Episode 11
Can you manage?
I don't know yet.
The more you practice, the less you'll tremble.
I hated being a butcher, so I became a castrator.
But whether you're a eunuch or a castrator,
we're still monsters.
Take this.
A Buddha carving?
I carved one each for the parents of the boys I castrated.
As a way of apologizing for ending their family line.
You should do the same.
How ironic.
The engagement was broken, but you get to be a concubine.
Yoon So-hwa, future Lady Yoon
So-hwa, tell me how you feel.
Mrs. Shin, So-hwa's mother Her second rejection.
The poor thing...
I got what I've been wishing for. But why do I feel so empty?
I finally get to see you again. But why am I so afraid?
Chun-dong.
Welcome home.
Have you heard? Miss Yoon has been chosen to marry the king.
Kim Chun-dong, future Chuh-sun
Is that true?
Wolhwa, Chun-dong's foster mother Yes. She'll enter the palace soon.
What's wrong?
Miss. I heard. Congratulations.
I wouldn't have survived a single day had it not been for you.
Chun-dong.
Regardless of status, you were my best friend.
Like this tree,
you gave me courage, and you comforted me too.
I'll never forget... the piggyback rides you gave me.
Miss...
Thank you so much.
I'll be scared in the palace, alone without you.
The king will take good care of you.
So this is our final goodbye.
I'll never forget you.
Miss.
Be happy with the king.
Chun-dong.
Goodbye.
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
Queen Junghee will bring in a concubine?
Jo Chi-gyum, Head of Eunuchs Yes. That's what she wants.
But Queen Insoo is against it.
Mr. Noh, Jo's foster father It'll lead to a power struggle.
Mrs. Jung, Lord Jo's wife Even the royals want an heir.
When will you adopt a son?
Sulyoung She's right.
Adopt someone before my birthday.
Bear with me for now. I'll make up my mind within the month.
Look after yourself.
Take care of her.
Don't worry.
I heard hundreds of maids worship the king.
You need to gain the royals' trust.
Watch your manners and your speech.
And don't upset Queen Gonghye.
I won't.
So-hwa... When will I see you again?
You shouldn't cry on such a great day.
We don't have all day.
Get into the carriage.
Mother, I'll write to you.
Don't worry.
I broke up her engagement,
and she got summoned. I kept my side of the deal.
I'll never forget what you did.
I want you to do something for me too.
What's that?
I want to be your father.
Chun-dong.
Be my son.
I heard a grown man can't be castrated. How... ?
That's because a castrated man...
will usually bleed to death.
You said you'd give up your life for me.
So give it up.
But...
A castrator cannot become a eunuch.
So? Will you keep your promise?
I need time to think.
OK. You have three days.
Queen Insoo What do you mean by a concubine?
Lady Jang just checked her virginity.
Queen Junghee gave the order.
Why didn't she consult me first?
Whose daughter is this?
The daughter of the late Yoon Gi-gyun.
What? So-hwa?
Miss Yoon has entered the palace.
Good job.
I'll inform Queen Insoo and appoint her as concubine.
Look after her until then.
Your Highness, Queen Insoo is here.
Queen Junghee Let her in.
Your Highness.
Why did you summon her without consulting me first?
I'm sorry I didn't consult you.
But Queen Gonghye has no children. The king needs a concubine.
Don't get upset.
But why So-hwa?
Lady Choi's prediction came true.
We humans can't change our destinies.
I summoned So-hwa to save our monarchy.
If that's your reason, I won't accept it.
We can't have two queens.
It will tear us apart.
So-hwa will distract the king.
Please consider Queen Gonghye's plight.
You must throw her out.
A maid who leaves the palace must either become a nun or die.
- Isn't that too cruel? - Lord Jo.
Stay out of it.
Queen Insoo, I do feel sorry for Queen Gonghye.
But we need an heir.
We can't let our emotions dictate what we do.
Then let me choose some candidates.
Appoint a concubine after interviewing them.
If you're that adamant...
I'll do as you say.
Lord Jo. Why did you help bring her in?
