Original subtitles

[Episode 1]

What is your business?

I came from Hwaeomsan to see the sheriff.

You don't look familiar.

Are you here alone? What about the others?

They will arrive soon.

How much gold will these yield?

Enough to fill a money chest, I'm sure.

Oh, yes.

However...

What?

Workers are dying from intense labor.

They're suffering from injuries and an epidemic.

They are criminals.

Hard labor is their punishment to bear,

so why must I be concerned with them?

Do you truly not hear the cries

of the people suffering

from a corrupt official's extortion?

What? A corrupt official?

How dare you!

Here comes the royal secret agent!

What?

- Where? Where is he? - It's the royal secret agent!

Where's the royal secret...

Here I am. A royal secret agent.

So, tell me.

What did you do with all that abundant amount of gold?

You!

Tell the truth!

Who are you?

You covered your face, so you must not be a man of honor.

It's you.

[One month later]

Your Majesty, the secret agent system must be abolished.

For what reason?

The royal secret agent is an outdated system.

Recently, it has become difficult for the royal agents to maintain cover.

And moreover, some royal agents have revealed their secret identities

and are taking bribes.

The royal agents have acted as my eyes and ears,

and given me a chance to listen to my subjects' hardships.

Moreover, they exposed corrupt officials,

rescuing and comforting my subjects from misery.

Do you still say it is unnecessary?

We will do that for you.

Your Majesty, do you not trust us?

Dispatching secret agents is my prerogative.

Do not interfere.

Your Majesty, rumor has it

that Head Special Advisor Park Cheolgyu was killed

after being dispatched as a royal secret agent.

Send no more agents and prevent the loss of innocent lives.

Similar incidents occurred in the previous generation,

but the late king never stopped dispatching secret agents.

Park Cheolgyu was caring for 3 children and his widowed mother.

Who will look after them now?

Your Majesty! I beg your kindness.

- We beg your kindness, Your Majesty! - We beg your kindness, Your Majesty!

I have sent someone out into town.

I will be getting information soon, so let's give it some time.

Who gave you permission to send a man?

I ordered him.

Why? Do I not have the authority?

This is not my night.

Five brass coins.

You know how to scare people.

I fold.

Oh, I fold too.

Born empty handed, die empty handed.

I will see your five coins and raise you ten more.

While we are at it,

how about we raise the stakes?

I will see your ten coins

and raise you ten more.

I'm getting a bad feeling for some reason.

Fine.

I'm going all-in.

Eunuch Kim, are you sure?

I'm tired.

In that case...

Born empty handed, die empty handed, no?

This is why I like you. Very straightforward.

Oh, stop it.

Let us do this.

Do you have two tens?

Then take it. I have...

Two nines.

Wait, please.

Give me one more chance.

What chance? You're out of money.

Can you please give me a small cut?

Lord Seong, why are you being so clingy?

You said, "Born empty handed, die empty handed."

This has happened too many times!

Must you clean us out all the time?

What kind of joy do you think I have in my life?

This is all I get.

Do not embarrass me and stand up.

Eunuch Kim, what is your secret?

My secret...

After I lost my manhood,

I also lost fear.

That may be my secret.

I apologize.

No need.

You! Make some noise when you come in.

Did you hear the news?

News? What news?

Actually,

it seems something happened to the Head of Special Advisor.

But the Head of Special Advisor is a royal secret...

Be careful with what you say.

Everyone already knows this. Why make a fuss?

Tell us more.

Apparently, he has not reported for a month.

What could be the reason?

I sincerely hope we meet again.

He was a great man.

Every royal agent has been killed.

Did you witness it for yourself?

Why are you attacking me?

Lord Seong, calm yourself.

I will see you again soon.

Did I win too much money?

Sir, you're back.

Did you win any money tonight?

You lost again?

Let's have some dinner.

Sir, I have something to show you.

Please come inside.

Sir, there's a fantastic new book out.

