(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)
(are not historical facts but fictional.)
(Final episode)
Stop.
- No, you can't. - Let go of me.
Protect His Majesty.
Haksan!
Make way. Make a path right now.
My lord.
Close the palace gates!
Protect the Queen!
Your Highness, we must go.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Haksan, why?
Why take such reckless action?
I'm sorry...
for not keeping my promise.
Engrave this moment on your heart then.
Whatever danger may befall us,
I will not leave you.
I will protect you.
I promised to protect you by your side.
Please save your energy.
Once I die,
have my body...
hang above the front gates.
Show the people...
that you brought the criminal to justice.
Use me to relieve the people of their worries.
No.
I cannot do that.
You are my loyal servant, not a criminal.
Am I?
Hearing that...
brings me joy.
- Haksan... - Your Majesty.
Haksan. Haksan!
Make way.
Open the gate.
Not unless it's the royal command.
Make way.
Do not step back.
Kyu...
Your Majesty.
I'd like to...
send him off with his people.
Please let me take his body outside the palace.
Your Majesty.
Opening the palace gate is too dangerous right now.
The rebel forces might invade.
If you give me your permission,
I'll carry his body myself.
Did you say...
Lord Jinpyeong and Shin Chi Soo are...
confronting the palace guards at Geumeo Gate?
That's correct.
Why do you ask?
I'd like to say...
a proper goodbye to Haksan.
I wish to send Lord Lee's body outside the palace.
Halt your men for half a day so I can pay tribute to him.
If you block the way,
I'll hang his body at the front gate...
to show the people that I have punished the criminal.
Then they will find out how you caused this rebellion...
without any justification.
No one will dare speak up...
even if I accuse and kill Lord Jinpyeong and Shin Chi Soo...
for humiliating me at the morning assembly.
What do you say?
Tribute?
A traitor doesn't deserve it.
Your Highness, he said he'll kill Lord Jinpyeong first...
if you don't give them an answer in an hour.
Please save my lord.
There's no need to cause a ruckus...
by letting them hang the traitor's body at the gate.
Tell him I'll do so.
But now I know.
You aren't like him.
I chose you because you were different,
but I didn't put my full trust in you.
You've taught me how important it is...
to trust someone.
Your Majesty.
I won't be afraid anymore.
As your loyal servant,
I'll trust and serve you.
Please forgive...
all my misdeeds.
If I ask you to come with me to the border,
would you?
I thought...
I finally got to be together with you.
You promised you'd be with me.
Why did you have to leave me like this?
I should go take his revenge.
- I'll go with you. - Forget it.
You'll lose your lives...
not take revenge.
He's right.
Haksan wouldn't want you to die in vain.
Your Highness.
Lord Younghwa.
Lord Jinpyeong, how are you feeling?
This is...
It's nothing.
I'll be better tomorrow morning.
Don't worry.
What a shame.
Only if you hadn't been greedy for the throne,
you would've lived a long, healthy life.
Good grief.
I'll make good use of your 3,000 soldiers...
in carrying out the rebellion.
Lord Younghwa will be succeeding the throne on your behalf.
So don't worry about what will happen next.
You were so sure about getting the clown's surrender...
in the morning assembly.
If the Chief Royal Secretary hadn't died,
I would've held you responsible for your mistakes.
Lord Jinpyeong's death will demotivate the soldiers.
Do you have any plan for this?
Yes.
I already granted them rewards...
to raise their morale.
Please do not worry about it.
That's not the problem.
Do you still think...
we need a proper cause for this rebellion?
What is your point?
Looking for a cause, we might pass tonight.
Then the rebellion will end up as a failure.
You haven't gotten the official announcement of deposal.
It means your position is still higher than the King.
As someone higher,
give me your orders to dethrone the traitorous King.
I'll take the lead in straightening the disorder.
I give you my permission to invade the palace.
Drag that clown down...
from the throne tonight.
Your Majesty.
General Kang from North Hamgyong Province sent a message.
Your Majesty. What is the matter?
The situation at the border suddenly turned risky.
Aisin Gurun might invade at any moment.
He just reached Yangju in Gyeonggi Province.
Should he bring his men to the capital...
or should he return to the border...
and prepare to fight Aisin Gurun?
He wants me to decide for him.
This is because...
Shin Chi Soo intercepted your secret letter.
Your Majesty's safety comes first.
Tell the general to come to us.
Order General Kang to come...
and help you preserve your reign.
If the border falls,
Aisin Gurun will crush the people...
and kill them all.
