Original subtitles

(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)

(are not historical facts but fictional.)

(Episode 8)

Why did you come back?

Was it to see if I were dead?

Kill me.

I can't kill you just to save my own life.

The King ordered me to bring your head.

Leave. Go far away from here.

My destination is already set.

I will return to the palace.

You'll throw away the chance to save yourself?

What I cherish more is there,

and I can't leave it behind.

Do not turn your back on me ever again.

If you do,

I will take every single life...

of those people whom you cherish.

Every attempt you make with your life on the line...

will go to waste.

Now that I'm aware of the Queen's crimes,

I have no choice but to depose her.

Once I give my orders, I will also have her drink poison,

so make the arrangements.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

To my chambers.

What...

What are you waiting for? Move!

Is everything okay, Your Highness?

I am not sure...

what is wrong with me.

Why was His Majesty so cold-eyed?

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Goodness.

Your Majesty.

Let go.

Your Majesty...

- Leave me alone. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

You are excused.

I will take it from here.

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty.

Ever since I made up my mind to devote my life to you,

such a long time has passed.

To fulfill my duties to serve you...

and to keep my promise of loyalty,

I tried the best I could.

I hesitated although I had to resolve.

In the meantime,

the final chance given to me...

disappeared in vain.

I...

am ready to put up with the fire pit now.

Is His Majesty okay?

He lost his consciousness.

I will have the royal physician come in then.

No.

What do you mean, no?

If the royal physician checks on him,

he will find out the King is addicted to drugs.

Once his condition is revealed,

the whole nation will fall into disorder.

With his illness as an excuse,

the Queen Dowager might attempt to take over the court.

But...

- Where is Moo Yeong? - I do not know.

His Majesty gave him a secret command...

before going to the Queen.

Perhaps, he went to perform it.

Do not let anyone in until I return.

Do not let any visitors to the Queen Dowager's chambers.

It is the royal command.

Come to the rear entrance of the palace, which court ladies use,

around 8pm tonight.

Anyone outside?

At the courtesan house in Hwagye-dong,

you will find a man named Jeong Saeng.

Deliver this letter to him.

Yes, my lord.

Did you want to see me?

It is the royal command.

Perform it in no time.

It is about isolating the Queen Dowager's palace...

as well as tightening guard...

around the palace entrances for the royal family...

and the officials.

Proceed quietly without causing any ruckus.

Yes, my lord.

Your Highness.

The palace guards are blocking the gates...

to stop your visitors from entering your palace.

What?

Why at this late hour?

Please forgive me for saying this,

but His Majesty has ordered to isolate this place.

What is the matter?

It is the royal command to forbid anyone from entering.

- Royal command? - Under His Majesty's orders,

the Queen Dowager has been confined just now.

When did he collapse?

Around an hour ago.

So you tightened the guard around the palace entrances...

and confined the Queen Dowager without his permission?

How will you take the responsibility when he wakes up?

It is the first priority to escort him outside the palace...

and have him treated without the Queen Dowager knowing.

Two days away from now is his birthday.

If he is away from the palace,

people will find out soon enough.

That is why we must...

We better bring the fake king in.

Ha Seon is dead.

What?

What...

How could that be?

He...

is not dead.

Didn't you say he was?

Is he alive or not?

Which one is true?

Where is he?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I am glad you are safe.

I am so glad.

Is he dead?

No.

But I don't know when he will wake up.

Why did you ask to see me again?

Why did you come back knowing that...

you would be killed?

Because I saw it.

When the King ordered you to kill me,

I saw you hesitate.

Go ahead.

If you can't, then I will!

Enough.

You will never know...

how it feels to be abandoned by the one you trusted.

It feels dirty.

I'm used to being cold and hungry,

but the past few days...

was so terrible that I thought I'd be better off dead.

I lay in a deep hole surrounded by darkness,

and listened to the wolves howling, waiting to gouge out my eyes.

I huddled and shivered in the sharp wind...

and thought and vowed to myself.

