Original subtitles

As rumors of treason fill the Court, the King secretly commands

'Find a man with my resemblance. He shall stay in the royal chamber after sunset'

Matters need not be known shall be removed from the gazette

Journals of King Gwanghae Feb 28, 1616, 8th year of reign

MASQUERADE

Drink it

I said drink

What are you waiting for?

Punish me with death, Your Majesty

Punish us with death

Chief Royal Secretary to see His Majesty

What happened?

Silver spoon turned black

I shall have my bedchamber moved at once

Your Majesty.

You must hold your ground especially at a time like this

Is that all you have to say?

What would please your enemies more than to see you abandon your quarters?

I beg Your Majesty to take heed

Approach me

Leave us

Have you found one?

Forgive me, Sire but

Make haste

He must look exactly like me

I cannot trust anyone

No one

I beg Your Majesty to take heed

We beg Your Majesty to take heed

Don't you hear the cries of the scholars?

I beg you to allow an inquisition of Yu Jeong-ho

We beg of Your Majesty

No, Your Majesty! If you allow inquisitions based on hearsay,

there'll be a flood of unjustified accusations

giving rise to great disarray

You are crossing the line Chief Secretary!

How dare you dismiss the advice of the King's loyal servants?

It worries me that you're giving weight to rumor

when there are more urgent outstanding state affairs

What is more urgent than treason?

Your Majesty.

'(u Jeong-ho must be put to death at once

No, Your Majesty!

Punishment can wait until right and wrong has been determined

Yu Jeong-ho is a dangerous man

Give us a royal command, Your Majesty

Your command, Your Majesty

His Majesty the King!

Your Majesty Your Majesty

Yu is a heretic who rejects orthodox teachings

Retribution for his crime must not be delayed

We beg Your Majesty to take heed

I beg Your Majesty to take heed

Tread on our backs if you must

We beg of Your Majesty

This time.

They will really have my brother beheaded

Madam

This madness will only end

upon my death

His Majesty the King!

The King climbs over the wall and opens the door

asking for Hung-fin

Hong-jin Where are you, my dear?

Gotcha!

You're hiding here

Come on out Come on out of there

Oh my!

Let's see

Aren't you voluptuous?

You're a lucky man

Your Majesty.

You call upon me without notice again

If you keep doing this, I fear it will be the death of me

Come here, whore

The King takes her soft hand

and pulls her deep into the Court

He reaches for her undergarment

and her ample derriere rubs against his royal body

The King smiles happily

Then, once on the left

and once on the right

and flips her over for some more

Watching the sunrise in the east,

screw, screw!

Watching the sunset in the west,

screw, screw!

Screw here and screw there all night long

Take off the cover

Sir, sir Listen to me, I beg of you

The King involving himself with the court ladies

is such an absurd idea

Something that can never happen in real life

and what makes it interesting Help him up

With all due respect, sir

who are you?

Listen to me carefully if you wish to live

In a moment, you shall have an audience with the King

Sir?

When His Majesty asks you a question, respond with "Yes, Your Majesty"

When a longer answer is required,

you must answer by saying "If it pleases Your Majesty"

You must not ask questions or look upon his face

Make him presentable to the King

Lift your head

Repeat what I say

Is anyone there?

Yes, Your Majesty

I said repeat

Yes, Your Majesty Insufferable wretch!

Is that all you have to say?

If it pleases Your Majesty

Repeat what I say, "Is anyone there?"

I said repeat

Insufferable wretch!

Is that all you have to say?

Not bad indeed

He performs masked farce at courtesans' house

Judging from his basic knowledge of Chinese characters,

I presume he is not of the low birth

Repeat what I say

Is anyone there?

Yes, Your Majesty

Would you care for a night snack?

All right Yes, Your Majesty

Have a night snack brought in

Have plenty brought in

You scared me!

Calling upon me so frequently will upset the Queen

Will it not?

What choice do I have?

I only sleep soundly next to you

Get up

Sir

You can go now

Once every 3 nights, when the curfew bell sounds

wait by the west palace gate

Don't be late

You shall not speak of anything about tonight

You found the right man

Follow me looking at my heels only

Be careful

Three!

Spare me, My Lord!

He was charged with telling of lewd stories

I beg of you! I never knew it constituted a crime

I'm telling the truth

The gentry talk of far more lewd things, do they not?

Who are you comparing yourself to?

Four Four!

Whoever it was that ratted me out,

- I shall kill the wretched bastard - Five

Five!

