Yeo Jin Goo (King, Ha Seon), Lee Se Young (Yoo So Woon)
Kim Sang Kyung (Lee Gyoo), Jung Hye Young (Woon Sim)
Jang Gwang (Eunuch Jo), Kwon Hae Hyo (Sin Chi Soo)
Jang Young Nam (Queen Dowager), Lee Gyu Han (Joo Ho Geol )
The Crowned Clown
The characters, organizations, locations, and events in this drama are fiction and have no relation to historical facts.
Father.
Yul, it saddens me deeply not to see you
grow up before I go.
Father.
Young Lord.
Crown Prince.
Come closer.
Tell me, Your Majesty.
When I think about passing on the royal throne that I have protected with my bloody tears
to an undeserving arse like you,
it makes me so angry that I can't close my eyes.
I'm worried that you might persecute
the young prince Gyeongin because of your
resentment against me.
Promise me that you'll protect your little brother.
Your Majesty, that's not how you ask for a favor.
You need to plead with tears and beg on your hands and knees.
This punk...
Alright, I'll watch over you...
how your world will unfold...
what-what actions will you take,
this insolent punk.
Father!
Father.
Pay him proper respect.
The King has passed!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, the throne you kept with your blood and tears,
I'll protect it well.
So please go in peace.
It will be awesome if you do well but deadly if you don't!
Let's have fun!
Episode 1
How exciting!
Alright!
In all eight provinces of Joseon,
do you know what the scariest thing is that will make people pee in their pants with fear?
I know!
- The scariest thing is a tiger! - Definitely not!
- Then dried persimmons - Lords?
- Isn't it loneliness? - No, no!
- It's not that. - Then what?
More than Highness Hohwan and
scarier than the savages who cut off your nose and ears,
that punk is...
Where is he? What? What? What is he?
Ah, that person.
Even a ghost spits and
avoids this country's infamous rogue.
The rogue.
That loutish bastard.
He's the bastard?
You punk, I am the king of this country.
How dare you try to go in front of me without any fear?
Bring that punk at once and beat him!
What are you doing?
Don't stop the torture until he confesses.
Yes, sir!
Stop!
Wait. Please just spare my life.
Then, who is the leader of this attempt at treason?
Tell me the name.
Give me the name!
It's Lord Neung Chang.
Neung Chang? Are you talking about Prince Gyeongin's maternal grandfather?
Yes.
Your Majesty, what should I do?
Bring that criminal at once!
What do you mean treason? Who said such things?
I'll go see the Queen Dowager right now!
I don't think so.
What are you going to do after seeing the Queen Dowager?
You wretch, Sin Chi Soo! With your sly tongue,
what did you tell His Majesty?
Do you think I will just sit around and watch?
When I see the king myself, I will report all of your crimes!
Mother!
How dare you touch him?!
You wretches! Let him go at once!
You wicked girls, whom do you think you are putting your hands on?
Prince! Prince!
Prince!
Your Majesty, how can you be so cruel to your mother?
Is it not enough to kill my innocent father? And now you take my innocent son, too?
Do you not fear the heavens?
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, why would the young prince
plan treason?
While you've punished his grandfather, you must acknowledge his innocence.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty!
You cannot do so.
His name came up during the interrogation of the criminal,
so the request for his crime to be ignored is
no different than a dereliction of duty.
Your Majesty, you must punish the prince for his crime and leave no stone unturned.
Your Majesty, even if he has committed crimes, he's your brother after all.
If you punish him too harshly, you will be criticized for losing your morals as a noble.
Please show your grace.
Your Majesty, what he's saying now is no different than saying to stop catching the traitors.
In addition to the traitors who endangered this country's stability,
you must also punish the ministers and councilors that sway or confuse you.
He's so determined to kill the prince.
It's up to His Majesty now.
Hyungnim, what took you so long?
Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?
Yul, listen very carefully to what I'm about to say.
I think I'm going to have to send you somewhere for a little while.
While you're there if you listen well, eat well, and wait,
I will come to get you soon.
You promise?
Sin Chi Soo who brought down the treasoners and kept this country safe,
I give him the rank of a first-class retainer and
promote him to Lord Gosung.
Your Majesty.
Your grace is endless.
Your Majesty!
That's good.
You need to pay if you enjoyed it.
Ah, this is hard.
You need to pay more.
You are stealing.
How much did you take?
Why are you handing that to me?
Hey, just a bit. Add to it.
That punk is quite...
He is too handsome to be lowly.
Ey! You rotten people!
