12 years later
Kim Chuh-sun, age 12
I won't do that.
Do you want Chun-dong to remain a shaman's son?
A shaman's offspring is mistreated just as bad as a eunuch is.
He has 3 virtues and 3 flaws. He was born to be a eunuch.
It's heaven's will.
It will be too late once he grows facial hair.
No amount of regret will turn back time.
I'll never regret not making him a eunuch.
She's so stubborn.
Episode 2 Mother.
Chun-dong, is something wrong?
I found him near the castration house. He looks scared.
I told you not to go there. Are you OK?
I thought it would look good on you.
She rejected you again.
It's a lost cause, you know.
What?
Mr. Choi and his daughter Beodeul
Am I wrong?
No.
Gaedochi, you won't need that now.
Can I have that?
No wonder he's still single. He's so rude.
You're right.
He's in for a rocky ride. His mother should accept his fate.
1 468
King Sejo
I took the throne to save our heritage,
and bring peace and prosperity.
But I've done nothing.
History will remember me as a tyrant,
who deposed my nephew.
My queen.
I'm right here.
I wanted to live a long, happy life with you at my side.
But...
it is all in vain.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty!
Please come back.
Your Majesty, please come back.
King Yejong, age 1 9 As king of Josun,
I will save our heritage and bring peace.
Any challenge to my authority will not be tolerated.
Lee Chan, Prince Goosung
Han Myung-hwe
Shin Sook-joo
Begin.
I will.
You may begin.
The Department of Eunuchs swears allegiance to Your Majesty.
We swear our allegiance.
I know just how much the late King favored you.
And I trust your loyalty.
Thank you.
Lord Jo. How many are there in your department?
Me and 5 9 retirees,
1 01 part-timers and quite a few trainees.
3 2 3 in total.
Oh dear.
The Head of Eunuchs himself knows even less than I do.
I heard you support over 1, 500 people...
including retirees and their families.
Am I wrong?
No.
Why should we support over 1, 500 people when there are only 3 2 3 eunuchs?
I cannot waste precious tax money to fill the bellies of old eunuchs.
I will not pay salaries to those who do not work.
And downsize your department to an appropriate number.
Don't worry too much.
A retired eunuch can do without 1 0,000 sacks of rice a year.
Mr. Noh They'll have accumulated enough...
riches to last forever.
I wonder why the new king is ruffling our feathers.
Any new king will want to make his mark.
King Yejong is still young.
He'll soon learn he can't even do the simplest thing himself.
Until then, we should lie low.
You're right.
Chun-dong. Wait here while I meet Lady Han.
OK.
Chuh-sun, childhood name: Chun-dong
Lady Han, future Queen Insoo I can't sleep since King Sejo passed.
I'd like to hold an exorcism for Princes Wolsan and Jaeul.
I'm sure all the royals will be fine.
The public envies the riches all we royals enjoy.
But it's not all that great.
If anything bad were to happen, we're the first to suffer.
During turbulent times like the present, it's like walking on thin ice.
Sorry to bother you with my troubles.
I apologize for my lack of understanding.
My Lady, the tea is ready.
Come in.
Drink all you want.
Mrs. Oh, Chuh-sun's birth mother
Prince Jaeul, future King Sungjong
Follow me.
Hurry up.
- Bend over. - Pardon?
How dare you disobey an order from a royal.
- Are you OK? - You jump over too.
It's so much fun.
I never get to come here except when I visit the palace.
I haven't seen you before. Are you a new servant?
I'm Chun-dong. I'm visiting with my mother.
Oh, so you're Wolhwa's son.
They'll get angry if they find out you're missing. Let's go back.
I'll return before dusk, so don't worry.
I'll contact you when the date is set.
I won't spare expenses. Do your best.
I should get going.
Chun-dong.
Where is he?
Moon So-woon
Listen, clown.
What's wrong?
My legs are trembling so much, I can't take another step.
What should I do?
Don't say that in front of our guests.
Show them what you can do.
Hello, guests.
Give us any change you have and he might change his mind.
Isn't he good?
Where are you going?
Are you OK?
Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon
Just go.
What?
If you're after a thief, go before you lose him.
OK.
I got you now. Give it back.
Give what back?
The thing you stole.
What do you mean?
Chun-dong.
What's going on?
See if anything's missing.
My jade ornament is missing.
Give it back to me.
- Let go... - What's going on?
How dare you rascals ruin my day.
You fools!
I'm Prince Jaeul, the King's nephew.
Step aside before I drag you to the guards!
He's got some guts, just because he's a royal.
I'm terribly sorry if I upset you, sir.
- Boys, escort him away. - Yes, sir.
Come here.
You better let go of me!
- Let me go. - Let go of me.
Where could the prince have gone?
I think he went out with my son.
Is that true?
It seems so.
If something happens to the prince, I'll hold your son responsible.
Send the servants to look for him.
I will.
Minister Yoon's daughter is here to see you.
I am So-hwa, Minister Yoon's daughter.
What brings you here?
I know where Prince Jaeul is.
He's not bad-looking. He'll make a good clown.
Let's cut off his testicles and sell him to a eunuch.
It'll fetch us quite a few taels of silver.
You think you can get away with harming someone of royal blood?!
Put in a good word to Lord Jo for all our husbands.
Sure.
Mrs. Jung, Lord Jo's wife You got me a rare jade ring,
and some amazing silk. I'll make sure you get what you want.
Thank you in advance.
Let's drink all we can.
What pastime do eunuchs' wives have other than partying day and night?
Jang Soon-moo's wife My husband is so gentle.
He's the best husband in the nation.
Um Kyung-hwan's wife My husband is useless.
All he's giving me are these wrinkles.
I don't care about kids. I just wish he'd give me a good time.
Sing us a song.
What wouldn't I do to get my husband promoted?
I got married to live a happy life
But my husband is less a man than I thought
Poor me, poor me
Husband and wife in separate bedrooms
Yet he is all I have
He 's a man, sort of...
What are you doing?!
Oh dear, oh dear...
Oh dear...
How dare a woman get drunk enough to sing so loud!
Why are you so angry about a leisurely gathering?
People talk, so try not to be at the center of attention.
OK.
Wait.
Take this.
What is it?
A list of people who sent us gifts. You might find it useful.
What?
You want me to accept bribes?
We should help each other out.
Forget about it. Send everything back!
I trust you'll come around.
Sir.
Prince Jaeul's nurse is here to see you.
What? The gangsters took Prince Jaeul?
If something happens to him, I'll be held responsible.
Doh Geum-pyo, bodyguard
Look into all the gangs and find Prince Jaeul.
Yes, sir.
Wait at home. I'll do all I can to find him.
I really hope you find him.
We'd both be at home if only I'd listened to you.
What if they sell me?
There's always a way out.
Aren't you... ?
- Are you OK? - I sprained my ankle.
Chun-dong. Come on, hurry up.
I'll be fine. Go.
Stop!
Over there!
That way!
What's wrong?
You go first.
What? What about you?
He saved our lives. I can't leave him.
Chun-dong. Chun-dong.
How dare you ruin my plans. You must have a death wish.
Where are they? Where are they?!
Let him go!
What?
You can take me, so let him go.
Look at you. You have some guts.
Let's see what you say after we slit your mouth.
Are you OK?
Where is Prince Jaeul?
Geum-pyo. I'm here.
Hop on my back.
It's OK, I'll walk.
Your mother is very worried.
We must hurry.
OK.
Are you OK?
I didn't think you'd come back.
Thanks. I'm Moon So-woon.
I'm Chun-dong, Kim Chun-dong.
I know you're still a young boy.
But how could a royal leave to have fun, without informing anyone?
I apologize.
Mrs. Oh. Bring me a switch.
My Lady, he knows he did wrong. Please don't punish him.
Don't take his side. Get me a switch.
If you go against the rules and do anything improper again,
I won't forgive you. Understood?
Understood.
Mrs. Oh. Make sure his wounds are dressed properly.
I will.
Life is tough as it is. I can't believe he's so childish.
Lord Jo, good job. I'm in your debt.
We still haven't recovered the ornament he lost.
It was from the late king. We must find it.
Are you OK?
This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't lured him out.
He's a foolish young boy.
I should've taught him better. Punish me instead.
She did nothing wrong. It's all my fault.
Punish me.
Nurse.
Chun-dong did nothing wrong. It was me. Leave him alone.
Let's go.
Mother.
I'm sorry.
You've learned your lesson. Let's go.
A boy even prettier than a girl caught it in his mouth...
Keep still, this has to be done.
Nurse. Shall we go see them tomorrow?
You still haven't learned your lesson?
Your mother won't be happy.
I don't think she loves me.
Don't say that. She just wants you to become a better person.
Still, she's so strict.
Can I sleep with you like I used to?
It's embarrassing. Don't do this.
But I like you.
Maybe my son could...
They get a new life.
They get to serve the king. And if they do that, they get rich.
They're looking for nice-looking boys.
The eunuch school is open.
They're looking for impotent boys?
Jung Han-soo, age 1 2 You fool. They're called eunuchs.
Eunuch school
Beodeul, Mr. Choi's daughter
OK.
Listen up.
Those born with underdeveloped genitals, stand here.
Those to be castrated, stand there.
Old shaman, headmistress Begin.
Mr. Choi, teacher
We can't accept him.
Why can't you accept my son?
He's too mature.
What do you mean? He's smaller than he is.
You can't become a eunuch if you have facial hair.
What?
What qualifications do you need to become a eunuch?!
Dang!
No one respects a eunuch.
It's not worth the trouble.
Let's go!
Gaedochi This is no place for the son of a noble.
It's a birth defect.
Choi Ja-chi I don't know why, but his testicles...
stopped growing when he was three.
Give him ten taels of silver.
Choi Ja-chi, ten taels.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
You tied it off.
Yes.
Hong Gwi-nam When he was three months old.
You'd already planned to sell him off.
What's your name?
I'm Hong Gwi-nam.
You have strong features and the scar has healed well.
1 2 taels of silver.
Hong Gwi-nam, 1 2 taels.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
1 0 taels.
Thank you.
Gae-nam. At least you won't starve here.
Do as they tell you to.
Song Gae-nam Don't c... cry, mom.
I'll b... be fine.
Spend the mo... money on medicine f... for dad.
I will.
Who cut off his testicles?
I did.
With what?
Scissors. Is something wrong?
You didn't do a good job. I can't accept him.
Sorry, but please leave.
What?
Oh no, what should I do?
I ruined my son's life for nothing.
Oh dear...
1 0 taels of silver.
What brings you here, sir?
I heard you train eunuchs here.
Yes, but...
I want to become a eunuch.
You want to become a eunuch? Then pull down your pants.
You want to become a eunuch and you can't even do that?
He's a noble.
- Him, become a eunuch? - What for?
What's wrong with him?
- A noble eunuch? - Will his parents let him?
Your genitals are fine. What is this about?
I heard someone can cut them off.
You can't become a eunuch.
Is this a status issue? Why won't you let me in?
I need your parents' permission. Come back with your parents.
How strange.
Smash everything.
Stop that!
You can't trash a noble's house!
Han-soo.
You can't repay your debt and you insist you're a noble.
Report us if you want.
How dare you insult a noble!
Repay what you owe my master and we'll leave you alone.
We'll kick you out if you don't repay us within the month.
- Let's go. - Yes, sir.
Han-soo, what should we do?
No way, Han-soo. No.
You, a eunuch? Are you insane?
Even nobles are insulted if they can't repay their debts.
I'm too poor to study. So I want to become a eunuch.
You'll have no descendants. You mustn't betray your ancestors.
We can't starve for them either.
No, I won't let you!
I've made up my mind.
If you won't let me, I'll castrate myself...
and become a eunuch.
Han-soo. Han-soo!
Han-soo...
Dept. of Eunuchs
Jo Chi-gyum, Head of Eunuchs Retirees will not be paid,
and all salaries will be frozen.
We'll downsize all offices and hire trainees instead.
Make sure you do all I said.
Jang Soon-moo, Um Kyung-hwan My wife took out a loan...
to send Lord Jo a gift. She even presented a song.
I can't believe he froze our salary.
We shouldn't have sent a gift in the first place.
At least we didn't get fired.
What can we live on if they won't pay retirees?
Who the heck... ?
Dr. Yang.
Yang Sung-yoon What are you grumbling about?
We were vowing to work even harder.
All our lives hang on a thread. Be grateful you're still alive.
What do you mean?
I'm drunk, but even I can tell what the king is aiming for. Can't you?
Life is but a long daydream.
What brings you all the way here?
Give me the keys to the king's repository.
Pardon?
We're inspecting the repository, so give me the keys.
I can't do that.
Prince Goosung Lord Jo.
How dare you go against a minister!
My department is in charge of guarding the repository.
It's out of your jurisdiction, so please leave.
- Search the place. - Yes, sir.
Eunuchs...
answer only to the king.
No minister may challenge our authority.
We have the king's orders. Step aside!
I heard some eunuchs use my riches to practice usury.
So I ordered him to make sure everything is there.
That's a groundless rumor.
King Yejong We'll see once we check the list.
I expect your full co-operation, Lord Jo.
Your Majesty.
Queen Junghee Since its foundation,
Josun has seen seven kings in 80 years.
Many objects will be missing.
It's unfair to blame it all on Lord Jo.
I'm sure Lord Jo will compensate for any losses.
Won't you?
Why won't you answer?
I will do that.
If anything is missing from the list, you'll be held responsible.
An inspection of the repository? It's just getting worse.
How will you replace everything when it'll cost millions?
I'll have to find a way.
Mr. Noh, Jo's foster father I guess you'll manage.
But what if the king tries to find fault with us again?
We eunuchs survived the change of dynasties.
But kings who disrespected us weren't king for long.
If the king goes any further,
he won't be king for long.
Prince Jaeul is safe, thanks to the tip your daughter gave us.
I invited you over to thank you.
Mrs. Shin I'm glad to hear he is well.
Lady Han, future Queen Insoo Your name is So-hwa?
Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon Yes.
So-hwa... A brilliantly white flower.
You certainly look like one.
Thank you.
So-hwa, give it to her.
This...
It's Prince Jaeul's ornament.
I was too preoccupied to give it to you last time.
Goodness...
Mrs. Oh. Call Prince Jaeul.
I will.
She saved your life and returned your ornament. Thank her.
Prince Jaeul, future King Sungjong I owe you greatly.
Thank you.
The late King Sejo gave it to you. Look after it as best you can.
I will.
I heard you're not well-off because Minister Yoon is too frugal.
Family members suffer when the head of the house is too strict.
I'll give you ten sacks of rice and ten mulberry trees.
Thank you.
So-hwa, you must express your gratitude.
No one should find fault with a state official's being frugal.
My father's integrity should be praised, not rebuked.
How dare you talk back to her.
She's just a naive child who wants to speak up for her father.
I apologize.
Apologize to her.
Forgive me if I was rude.
I envy Minister Yoon for having such an honest daughter.
I was scared to death. How dare you talk like that in front of a royal.
I only said what I believe in.
OK.
You can't help being as straightforward as your father.
Let's go and pay our respects to Buddha.
What did you think of So-hwa?
Pardon?
Mrs. Oh, Chuh-sun's birth mother
What do you think of her as Prince Jaeul's wife?
She's beautiful and elegant.
And she knows her manners, which is a good thing.
She'll make a good wife.
I'm afraid she just might be too straightforward.
What's the name of the girl who returned my ornament?
So-hwa, meaning ''white flower. ''
So-hwa?
It'll soon be time for you to get married.
Get married?
Your mother is thinking of marrying you off to her.
Starting from today, I'll teach you...
all about working as a eunuch.
Mr. Choi, teacher Pass, and you'll live in a huge house.
You'll wear silk clothes,
and you'll eat and drink all you want.
But...
not all impotent boys become eunuchs.
You must study and work hard.
Or you'll be ridiculed forever.
Uh...
What's an impotent boy?
The official term means ''empty drum. ''
Drums take up space, but all they do is cause a racket.
Understood?
You shall...
Why are you here again?
Jung Han-soo, age 1 2 I'm here with my mother.
Once you sign this,
all family ties will be broken. Are you sure you won't regret this?
Han-soo. It's not too late to change your mind.
I've made up my mind.
Han-soo...
Don't cry.
I'll succeed and make sure you live comfortably.
Sign the document.
Good.
We'll educate your son and send him into the palace.
Han-soo...
Wait outside with your mother.
Mr. Choi. Give her 2 0 taels of silver.
But ma'am. Isn't that too much?
He'll be worth it.
Select a good day for him to be castrated.
I will.
A noble getting castrated because of poverty. What a pity.
The coming 5th and 6th are good days.
Hold the princes' exorcism on one of those days.
Sure.
Ma'am.
Why was that young noble here?
He wants to become a eunuch.
A nobleman can become a eunuch too?
Of course.
Succeed as a eunuch and you can earn more than most nobles.
Chun-dong. Why don't you become a eunuch too?
What?
Don't give him any ideas.
- Let's go. - OK, mother.
Mother.
Do some eunuchs really become rich?
What are you talking about? Do you want to cut ties with me?
I don't mean that...
Don't ever mention it again.
OK.
The sky is clouding over.
I'm going to pray to Buddha. You go home first.
OK.
Hello, Wolhwa.
How are you doing?
What brings you to the temple?
I'm here to pray to Buddha before holding Prince Jaeul's exorcism.
Great timing.
We're on our way there. We'll join you.
If you're after a thief, go before you lose him.
Hundreds of years may pass us by
But my love will never end
I just can't stop crying
If my love is getting in your way
What can I do to stop it all?
Do you know?
The day I die and the wind takes me
Perhaps then we 'll be together
Dear God, let us start again
Please stay with me
What happened?
A snake...
It might've been a viper. Let me see the wound.
Don't touch me.
I must suck out the poison. Your life depends on it.
Get on my back.
Hurry.
I'm going to cross. Hold on tight.