THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
In this endless universe
there is a planet like Earth.
In that planet is a country named Joseon.
If that name sounds familiar
that's not right.
When two ladies who were born on the same day and time
have their life-and-death fates divided on the same day and time
the story begins.
I repeat, this story is fictional.
PROHIBITION OF MARRIAGE DECREE
What is that?
What does that say? They need to explain so that we know.
It says prohibition of marriage will be declared.
It hasn't been that long Crown Princess passed
and they're already selecting?
They'll ruin our marriages.
Prohibition of marriage?
What is that?
So!
This prohibition of marriage
is declared when the royals select their wives.
Simply put, "We come first.
So we won't let any maidens of age get married."
They're saying that.
What? Then I can't get married?
Does that mean I won't get a husband?
But what times are we living in?
A boy and a girl can't sit together from seven on.
A man and a lady are not allowed
to meet freely and fall in love.
Until they get married
they can't even hold each other's hands.
And they prohibit marriage?
They're so mean!
Pop, how about I learn to read marital compatibility?
Don't even.
Haven't you heard?
People need to get married
for them to bring in money to read marital compatibility.
Fortune tellers will starve to death!
You say you have spiritual vision
yet you only know one out of two things.
Even if the country officially
forbids marriage
would they be able to forbid love?
-What? -Wait and see.
The more they try to stop
the more that love will be on fire.
Fate between people.
If we stand in between
we will be able to make a living.
Gosh, I'm not brave enough to scam people. Don't drag me in!
How is this a scam?
It's only natural for people to match up.
This country, which forbids that, is crazy.
Wow.
If I must say it
I'll just be a love messenger for young ladies and gents.
Get him!
This path might look rough
but it's pretty rewarding.
I won't be able to get married anyway.
You only live once! Here I go!
If you want, I could find you a bride.
-A bride? -With that money
I could help with a secret marriage.
-Find him! -Yes, sir!
Keep him in for now.
Let's meet again.
What was that?
-What is this? -You can't.
I matched you that day!
Why do you look--
Is it rougher than I thought?
MARRIAGE PROHIBITION ORDER
Goodness gracious!
He's the worst tyrant ever.
Don't you think so?
He's forbidding marriage.
But the selection is canceled every time. He has no son.
Young men and women haven't been
able to get married for seven years.
Oh my! My goodness.
My daughter will die a virgin!
-This isn't right. -Look at her!
This is my daughter. She is beautiful.
What good is she now?
THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
Ye So-rang is released!
GEUMJUGAMUN
When'll you quit scamming?
I need seed money to live properly.
This is enough to settle down.
Pop, where did you get this money?
I saved what you've been scam--
I saved the money by reading marital compatibility.
This should be enough
to set up a shop in Insagol.
Insagol?
Let's go to Hanyang.
You said you won't go to Hanyang.
Your mind is not stable.
How much longer will you wander?
Hey…
EPISODE ONE
Do you really have to go this far?
I really have to go this far.
Mixing medicine into the king's tea
is a severe crime that can't even be measured.
We've been serving His Majesty for so long.
Even if I become a eunuch for treason I need to do what must be done.
But you're already…
Never mind.
Don't be nervous.
This is the resolute decision for this country.
Where is the girl prepared for tonight?
Come here.
My name is Cho-ran.
There's no-one better than her in Joseon in sex techniques.
She will for sure
be able to get him tonight.
With this, even an old man can get a child.
But His Majesty isn't an ordinary man.
If we fail again tonight, he is really…
impotent or gay.
What? He's the king?
Who is that girl?
She is Cho-ran, replacing Sun-a, who is sick.
She will serve tea to help with your insomnia.
Is that so?
It's done. Even a cup will make a man like a hot rod.
If you're hot
I will help you undress.
Then…
We will step out.
Ja-yeon.
Please think of me as Ja-yeon.
How dare you say that name
with your mouth?!
