At the 8th year of King GwangHae, rumors of treason whispered around the palace.
So the king said "Find someone who look just like me, after sunset I'll put him in the king's chamber."
"Don't leave any trails of this on the king's diary" -King GwangHae diary 28th of Feb-
-GwangHae-
Drink this.
Drink it.
I said! DRINK IT!!
My king! Just have me killed!
Have us killed.
The chief secretary has arrived.
What on earth is going on?
The silver spoon turned black!
I shall have my chamber moved immediately.
My king, in times like this,
you should calm down and watch close to your surroundings.
Why do you always say that?!
If you do move your chamber,
that's exactly what 'they' want us to do.
Please my king, reconsider your decision.
Come closer.
All of you, stand back.
How did it go?
I'm sorry my king but not yet...
Hurry! Find someone... looking just like me.
I cannot trust anyone.
Not anyone.
Please my king, reconsider your decision.
My king, can you not hear them?
Please commence the execution of Yoo Jong Ho.
Please commence us.
That's inappropriate my king.
If we punish someone just because the one is suspicious,
unnecessary personal appeals will occur and make the situation more confusing.
Watch your words chief secretary.
How could you say the loyal retainer appeals unnecessary?
We have far more important things on our hands rather than rumors of treason.
What could possibly be more important things to do than revealing treason?!
My king, you sould execute Yoo Jon Ho without any mercy.
That's inappropriate my king, it's not too late to execute him after the investigation.
Yoo Jon Ho is a dangerous man! Please give us the order my king.
The king will be present!
My king!
Yoo Jon Ho has conspired treason aginst the dynasty.
You cannot delay the execution any longer!
Please my king, reconsider your decision.
My king! If you must pass, please step on our back to pass!
Please do so, my king.
After all, they really want my last living brother to be killed.
My queen.
I think this is not going to end,
unless I'm dead.
The king will be present!
The king gently climb over the wall and...
opens the door to seeks his lover Hong Jin.
Hong Jin.
Where are you Hong Jin?
There! She's hiding right here!
Let's have a look. Let's have a look.
Come, come out. That's right!
Oh my gosh!
Let's have another look.
Oh my gosh! She is so fit down there!
Looks like somebody is going to be lucky tonight!
My king, how come you visit me so suddenly without any notice?
If you come so often like this, my body won't last!
He look at this talkative bitch...
and leads her deep inside the palace.
He roll off her lingeries.
There's her naked body! A fine work of art!
So the king was happy what he sees and...
To his left, bang!
To his right, bang!
Flip her and bang!
To his east, watching the sunrise, bang! Bang!
To his west watching the sunset, bang! Bang!
Here bang! There bang!
All night long bang! Bang!
Remove the bag.
Sir! It's nonsense to think the king is shagging a women from retainer's family.
No way, it's absolute nonsense.
-On your feet. -What?
By the way...
Who are you sir?
Now you listen carefully to what I'm about to say...
You will be taken to meet the king himself.
What?
When the king asks you anyting you will answer to him "Yes, my king."
And if your answer happends to be a bit longer,
you will start with saying "I am much obliged to answer."
You will not have questions.
You will not dare to see the king's face.
Do I make myself clear?
Prepare to take him to the palace.
You fool.
Rise your head.
Repeat after me.
"Is anyone out there?"
Yes, my king.
I told you to repeat after me.
Yes, my king.
You fool!
Is that all you can say?
I am much obliged to answer.
Repeat after me.
Is anyone out there?
I told you to repeat after me.
You fool!
Is that all you can say?
You're quite good.
He was a clown at the prostitute house.
He read the primary teachings, at least he is not an illiterate.
Repeat after me.
Is anyone out there?
Yes, my king.
Do you wish to bring in the night snacks my king?
I do so.
Yes, my king.
Bring the night snack.
Bring'em a lot.
Oh my god...
If you visit here this often,
the queen will be furious.
Is this okay for you?
I can't help it.
You're the only one can make me fall a sleep comfortably.
On your feet.
Welcome back, sir.
Time for you to leave.
Once in 3 days when the curfew bell rings,
wait at the west gate.
You must not late.
I'm sure you know what will happend...
if you go around telling the tales of tonight.
You got the right guy!
Follow me by looking only at my heel.
Be very careful on your way back.
3rd hit.
Sir, don't do this to me.
He was had up due to talking obscene jokes at the prostitute house.
No. No. We had no idea that obscene jokes can be a crime.
You, Yang-ban, do more dirty jokes! Don't you guys?
How dare you!
Go for 4th hit!
4th hit!
I'm gonna kill the one who grassed me!
-Go for 5th hit! -5th hit!
Hold on a second.
Does it hurt?
I'm begging you. Let me go. Let me go.
I just heard there's a new young prostitute at the house right?
So what do you say? Exchange her for your release.
Sir, that's not really up to me.
Smash him!
Sir! Sir! Don't do this to me!