I really don't want to die like this.

It's just unfair if I were to die like this.

I wished that...

the skies would keep you alive.

You will want to but cannot trust me.

I drove you out to your death.

If you want me to beg, I will beg for forgiveness.

If you want to be let go, I will let you go.

Tell me.

What is it that you truly want?

I want to have power.

I want to gain power to protect the people...

I cherish more than my life.

I want to be the real king.

The throne...

does not give you power to wield at your own will.

You will take lives and shed blood.

It is the seat of a beast that ignores loyalty and duty.

To protect the nation and stay on the throne,

to do nothing but that,

you must give up your all.

Even your own heart. That is how cruel it is.

Will you still do it?

Yes.

Engrave this moment on your heart then.

Whatever danger may befall us,

I will not leave you.

I will protect you.

What is it?

He has fainted again.

I will visit in a few days. Watch him until then.

Very well.

I will take him to a place safer than my hermitage.

I cannot let him go on his own.

I will follow.

If that will put you at ease, do so.

The royal physician should have a look at this.

I fear this could lead to an infection.

If it were to fester and I to die,

I'll take it to mean I wasn't meant to live long.

What choice do I have?

Don't worry too much.

You are joking again.

That puts me at ease.

I will leave you then, Your Majesty.

While you were gone, the King went to Left State Councilor Shin...

and announced that he'll overturn...

everything you and I worked for.

He forgave everyone who embezzled the taxes and tributes?

There is a way to overturn that, isn't there?

Unfortunately,

what the King has once said cannot be overturned.

Which is why tomorrow, there will be a personnel transfer.

Thank you.

- We should celebrate. - Why, yes.

Have a drink.

Left State Councilor. Congratulations.

I am not the one who will be appointed to a new office tomorrow.

Why are you congratulating me?

The King visited you himself to show how much he trusts you.

That is the only reason everyone here are still in office.

We owe you everything.

How do you say you owe me?

We owe it to the gracious King.

- Have another drink. - Sure.

Don't drink too much.

My lord.

Please accept my small gift.

What is it?

A telescope.

It is a fascinating object that lets you see what is far away...

as if it's right in front of you.

You are too great a man to be head of a small village.

I will think about it.

Thank you.

My lord. My appointment won't be suspended...

like it was last time, will it?

Do you not trust me?

No, why would I not?

I do trust and believe you.

I almost forgot.

I hear you'll be appointed as the county head of Iksan soon.

Congratulations.

Oh, right.

You must've been given such a prominent position...

since you're the son of Left State Councilor Shin.

His Majesty has faith in me, and I hope to make him proud.

You will have your breakfast in bed today.

White rice porridge has been prepared,

so take your time.

Chief Royal Secretary Lee filled me in on everything.

How were things at the palace?

Well,

everything was fine.

Just tell me.

I'd rather not be in the dark and make mistakes because of it.

Actually,

the Queen and the King...

was set to spend the night together.

However, he fell weak due to his illness...

and ran out.

They didn't spend the night together,

so the Queen...

must be quite upset about it.

I have not...

given you anything yet.

The happiness or joy that I have not given.

You should forget it all.

Your Highness, what's wrong?

I feel suffocated.

I am in need of fresh air.

His Majesty the King!

- Your Majesty. - My Queen.

Follow me.

I missed you.

All night,

my mind was filled with thoughts of you.

You're the reason I got through it.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

why are your hands cut and bruised?

Well...

I trained with Officer Jang at dawn.

That must be why.

I told him to go easy on me.

You seem like a different person compared to last night.

That's why I'm glad.

I was worried I may never...

see your smile again.

I was scared to death.

I, too, Your Majesty.

Last night...

felt as long as eternity.

You came to see me today,

and I will not forget that until the day I die.

I will come by often from now on.

I will until you get sick and tired of me.

I'm sorry for your suffering.

It's all right. I didn't suffer at all.

What magic did you spin?

