Original subtitles

You sure this is the way?

Wait... Wait...

We've been here before.

Again?

Ghosts, you think?

We'll never get back to camp.

Hang on.

Where in the world...?

It's not on here.

Let's see.

...Is this...?

Officer Jang!

What is this place?

Who's that? You human?

Pardon me.

You a bear?

Move on already.

It's out of our hands.

It wasn't exactly unexpected.

Still... It's not easy to let go.

That box may well bathe the royal house in blood.

Which is why we shouldn't waste energy on it.

This is the beginning.

Listen, it's the first full moon of the year.

A little wine and you'll see things differently.

In that case, His Majesty could use some.

That is so... you.

Something going on?

Yes, sir.

The night patrol had some trouble.

When will the court be ready?

By the end of the month.

I see.

To think it's nearly done at last.

Try to complete it sooner.

His Majesty is eager to see his new palace.

Your Highness.

Send the men home early. The new moon, after all.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

You're needed at the palace.

The Ming envoys have arrived.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

The princess isn't here?

Lady Choe.

She was right here.

I combed her hair and everything. Then poof.

You realize what today is?

What?

Chasing what? Where?

Back at the construction site again?

Impressive.

So.

Since I'm going to die soon...

and it will be your palace, is that it?

Not at all, Sire.

The new palace has great meaning to you.

I only want...

The envoys brought something with them.

Take a look.

The Ming did not select you as the crowned prince.

The son of a concubine.

They've refused your claim for 16 years.

Yet you dare call yourself the crown prince...

with an eye on Changdok Palace?

You dare eye the throne,

without knowing your place?

Father.

Father.

Princess.

What brings my little girl here?

I wanted to ask you something.

Oh?

You know what day it is?

The first new moon.

It is. So?

So... Buy my swelter off of me.

Your swelter?

Commoners sell off their summer swelters.

Makes the summer nicer.

So you're selling yours to me?

Yes.

See that?

I wouldn't laugh at all if not for her.

Oh. My brother's here.

Princess, what did I tell you?

Address him as the crown prince.

Your pardon, Sire. Her behavior...

Not at all. Quite the opposite.

Go to your quarters.

Ten shin lashes are barely enough.

Don't be too hard on her.

It was nice to see the king laughing again.

See?

My own brother says...

- I told you... - I told her to.

I'm a brother before I'm a crown prince.

I appreciate that.

But rules must be observed.

Shall we?

One moment.

You can relax.

She's upset now, but it will pass.

Yes, Crown Prince.

You. 'Brother' is fine.

But Mother says...

When we're alone then.

Call me your brother all you want.

All right?

You don't mind?

Let's go.

Jongmyong.

Yes?

Buy my swelters.

Brother!

That's so... you're so...

Let's go, Your Highness.

More herbs?

You're not getting better.

Talk about walking on thin ice.

Word is the prince may not be crowned.

Is the feast prepared?

My lady.

So you lead the Myongnyun?

You're a little baby.

Big talk. Put up or shut up.

I tell it like it is.

Then put up.

- One. - Two.

Three!

Push 'em back!

The straw man! Get the flag!

...you little...

Now!

No!

I was first. We won.

Did not!

Halt!

The guards.

Halt!

Police?

Kids today.

It's the same every year.

What would your parents say?

Fighting over some straw.

You won't like where you're staying tonight.

Where's the little rat scurrying to?

Another one.

You're the leader? Right?

What's your name?

Well?

My lord?

Lord Juwon?

Hold on.

Lord Inu?

Long time, Officer Nam.

City guards. You know who that is?

Stand back. You're all dead.

His lordship...!

- You nuts? - Are you?

No decay.

They say he's been dead a few years.

And still intact.

Check his identity.

Sir.

Oh, the scroll found with him...

Does the chief know what's going on?

Mayor.

A word.

Our men have to work together.

A straw man.

Now you're brawling?

Like trash in the streets.

Your pardon, Father.

Your pardon, sir.

Three rice and barley stalls.

Two vegetable carts. Ten furs.

