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The Crowned Clown
The characters, organizations, locations, and events in this drama are fictional and have no relation to historical facts.
♫ Within the deep night ♫
♫ A flower blooms ♫
♫ Like a love no one knows ♫
There's no way to hide it any longer.
I won't avoid it any longer.
I have come to love you, Your Majesty.
I am in love with you, My Queen.
Enough for my heart to feel as if it will burst out of my chest.
Even if it were to burst, I would be happy.
I love you.
♫ I have words I need to say to you ♫
♫ All of your steps and hesitations, to me ♫
♫ It was a dream ♫
♫ Please remember only this moment ♫
♫ Forget everything else ♫
Even if I die while missing you my entire life. I am very happy I was able to meet you.
Episode 10
♫ It was a dream. ♫
Isn't it difficult reducing repast?
No, it's not difficult at all.
If it is a task that aids you,
I will happily do it, Your Majesty.
Tell me what you want, My Queen.
I'll give you anything.
Didn't you give me the most precious gift?
I miss you my entire life. Even if I die, I'm happy that I was able to meet you.
I'm talking about your heart, Your Majesty.
Besides that, is there anything else?
Since you're asking like that,
I did think of something just now.
What is that?
To be honest, from what the queen dowager said last time,
one of those things has been on my mind.
That is...
The thing is...
What she said about if there was someone to carry on your lineage,
when the public sentiment was rough because of the posters,
it would have been a source of strength for you.
I would like to have Your Majesty's child.
Ha Seon
Eunuch Jo, thank you.
Chief Royal Secretary.
I thought you had already left the palace.
I came to tell him the royal command for him to recite tomorrow at court.
But where is Ha Seon?
That is... Uh.
Where is Ha Seon?
Chief Royal Secretary.
Your Majesty, I came to deliver an urgent report.
Does it really have to be right now?
Yes, you must listen to it immediately.
It's an urgent matter, regarding life and death.
I did not know you had work left, Your Majesty.
I will leave you now.
Let's listen together, My Queen.
No, it's alright. I believe it is not a place for me.
You two should discuss this matter.
Your Highness, I will escort you.
Since when?
When did you become so close to the queen?
Wanting power to protect someone special and wanting to become the king.
Was this all because of the queen?
It's not solely because of the queen.
But...
Yes, she is.
You're out of your mind!
You are deceiving the queen.
She is looking not at you but at someone's shadow.
Even if you become the real king,
you will forever be a fake to the queen.
Then I'd rather confess the truth to her.
If you confess the truth, do you think she would accept you?
She is not that kind of person.
She is more proper than anyone.
Once you reveal your identity, both of you will fall to the lowest of points.
When you escaped the palace,
think of how you returned.
Wasn't it because of your younger sister?
To punish the ones who did that to your younger sister and to change the world.
Isn't that why you became the king?
We have mountains of work to do.
During the moments you hesitate and can't sever your heart,
not only the queen but this country and its citizens will also face danger.
Severing your feelings, that is the only method you can choose.
In the beginning, I tried to stop it as well.
But how can you block the exchange of feelings?
If it's really for Ha Seon,
then you should have stopped this using whatever means necessary.
It's not too late now. We must get a hold of Ha Seon.
For Ha Seon, for the queen, and for the all of us,
it's the best path. Do you understand?
I understand.
I want to have Your Majesty's child.
During the moments you hesitate and can't sever your heart,
not only the queen but this country and its citizens will also face danger.
Severing your feelings,
that is the only method you can choose.
I don't think I can.
Let's just go back.
I am afraid we might run into that damn monk.
Woon Sim is the only person who knows where Ha Seon is.
Let's go.
The night air is so chilly. Oh.
You come here, here.
You guys are from Yongmun, right?
What took you so long to get here?
Where did you hide my brother?!
What do you mean I hid your brother?
My, don't act like you don't know. I saw it all.
Wait, wait.
Jeong Saeng, who can't even kill a fly had locked up a person?
I can guarantee you saw it wrong.
I only believe what I saw.
Of course! Why would she lie about it?
Dal Rae!
Why have you only come now? I've been so worried.
I'm here now because of this monk!
He locked my brother up.
Monk Jeong Saeng did?
I think there must be a misunderstanding.
Then, where did my brother go?
Let's go inside.
Let's go.
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Did you just return from the palace, Lord?
Is the child in that room Ha Seon's sister?
Yes.
She was shocked after seeing the posters. She was looking for Ha Seon.
She came to me, I guess.
My Lord, why don't we have Dal Rae and Ha Seon meet each other?
