Post by ajk on Jun 8, 2023 2:46:16 GMT -5
This will be the usual list of all of the named characters appearing in the series as of the current episode. Same thing that I've done for ten previous historicals here. The numbers in parentheses are the episode numbers of each character's debut.
The roster will simply list the characters in order of appearance. At just 34 episodes I don't think it will be necessary to reorganize them into groups of whatever sort; there shouldn't be enough characters to need such a thing.
NOTE: This roster will become LOADED with spoilers as the series progresses, so don't look at it if you're watching an earlier episode and want to avoid spoilers.
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King Yeongjo / Prince Yeoning / Yi Geum / Lee Gum (1) – 21st king of Chosun. Younger half-brother of king Gyeongjong (20th king).
Queen In-won / future Queen Dowager Hyesun (1) - Third wife of King Sukjong, Yeongjo’s father. Adoptive mother to future King Yeongjo. Queen Mother / “eldest of the palace.” In Ep1 we learn that she rose to the throne after Jang Hee-bin, the king’s “adored lady” concubine and In-won’s rival, was executed for cursing Queen In-hyun (Youngjo's second wife, who died before the events in this series). In Ep27, after a time jump of several years, we learn that she passed away sometime previously.
Prince Sado (1) - Son of King Yeongjo and Lady Young-bin. Crown prince. In Ep28 Yeongjo replaces him as crown prince with Sado's own son San. Sentenced to death by Youngjo in Ep33 for allegedly contemplating rebellion. Later in Ep33, as he is dying, his father orders his royal status be removed.
Lady Hye-kyung / Hyegyeong (1) – Prince Sado’s wife. After Sado's death sentence in Ep33 Yeoungjo strips her of her royal status and orders her to leave the palace and return to her family (which she already said she'd do).
Queen Jungsung (1) – First wife of King Yeongjo. In Ep1 we learned that she was married at the age of 13, became wife of the crown prince at 30, and appointed as queen at 33. Has no children because, as we learn in Ep1, Youngjo rejected her on their wedding night, and apparently ever since. In Ep27, after a time jump of several years, we learn that she passed away sometime previously.
Lady Young-bin / Queen Sun-hee (1) - Consort of King Youngjo. Formerly a water maid in the palace. Mother of Crown Prince Sadof and Princess Hwawan. Of Youngjo's two boys and twelve girls, one boy and six girls are hers. Three daughters died before the events of this series; Hwa-pyung, Hwa-yup, and Hwa-wan remain.
Princess Hwa-wan (1) – Youngest surviving daughter of King Youngjo and Lady Young-bin. First seen as a young girl. In Ep27 we learn that her husband has died.
Court Lady Min (1, named 13) - Head court lady to Queen Sunhee. (Only seen in the background in Ep1.)
Court Lady Ha (1, named 13) - Court Lady who becomes Moon Soon-nyu's head court lady when Moon becomes the king's mistress.
Ban-chae (1) – Attendant to Prince Sado. Looks to be the head attendant.
Moon Soon-nyu (1, identified 3) - Young woman from a commoner family (her mother runs a restaurant in the countryside) who in Ep1 becomes a court lady (in service of widow of Youngjo’s first son, Prince Hyojang) through a formal "adulthood ceremony." In an Ep1 flashback we see that she was taken from her family ten years earlier as a very young girl and brought into the palace for training. We see her adulthood ceremony in Ep1. In Ep8 she sleeps with King Youngjo ("receives the king's grace" is what they called it) and becomes a concubine in the palace. She's given rank four, which is unconventional; usually new concubines get rank five. Gives birth to a baby girl (by Youngjo) in Ep21. In Ep22 Youngjo tells her she's being promoted to rank two, after giving birth to a princess.
Moon Soon-nyu's mother (1) - Runs a restaurant in a village near the capital. In Ep7 we learn that she's widowed.
Kim Il-gyum (1) – Seen only in flashback; official who was opposed to Yeoning being named crown prince and who organized an assassination attempt against him. In a second flashback we subsequently see him, already arrested and tortured, being interrogated and expressing regret.
Jang Hee-bin (1) - Seen only in flashback; one of King Sukjong's concubines and the mother of King Gyeongjong. We see her being executed by poisoning.
the future King Gyeongjong (1) - Seen only in flashback, as a young man at the execution of his mother.
Lady Suk (1) - Seen only in flashback. King Youngjo's mother. We see her watching Jang Hee-bin's execution and then together with her young son at her home. We learn that she used to be a water maid in Queen In-hyun's palace. In Ep2 we see her death.
Moon Sung-gook (1, identified 2 & 3) – Loser. Son of the innkeeper woman and "scoundrel brother" of young court lady Moon. In Ep9 he's given a job as a palace guard. In Ep10 we realize that he's married--the woman we see mostly in the background working with his mother, turns out that's his wife. In Ep25 he gets a new job as head keeper of Yuksang Shrine.
Princess Hwa-pyung (2) - Third daughter of Youngjo. First daughter of Lady Suk (Sado's mother). Ten years older than Sado. Described in Ep2 as Youngjo’s favorite. Dies during childbirth in Ep5.
Princess Hwa-yup (2) - Seventh daughter (fourth surviving) of Youngjo. Fifth daughter (second surviving) of Lady Suk (Sado's mother). Three years older than Sado. Described in Ep2 as disfavored by Youngjo. "She was the prettiest of the princesses but was brushed aside by King Youngjo as she disappointed King Youngjo’s hopes for a son." She dies in Ep12 at the age of 20 (presumably of the measles epidemic in the palace at that time, although it isn't explicitly stated). In Ep32 we learn that she was married to a man named Park Myung-won.
Lady Hyun-bin (2) - Widow of Youngjo’s eldest son, Prince Hyojang (who died as a nine-year-old). Married at 13; widowed the following year. No children. In Ep7 we're told that she's the daughter of Minister Cho Moon-myung from the Punyang Cho family. Dies in Ep7 at the age of 37.
Geum-sung (2) – Possibly princess Hwa-pyung’s husband? First seen with her at her house. Dressed in official’s robe.
Bong-rae (2) – One of Lady Hyegyeong’s attendants.
Min (3) - Government official with the title of "Belly Captain".
Hong Bong-han (3) - Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Father of Lady Hyegyeong. In Ep12 he's referred to as "Minister" and the king grants him a promotion to 4th rank, 6th degree. In Ep17 we learn (because Hong Nak-choon says it) that his family is the Poongsan Hong family. In Ep21 Youngjo appoints him Minister of Culture. Also in 21 both Sado and Hong's brother In-han refer to this as a "reappointment" so apparently Hong has held this position before. In Ep28 he and Cho Yong-gook (who's not identified but almost certainly one of the officials shows during the investiture ceremony) are named mentors to the new crown prince San. In Ep31 Youngjo appoints him to one of the vacant state councillor positions. Later in Ep31 we learn that he's now the high councilor. Still later in Ep31 Youngjo fires him, and then at some point afterwards reinstates him. In Ep32 Youngjo fires him again, and then later in Ep32 once again reinstates him. In Ep33 we learn that as he was kneeling outside the palace the previous day to protest Sado's sentence, Youngjo again dismissed him, and then later on again called him back.
Mrs. Hong (3) - Wife of Hong Bonghan. Mother of Lady Hyegyeong. In Ep27, after a time jump of several years, we learn that she passed away sometime previously.
Han Soo-kyu (3) - Nanny to the future King Youngjo and then later nanny to Prince Sado. In a flashback in Ep3 we see her interrogated, fired and kicked out of the palace for filling Sado's young head with her own political views. As of Ep3 she seems to be living incognito as a male-appearing fortune teller. She later becomes known as a shaman in Haeju region who's spreading negativity about the king. In Ep25 we learn that she was beheaded at King Youngjo's order.
