Son, how can you...!
Episode 1
Stop!
Hurry! Hurry!
- Continue. We have no time to waste. - Yes.
What of it?
There is no one around, not even palace guards.
Heaven is on our side!
My Lord, we have finished it.
Your Highness, it is me.
It is me, Nae Sun.
Has he... has he already breathed his last...?
Your Highness! Crown Prince!
Your Highness!
Nae... Nae Sun...
Your Highness!
Yes...
It is me, Nae Sun.
How... how is your health?
I... I am fine.
You have not had a morsel to eat for six days.
How can such a thing happen to you?
Your highness, please wait for a little while longer.
We will rescue your Highness.
Nae Sun... Nae Sun...
Deliver this message to Father.
Are you listening?
Before I die, I must tell him something.
Yes, your Highness, I will obey.
I will deliver the message.
I'll give my life to deliver this message...
What has happened? Nae Sun!
Nae Sun, what has happened?
Do not back away.
How dare you disobey His Majesty's orders and speak to the prisoner!
You have done a foolish thing, Eunuch.
I have a request.
Please allow me to provide water the Crown Prince.
If so, I will lay down my sword and allow you to arrest me.
There will be no arrest.
Do you fear that if I live, the Crown Prince's innocence will come to light?
Whose side are you on?
Who... who is behind the estrangement of the Crown Prince and his Majesty?
- Who is the one trying to kill his Highness? - Be quiet!
Kill them!
No! Stop! Please stop!
On May 19th, 1762, (1762, 38th Year of King Young Jo's Reign)
It was the sixth day of the Crown Prince's imprisonment by the order of the King.
King Young Jo, he 21st King of Chosun, used great power and might,
and brought about the greatest peace in the nation in two hundred years.
But the No Ron, So Ron, and Nam In, factions divided by politics
were continually at silent conflict with one another.
The So Ron faction, already weak from having lost power,
used the Crown Prince to advance their political agendas.
The opposition, in order to hamper their ambitions, began a conspiracy against the Crown Prince.
As a result, the Crown Prince's actions became erratic.
Under the command of the King,
the Crown Prince was arrested and imprisoned in a ricebox.
Remove the bodies, and make sure word does not get out about this.
Yes, sir!
- Remove the bodies! - Yes sir!
Please kill me. Please kill me!
They have committed no crime!
Nae Sun, are you there?
I am still alive! I am still alive!
Nae Sun, I am still alive!
That day was the 19th day of the fifth month, and the year 1762.
The Crown Prince waited eagerly for death in his ricebox prison that morning...
And...
It was also the day that my destiny began.
Sung Song Yeon - The Future Lady Sung
We're finally here!
Those are of flowers, vegetables, and ships!
You know, little Wook, our father used to be a great artist here too!
Are... are you throwing these away?
Yes, these are being thrown away.
- Song Yeon, let us leave. - Alright.
Did you say your name was Sung Song Yeon?
Yes, my Lord.
You look intelligent for a young child.
Her deceased father was an extraordinary man who should have been more than an artist.
Is that so?
She is a good candidate for a palace maid.
But given the instability in the Palace, will they accept new Palace maids?
The King has commanded for palace life to be as normal as possible.
The Crown Prince has already displeased the King.
Do you think the King will mourn him if he died in that box?
But what does a man like me know of politics?
Take her outside and get her ready.
Yes, my Lord.
I will be sending Wook to be adopted by the Physician's family.
I am sure they will raise him well, so you must never try and find him. Understand?
- Yes. - You must work hard at the Palace.
You must become a palace maid and repay his kindness.
Yes, sir.
Wait a moment, sir!
Please let me spend a little more time with Wook.
What do you think, Wook? Does this look like Father and Mother?
Now I'm going to draw us.
I'm going to keep this one. I'll look at it everyday.
I'll look at it before I eat and before I sleep.
I'll do it so that I'll recognize you when I see you later.
But when you grow up, your face will be different! How will I recognize you?
If you end up looking like a toad, I'll pretend I don't recognize you!
No no, Wook! I'm just joking with you!
I'll go and find you. I'll go in secret and see you.
So Wook, remember to grow up like Father and Mother.
