Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
The Crowned Clown
The characters, organizations, locations, and events in this drama are fiction and have no relation to historical facts.
"This punk," say it.
This punk.
This punk! Are you not going to play properly?!
Episode 2
You cannot leave the palace like this, Your Majesty.
I've found a substitute for myself. Why can't I go?
We don't know yet whether he'll be a shield that protects you
or a sword that hurts you.
We need to thoroughly prepare him to substitute you.
Otherwise, it may cause huge troubles.
Everything that low bastard has to do has already been set.
Either be stabbed by a sword for me or die from poison.
What do you mean we need to prepare for such things?
If you understand, proceed with it.
Is it that hard for you to endure?
I couldn't sleep for a minute the last couple of days.
It feels like there are people hiding in every direction, aiming to take my life.
If this continues...
I might get blood on my hands again.
I understand.
If that is your command, I will do so.
What? Me as the king's substitute? What do you mean—
Be quiet.
I can't do it. I will not do it. Who am I to—
This is the king's order. Do you think you can just say no?
My lord, just beat me and kick me out of the palace.
If you don't accept this, including you,
your sister and that man you call "Ahjussi" will be dragged here.
You all will feel the wrath of the king.
Are you threatening me right now?
It doesn't matter. I've performed until now with my life on the line.
Do as you please.
It won't take long. It will only take a couple of days.
If I go missing like this,
my Dal Rae will be worried.
I will give you enough wealth
so that you won't worry about eating for the rest of your life.
I shouldn't be like this.
Really.
But it's not like I can reject something that's crucial
to national affairs.
They do say that "He who shits eats his shit,"
and I do have some crimes.
I will consider it as my punishment and give it a try.
So what do I have to do?
Eunuch Jo is the head eunuch.
He waits on the king.
Yes.
What do you think is the biggest problem here?
His coarse speaking manner and attitude.
I think we'll need to fix them first.
We haven't even started yet.
Please speak informally to me.
If I speak informally to you, we might get caught.
It's better to use honorifics like now for both of us.
You... Just like His Majesty did,
please speak informally to me.
I feel assured.
I told you to speak informally not act informally.
I will give you a review of the King's daily routines.
You just need to follow as it is.
The King's day begins before sunrise.
Your Majesty, have you awoken?
Your Majesty.
Yes.
Please blow your nose.
Your Majesty, congratulations.
After washing your face, Lady Kim will assist you with dressing.
Lady Kim is an attendant who serves the king from an extremely close distance.
If you are to be the king's substitute,
you need to deceive Lady Kim first.
Your Majesty, is there something bothering you?
No.
Continue.
Regarding the side dishes... You never eat the same one twice.
This is because of the fear that someone may poison the king's favorite dishes.
Poison?
It's a precedent that's been set since the previous king.
You don't need to worry much.
Forgive me, Your Majesty!
It's fine.
You didn't spill a drop. You don't need to worry.
The water tastes good.
Block and...
You are...
It's great to see you here.
Can't believe you got me.
I think I've done quite well. What do you think?
I think you should be more cautious.
Frequently? What do you want me to do more frequently?
No, I mean...
Offering your hand. Revealing your real feelings. Smiling.
You shouldn't do any of that.
So you are telling me to do nothing?
Yes.
Y-Your Majesty. Your Majesty!
Who is that lady?
She's the queen.
- What did you just say? - I said she's the queen.
T-The queen? Her Highness?
You should not cross paths with the ladies of the court, especially the queen.
You must avoid her.
Your Highness, over there...
Your Majesty, the queen is making her way over.
What?!
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Although his majesty does skip out on the morning meetings quite often,
he would never skip out on the questioning and political affair sessions with his officials.
In the field of law, there are no proper provisions.
We are unable to consider its relative importance.
If we chose someone with a liberal arts background,
the punishments will become fair and just.
Yes, I understood nicely. Let the next one in.
Your Majesty, did you rest well last night?
Because of you, I slept well. What news do you have?
Yes, that's a great relief.
I had heard that your majesty had become restless over recent events regarding Lord Moon Sung.
After the fact, I could not sleep all night.
Then, have you decided on the punishment
for Lord Moon Sung?
The thing is... With that--
When it comes to Lord Moon Sung's punishment...
Your majesty, you must behead Lord Moon Sung and make an example out of him.
That way, the worries of all the citizens will disappear.
Please allow this.
If someone asks you to allow something to happen,
you can reply with, "Do so."
-Do so.-Pardon?