I just did what the king desires.
What do you mean?
The king is still in love with her.
A eunuch should be able to tell what the king desires.
Please excuse me.
Stay here and study the palace rules.
What?
Then I can't see the king?
You have to wait until you're appointed concubine. But don't worry.
Lady Oh will help you.
Court Lady Oh Nice to meet you again.
Weren't you the king's nurse?
I was.
Miss Choi will assist you at all times.
I'm Choi Beodeul.
This is all new to me. I hope we get along.
Yoon So-hwa is in the palace?
I managed to postpone her appointment as concubine.
Han Myung-hwe This is terrible.
She must be thrown out!
I can't throw her out without a good reason.
We have to do something about this situation.
Think of some concubine candidates.
I'm not feeling well. Please wash these.
Aren't you bored of reading all day?
Do your own washing.
I'm the king's concubine. Watch your manners.
Beodeul You watch YOUR manners.
I'm here by order of Lady Oh, but I'm a court maid.
Ordering me around when you haven't been appointed.
What nonsense.
So what, if you're of noble birth. The king hasn't even seen you yet.
We're in the same boat.
And how dare you talk down to me.
She's burning up. When did she become ill?
I don't know.
I told you to look after her. What were you doing?
I have work to do.
I don't have time to serve someone who hasn't even been appointed yet.
Go and get Dr. Yang.
Yang Sung-yoon
How is she?
Her circulation is failing.
Bring the fever down with a cold wet towel.
I'll brew her some medicine.
Chun-dong.
Mother.
I was in the neighborhood, so I came by.
I'll take that. You're tired, huh?
I'm older now. I can't dance like I used to.
I'm so sorry for not being able to get a proper job.
Don't say that.
I just want to see you get married and have a family.
You can never become a eunuch once you've castrated someone.
Will you have no regrets?
Go on, answer her.
I won't.
Old shaman
- Mr. Choi. - Yes?
How many boys need to be castrated?
Three this month.
Chun-dong.
More boys want to get castrated now. It'll make quite a good living.
Have you made up your mind?
Yes.
OK, so tell me.
I'm sorry. I just can't become your son. But...
I will serve you like a father forever.
I promise you that.
If that's what you say.
Do as you wish.
I'm sorry.
I don't need a son who goes against his own word.
Follow me. We must go somewhere.
Your Highness.
I'm here to see So-hwa.
What illness is it? Why has she lost consciousness?
The physician doesn't know the cause.
Tie a rope to the door and don't let anyone in.
No one must come near her.
Your Highness.
Your High...
Beodeul.
- So-woon. - What's going on?
Moon So-woon Guards at a roped door...
Is someone very ill?
A concubine is ill?
The Miss Yoon who didn't get to become queen.
And now she's about to get thrown out without even seeing the king.
Poor girl.
What's this?
Queen Insoo prohibited anyone from entering.
What?
Step aside.
Miss.
Miss. Wake up, miss.
Miss. Miss.
What will happen to her? Why is there a rope in the doorway?
She can't marry the king now. She'll be thrown out of the palace.
What?
She crossed the palace threshold.
So now she either becomes a nun, or she must kill herself.
It's cruel, but she has no choice.
No way. That can't happen.
Sir, please save her.
There's nothing I can do.
Sir.
You can save her life.
The deal is off.
- Sir. - It's your call.
Sir.
Sir, please...
You have two options. Risk your life and let me adopt you...
or let her be thrown out and die.
That's it. Think very carefully.
Mister.
Castrate me.
Are you insane? Castrate you?
If you're drunk, come back when you're sober.
I said castrate me.
I'll become a eunuch.
I hate being called a butcher.
I hate being a shaman's son.
I'll become Lord Jo's son and live in luxury.
So castrate me. Right now!
You really won't regret it?
I won't.
Do it.
You really won't regret it?
I won't.
Then close your eyes.
No.
Don't... No...
Don't.
I'm done.
Don't worry, it's still there.
Mister.
Only a boy should be castrated.
A grown man can't go through with it.
How can he when... he knows about physical pleasure.