Hold it

Does it hurt?

Spare me, my Lord I hear about

a new young courtesan who just arrived at Honglu

How about it?

Her, in exchange for this

But it's not up to me to decide

- My Lord! - Hit the shit out of him

Save me, my Lord!

Take all the time you need, Miss

Did you say you were from Jeonju?

Yes

How old are you?

Fifteen

I am terribly sorry

I miss my mama

Not a single chick was killed

If arsenic was present, even in the smallest dose

it would have killed the chicks

If it wasn't poison, what turned the spoon black?

Recently, they started using bamboo salt to season King's food

Bamboo salt?

Yes, Your Majesty

The iron found in bamboo salt changed the color of the spoon

I implore you, Sire and I offer my head to say this

If this is about Yu Jeong-ho, I shall not hear more of it

Forgive me, Your Majesty

but Yu Jeong-ho would never plot treason against you

enough!

I know it, too

Yu is my loyal servant and trusted brother-in-law

But I'll need to sacrifice someone like Yu

in order to gain their trust

Sir.

The royal physician sent for you

Come this way

It appears that he's been poisoned

Will he recover?

Forgive me but

I cannot confirm anything at this point

We may need to prepare for a national calamity

Who else knows about this?

So far, only myself and Chief Eunuch

I shall take full responsibility for what I'm about to say

Both you and Chief Eunuch

shall remain silent about His Majesty's condition

But, sir!

You know better than anyone

that you will not live if the King passes away

If the word about the King's condition gets out

the Court will fall into unimaginable chaos

That is clearly what the conspirator wanted

The King is confined to bed because of cold

Please wake Captain Do

and fetch the jester at once

Take His Majesty to a remote temple

Absolutely no one is to know about this

until the poison is identified

and His Majesty recovers

It's not the night we arranged

The King must be going somewhere nice

I see the beating didn't teach you anything

I beg your pardon?

Was it you that ratted me out?

I don't know how to thank you!

It was indeed an insufferable crime to make fun of the King

and the magistrate who took the girl's virginity for my crimes

is innocent

But what did that 15-year-old girl do wrong?

Was there any untruth in what I said?

Don't let your tongue run wild

It's Captain Do

His Majesty wishes to stay in his quarters tonight

I shall escort him out as soon as the King is finished

Hitting me and shit

Where is His Majesty?

The King is unwell Oh How sick is he?

Is it serious?

You'll have to act as his stand-in for a while

For how long?

There is nothing for you to worry

as long as you do as I say

I won't do it Wretch!

It's for the good of the kingdom

And none of my concern

You're asking me to put my neck on the line

I can't do it

It's 20 silver coins now

I shall give you 20 more after

My life for a few coins

I'm not that crazy

Did you say 'for the good of the kingdom'?

The good of the kingdom means the good of the people

Man, what's happening

I trust you'll keep your word about the balance

His Majesty has a terrible cold

and shall not be attending this morning's conference

The morning conference will be held again in three days

The first thing to learn are those nearest to the King

You have already met Chief Eunuch and Captain Do

Lady Han is King's designated court lady who serves him closest

Your Majesty.

The Queen asks for an audience

The Court has eyes and ears everywhere

You shall take extra care at all times

What do you mean?

Is he so terribly ill?

Your Highness

Tell him I need to see him urgently

Your Royal Highness

Is he with a court lady?

You won't get near the Queen or the concubines

and be extra cautious not to chance upon the Queen

You may resemble the King

but you won't fool those who share the bed with him

I told the officials you can't speak due to a troubled throat

If there is anything you need to ask,

ask Chief Eunuch

Can I ask something?

Come closer

You know L...

I'm sorry but I need to take a dump

I couldn't find a toilet for two days

Ask for a plum blossom pot

I need that right away

You

What are you waiting for?

Leave me

I need to take a crap Get the hell out

Hurry!

Your Majesty

Congratulations, Your Majesty

Congratulations, Your Majesty

Hey! Hey!

What are you doing?

Back off Punish me with death, Your Majesty

Why would I kill you?

Just leave me

Leave me Your Majesty

Don't come any closer

When you wake in the morning, clear your throat

Court ladies will bring in water for washing up

You could've told me that earlier

Congratulations, Your Majesty

Congratulate what?

There is no outhouse for the King Ask for a plum blossom pot

I already know that

Where are they taking it to?

It's sent to the royal physician

to check the color and hardness

and taste

They taste it?

