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
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!
Your Highness.
I'll accept whatever status you give me.
I will never be a nuisance to you.
So please...
Please help me.
HIS HIGHNESS BROUGHT A SOLDIER OF FIVE MILITARY COMMANDS
FROM THE HUNTING GROUNDS BACK TO THE PALACE
Did you say that you would be my first people?
Yes, Your Highness.
I guess you're not too bad for my first people.
Did you say you risked your life
to come here from Gaeseong to meet me?
Yes, Your Highness.
So I guess it'll be easier for you to enter the East Palace.
Didn't you tell me I should give permission
to a girl to do anything?
So I'm giving you, my first people,
permission to do whatever you want.
Meet me at the East Palace.
But you'll have to figure out how to get there on your own.
Go ahead.
Do it.
I give you my permission.
What's wrong, Your Highness?
I stayed far away as per your orders,
but I heard a loud sound.
Let's go.
You're just leaving?
What about him?
PASS
Your Highness!
Your Highness, I will do as you ordered.
Your Highness, are you sure we can just leave him like that?
Well, let's see what he does.
Excuse me. Where can I find eunuch uniforms?
-You're a eunuch? -Yes.
Yes, I'm a new eunuch at the East Palace.
I was at the great hunting ceremony with His Highness yesterday
and didn't get a chance to change.
His Highness ordered me to change into a proper uniform.
Eunuch Park!
He says he's a new eunuch of the East Palace.
His Highness ordered him to change into proper uniform.
Follow me.
Yes, sir.
Over here.
Here. Take this.
Go inside over there and change.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Who is that?
He's a new eunuch at the East Palace.
Gosh, I feel bad for him.
How will he last at the East Palace?
He won't last three days.
Now take a seat over here.
EPISODE 3
How can you be in love with her?
Even if she is innocent like you said,
she already had a fiancé...
And I heard she also has a lover.
But what does that matter?
I'm in love with her.
Have you read this book before?
No. What is it?
It's a coroner's manual.
Don't you know how to read?
How can you become my apprentice when you don't even know how to read?
What does learning autopsy have to do with knowing how to read?
Autopsies are usually done by lowly servants...
So what you're saying is,
since autopsies are done by lowly people,
you don't need to know how to read?
Is that what you're saying?
How dare you!
People who do autopsies may thought of as lowly since they have to handle bodies,
but they are also in charge of figuring out the cause of death.
So in the end, it's a very important job which values life.
When I learned from my previous master, he told me to learn
-women's script… -Women's script?
That's a lowly word for the Korean alphabet.
Didn't that master teach you
how beautiful the Korean alphabet is?
He did,
but there are bugs inside my head.
If I learn something,
the bugs eat them up.
And where would a lowly life like me use the alphabet?
What do you mean?
You can use it to make a living.
The Chinese characters may be difficult to learn,
but shouldn't you at least know the Korean alphabet?
I'm so busy just making ends meet.
Gosh, you lazy boy!
King Sejong created the Korean alphabet
for people like you.
No matter how stupid you are, you can learn it in a day.
Do you think any other country has such alphabets?
Since you learned from your previous master,
I want to see how competent you are.
Try writing my name.
My name is Kim Myeong-jin.
KOM MEONG JIN
Good job.
You're not too bad.
Since you know the basics, it'll take you less than half a day.
Anyway,
tell me a little bit about yourself.
-What do you mean? -I should know who you are
if I am to accept you as my apprentice.
But you introduced me to everyone
as your apprentice this morning.
If I don't like you,
I will fire you today.
I guess
this will be enough for your writing skills.
Now tell me what you know how to do
and don't know how to do.
Your Highness.
We prepared something last night for you,
but since you returned late from the hunting grounds
we haven't been able to show you.
So we thought we should show it to you now.
Your Highness.
Please think that it's last night.
He always hits the bullseye.
Prince Hwan is amazing.
He's the best archer in the world.
Prince Hwan is the best.
Yes!
That's enough.
But how did you even manage to carry that around?
For you, Your Highness, this is nothing.
Thank you.
Your Highness.
Wouldn't this be the best time to have a brand-new eunuch?
It must be great to have that fresh energy...
Yes, Your Highness. Just say the word
and we will bring you a diligent and...
That's unacceptable.
You all always think of me so much and care for me,
so what the use of another diligent eunuch?
I will not allow it.
Open the doors.
We have failed again.
There's nothing we can do.
He hates having new people in his palace.
Then he shouldn't at least fire people.
He kicks people out when he pleases.
