Flower Scholar?
Young Master Jung?
Can you handle the fallout?
Yes. If you want, when we meet again,
I'll be your dog.
Nice to see you.
Bow-Wow.
You got out.
Leaving you broke my heart.
Your heart broke?
You're an Officer?
You brandished a knife well that day.
I daftly called you Flower Scholar.
- Oh dear... - Nothing's there.
Sidling away will find you no pits or snakes.
It was tough?
- I sent a fast person. - Did you?
He acted deaf and blind.
I yelled myself hoarse before he found me.
- That happened? - And how did you...
become a eunuch?
Pardon?
It was my dream
- to be a eunuch. - Then...
where are you sneaking with a bag?
I'm on an errand
for...
- Master Sung... - I see.
Who goes there?
- Ooh, Se- - Oh, Eunuch Sung.
It's me, Officer Yi.
But why...
Yes, Officer Yi, sir.
What "sir"?
Eunuchs must be busy.
Eunuch Sung, you even
gave a rookie a late errand.
Pardon?
I thought a fearful trainee was fleeing.
Your security is tight.
Your Office is so vigilant.
Follow me.
Flower Scholar, slap me.
Then forget that day happened.
It's not nice to hit a puppy.
You must coax it gently.
I'll see you around.
Bow-Wow. Go.
Go.
Go in.
You did three wrongs.
1st, fleeing. 2nd, lying.
3rd, getting caught by that nasty-tempered...!
That...ooh...ooh...
You disgraced us eunuchs.
I'm sorry! I was scared.
Fine. I'll fix your fear
and make you a great eunuch.
Sleep here tonight.
Master Sung!
[ Chapter 2: The Path to You ]
( Office of Eunuchs )
Attention.
( Chief Eunuch HAN )
Eunuchs importantly manage
the Royal household.
We're the ruler's hands,
the lamp on Jeonha's path,
and his shield in danger.
Together we protect the Royals.
If you disgrace
the eunuchs' tradition,
you'll die.
Bear that in mind!
We obey!
There goes one.
Must we scare them every time?
Toughen them up early.
True? Still, go easy. They face ridicule,
you well know, if they faint.
Who did that?
Don't ask.
I figured it out.
You'll undergo 3 tests...
Physical, written,
and character.
Fail any; get evicted.
Be on your toes. Understand?
Yea!
I, Ma Jong-Ja, will train you.
I'm your worst enemy.
We'll begin the physical exam.
As I call your name, fall out.
- Kim Dal Geun. - Yes.
Oh Dong-Hee.
Undress.
Pass.
Sorry!
I apologise.
No need. I'm a trainee; don't be formal.
I see.
He's 18, like me.
18..? I'm 18.
18? We all are.
Why are you sweating?
Is it monsoon season?
Master! Your Excellency! Is it monsoon?
Do you want to avoid the exam?
Is there a way...?
Don't say you...
What?
S-say what?
Dislike the palace?
You don't like it? You're saying "No Palace".
No Palace! No Palace. (homonym for "grumbling")
You're a wit.
So good.
Next.
Hong Sam-Nom. Do Gi. Park Sung-Yul.
Yes.
Go. You're Sam-Nom.
Wait!
Pass!
If you disgrace the eunuchs' tradition,
you'll pay with your life. Don't forget.
Undress.
Pass.
Well? Drop your pants.
Pardon?
Take them off.
But...
But it's...
but...I...
It's what?
Bad news.
- The Royal Physician called you. - What is it?
The Queen fainted!
What?
- Let's go. - Yes.
Um, Master.
But, Master!
You need to finish this-
Park Sung-Yul. Do-Gi.
- Pass. - Thank you.
Hong Sam-Nom.
Yes?
[ Pass / Fail ]
Over half is on "Pass"; you pass.
- Here. - Eh?
Take it.
Thank you.
There'll be another exam later
for the rest. Wait outside.
Let's go.
Is this good or bad?
You're so quick. So fast!
( KIM UI-GYO - Minister of Personnel )
How'd you know already?
I heard the Queen fainted, so I came to the Palace.
She's pregnant.
( KIM GEUN-GYO - Minister of Taxation )
Wait for the Queen to birth a prince.
Then make that prince heir to the throne.
The Crown Prince is unruly as the only prince.
Look at things he does.
Dethroning him is easy.
There's a chess saying.
"Does a pig or cow matter?"
"The hand moves the horse".
This hand is what matters.
But what if it isn't a boy?
Still, it's our best time
to tame Seja.