Last night, it seemed like...

we'd be losing our heads without a proper trial.

It's nothing I did.

You two being arrested was a mistake in the first place.

What? A mistake?

Is that how things are done here?

Why not find me after I'm beheaded...

and say it was a mistake?

Aren't I right?

I was terrified in there.

My lord, are you sure it's all right?

Yes, there's nothing to worry about now.

I should meet with our people...

and apologize until I'm forgiven.

I will suggest that we find a way to continue Lord Gil's work.

What is all this?

Why are you blocking the Queen Dowager's palace?

The King has prohibited any visitors.

The King?

His Majesty ordered her to be confined?

The Queen Dowager is in confinement.

Lord Shin!

How dare you put the Queen Dowager in confinement.

This is tactless and disrespectful!

His Majesty must have had his reasons,

so why lash out at me about it?

I just found out myself anyway.

Are you saying you had nothing to do with this?

If you're that concerned about the Queen Dowager,

appeal to the King on the matter.

Let's go.

Your Majesty,

here are the officials that will be newly appointed.

Your Majesty, please rescind your order.

If you appoint corrupt officials to new positions,

your authority will be questioned.

Your Majesty,

if officials who extort the people are reappointed,

the people will only resent you.

Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

- Please reconsider, Your Majesty. - Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

those are the words of who can't see the bigger picture.

Only delaying the appointments of government officials...

will also hurt the people.

You must execute this order immediately.

I understand all of your concerns.

Chief Royal Secretary Lee.

Shin Yi Gyum, Fourth Censor of the Office of Censors,

please step forward.

I had my eyes on your competence.

Someone like you must not be wasted.

I hereby cancel your previous appointment...

and appoint you as a village chief in Daejung-hyun, Moojin.

- What? - This does not make sense.

Daejung-hyun in Moojin? That is an island.

Am I being demoted?

I should be promoted instead.

It is said a new hot spring has been formed in that area.

Pardon? A hot spring?

Right, a hot spring.

As you all know, I enjoy hot-springs.

I want you to go investigate its geological features yourself...

and figure out where to dig in the mainland...

to make a hot spring.

I want to experience another type of water other than that from Onyang.

Next.

Jeong Eui Myung from Jeonju, Lee Soon Il from Deoksan,

Park Ki Sang from Heungdeok,

and Kim Ji Bong. Please come up front.

City Magistrate in Jeonju, Jeong Eui Myung.

The inspection says you siphoned the most amount of tributes.

How could a city magistrate steal instead of showing a good example?

I disapprove your appointment.

County Head, Lee Soon Il.

Siphoning tributes was one thing,

but you had an affair with someone else's wife.

The townspeople sent petitions regarding this issue.

How dare you wish for a promotion?

County Head, Park Ki Sang.

You siphoned tributes and even bribed others to hide the fact...

when it got revealed.

How could you attempt to cover your crime with another crime?

I disapprove your appointment.

Lock them up in prison until they receive proper punishment.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

- Please have mercy on us. - Please.

Please forgive us.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Please spare us.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, this was to appoint them,

not to suddenly accuse them of their charges and imprison them.

This cannot be done.

What cannot be done?

You visited my humble house yourself and approved their appointments.

You told me to return to the court as your servant...

and to take care of court affairs according to my will.

So how could you do this?

I said it because I trusted your loyalty,

but you disappointed me.

How do you mean, Your Majesty?

Chief Royal Secretary Lee.

Village Head of Jiksun, Kim Ji Bong.

Yes.

He is a village chief himself,

but he was appointed to the position...

without passing the entire qualification exams.

Left State Councilor Shin appointed an unqualified man to a position.

It is only right to accuse him for his charges.

Considering your right to be exempted from charges,

I will not punish you.

However, your crime is a grave one,

so I order you to be dismissed from your position.

Your Majesty.

Is this truly your will?

That is right.

Hurry and pay.

- Gosh. - Pay for the show.

That punk...

is handsome unlike his lowly status.

