Bossam
Have you been well?
Your Excellency.
Did you just call me, "Your Excellency"?
If not "Your Excellency", what else should I call you?
Your daughter-in-law, princess Hwa In, is already dead.
Isn't that why you held a funeral for her?
Despite that, do you still expect me to treat you like my father-in-law?
You've changed a lot.
I haven't changed. This is who I truly am.
You simply haven't seen this side of me yet.
It would've been nice if I had noticed it sooner.
It's unfortunate that I'll not be seeing you anymore.
Stop!
What are you doing?
What are you waiting for?
Who are you peons?
They usually share their food with us at this time of day. So that's why we're here.
Yes, sir.
This is the grain my royal father rewarded for the work he's done in the northern frontier.
It's grain we received thanks to you.
It seems that you have unintentionally played a part in providing for the needs of the people.
Make these people go away and take this woman immediately!
How dare you! Do you realize who you are unsheathing your swords against?
They are innocent villagers. I demand you step aside immediately!
Kill anyone who resists!
You will have to kill us all, then!
Your Excellency!
You can kill me here and now... or you can step aside this instant.
- Why would he kill her? - But she's so nice.
Who is that man anyway?
And never look for me again.
If you do this ...
I will forget the sins you committed...
in the past.
Let's go back.
Are you all right?
Don't do this again.
Were you all very frightened? Let's hurry in.
Please hurry in.
Ah... here you go.
How could you give me so much? Thank you, sir!
Next one, please.
Cha Dol's mother.
- Are you all right? - Yes, Mother-in-law.
- Forgive me for worrying you. - Not at all.
If not for you, that man Yi I Cheom...
would still have targeted our household, so don't keep funny thoughts in your mind.
Thank you, Mother-in-law.
There's nothing to thank me for.
You asked me to think of you as my daughter-in-law. Were those empty words?
No, Mother-in-law.
Dealing with such an inhumane man must have been tiring
so I'll take care of things here and you go have some rest.
It's all right. I'll take care of this, so please go inside and rest.
Listen to your mother-in-law!
- Mother-in-law... - Dear me!
How could your relationship be this good?
I will take care of it all, so both of you can go in.
Hurry. Hurry!
They say the lucky ones can lazily sleep their way into a woman's arms.
I'm so envious.
You're envious? For what?
If you're so envious, you can make up with Yeo Ju Daek.
Y-yeo Ju Daek.
There's no doubt that his majesty is also aware of everything.
Of course he knows.
He has kept her closely hidden, just waiting for the opportunity
to bring me down by using her.
We must come up with a plan, Father. At this rate, we will all die.
Your Excellency. You've been summoned to the palace.
It seems his majesty has found out already. You mustn't go back to the palace.
You don't know what he will do.
You may never return from there!
Can you kill the princess by tonight?
I will go personally.
Let the king know that I cannot visit him due to illness.
Yes.
We must kill the princess at all costs.
If she disappears and dies,
then even the king won't be able to reproach me.
Yes, Your Excellency.
What happened to the princess?
There were a lot of eyes, so his excellency had no choice but to return empty-handed.
Give me as many details as you can. Right now!
What do you plan to do, exactly?
Your safety cannot be guaranteed if you lose his excellency's trust.
I have always held her in my heart since childhood.
How could I turn my back on her?
Don't you also have someone like that?
I don't know what you're talking about.
But please... keep a low profile.
What about Dae Yeop? Is he all right?
Yes. Please don't worry too much.
- There's nobody here. - Search every corner.
- Yes! - Yes!
Go!
Strike them down!
No! Over there!
You're...?
Halt!
Are you not hurt anywhere?
No, Father.
Thanks to Court Lady Kim's warning, we were able to escape danger.
What was your reason for revealing yourself, instead of hiding or escaping?
Since he fount out that I live there,
I realized there was no point in hiding or escaping.
Whose clever idea was it?
Did you gather the people to block Yi I Cheom?
No, Father.
We had been sharing food with people.
Who thought of giving them food?
It was Princess Hwa In's idea.
She wanted to help the people who were struggling to provide for themselves.
How commendable of you. How did you even think to do such things?
I was ignorant when I was living in the palace.
