Episode 8
I'm Hong Gwi-nam.
You're quite handsome.
You'll do well as a eunuch.
I'm Choi Ja-chi.
You look very bright.
You?
I'm Moon So-woon.
I was a street performer.
I can't tell if you're a boy or a girl.
You could pass as a court maid.
You?
I'm So... Song Gae-nam.
You stutter?
You?
I'm Jung Han-soo. I came in first in the exam.
What a bragger. Haven't we met before?
You know that boy?
Yes, I do.
He almost killed me for insulting a noble.
Pardon?
A boy of noble birth yells at me, only to meet me again as a eunuch.
Life is so interesting. Don't you think?
Sir.
(Jung Han-soo) I was foolish and upset.
Forgive me for getting carried away.
I quite like Jung Han-soo. What about you?
(Mrs. Jung, Lord Jo's wife) He's handsome and of noble birth.
I like him even more because he came in first place.
(Eunuch Noh, Jo's foster father) I'm glad you like him too.
I'll make Chi-gyum adopt the boy.
(Sulyoung)
Have some tea.
Thank you.
A woman is told to keep watch over four things.
(Queen Junghee) What are they?
They are her morals, speech, appearance,
(Miss Han, future Queen Gonghye) And skills.
Tell me about a moral woman.
(Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon) She shouldn't aim to outsmart anyone.
She should be discreet,
and faithful to her husband, so no one can find fault with her.
Tell me how a lady must speak.
She shouldn't speak for selfish means.
She must not be rude but try to be considerate and kind.
Tell me about a lady's appearance.
It's not about outward beauty.
A lady must wear clean clothes and wash herself as often as possible.
You look very happy today.
My grandmother is with So-hwa. Even the medicine tastes sweet.
Miss Han is there too. You never know what will happen.
My grandmother will choose So-hwa.
Nurse. You told my grandmother how I feel.
(King Sungjong) I owe you so much.
(Court Lady Oh, Chuh-sun's birth mother)
What are their fortunes like?
(Old shaman) Both were born to be a queen.
Either one of them can marry the king.
I thought so too.
(Queen Insoo) You're sure Miss Han will have no heir?
I am.
Not only will she have no children, but she'll die young too.
What?
She won't live a long life?
Are you sure?
It's her fate. I'm sure of it.
I feel sorry for Minister Han.
What about Miss Yoon?
If Miss Yoon marries the king, she'll give him an heir to the throne.
What now?
I feel bad, but I don't want a queen who'll die young with no heir.
I prefer Miss Yoon. What do you think?
I agree with you.
Are you sure?
Your grandmother favors Miss Yoon.
And so do I.
Thank you. Thank you.
You're that happy?
I won't forget this favor.
Sulyoung. What do you think of Han-soo?
A noble chose to become a eunuch. It proves just how ambitious he is.
He'll do great as an heir.
But...
Lord Jo won't accept him.
What?
If he wanted to adopt Han-soo, he'd have done so already.
What's wrong?
There's something I couldn't tell Queen Insoo.
You can tell me.
Miss Yoon will produce an heir.
But it will plunge the monarchy in darkness.
What?
Laws will be broken...
and people will fight.
It might ruin our nation.
Think long and hard.
(Song Gae-nam) What... what's wrong?
(Song Man-deuk) You're an illiterate eunuch, right?
Um...
We'll teach you how to read.
What?
Don't.
A dose of ink should do you some good.
- Stop. - Stop right there.
- Get him! - Stop right there.
Get him!
- Stop! - Get him!
Help me. They're trying to kill me.
Are they?
(Yang Sung-yoon) You'll do the same when you're older.
It's your turn to get beaten up now.
Why you!
What's this smell?
You haven't been potty-trained yet?
You stink.
How dare you! Apologize right now.
What? How dare you talk back to me!
What happened to you?
I have something to say.
Go on.
Our supervisors are beating us up because we're new.
I think it's wrong.
Please punish them.
(Jo Chi-gyum, Head of Eunuchs) What?
Punish them for making you fall in line?
Forbid them from beating trainees.
Our rules come before any law.
It comes before any title or order.
Superiors are to be obeyed.
What you went through is one of the ways we enforce such obedience.
If you can't stand it, you can't be a eunuch.
Leave on your own accord.
Leave this instant!
Lord Jo. What's going on?
Ma'am.
Han-soo reminds me of when you were young.
Teach him well and he'll be of great service to you.
Aren't all your students meant for great things in life?
It all depends on what they learn.
Some will save lives while some will live to kill.
What do you think of me?
Didn't you set out to conquer the world?
Come on.
Could a mere eunuch be able to conquer the world?
You don't care what others think of you as long as you control the king, right?
So, who will the king marry?
I don't know. Both candidates will have a rough life.
Do you really believe in destiny?
You're Head of Eunuchs and Chun-dong is destined to become a eunuch...
because it's the gods' will. No one can challenge the gods.
But if Miss Han becomes queen, won't Miss Yoon's destiny change?
Miss Yoon's destined to become queen.
You can try to block a river, but it still flows to the sea.
You can't change one's destiny.
If Miss Yoon becomes queen, everyone in the palace...
including your department will end up killing each other.
Pardon?
Chun-dong is the only one who can stop this.
Only the boy with 3 virtues and 3 flaws can stop it.
I can't believe she sent us all this.
(Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon) I guess So-hwa will become queen.
(Yoon Gi-gyun, So-hwa's father) Let's wait until it's finalized.
So-hwa, you must watch how you act.
I will, father.
If Miss Yoon becomes queen, everyone in the palace...
including your department will end up killing each other.
Only the boy with 3 virtues and 3 flaws can stop it.
Sir. Minister Han is here.
What brings you here?
Who did Queen Junghee choose to be the king's wife?
Pardon?
Why are you asking me that?
(Han Myung-hwe) Don't you know all that...
goes on in the palace?
Queen Junghee is undecided, and Queen Insoo favors Miss Yoon.
If Yoon's daughter becomes queen...
the palace will be thrown into turmoil.
I agree with you.
Yoon's daughter must never become queen.
Never.
- You're Jung Han-soo? - Yes, Your Highness.
I heard you were punished...
for telling me the king was missing. Have you recovered fully?
A eunuch must do all he can for the king.
I'd even die if it were to save the king from danger.
How impressive.
I'm so glad the king has a loyal servant like you.
Thank you.
It's a reward for what you did.
I just did my duty, Your Highness.
Take it and continue to do your best for the king.
I will serve His Majesty as best I can.
Very well. I trust you will.
Your Highness, Lord Jo is here.
Let him in.
You called for me?
I don't want this trainee...
to be ostracized because of what he did last time.
Can you promise he won't be?
His case has already been dealt with.
You have nothing to worry about.
I'll take your word for it then.
How dare a mere trainee try to brown-nose the queen mother.
I didn't. I came because she called me.
Words cause more trouble than actions.
Watch what you say and don't ever act rashly.
Yes, sir.
Adopt Han-soo.
He'll make a great heir.
I agree with you.
He's a noble, handsome, and he's smart.
He's just perfect.
The king will get married soon. I'm too busy for this.
I know that, and that's why I'm trying to help.
You need to adopt a son to carry on our family name.
Han-soo is on probation for causing a commotion.
I think we should wait and see.
It's good to be careful, but you don't have much time.
I don't understand him.
He still wants to adopt that boy.
What boy?
The boy with 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
I think you should check him out.
I think I should.
What are you doing out here?
I'm better now.
I should work.
(Wolhwa, Chun-dong's foster mother) Get more rest. No one will mind.
(Chun-dong, future Chuh-sun) Shouldn't a commoner work?
See you.
Post notices for new students and fix those loose roof tiles.
Yes, ma'am.
Where's Mr. Choi? Is he drinking again?
Lady Choi. You're still alive, are you?
Who's this?
You're old Mr. Noh.
We met when you were a court maid. That was over 50 years ago.
You were a clueless trainee back then.
Was I?
And now we share a mutual son.
I still regret letting you adopt Chi-gyum.
I came to ask for a grandson. I think you beat me to it.
A grandson?
The boy with 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
I'd like to see him.
You're Chun-dong?
Yes.
OK, you're excused.
He looks clever. And strong-willed too.
He has 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
I guess he'd make a great eunuch.
You don't like him?
It's not that. Thank you.
I'll see you soon.
Who's this young lady?
Sulyoung.
My foster daughter.
Foster daughter?
I never heard of a eunuch that has a foster daughter.
Tell her fortune before we leave.
She's beautiful enough to make a king desert his country.
You're right. I could sell her for a fortune.
Beautiful flowers smell good too, but they have thorns. So be careful.
She can revive a eunuch's testes, but she can also kill.
Revive a eunuch's testes?
Right.
She'll do something no eunuch could ever do.
- Let's go. - Get up.
What do you think of him?
Do you think his 3 virtues will keep my family's legacy alive?
I'm not surprised Lord Jo likes him.
But I don't think he's good enough.
He's likeable, but not good enough...
Beodeul.
Just one bite.
You haven't eaten for days. Are you that serious about this?
I'd rather die than not be a court maid.
How can you say that? Here.
(Beodeul) I'll make you rich.
Let me become a court maid. Please?
(Mr. Choi, teacher) Gosh.
You want me to help?
Yes.
You can pull some strings.
She's my only daughter. I can't force my will on her.
I called you to discuss the king's marriage.
The palace is full of people, but you're the only one I can talk to.
Both Miss Han and Miss Yoon are born to become queens,
but their lives will be very troubled.
You can't make big decisions based only on one's destiny.
The king needs Minister Han's support.
But you know Lady Choi is never wrong.
What if we make the wrong choice?
We must make sure no one challenges the king now.
The king can replace his queen when he gains full control.
How dare you say that.
As a eunuch, all I wish for is the king's well-being.
Queen Junghee will choose Miss Han?
Yes, I think so.
The king will become sick again.
He's surrounded by hundreds of young, pretty court maids.
He'll get over it soon enough.
I guess.
I saw the boy with 3 virtues and 3 flaws.
He's handsome and he looks strong-willed.
He'd make a good heir.
I'm glad you like him.
But...
he's not for us.
Pardon?
Why not?
If that truly is his destiny, he'll become the greatest eunuch ever.
But we don't need the greatest eunuch.
We need one with ambition.
Father, please reconsider him.
I've made up my mind already.
Adopt the boy who came in first in the exam. He's the boy for us.
Everything in this repository belongs to the king.
Don't you dare ruin or steal anything, or you'll pay with your life.
Yes, sir.
Han-soo.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Try not to get into trouble.
You can go and have dinner.
OK.
Jung Han-soo.
You go clean the bathroom.
You refuse to?
Ow...
Are you OK?
Look where you're going, OK? Gosh, my behind hurts...
I'm sorry.
Hurry along before someone notices you're missing.
Yes, sir.
What a waste.
Father, stop crying.
When will I see you again?
Court maids are never let out unless they die.
Would they not even let me see my own father?
I'll send for you once I bed the king.
No way.
Beodeul, give it some more thought. You can still change your mind.
Please look after my father.
Don't worry. Take care.
Beodeul, Beodeul...
I'll become the king's concubine, so mind your manners.
Yes, ma'am.
- Are you ready? - Yes.
Let's go.
Beodeul, don't go! My baby...
Father, I can't breathe...
No...
You've made up your mind. Stick to it. Let's go.
Beodeul... Beodeul...
Beodeul, Beodeul...
Stop it.
Mrs. Oh will take good care of her.
Beodeul, Beodeul...
Come in, I'll get you a drink.
Beodeul...
I'll tell Queen Junghee. Please look after her.
I'd love to have her around, but will her father manage without her?
He has no choice. She insists.
She's quite unpredictable, but she'll do well in the palace.
You must watch what you say.
Don't you dare spread rumors,
or someone might come after you.
Pretend you don't see, hear, or know anything.
Yes, ma'am.
Feel free to ask me for any help you need.
Yes, ma'am.
Who lives in there?
The king's wife.
It's vacant now, but someone will move in soon.
I swear that someone will be me.
Drag them out and search the place.
Yes, sir.
- Get up. - Wake up.
Get up right now. You heard me.
- Get up. - Come outside.
Come outside.
Get up.
- Start searching. - Yes, sir.
(Jang Soon-moo)
- Bring him over! - Yes, sir.
How dare you steal from the king.
I don't know what you're talking about.
You feign innocence when we found this amongst your belongings?
Take him away!
It wasn't me! I'm innocent!
It wasn't me!
I'm innocent!
It wasn't me! I'm innocent!
You stole something that belongs to the king you serve.
You deserve to be killed. This is how we deal with thieves.
Bring it.
Cut it.
Stealing from the king will not be tolerated.
We still haven't found the third jewel.
I heard he didn't confess.
Weren't you too rash?
He didn't confess, but we had solid proof.
Sung-yoon. What brings you here?
How... Where did you get this?
I stole it to pay for some drinks.
The boy who lost his hand is innocent.
What? That can't be... Then who stole it?
The boy who will succeed Chi-gyum did.
You'll find out soon enough.
He cut off a colleague's hand now, but later he'll kill for what he wants.
Just like you, Chi-gyum.
I swear I'll become Head of Eunuchs.
Summon our relatives after the king's wedding.
We'll announce Han-soo's adoption and finish the paperwork.
Why won't you answer?
I can't do that, father.
Why not?
Three jewels were missing and a eunuch's hand was cut off.
But I think Han-soo was the one who stole them.
Do you have proof it was him?
No.
Yet you think he's the criminal?
Why don't you want to adopt him?
Is it about Wolhwa's son?
I told you I wouldn't accept him as my grandson!
Why won't you give in?
Father.
From the day you adopted me, I've always did as you wished.
This is the first time I'm disobeying you.
Why is that?
Our family always enjoyed great wealth and power.
If I adopt Han-soo, he will succeed me.
I'm sure he'll make us all proud.
But I'm sick of killing people to preserve what we have.
I want to end it here.
What?
We might have more power than the king.
But a eunuch is just a eunuch.
How dare you!
Don't say that!
Father.
We bow to those who are more powerful.
But people call us monsters.
I want to be respected by all.
We can be great too.
I want an heir who will be respected by all.
If Chun-dong's fate is what it is,
then our family will go down in history.
Through him, I want to prove...
even eunuchs can be loyal.
Please try to understand.
The king's marriage is cause for celebration.
It will bring everyone together...
and help calm the worried people.
I've thought long and hard. Minister Han's daughter will be queen.
Lord Jo. See to the preparations of the royal wedding.
I shall do so.
The king will be so disappointed.
What should I do?
His marriage is about politics, not love or personal affection.
He'll understand in due time.
Your Highness, the king is here.
Mother. I heard I am to marry Miss Han.
Is that true?
Yes.
You'll get married in ten days.
This can't be happening.
You said my grandmother favored So-hwa.
It wasn't an easy decision. There's nothing I can do now.
I can't let So-hwa down.
I won't accept this!
You must rule a nation.
You can't put love before your country.
Choosing a queen isn't about love. It's about what's best for the nation.
I'm disappointed in you.
I hate being king!
Your Majesty. Your Majesty!
Nurse.
Your Majesty.
Nurse.
I can't keep the promise I made with So-hwa.
Go on, cry.
Cry until you feel better.
Your Majesty.
Everyone has a painful memory.
Everyone looks up to you.
The sorrow you feel today will help you govern with grace.
Hang in there.
This will make you a better person.
I hope you give birth to many sons.
I will.
Queen Insoo, it's your turn.
I wish you become a wise wife and queen and serve the king with all your heart.
I will do that.
Congratulations on becoming the king's in-law.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
But I'm not sure if my daughter has what it takes to be queen.
Go on.
Yes, sir.
It's a small gift from me.
You have people in every office.
Please assist the queen and help her gain the respect and love of the people.
Don't worry. We'll serve her as best we can.
Good, thank you. Please do that.
Come on, let's have a drink.
- Drink up. - Thank you.
Will you have a drink before going to bed?
No.
Then we'll help the queen undress.
I wish to talk to her. Leave us.
My queen.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'm listening.
I'm in love with someone else.
Today's wedding wasn't about us. We're being used to unite the officials.
I'll do what a husband should do. I hope you fulfill your duty too.
How could you be so cruel to me?
I learned it from my father-in-law.
You're his daughter. You'll know what I mean.
I trust you. I will.
So-hwa.
Blame me.
Blame this useless fool.
Miss.
Chun-dong.
I shouldn't have dreamed of becoming queen.
How dare a poor noble like me ever wish for such a thing.
Miss...
I wish the man I loved...
were a poor scholar's son.
Then I wouldn't feel like my heart is breaking into pieces.
I'm sure the king loves you.
Take it.
This wasn't meant for me.
Chun-dong.
Return it to him if you meet him again.
Miss...
I won't ever cry over him again.
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
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
Your Majesty, over here.
(Five years later, 1474)
Your Majesty.
I got you.
Is it Miss Hong or Miss Um?
I'll make you drink, whoever you are.
Mother. Good afternoon.
What do you think you're doing?
You should be studying whenever you can.
(King Sungjong) How dare you play such games.
Do you think the people care for such a useless king?
I'm sorry.
Don't be so hard on him.
He read all the books he needs. Even the ministers are impressed.
He needs to take a break too.
You favor him too much.
I fear his subordinates won't take him seriously.
They say a king can never do wrong. But be prudent, for your mother's sake.
I'm sorry if I upset you.
I'll keep in mind what you said.
You may leave.
OK.
Don't worry too much.
He's full of energy. He just wants to have a good time.
I'm just worried he's not spending any time with his queen.
It's all my fault.
Perhaps I should've chosen Miss Yoon to be queen.
It's all in the past. Try to let it go.
Ja-chi, come closer.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Closer.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I'll spend the night with a maid. Find me a pretty one.
(Choi Ja-chi) But your mother will be furious.
Don't worry about that. Just do as I say.
Your Highness. You must produce an heir to the throne.
I brought you some medicine to help you conceive.
I apologize for causing so much worry.
Don't say that.
Does the king visit often?
(Queen Gonghye) Yes...
When was the last time he came by?
It's been...
Don't you dare lie.
Over three months ago.
He works and studies too hard. Don't worry about me.
Gae-nam.
So... So-woon.
- Don't work too hard. - I'm fine.
Here.
It was Lady Jang's birthday. I brought you some rice cakes.
(Song Gae-nam) Thanks s... so... much.
(Moon So-woon) Slow down.
It's all yours. Take your time.
I wonder why I'm always hungry.
So-woon.
- I'm glad I found you. - Ja-chi. What's up?
The king will spend the night with a maid. You escort him.
Again?
You know more maids than any of us.
See you there at midnight.
Ja-chi.
You want a rice cake?
- Gae-nam. - Huh?
Stuff yourself. Sweeping can be hard work.
OK.
(Beodeul)
What now, Beodeul?
The king will spend the night with a maid again tonight?
How did you find out?
There's always a way to find out.
Here.
What's this?
Escort the king to my room.
What?
You promised. Don't let me down, So-woon.
Chun-dong.
(Kim Chun-dong, future Chuh-sun)
You're here already?
You try castrating him today.
What?
Why are you so shocked? You can't be an assistant forever.
You might as well start getting the hang of it.
But if it goes wrong...
I'll help you.
You've seen enough to know what to do.