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Wihwado Island, 1388 on the border between China and Korea
General Yi Seong-gye
Stop! / Stop!
Hey, stop!
Stop!
What happened?
They are runaway soldiers.
I've just killed them at law.
Let's go.
"Keep in mind what I'm telling you!"
"We are in a national crisis,"
"and you are taking a great role for the land and the people."
"I know that you are having a great difficulty in this front line." [A royal messenger is reading a letter from the King]
"But!"
"I worry your being very careful in everything can bring on a greater crisis in the future."
"Once again, I am seriously ordering two generals"
"to cross the border and attack the enemy right after you receive this royal command."
"Oh! You should not miss this once-in-a-life-time chance."
"I'm ordering all troops to immediately launch a surprise attack on the enemy."
Here!
Receive this!
Did His Majesty tell us anything else?
His Majesty was very shocked!
How dare you ask His Majesty to allow to retreat troops!
But thankfully, His Majesty gave you a large amount of money and drink
for your hard work!
I think you should be grateful for the royal favor!
Ha-ha...
Tie up and imprison that guy!
Yes, sir! / Yes, sir!
No... no!
Wha.. what are you doing?
What are you doing now!
General Yi!
Get off me!
I'm a royal messenger! I'm a servant of His Majesty!
How dare...!
General Jo!
General Yi, you imprisoned the messenger who delivered the royal command.
You're really going to retreat the troops?
Yes, I'm.
We requested permission to allow to retreat,
but it was finally refused.
Do you know what does retreating the troops without the royal command means?
Yes, I do.
But we have to find a way to survive.
General Jo, now YOU should make a decision.
When we left Gaegyeong,
Grand General Choe secretly gave me this sword.
He seriously ordered me to behead any suspected traitor with this sword .
Now, what he worried about comes true...
What we're doing now is definitely high treason. [General Jo Min-su]
But I give this sword to you, General Yi.
General Jo...
Tens of soldiers are dying each day because of an infectious disease,
and many arrows become useless due to high humidity.
Also, this island will soon be flooded.
We have to protect a lot of soldiers from being drowned.
Let's go back to Gaegyeong together!
General Jo...
It's a golden opportunity.
Now, my longtime dream comes true...
I should not miss it!
I should not hesitate to make a decision!
General!
General, we 're ready to move!
Now, it's time to quit obeying this Court.
Ji-ran, do you really think so?
You've long waited for this chance! Yi Ji-ran
Yi Ji-ran
Don't miss it! Yi Ji-ran
Or you will never realize your dream.
Jeong Do-jeon's house in Gaegyeong
Attack! [They're playing a Chinese chess.]
Defense! [They're playing a Chinese chess.]
Attack again with this tank! [They're playing a Chinese chess.]
Oh... it's tough...
And I'm defending myself in this way.
Oh, I see...
Can you defend against this attack? / Ha-ha...
You've done wrong!
How is your 'cannon' headed for me in this way? Ha-ha...
Ha-ha... / Ha-ha...
What is a Chinese chess? Jeong Do-jeon (The president of the national university)
It originated from a battle between two dynasties of ancient China. Jeong Do-jeon (The president of the national university)
It's just a formality and not that important Jeong Do-jeon (The president of the national university)
over life and death!
Think about how to defend against me.
Loot at this chessboard carefully.
You are surrounded by my soldiers.
And it's similiar to the political situation of this country.
Do you understand what I mean?
This board is exactly the situation of Wihwado your father is in now.
Your father asked His Majesty twice to allow to retreat his troops from Wihwado.
I know.
The weak never wins the game.
I think the troops are now turning back from Wihwado.
Yi ***-won (General Yi's 5th son)
Listen, soldiers!
We are now going back to Gaegyeong!
But!
I, Yi Seong-gye, will take full responsibility for disobeying the royal command,
although I would be given the death sentence!
Follow me!
On May 22, 1388, the 14th year of King U of Goryeo Dynasty
One hundred thousand soldiers led by General Yi Seong-gye and Jo Min-su
who had been dispatched to Wihwado
to go on a conquest of Liaodong, China,
was now returning to the capital, Gaegyeong,
disobeying the royal command.
It's so-called 'Wihwado Retreat.' / It's a rebellion!
It's a rebellion!