What would be the point of...
preserving my reign then?
How many rebel forces are there?
Counting all from Gyeonggi Prison and the Military Training Corps,
there will be over 3,000 men.
Even if we gather all the palace guards,
bodyguards and eunuchs,
we will be less than 400.
Your Majesty. I dare say that with that number,
even if we defend the palace,
we will not last two days.
The rebels will be aware of that.
And they will attack with full force.
Your Majesty.
I will find a way to get you...
and the Queen out of the palace.
Wait for another opportunity.
I cannot do that.
The palace personnel are my people too.
How could I leave them to save myself?
Stop.
Kill the tyrant!
Over there.
Protect the King!
- Fight! - Fight!
I will take your life and...
make you pay for stealing my letter to put the border at risk and...
endanger the capital for your personal gain.
If you let me go,
I'll bring you the Queen Dowager's head.
The Queen Dowager's head?
Yes, Your Majesty. The Queen Dowager's head.
Not just her head,
but the heads of all...
who took part in this revolt.
Please forgive me for my short...
There will be no mercy.
The price for killing Haksan...
is only death.
You lowly clown...
Your Majesty.
I apologize.
I was delayed by the rebels blocking the road to the city.
It's fine.
You came at the right time.
Your Majesty.
The general from Hwanghae Province is nearing the capital.
He will arrive before tonight.
The general from Hwanghae Province will arrive soon?
I thought of a way to suppress the rebels.
Your Majesty.
Show your authority by ordering them to surrender.
Wait for a bit.
There is something I must do first.
Water.
Give me water.
Why is it so quiet?
Go outside and see what's happening.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness. I bring news of victory.
We captured the palace and captured the impostor.
Why are you here and not Shin Chi Soo?
The Great Lord of Goseong fell in battle.
His Majesty is locked up...
and I have brought a letter for you to see.
If you promise not to hold my people accountable,
I will confess my crimes...
and hand over the royal seal.
Be at the palace by 8am.
Call for Lord Younghwa.
It's my first time seeing the throne in person.
While he was still alive,
your father tried all his might to have my blood...
take over his throne.
Prince Gyeongin may be gone,
but I will personally get to fulfill his dream.
Now confess your crimes.
You intrigued with Aisin Gurun...
and disrespected the Great Ming.
Do you admit to disobeying...
this nation's sense of duty and loyalty?
I have no crime to confess.
What?
Are you denying the existence of the secret letter?
That secret letter was my way of protecting this nation.
To protect my people,
I will not hesitate to join forces with anyone.
That is my duty as their king.
How dare you.
You said you'd confess.
It was a trap.
I called you here...
to take the final step in your deposition.
You have no right to depose me!
Are you out there?
Everyone will enter!
Lord Younghwa!
Your Majesty.
You deceived me?
I did not deceive you.
I only followed His Majesty's orders.
For following my orders,
your crimes will be excused.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
My plan was to put you on the throne.
You weak imbecile.
Eunuch Cho.
Here is what I announce as this nation's king.
Appointed by Ming...
was my father's wife and my stepmother.
That is why I tried my best to be respectful and serve her.
However, she harmed the Queen,
ordered the assassination on Lord Yoo,
and led the rebel forces.
I hereby depose the Queen Dowager...
and order her to drink poison.
Can you not see his heinous actions?
Why are you all just standing there?
Is no one going to challenge him?
If Prince Gyeongin were still alive,
I wouldn't be humiliated like this.
You killed your brother,
stole the throne from him,
and you now have your hands around my neck squeezing it.
- Get her out of here. - Fine!
Depose me and order me to drink poison.
I will have no other option than to spill blood and die,
but don't consider this as me losing.
Killing me will only weaken your regime.
Our descendants will remember you as...
a monstrous king who killed his mother.
Dying won't be the end of me...
and you'll live your life in torment.
I will endure my own sins,
so you...
should do the same with yours.
This was the first time I got blood on my hands.
I don't regret it though.
To protect this nation and its people,
I will endure what is even worse.
I will not become a bloodthirsty animal...
who uses his power for his personal gain.
I will not hesitate to do what's right...
even when I'm scared.
Now that you know the weight of the crown,
you will be able to take another step ahead.
I will forever be by your side,
but this is a path you must also take alone.
When the time comes...
when you need a break,
please come to me.
I'll always...
be here for you.
Your Majesty.
The rice payment law...
was expanded to the three provinces in the south.
It's thanks to your hard work for the past year.
Speaking of which,
may I request for some time off?
A break?
