Post by ajk on May 22, 2008 17:37:20 GMT -5
Gang Sangin approaches the women. He tells princess Shim, "You must turn the woman over to us." But the princess is ready for this. "You can't execute the king's order in this situation. There are eyes watching us." We can see citizens outside the courtyard wall, watching, and of course the eunuchs are all gathered within. She explains to Gang that Chogungjang's whereabouts are now well-known, and that taking her now would only make the public think that the king is trying to cover up the crown prince's misconduct. "I will not let you bring such shame on his majesty," she says. (Darned clever.) Just then consort Hyobin shows up with her retinue--and backs up the princess 100 percent (although for her own, selfish reasons). Gang is left tongue-tied and flustered as all of the women walk away.
Eunuch Jeon Ilji is called to see his uncle Foreman Jeon, a risky move in broad daylight. Ilji asks why. His uncle asks, "Wouldn't you rather be killed by the enemy than by one of your own?" As Ilji tries to digest this, his uncle strikes him. How could you not tell us that you knew where Chogungjang was?, he wants to know, and strikes him some more. Just then Ok Hwan shows up and breaks it up. "Come with me," he tells Ilji.
Inside, before a shrine, Ok asks Ilji "Have you taken a liking to him?" No, Ilji says, certainly not. But Ok can see better than that. "Choongnyeong is likeable enough to make me want to take him under my wing if he weren't the enemy's son. I don't blame you for having good feelings toward him." Then he turns cold. "But not again." "Yes, sir," says a wide-eyed Ilji.
Choongnyeong is before the king, demanding the public inquiry. But the king won't do it and says, "It's best that we wrap this up quietly...rumors will subside without proof." But the prince tells him that the proof is before the public, now that they all know where Chogungjang is. Taejong becomes angry. "Cold-hearted bastard! Are you manipulating public sentiment to dispose of your political enemy?" Certainly not, says the prince. The king continues, "If this goes to trial, he will be hanged!" But Choongnyeong argues, "Going to trial is the only way to clear his name! That's the only way to break through this political impasse, father." The idea clearly makes an impression.
We see prince Kyoungnyeong, turning over a table in anger. "Survival comes first. Everything else is secondary." (An oddly interjected scene.)
The next morning: The king emerges into the large plaza where reform-minded ministers and officials are protesting, demanding the public inquiry. They bow before him and wait. Finally he speaks. "Disband this protest." No, they tell him, we cannot leave until a public inquiry is conducted. "I will grant your request," he tells them; Now go back to work. He leaves, and the ministers and officials look at each other, almost too stunned to smile.
Minister Park is before the king, who tells Park that he's being put in charge of the public inquiry. The king says, "I believe you are capable of protecting the crown prince and clearing his name." Park is handed an envelope, which he opens. He pulls out the paper, reads it, and is shocked. Taejong explains, "It is the truth that the public shall know." But Park argues, "Too many people know the real truth to believe that this is what happened." The king fires back, "That's why I need a brilliant man like you. All you need to do is make the public believe it." Park argues that even if the public can be made to believe it, the officials will be another matter entirely. Don't worry about that, says the king. "I'm holding another card that will quiet the officials. You're going to like what I have in store."
Prime minister Ha is shown the paper by minister Hwang. Ha says, "I had no idea his majesty could pull a clever scheme like this." Hwang says that it's actually Choongnyeong's clever scheme.
"False testimony? You want me to perjure myself at the public inquiry?" Chogungjang is with Choongnyeong. It's the only way, the prince says, because I can't protect you by myself. It's tough for her to swallow, but she does appreciate his efforts for her and tries to tell him so. But he wants her to be angry, not grateful, and to remember her anger. "Never forget the pain that the royal house has inflicted on you. And I will never forget it either."
Hwang is with the crown prince, who tells him, "I will not allow this ridiculous charade." But Hwang points out, "If the truth comes out and you are deposed, do you think that the woman would survive?" The prince sees that Chogungjang is in deep trouble either way. Realizing the extent of her peril, Yangnyeong's face starts to show great remorse. He wants to go to her and apologize. "If I let that girl bear all the blame alone and didn't even apologize, I wouldn't be human." Then, Hwang says, you must "punish yourself every day for the rest of your life for what you've done to this woman. And you must work hard and do everything you can to ensure that no one is ever sacrificed like this again. That's a true apology."