But when I lived among the people and saw their struggles, this was my natural response.
As for you, what exactly were you doing standing idly by?
I told you to protect her with your life. How could you just stand idly by while she faced that man?
Father...
The Yi I Cheom that I know would even go so far as to kill the king if he set his mind to it.
Do you think such a man wouldn't kill the princess?
He only stayed his hand because he had other plans.
Father, this was all according to my own plan and my stubbornness.
Please chastise me instead.
I wish to speak with this child alone, so you may leave now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Why didn't you ask for my help?
Are you still unable to trust me or is it... that you're still resentful of me?
Just as I promised, I tried to do my best to protect you...
It seems it wasn't enough to change your feelings.
Since you've said that...
If you really want to know, I will ask you this one thing, expecting to die again.
If you really were doing this for me, how could you just leave the left state councillor alone and watch him do this?
You know that Joseon's power as a nation declined after the Japanese Invasion.
I even lost my elite troops in the battle with the Jurchen.
However, the Northerners and Yi I Cheom used the Japanese invasion as an excuse to add to and maintain their private armies.
Since you've also suffered because of him, you should be very well aware of it too.
If I compete now in military strength, I will surely lose.
Do you understand now why your father has been unable to oust the lawless Yi I Cheom?
Kim Dae Seok told me this once.
What good is a king who can't protect his loved ones?
His words are true.
What good am I as a king if I cannot protect you?
I'm speechless.
No...
It is I who have put you through such unspeakable things.
I... do have one request.
Tell me anything you want.
Please allow my marriage with Kim Dae Seok.
I wish to live as other women do, as a man's wife—
- That's impossible. - Father.
I've already made arrangements for a new place for you to live in. Make preparations to leave with me instead.
For me... If I am alive...
I wish to live as a living person,
not as a dead person, because I am truly alive.
If I am to be persecuted as a criminal, despite being innocent, and flee for as long as I live and then die unjustly,
I'd rather live as a proud, free woman for one more day, until my inevitable death.
So please... grant your daughter this one wish.
Did Kim Dae Seok order you to do this?
Did he disobey my orders and insist he'll marry you?
That's not the case, Father. This is my own wish.
That man has done nothing wrong except failing to oust me from his home—
Enough!
I... love that man.
Truly and deeply. I love him.
Since Yi I Cheom knows Hwa In is alive, he won't be quiet about it for long.
Never take your eyes off of him for one second and be wary of him at all times.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You must protect Hwa In.
You must... Do you understand?
I will uphold your command.
Has Father returned safely?
Please don't be too upset.
His majesty must have some other predicament that we are not aware of.
I am fine.
It doesn't appear that way...
What do you mean?
You are always worried about me.
I... wish to be a man you can comfortably lean on...
and depend on.
You are already that man.
I just felt I needed to see your face for me to sleep at ease.
That is why I waited for you.
Why have you rescued me?
Then why do you worry about me?
If I tell his excellency about this, you too will not be safe.
I have no attachment to my life.
Don't you think about how others would feel about that?
Among my family members... who would cry for my absence?
Isn't her ladyship there for you?
Even for your aunt's sake... please keep a low profile.
Since you have rescued me, I will not report your interference to his excellency.
The king was at his house?
What shall we do?
Don't be a hasty fool.
He may be suspicious, but he has no evidence.
Couldn't the mercenaries leak information?
All of the mercenaries are indebted to Your Excellency.
And their families are here in this house.
They are not ones to lightly open their mouths. So please do not worry.
Father, his majesty has arrived outside.
Your Majesty, my father is unwell—
I heard.
I'm paying a visit to make sure he is well, so lead the way.
There is an epidemic of seasonal influenza. I am concerned about Your Majesty's health.
It is best you don't get too close to him.
It doesn't matter to me, so don't worry.
Councillor, I have come.
How is your health?
Fortunately for me...
seeing you personally visit your subject's humble house...
I feel as though I could immediately get up to see you.
I am relieved to hear that.
I am on my way from Kim Dae Seok's home.
Do you have anything to say... regarding today's events?
I'm sure you and I have much to discuss...
but what is the point of digging up old matters?
Let us bury them and move on.
