PARK HYUNG-SIK
JEON SO-NEE
PYO YE-JIN
YUN JONG-SEOK
LEE TAE-SEON
OUR BLOOMING YOUTH
THIS DRAMA IS A FICTIONAL STORY
AND ALL CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS, LOCATIONS, INCIDENTS, AND RELIGIONS
IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
SCENES INVOLVING ANIMALS
WERE CREATED WITH PROPS AND VISUAL EFFECTS
EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE ARMS, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO USE THEM
YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO WALK EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE LEGS
Your Highness.
It was just a hawk.
I wonder why I'm not able to spot a deer.
What's wrong, Your Highness?
Are you not feeling well?
No, I'm fine.
You go that way.
This isn't my bow.
I swear I wasn't the one who shot the arrow.
It wasn't me. I didn't do it.
If you didn't do it,
then was it a ghost?
Your Highness.
I...
I came because of the secret letter you sent.
What?
You sent my father a secret letter.
Who is your father?
His name is Min Ho-seung of Gaesong.
His son Min Yun-jae died with this father.
So who are you?
I'm assuming you're his daughter
Min Jae-yi.
Murderer Min Jae-yi.
Not only did you kill your entire family,
but you shot an arrow at the prince of this country.
No, Your Highness.
It wasn't me.
And
I never sent a secret letter
to your father.
I would not dare to lie to you, Your Highness.
You sent a secret letter
along with the wedding present
and I saw it with my own two eyes.
Your Highness.
There comes Seong-on,
your fiancé you betrayed.
Is he the one who shot an arrow at you?
Your Highness, it wasn't me.
I was just assigned to the hunting grounds as a chaser.
I never even brought a bow with me.
I swear.
Check that bow and quiver.
I still have questions for him.
What is your name and affiliation?
I'm Jang Chi-su, a special royal bodyguard of Chumgmu.
JANG CHI-SU
Jang Chi-su.
Born in the year of rat, affiliated with the Chungmu division.
Height is five cheok and half.
Your height can't be five cheok and half.
His Highness has the military register memorized.
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
I heard they give one sack of barley every month
to those who are selected to be in the Five Miliatry Commands,
so I lied about my height.
I think he lied because he needed the job.
Yes, Your Highness. I'm the only abled body in my family.
Then take off your clothes.
Pardon?
He hurt his arm because of me.
If it's serious, we should call the royal physician.
Your Highness,
there is no need. It's just a scratch.
I want to see for myself.
Bring him to my barracks.
Follow me.
EPISODE 2
Did His Highness really catch all this?
It seems like His Highness was
letting the rumors spread on purpose.
He proved that the rumor was false in front of everyone.
The rumors
regarding His Highness will die down now.
Your Highness, since the deer for the sacrifice has been prepared,
you have to write a prayer that's suitable.
This is the water we received from the Office of Taoism.
OFFICE OF TAOISM: A GOVERNMENT OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR
OFFERING SACRIFICES TO TAOIST GODS AND STARS IN THE SKY
Is writing all I have left to do?
What do you mean, Your Highness?
I'm asking because it seems like I have to pass your test
to keep my place as crown prince.
Your Highness, that is preposterous.
How would we dare
to give you a test?
Right.
They say being a crown prince is a blessing for many years to come.
So I was very upset that people were talking about
if I was qualified after getting shot by an arrow.
But today must be the last time
for me to have to
prove myself.
Your handwriting is still superb, Your Highness.
Did you just lie about your height?
Then do not worry too much.
He won't punish you that severely.
What in the world...
Blood...
You're bleeding, Your Highness!
Your Highness!
-Your Highness, are you hurt? -No, I'm not.
Bring me some water to rinse this off.
Bring His Highness some water!
How can something like that happen unless it's a ghost playing tricks?
How dare you say something so irreverent? A ghost playing tricks?
You don't have a scratch on you.
Where did the blood come from?
Is the one who's been trying to make
a fool out of me one of them?
