Did you find out?
Have you heard of Gong Jae Myung?
He's a head merchant who hires hundreds of scoundrels.
He made a living managing Samgae Dock...
and Chilpae Market,
and now he's getting involved in licensed stores.
What?
A man I'd never heard of dared to get on my nerves?
Sir.
How long will you live off of the rent of the small stores?
Now,
it's time to go against...
Jung Nan Jung.
(Gong Jae Myung)
You got me all wrong.
I don't have the guts to do such thing.
You know who Jung Nan Jung is.
She's the concubine of the most powerful man in Joseon.
She may be a mere concubine,
but the power she flaunts puts her way above Yoon Won Hyung.
How do you expect me to take her on?
I prefer to earn...
little and spend little and stay out of her sight.
Not me, Sir.
I serve you to become the best.
I didn't plan the raid...
to steal some expensive Ming items.
I issued a challenge to Jung Nan Jung.
You fool.
You caused me some trouble.
Sir.
Jung Nan Jung sent word to us.
What did she say?
She wishes to meet you.
What happened?
Did she find out that my men stole from her?
I let it slip...
on purpose.
What?
So you can meet her...
and strike a deal.
Be a true merchant.
I let it slip.
Are you insane?
I don't like how this is going.
What if I die before my time?
Don't back down.
Very soon,
you will become her equal.
You will move in her circles.
Stop sweetening things up.
- Ok Nyeo. - Yes?
Head over to Sosoru.
What for?
Officer Yoo wants some wine.
He drinks whenever he's on the night shift.
I should tell on him.
She is the manager of the merchants organisation.
I believe I'm here to meet someone else.
I shall deal with you.
I am Head Merchant Min Dong Joo.
I am Gong Jae Myung.
He's my assistant.
I'm Yoon Tae Won.
I shall get to the point.
Why did you ruin our deal?
If I'd known you worked for Madam Jung,
I wouldn't have been so rash.
I had no idea at all.
Well, now you know.
Will you return what you stole?
I can't do that.
It is mine now.
I can't give it up for nothing.
What are you saying?
Are you going against us?
If that is what must happen,
I have no intention of backing down.
Very well.
We were careless enough to let our guard down.
Sell the Ming items you took from us.
We will pay a decent price.
If you would do that for us,
I'd be willing to do business.
Before that happens, I'd like to make a suggestion.
I'm listening.
Come and work for Madam Jung.
You'll be guaranteed a much more lucrative business.
Rather than living off of taking rents from unlicensed stores.
Join us, and you will never regret it.
It is a tough proposition to refuse.
I have quite a temper.
I don't do well under others.
I'd rather be a snake's head...
than a dragon's tail.
Are you sure you won't regret that?
I'm a fool, you see.
I don't regret much.
Is that so?
Hey.
How did I do?
Very well.
You stopped me...
from living a meagre but stable life.
It's on you if it doesn't work out.
Jung Nan Jung?
Who's that?
What's going on?
A group of men are chasing a woman.
They might molest her.
What do you care?
Don't get involved.
Let things be.
You're Ok Nyeo.
Do you remember me?
Sir.
I've seen you in the Police Bureau.
Where am I? Please tell me what's going on here.
I needed to meet with you privately.
So I couldn't help but make you unpleasant.
I hope you understand me.
I have...
a few things to ask you.
I heard that you were born in Jeonokseo.
That's right.
Can you tell me why you were born there?
I don't know much about it.
All I know is that my mother was a prisoner...
and died after she gave birth to me.
That's all.
I need you...
to take what I say now to your grave.
It must be kept as a secret that you should never tell anybody.
Can you keep this promise?
I have no idea what you're about to say to me.
So I don't see why I should keep it a secret.
It's because if you don't,
you'll have to risk your life.
Then, please tell me.
I'll maintain secrecy.
I'm known as the chief of the Police Bureau to others.
But that's not really who I am.
I conceal my identity...
and fulfil more important duties for the country.
I often go to foreign places, including Ming.
And when the country gives me missions,
I must carry them out at risk of my life.
He must be a spy.
People like us...
are called spies.
I think that you're more than capable and qualified...
to become an excellent spy.
What do you think?
Are you interested?
This is too unexpected.