Chogungjang is with princess Shim. She humbly asks the princess to borrow a nice dress for the inquiry. "Even though I was just a plaything to him, I don't want him to see me like this." (Everyone insert your own sarcastic comment here.) The princess smiles and offers a good dress to her.
The next day: The inquiry is held. Princes, ministers and officials are gathered. Chogungjang is escorted through the plaza and is seated in the middle, facing the king and ex-king. Minister Park begins the examination. Asking leading questions, he prompts her to agree that the crown prince did not know she was Jeongjong's concubine. Is that correct? "That is correct," she answers. "But he was quite attracted to me as well. Isn't that correct, your highness?" And she stares at him, smiling. You're not the one to ask the questions, she's admonished. Park then continues prompting her with what we can now see is a concocted story: She used her mother's illness as an excuse to leave Jeongjong's palace for fear his discovering the affair, and then she threatened the crown prince with exposing it all. She acknowledges all of it. Park summarizes, "The crown prince was a victim of this woman's guileful ploy from start to finish." Then the king says, "I will hear from the crown prince. Is this woman's testimony correct? Were you unaware that the woman was your uncle's concubine?" Yangnyeong wrestles within himself as everyone stares, their breath held...and then finally, "It is the truth, father. I did not know the defendant's identity." Everyone breathes a sigh of relief as the king continues. "The defendant is hereby sentenced to banishment. And for having improper relations outside the palace, the crown prince is hereby ordered temporary restraint on political activities including the Great Hunting Ceremony project." The king and ex-king leave; it's over.
Or is it? Yun Hwe gets up, stomps over to Hwang Hee and throws his hat at Hwang's feet, yelling "This is a farce!" Gim Jongsuh and other junior officials do the same. The officials are so angry that they have to be held back by soldiers.
As Yangnyeong leaves the plaza he and Chogungjang stare remorsefully at each other one last time. Then, just outside the plaza he encounters the queen and crown princess, who both stare daggers into him. Then (as if this all hasn't been enough), Hyobin shows up and gets angry (or does she feign anger to capitalize on the situation?) at her son prince Kyoungnyeong. How could you just get up and leave, she challenges. You shouldn't be letting the junior officials cause such a commotion. Then she turns to the queen. "I'm very concerned. How long can we hide the truth about the crown prince with the officials kicking up such a fuss?" "Hide the truth?", the queen asks, feigning ignorance. Hyobin continues, "You don't have to hide it from me...I serve the king for six months a year. He tells me everything." The queen just turns and walks away, leaving Hyobin standing there with a self-satisfied smile.
Back in the plaza, Yun Hwe is going bonkers. "He's a naive bookworm manipulated by a temptress? You expect us to believe that? I'm completely repulsed by this put-on!" He accuses minister Park: "You put on this act to save the crown prince and dump the whole thing on that poor woman! That isn't what we fought for." Yes it is, says Park; now go back to work, he tells them, wanting them to just shut up and go away. But they won't. "We want the truth!" they scream. Then Yun sees Choongnyeong and challenges him: "You know the truth. You protected Chogungjang at your villa." Choongnyeong merely tells him--with obvious discomfort--"This inquiry is over." Yun is dumbfounded. "Is this the Choongnyeong that I know?" The prince leaves, looking almost sheepish.
Princess Shim tells Chogungjang that she's proud of her. Far from being devastated or exhausted, the consort seems almost bemused by it all. And, she says, Yangnyeong disappointed her. "He was a coward not worth getting dressed up to say goodbye for. In spite of it all, I still hoped he would have the courage of an ordinary man [and] tell the truth despite outside pressures. But I guess I was expecting too much."
Foreman Jeon is speaking with an attractive young woman identified as Auri. They're familiar with each other; she apparently has worked with him before. It will take three months to win the crown prince's heart, she tells him. She tells him she's sure of it, and he finds her confidence amusing. "I've never once failed," she says, "and success builds confidence." She exudes the self-assurance of the kind of woman who knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants.
Minister Park confronts PM Ha. You've been buying up a lot of land in the south, Park tells him. "What were you going to do? Build your own kingdom?" Then Park reveals that the king knows about Ha taking 4,000 slaves and putting them to work on his "fiefs." Then he drops the hammer: the king "wants your graceful retirement." Ha is startled but remains calm as Park continues. "He will reduce your crime to embezzlement of five hundred slaves, so come forward and retire gracefully." Ha stares him down and simply says, "No." They tear into each other. "You should be charged with high treason for the crime you committed." "How dare you call me a criminal! I could have you hanged!" "Don't waste your strength. Your days are over." "Audacious punk! I am the king's political mentor!...Five hundred slaves? I'm not going down for that kind of petty crime." And Ha storms out. Park smiles; he's got him.