Fantastic?

Ta-da.

Erotic novels are all the same.

This one is completely different.

What's so different about it?

First of all, the plot is very shocking.

It is about a secret romance in the palace with a court lady and eunuchs,

and I mean with multiple eunuchs.

Eunuchs and a court lady?

How is that possible, you idiot!

They'd be executed by dismemberment.

That's why it's so exciting.

Think about it.

Every eunuch in the palace will die for a copy.

Eunuchs?

I hear you acquired a new novel.

The plot is quite shocking, never-before-seen.

The last one was boring and disappointing.

I will take a look.

Here.

Whoa.

How many of these do you have?

Ten volumes.

Two brass coins per volume, twenty total.

Twenty.

No thank you.

Wait, just wait for a moment.

Give me a chance to finish.

It was twenty coins, but come to think of it,

what joy would you have in life?

I will give them to you for ten coins.

Ten?

I need at least that much

to take my colleagues to a courtesan house and treat them to drinks.

Don't you think?

Fine.

Take them out.

What could the chief royal secretary Jang Taeseung have said to His Majesty?

They seem to work in perfect harmony.

Father, if Park Cheolgyu is in fact in trouble,

we must hold the chief royal secretary responsible.

He is right. Before we locate Park Cheolgyu,

we cannot continue the royal agent system.

No, we must observe for now.

What is your plan, Father?

When catching a big fish,

pulling prematurely to start a tug of war

will only help the fish break free.

But if you wait until the fish grows weak...

The fish will jump into your basket, demanding to be eaten.

I have a special event planned for you tonight.

You do?

Come in.

Have you heard?

There's a new courtesan named Honglang,

and apparently, every time she moves, she leaves a scent of opium poppies.

What do you mean? Opium poppies?

It means she totally hypnotizes people.

That was good.

Let me pour you a drink.

So, what is your name?

My name is...

Honglang, where are you? Honglang!

What is all the noise?

Forgive me. Please excuse me for a moment.

Honglang!

I will show you what fun is.

Let go of me!

Why won't you accept my heart?

Who else could love you more than I do in all of Joseon?

Fine.

If you refuse to accept my love,

I will die here.

Go ahead.

Well, Honglang...

I mean, there's no need...

I do not intend to accept your love,

so do stab yourself.

Hey! You think I can't do it?

I think you can do it.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead.

Well, I was aiming for the knife.

Lord Seong, where did you learn to do that?

For a courtesan, you are brazen.

You think you have power over a person's life?

You saved a person from killing himself,

so it seems you have that power, my lord.

- What? - You wasted your energy.

He never had the nerve to do it.

Insolence! How dare you talk back to me?

If I was presumptuous, I apologize.

However, was I the only one presumptuous?

Ha! Your high and mighty manners

tell me there is a powerful man behind you.

Tell me.

Who is he?

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

But I mean, to support me...

He must be someone higher than an assistant advisor.

Excuse me.

Why you...

Hwang Jini's beauty with Nongae's spirit...

She sure is hypnotizing.

That girl... She's Honglang?

What? "He must be someone higher than an assistant advisor?"

Where is Honglang?

Why does everyone want Honglang?

Be quiet. Go and get Honglang.

My lord, she is of another class.

High enough to look down on an assistant advisor?

Go and bring her.

We're unable to do it,

so if you are desperate to see her, get her yourself.

I need workers outside the city.

I want to buy some slaves at the market.

The market?

You mean the slave market?

But that is illegal.

Illegal...

That's true for those governed by the law.

Why do you insist on using the slave market?

That way, no one will care even if they die.

Now, enough about work. Let us enjoy our drinks.

Yes.

Who are you?

I heard of your presence and came to pay my respects.

I am Seong Igyeom, an assistant advisor of the Office of Special Advisors.

Oh, there is no need to pay me your respect here.

Enjoy yourself and go home.

