Original subtitles

This fictional drama is based on historical events.

The apex of power is the throne.

The one who wants to protect the throne.

The one who wants to take the throne.

1728, Lee In Jwa's revolt.

Episode 1

It's been a while, aloof scholar.

Lee In Jwa.

Also, the one who wants to stop him.

Janggi, Korean "chess"

You're losing your pieces way too easily.

You give up your flesh to keep your bones.

Don't you know? It's simple knowledge.

Why would you catch the king of the enemy's team,

when you're going to lose all your soldiers? What's the point?

Well, what would you do if all those soldiers survived?

Here, Jang Goon ("check" in Janggi).

How would you defeat a king without sacrificing any soldiers?

This is exactly the sacrifice for a great cause, don't you think?

For whom would this great cause be, and for whom would this sacrifice for?

It's for Joseon and for the people.

The people? How dare you talk about the people?

You are the one who would sully the people of the eight provinces, just to sit on that throne!

The throne is the only way to change this corrupt Joseon.

No, we don't need a king to dishonor the people.

If you get in my way, you will be hurt too. I will be pitiless.

Of course that's what you would do.

You will do things the way you want them to be done.

If you don't like someone, you will kill them.

Do it. If you can do it, then do it.

Baek Dae Gil.

Lee In Jwa.

I'm going to the Capital.

There, we will...

["King" piece in Janggi]

meet again.

Lee In Jwa...

He has a high status so he sure knows how to talk.

But in this world,

the people always win at the end.

Jackpot

1693, Hanyang (today's Seoul)

It's still not done?

It's done!

Hey! I won, I won!

Hey! I won! I won!

Honey!

Honey...

- Come outside!- Wait, wait!

What's wrong?

Why don't you just hit me?

You're making me leave the house when I had such good luck!

Why are you doing this?

What? Who am I? Who am I?

I might be wearing old clothes and shoes, but I still have high status!

I'm your husband. You should thank the heavens you have a husband like me. How dare you?

You're gambling and you're my husband?

Who's the one who has to suffer?

It's me. It's me!

Why are you crying? It's embarrassing!

Darling, I'm not doing this because I want to.

The only things I can do are gambling and stealing. That's why.

I'm afraid to be pregnant.

What are you saying? Give birth to a son.

You don't think I, Baek Man Geum, will be able to feed our family?

You sure know how to talk.

You must be tired. Let's stop it.

Here. Buy a chicken for us to enjoy.

I'll make a big money today.

Go inside, I'll be back.

Give birth to a son.

You don't think I, Baek Man Geum, will be able to feed our family?

Sorry.

No matter how much I hate him, he's still my husband. I can't make him starve.

Is there someone there?

Did you hear something?

Look at you. Are you trying to fool us because you can't pay?

Let's see. It was a rabbit, wasn't it...

I'll get bad luck for three rounds if you look at my cards. And it's a wildcat, what rabbit?

Pay attention to your own cards.

Really...

10, 1, 3.

This person just won.

Look!

Stop!

Oh!

Sister Hong Mae?

Orabeoni. (older brother, like modern oppa)

To me, men are three kinds.

Blood-related family, my underlings who work for me,

and, the guys who amuse me at night.

But my father lost everything because of gambling. I killed my husband while he was seeing another woman.

That's what happened because they played around with my money.

I'm the one who caught my father.

You think I won't be able to get you? We're not even related.

Why are you saying those words so cruelly?

Maybe you don't understand me.

Do you know who I am? I'm Hong Mae. Hong Mae!

Who said I wouldn't pay you back?

You said you'd pay me back.

How are you going to pay me back? Are you going to sell your wife?

Wh-Wh-Why not, I can sell anything.

If I don't have money, well, there's still my wife...

Really?

Alright, then try it with that resolution.

A hundred nyang. I took 20 nyang off for interest in advance.

This has to be accurate.

That's poison.

You do know how to bargain.

Who are you? I think you've seen the wrong person.

You should eat. You have important things to do tomorrow at the Royal Palace.

How do you know that I work at the palace?

Of course, I do.

You won't have to starve any more.

You won't have to live in a cold house any more.

You won't have to worry about being taken away for all your husband's debts.

What in the world do you want from me?

You won't have to starve any more.

You won't have to live in a cold house any more.

You won't have to worry about being taken away for all your husband's debts.

After a rainstorm, the king always takes an early morning walk.

He makes about two laps without any palanquin or parasol.

He then visits the Tongmyeongjeong Hall, where the deposed Queen Inhyun lived.