Since you are going wild over this craziness, I can't stop my craziness.
There! You crazy people who are crazier than me.
Eat this!
What do you mean you can't pay a penny?
You didn't expect to be paid when you played with the ruler of this country in my yard, did you?
But Lord,
it was only all for fun. How can you be like this?
Shut your mouth!
Just be grateful that I am not reporting you to the government offices.
Get lost!
Lord! Lord! Lord!
He said to get lost!
Lord!
Get lost!
No.
What filthy rich man?
Just take this and die!
What is this?
Just where do you think you are spitting at?
So disgusting I could die.
What's with you again?
I was just going to go,
- But I don't think I can do that. -What?
Hey, hey, hey!
Brother!
Aish!
Isn't there any food to eat?
What are you doing?!
Catch him!
Come on, come on! That scum there!
Gather up.
What was that sound?
Aigo hyungnim.
Pick it up!
Run!
Those punks.
Catch them!
Move.
Catch them!
Oh my! My legs! Aigo!
I died and lived again.
I thought you were taking it well.
Look what you've done.
Oh, my.
This is...
Here.
What is that?
What?
Oh my!
Isn't this that corvina that even the king has difficulty finding to eat?
They look good, don't they?
What is this taste!
Isn't it insane?
Make sure to chew as you eat, you'll get indigestion.
Ha Seon... you didn't break the pot, did you?
How many did you break?
Ah that is... there were so many pots...
I was tapping so many of them, but I couldn't find it.
So you broke all of them?
It felt so good.
We are dead now.
You made the seven stars mad.
That lord is going to kill us!
Well if he does we can just die.
When are you going to stop playing around?
The rumors will spread quickly nearby. What are we doing to do now?
Where are we going to perform now?!
How can you eat this, you immature things?!
Aigoo, Mother.
Old man Gap Soo. Since this happened, let's head to the big stage.
The big stage, my foot.
We are clowns anyway. It's awesome if we do it well and deadly if we don't.
Since we can't perform here, let's go perform in the big stage.
Where is the big stage?
When you speak of the big stage, it means Hanyang.
Hanyang?
Ahjussi.
Forget it. It'll take a few months.
We have no roof over our heads anyway, so what's the worry?
Let's just go.
Big brother, wait for me.
Hey.
Big brother.
Ah, seriously...
I can't go anymore. My legs are killing me.
Seriously.
Ahjussi.
So why break the pots...?
We are almost there. Get up.
What's wrong?
I can't walk any further.
Aigoo, right.
There we go.
Get on.
Alright. Let's go, let's go.
You comfortable?
Come on.
Come on!
Onyang Temporary Palace
Your Majesty.
Tonight, you should be able to rest peacefully.
Hyung-nim.
My stomach hurts so much, hyung-nim.
Please, save me.
Don't come! Get away! Get away! Agh! AGH!
Who ordered you?
If you tell me the traitor's name,
I will save your life.
You killed the late king's firstborn son
and you have stolen the king's throne. Who are you calling a traitor?
- What did you say? - Killing your father wasn't enough, so you killed your little brother, too.
You entrusted the political affairs with Sin Chi Soo, who is a disloyal subject.
You're too busy whoring that you don't even know time is passing by.
What kind of king are you?!
Are you not even afraid of the people's resentment towards you?!
Drag this man away
and interrogate him until he repents.
They all whisper to each other that I have gone insane.
They think I've gone mad and killed my little brother.
But look.
There are people hiding outside trying to kill me.
They don't acknowledge me as king.
They are trying to kill me. They are trying to make me go crazy!
Your Majesty.
Please put down the sword.
Promise me that you will find them all and kill them.
If I could protect you with my words,
I would do it a hundred or a thousand times.
Empty words are good enough, as well, so you can relax.
Can you not tell me
that you will try with all that you've got?
Until my dying breath
I will protect you, Your Majesty.
That is not enough.
Find a way.
Find a way to wipe all of them out and protect me.
Can you find a way?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I will find a way.
Your Majesty.
Please.
Hurry.
Before I really go crazy.
The reason why the king ended up that way
is because I ignored your advice and brought in Sin Chi Soo.
It's my fault.
At the time, the king needed a hunting dog like Sin Chi Soo.
Since that hunting dog has become a first class retainer,
it seems as if he'll be promoted as a Left State Minister.
We just have to prevent that.
I will petition the king. Find a good day for it.
Yes, my lord.
Seems like you failed.
I apologize.
What is this?
It's Hanyang! Hanyang!
Finally we arrived!
Wow, it's Hanyang!
