Original subtitles

THIS SERIES IS A WORK OF FICTION. CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS,

NAMES OF PLACES AND INCIDENTS MAY NOT BE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE.

Father…

Father…

It pains me

that I will not be able to see you

reach manhood, my dear son.

Father…

Your Highness.

Crown Prince.

Come closer.

I am all yours, Your Majesty.

When I think about how the likes of you

will inherit the throne I guarded with blood and sweat…

It infuriates me so

that I simply cannot

close my eyes.

My deep concern is that

you may persecute young Gyeongin

out of the grudge you hold for me.

So give me your word

that you will protect your brother.

Your Majesty,

that is not the way to make a request.

You must beg with tears,

and plead with all your might.

You insolent…

All right.

I will be watching.

On how your world turns out,

and what…

what you will do about it.

You obnoxious brute!

Father!

Show your respect.

Please return to us, Your Majesty!

Please return to us, Your Majesty!

Please return to us, Your Majesty!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

The throne that you guarded with your blood and sweat

will be well-protected by me,

so please, rest in peace.

Do well and I live,

do bad and I die.

Shall we have some fun, then?

Here we go!

Does anyone here know

what in all of the eight provinces of Joseon

will scare you out of your wits the most?

-What is it? -Me, me!

If it's the scariest… a tiger!

-A tiger? -No, not a tiger!

-Then… dried persimmon! -Or is it the plague?

Maybe the Japanese?

-No, it can't be that! -Then what?

-No, it isn't! -Then what?

He's scarier than smallpox

and more fearsome than the Japanese

who'll take your noses and ears!

And that is…

Who could it be?

Even the spirits will spit at him

and avoid this crazy dog!

Crazy dog!

He is

a bastard!

-What, a bastard? -A bastard?

How dare you!

How dare you walk before me

when I am right here, the King of this country?

Is anyone there?

Drag him out and flog him!

Why the hesitation?

Do not stop until he confesses.

-Yes. -Yes.

Wait, wait…

Please…

Please, spare me.

All right, then.

Who is the ringleader of this treason?

Say his name.

His name, say it!

Prince… Prince of Neungchang.

Neungchang?

You mean the grandfather of Prince Gyeongin?

Yes.

Your Majesty.

What should we do?

Arrest the traitor, without delay!

Treason?

Who dares say such a thing?

Let me see the Queen Dowager at once!

Well…

That won't be possible.

Besides, what can you do even if you see her?

Shin Chi-soo, how dare you…

What have you been telling His Majesty

with that vile tongue of yours?

Do you think I will overlook this?

Once I am brought before His Majesty,

I will expose all your sins!

Mother, save me!

Mother!

How dare you! No!

Get your hands off the Royal Prince!

You insolent wenches! How dare you lay your hands on me?

My Prince!

My Prince!

Your Majesty…

How could you be so cruel to your mother?

After beheading my guiltless father,

now you take my innocent son away from me.

Are you not afraid of the heavens?

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

For what purpose would

the young Prince conspire treason?

While punishing the Prince of Neungchang for his sin,

you must understand the young Prince is innocent.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty!

You must not excuse him.

His name was mentioned along with the traitor's.

The Chief Censor is derelict in his duties

by suggesting you condone his sins.

Your Majesty.

You must hold him accountable for his sin

so no evil will spring up in the future.

Your Majesty.

Even if he is guilty, is he not your blood kin?

If you punish him severely,

you will not be free from criticism

that you have deviated from the path of a wise king.

Please, bestow him your mercy.

Your Majesty,

the Chief Censor's words

are no different from telling you to stop weeding out traitors.

Not only must you punish the traitors who are shaking up

the foundations of this country, but you must also punish

the Chief Censor and Inspector General.

The Second Minister of the Board of Punishment has set

his heart on having the Royal Prince dead.

It is all up to His Majesty now.

Brother, what took you so long?

Do you know how long I've waited for you?

Yul,

listen to me carefully from now on.

I must…

send you away somewhere for some time.

Be a good boy, eat all your meals, and wait for me there.

I will come to fetch you soon.

It's a promise, right?

I hereby present Shin Chi-soo,

who defended our country against the traitors,

First Order of Merits

and the title Prince of Goseong.

Your Majesty.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

Well, did you enjoy that?

If you enjoyed the show, pay up!

Look at him, he's exhausted.

What is that? Pay up more.

Whoa, whoa! Look.

You're quite the thief, aren't you?

Well, well…

He has fine looks for a boy of low birth!

How dare you!

Seeing that you lot are still thirsty for blood,

I can't stop my insanity now, can I?