An herbalist's wares ruined.

Sergeant.

Lock them up.

Sir?

Father.

Sir.

You play, you pay. It's time you learned that.

A night should do it.

You can't do that.

Oh?

The new moon contest is traditional.

Everyone enjoys it.

Also, today is a special day where certain crimes are pardoned.

Tradition is not in your jurisdiction.

That so?

What about the rock throwers and the shoe thieves?

Are you planning to lock the whole city up?

What's fair is fair.

They got us there.

That's a smart boy you've got.

Mine wasn't far behind.

Kids.

They'll be fine young men.

I hope things are settled at court by then.

I understand things are changing.

True. The king may make a decision.

You mean crown the young prince?

He's barely three. The court won't have it.

He may not give them a choice.

How do you mean?

We found it.

His lordship?

Gone to the palace.

Put it in his office. It's a holiday.

Sir.

Her Royal Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Pardon my tardiness.

Arriving early is for the old.

Come again?

We're fresh as daisies.

You look ancient.

I should be calling him 'venerable.'

What?

The Ming refused again?

Yes.

If you couldn't pull it off...

I doubt anyone can.

Enough. It's a holiday.

Do you have a poem for us?

Last year you couldn't write a line, so you had to take 3 shots!

You've been talking about that for a year now.

It's your secret plan to get more wine.

I want more too.

I don't see any of Kwanghae's supporters.

Health and happiness. A blessing on the royal house.

Oh my, you get prettier and prettier.

Thank you for saying so.

Your Highness, perhaps you might rephrase...?

It's required.

Thank you.

You want to reek of wine?

Take it easy.

Wine, dung, it's up to me.

All 25 of us royal children are here....

but none of us match those two.

We don't have pure royal blood.

The crown prince is no different.

So you'd better grovel.

If you want to survive.

When my brother is on the throne, you'll bow your head.

Just see you don't lose it.

The throne?

You can't see the obvious.

Who are we bowing to today?

The king put Yongchang in his place.

Why do you think that is?

You...! Say that again.

We're step-brothers.

I worry for you.

Open your eyes.

Who are they queuing up to see?

No. I swear.

How can you smile right now?

You're being humiliated.

You're drunk.

I'd have to be to see this.

Today of all days. They're laughing at your face.

And for 16 years.

Today is no different.

Try to relax.

I've lasted this long.

The king will find I don't rattle easy.

Another day, one day at a time.

My day will come.

So behave and mind your manners.

Brother.

Wait.

Do you know who the king invited today?

Yu, Han, Pak, So...

Leaders of the western and southern factions.

But none of your supporters from the north.

You know what that means?

It worries me.

Something isn't right.

Han wine?

Whew. Very nice.

You shouldn't...

They come up with a poem before the wine floats down?

Or drink up?

You'll drink it all.

They'll kill me.

Relax, I'll look after you.

You don't know who you're talking to.

Official exams or not, he's a hack.

Thinking he's better than us.

When we're all wiping the officials' behinds.

I've had it.

Time for a beating.

You. Nam.

Wha-wha-wha...?

People are watching.

Exactly.

Time to take a leak.

Come again?

Can't let witnesses see the goods.

Be right back.

You...

I might be a while.

Whew. Much better.

A spring wind, a flush of pleasure...

...such beauty, such treasures...

...a toast is in order.

Money spent, stumbling home...

...but my pockets are full of poems.

That's it.

Well done.

It's not this way.

It was back there.

Like you would know.

I don't want to get caught.

We might as well see the archives.

You know you want to.

That way. Listen to me for once.

Hold on...

He's spying.

Who's there?

What now?

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Where are you? Your Highness!

I swear.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Who are you?

EEP.

Who are YOU?

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Lady Choe.

Your Highness!

She's after me.

'Your Highness?'

Huh?

Come on.

Get caught and you're it.

Pure water in the, um, morn...

...a mirror... wait, the moon...

Times running out. Drink up!

Where was I?

A fine... a fine day...

Tomorrow and tomorrow...

...just like today.

You made it. Well done.

A fine day.

