As rumors of treason fill the Court, the King secretly commands
'Find a man with my resemblance. He shall stay in the royal chamber after sunset'
Matters need not be known shall be removed from the gazette
Journals of King Gwanghae Feb 28, 1616, 8th year of reign
MASQUERADE
Drink it
I said drink
What are you waiting for?
Punish me with death, Your Majesty
Punish us with death
Chief Royal Secretary to see His Majesty
What happened?
Silver spoon turned black
I shall have my bedchamber moved at once
Your Majesty.
You must hold your ground especially at a time like this
Is that all you have to say?
What would please your enemies more than to see you abandon your quarters?
I beg Your Majesty to take heed
Approach me
Leave us
Have you found one?
Forgive me, Sire but
Make haste
He must look exactly like me
I cannot trust anyone
No one
I beg Your Majesty to take heed
We beg Your Majesty to take heed
Don't you hear the cries of the scholars?
I beg you to allow an inquisition of Yu Jeong-ho
We beg of Your Majesty
No, Your Majesty! If you allow inquisitions based on hearsay,
there'll be a flood of unjustified accusations
giving rise to great disarray
You are crossing the line Chief Secretary!
How dare you dismiss the advice of the King's loyal servants?
It worries me that you're giving weight to rumor
when there are more urgent outstanding state affairs
What is more urgent than treason?
Your Majesty.
'(u Jeong-ho must be put to death at once
No, Your Majesty!
Punishment can wait until right and wrong has been determined
Yu Jeong-ho is a dangerous man
Give us a royal command, Your Majesty
Your command, Your Majesty
His Majesty the King!
Your Majesty Your Majesty
Yu is a heretic who rejects orthodox teachings
Retribution for his crime must not be delayed
We beg Your Majesty to take heed
I beg Your Majesty to take heed
Tread on our backs if you must
We beg of Your Majesty
This time.
They will really have my brother beheaded
Madam
This madness will only end
upon my death
His Majesty the King!
The King climbs over the wall and opens the door
asking for Hung-fin
Hong-jin Where are you, my dear?
Gotcha!
You're hiding here
Come on out Come on out of there
Oh my!
Let's see
Aren't you voluptuous?
You're a lucky man
Your Majesty.
You call upon me without notice again
If you keep doing this, I fear it will be the death of me
Come here, whore
The King takes her soft hand
and pulls her deep into the Court
He reaches for her undergarment
and her ample derriere rubs against his royal body
The King smiles happily
Then, once on the left
and once on the right
and flips her over for some more
Watching the sunrise in the east,
screw, screw!
Watching the sunset in the west,
screw, screw!
Screw here and screw there all night long
Take off the cover
Sir, sir Listen to me, I beg of you
The King involving himself with the court ladies
is such an absurd idea
Something that can never happen in real life
and what makes it interesting Help him up
With all due respect, sir
who are you?
Listen to me carefully if you wish to live
In a moment, you shall have an audience with the King
Sir?
When His Majesty asks you a question, respond with "Yes, Your Majesty"
When a longer answer is required,
you must answer by saying "If it pleases Your Majesty"
You must not ask questions or look upon his face
Make him presentable to the King
Lift your head
Repeat what I say
Is anyone there?
Yes, Your Majesty
I said repeat
Yes, Your Majesty Insufferable wretch!
Is that all you have to say?
If it pleases Your Majesty
Repeat what I say, "Is anyone there?"
I said repeat
Insufferable wretch!
Is that all you have to say?
Not bad indeed
He performs masked farce at courtesans' house
Judging from his basic knowledge of Chinese characters,
I presume he is not of the low birth
Repeat what I say
Is anyone there?
Yes, Your Majesty
Would you care for a night snack?
All right Yes, Your Majesty
Have a night snack brought in
Have plenty brought in
You scared me!
Calling upon me so frequently will upset the Queen
Will it not?
What choice do I have?
I only sleep soundly next to you
Get up
Sir
You can go now
Once every 3 nights, when the curfew bell sounds
wait by the west palace gate
Don't be late
You shall not speak of anything about tonight
You found the right man
Follow me looking at my heels only
Be careful
Three!
Spare me, My Lord!
He was charged with telling of lewd stories
I beg of you! I never knew it constituted a crime
I'm telling the truth
The gentry talk of far more lewd things, do they not?
Who are you comparing yourself to?
Four Four!
Whoever it was that ratted me out,
- I shall kill the wretched bastard - Five
Five!