Ah, yes. Then I'll
believe that you've agreed,
and will leave you.
Yes.
I thought I was going to be found out.
Who is that person?
That is the Left State Minister!
The Left State Minister, huh.
But, who is Lord Moon Sung?
The thing is... He's--
My queen! My queen! There's been a huge occurrence!
What's the matter?
His Majesty has
agreed to the beheading of his father-in-law!
Please tell His Majesty I wish an audience with him.
Your Highness, I apologize but--
His Majesty has already eaten.
Please return later.
Your Majesty!
Your Highness, you cannot do this.
How insulting. How dare you block my path?
Your Majesty, the queen is entering.
Your Majesty.
My Queen.
I would die to prove my father's innocence.
What do you think you're doing?!
When you allowed for my father to be beheaded,
did you not predict that I would react like this?
Let me go!
Alright, hold on!
My--my queen!
Death is my only option now.
But why won't you even allow me to die?
What can I do for you to give up on dying?
I only have one request.
Please save my father.
I understand! I'll do that.
Are you being sincere?
I wouldn't lie in regards to someone's life.
Then... You must promise me.
You must promise me first. That you won't do anything like this, ever again.
I promise.
Good.
I will promise as well.
I will keep this.
Is this place
a stage for a clown?!
Do you know what you've done?!
Are you dodging me? You fool!
Hey!
You punk!
-Come here.-Please calm down.
Hey, you punk!
Hey!
Oh Eunuch Jo, grab ahold of him. Yes.
I feel wronged. You told me if somone asked me to allow for something, to say, "Do so."
Who's the one who told me I should reply this way?
The Left State Minister suddenly came in, so I couldn't do anything.
There was nothing I could find wrong with what he was saying so--
The individual you must be most wary of in this palace
is the Left Prime Minister, Sin Chi Soo.
He is wicked and is the most powerful man in this country.
Then didn't I do the right thing?
-This punk, really!-Well, anyways!
We must save the king's father-in-law.
I promised the queen this.
When it comes to the king's father-in-law's affairs, it's not for you to get involved in.
-However---You must stop.
So that nothing like this will ever occur again,
please watch over him more carefully.
It might have been better to use a wooden pole
in his place.
Ae Young.
I'm looking over the situation currently,
so don't say anything else.
Don't get angry.
It was the only thing I could do.
How could I not know how you were feeling?
But still, how could you?
If His Majesty didn't stop you, what would have happened?
I also did not know this was how His Majesty would react.
Do you think His Majesty will follow through on his promise?
Who knows when his mind will change again?
But still,
after meeting His Majesty today, I was reminded of a past occurrence.
When I had first entered the palace, and everything seemed foreign to me.
I was crying.
But without asking for a reason.
Without scolding me.
So Woon.
He just held my hand.
That's what he reminded me of.
Have you arrived?
Where is he?
He was looking for something that we didn't have at our temple, so I drove him out to the hermitage.
Your Majesty, what should we do?
What did you say?
In regards to your father-in-law.
The Left State Minister has requested for his beheading.
The Left Minister is someone to have requested that, and more.
How could he lose an opportunity to
lose the thorn in his eye?
Please make your decision.
I will approve.
Execute my father-in-law.
The Queen will look at me just like you are now, won't she?
Glaring at me so, that my heart may rip out.
Would she resent me?
You are dismissed.
This is the king's orders.
(Looking at it upside down)
What is it saying?
I can't really read Chinese characters.
I will tell you, so
just memorize it.
"Remove the criminal Yoo Ho Joon from his position"
Remove the criminal Yoo Ho Joon from his position
"and execute him."
Execute him?
Then, what about the promise I made with the Queen?
You make a promise when you have power to keep it.
How would someone who knows nothing and blabbers on so have that kind of power?
If you want to leave here alive, then keep this in mind.
There are only two ways to survive in the palace.
Either you step on people and crush them to death or
you completely turn away and ignore them.
"Remove the criminal Yoo Ho Joon from his position and execute him."
Don't forget.
I...
Alright.
Your Majesty.
Please make a decision about the criminal Yoo Ho Joon.
(Still upside down)
Remove the criminal Yoo Ho Joon
from his position and
Criminal Yoo Ho Joon to be stripped of his official position.
send him to exile and under house arrest surrounded by thorns.
Surround with Thorns: Creating a wall of thorns to prevent a banished offender from escaping exile
Why do you think His Majesty changed his mind?
He must have found something that made him consider that it wasn't just treason.
Left State Minister.
Alright. I don't know what you told His Majesty to change his mind,
but you will regret it someday.