A fine day, is it?

Yes, for you, I suppose it is, isn't it?

There.

Lady Choe won't find me here.

What now?

How should I know?

Who are you anyway?

Ah. Sons of the nobles at the feast.

Yes, Your High...

Where from?

What are your names?

You deaf?

I asked you a question.

Father?

Left Minister, a fine day for you.

No doubt you heard the Ming refused the prince again.

The succession is in question.

You call that a fine day?

Tomorrow and tomorrow, just like today?

Your pardon, Sire.

...The wine...

Sire, it's late and we've all had a bit too much.

Perhaps we should go?

No, no, no.

I wouldn't spoil your fun.

Get on with it. I want to hear some more.

Of course, Sire.

Perhaps you could select a topic?

Me?

I like the sound of that.

The finest minds in the land discussing a topic of my choosing.

What's going on?

Well.

What will it be?

Something to liven things up?

Something on loyalty, perhaps?

Something with a little less poison in the cup?

Ah.

Perfect.

'True Before False.'

Are you all right?

Out with the false, in with the true.

True Before False.

The late King Taejo...

...deposed Chang and crowned Kangyang.

He saved the kingdom and the people.

By replacing the false with the true.

What are your thoughts?

I'd like to know.

Are you ready to do it?

To place true before false?

Sire.

This is hardly the place...

I am speaking.

Understand?

I ask, you answer.

Who is loyal? Who is a traitor?

Who will save this country?

Is this what you meant?

He's drawing a line in the sand.

We have to choose...

...where we stand.

Well? Get started.

Father?

I will have your answers here and now.

Go! Move!

Well, minister? Say something.

Please don't, Sire.

Traitor.

Well? Will no one take a stand?

Sire.

Prime Minister Yu at your service.

Petals strewn in the sunny palace grounds.

Cowards scrambling for a place in the sun.

The Shunzhi Emperor foreswore what wasn't his.

Neither on earth nor under the heavens.

What is pure must be restored...

...if it costs our very lives.

We have orders to surround the East Palace.

- Move out. - Sir.

How did it come to this? How?

We should attack.

2000 men are yours to command.

We can attack tonight and take what's yours.

He's right. I'm with you.

Enough.

This doesn't help. Use caution.

Caution?

For how long?

Till you lose your crown? Your head?

It's now or never.

Kill Yongchang. Take the seal and the throne.

Why?

To what end?

I'm the crown prince.

I've done my duty for 16 years.

Why steal what is already mine?

I will speak with the king.

It won't help.

Nothing will change.

The other factions knew this was coming.

Is our court run by thugs?

The king sees the crown prince as a threat.

He's far too clever...

I'll talk to the police commissioner and the mayor.

Their families have position. The nobles will listen to them.

Must you?

He can't lose the crown over a matter of blood.

What matters is who he is.

You think he'll make a good king.

Silence!

Think you can grow a new head?

You think you'll get through this?

Our country is in tatters.

What do I care either way?

Not if it costs all that we've built.

You dare...!

You'll lose everything. You'll have no one to rely on.

You'll lose a good son and a fine future king.

How can I not be upset?

A good son?

A fine future king?

Did he tell you to say that?

He's pure and good...

...and I'm a vile despot?

Open your eyes, Sire.

Can't you see him for what he is?

You do him an injustice.

He is suited to the role.

Do not allow the Ming to sway your better judgment.

No. He is not suited at all.

His blood is not pure. He is not the eldest.

What qualifies him?

You named him crown prince.

As to that...

Who is he exactly?

The people love him.

The defender of the palace during the war.

You and your nobles abandoned your people.

While he risked his life and held his ground.

If that's not a king, what is?

He will be the king your people have prayed for.

My people have prayed for?

And me?

I'm not?

That...

...is why he will lose the crown.

That...

...is what makes him a traitor.

Sire.

I am to blame. I am unworthy.

Give me another chance.

I swear to honor you all of my days.

I will continue your noble reign.

Sire, Sire... Sire... Sire!

You dare!

How long will you act the fool?

Sire.