Section Chief Han Seong-on!
Yes, Your Highness.
Check every servant and soldier's clothes
under the chief officials.
Report back to me straight away if you find anything suspicious.
Yes, Your Highness.
Once you're done checking the first row,
have them turn around and check the next row.
Yes, My Lord.
Everyone under the chief officials stand in line for inspection.
What are you doing over here?
First row, check.
Check.
Section Chief Han Seong-on.
-What's wrong? -We're in trouble, My Lady.
Is he ugly?
I'll check one more time and let you know.
Oh dear.
When it comes to men, looks are very important for My Lady.
Shoulde is also important.
Of course, My Lady.
I hope he has broad shoulder...
Is it okay
if his nose is slightly crooked?
-His nose is crooked? -Yes.
He has two nostrils,
but that's it.
What do we do?
Oh no.
He is totally a manly man!
Oh my!
His shoulder is broad
and his eyebrows are like a drawing
and his nose bridge and cheek are perfectly balanced.
And look at his thick lower lip.
My Lady.
I have never seen anyone
more handsome than him in Joseon.
But My Lady,
a man's look only lasts for three years at the most.
Father guarantees that he has a great personality.
What do you think? Do we look good together?
Well... It's a bit...
You look so cute together.
He's handsome, isn't he?
Yes, My Lady.
What do I do?
I don't care who it may be.
Just take me away...
You come with me.
Tae-gang, come over here.
Yes, Your Highness.
Guard the barracks with the soldiers who passed the inspection.
Do not let anyone come in.
Yes, Your Highness.
-You follow me. -Yes, Your Highness.
Since I've bled in front of everyone, even if
this water is poisoned, it won't be the strangest thing that happened today.
Would you like to drink it?
Yes, Your Majesty.
It's refreshing.
Bad things have been happening
ever since I met you.
Wasn't killing your entire family not enough?
Are you after the crown prince as well?
No, Your Highness.
You shot an arrow at me,
tarnished the written prayer
in front of everyone and disdained the Crown Prince.
I didn't do anything.
Your Highness, please just hear me out...
Tae-gang, are you out there?
Arrest him immediately.
Yes, Your Highness.
-Is anyone out there? -Yes, sir.
Is he the one who tarnished the written prayer?
He is a prime suspect.
I will take him to the palace and question him myself.
I didn't do it, Your Highness.
It wasn't me. How could I do something so...
Enough!
How dare you speak to him?
Please believe me, Your Highness.
Whatever you think I did,
I sweat it wasn't me, Your Highness.
How dare you!
Stop.
Nothing good will come out of
attracting attention at the Great Hunting Ceremony.
If you wish to live a little longer,
I suggest you go quietly.
I wonder
what Lady Jae-yi was thinking.
Where did she go?
You stupid!
You should've insisted on going with her.
Like that'll do any good.
You should just mind your own business.
Lady Jae-yi isn't like any other girl.
Worry about yourself.
I know.
What? What is going on?
It's the Crown Prince's parade.
-Really? -What? The Crown Prince's parade?
The Crown Prince must be coming. Let's go.
Chi-su, what are you doing here?
I thought you were at the Great Hunting Ceremony.
What? The Great Hunting Ceremony? Why would I go there?
I heard Soldiers of Five Military Commands were selected
to be chasers at the ceremony.
What?
Is that true?
Yes, that's what I heard.
Ga-ram.
His Highness caught all that by himself?
I heard his arm hasn't recovered completely since he got hurt a year ago.
Move.
Here comes the Crown Prince.
Make way.
Here comes the Crown Prince.
Make way.
Here comes the Crown Prince.
Stop.
Stop the parade.
Your Highness, what's the matter?
Aren't those flowers for me?
Yes, Your Highness. I picked them for you.
-His right arm is fine. -I know.
He must've recovered completely.
They're pretty.
Thank you.
Your Highness, you seem to know
how to use the hearts of the people.
As your faithful servant,
I feel reassured.