Ha is outside, alone. "The king set a trap for me?" He realizes what has happened.
Ha goes before the king. "I didn't think you'd have the guts to request a one-on-one," says Taejong. Ha answers, "You still have a lesson to learn in politics, so as your mentor I must teach you." He explains, "Expose my malfeasance in every detail. No, you should exaggerate them." Inflate the numbers and exaggerate the crimes, he explains. "You need at least that much to break through this bleak political impasse" and reunite the people behind the royal house. I will order a command to begin an impeachment, he says. "This will be my final command, and I beg you not to stop me." Then Taejong asks him, "Why did you do it?" Ha says reflectively, "I must have thought that I deserved a little something in return for giving you the throne." And he advises Taejong, "Never let your guard down. Do not trust anyone. If you do, you will find yourself dealing with another minister like me who tries to abuse what little power he has been given." He kneels and bows.
In the hallway, minister Park is waiting and confronts Ha as he leaves. "I would have chosen to retire gracefully," he tells Ha. Strangely, Ha says, "That's why I say you're no match for me. Once the hunting dog has served his use, he gets eaten as well." He laughs and walks away.
"Choongnyeong opens the inquiry and the king lays the trap." Yun Hwe, Byun Gaeryang and Gim Jongsuh are admiring the strategy. "Now the crown prince scandal will be old news."
The king is issuing a proclamation. He opens up the scroll and reads: "As we have witnessed through recent events, the royal court has become a cradle of corruption....So in a drastic measure to reduce the soaring influence of the state council, I am replacing the state council system [and] installing a direct reporting system for the six ministries...." Later, leaving the announcement ceremony, minister Park assures colleagues that each ministry will have equal authority under the new system. But as he leaves, he can barely contain himself; he knows, and everybody else does, that he's going to have the most power now. As he leaves, Gim Hanlo observes, "This is Park Eun's world now." But Gim is puzzled: "What does his majesty want now? He went to great lengths to protect the crown prince, then clipped the wings of his strongest backer and gave authority to prince Choongnyeong's man."
Park, beaming, enters his office; Jo Malseng is waiting for him. "We're going to be busy for a while" instituting reforms, Park says, eager to get started. But Jo calmly tells him, "I think you can take it easy." Then Jo drops a bomb: Congratulations, he says; "His majesty has promoted you to left state councilor." Park nearly has a heart attack. This is no promotion; he calls it taking "a back seat like an old man." But why?, he asks. "You went as far as to employ merchant thugs and engage in political mudslinging" against the crown prince, Jo explains. Dumbfounded, Park asks, "And how does the king know such great details of my actions?" Jo calmly answers, "I would think you'd know that by now." Park is flabbergasted; it was Jo. "I thought you were my most faithful subordinate. Was I wrong?" Jo answers, "Shouldn't I be the king's most faithful subordinate? Well then, I must return to work." And strolls out like it's all in a day's work. Park cannot believe it. "I have been used!"
PM Ha walks from the palace for the last time. As he walks, we see flashbacks from previous episodes, of scenes of Ha giving advice to the king. And then we hear his voice: "Your majesty, in retrospect, I was the most disrespectful servant a king can have." Ha walks away.
Inside, we actually see a tear fall from the king's eye.
A girl is running through the marketplace, offering herself to the men who pass. She's WAY too young to be selling herself (not that there's a right age to be doing it, but she can't be more than 11 or 12). Choongnyeong is being carried on his palanquin by his eunuchs, and happens to come upon the girl. Yi Sun is her name. "You look like someone important," she tells the prince. "Why don't you buy me?" She's rebuffed by the eunuchs, so she lies down in the street. "I'm not going anywhere until he agrees to buy me." Choongnyeong steps off his palanquin and hands the girl a pouch of coins. "Take that and go home. And don't do this again." But she says "Take it back," and then throws the pouch to the ground. "I'm not a panhandler." The prince tells her, "What's worse than panhandling is prostitution. Why are you selling your body?" The girl becomes despondent. "My mother is sick. I need money for her treatment. I don't need your nickels and dimes. I need lots of money!", she shouts. "That's what the physician said: sell your body if that's what it takes to pay me." She breaks down in tears. Suddenly Choongnyeong grabs the girl and puts her over his shoulder. "You want to sell yourself, so I'm buying you." He walks off purposefully, carrying the girl and leaving his bewildered eunuchs behind.