How about you go on a vacation to Jeju Island?
Pardon?
People in Jeju Island must enjoy the benefit of the rice payment law.
I see.
I'll have a ship take you there as soon as possible.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
Jeju Island...
You did a great job compiling "Exemplar of Korean Medicine".
I'd like to publish a Korean version of it...
for the people while we're at it.
Your Majesty.
That's too much for them to deserve.
Even if you show mercy on them,
they would have no idea.
Why does it matter?
He's only trying to help the people who eat regular azaleas...
instead of royal azaleas and get stomachache from it.
Have you eaten royal azaleas before?
It could take you to the afterlife.
Lord Giseong is right.
I'd like to publish a Korean version of "Straight Talk on Farming"...
as well so that the people won't have to starve again.
Your Majesty.
You don't look well.
You barely slept last night,
so why don't you go to bed early today?
No, I have a pile of documents to read.
I need more time to finish, so go get some sleep.
Look at those innocent and honest people...
who sow and plow their fields.
Even if I step down from the throne...
and have one of them sit on my behalf,
the country should have no problem with it.
That's what a good country is.
I agree with you.
A king only approves the court discussions...
and takes the responsibility for the consequences.
He must not wield the power as he pleases.
Nor must he be swayed by sly officials.
Only then,
the people will live peacefully...
without having to suffer.
Your Majesty.
The nation is enjoying its times of peace...
thanks to your wise reign.
But you still have no children.
That worries us.
I'm sorry for making you concerned.
You're still at your early age.
Why don't you bring in a new concubine...
so you can have a prince as soon as possible?
The Queen won't disagree.
Your Majesty.
Please do not mind me...
and have a concubine.
You know I won't do it,
so why are you telling me such a thing?
I'm telling you this...
because I cannot give birth.
Your reign will finally be stable only when you have a successor.
My Queen.
Please don't worry about it.
I already have a successor in mind.
Pardon?
Who is that?
Lord Giseong.
I plan to pass the throne to him.
I have no intention in giving the throne to my blood.
So I've had my eyes on the officials...
from up close...
to find someone who will rule over this nation on my behalf.
Lord Giseong will be...
a good king.
Since when did you have such an idea?
Ever since the last rebellion,
I felt indebted to many people...
which made me work restlessly.
But all along,
I was troubled.
Is that the only reason...
why you plan to abdicate?
This throne isn't solely mine.
I'm just borrowing it for some time.
No one should covet the throne for personal reasons.
That's why I wish to step down from it...
when it weighs the heaviest on me.
I'm the King,
but also one of the people.
I want to return to being one of them now.
May I do so?
You have done more than enough already.
I will accept any decision you make.
Queen.
Your Majesty.
Absolve me of my title first.
Once you abdicate,
I will become Queen Dowager and must remain in the palace.
Send me away so I can wait for you outside the capital.
(Abdication Notice in favor of Lord Giseong)
Go ahead.
I will join you as soon as I wrap things up here.
I'll be at Zelkova Village right outside the capital.
I have something for you.
Do you remember what I made you promise?
Yes.
You told me never to harm myself again.
That's right.
I'm returning this to you...
only so you can protect yourself.
Do not worry.
I promise to keep my word.
Your Majesty.
Could I...
come with you as well?
You can't.
I recommended you for a promotion to Junior Second Rank.
You looked after me well when I first came to the palace.
Serve the new king just as well.
Your Majesty.
However high you may be promoted,
you're still just an eunuch to me.
Take this.
What is it?
Once before, in a bid to make me smile,
you drew a picture.
(Thank you, Eunuch Cho)
In return,
I drew something based on your name.
I never thought about the meaning of my name.
A summer fairy?
You gave me a name that's too good for me.
Not at all.
That's the kind of person you're like.
You are like the summer.
Like the sun,
you shined over everyone equally...
and gave energy to all living things.
To be able to serve a king like you...
is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing.
Your Majesty.
I will never...
forget you.
Me either.
Your Majesty.
Thank you for everything.
Your Majesty...
Officer Jang.
You scared me.
Were you going to leave me behind?
You have...
really fallen for me.
Eunuch Cho may remain in the palace,
but I will follow you.
Your Majesty.
We will avenge the Queen Dowager!
Why don't you just tell me?
What is your wish?
It is not a wish,
but there is something I would like to do.
What is that?
I would like to serve you loyally...
and die in the line of duty.
(2 years later)
A long, long time ago, when tigers smoked,
there lived a wise king.
His looks were a sight for sore eyes.