Hold it
Does it hurt?
Spare me, my Lord I hear about
a new young courtesan who just arrived at Honglu
How about it?
Her, in exchange for this
But it's not up to me to decide
- My Lord! - Hit the shit out of him
Save me, my Lord!
Take all the time you need, Miss
Did you say you were from Jeonju?
Yes
How old are you?
Fifteen
I am terribly sorry
I miss my mama
Not a single chick was killed
If arsenic was present, even in the smallest dose
it would have killed the chicks
If it wasn't poison, what turned the spoon black?
Recently, they started using bamboo salt to season King's food
Bamboo salt?
Yes, Your Majesty
The iron found in bamboo salt changed the color of the spoon
I implore you, Sire and I offer my head to say this
If this is about Yu Jeong-ho, I shall not hear more of it
Forgive me, Your Majesty
but Yu Jeong-ho would never plot treason against you
enough!
I know it, too
Yu is my loyal servant and trusted brother-in-law
But I'll need to sacrifice someone like Yu
in order to gain their trust
Sir.
The royal physician sent for you
Come this way
It appears that he's been poisoned
Will he recover?
Forgive me but
I cannot confirm anything at this point
We may need to prepare for a national calamity
Who else knows about this?
So far, only myself and Chief Eunuch
I shall take full responsibility for what I'm about to say
Both you and Chief Eunuch
shall remain silent about His Majesty's condition
But, sir!
You know better than anyone
that you will not live if the King passes away
If the word about the King's condition gets out
the Court will fall into unimaginable chaos
That is clearly what the conspirator wanted
The King is confined to bed because of cold
Please wake Captain Do
and fetch the jester at once
Take His Majesty to a remote temple
Absolutely no one is to know about this
until the poison is identified
and His Majesty recovers
It's not the night we arranged
The King must be going somewhere nice
I see the beating didn't teach you anything
I beg your pardon?
Was it you that ratted me out?
I don't know how to thank you!
It was indeed an insufferable crime to make fun of the King
and the magistrate who took the girl's virginity for my crimes
is innocent
But what did that 15-year-old girl do wrong?
Was there any untruth in what I said?
Don't let your tongue run wild
It's Captain Do
His Majesty wishes to stay in his quarters tonight
I shall escort him out as soon as the King is finished
Hitting me and shit
Where is His Majesty?
The King is unwell Oh How sick is he?
Is it serious?
You'll have to act as his stand-in for a while
For how long?
There is nothing for you to worry
as long as you do as I say
I won't do it Wretch!
It's for the good of the kingdom
And none of my concern
You're asking me to put my neck on the line
I can't do it
It's 20 silver coins now
I shall give you 20 more after
My life for a few coins
I'm not that crazy
Did you say 'for the good of the kingdom'?
The good of the kingdom means the good of the people
Man, what's happening
I trust you'll keep your word about the balance
His Majesty has a terrible cold
and shall not be attending this morning's conference
The morning conference will be held again in three days
The first thing to learn are those nearest to the King
You have already met Chief Eunuch and Captain Do
Lady Han is King's designated court lady who serves him closest
Your Majesty.
The Queen asks for an audience
The Court has eyes and ears everywhere
You shall take extra care at all times
What do you mean?
Is he so terribly ill?
Your Highness
Tell him I need to see him urgently
Your Royal Highness
Is he with a court lady?
You won't get near the Queen or the concubines
and be extra cautious not to chance upon the Queen
You may resemble the King
but you won't fool those who share the bed with him
I told the officials you can't speak due to a troubled throat
If there is anything you need to ask,
ask Chief Eunuch
Can I ask something?
Come closer
You know L...
I'm sorry but I need to take a dump
I couldn't find a toilet for two days
Ask for a plum blossom pot
I need that right away
You
What are you waiting for?
Leave me
I need to take a crap Get the hell out
Hurry!
Your Majesty
Congratulations, Your Majesty
Hey! Hey!
What are you doing?
Back off Punish me with death, Your Majesty
Why would I kill you?
Just leave me
Leave me Your Majesty
Don't come any closer
When you wake in the morning, clear your throat
Court ladies will bring in water for washing up
You could've told me that earlier
Congratulations, Your Majesty
Congratulate what?
There is no outhouse for the King Ask for a plum blossom pot
I already know that
Where are they taking it to?
It's sent to the royal physician
to check the color and hardness
and taste
They taste it?
Next are the royal concubines
So many of them!
Eunuch Kim!