Ga-ram.
What do we do? I can't find Lady Jae-yi.
She should be among the soldiers.
Did something happen to her?
Why isn't she there?
Please
take care of Lady Jae-yi. She's innocent.
Wherever she is,
please let her have a hot meal even if it's just a bowl of rice
and let her sleep in a bed even if it's made of hay.
Please.
Hey!
A clean paper was tarnished with blood
as soon as His Highness started to write the prayer.
Isn't that strange?
Your Majesty.
I'm so glad that the Crown Prince is okay.
We have failed to catch the person
who shot an arrow at you a year ago.
Don't you know that irreverent people are
after the Crown Prince?
Your Majesty.
Through the Great Hunting Ceremony,
Prince Hwan has proved he is healthy and well.
Isn't that enough?
No, it isn't.
You must not forget
what I've told you time and time again.
You must not forget
Prince Ui-hyeon's death.
Your Majesty.
I know what you're worried about
and I will always keep it in mind.
Please do not worry, Father.
Why haven't you gone home?
You're not going to offer me a cup of tea?
If you have nothing to say to me, leave.
Won-bo.
Did you do it?
You know, the blood...
I'm talking about how the Crown Prince started to bleed while writing the prayer.
He must be handicapped just like the rumor says.
For you and Prince Myeong-ahn.
Your Highness, what seems to be on your mind?
Nothing. Nothing at all.
Uncle told me to not think about anything.
Won-bo.
Do you think I did it?
Who cares who did it
as long as that arrogant prince got scared.
I think you did do it.
We locked him up in the storage as you ordered.
You sent a secret letter
along with the wedding present
and I saw it with my own two eyes.
20 DAYS AGO
I burned all of the letters I wrote
and even Tae-gang doesn't know what I wrote.
How could she have gotten a letter I never sent?
Prepare to leave. I must see him.
Untie him.
He's already untied, Your Highness.
How dare you! Don't you know where you are?
You little...
Move.
I said, move.
Were you trying to run away?
I untied myself because the rope hurt my arm.
If I wanted to run away I would've done it at the hunting grounds.
You and what army?
I would've caught you.
How would you possibly run away?
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
I didn't keep that dagger to hurt anyone.
I just kept it to protect myself.
Tae-gang, give us the room.
I'm impressed a woman like you avoided all the soldiers
and came here all the way from Gaesong.
And you even have a dagger.
I heard you beat a dozen of my men in martial arts while on the run.
Just like a suspect on the run
after committing a serious crime.
I cannot die like this.
I must find the real killer
so my family can rest in peace.
Why not go to Seong-on? Why come to me?
Going to Seong-on must've been safer.
Even my existence
is humiliating to him.
How could I ask him to get involved in more malicious rumors?
Your Highness.
My family's death must have something to do with the secret letter...
I told you I never sent a letter.
Go to Seong-on. He will...
The ghost's letter!
What did you just say?
You said you received a letter from a ghost three years ago.
Are you trying to threaten me with
some rumors that have been going around?
"I am a ghost and this letter is for Prince Lee Hwan,
so you must keep every word in mind.
You may have ascended the throne by killing your brother..."
I did not kill my brother.
"...but you will never be king."
Shut your mouth!
It was written in your secret letter.
Three years ago
you received the ghost's letter.
It was when Prince Ui-hyeon passed away,
when you were crowned the prince
and when you first entered the East Palace.
I'd like to be alone.
Yes, Your Highness.
You said you couldn't tell anyone.
Because it said you killed Prince Ui-hyeon
and became the crown prince.
I didn't kill my brother.
I didn't.
I wasn't the one who gave my brother the peaches.
Why would I kill
my own flesh and blood?
My brother
was like a tree I could not climb.
He was my friend
and my teacher.
So I have never, not even for a second,
desired to take his place.
And that's why you burned the first letter.
But two years later,
the ghost sent another letter.
But other words were written in red that time.