Yes, Lord Kim. Please excuse me.

My lord, he came here to pay his respects to you.

Don't be so haste in sending him away.

How about pouring him a drink?

Yes, you are right.

Come here and have a drink.

Pardon me?

Yes, thank you.

Really? Good idea.

He's good!

He is quite talented.

That is enough.

Heaven was definitely on my side tonight

to have the privilege of serving you.

Your name is Honglang, you said?

That is correct.

I will return to see you.

Let us go.

Goodnight.

Goodnight. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Why don't you go home now?

Honglang!

How dare you toy with me?

You had all the fun, so what do you mean?

What?

Stop right there!

Where are you going?

Come back here!

Hey! How dare you? Let go of me!

I refuse to be humiliated like this!

Let him go.

My lord.

What is this?

This way.

My lord, tonight is not the only night.

It is late so do come back another night.

And I will serve you all night long.

All... Night long?

So, goodnight for now.

Why that wicked girl...

So what did you hear tonight?

Is there a slave market in town?

A slave market?

Yes, Kim Byeonggeun said he needs slave workers outside the city.

Outside the city?

For what purpose?

That... I did not hear.

A scoundrel interrupted.

What scoundrel?

He's an assistant advisor of the Office of Special Advisors.

An assistant advisor...

Was it... Seong Igyeom?

Yes, it was he.

What did he do?

I was looked down for being a courtesan, so I taught him a lesson.

Indiscipline is getting to be a problem in the palace.

Keep a close eye on Kim Byeonggeun.

He is plotting something.

He will return to the courtesan house.

I will find out everything then, so do not worry.

Yes, good job.

You should return.

Haven't you forgotten anything?

What?

Since there was nothing special tonight...

This won't even cover the traveling expenses.

The amount of information was never an issue.

You can't keep doing this.

Don't be greedy when you have nowhere to spend it.

I do have places to spend money.

You can do anything with money.

Enough?

You can be very petty sometimes.

Petty?

How dare you say such a thing?

Dain, haven't I taught you manners?

There you go again.

I'm leaving.

You are back.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I found this at the place Park Cheolgyu was staying.

What is this?

It was the journal he kept for seogye and byeoldan.

[Seogye: A report the official writes after fulfilling the king's order]

[Byeoldan: A local civil affairs report, which includes the names of residents]

A journal?

Kang Inchung, the sheriff of this place, has been overtaxing the residents.

Those who are unable to pay the taxes

must send their children to do hard labor or sell them as slaves.

Many have grown used to the sheriff's tyranny and extortion.

His maddening tyranny must be put to stop.

Find me a new royal secret agent quickly.

I need someone new and reliable.

Moreover, he mustn't be connected to the local government officials.

Your wish is my command, Your Majesty.

Oh, you are alive!

Where did you go last night?

Did you enjoy a passionate night with Honglang?

A passionate night?

Lord Seong, is that true?

Don't even start.

That girl, Honglang, totally toyed with me.

Toyed...

It was that good?

Tell us more.

Oh, let us not talk about it.

Why not?

Why not? Tell us!

What happened?

I will give you two coins.

Yes, please.

Honglang was...

Of another class.

Another class?

How so?

Welcome. What are you looking for?

I am looking for a man.

I hear you are one of the best in the field.

I just go lurk around asking people questions

and gather bits and pieces of useful information.

So, who are you looking for?

I want to find

a man who worked in Seonjeonkwan.

In Seonjeonkwan...

That will be 50 coins.

What did you say?

Fifty coins for finding a man?

I must look into the government records for this.

And they are top secret documents to which only chroniclers have access to.

I will need to bribe a chronicler for information, no?

Fine. How long do you need?

Five days will be enough.

I will pay you the rest when you get me the information.

There is no one, not a single man.

[Assistant Royal Guard Choi Dogwan]

Of all the men in the government,

there is not a single man.