You will have to place the queen's shoes in the corridor of Tongmyeongjeong Hall.

Then put a big lotus leaf on top of them.

Then you'll need to wait.

He will definitely come to find you.

Once he is within five steps of you, you have to lift your head.

Look him in the eyes for exactly three breaths.

Stand up.

Lift your head.

You must make eye contact with him for three breaths.

His heart will shake at the first one. His heart will cling.

Then at the third one, his heart will be yours.

Are you the one who put a big lotus leaf on top of the shoes?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Why did you do that?

The Queen used to...

The former queen used to put her shoes there.

If it rained, I always put a lotus leaf over her shoes, so that they wouldn't get wet.

It's a habit now.

What is your name?

I'm Bok Soon.

Your Majesty.

What has caused the Queen to come here so early in the morning?

And you, Your Majesty?

Well...

I was just taking a walk.

Jang Ok Jeong

Is that all?

It is. Isn't it easy?

King Sook Jong

Bull's eye!

That is, of course, to be expected of His Majesty.

Your Majesty, you're an expert.

Listen to those halfhearted words.

If you keep listening to them, your heart will start to disregard them.

Are they not your subjects who support you?

You have no idea.

What they want is not a king, but a puppet they can control.

So at the right time,

I will discretely sweep them out.

Bull's eye!

That is called politics, Yi Soo.

You, who is worse than a beast,

do you know how many lives have been sacrificed for you?

Do you really not know?

You. Why aren't you shooting?

Restrain yourself. Even if you kill the king, the world won't change.

Changed and replaced whenever it's needed,

the king is such a thing that can be replaced.

There will be a day that will ease your anger.

There will be a day when your arrow will be embedded in this king's heart.

However, until that day...

Bull's eye!

You will have to be patient and hold everything in.

Take some breaks. No one will honor you even if you do it that hard.

Isn't it great to have something to do? They give you something to eat and you don't have to worry about starving.

Even if we say nice things for 100 days, no one will acknowledge it.

Take it easy.

You're right.

His Majesty is coming!

You are called Bok Soon?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I see you here again.

Isn't there any way I can get some money? Damn...

My genealogical tree!

It's the genealogy of a noble family. I should get 50 nyang, at least.

What is this?

This witch!

Where did she get this?

I don't give a damn.

Lee In Jwa

Are you really expecting His Majesty to have a crush on me,

a lowly woman?

Yes, I am expecting him to do that.

I am a married woman!

Weren't you taken by a gambler when he won a game?

Married or living together, it doesn't matter

if we share a blanket, because doesn't just that make us a married couple?

No matter what, it's up to you.

What do you think of these two options? Baek Man Geum, gambling addict, or the King of Joseon?

Which of these two options will you pick?

You have mistaken me.

Even though that man is of low status and gambling addict, I cannot do that.

The money that I received will be returned to you by tomorrow.

Don't go too far.

You will come back anyway.

Okay, let's see what we've got.

One.

What am I supposed to do with those crappy cards! Nothing!

Then I can take it, right?

I have four. Four!

Hold on.

You haven't seen mine yet.(10, 10,...)

I won.

What are you looking for?

Are you really asking because you don't know?

If you don't tell me, how would I know?

Where's our pedigree? WHERE'S OUR PEDIGREE?!

How can you sell our pedigree?

Oh...

Our pedigree... I just put it out there.

Why are you making such a fuss over nothing?

You shouldn't have touched our pedigree.

What's so good about your high status? That's all you have!

WHY DID YOU SELL OUR PEDIGREE?!

Go get it.

We can't live without it.

Even if we live this way,

our child shouldn't live like us!

By the way,

about that bundle of money inside...

Do you know what kind of money that is?

Honey.

Please tell me.

What should I do?

I can't live like this any more.

Become the king's woman.

What?

His Majesty is with that damn palace maid again?

That wench...

How is it, Bok Soon? Don't you like it?

It's not that, Your Majesty.

Well, of course,

This is nothing compared to your gifted beauty.

Bok Soon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Bok Soon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What's wrong with you?

I...

I have a husband.

I have a husband.

Is anybody there?

Find out more about that girl Bok Soon.

Where she lives, who she's living with, and what she does for a living.

Your Majesty, Bok Soon of the Choi clan is from Jeolla Province

and she lost her family to the plague.

She came into the palace when she was twelve years old as the palace maid for the deposed queen.

She was sold to a gambler, Baek Man Geum.

She prepares her husband's breakfast as soon she wakes up.

In the palace, she washes piles of clothes and dishes all day.

