The Lady from Gyodong

1/6/1981

Jeong Nan Jeong, a concubine's daughter, wishes to be daughter-in-law to a noble family or even Lady Jeonggyeong, but says she'll be a nun if she can't achieve this...

1/7/1981

Nan Jeong stands up to her father Yun Gyeom after he scolds her, asking how wanting to be a noble family's daughter-in-law or Lady Jeonggyeong is a crime. Won Hyeong...

1/8/1981

Bowoo seeks audience with the Queen to pray for her conception. Nan Jeong says she'll never become a concubine.

1/9/1981

During Bowoo's audience with the Queen, Won Hyeong begs him to pray for the Queen to bear a Prince...

1/12/1981

Nan Jeong meets with Jinsu and speaks to him of the path a woman must walk...

1/13/1981

Seeing Baek Ryeong wants to take care of Nan Jeong, Jinsu asks her to wait as his concubine until he can take her in as the legal wife. Nan Jeong responds...

1/14/1981

Lady Lee says if a man hanged himself before a maiden's quarters before marriage, the marriage may be in peril. She asks Nan Jeong what's going on, but Nan Jeong seems dubious...

1/15/1981

Nan Jeong tells Jinsu he's a fool if he thinks setting up something so ridiculous to ruin her marriage would make her become his concubine. She tells him it's not too late...

1/16/1981

Yun Gyeom tells Jinsu his father immersed himself in study, engaged in State affairs and eventually became Deputy Finance Minister...

1/19/1981

Fearing his father might be sacked from his position, Jinsu gets rid of the corpse and visits Ok Mae Hyang. Song Chi Han demands to find the corpse...

1/20/1981

Song Chi Han realizes the dead body is his little brother, meets with Jinsu and tells him to find the corpse by any and all means. After a letter from Kwema Baek Ryeong, he digs up the place where the corpse is buried and confirms...

1/21/1981

Baek Ryeong says either Nan Jeong schemed this up to purposefully ruin her marriage prospects because they were all for her to become a concubine, or that it was Jinsu, who loves her dearly.

1/22/1981

Chi Han digs up where the corpse was buried with Jinsu, but when nothing turns up, Yun Gyeom says it was Jinsu's doing for sure, and says to turn him over to the State Tribunal. Nan Jeong...

1/23/1981

Yun Im says if the Queen bears a Princess it would be Heaven helping him, but if she bears a Prince, it'll be big trouble.

1/26/1981

Yun Gyeom overlooks Nan Jeong's wrongs and ends up sacked from his post as Deputy Finance Minister but Nan Jeong runs into hiding instead of worrying about him, causing him to fly into a rage. Jinsu bears the humiliation in case any trouble came to his father, but...

1/27/1981

Won Hyeong says Chi Han was definitely instigated by Yun Im and threatens to kill Chi Han unless he tells the truth, but Bowoo says he'll take care of everything...

1/28/1981

Yun Gyeom says he's sure Lady Lee's behind Nan Jeong's disappearance and yells at her to find her before nightfall. Nan Jeong asks Chi Han why she should make a promise if they're the only ones who know what happened...

1/29/1981

The nanny visits Bongeun Temple and says Yun Gyeom had a match for Nan Jeong but without the bride-to-be, he's especially angry.

1/30/1981

Jinsu says if Song Chi Han was with Bowoo, then Nan Jeong's definitely at Bongeun Temple. He pledges to find her by any means...

2/2/1981

Jinsu tells Nan Jeong to come down to his father's ancestral shine, burn incense for him and recount the full story...

2/3/1981

Yun Im says he just came to see the face of renowned Pyeongyang courtesan Ok Mae Hyang, but upon seeing her he wants to make her his concubine...

2/4/1981

Nan Jeong tells Jinsu she'd die with no regrets if she could serve him as her husband for even one day, then begins to wail in tears.

2/5/1981

Lady Min sees Nan Jeong dressed as a nun and scolds her, saying Buddhism is banned throughout the nation - what is this bizarre appearance? She meets Lady Lee at Bongeun Temple and asks how one girl can cause Court officials...

2/6/1981

To his own Queen, the King...

2/7/1981

After 10 months, Yun Im says the Queen had a Princess...

2/9/1981

Yun Gyeom tells Bowoo he covets State affairs too much for a monk, and that he won't escape grave punishment for hiding a criminal...

