That burning fire at the palace is a sign from the heavens
for me to take the throne and open up a new sky for Silla.
- Of course. - That's right.
Burn furiously!
Burn up the dark reign of the incapable queen!
I will achieve prosperity for Silla over those ashes.
Burn! Burn furiously!
Burn everything!
Those flames will be my friends when I get drunk tonight!
Hurry!
Over here!
Hurry!
Destroy all the buildings nearby, so the fire doesn't spread to
the royal palace and Her Majesty's room.
Every little spark has to be put out.
Destroy the buildings!
Inmun!
Go to the homes of the Hwarangs and the former leaders and
bring their wives to the palace.
Bring your mother, too.
Why do you want me to bring mother in this situation?
Don't ask questions. Just do it!
It's very urgent.
A shooting star set the palace on fire.
The people are concerned about the safety of Her Majesty.
Why are you causing suspicions by preventing us from seeing her?
I know what your concern is.
Please trust me and wait until sunrise.
Did something happen to Her Majesty?
Her Majesty is fine.
Can you bet your life on that?
If Her Majesty passed away,
the princess must be put on the throne to settle public sentiments.
If you are preventing officials from seeing Her Majesty for no reason,
I can only assume that you have other intentions.
What other intentions?
Are you saying he has a traitorous mind to take the throne?
The court should unite and settle public sentiments.
You are an elder of the court. Why are you encouraging distrust?
What?
Stop it.
Please calm down.
The people are nervous because of the shooting star.
Bidam is not going to miss this chance to attack the palace.
Right now, the priority is to send the shooting star back and
show the people that the royal family and court are fine.
How can we send a shooting star back?
By offering a ritual to the heavens.
Geumgang, make preparations.
Alcheon, bring the princess.
Yeomjang, get velvet and paper from the royal storage.
Heavens!
I, Kim Yusin, pray with the princess
with the wishes of the court and people.
Please don't be angry and take back the shooting star.
I swear I will set the fate of this country straight.
Please make the future of the royal family and the people glorious!
We asked you to come so you may help us save this country from a crisis,
so don't be nervous.
What should we do?
Sew this velvet and paper together to make a kite.
Just how big should the kite be?
It has to be large enough to carry a scarecrow the size of a person.
It has to be done tonight, so please hurry.
I don't know the reason for it,
but I will do my best since it is for our country.
I came to help, too.
Princess, thank you.
Your small needles will defeat the swords of the rebels.
You will protect the royal family and court and revive the fate of this nation.
A shooting star burned the palace and foreshadowed the queen's death.
That can only be a sign form the heavens
for me and you to set the fate of this country straight.
I will advance to the palace now.
I will eradicate the evil group of people who want to put
another puppet queen on the throne and set this country straight.
With your loyalty, I will take the throne
and become a ruler who achieves prosperity for Silla.
Loyal soldiers, do not forget this!
Your loyalty in opening up a new sky will be recorded in history.
You will be revered as loyal servants for eternity!
Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty!
Sangdaedeung, look!
The shooting star is rising to the sky!
The shooting star is returning to the sky!
Oh...
The shooting star is returning!
The shooting star is returning to the sky!
It's returning!
How can this be?
This can't be!
Release more rope.
Release all the rope!
It's a good thing the wind blew in just in time.
That's right.
The fate of this country depends on you.
Fly high.
The shooting star is returning.
The queen's death must have been a false rumor.
A shooting star doesn't have wings. How can it rise again?
It's probably a ploy by Kim Chunchu to gather public sentiments.
It is a truly marvelous scheme.
It really seems like the shooting star is returning to the sky.
Your loyalty sent the shooting star back to the sky.
I will not forget this.
It is all because you took initiative.
Bidam is like a snake. Will he fall for this?
Bidam won't be tricked.
Then?
That kite won't be able to stop the rebels from attacking,
but it will stop the rumors about the fall of the royal family.
If it can comfort public sentiments, that is enough.
The rebels will have been discouraged.
I will drive them away if they attack.
How can a shooting star rise back to the sky?
