[THIS WORK IS BASED ON HISTORICAL EVENTS]
[BUT ALL DEPICTION OF THE DETAILS OF THEIR LIVES AND MOTIVES IS FICTIONAL]
Magistrate!
Who's there?
Magistrate!
Are you…
the ghost who kills all the newly commissioned officers dispatched to this place?
Show yourself!
Magistrate!
Bok Yeon!
- Bok Yeon! - Are you alright?
Listen.
That'll be all for today.
- What? - Come on!
- That's not fair! - Hey!
- I want to hear more! - Please!
- That's cruel! - Please!
[EPISODE 1]
- Thanks for the story. - I really liked it.
Here.
- Wow! - I embroidered it myself.
To show such generosity to an unfortunate girl like me!
It's an honor, Lady Bae.
Will someone buy this?
No one will want it, will they?
I sell them all at once and every little bit helps.
Mi Goong, hurry up!
The end…
I want to hear the end!
Next time. You have to hurry back to your duties.
I'm off duty.
You can tell me right now.
Why should you hear it first?
We all agreed to listen to Deok Im's reading when we've all got time.
I'll pay.
Let's save it for next time. All together.
I said I'd pay!
- What's she doing? - You can't do that!
What are you doing attacking your peers?
- Deok Im, are you okay? - I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to hit you.
I'll read more for you next time.
This'll be advance payment.
You've no pride.
How can you take it?
Why not? It doesn't matter as long as I get the money.
Now, all I need is five more nyang and I've made it to 100.
Why do you need 100 nyang? That's so much money.
I have my reasons.
Must be something pretty amazing.
- Se-cret. - We're all curious.
Just tell us.
Well…
How about this?
When I collect 100 nyang,
I'll tell my secret to the person who gives me the last nyang.
If you really want to know, make sure to thank me for my stories.
Forget it! We don't want to know. Let's go.
- We're late! - Come quickly!
The Court Ladies are here!
Come quick!
Oh no, hurry!
Wait!
- They'll need to be punished. - Apologies, My Lady.
- Won't it be okay to leave now? - No, no, shh!
They should be gone by now.
[STORY OF JANGHWA AND HONGRYEON]
The Crown Princess' bedroom.
The King's washroom.
The Crown Prince's laundry room.
The Crown Prince's attendant, of all people.
Gathering up to play Jeongisu like this….
[JEONGISU: PAID STORYTELLER] Is this the first time?
- Yes, My Lady. - Yes, My Lady.
And no one in particular played ringleader?
- Bring it here. - Yes, My Lady.
It was a difficult item to bring in,
as it's from the West.
Inside…
lies a creature trained to bite off the hands of liars.
If nobody is here is lying
then you can place your hands inside, with nothing at all to fear.
All of you, open your hands.
I lied about the box containing a hungry creature.
There's an ink stick inside.
A liar wouldn't have dared to touch it. So her hand must be clean.
An honest person would have no reason to hesitate.
So her hand must be stained with ink.
- Twenty whips for everyone but that girl. - Yes, My Lady.
My Lady.
The one who took took the lead in our game…
was me.
I became the Jeongisu and read stories to everyone.
So, then…
- you lied to me? - Yes.
Then why did you touch the ink stick?
- Weren't you afraid of the creature? - I'm sorry to say…
I had a feeling…
that you were lying to us.
Why did you think that?
If there were really a creature that bites off the hands of liars…
there's no way I'd still have hands.
Fine. Alright, then.
I choose you.
What's your name?
My name is Sung Deok Im.
Sung Deok Im.
You've passed!
[PASS]
You've passed!
To excel in both Eojesanghun and Eojejoeun in such a short time…
it's truly admirable!
All credit goes to my teachers who taught me so well.
Your Highness, I'm afraid I can't give you a 'Pass' for the last answer.
What?
[FAIL] Yes.
I'm afraid I made a mistake.
To think that Your Highness made a mistake.
I never thought I'd see the day.
You've still accomplished much having come this far.
No, Teacher.
I was careless and made a mistake.
I'd rather be firmly scolded.
Tonight, I won't leave my study for a moment.
I'll study all night long.
Crown Princess Young, Yeonseo!
Crown Princess Young
[YEONSEO: INDICATES THAT SOMEONE HAS DIED] Yeonseo!
Crown Princess Young, Yeonseo!
Your Highness!
Crown Princess Young…
has passed away.
Grandmother…
Can you really do it?
