THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
THIS DRAMA IS FICTIONAL.
NAMES AND CONTENTS OF PEOPLE, EVENTS, ETC ARE NOT REAL.
GYEONGHOERU
Your Majesty.
Are you alright?
Yeah…
Bugs.
Shoo.
Umm… It's getting late. Go in.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Seriously!
I must be crazy.
EPISODE TWO
Pop. Hae-yeong.
So-rang.
So-rang, I'm happy you're back safely.
I thought you might get flogged,
tortured and branded on your face for scamming.
What jail? She's coming from the palace.
-What? -Pop.
If you already knew about it you should have told me.
I told you you shouldn't scam in the capital.
I didn't get it like that. That scam became…
Became…
Oh no…
You will be working in the palace from now on.
Excuse me?! Why would I?
Didn't you say that
if the Crown Princess has something left to say you'd relay it.
Now I'm going to be a palace maid.
Why? Did you scam that you're a palace maid?
Looking like that?
Did you see the king at the palace?
How is he? Is he charming?
Hae-yeong. The king is
a crazy bastard. He's totally insane.
Huh? The kings in romance novels
are all so charming.
He wants me to receive the soul of the Crown Princess who passed seven years ago.
And now I have to act like I'm her all the time
being his attendant maid.
What do I do? If I don't do this right, he'll kill me.
How do I know her who died seven years ago?
How… Ow my head.
Poor man.
He must really have no-one to give his heart to miss a dead person.
So what do I do? Act a dead person for good?
Make him forget even if it means scamming.
Would that be possible? That woman is buried in his heart.
Buried deep.
-Take her out and bury her. -Me?
No one in Joseon is better at lying than you.
You're the best liar in Joseon.
Man
he's a handsome one.
How can I help?
Nothing to help.
I work with So-rang at Aedaldang.
Ax, the fortune-teller.
My divine vision is pretty good.
If someone seems
to be holding a secret please keep it to yourself.
-Sorry? -If you don't
she'll be scared to have that secret revealed
and fly away like a butterfly.
Don't look at me like that.
Come over to Aedaldang frequently, to please my eyes.
I'll give you complimentary willow tea.
-Let go of me! -Husband!
-Don't worry, wife. -No.
No!
-Woah. -Wife!
I'm not afraid to go to jail.
But parting with my husband
will be the worst hell in this world.
Please, please send us to the same place.
Who's your husband? Don't you know marriage is forbidden?
Secret marriage my butt. Take them.
No!
-Wife! Let me go! -Husband!
Wife!
You have to do well.
What? Scamming the king?
So this marriage ban ends.
The marriage ban depends on my lie?
You must have done things like that too.
Stop.
Fresh fruit available.
I don't know what you've been up to that you have to avoid people…
I don't have to avoid people.
Please.
I'm in charge of guarding you now
but I am a sixth rank captain.
If you explain what's going on…
Hurry.
What are you doing?
Shut up and run. If not, I'll just go.
Wait.
Go ahead.
It can't be.
There will be a marriage ban?
If that's true
My Hyeon-hee will miss her prime time.
That's nonsense.
The fortune-teller says
it'll go on for seven years.
To stay alone that long we'll have to dig out dead husbands
from the grave.
If we have to beg for the dead to come back
it won't be hard to push a live one.
Will you feed him poisonous porridge?
Like Hyeon-seon's mother?
No, that takes too long.
If something covers the sun
you'll have to cut it down
for it to flower.
You can't leave any traces behind.
I'll tell the father she ran away with a slave.
Think of it as you gave your spouse to your sister.
You didn't find the body? That's unsettling.
I'm sure she's dead.
No one could survive that.
Let's go.
It might be better to go to the palace.
I can't just nag him to get married.
Still, I can't just watch
and do nothing.
This is so frustrating.
I'm here so you shouldn't worry.
The list of ladies suitable
for the queen's quarters you've mentioned.
I am constantly meeting ladies
suitable to be a queen
and adding to the list.
HWANG SEO-BIN, AGE 21
CHO YUN-HYEON, AGE 20
Then we could pick one from here.
If you worry too much you'll get more wrinkles.
Any of those ladies would be fine
to be the queen.
I will have them ready.
Ow…
You're so clumsy - that's why you fall!
-Violence is bad. -Then should I twist your legs?
If your existence is revealed
we'll all get ripped to pieces.
Follow me quietly like a dead person.
Every little move will kill you here.
Ma'am.
What are they doing there?
Why are there so many rules?
How dare you sigh?
You'll even have to breathe quietly in front of His Majesty.
Then should I not breathe like the dead?
If I can't do this or that, what can I do?