Just keep praying.
Who knows? Something strange might happen today
and His Highness could change his mind about the new eunuch.
-Should we pray right now? -Let's go grab a bowl of water first.
It's not like a eunuch of the East Palace
can ask for directions to the East Palace.
If you keep that up, you might fall.
I'm worried that you'll ruin the tea I prepared for Hwan.
Give it to me. I'll carry it.
My apologies, Your Highness.
If you were to keep your dignity as a princess
and walk a little slower, it would be
more comfortable for everyone, Your Highness.
Her Highness is off to meet her brother?
Are you okay, Your Highness?
Get away from her right now.
How dare you.
I haven't seen you before.
Today's my first day working at the East Palace, Your Highness.
But since today is my first day, I got lost
and was wandering around the palace.
Yes, the palace is quite big.
Follow me. I was on my way to see Hwan anyway.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I heard there's a rumor going around among eunuchs
about how picky my brother is.
You'll see once you meet him in person.
My brother isn't like that.
Can you promise me
you'll take good care of him?
Of course, Your Highness.
Is it okay even if it is trivial?
Sure. Go ahead.
I am very good at climbing.
Like walls?
Yes, I'm good at climbing over walls.
Yes!
Why are you dressed up as a man?
Father…
My Lord.
The truth is…
A man named Byeong-gu who lives in the lower village was arrested
and hit 50 times as punishment before he was locked up.
But I don't think he is the culprit.
This isn't just about proving his innocence.
You can't dress like this.
How can a woman dress up as a man?
I have to be a man
to be able to save him.
The world will listen to me only if I look like this.
Does the world listen to
a woman in a dress?
That man's young daughter is
waiting for him at home starving.
I have to prove his innocence
so he can go back to his daughter.
If you dress up as a man,
it means you are going against the law.
You are going against the world.
If you leave your house and try to start something
the world will put up walls to stop you.
And high thresholds will be built
to stop you over and over again.
Will you be okay with that?
Will you be able to keep going without giving up?
I like the world too much
that I can't lock myself up
in my house out of fear, Father.
If there's a threshold, I will cross it.
I find the world fun and curious.
I want to keep going for as long as I can
and see the world.
Go ahead. Do it.
I give you my permission.
So I'm giving you, my first people,
permission to do whatever you want.
Come over here.
This is the East Palace.
Don't get lost again, okay?
Yes, Your Highness. I won't get lost again.
If someone sent a fake secret letter
along with the wedding gifts,
it must be the person who sent me the letter from the ghost
or someone in his crew.
Is the person who shot me with an arrow,
the one who killed my messenger who I sent to Gaeseong,
the one who killed my master's family
the same person?
It has to be one of them.
But who?
No matter what happens,
my arrow will never fly towards you, Your Highness.
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.
Who should I believe
and who should I let go?
-Announce my arrival. -Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, Princess Ha-yeon is here.
Come in.
I met a new eunuch of the East Palace on my way here.
He got lost and had trouble finding the palace.
Your Highness, as you ordered
I have found a way on my own.
The section chief went to the Office of Taoism to find
Oh Man-sik because of the written prayer incident?
I looked into it too.
If someone did play a joke at the Crown Prince's Great Hunting Ceremony,
shouldn't we arrest him and punish him?
But Gap-su. I went to the Office of Taoisom myself
and Oh Man-sik didn't even show up today.
I wonder if he's home…
It seems like he has already run away.
-Search every nook and cranny. -Yes, My Lord.
There is no sign of him.
He must've run away with this family.
What's going on? Did something happen?
Do you know a man named Oh Man-sik?
Of course. He lives right next to me.
When was the last time you saw him?
Did he tell you where is going?
He's been getting rid of his furniture for about
a month now, so I wondered what was going on.
He sold everything useful.
I feel bad for Section Chief Han.
He got dumped by a girl
and he won't be able to catch Oh Man-sik.
It was an exercise in futility.
Hwan.
How come you hired a new eunuch?
Come over here.
I told you that my brother
isn't that scary.
Come here and serve us some tea.
Do you know that eunuch?
I'm not sure.
-I've never seen him before. -He seems familiar.
Didn't he clearly say that
he doesn't want a new eunuch?
I know. What is going on?
Oh, didn't he say there's someone
who he wanted to bring to the East Palace?
Yes, he's Eunuch Kim's relative.
I will call you to the East Palace.
That's what he said.
Only suitable people should be hired.
I never thought His Highness was that kind of guy,
but I don't think he should be picking just anyone he wants.