At a time when the fate of the country hangs in the balance because of internal and external strife,
if you and I doubt and antagonize each other,
what is the future of this country, Joseon?
Please help me as you used to. I need your help.
Please punish me for not doing everything in my strength to help you, Your Majesty.
Given all of your great accomplishments, I will pretend to not notice what is already in the past.
I want you to likewise understand that, and make sure something like today's events doesn't happen again.
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.
I trust you will recover by tomorrow. So I will see you at the palace then.
I'm sure both of you overheard me.
There is more to being filial than to only obey your father's orders.
You must also guide your father on the right path.
Particularly you, Left Police Chief.
Y-yes, Your Majesty.
I will be watching you.
I will make sure to heed your words, Your Majesty.
No need to follow me outside.
Make sure to take care of the councillor.
You follow me.
Have you given up on Hwa In?
Or is your father more important than her?
Have an answer for me the next time I see you.
What do you plan to do?
Will you do as his majesty pleases?
Father!
The milk is already spilled, and the arrow already fired.
We merely exchanged verbal pleasantries, but his majesty and I...
both realize that we can no longer work together.
Yes. I have already sent men to various locations.
Proceed as planned.
Yes, Father!
Please listen to our pleas.
We cannot continue living like this!
Now!
I sufficiently understand what you came here for.
So you may go back for now.
We can't go back!
We must make our unfair treatment known to the king, so please move aside!
Let's go, everyone!
- Let's go! - Let's go!
- Move aside! - Who was that just now?!
How dare you strike down a royal guard?
Spare not one man and take them all in!
Who is your leader?
How dare you harm a royal guard?
Won't you answer me this instant?
Continue until they tell the truth!
Oh my goodness.
I heard the commotion. What's going on?
It says that the current king poisoned the late king.
- Is that true? - I don't know how they're running the country.
It says that the current king sucked your blood and sweat to build his new palace.
Please return home. Be gone.
Please go home.
Go back to your homes, quickly!
- Stand back. - Please go home.
- Go home. - What are you doing?
Read it.
Didn't I tell you to read it?
The current king
is an unwise king and a foolish king.
What has the king accomplished after ascending the throne?
He built a palace on the blood and sweat of his people.
And he killed his brothers Grand Prince Yeongchang
Prince Imhae, and his nephew Prince Neungchang,
after plotting treason.
In recent days, forgetting the grace and favor bestowed by the Ming Empire,
he joined hands with the barbarians. Generations of kings are sure to lament.
Not only that, the current king conspired with his court lady, of the Kim clan and ...
Finish reading it.
- Your Majesty ... - Read it.
... the current king conspired with his court lady, of the Kim clan and
poisoned the late king.
He is a criminal.
For hearing what must not be heard
and for saying what must not be said, please punish us, Your Majesty.
I will bring water so that we may all wash our mouths immediately.
What use is it to wash our ears now?
Maybe we should cut off the ears of everyone in the capital?
Shall I do that?
Who do you think did this?
The one who created these posters?
It appears to me that it was your father.
What do you think?
I told you to bring me an answer last time, didn't I?
So what is your answer?
Do you choose your father over Hwa In?
When there is no clear evidence ...
deciding who the criminal is based only on belief will cause the real criminal to evade being caught.
- And cause the innocent to be accused... - Innocent?
Then you can just go find the evidence, right?
Go and bring me evidence that your father is not the culprit immediately!
I think you should also start keeping your distance from him from now on.
Blood is thicker than water.
In the end, he will choose his father and his family's reputation.
But who do you intend to seat at the throne?
Do you plan to make the crown prince abdicate?
If the crown prince becomes the king,
won't he try to avenge his father?
So then, who... ?
Father, then... ?
Were you looking for me?
The sunshine is nice. I summoned you because I wanted to take a walk with you.
I'm not interrupting you when you are busy, am I?
Not at all.
I was just thinking to visit you and have a cup of tea.
Let's go.
The flowers know first that spring has arrived.
Isn't it amazing?
Nevertheless, you seem incapable of giving up.
You and your brother's widow, it both cannot happen
and shouldn't happen.
Ahthough the princess was betrothed to my second older brother,
they never met face to face.
It's not made impossible by your brother.