Take your time.
You said you are from Jun Joo?
Yes.
How old are you?
I'm 15.
I'm terribly sorry.
I miss...
my mother.
Not a single chicken is dead.
If there were any poison,
even a small amount will killed the chicken immediately.
If it's not a poison,
how can you explain the silver spoon turning black?
Recently, the royal kitchen used the bamboo salt instead of normal salt.
Bamboo salt you say.
Yes.
The bamboo salt contains irons, that changed the color of the silver spoon.
Your humble servent Heo Gyun,
begging to his king to change his decision.
Stop right there if this is about Yoo Jong Ho.
I'm sorry my king but...
he is not the kind of person who will plot a treason.
Stop.
I know that.
He is a loyal retainer indeed.
My brother in law. A man of integrity.
I have to at least give him up...
to earn my trust from them.
Your Excellency, there's a guy came from the royal presence.
This way sir.
I assume it's a poison.
Can he recover?
I'm sorry...
but I cannot guarantee anything at this moment.
We should prepare our nation for the sad news.
Who else know about this?
Until now, it's Jo-Negam and me.
From what I'm about to say... I will be fully responssible for it.
You two make sure this incident stays only between us.
But Your Excellency...
If the king dies,
you, the royal doctor, won't be able to live and you know it better than anyone.
If this fact is to be spread around,
the palace will be chaos.
And I'm sure the person who poisoned the king wants that.
So, we all say the king is just having a flu.
Sang Sun, you should tell Do Boo Jang to bring the clown to the palace.
You should move the king to the Gil temple.
Make no mistake. This facts can never be known to the others.
Until we find who did all this.
Until the king is cured.
How come you want me so suddenly? It's not the promised day.
Is the king going to some place fancy?
Even after you get your ass smashed. Wasn't that a lesson for you?
You what?
So it was you who grassed me??
Well, good on you.
I made joke about the king, so I well deserve to die.
Yeah, I'm sure that judge,
who took 15 years old girl's verginity is so innocent.
But that girl hasn't done anything to deserve this!
What... I...
I haven't said anything wro...
I told you to watch your mouth.
It was... the pit of the stomach!
It's me, Do Boo Jang.
The King wishes to stay in his chamber.
You better go rest.
After the king is done with him, I'll personaly take him out of palace.
No violent! You twat!
Where's the king?
He's sick.
My goodness, is he okay?
Is he seriously sick?
You'll have to took the king role for a while.
What do you mean by 'a while'?
Nothing to worry. You'll just have to do what I told you to do.
No. I don't want to.
You fool! It's for your nation!
I don't know of such thing.
It's my life on the stake.
No way. I'm not doing this.
That's 20 silver coins. When you're done, I'll give you double.
No, thank you.
I won't risk my neck for money.
I'm not insane.
For the nation you said?
Help my country. Help my self.
That's how the world works right?
I'm anxious about my country.
Oh yes,
the double, you said.
I trust that you are man of your words.
Due to the fact that king is having a flu, he won't be attending the morning meeting.
Morning meeting will be held after 3 days.
The first thing you need to know is the people close to the king.
Sang sun and Do Boo Jang you already met.
Han Sang Goong is the court lady, she is the king's closest servant.
My king, the queen wishes to meet you.
Be very careful. Palace is the place of many open eyes and ears.
I cannot even see him? Is he that seriously ill?
The king wants to...
Go tell him I personaly wishes him to meet me.
My queen...
Why? Is there another women in his bed?
It's not likely for you to bumb in to other ladies of the palace but...
watch out for the queen.
Even though you look quite like the king,
they used to sleep in one bed, she will definitely recognize you.
You are told to be unable to speak due to sore throat,
so if you have urgent questions, whisper to Sang Sun.
Hey you there...
I need to ask something...
As a matter of fact, I...
I'm sorry...
I really need to take a dump.
I couldn't find a toilet around here for two day.
Next time, just ask for MeHwatel.
Right. Right. I need them right now.
Hey you...
Why are you still here?
Get out of here.
Come on. I need to shit.
You have my felicitation, my king.
You have our felicitation my king.
Don't come closer!
What the hell are you doing now!
I said don't come closer!
Have me killed my king!
Why? Why would I kill you?
Just... get out!
GET OUT!
My... king...
GET AWAY!
When you wake up in the morning, just cough.
Then they will bring water to wash your face.
Why didn't you tell me before?
You have our felicitation my king.
Screw felicitation.
There is no toilet. just call for MeHwaTel.
I already know that, sir.
Why are they taking my 'thing' for?"
That's sent to the royal doctors.
To test the color, thickness...
even the taste.
They even taste it?
Next is the list of the royal concubine.
Wow! There's so many of them.
Hey eunuch Kim.
It's Jo, my king.
Yes, eunuch Jo.
I heard the king is sleeping with his concubine every night,
that's called Hab Goong, right?
