Original subtitles

THE FOLLOWING FICTIONAL DRAMA IS BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS

This is proof that the shell guys were planning a rebellion.

Grand Prince Jinseong is supposed to be the King.

The late King left a note.

Did you want to...

betray me?

Your Majesty.

Father.

Your Majesty.

As promised,

I have to take your life.

Not only yours,

your wife will also...

be killed.

But...

Chae-kyung must die first.

Your Majesty, my daughter...

has nothing to do with this.

So please let her go.

Father, don't. I'll stay with you.

Your Majesty!

I showed mercy on her,

now it's your turn.

I'm asking again.

Did you really let the Prince go?

Your Majesty, I...

did not.

I found out...

about the shell guys and where they were hiding.

But there were a lot of places they used for their hideouts.

I wanted to find out the exact places and those involved

in order to catch them all at once.

That's why I didn't tell you right away. I never wanted to lie to you.

But... it was my fault...

that I did not notice someone was trying to...

falsely accuse me.

Your Majesty...

he's lying to you right now to save himself.

Where on earth are their hideouts?

Give me a map. I'll mark the places on it.

Bring it.

Right away.

Search Im Sa-hong's vacation home.

Then go search the empty houses that are scheduled to be demolished.

My friends are creating fake hideouts now.

In an hour, they will have made several hideouts across the city.

All done now.

Thanks.

If you want to make things right,

do as I say.

How?

Destroy any evidence that this was our hideout.

Or...

we can create more...

fake hideouts.

We searched the locations that Jwauijeong pointed out.

Many articles belonging to the shell guys have been found there.

Specifically, they found a list

of corrupt officers in one of the houses that they searched.

What Jwauijeong said was true then.

Who owns the house?

Well, it's...

Doseungji's.

It can't be.

This is a trap.

-Someone is trying to-- -Same here.

Anyone can place...

fake evidence anywhere

in order to escape this city without leaving a trace.

Even without evidence,

one can become a criminal overnight...

and be hung.

They always put...

their seal on their posters.

Why do you think they left shells and used a seal like this?

They want to let people know what they do.

This poster...

doesn't have any seal.

So you mean the pawnshop wasn't their hideout?

If it is, your house must be one of their hideouts.

Where should we start our investigation then?

Your Majesty, don't believe what he's saying.

Knock it off.

You said you're not sure about the evidence you found today?

Then continue searching until you find clear evidence.

I'll give you another chance...

until you bring me proof.

Where's the Deputy Chief?

What you did is so despicable.

I think you're mistaken, Prince.

Mistaken?

Myung-hye told me everything. Are you saying I'm mistaken?

What kind of a king do you want?

Someone who uses others' lives as a shield...

to save his own life?

I don't want to be King by doing such a thing.

Grand Prince.

That's the nature of politics.

You'll soon realize...

your belief and enthusiasm are not all you need

to achieve your goals.

If there's no belief or principle, the throne is meaningless!

That's being a tyrant.

Disband...

the group right now.

Do everything you can to get them back

to where they were!

Without sacrificing anyone.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

It's all right.

The Prince hasn't changed at all.

He was stubborn even in front of his father.

He said what he wanted to say.

That was impressive.

He's far from down-to-earth.

But I'm proud of him.

He was almost killed,

but still has such a firm belief.

I think the late King already noticed his character when he was little.

SEUNG-MYUNG-PAE: A TOKEN USED TO SHOW IT'S KING'S ORDER

Honey.

Are you all right, Dad?

What happened?

Why did they arrest you?

Don't worry. They were mistaken.

The Prince took care of the situation quickly.

He saved me.

Grand Prince?

I committed an unforgivable sin against His Majesty.

I had to lie to him, which I'm not supposed to do.

It was to save you and your husband.

But it is unforgivable that an official helped criminals

for a personal reason.

I'm sorry, Dad.

I'm going to do my best to give advice to...

and help His Majesty to better govern the country.

I'm going to pay for my misdeed by serving him well.

I don't think...

I have anything I can do as your father.