People regret what they did in the morning at night. That's life.
We should accept the things that should be accepted. Don't you agree?
Right. That's life.
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
What do you mean he let his father-in-law live?
Isn't our plan to get rid of Sin Chi Soo going in the wrong direction?
This might actually be better for us.
What do you mean?
The King letting his father-in-law live... It also means that he doesn't believe Sin Chi Soo.
Do you think Sin Chi Soo will keep his head down? They will soon fight among themselves.
They will fight among themselves...
Even the dogs on the street can say such things.
Don't test my patience.
If you don't have a clear plan to seize the throne...
Just tell me now.
I apologize for worrying you.
I have a clear plan, so please trust me.
What are you doing? Serve Prince Jin Pyeong tea already.
Your Majesty, Chief Royal Secretary requests to see you.
Lord...
You wicked boy!
How dare you lay down a royal command and deceive the court.
Do you want to die?
Then what can I do?
I've made a promise.
You said you were illiterate. How did you know the term "surrounded by thorns"?
He asked me what the next best punishment was after execution...
I thought he was simply curious.
I will make sure this doesn't happen in the future.
Wait.
If this happens again, your position will not be in the King's palace
but in a bathroom.
When is the queen's father leaving for exile?
The verdict is out, so he will be leaving tomorrow.
Why are you asking?
Well...
Her father is going far away,
I thought she should see him off at least.
Are you talking about Her Highness?
Isn't that what you noblemen like? Duty?
A daughter seeing her father off.
Once a lady enters the palace, she cannot leave unless she dies.
That is a law of the palace, and the King's women need to follow it too.
But doesn't filial piety come before the palace rules?
Did Eunuch Jo tell you that too?
No, I overheard it somewhere.
I apologize. I just wanted to ask you.
Okay. I will escort Her Highness myself.
Are you serious?
Father.
Your Highness.
No, Father. Please.
It pained me to think I wouldn't be able to see you before I leave.
I am so happy to see you, even if it's like this.
I am so happy to see you, too.
Don't cry, So Woon.
I'm able to walk on my two feet. It's all because of His Majesty's grace.
Father...
My Lord.
This... Her Highness made them herself.
Thank you.
I will wear them well.
Father.. Please be well.
Don't you worry about me.
Until the day you come back safely,
I will serve His Majesty well.
Your Majesty's grace is boundless.
Until I see you again..
Please be well.
Thank you.
Thanks to you, I was able to send my father off.
I apologize, Your Highness.
I just followed the King's orders. That's all.
The king?
Your Majesty, we have brought a late night refreshment.
Let her in.
Yes, I felt really good today.
What's your name? How old are you?
My name is Gae Hwan.
I'm fifteen years old.
It's exactly the same...
Excuse me?
It's nothing!
What's tonight's snack?
It's a porridge, Your Majesty.
What's that sound?
I'm so sorry, Your Majesty!
Have you skipped your meals?
That...
Because Your Majesty had eaten your breakfast so well.
We tasters, take the leftovers from His Majesty's breakfast table,
as our dinner so...
Taste this for me.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Wait!
If you eat so quickly, you'll burn the roof of your tongue so eat it slowly. While cooling it off.
Of course, Your Majesty.
Try it again.
How does it taste?
It's good.
Keep eating it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Is Dal Rae eating well, too?
Please, save my brother. Please!
Don't worry, Dal Rae.
Your brother was not taken away by the authorities.
If it wasn't to the authorities, where was he taken?
Is he already dead?
Why are you saying useless things? What do you mean he's dead?
Stop this. I don't think Woon Sim knows either.
Oh my, oh my! My brother!
Brother!
What do I do about my brother?
How noisy, it's driving all of our clients away! Stop it right now!
Brother...
This wench!
Ah, mistress. Please!
She's going to cry herself out soon, so don't worry.
Make her stop immediately, or else I'll beat her until she leaves.
Ah, of course. Of course. Also, when I was here earlier in the day,
I saw that the trees had all been knocked down. I'll take care of all that tomorrow.
Dal Rae, don't cry, okay?
I'll look for news about Ha Seon, so stop crying.
You're being serious, right?
Of course.
You're here, sir?
Who is that girl?
That girl's name is Dal Rae and she works for the entertainers.
Whatever she is, isn't she here?
I apologize but, she is not a part of the brothel.
So that child is off limits?
Then I'll return another time.
What are you doing, dallying around?! Bring my horse over!
Young Master, should I bring Dal Rae over?