Stop talking back.
Wow, did I want to be a palace maid?
I did want to try once.
From now on, your name is Sun-a.
What you've been doing before…
Yes.
Get up. Face down, back down…
And back out…
Don't fall.
You'll need some beating.
You can't do that.
You need some beating.
Did you kneel down?
I can't.
Come here.
You shouldn't lift your butt…
These are the 101 things you need to keep.
Got it?
Huh? Oh sure.
Blood. I'm bloody.
Now it's time for His Majesty's dinner.
Standing by him like a shadow.
Can you do that?
I'm meeting His Majesty right now?
Wow.
He's really eating unappetizingly.
Is he a goat?
Everybody step out.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You.
Except you.
Whose stomach made a noise?
Well, that is…
I can't really control that.
Goodness!
Don't talk back.
You haven't learned yet?
Your Majesty, I'm here to wash the ghost away.
But if you don't eat properly your body and soul will get weak.
It'll make it harder to win over the ghost.
That's what they tell me all the time.
Says
the Crown Princess.
Gosh, my mouth!
The Crown Princess?
Are you possessed again?
No, I tend to hear her voice time to time.
What else did she say?
She said you should enjoy your meals.
That you're killing her hunger.
Is that what she said or not.
Well…
You should go now, Your Highness.
How dare you chase her away?
Excuse me?
What is it?
We should eat together?
No way!
Why?
Are you hungry?
Did she say she's hungry?
Dead people aren't hungry.
Live people are hungry.
Her Highness says I should eat with you but a servant can't.
Call me when you're done. Let's go, Your Highness.
Wait.
Let's eat together.
Excuse me?
Let's eat together.
Give me some rice.
Aren't you eating?
I should.
Oh, I want some.
It's yummy, right?
It is.
Your Highness, I enjoyed the meal.
Now you should go rest.
It kind of feels like
I really ate with the Crown Princess.
I'm full. I'm so full.
A person needs to eat well.
If I feed him well, and make him sleep well
they'll say that his ghost is washed away.
Did His Majesty finish his meal?
As it's your first day you can go now.
For real?
Let's go.
How did the mighty captain
get tangled up with a fraud like me?
Will he arrest me
when he finds out I scammed him?
Dang it.
I should get him on my side first.
Sir.
The night air is so nice.
How about a drink with me?
Where did you get that?
The Royal Kitchen was throwing all the rice wines away
so I went and got some.
It's good for at least seven more days.
You had time for that?
But I'm actually on duty right now.
Wait.
Isn't it your duty to be with me?
Hold it for a second.
Hey.
Tada!
An egg.
This is called a loyal shot.
Fill it with our loyalty to His Majesty.
-Drink up. -I'm not drinking.
This time,
Whoever fills this shot
and spills it in the bowl first
gets to drink all this.
Is this what they do in the village?
I was wandering around the country.
I could only get better at drinking.
Here.
I won!
If you grant one wish for me
I will drink half of that.
That's called being a black rose.
It's fine. How can a woman do that?
My wish is
when you finish that
we'll be friends.
I'm just saying
we should drop the honorifics.
I know that we're man and woman
we have different social status and age.
But if we keep speaking formally when will we get close?
You're pretty open. I thought you were a dweeb.
Only when we're alone.
Even if we drop the honorifics
shouldn't you be calling me orabeoni or something?
That's embarrassing.
Then will you just use my name?
If I feel like it.
So…
Even if you're a captain
you don't arrest friends, do you?
Did you do something wrong?
Even if I did
covering it up is loyalty and friendship.
Is that why you wanted to be friends?
You don't want to? Then should we be strangers?
No.
Since we're friends, can I ask a question?
Did you almost get married before?
I mean…
Didn't you have a man? You wandered around for long.
That's what you meant.
I did have some.
Men lined up for me.
But if I got married you would have arrested me.
Then what did you do before marriage was banned?
I was a beggar.
-What? -I actually don't know
my birthplace or social status.
I was totally abandoned by my family.
Then I met
Mr. Ax in the streets and then learned to read marital compatibility.
I see.
That's why you looked skinny.
This jerk.
Anyway that's a painful past for me so don't ask me anymore.
And please keep it a secret that I was a beggar.
Wait. Him believing it is offensive.
But why do you ask about marriage?
Actually I almost got married.
To the first daughter of Ye Hyeon-ho, General Affairs Minister.
I should go see. Not go see.
Go see.
-Not go see. -You didn't miss anything?
No.
Young Master.
We'll be on our way now.
Wait!
Just a minute.
Hello.
Let's go in.
Why?
Just bring it for now.
I'll just look.
-Is that her? -Little Miss.
That's the flower shoes for Big Miss's wedding.
-You shouldn't covet that. -It's a kid.
Covet? Who? Me?
Goodness! Would I steal it or trash it?
I said
I'll just look!
So annoying! Bring it now!
Treating her servant like that shows her character.
Where is this peach flower smell coming from?
Is that her?
Moon,
am I really getting married?
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
First son of
willow tree house, Lee Shin-won.
Will you really be my husband?
What do I do?
If I get married, I can't live with Father anymore.
Instead of your father
you'll get a husband.
Would I be able to be a daughter-in-law
and get along with them?
I'll make sure to protect you
-so you won't have a hard time. -Wait.
After the wedding, would it be the first night right away?
I will also take care of…
I heard the groom is very handsome.
Oh.
The news has already reached here.
I hope my husband is
someone I can look up to and love
for the rest of my life.
I will make sure
to be a husband like that.
Yes, Su-hyang.
Lady Hyeon-Hee wants to
see the flower shoes you got earlier.
Would they be
returned to me once they get to her?
I'll get in trouble if I go empty handed.
Just a minute.
Here. These are better.
Show them to Hyeon-hee.
Actually, tell her she can have them.
Young Miss.
You haven't eaten, right?
Come here.
Eat this.
What was that?
So you've seen the bride-to-be's face?
But that wedding…
Minister of General Affairs and Personnel
Lord Ye Hyeon-Ho's
first daughter
Ye Hyeon-seon.
Prime Minister
Lord Lee Jeong-Hak's
first son, Lee Shin-won.
Bride bow twice.
I said I'd just look!
What is this? The bride has been switched?
Are you really my bride?
What is he saying?
Where is my real bride?
That is…
Where is my real bride?
Oh my goodness!
Everybody stop!
Goodness!
Starting today, a marriage ban has been declared.
What does that mean?
From this moment ladies between the ages of 13 and 18
cannot get married.
Your wedding got canceled?
At the wedding, my bride was gone and her sister was there.
After that, I went around everywhere
to find my bride.
I told my parents I was practicing martial arts.
It wasn't completely a lie. I held a sword every time I was distracted.
I wanted to become an investigator.
Thinking I could find my bride then.
Do you remember her face?
I'm not sure.
You don't, do you?
I forgot her face
but I remember the scent.
Scent of a light pink peach blossom.
Hey, that's a really common scent.
Every woman owns that scent.
You can't find her with that.
Right? It's not like I have a dog's nose.
Right. You're a smart guy.
Don't rely on such an idiotic method.
You call yourself an investigator.
Anyway, it'll be best for you to forget her.
Look at the king. Pure love of seven years?
The whole country is criticizing him. You know.
If I forget her
would I meet a new one?
Then you'd have to arrest yourself.
It's getting cold. Let's go in.
Ye Hyeon-seon.
Ye Hyeon-seon is the name of my bride who vanished.
Do you know that name for a chance?
No.
If someone seems
to be holding a secret please keep it to yourself.
If you don't
she'll be scared to have that secret revealed
and fly away like a butterfly.
I'm getting drunk. I should go to bed.
Ten days ago at a tavern in Yanghwajin
a person who claims to have killed
the Crown Princess appeared.
So we're in pursuit.
A tavern…
We made a facial composite according to the witness
and relayed it to the tribunal.
We're also inspecting all the taverns in Hanyang
randomly, and checking
the guests' appearance and names daily.
Then
will they be able to catch him?
The sin of slandering the Crown Princess
will not be forgiven even after death.
I'm more afraid of the future
of Joseon that hinges on a girl
than the revenge of a Grim Reaper.
How can you call
this act loyalty?
No matter what, you have to reveal that
her death wasn't a suicide.
And you must catch
who's behind it.
Is there anyone there?
He's up again. Let's go.
I will go in.
How should I put him to sleep this time?
Goodness.
Why are you not sleeping again?
Yes.
Is Crown Princess here by chance?
Nope.
What's this sound?
So you can hear this sound.
Pop, did you call me?
Do you hear this?
I could hear it on that mountain.
Only animals can hear this sound.
-Are you an animal? -So you didn't call me?
Is this
a sound from a ghost?
There is an evil spirit somewhere in this palace.
How about we go and see
where this sound is coming from?
Exercise
is best for sleeping.
You stay at the front.
Your Majesty, that is disloyalty.
I learned some things lately…
Then stand by my side.
That's also disloyalty.
Are you scared?
Of course not.
Right. You're right.
Are you scared of frogs?
Did you look for me?
He ordered other guards to be kept away when he was with So-rang
in case there is another possession.
-Let's go. -Stay by my side.
-Did you make that sound? -No, I did not.
Who's making that noise to make His Majesty scared?
What's that sound?
Is So-rang there?
Yes.
The Crown Princess?
No.
It's a water ghost.
Some wild animal must have drowned to death.
Then can you lead it to heaven?
It's just a minor ghost.
No life dies without a story.
Since you're here as an exorcist
please send that water ghost to heaven.
So I have to get rid of this sound as well.
Can you do that?
Yes.
This isn't enough exercise.
This won't make him sleepy at all.
Your Majesty, the fact you hear these sounds mean
that your body and soul is weak.
And the problem is that we can see that.
You must not exercise.
A man is all about
the body.
That looks good, right?
Those muscles are all to show off. A man should be solid inside.
-Will you beat him? -Would I lose?
Captain Lee is a military man.
He seems to be a good fighter.
I used to win and things.
-A long time ago. -Probably on purpose.
-Don't you know loyalty fights? -Loyalty fights?
Shin-won.
Shall we have a match today?
Why so suddenly at this late hour?
Were you easy on me on previous matches?
No, absolutely not, Your Majesty.
-So you were. -It was very long ago.
Is that so?
Your wrist needs to be a little higher.
Will you be easy on me?
Then should I win?
Oh my.
Hey.
-Do it properly. -That hurt, Your Majesty.
Have you been seeing me as your friend
or your king?
I was being respectful.
-What? -To hide your rusty skills.
Rusty?
Watching people fight is the most fun thing in the world.
-Oh no. -That Shin-won.
This is so fun. Is there some rice wine?
Rice wine
will make this perfect.
I'm sorry.
Why is she so happy after making us fight?
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Are you alright?
Ack!
Of course.
Do this from now on.
-Sorry? -Will you see me as a friend
or a king?
Don't lose against me. I won't lose next time.
There's nothing to watch. Let's go.
Yes.
I acknowledge. A little.
I'm rusty a very tiny bit.
I can catch up very soon. I'll win.
You might really get beat up next time.
B-Beat up? The way you talk…
Captain Lee Shin-won
just looks different.
He holds the wooden sword
and he's so sexy… Wow.
He just wields it like this.
And it looks…
W-who? Him?
Shin-won?
You really don't know the true meaning of sexy.
Your eyes are a bit…
lowly.
You'll get it when you train hard.
What?
Now do you get what it means
to be sexy?
You laughed?
You laughed at the king?
Then I should do my job as the palace maid.
Come over here.
Actually it's right for me to go to you.
Where? Why? What are you going to do?
What? Why? Go away. Are you going to take my pants off?
Isn't that the palace maid's job?
If I don't, my neck will be cut off.
My neck is precious.
He still can't sleep?
So for the past seven years
you've been to every part of the country?
I was born with itchy feet.
So what did you do?
I met all kinds
of different people.
There are many strange people in the world.
Yeah?
Then tell me a fun story.
If it's not fun, I'm torturing you.
Then
here I go.
Long ago, there was a man punished
by god, he had a sword stuck in his chest.
How can a human have a sword in his chest?
He wasn't a human.
He was a dokkaebi.
Only the dokkaebi bride
could take that sword out.
But the problem is
that there was a marriage ban.
The two had to get married to take out the sword.
But even a dokkaebi had to stay a bachelor in this country.
Is there any other story?
Why? You don't like it? Then a different one?
Long ago
there was an inn only ghosts could stay at.
The owner there
was really mean.
She lived a long time but was young.
She loved to spend money.
The owner was busy spending money
and employees were busy stopping her.
You should leave it.
How was she so rich?
How do you think?
Because the resentment of ghosts who died single
because of the marriage ban was extreme.
Why are all the endings like that?
When His Majesty withdraws the prohibition
the ghosts' resentments will
resolve and everyone will be happy is the moral.
I know many stories
but they're all extreme.
Was it fun? Should I tell you more?
Just a little more will put him to sleep.
Here I go.
Long ago
there was a village where pushy women lived together.
In that village, they wanted their sons to pass the exam
and made them take
all kinds of lessons from a young age.
What is this?
Why are you here?
I was wondering if you were sleeping well.
So why are you like this?
You must have had a fight with an evil ghost.
I'm not good at staying up all night.
Anyway
I do feel pretty good.
I had a weird dream
but I slept well.
I'm glad you slept comfortably.
If you're tired, take some rest.
What? Can I?
I will.
I'm okay.
Are you possessed again?
There are still many spirits in the palace.
She's so weird.
Still, it seemed like he slept well.
That's good.
What is that?
