Episode 1
Jo Chi-gyum
1456
To protect His Majesty...
you must move as fast as the wind and as smooth as water.
Yes, sir.
This is his first birthday as king, so there mustn't be any hitches.
But I still haven't received the royal menu yet.
What?
The feast is in three days and you still haven't received it?!
Where is Mr. Choi?
S... Sir...
You're the eunuch in charge of the food.
Yet you covet the king's maid. You deserve to die.
Sir, please let me live.
Choi.
Was the girl as sweet as this honey?
Watch and remember.
This is what happens to anyone who goes against our laws.
Danjong, age 16
The shadows of Mt. Suyang have covered Josun in darkness.
Kim Ja-myung Your Highness.
Officials who oppose King Sejo...
will join forces to get rid of him.
If the revolt fails, everyone will be killed.
A loyal servant does not serve two masters.
I'll lead the revolt and behead King Sejo.
I trust in you.
You're still very good at painting orchids.
What, me?
Mr. Noh I do it just for fun.
To kill time.
Have you decided with whom to side?
Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm blind and deaf.
I heard some people want to reinstate abdicated King Danjong.
Sulyoung Don't mind her.
A severe fever left her deaf.
It's a pity she has to care for an old eunuch.
Tell me what you think, father.
You'll become either a hero or a traitor.
It's a very thin line.
However...
Though dynasties may change and kings come and go...
our testicles will never grow back.
Why do you look so worried?
Mrs. Oh There are rumors of a revolt.
I hope you are not involved in it.
I've lived an honest life. You don't have to worry.
As long as I can be with you,
I wouldn't mind if I had to live as a mere peasant.
Don't worry.
Our child will live in a new world.
I'm sorry to intrude at such a time.
I would feel so empowered if you were to side with us.
I haven't made up my mind yet.
Chi-gyum. We're childhood friends.
I became a military officer, and you became a eunuch.
But we both served King Danjong.
We promised to die together.
Will you join me?
He's never been so drunk before.
Please make sure nothing happens to him.
Don't worry.
Your baby is due soon. Look after yourself.
I trust you'll help him. I wish you a safe walk home.
In three days, the palace will be overturned.
What will you do, Geum-pyo?
I'll do what you bid me.
Have you made up your mind?
Whether we be loyal or not, eunuchs have no place in history.
Why should I fear being judged?
Then... ?
I fell in love once, before I became a eunuch.
That woman is now my close friend's wife.
I wish to remain decent, in her eyes at least.
Ahn Byung-doo, Head of Eunuchs
The rebels will attack during the birthday celebration.
We eunuchs will then seize the royal palace.
King Sejo
Crown Princess, Queen Junghee
Crown Prince Wolsan
I will behead the king when the guards perform their demonstration.
I will also kill the Crown Prince and the villainous Han and Shin.
Do you really believe you will succeed?
The gods will help us reinstate King Danjong.
Chi-gyum.
If I don't make it, please take care of my wife.
Don't say that. You'll be fine.
Promise me. It'll make me feel better.
I promise.
Lee Chan, Prince Goosung
Han Myung-hwe, Shin Sook-joo
Very impressive.
Kim Ja-myung, Head of Palace Guards.
Doh Geum-pyo, come forward.
I'll pour you each a drink for entertaining me.
Come closer.
Drink up.
You must pay for deposing your nephew and taking the throne.
It's a revolt.
Your Highness.
- Crown Princess. - Crown Princess, are you OK?
- Take her inside. - We will.
This way.
You're betraying me?
I wish to serve a new king.
How dare you!
What happened?
The rebels have been killed. Kim Ja-myung is on the run.
Go ahead and cross the river. I'll catch up with you.
I won't leave without you. I'd rather die with you.
The revolt has failed. I can't let them kill our child.
Our child must live.
Leave right now. Hurry!
My lord...
Give this to our child.
Tell him I died an honorable death.
My lord...
I was Head of Palace Guards. Attack if you wish to die!