So that I can recognize you.
Promise me, alright?
Yi San - Future King Jeong Jo
Your highness,.. your highness!
- What has come of it? - They have not been able to deliver it.
The place was guarded so carefully that they were not able to go near it.
Then... what shall we do?
It has been ten days now that Father has not had water.
Your highness...!
This will not do. I... will go there myself.
No, your Highness. You cannot go there.
The King has forbidden entry to that place.
You are apprentice eunuchs, preparing to become.
Eunuchs must protect the lives of his Majesty and the royal family with their own.
From now on, we will train you on increasing your endurance.
It hurts!
- It is time. - Alright.
- Next, Mok Dol and Jang Sueh! - Yes!
Come out and bury your heads.
Next!
- Next, Dduk Su and Dae Su. - Yes?
- Hanging exercise. - Yes.
- Come here! - No! No!
Be quiet!
- This boy... - Shall I gag him?
- Go ahead. - Yes Sir!
Oh no, Sir! Look at him!
How can this happen?
What do you mean he wasn't castrated? How can something like this happen?
How can a non-castrated male enter the palace?
There must been an oversight at the Office of Internal Affairs.
It is said that he is a relative of yours. Is this true?
Y..Yes. He is my nephew.
But you didn't know that he wasn't an eunuch?
Please forgive me.
He was bitten by a dog when he was young. I didn't think there would any problems.
Silence! He must leave the palace, or be castrated.
Do you understand me?
I will make sure it is taken care of, my Lord.
I wonder how much it will hurt when it's cut off?
About this much? No, it'll bleed so much!
It'll hurt more than that.
Who is making so much noise?
Oh no...!
Silence!
What will I do? What will I do if it bleeds?
Hey!
Oh my goodness!
Who... who are you?
Here.
Madam told me to bring this to you.
H... Hey!
Did... did you see it?
Did you see my thing?
You...! At least answer my question!
When it hurts there, you should drink Red Dandelion Tea. It will heal very quickly!
Wh... What?
Park Dae Su!
You little...! How dare you come into the Palace without having been gelded!
Are you insane?
Uncle... I don't want to be an eunuch. I want to go home.
You little bastard! You can't go home after all this!
Why did you hit me? I don't want to be an eunuch! I'm scared!
Be quiet! You better say farewell to your privates! I'm going to tie it up with string!
Come here!
Who goes there!
- I'm scared! - Don't worry, just follow me.
Here it is! Be careful.
It's so dark here! I'm scared ghosts will come out!
Just bear it a while longer.
Gab Yi will punish us if we don't bring food from the royal kitchens.
I'm still scared! I can't go with you anymore.
Then just stay here. I'll be right back.
Here alone?
Next to the food warehouse was the Grain Shed...
And behind that is supposed to be the kitchens...
Be quiet...!
Follow me. If we stay here, they'll capture us.
What are you doing here? You almost got me in trouble!
You look like a palace girl, but what are you doing?
How can a palace girl be roaming around the Palace at this hour!
Well... I...
Be quiet! Are you out of your mind?
Who... who are you?
Who are you!
I almost peed in my pants! Who are you two?
You... you're that...
My thing...!
Who goes there? Who's there?
- We almost got caught! - I know...!
You wretches!
- Kneel! - Wh... what?
Kneel before me!
Now!
Is that right? Then it's your superior's fault.
But even so, it is forbidden to walk around Palace grounds, so don't do it again.
Do you understand?
And what is your explanation?
Did the Office of Internal Affairs give you an errand to run as well?
Me... me....? I was just taking a stroll.
A... a stroll?
The laws of the Palace are strict. How can you both be so impertinent?
Then what about you? What's your explanation?
That's right! You're not supposed to be here either, so why are you scolding us?
W... well...
You kneel down too! Why are you out and about?
I don't have any reason to tell you.
- What? - You even made us kneel!
Come to think of it, there's something odd. I've never seen you in training before.
- You punk! - What's your name? Tell us your name!
I... I am... My name is...
Mu Duk! It's Mu Duk! The reason you never saw me...
was because I've already been assigned. - Don't be funny!