Next are the royal concubines

So many of them!

Eunuch Kim!

It's Eunuch Jo, Sire

Eunuch Jo

I heard that the King shares his bed with his concubines every night

for a royal coitus

It's a matter concerning the inner affairs of the Court

I was just worried that one of the concubines might pay a visit

I can only refuse so many times

Not to mention they might get suspicious

So... can I?

I beg your pardon?

Just an amusing thought

The King's taster tastes the food to check for any poisons

Meals are served twice a day in the morning and evening

For light meals and snacks,

- he favors buckwheat and dumplings - Bring it in

Take it out

That was good

I thought I had a big appetite

but the King must be quite a big eater himself

The court ladies at the royal kitchen

eat the leftovers from King's table

Are you telling me

that they starved all day because of me?

They are only allowed to cook for the King and for him alone

That is quite astonishing

No wonder they were looking at me horrified

That lady over there

Who is she?

It's Her Royal Highness the Queen Consort

That makes her...

Oh!

The Chief Secretary insisted upon avoiding her at all costs

The morning conference was postponed for three days

But the individual audiences cannot be delayed any more

You'll only need three phrases during the individual meetings

Do as you see fit

Next Bring him in

Go on

Do as you see fit

I'm sorry Wretch!

Have you not heard His Majesty's voice?

Keep it low and solemn

As you see fit

Do as you see fit

Your grace is immeasurable

Bring in the next

Morning conference is vitally important

It is where high-ranking officials gather

to hear the King's decrees

Mistakes will not go unnoticed

Yes, sir

First row on the left, two down from the left

is Ha, the Tax Minister

For the sake of power, he will happily walk into a manure tub

Next to him is Kim Jong-se, the Justice Minister

He is a greedy and cruel character

who will chase his enemies to the end of days

The man that always agrees to the Justice Minister is

Inspector General, Lee Yun-sang

All that he cares about is maintaining his position

At the rightmost of the first row is

Park Chung-seo, the Minister of Interior

You must remember him

Don't you see what the King is trying to do?

The King is giving us Yu Jeong-ho

to diverting our attention from issues

such as troop dispatch or the uniform land tax law

Is it not the truth?

His eyes are as sharp as a hawk's and his character as venomous as a viper's

From this moment on,

you shall address me and the Chief Eunuch the way you would a servant

Sir?

Remember

the Court has eyes and ears everywhere

What you have in front of you

is the royal decree to be passed down at the conference tomorrow

Read it out loud, Your Majesty

I command my trusted council

Tax Minister shall draw a bill to Stop!

His Majesty is a king,

not a storyteller from market place

Low and solemnly Like a king

I command my trusted council

Tax Minister

Draw up a bill to restore the uniform land tax law

Minister of Construction

Stop the palace renovation immediately

How can you justify renovating the palace

at the cost of my good people?

Minister of Justice

I shall not question the wrongdoings of Magistrate Yu Jeong-ho

All treason must be dealt with the strictest law

But the law must not be used to punish the innocent

I command my trusted council

Those that disturb the peace of the Court by stirring up groundless accusations

shall be dealt as strictly as those guilty of treason

This concludes the morning conference

Yes, Your Majesty

The morning conference is prepared

His Majesty the King!

His Majesty the King!

The morning conference shall commence

His Majesty shall pass down the royal decree

Your Majesty.

I heard you suffered from a terrible fever

How does Your Majesty feel this morning?

Quite well

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty

Your grace is immeasurable

This is a blank scroll

Due to the pain in the throat

His Majesty shall not read out the royal decree

I'll do the honor on His Majesty's behalf

Tax Minister Yes, Your Majesty

You shall draw up a bill to restore the uniform land tax law

Justice Minister

Yes, Your Majesty

Prepare a report on which regions the law should be enforced first

Yes, Your Majesty

Trusted servants, hear my words

I shall no longer question the wrongdoings of Yu Jeong-ho

Any man found guilty of disturbing the peace with groundless accusations

shall be punished severely

I trust you shall endeavor to fulfill the royal decree

This concludes the morning conference

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty

Revive the identification system?

And restore the uniform land tax law?

The passing of the bill wasn't delayed for our interest

The Chief Secretary is to blame for this mess

Didn't I make that clear earlier?

He disturbs peace with his three-inch tongue

The King has ordered for reports

What should I do now?

Who made this red bean porridge?

Your Majesty didn't appear to have fully recovered

I asked you who made it

The taster asked the palace matron at the royal kitchen

It tastes really good

Just like what I used to eat as a child

What is your name?