Step back.
Chi-gyum.
Did you abandon the noble cause for a good life under King Sejo?
I trusted a person blinded by wealth and fame.
That was my mistake.
I'm here to save our nation as well as your life.
This is the paper you signed.
Change your mind now and you can live.
I'd rather die than live in shame.
Take my life.
You want your child to suffer because of what you did?!
This is all I can do for you now.
As Head of Eunuchs, you're as powerful as anyone.
Why are you so gloomy?
I'll show you a good time tonight.
Yang Sung-yoon Eunuchs with girls...
Jang Soon-moo Having fun?
Um Kyung-hwan Having fun?
Sir.
Congratulations on becoming the Head of Eunuchs.
Sir.
Please pour me a drink.
This drink is the tears of King Danjong.
And the food here is the flesh of the loyal servants you killed.
Don't you agree?
You're going too far.
Was it fun, killing loyal servants for a title and riches?
I did what I did to protect the eunuchs.
What did you say?
Nothing you say can redeem you from killing...
all the loyal servants.
You wretch!
You lost your morals the day you got castrated.
You're a monster.
I'll take care of him.
No.
I've only had two friends in my entire life.
I don't want to lose both of them.
A person's life is like a flowing river.
Sometimes you'll meet strong currents and fall down waterfalls.
One drop of ink won't turn the river black.
Let it go.
What happened?
We found Kim Ja-myung's wife.
Bring her back alive.
You must push.
Your Highness...
Push.
Your Highness, push.
Your Highness, it's a boy!
- Get her! - Yes, sir.
We lost her.
She couldn't have gone far.
Block all passages and search thoroughly.
Yes, sir.
Darling. What should I do now?
Darling.
We can't live together anyway. It's for the best.
Forgive me.
Buddha.
Please protect my baby. Keep him safe.
Mountain gods.
Let Wolhwa, my spiritual daughter, serve a great supernatural power.
Wolhwa
Old shaman Pour out your soul.
I know it's not an easy life for a nobleman's daughter.
But what can be done?
Blame it on your fate to become a shaman.
I won't become a shaman.
Don't say that.
Where are you going?
Mountain gods, she's immature. Please forget what she said.
Here you are, Wolhwa.
A baby, deep in the mountains?
What happened?
Darling.
You must've been hungry. Take your time.
What's that?
I think it's his last name and time of birth.
Let's see...
Year of the bull, July 30th, 4 PM...
The last day...
4...
My goodness...
Let me see the baby's face.
Kim Chuh-sun
How could this be?
What is it?
He has 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
This child was sent to me, not you.
That's absurd!
Crown Princess, future Queen Insoo
Who are you?
I am King Danjong's mother.
Queen Hyunduk Suyang deposed my son and killed him.
I will kill Suyang's offspring!
No. Not this child.
Darling...
Your game is over. Hand the baby to me.
Step back!
If you don't, this baby dies.
Mr. Choi.
Who sent you to get the baby?
I only wanted to avenge my late master.
Torture him until he tells the truth.
Yes, sir.
We must eradicate those who support King Danjong.
But he killed himself!
Leave it to me.
We serve the king at his very side.
Dept. of Eunuchs
If you are no longer loyal to the king, then you must leave the palace.
Those who are loyal to King Danjong must leave.
There will be no bloodshed or retaliation.
You have my word as Head of Eunuchs.
I, Hong Ja-won,
was favored by King Danjong.
Let me leave.
Permission granted.
I am Park Gwi-dong.
Let me leave.
Permission granted.
I am Lee Tae-woo. Please let me leave.
Permission granted.
- I am... - Permission granted.
In times like this, lie low and don't stand out.
Is that all?
Once you leave the palace, you won't be able to return.
You won't have any regrets?
We won't.
You must never disclose anything you've seen or heard.
Can you swear?
We swear.
Take your valuables and leave before daybreak.
The Head of Eunuchs...
permitted us to leave the palace. Why are you stopping us?
