Original subtitles

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

NAMES OF PLACES AND INCIDENTS MAY NOT BE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE.

Ha-sun…

Ha-sun…

Ha-sun…

Ha-sun!

Ha-sun!

Check behind the closet.

Water.

Get me some water.

Ha-sun…

Dal-lae!

Dal-lae!

I'll go to the gisaeng house and ask for help.

Keep looking for her.

All right.

Oh, dear.

Dal-lae!

Dal-lae!

Dal-lae!

Gap-su!

What the… My goodness!

Dal-lae, my goodness!

Where've you been?

You really want me to drop dead from a heart attack?

Gap-su, you've got to listen to me.

Why do you have to make me worry so much

especially with Ha-sun gone?

By the way, you're finally talking again?

My goodness!

Gap-su, Ha-sun is here. He's here!

We need to find him.

What are you talking about?

I'm here with the Venerable, so let's go to Woon-sim…

No!

Do you know who had tied him up?

It's that monk!

That monk, he…

What are you talking about?

I mean it!

I saw it with my own two eyes!

You mean it?

I'm sorry!

Are you all right?

Yes.

It's so good!

Please enjoy.

Your Majesty.

Are you hungry?

Enjoy.

Thank you.

What is this?

Pig's heart.

And this?

Tripe.

I'm sorry, you're probably not used to eating things like this.

Let's just go.

It's so chewy.

What?

I've never tasted such delicious food in my entire life!

I'm glad to hear that.

Have you ever had these before, Your Majesty?

Well…

A few times, when I was out to observe our people's livelihoods.

This isn't really to my taste, and it's hard pretending it is.

Being with you here alone

makes me feel like I'm just an ordinary woman.

If you lived here, which house would you like to live in?

I would like that house over there.

But why that house, when it is the smallest on this street?

That's precisely the reason.

In a house that small,

we'll only need to turn our heads to see each other.

And because it is at the end of the alley,

the walk home with you would last longer.

When I was little, I loved going to the markets.

As the dear daughter of an aristocratic family?

I loved it because I could smell the many scents of life.

So I would breathe in deeply.

The smell of the sea from the fish,

the smell of the fermenting wine,

the smell of sweat…

Do I also smell sweaty?

No!

From you, I sense warmth.

Your Majesty, look over there!

Welcome.

-May we take a look? -Sure.

If you're after a compass to help you find that perfect spot for a house

or a resting place, you've come to the right place.

Is this all you have?

Would you like to see expensive ones?

One moment.

But why…

I wanted to give you a gift.

A gift? You don't have to. It's all right, I didn't get you anything.

You've already done much for me.

You've read my heart and made me happy

on so many occasions.

And no matter how much I think about it, I think you'll need it.

Even back at the palace…

I mean, at our house… You got lost, didn't you?

Your Majesty, I was just about to visit you.

Were you perhaps on your way to visit me?

Actually, I was on my way to the office,

but I must've lost my way while I was lost in my thoughts.

Goodness! If you even get lost in your own house,

you must have the worst sense of direction.

Well, take a look.

I'll make it cheap for you, so pick one.

Yes, that one has the finest details.

Would you like that one?

How much is it?

Well…

Three silvers.

What the…

Do you think we'll be so easily ripped off?

-Two silvers. -What?

Do you know how much effort went into making this?

-Two silvers, seven coins. -Two silvers, five coins.

-Two silvers, six coins. -Two silvers, four coins.

Take it or leave it.

Hey! Wait just a minute.

Fine, two silvers and four coins.

Take it and be done.

I didn't know you'd be so good at haggling.

I was only copying others, but I didn't think it would work.

It was as if you had done it a few hundred times.

No way.

Thank you.

I'll treasure it.

I'm giving it to you so you don't get lost again.

I swear I'd gotten lost in my thoughts back then.

I'm usually very good with directions.

I mean, when you're on your way to me.

It's all right even if you get lost,

or take the long way around.

As long as you come to me.

I will always be there, waiting at the end of your road.

Your Majesty.

I am so glad you're safe.

Yes, I'm very glad, too.

Your Highness, where have you been?

Do you know how long I'd been looking for you?

I'm sorry.

Your Majesty, it's best you return to the palace.

Is that all right with you?

