(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)
(are not historical facts but fictional.)
Father...
Yul, my son,
it kills me to be leaving your side...
without getting a chance to see you grow up.
Father...
Your Highness.
Crown Prince,
come forward.
I am all ears, Your Majesty.
The throne...
was what I protected with my blood and tears.
Knowing that someone like you would be succeeding it...
only brings me rage...
which keeps me...
from resting in peace.
I worry...
that out of resentment towards me,
you'll persecute your young brother,
Prince Gyeongin.
The thought of it disturbs me.
That is why you must promise me.
Promise me that you will protect your brother.
Your Majesty,
that is not how you ask for favors.
You should plead in tears...
and beg until your palms wear out.
You!
Fine.
I will watch you then.
I will see how you mold your world.
I will see...
how you govern your people,
you...
insolent and obnoxious fool.
Father!
Father...
Show your respects.
The King has fallen!
- May he rest in peace. - May he rest in peace.
- May he rest in peace! - May he rest in peace.
The King has fallen!
Your Majesty,
the throne you protected with your blood and tears...
is now mine to shield and cherish.
May you rest in peace.
Do well and you'll live.
Not do well and you'll die.
So now let's party!
(Episode 1)
Let's party!
All right!
In all of Joseon,
what is so scary...
that it makes you pee in your pants?
- What could it be? - I know!
- What is it? - A tiger's the scariest.
- A tiger? - That's not it.
- A dried persimmon? - An old man?
- I don't know. - Is it a ghost?
That's not it.
- It's none of the above. - Then what is it?
It's scarier than smallpox...
as well as Japanese invaders that cut off our noses and ears!
The scariest of them all is...
My gosh.
Even a ghost would spit in its face...
and avoid it.
It's the rowdy yahoo.
A yahoo.
A classless buffoon...
who doesn't know his roots.
- What? - Not know my roots?
Such insolence! Your King is right before you,
so how dare you try to belittle me!
Take him right away and flog him!
Why are you stopping?
You are to torture him until he confesses.
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
No, please!
Please...
Please spare my life.
So tell us.
Who led this conspiracy?
Name him.
Say his name!
It's Great Lord of Neungchang...
Great Lord of Neungchang? Prince Gyeongin's grandfather?
Yes, my lord.
Your Majesty, how shall we proceed?
Do not waste another second and arrest the criminal.
Treason? Who would say such a thing?
I wish to speak to the Queen Dowager this instant!
That will not be allowed.
What do you expect to do after meeting with her?
Shin Chi Soo, you weasel!
What sly things...
did you say to His Majesty?
I will not let you get away with this.
Once I get an audience with His Majesty,
I will inform him of your treacherous acts!
No, Mother.
Let go.
Let him go immediately.
How dare you do this to us?
Prince!
Your Majesty.
How could you take a son from his mother?
You killed my innocent father,
and now you take my son away from me?
Are you not afraid of the consequences?
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
The young prince would not have any intention to commit high treason.
Do punish Great Lord of Neungchang,
but please consider the Prince's innocence.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
That must not be done.
His name was mentioned on the list of traitors.
The Chief Censor is neglecting his duties...
requesting you to let it slide, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you must punish the Prince...
to root out the possible traitors.
Your Majesty.
Even if he is guilty, he is your brother.
If you punish your own brother severely,
you will be faced with criticisms on your merciless decision.
Please show your mercy.
Your Majesty.
The Chief Censor is telling you to be mercy on the traitors.
Please punish those who put this court and the country at risk,
who attempted high treason,
as well as the Chief Censor and his misdeed.
The Vice Minister of War is determined to kill the Prince.
It depends on His Majesty.
What took you so long, Heon?
I have waited for so long.
Yul.
Listen to your brother.
I will...
have to send you off to somewhere for a while.
Behave and wait there.
And I will go get you soon.
You promised.
I order Shin Chi Soo who eradicated the traitors...
and protected the peace of this nation...
to be recorded as the major contributor.
I also grant him the title, Great Lord of Goseong.
Your Majesty.
Thank you for your generosity,
Your Majesty.
Great.
Pay for the entertainment now.
This is exhausting.
Pay a little more.
Goodness, look at you. Stealing is not allowed.
Goodness.
- Come on. - Goodness.
Go ahead and pay.
- Hurry on. - Here you go.
Look at him.
What a handsome face he has unlike his lowly status.
Rotten scums.