I did as you told me to.
They committed no crime.
All they did was be loyal,
like any man would be to his king.
Lord Jo.
The Crown Prince is very ill.
Crown Prince
Queen Junghee
Crown Princess
Your Highness...
You almost became the queen.
I trust you will act accordingly wherever you go.
I'll do that.
Prince Wolsan, look after your mother and brother.
I will.
Leave.
Sir.
Kim Ja-myung's wife is alive.
A monk found her floating down the river.
Ma'am.
Yes?
Chuh-sun's birth mother, Mrs. Oh What is it?
Do you know me?
No, I'm looking for the chief monk.
Try the temple. He should be there.
Thank you.
She survived, thanks to the merciful Buddha.
But she has lost her memory.
What happened to her baby?
There was no baby.
Pardon?
You know me?
Yes.
You married my childhood friend. We were closer than brothers.
What happened to him and my baby?
Why am I here, so far from the capital?
I will tell you in due time. Let's return to the capital first.
My lord.
Welcome home.
Mrs. Jung Who's that?
She'll stay with us for now. Clean the guest quarters.
I can't do that!
You have a title, so now you want a mistress?
- I said she's not a mistress. - I don't care, she's leaving!
I know they say a eunuch's wife is worse off than a widow.
But I won't let you have a mistress.
What?
Am I wrong?
I've made up my mind.
You're abandoning your lawfully wedded wife?!
You couldn't satisfy my needs at all!
And now you bring home a mistress?!
Wait and see. I won't let her take my place. Never!
I don't want to cause any trouble.
Don't worry. It's under control.
When can I see my husband and baby?
You will in due time. Look after yourself until then.
- Get out. - Ma'am.
- Out of my house! - Ma'am.
Ma'am!
- I said get out! - Ma'am.
- Don't do this. Ma'am. - Stop!
What's going on? Let go of her right now!
This is between us. Stay out of it.
Get out. Get out right now!
I told you to let go of her!
This is so unfair!
I married you when I was 1 6 and spent all those nights alone!
Yet you bring home a mistress to take my place?!
Let's go inside.
How could you?
So two hens are fighting over a rooster?
It's just a rumor.
A house full of worries can ruin everything else.
No matter how much power we have,
we fear our wives more than the king.
Send your mistress away.
She has nowhere to go.
Crown Princess Han is looking for a wet nurse.
Open the door!
You brought a wet nurse?
Yes.
She produces much milk and is good at sewing.
She'll make a good wet nurse.
What happened to your child?
They got separated.
I tried several wet nurses, but he won't eat or sleep.
All he does is cry. I don't know what to do.
May I hold him?
Sure.
What are all those crows doing here?
Ma'am.
- How are you? - Why hello.
Serpent Jo. What brings you here?
Serpent Jo? You remember my childhood nickname?
How could I forget it?
Hello there, General Doh.
He still has the nasty temper.
Whose baby is this?
He's Wolhwa's son.
I'm babysitting while she performs an exorcism.
Reopen the eunuch school?
I'll provide all the resources you need.
I heard you killed all the eunuchs who were loyal to King Danjong.
With General Doh's help, I'm sure.
It's just a rumor.
They died to feed your greed.
It's all my fault. I didn't teach you well.
You castrated me yourself 2 0 years ago.
I put my testicles in a jar of salt. That's where all my morals are.
Do you resent me?
How could I?
Thanks to you, I'm now the Head of Eunuchs.
If a eunuch covets power, he becomes a monster.
What must a eunuch be like?
Look at him.
He was born with 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
3 virtues and 3 flaws?
He has a strong build, but he cannot become a man.
He'll head a big family, but he won't have any descendants.
He'll be respected by all, but he will not receive a title.
3 virtues and 3 flaws.
Wolhwa doesn't know.
But this child is destined to become Josun's greatest eunuch.
May I see him?
Let me see...
3 virtues and 3 flaws...