I am sending you this letter

not to ask for your forgiveness,

but rather, to plead with you not to lose this chance

to actualize our vision.

Haksan, are you in?

You came at a good time.

I was writing a letter to our Society members…

He's disappeared.

Is he…

off to find the King?

How long have you known?

I had a hunch from the beginning.

But I'd dismissed those thoughts

because if I did admit to it, I probably couldn't have gone on helping him.

If I'm not back by dawn,

take Woon-sim and Ho-geol, and flee this place.

Don't go to the palace.

The King won't spare you.

You want me to run away again?

But back then, you only did so

because Lord Gil asked you to save the other members.

There's a man who entrusted his life to me.

If I do not go, he will die by the King's hands.

And I cannot let that happen.

My gosh.

What's with your expression?

Are you mad because I came too late?

I'm sorry.

SEUNGJEONGWON ILGI: THE DIARIES OF THE ROYAL SECRETARIAT

Have you been well?

You lowly clown.

Have you already forgotten your manners?

Your Majesty!

Lift your head.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Step back!

Yes…

Your Majesty…

Your Majesty, what is going on?

-Your Majesty… -Your Majesty!

Has this lowly clown become your King already?

Clown?

Your Majesty!

Officer Jang knows nothing. Your Majesty!

You still can't distinguish who the real King is, can you?

All right, I'll kill you so you do know!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty…

Officer Jang is not at fault.

If anyone is at fault, it is I for deceiving him.

So please, spare him.

Your Majesty, I deserve to die for failing to recognize you.

Please kill me!

Go and bring the Chief Secretary here.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Diaries said the Queen left the palace for a vacation.

Was that your doing as well?

Yes. The royal physician recommended she go, so…

If she has returned,

she should be here to report her return.

With the lowly clown sitting on the throne,

even the Queen, who's so upright, has gone slack.

Tell the Queen to come and pay her respects!

Yes… Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Highness, it's me, Ae-young.

Yes, you may come in.

Your Highness, the King has requested your presence.

It seems he misses you already!

Make haste.

Escort the Chief Secretary.

What is the meaning of this?

It was the King's command.

I mean, the real King.

Escort him, now.

Your Majesty, I am here to report my safe return.

How are you feeling?

Rest your concerns, Your Majesty.

Thanks to your grace,

I have made a miraculous recovery.

Have you been well, Your Majesty?

I have been well.

Your Majesty, perhaps you caught a cold after

being out at the market for too long?

Your Majesty.

I'm fine.

Enough about me. What about you? You'd been away to recuperate.

Both my mind and body feel light and free of the fatigue

that had kept me tied down.

I think the time spent together with you

was more effective than my vacation.

What did I do to make you so happy?

I was simply happy to walk beside you,

talk to you,

and see the same sights as you.

I don't know how long it had been since entering the palace

that I was finally able to relax and enjoy myself.

Your Majesty, what is the matter?

All these thoughts…

They've made me extremely tired.

Should I call for the royal physician?

No need.

You may leave.

Then I will leave you to rest, Your Majesty.

What is it, Your Highness?

It's nothing.

But if anything should come up regarding His Majesty,

I would like to be notified.

Yes, Your Highness.

Chief Secretary!

The Queen has changed much in my absence.

What trick did you pull?

Your Majesty, it's not what you think.

"It's not what you think"? What do you think is on my mind?

Just what did you do…

I swear to the heavens, nothing happened!

Please believe my words, Your Majesty.

She said she browsed the markets with you.

That the time she spent with you was better than any medicine.

That everything was just so wonderful!

You had promised to meet her outside the palace,

once she had left for her vacation.

Am I not right?

No, Your Majesty.

That is not what happened…

Should I ask the Queen herself?

Whether your words are true or not?

How should I punish you, you lowly bastard?

I won't be satisfied with just taking your life.

That's right.

I should behead your family

and all those who know your identity

to make you pay for your sins.

Your Majesty, the Chief Secretary is here to see you.

Let him in.

You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Did you not think I'd be back?

Welcome back, Your Majesty.

I enjoyed reading the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat.

You had fun with this lowly clown,

while you kept me tied up like a prisoner, didn't you?

I never meant to treat you like a prisoner, Your Majesty.

I was simply worried you'd try to harm yourself again,

so I had no other choice.

