This fictional drama is based on historical events.
Episode 2
It's six cups.
There were definitely seven... seven seven cups.
You probably accounted for the number of drinks you and I had just shared.
This is not new liquor.
These are bottles that had just been drunk from and left over.
As promised,
your wife is now, from this moment on, mine.
Imja.("You," with a slightly intimate feeling. It could also be a term used for one's wife or a female acquaintance)
Lord! Lord!
Why are you being like this?
She met such a person wretched as myself, so she's only suffered all her life.
If she's to be sold like this, what can be done about her pitiful life?
Well, for your wife, isn't it better for her
to be with me than with a gambler like you?
Am I wrong?
Sir, did you enjoy yourself?
Mm-hm. Yes, thanks to you.
Lord! Lord! One more time!
Play with me more time!
Anyway,
though the game was set up for you, you couldn't win a single round and ended up with empty pockets.
Sister! Something went wrong!
Wrong? What do you mean something went wrong?
Hey, I think this brother needs some work done on him.
Sir!!
Bok Soon.
Do you think your sniveling and crying will bring your wife back?
Do you even know who tried to fool you?
I was told he is just a merchant...
l-lied?
That...
I was fooled by t-that pushover?!
That pushover is the king of this country.
K-king?? What nonsense are you...
I wonder how such a pretty water maid caught the eye of the current crown.
All this was planned by the king in order to take your wife.
Damn it.
YOUR MAJESTY!
Please return my wife to me!!
Your Majesty!! Return
my wife to me!!
YOUR MAJESTY! YOUR MAJESTY!
You are now mine, the king's woman.
You will have to do your best as a loyal subject.
Your Majesty.
Didn't you say that you wouldn't say two different things with the same mouth?
However, Your Majesty,
that game must be unfair.
It was unfair...?
I could kill you right now.
Without my wife, it's like being the living dead.
So,
even knowing that I am the king, you are willingly making a bet with me
with your unworthy life.
Yes, Your Majesty. I will wager my wife,
this gambler, Baek Man Geum's life, and my pride as a man.
I will put on everything on the line for this one gamble.
Then this will be the last bet you will ever make.
Keep in mind. If you do not acknowledge the outcome of the game this round
then I will be rid of your unworthy life
without even the birds or rats knowing.
I will definitely keep that in mind, Your Majesty.
Then name the type of game you want to play.
The game is to guess tonight's weather, Your Majesty.
We are to guess whether it will rain or be a clear day.
There's a 50/50 chance for either.
I believe it is a fair bet, Your Majesty.
Tonight's weather, you say?
You start betting first.
Then this servant
will guess that tonight it will rain.
Luckily,
I made a different choice.
As for me, I will choose the opposite answer.
Tonight will be
a clear night, as clear as any other.
Wife, watch this.
I will win this time!
I, Baek Man Geum, will defeat the King.
Just watch me!
Tonight, there will surely be rain.
The Royal Observers have predicted so,(Royal Observers: bureau of astronomers, meteorologists etc.)
and there is no doubt at all when we look at the dark rain clouds coming.
Your Majesty, even if it's late, you must forfeit this bet.
A man does not go back on his word.
How is it possible to take back words already spoken?
Rain.
It's rain!!
Rain! Rain! Rain!
It's raining!! It's raining!
It's raining!
I won!
I beat the king!
This Baek Man Geum beat the king!
It's raining!
Rain, rain!
Does this make you that happy?
Wife?
You were here?
Wife! My wife!
I won!
I made a bet with the king, and I won!
So? What did you win?
What do you mean what did I win?
What's with your tone? I won!
What's wrong with my tone?
This is the palace. We have to follow the palace rules.
Anyway,
my wife, you don't need to stay here anymore.
You've become a free woman.
Free?
You're talking to me, who lived patiently with both hands and both feet shackled, about freedom?
Did you just tell me I am free?
Wife, why are you like this?
I bet you when I gambled with the king!
Uh... I mean.
That's not it, but that noble man, that owner of this kingdom, lied to me.
Wife, let's not squabble here. Let's go home.
Let's go home and I'll explain everything to you in detail.
Wife, let's...
If you want to go home, go by yourself. I am not going with you.
Honey...
I told you!
I was never free when I lived with you.
The start of our relationship was the beginning of my shackling.
Do you even know?
Being your wife and taking care of an irresponsible gambler,
I lived barely subsisting day to day.
Are you telling me to go back to you, the person who made my life so difficult?
Why? Why should I go back with you?!
If I hadn't known that I was regarded as a gambling ante,
then maybe (I would go with you), but no,
it's already too late.
Wife...
I am sorry I bet you as a gambling ante.
First, let's go home and...
Go back home.
I am no longer the Bok Soon you knew before.
I am no longer the wife of gambler Baek Man Geum.
Wife...
What will I do if you act like this?
I think something has gone wrong between us.
No, there is nothing wrong between us.
If there is one thing that is wrong,
it is the fact that you are here.
This is all because you, Yi Soo, moved the King.
My Liege, I want to ask you just one thing.
What is it?
If you don't want the king's head,
what do you want to accomplish in the end, Lord?
Lee In Jwa
I...
I am going to open another era for this country, Joseon.
A country that is so bright that people's eyes will have trouble looking at us.
A country that is reachable even to those who are born fed with a dirt spoon.(a variation on the phrase, "served with a silver spoon.")
A world that is open and reachable to any Joseon subject's hands.
Six months later, October 1693
Congratulations, My Lady.
Your Majesty, it is a prince.
Hey!
Why don't we drink.
What?
You're laughing. Wow.
This... Look at this crazy bastard!
Hey, you!
How dare you drink someone else's!
Crazy bastard.
They say Lady Sook Won, a water maid, has given birth to a prince.
Oh, that six-month premature baby?
What do you mean six-month baby? Does that even make sense?
But doesn't he look too healthy for having been born as a six-month premature baby?
Didn't you hear?
Rumors that that six-month premature baby is not His Majesty's child are rampant.
Lady Choi Sook Won (future Lady Choi Sook Bin)
Lady Madam, here's some water to wash your face.
Why are you like that?
Why? Are there a lot of rumors because this child is a six-month baby?
They say that he is another man's baby.
They say he's not His Majesty's baby.
That is not it.
I know it all. I know,
and His Majesty also knows it.
Your Majesty, what do you mean a six-month premature baby?
We have never heard of such a thing!
In addition, how can a six-month baby be that healthy?
I do not wish to be rude,
but Lady Sook Won was a water maid...
Thus, she had a lot of freedom to come and go in the Palace.
And there are rumors that she was married.
Chongyungsa(Highest-ranked military commanding officer of Gyeongi Province and surrounding regions)
Look at my eyes.
I am very sorry, Your Majesty.
After this meeting, anyone who says anything bad about Sook Won or the prince, Young Soo,
will receive severe punishment regardless of his position.
Royal Father!
Crown Prince Yoon (future King Gyeongjong)
Yes.
Jang Ok Jeong (Lady Jang Hee Bin )
I will give you a tonic good for treating after-birth effects, so please take it.
Please rest a lot.
Your Highness, there is some kind of misunderstanding.
This child is really...
Leave it.
You...
Do you even have experience being bereaved?
It's hard to survive for even a year when you've been born at seven months,
but your baby was born only in six months...
What a situation you have.
You searched for me?
This child will die soon.
My Lady, how can you say such horrific words?
Since an epidemic broke out in the Yangju area,
I've heard a lot of people, regardless of the young or the old, have died.
Please exchange.
Please exchange this child for a child who died of the plague.
However, if Liege (Lee In Jwa) finds out about this plan...
I am begging you.
Don't you also have a daughter?
He just fell asleep.
Wait!
Baby, please stay alive and live long.
Please.
What is it? What is it?
This is the child who was born just six months into the pregnancy.
He can't possibly be the king's son.
You're my child, aren't you?
You're really this Baek Man Geum's son?
This little guy is my child?
You are Baek Man Geum's child.
My Liege, the prince
has passed away.
That child is still alive.
Go and track Baek Man Geum.
Bring the child to me.
The prince who they say is dead
is definitely in his arms.
Wait.
The people who know of this truth are you and me
and no one else.
Then...
Baek Man Geum.
Kill him.
I tried to overlook it, considering Sook Won's situation,
but leaving a possibility of future turmoil,
bothers me.
Please give your command.
- Why... Why are you doing this?- This child has no right to live.
Where in this world is there a child who has no right to live?
And why is it this child who cannot live?
I truly regret this.
Move.
As he is willing to kill his own child,
he is such a cruel king, don't you think?
It doesn't matter if Baek Man Geum dies,
but I must save the child.
Then you can guide him to the road to death.
Oh... No no no no...
You soulless monsters!
You should receive Heaven's punishments for this!
He's just a baby!
You should die!
Do what you want with me. I don't care if I die.
I'll die with him. Do whatever you want.
The baby... The baby... The baby is alive!
The baby was alive!!!!
The baby is alive!
He's alive! He's alive
Baek Man Geum and the child are both dead?
You are a terrible liar.
With such an innocent spirit, how can you accomplish ambitious things?
I'm sorry, My Liege.
What a magnificent place this is!
Oh, my, look at the column. How much is it worth?
Five-hundred nyang. Bring Baek Man Geum's child to me.
When you've done what I've asked, I will give you 300 nyang more.
I might just fall for you.
Well, please wait just a moment. I will bring the child right away.
All right. You said someone stopped you.
Yes, My Liege. His skills in archery were not like the others.
Dam Seo!
Father!
Let's go inside.
It's lucky that the blade missed all the vital acupuncture points.
This is really a blessing from heaven.
Of course! He's my child after all.
It's all right, it's all right.
He grasps my hand as if he understands what I'm saying.
It's all right, it's all right, my darling.
You grabbed my finger.
The child died, you say?
Y-Y-Your Majesty...
Yi Soo.
I thought you were my friend.
I thought at least you would be different from others.
Y-Y-Your Majesty, but...
I cannot stand people plotting behind my back.
Even if my own mother or child deceived me like this,
I wouldn't forgive that.
Who are you working for?
Bring forth
that person's head.
If you do, I will spare your daughter's life.
Do you remember this place?
This is where I saved you for the second time, and I decided to name you
"Yi Soo", meaning "two lives",
in this bamboo forest.
That day, you gave me that name
and gave me a reason to live as well.
I couldn't ignore the fact that you wanted to save your daughter.
If you've made your choice, do not hold back.
What I mean is, don't live with your heart on your sleeve.
You stupid young fool.
I told you to not live with your heart on your sleeve.
I'm sorry.
Your daughter...
I'll protect her.
My Lord, thank you. Thank...
Don't forget,
and don't forgive.
That a wretched person, who can't even compare to animals, is this country's
king.
You can't just go in like this. My Lady...
Sir, what is the meaning of this?
I am looking at you, bitch, through different eyes.
Bitch? Please speak more politely.
You want to be respected because you are the king's woman?
If you want to, you should have done better.
What have I done wrong?
Ridiculous.
Do you really think I know nothing?
I always heard that girls often changed their hearts.
But I thought you would be unfeeling, since you were from the lowborn.
Please go back.
This man, who has no official position nor any relationship with me, entered the concubine's quarters.
Do you realize the seriousness of your crime?
Shut up!
Foolish wench.
Your provocative behavior has cost the innocent General Kim his life.
And the child? What happened to the child?
If you want to save the child, come to the pavilion outside the Great Western Gate tonight at haeshi (9–11 pm).
Heed my words.
If you go against my orders again, you and the child
will surely die.
Even number!
One more time!
Let's give it another go.
Hey, hey. Stay still for Daddy. Don't cry.
Hurry up!
Sweetie, I'm in the middle of something important.
- I said hurry up! - I heard ya!
You have no luck at all! Why did you make the child cry? Hey, let's go.
Let's go!
Wait, wait, don't leave!
Sweetie, I'm in the middle of something important. If I grab this chance...
Geez, they all left.
- Let me see. - You jerk, what are you...
Aigoo, this brat.
♪ The lark above that gardenia tree goes "chirp chirp." ♪
Look at him laugh!
What are you doing?
You fill your own stomach with wine and meat
and let this poor child starve to death. Is that right?!
Barmaid!
Yes?
I'll pay you a lot, so please nurse this child.
Yes. Miss! We need to nurse him!
Please do...
I am thankful but, wait a second.
Where have I seen you before?
At the gambling den. The gambling den!
You bastard, I ought to...
It's not too late.
What is not late?
Your hand.
I said it's not too late.
Even if you end up as a leather worker or lumberjack, stop gambling!
Get your life together!
Don't regret it later when you're old like me and have lost everything.
What is he saying?
How can he be so strong?
He sucks the milk very well!
You had breast milk?
He has the face of a noble.
What his name?
I haven't named him yet,
but I think Gae Ttong might suitable. Gae Ttong.(Gae Ttong: Dog poop)
Gae Ttong.
- Gae Ttong. Gae Ttong.- Isn't that good? Gae Ttong, answer me.
Gae Ttong.
Stop kissing him. His noble features will go away.
Aigoo, he's my child, and I'll do whatever I want with him.
Wait.
Did you say that he has the face of a noble?
It's so symmetrical.
Yeah, you want me to prove it?
"Dae" as in "great" and "Gil" as in "fortune, luck." He has a very fortunate fate.
He can't be the king in the royal palace, but with this face he could become at least the ruler of the country beggars.
His face is the face of a future king? This little guy?
Hey, don't try to fool me.
This person. Have you lived your life getting fooled?
Should I show you again? You seem to have a hard time trusting people.
Ta-da.
Oh my goodness, how can this be?Life — Great Fortune
In all my life,
this the first time I've ever experienced this.
The face of a future king?
I can kill you
right on this spot.
Go back.
I am no longer the Bok Soon you knew.
What?
You idiotic fool.
This child was the king's child. The king's child...
He is not my child.
He's those bastards' son.
This little... Hey!
Wicked bitch... You thought I'd raise the king's son?
Watch this.
Watch this, you rotten wench and bastard!
Look what Baek Man Geum is going to do!
Did you see that?!
Bok Soon, did you see me?!
I just killed your child!
You foolish king, do you see that?!
This Baek Man Geum just killed your son!
I did it!
I killed someone!
This Baek Man Geum just killed someone.
Oh my goodness!
Didn't I tell you?!
He's a precious and special child.
Just because you want to kill him,
you cannot do so, as you can not change his fate.
What are you doing? Come down and get him.
I don't know anything about that.
I've never seen him before nor raised him.
Got it?!
Damn it.
Man Geum!
Man Geum! Come here, bastard!
Oh, Hong Mae.
What brings you here?
I have a dog's skilled nose.
He's Man Geum's child, right?
No, you can't take him!
No! No!
Don't!
Gently, gently!
You're going to live with me, then?
Oh my. He's looking at me and smiling.
Maybe he thinks I'm his mother.
What are you planning to do with that infant?
Tell Man Geum if he wants his child back, he needs to repay his debts quickly.
What kind of thief bastard would steal—?!
I'm not a "bastard," but a "bitch."
Look here!
Aigoo, aigoo.
You pathetic man! How can you drink when your child is taken?
Who's my child? What child?!
You retard!
Hong Mae, that wicked witch, took your child.
Just how much do you owe her?!
Tell me!
You, bring out all the money you have,
We have to get Gae Ttong back!
I'm flat broke.
Even if I have money, I won't search for him! He's not even my child, why would I?!
You barbaric thing!
You have no right to be a father.
All right then.
I'm going to go find the child myself!
Rotten bastard.
You think I'll follow you?!
For whose sake. You're joking.
I met those garbage-like wrench and bastard. Go tell them to eat dirt! (orig. "yeot," euphemism for f♪♪♪ off, circa 1960s CSAT)
With a good forehead, bright eyes, clearly defined philtrum (vertical groove between nose and upper lip), and handsome lips,
you have a good countenance.
Your heart is warm and steady.
Since you survived a blade as a newborn,
You were born with a very strong fate.
Your eyes show that you will be king.
That's right.
Tonight, your destiny,
let's test it further.
I'm sorry, but Lady Sook Won has already...
If you want to save the child, come to the pavilion outside the Great Western Gate tonight at haeshi (9–11 pm).
If you disobey me one more time, your life and the child's
will be no more.
What should I do?
Wait. Isn't he that aloof scholar?
Why on earth would they play with a newborn baby?
What in the world do you think you're doing!
Do you still think you are human?
You look terrible.
I guess that's all a mother's heart.
Tell me,
what should I do for you to return the child to me?
That's right. That's how you should act.
How about playing a round with me with that child's fate on the line?
What kind of game are you playing at?!
Game?
Do you think I'm playing a game with you?
There is a 10-point tag among the tags.
If you can somehow find that 10-point tag within three turns,
then I will return the child to you.
However,
if you fail...
MY LORD!
An arrow for every wrong tag.
Three out of five is not a bad chance at all.
Go ahead and choose.
You have two more chances.
My Lord, I have wronged you.
- Please, please, my child— - TWO MORE!
Didn't I say you have two more chances?
WAIT A MOMENT!
Now you only have one more chance left.
I reckon that child
noticed his mother's luck is this good.
Choose the last one.
The life or death of that child is in your hands now.
Lord,
please
spare the child.
Instead, please kill me
and spare the child!
What use is there to kill you?
When I freed you from that pathetic gambler,
didn't I already save you at that time?
Hurry up and pick one.
So it's not too late yet,
for me.
Baek Man Geum.
I'll pick the last one,
but if I pick the right one,
do not even touch my child.
Got that?
Jackpot Preview
I command you to offer the full truth!
I'll end your life by all means.
Do you want to kill me? I'm the one that ruined your clan.
It seems a welcome guest is here.
It seems Lady Sook Won is pregnant.
Finally! That guy came.
You mean that infamous player, Prince Yeoning?
That girl, I've just picked her out to me mine.
What is your name?
In any case, you are my bride. Don't even think otherwise.