Eunuch Jeon Ilji is called to see his uncle Foreman Jeon, a risky move in broad daylight. Ilji asks why. His uncle asks, "Wouldn't you rather be killed by the enemy than by one of your own?" As Ilji tries to digest this, his uncle strikes him. How could you not tell us that you knew where Chogungjang was?, he wants to know, and strikes him some more. Just then Ok Hwan shows up and breaks it up. "Come with me," he tells Ilji.
Inside, before a shrine, Ok asks Ilji "Have you taken a liking to him?" No, Ilji says, certainly not. But Ok can see better than that. "Choongnyeong is likeable enough to make me want to take him under my wing if he weren't the enemy's son. I don't blame you for having good feelings toward him." Then he turns cold. "But not again." "Yes, sir," says a wide-eyed Ilji.
Choongnyeong is before the king, demanding the public inquiry. But the king won't do it and says, "It's best that we wrap this up quietly...rumors will subside without proof." But the prince tells him that the proof is before the public, now that they all know where Chogungjang is. Taejong becomes angry. "Cold-hearted bastard! Are you manipulating public sentiment to dispose of your political enemy?" Certainly not, says the prince. The king continues, "If this goes to trial, he will be hanged!" But Choongnyeong argues, "Going to trial is the only way to clear his name! That's the only way to break through this political impasse, father." The idea clearly makes an impression.
We see prince Kyoungnyeong, turning over a table in anger. "Survival comes first. Everything else is secondary." (An oddly interjected scene.)
The next morning: The king emerges into the large plaza where reform-minded ministers and officials are protesting, demanding the public inquiry. They bow before him and wait. Finally he speaks. "Disband this protest." No, they tell him, we cannot leave until a public inquiry is conducted. "I will grant your request," he tells them; Now go back to work. He leaves, and the ministers and officials look at each other, almost too stunned to smile.
Minister Park is before the king, who tells Park that he's being put in charge of the public inquiry. The king says, "I believe you are capable of protecting the crown prince and clearing his name." Park is handed an envelope, which he opens. He pulls out the paper, reads it, and is shocked. Taejong explains, "It is the truth that the public shall know." But Park argues, "Too many people know the real truth to believe that this is what happened." The king fires back, "That's why I need a brilliant man like you. All you need to do is make the public believe it." Park argues that even if the public can be made to believe it, the officials will be another matter entirely. Don't worry about that, says the king. "I'm holding another card that will quiet the officials. You're going to like what I have in store."
Prime minister Ha is shown the paper by minister Hwang. Ha says, "I had no idea his majesty could pull a clever scheme like this." Hwang says that it's actually Choongnyeong's clever scheme.
"False testimony? You want me to perjure myself at the public inquiry?" Chogungjang is with Choongnyeong. It's the only way, the prince says, because I can't protect you by myself. It's tough for her to swallow, but she does appreciate his efforts for her and tries to tell him so. But he wants her to be angry, not grateful, and to remember her anger. "Never forget the pain that the royal house has inflicted on you. And I will never forget it either."
Hwang is with the crown prince, who tells him, "I will not allow this ridiculous charade." But Hwang points out, "If the truth comes out and you are deposed, do you think that the woman would survive?" The prince sees that Chogungjang is in deep trouble either way. Realizing the extent of her peril, Yangnyeong's face starts to show great remorse. He wants to go to her and apologize. "If I let that girl bear all the blame alone and didn't even apologize, I wouldn't be human." Then, Hwang says, you must "punish yourself every day for the rest of your life for what you've done to this woman. And you must work hard and do everything you can to ensure that no one is ever sacrificed like this again. That's a true apology."
Chogungjang is with princess Shim. She humbly asks the princess to borrow a nice dress for the inquiry. "Even though I was just a plaything to him, I don't want him to see me like this." (Everyone insert your own sarcastic comment here.) The princess smiles and offers a good dress to her.