Why, you're a crazier lot than I am!

Hey!

Take that!

What do you mean,

you can't pay us a single coin?

Don't tell me you were expecting compensation

for making a fool out of the King in my yard.

But my lord!

You said to entertain by whatever means, so we did.

So why this now?

Shut up!

You should be grateful I didn't report you.

Now get out!

My lord!

-Hey! -He told you to scram!

My lord!

Get lost!

Benevolent millionaire, my ass!

Take that, you old geezer!

What the…?

Why, you little wench!

Where do you think you just spat?

You're grossing me out.

What's up with you?

I was just going to forget it, but I can't.

Eh?

Where are you… Hey!

Brother!

Anything to eat?

What the… What are you doing?

-Uh-oh. -Over there! Catch him!

Hurry! That bastard over there!

What? When did he come in?

What was that sound?

Listen.

-Oh, my… -Boss!

-Pick it up! -What is this?

Run!

-There he is! -Run!

-Catch him! -Watch out!

Get him!

Get him!

Move! Out of the way!

-I'm pooped… -Gosh.

We almost died back there.

I thought it was strange you didn't blow your lid.

What did you do, anyway?

Goodness!

Now, this…

Why, this is…

Aren't these those rare dried corvina

that even the King hardly sees on his table?

Looks tasty.

My goodness… how do I describe this taste?

Incredible, right?

Make sure to chew or you'll choke on it.

Ha-sun, don't tell me…

you broke their pots?

How many did you break?

Well…

There were so many of them

that I couldn't tell what had what in it by tapping on them.

So you're saying you destroyed them all?

And it felt so good!

We're as good as dead now!

We angered the God of Seven Stars,

so we're bound to be hunted down now!

If he hunts us down, so be it!

Why, you…

Do you want to quit?

Word will get around, so what will you do now?

Where will we do our shows?

How can you still munch on those corvina, you morons!

Goodness… Oh, my.

Oh, my…

Gap-su,

why don't we use this chance to play in the big waters?

Big waters, my ass!

Born a clown, you only live another day as long as you pull off your act!

If we're through here, why not go to the big waters?

And where are the "big waters?"

Why…

Hanyang, of course!

Hanyang? My…

Boss.

I don't know.

It'll take months to get there.

What's to worry when we don't have a house?

Let's just go.

-Shall we? -Brother, wait up!

-Hey! -Brother!

You're seriously going?

Gosh! Darn it.

My legs hurt. I can't go on any longer.

Hang in there.

Come on, Boss!

Why did you break those pots?

We don't have far to go, so get up now!

Come on, up!

What is it?

I can't walk anymore.

Oh, dear.

Here, get on my back.

All right, let's go!

Much better?

Hurry up!

ONYANG HAENGGUNG PALACE

Your Majesty.

You should be able to get a good night's sleep tonight.

Brother…

My stomach hurts so much.

Help me, Brother.

Don't come near me…

Go away!

Who sent you?

Say the name of the traitor,

and I will spare you.

You killed the righteous heir of the former King

and stole his throne.

Who's calling who a traitor?

What?

First you slay your father, then your brother,

only to leave all state affairs to that treacherous Shin Chi-soo,

and idling away, fooling around with women!

How can you call yourself a king?

Do you not fear the wrath of the people?

Take him away,

and interrogate him until he confesses.

Everyone is whispering that I'm losing it, aren't they?

That I've lost my sanity after killing my own brother.

But look!

Outside, those who want me dead are waiting in ambush!

Those who do not recognize me as their king,

those who try to suffocate me,

those who drive me insane…

Your Majesty.

Sheathe your sword.

Promise me you will find and kill every one of them.

If I can comfort you by saying so,

I will say so a thousand times over.

It doesn't matter if they're lies. "Rest assured."

Or "I will risk my all."

Can't you at least tell me that?

Your Majesty,

you know I will protect you

until the day I fall.

That's not quite enough.

Find a way.

A way to eliminate all of them and protect me!

Can you do that?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will find a way, no matter what.

Your Majesty.

Please…

Hurry.

Before I truly lose my sanity.

His Majesty has come to that

after I ignored your advice and involved Shin Chi-soo.

I am to blame.

Back then, His Majesty needed

a hunting dog like Shin Chi-soo.

And the hunting dog received the First Order of Merits.

Now he might make it to the Left State Councilor.

We must stop that.

I will speak to His Majesty.

Find me the right date.

Yes, my lord.

I see it ended in failure.

My sincerest apologies.

What is all this?

Isn't it grand?

It's Hanyang!

We're finally here!

Boss, we're in Hanyang!

