----
[Resemblance to any historical figures or incidents is fictitious.]
[Episode 5]
How did it go?
We searched the pond that the princess fell into, but she wasn't there.
I understand. You can go now.
The princess, whose curse has been activated, won't die so easily...
So... how?
Your own black magic will lead to your death!
- Crown Prince! - Mother.
Crown Prince! Crown Prince! Do you recognize me?
Mother... I'm... hungry.
Is there anyone out there? Prepare food for the Crown Prince, now!
- You're awake? - Mother.
Are you all right?
That's a relief. That's such a relief!
You mouse-like bastard! Hey!
Hey! I told you not to hit them in places that would be visible.
I thought that something was up with Joon and his mother since yesterday.
So I went to see him before, but he was nowhere to be found!
He must be planning something extremely stupid, right?
I... don't know anything about it, sir. I really don't.
- You don't? - No, sir.
Oh. Then I'm sure you don't know what the punishment is
for hiding him or helping him escape, then! Right?
- What? - I... don't know, sir!
- Why are you crying? - I don't know anything!
Oh, really? Then you don't know that
your mother belongs to the servant class either, then, huh?
- I do know that, sir. - Oh, you do? You do?
Are you saying that you understand him since you're the same then, huh? Huh?
Hey, Dong Rae, hurry up and spill while I'm still being nice about it.
It'd be a shame if you had to suffer for his transgressions, too!
Isn't that right? Huh?
Huh? You really don't know? I guess I was being too polite to you.
Hey, give me that.
- I'm sorry! Please, spare me! - What?
- Please, spare me! - I won't kill you.
I'm somewhat of a compassionate person, despite how I may seem.
I won't kill you. Don't worry. But, uh, let's see. I'll take your ear, though.
It won't be life-threatening. And you'll still be able to hear!
All right, put some pressure on your ear, so I can lop it off easily.
Hey, grab him. Come over here.
- Hold him down real tight, okay? - Please, no!
- I'm sorry! - All right.
- One! Two! - Wait! Wait.
What, are you going to tell me?
Mother!
All right. It's time, so come out!
- Really? - Head toward the boat!
- All right. - Hurry it up!
Okay, make sure to have your boat tickets out!
- Hey! - Boat tickets!
- Make sure you do a thorough check! - Okay.
All right. Next.
Mother.
What are you doing here? Huh?
- Huh? - Y-y-y-young Master.
What are you doing here, without your master's permission?
What, were you thinking of running off somewhere together?
Of course not. Your damn son is smart, so he'd never do such a dangerous thing
since he knows that he'll definitely be caught in the end.
- That is... that's... - What are you doing here, huh?
- Young Master. - I asked what you're doing here!
I did this on my own. Joon knows nothing about this. Please, forgive me.
Joon has nothing to do with this, really!
This is why one shouldn't keep evil creatures near them.
We fed you and lodged you, and you backstab your owner like this?
How dare you!
I'm going to tear you and your son from limb to limb.
You're well aware of what happens to servants who run away, right?
- Get over here. Get over here! - Young Master!
Please! My son really knows nothing about this!
- Please! - Shut your goddamn mouth!
You're not a human. You're just our commodity!
Let go! Get over here.
- He really knows nothing about this! - Doesn't know what?
- Please, forgive me! - Get over here.
- Please, forgive me. - Wait, what the hell?
Oh my gosh, what do I do?
No! Damn it!
- Young Master... - Let go of me!
Damn it! Get over here!
- Young Master... - Lay down!
Young Master! Please, sir!
Let go, damn it! Let go!
- I'll die, at this rate! - Please!
Mother!
Mother. Please, wake up! Mother! Mother!
Mother!
I'm awake.
Because this terrible mother gave birth to you...
If only you were born to a different mother...
Don't say things like that, Mother!
All I need is you, Mother! I don't need anyone else!
It was so painful for you all this time, right? I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, son...
I'm so sorry.
Mother, please... Mother, I'm so sorry!
Mother! Mother!
Mom! Mother! Mother!
- What do I do? Mother! - Ok!
What's... the matter?
What do I do now?
What do I do now, Mother?
About what?
- I... Joon's mother... - No need to worry.
You did nothing wrong, so why are you so scared?
A servant just threw away her own life for the sake of her owner.
It's only natural for her to have done so.
Of course she should've died instead! Were you supposed to die instead?
- Mother... - On top of all that...
she was a runaway who was attempting to escape with her son.
She deserved to die. They did this to themselves.
So don't worry about it.
Straighten up. Chin up, my son.
You're the son of Noble Heo, are you not?
Just think of it as a bad dream you had.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
You've really outdone yourself. I was quite worried about him
but you managed to pull through, in the end.
I'll bestow a great reward upon Sungsuchung to commemorate this.
I'll trust in you.
Take your time eating, Your Highness!
Are you all right?
I'm honored to have Your Highness worry
about the well-being of someone as lowly as me.
If there's nothing wrong with you, that means she's dead for sure, yes?
Is that what you were worried about, Your Highness?
If the princess were alive, there's no way I'd be all right, like I am now.
If that's the case, why did the Crown Prince suddenly fall ill?
Is this because of your black magic?
There's no way that's the case.
The black magic's curse was broken with the princess's death.
I believe that he just came down with something due to his weak constitution.
And it just so happened that he to fall ill on his seventeenth birthday.
And just what would you do, Your Highness
if he really did fall ill due to black magic?
- What did you just say? - So quell your fears about black magic.
You wench!
The Crown Prince is not merely your son alone.
He's someone who I created, while risking my own life to do so.
Just what are you saying, right now?
I'm saying that I'll take care of him until the very end.
Just what are you planning to do with the Crown Prince?
I'm just telling you to rest assured.
What do you mean by that? What do you mean, Hong Joo is gone?
She wasn't in her quarters.
Even her warrior shamanesses have all disappeared.
What did you say?
- Queen Shim! - What is it?
That is... the Crown Prince... the Crown Prince is...
- Crown Prince! - Crown Prince!
My son. Please, wake up.
Please, wake up! Your mother is here!
Crown Prince. Crown Prince!
What happened? Call Hong Joo, right now!
Bring her here, right now!
Your Highness, Hong Joo has disappeared!
What did you say? What do you mean by that?
Then what will become of the Crown Prince?
Our Crown Prince -- no! Prince! Open your eyes!
No! Open your eyes!
- Your Highness! - Queen Dowager!
Your Highness!
Hear me, oh Heavens! Hear me, oh Heavens!
Please return the Crown Prince's soul to his body!
Hear me, oh Heavens! Hear me, oh Heavens!
Queen Shim. If you're going to cast me away like this, I have no choice.
You know, it hurts more to feel the blade pulled out after being stabbed
than actually being stabbed.
May you be strong until the next time we meet.
Hear me, oh Heavens! Hear me, oh Heavens!
Mother!
- What special day is it today? - You don't know?
- What is it? - Today is...
the day that we'll be getting totally wasted!
- Let's drink! - Let's drink!
- Let's get crazy drunk! - Yeah!
And you, go crazy for me, okay?
Hey, Joon! Where are you going?
Hey, come here. Accept this drink from me. Here.
Hey, it's my birthday, so you should have some alcohol and eat some food!
You have to enjoy the day with the rest of us! Right?
Oh my. You're still mourning the death of your mother, right?
What to do? I can't even mourn with you. Right?
I mean, she may have been dear to you, but she was just another servant to me.
Okay?
What? You look like you're pretty much ready to hit me again.
But what to do? Your mother who was on her knees begging last time is dead now.
Will you be able to handle the punishment this time? Huh?
Please... save me! Please, Young Master!
Hey! You--
Happy... birthday. May you live a long, long time.
All right. I will. Thanks, buddy.
- Let's drink... - Young Master!
and die today!
You... dropped this.
Oh, why is this here? Huh, I thought I lost it. Thanks.
Let's get crazy drunk! We'll drink until we die today!
[Five Years Later]
They say that a woman is hiding deep in the mountains
where no human has ever tread.
She has snow-white skin, and blood-red lips...
and eyes that are full of sadness.
She can move things without even touching them
and can drain the life out of anything.
That's why people call her a witch.
And on the night of the full moon, that woman turns into a monster
and rips out people's hearts--
- Geez, you surprised me! - Please, no more! I'm so scared!
What do you mean, stop? This is just the beginning!
That woman has a beautiful face, but--
Sheesh, it seems that the story about the ghost
who eats people's hearts hasn't changed, even with time.
I'm tired of it already.
Is that "Red Gentleman's Robe," that people have been talking about lately?
Yes, yes! "Red Gentleman's Robe!"
She kills people while wearing a red gentleman's robe
but she's so quick that nobody has ever properly seen her face!
But if they wear a red gentleman's robe
wouldn't that mean that they're a man, and not a woman?
Oh, that's true! Then, she's not a witch, but a warlock, maybe?
Well... not only men wear gentlemen's robes, you know!
Plenty of women could wear it too, if they wanted to!
Of course, of course! Of course they could!
Hey, hey, hey! Stop spouting nonsense, and play your cards.
Oh, yes, yes! Ah, yes. I almost forgot.
I'm not that greedy, you know. It's not like this will change my life.
Sheesh. Nothing will change. Of course not.
- You didn't forget your promise, right? - Of course not.
- Good!
- Sheesh. - All right. Here I go, then.
- Wow! - Whoa, there!
You know, I just hate losing, is all! That's all it is.
- Here. - Wow!
Well, I'll have to partake too!
I have gabo!
And I have ddeng!
Wait, wait. What about this?
- What the hell? - There's no way!
What, did I win something that I shouldn't have won?
I've seen this around, you know.
You travel the country while setting up illegal gambling games
and hatch a scheme to win the pot.
You're not as skilled as I'd heard.
- I'm disappointed in you. - Who are you?
Who the hell are you?
Hey!
- Catch them! - They're over there! Get them!
- Get them! - Get them!
- What are you doing? Get them. - Yes, sir!
- No! - Hurry up and follow us!
Let go! Let go of me, damn it!
It was you again, huh?
Thanks to you, we've been catching these crooks that much more easily.
It's making me quite relieved, really.
No, sir. I merely did what I was supposed to do, as an officer.
If we just manage to catch that "Red Gentleman's Robe" person
we'll have no more worries whatsoever!
At any rate, you've worked hard today.
Um, sir...
I think you'll probably be promoted soon, so look forward to it.
Oh, Joon. Here. Good work.
Here, take it.
Oh, it was nothing, Young Master.
I'm just so thankful that you're quartering and feeding someone like me
so I should do at least this much to earn my keep.
Well, that's true. This isn't all for me, you know.
I'll have to do well for you to be better off, too!
And you know, I'm so glad that you've come back to reality so quickly.
Imagine if you didn't know your place and had big dreams.
That'd be such a waste of your life, wouldn't it?
Isn't it so much better to just live like this, by helping each other out?
That's correct, sir.
I'll contact you if something else comes up, so go and rest up now.
What's that? Oh.
Hey, hurry and give that here! Geez, you wench!
Give it to me, too. Just for a bit.
So does this really make men that much, um, more virile?
Yes, of course.
So if someone just has this before doing the deed
it'll be an extraordinary night, for sure?
Um, probably.
In fact, the way that men look at you will change, first.
Then, why don't you show its effects to us, first?
- What do you mean? - The effects of this elixir, I mean.
If I see its effects with my own eyes, I'll buy at least 10 bottles.
Okay.
You know, I can show you a whole new world even without such a thing.
Well? Will you be able to handle that?
Oh, how boring.
Everything is so boring.
Seo Ri? Seo Ri?
What have you been up to?
Why are you back so late?
Can't you tell by looking?
Did you really only go to get a candle?
Of course!
Well, I also heard that there were weird rumors about you floating around.
And I went to look into that, and... played just one, teensy game.
People keep saying that you're a witch -- ahh! All right!
I just wanted to hear some stories about what's going on, too!
I wanted to see if there was anything that could be of use to you -- ahh!
I light this flame with the earnestness in my heart.
I've lit 100 candles in the past five years.
I only have eight left, now.
I'll light all the candles and break this curse.
Nobody else must die because of me, ever again.
Please. Do not let this candle go out.
Have you found the princess?
I haven't been able to light any candles for six months straight, now.
I've come so far, and yet...
Stay still.
Is what that lady said... all true?
Is it true that everyone I love, and everyone who loves me, will die?
Is that why... Older Brother fell ill?
But if we break the curse, we can turn everything back to normal.
You must forget who you were, and try to break this curse with utmost fervor.
Starting now, you're no longer Yeon Hui. Seo Ri will be your new name.
Furthermore, you must light all 108 candles here and break your curse
And when you do that, you can reclaim your original name.
- Seo Ri. - Get me a wishing plaque.
I will light the candle.
What's the matter?
Oh, it's, um, nothing. Okay, I'll do that.
It must be a heartfelt wish. That's the only way to light the candle.
Yes.
- Oh my. - Oh my!
Tell the children not to be out at night.
The Red Gentleman's Robe must be behind this.
Yes! Seeing as how he has a medicine bottle in his hand
this murder must have been premeditated!
And they always hang the corpse in a conspicuous place when they strike!
Are they trying to show off, or something?
What a terrible thing to do!
Why are we standing around staring at such a ghastly thing?
Let's go, already! Let's go! Oh, geez, how scary!
Sir! Are you all right?
You lost them again?
How is it that you can't catch one damn murderer
that is wreaking havoc on the entire country?
- Please kill him, Your Highness. - Please kill him, Your Highness.
Silence. Silence. Silence! Silence!
If you have the energy to be idly chit-chatting
bring that Red Gentleman's Robe before me, immediately!
They're making the royal family look like fools.
We have to catch them, no matter what.
- No matter what. - Yes, Your Highness.
- Yes, Your Highness.
Are you disappointed in me?
What do you mean, Your Highness?
Of course not.
Poong Yeon. I'm harder on you because I treasure you that much.
I'm honored to merely hear those words, Your Highness.
Give me the details.
They seemed to be just below 180 centimeters, and were quite skilled.
Those were no ordinary fighting skills that they had.
How could someone like that...
This is all due to my shortcomings.
No, no.
Nobody has even gotten a proper glimpse of them, since they're so quick
but you even managed to inflict a flesh wound on them.
Next time, you'll be able to cut off that person's head.
I'll catch them, no matter what it takes
and ease your worries, Your Highness.
All right. Poong Yeon... you're the only person I trust.
Please take care not to get hurt.
I will heed that command, Your Highness.
Is there still no news about your father?
No, sir.
Please help me re-establish the Imperial Taoist Branch as soon as possible.
I apologize, but my father is definitely still alive somewhere.
How could I dare to do that, when my father is still alive?
All right. I understand.
- I told you, I saw them! - I told you, it's a woman!
- But... this! - Confirm it for yourself, then!
Look! See, I told you that she's a woman!
I told you, he's a man! He just has a pretty face!
- Want to bet? - Yeah! All right, look!
What's going on?
- It's nothing. - Let's go, then.
About what you asked me to look into...
they were not Sir Choi Hyun Seo's younger sibling.
Then, have you found that shamaness yet?
I went to the place where she apparently lived
after she was kicked out from the palace
but she wasn't there.
All right. Good work.
It's already been five years, but we can't find a single trace of her.
How about going to a potter's field to see some unidentified dead bodies?
Father and Yeon Hui aren't dead.
I apologize, sir. I... just...
No, it's nothing. Sorry to have dragged you into this.
You still... haven't figured out the reason for my affliction?
I apologize, Your Highness.
And you call yourself a damn doctor?
Hurry up and figure out the reason for my affliction.
But until then, nobody must know about this.
- Do you understand? - Yes, Your Highness!
Keep pulling the thorns out.
Your Highness, Queen Shim is here.
Another mutilated corpse has appeared?
How is it that such unpleasant things keep happening around the country?
Did you come seek me out this late at night just to tell me that?
[Queen Shim]
It seems that you find my presence displeasing.
How could I possibly feel at ease in your presence?
You're the most powerful figure in the entire palace, after all.
Yes. I am the eldest in the palace, so I must look after you.
I'm grateful that you're worried about me.
but don't consider me as a replacement for the dead Crown Prince.
What I'm saying is, I'm perfectly healthy, so don't worry about me.
Your Highness, your body will soon determine the fate of Joseon.
If there is even the slightest injury to your precious body
how could I not worry?
Yes. Don't worry.
I won't ask you to rule the country in my stead or anything
so don't worry.
It's late, Please go and rest.
I, too, hope that nothing will happen to make me worried.
Good night.
They say that the doctor visits him a couple times a night.
Nothing else seemed to be out of the ordinary.
But apparently, the king's blankets are always disposed of every morning.
You mean the king's bedding?
Yes. They say that there's always blood and pus on his blanket.
Has the curse upon the palace still not ended?
What happened with the thing I told you to look into before?
I'm sorry. We've even deployed royal guards to go look
but we can't find a trace of that shamaness.
Deploy ten, or a hundred more, if you have to.
You must find her. You must.
Yes, Your Highness.
All right.
My son.
- This. - Oh.
Why is this here? Oh, I thought I lost this. Thanks.
Mother. Everything is done now.
Wait just a bit longer. I'll destroy them, and make them pay.
All the people you love will die.
And all the people who love you will die, too.
Begone, you foul creature!
Father. I just need to light eight more candles now.
I'll definitely break this curse and protect those I love.
And I will definitely find out why I was born with such a curse on me.
----
[Mirror of the Witch]
I only have 49 days left now!
I'm thinking about going to see the 100-year-old tree.
They told me to get confirmation no matter what, so...
I know who that man is.
I can make it so that you can meet him.
However, I have one condition.
There's a debt I must repay to make my wish come true.
Why are you killing the people related to the 100-year-old tree?
Six months have passed, but I haven't been able to light a single candle!
The princess is finally revealing herself!
It's you, isn't it? You're the Red Gentleman's Robe.
I command that you be arrested for murder!
I'll break the curse, for sure.
It wasn't me! I'm telling you, it's not me!