A special person always appears at the most unexpected place,

so why not take a step back and widen your search?

Yes.

I should go.

There is an officer working this late?

I fold.

I also fold.

Me also.

You cannot all fold.

And let us try smiling.

We're doing this for entertainment, no?

Stop talking and start dealing.

Put them back in here.

Hurry up and pick.

By the way, did you hear the rumor about the search for a new royal agent?

Whoever it may be, he is an unlucky bastard.

What if you end up being picked?

Me?

Ten coins for me.

The chief royal secretary is not mad.

They only pick the cleanest and the most inflexible men

to be the royal secret agents.

I will see your ten coins and...

I'm going all-in.

I fold.

I also fold.

I am getting a bad feeling.

Fine. Born empty handed, die empty handed, right?

I'm also going all-in.

I am getting a feeling of deja vu.

A royal secret agent should have a mind as crafty as yours,

don't you agree?

True.

Here comes a crafty man.

Two nines.

If you have two tens, take them.

You look pale.

Do you have two eights?

Oh, he has two eights!

I did it, I did it!

I did it.

I offer my congratulations.

Guard Choi.

Yes.

Take these men to the Royal Investigation Bureau.

Yes, Lord Jang!

Come with me!

Now!

No...

It was my first win... Dang it.

Here are the reports on Seong Igyeom you've requested.

He is from Chungcheong-do, and his father Seong Yongjae

resigned from his chief position of the Office of Censors

and taught students at a school in his hometown.

Holding the position of the chief censor of the Office of Censors

means he had both knowledge and experience.

Ten years ago...

Prince Hwiyeong might have been the reason why.

Many government officials were persecuted

because of their connection to Prince Hwiyeong.

Does he have any other family members?

His wife was ill and died giving birth to their son Seong Igyeom.

And he has a half-brother

who is a low ranking official at a government office.

Seong Igyeom currently lives alone in Hanyang with a servant.

Shall I search his home?

There is no need.

I think I found the man.

The promotion evaluation is near, so this is a tragedy.

I used to never gamble.

How about me?

I lived my whole life in abstinence.

Just who asked me to do this?

Be glad we are not in solitary confinement.

Corruption within the palace means aggravated punishment.

You knew that and still got us involved?

Eunuch Kim! You won the most money!

He is right!

Eunuch Kim!

Criminal Seong Igyeom, come out.

Did you call for me?

Assistant Advisor Seong Igyeom.

Yes.

You're a little rascal.

I will pay for my sins.

Do you admit your sins?

I have neither a sponsor nor connections, so what else could I do?

I must pay for it on my own.

Fine.

I will send you outside the palace.

Pay for your sins by becoming a royal secret agent.

Pardon? A royal secret agent?

Quiet.

I am not the right man for it.

The decision is not up to you.

Lock him up in solitary for now.

- Yes, Sir. - Yes, Sir.

But...

How can I send a man like him as my agent?

I served as a proctor of the state exam a few years ago.

There was an answer sheet that moved me.

When you read the answer,

you did not hesitate from giving the highest mark.

What was it about?

It was a passionate critique on the corrupt and disloyal officials.

Do you remember?

Yes... I do.

It deserved the highest mark.

Seong Igyeom was the man who wrote it.

Is that true?

But... how did such a promising young man change so much?

I do not know the reason,

but I do think it might be impossible to find a man

who is perfect.

Seong Igyeom is in jail, so even if he disappeared,

no one will find out he was dispatched as a royal secret agent.

What do you need me to do?

Open your eyes.

I will listen so talk.

Insolence! Show proper respect!

Lift your head.

You look familiar...

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

You and I share the same fate.

Pardon me? I do not understand...

I may be king,

but I am imprisoned.

Those who say they're my loyal servants have covered my eyes and ears.

They wish for me to remain oblivious to what is happening in the world.

The only people I can trust in this palace

are the chief royal secretary and my secret agents.

Will you be my eyes and ears?