Your Highness.
Prince Myeong-ahn is here.
Come in.
He's making up excuses every day because he doesn't want to study.
Please give him a good scolding, Hwan.
How come you came alone
after promising me we'll come together.
You can put that down.
I heard you showed amazing archer skills
at the great hunting ceremony.
So you should take a page out of his book
and practice your archery skills.
He can't even ride a horse yet.
Do you know how scary it is?
It makes my whole body shake.
Aren't you afraid of riding horses, Hwan?
I learned to ride a horse from Ui-hyeon,
so it wasn't scary at all.
I'm sure if you learn from me, you won't be scared.
Then will you teach me someday?
Sure, but you have to promise me you'll never skip studying.
Yes, I promise.
Oh, Hwan.
How did you figure out the secret behind the written prayer incident?
I wasn't the one who figured it out.
He did.
Is that true?
He's the new eunuch Hwan hired.
I could tell he was smart the moment I saw him.
I like you.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Then would you like to take him?
Really? Can I?
Would you like to go to my palace with me?
Your Highness...
What about you, Myeong-ahn?
Since Myeong-ahn is very generous to his servants,
it could be better to go with him.
No!
I mean. That can't be done, Your Highness.
I am already affiliated with the East Palace.
How can a single bird sit on two separate branches?
I beg of you to let me serve you, Your Highness.
Gosh, you're handsome and you have a way with words.
What is your name?
I'll make sure to remember it.
Oh, my name is...
Gosh, he's colder than the ice in the ice storage.
Yes, my name is...
GO SUN-DOL
ONYANG
Why, Sun-dol.
You are pathetic.
You forgot the direction on how to get here. Did you also forget your name?
Your name is Go Sun-dol, you idiot.
Oh, Sun-dol!
My name is Go Sun-dol.
I was so stupid that
I forgot my name for a second there.
Sun-dol?
That name suits you very well.
I'll make sure to remember it.
Now that there's a great eunuch in the East Palace,
I'm not as worried anymore.
Hwan.
Did you hear about Section Chief Han's fiancé?
Is there someone who hasn't heard of her?
Isn't she wicked?
There was another man.
She was going to run away with him before she got married,
but Master Min caught her,
so she killed her entire family.
I heard she bought poison and put it in the soup
and she was the only one who didn't eat the soup.
I'm scared she'll appear in my dreams.
I heard
she fell off a cliff and died.
They haven't found the body,
so she could be alive.
Please don't say such a thing.
Her body must've gotten swept away already.
My gosh.
I just feel bad for Section Chief Han.
His face has become so rough.
These are the things that Oh Man-sik sold.
You can tell
it's from the Ming Dynasty and it's highly valuable.
I wonder how something so valuable ended up in his house.
Are you sure he's the one who sold this?
Yes, My Lord.
He took more than enough money to buy himself a straw house.
His family was last seen 10 days ago
and it seems like Oh Man-sik left last night.
Did you find anything special?
No.
This definitely belonged to my father.
How can something like that happen unless it's a ghost playing tricks?
How dare you say something so irreverent?
No.
It can't be.
How could this have
ended up in his possession?
The solution you found was
to wear eunuch clothes and pretend to be one
without even a name?
Isn't a eunuch the best position for
getting close to you without anyone suspecting?
And you plan on staying next to me like that?
I'm not looking for a place to stay
and definitely not looking for a place to live.
All I want is to
clear my name so my family can
rest in peace and go back
to my finacé with dignity.
The last thing my father said to me was
to protect you, Your Highness.
If you trust me,
I will solve the mystery of the ghost's letter.
Are you trying to make a deal with me?
Aren't you even a little bit curious?
I have to find out
who sent the secret letter
if you didn't and
why he sent that to my father.
I must know.
I will find out
why my entire family had to die
because of that letter and why I was
falsely accused of murder.
Are you really the one who solved
all those cases your brother claims to have solved?
Yes, Your Highness. Me and my servant.
That is a terrible demonstration of martial arts.
Is that all you know how to do?
Do you have any idea how many bad guys
I took down with this broom?
I hate brooms.
My mom used to beat me up with that thing…
Enough with the broom. Is there anything else you know how to do?
-Running. -Running?
Wait. What?
Can you even run with those short legs?
You may be able to run, but I highly doubt you'll be fast.
Don't look down on me.
Whatever you may think of me,
I'm much more skilled.
Coming through, Young Master.
What?
-Who are you? -Me?
I'm Young Master Min's servant!