This is Seja's residence- Dongungjeon.
( East Palace of Crown Prince )
Have you heard the rumours?
What rumours?
Get lost!
See here.
Master Sung! Are you okay?
Foot, foot, foot!
S-sorry.
I said, get lost!
Where are you going? Master!
Are you okay? Butt out.
- I'm fine. - Rumours are true.
It's Poop Palace. (east/poop = homonyms)
Shit.
If Master Sung is ill-treated,
us trainees would be...
If we err, we may die.
- But it's up to us. - Eh?
- Are we inside or outside? - Out-...
- Is that funny? - Isn't it?
Jeoha. Jeoha.
You can't kick out Eunuch Sung.
He brought news of the Queen's pregnancy.
Jeoha. Is it so hard to say,
"Congratulations, Your Highness"?
- Just say... - Shut up.
Yea, Jeoha.
Jeoha.
( 8 years earlier )
( Queen SUNWON )
How was it?
When your fingers did that,
it was like a leaf shaking.
Right. It's "vibrato".
Shall I teach you geomungo?
You mean it?
It must be our secret.
Yes, Mother.
This is vibrato.
Jeoha, I see you're here.
Ah, Premier Kim!
You came to see the Queen?
Yes. As she's pregnant,
I'll congratulate her.
I see.
I should tactfully do this now
to avoid future regrets.
Well then.
I almost forgot how you look.
You're always handsome.
You're glad to see me?
A mother's heart gladly
looks at her child.
A mother's heart...
Don't you think so?
That's right.
She's glad, so visit more often.
May I?
Seja.
It's courtesy to greet your parents daily.
Why would you ask that
when you don't observe it?
My Queen.
What, Jeonha?
Is a mother 5 years older not a mother?
I'll say this for you and my sibling,
so don't be angry.
What is it?
You should only see and hear nice things
to have a healthy baby.
Would seeing me often
be good for the baby?
Think about it.
Imagine another troublemaker like me in the Palace.
That's no good.
Seja.
See, she's displeased.
I shouldn't show my face till the birth.
You may go.
I'll excuse myself.
Jeonha. Your Highness.
Enjoy time together.
They're trainees?
Yes. The written test is today.
What if they fail it?
They may
be forced out of the Palace.
- True? - Yes.
Where are you sneaking with a bag?
You can't be fleeing from your dream.
Eunuch Jang.
Yes.
Jeoha. There are people.
Jeoha.
If you do anything wrong,
you'll be evicted at once.
Yea.
Okay. Begin.
I'm just sitting here, but I can see.
I see everything.
If you do something silly...
Me?
Leave.
( 3 )
( 4 )
( 3 )
It's '3'.
What are you doing?
My goodness.
How will you pass?
You do know if you fail,
you'll be kicked out.
You're a eunuch, not officer?
It was too dark to tell.
Mark your answer.
Three.
I can't ignore your dream to be a eunuch.
So relax; trust me.
Mark again.
It's good now. Submit it.
( Hong Sam-Nom )
Pass!
Congratulations.
This is your final exam.
Take one question sheet.
Jeonha will judge answers about the Royal Court.
The Queen will judge answers about the Internal Court.
Ah, then...
If they fail us, we can't stay?
Naturally.
Next.
If I submit a blank sheet, I can leave.
What an odd question.
Let me see.
"She eats, speaks and sleeps little,"
"cries, laughs and gets angry".
"The Royal Physician can't figure it out".
I can't get kicked out
after all I did.
I know that answer.
You mean it?
There's no woman like that.
Wherever she went, she existed.
Whether beautiful or ugly,
all women want to look pretty
to a handsome man like you.
Even if she wore armour,
I'd recognise a woman's body.
Why do the high eunuchs hate you?
For now, live in Jahyeondang (Repentance Hall).
Who lives there?
Nobody does.
Byung-Yeon, are you inside?
It's Bow-Wow?
You know him?
Okay. That's enough.
Good job. You may go.
You say the beauty
of a female body inspires your art.
Why can't you embrace one?
Do you have a hidden condition?
See this candle.
My heart isn't fluttering.
My body won't go where my heart
doesn't lead.
How was your trip?
Well, not bad.
I heard
the Queen is pregnant.
Everyone's gossiping?
Maybe you should avoid here.
Am I safe
if I stay quiet?
This is no place for you.
Go to your lodge.
There's no place for me,
thanks to somebody.
I let you pass an exam.
Don't be so thankful.
But are you an officer or eunuch?
You pop up everywhere.
Who are you now?
Are you a ghost?
How dare you touch?
Pardon?
It's fine, Captain Kim.
Goodness.
See here.
Flower Scholar got a new lover
and is so happy.
But...
poor me...
What's best for a misbehaving puppy?
I want more drink.
- Strict training... - Right?
Like this.
Roll left. Roll right.
Sit. Stand!
Bark!
That's how to do it.
Fail any; get kicked out.
Right. I'm leaving anyway.
Why should I refrain?!
You're home so late.
Yes, Grandfather.
Sit.
Yoon-Sung.
Is your position so low,
you feel bored?
That's not so.
"A man who disregards a small post"
"will never be great."
You taught me that.
Right, I did.
Climb bit by bit
so you won't waver when at the top.
Remember?
Yes. It's in my heart.
I have a big picture of your future.
That's why I said it.
However,
what's the aim of your paintings?
Fame and prestige?
Family power?
The nation's future?
What are they for?
They are...just paintings.
Does painting gisaengs console you
in your tedious life?
Forget it.
How can a declawed tiger cub
grow to be a king?
Tell me if you want to draw.
I'll fill this room with prostitutes. Mm?
The paintings are nice.
Very nice.
Jeoha, it's time to sleep.
Jeoha, are you injured?
A dog bit me.
What son-of-a-bitch...
How'd you meet a mad dog
that dared mark you?
I know.
How'd I meet a dog
so daring?
Where's Flower Scholar?
Did he go home? Why aren't you going...
You shouldn't ask about him.
Why's that?
( Office of Eunuchs )
Sure this is correct?
Trust me on this one.
Hong Sam-Nom!
Yes?
You turned it in blank?
You'll be evicted. Won't you regret it?
Yes.
I can't find the answer.
You may go.
Why didn't you make a guess?
Why'd you submit a blank sheet?
It's too late.
You left fast.
You trainees.
Come.
Accompany me to Premier Kim's banquet.
Didn't the Minister of War come?
Jeonha, I reported that he's ill.
You did. I was hoping.
It's so quiet,
I can hear the music from Premier Kim's banquet.
Send him food and wine
to celebrate my Queen's pregnancy.
- Byung-Yeon. - Yes, Jeoha.
Let's go to a banquet?
What do we do?
Right, you help cook.
You, help cook there. Go on.
- Master Sung, you're here. - You're working hard.
Help catch chickens.
We've one rascal left.
You, go.
Go and find the mountain door.
Yes. Ooh?
Is the chicken coop in the mountain?
See when you get there.
Catch 2- catch 20.
20 chickens?
How do I catch 20?
Use any means you like.
Be back by noon or it's trouble.
Go now.
Follow me.
Um, Master Sung.
He can't catch precious chickens.
He won't be able to catch them.
He's rude so I'm training him.
Okay.
Oh my goodness.
Congratulations.
- Congratulations. - This is for you.
- Congratulations. - Please take this.
- Master. - Master, see this.
I'm sick of this. I hope a thunderbolt falls.
~ lonely love, my heart slowly melts ~
~ my frozen heart beats again ~
~ something I've never felt is waking me ~
A thunderbolt really fell.
Your Highness.
These are trainees' exam papers.
Eunuchs from each palace posed questions
about matters considered important.
You read them; pass them if they're not bad.
Shouldn't you check them?
Give it to me.
I can't believe this. How dare he?
It sure does seem...
Yes, I'm the Wanted criminal.
I don't mean that.
What else is there to say?
~ I guess I won't sleep tonight (because of you) ~
~ the moon that is you, is too bright ~
~ because of you ~
Are you really a eunuch?
Sure I am.
Are there fake eunuchs?
You truly...
are a eunuch?
You seem to scorn eunuchs
because we aren't whole.
Are you saying eunuchs aren't men?
I'm not.
So I can't be a eunuch
because I'm 'Wanted'?
No.
So why stare at me?
A eunuch so pretty is foul play.
Still, a man can be pretty.
That's all I'm saying.
He'd be exhausted by now.
He actually caught 20 chickens.
- Is he insane! - My god.
You caught valuable chickens.
Are you out of your mind?
- Let's toast. - Let's.
See how happy they are.
They're happy drinking.
They're not drunk.
They're happy to enter here.
They usually get turned away at the door.
Even a bird won't rest on a sick tree.
You mean the sick tree in the Palace?
Listen, everyone.
Enjoy yourselves under my "beautiful tree".
Let's toast.
Go, go...!
T-that, that, that!
Why are you doing? Chase him!
Yea!
Disarm. This is Seja.
Disarm; greet Seja properly.
Over there!
Jeoha.
What brings you here?
I can't miss drinks and music.
The Queen's baby is my sibling.
Is it odd I want to celebrate?
Thank you.
Why's the mood like this?
An uninvited guest caused chaos.
"Officials must be virtuous."
"The people's only sin is poverty."
"Officials squeezed the people"
"so they live in poverty."
Is this true?
What's everyone think?
Hey, gosh.
How can we blame Officials?
The King who can't control Officials
is to blame.
It's a joke.
No reason to glare.
Let's celebrate the Queen's pregnancy.
Would you...
pour me a cup?
Jeoha.
May I pour you a cup of wine?
What was that fuss?
An arrow flew at the table
a-a-and Seja showed up.
Oh? Where? Where, where...?
Ah, come on!
- Why aren't you working? - Oh, yes.
It's been a while.
Yes. I should've visited you on my return from Qing.
You didn't have to.
You and I aren't close.
You're still a bad liar.
And you're still
cold toward me.
That bothers you?
I can't say 'no'.
- You were my... - Friend?
Shall I pour you one?
Why not?
I'm not your friend any more?
I never drink on escort duty.
I see.
You're still his loyal subject
and close friend.
He's more like a Prince than Seja.
Yoon-Sung's only shortfall
is his Kim family birth.
( 8 years earlier )
- You saw him? - Yes.
I viewed Seja's physiognomy.
And? How is he?
His kindness makes him seem mild
but he's brave and adventurous.
I can read his Royal charisma.
But, however...
th-there's one thing...
What is it? Tell me.
Well,
he's fated to die young.
I also saw an uncommon energy
in one of his friends.
He seemed warm and brave,
with a great king's face.
His headgear has cranes...
You! That's absurd.
I can't lie.
I'll pretend I didn't hear it.
Tell no-one else that,
or you'll die. Understand?
Yes. I'll tell no-one.
I'll keep it in mind.
Yoon-Sung.
Grandfather.
He has the face of a king.
What perfect timing.
The Crown Prince followed an assassin's arrow.
Stop looking at me.
Yes.
That archer earlier
was wearing a mask.
You saw him?
Who could it be?
Look.
Know what this is?
It's Premier Kim's rare fowl.
Premier Kim?
Remove it.
Gosh. You disregard sincerity.
It's my last gift to you.
What?
You seem upset.
Here. Being hungry makes you sadder.
Hunger makes you sad?
Not everyone is like you.
Your standards are low and petty.
I've never been hungry.
Maybe you never felt hungry
but you'd be hungry in heart.
What?
It's easy to comfort the hungry.
But it's hard to console the hungry in heart
because they lie they're fine.
Stop it.
How about a little love from someone rich in heart.
Alright.
The richest in heart is me!
This is the affection that I, Hong Sam-Nom, give to you!
"You have no appetite; not for food".
"You feel weak; it's not illness".
"There's no cure for love sickness".
"Don't try to heal it".
"Please endure the pain".
"Instead of thinking of love as impossible",
"think of good memories you can treasure".
It's not an impossible love;
it's making memories.
He said something like this.
Is anyone there?
Right. I saw Seja earlier.
- What? - What?
You saw him?
His head, just the back.
Do you know Seja's nicknames?
Oh gosh. What?
- Flower Prince? - Prince of Poop.
See? Everyone knows.
- And the other one? - Half-breed.
That's right.
They say Seja is half-human, half-beast,
and he doesn't know when to bark
- like a mad dog. - Shut up! Eat this.
- Is he that bad-tempered? - Hey, really...!
Did you laugh?
I thought he had no facial expression.
- I didn't laugh. - I saw it.
You find Seja's nicknames funny.
He choked.
What's up?
How's the back of Seja's head?
Quite a sight.
"Hong Sam-Nom. You failed."
"Yes, Master Sung."
Are you Hong Sam-Nom?
Did you write this?
Yes.
Then...
you wrote this too?
This...is...
You wrote false love letters?
How dare you...
mock me, the Princess?!
What?
Pr-Princess?
I deserve to die!
So you know.
Princess.
I will kill you then.
Stop.
Seja!
~ Moonlight Drawn by Clouds ~
Know what I'm most grateful for?
My pretending not to know.
Isn't that it?
- You're unqualified to be King. - No!
What fear makes you do nothing?
You should've done something!
Shut up. Take what you're given.
Seja will be Regent.
It cannot be done, Jeonha.