You know where Ha Seon is, don't you?
I can't tell you.
Even if I say it, no one's going to believe me.
Even if Dal Rae finds out, it would just put her in danger.
But still...
If you trust me, don't ask me further.
Among the monks, someone might remember Ha Seon so having them stay here in the brothel is dangerous.
I think it would be better for them to stay at the temple.
You go with them.
I won't go to the temple.
Dal Rae, if you stay here, someone might think that the man in the posters is Ha Seon, and
try to harm you and Gap Soo.
How sad will your brother be if that happens?
Do you know where my brother is?
I heard that he's doing well.
Your brother is fine, so don't worry.
Then, why isn't he coming?
It's not that I can't trust you, Woon Sim.
It's driving me crazy.
If you go and stay at the temple, Ha Seon will reach you there.
Trust me and leave.
Lord, we got a message from the brothel.
That clown's sister went to the Beop Jeon temple where Monk Jeong Saeng is located.
The Beop Jeon temple?
I've never heard of it. Where is that?
It seems like a small temple where only the chief monk stays.
I will find out soon.
Hurry up.
I brought some ginger tea for His Majesty.
Yes, Your Highness.
You are deceiving the queen.
She is looking not at you but at someone's shadow.
Even if you become the real king, you will forever be a fake to the queen.
Your Majesty.
Please drink it before it gets cold.
Your Majesty, what's wrong?
My queen, actually...
I hate ginger.
Pardon?
What do you mean?
Have you suddenly come to dislike ginger?
Or is what I made not to your liking?
No, it's not that. I think my appetite changed because I've been tired lately.
Don't mind it too much.
National affairs are important but please take care of your body.
Please keep an eye on His Majesty so he doesn't push himself too much.
Don't worry, Your Highness.
Your Majesty, have you decided to end your feelings?
I don't know.
I really don't know what to do.
Chief Royal Secretary's definitely right, and
I should do as he said, but
I've never experienced these kinds of feelings.
I've just learned how to love.
I don't know how to not love.
I wish someone would teach me.
Your Majesty, it's Chief Royal Secretary.
I'll tell you what to say at the court.
We are going to enact the Dae Dong Policy starting from the Gyeonggi province.
We must start on the land survey before that happens.
Promote Ho Geol to a fifth level official in the Ministry of Finance.
Also, since we have many vacancies due to the local officers who embezzled,
order an ad hoc state examination.
I understand you are trying to block Sin Chi Soo's wealth with the Dae Dong policy, but
I am not sure what difference the ad hoc state examination would make.
This ad hoc state examination will be special.
Not only for the noblemen and commoners,
but we'll give testing rights to illegitimate sons as well.
Should I be telling you all this?
If you haven't made up your mind, then don't go out to court.
No, I'll do it.
Your Majesty, that can't be!
This is a matter in which we will be recruiting people in the government that will be supporting you from close by.
So how can we open the state examination to commoners?
This will infuriate the heavens and shock the earth!
And to give to a government slave a fifth level position.
This is also against the law.
So please recant that awful command.
Are you saying you are rejecting a command I have given?
We are requesting you to recant it since it's not right.
I can't do that.
Your Majesty, there are many talented people in the Ministry of Finance.
Why is Joo Ho Geol the only man for the position?
Minister of Finance, give me your answer.
Do we have a better person than Joo Ho Geol in the Ministry of Finance?
The land survey project will take at least two years.
The person who can do the job as fast as you want
is Joo Ho Geol. No one can do better.
I am appointing Joo Ho Geol as a fifth official in the Ministry of Finance, so proceed as such!
Yes, Your Majesty.
He's becoming more and more absurd.
The king seems to be going insane.
First, he collected taxes from the royal family members, and
now he's acting as if he is going to break the rigid, sacred laws.
All of this is probably a part of a strategy from Chief Royal Secretary.
So he wants to collect taxes from the landowners.
He'll utilize talented people vastly.
He made the justification in front, but
he's trying to take my wealth and get rid of my people, then fill the court with their people.
What are you planning to do now?
Let's wait and see.
If the noblemen and Confucian students are against him,
let's see if His Majesty and Chief Royal Secretary can do what they want.
I miss you. I see you and see you again, but I keep wanting to see you.
I miss you. I see you and see you again,
but I keep wanting to see you.
It's white flower tea sent by the royal pharmacy.
Please drink it while it is warm.
I am worried that His Majesty is too focused on government affairs.
I want to do something for him
even if it fails, as long as it can comfort him.