This guy...
Well, if you pay a decent price for her,
I'll bring her over to your house.
I will bring her over soon.
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
Your Majesty, what are you going to use that hazelnut for?
I have a little sister named Dal Rae, I want to give it to her as a present.
If you had given me the order, I would've packed much better ones.
-Why would you---Oh!
These are also really precious items of the palace that the king eats.
These are fine.
What's over that way?
Oh, that over there is the back gate where the palace servants come in and out of.
The back gate?
What's over that way?
Your Majesty!
Why have they all gathered in that location?
That is where the palace servants make a wish.
-A wish? -Yes.
A long time ago, one of the palace servants who kept time made a wish
to have a son
and threw a rock. Legends says that
afterwards, she conceived a son.
But, why wouldn't the queen ask for a wish there?
She has to uphold her dignity as the queen,
how could she ask for wishes along with the lowly palace servants.
Wait a moment.
My queen, His Majesty is here.
Your Majesty.
It looks like I've interrupted you, my queen.
No, you haven't. I was on my way to see you as well, Your Majesty.
Me?
Yes, thanks to you, I was able to send my father off.
What? That's—
You don't need to thank me.
Hold out your hand.
Aren't these hazelnuts from the hazel tree?
Even if you want to ask for a wish,
you have to keep face as the queen. Isn't that difficult?
If you bite into the nut of the hazel tree, the goblin that protects homes will be alarmed at the sound.
And legend says that it'll grant your wish afterwards.
When you're alone, bite into it lightly and make your wish.
Who knows? Maybe your wish will come true.
Seonpyeongmun / Seonpyeong Gate: The main entrance to Queen So Woon's abode.
These are His Majesty's late night refreshments tonight.
You can bring them to him just like this, when the time comes.
Yes, madam.
Your Highness, today you'll be having a sweet rice dessert and cinnamon punch.
Alright.
Gae Hwan, how did you come to be a palace servant?
That...
I apologize but, it was because my father could not pay his taxes.
His taxes?
What does that have to do with the reason why you entered the palace?
Tell me slowly.
Is that the truth?
You know where my brother is?
That's what I'm saying. Come with me, I'll take you there.
Wait, can't you wait for a little bit?
Ahjussi has gone into the mountain for some lumber and hasn't returned yet.
If you don't want to, then don't! I took time out so that I could take you there but--
No!
Let's go. Lead the way.
Oh my.
What's taking him so long?
Brother?
Who are you?
Brother...
But we were in a mountain village.
How could we find enough abalones that are found in the sea?
But because of the pressure the magistrate put on him,
my father had to borrow money
to purchase the abalones to offer to him.
These kinds of incidents kept on happening,
and he couldn't borrow any more money.
And eventually, he ended up selling me off to become a palace servant.
You seem to have suffered a lot.
I don't blame my father.
Starting with my brother that's a year younger than me,
to an infant relying on milk. He has six children to look after.
Since there's one less mouth to feed,
and I helped out in paying off my father's debt. I think that's enough to be thankful for.
You think of it that way.
How great of you.
To say such things to Your Majesty.
I think I was out of my mind.
The person that is out of their mind isn't you Gae Hwan.
It's those officials that were put in charge!
How dare they feed on the suffering of our citizens!
They're lower than human!
Eat them.
Ah, how could I?
No, that's not it. When I see you, it reminds me of my younger sis--
What? A younger sister?
Sis--so, it might be dry but.
When it comes to leftovers, they don't taste as good.
I can eat this whenever I want, so you can eat all of these.
Your Majesty.
Raise your spirits.
Don't eat quickly and get indigestion. Chew thoroughly.
What's going on?
I told you to eat slowly.
I'm sorry...
Hey.
Is there- is there anyone out there?
Eunuch Jo! Eunuch Jo!
Your Majesty!
Call the royal physician! Immediately!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Gae Hwan! Gae Hwan!
Physician!
Where is the royal physician?!
Physician!
Your Majesty! What happened?
Please, save this child immediately.
Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but it's too late.
Too late? What do you mean?
She has stopped breathing.
There's no way!
She was just talking and laughing with me! How?!
Examine, examine her again!
Examine her thoroughly!
Gae Hwan. Gae Hwan!
Get up, okay?
Gae Hwan!
Your Majesty.
My lord, that is--
Stay quiet.
Leave with His Majesty, don't leave him alone.
I understand.
Your Majesty, please get up.
What do you think happened?
I'd have to examine her carefully to know, but
from what I can tell, it seems to be poison.