It's a rebellion!
Make a signal!
This coup later brought on the fall of Goryeo Dynasty of Korea.
At that time,
it was the Prime Minister Choe Yeong and the Minister Yi Seong-gye
who had the highest power of the Court.
The Ming Dynasty of China, a new power of East Asia, had insisted
that Goryeo return a significant portion of its northern territory.
And King U and Grand General Choe Yeong made a decision to attack Liaodong, China,
but General Yi didn't want to.
That's why he and his troops returned to Gaegyeong, right after they were dispatched to Wihwado.
Before dispatched to Wihwado, Yi had argued against launching a war
but he had to do because of Choe's strong will.
And Yi finally returned to Gaegyeong during the rainy season.
When Yi Seong-gye and Jo Min-su were headed for Gaegyeong,
King U and General Choe was staying in Pyongyang to cheer up Yi's soldiers,
but they didn't know what happened yet.
King sent his messenger to Wihwado
to hurry up Yi's troops
but he now faced the rebellion. / It's a rebellion!
It's a rebellion!
It's a rebellion!
Don't get in my way, you idiot!
Sir, sir!
It's a rebellion, sir!
Yi Seong-gye's rebel forces are now running to Gaegyeong!
What!?
They retreated from Wihwado?
Yes, sir!
They're almost here now.
It's treason, sir!
Treason? Hey! Grand General Choe Yeong
Grand General Choe Yeong
You're too rude! Grand General Choe Yeong
How dare you could say such a ominous word! Grand General Choe Yeong
What about the royal messenger?
It was reported that he was imprisoned by the rebel forces!
Imprisoned?
Who is leading the forces?
It's both General Yi and Jo!
You mean General Jo Min-su also joined them?
Yes, sir!
Oh, my god!
Muster all the soldiers of this base!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Please wake up! It's an emergency!
What are you talking about?
Open the door.
Your Majesty, it's a rebellion!
What? Re.. rebellion?
Korean historical drama "Tears of the Dragon"
No way, sir!
Why do you feel this way?
China has a military superpower now.
They even destroyed the great Mongol Empire, and hold a new power of East Asia.
Are you scared? It's a pity!
Liaodong is where Korea governed for a long time,
and now we have to get it back again!
Why are you against this campaign?
A renowned general has to look after his subordinates,
before attacking his enemy. General Yi Seong-gye
So, do you want to cede the northern region of Korea to China without any resistance?
They threaten us
and insist on recovering our own territory to them!
How important it is!
The Former King Gongmin spent his whole life
in gaining the region!
But...
Oh, I see...
I know what you mean.
But, their forces are now stationed in the northern China
to concentrate on fighting against the Mongols.
Why do you think it's difficult to attack the unoccupied Liaodong!
It's a golden opportunity.
Sir, it's the season that the people are very busy for farming.
If all adult males are conscripted into the army, who can do farming?
Moreover, it's a monsoon season
that a infectious disease is running rampant,
and that many arrows will turn useless due to high humidity.
Sir, could you hold off this plan untill the fall?
Sir!
I already issued an order to conscript soldiers all across the country,
and His Majesty is also determined.
General Yi,
I think we can win with the support of you!
Sir!
Korean historical drama "Tears of the Dragon"
Mr. Choe,
it's all my fault.
What do you talking about? Please, don't say so.
No. If I had sent you to Wihwado with them,
they coudn't make such a trouble.
Ah... I don't understand how this could happen.
I has always been scared.
I has always been scared of all of my subjects, even servants
Your Majesty, you are the Lord!
Nobody can't do harm to you.
My father, the late King Gongmin was murdered by a servant.
You are the only person I can trust, Mr. Choe.
I should have sent you to Wihwado with them
as you pleaded with me to do...
I'm so stupid...
Your Majesty, don't worry.
I am always with you.
When we arrive at Gaegyeong, there will be a good way to beat the rebel forces.
Filmed at the Korean Folk Village
I don't understand why you are arguing to launch a war against China.
It can bring about a national crisis!
We have been under the rule of the Mongols for a century,
and even our Kings have been forced to marry the Mongol Princesses!
Going hand in hand with China is the only way to save this country at this moment!
Nonsense!
You mean that we have to return the northern region of Korea to them,
as they have strongly demanded?
I'm telling you that the anti-China atmosphere can bring a disaster.
I don't want to hear another word out of you!
An official shouldn't consider his homeland as a minor power!
And shouldn't argue to live in contempt, neither!
I don't understand why every official and minister in this Court is that weak-kneed!
More important is they are different than they were.
Different?
Aristocrats including Yi Saek, Jeong Mong-ju, and Jeong Do-jeon are now
on the side of the Minister Yi Seong-gye.
What?
We should take an action.
Please issue an order to dispatch troops.
And I will deal with their backlash.
Mr. Choe, you're my father-in-law.
You are the only person I can trust.
How slowly you are moving!
Walk more quickly to take His Majesty!
Hello, there! Filmed at the Korean Folk Village
Yes, sir! Filmed at the Korean Folk Village
***-won, what brings you here at this time of night?
Is there ***-u inside?
Sure, come in.
What's the matter with you?
***-u,
Pack up right now.
I think we have to escape to the northeast region with our mother.
Escape?
***-u,
haven't you heard of our father's Yi ***-won
retreating troops from Wihwado? Yi ***-won
I have. But why do I have to escape?
If his action is on a royal mission,
it would be lawful. But if not, Yi ***-u (Yi Seong-gye's 1st son)
it would be high treason.
Oh, ***-u!
I am a subject of this Court,
and I think that disobeying the royal command is definitely treason!
We should apologize for that crime in place of father.
But how dare you could suggest escaping at this time?
You're too stuffy, ***-u!
Why do you think we should apologize? / You idiot!
Do you think it's fair for a subject to overthrow the goverment?
Go away, now!
***-u... / I said, go away!
Korean historical drama "Tears of the Dragon"
Where are other officials now? Have all of them left Gaegyeong?
I heard that all of them have already gone.
What should we do now...
It is reported that Yi Seong-gye's force is arriving at Pyongyang within two days.
If he is really plotting a coup,
a great disaster will happen.
We should protect this Court. Jeong Mong-ju
Why don't you persuade every official into joining us? Jeong Mong-ju
Too difficult...
Who can control this emergency? Yi Saek
I think it is most important Ha Ryun
to grasp General Yi Seong-gye's intention. Ha Ryun
We have to avoid a civil war...
But how can we control them without the capital defense forces?
Where... where on earth is Jeong Do-jeon at this time?
I heard that Mr. Yi Seong-gye's troops have already passed Pyongyang.
How about His Majesty?
He is coming back to Gaegyeong.
What makes you guys that worried?
You look carefree, Mr. Jeong. Minister Jo Jun
Why didn't you attend the meeting today? Minister Jo Jun
It is no use trying to prevent the coup. That's why I didn't attend today.
No use?
A small stream is now running to the great ocean.
Who in this world can prevent this rising tide?
The old system has collapsed,
the new era is now coming!
Mr. Jeong, what do you mean?
General!
How are things of Gaegyeong?
His Majesty will soon be arriving at the palace.
Who is in charge of security of His Majesty?
It's the Prime Minister Choe.
Anything else?
Tens of servants and court ladies are following them.
General Yi, there's no time to hesitate.
Have you forgotten what we faced in Wihwado?
We shouldn't hesitate any more.
I have something to ask you.
Go ahead.
You' ve decided to turn back to Gaegyeong.
Are you giving up the idea of a conquest of Liaodong?
No, I am.
I just want to hold off the plan for a while.
Anyway, you're against the royal command now!
What a rude guy!
How dare you say such a word to your superior!
The King has an authority to exercise a military command!
It is high treason for a general to disobey the command!
Treason!?
Watch your tongue!
At this moment, we should discuss Bae Geuk-ryeom
how to survive on our owns! Bae Geuk-ryeom
I, Yi Won-gye, have something to tell you.
Such a critical decision should be followed by
a majority opinion of all of the members.
I don't want to follow the unilateral decision. Yi Won-gye (Seong-gye's elder brother)
General Yi's command is much more important to us than that of the King!
You'd better stop making such a rude remark!
What are you talking about, man?
Ji-ran, do you really think
that a general can issue an order without the royal permission?
How dare you...
You make me feel offended!
Stop, you guys!
I think each opinion is reasonable.
But!
