(Missing Crown Prince)
(SUHO)
(Hong Ye Ji)
(Myung Se Bin)
(Kim Ju Hun)
(Kim Min Kyu)
(Missing Crown Prince)
(All characters, locations, organizations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are historically irrelevant and fictitious.)
(Production guidelines were strictly followed...)
(when filming with children and animals.)
Father.
Gun.
It is I,
Gun.
You have been through so much.
No.
Your Majesty.
There may be some eyes watching,
so please go inside.
Let us go inside.
Commander.
Is it okay for His Majesty to step out of the palace like this?
If they find out...
I already took care of them, so you need not be concerned.
(Episode 17)
How...
are you feeling?
I have regained consciousness, thanks to you. So do not worry.
Lady Myung Yoon who is outside is the one who treated you, not I.
The truth is,
her father is...
I am aware that she is Choi Sang Rok's daughter.
Even though I could not move my body,
I could still hear.
But I...
There is nothing more I can do.
Please help me.
Father, please wake up.
Open your eyes, Father!
It is almost over.
Please...
hang in there just a little longer, Father.
Did you also hear me and Dosung fight?
All of it?
Why will you not answer me?
Do you not consider me as family?
You disregarded me...
as your family first.
Do not be unreasonable.
I have never thought that way.
Then how could you...
have taken a liking to the woman your brother almost married?
- I am sorry. - Do not be sorry.
I know how much you have struggled.
The Head Eunuch and the Royal Guard Commander told me everything.
I am much obliged.
I am sorry to ask you this,
but I...
have a favor to ask of you.
- Lady Myung Yoon... - Do not worry.
I also know that she saved me,
so she will not be punished.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
We should let Dosung...
and Mother know that you have fully recovered.
No, we should not.
As you know, they are surrounded by our enemy at the moment.
- However... - Have you forgotten already?
How did the Chief Royal Secretary die?
To deceive your enemy, you must deceive your allies first.
This time, you must not make a single mistake. Do you understand?
Yes, Father.
I heard you had been meeting with those in the Namin Faction.
They are enraged by what happened to my maternal grandfather.
So I have persuaded them to prepare a petition...
to impeach Yoon Yi Kyum and Choi Sang Rok.
I must meet them.
(Maninso: A petition signed by 10,000 people)
Are you planning...
to hand over the reins to them?
(Hwanguk: To change the dominant faction in court)
I must replace the Seoin Faction in the royal court...
with the Namin Faction.
However, some members of the Namin Faction...
might still be loyal to the deposed King.
I am willing to take such a risk...
to oust the Queen Dowager and the Left State Councilor.
Are you concerned because of Prince Susung?
We really are almost there.
Once Prince Dosung becomes Crown Prince,
he should ascend the throne right away.
Then we shall leave to the temporary palace in Anju.
(Yangwi: To hand over the throne)
As for Myung Yoon,
can we trust that Prince Dosung will keep her safe?
We have no choice but to trust that he will do so.
What about the Queen Dowager?
What do you plan to do with her?
We have come too far for her to be forgiven.
Tonight...
Father.
I am fine. Do not worry.
But...
Tonight,
I need you to come with me.
I plan to call the Tiger Hunters to the palace...
to take them down.
(Tiger Hunters: A special army unit whose main task is to catch tigers)
The Tiger Hunters...
must be in Paju now.
Correct.
They are there to guard the military horse farm in Paju.
We will go there and meet them.
No, you should not go there.
If you write them a letter, I will go there and deliver it to them.
The Tiger Hunters must think that I am still bedridden.
They will not believe that the letter is from me.
I should meet them in person. Only then will they believe me.
However,
I am concerned that the long journey would take a toll on your health.
How is he?
His pulse is a little unstable, but it is not worrisome.
Are we good now?
However, Your Majesty,
you have not fully recovered yet,
so I suggest you be very careful for the time being.
Please trust me and let me take care of it.
I would be too concerned if you were to go there yourself.
If you are that concerned,
this young lady here...
can accompany us.
Would you...
come with us?
Yes, Your Majesty.
See? Did you hear that?
We have this physician who knows my condition very well,
so what are you worried about?
Hurry up and get ready to leave.
Your Majesty.
Father.
His Majesty is not doing well.
Then what should we do?
Would acupuncture help?
At the moment, no.
His Majesty needs absolute rest now.
No.
The Tiger Hunters will soon leave Paju.
- We must meet them before that. - However...