So you did it for me?

Then is the Uniform Land Tax Law also for me?

But weren't you determined

to revive that law someday?

I did so, because I judged that was the right thing to do

for our people, for this state, and for you, Your Majesty.

How eloquent you are!

But why did it coincidentally have to take place

in my absence?

To start something so important,

when this fake was in charge…

Anyone would think that you may be plotting treason.

Go on, try to defend yourself that you are not a traitor.

There is already a seed of doubt in your heart against me,

so what use would a thousand excuses be?

If you cannot believe me…

then behead me.

Just give me any excuse.

Blabber on.

Go on, try convincing me!

So you're not?

No.

Right.

You're right. It's not you.

You are someone who'd die for me, not betray me.

This is all because of him!

After sitting on the throne in the royal gown,

he must've thought he had really become the King!

Am I not right?

Kill him.

Kill him!

Then I will believe in your loyalty.

He is but a puppet for you, Your Majesty.

Those who are trying to harm you are still out there,

so if you kill him now, removing them will be difficult.

So why haven't you gotten a single one

while he was here in my stead?

Though we had evidence, it wasn't concrete.

However, it will be to your advantage to keep him alive

until you have them.

You make me laugh.

You had no excuses to offer when I tried to kill you,

yet you become so verbose when I ordered you to kill him.

What is with that look?

Now that you got the sword, do you wish to slay me?

When your quarters are surrounded by your guards,

how could I even dare to hold such thoughts in my heart?

Go on, then.

My lord.

If you can't, should I?

Stop!

That is enough.

We cannot have his filthy blood stain my quarters.

Officer Jang, are you out there?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Drag this clown out.

Where should I drag him?

I don't want to ease his suffering by beheading him right here.

Take him to the mountains, and feed him to the tigers.

Make him reflect on his sins as he shivers to death in fear.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Well, then. I guess you need to update me.

Call the Left State Councilor.

Do you know whose residence this is?

Who are you?

I am here to deliver His Majesty's command.

My goodness… Yes.

Father!

SEUNGJEONGWON: THE ROYAL SECRETARIAT

Father, His Majesty has called for you.

Get it out of my sight.

Will you not answer his call?

How could I dare answer to his messenger right away

when I have disappointed His Majesty?

Pardon?

But Father…

Your Majesty,

it is with great regret that I cannot answer to your call

for I have come down with a sudden illness.

However, as soon as I am better, I will be in court…

"…to pay my respects to you. So please, forgive my rudeness."

So he dares to test me?

This can't be because of that flogging incident…

That leaves the Uniform Land Tax, doesn't it?

Should I send a messenger again?

Leave it.

I'm tired.

Call for Court Lady Kim.

Your Majesty, this is…

How dare you!

My apologies.

When is the next consummation with the Queen?

I believe the earliest is the ninth of next month.

Tell the Bureau of Astrology to change the date for tomorrow.

Yes, Your Majesty.

If you drag him to the mountains in this cold weather,

His Majesty will not survive the night!

"His Majesty"?

The real King has returned,

but is Ha-sun still His Majesty?

Watch yourself.

One slip of the tongue in front of His Majesty,

and you may be in danger, too.

All right. I'll watch myself.

Officer Jang.

I'm sorry.

I never meant to deceive you.

I was in the palace under His Majesty's orders,

so I could not reveal my true identity.

That doesn't matter to me.

I, too, am simply abiding by His Majesty's orders.

Where is Ha-sun?

Ha-sun?

So that clown's name is Ha-sun, is it?

-Mu-young… -Call me Officer Jang.

I completely understand how you feel.

The reason I did not inform you was

because of His Majesty's orders.

Ha-sun, too, had been under his orders to act on his behalf.

His only sin is that he was abiding by the royal command.

Is that so?

And is His Majesty also aware of what you think?

Eunuch Jo told me

that you had been spared, thanks to Ha-sun.

Let's get the facts straight.

I almost lost my head because of him!

That's what you'd like to believe.

But you and I both know

what kind of man Ha-sun is.

And what he was like while he replaced the King.

Do you truly think he has sinned?

Where is he?

Why do you want to know?

Have you truly turned against the King?

Mu-young.

It's too late already.

Too late?