Then, what is the reason? Is it because of Father?
If it's not that either, is it because people would talk?
Dae Yeop.
I'll only watch her from the sidelines.
I'll just watch her and protect her forever.
Can't I even do that?
Why travel that rocky path?
Just let go.
Even if you think you can't deal with it now,
nothing survives time.
I can't imagine it.
I will do everything else as you wish,
but I can never give up the princess.
I am sorry.
Is something happening?
Guests have come so his excellency has prohibited any access.
- Do you mean me, too? - Yes.
What about Hyeong?
I guess Hyeong should know who came and I'm not supposed to.
I am sorry.
The people's resentment is sky high from the excessive palace reconstruction.
Subjects' homes have been forcefully razed to extend the palace grounds.
The list of government officials is swollen from the sale of government position certificates.
Prisoners are being released without proper atonement.
There are too many problems to list each one by one.
Even I have to put these on the walls.
Even more, since he betrayed Ming and is ready to join the foreign invaders,
I can't sleep from worrying about what will become of Joseon in the future.
Then we will gather again soon. Please be vigilant.
I'll watch the minister of defense you watch the chief censor.
Yes. Be careful.
Welcome, My Lord.
- Are the items inside? - Yes.
- What about that item? - It's here.
- It's nice. - Yes.
I hear the security around the firearm factory is tighter. That was a wise move.
Who is that churl?
- Search the perimeter! - Yes!
Who are you?
I'm sure the Northerners are up to something, Your Highness. Please report it to the king immediately.
You said there is no concrete evidence. Do you have any?
I still haven't been able to find any.
Where is the left state councillor now?
I heard the Northerners are having frequent meetings.
Are they plotting treason?
Talk of such an ominous event is coming out of your mouth.
Fragrance in cheap paper smells good
and a fish in cheap paper has a fishy stench.
I can't help but feel
that, even though it doesn't show on the surface,
in your heart you are disloyal.
That is impossible.
From the time he was crown prince until now,
the one who served the king wholeheartedly is me!
Did such a person hold a funeral for a living princess?
Didn't the king himself tell me
to perform the task of burying her?
Didn't you agree with me to never mention
the incident of the poisoned yakbap?
I did what I did because you and I believed
the only one who could save Joseon, which was devastated by the Japanese invasion,
was the current king!
But have you had a change of heart now?
The one who changed his mind is the king.
Isn't the king, who was unwavering until now, going to kill me,
the faithful dog, after the hunt is done?
The royal chef who covered that yakbap with poison ...
Do you know where he is now?
He was put to death at the time.
Are you saying he's not dead but alive?
Did you sneak him off?
Are you curious about that?
If I were in your place, I would be more curious
about whether he has opened his mouth.
If that were to happen, what do you expect will happen to the king?
I think probably
Cout Lady Kim Gae Si will be blamed for all the crimes.
Am I wrong?
Rather than stabbing me in the back,
why don't you join me?
What do you want?
If I do something, will you muffle the royal chef?
What I want. I mean ...
What happened? What happened with the left state councillor?
I have to talk to you. Follow me.
You are to return Princess Hwa In and the restoration of status to your family name is to be rescinded.
If you do, then I will shut the royal chef's mouth.
What do you think of that?
Must I betray his majesty and join hands with the left state councillor?
What is your reason for telling me this?
Please make sure to find the royal chef and kill him.
If the royal chef remains alive, I will have no choice but to join hands with the left state councillor.
It's not a matter to ponder.
If his majesty is falsely accused of having killed the late king,
it is inevitable that harm will also come to her highness the princess.
I understand, but
But if his majesty succeeds in pushing out Yi I Cheom, what do you think he will do with her highness the princess?
what do you think he will do with her highness the princess?
Please tell me honestly.
The dignity of the royal court must be observed.
Since hecannot protect the princess, the Jeong Eob Won will probably be reconstructed and she will be taken there.
(Jeong Eob Won - where royal concubines went after their king died, to pray for the king's happiness in the afterlife)
Daughter-in-law, take a seat here briefly.
Yes, Mother.
You should try using these.
This is bleaching powder.
This is for your lips.
And this is blush.
You should use them.
I have a lot.
You look beautiful without these,
but try them on, since I'm giving them to you.
Thank you, Mother.
I'm back.
Good work.
I have something to tell you. Come inside.
These days I've been occupied with various types of work,
so I wasn't able to ask you.
It's about the queen dowager, your paternal aunt.
The queen dowager?
Yes. You are able to personally meet the king,
so perhaps you can at least ask?
To release the queen dowager from her confinement.
Mother, about that—
Our status was restored and we are living comfortably now, like this,
but her highness the queen dowager, based on what I've heard, this past winter had no firewood,
so she had to burn all her doors and books.
And she has to farm her own food in the palace yard, because she doesn't have enough to eat.
Does this make any sense?
Royal soldiers are guarding Gyeongwoon Palace like an iron cauldron,
so there is no way for me to visit and greet her.
I'm sorry, Mother.
No, it's fine. Perhaps it's because I am more comfortable these days that I miss her highness the queen dowager all the more.
these days that I miss Her Highness the Queen Dowager all the more.
I just wanted to bring it up.
Don't concern yourself over it too much.
You found it already?
You are indeed amazing.
I thought it would take a few months at the very least.
I thought so too, but I got lucky.
Have a drink.
Hyeong-nim, thank you.
If you're grateful, let me eat noodles soon. (= see you get married)
As expected, you're the only one who cares for me.
So Hyeong-nim, about that,
please go back and give them this.
What?
Go along now.
What is this fool doing, not returning yet?
Go into my room.
Why?
You'll know when you get there.
What is that?
You'll know when you see it.
(Memorial offering to a decedent)
How did you find out where my family is?
Based on your sister's letter,
your mother and sister's family are doing well.
So don't worry too much.
I also sent them some money through an intermediary.
They won't have to worry about food for a while.
Why are you crying over good news?
You said you would have no regrets if you just had a letter confirming if they were alive or not.
I thought they were dead. I thought they were all dead.
Why would they die? A person's life is resilient.
So stop crying.
And ... How did you know about that?
You told me on that day you drank and passed out.
That the 15th day of this month is your father's death anniversary.
I did?
I didn't want to go in and out of your room so I set it up in mine.
You even made precious fried pancakes.
It's just some fried mackerel pancakes, that's all.
It's almost ja-si*, so hurry and pay your respects. (11:30-12:30 p.m.)
Why are you out here instead of sleeping?
Thank you.
I thought I wouldn't be able to act as someone's child for the rest of my life.
But thanks to you I was able to do it once.
I'm also thankful.
Not knowing whether they were alive or dead,
I thought I would die without hearing about them.
It's the first time I've performed my father's ancestral rites.
How long has it been since he passed? You weren't able to do it even once?
I deserve to die.
Same here.
I even sold out her highness the princess, whom I breastfed and raised.
That's because you wanted to help your mother and sister stay alive.
Why?
What?
Do you have something to say?
Look at the stars.
Where?
That one?
What are you doing?
Dear one.
Live with me.
Do you think you can handle me?
You think I can't?
But still, I want to try.
If you want to live with me, you need to risk your life.
The Grand Rule of Laws say that anyone who takes a woman who was once a court lady or palace maid
will be punished by 100 lashings. Do you even know that?
100 lashings?
Do I need to get lashed all at once?
Of course, would they do it by installments?
Fine, I'll just take the lashings, no big deal.
No big deal? They say the ignorant are brave.
After 100 lashings, you will die.
People die either way.
Since people die anyway, I might as well avoid becoming a bachelor ghost.
Bachelor ghost?
Hey, are you joking right now?
Look me in the eyes.
Does it look like a joke?
Wait, wait.
What? Wait what?
I wasn't ready for that—
Well.
Did you have a dream about lucky pigs?
Why do you look so happy?
Oh, Ba Wu. Let's go and bash that councillor's head in.
What's that supposed to mean all of a sudden?
I'm not saying this out of the blue. That councillor bastard has to go away,
for the princess and my dear Court Lady Jo to live in peace.
Well, you're right, but...
How can I help?
Just say the word!
Royal chef?
What was his name again?
I'm sure he was a Kim, but was it... Kim Yi...?
Kim Ik?
Oh, do try to think harder!