- I told you guys not to make a fuss! - Is this a dream?
Or is it reality?
- How is this? - It hurts!
Then, that means it's reality!
Come on out!
Oh, my!
The main entrance truly is as big as an entrance should be!
Wow, Hanyang's brothels are truly different, right?
I can just tell that we'll be beaten and thrown out. Let's just go.
No, no.
You can stay here. I'll quickly go.
What will you do?
Really? You're going to play around with the king.
Yes, If you give me a chance,
I have the confidence to make your jaws drop!
We have enough jokers and entertainers here.
Go elsewhere.
No, just give us one chance. Just one! Please!
Madam! Madam!
Please. We can do well.
Madam!
What are you laughing at?
Is it not funny? You said you would play around with the king.
Who would want to see something like that nowadays?
That...
Something like that?
Wait... I am playing with my neck on the line... and you call it something like tha...
Something like that?
Shall I give you some advice?
Rather than a king who is a gentleman,
playing with the Queen and Seon Hwa Dang
is more popular amongst the brothel's guests.
How is that more popular?
Seeing that you don't know of this,
you truly must be from the countryside.
So then what are you talking about?
The queen
disposed of the king's concubines and persecuted them.
I heard her wickedness is incomparable to
regular women.
Are you saying
the queen is such a terrible and wicked wife?
Your Highness, Seon Hwa Dang has arrived.
Your Highness, you called for me?
I have something to give to you.
Do not feel pressured.
I'm giving this to you, so that you can assist the king for my sake.
I am very sorry.
You are so considerate like this,
but I do not why there are such rumors that fly about you.
Are you talking about the rumor that I persecuted you
and caused delay for your spending night with the majesty?
You knew of it?
They say all rumors are half lies.
I am not too worried about it.
So, you should not worry, as well, Seon Hwa Dang.
I will be leaving then, Your Highness.
You should've seen it, uncle.
She's only queen in appearances but she pretends to be so kind and puts on all sorts of airs.
It was too much for just me to see.
Yes.
Take this away. I don't want to see it.
What is this?
My Lord brought it.
What is this, Uncle?
This is a talisman for having a son.
Birth of a boy
When you meet His Majesty tonight, you must keep it on your person.
It will be effective when you do so.
[ Talisman for conception of a son ]
To not disappoint you,
I will do my best serving His Majesty tonight, so don't worry.
That won't be enough.
You have to put your life on the line.
Because if something goes wrong, you have to pay for it with your life.
My dearest niece. I didn't make you a concubine
so you can merely compete with the queen.
Earning His Majesty's favor, and giving birth to a son.
That's the reason why you are here, and
the only way for you to keep your life.
Yes, Uncle. I will keep that in mind.
Your Highness, what are you thinking about so deeply?
Father. When no one is around, at least,
couldn't you talk informally to me like you used to?
I'm asking you because it's so suffocating.
Of course, I will do that.
So Woon, is palace life still hard and
uncomfortable?
Since I'm living in the palace,
how embarrassing,
it must be that I've got a new habit of missing somewhere that's not the palace.
So Woon.
His Majesty won't be like that forever.
He's someone who used to have the qualities of a good and wise king, did he not?
I will do my best to serve His Majesty, so
hang in there a little bit more.
Yes, Father.
Your Majesty.
Your father-in-law and Chief Royal Secretary are asking to see you.
What should I do?
Let them in.
So you're saying that Sin Chi Soo
was taking bribes, secretly helping those who blocked us from receiving taxes,
And pocketed relief aid sent in by various provinces?
Yes, Your Majesty.
They are freely paying off government officials and public resentment is wide-spread.
I understand your intentions, my father-in-law.
But Sin Chisoo is a first class retainer.
You know that I can't punish him unless it's treason.
Your Majesty, the royal court is already filled
with Sin Chi Soo's men and is moving according to his will.
Since no one can stop whatever he does,
they're even saying that there are two suns in the sky.
If Sin Chi Soo's crime is not severely punished,
the order of this country will collapse and eventually so will your reign.
Father-in-law, don't exaggerate.
- But, Your Majesty— - Stop, I don't want to listen!
Do you even think there is even one man who is free of any speck of dust if you shake him?
Are you confident that you won't?
Your Majesty, I am..
Forget it!
I don't want to hear any excuses.
What is that on your clothes?
This is an accessory, a gift from the queen.
The queen gave you something like that?
Yes, she said that I should serve you well.
These refreshments are also sent by the queen.
Drink this.
Eat this.
How does it taste?
You gave it to me. How can it taste bad?
