(This drama is based on historical events,)
(but some details may be different from historical facts.)
(Production guidelines were strictly followed when filming with animals.)
Long live the Emperor!
- Long live the Emperor! - Long live the Emperor!
Thank you all...
for accepting my invitation.
I am truly grateful.
May everyone live a long life full of health!
- Hurrah! - Hurrah!
- Gosh, look! - What is going on over there?
- What is that? - What is going on?
- What is happening? - What is it?
- My goodness. - What is going on?
- Oh, no. - Fire!
- What is happening?
- Fire! - There is a fire!
- My gosh! - Look, that man...
What should we do with him? He...
The fire!
Oh, no. The fire...
- Oh, no. The fire... The fire! - Your Majesty.
- Calm down, Your Majesty. - Do something!
Go and block the path at once!
- Yes, sir. - Do something!
Your Majesty, you must leave.
This way, Your Majesty.
Come this way, Your Majesty.
- Goodness. - Leave now!
Everyone, leave!
No!
That way, Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty, no! - Your Majesty.
- We must get out of here.
- Your Majesty, we must go now. - Let go of me!
Your Majesty.
Not there. We must go that way!
Your Majesty, you must keep walking.
Your Majesty!
Please wake up, Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Be careful. Your Majesty.
- Fire! - Fire!
- Oh, no! - Fire!
Your Majesty.
How did this happen?
What is with this wildfire?
Please leave, Your Majesty.
The fire is spreading toward Cheonchujeon.
- Let us go, Hyun. - Fire!
Fire!
- Fire! - Fire!
- What is that? - What?
- It is fire! - Fire!
- Is that not fire? - It is fire!
I just cannot help but think that Prince Daeryangwon lied.
Because he had no way out,
he used his final trick.
But some soldiers witnessed...
the monks of Temple Samcheon run away to Gaegyeong, no?
It was a pure coincidence.
Our soldiers were stationed all over the mountain.
Prince Daeryangwon could not have broken through...
and gone to Temple Samcheon.
There is no need to hesitate.
Let us get rid of them all.
Court Lady Choi.
I am reluctant about it.
What if it turns out to be true?
Then what should we do?
We cannot waste time like this.
You are to go to Gaegyeong.
Inform the Right Senior Executive of this...
and confirm whether Prince Daeryangwon is right.
- Hurry. - Understood.
(Episode 3)
Stop!
Return, monks.
We were ordered not to let anyone but the royal family inside the palace.
Something must be passed on to His Majesty.
It is of high importance.
Return!
Our orders included that we behead anyone who tries to intrude!
Your Majesty?
Right. What about the fire?
Has it been stopped?
Yes.
We barely did.
How are the people?
My subjects who had come to the party.
What happened to them?
Why are you not saying anything?
Tell me at once.
Tell me!
Good grief.
Mother!
- No. - Mother!
My dear.
Oh, no.
The fire did not start in one place.
It did in several places altogether, like the palace and behind it.
I am sure someone set the fire deliberately.
(Yoo Bang, Fourth Rank General)
Thoroughly search the palace.
Arrest anyone who seems suspicious.
- Understood. - Understood.
What use is that now?
You were not appointed...
to that position to solve the problem after it had happened.
There was more to your job than to stop the fire.
Now tell me.
How could you let this happen if you were guarding the palace?
While those people were setting fire,
what were the palace guards doing?
I will let His Majesty punish me.
You should protect His Majesty by his side.
How dare you...
Do you have a death wish?
Do you think beheading you myself is a hard task for me?
If I must die, I will with His Majesty's order.
Do not act rashly.
Go and serve His Majesty.
Do you understand?
You little...
Fine. Let us wait and see.
I will have your whole family and relatives put to death.
His Majesty almost got hurt.
Why did the fire break out so badly?
My apologies.
The original plan was to burn down one warehouse...
and have only several old subjects lose their lives.
But the wind suddenly blew strongly.
Either way, it has already happened.
I will proceed with what we have planned.
Not only did public figures die...
but dozens of innocent subjects also died.
