Storyline
Discover the story behind the screen.
At the young age of 11, Lee San witnesses his father Crown Prince Sado's death, but he does not lose his cheerfulness with his strong heart and a gentle personality. He even inherits his grandfather's intelligence, King Yeongjo, and a warm view toward humans. Lee San, who is good at both studying and martial arts, becomes the next king after Yeongjo. Song Yeon is the woman King Jeongjo loves. Song Yeon is talented in painting thanks to her father from a flower garden. While running errands in the royal art department, she enters the palace and establishes a relationship with Lee San. Will Lee San be able to overcome various schemes, stand up against maligning forces, and ascend as a king? And will he be able to achieve love with Song Yeon despite their difference in status?
At the young age of 11, Lee San witnesses his father Crown Prince Sado's death, but he does not lose his cheerfulness with his strong heart and a gentle personality. He even inherits his grandfather's intelligence, King Yeongjo, and a warm view toward humans. Lee San, who is good at…
Top Billed Cast
Lee Seo-jin
Yi San
Han Ji-min
Seong Song-yeon
Lee Soon-jae
King Yeongjo
Kyeon Mi-ri
Lady Hyegyeong
Sung Hyun-ah
Princess Hwawan
Kim Yeo-jin
Queen Jeongsun
Park Eun-hye
Queen Hyoui
Lee Jong-soo
Park Dae-su
Han Sang-jin
Hong Guk-yeong
David Lee
Prince Euneon
Lee Jae-yong
Jang Tae-woo
Park Ji-bin
Yi San (young)
Jo Yeon-woo
Jeong Hoo-kyeom
Cha Woong-ki
Crown prince Moon-hyo
Episodes
Episode 1
King Young Jo commences a brutal torture for the Crown Prince Sado. A new addition to the royal court, Song Yeon, runs into Dae Soo as he attempts to escape.
Episode 2
Crown Prince Sado's son, Yi San, works to save his father as well as Dae Soo with the discovery of a painting. Song Yeon decides to help the dangerous rescue attempt.
Episode 3
Using the painting, Yi San's plan to save the life of his father is ignored by an angry King Young Jo. Devastating news concerning the death of Crown Prince Sado reaches Yi San.
Episode 4
The discovery of weapons at the East Palace causes King Young Jo to seek information about those around him. Yi San continues his attempt to prove the innocence of Crown Prince Sado.
Episode 5
Yi San survives an attempt on his life by an unknown man but the potential murderer commits suicide. Princess Hwa Wan talks to her father then meets with Choi Seok Ju.
Episode 6
A familiar dead body leads Yi San to information about who is behind the attempts on his life. Song Yeon, with the assistance of Park Young Moon, confronts false accusations of theft.
Episode 7
Song Yeon must prove to Wang Yu that she is a skillful painter. Dae Soo's theft causes problems for the important meeting between Yi San and representatives from the Ching Dynasty.
Episode 8
After assisting Queen Hyo Eui with a task, Song Yeon is kidnapped. Dae Soo attempts a dangerous rescue mission while Yi San orders soldiers to save the captive Song Yeon from Gakjung criminals.
Episode 9
Yi San learns his signature is being forged and uses the help of artists to discover the forger's identity. A terrified Song Yeon tries to alert Lee Chun to her whereabouts.
Episode 10
King Young Jo presents a demonstration about how the forgery could have occurred. Dae Soo plans on taking the entrance test to join the military and become Song Yeon's guard.
Episode 11
The East Palace experiences a brutal attack that leads to the death of some palace guards. King Young Jo gives Yi San the difficult task of questioning prisoners for information about the event.
Episode 12
Yi San disobeys orders to obtain information and ends the prisoner interrogation techniques. Hong Guk Young and Dae Soo find evidence that San is innocent of trying to overthrow King Young Jo.
Episode 13
A surprised Yi San discovers that Han Joon Ho is responsible for the plans against him. Dae Soo leads San and Nam Sa Cho to the vacant area where training occurred for a possible assassination.
Episode 14
Yi San must balance his emotions as he discovers information about Princess Hwa-wan. King Young Jo is shocked to learn that someone close to him is involved in the murder plot.
Episode 15
Princess Hye Bin presents an unique item to Princess Hwa Wan. A member of the royal court gives Queen Hyo Eui information about Song Yeon's encounter with Jung Hoo Gyeom.
Episode 16
Princess Hye Bin commissions Song Yeon to work on a special project for Queen Hyo Eui. San makes a surprise visit to Queen Hyo Eui while Song Yeon is there.
Episode 17
An unknown illness strikes King Young Jo while away from the palace. Empress Jung Soon sends word that Yi San should be killed if King Young Jo fails to survive the sickness.
Episode 18
Opponents to the prince attempt to stage a coup by returning the ailing King to the palace. The empress wants to know why Yi San is unhappy to see the king.
Episode 19
Yi San faces the difficult choice of allowing Princess Hwa Wan to live for another day. Preparing for the possible death of King Young Jo, Empress Jung Soon issues a command.
Episode 20
Yi San is now in charge of looking after the kingdom and working with its officials on important matters. Hong In Han receives encouragement from Choi Seok Joo to start a friendship.
Episode 21
Song Yeon does very well at a contest and receives another commission for her paintings. Yi San asks for assistance from Nanjeon sellers in finding information about a possible Shijeon connection.
Episode 22
Park Young Moon has concerns about Song Yeon's request to teach painting techniques. In order to further his own cause, Jung Hoo Gyeom destroys something meant for Han Seong Boo.
Episode 23
Hong Guk Young asks to be removed from his current position and Yi San reluctantly obliges. An angry Princess Hwa Wan receives unwelcome news from Jung Hoo Gyeom about Kim Gwi Joo.
Episode 24
An old man tells Dae-soo that his life is in danger. His dream involved screaming coming from a fire with many people there watching. Dae-soo next tells Hong Guk-young about the old man's vision. Later, Hong Guk-young is alarmed when he learns that minister Lee is organizing a festival that will have bonfires and fireworks.
Episode 25
Ignoring Choi Seok Joo's worries, Empress Jung Soon goes forward with her fireworks scheme. Hong Guk Young feels that something is wrong with the upcoming Naryehee Festival and requests more information.
Episode 26
Yi San pays attention to a shooting exhibition during the Naryehee Festival. Hong Guk Young has concerns about a possible murder attempt but his message for Yi San reaches Kim Gwi Joo.
Episode 27
After searching for Dae Soo in Eugeumboo, Song Yeon goes to Yi San with her concern about his whereabouts. Dae Soo tries to understand more about his kidnappers and their current location.
Episode 28
Yi San is informed that Lord Kim Gui Joo is missing. The prince asks Yi San if he had anything to do with it. However, he denies any involvement. Yi San asks his followers to cover up the disappearance of Lord Kim. He fights to keep his deadly secret away from the prince.
Episode 29
Hong Guk-young plots to trap Jung Hoo-gyeom through a well-crafted message. Jung Hoo-gyeom receives the message and passes it on to some men hiding out in the mountains. The Prince's bodyguards surrounded the men and flushed them out into the open. Later, Jung Hoo-gyeom contacts Hong Guk-young and pleads for his life and informs Hong Guk-young of a bigger, more sinister plan in the works.
Episode 30
The king must find out who is responsible for killing the prince. While he believes her majesty was behind it, her loyal follower refuses to point the finger at her. Yi San knows the truth but does not want to risk the life of her majesty. In the process, he is also risking his chance at the throne.
Episode 31
Princess Hwa-wan wants to put Jung Hoo-gyeom on the throne in place of Empress Jung-soon. Princess Hye-bin finds out her son, Yi San, has been out drinking with friends.
Episode 32
The highness summons Song Yeon to the castle to question her about the prince. However, she is leery about giving out information. After refusing to answer questions, the highness threatens Song with lashes from the cane. She warns Song to stay away from the prince. Song finds herself choosing between love and death.
Episode 33
Yi San hurries to catch his lover before she departs for the Ministry of Culture. Later, the King's mother makes a troubling request. Yi San plans a trip to Oh Nyang while treachery brews within a scheming cabal. The prince's royal guard meets a challenging foe.
Episode 34
Yi San negotiates with Minister Choi Seok-joo to stop the fighting. He asks what the minister wants to do to end the conflict. King Young-jo may be experiencing dementia.
Episode 35
Princess Hwa-wan arranges for a failed assassination attempt of Minister Choi Seok-joo because he agrees with Yi San. Song-Yeon went to China because she was banished from the palace.
Episode 36
Song Yeon finds herself unconscious from a rare illness. The prince scrambles to bring in a physician to help her. However, he finds that a cure is not meant to be. After several weeks, Song Yeaon regains her health. Upon her recovery, notable figures fight to keep her away from the prince that saved her life.
Episode 37
Princess Hwa-wan holds a Noron Faction meeting but is shocked to see Empress Jung-soon in attendance. She is escorted out of the meeting. King Young-jo is still ill.
Episode 38
King Young-jo's dementia gets worse. Hong Guk-young inspects the king's medicine. A mysterious painting for the king is inspected for clues by Nam Sa-cho and Song-yeon.
Episode 39
King Young-jo makes plans for Yi San's succession to the throne. When Empress Jung-soon learns of the king's intentions, she tells followers about the need for Yi San to die.
Episode 40
The king orders his followers to gather all herbs in local communities. The herbs are needed to heal the ailing princess. Not only does the king want all herbs, but all physicians are also to report to him. However, his demands are intercepted by the queen. The prince must fight to save the princess' life.