- It's better than getting whipped. - Hey!
It's the middle of the night. How will you get there by yourself?
Why would Head Court Lady Jo
ever send you on an errand like this?
To go pay your respects to the deceased Crown Princess Young…
This is crazy!
Girls, don't worry! I can do it!
- I'll be right back! - You can't!
- Do you know the way? - I know the way by heart!
I'm lost!
Please help me!
Is anybody there?
I lost my way!
Is anybody there?
Kyung Hee!
Bok Yeon!
Lady Seo!
Is he still reading?
His Majesty banned wailing.
What else would he be doing?
His Majesty is being unreasonable.
Crown Princess Young was his Highness' biological grandmother.
You want to see Crown Princess Young?
I heard her illness is very advanced.
Yi San.
As your grandfather,
I really appreciate your compassion.
But what can I do?
You can no longer see her
as easily as you used to.
I beseech you, Grandfather.
Crown Princess Young was still my natural grand…
If she was your natural grandmother…
is the now deceased Crown Prince your father?
Crown Prince Sado, who died as a sinner?
If he was your father, then
you'll have to live the rest of your life as a sinner.
No, that's not true, Grandfather!
I'll never again ask you to let me see Crown Princess Young.
I ask you to please forgive me!
Who's there?
I'm letting you know…
I'm not afraid of ghosts.
I'm not kidding!
I'm not afraid of ghosts…
not at all…
- I'm not afraid… - Hey, hey!
Hey!
Do you know the way to Crown Princess Young's residence?
No?
You!
You scared me to death!
- Be careful! - I will!
Shine the light carefully!
Careful! There we go.
A young lady of the court, here?
Maybe, a fox spirit in human form?
A bedong
sent on an errand by His Highness?
An errand in the middle of the night?
Is he really a bedong?
What's your name?
Why should I tell my name to a lowly attendant?
Hey!
You think being his Royal Highness' bedong makes you something?
I'm going to be a fifth level court lady someday.
Oh, really?
A fifth level court lady…
Hey!
I don't even have to lift a finger to get there, either.
As for you…
Even now that you're a bedong
if you can't pass the state exam, you're not going anywhere.
State exam?
I don't take those kinds of tests!
Oh, really?
Then, you're lower than me!
Come on!
What's with the lights?
If you follow the lights,
they'll lead you to Crown Princess Young.
What do you think you're doing?
- Ask them to open it. - No, we can't!
Why not?
Honestly,
I came here without permission.
You're crazy!
You can't come here without permission!
If a man enters the concubines' chamber without permission,
it's the death penalty.
They won't let you off just because you're young.
Then what should I do?
Crown Princess Young passed away…
She's gone forever.
If only I had hurried.
I would have seen her one last time.
I'm…
a coward.
Hurry up and come down.
You should take your shoes.
Why is there nobody here?
Crown Princess Young…
It's me.
Yi San is here.
I meant to tell you myself.
What I said to you then…
I didn't really mean any of it.
I really meant to tell you…
Grandmother,
did you really tell Grandfather
to have my Father killed?
Is it true?
Yes, it is…
Your Highness.
You're my father's own mother.
What kind of mother kills her own son?
My father is dead because of you!
How do you call yourself a mother?
Are you alright, Your Highness?
Don't act like you're worried.
You always pretended to be worried about Father, too.
If I become like Father…
will you leave me too?
Your grandmother…
killed your father.
I never sought your forgiveness.
Everything…
is grandma's own fault.
My poor grandson…
I don't deserve your forgiveness.
You'll make yourself sick if you cry too much.
I'm sure she wouldn't do that.
No.
I'm sure that she'll hate me
because of the cruel words I said.
How she must hate me!
I'm sure she knows how you feel.
- How would the dead know anything? - You silly!
She knows because she's dead.
The dead know everything.
Even your hidden emotions.
I have proof. You want me to tell you?
What is it?
Remember those lights we saw?
The lights didn't go out even with the wind blowing.
She was glad to see you coming.
"I'm glad you're here. I've missed you!"
"It's dark. Be careful and follow the lights."
You really don't know that?
- You think it's true? - Would I lie?
Because of you, I got to hear about her.
She was a good person.
At first, seeing her lying down like that was a little scary.
I'm not scared anymore.
It's all thanks to you.
Thank you, Yi San!
You!
How do you know my name?
You said it yourself.
Okay, so what's your name?
My name is…
His Majesty arrives!
Step aside! Step aside!