If I give up now,
I will have to return to my bedchamber...
and continue to live as if I am dead.
Even though I could hear everything...
and knew everything that was going on,
I could not even move a finger.
If I must return to living in such misery,
I would rather...
choose to die.
I am an unfilial son...
for I failed to protect you, Father.
Please forgive me, Father.
I heard you sent a letter to the Tiger Hunters.
Once Prince Dosung is officially installed as Crown Prince,
the Left State Councilor will try to get rid of us,
so we need a weapon to fight against him.
But will the Tiger Hunters obey us without resisting?
The Commander of the Tiger Hunters has no interest in politics.
He is a typical military official.
If he sees that the letter is stamped with the royal seal,
he will obey us without questioning.
I wrote this for we could not afford to waste a single moment,
but the King's secret letter devoid of the royal seal?
You should...
take this.
I will do my very best,
so please trust me and wait.
Gun.
You must be very careful, at all times.
I will, Father.
Go and help His Royal Highness.
My lady, I am...
As you are aware,
the Royal Guard Commander is here.
Please do it for me.
Go with His Royal Highness and help him.
I would like to speak with you about something.
Come up here.
Yes, Your Majesty.
The universe is cruel.
Why is it that someone like you...
had to be born as Choi Sang Rok's daughter?
It must be over there.
Stop!
I see some guards.
- Are you the Tiger Hunters? - Yes, we are.
- Identify yourselves! - He is Prince Susung.
Be respectful!
I was told that His Majesty was still critically ill.
He is hiding it because of the traitors,
but he has recovered.
It is my father's topknot crown.
(Sangtugwan: A topknot crown used by men)
Do you believe me now?
(Sangtugwan: A topknot crown used by men)
This is not a matter I can decide on my own, so just one moment.
Please give me a moment.
If His Majesty has truly recovered,
he would issue a royal order instead of sending a letter in secret.
You must think very carefully about this.
If things go wrong because we trusted Prince Susung...
and made a move without the mobilization tag,
we may all be accused of treason and die, like Master Moonhyung.
(Balbyeongbu: An army mobilization tag)
Your Royal Highness.
Something must be up. Do you not think so?
I feel like they are hiding something...
You must not kill anyone.
What are you waiting for?
Get into Hopojin!
(Hopojin: A formation used to besiege a tiger)
Such insolence.
This is Prince Susung. Step back at once!
If His Majesty finds out about this,
you will all be punished for high treason.
We are simply following the Queen Dowager's order!
Do not be afraid!
Did the Queen Dowager...
order you to do this?
Yes.
We received a letter from the Queen Dowager.
However, I must proceed with caution to issue a military command,
so I will not believe anyone's letter...
and will not budge without the official mobilization tag.
Cast the net and capture them!
Stop!
Please accept my greetings, Your Majesty!
Listen, Tiger Hunters.
- Yes, Your Majesty! - Yes, Your Majesty!
The palace is ruled by traitors,
who are leading this nation to chaos.
Will you help me take down the traitors...
to ensure the safety and security of our country?
- Yes, Your Majesty! - Yes, Your Majesty!
All rise.
From now on,
I shall call you my Loyal Army.
Long live the King!
- Long live the King! - Long live the King!
Long live the King!
- Long live the King! - Long live the King!
Long live the King!
- Long live the King! - Long live the King!
Long live the King!
- Long live the King! - Long live the King!
Your Majesty.
I can tolerate this, so do not be concerned.
Your Majesty.
I will be right by Your Majesty's side at all times,
so please call me whenever you need me.
I will.
Royal Guard Commander.
Watch out for military officials who try to enter the main palace.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Before they make a move,
I need you...
to kill the King.
The King must die...
for Prince Dosung to ascend the throne.
If you...
take good care of this,
you will be the next in line...
to be the head court lady.
Thank you for the offer,
but how could I enter His Majesty's palace and...
Goodness.
You serve the Queen,
who can enter the King's palace anytime.
We will figure out a way.
Just do as you are told.
She may not be clever,
but that witch is surely shrewd.
She may cause trouble for us down the road,
so once she finishes the job and becomes useless,
we will get rid of her.
Leave, all of you.
Have you lost your mind?
Do you wish to tell everyone in the palace...
that you are in league with the Queen Dowager and her supporters?
Oh, right.
I forgot for a moment that you bit your own master like a crazy dog.
How dare you glare at me like that?
Shall I gouge out your eyeballs?
