Original subtitles

[Cha Joo Young / Lee Hyun Wook]

[The Queen Who Crowns]

[This drama is a fictional story based on historical figures and events and may differ from actual historical records.]

[Filming of animals or child actors followed production guidelines.]

Do you...

perhaps even subconsciously,

consider this nation, Joseon, to belong to the Min family?

How could you say such a thing?

You enthroned the current King.

Will you not...

see more bloodshed in the future?

How could you say such terrible things?

I am referring to Sangwang.

Father.

Father.

I called for him.

I hear the envoy from Ming

is a close friend of yours, so please help us.

Please buy us time so we do not give him a clear answer regarding the tribute.

I see you still want to act like the King.

I am not acting like the King. I am the King.

For whose benefit are you ruling as the King?

Do you even know why I tried to become the King?

It is because I saw the people throughout all my battles.

I saw the people lose everything and die of starvation.

I wanted to create a new world for those people.

However, you are not a king for the people.

How could you say that?

You were merely chosen

to serve a generational family of ministers.

Father.

That is why

I tried to kill you with my own hands.

I tried to kill you, my own flesh and blood,

and make this nation the way

I had originally dreamed.

Then...

what do you want me to do?

Die.

- Father! - If you cannot do that,

cut off those who only superficially changed loyalties to Joseon.

Only then will I consider you King.

The Queen asked me to meet the envoy from Ming.

Since she says it would benefit the people of Joseon,

I will do so.

Father is wrong.

You worked hard today.

Let us go back and rest now.

- Your Majesty. - You should just rest for today.

Your Majesty.

Tonight is the day for royal consummation.

Why tonight of all nights?

I feel tonight will be difficult.

Your Majesty.

Ask the King.

Yes.

Tell me.

Tonight is your royal consummation date.

What should I do?

Did the Queen say anything?

No.

I will go to the Queen's palace as scheduled.

Yes. I will prepare everything flawlessly.

Yes! Yes, yes! [Episode 4]

Catch it. Catch it!

Get it. You caught it!

Nice! Come here.

Aigoo, that one is quite plump.

Bring that one, too.

Well...

The middle one, that one!

Do your best with all of your heart.

Yes, Court Lady.

I pray, I pray.

To the gods of heaven and earth.

I pray, I pray.

To the gods of heaven and earth, I pray.

Stop.

Change it for another one immediately.

Yes, Court Lady.

The Hour of the Rat, when the door of heaven opens,

the Hour of the Ox when the door of earth opens,

and the Hour of the Tiger when all of creation moves.

These are the hours with the strongest yang energy.

At each hour, the court lady on duty will give the signal.

At her signal, you should perform the royal consummation.

During the royal consummation, you must not touch His Majesty's body,

and you must not make any noise.

You must remember the intercourse between the King and Queen

is solely for the purpose of bearing children...

Your Majesty.

Please have a wonderful night.

Then, have a good night.

During the royal consummation, you must not touch His Majesty's body,

and you must not make any noise.

Your Majesty, please start the royal consummation again.

Take the rooster away!

However, the customs of the palace-

If the customs of the palace say so, then let it be.

Your Majesty.

Court Lady on duty, are you outside?

Yes.

Enter.

Your Majesty!

It has not been long since I became King,

so we both lack experience in royal consummation.

Could you watch and help us from the sidelines?

Yes.

Then, Your Majesties, please start the royal consummation according to my instructions.

First, Your Majesties, please lie down side by side.

Court Lady, leave.

Your Majesty.

What must we do next?

- Your Majesty! - I asked what must be done next.

Why are you doing this!

You just have to follow!

What are you trying to teach me?

Is it a submission?

I refuse.

Your Majesty, please kill me.

Oh, no. Court Lady, what should we do?

Court Lady, what do we do about this disgraceful event?

What about Her Majesty?

I brought her to her chambers for now.

Make sure to keep everyone's mouths shut!

- Yes. - And you, too.

You must never speak of what happened tonight.

If not, we will all not survive.

Yes.

Your Majesty, it is me, Court Lady Jeong.

- I will enter. - Court Lady, you must not...

Tonight was not a good day for royal consummation.

Today was a humid day

when Your Majesty would be more sensitive.

I did not discern this fact and pushed for selecting tonight.

Thus, I will conclude this matter by asking for His Majesty to kill me.

This is not for you to take the blame.

In any case, it is true that Your Majesty refused the royal consummation.

Someone must take responsibility for it.