That's not my field of expertise, so I don't know.
No, what I mean is,
what if the concubine come to my bed at night?
What should I do? I can't say no all the times yOU know?
That could make them suspicious.
Can I... do it?
What did you just say?
That was for a good laugh. Just for a laugh.
Your servent will eat some before you...
to check if the food is safe or not.
King's having meals twice a day.
He used to like rice cake and buckwheat paste for snacks.
Take'em away.
What a sumptuous meal.
I thought I have quite a big stomach,
but I guess the king must has an enormous one.
The kitchen servents eat the left over from the king's meal.
Then, what you're saying is...
they haven't eat anything today because of me?
Royal kitchen cook for the king and the king only.
That's preposterous. We all need to eat right?
No wonder they were looking at me as if I was a freakinG monster.
That... lady over there...
Who is she?
That's the queen.
Queen... That's...
Chief secretary said it is forbidden to meet the queen.
King's meeting is delayed 3 days but Yun Dae cannot.
There's only 3 things you have to say.
'Do as you wish', 'Next' and 'Come in'.
Now, you try.
Do as you wish.
I... I can't help laughing.
You!
You've heard the king's voice. Low and solemn.
Okay. Okay.
Do as you wish.
We are much obliged my king.
Next. Come in.
The most important event is the Sangcham.
Sangcham is...
a meeting with Class III retainer gather up and receive words from the king.
So, there should not be any mistake.
Yes.
To your left, front line second row.
His name is Ha Il Joo.
He willing to jump into the shit to grab a political power.
Just next to him...
Kim Jong Se.
A greedy and violent person. Once he's pissed off, he seeks to revenge it.
Lee En Sung. The one who alwayS starting his words by agreeing to Kim Jong Se.
He is the one so precarious just to stay in his position.
The only thing you have to do is just remember his name.
To your right at the very front line.
Park Chung Seo. Remember him very carefully.
Don't you see?
Do you really not see the will of our king?
He throw us a bone called Yoo Jong Ho.
While we are stuck with Yoo Jong Ho, the king never mentioned about sending troops or the De Dong Law.
His eyes are like a hawk, and cunning as a snake.
So, be very cautious.
From now on...
talk to me and Sang Sun as if we were your real servant.
What?
Keep this in mind.
There's ears and eyes everywhere in the palace.
That thing in front of you, is the scroll you should be reading at the royal meeting.
Please read them out loud.
I'm ordering you as your king.
Prepare a law bill to revive De Dong Law.
Stop! Stop!!!
You are a king, not a story teller.
Low and solemn, like a king's voice.
I'm ordering you as your king.
Ho Pan, prepare a law bill to revive De Dong Law,
Gong Pan, stop the palace construction.
If the palace is build on the tears and blood of our people, it's a big shame.
And listen Hyung Pan. I will not accuse Yoo Jong Ho for treason.
A traitor must be executed but if it's the innosent person is accused, it must be stoped.
I'm ordering all of you.
In the future, if anyone of you is responsible for baseless rumors...
that brings confusion to the palace, he will be treated as a traitor.
That's all for this morning meeting.
Yes, my king.
Preparation for the Sangcham is done, my king.
The king is going out!
The king is coming inside!
The Sangcham shall being held.
It is time for our king to read us the scroll.
My king,
I heard you had a bad flu, how are you feeling today?
I... am okay.
Inscrutable are the king's favors.
It's not the right scroll!
The king is still having sore throat.
Due to that, I will read the scroll.
Ho Pan.
Yes, my king.
Prepare a law bill to revive De Dong Law.
Hyung Pan.
Yes, my king.
You sort out and report from which province should this law start.
Yes, my king.
Listen all retainer,
I will not accuse Yoo Jong Ho for treason.
In the future, if anyone of you is responssible for baseless rumors...
that brings confusion to the palace, he will be treated as a traitor.
Carry out your orders faithfully.
That's all for this morning meeting.
Inscrutable are the king's favors.
What? Revive HoPe Law?
Start De Dong Law?
We didn't delay those laws for our treat.
It all happend after Heo Gyun became the chief secretary.
I told you all, he is treacherous, always plotting somethings.
The king demands my report. What shall I do. Damn it.
Who made this bean gruel?
I assumed you haven't fully recovered your strengh so...
I asked who made it.
That girl over there ask the royal chef to cook it, my king.
This is tasty.
Just like I used to eat when I was a child.
So... What is your name?
It's Han Sang Goong, my king.
How about you? What is your name?
Yes... Yes, my king. It's Sa Wol.
Age?
I'm 15, my king.
Fifteen...
This is enough for today. Take'em out.
What are you waiting for? The king said take them out.
Yes.
I haven't taste a fresh steam rice for days!
Eat them while you can.
We'll never know when the king finds his appetite back.
Ma'am, don't you notice anything different about the king?
What do you mean?
The color of his face and the appetite.