Hong In-han (3?) - Hong Bonghan's brother. (Showed up early and I missed adding him, apologies.) As of Ep24 he's the new Head of the Royal Secretariat.
Choi Soo-kyu (3) - Nanny to the future King Youngjo and then later nanny to Prince Sado.
Hong Nak-in (4) – Oldest of Lady Hyegyeong’s four brothers. Scholar who’s finishing his studies; King Youngjo asks him in Ep4 to assist Prince Sado when finished.
Hong Nak-in’s wife (4) – Distant relative of Queen In-hyun (the queen’s father is her great-grandfather).
Hong Nak-shin (4) – Second-oldest of Lady Hyegyeong’s four brothers.
Hong Nak-im (4) – Third-oldest of Lady Hyegyeong’s four brothers.
Bo-deul (4) – Young woman who just started working at a local brothel as of Ep4. In Ep18 she's brought into Lady Moon's palace by Sung-gook, to assist there.
Prince Jeon (6, named in 7) - Sado's and Lady Hyegyeong's first child. Born in Ep6. King Youngjo gives him his name in Ep7. Dies between Ep8 and Ep9.
San (11, named 12) - Sado's and Lady Hyegyeong's second child. Born in Ep11. The future King Jeongjo. Named crown prince in Ep28, replacing his father. In Ep32 we learn that he's already married. His wife's grandfather Kim Soo-hong is named minister of defense by Youngjo in Ep32.
Hong Nak-choon (11) – Relative of Hong Bonghan. Described in a narrated text in Ep11 as "an abandoned figure in the noble Poong-san Hong family." Kind of a goof; doesn't have the self-discipline to work and provide for his own family.
Hong Nak-choon's wife (11) - Name not given.
Hong Guk-young (11) – Son of Hong Nak-choon. Captioning in Ep11 tells us that he eventually would become “Jeongjo’s Right Arm” and the accompanying narrated text describes him as "one of the most influential figures during Jeongjo's reign."
Kim Sang-ro (13) - State Councilor and leader of the Noron party. Youngjo promotes him to High State Councilor in Ep22.
Kim Jae-ro (13) - Government official belonging to the Noron party.
Shim Man (13) - First encountered as a government official belonging to the Noron party. In Ep19 we learn that he's Princess Hwa-yup's father-in-law, is of Pyoungsan origin, is the son of Shin Kwang-soo, and along with Kim Sang-ro and Hong Gye-hee, is considered "one of the three pillars of the Noron Party." In Ep22 Youngjo appoints him State Councilor, taking Kim Sang-ro's seat.
Hong Gye-hee (13) - First encountered as a government official belonging to the Noron party. In Ep19 we learn that he's the governor of Jeolla Province, is of Namyang origin, is "one of the king’s most trusted subjects," is considered "one of the three pillars of the Noron Party." and in he past has been governor of Chungcheong Province and Head Royal Secretariat. In Ep21 Youngjo appoints him Minister of Defense.
Lee Jong-sung (named 14, likely seen earlier) - Head of the Soron party. Named High State Councilor by Youngjo in Ep14. Submits a resignation letter to Youngjo in Ep22; apparently it's accepted because Youngjo names a replacement (Kim Sang-ro).
Park Moon-soo (named 16, likely seen earlier) - State Councilor. Also known as Sung-bo and Ki-eun. In Ep16 we learn that he was born in Boryung and passed the civil state exam at the 3rd year rule of Gyeong-jong, and was dubbed Lord Young-sung when he helped Officer Oh Myung-hang quell a rebellion in the 4th year rule of Youngjo. Soron Party supporter. Ep16 says he is "greatly supported by Youngjo." In Ep23 we learn that he's been friends with Youngjo since childhood.
Court Lady Im (17, named 18) - Lower-level servant in the palace who becomes Sado's mistress in Ep17.
Court Lady Yoon (named 18, likely seen earlier) - Another one of the senior court ladies, apparently serving Sado.
Cho Yoo-jin (19) - Official in Sado's Secretariat office; good friend of Sado. In Ep34 we learn that he's the son of former state councilor Cho Jae-ho.