Why did he take bribes and offer positions in the first place?

- He deserves this. - I know.

Let us go.

Left State Councilor Shin.

I guess I should call you Lord Shin now.

Tell the King.

I deserve to have my noble status taken away,

but he was merciful enough to keep my great lord position.

I will never forget his generosity.

I will tell him so.

You humiliated our innocent family.

I'll make sure you regret this day.

You attempted to murder me, the Chief Royal Secretary.

And you claim yourself innocent?

I never attempted to murder you.

Do you have evidence?

If I report this to the Department of Justice,

it will only take two days to find evidence and witnesses...

and to have them testify.

Should I report?

Refuse to take the position, and I will press charges.

Have your grudges been lifted now?

This is just the beginning.

Considering what my sister went through,

it will not be enough even if I turn them into slaves...

and have them carry buckets full of feces every day.

I miss my sister, my lord.

Woon Shim knows where she is.

Let me see her.

So Woon Shim was keeping her.

But I cannot ask her about your sister's whereabouts...

without telling her what you are up to.

Wait a little more until I find another way.

Understood.

Tomorrow is His Majesty's birthday.

All the court officials will be celebrating the day.

Learn what you must know from Eunuch Cho...

so that you do not make any mistakes.

I am not even aware when my birthday is.

It feels a bit strange to hold a birthday feast.

Can we not cancel the feast and everything?

The birthday feast...

is the court officials' celebration dedicated to the king.

They must have been preparing this for months,

so it cannot be canceled that easily.

How about I receive their greetings during the court assembly...

and call off the feast?

We can distribute all the food to the people.

People filling themselves on the King's birthday.

Doesn't it sound great?

Okay.

I will discuss the issue with the Minister of Rites and adjust it.

Okay.

Come and buy some taffy.

Hurry up.

Buy some taffy.

Here.

Where are you going? Come back.

What is the matter, sir?

You came by a while ago already.

I need to know the prices to calculate the tax.

I work at the Office of Taxation, so don't complain.

- Bring that over here. - Here you go.

Have some of this.

Why would you offer taffy of all snacks?

I almost feel you want me to shut my mouth.

Why would we?

We only want you to have something sweet and stay a while.

1, 2...

- What are you doing? - I will count up to 10.

- What? - I must know the price.

Bring back what you hid.

What makes you think we hid something in the back?

After I count to 10,

anything I find during the search will be fined double.

- What? - Three.

- Run. - Four.

I would like to ask you something.

Are you the owner of this stall?

- I wish I were. - Pardon?

Never mind.

Ask me what you will.

Gab Soo. Let's just go.

Why?

We must find Ha Seon.

Well...

I'd like you to take a look at this.

Do you know who made this or where?

Let me see.

How much could you get for this?

I was just kidding.

You have the glare of someone who will do well in life.

A dragon?

Only the king is allowed to use this decoration.

My gosh. The... The king?

Hey.

Where did you get something so valuable?

Well... The thing is...

So...

Hey. Hey, wait!

Hey. Wait!

You haven't counted to 10 yet, have you?

I just got to 118.

118?

Lord Jinpyeong.

Did you come to see the King?

No. I came to see you.

Me?

However hard I think, I just don't get what the King's thinking.

I thought Lord Shin...

manipulated the King into confining the Queen Dowager.

My chat with him today proved otherwise.

I thought you would know what the King is thinking.

I do not.

How would I know what the King's plans are?

If you're worried about the Queen Dowager, you need not be.

It's the King's birthday tomorrow,

and he ordered the confinement be cancelled especially.

Goodbye.

If he were to cancel it so easily,

why did he confine me in such a hurry?

I believe it was to belittle your authority.

You must not put up with the King's tyranny any longer.

If the King wants me to tremble in fear,

I will pretend to do so.

What do you plan to do?

My lord.

You gave me your word that there would be no problems this time.

Will you come out, my lord?

Don't just stand there. Drag him away.

- Yes, master. - Yes, master.

