Leading Investment presents
in association with SidusFNH-Benex Cinema Fund1
A Bidangil Pictures production
distributed by SidusFNH
Manchuria, battle against Ching
in 11th year of Joseon 's King Gwang-hae-gun 's reign
General!
There are too many of them!
We must retreat, sir!
What? Retreat?
We must fight them off until the main army gets here!
It's been 5 days, sir! If they were coming...
What are you suggesting?
Sir!
Enough nonsense.
No one moves a step until the main army gets here!
Damn it.
Are you okay, Do-young?
I'm fine.
This won't kill me.
Damn Ching bastards! Why are there so many?
Oh shit!
THE SHOWDOWN
Do-young!
Wake up!
Don't fall asleep!
If you do, you'll die!
Wake up! Open your eyes!
I can't... feel my left leg.
I'm sure it's fine.
It's probably from the cold.
If we warm up, it'll get better.
So pull yourself together and point the way home.
I wonder...
what happened to the other Joseon soldiers.
Probably all died, right?
Weren't we all sent here to die anyways?
Just go...
and all die.
I guess...
our army's duty has been fulfilled.
Oh, not quite yet.
You and l... are still alive.
It's not funny. Stop the nonsense.
You really think I'm just joking?
At last, I shall die because of you.
I don't understand you.
Isn't JANG Do-young your friend whom you think of as a brother?
So...
When the So-beuk Clan and his father were purged...
You desperately begged to spare his life.
But why change the army list...
and insist on taking him?
Do-young often went to Ming
with his father when he was young.
He knows the battle area well.
That's the only reason I chose him as a section chief.
Really?
Is that so?
Yes, sir.
Do as you wish.
Think about it.
If you didn't tell me
to take the military examination...
I wouldn't be out here to die like this.
What? Am I wrong?
Nonsense! No one is going to die!
We can survive!
We'll surely live and step on Joseon ground again!
I can't... Not like this...
Traitor, JANG Soo-in!
Seize him!
I can't just leave the bastards and die like this.
Not without getting revenge.
How will I face my father?
Look, Do-young.
There's something I must tell you.
It's been killing me.
The one you've been searching for...
The one who accused your father of treason...
That person...
That was me.
So? Have you made a decision?
But, sir...
He's like a father to me.
Your family belongs to the Dae-beuk Clan like us!
How can you call the enemy that?
Ignorant fool.
So?
What will you do?
Die with him because he was like a father to you?
Now that we have His Majesty's trust...
It's only a matter of time till we gain control of the court.
Is it not a heavenly opportunity for you to join us?
Why you!
Leave him.
He wants to die with them.
You are dismissed!
I'll do it! I'll do it, sir!
Please give me the chance!
But, promise me one thing, sir.
I told you not to worry about your future.
It's not that, sir.
Please...
Not him...
Please spare his life.
I beg you, sir!
I shouldn't have done it.
I'm sorry.
So sorry.
Please...
kill me.
Cold!
What the?
Damn it!
Do-young...
You...
Are you all right?
We should hurry.
Will you?
Why did I come down here?
Shit.
Why did they make something like this?
What are they, mice?
I'm beat.
Someone's inside.
We're still in enemy territory.
Damn Ching bastard!
Are you a Joseon soldier?
Are you a Joseon soldier, too?
Yes!
Military rules are strict!
Anyone who dares runaway from the battlefield
shall be beheaded!
How ever did you survive?
What a relief meeting one of our men here.
Hey, Do-young!
Damn bastards.
Just my damn luck!
What's with the damn door!
The bastards don't move a finger.
I cleaned up like you said, sir.
Then I'll just...
It's been frozen good, so it'll be okay to eat.
There's not much...
But it should last us
maybe two days or so, sir.
Why's this here?
Let's put it in the soup.
It's quite a big tavern.
Yes, sir.
Merchants who traveled between Joseon and Ming stayed here.
Looks like they were done in by bandits during the war.
Do you know this area?
Not much, Just a little, sir.
Joseon's three or four days away.
Really? Are you sure?
Damn sure!
I made money as a guide to the merchants here.
You were a guide around here?
Then you can go to Joseon with your eyes closed, right?
By the way, were you in my unit?
You look familiar.
Damn hot!
No, sir.
I was...
in the central unit, sir!
Looks good, doesn't it?
Are you hungry, sir?
It's all ready to eat.
Smells great, doesn't it?
There's more, sir.
Let's give it a try.
Hey!
You think people can eat this?
Why? Isn't it good, sir?
It should be okay.
Let me try it, sir!
Get your filthy hand away!
Forget it. It'll have to do.
Damn aristocrat bastards.