Just come quietly.
Ga-ram!
We were the ones who caught Kim Jun-hyeon,
the thief of Gaeseong who no one managed to catch for ten years,
not my brother.
And the serial killer Mun Seo-jin.
I'm eating and you're making me lose my appetite.
Did you see it?
Did you see me kill those guys ten years ago?
I'm here to investigate
since I never saw it with my own eyes.
I just wanted to ask some questions,
so why are you getting all worked up?
Like you actually killed those people.
You're just itching to die, aren't you?
That's not all.
I also have many different talents.
I'm good at using objects around me.
I'm not afraid even if I don't have a knife or a bow.
Hot!
Gosh. My hands slipped. I'm so sorry.
Are you out of your mind?
Are you okay?
He can't walk.
Oh dear. Come over here.
-Have a seat. -Sit here.
Gosh, why did that break?
-Are you okay? -That must hurt.
Hey!
Let go of me.
You little...
You jerk!
But these bats are my absolute favorite.
It's light, strong and there are two of them.
I hit the bad guy on the left
and right with this.
Two at a time. This way, that way.
This way, that way.
And hitting them all around.
Well, that's amazing.
I beat a lot of those into a pulp with these.
Beat who?
What do you think, Master?
Did I pass or not?
You passed.
Pass!
Master!
Go away. Stay away from me!
I passed, right?
Since you came to the East Palace as you promised,
I will give you a chance.
You will have to prove your worth.
Solve those cases you mentioned.
They are looking for people who witness the murderers.
I will solve these cases and prove myself to you.
I will listen to you about your family
after I test your skills.
And after that,
I will think about how I will use you.
I will solve it in ten days.
This book contains information about two cases.
Read it.
Yes, Your Highness.
Eunuch Soh, are you outside? Call Tae-gang.
Father, it's me. May I enter?
Come in.
You're late.
Yes, Father.
I'm late because I was investigating the Office of Taoism
regarding the incident that happened at the hunting grounds.
Did you figure anything out?
I went to the house of the person who was in charge of the water and brush.
but he already ran away with his family.
It seemed like he had been planning it for a while now.
I assume you're going to be late from now on.
The scale of the incident makes me think that
he was instigated by someone.
I don't think the Office of Taoism was working alone.
If they attempted to do such a thing against the Crown Prince,
they must've had a reason.
The blood on the prayer seemed ominous and wicked
as if His Highness was actually cursed
by a ghost like the rumor says.
Whoever did it, their purpose must be
to tame the Crown Prince.
They want to scare the Crown Prince
so he doesn't get away.
What do you mean, "Tame the Crown Prince"?
The Crown Prince is the next king,
and the next king cannot be too powerful.
Father, I'm not sure I understand.
How do you think the Crown Prince
got to where he is right now?
Well...
It's because his father is a king
and the king's father was also a king.
Look at His Majesty right now.
He may be the son of a lowly maid,
but he ascended the throne because his father was a king.
You don't need to be verified to become a king.
All you need to be is related to one.
But
blood doesn't mean capacity.
-Father -The king's capacity
is made by his subjects.
Why do you think the Court Officials participated in a ceremony
that teaches the Crown Prince the ways of Confucius and Mencius?
A great king
is made by Prime Ministers
who have been chosen among many talents.
The Crown Prince has the capacity
to become the most dangerous king.
He's smart but arrogant
and does not depend nor trust his subjects.
How could you say something so vulgar?
The Crown Prince
isn't king yet.
I hope he learns that
without subjects he trusts,
he may not be able to ascend the throne.
The Crown Prince isn't the only one related to the king.
Then are you saying
Prince Myeong-ahn could ascend the throne instead?
I don't know who did this,
but don't you think that's the purpose of the whole incident?
I will protect His Highness.
I'm not sure if that's possible.
A relationship between a king and his subject
cannot be made by your determination alone.
Can't you see that His Highness
doesn't even trust you, his best friend?
Where are we going?
Gosh, is he mute or something?
Where are we?
Hold this.
Come down.
His Highness has been using this room for about a year now.
You'll be staying here for the time being.
I'll be staying here?
Why...
Why are you doing this?
I don't trust you.
I'll be keeping my eye on you.
If you ever cause any harm to His Highness,
I will cut your throat without hesitation.
His Highness is keeping me next to him because he needs me.
How can one of His Highness' subjects be so rude to me?
I'm saying, don't get any ideas.
I won't,
so don't lay a finger on me again.
I was offended, but I'll think of it as you welcoming me.