He smile a lot, that's also changed.
Young He says...
even the sound of him pooing has changed.
Fortunately, his pulse is coming back to normal.
But Your Excellency,
it wasn't a poison. He was drugged.
What do you mean?
Has he been going outside the palace recently?
He is avoiding his concubines? Why?
How should I know. I don't know what he is thinking.
There's rumors in the palace. It's not just the concubine but he is avoiding even the queen.
He loves women's body odor, but now he is avoiding it?
Your Excellency.
Your Excellency, Heo Gyun is up to something.
He is searching for trails of An Sang Goong. Shouldn't we be prepared?
You, gather up some man and burn the poppy field.
All trace of the drugs must be vanished.
No one have seen An Sang Goong for days.
Do as you wish.
I'm much obliged, my king.
Did you approve discarding De Dong Law?
But you told me to do it.
Whatever the retainers are therefore, just say "Do as you wish".
Did you approve the torturing for Yoon Jong Ho as well?
No. No. I didn't.
They... wanted to install this thing call Choo Kuk Jung and so I said yes.
That's the same thing!
I told you to be aware of Park Chung Seo over and over.
I'll prepare another meeting.
Order the De Dong Law again.
Once we said we'll do it and now we won't.
Why is this so complicated.
Just do what I tell you to do.
You gave up one and you get one. That's just politics.
You should at least let me know what I'm giving up and what I'm getting!
That's what I mean... Sir.
Well, do you know anything about these laws? And why everyone is so irritated?
I don't know, my king.
Yeah, why should I care. I'm just playing a role here.
But...
I can find some books about those laws.
So if our people use Ho Pe...
It's simple identification and easy for us to impose tax. Isn't this good for all?
Not for everyone, my king.
Ho Pe means not just identification or taxing, but also hard labor duty.
So, some abandon the Ho Pe and flee to overseas...
or some even castrate themsleves and become eunuchs.
What... You mean cut off his own penis?
So... That means...
There's penis-less eunuch in the palace. I wonder who might that be?
So... Sang Sun...
It could be a bit weird to ask you this right now.
Ask anything, my king.
Do you... really don't have... IT?
I... I don't have it.
Well. So... when you go to the man's room...
do you stand up... or sit down?
Oh... That must have hurt.
Chief Secretary!
My king!
Chief Secretary!
My King...
I should come to you whenever you need me. You shouldn't have come to me.
But you are such a busy man.
Let me ask you one thing.
I've been studying all night long.
De Dong Law seems to be real fine law,
how come it didn't last for 1 year?
My king...
Oh, come on.
It's not about right and wrong. It's just politics.
There's too many eyes around here, please head back, my king.
I want a man following Chief Secretary.
I want to know everything he does and goes.
Yes, sir.
I don't get this.
Why is everyone over reacting when it comes to De Dong Law?
I'm assuming it's due to local province lords going aginst the law.
Charging tax according to the size of the land they own, what's the problem with it?
You pay more tax if you're richer. Isn't that common sense?
The way you speak sounds more like the real king everyday.
You reckon?
Sometimes I feel like I'm real the real king myself.
My king, your night snack has arrived.
Bring them in.
Sa Wol.
Yes, my king.
You said you're 15 years old, right?
Yes, that's true.
How did you end up here at your age?
Here, I'm just curious. That's all. So tell me all about it.
My father used to be a farmer at the mountain country side.
But one day local lord commence my father to pay tax with abalones.
What? Abalones to a farmer?
Go on.
So he loan money with high interest to pay his taxes.
Debt makes another debt.
At the end our house and farm were taken. Then my father went to prison.
Oh dear...
As if that wasn't enough...
my mother and sister were sold as a slave to the boarderside...
and I became a slave to the one of the noble family.
What a bastard!
My left alone father... is dead the following year...
Due to the aftereffect from violent punishment he got from the prison.
Ah! What's this!
My king!
Don't you miss your mother?
All I am asking is to know if she is alive or not.
Okay. Before my part as a king finishes,
I'll make sure that you meet your mother again.
I give you my word.
I'm much obliged to you. I'm much obliged to you, my king.
Okay. You may leave.
What shall I do?
What can I do to punish the men responsible for this matter?
Give order to the Ei Gumbu for the investigation.
That will take forever.
I don't know for how long I'll be sitting here.
Well then...
Then?
Ah... It's nothing.
What? You kidding?
Hey you, Ho Pan.
Yes, my king.
Haven't I told you to put a plan to run the De Dong Law?
My king, if we operate that law so suddenly, local province lords will have massive loss.
They are also your people, how come you discriminate them from the others?
Lord who owns 30 square meters pay 10 bags of rice.
3 square meters pay 1 bag of rice. Is this idea discrimination to you?
People are now becoming slaves and eunuch...
and you whine about local lord's one bag of rice as a discrimination??
Bring in the sinner!
He is a lord from Gang Won province.
