1494, 25th year of Sungjong's reign
Episode 54 You're good.
Yeah.
Jump.
Ja-won.
I'll show you how to dance.
Beat the drum.
What do you think you're doing?
I was sick of studying, so I came out to have some fun.
You should study,
not waste time singing and dancing.
You'll never be able to fill your father's shoes.
I'm sorry.
He knows he did wrong. Please forgive him.
I will forgive you, for Queen Junghyun's sake.
But if I hear about this again, I'll beat you with a switch.
I understand.
You may leave.
I'm afraid he doesn't study hard enough.
The ministers praise his intelligence.
He's just full of energy, that's all.
He'll get into trouble if he doesn't learn to use it well.
He is... Mrs. Yoon's son after all.
Where is Ja-won?
Lord Kim called him away.
How dare you cause such trouble and worry.
I'm sorry, sir.
He's not your friend.
He's the master you must even die for.
It won't happen again.
If it does, I'll teach you a real lesson.
Yes, sir.
Here's some ointment.
Are you alright?
Did Lord Kim beat you?
I'm alright.
I can't dance anymore. Life is about to get boring.
How about visiting a bar in the capital?
A bar? How can we get out?
I know a secret passageway through my department.
You really are my loyal servant.
I heard you are ill. Why are you out here?
It's cold, let's go inside.
Lord Kim.
I'm listening.
What do you think of my reign?
Am I a great, wise king?
You announced the law you govern by,
and you recruited scholars to assist you.
You surely did well.
But I had to sacrifice Queen Yoon.
It doesn't feel right.
I miss her so much today...
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
He was always healthy. Why did he cough up blood?
He seems to have gotten weak.
I'll brew him some medicine.
I'm sorry about this.
You've been working too hard. No wonder you're tired.
You need to get some rest.
Do as Queen Insoo says.
Your people need to know you are well.
I'm just a bit tired, that's all. I'll be fine in a few days.
Lord Kim.
Why isn't the crown prince here yet?
What? You think he left the palace?
Yes, sir. He's nowhere to be seen.
Lord Kim.
No news yet?
My men are looking for him. Please don't worry.
I'm hungry.
Don't cry.
I'll get you some food, alright?
Save your energy. Don't cry.
- Sir. - Sir.
- Just a penny. - Sir, please.
- Just a penny. - Please.
Men can't get enough of Wolhyang and Myungwol.
Wolhyang is the pretty one, but Myungwol is a better singer.
They're both famous.
Who do you want to meet first?
What's wrong?
Your Highness.
Ma'am.
Why are you out here in the cold?
The poor thing's hungry. Mommy went to get rice.
We'll make you some porridge soon.
Sir, what are you doing?
- Give her some silver. - Pardon?
Do as I said.
Here.
You'll be blessed.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Why did you do that?
The ministers praise my father while the people die of hunger.
Is this what they call peace?
I have to go back.
Still no news about the crown prince?
We're looking. We'll find him soon.
How did he sneak out without any of the guards knowing?
If no one knew,
then he used the secret passageway.
Who could he be with?
The crown prince went to see the king.
Your Majesty, the crown prince is here.
Let him in.
Why did you cough up blood?
I'm fine, there's no need to worry.
Did you see the doctor?
The king is ill. Shouldn't you have come sooner?
What have you been doing?
Why won't you answer me?
He didn't get the message because he dozed off while reading.
It's my fault he's late. Punish me instead.
How dare you interrupt.
I'm sorry.
Is what Mr. Kim said true?
Mother, he fell asleep because he was tired.
He's here now, so let it go.
From now on, don't cause concern about your unknown whereabouts.
I won't.
I just punished you a few hours ago. Yet you took him out of the palace?
It was so that he could relax and have fun.
What?
A eunuch must be able to see how his master feels and what he wants.
A eunuch must help his master take the right path.
It's not our duty to brown-nose and cause trouble.
You shall be demoted.
Clean the palace grounds until further notice.
And while you do, think about your duty as a eunuch.
How is the king? Coughing up blood isn't good.
He's been attending many meetings,
has too many banquets, and sleeps with too many women.
It's only natural he became ill.
Why are you here, Your Highness?
Is this my father's medicine?
Yes, it is.
Give me the fan. I'll brew it myself.
I will do it for you. You stay with your father.
I want to do my duty as a son.
I thought he would be healthy forever. I feel bad to see him ill.
Let me brew the medicine.
I called you to ask for a favor.
We're listening.
Minister Noh, make sure the ministers serve Yoong well.
I will.
Minister Yoon, look after him as any maternal grandfather would.
Minister Shin, you're his father-in-law.
Teach him well.
Look after him, even after I'm gone.
Your Majesty, why are you saying that?
You must recover as soon as possible.
Yes, I should recover.
But if I don't, Yoong's life is in your hands.
Will you care for him?
We will.
I feel so relieved.
Merciful Buddha, please help the king recover from his illness.
I was widowed when I was 2 0, and my son was all I've lived for.
Make him well so that he can help our nation prosper.
Your Highness, we're here to pray too.
Good.
Prince Jinsung, you want to pray with your mother?
Yes.
You're such a good boy.
I'm sure the king will recover through your prayers.
Come over here.
- Alright. - Sit down.
The crown prince brewed this for you himself.
Thank you, Yoong.
I'm proud to have such a great son.
Thank you.
Lord Kim, I'd like to speak to Yoong in private.
Of course.
Yoong, come closer.
Time flies. I still remember you as a baby, but now you're a man.
It's all thanks to you and Queen Junghyun.
Do you remember your birth mother?
I'm sure you can't forget her, however good the queen is to you.
You were shocked to find out about her. I'm sure the memory is still vivid.
I'm sure you missed her very much.
I know you resented me.
But I know your mother would be proud to see you have grown so well.
Father...
Your mother chose to die so you could become my heir.
You must never forget her sacrifice.
I'm sure she also...
would've wanted you to become a wise king through that sacrifice.
You must not resent her, whatever the reason.
As long as you don't, you'll be a wise king.
Then I won't feel half as bad for having to kill the love of my life,
and you will do her death justice.
Will you remember that?
I will, father.
Good. I trust you will.
Why do you look so upset?
My father has weakened in spirit.
I'd like to pray to the heavens for him.
Dear gods.
Please bless my father so that he can recover.
I will endure anything if it were to make him get better.
I'd give up my title, even my life.
Dear gods.
Please grant my wish.
Did you have a good dream?
The memories I have of So-hwa are so vivid.
The crown prince is praying for you.
You must get well, for his sake.
Help me get up.
Chuh-sun.
I've known you for over 2 5 years.
Do you remember the day the gangsters cornered us?
How could I ever forget?
If I weren't king,
So-hwa and I would be...
happily married forever.
I was such a terrible man.
If only I hadn't summoned her,
then I wouldn't have had to kill her.
It's all in the past. Forget about it.
How can I forget about it?
I was a horrible husband.
I feel so sorry for her even now.
Do you think she will forgive me in the next life?
I'm sure she already did.
Maybe, since she was always so merciful.
But even if she forgave me,
I couldn't forgive myself.
Your Majesty...
Chuh-sun.
Care for Yoong like you cared for us.
You must be strong, Your Majesty.
I hope you understand I really did love her.
Your Majesty.
He coughed up blood and fainted?
What's going on?
I think it's serious. You must hurry.
Oh no...
No, he mustn't... He can't...
No...
- Your Highness... - Your Highness, are you alright?
I'm fine. Let's hurry to the king's chambers.
Mother...
Yes, I'm here, Your Majesty.
I only became king... thanks to you.
I know you were worried for me and prayed diligently for me.
I was... all you had to live for.
I'm sorry for not being... a good son.
You were the best son a mother could wish for.
I was afraid people would scorn you for being fatherless so I was always strict.
And you didn't let me down.
You finished your grandfather's work,
and strengthened our nation. Your ancestors will be proud of you.
Mother...
I... have always respected you.
Please... protect Yoong like you... did me.
No...
No.
Your Majesty.
- Father. - No!
Father!
- No, Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Father.
No!
You mustn't die.
No!
Father.
- Your Majesty! - Father.
No...
Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty... - No...
Your Majesty!
Please come back!
Your Majesty!
Please come back!
Your Majesty!
Please come back!
Your Majesty!
Please come back!
As king,
I'll do my duty, gain respect,
and care for my people.
I will continue where my father left off.
I grant clemency for all crimes except high treason.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You were my father's best friend and subject.
I want you to take care of his tomb.
I'm sure he'll appreciate your company.
I will carry out your order.
When I return in three years,
I hope you're reigning in peace and are loved by the people.
I'll do my best not to let you down.
Prince Yonsan let me look after his father's tomb.
Alright. See you...
and take care.
Look after Mrs. Yoon's tomb for me.
I will.
Don't worry.
She visits every year. You go and do your job.
Thanks.
No news from Mr. Jo?
You should pay him a visit.
He is your foster father after all.
I'm a useless subject. I wasn't at the king's deathbed.
It's time...
for you to return.
You've been...|
wandering around...
for over ten years, begging for Mrs. Oh's forgiveness.
You've done enough.
Have I? I can make it up to Mrs. Oh in the afterlife.
But I'm still afraid of facing Chuh-sun.
I will take up where you left off and see to it that we prosper.
I'll work hard not to let you down, father.
Watch down on me.
I wasn't good to my father when he was alive and the guilt is too much to bear.
Everyone knows you cared for him. Please don't say such a thing.
Minister Yoon is right. You did your duty as a son.
I should've showed him how much I really cared.
I see his face even in my sleep.
If you don't mind, I'd like to hold a Buddhist service...
to commemorate him.
I know how you feel, but a Buddhist service may be a bad idea.
You persuade the ministers for me.
I'm proud of you, wanting to commemorate your father.
I'm just doing my duty as a son.
But we're no longer a Buddhist nation. The ministers might object.
It might cause trouble.
I know what you're thinking.
But they can't stop a son commemorating his father.
Right, Prince Jinsung?
You're right.
Even my younger brother agrees.
Prince Jinsung, call him ''Your Majesty. ''
It's alright.
I'd rather he treat me like a brother than a king.
It's good to see you get along so well.
The king's so excited about the service.
It's a pity the officials are against it.
We can't help him either.
This isn't good.
They're against the service.
How dare they object to my wish.
Don't they trust my intentions?
They're just against holding a Buddhist ceremony in the palace.
King Taejo let monks live in the palace. There's even a temple here.
Why are they dead against holding a Buddhist service?
It's not to pray, but to commemorate my father.
They don't take me seriously because I'm young.
That's nonsense.
Everyone praises your intentions.
They're just against the service.
What's the use of being king when I can't do what I want?
How frustrating.
Please be calm.
You know the officials aren't going against you.
I know. I need their help, so I can't force them.
But I'm not happy that they opposed the first idea I had as king.
I'll accept your petition and will not hold the service.
Thank you.
But I still want to commemorate my father.
Instead of holding a service, I'll compile a list of his achievements.
So gather the information we need.
What a wise decision.
We will do our best to carry out your order.
He's praised for canceling the service.
It's a pity the service was canceled,
but I'm glad it worked out for the king.
Who's there?!
You left without a word long ago. So what brings you here?
I couldn't eat or sleep for days after hearing about Mrs. Oh's death.
I wanted to explain everything to you,
but I just couldn't face you.
After all, I'd made my friend's son a eunuch.
What happened to my father?
The records for that year are missing.
I burned them.
What really happened?
Why are you alive when my father died a traitor?
The truth will destroy you. Don't ask.
But I must know.
The truth is that our fate brought us together.
Will you accept me as your father again?
I can't until I find out the truth.
I'm not surprised.
I'll see you again.
What really happened?!
Now is not the time. I'll tell you myself one day.
Your Majesty.
Anyone there?!
Your Majesty.
Who are you?
Have you forgotten your mother's voice?
Mother.
Your Majesty.
Mother.
Mother...
Mother... Mother...
Mother...
Your Majesty.
Wake up.
You had a bad dream.
I saw my mother in my dream.
My own mother, in a small tomb.
It's just a dream.
Ja-won.
Do you know anything about Mrs. Yoon?
- The deposed queen? - Shh.
Not so loud.
I wasn't a eunuch then, so I don't know.
And all eunuchs are forbidden to talk about her.
Look into it secretly.
The whereabouts of her tomb and her family.
I want details.
Yes, Your Majesty.
The king looks tired these days.
Help him take care of himself.
It's because he's been having bad dreams.
What bad dreams?
It's alright, you can tell me.
I need to know everything.
He dreams of his mother.
What?
Mother...
If he finds out, he'll want to kill us.
There's no way he'll find out. Don't worry.
Sorry for not visiting. How are you?
My father loved you very much. You're like mothers to me.
I will promote you to Level 1.
Thank you so much.
See you later.
Who are you?
I'm Mr. Kim. The king has summoned you.
He has?
He wants to see you in secret.
It's been a long time. I see you have gotten older.
It's an honor to see you again.
I called you to ask you about my mother.
I know she was deposed and then killed.
But I don't know why she was deposed or killed.
I didn't know who to ask.
Then I heard you'd returned to the capital.
You were Head of Eunuchs then, so you should know everything.
Tell me all you know.
Your father didn't want you to know.
I won't take revenge or anything, I promise.
I just want to know, as her son.
Do you think you can handle the truth?
I want to know. I must know.
What was her crime?
What? He summoned Mr. Jo?
Yes. They spoke in secret.
Summon Mr. Jo immediately.
A lot has changed since I left.
The buildings are the same. Just the people have changed.
Thanks for taking care of Chuh-sun.
He became Head of Eunuchs thanks to you.
His loyalty made him what he is.
Are you back for good?
I haven't made up my mind yet.
It's been a while, sir.
Hello, Lady Hong.
Have you been well?
Queen Insoo knows I'm here already?
Yes. She has summoned you urgently.
Why did the king summon you?
To ask me about his birth mother.
What? About Mrs. Yoon?
Yes. He asked me why she was killed.
So did you tell him?
I told him the truth.
Mr. Jo!
The late king forbade anyone from mentioning her.
Why did you tell him, knowing it would cause trouble?
He was going to find out anyway.
The king is wise, so he won't shed blood over this matter.
I trust in his wisdom.
You left the palace, so stay out of politics.
I will. Please excuse me.
I heard Mrs. Oh killed herself.
Do you still blame me for it?
It's my fault she killed herself, not yours.
Why would I blame you for it?
And even if I had, I'm over it now.
Something terrible will happen soon.
What do you mean?
The guilt of killing my friend has tortured me for over 40 years.
How much worse must it be to lose one's mother.
The anger within the king must be burning.
It will become a fire that will take down the palace.
Sir, it's an honor to finally meet you in person.
Help me serve the king.
What help can I be when I've left?
You must return. The king needs people like you.
You're Mr. Kim?
Yes, I am Kim Ja-won.
A spark burns in the king's heart now.
Whether you fuel it or put it out is up to you to decide.
But if you fuel it to realize your own ambition,
the fire will devour you too.
Be warned.
Mrs. Yoon, your mother, was deposed...
for hurting your father's face and hiding arsenic to harm the concubines.
After she was deposed,
she tried to poison Queen Junghyun,
and wrote to tell you to avenge her. So she was ordered to kill herself.
No, that can't be.
She wouldn't do that.
Accept the truth, Your Majesty.
Grandmother, was my mother killed for her jealousy?
I didn't want you to think badly of her.
Now that you know, I'll explain.
What Mr. Jo told you is true.
Though she was a criminal,
she still is your birth mother.
We've been holding yearly memorial services for her...
for a few years now.
Where is her tomb?
By some roadside, I heard.
And her mother and brother were exiled.
You must be strong.
You are a king now.
I don't want to see you cry for her anymore.
I won't cry for her again.
But I have a request.
Go on.
I want to pardon her family.
They are my relatives too.
Do you promise you won't mention your mother again?
You owe that much to Queen Junghyun for raising you.
I promise.
Then do as you please. I won't stop you.
Thank you.
It's been a long time.
Are you all well?
We're just bored old men now.
Are you back for good now?
I'm not sure yet. I might leave again.
You must head our council.
Now we have a say in things again.
Don't get too excited.
Getting involved in politics might just hasten your own death.
- What? - Pardon?
It's nothing. Have some tea.
I pardoned everyone. Why are Mrs. Yoon's family still exiled?
Your father told everyone to stay silent for 1 00 years.
I'm not blaming you. I just want to be fair.
I want you to pardon Mrs. Shin and Mr. Yoon.
Are you drinking again?
What else can I do?
I thought the king would avenge us.
He's doing nothing. All this suffering for nothing.
I can't survive unless I'm drunk.
But your sister's son is king.
Isn't that enough?
No, it's not.
I'll ask the king to behead the fools who framed my poor sister.
I told the king he can pardon his grandmother and uncle.
Get the ministers' approval and everything will be fine.
But the officials are against it.
That's why I need your help.
We'll try our best to persuade them.
As long as the king doesn't take revenge.
Thank you. Don't let me down.
Your Highness, it's Lady Hong.
Come in.
The officials are on strike. They're against the pardoning.
What?
Why are you going against me?
Mrs. Yoon was an atrocious criminal.
Pardoning her family will mean you pardon her.
Please take it back!
Shut your mouths!
How dare you gang up against me.
Leave or I'll have you punished.
You must consider the petition of your officials.
Please do the right thing!
Do the right thing!
Arrest these men.
Yes, sir.
Show mercy!
Release the officials, Your Majesty.
How can I when they ganged up against me?
Oppressing them will upset the people.
You want me to be a useless king who can't even correct his subjects?!
Please release them. We'll try to persuade them ourselves.
Ministers can do what a king can't?
Who governs this nation? Is it me or you and the officials?!
Your father governed by Confucianism. You should follow in his lead.
Please, Your Majesty.
I'm just a puppet. Do as you please.
What? The officials went on strike?
The king arrested them, but the ministers made him release them.
The officials are fueling the spark.
Ja-won, did you find her grave?
What's wrong? Talk to me.
It had been abandoned for a long time.
What?
The tombstone was broken and animals had ruined the grave.
It was so tragic, I couldn't stand it.
So that's where my mother lies...
How could they do this to her?
They went on about Confucianism while they abandoned her grave...
Fine, I'll make them pay for it.
I won't forgive those responsible for this.