Had His Majesty not held that party,
this would not have happened.
Wait a minute. What are you implying right now?
Are you saying that all of this is due to His Majesty?
How impertinent.
How can you blame...
His Majesty for the palace's disaster?
Even though King Seongjong...
abolished the Lotus Lantern Festival,
His Majesty held a party...
with lotus lanterns of all things.
His Majesty clearly did not follow our ancestor's teachings.
It is only natural for King Seongjong's spirit...
to become furious, no?
That is nonsense!
All His Majesty did...
was take part in the subjects' custom...
and throw a small party.
So, how can you claim that His Majesty revived the Lotus Lantern Festival?
And even if His Majesty revived it,
saying that King Seongjong's spirit is furious because of it...
is absurd. Is it not?
That is enough.
There is no point in us getting into a heated discussion.
You, chancellors,
should bring His Majesty here.
How are we to bring His Majesty here...
when he regained consciousness at dawn?
Then who should sort out this situation?
Children had come to the palace party with excitement.
But they are now wailing after losing their parents.
Whether that is true or not,
countless people believe this happened because King Seongjong's spirit...
was enraged.
Who else, other than His Majesty, can solve this matter?
Now go and get His Majesty.
Tell him to come here at once...
and fulfill his duty as the emperor.
Tell him to soothe the subjects' resentment...
and answer to rage of the previous emperor.
What do you mean by that?
What must His Majesty do to soothe the subjects' resentment...
and the previous emperor's fury?
Tell us, Right Senior Executive.
What must His Majesty do?
His Majesty must apologize on his knees before King Seongjong's tomb...
and step down from his throne for a while...
to calm his subjects down.
What?
His Majesty the Queen is to rule as regent again...
and settle this crisis as soon as possible.
Right Senior Executive!
What are you saying right now?
How can you speak of such a thing?
Then what must we do?
- What are we to do? - That is absurd.
- Tell us what to do! - He is right!
- Quiet down! - We do not have a choice!
Then what are you saying we do?
Your Majesty must not go to Jungjeon.
I will inform them that...
you are grief-stricken over last night's fire.
This is all Kim Chi Yang's scheme.
It must have been him who set fire to the palace.
I am sure it is not Kim Chi Yang...
but Her Majesty's doing.
Mother has eventually...
done something like this.
In order to make Kim Chi Yang's son the Crown Prince,
she has...
abandoned her own son.
Bring the royal seal!
I will hold out as I protect the royal seal.
I will never...
accept Her Majesty's regency.
Never!
I will never hand over Goryeo...
to Kim Chi Yang's son!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, there is big trouble.
Kim Chi Yang's soldiers have come and have surrounded the palace.
What did you say?
There are several soldiers who used to guard the palace...
who have joined them as well.
We do not have enough soldiers...
to defend the entire palace.
However, we will protect this hall...
with our lives!
We will stay here in this hall as well.
If you are in danger, Your Majesty,
we will stop it even with our bare hands.
Your Majesty, the Royal Preceptor and the National Preceptor are here.
Have them come in immediately.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Come in.
Your Majesty, are you all right?
We came running when we heard there was a big fire last night.
Thankfully, I escaped unscathed. However,
an even greater disaster has presented itself.
I saw it on my way here as well.
We will stay by your side too.
Please be resolute, Your Majesty.
Thank you.
You are all stepping forward...
for such a pitiful emperor as myself.
Your Majesty, I also have something I must give you.
What do you mean?
The monks at Temple Samcheon came to see us...
when they could not see you in person.
- Temple Samcheon? - Yes.
It is a temple that is not far...
from Temple Sinhyeol where Prince Daeryangwon is.
- Then... - Yes, Your Majesty.
Prince Daeryangwon is asking for you to save him.
I remember who you are.
You were one of the court ladies...
who always stayed by the Queen Dowager's side.
That is right.
The day I was kicked out of the palace,
you were the one who had me dress in monk's clothing.
Yes, that is right.
You were the one...
who wiped away my tears with your sleeves over and over.