Focus on learning to be a castrator.
What do you mean, he wanted to be castrated?
I asked you a question.
Gaedochi, you tell her.
At first I thought he just didn't want to become a castrator.
But I think he really means it.
He nearly lost two perfect jewels.
Why would he... ? Why... ?
Wolhwa. One's destiny is like a snare.
The more you try to escape it, the tighter it becomes.
If it's his destiny, you must accept it.
No way. I won't, over my dead body.
It won't be easy on her either...
No. Don't... No...
Chun-dong.
Why did you want to be castrated?
Tell me what happened.
Chun-dong.
I hate being called a butcher and a shaman's son.
I wanted to become Lord Jo's son so you could live in luxury.
I know you're not that kind of a person.
There must be another reason.
What is it?
I thought I could do anything to be an honest person.
I thought I could die to protect someone who trusted me.
But the minute I saw the blade, I wanted to run away.
In that split second, I regretted deciding to go through with it.
That's me.
I thought I could do it to keep a promise.
But it was a lie.
I deceived myself.
I'm a selfish wretch.
It's not your fault.
Blame the gods for your destiny.
Mother...
Will she recover?
All illnesses are psychological.
It's what causes one to be struck by lightning or beaten up by gangsters.
No medicine will work now.
Whether she'll get better, or whether she'll leave as a corpse...
depends on her will to live.
Miss Yoon is very ill... ?
Lord Jo, how ill is she?
The next three days and nights are critical.
What a pity.
Your Highness, she must leave.
I tied a rope to the door and forbade anyone from entering.
But throwing her out will end it once and for all.
What do you think, Lord Jo?
The physician says she might recover. Perhaps you should wait for a few days.
How dare you say that.
If a concubine candidate dies in the palace, people will talk.
You can't give such bad advice.
We don't throw out an animal just because it is ill.
Isn't a person's life even more precious?
I think he's right.
Let's give this some more time.
Lord Jo. I'm sure you know the king was once betrothed to Miss Yoon.
I haven't forgotten.
If he hears that she's in the palace, he will get too excited and sentimental.
Don't tell him about her...
until we've decided what to do with her.
If someone tells the king about her, you'll be held responsible and punished.
Do you understand?
I do.
So-woon.
Why do y... you look so bl... blue?
We have to tell the king about Miss Yoon.
What?
Choi Ja-chi, Hong Gwi-nam No way. We were told to keep quiet.
Watch what you say or you'll be done for.
But Miss Yoon is a kind and gentle lady.
We're the king's subjects. We can't let our emotions ruin things.
He's right.
One small slip and our dept. will be in trouble.
I do feel bad for Miss Yoon, but it has nothing to do with us.
He's ri... right. Let's go and e... eat.
Come on.
You too.
Queens Insoo and Junghee might go head-to-head over a concubine.
It won't end until the king has a son.
Everyone needs an heir, royals and eunuchs alike.
Chi-gyum, you promised to adopt someone within the month.
Trust me. I won't delay it any further.
Jung Han-soo
Gaedochi. Why are you here?
Lord Jo.
Leave Chun-dong alone.
There are many other boys you can take a pick from.
None of them are your real son anyway.
So who cares who carries on your family name?
Why does it have to be Chun-dong?
You're drunk.
You're right.
I had a drink because a grown man asked to be castrated.
It made me sad.
Then I thought of his poor mother.
And it made me feel even worse.
Sir. Must you adopt Chun-dong?
Let's talk when you're sober.
Let's go.
You can't go until you answer me.
Why you...
How dare you hassle a castrator!
Step aside. I don't want to hurt you.
We'll see who gets hurt.
Move.
He's strong. It's a pity he's a castrator.
He'd be a general if only he weren't a commoner.
Chun-dong wanted to be castrated... ?
Take this.
What are these?
Your mother left them.
My mother? What do you mean?
Chun-dong.
I didn't give birth to you.
Mother... What are you talking about?
I should tell you about your past.
I was of noble birth.
Mr. Song of Gunchun is my father.
Then... how... ?