Don't make a big deal over nothing.

-Is this a dream? -What is that?

-Are you curious? -Yes.

-How's that? -It hurts!

-Then it's real! -It's real!

Make way!

Oh, my!

The entrance to the house is like a big gate!

Gisaeng houses in Hanyang sure are different, aren't they?

But you know,

I think they’ll flog us before chasing us out.

-Let's just go. -Gosh, wait.

Stay here.

I'll be right back.

What'll you do?

So…

You'll do a parody of the King, did you say?

Yes. If you'll set the stage for us,

we're ready to have your jaws drop in awe.

We've got more than enough entertainers and clowns.

Go try somewhere else.

Just once!

Can't you give us a chance just once?

Missus!

Missus, please! I put on a mean act!

Come on… Missus…

Why are you laughing?

But it's just too funny.

So you dare mock the King…

Like anyone would be interested in that kind of thing.

That…

That kind of thing?

What… I risk my head doing this,

and you say…

"That kind of thing"?

Here's a piece of advice.

Recently, the Queen and the concubine have

become a much more popular topic

than the King himself among our guests.

Why is that so?

If you haven't heard,

you really must be from the boonies.

So what haven't I heard?

Apparently, the way the Queen tortures the King's concubines

in a fit of jealousy is beyond any woman's imagination.

Is the Queen

that much of an evil wife?

Your Highness.

The concubine is here to see you.

Your Highness, did you call for me?

I called you here to give you a small gift.

Please don't feel burdened.

This is so you may well serve His Majesty on my behalf.

Your grace is immeasurable.

I don’t understand why those rumors go around,

when you care for us like so.

Do you mean the rumor that my jealousy has delayed

my consummation with His Majesty?

You were aware of it?

They say half the rumors are lies.

I'm not affected by such rumors,

so you needn't mind them.

Then please, excuse me.

You should have seen her, Uncle.

When she's nothing but a puppet,

she put on airs of dignity that she's the Queen.

What a pity others could not have seen it!

Yes.

Get this out of my sight.

What is this?

This is from your uncle.

Uncle.

What is this?

This is a charm to bear a son.

Keep it on you when His Majesty visits you tonight.

Only then will it prove effective.

I will not disappoint you

and support His Majesty with all that I can,

so please rest assured.

All that you can do will not quite be enough.

You need to do it with all your life.

For should we fail, we will pay with our lives.

My niece.

I did not send you here as the King's consort

to wrestle with the Queen.

To win the King's favors and produce him a son.

That is the reason you are here,

and the only way you may hold onto your life.

Yes, Uncle.

I will keep that in mind.

Your Highness.

What is occupying your mind?

Father.

Only when no one else is around,

won't you at least forgo the honorifics?

I'm about to suffocate.

All right. I will.

So-woon.

Are you still having difficulties adjusting to the palace?

Living inside the palace walls must have

dared me to dream of a life outside its walls.

So-woon.

His Majesty won't continue long like this.

You know he has the virtues of a benevolent king.

I will do my utmost to support His Majesty,

so please, hang in there.

Yes, Father.

Your Majesty.

The Grand Prince and the Chief Secretary are here to see you.

Will you see them?

Let them in.

So you are saying, Second Minister Shin Chi-soo

has not only been receiving bribes from those who interfere

with tax payments, but has siphoned relief aid to the people?

Yes, Your Majesty.

He has also been trafficking official posts,

much to the public's resentment.

I understand your words, however…

Shin Chi-soo has received the First Order of Merits.

You know better that he cannot be punished

unless it is for treason.

Your Majesty.

The court is already filled with Shin's people,

and he is running things as he wishes.

Even if he runs the state as he desires,

there is no one to put a restraint on him.

Some have even started to say there are two suns in the sky.

If you do not punish Shin Chi-soo severely,

the order of the state will collapse,

leading to a harrowing future during your reign.

Enough.

Do not exaggerate yourself.

-Your Majesty… -I don't want to hear it, so stop!

Every one of the court officials have some dirt on them.

How about you?

-Your Majesty, I… -Enough!

I do not want to hear excuses.

What is that on your dress?

It's an accessory that the Queen bestowed upon me.

The Queen gave you such a thing?

Yes.

She requested that I serve you well.

She also sent this table of drinks and snacks.

Go on, drink.

Eat.

How is it?

How can it not be delicious when it is from you?

So it's delicious?

Yes, it's very sweet and delicious.

Then have some more.

Your Majesty…

I said you may drink your fill,

so why are you refusing?

Come on, drink! Drink more!

What is this?

I… I know nothing, Your Majesty.