I forgot it again because of you!
Let me know if you remember.
Why the royal chef out of the blue?
It's a way for us to beat back the left state councillor, so you have to remember it.
I bet the princess would know.
She liked the pogye chicken that he made.
Busaengahsln hasigo. Moguosin iroda. (Reciting Chinese characters)
My father brought me into this world, and my mother raised me. (Corresponding Korean)
Bogihoea hasigo, yuipoa roda. ("Elementary Learning", Confucian teachings for children)
She bore me in her womb, and nourished me with her breastmilk.
Uiona and isikpoa roda.
They kept me warm with clothes, and with food they kept me full.
Eungoyeocheon and do deokusaji roda.
Her benevolence is as high as heaven. Her virtue is as dense as the earth.
Wiinjaja ro kalburwihyo riyo.
And so those who become children, how could they not be filial?
My boy! You're doing great!
She looks so happy. We should probably ask her later.
Yukbosimeun indae.
Please enter.
Make sure nobody gets near.
Especially Dae Yeop. Understand?
Yes, Young Master.
Will you join me in my plan?
Of course we will.
I will make sure to succeed in the deposition of the king,
and share with you the fruits of that achievement.
So you can trust in me.
Enthrone a new king Signed: Yi I Cheom / Yi Won Yeop
It's a list of signers for the agreement.
It is a document to ensure nobody here betrays us.
Please everyone sign here.
I will be the first!
Yun In Ha
Han Chan Nam
We will depose the current king
and with our own hands set up Jongmyo shrine and a cabinet.
The succeeding king will subserviently take care of us.
Why have you come again?
Please leave, before anyone sees you.
I'm here to see the owner of this house, so worry not.
The master?
There are eyes watching, so...
Is he in the men's study?
What brings you here without notice?
I will take care of the issue concerning my father.
How?
I will handle it, so you don't need to know.
You always say that you'll handle it.
If you aren't even going to tell, why are you here?
I figured you'd do something foolish to interfere and ruin everything.
Will you also keep this from his majesty?
To speak honestly, I cannot trust his majesty.
I do not believe he will keep his promise, even if Father stepped down willingly.
I think so too.
I don't know what you might think, but he is still my father.
Just as you must feel about your own father, I am part of his household.
And I have a duty to protect the family.
So... while I will try to block my father, I will not make him step down.
I won't ask you to understand.
However... this is the best I can do.
I have my own problems...
but you sure do lead a complicated life.
Enough with the frivolities and just answer me.
This is the last time.
I got it.
Please leave.
If her ladyship sees you, it won't be pretty.
What about the princess?
She's doing well.
Have a safe trip home.
It's not what you think. He wasn't here to see the princess, but the master.
Go and ask him—
Now wait, why am I making excuses in front of this man?
I got you.
Work hard!
You... you!
I must've been crazy! Why did I drink alcohol that I couldn't handle?
Mother, it is your son Dae Yeop.
What is the problem?
I am here to give my nightly greetings.
It's fine. You can leave.
Yes. Please sleep well.
Father, Mother.
Enthrone A New King
Yi I Cheom , Yi Won Yeop, Yun In Ha, Han Chan Nam ...
You scoundrel!
I knew you would do this.
You finally show your true colors.
Father, look at what is in his hands.
You mustn't just leave him alone.
It's because you keep giving him chances that he's now determined to bring ruin to our family.
Didn't you say you were the Great Terminator?
Since he willingly betrayed the family, he is deserving of death.
We must kill him!
Your Highness, the prince.
Forgive your sinful subject for taking so long to reveal the truth.
You are the only direct descendant of the legal wife of the prior king of this country.
Your Highness is not my son...
You are the son of Prince Imhae, son of the former king.
♫ ♫
Bossam - Steal the Fate Preview
I have not even the slightest desire to be king.
If you ascend the throne to be king, you can even take princess Hwa In for yourself.
If you try to use Dae Yeop one more time, then I will tell him the one last secret you've been hiding.
I feel very unsettled about this. Shouldn't we also try to do something?
Please be my wife.
I would like to spend the rest of my life with you.
Do you intend to even kill Hwa In?
She is already dead.
Fine. Do as you will.