Anyone outside?!
Get out of the way!
Whose work is this?
I deserve death.
Tell me!
Why did you plan such thing?
So please…
Get married straight away.
I guess you've lived enough
that you want to end it here?
State Tribunal Captain Lee Shin-won
sees His Majesty.
Everybody step out.
Is there going to be bloodshed?
They've been longtime friends. No way.
I followed Your Majesty's orders
and performed my duty.
Today's report is pretty aggressive.
Do you also see me as a crazy tyrant?
Right now, it looks so.
Your Majesty,
how would I not know your concern?
But
you have to consider the people suffering from seven years
of marriage being banned.
Do you believe you'd be able to marry once the prohibition is lifted?
You're also still looking for her.
That lady who vanished.
That's why you're the only one
who can understand me.
Shin-won.
Even when everyone points at me
please stay by my side till the end.
I will follow your order.
I'm finally back here.
Are you still happy looking like that?
Why wouldn't I?
We have this seed.
Let's go.
Hanyang, I'm back.
We have umbrellas.
How do I look?
-I told you! -Hello.
That's why you died.
Excuse me!
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
Yes.
I'm looking for a space for a shop in Insagol.
Sure.
What kind of a space are you looking for?
Well, I'm thinking about a tea shop somewhere quiet.
A tea shop?
There are several tea shops nearby.
-Follow me. -Let's go.
This is it.
This place is right in front of the capitol. There are lot of traffic.
Excuse me.
STORE CLOSED. URGENT SALE
What do you think? It's great.
CLOSURE SALE - EVERYTHING ONE NYANG
DISCOUNT LIQUIDATION
Do you want to look some more?
No, I'll take this one.
AEDALDANG
Aedaldang…
AEDALDANG: LOVE SPECIALIST
Are you doing marital compatibility here?
If a couple gets married
then you'll be arrested.
So…
Will you report me?
Come on.
I'm all done when the payment is done.
Gosh.
What happened yesterday is already going around?
That Viagra is sold out. On top of that…
What?
There's even a rumor that the Crown Princess who died by betrayal
haunted the palace which ruined the whole country's
marital luck.
I heard he sees things.
Nothing's haunted.
His Majesty just
hasn't forgotten her yet.
Just like you?
Yes, like me.
So
you let the lady who visited
last night just go?
Who knows who sent her?
That's not important right now.
I heard envoys from Arabia
secretly offered medicine in your quarters.
Should I start looking into that matter?
So how far were you able to go?
Your Highness!
I'm just worried.
I don't know which parts of your body are healthy.
I'm also worried if the rumors on the streets are true.
What rumors?
Never mind.
When the queen's position is filled
I won't need to have such doubt.
If that position is filled carelessly
you know what'll happen.
Your Majesty,
because of the long marriage ban
the birth rate is seriously affected.
We should be
promoting marriage
yet we're prohibiting it.
How can we discuss the future
in a country where there are no newborns?
Please proceed with
the selection as soon as possible.
-There are rumors… -A crazy tyrant.
A gay longing for a man.
An impotent who can't perform.
Goodness!
Isn't it a relief?
Nothing applies to you.
Isn't that how you, Minister of Military
consider me?
I'm just relaying what
people are saying every night.
If you just withdraw the decree
it'll make everyone's life easier.
Was that up to me?
Well, you do have one up there, don't you?
-Minister! -Young people these days
are busy preparing for tests and jobs
they can't afford to get married and have kids.
From what I see
whether you withdraw the decree or not
the situation will be similar.
Why do you
take the removal of people's rights for granted?
Everyone listen.
The fact is that
the prohibition of marriage cannot be prolonged.
I will for sure select the queen within this year and withdraw the decree
banning marriage.
This is already the third selection in seven years.
You doubtfully canceled last selections as well.
But that won't happen this time.
Nothing can be guaranteed.
You're speaking as if this selection will be canceled as well.
Of course not.