He loan high interest money to the people.
He must has bribed to someone... and that someone bribed another...
Do you really want me to torture him and reveal the truth about this?
Is all of you so confident for not taking that sinner's bribes?
Ho Pan.
Yes, my king.
The one who plays the high interest money loan based on...
an exclusive tax paying contract with the locals must be punished immediately.
I obey your oder, my king.
Hyung Pan.
Yes, my king.
Order the local royal office to open their warehouse and share their rices with the people.
Yes, my king.
I hereby ordering to all of you.
Operate De Dong Law immediately.
If there's anyone tries to stop or interrupt this law...
I'll personaly punish them by the national laws.
Make sure you understand this and carry out your oders.
Inscrutable are the king's favors.
Why are you ordering with your own will?
But we have the De Dong Law now, don't we?
Do you even know who Yoo Jong Ho is?
Take one and give one. That's what politics are all about, right?
Do you think this is some sort of bargains at the markets?
Sshhhh! They can hear you!
And while we are at the palace,
let's make sure who is the ruler and who is the servant.
Yoo Jong Ho is...
the older brother of the Queen.
What?
Their plan is to frame Yoo Jong Ho as the traitor,
and at the end, to dethrone the Queen.
How dare they do that to the nation's mother!
They just don't know when to stop.
My king, it's Sa Wol here to see you.
Bring her in.
This torture we do at the palace can make even an innocent person to confess.
That is why I wanted to save Yoo Jong Ho even if I had to delay the De Dong Law.
Then, what shall we do now?
Nothing, that's only way you can help me and the palace.
My king, it's the Queen.
Tell her I already fall asleep...
I trusted you, my king.
If I'm such a pain to you, just have me killed, my king.
What are you doing?
Wait. Wait. Hold on.
I'll save Yoo Jong Ho no matter what.
Can I trust you, my king?
Trust me.
Well... Then...
you can...
get off me now.
If you don't keep the promise you just made...
consider me as a dead person from that day.
I get it...
The king is coming.
Why did you do it?
You are my brother in law,
how could you plot a treason?
Answer me!
Why did you do it?
I remember you...
as a great virtuous king...
who looks after his people even during the war.
But now!
You are not the virtuous king you once used to be!
Your ears can't hear any more because of all those treacherous servants...
and your eyes are blind by the women's skirts.
You are just a tyrant now.
How dare you to say that in front of the king!
So, what did you do? Plot a treason?
No way...
Never! My king.
Then what?
Gathered troops?
How I dare to...
Then what did you do?
I screamed...
I screamed from the top of my lungs... for you to open your ears and listen!
Just have me killed, my king.
So, you just said that...
That is all?
Release him!
That's impossible, my king!
He is a sinner who plot the treason.
What is the plot?
Byung Pan, are you so confident?
Are you so confident that your ideas inside your head is clearer than him?
Step forward! If any of you feel so confident!
Release him. He's not a traitor.
So, you really wanna play your hand this way...
Eunuch Jo.
Yes, my king.
I just want to be alone for a while.
But my king...
It's just for a short while, let me have this moment.
Why are you still standing there, Do Bu Jang?
It's... against the palace law.
So, you are saying palace law is above the king order?
It is true that your brother Yoo is free now.
I assume the rumors about the king has changed nowadays is true.
Rumors says he laughs a lot more and he's only interested in ruling the nation right.
My Queen...
I'll be away for a while.
What makes you come here, my king?
Don't you find this funny?
Yes, it's hilarious.
But why aren't you laughing?
MY KING!
What the...
MY KING!!
Why are you doing this?
I kept my word on releasing Yoo Jong Ho.
Yes. So I've heard.
So then, I have a favor to ask too.
Tell me about it, my king.
Can you show me your smile?
I beg your pardon?
Show me your smiling face.
Is it a huge thing to ask for?
I kept my word you know?
Now then...
Now then... Come on...
MY KING!!!
I'll be gone now...
Were you with the Queen, my king?
My king...
What's the matter?
Nothing...
Sang Sun...
don't you sense anything odd about the king?
What... Such as?
Come to think of it... It's not just one or two things...
The way he talks... The way he moves...
Even his hand is rough now.
I think you have too many things going on in your head.
Please excuse me.
I think Do Bu Jang knows.
We might as well tell him the truth.
No.
He is too way inflexible person.
I can't predict what he'll do if he finds out.
Fortunately, the king is conscious now.
Just hang in there for few more days.
My Queen, the king has a message for you.
"My queen, I notice your face is too pale.
Have this bowl of bean gruel and regain your strength."
I got it. You may leave now.
I'm sorry...
but he wanted me to see you eat them while it's hot...
and bring back the empty bowl.
Chief Secretary has arrived, my king.
So about Yoo Jong Ho...
I precisely told you...
do not rule by your own will.
Yes, I know. But...
Even though he is the brother of the Queen,
there's procedures and laws in the palace.
Screw laws. King's order is way much stronger.
You!!!
Don't you see the fact that even the king cannot do whatever he desires to do?
Don't you still not know how things works around the palace?
You told me there's eyes and ears everywhere in the palace...
and now you talk like this?
My king, it's Sa Wol.
Bring her in.
There...
Oh, it's the cinnamon 'yut'. Sa Wol, you stay.
Here... Eat yut. (It's impossible to speak with sticky yut in your mouth)
I'm sorry, my king.
Come on. Eat yut, will you?
Chief Secretary wishes to leave now!
So, did the queen finished her bowl?
Yes, my king.
Any words from her?
"Ask him to meet me at the palace garden when the curfew bell rings.
I have things to say to him".
The queen ordered me to give you this message.
Oh, I see.
The floating moon on the night sky is my dear's face.
Someone cut her head off and hang it on the night sky.
I stare at every moon rise as if it's my dear.
What do you think?
It's magnificent!
How about Do Bu Jang?
It's...
not against the palace law.
How about Sang Sun?
Who is the one referring to the moon?
I... I can't tell you.
Perhaps it's best not to...
but those two is saying okay about it...
So? What then?
But still it's best not to...
Hey there, Sa Wol.
Yes, my king.
Tonight's snack is your favorite dried persimmon and rice ball cake.
I'll leave it all to you.
I am so much obliged, my king!
Sang Sun, don't leave the palace tonight.
I'll be reading at the library all night long.
Yes... Yes, my king.
My king, it's the curfew time.
Okay.
My... My king...
I'm disapointed at you.
My king, now that I think of it, it's not too bad.
My king.
Wait here.
Do you remember what you said on the day I was chosen to be the queen?
I... I said...
Of course you forgot.
Yeah. It... It's a long time ago.
You hold my hand and said...
"I'll be with you for the rest of my life."
"I'll never let go of the hand I'm holding now."
The voice of those words you said...
is still so vivid to me.
My Dear's Face.
The floting moon on the night sky is my dear's face.
Someone cut her head off and hang it on the night sky.
I wonder, is it the pain in her heart causing her not to smile?
I stare at every moon rise as if it's my dear.
What do you think?
What are you doing?!!!
Please my Queen. Step aside.
He's not the king!
You may have fooled Do Sung Jo and Sang Sun, but you cannot fool my eyes.
Put your blade aside now!
Don't you know the meaning of your action now?
My Queen! If he is really the king, I will cut my throat right here!
He's definitely the real king.
How dare you to think even I, the Queen won't recognize him?
My king...
there's a red mole somewhere on my body.
Tell me where it is.
Above your left breast.
Put your blade aside right now!
Do I have to show my breast for you to believe?
Have me killed, my king!
I will pay for my treason with my life!
Please be well, my king!
I'll call someone.
My Queen... My Queen!
Do Bu Jang! Do Bu Jang!
After you finish the bowl of bean gruel...
come and get your blade.
What did you just said?
The king ordered me to tell you these.
Tell me what is your sin of disloyalty.
I dared to place a blade on my king's body.
Wrong.
I dare to be suspicious...
Wrong again!
You are my royal bodyguard.
You're supposed to be protecting the king with your life and you dare to cut your throat?
That is a disloyalty and a treason.
Putting a blade on my body is not a problem...
but you have to stay alive so that I can stay alive.
Don't you know how valueble your life is?
How was the bean gruel?
It was... sweet and tasty.
Yes... When you are alive,
then you can feel the sweetness and tastiness of the bean gruel.
Pull out this blade only for my sake.
Remember that.
What do you think? Do you think he bought it?
Like I said, he's not an easy person.
My king!
How long have I been staying here?
It's your 15th day tomorrow.
What is this?
It's the poppy flower.
The poison that clouded your mind.
Who'd dare to...
An Sang Goon is dead.
Then you mean... Park Chung Seo is behind all these?
That is true, my king.
He's a frightening guy.
I'll prepare for you to return to the palace.
You should go and reveal this evil trickery.
Let's... delay the return... and think about it.
But my king!
Palace is now under Park Chung Seo's influence, right?
I can go down again by confronting him.
As a matter of fact... poppy flower is not actually a poison.
What about the fake? Let's get rid of him first.
Why are you having that face?
Have you become a friend with him?
No, my king.
I can't let that joker stay alive. He has sat on the throne you know?
Please my king, reconsider your decision.
My king, unless the Queen is alive, the plot for treason will never stop!
You're saying she's the source of treasons now?
All the treasons we had so far was caused by her relatives.
You should tighten disciplines of the palace.
You're telling me I should dump my faithful wife...
and you preach that's the law?
My king...
have you forgot the promise you made to us...
that you will dethrone the current queen and renew with the pregnant concubine.
Please give us your royal permission.
Please my king, reconsider your decision.
I accept your opinion and will abandon the queen...
but if you say the Queen is right to be dethrone just because she is not from the west part...