I hope you'll live the rest of your life...

only as his wife.

I won't.

Before being his wife,

I'm your daughter.

Not anymore.

Now that you're married to him,

you have to be strong to survive.

To do that..

it requires you to cut ties with your parents,

if necessary.

Dad.

So leave here now.

Don't ever come back here.

That's the only way to save you,

your husband,

His Majesty and the whole family.

Leave Hanseong now.

Don't ever come back.

Leave here with Chae-kyung as soon as possible.

What happened to you? Where have you been?

Did you hear what happened to your father? If not--

One at a time.

I'm all ears.

He has approved it already?

Is your father all right?

Yes.

He said you...

saved his life.

It wasn't me.

He saved us.

It could've been worse.

I was terrified too.

I'm sorry.

It's not over, is it?

My Dad said I should not come back to Hanseong no matter what happens.

I see.

The shell guys will soon disband once I'm gone.

My brother will feel better if I'm not around.

Everything will be fine.

We don't have time.

There's a lot to do before we leave.

Until the leader shows himself,

how about beheading them...

one by one?

Your Majesty, they might not be the real shell guys.

Receiving rice from them means they sided the group.

Your Majesty,

please reconsider.

They are just innocent people.

Innocent?

Are you sure they didn't have any motive to rebel...

after getting rice from...

the shell guys?

More than half of all households

received rice from them.

It won't be too hard to catch the accomplices.

There's a large stack of textiles at my parents' house.

I brought a few rolls.

A few?

What are you doing?

Being a good husband.

You should've carried this for me then.

I was kidding.

Stand up straight.

What are you doing?

We're going a long way.

You'll need more clothes.

We're leaving first thing tomorrow.

I can stay up all night.

I don't think it's going to be wearable.

Actually...

there are tons of clothes in the closet over there.

Why don't you just spread them...

on the floor and measure them? Is this necessary?

You're smart.

You didn't know that?

-I don't think so. -Pardon?

You know it all, but you're doing this for--

-It's not true. -What isn't?

It's not!

Sure, I believe you.

Remember my size.

I'm a hand length taller than you.

My sleeves are half a length longer.

My chest is two lengths wider than yours.

Just as I like your food the best although you're not the best cook,

the clothes you make for me will be most fashionable

even if it's the wrong size.

I'll be happy to wear it whether it's long or short...

and whether it's tight or loose.

I knew you were smart.

It's well worth the effort.

Have you heard about the note?

The one that the late King left?

When the Prince becomes an adult, abdicate your throne for him.

Your Majesty.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, did you stay all night at the library again?

I've been hearing things... lately.

Your Majesty, don't hurt your ears.

Did you ever...

see the secret note?

Did you say the secret note?

It says I need to hand over my throne...

to my brother when he becomes adult.

Why would my father leave such note?

For what? Am I not enough for this?

Am I not?

You're right. It's just a rumor--

But...

do you know why the rumor is spreading?

Because my mother...

was a deposed queen.

Because my mother was deposed,

they look down on me.

Not surprising.

Even my own father left such a note because he didn't trust me.

Secret note?

Did I just say...

secret note?

Please have a drink--

Who made me like this?

Tell me who deposed my mother.

Bring Doseungji to me now. I'll ask him myself.

Yes, Your Majesty.

His mother?

That's right. It's a great chance to earn his trust again.

I see a blood bath coming.

All right. You can go now.

I hope you'll live the rest of your life only as his wife.

It requires you to cut ties with your parents if necessary.

Leave all the sad memories here before we go.

What are you doing?

Oh.

Nothing.

Don't put everything outside. Some of these are suspicious.

Some of them say we are planning a rebellion.

If one of us is caught, all of us will be caught in the end. Understand?

Get the shell guys!

We're not the shell guys!

Why are you doing this?

Why are you doing this to us?

-I'm innocent. -Why are you doing this to me!

I've done nothing wrong.

-You got rice from them! -What are you talking about?

-Please let me go! -We didn't do it.

I've done nothing wrong. I'm innocent!

They suddenly came in and said we we're traitors!

Hurry, this way.

He's one of our regulars.

I have to save him!

Don't.

Calm down. It's Shin's plan to catch us.

I knew it.

There's not a single official we can trust.

I knew he'd bite the hand that fed him.

We should've killed him back then.

Stop, please. We need to get out of here.

Jwauijeong.

King's order.

This is an order to arrest the shell guys.

As of tonight, make sure no one is allowed to enter the city gates.

Only those with permission issued by the authorities will be allowed.

Some have to come in and out to make a living.

What about a checkpoint rather than completely closing the gate?

We may fail to catch some of the criminals if they sneak out.

So I hope people will cooperate until we catch them all.

Let's take a break here.

Yes.

Aren't you tired?

I'm all right.

How about you?

Why don't you whistle anymore?

It's been quite a while.

Every time I whistle, I think of you.

Do you know how I survived?

That's--

Then you must know that the one who saved Yeok was a woman.

I'm sure you survived just fine.

You saved me.

Your whistling saved me.

When I was dying in the valley,

I whistled.

Myung-hye heard me.

She treated my wounds, but...

the one who truly saved me...

was you.

So...

you don't have to worry about her.

I didn't ask, but...

is it your guilty conscience?

No, I mean...

we agreed to be honest with each other.

But you never asked about it.

So I was nervous.

Actually...

I was afraid to ask.

What if she has done...

more for you than I did?

What if she's more important than I am?

Do you think that's possible?

I came back for you.

I wanted to tell you.

When I was being cowardly and dishonest, I said the same thing to you.

It might have sounded like a lie.

I see.

I am beginning to see,

your sincerity, little by little.

Please let me go.

Do you know the shell guys?

I heard of them...

but I've never seen them.

Please don't kill us.

Shut up!

Are you going to believe everything they say

and simply release them?

I'll catch them...

so all you need to do is just carry out their executions.

Well, you don't have to thank me for helping you.

What are you doing?

You should have handled it properly.

Are you going to kill innocent people?

If it's not what you want, your leader will reveal himself.

What did he say?

Queen Mother is concerned.

I should've ended it.

Where on earth did Seo Noh go? I haven't seen him.

Is there any other way?

It's a trap to catch the Prince.

Unless he reveals himself...

it won't end.

-What are you doing? -Hands off! Let me go.

Those who opposed the reinstatement of the deposed queen

include Lee Haeng and Kang Hyung.

Those who agreed to depose her were...

Yoon Pil-sang, Han Chi-hyung, and Han Myung-hue.

Most of them have already died.

They must have been buried somewhere, right?

POSTHUMOUS EXECUTION: MUTILATION OF A DEAD BODY AS A PUNISHMENT

If it is a serious crime,

they should pay even if they are dead.

Their descendants should be held accountable for what their ancestors did.

Flogging maybe. No, just kill them all.

I will. Your wish is my command.

Punish those who instigated a rebellion...

through death penalty.

Carry out the execution!

See, Nak-cheon.

The King hasn't changed.

I'm sorry.

These are all we can serve.

Two days ago, the gates closed. So the vegetable vendors couldn't come in.

Enjoy what we have.

The gates are closed?

I'm not sure,

but they're doing some sort of criminal sweep to catch traitors.

You must be tired. Get some sleep.

We've got a long way to go.

Sure.

I'll bring my nightgown. I put my bags outside.

I'll bring them for you.

-Did you hear that? -Hear what?

They're trying to capture the shell guys.

I heard about it.

That's bad.

Do rich people come here?

Is there anyone here who just came from Hanseong?

What do you want to know?

I want to know what's going on there.

I brought this poster from there to give it to my friends.

You can take it.

To the leader of the shell guys.

As of tonight, anyone who helped

or got help from shell guys will face the death penalty.

This will continue until the leader comes clean.

If you don't want to

see your people get killed, come to Uigeumbu or police now.

It's been four days.

Four to five people every night.

By now, dozens of people must have died.

I'm not sure,

but they're doing a criminal sweep to catch traitors.

Grand Prince.

Chae-kyung.

Don't say anything. You can't.

It's their business.

The King and his officers will take care of it.

We should not get involved.

I already have a place to live in mind.

I want to build the house that I've dreamed of.

All you have to do is trust me and follow me.

Your baggage was here in this room.

Get changed.

I'll...

be right back.

All right.

Grand Prince.

Sincere congratulations on your wedding.

I'm looking forward to seeing your kids, hoping they look like Chae-kyung, not you.

As soon as things settle here, we'll visit you in Geochang.

You'd better have chicken for us when we come.

Seo Noh, your turn.

Nak-cheon. Even though we're disbanding,

I'll be always on your side.

Until I die,

I'll always be the same Seo Noh you used to know when we we're little.

This will continue until the leader comes clean.

If you don't want to see your people get killed,

come to Uigeumbu or the police now.

Now that you're married to him,

you must be strong in order to survive.

Don't ever come back here.

That's the only way to save you, your husband,

His Majesty...

and the whole family.

Who's there?

It's me, Seo Noh.

You are safe.

I know I'm not supposed to be safe.

One of us has to sacrifice themselves.

That will buy us time so that we can disband...

and regroup.

Dying as the leader of the shell guys isn't a bad thing.

Just tell me you're mad at me.

Didn't you want to kill me?

Why would I kill you?

You're already living in torment.

What?

You rarely smile. So...

you're living in torment.

You'll continue living in torment...

because of what you think is a great cause.

You'll lose everyone around you

and end up alone.

You can't threaten me.

I just feel sorry for you.

Take care of yourself.

Your drinking buddy will also be gone.

I don't...

want to see anymore sacrifices like my father.

I'll...

kill the King myself... for everyone.

So I hope you understand...

and will help me out.

Of course, I understand you want to reinstate your mother as queen.

However, you have your father too.

You'd better follow his will.

My father's will?

The late King ordered not to...

talk about your biological mother for the next 100 years.

Going against the will means you're challenging his authority.

Authority?

You have to follow his will...

to assert your authority.

My authority won't be maintained...

not because I didn't follow my father's will,

but because my mother was a deposed queen.

That's why nameless, faceless people

keep talking about the shell guys,

questioning my authority, and stirring up other people.

That's why you're killing them all by execution.

It's just temporary.

I want my power and authority back.

So I will...

proceed with...

the reinstatement of my mother as queen.

Your Majesty, we got the leader.

What did you just say?

He confessed? Who?

It can't be Nak-cheon. He left, right?

He must be far from here. He won't even know about this.

Even if he knew, all the city gates are closed.

He couldn't get in.

Then? If it's not Nak-cheon, who would claim to be the leader?

Dying as the leader...

He took a strong stance, so I beat him a bit.

Wake him up.

Stand up!

His Majesty is looking forward to seeing him.

He'll be disappointed.

Get up!

He's too weak to sit up.

Leave him.

That's not the face I was hoping to see.

He used to be Prince Jinseong's right-hand man.

If we keep torturing him, he'll rat out the Prince.

No, I won't.

I'm the leader of the shell guys.

Just kill me.

Just like you killed my father.

-Your father? -Yes.

He's the son of the late King's officer who knew about the note.

I promised your father not to harm you.

So don't be stubborn.

Why are you and the other shell guys...

willing to be punished for Yeok who abandoned you?

Just tell me one thing...

that he made you do this.

That he forced the group to plot a rebellion.

Just say it.

Then you and your friends will be freed.

If that's true,

the shell guys...

That was close.

Now I see.

You lied to me to kill me.

Or...

did you come to turn yourself in?

I should've done better.

The whole country would have been saved if I had killed you.

There would be no more killing of innocent people.

I'm deeply grateful to you...

caring about my people that much.

I want a public execution...

rip off his arms and legs.

Then display his body on every corner of this city.

Make sure that Yeok sees him.

So that...

Yeok knows about it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You can't sleep?

How about you?

I can't sleep since I know you can't.

I'm here next to you, so relax and go to sleep.

Maybe because I'm away from home.

You used to sleep well at the pawnshop.

I had nightmares.

But fortunately,

I didn't when I slept next to you.

I was fine.

Home is like that.

Now...

I'm your home.

You're right.

You are my home.

Home that I should always...

come back to from wherever I am.

That's why you should stay here.

Do you understand?

Don't let me get lost...

on the way back to you.

You don't have to go far from home.

Then...

you won't get lost.

Yes.

You're right.

I don't think I can sleep.

I'll finish this up. You'll be able to wear this tomorrow.

Are you all right?

I'm good at cooking, but sewing is not my thing.

Are you worried?

Sure I am.

Not about me.

Baek, Jo... and Seo Noh.

Your friends.

You're staying here...

because of me, right?

No way.

I chose to stay.

We should leave to Geochang.

It was hard to get permission.

But you're already...

running to Hanseong in your mind.

I know you're so scared and worried now.

Are you going to leave...

even when I stay up all night?

Why can't you lie to me?

You used to lie to me all the time.

Why can't you just pretend?

I promised not to lie to you.

Chae-kyung.

You can go.

But...

I'll go with you.

Chae-kyung.

No matter what you say, I'll go with you.

Okay.

Then...

we'll just go see if they're okay.

And then we'll leave.

Promise me.

I do.

Seo Noh

Come on.

Is this what you are?

Are you going to die like this?

Innocent people are being killed.

How can I just sit and not do anything?

They have nothing to do with us.

You don't know them.

It's not true.

Whoever they are,

I can see myself in them.

Even a three-year-old baby,

an 80 year-old man...

and a lady next door.

I see myself in those who are poor and bullied because they're weak.

Here and there, I can see Seo Noh everywhere.

Every time I see them being killed,

it feels like I'm getting killed.

It would have been better had I killed him.

If I did, I would have been able to...

lessen your burden.

You are foolish,

and reckless.

Yes.

That's who I am.

Who will I drink with?

How can I smile again if I lose you?

Can you...

smile for me now?

I want to see...

your smiling face one last time.

These people...

have nothing to do with the shell guys.

Let them go.

Release them!

Release them now!

Let them go.

Didn't you hear what he said? They have nothing to do with this.

-Now! -Yes.

Thank you, Prince. Thank you, Milady.

I have nothing to give. I'll give you my life.

I'll die for you.

You'll say I'm foolish.

Take him.

You'll hate me if I...

go like this.

The stubbornness of Chae-kyung,

and your recklessness.

I liked how you protected each other.

Did you do this all by yourself?

Yes.

I did it alone.

I'm going to ask you one last time.

If anyone else was involved,

tell me now.

No.

I did it myself.

Seo Noh.

I've always wished that I could be like you two...

when I die.

The leader of the shell guys, Seo Noh...

spread false rumors with treasonous intent

to deceive and mislead the public.

He also created a group with...

I want to see your smiling face

for one last time.

His crime is serious.

Put him to death according to the law.

Execute the sentence!

Grand Prince and Chae-kyung...

you should protect each other.

There is nothing more for me to protect.

I've done everything I should.

Step back.

Go ahead.

The Prince...

has he revealed himself?

Not yet, Your Majesty.

Hands off!

Your Majesty.

Good to see you. I was expecting you.

Stop.

What is it that you want?

Will you give me it?

You want the one thing...

that I can never give you.

I know you will...

ask me something you're not supposed to have.

So my answer is...

no.

What about me giving you something?

If I give you something,

will you accept it?

What is it?

The throne.

Take my throne.

You can't disappear like that.

Then all I've done so far...

is meaningless.

Your Majesty.

You're desire to take the throne from me...

is driven by your resentment for me.

Only then I can hate you...

and torture you. So...

look how amazing this is.

You're wielding a sword in front of me.

It excites me.

This is such an amusing spectacle.

You cannot just leave.

-Brother. -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Rebellion!

The Prince is trying to kill His Majesty. Stop him!

Goodbye...

my brother.