I only speak out of my loyalty to you
as someone worrying for your safety.
My safety?
My safety.
Your Majesty.
Where are you going?
I'll have to take care of
my own safety.
I'll go to see the Crown Princess.
Your Majesty!
GYEONGHOERU
What is all this?
Follow me.
Hunny.
Come on.
Call me that just this once.
Lee Heon. Heon.
Hunny, Hunny, Hunny, Hunny.
How could I say your name so carelessly?
Crown Princess.
Why don't you let your heart go freely to me?
I cannot let go of my tension
for my loyalty towards you.
Loyalty? I don't like loyalty.
Love. How about love and affection for her husband?
I brought some sweet liquor today.
So we can be sweet between each other.
You always treasure me so fondly.
I'm thankful
and sorry.
You're lovely.
That's why you're loved.
This affection
can be taken wrong by others.
A husband loving his wife?
Your Highness mustn't show
any weakness.
There's no storm.
The storm keeps the sea from rotting.
Under this calm water
the inside might be rotting.
When power stagnates, it rots.
That's why you need a storm to stir it up.
A storm is needed to change this country.
But someone without a rope
can be swept away by it.
So you don't have a rope?
How about I become that rope?
-I will take that role. -Your Highness.
You have to separate love and state affairs.
If I get swept away by the storm in the palace
and drift away from you
please don't worry
-and take care of yourself. -Why would we…
drift away?
Then promise me
you will take care of yourself.
Does that mean you can't promise?
Please
take care of yourself.
Your Highness, you can't.
-Let go. -Your Highness.
-You can't. -Let go!
I am her husband.
-Get out of the way. -If you look at the sinner's body
who committed suicide it's bad luck for you.
How dare you call her a sinner? Suicide?
This is definitely…
a murder by strangulation. A murder.
This is a murder!
Your Highness.
Let go of me!
Who dares to kill the Crown princess?
Who?
Why are you here like this?
Open your eyes.
Oh no.
Someone go get the Royal Doctor!
Why are you here like this? Oh, Ja-yeon.
Ja-yeon, please open your eyes.
No.
Your Majesty.
Please don't do this.
Please turn away.
Your Majesty!
I need to overcome this.
People who don't know can say that.
But not us.
Please don't go in, Your Majesty.
Get out of my way.
-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!
Crown Princess.
Please come, Crown Princess.
That is definitely a suicide.
The deposed princess who couldn't adapt
-did something she shouldn't. -You mustn't
forgive her who left you behind.
Who!
Who said this is a suicide?
Who dared to say that?
C-Crown Princess.
Crown Princess.
Crown Princess. Crown Princess!
Weren't you just here?
Crown Princess.
I am here.
Weren't you just right here?
-Ja-yeon… -Your Majesty.
Yes, Shin-won.
The Crown Princess was just here. Did you see her?
She was really just here.
Your Majesty.
You said you'd make a choice
within this year and withdraw the decree.
If you keep seeing the late Crown Princess
will you be able to get a new queen?
You have to forget her.
Would that be
possible in this life?
In any case this life is ruined.
No matter how many expensive jewelry you gave
would that buy a lady's heart?
Why don't we go inside and talk over a cup of tea?
I will tell you how to earn a lady's heart.
I don't have a lady I love.
Are you trying to scam us?
I don't think you bought that to give it to your mom.
-No way. -She's sloppy.
She seems to be a fraud.
Well…
The sadness of not getting a loved one no matter how much you try
cannot be expressed in words.
Even if a long time passes, not even after a thousand years,
can you get married.
You don't understand the agony.
Oh, they're like you?
Don't deceive yourself anymore.
Take yourself as you are and love yourself.
Nothing comes before loving yourself.
Of course.
Thanks, Pops.
W-Wait for me.
What's the story?
That Pops must be genuine.
Oh, our Mr. Ax.
He's known to pick into people's hearts with his divine vision.