Thank you...
for what you did.
You should leave before it is too late.
I say this for your sake.
Thank you for saying so,
but things are not over yet.
I have also sent someone to Gaegyeong.
We still do not know...
who will bring what news.
Do not let your guard down.
We must save Prince Daeryangwon immediately.
But the palace is surrounded.
What can we do about this?
I will look for a way out.
And I will find a trustworthy man and send him to Capital District Office.
I will take the soldiers there...
and tell them to save Prince Daeryangwon.
Can we trust the soldiers...
at the Capital District Office?
We can, Your Majesty.
Most of the soldiers there...
are those who have lost the favor of Kim Chi Yang...
and have been pushed out of the palace.
Then send someone to the Capital District Office at once.
And from there,
send a message to the temporary government officer of the northwest.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell him to bring the soldiers of the northwest...
and come to Gaegyeong this instant.
Tell him to come...
and have him wipe out...
all of those rebels!
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Hurry up and get changed so you can sneak out of the palace.
You must succeed, no matter what.
Yes, sir.
(Hwangbo Yu Eui, Officer of the Institute of Palace Miscellaneousness)
His Majesty ordered innocent slaves and court ladies...
to be sent outside the palace.
Thank you.
Come on out.
All of you, show your entrance passes.
Slowly.
Thank you for your hard work.
Get home safely.
- Goodness, Your Majesty. - Goodness.
What on earth is going on? Gosh.
- Goodness, Your Majesty. - Oh, dear.
Sadly, His Majesty has passed away.
But Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager has reclaimed her role as regent,
so the people can rest easy and follow her.
Go to the temporary government officer and deliver His Majesty's orders.
Yes, sir.
Let us go.
The temporary government officer of the northwest...
must come to Gaegyeong with your soldiers...
and wipe out all of the rebels.
Did we delay everything...
over something as petty as this?
Go back this instant.
Go at once and slay Prince Daeryangwon.
However, if His Majesty is aware...
The emperor is already dead.
Get going now.
Hurry up and kill Prince Daeryangwon...
and burn down Temple Sinhyeol.
Yes, sir.
My lord, Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager, wants to see you.
I could not find Hyun, so I asked around.
I heard that you took him to your private home.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Soldiers are facing off at the moment,
so I thought it might be dangerous if he were to stay in the palace.
Why did you call your soldiers?
We already have enough reason for me to rule as regent again.
So why are you getting the soldiers involved as well?
It was to put pressure on the vassals.
The vassals must be scared and leave His Majesty's side...
in order for His Majesty to yield easily.
What happened with the poster that His Majesty has passed away?
Tell me.
What on earth are you planning?
What have you decided to do?
Have your soldiers retreat this instant.
Right Senior Executive.
Do not disobey my orders.
If I disobey you until the end,
what will happen?
What?
Will you stand on His Majesty's side...
and punish me as a traitor?
Then what about our Hyun?
What will happen to Hyun?
Can he survive as a traitor's son?
Right Senior Executive.
Are you threatening me now?
How dare you try to control the Queen Dowager?
I am trying to give you a wake-up call so that you can see reality.
Your two sons can never coexist.
For one of them to live, the other one has to die.
The choice is yours, Your Majesty.
Will it be the son who has already left your arms and is disobeying your wishes?
Or will you choose the son...
whom you can embrace and raise to be an emperor?
Simply make your choice.
(Seogyeong Fortress, Present-day Pyongyang)
What? An uprising?
A big fire broke out in the palace at night,
and Kim Chi Yang's soldiers are surrounding the palace at the moment.
Also, posters that say His Majesty has passed away...
are seen all over Gaegyeong.
What?
- Does that mean... - Yes.
It seems to me that Kim Chi Yang has murdered His Majesty...
and taken over the palace.
Officer Kang, what should we do?
Goryeo is falling into the hands of Kim Chi Yang.
Officer Kang.
Move aside!
What is happening?
- Your Highness. - Stop!
- Let go. - Your Highness!
- Your Highness. - Let go.
Let go of me.