Lady Han, Sire

And yours?

Your Majesty, it's Sa-wol

How old are you?

Fifteen, Sire Fifteen

I'm done for now Clear the table

You heard His Majesty Make haste Yes, sir

I missed you, good old rice!

Stock up while you can

You don't know when he'll get his appetite back

My Lady

Do you think the King has changed recently?

What do you mean by that?

His complexion as well as his palate

He chuckles a lot, too And Yeong-yi told me

that even the sound of his royal defecation has changed

Fortunately, his pulse is returning

But, sir

it appears that he's been drugged not poisoned

What do you mean by that?

Where has he been going on his outings?

He's been avoiding royal coitus?

How on earth could I know?

I hear he is staying clear of the concubines and the Queen, too

The rumor has spread all over the Court

He is avoiding the sweet smell of women

that he favors so much My Lord

My Lord

The Chief Secretary is up to something

He's been enquiring about Lady Ahn

What should we do?

Take some men and burn down the poppy patch at once

We must get rid of all evidence

Lady Ahn has been in the wind for a few days now

As you see fit

Your grace is immeasurable

Did you dissent the uniform land tax bill?

But that's what you told me to do

To respond to whatever the officials say with

Do as you see fit

Did you approve the interrogation of Yu Jeong-ho?

No, I didn't do that

I only approved the setting up of an inquisitorial committee

That's the same thing!

Didn't I warn you to be extra cautious around Park Chung-seo?

I'll call for a high officials' meeting

You will announce the reintroduction of the uniform land tax bill

Why keep making me change my words?

Just do as I say

You must give to take

That's politics

Shouldn't I know what I'm giving away and taking

at least?

Do you know, Chief

what the big deal is about

the identification law and the uniform land tax law?

I do not, Sire

What do I need to know anyway?

I only need to do as I'm told

But I can get you books on the subject

If everyone carries an identification tag,

it would be easy to check the identity and convenient for taxation purposes

Not for everyone, Sire

An identification tag carries with it the duty of compulsory labor

There are people who abandon their tags and cross the border

or voluntarily get castrated to become a eunuch

You mean they cut off their own balls?

That means such eunuchs could be in this Court

Do you know anyone?

Chief

It might be an awkward question

Ask me anything, Sire

Do you really not have it?

I do not, Sire

Then, when you go to the outhouse

do you do it standing up

or sitting down?

Well

It must have hurt

Chief Secretary!

Your Majesty!

Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary

Your Majesty

The king never comes to his servant

But you're a busy man

Let me ask you a question

I stayed up all night studying

and I think the uniform land tax law is a really good law

So why was it abolished only after a year?

Sire Secretary

It's not a question of right and wrong

Politics is just politics

There are a lot of suspicious eyes Return to your quarters at once

Have a man watch the Secretary

I want to know his every movement Yes, sir

I just don't understand

Why does everyone get so sensitive

whenever the uniform land tax law is mentioned?

Probably because of resistance by landowners

It's only fair to impose tax according to how much land you own

Those who have more should contribute more

Sire, Your way of speaking resembles the King more and more

Is that so?

I sometimes feel like the real King

Your Majesty, a night snack is ready

Bring it in

Sa-wol

Yes, Your Majesty

Did you say you were fifteen?

I am, Sire

How did you end up living in the Court?

Here

I'm only asking out of curiosity You may answer freely

My father was a tenant farmer in the mountainous region

Then one day, he was told to pay tax in abalone

Abalone from a farmer?

What happened?

He had to borrow at high interest

Debt begot more debt

We ended up losing the house and the little land we owned

My father was jailed

Oh dear

When that still wasn't enough to pay off the debt

My mother and brother were sold as slaves

and I, to a deputy minister's household

Insufferable!

My father was left by himself

He never recovered from the injuries of the torture

and passed away in the same year

Fucking bastards!

Sire!

Don't you miss your mother?

If only I knew whether she lives or not

I have no other wish in the world

I'll reunite you with your mother before this act is over

Your grace is immeasurable

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty

You may leave now

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Tell me, Chief

What can I do about the bastards

who squeeze pennies from the weak and poor?

Order the Royal Investigation Bureau

But that takes too long

I don't know how long I'll be playing the King

Then Then?

It's nothing, Sire Oh, come on!

Tax Minister

Yes, Your Majesty

Did I not command you to reintroduce the tax reform bill?