It's Eunuch Jo, Sire
Eunuch Jo
I heard that the King shares his bed with his concubines every night
for a royal coitus
It's a matter concerning the inner affairs of the Court
I was just worried that one of the concubines might pay a visit
I can only refuse so many times
Not to mention they might get suspicious
So... can I?
I beg your pardon?
Just an amusing thought
The King's taster tastes the food to check for any poisons
Meals are served twice a day in the morning and evening
For light meals and snacks,
- he favors buckwheat and dumplings - Bring it in
Take it out
That was good
I thought I had a big appetite
but the King must be quite a big eater himself
The court ladies at the royal kitchen
eat the leftovers from King's table
Are you telling me
that they starved all day because of me?
They are only allowed to cook for the King and for him alone
That is quite astonishing
No wonder they were looking at me horrified
That lady over there
Who is she?
It's Her Royal Highness the Queen Consort
That makes her...
Oh!
The Chief Secretary insisted upon avoiding her at all costs
The morning conference was postponed for three days
But the individual audiences cannot be delayed any more
You'll only need three phrases during the individual meetings
Do as you see fit
Next Bring him in
Go on
Do as you see fit
I'm sorry Wretch!
Have you not heard His Majesty's voice?
Keep it low and solemn
As you see fit
Do as you see fit
Your grace is immeasurable
Bring in the next
Morning conference is vitally important
It is where high-ranking officials gather
to hear the King's decrees
Mistakes will not go unnoticed
Yes, sir
First row on the left, two down from the left
is Ha, the Tax Minister
For the sake of power, he will happily walk into a manure tub
Next to him is Kim Jong-se, the Justice Minister
He is a greedy and cruel character
who will chase his enemies to the end of days
The man that always agrees to the Justice Minister is
Inspector General, Lee Yun-sang
All that he cares about is maintaining his position
At the rightmost of the first row is
Park Chung-seo, the Minister of Interior
You must remember him
Don't you see what the King is trying to do?
The King is giving us Yu Jeong-ho
to diverting our attention from issues
such as troop dispatch or the uniform land tax law
Is it not the truth?
His eyes are as sharp as a hawk's and his character as venomous as a viper's
From this moment on,
you shall address me and the Chief Eunuch the way you would a servant
Sir?
Remember
the Court has eyes and ears everywhere
What you have in front of you
is the royal decree to be passed down at the conference tomorrow
Read it out loud, Your Majesty
I command my trusted council
Tax Minister shall draw a bill to Stop!
His Majesty is a king,
not a storyteller from market place
Low and solemnly Like a king
I command my trusted council
Tax Minister
Draw up a bill to restore the uniform land tax law
Minister of Construction
Stop the palace renovation immediately
How can you justify renovating the palace
at the cost of my good people?
Minister of Justice
I shall not question the wrongdoings of Magistrate Yu Jeong-ho
All treason must be dealt with the strictest law
But the law must not be used to punish the innocent
I command my trusted council
Those that disturb the peace of the Court by stirring up groundless accusations
shall be dealt as strictly as those guilty of treason
This concludes the morning conference
Yes, Your Majesty
The morning conference is prepared
His Majesty the King!
The morning conference shall commence
His Majesty shall pass down the royal decree
Your Majesty.
I heard you suffered from a terrible fever
How does Your Majesty feel this morning?
Quite well
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty
Your grace is immeasurable
This is a blank scroll
Due to the pain in the throat
His Majesty shall not read out the royal decree
I'll do the honor on His Majesty's behalf
Tax Minister Yes, Your Majesty
You shall draw up a bill to restore the uniform land tax law
Justice Minister
Yes, Your Majesty
Prepare a report on which regions the law should be enforced first
Yes, Your Majesty
Trusted servants, hear my words
I shall no longer question the wrongdoings of Yu Jeong-ho
Any man found guilty of disturbing the peace with groundless accusations
shall be punished severely
I trust you shall endeavor to fulfill the royal decree
This concludes the morning conference
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty
Revive the identification system?
And restore the uniform land tax law?
The passing of the bill wasn't delayed for our interest
The Chief Secretary is to blame for this mess
Didn't I make that clear earlier?
He disturbs peace with his three-inch tongue
The King has ordered for reports
What should I do now?
Who made this red bean porridge?
Your Majesty didn't appear to have fully recovered
I asked you who made it
The taster asked the palace matron at the royal kitchen
It tastes really good
Just like what I used to eat as a child
What is your name?