Is there a crazy woman in the palace?
That woman.
Was there a change to the list of attendant maids?
No, there wasn't.
Who's that maid coming out of the king's bedroom?
She's attendant maid Sun-a.
She's been here for a long time.
She's been here?
Attendant maids have three shifts and change all the time
so you can't know everybody.
It's not that His Majesty brought someone new?
Of course not.
You know His Majesty.
Alright. You may go.
I just heard you got done early.
Why are you walking like that?
I said you'd lose your neck if you broke rules.
I've been kneeling all night.
I can't control my legs.
Goodness.
It'd be best for her to sleep.
Get on my back.
Get up.
Wake up!
You don't wake a sleeping dog.
I told you to mind your behavior all the time.
How crabby you were about being asked
who you are.
It's because I stayed up all night.
This palace life isn't for me. I should leave.
You silly thing, you need some beating.
Court Lady Won.
You know…
Didn't your personality change here?
I keep getting this thought.
You're strict and scary like a tiger now.
But you weren't like this from the beginning.
I could see it right away.
When you were young
you must have made many men cry.
You must've been as beautiful as a flower.
You
have a good eye for people.
I was so beautiful when I was young.
Love just comes
like fate.
Bear my child.
You always talk about rules
yet your love had no rules.
You want me to go to the palace?
They urgently need
a nursemaid to nurse.
They need the best in Joseon.
You're the best.
I heard once you're in the palace you can't get out.
Husband…
My baby…
I miss them so much.
I wonder how my son grew up.
So, in short,
among the palace maids who can't marry
our Court Lady Won knows the rhythmical fun
between men and women.
Is that right?
What rhythmical fun?
Perhaps…
How can you say such a blasphemous thing?
This is the time
we need your expertise knowledge and experience.
How can virgins
seduce the king, get his favor and bear his son?
From now on, the ladies in the palace
should be proactive…
Who is it?
You scared us.
What was so fun?
We were talking about the private
rhythmical game between men and women at night.
Rhythmical game?
That game where the rhythm is important?
Your mouth. Shut it.
So what brings you here?
Didn't you say you had to
hang So-rang's things?
I'm confident at banging.
Banging what?
Nails.
T-there.
I'm stronger than I look.
Why am I so hot?
I shall get going now.
You're done already?
Why are you sweating?
Were you the one who did the nailing?
N-No. It's nothing.
I was the best in Joseon.
Master of love connection.
Only if he had it.
What?
Had what?
Don't know. What does he not have?
The sun sets again today.
Crown Princess.
Ja-yeon.
I will die calling you.
Why does he keep looking for me?
He must be having fun bothering me.
Goodness.
The king is impotent?
Why was I born in a country where the king is impotent
and live impotent all my life?
Damn it!
This malicious letter ruined his mood.
If he really doesn't like these rumors
then he should get someone pregnant.
Why does he live such an ascetic life?
There are so many pretty palace maids.
Perhaps…
can he really not use it?
So-rang.
What is this? Why is he looking at me so pitifully?
Yes?
Is your body
available right now?
M-My body?!
To prove the king's not impotent?
Does he mean I'm a palace maid too?
So he's urgently needing me…
His favor?
I'm talking about possession.
Sorry?
But that doesn't happen whenever.
If you summon her too often
the Crown Princess can't rest peacefully.
Do you miss her very much?
I feel like I might cry.
You shouldn't cry.
What should I do? I shouldn't keep scamming.
You can't summon her too often from now on.
Your Highness.
Have you been well?
Is it really you?
Why did you call me?
Just…
I want to dream of you tonight.
You made your mind
to send me up.
I should part with you
but I don't think I can do that.
You need to get
stronger, Your Highness.
You should train hard.
And eat your meals well.
That way
I'd be able to leave in peace.
Other than you
I don't think I can keep anyone else by my side.
You've already
brought in this palace maid.
I've brought her in as your shadow.
Then
someday you'll have to keep away
even from this shadow.
Can you promise
that you will
forget me?
-I don't want to. -Forget me.
Don't leave anything behind.
Erase everything.
Wait, Crown Princess.
Please just a little longer.
Please.
It's too short.
Would I have to be like this going forward?
As a shadow of
a lady he can't forget.
Like this going forward?
Your hands are similar.
THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
Get down, Miss.
Does he know I'm Ye Hyeon-seon or not?
I've found out who's making that noise.
I did it!
-How about you go to a hunting? -It's been seven years.
-Shoot! -You scared me.
He even disguised her as a man to bring her?
Find out what kind of a maid she is.
Are there real wild hogs here as well?
Don't worry.
I will protect Your Majesty.
THE FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE