and settle down in Pyongyang to raise a happy family.
Please introduce me
to a reputable lady if you know anyone.
I want to check the facts myself.
But the Royal Chronicles are kept in the library with restricted access.
Deliver this letter to the Vice Prime Minister.
Yes, sir.
Also, we heard from Seoul
that they still haven't tracked down Kim In Hong.
Find him yourself then.
Yes, sir.
We're in trouble!
These are divers from seaside towns.
They'll find out in about an hour.
He's trying to confirm if there really is gold.
Did you place some gold there?
- How could I know where he'd look? - Of course not.
Do we have any gold left?
It's all gone... Except!
I kept one from the villa job, as a souvenir.
Nothing here!
Just soil, sir.
Nothing here.
Nothing here either.
We found gold!
They found it. It's gold!
Damn it.
Sir,
this is far beyond just gold dust.
There's got to be a sizable gold vein in the riverbed.
How big do you think it is?
They found gold upstream as well as down here.
If the vein runs all the way through the river
then it's at least in the millions of ounces.
You must finish quickly.
...On August 11, King Taejo recognized
Han Bong Su of Pyongyang for his contribution in founding the kingdom
and bestowed the title of the Daedong River.
It's true!
Will you serve me, Sawol?
I had no choice but to cooperate...
I'm really sorry about that.
You back-stabbed me once, so why not twice?
I would never do that.
Never!
No, you're not listening.
I meant, why not do it again?
Let's throw him the bait.
Miss Gyu Young.
I know you belong to Mr. Sung.
What are you doing?
But I can't help if my heart keeps seeking you!
What's wrong with him?
Go away!
I'll do anything for you.
Please stop!
Gyu Young!
Go away!
Gyu Young!
Let me just see her face!
Gyu Young!
Get off.
Stop troubling us.
Stop!
Let go of me!
I will wait for you every night at 8 by the temple.
Go away!
That felt so genuine. Are you...?
You have to be so truthful that you fool yourself.
I'm just worried you're gonna get hurt.
Don't worry. I never put true emotions on the job.
All my emotions are focused on Sung.
I don't have any to spare on anyone else.
Mr. Sung wishes to invite you.
Let me invite him this time.
We're almost there.
What have you got for me?
Why don't you see for yourself?
Come on, faster!
That's good.
Good teamwork.
You there! Hurry.
I invited you out here on the account of fine weather.
What's that structure?
It's amazing technology, isn't it?
Those men acquired skills from China.
It'll be another day or two before it's completed.
They said compared to the Great Wall, this was a child's play.
Complete with a sluice,
it will completely block water flow for half a day.
Why are you building a dam?
I want to see for myself
if I can find gold in the riverbed,
and if so, how much there really is.
What if you find nothing?
Such is life.
If there's a luscious sunflower, you should pick it.
If something makes you curious, find the answer.
Isn't that the beauty of a poetic adventure?
It's a dangerous gamble.
And that makes it all the more fun.
That's the habit of men who weren't breastfed by their mothers.
Or so I've heard in passing.
From Japanese Invasions to 2 Manchu Wars,
I lived through 4 wars in my lifetime.
My parents went out to fight for the land that their king abandoned
and died before I even finished suckling.
Maybe it's because I wasn't breastfed by my mother,
but I have a strong appetite for worldly desires.
He's selling the river?
Yes, sir.
Does it make sense to sell a river?
There's gold there.
Kim In Hong found a gold vein in the Daedong River
and is trying to sell it to Sung at a high price.
Men are prohibited from mining gold privately.
As soon as the deal is closed, Kim In Hong will flee the country.
Sell it to me for 500,000 nyang.
Sell you what?
Even if you find gold, civilians can't mine it.
Give me the river.
Because you're not a civilian?
If that is against the law, then I will have the law changed.
I have that power. Do you?
Even if you find gold, you couldn't keep it.
This is a very generous offer.
I don't care if I don't get to keep it.
Didn't I tell you? I'm building the dam out of curiosity.
Let's be more honest here.
If you weren't interested in selling, you wouldn't have brought me here.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
The sound of singing water, the cool breeze... isn't it marvelous?
800,000.
Please, sir...
it's hard for me to decide right now. It's my family's treasure.
I still want my questions answered.
Just give me two days. I'll give you my answer then.
As you please.
Gold in the Daedong River?
What's the amount?
If the vein stretches over the river, it could be millions of ounces.
Now, Sung wants his hands on gold? Tobacco wasn't enough for him?
I will never allow him to get away with this.
Take my troops to Pyongyang immediately.
Yes, Your Majesty.
This is our chance to finally get Sung.
Prepare an incognito travel.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I'll give my answer in two days.
I shall make an offer he can't refuse.
Gyu Young.
Don't be too long.
Miss!
You came.
It's good that I quit...
...quit studying to come to Pyongyang.
I met you and am enjoying this beautiful night with you.
It's nice to see your smile.
Can I see that smile again?
I've been living as Sung's merchandise,
but you made me remember that I'm a person with a beating heart.
This ends tonight though.
I came to here to thank you.
Wherever I go, I will never forget this night.
Miss,
the truth is...
Who are you?
Where is Gyu Young?
Let her in.
Miss!
When a dog is in heat
it runs around day and night looking for a mate.
I never thought that mate would be you.
So
Let's have a drink and strip her down layer by layer.
Stop what you're doing.
Hand over the river for 800,000.
Let her go.
700,000.
500,000.
Stop insulting her!
I'll sell it
for 500,000.
But only on one condition.
You give Gyu Young to me.
A man doesn't care about his dog after it betrays him,
but I cannot risk your whims.