I'm not from the west part!
Therefore...
dethrone me with her!
Please reverse your decision, my king.
Please my king, reconsider your decision.
Move aside!
We rather you step on our back to pass, my king!
Please do so, my king!
My king!
Where are we heading?
I don't really know.
Don't do this. It will still be inside the walls of this palace.
Why don't you leave the palace?
Just hide for a while and leave. That's all.
I'm the king. I can make that happend.
My king!
Don't let anyone pass!
But my king... It's against the palace... law.
I count on you.
Don't do this, my king.
Why are you doing this?
My Queen...
Now you suddenly have sympathy for me?
When you realize this could be the end of me,
do you pity me that much?
Return now...
You said I promised you...
that I'll stay with you for the rest of my life...
that I will not let go of your hand until the end of this world.
You said I said that... right?
Why are you making me cry?
Have you really seen it? Two kings?
Yes, sir.
I got it.
Well then...
What happends if one of them is to be killed?
For now, let's make sure who is the real one.
Have you investigated it?
1st day, 3rd day and 6th day of the month.
The night snack was served even though the king went out on those days.
Are you sure?
It's writen on the diary and I've check with the royal kitchen.
Well done!
My Queen, there's a perposterous rumors going around the palace...
saying that the king is not the real king.
The scar on his shoulder is gone, they say.
Is Jung Sang Goong out there?
I'm a bit busy. So...
Why don't you sit down?
Please go to bed now, my king.
I have... this... sudden meeting you know...
You are my husband before a king.
It's a natural thing to use the same bed.
Now, take off your dragon robe.
My Queen, we cannot... My Queen... Please...
My Queen...
Who are you?
What do you mean?
I'm the 15th King of Josen.
You!!!
Do you wish to die?!
Leave immediately.
When the king returns, he will not spare your life.
The palace will be filled with screams...
and I will be dethroned one day...
and your body which once sat on the throne...
will be floting somewhere on the riverside.
Where is the king now?
I'm sorry, my Queen. But, this is king's order.
Not telling where he's staying...
placing a fake king.
It's all king's orders.
Was it also king's will to spare my brother's life?
Or was it your will?
My Queen, give me few more days.
What happends to the fake after all this?
That guy who looks just like the king...
The Queen knows everything now.
The Queen said I'll be killed soon.
If not by his servants, by the king himself.
Then...
you should run away when you hear that.
Why did you come back?
I remembered a promise.
Take them.
It's the 20 silver coins I promised you.
I was asking 'Is my life worth it?'
Shut up and listen carefully!
Tomorrow night, you will get out of the palace.
You never saw me. We never had a conversation.
This is the scroll for tomorrow morning meeting.
All you need to say is 'Do as you wish'.
This is your last role as a king.
My king, I brought Sa Wol for you.
I have favor to ask you, Chief Secretary.
I promised that girl I'll find her mother.
Do that for me.
Sa Wol...
Take this.
I no longer need this. So you can have it.
Now.
Find her mother... and send her to the girl's side.
This is not a favor.
It's the king's order.
The last order I'm giving you as a king.
Sa Wol.
It's cinnamon candy. Put it in your mouth and then put it into the bean gruel.
What is it in the candy?
I don't know.
What I know is, if we don't put the candy in the bowl, we are all dead!
I heard it was you who set my brother free.
Why did you give that order on you own will?
If... If I do that...
I was hoping to see you smile.
A big smile... on you face.
When the moon rise tomorrow...
I'll leave the palace.
I don't mind wether you stay in the palace...
or be abadoned but...
please... don't die...
These are to the Ming Dynasty:
45 000 silver coins and 13 sort of treasures are prepared.
We should decorate silver and gold vest to our ambassador Kang So Song to show our respect.
That's a brilliant idea!
Do as you wish.
And the troops:
including 500 horses, 3 000 archers, 1 000 cavalry...
in total 20 000 soldier will be sent.
If we send 20 000 man...
our borders on the north side could be at risk.
Sir, this country exists now because of Ming Dynasty.
Even though our troops get beat up by the barbarians...
we must pay our respect to the Ming and the emperor.
Please, allow us.
Please allow us.
Do as you wish.
Now, to the empress and the children:
yellow silk 150 cottons, white silk 150 cottons...
Enough! Enough!!!
Who's country is this?
What?
You don't care even though our man is beaten up by the barbarians?
If you favor Ming emperor that much, why don't you give the whole nation to the Ming?
But my king...
You should be ashamed of yourselves!!!
Alright... As you all wish... I'll agree to send 20 000 troops.
But I will also send letter to Qing Dynasty.
Write this down, Hong Mun Gwan.
'Even though we send 20 000 troops because we fear Ming, we do not want war with Qing.'
'I wish you send our man back to Josen unharmed.
My king!
How could we disrespect the Ming and consult with the barbarians?
