The Treacherous

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Based on the true events

in the recorded history of Korea

PRESENTED BY LOTTE ENTERTAINMEN A SOOFILM PRODUCTION

A MIN KYU-DONG FILM

1505 A.D. King Yeonsan-gun ordered

'Beauty Recruit Officers'

to bring him over 10,000 women

for his carnal desires,

which led to widespread anger

among the populace.

-ANNALS OF THE JOSEON DYNASTY-

To understand how a king ruined his nation,

hear my tale.

It is the 10th year of his rule.

On the night of Blood Moon,

two men met the mother

of deposed Queen Yoon.

Through them the king obtained

a blood stained woman's clothing.

Is this really what my mother was wearing

when she was killed?

Your Highness!

The late king wanted to keep this a secret,

so I desired to take this to my grave...

So why bring it now?

An unknown party hired

an assassin to steal it!

By whom?

Half of the court tried to

dethrone the late Queen,

so we do not know who's behind the plot.

But we could not ignore

where this may lead to.

Who'd have thought,

a piece of clothing would

result in a blood bath.

Where did the enraged king first visit?

He killed his father's

2 resentful concubines

with his bare hands,

and iron mace.

Their bodies were torn up

and scattered in the mountain.

He also killed his grandmother

for slandering his mother,

and those who spread defaming rumors,

supporters of dethronement,

maids who transported the poison,

they were all mercilessly killed

by poison, decapitation,

and dismemberment into pieces.

Traitors' tombstones were destroyed,

their remains dug up

and smashed to smithereens,

eventually ending up as dust in the air.

Over 200 remains were fed to the pigs.

This killing spree became known as

the Second Literati Purge.

However, two men never stopped

laughing during the purge:

Minister IM Soong-jae,

and his father IM Sa-hong.

They were the most treacherous men alive.

What goes around comes around,

your bone dust may fly

in the wind one day...

THE TREACHEROUS:

Your Highness, we can't...

Don't move! I'm almost done.

This brush won't let go once in my hand.

Minister!

Yes, Highness.

I believe all vicious weeds

have been uprooted.

Your resolve to eliminate them

has reached the heavens.

It wasn't my resolve alone,

your efforts paid off.

All done.

Come in!

Please sit.

It is quite a sight.

I just love this silver knife.

With the will of the taker against

the defender of chastity,

two innate desires in one...

It is simply magnificent.

I am honored, Your Highness.

I must reward you two for

your continuous sacrifices.

Hope you like it.

Your grief over the recent affairs

is clearly expressed.

What say you?

Vivid sensuality is enough

to arouse one's lust,

but their false expression

prevent it from reaching grace.

Then I must throw this out.

There is a way to elevate it.

IM:

IM Soong-jae

By claiming it as my own,

it'll not taint your reputation,

and it is a masterpiece

considering my limited talent.

Bullshit!

You are something!

Did the king really bestow you this?

Don't you see my name on it?

Now, whoever mimics this pose the best,

will be awarded with this golden toad.

My Lord.

We only have one new addition today.

Is she not the one?

If you give me that drawing,

I'll show you something better.

What?

I heard you check all the new girls.

Who could you be looking for?

I'm not sure, but you are

definitely not the one.

I heard you're the king's

most trusted confidant.

However,

tonight, you are my king.

Then I shall show you how a king jests.

For every jar I empty, take off an article.

If I pass out before you're naked,

in addition to the drawing,

I'll bring you into the palace.

But if I win, you'll

walk the streets naked.

- Will you accept?

- Of course.

Hurry up.

Good.

That was the final drink.

- My Lord...

- Get on with it!

My Lord!

Please spare me!

Spare you? It was merely a jest!

I overstepped...

You sly devious whore!

- Strip all the way!

- What's going on?

Stop this at once!

The king's gift is an heirloom!

You must be joking.

That lewd drawing as an heirloom?

You ungrateful bastard!

How dare you!

Don't you know I got you reinstated?

Everyone out! At once!

After these two men

shook up the country,

streets were filled with criticisms.

The king left official duties behind

for carnal desires,

royal advices from

his ministers fell on deaf ears.

He turned a city

into a hunting ground...

The hunt for his populace

or animals has begun!

As his tyranny peaked,

this nation faced a crisis.

'We must call for an uprising,

that thrones a fair king

to replace the old!'

Today's hunt is starting off with a bang.

Let's go!

No need for tears.

Your life will change if he asks for you.

Giddyup!

It's been a while since

us brothers went on a hunt.

Indeed, Your Highness.

Have you walked the streets

under a disguise lately?

Well, yes.

If I am preoccupied with official duties,

it is your duty to keep an ear

on the populace on my behalf.

Yes.

Or are you holding something back?

What do you mean?

I am simply jesting!

You Highness, how about a friendly race?

Yes, that'd be fun!

Minister PARK!

Yes, Your Highness!

So...

What should we bet?

I have nothing worthy

to bet, Your Highness.

You have your life.

Highness, you jest.

Don't worry.

Many will offer their necks in your stead.

How about we test their loyalty to you?

Your Highness!

Get the royal physician!

Physician! Physician!

I order you to exterminate

storks from our land at once.

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Highness!

The king began to suffer from

apparitions and insomnia,

it was said that this was

due to heavy blood loss.

It was unlike of Soong-jae

to miss this chance.

Your Highness.

How do you feel?

What do you think of the sun?

It is brilliantly radiant,

and all encompassing...

Just like Your Highness.

Then, like the sun, do I...

encompass all of Joseon?

If you grace women of

Joseon with your light,

it will rid of their shadows

and cure Your Highness.

What nonsense, when His Highness is ill.

There is no shame in

pursuing carnal desires.

I'll bring you a millennium of

pleasures for one night!

My baby.

It is my duty to select

the girls for the king.

I know my baby's taste the best.

I will handpick the girls

for my baby's liking,

so why don't you allow me...

I have plans,

so set your worries

aside, and help me sleep.

What plans?

Your Highness, Minister IM has arrived.

Let him in!

Just in time, I've been curious.

Here is the list of candidates.

They say your life flashes

before you when facing death.

Do you know what I saw at that moment?

I saw the look of those

who wished for my death.

I cannot forget the

anticipation on their faces.

They'll hide their teeth

and wait for their time.

If their teeth are hidden

behind their lips,

why not sew them shut for good?

I've been holding banquets

despite difficult circumstances,

to seek those who could bear me an heir.

I realized I should have searched farther.

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