But
I will remember that you
grabbed me by the collar twice.
I also remember
very clearly that you...
Gosh.
Why do you insist on keeping him around?
It's food.
It's so...
I'm so thankful.
Should I go to the Chungmu
and find out if it's really Jang Chi-su?
Leave it. I already checked myself.
Why did you give him the position of a eunuch
and let him stay in your secret room?
I'm thinking
he might become useful to me like you.
Before you became my bodyguard
you were just a nobody.
Well...
That's true, but...
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.
She didn't seem like she was lying.
That Prince Hwan...
I thought I knew him, but I really don't.
Take that and leave the palace.
I cannot let someone who violated the moral principles
stay so close to me.
I'm sure he never wanted me to leave.
He was just testing me
and I passed his test.
But her whole family died
and she's the sole survivor.
And she did buy the poison.
Since she's also skilled in martial arts,
it's hard to say Min Jae-yi isn't the one who killed my messenger.
The Crown Prince has the capacity
to become the most dangerous king.
Can't you see that His Highness
doesn't even trust you, his best friend?
The Crown Prince doesn't trust anyone.
He's very skeptical.
But he at least has the audacity
to give me food since he knows I haven't eaten in days.
Did he see the food?
Yes, Your Highness.
And he didn't say anything?
No, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
I may have thought that
you are colder than the ice
in the ice storage.
I take that back.
But I know that you still can't trust me.
I will solve these two cases
and prove myself.
Just you wait.
His Highness has been using this room for about a year now.
Gosh, he must've had a hard time.
He never let anyone see his weakness
and practiced thousands of times over and over again
until his arm healed.
He is very strong.
THERE'S A NEW EUNUCH IN THE EAST PALACE
HIS NAME IS GO SUN-DOL
Oh, no.
Oh, gosh. Oh, no.
Oh, no!
I'm late!
How did I get to the East Palace yesterday?
Yes. The East Palace is located where the sun rises.
On your first day, you have to adjust your clothing
and greet His Highness properly.
I told you this last night.
I'm sorry.
Can I borrow a pair of socks...
You are definitely getting kicked out today.
I bet my ox, which is my entire wealth.
What are you doing out there? Enter.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, it's Sun-dol.
Why isn't His Highness kicking him out?
I bet my ox.
Go Sun-dol.
Yes, Your Highness.
What are you doing? You should be serving me.
Yes, Your Highness.
What is it?
Did the soldiers we sent to Gaeseong come back?
This...
It belonged to Lady Jae-yi.
It was found while my men were chasing her.
It must've slipped off while she was running.
Who is Go Sun-dol?
Are you sure it's okay for me to borrow his name?
He's 22 years old and he's from Onyang.
His father was killed by a tiger
when he turned three.
And his mother died due to the plague
when he turned four and he has no siblings.
He was a eunuch who went missing
during the flood last year.
He's just as pitiful as I am.
But did you remember that name
in the registry with ease?
Father said you're an amazing person.
He said you remember everything you see.
How was it last night?
Did you get a good night's sleep?
You must've been sleeping on the street
for over 15 days since you were being chased.
Thank you for giving me a place to stay, Your Highness.
Were you able to find your way here?
I ran in the direction of the rising sun.
I thought it was amazing.
The palace, I mean.
Since it's located where the sun rises,
it's the first palace that sees the sun.
That means you are at the place where the sun rises.
Isn't that amazing?
Yes.
I am the owner of the East Palace
which is where the sun rises.
I think you don't miss
a single opportunity to boast, Your Highness.
If that's all, you may leave.
Is there something you still wish to tell me?
Come on in.
Tell him everything.
No one has seen Lady Jae-yi since she fell off a cliff,
so it seems like she died just like the Gaeseong Magistracy said,
but it seems like someone was living in the cave of Songak Mountain.
Was it Lady Jae-yi?
Is she alive?
Why are you looking at me like that?
You still seem to have that
baby face of yours.
Right. We met when we were young.
You still remember?
Yes, Your Highness.
OUR BLOOMING YOUTH
He's a new eunuch at the East Palace.
His Highness, who is known to be extremely picky,
hired a new eunuch?
Eunuch Go!
Are you okay?
He is the messenger His Highness sent to Master Min.
It seems like the culprit dipped the arrow heads in something interesting.
The culprit carved letters into his victim's back.
Is the culprit the same person who killed my family?
This is clearly a serial murder case.
What is it that they want?
You must arrest the culprit first.
I think I can figure out the next murder location.