"After losing war to China,
the king of Joseon was forced to offer his daughter as concubine.
The king adopted the daughter of a distant relative
to send in her place.
In Euiju, a young illusionist
put together a magic performing troupe
to entertain the war-weary people
of the border city.
People called the show venue the 'House of Light and Oblivion'."
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you
the city's pride and joy,
Hwan-hee, the illusionist extraordinaire!
Glory to y'all!
THE MAGICIAN
Hey, focus!
One,
two,
three!
How come I get to do all the dirty work
and he gets all the glory?
I made sure that none of the nearby cities can host the convoy.
Is it AHN who's leading it?
Yes, the convoy will have to come through us, as you wished.
How big do you expect it to be?
Considering it's the princess' wedding convoy,
500, at least.
What the hell?
Where did that come from?
Hwan!
Why did this chest fall out of the blue?
And why did Hwan-hee storm off stage?
All will be revealed tomorrow night.
Come see the spectacular revelation tomorrow night
for just 2 coins!
Take this herb...
- Gye-sim... - Hwan-hee!
Go to hell. Who do you think you are?
Take him.
Suddenly, you feel like playing a big sister?
Don't you dare touch her!
Gye-sim!
Please, don't kill me.
It's okay. It'll be over in a flash.
Good grief!
I dispatched an advance party to several border cities.
But, due to famine and plague,
none of them are able to host the convoy.
"EUIJU"
When everyone's managing on rice ball and salt soup,
a milk porridge for her noble palate!
She's not even a real princess.
A nobody from a fallen family of the king's distant relative.
Field Marshal HAN!
Yes, Commander.
Go to Euiju.
Yes, sir.
Why haven't you eaten, Your Highness?
Are you worried I might starve myself to death?
This is a tiring journey for everyone.
Please stop being a child!
Although you were born into a family of no means,
you will die an imperial concubine of the Great China.
Consider it a great family honor!
Your grace is immeasurable.
Her eldest brother was bestowed the rank of eighth officer.
And the younger brother, the ninth rank officer.
Clear away! It's the princess' royal progression!
This city was built on my own blood and sweat.
People move here from bigger cities
even from China wanting to live here.
I owe it all to you, Commander.
I wouldn't have ended up
in this backwoods if you didn't inform on me.
Tonight,
the princess' wedding convoy has arrived on the way to China.
The convoy consists of 500 people.
2 coins per head for a week,
2 times 7 is 14, times 500... How much is that?
700 coins.
Well done, former school servant!
So, the magistrate specifically ordered that we do our best
to squeeze every penny out of these dimwits from capital.
What about our back wages?
He only cares about the entertainers, not us.
What good is money? You're government slaves.
Will you raise a riot or something?
Be grateful that you have food on your table in this hard time.
Tons of people starve out there.
Is it written in my fate to clean up after you?
You should look out for each other, not fight.
Try to understand Bo-eum.
If it wasn't for her, the magistrate would have
sold us to China as slaves.
Where's she?
Who?
Gye-sim.
She must've run off with some wastrel.
Did you kill her?
She's not the only entertainer there is.
There are girls lined up to spend a night with you.
I asked if you killed her!
Is that important?
The herb she gave you wasn't just opium.
It's opium mixed with fatally poisonous herb.
At first, it relieves anxiety and helps you sleep
but within 3 months, you start hallucinating until eventually...
...you're left paralyzed.
I'll go check up on the boys. Talk it out.
What became of you?
Have you become the same evil beast as the magistrate?
You're the one who wanted to settle down
and to put together a performing troupe.
Bo-eum...
Performing magic doesn't make me happy anymore.
Can't we just go back to the old days?
To wandering around freely. You'll sing and I'll do magic.
Hwan-hee...
Gui-mol's men are still out there looking for us.
If not under the magistrate's protection, we'll both die.
And this is living?
How can put up with the beating and still want to be a magician?
No one will mistreat me once I become a great illusionist.
I'll make a lot of money, too.
When I do, the first I'll do is to make you see again
and find your parents!
I don't need that.
There's nothing really I want to see anyway.
Not even this?
Bo-eum.
Go, now!
Bo-eum!
Do you know who's coming to the show tonight?
I'll be requiring your special assistance.