Since you received a love letter, how about you write one back?
Write back?
Will His Majesty like it?
If you write him back with your lovely handwriting,
His Majesty will like it.
Pear Blossoms Pavilion Records - Top Volume.
My beloved, even if we are apart for a millennium,
my faithful heart will remain steadfast.[So Ak Bu / Minor Odes by Yi Jeyeon (Goryeo)]
Seonghak Jibyo (Essentials of the Studies of the Sages)
This is by the previous king—
He personally transcribed this "Essentials of the Learning of the Sage" book.
If you practice using this as a textbook, it will be quite helpful in many ways.[ Seonghak Jibyo (Essentials of the Studies of the Sages)]
Chapter Three: On Exercising Restraint.
Selections from the conversations of Master Zhu Xi.
Master Zhu Xi, on conduct...
His writing is quite amazing.
No matter how hard I try, I don't think I can follow.
But I should still try, right?
Ha Seon's random writing practices on Confucian Classics.
His focus on the Four Books...
The Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects...
Mencius...
Where did you learn such baseless swordsmanship?
I thought you quit. How are you back?
I was going to, but I was uncomfortable just leaving the situation here like this.
But why are you suddenly speaking in honorifics to me?
The royal palace is a place with eyes and ears everywhere.
I need to speak in honorifics for my own safety
and so Your Majesty's safety can be secured as well.
Now I understand.
You have also fallen for me.
I know you want to deny it, so I will feign ignorance.
However, you said my swordsmanship was baseless. What in the world do you mean?
I learned from the best clown in Joseon.
Both your method and your posture
are pathetic and uneven.
Then teach me a stroke.
Fencing isn't something one can master easily.
First, after you learn how to hold the sword—
You are so talkative!
Do it again.
What is all this?
I made it to celebrate your promotion, My Lord.
Thank you.
Let's try it on.
The clothing gives you wings.
Am I a fairy? What wings?
The face puts the final touch to the clothes.
I'm going to the royal court first, so come on time. Don't be late.
Do you think I'll be late on a day like this? Don't you worry.
The face?
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
My.
What is this?
You are...
What are you?
Your Majesty, may you understand.
What is this noise?
Your Majesty, the Sungkyunkwan scholars are outside Injeong Gate, blocking Joo Ho Geol's way.
What?
Your Majesty, may you understand.
Your Majesty, the laws of nobles and commoners are strict.
To give commoners the right to take the state examination?
It cannot be.
May you please take back the royal command and make right the discipline and law of the nation.
May you understand.
Injeong Gate
Petition by Scholars
Signatures by scholars
Your Majesty, I ran here upon hearing the news.
Is it so wrong to bring talented men
into the royal court?
It is not right for a lowly person like him to take on such an important task as supporting Your Majesty.
It will cause disorder in the royal court's discipline and bring disturbance to the entire nation.
We hope to protect the royal family and the nation.
Please do not ignore our devotion to upholding duty.
May you enforce the will of this nation's pillars.
May you enforce it.
Your Majesty, may you understand.
A man of low-status cannot do important work?
Have you given him the chance?
Have you watched whether or not those men can or cannot do important work?
It is work that serves Your Majesty in governing the nation.
We ask you to obey the heavens' will and practice proper politics.
If you recklessly give out chances to them,
it will be a failed policy that collapses this nation's discipline and order.
Proper politics?
The heavens' will?
Stop your dog crap!
If it is the heavens' will that low-borns cannot be, then I will not follow their will!
I will fight against it!
Move back!
Your Majesty, you cannot.
Truly, I cannot?
If you must go, step on our backs and go.
Your Majesty.
Your Highness,
I think I've misunderstood His Majesty until now.
For the benefit of a low-born,
I had no idea he would go to this extent.
Go on without me.
You sure roam around widely like a dog at a funeral house.
What is it that you want to say?
Since you were kicked out of the royal court, you should practice self-restraint to repent.
But you are supporting the views that oppose His Majesty.
I don't know for how long I can turn a blind eye to your crimes.
The pot is calling the kettle black.
That clown, does His Majesty know about it?
The clown who has the same face as His Majesty
was entertaining at the brothel you frequent, and then disappeared.
Whoever hears that would raise the same doubts I have.
Such as, does the chief royal secretary have traitorous intent?
I'll ask as well.
Where is Court Lady Kim?
Why are you asking me about Court Lady Kim?
Court Lady Kim is a palace servant and is His Majesty's person.
For your own gain, not only did you conspire, but you also killed her privately.
If that gets out, it's akin to rebellion.