Complaining about food at a time like this?
They should starve like hell to appreciate my porridge,
and realize their mouths aren't coated with gold!
Starve to death, you damn bastards!
Shit.
Can't tell which way is which.
Bastards.
What? It's not this way?
Not this way, either?
Damn! I'll freeze to death.
Where have you been?
Just outside, sir.
I had to pee.
Then, why pull out your hatchet?
Planning on hacking someone?
Of course not, sir. Just got a little startled.
I wouldn't dream of it.
It's really cold outside.
Look at this.
It's damn cold.
The fire has died down.
I'll put in more wood, sir!
Hey!
There's wood here, too. Where are you going?
Ah, I left some broken wood pieces in the room.
That fool's got something up his sleeve.
Why?
Do you have something to say to me?
Me?
No. Nothing.
Did he hear everything I said?
No.
If he did, he wouldn't stay still like that.
Stop!
That's enough!
Not again!
Don't over do it!
You're always like this!
I'm sorry.
I pushed a little too far.
Must you go so far to be damn satisfied?
I was too rough. Forgive me.
Are you really sorry?
You're always like this.
Good swordsmanship is important,
but do not neglect your studies.
Remember, books before the sword.
Yes, sir.
Thus, I am studying hard at both, sir.
Good.
You've always been gifted in both
Iiterature and martial arts.
The problem is you, Do-young.
Literature or martial arts...
You must make much effort to catch up to Hun-myung.
You embarrass me, sir.
Yes, Father.
Of course you're right.
I shall try to do my best.
But no matter how hard I try,
I won't be able to catch up to him.
He is a few years older and born with natural talents.
Plus, he has a bad temper not to lose to anyone.
No matter what I do, how can I be as good as he?
So please, don't have such high expectations on me.
You say we're only 3 days away from Joseon?
Yes, sir.
But it'll be hard in this weather?
Yes... I reckon, sir.
I remembered where I saw you.
You ran away before the battle ended.
Didn't you?
That hand...
How should I take that?
Sir?
Do you dare?
I'm sorry, sir!
Please forgive me!
Please, General!
I was wrong!
Please forgive me, sir!
I know what you're worried about.
But don't worry. That won't happen.
Really, sir?
We already lost the battle.
Now, we must try to survive.
Thank you!
Thank you, General!
Thank you!
Thank you, sir!
Damn bastards.
Our dispatch rider isn't lying dead here, is he?
I'm sorry.
Perhaps he got lost in the fierce snowstorm.
Maybe he's stuck somewhere?
Let's hope so.
There's a tavern a day away
from here by the Joseon border.
Shall we go there and look?
T omorrow...
We leave at the crack of dawn.
In weather like this? What's the rush?
Sir? I reckon it'll be hard in this weather.
I tried to go...
Not that I tried to leave.
Anyway, we could go and freeze to death, sir.
If we stay, we'll eventually starve or freeze to death.
You said we're days from Joseon.
We'll take the remaining food and firewood.
No matter how rough, we should make it in 5 days.
But still...
Make the preparations.
Yes, sir.
That makes things difficult.
Why?
What do you mean, why?
I told you. If we stayed here...
You asked me to kill you...
But now you want to live?
What...
do you mean?
How long are you going to pretend you don't know?
Isn't that why you're in a rush to go?
You think I should've died in the snow field.
It was me.
Don't you?
You...
That's right. I heard everything.
Thanks to that, I survived.
It woke me right up.
How could I die with the traitor
I've been looking for right here?
Well...
Since I'm like this,
I pretended not to hear and waited for the chance...
But since you insist on leaving,
you leave me with no choice.
Damn fool.
How can you eat that?
Though you're a simpleton without much learning,
think with that big head of yours!
Do you know what kind of man he is?
You think he'd let you live?
We escaped from the battlefield.
That fool would sacrifice anything for power and riches.
Look, Do-young.
He'll frame you with something
and say he had to chase you out.
Framing you is nothing to him.
That's what I'd do.
What do you think?
I guess my hunch was right.
Wasn't it?
Why? You want to kill me?
Oh, right. Of course you will.
Since he says he knows the way, you won't be needing me.
If you knew,
you would've left me out there to die.
You must really regret it.
Don't you?
That's enough.
Let's talk about that when we get back to Joseon.
Joseon?
You really think you can make it back alive?
You worthless dog!
You repay mercy with betrayal?
Though you passed the court examination,
people still look negatively on you and your family.
Though it is a low ranked position in the country,
I struggled to even get you that.
Go down and come back after a few years.
But, sir! I passed the examination!
How can you send me to a position like that?
I've backed away from things I should have as you wished.
But not this time, sir.
Not this time?
Then what will you do? You have no choice.
Sir!
Hun-myung...
This is a request. Do as I say.
A request? What do you mean?
If you cared for Do-young,
I hope you'll do this for his future.
Actually...
our So-beuk Clan has not been happy
with you two being close.
It's always been a burden on me, too.
You and Do-young...
I mean, your family and ours...
we're in opposing parties. We're different.
May I ask one thing, sir?
Is Do-young...
aware of this, too?
Why do you look so happy, my friend?
You brought me out here, Tell me.
Nothing gets by you.
Of course.
I survived this long on my intuitions.
I...
Ianded a position in court.
But you didn't even take the examination.
Special appointment?
Did your father arrange it?
Yes, I guess.
It's not like I want my father to pull special favors for me.
If only I was gifted in literature and martial arts like you...
Please.
That reminds me. What about your test results?
Not good? I'm so sorry.
And I go on about getting in on special appointment.
Anyway, I'm embarrassed.
By the way...
There is another embarrassing matter.
What is it this time?
I'm arranged to be married.
At last...
you will marry Seo-hyun?
Then you...
the soon to be son-in-law of the governor,
are grumbling to me who is an aristocrat in name only?
No, of course not. Why would l?
I'm sorry. How impertinent of me.
To say that in front of you.
Treating me to this table won't do.
Let's drink all night, shall we?
Why sure!
I knew her since she was young.
I didn't have feelings for her.
But now...
I see she's grown into a woman.
Hun-myung? What do you think?
Well...
Oh, now I remember you...
Me? What?
Didn't you like Seo-hyun since you were little?
What are you saying? I did not.
Please... I was sure you did.
Nonsense! I never!
Don't get so excited.
I'm joking.
So silly.
I know what you are thinking.
Sir?
You want to kill me and that fool.
Only then, will you be rest assured.
No, sir! How dare l...
If you want to live, it's unavoidable, isn't it?
Your only way to survive is by killing him first.
Then, you'll have to kill me, too.
Am l...
wrong?
Well, I already gave up on life.
It doesn't matter.
But...
LEE Hun-myung...
I must kill him with my own hands.
Do you know what I am saying?
He's set on leaving tomorrow. So we must kill him tonight.
You and I can't beat him alone the way we are now.
So...
Damn aristocrats can't be trusted.
Just in case.
Treading out in this snowstorm...
probably will be hard, right?
Yes, sir. It's hard, but...
it'll be more dangerous.
You think we can take someone with a bad leg with us?
- Do you have any family? - Sir?
How many children do you have?
Four, sir.
Three boys and a girl.
Then, I guess you'll want to make it back alive to see them.
If we make it back...
I shall owe you my life.
I promise I'll repay you.
Yes, sir!
Damn, stupid bastards.
Shit.
My master is not pleased.
What? Why...
As the county head, there's a lot to spend money on.
But not enough money coming in.
I wonder where we can get more money.
I should raise the taxes.
But, sir! No! Please!
No complaints.
Are we prepared to leave tomorrow?
Yes, sir.
We'll be leaving early. Get some sleep.
So...
Have you decided what you'll do with me?
Will you kill me?
Or just leave me to die?
Since you're not quick to answer,
I guess you're set on killing me.
Where are you going?
I have to go pee, sir.
Stupid, wretched fools.
That's why they work to the bone and complain all their lives.
He's supposed to kill you with me.
There probably won't be a chance after tonight.
Look, Do-young.
Oh, right.
Did you wheedle that simpleton into killing me, too?
Of course you did.
You're more than capable of something like that.
JANG Do-young!
Must you end it like this?
Now you show your true nature.
Must it come to this?
Why?
You expected me to just die?
Really, you have no dignity.
You killed my father...
And now you try to kill me.
I'm sorry. But that's not happening.
I'll kill you first!
Fine.
If that's what you want, I'll fight you!
Go to hell!
They're finely cut pieces of glass!
I reckon it'll be hard to see!
I told you, That bastard's life is mine!
Son of a bitch!
Who cares who kills him?
You're good for a man who can't see!
You lowlife vulgar!
Think you can get away with this?
This lowlife vulgar must do this to survive!
You're dead anyways. Go quietly!
Give it up!
I warned you! He's mine!
You son of a bitch!
Do-young! Do-young!
Must you do this?
What would you do if you were me?
You gave me no choice!
Sir! Wait!
Wait!
Why are you doing this?
You didn't pay your army tax for this month.
So you should go instead!
But I already paid!
Check the ledger, sir! I paid!
- The ledger? - Yes!
Well...
I don't know who you paid to...
But your name's not in my ledger!
Get him!
Sir! Why are you doing this?
I offered up enough to you officers, didn't l?
Then why are you doing this?
When did you ever give me anything?
You always gave it to other fools!
You should've paid me long before.
- Take him. - Sir!
You're too late.
You're already on the list to go to war.
Take him away.
Sir! Please!
I beg you! Please!
Daddy!
Don't worry!
It's not the first time! I'll be right back!
No!
Go on in!
Daddy!
Go on!
Going to this war
is just to build better relations with Ming.
What can a handful of Joseon soldiers do?
Just stand behind the Ming army and pull out later.
If you distinguished yourself in the battle, it would be nice.
War is a great opportunity for a man from a weak background.
Yes, sir. I'm very well aware.
Anyway, come back alive.
When you return from the war,
I'll make a position for you in the court.
Sir?
What?
Do you have something else to say?
I have another favor to ask, sir.
What is it?
The former governor's daughter, Seo-hyun, has become a slave.
I know. So?
Well...
You want me to give her to you?
Fine. As you wish.
Thank you, sir.
No need.
Anything for a man who gave up everything to be on our side.
But...
Isn't that girl...
the one arranged to marry JANG Do-young?
The wind is quite chilly.
Why? Angry?
Regretful?
Of course.
Fortune awaits if you make it back to Joseon.
You must feel angry it has to be this way.
Filthy bastard.
Ching soldiers!
They're here!
We must hide somewhere!
Let's go down there, sir!
This way, sir!
Grab the handle.
The handle, sir!
Pull up.
What are you doing?
Hurry! Or we'll all get killed by the Ching soldiers!
Do-young! Hurry up!
I don't believe this.
Stop!
If he escapes, he'll return with more troops.
Don't let him get away.
What happened?
Now, we're done for!
Sir...
We don't have time for this.
They'll be coming around any minute!
Right, sir?
Look, Do-young.
Yes, I know.
I don't have any interest in being in the court.
I should be happy just being alive in the enemy clan's world.
Why don't you take the military examination?
They won't care about that.
Not interested.
I'll just end up being their dog.
That all depends.
You know how aristocrats with no titles or assets live.
Look at me.
Take the examination.
How could you...
How...
Then let's make a bet.
If you last longer under water, I'll do as you wish.
This isn't summer. It's cold.
Don't take the examination then.
Living like this isn't that terrible.
What?
Such hasty personality.
You change your mind just due to cold water?
Watch it! I'll fall!
I want you to fall!
Wait!
Then let's go in together.
We're friends, aren't we?
How refreshing!
So refreshing!
How could you...
Hun-myung!
I have to live!
I can't live mixed up with you aristocrats back in Joseon.
I'm sorry!
Just die! Will you!
Enough!
I said, that's enough!
Right!
You wanted to take his life, right?
I almost lost my wrist this time.
He's all yours.
For the last time...
Let me ask you one thing.
You'll die anyway. So tell the truth.
In order for you to live...
did you have no other choice?
You had to do it?
Answer me.
Answer me!
Say it!
Kill him already!
Don't take all day!
You ignorant fool!
Stop meddling! You bastard!
Just stay damn put!
What did you say?
You son of a bitch!
Damn aristocrats! I'll kill you both!
You son of a bitch!
He's practically dead. So you don't need me, huh!
You're done with using me!
You know how I ended up being dragged out here like this?
It's all cuz of damn aristocrats like you!
You son of a bitch!
Still, I thought I'd let you kill him
and kept patient!
I'll have to kill both of you anyways!
It doesn't matter who goes first! Does it?
You just know how to use people!
Damn aristocrats don't see people like us as humans!
Die already! Die!
Damn annoying bastards!
Die! Die!
This can't be...
This can't be happening...
Gotcha!
No.
Oh no...
Gather around!
Follow me!
Do-young? Is that you?
Look, Do-young.
Must we really do this?
I had no idea that would happen to your father.
If I did, how could I have done it?
Yes, I was promised a future by turning in your father!
I admit that! But!
I didn't do it just for my benefit!
If it wasn't for me, you would've ended up dead!
They would've killed you like your father!
I actually ended up saving you!
Shut your mouth! You bastard!
Oh...
There you are.
Despicable bastard!
You worthless brute! Shut your damn mouth!
After how my father and I treated you,
you repay mercy with betrayal!
You call yourself a man!
Your father is already gone.
Killing me now won't change that.
Let's just go back to Joseon together.
I'm set to get a court position.
I'll make a spot for you, too.
How about it?
After my father died...
my mother went mad from shock and hung herself.
If you were me...
can you forgive?