Let me try this time.
Any more skeptics? You're welcome to have a go.
If not, I shall bring the girl in the box back to life.
Hwan-hee, am I next?
I'm scared.
What's that?
He killed her!
Sir...
Guards!
Get him!
Grab my hand.
How many did you kill?
Stay here.
Hwan-hee...
Just go.
Did you think you could get away with betraying me?
Bo-eum!
I won't let you die so easily.
Come here.
Hwan-hee!
Come on, Bo-eum!
Let go of me!
You'll pay for this.
Let me go!
I'm the head entertainer, Bo-eum.
Although she is blind,
she has outstanding skills in poetry and singing,
even in acupuncture... better than doctors.
She also reads palm and face to tell fortune.
Why don't you show him?
Here.
You have a strong energy of fire.
With such virility, you must be quite a woman's man.
You read me correctly!
Wood burns itself to make fire rise.
There happens to be a girl with 'wood' in her name...
I shall get going.
He has no manners.
The country's best illusionist,
I present you, Hwan-hee!
Glory to y'all!
Get your act together!
Hwan-hee, the illusionist extraordinaire!
I double checked it.
I'm sicking getting these worthless gifts.
If Bo-eum finds out, you're dead meat.
What's happened? Hwan's hurt?
- No, he's okay. - It's nothing.
I'm sorry, brother. Forgive me.
Please forgive me.
I'm sorry! Forgive me this once.
You worthless piece of shit!
And you want to learn magic?
Forget it!
Please forgive... Argh!
Fighting among the same low-borns...
Oi! Come with me.
Come and have a drink.
No need to bother offering that lowly thing a drink.
Show them one of your tricks instead.
I apologize, my lords but I have nothing prepared...
Prepared? Then, all that was nothing but a cheap trickery?
Did you expect this clown to possess a special power?
Well, well.
How about this? Have you seen an eye like this?
Look at his eye ball. He's got one blue eye.
- It's true. - How amazing!
We've walked all 100 steps. Let's go back.
For the whole 39 days,
I was in a closed up carriage unable to stretch my legs.
I know but if the commander finds out...
I thought they all went to the drink house.
You know what he is like. Let's go back now, please?
I was sick from being constantly shaken, my back hurt...
I wished I was the horse.
Of course, I feel for you...
Your Highness!
How long do you intend to stay?
Wouldn't 5 days do?
There are so many sick and exhausted.
They'll need some time to recover.
We still have over 500 miles to go.
And Liaodong is a mud ground.
Here, as negotiated.
- Come along. - Father...
Please, don't make me go.
- I'll be a good girl. - It's for your own good, child.
Quiet!
Miss!
- Help us, please. - Good gracious!
I have nothing to offer you.
If they starve again today, they'll die for sure.
Help us, they haven't eaten in three days.
Have mercy!
Take this at least...
Miss, show mercy.
- Help me, too! - Help us.
We'll all die.
Help us. Show mercy!
Miss! Miss!
What do you think you're doing here?
Who's there?
If you're gonna jump, go somewhere else.
This is my only refuge in the whole damn city.
Don't come near me.
Who do you take me for?
I said don't come closer!
Hey.
Stop there. Don't come any closer.
Stop right there!
I haven't moved!
Hey!
You little...!
Hey!
Let go!
You crazy?
My leg... My leg is stuck.
Shit!
- You hit my nose! - Get your hands off me!
Get your hands off!
Get up.
You do it, dammit!
Move your hands.
Hands off, now!
You get your hands off!
Dammit...
I can't believe this.
This is how you repay for saving your life?
I never asked you to save me.
Suit yourself. I'll be on my way.
I don't want to become a bear's supper.
Not your business.
I'm telling you!
There are real bears around.
The place is called the Bear Rock cliff.
Bear-rock, you hear?
Tag along if you're scared.
What are you doing?
I'm looking for my knife that you threw away.
That little thing? Just forget about it.
No, I must find it!
It's dearer than life.
Wow, a life worth less than a knife! No wonder you tried to kill yourself.
I wasn't trying to kill myself.
I would never do that.
Hey, why are you crying?
I...
Put these on.
Here.
Listen.
Walk straight that way to a harbor.
Get on a boat for Imjin and get off at Hwangpo.
People usually head north when they run away.
So, south will be your better bet.
Never pay your fare in advance, okay?
You're not that ugly...
Was your master harassing you?
I understand. I'm not that different from you.
At least you have the choice to run away.
Unlike me...
Anyway,
with a spirit to fight me like earlier, you'll make it.
Go.
I don't see the princess' shoes outside her door.
Sir...
Tell the truth.
What's this about?
Your Highness.
Where have you been, Your Highness?
It was too warm, so I came out for some air.
The night air is chilly.
Where have you been?
It's a long story.
Did you pass the gate?
No.
Through that hole?
You ran into a bear? But it looks like a human bite mark.
The beast was so vicious that my heart almost stopped.
It only stops when you see a beautiful girl.
Anyway, your body isn't yours alone.
35 members of this troupe and their families depend on you!
Plus, my wife, my second wife,
and my third wife, and this girl I'll start dating.
I'll make sure you're taken care of, even if I take off.
- Stop saying that! - So, don't worry.
My heart skips a beat every time you say that.
Have you heard about any runaway slave girl?
A slave girl?
She didn't know the area. So, she can't be from here.
I should've asked her name at least...
Who are you talking about?
Who?
The bear!
Ask a bear's name?
Now, you even love animals?
He flies around in the air.
His body gets chopped in half then, put back together.
He also walks on fire, what else...
The bird...
Yes, the chicken soup turns into a bird.
Tell me something I can believe.
I heard that illusionist has a blue eye.
That can't be!
Stop or I'll give you a black and blue eye.
I just want to see the show, that's all.
Keep dreaming.
That's impossible!
I'm sorry but the place is indecent and lowly
frequented only by vulgar street people.
It's no place for a noble princess.
I am not asking for your permission.
Your job is to ensure my safety,
not to control or restrain what I do.
Queen's decree was to serve me well
not to keep me a prisoner.
I won't be acting rashly to hurt my reputation.
So, don't worry and just focus on your job.
Ladies-in-waiting are here. Will the princess come, too?
To the stage, now!
Yes, sir.
Would a princess come to a place like this?
A princess is no better than us.
The poor thing is being sold to China against her will.
But she'll be made an emperor consort.
A concubine at best.
All concubines are fairer than the wife.
And fairer than concubines are mistresses.
That's why I love mistresses.
You're sick.
Help him wind that.
Why does this come off?
Get your act together!
You almost cut Hwan-hee in half.
Damn you.
Just smash it to pieces.
Sorry!
The ladies-in-waiting are real beauties.
As the city's biggest heartthrob,
you can capture any woman's heart.
I'm all about the good looks but you have skills to captivate them.
Put them to a real use tonight.
What beauties?
It will heal soon.
Practice this first. I'll give you pointers later.
An illusionist should never make mistakes.
Well, well... Where did these blossoms come from?
Oh, they're flowers from Seoul.
What have we got here? A delicate bellflower.
A divine hibiscus!
A sweet apricot blossom!
A true beauty, jasmine!
A sweet potato?
Sharp as a sword, you belong in a battle field.
Scary!
Before the flowers turn into grandma flowers from waiting,
I present you the man who'll set fire to your hearts,
and steal them... the country's biggest heartthrob,
the illusionist extraordinaire, Hwan-hee!
Glory to y'all!
So handsome!
Okay, let's see...
Lady Jasmine, you must've had a lucky dream.
No, no!
Congratulation! You have been chosen...
- as tonight's lucky assistant! - No, not her.
I'll do it!
Please contain yourself.
This is no place to fulfill your personal desires.
Hold your weapon and go back to battle field.
I'll do it.
Give it up for Lady Jasmine!
I thought you had special something for a slave girl.
So, you're a court slave.
I understand why you pretend not to know me.
After all the ugly happenings from that night.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Let's meet back where we first met.
Too bad if you can't remember the place.
You're a real charmer, aren't you?
You gotta find that knife dearer than your life!
Naughty!
Maybe you're the lady you appear to be.
Ready?
Release!
Half of these keys are real and the other half, fake.
Miss Jasmine. Open the lock.
Well, well!
Successful in her first attempt. Miss Jasmine!
Now,
Mr. Illusionist's life is in your hand.
If you don't open this lock in time, the blade will cut his body in half.
Good luck... And hurry.
Take your time.
Why should you care? You don't even know me.
Poor Miss Jasmine is so unlucky. Every key she picks is wrong!
Which one is it?
How would I know?
Stop it! This isn't funny.
Oh god!
Oh, no! What's this?
Miss Jasmine got the illusionist killed.
When will we meet again, poor man?
Don't leave us, Mr. Illusionist.
Don't leave us.
He'll be so missed.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Hwan-hee!
Hang on.
What is it?
He's not bad.
He's an ungrateful little bastard.
I would love to sell him any day
but he does have his tricks.
So, I was thinking...
I heard you're an illusionist, too.
Would you show me what you can do?
I want to buy that trick from you.
I want to buy this theater.
Along with that illusionist.
All this time, he's been right under my nose...
If it pleases Your Highness,
tell us how he did it.
Did the blade really fall on him?
Is he better looking up close?
Tell us please, Miss!
One question at a time. Raise your hand.
Your Highness, it's Commander AHN.
About earlier...
For the first time, you seemed like a real princess.
You spoke your mind with authority and dignity.
Do the same in China.
Your Highness must be tired. Please get some rest.
I thought...
you hated me.
Good night.
While all the neighboring cities are suffering from plagues,
how can Euiju be enjoying such prosperity?
What good is all that?
I'm rotting away in the backwoods like this.
Ha...
If only I wasn't framed back then.
You mean, by Commander AHN?
It's all in the past.
You shouldn't have...
So...
Yes.
I heard there's a treasure sword among the gifts for the emperor.
The Sajin Sword?
I would love to see it just once.
Everyone will be in jeopardy if as much as a scratch...
Let's go.
How dare you slap my face?
The face of Euiju's heartthrob!
- Hey! - Good god!
Look at you.
You must've been sneaking in and out through that hole.
Why are you stuck? Did you gain weight?
Need a hand?
Here.
One, two...!
Don't get any ideas. I'm only here for the knife.
Yeah, sure.
What's this smell?
What are you doing?
You know her?
She was worried about her children starving to death.
Let's go.
We can't just leave her.
You want to catch her disease?
If we leave her, her children could die, too.
There are tons of kids in a much worse condition.
Whether they live or die is their fate.
Don't look at me like that.
Must be written in my fate to pick up after others.
Well done.
The world hasn't changed a bit.
I envy the children in a way.
At least their parents didn't abandon them.
Mine sold me.
Is that why you tried to jump off?
I wasn't planning on doing that.
My feet moved before I knew it.
I guess, if I could walk on water,
I wanted to go far away from here
where there is no one selling people, no prying eyes
no reproaching mind.
It's so beautiful.
I would love to walk on it.
I...
My goodness!
What's gotten into her?
Your High...
Anyway,
what are you gonna do about the knife?
I don't know.
You think...
maybe you can sneak out again?
I'll see you later then.
I would love to walk on it.
You want to build a setup here?
What illusion trick does he want to do here?
It doesn't have to be in the theater always.
Is this a knife?
What is it?
- It's nothing. - Let me see.
Shall we give it a try?
Your Highness.
Come in.
Commander ordered to pack up.
We'll leave at the break of dawn tomorrow.
So suddenly?
I don't know what's gotten into him.
But I'm sure it's because everyone is so obsessed
with the magic show...
Your Highness?
Your Highness!
Oh dear.
The floor is cold. Get someone to fire it up.
Okay.
What kind of food do you like?
Tell me what you like, and I'll recommend it for your condition.
It's good for us, too.
The longer you stay, the more profitable it is for the guest house.
If you don't mind, I would like to read your palm while I'm here.
Your hand feels as soft as pure silk.
It's entrancing to touch it.
Carrying of a noble and clear spirit, you have rarely exceptional lines.
You're blessed as a woman, too.
You'll have a happy life, loved by your husband.
You know that can't be true.
Why don't you take my word for it?
How many days would you like me get you?
7 days?
She has fire in the lungs, which could lead to a serious condition.
Her physical welfare is the utmost priority.
How did she catch such terrible disease?
We can't change our plan based on words on a mere entertainer.
The princess' wedding could suffer a serious setback.
We're leaving tomorrow as planned.
She is a skilled physician that the magistrate sent you.
Commander is right. I'm nothing more than an entertainer.
It's merely an opinion you should not rely upon.
If you'll excuse me.
Let's go.
If we rush and the princess condition worsens,
will you take responsibility?
If you can, then I'll go with you.
Secretary, make sure to record this conversation.
Yes, sir.
A wise man doesn't get deluded.
A courageous man has no fear.
A good man has no worries...
Can you hear me?
Is there any other holes?
I've looked everywhere.
Stop.
I said stop.
Identify yourself.
Stop right there!
It's a ghost!
Can you ever come back after you go to China?
Well,
if Her Highness gets deserted or passes away, then maybe.
Is your princess pretty?
Well,
I heard her being praised as a woman of peerless beauty
but I'm not sure.
Then, she won't get deserted. We should have her killed then.
In this difficult time, there'll be so many who'd do it for food.
And the treasure they're carrying would feed half the city.
There'll be tons of volunteers who'd do it for 5 silver coins.
Think about it.
She got abandoned by her family and her country.
She won't have a happy marriage with a foreign-speaking husband.
Even if she returns, people will treat her like a prostitute.
She might be better off dead than living a life like that.
How dare you speak that way in front of me?
Do you not know whose presence you're in?
Of course I know, Miss.
You're good.
Was it believable?
You can act. Maybe you can be my assistant.
You wish!
This is the sword.
Please handle with caution.
It truly is a fine sword!
It feels as though it's talking to me.
Don't you think so?
If you're scared,
you can hold my arm.
Not at all. I'm fine.
Hey...
Run!
Brace yourself.
Here we go!
My goodness!
Careful.
Isn't it fun?
The things he'll have me do!
Stay still.
It was so dark. I was scared.
I know, I'm starving. Let's go find honey.
I need take a leak. Get off of me.
We'll find some garlic to turn us into humans.
I said I gotta go!
Maybe it's gone.
I think I should give up looking for it.
I can't keep sneaking out.
Really?
If not for learning magic.
Learn magic?
It won't be a bad idea.
I could entertain the ladies-in-waiting.
That won't be easy.
I mean illusion is...
It requires sophisticated skills, you can't master in a few days.
Unless I'm teaching it.
I'll show you. Look.
This?
Watch carefully.
Where did it go?
Let's go.
When did you tie this?
I don't know. Come on.
Let's go. I'm so full.
Did you lose your money?
Wait.
How did you do it?
I don't know.
Hey.
Not bad. Have you been practicing?
Yes.
- Hey. - Huh?
Is that really Hwan-hee?
It is.
Does that look right to you?
No.
He's changed.
He quit using herbs, drinking, he even sleeps well.
He's been in strangely good mood.
One, two, three!
That's right.
If you change so suddenly, it means you'll die soon.
Don't say that.
Something's not right.
You know what he did looking into a mirror?
"Doesn't my eye look like the ocean?"
I almost punched him in the face.
What about the ocean?
Nothing.
You should make kimchi with sea water, did you?
My lord,
there's a strange rumor among the ladies-in-waiting
that the princess sneaks out every night.
Impossible!
I dismissed it, too. But the rumor's so detailed.
Are you suggesting that we interrogate the princess?
No, sir. I would never...
Don't pay attention to worthless rumors.
Maintain order among the servants.
Yes, Commander.
Just three more days.
That's all we need.
It's gone.
Magic!
Wow, it's really gone.
Right?
To here.
You could see it?
Unless you're blind.
What's gotten into you with magic and all?
We've got tons of work to do.
Wait.
But I can see it through.
Can you?
Must be something wrong with my eyes!
This time, you won't see it.
You don't have to. I can't.
It's not bad.
It's a beautiful night.
Where did you learn magic?
In China. When I was little.
You lived in China?
How could I live here with an eye like this?
Now watch carefully.
A freak. Jinxed eye.
But when I do magic, people paid attention and laughed.
It made me feel special. Powerful.
Please, save my baby, Mr. Magician!
Stop bothering me. Get lost!
What I really wanted to say was
that it's all trickery.
That I'm nothing but a jester with no special power.
I'm no miracle maker. I don't have special powers.
But if you believe in me, the illusion will come true.
Trust me.
You said you wanted to walk on water.
Don't look down. Look at me.
Stand two bows.
Idiot, it means to wait until she bows twice.
Get up.
One bow in return.
Yes, you bow now. Haven't you done this before?
Of course not. He's not like you.
Let's see if the groom's got strength.
Let me introduce her.
She's uh...
You don't know her name?
My name is Sa-wol. A new entertainer.
I'm Deok-hu, you're as fair as a noble lady.
- I am a bear. - Hey!
I'm Gi-tak, in charge of managing this troupe.
Call me Big Brother.
Don't make a pass at her.
I'm not a lady-killer like you.
Hey, she might take that seriously.
Don't worry. He may have dated girls.
But he's never introduced one to us.
Have a drink!
I can't drink.
What kind of an entertainer can't drink?
- Then, sing a song for us. - Let's hear it.
Well... she...
She's stationed at pharmacy. She doesn't have any skills.
You can't drink. You can't sing.
I'm far more qualified as an entertainer than you.
Maybe her real skills are in another area.
Baby, oh honey...
Hey! Stop!
Pour me a drink.
She's no entertainer. She's a lady-in-waiting.
The girl who came on stage.
I knew she looked familiar!
I may forget my dead mother's face but not a pretty girl's face.
Just pretend not to know, okay?
Think of her as an entertainer and leave it at that.
Don't give her your heart. You'll end up hurt.
Bo-eum,
Can't we just go back to the old days?
To wandering around freely. You'll sing and I'll do magic.
They seemed like one big happy family.
A family...
I don't know what that is but we are a happy bunch.
Look.
It was a half moon when we met. Now it's a full moon.
It sure is.
Want me to change it back to a half moon?
Can you do that?
Half... moon. There.
Silly!
Now, we're back on our first day.
Man, I have to put up with you for another whole week!
My goodness!
You scared me.
You...
I didn't know you were such a player. A lady killer?
Are you being jealous?
Who, me?
It is jealousy talking.
No, it isn't!
Who sent you?
What are you doing?
So, this is the bird room.
It's like a garden.
Wait.
What's her name?
This is 'Wanderer.' She wanders off all the time.
'Wanderer', what a pretty name.
I am quite talented at name-giving.
What's your name anyway?
I don't have one. People just call me 'girl.'
Will you give me one?
Me?
Since you're so good at it.
Well...
How about 'Cheong-myeong?'
Cheong-myeong?
It's my favorite of 24 solar terms.
The time when the sky starts clearing up.
The sky cleared up since you arrived.
It was all gloom and rain before.
Cheong-myeong...
I like that.
Cheong-myeong...
Cheong-myeong, are you there?
Yes, my lord. Cheong-myeong is here.
You laugh easily.
Do I? Really?
A girl shouldn't do that. Men will think you're easy.
I don't smile for just any men.
This...
I should've returned it earlier. I'm sorry.
Keep it.
You said it's a gift from someone important.
I thought I might need it one day. But I don't think I will.
I want you to keep for me.
Everything will go back to its places, right?
You'll forget me soon enough.
Keep the knife to remember me by once in a while.
No.
All I ever think about all day is you.
So much so that it's inconvenient.
What brings you here so late?
What are you doing here at this hour?
I was checking on the birds.
Good. I had something to talk to you about.
Let's go outside.
Let's talk here. It's raining outside.
What you said about leaving here.
I thought about it. It's always easier in your mind.
But we know so well that reality isn't as simple.
Everything we've been through to get here...
Don't be swayed by a moment's emotion.
It'll only leave you with a bitter regret.
Good night.
There was a guard protecting her.
Let's make the final preparations.
Where have you been?
Why can't you answer me?
Have you been up to things you can't be proud of?
How did you...?
You told me yourself
that it's my duty to ensure your safety.
Don't you know what will happen if this gets out?
Both your parents and brother's lives will be in danger.
And the illusionist's, too.
I know.
Then,
will it be okay if leave at the break of dawn?
Good night.
That man...
was the only one who treated me as a person.
Sir, I ordered to have the inventory checked.
Come and have a drink.
I'm still on duty, sir.
Come on.
You have a newborn daughter?
Yes, sir.
Don't you miss her?
I do, sir.
She's only a baby. After a long time apart
I wonder if she'll recognize my face.
She'll recognize it right away. And when she grows up,
she'll make something like this wishing your safe return.
From your daughter who passed away...
It's good to have something to remember her by.
I understand why you're so different with the princess.
She's about the same age, isn't she?
It's amazing
how girls that age all have that same look.
Marshal!
There's a problem.
You're going to guest house?
Yes?
Take me with you.
The convoy is leaving today. It's my last chance to see her.
Who are you talking about?
You know who. From the bird room last night.
She's a lady-in-waiting.
A lady-in-waiting?
When will I have the honor of meeting you again?
Will that ever happen?
You don't know where your life will take you.
You always say the kindest things.
Your Highness, I prepared a gift for you.
It's Her Highness, the princess.
Cheong-myeong...?
Pay respect to the princess.
Get him out of there.
What are you doing?
How dare you?
Take him away, now!
Let go of this.
What's this about?
The sword, the king's gift to the emperor is missing.
We believe that illusionist has something to do with it.
That's not possible.
He may be a low-born, but he would never steal from others.
This is a misunderstanding.
There is no misunderstanding.
He pretended to be a ghost to enter the premise.
He couldn't have done it!
We'll take him to the courthouse.
No.
I'll interrogate him before sending him to the magistrate.
But the magistrate...
This is a matter related to a royal gift,
I shall question the prisoner myself.
Take him.
Let's go.
AHN will question him directly?
Fine.
What should we do?
It will be moments before the truth is revealed.
That won't be the case.
What do you have in mind?
I'll arrest AHN with my own hands and take him to Seoul.
King's royal gift to the emperor has been misplaced.
Even AHN will not survive this.
She won't have a happy marriage with a foreign-speaking husband.
Even if she returns, people will treat her like a prostitute.
That illusionist did not steal the sword.
But there's a witness.
Your Highness, please leave this to us.
I was with him that night. He came here to meet me.
Your Highness!
Excuse us.
What are you trying to do?
You know it's the truth.
He could've approached you in order to get to the sword.
I was afraid that my behavior could damage the country's reputation
or it could hurt my family.
But now,
I'm not afraid of anything.
Did you say that a fake sword was inside?
It sure is a fine blade.
It was probably the real sword until that point.
When he put the sword back in the case,
the real sword slipped into her sleeve
and was switched with the fake one in his left hand.
Judging from the trick used,
it's likely the doer is a Chinese illusionist.
Tell the princess that my charges were cleared and I was released.
Please tell her so.
Commander!
We'll leave as soon as we retrieve the sword.
Sir...
I don't want to catch the sight of you until then.
Take this.
It's your trick note. Why are you giving this to me?
You have good, fast hands. You'll learn quickly with this book.
From now, you're the new illusionist.
But...
You made this. You started it all.
Take responsibility for it.
Go if you will but you'll have to walk over me!
Me, too.
Take care of Bo-eum for me.
Hwan-hee.
You didn't eat anything since yesterday.
Your Highness.
Why is all this happening?
What are men's shoes doing here?
Your Highness.
Your Highness?
Your Highness!
An illusionist from China has been in town for a few days.
Prepare to leave as planned.
I shall retrieve the sword...
Your Highness.
Marshal.
We cannot be delayed.
Hurry.
What is it now?
I just need to say good bye, for the last time.
I promise to come back.
I won't be long... Please!
For the last time, please.
Your Highness, I'm terribly sorry
but could you come back later?
I have an urgent matter to take care of.
Your Highness!
Your Highness,
I expect it to take one or two hours.
Do not leave your room in that time.
Do you understand?
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Have I been here too long?
It's been a while.
Maybe it's time to go.
But,
where will I go from here?
To greet the guest.
You're right, dear.
What do you keep coming to my hideout?
Across the ocean, there is a country called Italia.
It's a place where people with blue eyes live.
Let's go there together.
Where there's no one selling people, no prying eyes,
no reproaching mind.
In the 39 days on this journey,
I prayed every night before bed
that tomorrow wouldn't come,
that I wished to die right there.
But after I met you,
I wanted to live.
Waiting for tomorrow to come made me happy.
I'll live long.
Right here, with you.
Cheong-myeong.
You know... that so many lives depend on me.
They got their lives by abandoning you.
I know. So, I must go.
Cheong-myeong.
I'm not Cheong-myeong.
I'm sorry.
I swear on heaven
that since the moment I met you,
this heart will never change.
Mountains may disappear, rivers may dry up,
there may be rain in winter and snow in summer,
on the day the heaven and earth become one
and the world comes to an end,
then will I finally let you go.
Come to the theater.
Cheong-myeong...
Cheong-myeong!
He is the new owner of the theater.
Pour him a drink.
Bo-eum is the biggest treasure of this troupe.
- Not only is she an exceptional beauty, - You're too kind.
She is so clever that people say that she has
the magistrate wrapped around her finger.
She excels in dance and acupuncture
as well as reading palm and face.
Will you read my face, too?
Tell me.
Will I outlive you, or will you outlive me?
Magistrate of Euiju, come out to be bound.
Open this door at once.
Who are they accusing of such atrocity?
One moment.
Who would dare kidnap the princess...?
I did.
She's not even a real princess.
Have you gone crazy?
I stole the sword so that you can have your revenge.
What do you want? What brought you here?
Hwan-hee.
I have an old score to settle with him.
I'll take good care of the princess until he comes.
What are you doing? Get him!
Get his head. How dare he?
This is my kingdom.
- Where I am the king! - Kill him.
Now he quiets down.
What would you like me to do with his body?
Bo-eum?
I thought you'd have become his woman.
I feel for you, pathetic girl.
You're the one who's pathetic.
Never have loved or been loved by anyone.
Wait until he gets here.
I'll make sure you die in his hand.
He won't come.
He's inside.
Not only did you dare steal the king's sword,
but kidnapped a royal princess?
Sir, it's the king's sword.
He killed the magistrate.
Get him!
We must find the princess. Please go.
Back off.
Commander!
What do we do?
Bo-eum...
Hwan...
Bo-eum...
Bo-eum!
It is you, my Hwan-hee.
It's me, I'm here.
I look a mess, don't I?
Not at all.
You look beautiful.
Beautiful as ever.
The troupe members are all gone.
You'd better be careful.
We'll be backstage, okay?
Hong-dan!
It's okay.
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
It's okay, you'll be fine.
Meok-soe.
Meok-soe, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry, man.
Come out and kill me!
It's me that you want.
If this could've been settled so easily
I wouldn't have looked for you for so long.
This is only the beginning. I'll kill all of them one by one.
Stop!
Stop it...
Just kill me...
Cheong-myeong!
Wake up, Cheong-myeong!
Open your eyes.
Look at me. Keep your eyes on me.
Cheong-myeong.
I'll come for you. Wait for me.
No!
Trying running away with the girl again.
No.
No, don't!
Don't do that.
I... got this!
One, two...
What are you doing? Check backstage.
Yes, master.
Where did he go?
Where's the princess?
Sir.
Who... are you?
It hurts.
It really hurts.
It hurts bad.
Don't do that.
I said don't.
I saved them.
Hwan-hee should've seen this.
I saw you.
It doesn't count.
Commander!
You should hurry.
This way, Your Highness.
Close the doors.
Don't let anyone get away.
Come with us.
You're not a princess any more.
Like your family and your country abandoned you,
leave everything behind and disappear.
Whether you become a jester or a beggar,
never leave his side.
Go!
Go after them.
Hold tight, okay?
You're hurt...
Don't cry, Cheong-myeong.
Okay.
You said it wasn't your name.
It's so good to be with you.
- They can't have gone far. - Find them.
They went toward the cliff.
I'll be back.
Stay right here. I'll come right back.
Don't go.
Shall we?
So what happened?
They searched everywhere but couldn't find the bodies.
Some said they were swept by the river.
Others said that Hwan-hee turn themselves into birds.
Maybe we'll get a visitor.
That's good. It means they're alive.
Huh?
That's what illusion is about.
It makes the impossible possible.
You're right. Ls it my turn?
There.
How did you do it? Teach me.
How did he do it?
Mr. AHN.
Here.
Sir.
This came in for you.
Alright...