Let go of me. Let me go!
Stop. What are you doing?
Stop what you are doing!
Please do not be foolish.
His Majesty knows everything!
His Majesty...
has passed away.
- What? - So,
this is how it ends.
Since you are the Dragon's descendant,
you will not be burned to death.
Then, goodbye.
No, that cannot be true.
Your Majesty!
The Imperial Guards are here! Run!
- Hurry up and get out of here. - Your Highness.
I will not look for you.
Go!
Do not shoot. Drop your bows!
Do not shoot.
Drop your bows! Do not shoot!
Do not shoot!
Please do not shoot anyone. Please!
Stop!
Your Highness, are you all right?
Yes, I am fine. Thank you.
We will chase those who have fled.
No, do not chase them.
They are innocent people.
- Your Highness, however... - How is His Majesty?
Is he in a safe place?
Yes, he is safe.
I am Hwangbo Yu Eui from the Institute of Palace Miscellaneousness.
I deliver His Majesty's letter to Your Highness.
Return to the palace as soon as you can.
I plan to install you as Crown Prince.
I will also put my past mistakes behind me...
and faithfully perform my duties as the Emperor of Goryeo,
so help me as my fellow descendant of the Dragon.
I cannot wait to see you.
Be safe on your way to the palace.
Your Majesty.
Your Highness, you should leave now.
His Majesty is waiting for you.
Do you remember my sister?
Yes, I do.
She was very beautiful.
Yes, she was beautiful and had a heart of gold.
When she passed away because she could not bear...
people pointing fingers at her,
I...
held her newborn whom she had left behind and told myself this.
"If my son ever has to descend the throne in the future,"
"I will make sure..."
"this child ascends the throne after him."
However,
I conceived Kim Chi Yang's child.
Then I suddenly had a change of heart.
All of a sudden, I began to resent my sister's son.
"If only this child did not exist."
"If only this boy could disappear for good."
Your Majesty.
That is how much I loved that man.
But now, that love...
is choking me.
I must meet His Majesty.
At this late hour?
Yes.
I have something to tell him.
What brings you to my chambers at this late hour?
What will you say this time?
Queen Dowager.
Emperor.
Take Kim Chi Yang's life.
Song, kill Kim Chi Yang for me.
So, what is your plan now?
It will be risky to attack the palace now.
In order to completely subdue them,
we need more soldiers.
Reinforcements will arrive soon.
A few wealthy families in the countryside have decided to join hands with me.
Is that true?
As you know,
they have always wanted to kill the Emperor in Gaegyeong.
That is great news.
That means...
Goryeo will soon be all yours.
No. My son will be the owner of this kingdom, not I.
Move quickly! Hurry up!
Since a few days ago, the chiefs nearby...
have been preparing soldiers behind the provincial governor's back.
"Behind the provincial governor's back?"
Yes.
It seems they are planning to do something.
I heard there was an uprising in Gaegyeong.
I suspect that they might engage in it.
"An uprising?"
Are you telling me there was an uprising in Gaegyeong?
That is right.
I keep hearing rumors that Kim Chi Yang murdered...
His Majesty and seized power.
But it is uncertain.
It might be a false rumor.
Even so, I must go to Gaegyeong at once.
If His Majesty has been murdered,
we must take action.
What will you do by going to Gaegyeong alone?
Everything must be over if there has been an uprising.
Suppressing the uprising was not what I meant.
What I meant was that we must stop the war.
Excuse me? "The war?"
That is right. Do you still not get it?
His Majesty was crowned by the emperor of the Khitan.
Hurting such a person...
is the same as rebelling against the Khitan emperor.
Then, it would be giving the Khitan...
an excuse they have been waiting for.
His Majesty must be alive.
Foolish king he may be,
but he must be alive for Goryeo.
Giddyap!
Does that mean you have come to a decision?
That is right. I will advance to Gaegyeong...
and punish Kim Chi Yang.
After that, Prince Daeryangwon...
will be throned as the new emperor.
Since a long time ago,
I wanted to rectify the corrupted royal family.