Sire

If you change the law overnight, the burden on landowners

will become unbearable

Do not discriminate landowners for they are your loyal subjects, too

Taxing 10 bags of rice for those who own 10 patches of rice paddy

and 1 for those who own 1 How is that discrimination?

When people are voluntarily becoming slaves and eunuchs,

how can you talk of discrimination over a landowner's bag of rice?

Bring in the prisoner

That man is the magistrate for Gangwon

who extorted money from the commoners

The officials who took bribes from him

and those that took bribes from those officials

I shall hear all their names

Which of you can swear that he didn't receive from this man?

Tax Minister!

Yes, Your Majesty

Those who abuse King's tribute for usury shall be punished severely

As His Majesty orders

Justice Minister

Yes, Your Majesty

Have all magistrates open their repositories

and return all rice and linen back to the people

Yes, Your Majesty

I command my trusted council

to have uniform land tax law enforced immediately

Anyone that obstruct the execution of this decree

shall be punished with utmost severity

Your grace is immeasurable

You're running state affairs as you please

But we got the uniform land tax law

Do you even know who Yu Jeong-ho is?

You must give to take

Isn't that what politics is about?

Politics is no marketplace haggling!

Someone might hear us

Please act more appropriately around the King

Yu Jeong-ho is

the Queen's brother

Pardon me?

They are accusing him of treason in order to depose the Queen

She is the mother of this kingdom

- How dare they? - Sire

King's taster to see His Majesty

Let her in

The inquisition makes one confess to crimes he never committed

I was prepared to sacrifice the land tax bill

in exchange of Yu's life

What do I do now?

Absolutely nothing

If you wish to help me and the Court

Her Royal Highness to see His Majesty

Tell her I'm in bed

I trusted Your Majesty

If Your Majesty finds me so unbearable,

grant me the relief of death

What are you doing?

Can you please drop the knife?

I shall spare the life of Yu no matter what

Do you give your word?

You have my word

Would you please come down?

If Your Majesty doesn't keep his word,

it shall be the death of me

All right

His Majesty the King!

Why did you do it?

You're my brother-in-law Why did you conspire against me?

Answer me

Your humble servant remembers the King

who always put the benefit of the people before all

But you're no longer the King I swore to serve

Deafened by corrupt officials and blinded by wicked women,

you've become nothing but a tyrant

How dare you, in the presence of His Majesty?

So, what did you do?

Did you plot treason?

No, my Lord! Never!

Did you round up a militia?

I would never dream of such things

Then, what did you do?

I pleaded that you open your ears

I called out that you listen

Punish me with death, Your Majesty

You called out

That's all?

Release him Sire, it cannot be done

The man is guilty of treason What treason?

Minister, can you declare with a clear conscience

that your intentions are purer than this man?

Step forward if you dare say so

Release him

for he is guilty of no crime

Is that how he wants to play?

Chief

Your Majesty

I would like to be alone for a moment

But, Sire Only for a moment

Retire to your quarters, Captain

It's against the laws of the Court

The laws of the Court are above the King?

Your Highness, Yu Jeong-ho was released

What they say about His Majesty must be true

He laughs more

and at night, focuses only on state affairs

Your Highness?

With Your Highness' permission, I shall retire

What brings you here, my Lord?

Don't you find it amusing?

I do, my Lord

Yet, you do not smile

Your Majesty

What in Heaven's name?

Sire?

Why did you do that?

I released Yu as I promised

I heard so

You should return the favor

I'm at your service

Give me a smile

I beg your pardon?

Smile for me once

Is it so hard? I kept my promise

Come on

Your Majesty!

I shall retire to my chamber

Were you with Her Royal Highness?

What's the matter?

Nothing, Sire

Chief Eunuch

Did you notice anything different about His Majesty?

How do you mean?

It's not just one or two things

His way of speaking and acting

Even his hands look different

Captain, you worry too much

If you'll excuse me

Captain Do seems to have sensed something

Perhaps we best tell him No

We cannot anticipate how he would react

His Majesty is coming back into consciousness

Just a few more days

Your Royal Highness

These are the words of His Majesty

Queen's complexion appears poor

Have this red bean porridge and regain your health

I heard them Leave me now

If it pleases Your Highness,

His Majesty ordered that I see you have it

and bring back the empty bowl

Chief Royal Secretary to see His Majesty

About '(u Jeong-ho

Didn't I make it clear not to interfere with state affairs?

I know

There are laws in the Court even for the Queen's siblings

But surely, King's words override...