Your Majesty!

I am but a lowly man.

I dare not be your eyes and ears.

Give me your trust.

I will give you the power you need.

Free him.

Your Majesty!

From this moment on, you are my royal secret agent.

Your Majesty...

I will give you three days until your dispatch.

Recuperate and sort your affairs,

but no one outside must know about this.

Return home and read this.

That is Park Cheolgyu's journal.

Oh, man.

I met a courtesan named Sawol and learned something new.

Dongsu... Dongsu...

I have decided to postpone my appearance

and investigate further.

What did Park Cheolgyu learn from the courtesan?

Chief Royal Secretary.

I hear you have your hands full.

Thank you for your concern.

Did you find a man to be the next royal agent?

It is not an easy task.

I am sure.

If there is no other, why not take the job yourself?

I would love to, but who will look after His Majesty?

Are you implying I and other officials are not looking after His Majesty?

Oh, if it sounded like that, I apologize.

Please do not misunderstand.

Haven't you hear the rumors?

That you send the men His Majesty trusts as royal agents

to secure your own position.

That is not true.

People's lives are growing harder,

but the government is preoccupied with the royal agent issue.

I am concerned about where the blame will fall.

You must show your concern for the people

at the courtesan's house as well.

I have work to do, so please excuse me.

Why that...

The courtesan house? How did he know?

Keep an eye on Chief Royal Secretary

and find how whom he meets and who visits his house.

Yes, Father.

Are you in?

Did you find the person?

I must be at the wrong place.

I will come back another time.

Cease her.

Why are you doing this?

What is happening?

I think you have the wrong person.

Please let me talk to the Chief Royal Secretary.

I have something to tell him.

Be quiet!

Just a moment, please.

I have a favor to ask.

Please tell the Chief Royal Secretary

that Dain is in jail.

I really shouldn't.

That's more expensive than you think.

I am a royal secret agent.

I am Seong Igyeom, a royal secret agent.

That sounds wrong.

You fool!

Do you know who I am?

Me? You're asking about me?

I am a royal secret agent.

This is maddening. A royal secret agent...

Have you no fear?

How dare you try to look at the records by bribing a chronicler?

Come with me.

Hostess!

Go and get Honglang!

Oh, geez.

Honglang, Honglang.

Oh, that darn Honglang.

If you keep this up, I must report you to the government office.

What? Report me?

Unbelievable.

Do you know who I am?

How would I know that?

I am!

It's a secret.

I know who he is. He is a madman.

Sir, I've been looking everywhere for you.

Chunsam.

Oh, you reek.

Just how much did you drink?

Stand up. We must go.

We must.

What?

Wait.

You must pay first.

Chunsam.

Yes, sir.

Thank you. I've done nothing for you,

but you're always good to me.

Don't mention it, sir.

All I ask for is to serve one master

until the day I die.

Wherever you go,

I will be with you.

So I was thinking, Chunsam.

Yes?

I am a royal secret agent.

A royal secret agent?

Yes.

Now you are a part of the royal agent's entourage.

Do you mean I will be leaving with you?

That is correct.

The royal agent's entourage...

I have always dreamed

of escaping this tiresome servant's life

and living a new one!

But you just said you...

A servant! A servant!

But now I'm a part of the royal agent's entourage.

Isn't that just wonderful?

Park Chunsam is in the royal agent's entourage.

Are you that happy?

Of course. It's fantastic.

Make way!

Here comes the royal secret agent!

If Lady Sunae knew about this, she would be happy.

Sunae...

What did you just say?

I did not say Sunae.

No, no, no!

How dare he.

Are you out of your mind?

Why did you do such a thing?

I want to avenge the death of my parents for they were innocent.

That will only put your life at risk.

Leave this place tomorrow.

Pardon me? Leave?

A royal secret agent will be dispatched tomorrow morning.

Join the royal agent's entourage and take part in his secret mission.