I am here to speak with the Queen Dowager about an urgent matter.
You cannot speak with her now.
You are to tell me what it is about and leave at once.
I must tell her myself.
We kindly accepted you back because you begged us to spare you.
And now, you want to sit on my head.
Do not be delusional.
You are nothing but a spy rat.
Whether I am a rat or whatever else,
I am certain they accepted me back for they still needed me.
Please spare me.
Ever since the incident with the royal taster broke out,
I have had to fear for my life every single moment.
What are you talking about, all of a sudden?
The Left State Councilor never spares those...
who are done being useful or who know too much, like me.
And what is the reason you think I would be different?
I would never run my mouth...
for I do not know that much,
but I am certain that you will find me useful.
I will be in touch soon.
Leave now.
Yes, my lord.
Your Majesty.
Court Lady Cho is here.
What brings you here?
The Left State Councilor is planning to assassinate His Majesty.
He gave me this and ordered me to feed it to His Majesty.
What is Court Lady Cho doing here?
Your Highness!
- What is the fuss about? - I swear, she visited...
the Queen Dowager's Palace.
I saw her coming out...
of the Queen Dowager's Palace with my own two eyes.
The Queen Dowager's Palace?
What are you talking about, all of a sudden?
That sly witch,
Court Lady Cho.
I saw her leaving the Queen Dowager's Palace.
Are you saying Cheol Du is working for Choi Sang Rok?
It is possible that it is not Cheol Du.
However, if what Lady Myung Yoon read is true,
and if the spy is one of your closest aides...
In other words, the traitor was not me.
- Court Lady Cho, that little... - Be quiet!
Bring Court Lady Cho to me now.
Yes, Your Highness.
Sit down.
I told you I would kill you with my own hands...
if you misbehaved one more time. Do you remember?
- Yes, Your Highness. - Then let me ask you this.
Why did you visit the Queen Dowager's Palace?
- Pardon me? - Did you go there...
to deliver someone's letter in secret?
Or did you go there to pick up a letter?
No, neither is true.
Is that so?
Go ahead and search her.
Yes, Your Highness.
I suggest you stay still for your own sake.
- Okay? - My gosh!
What are you doing? Get your hand off of me!
I knew it.
Your Highness.
What is this for?
Tell me the truth at once!
Fine. I shall make you take this and find out.
- Hold her! - Yes, Your Highness!
Come here.
It is poison!
It is poison.
Where did you get this?
Did Inspector General Choi give you this?
Right, you will say you do not know.
Yes!
Inspector General Choi gave it to me.
To kill whom?
My brother?
Did he order you to kill my brother?
Stay still!
I will ask you for one last time.
Did he order you to kill my brother with this poison?
Yes, he did.
He ordered me to kill Prince Susung.
I did not know Yoon Yi Kyum would make a move so quickly.
- What should we do now? - We must stop him.
What if we fail?
If the King dies,
we will be his next target.
Are you afraid of death?
- Sang Rok. - Do not be afraid.
I told you I would never let you die...
even if they were to hang my head above the main street.
It has been a long time since I stopped fearing death.
What I fear the most...
is losing you.
Nothing else.
If we fail to stop his plan to kill the King...
I will stop him.
If I were in the dark, it would be different.
But now that I know about his plan, I can surely stop him.
I assure you that I can stop him,
so just trust me.
Have the Tiger Hunters arrived?
Yes.
They must have begun the operation by now.
(Chakhogapsa: Soldiers who catch tigers)
The Tiger Hunters must be here.
Go outside and check.
Yes, Your Majesty.
If the tiger is released in the garden,
someone could get hurt.
Do not worry, Your Royal Highness.
We fed it well and pulled out its teeth and claws,
so no one will get hurt.
Can you find the scoundrels who killed Master Moonhyung...
before our D-Day?
Do not worry.
One of Lady Myung Yoon's acquaintances is well-connected.
We will find them very soon.
Magistrate Yoon acts...
as eyes and ears for Choi Sang Rok and the Left State Councilor.
We must get him for our plan to succeed.
Yes, I will remember that.
Your Royal Highness. It is I, Sun Ok.
What is it?
Are you refusing to let me in the house now?
I do not know why you are here...
Allow me to go inside. Let us talk in private.
I have nothing more to say to you.
Go back.
Never had I imagined you would drive me out even before the door.
They say you must deceive your allies before deceiving your enemy.
There must be no mistakes this time. Understood?