Don't tell me… He's dead?

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

Find a way.

A way to eliminate all of them and protect me!

Hurry.

Before I truly lose my sanity.

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

It seems that those who are after my life are everywhere.

At this rate, I may cover my hands in blood once more.

Yul, he… He keeps whispering into my ear.

That country brat's job is already decided.

His job is to be stabbed or poisoned in my place.

He was also surprised, that's all.

If you behead him for making just one mistake,

will anyone here be left standing?

The Left State Councilor is carrying out what is under His Majesty's jurisdiction.

Is he our King?

But sometimes, you must give up ten or even a hundred for one!

So what if you're wielding power, dressed in silk?

When your head is full of beastly thoughts!

When there is no humanity left in your heart!

Though I was prepared for death,

I never said my death would be in vain.

What?

Dal-lae has disappeared? How did that happen?

I'm not sure how.

Gap-su said he'll come here as soon as he finds her,

but seeing as how there's no news, she must still be missing.

Gosh, don't you know how busy I am?

Jungsaeng!

Why did you want to see me?

What?

What do you mean,

we must leave if Haksan doesn't come back?

Did someone frame the Daedonggye Society again?

Is that why?

Then let's leave right away!

No need to wait until the day breaks!

We can always wait for him there! Come on.

If it's for that reason,

I will not go.

Come on, Woon-sim!

Please go ahead first.

Once the Chief Secretary returns,

I will join you.

Ha-sun the clown is dead.

Now, you are the King of this country.

I was on duty last night when His Majesty ordered me to bring the Royal Diaries.

So I stepped into his quarters.

I see.

And how was His Majesty?

-It was most bizarre. -What was?

He seemed to be in a fine mood

but kept asking me to reconfirm what he already knew.

Anything else?

I also saw the guards bring in the Chief Secretary.

He walked into the palace himself?

-Are you sure? -Yes, I saw it with my own two eyes.

All right, you may leave.

Call me back anytime, my lord.

Shouldn't you head to the palace right away?

The best move I can make right now is to hold out,

without answering His Majesty's calls.

It's all right even if you get lost,

or take the long way around.

As long as you come to me.

I will always be there, waiting at the end of your road.

Your Highness.

I must've gotten lost again.

Your Highness, I am back.

Why did Court Lady Kim ask to see you?

This is…

The date of the consummation.

Consummation…

But my apologies, Your Highness.

The consummation is set to take place tonight.

Tonight?

What, so soon?

Who was it that sent assassins after me, and added poison to my late-night snacks?

As I informed you, while there are suspicions that it was the Queen Dowager

and Prince Jinpyeong,

we still do not have concrete evidence.

Suspicions are enough.

Your Majesty.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

It lifts my spirits to be visited by you and my relatives.

It shows that our nation is moving towards a bright future.

When you wish for nothing but the royal family's prosperity,

why did you conspire such a scheme?

What do you mean, "such a scheme"?

If you wish to enjoy a respectful life surrounded by your relatives,

you'd better be more careful.

If you continue to come after me, I will chase you out immediately,

bypassing the process to do so.

Are you blackmailing me, your mother?

How are you my mother?

My mother has long passed away,

and I've held numerous rituals in her memory.

Your Majesty!

Why are you acting like you haven't understood me?

What I meant was…

Exactly! What I mean is…

Words like "unfilial"

no longer mean anything to me.

Do you understand?

Your Majesty.

How could you be so disrespectful to the Queen Dowager?

You frequent the Queen Dowager's quarters.

I've already known why.

I don't know what you've misunderstood,

but I only wish to remain your faithful subject, nothing more.

Exactly. So I'm warning you to be careful.

Or do you truly wish to be beheaded as a traitor,

just like your father and brother?

The King must've heard something

for him to have thrown such a fit.

What did you expect?

The King had been pretending to be absorbed in state affairs

in order to lower our guards.

What will you do now?

He doesn't seem to be in a comfortable state of mind,

so I will have to pray to Buddha.

Your Majesty.

If you oppress the Queen Dowager and Prince Jinpyeong without a thorough plan,

you might only be harming yourself.

Even better.

I will just dethrone the Queen Dowager,

and have Prince Jinpyeong and her other relatives beheaded.

Has the Left State Councilor yet to come into court?