Eom Hong-bok (19) - An inspector in Sado's secretariat office; good friend of Cho Yoo-jin who's introduced to Sado by Cho in Ep19. In Ep34 he's arrested and tortured, interrogated for information on an alleged treasonous plot involving Cho Jae-ho.
Princess Hwanyung (21) - Born to Youngjo and Mistress Moon in Ep21. Named by Youngjo in Ep22.
Yoon Ji (22) - From Naju. Son of Yoon Ji-sang, identified as a "former training chief" who apparently had gotten involved in some sort of rebellious activity in the past. In Ep23 we learn that he was executed.
Kim Jung-kwan (22) - Associate of Yoon Ji, from Naju.
Yoon Kwang-soo (23, possibly seen earlier) - Not sure of his story; we see him in custody in Ep23, accused of plotting treason and allegedly having delivered treasonous letters to Park Moon-soo.
Hee-jung (26) - Female attendant. Works in the alcohol storage part of the palace. In Ep26 Youngjo exiles her Samsoo in Hamkyung Province for serving alcohol to Sado during a period of prohibition (in fact she did not do that).
Won In-sung (26) - Works in Sado's secretariat office.
Kim Han-koo (27) - Associate of Hong In-han's. Described in Ep27 as "a countryside scholar," so apparently not from the capital. In Ep28 Yeongjo gives him a rank 3 official post, upon Kim's daughter being chosen as the new queen. Shortly thereafter (again in 28) he's promoted again, to a rank 2 governor post, and then is quickly promoted again to rank 1.
Mistress Moon's uncle (27) - Name not given. In Ep27 we learn that he passed the state exam.
Kim Young-joo / Queen Jung-soon (27) - Kim Han-koo's daughter. Chosen to be Yeongjo's new queen in Ep28.
Princess Jung-sun (identified 28, seen earlier) - Fourth child / second daughter of Sado and Lady Hyegyeong. Her older sister Jung-yun is seen with her (and also first seen at the same time) but not identified.
Gap-shik (28) - Sado's sword-sparring partner. While sparring in Ep28, Sado has a momentary flash of rage (about his father) and unintentionally kills Gap-shik.
Kim In (29) - Older son of Kim Han-koo.
Kim Jin (29) - Younger son of Kim Han-koo.
Lee Young-chuk (identified 30, seen earlier) - Was called "official" but appears to be a high-level attendant to Youngjo.
Court Lady Choi (identified 30, seen earlier) - Appears to be working for either the king or the queen.
Park Moon-hong (identified 31, likely seen earlier) - One of Sado's eunuchs.
Governor of Pyungyang (31) - Name not given. Hwawan's uncle in law. Later in 31 we learned that Hong Bonghan named him to fill one of the vacant State Councilor positions.
Na Kyung-un (31) - Former steward at the house of Yoon Keub, law minister. Was dismissed for gambling. His brother Na Sang-hun was a guard at the prince’s palace. Execuited in Ep32 after submitting a list of alleged crimes committed by Sado.
Jung Hwi-rang (32) – First identified in Ep32; possibly seen earlier. Appears to be an official but uncertain who he is.
Park Sang-ho (identified 32, seen much earlier) - Youngjo's clerk. Visible presence in multiple episodes but we never got his name until Ep32.
Cho Jae-ho (33) - Former state councilor. Has the title Governor. In Ep34 we learn that he's a scholar and belongs to the Soron faction. In Ep34 we learn that Sado's friend Cho Yoo-jin is his son.
Ku Sung-bok (33) - Chief military commander.
Prince San's wife (33) - Name not given.
Lady Hyegyeong's sister (34) - Name not given. Daughter of Hong Bonghan. Appears to be a younger sister, but not sure.
Prince Eun-un (34) = One of the two sons of Sado and Lady Im.
Prince Eun-shin (34) - One of the two sons of Sado and Lady Im.
Also, Mistress Moon's two daughters were seen in the later episodes but were never named.