According to our spy in the palace,
Kim Chunchu and Kim Yusin sent a burning scarecrow up on a kite.
What?
They deceived me with such a cheap scheme?
If they went to all that trouble, it means the queen is dead, right?
Order the soldiers to advance.
Delay that order for a while.
What?
The soldiers and people believe the shooting star returned to the sky.
A victory won't be easy when the soldiers are low in morale.
Quiet!
If we wait any longer, their morale will drop to the bottom.
I will advance to the palace to kill Kim Chunchu and Kim Yusin and
see for myself if the queen is dead or not.
Silla palace
You are an insurgent leader. How dare you come here?
Her Majesty said she would spare your life
if you repent for your actions and lower your weapons.
Anyone who resists will be killed, so obey the royal order!
Kim Yusin!
Everyone saw the shooting star and knows the queen is dead.
Why are you and Kim Chunchu covering up her death and
trying to control public sentiments by spreading a false rumor that
the shooting star returned to the sky?
How dare you speak of the queen's death?
Aren't you afraid of the heavens?
Do you think I don't know that you're trying to put Kim Chunchu on the throne?
I will abide by the order of the heavens.
I will kill all the traitors and achieve the cause.
Attack!
How is the queen alive?
A shooting star fell last night.
Bidam!
Did you say a shooting star is a sign that I would die and
the royal family would fall?
Why don't you know the shooting star was because
you caused a rebellion and upset the heavens?
The shooting star returned to the sky.
It is the will of the heavens for me to kill the insurgent leader and
settle this national crisis once and for all.
Loyal soldiers of Silla,
kill all the rebels who went against the order of the heavens.
I will offer their heads to comfort the heavens.
Carry out the royal order!
Master! Order a retreat.
I will kill the traitorous tyrant myself.
We have to go.
Queen!
This isn't over yet.
I will kill you.
You endured that very well. You should return to the palace.
The royal family was in danger because of the shooting star.
It's a good thing the princess and the court united to
settle public sentiments and discourage Bidam's soldiers.
Your loyalty restored the fate of the royal family and this country.
Your Majesty,
it is a servant's duty to serve the ruler and give his life for the country.
The rebels are camped out at Myeonghwalsanseong.
We can't let our guard down yet.
You have to be strong and overcome this crisis.
You presented a healthy appearance, so public sentiments should settle down.
Why did you prohibit us from seeing you?
It was to prevent our plans from being leaked to Bidam by spies.
Don't be upset by it.
Investigate all the court ladies. The spies must be found.
For now, the wives of the former Hwarang leaders will serve you.
Blood...
Your Majesty.
That old fox dared to deceive me?
You should hold a banquet to enhance the morale of the soldiers.
The soldiers will be loyal to you.
That won't erase the humiliation I suffered today.
What are you doing here?
I left the palace because Kim Chunchu is investigating to find spies.
I was humiliated today because you said the queen was dead.
Please forgive me.
Yeonhwa put poison in the queen's decoction and she drank it.
Quiet!
Today's defeat will not ruin the cause of this rebellion.
I will use this as a mirror and never fail again.
Kim Chunchu and Kim Yusin used a kite to send a shooting star back?
Public sentiments are wavering back and forth.
It's difficult to know which side will achieve the victory.
Even if Kim Chunchu plots a scheme,
he won't be able to change public sentiments just like that.
Jwapyeong, do you think Bidam will take the throne in Silla?
I think he will.
How about secretly sending soldiers to help the queen of Silla?
Princess Seungman doesn't know much about politics.
We won't have much to worry about if she takes the throne.
His Majesty wouldn't want either Bidam or Princess Seungman to take the throne.
He wants to compete with people like Yeongae Somun and Kim Chunchu
to unify the Three Kingdoms and stand up to Tang.
It is frustrating that you only see what is right in front of you.
You know what I'm thinking.
I'd like to appoint you to the court and keep you by my side.
What do you think?
I would like to live long to see you achieve prosperity for Baekje and
unify the Three Kingdoms.
What are you talking about?
Seeing Kim Chunchu, a person who reads the mind of the ruler is favored,
but disloyal subjects frame him to plant doubt in the ruler's mind,
so he can't stay near the throne for long.
I would like to serve my loyalty by fighting in battle and killing enemies.
I will approve of that.
I am sure you know I will not live much longer.
Why are you saying such a thing?
The people are praying for your quick recovery.
Please be strong and get well soon.
My reign as a ruler ended when that shooting star fell on the palace.
The heavens extended my life so I may protect the royal family.
But I don't think I will be able to live to suppress Bidam's rebellion.
Your Majesty.
When princess Seungman takes the throne after I close my eyes,
it will be a great burden for her to suppress this crisis and gain public sentiments
while fighting against Goguryeo and Baekje.
I would like to appoint Chunchu as the regent to support Seungman and
supervise national affairs.
Alcheon, what do you think?
I'm sorry, but I cannot agree to that.
Bidam claimed to be the regent and led a rebellion.
I'm afraid people will worry that Chunchu would make the same mistake
if he becomes the regent.
I agree.
The princess took initiative in making the kite and handled things well.
Please trust her.
We will serve the throne as servants.
I am trying to appoint you as regent because of Seungman's successor.
She doesn't have any heirs either.
What will happen when all the Seonggols disappear?
If you become the regent now, you will succeed the throne after Seungman.
Your Majesty, princess Seungman will decide that with the court.
Don't worry about the distant future.
Right now, you should do your best to recover from your illness.
He is right.
No.
When I am feeling better,
I will carry out my last duty as the ruler by appointing Chunchu as the regent.
Alcheon.
What did you mean by Chunchu making the same mistake if he became the regent?
You know how loyal Chunchu is.
How can you say such a thing to Her Majesty?
I trust Chunchu's character, but a position can change a person.
What?
He is right.
Being a regent for a mature ruler will lower the national status of Silla.
I have no intention of being the regent, so don't worry.
Even if you want to be the regent, I will unite the court to oppose.
Alcheon seems to have changed.
Bidam is still aiming for the throne.
We must not fight amongst ourselves when the rebels are still planning treason.
Did you want to see me?
Did you see the queen's face that day?
What?
She tried to cover it up with make-up, but she lost all vitality and energy.
It wasn't the face of a living person.
She won't be able to live long.
She might already be dead.
I have to see Kim Chunchu.
The only way to settle this crisis is for you to surrender and retreat.
If I withdraw my army, could my life be spared?
You tried to dethrone the queen and change the court.
You will be charged with treason
If you acknowledge your crime and surrender to the queen,
you might not avoid execution, but your family will be spared.
Your servants and soldiers will also be spared of their lives.
I want to live and achieve prosperity for Silla.
This is a fate that was decided when you decided to hold a sword up to the queen.
If your loyalty to set this country straight and save the people was sincere,
repent for your crimes and save everyone by killing yourself.
The only way for me to live is to succeed in carrying out this rebellion?
You are blinded by vain ambitions.
Don't you know a victorious rebellion is still just treason?
It can never be a revolution.
What if I put you on the throne after the queen passes away?
What?
I truly want Silla to be at the center of the world.
But if princess Seungman takes the throne, Goguryeo and Baekje will attack again.
I will forget about my ambitions to take the throne.
Instead, I would like to put you on the throne to achieve my lifetime cause.
If you accept...
I will swear loyalty to you with my life.
What are you doing?
Please take the throne and achieve prosperity for Silla.
Loyalty doesn't change no matter what you say the cause is.
You can offer me the world, but I will not join forces with an insurgent leader.
When the queen dies...
I will lead my soldiers and advance to the palace.
If you convince Kim Yusin to take my side, I will give you the throne of Silla.
If you abandon my will, Seorabeol will be the worst hell.
Don't forget that.
We might not have the same mother, but we share the same blood.
I am so sorry I couldn't take you in and you had to suffer the loss of two mothers.
I will give you a golpum status, so you don't have to suffer anymore.
I will tell the princess to take care of you, so don't worry.
Why didn't you take me in sooner?
What?
You kicked me out to protect the legitimacy of the royal family.
Why did you change your mind?
You want to give me a golpum status? Did you think I would shed tears of joy?
Bidam's rebellion stepped all over the royal family's authority and
the public has turned from you.
Did you dethrone my mother and
drive me out of Seorabeol to see all this happen?
You couldn't even take care of a sister.
How can you save the people?
I wanted to add real poison to your decoction.
I controlled myself since it wouldn't bring back my mother or Sino.
Yeonhwa, forgive me.
No matter how much the people praise you, I can never forgive you.
You asked for all this.
I will be disappointed with you forever and live as a gisaeng.
Yeonhwa.
Yeonhwa...
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty. Wake up.
Get the doctor now!
Your Majesty!
Yeonhwa!
Wait a minute.
I'm sorry I couldn't save Sino.
I can't face you.
It's not your fault.
She asked for it because she decided to save you.
How can you be so cruel?
I know you're very upset.
It's over between us.
Forget me.
Yeonhwa!
Why are you hesitating?
Hold hands with Bidam and take the throne.
Yusin will abide by your decision.
You want me to commit treason?
Successful treason is a revolution that changes the order of the heavens.
Take the throne to unify the Three Kingdoms and save the people.
It's the dream you longed for all your life.
Why are you hesitating because of a servant's duties?
Her Majesty recognized you as the successor to the throne.
You qualify to take the throne.
You should recover the throne that was stolen from your grandfather.
Make your father's wish come true.
I have no intention of taking the throne. Why are you trying to make me a traitor?
You don't want the throne? Don't lie to yourself.
You know that Her Majesty and princess Seungman are the only Seonggols.
You only waited for this kind of justification to take the throne.
You didn't take revenge for your father and Gotaso.
You met Yeongae Somun to discuss peace of the Three Kingdoms.
When Bidam framed you, you went to Wae and made your name known.
You put your life on the line to create a justification to take the throne.
Are you going to hand it over to Bidam or princess Seungman?
You know princess Seungman will become Alcheon's puppet.
Do you want Yeongae Somun or King Uija to unify the Three Kingdoms?
Make a decision.
Take the throne and unify the Three Kingdoms.
Become a great king in history.
Quiet!
How dare you try to deceive me?
Don't deceive yourself.
Don't deceive yourself!
Go away! Go away right now!
Go away! Go away!
No! No!
Chunchu!
Her Majesty is critical.
Seungman...
I'm so sorry I couldn't settle this national crisis.
I feel bad I'm leaving the people with a divided court and suffering from battle.
Achieve a peaceful reign that I couldn't.
Your Majesty.
Don't cry for me.
A ruler must shed tears for the people.
I will remember that.
Accept princess Seungman on the throne and serve her with loyalty.
We will obey your command.
Yusin, I believe your sword will protect Silla and its people.
You can trust me.
Your Majesty!
Chunchu.
You have to protect the royal family.
Unify the Three Kingdoms and achieve prosperity for Silla.
I promise you.
I will trust you.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Queen Seondeok, the first queen of Korea,
ended a 16-year reign and closed her eyes in January, 647.
Records state she had the figure of a dragon and
phoenix and the dignity of the sun since she was little.
She was wise and had the qualities of a wise ruler.
She became the 27th ruler of Silla after King Jinpyeong.
She made an effort to save the people and
defended Silla territory despite battles between Baekje and Goguryeo.
She built a 9-storied pagoda at Hwangnyongsa to save the people,
but the huge pagoda caused public sentiments to waver.
She didn't have any heirs,
so she was going to succeed the throne to princess Seungman.
But Bidam started a rebellion and Queen Seondeok died during the rebellion.
Her posthumous name is Seondeok and she was buried at Nangsan, Gyeongju.
Her Majesty passed away.
Is that true?
Can't you hear the people wailing?
I will attack the palace right now and take the empty throne.
When the queen dies,
I will lead my soldiers and advance to the palace.
If you convince Kim Yusin to take my side, I will give you the throne of Silla.
Princess!
Bidam's rebel soldiers are headed to the palace.
Subtitles by KBS World