Obviously, it's a charm to help you bear a son.

The Queen would never bestow something like this.

Must be the greedy old geezer's work.

I only wanted to make you happy, Your Majesty.

And that is to bear me a son?

Even if you do bear a son, he will be a bastard!

I have no need for a son who is illegitimate!

Your Majesty…

Hands off.

Your Majesty.

Get your hands off me!

Your Highness, His Majesty is…

Leave us.

Your Majesty.

What brings you here, without a word?

Someone's even turned to a charm

trying to bear a son,

yet why won't you do anything, my Queen?

The least you can do is use a charm, call a shaman,

or even beg for a shrine to be built

to make an offering…

Are you Confucius?

How could you be so collected?

Do you truly wish for me

to break our customs as Queen

and turn to witchery?

If I do, will you?

If that is your command,

I will obey, whatever it may be.

-However… -However?

What I truly wish is for you to set an example for our people.

If you continue to show your grace

until your virtues flourish,

the heavens may be moved

and send us a son to succeed you.

Enough!

You and your lectures…

Your Majesty.

I know my words have failed to reach you

time after time.

If you find my words to be a nuisance,

then at least listen to the people.

Meet them in person, and…

Those who know nothing

will think it is I who has deserted you.

Who would know…

that it is, in fact, you who has deserted me.

What does it matter

if she's born with beauty to make a flower cry and the moon blush?

When she can't even hold onto her husband's heart!

A young woman,

a new woman, another's woman…

I can't have any peace because of you wenches!

Speak for yourself!

You wench!

You heinous wenches!

Come here, you wench!

-Your Majesty! -How dare you!

How dare you, you wench!

Get away from His Majesty, right now!

Where are you shoving your ass?

Oh, my! The Queen is killing me!

Your Majesty!

You insolent wench!

No use calling for His Majesty.

So come on and bring it on!

All right, then.

Either you die, or I die today!

You wench!

Looks like I won!

Are you all right, Your Highness?

How dare you!

Come get a taste of this!

-Does that tickle? -It tickles!

That really tickles!

Why, you damned Queen!

-Come here. I said, come here! -Hey, hey!

I told you to go easy. Come here, come here!

Help! Help me!

-She sure is fast, isn't she? -Come here!

So…

His Majesty only wants a legitimate son born by the Queen.

Blood will tell.

Still, I don't understand how he's come to resemble

the former King with all the grudges he harbors.

With His Majesty's firm trust in the Grand Prince,

it will be troublesome if the Queen produces a son.

We must stop that before it happens.

Do you have a plan?

So he only wants a son from the Queen.

Then we'll have to replace the Queen, won't we?

If it's as easy as you say…

Just you wait.

And you shall see a new Queen.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It is true that I have been accumulating wealth.

However,

that was all to build a new palace for you.

What does that mean?

After your former quarters were destroyed in the tumult,

how long has it been since you took residence in this squalid annex?

The existence of a palace makes

a stark difference like heaven and earth.

The matter has always been on my mind

ever since you announced you would make me your Left State Councilor.

So you're saying, this slush fund is for me?

Your Majesty.

Delayed construction of the new palace

might demean the dignity and prestige of you,

the ruler of our nation and the father of our people,

and the court of this nation, too.

That was my concern.

I humbly beg your understanding.

All right.

I will trust that your intentions were loyal.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

Is there truly no way to stop that man?

Grand Prince. Chief Secretary.

What is it?

The man captured at the Onyang Haenggung Palace

will confess.

So, who is behind you?

The Second Minister of the Board of Punishment, Shin Chi-soo.

Were you truly under Shin's orders to harm His Majesty?

Yes.

Can you answer the same in front of His Majesty?

My answer will remain the same,

even if you ask me a thousand times and over.

If what that man said is true,

we may be able to stop him.

You must practice caution.

I understand your words.

However, we cannot let go of this chance.

I hereby appoint Shin Chi-soo

to Left State Councilor.

Your Majesty.

I must dare to interrupt you.

To report treason!

Who?

Who is this heinous man?

Please hear it directly from the man who has confessed.

Bring in the traitor!

You will speak nothing but the truth.

Who was it that ordered you to harm His Majesty?

If you speak the truth,

I will spare you.

Who is the man behind you?

The Grand Prince.

You insolent bastard!

How dare you lie in front of His Majesty?

Did you not tell me you were under Shin Chi-soo's orders?

Yes.

You said you would spare me if I gave that answer.

How dare you…

Your Majesty.

His words are everything but the truth!

I have never seen this man until yesterday,

and I swear by the heavens I did not give such orders!

Grand Prince.