His Majesty will not just sit idly.
Something I don't know anything about and it hasn't even occurred,
you sure do speak of it in detail.
They say death is just outside the front door.
If you want your life preserved, you should take care to not leave your home and wander about.
And you,
you better take good care of that neck of yours.
You do have many more years left to live than me.
Right?
What you told me not to do,
I did it again.
You did well.
That's what a sovereign is.
Doing what others can't do, and taking responsibility for it.
Holding the hands of the people and carrying their weight.
That is the path of the king.
What if all the scholars and the ministers turn their backs?
In exchange, all the people will follow you.
Post.
Year of the Swine (1623).
What is written here?
A state examination will be held.
Anyone who wishes, without regard to status, can take the exam.
Anyone can take the state examination? What is this nation coming to?
Phewy!
Really?
Anybody can become a noble.
I had no idea that this day would come before I died.
Let's go buy exam paper right away.
Your Majesty, the queen over there...
Your Majesty, why don't we go now?
Just a little longer...
Let's stay a little longer before we go.
Public Notice: list of names of civil servants who passed the humanities and military ad hoc state exams
Wait.
My Lord!
If you've read it, please step aside.
Oh! It's there.
Woo Jeong Lim.
What a day...
Your name is there too.
Where? Where?
Seo Jae Goo. Jae Goo!
Imperial Notice: announcement of ad hoc state exam result
Woo Jeong Lim, one of twenty-two civil servants who passed the ad hoc state exam.
Your Majesty, the powerful nation that you hoped for...
For that nation to come one day sooner, this is the only way.
Do you think that's possible without me?
Please do not worry.
I'll put my life on the line,
and definitely make it happen.
Imperial Notice: Woo Jeong Lim, one of twenty-two civil servants who passed the ad hoc state exam.
These are the civil servants that passed the examination this time and have been appointed to a probationary position.
Ninth-level inspector in the Ministry of Rites, Woo Jung Lim.
Ninth-level officer in the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Seo Jae Woo.
Do your best so that the ministers who opposed you will have to flatten their noses.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Please stand up now.
You're about to drool.
You must be happy.
You get to see His Majesty at this distance every day.
He is such an amazing, kind person.
Your Majesty,
I have something to confess to you.
Your Highness,
shall I bring it over secretly?
It's all right.
I'll go in and deliver it, so you wait here.
Yes.
Ha Seon's random writing practices on Confucian Classics.
Your Majesty.
My Queen.
What are you doing in the library at this time?
I came by to see if you were here.
I see.
Your Majesty, are you worried about something?
Your face is full of worry.
Is that how I look?
I am not, though.
I don't know precisely, but I can feel it.
Please tell me even if you are worried about something, even if it is the size of a speck of dust.
If there's anything I can do to help you, I will.
Your Majesty. This is Eunuch Jo.
Your Highness.
Your Majesty, the discussions will start soon.
So let's go to the side palace.
I should get going.
Ah, do you really need to do that?
Eat slowly.
Why did you take the examination when you don't even know the Chinese characters?
Good work.
Let's all drink.
You have one, too.
You should drink on a day like this.
Today's guests of honor...
Good work.
You worked hard, too.
To the brim.
Good work.
You, too.
Just one drink.
Here, here.
Me too, me too.
Take this with you. I've packed some food.
Gap Soo and Dal Rae will enjoy it.
I'll get going then.
Cheong Wolgag (courtesan pavilion)
Are you back?
I brought some food. Eat with Dal Rae.
Yes.
Dal Rae! Dal Rae!
What's taking you so long? Come out quickly.
Dal Rae.
Looks good, right? Let's go in and eat.
My Lord, I found Beop Jeon Temple where that clown's sister is hiding.
Should I go now and drag her here?
No.
I'll go check myself.
What brings you here?
Foreman.
Go search the place thoroughly so that not even a rat can escape.
Yes!
What kind of behavior is this, in a temple that serves Buddha?
Let go. Let go of this.
I said let go!
Foreman.
Open it.
Beop Jeon Temple
Sit down.
Are you comfortable here?
Look, Officer Jang.
Why do they have to stay at my house and not at the temple?
Chief Royal Secretary said he'll set a rat trap at the temple and told me to come here.
A rat trap?
How many rats could there be in that small temple?
He said we need to entrust these two people to someone we could trust, so I came here.
Please look after them for a while despite the inconvenience.
Then...
Officer Jang.
Sleep over.
Excuse me?
Look at the looks in their eyes.
They didn't seem to take me kindly.
