[suspenseful music plays]
You dare
lift a finger…
against my sister?
[rustling]
You fool. Only an idiot would come out here alone.
[laughs]
On your feet.
[suspenseful music continues]
- Stay behind me. - [chuckles]
- [metal scrapes] - [Bang-suk groans]
[groans] Kill him! Cut him to pieces!
[men clamor]
[dramatic music plays]
- [squelching] - [Bang-suk yells]
[man 1 yells]
[tense music plays]
[man 1 yells in pain]
[horse neighs]
[bells ring]
[Hongrang groans]
[bells ring]
[screams]
[man 2 yells]
[uneasy music plays]
- [Jae-yi] Let go! No! - [Bang-suk] Come here.
- [Bang-suk snarls] - [Jae-yi] Let go!
Shut your mouth, woman!
[tense music plays]
- Know how much trouble you've caused? - [Jae-yi] Let go!
[Bang-suk] Quiet! This is what happens to those who defy me!
You're worthless to me now, wench! You will die.
- [Jae-yi screams] - Die. Die. Die!
- Be damned! - [Jae-yi breathes heavily]
[Jae-yi whimpers]
Stop or she goes over, do you hear me? Get back!
I mean it.
Stop or she dies.
- I'll throw your sister down there. - [Jae-yi whimpers]
[tense music continues]
[groans]
We will trade.
What?
I will trade places with my sister.
I think my life is worth a much bigger reward.
Not if you're dead, it isn't.
Let her go and hold me for ransom instead.
What? Why?!
I also need money for my survival.
I have not benefitted from the family wealth yet.
[suspenseful music plays]
[Bang-suk chuckles]
- [Jae-yi groans] - [bone cracks]
[Jae-yi breathes heavily]
No. You do not want to do that. I am worth more with no new scars.
[suspenseful music continues]
[groans]
[gasps]
[Hongrang] Greedy fool.
[Bang-suk screams]
[gasps]
[dramatic music plays]
DEAR HONGRANG
[music fades]
[sword clatters]
[breathes shakily]
[Jae-yi yelps]
My ankle is hurt.
Your weakness. The ankle you sprain once, you'll likely sprain twice.
And deeper wounds usually fester.
It is rare for wounds to heal completely.
If you will not take my hand, use my sleeve to help you up.
Hm. You refuse my help.
All right. Sit there, then.
[Jae-yi yelps] What are you doing?
Not fair! Put me down this instant!
Stop struggling! Or I might toss you over myself.
You… [gasps]
[intriguing music plays]
Put me down!
I can walk!
Stop!
[man 1] Jae-yi!
- We found her! - [man 2] There she is!
You too?
What's going on?
[intriguing music continues]
[gentle music plays]
[Jae-yi gasps]
- Sorry, brother. - You are safe now. That is what counts.
[music fades]
[sighs]
[gentle music plays]
[sighs]
[young Hongrang] Sister,
when I'm old enough to tell people what to do,
I'll make sure they're nice to you.
I promise I'll make them respect you.
[grunts] What are you doing? Not fair! Put me down this instant!
Stop struggling! Or I might toss you over myself.
[gentle music continues]
[music fades]
[Hongrang] It is as I expected.
Jo Bang-suk had been spreading rumors to set a trap for Jae-yi.
Now the truth about the Snow Man sightings is threatened
because the only solid lead we had is dead now.
That poor maidservant was the only one to see it. We are back to square one.
If we can capture the Snow Man, that should lead us right to the painter.
[unsettling music plays]
The painter is probably painting right now.
While draining the life out of someone, just like he did to us.
So if we are going back to square one, we need to confirm one of our theories.
If he is a member of the guild, then my father has dealings with him.
[intriguing music plays]
We need to look into all of them.
[sighs]
[man] Judging by the traces left behind, they all likely sustained injuries.
They're alive?
The Soul Reaper let those assassins live and now they run free?
He has his standing in the guild to protect.
He has to show a little mercy.
So he held back for a reason.
Which is to gain an advantage.
[intriguing music continues]
[music stops]
[indistinct clamoring]
That commotion, it sounds a lot like an art auction.
You are correct, Highness. They are arguing about a new painting.
The artist is known as Du-ryeong.
[clamoring continues]
- Let us go inside. - I'm not leaving without that painting.
[clamoring continues]
[child yelps]
- [child groans] - Young wretch! Apologize!
Child, are your parents here with you today?
Are they home?
Have you always been alone?
No family.
Would you like to come with us?
[melancholy music plays]
[music fades]
Lord Chief Merchant, His Royal Highness the Grand Prince
has returned from his retreat.
Why was I not told sooner?
The prince arrived a few days ago, but he insisted on keeping it quiet.
I understand, only I must pay my respect to the prince.
[sighs]
- Tell Hongrang he's coming with us. - [man] Yes, my lord.
[Yeol-guk] Grand Prince Hanpyeong has fully supported the search for you
since the beginning.
Although he avoids any sort of political involvement,
he did order the royal military to assist our case.
We owe him a debt of gratitude.
Our household, and the long-lost son in particular.
I know.
I shall express my deepest thanks. I owe him nothing less.
Excellent.
As you should.
Father, why does His Highness live in such a remote place?
His Royal Highness finds that the quieter surroundings
are more conducive to his artistic pursuits.
[Hongrang] Although I have never seen the painter's face,
I will never forget his work.
His unique interpretations,
I can recognize them at first glance.
[uneasy music plays]
[music fades]
[eerie whooshing]
[unsettling music plays]
Hongrang,
is that you?
[music fades]
You grew tall.
But I see your same spirit.
You look just as you did before.
The spitting image of your grandfather who I respected so much.
And so much like your father in the way you carry yourself.
May His Royal Highness receive
my undying gratitude and respect.
[gentle music plays]
My dear Yeol-guk.
I understand how distressing losing a dear son must have been.
I'm relieved
that he is found at last.
It is all thanks to your most generous blessings, Your Highness.
[gentle music continues]
Correct.
That's good. Now try "in."
[music stops]
That rules out His Highness.
He paints with his right hand.
In a gentle, calm style.
And the child he took from the village that day is well taken care of.
I admit that I am discouraged,
but also rather relieved.
It would complicate things to no end if the painter were royalty.
I know what you are seeing. You should go ahead.
[chuckles]
[Yeol-guk] How was your retreat in the Dongnae district?
I trust Your Highness found it restful?
If only so.
I fear that I have become a rather useless creature.
You cannot truly believe that.
On my way here,
I witnessed a heated auction for a painting in one of the villages.
Du-ryeong. I had never heard of him.
He must be quite reputable to cause such a frenzy.
Reputable is not the word I would use. The man is a farce.
Why do you say that? You know his work?
[sighs]
[tense music plays]
[laughter]
[man grunts]
[Yeol-guk] Word has it that he's always drunk on opium, liquor,
and carnal pleasures.
He has a fondness for using dead beasts in his paintings.
But for his more prized works,
he is known to prefer human corpses.
[tense music continues]
Some believe that the souls of his models dwell in the paintings,
allowing them to have
the mysterious ability to revive the dying,
or immediately take the breath out of the living.
- [body thuds] - [women gasp]
[women gasp]
[tense music continues]
I will capture the moment your soul starts to rise into the infinite.
[women scream]
[Yeol-guk] Due to such unfounded rumors,
his paintings do attract bidding wars of grandiose sums.
The last one sold for the price of several tile-roofed houses.
- [laughs] - Such arrogance!
Only a fool would do such a thing.
Insult the virtue of the fine arts with such perversion.
Do you wish to act?
Act on what?
A buffoon?
We shall leave him be.
We are each in charge of our own fate.
He may attempt to emulate greatness to make a name for himself.
And soon he will discover
that he can never duplicate a single stroke of mine. No.
Seeing life's essence and capturing spirit is a rare ability.
You may leave now.
If I walk any slower, I will take root.
Sister, why are you testing your ankle?
I am not your sister.
The Min Guild's only daughter, Sim Jae-yi. Tell me why you are following me.
You and I do not trust each other. Which is why you followed me into the woods.
And which is why you are still alive to argue.
So you are seen as the hero.
But I think that is all part of the ruse. The little brother coming to the rescue?
Hmm.
I guess it was all for nothing.
I have a present.
A present? For me?
Mm-hmm.
Here.
- [gasps] - Oops. Wrong hand.
- What are you doing? - It is this one.
- [jaunty music plays] - [Hongrang yelps]
- Sorry. I found it. - [yells]
- [young Jae-yi] This one? - [squeals]
Or this one?
[screams]
What? Are you scared? The animal lover?
You cut people to bits with your sword, yet you are scared of a few insects?
[gentle music plays]
Perhaps…
take this mantis as a thank you.
Their bites hurt!
[young Jae-yi] But why are you so afraid of a little bug?
"Agh! It's a monster!"
"Don't come near me!"
Ah.
You don't mind if I keep this? I'm going to feed it honey and see if it likes it.
[gentle music continues]
[child cries]
[tense music plays]
[boy cries] Mother!
[cries] Mother!
[boy sobs]
Agh! [groans]
[boy cries]
[child cries]
[gentle music plays]
[child sobs]
What are you doing out here? Come inside.
[child cries]
[Hongrang breathes deeply]
[music fades]
[Mu-jin] My apologies for not paying a visit earlier.
I am told that your guild business requires much travel.
My days are occupied with humble pursuits, as you see.
I assume you're not just here for tea? [chuckles]
I hear that you and Hongrang were very close when you were younger?
You could say that.
As you know, we are second cousins. He and I were born a month apart.
We were swaddled and fed and cleaned together.
I found it wearisome as an infant.
I was tired of him before I learned to roll over, I think.
I was not jealous of him.
But it was annoying. The way he was treated.
It was obvious even back then that he was doted on.
Told he was special. Treated as precious.
Can you tell me more about that? What was so special about your cousin,
aside from his station?
Nothing.
Except that he was sort of
too nice to everyone? And scared of his own shadow. [chuckles]
But… why are you asking about Hongrang?
To ensure
he really is the one we have searched for and our wait is over.
Do you mean that the man who everyone is saying is my long-lost cousin
could be an imposter?
The physicians performed the blood conglomeration test, and it was a match.
This is all, uh, confusing. Though I have been thinking.
It is strange that he remembers nothing.
Ooh, I also heard that Jae-yi doesn't think it is him,
and she would not have failed to recognize her own little brother.
Any chance they had, those two were together.
She practically raised him.
Wait.
[breathes quickly]
[gasping]
[laughs] Oh my goodness! How could I have forgotten about that day?
It was the worst day of our lives! [laughs]
Perhaps… you could share that?
His Lordship has invited the guild to gather at your household for a feast.
Everyone is invited to celebrate Hongrang's name day.
My revelation will be a way to show all of the guests
if my cousin is truly back or not.
[gentle music plays]
Hongrang.
Can you… see me?
Sister, can you see me?
I can.
[music fades]
[gentle music plays]
- [Mu-jin] Jae-yi! - [gasps]
[music fades]
[exhales]
I feel you are avoiding our talks. I must have offended you.
I have not been avoiding you. It is just that,
these last few days, I have started to feel
confused.
You will not feel confused much longer. Be strong.
Very soon, everyone will know
that he is a greater fraud than all the others.
What?
[hopeful music plays]
[woman] We need more water.
Start boiling this now. Make sure it is cooked through.
[music fades]
Our household wishes you health and prosperity.
- [chuckles] - Cousin! Look who's here!
[cousin laughs]
I remember you!
But do you remember me?
Hong-sik!
We were inseparable when we were little. Huh?
I do not yet recognize those I grew up with. I apologize.
But your energy is unique.
[laughs] Yes! So is yours, cousin.
Uh, but listen, uh, you and I, it was such a connection.
Almost like twins. We always understood each other. [chuckles]
Oh! Hello, Jae-yi! [laughs]
[laughs] What a pleasure! [laughs]
Oh, Jae-yi! [laughs]
[Jae-yi grunts]
You're here?
[chuckles] Look at you. You sure have grown up, haven't you?
Such a beautiful woman now. Huh? [chuckles]
[inhales sharply] Ah, let me see.
You certainly look like a young lady.
You certainly haven't sharpened your wit.
Uh… [chuckles] Uh, don't go!
Jae-yi. [chuckles]
Your tongue's as sharp as ever, huh?
And, as strange as it sounds,
I will admit I enjoy a lady who's a little feisty. [laughs]
Let me think now. We are… second cousins.
So if I ever wanted to…
No, I can't. That pesky law we have to follow.
I tell you.
Too bad we can't marry. Huh? [laughs]
- [Hongrang] You have said enough. - Still… [inhales]
I have?
[Hong-sik splutters]
You are excitable.
Please go inside.
[Hong-sik chuckles]
You… you have obviously become very different over the years.
You have become serious,
and there is something a little rougher around the edges.
It's quite fascinating, really. [sighs]
I do not understand how anyone's temperament can change so much.
[gentle music plays]
[Hong-sik chuckles]
Who knows what you went through? [laughs]
Auntie! Uncle!
[Hong-sik laughs]
[gentle music continues]
- [man 1] And then he fell over. - [laughter]
[man 2] Deepest respect to you, my lord.
Congratulations, my lord.
To your good health. And your household's.
[man 3] Much prosperity, my lord.
[music fades]
Such a joyous celebration. It makes my heart glad to see you all here today.
You come bearing such valuable gifts and generous blessings.
Bringing the merchants of our guild together is a wonderful sight.
- Indeed. - [laughter]
Although,
it appears that the grandmaster
has failed to see the significance of your generous offerings.
Such an offense would be unacceptable, my lady.
[guests murmur]
[man 4] Such a weapon!
[guests chatter quietly]
[tense percussive music plays]
I thought this gift would represent your interests better
than fancy brushes and shiny ornaments.
[Hongrang] It is a fine piece.
I have never seen one made with this type of horn.
A very rare example from black-horned cattle.
Of course.
You have spent a generous sum.
Now let us see the workmanship.
[tense music continues]
[Jae-yi gasps]
[bow creaks]
[tense music continues]
[bow creaks]
[music crescendos]
[guests gasp]
- Cousin! - [woman] My lord!
[guests murmur]
I will need to practice with such a fine weapon.
I would not want an arrow to go astray.
[Mu-jin] We shall have to see if you are able to manage it,
as black horn is unusually strong and quite challenging to master.
Have you forgotten why we are gathered here?
Let our guests enjoy the feast.
[tense music plays]
Now, may we raise our cups in unison.
[tense music continues]
[music stops]
Pomegranate! You all taste it as I have?
Hongrang! [breathes heavily]
You cannot have a sip of this wine!
- Why are you so excited? - [Hong-sik] Uncle, call a physician!
We need a physician! Call one quickly. Please, Uncle!
I asked you a question. Now calm down and answer.
[breathes heavily] When we were little, Hongrang and I were playing
and we snuck into the kitchens.
Uh, we stole some pomegranate wine and drank it.
But as soon as my cousin had a sip,
his face and neck broke out in hives,
and then he started having trouble breathing.
He nearly died from the reaction.
It was terrible!
He then fell ill and took to his bed for half a day.
But we were so worried that we would get in trouble for stealing
that we lied and made up the story about playing with a beehive.
Do you remember, Auntie?
You suspected we were lying because the physicians had their doubts.
And they asked if we had anything unusual to eat or drink that morning.
I do recall that.
[Hong-sik] Have you ever seen him eat pomegranates?
Any of you?
Jae-yi, have you ever seen it?
I bet you have not!
He is deathly allergic to them.
Ever since then, he nearly broke into hives just looking at one.
What are you all waiting for? Call the physician! [breathes heavily]
He does not look ill.
- [man 4] This is very strange. - [Hong-sik] Huh?
You are… You're… n-not…
You do not have any hives on you.
I saw you drink the wine. More than one cup, I think.
Yet you are completely fine.
[tense music plays]
If he really were my cousin, he would be gasping for breath this very instant.
[guests mutter]
[tense music continues]
[tense music builds]
[man 4] My lord! He's breaking out in hives!
[dramatic music plays]
- [music stops] - [Jae-yi groans, whimpers]
[yells] You witch!
I have always known that you were a demon child.
But to try killing my son?
[grunts] Bring me the peach wood switches!
The time has come to chase the evil forces from this sorceress for good!
Jae-yi, was this truly your doing?
[whimpers]
- Yes. - No!
- Why, daughter? - [gasps]
[breathes shakily] I wanted… to show everyone
that he's just another fraud.
He is my son!
- [Yeon-ui grunts] - [Jae-yi whimpers]
[grunts]
My lady!
Out of my way! [yells]
Step away!
- Move! - It was not her doing!
[girl] I did it, my lady!
[woman gasps]
What?
By accident.
The drink that was originally supposed to be served was Chinese quince wine,
but some had gone bad.
As we no longer had enough, I had it changed to pomegranate wine instead.
No, Eul-bun!
It is my fault. It was my decision.
[Yeon-ui] Is that so?
Well, that choice
has hurt him.
I will have to show you not only the repercussions of your decision,
but also those of being loyal to that evil wench you serve.
[woman cries]
[Eul-bun screams]
[Eul-bun cries]
[Eul-bun screams]
[Eul-bun cries]
[crying stops]
My son?
This is wrong.
- What? - This is not how I imagined you.
So violent and full of anger.
I envisioned someone kind and regal.
[gentle music plays]
You are feeling well, Hongrang?
Yes.
You may rest assured.
I was just a young boy when it happened the first time.
A man recovers faster.
Please,
forgive my sister and her maidservant.
I think she only meant it as a silly joke to entertain us on my name day.
[Yeol-guk] As you wish.
Leave us, everyone.
[gentle music continues]
[music fades]
He tricked us.
He surely knew beforehand.
Someone told him what we intended to do.
You are the one
who is pulling tricks, Mu-jin.
What?
I would have known if Hongrang was allergic to something.
Especially if it was fruit.
Maybe I am starting to forget things,
but I do recall us eating pomegranates in the courtyard when they were in season.
This means this man is an imposter, since Hongrang was not allergic.
On the other hand,
if Hong-sik was telling the truth,
and Hongrang nearly died that day…
then that would mean
you were trying to kill my brother.
[footsteps approach]
[sighs]
Due to this incident,
many of the lead merchants have shifted their support to young master Hongrang.
If this situation persists,
Mu-jin's standing in the guild will continue to weaken over time.
I want the object to be ready.
Advise the Jin Arts merchant of my wishes.
Yes, my lord.
[melancholy music plays]
A chestnut!
I'll share it with you. You bite it in the middle. Just half.
[teeth crack]
[screams]
Finally!
[screams]
My tooth! Why did you do that?!
The quicker we put your old tooth on the roof, the quicker you get your new one.
It's mine! I don't wanna throw it away!
Give it back! I want it!
[gentle music plays]
My tooth is precious.
Your baby teeth are supposed to fall out.
[young Hongrang huffs]
Don't you know the story about the twin rat?
Once upon a time,
there was a man who was cutting his fingernails
and threw the pieces in the dirt.
Then a rat came along and ate the nails.
The next full moon, the rat turned into the man who cut his nails.
He looked so much like him, his wife couldn't tell which was which.
I would like two Hongrangs.
The new one could stay at your mother's house and I'd get the real you.
What if
you didn't know which one was which?
If you ever forgot how to recognize your real brother,
then… I would be lost.
Hongrang!
[music fades]
I can breathe.
My heart is not racing.
[Hongrang clears throat]
I had food and drinks brought for you.
I will stay out here while you stay in there,
and we will drink.
You cannot be serious. After what happened earlier?
I guess you were concerned after all. Huh.
My name day was rather disappointing.
It hurts me to know that you would allow me to drink that wine,
even if you had your doubts that I am not Hongrang.
And I will never be him.
Not to you.
I understand.
You are his sister.
But I have not tried to be a little brother to you, have I?
You were the person I was closest to.
Proving myself to you is quite a challenge.
But I will not give up.
I know this feeling
of trying to become something.
[gentle music plays]
So you have done this before?
Tried to become something?
A name is something you take for granted until you do not have one.
You are someone's son. Little brother.
Or second cousin or their friend.
[chuckles] Even a neighbor.
But no one claimed me as theirs.
I was always alone.
As if I had dropped from the sky.
So I took to the sword.
Because I knew that that was how I would change my life.
I could make a name for myself as a warrior.
And I succeeded.
To the point I became someone's nemesis.
That was the life I had been living
until my world was turned upside down.
I suddenly became the son of Sim Yeol-guk, lord and master of the Min Family Guild.
It was so easy that I assumed it would be just as simple with you
to become your brother.
But you are different.
I will try to earn the title.
Did the wine
cause much pain?
It did.
But it is gone.
You told me that some of our wounds never heal completely.
I hope that wound of yours is not one that begins to fester.
Whether you are an imposter
or not,
I hope that you are no longer in pain.
[hopeful music plays]
[music fades]
[man] The master was quite concerned for you.
[Hongrang] So, tell me…
how did he find out that Hongrang is allergic to pomegranate?
[tense music plays]
Your only concern is to avoid the risk of being discovered.
You must be careful until the work is complete.
No one can know your true identity until then.
[tense music continues]
[tense music builds]
[dramatic music plays]
[man] It is poison ivy extract. Do not use it in excess.
[music stops]
[dramatic music plays]
[gentle ballad plays]
[music fades]