THIS DRAMA IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
SOME ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARACTERS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
EPISODE 14
Hui-jae blocked the King's path.
That must be why.
The one with the tiger skin is the chief.
The one with the leopard skin is his deputy.
Slay them.
Next.
Hui-jae, stay with me.
Hui-jae!
Your Highness,
His Majesty has moved his guards.
But the Consolidated Army Command is mine now,
so how...
He moved the men under the chief guard's command.
The chief guard left the palace
when the King is still inside?
Your Majesty, it's Prince Jeongan...
I never said you could come in.
Call in the palace guards.
Private armies were declared illegal,
and I ordered them to be disbanded.
But still,
they go around in groups
wreaking havoc across the land.
However, you're telling me to turn a blind eye
and withdraw the punishment.
Your Majesty.
You don't have a private army of your own,
so why are you agitated?
This is my last request, Your Majesty.
Please revoke your order.
Your request?
Consider it denied.
Tonight,
everyone will die.
From this moment on,
Gangnyeongjeon will stay closed.
You will not be able to take a step outside.
I, who once ruled the world,
will now be confined to one tiny room.
Do as you wish.
The more you persecute me,
the more the people will curse you.
You're wrong, Your Majesty.
Everyone in this nation
will forget you existed.
Once off his throne,
a King
becomes a mere old man.
This way!
Head to Mount Bukak.
There is a village over the hill.
What about you?
Just go!
Stop!
Stay alive.
Ihwaru...
I must go back.
Everyone's still back there.
No, you'll only die.
Move.
Hang in there.
There's a village over that hill.
Wait here for a moment.
It won't take long.
Enough!
There is no scenario where you survive.
Run, beg for mercy, or fight against me.
Whatever you do,
you
will all die today.
You did well.
Thank you.
The nation you dream is too grand for me,
and my nation
is too humble for your ambition.
That's why I was going to leave.
But I can't
see the people I care about die or get hurt.
Not anymore.
I will protect them.
The people are my nation.
What about you?
Protecting those like you
is the nation I wish for.
I will make you King.
If you abandon us afterwards,
I'll be sure to come for your head.
You said that they'd surrender
once the chief and his deputy dies.
It seems like we have more blood to shed.
Slaying one's loyalty
brings on wrath.
This is the sword of Yi Seong-gye.
You were abandoned by the owner of this sword.
Just like me.
I will use Yi Seong-gye to slay Yi Bang-won and...
leave him to rot.
Will you die here as the abandoned
or will you join me and seek revenge?
If not,
you can either fight with me here to your death.
After we get our revenge,
will you take us in?
That is a promise...
I can't make.
If you had,
I would've killed you.
Because it would've been a lie.
I thank you for killing the chief.
He...
killed his people more than he killed his enemies.
Live.
That's one last favor I ask you.
Keep drinking like that
and you'll be slayed in your sleep.
I'm sure you'll protect me.
It's not like we were doing anything grand,
so why did we never sit down for a drink?
You'll use Yi Seong-gye?
I will fool him by pretending to be loyal to him again.
The King will buy us the time,
and we will use Bang-gan to corner Bang-won.
Then I shall kill him.
Thank you, doctor.
Actually,
Prince Jeongan is the one you should thank.
Doctor, just a moment.
Blood seems to be pooling inside the body,
but it's hard to take it out.
If you teach me how to do it,
I will never forget your generosity.
Do you know how to apply acupuncture?
Of course. I can stick a long one in the head.
I even have the skill to attach a nose to the back of a head.
However, I don't know the exact pressure points.
You haven't slept for three days.
Are you all right?
I should do what I can to keep him alive
so that you and Madame Han can live in peace.
I drew the clotted blood out just like the doctor taught me.
I did everything that I can,
so all he has to do is wake up.
Gyeol has been protecting Hui-jae and me
since he was 12.
He'd rather get hurt himself
than to let anyone speak ill of us.
Then he is my savior too.
Should I give you something to keep you awake?
As if there's any pill for that.
Gosh, a witch must've cast a sleeping spell on me.
Why the hell am I so tired?
- What... - Are you all right?
How are you?
Are you fully awake?
Hold on. Wait a second.
What about Gyeol and Cha-su?
Thankfully, they're fine.
And Ga-hwa?
What about Park?
Our caretaker?
We'll stay like this.
Just for a while.
I should've protected them.
It's why Madame Seo put me in charge.
They died because I wanted revenge.
Prince Yeongan, you are the next Crown Prince.
You will do everything in your power to correct the order of this court
and subside the mayhem from the revolt.
I will faithfully execute your order.
I hope that His Royal Highness
is never intimidated by the King
and do what's best for the people of this nation.
Those same people
fear the atrocious and cruel sword.
Do not forget that your brother is the one who slayed your brothers.
Tragedy...
begins with the greed from up top
and ends with the bloodshed at the bottom.
It wasn't me
who started this war.
A nation may be built with a sharp sword,
but it cannot be ruled with one.
You will be...
its demise.
Whatever position I'm given,
I will only be keeping the seat warm.
That's it.
His Majesty said what?
He has asked you to discreetly enter the palace.
Me?
See?
He's not the type to let someone walk all over him.
He plans on using me this time.
How is it
that you let Jeongan persuade you into participating
in the revolt?
I am ashamed you see it that way.
I was too scared of Jeongan's threats
that I had to agree with his plans.
Tell me what your true intentions were.
You may be imprudent and vicious,
but you'd never fear such threats.
When a dragon and tiger fights,
a wolf awaits for it to end.
Getting involved
or taking a side would lead to its death.
So you're not on Jeongan's side?
I'm also saying I'm not on yours either.
But you must pick one though.
Once your younger brother becomes King,
he will never let you live.
Jeongan is a dutiful son.
I doubt he'll kill the brother born from the same mother.
You could be sent to an island
or you could keep living by pretending to have gone crazy.
But let me ask you this.
Can you truly call that a life?
The current Crown Prince has no son.
According to Jeongan who claimed the rules of primogeniture,
the next Crown Prince
is you, Jeongan's older brother.
I have now given you the justification you need.
So act on it
or...
keep living as a bat.
You should hang in there a little bit more.
It's still too early to let the burden fall on me.
Madame Han!
Madame Han, are you all right?
We heard the news.
I never revoked the disbandment order.
So why are you all back here?
You can't stop someone from leaving
nor reject one's heart.
We'll do this together.
Let us help.
Are you ready?
It's like he's already the King.
What is the meaning of this?
The chief guard
slayed others outside the palace.
The same could happen within the walls.
It's why he's here to protect you.
I know you.
The path you paved for me
led me here.
This isn't what I had in mind when I paved it.
This isn't where I intended to end up either.
When I tried to pass the state exam, bribery was involved.
Then I was sent to fight in Liaodong.
I was abandoned along with the other 500 men there.
I ended up losing everything.
I wanted to ask you.
Were we abandoned
because we dared to try and walk when we weren't worthy enough
or was it because we shouldn't have walked at all?
Paths are sometimes blocked
due to floods and heavy snow.
That is the nature of them.
So do not...
expect me to apologize.
The one who flooded the path and laid snow on it was you.
I don't expect an apology,
but I will make Prince Jeongan my King
and have you regret ever abandoning us.
On the path that I've laid out...
lies no place for Jeongan.
The same goes for all of you.
That is why
I will
sever your path and block your way.
That is...
what I believe.
One's belief cannot be defeated
with emotions.
I only wanted to confirm his belief.
And?
Paths that can't be united
must be severed.
This is how
I plan on doing so.
The beginning is
His Majesty.
The end is Bang-gan.
Then...
I shall call this the rebellion of Bang-gan.
It's no fun if you find me so quickly.
A while ago, you were mad I took too long.
- Hey! - Okay, fine.
SECOND STRIFE OF PRINCES, 1400
GAEGYEONG
Your Majesty,
it's about time you chose a Crown Prince.
Please do not hesitate any longer.
It's not that I don't know.
The former King holds the Royal Seal and voices his objection,
so who am I to go up against him?
How is it that the current King
still
walks on eggshells around the former King?
Brother,
he is not just the former King.
He is the founder of this nation.
We owe him our names as princes.
By the way, Your Majesty,
who do you have in mind as the Crown Prince?
Well,
living a carefree life in luxury is my dream,
but I ended up being born before Prince Jeongan.
It's not what I want,
but that is the way of this nation.
It's...
what you claimed when you killed Bang-seok.
Bang-gan.
"The eldest son being first in line for the throne
is a rule that governed for centuries."
So that
also applies to the order of you and me.
Hoean.
Jeongan.
Do you still
have the written promise I gave you?
I cherish it like a pot full of honey
and bow down to it day and night.
You only get one chance
to cash in that promise.
I hope
you keep that in mind.
A single chance is enough.
I have two lives
while you have one.
That makes me a lucky bastard.
This is the nation I built from the ground up.
I won't let history remember it as one that can be obtained by bloodshed.
I must punish him.
No one should ever...
be able to
covet the throne by wielding his sword.
The former King is trapped in his quarters
and goes nowhere.
He will someday,
and I will be there to block him.
No,
Ihwaru will block his way.
What's his status?
He hasn't picked up his sword in a while.
Why are you so worried about him?
Seo Hwi.
He slayed all of the palace guards outside Sajeong Gate
and crushed those at Chwiwoldang.
The thorn lodged in my throat
isn't Bang-won but Hwi, you idiot.
All right.
Nice!
Gosh.
My lord, I almost forgot.
It was made with the finest soil from Tamjin.
This is too precious to receive.
Look at the color and its shape.
Its value does not match that of yours though.
Prince Jeongan is adamant about doing right by the Minister of Personnel.
Goodness.
So which rhythm should we dance to next?
The gutgeori rhythm.
Right.
Give me the gutgeori rhythm.
A dog is taken in and lives in clover.
What is the world coming to?
What do you mean?
He's Bang-won's dog.
I hear he's the one who killed the Crown Prince.
You bastard. Take that!
Gosh, let's go.
Goodness.
Prince Hoean, is that you?
Money makes one seek booze
and being intoxicated by power makes one dance.
I see that you're both.
That's too kind.
I'm nothing compared to how you are.
Are you
actually drunk or just pretending to be?
Sorry?
What was that?
You'll now scream only after one cuts your head off.
What happened to you?
I coveted two swords.
You and your friend Nam Seon-ho.
One stands rotting
while one disappeared.
No one even saw his body. Is that true?
He's not my friend anymore,
so ask elsewhere.
Is that so?
Well,
you did join the man who killed his father.
I doubt you even care about
what happened to him.
My sword.
How did it go?
Bang-gan has stopped suspecting me now.
He has soldiers inside the prostitution house.
I will keep an eye on them.
And we'll keep checking the market shops.
Please.
What about you?
Are you going for another dance?
This time, with my sword.
Hwi...
Has he truly given up being a swordsman?
So?
Did you find out how many times Bang-won goes to the lavatory?
He doesn't go often.
It's because he's greedy.
He keeps everything within not wanting to let anything go.
Let's hear it then.
Only Tae-ryeong and Jeong Beom
guard Bang-won closely.
Also, his army hasn't trained in a while.
Even I'll be kicked out at this rate.
Power can sure be scary.
It changes the likes of almost everyone.
- And? - Your deceased mother...
Hey.
Queen Sineui?
Yes.
The day before the anniversary of Queen Sineui's death,
he will go hunting wild animals for the memorial ceremony.
Hunting?
Yes.
Only with a few guards?
Let me see.
Is this
an opportunity or a trap?
Where are you rushing off to?
Hey.
Have you been tailing me?
I couldn't help it. You have such a long tail.
You should've cut your tail off to be a spy.
I know.
I should've learned that from you sooner.
You damn spy.
You're done being a bat.
Illegitimate sons are always the problem.
Both Bang-seok and Jeong Do-jeon were born out of wedlock.
Your case is worse because your mother was a lowborn.
The fact that I discriminate against them is what saved your life.
You are not Nam Jeon's son, just an illegitimate offspring.
It's why you're not even worth killing.
Let's go.
I will head to the hunting field.
The hunting field is right here.
We will wait in ambush at the foot of Mount Janam
which is 10 lis away from the hunting field.
I will draw Bang-gan into the ambush.
You should be careful.
If something happens before you get to the ambush,
try to stall some time.
I'll place guards along the route.
In the worst-case scenario,
you will become the spearhead.
Now we should wait for Bang-gan to meet with His Majesty.
We need His Majesty's royal permission.
Only then Prince Hoean will be able to meet with His Majesty.
Don't worry. It's about killing me.
His Majesty has no reason to hesitate it.
No one even saw his body. Is that true?
Well,
you did join the man who killed his father.
I doubt you even care about what happened to him.
Did you find him?
Ever since he went off the grid in Hanyang, he's been missing.
At the very least, he's not in the south of Gaegyeong.
Why is it so huge?
I just can't get used to it.
He must've been lonely.
Gosh, what was that?
You damn punks. You're so done.
Do you know whom we serve?
Prince Hoean, Bang-gan.
Go tell him.
That I'd like to meet him.
What's next?
Gosh, this street is so crowded.
Please come and take a look around.
Take a look at this before you leave.
- What is all this? - This is very nice.
Gosh, I must say the mirror is so generous.
It even shows your filthy face.
Don't you even feel sorry for the mirror?
My goodness.
Hey, you octopus-looking jerk. Will you shut your mouth?
- Octopus? Did you say octopus? - Yes, I did!
Do you want to taste my ink or what?
I do. Go ahead and show me.
- You idiot! - You damn punk!
Hey, you jerk.
My gosh.
It looks fun.
What was that?
How dare you...
You stupid idiot.
You just hit me in the eye.
- It's okay. - You bastard!
Darn it.
It's not creative at all.
I'm going to kill you, damn octopus.
You...
- You damn idiot... - Hey, it's done.
Chi-do is out. Stop it...
You idiot. Why would I stop? I got one more blow.
Are you crazy? Are you picking a real fight?
Life is all about fighting.
Hey, you stupid octopus.
- My gosh. - What is going on?
Go ahead and make up.
No way.
He just went too far with octopus.
You're the one who insulted me with a mirror first.
Damn it!
I'll just let this go for Bo-gum.
Who's Bo-gum?
It's my son.
Bo-gum means a precious sword.
What if it's a girl?
If it's a girl, it should be Bo-yeong which means
a precious flower.
Bo-yeong sounds cute.
What a bullshit.
Now that Chi-do got me a pretty name for a girl,
it'd be great to have a girl, right?
Whether it's a boy or a girl, just have one.
I'll take care of your kid.
Just make sure not to punch me.
How was it?
As expected, it was full of arms.
Now Bang-gan will try to sound Prince Jeongan out.
My gosh.
- Tae-ryeong. - Yes, Your Highness.
Don't laugh at me.
I'll do this for sure this time.
Watch carefully.
Gosh, it just flew away.
Hey, Brother.
You're here, Bang-gan.
Why did you shoot an arrow to the ground?
The target wouldn't budge,
so it's not that fun.
Why don't you go jump around?
I'll make sure to hit you right on the head.
What about your topknot?
I just want to see you...
with messy hair.
Bang-gan.
I guess you are going to use that written promise today.
Why are you always thinking about going after me?
Don't you even care about how Mother feels up above?
Bang-gan.
The anniversary of her death is coming.
I'm planning to go hunting for food for the memorial service.
I'm doing it.
No.
You're busy with a lot of things.
Let me take care of it this year.
It's like you've suddenly become a devoted son or something.
Speaking of which,
I'm thinking of bringing my soldiers with me for hunting.
Oh.
I knew you'd give me that look.
That's why I'm asking for your permission.
Is it only for hunting?
If it's hard to believe,
you can spy on me.
Gosh.
Hey, get me another target.
Move the arms to the hunting field.
Who are you?
Your Highness. Your Highness!
- What? - The armory is robbed.
And the soldiers...
They were from Jurchen.
And the leader wanted to meet you.
Me?
I'm here to meet your leader.
That was pretty good.
Look who's here.
Aren't you Inspector Nam?
Did you get a new family register? Are you Jurchen now?
Do you remember?
I said I'd kill those who bring me out.
It's Bang-won who brought me out.
So I'm going to kill him.
Is that why you took my arms and soldiers?
Only then
you will belong under me.
Stop trying to be treated as Prince from now on.
I will be your only way to survive.
Just shut up and follow me.
What if I refuse?
You can't refuse.
If you do, you'll be killed
by either Bang-won or me.
If I accept, Bang-won will die and I will survive?
Yes.
Good. I like the plan.
But you know what? You underestimate me.
Once Bang-won dies,
I'll be the King.
Will I still belong under you?
I don't care...
who becomes the King.
I'll bring Bang-won to his knees and laugh at him.
Just like what he did to me.
And then, I'll kill him.
Good.
All right then.
So what's up your sleeve?
Let me tell you what Bang-won is up to first.
He's waiting for you to attack him pretending to be off guard.
He'll let you rise up in rebellion
and strike at you and your father.
Pretend to fall for his plan and go to Mount Janam where they ambush.
I'll wait there after defeating the ambush troop.
I knew it.
Before that,
I need to meet with His Majesty.
I'd like to see them up close.
Go pick a lotus for me.
They say a lotus in the mud.
A lotus stays clean even in the mud
because it doesn't lose its dignity.
A lotus can stay dignified only with the sacrifice of Buddha.
Are you telling me
to put myself in mud?
Please hold onto the Royal Seal and stall some time.
Once Prince Jeongan comes to the throne,
the whole thing will go down the drain.
I don't mean to make Prince Hoean the King.
I know.
Although Prince Hoean fails,
you will succeed, Your Majesty.
Prince Jeongan...
will be killed by me.
Take down the current King and take your throne back.
It's to kill tomorrow's tyrant,
not today's blood.
You must do that.
And I must succeed.
A tyrant
must die.
You're wrong, Your Majesty.
Everyone in this nation
will forget you existed.
Once off his throne,
a King becomes a mere old man.
Come on in.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I'm leaving the palace. Get prepared.
Where are you headed?
Buying time isn't enough.
I will collect my scattered soldiers.
Prince Hoean is...
just a bait.
Bang-gan...
got involved with the Jurchen?
We should change our ambush site just to be on the safe side.
Majeong-dong is on the way.
That place should be a perfect replacement.
Majeong, it is.
What about you, Madame Han?
I will just sit back and watch.
Make sure...
to keep your word you said.
Just sit back and watch.
I don't want to see you collapse ever again.
Give me a chance. This time, I'll do it.
I'll protect you.
I'm the mistress of Ihwaru.
I only do things for Ihwaru's sake.
So...
don't worry.
I found the Jurchen's base.
- Where is it? - The prostitution house.
They got back three days ago.
Does this ring any bell?
They must have figured out.
NAM SEON-HO
Hey!
But he was supposed to be dead. How...
What is it?
Nothing.
Have you found any of their traces?
No.
Seo Hwi came to the prostitution house.
And?
Again, Bang-won's spearhead is
Seo Hwi.
You said you would decide whether he should live or die.
What will you do this time?
He went to the prostitution house this afternoon?
Yes, Your Highness.
Find out what happened.
Today,
we are hunting.
Kill all the winged animals you see.
I will catch the tiger.
Then I'll join you in Majeong-dong.
You seem to
have a lot in your mind.
I'm prepared to kill my own family. That's how determined I am.
How far can you go?
I'm going to go to the end.
I will see you there.
In my country,
Bang-won doesn't exist.
And...
you don't either.
Subtitle translation by Young-ju Kim
MY COUNTRY: THE NEW AGE