Wretch!

Don't you know that even the King cannot act solely upon his will?

And you are not the King

You said the Court has eyes and ears everywhere

Why do you talk to me in that manner?

King's taster to see His Majesty

Let her in

Let's see

Cinnamon toffee!

Wait there, Sa-wol

Secretary, eat this

Your grace is immeasurable Go on

Suck it

Chief Secretary is leaving

Did she have the porridge?

Yes, Your Majesty

Did she have a message for me?

Tell His Majesty to come to the garden when the curfew bell sounds

for I wish to speak with him

Her Highness' message for you, Sire I see

The moon in the sky is the face of my dearest

Who cut my dearest's head and hung it up there?

When the moon comes up I gaze upon it

What do you think?

Excellent, Your Majesty

What about you, Captain?

It's befitting the laws of the Court

And you, Chief?

Who do you refer to as 'moon'?

I cannot tell you

Perhaps it's best not to recite it

But two people say it's good Yes?

Still, it may not be best to...

Sa-wol Yes, Your Majesty

Tonight's snack is dried persimmons, your favorites

I shall leave it all for you

Your grace is immeasurable

Chief, you shall not retire to your quarters tonight

for I will stay up to read

Yes, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, it's the curfew bell

All right

Eunuch Jo, I thought you were on my side

On second thought, it is not a bad idea

Your Majesty

Wait here

Do you remember what you said to me

on the day I became Princess Consort?

Well...

Of course you forgot It's been so long

You held my hand and told me

that you would stay by my side

until the end of days

I can still hear your voice

It's called 'Face of My Dearest'

The moon in the sky is the face of my dearest

Who cut my dearest's head and hung it up there?

Alas, how much it must hurt! She smiles not

When the moon comes up I gaze upon it

wondering if it is my dearest

What do you think?

How dare you?

Stand back, Your Highness

This man is not His Majesty Captain!

You may have fooled the Secretary and Eunuch Jo

But you cannot fool me Withdraw the sword

How dare you draw your blade upon the King?

If this man is the King, I shall bite this blade

It is indeed my Lord the King!

Do you believe that I would not recognize my King?

Your Majesty, I have a small red birthmark on my body

Where is it?

On your left bosom

Lower that sword at once How dare you?

Will you have me reveal my bosom?

Punish me with death, Your Majesty

I shall pay for my sins with my life

Long live my King!

I'll fetch the court ladies

Madam

Captain! Captain!

Finish this porridge and come for your sword

What?

These are the words of His Majesty

Tell me what your sins are

Drawing a sword upon Your Majesty's royal person

Wrong

Daring to suspect Your Majesty Wrong again

King's personal guard who must protect me with his life

bit on the blade to take his own life

If that does not consist treason, what would?

I don't care how many times you draw the sword at my neck

But you must live in order for me to live

Don't you understand how important your life is?

How did the porridge taste?

Sweet and delicious

You must live to be able to taste

This sword,

you shall only draw it for me alone

Remember that

Do you think he fell for it?

He is a man to be reckoned with

Sire

How long was I here?

A fortnight by tomorrow, Your Majesty

What is that?

It's poppy, Your Majesty

It's the poison that clouded your mind

Your Majesty

Who would do such a thing?

It was Court Lady Ahn

Minister Park Chung-seo was behind this?

Yes, Your Majesty

What an evil man!

I'll prepare for your return at once and reveal their atrocious crimes

No

There is no need for rush But, Sire

The Court is in the hands of Park Chung-seo

An ill-prepared attack would only backfire

After all, it wasn't poison

Let's take care of the double first

What is the matter?

You care for him now?

No, Sire

You can't spare the lowly thing who sat on the throne

We beg Your Majesty to take heed

Your Majesty

As long as the daughter of a Northerner remains the Queen

plots of treason shall not cease

Are you suggesting that my Queen is the root of treason?

In the center of all conspiracies were the relatives of the Queen

Your Majesty must uphold the laws of the Court

Are you telling me that ditching the Queen like a dog

would be the law of the Court?

Your Majesty

You made a promise that you would depose the Queen

and make the concubine who carries a royal heir new Queen

Grant your royal permission

Grant your royal permission

We beg Your Majesty to take heed

I shall depose the Queen as you advise me

However,

if the Queen must be deposed for not being Westerners like you

I shall depose myself as well

since I'm not a Westerner myself

Withdraw your command, Your Majesty

Withdraw your command, Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Withdraw your command! Your Majesty!