Lady Han, Sire
And yours?
Your Majesty, it's Sa-wol
How old are you?
Fifteen, Sire Fifteen
I'm done for now Clear the table
You heard His Majesty Make haste Yes, sir
I missed you, good old rice!
Stock up while you can
You don't know when he'll get his appetite back
My Lady
Do you think the King has changed recently?
What do you mean by that?
His complexion as well as his palate
He chuckles a lot, too And Yeong-yi told me
that even the sound of his royal defecation has changed
Fortunately, his pulse is returning
But, sir
it appears that he's been drugged not poisoned
What do you mean by that?
Where has he been going on his outings?
He's been avoiding royal coitus?
How on earth could I know?
I hear he is staying clear of the concubines and the Queen, too
The rumor has spread all over the Court
He is avoiding the sweet smell of women
that he favors so much My Lord
My Lord
The Chief Secretary is up to something
He's been enquiring about Lady Ahn
What should we do?
Take some men and burn down the poppy patch at once
We must get rid of all evidence
Lady Ahn has been in the wind for a few days now
As you see fit
Your grace is immeasurable
Did you dissent the uniform land tax bill?
But that's what you told me to do
To respond to whatever the officials say with
Do as you see fit
Did you approve the interrogation of Yu Jeong-ho?
No, I didn't do that
I only approved the setting up of an inquisitorial committee
That's the same thing!
Didn't I warn you to be extra cautious around Park Chung-seo?
I'll call for a high officials' meeting
You will announce the reintroduction of the uniform land tax bill
Why keep making me change my words?
Just do as I say
You must give to take
That's politics
Shouldn't I know what I'm giving away and taking
at least?
Do you know, Chief
what the big deal is about
the identification law and the uniform land tax law?
I do not, Sire
What do I need to know anyway?
I only need to do as I'm told
But I can get you books on the subject
If everyone carries an identification tag,
it would be easy to check the identity and convenient for taxation purposes
Not for everyone, Sire
An identification tag carries with it the duty of compulsory labor
There are people who abandon their tags and cross the border
or voluntarily get castrated to become a eunuch
You mean they cut off their own balls?
That means such eunuchs could be in this Court
Do you know anyone?
Chief
It might be an awkward question
Ask me anything, Sire
Do you really not have it?
I do not, Sire
Then, when you go to the outhouse
do you do it standing up
or sitting down?
Well
It must have hurt
Chief Secretary!
Your Majesty!
Chief Secretary
Your Majesty
The king never comes to his servant
But you're a busy man
Let me ask you a question
I stayed up all night studying
and I think the uniform land tax law is a really good law
So why was it abolished only after a year?
Sire Secretary
It's not a question of right and wrong
Politics is just politics
There are a lot of suspicious eyes Return to your quarters at once
Have a man watch the Secretary
I want to know his every movement Yes, sir
I just don't understand
Why does everyone get so sensitive
whenever the uniform land tax law is mentioned?
Probably because of resistance by landowners
It's only fair to impose tax according to how much land you own
Those who have more should contribute more
Sire, Your way of speaking resembles the King more and more
Is that so?
I sometimes feel like the real King
Your Majesty, a night snack is ready
Bring it in
Sa-wol
Yes, Your Majesty
Did you say you were fifteen?
I am, Sire
How did you end up living in the Court?
Here
I'm only asking out of curiosity You may answer freely
My father was a tenant farmer in the mountainous region
Then one day, he was told to pay tax in abalone
Abalone from a farmer?
What happened?
He had to borrow at high interest
Debt begot more debt
We ended up losing the house and the little land we owned
My father was jailed
Oh dear
When that still wasn't enough to pay off the debt
My mother and brother were sold as slaves
and I, to a deputy minister's household
Insufferable!
My father was left by himself
He never recovered from the injuries of the torture
and passed away in the same year
Fucking bastards!
Sire!
Don't you miss your mother?
If only I knew whether she lives or not
I have no other wish in the world
I'll reunite you with your mother before this act is over
Your grace is immeasurable
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty
You may leave now
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Tell me, Chief
What can I do about the bastards
who squeeze pennies from the weak and poor?
Order the Royal Investigation Bureau
But that takes too long
I don't know how long I'll be playing the King
Then Then?
It's nothing, Sire Oh, come on!
Tax Minister
Yes, Your Majesty
Did I not command you to reintroduce the tax reform bill?
Sire
If you change the law overnight, the burden on landowners
will become unbearable
Do not discriminate landowners for they are your loyal subjects, too
Taxing 10 bags of rice for those who own 10 patches of rice paddy
and 1 for those who own 1 How is that discrimination?
When people are voluntarily becoming slaves and eunuchs,
how can you talk of discrimination over a landowner's bag of rice?
Bring in the prisoner
That man is the magistrate for Gangwon
who extorted money from the commoners
The officials who took bribes from him
and those that took bribes from those officials
I shall hear all their names
Which of you can swear that he didn't receive from this man?
Tax Minister!
Yes, Your Majesty
Those who abuse King's tribute for usury shall be punished severely
As His Majesty orders
Justice Minister
Yes, Your Majesty
Have all magistrates open their repositories
and return all rice and linen back to the people
Yes, Your Majesty
I command my trusted council
to have uniform land tax law enforced immediately
Anyone that obstruct the execution of this decree
shall be punished with utmost severity
Your grace is immeasurable
You're running state affairs as you please
But we got the uniform land tax law
Do you even know who Yu Jeong-ho is?
You must give to take
Isn't that what politics is about?
Politics is no marketplace haggling!
Someone might hear us
Please act more appropriately around the King
Yu Jeong-ho is
the Queen's brother
Pardon me?
They are accusing him of treason in order to depose the Queen
She is the mother of this kingdom
- How dare they? - Sire
King's taster to see His Majesty
Let her in
The inquisition makes one confess to crimes he never committed
I was prepared to sacrifice the land tax bill
in exchange of Yu's life
What do I do now?
Absolutely nothing
If you wish to help me and the Court
Her Royal Highness to see His Majesty
Tell her I'm in bed
I trusted Your Majesty
If Your Majesty finds me so unbearable,
grant me the relief of death
What are you doing?
Can you please drop the knife?
I shall spare the life of Yu no matter what
Do you give your word?
You have my word
Would you please come down?
If Your Majesty doesn't keep his word,
it shall be the death of me
All right
His Majesty the King!
Why did you do it?
You're my brother-in-law Why did you conspire against me?
Answer me
Your humble servant remembers the King
who always put the benefit of the people before all
But you're no longer the King I swore to serve
Deafened by corrupt officials and blinded by wicked women,
you've become nothing but a tyrant
How dare you, in the presence of His Majesty?
So, what did you do?
Did you plot treason?
No, my Lord! Never!
Did you round up a militia?
I would never dream of such things
Then, what did you do?
I pleaded that you open your ears
I called out that you listen
Punish me with death, Your Majesty
You called out
That's all?
Release him Sire, it cannot be done
The man is guilty of treason What treason?
Minister, can you declare with a clear conscience
that your intentions are purer than this man?
Step forward if you dare say so
Release him
for he is guilty of no crime
Is that how he wants to play?
Chief
Your Majesty
I would like to be alone for a moment
But, Sire Only for a moment
Retire to your quarters, Captain
It's against the laws of the Court
The laws of the Court are above the King?
Your Highness, Yu Jeong-ho was released
What they say about His Majesty must be true
He laughs more
and at night, focuses only on state affairs
Your Highness?
With Your Highness' permission, I shall retire
What brings you here, my Lord?
Don't you find it amusing?
I do, my Lord
Yet, you do not smile
Your Majesty
What in Heaven's name?
Sire?
Why did you do that?
I released Yu as I promised
I heard so
You should return the favor
I'm at your service
Give me a smile
I beg your pardon?
Smile for me once
Is it so hard? I kept my promise
Come on
Your Majesty!
I shall retire to my chamber
Were you with Her Royal Highness?
What's the matter?
Nothing, Sire
Chief Eunuch
Did you notice anything different about His Majesty?
How do you mean?
It's not just one or two things
His way of speaking and acting
Even his hands look different
Captain, you worry too much
If you'll excuse me
Captain Do seems to have sensed something
Perhaps we best tell him No
We cannot anticipate how he would react
His Majesty is coming back into consciousness
Just a few more days
Your Royal Highness
These are the words of His Majesty
Queen's complexion appears poor
Have this red bean porridge and regain your health
I heard them Leave me now
If it pleases Your Highness,
His Majesty ordered that I see you have it
and bring back the empty bowl
Chief Royal Secretary to see His Majesty
About '(u Jeong-ho
Didn't I make it clear not to interfere with state affairs?
I know
There are laws in the Court even for the Queen's siblings
But surely, King's words override...
Wretch!
Don't you know that even the King cannot act solely upon his will?
And you are not the King
You said the Court has eyes and ears everywhere
Why do you talk to me in that manner?
King's taster to see His Majesty
Let her in
Let's see
Cinnamon toffee!
Wait there, Sa-wol
Secretary, eat this
Your grace is immeasurable Go on
Suck it
Chief Secretary is leaving
Did she have the porridge?
Yes, Your Majesty
Did she have a message for me?
Tell His Majesty to come to the garden when the curfew bell sounds
for I wish to speak with him
Her Highness' message for you, Sire I see
The moon in the sky is the face of my dearest
Who cut my dearest's head and hung it up there?
When the moon comes up I gaze upon it
What do you think?
Excellent, Your Majesty
What about you, Captain?
It's befitting the laws of the Court
And you, Chief?
Who do you refer to as 'moon'?
I cannot tell you
Perhaps it's best not to recite it
But two people say it's good Yes?
Still, it may not be best to...
Sa-wol Yes, Your Majesty
Tonight's snack is dried persimmons, your favorites
I shall leave it all for you
Your grace is immeasurable
Chief, you shall not retire to your quarters tonight
for I will stay up to read
Yes, Your Majesty
Your Majesty, it's the curfew bell
All right
Eunuch Jo, I thought you were on my side
On second thought, it is not a bad idea
Your Majesty
Wait here
Do you remember what you said to me
on the day I became Princess Consort?
Well...
Of course you forgot It's been so long
You held my hand and told me
that you would stay by my side
until the end of days
I can still hear your voice
It's called 'Face of My Dearest'
The moon in the sky is the face of my dearest
Who cut my dearest's head and hung it up there?
Alas, how much it must hurt! She smiles not
When the moon comes up I gaze upon it
wondering if it is my dearest
What do you think?
How dare you?
Stand back, Your Highness
This man is not His Majesty Captain!
You may have fooled the Secretary and Eunuch Jo
But you cannot fool me Withdraw the sword
How dare you draw your blade upon the King?
If this man is the King, I shall bite this blade
It is indeed my Lord the King!
Do you believe that I would not recognize my King?
Your Majesty, I have a small red birthmark on my body
Where is it?
On your left bosom
Lower that sword at once How dare you?
Will you have me reveal my bosom?
Punish me with death, Your Majesty
I shall pay for my sins with my life
Long live my King!
I'll fetch the court ladies
Madam
Captain! Captain!
Finish this porridge and come for your sword
What?
These are the words of His Majesty
Tell me what your sins are
Drawing a sword upon Your Majesty's royal person
Wrong
Daring to suspect Your Majesty Wrong again
King's personal guard who must protect me with his life
bit on the blade to take his own life
If that does not consist treason, what would?
I don't care how many times you draw the sword at my neck
But you must live in order for me to live
Don't you understand how important your life is?
How did the porridge taste?
Sweet and delicious
You must live to be able to taste
This sword,
you shall only draw it for me alone
Remember that
Do you think he fell for it?
He is a man to be reckoned with
Sire
How long was I here?
A fortnight by tomorrow, Your Majesty
What is that?
It's poppy, Your Majesty
It's the poison that clouded your mind
Your Majesty
Who would do such a thing?
It was Court Lady Ahn
Minister Park Chung-seo was behind this?
Yes, Your Majesty
What an evil man!
I'll prepare for your return at once and reveal their atrocious crimes
No
There is no need for rush But, Sire
The Court is in the hands of Park Chung-seo
An ill-prepared attack would only backfire
After all, it wasn't poison
Let's take care of the double first
What is the matter?
You care for him now?
No, Sire
You can't spare the lowly thing who sat on the throne
We beg Your Majesty to take heed
Your Majesty
As long as the daughter of a Northerner remains the Queen
plots of treason shall not cease
Are you suggesting that my Queen is the root of treason?
In the center of all conspiracies were the relatives of the Queen
Your Majesty must uphold the laws of the Court
Are you telling me that ditching the Queen like a dog
would be the law of the Court?
Your Majesty
You made a promise that you would depose the Queen
and make the concubine who carries a royal heir new Queen
Grant your royal permission
We beg Your Majesty to take heed
I shall depose the Queen as you advise me
However,
if the Queen must be deposed for not being Westerners like you
I shall depose myself as well
since I'm not a Westerner myself
Withdraw your command, Your Majesty
Withdraw your command! Your Majesty!
I beg Your Majesty to take heed Your Majesty
We beg Your Majesty to take heed
Get out of my way
Tread on our backs if you must Your Majesty
Tread on our backs, Your Majesty
Your Majesty Your Majesty
Your Majesty Your Majesty Your Majesty
Your Majesty
Where are you going?
I don't know
Please stop
We'll still be within the walls of the Court
Leave this palace, Madam
You can hide for a while then leave
I'm the King I can do as I wish
Your Majesty!
No one passes this gate, understood?
But, the laws of the Court
I'm counting on you
Why are you doing this?
Madam Why have pity on me?
Do you feel sorry now that my end is coming?
Return to your quarters
You said I promised!
That I would stay by your side
until the end of days
That I would never let go of your hand
Don't make me cry, my Lord
What do you mean there are two kings?
Did you see with your own eyes?
Yes, my Lord
I see
If one is an imposter
what will happen if one of them disappears?
First of all, we'll make sure which is the real King
Did you look into it?
On the 3rd and 6th when the King was out on a night trip
night snack was served in the King's quarters
Are you certain of it?
It's recorded in the journal and I checked with the matron
Good work
Did you hear the horrid rumors
that His Majesty is not the real King?
Also, the scar on His Majesty's chest seems to have disappeared
Is Lady Jeong there?
I shall get going Please stay
Get in the bed, Your Majesty
I must go see about an urgent matter
You are my dear husband before you're my King
It's the will of the Heavens that husband and wife unite
Please take off your robe
Queen, no! You can't!
You mustn't do this
Madam Madam Please
Madam
Reveal your identity
What do you mean? I'm the 15th King of Joseon
Do you wish to be dead?
Leave at once
Do you believe you'll live when the King returns?
Screams will fill the Court again
and I shall one day be deposed
Your lowly body shall be thrown in some river
Where is the King?
Forgive me, Your Highness This is the command of the King
Holding his whereabouts in secret, having an imposter take his place
And saving my brother? All of it was the King's wish?
Or was it yours, Secretary?
Your Highness
Please turn a blind eye to it for a few more days
What will happen when this is over?
To the man that looks like the King
The Queen knows about it
She said that I shall be killed
That if the officials let me live, the King shall have me killed
You should've run Why did you come back?
I remembered the promise
Take this
20 more silver coins as I promised
I ask you if my life is worth less than that of a chicken
Shut up and listen
Leave the Court tomorrow at the darkest hour of the night
You have never seen me nor spoken to me
This is the royal creed for tomorrow's conference
Just tell them to do as they see fit
That will be your last mission as the King's stand-in
Sire Sa-wol to see His Majesty
I have a favor for you, Secretary
I promised her that I would find her mother
Please see to the matter on my behalf
Sa-wol
Take it
It's no longer of use for me
Go on
Find her mother and get her back to her
This is not a favor
but my last royal command to you
Sa-wol
It's a cinnamon sweet
Put it in your mouth and slip it in the porridge
My Lady, what's in the sweet?
I don't know
All I know is that if you don't do it
it'll be the death of you and me
I heard it was you that ordered the release of my brother
Why did you do it?
Why did you go out of your way?
I thought if I did, I could make you smile
A bright smile on your face
I'll leave the palace tomorrow night when the moon is at its highest
I don't care if you stay in the Court or get thrown out
Please stay alive
Including 45,000 silver coins
70 tributes in 13 categories prepared for the Imperial Palace of Ming
I propose Your Majesty to bestow 8 pounds of gold upon the envoy
What a splendid idea!
Do as you see fit
As for troop dispatch I propose 500 horses
3,000 archers and 1,000 cavalrymen
to be included in the troop of 20,000 soldiers
Pulling 20,000 soldiers could make the northern borders vulnerable
This country only exists because of Ming Dynasty
Even if we get treaded over by the savages
it is only right to pay our respect to the Emperor of Ming
Grant your royal permission, Your Majesty
Grant your royal permission
Do as you see fit
Next is the tribute for Grand Empress Dowager
40 court ladies
150 rolls of beige fine ramie, 150 rolls of white fine ramie
- 60 sable furs and silk - Enough! Enough!
Whose country is this?
What?
Even if we get treaded over by the savages?
If you fancy the Emperor of Ming so much
why don't you hand over this entire country to him?
