----
[Resemblance to any historical figures or incidents is fictitious.]
Call for Hong Joo.
The Crown Prince must be born, and he must come out of Queen Shim's body.
Queen Shim. Do you really wish to get pregnant?
Please get started, Your Highness.
To tell you the truth, I had a dream that a dark shadow entered my belly.
Die, you bitch! Die!
They will live a live more painful to bear than death itself!
Everyone who falls in love with that child will all die
and the person that child falls in love with will die, too!
Kill the child.
[Episode 2]
[Seventeen Years Later]
Heo Yoon's two sons, Heo Joon and Heo Ok!
Who will be the winner of this intense equestrian showdown?
- Go, go! - Go!
What are you all doing? Place your bets!
All right... and who will you be betting on?
Of course I'd bet on Joon! Who in their right mind would bet on Ok?
- 5,000! - 10,000!
- Here! - Me too!
I'll place a bet, too!
Who knows? The underdog may have a shot.
That guy just threw all his money away!
Hey, here they come!
There they are!
Wow!
Aw, are you okay, Joon?
- I'm fine. - What a shame, really.
You could've won if you hadn't fallen down!
No, that's not true. This is all part of one's skill, too.
I really can't measure up to your level of skill.
Well, yeah. Don't be too upset. It's just a competition, after all.
Of course! It's not even like my victory was guaranteed, anyway,
Joon, let's go to Choong Mong Gak! I'm feeling great today!
It'll be my treat. Come on, now. Let's go.
I have something I must do. So please, go on ahead.
Well, that can't be helped, then.
Wow, look at all this money! That idiot!
He made it that much easier for us by cheating! Right?
Huh? Hey, what happened to you? Did you get hurt?
No. So, how much is it all?
10 nyang, and 6.8 pun.
How will you get your hands on 500 nyang, at this rate?
Joon. Let's use this money, and this time--
Are you out of your mind?
Then are you planning to rob a place, or something?
It'll take us forever at this rate!
But still. I have to get that money, no matter what it takes. No matter what.
Well... okay.
Yeah, you should. Well, at any rate, you worked hard today!
I'll be going now, then! I'm a bit busy today. Bye!
- Wait. - What?
W-w-what?
Huh? Oh.
Hey.
You want me to do that here?
- Geez, Dong Rae! - Yes?
Let's not live so shamelessly, okay?
Oh my, why are these here? Joon, you see, the thing is...
I'll explain everything. Give me a chance to explain!
Whoa, hey! I'm getting dizzy!
- Hey... hey. - Wow! This is really impressive.
You really think so? Well, I did try really hard--
- If you just give me two jeon, I-- - Hey!
Enjoy!
So... did you all earn a ton of money, thanks to me?
What's with your reaction? Hey. You all didn't bet on me?
Um, well, that is...
- Well, I was going to bet on you, Ok. - Uh-huh.
But these guys kept telling me that Heo Joon was just so great at riding!
So, um, I...
Hey, you idiots! I told you all that I'd win today no matter what.
What am I supposed to do with you all, when I set the stage for you
but you don't take advantage of the opportunity?
Geez, seriously.
So, who's the one who walked away with some winnings today?
Some guy named Dong Rae won the entire pot.
- Who? - You know.
The one what always sticks around next to Heo Joon.
He bet all his money on you today, and won it all!
It's not even like my victory was guaranteed, anyway.
You should play a bit more quietly.
I can't hear a damn thing that my friends are saying!
So this bastard was toying with me?
Oh, this is so heavy!
A jade marble rolls across a jade tray! Roll, roll, roll!
Well, even if he doesn't have "that..."
does it make sense to not even give me a second glance, with a face like mine?
Wait. Let me take a closer look.
My pride is so seriously wounded!
The proportions on your face are great.
Your eyes are great, and you have a high nose bridge.
The color of your lips, in particular, is great.
So... what's the reason, then?
- Let's stop here. - Come here.
W-w-wait, why?
I don't think this is something that's appropriate for me to say, shamaness.
- All right, next. - Me, I'm next!
- No, me! - Pick me!
What is it, exactly? It's okay. Just tell me.
No, no, you can't. You really can't!
What is it?
Are you mentally prepared to hear this?
You're way too... innocent.
Innocent?
This. This spot is not quite up to par.
Men are more interested in women's... this, than they are in their faces.
If this spot just grew a bit more, then men will come to you in droves!
- Oh! - What is it?
- Who? Who is it? - Me?
- No, they're not here. - Oh.
So, the final solution? It's this.
If you just drink this, your chest will just... wow!
All right. Here, have a sip.
- Take a sip first... - Here you go!
They're free! Go ahead! Here you go! You too!
Drink it down! Yes, go ahead!
Chinese yams and jujubes. They're great for making women's chests larger.
This is mentioned in medical texts too, right?
But still, ingredients are merely ingredients.
Its effects are quite different based on who prepares it.
All right, drink it down!
How does it taste?
I'll give you a special buy-two-get-one-free offer!
No, you can't! If you sell it like that, we won't be able to make any money!
Hey! Doesn't your heart break for her? She's having such a hard time
and there's nothing else than can help her, but this!
- I told you, we really can't! - Just look at this!
Please don't rush, ladies!
They're all lies! Don't fall for them!
I drank this several times because you said it'd make my face smaller
but instead of making it smaller, it made my face even bigger!
Shamaness! How much did you believe in what I told you?
What... what do you mean by that?
You scammer--
You must believe. All these things begin at the heart.
- Bong Mae. - Yes?
All right. Repeat after me.
- Trust, in myself. - Hey!
- Trust, in myself! - Trust... in myself...
- Trust, in you! - Trust, in you.
- Trust, in ourselves! - Trust, in ourselves!
- Trust, in this! - Trust, in this!
- I can do it! - I can do it!
- You can do it! - You can do it!
- We can do it! - We can do it!
- I... I can do it! - I... I can do it!
- I can do it! I can do it! - I can do it! I can do it!
Oh my gosh, I think I drank way too many.
Can you hurry it up? I told you, we're dead if we're caught!
Oh yeah. About the chinese yams and jujubes...
Do those really come up in medical texts?
Hey, now! Well... hell if I know!
- But still, you made it so credible! - Hey!
- Oh. sorry! Sorry, man! - Hey! Damn it!
This punk... seriously.
Huh?
Whoa. I think we definitely could make some money off this.
Whoa. Yeah. What is this?
I don't know. Wait... hey! Damn it.
What?
Hey, the pattern on this looks kind of like...
Hey, stop it already!
It's those bastards! Those bastards, over there! Damn it!
- Damn it! - Catch them!
- Catch them!
- Over here! - Hurry, hurry!
Catch them! Hurry!
- Damn you! - Catch them!
This way! Catch them!
Oh, um... wait! Whoa!
Why are you all acting like this? I knocked into her by accident.
Oh, how scary. Please, put those down.
Oh, come on, now.
Oh my! Oh my! Wait! Whoa! Wait!
Sorry about that.
Catch him!
That scam-artist bastard!
It feels like only yesterday when you were swaddled in my arms.
I can't believe you've grown so much, Crown Prince!
Tomorrow is your birthday, Crown Prince.
Is there anything you wish to have?
[Crown Prince Soonhwe]
No, there is not.
Why the sigh, Crown Prince? Are you feeling ill?
No. I just feel a bit... uneasy, as of late.
The entire country is preparing to celebrate the day of your birth
so what could possibly have you feeling uneasy?
I'm not so sure myself.
My heart just feels heavy for no particular reason
and it's pounding quite a lot.
Eunuch Park. You're the one who most closely serves the Crown Prince.
What may be the reason behind him feeling this way?
In my humble opinion, it may be due to the fact that the Crown Prince
has passed the age in which he should have been wed.
- What? - Are you teasing me, right now?
Well, he's not exactly wrong about that!
You're at that age when you crave the touch of a woman.
We must find a suitable partner for you soon.
- Isn't that right? - I agree, Your Highness.
N-no! That's not what I meant, at all!