I beg Your Majesty to take heed Your Majesty

We beg Your Majesty to take heed

Get out of my way

Tread on our backs if you must Your Majesty

Tread on our backs, Your Majesty

Your Majesty Your Majesty

Your Majesty Your Majesty Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Where are you going?

I don't know

Please stop

We'll still be within the walls of the Court

Leave this palace, Madam

You can hide for a while then leave

I'm the King I can do as I wish

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

No one passes this gate, understood?

But, the laws of the Court

I'm counting on you

Why are you doing this?

Madam Why have pity on me?

Do you feel sorry now that my end is coming?

Return to your quarters

You said I promised!

That I would stay by your side

until the end of days

That I would never let go of your hand

Don't make me cry, my Lord

What do you mean there are two kings?

Did you see with your own eyes?

Yes, my Lord

I see

If one is an imposter

what will happen if one of them disappears?

First of all, we'll make sure which is the real King

Did you look into it?

On the 3rd and 6th when the King was out on a night trip

night snack was served in the King's quarters

Are you certain of it?

It's recorded in the journal and I checked with the matron

Good work

Did you hear the horrid rumors

that His Majesty is not the real King?

Also, the scar on His Majesty's chest seems to have disappeared

Is Lady Jeong there?

I shall get going Please stay

Get in the bed, Your Majesty

I must go see about an urgent matter

You are my dear husband before you're my King

It's the will of the Heavens that husband and wife unite

Please take off your robe

Queen, no! You can't!

You mustn't do this

Madam Madam Please

Madam

Reveal your identity

What do you mean? I'm the 15th King of Joseon

Do you wish to be dead?

Leave at once

Do you believe you'll live when the King returns?

Screams will fill the Court again

and I shall one day be deposed

Your lowly body shall be thrown in some river

Where is the King?

Forgive me, Your Highness This is the command of the King

Holding his whereabouts in secret, having an imposter take his place

And saving my brother? All of it was the King's wish?

Or was it yours, Secretary?

Your Highness

Please turn a blind eye to it for a few more days

What will happen when this is over?

To the man that looks like the King

The Queen knows about it

She said that I shall be killed

That if the officials let me live, the King shall have me killed

You should've run Why did you come back?

I remembered the promise

Take this

20 more silver coins as I promised

I ask you if my life is worth less than that of a chicken

Shut up and listen

Leave the Court tomorrow at the darkest hour of the night

You have never seen me nor spoken to me

This is the royal creed for tomorrow's conference

Just tell them to do as they see fit

That will be your last mission as the King's stand-in

Sire Sa-wol to see His Majesty

I have a favor for you, Secretary

I promised her that I would find her mother

Please see to the matter on my behalf

Sa-wol

Take it

It's no longer of use for me

Go on

Find her mother and get her back to her

This is not a favor

but my last royal command to you

Sa-wol

It's a cinnamon sweet

Put it in your mouth and slip it in the porridge

My Lady, what's in the sweet?

I don't know

All I know is that if you don't do it

it'll be the death of you and me

I heard it was you that ordered the release of my brother

Why did you do it?

Why did you go out of your way?

I thought if I did, I could make you smile

A bright smile on your face

I'll leave the palace tomorrow night when the moon is at its highest

I don't care if you stay in the Court or get thrown out

Please stay alive

Including 45,000 silver coins

70 tributes in 13 categories prepared for the Imperial Palace of Ming

I propose Your Majesty to bestow 8 pounds of gold upon the envoy

What a splendid idea!

Do as you see fit

As for troop dispatch I propose 500 horses

3,000 archers and 1,000 cavalrymen

to be included in the troop of 20,000 soldiers

Pulling 20,000 soldiers could make the northern borders vulnerable

This country only exists because of Ming Dynasty

Even if we get treaded over by the savages

it is only right to pay our respect to the Emperor of Ming

Grant your royal permission, Your Majesty

Grant your royal permission

Do as you see fit

Next is the tribute for Grand Empress Dowager

40 court ladies

150 rolls of beige fine ramie, 150 rolls of white fine ramie

- 60 sable furs and silk - Enough! Enough!

Whose country is this?

What?

Even if we get treaded over by the savages?

If you fancy the Emperor of Ming so much

why don't you hand over this entire country to him?