The next day: The inquiry is held. Princes, ministers and officials are gathered. Chogungjang is escorted through the plaza and is seated in the middle, facing the king and ex-king. Minister Park begins the examination. Asking leading questions, he prompts her to agree that the crown prince did not know she was Jeongjong's concubine. Is that correct? "That is correct," she answers. "But he was quite attracted to me as well. Isn't that correct, your highness?" And she stares at him, smiling. You're not the one to ask the questions, she's admonished. Park then continues prompting her with what we can now see is a concocted story: She used her mother's illness as an excuse to leave Jeongjong's palace for fear his discovering the affair, and then she threatened the crown prince with exposing it all. She acknowledges all of it. Park summarizes, "The crown prince was a victim of this woman's guileful ploy from start to finish." Then the king says, "I will hear from the crown prince. Is this woman's testimony correct? Were you unaware that the woman was your uncle's concubine?" Yangnyeong wrestles within himself as everyone stares, their breath held...and then finally, "It is the truth, father. I did not know the defendant's identity." Everyone breathes a sigh of relief as the king continues. "The defendant is hereby sentenced to banishment. And for having improper relations outside the palace, the crown prince is hereby ordered temporary restraint on political activities including the Great Hunting Ceremony project." The king and ex-king leave; it's over.
Or is it? Yun Hwe gets up, stomps over to Hwang Hee and throws his hat at Hwang's feet, yelling "This is a farce!" Gim Jongsuh and other junior officials do the same. The officials are so angry that they have to be held back by soldiers.
As Yangnyeong leaves the plaza he and Chogungjang stare remorsefully at each other one last time. Then, just outside the plaza he encounters the queen and crown princess, who both stare daggers into him. Then (as if this all hasn't been enough), Hyobin shows up and gets angry (or does she feign anger to capitalize on the situation?) at her son prince Kyoungnyeong. How could you just get up and leave, she challenges. You shouldn't be letting the junior officials cause such a commotion. Then she turns to the queen. "I'm very concerned. How long can we hide the truth about the crown prince with the officials kicking up such a fuss?" "Hide the truth?", the queen asks, feigning ignorance. Hyobin continues, "You don't have to hide it from me...I serve the king for six months a year. He tells me everything." The queen just turns and walks away, leaving Hyobin standing there with a self-satisfied smile.
Back in the plaza, Yun Hwe is going bonkers. "He's a naive bookworm manipulated by a temptress? You expect us to believe that? I'm completely repulsed by this put-on!" He accuses minister Park: "You put on this act to save the crown prince and dump the whole thing on that poor woman! That isn't what we fought for." Yes it is, says Park; now go back to work, he tells them, wanting them to just shut up and go away. But they won't. "We want the truth!" they scream. Then Yun sees Choongnyeong and challenges him: "You know the truth. You protected Chogungjang at your villa." Choongnyeong merely tells him--with obvious discomfort--"This inquiry is over." Yun is dumbfounded. "Is this the Choongnyeong that I know?" The prince leaves, looking almost sheepish.
Princess Shim tells Chogungjang that she's proud of her. Far from being devastated or exhausted, the consort seems almost bemused by it all. And, she says, Yangnyeong disappointed her. "He was a coward not worth getting dressed up to say goodbye for. In spite of it all, I still hoped he would have the courage of an ordinary man [and] tell the truth despite outside pressures. But I guess I was expecting too much."
Foreman Jeon is speaking with an attractive young woman identified as Auri. They're familiar with each other; she apparently has worked with him before. It will take three months to win the crown prince's heart, she tells him. She tells him she's sure of it, and he finds her confidence amusing. "I've never once failed," she says, "and success builds confidence." She exudes the self-assurance of the kind of woman who knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants.
Minister Park confronts PM Ha. You've been buying up a lot of land in the south, Park tells him. "What were you going to do? Build your own kingdom?" Then Park reveals that the king knows about Ha taking 4,000 slaves and putting them to work on his "fiefs." Then he drops the hammer: the king "wants your graceful retirement." Ha is startled but remains calm as Park continues. "He will reduce your crime to embezzlement of five hundred slaves, so come forward and retire gracefully." Ha stares him down and simply says, "No." They tear into each other. "You should be charged with high treason for the crime you committed." "How dare you call me a criminal! I could have you hanged!" "Don't waste your strength. Your days are over." "Audacious punk! I am the king's political mentor!...Five hundred slaves? I'm not going down for that kind of petty crime." And Ha storms out. Park smiles; he's got him.