Why don't you stay the night and close the deal tomorrow?
Where have you been?
I had to run some errands. Why do you ask?
Your master will stay over at my master's tonight.
What?
They'll close the deal on the sale of the river.
Bring the deed to the dam by 8 tomorrow morning.
I heard you're a gifted psychic.
Help me find this man.
Make haste!
Finally, it's completed.
How incredible!
Check this out.
Master!
You alright?
I'm fine.
Check the documents.
This is the title deed for land half of the size of Pyongyang
which is worth 500,000 at the current value.
I'll take your word for it.
There is still one thing I wish to confirm.
I checked the Royal Chronicles
to confirm your title to the river is genuine.
I'm going to check another fact about you.
Be my guest.
There was a man who stole tobacco from me in Seoul
called Kim In Hong.
I hear that man is in Pyongyang now.
I found someone that knows him.
Is Kim In Hong here?
What are you doing?
Like I said, checking.
Look carefully.
Do you see Kim In Hong here?
Dobatai!
Stop at once!
I can't bear to watch a woman get killed.
You must know this woman well.
If you insist on keeping quiet...
Speak now.
Tell him!
You can't let him take your life.
Tell him what you know.
In Hong...
Kim In Hong is...
They're here.
Kim In Hong is here.
It's that man over there.
Dammit!
Catch that man! That's Kim In Hong.
Catch Kim In Hong!
Why are you calling me Kim In Hong?
I want to close this deal.
But I can't leave
without saving a lady in distress.
Kim In Hong would never do that.
- Get him. - Yes, sir!
Stop!
Stop right there.
After him.
In Hong!
Faster!
Yes, sir.
In Hong!
It's His Majesty, the King! Pay your respects.
Civilian access to the Daedong River shall be prohibited
and any gold mined from the premises
will revert back to the state.
Sung, surrender the title deed to the river now.
Do you not hear me?
What are you doing?
Surrender...?
You must think of me as a common fool.
Sung!
This river belongs to me.
If the law prohibits me mining it, then I'll change the law.
What?
What moves this country isn't your authority but my money.
I'm the one that sits down with the Qing Emperor's descendants
whom your father bowed to.
I, Sung Dae Ryung, not you.
Did you say money moves the world?
Money doesn't know honor.
In a world without honor,
how many more innocent people should die for your filthy greed?
A world where you're simply born a king without working for it,
I won't endure it anymore.
Did you just reveal
a traitorous intent?
Treason.
That's a risky gamble you're about to play.
Remember
there's only one bullet left in the chamber.
You know what will happen if your treason fails.
Will you die in place of your king?
My life is a gift.
It's a pity your fierce gaze is going to be wasted.
You pulled the trigger, fool.
It was me
that brought the king here.
The exam winners are here.
Your Majesty, do you wish to see Sung Dae Ryung fall?
Change the Royal Chronicles for me.
I knew you would point the gun at His Majesty.
I planned out everything.
All this was for you.
Let's sell the river.
Daedong River?
But how?
We'll prepare bait he can't help but bite.
No.
It's gold!
It has to be!
Do you like my friend's work?
When the water changes course,
take that as a signal.
Your Majesty, please retreat to safety now.
Kim In Hong!
Give me my gold.
Sung Dae Ryung!
Your greed knows no end.
A deal is a deal.
I'll give you the river.
What I wanted from you
wasn't your money
but your demise.
This is for everyone who died on your account,
especially
for Gyun.
We gotta go, man.
Really!
In Hong!
My sin of putting the king's safety in danger for my personal vendetta
can only be paid with death.
No.
Traitors were apprehended thanks to you.
Now we only have to turn those tobacco farms back into crop fields.
You have passed the exams and have many talents.
I will bestow upon you a post in the office.
Why don't you use your skills for the country?
I'm infinitely indebted to your grace, but an official's robe doesn't suit me.
So, please withdraw your command, Your Majesty.
Your mind is set?
I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness.
That's a shame.
You've passed the exams but won't have a post in the office.
Your title will remain 'Seondal' then.
Kim Seondal.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Let me ask you one last question.
Will you stop swindling?
I think I've had enough.
Be careful not to lose it
and look out for thieves.
It's money that Gyun earned with his life.
Don't worry.
I'll bring back Gyun's villagers and 1,000 more people.
I have a question for you.
How did you pull off passing the exams?
He disguised himself, what else?
Switched identity tags?
Stole exam questions?
How could I possibly cheat on the sacred state exams?
Of course, I...
You... what?
...studied for it.
What else?
Hey, watch what you're touching!
Hold tight, darling.
Who are you calling 'darling'?
Where are you gonna go?
Just you wait.
You'll hear stories of Kim Seondal soon.
KIM SEONDAL
Who's the most favored successor of Qing's Emperor, Hong Taiji?
Hooge, the eldest son? Or the fourth son, Yebusu?
It's neither.
It's the Princess Yuan Jing
who possesses the emperor's love.
I see.
Over the years working as a convoy to Qing,
I invested heart and soul into winning her trust.
Wait.
Haven't we met before?
Not until today.
Do you have a sister then?
I only have 6 other brothers.
Only brothers...
After you.
Let me introduce you
to the princess' uncle, Guaisimboile Hoshoi,
and the princess' mother, Borjigit Jorjor.
And this here is
Princess Yuan Jing.
Good Lord!
It's happening all over again.
Princess, you're an exquisite beauty.
Where do you live?
Let's get this ball rolling.
Game on.
YOO SEUNG HO
CHO JAE HYUN
KO CHANG SEOK
RA MI RAN
XIUMIN
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY PARK DAE MIN