He was nearly as handsome as me.
- No way! - Nonsense!
He could dance and he could sing.
There wasn't anything he couldn't do.
Out of his many talents though, one especially stood out.
He was a master at looking out for his people.
- Gosh. - My goodness.
He only made those with land pay taxes...
and relieved those without from their sufferings.
Finally, the rice payment law...
has been implemented in Jeju Island too.
I'm still a little seasick though.
You did well.
Thank you.
"Cheon" is sky, "Ji" is land
- "Cheon" is sky, "Ji" is land - "Cheon" is sky, "Ji" is land
"Hyeon" is black, "Hwang" is yellow
"Woo" is house, "Ju" is home
- "Woo" is house, "Ju" is home - "Woo" is house, "Ju" is home
What is it to be of a high or a low status?
Making a world for everyone is what's important.
- Let's go! - Come on!
- Clowns are here! - Your Highness.
A performance troupe must be here to perform.
A performance troupe?
There are so many people who wish...
to see the King again.
- Yes! - That's right!
It's understandable though...
since winter must pass for it to be spring.
We must fertilize the soil...
for a fresh sprout to appear.
The nation is at peace right now...
thanks to the King!
- That's right. - Here, here!
What's all this ruckus about?
Is someone talking about me?
My gosh.
These are too precious for me to take.
A coin or some barley will do.
Take them.
I'm just grateful to hear about...
someone I admire.
Thank you so much.
Gosh.
Where on earth would you go on your own?
Please don't worry.
I will travel the nation, see the sights,
and enjoy myself.
Of course. It's been three years now,
so you can let it all go and spread your wings.
Kyu will understand.
That's not it.
Okay, fine. Whatever you say.
Wherever you go, don't forget to keep in touch.
Sure, of course.
Where is His Majesty?
Your Highness.
I'm afraid I believe that the King...
has passed away.
We deserve to die, Your Highness.
That can't be true.
He said...
to meet me here,
so he'll be on his way.
Does this...
belong to His Majesty?
Your Majesty.
We found his bodyguard, Officer Jang's body,
but not the King's.
We apologize, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
No. It can't be.
If you didn't find his body,
he must be alive.
He will come back.
Your Highness. I slept in.
I'll cook breakfast in a hurry. Bear with me.
It's okay.
I felt like going for a walk.
Take your time.
Don't go too far. Just walk around the village.
Okay.
I am in love with you.
My heart feels like it'll explode,
and that I wouldn't even mind.
That's how much I love you.
Even if it was just for a day, I wanted to be with you.
By your side,
I wanted to hear you laugh...
and live together with you for a very long time.
Let's go enjoy flowers in spring.
And get rained together in summer.
It'd be nice to go pick hazelnuts in mountains...
in autumn.
I'll make you a pretty snowman next coming winter.
Do you promise?
I promise.
Dear goblin that protects the house.
Bring spring in a hurry.
So I can make flower pancakes with azaleas...
and dolls with straw.
Little girl.
Who taught you to make a wish like that?
A man who was passing by told me.
Which way did he go?
That way.
♫ A flower blossomed deep in the night ♫
♫ Like a secret love ♫
♫ On the road that felt so far ♫
♫ Finally, you are reflected ♫
♫ I'm slowly going ♫
♫ But you're getting farther away again ♫
♫ A long time from now ♫
♫ I have something to tell you ♫
♫ All of your footsteps, all of your hesitations ♫
♫ They were all a dream to me ♫
I had this dream numerous times.
When I approached you,
you disappeared.
It was a distressing dream.
If this is also a dream,
I won't get any closer.
Please just stay where you are.
Let me look at you.
It's not a dream.
To come to you,
I walked endlessly in a dream.
To see you,
I dreamed a dream I didn't...
want to wake from.
What took you so long?
I'm sorry.
When I finally awoke, so much time had passed.
I wanted to run like the wind.
I guess my gait was too slow.
You should've called me.
Then I'd have run to you.
I'm sorry for making you wait so long.
Even if you lost your way,
and sometimes took the long way round,
I always knew you would come to me.
I'm done living my life while missing you.
Now nothing can keep us apart.
(In January of the Year of the Black Pig,)
(the King suppressed the rebel forces and ruled the nation wisely.)
(The entire nation praised his great virtues.)
(He deposed the Queen and abdicated, then suddenly passed away.)
(Rumors said there was a clown with the face of the King...)
(and that he was alive, but none of them was revealed to be true.)
(The Crowned Clown)
(Thank you for watching The Crowned Clown.)