I was of noble birth, but...
the spirits in me kept making me ill.
So I was cast away.
I blamed my destiny for everything that had happened.
I even tried to kill myself.
I thought I'd be better off dead. But that's when I found you.
It's the measles. He'll die if the fever doesn't break.
Darling... Wake up, darling.
A shaman can't bring up a baby.
It's not meant to be. Give up on him now or you never will.
He was abandoned by the gods as well as his parents.
You can't change someone's destiny.
Darling, you'll be fine. I'm right here.
I was born and brought up a noble, but my family cast me away.
I wanted to die than be a shaman,
but this baby made me want to live.
Dear gods, I'll do as you wish.
I'll be a shaman, so please cure...
please save my baby.
Darling...
The gods saved you, so I accepted my fate.
So I'm the boy who's meant to be a eunuch?
The old shaman said it's your fate, but I can't let you be a eunuch.
That's why I wanted to make you a castrator.
That's the least I can do for your father and mother.
If I were your mother, then I might have accepted your fate.
But I can't, for your parents' sake.
Mother...
Chun-dong.
Don't become a eunuch. You might see your parents again.
You mustn't end your family line.
Mother.
YOU are my mother... Mother.
How do you feel?
Beodeul, call Dr. Yang.
OK...
She'll pull through. Try to feed her some porridge.
OK.
Your Majesty... How could you... ?
She was engaged to the king?
Yes. They were betrothed when they were still young.
So her illness was psychological.
Then a visit from the king would work wonders for her.
I guess I shouldn't have said that.
King Sungjong
Your Majesty, do you want to see them dance?
No.
I just want to drink.
Shall I call So-woon?
Yes.
I could do with some cheering up.
Come on.
You should cheer the king up. What are you crying over anyway?
Hear what I have to say.
Listen to my sad, sad story.
I came to the palace to be with my love.
But I might get thrown out without even seeing you.
Poor me.
What did I do wrong?
Mr. Moon.
How dare you make the king feel even worse. Stop this instant.
It's fine, Mr. Gang.
But...
I want to...
drown myself in tears today.
Go on.
Have you forgotten me? My love.
You promised you'd return.
Have all those maids taken my place?
How could you... ?
My love... Please look at me.
Have all the bright flowers blinded you?
I'm right at your side. Why can't you see me?
I'm a white flower, shining bright.
But I'm wilting away.
Come see me... Before it's too late.
Why the heck did you do that?
I gave up being a man. But I'm still a human being.
Miss. Miss.
What? The king?
Yes, I'm sure of it.
Come with me.
Take that down and let me in.
Someone is very ill. Queen Insoo forbade all visitors.
It's an order. Take that down!
How dare you disobey me!
Your Majesty.
What brings you here?
I'm here to see who's inside.
Who's inside that villa?
Why won't you answer?
Now you're against me too?
Your mother forbade us to tell you who is inside.
Please leave.
Then just tell me this. Then I'll go.
Is it... who I think it is?
Why won't you tell me?
Is it not So-hwa?
You're not well enough to get up.
I have to meet the king.
The king? You're hearing things.
Girls, help her lie down!
Let go, I have to see the king!
Let me go! Let go of me! I have to... !
You're not on my side either.
Your Majesty. Please return to your chambers.
I'm going inside.
Mr. Gang. Get rid of that rope.
Queen Insoo is here.
What are you doing here?
Mother. I must see who's inside.
Please let me in.
I can't.
A very ill patient is in the villa. You can't go in, so please leave.
Who's inside? Is it someone I know?
Men, don't just stand there.
Escort the king away from the villa immediately.
I will.
Your Majesty, you must go.
Let go of me! Don't you dare touch me.
Step away from me!
We must protect you at all costs. Forgive us.
Mother, you can't do this.
Mother. Mother!
Why did he come here?
I don't know either.
No one can go in until we decide what to do with her.
Sorry about that.
Let's go.
Your Majesty. Your Majesty...
I guess I can't have anything at all
I bet all I had, yet I'm still alone
Perhaps I have to wait even longer
Or perhaps we just weren't meant to be