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
Don't ever have the same dish twice.
Someone can poison dishes that the king enjoys.
I can have this at any time so,
Eat all of this.
-Your Majesty. -Don't touch me!
But Your Majesty, how could you remain like this?
Please, change your clothing at the least.
Leave immediately!
Everyone, get out!
My Queen, my Queen!
Why are you causing chaos in front of the queen?
I'm so sorry, Your Highness.
What's going on?
That...
Why have you arrived just now?
Go inside quickly.
Until you have my command, don't let anyone inside.
Yes, sir.
This is why you needed me!
So that I could die in the place of the king! Am I wrong?
Calm down.
Please let me out immediately.
No, I'll leave with my own two feet!
If you leave now, I'll have no choice but to kill you.
Whether I die one way or another, the end result is the same. Just kill me now.
If you die, your younger sister and the old man,
won't be safe either.
Do you want that?
You decide. What you will do.
Your Majesty, the Queen requests an audience.
Let her in!
His Majesty has allowed you to enter.
You've arrived, Your Highness.
Queen.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I'm sorry.
Are you insane?
The Queen is in there, how could you?
Your Majesty, I'm coming in.
Your Highness.
Your Highness!
I can't stay at the palace anymore.
Your Majesty, please calm down.
I can't do this anymore.
I must leave, I must leave right now.
Your Majesty.
When you were the crown prince, you told me this.
That you feel like you could do anything as long as I'm by your side.
You said until the day our world ends,
let's keep holding hands, laugh together, cry together,
and live our whole lives as best friends.
You asked why I'm here tonight.
I'm here to be with you, Your Majesty.
Laugh together, cry together,
I came to do that.
I'll stay and endure with you, Your Majesty,
so please don't give up.
I can't do this.
Before this gets out of hand, we need to find His Majesty.
Hurry!
Yes!
Just in case, search the palace's outer perimeters.
Yes, Lord.
Hey!
You can't come in!
Dal Rae! Ahjussi! Wait!
-Don't move! -No!
Ahjussi!
Hey! it's me! It's me!
It's me, Ha Seon!
Let him go.
Ha Seon!
This punk!
Where did you go, that you are only back now?
...Dal Rae?
You bastard!
How can you come now looking for Dal Rae?
Do you know how long Dal Rae waited for you?
Dal Rae! Dal Rae?
Dal Rae!
Dal Rae.
Alright.
Hey, Dal Rae.
What is this?
Who did this?
It'll be okay. Tell me.
Who did this?
Why is she like this?
Say something.
She must be too shocked to speak.
Some man came by and persuaded her to go with him, saying you were looking for her.
He took her to a man who frequents brothels.
She resisted, so he...
...I'm the one who deserves to die.
Since you were not here, I should've been watching out for her.
I'm the one who deserves to die.
What...
what...
Dal Rae...
I'm sorry.
Dal Rae...
Who is the dirty bastard?
He's not someone you can do anything about.
Don't say anything stupid and just tell me his name!
Sin Yi Kyeom.
He's the son of Lord Sin Chi Soo, who has just been appointed Left State Minister.
Ha Seon!
What are you going to do?!
No!
What's going on?
Who is Sin Yi Kyeom?
Sin Yi Kyeom!
What is going on?
Lord, please save me.
Is he someone you know?
Yes. He works for a brothel.
I told you so many times. Who is it this time?
She's not even from the brothel.
A clown troupe.
I was wondering about those masks.
-Hey, foreman. -Yes?
How much is that dog worth?
She won't be more than two nyang.
Give him two nyang, and send him on his way.
Yes.
How dare you?!
My sister is not a dog!
Punk! Do you know where this is?
Stop!
You should know that you've been spared by the Lord's mercy.
Is Ha Seon here?
You're the one who took him, so why are you asking me now?
Is he here or not?
I have not seen him since you took him away.
If he ever shows up, make sure you keep him, understand?
I will do that.
Chief Royal Secretary.
His Majesty has returned.
Your Majesty, you're here
without notice?
You said there are only two ways to survive in the palace, right?
You ran away to survive, why are you here?
I'm here to learn the way.
Tell me how to step on people mercilessly
and crush them to death.
The Crowned Clown
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
[Preview]
Why did you return?
I'm here to return what I have received.
That country-boy has dared to present a condition.
What is the point of saving the king?
His head is filled with thoughts that are worse than animals'.
Since when have you been able to shoot arrows that well?
I was born with it.
Please wait just a bit,
I'll find a way to rescue you, My Queen.