How can an apprentice eunuch already be assigned?
You don't know about that? You must be new in the Palace!
Wh... what?
Apprentices with the highest marks during training are given internships in the Royal Quarters.
I completed my training last month and now I serve the Prince.
R... Really? Is that true? Did you know that?
Have you been paying attention in training? No wonder I need to discipline you!
I have important business to attend to, so I must leave.
So stop fooling around and return to your quarters!
Wait...!
If you know the Palace well, can you help me?
I have to find the Royal Kitchens.
That...
Just tell me how to get to the grain shed.
I'm sorry I cannot help you. I have to tend to the Prince's business.
Alright.
Fine. Then let's do this.
Do what?
Why are you just standing there! Announce my arrival to His Majesty!
But your Majesty...
The King has commanded that he won't be disturbed tonight.
Your Majesty, it is me. (Queen Jung Soon)
Your Majesty, it is the Queen.
Forgive me, your Majesty...
Your Majesty! It has already been six days.
The Crown Prince has not eaten or had drink for six days.
Do you intend to kill the Crown Prince?
Even though he was not born of my belly, I am still his mother.
How can you ask me to stand idly by and watch this happen?
You know how filial the Crown Prince is to you.
He can never commit treason against you! Please meet with him and speak to him!
Please speak to the Crown Prince and dissolve all misunderstandings, your Majesty!
The Royal Courthouse?
Are you crazy? It is forbidden to tread there!
Why? Why is it forbidden?
It's the place where the rice box holding the Crown Prince...!
Anyway, we can't. It's dangerous!
You don't need to go with me. You just need to stand watch.
What will you do? Will you go with him?
Are you crazy? Why would I go there? I have to escape before daybreak...!
A... anyway, I'm not going. I'm just going continue on my way.
Hey, hey!
Alright, let's go. I'll help you.
I have to find the Royal Kitchens anyway.
- Are you sure? - Yes. Where is the Courthouse?
The Courthouse...? No, let's go to the Kitchens first.
- I think that would be better. - Really? Can we do that?
Wait... wait!
- I'll go too. - Really?
Only... only to the Kitchens. I won't go to the Courthouse.
- So you're a man, are you little boy? - What? You want to die?
- How old are you? - Let's go.
Hey! I'm eleven! How old are you?
Bend over.
Why? You bend over.
- Hurry! - No, you bend over.
Don't fight. I'll do it.
Alright, fine! I'll do it!
Something's wrong. Why aren't there any guards?
Isn't that good?
When I go in, both of you must leave immediately.
If you stay here, you may be in terrible danger.
- Shouldn't you already be on your way? - Y..yes! I was just about to.
Thank you for your help.
Well, a man has to do what a man has to do. Anyway, what's your name?
It's Song Yeon! Sung Song Yeon.
Mine's Park Dae Su.
Let's go.
By the way, if you want to escape, you should avoid the main gate.
W... what? Escape?
Escape? Who?
How did he know I was going to escape?
How... How can this be?
This... This cannot be, your Highness!
This cannot be!
Father!
Who is it?
Who... is out there?
Father!
Crown Prince Sa Do Son of King Young Jo, Father of Jeong Jo
San?
Is it really...
my San?
Yes, it is me. It is me, San!
Is it San?
Father!
San!
Father! How thin you have become!
- How can... your hand be like this? - San...!
Are you alright? Are you... unharmed?
Yes... Yes, Father..
Good. That is good.
You cannot be here.
Father... I have brought food for you to eat.
- I have brought... - No. No, my son.
No, you must eat something.
I could not bring much.
Please eat this, and regain your strength.
I... I will return again... Tomorrow...
- Will you? - Father!
Please... let nothing happen to my son!
Go!
Father!
If you want to escape, you should avoid the main gate.
He's smaller than me, but keeps telling me what to do!
They're... they're headed towards the Courthouse!
I don't know! Why should I care?
What should I do?
I can't leave. I can't leave you here like this.
You must! You must live!
Father!
Listen to me, San.
In my robe chest, there is a drawing of me.
Give this to your grandfather, the King.
Then...
Then your grandfather will grant you audience.
And...
Promise me one thing.