Sir, how can I support the royal agent when I am a woman?

That is why I am sending you.

It is something only you can do so go with him and help him.

It's something only I can do?

What will I get in return?

Are you trying to make a deal with me?

Fine. How much do you want this time?

The man I'm looking for...

please find out who the official was.

[Seonjeonkwan: Government officials that deliver king's orders]

How dare you!

Chunsam? Is that you?

Sir? Sir? Sir!

Chunsam! Chunsam!

Sir, sir!

Sir, are you hurt?

I'm fine. How about you?

I'm fine too.

But what is going on?

Chunsam is dying here!

Stop crying.

Chunsam!

Stop crying, Park Chunsam!

Calm down.

There is only one way we can get out.

We must find the door.

The door?

Chunsam, stand up.

Use your body to feel things.

Feel things? Feel things.

Up and down.

Right and left.

Who's there?

My foot!

This is the door.

Come this way.

Where? Where?

Sir? Sir!

It's me, Chunsam.

Chunsam, Chunsam.

Back up.

Now, we much charge full speed towards the door.

Yes, got it.

- One, two, three! - One, two, three!

Are you still here?

You are still here?

You coward.

We will do this for real this time.

One!

Two!

- Three! - Three!

What was that sound?

I am not sure.

Was it a thunder?

Pardon me?

Let us go.

Sir, sir, we are out!

Who are they?

They're nobodies. Don't worry about them.

You messed with the wrong man!

The man here is the royal secret agent!

I am the royal secret agent!

You!

That is the royal secret agent?

How dare you!

Cowards!

No.

Go.

Who's there?

You cowards!

You!

His Majesty warned you not to reveal your identity!

I hear you drank at the tavern during midday

and caused a scene at the market.

That was why I ordered you to be apprehended and locked in the shed.

I apologize, sir.

Had this happened while you were dispatched as a royal agent,

you could have put

His Majesty in danger on top of your life, can't you see that?

I deserve to be put to death.

No, sir.

This is my fault for not looking after my master properly.

Please put me to death.

What could I accomplish by killing you?

One more person will join you on your secret mission.

You leave at dawn. Go home.

She left the Chief Royal Secretary's house and went to the courtesan house?

Did you see who it was?

It was the courtesan who came out to see you off last time.

She saw you off?

That was Honglang.

She must have acted as a spy.

Bring her here in the morning.

Yes, sir!

Make way! Make way!

Make way! Make way!

Bring out all the courtesans inside!

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Wait!

Have you seen the courtesan named Honglang?

I have not.

Stop right there!

What is this about?

You may fool my eyes,

but you cannot fool my noise.

Honglang.

Get her!

[Open and read after passing Namdaemun]

Where you must go and what you must do are written in detail inside.

And there will be a person waiting for you at the gate.

Who is it?

At least give me the name.

The name is Hong Dain.

Hong... Dain?

From this moment on, you are a royal secret agent.

Do not forget your duty.

Yes, Lord Jang.

Make way!

Clear the way!

Sir, the man named Hong Dain must be running late.

Insolence... How dare he make the royal secret agent wait?

Sir, that must be him. Over there.

So he must know that he's late.

Are you the man the Chief Royal Secretary sent?

Yes, I am Hong Dain...

The scoundrel?

What? Scoundrel?

You look very...

It's you! Honglang?

So, you are the royal secret agent?

You... You!

There she is. Get her!

[Royal Secret Agent]

This is the place.

It seems nothing special.

We'll find out after investigating.

Who is that?

You don't know the Junior Police Chief?

What is "Junior Chief"?

He's the son of the Chief of Police.

In this city, the Junior Chief of Police is king.

Special Counsel investigates father and son.

They must be hiding something.

I need concrete evidence.

You learned something from Sa-wol?

You're Sa-wol, right?

When he saw the son of the Chief of Police, he shivered with fear and ran away.

There must be a reason.