2/10/1981

Yun Im worries what will happen to the Crown Prince if the Queen bears a Prince, as the Crown Prince is sickly and still without descendants.

2/11/1981

Itching to make Nan Jeong his concubine, Won Hyeong calls Chi Han and pressures him to tell him everything he knows about Nan Jeong. Chi Han says Nan Jeong is like an ungovernable wildfire...

2/12/1981

Won Hyeong visits Bongeun Temple in an attempt to make Nan Jeong his concubine, but Nan Jeong tells him she'll never be a concubine...

2/13/1981

Won Hyeong takes Nan Jeong's letter to Jeong Yun Gyeom with ridiculous insolence. Im Baek Ryeong's heart breaks upon receiving Ok Mae Hyang's ardent letter of single-minded devotion, but when he hears Won Hyeong went to Bongeun Temple for Nan Jeong...

2/14/1981

2/16/1981

Nan Jeong returns home full of confidence, to Yun Gyeom and Lady Lee's surprise. Upon hearing Nan Jeong came down the mountain, Jinsu spills his heart to Im Baek Ryeong, saying he can't forget Nan Jeong...

2/17/1981

Yun Gyeom is dumbfounded to hear about his daughter Nan Jeong from Won Hyeong. Jinsu visits Bongeun Temple, where Bowoo advises him to get over Nan Jeong and dedicate himself to his studies.

2/18/1981

Nan Jeong warmly receives Won Hyeong, and tells him to give her the document stating he'll make her the legal wife once she gives him an heir. Won Hyeong plays innocent on the surface, but finds Nan Jeong even cuter for being so intelligent. Nan Jeong notices the document is in his sleeve, and makes a decision that would decide the rest of her life.

2/19/1981

Won Hyeong and Nan Jeong finally prepare the bridal chamber together. As promised, Lady Lee firmly believes Nan Jeong will become Won Hyeong's legal wife. Meanwhile, the Court overnight...

2/20/1981

After preparing the bridal chamber, Nan Jeong soaks the document Won Hyeong gave her in oil and buries it in a jar underground. Meanwhile, Won Hyeong is satisfied until he receives word on movements in Court, then visits his sister the Queen. Kim An Ro speaks his mind to Shim Jeong, saying he should never ever become Left State Councilor. Won Hyeong and the Queen discuss plans for the future together...

2/21/1981

Nan Jeong tells Won Hyeong it's his fault Miss Gwacheon came over...

2/23/1981

When Jinsu sees Lady Kim at Nan Jeong's house, he begins scolding Nan Jeong for her motives. In an attempt to prevent a crisis, Lady Kim scolds Nan Jeong and wants to make her take an oath at Bongeun Temple, but...

2/24/1981

Nan Jeong is full of confidence, telling Lady Kim she'll become the Lady from Gyodong for sure once she has the child Lady Kim couldn't. But, Lady Lee...

2/25/1981

Won Hyeong and Won Ro worry at Left State Councilor Kim An Ro's growth in power, and discuss making Kwema Im Baek Ryeong a Royal Secretary.

2/26/1981

King Jungjong orders all bells at Buddhist temples to be moved to the Four Greater Gates for use as curfew bells. Bowoo seeks Won Hyeong and asks to rectify this. Yun Im and An Ro worry for the future upon hearing Kwema became a Royal Secretary.

2/27/1981

Yun Im and Kim An Ro plot to exile Yun Won Hyeong and his brother in retaliation for making Kwema Im Baek Ryeong a Royal Secretary. Lady Lee visits Bowoo and asks him what to do since Nan Jeong's gone a year without conceiving...

2/28/1981

Nan Jeong starts dry heaving. Assured it's a sign of pregnancy, Won Hyeong rejoices...

3/3/1981

Lady Kim takes Won Hyeong's medicine to Nan Jeong. Won Hyeong and Won Ro are sacked from their positions and exiled far away...

3/4/1981

Nan Jeong and Ok Mae Hyang tell Won Hyeong they'll spread rumors to cause a rift between Yun Im and Kim An Ro. Lady Kim visits the Queen and tells her Won Hyeong's exile was all because of Nan Jeong...

3/5/1981

The Queen hears Lady Kim's story and realizes Nan Jeong is no ordinary girl. She sends Court Lady Kim to Nan Jeong's house to find out the truth...