Imhae.

Sire. Forgive him.

It's the day, the joy of the prince's wedding.

He's not himself.

Wait.

Who are you?

Sire?

Prince Kwanghae.

I haven't seen you for some time.

Please.

You cannot abandon your people.

Should I die at the hands of the Japanese?

Burn him! A traitor is no king!

Halt.

The king isn't here.

This is my palanquin.

The king ordered his children to safety first.

But that will not happen.

He would never leave his people.

Kwanghae?

Shinsong was to be crown prince.

This is war.

I would not endanger Shinsong.

No. It's too dangerous.

We must unite our people and find volunteers.

I must go.

No.

They have to see that the royal house stands.

That it stands for them.

Hold your ground.

For my people.

Hail! Hail!

We'll need another queen.

Your Highness.

A prince. The queen bore a son.

What?

Sire.

It isn't right, not like this.

It's for the prince and the princess.

They won't be safe if Kwanghae is king.

It's all right. Don't cry.

There, there.

Our son is too young.

It's too much for him.

Exactly.

How much better if she had been a boy.

The commissioner should be in his office.

Explain.

I'll wait until he returns.

I was at the Left Bureau.

I'll find him.

What... where did this...

Sir?

Where was this found?

On the corpse, the one that didn't rot.

That's all I know.

Corpse?

Tomorrow it will be official.

I'm naming a new heir.

Sire.

The day I move into Changdok Palace...

...it will be with a new crown prince.

Here.

I only just tested it, Sire.

That's fine. I'm tired.

Go on.

'The light will be lost, lost to the long dark.'

'Walking in the sun has a cost, a cost to the innocent.'

'False prophets shall arise, crying...'

'Lord of Princes!'

Walking in the sun... 'Sonjo.'

It spells the king's name.

And implies disorder in the royal house.

Of all the impudent...

It's odd it was found today of all days.

You think it was planted on purpose?

I have to identify this corpse.

Ask the guards...

The Eye of the Goddess?

You know it?

Tell me, Kyokam.

What did you see?

Was it the same? As what I saw?

Kyokam. Namsago.

'Death upon death.'

'The blood of thousands shall rain down.'

'But a light shall dispel the dark.'

'A Master of Fate.'

'One that rains fire on this land.'

'One of pure blood will rule them all.'

Your Highness.

Did you have a nightmare?

Lady Choe...

...fire...

Pardon?

...my brother...

She was looking me over, you know the type.

I figured I'd join the queue.

Must be nice.

I do what I can to help...

Let them know I cleared a path to Yongchang.

Well, well.

You should see a doctor.

It took a while. Well done.

Announce me.

Your Highness, perhaps tomorrow...

Sire, if I may?

I crave a word.

What did you expect?

That I would watch the royal house fall?

Were you acting for the good of the people?

Please.

Answer me.

Your Highness. Please stop.

Please...

- Get someone. - Your Highness.

Get the doctor.

A doctor! Get a doctor!

The doctor!

Don't drift off.

Don't breathe too deep.

I'm being ripped apart...

I can't... breathe...

The doctor is coming.

He'll help.

Water... water...

Well? Hurry.

What... why...

It has reached your lungs.

Your throat is blocked. This will make it worse.

The time was I loved you more than myself.

Now your time has come.

You...! No...!

No!

No, no...

And so it comes to this after all.

Why did you hate me?

I did all I could for you, every day.

But you never saw it, not once.

I was no son to you...

Just an enemy.

You hated that we're different.

That I'm not worthless.

Yes, we're different.

I will be a different kind of king.

Hail the new king.

Me.

Father.

[Subtitles provided by MBC Translated by D. Bannon]

[Preview]

Will you not take my hand as we forge a new era?

It's not clear yet if the throne will be his.

It is his to do.

As he sees fit.

Darkness will come. Blood will rain.

Is this a battle you can win?

And if the throne should go to the prince?

What then?

Someone broke into the prince's quarters.

Who is left for me to trust?

You will learn just what it means to be king.

It's mine by right. I'm the eldest.

You want the throne?