He's called Mr. Pickax.
If there's anything you want to know about love
please come to Aedaldang.
AEDALDANG
Hey, I told you stop making things up about divine vision.
Rather than your divine vision that's on and off
my wits have higher success rate. Why are you suddenly against it?
This is the capital.
We're not tramp anymore! Also…
I said we shouldn't operate in daytime.
Are you collecting people so they can arrest me?
I'm going crazy here because you make me so nervous!
Don't blame me for getting old and senile.
Well that pretty boy being that side
is a shame.
Once I could
-slap his face with my looks. -Let me slap you.
Your cheek.
Let me.
Excuse me.
Is this Aedaldang?
I heard you're hiring.
Your name is Hae-Yeong.
You worked at a rice soup place but were jobless for some time?
It's so hard to get a job these days.
You started reading romance novels ten years ago and hit the max level.
MAX LEVEL: MAXIMIZE SKILL LEVEL
Let's see.
Scholar from the Stars.
Heirs of Arabia. Concubines of the Sun?
I mean…
A pass necklace on your neck.
-Sorry? -Of course you're full-time.
Yes!
Thank you! I will do my best!
HAE-YEONG (APPLICANT) MAKES IT IN AEDALDANG
Here.
AEDALDANG
A risky love that flourished in the age of marriage prohibition.
I really needed an expert employee at that.
If you keep this well
you'll meet a man that'll change your 30 years of luck.
Is that true? Thank you!
-Thank you. -Next.
How's your tea?
Do you want your marital compatibility read?
Oh my!
These days ladies disappear somewhere every night
and come back in the early morning.
In the dead of night
where would they be going?
-By chance-- -Is that true?
What people gather every night and say about me.
About a crazy tyrant?
No, not that.
Oh, impotent or gay?
I shall go see for myself if that's really true.
In person?
Welcome to Aedaldang.
-Welcome. -I heard this is the fortune place.
That's right. How'd you know?
Aedaldang?
Welcome.
-That's suspicious. -That's suspicious.
You've come to the right place.
Now, if you add one more line to this tile…
KIM YEON-HEE
24 YEARS OLD
34 YEARS OLD
Look. Twenties become thirties.
What happens when you age ten years?
You're over 25, so you've gone from not allowed
to allowed to get married.
But will people believe that I'm 34?
Of course!
Just say you look young.
I think this is a marriage scam site.
Why is this marriage prohibition going on for so long?
You still don't know the reason?
They say it's because
the king of this country is either impotent or a gay.
So which is he exactly?
From what I see…
Impotent! If it weren't so bad this prohibition wouldn't
have gone on for seven years!
Let go of me.
So what?
Do I have to show them?
Do I undress and show them?
No.
So, ghost writing a love letter is two nyangs.
Super fast delivery included.
-I'll do that. -What if we get caught?
These days they even go after love letters.
Do you know how many couples I matched in this country?
I don't get caught.
Sinner, accept the arrest!
So you're the infamous marital scammer?
Me?
-It's not me. -Get her!
Yes, sir!
Are you okay?
This lady…
Did I just run into the arms of the police? I'm screwed.
That's her, right?
Young lady.
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Did you see that?
Hey.
You're under arrest.
W-Why?
You dare disdain a king?
Sir. Sir. Let me go!
How noisy.
Keep it down.
A marital scammer.
Is there nothing better to do at this age?
Sir.
Have you heard of the matchmaker?
He tied red string of fate to the couple's pinkies
who'll be together for life.
So how could a country's decree cut that string?
A fate that's decided cannot be cut?
I just followed along with that fate.
I never did anything ugly.
What is your name?
My name is So-rang.
Matching fate?
No matter how hard I try
some things don't work out.
It looks like you haven't seen your lover who's deep in your heart
for a long time.
You slapper!
How dare you try to scam him?!
She's bold enough to scam a captain.
You're going to be in trouble.