So, it's so good?
Yes. It's very sweet and good.
Then drink more.
Your Majesty...
I'm giving you as much as your greed's worth, but why don't you like it?
Drink more. More!
What is this?
I don't know.
It must be a talisman for having a son.
The queen wouldn't have given you something like this.
This must be the work of a greedy old man.
I wanted to do something that will make you happy. That's all.
You think that's giving birth to a son?
Even if you give birth to a son, he will be illegitimate.
Unless he's legitimate, I don't need one!
Y-Your Majesty!
Let me go.
I said, let me go!
Your Highness, the Majesty is—
Leave.
Your Majesty, what brings you here with no notice?
When someone is so desperate to have a son that she comes to me with a talisman,
how come you are not doing anything?
Get a talisman, perform an exorcism.
If that doesn't work, you should at least beg me to build a temple so you can make offerings.
You are neither Confucius nor Mencius.
How can you be so calm?
Is what Your Majesty wants is
for me to defy a court lady's rules and employ witchcraft?
Would you do that if I tell you so?
If it's your order, then
I will follow no matter what, but—
- But what? - I wish that
you become the role model for every citizen.
When you show your grace to people and show kindness, the heavens will be touched.
Won't it bless us an heir that will carry on your line?
Stop.
That nagging again!
Your Majesty. I know that
my words are meaningless to you.
If you don't want to listen to my words, then please listen to the citizens.
Please meet them in person and —
Those fools must think
that I'm the one who's been rejecting you?
Who would even guess?
It is you that's been rejecting me.
What good is it to have the beauty so beautiful that the flowers cry and the moon hides?
She can't even win over her husband's heart!
Young girl, unfamiliar girl, other girl
I can't live because of them!
- What about you - You wenches!
You wicked wenches!
Come out here!
- My husband! - That wench! Seon Hwa Dang, you wench!
Get away from his majesty this instant!
How dare you
put your butt there?
Oh, my! The queen is killing me!
Your majesty! Your majesty!
You wench, there is no point in calling for the king!
Go ahead and die!
Alright, you wench! Now let's see if you die, or I die.
- Let's have at it! - This b*tch!
You!
Looks like I won.
Are you alright, Your Highness?
Seon Hwa Dang, you!
Have a taste! Have a taste of it! Tickle, tickle!
It tickles! Geez!
I could just chew you up, Your Highness.
Come here!
I told you to be gentle! Come! Come!
Save me!
You're so fast!
So, the king only wants a firstborn son born from the queen?
Blood is thicker than water.
I cannot believe
he is becoming so much like the late king, who he resented.
The majesty trusts and rely on the queen's father.
If the queen gives birth to a son, that'll be a huge problem.
We have to stop that before it happens.
Is there a way to stop it?
He only wants a son from the Queen.
Then we just need to change the owner of the queen's quarters, don't we?
That is easier said than done.
You just wait.
Soon we'll have a new queen.
Your Majesty, it is true that I have been receiving bribes.
However, I did it to build Your Majesty a new palace.
What does that mean?
After you lost your main palace from the last uprising,
how many years has it been since you lived in this shabby annex palace?
Also, having a main palace is like the difference between earth and heaven.
After you said you would make me the Left State Minister,
I was even more concerned about that.
So you are saying that all the bribes you took were for my sake?
Your Majesty.
If building the main court is delayed any further, not only Your Majesty who is the sovereign and
the father of the citizens of this country,
I thought Your Majesty would be in danger and your dignity would fall.
I was afraid of that, so I took the bribes.
Please forgive me!
Fine.
I'll believe you.
Thank you, your majesty.
Do we really have no way to stop him?
Sir Boowongoon. Sir Royal Secretary.
What is it?
The man we captured in Ohnyang is ready to talk.
So, who are you working for?
It is the Minister of Defence, Kim Gi Soo.
Are you sure you tried to kill the king under Sin Chi Soo's order?
Yes...
Can you say that in front of the king?
Even if I speak hundred times or thousand times,
my answer is the same.
If he's telling the truth, we can stop Sin Chi Soo.
We must be cautious.
I understand your meaning,
but we can't lose this chance.
I am reinstating Sin Chi Soo to the high counselor.
Your majesty.
Please wait a moment.
I wish to report an act of treason.
Who is that high treasoner?
Please listen to it directly from the one who confessed.
Bring in the criminal!
You will say nothing but the truth.
Who ordered you to kill the king?
If you only tell the truth, I will save you.
Who is the one who gave you orders?
It was Boowongoon.