Yes, it won't be easy.
You're right.
Of course you can't forgive.
But still, I wanted to spare you.
That's why I let you live all this time.
But I guess it has to end this way.
Yes! So say it!
Confess everything!
Fine. I'll tell you.
You should know the truth before you die!
Yes, I did it!
I went to them on my own and denounced your father!
He's the one who informed us of So-beuk Clan's plans for treas on.
I did it!
Tell the leader.
But promise me one thing, sir.
This involves betraying a man who is like a father to me.
Thus, I deserve as much in exchange.
I told you not to worry about your future.
I'd like the party leader's promise, sir!
- Why you! - Enough!
Fine. I promise you.
Then, let's hear it.
What is it that you want?
Why?
Why did you do it?
Why, you ask?
Why did you repay mercy with betrayal?
For what?
What? Mercy?
Your father treated me like a son,
Then how...
If he thought of me as his son!
knowing how I struggled through life!
How can he give my court position to you and send me to the country?
How can he do that to me?
You call that a reason?
Even if it wasn't for me, you can't land a court position.
What?
You worthless brute!
We took you in, clothed you, and fed you.
How dare you!
A lowlife always acting proud because you can swing a sword!
I should've seen how vulgar and foul you really are.
If you had the chance,
you'd sell off anyone to get what you want.
But, that's it?
Betraying your friend...
selling off my father...
and the opportunity you gained...
was coming to fight in
a foreign land to die like a dog!
It serves you right.
What do you know?
How can you say that?
What? It's the truth!
You don't know your place
and got used by the Dae-beuk Clan!
What?
They told me to get rid of you!
What?
You think I didn't know?
Why did you want to see me?
His Majesty ordered to restore the So-beuk Clan and reinvestigate.
He reinstated their positions in the court.
So what? You want to make peace?
After everything?
That's politics.
Do anything to get what you need.
The same members can fight for blood,
and gladly hold hands with the enemy.
That is what politics is about.
You sirs can do damn politics all you want.
We didn't fight like market thugs.
We battled over power of the state.
If your father had the power, I'd be the one dead.
It's just politics. Nothing we can do.
So, what are you saying?
What do you want from me?
It's a gift.
I heard you're looking for the one who betrayed you?
Everything involved in the case is recorded there.
It says who informed us,
and how this all started.
I'll restore everything for you.
Get revenge for your father...
and let's forget the past.
You knew everything?
Then why...
I didn't believe it.
I couldn't believe it was you.
I thought the Dae-beuk Clan was up to their tricks again.
I wanted...
to trust you till the end.
But you show your true, despicable nature in the end.
That damn rat!
Do you get it now?
In the Ching's hands or mine...
you were sent here to die!
Shut up! I'm not dying!
Damn bastards! I'll kill them all!
I'll kill every one of them!
Starting with you and that rat,
I'll kill them all!
You still don't get it!
They're not people you can face with just your sword!
Do-young! You dare mock me till the end!
You son of a bitch!
This all started because of you!
If it wasn't for you, if you didn't mock me so,
if your father didn't do that to me,
none of this would've happened!
You bastards made me this way!
You're 3 years younger but never showed respect!
Being older doesn't give you the right!
Why you!
Shit!
Come here!
Where are you hiding?
Come out! You bastard!
I don't have time for this!
To go back to Joseon
and kill the Dae-beuk Clan bastards...
you'll have to die first!
Come out here, now!
Do-young! Come out!
JANG Do-young
You're there.
Aren't you?
I know.
I can hear you breathe.
What...
What happened to us?
What happened...
I always did my best.
I would've done the same ifl had to live my life again.
That was the only way for me.
Why did you...
Why did you tell me the truth?
Why not hide it from me and ask me to trust you?
Why not...
If you were me, what would you have done?
Would you have done differently?
Would you...?
I came back alive as you said.
Now it's your turn to keep your promise, sir.
My eyes...
I can't see...
No!
We've checked everywhere.
He's the only Joseon man we found.
So these men killed our soldiers?
They were hiding...
and suddenly jumped out and attacked.
I can't find any others.
It looks like they killed each other.
What a brutal fight.
I must live...
Must go back...
Wretched fool.
Waking up in a state like that.
He looks like a Joseon general.
Should we seize him?
No, we have enough prisoners of war.
We don't need him.
Must return...
Just leave him, sir?
He'll die anyway.
Leave him to die slowly.
It'll be more painful that way.
Why did Joseon send an army?
When they have no reason to fight?
Joseon wanted to win political favor with Ming.
Then what about the Joseon soldiers
who died here?
They died like dogs for nothing...
Just sent here to die.