This is a matter between a married couple!

You are the King and Queen.

Thus, you must remember that the consummation between the two of you

can never belong to you as an individual.

That is enough.

There is nothing more to say on this.

Tonight did not happen.

- Pardon? - From now on,

I will never seek out the Queen.

So, do not set up a royal consummation date ever again.

Do you understand?

Your Majesty, but...

If you ever set up a royal consummation date,

I will make sure to punish you severely for it.

Cluck, cluck, cluck.

My goodness!

Why did you ask to see me?

I feel like the royal consummation between Their Majesties

ended up as a disaster all because of you.

Disaster?

How could you say such harsh things?

The conflict between His and Her Majesty

started from conflicts in bed.

- What did you say? - Do you not understand?

His Majesty tries to control Her Majesty even in bed! Aigoo...

What woman would ever want to have relations while others are watching?

She is Her Majesty.

Is Her Majesty not a woman?

Just think about the rooster.

I mean, why would you bring a rooster when they are having relations?

Do you really not know why?

If His Majesty has an accident from too much excitement during relations,

we will slit the rooster's neck and feed him the blood.

How does that make any sense?

His Majesty is dying over here

and the palace ladies gather over there to slit a rooster's throat?

- So, what you are saying is- - Honestly, stuff like death during relations,

Court Lady, you know?

when you freely...

do as your body wants to your heart's content

and get excited...

That is when that can happen.

That is why sleeping with concubines is more dangerous for him.

Since there is no boundary.

Listen, shut your mouth!

I am saying this because it is so upsetting.

Goodness.

Cluck, cluck, cluck.

Cluck, cluck.

There is nothing like a sword to cut off my boiling emotions.

You have a goal.

Then, you must also endure emotions that boil up.

Stay back.

A woman with a sword.

A woman of Joseon must not wield a sword.

Thus, such practices of Goryeo women

must come to an end with you.

What does it mean to be a Joseon woman?

Putting on pretty makeup,

following and obeying mindlessly...

Is that it?

I am saying you should be clever.

Have you changed after gaining power?

If you say adapting to the passing of time is changing,

then yes, I have changed.

Do not confuse me with complicated words.

Your Majesty just does not have any mind to share power with anyone.

If that is what you believe,

then yes.

I suppose that is also correct.

Your Majesty, Yeoseonggun is here.

Your Majesty!

About Won Beom...

I heard that ten swift soldiers of Gabyeolcho have secretly entered from Dongbukmyeon.

Won Beom met with them

and when Taesangwang finishes the envoy banquet and returns to the palace,

they will do a surprise attack.

The Queen asked me to meet the envoy from Ming.

Since she says it would benefit the people of Joseon,

I will do so.

They came to take Father with them, I see.

Yes. If Taesangwang returns to Dongbukmyeon,

they will assemble an army there and come down to Gaegyeong.

The Gabyeolcho in the Three Armies will join them when they do.

In the end, it appears they will stage a rebellion.

It is not just any rebellion!

It is a rebellion led by Taesangwang!

If Sangwang joins him as well,

then the whole regime can be overturned!

Did Sangwang also make up his mind thus?

Supposedly, a signed document was delivered to him to persuade him.

A signed document?

A document with the names of those

who would give their lives to restore Sangwang to the throne.

I must tell the King.

You must not.

We found this out through private means.

We broke the royal command.

Not only Your Majesty,

but our family will also be in danger.

[Favored Court Lady, Chae Ryeong / Princess Hyosun, Yeong Sil]

If you find anything you like here, take one.

I will give it to you as a gift.

No, thank you. That is all right.

It is a blend of blush and pine powder.

It is very valuable.

There is nothing like it to enhance the color of your face.

My Lady, try putting that on as well.

- This one? - Try that one.

Favored Court Lady,

someone from the Queen's palace is here.

Your Majesty, Favored Court Lady is here.

Your Majesty.

You said you were my servant.

Yes, that is so.

So, why...

Do you know the court maid who enters the Princess' quarters?

Follow me quietly.

Let him know.

Your Majesty, Her Majesty and Favored Court Lady are here.

Have them enter.

Several swift men of Gabyeolcho from Dongbukmyeon

have secretly entered Gaegyeong.

When Taesangwang finishes the envoy banquet and returns to the palace,

they will launch a surprise attack and take Taesangwang back to Dongbukmyeon.

- What did you say? - After that,

when Taesangwang raises an army and returns to Gaegyeong,

those who secretly follow Sangwang in the Three Armies are to join them.