I must proceed with it now.
But this is undoubtedly treason.
Both using the military without order...
and saying you will throne a king are acts of treason.
Are you prepared for that?
Yes.
I am prepared for it.
But...
why did you come to see me?
If I take the soldiers,
there will be a void on the border.
I want you to fill in that void.
A letter...
would have been more than enough for such a request.
Tell me the real reason you came to see me.
Do you wish for me to join you?
I have no intention...
of turning you into a traitor.
Then why did you come here?
I simply wanted to see you.
When I become a traitor,
can you treat me like you always have?
As I thought,
is that impossible?
Right. I understood.
Sir.
I am a general who guards the border.
If I am ordered to fight, I fight.
And if I am ordered to stand guard, I stand guard.
Good. That is more than enough.
We will punish Kim Chi Yang...
for murdering His Majesty the King...
and crown...
Prince Daeryangwon as the new emperor.
By doing so, we will put the corrupted reign back in order...
and rescue the people who have fallen into misery.
The courageous soldiers of the northwest...
will save this country, Goryeo!
Now then!
Follow me!
(Seogyeong Fortress)
At this rate, you will follow me to Gaegyeong.
You no longer need to see me off. Please return to the temple.
Let me accompany you a bit longer.
No. It will soon be dark.
Return now.
All right, Your Highness.
Then we will return.
No words can express how grateful I am.
I will never forget your kindness.
I am much obliged.
Please...
become a revered crown prince.
And in the future, please become a good and wise king.
I will try.
I may fail in the beginning.
But one day, I will become one.
Good, Your Highness. I will trust you.
Well then, travel safely.
Please visit Temple Sinhyeol one day.
All right. I will.
Giddyap!
I have bad news, Officer Kang.
What is it?
His Majesty the King is still alive.
- What? - What do you mean he is still alive?
It seems we have been misinformed.
Kim Chi Yang has yet to conquer the palace.
He was confronting the Fourth Rank General's soldiers...
outside the palace.
Officer Kang.
What are you thinking about so deeply?
Nothing has changed.
We have decided to punish Kim Chi Yang,
so that is what we should do.
With that, His Majesty...
will think highly of your contribution.
Sir?
Then...
what will change?
- Excuse me? - What will change...
when the King and the Queen are the same?
Yoo Haeng Gan will keep acting on his own authority.
The royal family will be as incompetent as always.
So, how will...
Goryeo change?
Does that mean...
Yes.
Ultimately,
I must become a traitor.
Sir!
Will you join me?
Yes.
Then let us go.
We will depart! Get on your horses!
- Understood! - Understood!
Your Majesty, there is big trouble.
The temporary government officer has started a rebellion.
A rebellion?
What do you mean by that?
Then, do you mean...
he is not on his way here because of my orders?
That is right, Your Majesty.
He has sent a letter.
He says he will put Prince Daeryangwon on the throne himself...
and that Your Majesties must leave the palace!
This is clearly treason!
Where is the Fourth Rank General?
Go to him at once...
and tell him to prepare for the rebels.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You must protect the palace, even if it costs you your lives.
If a single traitor sets foot inside this palace,
you will all be torn apart limb by limb.
Understand?
Must we fight for someone like him?
Even if we risked our lives to fight,
we would only be protecting the likes of him.
Do not say such things.
We are doing this to protect His Majesty.
All of this was brought on by His Majesty himself.
Look here!
I will stand on the side of the temporary government officer.
I will do so as well.
I do not want my life to go to waste.
Stop that right now!
You should also rethink this, General.
Deep down, you have also been hoping for this.
People like Yoo Haeng Gan and Kim Chi Yang will be gone,
and a new emperor will be throned.
Please lead the way, General.
Then, all of the soldiers will follow you.
Get them!
This way!
Go!
(Gwanghwamun)
Attack!
Oh, my goodness.
What is this?
What on earth is going on?
- What? - Hey!
Where do you think you are going?
Hurry up and fight! Now!
How dare you?
Do not attack!
We will open the gate!