What is that respect?
Why is that so important that we have to send our 20 000 people to die for them?
If it is the rightful king...
If it is the people's and nation's father known as the king!
I, the king rather steal!
I rather beg!
To save that 20 000 troops...
compare to that thing you all call respect!
My country, my people is 10 times, 100 times more precious to me!
Now, let's have it.
The bean gruel taste is exceptionally different today.
I will never forget this taste.
Sa Wol...
Why are you crying, Sa Wol?
Sa Wol...
My king...
Please...
Be well...
Sa Wol!!!
Please put her down, my king.
Is there any doctor out there?
My king...
Sa Wol, you must live... Please live!
Please!
Is anyone there? Is anyone there?
Cure her. Fix her! You must make her well.
Tell me, who gave you the poison?
Tell me.
I'm your king.
I am...
My king...
Pppppppplease have me killed!
It was Jul Do Sa. I was threatened to be killed if I don't put the poison in!
It was him, not me!
Have me killed, my king!
Do Bu Jang.
Yes, my king.
Arrest Jul Do Sa.
My king...
If he resist, kill him right there.
Yes, my king.
You killed Sa Wol.
No, my king. It's a frame!
I'll watch till when you will be able to prattle about being framed.
This is serious, we all could be on the torture chair soon.
He's not the king of Josen.
How can one even think about consulting with the barbarians?
Real or not, I will not just sit by and wait.
We sat him on the throne! Don't you see this is unfair!
The king is not the real king?
Do you expect me to believe that nonsense?
General, do you remember the scar on the king's shoulder?
Yes. Happened during the war with the Japanese.
Come here and tell us what you saw!
Isn't she the court lady?
Since few days ago...
I couldn't see the scar on the king shoulder.
What do you mean 'you can not see'?
Can you put your life on those words?
I will not lie in front of a general and all.
How is this...
Somebody call the messenger.
Park Chung Seo has gather the ministers.
Soon there will be troops coming into the palace. It's time for you to leave.
No, I won't!
I lived contemptible life so far...
but it's not now.
Until I punish the one responssible for Sa Wol's death...
I will not move an inch!
So then...
Why don't you become the real king?
If you wish to seek revenge for the girl...
If you cannot forgive those corrupted ministers...
The king who put his own people first!
If that's what you truly desire...
That dream...
I will make it come true...
I...
want to be the king.
Go to the archives and get the recent 15 days diary.
Use force, steal, do whatever is necessary to get that diary.
Please go...
Quick, my king!
You are the one who told Sa Wol to stay alive!
It's still a death in vain even though you die in the king's cloth!
Flee away...
RUN!!!
Step back!
The king is present here.
You back off Chief Secretary.
We are not here as a rebellion troops.
We are here to drag the fake king down.
It's impertinent! You dare to call the king a 'fake'?
We'll see that after we check his scar.
Do Choong Gwan!
Yes, sir!
Drag him down!
The king will come out!
It's an impertinent act!
Show respect to your king!
That fake has been sitting on the throne for so long, he lost his sanity!
What?!
Did you just call me a fake?
I am the king!
Is that so?
If he is the king,
he must have that scar on his shoulder.
If not, he's a fake!
Isn't it, Chief Secreatary?
Take his cloth off!
You dare to disrepect me like this?
I will have your head cut off!
My king...
If you wish to seek revenge for the girl...
If you cannot forgive those corrupted ministers...
The king who put his own people first!
If that's what you truly desire...
That dream...
I will make it come true...
I...
want to be the king...
but...
I have to kill someone so that I can live...
and by doing that, another innocent life have to go.
I don't want it...
if that's what it takes to be the real king.
I will keep my dreams to myself.
I have served two kings.
This is the diary of the king for recent 15 days.
Read this, and judge my disloyalty and cut off my head, my king!
Order the local royal office to open their warehouse and share thier rices with the people.
Operate De Dong Law immediately.
I, the king rather steal and beg to save that 20 000 troops.
Compare to that thing you call respect, my country, my people is 10 times, 100 times more precious to me!
Would you still say you don't recognize me?
My king!
Have us killed, my king!
Arrest those traitors!!!
Carry out the king's order!
Stop right there.
Go now...
There will be a harbor at the end of the road.
Quick!
Don't turn around! Just go!!!
Step aside... It's king's order!
I just obey the palace law...
If you intent to harm the king...
you will have to go over my dead body!
Do Bu Jang...
he is fake... he's not the king!
He may be a fake to you...
but to me...
he's the rightful king!
On August following year, Heo Gyun got executed for treason.
5 years later, King GwangHae was dethroned due to enthronement of a new king In Jo.
King GwangHae imposed tax only to the ones who can afford to have lands.
King GwangHae oppose against the Ming Dynasty for the sake of rights and safety of his own people.
He was the one and only to oppose, in the whole JoSen Dynasty history. Subtitle by Hafidz Rahim.