Also, Sado's head female attendant, who was never named, hanged herself in Ep33 as Sado was dying.
The roster will simply list the characters in order of appearance. At just 34 episodes I don't think it will be necessary to reorganize them into groups of whatever sort; there shouldn't be enough characters to need such a thing.
NOTE: This roster will become LOADED with spoilers as the series progresses, so don't look at it if you're watching an earlier episode and want to avoid spoilers.
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King Yeongjo / Prince Yeoning / Yi Geum / Lee Gum (1) – 21st king of Chosun. Younger half-brother of king Gyeongjong (20th king).
Queen In-won / future Queen Dowager Hyesun (1) - Third wife of King Sukjong, Yeongjo’s father. Adoptive mother to future King Yeongjo. Queen Mother / “eldest of the palace.” In Ep1 we learn that she rose to the throne after Jang Hee-bin, the king’s “adored lady” concubine and In-won’s rival, was executed for cursing Queen In-hyun (Youngjo's second wife, who died before the events in this series). In Ep27, after a time jump of several years, we learn that she passed away sometime previously.
Prince Sado (1) - Son of King Yeongjo and Lady Young-bin. Crown prince. In Ep28 Yeongjo replaces him as crown prince with Sado's own son San. Sentenced to death by Youngjo in Ep33 for allegedly contemplating rebellion. Later in Ep33, as he is dying, his father orders his royal status be removed.
Lady Hye-kyung / Hyegyeong (1) – Prince Sado’s wife. After Sado's death sentence in Ep33 Yeoungjo strips her of her royal status and orders her to leave the palace and return to her family (which she already said she'd do).
Queen Jungsung (1) – First wife of King Yeongjo. In Ep1 we learned that she was married at the age of 13, became wife of the crown prince at 30, and appointed as queen at 33. Has no children because, as we learn in Ep1, Youngjo rejected her on their wedding night, and apparently ever since. In Ep27, after a time jump of several years, we learn that she passed away sometime previously.
Lady Young-bin / Queen Sun-hee (1) - Consort of King Youngjo. Formerly a water maid in the palace. Mother of Crown Prince Sadof and Princess Hwawan. Of Youngjo's two boys and twelve girls, one boy and six girls are hers. Three daughters died before the events of this series; Hwa-pyung, Hwa-yup, and Hwa-wan remain.
Princess Hwa-wan (1) – Youngest surviving daughter of King Youngjo and Lady Young-bin. First seen as a young girl. In Ep27 we learn that her husband has died.
Court Lady Min (1, named 13) - Head court lady to Queen Sunhee. (Only seen in the background in Ep1.)
Court Lady Ha (1, named 13) - Court Lady who becomes Moon Soon-nyu's head court lady when Moon becomes the king's mistress.
Ban-chae (1) – Attendant to Prince Sado. Looks to be the head attendant.
Moon Soon-nyu (1, identified 3) - Young woman from a commoner family (her mother runs a restaurant in the countryside) who in Ep1 becomes a court lady (in service of widow of Youngjo’s first son, Prince Hyojang) through a formal "adulthood ceremony." In an Ep1 flashback we see that she was taken from her family ten years earlier as a very young girl and brought into the palace for training. We see her adulthood ceremony in Ep1. In Ep8 she sleeps with King Youngjo ("receives the king's grace" is what they called it) and becomes a concubine in the palace. She's given rank four, which is unconventional; usually new concubines get rank five. Gives birth to a baby girl (by Youngjo) in Ep21. In Ep22 Youngjo tells her she's being promoted to rank two, after giving birth to a princess.
Moon Soon-nyu's mother (1) - Runs a restaurant in a village near the capital. In Ep7 we learn that she's widowed.
Kim Il-gyum (1) – Seen only in flashback; official who was opposed to Yeoning being named crown prince and who organized an assassination attempt against him. In a second flashback we subsequently see him, already arrested and tortured, being interrogated and expressing regret.
Jang Hee-bin (1) - Seen only in flashback; one of King Sukjong's concubines and the mother of King Gyeongjong. We see her being executed by poisoning.
the future King Gyeongjong (1) - Seen only in flashback, as a young man at the execution of his mother.
Lady Suk (1) - Seen only in flashback. King Youngjo's mother. We see her watching Jang Hee-bin's execution and then together with her young son at her home. We learn that she used to be a water maid in Queen In-hyun's palace. In Ep2 we see her death.
Moon Sung-gook (1, identified 2 & 3) – Loser. Son of the innkeeper woman and "scoundrel brother" of young court lady Moon. In Ep9 he's given a job as a palace guard. In Ep10 we realize that he's married--the woman we see mostly in the background working with his mother, turns out that's his wife. In Ep25 he gets a new job as head keeper of Yuksang Shrine.
Princess Hwa-pyung (2) - Third daughter of Youngjo. First daughter of Lady Suk (Sado's mother). Ten years older than Sado. Described in Ep2 as Youngjo’s favorite. Dies during childbirth in Ep5.
Princess Hwa-yup (2) - Seventh daughter (fourth surviving) of Youngjo. Fifth daughter (second surviving) of Lady Suk (Sado's mother). Three years older than Sado. Described in Ep2 as disfavored by Youngjo. "She was the prettiest of the princesses but was brushed aside by King Youngjo as she disappointed King Youngjo’s hopes for a son." She dies in Ep12 at the age of 20 (presumably of the measles epidemic in the palace at that time, although it isn't explicitly stated). In Ep32 we learn that she was married to a man named Park Myung-won.
Lady Hyun-bin (2) - Widow of Youngjo’s eldest son, Prince Hyojang (who died as a nine-year-old). Married at 13; widowed the following year. No children. In Ep7 we're told that she's the daughter of Minister Cho Moon-myung from the Punyang Cho family. Dies in Ep7 at the age of 37.
Geum-sung (2) – Possibly princess Hwa-pyung’s husband? First seen with her at her house. Dressed in official’s robe.
Bong-rae (2) – One of Lady Hyegyeong’s attendants.
Min (3) - Government official with the title of "Belly Captain".
Hong Bong-han (3) - Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Father of Lady Hyegyeong. In Ep12 he's referred to as "Minister" and the king grants him a promotion to 4th rank, 6th degree. In Ep17 we learn (because Hong Nak-choon says it) that his family is the Poongsan Hong family. In Ep21 Youngjo appoints him Minister of Culture. Also in 21 both Sado and Hong's brother In-han refer to this as a "reappointment" so apparently Hong has held this position before. In Ep28 he and Cho Yong-gook (who's not identified but almost certainly one of the officials shows during the investiture ceremony) are named mentors to the new crown prince San. In Ep31 Youngjo appoints him to one of the vacant state councillor positions. Later in Ep31 we learn that he's now the high councilor. Still later in Ep31 Youngjo fires him, and then at some point afterwards reinstates him. In Ep32 Youngjo fires him again, and then later in Ep32 once again reinstates him. In Ep33 we learn that as he was kneeling outside the palace the previous day to protest Sado's sentence, Youngjo again dismissed him, and then later on again called him back.
Mrs. Hong (3) - Wife of Hong Bonghan. Mother of Lady Hyegyeong. In Ep27, after a time jump of several years, we learn that she passed away sometime previously.
Han Soo-kyu (3) - Nanny to the future King Youngjo and then later nanny to Prince Sado. In a flashback in Ep3 we see her interrogated, fired and kicked out of the palace for filling Sado's young head with her own political views. As of Ep3 she seems to be living incognito as a male-appearing fortune teller. She later becomes known as a shaman in Haeju region who's spreading negativity about the king. In Ep25 we learn that she was beheaded at King Youngjo's order.
Hong In-han (3?) - Hong Bonghan's brother. (Showed up early and I missed adding him, apologies.) As of Ep24 he's the new Head of the Royal Secretariat.
Choi Soo-kyu (3) - Nanny to the future King Youngjo and then later nanny to Prince Sado.
Hong Nak-in (4) – Oldest of Lady Hyegyeong’s four brothers. Scholar who’s finishing his studies; King Youngjo asks him in Ep4 to assist Prince Sado when finished.
Hong Nak-in’s wife (4) – Distant relative of Queen In-hyun (the queen’s father is her great-grandfather).
Hong Nak-shin (4) – Second-oldest of Lady Hyegyeong’s four brothers.
Hong Nak-im (4) – Third-oldest of Lady Hyegyeong’s four brothers.
Bo-deul (4) – Young woman who just started working at a local brothel as of Ep4. In Ep18 she's brought into Lady Moon's palace by Sung-gook, to assist there.
Prince Jeon (6, named in 7) - Sado's and Lady Hyegyeong's first child. Born in Ep6. King Youngjo gives him his name in Ep7. Dies between Ep8 and Ep9.
San (11, named 12) - Sado's and Lady Hyegyeong's second child. Born in Ep11. The future King Jeongjo. Named crown prince in Ep28, replacing his father. In Ep32 we learn that he's already married. His wife's grandfather Kim Soo-hong is named minister of defense by Youngjo in Ep32.
Hong Nak-choon (11) – Relative of Hong Bonghan. Described in a narrated text in Ep11 as "an abandoned figure in the noble Poong-san Hong family." Kind of a goof; doesn't have the self-discipline to work and provide for his own family.
Hong Nak-choon's wife (11) - Name not given.
Hong Guk-young (11) – Son of Hong Nak-choon. Captioning in Ep11 tells us that he eventually would become “Jeongjo’s Right Arm” and the accompanying narrated text describes him as "one of the most influential figures during Jeongjo's reign."
Kim Sang-ro (13) - State Councilor and leader of the Noron party. Youngjo promotes him to High State Councilor in Ep22.
Kim Jae-ro (13) - Government official belonging to the Noron party.
Shim Man (13) - First encountered as a government official belonging to the Noron party. In Ep19 we learn that he's Princess Hwa-yup's father-in-law, is of Pyoungsan origin, is the son of Shin Kwang-soo, and along with Kim Sang-ro and Hong Gye-hee, is considered "one of the three pillars of the Noron Party." In Ep22 Youngjo appoints him State Councilor, taking Kim Sang-ro's seat.
Hong Gye-hee (13) - First encountered as a government official belonging to the Noron party. In Ep19 we learn that he's the governor of Jeolla Province, is of Namyang origin, is "one of the king’s most trusted subjects," is considered "one of the three pillars of the Noron Party." and in he past has been governor of Chungcheong Province and Head Royal Secretariat. In Ep21 Youngjo appoints him Minister of Defense.
Lee Jong-sung (named 14, likely seen earlier) - Head of the Soron party. Named High State Councilor by Youngjo in Ep14. Submits a resignation letter to Youngjo in Ep22; apparently it's accepted because Youngjo names a replacement (Kim Sang-ro).
Park Moon-soo (named 16, likely seen earlier) - State Councilor. Also known as Sung-bo and Ki-eun. In Ep16 we learn that he was born in Boryung and passed the civil state exam at the 3rd year rule of Gyeong-jong, and was dubbed Lord Young-sung when he helped Officer Oh Myung-hang quell a rebellion in the 4th year rule of Youngjo. Soron Party supporter. Ep16 says he is "greatly supported by Youngjo." In Ep23 we learn that he's been friends with Youngjo since childhood.
Court Lady Im (17, named 18) - Lower-level servant in the palace who becomes Sado's mistress in Ep17.
Court Lady Yoon (named 18, likely seen earlier) - Another one of the senior court ladies, apparently serving Sado.
Cho Yoo-jin (19) - Official in Sado's Secretariat office; good friend of Sado. In Ep34 we learn that he's the son of former state councilor Cho Jae-ho.
Eom Hong-bok (19) - An inspector in Sado's secretariat office; good friend of Cho Yoo-jin who's introduced to Sado by Cho in Ep19. In Ep34 he's arrested and tortured, interrogated for information on an alleged treasonous plot involving Cho Jae-ho.
Princess Hwanyung (21) - Born to Youngjo and Mistress Moon in Ep21. Named by Youngjo in Ep22.
Yoon Ji (22) - From Naju. Son of Yoon Ji-sang, identified as a "former training chief" who apparently had gotten involved in some sort of rebellious activity in the past. In Ep23 we learn that he was executed.
Kim Jung-kwan (22) - Associate of Yoon Ji, from Naju.
Yoon Kwang-soo (23, possibly seen earlier) - Not sure of his story; we see him in custody in Ep23, accused of plotting treason and allegedly having delivered treasonous letters to Park Moon-soo.
Hee-jung (26) - Female attendant. Works in the alcohol storage part of the palace. In Ep26 Youngjo exiles her Samsoo in Hamkyung Province for serving alcohol to Sado during a period of prohibition (in fact she did not do that).
Won In-sung (26) - Works in Sado's secretariat office.
Kim Han-koo (27) - Associate of Hong In-han's. Described in Ep27 as "a countryside scholar," so apparently not from the capital. In Ep28 Yeongjo gives him a rank 3 official post, upon Kim's daughter being chosen as the new queen. Shortly thereafter (again in 28) he's promoted again, to a rank 2 governor post, and then is quickly promoted again to rank 1.
Mistress Moon's uncle (27) - Name not given. In Ep27 we learn that he passed the state exam.
Kim Young-joo / Queen Jung-soon (27) - Kim Han-koo's daughter. Chosen to be Yeongjo's new queen in Ep28.
Princess Jung-sun (identified 28, seen earlier) - Fourth child / second daughter of Sado and Lady Hyegyeong. Her older sister Jung-yun is seen with her (and also first seen at the same time) but not identified.
Gap-shik (28) - Sado's sword-sparring partner. While sparring in Ep28, Sado has a momentary flash of rage (about his father) and unintentionally kills Gap-shik.
Kim In (29) - Older son of Kim Han-koo.
Kim Jin (29) - Younger son of Kim Han-koo.
Lee Young-chuk (identified 30, seen earlier) - Was called "official" but appears to be a high-level attendant to Youngjo.
Court Lady Choi (identified 30, seen earlier) - Appears to be working for either the king or the queen.
Park Moon-hong (identified 31, likely seen earlier) - One of Sado's eunuchs.
Governor of Pyungyang (31) - Name not given. Hwawan's uncle in law. Later in 31 we learned that Hong Bonghan named him to fill one of the vacant State Councilor positions.
Na Kyung-un (31) - Former steward at the house of Yoon Keub, law minister. Was dismissed for gambling. His brother Na Sang-hun was a guard at the prince’s palace. Execuited in Ep32 after submitting a list of alleged crimes committed by Sado.
Jung Hwi-rang (32) – First identified in Ep32; possibly seen earlier. Appears to be an official but uncertain who he is.
Park Sang-ho (identified 32, seen much earlier) - Youngjo's clerk. Visible presence in multiple episodes but we never got his name until Ep32.
Cho Jae-ho (33) - Former state councilor. Has the title Governor. In Ep34 we learn that he's a scholar and belongs to the Soron faction. In Ep34 we learn that Sado's friend Cho Yoo-jin is his son.
Ku Sung-bok (33) - Chief military commander.
Prince San's wife (33) - Name not given.
Lady Hyegyeong's sister (34) - Name not given. Daughter of Hong Bonghan. Appears to be a younger sister, but not sure.
Prince Eun-un (34) = One of the two sons of Sado and Lady Im.
Prince Eun-shin (34) - One of the two sons of Sado and Lady Im.
Also, Mistress Moon's two daughters were seen in the later episodes but were never named.
Also, Sado's head female attendant, who was never named, hanged herself in Ep33 as Sado was dying.