(The following content may not be suitable for viewers under 15.)
(Viewer discretion is advised.)
(This drama is set in the times of King Jinheung.)
(But all characters and events are fiction.)
I am glad.
I was worried...
that Master Sun Woo may be the King...
as the rumors say.
It is to the death!
It is not over yet.
Halt!
Continue.
(Episode 13)
Are you all right?
Were you worried?
That is right.
Why would you be?
Naturally, it is because...
What are you doing?
Is it you?
Are you...
the King?
Tell me.
Are you really the King?
I am...
What are you doing?
It is none of your business.
Of course it is my business.
- You have your sword on someone's throat. - Move.
Do you really believe that scroll?
The King is not a fool.
Why would he be here?
This place is full of enemies. He would not be here.
I do not know what you have against the King,
but he is not the King.
I know so. I swear to it.
So please stop talking nonsense...
- and do not do this. - I said, move!
This man is not the King.
He is not. I am telling you the truth.
Why did you do that?
What else can I do?
Your identity cannot be revealed.
So what if you are the King?
Why does he hate the King so much?
Do not worry.
He will trust what I say.
You are hurt.
Let me.
I am all right. This is nothing.
I am not all right.
He is your brother.
Why did you go that far?
Well, I cannot let him kill... You know...
I feel like you are put in danger because of me,
so I get angry at myself.
Gosh.
What is the point of being mad at yourself?
Even if no one in the world is on your side,
you should still be on your side.
Even if you are pathetic and weak,
you should trust yourself.
Do you not think so?
I am just saying.
I do not mean that you are pathetic.
Well...
What are you doing?
I do not know what you have against the King,
but he is not the King.
I know so. I swear to it.
So please stop talking nonsense...
- and do not do this. - I said, move!
You lack technique...
and are haphazard with the sword.
However,
you have a knack for winning.
At whose face do you dare stare?
Are all members of the Royal Family so shameless?
You do not look sorry at all...
for someone who shot an arrow at me.
You resemble each other.
Halt.
I said, halt.
I could teach you how to use the sword.
If you learn a bit, you could become...
You do not know...
whom I would kill if I learn swordsmanship.
Where is he?
He looked like he was injured.
I should take a look at him.
My gosh. You startled me.
Why are you looking around?
By any chance...
Never mind.
Why did you stop in the middle of a question?
Are you not going home?
Let us go.
All right.
Is something over there? What are you looking at?
It is not because something is there.
I am looking around, hoping to see something.
Like what?
What? What is it?
Gosh. She is always going off alone.
Why are you just letting Sook Myung do these things?
Is it not a good thing for you?
Someone else is mistaken as the King instead of you.
Whether Master Ahn Ji's son is mistaken for the King,
keep your mouth shut.
That is the only thing you can do right now.
Are you saying...
that you planned this whole thing?
I can do anything.
If you can get the throne safely,
I can kill all members of Hwarang right now.
Do you...
Do you think that is what I want?
I do not care about what you want,
what you wish to do,
and what you hate. However,
I care about what I can do.
If you want to take the throne in your lifetime,
do not do anything. Nothing at all.
Do you understand?
Are you...
the King?
You...
killed my friend.
You!
(King)
Dog-Bird, what are you doing out here at this hour?
You rude brat.
You never greet your teacher.
"The King is within Hwarang."
Is it true?
Does it look like...
the King is in Hwarang to you?
Ji Dwi.
Is he really your nephew?
He is a distant relative.
Why are you so set on finding the King?
We have...
an ill-fated relationship.
Are you talking about you and the King?
Why? Will you kill him if you see him?
Why do you ask?
Can I not?
Have you heard of the word, "Abyss"?
Take a look at this pond.
On the surface, it is calm and black.
But inside of it...
are countless rocks,
living fish, aquatic plants, and bugs...
that struggle to live on as if in a war.
Keep it simple so I can understand.
Many will look at this pond...
and mistake it.
Just because you see its calm surface,
it does not mean you know everything about it.
I am just saying...
that I do not want you...
to make such a mistake.
Go in and sleep.
"Abyss".
You may go.
We could have finished him right away.
What a bother.
What do you think about hiring an assassin?
Not now.
Why not?
He is a Hwarang who beat my guard.
All Hwarangs and officials have their eyes on him.
How can we send an assassin?
Then...
There will be an opportunity.
Gosh.
Why is a horse going around alone?
(Those eyeing Baekje will get what they deserve.)
Will you still just sit and watch?
If we do not take action,
they will think that Silla is a pushover.
However, we cannot break the alliance...
we have kept with Baekje for over 100 years.
Once our alliance breaks, Goguryeo...
will certainly try to conquer this nation.
What alliance?
From what is happening now,
it is obvious our alliance already broke.
What do you mean?
You should watch what you say.
If it is not over with them, what is this?
The Prince of Baekje is notorious to be...
aggressive and tyrannical.
Then do you just want to sit and do nothing?
Let us go into war.
Baekje provokes us whenever there is chance.
We will take the chance and make it ours.
Baekje is stronger than us.
How can we take it over?
If we cannot go into war,
why do we not send the Princess to make peace?
If we send the minimum number of...
delegates escorting her,
it might be solved rather easily than we think.
How can we use the Princess in such matters?
Then go into war.
What will you decide?
Is it war or amity?
Please do make a decision.
Then...
I will send Hwarang as her escorts.
If this is to make peace with Baekje,
it is more reasonable to send Hwarang than the army.
That way, they will believe we are there for amity.
Do you not agree?
The officials are worried.
They are worried if their sons will be picked...
as one of the escorts and never return.
Our guess may not be right.
If Master Sun Woo is the King,
she should not suggest to send Hwarang right away.
Did you not hear the Queen?
They are not going there for war.
They are going there for amity.
No one knows what will happen.
If they do not accept,
Hwarang could become hostages or even die.
I am sure he is Sam Mek Jong.
However, even if he is not,
the King is definitely in Hwarang.
Let us watch the Queen...
trip in her own trap.
Do you think...
I could become the real King?
Mother will never hand down the throne.
What Silla wants...
is not the Queen regent. They want the real King.
My taking the throne...
Will it be all right?
A nation with happy subjects and a suffering king.
The subjects do not worry about the nation,
but the king worries about the subjects.
Did you not say you want to live in such a country?
If you wish to create a nation like that,
it is fine for you to become the king.
I want to become stronger.
However,
I have lived in hiding all my life.
Who would support me?
What did you just say?
We will select a few Hwarangs...
and make them escort the Princess...
as a delegation to Baekje.
Do you mean...
that while the Royal Family and the officials...
are fighting each other, we should...
be used as your temporary measure?
Have you thought about what war could do to Silla?
If our alliance breaks,
that will be the end of peace in Silla.
This is the only way to avoid war.
Form a group out of the sons of the officials...
on Master Young Shil's side.
Now you really sound like a king.
However,
that is not Your Highness' place.
This is a decision...
His Majesty must make.
At the time being,
I am Silla's ultimate power.
What you must say to me right now is,
"Yes, Your Highness."
That is all.
Yes, Your Highness.
However, I shall choose which of the Hwarangs...
to send.
This is good enough.
Be natural. Like it is a coincidence.
Did he not see me?
What are you doing?
He did not see me.
He did.
Dog-Bird saw you,
then he turned and went that way.
I saw.
That cannot be.
Is your brother ignoring you right now?
He is not.
How did that happen?
Brothers usually protect their sisters.
Did you betray him?
I did not betray him. The circumstance was...
You did betray him.
I did not.
Please leave, will you? Stop bumming around.
What is it?
Why did you betray him?
Because of whom?
Why are you avoiding me?
I am a physician.
I saw you waving your sword.
Should I have taken your side, regardless?
What did I do wrong?
Then say it to my face.
You have a mouth, so speak.
Why do you refuse to even look at me?
Why are you so narrow-minded?
You are always like this.
If things get difficult, you avoid it.
But for how long will you avoid it?
Do you plan to never see me again because of it?
You cannot even run away.
I know you will stay by my side.
I know that.
What am I supposed to do?
What?
Master We Hwa,
is something the matter?
Call the Hwarangs.
I have a message for them.
Yes, Master.
Do you still think I am the King?
By chance if I am,
can you and I...
not be friends?
The moment I confirm you are the King,
I shall kill you.
Then I shall continue not being the King.
I prefer being your friend than being king.
I mean it, regardless of whom...
you think I am.
You do not know what a friend is...
since you have never had one.
I am letting you be for one reason only.
Because Ah Ro is protecting you for some reason.
Do not touch me...
until I become more sure of you.
What did he just say to you?
- That... - Nothing.
That punk.
Why are you here?
I have a letter from the Queen.
(Stay)
"Stay."
What is this strange gaze?
Did you see him at the sparring competition?
I thought I was going to pee in my pants.
Had I known he was the King...
I should have been nicer.
Get me the answer...
to whether he is the King or not.
There must be no king so that I can make you a king.
Do you know Sun Woo?
Please take good care of him.
Is your face okay?
Everyone is staring at you.
Today, I have...
something special to say to you.
What I am about to say...
is not an assignment for which you shall pass or fail,
and it is not your duty which you must perform.
However, it is something that someone...
must do.
Where did you say I am going?
Did you say...
you want me to go to Baekje?
And without soldiers?
I am not sending you to war,
but for amity.
Is it not a war...
just because we deny it?
Sook Myung.
If our alliance with them fails,
the Three Kingdoms will be in chaos.
They know this as well.
You must alert them of the risk...
and mend the relationship.
Why...
must I do it?
Because this is not a war,
but an amity.
In that case,
I have a condition.
What? I do not see him.
I should be able to.
What are you doing?
And what are you doing?
What is over there?
It is none of your business.
You want to see that person,
but he will not come out after you.
Are all men like that?
Are they all that mean?
Or do their feelings change that easily?
Men's feelings do change easily.
Some are mean, too.
If you would tell me who, I can say with more detail.
Who is it?
Forget it. Forget it.
The Princess would like to see you.
You will be amity delegates,
but I cannot guarantee your safety...
or your life.
That is why...
(Stay)
she said to stay.
You will leave in three days.
We will take volunteers...
in courtyard tomorrow.
I will let you...
think it over until then.
Who would do that?
Do you not agree?
Why must I go...
Did you forget that you are my personal physician?
But I am not an official physician,
and if I go, the Hwarangs...
It is the Queen's order.
Will you dare refuse the Queen?
All you must do is keep quiet and come with me.
I am going...
to Baekje?
What do I tell Father?
He will be worried.
And Sun Woo...
will not care even if he heard.
That narrow-minded, petty, and selfish worm.
Why do you wish to take that physician?
There are many better physicians in the palace.
Do you think this is because I want to take her?
Then...
Sook Myung is going to Baekje?
It is for amity,
so she is taking only a few people.
Just because the Princess goes,
it will not create amity.
We will have to coax them with...
gold and silk.
How long must Silla...
bow to these neighboring nations?
It began too soon.
What do you mean?
Stirring things up.
Stir things up? What?
The time has come...
sooner than expected.
What are you mumbling about?
What time has come?
Time for Hwarang...
to enter the world.
Did you think hard about it?
Are you saying not a single Hwarang has volunteered?
Who would go when it is so dangerous?
Do you not agree?
Dog-Bird?
The delegates will be going to Baekje...
to create amity with them.
However, I cannot guarantee you will return alive.
This is Silla's first mission for Hwarang.
If you return safely, you will be given great honor.
However, if you fail,
there will be no peace in Silla.
I and my physician will take a small group.
Why is she taking her?
I shall ask again.
Who will accompany me to Baekje?
Do not say you will go. I mean it.
Do not.
I shall go.
Sun Woo. Good.
Anyone else?
- I shall go as well. - Soo Ho.
Good. Soo Ho.
I shall go as well.
Ban Ryu.
You are really going?
Okay. Ban Ryu.
Anyone else?
- If not... - I shall go as well.
Fine. The four of you...
shall be the delegates escorting Princess Sook Myung...
leaving for Baekje.
Protect Princess Sook Myung...
and succeed in establishing amity.
Do you understand?
Are we out of rice again?
Bring another bowl. Let us eat together.
That is not it.
I ate already. Please eat.
Is something wrong?
No, nothing is wrong.
You must be tired because of me.
I apologize.
Do not.
The poor people in the capital can get treated...
thanks to you.
If you would wait a short while,
- I... - I am fine.
I am only working at Hwarang House these days.
So you must continue to be a great physician.
One who does not judge by ranks or what they have.
One who helps the weak and powerless.
That way, I can stand tall.
I mean it, Father.
Do not worry.
I shall return safely.
He...
He received my letter, but he volunteered anyway.
My apologies, Your Highness.
Why must he disobey me?
He makes his mother into a fool.
Why? Why?
Stop it.
He does not care about me at all.
How could Ban Ryu make such a decision...
without even talking to me?
Can you not think about me too? I am going too.
I should give him something to keep with him.
I do not know. What will you give him?
My hair.
Hey.
I think that is a bit burdensome.
It is supposed to be burdensome.
I do not know whether or not...
he will return alive.
I need to do this much for him to remember me.
I am going too!
How could you say that in front of me?
You are going with your brother.
Yes, I am going with him.
Why not? Why not?
Do not complain to me. Why did you not speak up then?
I did not know because I was hiding.
Please take me with you. Talk to Master We Hwa for me.
Hold on. Hold on.
- Tell the others. - I do not like the others.
I like you.
How can you say that so openly?
I do not know what to say.
Do you think I am a baby too?
I am an adult. I can withstand it all.
Goodness.
Hey. Why do you like me?
I do not know.
I just think you are cool.
You little kid.
My apologies.
I am glad you are here.
Hold onto him so he cannot follow me.
I feel like he will follow me to Baekje otherwise.
- Bye. - What?
No! I want to go with you.
I want to go with you.
I will go with him. Let go.
I will go with him.
Why not? I will go with him.
You do not even stand anymore?
My apologies.
I have no strength in my legs.
Just a minute.
Let me stay like this for a minute.
Just tell me the truth...
that you want to be equals with me.
"Stay." You saw that the letter said to stay.
The Queen warned you in her letter.
Why did you have to volunteer?
Do you think your life is your own?
Without you, there is no Silla.
You were seven when I brought you out of the palace.
I watched you grow up...
and protected you.
I understand, so calm down.
You cannot do this to me.
You did not even talk to me about it.
How could you go on such a dangerous journey?
I cannot even go with you...
But...
Stop it.
Seriously.
Stop it. Darn it.
(Hwarang House)
Please take this.
Since I cannot go with you.
If it is too burdensome...
It is...
not.
Then...
you should go.
Please return safely.
I will be waiting.
Get your act together.
Do not disappoint Master Young Shil this time.
Your Majesty.
Can you not reconsider?
No, I cannot.
- Your Majesty. - Hey.
Stop it. That is an order.
If you return alive,
I shall consider it.
- What? - Whether...
I will serve you as my master.
Do not serve me.
I told you. You and I are equal.
(Hwarang Residence)
Your duty is to guard Princess Sook Myung.
Maintain your honor as Hwarang.
Do not back away from a fight...
and you shall do your all for Silla.
You may face unforeseen situations on your way.
Remember each time...
that you are Hwarang!
You are the pride of Silla!
Do you understand?
- Yes, Master! - Yes, Master!
These four Hwarangs...
shall go as delegates requesting amity to Baekje.
They shall also guard Princess Sook Myung.
Go and solidify the alliance with Baekje...
that has been in place since the 19th king of Silla.
- Yes, Your Highness! - Yes, Your Highness!
Good job.
Protecting the Princess of Silla...
is something a Hwarang must do.
However,
what did the Queen...
say to you anyway?
Father.
Protecting the King...
is protecting the Queen.
Is that correct?
Why must I go there?
There is something you must do.
Give this secretly to the Crown Prince of Baekje.
What is this?
It is a gamble.
A gamble I am taking with Silla.
You must give this letter...
to the Crown Prince.
The more you try to do something,
the people around you will be hurt because of you.
So do not do anything...
if you wish to protect those around you.
Please protect Ah Ro.
You must do whatever it takes to protect her.
By the Queen's order,
I am going as a delegate with the Princess to Baekje.
I am going with Sun Woo, so do not worry.
We will return safely.
Please take care of yourself, Father.
Just how long...
Just how long?
Gosh. An empty cup at a bar?
(Alcohol)
You do not plan to pour a drink into your cup.
What is a physician doing at a bar during the day?
I must know...
how to take Ji So down.
Why did you bring Ah Ro?
I did not bring her,
but the one Hwarang that I can trust.
And here he is, standing before me.
You should have said so.
If you had,
you did not need to bring my sister.
We do need a physician.
I need a court lady to serve me, too.
I should have just left it.
Both the first time...
and now.
Just a minute. Just a minute.
What are you thinking about?
Hey.
You dropped this.
What is it?
Thanks.
"Thanks"?
I never heard him say that before.
We will be entering Baekje tomorrow.
You should sleep even if you cannot.
You need to rest so that you can ride the horse.
Thank you...
for earlier.
I did not want anyone to see.
You have no idea how embarrassing it is.
I know.
I do know.
A nation with happy subjects and a suffering king.
If you wish to create a nation like that,
it is fine for you to become the king.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
I know...
I am being utterly stupid,
but did you come because of the Princess, and not me?
My heart...
breaks whenever I see you.
Even when I look at you like this,
I miss you like crazy.
But you... So...
You are fine when you look at me, right?
It is because of me.
It is not because of you,
but because of me.
I was so angry at myself.
I felt so bad.
That is why I could not look at you.
Then...
did you..
miss me...
desperately too?
I hate myself so much,
but my desire to see you...
is so desperate...
that it always overpowers it.
Hold on. Let us go back.
(Hwarang The Poet Warrior Youth)
Executing them would be cruelty!
Then how about resolving this through wedlock?
The delegates are done for.
They can never return!
Why Ah Ro?
She is everything to me.
If you are a king, how will you...
change Silla?
What is your problem?
Stop it.
If it is unfair, you should not endure it, but fix it.
Especially if it is for the people,
you should fight.
Then do not be afraid. Do not blame others.
Say it yourself.
I...
What are you doing?
- Do not do this. - I said, move!
I get angry at myself.
Can you and I...
not be friends?
The moment I confirm you are the King,
I shall kill you.
Who will accompany me to Baekje?
I shall go.
I felt so bad.