The Joseon Shooter
[Third year of Emperor Gojong's reign]
[The Liberals and Conservatives were in fierce opposition in Joseon.]
[The Confucian Scholars who advocated for Emperor Gojong's enlightenment policies]
[and their doubts for gunmen holding a new type of gun were being brought down one by one...]
He.... will most definitely appear.
We will surely apprehend him today!
Keep this in mind!
He is a gunman!
He uses a Westerners' gun!
Stand firm!
As long as you have courage, you can catch him!
My Lord!
We have found his location.
Move out!
'Let us put aside our differences and protect Joseon!'
Do not be fooled by those words.
Those men are not trying to protect Joseon!
- In Joseon's... - You go out there! And in there!
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
What those men are truly trying to protect are their own amassed power!
Stirring up the people's delusions..
That is their wealth!
- Agreed! - Agreed!
The only way for Joseon to survive is in the enlightenment!
Look at the first section of the exposition!
Look at what happened in the closed-door policy!
Joseon must open its doors to the world!
We also must embrace the new ways of the world!
- Agreed! - Agreed!
- We must do that! - Agreed!
Joseon must truly put an end to its traditional ways.
Joseon's future hangs on whether we actively prepare
for the new ways of the world or not.
Joseon's enlightenment period will usher in a new era.
And everyone, we must overcome this new era!
Somebody must take that path!
Let us stand together!
Let us create a new Joseon!
Joseon must...
- It's a gun! - Professor!
Professor!
It's a gun!
Run!
What do we do? Professor!
- You mustn't die this way! - Professor!
- Professor!
My Lord!
My Lord. Are you all right?
[Episode 1]
In just one month, we lost three lives!
Song Ha, Jeol Gang, and not too long ago, Hyeon Am!
They were scholars that I brought into the palace!
They were necessary people to advocate for the enlightenment!
However!
What are you all doing?
Speak, Second Vice Premier Kim.
Weren't you in charge of this investigation?
Your Majesty.
We are doing all that we can.
We will find the culprit soon, so do not worry.
Do not worry?
That is all you can say to me?
[Kim Byung Jae: Second Vice Premier, Conservative Party]
Keep this in mind, all of you.
The culprit will definitely be apprehended.
And if there is an accomplice among you
you will be revealed!
I... will attest to this vow!
Your Majesty, you are correct.
Do as you wish.
We will do our utmost best.
- We will do our best! - We will do our best!
Who is left now?
Oh Kyung Lee Nam Joo, sire.
However, their whereabouts are unknown.
My apologies, sire.
Although I sent in my men the day Hyeon Am died
they... already disappeared.
Go find them. Go and protect them.
Also... find the culprit quickly.
Yes, sire.
Keep this in mind.
These were my words.
These are acts from those who have skewed my words.
I put my life on the line, Your Majesty.
- Take care. - I'll come again next time.
Why have you been away for so long, my Lord?
Search everywhere.
We at least must find a small clue.
No matter how trivial the rumors of the gunman
make sure to confirm them!
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
Do not worry.
I will cleanly take that flower out of your mouth.
Rest easy and close your eyes.
Now, now...
May all of you pay for that young lady's clothes.
How cheeky! There you go!
There you go!
- Here! - Here!
What are you doing?
Did you learn how to wield a sword to use it for party tricks?
What's so great about a sword?
If you're able to earn money by swinging it around
isn't that enough?
Will you not stop?
If you have nothing else to say, I'll take my leave.
Then.
Do not go wherever you please!
There are many ominous cases in the capital city!
Yes, I know.
I also know that you've been running around for a month
because you haven't caught that gunman yet.
Don't worry about your useless son.
Go on and apprehend the criminal.
Then I will take my leave.
At least do not think of doing anything rash.
It isn't appropriate behavior to your status.
This is...
Take it.
Seeing as you're cross-dressing as a scholar
I feel that it could be dangerous.
Go on.
You don't know what might happen in the city nowadays.
Thanks.
No need to thank me.
Then take care, dear scholar.
Yes, let's see each other again, Madame.
- Ah! - Whoa!
Are you all right?
I'm sorry. Does it really hurt?
I think we just bumped into one another.
What a guy.
- I heard that Oh Kyung frequents here. - That's right.
But would he appear here?
Everyone says that Oh Kyung is next to be killed.
But just to be sure, please give this to him when he comes.
Understood.
Yes, then...
Whoa!
Oh my, we meet again.
All right, and you're okay from before?
I'm fine.
What is with you!
I followed you for a while.
All the way here from the gibang. (Where gisaeng entertain noblemen)
I heard that it's a crime for scholars to frequent that place.
And that you'll be kicked out if you meet the authorities.
Who... who are you?
Why are you...
I was curious.
What the suspicious man holding a gun does exactly.
A wanderer like yourself likely isn't a shooter.
Then what would he be?
- Let go of me! - Fine.
We need people like you.
A spy in the capital who relays information!
Relay this to that gunman.
I want to meet him.
Don't accuse the innocent!
Where do you think you're going?
Why I ought to...
Jeez...
Why you...
Let go!
Stop! Or we'll take you to the police bureau!
What are you doing? Apprehend them!
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
What? Gosh...
[Police Bureau]
Sit down. Sit down.
Hey, hey, hey. Sit down.
I said sit down.
Who are those guys?
Half of them are con men and the other half are porters.
I hear they're behaving like that because they're bored.
- Because of what? - Fighting over livelihood.
Let's go inside.
Really...
All right. You said you found a lead on the gunman?
Yeah, that guy...
I won't leave him be if I catch him again!
- Leave him alone. - What?
Pretend it didn't happen
or else you'll find yourself running into the real gunman.
- You call yourself a policeman... - And does a policeman have spare lives?
There are things you should avoid.
What he had was a new type of gun.
It's different from a musket.
It's a hundred times stronger and faster. It's best that you avoid him.
What if I catch him?
Well...
I'll give you Myungeori!
And is Myungeori yours?
I'd hand it over because it isn't!
What are you doing?
You sure know how to avoid things...
That new gun will probably be slower than you!
I'm leaving.
Whoa!
Relay this to the gunman.
Where do you think you're going?
What happened?
I don't know. I don't want to talk about it.
So just stop it already.
I can't stand it anymore because it makes me too scared!
The madam was looking for you this morning.
Do you know how surprised I was?
Do you know how much I had to sweat while you were roaming around?
Oh my!
My lady...
What is this?
- Oh... someone gave it to me. - From whom?
Hye Won.
So you just took it?
It's because I'm afraid, too!
Do you know the chills I get while I'm looking for Professor Oh Kyung?
It feels like that gunman is like a shadow following me.
So please give it a rest.
What's so great about one book...
Do you want to speak so carelessly?
It's Professor Hyeon Am's book.
Teacher reserved it for me.
I have to deliver it.
It's because I worry about you!
What if you find yourself running into the gunman himself?
Hey, don't say things like that!
It's scary.
If the advocacy to pile arms goes through
we will all be ousted from the palace!
Is that all?
If we put it nicely, it's to change national prosperity and military power.
Who will pay for all of that?
In the end, it means to leave noblemen like us penniless!
There's nothing left to see.
Please make a decision this time.
If we call Dae Won immediately...
[Kim Jwa Young, Conservative Party Leader] Don't be hasty.
How hard is it to establish a new era?
It means to carve a different way of life.
That's the hard work.
- However... - Give it some time.
So that His Majesty will realize it himself.
When His Majesty sees that Oh Kyung is killed...
His Majesty will back down a bit.
All right... do you have anything more to say?
About Park Jin Han...
He is the leader of the palace guard His Majesty himself appointed.
He is aggressively looking into the case.
If we leave it be, he could be angered...
That... is something those on the case will take care of.
If there are those who oppose...
Take care of them.
Yes, My Lord.
Then, go on and drink.
Is it going well?
I believe it will take a few days.
My apologies.
- Now... you'll be in charge. - Yes, sir.
Have you found out Park Jin Han's whereabouts?
- Yes. - Start by getting rid of him.
Oh Kyung... is next.
Yes, understood.
[Palace Guard] This gun, sire.
This is the only modern gun of its kind in Joseon.
It is an American gun used in 1811.
As you've experienced, it is both strong and kills upon firing.
There is no need to light a spark or gunpowder like a musket.
Even if it fills with water, it can fire again shortly.
What weapon must one use to beat it?
There is no weapon in Joseon that will beat it, sir.
It was like that in 1811 as well.
The enemies were able to cover distances that neither bow nor muskets could reach.
While 350 Joseon countrymen died, only three on the enemy lines died.
If you encounter that gunman again, you should avoid him for now.
You have been lucky until now, my Lord.
Will he be unable to come tonight, too?
It's already been over ten days.
Does it not worry you, older brother?
Worry about what? It's only been ten days.
Back when he was working at the border he wouldn't come home for ten months.
The day I was born, and when you were born, too...
Only the maid.
Still, it hasn't been this bad ever since he returned to the capital.
He must be in charge of a very big case.
I heard there's a gunman running around. He wouldn't be chasing him, would he?
All done.
Here, look.
What is it this time?
Guess.
A jar?
Hey, it's an owl.
How is that an owl? It looks just like a jar.
Usually, when an owl keeps its wings to itself
it looks just like a jar.
And look. There are eyes here and his ears point upwards...
Forget it. Make me an owl with open wings.
Wings?
Okay, this time it's really done. Take a look.
- Hoo! Hoo! - I said with its wings open!
He must be home!
Father!
Oh!
Have you been well?
Of course, have you been well, Yeon Ha?
Yes.
Who is that?
Take her inside!
Father!
- Yeon Ha, go inside. - All right.
We finally meet.
Come here!
Stop right there!
Stand aside!
- He's over there! - Yes, my Lord!
It's this house.
- Search everywhere. - Yes, sir.
- Go and search! - Yes, sir.
What brings you, sir?
Stand aside. We're the palace guard.
- What is the matter? - The man we were chasing is hiding here.
We'll search the estate.
This place belongs to the Vice Chief merchant base in Gyeonggi.
You may not search the estate without a warrant.
Move your swords.
Stop.
Who were you chasing?
A gunman wearing a straw hat.
- In that case... - Will you cooperate?
Yes, if he is that man, we do not welcome him either.
Open all the doors in the estate!
Open all the boxes a man can hide in as well!
Go ahead and search.
He isn't here.
There's nothing, sir.
I apologize for the inconvenience.
It's enough that we've cleared our misunderstandings.
Thank you for your cooperation.
No need. You've been through much working so late at night.
Please take care.
Then...
Please don't be too offended.
Come clean.
All right.
If you say so, I should.
Go inside, Father.
I think he left a false trail for us, sir.
Divide and continue the search!
- Stand outside all the exits! - Yes, sir!
Please don't run off by yourself, sir.
I believe... he is targeting you.
Come on out.
Even if you are being chased...
don't come to this estate.
Should you make the same mistake once more...
I won't forgive either of you.
My apologies.
Leave now.
The guards have left.
Do you understand? Pack only the necessities.
- Yes. - All right then.
You, too!
It's dangerous to stay in this house!
I will stay.
I won't run away.
Then Yeon Ha will remain, too!
Do you think she will be all right without her older brother?
Where on earth are we going?
I do not have the right to ask.
Why would you say that, sir? We welcome you.
Say your greetings. He is the official interpreter, Lord Jung Hwe Ryung.
My name is Park Yoon Kang.
My name is Park Yeon Ha.
I apologize for being a burden.
You speak so well. Welcome.
Your father and I are close friends.
We went to Yuan on a campaign together and were caught in a battle.
Your father, who went to protect the nation, saved my life.
I am repaying that debt a bit, so please feel at home.
Yes, thank you.
My lady, Lady Soo In is here!
Yes, come on in.
My father spoke much about you.
I'm sorry for my lack of manners.
You resemble someone I know.
You... what man do you know?
Because she has seen you so often, sir, that seeing a young man surprised her.
Don't mention it.
Soo In, give them a tour of the house.
Pardon?
Yes.
This is your room.
Yeon Ha will stay with me at the estate.
Yes, thank you.
Rest easy.
Wait...
What is it?
Have we... met before, by any chance?
What do you mean...
I believe I've seen you for the first time today.
It's just... you said that I resembled someone you knew.
I'm thinking the same.
Well, we could have crossed paths before.
Y... yes, we could have! Then...
But!
- Yes? - Who do I look like?
It's making me curious.
- That's... - Oh, no! No!
I asked a pointless question.
Not at all. I ran into an unreasonable man not too long ago.
He was a lowly and unruly man I can't bring myself to speak of!
The mere thought of him makes me want to grind my teeth!
Pardon?
Well... he has nothing to do with you, Young Master Yoon Kang.
- Then... - Okay, then.
But still, to compare me to such an unreasonable man!
- Your face is blooming. - What?
Isn't he so handsome?
Such firm lips and fine eyes...
If you dress up nicely, I think you could catch his eye.
Don't you think?
What do you mean, catch his eye?
Why? Does he look like he isn't interested in you?
What? Hey!
It's nothing. I'll leave you be.
You... Stop right there!
Mother.
What do you mean I made it seem like I disliked him?
I never did that! I didn't do anything.
What do you mean?
Were you not astonished and made a face when you saw Young Master Yoon Kang?
How dare you behave that way in front of the Head Palace Guard?
He's a man who saved your father's life.
Don't do anything to make him feel uncomfortable.
Really! What does she want me to do?
I've already held back as it is!
Am I some sort of 'gisaeng'? (Korean female entertainers)
Should I sing a song? Really!
My goodness. Who's there?
- It's me. - What are you doing hiding there?
Oh, that...
I wasn't hiding, but wandering around the house and...
This is a separate part of the house!
Only women can walk around in this part of the estate!
Don't you know that?
No... I was just...
I saw a lot of amazing things here!
If you see something amazing, are you going to barge into my room, too?
I understand. I'll leave.
Right.
I'm sorry about before.
I heard you get scolded by your mother.
You were hiding and eavesdropping, too?
No, it's because I was wandering...
Anyhow, I'm sorry.
I don't want to be a burden to other people, either.
But because my father is a government official...
If you said everything you wanted to say, then please leave.
I understand. Excuse me.
What a temper...
She makes it sound like I committed a grave crime.
What did you say?
No, nothing!
What the...
Here we go...
Thanks.
I'm so scared and worried. Father will be all right, won't he?
Don't worry. He's the best swordsman in Joseon.
But that man had a gun! You saw that yourself!
Yeon Ha. A sword isn't the only weapon out there.
Knowing how to win any kind of fight is a skill, too.
He'll be fine.
You trust me, don't you?
All right, then.
Thanks for the drink.
Are you going somewhere?
Yeah, I'm going to see Jung Hoon.
Come home early. We're in someone else's home.
Don't cause trouble late at night, either.
All right. Understood.
Back again?
Y... yes. I was checking in.
He hasn't come, has he?
He hasn't.
But, I have heard whispers about him.
- Yes? - Someone in Banchon has seen him.
He seems fearless enough to do business there...
You there!
[Banchon]
Who are you?
[Oh Kyung - Lee Nam Joo] Who are you to follow me?
H... Hyeon Am...
Professor Hyeon Am...
What did you just say?
- I'm Professor Hyeon Am's pupil. - Don't lie to me!
I practically know all the faces of Professor Hyeon Am's pupils!
It's true. My name is Soo In.
I'm Lord Jung Hwe Ryung's daughter!
Do you not recognize me?
I met you a few times already.
What are you talking about? You're a scholar.
It's because I'm in these clothes.
Take a look.
Now I see...
You went through all that trouble to find me?