Promise me you'll be a good King.
If... If...
something bad happens to me...
Do not keep bitterness in your heart.
Don't ruin yourself with hatred and wrath.
Do you hear me, San?
Do you understand my words, my son?
Yes, Father!
Father...!
Go now.
Make haste and go!
Father!
Leave now! Hurry!
- Hurry! - Father!
Father! Father!
Father!
Mu Duk! Mu Duk!
Mu Duk! Big trouble!
We're in trouble! Someone's coming here!
Halt!
Where are all the guards?
Lower it!
What... what is that?
What... do you speak of, your Majesty?
There! Trespassers!
They are close! Search carefully!
You go to the north! You go to the south!
Who goes there?
There they are! Seize them!
Mu Duk! Song Yeon!
Come here! Hurry!
What has happened? Why are you here?
That's not important. We have to escape.
The whole place is swarming with guards!
- Where are they? - We are looking for the criminals.
I'm going to die! My vision is changing to yellow!
Why did the two of you return?
I saw the guards heading towards you. You were going to be captured!
I was leaving too, but I saw Dae Su. And then I saw the torches coming.
You didn't know they were coming! What else should we have done?
I'm crazy! I've lost my mind! What shall I do about my thing?
Thank you.
I owe a big debt to the two of you.
- I will not forget this. - You helped us too!
In any case, it's over for me. At daybreak, there will be chaos here!
Yes, you're right. Tonight's events will bring great chaos if known.
- We must keep tonight a secret. - Of course! We're friends!
- Friends? - Yes, friends!
Fine, then let's make a promise to always keep this a secret.
We've made a promise and a oath to keep tonight, a secret to help and support each other forever.
Let's keep the oath!
I promise.
- We must hurry. - Yes, my Lord!
Does anyone know what this is? It's a piece of rice cake!
The criminal in the rice box used to enjoy this.
Is this not an act of absolute loyalty?
And is this not an act of treason against the King?
Your Majesty!
Find whoever did this!
He is guilty of abetting the criminal in treason.
Seize him and charge him with treason!
If you don't do this, no one will be able to enter the throne room again!
Your Highness!
Father!
Nothing makes sense. This is a conspiracy!
Someone led the King to the ricebox so that he would find the food.
Who could have done such a thing? (Crown Princess Hun Kyung - Lady Hong of Hae Kyung Palace)
It could've been all of the Cabinet ministers.
All of the No Ron faction desires the death of the Crown Prince.
- I must speak to His Majesty. - Your Highness!
It is the seventh day! The seventh day, Father!
You must think of your son!
Don't you know his Majesty's temperament?
If you step forward, he'll show his anger. And who will that anger fall onto?
This is too much... This cannot be happening!
He is the Crown Prince of this nation!
Will... will he die without anyone stepping forward in his defense?
- Your Highness... - What is the news?
After yesterday's incident, no one is allowed to enter Dong Goong Palace.
Your Highness...
Listen to me, my son...
In my robe chest, there is a drawing of me.
Give this to your grandfather, the King.
Now that I cannot enter Dong Goong Palace, how will I retrieve my father's painting?
The government trade offices opened this year are...
30 reduced tax, 40 no tax, 12... 12 full tax!
As for new storage houses, Haryanggyo for central,
and Kwanghaegyo...
- Haryanggyo and Kwanghaegyo in central... - Get out.
- What? - Get out. You don't deserve to sit here.
Forgive me, your Majesty, but...!
There are 42 low tax, 34 no tax, and 16 full tax offices.
Central warehouses are at 2 in Haryanggyo,
and 1 each in Seungnaedong, Soopogyo, and Hyanggyodong.
I don't know about your brain, but is your writing hand broken as well?
- Get out! - Yes, your Majesty... I... I'll leave.
Forgive me, your Majesty!
What about the trade rights of salt?
The trade... trade rights of salt... salt purchased from Sabul...
The rights... the rights given to Yajang...
And... and the rights to...
Fool!
In the third month, the quantity of salt that came into the Palace was reduced.
The taxes collected for the sixth month was divided as 40 to 60.
The merchants that were violating the tax laws for this salt were forbidden to trade salt.
For... forgive me, your Majesty!
Then, what happened after that?
Everything... everything was fine...
Get out! Useless fool.
The merchant Joopijang stored salt away in order to increase the prices and almost started a riot.
He had his trade rights taken away and forbidden to trade salt.
The other merchants have also attempted to raise salt prices by reducing the availability in the market.
If you don't know what is going on outside, how will you govern on behalf of the people?
- I told you to get out! - Yes, I'm leaving now.
Next.
Forgive me, your Majesty, but...
What do you think of postponing today's hearing of the people's grievances?
The palace is troubled with yesterday's events, and your Majesty is not feeling well...
Are those reasons so important that we cannot hear the people's grievances?
Forgive me, your Majesty.
Your Majesty, your grandson the Prince asks for your audience.
Leave us for a while.
Sit.
What is it?
I came to make a request, your Majesty.
Please permit me to enter Dong Goong Palace.
Why the Dong Goong Palace?
I... I cannot tell you that.
Impertinent boy.
- Your Majesty! - Enough.
Whether you tell me or not, I won't permit you entry to Dong Goong Palace.
- Your Majesty! - If you're finished, you may leave.
I'm on my way to hear the people's grievances.
You're going to the grievance hearing?
Are you really leaving the Palace today?
My father is imprisoned... It may be the last day he draws breath...
But you are leaving to hear the people's grievances?
My father was not bitter towards you.
He told me not to hate you.
But why are you so cold to my father?
No, this cannot be. Please save my father.
Grandfather... Please save my father!
- Leave me. - Grandfather!
I told you to leave me!
You're a foolish boy that speaks words that should be swallowed and swallows words that should be spoken.
You are exactly like your father!
- Hear my words carefully. - Yes, your Majesty.
Inform the others of his Highness' departure from the Palace.
Grandfather!
The Prince will be temporarily living outside the Palace with his mother.
Grandfather!
- This way! - Yes sir!
They were seen near the water garden. They'll have mud on their shoes.
- Make the girls take off their shoes. - Yes sir.
- Inspect their shoes! - Yes sir!
Take off your shoes! Now!
Whose shoes are these?
Uncle... please help me... Uncle!
This is for your sake. The pain will be brief, Dae Su.
When you become a Eunuch, you will have a rich life.
No.. I don't want to...!
The ice has made it nice and frozen.
Dae Su... Forgive your uncle.
It's alright. It will be over soon.
- Is this child Park Dae Su? - Yes, he is.
- Seize him! - Yes sir.
- Take him out! - Yes sir!
What is the problem?
I'm safe! My thing is safe!
Thank you, my Lord! Thank you!
- Are these your shoes? - Yes, my Lord. They're mine.
You brought my shoes too?
- Tie him up and drag him out! - What? What?
Oh no... this must be because of us going to the kitchen at night! I'm scared!
- No, no, no! - Drag him here!
Dae Su!
Who is the palace girl that was with you?
Find her!
Is it her?
Her?
Is it this girl?
- Take her away! - No!
There was no palace girl! I was alone! I've never seen this girl before!
Will torture bring the truth out of you?
There was no palace girl! Why won't you believe me?
Take this boy to the Office of Interrogation and find out who made him do it.
Beat the soles of his feet until he confesses!
- Take him out! - Yes sir!
My Lord! Save me! Save me! My Lord!
Your Highness... you must prepare for your departure.
Your Highness...
- No, save me! Please help! Help me! - Dae Su!
Dae Su!
- Your Highness! - Dae Su! Dae Su!
Dae Su!
No, no! I've never seen her before. There was no palace girl! Really!
Dae Su!
- Hey! Come with us. - What? Why?
You went to the Courthouse, didn't you?
We sent you to the kitchen for food, but you came back at dawn!
Say something! You're the girl the guards are looking for, right?
- N.. no! - Tell the truth!
- We're going to get in trouble because of you! - No! It wasn't me!
- We have no choice. Grab her! - No, don't do this! No!
Gag her!
Release her this instant!
Your highness!
What are you doing? I told you to release her!
Yes, your Highness!
Mu Duk!
Mu Duk... Mu Duk?