But how did you find this out?

I had Yeoseonggun's informants find out about this.

You broke the King's command again!

It was to protect the King.

If this turns out to be false, you will have to lose your life.

Yes, I will do so.

A document signed by the rebels has been delivered to Sangwang.

How could that be when the palace security is so strict?

There is a court maid who enters the Princess' quarters.

She was wearing a ring that was beyond her means.

Is the Princess involved in this matter?

I do not know about that.

- You outside! - Yes.

Let go of me!

Why are you doing this?

From now on, you must answer me honestly without any speck of lie.

What is this?

I do not know.

Do you still not know?

I do not know.

Start.

Queen, you should leave.

I will buy us time.

I asked what the reason was for this.

Make her kneel.

My Princess... Notify my Princess about-

Court Lady.

Court Lady. Court Lady, please spare me.

Court Lady! Court Lady, please spare me.

Spare me, Court Lady!

Court Lady, please spare me! Court Lady!

Please spare me.

Your Majesty, the Chief Court Lady is here.

Tell me.

I am ashamed to speak.

Chief Eunuch!

Yes.

Summon the Palace Internal Guard immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sangwang did not...

blindly follow what others said.

[Yi Bang Gwa, Sangwang (Yi Bang Won's older brother, Jeongjong)]

Hyungnim, I will enter.

What is this about!

Escort Her Highness.

What is this about?

Please understand even though I act discourteously.

- Search the place. - Yes!

I found it.

Father does not know about this.

Do you know this is treason?

Since I did not agree to it, it is not treason.

Not telling me about it is considered treason.

If I tell you, then my people will all die at your hands again, King.

Your people?

Did you just say your people?

I think you have done enough.

- Sangwang. - I said, you have done enough now!

Hyungnim!

Queen, you should go to Taesang palace.

Please escort Father from Taesang palace to the palace.

Right now, you are the only one I can trust to send.

It will be dangerous.

Not only that,

even if you manage to bring Father,

I will not guarantee anything to you.

Thus,

I would understand if you refused.

I will go and bring him.

You have been through a lot.

Return safely.

Thank you, Taesangwang.

Father.

Won Beom.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Did His Majesty arrive?

Yes.

Your Majesty...

We should return to the palace, Father.

Your Majesty!

Why are you here?

Let Father go!

Have you made up your mind?

I have.

What do you mean?

What did you decide!

I can no longer see bloodshed between brothers, Father.

So,

you will abandon me and stick to Bang Won

and beg for your life?

It comes from my loyal desire to prevent any further chaos, Father!

How dare you!

What is your cause, Father?

For what cause are you shaking the nation like this?

My cause is

hatred!

That hatred is so deep

that the sorrow of having to kill my own son

is my cause!

If I go, I may show him proper respect,

but Father will not try to return with me.

However, you must leverage this situation

to win the heart of Sangwang.

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...

I have

already retired as King.

I do not want you all to die

because of me.

Your Majesty...

The King and I...

are biological brothers who share the same blood!

And I have a duty to cooperate in ensuring

the prosperity of Joseon under the rule of His Majesty.

So, you all should change your minds,

and I pray...

you will live thus.

Bring it inside!

It is wine mixed with horse blood.

I will help the King of Joseon

establish this nation on a firm foundation.

Your Majesty...

Sangwang and I have now formed a blood alliance

with the sacrificial blood vow.

Though you claim that Sangwang was unjustly ousted from the throne,

that is all a hollow excuse.

What do you mean! We have served Sangwang faithfully!

Cover up their heads.

Do not worry about others and choose for yourself.

Those who will take the sacrificial blood vow

with me as Sangwang did here,

come forth to share in the blood wine.

[Gaegyeong Suchang Palace]

The Princess who should serve the King was involved in a rebellion.

We cannot let this go.

- You are right. - We should hurry and submit a petition.

Yes, I understand.

Look.

You probably all heard,

but the Princess, who should be serving the King, was involved in a rebellion.

- Oh, no. - We cannot just let this go.

We should submit a petition quickly.

Let us go quickly to submit a petition.

If the King allows this concubine to live because of his personal feelings,

this nation will come to ruin!

- You are right. - You scholars must sway him.

Now, now, now.

Did you hear the news?

You scholars must not sit idle.

We must sway the King.

My Lady.

You must not enter.

I received permission from the Chief Court Lady.

Let me enter.

I had no idea that the Court Maid delivered such a secret letter.

Why would I take part in a rebellion?

I want to meet with His Majesty,

but he is not seeking me out.

No matter how much I ask to see him,

he refuses to see me.

You are the mistress of the court maid who was involved in a rebellion.

You cannot meet with His Majesty.

Even if His Majesty's affection for you is deep,

he will not be able to reject the ministers' petitions.

The petitions to have me killed?

They are people who live and die by principles.

Then, what should I do?

What should I do!

Right now, there is only one person

who can save you, Princess.

Her Majesty.

Her Majesty?

Her Majesty is the head of the inner palace.

Her Majesty can request His Majesty to allow her to handle this matter according to custom.

Then, she can wait for the atmosphere to settle down before quietly resolving this situation.

At the very least, you will preserve your life this way.

What if I refuse?

You should think about Prince Bi.

If something happens to you, who will protect the Prince?

Your Majesty, the Secretary of Royal Orders is here.

This is a petition submitted collectively by the scholars of Sungkyunkwan.

It is likely a petition calling for the death of the Princess.

Do you also think the Princess being involved in treason makes any sense?

She is a concubine serving the King.

Someone she privately associates with has been involved in treason.

We cannot avoid holding her accountable.

If the Princess dies,

people will say

that the Queen killed her out of jealousy.

Your Majesty.

Then, did I really not feel an inkling of jealousy?

I cannot say for sure.

Did it pain you to see the Princess receiving His Majesty's love?

In the past,

when His Majesty looked at me,

I used to see his gaze

and say to myself

that this man

is in love with me.

It was sweet, overwhelming,

and fulfilling.

When he softly

and carefully...

caressed me.

However,

now those things

are no longer mine.

The wind is chilly.

We should head inside now.

Your Majesty ascended to the throne by sacrificing the blood of countless people.

Therefore, the process of solidifying your position as king must be even more strict.

You anticipated a confrontation with Taesanwang,

which is why you even received a vow of loyalty from Sangwang.

If such a king were to protect a concubine involved in treason,

what would the officials say?

If personal emotions interfere with strengthening internal unity,

a king would lose his principles.

And a king who loses his principles

will suffer damage to his authority. You must remember that.

Your Majesty must remember that

any damage to your authority will make the strengthening of the monarchy

you so desire unattainable.

Then, you are telling me to kill the Princess.

Your Majesty, I am saying you should demonstrate the solemn authority of the monarchy.

Let her know.

Right now!

Your Majesty, Princess Hyosun is here.

I believe she was ordered not to leave her quarters.

Tell her to go back.

Save me, Your Majesty!

I was wrong!

Please save me, Your Majesty!

Oh, Your Majesty! Please save me, Your Majesty! Please...

Your Majesty! Please save me, Your Majesty!

Please stand up.

I really do not know anything about this.

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty,

His Majesty is here.

Your Majesty...

Father-in-law, Yeoheung Buwongun*, was a high-ranking scholar of Sungkyunkwan. (Title given to the queen's father)

He produced many students.

Thus, many at Sungkyunkwan still revere Yeoheung Buwongun.

But it is not just Sungkyunkwan.

There are followers of Yeoheung Buwongun everywhere in the royal court.

Why are you telling me this?

If petitions keep piling up like this,

I will have no choice but to kill that girl.

Regardless of my wishes as king,

I am unable to even save

a single concubine due to the pressure applied by the Queen, her family,

and the powerful ministers under her family's control.

How is that a king?

Princess Hyosun should enter.

No one has ever given me as much comfort as she has.

I do not want to lose her.

So, please save Yeong Sil.

Right now, you are the only one who can save her, Queen.

Please grant my request this time.

Your request?

It is a request and not a command?

Why not just say you are doing this because you love Yeong Sil?

And so, how about you beg me to save her?

Then, who knows? Perhaps I may save her.

You want me, the King, to beg?

Your Majesty...

[The Queen Who Crowns]

♫ Only the moonlight lights up the entire mountain ♫

♫ Oh, heavens, holding your breath from being shy ♫

♫ Until the day breaks ♫

♫ We are separated, and I sing alone ♫

What if I need it to weaken the power of the Min family?

How could he take in a concubine!

- No. - You!

Finally, the war between His and Her Majesty has begun.

Who is the one informing the Queen?

Now, we must go down our own path.

Are you saying the center of the palace is the Queen?

We have fallen into a trap.

In the Joseon I build,

please live as a Joseon woman.

Are you confident you can replace the king?