- Your Majesty! - Shame on you
Fine! I shall dispatch 20,000 soldiers to Ming
But at the same time, I shall write to Jin
Write down my words
I dispatched 20,000 soldiers to Ming in fear of the Emperor
but I have no wish to fight Jin
I ask of the good King of Jin to return my soldiers unharmed
How can you turn your back on our diplomatic policy
and reach out to the savages?
Just how important is state policy
that we must force our good people to fight someone else's war?
As the King that people refer to as their husband
I may steal and take from them
but I shall not drive them to death
To me, my country and my people are hundred folds more precious
than the virtues of state policy
Let's see
This porridge tastes better than ever
I shall never forget this taste
Sa-wol
Why do you cry, child?
Sa-wol?
Long live my King
Sa-wol, Sa-wol
Sa-wol
Please put the child down Is anyone there?
Your Majesty
You must live
Is anyone there?
- Anyone out there? - Your Majesty
Sa-wol
Bring her back
Tell me, child
Who gave you poison?
Tell me
I'm the King
Your Majesty
Punish me with death
I was instigated by Constable Lee
He said that if I didn't do it he'll have us killed
He made me do it Punish me with death
Captain Do Yes, Your Majesty
Have the Constable arrested and brought to me
Your Majesty If he resists, execute him
Yes, Your Majesty
You killed her
No, Your Majesty I was framed
Let's see how long you'll be saying that
We'll all be sent to the death row
That man is not the King
How can the King of Joseon desire to befriend the savages?
Whether he is the King or not we cannot let him do this
Who put him on that throne?
How can he treat us like this?
The King is not the King?
You expect me to believe that?
Prime Minister
Do you remember the scar on His Majesty's chest?
From the arrow he was hit by during the Japanese Invasion?
Tell us what you saw
Isn't she the King's maid?
I haven't seen that scar for weeks
How do you mean?
Can you bet your life on that?
How can I tell lies here?
How can this be?
Bring me the Chief Scholar Is anyone there?
Park Chung-seo got the officials together
They'll strike with guards any minute
Take off the royal robe and leave
No
Until now, I've lived as a lowly man
but I shall not move an inch before I avenge Sa-wol's death
Then, you should become a real king
Should you wish to avenge her death
and bring justice upon those that suck on people's blood
A king that serves his people like the Heaven
If that's the king you wish to be,
I shall make it happen
I...
I wish to be King
Go to the Royal Secretariat
and bring me the journal for the last fortnight
Steal it! Take it from their hands if you must
Go, Your Majesty
Make haste, Sire
You told Sa-wol to stay alive
Dying in a robe is a death all the same
Run
Run for your life
Stand back
You're in presence of the King
Step aside, Secretary!
We're not here to rise against the King
but to bring down an imposter
How dare you speak of such a thing?
We shall see whether he is the real King or not
- Chief Royal Guard - Yes, sir
Pull the traitor out of there
His Majesty the King!
How dare you?
Exercise due courtesy for your King
Sitting on the throne must have made you crazy
Who are you calling an imposter?
I'm the King
Are you really?
If he is indeed the King, he'll have a scar on his chest
If not, he is an imposter
Isn't that true, Secretary?
Take off his robe
How dare you insult me like this?
I shall have your head
Your Majesty
Should you wish to avenge Sa-wol's death
and bring justice upon those that suck on people's blood
A king that serves his people like the Heaven
If that's the king you wish to be,
I shall make it happen
I wish to be King
But if being King means
taking others' lives to save mine
I shall not have it
I shall dream my own dreams
I served two kings
This is the Royal Secretariat's journal of the last fortnight
Please review it
If you judge that I've been disloyal, take this servant's head
Have all magistrates open their repositories
and return all rice and linen back to the people
to have uniform land tax law enforced immediately
I may steal and take from them
but I shall not drive them to death
To me, my country and my people are hundred folds more precious
than the virtues of state policy
Do you doubt me even with this scar?
Your Majesty!
Punish us with death, Your Majesty!
Round up the traitors
Royal command shall be upheld
Stop
Go
You'll find a port at the end of the path
Make haste
Don't look back
Step aside
I'm here on royal command
I abide by the laws of the Court
If you intend to hurt him,
you must kill me first
Captain, that man is an imposter
He is not the real King
Maybe not to you
But to me, he is the real King
In August of the following year
Chief Royal Secretary, Heo Gyun, was executed on charges of treason
5 years later, King Gwanghae was deposed with a coup
Gwanghae is the only king in the history of Joseon
who imposed tax only on landowners
and confronted Ming Dynasty to protect his people
A CHOO CHANG-MIN Film