Just wait a bit. Your grandmother will find a great partner for you.
You're embarrassing me, Grandmother.
But... I heard that you haven't been able to sleep comfortably as of late.
Is your bedding uncomfortable?
No. But... I keep having strange dreams.
- Dreams? - Yes.
A girl keeps appearing in my dreams, and she always cries so sorrowfully.
But, she looks quite similar to me, so I feel unnerved when I awaken.
What's... the matter?
It's nothing. Crown Prince, isn't it time for your classes now?
Yes, Mother. Then, I shall be taking my leave.
Yes, Crown Prince.
Why is the Crown Prince having such dreams?
Don't worry too much about it, Queen Dowager.
I'm sure that it's just a strange dream that is a by-product of puberty.
Your pretty little children... will die on their seventeenth birthday!
Queen Shim, Hong Joo of Sungsuchung is here.
Send her in.
Are your preparations for the retirement ceremony almost finished?
Yes.
We of Sungsuchung will make offerings tomorrow on the Crown Prince's birthday.
It's for the sake of the Crown Prince, so take special care when doing it.
Yes, Your Highness.
That is why the Crown Prince and the King are participating, after all.
Will... things really be all right?
Tomorrow is my child's seventeenth birthday
just as that shamaness once said.
Will he truly be all right?
Worry not, Your Highness.
That was already all taken care of, a long time ago.
The Crown Prince said that he sees a girl in his dreams every night.
I'm afraid that the girl he may be seeing is his dead twin sister.
I feel quite uneasy. If anything happens to the Crown Prince--
Your Highness. The princess and I are connected through magic.
If I live, the princess will die. And if she lives, I will die.
But, take a look at me. I'm fine, aren't I, Your Highness?
The fact that I'm still alive proves that everything ended 17 years ago.
So please, don't worry too much. Dreams are only dreams. Nothing more.
A girl?
- It's not like that. - But you scared me!
Just let it go, okay? It was all nothing! Right?
- Buy whatever you want! - Do you truly mean that?
- What the hell is going on? - Move, people! Move!
What's going on? What was that?
- Their arms and legs have been cut off! - Move!
Oh my... they must be corpses, from the Black Forest!
- The Black Forest? - You didn't know about it?
Lately, there are so many corpses being found around there!
It's quite a dangerous place, so nobody has come back alive from there!
There's even this one rumor
that that kite over there is made of the clothes of the corpses found there!
Oh, my! I'm so scared, sir!
That was the scariest thing ever! I thought I was a goner!
Do you know how I felt? Do you know what happened to me?
- Huh? Do you? - Hey, hey!
- Even so, today-- - Hey!
- Geez! - Seriously?
I'm sorry. Whoa! Whoa! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!
What the hell was that? What the hell!
- Oh, I'm sorry, sir. - Where are you off to? Huh?
What, did something good happen to you? Sure looks like it.
- Oh, um... - I lost the race
so what good thing possibly could have happened to me?
Hey, Joon!
I heard that you'd do anything for some money.
Are you in need of cash, Joon? Huh?
Want me to help you out?
You see that kite over there? Here, look at it. Get me that kite.
Every time I see it flying, I want it so badly!
Just look. Wow!
It seems that you are quite drunk, Older Brother.
You should head home now.
500 nyang!
500 nyang, okay? 500 nyang!
Ow!
Hey, how are you ever going to save up that much, by scrimping by?
Just bring me that kite, and I'll give you that 500 nyang, okay?
How about it? I'm not telling you that you have to, but...
it seems to me that you're in need of money, so...
Well?
Well, it can't be helped if you can't do it.
Let's go!
- I'll go! - What? Are you crazy?
I'll bring you that kite.
In exchange, you must keep the promise you made.
500 nyang.
Don't you worry! All these people here are witnesses
so don't you worry about that.
Joon. I'm your Big Bro. Okay, buddy?
- Are you really going to go? - I already am, as you can see.
Have you gone mad? That's the Black Forest!
You could die in there!
Hey. It's 500 nyang we're talking about, here.
Do you know how much medicine we have to sell to make that kind of money?
You crazy bastard!
Hey, are you really going to give him the 500 nyang if he gets you the kite?
Hey, I'm Heo Ok. Have you ever seen me go back on my word?
- N-no. - Of course I will.
Only if he can bring it to me, though.
Right. But you're pretty much sending him off to his death.
- What a foolish fellow. - Hey, wait!
He's willing to risk his life just for money?
- Bye, Joon. - Oh, whatever!
Oh, damn it! Hey! Hey, Joon!
This is your big brother we're talking about!
Joon. Joon! Oh! Joon, don't go!
Oh, geez! Why did you follow me if you're so damn scared?
You're just being a nuisance! Geez.
A... nuisance? I'm a nuisance?
I followed you because you're my friend, and yet...
Oh, geez! Do you hear that? Huh?
- Hey, Joon, have you heard the rumor? - About what?
- You... haven't heard the rumor? - What are you talking about?
You know, the rumor that there's a cursed ghost that appears in the Black Forest!
- A ghost? - Yeah!
It has quite a pretty face, but digs into you and rips your heart out!
- Y-y-y-your heart? - Your heart.
And... so? How pretty is she, exactly?
- Oh, damn it. - Give me a break. A ghost?
- Such things don't exist. - I'm telling you, it's true!
Not too long ago -- oh my gosh! You scared me, damn it!
Be on your guard as you follow me.
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.
Dong Rae! Hey!
- Joon. - Yeah?
You'll take this secret with you to the grave, right?
Um, yeah. Of course.
- Whoa! - What now? What?
- This place is so scary! - Hey, let go!
- What... is that? - Shush!
It's a tiger! A tiger! A tiger! A tiger!
- Hey, Dong Rae. - Yeah?
- Listen to me. - Yeah?
When I say, "one, two, three," don't look back, and run.
- Got it? - Yes! Wait, no!
One! Two!
- A tiger! A tiger! - Dong Rae! Dong Rae!
A tiger! A tiger!
Joon!
I'm sorry. But... I really, really need that money.
So, um... get out of my way.
What's with this house? Why is it in a place like this?
Um, excuse me! Is anyone here?
Um, I'll be coming in, then.
What is this? Huh?
Who... are you?
Who are you, huh? Hey! Who are you?
Move that weird thing off your face? What are you planning to do with me?
- What is all this? - You're the one who barged in.
So why are you asking me what I'm trying to do, here?
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to ask that to the person who barged in?
Um, I think you're misunderstanding something.
I'm not a weirdo, okay? I'll explain everything, so untie me first.
Then, we'll talk. Please?
How can I even trust you?
Well, I don't know how I'd get you to trust in me right this moment, but...
so what are you going to do, then? Leave me here like this forever?
Huh?
You sure are impudent for someone who broken into someone's home!
Um, house? This is your house?
It looks like a place where a ghost would live.
The rumor that there's a cursed ghost that appears in the Black Forest.
She appears before you with a really pretty face
and then digs into you to rip your heart out!
No way. But... I have had a headache since I came in here.
- That's because I hit you with this-- - Shut up, foul creature!
What did you say?
You're trying to seduce me with that face of yours so you can rip my heart out!
You think I didn't know about that?
Begone, you ghost!
Please protect me from evil...
Heavens, hear my plea and cast this -- ah!
You're so damn loud!
- What are you doing? - Strange.
Hey!
You look like a clumsy coward, so you don't look too dangerous.
Fine. I'll let you go. But in exchange, do me one favor.
What? What? What?
- Can you... - What? What?
- feed me? - Huh? Help!
Those! Those! All of those!
- So these are what you wanted to eat? - Yeah!
They've been ripe for a good couple of days now
and they look so delicious!
Hey. If you really wanted to eat these that badly
why didn't you come out here and pick them?
They're not even that high up.
- I... can't leave this place. - You can't?
Why not? Are you, like, trapped in here, or something?
Okay, sure. I'll pick these for you.
All right. Whoa. Looks delicious! Wow, these are really ripe.
Whoa! Wow!
- It's fine. I don't need any. - They're so good, though.
Hey. Are you really a human being?
Why? Do you still think that I'm a ghost?
Yeah. I'm sure that the people who are scared of ghosts would feel ashamed
if ghosts were like you.
Hey, so if you're not a ghost, why do you live in a place like this?
- Because this is my house. - You keep saying this is your house.
So does that mean that you really, actually live here?
Then, what about the rest of your family?
My family...
Why do you care about that?
Speaking of which, why are you here, anyway?
I, um, came here to take the kite--
Oh yeah! My kite!
- Damn it, my kite! - Kite?
- Aw man. - Huh?
My kite! Where's my kite?
Huh? Oh, um... I let go of it earlier, and it flew away.
What?
That kite is my favorite, most special kite!
It's a special kite for me too, you know.
- Oh, damn it, my kite! - Why do you keep calling it yours?
It's mine!
Well, the thing is, it's your kite, but it's kind of my kite, too.
And it's not exactly my kite, but it has to become mine--
What are you talking about?
So you were just a damn thief, weren't you?
- What? A thief? - Yeah!
People who take others' possessions without permission are thieves!
Hey, it's true that I was trying to take it, yes.
But I wasn't trying to steal it!
I mean, I didn't know that it belonged to you.
There's no such thing as an item that has no owner in this world.
What are you going to do now, huh? Huh?
Well, um... I'll just take responsibility for it! Happy?
Here. It's all finished.
And just what in the world is this?
Can't you tell? It's a kite!
You really think that this kind of thing will be able to fly?
- What? - Geez. Whatever.
I didn't have any expectations of you, anyway.
Hey, wait. I'll re-make it.
I told you, it's fine! It's not like the second one will be much better, anyway.
Give it back. I'm going to make a totally cool one this time.
I told you, it's fine!
- Give it. - It's fine!
- Let go! - Why, you little!
- Hey, let go. You're not letting go? - No!
- Let go! - It's fine!
Hey, let go, already!
Whoa. So you really are a proper male, aren't you?
- W-what? - Your chest is so hard!
Hey, what do you think you're doing?
Hey, stay still! Wow, the sound of your heartbeat is quite loud, too.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
Are you out of your damn mind? Oh my gosh, seriously.
- Hey, women shouldn't act like that! - Wait, really?
- Of course! - How come?
Well, at any rate, you just can't, okay? Geez!
Huh? Your face is really red. Are you sick?
Oh, stop it! What a shameless woman you are!
What the heck?
What are you doing?
- You don't feel anything? - Like what?
That's strange. This book said that when a woman winks at a man
the man will have a crazy nosebleed!
I guess it isn't as easy as I'd assumed.
Stop it! Hey, stop!
- Geez, seriously! - Yeon Hui!
- This is bad! - Why?
- Hurry up and go. - Why?
If he knows you got this far, he won't leave you alone.
- Hurry! - Oh... all right, I'm going!
Yeon Hui! Yeon Hui!
Oh... Father.
- Why didn't you answer me? - Oh, um, that's...
What have you been doing here?
Um, there was a huge squirrel near the wall... it was about this big.
Or it may have only been this big. Um, it came in without permission, so...
- A squirrel, eh? - Yes.
But it disappeared as soon as you got here, Father!
- Have you forgotten what I said, child? - Um, what?
Were you going to chase after it and go over the wall if I hadn't come?
- No, that's not-- - Silence!
Don't you remember what I asked of you?
Why aren't you answering?
I know. I'm not to leave this place, no matter what happens.
You must not ever forget that. Do you understand?
Yes.
Mother.
I've finally found where Chungbing Temple is.
It's around here.
So this is where the Grimoire of Curses must be.
Sir. Is there really a way to undo the curse if we just find that book?
I'm sure that there's a solution in there.
No... there has to be a solution in there.
You must not appear near the palace now, more so than ever.
If Hong Joo finds out that the princess is alive
she will try to use Yeon Hui as a sacrifice for black magic.
A sacrifice? But, why?
To perform more powerful black magic
one must make a sacrifice equivalent to the power being used.
She will try to sacrifice Yeon Hui's body, which has the curse in it
and absorb the energy within Yeon Hui's body.
So she'll become a more powerful black magician
and use her newfound power to take over Joseon?
No, it's the opposite.
What Hong Joo wants more than anything is the destruction of Joseon.
Then, can we stop Hong Joo's plan if we break Yeon Hui's curse?
That's the only method we have right now.
And when Hong Joo knows that, she'll definitely try to kill Yeon Hui.
We must find the Grimoire of Curses, no matter what.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Your Highness.
- Is this the child that you mentioned? - Yes, Your Highness.
This princess, who was born through Hong Joo's black magic
is the only one who can stop that shamaness.
I knew that my mother worked with that shamaness five years ago
to depose the previous king.
However, I did nothing, despite the fact that I knew everything.
Perhaps the fact that I've become like this may be a punishment for that sin.
I am so sorry.
I'm your father, and the king of Joseon, and yet I am powerless to do anything.
You must save this child.
Free the curse on this child and save this country.
Ensure that there never is a cowardly and powerless king like me, ever again.
Break the curse on Joseon through this child.
You must... you must stop that shamaness.
I'll protect her even if it costs me my life.
What a mess.
Wow, the sound of your heartbeat is quite loud, too.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
Have you been well, Seo Ri?
Oh, Big Brother!
What are you thinking so intently about?
It's nothing. But, um, what's all this?
The village is filled with flowers.
I really want to show you this lovely sight
but I can't, so I'll have to show you the flowers like this.
They're quite beautiful, Big Brother.
Oh yeah. I don't see the kite that's usually hanging from that tree.
What? Oh! A gust of wind came out of nowhere, so, um, it flew away.
Oh, I see. Then... what's that wrinkly thing over there?
Oh... nothing. It's just a kite that isn't quite kite-like.
What brings you here again?
You'll be scolded if Father finds out.
I came because I have a gift for you.
Wow! But why a flying lantern?
There's a flying lantern festival in the village tomorrow evening.
If you write your wish on that lantern and let it fly, it'll come true!
Is that really true?
But... what good will it do for me to write a wish?
I can't even send it into the sky in the village, with the others.
Don't you worry. I'll send it off in your stead. Here.
Is that really okay?
But why are you giving me a gift out of the blue?
Because it's your birthday tomorrow.
- You knew? - Of course.
Big Brother. You truly are the best.
Do my words seem so inconsequential to you?
Didn't I tell you that you must not visit Yeon Hui, no matter what?
She's a child who must spend all her days trapped alone in that house.
She'd be so lonely if I weren't there to converse with her.
Your going to see her is not beneficial to her in any way!
Do you... harbor romantic feelings for her, by any chance?
You mustn't, no matter what. Absolutely not!
I'm done writing.
All right. So what kind of wish did you write here?
Don't read it! It's a secret!
That's right. It must be kept a secret.
Then, will the festival in the village begin tomorrow?
Why? Do you wish to see it?
Oh, of course not! I always hear about the festivals from you every year
so I'm sick and tired of the very idea of them now!
Also, it gets so loud during festival time! It's quite a nuisance!
I can't even sleep properly. It gets too bright and noisy!
Big Brother! It'll be late soon. You must go before Father finds out.
Oh... yes.
I... can't leave.
I can't leave this place, no matter what happens.
So she's actually trapped there instead of living there?
But, why? Oh, whatever. I should be worried more about myself right now.
Oh!
Oh man, how do I get that?
Oh well.
Oh, my kite!
Where's my kite?
That kite is my favorite, most special kite!
What are you going to do now, huh? Huh?
Geez, it's so slippery!
----
[Mirror of the Witch]
Yeon Hui has traversed the wall.
Were you born into a family that you shouldn't have been born into, too?
I'd like if if you were always happy, Yeon Hui.
Big Brother!
If we can't break the curse before that
The one trying to break the curse will die.
You must capture the princess and bring her to the palace!
Do you want to save everyone? Then only you need to die.
If I die because I can't break the curse, I'll never see them again.