3/6/1981

The Queen calls Nan Jeong to the Palace to find out what kind of woman she is. Nan Jeong thinks Lady Kim schemed this but finding this a golden opportunity to display her overflowing intelligence, she urgently enters the Palace. While in audience with the Queen, Nan Jeong says Yun Im and Kim An Ro must be driven apart, her powerful petitions startling the Queen. Inwardly, the Queen thinks Nan Jeong's intelligence...

3/7/1981

3/9/1981

Lady Kim calls Nan Jeong and asks her for her birth details, but seeing through her intentions, Nan Jeong gets up without a word. The shaman tells Lady Kim she must get rid of Nan Jeong by any means...

3/10/1981

As Nan Jeong approaches her delivery date, she visits Won Hyeong at his place of exile and has a son there. Won Hyeong is proud of her and names the son Hyowon. Nan Jeong reminds Won Hyeong of the contract to make her the legal wife...

3/11/1981

Won Hyeong guarantees Nan Jeong he'll make her the legal wife the moment he returns to the Capital. Meanwhile in Court, Nan Jeong's plan falls smoothly into place and Kim An Ro and Yun Im begin scheming against each other, while Nan Jeong smiles in satisfaction. Kim An Ro is eventually granted a bowl of poison...

3/12/1981

Won Hyeong is released from exile and returns to Hanyang, to the joy of the Queen and her entire family. What's more, he gets promoted to Sixth Advisor in the Special Advisors' Office. The Queen summons Won Hyeong to compliment Nan Jeong, and Won Hyeong tells Lady Kim he's bringing Nan Jeong to Gyodong.

3/13/1981

Won Hyeong is excited to bring Nan Jeong to Gyodong and rushes preparations to receive her. Tormented by the issue of Nan Jeong, Lady Kim sends word to her stepmother Lady Kang as her last means of support. When Lady Kang arrives at Gyodong...

3/14/1981

3/16/1981

Jinsu meets Nan Jeong at Bowoo's hermitage, where Nan Jeong counsels Jinsu to focus on his studies. Lady Kang argues with Won Hyeong over Nan Jeong...

3/17/1981

The Queen compliments Nan Jeong in front of Lady Kim, who simmers on the inside. Nan Jeong has Won Hyeong leave the room and becomes engrossed in discussion with the Queen, who goes as far as skipping dinner.

3/18/1981

Won Hyeong has doubts about Nan Jeong's past and sends someone to bring Jinsu over. Nan Jeong prepares a drinking table for Jinsu and Won Hyeong, then leaves so they can have an open discussion.

3/19/1981

Nan Jeong calls Chi Han, Mr An and Miss Gwacheon to her room, shows them the contract Won Hyeong gave her and hands them brass coins to make them her people. Meanwhile, Lady Kim calls back the shaman and plans to get rid of Nan Jeong.

3/23/1981

Nan Jeong is calm and collected as she hears Lady Kim called a shaman to harm Hyowon and herself. That night, Won Hyeong enters her chambers and she advises him to visit the main house...

3/25/1981

When Miss Gwacheon tells Nan Jeong that the shaman is trying to harm her at the main house again, Nan Jeong takes Chi Han to the main house and reveals...

3/26/1981

Realizing she's trying to harm Hyowon, Nan Jeong drags the shaman to her chambers and whips her. When Lady Kim arrives to apologize to Nan Jeong...

3/27/1981

Won Hyeong flies into a rage at finding out what Lady Kim did, turns the shaman over to the State Tribunal and kicks Lady Kim out to the annex.

3/28/1981

With Lady Kim thrown out to the annex, Nan Jeong finally takes up the main house. This rumor spreads back to back until it reaches King Jungjong's ears.

3/30/1981

Rumors of Nan Jeong reach King Jungjong's ears, and he personally summons Won Hyeong to find out the truth. Nan Jeong sends Miss Gwacheon on an errand to take the house keys from Lady Kim...

3/31/1981

Lady Kang rebukes Nan Jeong as she hands her over the keys, and Nan Jeong orders Chi Han to drag Lady Kang away.

4/1/1981

Nan Jeong enters the Palace with Won Hyeong on an errand for the Queen, while Yun Im and Yun Won Ro drink together at Ok Mae Hyang's house despite being on bad terms.

4/2/1981

While Nan Jeong plays the swearing game with the Queen, Grand Prince Gyeongwon stops by for his evening greetings and Nan Jeong intentionally calls him the Crown Prince. After repeatedly wandering in indecision, Jinsu finally solidifies his resolve to take the civil exam.

4/3/1981

Back from meeting with the Queen, Nan Jeong thinks she can become Lady Jeonggyeong if she gets rid of Lady Kim.

4/4/1981

Jinsu finally aces the civil exam.

4/6/1981

Lady Kim falls for Nan Jeong's scheme, drinks the poisoned rice punch and dies.

4/7/1981

Rumors spread throughout the Capital that Lady Kim didn't kill herself, but was poisoned by Nan Jeong.

4/8/1981

Jeong Yun Gyeom and Won Ro get dizzy when Lady Kang presents evidence that Nan Jeong killed Lady Kim. As Lady Kim's bier proceeds to be buried, the rumors slowly turn against Nan Jeong...

4/9/1981

Lady Kang visits Yun Im and entreats him to punish Nan Jeong for poisoning Lady Kim. Won Hyeong grows suspicious of Nan Jeong and asks her to remain at home. Nan Jeong, now in a dilemma...

4/10/1981

The State Tribunal sends troops to arrest Nan Jeong, but she gives them brass coins to buy time...

4/11/1981

The Queen hears Yun Im's petition to punish Nan Jeong severely...

4/13/1981

When Lady Kang hears Nan Jeong was released safely from the State Tribunal, she complains to Yun Im, but Yun Im feels to his bones that he no longer has enough power, and says he won't get involved anymore.

4/14/1981

While Nan Jeong is flogging Miss Gwacheon, Lady Kang brings news that Yun Gyeom is in critical condition to save Miss Gwacheon from disaster. Lady Kang seeks Jinsu and begs him in tears to take revenge for the late Lady Kim...

4/15/1981

King Jungjong suddenly expresses his intention to relinquish the Throne, setting the Court off like a swarm of bees. Nan Jeong counsels the Queen that the Crown Prince must first take the Throne for Grand Prince Gyeongwon to succeed him.

4/16/1981

King Jungjong takes back his intention to hand over the Throne to the Crown Prince, while Yun Im and Won Hyeong raise their voices before the Crown Prince. This causes them to drift apart until Yun Im eventually...

4/17/1981

The East Palace is set ablaze. The Crown Prince is safe but Yun Im reports to King Jungjong that it was definitely arson.

4/18/1981

Yun Im schemes with Jinsu to accuse Won Hyeong and his brother of setting fire to the East Palace. In an attempt to escape disaster, Nan Jeong...

4/20/1981

Nan Jeong meets Ok Mae Hyang and confesses the pains of being a concubine, while King Jungjong calls in Yun Im and Won Hyeong, threatening them with severe punishment for their factional strife.

4/21/1981

Seeing the warm brotherhood between the Crown Prince and Grand Prince Gyeongwon, King Jungjong is further saddened by the Royal in-laws' infighting. Nan Jeong appeals to Won Hyeong to plan before trying to extend his hand to the State Council, but Won Hyeong reacts indifferently.

4/22/1981

Seeing no action from the State Council, King Jungjong scolds them in anger, but unable to punish relatives of the Crown Prince and the Grand Prince, the three State Councilors all resign.

4/23/1981

King Jungjong calls in Won Hyeong, his brother and Yun Im, then harshly scolds them for their factional strife. He makes them take an oath never to engage in factional strife again, then by the Crown Prince's ardent request, forgives them and sends them away.

4/24/1981

Ok Mae Hyang visits Nan Jeong and tells her Yun Im's conspiring to get rid of Won Hyeong. Just in time, Won Hyeong receives a Royal Command to act as emissary to China...

4/25/1981

Won Hyeong returns safely from China...

4/27/1981

King Jungjong's heir the Crown Prince ascends the Throne as the Joseon Dynasty's 12th King Injong. The new King's uncle Yun Im's power is enough to pierce the Heavens, but the sickly Injong's future is dark...

4/28/1981

King Injong appoints Won Hyeong as Deputy Works Minister to console the Queen Dowager, causing a fuss in Court over such an extreme promotion.

4/29/1981

Yun Im persistently asks to remove Won Hyeong and his brother from their posts. Unable to bear this, King Injong strips them both of their ranks...

4/30/1981

Enraged, the Queen Dowager scolds King Injong when he stops by for his greetings. A most filial son, Injong is tormented. Meanwhile, Nan Jeong sets up a shrine deep in Mount Namsan and prays for Injong to die quickly...

5/1/1981

Yun Im gives the Queen a letter from Nan Jeong saying Prince Dongseong must become Crown Prince, not Grand Prince Gyeongwon.

5/2/1981

King Injong suffers insults from the Queen Dowager over the letter, and takes to bed sick...

5/4/1981

5/5/1981

5/6/1981

King Injong passes away just seven months after taking the Throne, at the prime age of 30. His last words are to pass the Throne to Grand Prince Gyeongwon.

5/7/1981

Grand Prince Gyeongwon ascends the Throne at the age of 12 as the Joseon Dynasty's 13th King Myeongjong. Myeongjong's mother Queen Munjeong slowly begins her regency from behind the curtain...

5/8/1981

Sitting behind the screen in the governance hall, Queen Munjeong is the second Queen to rule from behind the curtain since King Seongjong's Great Queen Dowager Jeonghee.

5/9/1981

Yun Won Ro's flippant behavior incurs the wrath of the Court statesmen, and they petition to send him on exile.

5/11/1981

Unable to bear the consensus of the swarming Court, Queen Munjeong finally exiles her brother Yun Won Ro to Haenam. Hearing this news, Won Hyeong smiles in satisfaction instead of mourning.

5/12/1981

Queen Munjeong secretly calls Won Hyeong and orders him to get rid of Yun Im and his faction. So begins the Literati Purge of 1545...

5/14/1981

The day after Queen Munjeong gives her secret order, a Royal audience is opened to impeach Yun Im and his faction, and Yun Im is exiled.

5/15/1981

Nan Jeong visits Ok Mae Hyang, and to completely root out Yun Im's faction, she has Samwol...

5/16/1981

Yun Im is finally poisoned according to Won Hyeong's plan.

5/18/1981

Jinsu incurs Queen Munjeong's wrath after offering her counsel at the governance hall and ends up in jail. Jinsu's wife Lady Yun wants to save her husband...

5/19/1981

Nan Jeong visits Queen Munjeong, commends Jinsu's loyalty and requests to forgive him. Jinsu is released from prison and while recuperating...

5/20/1981

While on his way back from exile, Won Ro visits Queen Munjeong and warns her Won Hyeong's grown too much power while he was away. He tells her to keep her guard up.

5/21/1981

Won Ro feels slighted by his appointment as Upper 3rd Rank Royal Administration Secretary, and expresses his dissatisfaction to Queen Munjeong.

5/22/1981

Won Ro comes home and causes a fuss, asking Nan Jeong to speak to Queen Munjeong about his job. Nan Jeong...

5/25/1981

King Myeongjong takes a Queen from the Cheongsong Shim clan. She is now Queen Insun.

5/26/1981

Im Baek Ryeong takes up the post of Emissary to Ming, and dies on his way there.

5/27/1981

Won Ro's crimes are enumerated at the next Royal Audience and Queen Munjeong strips him of his rank. But the statesmen say he should be poisoned...

5/28/1981

Won Ro is first exiled, but the statesmen keep requesting that he be poisoned. Unable to bear their harassment, Queen Munjeong finally sends Won Ro a bowl of poison.

5/29/1981

Won Ro drinks the poison and dies, and his brother Won Hyeong...

5/30/1981

The crimes of those punished in the Literati Purge of 1545 are all claimed to be false...

6/1/1981

Nan Jeong visits the Queen's mother one night with a present...

6/2/1981

In Yangjae District, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province - a slanderous poster sarcastically calling the Great Queen Dowager "a female King" is posted...

6/3/1981

Queen Munjeong orders to capture whoever posted the notice in Yangjae...

6/4/1981

After receiving a list of those involved in the notice incident at Yangjae District, Queen Munjeong is seized with extreme anxiety and eventually...

6/5/1981

Nan Jeong is overjoyed as Won Hyeong is appointed Minister of Personnel.

6/6/1981

6/8/1981

The Fourth Censor's wife says she won't refer to Hyowon as a Young Master. In a rage...

6/9/1981

The Fourth Censor comes to take his wife out of jail. From the moment he utters the word "concubine" to Nan Jeong, she...

6/10/1981

Helpless to save his wife, he has no choice but to call Hyowon "Young Master". Nan Jeong...

6/11/1981

Having suffered grave humiliation from Nan Jeong, the Fourth Censor puts his house up for sale so he can move. Nan Jeong offers to buy the house...

6/12/1981

Won Hyeong uses compiling a record of the 1545 Literati Purge as an excuse to...

6/13/1981

Reading the historical record about the events of 1545...

6/15/1981

At Nan Jeong's instigation, Queen Munjeong beheads historian An Myeong Se and puts his head on display. As for his family...

6/16/1981

Gu Su Dam is exiled to Gapsan for impeaching Left State Councilor Lee Gi...

6/17/1981

The Chief State Councilor resigns, his position now vacant. Queen Munjeong appoints Won Hyeong as Left State Councilor concurrent to his post as Personnel Minister...

6/18/1981

King Myeongjong calls Jinsu and asks him how to get a hold on the Royal in-laws' power without any negative effects...

6/19/1981

Queen Munjeong goes to Bongeun Temple to offer prayers. Nan Jeong's mother Lady Lee, who followed Nan Jeong to see the Great Queen Dowager's procession, locks eyes with Queen Munjeong...

6/20/1981

As Nan Jeong follows the Great Queen Dowager from Bongeun Temple back to the Palace...

6/22/1981

The young King Myeongjong hears a plea to give Nan Jeong the title of Lady Jeonggyeong...

6/23/1981

Queen Munjeong tears at her hair in rage as King Myeongjong denies her request...

6/25/1981

King Myeongjong cries at Queen Munjeong's harsh scolding and reluctantly gives Nan Jeong the title of Lady Jeonggyeong...

6/26/1981

6/27/1981

6/29/1981

Censor Song Hee Gyu tells Won Hyeong...

6/30/1981

Indifferent to appeasements saying he can enjoy wealth and honor with the right attitude, Song Hee Gyu refuses to withdraw his appeal.

7/1/1981

7/2/1981

Even after being scolded by King Myeongjong regarding the revival of monk examinations, Nan Jeong refuses to take back her petition and offers persistent counsel to Queen Munjeong.

7/3/1981

7/4/1981

Nan Jeong visits the Grand Lady, mocks her and Lady Kang, and acts extremely arrogantly in front of them. The Great Queen Dowager...

7/6/1981

Time goes by and Nan Jeong has 4 children under her care. But her eldest son Hyowon grows up to be...

7/7/1981

The Japanese pirates' pillaging worsens and Won Hyeong is at wits' end to come up with a countermeasure. He seeks Bowoo...

7/8/1981

Hyowon's frequent visits to courtesan houses angers Won Hyeong, who locks him up. Nan Jeong...

7/10/1981

Mr Song breaks into Seonhyangjeong's house. Worried this will spread rumors around the Capital...

7/13/1981

Jinsu, now promoted to Royal Secretary, calls out Won Hyeong for wanting to marry his illegitimate son Hyowon to a noble maiden...

7/14/1981

Won Hyeong spreads rumors his son Hyowon is searching for a bride, and everyone with daughters of marriageable age...

7/15/1981

Won Hyeong becomes Left State Councilor and the Queen has the First Prince she waited so eagerly for. Tagwan Jo Chun Su's daughter...

7/16/1981

Won Hyeong burns with rage upon hearing Censor Jo Chun Su refused his marriage offer...

7/17/1981

Jo Chun Su, who refused Won Hyeong's marriage offer to his face, now sits before the Great Queen Dowager...

7/18/1981

Despite personally requesting to lend her efforts for Hyowon's marriage, the Queen refuses...

7/20/1981

Won Hyeong arrests Jo Chun Su...

7/21/1981

Unable to bear the Great Queen Dowager's coercion, the King calls Jo Chun Su and shows his pathetic circumstance...

7/22/1981

Queen Munjeong summons the Court officials and says she herself ordered her regency as Great Queen Dowager...

7/23/1981

The King orders the four siblings to marry noble spouses...

7/24/1981

Word of Queen Munjeong commanding a marriage of the 4 siblings into renowned noble families breathes fresh life into the family. Nan Jeong and her mother Lady Lee rejoice and are satisfied. But Hyowon's face grows dark, asking "What's so good about that?"

7/25/1981

7/27/1981

After 8 years, Queen Munjeong finally rescinds her regency and King Myeongjong begins ruling on his own.

7/28/1981

A fire breaks out at Gyeongbok Palace 2 months after King Myeongjong begins ruling on his own, and Queen Munjeong is extremely...

7/29/1981

7/30/1981

7/31/1981

8/1/1981

8/3/1981

8/4/1981

Queen Munjeong is angry that King Myeongjong changed all three State Councilors without discussing with her, and scolds him...

8/5/1981

Won Hyeong and An Dae Deok fix their recommended maidens' birth dates before the Crown Princess selection...

8/6/1981

Won Hyeong and Song Chi Han thoroughly rip open and change the birth date of Lord Hwang's daughter so she's no longer a good match for the Crown Prince.

8/7/1981

The maiden recommended by Nan Jeong is such a good match for the Crown Prince...

8/8/1981

When the maiden she recommended suddenly falls ill, Nan Jeong...

8/10/1981

8/11/1981

With ten days left before the Royal Wedding, the selected maiden is still bedridden...

8/12/1981

Nan Jeong flies into a rage at Bowoo's suggestion to make the maiden she recommended the Crown Prince's concubine.

8/15/1981

The Crown Prince falls ill at the sight of Lady Yangje's corpse. Bowoo visits King Myeongjong...

8/17/1981

The Court is abuzz with Im Kkeok Jeong's uprising. Queen Munjeong sees the Crown Prince is still bedridden...

8/18/1981

By Won Hyeong's arrangement, Yun Ok's daughter is chosen as Crown Princess, and she has an illegitimate sister...

8/19/1981

When King Myeongjong promotes Right State Councilor Lee Jun Gyeong to Left State Councilor, Queen Munjeong...

8/20/1981

Queen Munjeong summons Bowoo and tells him she'll sell the Palace if it could save the Crown Prince...

8/22/1981

Sangjin thinks of stepping down as Chief State Councilor, and those around him...

8/24/1981

Queen Munjeong suffers a breakdown in health after the Crown Prince passes away. Yun Won Hyeong, now Chief State Councilor...

8/25/1981

The Queen's uncle Personnel Minister Lee Ryang conspires to check Yun Won Hyeong's power.

8/26/1981

Nan Jeong pressures Won Hyeong to get rid of Personnel Minister Lee Ryang immediately.

8/27/1981

Yun Won Hyeong visits Lee Ryang, reveals his misdeeds and tries to jail him in the State Tribunal, but finds out King Jungjong had already exiled Lee Ryang...

8/28/1981

At a time when the people are starving for lack of food, Nan Jeong...

8/29/1981

To garner more wealth and honor, Nan Jeong makes food out of 761kg of rice...

8/31/1981

At the dock of Domu Port, the death of a strange fish implies that of Yun Won Hyeong...

9/1/1981

A Buddhist ceremony is held to console Crown Prince Sunhoe's soul but Queen Munjeong says the timing isn't right, and delays...

9/2/1981

Queen Munjeong's illness worsens instead of recovering. Won Hyeong and Nan Jeong...

9/3/1981

Foreseeing another nationwide mourning, Song Chi Han visits Bowoo and advises him to run if he wants to preserve his life, but...

9/4/1981

Queen Munjeong's last words are "Do not suppress Buddhism"...

9/5/1981

Yun Won Hyeong sends Mr An to Hoeam Temple. Song Chi Han betrays his master...

9/7/1981

King Myeongjong decides Yun Won Hyeong's justification isn't enough, and tells the State Tribunal to arrest Chief Zen Administrator Monk Bowoo...

9/8/1981

The Queen tells King Myeongjong to accept the Confucian scholars' petition to poison Bowoo...

9/9/1981

Lady Kang, mother of Lady Kim who was poisoned by Nan Jeong, meets the Left State Councilor and tells him the criminal...

9/10/1981

Rather than repent her crimes, Nan Jeong treats Lady Kang with contempt. Lady Kang goes to the Justice Minister and Left State Councilor...

9/11/1981

King Myeongjong and the Court follow the Queen's idea... Yun Won Hyeong and Nan Jeong are awarded poison but they kill themselves in advance...