I've made up my mind after thinking it over a lot.
That's complete nonsense!
Would you change your mind?
I agree with him.
General!
Bracing ourselves, we can cross the river and win any battle.
Please, order us to advance toward Liaodong!
Please, do not do anything treasonous.
Or we would be blamed as a traitor!
Push the Chinese forces out of Liaodong!
How arrogant you are! Nam Eun
Nam Eun
You said, "treason?" Nam Eun
I can't stand for you guys anymore!
What are you guards doing now? Come in!
Yes, sir! / Yes, sir!
You idiot! How dare you behave like this here!
Hey, you guys...
Why are you hesitating?
Take them out of this place now!
Yes, sir! / Yes, sir!
Take them out!
Yes, sir! / Yes, sir!
Hey, you!
Get off me!
Seong-gye... no way...
You shouldn't do that!
Our family has been loyal to the Court for generations!
You decision can bring a disaster to the whole family!
No way... Seong-gye...
Don't be a traitor!
Have you forgotten a rumor about you?
"the enthroned Yi,"
a rumor that you will seize power in a military coup.
Don't forget that rumor!
I said, take them out right away!
No way, General!
Don't return to Gaegyeong, General! / General!
General!
General, please stop bothering them!
Take those men out!
Yes, sir! / Yes, sir!
No way... Please don't do that!
General! / General!
Please don't do that!
General!
Get off me! / Get off me!
You ***!
You are against the royal command, too!
No!
General Yi!
General Yi!
Don't bother them anymore!
Hey!
Yes, sir!
Imprison Won-gye.
Behead all of other guys, and hang up their heads in front of a camp gate!
Yes, sir!
You ***!
General!
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Your Majesty, cheer up!
We'll soon be arriving at the palace.
Oh, my... Where...
Where have all of servants gone?
Chang!
Daddy!
Oh... my son...
My mother the Queen!
King...
Traitors Yi Seong-gye and Jo Min-su have risen up a rebellion!
Please behave with some dignity in such an emergency!
Hey, servants! / Yes, ma'am
Take His Majesty to the main hall, and tidy his clothes up!
Yes, ma'am... / Yes, ma'am...
Please follow us, my King!
Mr. Choe...
Your Majesty...
Please execute me...
No way... I'm relieved that you are with us...
I appreciate your favor, Your Majesty...
Mr. Choe.
Please order me, Your Majesty.
A lot of subjects have already ran away... Queen Dowager of An clan (The Former King Gongmin's concubine)
Who can protect His Majesty and us... Queen Dowager of An clan (The Former King Gongmin's concubine)
I can, Your Majesty.
Please don't be so worried...
Please get into the main hall.
You're the only person we can trust...
Thank you, Your Majesty...
What are you court ladies doing?
Take Her Majesty to the hall.
Yes, sir... / Yes, sir...
Korean historical drama "Tears of the Dragon"
For a long time, many have argued that Yi Seong-gye will be a traitor.
You should have prepared yourself for such a trouble!
Yes... I... should have...
My King!
Yes, my mother the Queen...
I'm talking about YOUR propblem, now!
MY problem...?
They were able to raise a rebellion, because you didn't prepared yourself!
Tell me everything you have done!
What...?
How have you governed this country so far?
Mother...
The Court and the Dynasty is obviously in crisis!
Shame on you! Ancestors may be in anguish!
Tell me how to cope with this situation...
Tell me...
Mother... / No!
No! Don't be so scared! You are the Lord!
Dismiss Yi Seong-gye and Jo Min-su from their government posts,
and arrest them and their subordinates as they are traitors!
Grand General Choe Yeong
I'll later obtain the approaval of His Majesty to this plan.
Send express messengers to muster soldiers from all across the country to Gaegyeong,
and gather every minister and official in the Court!
Those who can use a sword, hurl a spear, or even throw a stone,
fight against the rebel forces!
Yi Seong-gye...
Korean historical drama "Tears of the Dragon"
Stop!
What about Mr. Choe Yeong?
I'm asking you about it now!
It is he who causes the serious troubles at this time.
He should be heavily punished!
I think so, too.
By punishing him, we can make the people understand why we retreat troops.
Father, I think His Majesty will blame us.
Oh!
The King also has to accept responsibility for his mistake!