Present one piece of evidence that proves

that his words are false.

But…

I have no evidence, Your Majesty.

Only my loyalty.

Lock up the Grand Prince for plotting treason!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, I have been framed!

Your Majesty, I am innocent!

Your Majesty!

My Queen.

Your Majesty, Father has lived

his entire life for you and his people.

How could he think otherwise and try to harm you?

Someone must have conspired against him

to drive him out of court!

So he is falsely accused?

That is what I believe.

Of course.

How can I trust the words of a man

who held his sword against my throat?

However, it is clear that your father tried

to force out a false testimony against Shin Chi-soo.

His treachery cannot be forgiven,

and nor

his deception.

If you've understood, you may leave.

What is happening?

When you doubt the loyalty of my father,

how can I uphold my position as Queen?

If you must punish my father,

punish me, too.

Do you dare threaten me?

How can you see

my desperate plea as a threat?

I beseech you, give him the chance to clear his name.

You will risk your position as Queen?

Yes.

A witness has testified against your father,

so there is no choice but to punish him for treason.

Should you dare threaten me regarding this matter,

your sin will not be overlooked.

If you have understood, leave!

Now there remains only the Queen's people

who have not been bought by Shin Chi-soo.

-Therefore… -I know what you want to say.

I will guard the Queen no matter what,

so please rest your concerns.

The King has been stabbed in the back, hasn't he?

I owe it all to your cleverness.

Things have progressed much easier than I thought.

Should the removal of the King end in failure and you are captured…

give the Grand Prince's name as the man behind the treason.

Yes, my lord.

Once I am crowned King,

I will see that you and your sons are recognized in court.

Your grace is immeasurable!

I was right in my judgment to turn to you

after the former King's death.

Your Majesty,

I have held back for too long.

This is only the beginning,

and you may be anxious for what is to come.

Bring me more liquor!

You've already had too much.

If you have any more…

Enough with your talk, just bring them!

For you to throw a tantrum

even the street taverns will frown upon…

I'm guessing something big has come up.

Woon-sim.

Please.

Oh, my! The Queen is killing me!

Your Majesty!

There's no use calling His Majesty!

So come on and bring it on!

All right, then.

Either you die, or I die today!

All right, bring it on!

You insolent brat.

How dare you mock the Queen!

But my lord!

What did I ever do wrong?

What did you say?

You still don't know what you did wrong…

Is it so wrong that I was doing some entertaining?

Oh, my!

My lord, we've sinned gravely!

What are you doing just standing there?

Beg with all your might!

Please forgive me.

Woon-sim.

Lock him up in the storage.

Pardon?

My lord.

He is but a mere clown, here to entertain us.

Hand him over to the State Tribunal.

But…

But…

Lock him up.

But…

But… my lord!

If you go to the streets, you'll see!

This is how clowns entertain.

Please, my lord!

-Ha-sun, what is this? -Brother!

Ha-sun is his name, is it?

Yes.

Do you truly intend on handing him over to the State Tribunal?

That is none of your concern.

But you must not release him until I order it, understood?

Yes, I will do that.

Chief Secretary, what are we to do?

It seems His Majesty's madness is flaring up again.

Bring the leftover porridge.

Eat.

Pardon?

Eat and see that there is no poison!

Yes…

It's hot!

You wench!

What was that trickery?

No, Your Majesty.

It was really too hot…

You wench!

It's hot!

I told you to eat, so eat!

Eat!

Stop this instant!

Stop this instant. Right this instant!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I must speak to you urgently.

Just say it.

Please have everyone leave the room.

This is about the way

I was ordered to promise to find.

All of you, out.

Did you find a way?

Your Majesty.

Do you remember The Journey to the West,

the book you enjoyed reading in your early days?

What does that have to do with this?

Your Majesty, it seems I have found the hair

of Sun Wukong, the monkey.

The hair that produces a copy of him

when he blows on it.

Are you finally releasing me?

Exercise your courtesy.

This is His Majesty the King.

Your Majesty.

Try it on.

Yes.

"How dare you!"

Say it.

How dare you…

How dare you! Can you not do it any better?

How dare you! Can you not do it any better?

SPECIAL THANKS TO JANG HYUK

There are only two ways to survive in court.

Either stomp down on your enemies,

or ignore them with all your might.

Have you had a peaceful rest, Your Majesty?

This is… Well, I…

I can't quite read…

Do you think this is a clown's stage?

This is why you needed me.

So I may die in place of His Majesty!

I am sorry, my Queen.

If you leave now, I have no choice but to kill you.

Subtitle translation by: Jeong-yon Kim