I don't know what to say now.
I understand that it is not an easy decision to make.
I will give you three days...
to think about it.
As I told you earlier,
you can never seek advice from anyone,
and you should make a decision on your own.
Take her back.
After three days,
I'll visit you in Jeonokseo.
A poisoning?
Yes.
He even said he has evidence.
Our current king has been on the throne for 15 years.
Why did they decide to bring this up now?
Members of Queen Janggyeong's family that we failed to identify...
must have sent word to the Ming Emperor.
Is Court Lady Kim there?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Send a message to Ki Choon Soo...
to promptly proceed to the Palace.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go tell him what I've said.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Are you asleep?
It's late at night.
What are you doing here now?
I couldn't fall asleep.
Are you still...
dwelling on the warden job at the Police Bureau?
No, it's not about that.
Tell me if you have worries.
I...
I have something to ask you.
What kind of person becomes a spy?
Why are you asking such question?
Do you want to be a spy?
No way.
It's not that.
I am just curious.
There were no particular qualifications.
If prisoners who were going to be executed...
or those who had no family...
were talented enough, they could become spies.
It won't happen,
but even if you're given an opportunity to choose,
you must choose not to do it.
You could lose your life because of it.
It's a very dangerous job.
You said you were happy when you were working as a spy.
Right.
I used to be.
When I was young,
I was proud of myself as I was working for my country.
However,
at some point,
the orders from the country weren't righteous.
As I realised that I was being politically exploited,
I started to have doubts about my job.
The years I lived as a spy...
were the highlights...
of my life.
But at the same time,
those years were a heart-breaking time.
I am afraid...
that I might have to live...
as a warden of Jeonokseo for the rest of my life.
That's what makes me frustrated.
Why was my mother...
passed out in front of Jeonokseo?
Why was I born in Jeonokseo...
and even named Ok Nyeo?
I'm destined to live my life as a warden of Jeonokseo.
And that makes me feel hopeless...
and pathetic.
That's true.
To live as a warden of Jeonokseo,
you're far too talented.
Someone is coming.
Hide now.
I am Palace Guard Officer Ki Choon Soo.
What brings you here?
I have something to tell you urgently.
If you're released from Jeonokseo...
and offered to work as a spy,
would you accept the offer?
If you complete the mission,
all your charges will be pardoned,
and you'll be able to lead a comfortable life.
What is the mission?
It's an assassination.
Whom do you want me to assassinate?
I cannot...
tell you that.
A long time ago,
I was given an order to assassinate my teacher.
I refused the order.
Because of that,
I was branded as a traitor,
and I have been locked up...
in this underground cell for over 20 years.
I do not want to be used again by those...
who already disgraced my name once in the past.
I must reject...
your proposal.
How did it go?
He rejected it.
Thank you for trying.
You're dismissed now.
- Did you get it? - Well...
What do you need lard for?
I'll have some fun now.
You can just watch it...
and have fun with me.
Hey, gosh...
It's so fresh!
All the spirits in the sky.
Please bless me.
- Please bestow luck upon me. - Please, please.
I choose Number Six, so please bless me with luck.
It's Number Six.
Please let it be Number Six.
- Please! - Please let me win this once!
Please send all of your blessing to Number Six.
All right. Let's bet money now.
Hurry up and bet away, everyone.
Bet away.
Why are you hesitating? Place your bets!
All right. You've all placed your bets, right?
- Yes! - We did!
Okay. Let the game begin.
Hey!
You gamblers!
You, Jun Woo Chi!
Gosh, Treasurer Ji! Come here and join us for a game.
You jerk.
Ouch. Oh, boy.
You jerks!
I will...
choose Number Six.
- Nice! - Good choice.
Let's start the game now.
All right. Here comes the diving beetle!
- Here it comes! - Yes!
- Hey, beetle! Come here! - You better come here.
- Come here! - Come to Number Six.
- Number 6! It's coming! - Come to Number 6, please.
- Hurry up! - Come here!
- Come to me! - Number Six!
- Number 1! - Number 2!
Come to Number Six.
Hey, you better come to Number Six!
Number 6, Number 6!
It's coming!
- It chose Number Six! - Yes!
- No way! - Goodness!
- It's Number 6. Give me your money. - Number 6, Number 6!
- All right. Hurry up. - Number Six won!
Hey, gather the money.
Ok Nyeo!
Come and play this game with us!
Treasurer Ji, what's the matter with her? She's been acting strange.
Ever since she didn't get the warden position at the Police Bureau,
she has been so down.
I shall win more money and buy some meat for her today.
Let's play one more round!
All right. Let's do one more round!
Let's do this, guys!
This time, the two of us will bet on...
- Number 6. - Number 6.
People like us...
are called spies.
I think that you're more than capable and qualified...
to become an excellent spy.
What do you think?
Are you interested?
It won't happen,
but even if you're given an opportunity to choose,
you must choose not to do it.
You could lose your life because of it.
It is a very dangerous job.
Try as you might,
but you'll never find any court ladies or maids from that period.
They're all dead.
- Dead? - Yes.
I looked for the court ladies first, and they were all dead.
Then I started looking for the court maids.
Every one I tracked down were already dead.
They all died even though they were too young to be dead.
Ma'am!
Becoming a spy might be a faster way to find out clues...
about my mother's death compared to becoming a warden at the police.
Come and have a look at these ornaments!
Gosh, the streets in Kaesong...
look like grungy alleys compared to the streets in Hanyang.
I heard that it can be a dangerous place though.
Don't let your guard down.
Okay.
Oh, my!
Have a look.
- Ouch! - Hey.
- Hey, you. - Do you still do those things?
I have no choice because I need to earn a living.
Just come and work for me.
Well, I'm not really cut out...
for working under someone.
I'm sorry.
Give that back to the lady.
Do you know her?
- No. - Then why should I do that?
Because she's pretty.
How could I make a living this way?
You cannot obstruct my business like this.
Hurry up. Go and give it back to her.
Goodness.
What's wrong?
The pouch with my money has disappeared.
Pardon me? Try to look for it again.
I don't have it.
Whoever that thief was, it was done in a matter of a second.
Young lady, I think you dropped this.
Lady So Jung, how much did you have in this pouch?
Are you accusing me of stealing?
- No, not at all. Thank you. - Unbelievable.
I found it for you.
- Thank you again. - I could've just taken it.
Thank you.
Gosh, I'm enraged. I can't let it slide.
You're completely mesmerised.
Who is she?
I brought her from Kaesong.
(Hwang Gyo Ha)
I spent a hefty amount of money to bring her here. What do you think?
Why did you want to see me anyway?
Oh, right. Bring the head merchant...
to Sosoru tonight.
Why?
Someone wants to meet him.
Who is it?
He's an interpreter named Lee Jeong Gook.
Why does he want to meet the head merchant?
I'm not sure.
He is a very important customer for Sosoru,
so you have to bring him.
He just arrived.
I am Lee Jeong Gook.
I'm Gong Jae Myung.
Why did you want to see me?
I'm actually not the one who wanted to meet you.
It's him.
He is the head eunuch who is visiting Joseon...
as an envoy to represent Ming.
Jae Myung.
Don't you remember me?
I'm Oh Jang Hyun!
Oh, my.
Lord Jang Hyun!
Yes! Jae Myung...
Is it really you?
Lord Jang Hyun...
I had no idea...
that you'd be alive like this.
Jae Myung...
Lord Jang Hyun!
Young lady.
Who are you?
Me?
Ask any of the girls here...
who the most good-looking scoundrel...
in all of Hanyang is.
They'll give you my name.
I expected much from Hanyang men.
If you're the most handsome, I'd be very disappointed.
In Kaesong,
men with your looks are very common.
What? Very common?
Sir.
How do you know the Ming envoy?
It's a very long story.
I used to serve him when he was young.
How did a Joseon man...
end up becoming a Ming official?
Years ago,
during the Third Literati Purge,
my master's father was named a traitor and killed.
My master...
was almost sold as a slave.
He escaped to Ming...
and became a head eunuch.
Just so he could get revenge,
he gave up his manhood to become an official.
At the time,
my parents died...
trying to smuggle my master to safety.
Then...
he came to see you...
because he owes you his life.
Not really.
I was too young to do anything.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
What do you mean?
It's a great chance for us to go against Jung Nan Jung.
Sir.
He is one of the men who works for me.
He has something...
he would like to say to you.
I am Yoon Tae Won.
I see.
What do you want to say?
When you return to Ming,
allow us to follow you and do business there.
If you do,
it will be of great advantage to Sir Gong.
Is it possible?
Yes.
Trade with Ming...
is strictly monitored...
according to Joseon law.
But if you were to insist,
it is possible.
If that would allow me to repay my debt of gratitude,
I will do so.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Bye.
Hello, Sir.
What is she doing back here?
- Gosh. - Sir.
Sir, how are you?
I would love it...
if someone with your looks were to work for us.
But I don't have the authority to hire you.
However much you beg,
I can't help you.
I'm not here to see you.
Why are you here, then?
There he is. Sir!
Why are you here?
I said I would come to Jeonokseo.
I didn't need those three days.
I will do it.
There are people watching.
Let's go somewhere else.
What should I do now?
Must I leave Jeonokseo?
Just like I'm the chief of the Police Bureau,
you can continue to work at Jeonokseo.
Whenever you are needed,
I shall take care of...
providing a new identity.
I shall warn you again.
Once a spy is identified, he or she...
loses the reason to exist.
Guard your tongue.
I will, Sir.
You shall be trained to become a spy.
You must risk your life,
so many drop out before they complete the course.
If you aren't sure about this, give up now.
No, Sir. I will do it.
Take her.
Come with me.
Okay.
Tae Won will lead the team.
Do Chi.
Help Tae Won get things going.
- Why... - Yes, Sir.
Here.
It's the money to buy what you need.
5,000 yang.
- 5,000 yang? - 5,000?
Yes.
That's all I have.
My lifetime savings...
from brokering small deals and trading knick-knacks.
In other words,
I'm betting my past and my future.
Do you get that?
Yes, Sir. I won't let you down.
Get things ready.
- Yes, Sir. - Yes, Sir.
Jae Myung, how could you?
- What do you mean? - You're risking all you have.
How could you...
make the decision without consulting me?
You even put Tae Won in charge.
What makes you think you can trust him?
Something unexpected happened, and I didn't have...
the time to talk to you. I'm sorry about that.
This is unbelievable.
You know...
There are times...
when you feel something.
Something that makes you want to dive in head first.
This seems like it.
It's a chance that could change my whole life.
What on earth happened?
- It's exactly as you saw. - Tae Won.
Aren't you going too far?
First you upset Jung Nan Jung.
I don't like how this is going.
You might not like it,
but I'm following a careful plan.
I know how rash and dangerous it is...
for someone like me to take revenge on Jung Nan Jung.
I'm being careful, so don't worry about it.
Why don't you just tell our head merchant?
Explain why you want revenge.
Now is not the time.
First, I will make this venture work,
and then I'll tell him.
Pretend you don't know.
We have five days...
to prepare everything we need to take to Ming.
We have a lot to do.
Let's get to it.
Tae Won, wait for me.
Did you ask for me?
Do you know that...
a Ming envoy is staying at Mohwakwan?
Yes, my lord.
I believe he's a Joseon man called Oh Jang Hyun.
I need you to keep an eye on him,
and tell me who is trying to get close to him.
Who would wish to approach Oh Jang Hyun?
People who are trying to harm...
the King and Queen Dowager.
Find them and bring them in alive.
Find out what they are planning. Do you understand?
Yes, my lord.
(Mohwakwan: Place of accommodation for Ming's envoys)
If anyone approaches him, bring them in alive.
Joong Man, man the perimeter. Se Jeong, guard the gate.
I will enter the room.
- Yes, Sir. - Yes, Sir.
Who are you?
Reveal yourself.
What is that?
It is a letter to His Royal Majesty.
The reasons why the late King Injong...
passed away after eight months since his enthronement and...
what brutality Yoon Won Hyung and Queen Dowager...
have done to kill their political enemies.
Everything...
is detailed in this letter.
Se Jeong.
Sir.
There's an intruder in here.
Se Jeong, the security guard at the inner gate is found dead.
Stop.
Elaborate on the letter that you handed over...
to the head eunuch right now!
If you want to know,
go ask the head eunuch yourself.
You'd better not expect me to tell you.
Stop wasting your time...
and just kill me.
I will, when I need to.
But if you don't tell me things I want to know,
you'll have to keep suffering this unbearable torture.
Have you ever heard of spies?
That's what I am.
We're torture experts.
From now on,
you'll realise how painful it is to barely stay alive.
I can assure you.
You won't be able to make it through a day.
Let me ask you once again.
What does the letter contain?
Kill me.
Now.
- Keep going! - Okay, Sir.
You're useless.
I told you that there must be people who'd approach him.
And you failed to stop them.
I owe my apology to you, my lord.
Did you find out...
who he is and what the letter is about?
Yes, my lord.
He's Yoon Seok Ho,
the younger brother of Yoon Seok Joon...
who was killed during the Yangjae Purge.
What did he tell the head eunuch?
I'm afraid to tell you.
But it was about the cause of death of the late King Injong...
and the full story of the Yangjae Purge.
Gosh.
Your Majesty,
if that letter Oh Jang Hyun has...
is delivered to the Ming Emperor,
wouldn't it cause a huge trouble?
We must stop that.
We must stop that by all means.
But it has already fallen into his hands.
How can we stop it?
I'll kill him.
I'll kill him if I can stop it.
Your Majesty,
Palace Guard Officer Ki Choon Soo is here.
- Let him in. - Yes, Your Majesty.
What brings you here?
The Ming's head eunuch who's staying in Mohwakwan...
said he'll leave soon.
What are you talking about?
He planned to stay here for five more days.
That's what I've been aware of. But we just received the message.
Your Majesty,
what should we do now?
You are so extraordinary.
Why do you want to learn how to trade?
I'm fed up with embroidering stuck in my room for the whole day.
What did your mother say?
My mother gave up on me.
She said I can do whatever I want.
Trading is a menial job.
You know that money is the dirtiest thing in the world.
It's a tough and menial job because it's to earn such dirty money.
Would you be able to stand it?
I'll do whatever you tell me to do, Aunt.
Call me Head Merchant, not aunt.
Yes, Head Merchant.
Did you purchase hemp cloth and wool?
- I couldn't. - Why not?
Gong Jae Myung...
bought up all the hemp cloth and wool...
from licensed stores.
What?
What Gong Jae Myung merely does...
is managing unlicensed merchants.
What will he do with that huge amount of goods?
I have no idea what he is up to.
There you go, 1, 2. Good.
- Tae Won. - Yes?
We bought everything from hemp cloth, wool, fur and silk...
but one thing.
- What's that? - Ginseng.
We couldn't find any of them.
Ginseng is the most important one...
among the goods we'll sell in Ming.
Without it, we can't make a lot of money.
Then what should I do? We don't have much time.
Are you ready to go to Ming?
Almost.
- I have another favour to ask you. - What is it?
Can you let me meet with the lady from Kaesong?
Why? Anything happened?
It's urgent. I have to look into something.
I see.
You're more pathetic than I thought.
Am I?
What made you say that?
You chose such a reckless way to meet me. And that's unpleasant.
Do you think I'm trying to win your heart?
If not, then why did you use the head merchant to meet me?
We've met just once.
As I'm in a hurry, let me ask you things I need to know first.
Do you know any merchants in Kaesong...
who run a large ginseng business?
The majority of the rich people in Kaesong are into ginseng business.
Of course, I do know some.
I knew you would.
I need to purchase ginseng urgently.
Can you introduce them to me?
If I do,
what will you do for me in return?
I'll make sure to win your heart.
So that you'll no longer have to ask me...
what I'll do for you when I ask you favours again.
How did she do?
She's so good that we almost wondered..
if she had already been trained to be a spy.
I think you can assign her missions immediately.
Then, skip all the training sessions.
Let her take the last one.
Yes, Sir.
It's an assassination.
I already said no.
I have nothing else to say to you,
so please leave.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager is here.
I guess no one...
can defy time.
I only remember you as the young man.
Seeing you again like this...
truly aches my heart.
When I found out that you were the one...
who spared my life,
I resented you so much.
You made me spend over two decades of my life...
locked up in this cold underground cell.
It has been absolutely horrid and miserable.
Did I sin...
that greatly against you to deserve this kind of punishment?
Letting me live like this to this day...
is too cruel of a punishment.
I just could not...
issue a command to execute you.
I am sorry.
Please tell me.
What brings you here?
I already...
delivered my message to you through Officer Ki.
I apologise,
but I...
cannot do it.
It is a crucial matter upon which the future of this kingdom depends.
Please do it for me.
They will do trades with Ming?
Even I can't do such business with Ming yet.
How could they trade with Ming?
I heard that Gong Jae Myung...
personally knows Ming's envoy who is visiting Joseon now.
I knew it. I should have taught him a lesson a long time ago.
If you don't take the necessary measures now,
he will definitely become a roadblock for you in the future.
These dishes are for Lord Yoon.
Why do you keep eating them?
I'm just tasting them, okay?
Sorry?
Haven't you heard of assayers?
They are royal food tasters...
who taste food before His Majesty to ensure that there is no poison.
The meals that we prepare for Lord Yoon...
are finer and fancier than the ones that the King gets.
Of course I should taste all the dishes for him.
You have such a way with your words.
By the way, what is this?
It's so delicious!
It's that thing from a chicken.
- What? - It's a rooster's testicle.
It's known to be great for invigorating stamina.
Lord Yoon loves them for that reason.
You've been working late for the last few days.
You seem tired.
That stupid envoy from Ming is...
causing so much headache for me.
Since you've brought up that topic,
I'd like to ask you for a favour.
What is it?
There's a man named Gong Jae Myung. He's the leader of those scoundrels.
He is also running a small merchants organisation.
I heard that he will accompany the envoy to Ming...
with his organisation.
It seems that...
he and the envoy go back a long way.
If he starts doing trade with Ming,
it will put me in a difficult position.
Please take care of...
Gong Jae Myung for me.
Are you listening to me?
Just leave him be.
Why do you say that?
They will fail miserably.
What are you talking about?
They will make a ton of money if they can do trade with Ming.
It's because that envoy, Oh Jang Hyun,
will die before he can even reach Ming's border.
Pardon me?
If the envoy dies,
what would Gong Jae Myung's organisation be able to do?
They'll be doomed, so don't even worry.
My lord.
Oh, right. I should eat.
Oh, my. It's so delicious.
You are so exceptionally talented...
that I decided you do not need any additional trainings.
Now,
you just need the last lesson.
For the last lesson,
you will be given a real mission.
If you accomplish the mission you're given,
you will...
be able to work as a spy.
What is my mission?
That is the former police commissioner Yoon Tae Gyu's house.
We have evidence...
that Yoon Tae Gyu is conspiring to commit treason.
Your mission is...
sneaking into his house...
and assassinating him.
If we are certain that he is plotting treason,
shouldn't the Department of Justice be involved?
Since the King ascended to the throne,
a number of treasonous attempts have already been caught.
If another attempt is investigated by the Department of Justice,
this kingdom could be put in a disastrous state.
The higher-ups wish to deal with this matter secretly.
You don't think you can do it? If that is the case,
you can just give up on becoming a spy.
I will do it.
Yoon Tae Gyu is a warrior who is highly skilled in martial arts.
He even has a private army residing at his residence.
This mission will not be an easy one.
You should prepare yourself.
Intruder alert! There's an intruder!
Enjoy your meal.
Officer Lee.
Yes?
Could you call...
Officer Ki Choon Soo for me?
Tell me who you are.
Who sent you?
Tell me.
Who are you?
Let's see...
how long you can take it.
Begin.
Did you ask for me?
Your offer.
I'll take it.
I am glad to hear that.
I shall inform the Queen Dowager.
Tell me.
Reveal yourself.
Who are you?
She fainted.
Sir.
You passed the final test.
You are now...
a spy.
(The Flower in Prison)
This can never fail whatever happens.
He is the only one I trust.
You have a secret mission.
Do not forget that...
our nation's future is at stake.
You passed the final test.
You are now a spy.
What must I do now?
Kid, it's good to see you.
Tell me whenever you need help or if things get too much.
Don't get sick or hurt.
You put your life on the line.
Why did you decide to do this?
I can do it.
I wanted to reach my goal.
Who's there?