Yu-goeng-bul-jo yu go-bul-yong.
Even though you have arms, you won't be able to use them.
You won't be able to walk even though you have legs.
And just like the ghost's curse,
you were shot by an arrow.
Master.
Since then I haven't been able to trust anyone.
And I have become an eccentric and petty person
who never speaks from the heart.
My life
is like a dark night without a single light.
I walk in the dark night all alone
and I've been changing into a twisted person every day.
That's why you asked my father, your teacher for help.
I already told you that
I never sent a letter.
I saw it with my own eyes.
You wanted my brother Yun-jae to enter the palace in secret
and investigate the ghost's letter
since he solved a lot of cases.
Even if Master Min got that letter,
he wouldn't have shown it to you.
That letter was from the crown prince, so he wouldn't have shown it to...
The person you were looking for wasn't my brother.
His Highness wants Yun-jae to enter the palace,
but you're the one he actually needs.
But I can't let you go
since you are to get married soon.
The person who solved all those cases in Gaesong
was me, not my brother.
Since Master Min was assigned as Special Capital Magistrate,
numerous cases were solved under his son, Min Yun-jae's name.
Even people in Hanyang praised his skills,
but all of that was you?
Are you really asking me to believe that?
If you give me a chance, I'll prove it to you, Your Highness.
I picked up this poster
when I came into the palace.
They are looking for people who witness the murderers.
I will solve these cases and prove myself to you.
How am I supposed to trust you and give you a chance?
Do you have a single piece of evidence
that proves you're not a vicious murderer
who killed her own parents and brother?
You're the one who wrote that
I should burn the secret letter.
Your Highness.
Did you really never receive a letter from a ghost?
Did you really never write a secret letter to my father?
I'm not testing you just with the rumors that have been going around.
If you didn't send that secret letter,
how could I have known about the ghost's letter?
I'd rather believe what happened today at the ceremony was a ghost's doing
than what you're saying right now.
You're right. What happened at the ceremony was a trick.
There are no such things as ghosts.
But there are trickery of humans
which are scarier than ghosts.
If you have the will to see the truth,
you will be able to trust me
and you'll be able to find
the trickery of a human hidden behind a ghost.
If you mix bryophytes and alum water,
the liquid tends to turn red.
You washed your hands before you wrote the prayer.
That water wasn't clear water.
It was probably alum water.
The Great Hunting Ceremony was chaotic,
so it must have been not hard to dust the brush with bryophytes
and add alum to the water.
Yes, Your Highness.
The culprit must be someone who knows about the written prayer
and has easy access to the brushes.
It wasn't the doing of a ghost, Your Highness.
It's a common technique used by shamans in private houses
to extort wealth.
I solved a case very similar to this one before.
A technique used by shamans...
Okay. All done.
Oh, my stomach...
What are you wearing?
I can't just sit here and do nothing but cook and do laundry.
I should be doing something to help Lady Jae-yi.
What are you going to do?
Why am I getting scared?
Look at what you're wearing!
I'll be back.
Where are you going?
Ga-ram!
I'm sure this is the prime minister's house.
I'm sure
that crazy guy lives here too.
I wonder what will happen today.
Gosh.
The sky is very clear today
just like your bright future, Myeong-jin.
Let's live life to the fullest today too!
Gosh!
Young Master Myeong-jin.
What is it?
There was something I wanted
-to tell you. -To tell me?
I'll just go.
No. What is it?
How can you just leave after scaring me like that?
It's nothing.
You said you had something to tell me.
Rumour has it, you can tell the cause of death right away
when you look at a body.
Really? There's such a rumor?
Such a rumor has been going around...
That's right. I can do that.
Oh...
So...
-I was hoping to learn from you... -You want to learn from me?
No, sir.
I wanted to learn from you,
but I'd better not.
How come?
How could you be my teacher when you get scared so easily?
I just don't have respect for you.
I'll learn from someone else.
How dare you!
That's very offensive.
So you wanted to learn from me
and you just refused me regardless of my opinion?
What I do is up to me,
so why do you care what I do?
You're right. I refused you.
Goodbye then.
No.
You just hurt my feelings.
So what? What do you want me to do?
I will accept you as my apprentice and teach you.
-Follow me. -Right now?
You came to my house so early in the morning.
Why wait?
Can I trust that crazy guy?
I'm not sure if there's anything to learn from him.
Gosh.
You are so slow.
Follow me right away.
I wonder what His Highness will do to me.
It's a common technique used by shamans in private houses
to extort wealth.
Shamans...
Everything has a purpose.
Wasn't it an attempt to blemish the crown prince's power?
Such vicious trickery against the Crown Prince
is the same as going against the royal court.
Find out who did it and punish him so it doesn't happen again.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I apologize, Your Highness.
It was my fault for being negligent.
I will look into who brought the water
and who was in charge of the brushes.
Did you look into the bow and quiver from the hunting grounds?
Yes, Your Highness. The bow and quiver are commonly used in the Ministry of War.
Same with the arrow that almost shot you and ended up in the tree
and it was not laced with poison.
I'm glad it wasn't laced with poison.
Your Highness, you should call in every soldier
involved in the ceremony and investigate.
We were at a hunting ground.
I'm sure someone was just trying to shoot at an animal
and the arrow headed toward me by mistake.
Still,
how could someone make such a grave mistake?
Don't be so sure.
You could also
shoot an arrow toward me by mistake.
How could you say something like that?
No matter what happens,
my arrow will never fly towards you, Your Highness.
I was just joking.
There are dozens of soldiers involved in the ceremony.
It's no use to line them all up and investigate
just because they used a bow and arrow
which are used in the Military of War.
Rather than that,
find out who tampered with the water and brush.
Did he get something to eat?
May I ask who do you refer to, Your Highness?
The man we locked up yesterday?
Should I have
taken care of him after what he did?
He figured out the secret of the written prayer.
You didn't even put a brazier in the room when the night was so cold?
I just didn't feel...
I'm sorry I was so careless, Your Highness.
Since when was the law of Joseon so heartless?
Who could've been taught by a shaman?
It's them.
If it's not the Right State Councilor,
who else could plan such a vicious thing?
Do you agree?
It may not have been the doing of the Right State Councilor.
None of us know
what His Majesty is thinking.
His Majesty's mother was a slave,
so he used the Right State Councilor and his family
to strengthen his royal authority.
Why do you think he got married to Her Highness?
Her Highness is the niece of the Right State Councilor
and the Cho family is the center of
the Commander of Fortress.
If he fails to prove it, he will be dethroned.
We still have another prince,
so there's nothing to worry about.
So His Majesty wants Prince Myeong-ahn to ascend the throne instead?
How dare you say such a thing?
If His Majesty's goal is to strengthen his power,
then the current crown prince may not suffice.
It's not like he has a powerful family behind his back like Prince Myeong-ahn.
And rumors have been going around about
Prince Ui-hyeon's death and
how he was cursed by a ghost.
Still, His Highness is His Majesty's son.
His Majesty can't possibly
abandoned his own son to gain power.
Something like that should never happen.
Gosh, you look so happy.
Hello, Young Master.
-Are you feeling better? -Yes, sir.
Keep up the good work.
There.
-Rice cakes! -You're here, Young Master.
You didn't even pay for it!
Freshly made rice cake is the best.
Eat up.
Here. Have one too.
-How much is this? -Oh, there's no need.
It's on the house.
Thanks to the medicine you got for us,
my son's boils were cured.
I can give you all the rice cakes we have.
Is that so?
-Well, that's good news. -Yes, sir.
But don't you want to know who he is?
I've never seen him before. Who are you?
He's my apprentice.
He came to me after hearing the rumor.
Is he totally out of it?
-A bit. -Right?
Thank god.
-Be careful. -How have you been doing?
I've been doing well.
Did you get a good night's sleep?