I was told you had the power to do anything,

so I even gave you the deed to my land.

Since you failed to get me appointed,

give the deed back to me!

- Silence him. - Let go!

My lord! Give me back my...

My lord, please save me.

I have something urgent to tell you.

It is about the King.

If you do not listen,

you will regret it for sure.

Stop.

Father.

Let him in.

What's the urgent news about the King?

Let's hear you out.

I recently...

invited a group of clowns to perform at my house.

One of the clowns...

looks exactly like the King.

Are you trying to deceive me with such a lie?

- Drag him out of here! - My lord.

It is not a lie.

It is true, I swear.

So,

does he really look exactly like the King?

Why would I tell you a lie?

If you do not believe me, I will give up my life.

How should we punish the criminal Yoo Ho Joon?

Have him exiled.

It was only surprised.

If you kill it over one mistake,

how many of us would be alive?

I have never lost my trust in you,

so return to the palace and be at my side.

Considering your right to be exempted from charges,

I will not punish you.

However, your crime is a grave one,

so I order you to be dismissed from your position.

Why did you ask to see us again?

I called you to give you this.

(Daedong Manuscript)

This is the book that...

Lord Gil Sam Bong wrote.

I thought it was burned...

when Lord Gil died.

Lord Lee risked his life to join Lord Gil in prison,

cared for him until he died,

and relayed us his message.

I thought he was our traitor and enemy,

but not anymore.

I guarantee that...

the rice payment law will be a stepping stone to...

the world we want.

I remember studying hard...

to read and write, hoping to read this for myself one day.

You can do that now.

You don't have to forgive me.

You can even hate me.

I'll give myself up to create the world you want.

Let's do what we used to.

Let's learn together...

and live together.

If I let myself be duped once,

I can let myself be duped twice.

Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

Don't mess up this time.

I won't. Thank you.

Engrave this moment on your heart then.

Whatever danger may befall us,

I will not leave you.

I will protect you.

Queen Dowager.

- We hope you were well. - We hope you were well.

Queen Dowager,

we truly grieve for all your recent suffering.

Sitting on the throne...

is a king who disrespects his parent.

The future of this nation couldn't be direr.

A parent is responsible for a child's behavior.

I am to blame for not putting a stop to his tyranny.

However, for the royal family and the peace of this nation,

I will not close my eyes to the trouble he causes.

Who will stand up with me?

Those loyal...

have a duty to banish...

and punish a traitorous leader.

Don't you agree?

How can I not?

You have my loyalty, Queen Dowager.

- You have my loyalty. - You have my loyalty.

- You have my loyalty. - You have my loyalty!

Your Majesty, happy birthday.

Thank you.

You are now dismissed.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It wasn't a small wound,

so how could it vanish overnight?

Your Majesty, have you come to?

Where am I?

Why did you bring me here?

You suddenly collapsed again.

We brought you here to cover up your illness.

Where's the head of that clown?

I couldn't complete your order.

I am worthy of dying,

so punish me however you please.

If you're worthy of dying, then you should.

What are you looking at?

Should I kill you myself?

You failed to complete my order,

and you shall pay with death.

Consider death by your own king...

a blessing.

Your Majesty.

Haksan, you one lucky man.

I will behead him,

so watch carefully.

Your Majesty.

Will you do it instead?

Today is your birthday, Your Majesty.

Do not paint a delightful day with blood.

My birthday?

My birthday.

That's right. It's my birthday.

Then I shouldn't.

I shouldn't.

Imprison Officer Jang and bring me my birthday meal.

We should eat together.

Moo Yeong.

Head back to the palace first.

I will bring His Majesty back with me.

I prepared your birthday meal myself.

I know you canceled the party, but don't refuse this too.

You made all of this yourself?

I had help from the court ladies of the royal kitchen.

However, you eat seaweed soup every birthday,

so I made it myself.

It's delicious.

I'm glad.

Your Majesty,

the consorts are here to greet you.

They're here to wish you a happy birthday,

so please allow them inside.

They may enter.

Your Majesty,

to wish you a wonderful birthday, I have prepared a small gift.

Please open it.

This...

To wish you a long and healthy life,

I had it custom-made.

This reminds me of that song.

Tortoise, tortoise, give me your head

If you don't

I will grill you for dinner

At least tortoises can be eaten.

I'm afraid this won't be of any use.

A live tortoise would've been better.

Pardon?

I shall sell this to fill up the ration rice.

But Your Majesty!

Your Highness, what did you get for His Majesty's birthday?

I...

I wasn't able to prepare a gift.

It happens. It's fine.

I heard the commoners prefer to not exchange gifts.

We should do the same.

I plan to go to the library today.

It's my birthday,

so I should spend time with books, my true friends.

I plan to read...

at 4pm as usual, in the library.

No one is to disturb me.

4pm, the library, to read.

Today is the day some are born,

but it's also the day some die.

Like my mother who died...

after having me.

I heard she never had...

a mouthful of the soup women have after childbirth.

My father blamed me for her death,

so he never even got me a nanny.

I was told that...

instead of milk, I was fed this soup.

I wished to call him "Father".

The late king...

never permitted me to call him that.

Right.

What happened to the Queen?

Did you administer the poison?

Your Majesty.

The soup is getting cold.

You should eat first.

But then...

I can always order she be poisoned on my return.

When I return,

I will kill everyone who disobeyed me.

Only blood will make them come to their senses.

In the end...

Your Majesty.

Before you return,

why don't you go to the beach...

you went to often as a prince?

I will offer you a drink there to celebrate your birthday.

Okay.

We haven't been there in a while.

I always wondered what would be beyond the waters.

When I was the Crown Prince,

you brought back books from your trip as an envoy to Ming.

They were full of amusing stories from beyond the sea.

One day, I will travel to the great nations beyond the sea...

and import developed weapons.

My nation will be more powerful than Japan, the barbarians,

or even Ming itself.

Just wait and see.

Why do you say nothing?

You know very well yourself that...

the powerful nation that you dream of is just what I want.

Yes.

The nation that you and I want. The new world.

I will create it.

Give me time.

You said you'd give me a drink.

Where is it?

How nice would it have been if you were my father?

Let's return to the palace.

What's wrong with me?

That clown...

is not actually dead.

I was afraid that this would happen.

That's why I wanted to make you kneel, to make you stay.

Why are you turning your back on me?

Why are you giving up on me?

I'm not giving up on you.

I chose our nation,

it's people, and the new world over you.

Do you think I will go down like this?

You are wrong.

As soon as I return to the palace,

that clown, the Queen,

you, and even Officer Jang.

I will have all four of you beaten up,

torn limb from limb, and then burned.

You will tremble in pain worse than death...

and then die regretting...

ever deciding to betray me.

The less you speak,

the less it will hurt.

Yul.

Did that boy...

suffer as much as this?

On seeing how you killed him for me,

I finally believed that I'd found someone truly loyal to me.

Did you not say you could even die for me?

When I said I would die for you,

I did not lie.

What a joke.

You were willing to die, yet you lived.

I wanted to live and I'm dying.

This cannot be.

I must live.

I want to live.

The powerful nation you want, that you dreamed of.

This is the only way...

to make the day come soon.

Do you think that is possible without me?

Do not worry.

I will put my life on the line...

and make it happen no matter what.

I am scared.

I am so scared.

In the afterlife,

who I am will not matter.

I will stay by your side...

until your last breath.

(The Crowned Clown)

There is no way you can help me.

It is my sin, so I will take full responsibility.

You are a hound abandoned by the King.

How dare you come bark at me?

I am here to make you king,

Lord Jinpyeong.

Let us go.

We need to set a mouse trap.

That mere Chief Royal Secretary is no match for me.

Can you do it?

A clown is never picky on stages.

You must really want to die in my hands.