Based on a novel of the same name, it tells the record of a royal court romance between the King of Joseon who believes his duty is to his country first above love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen.
The peaks and the valleys. Find the essential episodes — and the ones to skip.
The dispute over the throne finally comes to an end. Aware of his current weakness, the King admits that his current status is no longer fit to rule a country. With the help of Duk Im, the King remembers the promise he has with his late son. A promise that he will make San the next king of Joseon. Now, a new sky has risen, and San prepares to become what he has been trained for his whole life.
After the incident at the bathtub, San happens to eavesdrop on the conversation of the court maids. From that conversation, he learns something that truly makes him happy. Meanwhile, something is not well with the King. Despite his great age, he maintains good health and a clear mind. However, some symptoms show that he is now not as healthy as he always used to be.
King Yeongjo orders to confine San in his chambers. Duk Im desperately wants to help San get out of the trouble and starts to think hard to come up with an idea. Duk Im happens to learn about a secret document that the promise between His Majesty and the late Crown Prince is written on. Meanwhile, San is framed for high treason and questioned by King Yeongj in front of the high officials.
A young maid Duk Im is ordered to visit the late Royal Noble Consort Yeong's funeral. There she meets the Crown Prince who also secretly came to say goodbye to his grandmother. Duk Im learns about the forbidden book which King Yeongjo despises because of a certain phrase, and is warned that she'll be losing her head if she is to read it. One day, she hears that the book is kept in the Crown Prince's library, which makes her worried.
Each point is an episode, plotted in order. Colored bands mark season boundaries. Look for the rise, the plateau, or the decline.
High votes + high rating = beloved classic. High votes + low rating = notorious stinker. Low votes + high rating = hidden gem.
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