How dare you lie here?
Didn't you tell me Sin Chi Soo had ordered you?!
Yes. You promised to spare my life if I said so.
This bastard...
Your majesty. He is lying.
I have never seen this man before yesterday
and I never ordered him to do such a thing!
Then can you present me with the evidence
that he is lying?
That...
There is no evidence
except for my sincerity.
Lock up the Boowongoon who planned a treason at once!
Your majesty!
Your Majesty! I have been framed!
This is a lie! Your Majesty!
- Queen. - Your Majesty...
My father has lived his entire life for the sake of you and the country.
How could you say that a person like that turned his back on you and tried to kill you?
I am certain somebody framed him.
He has unjustly been framed?
Yes, I believe so.
You're right.
After all, they are the words of the man who put a blade to my neck.
How could I so easily believe his words?
However, I am still planning to take down Sin Chi Soo.
I am certain he was still spreading lies.
I can't forgive his change of heart.
I can also not forgive the fact that he tried to trick me.
If you understand, move.
What is this now?
Your majesty is doubting my father's loyalties.
How could I protect your place?
If you throw away my father, throw away me as well.
Are you threatening me right now?
How could you call my earnest and desperate words a threat?
I hope that you will give me a chance to defend against these lies.
You will put your position on the line?
Yes.
Because a witness testified to your father's crimes
there is no choice but to treat it as treason.
If you dare threaten me again with this matter,
I will not overlook your crimes as well.
Know this and leave now!
Now the only thing that will not go to Sin Chi Soo is
the Queen's Court.
I understand what you are saying.
I will protect the Queen's Court,
so do not worry.
It seems that the king was betrayed by somebody he trusted.
This is all due to the Jinpyeong-gun's plans.
Things worked out better than expected.
If by any chance the king's assassination fails,
confess that it was the doing of the queen's father.
Yes, I will do so.
When I sit at the throne, I will give you and your children government official jobs.
Your grace is limitless.
My decision to put you in the throne in case of the king's death was indeed correct one.
King, I've held it in for a long time.
This is just the beginning. You can look forward to it.
Bring me more alcohol.
You already drank a lot, if you drink anymore--
Just bring it.
Seeing your behavior is not even acceptable in the taverns,
it looks like somethings big has happened.
Woon Shim,
It's a favor.
The queen bitch is trying to kill me.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Even if you call his majesty it doesn't matter! How about dying once!
Fine. Let's see who'll die first.
Let's go a round, today!
What's this? You can't get up?
You punk! Whose name do you think you are disgracing?
Lord, why are you like this? What crime did I commit?
This punk.
But you still don't know what sin you've commi–
Is it a crime to have fun and play?
Oh my... Sir, we've committed crime.
What are you doing? Beg him with your hands and knees.
Forgive me.
Woon Sim, lock this punk up in the storage room.
What?
Sir, why make a big deal over the clown making fun?
Turn him over to the authority.
No.
No...
Lock him up.
Noona. No, no...
Sir! Go look in the market streets.
They all play like me.
My Lord!
- What just happened - Oraboni!
Oh my...
That man's name is Ha Seon?
Yes.
Are you really going to turn him over to the authority?
That's none of your business.
Until I tell you, you can never let him go, do you understand?
Yes, I will do that.
Royal Secretary, we got a big problem.
I seems the king's madness is back.
Bring me the rest of the porridge.
- Eat it. - Pardon?
I'm telling you to eat it to see if there is poison!
Yes, yes.
You wench, what are you trying to start?
It's because it's really hot...
This wench!
I told you to eat. Eat!
Argh!
Stop crying at once!
Your Majesty.
I have something to tell you in private.
Just say it.
Please let them leave.
This is about a way that I promised to you before.
You are all dismissed!
Have you found a way?
Do you remember the book you enjoyed reading when you were young?
What does that have to do with it?
I think I found the feather of Son Oh Gong in the book.
That feather which you can create a duplicate with a breath.
Are you releasing me now?
Have respect. It's His Majesty the King.
Your Majesty.
Try it on.
Yes.
Try saying, you scoundrel!
You scoundrel.
You scoundrel! Are you not going to do it properly?
You scoundrel! Are you not going to do it properly!
The Crowned Clown
[Preview]
There are only two options to survive in the palace.
Either you stomp on them mercilessly and cut off their airway.
Or you totally ignore it.
Have you slept well?
I can't really read Chinese characters.
Is this your playground?
This is something I really needed as the person dying in place of his majesty!
Queen, I'm sorry.
If you leave now, I'll have to kill you.