The new era is now coming!
And the royal family and the Court also will...
Be cautious!
I want to put off a decision on how to deal with the King!
General, make a decision right now!
I hope to punish the King and Mr. Choe together.
Please keep in mind what I'm telling you.
Sir!
Sir!
Oh... have you finished positioning soldiers in the palace?
Yes, sir! / Yes, sir!
Well done.
Where are we leaving for?
Oh... I think we have to go back to Gaegyeong, mother.
Gaegyeong?
Yes.
But you told me it is at war, huh?
That's why we have to go back.
Oh... Mrs. Han (Yi Seong-gye's legal wife)
Oh... you're right. Mrs. Han (Yi Seong-gye's legal wife)
***-won, could you carry this with you?
What is it?
It contains poison.
Poison?
What are you doing now?
How strange!
Hey!
I have some more for you and other family members. Mrs. Min
General Yi risked his life to turn back from Wihwado.
If he fails to achieve his goal...
all of us will also be executed for treason.
Oh, dear...
All of the family will be killed, if he fails.
I'm determined to follow his will, risking my life.
That's why I carry this poison.
***-won.
Please take it.
You are great... I'm so proud of you.
Yes, how excellent she is!
***-won...
They're gold. Use them whenever you need.
Thank you, mother.
I'm leaving now.
Yi Seong-gye has two wives;
Mrs. Han, his legal wife lives in his hometown,
and Mrs. Gang, his second wife lives in the capital Gaegyeong.
It was the custom that a government official had two wives both in his hometown and in Gaegyeong.
Mrs. Han has 5 sons –***-u, ***-gwa, ***-ui, ***-gan, and ***-won–
and 2 daughters,
while Mrs. Gang has 2 sons –***-beon and ***-seok–
and a daughter, Gyeong-sun.
Yi ***-won is the 5th son of Yi Seong-gye and Mrs. Han.
General Yi!
I am innocent!
You don't really want to kill me, do you?
Huh?
Mr. Gim...
Yes, sir!
Go away and tell His Majesty
that it is Prime Minister Choe Yeong who made today's much trouble,
and that I request Choe should be dismissed from his position and be punished!
Yes, yes, I'll!
Give him a horse to ride. / Yes, sir!
Welcome, General Jo!
Have a seat.
You're just watching the situation in this castle.
Just wait for a moment.
I think it's just a waste of time. General Jo Min-su
I've just sent the servant to the Court, and I'm waiting for a reply of His Majesty.
If His Majesty punishes Mr. Choe, we don't need to raise a disturbance.
Yes, it is right...
Sir! / Sir!
We positioned soldiers and guards to the East, West, and North Gates.
Good job.
Follow me. / Yes, sir!
What?
They insist that I punish Mr. Choe!
Your Majesty...
Then... they'll save my life if I punish him, right? King U
Yes, sure! I'm willing to do! / My King!
Queen Dowager of An clan (The Former King Gongmin's concubine)
Are you crazy? Queen Dowager of An clan (The Former King Gongmin's concubine)
No... no!
They have one hundred thousand soldiers!
Your Majesty, you'd better accept their suggestion!
You ***!
My King.
You have to think it through!
Mr. Gim.
Your Majesty.
Visit once again.
Beg them for help.
Tell them to live harmoniously without any conflict each other.
Give them a great amount of gold, silver, drink, and silk.
Your Majesty... I'm willing to visit them, but...
Go, right now!
I will, Your Majesty.
Korean historical drama "Tears of the Dragon"
***-gwa!
Thank you for coming. / ***-gwa...
Come in. / OK.
Father.
Father.
This is ***-won.
Oh, good, dear.
Long time no see.
What's the matter with you?
I evacuated two Mothers [Mrs. Han and Mrs. Gang] to the northeastern region,
and I'm here to serve you, Father. Yi ***-won
Your elder brother ***-gwa is helpful enough.
I want to be with you, my father.
Nothing needs your help.
Father, this Court has already collapsed.
I want to follow you. You're the central figure of this revolution...
Shut up, you ***!
What kind of talk is that?
I'm not leading the "revolution!"
Father, it is definitely the "revolution"
you retreated your troops from Wihwado in order to save the people of Korea.
Shut up, you ***!
You have to be discreet!