Take care on your way back.
Leave tomorrow and go far away.
If you stay here, you will die.
The Inspector General and Court Lady Cho...
What happened?
I will call once it is time.
Until then, stay well.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
I am all right.
I have simply used too much energy.
It made me dizzy.
I will ask Choi Sang Rok's daughter to come.
Your Majesty. By any chance, did...
Your Majesty?
If I do not go,
the Crown Prince might fall into danger.
Is there no solution?
There...
is one.
And what is that?
I heard a tiger had appeared in the garden.
To stop the tiger from causing harm, I plan to call over Tiger Hunters.
(Hohwan: Catastrophes caused by a tiger)
What do you all think?
Tiger Hunters have left to catch the tiger...
that attacked Majang in Paju.
The palace soldiers are more than enough to guard the palace.
I think it is only right to let the palace soldiers handle it.
The palace soldiers have never dealt with a tiger, have they?
And the tiger that attacked Majang has already been caught.
Calling the Tiger Hunters at once...
and preventing any damage is better, no?
Your Majesty is right.
If the tiger jumps over the gates and attacks the private houses,
the people will suffer great damage.
I agree with the Deputy Education Director.
Tiger Hunters should be ordered to come at once...
to prevent disasters caused by the tiger.
Inspector General. Send a messenger to Paju this instant...
to bring the Tiger Hunters over to prevent any catastrophe.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
The Queen Dowager ordered the Tiger Hunters to come to the palace.
Inform the leader of the Tiger Hunters...
to be extra careful.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Missy.
This man here saw those guys at the Police Bureau jail.
Tell her.
Yes. I was imprisoned with them at the Police Bureau prison.
They boasted on and on about the powerful people behind them.
I was dying to beat them up but held back, which was...
Enough.
Do you know where they are right now?
Come over here.
Good grief.
Really.
This is what you need, right?
- My gosh. - Let us enjoy ourselves today!
- What? - What?
Who are you?
How did you know I was here?
And who is that guy over there?
He is the big brother I had mentioned before.
I see.
Hey. Forget it.
I cannot believe these men are all over these uglies.
They are too unclassy for me to hang out with. Let us go.
- Hurry. - Come now.
- Let us go. - Listen.
It is simply because they do not know any better.
The most beautiful girl in Hanyang is in this very kisaeng house.
- Did you not know? - What?
I have had enough.
Take that cotton mask off.
I want to see your face.
Is 100 nyang enough?
Goodness gracious.
She does not show her face to just anyone.
Then how much should I pay?
I told you, did I not? It is not money.
She will only show her face to the man who pleases her heart.
Someone like the head of a bandit killing people of high status.
"A bandit killing people of high status?"
Her parents were killed by noblemen when she was little.
Noblemen fill her with rage.
Bring her the head of a high-status nobleman,
and she might even spend the night with you.
Should I bring her one head? Then I could...
"Spend the night?"
But a mere attendant like you can only dream of it.
Who are you saying is a mere attendant? I am nothing like that.
Listen carefully.
I have killed a nobleman, all right?
The bandit killing people of high status is all talk.
I doubt they have killed the master of a noble family like I have!
Shut your mouth!
If that is true,
I will spend the night with you, my lord.
Have you heard of Master Moonhyung?
It is the old man who died on his way back home.
That was my doing along with him.
Come here! Come to me!
Did you get a message from His Royal Highness?
Yes, sir.
His Royal Highness has found the criminal...
who murdered Master Moonhyung.
Why did you want to see me, Prince Susung?
Everything was...
the Left State Councilor's doing.
Please spare my life, Your Royal Highness.
Why must I do that?
Spare my life,
and I will forever be...
at your beck and call.
Oh, yes!
The Queen Dowager and the Inspector General...
Once Prince Dosung becomes the Crown Prince,
they plan to abdicate from the throne...
and immediately make a run to the palace in Anju.
Left State Councilor Yoon...
ordered Court Lady Cho...
to murder...
His Majesty.
Should I tell him I was caught by Prince Susung?
I cannot.
He would never let me keep my life.
What do I do about this?
A penny for your thoughts?
It is about His Majesty.
How about we do the deed tonight?
Tonight?
Yes.
Other variables could surface.
Before Court Lady Cho changes her mind,
it is best to get it over with.
All right.
Go back to the Queen's Palace and wait.
Of course.
Since the matter is urgent, I will be direct.
Your father, Left State Councilor Yoon,
will attempt to murder His Majesty.
Your Majesty, what on earth...
You have always known that this would happen.
That will never happen.
I will stop it in any way I can.
Court Lady Cho was ordered to kill him tonight.
What? Tonight?
I see you were clueless.
How can you guarantee his safety...
when you have no idea what orders are being made?
It cannot be true.
You must be wrong.
Show her the poison Left State Councilor Yoon gave you.
Is she telling the truth?
Yes, it is true.
That cannot be.
No, this is wrong.
Stay alert, Your Highness.
This is not the time to be shocked.
If you wish to save his life, pull yourself together...
and listen to me.
Clean His Majesty's face.
Of course.
Darn it!
Darn!
How dare you?
You...
Did you spill your guts?
Where did you hide His Majesty?
Where...
did you hide His Majesty?
Tell me this instant!
Do you think...
I would actually tell you?
What?
Your Highness!
Your Highness...
Your Highness.
Your Highness...
How dare you barge in here?
Where did you hide His Majesty?
Why would you ask me that?
Hand him over this second!
Such insolence.
How dare you show disrespect?
If I find His Majesty first,
you will not live to tell the tale.
Give him to me this instant!
You are the one who first broke his word.
It is not I but you who caused this debacle.
What is it?
After murdering His Majesty,
you would have killed me and Inspector General Choi.
Did you think I would do nothing...
when knowing what you had in mind?
You are dismissed.
I will not leave.
Not until you give me His Majesty!
Should I cancel the Crown Prince's coronation?
If you do not mind that, keep pushing your luck.
You will regret this.
We will wait and see...
who regrets it in the end.
Do not ever...
raise your voice...
in the Queen Dowager's chambers again.
Are you going to sit around and do nothing?
We need to make some kind of move.
I heard you summoned me.
The deed must be expedited.
Tomorrow's morning assembly will be your window.
Can it be done?
Yes, I will be prepared for it.
If this succeeds,
I will make sure you are compensated...
for what you suffered in Mungyeong.
I am much obliged.
There should be no room for error.
Of course.
By the way, how will you deal with Choi Sang Rok's daughter?
She should be killed...
alongside her father.
There was an unfortunate incident last night.
One with rebellious motives...
attempted to take the life of His Majesty at the King's Palace.
Left State Councilor Yoon, step forward.
I, Left State Councilor Yoon Yi Kyum,
appear before you.
Left State Councilor Yoon Yi Kyum...
ordered Court Lady Cho of the Queen's Palace...
to take the life of His Majesty.
Do you admit to that?
As the King's father-in-law,
you were granted many blessings from the royal family.
But you dared to repay us by trying to murder His Majesty?
I am innocent.
Not even for a second...
have I harbored rebellious motives.
Inspector General Choi,
bring Court Lady Cho of the Queen's Palace.
Absolutely, Your Majesty.
It is a rebellion.
Please hurry to safety.
- What is happening? - What am I hearing?
- My goodness. - Goodness.
Traitor Choi Sang Rok,
surrender yourself and be arrested!
Let us head out there...
and see what is happening.
Do not just stand here.
Let us head outside.
Let us see what is going on.
What on earth?
Are you not heading out there?
Of course.
This will be your last moment together,
so share a few words...
and take your time.
Grandfather.
Did you really...
I will gradually inform you...
of the details.
For now, let us head outside.
See? What did I tell you?
I said you would regret it.
We will wait and see...
who regrets it in the end.
Tiger Hunters,
reveal yourselves!
- What... - The Tiger Hunters?
Tiger Hunters, reveal yourselves...
and answer to the Queen Dowager!
Make way for His Majesty!
Goodness!
Father.
What should we do?
Darn.
Those who I have thoroughly missed...
are all here in one place.
You are in the presence of His Majesty.
Drop to your knees this instant!
Tiger Hunters,
reveal yourselves!
Immediately take action!
Loyal Army.
Are you present?
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Royal and Righteous Squad, reveal yourselves...
and receive my order!
What...
Shoot.
(Missing Crown Prince)
Now that Father has recovered,
everything has changed.
Nothing has changed.
It has returned to its original place.
I will not cut ties with Inspector General Choi.
I could very well easily order his death today.
I will take Lady Myung Yoon and leave the capital tomorrow.
You truly are pregnant.
Where is Choi Sang Rok?
We will let the sky determine our future.
I will kill everyone if I must...
to save our child.