Officer Kang.
His Majesty said he deeply sympathized with how you felt.
As proof,
His Majesty has sent this man here.
Please let me live.
What have I done wrong?
I only did as His Majesty told me to.
This is all His Majesty's fault.
Officer Kang. What do you think you are doing?
Take this man and return to Seogyeong now...
before it is too late.
Then, His Majesty will forgive you for everything...
Mother, do not worry.
It will be all right.
Back away.
How dare you come in here with your swords drawn?
Your Majesty.
Officer Kang. Why...
Why on earth are you doing this?
It just happened this way.
I also...
did not want this to happen.
Had you made up your mind just a little sooner,
this would not have had to happen.
Had you put Goryeo back on the right track...
just a little sooner,
I would not...
have become a traitor either.
Officer Kang!
I will accompany you outside of Gaegyeong.
Take Her Majesty...
and leave together.
What will you do about Hyun?
Please let that child live.
Please.
You cannot.
This child is not my son. He is the son of Her Majesty.
He is of royal blood!
Father.
Mother.
I am sorry.
This is all my fault.
Please stop crying.
You still have me, your son, by your side.
And by my side,
I still have you, Mother.
I will till the land myself...
and support you, Mother.
Until the end, I will...
stay by your side.
Your Majesty!
Mother.
Your Majesty!
If you would like,
the throne can be yours.
There is no reason you cannot sit on the throne.
Prince Daeryangwon is coming.
He has been living in hiding in the mountains.
He simply cannot lead Goryeo for he knows nothing.
Rather than putting him on the throne as a puppet,
I suggest you lead this country yourself.
Officer Kang.
Go...
and safely escort Prince Daeryangwon to the palace.
As soon as he arrives at the palace,
his coronation ceremony will take place.
I came to escort Your Highness to the palace...
as per the order of the temporary government officer of the northwest.
The temporary government officer?
Yes, His Majesty called Your Highness to Gaegyeong.
I see.
You will ascend to the throne as soon as you arrive in Gaegyeong.
"Ascend the throne?"
What do you mean?
It is His Majesty's order.
Please hurry.
The people in Gaegyeong are waiting for you.
We have announced to everyone...
that our new emperor is coming.
- Long live the Emperor! - Long live the Emperor!
(Seungpyeongmun)
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Welcome.
Thank you. Who might you be?
I am Kang Jo, the Northwest Temporary Government Officer.
I see. You are the temporary government officer.
Where is His Majesty?
I would like an audience with him at once.
I will ask him to repeal the order...
that I ascend the throne, at once.
His Majesty is still alive and well,
so how could I ascend the throne?
Where is he now?
Please take me to His Majesty at once.
What is the matter?
Is he not inside?
No, he is not here.
Then where is he now?
Temporary Government Officer.
He passed away today.
What... I beg your pardon?
I launched a coup...
and assassinated him.
What do you mean?
Please go inside.
Your Majesty, you are our new emperor now.
Temporary Government Officer.
Please make haste and go inside.
(Seungpyeongmun)
Greet His Majesty.
- Long live the Emperor! - Long live the Emperor!
(Gwanghwamun)
- Long live the Emperor! - Long live the Emperor!
- What?
- Long live the Emperor! - What are they saying?
Prince Daeryangwon has ascended to the throne.
Prince Daeryangwon?
What happened to His Majesty?
He passed away.
His Majesty passed away? How?
- Long live the Emperor! - Long live the Emperor!
Your Majesty.
(Korea-Khitan War)
The war seems imminent.
For the sake of that powerless, young emperor,
I suggest you return to Gaegyeong.
You said you raised an army for a great cause.
Were you aiming to seize power in the imperial court?
Do you need something to do?
Will you let your short-sighted views...
destroy this country?
I am Kang Gam Chan, the Deputy Minister of Rites.
Why is it written here that the former emperor passed away...
from an illness?
It was done to prevent war.
Are you that afraid of war?
I will issue a mobilization order.
We will get ready for the war.
(Subtitles are provided by KOCOWA.)