(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.)
Let me take a look.
(Episode 16)
I am sorry...
for ignoring you.
I know you did it...
to protect me.
I thought I was going to go crazy because I wanted...
to run to you so badly.
I do not know...
what to say...
in times like these.
I love you.
I am...
the King of Silla!
The King of Silla!
A child? What do you mean? But I am single.
You are single?
I am purity defined from head to toe.
I have never been wed!
Oh my. I had no idea.
But please.
Go to him.
What are you doing?
Do you think that will make me take you...
in?
The world...
is still so beautiful, is it not?
In what way?
The world is dark and depressing.
I do not know why we live.
I am so annoying.
You startled me.
Hey.
What is it? Your brother and Ban Ryu returned safely.
I have not heard from Ban Ryu...
since he returned from Baekje.
His feelings for me have faded.
Tell me the truth.
Did he meet a woman in Baekje?
Look. We had no time for things like that, okay?
Then why is he being like this?
When it comes to a man-woman relationship,
there are good times and bad times.
Sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes it rains.
That is how it is.
Trust me and wait.
Everything will be fine.
Really?
Do you not listen to Master Young Shil,
or can you not listen?
Get lost.
I have never felt this way before,
but I feel sorry for you now.
What do you mean?
Take a look. I want to see it too.
Look at that.
"You worked hard, but it was of no avail."
You father seems to have discarded you.
Shut your mouth.
You are done for.
Master Young Shil no longer has any expectations...
from you. None whatsoever.
I told you to shut it!
I have never seen our Ban Ryu look this way.
You look so scared.
Miss Ah Ro.
How do you feel?
I am fine thanks to you.
Come in. Let me look at your wound.
Is it the season for weeds?
That clueless punk.
Here.
This is the arrow that was lodged in your shoulder.
Wow. That hurt a lot.
I heard you took the arrow for my brother.
Well,
I only did my job.
Even if you are friends,
it is not easy to do that.
Thank you.
I did not know the arrow would hurt so much.
But did we never date before?
We did not.
That is so strange.
I thought I dated all of Soo Yun's friends.
Well, you are not my type,
but you are not that bad.
I am here.
Are you here... Your Majesty?
How are you feeling?
I am all right.
Why are you talking like that?
Me? What do you mean?
Let me take a look.
It feels a lot more painful than before.
She is taking good care of you. You are a crybaby.
Maybe I became weak.
Should I exercise more?
Thank you.
For what?
For this and that.
Now I feel like we are back to Silla.
Did you think we would not come back?
No.
Actually,
I thought it would be okay as long as you are fine.
I have someone who would risk his life for me.
I was happy enough to know that I have...
someone who cherishes me.
I thought, "Even if I die now, I have no regrets."
"So please,"
"do not let him die." That is what I was hoping.
If you die,
I die as well.
If you are not fine, I will not be either.
No matter what happens,
you will come before myself to me.
If you really care for me,
please take care of yourself.
Promise me.
What a good girl.
You are a good girl.
You are not a good brother in my eyes.
You are right. I am no good.
Let us go.
What are you doing, kid?
Those two are no longer siblings, right?
What are you talking about?
Since when did you start being so nice?
That is because...
he learned how to treat sisters from Soo Ho.
Even still, they are not brothers.
If Sun Woo is the King,
that means they are not siblings.
Well...
Is that how it works?
Then what are they?
Can you make it?
What do we do?
Hold on. Hold on. There is something...
in your eye.
Master Ahn Ji's son claimed that he is the King?
He fought with his life on the line...
and saved the subjects to return home?
What are your thoughts about that Hwarang?
It is not important what I think of him.
It is up to me to decide if it is important.
He is just and fearless.
He has the leadership to lead others.
Do you...
like him by any chance?
That is not possible.
You take after me too much...
and that scares me.
Prior to Hwarang, there was Wonhwa.
(Wonhwa system had two maidens lead a group of youths.)
Hwarang became too strong.
The people praise and follow Hwarang,
but I cannot get a grasp on them.
Hence,
I plan on making you a Wonhwa.
Do you know what fate...
Wonhwa faced?
Both of them...
ended up facing death.
Are you not scared?
No.
Because I take after you.
Today's lesson is about "Book of Odes".
"Book of Odes" includes songs...
that passed down by words of mouth from many years ago.
It encompasses the laments of people's tough lives...
and their positive attitude despite the hardships.
Also, there are hatred and pity toward the weak king.
I will introduce you to an ode today.
Its title is "Big Mouse".
Who would like to recite it?
Master Ji Dwi.
Go ahead and read it.
"Dear big mouse."
"Do not eat my barley."
"I took care of you for a long time,"
"but you do not care for me."
"I will leave you for certain..."
"to a better land."
"To a happy land."
"I will find righteousness there."
Here, the mouse refers to the ruler.
In this poem, the ruler is hiding and wasting food...
while not caring for his subjects.
He is similar to someone we know.
If the mouse keeps on eating into the subjects' lives,
all of them will end up leaving him.
A monarch without his subjects is not a monarch.
Do you understand the meaning and symbols...
this ode encompasses?
- Yes, Master. - Yes, Master.
What brings you here, Commandant?
The Queen would like to reward the delegates...
that went and came back from Baekje.
Only the delegates?
Yes.
What about me?
I led Hwarang and saved the delegates from danger.
Is she not aware of it?
I guess it cannot be helped.
Okay, so leave.
Nothing can beat an epidemic.
They are already on empty stomachs,
and medicine is nowhere to be found.
You should leave.
You might as well get the disease at this rate.
Did you not say...
that there is a way to get medicine before?
Where is it?
Even if we get the medicine,
I might not be able to bring it here.
What do you mean?
"A peasant..."
"cannot go into the capital."
Do you know why there is such a rule?
That is to protect the Bone-rank System...
while avoiding peasants from coming inside.
You are too naive.
This is Silla's goldmine.
The Royal Family and Master Young Shil's gold...
all came from here.
In order for them to solely take the gold...
that the peasants collected all day long,
the peasants must not know...
how valuable gold is.
Does that mean...
they are isolating this place on purpose for gold?
It is not for gold, but for power.
In other words, militia.
It will be Silla's throne in the future.
You should go back.
Staying here will not solve anything.
Or...
do something you can do...
to bring the medicine.
Why must I come along?
Master Sun Woo, please go inside.
There was Wonhwa before Hwarang.
Their names were Nam Mo and Joon Jung.
These two led the disciples.
I heard your sister...
comforted the subjects in Baekje.
That is why I plan on making your sister...
a Wonhwa to assist me.
Was it not enough...
to use just me?
I plan to use her to get the best out of you.
I know that she has the power to move you.
If you pretended to be the King,
keep on acting like one.
(Pretending oneself to be king is beyond their means.)
That is what monarchy is about.
You have to fool the world, the subjects,
and yourself.
I can do anything to protect Silla's throne.
I have nothing to fear if my son can take the throne.
I am ready to fool you, my son,
and the world.
Hence, you should do the same...
if you do not want to lose your sister.
What is taking him so long?
Did something happen?
It must have been a while.
They must have a lot to talk about.
That was not the feeling I got.
Why do you have that face all day?
Did something happen?
Mind your own business.
You are on the edge again.
Right, where is His...
Where did Ji Dwi go?
He must be here from the toilet by now.
What are you doing here?
Even court ladies do not know of this place.
I took a wrong turn.
It is impossible to get here by taking a wrong turn...
unless you came here on purpose.
How would I know my way in Wolseong Palace?
It is hard to find even the toilet. I ended up here.
Then...
Sam Mek Jong.
Is that you, Your Majesty?
You are mistaken, Princess.
Stop.
Why did I not recognize you before?
How long...
have you been living like this?
For a time you cannot even imagine.
It is ridiculous not to be able to see the Queen...
after coming all the way here.
It is the Queen.
Are you well?
Were you...
injured by any chance?
I am fine. At least for now.
The more you go against my word,
it will only get difficult for you. Do you not see it?
I think she looked at me. I better go greet her.
I will show her that I, Master Soo Ho, came back alive.
Can we just go?
Your Highness.
You left this behind.
I am Hwarang Kim Soo Ho.
Following your orders, I came back from Baekje safely.
Please take good care of Sun Woo. Master Soo Ho.
Everyone thinks that you are the King.
I will use you as bait.
You will be put in danger instead of my son.
You must endure it.
Stay alive if you can.
I hope you will last as well.
That way both my son and I...
can buy more time.
What did he talk about with the Queen?
Is it because he said he was the King?
Where is he?
Look at that.
"You worked hard, but it was of no avail."
Why did I not recognize you before?
How long...
have you been living like this?
If we are to meet again,
I will finish my hunt,
King Jinheung.
What are you thinking about?
Nothing.
I was thinking Hwarang House will not be...
as it was before.
What do you mean?
I am going to go fish.
I need to think.
Here you go.
Ban Ryu.
It is I, Soo Yun.
I was waiting after I heard...
you had returned safely.
Well, I am not saying I resent you.
I thought I ought to come myself.
Do not like...
someone like me anymore.
Ban Ryu.
I will not see you again.
Ban Ryu.
Ban Ryu!
Who is doing what?
What are you doing?
I apologize.
Is this your response to failing your mission?
Please do not discard me.
Please...
give me another chance, Father.
I considered you the next king,
but I have changed my mind.
I must become king myself.
I cannot trust others.
Then I shall help you.
Do you mean you will help me become king?
Yes. I shall.
Even if I must grind up my bones for you,
I shall help you.
Are you sure you are determined to help me?
The King?
The King.
Goodness.
You should drink alcohol before it cools down.
You must not know how to enjoy alcohol yet.
I never said you could sit.
There is no better friend than a drinking friend.
I am alone too,
so I would like to drink with you. Is that all right?
Please leave.
I heard that you are the King.
Is it true that you beat the Crown Prince of Baekje...
to a pulp?
The people are happy...
because they heard the King is within Hwarang.
They say the world will change. However,
what if that king is not the true King?
They will be greatly disappointed.
If you can change the world,
would you consider becoming the real king?
I can make you that king.
It will be a long time before the sun rises,
but I do feel like I have caught something.
That king should not be king.
And the people?
What about the people?
They shall pay for their crimes with their lives.
That is not right!
I am...
the King.
I am the King...
of Silla!
Look who is here.
You are a huge mouse.
A huge mouse who could not tell...
the enemy's Crown Prince...
that he is the King.
You are correct.
I am not qualified to become king.
Being afraid and hiding in case someone would...
catch me or recognize me was not enough.
When the enemy's Crown Prince asked who is the King,
I could not step forward.
I am just a coward.
A coward...
who is always ready to hide and cover his face.
I do not know if my words would help,
but there are many cowardly kings in this world.
However, not many kings would admit it themselves...
that they are cowardly...
because stating that they are cowardly takes courage.
Do you think...
I could really take the throne?
Your Majesty.
Endure it.
Whatever it may be.
Whether it is a high place or low, dirty or beautiful,
and dangerous or safe...
If it is something you must do as the King,
please endure it all.
That is my answer.
If you have the power to change the world...
and if that is the right thing to do, why hesitate?
Will you lose your friend...
while climbing over the wall again?
What brings you here?
I heard you bought all of the medicine...
that is being used for the epidemic.
Who is spreading such false rumors?
Why would I do that?
Please give me woodland peony, star anise, and ginseng.
Even if I have them,
I cannot give them to you for free.
I am not here to conduct business.
As a physician who never charged for my services,
I am sitting before the highest official in Silla...
who has a duty to tend to its people.
If we cannot stop the disease,
the capital will not be safe either.
Just wait a while longer.
People are not afraid enough...
to give up their entire wealth and buy the medicine.
Once the epidemic spreads some more,
I will give you some of the medicine.
Are you saying...
you will make the epidemic spread more...
in order to raise the price of the medicine?
Wait four more days,
and if there is no change, wait two more.
If things still do not heat up enough, wait 10 days.
People do not die that easily.
Is that the man who said King Jinheung was his son...
and made him a Hwarang?
The people are agitated.
If we do not act, we may end up...
watching King Jinheung take the throne.
I am sure you are stressed out.
How many True Bones do you have left in your family?
The family keeps dwindling down.
What True Bone would want to marry into our family?
Please keep your promise.
If things go well, you must make the Suk family...
a part of your family.
That will not be a problem...
if things go well.
991. If you die 9 more times, that will be 1,000.
That is...
unfair.
You are skilled in sword fighting,
and I do not like things like this!
What is fair to you?
I said 1,000. If you cannot beat me once before then,
I will leave this family forever.
What...
- What am I supposed to do? - Do not whine.
You made a promise.
Do not complain later.
Again.
I wonder why the Queen wants to see me.
She probably wants to complain...
about your sending a bribe to the Crown Prince.
What bribe?
The Royal Family of Baekje and our Park family...
have been friends for over 100 years.
How can you bribe a friend? That is absurd.
My apologies.
What did you just say?
I said I will step down.
Why are you suddenly stepping down?
You always told me to leave the throne,
but you do not seem pleased.
What is she up to now?
I am sure you know Jinheung beat Baekje's Prince Chang.
He returned after performing such a great feat.
I have no reason to remain here on this throne.
It is over.
I won and you lost.
The young King became strong on his own and returned.
You saw, did you not?
His Majesty's boldness.
The Royal Family will become stronger now.
There is nothing left for you to do.
If King Jinheung takes the throne now,
everything we planned will be for naught.
I did not expect the Queen to do that.
Even if you step down, it is unreasonable...
for His Majesty to run the country.
Step down? I will not step down.
I must make Park Young Shil...
believe that Sun Woo is Sam Mek Jong.
That way, he will never look at Sam Mek Jong again.
- Then... - Sam Mek Jong is just a child.
What could he do if he took the throne now?
But would Master Ahn Ji's son agree to it?
You know what he is like.
No.
He cannot defy anything I say.
He will not breathe if I tell him not to...
since I hold his life in my hands.
Do you feel okay?
Yes, I do.
I was just exhausted from working too much lately.
By the way,
if you cannot get the medicine,
what happens to those people?
We must save them somehow.
I am glad you returned safely.
I was very worried.
Father.
I am worried about Sun Woo.
He stepped forward, saying he was the King, to save me.
And now, people think he is King Jinheung.
I think...
he bought the Queen's fury because of it.
He did not even come home on his day off. I am worried.
Why are you here?
And you?
I had nowhere to go.
Me neither.
I am pretty good looking for a king, am I not?
Everyone else says you are the King,
but you seem to still think I am.
Did you live like this all your life?
That King, I mean.
Worrying if someone will try to kill him.
Worrying if people around him will get hurt.
Being too worried to sleep.
It was like that for me.
That cannot be all.
If not?
Would he think about how to make the world...
more of a mess and if it is possible...
for just the King to fill himself?
How could the King who was never treated like a king...
ever think of things like that?
That King...
can relate to the people?
Not that he knows the people,
but he probably lived like one of them.
I heard that King who lived like one of the people...
kills anyone who sees his face.
That is right.
Probably.
He may have found out later...
or passed by without even realizing it.
But most of the time,
he probably did not know someone died because of him.
Because he is stupid,
foolish,
and too weak to say...
not to kill them.
And what can a king like that do?
Can he change the world?
Why must he still be alive?
Do you want to kill him?
Then kill him.
Did you not miss me?
I have missed you so much.
My apologies. I thought it was my brother.
What brings you here?
I need to ask you something.
If I say I like you very much...
and thus I want to farm with you,
have children,
and live as an average person,
would you live with me?
I cannot do anything for you. I have no wealth,
and I do not have silver which you like so much.
I may not even have a decent house.
However,
I am saying...
I will trade the throne of Silla for you.
Will you go with me?
No. Please go with me.
It is fine if he is not your brother.
It is fine even if you liked him.
But come to me now.
I will live as your man and not anyone's king.
Are you trying to use me as an excuse to run away?
You have lived your days...
asking yourself...
over and over why you must become king.
You knew why you had to become king...
and what you must do once you become king.
That is why you overcame the hardship,
weariness, and fear.
What do you know?
You can tell in their eyes...
if someone has given up.
You have...
never once given up.
Your Majesty.
You have lived for way too long.
He is by the pond.
Make a sound and this will pierce your throat.
- Who are you? - Me?
The true owner of the bracelet.
The man you sought so dearly.
The faceless King.
I thought...
Master Ahn Ji's son was the King.
No. It is I.
I am your King...
Jinheung.
Did you come to kill the King?
Strike him.
- Here. - Are you okay?
This is Hwarang House of Silla.
How dare you come in here?
Master We Hwa! Master We Hwa!
What is it?
- This is terrible. - What is?
This is terrible.
There is no need. I am the one they are after!
Nonsense. They came in here, so they are attacking us!
Dog-Bird!
Protect Sun Woo.
(Hwarang The Poet Warrior Youth)
I need to know what this is.
I need to know what this feeling is.
You started it.
Ji So! You started it!
We are out of medicine to fight the epidemic.
Do not think what you know is everything.
I am struggling too.
I am...
fighting too.
Your greed is excessive.
You are annoying.
I will not avoid it any longer.
No!
Now,
I must become the true King of Silla.
If you die,
I die as well.
Do you want to kill him?
Then kill him.
Would you live with me?
I am saying...
I will trade the throne of Silla for you.
I am your King...
Jinheung.
Dog-Bird!