So if you leave, they might attack me at night.
Let go of this.
Please, uh? Please...
Do you need anything else?
No.
I never thought I'd see you here.
Have you come to pray for Buddha's mercy?
Mercy? What can you do with something like that?
I came to find a girl named Dal Rae.
Have you seen her?
When you say Dal Rae... ah!
Isn't that the clown's sister you asked Woon Sim about?
Are you by chance looking for that clown on the poster?
You are searching for the clown who looks like His Majesty so desperately.
Some may think you hold treasonous intent.
Aren't you here to find that clown, too?
I came to pray.
Seeing that you are here and saying it like that,
it verifies my hunch even further.
I heard the fox only sees the chicken in his dreams.
Since your heart is full of treasonous intent,
you must think all the others are like you.
You are the same as me.
You may fool other people, but you can't fool my eyes.
Even pleasant words are sickening if you keep hearing them.
Before I report what you've been doing to His Majesty in detail,
you should stop here.
But whose plaque is this for?
It's for my friend who came like the cloud and wind, then left this world.
Have nice prayers.
Let's go.
The Classic of Poetry
Essentials of the Studies of the Sages
Pages of "Essentials of the Studies of the Sages" book.
A page of "Essentials of the Studies of the Sages" book.
Ha Seon's random writing practices on Confucian Classics.
Essentials of the Studies of the Sages, Book Three
What happened?
My beloved, even if we are apart for a millennium, my faithful heart will remain steadfast.[So Ak Bu / Minor Odes by Yi Jeyeon (Goryeo)]
Even if we are apart for a thousand years,
how could my feelings of love be changed?
Your Highness, you hid your love letter properly this time, right?
Your Highness, did something happen in the library?
Your Highness.
My beloved, even if we are apart for a millennium, my faithful heart will remain steadfast.[So Ak Bu / Minor Odes by Yi Jeyeon (Goryeo)]
My queen, the truth is...
I don't like ginger.
What do you mean?
Did you suddenly come to dislike ginger?
Or is what I made not to your liking?
No.
My tastes must have changed as I've been tired of late.
Don't worry about it.
What is joy?
And what is happiness?
I haven't given you anything yet.
So the joy and happiness I didn't give you,
erase them immediately.
I'll let you know for sure
whose woman you truly are.
You seemed like a different person last night.
That's why I like it.
Now that I see you again, you really are handsome.
Isn't it amazing to know there's another handsome face like this?
The Daejojeon Hall (Hall of Great Creation)[The royal residence for kings and queens.]
No one follows me.
Your Highness.
Essentials of the Studies of the Sages
Your Majesty, I have something to confess to you.
I actually didn't want to become the queen.
I never once let my heart in this place.
But one day, Your Majesty suddenly became different.
You made me smile.
If you are to live here, which house would you pick?
You made me dream.
I'd like that house.
If it's that small, we can just turn our heads and see each other.
And it is at the end of the street.
If we lived in that house, the path I walk with you will be the longest.
I fell in love with you, and I deeply respect you.
Hence, I want to live with you now,
be at your side, and bear your children.
And as we hear their laughter,
I want to be with you like that for a very long time together.
If you are worried about something,
tell me.
Even if it is the size of a speck of dust.
If there's anything I can do to help, I will.
I came to see the queen. Tell her.
I am sorry, but the queen is not here.
Then where is she?
Your Majesty, the queen is at your palace now.
It's okay.
You all leave now.
My queen.
I didn't know you were here, so I went to your palace.
I read your love letter.
I also have something to confess to you.
I couldn't bring myself to say it all this time.
But I must tell you today.
Before that, I'd like to ask you something.
Your Majesty, do you remember
the day you met me for the first time?
You can't remember?
That is...
Since you are asking me suddenly, I can't remember it well.
That can happen.
I sometimes forget many things, too.
Let me ask you one more question.
Your Majesty.
What is my name?
Your Majesty.
Please call out my name.
My beloved, even if we are apart for a millennium, my faithful heart will remain steadfast.[So Ak Bu / Minor Odes by Yi Jeyeon (Goryeo)]
Who are you?
The Crowned Clown
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki
Preview
All of this is my crime.
That was the first time I've seen that look in her eyes.
I shouldn't have approached her in the first place.
It's none of my business to know your crimes.
I wish to never see you again.
I think the heavens are determined to help Prince Jin Pyeong.
It's only right to dethrone the queen and order her to drink the poison.
I said never!
I vowed to myself to make you the king and swore to keep you there.
Seal the stamp.