Ha is outside, alone. "The king set a trap for me?" He realizes what has happened.
Ha goes before the king. "I didn't think you'd have the guts to request a one-on-one," says Taejong. Ha answers, "You still have a lesson to learn in politics, so as your mentor I must teach you." He explains, "Expose my malfeasance in every detail. No, you should exaggerate them." Inflate the numbers and exaggerate the crimes, he explains. "You need at least that much to break through this bleak political impasse" and reunite the people behind the royal house. I will order a command to begin an impeachment, he says. "This will be my final command, and I beg you not to stop me." Then Taejong asks him, "Why did you do it?" Ha says reflectively, "I must have thought that I deserved a little something in return for giving you the throne." And he advises Taejong, "Never let your guard down. Do not trust anyone. If you do, you will find yourself dealing with another minister like me who tries to abuse what little power he has been given." He kneels and bows.
In the hallway, minister Park is waiting and confronts Ha as he leaves. "I would have chosen to retire gracefully," he tells Ha. Strangely, Ha says, "That's why I say you're no match for me. Once the hunting dog has served his use, he gets eaten as well." He laughs and walks away.
"Choongnyeong opens the inquiry and the king lays the trap." Yun Hwe, Byun Gaeryang and Gim Jongsuh are admiring the strategy. "Now the crown prince scandal will be old news."
The king is issuing a proclamation. He opens up the scroll and reads: "As we have witnessed through recent events, the royal court has become a cradle of corruption....So in a drastic measure to reduce the soaring influence of the state council, I am replacing the state council system [and] installing a direct reporting system for the six ministries...." Later, leaving the announcement ceremony, minister Park assures colleagues that each ministry will have equal authority under the new system. But as he leaves, he can barely contain himself; he knows, and everybody else does, that he's going to have the most power now. As he leaves, Gim Hanlo observes, "This is Park Eun's world now." But Gim is puzzled: "What does his majesty want now? He went to great lengths to protect the crown prince, then clipped the wings of his strongest backer and gave authority to prince Choongnyeong's man."
Park, beaming, enters his office; Jo Malseng is waiting for him. "We're going to be busy for a while" instituting reforms, Park says, eager to get started. But Jo calmly tells him, "I think you can take it easy." Then Jo drops a bomb: Congratulations, he says; "His majesty has promoted you to left state councilor." Park nearly has a heart attack. This is no promotion; he calls it taking "a back seat like an old man." But why?, he asks. "You went as far as to employ merchant thugs and engage in political mudslinging" against the crown prince, Jo explains. Dumbfounded, Park asks, "And how does the king know such great details of my actions?" Jo calmly answers, "I would think you'd know that by now." Park is flabbergasted; it was Jo. "I thought you were my most faithful subordinate. Was I wrong?" Jo answers, "Shouldn't I be the king's most faithful subordinate? Well then, I must return to work." And strolls out like it's all in a day's work. Park cannot believe it. "I have been used!"
PM Ha walks from the palace for the last time. As he walks, we see flashbacks from previous episodes, of scenes of Ha giving advice to the king. And then we hear his voice: "Your majesty, in retrospect, I was the most disrespectful servant a king can have." Ha walks away.
Inside, we actually see a tear fall from the king's eye.
A girl is running through the marketplace, offering herself to the men who pass. She's WAY too young to be selling herself (not that there's a right age to be doing it, but she can't be more than 11 or 12). Choongnyeong is being carried on his palanquin by his eunuchs, and happens to come upon the girl. Yi Sun is her name. "You look like someone important," she tells the prince. "Why don't you buy me?" She's rebuffed by the eunuchs, so she lies down in the street. "I'm not going anywhere until he agrees to buy me." Choongnyeong steps off his palanquin and hands the girl a pouch of coins. "Take that and go home. And don't do this again." But she says "Take it back," and then throws the pouch to the ground. "I'm not a panhandler." The prince tells her, "What's worse than panhandling is prostitution. Why are you selling your body?" The girl becomes despondent. "My mother is sick. I need money for her treatment. I don't need your nickels and dimes. I need lots of money!", she shouts. "That's what the physician said: sell your body if that's what it takes to pay me." She breaks down in tears. Suddenly Choongnyeong grabs the girl and puts her over his shoulder. "You want to sell yourself, so I'm buying you." He walks off purposefully, carrying the girl and leaving his bewildered eunuchs behind.