Getting married might be a sin in this age
but having one in the heart isn't a sin.
If that's a sin you're also a sinner.
You already have love for someone in there.
Everyone living in this land of Joseon
is a sinner.
Just because they love someone.
Until you repent your sin
you won't be released from this jail.
Sorry?
Wow.
That was quite a line.
"Everyone living in this land of Joseon is a sinner."
"Just because they love someone."
What the heck?
Can people like us find a match as well?
Who are you?
We are seolo of this country
-where love can be a sin. -I'm Wang-bae.
SEOLO: A PERSON WHO'S NEVER SPOKEN TO A GIRL/BOY
I'm Oh Deok-hun.
SEOLO
Who are they trying to fool?
It must be fate that we met. Please listen to our story.
Don't mind them.
They got caught peeping at ladies washing their hair in the river.
What do you mean peeping?
-We also went there to wash. -Take your heads out.
I wish they would all scram.
Hey.
Wow! How long has it been?
Wow.
How do I get out of here?
Because of that petty offender
I had to come a long way.
Your Majesty, you must return.
Let's do that.
You punks!
Do you know who it is who you are locking up in here?
I am…
the Matchmaker.
The Matchmaker?
Hey, Oh.
Is she possessed?
I heard good fortune tellers have
spirits go in and out.
I, the Matchmaker say
the prohibition of marriage will end this year!
It will end!
Does that mean a new queen will be selected this year?
But
if the ghost of the Crown Princess on the king isn't washed away
the life of the new queen
cannot be guaranteed.
Then you will have to live
as a seolo forever!
She was arrested as a fraud!
Do you all believe her?
I, the Matchmaker, say
if the prohibition of marriage isn't withdrawn this year
there will be a lot of anger in this palace.
There will be a seolo war
in this country!
Shin-won.
At 9 p.m.…
Sinner, listen.
Your sin has reached the king's ears.
Sorry?
Excuse me?
The king will personally ask you about your sin, so prepare for it.
The king will personally ask me?
Sir.
Why would I meet the king?
Is it normal for a commoner
to meet the king for things like this?
Sir!
You can't meet the king like that.
Change first.
Prostrate.
Lift your head.
So you have divine sight?
To tell you the truth it comes and goes.
It's not stable.
Earlier, the Matchmaker called in on you.
That…
wasn't intended but happened to be that way.
Lift your head and look at me.
Is there really a ghost on me?
He's the king?
Wow, that's amazing. He's handsome.
But his face looks like he hasn't been able to sleep
his face is sunken, and his eyes look sad.
But he's still handsome. I mean…
There's only one answer.
He suffering from a breakdown. No ghost.
He's just seeing things.
There is…
a ghost.
You must not be able to sleep at night.
That's when the ghosts are most active.
You're probably not sick anywhere
but you still have hard time swallowing your food.
Don't you sometimes see and hear things?
Every time that happens, you have harsh pain here
like getting hit with a metal hammer.
Right.
It hurts. A lot.
The Crown Princess is in my dreams telling me something I can't hear.
What is she saying?
If I knew that, I'd be a real fortune-teller.
What was his name?
Heon? Lee Heon?
Hunny?
I saw the Crown Princess's face in my dream.
But it was so faint.
If you're really divine
can you summon the Crown Princess here?
Excuse me? Umm…
-Her body is already vanished. -Then…
how would I trust that you have divine vision?
You don't have the vision!
I do. Of course I do.
I can't bring her before your eyes but I think
it might be possible to be possessed.
Your Highness.
Have you been well?
Is it really you, Crown Princess?
First,
I will bow.
Right now my body
even my bones are crushed to earth.
My eyes, nose and mouth are gone
there are no remains of me in this earth.
But my soul still lingers here because
I am bitterly
in pain.
In pain? Where are you in pain?
Seeing you in agony because of me
hurts me so much.
For leaving you behind
and leaving first like that.
I've been so hugely disloyal.