- Your Majesty! - Shame on you

Fine! I shall dispatch 20,000 soldiers to Ming

But at the same time, I shall write to Jin

Write down my words

I dispatched 20,000 soldiers to Ming in fear of the Emperor

but I have no wish to fight Jin

I ask of the good King of Jin to return my soldiers unharmed

How can you turn your back on our diplomatic policy

and reach out to the savages?

Just how important is state policy

that we must force our good people to fight someone else's war?

As the King that people refer to as their husband

I may steal and take from them

but I shall not drive them to death

To me, my country and my people are hundred folds more precious

than the virtues of state policy

Let's see

This porridge tastes better than ever

I shall never forget this taste

Sa-wol

Why do you cry, child?

Sa-wol?

Long live my King

Sa-wol, Sa-wol

Sa-wol

Please put the child down Is anyone there?

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

You must live

Is anyone there?

- Anyone out there? - Your Majesty

Sa-wol

Bring her back

Tell me, child

Who gave you poison?

Tell me

I'm the King

Your Majesty

Punish me with death

I was instigated by Constable Lee

He said that if I didn't do it he'll have us killed

He made me do it Punish me with death

Captain Do Yes, Your Majesty

Have the Constable arrested and brought to me

Your Majesty If he resists, execute him

Yes, Your Majesty

You killed her

No, Your Majesty I was framed

Let's see how long you'll be saying that

We'll all be sent to the death row

That man is not the King

How can the King of Joseon desire to befriend the savages?

Whether he is the King or not we cannot let him do this

Who put him on that throne?

How can he treat us like this?

The King is not the King?

You expect me to believe that?

Prime Minister

Do you remember the scar on His Majesty's chest?

From the arrow he was hit by during the Japanese Invasion?

Tell us what you saw

Isn't she the King's maid?

I haven't seen that scar for weeks

How do you mean?

Can you bet your life on that?

How can I tell lies here?

How can this be?

Bring me the Chief Scholar Is anyone there?

Park Chung-seo got the officials together

They'll strike with guards any minute

Take off the royal robe and leave

No

Until now, I've lived as a lowly man

but I shall not move an inch before I avenge Sa-wol's death

Then, you should become a real king

Should you wish to avenge her death

and bring justice upon those that suck on people's blood

A king that serves his people like the Heaven

If that's the king you wish to be,

I shall make it happen

I...

I wish to be King

Go to the Royal Secretariat

and bring me the journal for the last fortnight

Steal it! Take it from their hands if you must

Go, Your Majesty

Make haste, Sire

You told Sa-wol to stay alive

Dying in a robe is a death all the same

Run

Run for your life

Stand back

You're in presence of the King

Step aside, Secretary!

We're not here to rise against the King

but to bring down an imposter

How dare you speak of such a thing?

We shall see whether he is the real King or not

- Chief Royal Guard - Yes, sir

Pull the traitor out of there

His Majesty the King!

How dare you?

Exercise due courtesy for your King

Sitting on the throne must have made you crazy

Who are you calling an imposter?

I'm the King

Are you really?

If he is indeed the King, he'll have a scar on his chest

If not, he is an imposter

Isn't that true, Secretary?

Take off his robe

How dare you insult me like this?

I shall have your head

Your Majesty

Should you wish to avenge Sa-wol's death

and bring justice upon those that suck on people's blood

A king that serves his people like the Heaven

If that's the king you wish to be,

I shall make it happen

I wish to be King

But if being King means

taking others' lives to save mine

I shall not have it

I shall dream my own dreams

I served two kings

This is the Royal Secretariat's journal of the last fortnight

Please review it

If you judge that I've been disloyal, take this servant's head

Have all magistrates open their repositories

and return all rice and linen back to the people

to have uniform land tax law enforced immediately

I may steal and take from them

but I shall not drive them to death

To me, my country and my people are hundred folds more precious

than the virtues of state policy

Do you doubt me even with this scar?

Your Majesty!

Punish us with death, Your Majesty!

Round up the traitors

Royal command shall be upheld

Stop

Go

You'll find a port at the end of the path

Make haste

Don't look back

Step aside

I'm here on royal command

I abide by the laws of the Court

If you intend to hurt him,

you must kill me first

Captain, that man is an imposter

He is not the real King

Maybe not to you

But to me, he is the real King

In August of the following year

Chief Royal Secretary, Heo Gyun, was executed on charges of treason

5 years later, King Gwanghae was deposed with a coup

Gwanghae is the only king in the history of Joseon

who imposed tax only on landowners

and confronted Ming Dynasty to protect his people

A CHOO CHANG-MIN Film