You blood maniacs...
never stop me from behaving insane.
You are even crazier than me.
This is what you deserve.
What do you mean? You cannot pay us?
Did you expect me to pay you...
after making fun of the King in my yard?
But master.
It was because you told us to do anything entertaining.
- Why would you change words now? - Silence.
Be grateful for not reporting you to the government office.
Get lost now.
- Wait! - Darn.
- He wants you to get lost. - Master.
Get lost.
No, please.
A rich lord, my foot.
Take this and just kill yourself.
What was that?
How dare you spit on my face, you brat?
That was just disgusting.
What is it with you?
I was going to just leave.
- I cannot. - What?
Hey. Where... Hey.
- Hey. - Ha Seon!
Darn it.
Shoot. Is there nothing to eat?
What are you doing over there?
Hey, look, over there. Get him!
Hurry! Catch him.
Who is he? What is he doing?
What is that noise? Listen.
- Gab Soo. - Gab Soo.
- Pick that up! - What is it?
- Run. - There he is.
Darn it.
- Get them! - Out of the way.
- Get them! - After them!
Get them.
- Get them! - Stop!
Keep running!
They cannot catch us.
- My gosh. - Good grief.
Gosh, I'm dying. I cannot breathe.
I almost died.
I thought you managed to hold back this time.
What did you go and do this time?
- My gosh. - I'm dying.
Look at this.
Look.
What is that?
What is inside?
My gosh. That is...
Dried yellow corvina that even the King rarely eats?
It looks good, no?
My gosh, this is unbelievable.
Is it not delicious?
Chew slowly, so you do not get indigestion.
Ha Seon. Did you smash a crock?
How many?
Well...
There were so many of them.
I knocked on so many and could not find food.
So what? Did you break them all?
It was a great feeling.
We are all dead.
You angered the Deity of the Seven Stars.
The master will want us killed.
If we die, so be it.
You fool! Are you done being a clown?
Rumors will spread all around. What will you do now?
Where will we perform now?
How can you eat at a time like this, you fools?
My goodness. Mother...
Oh, dear.
Gab Soo. We might as well move to a bigger pond.
A bigger pond, my foot.
Clowns live another day if we do well...
and die if we do bad.
If we cannot perform here, we can go somewhere bigger.
Where would that be?
A bigger pond would be... Hanyang.
Hanyang? My gosh.
Gab Soo.
Do not ask me. The trip will take months.
We have no home or belongings. What is the matter?
Let us go.
- Wait for me. - Shall we? Let us go.
- Hey. Will you really go? - Ha Seon.
My gosh. This blows.
My legs hurt. I cannot go further.
- Come on. - Seriously, Gab Soo?
- Why did you smash the crocks? - Will you get up?
Hurry up.
What is wrong?
I cannot walk.
Oh, dear.
Get on my back.
Let us go, let us go.
Do you feel better?
- Hey. - I am exhausted.
Keep up!
(Onyang Temporary Palace)
Your Majesty,
you will be able to sleep well tonight.
Heon.
My stomach hurts so much.
Save me, Heon.
Do not come closer.
Go away. Go away.
Who ordered this?
Name your leader...
and I will spare your life.
You killed the former king's rightful heir...
and stole the throne.
Who are you calling a traitor?
- What? - You killed your father...
and then your brother.
The sycophant Shin Chi Soo governs the country for you.
All you do is chase skirts,
so how are you supposed to be our king?
Are you not scared of the people's resentment?
Take him...
and torture him until he confesses.
They all think I am out of my mind.
They think I am because I killed my brother.
But look.
Men who wish to kill me are out there right now.
They don't consider me as their king.
They wish to hang me dry.
They're trying to make me lose my mind!
Your Majesty, please drop your sword.
Promise me that you will find and kill them all.
If I could protect you with just my words,
I would say them dozens and hundreds of times.
Even if you didn't mean it,
couldn't you tell me not to worry...
and that you'll do your best?
Your Majesty, until I take my last breath,
I will protect you. You know that.
That is not enough.
Find a way.
A way to eliminate them all and ensure my safety.
Do you think you can do it?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I will find a way no matter what.
Your Majesty.
Please...
hurry.
Or I might actually lose it.
This only happened...
because I ignored your warning and...
let Shin Chi Soo into this court.
Back then, we needed a hunting dog like him.
That hunting dog became a major contributor...
and now he is about to be Left State Councilor.
That we must stop.
I will appeal to His Majesty.
- Please set a date. - Yes, my lord.
I see that you failed.
I apologize, my lord.
Can you believe this?
No way.
We're in Hanyang.
I can't believe it.
We're finally here!
We're actually in Hanyang.
Stop making such a fuss.
Am I dreaming right now?
Is that so?
- How was that? - It hurts!
Then you're not dreaming!
- Here, here! - Here, here!
My gosh.
The front gate is humongous.
They sure do it differently here in Hanyang.
You know,
I feel like we'll be kicked out immediately.
- So let's go. - Hold on.
Wait here. I won't be long.
What are you going to do?
So,
you wish to make jokes regarding the King?
Yes, if you give us a chance to do so,
I guarantee you will be entertained.
We have enough jesters and clowns who perform,
so look elsewhere.
Ma'am, please give us one chance.
Please, please!
I'm actually quite good.
Ma'am, please.
Why are you laughing?
How is it not funny?
You wish to make a fool out of the King.
No one finds that entertaining anymore.
What...
What did you just say?
How can you say that when I'm risking my life?
How dare you.
Let me give you a piece of advice.
Instead of the King,
joking about the Queen and Seon Hwa Dang...
attracts more people.
Why do people find that entertaining?
The fact that you don't know proves you're not from Hanyang.
So what do you mean by that?
How badly she'd treat the King's consort...
out of jealousy...
was on a different level compared to any wrath of a lady.
Are you saying that the Queen is that ruthless and evil?
Your Highness, Seon Hwa Dang is here.
Did you want to see me, Your Highness?
I have something to give you.
Please do not feel burdened.
In return, I only ask that you take good care of the King.
It is such a pity, Your Highness.
You are a very caring person.
I do not understand why such rumors go around.
You mean the rumor about how my jealousy...
delayed your first night with His Majesty?
Were you aware of it?
They say half a rumor is a lie.
I do not mind it at all.
So neither should you.
If you will excuse me now.
You should have seen her face too.
She is only a scarecrow queen,
but she acted all nice and generous.
It was quite a scene.
I see.
Put it out of my sight.
What is this?
Lord Shin brought it with him.
What is this?
It will bring you luck with a son.
Keep it with you when you spend the night with His Majesty today.
It will be effective only then.
I will do my best to serve the King...
in order not to disappoint you, so do not worry.
Doing your best will not be enough.
Risk your life.
If things go wrong, you will deserve to die.
My niece, I did not make you the King's consort...
just so you could have a war of nerves with the Queen.
Make him favor you, and give birth to his son.
That is the reason of you being here.
That is also the only way you can save yourself.
Yes, I understand.
Your Highness.
What made you so lost in thought?
Father, can you not speak casually to me...
at least when we are alone?
I feel too suffocated.
All right.
So Woon.
Are you still uncomfortable with your life in the palace?
Living in the palace...
strangely gave me...
a habit of longing for the life outside the palace.
So Woon.
His Majesty will not be the same forever.
He used to be a man of an excellent caliber to be a great king.
I will serve him with all my heart,
so hold up a little more.
I will, Father.
Your Majesty.
The Queen's father and the Chief Royal Secretary wish to meet you.
Should I let them in?
Let them in.
Lord Shin Chi Soo...
took bribes from those who hindered people from paying tribute...
and even siphoned relief rice sent from each province?
Yes, Your Majesty.
He is also selling government positions.
Subjects are angry about his deeds.
I understand what you mean.
But Shin Chi Soo is a major contributor.
You know he cannot be punished unless it is high treason.
Your Majesty,
the court is already filled with his people.
No one can stop him from doing what he plans.
People even say there are two kings in this nation.
If you do not punish him,
the country will become unruly.
It will harm your reign in the future.
Lord Yoo.
Do not exaggerate.
- However... - I wish to hear no more.
Every official in the court has done misdeeds.
You call yourself free of corruption?
- Your Majesty... - Enough.
I do not want to hear your excuses.
What is that ornament you are wearing?
It is a gift from the Queen.
She gave you such thing?
Yes, she asked me to take good care of you.
She sent the food and drinks too.
Drink.
Eat this.
How does it taste?
Your Majesty gave it to me. What would not taste good?
It was tasty?
Yes. It was very sweet...
and delicious.
Then drink more.
Your Majesty.
You can drink your fill. Why do you refuse?
Your Majesty.
Drink some more. More!
What is this?
I do not know.
I bet it is a talisman to grant you a son.
The Queen would never give this to you.
It must be from a greedy old man.
I only wished to do what would make you happy.
That is to give me a son?
Your son will only be the child of a concubine.
All I need is a legitimate heir!
Your Majesty.
- Let go. - Your Majesty.
I said let go!
Your Highness, His Majesty...
Leave us.
Your Majesty. What brings you here without notice?
One throws herself at me with a hidden talisman to have a son.
Why do you not do anything?
You should buy talismans or hire a shaman.
If that does not work, you should beg me...
to build a temple to offer rice to.
You are not Confucius or Mencius.
Why are you so peaceful?
Do you wish for me...
to go against the palace rules to turn to witchcraft?
Would you do so if I wish?
If it be your command, I will do anything you say.
- But... - But what?
I wish of you to set an example for your people.
If you show mercy and grace and become virtuous,
the deities will be moved...
and they will grant you with an heir.
That is enough.
There you go, nagging me again.
Your Majesty. I know it has been a while...
since you have not taken my counsel to heart.
If you do not wish to listen to me,
then at least listen to your people.
Meet the people yourself...
Those who have no idea...
would say that I have been rejecting you.
Who would know that...
you are the one rejecting me?
So what if her beauty makes flowers weep...
and the moon hide?
She cannot even captivate her own husband's heart.
A young girl, an unfamiliar girl, someone else's girl.
You are all ruining my life.
What about yourself?
How dare you?
You evil wenches.
Get out of the way.
- Husband. - How dare she?
Seon Hwa Dang, you wench.
Get off the King's lap this instant.
That is no place for your cheap bum.
Listen! The Queen wants me dead.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
You wench. Calling for the King will not save you now.
I shall kill you right now.
As you wish.
We shall see if you die or if I.
What?
How dare you?
Are you all right down there, Queen?
Seon Hwa Dang.
Here you go. Take that.
Tickle, tickle.
Keep your hands to yourself!
I should just chew you to bits.
Come here. You come here.
- Gab Soo, no. - I said not so hard.
I must get out of here.
- Catch me if you can. - Come here.
You are too fast. Come here.
So, the King only wants a legitimate heir from the Queen?
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
He hated his father so much,
yet he is becoming just like him.
The King trusts the Queen's father too much.
If the Queen were to have a son too, that would be a disaster.
We must stop that from happening.
Is there a way to do that?
The King only wants a son from the Queen?
Then we must just replace her.
Would it be that easy?
Wait and see.
You will see a new queen.
Yes, Your Majesty.
It is true that I have been amassing a fortune.
But that was only to finance the construction of your new palace.
What do you mean?
Your palace was destroyed in the last uprising.
You have been residing in this shabby place for years already.
The difference between having a palace and not is immense.
Since you said you'll appoint me Left State Councilor,
that has been weighing on me even more.
You mean all the bribes and kickbacks you took were for me?
Your Majesty.
If you delay the construction...
of your new palace any longer, your authority will be questioned...
and our government's reputation tarnished.
I did what I did for fear of that.
Please accept my plea.
Very well.
I accept your loyalty.
I thank you profusely, Your Majesty.
Is there really no way to stop him?
Lord Yoo, Chief Royal Secretary.
What is it?
The man we arrested at Onyang Temporary Palace...
will confess and fall in line.
Tell me. Who gave you the orders?
Vice Minister of War, Shin Chi Soo.
Was it really Shin Chi Soo who ordered the assassination?
Yes, my lord.
Will you be able to say that in front of His Majesty?
He may ask me tens and thousands of times.
My answer will always be the same.
If what he said is the truth,
we will finally be able to stop Shin Chi Soo.
We must not make any hasty decisions.
I understand what you're saying,
but we cannot let this opportunity slip by us.
I hereby announce Lord Shin...
as Left State Councilor.
Your Majesty.
Please spare me a few moments of your time.
I report a crime of high treason.
Who is it? Who committed such an evil crime?
The informant will tell you himself.
Bring in the criminal.
You will tell nothing but the truth.
Who gave you the order to assassinate the King?
Speak the truth, and I will spare your life.
Who ordered you to kill me?
It was Lord Yoo.
How dare you lie in front of His Majesty!
You told me earlier that it was Lord Shin Chi Soo.
Yes. You also said that you'd spare my life...
if I named him as the traitor.
How dare you...
He is lying, Your Majesty.
I never saw this man until yesterday...
and I never ordered him to assassinate you.
Father.
Show me proof that he is, in fact, lying.
That...
I have no other proof of that.
I only have my loyalty to offer.
Imprison my father-in-law for he committed high treason!
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, this is a lie!
I have been framed, Your Majesty!
My Queen.
Your Majesty, my father...
has lived his life faithful to you and the people.
He is not one to have ordered an assassination.
Someone is framing him to remove him from court.
He's been falsely accused?
That is what I believe.
Of course.
How could I possibly trust the words...
of a man who had a sword at my throat?
It is for sure though that your father...
conspired to frame Shin Chi Soo.
One's greed is unforgivable, but so is one's attempt...
to fool me.
Know that and be gone.
What is the meaning of this?
You doubt my father's loyalty to you,
so how could I possibly stay in the palace as your queen?
If you wish to punish my father, I urge you to punish me too.
Are you blackmailing me?
I am desperate and in despair, Your Majesty.
I am, by no means, blackmailing you.
Please give him the chance to clear his name.
You'll risk your place as the Queen for it?
Yes.
The witness confessed to your father's crimes,
so I have no choice but to punish him for treason.
Try and blackmail me again on this matter,
and I will not take it lightly.
Know that and be gone!
The only place still out of Shin Chi Soo's reach...
is the Queen's Palace.
- So... - I know what you're about to say.
I will do everything to keep its integrity,
so please do not worry.
The King was betrayed by his trusted official.
It is all thanks to your plan.
Things went better than I expected.
If you fail to assassinate the King and get arrested,
tell them that the Queen's father was behind it.
Yes, my lord.
Once I become king,
I will grant you and your family government positions.
Thank you for your generosity.
I was indeed right...
about having you the next in line in case of the King's emergency.
Your Majesty, I have waited for a long time.
It is just the beginning.
Let us have our hopes up high.
Bring me more drinks.
You are drunk already. You should stop drinking now.
Just do as I say.
Even local bars in markets will not tolerate what you are doing now.
Did something happen?
Woon Shim.
Please.
Goodness!
The Queen is trying to kill me.
Your Majesty!
Call out for him all you want. It will be no use.
Time to teach you a lesson.
All right.
Let us see the end of it today.
Bring it on!
- What... - Who is that?
How dare you humiliate Her Highness?
Why are you doing this to me? I did not do anything wrong.
Why you little...
How could you not know what you did wrong?
Is it wrong to have fun?
Goodness, please forgive us.
Do not just stand there.
Beg him for forgiveness.
Forgive me.
Woon Shim.
Lock him up in the shed.
What?
My lord.
He is just a clown. Please do not be like this.
Hand him over to the Department of Justice.
- What... - What is wrong with him?
Goodness...
- Lock him up. - What?
No.
Go to the marketplace.
Everyone else does the same thing.
- Goodness. - Goodness, master...
- What is going on? - Ha Seon.
Goodness.
His name is Ha Seon?
Yes.
Are you really going to hand him over to the Department of Justice?
That is none of your business.
Never release him until I say so.
Understood, my lord.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee, we have a problem.
His Majesty is going mad again.
Get me the rest of the porridge.
Eat it.
Pardon?
Eat so I can see if it's poisoned.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Gosh, it is hot.
You.
How dare you pull a scheme?
No, it was really hot.
Why you wench...
Eat, eat!
Stop crying.
Stop right now!
Stop.
Your Majesty.
I have something to tell you in private.
Go on.
Please send the rest out.
It is about a way which you ordered the other day.
Everyone, leave.
Did you find a way?
Your Majesty, do you remember "Journey to the West",
which you enjoyed reading when you were little?
What does that have to do with a way?
I think I found the Monkey's hair...
that is mentioned in the book.
I am talking about the hair...
that transforms into the same figure with a blow of air.
Am I being released now?
Greet him with full respect. He is the King.
Your Majesty.
Put that on.
I will.
"You fool." Say it.
You fool.
You fool! Play your role properly!
(The Crowned Clown)
There are only two ways to survive in the palace.
Step on everyone and crush them for good,
or to ignore them for good.
Did you sleep well last night?
What on earth...
Chinese characters...
Do you think this is a play and you are a clown?
This is why you needed me.
To die instead of the King.
My Queen, I am sorry.
If you leave now, I must take your life.