-Young Master. -Gosh!
We had a good night's sleep thanks to you, Young Master.
We've been suffering because of the fleas for days,
but after we sprinkled the water you gave us,
all the fleas died
and we slept like a baby for the first time in a long time.
What was in that water?
It's a top secret information. I can't just tell you.
If you really want to know,
I can just tell you that I added cinnamon.
So that's why it smelled...
But who is he?
-He is my apprentice. -Apprentice?
Nice to meet you. I'm his apprentice.
He left.
-I should get going. -Right.
Boil medicine and water that exterminates bugs...
You make all that?
It might be faster to find what I can't make.
Do you get it now?
I might get scared easily,
but people approve of my skill and personality.
What I'm saying is,
am I not the perfect teacher?
Sure.
So assist me well
and I will teach you well.
This place...
Right.
What is this place?
This is my lab.
Lab?
Manyeondang.
This place is made for
researching everything in the world.
It's a temporary pass that'll allow you to leave the palace.
I cannot let someone who violated the moral pinciples
stay so close to me.
Take that and leave the palace.
Your Highness.
Are you really going to kick me out?
Take a look around.
You drew this? Wow.
I wonder where you got all this.
Wait. This is...
You know who she is?
Isn't she the murderer of Gaesong?
Quiet.
My apprentice.
She isn't like that.
Say hello.
She is Lady Jae-yi,
the best inspector of Joseon
and your teacher's one true love.
Pardon?
You are in love with her?
Yes.
I am in love with her.
Very much.
MY LOVE, LADY JAE-YI
Whether you go to the Royal Inspector's Office
or the Gaesong Magistracy,
you'll have to prove your innocence yourself.
You jerk.
You will never become a wise king.
You are a real jerk.
-Are you... -That's right. I'm talking to you.
What? Surprise to hear a woman swear?
You must've lost your mind.
Right?
Yes. I must have.
Do you think I can't possibly go crazy right now?
Did you tell me to go to the Royal Inspector's Office?
The Gaesong Magistracy?
My whole face is on wanted posters all over the country.
I don't have anything to fear anymore.
I've been through hardships without getting a chance
to prove my innocence
and I'll probably get killed after confessing something I didn't even do.
Whether I die while standing up to you
or have my limbs torn apart, it's no different.
You dare call the Crown Prince of Joseon a jerk?
You were just lucky to be born into a royal family and become a crown prince.
What makes you so special?
What? How dare you!
That's right!
What can a girl
who's on the run
after being falsely accused do?
No.
There was nothing I could do
since I was born as a girl in Joseon.
Has Joseon ever gave
a girl permission to do anything?
Fine.
It seems like you're not done yet. Continue.
I was just unlucky to be falsely accused.
My father and mother loved me
and my brother adored me.
So what makes me so different from you?
My father, your master,
was so happy when you became
the crown prince after Prince Ui-hyeon.
He believed someone so cruel and arrogant
could become a wise king.
I continued his belief
and thought that if I met you
as your first royal people
I could figure out why my family was murdered.
That's why I risked my life to come here.
I thought you wouldn't turn me away.
I am your master's daughter
and your master died because of you.
It's all because of you!
My family died because of you! It's your fault!
If you still decide to turn a blind eye to my desperateness,
I'd rather die next to you.
I'm good as dead anyway.
Excuse me!
There's a woman who committed a heinous crime!
You must arrest her.
But please listen to what I have to say.
The Crown Prince received a letter from a ghost.
The rumors are true!
SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE HA-YUL
OUR BLOOMING YOUTH
Your Highness, please help me.
Are you trying to make a deal with me?
What is this place?
Are you sure you did everything?
The Crown Prince isn't king yet.
Why are you dressed as a boy?
It's the only way
to get people to listen to me.
I just want my family to rest in peace
and to return to my fiancé.
Are you sure?
Can't you see that the Crown Prince doesn't even trust you?
I will give you chance.
I will figure it out no matter what.