Ja Myung Go (2009) - full transcript

Two daughters born of Choi Li will bring about the collapse of Naknang?

Have him kill his own daughters!

You must have a son My Lady.

It has to be a son, or the baby will die!

Is it a boy or a girl?

Tell him it's a boy.

But they'll soon find out it's a lie.

Please save my life.

Please let me go, I can't breathe.

Now tell me how I can save my daughter.

Do you have a military kite?

What does that mean?

Did I have a son or a daughter?

Ma Haso.

I have sinned against you.

Captain Choi, carry out the royal command.

Wait.

Prime Minister, you have to go to His Majesty.

Spare Wang's baby and kill Mo's baby?

Yes, he said that's the will of the heavens.

Give me that baby.

I have carried her within me for nine months.

I'll send her away with my own hands.

She's breathing.

Sister!

I killed her once already. I can't do it twice.

Are you trying to kill the whole family?

I cannot believe you.

Did you not set the whole thing up?

How dare you try to frame me with that lowly mouth!

Jasil, have you lost your mind?

What's going on?

Our baby came back to life.

Please save her life.

Save my daughter. Save your daughter.

What are you doing?

If I hadn't done it, you would have had to.

I promised her I'd save the child's life.

Il Poom, you go with her in my place and take care of her.

Mom.

Part 4

- My Lady.

- My Lady.

- Poor baby. Oh baby!

- Baby.

My Lady.

Mom...

Mom...

Mom.

My baby!

Cry.

Cry and save your life.

Jamyung...

Yes l'll call you

Jamyung from now.

Since l can't save you...

You must cry and

save yourself

true to the meaning

of your name...

l feel it in my heart...

Jamyung!

Jamyung!

Jamyung?

WANG JA-SlL

Choi Li's Second Wife

WANG JA-SlL

Choi Li's Second Wife

lf she could save her life by crying

she wouldn't have

been stabbed by me

But if she's lucky she could

be rescued by fishermen.

That's possible.

l hope she cries

until someone finds her.

Follow the river

to Jeungsan Harbor.

Jeungsanpo / Mouth of Daedong River

in today's southern Pyeongyang

There's a village of fishermen.

Jeungsanpo / Mouth of Daedong River

in today's southern Pyeongyang

Find the town chief

when you arrive.

Great idea.

Don't you want to save Baby Jamyung?

We can bring her back

someday as long as

she's alive.

Tell him to overturn the boat

whenever he sees it.

My Lady.

That's not enough.

Tell him to make sure

the two children die.

Tell him to throw

them in the water.

Mo Haso will try to

save her daughter.

You have to get

there first.

l don't want to do it.

You're scaring me.

What?

We had no choice when one

of the babies had to die

but do you have

to go so far?

You want to die in my

hands like Dalgaebi?

l can't let you live when

you know of my plans.

My Lady...

These lowly servants just

don't understand.

This is why

they should be governed

with a whip not kindness.

The only words you need to say

are ''yes'' and ''l understand. ''

Who gave you

the permission to think?

All you have to do is

move your hands and feet.

Do you want to

die right here?

Please spare me.

l won't tolerate your

impertinence again.

ljust can't stand the

sound of your baby's crying.

lt just doesn't

feel right.

CHOl Ll / Joseon Origin

Commander of Nakrang Army

HOGOK

Senior Officer of Nakrang Army

l thought she

was dead but she's not...

How can that be?

Time will take care of it.

How will she survive

this cold winter river?

Right...

l'll trust you.

- Let's go.

- Yes sir!

Why are you here?

lf she's your daughter

she's also my daughter.

l came to say farewell

to Jamyung and

to console Mo Haso.

So you came all the

way here.

You wouldn't

have brought me.

Let's go home.

l want to help the Lady.

She doesn't need

your support.

Do you know what it is like

to give birth?

lt feels as if every bone

in your body crushes away

and every drop of your

blood leaves your body.

Yet l came all this

way on horseback

only a day after

giving birth...

l don't believe you're

a compassionate person.

Then why do you

think l came here?

There are ice blocks as

solid as a boulders.

They wouldn't break even

if you hit them with a rock.

But poke a needle at the

center and

it'll shatter into pieces.

Did we

shatter into pieces?

At the least you can say

you've poked a needle at

the center of my heart.

Dear.

Since you came here

alone on horseback

you should be able to

return the same way.

l don't want to put you in the

same carriage with Mo Haso.

lLPUM / Dalgaebi's son

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

JAMYUNG

Choi Li & Mo Haso's daughter

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

MO HASO / Choi Li's First Wife

Cry out loudly.

MO HASO / Choi Li's First Wife

lt's okay.

DONGOBl / llpum's Aunt

Dalgaebi's sister

DONGOBl / llpum's Aunt

Dalgaebi's sister

My pain is nothing

compared to yours.

We can't do anything about

our different status

but ourfeelings

are another story.

You and l share

the same pain...

Stay.

You gave your life

as well as your son's

for my daughter.

l don't know how

l'll everthank you.

Master...

Thank you Master.

Sister...

Sister.

The wind is cold.

lt can't be colder

than the river.

You just gave birth.

Then l should have a baby.

l should be

holding her in my bosom.

Where is Jamyung now?

Mo Haso.

Don't touch me.

l want to die.

l can't leave my daughter alone

in that freezing cold river.

You can hate me

after we return home.

My Lady.

So you did have a

bit of a temper.

You promised me you'd

save Jamyung.

You promised me you'd leave

this cruel land with Jamyung.

l probably couldn't have

kept that promise

even if not forJasil.

Was that the kind

of man you are?

A man who can't

keep his word?

l hesitated

because of you

but in the end...

l would have killed

Jamyung with my own hands.

Are you that

afraid of Liu Xian?

lt's because of my ambition to

become a great man.

l don't think l can...

l don't think l can everfall

asleep in your arms again...

How can l live

as your wife

when Jamyung's cries

are in my ears?

Please let me leave.

Mo Haso.

l won't kill myself

because l believe that

Jamyung will survive.

Just let me leave you.

Mo Haso.

l couldn't let you live

as Jamyung's mother

but l'll make you

the mother of Nakrang.

What does that...

Weren't you and my brother

going to bring Liu Xian down?

l'll kill Liu Xian and

make you the mother of

the people of Joseon.

Take care of them as

you would Jamyung

and let them comfort

you in return.

Honey.

You've gained too much for

throwing a newborn

into the river.

Since you came here

alone on horseback

you should be able to

return the same way.

l don't want to put you in the

same carriage with Mo Haso.

Love doesn't last forever.

lt will change

with time...

Mo Haso you can

have Choi Li's heart.

l'll have his power.

GUKNAE PALACE GOGURYEO

- The King is returning!

- Hooray for the king.

GUKNAE PALACE GOGURYEO

- The King is returning!

- Hooray for the king.

Hooray for the Prince.

Hooray!

HODONG

Hooray for the king.

KlNG DAEMUSHlN

Third King of Goguryeo

Hooray for the Prince.

Hooray!

Good work.

lt's okay.

Get back on the horse and

step down on the men.

But l can do it alone.

l know that.

Adeok help Hodong down.

lt's an honor

Your Majesty.

Get back on the horse.

But he's an old man.

Don't make me

repeat myself.

What is a king?

He's a father who governs

his people with kindness.

And his people?

They're the source of

the king's power

on which he can lean.

ls this your idea

or Eul Duji's?

l learned from him

and l agree...

l'm right aren't l?

A king is someone who

feeds his subjects and

his subjects are people who

keep asking for more food.

More food

more food more food!

They demand incessantly.

And when a king can't

satisfy their hunger

they'll turn against

their king and kill him

and then find themselves

a new king.

l'm scared.

l know.

You can't trust

your subjects.

Father.

A kingdom's power

comes from food

and the power of a king

comes from a sword.

Father.

A king's sword is used

to slay his enemies

but sometimes you have to

slay your own people.

Rememberthat.

l don't understand.

What can't you understand?

Why can't l govern our

people with kindness?

Do you want to

be a good man?

Yes.

Then you can't be a king.

l want to be a good king.

There's no such thing

as a good or bad king.

Why not?

lt's your choices

not your character

that make you either

a good or a bad king.

You chose the sword

but l'll choose kindness.

Neitheryou nor l can

make that decision.

Who makes that decision

if a king can't?

Only the time you

live in will decide that.

Hodong can't become a king?

Maegu heard it

with her own ears.

SONG MAESEOLSU

Goguryeo's Queen

He's always been a softie

SONG MAESEOLSU

Goguryeo's Queen

nothing like His Majesty.

lt's too early to rejoice.

As the saying goes

there's a thin line between

good and evil.

YANGDEOK

Song Maeseolsu's head maid

l'm too ignorant to

understand what you mean.

My queen

that must've hurt.

Why would you pull

out yourfine hair?

Every strand of hair

is precious as you age...

A gap this narrow can

split heaven and earth.

Between two people

it could be worse.

But His Majesty

adores the prince.

l'll put my hope on this

tiny gap and bring myself

closerto the king with

everything l've got.

l have to go

greet His Majesty.

l Eul Duji am now

departing for Nakrang as

your envoy to celebrate

Liu Xian's 30th anniversary

on the throne.

l Chu Balso

leave with him.

Make sure to bring back

all that's due from Liu Xian.

l'll bring back food to

last us through the winter.

He'd be a thief if he

doesn't give us anything.

We're giving him tiger skins

bearskins pigskins topaz

amethyst and a ruby

this size for his crown...

RUBY

That will put some weight

on Liu Xian's head.

EUL DUJl / Senior Head Officer

of National Administration

General Wu Naru...

WU NARU / Hodong's Uncle

Head of National Administration

Eul Duji you must

keep your ears open.

l find it hard to communicate

with scholarly types.

l'll say that again.

That will put some weight

on Liu Xian's head. .

He should give as

much as he gets.

And if he doesn't

we'll take it from him.

That's the attitude.

CHU BALSO / Executive Officer of

Goguryeo's southern district

The ruby is the

size of a chestnut not a fist.

Fine whatever.

And while you're there

stuff his subordinates'

pockets with some gold.

And get some information

on the rebel's movements.

Wu Naru is right.

Your Majesty.

Wang Goeng took an army of

1500 to Madeung Mountain.

SPY

According to our spy

Wang's men are all Hans

and Choi Li's troops

are all men of Joseon.

Something is going on.

Look out for Choi Li's and

Wang Goeng's every move.

As you command.

lf it looks like Liu Xian

is about to lose his head

in an uprising make sure

to bring back all the rice

and salt you can get your

hands on as well as the

animal skins and

jewels you're taking.

Master l wish you

a safe trip.

Keep up

your studies.

PRlNCE'S TEACHER / Responsible

of the prince's education

You're relieved of your duties

as the prince's teacher.

PRlNCE'S TEACHER / Responsible

of the prince's education

Father!

Prince Hodong.

Please tell me what

l've done wrong.

You have made Hodong

into a weakling.

You taught him this

nonsense about governing

his people with kindness.

A good king stuffs food

down his people's throats

and he needs power

in orderto do that.

A sovereign's power does

not reside only in his sword.

Atrue king should have

the following four qualities:

benevolence righteousness

courtesy and wisdom.

A load of crap!

lt's just gibberish

spoken by dreamers

like Confucius and Mencius.

What Goguryeo desperately

needs right now is oceans

rivers fertile

lands and rice!

A king without morals

will only bring bloodshed.

l don't think so.

A king exists beyond morals.

And Hodong has to

be a strong king.

He has to attack Buyeo

attack Nakrang and

attack Liadong!

That is what Hodong

Goguryeo's next king must do.

That is why Hodong needs a

teacher who'll teach him

the cold reality of

current politics.

General Wu Naru.

Yes Your Majesty.

You will teach Hodong the

the value of war.

As you wish Your Majesty.

Chu Balso.

Yes Your Majesty.

You'll teach Hodong how

cold politics is

and how pathetic a

weak sovereign is

as soon as you return

from Nakrang.

As you wish Your Majesty.

l don't want Hodong to become

a big fish in a little pond

a summer bug that

knows nothing of winter

or a boring scholar who

only cares about morals.

l want Hodong to become

a strong sovereign

a strong conqueror

who'll succeed me!

Don't be too disappointed.

You can become Hodong's

teacher again after

he becomes a

strong king.

This powerthing can

get to your head

when you have it

fortoo long.

l cannot say His Majesty

is entirely wrong

but he's not

entirely right.

You should be

more flexible.

Being too straight

can hurt you sometimes.

Be more flexible

from time to time.

My only concern is...

... the queen...

Spit it out. Don't hide around

the bush and lose me.

Prince Hodong is lonely.

Since his mother was from

Buyeo our enemy state

he has no maternal

relatives to depend on.

And he has no siblings

to protect him.

And he's too young

to manage his way

in vicious and

bloody politics.

But he has his father.

His Majesty is a

cold-hearted man.

General Wu Naru you must

protect Prince Hodong.

Eul Duji

there's one thing

that's fair in this world.

Let me hear it.

Whetheryou or me

His Majesty or Prince Hodong

even a mere foot soldier

or a slave all lives

are exposed to some danger

every second of the day.

And if he doesn't have the

guts to face danger

he shouldn't be

Goguryeo's king.

Did you have fun with

Hodong on your camping trip?

You came

here to ask me that?

l am a queen

and l can go anywhere l wish.

Goguryeo women...

Hodong you're very lucky

to have great teachers

such as Eul Duji General

Wu Naru and Chu Balso.

Yes Mother.

l still haven't mastered

flexibility yet.

l want to continue to learn

sword fighting from Aunt.

lf you must learn a feminine

style of sword fighting

you can learn

from your mother.

From Mother?

Yeorang's techniques are

flashy and flexible

but she can't

beat your mother.

That's not true.

Her sword has intention

to kill so if you can beat her

you'll be able to kill

your own family.

You're exaggerating

Your Majesty.

You must be tired.

Have some warm milk

and get some rest.

Yes Mother.

Now that you've sent

Hodong away

tell me what's

on your mind.

The night you went on the

camping trip was the night

you were supposed to

visit my chamber.

So you want me to

stop by tonight?

Please consider it

my longing foryou.

Fine.

l will make it up to you.

l look forward to how

you'll please me.

l'll do my best.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What's the fuss about?

The chief is here.

My father?

You're the king's

father-in-law.

Why did you come

unannounced...

BlRYUNA TRlBE / One of the

five major tribes of Goguryeo

Why didn't the Biryuna tribe

notify Goguryeo of your visit?

SONG OKGU

Chief of Biryuna tribe

Since the queen

has no power

SONG OKGU

Chief of Biryuna tribe

herfather will

only be a laughing stock

SONG OKGU

Chief of Biryuna tribe

if he makes a grand entrance.

l'll inform His Majesty

of your arrival.

lt's all right.

Muhyul and l are not

too fond of each other.

Hodong could be made

crown prince soon.

lmpossbile!

Muhyul has secretly

begun contacting

the otherfourtribes

excluding us.

He's asking fortheir

support in making Hodong

the crown prince.

You must stop him.

Who dares become

crown prince

when l haven't produced

a prince yet?

lmpossible!

The Yeona, Gwana, Hwana tribes

have already agreed to it.

No!

There are even some people

in the Biryuna tribe

who doubts you.

Father!

How could we trust the

future of the Biryuna tribe

with the queen

who has no son?

We'd rather guarantee our

survival by staying on

Hodong's good side.

Maeseolsu don't forget.

Time waits for no one and

people run out of patience.

And l can only stick up

foryou for so long.

Are you dead?

That must hurt.

Did you die

because it hurts?

You're alive.

l'll help you.

Be quiet.

Don't cry.

l won't touch it if

you don't want me to.

You're hungry aren't you?

You need milk

since you're a baby.

l need Mom.

Mom...

Mom...

You can't screw this up.

What screw up?

ljust have to overturn the boat

and drown two kids right?

lt's easierthan

eating a piece of cake.

l'm just afraid you'll

drop the plate.

Don't you worry.

This is my territory.

No one would dare to

drown in this river

without my permission.

lf the boat left at five

they should be here soon

if they fish didn't eat them.

Make sure they're dead.

But what kind of

man can be so cruel?

Many people have lost their

lives wondering about that.

Just tell yourself you're

sending the souls

where they belong.

Brother let's go.

Okay!

lt's salty.

l'm sorry.

l'm not a mom.

This is hard for me too.

l'm so scare.

ls it good?

That tickles.

Don't do that.

lsn't that the boat?

Yes l knew it

was about time.

lt's amazing how they

made it this far.

- Let's go.

- Okay.

What's going on?

Maybe l'll get struck

by lightning

trying to kill Baby Jamyung.

l'm only doing what

Lady Wang ordered me to do.

Please help me?

What's going on here?

Just get the boat

close to them!

You do it if you can.

What's that?

Start rowing.

You too!

l lost my oar.

lt's trying to

swallow our boat.

Row!

Dear Heaven!

l'm sorry.

Lahee.

What's wrong with Lahee?

Something's wrong with her.

She has no fever

and she had a good

bowel movement too.

You try.

She wouldn't suckle

my breast either.

What's wrong with her?

Don't open

the door.

You are letting the wind in.

Master is getting

ready to leave.

He is?

General Wang has

sent word that

he'll be arriving

exactly at five o'clock.

Ourtroops are already assembled

at the Dangun Shrine.

- Lady Wang.

- Lady Wang.

And Baby Lahee.

Please leave us.

l'll help him get ready.

l am Wang Jasil.

l'm the sister

of Wang Goeng

who pledged to help you

bring down Liu Xian.

We may be half-siblings

but my brother adores me.

Are you

threatening me?

lt was your choice

to kill Jamyung.

Hate yourself.

Don't hate me.

l hate myself more

than enough.

But l can't

forgive you either.

Lahee is your

daughter.

She refuse to be fed.

She can survive

for a few days

but she can't survive

if she doesn't drink.

Drink well.

lt's enough that

l lost Jamyung.

Do not make

yourfather sad.

Get a new nanny.

Find as many as you need.

Yes.

Please return safely.

You must win this battle

for Lahee's sake.

You must be a healthy

baby when l return.

She woke up briefly

but fell back asleep

aftertaking her medicine.

Gee bee tang/Medicine for mental stability

but fell back asleep

aftertaking her medicine.

l told myself l am childless

the day l abandoned Jamyung...

And although l knew it

would hurt you even more

l couldn't turn

my back on Lahee.

Lahee is also my daughter.

WANG GOENG / Joseon Origin

Commander of Nakrang Army

Begin.

We will begin.

That's not necessary.

Just do it.

Yes sir.

l'm sick of snow...

lt never stops.

Please hurry.

The queen is waiting foryou.

l'm sick of that too.

lt's sweet Osmanthus perfume

His Majesty's favorite.

lt's dried jasmine.

YEONGCHUNWHA / One of jasmine

flowers has seductive effect.

YEONGCHUNWHA / One of jasmine

flowers has seductive effect.

lt's supposed to

stimulate man's passion.

His Majesty the King.

You've come.

l had no choice.

You told me to come.

l'll do it.

Yes Your Majesty.

Please have a

restful night.

Let's get to bed.

Just a moment.

lt's raspberry wine.

lt's sweet and fragrant.

lt'll help you sleep...

lt's all the

same everywhere.

Concubines and

the queen...

They all offer me raspberry

wine and dried jasmine.

And the smell of sweet

Osmanthus on you...

l'm sick of it.

l can't even breathe

in this room.

Your Majesty.

Here l drank it.

Let's go to sleep now.

WU NARU / Hodong's Uncle

Head of National Administration

What's the matter

with you Princess?

YEORANG / Hodong's Aunt

Wu Naru's wife

l can't admit that

you're betterthan me.

YEORANG / Hodong's Aunt

Wu Naru's wife

l taught Hodong.

Why does he say your brute

strength is betterthan my skill?

A sword is still a sword

no matter what

and it's for

cutting off heads.

Pick up your sword.

No.

Then l'll make you.

Once was a game but

l won't stop

until l see blood.

Fine don't stop

until you see blood.

Let's find out

who's better.

You've never bested

me until now.

How can l beat you

Princess?

l can beat everyone else

but you.

Pick up your sword.

Let's just say l lost.

l lost.

We're supposed to get

togethertonight.

Let's not waste

ourtime on this.

Help me. The princess

is trying to kill me!

Stop right there!

Princess what will you gain

from becoming a widow?

Do you have a new

man in your life?

What did you say?

You dare mock to me?

l'll kill you.

Please take pity on me

and spare my life.

l said l'm sick of it all.

Your Majesty.

You want this old body?

Yes l do.

What a pity.

l'm not interested in you.

The palace is full of

women younger and prettier

than you and l have

no desire to hold you.

l was raised as a queen

from the moment l was born

to the chief of

the Biryuna tribe.

l lived my entire

life foryou.

Continue.

Do you intend to

let me die a virgin?

l beg and beg you...

But you come to this room

only twice a month

only to leave at

the crack of dawn

without touching

a strand of my hair.

ls this the

life of a queen?

Why are you so greedy?

You have the greatest

power any woman can have.

You should be

satisfied with that.

l'd rather give up

being a queen

if this insult is the

price l have to pay.

You were once young

and beautiful.

lt was painful for me to

come to your room because

it was hard for me to

control my lust.

lf you want to

live as my woman

ratherthan as a queen

you should discard

your greed.

So my desire to be a woman is a greed?

lf you put it that way

l feel sorry foryou.

Queen...

Let me ask you something.

What is it?

Do you have to

produce a son and...

... kill Hodong?

Would sons

who share my blood

have to fight and

kill each other?

Must brothers bring

bloodshed on themselves?

How can you say something

so atrocious...

Your Majesty.

Raise your head and

answer me truthfully.

l will.

Did you try to kill Hodong

that day in the garden?

Song Maeseolsu answer me.

Did you try to kill Hodong

my one and only son?