I was looking for you everywhere I could think of.
Good. What about the book?
I wasn't sure, so I left it at home.
Please follow me.
He asked that I deliver it to you.
He said that the day before he died.
I can't go now. There's a secret rally.
Everyone is waiting for me.
- Then... - Come to Paru tomorrow.
If you pass the main road, there's a large pine tree.
Wait for me there. Can you do that?
Yes, I will.
All right. Then I'll leave you to it.
- So you moved out? - Yeah.
I'm living at someone's else house. Just my luck.
I see. I'm glad to hear that you're all safe.
Are you okay living there? I heard that Lord has an only daughter.
- You, really... - Why, isn't there?
She's got a foul temper.
- Isn't she pretty, though? - I don't know!
Just tell me.
Well... she is sort of pretty.
- How pretty? - Very.
But I'm telling you that she's got a foul temper!
How can you judge people on character when people can change?
- What about their looks? - That doesn't change.
That's why I can recognize you after we haven't seen each other in a few days.
All right, I got it. Understood.
Raise your glass.
I should come visit you sometime...
All right. So it isn't easy getting rid of Park Jin Han by gun?
My apologies. We'll prepare again.
Leave him be.
Dealing with him isn't an urgent matter.
Get rid of Oh Kyung first.
Also... I heard that Hyeon Am was writing a book.
He's probably finished it before he died.
Find it and bring it to me.
Yes.
[Hyeon Am, enlightenment scholar] Take it.
- This... - I've nearly finished it.
How about you read it?
Would it be okay if I'm the first person to read this?
It's fine. After you do, deliver it to Scholar Oh Kyung.
I feel that it's a good idea to leave the book with him.
He will soon come to serve His Majesty.
Teacher, what does that mean?
Then do you plan to go to the rally tomorrow?
Teacher, that's dangerous. Already you've faced two assassination attempts...
Don't worry.
They won't easily be able to find out where the rally will take place.
- But still... - Even if something should happen...
I've left that book, haven't I?
I've also left behind a student like yourself.
- Please return safely. - Thank you.
Don't you ever get punished for always smelling like liquor?
I wonder... people wonder if it's coming from my mouth because I always smell like it.
If I were the police chief, I'd fire you immediately!
As long as I have women and alcohol, I'll be happy anywhere.
You pretty man. Why I ought to...
Let go. It's a crime to assault a policeman.
What do you mean 'assault'?
Hey, it's late. Go home.
All right. See you again.
All right. Take care!
Ah, gosh.
Figures, to come back at this hour.
My Lord.
My Lord, we found Oh Kyung.
- Is that true? - Yes, sir.
The men in Angol report that they've seen him there.
- What are they doing now? - One man has his eye on Oh Kyung
and the other came back to give the report.
How foolish!
How can one man keep an eye on a scholar?
I'll go ahead.
Bring the other guards and follow behind me!
Yes, sir.
I was looking for you.
Where is he right now?
What are you talking about?
That gunman.
I said I wasn't him! It isn't me!
Please move.
- I'm not him. - If you aren't...
What about that gun?
This is just...
Throw your gun away.
Throw it away and quietly follow me to the police bureau.
Then I'll let you live.
It isn't me! I'm not involved at all!
Follow me if you're innocent! Why can't you?
I have a reason, that's why.
I'll give you until the count of three.
One...
Don't do it! Just stand aside!
It's dangerous!
Two...
Don't do something foolish!
This is a gun. The likes of a sword can't stop it!
'The likes of a sword'?
It can.
Don't do this!
Subtitles by DramaFever
Even if I put a hat on you and turn around you once...
You look so much like him.
Think whatever you want!
Goodness. Do you hate me that much?
Where are you placing your hands?
Keep this up and the sun will set by then.
- Take your hands away. - Really. Hold on tight.
Park Yoon Kang. Causing so much trouble...
How are you going to take care of what needs to be done?
- I'll have to step in myself. - It's a gun!
We'll have to search to the ends of the earth to find Hyeon Am's book.