After the palace's work hour, she always works in the gisaengs' rooms.

Otherwise, she sews all night.

Even when it's like that, every three or four days, her money is stolen by her gambler husband, Baek Man Geum

and he loses the money. It happens over and over.

What kind of person is that Baek Man Geum?

He is from a noble family that lost everything.

He is now an idler at the gambling den.

How dare you stir up His Majesty's mind? You lowly wench!

Please spare me, Your Highness.

Please spare me.

You think you can ride in a palanquin thanks to this face?

You'd better not come back to the palace ever again.

You're Man Geum's wife, right?

Who are you?

I have something to tell you.

Your Majesty, is something bothering you?

I just have quite a lot to think about.

- If there's anything I can do— - No.

I appreciate it, but it's not something you can help me with.

Perhaps, is it about Maid Choi?

How did you...

Yi Soo, you'll have to grant the king's wish soon.

Your Majesty, I apologize for saying this,

but I visited gambling dens when I was younger,

so I know about gamblers' behaviors.

Do you?

Then do you know a man called Baek Man Geum?

He's just a good-for-nothing who's addicted to tujeon (Korean traditional card game), nothing more

and nothing less.

Did you perhaps...

Wife. Why? Wife!

Wife, why?

What the hell are you... (Traditional wedding rings)

How dare you treat your husband...

Are you planning to sell these rings at the gambling den, too?

Sell? I'm just thinking of using them for a while and putting them back.

How long are you going to live like this?

Did you ever, even once,

even just one time,

think of me as an important person?

Wife.

No.

I don't have a husband like you.

Wife, just believe in me, Baek Man Geum.

I'll earn some money, and all the gold and the jade that I will find,

I will give them all to you.

For now, this.

Those are the last things I'll give to you, Husband.

Wife.

You're really beautiful, Sister-in-law.

I was right, wasn't I?

Wife!

What are you doing right now?

You should've been good to her from the start. You're a bit late, aren't you?

Move aside. You're not moving? Move!

Dear! Bok Soon!

Why are you staying there? What a pitiful view.

You rotten woman.

What are you going to do with my Bok Soon?

At the rate you're screaming, you're going to break your vocal cords. Move your hand before I break your wrist.

Orabeoni.

What do you think I do with other people's wives? Eat them or something?

I'm this close to beating you up if you don't shut up!

Are you done talking?

Yes. Even so,

this witch is still thinking about you, so I'll tell you something.

Hanyang's biggest fool is coming to my gambling hall.

What gives you the right to say these things to me? Whose fault is it that I'm in this state right now?

This is a guarantee from me. He's such a fool that you can win enough for a tile-roofed house.

How about it? Let's try.

You witch!

Have you been waiting long, Sir?

I heard you run a big trade business with the Qing Dynasty.

This way please.

Do you want to play a specific game?

I don't care.

How about cards? I'll get a player.

Also, my cut will be ten percent of what you win.

You can just take that.

Oh, you could have just given this to me on your way out.

Have fun.

You don't look like a gambler. What's your occupation?

I'm a merchant. I go all around the dynasty.

Do you know how to play?

Yes, sort of.

Our meeting is fate.

- How about a drink first? - No, thank you.

My stomach doesn't feel good, so I'll pass for now.

Ah, is that so?

Let's play with fervor.

Let's do that. Take it slow,

and let's start.

(8, 8)

(2, 7, 7)

(9, 2, 9)

Your Majesty, first, please make him be blinded by the gold.

Make him be blinded by the gold?

Baek Man Geum has a gambling debt that he cannot possibly pay back.

So if you want to spend some money on him,

he will bite that bait right away.

I have quite a bit of money on me.

It's my first time playing cards.

You don't know how to play cards, but you still came here to gamble?

I have so much money, and there's really nothing I want to buy.

I'll think I'll just

spend it on my hobbies.

I'm thankful that you have such a hobby.

Second, you'll have to make him lose his concentration.

The money you will lose will be just a bait.

Your goal is to make Baek Man Geum lose his sense of judgement.

Please keep offering him to drink.

However, drinking alone...

It's no fun. Come on, have a drink with me.

Fine.

Since you lost quite a bit of money,

I'll have to be your drinking buddy.

You should have done this from the start.

You can't play cards.

Do you know how to play Jjogi?

I don't.

How about majong? Do you know majong?

I've never heard of it.

Aigoo... Ah! How about Ssang Ryuk?(a kind of backgammon)

You don't know how to play Ssang Ryuk either?

I've never heard of that either.

You don't know any of those?

I can play Tu Ho.(pitch-pot)

I know it.

The type of game where you throw arrows at an empty pot?

A lowly peasant like myself has never played such aristocratic games, nor do I know how.

What are we going to play then?

We can't do any of those.

Shall we stop?

Gamble on an easy game to clearly show him that you have no skills in gambling.

You have to make sure he wins it.

Ah, I have a good idea.

- What is it? - What if we played a betting game with this wine?

We'll pour alcohol and water each in a similar bottle.

The person who can pick out the wine bottle is the winner.

The chance of winning and losing is fifty-fifty. This game is very fair.

Shall we try? It's fair...

I was the one who suggested it, so I will let you choose.

- I can?- You can choose the next bet if you'd like.

How about it?

Anyway, the chances are half and half.

Alright let's do it!

Those two pieces are worth 100 nyang.

You are putting down 100 nyang at once?

Why? Am I not allowed?

No, you can, but...

Here, bring one bottle of wine and one bottle of water.

You will choose first, go ahead.

I got it.

It's the one with water that has condensation.

That one with old dry stopper is the wine bottle because it has never been opened.

Wife, I will keep my promise.

I'm finally winning.

This is the wine bottle.

This wine is very well ripened.

Won't you have a cup?

You have such great luck, Sir.

Have you chosen now?

This is no fun, I haven't won yet.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

Have some more to drink.

Then should we, for the last time...

Do you want to play just one more game?

What about spinning a coin?

This is also a fair game because the chance of getting either heads or tails is 50/50.

This coin, the same kind from the Royal Mint, that I have been using for so many years.

Look at this, it is from Euhyeong-Cheong (Royal Mint).

Right! When you spin it,

this coin always comes up tails, 9 out of 10.

Heads! Heads! Heads! Heads!

This coin comes up tails nine times out of ten.

What about raising a stake a bit more?

If I win this game... 1,100 nyang?

If I use all this money to pay off my debt, I'll still have 700 nyang left over.

The heavens must really be helping me.

Since you suggested this game, I will choose first. May I?

You may. However, I will be the one to toss the coin.

I agree. I bet tails.

Then I will bet heads.

Since I am the last to win, the happiness is doubled, is it not?

It is probably because of this feeling that people gamble.

This is just a coincidence. Just one-time-only coincidence. Probability never lies, it never does!

If you are fine with it, how about repeating this bet?

One more time?

Well, I don't really care.

This is a specially forged coin from our armory, so please believe me.

It will always come up heads.

Then...

I will bet 200 nyang on tails, again.

Then I will bet on heads.

Here I go.

You have lost. This time, it's heads again.

Let me try again.

I don't see why I would refuse.

I already took back what I had lost, and it seems my luck is good too.

Your life depends on this money, don't you know that?

I know. I know.

Our orabeoni has to live long, though.

This time, what will you choose?

I choose heads.

Heads? Well, it did come up heads twice.

- Then, I'm—- No, no.

I bet tails.

I don't think it will come up heads three times.

We'll see. You don't know that.

Wait!

Let's change the coin.

Let us use this one.

Let's use this one.

As you wish.

This has been fun, thanks to you.

Wait! Wait! Let's do one more! One more!

One more game!

You look like you have nothing.

No! I will bet my wrist!

What do you want me to do with your wrist? It's useless to me.

Of course.

What do you think of this?

Can't you find those cheap things anywhere?

This will not do,

unless you intend to offer up the owner of these rings.

I will bet her on it!

I will bet my wife!

So instead of money, you will bet your wife?

Are you serious?

I am serious!

Of course, I am!

Well, even if you lose Bok Soon, you should have nothing to say.

Since you have bet your precious wife,

I will bet 10 pieces of silver, 500 nyang.

I agree.

Then,

I will choose the game, and you will play it first.

Hey, you.

Give me that bottle and cup.

This alcohol. How many cups will it fill?

Isn't it six cups?

No.

First he filled his cup... one, and the next, two,

three, four, five, six.

Seven. It's seven cups.

- It is seven cups.- Then I will guess six cups.

It is six cups.

- Preview -

A premature baby of 6 months, Your Majesty? I never heard such absurdities!

This child will die soon.

Baby, please grow up healthy.

Leaving the cause of future problem bothers me.

- The child is alive.- You have to kill him.- This baby must die.

You will be punished!

- Who are you? Who sent you here?- Your Majesty.

Bring that man's head to me.

- What happened to my child? - SHUT UP!

If you want to save the baby, come to the gazebo outside of the Great Western Gate.

Lord!