No, Your Majesty.

I believe he will once again use the excuse of an illness

even if you do call for him again.

Is that so?

He will not come, even if I summoned him?

Then I guess there's no other way.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

What has brought you all the way to my humble residence?

You refused to come, so I had no other choice.

What is your reason for not answering my call?

Your Majesty.

The reason I used the excuse of an illness

was because I was still too ashamed to face you.

But now, to have you at my humble residence…

I simply do not know how to repay your grace.

If you truly believe you are in my grace,

then come back to court.

Your Majesty, can I take that to mean that you will entrust me

with state affairs again?

Yes.

But once I return to court,

I will push ahead with the governor appointments

that was faced with the Office of Taxation's opposition.

May I truly do so, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty, that is out of the question.

That matter should be discussed in court,

since that had been the court's previous decision.

Do as you wish.

Then, may I stop the enforcement of the Uniform Land Tax Law,

which is currently being reviewed?

Need you ask?

I will leave all affairs that had been in your jurisdiction to you.

Your Majesty, no.

Shut up!

Don't oppose my decision ever again.

If I ever hear you say no,

I will not spare you, even if you are the Chief Secretary.

Remember.

My word comes before the court's decision.

I have never doubted your loyalty,

so return to court and support me.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

You cannot overrule a decision that has been reached by the court

following formal proceedings.

This may provide leeway for those who oppose

the court's decisions in the future.

No need to worry!

That is precisely why I've called him back,

so he may crush those who try to do that.

Then,

if you must call the Left State Councilor back,

I ask you to withdraw your approval for him

to appoint the governors under suspicions of corruption.

These officials have embezzled public funds for their benefit,

so if you proceed without holding them responsible,

our people will lose their faith in the court

and come to resent you.

Yes.

You are right.

And those decisions that were made in my absence, too.

They were not my will.

They were that clown's.

So how could I let things be, simply because they are right?

If that is your decision,

then I am left with no choice.

I request to be dismissed from my post,

so give me your permission.

I will not allow it.

Do as you wish,

but I know you'll be back.

Why are you doing this? What's going on?

What is our crime?

You've disobeyed the royal command.

The royal command?

But there is no way we'd be accused of such a thing!

Let go of me. Let go!

Is the Chief Secretary also aware of this?

Arresting innocent citizens…

You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Carry out His Majesty's orders.

Take them away.

Goodness, I…

Chief Secretary!

My lord, I have news from the State Tribunal.

My lord…

Haksan, do something!

They'll behead us tomorrow for defying the King's orders!

Is that truly His Majesty's order?

Are we going to die?

My lord…

Do not worry about us.

I will not keep you in there long, so hang in there.

Haksan!

Haksan!

Your Majesty, the Chief Secretary wishes to see you.

Let him in.

Do not turn your back against me ever again.

Should you betray me,

I will crush every one of your loved ones to death,

and see that everything you risked your life for

will come to nothingness.

Do you understand me?

I will engrave your words on my heart,

Your Majesty.

Proceed as written on here.

Officer Jang.

I need you to do something.

Please say the word, Your Majesty.

Go check to see if the clown is dead,

and bring me his head as evidence.

Make way for His Majesty the King!

Your Majesty.

Allow me to pour it for you.

Your Majesty.

Did something happen at your office earlier today?

I should ask… what happened to you?

What do you mean?

Gone is the icy Queen I knew,

and instead, you are caressing me with your warmth.

I'm really not sure whether to welcome this,

or to fall into despair.

I admit I haven't been fully dutiful to you, Your Majesty.

However, I now gladly wish to fulfill my duties as your Queen.

And if you would accept my heart,

I couldn’t be happier.

Just what are you so glad and happy about?

Your Majesty.

I haven't

given anything to you yet, My Queen.

So forget all about the happiness

that I've never given you.

However, Your Majesty…

I will now teach you…

just whose woman you truly are.

Be discreet.

Don't start a commotion.

It's such a relief.

I really don't know

why I'm like this.

And one of them had looked exactly like His Majesty!

What is on your mind?

What are you looking at?

Do you want me to kill you?

I wish to be the real King.

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

And if you ask me to let you go, I shall do that.

So tell me.

Subtitle translation by: Jeong-yon Kim