Open!
You can't, Your Majesty!
Crown Princess Young
bore me six children.
Why would I be prohibited from being by her side,
in this of all moments?
Those are the laws.
Go away!
Those irritating laws, laws!
And who are you?
Your Majesty,
I'm one of the Crown Prince's young court ladies.
I was paying my respects to Crown Princess Young.
Raise your face!
You look like Princess Hwapyeong did when she was little.
Come here!
That person…
went through great lengths
for me and our future.
But now…
I…
can't even stay by her in death.
There was never a king
who attended a concubine's burial.
How cruel is that?
What do you think?
Your Majesty is right.
Is that so?
Your Majesty is surely right!
Even a young attendant like you knows loyalty.
You're here to pay respects.
Let us both
spend some time with Crown Princess Young.
She used to be beautiful in her younger days.
She was a lady of the court, like you.
Her sleeves were so very red.
Every time I saw that,
my heart ached so much.
Why did it hurt?
When the court ladies
dye their sleeves red,
that shows
that they're the king's ladies.
At the time,
I was just a lowly prince born from a concubine.
I never dared to dream.
But…
time passed
I received God's will and became a king.
I was awarded the crown
and she came along with it.
I deluded myself into thinking
I could do anything I wanted in this world.
Why is that a delusion?
Since you're the king, can't you do anything you want?
Do you know how many things
a king can't control?
You'd be very surprised
when you eventually find out.
Even ice can't be colder
than my heart.
I…
have finally lost her.
Now…
she won't ever come back.
It's fate that we met tonight.
I will grant you…
a special Imperial gift.
Let's see…
let me ask you.
What kind of court lady
do you wish to be?
I want to…
become a court lady who writes well.
You want to be a good writer?
Here, take this.
[YEO BUM]
Crown Princess Young
wrote out this book herself.
Is it okay to receive
such a precious book?
Tonight,
it's fate that brought you here.
You said you're one of the Crown Prince's young ladies?
Yes, Your Majesty.
You never know.
Your fate
might turn out the same
as the owner of this book.
[YEO BUM: A BUDDHIST PRIEST SINS WITH A WOMAN]
I hope Yi San went back safely.
Did I really meet the king?
My Lady.
You bravely carried out my errand.
You must have been scared.
You did well.
My Lady.
Why did you ask a lowly young court lady like me
to show final respects to somebody
as precious as Crown Princess Young?
I wanted to show you
the last moments of a court lady of the second level.
A court lady can't die inside the palace.
Only royalty can die here.
An old and infirm court lady has to leave the palace.
Regardless of the authority she had while in the palace,
her last moments
are always shabby and insignificant.
But there is an exception.
There is a way to die in the palace.
Win the King's favor.
If you win the King's favor and become a royal concubine
you gain the right to die inside the palace.
Look at that!
That's an honor reserved only for those favored by the King.
It's every court lady's last wish.
I'm sure you wish the same.
Actually, I…
don't really understand
what you mean.
Such a pretty face.
It might get prettier.
Look carefully.
They're harboring a dream.
You can surely become like her.
His Highness wants ginseng stew
for his midnight snack.
I'll inform the kitchen staff.
Yes, my Lord.
Why do you do such dangerous things?
Thank you for helping me avoid getting caught.
But I refuse to allow you to meddle.
You think I'm making a fuss just for your absence?
[SAGI]
I found this book in the Crown Prince's library.
You carefully hid this behind other books.
But anyone could have found it if they had really wanted.
Put it back where you found it.
No, you have to burn it immediately.
His Majesty banned this book.
Why are you reading this?
If I read this book though it's banned,
even though Grandfather forbade it,
in your eyes,
you must see me as quite a poor puppet.
Your Highness,
I really don't think of you as His Majesty's puppet.
In fact, I'm constantly amazed.
How someone like you can exist.
There's no one else like you in this world.
I consider it a fortune to be able to serve you.
When you eventually reach the throne
you'll usher in a new world.
I, Hong Deok Ro,
want to see that new world.
I always
want to serve you.
I'm sure you'll always be by my side.
Grandfather sent you to me.
You're always watching everything I do.
Isn't it your job
to report it to Grandfather?
Take this book back to the Library.
Yes, Your Highness.
Everyone line up, please!
It's time for our regular book reading.
Sung Deok Im will read for us!
Everyone line up!
- Read mine first! - No, mine!
Line up, please!
Why are you cutting in?
I'll first read the book of whoever pays me the most.
- "The Story of Honggyewol" is first. - Aw.
- My Lady. - My Lady.
- Deok Im. - Deok Im.
You!
Didn't you just get scolded?
Storytelling, again?
- That's how I make the most money. - Don't want to hear it!
It's always money with you.
Save for 100 years and I'll get my wish. That's what you said!
Alright!
Be that as it may,
you still have to study!
You are the Crown Prince's attendant.
In order to serve him correctly, you'll have to grow up properly.
Honestly, I don't want to serve the Crown Prince.
What?
It's not like I'll be paid.
I just wish to be a regular palace servant.
You! How can an attendant to the Crown Prince say that?
Your only duty as a court lady
is to think of the Crown Prince!
Do you know what will happen to you
if the Crown Prince gets ill?
[PALACE EXILE]
- Palace exile! - Louder!
- Palace exile! - Palace exile!
If your immediate superior dies,
all the court ladies who served her
will exit the palace.
She will immediately leave the palace.
If you don't want to leave,
serve your master well.
Understood?
- Yes. - Yes.
Okay. Let's take a break.
Here.
Since you couldn't read it today,
do it for me next time, okay?
Crown Prince…
What?
Please live a long and healthy life!
I'll be teaching you something really important.
Close the windows.
- Yes! - Yes!
Now…
I'll be teaching you
the palace taboos.
In the palace, there are banned books.
You'll be punished if you're caught reading them.
There was once an official who was caught
reading a banned book.
He was beheaded.
This is the book
he was caught reading.
The King's mother was lowborn.
She was a lowly servant to a court lady.
Just a lowly maid.
In this book here, called "Sagi"
there was a verse.
Sung Deok Im, please explain.
'Ee' as in your.
'Mo' as in mother.
'Bi' as in maid. [IMOBIA: YOUR MOTHER IS A LOWLY SERVANT]
"Your mother is…"
"a lowly servant."
Because of this verse
His Majesty hates this book.
Remember.
You are to never read or keep this book.
Understood?
- Yes. - Yes.
Are you asleep, My Lady?
What is it?
How is the Crown Prince? Is he well?
Yesterday, you had no interest in him.
I…
have nowhere to go outside of the palace.
His Highness is very healthy.
- He'll live a very long life. - I'm glad.
Deok Im.
Yes.
You are the Crown Prince's court lady.
He is your master.
You have to take immense pride
in the fact that you are allowed to take care of him.
When that loses its value
your life also loses its value.
Don't let that happen.
Yes, My Lady.
My Lady.
I'm going to the bathroom.
I'll be going by myself.
Did he really promise?
My little princesses will be marrying men of noble birth?
As long as you do your job.
I'll do whatever it takes. Tell me.
He found a chance to dethrone the Crown Prince.
- He was reading "Sagi," the banned text. - Oh, gosh.
His Majesty hates that book!
It was found in the Crown Prince's library.
Give His Majesty a slight hint.
In a little while, His Majesty will visit
His Highness for a late-night snack.
Alright!
He found a chance to dethrone the Crown Prince.
So…
I'll first tell Court Lady Seo
- Next… - You are the Crown Prince's court lady.
He is your master.
I'm a court lady.
His Royal Highness…
is my master.
The book is in the Crown Prince's library.
Grandfather!
I made a terrible mistake!
I won't make the same mistake
and I won't disappoint you again.
Please forgive me!
Oh, no!
I treated you so well!
I cared for you so much!
You're his mother! Answer me!
What did I do wrong?
Your Majesty…
has always
- treated him well- - Be quiet!
Then…
why does the Crown Prince insult me?
I see…
He always looked down on his Grandfather's lowly birth.
Yes, that's it!
He's exactly like his father.
He's exactly like his father!
Get away!
Listen closely!
What have you been doing?
Bring me that book he read with his own hands!
Before I dethrone him
I want to make sure with my own eyes.
- Right now! - Yes!
What is it?
Today's class was canceled
- so I thought I would read a book. - You can leave!
I said, leave!
As his Highness' bedong I have to adhere to his command.
- I didn't hear an order to leave. - Hmm.
Search carefully!
- Yes! - Yes!
My Lord! We couldn't find it!
Search carefully! Look everywhere!
Look underneath and behind the shelves!
Yes!
Search carefully!
- Yes! - Yes!
I found it!
This isn't the book!
You don't know how to read!
I'm so sorry, My Lord.
- Search again! - Yes!
[IMOBIA]
Everyone stop!
Now that we found the book, let's go back to the palace.
- Yes, My Lord! - Yes, My Lord!
Everyone…
calls me "My Majesty" to my face
and bows down to me.
Behind my back
they jeer at me, calling me a lowborn.
Do you also,
deceive me as they do?
I didn't deceive you.
Really?
I disobeyed the rules and read the banned book.
Since I broke the law, please punish me accodingly.
If you order me to step down, I will
However, Grandfather, I have never deceived you.
I could have lied about reading the banned book.
But I never did.
I felt it was my duty to you
not to lie to you.
But you have spared my life.
You have taken care of me.
I'll take this as a lesson.
I wasn't able to show my gratitude for choosing me as your heir.
How arrogant of you.
A simple lie could have solved everything.
And you think you can take my place?
Your Majesty,
We have found the book in the Library.
This book is torn.
Did you tear out this book?
This book I banned you from reading.
You tore out this book to disobey me.
Yes, I did.
I tore out this book.
I was afraid I might read this book
so I tore out the page.
Yes, of course.
You are my grandson.
To think I didn't recognize your deep feelings for me.
To think I was mad when I heard you read the book.
What should we do?
Oh, my.
Your hands are cold.
Why are you just standing there?
The Crown Prince is trembling with cold.
Bring me my coat.
Right now!
Give it to me!
Your Highness, Bedong Hongro is here!
I heard you were looking for me.
I have something to ask you.
The book was torn.
The page my Grandfather forbade me to read,
did you tear it out?
Was it you?
Your Highness,
Actually…
yes, I did.
I was afraid it would make your Grandfather mad.
Thank you, Deokro!
You saved me today.
I'll never forget this.
It was my pleasure!
From now on, always stay by my side.
When I become King I'll make sure to repay this debt.
Thank you, Your Hghness!
Wasn't Deok Im supposed to come today?
We were supposed to go together.
I don't know where she went.
We were supposed go to the kitchen together tonight.
Do you think she won't come?
Girls, where's Deok Im?
Court Lady, we didn't see Deok Im today.
- It's true. - That's right.
- Good bye. - Hurry!
Where is Deok Im?
What is she up to now?
You were supposed to be in training.
Where were you?
Deok Im!
You'll catch a cold!
Let's go back!
I'm fine now.
What were you thinking about?
I was just looking…
At my place where I'll live forever.
A long time ago what you requested.
Did you find that girl?
That girl you're looking for already left the Palace.
What do you mean she left?
How?
She said she was a young court lady.
How could she have left when I'm still alive?
Let's just think that she has left.
It's better than being dead.
What if the King finds out you went to see your Grandmother?
You would both get in trouble.
Don't be so sad.
You'll soon forget about your Grandmother.
I'll look for that girl then.
It's okay. You don't need to.
You're right. What's the point of me seeing her?
I'm the Crown Prince.
She's just a lowly court ladyl
We can't even be friends.
We can't even sit in front of each other.
Since you say she left the Palace I'll believe you.
I won't ever look for her.
Your Highness.
Are you looking for someone?
No, I'm not.
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Your Highness!
If I ever see you again, I just wanted to say thank you.
The most painful day for me…
I wanted to thank you for being there with me.
You'll get sick if you cry too much.
But… it's better for you if are away.
When somebody is with me it can get dangerous for them.
Whatever danger lies ahead I'll be by your side.
I know.
Thank you.
I definitely remember saving the Crown Prince that day.
If I go to him with this, would I automatically become a Court Lady?
I should be glad I'm still alive.
I must be out of my mind!
Out of my mind!
Let's go.
Weren't you supposed to get punished today?
I changed it to tomorrow. Today, I have nothing.
Hey! You put frog eggs here, right?
It wasn't me this time! I'm serious!
Hey! Stop right there!
I'm so sorry.
- Deok Im. - Yes.
I heard you're good at calligraphy.
- Can you write my letter next time? - Yes.
Deok Im! I heard people are waiting for you.
- I know. I'm going there. - Hey! That's not the right way!
I'm going to take a shortcut. I'm late!
Today was a horrible day.
You saw my older brother?
I couldn't dare see it happen…
Are you the troublemaker?
What is your name?
- Hong Deok Ro. - Master?
It came in and already killed twelve people.
That's not how you capture a tiger.
If you move in, you'll get in trouble.
I know it's dangerous, but I only have you.
Only you can do it.