How could I wash away this sin?
I am truly sorry.
What are you saying?
It's my fault I couldn't even protect my wife.
All this time
I was worried about you
I couldn't go up and wander in this world.
-Now… -Now
please let go of me.
Let go?
Where will you go again?
Your Majesty has to let me go
so I can leave this world.
I missed you.
Even like this.
Now
you have to let go of me.
You have to erase all your longings.
Would that be possible in this life?
A soul
cannot stay in a living body for a long time.
I
have to go.
Don't go. Just a little bit.
Please don't go. Stay a little longer.
Please don't go.
-Don't go. -Your Majesty.
I think the Crown Princess has left.
Your Majesty.
Everybody step out.
What happens to me now?
Put her back in jail.
Sorry?
What?
Umm…
I must go back? Your Majesty!
Don't you have any more to say to the Crown Princess?
I will pass that on, Your Majesty!
-Let me go! -Hey.
-How did it go? -Don't…
Talk to me!
See? She is a fraud.
What happened there?
Captain.
Captain Lee Shin-won.
Lee Shin-won?
What is it?
Is your name Lee Shin-won?
-The first son of that willow tree house? -How did you know?
I was called that before.
My…
The first son of the willow tree house, Lee Shin-won.
If you disrespect my divine ability
you'll be sorry!
How did she know Your Majesty sees ghosts?
I thought it was just an illusion.
Your Majesty,
-please withdraw the decree. -Who are you?
-I asked who you are! -Your Majesty…
-His Highness's depression is severe. -Move back!
-You must ban marriage. -Back!
-And go forth with the selection. -Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, do you remember me?
-Your Highness. -Be quiet!
There's another body hanging in the Crown Princess's rooms.
How long till Crown Princess' memorial?
If I don't find the murderer by then
another body will be hanging in her quarters.
A woman's body has already been hanging
at the same spot for six years,
at the same day and time.
We couldn't save any of them.
Even at last selection
the most probable nominee died.
Therefore, like it was your will
you canceled the selection.
The prohibition of marriage itself
is the plan of a traitor.
Crown Princess isn't someone who would commit suicide.
Please… Please let me at least hold a funeral.
-Please. Just a funeral-- -Your Highness.
There is no custom for holding a funeral for a sinner who committed suicide.
I will see and hear that from His Majesty in person.
I'm the one who put him on the throne.
So you don't need to hear his words separately.
My words are
his will.
What are you doing?
Escort His Highness to his quarters.
Your Majesty!
So if I get all these traitors
will I not hear
and see all these?
Yes, Shin-won.
I must be crazy to be happy to see her ghost.
If it bothers you that much
how about you keep her by your side?
It looked like she does have some divine sight.
Maybe you should keep her
and soothe Crown Princess's soul.
I will disguise her as a attendant maid and bring her in.
But all this
will be a process for letting go of the Crown Princess.
Would you be able to do that?
Shin-won.
You told me that I needed to forget her.
Can you guard her in and out of the palace?
As you know, the palace is
a bit dangerous.
I will follow your order.
Come on out now.
But my soul still lingers here because
I am bitterly in pain.
Seeing you in agony because of me
hurts me so much.
I was worried about you I wandered in this world.
Now you have to let go.
You have to erase all the longings.
Follow me well. I will show you where you'll stay.
GYEONGHOERU
Crown Princess.
You're here.
I must be crazy.
If I even miss her ghost.
THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
I'm going to have to be a palace maid.
On top of that, I'll be a bedside attendant maid.
-That scared me. -Whose stomach made a noise?
Are you hungry?
The Crown Princess is hungry?
He must really have no one to give his heart to miss a dead person.
You must convince him even if you must scam him.
Would I get arrested if they find out that I scammed?
I'll have to make him my side first.
When you're done with that, we're friends.
Did you almost get married?
Ye Hyeon-seon.
Do you know that name?
THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE