(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)
(are not historical facts but fictional.)
"You fool."
Say it.
You fool.
You fool! Play your role properly!
(Episode 2)
Your Majesty, you cannot leave the palace like this.
Why can I not when we've found my replacement?
He may be the shield that protects you,
but he could also become the sword pointed at you.
We must train him thoroughly to be your double,
or it may backfire on us.
The lowlife has only one role in this palace.
He'll either be killed or poisoned while pretending to be me.
What preparations are needed for that?
Just go ahead with it.
Has it been that hard for you to endure?
For days,
I haven't slept even for a moment.
I feel my enemies pointing daggers at me everywhere.
At this rate,
I'm worried I might get blood on my hands again.
I understand.
If that's what you wish,
I will do as told.
Pardon? You want me to be the King's double?
- How is that... - Silence.
I can't. I won't. How could I?
It is the King's order.
Refusing isn't an option.
But my lord,
just flog me and throw me out.
If you don't comply,
your younger sister and your surrogate uncle...
will be dragged here to be tortured and punished.
Hold on. Are you threatening me?
I risked my life while putting on those shows.
Do as you wish.
It won't be for long. Just a few days.
If I disappear like this, my sister will worry.
You will be rewarded with riches that'll set you up for good.
Gosh, I can't be doing this.
Darn it.
Since it's the King's order,
it wouldn't be right for me to keep turning you down.
Those who eat are those who poop.
I have committed a sin anyway,
so I'll think of this as my punishment.
What will be my role anyway?
This is Eunuch Cho,
the King's personal servant.
I see.
What issues do you see with him?
His vulgar way of talking...
and the way he carries himself. That must be corrected.
Gosh, we haven't even started yet.
Also, please drop the formalities.
If I do, others will immediately know you're a fake.
Addressing you this way is the best course of action.
That being said, since you are playing the King,
you should speak casually when addressing me.
I must say, you are truly reliable.
I told you to speak casually to me, not lay your hands on me.
I will let you live a day in the King's shoes,
so just do as I say.
His Majesty's day begins even before sunrise.
Your Majesty, have you awakened?
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty?
I am awake.
Please blow your nose, Your Majesty.
- Congratulations, Your Majesty. - Congratulations, Your Majesty.
After they wash your face,
Court Lady Kim will help you dress up.
Court Lady Kim is the chief court lady...
who serves His Majesty from his closest side.
She is the first person you will have to fool...
if you are to double.
Your Majesty, are you feeling uncomfortable with something?
No.
Continue.
You must not eat the same side dish more than twice.
Because someone might poison...
- the food His Majesty likes. - Poison?
It is just the formality carried down since the former king.
Please do not fear.
My apologies, Your Majesty.
It is all right.
Not a single drop was spilled, so do not mind it.
This water tastes great.
Block!
Wait, you...
I am glad we met here.
I cannot believe I lost.
I think I did a pretty good job. What do you think?
You should refrain yourself a little more.
Refrain myself?
Refrain myself from doing what exactly?
I am telling you...
to stop reaching your hand out, showing your emotions, smiling,
or anything like that.
Do nothing?
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Who is that lady?
She's the Queen.
What did you just say?
She's the Queen, I said.
What, the Queen?
She is the Queen?
Avoid meeting anyone from the Internal Court.
Especially, the Queen.
Your Highness. There.
Your Majesty, Her Highness is approaching.
What?
Your Majesty.
His Majesty often skips court assemblies,
but he always participates in court discussions.
There is neither relevant laws...
nor examples to be applied to this case.
Appointing him as a civil official...
will be a fair means to handle it.
I understand.
Next.
Did you have a good night, Your Majesty?
Thanks to you, I slept well.
What brings you here?
That's good to hear.
The royal physician told me...
you were having insomnia due to Lord Yoo's issue.
I could not sleep all night out of concern.
Have you decided on his punishment?
Well, that is...
The punishment...
on Lord Yoo...
You must set an example by putting him to death.
The court and your subjects will be free of concern that way.
Please give me your permission.
If someone asks for your permission,
answer them, "I approve".
I approve.
Pardon?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I trust that you will give me an answer...
and will leave you now.
Okay.
I almost thought I was found out.
Who was that?
That was the Left State Councilor.
The Left State Councilor?
Who is Lord Yoo?
Well... That is...
Your Highness. Your Highness. I have terrible news.
What is it?
The King...
approved your father's beheading.
Announce me to the King.
Your Highness. Forgive me, but...
The King is taking a nap.
Come back another time.
Your Majesty.
Your Highness. You cannot do this.
How dare you? You dare to stand in my way?
Your Majesty. The Queen is here.
Your Majesty.
My Queen.
I came here to prove my father's innocence with my life.
What are you doing?
When you approved my father's beheading,
did you not think I would do this?
But...
Let go of me.
No, wait.
Queen. Queen.
There is nothing else I can do but take my own life.
Why will you not even let me die?
What must I do to make you give up?
I want one thing and nothing else.
Save my father's life.
Very well. I will do that.
Do you mean that?
I do not lie on a person's life.
Then promise me.
You promise first. That you will never do this again.
I will promise.
That is the right thing to do. I promise as well.
I will keep this.
Do you think...
this is your playground?
Do you even know what you have done?
You got away? You fool!
How dare you?
Calm down. Relax.
How could you?
Eunuch Cho, hold him.
I am innocent.
Who is the one who told me to say...
"I approve" when someone asks for approval?
I had no choice because the Left State Councilor barged in.
He sounded so much like a loyal subject.
The man you must be most wary of...
is Left State Councilor Shin Chi Soo.
He is more wicked than anyone in the land.
Did I not do the right thing then?
Why you...
Anyway, I must save Lord Yoo's life.
I promised the Queen that I would.
Lord Yoo's issue is none of your business.
- But... - That is enough.
Watch him more carefully...
so this never happens again.
A totem pole on the throne would cause...
less problems than he does.
Ae Yeong.
I am dressing your wound. Do not say anything.
Do not be angry.
I had no other choice.
Do you think I do not know how you feel?
But how could you...
What if the King had not stopped you?
I did not think that he would...
stop me.
Do you think the King will keep his word?
Who knows when he will change his mind?
But...
when I saw him today,
he reminded me of an incident from long ago.
When he was Crown Prince,
I burst into tears as palace life was so stifling and unfamiliar.
He did not ask for a reason...
or scold me.
So Woon.
He just held my hand.
I thought of him back then.
Buddha's wisdom and mercy...
does not suddenly appear, disappear, become dirty...
You are back.
Where is he?
He wanted what we do not have,
so I sent him to a hermitage.
It is a revolt!
Your Majesty, what should we do?
- What did you just say? - It's about Lord Yoo.
Left State Councilor requested his beheading.
He is the kind of man who'd ask such a thing.
This is a chance to eliminate an enemy.
He will not hesitate to seize it.
Please tell me your orders.
I will accept his request.
Execute my father-in-law.
My Queen would probably look at me with that same face.
She will glare at me as if she were ripping my heart out.
Will she resent me?
Now leave.
This is the King's order.
What does it say?
I'm afraid I'm uneducated when it comes to Chinese characters.
I will tell you, so just copy what I say.
Remove criminal Yoo Ho Joon from office.
"Remove criminal Yoo Ho Joon from office."
And execute.
Execute?
Wait. What about the promise I made to the Queen?
A promise should only be made when you have the power to keep it.
What weight do your words carry when you have no ounce of power?
Remember this if you wish to leave in one piece.
There are only two ways to survive in the palace.
Step on everyone and crush them for good,
or...
to ignore them for good.
"Remove criminal Yoo Ho Joon from office..."
"and execute."
Make sure to remember those words.
But...
Fine.
Your Majesty,
please relay your order regarding the criminal Yoo Ho Joon.
"Remove criminal Yoo Ho Joon..."
"from office..."
"and imprison him in exile."
Why do you think...
His Majesty changed his mind?
He must have doubts...
regarding Lord Yoo's treason charge.
My lord.
Right.
I do not know how you persuaded His Majesty,
but you will live to regret it.
Life is about regretting at night what we did in the day.
What happened should be accepted as is.
Don't you agree?
Sure. That's how life is.
He let Lord Yoo live?
This has put a hindrance on our plans to drive Shin Chi Soo out.
This may actually be for the best.
How do you figure?
His Majesty let Lord Yoo live...
because he doesn't trust Shin Chi Soo.
Shin Chi Soo won't sit back and take this.
There will be a war among them.
Is that so?
Even a dog passing by would know that.
Do not test my patience.
If you do not have a clear plan to take over the throne,
tell me right this moment.
I apologize for worrying you.
I do have a plan in mind,
so please have faith in me.
Hurry along now.
Serve Lord Jinpyeong some tea.
Your Majesty,
Chief Royal Secretary Lee requests an audience.
- Please, no. - You fool!
How dare you disobey the King...
and insult this court.
Do you wish to die?
What could I do when I already made a promise?
You said you were uneducated,
so how did you know about imprisonment while in exile?
He asked me what punishment was directly under execution.
I only thought he was genuinely curious.
I'll make sure that this doesn't happen again.
If this happens again,
your place in this palace will be...
outside with the latrine.
When will Lord Yoo leave in exile?
His sentence has been decided, so he will leave tomorrow.
Why do you ask?
Well...
Her father is going on a long journey,
so I wonder if she should see him off.
You mean, the Queen?
You noblemen love fulfilling your duties.
And it is her duty to see her father off.
Once a woman sets foot in the palace,
she can never leave the palace alive.
That is the rule.
It is also the fate of a king's lady.
I thought filial piety was more important than custom.
Did Eunuch Cho tell you that?
It is just what I heard from somewhere.
My apologies. I was just saying.
Okay.
I will escort her myself.
You mean it?
Father.
Your Highness.
Please do not, Father.
Not seeing your face before I took off burdened me.
I am glad to see you like this.
I am glad to see you too.
So Woon.
Do not cry.
My arms and limbs are sound.
I am grateful to the King.
Father...
Lord Yoo, please take this.
Her Highness made these clothes herself.
Thank you.
I will keep them well.
Father.
Please be healthy.
Do not worry about me.
Until the day of your safe return,
I will take good care of His Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
Please stay healthy...
until the day we meet again.
[VIU Ver] tvN E02 'The Crowned Clown' "Run away" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
Thank you.
I was able to see him off thanks to you.
It was actually not my decision...
but His Majesty's to escort you here.
His Majesty ordered you?
Your Majesty, your evening snack is ready to be served.
Let her in.
I am in a great mood today.
What is your name? How old are you?
My name is Gye Hwan.
I am 15 years old, Your Majesty.
- She is the same age. - Pardon?
It is nothing.
What is today's snack?
It is milk porridge.
What was that just now?
My apologies, Your Majesty.
Did you skip dinner?
That is because...
Your Majesty had a hearty breakfast today.
We, court ladies, have dinner...
with what is left from Your Majesty's breakfast.
Taste it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Wait.
Cool it down before you eat. You will burn your palate otherwise.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Taste another spoonful.
How does it taste?
It is good.
Keep tasting.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I wonder if Dal Rae is eating well.
Please save my brother.
Dal Rae, do not worry.
The Department of Justice did not arrest your brother.
If not, where was he taken to?
Is he dead already?
Stop the nonsense. He is not dead.
Stop it now. Woon Shim does not seem like she knows either.
Goodness, Ha Seon...
Ha Seon...
Poor Ha Seon.
Your cries are going to shoo away my customers.
Stop crying already.
Ha Seon.
You will not stop?
Hold on, my lady.
She will stop crying soon enough. Please calm down.
Make her stop right now.
Or I will give her a beating and kick her out.
Sure, sure. Oh, right. I saw it earlier today.
You ran out of firewood.
Should I go get some tomorrow?
Dal Rae.
Do not cry.
I will find out about Ha Seon.
Stop crying.
Will you really?
Yes.
Welcome, my lord.
Who is that girl?
That is Dal Rae. She travels with the clowns.
Whatever she is, she is staying here.
I am sorry, but she does not serve men.
I cannot have her?
Goodbye then.
Why is my horse not here yet?
My lord.
Shall I call Dal Rae for you?
You?
If you will pay me enough,
I will bring her to your residence.
She will be there shortly.
Your Majesty.
What do you want the hazelnuts for?
They are a gift for Dal Rae, my little sister.
If you were to ask me, I could get you something better.
What good are those...
These are from the palace the king lives in.
These will do.
What is over there?
That is the back gate the servants use.
The back gate?
Then what is over there?
Over there...
I pray.
What are they all doing over there?
That is where the court maids make wishes.
- Wishes? - Yes.
A long time ago, one of the king's maids...
threw a pebble in there while praying for a son.
Legend has it she had the king's child.
Why is the Queen not making a wish?
She has a reputation to keep.
How could she do what the lowly court maids do?
Hey.
Your Highness, the King is here.
Your Majesty.
Did I disturb you?
No.
I was on my way to see you.
- Me? - Yes.
Thanks to you, I was able to see my father off.
That is just...
You need not thank me.
Give me your hand.
These are hazelnuts.
You want to make a wish,
but cannot do so as you must preserve your authority.
If you crack open a hazelnut,
it surprises the goblin that protects the house...
into granting you a wish.
Crack one open...
when you are alone and make a wish.
Who knows? It may come true.
This is the King's evening snack.
Take it to him on time.
Yes, my lady.
Your Majesty, tonight's snack is yakbab and sujeonggwa.
Okay.
How did you come to work here?
Well...
I am sorry to say...
it was because my father could not pay his taxes.
Taxes?
What does that have to do with you coming here?
Tell me slowly.
Is that true?
You know where my brother is?
Yes.
Come with me. I will take you to him.
Can we wait a little while?
Gab Soo went to get some firewood and is not back yet.
Leave it then.
I don't have time to waste.
Wait.
Let us go.
Lead the way.
Gosh.
Why is he not here yet?
Ha Seon?
Who are you?
Ha Seon?
How could a villager from the mountains...
bring abalones as tributes when they are caught at sea?
The district magistrate kept insisting,
so my father had no choice...
but to borrow money to buy the abalone for him.
Those requests continued,
and my father ran out of possessions to borrow money with.
As a last resort, he ended up selling me instead.
It must've been terribly hard for you.
I do not resent my father though.
Including a brother only a year younger than me,
I have a total of six siblings including a newborn baby.
He has one mouth less to feed,
and I was able to pay back his debt.
I consider ourselves quite lucky.
I can't believe it. Even I'm proud of you.
I can't believe I told you all of this.
Something must've gotten over me.
The ones who are out of their minds...
are the district magistrate and the loan shark.
How dare they live off the poor people of this nation?
Those selfish pigs.
Go ahead.
My goodness. I wouldn't dare.
It's just that you remind me of my sister...
Pardon? Your sister?
Actually, what I meant to say is this.
Delicious food tastes less good when shared.
I can have this whenever I want, so go ahead.
Your Majesty...
Hang in there.
Chew slowly so that you don't choke.
What is it?
What did I say about taking your time?
I apologize...
You...
Is... Is anyone outside?
Eunuch Cho!
Your Majesty.
Summon the royal physician!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Gye Hwan. Gye Hwan!
Gye Hwan?
Royal physician.
Where is the royal physician?
Your Majesty, what...
Save her immediately.
Your Majesty, I'm sorry but it is too late.
What do you mean it's too late?
She is dead.
That can't be.
We were talking and laughing up until a minute ago.
Check again. Take a closer look!
Gye Hwan? Gye Hwan!
Wake up. Please wake up.
Gye Hwan.
Your Majesty.
My lord, that's...
Silence.
Please escort His Majesty back.
He must not be left alone.
Yes, my lord.
Your Majesty, we should go.
What do you think happened?
I'll have to conduct a full examination,
but I'm guessing that she was poisoned.
You must not eat the same side dish more than twice.
Because someone might poison...
the food His Majesty likes.
I can have this whenever I want, so go ahead.
- Your Majesty. - Do not touch me.
But you cannot stay in this state.
You must at least change...
Get out of here.
Everyone, leave!
Your Highness. Your Highness!
How dare you act so inappropriately in front of the Queen!
I apologize, Your Highness.
What is going on?
Well...
What took you so long?
Please head there immediately.
Unless I say otherwise, no one is allowed in his quarters.
Yes, my lord.
This is why you needed me.
To die instead of the King. Is that not true?
- Calm down. - Let me leave right now.
No. I will leave on my own.
If you leave now,
I will have no choice but to kill you.
Whether it is this way or that, I die anyway.
Just kill me.
If you die, your sister and that Gab Soo...
will not escape unscathed.
Is that what you want?
The decision is yours. What shall I do?
Your Majesty.
The Queen wishes to see you.
Let her in.
His Majesty says you may enter.
Good evening, Your Highness.
Queen.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I am sorry.
Are you crazy?
How dare you when the Queen is inside?
Your Majesty, I shall come in.
Your Highness.
I cannot stay in the palace any longer.
Your Majesty. Calm down.
I cannot do it anymore.
I must get out of here right now.
Your Majesty.
When you were Crown Prince,
you said you could do anything if I were with you.
Until the day the world ends, we are to keep holding hands...
and laugh and cry together.
You said we should be friends forever.
You asked why I came here.
I came here to be with you.
To laugh and to cry with you.
That is why I am here.
I will go through everything with you.
Please strengthen your resolve.
I cannot.
You must find the King before worse happens.
- Hurry. - Yes, master.
Search outside the palace, just in case.
Yes, my lord.
No!
You cannot go in!
- Who are you? - Dal Rae! Dal Rae!
Gab Soo. Gab Soo!
- Stay still. - Dal Rae!
Gab Soo! Gab Soo!
Woon Shim, it is me.
It is me, Ha Seon.
Let him go.
Darn.
- Woon Shim. - Ha Seon!
- You punk... - Gab Soo.
Where have you been?
Gab Soo, where is Dal Rae?
You punk...
Why are you looking for her now?
Dal Rae waited so much for you.
Dal Rae. Dal Rae.
Dal Rae.
There, there.
Dal Rae, you...
What happened?
Who did this to you?
It is okay. Tell your brother.
Who did this to you?
What is wrong with you? Say something.
She must be struck dumb with shock.
A servant came here...
and lured her, saying you were looking for her.
He took her to a nasty man who frequents courtesan houses.
She resisted,
and he did this to her.
I am to blame.
I should have taken better care of her as you were not around.
I am to blame.
How...
How could this...
Dal Rae...
I am sorry.
Dal Rae...
Who is that filthy rat?
There is nothing you can do.
Name him right now!
Shin Yi Gyum.
The son of Shin Chi Soo,
who recently became Left State Councilor.
Ha Seon, what are you trying to do?
Goodness.
- Who is Shin Yi Gyum? - Goodness.
- Shin Yi Gyum? - Who is he?
What is the ruckus?
Please save me, young master.
You know that guy?
Yes, he is a servant from the courtesan house.
You ignored my warning again?
Who was it this time?
It was not from the courtesan house.
It was a clown's sister.
That is why he is in a mask.
I cannot believe this.
- You. - Yes, my lord.
How much is a dog worth in the market?
It must be less than two yang.
Send him off with two yang.
Yes, my lord.
You are not going anywhere...
My sister is not a dog.
- Shut it. - Let me go!
- You filthy... - Shut it.
You little punk.
- How dare you come in here? - You little...
- How does this taste? - Die.
- Just die. - Enough!
You saved your life thanks to our lord.
Did Ha Seon come here?
You took him with you.
Why are you asking me about his whereabouts?
Did he come or not?
I have not seen him ever since you took him.
Make sure you keep him with you when he comes.
I will.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
His Majesty has returned.
Your Majesty, I see you have returned already.
I was not expecting you to return so soon.
You said there are only two ways to survive in the palace.
Did you not run away to survive?
Why did you return?
I returned to learn a way.
A way to trample on someone until he stops breathing.
Teach me...
the way.
(The Crowned Clown)
What made you come back?
I returned to pay back my debt.
He dares to relay his terms?
So what if he rules the country?
His thoughts and beliefs are nothing but garbage!
Since when did you master archery?
I'm gifted.
Be patient with me...
for I will find a way to save you, My Queen.